via Games Industry


While blogs and consumer websites jumped on unconfirmed reports yesterday that Rare is currently working on Perfect Dark 2 for the Xbox 360, the developer has shrugged off any speculation of unconfirmed projects.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Lee Schuneman, head of production at Rare, has said that it's nothing new – rumours come and go, but the team won't be talking about any possible projects until it's good and ready.


Original reports came from the blog GameGuru, which suggested a true sequel to N64 game was in development.

Rare is currently working on a new title in the Banjo-Kazooie franchise, which Schuneman has previously promised will "bring something entirely new" to the series, and is likely to be the major focus for the celebrated developer in the near future. ...

via Eurogamer


A bit like when my mouse cursor goes to sleep, or when Nanna rings to ask why I'm not married yet, the original price of Lumines Live was met with shouting. Good news then for those of you who didn't bother with it, because Q is permanently cutting the price on Wednesday, 17th October.

From then on, it will cost just 800 Microsoft points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30) rather than 1200. What's more, Q is letting you download "Heavenly Star" and "Breeze" skins for free between 17th October and 14th November - providing you're an Xbox Live Gold member.

There's also a "Rockin' Holiday Pack" due for release on Wednesday, priced 400 points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.65).

You will still have to pay a few hundred points more than the base 800 to fill out the extra gameplay modes like Puzzle, but it's still not a terrible price for a port of what was - and remains - one of the PSP's best original puzzle games.

Not sure what Lumines is? It's a puzzle game where blocks of two opposing colours fall into a wider-than-it-is-tall rectangular play area and you have to try and arrange them so that they form same-coloured squares of two by two. This is complicated by the fact that they generally descend in little confused clusters of competing colours that have to be disentangled.

When you have same-coloured two-by-two squares arranged neatly in the box, they get all warm and glowy, and a vertical line that sweeps left to right across the play area removes them with its passing. In order to net bigger scores, you want to line up several squares at the same time.

This being a Q Entertainment game, it's all done to the sound of dance and pop music, and is regularly refreshed by new songs and changes of pace for the sweeping vertical line and the rate of the blocks' initial descent. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft has trumpeted that Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom will be out across Europe on 1st February.

It is the best part of a year later than we had previously expected it; presumably developer Blueside felt it needed more time to polish things like four-player co-operative play.

Circle of Doom is an action role-playing game that departs slightly from the strategy (think Dynasty Warriors-like) roots of the series. The idea is to run around and kill things in brutal and glorious fast-paced combat, using combo attacks and fancy special moves to put an end to their wretched lives.

Blueside is also keen to tout its random map generator, which apparently will give you and your friends an endless sea of areas to explore to gain experience and treasure from.


Screenshots ...

via Games Industry


Sony is still working on plans to distribute music and video via the PlayStation Network, with a possibility of such efforts coming to fruition early next year.

Speaking in an interview with The Financial Times, Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer talked about building a software infrastructure to distribute video and music.


While no specific dates were announced, Stringer did say "We won't know how effective [the effort] is until early next year."

Sony has already announced a television tuner and recorder device, as well as PSP video/voice chat software, for the UK and some European markets.

Microsoft launched a video download marketplace via Xbox Live in the US in November 2006. ...

via Computer and Video Games


A Game of the Year Edition of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS3 finally allows owners of Sony's console to romp around in expansion pack Shivering Isles.

The GOTY version additionally features previously released download content Knights of the Nine.

However, for some reason the recently released content Fighter's Stronghold - available now for PC and Xbox 360 Oblivion, and a 10.3MB file - has not been included.

Maybe it'll appear in the Game of Next Year Edition. Badumtish.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition is out for PS3 in December. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Sony's PlayStation Eye, essentially the follow-up to EyeToy, will hit the UK on November 7.

It comes bundled with EyeCreate - on Blu-ray disc - software which allows you to create and personalise your own videos (purchasers of Eye of Judgement can still download a free version of EyeCreate on PSN from October 25).

PlayStation Eye, which has been designed for PS3, will set you back £24.99. ...

via Games Industry


PlayStation 3 hardware sales jumped 178 per cent last week with the introduction of two new SKUs, helping the system record its third highest week since launch in the UK.

Data supplied to GamesIndustry.biz reveals that although Sony's console enjoyed a considerable sales boost, Nintendo's DS was still the best-selling hardware system in the UK, followed by the Wii and then the PS3, with the Xbox 360 behind its home console rival.

Two new PS3 models were introduced to market last Wednesday. A 40GB model with less functions has gone on sale for GBP 299, and the 60GB model has been reduced to GBP 349, bundled with two free first-party games.

PS3 software has also enjoyed a resurgence, with Resistance: Fall of Man climbing the all-formats charts from 22 to eight, Heavenly Sword re-entering the top 40 at number 14, MotorStorm moving from 22 to 18, and Formula 1: Championship Edition also back in the official charts at number 24. ...

via IGN


According to a report from Mainichi Interactive, Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, painted a bright picture for Nintendo in his annual industry forecast, announced at a seminar held in Tokyo on the 12th.

The coming years will see big things for the DS and related parties, predicts Hamamura. He expects the DS to cross the 30 million shipment mark in 2009. Echoing past statements made in his weekly column in Famitsu, he also believes that Dragon Quest IX could see a series' record five million sales.

It's not all good news for Nintendo, though. Hamamura noted that the Wii hasn't seen a second big hit at the level of Wii Sports, and cited figures that suggest 67% of Wii owners haven't used the system of late. However, he admitted that Wii Fit is drawing attention, and added that it's possible that more games make the platform switch akin to Monster Hunter 3.

Regarding the PS3, Hamamura believes that the release of a 40,000 yen model will at last mark the system's arrival at the starting line for a games machine. However, he cautions that there's no guarantee of continued exclusivity for Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4. In the case of their going multiplatform, he believes the key to Sony's success will be its self produced titles like Gran Turismo 5. ...

via IGN


The DS already has four Harvest Moon games, and that's not including the Rune Factory titles. Add one more to the list, as Marvelous Entertainment announced this past week Bokujou Monogatari: Kira Kira Taiyou to Nakamatachi. We're unofficially translating this Japanese title to "Harvest Moon: Sparking Sun and Friends."

Your latest portable farming exploits take place on the five islands of the Himawari Island Chain, a peaceful land within visible range of Hinata Island, the location of the last game. You'll once again get to experience the slow life as you raise animals, make friends, and get hitched.

The five islands provide different areas of play. Your farm has one island all to itself. Immediately to the south, accessible via a walking bridge, are two islands where you lead your life, buy supplies, and go out on dates. To the west is an island that's used for festivals and events. And to the East is an island where you go for Wi-Fi item exchange and voice chat.

You'll also come upon a few secret islands as you play through the game. Some islands will spring up from the depths of the ocean, and will only be accessible by boat.

Typical of the series, a big part of the game involves raising animals. Marvelous is adding wild animals to the mix this time around, including bunnies and bears. Of course, cows and chickens will also play a big role in your daily farming chores.

This latest Harvest Moon is 75% complete and will see Japanese release this Winter. ...