News

The latest sales figures are in from the land of the rising sun, the PSP and PS3 vying for the top spot in an all-Sony top two.

For the week ending November 15th, the PSP tops the Japanese hardware chart with nearly 39,000 units sold. The PS3 is second, just a few hundred units behind with over 38,000 consoles sold.

Then there's the DSi third with nearly 34,000, followed by the Wii, off the pace again, with nearly 27,000 units sold.

The PSP Go is next up with over 6,000 units, followed by the DS Lite with over 5,000. Then there's the Xbox 360 with over 4,000 - the PS2 last with just over 2,000. More from Japan as we get it.

Speaking with Reuters, Sony Computer Entertainment big wig Kaz Hirai has revealed that he is confident the PS3 can hit 13 million units by the end of the company's financial year, which arrives in March 2010.

Apparently, the console has managed to shift over four million units so far this year.

A new 'network' console-style service will also be offered by the firm in 2010, a digital platform offering "movies, music and books" to to "network-capable TVs, Blu-ray players, ebooks and others."

We'll have more on this for you very soon.

Apparently, Microsoft have been quite literally blown away by interest in the Sky TV player on Xbox Live - both Sky and the platform holder left struggling to cope with demand.

"We were blown away - literally - by the response we had, and we took some flak, probably fairly," Neil Thompson told GI.biz.

"We didn't scale to quite the scale we should have, and I take that criticism on board and we've learned from it. But now it's up and running, people are loving it, the subscription rates, the download rates for the application and so on are just blowing my mind away, they're blowing the people at Sky's minds away."

No specific figures were dished out by Thompson. The Sky TV player has also launched on iPhone.

While much of the US video games industry seems to be facing cut-backs, Microsoft are on something of a hiring spree, getting new developers to work for 343 Industries (Halo) and their Project Natal team.

A whopping 54 new staffers are being brought on board, according to reports, these new employees set to work on the evolution of all things Halo - or on software for Microsoft's motion control technology.

That's not all, either, Microsoft are also said to be seeking a producer to work with Epic on all things Gears of War and Shadow Complex. Clearly sequels are to be expected.

More soon.

Atari and Cryptic have confirmed today that the beta test for Star Trek Online will go 'open' in 2010.

The open test will run from January 12th to the 26th, the developer keen to push their new MMO to the limit.

Keys to the beta will be dished out on a first come, first serve basis, via Cryptic's official site.

"We are excited to announce the dates for the open beta phase as this is one of the final steps in launching Star Trek Online to the public," offers executive producer Craig Zinkievich.

"We are looking forward to the launch of our first-of-a-kind MMORPG with anticipation and excitement and we expect Star Trek Online to explode onto the scene, giving fans and gamers a Star Trek experience like no other."

Sony Computer Entertainment America reveal this week that the PS2 is at last getting an 'official' release in Brazil, the console having been unofficially on sale in the South American state for years.

Apparently, the console will launch alongside 14 games, and will cost 799 reals, a whopping 449 USD. Games, meanwhile, will cost as much as 119 reals each (66 USD).

Apparently, Brazilian import tax has been fixed at a gigantic 60 percent, and coupled with a huge local piracy problem this has seen the price of the system - and software for it - far outstrip most other nations.

More on this very soon. Thanks VG247.

Having yesterday tantalisingly dated Supreme Commander 2 for release in spring next year, Square Enix pop up again today to confirm a release in March of 2010.

The new PC RTS title is easily one of the year's most exciting looking releases, and it seems as if this new dating covers Europe - in addition to North America.

"The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career," says Chris Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Gas Powered Games.

"I couldn't be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development."

Square Enix, meanwhile, are also pleased. "Supreme Commander 2 is a shining example of our strategic partnership with Gas Powered Games," adds John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix.

Word in from Japanese gaming giant Capcom today reveals that Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B, has picked up the rights to create a film based on Dark Void.

The game isn't out until early 2010, Capcom following their previously successful, anti-Christmas stance, although it is unclear how far along work on this tie-in movie can be.

Whether Pitt himself might star in the cinematic rendition is also a mystery, as is whether he personally was involved in the decision to bag these rights.

No doubt we'll hear more on this as the Hollywood rumour wheel starts turning. In related news, Dark Void has been delayed by an extra week at Capcom.

