Source: videogamesblogger.com

Give credit to Microsoft where it’s due, sales of the Xbox 360 are projected to exceed the lifetime instal base of the original Xbox by November, where the Xbox 360 will surpass 25 million units sold.

In Microsoft’s own words: “By the end of this month, we expect our global installed base to reach 25 million units, surpassing that of the first Xbox,” said Mindy Mount, CFO of the Xbox business, at the BMO Capital Markets Interactive Entertainment Conference.

This is a big deal because of Microsoft’s huge investment, at a gigantic loss, to break into the video game market. Now we all knew that the Xbox 360 was a successful platform, but this proves that there is more interest in the Xbox than ever before, and an important milestone to be able to surpass Microsoft’s first console.

And this is only the start, Mindy Mount went on to say. That’s because “more than three-quarters” of a console’s lifetime sales are made when the system falls to the “sweet spot” price point of $199.99 or lower. Which is the price of the lowest-end Xbox 360 available, the Arcade, reports Edge.

According to Microsoft, recently introduced 360 price cuts saw Xbox sales jump 42% month-on-month in the States, 62% in Europe and 500% in Japan.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Dragon Age Origins will be coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 after it’s early 2009 PC release, says the lead designer of the game, Brent Knowles, in a new interview where he discusses BioWare’s latest epic (which is the spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate). Knowles couldn’t give a timeframe though for the release of the console versions.

Game Informer magazine will also have an exclusive look at the console versions in their November issue.

Dragon Age Origins is the next highly anticipated RPG from the developers who brought the world Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire and, most recently, Mass Effect. The game is being called a ‘dark heroic fantasy’ and is billed as the spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate as mentioned above.

Features of Dragon Age Origins include:

* Epic Party-Based Combat – Dragon Age: Origins introduces an innovative, scalable combat system, as players face large-scale battles and use their party’s special abilities to destroy hoardes of enemies and massive creatures
* Powerful Magic – Raining down awesome destruction on enemies is even more compelling as players apply spell combos, a way of combining together different spells to create emergent unique effects
* Deep Customization – Players will develop their characters and gain powerful special abilities (spells, talents and skills) and discover ever-increasing weapons of destruction
* Your Story, Your Way – With its emotionally compelling story, players choose with whom they wish to forge alliances or crush under their mighty fist, redefining the world with the choices they make and how they wield their power
* Origin Stories – Players will select and play a unique prelude that provides the lens through which the player sees the world and how the world sees the player. The player’s choice of Origin will determine who they are and where they begin the adventure, as they play through a customized story opening that profoundly impacts the course of every adventure

Here is a story trailer for Dragon Age Origins.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Sony announced the PS3 system software update 2.50 will be released today, October 15th, 2008. This latest firmware finally adds an automatic console and controllers power off feature!

Building upon the foundation set by previous firmware upgrades, the 2.50 system software update will refine existing features while also adding new functionality.

New features delivered through PS3 2.50 include:

* Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset — The upcoming Bluetooth Headset bundled with SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation in combination with this latest firmware enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which utilises advanced wireless technologies and the Headset’s dual-microphone design to enable clear and wide-band wireless online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level, mute functions, and use of HQ mode. HQ mode greatly improves the voice chat experience in multi-player titles such as Resistance 2, which launches in November.

* Power Save –- PS3 owners will have the option to automatically shut-off their console or controllers after pre-selected periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.

* Flash 9 Content — Flash 9 becomes supported on the Internet Browser.

* Video — Video scene search functionality will provide thumbnails to help you find a particular scene in a video more easily. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.

* PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements — This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today. The Trophy system will continue to expand through future firmware updates, catering to the PS3 community and the competitive nature of the more than 12 million registered PlayStation Network users worldwide.

* In-game screenshots capture tool — Laying the groundwork for developers to add capture and sharing options to their games and allowing players to immortalise their favourite gaming moments and share them with friends. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Titles that support the feature will be announced in the future.

* Background Downloading — You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.

* Information Board — The Information Board will be able to include direct links to PlayStation Store, making it easier for PS3 owners to download content that they read about on the Information Board.

* Friend Status — Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.

* PlayStation Store — A redeem codes option has been added right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Castlevania “next-gen” has finally been confirmed for Xbox 360 and PS3! Finally the game will hit next-gen consoles, instead of staying handheld as it has with the last few Castlevania games including the upcoming Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia and the previous DS exclusives Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin and Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow.

And like those games, this new Castlevania will be a main game in the series and not a side-title like the retro PSP update Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (includes Demon Castle Dracula X Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) and the upcoming Wii fighter Castlevania Judgment.

