Video Game Cheats

Check out the Pulse DevBlog for the most recent news on how Virtual Fairground is doing on pitching Pulse at the Game Developers Conference.

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Be sure to check out my GDC coverage over at Bashers.nl ! I’ll be blogging about my conference adventures starting early next week.

Here’s some gameplay footage of the Global Game Jam prototype, in case you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet.

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The XBox 360 has become quite a contender in the new-gen console wars, but Microsoft is the only one staying out of the portable market (so far). So while you wait for MS’s rumored Portable XBox, here are some options for taking the XBox 360 on the road.

The XBox 360 Laptop
This handsome creation might not be the more easily accessible or affordable, but it is definitely the coolest.

Not too long ago, the master of all custom gaming devices portable, Ben Heckendorn created the ultimate portable version of the XBox 360 by putting in a laptop form factor and including the following features:

• 17″ 1280×720 progressive-scan LCD VGA monitor
• Custom Water-cooling to allow for a slimmer main body
• Built-in keyboard and Wi-Fi.
• Aluminum case
• Single “expanded” power supply brick for both screen and Xbox 360.
• Breakout ports audio and video ports for external AV options.

Ben really went all out in making sure everything was well-designed in terms of sustainability and usability and also tested everything thoroughly. It’s amazing some major gaming hardware company hasn’t paid him big money to design these things for them.

Advantages

• One single device that handles the video, sound, power, and cooling
• Easy to carry around
• Relatively large screen
• Extremely stylish

Disadvantages

• You need to arrange a custom order from Ben
• He says that most jobs cost “$400 (design / labor / case) + parts”, so I would imagine that it would be in the $1,000 ballpark
• May take a month or so for Ben to complete an order

Mr. Heckendorn also goes into great detail on how you can make your own Xbox 360 laptop (and other great console projects) on his website.

The XBox 360 In A Suitcase
If you are a hardcore-gamer who feels pathetic at the idea of leaving your Xbox 360 at home whenever you need to go-out, then you might be looking for some thing like this Portable Steel Case from Ackibox.

Advantages

• Protective carrying case provides a portable console gaming experience
• Opens easy for easy access to the equipment
• Hinged lid adjusts for an optimal viewing angle
• Equipment is securely anchored within the case
• Cables are neatly managed in a separate cord compartment

Disadvantages

• You still need to plug the 360 in
• You can’t buy one… yet.

Keep in mind that this is still a prototype, but this isn’t anything that is necessarily hard to duplicate. With the right materials and a little creativity, you could probably build your own.

Also, this “solution” doesn’t really add any real functionality except for a bit of convenience and protection for your equipment. Nothing is stopping you from just buying a small LCD TV and carrying it around with you.

XBox 360 + Custom LCD Screen
This technique has been around for a while and was pioneered by Sony and their PSOne screen. There are a few vendors out there that will sell you a special LCD that is styled after the XBox 360 and has an easy setup.

Both the JoyTech LCD and the Display from MojoPlay sport a 800×480 resolution and has built-in speakers. They are also closer to the $200 range.

Advantages

• Easy of use
• Good video connections

Disadvantages

• Not the best value
• No power solution
• A bit bulky for what it does
• Limited number of retailers
• Limited number of no-name manufacturers

This would probably be my last resort for taking a 360 on the go. I would probably buy a small LCD TV for my 360 before one of these.

XBox 360 + Portable DVD Player
This technique may actually be the most affordable, simplistic, and practical of the bunch.

This Flickr user simply took his XBox 360 and plugged it into the video inputs of his Polaroid portable DVD player. Why pay extra for a special LCD that is only made to use with a certain console when you can use the DVD player with other devices and use it on its own.

Advantages

• A wide selection of portable DVD players under $100
• Easy setup

Disadvantages

• Relatively small screen and resolution
• Limited to Composite video in most cases
• Doesn’t help with power for the XBox 360

Personally, I would probably opt for this method. Some people probably already have one of these DVD players, so it may not even require you to spend any extra money.

XBox 360 In A Car
Suzuki just recently demoed a new car prototype that is built around the XBox 360. Even though I cringe a bit at the thought of having such a expensive vehicle based around a gaming system that will be out of style before you know it (anybody have a ‘95 Corvette with an SNES built in?), I can’t help but be memorized a bit at the execution.

Obviously, this is the most expensive and over-the-top XBox 360 setup to date and nobody really knows for sure if anybody will be able to (or be willing to) buy one.

In addition to being able to play on two LCD screens in the back seats, there is also a projector screen that comes out of the cargo area.

Advantages

• Total integration
• Fully powered
• Big screens
• Great sound system

Disadvantages

• Total integration (don’t know if you can remove it)
• Expensive (obviously)
• Not sure if I’d want to sit in my car to play games much
• What happens when the XBox 720 comes out?

Personally, I think if they were to go through all this trouble, they should have an option to have the two LCDs go up to the front, combine for a widescreen effect, and let you play Project Gotham by using the car’s wheel, pedals, and shifter. No THAT would be a great gaming experience!

Our Global Game Jam music game ‘Pulse‘ just got a development deal with Virtual Fairground! We’ll be showcasing a revamped demo during the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco!

