Online games hours dropping...

Statistics show an overall drop in hours played for top ten games

Average hours spent by Xfire users daily playing World of Warcraft have dropped by nearly 18 per cent from August numbers, according to data from the community and data application for the month of September.

It sets a pattern which is mirrored across many of the other top ten MMOs, with second-placed Guild Wars showing a 13 per cent drop and third-placed Silkroad Online falling over 27 per cent.

One of the likely main reasons for the drop is the end of the summer holidays for schools and colleges across Europe and the US.

Other key MMO titles remained relatively static, with MapleStory, Flyff and Eve Online taking fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively. Lord of the Rings Online remained in eighth place.

The top ten first-person shooters have also fallen across the board, although there was no change in the top five most played titles.

Call of Duty 2 Multiplayer and Counter-Strike Source took the top slots convincingly, although they lost around 12 per cent and 18 per cent of their audiences respectively.

Battlefield 2, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and Counter-Strike 1.6 rounded off the top five.

September's bonus statistic compared all World War II games, and unsurprisingly Call of Duty 2 Multiplayer was also top of that list, with other Call of Duty titles also taking third and fourth places.

Xfire is an application which tracks gameplay statistics for its user base of over 8 million, based mostly in Europe and North America.

PS3 prices slashed by Sony in Japan

40GB model for a cheaper price than the 20GB unit

Sony has announced further price cuts for the PlayStation 3 in Japan, as well as the introduction of the 40GB model to the region.

The 40GB unit, which lacks backwards compatibility, memory card slots and some USB ports, will actually sell for less than the 20GB unit in the region.

The 20GB model will now retail for JPY 44,980, down from JPY 49,980, effective from October 17.

The 40GB model will sell for JPY 39,980 when it's introduced to the market on November 11.

And the 60GB model, which currently retails for around JPY 60,000, will drop to JPY 54,980.

Sony initiated a change in its PAL PS3 business plan late last week by introducing a new 40GB model to market and dropping the price of the 60GB unit.

It then emerged yesterday that the 60GB unit would actually be discontinued as soon as all current stocks were sold, leaving only the lower spec SKU on the market.

40GB model to come in two different colours

The newly revealed 40GB PlayStation 3 will be available in Ceramic White for Japanese customers, as well as the standard black model, SCEJ has revealed.

Priced at JPY 39,980, the new model PlayStation 3 will go on sale November 11 in the region. A White DualShock 3 controller will also go on sale for JPY 5500 separately.

Earlier today, Sony Japan announced further price cuts for the 60GB and 20GB PlayStation 3 units, ahead of the busy Christmas retail period.

Source: Games Industry

Microsoft Bet Big on Halo 3

In its first 24 hours on store shelves, Microsoft's epic video game, Halo 3, earned a record-breaking $170 million in sales. Halo 3's sales broke records set not just by other video games but by theatrical releases like Spider-Man 3 and the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Of course, the sales were no accident. Microsoft tied a huge marketing campaign to the game, and if the sales had come in less than $100 million, it would have been very tough for the company to swallow. Why is Halo 3 so important to Microsoft? That requires some explaining.

It started in November 2001, when Microsoft entered the crowded video game marketplace with its Xbox video game console. With stiff competition from Sony's (SNE ) Playstation 2 and Nintendo's Gamecube, Microsoft's Xbox was able to withstand the opposition thanks to a video game called Halo: Combat Evolved. Developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft exclusively for the Xbox, Halo: Combat Evolved was the story of a futuristic war between humans and a team of aliens called the Covenant that is determined to rid the galaxy of the human race.

With its intriguing story and amazing state-of-the-art graphics and game-play controls, Halo: Combat Evolved not only sold more than a million copies in its first six months, it also contributed to sales of a large percentage of Xbox consoles as nearly half of the consoles were packaged with the video game. In essence, the game became a sales driver for the Xbox consoles.

For the 2004 sequel, Halo 2, Bungie Studios upped the ante, adding more peripherals including online play through it's Xbox Live service, which cost $49.99 a year. Halo 2 sold 2.4 million copies in its first 24 hours, earning as much as $125 million - including millions in sales of Xbox Live subscriptions.

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Church asks Sony to remove Bafta game

Church leaders have called for Sony's PlayStation 3 game Resistance: Fall of Man to be removed from the awards nomination list at the 2007 British Academy Video Games Awards.

Sony came under fire in June after church officials discovered that the game included a fire-fight scene set in Manchester Cathedral which used depictions of the building without permission.

Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, said at the time: "For a global manufacturer to recreate one of our great cathedrals with photo-realistic quality and encourage people to have gun battles in the building is beyond belief and highly irresponsible."

