BUYERS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME CONSOLES

There is now a video games console to suit practically every need, taste and budget. But the range and diversity of gaming systems, never mind the games themselves is a daunting prospect to the uninitiated.

Today’s systems offer much more. Are you an online gamer? Are childrens’ games a priority? Want to take full advantage of that 50-inch flat-screen plasma TV? Or are you just looking for cheap hassle-free fun with friends and family?

Conclusion:

Nintendo Wii is the best console for families

Nintendo DS Lite is the best handheld console

PlayStation 2 is the best budget console

Xbox 360 is the best console for online gaming

The new PlayStation 3 is the best high-definition video games console

Once you’ve decided what you want the console for and which one to get, where next? Here are the key things to keep in mind to buy a games console in complete confidence:

1. Watch out for worthless extras

Many shops offer bundle deals in addition to selling stand-alone consoles. Typically they throw a load of games in for “free”. While the savings can be substantial with such deals they can also be illusionary. Are the “free” games on offer actually worth having? If you are not careful you could end up spending more than you intended on games you will never play so check them out first.

2. Make sure all the essentials are included

Do not assume everything you need to get your console working will come in the box. Extras you may need to purchase separately may include additional handsets for multiplayer games; subscriptions for online gaming; and special cables which will boost the audio and visual performance of your unit.

3. Compare Prices

Retail competition in this market is fierce, so shop around for the best prices. Game (and to a lesser extend) console prices vary wildly from place to place, so doing research in advance and checking prices on-line makes sense. Unless you really need to buy the latest blockbuster on day of its release, wait a month or two - all games are reissued on budget labels and console prices also fall over time.

4. Duck and Dive

Staff at specialist computer games stores are much more likely to have expert knowledge than their equivalents at supermarkets and the like. But if the supermarket is cheaper, don’t be afraid to take advice from one place and buy in another. Also, consider asking the specialist store for a discount if you know the product is available for less elsewhere.

5. Read Expert Reviews

Don’t know your Halos from your Half-Lifes? Websites such as ProductSifter (dot) com, Gamerankings.com and Metacritic.com all have excellent reviews and rankings for a wide range of video console and game products.

6. Test before you buy

Many games shops have in-store demo units, so you can take a game or a console for a test run before you buy. Remember, you can also rent video games or use online clubs like Swapgame.com to cut costs further.

7. Check the age ratings

Every video game should have an age rating. In Europe, the Pan-European Game Information standard is used. It is not legally binding, but offers a clear guide to parents about a game’s suitability for children. Also, any game featuring mature or realistic content is rated by the British Board of Film Classification.

Move over Halo 3: Online games offer free play

Some video game publishers have stopped charging for their games in the hope that once hooked - players will pay for special features.

For all the hype about Microsoft's Halo 3 video game, 10 times as many people have played the hit online game Diner Dash.

Unlike Halo 3, which is played on Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console and targets hard-core gamers willing to part with $60, Diner Dash is a so-called casual game - an inexpensive, easy-to-learn online game that appeals to a wider audience.

Casual games are played on a Web site or downloaded and, due to the cheaper format, they don't bring in the kind of money that traditional video games generate. While Halo 3 took in $170 million in the first 24 hours after its release last week, the casual game industry struggles to get players, particularly young ones, to pay up.

Source: Money CNN

FIA World Rally Championship

Greatest spectator sport in the world revs up and premiers on mobile !

I-play, the mobile entertainment company, today announced the global launch of ‘FIA World Rally Championship’, the mobile game based on one of the most exciting spectator sports in the world. For the first time ever, mobile gamers can experience the most dynamic and challenging motorsport imaginable, pitting their skills to overcome every extreme weather condition possible on all types of demanding terrain.

Featuring the 16 official WRC locations, players must master four challenging environments and road surfaces in both arcade and championship modes – all against the clock! Bonus points are awarded for crowd pleaser stunts and extra rallies and car upgrades come as unlockable features. The game also features cinematic camera angles; third person driving views; track hazards such as logs, boulders and crashed cars as well as the official WRC music and sound effects!

The ‘FIA World Rally Championship’ is the only officially licensed WRC mobile game. This world-renowned franchise is recreated through original visual settings with the intense environments that the World Rally Championship epitomizes.

Millions of fans attend live WRC events every year and the WRC website alone regularly attracts over 500,000 visitors a month from five separate continents. The target audience for the mobile game includes the 18-35 year old racing fans, speed enthusiasts and thrill seekers who make up WRC’s fan base.

David Gosen, President, I-play, commented: “High speed frenzied action, with detailed and incredibly high quality graphics, will raise WRC above and beyond any other mobile rally racing game. Staying true to I-play’s casual development philosophy, the game will incorporate ‘one thumb’ play and will be easy to get into, but challenging to master.”

