PS3 Gets Best New Console Award 2006.

Best New Console:

Sony Playstation 3

Console launch years only come around twice a decade or so, and they're always guaranteed to be exciting years. The 360 matured dramatically since this time last year and its second-generation titles like Gears of War and CoD3 made the PlayStation 3's job of shocking the world with its immense power rather difficult.Nintendo's Wii launched to massive mainstream applause and a lot of hope has been placed in the potential for gaming innovation via the console's unique controller. Nintendo disappointed some, however, by choosing not embrace HDTV or to compete with Sony and Microsoft in processing power. The Wii can't even play normal DVDs. Judging the consoles based upon a broad perspective that includes software now available and coming in the future an entirely different argument could be formulated. However, from a hardware perspective, the PS3 is by far the more interesting console. Though the launch software hasn't blown anyone away, the 360's launch titles were equally unimpressive, and the system will certainly mature. Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console, and the availability of supported Linux distributions for the console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected fruit in future.

Runner-Up:

Nintendo Wii

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SEGA Stunner Goes Multi Platform In 2007.

In a move bound to get certain fists pumping in the hardcore gaming fraternity, SEGA today announced that its much hyped PlayStation 3 exclusive Virtua Fighter 5 officially will come to Xbox 360 in late summer 2007.

The last game in the Virtua Fighter series was a PS2 exclusive, which sold exceptionally well on Sony's system. Virtua Figher 5 had been hyped for some time as a killer PS3 exclusive for fighting fans, but -- following in the footsteps of Assassin's Creed and GTA IV -- will also go multi-platform.

The PS3 version still retains some level of exclusivity, with a US release on February 20 and with the console's launch in Europe. The Xbox 360 version will ship in late summer 2007, according to SEGA.

Virtua Fighter 5 offers worldwide fighting stages in which as many as 17 contestants vie, including two new characters, El Blaze, a wrestler somewhat like Wolf, and Eileen, who employs a Chinese Monkey Kung-Fu fighting style. SEGA also has implemented a new "offensive move" enabling players to take down opponents from different angles; these moves are believed to set VF5 apart from past VF games. Like in Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, players can customize their characters. They can pick from four base costumes in the beginning, and then choose from a wide spectrum of unlockable accessories items as they progress. By winning more tournaments, players not only earn costumes and accessories, they receieve prizes and in-game money for browsing in the in-game shop.

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PS3 Firmware v1.32 Released .

Sony are really rolling out the firmware updates for their consoles thick and fast. dLux of the MC forums notes that v1.32 has been released and as per usual you are required to sign into the Playstation network.

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Radical New Controller Headed To PS3.

Screw the Wiimote! If you want a really radical controller, check out the EdgeFX which is now available for the PS2 and "will be available soon" for the PS3.

"The EdgeFX has a right hand optical mouse controller and gaming pad with a detachable left hand controller. During game play, the left hand controller is used to move while the right rumble-mouse is used to shoot, look left, right, up and down. The EdgeFX allows you to move at maximum speeds and then instantly slow down for precision targeted shooting when the focus button is pressed".

Yeah, awesome

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New Gundam Game For PS3.

A mysterious game has appeared on the latest release list from Japan's biggest games magazine, Famitsu. According to the list, the PlayStation 3 will be getting a game called Gundam Musou from Bandai Namco Games. The game is set with a TBA 2007 date.

Unfortunately, that's all we know, as the magazine's editorial sections make no mention of the game.

The "Musou" name (complete with the same two kanji characters) is used elsewhere in the Japanese game market. Koei's Dynasty Warriors series is known in Japan as "Shin Sangoku Musou". Coincidence? Possibly, but we'll have to wait for Bandai Namco to give out some actual details.

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Gran Turismo Demo Details.

Sony is delivering the ultimate Christmas gift to Japan this year: a free demo of Gran Turismo 5, set for download starting December 24 exclusively via the PlayStation Store. Thanks to Famitsu, we were able to relive our childhoods and get a sneak peak at the gift in advance.

According to the latest issue of the magazine, the demo, titled Gran Turismo HD Concept, will ship with one course and ten cars. The course is the all new Eiger Nordwand, and you'll be able to race it normal and reverse.

