via Games Industry


UK consumers spent GBP 4.034 billion on videogame product in 2008, according to data from ELSPA.

Total sales of videogame software was over GBP 1.905 billion during the year, a rise of 23 per cent over 2007, while console sales accounted for GBP 1.422 billion, up 14 per cent.

Revenue from peripherals increased 82 per cent, reaching sales of GBP 549 million.

Almost a quarter of all software sales were for Nintendo's Wii, with over 20 million games sold for the system in the UK, an increase of 153 per cent compared to the prior year. Revenue from Wii software sales rose 112 per cent, to GBP 481 million, compared to GBP 227 million in 2007.

DS software sales reached 19.1 million units, compared to 14.9 million in 2007, a growth of 28 per cent. Revenue from DS software increased 17 per cent, from GBP 314 million to GBP 481 million.

Sales of Xbox 360 software also climbed 51 per cent, with a total of 14.9 million units sold, compared to 9.8 million in 2007. Revenue was up 38 per cent, to GBP 443 million.

PlayStation 3 software generated GBP 334 million in software sales during 2008, as unit sales rose 145 per cent to 10.4 million.

"Videogaming is increasingly bringing families together with the introduction of so many outstanding family-based console titles,” said Michael Rawlinson, MD of ELSPA.

"These have really opened up the market to those who may never have even considered playing a videogame before." ...

via Games Industry


UK consumers spent GBP 4.034 billion on videogame product in 2008, according to data from ELSPA.

Total sales of videogame software was over GBP 1.905 billion during the year, a rise of 23 per cent over 2007, while console sales accounted for GBP 1.422 billion, up 14 per cent.

Revenue from peripherals increased 82 per cent, reaching sales of GBP 549 million.

Almost a quarter of all software sales were for Nintendo's Wii, with over 20 million games sold for the system in the UK, an increase of 153 per cent compared to the prior year. Revenue from Wii software sales rose 112 per cent, to GBP 481 million, compared to GBP 227 million in 2007.

DS software sales reached 19.1 million units, compared to 14.9 million in 2007, a growth of 28 per cent. Revenue from DS software increased 17 per cent, from GBP 314 million to GBP 481 million.

Sales of Xbox 360 software also climbed 51 per cent, with a total of 14.9 million units sold, compared to 9.8 million in 2007. Revenue was up 38 per cent, to GBP 443 million.

PlayStation 3 software generated GBP 334 million in software sales during 2008, as unit sales rose 145 per cent to 10.4 million.

"Videogaming is increasingly bringing families together with the introduction of so many outstanding family-based console titles,” said Michael Rawlinson, MD of ELSPA.

"These have really opened up the market to those who may never have even considered playing a videogame before." ...

via IGN


If you're a PS3 owners who loves some crossover Musou, you'll want to sit down for this. Retail listings in Japan have popped up for Musou Orochi Z, said to be a new PS3 entry in the series that's known internationally as Warriors Orochi. The title is apparently due for Japanese release on March 12 and will carry a price of 7,560 yen.

Koei hasn't formally announced the title, so consider this just a rumor for now. We'll let you know if we hear anything more solid. ...

via Eurogamer


Sony has told Eurogamer that it will release a European demo of Killzone 2 through PlayStation Network, but cannot confirm exactly when, or what will be included in the demo.

However, a source close to the publisher told us that if it clears QA in time, the demo will almost certainly be released in Europe before the game.

That's in contrast to the US, where the demo is subject to an exclusivity agreement that means consumers will only be able to get hold of it before release by pre-ordering from GameStop.

A spokesperson for Sony America confirmed that to PS3Fanboy overnight, adding that the demo will appear on PSN there after launch.

Killzone 2 is due out in February, but Sony has yet to confirm an exact release date. Check out our Killzone 2 gamepage for our latest hands-on previews, trailers, screenshots and more.

And look out for our Killzone 2 review in the coming weeks. ...

via Games Industry


FIFA 09 has topped the UK software sales chart for the week ended January 3, amidst falling sales almost uniformly across the top 40.

EA's sports title, despite seeing sales drop nearly 41 per cent, managed to displace Activision's FPS, Call of Duty: World at War, which saw it sales plummet 50 per cent as it came in second place.

However, the World War II shooter remained 5000 sales ahead of another EA title, Need for Speed: Undercover, in third place.

