via Computer and Video Games


The virtual online PC life simulator, Second Life, which is often compared to Sony's upcoming PS3 Home network, is under investigation by the FBI on the legality of its virtual gambling features.

Virtual casinos within Second Life allow gamers to gamble using the game's currency, the Linden Dollar, which is exchanged for real life US dollars.

Linden Labs, the creators of Second Life, have invited FBI Agents to poke around these virtual casinos, seeking legal guidance after heavy restrictions on internet gambling were introduced in the US last year.

Most lawyers deem that gambling with Linden Dollars in Second Life violates US anti-gambling laws, reports news.com.

Speaking of said laws, A New York lawyer, who studied the issues of gambling in virtual worlds, said: "What they did was go after the processors, and made it a crime to process payments that relate to online gambling sites. Linden could potentially be held as the same sort of processor."

"It's not always clear to us whether a 3D simulation of a casino is the same thing as a casino, legally speaking, and it's not clear to the law enforcement authorities we have asked," said Linden Lab's vice president of business affairs, Ginsu Yoon. ...

via Joystiq



With the announcement of Resident Evil 4 and Umbrella Chronicles for the Wii, coupled with the still unreleased Virtual Console titles Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley, it's time to start asking, "Where's the Wii Zapper?" Gamestop has listed the Wii Blaster for $20 and what we strongly believe to be a placeholder date of May 1. Although, this isn't necessarily the most improbable date with the Resident Evil games expected to have a summer release.

The Gamestop listing has no photo of the what the Zapper Blaster looks like now. The last time we saw her she was behind glass at E3 with a "work in progress" sign. We're really looking forward to having a gun, these first-person shooters just don't feel natural with a Wiimote. Now give us a game that allows for dual wielding Blasters and that's a guaranteed $50 going to that publisher! ...

via Games Industry


Having already achieved number one positions in the US and Japanese software sales charts, PlayStation 3 exclusive Motorstorm has also secured the top spot in Europe.

Developed by Runcorn-based Evolution Studios, Motorstorm was launched alongside Sony's new console in all three territories. Although it was beaten to pole position in the UK by fellow first-party title Resistance: Fall of Man, the game has scored a number one across Europe overall - just as it went straight to the top when PS3 launched in Japan and North America.

"To see Motorstorm top the European, the Japanese and the US PlayStation 3 charts is just fantastic," said Evolution boss Martin Kenwright.

"Developing Motorstorm to a standard we were all happy with was certainly a challenge - but the team here really delivered. Evolution has a reputation for delivering high quality racing titles, but the consensus was to come up with something really special for Sony’s new hardware.

"We’re delighted that the public has agreed with the press and made Motorstorm a worldwide number one PlayStation 3 title." ...

via Games Industry


Echoing comments from new Take Two boss Strauss Zelnick earlier this week, analyst firm AG Edwards expects redundancies at the Rockstar parent company.

The research firm also predicts that Take Two will be looking seriously at it's third-party relationships and it may sell off its distribution division, Jack of All Games.

"Lowering headcount, particularly at under-performing studios, evaluation of third-party vendor relationships and real estate costs, and a more stringent green light process," are all on the near-future agenda according to AG Edwards.

As highlighted by other analysts and the publisher itself, diversification into sports titles and other markets in recent years has not helped the company financially, says the analyst.

"We are cautious on Take Two's prospect considering there is still a reliance on the Grand Theft Auto franchise and the company has been unable to leverage diversification efforts into increased profitability," warned the firm.

Earlier this week Zelnick revealed that redundancies are a possibility, as the company looks to streamline its operations to please investors. ...

via Games Industry


Every week GamesIndustry.biz brings you the latest news and game announcements, as well as an update on the new titles released in Europe this week.

Ubisoft has revealed Brothers in Arms: Double Time for the Nintendo Wii and DS. The WWII shooter is in development at Gearbox and is due this summer.

Sony is launching another WipEout title for the PSP. WipEout Pulse is in development at Sony Liverpool and will be supported with downloadable content including tracks, skins and music. The game is due September.

UK publisher Ghostlight is bringing Aruze's Japanese RPG Shadow Hearts: From the New World to PAL territories. The PlayStation 2 game will be released this May.

The first Nintendo Wii online title will arrive in Europe on May 25. Mario Strikers: Charged Football will allow up to four players to compete against each other using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Funcom's anticipated MMO Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has gone into the beta testing stage. The title is still due to be released October 30, published by Eidos.

Sega has announced the much-rumoured NiGHTS game for the Wii. A sequel to the Saturn original, NiGHTS Journey of Dreams is due this autumn.

