It all begins here, folks. You're about to be inundated with quality titles from now until Christmas. Dead Space is one we've been eagerly anticipating, so it's great to see its release in the US and Asia this week.
Even better that it'll be waiting for us when we return from TGS. Other notable releases include SOCOM, Rock Revolution and Saints Row 2. When we say "notable," we don't necessarily mean that in a good way. Here's the full release list:
US Games • Dead Space
• Blitz II: The League
• FIFA Soccer 2009
• SOCOM: Confrontation (with headset)
• SOCOM: Confrontation (without headset)
• Rock Revolution
• Saints Row 2
• Saints Row 2 Collector's Edition
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
EU Games • PES 2009
• Saints Row 2
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
• Rapala Fishing Frenzy
Ever since the introduction of the PlayStation Network, I have been complaining about the PSP's inability to support its use. Well it looks like Sony is finally going to make me eat crow, as they announced full PSN integration into the newest PSP firmware update.
Details on PSP firmware 5.0 had been lacking, but Joystiq was able to get hands-on time with the newest update while attending the Tokyo Game Show:
"PSP firmware 5.0 ushers in the PS Store for PSP. With the exception of a separate video storefront, it is functionally identical to the PS3's PS store, including the option to enter PSN Card numbers and voucher codes from within. The final content categories are still being finalized, but the build we tried featured sections for downloadable games, UMD Legacy games, themes, video, and music. SCEA isn't saying whether it plans to offer digital releases all... More »
Just when you thought it was safe to convert to Windows Vista, Microsoft changes its mind, again. This soap opera is getting to be a little old.
In early October, Microsoft admitted that it didn't discontinue XP in June after all, and would continue selling via system builders through January 2009. This is accomplished via "downgrade" rights: Dell, for example, will sell you a system with Windows XP Professional installed, but it also includes the latest version of Vista.
Meanwhile, you can still buy boxed XP at Amazon, among other places. The June deadline in itself was an extension, and there's some suggestion that, for corporate customers at least, Microsoft may extend the extension of the extension.
Looking a little further down the line, Microsoft may make Vista irrelevant with the release of Windows 7, which could come as early as 2010. Does anyone seriously expect MIS departments to invest in conversion costs and new hardware, a Vista requ... More »
Recently, XBox 360 product manager, Aaron Greenberg, indicated in an interview that the Blu-ray is not the future. He also goes on to take stabs at Sony for some of its decisions regarding the PS3.
Greenberg stated in an interview with Major Nelson, that the Blu-ray is no DVD. He also indicated that the Blu-ray format could be the next UMD. I assume he is attempting to correlate UMD as a failed format for movies. An odd comparison considering that the UMD is a Sony PSP-only format. I assume you could also say then, that the Nintendo DS cartridge is a failed format as well.
Greenberg said: “We have no plans to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience,.. We believe that we shouldn’t force consumers to pay for things they don’t want. We also believe that the future’s digital, and that’s why we’ve invested in a massive library of entertainment content.”
This supports my recent story detailing how Microsoft’s nickel and dime bu... More »
Some new details about GTA: Chinatown Wars are available as follows:
EDGE Magazine interviewed Rockstar Games VP, Dan Houser on what to expect for this winter’s forthcoming GTA debut on Nintendo DS, Chinatown Wars. The interview revealed a few new snippets of information about the game.
• Pedestrians will act the same as they do in GTA IV. You can find them talking with each other, buying snacks and items at newsstands, and will even take out an umbrella when it’s raining.
• Characters on foot will look exaggerated “for the very simple reason of being able to inject them with character when viewed from above”. Looking at some of the previously released screenshots, you’ll notice characters on foot are not in proportion (larger) to the environment around them (cars, etc).
• The game will feature an assisted driving system to help make driving a little forgiving.
Knoxximus has found a method which allows 4GB SD cards (non-SDHC) to be fully utilized as a Wii storage card.
To quote: For the people who DON'T LIKE TO READ, THIS SOLUTION ALLOWS YOU TO USE AN OTHERWISE UNSUPPORTED SIZE SD CARD (4GB) TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL AND STILL HAVE VERY DECENT TRANSFER SPEEDS!
Okay! Now we all know that Nintendo's official line is that cards larger than 2GB will not work on the Wii...and for the most part this is true. However...what about a 4GB SD (NOT SDHC) card that PRETENDS it's a 2GB, but then over time can be slowly expanded to meet it's 4GB potential?
I scoured the net for info on how to get this to work, and now I present to you the fruits of my labor. Here is a mini FAQ on how to get 4GB SD cards to work on your Wii.
1st of all, get a hold of this non-SDHC SD card. Here is a link at NewEgg where it is $10.75.
President Bush signed a new anti-piracy law heavily backed by the RIAA and MPAA today that establishes an IP Czar who will report directly to the president.
Primarily aimed at better protecting worldwide copyrights, the law boasts strengthening criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy. The first IP Czar is expected to be named around the end of President Bush’s final term of office.
To quote: The law also toughens criminal laws against piracy and counterfeiting, although critics have argued that the measure goes too far and risks punishing people who have not infringed.
The Recording Industry Association of America and Motion Picture Association of America backed the bill, as did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"By becoming law, the PRO-IP Act sends the message to IP criminals everywhere that the U.S. will go the extra mile to protect American innovation," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Comm... More »
Cyberport and Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited (SCEH) are jointly organizing the first PS3 game production program in Hong Kong, the "Digital Content Creation Camp" (DCCC).
The program provides training opportunities for young people and professionals in Hong Kong, especially targeting at game programmers, designers and producers. DCCC level 3 courses will start on November 1, 2008.
Press Release: The Asia's First PLAYSTATION(R)3 Game Training Program Out of Japan To Develop Hong Kong Young Game Masters
'Tokyo Game Show Delegation' Opens up Students' Minds & Visions
HONG KONG, Oct. 13 Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited (SCEH) are jointly organizing the first PS3 game production program in Hong Kong, the "Digital Content Creation Camp" (DCCC). The program provides training opportunities for young people and professionals in Hong Kong, especially tar... More »
(0) 
