Sony's target of shipping two million PS3s in the US and Japan this year and six million worldwide by March may be missed and the Blu-ray is again the cause.

"The honest answer is it's more of a target," said co-chairman of SCE Jack Tretton. "Clearly we've had production issues."

The shipping target for PS3 has been cut due to a parts shortage in the Blu-ray disc drive, reports Bloomberg. ...

Xbox Live group marketing manager takes pop at Sony saying there's "little new news in Sony's online announcements"

Xbox Live boss Aaron Greenberg has taken blows at Sony's PlayStation 3 online service, calling it "yet another knockoff."

Speaking in an interview with Gamespot, the Xbox Live marking manager said, "we're flattered that we've created a service that is breeding yet another knockoff", adding that he felt there was "little new news in Sony's online announcements".

"We will compete with them in the same way we have for the last four years," he said, "by out-innovating and focusing on community, value, and the content that gamers want. They offered basic free matchmaking on the PS2, and from what we can tell, their online story has not evolved much."

Greenberg's comments come hot on the heels of Sony's recent reveal of its PS3 online plans, where it divulged details on the PlayStation online store, no-cost online gaming and text and voice messaging, all for absolutely noubt.

But going back to Microsoft's online service for a moment, Greenburg says we should expect to hear more on the forthcoming Xbox 360 autumn dashboard update "soon", as well as hinting at further backwards-combatability updates for the console in the near future. ...

"You've just got to let your baby get on the school bus and hope for the best," says lead designer

Not long now - less than four weeks - until Gears of War hits our HD tellies. Lead designer and man of style Cliff "CliffyB" Bleszinski has revealed that his work on Gears is now "more of less done."

Speaking via his personal blog, CliffyB said: "My job as designer of Gears of War is, well, more or less done. I can't speak to the status of gold or shipping but those of you familiar with development know that at a certain point you've just got to let your baby get on the school bus and hope for the best."

CliffyB recently revealed the 360 shooter will ship with ten multiplayer maps instead of the originally announced eight, pleasing chainsaw-toting deathmunchers everywhere.

More on Gears soon. ...

Contact has just leaped to the top of our DS Import list, after Rising Star confirms it won't reach European shores until February 2006.

This is disappointing news for DS owners that were looking forward to the title which sees players interact with two separate worlds - one on each screen - in a strange pet-simulator with stat-building RPG elements.

No need for tantrums though, the game is now out in the US. Why not jump on the import bandwagon and ship it in for under £30. ...

Eidos executive Ian Livingstone has told GamesIndustry.biz that Sony's decision to delay PS3 in Europe was "strange" - and that it will test the loyalty of consumers.

Speaking in an exclusive interview Livingstone said, "I think it was a strange decision, given that Europe has been the most successful market for PS1 and PS2. The decision is certainly going to test the resolve of their faithful consumers hitherto loyal to the brand.

"It means that Microsoft will have had the luxury of selling the 360 for two Christmases without competition from Sony - and let Nintendo's Wii in too. I'm sure Sony never planned it that way, but it does put them in a tight spot.

"Coming third to market with the most expensive console can't be a place they want to be," he added.

However, Livingstone believes Sony will still dominate the market in Europe, observing, "In the end it is software that sells hardware, and you can guarantee that there will be some titles that will be exclusive to PS3 that will make it a 'must have' purchase - remember how Tomb Raider drove sales of PS1 and Grand Theft Auto droves sales of PS2."

As for markets outside Europe - Nintendo will "probably win in Japan", according to Livingstone, and " Xbox 360 will probably win in the US, because they'll have had a year already over PS3 and they've got the online capabilities absolutely nailed down".

However, he continued, "You can never discount Sony, and PlayStation 3 will be a success despite murmurings to the contrary. Sony is the best consumer electronics company in the world, and PlayStation is very much part of their success, so they'll make it happen." ...

Microsoft has confirmed that plans to produce a film based on hit Xbox title Halo are still going ahead, despite the decision of Universal and Fox to pull out of the project.

The movie studios were due to fund and distribute the Halo film, on the understanding that Microsoft Game Studios and developer Bungie would have almost complete creative control over the project.

But last week Fox and Universal demanded that their deals be improved - and when executive producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh refused, the studios pulled out.

Now Microsoft has released an official statement via the Bungie website which reads: "We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal. But the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same - to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise.

"Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality," the statement continues.

"We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognise the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide."

Bungie has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Halo film, stating, "Frankly we’re interested in making the best movie, and it’s possible that a partner who’s more concerned with numbers might not be the best partner for what’s more vitally a creative process.

"Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process."

More news is due to be announced "in the next few weeks". ...

News from PataterSoft


Details for coders at link above ...

Heres the press release:

Talismoon are delighted to announce the release of four new entry level customization kits for the Xbox ™ 360. Not only are Talismoon’s latest innovations of low cost, but they will certainly give any Xbox™ 360 a completely new and redefined sense of style and a barrage of kudos along the way. It’s about time the Xbox™ entered the twilight zone and Talismoon gives owners of Microsoft’s console an overwhelmingly good look at all that power under the hood!

- XRAY Window Kit – The gateway to professional 360 tuning. A delightfully moulded clear acrylic one piece window complete with sixteen high density clips which quickly and firmly attach to the case of the Xbox™ 360. After installation, voila! You will be able to see the parts that make the machine tick such as the disc drive and associated components. Comes complete with fully illustrated instructions and a branded micro fibre polishing cloth which will help preserve the clear look of the window, so much so in fact you will forget it’s there!

- Twilight Flow – An ideal accompaniment to the Talismoon XRAY window kit. An easy ‘clip and play’ clear replacement fan duct for the stock opaque fan duct which features vibrant and soothing blue lights for a stellar look on the console.

- Crystal Flow – Another ideal accompaniment to the Talismoon XRAY window kit. An easy ‘clip and play’ clear replacement fan duct for the dull stock opaque fan duct which will become totally clear for a greater view of the internals.

- Chrome Flow – Another ideal accompaniment to the Talismoon XRAY window kit. An easy ‘clip and play’ clear replacement fan duct for the dull stock opaque fan duct. The chrome flow as the name suggests sports an incredibly reflective chrome finish which is so shiny, you could even see your face in it!

Taismoon’s XRAY window kit, Twilight Flow, Crystal Flow and Chrome Flow are now shipping and are priced at $9.95, $11.95, $9.95 and $9.95 respectively.

More info ...

Shash has posted some new news about his progress on DeSmuMe the Nintendo DS emulator for Windows:


More details ...