After months and months of waiting Empire Interactive has confirmed that Double Dragon is finally coming to Xbox Live Arcade next week.

In case you've got no idea what we're on about (you weirdo), Double Dragon is a classic side-scrolling beat-em-up set in the lovely city of Detroit. Two brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee, masters of a mystical martial art, travel the streets beating up rivals and anyone who looks at them funny for no particular reason.

The Arcade version of the much-loved bruiser will be Empire's XBLA debut, expectedly sporting both an untouched arcade port and a new version with tinkered graphics and sound.

There's no word on the cost yet, though we're expecting it to arrive at around 400 Microsoft points (£3.60).

via cvg ...

via gibiz

The president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division has said he expects the company's console business to finally start making money next year.

Speaking to eWeek, Robbie Bach said: "It's a business that will be profitable next year. We'll make money next year and that will be the first time, which is pretty exciting."

Microsoft announced last week that falling Xbox 360 sales contributed to a 21 per cent drop in revenues for the entertainment and devices division. The first quarter of 1007 saw an operating loss of USD 315 million (EUR 232 million) for the division, which also makes the Zune mp3 player. But these losses were reduced from the same period last year.

Bach told eWeek that he expects Microsoft to stop making a loss on console production soon, with revenue from games, Live and peripheral sales contributing to positive cashflow some time in 2008.

"Xbox is the hardest piece of consumer electronics hardware to produce in the world, no debate," he said, admitting that "costs are a little higher than we'd like". Microsoft doesn't expect to make a profit on hardware alone, but "we'll probably be gross margin neutral on that over the life cycle of the product, and try to break even on that".

But he feels growth in the rest of the business is increasing fast enough to offest production costs. "Right now we're doing a pretty good job. We're humming pretty well in the business. Game attach rate [is at the] highest level in history for a game console at this stage in the life cycle. The same with our peripheral attach rate. Xbox Live has over 6 million members. The pieces are in place to drive the proverbial billion dollars."

Bach also commented on Microsoft's competition, saying he felt Nintendo's Wii put it in a much stronger position than Sony.

"I think Nintendo and Microsoft are clearly in the driver's seat on what's happening in this generation," he said. "Sony I think has some real challenges. They've got a pricing problem, they have a cost problem, they have a content problem, and they don't have an online service."

He also added that the Wii had received "more broad-base acclaim that I would have expected" and was "a very nice product, but it actually has a relatively specific audience and a fairly specific appeal." The challenge it presented to Microsoft was how to compete with it in the casual market, on both Xbox 360 and Windows, he said ...

More on the remodeled PS3 story via gibiz

An Australian technology website has suggested that a revised PlayStation 3 could be less than 18 months away, citing "a Sony insider" as its source.

The Smarthouse report refers to the proposed machine as a "PlayStation 4", but goes on to state that it will be based on the same chipset as PS3, differing from the current model only in the "drive bay and attachment area". According to the source, it will also include a software suite for managing streaming of content to TVs and hi-fis, and feature improved output.

A Sony spokesperson declined to comment on the story, classing it as speculation.

Smarthouse quotes the source as saying, "We have even looked at a Sony home server based on PlayStation technology. This would allow consumers to connect home automation devices to the Sony server while also delivering online gaming and access to an extensive movie and music library."

The idea of a full-fledged PlayStation 4 coming so soon after the company's vast investment in designing and launching PS3 is far-fetched. But expanding PS3's abilities as a media server, connected to multiple devices in the home, would be consistent with Sony's oft-repeated vision of PS3 as a multimedia home entertainment centre.

The device outlined in the aritcle is also consistent with Reuters' recent report that Sony is considering launching PS3s with larger hard drives, much as Microsoft has done with the Xbox 360 Elite.

However, PS3 hard disks are industry-standard components, and users are free to fit larger drives themselves if they wish. Many of the other features described in the story could be achieved by updating the PS3 firmware, with no need for a hardware revision. ...

A report published by market intelligence firm Niko Partners, specialists in the Chinese game industry, states that the country's video game market saw spectacular growth in 2006.

The report found that revenue from the overall video game market jumped by 68% last year, with the online gaming sector generating USD 995 million in revenue, an increase of 74% from the previous year.

Unsurprisingly, the report singled out China's booming internet cafe culture as the main driver for this growth. The introduction of free-to-play massively multiplayer online games - in which players pay for virtual items - has, according to Niko's managing partner Lisa Cosmas Hanson, further stimulated this trend.

"Chinese gamers pour into the cafes every day to play online and LAN games with friends. They spend money in the games on virtual gifts for friends, services for their characters, and virtual items to help with leveling," said Hanson. "The intertwined nature of China's Internet cafes, social gaming culture, and few entertainment alternatives at a low price point, will continue to be the basis for strong growth through 2011."

But the Niko report goes on to paint a picture of overall good health for the Chinese market. Sales of offline PC games, mostly from Taiwan, rose 28.5 per cent to 904,000 units in 2006. And alongside the 20 million PCs in China's 225,000 internet cafes are an increasing number of consoles, although these are all grey imports, console hardware currently being prohibited in China.

