Market research firm EEDAR has released new statistics relating to the downloadable content and game market, which suggests that customer acceptance for the delivery system is continuing to rise.
The data is derived from a GDC session given by EEDAR president and COO Geoffrey Zatkin, entitled Alternative Business Models for Digital Games & Content. In the session he revealed that 55 per cent of Xbox 360 owners have purchased at least one downloadable game. This figure rises to 64 per cent for "core genre fans".
As part of his talk Zatkin discussed EEDAR's expectations that downloadable revenue for the traditional console market would grow in excess of 35 per cent year-over-year in 2011, rising to a total of 26 per cent of all console software sales by 2014.
EEDAR research suggests that 76 per cent of all console owners are aware of downloadable content, with 67 per cent of online console owners aware of the content - but only 44 per cent having ever purchased any.
A full 90 per cent of customers apparently prefer the release of downloadable content within three months of purchase of the original game. As Zatkin notes, publishers have increasingly begun to launch new content within just a few weeks of a new game's launch, in many cases promoting its arrival before the main game is released.
Zatkin also suggests that price is not the main barrier to increased downloadable sales and that current pricing is at the lower end of most customer expectations. However he did suggest that publishers explore incentives and the idea of using achievement and trophies as discount coupons.
Rather than price he names six factors which he believes are more of a hindrance to sales: awareness, console connectivity rates, online store front structure, releasing timing, game completion rates, and discovery and marketing.
A PDF file outlining Zatkin's session in more detail is available online. EEDAR also publishes a series of four yearly reports entitled Deconstructing DLC, which examine various aspects of the growing market.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...nloadable-game
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Another week, another PSN update, and this one's got a few titles in it worth your time.

Swarm, Hothead Games' Pikmin-alike, is finally out. Ghostbusers: Sanctum of Slime looks cool from what we've seen of it so far, and PlayStation Move Heroes is out on March 24.

Retro fanatics can also grab PSone classic RPG, Legend of Mana. Here's the full update list:

PlayStation Plus

Full Game Trial

* PlayStation Move Heroes - Coming March 24, 2011

Featured Games

* SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs Multiplayer Beta (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Discounted Games & DLC

* Swarm Full Game (PlayStation Plus price $11.99, regular price $14.99)
* Mini Squadron PlayStation minis (PlayStation Plus price $1.00, regular price $1.99)
* Wakeboarding HD (PlayStation Plus price $3.99, regular price $4.99)

Updates


Street Fighter Alpha 2 - Psone Classic - 50% Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Hoard - Sale (PS3) (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Wakeboarding - Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Ghostbusters the Videogame PSP - Price Change (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $29.99)
Downloadable Games

Swarm ($14.99)
Swarm is an action-platformer where you take direct control of 50 pudgy blue morons and drive them through an intense and suicidal gauntlet of destruction. Run, bash, huddle, boost, stack, jump, push and throw your way through a ridiculously dangerous world in your attempt to collect valuable DNA and ensure at least one swarmite survives.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 457 MB

PlayStation Move Heroes ($39.99) - Coming March 24, 2011
Get ready for a PlayStation Move Motion Controller adventure like no other as you choose from six legendary heroes to defeat galactic predators so fiendish that it will take all of their combined cunning and skill to vanquish them.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 10.5 GB

Battle: Los Angeles ($9.99)
As the world's great cities fall, there remains one place that becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It's up to you to take on an enemy unlike any ever encountered before.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.11 GB

DC Universe Online ($59.99)
DC Universe Online delivers a fast-paced action combat experience giving the player complete control over every move in combat. Join thousands of others online in a universe at war. Fight alongside or against your favorite DC Comics characters as you build your legacy. Hero or villain. Good or evil. Which side will you choose? The next legend is YOU!
The first 30 days of game play are included with this purchase.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 122 MB

Premier Manager ($9.99)
The definitive pick up and play experience! Highlighting playability and ease of use, Premier Manager is the ideal game for both hardcore and casual game players who share a common interest or passion for the Beautiful Game. Can you handle the high pressure, high stakes world of top-flight soccer management?
ESRB Rated E
File size: 154 MB

Ghostbusters: Sanctum Of Slime ($9.99)
Strap on your proton packs for an all-new Ghostbusting adventure! Hop in the ECTO-4WD and blast ghouls with a medley of weapons. Battle alone or team up with friends in local or online co-op. Show them you ain't afraid of no ghosts!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 261 MB
Game Demos (free)

