Nintendo Wii to play download content from SD cards with update 4.0

The Nintendo Wii system update 4.0, will allow downloaded WiiWare and Virtual Console games to be read off an SD card, plus Nintendo are now allowing this feature to be used by full retail games. Guitar Hero 5 will be the first retail game to take advantage of being able to stream in-game date from an SD memory card.

This enables players of Guitar Hero 5 to be able to download content and store them on an SD card and play the songs from that SD memory card. It also avoiding having to shuffle the data from SD card to the Nintendo Wii's internal memory every time you want to play a different song, but don't have enough room in the Nintendo Wii's internal storage to keep all your downloaded songs.

Guitar Hero 5 will be the Nintendo Wii's first Guitar Hero game to accommodate all types of DLC for it. The previous versions of Guitar Hero on Nintendo Wii required every separate song to be downloaded on it's own, with Guitar Hero 5 being able to read from SD cards, users can now download the full album.

There isn't any news on what other games and publications will take advantage of this feature, but it is hoped that it will be used well by other companies and Nintendo Wii users can enjoy even more DLC.

Source: MyWii.com

Xbox LIVE update - Netflix movie and TV streaming only available on Xbox 360 console

“This exclusive partnership offers you the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers, at no additional cost” Microsoft.

Later this year...

Microsoft plan to add support for Zune HD content Facebook, Last.FM and Twitter.

Source: SlashGear

Hold your Wee for a Wii contest contestants go to court after death

One woman who took part says the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest left her with a fear of water, and that she can no longer listen to the radio.

Another contestant says she has gained 60 pounds and suffers from irrational mood swings. A third worries about her own mortality, "like I am destined to die young, maybe at my own hand." Fallout from the January 2007 contest that left one contestant dead sparked media coverage worldwide - notoriety that's likely to resume Aug. 31, when a civil trial is set to begin.

The trial centers on the death of a 28-year-old mother of three, Jennifer Strange, who died after drinking massive amounts of water during a contest on Sacramento radio station The End (KDND) to win a Nintendo Wii game console.

Court documents show how the case unfolded.

Read the full post here on NewsPress

Ice & Blood add-on for SACRED 2 Fallen Angel

Deep Silver officially announced an add-on for SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel for PC Ice & Blood will be distributed by Koch Media world-wide – except for the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Russia – and published under the Deep Silver label, with Ascaron acting as a co-publishing partner.

With Ice & Blood, SACRED and action RPG fans can look forward to an elaborate new development with numerous new features, promising many additional hours of exciting gaming fun, and adding to the value and replayability of the original game. The expansion introduces the Dragon mage, an additional main character, as well as interesting quests and stories that whisk the player away to new adventures in Ancaria. Moreover, the add-on contains two new, unique locations and previously unknown enemies, who will challenge action RPG gamers with unique tactics of their own. Add to that new in-game items for each main character of SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel, and plenty more useful, innovative features. Ice & Blood requires an installation of the original game.

"We are very pleased that, together with Ascaron, we now get to publish the expansion of the extremely successful SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel for PC as well. We know how fervently the fan community is yearning for new adventures, and we are confident that we will be able to release Ice & Blood within a matter of months," says Georg Larch, International Marketing Director Koch Media.

"As a leading publisher and distributor, Deep Silver has shown what is possible in a good partnership, and thus made a major contribution to the success of Sacred 2 on all platforms. Therefore, it makes sense to continue the successful cooperation, and market the Sacred 2 add-on 'Ice & Blood' together with Koch Media," says Ascaron CEO Heiko tom Felde.

The SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel add-on Ice & Blood for PC is due for release in the second half of 2009. Besides the retail version, the add-on will also be available for download.

Retro clothes launched for your Xbox 360 avatar - Kotaku talks to the designer

Xbox gamers can dress as a BioShock Big Daddy or a Halo trooper if they sample the new virtual world fashions launching today. Or they could dress like they're from the Great Depression. The line's designer explains why.

We dress in mere costumes when we control characters in our Xbox 360s. Michael Connell believes it's time for us to wear fashion — some of which came from poorer times.

