Signal Hill analyst Todd Greenwald has stated that the current console cycle is "not even close to nearing an end", in his preview of the upcoming E3 expo.

With the current cycle in its third or fourth year, Greenwald suggests that fears of a decline in hardware and software sales are unwarranted and that E3 itself will "provide some signs that the industry is alive and well".

"We think it's highly premature to be thinking of the cycle ending until all of these consoles are well below the USD 199 mark," says Greenwald. "Furthermore, Microsoft and Sony have invested so much in their current hardware line, as have third party publishers, that we don't think any party is seriously interested in throwing away these investments and starting over from scratch."

"For all of these reasons, we think this cycle will last longer than those in the past, and don't see new hardware coming until 2011 at the earliest, and 2012 to 2013 more likely (if at all – if new services like OnLive take off, or if Xbox Live and PlayStation Network become more and more robust, there may not be a need for another console cycle)."

Greenwald also took the opportunity to update expectations for three publishers, predicting that Activision Blizzard will see full year sales of USD 4.9 billion (up from previous estimates of USD 4.8 billion). Estimates for EA have also been raised slightly to USD 4.3 billion, with THQ up from USD 780 million to USD 812 million.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...hardware-cycle ...

THQ and Company of Heroes developer Relic Entertainment have announced new title Space Marine, set in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 sci-fi universe.

Relic has considerable experience with the license already, through the Dawn of War series of real-time strategy games. According to a preview by sister site Eurogamer.net the new title is an action role-playing game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but not PC.

The game will see players controlling as single space marine, with Relic staff describing it as "high action" and "RPG lite". The game is currently in the early stages of development, with THQ confirming only that it will not be released this year.

Although it shares the same name, the game is not the same project as the leaked footage seen online last September. Although the footage of what appeared to be a more straightforward action game was received positively by fans, the action title was being developed by THQ Studio Australia. It is unclear what the fate of that game might be and whether it will be repurposed for another title.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...0-space-marine ...

THQ and Company of Heroes developer Relic Entertainment have announced new title Space Marine, set in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 sci-fi universe.

Relic has considerable experience with the license already, through the Dawn of War series of real-time strategy games. According to a preview by sister site Eurogamer.net the new title is an action role-playing game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but not PC.

The game will see players controlling as single space marine, with Relic staff describing it as "high action" and "RPG lite". The game is currently in the early stages of development, with THQ confirming only that it will not be released this year.

Although it shares the same name, the game is not the same project as the leaked footage seen online last September. Although the footage of what appeared to be a more straightforward action game was received positively by fans, the action title was being developed by THQ Studio Australia. It is unclear what the fate of that game might be and whether it will be repurposed for another title.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...0-space-marine ...

A new Nintendo DS title from Professor Layton makers Level-5 has entered straight in at number one in the weekly Japanese software charts, although sales across the board remain depressed.

As the top-selling game of the week Sloan to Michael: Nazo no Monogatari (roughly Sloan and Michael's Mysterious Story) sold just 44,000 units.

Also new at number two is Sega's Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! 2 (roughly Let's Make a Pro Baseball Team! 2) for the DS, which sold an equally underwhelming 39,000 units.

The final new entry of the week, at number three, was BioWare's Mass Effect on Xbox 360. Although it is unusual to see a Western role-playing game so high in the Japanese charts the meagre sales of 18,000 units would rarely have been enough to enter the top ten in previous months.

The rest of the top 10 sees the usual suspects simply tread water, with the budget priced re-release of Monster Hunter Portable 2 G (aka Monster Hunter Freedom Unit) rising two places to number four and last week's number one, Bleach: Heat the Soul 6 down at number five. Once again the bottom ranked title sold less than 10,000 units.

01 Sloan and Michael's Mysterious Story (DS)
02 Let's Make a Pro Baseball Team! 2 (DS)
03 Mass Effect (360)
04 Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP)
05 Bleach: Heat the Soul 6 (PSP)
06 Dragon Ball Kai (DS)
07 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky (DS)
08 WarioWare Myself! (DS)
09 Wii Fit (Wii)
10 Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!! (DS)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...japanese-chart ...

Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) will debut a robust slate of new titles based on some of the largest video game franchises at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 2 – 4, 2009.

Headlining the slate is Infinity Ward's highly anticipated sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, which is expected to be one of the best-selling games of the year. Additionally, the company will debut its groundbreaking new DJ Hero game and rock-based title Guitar Hero 5, both of which will once again transform the way consumers enjoy and engage with music by offering the largest array of contemporary artists ever featured in music-based games.