Following a meeting with the church, Sony apologised unreservedly for its actions and took out a full-page advert in the Manchester Evening News expressing its regret over the incident.

Due to its high sales, Resistance: Fall of Man is up for a PC World Gamers Award at the Video Games Awards.

Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender, has lashed out at Bafta for allowing the game to make the short-list.

"Sony has admitted that it did not have permission to film or use Manchester Cathedral in its computer game and has said that it is 'confident there is no legal requirement for us to seek permission'," he said in a statement.

"Bafta should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors, ignoring contracts, rights and liability."

The 2007 British Academy Video Games Award will be held at Battersea Evolution on 23 October.

Toyota Builds It Own Video Game

Toyota has launched its own video game. It can be downloaded through the internet connection on Xbox Live. The game in which "the new Toyota Yaris has a giant tentacle that reaches out of its roof to shoot enemies as it races through a futuristic tunnel, sometimes within inches of soaring fireballs", is the newest thing in marketing, according to The New York Times.

Is the approach a better way to get the attention of young drivers than running regular ads in games? The answer is almost certainly "yes". The game is free and probably fun to play.

But, an auto game, especially on involving any violence, begins to associate Toyota with the seamy side of the video game market. It is championed by "Grand Theft Auto" and is a culture of using cars to commit crimes and destroy enemies.

Toyota may be entering a portion of the video game market that is very different from its public image as a builder of reliable, fuel-efficient cars. And, the potential PR back-lash is not something it was expecting.

Panzer Tactics DS Video

Developer commentary in new video delivers first impressions of upcoming Nintendo DSTM strategy title

The first in a new series of four “Producer in a Box” videos for the upcoming strategy title Panzer Tactics DS is now available for download. This first video in the series introduces viewers to the first authentic, turn-based WWII strategy game for the Nintendo DS™. In the video, project manager Johanna Schober from Austrian development studio Sproing explains the game’s different play modes and starts one of the first missions.

The video is available for download from:
www.panzertactics.com

Three more videos – due to be released over the coming weeks – will showcase the wide variety of units, special commando units and officers as well as the game’s comprehensive multi-player mode. Panzer Tactics DS will be released in the US, Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the fourth quarter of 2007 exclusively for the Nintendo DS

Story

1939: The world stands on the brink of one of the greatest armed conflicts in the history of mankind: the Second World War. Players assume command of the most powerful armies of the time: The German Wehrmacht, the Soviet Army or the Allied Forces. Experience the demanding strategic level of the conflict n three historically-based campaigns for the first time ever on a handheld platform.

Features

• Three exciting single-player campaigns on the side of the German Wehrmacht, the Soviet Army or the Allied Forces
  
• 30 nerve-wracking, historical missions, including undercover missions behind enemy lines
  
• Over 150 different marine, land and air units as well as 20 different special attacks
  
• 30 heroic officers who provide their units additional motivation
  
• Exceptional depth of play and complex computer opponent behaviour make the game playable again and again
  
• Multi-player mode for up to 4 players on 10 different multi-player maps (LAN, Wi-Fi, Hot Seat mode)
  
• Online ranking table
  
• Playable using stylus, buttons or a combination of both
  
• Optional bonus mission goals to unlock additional missions and tactical optimizations
  
• Wide variety of combat animations for all units and a wide range of special effects for explosion and weather depiction
  

Fable - third instalment out now

Get up close and personal with the CTG at Lionhead in the third installment of the studio’s video diary series, which is available for viewing and download at www.lionhead.com and on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Currently recovering from the studio’s 10th Anniversary bash, which included several man hours to create elaborate costumes, fireworks, and an all-around good time, the team is hard at work on “Fable 2” for Xbox 360, the highly-anticipated follow up to the best-selling, Xbox exclusive “Fable.” Members of the CTG took time out of their busy development schedules to describe in detail what it takes to be “a geek,” as well as create the tools and technology that Lionhead is using to create the unique gameplay of “Fable 2,” such as the one-button combat system and crescendo action sequences.

The diary, which runs a little more than seven minutes in length, and is intercut with a recap of the 10th Anniversary Party, includes anecdotes and laugh-out-loud commentary from programmers, staging designers, producers and a “technical master chef;” who describe how CTG’s work feeds back into the development of “Fable 2,” and the case of the “missing fog machine.”

That’s all for now, but please look for continued behind the scenes tours of Lionhead and more installments of the video diary in the future.

Clive Barker's - Jericho playable Demo out now

We're delighted to inform you that the playable demo is now available for download!

Arming players with the Jericho squad’s military firepower and unique supernatural powers, the demo is now available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Games for Windows demo available from www.jericho-game.com and from PlayStation Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Added To Wii

This week, Nintendo adds another delicious category to its smorgasbord of classic titles. NEOGEO games will now be appearing in the Wii Shop Channel for download. NEOGEO becomes the sixth platform represented in the Wii Shop Channel, and it adds additional depth and breadth to the best selection of classic games available.