How many hours have you already sunk into Dragon Age: Origins? Would you like to lose a few more hours of your life to this RPG treat?

If so, you'll be pleased by news in from EA and BioWare today which reveals that a new slice of DLC for the adventure will be with us by Christmas time.

Called Return to Ostager, the content will hit the US and Europe this 'holiday', and will cost 400 BioWare Points on PC, 400 Microsoft Points on Live, or 3.99 GBP on the PSN.

The new content will apparently see players join "a quest for the mighty arms and armor of the once great King Cailan when they revisit Ostagar, the site of the Grey Wardens' darkest hour, to reclaim the honor and learn the secrets of Ferelden's fallen king."

The second 'season' of Xbox Live quiz show 1 vs. 100 is getting underway, having kicked off stateside at 8pm EST yesterday evening.

The new version of the game allows the 'one' to do a 'crazy' pose when entering the arena, while we're told that overall the show will be more accessible for new players.

Unlockable dance moves and a whole raft of new Achievements are also on offer.

Speaking with investors, Sony have affirmed that all PS3 consoles can be upgraded to support stereoscopic 3D, via future Firmware updates. Rumours in the past have touched upon this feature.

Sony also state that they will embrace 3D via Blu-ray and HDTV updates in the future, the platform holder looking to set up a leading position in the 3D market.

As part of this initiative, Sony are looking to get their 3D projectors in 3,000 cinemas by the end of the year - CEO Howard Stringer vowing to deliver profitability by March 2011.

A 1 billion USD loss is expected for the year ending March 2010, while Sony pushes ahead with major restructuring.

Thanks Gamasutra.

Heavenly Sword creators Ninja Theory have told UK website Eurogamer.net that they struggled with the pressure of creating a platform exclusive title.

According to co-founder Tameem Antoniades, the development of the action game was side-tracked by the console war, the whole process skewing development and proving highly 'draining'.

"When you are exclusive, sometimes the pressure to demonstrate technology can override other aspects of game development. Being involved in one side of a format war as if it's the machines that make great games can also be draining," the game maker explained.

"You get a lot of attention as an exclusive developer which is great, but on the flip side there was a lot of anti-Sony feeling going on which I felt was unfairly being directed at our team."

The firm are now hard at work on Enslaved, a multi-format title.

BioShock 2 hits early 2010 and its already getting an upgrade. A special edition has been announced by official site: The Cult of Rapture.

So, if you're the type who is simply above those petty, standard edition games, here's the dish:

"The Special Edition will come in 13"x13" premium packaging with special art on both the slipcase and the box cover. Inside, you will find three posters featuring vintage ads from Rapture (rolled), a vinyl 180g LP featuring the orchestral score from the original BioShock, a CD containing the BioShock 2 orchestral score, a 164 page 8"x11" hardbound artbook chock full of developer commentary and, of course, a copy of BioShock 2."

This edition will ship day one right alongside the standard copy and will be available for 99.99 USD on the Xbox 360 and PS3.

It will be limited to a single production run so if you must have the snazzy up sell then you may want to preorder now, which is now also an option.

Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Apparently during the writing process for Modern Warfare 2, the antagonists did not start out as close to reality as they ultimately became. It seems that several more outrageous scenarios were considered.

As reported by GamePro, writer Jesse Stern states that: "In the beginning we talked about having things in Modern Warfare 2 like outbreaks, viruses, chemical warfare, and even outlandish things such as aliens and the living dead. We worked our way through it before we finally ended up with a more grounded version of the real world"

Stern also discussed how the writing seemed to continually stumble upon real life situations. Though it wouldn't have been the first time the undead made an appearance in Call of Duty, in the end they didnt make it into Infinity Ward's take on Modern Warfare 2.

We"ll let you know when we get more.

Capcom have been taking on board fan feedback and have duly confirmed that a new version of Resident Evil 5 is in the works.

The newly announced Gold Edition is essentially a physical copy of the game with the addition of the content from Resident Evil 5: Alternate Edition DLC that will include new episodes, new costumes and a new multiplayer scenario with more playable characters.

For the PS3 the game will be on a single Blu-ray, while on the Xbox 360 it will be on a DVD that gives you a voucher to download the extra content.

We will keep you posted as we learn more on the subject.