Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/TGS 08: White Knight Chronicles impressionshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/tgs-08-white-knight-chronicles-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/tgs-08-white-knight-chronicles-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/tgs-08-white-knight-chronicles-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to enlarge

White Knight Chronicles has changed a lot since we played it at Tokyo Game Show last year. Our conclusion at the time was that the game would be a gorgeous JRPG with an intriguing, customizable battle system; an exciting prospect for RPG-starved PS3 owners to be sure. However, after today's White Knight Chronicles presentation, we're sure the game has the potential to be much more than that.

A Level-5 employee introduced us to the game's story: It follows a boy and his search for a kidnapped princess slash love interest after discovering a conveniently hidden set of magic armor ... a tad clichéd (even by Japanese standards). In order to demonstrate the game's sense of enormity and scale we were shown a few concept pieces for the game. While rolling plains and towering castles are par for the course when it comes to JRPGs, it's been a while since we've seen an entire town straddled atop an enormous creature.

We covered the battle system quite extensively at TGS last year. We took the opportunity to space out a little while the developers explained how to link character abilities together into combos, using the palette menu and how Leonard can transform into the eponymous White Knight. Not that we were bored -- the battle system was the only thing that really set White Knight Chronicles apart. Until it was revealed that the game would have a four-player online mode, that is.

Gallery: White Knight Chronicles TGS 2008


When online play was announced we assumed it would be a tacked-on extra, a back-of-the-box value add, but the rest of today's presentation centered around this aspect of the game. Even though White Knight Chronicles' Japanese release date is December 25th 2008 - only two and a half months from now - Level-5 wasn't keen on sharing many details of the online mode. Instead, we were given an overview of the feature, which was enough to illustrate that this is more than just an "extra."

16-player in-game lobbies will allow you to team up with up to three other White Knight Chronicles players and participate in instanced quests. Level-5 would not say exactly what form these would take, but they did show a cooperative, arena-style battle against a large monster. Each player's character will look unique, thanks to a deep "Avatar" character customization editor, used in the later parts of the single-player game in order to generate some of Leonard's party members.

Leveling up gives you points with which to buy more skills from a wide variety of different types, allowing you to further customize your character with an individual skill set. These skills - along with your money, items and experience level - will all transfer from the offline game to the online mode. Thanks to an in-game invitation system, you can be called upon at any time, even while in single player. Accepting the invitation saves your data and brings you straight into the online party.


From there you can emote and text chat to your heart's content. You can also check out your party's skills and suggest combo improvements. Is it your buddy's birthday? Head on over to the store and let them pick out a new weapon. Once all that's done and you've assembled an elite team of monster hunters, you can head into the adventure (whatever form they may take). Level-5 were also sure to mention that "further new elements that connect the story and MO elements are to be introduced." (Well, we'd hope so!)

Level-5 seemed content to have only scratched the surface of White Knight Chronicles' online mode, revealing the outline of a feature that, if executed properly, could almost be an entire game in its own right. (Think bundling MGO with Metal Gear Solid 4 ... except without the whole Konami ID debacle.)


A post-presentation Q&A session revealed little more: Level-5 was unable to confirm whether the game would be region locked and was unable to talk about the number, or type, of online modes. All that could be said was that there would be a "huge number" of online modes/levels (oh, is that all?). Sadly, Level-5 has also not yet decided whether to include voice chat in the game. Level-5, here's a hint: are you serious? Do it.

Considering the nation's apparent disinterest in online play, it's interesting that a Japanese developer is one of the first to make such a progressive move in the RPG genre, fusing a single-player RPG with MMO-esque elements. From the sounds of it, this could prolong White Knight Chronicle's life in the same way that multiplayer has prolonged Call Of Duty 4's or Halo 3's, while bringing an increasingly stale genre kicking and screaming into the brave new world of multiplayer gaming. Now make with the details, Level 5. We'll be waiting.

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]]>level-5playstation 3Playstation3sonytgs08white-knight-chroniclesJem Alexander2008-10-11T13:00:00+00:00Sony wants Xbox 360 to succeed in Japanhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/sony-wants-xbox-360-to-succeed-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/sony-wants-xbox-360-to-succeed-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/sony-wants-xbox-360-to-succeed-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." - Ancient proverb.

Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida said in an interview with GI.biz that he'd like the Xbox 360 to succeed in Japan for the sake of pushing HD gaming. Yoshida would like to see the PS3 and Xbox 360 be more successful in Japan and getting consumers moving beyond the Wii's dated technology.