Connell is the Microsoft-contracted designer behind two original fashion lines, offered, for pay, as part of the new Xbox 360 system update that goes live today. The freelance creative director whose professional experience includes modeling, designing Barbie-branded fashion and a stint as the design director of the Cranium line of games, has crafted clothing for the bodies of virtual men and women, to be worn by Xbox 360 Avatars.

Read full post on Kotaku here...

100 friend Xbox Live limit blamed on Halo 2 support - No easy fix

The 100-friend limit on Xbox Live is being blamed on users still playing Halo 2 on the original Xbox.

The Xbox Live online service, launched on the original Xbox, was designed to handle no more than 100 friends. More friends would not be a problem for the more robust service powering the Xbox 360, the continued popularity for Halo 2 demands continued legacy support for the original Live architecture, according to “a high-level Microsoft source” talking to website G4.

It’s not an issue that can be solved with a patch, “or else Microsoft would have released one ages ago.” Ending the friend limit means ending support for Halo 2.

Microsoft hasn’t stated when it will disable the original Xbox Live, but in the meantime Halo 2 will enjoy its top spot on the original Xbox usage charts.

Natsume Releases Gameplay Footage for Reel Fishing - Angler's Dream video game for the Nintendo Wii - with video

Natsume have released the official gamezplay footage for Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream, first shown at E3, but not digitally distributed until now.

The 2-minute footage showcases the gorgeous locations in the game, along with various fishing techniques, some of the different types of bait that can be used, and several different species of fish that can be caught.



Scheduled to arrive later this month on the Wii, the Reel Fishing franchise is known for setting itself apart from the competition by delivering the most true-to-life fishing experience.

Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream features picturesque environments, soothing environmental sounds, and a realistic fishing engine where fish flee, dive, and jump just like they would in real life. Players will travel to pristine lakes, raging rivers, and tropical oceans filled with the biggest fish around.

With a variety of realistic stages, tons of fresh and salt water fish, and over 100 pieces of tackle to unlock, Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream has something to offer every angler!

Players can raise their catches in aquariums, and then release them back into the wild for an even bigger challenge! Players can also test their fishing skills against family and friends in the 2-4 players Versus Mode.

Award-Winning Video Game - Prince of Persia music performance in Australia

Inon Zur's majestic and emotionally charged orchestral music from Ubisoft's Prince of Persia video games will be performed in front of a live audience for the first time as part of the "A Night in Fantasia 2009" spectacular. Recognized around the globe as the most popular brand of video game and anime symphony concerts, "A Night in Fantasia 2009" will be held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Australia, on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au.

Award-winning composer Inon Zur (www.inonzur.com) created a compelling and epic original score for the latest Prince of Persia video game, including the sweeping themes which feature a cinematic orchestral style blended with eastern ethnic instrumentation.

Zur will be a special guest conducting the full symphony orchestra, accompanied by visuals from the games on the big screen, as well as speaking to the audience about his music for Prince of Persia and signing autographs during a meet-and-greet.

The concert will be recorded and released on CD in the weeks following "A Night in Fantasia 2009." A special CD with a 'behind the scenes' DVD will be released in limited editions. Packages are available for pre-order via the Eminence website, www.eminenceonline.com.

"Fans will be blown away by the musical extravaganza of 'A Night in Fantasia 2009'," said Hiroaki Yura, Founder and Director of Eminence Artists. "We're taking 'A Night in Fantasia' to a whole new level with this concert - we're going to raise the roof!"

About Prince of Persia
Set in a land rooted in ancient Persian mythology, the warrior Prince finds himself caught in an epic battle between the primal forces of light and darkness that pits the God of Light, Ormazd, against his brother, Ahriman, the destructive God of Darkness. After witnessing the destruction of the legendary Tree of Life - an act which unleashes Ahriman's corrupted darkness onto the land - the Prince and his deadly companion, Elika, embark on a journey to heal the world from the evil Corruption and defeat Ahriman once and for all.

World Premiere Play Drakensang The River of Time for the very first time at dtp entertainment's GamesCom booth in Cologne

Visiting dtp entertainment’s booth (Hall 8.1, Booth B030) at this year’s Gamescom show in Cologne (August 20th – August 23rd) will be a real fest for RPG players from all over the world.

They’ll see the world premiere of Drakensang: The River of Time and can play the game for the very first time. Drakensang: The River of Time is the prequel to the award winning PC RPG Drakensang: The Dark Eye.