Download and share the prototype at PulseTheGame.com

The press release is over here

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Pranksterz: From Russia with Love is fully tested and is almost ready

In a new installment of the Pranksterz franchise, the player takes on the role of a Russian agent, working undercover in the United States. His main task is to piss off potential spy thus stopping his activity…

The concept of the game is similar to previous episodes; however, visuals and graphics have been greatly improved. Pranks have become more sophisticated and the enemy is much more artful.

Game Features:

• 13 episodes of pranks filled with fun
• Stylish 3D graphics with cartoonish characters
• Convenient interface and easy to use controls
• Captivating soundtrack
• Feel like you’re in the shoes of a Russian spy

Guildford, UK January 29, 2009 – Get ready for the ultimate blox-busting action as Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced BOOM BLOX™ Bash Party for Wii™, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed BOOM BLOX™ game for Wii. EA’s collaboration with director and producer Steven Spielberg continues with BOOM BLOX Bash Party, and the destructive fun reaches new heights with richer multiplayer action and more than 400 new levels that will have players of all ages gaming together and solving action-packed puzzles under water, in zero gravity, and beyond!

“BOOM BLOX Bash Party is a wild social gaming experience,” said Steven Spielberg. “We know families and friends really enjoyed playing the original BOOM BLOX together, so we designed more explosive multiplayer experiences with BOOM BLOX Bash Party.”

BOOM BLOX Bash Party is even more fun to play with friends and family, featuring twice as many multiplayer challenges as the original, and now offers team-based challenges! Players can play with or against friends, solo or in teams, knocking down blocks, destroying towers, slinging and launching blocks and characters, for tons of high-energy, family-friendly fun!

BOOM BLOX Bash Party is packed with tons of new features that are sure to get the party started! The game showcases new block types, including: virus and conveyor blox, new blox shapes, such as: cylinders and wedges, and new tools that will make for even more destructive fun. Players will find twists on BOOM BLOX game play favorites like throwing and grabbing. Players now can also sling, launch, and blow the competition away with new cannon, …

Weston, CT – February 14, 2008 – Channeling the tingling excitement of sighting an approaching apparition after a long night’s ghost-hunt, Got Game Entertainment today announced that “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” has gone gold. Now set to haunt North American retail shelves this March, “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” finds ghost-hunters Nigel Danvers and Lucy Reubans in search of hidden treasures, and answers to an ancient mystery, along England’s fog-shrouded coastline. Created by Jonathan Boakes and his Darkling Room team, this hair-raising suspense-adventure game for the PC will make its retail debut at $29.99 (USD).

“We know it’s been a long wait for adventure fans, but care and precision are hallmarks of all Jonathan Boakes projects, and that often time-consuming attention to detail will certainly be seen in ‘The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure’,” said Got Game Entertainment President Howard Horowitz.

Bringing a frightening ghost story to spine-tingling life, “The Lost Crown: A Ghost-hunting Adventure” features actual E.V.P. (Electronic Voice Phenomena), photographs of unexplained entities captured by creator Jonathan Boakes while researching the game, and a bone-chilling original soundtrack. In a cinematic, richly detailed world filled with taunting town “locals” and mind-bending puzzles, players will be armed with the tools of the modern-day ghost-hunter to investigate local legends and discover long-lost secrets, previously known only to the dead.

Torrance, CA (January 27, 2009) – Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announces today, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus will be arriving this spring 2009. Hardcore players will finally be able to take their fight on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™. Developed by Yokohama-based Arc System Works, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is the definitive installment in the series and is widely cited as one of the most balanced fighter among its peers.

Sporting high resolution graphics in 480P, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus marks the return of over 20 beloved characters from the Guilty Gear franchise, including Kliff and Justice! Fans of the series will be pleased to not only find all their characters available right off the bat, but will finally be able to uncover the rich stories of each character for the first time!

"Never has there been a fighting game where so much attention to character balance exists," said Michael Manzanares, Producer, Aksys Games. "Guilty Gear veterans will definitely find themselves immersed once again with the new story and survival modes."

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Features

• 2 COMBATANTS RETURN TO THE BATTLE!
Accent Core Plus marks the return of fan favorites Kliff Undersn and Justice, rounding out the cast of 25 playable characters.

• ALL NEW STORY MODE CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR GGXXACP!
Discover the back story to all of your favorite characters in the Guilty Gear mythos, with fully-voiced dialogue.

• FIGHT TO SURVIVE!
Level up your character’s abilities and traits in the re-tuned Survival …

Torrance, CA (January 27, 2009) – Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announces today, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus will be arriving this spring 2009. Hardcore players will finally be able to take their fight on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™. Developed by Yokohama-based Arc System Works, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is the definitive installment in the series and is widely cited as one of the most balanced fighter among its peers.

Sporting high resolution graphics in 480P, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus marks the return of over 20 beloved characters from the Guilty Gear franchise, including Kliff and Justice! Fans of the series will be pleased to not only find all their characters available right off the bat, but will finally be able to uncover the rich stories of each character for the first time!

"Never has there been a fighting game where so much attention to character balance exists," said Michael Manzanares, Producer, Aksys Games. "Guilty Gear veterans will definitely find themselves immersed once again with the new story and survival modes."

