New Releases: Week of 6/24

Title	Platform	Genre	Release Date
911: First Responders	PC	Action	Jun 27, 2007
Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs	MAC	Strategy	Jun 25, 2007
Black Hawk	PC	Simulation	Jun 29, 2007
Bomberman Live	X360	Action	June 2007
Call for Heroes: Pompolic Wars	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Carcassonne	X360	Puzzle	June 2007
Chicken Shoot	WII	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Deer Drive	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Defender of the Crown: Heroes Live Forever	PC	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Driver: Parallel Lines	WII	Driving	Jun 26, 2007
Driver: Parallel Lines	PC	Driving	Jun 26, 2007
Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition	PSP	Role-Playing	Jun 26, 2007
GrimGrimoire	PS2	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	PS3	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	PC	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	X360	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	WII	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	PSP	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	PS2	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	DS	Adventure	Jun 25, 2007
High Velocity Bowling	PS3	Sports	June 2007
Hitman Trilogy	PS2	Action	Jun 30, 2007
Hitman Trilogy	PC	Action	Jun 30, 2007
Horsez	GBA	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth Remix	DS	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Hour of Victory	X360	Action	Jun 25, 2007
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Marvel Trading Card Game	PC	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Metin2	PC	Role-Playing	Jun 29, 2007
Nervous Brickdown	DS	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Overlord	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Overlord	X360	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Pokemon Battle Revolution	WII	Strategy	Jun 25, 2007
Professor Brainium's Games	DS	Puzzle	Jun 30, 2007
Rafa Nadal Tennis	DS	Sports	Jun 30, 2007
Ratatouille	PSP	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	GBA	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	WII	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	DS	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	MOBILE	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	PS2	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	XBOX	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	X360	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	GC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ratatouille	MAC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Ride! Carnival Tycoon	PC	Strategy	Jun 29, 2007
Seven Kingdoms: Conquest	PC	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Some Great Game	PC	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Steel Horizon	PSP	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
Super Collapse 3	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 26, 2007
Super Stardust HD	PS3	Action	June 2007
The Adventures of Darwin	PS2	Strategy	Jun 26, 2007
The BIGS	PSP	Sports	Jun 25, 2007
The BIGS	WII	Sports	Jun 25, 2007
The BIGS	PS3	Sports	Jun 25, 2007
The BIGS	PS2	Sports	Jun 25, 2007
The BIGS	X360	Sports	Jun 25, 2007
The Darkness	X360	Action	Jun 25, 2007
The Darkness	PS3	Action	Jun 25, 2007
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas	PS3	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Touchmaster DS	DS	Puzzle	Jun 25, 2007
Transformers: The Game	PS2	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Transformers: The Game	PS3	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Transformers: The Game	X360	Action	Jun 25, 2007
Transformers: The Game	WII	Action	Jun 26, 2007
Traxxpad	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 26, 2007
Vegas Casino High 5!	DS	Puzzle	Jun 29, 2007
Warlords	X360	Strategy	Q2 2007
Zendoku	DS	Puzzle	Jun 26, 2007

[From Gamespot]

Yeah Baby Yeah!! Austin Powers FREE in XBLM

From now until June 28th you can download Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery for free from the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. Why you ask? McDonalds' new campaign of BurgerCon on the video marketplace is to blame. Can't get it now? No worries the movie will also be available for download on July 19th to the 23rd. Just keep in mind this is considered a "rental", which means you have 24 hrs from the second you push play to watch the movie then it's all gone, and 14 days to watch the movie after download. What? You didn't actually think they would let you have it did you? Shame on you!

[From Kotaku]

Jaffe Wants Out?

Multiple sources have reported that David Jaffe, the outspoken creative director for Sony's Santa Monica Studios, is leaving the company in order to form an independent video game development studio. According to a recent piece by 1UP, Jaffe may be forming this studio with help from Scott Campbell, the head of Incognito Entertainment. This new company will be based out of Utah, which means Jaffe might have to leave his current Southern California digs.