Yoshida even goes on to compliment Microsoft's NXE and the Avatars, expressing that he prefers it over the Miis. Although it appears that the Wii will continue to dominate globally, Yoshida believes consumer acceptance of "this generation of gaming" would benefit both Sony and Microsoft.

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]]>microsoftshuhei-yoshidasonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-10T17:25:00+00:00Recap: Sony Holiday Preview Event - Torontohttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/recap-sony-holiday-preview-event-toronto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As the gaming world sets its focus on Japan for the Tokyo Game Show, Sony decided to hold a preview event for the media (and later for community) in Toronto, Canada. Showcasing some of the most anticipated titles of the year for the platform, Sony showed off everything you'd want or hope to see.

Prince of Persia made its community debut and we had a chance to take the adventure for a spin. Killzone 2 surprised everyone with its presence but no one with its style and Dead Space proved that even a game releasing next week will garner a pile of crowd attention.

Here's a recap of all the coverage out of the Sony Holiday Event in Toronto, Canada, as well as images from the event:

Gallery: Sony Holiday Preview 2008 -- Toronto, Canada

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]]>sonysony-holiday-preview-08torontoXav de Matos2008-10-10T03:00:00+00:00LittleBigPlanet beta levels will be transferred to final gamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/littlebigplanet-beta-levels-will-be-transferred-to-final-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/littlebigplanet-beta-levels-will-be-transferred-to-final-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/littlebigplanet-beta-levels-will-be-transferred-to-final-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,


People's opinions in polls be darned, Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans has apparently confirmed to 1UP that the user-created levels from the LittleBigPlanet beta will be transferred to the final game. Evans tells the site that they'll continue running the poll on the Official PlayStation Forums to gauge people's reactions to the news, but it appears this is now a done deal.

The LBP beta ends this Sunday, the game will be out beginning the week of October 21st.

[Thank Erick M.]

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]]>1upalex-evansbreakingnewslbplittlebigplanetmedia-moleculesonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-09T14:57:00+00:00Expansion pack for echochrome PSP available todayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/expansion-pack-for-echochrome-psp-available-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/expansion-pack-for-echochrome-psp-available-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/expansion-pack-for-echochrome-psp-available-today/#commentsFiled under: ,


Today's PSN update will see the release of a $5 expansion pack for echochrome on PSP. The PlayStation Blog states that the PSN's mind-bending puzzler will receive an additional 40 stages for the doll to survive.

The expansion pack will also be offered in a bundle with the original game, though no price was set. There is also no mention of an expansion for the PS3 version, which released the same day as the PSP version back in May.

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]]>echochromepsnpsn-storesonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-09T10:30:00+00:00TGS 08: Japanese Home beta on track, 21 new contributorshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs-08-japanese-home-beta-on-track-24-new-contributors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs-08-japanese-home-beta-on-track-24-new-contributors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs-08-japanese-home-beta-on-track-24-new-contributors/#commentsFiled under: ,

Remember Sony's TGS press conference last year? When Home was delayed? To Spring? Well you'll be happy to know that during their Japanese press conference Sony announced that, for once, Home is not delayed. In fact, it's almost out. The open beta is on schedule for release in Japan later this month. It'll then end at some point in November when, presumably, the actually really real thing will be released.

Sony also announced that twenty one new publishers have signed up to create content for the service. It's a pretty exhaustive list of contributors, despite the lack of Square Enix. There's no indication as to whether those on the list will also be creating content for the US and Europe. Hopefully we'll hear more of that before the Western release of the service, which should hit around the same time as Japan. The full list of new contributors for Home in Japan is after the break.
  • IREM
  • Activision
  • Acquire
  • Atlus
  • Walt Disney Japan
  • SNK
  • EA
  • Capcom
  • Q Entertainment
  • Game Republic
  • Genki
  • Koei
  • Konami
  • Spike
  • Sega
  • D3 Publisher
  • Tecmo
  • Nippon Ichi Software
  • Hudson
  • Bandai Namco Games
  • Ubisoft

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]]>homeplaystation-3sonyTGS08Jem Alexander2008-10-09T04:50:00+00:00TGS 08: You got Metal Gear and Final Fantasy in my LittleBigPlanethttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/you-got-metal-gear-and-final-fantasy-in-my-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/you-got-metal-gear-and-final-fantasy-in-my-littlebigplanet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/you-got-metal-gear-and-final-fantasy-in-my-littlebigplanet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony has announced that two new LittleBigPlanet costumes will be made available for download in the future. Metal Gear Solid's Old Snake and Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth have been stripped and their clothes donated to the LittleBigPlanet thrift store.

