TORONTO - The most popular game rentals (all platforms) according to Rogers Video for the period ending Dec. 16.
1 Assassin's Creed (Xbox 360)
2 Mass Effect (Xbox 360)
3 Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Wii)
4 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360)
5 Kane and Lynch: Dead Men (Xbox 360)
6 Mario and Sonic at the Olympics (Nintendo Wii)
7 Assassin's Creed (PlayStation 3)
8 Unchartered: Drakes Fortune (PlayStation 3)
9 Kane and Lynch: Dead Men (PlayStation 3)
10 Halo 3 (Xbox 360)
This is significant as, to the best of my knowledge, the UK is the only major territory in which Wii has actually overtaken the Xbox 360. Except of course for Japan. Wii is ahead in the worldwide numbers mostly because the 360 failed so hard in Japan, but sometime in 2008, Wii is very likely to overtake Xbox 360 in every market, including America, eradicating Microsoft's year-long lead.
It should be an interesting year for sales junkies to watch.
DS Smashes UK Hardware Record [MCV]
The game is expected to propel 360 console sales, which are already reaching new highs.
While the Nintendo Wii was the best-selling console in North America last month, the Xbox 360 outsold the Playstation 3 by more than 2 to 1.
According to analysts the NPD Group, via Eurogamer, 403,600 Wii units were shifted during August while DS sales stood at 383,300. Falling up in third place was Xbox 360 after a $50 price cut boosted sales to 276,700. Sony sold 151,200 PSPs and 130,600 PS3s.
Xbox 360
Microsoft's proprietary wireless feature of the 360 is becoming the bane of many developers due to the licensing fees - causing the Rock Band bundle from Harmonix to come with a wired guitar for the Xbox and a wireless version for the PS3, explains OXM.
The bundle is already set at a staggering $199.
There's always the odd pointless disassembly that gets coverage on the interwibble, but this one has to take the biscuit - the internals of the the Xbox 360 messaging pad.
Here's a more sensible unboxing.
Lets hope the pad will also arrive in the new controller colours announced by Microsoft - black, blue and pink.
Microsoft and Bungie have reportedly banned a Halo 3 fan from Xbox Live for more than 7,000 years after he got his hands on the Halo 3 Epsilon test build.
The gamer who goes by the name of 'Scar' says he won't appeal the ban.
We suspect that people purchasing early released copies of Halo 3 on Ebay may also receive similar bans.
In his latest research note to investors, Wedbush Morgan's Pachter said, "The top September release is expected to be Microsoft’s Halo 3 (360), which we expect to sell over 3 million U.S. units in its first 12 days."
"We expect the game to be a driver of console sales, and believe that Microsoft’s unit sales for the 360 could exceed 400,000 in September, the highest figure for a non-holiday month since launch."
Pachter also believes Sony could attempt to spoil the party.
PS3/PSP
Pachter notes that should whisperings about a Playstation 2 price cut to $99 and the release of a new $399 40GB PS3 turn out to be more than just rumors, the Tokyo Game Show would be an ideal venue for Sony to make such announcements.
“We think that both of these ideas have merit, and note that Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai is the keynote speaker at next week’s Tokyo Game Show. If the rumors are true, we cannot think of a better forum for making such an announcement, given that the event is less than a week before the launch of arch-rival Microsofts Halo 3."
The analyst also stated in the past that he believes that the $599 80GB PS3 will be available for $499 once the 60GB version is out of stock. But he now expects another PS3 price cut 'no later than April' of 2008 to $399 for the 80GB version. This could possibly spell doom for the 40GB version, or an even lower price point for the entry level PS3.
Sony released another small firmware update for the Playstation 3 this week, bringing it to version1.92. The addition apparently only updates the PS3’s backwards compatibility.
The PSP firmware has also been updated to version 3.70 in Japan, with US and European updates to follow soon.
Version 3.70 which works on the new PSP Slim & Lite as well as the older model, although some features are specific to one or other model.
New features include the ability to set custom themes, while videos can now be searched through and played sequentially. You can also listen to music while browsing photos now.
An SCEE spokesperson has confirmed to Next-Gen.biz that Lair is the first Playstation 3 Blu-ray title playable on PSP via Remote Play.
