via Joystiq


Publishers looking for a quick buck don't need to focus their efforts solely on the iPhone. Sony's Susan Panico touted the values of PSN development by providing a case study on PixelJunk Eden, Q-Games' third PSN-exclusive title. Panico told the GamesBeat audience that "PixelJunk Eden made its return on investment within 24 hours." Sales after that period become pure profit.

Of course, the success of Eden is a little unsurprising, considering the popularity of PixelJunk Monsters. Regardless, it's impressive that a small independent studio was able to create a trusted franchise exclusively through the PlayStation Network. With so much green made off of Eden, it's no wonder Q-Games is working on an expansion for the game. Eden Encore will be available in April. ...

via Eurogamer


Nintendo has told Eurogamer that a DSi Virtual Console-style service offering downloadable Game Boy and GBA games is "purely rumour and speculation".

The platform holder was responding to a report by website Kombo, which cites confirmation from a source supposedly inside a special platinum Nintendo Club event on Sunday evening. Kombo claims Nintendo will initially limit downloadable Game Boy and GBA games to first-party titles.

The website has since been contacted by Nintendo and told the Virtual Console-style service has yet to be confirmed for North America. It has, however, apparently been announced for Japan.

The platform holder also stated that Game Boy and GBA games are not playable directly from SD memory cards as the report originally claimed.

Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata delivers his GDC keynote address tomorrow at 4pm GMT (9am PST). We'll be covering the talk live on Eurogamer, ready to snap up any announcements tumbling from his chops.

He speaks as the DSi breaks 2 million sales in Japan after four-and-a-half months on sale, according Famitsu.

The Nintendo DSi will be available across Europe from 3rd April for GBP 149. Head over to our recent in-depth analysis of the DSi to find out whether you should buy one. ...

via Games Industry


The Game Developers Conference yesterday saw the announcement of Zeebo, a 3G wireless games console specifically tailored for the emerging markets.

The budget console is set to go on sale in Brazil next month for USD 199 - almost one-fifth the price of the leading consoles - with other markets to follow. The disc-less device features a wireless downloadable games service and comes pre-installed with four titles as well as one free download.

"The Zeebo console will deliver a truly engaging and entertaining gaming experience to a potential billion new consumers around the world, many of whom have never experienced gaming in the home," said John Rizzo, CEO of Zeebo.

"The system provides an intuitive, quick, and easy-to-use home shopping user experience featuring popular, culturally optimised content from leading game publishers and developers around the world. It also delivers high-value and warranty protection compared to grey market products with no need for a separate wireless access plan."

The Qualcomm-funded console has partnered with a number of publishers and developers to deliver their titles through the system, including Capcom, Digital Chocolate, EA Mobile, Id Software, Namco and THQ, among others.

...

via Games Industry


Bethesda has taken steps to have the latest downloadable content for its hit RPG Fallout 3 to be removed from Xbox Live servers following complaints that the file was corrupted.

The Pitt, which was originally due for release today, has now been postponed until a new file can replace it.

The full Bethesda statement is as follows:

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via Games Industry


Sony Computer Entertainment has reduced the cost of the PlayStation 3 development kit by more than half.

The PS3 Reference Tool can now be licensed by developers and publishers for USD 2000, compared to the previous price of USD 10,250. Sony last halved the price of its development kit in 2007, promising future further cuts.

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via IGN


Electronic Arts has nailed down a release date for Need for Speed Shift, but don't expect it any time soon. The latest version of the popular racing franchise will hit North America September 22 of this year while Europe will get it a few days earlier on September 17.

This reboot for the series sports the largest roster of cars in the history of the franchise with a new focus on the cockpit view. "With Need for Speed SHIFT, we set out to create a racing game that pushes the genre and delivers something never before seen in a Need for Speed title," said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President at EA Games Europe. "By focusing on the driver's experience through the first-person view, we are able to capture the high-speed intensity and gripping emotions of racing."

Need for Speed Shift is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in conjunction with Black Box. The PSP version is being made by EA's Bright Light Studio. ...

via Games Industry


Resident Evil 5 has retained the top spot in the UK software sales chart despite a 52 per cent fall in sales, according to Chart-Track.

Wii Fit dropped 9 per cent in sales but held onto second place. Nintendo's title closed the gap on Capcom's horror blockbuster, but was still significantly outsold by a margin of nearly three-to-one.

At number three was Professor Layton and the Curious Village, which climbed up one spot from last week, while THQ's WWE Legends of Wrestlemania debuted in fourth place with relatively even sales across the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS, also debuted this week at number six, selling around half the numbers that GTA: Vice City Stories for the PlayStation Portable sold during its launch week.

Street Fighter IV re-entered the chart at number seven, from number 13, with sales climbing 48 per cent prompted by retailer promotions.

Brain Training sales shot up 117 per cent, catapulting the title from number 21 to number eight in the chart. Chart-Track credits Nintendo's Mother's Day-promoted DS Lite Starter Pack for the sales boost.

Three new titles failed to make it into the top ten, including Singstar Queen at 22, Scrabble Interactive: 2009 Edition at 27 and Madworld at number 34.


UK software chart follows:

01. Resident Evil 5
03. Professor Layton and the Curious Village
04. WWE Legends of Wrestlemania
05. Tom Clancy's HAWX
06. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
07. Street Fighter IV
08. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
09. FIFA 09
10. Call of Duty: World at War
11. Killzone 2
12. Puzzler Collection
13. Wii Play
14. Ben 10: Alien Force
15. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfar
16. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
17. My Fitness Coach
18. Empire: Total Wa
19. Halo Wars
20. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force ...

via Computer and Video Games


Following this morning's teaser from Bungie, Xbox's Major Nelson has confirmed the date of the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack.

Straight from the Major:

...

via Computer and Video Games


Sony has reportedly ceased supplying South Korea with PS3 consoles in order to stop Japanese tourists getting their hands on the system cheaply.

Wily Japanese consumers are said to visit Korea to make the most of discount prices, although those picking up PS3s have only been able to get hold of up the 80GB version and need a converter as the countries use different voltage frequencies.

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