Unfortunately, there's no word on when they will be made available, or whether they'll be paid-for content. There's also no definite answer to whether they'll be available outside of Japan but, considering both games have large fanbases in the US and Europe, we'd be surprised if they didn't. Check out Sephiroth's Tokyo Game Show unveiling above and Old Snake's after the break.

Aren't they cute?

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet TGS 08


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]]>dlcfinal-fantasy-viilittlebigplanetmetal-gear-solid-4ps3Sonytgs-08tgs-2008tgs08tgs2008Jem Alexander2008-10-09T01:45:00+00:00You decide: Should LittleBigPlanet hit the reset button after beta?http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/you-decide-should-littlebigplanet-hit-the-reset-button-after-be/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/you-decide-should-littlebigplanet-hit-the-reset-button-after-be/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/you-decide-should-littlebigplanet-hit-the-reset-button-after-be/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


With about four days to go before the LittleBigPlanet beta comes to an end, Sony has put out an interesting question to the public: Should it keep the "levels and items" created during the beta and carry those over to the game's launch, or start the whole thing from scratch? It is a question worthy of some discussion.

Anyone can vote in the LBP section of the Official PlayStation Forums before next Monday and Sony will go with whichever choice wins out. Sony is talking specifically about uploaded levels, any "save game data, offline creations or progress cannot be transferred into the full game." So, what's your course of action?

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]]>andrew-ryanchoicelittlebigplanetmedia-moleculesonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-08T20:30:00+00:00Qore Ep. 5 available on PSN tomorrowhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/qore-ep-5-available-on-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/qore-ep-5-available-on-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/qore-ep-5-available-on-psn-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

October's episode of Qore goes deep into the heart of horror with segments on Dead Space, Resident Evil 5, Fallout 3 and Shaun White Snowboarding. Yes, that last one fits into the horror category.

Purchasers of this edition of the online magazine gain access to Sega's Valkyria Chronicles demo and there's also interactive "shooting galleries," which open up extra video segments. Qore is $3 per episode or $25 for an annual subscription.

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]]>qoresonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-08T14:00:00+00:00Sony: No price cuts this holiday seasonhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/sony-no-price-cuts-this-holiday-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/sony-no-price-cuts-this-holiday-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/sony-no-price-cuts-this-holiday-season/#commentsFiled under:


If you've been waiting for the best time to buy a PS3 this holiday season, stop. Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesman Patrick Seybold has told Edge magazine that the company won't be making any pricing changes this holiday season, secure in the belief that the current PS3 cost, combined with the company's fall and winter lineup, will be more than enough to lure in consumers.

Honestly, after spending some time with LittleBigPlanet, we find it pretty hard to argue the point. For those of you who haven't taken the plunge: Is price still the issue?

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]]>price-cutps3sceasonyJustin McElroy2008-10-08T11:00:00+00:0080GB PS3 releasing in Japan with bundles, various colorshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/80gb-ps3-releasing-in-japan-with-bundles-various-colors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/80gb-ps3-releasing-in-japan-with-bundles-various-colors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/80gb-ps3-releasing-in-japan-with-bundles-various-colors/#commentsFiled under: ,


Famitsu reports (via IGN) that Sony will release the 80GB PS3 in Japan for the same price as the current 40GB model. For a limited time the company will also include Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Spec III with the system.

Sony will also offer an 80GB PS3 LittleBigPlanet bundle with extra DualShock 3 controller for about $50 more than the standard 80GB version. The company also plans to have a LittleBigPlanet and DualShock 3 bundle for about $80. All the new 80GB models, including the LBP controller bundle, will be offered in black, white and silver color varieties (already available for the 40GB as well). Remember, all this information applies only to Japan, so don't go thinking it's going to be a white 80GB PS3 Christmas.