Remote Play is a feature that lets gamers share content between their PlayStation 3 and PSP, locally using the devices' in-built wireless features or remotely via an access point.
While the in-built Remote Play functionality was previously restricted to accessing media content such as music and videos from the PS3's hard drive, Sony has stated that is no longer the case.
Just five days after the official European release of the PSP Slim & Lite, 'Team M33' has released their custom PSP firmware v3.6, which operates on both the PSP and newer slimmer PSP. This release also confirms that the previously announced "Pandora's Battery" will be fully compatible with the new PSP Slim & Lite. More at Maxconsole.
Wii/DS
Some excellent hardware hackers have been able to produce some homebrew software that enables to Nintendo DS to place VoIP calls via the internal WiFi and built-in microphone. You even get to dial on the DS' touchpad.
Nintendo has properly announced the new Wii Zapper peripheral, which integrates both the Wii Remote and Nunchuck into a gun accessory, and has stated that it will be available at retailers starting November 19th for $19.99.
"The Wii Zapper combines our remarkable controllers into one housing with a classic style reminiscent of arcade-style games," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Both veteran and first-time players will find it brings a whole new dimension to games where targeting is key and provides even more exciting game-play experiences."
In addition to the accessory, a Link's Crossbow Training game, based off the Legend of Zelda series, will come packaged with every Wii Zapper.
Brando's 2-in-1 combined light gun will go into direct competition with the Zapper and has a leg up on rivals in its ability to be used as a pistol-like remote holder or a bazooka-style combination for the remote and Nunchuck together. More over at Joystiq.
Nintendo's success with the Wii is a benefit to the gaming industry according to Microsoft.
In an interview with canada.com (via Xbox-scene.com) at this year's X07, Xbox Marketing VP Jeff Bell said that there was room in the marketplace for three consoles.
"I'd like to see the industry grow and be robust" said Bell. "In many ways, I'm thankful the Wii has been as successful as it has."
As if the name 'Wii' wasn't bad enough, some entrepreneurial Japanese businessman have released the Chinese made 'Wee'.
The Wee is a mini DVD player, and probably performs similar to its name.
As usual, here's the Eurogamer Wii Virtual Console review round-up. ยต
According to Ars Technica, an insider source has confirmed that Sony will drop the price of the 80 GB PS3 from $599 to $499 this holiday as expected. Additionally, the company will launch a new 40GB PS3 model for $399 complete with a Spider Man 3 movie bundle.
The report claims that Sony will make official the rumor at this year's Tokyo Game Show later this month in addition to dropping the price of the PS2 to $99.
Sony declined comment when contacted by GamePro.
Sony originally offered a 20GB PS3 for $499 alongside the former 60GB model. The company has since discontinued both models in favor of the current 80GB model which excludes full compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games, a move that is believed to save Sony an estimated $40 on every unit sold.
Sony quietly released the firmware version 1.92 for its PlayStation 3 console, which according to the Japanese company brings minor bug fixes among other things.
No official word yet about those “other things” but according to posts from different PS3 forums the update gives console owners the possibility to set flash wallpapers on the XMB. One user mentioned that the load times for the XMB, the icons and the avatars have shortened. Moreover, the Internet browser has been improved along with the support for the PS1 and PS2 games, while the video section now features mini-clips.
One long expected feature for the SIXAXIS wireless controllers also seems to have sneaked itself in the new firmware’s code: the auto-switch-off function, which turns the controllers off after about 5 minutes of inactivity. Fans of Warhawk and Lair should be pleased to know that the controllers are also more responsive now, and that apparently Warhawk servers do not suffer from the previous observed clogging.
Sony's $599 package could soon be the only option for gamers (Source: SCEA)80GB PS3 could soon occupy the $499 price point
When Sony announced in July a $100 price cut on the 60GB PlayStation 3, it also unveiled a new 80GB PS3 packaged with MotorStorm. What SCEA didn’t reveal, but SCEE boss David Reeves did, is that production had already ceased on the North American 60GB consoles.
SCEA communications officer Dave Karraker eventually confirmed, “The 60GB PS3 will be available in North America for $499 until supplies of that unit are depleted. We have ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come.”
