via vnunet

Sony's games division losses will be worse than expected and could exceed $2bn for the fiscal year ending in March, vnunet.com can reveal.

Executives told reporters and analysts in Tokyo today that they blamed a shortfall in sales of the costly PlayStation 3 video games console and the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Sony's net profit fell more than five per cent to $1.3bn in the last three months of 2006. The games division suffered an operating loss of $455m during the quarter, a fall of almost $1bn from the previous quarter, according to Sony.

"This deterioration was primarily the result of the loss arising from the sale of the PS3 at strategic price points, as well as other charges associated with preparation for the launch of the PS3 platform," the company announced.

"In addition, operating income from the PS2 and PSP businesses fell due to sales declines."

Sony has been shocked by the strong sales of Nintendo's much cheaper Wii console, according to analysts, and has had to fight the entrenched strength of Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched more than a year ago and now has a wide range of games.

Sony's predicted loss on the first six months of PS3 sales now exceeds the $1.3bn Microsoft is estimated to have lost on Xbox 360 sales over the same period of that console's life-cycle.

Analysts have suggested that Sony will be able to cut PS3 manufacturing costs and retail prices later this year when it revamps the console with smaller ver sions of the Cell CPU and RSX graphics chip.

"How and when the company intends to address the problem of weak demand for PS3 hardware remains unclear. In our view, making the PS3 profitable will not be an easy task," said Eiichi Katayama of Nomura Securities in a briefing to clients.

Sony executives are now saying that the games division loss for the financial year ending in March will exceed earlier predictions of $1.65bn, and might go as high as $2.05bn, according to sources present at a Sony investor briefing in Tokyo today.

Nomura's analysts have stated that they expect the results to be even worse.

Despite the bad news from Sony's games division, better than expected results from its consumer electronics products had helped offset the loss, Katayama said. Sony highlighted TVs as a strong seller during the Christmas season.

Although media attention has focused on the high-profile PS3, older games products are also giving cause for concern at Sony.

"We think that a critical stage is approaching for the PSP, which in our view occupies an ambiguous market position as a game console and a multi-purpose audiovisual machine," said Katayama. ...

via ft.com

Sony Computer Entertainment is poised to announce deals with software companies and internet service providers to try to reverse the dismal performance of its PlayStation Portable handheld games machines.

SCE is expected to reveal a package of PSP online services in mid-March, with analysts expecting the tie-ups to involve at least one big ISP, such as Yahoo.

The move is part of efforts by Sony to shore up its games division, which is suffering worse-than-expected losses from its PlayStation 3 console.

Nobuyuki Oneda, Sony’s chief financial officer, told the Financial Times that restoring the games division to break-even was crucial to achieving the promise of Sir Howard Stringer, chairman, of group margins of 5 per cent by the end of this financial year.

Analysts expect the PSP business tie-ups to promote the PSP as a more user-friendly device capable of downloading films, television shows and back-catalogue PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games. The changes could allow users to download games and other content anywhere the PSP can be connected to a WiFi network. Although the PSP is already technically capable of downloading and storing online content, such as games, the services have not appealed to mainstream users. A tie-up with a well-known internet brand or television company, said one Nomura analyst, could change that.

Mr Oneda acknowledged that the PSP’s recent performance had been a cause for concern, with software sales a particular disappointment. “It was pretty much a competition issue with the Nintendo so we have to fight back by introducing more attractive applications [for the PSP] by using the network,” he said.

Mr Oneda’s comments come as PSP shipments have fallen far behind those of the Nintendo DS, which was launched in December 2004, the same month as the PSP, and has achieved strong growth among non-traditional gamers. To date, the PSP has shipped 24m units globally, against worldwide DS sales of 35m.

Sony’s new plan is part of its changing approach to consumer electronics. Mr Oneda said that, in future, the company would offer “no single product to lead consumer electronics” but instead would concentrate on developing networked devices and creating networks in the home. “The trend is towards high definition and internet connectivity. Those are what we will shoot for in the future.”

Mr Oneda explained the importance of pulling the games division back into the black. If it could break even and the film and finance businesses retained their present margins, the improving conditions of the electronics business and its 70 per cent contribution to group-wide margin levels would be enough to meet the March 2008 target of 5 per cent margins, he said.

“I have some confidence we can achieve this,” he said. ...

New press release:

Crossword puzzle aficionados will soon have a new outlet as Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of digital entertainment products and content, today announced The New York Times Crosswords for the Nintendo DS™. Developed by Budcat Creations, The New York Times Crosswords will challenge even the most savvy wordplay enthusiasts when it ships this spring.

“The challenging fun of The New York Times crossword puzzles combined with the stylus-based functionality of the Nintendo DS is a perfect pairing from our perspective,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco. “Handwriting recognition lends authenticity to gameplay while wireless multiplayer offers social players a means to enjoy the game with other fans on the go. The New York Times Crosswords really is the ultimate game for passionate crossword puzzle lovers.”

The New York Times Crosswords features more than 1,000 real crossword puzzles and the unique ability to write in answers with the stylus or use a Touch Screen keyboard to enter letters. Various modes of play include Puzzle Me Quick for a fast word fix; Puzzle Week for extended play with progressive difficulty; or Challenge mode with adjustable time and difficulty settings. In addition, the game includes both cooperative and competitive 2-player play so puzzle fanatics can work together or face off in wireless challenges.
For more information about Majesco’s exciting line of products please visit www.majescoentertainment.com ...