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]]>80gb-ps3colorsdualshock-3dualshock3japanps3sonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-08T09:30:00+00:00GoodEvilPlanet: The best and worst levels we've seen so farhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/goodevilplanet-the-best-and-worst-levels-weve-seen-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/goodevilplanet-the-best-and-worst-levels-weve-seen-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/goodevilplanet-the-best-and-worst-levels-weve-seen-so-far/#commentsFiled under:

... and by worst we mean "with as little taste as humanly possible" -- but first the best LittleBigPlanet level. A PSN user named Upsilandre, whose brain is at least thrice the size of ours, has created an "electronic" (i.e. not mechanical) 8-bit calculator capable of adding and subtracting any double-digit number. In the video after the break, you see both how to interact with the level and how the whole thing works (spoiler: It's nearly maxes out the complexity meter). It's a shame to think this might disappear once the beta is over.

As for the other video -- and please don't let this take away from your awe at the above calculator -- file this under the "unfortunate but bound to happen" category. A couple levels have popped up on the beta based on the September 11 attacks. Remember, folks, you can report offensive levels in-game for Media Molecule to promptly slam. GoodEvilPlanet officially launches October 21.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

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]]>9-11calculatorlbplittle-big-planetlittlebigplanetmedia-moleculeseptember-11sonyRoss Miller2008-10-07T11:30:00+00:00PSP Brite box art shows Wi-Fi Storehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/psp-brite-box-art-shows-wi-fi-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/psp-brite-box-art-shows-wi-fi-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/psp-brite-box-art-shows-wi-fi-store/#commentsFiled under:

Sony has already confirmed the PSP Wi-Fi store is coming this Fall for Japan. The official box art for a November 30 US PSP Brite (a.k.a. PSP-3000) bundle also shows store functionality (via Amazon), indicating that the fall launch will be global and just in time to keep yourself distracted during Thanksgiving dinner. It was previously rumored that the store would be coming with firmware 5.00.

In other PSP Brite news, the gang at Eurogamer spent the weekend with the upgraded handheld as well as firmware 4.20, featuring a Color Space option that, "If you set to [Wide], the system's display will appear more vivid."

[Via PSP Fanboy]

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]]>playstation-networkpsnpsn-storepsp-3000psp-britesonystorewi-fiRoss Miller2008-10-06T13:30:00+00:00Nintendo DSi vs. PSP-3000 vs. iPod Touch, v1.0http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-dsi-vs-psp-3000-vs-ipod-touch-v1-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-dsi-vs-psp-3000-vs-ipod-touch-v1-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-dsi-vs-psp-3000-vs-ipod-touch-v1-0/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Note: Relative sizes approximate
Now that we have some concrete details about the Nintendo DSi -- which bears more than a few similarities between its multimedia competitors -- let's size it up against the PSP-3000 and Apple's "gaming handheld" the iPhone/iPod Touch. Remember this is based on tech specifications and not on games library. We'll keep updating as we get more news from Nintendo about its just-announced portable.

Nintendo DSi
PSP-3000
iPhone / iPod Touch
Screen Size Two 3.25-inch displays 4.3-inch display 3.5-inch display
Screen Resolution 256 x 192 480 x 272, 16m colors 480×320
CPU speed / type One 67 MHz (ARM) and one 33 MHz ARM7TDMI2 MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz 620 MHz ARM 1176, underclocked to 412 MHz
Form Factor 5.85 x 3.33 x 0.99 inches1 6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches
 4.5 × 2.4 x 0.48 inches (iPhone); 4.3 × 2.4 × 0.33 inches (iPod Touch)
Camera 2 cameras, one with VGA resolution Optional Go!Cam, 1.3 megapixels iPhone has 2 megapixel camera
Memory SD slot, internal storage (unknown size) Memory Stick (up to 16GB) 8-32GB internal storage
Internet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (iPhone also has EDGE or 3G)
Browser Yes Yes Yes
Online Store Yes (DSi Shop) Yes (PS Store) Yes (App Store)
Touch Screen Yes (single touch)
 No Yes (multi-touch)


Notes:
1: Approximate size, based on Nintendo's assertion that DSi is 12 percent thinner than DS Lite
2: Architecture of the DS Lite and, as noted, subject to change pending official release notes

Update: Massively has a comparison piece on the MMO potential of the three portables.

