via Eurogamer


Nintendo has cleared up confusion over second-hand sales of the new Wii Speak peripheral.

MTV multiplayer recently reported that each peripheral comes with a special code. These codes, said the article, were to be used to access the new Wii Speak channel, and could be replaced if lost or stolen. Uproar ensued as various bits of the internet accused Nintendo of trying to stop second-hand sales of Wii Speak.

However, a Nintendo UK representative has now told Eurogamer there's nothing to worry about.


So in other words, if you buy a Wii Speak for your Wii you get a Wii code for the Wii Speak channel, and you can get a Wii replacement if you Wii lose it or Wii buy a second-hand Wii Speak without the original Wii code. Wii thank goodness for that.

The Wii Speak microphone and speaker accessory is out on 5th December, priced at around GBP 25. For GBP 59 you can buy it bundled with Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City, which is out the same day. ...

via Computer and Video Games


The first round of Avatar clothing releases on Xbox Live will be absolutely free, German Xbox product manager, Boris Schneider-Johne has confirmed.

Speaking to the Germans at Dreisechzig, Schneider said that for the first few weeks of New Xbox Experience's life at least, Avatars will see regular clothing updates - and they won't cost a thing.

But after the first freebie content "It has not been announced" how Avatar content will be priced, says the Xbox Germany man. In other words, be prepared to get your Microsoft Points out. ...

via IGN


Square Enix gathered Final Fantasy XI fans for a big fan event on the 22nd in Tokyo. The last Japanese FFXI offline event in 2007 saw the announcement of the Wings of the Goddess expansion pack. This time, while no expansion pack was announced, Square Enix did announce three expansion scenarios.

The three scenarios are titled, in Japanese, Ishi no Miru Yume, Senritsu! Mog Matsuri no Yoru, and Shantotto no Inbou. Each scenario tells a complete story, and all three were headed up by scenario writer Masato Kato. FFXI fans will recognize Kato from his work on the Rise of the Zilart expansion. More recently, he supervised the DS remake of Chrono Trigger.

While not lasting as long as a full expansion pack, Square Enix expects players to clear each scenario in one or two months.

Unlike past expansions, these three scenarios will be offered exclusively through direct download. Square Enix hasn't set pricing, but fans at the event were told to expect somewhere around the 1,000 yen ($10) range.

Ishi no Miru Yume will arrive first some time in Spring 2009. The other two will follow, separated by a few months.

These names, pricing, and release periods concern Japan only. We'll let you know about plans for international versions once Square Enix shares them. ...

via Joystiq


Free-floating news, everybody! Lionhead Studios has revealed the first downloadable content pack for its dichotomous role-playing adventure, Fable 2. The "Knothole Island" pack introduces an island encased in snow, it's only hope for warm resolution resting on the shoulders of your swashbuckling hero. Or obese, mace-wielding woman.

The whole Knothole pack (detailed after the break) promises new quests, "wondrous" items and "bizarre" characters for a fee of 800 -- that's ten America bucks. If you don't have any of those to spare, you might want to look into the additional (and free!) DLC pack that promises "a show of gifts, including Knight's Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, collectible silver book and more." You'll also need it to play co-op with anybody who downloaded the Knothole pack (though you won't be able to partake in the new quests without downloading it yourself).

Expect the content to hit Xbox Live Marketplace in "mid-December."

Knothole Island Key Features:

• Embark on 3 unique quests set in 3 unique dungeons.
• Unravel the mystical secrets of the resurrection shrine.
• Try on a whole new range of outfits and look like an armoured knight, an assassin, a barbarian or a leather-clad biker, among many others.
• Brandish 6 new weapons.
• Dozens of unique potions that will drastically alter your appearance.
• Customise your weapons the way you want with the new augment tool and a whole new array of augments.
• +50 additional leaderboards.

...

via Computer and Video Games


Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume will launch in Europe in spring 2009.

The title is the first game in developer tri-Ace's series to release for DS, and publisher Square Enix says it pushes the handheld to "its limits in terms of production and game-play whilst delivering an amazing strategic RPG gaming experience".

Featuring "an innovative tactical battle system" and multiple game chapters and endings, Covenant of the Plume follows the story of the young soldier called Wylfred who seeks revenge against the Valkyries who took his father's life.

"We are delighted to [be] bringing a new instalment to Europe of the critically acclaimed Valkyrie Profile series," said Square Enix CEO John Yamamoto. "We hope fans will enjoy the captivating story of Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume on their Nintendo DS." ...

via Eurogamer


Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi has said Gran Turismo 5 and Gran Turismo PSP are both very much alive and kicking.


PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida told us back in October that Gran Turismo PSP still exists, despite the fact there's been little info since it was first announced years ago.

Yamauchi has previously said work on the portable game will begin proper after Gran Turismo 5 launches, which is expected to be late next year.

As far as work on that game goes, Yamauchi thinks his team has reached the "target level" of detail on the vehicles. In the future, they will work on bringing the environments and the people in them up to the same level. Plus, of course, there's the online mode to be tackled.


When Yamauchi thinks to the future of online, he plans content for internet connections "ten-thousand-times faster", apparently. ...

via Eurogamer


Ubisoft has revealed how much you'll have to pay for the new Far Cry 2 downloadable content.

As reported earlier, the Fortune's Pack will include three new weapons and vehicles. You'll also get four new multiplayer maps.

A Ubisoft rep told Eurogamer the Xbox 360 version of the pack pack will cost 800 Microsoft Points. That's equivalent to GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60 in the old money.

The same pack will cost EUR 9.99 if you're buying it via PlayStation Network. A UK price has yet to be confirmed.

There's still no word on an exact release date, though Ubi has promised the Fortune's Pack will be released by the end of November. ...

via Kotaku




Who would have thought that this late in the console's life cycle that a PlayStation 2 game would make the cover of a major gaming publication? The latest issue of Play magazine features Atlus' upcoming RPG Persona 4, with a whole slew of special Shin Megami Tensei-themed features packed inside. It's really an odd sight to see, especially considering the other games listed in the top-right corner of the cover - Afro Samurai, Mirror's Edge, Resistance 2, Sonic Unleashed, and Prince of Persia - all big name, current generation titles.

I get the feeling this is a sort of swan song for the aging console, but what do you guys think? Is this the last time a PS2 title will grace the cover of a major multi-platform gaming mag, or does the little black box still have some life in it yet? ...

via Kotaku




Who would have thought that this late in the console's life cycle that a PlayStation 2 game would make the cover of a major gaming publication? The latest issue of Play magazine features Atlus' upcoming RPG Persona 4, with a whole slew of special Shin Megami Tensei-themed features packed inside. It's really an odd sight to see, especially considering the other games listed in the top-right corner of the cover - Afro Samurai, Mirror's Edge, Resistance 2, Sonic Unleashed, and Prince of Persia - all big name, current generation titles.

I get the feeling this is a sort of swan song for the aging console, but what do you guys think? Is this the last time a PS2 title will grace the cover of a major multi-platform gaming mag, or does the little black box still have some life in it yet? ...