"Some of that criticism is probably warranted," said Sega's Sean Ratcliffe, in an interview with GameDaily, when asked about the poor quality of recent Sonic games. "We recognize it, which is why you're seeing us this year taking the first steps in making sure the quality is right."

He added, "This time around, with Sonic Unleashed, we got a great new engine that allows us to truly deliver the Sonic experience as it arguably should have been on next-gen. For fans of Sonic that have been looking for a next-gen experience, this is the game they've been waiting for."

Since debuting in 1991 on Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog has been plagued with checkered past. With exception to select portable and compilation games, very few sequels have been well-received by either critics or fans.

The newest game in the series, Sonic Unleashed, arrives on Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2 this November.

US venture BroadQ LLC unveiled a software application that enables the PlayStation 2 (PS2) to play video content on the Internet at "Building Blocks 2008," a content- and technology-related event that is taking place in San Jose, Calif.

The company demonstrated the software, "Qtv," for the first time at the event, it said.

In 2002, BroadQ released "QCast for the PlayStation 2," another software application that enables the PS2 to play content (image, video and music files) that users have stored on their PCs and other devices. To develop Qtv, the company redeveloped QCast from scratch, adding the capability to play Internet video, etc, it said.

"The PS2 has sold 125 million units all over the world, continuing to sell even now," BroadQ said. "We consider the PS2 as an influential hardware platform,"

Qtv can process up to 720p resolution videos, supporting video encoding technologies including MPEG2, FLV (Flash Video), H.264 and DivX. To make the software support those video encoding technologies, BroadQ employed a technology developed by CoreCodec Inc of the US.

The Qtv system uses a server run by BroadQ along with the software on the terminal side. Using this server, the software can download and build up necessary metadata through online video distribution services and make Qtv display information on available online videos.

In addition to these capabilities, users can customize Qtv. For example, while using API (application programming interface) available from online video distributors, users can set keywords related to their favorite videos on the Website run by BroadQ. Using the company's system, users can choose and display videos related to those keywords on their terminals.

BroadQ is planning to release Qtv at US$49.95 sometime around fall 2008. Also, it is planning to disclose and sell its software applications for mobile phones and PCs at the same time. In addition to selling the software by itself, the company is considering incorporating its software applications in set top boxes and other items manufactured by other companies.



A menu screen that allows users to select from available Internet video services



Playback of Internet video

US venture BroadQ LLC unveiled a software application that enables the PlayStation 2 (PS2) to play video content on the Internet at "Building Blocks 2008," a content- and technology-related event that is taking place in San Jose, Calif.

The company demonstrated the software, "Qtv," for the first time at the event, it said.

In 2002, BroadQ released "QCast for the PlayStation 2," another software application that enables the PS2 to play content (image, video and music files) that users have stored on their PCs and other devices. To develop Qtv, the company redeveloped QCast from scratch, adding the capability to play Internet video, etc, it said.

"The PS2 has sold 125 million units all over the world, continuing to sell even now," BroadQ said. "We consider the PS2 as an influential hardware platform,"

Qtv can process up to 720p resolution videos, supporting video encoding technologies including MPEG2, FLV (Flash Video), H.264 and DivX. To make the software support those video encoding technologies, BroadQ employed a technology developed by CoreCodec Inc of the US.

The Qtv system uses a server run by BroadQ along with the software on the terminal side. Using this server, the software can download and build up necessary metadata through online video distribution services and make Qtv display information on available online videos.

In addition to these capabilities, users can customize Qtv. For example, while using API (application programming interface) available from online video distributors, users can set keywords related to their favorite videos on the Website run by BroadQ. Using the company's system, users can choose and display videos related to those keywords on their terminals.

BroadQ is planning to release Qtv at US$49.95 sometime around fall 2008. Also, it is planning to disclose and sell its software applications for mobile phones and PCs at the same time. In addition to selling the software by itself, the company is considering incorporating its software applications in set top boxes and other items manufactured by other companies.



A menu screen that allows users to select from available Internet video services



Playback of Internet video

* JMEBoy: added localization support
* added support for the device’s orientation sensor, should the device have one (feature request ID 2025619)
* solved the problem that the VoluntaryWaveChannel would throw an ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException after long usage (bug ID 2024611)
* fixed the problem that HDMA did not work when the LCD was disabled (bug ID 2024603)
* fixed that problem that running a game that uses the GBC’s double speed mode caused the next game to run slowly (bug ID 2024375)
* fixed the problem that LCDC bit 0 is not considered in GBC mode (bug ID 2024372)
* fixed the bug that sometimes wrong tiles got painted (bug ID 2019632)

Konami announced today that Argentinian midfielder Lionel Messi will be on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 when it is released in North America in the fall of 2009. The 21-year-old Messi, who plays his club football for legendary Spanish side FC Barcelona, will be heading to the Olympics for Argentina later this month.