RPG players also have the chance to check out the upcoming role playing games Divinity II: Ego Draconis and Venetica (both PC and Xbox 360), as well as the PC horror adventure game Black Mirror II and So Blonde for Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Visitors of the dtp entertainment booth also have the chance to win big prizes: dtp entertainment is giving away a powerful gamer notebook, which is worth 1,500 Euros. This prize is sponsored by MSI.

Make sure to visit dtp entertainment’s booth B030 in hall 8.1 at GamesCom, Cologne, Germany (www.gamescom-cologne.com).

Capcoms GamesCon line up Dark Void, Monster Hunt Tri, MotoGP, Lost Planet 2, Spyborgs and Tatsunoko v Capcom: Ultimate All Stars - with videos

Capcom announce a spectacular line-up for consumers attending this year’s GamesCom in Cologne between 19 th – 23 rd August. The show will be the first time that European gamers can get their hands on future titles Lost Planet 2, Monster Hunter Tri, MotoGP 09/10 and Nintendo Wii brawler Spyborgs as well as the action packed sci-fi adventure Dark Void and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Ultimate All-Stars.



The upcoming title Dark Void blasts into center stage at the Capcom booth. Creating a thrilling new gamezplay dynamic for the third-person shooter experience, gamers will defy gravity with Dark Void’s unique vertical combat system and take to the skies with the explosive jet pack. To bring the real life flying experience to consumers Capcom will be hosting the Dark Void Body Flying Machine. Situated right outside the Consumer Hall, visitors can literally blast off in a vertical orientated airstream at 180km/h. Consumers can then leave the show in one of 200 branded Dark Void taxis that will be driving through Cologne, but not before playing the game at the booth and receiving a limited edition Dark Void gift.



After journeying into the Void, gamers can dive into one of the most beautiful titles ever created for the Nintendo Wii. GamesCom marks the western debut of Monster Hunter Tri, with a demo in English appearing for the first time. Visitors can experience the same game that took the Tokyo Game Show by storm last year where the lines of anxious hunters stretched right around the Capcom booth with a waiting time of over five hours. Living the life of a hunter won’t be a solitary experience, as gamers will be able to hunt co-operatively and form a team of up to four players to survive in a living, breathing eco-system where man co-exists with fantastic beasts.



Adding to the list of debuts, racing game fans won’t want to miss the exclusive worldwide showing of MotoGP 09/10. Taking the series in a refreshing new direction, gamers will get the chance to play a hands on demo and experience for the first time some of the new challenges that reward racing style and skill that requires more than just crossing the line in first place.



Going from the race track to the fighting arena, the upcoming, visually stunning Nintendo Wii title Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars will have fighting game fans’ fingers twitching. Players can choose from the combined roster of colorful characters to create the ultimate tag-team with the likes of Street Fighter favourites Ryu and Chun-Li and classic Tatsunoko stars Ken the Eagle (Gatchaman) and Casshan. Each character brings a unique arsenal of moves, including spectacular hyper-combos that literally take over the screen with devastating results.




European gamers will be able to experience the highly anticipated extensive multiplayer action of Lost Planet 2 as the title makes its worldwide debut on the PLAYSTATION 3. This impressive next installment sees a return to the Lost Planet but offers gamers a series of totally new epic challenges with battles erupting on a planetary scale. Players will need to journey across a range of harsh environments and defeat giant Akrid in explosive four player co-operative play where skill and team work will be tested like never before in an epic fight for survival.



Also available to European gamers for the first time is Spyborgs, the upcoming beat-em-up brawler coming exclusively to the Nintendo Wii. Designed around the two-player co-operative experience, gamers will need to slash and pummel their way through hordes of mechanized enemies and wickedly challenging boss battles.



To complete the line-up Capcom has teamed up with Intel to bring visitors to GamesCom the fear they’ll never forget. PC gamers can be among the first to experience the survival horrors of the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 5 for PC. Intel will be showing the game which takes full advantage of the intelligent multi-core technology in the Intel Core i7 processors on a series of high spec PC’s in their dedicated RE5 booth situated in Hall 9.1, 61A.



Capcom’s Booth is situated in Hall 6.1, corridor A, No 31.