Japan still buying PSP Slim

Initial surge dies down while Halo 3 prompts better 360 numbers

The Sony PlayStation Portable is still selling will in Japan, prompted by the release several weeks ago of the Slim & Lite unit, although numbers have fallen significantly from last week as the initial surge quietens.

According to the latest information from Media Create the handheld sold 102,809 units in the week ending September 30, with Nintendo's DS holding steady on just over 72,000, and the Wii static on 24,000.

The PlayStation 2 and 3 both picked up slightly week on week, but while the Xbox 360 still held sixth position, the release of Halo 3 prompted its numbers to more than triple.

The hardware sales figures in full:

1. PlayStation Portable: 102,809
   
   
2. Nintendo DS: 72,925
   
   
3. Nintendo Wii: 24,143
   
   
4. PlayStation 3: 13,105
   
   
5. PlayStation 2: 12,980
   
   
6. Xbox 360: 5215
   

EA acquires Super Computer International (SCI)

Electronic Arts has announced the acquisition of Super Computer International.

SCI, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a provider of gaming client applications and software tools for the PC. EA will purchase SCI's technology assets and the SCI development team will join EA's Online Technology Group.

Jesper Jensen, SCI's CEO, will continue to lead the team, reporting to Nanea Reeves, EA Vice President and COO for Online.

"SCI's development expertise is uniquely suited to our online technology needs," said Reeves. "The team's technical leadership and creative approach is a great fit, and we're thrilled to have them join EA."

SCI is the creator of PlayLinc, an online game browsing and messaging platform that includes social networking tools such as IM and VoIP, buddy tracking, player invitations, and team management.

Sega forecasts wider losses

First half revenues cut and full year guidance to be reviewed

Sega Sammy Holdings, the parent company for publisher Sega, has revised its financial estimates for its financial first half of the year, with net losses expected to widen from JPY 5 billion (EUR 30.4 million, USD 42.9 million) to JPY 21.5 billion (EUR 130.7 million, USD 184.5 million).

According to a Thomson report the reason for the downturn in expectation is due to "slower-than-expected" sales of Japanese pachinko machines against the backdrop of a "severe business climate."

Revenues have been revised from the original forecast of JPY 310 billion (EUR 1.88 billion, USD 2.67 billion) to JPY 230 billion (EUR 1.40 billion, USD 1.97 billion).

Source: Games Industry

NBA Europe Live - EA Sports tips off

EA and NBA unite the best in real and virtual basketball on European courts this week
CHERTSEY, UK 5 October 2007 – NBA Europe LIVE presented by EA SPORTS™ is bringing some of the world’s best basketball action to fans in Europe this week as EA and NBA unite for the second time. NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS began on 1st October and features the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves in training camps and exhibition games against top Euroleague Basketball clubs in six cities across Turkey, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The first games of this year’s tour are on October 6 in both Istanbul and Rome.

As the presenting partner, EA SPORTS will also conduct a number of events around the launch of the popular new videogame NBA LIVE 08, which will be available across Europe on the Xbox 360™ video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems and the PSP (PlayStation Portable). Wii and PC versions of the game.



“NBA Europe Live is a fantastic platform for EA SPORTS and our partners at the NBA to share our passion for real and virtual basketball with fans and gamers across Europe,” said Matt Bilbey, Senior Director of International Marketing, EA SPORTS. “We’re pleased to continue to be ambassadors for NBA basketball and with the launch of NBA LIVE 08 in Europe today are excited for gamers to be able to celebrate the best basketball action on the virtual court.”

“Following the success of last year’s tour, we are pleased to have EA SPORTS with us again as the presenting sponsor of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, Vice President of Marketing Partnerships & Business Development for NBA Europe. “Once again, this ambitious international competition continues to be a celebration of the game of basketball for fans throughout Europe – both on the court and with NBA LIVE.”

