Via CVG

Street Fighter 2, Contra and Lumines Live are heading to an Xbox 360 near you.


Xbox Live Arcade got a much needed shot in the arm today when Microsoft annoucned 18 new games at the Microsoft Pre E3 press briefing.

Crucially, big players such as Konami and Namco are on board which brings more modern classics to the Xbox 360 Market Place. That means a brilliant Live enabled version of Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting and Lumines Live, the new game from ex Sega genius Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Lumines Live is based on the PSP version of Lumines but will feature downloadable music videos, showing a clever new function of Market Place. Konami have confirmed a straight arcade port of the classic shooter Contra, which surely paves the way for cult classics such as Parodius.

The full list is as follows and all titles will be released by the end of May.

Cloning Clyde
Contra
Defender
Frogger
Galaga
Heavy Weapon
Lumines Live
Mutant Storm Empire
Pac Man
RoboBlitz
Scramble
Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting
Small Arms
Texas Hole 'Em
Time Pilot
Totemball
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Uno ...

Press release:

Rockstar Games, the universally-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will be available exclusively on the PSP system in North America on October 17th, 2006 and Europe on October 20th, 2006.

"The success of Liberty City Stories on the PSP system was nothing short of spectacular," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games and Executive Producer. "The incredible PSP system technology allowed us to do things we never thought possible on a handheld system and we are excited to once again give our audience a fresh experience in one of their favorite locales in the Grand Theft Auto series, Vice City. With Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories we look to once again smash expectations of portable gaming, bringing an all new story and exciting new gameplay elements to this classic setting.”

"Our collaboration with Rockstar Leeds has been a tremendous experience," said Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North. "Together we have been able to create uncompromising experiences on the PSP system that not only stay true to our initial vision for the series but that surpasses our own goals of what could be done on a handheld. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will thrill longtime fans and excite new PSP system gamers like never before.”

"We are proud of what we were able to achieve with Rockstar North on Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories," said Gordon Hall, President of Rockstar Leeds. "By staying true to the high standards of the series and surpassing fans’ expectations for a Grand Theft Auto title on a portable machine we feel confident that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will redefine what handheld gaming is capable of with the most intense PSP system experience yet.”

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a new game in the Grand Theft Auto series with an entirely new storyline, new missions and gameplay that brings an unprecedented experience to mobile gaming. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories features the interactive, open environment of Vice City with professional voice talent, a diverse soundtrack and high production values that have become trademarks of this landmark series. ...

Nokia showcases its first range of next generation mobile games at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Visitors to the Nokia N-Gage booth are the first to experience demos of the new games coming to a range of Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices, including: Creatures of the Deep, ONE, Pocket Aces, Pro Series Golf, Space Impact and System Rush: Evolution.

“Nokia is redefining current mobile games benchmarks by offering top quality games on a range of devices,” says Gregg Sauter, director of games publishing, Nokia. “Whether you have a few seconds to make a catch in Creatures of the Deep or a few minutes to fight to the top in ONE, we make it easy and convenient to get and play great quality games on your Nokia device.”

All Nokia N-Gage games for the next generation platform have been designed specifically for mobile devices, where multiplayer gaming and community gaming features via the N-Gage Arena come as standard.

In addition to showcasing the first set of next generation mobile games on a range of Nokia devices, the Nokia N-Gage booth will feature previously announced games such as Mile High Pinball, Habbo Islands and Shadow-Born. The new games line-up includes:
Creatures of the Deep
Creatures of the Deep takes you on a fishing adventure like no other. Travel through some of the world’s most exotic angler destinations, cast your line and catch boatloads of fish, sea creatures, and underwater items to store in your virtual live-well. The single player career mode will challenge you with dozens of quests as you freely roam the expansive fantasy and real-world fishing destinations. Sense the subtle bites on your lure with vibration feedback. Also, E3 visitors are invited to take part in the “Catch the N-Gage Fish” contest for the chance to win a 6-night/4-day fishing package for two at the Crocodile Bay Resort in Costa Rica.

ONE – Who’s Next?
In 2004, ONE set the standard for graphics performance in mobile games. Developed by Digital Legends Entertainment, ONE now brings the global fighting community and Nokia Nseries multimedia computers together. The sequel shown at E3 2006 features more advanced graphics, including real-time reflections, light glow and game play at 30 frames per second. Controls and playability are also pushing the boundaries, including adaptable controls and all new scenarios, some designed for landscape mode gaming. The graphics are best appreciated live at the Nokia N-Gage stand, booth #900 in the South Hall.

Pocket Aces: Texas Hold’em
Nokia ups the ante with a mobile version of this Sin City staple – Pocket Aces: Texas Hold’em. This poker game in your pocket lets you wager, raise the stakes and bluff your way to the top, or hit rock bottom – against friends and strangers alike. Single player and multiplayer Pocket Aces offers online tournaments, online head-to-head match ups, and rankings. Winnings in Pocket Aces have real value; players create their own gambler identity and use their winnings to customize their fully 3D avatar. In addition, the avatar learns the user’s poker strategies, and eventually becomes capable of playing on it's own!

Pro Series Golf
Do you have what it takes to compete on Pinehurst No. 2? Want to tee up alongside the historic views at the links of Doonbeg? Play Pro Series Golf, the most expansive multiplayer-mobile professional golf game ever, where you can challenge your friends or golfers around the world via the N-Gage Arena. Play as one of six professional golfers including Sergio Garcia, KJ Choi, Retief Goosen, Annika Sorenstam, Colin Montgomerie and Casey Wittenberg, and drive your way to victory.

Space Impact
This addictive Nokia arcade franchise flies to the next generation. You can customize your fighter with various weapons and battle more than 30 unique enemies, including explosive ballistic cannons and deadly energy leeches, while navigating across 10 action-packed levels. Dodge enemy projectiles to increase your power meter, or unleash devastating combo attacks. Win the missions to earn money and buy upgrades between battles. More than 30 different ship parts can be used to trick out your Skyblade. Collect extra upgrades by completing missions, or acquire exclusive power-ups from the N-Gage Arena.

System Rush: Evolution
Chase, shoot and fly your way to freedom in Nokia’s most distinctive futuristic interactive 3D racing game sequel. System Rush: Evolution – the latest and most visually stunning racing game to appear on a mobile device takes place in an authoritarian planet-wide “lock down”, where players are pitted against new network defenses and hacker bosses. The player possesses a new form of experimental technology to shatter the 10 newly installed network “firewalls” and prove to the corrupt governments that the flow of information will never be halted. Our ...

Nokia and Gameloft today announced a strategic collaboration to make a range of award winning Gameloft mobile games easily available to Nokia device owners. The relationship will allow for deeper cooperation between the two companies regarding development cooperation to ensure timely support of new Nokia handsets and technologies as well as the distribution of Gameloft games.

As part of this relationship, Gameloft will develop a number of Gameloft franchises for Nokia’s next generation mobile games platform which is expected to launch in the first half of 2007. As key industry leaders, Nokia and Gameloft will seek to bring increased value to consumers and channel partners through the delivery of fantastic games that are easy to discover, purchase and play.

“Nokia’s next generation-platform will provide a gaming experience that has never been seen on a mobile device and we’re dedicated to support it with our best titles and brands,” said Michel Guillemot, President, Gameloft. “We’re very excited to strengthen our relationship with Nokia, who is the world’s leader in mobile communications.”

“Gameloft has been a driving force in the mobile games industry so it’s only natural for us to increase our level of cooperation as we evolve our mobile games strategy and launch our next generation games platform next year,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, Multimedia, Nokia. “Gameloft has an amazing portfolio of mobile games and supporting technologies that generate fantastic mobile experiences. Working with them fits well with our strategy.” ...

Nokia today showcases the consumer experience of its new mobile gaming platform at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). For the first time, visitors can explore the key part of this new experience – a pre-installed application which allows consumers to easily find, buy and play rich and immersive games on a range of Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices. These next generation mobile games are designed specifically for mobile devices which means they are quick to pick up, fun to play and hard to put down.

“Today, visitors can discover for themselves what Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming strategy is all about,” says Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, Multimedia, Nokia. “Our aim with this new strategy is to make entertaining, top quality mobile games accessible to as many people as possible. With this new mobile gaming experience available on a range of Nokia smartphones, we’re making gaming a core part of your mobile entertainment.”

Smartphones, such as the Nokia Nseries range of multimedia computers, are driving the growth of mobile gaming and are integral to Nokia’s mobile gaming strategy. With their advanced telephony and rich internet functionality, Nokia smartphones can provide the highest quality of connected mobile games that are always with you.

“We’ve also announced a strategic cooperation with Gameloft,” adds Kaidesoja. “By working with this leading games publisher, we´re making even more games available for Nokia device owners. This collaboration will improve mobile gaming experiences in our next generation mobile gaming platform.”

Gaming communities are another key element of Nokia’s mobile gaming strategy. The N-Gage Arena will be a core part of Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming experience as well as the SNAP Mobile Java activities.

“The ‘community’ aspect is an extremely important differentiator and all our next generation mobile games will be N-Gage Arena compatible,” continues Kaidesoja. “With the new user interface, the N-Gage Arena is only a few clicks away, providing access to your friends, rivals, heroes and other gamers. We want to not only entertain, but connect gamers to one another by allowing them to share game achievements and chat online.”

Nokia also announced its first range of games for the new mobile gaming platform including: Creatures of the Deep, ONE, Pocket Aces, Pro Series Golf, Space Impact and System Rush: Evolution. Demos of all new games are available on a range of Nokia devices at the Nokia N-Gage stand, situated in the South Hall, booth #900 at E3 2006.

For more information and live updates from the E3 show floor, visit www.n-gage.com/e3.

