via Eurogamer


Grand Theft Auto IV is set to rack up USD 400 million in its first week and sell 6 million copies, according to a Variety report.

The article quotes "sources close to publisher Take-Two" as having supplied those predictions. "Though they rarely release the data, videogame publishers are able to accurately predict early game sales based on what retailers order," apparently.

Halo 3 previously enjoyed the biggest launch of any videogame in history, with USD 300 million made in its first week on sale and 5 million units shifted. But as Variety points out, that was an Xbox 360 exclusive - while GTA IV is coming out on PS3 too. On April 29th, in case you'd forgotten.

If Rockstar's latest effort does break the USD 400 million barrier, it could go on to beat the biggest grossing film of all time - Pirates of the Caribbean, which made USD 404 million at the box office.

In case you were wondering, 21.5 million copies of previous instalment Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have now been sold. ...

via Eurogamer


Grand Theft Auto IV is set to rack up USD 400 million in its first week and sell 6 million copies, according to a Variety report.

The article quotes "sources close to publisher Take-Two" as having supplied those predictions. "Though they rarely release the data, videogame publishers are able to accurately predict early game sales based on what retailers order," apparently.

Halo 3 previously enjoyed the biggest launch of any videogame in history, with USD 300 million made in its first week on sale and 5 million units shifted. But as Variety points out, that was an Xbox 360 exclusive - while GTA IV is coming out on PS3 too. On April 29th, in case you'd forgotten.

If Rockstar's latest effort does break the USD 400 million barrier, it could go on to beat the biggest grossing film of all time - Pirates of the Caribbean, which made USD 404 million at the box office.

In case you were wondering, 21.5 million copies of previous instalment Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have now been sold. ...

via Joystiq


Hudson certainly hasn't been shy about showing its affections for WiiWare, with the company doing all but making a mix tape for the Wii's upcoming digital download service. Now, after confirming plans to bring Tetris and Bomberman to WiiWare, Hudson has announced plans to release yet another downloadable classic property in Star Soldier R. The game, which launched in Japan alongside WiiWare in March, will be making its North American debut once the service launches later this year.

The game is the latest in Hudson's long-running Star Soldier franchise of overhead shooters that began in the mid-1980s for the NES, of which there are four titles available over the Wii's Virtual Console: Super Star Soldier, Soldier Blade, Blazing Lazers and Star Soldier. Describing the game as a "tournament-style outer space shooter," Hudson notes that this latest shooter will focus on achieving high scores in a Quick Shot mode, as well as in both 2-minute and 5-minute modes, giving players "just enough time" to fight through a couple levels and wrestle with the bosses waiting patiently at the other end. Try not to disappoint.


Screenshots ...

via Computer and Video Games


Japanese RPG Opoona will be released in Europe on July 25, distributor KOEI has confirmed today.

Branded a 'lifestyle RPG', Opoona has been developed by ArtePiazza, the team behind four Dragon Quest titles.

Breaking with the traditional grind of Japanese RPGs, players must interact with new environments, meet new people and contribute to society through working. So some sort of cross between Final Fantasy and Harvest Moon, then.

Interestingly, the game uses the Wii Nunchuk as the sole method of input, which either means there's an incredible control scheme going on or it's incredibly simplistic. Either way, we're intrigued by the prospect.


Screenshots ...

via Games Industry


Stock supply for Wii Fit looks unlikely to be able to meet demand if online pre-order pages are anything to go by, with five of the top UK retailers halting further orders.

• According to videogaming247.com the five sites are displaying the following messages:
• Play.com: "We are currently sold out on this item. All orders will be dispatched as soon as possible.
• Amazon.co.uk: "Availability: Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available."
• Game.co.uk: "Please note: Due to massive demand we cannot take any further pre-orders on Wii Fit at the present time."
• Shopto.net: "Pre-order temporarily stopped."
• Zavvi.co.uk: "Sorry, Wii fit is temporarily out of stock, please check again soon."

This follows earlier predictions from Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter that Nintendo could prompt a new demand boom with the title in the US.


Nintendo UK was unavailable for comment at the time of writing. ...

Nuke has released a new beta of his amazing Region Free Game Loader for Wii ie play commercial games from other areas on your Wii

Heres whats new:


Download and Give Feedback and Compatability Reports Via Comments ...

via Joystiq


At the Nintendo Media Summit, Boom Blox senior producer Amir Rahimi confirmed that the final version of the game will lack the head-tracking mode. We understand that it was always an Easter egg, requiring gamers to set up Wii Remotes as cameras, and hacking together their own IR LED glasses. But you didn't have to go to TED to see the promise, and we're disappointed to see it removed.

EA wouldn't go on-record to say exactly why the mode was cut, only just confirming it again through public-relations channels. An email statement noted, "Head-tracking was something we considered including as an Easter egg in BOOM BLOX however, we did not end up including it in the final version of the game. ..."

Perhaps EA feared that we'd hack together a candelabra helmet as an IR emitter. They should have; we totally would. ...

via Games Industry


Nintendo UK has responded to concerns over the availability of Wii Fit, insisting that "many retailers are still accepting pre-orders." Following the news that several leading vendors have already stopped taking pre-orders, the firm is advising consumers to "shop around to secure their copy" of the hugely anticipated title.

In a statement released to GamesIndustry.biz, Nintendo said: "All retailers in the UK and Ireland have been aware of their Wii Fit allocations for launch since early March and as such we would see any stopping of pre-orders a sensible precaution on their part to ensure all current orders are met. Many retailers are still accepting pre-orders and we would advise people to shop around to secure their copy.

"As with all our launches, we are working very hard with all our retail partners to be as open and as transparent as possible with further deliveries, we're disappointed if even one person can't get hold of one of our products and we are doing everything we can to ensure we have as much stock as possible coming into the UK and Ireland not just at launch, but continually, to try and minimise any potential disappointment as much as possible."

The fitnessed-based title, which comes bundled with a Balance Board peripheral, has been a phenomenon in Japan, selling 1.4 million units since December. Wii Fit releases in Europe on April 25 with an RRP of GBP 69.99, with the US following on May 19, priced at USD 89.99. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft will be adding Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Metal Arms: Glitch in the System to Xbox Originals next Monday.

You can download them on 21st April for 1200 Microsoft Points (GBP 10.20 / EUR 14.40) a pop.

Kristan really rather liked Metal Arms when it came out in 2003, saying it deserved much more attention than it went on to command. You play as a gun-slinging robot called Glitch in a frantic third-person blaster that is a bit like Ratchet & Clank overdosed on human growth hormone.

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, on the other hand, is the 2005 instalment in the popular sneaky spy series. Kristan reckoned it wasn't the best of the Sam Fisher outings, which seemed to spark a rather hefty reaction from you.

Those interested in either Chaos Theory or Metal Arms should shop around on Amazon marketplace or eBay for even further savings.

Pop over to the official Xbox Originals page for a full list of back catalogue additions and how to download them. ...