Unfortunately there is absolutely no information yet released for the game, all we know is that it is coming. The real question is whether it will be a 2D title, or a 3D one like the last-gen 3D Castlevania games: Castlevania: Lament of Innocence and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. Although it’s unlikely that we’ll see a 2D console Castlevania, but we can always hope . . .

Source: videogamesblogger.com

GameStop retail company CEO Dan DeMatteo said in an interview that more Nintendo Wii shortages are expected for Christmas 2008. To quote him: “I’ve never seen this type of demand before. I know they’re making more [Wii’s], but we’re still short like everybody else. I think we’ll have a continued shortage this Christmas.”

When Mr. DeMatteo was asked when he does expect Wiis to be readily available at retail, he said: “I don’t see a near-term end in sight for Wii shortages, not unless they really ramp up supply. I think they’ve ramped it up 20 percent or so, but Nintendo is fairly cautious by nature. They ramped it up 20 percent and it’s still evaporating. ”

Via Gamedaily

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Microsoft announced lower retail prices for the various Xbox 360 console in America. Beginning September 5th, 2008, the various versions of the Xbox 360 will retail for the estimated prices of:

* Xbox 360 Arcade: $199.99
* Xbox 360: $299.99 (it’s unclear if it’s the 20GB or 60GB Pro)
* Xbox 360 Elite: $399.99

Microsoft touted the announcement as an industry milestone. “We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

The second recent Xbox 360 price cut coming to the US, follows Japan’s announcement of a price cut earlier this week. No word on any price cuts in other regions.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

The Sony E3 2008 press conference was held today and showed off a ton of new footage and some new game announcements for the PlayStation 3 console and PSP handheld.

Here’s a list of the keynotes:

* Resistance 2: Fight against gigantic, 300 foot tall Leviathan enemy/boss. Gets picked up and shoots it in the mouth… Climbs inside building and runs up flights of stairs. Reaches walkway which is broken behind him as he runs from monster. Goes down flight of stairs. Goes outside through broken window. Is picked up, shoots him in the mouth but then is thrown. It shows him flying through windows to another building. End of demo. The FPS breaks new ground with 8-player co-op, 60 player competetior multiplayer modes and community features. Truly delivers scale. HUGE bosses in both single and co-op. Expansive environments. Giant chimeran warships you can board around the country.

* Sony success story: $6.6 billion of revenue in the first six months of 2008 for gaming. $23 billion is what the industry might generate. 1.8 million PS3s have been sold this year and 1.6 million PSPs. 1.5 million PS2s. More than 5 million units across PlayStation family in the US in first six months of 2008. 130 titles for PS2 this year. 9 million PS2s, 10 million PS3s, 15 million PSPs are the fiscal 2008 projections.

* New games to join Greatest Hits program in the US on PS3. $29.99 retail for Resistance, MotorStorm and WarHawk later this year, plus from third-parties: Call of Duty 3, Fight Night, NFS Carbon. Rainbow Six: Vegas, Assassin’s Creed, Oblivion, Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

* LittleBigPlanet will be coming in October 2008.

* Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty for PS3 is diving into Ratchet’s disappearance. $14.99 price point on Playstation Network. Shorter game at lower price, same high intensity, action, suspense, mystery, humor. Begins where Tools of Destruction left off to find Clank. It’s a “new concept” says Brian Allgeier from Insomniac. Graphically it looks as good as the PS3 release. Platforming, exploration and a bit more thinking is required. Wrench head pops up and you get an energy tether to manipulate objects.

* PlayStation Network titles also include Crash Commando (a 2D shooter), Fat Princess (top-down shooter/slasher in colourful graphics), Rag Doll Kung-Fu: Fists of Plastic (2.5D fighting game), Pixeljunk Eden, PAIN Amusement Park, flOwer, and Siren Blood Curse.

* Sony reconfirms PlayStation HOME is coming and once it arrives it will be worth it. No release date announced.

* PlayStation Store will get a Video tab to download movies and TV shows for your PS3 TONIGHT! You’ll be able to buy and rent this video content and even put it on your PSP to make it portable. As you start it’s progressively downloaded to your PS3, so you can start watching the video after a minute of downloading, even when a 2-hour SD movie takes 1 hour to download. You can also download to the PSP via internet/computer.

* Resistance: Retribution was announced for PSP. A trailer claims: “The battle for Europe begins. The Resistance is now in your hands.”

* Other PSP software highlights include: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Madden NFL 09, LocoRoco 2, NBA 09: The Inside, Super Stardust: Portable, Batman: The Videogame, Patapon 2, Buzz: Master Quiz, and Valkyria Chronicles. 35 million PSP unit sales worldwide.

