Xbox Drops 500 Limited Edition GTA IV 360s

Microsoft added to the buzz leading up to the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto IV by dropping a limited run of 500 GTA-branded Xbox 360 Elite systems and a briefcase full of peripherals today. We got our hands on number 170 out of 500. More pics after the jump.

The guys at Xbox took an Elite system and, using automotive-quality paint, touched up the sides of the 360 with the GTA IV box art and a serial number.

Not a bad way to welcome the first title in the franchise that didn’t drop as a Sony exclusive. Rockstar is also producing exclusive episodes for 360 users available for download this fall. Hopefully it involves Bill Gates and Warren Buffet rolling up on GTA IV’s featured hitter Niko Bellic.

The game finally drops on April 29. Unfortunately, the limited run of GTA IV 360s ain’t available in stores.

Source: Complex

Another new mysterious Nintendo Wii system update is avaialble

And yet another Wii system update is now available.

There was only a new update made available on on the 20th March in preparation for WiiWare, but there is no word on what this latest update is for or contributes to the state of play.

Namco looking into Nintendo Wii-arcade linking

Filed under: NewsNamco Bandai seems to have come up with a solution to their problem of (possibly) Nintendo Wii-fueled arcade downturn: involving the Wii in the arcade.

According to a very sad Asahi Shimbun report about closing arcades, Namco is now planning games that will allow data to be shared between the cabinet and the Nintendo Wii - we assume by Nintendo Wii Remote data transfer.Home/arcade integration from Namco is not terribly surprising, since Tekken 5 actually has PlayStation 2 controller ports on the cabinet.

No, the really interesting thing about this story is trying to figure out what Namco Bandai is going to design for play on both the Wii and in the arcade.

The news article is pretty interesting in other ways, as well: it goes into possible reasons for arcade business slowdown other than the Wii ... like the economy.

Source: Video Game Top 10

Ubisoft games acquire Tom Clancy name for video games, related products

Ubisoft makes Tom Clancy-branded video games such as Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six.

French video game maker Ubisoft said it acquired intellectual property rights to the Tom Clancy name for use in video games, books and movies.

Ubisoft now expects to have a net cash position of about 130m eur at the end of its fiscal year, down from a previous forecast of about 150m eur.

Ubisoft will make additional, unspecified payments for the Tom Clancy rights in each of its next two fiscal years as well, Ubisoft said in a statement.

Royalty savings generated by the acquisition are expected to have an average positive impact on Ubisoft's operating profit of at least 5m eur per year.


Source: Thomson.com

Guitar Hero three legends of rock Rock Icon website

Watch the crazy people perform on stage - Guitar Hero three legends of rock Rock Icon

http://www.releaseyourrockstar.com/en

Namco Bandai head-to-head with THQ in cheerleading games

After the announcement from THQ of a cheerleading game for the Wii and DS, Namco Bandai has announced they're also bringing a cheerleading game to the Wii in the form of We Cheer.

Seemingly in the same series as their earlier-announced skiing game We Ski, Namco trademarked the name We Cheer with the US Patent and Trademark Office this week.

THQ's All Star Cheer Squad title has been announced to support the Wii Balance Board, but there's no word on any details for We Cheer's support of the peripheral, or a release date for any region so far.