Attendees will also be able to play Bizarre Creations' Blur which marries intense wheel-to-wheel racing action with spectacular power-ups and real-world cars and locations, as well as Tony Hawk: RIDE, which will redefine skateboarding through an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller that allows for unprecedented freedom and movement.

"At this year's E3, we will debut the largest and strongest lineup in our company's history," said Mike Griffith, President and CEO, Activision Publishing, Inc. "Our innovative slate features games based on some of the industry's largest franchises, as well as exciting new offerings in the music, racing and action-sports genres that are poised to redefine the interactive entertainment experience. We are also very excited to showcase two new intellectual properties Singularity and PROTOTYPE which are already garnering a tremendous amount of interest and excitement."

Activision's Full E3 Game Slate Includes:

Blur is set to revolutionize the racing genre as the ultimate wheel-to-wheel racing action experience with spectacular power-ups, real-world locations and over 60 licensed cars. The pick-up and play game drops players into heart-pumping, electrified racing action with 20 cars on track all targeting the finish line and battling each other as they trade paint and collect intense power-ups, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, boost their speed and more. Gamers can also engage in competitive and team-based multiplayer with up to 20 racers online, or on a single console via 4-player split-screen; plus create custom groups to design their own complete game mode. (Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

In DJ Hero, faces in the crowd are transformed into the life of the party as the game's turntable controller – created exclusively for DJ Hero and featuring familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and cross fader – immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems and Wii system from Nintendo; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii and PlayStation 2 system; not yet rated by the ESRB).

The greatest Super Hero action/RPG of all time is back with the world's largest army of heroes and villains in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, the game allows players to choose their side and team up with revered heroes and villains, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters' powers and unleash astonishing new attacks. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and Nintendo DS; not yet rated by the ESRB).

On November 10, 2009, Infinity Ward will make its return with the release of Modern Warfare 2, the most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which has sold more than 13 million copies to date. Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing saga with an unprecedented level of action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

An all-new, third-person open-world/action game, PROTOTYPE lets gamers feel the power of being the ultimate shape-shifting weapon. You are the PROTOTYPE: Alex Mercer – a genetically mutated man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting your way to discover what created you and ...

Assassin's Creed 2 will cost "around 20 per cent more than the first one" to develop, according to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.

Speaking in an investor call to discuss the publisher's recent financial results, he explained that the bigger budget was in order to enable the creation of "bigger games with higher quality" as part of the company's four-part plan.

The other parts of that plan include entering new genres - as with Shaun White, and the newly-announced Pele football title - the internalisation of development for better control, and readying the company for future generations of consoles and new hardware.

To that end the publisher increased its investment by EUR 84 million last year, hiring 1300 more development staff and adding nine new studios to its portfolio - five acquisitions and four new creations.

Guillemot also revealed some numbers around the company's key franchises, noting the growth trend for new titles over past editions.

Far Cry 2 sold 64 per cent more than the original, while the latest Prince of Persia was up 10 per cent, Raving Rabbids up 50 per cent and Brothers in Arms jumped 35 per cent.

Additionally the casual business performed well, with sales up 43 per cent year-on-year, fuelled by strong sales in the Petz, Imaging and Coach franchises, the first two of which have now surpassed lifetime sales figures of 19 million units and 30 million units respectively.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-than-original ...

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America announced today that both Yosumin! LIVE for Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Yosumin! for Windows PC are now available globally via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and Windows PC content digital distribution sites.

Yosumin! LIVE and Yosumin! are the latest renditions of the innovative puzzle game Yosumin, previously released only for the Japanese market. Players must give a colorful panel of yosumin a sweeping glance, locate a square or rectangle with four corners of the same color and click on the corresponding yosumin to make them disappear. Enjoy an engaging puzzle-game experience just by following these simple rules.

While the basic rules and system remain the same, the latest releases include unique modes specific to each platform version. In the Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 version, players can compete against the computer or with friends, and when online, with other players around the world. In the Windows PC version, players can collect pieces of stained glass as they clear the puzzles in the "Yosumin! Adventure mode," enjoying the best of both the puzzle and item-collecting experiences.

A free trial version is available for both platform releases.

About Yosumin! LIVE
Platform: Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360
Genre: Puzzle
Launch Date: May 27, 2009
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
ESRB: E (Everyone)

The official website can be found at http://www.yosumin.com.