THQ has confirmed WWE Smackdown Vs. RAW 2008 for multiple formats. The series will make its debut on the Wii, DS and PlayStation 3, as well as appearing on Xbox 360, PSP, PS2 and mobile handsets.

New releases are thin on the ground this week, with Activision's Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360 leading the pack.

Other big names hitting store shelves this bank holiday weekend include Ubisoft's Rayman Raving Rabbits (Xbox 360) and Prince of Persia: Rival Swords (Wii, DS), and Electronic Arts' The Sims 2: Celebration (PC) and Burnout Dominator (PSP).

Paradox's Frontline: Fields of Thunder (PC) and 505 Games' Playwize Poker & Casino (PSP) are also released. ...

via Joystiq


And so we're raising the Console Terror Alert Level to intense orange-red, based on very credible, detailed information on a non-specific threat.

A security analyst for Australia's Computer Emergency Response team (who, contrary to the emergency response phrasing, don't get their own vans with flashing lights and sirens) has warned that, due to the online integration of new game consoles, he expects hackers to soon target your Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.

"I haven't seen any malicious code that is specifically designed to run on a PlayStation 3 or an Xbox but I would expect it is not very far away," he said. CVG notes that these predictions come after the Xbox Live account hack fears, though those turned out to be nothing more than some idiotic customer service reps being talked into divulging info over the phone.

Given that Xbox Live titles are tied to the original console and gamertag only, we'd say the possibility of a theft of your games and / or save files very unlikely. Not only that, but the peer-to-peer transfer of files over any of the console's self-contained networks is not possible. (In this sense, the PS3 and Wii are more vulnerable by merit of having a web browser.) There is always a worry over any medium where you have to enter financial or personal information (in this case your credit card), and the Xbox 360's inability to let you erase that card information has been chronicled in the past. However, the likelihood that you will be the victim of a console hack (and not in the traditional sense) without instigating it through your own console modding is, in our estimations, very slim. ...

via Games Industry


New figures released by Sony Computer Entertainment Australia have revealed that more than 27,000 PlayStation 3 units were sold in the region during the first ten days after launch.

As reported by IT Wire, PS3 also dominated the all-formats software sales chart for the week commencing March 19. Nine out of the top ten titles were PS3 games, with Resistance: Fall of Man at number one followed by Motorstorm and F1.

Activision's Call of Duty was in fourth place, while PlayStation 2 exclusive Final Fantasy XII - the only non-PS3 title in the chart - was at number five. Need for Speed: Carbon and Ridge Racer 7 went in at six and seven followed by Fight Night Round 3 and Virtua Fighter 5, with Virtua Tennis rounding out the chart at number ten.

According to data trackers GfK, the launch of PS3 on March 23 resulted in a significant boost in videogame sales for the Australian market. "Our data revealed that in a matter of just ten days the PlayStation 3 created a spike in retail spending not previously witnessed at the launch of any other console in Australia," commented GfK's Daniel Morse.

"This spending continued into the second week of trading, resulting in sales of 27,083 PlayStation 3 consoles in just ten days."

SCE Australia managing director Michael Ephraim added, "Following a great launch for the PS3 across the country, it’s very satisfying for us to see that our close planning with retail and channel partners has ensured that all consumers wanting to get their hands on a PS3."

The PS3's predecessor is also continuing to sell well in Australia, with nearly 8000 PlayStation 2 consoles sold between March 19 and March 26. ...

via Games Industry


Nintendo has raised it's full year sales estimates from JPY 900 billion (EUR 5.6bn) to JPY 966 billion (EUR 6.08bn), following tremendous sales and profit success lead by the DS handheld.

This is the fourth time the company has upped it's estimates for the year ended March 31, with actual profits due to be reported on April 26.

The company also expects foreign exchange profits to reach JPY 20 billion (EUR 125m), rather than the JPY 10 billion (EUR 62m) loss previously forecast.

Following the announcement shares outperformed the Nikkei average, closing at JPY 34,350, up 2.1 per cent. ...

via Games Industry


Nintendo has raised it's full year sales estimates from JPY 900 billion (EUR 5.6bn) to JPY 966 billion (EUR 6.08bn), following tremendous sales and profit success lead by the DS handheld.

This is the fourth time the company has upped it's estimates for the year ended March 31, with actual profits due to be reported on April 26.

The company also expects foreign exchange profits to reach JPY 20 billion (EUR 125m), rather than the JPY 10 billion (EUR 62m) loss previously forecast.

Following the announcement shares outperformed the Nikkei average, closing at JPY 34,350, up 2.1 per cent. ...