During late August, Karraker said, “We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers ... We don't have visibility as to if that is on their store shelves or in their warehouses at this time. However, based on inventory reports from our retailers, there is ample supply still left in the channel.”
According to comments Bloomberg received from Sony spokeswoman Kimberly Otzman, supplies of the 60GB model probably will last through October. What the representative could not comment on, however, is what would happen to the overall pricing of the PlayStation 3 once the $499 60GB console is no longer available to consumers.
Price has always been a sensitive issue for Sony’s latest console. Should there be no movement on price, the effective cost to consumers for the PlayStation 3 will be the $599 charged for the 80GB model – perhaps leading some to perceive the situation as a $100 price hike to own the console.
Sony likely already has plans for what it will do once the 60GB model is gone, but the company isn’t saying anything just yet. Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Edward Woo, among others, firmly believes that Sony will cut the price of the 80GB PS3. “That's what everybody's expecting,” Woo said in a Bloomberg interview. “That would be a surprise if they don't.”
Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s video game console Wii outsold Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 by a ratio of three to one in Japan in August, but Nintendo's overwhelming lead in the market narrowed for the second consecutive month.
Nintendo sold 245,653 units of the Wii in the four weeks ending August 26, compared with 81,541 units of Sony's PS3, game magazine publisher Enterbrain said. The ratio was more than four to one in favor of the Wii in July and six to one in June.
Sony's PS3, packed with cutting-edge technology such as a Blu-ray high-definition DVD player, has been trailing the Wii in sales since the consoles were introduced late last year, due to the PS3's high price and a scarcity of strong game titles.
But the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment conglomerate plans to launch a wide range of new games towards the critical year-end shopping season, including the latest installment of its popular in-house racing game "Gran Turismo."
Microsoft Corp., locked in battle with Nintendo and Sony over dominance in the US$30 billion global video game industry, sold 11,288 units of its Xbox 360 in August, Enterbrain said.
"Gran Turismo 5," one of the most eagerly awaited titles for the PS3, is set to go on sale in October, in a bid to ignite PS3 demand among devoted game fans.
Shares in Sony closed up 0.4 percent at 5,600 yen, while Nintendo fell 1.7 percent to 52,800 yen. The Nikkei average was down 0.27 percent.
Late last week, Sony responded to demand by restocking the 60GB version of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console on the Internet. After completely selling out its online supply, the company decided to replenish stock at Sonystyle.com. The price of the 60GB version of the PS3 was dropped to $499 but the unit is to be completely replaced by a newer 80GB model. Sony's Dave Karraker said previously that there was no 60GB inventory remaining in in SCEA warehouses as they had all been shipped to retailers. Karraker also remarked that the US$599 80GB PS3 bundle may be reduced down to $499 once the complete supply of the 60GB version sells out. Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) console has been trailing the success of the Nintendo Wii console, mainly due to the units high price. Sony has backed the price of its console and is still confident that in the coming years, it will take the lead and eventually the PlayStation brand will take the generation for the third time running.
Sony is bringing a fresh new look to its old, but successful PlayStation 2 console, offering it for sale this winter in a richer package.
Sony plans to attract casual and non-casual gamers with a Ceramic White limited edition of PlayStation 2, bundled with SingStar Pop, the second installment in the popular SingStar franchise. Of course, for wannabe artists that would be an incomplete package without the two high-quality USB microphones Sony plans to add to the promotional wrapping.
The new PlayStation 2 bundle will be available in North America in November for a suggested retail price of US$149.99/C$159.99.
Sony is on a quest to regain its console fans, which have slowly migrated towards Nintendo Wii- console whose price is comparable with PS2’s and whose revolutionary wireless controllers are apparently more enticing than the DualShock analogue controllers. Moreover, PS3’s hefty price has determined a lot of gamers choose Xbox 360 instead, forcing Sony to announce a price cut before this year’s E3, in Santa Monica.
The new limited edition Ceramic White PlayStation 2 features the same ultra-sleek design and functions of the current Charcoal Black and Satin Silver PlayStation 2 versions as well as the DVD and CD playback capabilities, digital surround sound, two memory card slots and an integrated Ethernet port for network gaming.
Sony has also been selling a pink limited edition of PS2 since November last year, complete with two pink DualShock Analog controllers and a pink 8MB memory card, all for 159.99 Euros. The package also contains SingStar Pop as a bundle.
