Microsoft's is still planning to ship two different versions of its Xbox 360 console at launch, according to sources close to the company - while reports suggest that the high-end version may feature the firm's WebTV system.

It's long been thought that Microsoft plans to ship two different Xbox 360 bundles, one with a hard drive and one without, and give users the option of upgrading the low-end system with a hard drive accessory.

Sources close to the firm have confirmed this week that there's much talk of two distinct price points, which seems to indicate that this is still the plan for launch - while a report on well-connected gaming blog Kotaku gives an indication of how the two different models will be differentiated.

The site reports that the basic edition of Xbox 360 - the version without the hard drive - will not have backwards compatibility, while the "premium" version with the hard drive will ship with Microsoft's WebTV functionality built-in.

WebTV is Microsoft's effort at bringing internet communication and media functionality to the living room, and includes basic functionality such as web, e-mail and IM access along with the ability to stream music and video channels from the 'net or from local PCs.

Integrating the system with Xbox 360 would be a logical move, and a major land-grab for Microsoft in this space - which is tipped to become more important in the coming years as increasing amounts of content are broadcast over the Internet as opposed to over traditional TV networks.

A major question mark over the possibility of a the two-tier Xbox launch, however, lies with the question of customised content - one of J Allard's most vaunted goals for the new system - and how that would tie in with a low-end Xbox 360 without a mass storage device.

One part of the answer to that question is the inclusion of a high-capacity solid state memory device with the system, which wouldn't be large enough to store music or movies in any significant volume - or to act as a cache for Xbox games, as the existing Xbox' hard drive does - but would be able to act as a cache customised game assets.

Indeed, last year Israeli flash memory specialist M-Systems confirmed that it is working on a memory solution for Xbox 2, with CEO Dov Moran stating that "when users want to save their e-mail messages, copy music, or anything like that, the only storage they’ll have is what we give them."

Another part of the answer to that question may come from Kotaku's sources, who indicated to the site that around 80 per cent of the systems produced for launch would be the "premium" version - suggesting that the lower-end model is, more than anything else, a concession to launching a competitively priced "games only" system.

Sony is also widely expected to launch multiple versions of the PlayStation 3 console, which is due to arrive in 2006, with both "home media server" and stripped down "basic console" versions believed to be on the cards. ...

With Xbox 360's May 12th unveiling fast approaching, talk is starting to extend to the console's third-party software, with THQ and EA both revealing preliminary details of their wares this week.

THQ yesterday released a brief missive stating that its internal studios Relic Entertainment (Homeworld, Dawn of War) and Volition, Inc. (Red Faction, The Punisher) are working on "exclusive content" for the new format.

EA, meanwhile, has gone a step further, announcing that it plans to broadcast a 60-second advert for its next-generation version of Madden NFL during the NFL draft on American sports TV channel ESPN this Saturday, April 23rd.

EA didn't specify format, but Xbox 360 must be a safe bet, and a PlayStation 3 version is almost certainly on the cards at some point too. A single teaser image of the game - previously seen at an investor conference in the USA - has also been released by the firm, and can be seen on our sister site, Eurogamer.net.

As we draw closer to May 12th, fully expect there to be plenty more of these little snippets. Although Microsoft recently announced a list of publishers committed to the next-generation format, and confirmed that Fable, Project Gotham and Halo would appear on the console, discussion of the software itself has otherwise been limited to the odd glimpse of games on release schedules. Only relatively small projects from independents have really been shown in any detail as they pitch for publisher support.

Xbox 360 is due to be unveiled by Microsoft in a half-hour MTV special on May 12th in the US, rebroadcast around the globe a day later. Microsoft then plans to unveil the console in more detail at its pre-E3 press conference on May 16th. ...

What with the recent cancellation of ECTS, GDCE and SCoRE, the UK games industry's event calendar has been looking empty of late - but an announcement today reveals that the Classic Gaming Expo is still taking place.

CGEUK was previously down to host the 'Retro Zone' at this year's Game Zone Live, but since that event was also cancelled the future had been in doubt. However, it turned out there was plenty of support for a standalone show, as CGEUK organiser Chris Millard told GamesIndustry.biz.