* Batman and Superman artists, Jim Lee, from Wild Storm Productions gave a sneak peak at DC Universe Online was shown for PS3 / PC. The character models in this MMO looks like the Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe fighting game. The video claims: “Make the world your weapon. Crush your foes. And become the ultimate superhero or supervillain. The door to the DC Universe has opened. Now is the time to build your legacy. The time has come. The future awaits. The next legend is you.”

* A PlayStation 80GB Core Pack will go on sale for $399.99 and will be the focus for Sony going into the future. It will have the same functionality of the 40GB model.

* Sony touted their exclusive content with “23 exclusive games on PS3 alone. 10 on PS3 and 13 on PSN.” The list: LittleBigPlanet, MotoStorm: Pacific Rift, Metal Gear Solid 4, 007: Quantom of Solace, Socom Confrontation, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Soul Calibur IV, Resistance 2, The Agency, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Mirror’s Edge, Resident Evil 5, Singstar, Guitar Hero: World Tour, NBA 09: The Inside, Buzz: Quiz TV, and Killzone 2.

* A God of War 3 trailer was shown for PS3 with Kratos saying “There will be only chaos.”

* Sucker Punch’s Infamous was shown with an animated trailer that starts out animated, but also showed the first gameplay footage. Due Spring 2009. “Why did I survive?” says the protagonist, after which he does Force Lightning-style attacks and big rooftop jumps.

* Zipper Interactive showed a new PS3 game called Massive Action Game, or MAG in short. Support for battles of 256 players, uses only real players, broken down into 8-player squads with a leader. On-going faction-based campaigns for daily play and character growth gives players long term goals in one massive world.

The President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA), Jack Tretton, closes the show with “If this is what year 2 of the PlayStation 3 life cycle looks like, imagine what years 3 and 4 can look like.”

Source: videogamesblogger.com

The Nintendo E3 2008 press conference was held today and showed off a ton of new footage and some new game announcements on the Wii console and DS handheld.

Here’s a list of the keynotes:

* Shaun White Snowboarding will support the Wii Balance Board when it’s released by year-end.

* Nintendo success story:
1. Nintendo is selling games that can sell steadily for a long period of time. In the past it was impossible to expect software to sell for 2 or 3 years. Titles like Nintendogs, Brain Age, New Super Mario Bros. Mario Kart DS are doing that.
2. Gamers aren’t just looking for better graphics and more sophistication. Nintendo understands this. Both Zelda & Mario teams are hard at work in bringing new titles to Wii.
3. Small teams with small budgets can capture wide audience with a great idea, both challenge & opportunity for WiiWare.
4. The user-base has expanded suddenly. Intuitive interface can help attract those that never considered video games before. It has changed the seasonal nature of video game hardware sales.
5. Video game systems were more of a gift item for the holidays, now they are more likely purchased for people themselves at anytime of the year.
6. 200,000 DS a week in Europe as if every week was a holiday. In America, players have bought an average of 700,000 Wii systems over the last 3 months, usually not seen outside of November and December. $5 billion revenue at retail just in the US.
7. Nintendo said they’d like to destroy the wall between gamers and non-gamers. Mario Kart Wii & Wii Fit created more conversations, cross overs. Strongest evidence from Guitar Hero 3. Wii version outsells all others.
8. Progress being made in destroying psychological barrier between non-gamers and gamers. Even if it is revolutionary people will become tired of the new form of entertainment. So what’s next? Happens faster when other companies start to mimic.
9. Engaged, Enriched, Enthused. Nintendo always challenge themselves to be pioneers in forming new paradigms. They seek fresh surprises. New social trend, consumers acting as creators, and sharing their work. Nintendo believes they can add something new to these players in new ways

* Nintendo creator Katsuya Eguchi announced Animal Crossing: City Folk for Wii for a 2008 release. Write letters with pictures to other player’s Wii, cell phones and computers. WiiSpeak community microphone adds multiplayer online chat to Wii games.

* Lifetime sales of the US for Wii hardware reached 10 millions systems. DS surpassed 20 million, sales of two alone combine to represent more than $5 billion at retail just in the U.S. No closer to being satisfied. Still millions of players out there and new people.

* Marketplace perspective. End of current fiscal year DS worldwide sales to grow to almost 100 million systems. In America, annual sales have gone up each year. Some people still cling to previous console lifetime perceptions. Two out of every three in US is DS. In 2008 DS is running 12% ahead of last years record. Hardware always driven by key software franchises. This spring it was Pokemon, 600,000 in six weeks Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Pokemon 180 million for series sales. Total DS software 29% ahead of last year in US.

