via 1up


The PlayStation 3 version of Bayonetta has a host of issues, not the least being long load times. As one fan pointed out in the official forums, it takes around 25 seconds to load a stage, 10 seconds to load a cutscene and five seconds to load a menu. Sega may be working on a solution though.

Responding to a query from a fan, a Sega representative wrote, "I can, in fact, speak on [the developer's] behalf in saying that a patch to correct this issue is under consideration through development to address the matter of the overwhelming load times with Bayonetta."
So it looks like Sega is "well-aware" of the situation, though how exactly they choose to address it remains to be seen. It also seems unlikely that they'll take the time to address the game's framerate issues and the lower quality texture. Still better than nothing though.

Look for it on January 5. ...

via CNET UK


Sixty per cent of Xbox 360s have kicked the red-ringed bucket, compared to 16 per cent of PS3s and just 6 per cent of Wiis, according to our survey on the reliability of games consoles in the UK.

CNET UK commissioned the survey last month -- and the results don't reflect well on the Microsoft console. Some 1,128 UK-based console owners responded, of whom 562 owned Xbox 360s, 473 owned PS3s and 591 had Wiis (some owned more than one).

Of those Xbox owners who have bought their Xbox since January 2008, 34 per cent report that their Xboxes have broken -- still double the lifetime failure rate of the PS3. Microsoft introduced new components in late 2007 and early 2008, when Bill Gates boasted of the Xbox's newfound "incredible reliability". Our survey shows that while the console has improved, it's still far from reaching Gates' goal of being the "most reliable video game box out there".

Only 25 per cent of disappointed 360 owners had owned the console for more than 18 months before it broke, with 47 per cent reporting a failure inside a year. Seventy two per cent returned their Xbox to Microsoft, who extended the 360's warranty to three years after the console's problems became widely known. Fifteen per cent sought their own solution, such as repairing it themselves or giving up and throwing it under a bed. One miserable gamer reported, "I can't afford to get (the Xbox 360) fixed as it is out of warranty, so it sits in the spare room all lonely."

Many 360 owners report the console breaking more than once. Of those whose console has broken at least once, 32 per cent say it has broken twice, and 19 per cent say it has broken three times or more. One person said their 360 "was repaired six times before (being) refunded by Microsoft".

Of those who have bought a 360 in the last two years, only for it to break, 29 per cent say it has broken more than once.

This was a self-selecting survey, so it doesn't represent a random sample of console owners. It's likely that people whose consoles have had problems are more motivated to fill out the survey, but the results are still interesting when you compare the Xbox 360 to its competitors.

The console makers are not in the habit of releasing such information, so this kind of survey is the best guess we have. We think the sample size and spread of console ownership do give it some credence, however, and it tallies with the anecdotal experience of many gamers we've heard from.

The survey did not distinguish between the Xbox 360 Arcade and Elite versions, which are very similar, or the PS3 and PS3 Slim, which has only just been introduced.

A spokesman for Microsoft said, "The vast majority of Xbox 360 owners are having an outstanding experience with their Xbox 360, and they invest in our platform more than any other.
Has your console broken? How did you get it fixed -- or is it pining away on top of a wardrobe? Did you receive good customer service? Tell us your experiences in the comments. ...

via Computer and Video Games


PSN product manager, James Thorpe has suggested that cross-game chat will eventually (and finally) be arriving on PS3.

Responding to rabid fan demand for the feature on the EU PlayStation Blog, Thorpe wrote: "I wish I could just give you a date, I really do!! Trust me when I say that as soon as I hear from 'up top' I will be shouting about it and making myself the most popular person on the blog.

"I hope, like you all do, that its sooner rather than later," he posted, adding a wink and a smilie.

The comment has since been removed from the blog, but luckily Kotaku kept a copy of Thorpe's words. The internet never forgets...

We've left a message with Sony for comment.

UPDATE: SCEE has declined to comment. ...

via Eurogamer


Mad Catz has told Eurogamer that its Wireless-N Gaming Adapter could not and would not be blocked by Microsoft, despite having the same functionality for a lower price.
Verrey made it very very very clear that this is "not a licensed Microsoft product" but said the platform holder is one of Mad Catz' treasured partners.
Mad Catz' Wireless-N network adapter costs £49.99 whereas Microsoft's official Wireless-N adapter costs £59.99. The former is out now; the latter will be released on Friday 20th November.
Verrey wouldn't comment on why no one else has done this before, and said Mad Catz tries simply to stay on the "cusp" of new technology and so has been researching this Wireless-N adaptor "for a while". "In fact, we didn't even know that Microsoft were bringing out their Wireless-N adapter at the same time," promised Verrey.