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Features

• 2 COMBATANTS RETURN TO THE BATTLE!
Accent Core Plus marks the return of fan favorites Kliff Undersn and Justice, rounding out the cast of 25 playable characters.

• ALL NEW STORY MODE CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR GGXXACP!
Discover the back story to all of your favorite characters in the Guilty Gear mythos, with fully-voiced dialogue.

• FIGHT TO SURVIVE!
Level up your character’s abilities and traits in the re-tuned Survival …

By purchasing your very own gaming console, you will see that this is not really a waste of money at all. With a gaming console, you will be able to entertain yourself when you’re bored, and it is also a great way to spend time with your children by playing their favorite games with them via multiplayer mode.

Gaming consoles before were simple and have crude graphics and sound technology. However, because of the advancement in computer technology and microchips, gaming consoles today are now very realistic in terms of graphics and sound. In fact, you can easily mistake the characters as real life actors that you can control when you play with today’s gaming console and today’s games. Down to the imperfection of a human face, a graphic artist can create a character that looks so human that it can sometimes be scary and fun.

Sony is a company that manufactures such gaming consoles that offer great graphics technology and also great sound technology. They were responsible for the PlayStation series and today, many people are awaiting the release of yet another addition for their PlayStation series. This gaming console is called the PlayStation 3.

Sony promises that PlayStation 3 will provide an exceptional gaming experience to people all over the world. With state-of-the-art graphics and sound technology integrated in the PlayStation 3 gaming console, many people are anticipating the release of this particular gaming console in the market today. In fact, many people have begun preordering or making reservations of PlayStation 3 in Sony retail outlets and online PlayStation 3 merchants.

However, before you buy, or before you preorder, you have to know the price of a PlayStation 3 unit first in order for you to know if you can afford it. You also have to know the benefits it can give you in order to know if you will definitely get what you will pay for.

PlayStation 3 is a highly advanced gaming machine that is integrated with the best graphics chip, and also the best processor. PlayStation 3 also has an HDMI port for you to enjoy playing games on High Definition TV. This particular gaming console is also equipped with upgradeable hard drive, flash card reader, and Wi-Fi. Another great thing about PlayStation 3 is that it is also integrated with the Blu-ray drive and it also has the backwards compatibility feature that will allow you to play with your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games in your PlayStation 3 game console.

The Sony PlayStation 3 price varies from the two different configurations that will be released in the market today. One configuration is the basic and the other is the premium. The difference between these two is that the premium configuration has a much higher specification than the basic configuration. If you want to upgrade in your own pace, the basic configuration is the right PlayStation 3 configuration for you. However, if you want maximum gaming quality and uses most of the PlayStation 3 features, the premium configuration is the right one for you.

In the US the price of the basic configuration is expected to be at US$499 and US$599 for the premium configuration. As you can see, PlayStation 3 can definitely give you your money’s worth. With great gaming technology and great games, PlayStation 3 is worth every penny.

Sony is dubbed as one of the leading manufacturers of gaming consoles in the market today. The PlayStation and PlayStation 2 is one of the most popular gaming consoles in the market and many households all over the world own at least one of these gaming consoles.

Besides, with stunning and realistic graphics and sound technology, who wouldn’t want to play with it? The PlayStation and PlayStation 2 took the world by storm upon its release and many people are still buying these gaming consoles today, because of its latest graphics and sound technology that will definitely make you feel as if you are really part of the game itself. Aside from that, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 also have a wide library of popular gaming titles that will surely get you glued to your seats for hours.

Today, the widely anticipated gaming console, also developed by Sony, named PlayStation 3 is already very popular even before its official release in the market. It is a fact that many people are now making preorders or reservations to ensure them ownership of this widely eagerly awaited console to be released on November 2006 in Japan and North America, and March 2007 in Europe and Australasia. You may now ask what sets the PlayStation 3 apart from its predecessors and other gaming console in the market today.

PlayStation 3 is integrated with the latest in graphics and sound technology that will give gamers one of the best gaming experiences of their lives. Sony promises that PlayStation 3 will change the way people will look at gaming consoles of the past. This particular gaming console has features that are not found on any other gaming consoles released in the market before.

First of all, PlayStation 3 has two different configurations, the basic and the premium configuration. Here are some of the features that PlayStation 3 has and why this particular gaming console is widely anticipated by many people worldwide:

Basic Configuration:

• Cell Broadband Engine CPU
• RSX GPU
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• 20GB Upgradeable HDD
• 4 USB 2.0
• Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
• Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
• Wireless Bluetooth Controllers
• Blu-ray/DVD/CD Drive

Premium Configuration:

• Cell Broadband Engine CPU
• RSX GPU
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• 60GB Upgradeable HDD
• 4 USB 2.0
• Memory Stick/SD/CompactFlash Slots
• Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
• Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
• IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Wireless Bluetooth Controllers
• Blu-ray/DVD/CD Drive

As you can see, the difference between the two configurations is that the premium configuration has more features, such as built-in Wi-Fi, larger HDD capacity, and has Flash Card readers.

You will also see that it has the Blu-ray disc drive. This particular disk drive is the next-generation in media format that will deliver high definition entertainment. The Blu-ray disc is very much like when the DVD disc was compared to CDs. Today, the Blu-ray drive is integrated in the PlayStation 3 to let you experience high definition gaming that is not found on any other gaming consoles available in the market today.

