Typically the first generation of games released immediately after a video game console launch are graphically and technologically less impressive than games in later generations. A good example of this is the comparison between the original Halo (an Xbox launch title) and Halo 2 (which was released this past year).

Halo 2 is widely regarded as a game that pushes the original Xbox to the limits, whilst Halo looks aged in comparison. Despite the great increase in graphics and features when the two games are put side by side, developers haven’t been given any new hardware to work with. They’ve merely had the time to be able to take advantage of all the features of the same console.

With this in mind it’s not surprising to find that, according to The Inquirer, every single Xbox 360 launch title is single threaded. Apparently during a talk on multithreaded programming, a Microsoft speaker mentioned that all first generation Xbox 360 games will not take advantage of the Xbox 360’s two other cores. This probably isn’t worrying Microsoft too much, since they’ve given developers plenty of time to perfect their games before the PS3 and Revolution launch sometime next year. ...

Eidos Interactive today announced that Lego Star Wars is now available for the GameCube. The game was previously released for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, PC, and Game Boy Advance last spring. Traveller's Tales (Crash Twinsanity) once again handled the game's development. Lego Star Wars is rated E for Everyone and retails for $29.99.

The game is set during the first three chapters of the sci-fi film franchise, and includes characters, environments, and scenarios featured in the movies with one difference--the game's universe is made entirely of Legos. There are 30 characters each with their own strengths, and a two-player cooperative mode allows two gamers to battle the forces being manipulated by the Dark Side. ...

Epic Games VP Mark Rein has unleashed stinging attacks on the Nintendo Revolution controller, the PS3 prototype controller and rivals Activision and Electronic Arts.

Speaking at an IGN Live event about the 'freestyle' controller, Mark Rein told the audience: "Don't kid yourself - you're going to see more gimmicky, crappy, cheap, I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it gimmick games based around that controller than you can ever possibly imagine.

"I guarantee you there's going to be lots of people who say the whole reason for this game is this controller, we made the perfect game for the controller. And all it'll be is about the controller, and not necessarily a great game."

That said, Rein continued, "Nintendo, you know, is going to make amazing games. I mean that's a given." Rein then conducted a quick audience survey to find out how many people present owned a GameCube - and found that rather a large number of hands were raised.

He then asked everyone who also owned a PS2 or Xbox to put their hands down - and concluded that under ten per cent of the audience were Cube owners only.

"Hard to make a business on less than 10 per cent," Rein said.

When asked if he could envisage an FPS controller that might beat the classic mouse and keyboard combination, Rein replied: "I could, but it's not the Nintendo Revolution controller... Didn't you see when Iwata-san held it up? The two controllers are the little wand controller and the other one is a joystick - and it's a joystick with a bunch of ribs under it.

"Remember the one that nearly destroyed your thumb on the Dreamcast, and on the N64 remember how after you played a game for a couple of hours you had to suck your thumb for a month? It's that kind of controller."

Another developer on the panel argued that the Revolution controller would indeed suit FPS games perfectly, but Rein stuck to his guns. Holding up an Xbox 360 pad, to whoops and cheers from the audience, he proclaimed: "This is the Xbox 360 controller, and there's nothing wrong with it.

"It works just fine for playing games, and it works fine for first-person shooter games, as evidenced by the fact that they sold more first-person shooters on consoles than anybody's ever sold on PCs."

Rein wouldn't be drawn on which next-generation console he prefers, telling the crowd: "Both of the next-generation consoles are great machines. They both have lots of power and they both have lots of memory... I don't think anybody's going to be disappointed with either of them."

With "either" and "both", Rein was referring to the Xbox 360 and PS3 - he said the Revolution didn't count since "most developers know nothing about the Nintendo system. They haven't gone and announced specs so I can't say.

"If you read the rumours apparently it's a great machine, but nobody really knows yet."

But as powerful as the PS3 may be, Rein is no fan of its controller, either - at least as far as the prototype's concerned.

"I don't think anybody knows what the PlayStation 3 controller looks like," he said.

"I think we all sure as hell pray like hell it's not that stupid-looking thing they showed at E3."

Rein also took the opportunity to take a potshot at his biggest rivals - who he claims are being far too grandiose when it comes to developing next-gen games.

"I've heard EA and Activision make absolutely ridiculous statements about, 'Oh, it's going to take 30 million dollars to make a game and we need 300 people - that's just a bunch of bullsh--.

"They're just covering up for their own management and incompetence. Or mismanagement I should say.

"Our team size is only about 50 per cent higher than it was last generation, and we're making fantastic games. Gears of War [Epic's forthcoming Xbox 360 title] is only about 25 people, and that's smaller than most current-generation game teams." ...