Jaffe, perhaps best known as the primary force behind the God of War franchise, has worked with Incognito previously on Twisted Metal: Black and his most recent game, Calling All Cars. The typically brash Jaffe had been hinting at such a move on his blog, where he recently posted pictures of an abandoned warehouse space.

SCEA has so far remained reticent regarding these recent developments. The company said in a recent statement, "We have made no announcements regarding any change in David Jaffe's relationship with Sony Computer Entertainment". Jaffe himself has also been unavailable for comment about the departure or his future plans.

[UPDATE: Since the story broke, Jaffe has made an effort to respond to the allegations via the NeoGAF forums. "I can promise you guys I am still part of SCEA...I just got a paycheck from them!" he writes. "I am still 100% a Sony employee and unless I got fired today and they didn't tell me, I'm still working for them. Also, I love working with the guys at Incog and hope to work with them for a long, long time but I sure as **** ain't moving to Utah...nice as it is, I don't think I could live there long term and I don't think the good people of Utah would want me to."]

[From GamePro]

Sony CONFIRMS PSP Now Unlocked At Full Speed

Original story: A Sony Computer Entertainment representative has confirmed to Shacknews that developers can now take full advantage of the PSP's CPU following the late May release of the system's version 3.50 firmware. Rumors of the unlocking were initially reported by fansite PSP Updates via an unnamed source.

Previously, developers were only able to run the CPU at 266MHz rather than its full potential clock speed of 333MHz, though most games ran at only 222MHz. High Impact Games' Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, released in February, is said to run at 266MHz. Hackers long ago discovered methods to run the PSP's CPU at full speed, the benefits of which include a smoother framerate for certain games, at the cost of reduced battery life. There is no word yet if this update enables previous PSP releases to run at 333MHz, something hacked PSP firmware has enabled in the past.

It is widely believed that the PSP CPU was underclocked to increase the portable's battery life. Some speculate that the availability of the portable's full CPU speed affirms recent rumors of an upcoming redesign, which supposedly includes a brighter screen, a slimmer profile, and increased battery life. Such a system would be better equipped to deal with the greater power demands of the unthrottled CPU.

Update: The availability of the PSP's full CPU speed only affects in-development titles, a SCE representative has told Shacknews. Previously released PSP games continue to operate at the speed they were originally programmed for, and do not see any sort of change in performance or battery life.

[From Shack News]

Today's PSN Update

Here's the full rundown of the PSN updates going live today:

• MotorStorm Time Attack (free): See if you've got what it takes to set the pace by downloading the new MotorStorm Time Attack mode. Race against the clock to set the best possible lap times on each of the tracks, then check out the global leader boards to see how fast you really are. Create and share ghost car laps that you can race with to improve your skill, or show off your technique to the world.

• Hot Shots Golf 2 ($5.99*): Put on some plaid pants and head out to the course in Hot Shots Golf 2.

• CoolBoarders ($5.99*): CoolBoarders presents a most awesome and excellent challenge: to out-shred the best boarders on the pro circuit.

• The Heartbreak Kid Trailer (free): Download a new trailer for the upcoming comedy, The Heartbreak Kid.

[From Kotaku]

More GTA IV Details Surface

More details on Rockstar's other, less controversial action game (who thought we'd ever be saying that?) have appeared on the net via the Turkish Official Xbox Magazine.

Among the new tidbits in the mag, the most interesting comments describe GTA IV's new time-based elements. Apparently, missions will be more thoroughly tied-in with the events of the world. For example - and hypothetically speaking - if you're tasked with catching a train and miss it, you won't be able to do that particular mission.

It all sounds a bit Majora's Mask. Explosions are also said to make an... erm, explosive return, with one mission based entirely around chain-detonating cars. Vehicles, however, only explode now when you bullseye them with a rocket launcher, rather than blowing up via a simple car crash.

Don't forget there's a brand new trailer rolling out next week as well.

Here's the full list of new info:

-There's a slight vibration with every footstep when you run

- The HUD has been removed. If you have armor, you actually have a bulletproof vest which visually deteriorates

- Flame throwers and rocket launchers are still in the game

- Niko doesn't get tired. You can run forever, it just wont be as fast as previously.