In other words, Blu-ray Disc will allow game developers to express their creativity more by allowing more storage space for game data. This means more realism and also more quality for your Blu-ray games.

So, if you are considering buying a new gaming console, you would want to consider PlayStation 3 as one of your choices when you go shopping. Aside from the sleek-looking outer shell, it will also give you a quality gaming experience that you have never experienced before from other gaming consoles that were introduced then.

Torrance, CA (January 27, 2009) – Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announces today, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus will be arriving this spring 2009. Hardcore players will finally be able to take their fight on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™. Developed by Yokohama-based Arc System Works, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is the definitive installment in the series and is widely cited as one of the most balanced fighter among its peers.

Sporting high resolution graphics in 480P, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus marks the return of over 20 beloved characters from the Guilty Gear franchise, including Kliff and Justice! Fans of the series will be pleased to not only find all their characters available right off the bat, but will finally be able to uncover the rich stories of each character for the first time!

"Never has there been a fighting game where so much attention to character balance exists," said Michael Manzanares, Producer, Aksys Games. "Guilty Gear veterans will definitely find themselves immersed once again with the new story and survival modes."

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Features

• 2 COMBATANTS RETURN TO THE BATTLE!
Accent Core Plus marks the return of fan favorites Kliff Undersn and Justice, rounding out the cast of 25 playable characters.

• ALL NEW STORY MODE CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR GGXXACP!
Discover the back story to all of your favorite characters in the Guilty Gear mythos, with fully-voiced dialogue.

• FIGHT TO SURVIVE!
Level up your character’s abilities and traits in the re-tuned Survival …

Playstation fanatics will not have to wait much as Sony has announced the release of Playstation 3. The PS3, successor of PS and PS2, is due for release this November in United States, Japan, and Canada. However, the release in Europe and Australia has been postponed reportedly because of the limited production of Blu-ray disc diodes. These diodes are key components of the PS3. The people in Europe and Australia would then have to wait until March 2007.

In the initial release, Playstation 3 will be offered in two configurations: 1) Basic, and 2) Premium. In the Basic, the PS3 will come with a 20 GB hard drive, wireless controllers, Blu-ray drive, and HDMI port. The premium version has a 60 GB hard drive and has additional features that include built-in Wi-Fi and flash card readers. The hard drives of both configurations are upgradeable. Flash card readers can be installed in the Basic version by using extra adapters.

As to its physical features, the Playstation 3 weighs about 5 kg and measures 9.8 cm x 32.5 cm x 27.4 cm. Moreover, the PS3 is designed with heat pipes to control the heat output. The PS3, as Sony claims, is developed to operate quietly.

Sony has also listed titles of PS3 games that are under development and may be available upon release, or within a few months after the release of the game console. The game list includes: Call of Duty 3, Fatal Inertia, Genji: Days of the Blade, F.E.A.R., Madden NFL 07, Resistance: Fall of Man, Need for Speed: Carbon, NBA 07, NBA 2K7, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Sonic the Hedgehog, Full Auto: Battlelines, Call of Duty, and Blazing Angels: Squadron of WWII. Other main titles consist of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, Resident Evil 5, Armored Core 4, Battlefield: Bad Company, Unreal Tournament 2007, Killzone PS3, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII, White Knight Story, and many others.

In the United States, the 20 GB PS3 will be retailed for $499 while the 60 GB will be sold for $599 on the release date. In Japan, the 20 GB will be set at US$420. Meanwhile, Sony has adopted an open pricing strategy for the 60 GB version; that is, Japanese sellers are free to name their price. In Canada, the 20 GB and 60 GB models will be sold for US$480 and US$480, respectively. On the other hand, Australian retailers will sell the PS3 units for US$570 (20 GB) and US$680 (60 GB).

Based on some statements by the President of Sony Computer Entertainment, the cost of the PS3 games is suggested to set at US$60 up to US$100.

So what are you waiting for? Pre orders are now being offered by various websites. Sign up now to have your own seventh generation era game console.

But practice caution. Sony Corporation has confirmed the issue of rampant misleading offers. A lot of internet sites have been posting pre orders on bulk or discounted deliveries of the game units without the authorization from Sony.

Although Sony chose not to name the websites who are engaged in such scams, the consumers are advised to buy the Playstation systems only from legitimate retailers. This is to avoid scams and other unwanted consequences.

The Playstation 3 will be available in the United States and Japan this November 2006. In Australasia and European regions, the release will still be on March 2007. According to Sony, this has been so due to the scarcity of diodes which are vital parts in the production of Blu-ray disc drives.

In the initial retails of the Playstation 3, two configurations are going to be available. The first is the “Basic” version, and the other is the “Premium”. The first type will come with an upgradeable 20 GB hard drive, an HDMI port, a Blu-ray drive, and Bluetooth controllers. The latter, on the other hand, will be having the same features but with additional supports. The hard disk will have a 60 GB capacity, and memory card readers and built-in Wi-Fi will be available.