World of Warcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment has flatly denied rumours that it is planning to unveil an Xbox 360 version of the immensely popular MMOG at its Blizzcon event this week.

Fans of the title had latched onto a presentation on the Blizzcon schedule titled "Microsoft Next Gen Platform," and were hoping for a revelation about the firm's plans for the Xbox 360 console.

However, the company has now altered the schedule on its website to clarify the situation - with the slot now labelled as "The Next Generation of Windows", a discussion about the Microsoft Vista operating system on the PC - and has stated that there will be no announcement of World of Warcraft on the Xbox 360 at the event.

Thus far, Blizzard has given no indication that it intends to bring the hugely successful MMOG - which has over four million subscribers worldwide - to the Xbox 360 platform, although Blizzard VP Paul Sams told GamesIndustry.biz earlier this year that the company has had discussion with Microsoft about the possibility.

"We've been in contact with Microsoft," he confirmed. "World of Warcraft was really built with a focus on PC, and while I think it certainly could get to Xbox, it's not something that at this moment we've decided to do."

"It would require certain input devices," he continued. "You know, a keyboard or a mouse - those are things that are not standard, they're peripherals, and peripherals have historically not done well for any of the console companies unless you're talking about additional controllers or memory cards."

Blizzcon opens its doors in California tomorrow, and while WOW on Xbox 360 won't be there, attendees will get a chance to see the forthcoming expansion pack for the game, The Burning Crusade, for the first time. The pack extends the level cap in the game to 70 and adds two new races as well as a major new area and a new profession, Jewelcrafting. ...

Well, since we just hit you with the totally and completely unconfirmed rumor of a Spring ‘06 launch for the PS3, we might as well go full out and throw in another completely unconfirmed date: Nintendo Revolution in June of 2006. SPOnG News is reporting this one, and they seem rather confident, claming multiple sources have confirmed the date. Supposedly, Nintendo is shooting for launching the console in Japan, the United States, and Europe all in June, with Europe possibly spilling over into July. SPOnG is also pretty confident on $200 for the US launch price, but, just like pretty much everything in this report, nothing is official. ...

karurosu released Kanji Flashcards yesterday, heres the info from the post in our LUA Forum here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12909

I made some flashcards for the PSP written in LUA, there is a readme text that shows how to use it. Please be careful, it needs to copy about 6350 files, and I don't know if that is harmful for the memory stick, it's just a warning, if somebody knows if it is true, please tell me. (you will need about 50 mb of free space, the files take 15, but the extra is for the FAT)

Download via the Release Thread here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12909 until i make a new page ...

Machiyuta has released a new version of TiMidity for the PSP, cant understand whats new but heres a description of this release:

TiMidity++ is a software synthesizer. It can play MIDI files by converting them into PCM waveform data; give it a MIDI data along with digital instrument data files, then it synthesizes them in real-time, and plays. It can not only play sounds, but also can save the generated waveforms into hard disks as various audio file formats. - http://timidity.sourceforge.net/#info

Download Here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/timidity.shtml ...

Those of you who live in Europe have got a bit of a wait for Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories or you can import from over seas.

Lik Sang are selling Liberty City Stories for US$ 59.90 (~33.77 GBP) but for that you get free worldwide shipping.

Ill post more importers when they update their status from preorder to buy. ...

YourStillWithMe has done a review of what is probably the 1st killer game for the PSP in a while, heres some info about Grand Theft Auto:Liberty City Stories should you be living in a place thats never heard of it:



This PlayStation Portable GTA edition is an all-new game set in the seedy, sprawling underworld of Liberty City, the New York-Chicago hybrid that was also the crime scene for Grand Theft Auto III. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with the franchise creators at Rockstar North, you can expect all manner of adult felonies from car theft to robberies, murders and more. As has become a standard for the ambitious and controversial series, Liberty City Stories will shine on Sony's handheld with interactive, open environments, superb voice talent and diverse, cool music.

More info Here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12929

Heres an excerpt from the review:

This is one you probably all want to know. Theres no R2 and L2 how do i change my guns???? You use the left and right on the pad to do that and up is to activate the missions in the cars, bikes etc. R is to lock on to target (you'll use this a lot ) O is to shoot and beat people with a bat or gut them with a chainsaw!!! (chainsaw is one of the best. . ) X is to do the speed boost (yes the tap trick works still. . .) and triangle is to get in and out of cars and yeah its smooth people. I dont fel like doing a whole thing on the cntrols one thing you want to know is that YES YOU CAN SHOOT OFF OF BIKES IN FRONT OF YOU AND TO THE SIDE!

Read the full Grand Theft Auto:Liberty City Stories Review by YourStillWithMe here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12929

Got a PSP Review then Post them in our PSP Review forum here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=86 ...