Curiously, Konami chose to announce versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for the PS3, PS2, 360, PSP, and PC, but not for the Wii or Nintendo DS. It remains to be seen whether PES 2009 will rear its head on the Nintendo platforms this upcoming season.

"Most modern players are aware of the realism and skill of the Pro Evolution Soccer series," said Messi. "It is a game that truly mirrors the pace and control of real football, and as a die-hard fan of the series, I am delighted to be working with Konami on the latest version."

Armchair athletes have something to stand up and cheer about today, as Summer Athletics for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system has shipped to North American retail outlets. Summer Athletics, published by Conspiracy Entertainment, is a fresh and exciting take on more than 25 sports events such as sprinting, archery, javelin, hammer throw and swimming - all presented in a friendly manner sure to please a wide variety of players. A suggested retail price of $14.99 USD makes "Summer Athletics" the perfect game for the virtual athlete or the family gamer looking for a top-quality and high-value sports experience.

For more information about Summer Athletics, please visit http://conspiracygames.com

Developed by 49Games, Summer Athletics brings more than 25 action-packed sports right into your home. Featuring controls custom-tailored to each platform, the game is accessible to all types of gamers. A character editor, career mode, 3D animations and realistic environments round out the game's offerings, ensuring fun for the whole family and sports fans alike.

Armchair athletes have something to stand up and cheer about today, as Summer Athletics for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system has shipped to North American retail outlets. Summer Athletics, published by Conspiracy Entertainment, is a fresh and exciting take on more than 25 sports events such as sprinting, archery, javelin, hammer throw and swimming - all presented in a friendly manner sure to please a wide variety of players. A suggested retail price of $14.99 USD makes "Summer Athletics" the perfect game for the virtual athlete or the family gamer looking for a top-quality and high-value sports experience.

For more information about Summer Athletics, please visit http://conspiracygames.com

Developed by 49Games, Summer Athletics brings more than 25 action-packed sports right into your home. Featuring controls custom-tailored to each platform, the game is accessible to all types of gamers. A character editor, career mode, 3D animations and realistic environments round out the game's offerings, ensuring fun for the whole family and sports fans alike.

On August 1st, the Phantasy Star Universe: Amibition of the Illuminus Oriiginal Soundtrack was released in Japan. This CD contains sixteen tracks and costs about approximately $40, depending on where you import it from. Here is a breakdown of the track list:

1. Save This World -Remix-
2. Shitenkaku
3. Old Rozenmon City
4. Ethan
5. Habirao F.D.
6. Paracabana Coast
7. De Rol Le
8. Save This World -Remix Short Version-
9. Laia
10. Illuminus
11. Growl, From the Dark Faith
12. Paracabana Coast -Remix-
13. Casino Voloyal
14. MOTHER
15. Fight the Vicious Fate
16. Save This World -Remix Version-

The CD Cover art can be found here. Credit goes to EspioKaos for first reporting this news and and Sharkyland for providing a reminder. This CD can currently be purchased from Play-Asia.

We know “Guitar Hero: Metallica” is coming. “Guitar Hero” publisher Activision announced the game in a financial filing (odd, we know) a couple of months ago.

That didn’t stop Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich from getting a bit secretive about it when one of our MTV News reporters asked him about it recently.

“Let’s put it this way,” he told MTV News. “[Our next album] Death Magnetic comes out in September, and the day it comes out, it will be available in the ‘Guitar Hero 3‘ format, which we’re obviously super-psyched about. As I’ve born witness to in my house, its all about the next generation. My kids play ‘Guitar Hero’ every day, and to be able to get the Metallica record the day it comes out, that’s super cool.

“There’s an Aerosmith game out there that’s super successful, and if somebody’s gonna follow that up…we’re talking, and its exciting, and the people at ‘Guitar Hero’ and Activision are rapidly becoming our best new friends in the world. You can put the rest of it together yourself.”

Sounds like “Guitar Hero: Metallica” is indeed still in the works, no?