As to its specification, the Playstation 3 has a 3.2 GHz processor which has been developed with the joint efforts of Sony, IBM and Toshiba. Also, the PS3 will come with a 256 MB Rambus XDR DRAM. The video game console is designed with heat pipes that, as claimed by Sony, will operate as quiet as the Playstation 2. For its physical points, the PS3 is roughly 5 kg and 3.9 in. x 12.8 in. x 10.8 in.

The price of the Playstation 3 varies by region. In the United States, the video game console will be retailed for US$ 499 for the 20 GB model, and US$ 599 for the 60 GB one. Meanwhile, in Japan, the 20 GB version will be sold for US$ 420 or JP¥ 49,980. The 60 GB unit pricing are left for the Japanese resellers to decide, as Sony Corporation opted to set an open pricing scheme in the region. On the other hand, Canadian retailers will be selling the PS3 for US$ 480 or C$ 549 for the Basic version, and US$ 580 or C$ 659 for the Premium models. In Mexico, the 20 GB PS3 price is set at US$ 640 or MXN$ 7,999, while the 60 GB will be available for US$ 760 or MXN$ 9,499. In the Eurozone, with the exception of Finland, the consoles are retailed for US$ 550 or € 499 (Basic model), and US$ 660 or € 599 (Premium model). In the Australian regions, gamers can avail of the PS3 for A$ 829 (US$ 570) and A$ 999 (US$ 680) for the 20 GB and 60 GB configurations, respectively. In Finland, the price is initially fixed at € 550 (US$ 570) for the Basic and € 650 (US$ 670) for the Premium. And in Taiwan, the 20 GB PS3 can be bought for NTD$ 14,980 or (US$ 451), and the 60 GB version for NTD$ 17,980 (US$ 542).

The initial price of the Playstation 3 is notably high. And as such, this has been a subject of reviews and criticisms of developers and analysts. In defense, an executive of Sony Corporation cited the Blu-ray feature and the game’s overall value. However, analysts have guessed that the company’s stock price drop in its last quarter earnings statement has played a role in the PS3’s pricing scheme.

Sony’s official website and other various sites are offering preorders. So, if you want your own PS3, check out those sites and fill up your own preorder form.

In the world of gaming consoles, Sony is one of the leading manufacturers and also made one of the most popular gaming consoles in the market today. When Sony released the PlayStation back in the mid 90’s, it took the world by storm for its state-of-the-art graphics and sound technology.

The same success was also met when Sony released their PlayStation 2 back in the year 2000. It was so widely anticipated that many people preordered the PlayStation 2 even before it was officially released in the market. The same rush is expected with the upcoming release of Sony’s new gaming console.

Today, many people are now anticipating a new kind of gaming console from Sony. This particular gaming console is now being considered as one of the most popular and also one of the most widely anticipated gaming console ever developed by Sony. This gaming console is called the PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation 3 has a lot of features that will change the way people play games on gaming console. It has different features that are considered to be the latest in the gaming console technology and the people working side-by-side to develop the PlayStation 3 gaming console has definitely thought a lot about developing a one-of-a-kind gaming console that people will surely want.

The PlayStation 3 is scheduled for release on November 2006 in Japan, United States, and Canada, and on March 2007 in Europe and Australasia. Because of its features, the PlayStation 3 gaming console by Sony is now receiving preorders from all over the world before it is even officially released in the market. If you know about PlayStation 3, you would want this gaming console to be part of your home entertainment system.

Sony will be releasing two configurations of Sony PlayStation 3. One is the basic configuration and the other is the premium configuration. In basic configuration it will be integrated with a 20 Gigabyte upgradeable hard drive, a Blu-ray drive, HDMI port, and one Bluetooth controller. In the premium configuration, it will include an upgradeable 60 Gigabyte hard drive, a Blu-ray drive, HDMI port, one Bluetooth controller, silver-colored trim, built-in Wi-Fi, and Flash card readers. If you want maximum enjoyment ahead of everyone else, you may want to preorder the premium configuration of PlayStation 3.

PlayStation 3 will also have a wide library of popular games and will also have backward compatibility to PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games. With this feature, you will be able to play with your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games with the Sony PlayStation 3 gaming console.

Integrated with the latest technology in gaming consoles, you may want to preorder PlayStation 3 in your country in order to avoid joining the early Christmas shopping rush where a lot of people will be expected to purchase the PlayStation 3 gaming console. Preordering will allow you to own the PlayStation 3 even before it will reach the shelves of your nearest PlayStation 3 retailers.

So, if you want to secure a PlayStation 3 for yourself, preordering a PlayStation 3 in your nearest authorized dealer of PlayStation 3 in your area is a very good idea. Avoid getting trapped in the early Christmas shopping rush for the PlayStation 3 by preordering it with your nearest authorized dealer of PlayStation 3 or you may also preorder online.

VARESE, ITALY – 28 AUGUST 2007

Black Bean today announced that its highly anticipated videogame SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, will storm the market for all key formats next year.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, Milestone’s fast paced videogame, the officially licensed WSBK, lands on the next-gen console with brand new features and enhancements. Thanks to the X360 and PS3 hardware performances, gameplay experience will be enriched in order to let players experience the Worlds Super Bike universe in a compelling and immersive game.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship will be available from May 2008 for X360, PS3, PS2, PSP and PC.

