via insert credit

Speaking of Hudson, the company has an original map creation contest going on right now in japan. Some interesting entries so far, but nothing really amazing. Apparently you have to download this in order to compete...not quite sure how it all works, considering there's an edit mode built into the game, but I do hope some of these maps wind up as extras in any western version that may result. ...

via gamespot

The official story: "We have seen all types of claimed leaked photos like this show up online, and as a standard policy we don't comment on speculative items."--A Microsoft representative.

What we heard: Almost six months ago, Xbox-mod site Xbox Scene ran a blurry photo it had received from an anonymous source. The photo was supposedly of a revamped Xbox 360 motherboard with an HDMI port.

At the time, Rumor Control suggested that an HDMI port-equipped Xbox 360 wasn't imminent but that Microsoft would have to be looking into it in order to ensure the viability of its HD-DVD add-on. Movie studios releasing HD-DVDs have the option of using Image Constraint Token (ICT) flags on their discs, a technology that artificially limits the playback resolution of a film unless the signal is traveling over a secure connection like an HDMI cable (the component cables included with the Xbox 360 don't cut it).

Now half a year down the road, the rumor has returned, this time in the form of a photo on tech blog Engadget that shows an HDMI port sticking out of the back of an Xbox 360 system--something the current crop of Xbox 360s don't have. Aside from being watermarked and having identifying characteristics like a serial number blacked out, the photo doesn't appear to have been tampered with. And while there's no photo evidence of this tidbit, the Engadget report also says the redesigned 360 (code-named "Zephyr"), will be released alongside the also oft-rumored larger Xbox 360 hard drive. Engadget says the hard drive will rack up as much space as 120GB. Finally, Engadget's source is reported as saying that the new hardware will be available "soon."

Depending on what constitutes "soon," it might be no coincidence that the Consumer Electronics Show is just around the corner, since Microsoft has a habit of making game-related announcements at the event. In 2001, Microsoft used CES to unveil the Xbox, its debut entry into the console market. Last year, it announced the Xbox 360's external HD-DVD player. While CES is one of Microsoft's big announcement platforms (along with the Electronic Entertainment Expo and the X0 line of fall events), announcing a significant hardware revision right after a holiday shopping season might not go over well with the (likely) millions of new Xbox 360 owners.

On top of that, Microsoft already has a hardware update planned for this year in the form of a new CPU using 65nm semiconductor technology that will operate at a lower temperature. And while those chips had originally been planned for inclusion into the hardware for the first quarter of the year, Digitimes recently reported that those CPUs won't be produced until mid-2007. It might be in Microsoft's best interest to wait on introducing an HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 until those chips are ready to reduce both the number of times it has to rework the system's innards and the number of different hardware configurations it has on shelves.

While there's no word out of the Microsoft camp on an HDMI Xbox 360 or a larger hard drive, we still think they're both coming, but we're not sure now is the right time for them. Check back with GameSpot this Sunday night for news from the Microsoft CES keynote address; if an announcement is coming soon, that's probably where it would be made.

Bogus or not bogus?: Sticking by not bogus. ...

via gamespot

This Nevada town, where betting and speculation are the norm, is an appropriate place for talk of a price cut to the Xbox 360 to find traction.

Yesterday, two analysts--Michael Goodman and Colin Sebastian--spoke of a possible announcement from Microsoft. Goodman, of the Yankee Group, went so far as to consider a $100 price drop for the one-year-old-plus console--a doubling of the traditional $50 reduction. A third, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter, offered his opinion as well, which, not surprisingly, contradicts Goodman's and Sebastian's.

In a morning note to investors, Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian hedged his bets, declining to speculate on an exact figure a price cut could take, but he did introduce the topic.

Pegging his theory on the dual combination of greater production efficiencies and component cost reductions for the console, as well as a shift of the platform to a more mass-market consumer audience, he said a price drop in 2007 was a "possibility."

"At CES, Microsoft is introducing several new services and updates for the Xbox 360 aimed at broadening the content available over the platform beyond video games...specifically, Microsoft is now positioning the Xbox 360 as a media hub and set-top box for the living room, linking broadband connectivity and the Xbox Live service with providers of traditional media content through Internet protocol television (IPTV)."

Goodman put a few more chips on the table, telling GameSpot he was looking at the March-June time frame as fertile ground for a price drop--and that if Microsoft really wanted to disrupt the console playing field, it would slash the price by $100.

"It's a market share battle," Goodman said. The $100 cut in price is what Microsoft would do "if [it] wants to be super competitive--put Sony against the wall and put competitive pressure on the Wii."

Pachter scoffed at talk of a preemptive Microsoft price drop. The rationale? Greed.

"Microsoft will not cut price below its cost of production," Pachter said. He posits that the 360 currently costs Microsoft $359 to produce, so "why not enjoy a $50 profit per box," he said. In addition, assuming a price drop, Pachter still saw little upside: "I'm not convinced a $300 [price point] will spike demand."

But it was on philosophical grounds that Pachter based his reluctance to join the price-cut chorus. "Microsoft is not in the business of wealth transfers to the consumer...they don't give anything away." He also doesn't see Microsoft playing the role of a price leader; rather, he sees the company as a follower in the marketplace, or a price taker, in conventional business-development lingo.

