Sony panned to drop UMD in PSPs well before the PSP Go was announced

The Japanese website GameBusiness claims, in an interview with Naoya Matsui, Sony planned the demise of the UMD a long time ago.

In the interview, he claimed that Sony always planned to release a handheld gamer, like the PSP Go, without a UMD drive.

"We'd planned to release a PSP model without a UMD drive since the very beginning," he's reported as saying.

No physical media

According to Matsui, Sony has been waiting for the electronic delivery mechanisms to mature sufficiently to make physical media redundant.

He explained: "We wanted to release it when the delivery of digital content was on par with the delivery of physical media. That's what we've been working on these past two years."



Whether Sony really did have the UMD's demise planned when the original PSP launched in 2004, we'll never really know, but come October's PSP Go launch, we'll definitely get a feel for life without those unloved little disks.

Play takes 200 billion ISKs in EVE Online video game Fraud

The latest major scandal in EVE Online, the space MMO notable for its large, player-driven economy and the entertaining stories it often generates. A player named Ricdic, chairman of a large in-game bank, decided to embezzle roughly 200 billion ISK (the game's currency). Ricdic exchanged the ISK for about $5,000 to pay off real-life debts. Massively has an in-depth write-up about how the theft affects the game and its players.

Since the scandal became public, there's been a run on the virtual bank, and its executives are doing what they can to reassure people that it will continue to exist. Ricdic was banned, not for the embezzlement, but for trading 200 billion ISK for real currency, which is forbidden by EVE's EULA.

Source: Slashdot

HD Nintendo Wii to dominate console sales by 2015

An analyst is forecasting that Nintendo will continue to dominate the gaming console domain for the next couple of years or so, and that the HD iteration of Nintendo Wii console is there in the offing.

Speaking to Edge Online, Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan, asserted that the HD upgrade of Wii will help the console beating Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 to second and third spots respectively in global sales of consoles by 2015.

Predicting the dominance of Nintendo Wii in game consoles market for the next two years, he said in a statement, “The console’s low price point, innovative control mechanism, and compatibility with standard definition televisions will provide it with a competitive advantage over the next two years”.

He further went on to say that Sony will eventually hit the second spot, primarily because of the company’s victory in the HD DVD format war, while Microsoft Xbox will slip to the third spot, owing to its lack of penetration in Japanese market.

Read the full post on Storage IT here...

Galaxy Online video game patch 0.030 release notes

Galaxy Online (http://go.igg.com) has a new update ready for players. Some of the new features include, battle losses modifications, Elite pirate Instance, error and bug fixes and a whole batch of items.

The new content is a mix of battle tech and technology for assisting with development - the Titanium Alloy Drill, Gas Refiner, Cloning Lab, Purple Science Matrix, Red Arc Machine Arm and much more are all waiting to be put to use in constructing a powerful Galactic Empire.

Another big part of the update is the introduction of the Spacedock, which should make battles much more enjoyable, even for player who lose them often. Using the Spacedock, players who lost their fleets in battle can repair and redeploy a percentage of the fleets. The repair won’t use up any resources but just time. The percentage of recovered ships is related to Ship Repair Tech in the science tree. At the highest level 8, at most 60% of your fleets can be mended.

Here below is the list of items added to the game:

* P.A.M. - Extends Planet Trusteeship service
* Alloy Drill - Increases your planets' Alum yield by 30%.
* Gas Extractor - Increases planets' Gas yield by 30%
* Cloning Tank - Accelerates population increase by 30%
* Science Matrix - Increases the yield of Science points on planets by 30%
* Time Converter - Accelerates building construction by 20%
* Pocket Stargate - Increases flight speed of ships by 30%
* Arc Machine Arm - Accelerates ship building by 15%
* Industrial Pattern - Increases the work duration of Celestial Industrial Bases
* Combat Observation Platform - Enables you to watch combat
* Command Badge - Increases the maximum amount of effective ships on each grid of all fleets
* Resource Case - Use to get some resources.
* Science Case - Use to get some Science points.
* Supplies Case - Use to get some Supplies.