About Lago/Black Bean. Black Bean is the games label of Lago Srl, which is part of the Leader Group. Leader SpA has been the leading independent distributor in Italy since it started business in 1984. Leader is based in Gazzada (Varese) which is situated 30 miles north of Milan in northern Italy. Black Bean philosophy is to focus on a wide range of games genre leveraging on the niche targets that remain uncovered into the market. By adding original content to the products and by fully localising the titles Black Bean’s vision is to remain close to player’s needs. Black Bean has distribution partners all across Europe and PAL territories including Australia and South Africa. www.blackbeangames.com

When you hear people say PlayStation, you primarily think of great games on a great game console. You think of Sony as the developer of a one-of-a-kind high quality game console and you also think of a gaming console that changed the way people think about home entertainment systems.

Today, one of the most enthusiastically awaited game consoles in the market is the PlayStation 3. This gaming console promises to yet again, revolutionize the way people play games on game consoles all over the world. With features that are considered as state-of-the-art and integrated technology that are highly advanced, people will really want one for their own home.

Aside from the sleek and attractive looking outer shell, PlayStation 3 packs one of the best technologies in the gaming console world. This particular gaming console is expected to be one of the greatest gaming consoles ever developed and released in the market.

PlayStation 3 has a powerful graphics chip together with a powerful 3.2 GHz CPU and 512 MB of RAM that will make you experience a one-of-a-kind game play. Another contribution for maximum enjoyment is the Blu-ray drive. The Blu-ray disc can handle data 5 times higher than your conventional DVD. This means that game developers will have more leverage in designing PlayStation 3 games and this will result in more realistic characters with detailed and also realistic environment.

Because of this, games will far more be realistic and detailed than ever before. In fact, Playing PlayStation 3 games on blu-ray discs will make you feel as if you are a part of the game itself and not just a person on the outside world playing with some game.

PlayStation 3 can definitely give you that extra spice you want in a game.

Another great contributor in PlayStation 3 is the game controllers. The game controllers for PlayStation 3 games are Bluetooth capable. This means that you can play PlayStation 3 games wirelessly. This will give you more freedom when playing with your PlayStation 3 games. For example, if you like football or soccer, you can literally run around your room like a football or soccer player who just scored a goal while holding your PlayStation 3 controller.

PlayStation 3 controllers are also integrated with the multi-axis motion sensing system technology that will allow you to control the game in real time and with maximum precision. With this system, the game controller will virtually become a natural extension of your body.

PlayStation 3 also has a backward compatibility feature. This feature will enable you to play with your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games in this console. This means that your investment in your old games will not be wasted. With PlayStation 3, you can play all your PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games. In fact, because of the HDMI features of the PlayStation 3, it will even further enhance your old games.

Not only that, PlayStation 3 will enable you to play your DVD movies, and Audio CDs. PlayStation games aren’t the only discs that this game console can play. It is a game console that is also a DVD player and CD player.

So, investing in this game console is definitely not a wasted investment at all. So, watch out for it when it is released on November 2006 in Japan, United States, and Canada and on March 2007 in Europe and Australasia.

Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of gaming consoles today. Compared to other consoles, Sony’s gaming consoles are integrated with the latest cutting edge technology in graphics and sound, which will give you and your family high quality home entertainment.

Sony’s line of PlayStation is one of the most successful gaming consoles in the market. In fact, it is so successful that many people all over the world prefer PlayStation gaming consoles than other different gaming consoles developed by other companies.

Just imagine a gaming console with a wide library of popular games with realistic graphics and sound that will virtually take you in the game and make you feel as if you are the character and not just playing the game itself. If you played a PlayStation before, you know how entertaining it is and you also know what kind of benefits that PlayStation gaming consoles can contribute to your home entertainment systems.

Today, Sony will be officially releasing their much-anticipated PlayStation 3 on November 2006 in Japan, United States, and in Canada in that order. PlayStation 3 promises to deliver high-quality gaming experience for everyone in the world. With the latest graphics chip installed and with the best processor available for game consoles, PlayStation 3 will definitely give you and your family quality entertainment.

Although the sleek design of the PlayStation 3 is purely for aesthetics purposes, you can never deny the fact that the outer shell design will look good with your home entertainment system. PlayStation 3 also has Bluetooth wireless controllers that you can use for maximum comfort and enjoyment while you play the game.

PlayStation 3 can also be integrated with Wi-Fi technology that will enable you to play online PlayStation 3 games with different people all over the world. Because of this, you will be able to play with your own customized character online and fight against other people from all over the world or make new friends in the virtual community where you can go on cooperative missions.

There are other accessories that you can benefit from PlayStation 3. It has an upgradeable hard disk, and it will also be integrated with the Blu-ray drive. Also, PlayStation 3 will also be integrated with USB ports and the HDMI. With an HDMI feature, you will be able to play games on your High Definition TV with superior quality.

The Blu-ray drive is an advanced disc format that will be able to hold data five times more than that of a DVD. The Blu-ray drive will be able to play various disc media formats like your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games, your audio CDs, your DVDs and others. This means that you will be getting more aside from a game console. The PlayStation 3 will be able to play your DVD movies and it will also be able to play your audio CDs.