Guitar Hero: World Tour climbed to its highest ever chart position, up from seventh to fourth, while elsewhere in the chart Mario Kart Wii saw sales drop 60 per cent, putting it in eighth place.

Sega's Sonic Unleashed held onto its position from last week at number ten .


The UK software sales chart follows:

01. FIFA 09
02. Call of Duty: World at War
03. Need for Speed: Undercover
04. Guitar Hero: World Tour
05. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
06. Wii Play
07. Far Cry 2
08. Mario Kart Wii
09. Quantum of Solace
10. Sonic Unleashed
11. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
12. Carnival: Funfair Games
13. Gaers of War 2
14. Tomb Raider: Underworld
15. Prince of Persia
16. Mirror's Edge
17. Lego Indiana Jones: Original Adventures
18. Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training
19. Fallout 3
20. Wii Fit ...

via Games Industry


FIFA 09 has topped the UK software sales chart for the week ended January 3, amidst falling sales almost uniformly across the top 40.

EA's sports title, despite seeing sales drop nearly 41 per cent, managed to displace Activision's FPS, Call of Duty: World at War, which saw it sales plummet 50 per cent as it came in second place.

However, the World War II shooter remained 5000 sales ahead of another EA title, Need for Speed: Undercover, in third place.

Guitar Hero: World Tour climbed to its highest ever chart position, up from seventh to fourth, while elsewhere in the chart Mario Kart Wii saw sales drop 60 per cent, putting it in eighth place.

Sega's Sonic Unleashed held onto its position from last week at number ten .


The UK software sales chart follows:

01. FIFA 09
02. Call of Duty: World at War
03. Need for Speed: Undercover
04. Guitar Hero: World Tour
05. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
06. Wii Play
07. Far Cry 2
08. Mario Kart Wii
09. Quantum of Solace
10. Sonic Unleashed
11. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
12. Carnival: Funfair Games
13. Gaers of War 2
14. Tomb Raider: Underworld
15. Prince of Persia
16. Mirror's Edge
17. Lego Indiana Jones: Original Adventures
18. Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training
19. Fallout 3
20. Wii Fit ...

via Kotaku


We got tipped by an anonymous Gamestop employee that the chain won't accept original Xbox games, consoles and accessories as of Feb. 9. Looks like this is officially it for the console.

Says our tipster:


Is it just me, or is this now a milestone for original X's demise? I'm guessing they'll sell or bury the rest of their original Xbox stock over time. But when your console's no longer currency at Gamestop, the party is over, my friend. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Killzone 2 has snagged a perfect 5/5 score in the latest issue of the US Official PlayStation Magazine.

According to forum posts from those with early subs copies, the mag describes the game as "a powerful contender for the best game of 2009".

This beats Resistance 2, which got 80 (or 4/5 in the mag's new score system), and is one of only two PS3 exclusives (MGS 4 being the other) that has been awarded a perfect score in the magazine.

"The buddies alongside you in each battle have been expertly tuned to provide just enough cover and support to actively get your back on occasions, while never making it feel like they could achieve every objective alone," says the review.

"None of the circumstances, weapons you find, locations you visit, or frankly any of the details in the world feel arbitrary. The world is consistently realized in its unappealing flavour," is adds, according to this forum post.

In closing, the review concludes: "Without a doubt Killzone fans, action, and shooter fans of any stripe will instantly tag this sequel as a powerful contender for the best game of 2009."

Game's out end of February. ...

via Gizmodo US


Winter weather and cabin fever can lead to some strange behavior. Take this tale of two thirtysomething Wisconsin brothers for instance. Apparently, a fight over a PS2 controller lead to punching, choking and stabbing.

According to the Waukesha Police, the fight started over an argument about who's turn it was to play the (unidentified) game. Eventually, the fight escalated when one brother tried to choke the other out. In retaliation, he pulled an knife and slashed at his assailant. The knife was wrestled out of his hands and plunged into his chest. In a panic, the brother who did the stabbin' fled the scene and walked to the hospital—suffering severe frostbite on his hands as a result.

The injuries sustained were not life threatening, but police are recommending that charges be brought up against both brothers. They are also speaking with Santa Claus about the possibility of placing his boot squarely and firmly into their asses. ...