For more details, please visit http://go.igg.com/main.php

Buccaneer The Pursuit of Infamy PC video game annouced

Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy, a PC game developed by Stickman Studios. This game will be released in Q4 2009.
Buccaneer is a single and multiplayer game where players strive to become the most infamous pirate captain of all time and etch their name in The Hall of Infamy.

Set against a backdrop of the sunny Caribbean, players will control a variety of classic tall ships, bristling with cannons, as they plunder their way through a 50 mission campaign and go head to head against other cut-throats online with the Player versus Player mode.

Employing a simple and intuitive control system, players will be able to jump straight into the action and begin their career in piracy.

With a wide variety of non-linear single player missions and a choice of more than a dozen fully customisable ships, Buccaneer will have budding pirate captains clamouring for more!

ABOUT THE GAME

Genre: Sea Battle / Pirates
Platform: PC
Publisher: Nobilis – Blitz Arcade
Developer: Stickman Studios
Release date: Europe – Q4 2009

Just Dance video game coming from Ubisoft?

Well that's what some site are reporting as Ubisoft have registered the name Just Dance.
No platform or date has been released.
Activision Blizzard already have Dance Hero registered...


Dance Dance Revolution

Dissidia Final Fantasy video game out in Europe this September New collector's edition

Square Enix announce that DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY will be released across Europe and all PAL territories on 4th September, exclusively on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

Celebrating over 20 years of world’s most popular adventure game series. DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY brings together the largest cast of FINAL FANTASY characters ever assembled in a single game. The most famous heroes and villains will now collide in a war that threatens to tear the world apart.

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY (IGN.com Best of E3 Winner 2009, Best PSP Fighting Game) takes one-on-one fighting to a new action-packed level on the PSP. Through expansive 3D environments, players can glide through the air, dash along walls and perform summons familiar to fans of FINAL FANTASY. Complete with all the character progression and customisation expected from the series, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY truly delivers the action, spectacle and emotion of FINAL FANTASY in the ultimate portable fighting experience.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “With so many favourite heroes and villains contained in one game, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY is certainly going to appeal to fans of the series. The action-packed experience is a real showcase for the PSP and is set to become an instant classic on the system.”

For a limited time, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY will also be available at launch in a LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION, featuring unique clamshell packaging and containing a special soundtrack CD, Lithograph prints, Brady Games Official Miniguide and a 48-page The Art of DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY hardback artwork book.

About DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY – LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION

LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITON contains:

• Unique DISSIDA FINAL FANTASY clamshell packaging
• Full boxed copy of the DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY game
• DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY Best Selection Soundtrack Mini-CD: The DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY Best Selection Soundtrack Mini-CD includes a selection of music tracks from the game that are especially chosen for this Special Edition version by composer Takeharu Ishimoto. The Mini-CD will be presented inside a unique pochette and contain liner notes written by Takeharu Ishimoto.
• Hardback, 48-page The Art of DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY artwork book: featuring character artwork, CG rendered art and more from across the game production.
• Brady Games Official Miniguide: 32-page game guide printed in full colour, with character artwork, descriptions and walkthrough information – to help you win the battle.
• Exclusive Lithograph Prints: 2 Exclusive Lithograph prints, inside a unique DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY branded bandwrap featuring artwork not used to promote the original Japanese version of the game.

For more information about DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY, please visit the official website at www.dissidia-finalfantasy.com

About DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY

Story
Cosmos, the goddess of harmony. Chaos, the god of discord. Reigning from distant realms, the two gods had gathered warriors from all lands to lead them in savage war.
Cosmos and Chaos were of equal strength. It was believed the conflict would last forever. However, the balance is now broken.
Those who answered Chaos's call created an inexhaustible force. And under vicious attack without relent, the warriors fighting for Cosmos started to fall one by one. The conflict that has continued for eons is now about to end in Chaos' favour.
The world has been torn asunder, sinking into a vortex of disorder. As for the few surviving warriors… their fates have yet to be determined.