Gallery: What the Handheld War means for MMOs

MMObile PotentialNintendo DSiThe 'mini' Massively Multiplayer Online GameFuture social MMOs find their homeCrafter's Paradise

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]]>appledsdsiiphoneiphone-3gipodipod-touchjoystiqfeaturenintendopsppsp-3000sonyRoss Miller2008-10-02T03:00:00+00:00Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA SingStar tracks unveiled, releases Dec. 2http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/gimme-gimme-gimme-abba-singstar-tracks-unveiled-releases-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/gimme-gimme-gimme-abba-singstar-tracks-unveiled-releases-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/gimme-gimme-gimme-abba-singstar-tracks-unveiled-releases-dec/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Take a chance on SingStar ABBA, helping Fernando hear the drums and Chiquitita tell you what's wrong, when it releases on Dec. 2 in North America. IGN reveals the PS3 version will include 25 songs for $40, while the PS2 will have 20 tracks for $30. The track lists can be found after the break.

Sony previously announced that it has a "window of exclusivity" on ABBA, so don't expect the super trouper group to hit Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour anytime soon.

PS2:
  • "Chiquitita"
  • "One Of Us"
  • "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
  • "Ring Ring"
  • "Take A Chance On Me"
  • "SOS"
  • "Dancing Queen"
  • "Summer Night City"
  • "Does Your Mother Know"
  • "Super Trouper"
  • "Fernando"
  • "Thank You For The Music"
  • "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do"
  • "The Name Of The Game"
  • "Knowing Me Knowing You"
  • "The Winner Takes It All"
  • "Mamma Mia"
  • "Voulez Vous"
  • "Money Money Money"
  • "Waterloo"

PS3:

  • "Chiquitita"
  • "Ring Ring"
  • "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
  • "SOS"
  • "Take A Chance On Me"
  • "Summer Night City"
  • "Dancing Queen"
  • "Super Trouper"
  • "Does Your Mother Know"
  • "Thank You For The Music"
  • "Fernando"
  • "The Day Before You Came"
  • "Happy New Year"
  • "The Name Of The Game"
  • "Head Over Heals"
  • "The Winner Takes It All"
  • "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do"
  • "Under Attack"
  • "Knowing Me Knowing You"
  • "Voulez Vous"
  • "Mamma Mia"
  • "Waterloo"
  • "Money Money Money"
  • "When All Is Said And Done"
  • "One Of Us"

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]]>abbasingstarsingstar-abbasonyAlexander Sliwinski2008-10-01T19:00:00+00:00Impress Watch: Sony contemplating upgraded Cell for PlayStation 4http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/impress-watch-sony-contemplating-upgraded-cell-for-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/impress-watch-sony-contemplating-upgraded-cell-for-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/impress-watch-sony-contemplating-upgraded-cell-for-playstation/#commentsFiled under:

Sure, it's been only 690 days since the PlayStation 3 officially launched, but it's never too early to for discussion on the next next-gen consoles. According to reputable Impress Watch technology writer Hiroshige Goto (via IGN), Sony is looking into using an upgraded version of the Cell processor for the PlayStation 4.

Goto speculates that Sony's upgraded processor would feature between 10 and 20 cores (current Cell uses 8) and boast twice the power. Keeping with the Cell -- as opposed to developing a new chipset -- would not only be cost efficient for the company, but it would also likely prove beneficial to manufacturing costs, software development (it'd be a familiar architecture) and backwards compatibility. Remember: although this is from a reputable source, the news is unconfirmed and, given the PS4 is likely many years away, subject to change even if true.

Fun fact: There are approximately 1900 days (over 5 years) between the PS2's March 2000 launch and Sony's E3 2005 unveiling of the PS3.

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]]>cellcorecpuimpress-watchplaystation-4ps4rumorsonyspeculationRoss Miller2008-09-30T19:10:00+00:00Publisher stocks hit by market freefall; analysts optimistichttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/publisher-stocks-hit-by-market-freefall-analysts-optimistic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/publisher-stocks-hit-by-market-freefall-analysts-optimistic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/publisher-stocks-hit-by-market-freefall-analysts-optimistic/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you haven't looked out your window today, you might have missed stocks that are falling faster than Chicken Little can blink. Game publishers were not immune, as the NASDAQ (where most publishers are listed) Composite Index fell 199.61 points, or 9.14 percent. As for the individual publishers, Gamespot points out that Electronic Arts saw a 9.16 percent drop to $36 a share. Activision Blizzard was hit hard with a 13.8 percent drop to $14.12 a share. As for the console makers, Sony and Microsoft saw a 5.09 and 8.72 respective percent drop. Overseas, Ubisoft's stock dropped a whopping 21.5% to €45.50 (US $65.37) on the Euronext market.