The car list has mostly Japanese vehicles, but there are some high profile foreign models in the bunch. Here's the full list:

• Suzuki Cappuccino '95
• Mazda Eunos Roadster '89
• Honda Integra Type R'04
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96
• Infinity G35 Coupe
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05
• Lotus Elise 111R'04
• Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94
• Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95
• Ferrari 599'06

You start the demo off exclusively with the Cappuccino, but by clearing the time attack mode in a pre-set time, you'll be able to unlock the next car. Eventually, you'll unlock a drift trial mode.

The magazine also scored an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi. The Gran Turismo series producer talked about how the demo came about, and what we can expect in the coming year from his hard working team at Polyphony Digital.

Asked to explain why Sony decided to skip out on a retail release for Gran Turismo HD, and instead focus on GT5, Yamauchi admitted that following the Tokyo Game Show, gamers expressed their desire for the full game. He made specific mention of overseas gamers, which means that if you complained on a message board, your voice might have been heard.

Yamauchi spoke vaguely on the relationship between GT5 and GTHD. While not getting into specifics, he stated that his team wants to put both GTHD Premium and GTHD Classic into the new title. Asked if Sony intends on carrying out its ambitious plans for downloadable content, Yamauchi stated that there has yet to be a decision on whether or not to carry the business model over.

On the topic of the GTHD Concept demo itself, Yamauchi revealed that the Christmas Eve download will include Polyphony's next generation driving simulation engine. According to the producer, this engine fixes such areas as drift control and drift angle. As previously announced, the demo won't have online races, but it will offer network rankings separated according to the various cars. Replays from the top ranked players will be available for download, so you can see how the best of the best race.

More downloadable content will become available before GT5's full release. Yamauchi promised a photo mode of some form to become available for download. He wouldn't give a specific time frame.

Yamauchi also promised an official announcement for Gran Turismo 5 before the next Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled for October 27, 2007. We plan on getting close and personal with the GTHD Concept demo until then.

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New PlayStation Games Hit PlayStation Store.

Just in time for Christmas, Sony Japan has announced a new batch of PlayStation Store downloads for the Japanese market. Set to go live on 12/21 are nine PlayStation classics, all priced at the usual 525 yen.

This update includes a variety of titles, some of which traveled outside Japan years ago, and some of which remained Japan only. Here's a look:

• R-Types (Irem, shooter)
• Taiyo no Shippo (aka Tail of the Sun, Artdink, action)
• U-SA (Artdink, puzzle)
• Dino Crisis (Capcom, action-adventure)
• Global Force (SCE, sim)
• Gekisou Tomaranna (SCE, racing)
• Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (Nippon Ichi, RPG)
• The Convenie Ano Machi wo Dokusen se yo (Hamster, sim)
• Mr. Driller (Bandai Namco Games, action)

As with the original batch of downloads, these games require a PS3 for downloading, but can only be played on the PSP. In order to run them on your PSP, you'll need to update your PSP firmware to version 3.03, which has been made available as of today.

These titles are currently set only for the Japanese PlayStation store. We'll let you know if Sony decides to give audiences outside of Japan a sweet Christmas present as well.

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PS3 Virtua Fighter 5 Ship Date A Reality.

Today SEGA announced Virtua Fighter 5 will ship February 20, 2007 in North America for the PlayStation 3. Complementing the North American release of the latest in this long-running fighting franchise, SEGA Europe has confirmed that Virtua Fighter 5 will be a launch title for the PS3 in Europe.

"Virtua Fighter 5 will be the first martial arts style fighting game available on the PlayStation 3 system with brand new offensive moves, customizable characters, stunning graphics, and highly detailed 3D fighting environments," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America.

Developed by AM2 out of Japan (the team behind countless classics like OutRun, Space Harrier, and Shenmue), Virtua Fighter 5 is one of the most anticipated PS3 titles for 2007.

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Motion Tracking On Sony PS3.

Sony appears to be developing a brand new hand held controller that delivers full motion tracking for software that runs on the new PS3.

According to web site arstechnica Sony has applied to the United States Patent Office (USPTO) for a patent on a "hand-held controller having detectable elements for tracking purposes." The patent may well be the precursor to an optional accessory for the PlayStation 3 that could add full-motion tracking to that system.