Hanson added: "If a game company can get an impressive game or console to market in China, the gamers there will embrace it. That said, getting a product into the market is not easy. The complex regulatory environment in China is still the greatest barrier to entry for foreign game companies."

China added 3.4 million gamers in 2006, reaching a total gaming population of 37.5 million, 90 per cent of whom play online games. Niko projects this number to increase to 71.9 million gamers by 2011.

via gibiz ...

Having turned a blind eye for some time now, Microsoft is finally moving to clamp down on people who set up foreign Xbox Live accounts in order to download content they can't access locally.

In a statement released overnight, Microsoft said that the territory controls would be strengthened by next week's "Spring Update" for the Xbox 360 dashboard, due out 7th May, which also introduces Live Messenger support among other things.

While this will have very little effect on Xbox Live users whose account details match up to their point of origin, it means, for example, that anybody in the UK who has set up a US account in order to access downloadable films and TV shows made available to US customers will see that access cut off from next week. The practice is also popular with gamers who want to try out Japanese and US game demos.

The statement, posted on the Microsoft-run Gamerscoreblog, explained that it was Microsoft's responsibility to comply with government regulations and licensing agreements that determine where content is to be made available.

"As a general policy we try to get global rights to content, but in some cases, it's not possible because of legal restrictions," the statement added. "In other instances, we have to get legal rights on a country-by-country basis, which unfortunately results with us having content on the service that has to be filtered based on geographical location."

Microsoft said it hoped users would understand "our responsibility, and the necessary security requirements that need to be in place in order to comply with applicable laws and [to] honour our agreements with content providers," and concluded by advising any US Xbox Live users who experience problems accessing content following the release of the Spring Update to call 1-800-4MY-XBOX to receive assistance.

via gibiz ...

News from Play Asia
Welcome to this week's Movie/Music news roundup, containing all new Japanese and Hong Kong Video and Music releases from this week listed at Play-Asia.com. Around 150 new items are covered in this week, including new J-Pop, Anime as well as Japanese, Hong Kong and Western movie releases and much more.

Here's a summary of all new releases that were published between Saturday, April 28th and Friday, May 4th. If some specific item that you are looking for is missing, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service with your request.

J-Pop Music releases (45)
ENKA Music releases (6)
Anime Soundtracks & Drama CDs (4)
Video Game Soundtracks (3)
Hong Kong Version Music releases (1)
Blu-Ray Disc Movies (0)
HD DVD Movies (0)
Hong Kong Version Movie releases (2)
Japanese Movies (14)
Non-Japanese Movies / Japanese Version (54)
Anime DVD releases (14)
J-Pop DVD releases (3)
ENKA DVD releases (0)
Idol DVD (5) ...

News from Play Asia

Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.

As a result of the Japanese Golden Week holiday this week there has been only very few new releases. We did however get a number of interesting Asian & US version games. Also we received a number of interesting new toys and figures.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week.


Nintendo DS™:

Classic Action: Devilish US US$ 24.90
DS Stand (light blue) US$ 15.90
Headphone DS Lite (black) US$ 9.90
Inner Ear Earphone DS Lite (black) US$ 12.90
Lite Slipon Punching (black) US$ 9.90
Lite Slipon Punching (white) US$ 9.90
Naruto DSLite Silicon Cover & Touch Pen (Black Version) US$ 16.90
Osawari Tantei: Osawa Rina (Good Price) JPN US$ 24.90
SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS US US$ 39.90
Touch Pen DS (green) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS (orange) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (light blue) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (pink) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (white) US$ 5.99

Sony PSP™:

7 Wonders US US$ 24.90
Face Cover Portable (black) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (blue) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (pink) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (white) US$ 7.99
Generation of Chaos: Aedis Eclipse US US$ 39.90
Lost Regnum: Makutsu no Koutei KOR US$ 49.90
MLB 07: The Show KOR US$ 49.90
Pocket Pool US US$ 34.90
The Cube US US$ 24.90
The Fast and the Furious US US$ 39.90

Xbox360™:

Guitar Hero II with Guitar ASIA N/A
Xbox 360 Faceplate (Forza Motorsport 2) US US$ 24.90
Xbox 360 Memory Unit (512MB) US US$ 49.90
Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit (Black) US US$ 24.90
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Black) US US$ 49.90
Xbox Live 12-Month Gold Card (Halo 3) US US$ 49.90

Nintendo™ Wii:

Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (gray) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (light blue) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (white) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Controller Silicon Cover (gray) JPN US$ 8.90
XCM V-Box US$ 59.90

PlayStation3™:

F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon US US$ 64.90
PC & Mac™:

Sakura Taisen 4 ASIA US$ 19.90
Sora No Kiseki - The Legend of Heroes VI ASIA US$ 24.90
Sora No Kiseki - The Legend of Heroes VI [Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 34.90

Toys & Misc:

Arcadia Magazine [June 2007] JPN US$ 12.90
Chaos Gate Jingai Makyo Kaze no Ushiro wo Ayumumono - Kazeko (1/10 Scale Painted PVC Figure) JPN N/A
Dragon Ball Mini Big Head Figure Collection JPN US$ 2.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [June 2007] JPN US$ 16.50
Fate/Hollow Ataraxia 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Rider (Swimsuit Version) JPN N/A
Fate/Stay Night Pre-painted PVC Action Figure - Saber JPN US$ 20.90
Figure Meister Air Gear Feat. Girls Trick Trading Figure JPN US$ 7.90
FineScenery Witchblade 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane JPN US$ 54.90
He is My Master 1/7 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Sawatari Izumi JPN US$ 59.90
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ Ultimania JPN US$ 25.90
Naruto Ninja Accessories Candy Toy - Strong Wind Transmission JPN US$ 4.49
Nohohon Anniversary (5 Million Sales Achievement Limited Color) N/A
PlayPal Portable Player US US$ 29.90
Sakigake!! Otokojuku Mini Big Head Figure Collection JPN US$ 3.49
Sakura Taisen 1/10 Scale Pre-Painted Heroine Figure Collection : Sakura Shinguji JPN US$ 39.90
Shakugan no Shana 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Shana (Noir Ver.) JPN US$ 50.90
Shining Tears 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Blanc Neige JPN US$ 54.90
Solid Works Collection DX Gunslinger Girl Figure Collection JPN US$ 7.99
Solid Works Super Robot Taisen Original Generation - 1/8 Scale Pre-painted Figure: Serena Recital JPN US$ 59.90
Super Mario Bros. Plush Doll Gum Candy Toy JPN US$ 3.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Yuki Nagato (Bunny Girl - Black Ver.) JPN US$ 61.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Yuki Nagato (Bunny Girl - White Ver.) JPN US$ 61.90
Sweet Dreams Shunya Yamashita Sakuhinshu 1/7scale PVC Figure - Rosanna JPN N/A
The Art of Shunya Yamashita 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Mirei San JPN N/A
Witchblade 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane (Big Blade) JPN US$ 64.90
Witchblade 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane (Pain Clothes Ver.) JPN US$ 48.90

Video Game related Soundtracks:

Boku To Watashi No Renai Jijo - Miwaku No Miracle Ido JPN US$ 27.90
Elvandia Story Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 27.90
Kirakira Idol Rikachan Sunshine Live Tour JPN US$ 11.90
Persona 3 FES Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 18.90 ...

Microsoft® today announced it will be establishing a European office of Microsoft Game Studios (MGS). The European arm will focus on continuing and growing the success of MGS-published content in Europe and in building ever-deeper relationships with European development talent.

From 6th May, the European arm of MGS will be based in Reading, UK and headed up by Phil Spencer, General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. Reporting to Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Game Studios, Spencer will continue his role of running the MGS publishing business and working with studios from around the world, while building a European publishing team alongside Shannon Loftis (Director of European Production) and Todd Stevens (Director of Business Management). The European Publishing team will report into the worldwide publishing leadership team in Redmond, WA.

“Europe is obviously very important to our platform efforts and an area where have a strong history of working with some of the best game industry talent,” said Spencer. “We already have an established presence in the region with some of the world’s best development talent like Lionhead and Rare, and great publishing partners like Bizarre Creations, Real Time Worlds and Remedy. I’m very excited about what we’ve accomplished in Europe and I look forward to continuing and strengthening that success by building deeper relationships with the development community here.” ...

This week Wii owners can get in the ring with the MEGA DRIVE version of one of the best fighting games of all time. Virtual Console is graced by the ground-breaking Virtua Fighter™ 2 a game which helped evolve the fighting genre into the modern era when it launched in 1996. With nine fighters to master and a selection of devastating combos to perfect, up to two players can take the challenge to find out if they have what it takes to be the Second World Fighting Champion. Virtua Fighter 2 is available now for 800 Wii Points.

Also joining Virtual Console this week are two classic platform games originally for the SEGA MEGA DRIVE, both now available for 800 Wii Points. First up is the highly addictive Wonder Boy in Monster World™, which combines traditional platform action with RPG elements such as gathering clues from townspeople and upgrading weapons and armour. Next up is Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle™, an exciting platform title where players must solve puzzles and defeat enemies to save Alex’s kidnapped father. With eleven stages to enjoy and a unique ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ boss battle mechanic, this game is a classic for any retro fan.

Finally this week, Wii owners will get to enjoy the Turbografx action shooter Shockman. Players must progress through vast levels by choosing from multiple routes, battling the hordes of robotic adversaries which stand in their way and fighting impressive bosses. Co-operative elements such as “shared life” and a powerful “Team Shockbeam” are available in 2 player simultaneous play. Shockman is available now for 600 Wii Points.

These great games will join the list of 81 classic titles already available for the Virtual Console in Europe. Virtual Console titles are being enjoyed around the world and by the end of March 2007; approximately 3.3 million games had been downloaded globally. ...