About Yosumin!
Platform: Windows PC
Genre: Puzzle
Launch Date: May 27, 2009 *Launch date may vary depending on distributor
Price: $19.99
ESRB: E (Everyone) ...

Ubisoft CEO, Yves Guillemot, has revealed his belief that new technology will enable set-top boxes to become games platforms in the future, alongside new interface technology and new iterations of existing games consoles.

Speaking in an investor call following the full disclosure of the company's financial results, he first hinted at the possible changes to the platform landscape in one of the parts of the company's four-part plan: "Get ready for the future generation of consoles that are coming from many places."

When pushed on that statement he went on to explain further.

"Why I'm saying it's coming from many places is just because accessibility [is] something that a lot of people are working on," he said. "We will see more customers coming to the videogame industry, and they will not only come to the basic consoles like we have today, but they will start also to come on all the boxes that you see under the TVs.

"TV boxes will be more powerful, and with accessibility, will help to take more people. So we will see more consoles on which we will be able to put product.

"For the next generation of consoles, we can't give you approximate dates, but what we see is that there is lots of energy to improve the consoles that will be available in the next few years, and we are already working on some of the elements that will appear in the next few years."

And when asked to clarify his thoughts again, he added:

"What I wanted to say is that because you saw new interfaces with the Wii, with the Wiimote, and also with the DS, with the stylus, what we see for the future is that there will be also big announcements in interfaces. And it will not only happen on consoles, but it will also happen on those TV boxes as well. So this will help in fact games to be played on those boxes on top of the consoles that are available."

He also stated his belief that Apple will become a bigger player in the games business, over and above the iPhone platform.

"And on top we consider that there is a new entrant in the business, which is Apple with the iPhone, and we don't think they will stop there."

Ubisoft's headline financial information included profits that were down for the 2008 fiscal year by 37 per cent, on sales that were up by 14 per cent. The company's stock opened down just over 5 per cent this morning at EUR 13.93.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...orms-guillemot ...

Representatives from both Electronic Arts and Activision have revealed their respective company's software showings for next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show.

Electronic Arts has a massive showing this year, with 29 titles across 10 platforms. Highlights include Madden 10, Dante's Inferno, Mass Effect 2, and Brutal Legend.

"This year at E3, we have an incredible slate of games for the Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac and mobile devices," said CEO John Riccitiello. "Our creative teams are developing some of the most innovative experiences on any platform. We couldn’t be more proud of the games we’re presenting this year."

Activision's showing, while comparatively smaller, is much more concentrated on major releases, which include Modern Warfare 2, Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero, Blur, Prototype and Tony Hawk 5, among others.

"At this year's E3, we will debut the largest and strongest lineup in our company's history," said Activision Publishing president and CEO Mike Griffith. "Our innovative slate features games based on some of the industry's largest franchises, as well as exciting new offerings in the music, racing and action-sports genres that are poised to redefine the interactive entertainment experience."

Electronic Arts' E3 line-up follows:

Army of Two: The 40th Day (PSP, PS3, Xbox 360)
Battlefield 1943 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Brutal Legend (PS3, Xbox 360)
Command & Conquer Red Alert (iPhone, iPod Touch)
Dante’s Inferno (PSP, PS3, Xbox 360)
Dead Space Extraction (Wii)
Dragon Age: Origins (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
EA SPORTS Active (Wii)
Grand Slam Tennis (Wii, additional platforms TBD)
FIFA 10 (DS, Mobiles, PC, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
Fight Night Round 4 (PS3, Xbox 360)
G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra (DS, Mobile, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (All platforms)
Littlest Pet Shop Online (Online)
Madden NFL 10 (PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
Mass Effect 2 (PC, Xbox 360)
Mass Effect Galaxy (iPhone, iPod Touch)
MySims Agents (DS, Wii)
NCAA Football 10 (PSP, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360)
NHL 10 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Need for Speed: NITRO (DS, Wii)
Need for Speed: SHIFT (PSP, PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Spore Hero (Wii)
Spore Hero: Arena (DS)
The Saboteur (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
The Sims 3 (iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac, Mobile, PC)
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 (PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
Activision Blizzard's E3 line-up follows:

Blur (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
DJ Hero (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii)
Guitar Hero 5 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2)
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS)
Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Prototype (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Singularity (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Tony Hawk: Ride (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS, PC)
Wolfenstein (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...al-e3-line-ups ...