Many people wondered if Sony was reacting to the Nintendo Wii announcement when they announced their tilt-sensitive Sixaxis controller so suddenly that even their third-party developers were caught off guard. Now, it seems as if Sony wants to complete the rest of the motion-sensitive equation. The patent application describes a controller that is sensitive to all kinds of motion:

In general, the detected and captured movements of the controller 110 are used to generate position and orientation data for the controller 110. Because this data is gathered on an image frame-by-frame basis, the data can be used to calculate many physical aspects of the movement of the controller 110, such as for example its acceleration and velocity along any axis, its tilt, pitch, yaw, roll, as well as any telemetry points of the controller 110.

For example, a plunging downward gesture of the controller 110 may be defined as one command, a twisting gesture of the controller 110 may be defined as another command, a shaking gesture of the controller 110 may be defined as another command, and so on. In this way the manner in which the user 108 physically moves the controller 110 itself is used as another input for controlling the game, which provides a more stimulating and entertaining experience for the user.

The controller uses four LEDs to capture this motion, but in a twist from Nintendo's sensor bar configuration, the LEDs are mounted on the controller itself. A camera mounted next to the player's telvision set takes many pictures of the four LEDs every second, and this data is used to calculate the position and velocity of the controller.

Sony has been working on such a feature for a while now. For people who didn't like having to choose between a system with next-gen graphics and one with full-motion control, Sony's new controller may fill in the gap. However, the Wii still has the nunchuck attachment and extra features such as force feedback that the new PS3 controller will still lack. Given the price disparity between the PS3 and Wii, Sony's real intentions may not be competing with Nintendo at all, but giving users reasons not to purchase Microsoft's Xbox 360 console instead. Will Microsoft retaliate with a motion-sensitive controller of its own?

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PS3 Is Outselling 360's HD-DVD By 5 To 1.

The first sales numbers have arrived in the battle between PS3 and the X360 HD-DVD add on drive. And even though PlayStation 3 supply is still woeful, Sony has good reason to be happy.

According to Engadget, PS3 has outsold the X360 HD-DVD add-on drive by a margin of almost 5 to 1. In cold hard numbers, Sony's had every unit ship at 197,000 units, compared to the Microsoft's HD-DVD add on drive at 42,000 units.

Keep in mind, it's a bit of comparing apples to oranges. Not everyone that purchases a PS3 is going to be using the Blu-ray technology as a Movie player,but unlike the X360's HD-DVD drive the PS3 uses Blu-ray for games also.

But crunching numbers is still fun, anyhow.

Konami: "MGS4 Is Exclusive To PlayStation 3"

The internet was aflutter with rumours this weekend, as reports speculated that the massive PlayStation 3 Metal Gear Solid instalment, Guns of the Patriots was stealthing its way over to Xbox 360 - rumours that Konami has since debunked to CVG.

"Konami has no plans to bring Metal Gear Solid 4 to the Xbox 360 at this time," a Konami representative told CVG, reiterating that the Hideo Kojima stealth-em-up was still "exclusive to PlayStation 3".

The original internet report pointed at the MGS instalment branching-out onto multiple platforms due to Konami's concerns that there won't be enough PS3s in gamers' hands by the time it hits shelves.

Though going by the company's official word, it looks like there'll be no Solid Snake action on Microsoft's console for the time being. We wouldn't totally rule out a 360 version in the long term, but you can bet the game will be exclusive to PS3 for at least a year.

We'll be sure to pipe up if Konami flips its stance.

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PSP Racer Makes It's Way To PS3.

Sony's PlayStation Network is up and running at full steam, and with it more and more games and demos are becoming available for download. PlayStation 3 owners have already been able to snag the likes of Blast Factor, Lemmings, Go! Sudoku and more from the PlayStation Store to quench their gaming hunger in-between the major in-store releases, and plenty more titles on their way.

Right around the turn of the year, either late this month or early January, Sony Online Entertainment will bring its high octane racer GripShift to the system via the PlayStation Store for $9.99. For those who aren't familiar with the original PSP release, the racer mixes stunt driving with puzzle elements and even some platforming while you race around over undulating suspended tracks. Tracks feature multiple routes, shortcuts, loops, jumps, ramps and such aimed to keep you on your toes.

While the game first appeared on Sony's handheld, GripShift for the PS3 will be more than a simple port. For starters, the game has been optimized to run in full 720p resolution at 60fps, fast enough for even the most ardent speed fans. The vehicle handling is said to be improved with more responsive controls, a welcome enhancement to be certain. The PS3 version will also feature more than 125 new and re-mixed levels spanning over 25 race tracks. And for you competitive types, four player online gaming will be present as well.