Simon Long, Managing Director of International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC), commented: “We are delighted to partner with I-play in introducing the first Official FIA World Rally Championship game on mobile. This platform delivers WRC content in a new format to a new generation of gamers who are able to experience the high-octane challenge of the WRC, on demand. High quality full rally simulation is now accessible in bite-size chunks relevant to modern lifestyles, bringing WRC directly into the hands of a global fan base.”

The 2D game is developed internally by I-play and the 3D game by I-play’s developer partners at Firemint. Both games are being distributed globally across I-play’s extensive network.

Juiced 2 - Hot Import Nights Video Game

THQ has signed a major co-marketing agreement with mobile media company 3, one of the world's largest mobile network operators.

The 3 agreement allows for the company to be included in THQ’s video game Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights scheduled to release later this Autumn for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Nintendo DS and Windows PC.

“To be able to offer 3 the ideal position between mobile and console games with Juiced 2 – THQ’s sequel to a two-million selling Juiced franchise is very exciting for mobile entertainment, " said Adam Comiskey, International Vice-President, THQ Wireless.

"This is yet again an original marketing move for THQ Wireless. Through this integration, thousands of gamers around the world will potentially see the 3 logo within the Juiced 2 video game,” said James Scalpello, Director of Marketing, THQ Wireless.

"Juiced 2 is a great opportunity to reach out to a significant segment of our customers,” said Fergal Walker, Director of products, 3UK. “3’s prominent positioning within this video game enhances our credentials as the market-leader in mobile gaming."

Under the new agreement, the 3 brand will be fully integrated into the mass market console video games. In addition, the Juiced 2 mobile game will be available for download directly from the 3 portal. In the game, players can create and customize a 3 branded car, designing everything from hot hatches to super cars. They can spray paint, choose modifications and race the 3 car to stunning effects.

About Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights

Juiced 2: HIN evolves the current street racing scene, letting players experience the culture of the real-life HIN tour, the nation’s largest lifestyle custom car show in an intense racing experience. Featuring track and drift racing at real-world locations around the globe, next-gen AI and unparalleled vehicle customization, Juiced 2: HIN brings street racing to life, allowing players to test their skills at live street racing events against a back-drop of DJs, fashion, models and musicians. Groundbreaking new features include addictive drift/ powersliding races and “Driver DNA” that tracks gamers’ personal driving traits. 

These profiles, along with the profiles of select celebrities will be available for download across all online gaming systems. Elite racing developer Juice Games has evolved the game-play that revolutionized online racing, giving players the power to create their car, assemble their crew and put it all on the line in intense pink slip and crew races. Gamers will also be able to bet cash on each event, bringing a gambling element to the game that greatly increases the importance of each race.

Harry Gregson-Williams To Product Score Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfar

Award-Winning Composer Leads Soundtrack to Infinity Ward's Epic Thriller

Infinity Ward and Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) have announced that award-winning Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ will feature an original score by Stephen Barton with the Main Theme & Music Production provided by award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Gregson-Williams’ work has been featured in numerous feature films, television series, and videogames with credits including Enemy of the State, Man on Fire, Spy Game , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Team America: World Police. The soundtrack for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was performed and recorded by a full orchestra, largely at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, England.

“Harry Gregson-Williams was the perfect choice to craft an immersive and rich soundtrack that matches the heightened atmosphere and tension of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” says Grant Collier, Studio Head at Infinity Ward. “Harry’s wealth of experience, passion and intensity together with the talents of young composer, Stephen Barton, shine through in the score draws gamers deeper into the epic and cinematic experience that is Call of Duty 4.”

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for Xbox 360, Windows PC and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system will begin deployment on Tuesday, November 5, 2007 and has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong Language, Blood and Gore. The game will also be available for and Nintendo DS and has been rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB for Teen for Blood and Violence.

Players anxious to answer the call can visit www.charlieoscardelta.com for additional information and exclusive updates.

Little Britain gets Glu'd to Mobile

Little Britain characters to debut on mobile

Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU), a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced a partnership with Granada Ventures to develop and publish a mobile game based on the award-winning Little Britain TV series.

Following on from the highly successful Little Britain – the Video Game on PS2, PSP and PC published on the Blast label by Mastertronic – the mobile game will include four mini-games exclusively for mobile featuring a number of action-packed challenges and adventures themed around the most popular characters including roller-skating Vicky Pollard and fat-fighter Marjorie Dawes. The game will also feature the voices of Little Britain creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams with narration from Tom Baker.

In addition, Glu will publish additional mobile entertainment content. The Little Britain game will be distributed primarily across the UK, Australia and New Zealand via Glu’s extensive network of operator partners.

