via Games Industry


The ability to play PS2 games is not the primary driver for the PS3's business, says Peter Dille.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, SCEA's senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation network defended the changes made to the new 40GB unit that was finally confirmed for the US market.


The new 40GB PS3 eliminates the graphics synthesizer chip which allowed prior versions of the console to play PS2 software.

When asked why the company didn't eliminate Wi-Fi instead as a cost savings, keeping the chip for PS2 backwards compatibility, Dille said there was a good reason for that decision.


While Dille recognized that consumers still value the PS2 software catalog, he pointed out that Sony is still supporting and selling the older system.

"If you take the USD 129 plus the USD 399 that the PS3 is being sold for today, you are still getting into the game for less than the USD 599 price we launched at."

Dille noted that Sony will reach ten years in the PS2's life cycle, with continuing third-party support, in sharp contrast to the way its competition handled their prior generation of hardware.


The complete interview with Peter Dille can be read here. ...

Okay, in Japan the state of play for console hardware sales in Japan are as follows:


Nintendo DS Lite: 78,746
Playstation Portable: 59,584
Wii: 20,575
Playstation 3: 12,365
Playstation 2: 10,181
Xbox 360 6,161
Game Boy Advance SP: 127
Gamecube: 79
Game Boy Micro: 60

DS lite in the lead for a second time, PSP experiences a further drop from last week, the Wii sees really slow sales and PS3/PS2 stays as usual around the 10,000s. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Microsoft Entertainment and Devices boss Robbie Bach has been talking freely about the Xbox 360 Arcade pack that's set to target the casual market.

The $279 Arcade pack will include a wireless controller and a number of casual titles including Pac-Man, Uno (pictured) and Luxor 2, and will be released in time for the crucial holiday season sales period, the Financial Times reports.

The Xbox 360 Arcade, Microsoft hopes, will largely appeal to the family-friendly market currently gravitating towards Nintendo's Wii, which retails for $250.


While the launch of the Arcade Xbox 360 has long been rumored, with photos of the new SKU in stores even showing up recently, Bach's comments offer the first official confirmation of its existence. According to retailer listings the console will be available in the US later this month.

Next-Gen contacted Microsoft to clarify whether the Arcade 360 would be launching in Europe only to be met with a stiff "no comment." ...

via Computer and Video Games


The unfortunately named 'slutmaster chip' proved today that some people really do need a license and a few lessons in how to use the mighty Spartan Laser in Halo 3.

Or perhaps someone needs to tell him you can't shoot through the shield doors?


Trailer here ...

via IGN


Another one bites the dust - this time, the bloodthirsty Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back, part of Activision's early 2008 line up, has been refused classification by the OFLC. This comes off the back of an initial delay for the game to separate it from the impending release of Call of Duty 4 in Australia. We contacted Activision on the classification refusal. They refused to comment on the classification itself, but reiterated that the initial delay had nothing to do with the OFLC's refusal.

They offered this explanation for the now-moot delay:


Again, Activision declined to comment directly on the classification refusal. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Capcom is resurrecting classic Bionic Commando in a new game in development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Bionic Commando first appeared in the late 1980s. The 2D, side-scrolling action-platformer starred a weapon-toting lead character who also happened to sport a bionic arm that acted like a grappling hook which allowed him to navigate around levels.

The new title, simply called Bionic Commando, retains the 'grappling hook' gameplay but beefs it up with players able to use the bionic arm to fling large objects at opponents and batter them with it at close range.

Here's the scoop on the plot from Capcom: "Bionic Commando features Nathan Spencer (voiced by former lead singer of Faith No More, Mike Patton), a government operative who represents the ultimate fusion of man and machine. After distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict against the Imperials, Spencer is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the very people he unquestioningly served.



Capcom promises that the city in ruins provides an "engaging environment of towering buildings, suspended roadways and monorails, deep canyons and sheer rock faces that allow gamers to traverse each area via multiple routes using swinging, rappeling, climbing and wall-walking techniques."


Screenshots
Trailer ...

via Computer and Video Games


So Folklore? A good game with great SixAxis controls that's been well received all round? Well I never. What next, rumble?

According to PSW's review, "It's a game with high production values throughout, and although the game can easily be split into two main strands - netherworld sections and those which have you running around Lemrick - the visual quality on offer and the range of creatures makes the game a delight, despite things being rather linear."

Sony has released a new TV ad for the game that's better than most we've seen of late. Crank up the sound for the spine-tingling, spooky sounds and spookier finale.

Don't expect to see this on your tellies before the 9pm watershed. Parents (and the Daily Mail) would love it!


See the trailer here ...

via Eurogamer


The big announcement Capcom has been counting down to was none other than the unveiling of Street Fighter IV.

It came in the form of a single cinematic trailer, though, so no specific platforms, gameplay details or dates are known at the moment.

In the video - now showing on Eurogamer TV - we meet the familiar and grizzled expressions of Ryu and Ken, who are still trying to use the same array of moves to beat each other up - only one is like Ben Stiller and the other Owen Wilson.

The action is shot in a stylised watercolour-inspired montage, and shows the red and white-clad karate heroes pulling out dragon punches, fireballs and annoying kicks that block you in a corner and stop you from getting back up. Don't get me started on M. Bison, he made me smash my SNES pad.

It could all just be a rather artistic introduction to the fourth instalment in a 2D fighting series, of course, or it might be an indication that the action is about to go 3D. No one knows, yet. But we will be here to tell you when we do.

Until then, head over to Eurogamer TV to see the very first trailer for Street Fighter IV, right here. ...

via Eurogamer


Llamasoft will be tinkering with Space Giraffe later this week, and the results will be free to download.

You will no longer be allowed to indefinitely hold the power zone at its maximum on a given level, for starters, and enemies have wised up to being juggled and will not let you do it any more. And so they should; bullies.

Because of this, the leaderboards and start level bonuses will be refreshed, although you will still have all of your unlocked content available.

Space Giraffe is a tale of a safari animal that flew to the moon, as interpreted by the psychedelic mind of Jeff Minter. Like, but also not the same as, his older creation Tempest 2000, the idea is to navigate a grid-like area and blast enemies to rack-up a great big score.

We took a while to come around to it. Initially we found it confusing and bewildering, but after spending more time at its mercy found it to be addictive and satisfying. ...