Now that you have several reasons why you should buy Sony PlayStation 3 instead of the other leading gaming consoles available in the market presently, you should also know that the PlayStation 3 is a highly anticipated gaming console today. You should expect that many people will be lining up to buy PlayStation 3 all over the world and this why you should also consider preordering a PlayStation 3 before it is even released in the market.

By preordering your own PlayStation 3, you can be sure that you will own a PlayStation 3 upon the official release of this gaming console on November 2006 in the United States, and in Canada. Buy PlayStation 3 now by preordering it online or by preordering it on your nearest Sony PlayStation 3 retail outlets.

VARESE, ITALY – 28 AUGUST 2007

Black Bean today announced that its highly anticipated videogame SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, will storm the market for all key formats next year.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, Milestone’s fast paced videogame, the officially licensed WSBK, lands on the next-gen console with brand new features and enhancements. Thanks to the X360 and PS3 hardware performances, gameplay experience will be enriched in order to let players experience the Worlds Super Bike universe in a compelling and immersive game.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship will be available from May 2008 for X360, PS3, PS2, PSP and PC.

About Lago/Black Bean. Black Bean is the games label of Lago Srl, which is part of the Leader Group. Leader SpA has been the leading independent distributor in Italy since it started business in 1984. Leader is based in Gazzada (Varese) which is situated 30 miles north of Milan in northern Italy. Black Bean philosophy is to focus on a wide range of games genre leveraging on the niche targets that remain uncovered into the market. By adding original content to the products and by fully localising the titles Black Bean’s vision is to remain close to player’s needs. Black Bean has distribution partners all across Europe and PAL territories including Australia and South Africa. www.blackbeangames.com

Video game consoles are on the loose. Since the Magnavox Odyssey era, video gaming systems are evolving to become one of the most powerful machines in the entertainment industry that ever existed. From the simple animation and mono background game music during the Atari years, video game consoles nowadays will make you feel that you are the one fighting monsters, racing with other cars, or shooting the ball to the hoop right in front of your opponent because of advanced three-dimensional animation technology, thanks to game software developers.

Thus, do not be surprised if video game consoles are now on the transition to the so-called “seventh generation”. Despite of the video game crash in 1977 wherein many game manufacturers abandoned the game console manufacturing industry due to unpopularity, gaming firms who have left in the battlefield tried to win the hearts of the gaming public, especially the younger generation, by producing high-quality games compatible to their consoles. And with the success of these gaming firms, video game consoles stand to its popularity among gamers of varying age groups, which eventually paved the way to the birth of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

The seventh generation began by the introduction of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 in November 2005, following the huge success of its predecessor, the Xbox. Since then, rival game console manufacturers began producing new genres of video game consoles, each one having unique characteristic from its rival consoles or predecessors alike. Thus, the generation is branded to be a “console war” in the history of interactive entertainment.

Following the success of Sony Corporation’s PlayStation 1 and 2, they are determined to maintain their dominance in the game console market. Thus, in May 16, 2005 at the E3 Conference, Japan’s leading electronic company, under its computer entertainment subsidiary, formally unveiled to the public the latest member of the PlayStation 3 series-the PlayStation 3 (PS3). It is expected to compete with its two rival game consoles, which are the Nintendo’s Wii and the Xbox 360.

PlayStation 3 is scheduled to be released on the following launch dates:

• The first release is scheduled in November 11, 2006 at Japan.
• Six days after the Japan debut, PS3’s launch date in Canada and United States would be on November 17 of the same year.
• On the other hand, the launch date of PS3 on Australasia and Europe is scheduled to be on March 2007, with the definite date pending on the decision of Sony Corporation.

On these launch dates, Sony has plans of releasing two different configurations for the PlayStation 3. The first one is known as the “premium version”, where the video game console will come with a 60 GB internal hard drive with multiple flash memory card readers and Wi-Fi or wireless internet connectivity. The other is known as the “alternate configuration” in which the video game console will come in lower internal hard drive (20 GB to be exact) and without Wi-Fi connectivity and memory card reader features, though the hard drive of the alternate configuration can be upgraded and memory card support can be added through the use of adapters.

Despite of the different launch dates of PlayStation 3, it is expected to be a hit for countries where it would be initially released. Watch out for the launch dates mentioned above and experience the interactive entertainment courtesy of PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation 3 is one of the most eagerly awaited gaming consoles this year. Besides, with the best graphics and sound technology integrated in this console, who wouldn’t want to know more about this gaming console or better yet, purchase one at the soonest possible time?

Gaming consoles are extremely very popular and are one of the best forms of entertainment today. With a gaming console, you will be able to entertain yourself when you’re bored or spend some quality time with your family and friends. Just imagine, you can play your children’s favorite games after a long day at work. Because of gaming consoles, you will be able to relax and play with your children at the same time.

So, if you are interested in the upcoming PlayStation 3, you should know about the latest news about it. PlayStation 3 news is complete with information that you can use in order to improve your gaming experience. The latest news about PlayStation 3 will enable you to know about the different new accessories available and also about the different latest games being offered.

The latest news in PlayStation 3 today is about the format it supports. The Blu-ray drive is an advanced disc drive that is integrated in the new PlayStation 3. This Blu-ray disc drive is one of the latest technologies in the disc media and is able to store data 5 times higher than that of your regular DVD. This means game developers will be able to develop far more realistic games with greater details.