“Little Britain is one of the UK’s most successful comedy shows of the decade. Creating and distributing the first mobile game for the brand is an exciting challenge and supports our strategy of developing relevant, engaging content and making it widely available,” says Patrick Mork, Marketing Director, EMEA. “Bringing Little Britain to the mobile screen is yet another example of Glu’s commitment to give fans yet another way to connect with the content and brands they love.”

Van Uong, Licensing Manager, Granada Ventures, adds “Little Britain is incredibly popular among mobile gaming’s core audience of 18 to 34 year olds, making it a perfect title to bring to the mobile platform. The game will be true to the original concepts of Little Britain incorporating all of the most popular characters, giving fans a unique experience made just for mobile Glu’s expertise in developing quality games and bringing them to a vast audience will create a truly engaging experience for existing fans, whilst also welcoming a new audience to the world of Little Britain.”

Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock

Master Tracks from Aerosmith, The Killers, Slipknot, and Sonic Youth Added

Activision announce additional songs to be included in the main set list for the highly-anticipated title, Guitar Hero III - Legends of Rock. While delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their vast catalogs of music, along with supplying artists' original recordings for even greater authenticity.

The additional tracks include:

· Same Old Song and Dance (by Aerosmith)
· Helicopter (by Bloc Party)
· Stricken (by Disturbed)
· Monsters (by Matchbook Romance)
· Before I Forget (by Slipknot)
· Kool Thing (by Sonic Youth)
· When You Were Young (by The Killers)
· Devil Went Down to Georgia (as made famous by Charlie Daniels Band)
· Sunshine of Your Love (as made famous by Cream)
· Holiday in Cambodia (as made famous by Dead Kennedys)
· Cliffs of Dover (as made famous by Eric Johnson)
· Hit Me with Your Best Shot (as made famous by Pat Benetar)
· Black Magic Woman (as made famous by Santana)
· Story of My Life (as made famous by Social Distortion)
· Pride and Joy (as made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn)
· The Seeker (as made famous by The Who)
· Black Sunshine (as made famous by White Zombie)

In addition to the newly announced tracks, previously announced songs in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock include:

· Miss Murder (by AFI)
· Minus Celsius (by Backyard Babies)
· Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
· Hier Kommt Alex (by Die Toten Hosen)
· Through Fire and Flames (by Dragonforce)
· In the Belly of a Shark (by Gallows)
· Welcome to The Jungle (by Guns N' Roses)
· Avalancha (by Heroes Del Silencio)
· Take This Life (by In Flames)
· Number of the Beast (by Iron Maiden)
· Ruby (by Kaiser Chiefs)
· Closer (by Lacuna Coil)
· Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
· One (by Metallica)
· Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
· Mauvais Garcon (by NAAST)
· Even Flow (by Pearl Jam)
· Lay Down (by Priestess)
· Bulls on Parade (by Rage Against The Machine)
· 3's and 7's (by Queens of the Stone Age)
· Suck My Kiss (by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
· Generation Rock (by Revolverheld)
· Raining Blood (by Slayer)
· Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
· Radio Song (by Superbus)
· The Metal (by Tenacious D)
· I'm in the Band (by The Hellacopters)
· Anarchy in the U.K. (by The Sex Pistols)
· Reptillia (by The Strokes)
· Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
· My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
· Slash's Original Boss Battle Recording
· Tom Morello's Original Boss Battle Recording
· School's Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
· Paranoid (as made famous by Black Sabbath)
· Cities on Flame (as made famous by Blue Oyster Cult)
· Slow Ride (as made famous by Foghat)
· Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)
· Rock and Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
· Mississippi Queen (as made famous by Mountain)
· Rock You Like a Hurricane (as made famous by Scorpions)
· La Grange (as made famous by ZZ Top)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will include explosive new content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the most popular rock songs ever recorded.

For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform, including exclusive Gibson Guitar's Les Paul model for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii home video game system from Nintendo, and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. PlayStation 2 gamers will also get to shred on a new exclusive shape, Gibson's Kramer guitar, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, published by RedOctane and developed by Neversoft, is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB and will be available October 28, 2007. For more information about the Guitar Hero franchise, please visit the dedicated community site: www.guitarhero.com.

EA GOES FULL-THROTTLE WITH NEED FOR SPEED PROSTREET SOUNDTRACK

New Installment of Top-Selling Race Game Fueled By Explosive International Styles Plus Original Score By Junkie XL

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the complete soundtrack for Need for Speed ProStreet, which is set for release across Europe on 23rd November , 2007 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Wii as well as the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, PC and mobile. The soundtrack features over 35 songs from artists representing a volatile range of styles, along with an original score by internationally renowned DJ/Producer/Musician Junkie XL that captures the skill, risk and velocity of pro street racing culture.

