via Computer and Video Games


Research conducted by staff at the University of Bolton and Whitman College has concluded that some video game players can show signs of autism and character traits associated with the condition.

The researchers questioned 391 people, 86 per cent of whom were male. They apparently took notice of the relationships between addiction, 'high engagement' and personality.

Findings 'revealed' that those players who were closer to what they defined as addicted, they would exhibit traits such as neuroticism, a lack of extraversion and agreeableness.

Dr Charlton of the University of Bolton commented: "Our research supports the idea that people who are heavily involved in game playing may be nearer to autistic spectrum disorders than people who have no interest in gaming."

So basically, the University of Bolton has discovered that an introverted, neurotic and non-empathising cross-section of humanity is heavily involved in things that doesn't make it feel uncomfortable.

It's about as profound as saying moths are attracted to bright lights. Thanks UoB. ...

via Gizmodo




We can't speak for everyone here, but our home theater just isn't looking tacky enough lately. Luckily there's this XCM-branded chrome Xbox 360 case replacement for HDMI-enabled models to help us reach our geek quota. Running about $60, a set of four will only set you back $240—a nominal cost to have the most unique, sought-after rims on the block. Unfortunately, the hard drive cover isn't included, nor is a new skin for your controller. Those will set you back $25 and $30, respectively, meaning that this little joke gets expensive real quick.


More pictures of the shiny Xbox 360 here ...

via Computer and Video Games


Warner Brothers has confirmed that it will significantly shorten the time periods between DVD releases and movie appearances on Xbox Live, in an effort against pirate copies being readily available on the internet.

Until recently, a 90-day window separated the release of Warner Bros. films on DVD and the arrival on video-on-demand services such as Live, Sky Box Office, Virgin Media and BT Vision.

The film studio broke precedent with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, however, by releasing the film on VoD services just a day after it hit shelves on disc.

Another Warner Bros. film, Beowulf, will arrive on Xbox Live and other services 14 days after its retail street date.

In a further move to counter piracy, Warner is planning to release DVDs that include a rights-protected copy which can be transferred to PC and mobile devices.

The first such disc will be Will Smith's I Am Legend, released on April 21. ...

via Games Industry


Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G for the PlayStation Portable has gone straight in at number one in the Japanese software sales chart, according to information from Media Create for the week ending March 30.

The Capcom title sold 880,000 units, over eight times more than the week's second-placed game, Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage - which itself only sold around 240,000 on its debut at number one the previous week.

Monster Hunter's stunning showing also eclipsed the week's next highest new entry, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 for the Nintendo DS in third, which sold 49,000 copies.

Wii Fit held steady in fourth place, followed in fifth by the PSP edition of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: Lost Colors and Super Smash Bros Brawl in sixth, which broke the 1.5 million mark during that week.

The PlayStation 2 edition of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: Lost Colors took seventh place, with Deca Sporta in eighth, SimCity DS 2: From the Past to the Future in ninth and Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Cinema Land rounding out the top ten list.

The full top ten is as follows:
1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP)
2. Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage (DS)
3. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (DS)
4. Wii Fit (Wii)
5. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: Lost Colors (PSP)
6. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
7. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: Lost Colors (PS2)
8. Deca Sporta (Wii)
9. SimCity DS 2: From the Past to the Future (DS)
10. Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Cinema Land (DS) ...

via Computer and Video Games


Square-Enix has released a new version of its WiiWare title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, which incorporates a downloadable content store selling a bunch of new additions for 1400 Wii points (£10).

The game, which already costs 1500 Wii points to download, now charges 800 points for three new races, 300 points for houses that produce new quests, 100 points for new outfits, 200 points for a shrine that buffs warriors and 100 points for a house that people can live in.

According to Game Life, the amount of memory blocks required by the content also calls into question how much of it is already built into the game.

A new outfit takes up three blocks, for example, but an entire race of people needs only one.

Will Europeans face the same pricing structures - which seem steep if you take into account how much the original game costs - that the Japanese are dealing with at the moment? Or will Europeans even get the opportunity to play a WiiWare title this year? As always, a release date for the service has yet to be announced. ...

via Eurogamer


Atari has told Eurogamer that it is pushing the release of Alone in the Dark back from May to June.

The Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PS2 versions will now be available on 20th June in Europe and 24th June in the US. A PS3 offering is still "to follow".

The reason for the delay is because Atari and Eden want to offer the best possible game they can. The extra month will allow for additional polish and any bugs to be ironed out.

Atari was keen to get across that it has had positive responses from all who have seen the title, which is very much a flagship game for the publisher.

Former Sony bosstype Phil Harrison joined Atari at the beginning of March, bigging up "the best opportunity that exists in the industry today to redefine, refocus and re-energise an incredible brand, an incredible group of people towards that networked future".

We saw Alone in the Dark at the end of February and heavily recommended it be on your radar as one to keep an eye on. ...

via Next Generation


The effects of Nintendo's mass market strategy can be felt worldwide, both in the US and in the game maker's homeland.

According to Famitsu (via Kotaku), the Nintendo DS sold over 6.3 million units during Japan's 2007 fiscal year, topping the hardware charts for the year in the country. The second slot belonged to the Wii, which managed over 3.7 million units, edging out number three PSP, which had over 3.4 million in sales.

Xbox 360, unsurprisingly, captured the last spot on the list.

Hardware charts are below (Famitsu didn't include sales of the PlayStation 2):

Nintendo DS: 6,343,547 units sold in 2007 (22,169,761 units cumulative)
Wii: 3,741,946 units in 2007 (5,695,579 units cumulative)
PSP: 3,427,971 units in 2007 (8,574,026 units cumulative)
PS3: 1,197,418 units in 2007 (2,009,492 units cumulative)
Xbox 360: 235,318 units in 2007 (602,558 units cumulative)

On the software front, the exercise-inspired Wii Fit was able to capture the top spot with 1.7 million sold. The rest of the top-selling software chart was nothing but other Nintendo titles:

1. Wii Fit: 1,762,193 copies sold
2. Mario Party DS: 1,659,315 copies sold
3. Wii Sports (unbundled in Japan): 1,616,377 copies sold (total: 2,840,389)
4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl: 1,554,852 copies sold
5. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: 1,354,447 copies sold ...

via IGN


An Infinity Ward insider has spoken out about the launch of the new map packs for Xbox Live king Call of Duty 4, noting the developer is currently aiming for a release this Friday, April 4.

Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling has stated on his blog that, "As of right now we're pushing certification for an on-time release for April 3rd or 4th [...] I'm being told that it's a good chance it will be released worldwide (except for Japan) tomorrow night / early-Friday morning."

Bowling continues, "For those of you asking when you should take off work, I'd take off Friday, as it looks like they should be available late Thursday night / early Friday morning, which means Friday you should be able to play all day." We approached Activision for confirmation, but the publisher was unavailable for comment.

Costing 800 Microsoft Points, the pack contains four new maps for the online component of the game - currently trumping Halo 3 on Xbox Live - and you can appease your curiosity by checking our preview, should you so desire. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu has given Mario Kart Wii an impressive score of 10/9/9/9 in its review, according to German website GameFront.de.

For those not up to scratch with their maths, the scores tot up to 37/40, which is slightly more generous than some reviewers have so far awarded it.

In particular, Mario Kart Wii received a tad less from NGamer, which gave it 88% and stated: "There's plenty here to make up for the disappointment of local multiplayer, but it does stop short of magnificence."

To make up your own mind, if you're European you can pick up a copy next Friday. Unfortunately, US readers will have to wait until April 27. ...