"We held the first Classic Gaming Expo last year, and it proved very popular. GZL approached us to do Retro Zone because we'd done a better job of exhibiting classic games than they had," he said.

"When we heard that GZL was cancelled, we approached all our exhibitors and supporters with the idea of doing our own separate event and the response was overwhelming.

"Every single one said they still wanted to be involved, and were prepared to move their schedules around to fit the new date," Millard continued. "Even our special guests rearranged their schedules for us."

CGEUK will now be held on Saturday August 13, when classic gaming fans can visit the Fairfield Halls in Croydon to see consoles, computers, arcade machines and pinball tables dating from the seventies right through to the nineties.

Gamers will get to go head-to-head on classic machines, competing at games such Outrun, Space Invaders and Pac-Man. There will also be competitions for gamers with disabilities - these are being organised in conjunction with OneSwitch, which manufactures and imports products for disabled gamers.

Special guests at the show will include Matthew Smith of Manic Miner fame, Andy Nuttall and some of his Bullfrog colleagues, plus Ocean Software staff. Archer Maclean will also be there to show off some arcade machines from his private collection.

When asked why there's still so much interest in classic gaming, Millard replied: "It's difficult to say... There are a lot of different answers.

"But overall, the simplicity of the games has a lot to do with it - the games are a lot more playable than some of the stuff that's out there now."

And retro gaming doesn't just appeal to older gamers, apparently. "When we first started taking classic games to events, kids were going straight for our machines. Rather than the newer consoles, they wanted to try out the Atari 2600s and the BBC Acorns," said Millard.

"For kids, it's fascination because they've never seen the technology before. For the 30-plus adults, it brings back memories and evokes a lot of nostalgia."

There are a limited number of stands left at this year's CGEUK - anyone wishing to exhibit should email Millard at [email protected]. Tickets will go on sale shortly from the official CGEUK website.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=8103 ...

Speaking of Nintendo, the word on the street is that contrary to what everyone was expecting/hoping, they’re actually not going to be showing off their next-gen Revolution console at E3 next month. Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata is reportedly concerned that the console is so filled with mind-blowing awesomeness that he’d rather wait until it’s closer to being released to show it off rather than risk competitors stealing all their great ideas. Oh, and it probably doesn’t hurt that they’d be jockeying with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 for everyone’s attention. Anyway, this is still unconfirmed, but supposedly they’re only going to show off a few Revolution demos and focus on the Nintendo DS (and its wireless multiplayer gaming capabilities) instead. ...

News from Divineo China

The official VIPER cases for GC, made by Team Xtender, the XCM GC, will be released soon. We are now taking preorders. First color available (the one we are taking preorders for) is the Crystal Blue with LEDS version. They allow full size DVD's to be inserted into the Gamecube, are officially supported by Team Viper, and are still high quality cases from Team Xtender.
RELEASE DATE: 22nd of April for Crystal Blue, other colours will follow.

...

Nintendo has lifted the lid on its plans to equip the Revolution with totally wireless technology. The next-gen console will communicate with controllers, peripherals, online gaming services and other Nintendo hardware using technology developed in partnership with US firm Broadcom.
While the primary use of such technology is wireless online access the Revolution could also use it in other more unusual ways. A big part of the Revolution's, um, revolution could be directly linked to its wireless features.

Robert A. Rango of Broadcom hints at this. "Broadcom is pleased to partner with technology leader Nintendo, whose visionary commitment to the user experience has inspired new uses for established wireless technology," he said.

Wireless controllers are only the tip of the iceberg. Imagine wireless body sensors picking up your every movement and translating it to the screen... Crikey, we're drunk with speculation.
The DS is also expected to take advantage of Broadcom's wireless technology. An online DS multiplayer system has been mooted by Nintendo for months now and will be finally unveiled at next month's E3.

Even more exciting than that, Broadcom's wireless technology will enable simple connectivity between Nintendo hardware. While it remains unconfirmed, we'll eat our stylus if the Revolution and the DS aren't connectable wirelessly. Or is the GBA 2 waiting in the wings...?