WWE All-Stars Demo
WWE All Stars delivers an all-new take on WWE with fast, fun, fluid and furious arcade-style gameplay that takes WWE action to the next level! Featuring your favorite colorful WWE Legends of the past and larger-than-life WWE Superstars of today, WWE All Stars delivers the greatest roster ever assembled in a WWE videogame! Play as Rey Mysterio or the Ultimate Warrior in this action-packed demo.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 869 MB

You Don't Know Jack Demo
YOU DON'T KNOW JACK - the trivia game your mother warned you about - would like to invite you to have your pants pulled over your brain (a.k.a. "a head wedgie"). Play alone or with friends (if you have any) and match wits with your cantankerous host, Cookie Masterson. Covering everything from pop music to the pope, it's YOU DON'T KNOW JACK - the game where high culture and pop culture collide!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.15 GB

Ghostbusters: Sanctum Of Slime Demo
Try the trial of Ghostbusters Sanctum of Slime, a new adventure battling frightful phantasms taking over New York City!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 261 MB
PSone Classics

Legend of Mana ($5.99)
Fa'Diel has lost its Mana Tree and it's up to you to gather the ancient artifacts needed to restore the world. Download this PSone Classic today!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 352 MB
Add-on Game Content

Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow: Reverie ($9.99)
The 'Revervie' DLC pack follows the events of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Gabriel Belmont stands on the edge of an abyss contemplating his fate. In the darkest shadows of his mind, he hears her cry for help. Laura, the vampire child who had spared him during his quest, is in danger. Gabriel decides to repay his debt of honor to her and returns to the castle in order to offer his aid but comes face to face with his own terrible destiny.
File size: 1.02 GB

Ar Tonelico Qoga - Binary World [Complete Edition] Elemia Island Complete Series ($5.99)
Install a brand new scenario for Ar tonelico Qoga! This DLC item includes the complete series of "Elemia Island," an exciting, pseudo-romance story that features Ar Ru as the main character. (These scenarios are not voiced.)
File size: 342 MB

Ar Tonelico Qoga - Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [INT: Default] (Free)
The default personality patch for the artificially intelligent Harvestasha. With this Module, you can restore her default personality after playing with one of the other alternate personality modules. (This content is mostly voiced.)
File size: 1.43 MB

Ar Tonelico Qoga - Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type A: Tsundere] (Free)
This is a patch for manipulating the artificially intelligent Harvestasha. The final boss of the main story, Harvestasha will have an incredible alternate personality! With the Type A Module, you will experience a "Tsundere," or cold/lovey-dovey Harvestasha. (This content is mostly voiced.)
File size: 1.43 MB

Ar Tonelico Qoga - Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type B: Dorodere] (Free)
This is a patch for manipulating the artificially intelligent Harvestasha. The final boss of the main story, Harvestasha ...

Nintendo has said today that the 3DS has "more than doubled" the number of pre-orders that the Wii achieved in 2006 in UK - and there's still three days left.

"The reaction to Nintendo 3DS has exceeded our wildest expectations," said Nintendo UK general manager, David Yarnton. "It's almost certain that the number of Nintendo 3DS consoles sold on Friday will exceed the number of 3D televisions sold in the whole of 2010," he goes on to speculate. Kinda funny, that.




"Until now 3D has been too expensive, too clumsy and too restricted," added Yarnton. "With Nintendo 3DS it's mobile. It's affordable. It's glasses-free. And it's here, now."

3DS launched in Japan on February 26, where it sold 400,000 units in just two days. Amazon UK announced last week that the handheld has become the most pre-ordered games console in Amazon.co.uk's history, saying pre-order numbers were 56 percent greater than they were for Wii.

It has been speculated that Nintendo will deliver 185,000 3DS units to UKfor the big launch this Friday. That should be enough for our little island, don't you think?
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS ...

Newly released/updated for the Dingoo a320 and Dingoo a330

+ Extract ./pwd to /usr/local/apps/ + Open the file /usr/local/sbin/main + Write, at the beginin: cd /usr/local/apps/pwd ./protect.sh + Save and reboot Dingoo. + You will be asked for a new user password!

Download Here ...

Nintendo says new portable has double the number of pre-orders than those placed for Wii in 2006

With its UK launch nearly upon us, Nintendo has said that pre-orders for the 3DS are running at double the rate experienced with Wii back in 2006.
A retail source has revealed to MCV that the pioneering motion-sensing home console received in the region of 65,000 pre-orders prior to its arrival in the UK.

