Via CVG

Expo PS2 and PSP games revealed - not one single slither of a sausage regarding PS3 stuff though

While we all wait with bated breath for some kind of tangible information on the forthcoming PS3 (presumably all unravelling at Sony's big press jamboree this coming Monday), the company has unveiled its E3 line-up for PS2 and PSP.

It's all fairly as-expected with showings for high-profile titles like God of War II, SOCOM PSP, Gangs of London and LocoRoco - most of which we've seen in some guise or other already. Quite whether this means there'll be no monster revelations for Sony's existing consoles is unclear - let's be honest though, it'd take something pretty astonishing to make any kind of audible squeal against PS3's thunder.

Here's what Sony's announced so far:

ATV Offroad Fury 4 (PS2)
Gangs of London (PSP)
God of War II (PS2)
Killzone: Liberation (PSP)
Lemmings (PSP)
LocoRoco (PSP)
NBA '07 (PS2 & PSP)
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP)
Rogue Galaxy (PS2)
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 (PSP)
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault (PS2)
World Tour Soccer '06 (PSP)

We'll be screaming round the show floor from Wednesday next week, with ne'er a pause for breath or tinkle. You can expect to hear much more on Sony's line-up as things get underway, so keep your eyes locked in this direction for all the latest. ...

Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the world's most recognized brands, today announced the complete line-up of video games the Company will showcase during Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the video game industry's largest trade show and exhibition in Los Angeles, May 10-12. The Company's titles range in genres and are from some of the world's best-known franchises including Dragon Ball Z®, Test Drive® Unlimited, Alone in the Dark, and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®. The Company is charging forward with a robust line-up of next-generation console and handheld games with a focus on innovative and compelling gameplay.

"As the Atari brand has withstood the test of time, so does the appeal of many of our games and franchises," said Atari, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bruno Bonnell. "We continue to reach and surpass milestones, such as the ten- millionth mark of Dragon Ball Z game sales, and redefining genres we originated, such as Alone in the Dark's horror survival and Test Drive Unlimited's Massively Open Online Racing (M.O.O.R.TM). Atari continues to move forward and seek out groundbreaking, imaginative and entertaining properties like the underground based, street smart HOT PXL. Evident as part of our E3 line-up, these and other games are all part of the Company's evolution and continued focus on gameplay."

Following is the list of Atari's products that will be showcased at E3 this year. The Atari booth is located at Petree Hall #4003:

Alone in the Dark (Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows platform)

The original Alone in the Dark is the video game that launched horror survival gaming and set the standard within the genre. The next-generation of Alone in the Dark returns with a heart-stopping survival experience realized through the use of state-of-the-art real-time physics and unprecedented environmental interaction. Delivering an exhilarating action-orientated experience within a highly detailed, open environment, Alone in the Dark is set to take the lead for innovation and excellence within the genre. Alone in the Dark is in development by Eden Games, the second largest game development studio in France and a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA.

Arthur and the Minimoys (PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSPTM (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DSTM, Game Boy® Advance and Windows)

Directly inspired by world famous film director and writer Luc Besson's upcoming animated film of the same name, the Arthur and the Minimoys* game will follow the film's storyline and feature eye-popping graphics and technical innovations. The game allows players to relive the fantastic adventure of young Arthur and his two pals, princess Selenia and her brother Betameche, in their mission to save the Minimoys' world from destruction. Set to time with The Weinstein Company theatrical release of the movie in North America, Arthur and the Minimoys game is currently in development by Lyon-and Paris-based Etranges Libellules, creator of several successful animated games, including Asterix XXL and Kirikou. The Nintendo DS game is being developed by Dreamon, and the Nintendo Game Boy Advance version by Mystic.

BattleZone (PSP system)

BattleZone is the modern update to the 1980 classic arcade game. Set in futuristic international military environments, BattleZone puts players in control of highly maneuverable hover tanks, challenging them in close combat scenarios against their rivals with relentless onslaughts of quick, action- oriented battles. BattleZone for the PSP system is being developed by Paradigm Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®: TacticsTM (PSP system)

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®: TacticsTM is the first time the highly-coveted D&D® license has ever graced a next-generation portable system. D&D®: Tactics* authentically utilizes the D&D 3.5 rule-set created by Wizards of the Coast and allows players to take a party of six adventurers into a wide variety of dangerous environments to experience deep and exciting turn-based action. In development by Kuju Entertainment, D&D: Tactics will take full advantage of the PSP system's wireless capability and offer gamers a multiplayer mode.

Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PlayStation®2 and Nintendo Wii)

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, the top-selling DBZ game of 2005. Combining action, fighting and light role-playing game (RPG) elements, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will send players into a rich story mode that spans the entire Dragon Ball®, DBZ, and Dragon Ball GT® series. The game takes the acrobatic and intense 3D flying and fighting dynamic made popular in last year's hit to a whole new level with over 100 playable characters, 15 vast and vibrant 3D destructible environments, and nine different game modes, including intense single and multiplayer battles. Dragon Ball ...

SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced their title lineup to be featured at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2006. SEGA will feature a broad variety of titles developed for next-generation consoles including the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. In addition, SEGA continues its strong support of PC, current consoles and handheld platforms including the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, and the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. SEGA's booth will be located in South Hall, #946, Los Angeles Convention Center.

SEGA will feature several key titles in its E3 2006 lineup. Sonic celebrates his 15th anniversary by blazing his way onto the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles with his first adventure set in the human world in Sonic the Hedgehog. Featuring interactive 3D environments and a large cast of returning and new characters, get ready for the reinvention of Sonic The Hedgehog, in his most intense, high velocity escapade to date. Full Auto 2: Battlelines is the next generation of combat-racing, exclusively for the PLAYSTATION 3. Players must use explosive weapons, high-speed vehicles and skillful demolition of the environment to defeat their opponents and claim the city in high-tempo single-player and multiplayer modes. Virtua Tennis 3 is the return of the Virtua Tennis series with enhanced photo-realistic graphics and advanced player animations that perfectly match the behavior and mannerisms of individual professional athletes. The game will also feature a brand new host of popular mini-games characteristic of the franchise. Medieval II: Total War is the latest game in the award-winning and critically acclaimed Total War series. Medieval II: Total War is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005's Strategy Game of the Year – Rome: Total War. Coming to the PC, Medieval II is a visually stunning game that spans four and half centuries of the most turbulent and bloody era of Western history, encompassing the golden age of chivalry, the Crusades, the proliferation of gunpowder, the rise of professional armies, the Renaissance and the discovery of America.

"SEGA's mission is to be a premier publisher of a diverse array of great games for the next-generation systems," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Our 2006 E3 line-up is but a glimpse of the great products in store from SEGA."

SEGA continues to fully support handheld and current-generation users with quality titles including Sonic Rivals (PSP), Yakuza (PS2), and Phantasy Star Universe (PS2, PC, Xbox 360).

SEGA's lineup of entertainment games to be featured at E3 includes, but is not limited to, the titles listed below. SEGA continues its Road to E3 new title announcements up to the first day of E3. For screenshots and artwork visit the official SEGA E3 Web Site at: www.sega.com/e3.

Chromehounds (Xbox 360) - Release: Summer 2006
Chromehounds brings squad-based multiplayer mech combat exclusively to the Xbox 360 for the first time ever. The war of the future has begun with three superpower nations fighting for world domination. Commanding fully customizable giant metal war machines called "Hounds", players must manage their tower of heavy artillery through giant war zones while engaging in cooperative squad-based tactics, and fighting intense battles against other real-time players via Xbox Live.

The Club (Working title, PS3, 360) - Release: Summer 2007
The Club is a loosely organized and highly illegal underground entity. The Club is a meeting ground for those seeking the ultimate in vicarious thrills, and those who want to watch them. Players have been entered into the arena and must fight for survival against the odds. Set in a variety of unusual and evocative locations scattered across the globe, players will yield high-powered weaponry in a bid to earn their escape. The first task is to survive, but players must kill according to specific rules - quickly, relentlessly and with style. Kill or be killed, stand still and it's death!

Full Auto 2: Battlelines (PS3) - Release: November 2006
Full Auto 2: Battlelines is the next generation of combat-racing, exclusively for the PLAYSTATION 3. The sequel to the award-winning Full Auto, Full Auto 2: Battlelines puts high-speed vehicles outfitted with weapons and armor into fully realized and fully destructible urban street environments. Strategically use destruction to win races as well as leave massive devastation in your wake. Players can destroy the environment to dynamically change track conditions to block competitors, open new paths, or crush opponents with falling debris caused by well-timed missiles. Full Auto 2: Battlelines also introduces a new Arena Mode featuring team play and six different levels, each specifically designed for a unique type of multiplayer car combat.

Medieval II: Total War (PC) - Release: November 2006
Medieval II: Total War is the latest game in the ...