Games

TEAMS - DATE - CITY

ARENA
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors - Oct 6 - Rome - PalaLottomatica
Minnesota Timberwolves v Efes Pilsen Istanbul - Oct 6 - Istanbul Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall
Toronto Raptors v Lottomatica Virtus Roma - Oct 7 - Rome - PalaLottomatica
Memphis Grizzlies v Unicaja Malaga - Oct 9 - Malaga - Palacio de Deportes Jose Manuel Martin Carpena
Boston Celtics v Minnesota Timberwolves - Oct 11 - London - The O2
MMTEstudiantes v Memphis Grizzlies - Oct 11 - Madrid - Palacio de Deportes de la Communidad
Real Madrid v Toronto Raptors - Madrid - Palacio de Deportes de la Communidad


NBA Europe LIVE presented by EA SPORTS is a comprehensive tour of Europe that includes training camps and exhibition games against NBA and Euroleague Basketball teams. During last year’s inaugural NBA Europe, four teams – the San Antonio Spurs, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns - held training camps in France, Russia, Spain and Italy respectively and competed against top Euroleague Basketball teams with exhibition games held in Germany. The tour drew more than 36 million viewers and 115,000 spectators in October 2006.


Building upon a solid foundation of 5-on-5 gameplay, NBA LIVE 08 introduces a set of 4 all-new features in this year’s game – Quickstrike Ballhandling, Own The Paint, Hot Spots and Signature Go-To Moves to increase user control, while providing an unrivaled level of authenticity to the sport of basketball. Use these features to create your own Go-To Moves and take on the best in the world with NBA LIVE 08. For the first time ever, NBA LIVE 08 will also feature eight international teams as part of a multi-year licensing agreement with FIBA, the world governing body for basketball. The game features a number of the NBA’s biggest international stars on packaging across Europe, including the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and Phoenix Suns’ Boris Diaw (France), Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Memphis Grizzlies’ Pau Gasol (Spain) and Toronto Raptors’ Andrea Bargnani (Italy). Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas is featured on packaging in North America and all other territories.

Bee Movie Game Demo Debuts On Xbox Live Marketplace

Bee Movie Game demo is now available for free download

Activision announced today that the Bee Movie Game demo is now available for free download on Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The demo features a full action-packed chase level in which players must learn to navigate an onslaught of New York City street traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions with speeding cars, trucks and other hazards as they experience life from a bee’s perspective.

Bee Movie Game is based on the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film, Bee Movie, from creator Jerry Seinfeld. Bee Movie Game allows players to race, chase, fly and blast their way through the adrenaline-fueled world from the feature film and beyond. As the witty and courageous Barry B. Benson, gamers are propelled on an exciting adventure to save the bees’ production of honey.

Bee Movie Game will be available this fall for the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Games for Windows, Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the Nintendo DS. The Xbox 360, Wii, PS2 and Games for Windows versions are rated “E” (Everyone – Mild Cartoon Violence) and the DS is rated “E” (Everyone – Comic Mischief) by the ESRB.

For more information on Bee Movie Game, please visit www.beemoviegame.com.

Win a giant 3D monitor

LANfest2K7 Offers Gamers The Ultimate 3D Gaming Experience With iZ3D

E-SPORTS SERVICES Pavilion To Feature iZ3D Monitors at All Gaming Stations

One Lucky Gamer Will Win an iZ3D Monitor

LLC, a designer, developer, and marketer of advanced 3D visualization systems, announced today its 22-inch widescreen 3D monitors will be used in all gaming stations in the E-SPORTS Gaming Pavilion at LANFest2K7. Hosted by the popular ecommerce store NewEgg.com, LANFest2K7 will be held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif. on October 5-7, 2007. With over $50,000 in cash and prizes available, attendees are sure to have the ultimate gaming experience.

"We have battle tested our new 22” Widescreen 3D monitors at many gaming events nationwide this year. We watched numerous gamers play the most popular current games on our 3D monitors. You need to experience 3D gaming first hand to understand the thrill of being fully immersed in the game. We listen to the players and take their feedback seriously to prove ourselves to the gaming community," stated Thomas Striegler, CEO of iZ3D, LLC.

