Microsoft employees knew of a disc damaging fault in the Xbox 360 before putting the console on the market, a recently unsealed document involved in an ongoing lawsuit suggests.
The US class-action lawsuit, launched in July 2007, demands compensation from the software giant for a design flaw in the Xbox 360 that results in damaged discs when the machine is tilted.
According to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the document, a declaration by Microsoft's program manager Hiroo Umeno, suggests the company knew that discs could be damaged when the Xbox 360 was reoriented.
"This is ... information that we as a team, optical disc drive team, knew about," said Umeno. "When we first discovered the problem in September or October (2005), when we got a first report of disc movement, we knew this is what's causing the problem."
Sony plans to refresh the PlayStation Portable product line with a PSP-4000 model in late 2009 and launch a true successor at a later date.
Publishing sources, speaking to Eurogamer.net, were unable to provide any further detail on next year's update, which will presumably follow this year's PSP-3000 in taking an iterative approach.
The PSP-3000 launched this October and followed a 2000-series model, the first Slim & Lite, in September 2007.
Even fewer details were available on the PSP successor, but we're told that developers are already working on games.
Sony UK said today that it would not comment on rumour and speculation.
PSP-3000 bundles currently retail for £129.99 the UK following its October launch, and despite sporadic software support and fewer platform-exclusives than Nintendo's DS, strong sales in Japan have propelled it to sales of over 30 million according to Sony's corporate sales website.
The game is set in a near-future version of our planet. Litigiousness and refusal to accept responsibility has grown to such an extent that any product manufactured or sold by anyone, anywhere, has to pass a near-infinite barrage of safety tests. Be it a steamroller, a plimsoll, or a book, it’s got to be safety checked by independent government bodies in triplicate, and only after long-term safety testing can it be unleashed on the general public.
It’s in this world, with its laser-tight focus on safety, and rife with please-don’t-sue-me attitudes, that the lowly Crash Impact Dummy rose to occupy its current position of importance. Back in the old days, Crash Impact Dummies were only used when studying car crashes. As lawsuits became more prevalent, though, Professor B M Werken and D-Troit, joint owners of one of the main Crash Impact Dummy manufacturing plants, saw a gap in the market, and started creating Crash Impact Dummies for other things. They started off with more obvious uses like construction cranes and level crossings, but now make Crash Impact Dummies responsible for checking the safety of sponges, dog toys, contact lenses, you name it.
Professor B M Werken is a man with a history, though. People wonder why he throws himself into his work with such focus, 24/7. He explains that he just wants people to be safe, and the press are usually satisfied with his answer. The truth, though, is a little darker.
Why does the Professor fall out with his friend and business partner, D-Troit, who becomes his arch enemy? What has driven the Professor to become so obsessed with product safety? Why does D-Troit kidnap Mia, the Professors daughter?
About CID The Dummy
A star is born and he's made to last. CID THE DUMMY makes his debut in Oxygen Games’ first multi-platform production. It's an all-new action platformer that is sure to grab you with its enjoyable, fun gameplay, featuring a totally original character with charisma and moves, different fighting styles with which to battle enemies from unarmed combat to weapons like the Bazooka that can freeze, hit and burn.
• Interact as only a crash impact dummy can. Climb walls, swing on ropes, burn obstacles, destroy exploding barrels, use lifters, bounce on springs and with a neat head butt destroy walls all in stunningly realized environments. Game environment interaction is the most important part of the gameplay.
• CID's world is swarming with a host of fearfully fun enemies like the Dumper, Cursed Dummy and the bizarre Failed Experiment.
• Apart from fighting enemies, the player will enjoy solving puzzles, avoiding traps and using acrobatic skills to get out of dangerous situations!
All players can now unlock the Time Trial mode in the recently released demo for Mirror’s Edge available at the PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace. By using any 16 number code (i.e. 0000-0000-0000-000) gamers can experience the thrill of seamlessly stringing moves together in an effort to beat the clock! To unlock the Time Trial mode players need to select Race
Play Time Trial in the main menu of the demo, and then enter the code. Unlocking the game mode works with already downloaded versions of the demo.
The demo features the prologue of the game, a tutorial and sections of the popular Time Trial mode. Time Trial is an addictive mode that challenges players to find the fastest routes throughout the city. Gamers can upload their best time to the Mirror’s Edge online leaderboards for their friends to download and compete against. Players can see their friend’s ‘ghost’ run as they race to the top of the leaderboards.
Mirror’s Edge shipped to retailers worldwide on Nov. 11thfor the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. It will ship to retailers in North America on January 13th and worldwide on January 16th, 2009 for the PC.
Once this city used to pulse with energy; dirty and dangerous, but alive and wonderful. Now it is something else. The changes came slowly at first. Most did not realize or did not care, and accepted them. They chose a comfortable life. Some didn’t… They became our clients.
In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed, your sister has been framed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain, in this city you will learn how to run. From the makers of the groundbreaking Battlefield franchise, Mirror’s Edge is an action-adventure experience unlike any other
Key features
Move yourself:String together an amazing arsenal of wall-runs, leaps, vaults and more, in fluid, acrobatic movements that turns every level of the urban environment to your advantage and salvation.
Immerse yourself: In first person every breath, every collision, every impact is acutely felt. Heights create real vertigo, movements flow naturally, collisions and bullet impacts create genuine fear and adrenaline.
Challenge yourself: Fight or flight. Your speed and agility allow you not only to evade, capture and perform daring escapes, but also to disable and disarm unwary opponents, in a mix of chase, puzzles, strategy and intense combat.