Media can download logos, screenshots and more from the Nokia N-Gage E3 press site. Visit
www.extranet.n-gage.com with the following username: ngageate3 and password: assets4me. ...

Via Gamesindustry

Microsoft today heralded the next wave of "truly next generation" Xbox 360 games, in the words of Peter Moore, including Halo 3, Fable 2, Forza Motorsport 2, Shadowrun, Alan Wake - now exclusive to 360 and PC - and Grand Theft Auto IV.

The latter is due out simultaneously on PS3 and Xbox 360 next October, but 360 will also enjoy exclusive episodic Rockstar content - not necessarily GTA, but a significant strategic partnership nonetheless. Epic Games' Gears of War was also shown, played by designer Cliff Bleszinsky, and drew gasps of appreciation from the crowds.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates also put in an appearance - to talk about the company's ambition for the convergence of Windows Vista, Xbox 360 and Windows Mobile platforms under the banner, "Live Anywhere".

Examples of Live Anywhere functionality included cross-platform game invitations, the ability to see what friends are doing on their other platforms, and things like the facility to transfer cars to someone's account in Forza Motorsport 2 - allowing them to tweak the performance on a Windows Mobile, edit decals on Windows Vista, and play on Xbox 360 depending on their whereabouts.

Furthermore, Microsoft promised a "renaissance" in PC gaming - thanks mainly to Vista, which it sees as a games-driven operating system - and demonstrated Crysis. Peter Moore said the company was making a huge commitment to the format, which "won't be the land of misfit toys" any longer. We then saw Microsoft's Scott Henson use a 360 to buzz Major Nelson with a Shadowrun invite on his PC, and the pair played against one another - Henson using the 360 pad and Nelson the PC's keyboard and mouse, with full headset support too.

Microsoft also announced a raft of new Xbox Live Arcade titles including a Lumines puzzle game with licensed Warner Bros. music, introduced peripherals including a wireless Forza steering wheel, said HD-DVD would be with 360 consumers this Christmas, and promised high-def TV content through Live Marketplace as soon as this evening - in the shape of a Gears of War making of "docu-drama", due to conclude on MTV next week.

The sighting of Halo 3 at the conference would normally be expected to win the most headlines, but in truth Microsoft's conference - lead primarily by Peter Moore - featured a lot more new information than many had anticipated. The brief Halo 3 trailer appeared at the very end, featuring a Master Chief being told "This is the end of the world", watching a giant, city-sized circular structure in a wasteland erupt in white light under the gaze of hovering spaceships, before concluding on a 2007 release date.

But there were also significant announcements in Fable 2, Forza Motorsport 2, the exclusive signing of Alan Wake - the trailer for which featured more in-game graphical content than any of the others - along with a CG trailer giving us an idea what to expect from FASA's PC and 360-exclusive Shadowrun first-person shooter and a very impressive walkthrough of the first level of Gears of War, which is due out this year exclusively on 360.

"By this holiday we'll have over 160 games to choose from," said Moore, presiding over a trailer reel a mile long featuring most of its previously announced forthcoming 360 titles. Rare also appeared to show off Viva Piñata, which sees Microsoft exploring outside its coveted 18-34 demographic with a game aimed at gamers of all ages - in which players build up a garden of piñata creatures.

Microsoft's own garden is certainly blooming - in spite of the vast scale of its competitors' software announcements, which had lead some to expect a weaker third showing. ...

Via Fanjita:

We've been hearing a lot of rumours and questions about downgraders recently. It seems that someone has been spreading a rumour that we have made a downgrader for v2.01+, but won't release it because we don't like downgraders. We'd like to just set the record straight, because it's getting annoying.

We would never hold back on an interesting hack for the PSP, without good reason. That's because, generally, we'd never work on something that we didn't think was safe to release - which is why we've never bothered to mess about with ISO loading.

We do have an unreleased downgrader for v2.0. The only reason it is unreleased is because there's no point - there are already perfectly functional downgraders for v2.0, that have been tested by tens of thousands of people, so what's the use of releasing something that's only been tested by one? In theory, that v2.0 downgrader would also work for v2.01 - in fact, it was originally written for 2.01, in the hope that we could use the GTA exploit to downgrade. But as we all know, the GTA exploit is no use for that, and so no v2.01+ downgrader is possible yet.

The only thing I can think of that might have fuelled these rumours is that we were experimenting with the v2.0 downgrader along with the UPDATE-mode discovery, but we found that that also does not have write access to flash0, so can't be used for a downgrader.

Also, some people seem to think that we're in some way opposed to downgraders, in the same way that we're opposed to ISO loaders. That's just not true - we believe that everyone has the right to upgrade and downgrade as they please (but at their own risk). If we found a way to downgrade, you can be sure that we'd share it.

Anyway, enough of the conspiracy rumours - please stop! ...

hageatama has once again updated his BookMark forwarding tool for PSP.

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PSP rk has updated his interactive graphic novel for the PSP, this is a bugfix release

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