“IZ3D has made its mark in the gaming community at many events with ESPORTS this year. The use of iZ3D monitors has put 3D viewing technology to the test. At LANFest2K7 all the monitors in the ESPORTS SERVICES Pavilion are iZ3D monitors for gamers to experience first hand this amazing technology,” stated Ed Tomasi, Vice President ESPORTS SERVICES.

E-SPORTS SERVICES will be hosting mini-tournaments in its Gaming Pavilion at LANFest2K7. With 10 premium PC systems with iZ3D monitors, attendees can sign-up for FREE activities including mini-tournaments and product giveaways including a 22” monitor.

To keep the 3D excitement alive after LANFest2K7, the monitors are available for purchase at www.iz3d.com. Designed to replace a standard 2D monitor, it offers commercial-grade image quality and display brightness, while supporting long-term viewing. The 22” widescreen 3D monitors are priced at $999.00.

iZ3D monitors incorporate advances in technology that create significant competitive, and technical advantages over other displays. iZ3D created an adjustable 3D environment without causing eyestrain, spatial disorientation or headaches. In 3D mode, users can see bright and sharp 3D images wearing passive polarized glasses.

The iZ3D monitor features the first S-3D drivers compatible with popular dual output cards including the NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series and the ATI FireGL™ V3600 workstation graphics accelerator. The S-3D drivers are also optimized to take advantage of Intel’s ® latest Core™ 2 Duo and Intel® Core™2 Quad processor technologies. iZ3D also features drivers that support Microsoft ® DirectX® 8 and 9 graphics in both Windows® XP and Microsoft® Windows VistaTM. iZ3D drivers offer the compatibility benefits of S-3D with fastest video graphics cards and processor power available.

Current PC’s equipped with a dual output video card easily power the monitor. Smart capabilities allow it to be used for regular 2D office tasks as well as 3D viewing. Specifications include: 1680 x 1050 resolution; up to 170-degree 3D viewing angle; 5 ms response time; 600:1 contrast ratio; and 16.7-million colors.

SEGA Rally

Title: SEGA Rally
Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC, PSP
Genre: Racing
Release date: September 28th 2007

GAME OVERVIEW

The introduction of SEGA Rally™ to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport but their popularity, reflecting in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Safari Environment
The first track players will discover in the SEGA Rally Championship is set within the Safari environment. Strewn with animals and glorious views across the plains, players will encounter varying types of surfaces from the very muddy to the very dry. With arching corners that seem to go on for an eternity, it’s a chance for players to throw their cars around whilst wearing a smile from ear to ear.

SEGA Rally has been released across Europe. For more information on SEGA Rally please visit www.segarally.com. For assets please visit www.sega-europe.com.

Eidos unleashes a heavyweight Christmas mobile line-up

Original titles, old favourites and hot new franchises form basis of Eidos' holiday mobile push

Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers of video games, has highlighted its determination to dominate the mobile phone sector with a strong line-up of bespoke titles for which will arrive before Christmas 2007*.

Released via its dedicated New Media division, Eidos is serving up a mix of original titles, classics from yesteryear and licensed properties including:

• Pandemonium: Originally a PSone title developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider: Legend), Pandemonium is a breath-taking platform game set across sweeping, colourful vistas where players take control of Nikki and Fargus; a wizard-in-training with quick reflexes, and a slightly deranged jester with an even more deranged puppet sidekick called Sid. The player is charged with collecting gems and avoiding the enemy hordes as a sweeping camera tracks his every move. Pandemonium is identical to the PSone original in every respect, and is a true statement of intent for the quality Eidos New Media is aiming to deliver to mobile phones.
  