This means that the 3DS has effectively already sold 120,000 units in the country. This offers up the tantalising prospect of a possible 150k – or perhaps even higher – day one sales blitz.
“The reaction to Nintendo 3DS has exceeded our wildest expectations,” Nintendo's UK general manager David Yarnton stated. “Glasses-free 3D entertainment has truly arrived.
"It’s almost certain that the number of Nintendo 3DS consoles sold on Friday will exceed the number of 3D televisions sold in the whole of 2010. Until now 3D has been too expensive, too clumsy and too restricted. With Nintendo 3DS it’s mobile. It’s affordable. It’s glasses-free. And it’s here, now.”
Amazon revealed last week that the 3DS is already its most pre-ordered console ever.
Around 1,200 stores will be opening their doors in the UK at midnight on Thursday night. A number of retailers have been offering some seemingly crazy trade-in deals on the machine to try and win key market share.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/43611/Coul...50k-on-day-one
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Apple sends man new iPad 2 after he returned it

Mac Rumors reported on case of a returned iPad 2 to an Apple store in the US, returned by a man after his wife apparently disapproved of the purchase.
Citing an "individual close to Apple," Mac Rumors said that Apple's focus had been on troubleshooting iPad 2s returned by customers.
"One iPad came back with a post it note on it that said: Wife said no," according to the Apple insider.
The amusing development was apparently escalated within Apple's returns process but gained the attention of management.
"They sent the guy an iPad 2 with a note on it that said: Apple said yes."
Presumably, as Mac Rumors points out, the man's wife has no such objection to a free iPad 2.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/36006...Apple-said-yes
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Newly released/updated for the Caanoo

FBGrab Deamon Version ---------------------What Is It ?------------Fbgrab is a program that lets you take screenshots from games and emulators, however up until now it was only possible to use fbgrab from a commandline console (telnet).I made the fbgrab program into a deamon so that it keeps running in the background and listens for a certain keypress (specified in the keyconfig file), if the key (combination)has been pressed it will make a screenshot of whatever you are currently seeing on the Caanoo screen.How To use ?------------first edit the keyconfig file to your liking, you can specify key combinations by just editing the current config file setting 1 if the key needs to be pressed or 0 if it doesn't.for example this is the default keyconfig file where you'll have to press I + II to make a screenshot which is also the default setting:I=1II=1Y=0A=0B=0X=0L=0R=0HOME=0Do not delete any of the "not used keys" and also do not change the order of the file, after you have chosen your configuration, start the program once and only once You won't see anything come up on the screen so when using a menu you will be returned directly back to it after running fbgrab deamon. The deamon should be runningnow and whenever you press the key combination you have choosen a new screenshot will be generated in your /mnt/sd/ directory named Screenshot1.png, Screenshot2.png, Screenshot3.png... etcIt will never overwrite an existing screenshot !Notes:------DO NOT RUN THE PROGRAM TWICE,it doesn't make your dingoo explode but you will get double screenshots ! (obviously).DO NOT FORGET TO COPY THE KEYCONFIG FILE AND DO NOT SET ALL KEYS TO 0failing to do so will make the deamon keep taking screenshots if you changed the keyconfig file while the deamon was already running you'll have to reboot the caanoo (or kill the previous running deamon process somehow) and restart the fbgrab deamon otherwise you'll have the program running twice.I couldn't figure out a way to let you (the user) know if they screenshot was succesfull or not (i tried audio and writing to the framebuffer but both were not a great option).Anyway just test it out by using the default config and see if it creates your screenshots !the caanoo version doesn't seem to work with all games i have thrown at it, also it can only take screenshots of games that use 16 bit graphics mode.I don't really know how to figure out what display mode the framebuffer is currently in (but i didn't bother to look yet either, it's getting rather late)Credits:--------Deamon version created by willems davy aka joyrider Http://www.willemssoft.beOriginal version sources come from this website : http://hem.bredband.net/gmogmo/fbgrab/the (modified) source code is included in the zip fileThanks to the guys #dingoonity (freenode) for helping with a few issues.

Download Here ...

Newly released/updated for the GP2X:

Cascade Beneath is a simple fall down clone. You just move from side to side and try not to let the platforms push you off the top of the screen as they slide up.

Download Here ...

Newly released/updated for the Pandora:

Some of those key presses can be mighty difficult. Can you press them as instructed in time?

Download Here ...