Source: PlayStation.Blog – PlayStation 3 Firmware (v3.10) Update Preview [http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/playstation-3-firmware-v3-10-update/].
Archive for November, 2009
16
Nov
09
Nintendo This Week: Game Demos
From/De: Nintendo of America
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: NINTENDO OFFERS 5 GAME DEMOS TO GUIDE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS
There’s never been a better time to check out the extraordinary lineup of downloadable games from Nintendo. This week, Wii™ owners who connect their Wii consoles to the Internet can enjoy demos of five exceptional games for the WiiWare™ downloadable game service for zero Wii Points™: BIT.TRIP BEAT, FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: My Life as a Darklord™, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, World of Goo™ and a brand new entry in the Pokémon™ game series, Pokémon™ Rumble. To get a taste of any or all of these tremendous titles before downloading the full versions, go to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel and search for “Demo.” For more information, please visitwww.nintendo.com/wii/wiiware/demo.
This week’s launch of Pokémon Rumble for WiiWare delivers more than just a fun-packed new addition to the beloved Pokémon universe. Anyone who joins Club Nintendo™ – or is already a member – will have the opportunity to unlock an exclusive Toy Pokémon character that can be used in the game. Simply connect your Wii Shop Channel account to your new or existing Club Nintendo account, use Wii Points to download Pokémon Rumble and watch for an e-mail containing a special password that lets you access the character in the game. More information about this offer can be found at us.wii.com/wiiware/pokemonrumble/register. The offer is available only through April 30, 2010.
In addition to the WiiWare demos and a new Pokémon adventure, visitors to the Wii Shop Channel this week will also find a pair of classic Virtual Console™ games – one offering irresistible action with the iconic Indiana Jones® series, the other featuring the timeless thrills of Capcom’s Street Fighter™ series. Meanwhile, Nintendo DSiWare™ users can visit the Nintendo DSi™ Shop to discover an eye-popping new Art Style™ game, a fun, arcade-style bowling title and a robot-themed logic game, all available for easy download and playable anytime, anywhere on the hand-held Nintendo DSi system.
Continue reading ‘Nintendo This Week: Game Demos’
From/De: McLauren Automotive
•An introduction to the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) and the MP4-12C test programme by McLaren Automotive Technical Director, Dick Glover
•Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin on how the 12C performs in extreme test conditions •An overview by senior engineers of the integrated approach to development on roads and tracks around the world and, virtually, back at MTC
•12C development (XP) prototypes on road and track in England and Germany, and extreme hot weather testing in Bahrain
From/De: Sony
LittleBigPlanet PSP Academy of Art Game Jam Session Winners Announced
November 13, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and the Academy of Art University announced the winners of the 24-hour LittleBigPlanet™PSP Game Jam Session, which took place on November 11 and 12 in San Francisco. Students from the School of Game Design were tasked with using their keen artistic talents to create levels for LittleBigPlanet PSP, employing San Francisco architectural landmarks to incorporate into their level designs for the chance to have their level playable online when the game launches on November 17.
The judging panel was comprised of Academy of Art University faculty and SCEA executives who took into account how well they utilized local architecture into their level, the fun factor of each level and overall creativity. After reviewing and deliberating over the five landmark entries, which included Alcatraz, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Powell Street and Cable Cars, and the Victorian neighborhoods, Nathan Bryan, Desiree Ong, and Doanna Neville of the Powell Street and Cable Cars team were chosen as the grand prize winners. They will have the honor of having their level featured online when LittleBigPlanet PSP launches next week. In addition, each member of the team was awarded with a PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)go, PlayStation’s newest handheld entertainment system and an advance copy of LittleBigPlanet PSP. No one went home empty handed though; members of the other four teams also received a copy of the game.
LittleBigPlanet™, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) hit that won various Game of the Year Awards last year and is credited with defining the “creative gaming” genre, is coming to the PSP®(PlayStation Portable) and PSPgo for the first time on November 17. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s Cambridge Studio in close collaboration with the award-winning Media Molecule team, LittleBigPlanet PSP allows players to bring the beloved SackBoy™ with them on the go.
From/De: Xbox Press
Next Week the TV Transforms when Social Networking, Music and Movies Come Alive on Xbox 360
Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune video Launch Nov.17 on Xbox LIVE
The topic du jour was all about TV, but this morning at NewTeeVee Live – an industry conference that explores the future of television – Xbox LIVE general manager Marc Whitten confirmed the next wave of social entertainment is coming to Xbox LIVE on November 17. Starting next week, Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and instant on HD video from Zune will be available on Xbox 360 consoles, transforming Xbox LIVE into the largest social network connected to the TV with exclusive features custom-designed for the living room. “We’re delivering some truly exciting social entertainment experiences to our members,” said Whitten. “Xbox LIVE’s differentiator has always been our community, and we’ve already seen a tremendous response to these features in our public preview.