- Gore is back and better. Bullet wounds show, blood appears where you shoot people. Enemies limp if you shoot them in the leg and hold their arm if you shoot their arm. Apparently when you run someone over it's quite disturbing.

- No eating, girlfriends or keeping fit- but your skills do improve over time (driving, etc.)

[From Games Radar]

Sony PROMISES 380 PS3 Games by March '08

Kazuo Hirai, the new president of Sony Computer Entertainment, has promised there will be 380 games released for PlayStation 3 by March 2008 - consisting of 200 retail titles and 180 PlayStation Network games.

Speaking to Japanese newspaper Nikkei Business Daily, Hirai explained that Sony plans to release this glut of games within the company's current business year, starting back in March 2007. That, fact fans, equates to seven PS3 released each week to meet Hirai's promise. Worldwide, there are currently 60 titles available for PS3 along with 50 PSN games, meaning Sony certainly has its work cut out.

Hirai also stated that Sony will work closely with videogame publishers to ensure better marketing, including events and in-store promotions, to bolster the PS3's sales.

[From IGN]

I don't know 7 games a week is a lot of games. I guess we will have to wait and see, we all know what happens when Sony makes promises, they usually don't keep them. This just may be another lie to add to their already large book.

This Week's XBLA Release

Name: Band of Bugs
Price: 800 Points
Availability: All Xbox Live regions
Dash Details: Band of Bugs is a fast-paced, accessible, tactics and strategy game designed specifically for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Play the tutorial to get a taste of the mischief these critters can get up to. Download the full version now.
Size: 33.8 MB (approx.)

[From Major Nelson]

FREE Wii Browser Ending June 30th

Starting June 30th Opera's Wii Browser, which at this time is now a free download to all owners of a Wii, will cost 500 Wii Points ($5.00). So if you have a Wii and a high speed internet connection make sure you get the downolad (doesn't hurt anything it's free) and if you plan on getting a Wii, but have been holding off, you have about 10 days left to save 5 bucks in the long run.

GameTap Coming to Macs

Turner Broadcasting's subscription gaming service GameTap is coming to Intel-based Mac users on June 28th. The GameTap Lite service, an ad supported offshoot, will launch for Mac users near the end of the month, with the full-fledged, pay-to-play service arriving later in the summer.

The GameTap client for Macintosh will rely on Cider, the "wrapper" that allows Windows-based games to play on Mac OSX. That means some of GameTap's offerings won't be immediately available to Mac gamers, including releases like Sam & Max, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Far Cry.

GameTap for Mac users will, however, have access to over 500 classic games, including titles released for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast when the full service is launched.

[From Kotaku]

Online Update and Price CONFIRMED for Tekken 5

Namco Bandi confirmed today that the recently revealed online-play update for Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the PlayStation Network will ring in at a slightly more expensive $9.99 for North American gamers.

In addition to the new online mode, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online will include a new Survival mode and Practice mode, two game types sorely missing from the original release. No solid date was given—PlayStation Store watchers know better anyway—but the upgrade is due before the end of the year.

[From Kotaku]

EA Goes 4 Different Ways

Electronic Arts, which is no doubt one of the best well known game companies out there, have made a decision to split the company up into four different sections. They will be: EA Sports, which will focus on you guessed it--sports, EA Games, which will focus on games such as Need For Speed, Medal of Honor, and spore, EA Casual will get games like Boogie, Harry Potter, and Mobile games, and finally the Sims division, which will focus on just the sims games.

[From youNEWB]

Tomb Raider Anniversary Episodic Content Confirmed for 360

Tomb Raider Secures World First With Microsoft

Episodic Serialization on Xbox 360 for Tomb Raider Anniversary

Eidos Interactive Ltd., part of SCi Entertainment Group, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce that the latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, will be released on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, initially in the form of downloadable episodic content which will be available for purchase to owners of Tomb Raider Legend on Xbox 360.

This is the first time ever that the serialization of a full retail game will be available for purchase through Xbox Live® Marketplace. The game will be available in four episodes; Episodes 1 & 2 will be available in September, with the next two episodes arriving shortly afterwards. A full retail version is planned to be released for Xbox 360 later in the year.

