news from joystiq

I’m here at Games Market Europe in the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, where the first UK games trade since the ECTS/Game Stars! fiasco last year, is starting to kick off. This is my first report of (hopefully) many from the day which I’ll be posting later today and possibly tomorrow. I’ve already spoken to representatives from the BBFC, Codemasters, Digital Jesters (Crazy Frog Racer creators) and the guys at the Ubisoft stand. I’m hoping to sit down with the boss of European Ratings board, ELSPA and a marketing executive from Eidos, so hopefully I’ll catch up with them later.



Here’s my first photo of note from the show, a real live Xbox 360 marketing booth! This was in the Gem Distribution section of the show. Come Christmas 05’ they’ll be the ones setting up Xbox 360s in game retailers and passing on units from Microsoft. Unfortunately, the assistants aren’t allowed to turn the Xbox on, which is a bit of a bummer since, well, I wanted to see it turned on for real! However, they assure me that this machine is a real Xbox 360 and is powered by internal components. No more G5 powered Xbox 360s from here on in. There’s another close-up shot of the wireless controller after the jump.

[Update: Apparently the marketing booth shown at the show was not a final model. The Xbox 360 wasn’t real (or plugged in). However, the controllers were real and they were wireless. The black cable you can see going underneath is the power supply.]

shots within ...

The UK press recently announced the presence of Nintendogs at the game show, with quite some fanfare. I had a go with the game and it’s seriously entertaining. When a game makes you laugh within the first 30 seconds of picking it up, you know you’re onto a winner. So Nintendo’s done nothing wrong in terms of creating an awesome game, but the way they launched the UK version of the title, is extremely disappointing. Across the show floor there are some DS booths running Nintendogs, which unfortunately are in a completely appauling state. They have illegible screens and they’re dirty, so basically they’ve been reallocated from game stores. Not exactly the way to make a good impression. Add to this the fact that either there aren’t any Nintendo representatives here, or they’re hiding somewhere. With the launch of the PSP in Europe tomorrow, Nintendo can’t afford to be this lax about their console. They’ve missed a good oppurtunity to divert some of the publicity away from the PSP and focus the press on their latest game. On the other hand, Sony didn’t even bother turning up to the show today. Too busy marketing the PSP elsewhere I assume. ...

BioWare has revealed that two previously unannounced games are in development for the Xbox 360. One of those titles is likely the sequel to the critically acclaimed RPG Jade Empire. The second game could be the FPS-RPG BioWare hinted at late last year, which will use the Unreal Engine 3. Don’t expect an official announcement until 2006. ...

Asobo Studios has announced that its off-road racing title, Gran Raid Off Road, is being developed for the Xbox 360. The game will include 6 unique landscapes to race across, with each landscape measuring at least 3,500 square miles. Players will choose from 30 vehicles and compete in such modes as Raid, Race, Free Run, Stun, Catch the Flag, Keep the Flag, and Baja—and of course, the game will feature Xbox Live support. On paper, the sheer size of Gran Raid Off Road is staggering, and the ability to tear off into the horizon makes our mouths water. Unfortunately, no release date has been set. We’ll keep you posted. ...

Source- GI.BIZ

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today launched its eagerly anticipated PSPTM(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system across the European market and throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Following the success of the PSP launches in Japan and the USA, and with over 5 million PSP systems already shipped worldwide, PSP launched today in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains an added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including the PSP system with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick DuoTM, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media DiscTM (UMDTM) including several game demos.

A copy of Spider-Man 2 on UMD Video will be available free of charge to early purchasers of PSP, who register their PSP through www.yourpsp.com. The official SCEE web portal for PSP, www.yourpsp.com allows PSP owners to view trailers and screenshots from a wide selection of PSP Game, UMD Video and UMD Music titles, as well as accessing the latest software updates and a host of regularly updated competitions, news and features about PSP. Consumers will also be able to download exclusive content to their PSP.

PSP in Europe will launch with over 30 game titles, all of which have been developed especially to exploit PSP's stunning high resolution TFT widescreen display. Featuring classic PlayStation brands that have been re-invented for the new format, alongside some all-new properties, the games catalogue offers something for everyone. For speed demons, there's the new turbo-charged Ridge RacerTM; sport fans can showboat their skills in World Tour Soccer and Everybody's GolfTM; there's madcap monkey madness in Ape AcademyTM with mini-games ranging from monkey hockey to the '1m Dash'; and the legendary MediEvilTM: Resurrection delivers action, humour and an adventure that will challenge all levels of gamer.

(Click the comments for the rest of the press release.) ...