It’s the community that drives us forward and allows us to pioneer new ways of connecting people through the entertainment they love.”
• Facebook*– Update your status to share what movie, game or entertainment you’re enjoying, connect with friends and view their Facebook stream, status updates and photos on the big screen – all seamlessly integrated and custom-built for Xbox 360. You can even compare your Xbox LIVE and Facebook friends lists to see which of your friends are on LIVE.
• Zune – Zune video on Xbox LIVE offers a full fidelity experience with instant on HD in 1080p and 5.1 channel surround sound. No waiting for downloads or buffering, it’s there at the press of a button. You can also share the experience with up to seven friends through voice chat and Avatar integration on the TV screen – it puts a whole new spin on “movie night.”
• Twitter*– Stay in the know by discovering, posting and replying to Tweets right on your Xbox 360. You can even view friend profiles, trends and conversations, or search to see who’s tweeting about your favorite game.
• Last.fm* – Discover more music and explore endless personalized radio stations with Last.fm on Xbox 360. Skip, “ban” or “love” tracks to create your perfect mix—we’ve even built in “Gamer Stations” with game-related types of music selected specifically for the gaming community (Available in the U.S. and UK).
In addition to these social features, Xbox LIVE will also be debuting “News and More,” a new section of the “Inside Xbox” channel, transforming Xbox LIVE into a full-fledged media portal. With a regularly-updated stream of content from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert, “News and More” brings the latest in current events, arts and entertainment right to your fingertips. All of these features build on the wild success of Netflix on Xbox LIVE, which quickly established Xbox 360 as the most-used living room device for streaming Netflix content to the home1. Only on Xbox 360 can you find the best in movies, music, games and social networking all in one place, tailor-made for the TV and connected to more than 20 million people around the globe.
“From the launch of Xbox LIVE nearly seven years ago, to milestones like Video Marketplace, Netflix and the New Xbox Experience, we’ve continued working toward our vision of connected entertainment for everyone,” continued Whitten. “I’m proud to say that next week marks another great stride in fulfilling that promise, and we’re already imagining what the future has in store.” So what are you waiting for? On November 17, turn on your Xbox 360, log onto Xbox LIVE and enjoy the world of social entertainment at your fingertips. Not an Xbox LIVE Gold member? Starting November 20 (12 pm ET / 9 am PT) until November 23 (12 pm ET / 9 am PT) Xbox LIVE Silver members can enjoy the latest Gold features for FREE – including Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm! There’s tons more to experience with Gold as well. Play the latest game titles like “Halo 3: ODST” online multiplayer, participate in “1 vs. 100,” host an Xbox LIVE Party or even video chat with friends. All of these Gold-only features will be available all weekend long for anyone to try.
* Xbox LIVE Gold adult account required to access these features. Xbox LIVE Gold memberships are just over $4 (U.S.) per month
** Xbox LIVE members under the age of 18 will not be able to access Facebook and Twitter as part of the Free Gold Weekend
1 Source: One Touch Intelligence (www.onetouchintelligence.com), from October 2009 survey conducted in association with The Praxi Group, Inc.
From/De: Activision
Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Shatters Opening Day Sales Records With Approximately $310 Million in North America and United Kingdom Alone
Most Anticipated Game of the Year Becomes Biggest Entertainment Launch in History
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov 12, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ –Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward’s much-anticipatedCall of Duty(R):Modern Warfare(R) 2 has become the biggest launch in history across all forms of entertainment with estimated sell-through sales of $310 million in North America and the United Kingdom alone in the first 24 hours, according to internal Activision estimates.
Modern Warfare 2 was released on Tuesday, November 10th, to worldwide fanfare across the globe, including over 10,000 retail outlets in the U.S. alone which held midnight openings to meet consumer demand. In its first day, the blockbuster title sold through approximately 4.7 million copies in just North America and the United Kingdom, according to internal Activision estimates.
“The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of video games as an entertainment medium,” said Mike Griffith, CEO, Activision Publishing, Inc. “The shattering of these entertainment records is a testament to the compelling, cinematic and uniquely engaging experience that the Call of Duty brand delivers. Modern Warfare 2 has taken interactive experience to unprecedented heights setting a new standard for entertainment.”
Modern Warfare 2 picks up following the historic events of Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare(R), the blockbuster title that remains the top selling first person action game in history. Modern Warfare 2 is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language. For additional information about the game, visit www.modernwarfare2.com.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
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