"We have created this version of Anniversary specifically for digital distribution as episodic content. This is part of our strategy to grow our presence in online and digital distribution as we believe there are huge growth opportunities arising from this delivery format and we intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for digitally downloaded content," said Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos. "Lara has always been at the forefront of technology and this world first initiative with Microsoft really highlights that fact. Ultimately we also intend to make the title available at retail so that it reaches the maximum possible audience."

"We're continuing to break new ground in getting incredible gaming experiences in the hands of consumers," said George Peckham, General Manager of 3rd Party Publishing, Xbox, Microsoft. "We're excited to be able to deliver one of the most well-recognized franchises in video game history with Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary to our more than six million Xbox Live members worldwide in the form of episodic content."

The market for digital download of core PC and console games is expected to exceed $289 million by 2010, with Games on Demand services topping $104 million (ScreenDigest). Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming network can already boast over 2.3 billion hours of online gaming (this is equal to 95 million days or over 260,000 years) since its launch in 2004. Xbox 360 owners have activated more than 5 billion points (over $60 million) on marketplace with over 135 million downloads since the launch of Xbox 360 in 2005.

Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY is a totally new adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic (selling over 7 million copies worldwide). The Tomb Raider series is still one of the best selling videogame franchises of all time with over 32 million copies sold and two major feature films released, starring Angelina Jolie.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary has also launched on Windows as part of Microsoft's Games for Windows initiative, offering reliability, compatibility, and full support for play under Windows Vista™.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be available on Xbox 360 - episodically - from September. The Games for Windows® and PlayStation 2 versions have now been released worldwide, with both versions currently at No.1 in the UK and Germany in their respective charts, and No.1 in France on PC. A PSP version is due soon and a Nintendo Wii version is in development.

In order to access Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary downloadable episodic content for Xbox 360, players will require a Lara Croft Tomb Raider Legend disc. The episodes will cost 2400 Microsoft points for all four episodes, and will be released in two separate launches. Episodes 1 & 2 will be released in September and episodes 3 & 4 will follow shortly afterwards. The Croft Manor level will be free to download with both sets of episodes. Additional Tomb Raider Anniversary downloadable content will also become available for purchase on Marketplace to support the launch of Tomb Raider Episodic such as picture packs and theme packs.

[From Kotaku]

Ready to Play?

Electronic Arts has officially confirmed the company's forthcoming EA Playground, a collection of schoolyard sports games for the Wii and Nintendo DS in development at EA Canada, the studio responsible for the well received Wii version of Madden NFL 2007.

The game, which was first revealed as part of an IGN preview in early May, will feature a compilation of user friendly games that are designed to be easy to pick up and play by players of all ages and skill levels, not unlike the Nintendo Wii pack-in title Wii Sports.

According to EA, both the Wii and DS versions will feature games that are specifically tailored to take advantage of their specific platforms, with players swinging the Wii remote to play tetherball, or blowing onto the DS microphone in order to shoot spitballs.

In addition, while multiplayer gameplay is expected to play a significant role in EA Playground, the game will also feature a single player mode allowing players to unlock new activities as well as earn rewards and stickers that can be used to upgrade their character's abilities.

“Young, old, male or female -- EA Playground has something for everyone,” said Executive producer Dave McCarthy. “EA Playground transports you to your fantasy playground, packed with interesting characters, over-the top gameplay, and a ton of collectables. Kids can bring the excitement of the playground home, and parents or even grandparents can re-experience their childhood thrills.”

[From Gamasutra]

Like Geometry Wars? NOW Available on XP!

BIZARRE CREATIONS DEBUTS GEOMETRY WARS: RETRO EVOLVED FOR WINDOWS XP ON STEAM

PC gamers can now play the hit arcade shooter via Steam for just $2.50

Liverpool, UK, June 18, 2007 - Bizarre Creations and Valve today announce the worldwide debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved for Windows XP on Steam, Valve's leading online platform for the distribution and management of PC games. This multiple award-winning game is available to PC gamers via Steam for an introductory price of $2.50. Starting June 22, the game will be priced at $3.95.