Nintendo reckon Broadcom's technology will enable the Japanese giant to continue revitalising the games industry. "The depth and breadth of Broadcom's wireless expertise will enable Nintendo to deliver the industry's most innovative gaming solutions," said Genyo Takeda, head honcho at Nintendo's Integrated Research & Development Division for Nintendo.

"By integrating Broadcom wireless solutions into our next-generation systems we can provide the high performance gaming and connectivity capabilities that will delight gamers," said Takeda-san.

Broadcom's wireless features include BroadRange, which increases the range of wireless devices by up to 50%, and SecureEasySetup, which lets you set-up your wireless network securely and easily. And without spaces.

Nintendo will reveal its full online and wireless plans at next month's E3. We're expecting some earth-shattering announcements. You'll get them here first. ...

Speculation on Square Enix's planned DS title in the Secret of Mana series has been given a stir after it was revealed that the company has filed for a trademark on the 'World of Mana' name. Is the name of the game heading to Nintendo's new handheld?
Well, it's all guesswork at this stage with SquEnix keeping lips firmly sealed. There's a brand logo for 'World of Mana' which you can see on the right of this page, but unless there's a hidden message in there somewhere it sheds zero light on anything.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see but hopefully it won't be too long as the company has a huge announcement shindig in the pre-show E3 warm up. We hope to find out more then. ...

As if we didn't already have enough cryptic next-gen info to pick over thanks to ourcolony.net, now Microsoft has sent out a media invite for its grand pre-E3 Xbox 2 unveiling on May 16 - and it's packed with clues.
Reading between the lines of these invites and the website they refer attendees to, it seems that the Xbox 2 may well be called Xbox 360 (a notion that has been gathering pace like a post-piss Paula Radcliffe for some time now), will feature something called the 'ring of light', and will employ a white, grey and green colour scheme.

The first thing that strikes about the invite is its enthusiastic use of rings and circles in its design. This is becoming an increasing trend in Microsoft's Xbox 2 marketing, suggesting that the 360 moniker is the one to put your money on.

This concentration on the circle may also offer clues as to the design of the machine itself. Should we expect a circular unit, or just lots of circles and rings built into the Xbox 2's body?
The 'ring of light' connection is a little more mysterious. This phrase has been doing the rounds for a while now and shows up in the Flash animation intro for the online media registration site (we've taken some screens for you to spy). Is it another Xbox 2 design feature? Possibly a circular light that rings the console when the power is on? Or just more illuminated circles on the console's body?

The colour scheme malarkey is thankfully a little easier to understand. Talk of a white console and matching controllers has been cracking for weeks and the exclusively white, grey and green colour scheme of the press invite and website seems to confirm these rumours.

In addition to all that, the website also chucks a couple of enigmatic phrases at you. "Amplify everything" seems to be a reference to the console's increased power and support for HD audio and visual equipment. "Hit reset on your reality" suggests Xbox 2 will be unlike anything we could have expected or thought up.

You can check out the media registration website here.

Of course, all this could just be more column-inch stealing tomfoolery from a Microsoft marketing campaign that's already storming the imagination of gamers. We'll find out for sure on May 12 when Microsoft reveal the Xbox 2 on MTV, and we'll find out even more at E3.

In the meantime, do you remember a little next-gen console called PS3? It seems to be getting forgotten in Microsoft's marketing wake, so we sincerely hope Sony have something major to bust out at E3... ...

The best Nintendo DS Emulator for Windows has seen a new release, heres whats new in this latest version:

CPU: The Sqrt SWI is now function number 13 instead of 8
MMU: Fixed DMA word counts
MMU: Touchscreen calibration data can now be entered in the .ini file
MMU: Fixed some VRAM mappings
GPU: Fixed some hflip issues for 16-color text BGs
GPU: Fixed the VRAM source address for extended rotoscale BGs on the sub core
GPU: Fixed blending of the leftmost column for 16-color text BGs
GPU: Fixed some 16-color OBJ clipping issues
GPU: Proper VRAMCNT values are now enforced
GUI: Added an I/O register viewer
GUI: Added a tile viewer
GUI: Added a -theme commandline switch to select color theme (eg. -theme 0)
GUI: Fixed the file path of dualis.ini

Download Here

Download Some Nintendo DS Demos and Games. ...