New released are a bunch of screenshots for the game Tamagotchi Party On!

Check them out via comments ...

New press release:

Get set to put your skills to the test as Pokémon Ranger launches across Europe on 30th March 2007 only for the Nintendo DS. For the first time ever, fans finally get the chance to fill the coveted role of a Ranger, an elite task force who protect Pokémon.

Players can become a fully-fledged Pokémon Ranger by being invited to Fall City to learn from Spenser, one of the top Ranger leaders. As they embark on the life of a licensed Ranger, players will learno use the powers of captured wild Pokémon to solve problems, help people and protect nature from adverse effects.

As a player begins the adventure they select either Lunick (male) or Solana (female) as their chosen character. They are then transported to the Rangers Base where they will receive a series of exciting and challenging missions to complete. As experience is gained, the missions increase in importance. The Ranger is pitted against the Go-Rock Squad in an attempt to recover Professor Hastings’ stolen Super Styler – the newly developed version of the Capture Styler used to hold wild Pokémon.

The Rangers don’t embark on their epic journey alone. To help them along their way they are also accompanied by a single partner Pokémon. This helpful friend will remain with them at all times aiding the all important relationship between the Ranger and captured wild Pokémon, whose power they will need to harness in the challenges ahead of them.

For the first time in a Pokémon game, players can control the Pokémon Ranger using only the Nintendo DS touch screen. To capture a valuable wild Pokémon the player must draw circles round their target with the stylus, though this challenge varies depending on the size and power of the Pokémon. Once captured, the Ranger’s partner Pokémon facilitates the use of the wild Pokémon’s powers to solve problems and clear obstacles that they might encounter.

A wild Pokémon’s powers aren’t available forever though. The player must choose the right moment to use the power because once used, the Pokémon is released back into the wild. A captured Pokémon can help a player by providing either a Poké Assist or a Field Move. In a Poké Assist a player can use an already captured Pokémon to capture another. In Field Move the Pokémon is used to clear an obstacle in the new Ranger’s path.

As the game progresses, the Ranger’s Capture Styler, used to hold the wild Pokémon, becomes more powerful. This provides more energy (Meter) allowing more Pokémon to be held with them at any one time. The wild Pokémon captured all provide different powers, depending on the group they belong to. Groups available include Grass, Fire, Electric, along with many more. As the game progresses, the challenge of capturing the correct Pokémon becomes increasingly strategic with various group match-up advantages and disadvantages influencing their assistance to the player.

The fun doesn’t end with the main mission either, with numerous sub-quests available giving players the opportunity to meet and capture legendary Pokémon like Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza. With these and over 200 other Pokémon waiting to be caught, completing your Browser will be no easy task. Do you have what it takes to ‘Catch em all’ and earn the Certificate of Completion

So get ready to capture and conquer as Pokémon Ranger hits shelves across Europe on the Nintendo DS on 30th March 2007 for the estimated retail price of around €40 (£30 in the UK).

And be sure you don't miss Pokémon Battle Frontier where the Pokémon Ranger, Solana, makes her TV debut in the most exciting Pokémon TV series yet. Toonami is on Sky Channel 602 at 5pm everyday, with the latest series starting February 5th! ...

Released today are new screenshots for the game Diner Dash on both PSP and Nintendo DS.

Checkout the screenshots Via Comments ...

Released today are new screenshots for the game Diner Dash on both PSP and Nintendo DS.

Checkout the screenshots Via Comments ...

Heres the press release:

One of the greatest adventures of all time is back! The fifth instalment in Square Enix’s renowned franchise returns to the Game Boy Advance with all the elements that make this one of gaming’s best-loved series. With new content, intricately detailed stories and stunning visuals, you won’t be able to keep your hands off your Game Boy Advance when FINAL FANTASY® V ADVANCE launches across Europe on 16th March 2007.

Staying true to the Final Fantasy series, FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE combines complex and heroic new characters with familiar themes and an exciting new storyline to be experienced. Players must guide Bartz, along with his chocobo companion, young Princess Lenna, amnesiac Galuf, and Pirate Captain Faris through their world in a quest to prevent the destruction of the four crystals controlling the world’s elements. Players must utilise all their skills to battle their way past constant danger and prevent an evil wizard from destroying the world as they know it.

Players must guide the characters through a fantasy world, visiting towns, talking to other characters and battling monsters to do everything in their power to unravel the mystery of the crystals. Throughout the game’s battles, players earn experience points enabling their characters to “level up” and become even stronger. Along the way, they'll also obtain stronger weapons and armour, improving their effectiveness in battle.

FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE features an evolution of the Job System introduced in previous titles in the series. Not only can players freely change classes and jobs throughout the game, a feature reflected in the characters' physical appearance, but certain abilities can be learnt and assigned independently of their job. FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE adds to the fun with new jobs such as Oracle, Gladiator and Cannoneer throwing a slew of new abilities into the mix.

But it’s not all change; FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE still captures the essence of FINAL FANTASY with all the stunning elements fans have come to expect from the series. This game features classic series references, sweeping music, dramatic and diverse storylines and memorable characters. With all this added to the thrill of succeeding in the most difficult of quests, plus an all-new dungeon to explore, a unique job system and a host of all-new items to find, this really is a must have for all adventure fans.

So make sure you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime when FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE returns to the Game Boy Advance on March 16th 2007 at the estimated retail price of around €40. ...

Just released are a ton of screenshots for the game Mercury Meltdown Revolution on the Wii.

Screens Via Comments ...