Features
• Experience the high-quality world and gameplay mechanics of FINAL FANTASY presented in action-packed 3D environments where players can glide through the air and dash along walls.
• Combining all-out brawling alongside RPG-style character development and customisation, an original system developed by the creators of the KINGDOM HEARTS series takes fighting gameplay to another level.
• Fan-favourite heroes and villains from the entire FINAL FANTASY series come together in one game for the first time in a remarkable new tale with fully-voiced CG movies and real-time events.
• Players select their favourite FINAL FANTASY characters, sided with either Cosmos or Chaos, to set the stage for their fantasy match.
• Accessible through "EX Burst", players can experience gameplay faithful to the originals through memorable battle features such as "Limit Break" and "Overdrive". In addition, long time fans of the series can enjoy the ability to summon Aeons and options such as the "command battle" system. Familiar environments and music from the FINAL FANTASY series also appear, arranged to make the most of the hardware capability.
• Continue the experience by trading Friend Cards, creating items and sharing AI characters with other players and even engage in virtual AI battles made possible by the PSP system ad hoc mode.

Heron - Steam Machine puzzle video game for Nintendo WiiWare

Heron: Steam Machine is Triangle Studios' take on the pipe puzzle format. In Heron: Steam Machine, players have to connect pipes to keep the Steam Machine running. Play in single player or co-op with friends for huge amounts of puzzle fun! The gameplay mechanic is simple and addictive, anybody can learn to play Heron within minutes, but only experts are able to achieve the highest scores.

The story:
For many years, a mechanic named Ron has been working at the factory for Rubber Duckies. One day, the owner of the factory decided to retire, and leave the family business to his evil son, who has different plans with the factory altogether. The evil son doubled production targets for the factory, and as a result, Ron has to work at least twice as hard to keep up with the high demands of his new boss. The player has to help Ron out in the factory, and together they face the challenge of keeping the Steam Machine from breaking down!

Multiplayer:
Multiplayer is an important feature in Heron: Steam Machine. The Wii™ console is all about having fun with family and friends. In Heron: Steam Machine, players have to co-operate and connect each one of the pipes at the same time. Can you work as a team in perfect harmony? Test your skills in the Multiplayer mode of Heron: Steam Machine.

Key features:

* Addictive single- and multiplayer fun for all ages.
* High quality 2D Graphics.
* Upbeat soundtrack.
* Multiple highscore listings.
* For up to 4 players.

Street Fighter IV PC video game launches in Europe

The Number One fighting title is back as Street Fighter IV PC launches at European retail. The critically acclaimed Street Fighter IV launched in February for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and this latest PC instalment of the title brings with it all the content from the next-gen versions plus some exclusive features.

Players can bring the stunning 3D environments to life with a higher screen resolution than was seen in the next-gen versions and customise the artistic look of the game by choosing between Watercolour, Poster or Sumi-E ink style to give a whole new look to the gameplay. Newcomers and seasoned pros can take the battle online via Games for Windows Live and compete to become the worldwide champion.

Street Fighter IV PC is also available to purchase digitally from Direct2Drive, Steam, Impulse, Metaboli and GamersGate.

Join the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 VIP video games community - Exclusive offer

Activision is calling on gamers to join the VIP community for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the No1 best-selling Super-Hero action-RPG. Starting today, players can log on to www.MarvelUltimateAlliance.com and become VIP members earning exclusive and early access to insider content such as classified game information and character reveals, Ask-a-Developer sessions, VIP-only screenshots and videos, and community prizes.



Also just launched on www.MarvelUltimateAlliance.com is a casual online web game that puts players in the heart of the Marvel Civil War. Fans get to choose their side among Pro-Registration and Anti-Registration forces and face off in real-time battles to help their side emerge victorious. Fans can join the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Civil War online game and be eligible for weekly giveaways and prizes, including Xbox 360 Elite consoles, signed memorabilia from Stan Lee, a grand prize of a 42” 1080p flat screen TV and more.

The company also announced in conjunction with GameStop, gamers that pre-order a copy of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 for the PS3 or Xbox 360 from a GameStop store or online at www.GameStop.com will receive an exclusive playable character – Juggernaut.

Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 allows players to choose their side and team up revered heroes and villains from the largest army of Super Heroes ever, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters’ powers and unleash astonishing new fusion attacks.

The game is being developed by Vicarious Visions for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2 system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and Nintendo DS and is not yet rated by the ESRB.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.



Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan.