Sony has once again hinted at plans to charge for online services via the PlayStation Network, specifically mentioning the prospect of monthly fees - although for exactly what products remains unclear.

In an interview with Nikkei Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment executive vice president and chief technology officer Masayuki Chatani was asked how Sony was managing the high costs associated with running a service such as the PlayStation Network.

"We would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services," he said.

"We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways," he added. "In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges."

Although there was little context to his answer it may be that in terms of monthly fees Chatani was only speaking in reference to specific titles, such as massively multiplayer online games.

However, there have been persistent rumours that Sony may be considering an Xbox Live style subscription model for the PlayStation Network a whole.

Last month Kaz Hirari stated categorically that current services would continue to be offered free of charge, although the company may begin to charge for unspecified new premium content and services - some using a subscription model.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ly-online-fees ...

Playtainment became the first German publisher to make their debut on WiiWare™. The hidden object game, coming on 25th December 2009, lets players of all ages embark on an enchanting medieval adventure.

The charming story of The Mystery of Whiterock Castle tells the tale of the desperate search of a young squire for his favorite playmate. The little princess has mysteriously vanished from her chambers. Among lovingly designed, hand-painted settings, players take on the role of the young squire, rummaging through numerous chambers and gloomy dungeons, equipped with a sword, a lantern, and a magnifying glass. While searching, the player will receive helpful hints from many peculiar characters featured in the amusing story. From cook to castle ghost – everyone is on our young hero's side, showing him the way through the royal residence.

The game principle of The Mystery of Whiterock Castle is deliberately designed to be suitable for children, and especially suited for young players and families. Hidden objects must be found and collected using the Wii Remote in ten different scenarios, alone, together, or competing against each other. The hand-painted objects are randomly shown and positioned in the levels, allowing for ever new challenging game constellations. Secret hiding places, bonus items, plus various multi-player modes and highscore lists help make the game a thoroughly entertaining pastime for the whole family.

‘The Mystery of Whiterock Castle’ is available for download on 25th December 2009 through Nintendo WiiWare - UK and Europe. In US 'The Mystery of Whiterock Castle' will be available for download in 1st Quarter 2010. ...

Alawar Entertainment are announcing the release of Hyperballoid HD for the PlayStation® 3. The game is now available exclusively through the PlayStation® Network in Europe for the price of 3.99 EUR. North American and Asian releases are forthcoming.

Hyperballoid HD puts a surreal spin on a classic arcade style, inviting players to smash their way through one hundred unique and challenging levels contained within two visually stunning game worlds. This addictive game includes a unique trophies system and supports 1080p high-definition graphics as well as all standard resolutions. With outrageous animation, smooth controls, over-the-top power-ups, a bass-heavy techno soundtrack, and realistic physics developed exclusively for the PS3™, Hyperballoid HD truly is a next-gen brick breaker.

"Hyperballoid HD is the second Alawar Entertainment game available on the PlayStation Network," says Kirill Plotnikov, vice-president of publishing. "We're developing even more console and mobile games, including several titles slated for release on Sony platforms next year."

Hyperballoid HD is based on the popular Hyperballoid casual game that Alawar originally developed for PC. Alawar's first PSN release, Magic Ball, was released in January 2009 and remained on the service's top-ten best-seller list for two months. ...

Natsume announced today that Moki Moki has been released for digital download on Nintendo WiiWare™. This quirky and innovative puzzle game is now available for 800 Wii Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

“This is a fantastically fun puzzle game packed with variety and charm!” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “Each one of the game's diverse levels is a totally unique challenge. You'll keep playing just to see what fun and creative levels the game has in store for you next!”

The Moki are being devoured by the voracious Gromblins, and it's up to the player to guide the hapless little guys to safety. Bend, twist, and rotate the environment to herd the Moki through a series of brain-teasing puzzles! Along the way, players will contend with deadly pitfalls, spinning blades, and shifting gravity. Roll Moki down ramps, grab them with hooks, and blast them with jets to guide them to safety over 100 imaginative levels!

Moki Moki is now available for digital download on Nintendo WiiWare ...

PopCap Games today announced the launch of Bejeweled Twist™ for DSiWare. Derived from the latest installment in the Bejeweled® franchise, this new adaptation of the revolutionary, top-selling PC game marks the first time Bejeweled Twist has been offered on any video game console. Bejeweled Twist is PopCap’s second DSiWare™ title following Bookworm™, which launched earlier this month. Both games feature unusually deep gameplay in a downloadable title for the NintendoDSiWare platform. Bejeweled Twist is available now at Nintendo’s online shop for only 500 DSi Points (U.S. $5.00).

“Bejeweled Twist is a novel take on the match-3 puzzler, and this adaptation of the game for DSiWare was a superb opportunity to simultaneously retain the ‘fun’ element of Bejeweled Twist and to take the game into a new direction that is perfect for the DSiWare system,” said Ed Allard, vice president of strategic development at PopCap. “Players are going to love the depth of this strategic game, the price point, immediate availability over the air, and the challenging new multiplayer capabilities.” ...

Majesco have announced Dance Sensation! for Wii™. Now young girls can live out their dance fantasy on their living room stage with the only game that lets players train and perform routines in four different styles: Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, and Salsa.

“Dance is an incredibly popular activity for young girls yet there is an absence of dance products available for this demographic,” said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco Entertainment. “Dance Sensation! was specifically designed for this audience and its combination of dance styles lets female players perform and actually learn real dance moves as they play.”

Becoming a skilled dancer doesn’t just take talent; it takes dedication and hard work to be the best! In Dance Sensation!, players hit the studio with their teacher to practice for their upcoming stage performances. Across Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet and Salsa, players use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ to control their on-screen dancer as she perfects more than 160 real motion-captured dance moves that get progressively more complex. After studio training in front of a mirror, it will be time to raise the curtain and turn on the spotlights! Players will perform in recitals in a variety of venues, from local auditoriums to the Broadway stage.

No recital is complete without a glamourous presentation. Girls can customise their dancer with a variety of costumes and unlockable hairstyles. Creative play also extends to the Dance Workshop Mode that lets aspiring dancers choreograph their own custom routines that they can record and share with friends. In addition, competitive players can dance with or compete against another player in Multiplayer Mode. Featuring licensed music tracks and Wii Motion Plus™ support for more accurate motion based play, Dance Sensation! lets girls be sensational dancers whether they’re new to dance or train regularly.

Developed by Alpine Studios, Dance Sensation! is designed exclusively for Wii™ and expected to release in July 2010. For additional information visit www.majescoentertainment.com ...

Today, Ubisoft® announced the Limited Collector’s Edition of E3® 2009 Xbox 360 most awarded game, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction™. This Limited Collector’s Edition will be available on February 26th in all European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific territories, for both the Xbox 360 and the Windows® PC games and will include:

- An exclusive Sam Fisher statue
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction game in unique SteelBook™ case
- Infiltration Mode : Eliminate all hostiles in the mission area without being detected
- A special playable skin: Shadow Armor
- Early access to 3 weapons: SC300, SR2 and MP5
- The official Splinter Cell Conviction Soundtrack (more than 17 tracks)

The Splinter Cell Conviction team invites everyone to connect to the Xbox LIVE® on the 16th of December at 5pm UK time for the worldwide premiere of the multiplayer modes.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, please visit www.splintercell.com ...

EA today announced a demo for ARMY OF TWO™: THE 40th DAY will be available as a free download on the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace on December 17th. The demo will include most of the first level in the game, where the iconic two-man private military team of Salem and Rios find themselves trapped in Shanghai as it falls under attack. Players will experience the focused co-operative action that has made THE 40TH DAY one of next year’s most anticipated games. A demo for the PlayStation® Portable (PSP®) will also be available for free on the PlayStation Network in North America on January 7th and in Europe on January 14th.

ARMY OF TWO: THE 40TH DAY is the sequel to the 2008 multi-platinum co-op shooter. Players must work as a team to survive relentless enemy assaults and escape the city as it collapses around them. THE 40TH DAY delivers an organic and immersive cooperative adventure with one of the most robust weapon customization systems ever found in a videogame. Players can mix and match weapon parts found in the world and execute strategic two-man tactics that create a one-of-a-kind co-op action experience.

“THE 40TH DAY is non-stop action in an explosive Shanghai. The game has been designed with a focus on co-op gameplay and it has been our goal to refine this core experience in all aspects of the game,” said executive producer Reid Schneider. “The demo will give players the opportunity to experience this evolution and the new co-op moves and tactics available to players at any time in the game.”

For more information on ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY or to pre-order the game please visit: www.armyoftwo.com. ...

Who says so? Science says so. Just look at the numbers in this Metacritic round-up of the year's top games and it's pretty obvious that Uncharted 2 is the best. Also, according to math, the PS3 is better than the 360. This isn't us or even Metacritic saying it, people, these are innocent, irrefutable numbers.

In all seriousness, while Metacritic has collected some interesting, worthwhile data in its report, we're not sure what the point is in trying to pick the best system or game of 2009 just going by statistics. We've relied on numbers just to help us organize our annual Game of the Year selection, and even so, just look how much damage they were still capable of.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/sc...-game-of-2009/ ...