Free Yourself:Runner vision allows you to see the city as they do. See the flow. Rooftops become pathways and conduits, opportunities and escape routes. The flow is what keeps you running – what keeps you alive.
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, and global videogame publisher announced today a new partnership to develop next generation console and iPhone videogames. The first title is scheduled to release in Spring 2010 and will be developed by 505 Games’ newly formed U.S. operations in Los Angeles. 505 Games also has European offices in the UK, and distribution partners around the world.
“505 Games is proud to partner with Michael Phelps to create innovative new gameplay experiences that celebrate active lifestyles, the spirit of competition and the inspirational dream of becoming a champion,” said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games US. “Through swimming, Michael has become an international superstar and role model for people of all ages. With 505 Games’ global reach, we look forward to leveraging the powerful digital entertainment medium to bring Michael’s passion for sports and competition to new audiences around the world.”
505 Games and Phelps are currently in the development stages for the first-of-its-kind videogame that may also include some of his team mates. In addition, 505 Games will donate a portion of the videogame proceeds to the Michael Phelps Foundation.
“I am really excited to partner with 505 Games and work with them to develop a game that is reflective of my personality, lifestyle and competitive nature,” said Phelps. “I believe this will be a tremendous opportunity to help continue my quest to raise the profile for the sport of swimming.”
Phelps, who is represented by Octagon, was recently profiled by CBS News’ “60 Minutes”, named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” and released his third book entitled NO LIMITS: The Will to Succeed.
1 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR ACTIVISION 2 MARIO KART WII NINTENDO 3 FIFA 09 EA SPORTS 4 NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERCOVER EA GAMES 5 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO 6 FALLOUT 3 BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 7 WII PLAY NINTENDO 8 WII FIT NINTENDO 9 GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR REDOCTANE 10 TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD EIDOS 11 LEGO INDIANA JONES: ORIGINAL ADVENTURES LUCASARTS 12 SONIC UNLEASHED SEGA 13 QUANTUM OF SOLACE ACTIVISION 14 MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA 15 LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 16 LITTLEBIGPLANET SONY COMPUTER ENT. 17 GEARS OF WAR 2 MICROSOFT 18 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 THQ 19 FAR CRY 2 UBISOFT 20 PRINCE OF PERSIA UBISOFT
Get set for snow and stockings galore as Nexon's hugely popular and free to play
Christmas is all around, and MapleStory Europe has yet again prepared a special celebratory event for a delightful Christmas that’s full of festive fun, excitement and generous presents.
The Christmas cheer, which starts on December 16th and runs until January 15th, invites players to explore an amazing, special Christmas town full of sparkling Yuletide trimmings and festive spirit. However, with the town short of one very important holiday staple - snow! - players will need to hunt down special Christmas items first if they want the snow to start falling and MapleStory Europe to have a traditional white Christmas.
And what’d Christmas be without gift giving? Players can present each other with items from the Cash Shop, and all players who send a gift item to a fellow player will receive a special Christmas present during the event period. Players also have the opportunity to participate at further events including Cash Shop Sale, 2X EXP and Drop Event, and many more.
MapleStory originally launched in South Korea in April 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the most successful online games of all time, with over 92million registered accounts across the world. MapleStory Europe, which launched in May 2007, is the latest iteration of the completely free to play franchise, and offers gamers in Europe the chance to play MapleStory in five different languages -
As this is the first Christmas since the birth of Myth War 2, the official team have been preparing and will launch two special themed events called Christmas Force and Mugged Santa Princess. Players could just experience a most unforgettable Christmas holiday in MW2 world.
Christmas Force: Each year, Santa honors a pact with Myth War 2, delivering gifts to players in the Myth War world. But each year, Santa finds a clever new way to deliver the gifts. This year, he has decided to test our players to their limits. Only after successfully passing these tests can players get their Xmas presents this year! Good luck!
Mugged Santa Princess:
Santa Princess just loves to give – sometimes, when Santa Clause is occupied, she will deliver gifts for him. But recently, the Santa Rogues mugged her! If you can help Santa Princess get her gifts back, she will definitely pull something special out of her Xmas sack for you!
All of these holiday themed events will be available from December 20. Participate and you may win a chance for yourself to get Saint Pets or Xmas Pets.
The official website to Niki – Rock 'n' Ball, its upcoming arcade platformer, available on WiiWare soon.
What is a ZeLeLi pearl? How does the Amulet work? Where do all the monsters come from? Who is Niki? This and more is revealed on the website together with an exclusive new video that illustrates the intriguing story of Niki - Rock 'n' Ball.
The website offers many new screenshots as well as detailed information about how the game can be played and introduces not only the hero Niki but also the Turbofan, the Bumper and some of the monsters Niki has to fight in his first adventure.
Full Album to be Released as Rock Band DLC Day and Date with the Re-issue of "Ten": Four Special Edition Packages in Stores on March 24, 2009
Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam (http://www.pearljam.com) in 1991, will be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album in stores on March 24, 2009.
Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games and Music for MTV Networks Music / Logo Group, added, “Just hearing the first few notes of Jeremy or Alive brings back all the raw emotion of this incredible, hugely important album. We are honored to be working with Pearl Jam to deliver Ten as it is re-issued.”
In addition to the track “Alive” that is already available on the Rock Band 2 game disc, the Pearl Jam Ten download pack will include the additional 10 songs from the album:
1. Once 2. Even Flow 3. Why Go 4. Black 5. Jeremy 6. Oceans 7. Porch 8. Garden 9. Deep 10. Release
Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached No2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and Jeremy became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert setlists. The album was produced by Rick Parasher. Pearl Jam’s 1991 lineup was Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (guitar), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitar) and Eddie Vedder (vocals).
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