167w ago - Update: Thinq.co.uk now reports that Sony has stated they have no intention of reimbursing retailers if they offer fat PS3 users partial refunds because of the removal of the Install OtherOS function, and as a result retailer GAME is already refusing refunds.

According to PlayStationUniversity.com (linked above), a European law grants a partial refund to PS3 consumers due to the recent removal of the OtherOS feature in the PS3 Firmware v3.21 update.

A PS3 owner (60GB) version has managed to gain a partial refund from Amazon (without returning the system) due to the removal of the OtherOS feature.

The EU citizen cited a European law which states a product must be fit for its purpose which was made known to the seller at the time of purchase, and as a result he managed to receive around 80GBP back!

To quote: "The online retailer's policy was to offer a refund weighing in at approximately 20 per cent of the console's original value. Amazon responds:

We are writing to confirm that we have processed your refund in the amount of £84.00 for your Order 666-5327564-4432412.

185w ago - Recently Q-Games developer Dylan Cuthbert revealed that PixelJunk Shooter for Sony's PS3 system will be delayed due to Final Fantasy XIII's release on December 17, 2009 in Japan.

The new date for PixelJunk Shooter to hit PSN will now be December 24, 2009.

This news comes from a Twitter update, to quote:

"Yes, the Japanese release date is delayed a bit so as not to collide with the Final Fantasy steamroller!"

He later added the following:

"Noone in Japan will be switching on their PS3s before FF is released."

199w ago - It appears LittleBigPlanet is in for a second recall, but this time it's not for allegedly offensive Islamic themes.

Media Molecule has sent out an internal memo to GameStop stores saying to load up and ship back any copies of LittleBigPlanet as the upcoming LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition will be using the same sales SKU.

To quote: "Today, GameStop received an internal memo telling managers to load up their copies of LittleBigPlanet for a recall.

Why? It seems that the Game of the Year Edition of LittleBigPlanet will be using the same sale SKU as the original title and they'll only be offering the GOTY edition here on out."

207w ago - Take-Two and Rockstar are expected to release two brand new downloadable episodes for Grand Theft Auto IV in fiscal 2010, and release GTA V the following financial year.

According to analyst Todd Mitchell, who told GamesIndustry.biz (linked above) that following the release of Xbox 360 exclusives The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, two all-new episodes are due - possibly across both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms.

To quote: "I would expect that there would be two more pieces of downloadable content for GTA IV, that's what has been indicated to me, although formats are unsure. It's been indicated to me to me that would be the case," said Mitchell, of Kaufman Bros. Equity Research.

Mitchell also stated that he's expecting Grand Theft Auto V to be released in the 2011 financial year, and there's also the possibility of a new GTA title for the PlayStation 2 next year.

"Coming out of E3 there was no commitment to a new Grand Theft Auto, and I think that's because of Rockstar's track record with delivering on time," said Mitchell.

"Of the three, I'm least confident in saying for sure there will be a new GTA for PlayStation 2, but the track record shows that PSP titles have been repositioned [on PS2]," he said, referring to the recent announcement...

207w ago - The sequel to 2006's Hitman: Blood Money will reportedly be arriving sometime in late 2010 according to Variety.

A second movie in the franchise would also act as a tie-in for the video game stating, "[Hitman 2: The Movie] contain story elements from Hitman 5", due to release "in late 2010".

To quote: Twentieth Century Fox has "Hitman 2" in its crosshairs.

Studio has hired screenwriter Kyle Ward to write a script for the movie that catches title character, Agent 47, at a low point. He must build himself back up psychologically and physically to reclaim his mantle as the world's most feared assassin.

The film will contain story elements from "Hitman 5," the upcoming Eidos vidgame that will be released in late 2010.

Adrian Askarieh is producing with Chuck Gordon, with Daniel Alter executive producer.

The original "Hitman" starred Timothy Olyphant and grossed $100 million on a $30 million budget.