Iazybandit has released what is one of the best new sites for the scene and that is a dedicated PSP Review site with professional reviews of PSP products, heres the reviews so far:

Carry Cases
Aero Case
be.ez LArobe PSP
Capdase Camouflage Case
Capdase Crystal Clear Case
Capdase Jean Case
Capdase Leather S-Bracket Case
Capdase Luxury Hard Case
Capdase Nylon S-Bracket Case
Capdase Twins Case
iSkin Neo Case
Krusell Leather Gamic Multiadapt
MisticAudio OTG Series PSP Case
PrimeCases S3 P-3000 Series
PSP Core Case
Slappa Hardbody Daily Case
Slappa Hardbody Complete Case
Waterfield Gear Pouch
Waterfield Mini Gear Pouch

Rechargeable Battery Packs
Large Capacity External Battery Pack w/Cliphook
Power Bank 3
PSP Rechargeable Grip
PSP 3600mAh Battery Pack
PSP 3800mAh External Battery Power Station
PSP 4800mAh Emergency Charger
Thunder Power Pack (3600mAh)

UMD Storage Items
Capdase AUMI Professional UMD Lens Guard
Capdase Deluxe UMD Protective Case
Nyko Pocket Case
UMD Card Storage Vertical Stand

Docks/Speakers
Intec Sound System
Intec Recharging Dock w/USB Charge Cable
Logic3 2.1 Sound System
Logic3 Sound Grip
Smart Charging Dock

Miscellaneous
Capdase Power Travel Kit
iPorter xSD
Neo-PSP Pad 8in1
Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2
Nyko Screen Armor PSP
PSPonTV
PSP Flexible Hand Grip Pad
PSP Wireless Headphones
Universal Windshield Holder (360° degree Rotatable)

That is a fantastic amount of reviews check them all out at The Review Site ...

News fromPSP3D :

Looks like Sony is already getting user feedback on what they want their future "PSP 2" to be. Video output to TV, cell phone, GPS, hard drive, camera, audio enhancements, IM, text messaging, radio, language translation, PDA-like applications, backwards compatibility with PlayStation 1, and future compatibility with PS3. These are all things Sony is asking for opinions on in a survey sent out via email to their "GAP" members at the official PlayStation.com forums today. ...

Via Gizmodo

As iPods are further integrated into cars, there’s a danger of users T-Boning some poor salary man because they were putting on “In the Air Tonight” instead of paying attention to the road.

Now Apple releases a patent for the iPod that tags each song, genre, artist, actor, and other relevant info with their audible equivalent. This means when you’re navigating the menus, the iPod speaks the name of the item you’re on so you never have to look down. Useful and safe.

But, er, Apple? The least you could do is spell Phil Collins’ name correctly. Now he’s going to drown you and sing about it at a concert. That’s so true. ...

Via Gizmodo

Noooo! Say it ain’t so, ATI. You were so well respected and always give us graphical geeks the prettiest booth babes and babe posters. Now you will disgrace yourself by teaming up with Nokia for multimedia purposes. It is a sad day indeed.

Today ATI announced the partnership with Nokia for multimedia development on mobile devices. Multimedia meaning music, TV, video and unfortunately, gaming. Most of the focus seems to be around ATI’s Imageon processor for 3D, video and audio processing. Nah, this doesn’t have anything to do with the N-Gage—yet—but anytime we hear gaming and Nokia in the same sentence we tend throw up a little bit. ...

Via Engadget

Although neither device has a true VoIP option yet, UK tech site T3 is reporting that "a source close to...Vonage" (i.e. a friend of a friend of a friend) has confirmed that the VoIP provider is developing WiFi calling solutions for both the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. We've known for awhile that both systems were capable of implementing the ol' VoIP, but other than a random blog musing we reported on last year, this is the first indication we've seen of a major player making moves in this direction. Even for a rumor, the details here are pretty thin, such as how Vonage plans to actually implement VoIP in the disparate devices -- the possibilities include a firmware update for the PSP, and either DSpeak-like software or an Opera-like cartridge for the DS -- or even a hint of when we can expect to see any products come to market. As you might expect, Vonage itself declined to comment on the matter when contacted by T3. ...

Via Engadget

Although neither device has a true VoIP option yet, UK tech site T3 is reporting that "a source close to...Vonage" (i.e. a friend of a friend of a friend) has confirmed that the VoIP provider is developing WiFi calling solutions for both the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. We've known for awhile that both systems were capable of implementing the ol' VoIP, but other than a random blog musing we reported on last year, this is the first indication we've seen of a major player making moves in this direction. Even for a rumor, the details here are pretty thin, such as how Vonage plans to actually implement VoIP in the disparate devices -- the possibilities include a firmware update for the PSP, and either DSpeak-like software or an Opera-like cartridge for the DS -- or even a hint of when we can expect to see any products come to market. As you might expect, Vonage itself declined to comment on the matter when contacted by T3. ...