Hard-core gamers will especially appreciate the vibrant, arcade-quality graphics and the ability to finally play games they might have missed during the NEOGEO heyday. The first NEOGEO offering includes three fighting games that are a mix of familiar franchises and cult classics. Dive in and check out the deep game play, diverse characters and special moves and combos.

The three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

FATAL FURY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Violence, 900 Wii Points):

Released in 1991 and one of the longest-running series in the fighting-game genre, this title introduced players to Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. Select one of the three and visit many locations as your chosen fighter engages in numerous street fights around the fictional city of South Town. If you're good enough, you'll eventually take on Billy Kane and then his boss, the notorious crime lord Geese Howard. Use each fighter's own finishing maneuver and battle in two different planes on the screen, one in the foreground and the other farther away in the background. The game also features a two-player mode that is well known for its unique setup, which allows fighters to both fight and help each other. Do you have what it takes to win the King of Fighters tournament?

WORLD HEROES (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points):

A fighting game released in 1992 featuring eight characters, including Hanzo, Janne and Rasputin, modeled on historical figures from throughout the ages. The fighters compete against each other to become the world's toughest combatant, with players using a setup consisting of only three buttons (one each for punching, kicking and throwing). Adding to this unique system is the fact that the strength of your offensive blow depends on how long the button is pressed and held. Along with regular match styles, Death Match mode is also available and features mines, electrified ropes and other dangerous objects in the battle arena that can change conditions during the fight or damage players. Enjoy the wide range of combat forms as you take on history's best!

ART OF FIGHTING (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points):

This fighting game, released in 1992, began the story of the Sakazaki family and Robert Garcia, further developed in two later sequels. Yuri Sakazaki has been abducted by Mr. Big to punish her father, Takuma, and her brother, Ryo. To rescue her, Ryo and Robert must take on numerous enemies around South Town, eventually reaching the mysterious Mr. Karate. The passion of the game's creators is evident in the unique game-play elements introduced. These include an energy gauge that is depleted every time a fighter uses a special maneuver, Desperation Attacks that are usable only when a fighter's health is low and camera zooming that adjusts on the fly as fighters move around the stage. All these features ensure that players use strategy and tactics, rather than simply mash buttons. Adding to the mix are little touches such as characters showing cuts when they are injured and voice-over samples during cut scenes. Can you perfect the art of fighting and save Yuri?

Conan official game demo is now available for free download

Conan official game demo is now available for free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system for Microsoft, while PLAYSTATION Network will offer the demo beginning October 11. The game demo allows players to take on the role of Conan and test their skills with a number of fighting moves, combinations and weapons. The Conan video game is scheduled for a North American release on October 23 for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

“The 75th anniversary of Robert E. Howard’s first published story and the popularity of Conan provide a great backdrop for us to offer consumers a power-packed, action adventure video game this year,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. ”The playable demo will give players a chance to step into the world of Conan, sample a variety of deadly attacks and explore an environment recognizable to fans of Howard’s original stories.”

About the Conan Playable Demo

In the Conan playable demo, the famed barbarian finds himself stranded in the Barachan Isles, a haven for pirates and thieves. A terrible plague known as the Black Death has spread across the land, and Conan must escape before it consumes him as well. Fortunately, Conan crosses paths with the beautiful and fearless warrior queen, A’Kanna, whose ship can provide safe passage from the cursed islands. However, Conan must first save the ship’s crew, which has been enslaved by the local cutthroats. Players will take on the role of Conan as he unleashes his savagery against a horde of scurvy pirates. The demo will allow players to execute a portion of the game’s 100+ fighting moves and combinations as Conan decimates his foes using a variety of deadly weapons, hand-to-hand combat and even his surrounding environment.

About the Conan Video Game

Conan is an action adventure video game featuring a story of true evil and brutal, visceral combat. Inspired by Robert E. Howard’s original stories, players will follow the journey of Conan the Cimmerian as he fights an epic battle against a variety of enemies and an elusive power that threatens to consume the Hyborian world. Playing as Conan, players will take advantage of a deep and gratifying combat system that offers a variety of deadly weapons, fighting styles and interactive environments to battle hordes of enemies. In addition, the Conan video game will harness the power of next generation hardware to deliver a cinematic gameplay experience, complete with special effects, lighting and a powerful, epic soundtrack, to capture the essence of the Conan universe. The Conan video game joins a robust lineup of licensed products for the Conan brand, which is currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of its first published story.

More information about the Conan video game can be found at www.conanthevideogame.com and www.thq.com.