Source - Guyfawkes

The M3 Game Manager software has been updated with a new release. This version has improvements to the games compatibility, improved reset function and the total space of CF/SD card is now shown. You can download this release either as the full or update install from the homepage here. You can purchase the M3 SD Adaptor with PassMe2 here. ...

The Hyper X is a High quality, low cost solution for XBOX 1.0-1.6's. The installation is completely solderless and everything needed to install it is included. Despite its low cost, parts of the hightest brand are said to be used and every unit is tested on a real console before shipping out.

HyperX Basic Specifications

- Easy and Solderless Pogo and spring wire installation.
- High quality branded 1 Mbyte flash.
- High speed CPLD.
- ON/OFF switch.
- Enable/Disable function.
- Power indicator LED.

Coming Soon at Divineo ...

If Fox news can help to secure an oaf as President of the most powerful nation on the planet, it sure as shit can announce a portable games machine from Microsoft and in the Seattle area on the West cost of the US - and it has just done exactly that.

Q13 Fox just stated as fact that Microsoft is 'developing a new portable games console, from the team that bought you the Xbox' offering no room for grey area in its report whatsoever. Given Seattle is the base of both Microsoft and Q13 Fox. ...

Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire (including Cube/GBA Link Cable and Memory Card 59) at US$ 6.99 only - offer valid for 1 week

Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire is an expansion disc for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire for GameBoy Advance™. To use this software, you must connect the Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire to GameCube™ using the GBA™ cable. Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire allows you to view your Pokemon and trophy collection in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire for GBA™. The box set contains the software, along with a GC to GBA link cable as well as a Memory Card 59.

Whether you simply want to add this item to your collection or grab some cheap first party accessories, Nintendo's Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire (w/ GBA Link Cable & Mmeory Card 59) for Gamecube™ is now available at incredibly US$ 6.99 only.

More info at Play Asia --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...9-en-84-n.html ...

Over the next couple months Apple may be phasing out the 60GB iPod video in favor of something else, hopefully the true iPod Video that we have been hearing about non-stop for the past month, according to an Apple analyst. Apple told distributors that the 60GB iPod will be “at risk” until the end of April. At risk basically means that it could be discontinued at any moment. Let’s hope this possible discontinuation will preclude the new video iPod that may or may not appear some time soon.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/21/tech...ex.htm?cnn=yes ...

Microsoft today provided details on the new games and entertainment experiences available to gamers this season.

"With 80 games available worldwide by June, and new content and experiences coming to Xbox Live all the time, there has never been a better time to own an Xbox 360" said Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

Blockbuster Games on the Way

The Xbox 360 games portfolio expands this spring with new next-generation titles from leading developers and publishers that cater to every genre, age, skill level and budget. Gamers can choose from a range of truly next generation games such as "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games), an Xbox 360 console exclusive with beautiful next generation graphics and a huge world to explore, "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" (Ubisoft) the latest version of the successful Tom Clancy series that once again pushes the boundaries of multiplayer boundaries on Xbox Live, and "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" (Eidos Interactive Ltd) the next-generation debut of the very popular Lara Croft series.

In addition, new titles are coming to Xbox Live Arcade all the time, including "Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting", "Uno" and the free full version of "Texas Hold 'Em Poker" by Riverbelle.

Great titles that gamers can expect this season include:


2006 FIFA World CupTM (EA SPORTS)


Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (Electronic Arts)


Blazing Angles Squadrons of WWII (Ubisoft)


Burnout Revenge (Electronic Arts)


Dynasty Warriors® 5 Empires (KOEI)


Far Cry Instincts Predator (Ubisoft)


FINAL FANTASY® XI (Square Enix, Inc.)


Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft)


Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend (Eidos)


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games)


The Lord of the RingsTM The Battle for Middle Earth IITM (Electronic Arts)


The OutfitTM (THQ)


Top Spin 2 (2K Sports)


Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games)


Rumble Roses XXTM (Konami)


X-Men: The Official Game (Activision)


Football Manager (Sega)


Moto GP 2006 (THQ)


Test Drive Unlimited (Atari)

In addition to new games, consumers can extend the experience of existing Xbox 360 titles with new downloadable content available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft Game Studios confirmed new content for "Project Gotham Racing® 3," including exciting cars and achievements. Fans of "Perfect Dark ZeroTM" will have access to additional content, including downloadable multiplayer maps. Additionally, the unique experience of "KameoTM: Elements of PowerTM" will be extended through new online cooperative gameplay options and exciting new costumes for Kameo and her warriors.

Xbox Live Digital Content Distribution Sets Records

Xbox Live Marketplace, a digital download centre freely accessible to any Xbox 360 owner with a broadband connection, has reached more than 10 million downloads faster than iTunes did when it launched. In fact, more than 85 percent of connected Xbox 360 consoles have already downloaded content from Xbox Live Marketplace - everything from game demos and Arcade titles to premier movie trailers and music videos.

Xbox 360 will continue to deliver new online gaming and entertainment experiences including the "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" game demo (Electronic Arts), the "Burnout Revenge" game trailer (Electronic Arts), and the "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Horse Armor Pack" (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games) which will all be available this spring on Xbox Live Marketplace. ...

Community gaming and Smartphone technology said to be key

In his GDC keynote speech, Nokia's director of games publishing, Greg Sauter, has outlined the company's commitment to the future of mobile gaming and stressed the importance of enhancing the end-user's wireless experience.

Sauter's speech focused on the emerging Smartphone market, which Nokia believes will be the primary vehicle for the evolution of the wireless gaming experience. The company hopes to have an installed base of 250 million for its own smartphone range by 2008.

But technology is only part of the solution according to Sauter, and the wireless gaming market needs a pretty serious overhaul if its growth is to be maintained and improved over the coming years.

The company has revealed a number of new additions to its developer support system, including an enhanced and updated software development kit (SDK), improved developer tools and support on the revamped developer community site, Forum Nokia PRO, and access to community and connected gaming functionality through SNAP Mobile.

Nokia believes that the end user experience has so far failed to evolve in sync with the rapidly advancing technology platform, and has developed a next-generation consumer interface to enable fast and easy access to discover, purchase, play, manage and share mobile games and content.

"With our new consumer interface, you get quick access to new games and information, it's easy to buy and manage your games, and share game accomplishments with your friends. You can play fantastic looking games for a great overall entertainment experience in your pocket. This new consumer interface is going to transform the way people find and play mobile games," Sauter commented.

The company's N-Gage platform is also very much alive as far as Nokia is concerned, and whilst the handset technology may have changed to encompass a wider selection of devices than the standard N-Gage game deck, the concept of wireless connected gaming and an online community built through the N-Gage arena website remains a key strategy for the firm. Potentially mirroring the Xbox Live experience, Nokia plans to include gamer profiles, avatars and a new N-Gage gaming points system in the near future - all of which is designed to enhance the consumer experience in the wireless gaming market. ...

New technology designed for use by studios of all sizes

Microsoft has delivered a pre-release version of XNA Studio at the Game Developers Conference, also taking the opportunity to announce that Xbox Live is to be opened up to developers.

The event also saw the unveiling of the XNA Framework, which is designed to make life easier for developers working on multi-platform titles for the PC and Xbox 360.

Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group, said that XNA Studio will prove useful to a wide range of developers, regardless of the size of their company or project.

"Developers need a better way to make games and manage the production process. XNA Studio enables all developers - from major development studios to the two guys moonlighting on a dream project in their garage or dorm room - to create games in new, more efficient ways," Satchell said.

The preview version of XNA Studio includes what are described as "key components" of the system, such as a pre-release version of XNA Build, which is used for "orchestrating, debugging and optimising the game build pipeline," according to an official statement.

In an announcement regarding the opening up of the Xbox Live Server Platform, Microsoft stated: "Using this platform, developers can create their own back-end servers to run alongside Xbox Live."

The company hopes that the move will encourage more innovation in the field of online games, and provide more support for MMOGs. The tools required to create servers will be included in the new Xbox Development Kit, which is currently down for a release in May. ...

Source - Eurogamer

Fans of conventional 2D role-playing games with frilly plots to do with Ice Demons and things will be pleased to hear that Ignition Entertainment is planning to publish PoPoLoCrois for PSP this spring.

The first in the series to release outside Japan, PoPoLoCrois sees ten-year-old Pietro setting off on a quest to save the world from the evil Ice Demon (aha), and uses the familiar old random battle approach to combat - with a slight nod to tactical RPGs on the battle screen.

It's had a fairly mixed reception in the US, where it's published by Agetec, in terms of review scores, but that seems to have more to do with its lack of exciting spangly 3D graphical innovations than the fact it's bad or anything - trad-RPG types might want to keep an eye on it. ...