Though the game is right around the corner, that's all the information we have for now.

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Burnout 5 Leads On PS3 Not 360.

Development on EA's next instalment in the highly-acclaimed Burnout series is being focused on the PlayStation 3, developer Criterion has said in an Interview.

"We're kind of specialists on the Sony system. Because it was always that way on Burnout," Criterion's Alex Ward tells MSNBC, adding that Criterion is still "doing some cool stuff" on the Xbox 360 version of Burnout 5.

Further on in the interview Ward also offers some new info on the next-gen racer, saying that he hopes to re-invigorate gamers' perception of the car crash (oo-eer).

"If you watch the first Superman on DVD," he says "the director talks about the original version of Superman being very camp, very light-hearted. What he wanted to do was get to the heart of it, get to the truth of it. Their buzzword was 'verisimilitude'.

And they spent all of their time on flying, because if the flying wasn't right, the movie wouldn't make any sense. If you didn't believe Superman was real, then you wouldn't believe the story".

"So with Burnout, we have to go back to square one. And our verisimilitude is on car crashing. If you don't believe the crash is real, then it's not going to frighten you...The first crash you see on PlayStation 3 has got to go way beyond everything you've ever seen, beyond anything that we've ever done. Because every time we put our game out, people say, 'It's the best crashes ever in a game.' We've got to go beyond that now. We have to go beyond a game, and we have to go beyond a game car crash.That's what all of our work is focused on right now".

Ward goes on to suggest that we'll see Burnout 5 in the shops within the year, saying that his goal is to make it look like "a year two PS3 game in year one." We'll let you know when EA drop official word.

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Playstation Network Open For Registrations For Europeans.

European's can now register there ID for use on 'Playstation network'. So get in there quick so your name is'nt took. Just click on the link below and follow on screen instruction's.

European Playstation Network

Reeves Dismisses Talk Of PS3 Delay In Europe.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss David Reeves has told GamesIndustry.biz that suggestions the European launch of PS3 will be delayed once again are nothing more than 'speculation without foundation'.

Rumours of a delay began to emerge when consumer site CVG published a report quoting an unnamed source as saying the PS3 won't be arriving in March, as planned. The report went on to claim that a September launch date is now likely.

But speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Reeves said, "We're still on schedule to launch PS3 in March throughout the PAL territories. All speculation otherwise is without foundation".

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter agreed with Reeves that talk of a delay is "all speculation", telling GI.biz, "I think that the logic behind a March European launch was that demand would subside in the US sufficiently to allow Sony to divert supply to Europe.

"It's unlikely that supply will outstrip demand any time before June, but Sony could decide to have a soft launch with limited quantities in Europe".

According to Pachter, a delay is only likely to occur if Sony introduces a price reduction for the console. "Now that they have added HDMI to the US$ 499 SKU, they could decide to launch at a lower price point in Europe, and could explain away the delay that way - as in, 'We have to ramp manufacturing of the new and improved SKU".

However, Pachter concluded, "It's impossible to know what Sony is up to" - so any suggestions of a delay are merely guesswork.

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Date Set For PS3 VF5 In Japan.

The Japanese PlayStation 3 drought will end early on in the new year. Sega announced today a final Japanese date of February 8, 2007 for the arcade to PS3 port of Virtual Fighter 5.

At its release, VF5 will arguably be the biggest PS3 title to date. Sega, apparently realizing the high profile nature of the title, will be charging a tax inclusive 8,190 yen. This is about 1,000 yen higher than Japan's standard going rate for PS2 titles (2,000 yen more than Sony 1st party games).

Those who pre-order will get a bit extra for their cash. Sega will be giving away, as a bonus, the PS2-compatible Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary game. This title, which was orginally included in Enterbrain's Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary Memory of Decade, includes the original Virtua Fighter, updated with Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution gameplay systems.

Arcade purists will have to bear with the Six Axis for a week. Sega will follow the release of VF5 with the 2/15 release of the Virtua Stick High Grade arcade stick. The peripheral will retail for the tax-inclusive price of 7,329 yen.

Sega has yet to comment on release plans for the US versions of both VF5 and the arcade stick.