The Blu-ray drive is one of the latest additions to gaming consoles and no other gaming console is using the Blu-ray drive except for PlayStation 3. Another benefit of Blu-ray drive is that it can read almost any disc media. This means that your investment in your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games can still be played through the PlayStation 3. What’s more is that the Blu-ray drive will be able to play your DVD movies and even audio CDs. This makes that PlayStation 3 an all-in-one hub for home entertainment.

Another latest in the PlayStation 3 news is that Sony will reassert PlayStation 3 shipments. By the end of the fiscal year on March 21, 2007, Sony expects to ship a total of six million systems worldwide. Sony believes that the six million units to be sold worldwide is not a difficult target. This is because of the growing anticipation and growing popularity of the PlayStation 3 worldwide even before the hardware is actually released.

News of the expected retail price is also out. There are two configurations for PlayStation 3 that Sony will be releasing in the market. One is the basic configuration that will cost US$499 and the other is the premium configuration that will cost US$599 in the United States. The main difference between these two configurations is that obviously, the premium configuration will contain more integrated features, such as a 60GB upgradeable hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi capability, and flash card readers.

All these and more can be read when you log in to the PlayStation 3 website. More upcoming news about the release will be posted soon. If there are any changes with the release date, you will be the first to know by logging on to the PlayStation website. So, if you want to know more about the latest news on PlayStation 3, all you have to do is visit the PlayStation website at www.playstation.com.

VARESE, ITALY – 28 AUGUST 2007

Black Bean today announced that its highly anticipated videogame SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, will storm the market for all key formats next year.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship, Milestone’s fast paced videogame, the officially licensed WSBK, lands on the next-gen console with brand new features and enhancements. Thanks to the X360 and PS3 hardware performances, gameplay experience will be enriched in order to let players experience the Worlds Super Bike universe in a compelling and immersive game.

SBK-08 Superbike World Championship will be available from May 2008 for X360, PS3, PS2, PSP and PC.

About Lago/Black Bean. Black Bean is the games label of Lago Srl, which is part of the Leader Group. Leader SpA has been the leading independent distributor in Italy since it started business in 1984. Leader is based in Gazzada (Varese) which is situated 30 miles north of Milan in northern Italy. Black Bean philosophy is to focus on a wide range of games genre leveraging on the niche targets that remain uncovered into the market. By adding original content to the products and by fully localising the titles Black Bean’s vision is to remain close to player’s needs. Black Bean has distribution partners all across Europe and PAL territories including Australia and South Africa. www.blackbeangames.com

The birth of the seventh generation of video game consoles marks the changes that would be made on the gaming industry. Large game console manufacturing companies continue to discover new innovations that could be integrated into their new game consoles. Thus, interactive entertainment is now on its all time high, producing video game consoles that will definitely change the way we play video games-a mileage that would not be forgotten since the Magnavox Odyssey and Atari game console eras.

And Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI) is on its way to create such unforgettable mileage on the video game console industry.

SCEI, the subsidiary of Sony Corporation that handles the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of software and hardware for the corporation’s PlayStation game console series, launched another game console, which will most likely to be matched up with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii – PlayStation 3. It was unveiled during the E3 Conference in Tokyo on May 16, 2005 and expected to be a success just like its two predecessors, the PlayStation 1 and 2.

PlayStation 3 features two different system configurations, as detailed in their previous press release after its unveiling during the E3 Conference – the basic and the premium. The basic system configuration of PlayStation 3 has four robust features. It holds a memory of twenty gigabytes, which could be upgraded. A Blu-ray drive is also included in the basic edition. With a Blu-ray drive and disc as its major media format, you will not find it difficult to store digital media. It can save data six times more than the current generations of digital video discs (DVDs). In addition, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port is also available with the basic system configuration of PlayStation 3.

On the other hand, the premium version of PlayStation 3 comes with an internal sixty gigabytes of hard drive, multiple flash memory card readers, and wireless Internet connectivity. It also features controllers connected via Bluetooth, HDMI port, and Blu-ray drive.

For those who have been attached with the previous versions of PlayStation, Sony promised that PS3 is compatible with them. PlayStation 3 can support all media formats of the previous PlayStation game consoles. Plus, PS3 has slots for the memory stick duo, SD, and that for compact flash memory.

PlayStation 3 has distinctive specs. The game console features a cell processor, which runs 3.2GHz for an excellent overall performance. It also sports immense multimedia features namely, digital photo, digital audio and digital video. Sonny propagated the panoramic video feature for the current version of PlayStation. Thus, expect that you will enjoy the refined audio-video digital technology incorporated in PlayStation 3.

The game interface of PlayStation 3 has the ability to save various user profiles, explore images, play music files of varying media format, and watch movies saved from the game console’s hard drive or removable memory. It is also compatible with a USB mouse and keyboard and has the capability of multitasking-that is, you can listen to your favorite music tracks while at the same time looking at saved images or browsing the Internet. In addition, the cross media bar of PS3 supports different file formats.
PlayStation 3 is the video game console that you should watch out for. It will definitely change the way you play your favorite video games-and probably will define interactive entertainment in the 21st century.