Via alt-ctrl

For the second in our occasional series about alternate input devices for videogames, we present you with an exclusive look at the control schemes for SSX Blur, the latest entry in Electronic Arts' acclaimed snowboarding franchise. "SSX is a lighthearted, colorful, over the top game," producer Alex Hyde told Level Up in an email. "The motion-sensing features of the Wii controllers seemed a natural fit to the sports of skiing and snowboarding, and at the same time allowed us to add a level of depth to the game that isn't possible on a traditional gamepad using a complex combinations of buttons. Also, the fact that the control scheme is more physical causes the player to be much more engaging and immersive experience, which is a real plus." We plan to get our hands on it within the next few weeks; for now, enjoy our exclusive screens, pictured below.

Screens at link above ...

via cvg

A well-placed source - who wishes to remain anonymous - has informed CVG that an announcement from Sony on complete, concrete PS3 Euro launch details is "likely to go ahead at the end of January".

But the timing of the company's announcement is not yet etched in stone, they added. Fingers crossed though, eh?

Sony remains adamant that PS3 is on track for a March launch in Europe, pooh-poohing recent rumour suggesting that the console may suffer further delay, possibly to September.

Sony was unavailable for comment on the information given by our source at the time of writing. ...

News/release via Moneytoo:



Hello everybody
There were some annoying things for me in PMP Mod AVC (Video Player for PSP) . Through my poor PSP programming experiences, I did some changes. The most important imo was the time and battery display in PMP (have no wrist watch and dont use irShell :-) ) and some subtitle stuff. Feel free to use if you like it. Never mind if you dont. :-)


Download and Give Feedback Via Comments
via moneytoo ...

via register

If you're getting poor quality on calls to mobile phones at home or abroad, it's probably because of the operator's poor business strategy, not the quality of its wireless network.

That's according to Conrad Tuytte, the CEO of network testing specialist Meucci Solutions. He claimed that mobile operators across Europe could be losing call revenue worth millions - and earning themselves an undeserved reputation for poor line quality into the bargain - because they insist on setting their interconnect fees too high.

"A big part of the problem is mobile operators are charging too much for connections from other networks," he said. "They concentrate on offering cheap on-net calls instead - including free minutes, or in some countries, flat rate voice calls - so clever people use those to bypass the interconnect fees."

They do this using devices called SIM boxes, or GSM gateways - essentially two phones on different networks, rigged so that a call arriving on one is routed out again on the other. To the networks involved - which can be mobile or fixed - each call appears to start and end on its own network, so no interconnect fee is payable.

Tuytte said that Meucci detected 50,000 SIM boxes around Europe last year, and claimed that each box could represent as much as €3500 in lost interconnect revenue. On some mobile networks, calls through SIM boxes could be as much as three percent of the total traffic, he added.

These gateways are run by third-party carriers who sell their services on to mobile and fixed line operators, offering them connections to other networks for less than the usual interconnect fee.

"Most of them are poor line quality - you have a large concentration of modems and SIM cards in one location, and the networks aren't designed to handle that, plus with a SIM box you never get caller-ID," Tuytte said.

Other uses of the technology include adding a SIM box to a PBX or VOIP system to cut the cost of calling out to mobiles. This presents less of a quality issue because it's less of a concentration of lines and SIMs, Tuytte claimed.

Belgium-based Meucci detects SIM boxes using its own SIM-equipped probes which it connects to the various telcos in each country. These continually dial each other and measure the call quality to determine how the call was delivered.

It's not the only way to detect SIM boxes, though. Others on the trail include US company Sevis Systems, which analyses network usage data to detect SIM boxes via on their characteristic usage patterns.

Tuytte said that SIM boxes are legal in most (though not all) countries - they are legal in the UK for one's own use, but not for providing commercial services, for example - so they are really a business issue for the mobile operators which they can best deal with by cutting their interconnect rates to more realistic levels.

"There is potentially a business deal in this - the mobile operators need to make a deal, or call the other network and offer them a better rate," he said. ...

New from Play Asia:



description
Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol lets you sing and perform using a USB headset/microphone as you compete through a fully recreated virtual season of the #1 TV show in America. Play the part of an American Idol contestant as you audition, earn an invitation to Hollywood, and ultimately perform on center stage at the finale. As you progress through the game your popularity with the crowd and comments from Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, both positive and sometimes outrageously negative, will affect whether or not you move on to the next round of competition.

More Info --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1q04.html ...