Despite these stock drops, analysts speaking to Gamasutra remain optimistic, with Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter expecting none of the companies to be affected by the lending crisis. Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian predicts a "cocooning" effect where people flock to games as a cost-efficient form of escapism. In what is surely the most "no duh" prediction, Sebastian expects World of Warcraft to continue serving as an unwavering money stream for Activision Blizzard.

[Image Source: Digg]

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]]>activisionactivision-blizzardanalystblizzardcolin-sebastiandow-joneseaelectronic-artseuronextfacepalmmichael-pachtermicrosoftnasdaqnysesonystock-marketubisoftRoss Miller2008-09-30T17:40:00+00:00Sony reveals TGS '08 lineup, 14 unannounced titles to be shownhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/sony-reveals-tgs-08-lineup-14-unannounced-titles-to-be-shown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/sony-reveals-tgs-08-lineup-14-unannounced-titles-to-be-shown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/sony-reveals-tgs-08-lineup-14-unannounced-titles-to-be-shown/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Perhaps we'll finally get more context to Team ICO's next project, as well as its mysterious teaser image (shown above), when Sony unveils 14 unannounced titles at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show next week.

The PSP has 3 unannounced titles coming from Sony, while the PS3 gets one from Irem (developers of R-Type), one from Konami and nine from Sony. We've placed the full exhibition list after the break.

[Via Siliconera, PS3 Fanboy]

PlayStation 3

  • Guitar Hero Legend of Rock
  • FIFA '09 World Class Soccer
  • Street Fighter IV
  • Resident Evil 5 (BioHazard 5)
  • Lumines Supernova
  • Metal Gear Online
  • Way of the Samurai 3
  • Sonic World Adventure
  • SOCOM: Confrontation
  • PlayStation Home
  • Mainichi Issho
  • MotorStorm 2: Pacific Rift
  • LittleBigPlanet
  • Resistance 2
  • WWE 2009 Smackdown vs. Raw
  • Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

Unannounced

  • Irem (1)
  • Konami (1)
  • Sony (9)

PSP

  • Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes
  • Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid
  • Orochi Warriors Second Coming of the Devil King
  • Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep
  • Dissidia Final Fantasy
  • Secret Agent Clank
  • Ape Quest
  • Patapon 2
  • Bleach: Soul Carnival
  • Mainichi Issho Portable
  • Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida or 2
  • LocoRoco 2
  • Idolmaster SP
  • Mobile Suit Gundam vs Gundam
  • Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2
Unannounced
  • Sony (3)

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]]>sonytgs-2008Alexander Sliwinski2008-09-30T11:55:00+00:00SOE 'looking at' possible PSP MMOhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/soe-looking-at-possibility-of-psp-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/soe-looking-at-possibility-of-psp-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/soe-looking-at-possibility-of-psp-mmo/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley stated the company is considering an MMO for the PSP. He tells MTV Multiplayer that SOE started considering one seriously when the division was transferred over to Sony Computer Entertainment last April. SOE was previously under the control of Sony Pictures -- yeah, don't ask how that made any sense.

Smedley doesn't announce any games, but he says that kid-focused PS3 MMO Free Realms "could have a pet-training system" for the PSP. An MMO is clearly a good idea with 34 million PSPs currently out there, but from Smedley's comments it sounds like any realization of that seems years away.

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]]>free-realmsjohn-smedleysoesonysony-online-entertainmentAlexander Sliwinski2008-09-29T14:55:00+00:00Rumor: Survey gauges MAG subscription possibilitieshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rumor-survey-gauges-mag-subscription-possibilities/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rumor-survey-gauges-mag-subscription-possibilities/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rumor-survey-gauges-mag-subscription-possibilities/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sony has refused to comment on the "rumor and speculation" surrounding a possible monthly or yearly fee for PS3's Massive Action Game, reports VideoGamer. The rumor originates from website Bitbag, which cites a PlayStation Undergroud survey asking "15 questions related to payment plans" for MAG.

MAG is the 256-player online game by SOCOM developer Zipper Interactive. Considering surveys are designed to elicit feedback, Sony is probably getting an earful about this issue already.

Source - Sony to charge monthly/yearly fee for MMO MAG
Source - Sony refuses to comment on pay to play MAG reports

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]]>magmassive-action-gamesonysurveyzipperAlexander Sliwinski2008-09-29T12:57:00+00:00