"Sony isn't prepared [to drop the price of the PS3] until summer," Pachter said. And with no Electronic Entertainment Expo in May to use as a platform for news, there isn't the usual incentive to target such drama (a price drop) in late spring--it can wait, according to Pachter. Wait until Sony does drop the price, he says, and then watch out. "Microsoft will follow, eight seconds later."

And when will Sony deliver a lower-priced PS3? Maybe it was the setting that got to him: "A Sony price drop?" Pachter pondered. "July 11. mark that day down in your calendar."

GameStop currently sells the two Xbox 360 configurations for $399 and $299. The Wii is priced at $249 at most retailers. ...

via gamespot

The Vic Viper takes flight again today as the NES edition of Konami's arcade shoot-'em-up Gradius has appeared on the Wii's Virtual Console. Acting as the game's wingmen are a pair of TurboGrafx-16 games, the vertically scrolling shooter Soldier Blade, and the action-role-playing game Dungeon Explorer. All three games are rated E for Everyone.

Originally released in 1986, the NES version of Gradius puts players in the cockpit of a starfighter fending off an alien invasion through seven stages. Designed for one or two players, the game is available for 500 Wii Points ($5).

The second shoot-'em-up of the week, Hudson Entertainment's 1992 offering Soldier Blade borrows the colored power-up mechanic of its fellow TG-16 shooters, Super Star Soldier and Blazing Lazers. Soldier Blade is a one-player game and sells for 600 Wii Points ($6).

Finally, Hudson Entertainment's 1989 action-RPG Dungeon Explorer originally required the TG-16's TurboTap accessory to allow simultaneous cooperative play for up to five players. Fortunately, the Virtual Console release allows five-player action with any combination of Wii Remotes and GameCube controllers. Players pick from eight different character classes ranging from genre staples like the fighter to more obscure choices like the bard or bishop, and then set out into the world to conquer a series of dungeons. Dungeon Explorer is available to download for 600 Wii Points. ...

via gamespot

The Vic Viper takes flight again today as the NES edition of Konami's arcade shoot-'em-up Gradius has appeared on the Wii's Virtual Console. Acting as the game's wingmen are a pair of TurboGrafx-16 games, the vertically scrolling shooter Soldier Blade, and the action-role-playing game Dungeon Explorer. All three games are rated E for Everyone.

Originally released in 1986, the NES version of Gradius puts players in the cockpit of a starfighter fending off an alien invasion through seven stages. Designed for one or two players, the game is available for 500 Wii Points ($5).

The second shoot-'em-up of the week, Hudson Entertainment's 1992 offering Soldier Blade borrows the colored power-up mechanic of its fellow TG-16 shooters, Super Star Soldier and Blazing Lazers. Soldier Blade is a one-player game and sells for 600 Wii Points ($6).

Finally, Hudson Entertainment's 1989 action-RPG Dungeon Explorer originally required the TG-16's TurboTap accessory to allow simultaneous cooperative play for up to five players. Fortunately, the Virtual Console release allows five-player action with any combination of Wii Remotes and GameCube controllers. Players pick from eight different character classes ranging from genre staples like the fighter to more obscure choices like the bard or bishop, and then set out into the world to conquer a series of dungeons. Dungeon Explorer is available to download for 600 Wii Points. ...

via engadget

We interrupt our regularly scheduled CES blogathon to bring you some important industry news from the world of video games: the PlayStation 3's new (sort of) SIXAXIS controller has been honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with a Technology and Engineering Emmy. Details are scarce, but the award will be handed over at an awards presentation being held tonight at ... wait, CES! Everything is captured in its gravitational pull, there's no avoiding it. Regardless, we're not sure exactly why the Sixaxis is receiving this honor, short of it being a technology product that undoubtedly involved some engineering, but we can't help but think something in the world of television must have been more deserving of such accolades. ...

New from Divineo UK



Charge Link by Nyko is a wireless controller USB charging cable for Playstation 3 that can be used while playing (easy with its 10 feet/3 meters length). It can also be used with any Mini USB device and as always with Nyko the quality standard is just perfect and the cable comes a special shield that insure high quality protection and high lifetime.

Specifications & extra information

• Simultaneously charge and play with the PS3
wireless controller
• Can be used for various USB compatible devices
• Extra long 10ft cable
• Includes Velcro wrap for clean and convenient storage
• Unique woven cable shielding improves cable durability
• Can be used with other Mini USB devices such as the PSP and digital cameras ...

New from Divineo UK



High Definition Digital audio/visual cable by Nyko for the Playstation 3. Enjoy the full graphical power of the PS3 with this high quality cable that brings high definition 1080p resolution to any display with HDMI socket!

Specifications & extra information

• Enhance the PS3 gaming experience with high definition quality
• Upgrade the quality of both audio and visual output
• Full 1080p resolution output
• Conversion free digital connection
• Fits into any HDMI outlet ...

New from Divineo UK



The Smooth As Silk full shells for Xbox 360 wireless controller have been colored using a special process that makes the surface extra smooth and very pleasant to use for gaming.
They come in 4 versions: All Black, All White, Black(top)+White(bottom) and White(top)+Black(bottom).

All versions includes the Blue light kits (optional installation) that requires simple soldering to be installed. ...