“The Need for Speed franchise has set the worldwide standard for not only racing games, but their soundtracks as well,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. “Now for the first time, Need for Speed ProStreet takes street racing from the underground to pro level with a music mix to match. We've brought together an unprecedented collection of artists that represents an international convergence of emerging Rock, aggressive Electro, UK Grime and much more, including a truly dangerous original score by our Artwerk artist Junkie XL. In a still-outlaw culture that demands complete authenticity, we have blended the ultimate audio racing fuel.”

In addition to the explosive lead track “More” from Junkie XL, the Need for Speed ProStreet soundtrack also features premiere songs from Artwerk artists Datarock and Airbourne. Additional highlights include tracks from the most recent albums by Avenged Sevenfold, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, TV on the Radio, and UNKLE, featuring Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. The new rave scene is represented by Mercury Prize winners Klaxons, electronica by Peaches and MSTRKRFT, dance punk by Bloc Party, and dubstep by UK sensations Wiley.

To hear samplings of each song please visit www.ea.com/eatrax/

The soundtrack completes a racing experience like no other. In Need for Speed ProStreet, gamers can design and build a car to compete in iconic locations from around the globe and battle in four distinct racing styles- grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. The atmosphere is electric - complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke - all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down.

Need for Speed ProStreet also continues the tradition of featuring the most desirable street racing cars. This November, Need for Speed ProStreet is the first full packaged videogame where gamers can test drive the Nissan GTR before its launch in Spring of 2008.

Handheld Learning Conference and Exhibition

Technology in Motion at Handheld Learning 2007

Leading lights in portable technology to unveil exciting new products at the Handheld Learning Conference and Exhibition 2007 Wednesday 3rd October/... In reflection of its growing importance, the third annual Handheld Learning Conference and Exhibition has again attracted a number of high profile sponsors. The likes of Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Nintendo, Samsung and T-Mobile UK will be demonstrating new learning technology at the event taking place on 10-12th October 2007 at Central Hall Westminster, London.

Samsung is launching a new product line at Handheld Learning 2007 specifically designed for the education sector. RedHalo – the next generation managed learning platform for mobile devices – will be offering a free 1Gb online personal learning space for every primary and secondary school student in the United Kingdom.

Plus UK education technology specialist RM will be announcing a new product line, and Promethean will be introducing Activexpression, a new student response system, for the first time in the UK.

T-Mobile is exhibiting at Handheld Learning 2007, demoing the latest mobile broadband technology and what opportunities this will present in education.

Derek Williamson, Head of Business Development, T-Mobile UK, says:
“We are proud to be sponsors of this year's Handheld Learning conference. High-speed, ‘mobile broadband’ networks have the ability to completely transform how, when and where we learn. In the next five years we will see mobile technology start to deliver education in a new, interactive and exciting way that will benefit pupils and teachers alike. The conference is a fantastic forum to generate ideas, debate and plans for how mobile technology can be exploited in learning in the future.”

For more information about the Handheld Learning Conference and Exhibition, go to
www.handheldlearning2007.com

Havok Comes to You with a Halo!

Halo 3 arrives with immersive Havok PhysicsTM environments

Halo 3, the most eagerly anticipated first-person shooter of the decade, developed by Bungie Studios, hit the shelves this week with the assistance of Havok, the premier provider of interactive software and services to digital creators in the games and movie industries. Halo 3 is released exclusively for Xbox 360.

Halo 3 is the final game in the Halo trilogy, which started with “Halo: Combat Evolved”. The game picks up where "Halo 2" left off, answering the questions for the millions of fans left wondering since November 2004. The Master Chief is returning to Earth to finish the fight to save humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien coalition known as the Covenant. The game offers single, co-operative and on-line multiplayer modes.

To create the immersive game environments, Bungie once again chose Havok Physics™. Havok’s continuous physics technology is used to drive the behavior of a wide variety of objects in the game. Bodies fly through the air using ragdoll physics, vehicles explode showering debris onto their surroundings, and new additions such as the portable gravity lift and the “mancannon” propel players through the world. Havok is also used for special effects, including plants swaying in a jungle and flood tentacles hanging from a ceiling. The scalability and solid performance possible with Havok Physics™ ensures that the player has a fully immersive experience in any situation.

"Havok's flexibility and ease of use have made it one of our cornerstone development tools and almost a recognizable "character" within the Halo 3 engine. Its elegance and scalability mean that it adds features and value to our engine, and yet integrates seamlessly without impacting performance." said Eamon McKenzie, Physics Engineer, Bungie Studios

“We are very proud to have been involved with the development of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3.This final chapter in the Halo trilogy is a fantastic first person shooter game with a great array of characters and weapons.” said David O’Meara, Managing Director of Havok. “The use of cutting edge physics by the talented development team at Bungie in creating the reactive environments in Halo 3 adds to the tension and excitement for the player, ensuring the cult status of this historic game.”