SingStar Pop for the Ceramic White PlayStation 2 includes tracks from renowned artists like Alicia Keys, U2, Rihanna, Ashlee Simpson, The All-American Rejects and The Clash. With microphones in hand, aspiring pop stars can put on a concert in their living rooms by performing along with their favorite artists, singing duets and one-on-one battles, and even singing with up to eight players in a "Pass-the-Mic" social frenzy.
"With our expansive library of titles for PlayStation, led by social gaming experiences such as SingStar, and Buzz!, we have an incredible offering for first-time gaming families," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "At $149, the limited edition Ceramic White PlayStation 2, bundled with the family-friendly social gaming title, SingStar Pop, is an unbeatable value that will provide fun for everyone this holiday."
Despite the hype created around the Wii by the media these days and notwithstanding Xbox 360’s strong momentum on the market (with blockbuster titles like BioShock and Halo 3 in its back yard), the PS2 is clearly the holder of all-times record: it has an installed base of more than 117 million worldwide, 44 million PS2s having been sold in North America alone. A further 10 million PlayStation 2 units are expected to be sold worldwide by the end of March 2008. More than 160 new games are expected in North America throughout the holidays and by the end of March 2008, including Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the 80s, Madden NFL 08, NBA '08, and Buzz, as well as a back catalogue of over 1,400 games.
Halo 3 is on top of the latest Amazon video game sales charts beating out both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii platforms.
Bungie’s upcoming Halo 3 is set to be the biggest video game release of all tiem and it seems they are on track. Halo 3 is still just a pre-order as well as the game has not even been released yet as it is set to release on September 25th.
Halo 3 is already six spots ahead of the best selling Xbox 360 game Bioshock to put that into perspective a bit. We will have to wait and see how this continues but Halo 3 is sure going to move some Xbox 360 units.
It appears that Ubisoft is going to make Haze a PS3 exclusive for Christmas but other platforms such as the Xbox 360 may get it at a later date.
A representative at Ubisoft spoke and stated that "Basically at E3 it was announced that the game would be PS3 exclusive for Christmas. That’s where we stand - other platforms have not been ruled out but nothing has been confirmed."
This means that the PS3 will have Haze as an exclusive until Christmas. What happens after that is not known but it would be extremely likely that following Christmas we will see releases on other platforms such as the Xbox 360.
In times where exclusives are almost non-existent, it would almost be a bad business decision on their part to keep it a PS3 exclusive, unless Sony decides to open their wallets.
If you want to get ready for Halloween and protect your shiny Sony PS3 surface from dust then check out the Sony PS3 Protective Mask Scream Style. The 3D skin attaches to the top of the Sony PS3 and is supposedly removable without leaving residue. There are some auctions offering the Sony Playstation 3 Protective Mask for $15 on eBay. These 3D PS3 skins 
come mostly from China. I found several offers for them on Chinese OEM directories
As if any game needed more to recommend it than the phrase 'involves bluddy great big dragons flapping about all over the place'. I'm sold on Lair right there. But Sony's upcoming PS3 title just got another unique (for now) selling point.
See, Lair will be the first PS3 game that's also playable on a PSP, using Sony's Remote Play technology. Assuming your PS3 and Wi-Fi network are both on, you'll be able to log in and play from anywhere in the world using your PSP - the game still runs on the PS3, but you're controlling it using the PSP, and watching a live stream on its screen.
It all sounds a bit complicated, to be honest, although it would probably impress fellow delegates if you were away at a conference. Although to be honest, conference delegates are generally just as impressed if you drink seven pints of Polish vodka before successfully staggering your way to the nearest strip bar. I know what goes on in these things.
Fans of the upcoming sci-fi first person shooter (FPS) 'Haze' aren't going to be too happy about this one... Game developer, Ubisoft, has announced plans to release 'Haze' as an exclusive title for Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) gaming console only.A war-based game, the basic plot of 'Haze' hinges on the future where the biggest force aka Mantel Global Industries -- with a private militia under it's control -- has taken over everything. Set in the year 2048, the game sees Mantel fighting against a group of South American rebels called The Promise Hand. Previously, 'Haze' was slated for a multi-platform release on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. The company now says the PC and Xbox 360 version of the game are not as yet confirmed. Meanwhile, the company has hinted that it is open to future partnerships to develop the game for other platforms. But for now, it's 'Haze' only for the PS3, expected sometime in November this year. Other gaming platforms can wait...