He went on to say that the Modern Warfare 2 range of Mad Catz goods had sold very well, and that there will be the brand new Street Fighter IV Round 2 Arcade FightStick here before Christmas, featuring new artwork by Udon painters.

The peripheral maker has some top secret products in development too. "We are going to be announcing some significant new products that we know are just going to blow you guys away. They're going to be announced at CES [in January]," Verrey told us.
...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft has distanced itself from reports last week on alleged launch details for Project Natal, claiming they "weren't accurate" and insisting there remain "a lot of things to get decided".

The comments came last night at the London launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360 autumn update, which launched today, bringing Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm and Zune Video Marketplace to Live users.

Asked if reports on pricing and shipments for its motion control technology were correct, Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson replied: "No. They weren't accurate, they were rumours. I've got nothing more to say about it."

Pressed on whether Microsoft had decided internally on pricing, he revealed: "We're still very much in the baking on Natal and there's a lot of things to get decided on it."

Reports claimed Microsoft was aiming to release the Natal camera next autumn at or below £50, with 14 games and five million units available on day one.

Speaking to Eurogamer at the same event, head of Europe Chris Lewis added: "Now you know better than to listen to that stuff! We will announce in good time."

But Lewis was keen to talk up the work going on behind the scenes. "As you can imagine, we've shared this technology with our worldwide development partners now for some time, and the pace with which they're developing the kind of experiences is just amazing," he said.

"I'm not going to be specific about what they might be, I will say however we're committed to ensure those experiences are unique, compelling and very exciting right from the outset. That has to happen and that will happen. ...

via IGN


Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime has poured cold water on the increasingly fevered speculation surrounding a potential HD take on the Wii, saying any new consoles from the company are a long way off.

Senior figures have recently weighed in on the debate over Nintendo's future and its adoption of HD technology. "Since ordinary TV programs are now shifting to HD, moving to HD appears to me a natural flow," recently admitted Genyo Takeda, Nintendo's Research and Development General Manager.

An HD Wii has been expected sooner rather than later, with industry figures placing a release date for a new configuration of the console – or indeed an all-new console – at some point in the next two years.

Nintendo of America's president Reggie Fils-Aime has scotched such talk, telling Kotaku that a new console is some way off. "The way we at Nintendo do things is, you know, when we will move to a new generation, it's because there are some fundamental things the [current] console cannot do," said Fils-Aime, "What that says is that simply the addition of HD capability will not be the next step for us. There will be more to it. There will be additional capability. There will be additional elements, and, given that, it is far into the future."

Are you ready for Nintendo to go HD, or are you happy with your Wii the way it is? ...

via Eurogamer


Asked by Official Nintendo magazine if Super Mario Galaxy 2 will use the Super Guide feature that makes its debut in this week's New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Shigeru Miyamoto said he "cannot tell".

But he indicated that the game would probably be difficult enough to warrant it. "Well, as far as the challenge of Super Mario Galaxy 2 is concerned, I think it's going to be a really challenging game, but whether or not we are going to incorporate the Super Guide, I just cannot tell," said the famous designer.

"In general, wherever and whenever appropriate, I think we will want to incorporate that kind of thing, but I cannot commit to anything specific right now."

In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the Super Guide appears as an option if a player is struggling on a particular level. When selected, it starts an automatic playthrough showing the player how to complete it. Players can jump in and take control at any point, or simply allow the Super Guide to finish the level for them. ...

via Eurogamer


Peggle and Peggle Nights are galloping onto the American PlayStation Store this Thursday.

There are demo versions of both coming at the same time, while the full games will cost $9.99 for Peggle and $4.99 for Nights.

PS3 fans will also receive glitzy in-game video capture features. Clips of your best Peggle shots can be stored and stuffed on YouTube.

There's also multiplayer duels to look forward to, as well as in-game music support should you fancy some Leona Lewis or other modern pop sensations.

Ingest our Peggle Xbox Live Arcade review to form a strong idea of what to expect. ...

via Games Industry


VidZone Digital Media, the company running the free PlayStation 3 music video service, will begin rolling it out across Europe this month.

The Netherlands, Portugal and Austria will be able to download and access the service from November 23, while Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland gain access on December 3.

A week later on December 10, users in Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and New Zealand will have access to the music resource.

The service launched in June in the UK, and has signed a number of exclusive video deals with record labels – pushing out rivals in the online and broadcast music space. ...