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PlayStation 3 Sales Send Asustek Sales Soaring.

The Taiwanese contract manufacturer producing the PlayStation 3 saw its sales rocket to a record high in November due to the hit product.

Asustek Computer Inc.'s consolidated sales in November soared 81 percent month-on-month to US $2.59 billion. The figure was also 114 percent higher than November of last year, it reported Friday.

The company would not comment officially on why its revenue in November rose, but one executive confirmed that it is manufacturing the PS3 on behalf of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Stock market analysts, who have been pumping Asustek stock in Taiwan, had expected its revenue to rise around 40 percent to 50 percent month-on-month in November due to the start of PS3 sales globally, but their estimate was far short of the actual increase.

Sales of the popular game machine, which went on sale in Japan on Nov. 11 and in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan on Nov. 17, have been hampered by component shortages. SCEI had originally planned to have 2 million units available for its global launch, but problems procuring blue-laser diodes for the Blu-ray Disc drive inside the console forced it to pare its launch plan to just 500,000 units.

The company has said it is continuously shipping new consoles to retailers as they become available.

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Sony Reasserts Commitment To Ship 1 Million PS3's In 2006.

Following the release of videogame hardware and software sales data for November by sales tracking agency NPD, Sony's head of PR David Karraker has issued an official statement to Gamasutra. Karraker stated that Sony is "very pleased" with the data, and that the manufacturing problems which plagued the system's launch "have been resolved".

The latest NPD data showed that Sony had shipped only 197,000 units during the month of November, far less than the promised 400,000 units. However, Karraker reasserted Sony's intention to "remain focused on having one million PS3's in the pipeline by December 31, 2006".

Despite the severe lack of PS3's at launch, Sony did express enthusiasm about the performance of its two other systems, the PSP and the PS2. NPD data reported that the PS2 sold strongly through November with 664,000 units sold, while the PSP sold an respectable 412,000 units.

"These figures clearly demonstrate the strength of the PlayStation family of products in the US market," commented Karraker. "PlayStation 3 remains one of the most sought after items this holiday season, selling through almost immediately in all retailers once placed on store shelves. We will continue to utilize airfreight delivery for PlayStation 3 to assure a steady stream of systems for North American consumers through the end of the year. And while initial day-one launch shipment goals weren't achievable due to early manufacturing issues, those problems have been resolved and we do remain focused on having one million PS3's in the pipeline by December 31, 2006".

He added: "The six-year old PlayStation 2 continues to dominate the market, outselling all other computer entertainment systems in November, including much newer systems from the competition. PS2 also topped the software category, out pacing all other system's sales by almost three times. PSP (PlayStation Portable Player) had a very good November as well, seeing a jump in sales of nearly 50% and a strong increase in software sell-through. These sales figures bode very well for SCEA as it offers a computer entertainment system for every taste and budget this holiday season".

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Best-Selling PS3 Games.

The NPD Group has released sales data for November 2006, and while the PlayStation 3 wasn't able to crack the overall top 20, it appears Resistance: Fall of Man had a high attach rate.

Resistance sold twice as much as the next best-selling title, Madden NFL 07. The ever-popular WWII setting allowed Call of Duty 3 to round out the top three.

Here are the top ten best-selling PlayStation 3 games for November 2006, as provided by the NPD Group:

1. Resistance: Fall of Man
2. Madden NFL 07
3. Call of Duty 3
4. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
5. Ridge Racer 7
6. Need for Speed: Carbon
7. Tony Hawk's Project 8
8. NBA 2K7
9. NBA 07
10. Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom

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Sony Announces 50GB Blu-ray Discs.

Sony Australia has announced the arrival of 50GB Blu-ray Discs, offering more than 10 times the capacity of a DVD-R – or more than 10 hours of high definition video.

The new BNR50A recordable and BNE50A rewritable dual-layer discs are 1-2x speed compatible at 72 Mbps and use advanced Sony AccuCORE Technology to accurately store data and ensure compatibility with other drives and players. BD media is layered with a scratch-resistant coating and is made from highly reliable recording material, making it suitable for long term archival.

BNR50A 50GB Blu-ray Recordable Discs retail for $AU83.95 and are available now. BNE50A Blu-ray Re-writable Discs will retail for $AU104.95 and will be available in January 2007.

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