In the month of August, the Nintento Wii outsold the Sony PlayStation 3 by a ratio of 3 to 1 while the Microsoft Xbox 360 sales fell short. Overall, the Nintendo Wii lead narrows as the Sony PlayStation 3 sales climbed.Nintendo sold 245,653 units of the Wii in the four weeks ending August 26, compared with 81,541 units of Sony's PS3, while the Microsoft Xbox 360 only sold 11,288 units. Sony's PS3, packed with cutting-edge technology such as a Blu-ray high-definition DVD player, has been trailing the Wii in sales since the consoles were introduced late last year, due to the PS3's high price and a scarcity of strong game titles.But the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment conglomerate plans to launch a wide range of new games towards the critical year-end shopping season, including the latest installment of its popular in-house racing game "Gran Turismo."Shares in Sony closed up 0.4 percent at 5,600 yen, while Nintendo fell 1.7 percent to 52,800 yen. The Nikkei average was down 0.27 percent.What's also interesting to note is what game companies such as Red Planet LLC are doing. Red Planet is the maker of the upcoming "Lost Colony MMO" game which has already launched a global test using both the PC & Mac platforms. According to their paid members forum (the Lost Colony game sells for $19.95 which grants you access to the game and the paid members forum) they also obtained a development license for the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, and the Nintendo Wii platforms. It does sound like Lost Colony is going to be the first MMO ever to support all platforms.Further information about Lost Colony can be seen here: MMO Console GamesThe site users and the developers are very friendly and so far this has been one of the most anticipated MMO games in the world. Production of the game started in late 2004 and they are getting ready to roll out an official version this week. The battle takes place on 9 different worlds which is post war WW3. It's worth every dime.
It's time to get your hands dirty and test drive Colin McRae: Dirt for the PlayStation 3 as Codemasters launches the playable demo, now available to download from PlayStation Store.
With the full game set to launch on 14th September, Colin McRae: Dirt takes rally king off-road in a multitude of race events. The playable demo delivers three events to experience, including Crossover, C.O.R.R. (Championship Off-Road Racing), and a point-to-point rally stage.
The Crossover race has players competing against Colin McRae himself. Set in Germany, the Avelsbachring's smooth but twisty tarmac is the perfect battleground for a pair of Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec Cs. Then, with nine other racers aggressively competing for position, it's a fierce C.O.R.R. competition in V8 650hp buggies at the Bark River Off Road Raceway, Michigan.
Finally, and exclusive to the PlayStation 3 system demo, the gravel churning start of the Cuconi B rally stage in Sardinia will have players racing to achieve a best time through Italian vineyards before hitting the tarmac at the end of the stage.
Given the lack of decent games on the PS3, you probably do not need more excuses to keep your distance from the console. This demon embossed protective mask is another such reason, though kick-ass, it is so bed-wettingly petrifying, you will have problems getting within two meters of any next gen bad boy sporting it. The protective casing is constructed from black glossy plastic in the classic PS3 casing style. The case slips on and off and as far as we can tell, only protects the outermost surface. Retailing on eBay at around $15, it is a small price to make your PS3 look even more bad to the bone.
Considering sleeping in the dark and panties still cause us to have anxiety attacks laced with fear, we shall have to give this one a miss. If you think you are tough enough, hit the link. [eBay via I4U].
Given the lack of decent games on the PS3, you probably do not need more excuses to keep your distance from the console. This demon embossed protective mask is another such reason, though kick-ass, it is so bed-wettingly petrifying, you will have problems getting within two meters of any next gen bad boy sporting it. The protective casing is constructed from black glossy plastic in the classic PS3 casing style. The case slips on and off and as far as we can tell, only protects the outermost surface. Retailing on eBay at around $15, it is a small price to make your PS3 look even more bad to the bone.
Considering sleeping in the dark and panties still cause us to have anxiety attacks laced with fear, we shall have to give this one a miss. If you think you are tough enough, hit the link. [eBay via I4U].