The debut of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved for Windows XP delivers a pixel-perfect recreation of the game that has captured the attention and acclaim of console gamers and critics alike. The game is an old school style shooter remixed for the 21st century with next generation graphics and deep, modern gameplay that is easy to pick up and hard to put down.

"With over 13 million active accounts, Steam is the ideal platform for launching Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved for Windows XP," said Martyn Chudley, Creative Director at Bizarre Creations. "We hope to continue the success of Geometry Wars by introducing its award-winning gameplay to one of gaming's largest communities."

"Geometry Wars has opened a new category in gaming with its blend of classic and innovative gameplay," said Jason Holtman, director of business development at Valve. "The addition of this title to Steam's growing catalog of casual and arcade-style games is a milestone in our efforts to expand the content and services offered to gamers around the world."

For more information about Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and Steam, please visit www.steamgames.com

About Bizarre Creations
Bizarre Creations is an independent developer, based in Liverpool, UK. Established in 1994, the company is famed for such high profile franchises as Formula 1, Fur Fighters, Geometry Wars, Project Gotham Racing, and The Club. Bizarre prides itself on providing high-quality next-generation gaming experiences that excel in gameplay, graphics, audio and technology. Find them on the web at www.bizarrecreations.com.

About Steam
Steam is a leading platform for the delivery and management of games and digital content, and has pioneered its broadband services to over 13 million customers with core and casual games from today's leading publishers and developers.

For more information, please visit www.steamgames.com

This Week's VC Update

Another Monday, three more games to add to the Wii's Virtual Console. This week they will be:

NES Open Tournament Golf™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): We all knew that Mario™ was a top-notch plumber, but did you know that he could also be a world-class golfer? You can challenge another player in Stroke, Match and Tournament modes. Play on three fantasy courses in the USA, the UK and Japan and try to win a million dollars. Make sure you keep an eye on the wind and distance to the hole before selecting your club, or else you'll be racking up some high scores - which is exactly what you don't want to do in this game. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, NES Open Tournament Golf is perfect for those days when you just can't get to the local golf course.

World Sports Competition (TurboGrafx-16, 1-5 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Play through a total of 18 Olympic events in this action/sports title. Players compete in six categories of events that include shooting, archery, rowing, swimming and track and field. The game features Olympics mode, where you play all the events over the course of a few days, and Training mode, where you can choose individual events to play. After practicing in Training mode, go for the gold in Olympics mode and break world records. Depending on your play time and ability, you can enjoy the game a number of different ways. Gather friends and play in competitions with up to five players to get even more out of this great game.

Bloody Wolf (TurboGrafx-16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Animated Blood, Violence, 600 Wii Points): Enter alone, deep into enemy territory to rescue the kidnapped President in this overhead-view action shooter. Take on the role of a commando in a Special Forces team and face your enemies with an onslaught of weapons, including machine guns and grenades. Earn valuable information, weapons and items by rescuing POWs. Fight your way to the end of each stage and defeat the boss by effectively using your weapons and equipment. This port of the insanely popular arcade game features refined graphics, story and cut-scenes, making this action game a must-have. This new and enhanced version includes the never-been-told second half of the story that was left out of the arcade version.

[From Kotaku]

New Releases: Week of 6/17

Title	Platform	Genre	Release Date
Arena Wars Reloaded	PC	Strategy	Jun 22, 2007
Attack on Pearl Harbor	PC	Simulation	Jun 22, 2007
Blitzkrieg Strategy Pack	PC	Strategy	Jun 18, 2007
Brothers In Arms DS	DS	Action	Jun 19, 2007
Call for Heroes: Pompolic Wars	PC	Action	Jun 19, 2007
DiRT	PC	Driving	Jun 19, 2007
DiRT	X360	Driving	Jun 19, 2007
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground	PSP	Role-Playing	Jun 19, 2007
Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game	DS	Puzzle	Jun 20, 2007
Hard Truck: Apocalypse - Rise of Clans	PC	Driving	Jun 19, 2007
Hot Brain	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 18, 2007
Model Train 3D	PC	Simulation	Jun 22, 2007
PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 18, 2007
Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2007	PC	Sports	Jun 20, 2007
Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2007	PSP	Sports	Jun 20, 2007
Puzzle Scape	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 18, 2007
Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition	WII	Action	Jun 19, 2007
SimCity DS	DS	Strategy	Jun 19, 2007
The Sims Pet Stories	PC	Strategy	Jun 19, 2007
Time Ace	DS	Simulation	Jun 18, 2007
Transformers: Autobots	DS	Action	Jun 19, 2007
Transformers: Decepticons	DS	Action	Jun 19, 2007
Transformers: The Game	PSP	Action	Jun 19, 2007
Zendoku	DS	Puzzle	Jun 18, 2007