New from Play Asia:



features
Frenetic action - Lost Planet is a fast-paced third-person shooter with all the depth, intrigue and intensity of a science fiction classic.
Xbox Live enabled – An array of online gameplay possibilities await including:
Downloadable content such as additional maps, missions and weapons
Online multiplayer cooperative and versus battles with up to 16 players
Foot and vehicle based gameplay - Command highly powered armed vehicles and weapons notonly to traverse the treacherous terrain, but to eliminate enemies that lie ahead. Or, strategically switch from vehicles, including transformable snow bikes, to on-foot gameplay as dictated by the situation
Vast environments - Snowstorms, arctic winds, towering buildings and mountains of ice are all stunningly realized as battles occur above and below ground, creating a truly immersive and cinematic event of epic proportions
A premier team of developers – The creators of the critically acclaimed Onimusha and Devil May Cry series have come together to create the expansive world of Lost Planet.

description
Set within the ruthless conditions of a war-torn ice covered planet, humankind struggles for survival as colonization initiatives clash with menacing alien creatures. With a gripping single player campaign and numerous multiplayer modes, Lost Planet for Xbox 360 promises to deliver an epic gaming masterpiece.

In Lost Planet, human snow pirates navigate VS (Vital Suits) through unforgiving arctic environments, fighting against the indigenous Akrid creatures for the precious thermal energy they need to survive. For one such pilot named Wayne, death almost seemed imminent until he was fortunately rescued. However, he can only remember a few fragments of his past including the slaying of his father by these enigmatic menaces. Yet under the shroud of ice, a devious plan has been set into motion by the Neo Venus Construction Corporation (NEVEC) who plans to sterilize the worldof all Akrid and snow pirates alike. What really happened to Wayne and how will his destiny become intertwined with NEVEC’s plans?

Taking full advantage of Xbox 360’s unprecedented power, Lost Planet will contain an unrivalled level of detail as advanced light sourcing is used to ensure a realistic presentation that enhances every explosion, smoke and particle effect. Enormous world maps unfold as players battle the hostile creatures during blistering weather conditions throughout vast snow fields and deserted cities either on foot or with armed vehicles. Fostering a real-time loading system, players can expect a seamless experience that leaves them completely immersed. Multiplayer modes add to the value of Lost Planet by allowing gamers to partakein intense team battles via Xbox Live® online game service and the opportunity to download additional content. Expanding the Lost Planet world beyond the home, the mobile phone edition will feature a storyline that complements Xbox 360’s version, downloadable content, multiplayer options and original gameplay mechanics.

Collector's Edition includes:


Custom designed exclusive cover art

Exclusive art book with concept sketches from all stages of development

Soundtrack of select songs from the game

Fan kit assets for gamers to create their own Lost Planet websites

Action packed videos and trailers

Wallpapers, AIM icons, board icons and signature banners

Digital art files including screens, character art and environment shots

An exclusive bonus multiplayer map that will only be available in the Collector’s Edition until summer 2007

More Info here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1rso.html ...

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. Over 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, January 6th and Friday, January 12th. 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 (31)
ENKA Music releases (15)
Anime Soundtracks & Drama CDs (17)
Video Game Soundtracks (3)
Hong Kong Version Music releases (7)
Blu-Ray Disc Movies (1)
HD DVD Movies (1)
Hong Kong Version Movie releases (22)
Japanese Movies (4)
Non-Japanese Movies / Japanese Version (49)
Anime DVD releases (20)
J-Pop DVD releases (1)
Idol DVD (6)

More details at link above ...

via joystiq

This ain't your Xbox's Rainbow Six, but Wired's GameLife was impressed by Gameloft's version of Rainbow Six Vegas for the mobile platform -- at least for the duration of a 10-minute play session. The first two stages featured some variety, including a sniper task (pictured) and then a casino assault. GameLife noted that the second stage worked particularly well because players simply control a cursor; it's essentially a point-n-click action game.

Gameloft has a lot of experience developing mobile games, including 11 previous Tom Clancy titles. Last summer, the company was named the 'Best Mobile Games Studio' at the Develop Conference & Expo. ...

via joystiq

God of War 2 director Cory Barlog, using gentler language than tends his predecessor David Jaffe, has revealed that the game demo is nearly complete. "We are going to be breaking off the demo code pretty soon and tuning the final tuning pass on the demo level so that is pretty damn exciting. It means that those of you who emailed earlier about the demo will soon be holding your sweet copy of the God of War 2 Demo," Barlog wrote on his blog Wednesday.

Barlog failed to cite an exact release date or means of distribution for the demo, which will feature a single level. By his own declaration, the entire game will be finished 60 days from now, suggesting a late-March to early-April release window for God of War 2. Our guess: demo in February. Will a version land on PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store? ...