  
  
• Sola Rola: An original title, Sola Rola is a fun mixture of puzzle and action elements in which users control two blobby heroes – Wiz and Waz – as they attempt to save the universe by manipulating shapes. Spanning 25 stages, Sola Rola is crammed with puzzles and uses a unique physics system in which objects and characters can be scaled, tilted and used to solve the increasingly difficult puzzles on offer.
  
  
  
• Championship Manager 2008: Released to coincide with the PC version of the game, the mobile version of Championship Manager 2008 is a fully featured game of what is rightly regarded as the pioneer of football management titles. Developed by the award-winning Dundee based Dynamo Games, the mobile game features all the tactical acumen and logistics of the PC title, with a simple to navigate menu system and 2D match overlay specifically designed for handsets.
  
  
• Kane and Lynch mobile: Inspired by IO Interactive’s highly anticipated title; players can experience 38 adrenaline filled levels through 5 gripping scenarios. The mobile version of Kane and Lynch takes the gritty essence of IO's new blockbuster title and combines it with innovative design to create a unique game for mobile handsets.
  
  
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary Edition: To celebrate ten years of gaming’s most famous archaeologist, Lara Croft will star in a new adventure taking in familiar locations from her past. Inspired by the first three Tomb Raider mobile phone games, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Anniversary faithfully preserves the elements which made the original mobile games some of the best available on the mobile platform. Taut, and fast-paced, this is a perfect tribute to one of gaming’s true legends and the first title to come from new British Developer, FinBlade.

“The mobile sector is on the cusp at the moment and we are responding to market demands with a strong line-up that more than meets current consumer and operator demands,” said Simon Protheroe, New Media and IT Director at Eidos. “We believe that Eidos Mobile has an incredible bespoke range of titles for mobile gamers, we’re looking to attract new consumers to the genre by raising the quality of the end offering – this Christmas has never been a better time to buy your first mobile phone game.”

For full details of Eidos New Media’s mobile phone titles and release dates, please visit http://www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/ for more information.

My Sims Capsule Collection

Just released in the UK - My Sims is the latest launch from EA within The Sims franchise – created especially for Wii and Nintendo DS the game delivers all the creativity and personal expression expected from The Sims but developed in a kitsch new world.

To celebrate its launch MySims has commissioned 4 of the UK’s hottest fashion designers to create a dual purpose capsule collection based on the core attributes of the game – Self Expression, Customisation, Creativity and Collectability.

Much like the world of fashion My Sims takes you into a world where personal style is everything and personalising your world is your right!

Each item works to enhance the My Sims Wii or DS experience BUT also brings the MySims world into your world. Strictly limited edition and available from 8th Oct at www.TheSims2.co.uk/mysims with all profits going to Great Ormand Street
Giles Deacon – Eek Wii-mote/Bag talisman – based on Giles’ signature avatar Eek will come with special My Sims elements designed to stimulate the mind or just act as good luck. RRP £35
Cassette Playa – Stuck on My Sims – Cassette Playa puts a unique twist on the MySims world with a series of vinyl and foil artworks rooted in customisation – give your DS that My Sims make-over or simply customise your phone, laptop, nails or notebook. RRP £15
House of Holland – My Sims Pouch Tee – designed for DS on the go, with a seamed in DS pouch/pocket – this limited edition tee bears the cult signature of Henry Holland’s irreverent take on life – with the slogan ‘Life Begins With MySims’. RRP £40
Tatty Divine – My Sims Sushi Bag – designed to perfectly carry your Wii mote on the go, Tatty Divine’s exclusive bag takes design inspiration from MySim’s sushi chef, and features hundreds of glittering Swarovski crystals. RRP £150
Bright, colourful, inventive & intuitive, these cool accessories are an insiders must have!

Sony offers cut-price PlayStation

A cut price PlayStation 3 (PS3) with a smaller hard drive and no backwards compatibility with previous consoles goes on sale later this month.
The £299 PS3 has a 40-gigabyte hard disk and will be released in Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Sony has also slashed the price of the 60GB model from £425 to £349, as it hopes to ignite sales.

0ore from BBC