* 19 third-party games have exceeded 400,000 sales on Wii. Examples:
– Star Wars: The Clone Wars features head-to-head lightsaber duels on Wii.
– Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Parts lets you surf the skies on the Wii Balance Board.
– Call of Duty: World at War features a co-op mode and lets you use the Wii Zapper for full effect.
– Guitar Hero: On Tour sold 300,000 copies in its first week on DS. Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades announced for DS that allows for song exchanging. First time players can share songs between the two versions.
– Spore Creatures for DS allows player creativity and sharing them with your friends, which in turn show up in-game.
– Pokemon Rangers 2: Shadows of Alma coming to DS on November 10th, 2008.
– Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars was announced for DS in winter 2008. Custom game engine and characters are included.
– Cooking Navi (known as Cooking Guide in Europe) is coming to DS in November 2008 in America.

* Wii MotionPlus is a Wii Remote accessory for more precise, responsive and intense control. It registers every twist of your pulse. Launches worldwide in spring 2009. Wii Sports Resort is the sequel to Wii Sports that comes with a Wii MotionPlus accessory and extended Wii Remote protective jacket packaged in. Included games are: 1. A frisbee throwing game where a dog needs to catch it; 2. Powercruiser is like Waverace; 3. A Swordfighting game has a wood chopping single player mode or pits two players against each other in lightsaber-like battles with 1 on 1 direct controls.

* Wii Music’s drum game uses the Wii Remote and Nunchuck for drumsticks and the Wii Balance Board for the drum kick pedals, allowing anyone to learn to play the drums within a few weeks as a separate mode that makes it a complete drum simulator. The mode also includes lessons so you can learn to play drums in a few weeks.. Saxophone, piano, violin, guitar, bongo, orchestra, handbell are other instrument. One of the titles they began designing along wii play, sports and fit. Music can be enjoyed by everyone. Wii Music is different than past music games. No need to closely follow rhythm notes or guides to play songs. All you have to do is hold the Wii Remote and move it like you would to play a real instrument, remote detects and does the corresponding sound. You can play over 50 instruments just by moving your body. Violin, bigness of notion adjusts volume of notes. guitar you play like real guitar. You can pluck and strum. Piano also shown. Variety of percussion instruments as well (shows big drum). It records videos of your performances too. One player can play and record each part in a song and create a unique music video. Can play with up to four player. On the show Miyamoto played cowbell as Nintendo employees played the Super Mario theme song together.

At the start of the conference Nintendo said they only wanted to focus on a few key titles. Maybe Nintendo will have some unannounced games on the showfloor at E3 later today?

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller now comes in bright Red and Green colors, with newly designed black accents, Microsoft announced today. Each controller set includes a Play and Charge cable and Red (or Green) rechargeable battery. The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Red (or Green) Wireless Controller and Play & Charge Kit set costs $64.99.

The main features include:
* Limited Edition Red (or Green) finish, with newly designed black accents.
* Bundled with a Play & Charge Cable and matching Red (or Green) rechargeable battery pack.
* 2.4GHz wireless technology with 30-foot range.
* Use up to four controllers simultaneously on one console.
* Integrated headset port for Xbox Live play.
* Adjustable vibration feedback for longer battery life.
* New left and right shoulder buttons are designed for ease of use.
* Use the Xbox 360 Guide button to keep track of your friends, access your games and media, or power on and off your Xbox 360 console.

PS: Last year Microsoft announced Xbox 360 Wireless Controller in Pink and Blue colors to offer a bit of variation to the White and Black colors.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Sony’s PlayStation 3, the 2007 loser in the fight for second place in videogame console sales, is said to be gaining ground on Microsoft’s Xbox 360. The PlayStation 3 outsold the Xbox 360 in the U.S. in the first five months of 2008 after trailing Microsoft’s console in 2007. New exclusive games, such as Metal Gear Solid 4, and the rise of Sony’s Blu-ray as the dominant high-definition DVD player may enable PlayStation 3 to hold onto its lead, report Bloomberg-interviewed analysts.

Meanwhile, the Nintendo Wii is outselling both those consoles put together. Sony Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer said in an interview last week at the Allen & Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, that: “Wii isn’t a rival to the PlayStation 3 because it doesn’t offer the broader features of the Sony console, including the ability to watch movies and access the internet. I’ve played a Nintendo Wii. I don’t see it as a competitor [of the PS3]. It’s more of an expensive niche game device. We’re selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it’s still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player.”

Looks like the E3 rivalry started early. Although it’s more misinformation than anything else since the Wii does have internet functionality and is the cheapest of the next-gen consoles (because it’s not a media center). The PS3 has some great exclusives, but the Xbox 360 definitely has a lot more. So it all sounds like PR-speak to me, what do you think?