Source- GI.BIZ

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today launched its eagerly anticipated PSPTM(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system across the European market and throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Following the success of the PSP launches in Japan and the USA, and with over 5 million PSP systems already shipped worldwide, PSP launched today in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains an added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including the PSP system with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick DuoTM, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media DiscTM (UMDTM) including several game demos.

A copy of Spider-Man 2 on UMD Video will be available free of charge to early purchasers of PSP, who register their PSP through www.yourpsp.com. The official SCEE web portal for PSP, www.yourpsp.com allows PSP owners to view trailers and screenshots from a wide selection of PSP Game, UMD Video and UMD Music titles, as well as accessing the latest software updates and a host of regularly updated competitions, news and features about PSP. Consumers will also be able to download exclusive content to their PSP.

PSP in Europe will launch with over 30 game titles, all of which have been developed especially to exploit PSP's stunning high resolution TFT widescreen display. Featuring classic PlayStation brands that have been re-invented for the new format, alongside some all-new properties, the games catalogue offers something for everyone. For speed demons, there's the new turbo-charged Ridge RacerTM; sport fans can showboat their skills in World Tour Soccer and Everybody's GolfTM; there's madcap monkey madness in Ape AcademyTM with mini-games ranging from monkey hockey to the '1m Dash'; and the legendary MediEvilTM: Resurrection delivers action, humour and an adventure that will challenge all levels of gamer.

(Click the comments for the rest of the press release.) ...

Source- GI.BIZ

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today launched its eagerly anticipated PSPTM(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system across the European market and throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Following the success of the PSP launches in Japan and the USA, and with over 5 million PSP systems already shipped worldwide, PSP launched today in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains an added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including the PSP system with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick DuoTM, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media DiscTM (UMDTM) including several game demos.

A copy of Spider-Man 2 on UMD Video will be available free of charge to early purchasers of PSP, who register their PSP through www.yourpsp.com. The official SCEE web portal for PSP, www.yourpsp.com allows PSP owners to view trailers and screenshots from a wide selection of PSP Game, UMD Video and UMD Music titles, as well as accessing the latest software updates and a host of regularly updated competitions, news and features about PSP. Consumers will also be able to download exclusive content to their PSP.

PSP in Europe will launch with over 30 game titles, all of which have been developed especially to exploit PSP's stunning high resolution TFT widescreen display. Featuring classic PlayStation brands that have been re-invented for the new format, alongside some all-new properties, the games catalogue offers something for everyone. For speed demons, there's the new turbo-charged Ridge RacerTM; sport fans can showboat their skills in World Tour Soccer and Everybody's GolfTM; there's madcap monkey madness in Ape AcademyTM with mini-games ranging from monkey hockey to the '1m Dash'; and the legendary MediEvilTM: Resurrection delivers action, humour and an adventure that will challenge all levels of gamer.

(Click the comments for the rest of the press release.) ...

Source - GI.Biz

Sony's PlayStation Portable goes on sale officially in Europe for the first time tomorrow, with hundreds of retail stores across the UK planning to open at midnight tonight in order to sell the handheld console early.

Leading retail chain GAME plans to open 250 of its stores at midnight, with 1500 staff working overnight to meet demand for the new console, which is launching with around 30 software titles and 30 UMD movies.

Many other retailers are also planning to open tonight, with several planning special launch party events - including Sony's official launch event, which will take place at the HMV store on Oxford Street.

The PSP launched nine months ago in Japan, and five months ago in the USA, with the European launch being delayed as Sony struggled to manufacture enough units to meet demand in other territories.

Despite the wait, most retailers expect to sell out of the PSP this week in Europe - and demand may not be met fully until a rumoured second, larger shipment of the hardware arrives later in September.

Some retailers claim to have sold out of their launch allocation on preorders alone, and may have no unallocated stock to sell on launch day - with customers being advised to shop around to find stores which still have stock available. ...

Source - GI.Biz

Sony's PlayStation Portable goes on sale officially in Europe for the first time tomorrow, with hundreds of retail stores across the UK planning to open at midnight tonight in order to sell the handheld console early.

Leading retail chain GAME plans to open 250 of its stores at midnight, with 1500 staff working overnight to meet demand for the new console, which is launching with around 30 software titles and 30 UMD movies.

Many other retailers are also planning to open tonight, with several planning special launch party events - including Sony's official launch event, which will take place at the HMV store on Oxford Street.

The PSP launched nine months ago in Japan, and five months ago in the USA, with the European launch being delayed as Sony struggled to manufacture enough units to meet demand in other territories.

Despite the wait, most retailers expect to sell out of the PSP this week in Europe - and demand may not be met fully until a rumoured second, larger shipment of the hardware arrives later in September.

Some retailers claim to have sold out of their launch allocation on preorders alone, and may have no unallocated stock to sell on launch day - with customers being advised to shop around to find stores which still have stock available. ...