[From Gamespot]

Play Texas Hold'em Win FREE Stuff

A new Play and Win giveaway has started over at Xbox.com featuring everyone's favorite once free XBLA game Texas Hold 'Em. The Alltel Texas Hold 'Em Challenge started yesterday and all you have to do to win is sign up for the giveaway from now until July 12th and play the game online. Every day you play you receive an entry to win prizes including an Xbox 360 Elite, Microsoft points, or a set of poker chips. What's cool is that you don't even have to be good at poker to win prizes, you just have to play online to enter.

[From Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Resistance Fall of Man Tournament

Sony and Insomniac Games have just announced that they're collaborating with GameStop and GamePlay for the first official Resistance: Fall of Man tournament. And this isn't some wussy tournament either -- no, this is a serious 5 week MARATHON of Resistance skill. According to an e-mail circulated to PlayStation Underground members, registration for the tournament will start June 18th (next Monday), so excited fans should be fast on the refresh button come the next work week in order to sign up for a coveted position.

There are two different competitions going on, a single player (aka Deathmatch) competition, and a team competion consisting of 3 on 3. Either way the reward pay-out is pretty damn generous, for first place in the single player competition you are rewarded the following:

• A Sony Platinum DVD Dream System, a $500 dollar GameStop giftcard and $1000 dollars cash.

And for the Team game, each member of the winning team gets the following:

• A Sony Platinum DVD Dream System see above comment), a $500 dollar GameStop giftcard and $500 dollars in sweet, sweet cash.

[From PS3 Fanboy]

HUGE Fallout 3 Update

The first details on Bethesda's Fallout 3 have emerged from the latest issue of US Game Informer magazine.

The long-awaited sequel runs on an evolved version of the Oblivion engine, although Bethesda says it's reworked the third-person view because of negative feedback from its last role-player.

Fallout 3 kicks off with your birth and your mother's death in a vault hospital. This is where you get to create you character as your father (voiced by Liam Neeson) hands you over to the DNA analyser, before removing his mask to reveal similar traits to the ones you picked.

According to Game Informer, the battle system in Fallout 3 is called the Vault-tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.). You'll certainly be able to tackle enemies in real-time using first-person shooting, the article says, but V.A.T.S. lets you pause time and select a target at your leisure.

This works using action points, which when used up will leave you with only real-time fighting until they charge back up again. If you're not in to all-out killing, Bethesda says you'll also be able to play through the game by being stealthy, or even talking your way out of trouble.

Enemies can target you using the exact same targeting system, so you'll get injured in very specifics points on your body. In addition to this is a new health and radiation system, which lets you measure how radiated water and other consumables are before you use them.

Fans will be pleased to hear that the Karma system is making a return, and there are 9-12 possible endings based on your actions.

[From CVG]

GTA IV Episodic Content to be 360 EXCLUSIVE

Yes, you read right. A Take-Two spokesperson has confirmed that the "episodic content" will be exclusive to the 360. It can't get any more to the point than this:

"The Grand Theft Auto IV episodic content is exclusive to the 360."

[From Kotaku]

What sophisticated people they are!

Time Crisis 4 CONFIRMED for PS3

The latest issue of Famitsu has confirmed that Time Crisis 4 will be indeed coming to the PlayStation 3.

The game will offer at least two modes, continuing in the Time Crisis tradition of offering hours of varied and action-packed gameplay. "AC" mode appears to be a direct port of the title that was released in the arcades last year and "Mission Mode," in which players take control of William Rush, a captain in the U.S. Joint Intelligence Division.

The game will ship alongside the Guncon 3, a peripheral which will give the PlayStation 3's dust-gathering feature a run for its money.

[From Destructoid]

Ready to Blast On Your Wii?

A recent flyer from Gamestop reveals the new Wii "blaster" will go on sale June 27th. So get ready to take aim and FIRE.

[From Destructoid]

Get Ready to Boogie On August 7th

Today, Electronic Arts announced that it will be releasing Boogie

for Wii on August 7, 2007. This new IP will allow players to both sing and dance and even make their own music videos. The EA Montreal developed game will feature music by The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, M.C. Hammer, The Village People, Cyndi Lauper and Britney Spears.

"We have assembled a great selection of music for the game that will appeal to players of all ages, making this dancing and karaoke game the ultimate party package for the entire family," said Alain Tascan, Vice President and General Manager, EA Montreal. "Wii is expanding videogames to untapped markets pulling in a new audience of gamers that typically did not play games in the past; Boogie will give these diverse players something new to enjoy as well as share with their friends and family."

[From GameDaily]

PS3 Firmware Update 1.81 NOW Available

Not a "huge" update by any means, but better than nothing I guess:

The update will fix a few small issues some of you have noticed. Most notably is the RGB Full setting which a few of you wrote in about. In 1.80 we added an option to the XMB under settings allowing you to choose between RGB Full and Limited. Basically if you are connecting your PS3 to your TV using an HDMI cable, and if your TV supports RGB full range, the picture quality may be improved when this option is set to Full. Some of you pointed out that the Full setting would sometimes revert back to Limited and 1.81 will address this issue. Please keep in mind that this setting is only effective when the PS3 is connected to a TV using an HDMI cable.

[From Playstation Blog]

PS3 Rumble On the Way?

With the obvious downfall of the PS3 controller you can't blame Sony for wanting to implement rumble into their controller. SCEA president, Jack Tretton, agrees. He says Sony is "Open to changing the SIXAXIS controller". There are some "insiders" who say that this is already in the works, but they are running into some trouble:

Many have suspected that since the agreement [with Immersion], Sony will have been working on a new controller with rumble support. We can now confirm that this is the case. We've heard from two independent sources at Sony that they have been working on prototypes for several months. Officially, the corporate line is still "no comment". Unofficially, Sony is facing some difficulties with battery life; i.e. Between the rumble and the wireless support, the batteries are draining too fast to be acceptable for consumers.

[From Kotaku]

Soul Caliber IV OFFICIALLY Announced

1UP has unveiled the news that SoulCalibur IV will be released by Namco Bandai Games on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sometime within the year 2008. This will be the latest installment in the legendary fighting game franchise that features weapon-wielding, armor-clad combatants duking it out against various backdrops based on history and fantasy.

Details are very scarce at the moment, and more will certainly be revealed at a later date. But for now, it looks like it can be confirmed that samurai warrior Mitsurugi, sword/whip slinging femme fatale Ivy, and the demonic beast Nightmare will all be making a welcome return visit. New characters, of course, will also be making their debuts.

[From GamePro]

Sony Now Has A Place to Write Their BS

Better late than never I guess. Just like Sony to be a follower, not a leader. Now if you want to read all about Sony and their BS head on over to their Official PlayStation Blog.

Here's a recent story straight from the blog:

"The rumor mill is flowing about new PSP hardware and a PSP phone, and I just wanted to take the time to clear the air. We haven’t announced anything about a new PSP, much less one that would have any phone capabilities. As SCEA’s resident PSP guru, I’m thrilled to hear that there’s so much interest in the platform, but sorry folks, these reports floating around fall into the rumors/speculation category."

Just the standard BS. When the new PSP does launch you won't here it from here first. If you are looking for a little "inside" this is not the place. Come on guys it's a blog not a freakin' press release. Give them some time, maybe they'll learn, or not.

Bomberman LIVE Coming in July

The scheduled release date for Bomberman is a rough estimate, but it's safe to say early July. The price, the standard 800 MS points that we are seeing a lot of lately.

[From Xbox 360 Fanboy]

This Week's XBLA Release

Today a very welcomed classic Prince of Persia.

Name: Prince of Persia Classic
Price: 800 Points
Availability: All Xbox Live regions
Dash Details: Single Player, HD (High Definition). Escape from Jaffar's dungeon and save the Princess! Prince of Persia is a high-definition 3D adventure platformer based on the original 1989 hit.

[From Major Nelson]

SKATE Soundtrack Released

For all the people out there who don't know what this game is; SKATE is a skateboarding game made by EA meant to be a competitor to Tony Hawk's monopolized market. Today they released the soundtrack to the upcoming game:

Agent orange: “NO look for Thing”
Airbourne: “Let’s Ride”
Bath Brains: “I Against I”
OF Horses bound: “The Funeral”
Beat Beat Beat: “Sinking Slow”
Black flag: “Six luggage”
Booker T & The MG’s: “Green Onions”
Challenger: “Input the outputs”
Cheap trick: “Surrender”
Children OF Bodom: “Hate crew Deathroll”
David Bowie: “Queen Bitch”
DEAD Prez: “Hip Hop”
DEVO: “Property Feeling/Slap Your Mammy”
Eddie RAP Life: “Push Your Wood”
Eric B & Rakim: “Juice (Know the Ledge)”
Escalera: “Go It alone”
Filthy Thieving of hybrid: “Lord OF The Avenues”
Course rigid: “Now You’re mine”
H.I.T: “Drama”
Mac Mall: “Perfect Poison”
Motorhead: “Incoming goods of acres Motorhead”
Nivarna: “Lounge act”
N.W.A: “Express Yourself”
Renee Renee: “Conditions UP talc Easy”
Rick James: “Give It ton of ME baby”
Rick Ross: ‘Hustlin ”
River town center Tanlines: “Black Knight”
S.T.R.E.E.T.S: “Georgia pc.”
Seep Than Others: “Face Away”
Sister Nancy: “Bam Bam”
Slayer: “Raining Blood”
The of letter: “Poor and Weird”
The coup: “Ride the Fence”
The Dwarves: “Measure acres”
The Exploding Hearts: “Your Shadow”
The Falcon: “Blackout”
The likes Seven: “Thickly Cemetery”
The Ramones: “Psycho Therapy”
The Returnables: “Dte-gnaw Imposters”
The Sex Pistols: “Pretty Vacant”
The of star Misplaced: “Prophets and Kings”
The White Stripes: “Girl, You Have NO Faith in Medicine”
Trouble Andrew: “Chase Money”
Valient Thorr: “One Behind The Curtain”
ZZ Top: “Just Got Paid”

[From youNEWB]

Halo 3 Beta Stats Released

Along with the 820,000 Beta testers out there some other info about the beta has been released. Including over 12 Million hours of gameplay and 350 terabytes of data transfered over live in just a 3 week period. Amazing.

[From Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Gears Update to Hit TOMORROW

Just as Epic's Mark Rein previously stated a few weeks ago, Gears of War multiplayer fanatics will soon be able to achieve more starting tomorrow, June 14th. On that day, a software update care of Epic Games will bring eight brand new achievements to Xbox Live, which will be worth a total of 250 points to any one player's Gamerscore.

Epic does note, however, that the achievements will only be available through the "Annex" gameplay mode and the recently-released "Hidden Fronts" maps. Although Annex is available now at no cost, the Hidden Fronts Map Pack will set you back 800 Microsoft points in the Xbox Live Marketplace. However, all four multiplayer maps will be made available for free on September 3, 2007.

In addition to the new points up for grabs, Epic also announced that the update will also improve controls for the Roadie Run, as well as address the following issues:

• The Lancer Assault Rifle now does more damage in multiplayer

• The death of one split-screen player will no longer adversely affect the other

• Whenever a "Connection Error" occurs, all scoring in Annex will now cease

• Corpses will disappear more quickly for hosts of an Annex match

• The range of bleed-out times selectable by the host for Annex matches has been reduced

For a full list of the achievements, gamers are encouraged to head to Epic's Gears of War site.

[From GamePro]