Gamertell

Apple’s iTunes juggernaut has been beaten by Rock Band. Yes, Rock Band, the video game. A brand new single from an upcoming Motley Crue album has registered more downloads as a Rock Band download compared to iTunes and Amazon.

The single, “Saints of Los Angeles,‘ has been downloaded 47,000 on Xbox 30 Marketplace and PS3 Store since it first became available as a Rock Band download, according to Reuters. The same track has downloaded merely 10,000 times on…

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Game developer Hands-On Mobile announced today that there have been “nearly 1 million downloads” of Guitar Hero III Mobile (including monthly subscriptions and across all providers) since the game’s December 2007 release. It was initially released as a Verizon Wireless exclusive and opened to more providers and Blackberry devices.

According to the company’s press release, more than 250,000 songs are played each day in GH3M with the most played songs being…

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At this point in time there is only one backwards compatible version of the PS3, the 80 GB PS3, which is only available in North America. There are indications, however, that it might also be retired by Sony. It is clear that backwards compatibility is not very high on the list of Sony’s priorities but it might still give software simulation a try.

Eric Lempel, director of Playstation Network, told EGM magazine (latest issue) in an interview that backwards compatibility might…

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Without a doubt 2007 was the best year in gaming history, and Bioware’s Mass Effect, which redefined the way we think about RPG and story telling in games would go on to sell more than 1.6 million units. Only three months after the Xbox 360 game was released, Bioware and Microsoft have announced the first set of Mass Effect downloadable content.

The package, called “Bring Down the Sky,“ is set to be released on…

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As if gamers needed another reason to spend more time online playing Call of Duty 4, Activision and Infinity Ward has announced new maps for the game are on the way for download, both through Xbox Live and the PS3.

The yet-to-be-named maps are the first wave of downloadable content for the title that, just a few weeks ago, did the impossible and beat Halo 3 as the most played game on Xbox Live. Both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 maps are scheduled to be released in the Spring of 2008. New maps for he PC version have not yet been announced.

As of yet, Infinity Ward hasn’t said what environment types will be presented or what gamers can expect to pay for this first download, only that they promise that these new additions will be worth the wait and will thrust gamers into a hot zone of added combat across a variety of intense multiplayer locales.

Read [IGN] Also Read [VideoGamesBlogger]

• Playstation Store Update: Black Friday and Thanksgiving 2008 edition
• The Guild coming to Xbox Live, sponsored by Microsoft
• Gadgetell Listens: Gibson Presents: Hot Tones on HDtracks

Digital content distribution is the order of Games 3.0, the current era of gaming, and Microsoft was one of the earliest adopters of this model with its Xbox Live service. Microsoft is ensuring that there is no dearth of content on Live, be it games or any other media. It has signed a major $500 million deal with Viacom, which will make more downloadable games and movies available on Xbox Live and MSN.

A lot of content from Viacom’s media bouquet has already been available on Live for download, including content from Comedy Central, MTV Networks and Paramount. This 5-year deal will open the floodgates for more Viacom TV and movies on MSN.com, and Xbox Live users can soon expect to download BET Network content as well.

This fresh deal is not only about content but will go a long way in strengthening the relationship between the two companies. Under the agreement, Microsoft is going to provide its Atlas AdManager solution to Viacom, and it will heavily plug MTV and BET Network award shows. Viacom is also looking to become a more prominent casual games publisher across Microsoft’s game platforms.

Read [Next-Gen]

• Walmart’s Cyber Monday 2008 video game deals
• Configure your BMW on a Microsoft Surface
• Amazon’s Thanksgiving weekend, Cyber Monday 2008 game deals

Here’s a rundown of this week’s downloadable goodies for the PS3 with descriptions courtesy of Sony.

• DiRT Demo (Rated E, Free) - Get off road, be the fastest and stay in control with DiRT. The game that takes players on an adrenaline fueled ride through a massive range of off road racing. With its sublime car handling and physics system, DIRT also brings with it a devastating new damage engine that ...

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It looks like most of the offerings in Sony’s most recent Playstaion Store Update have been available for a while. The biggest deal, however, is that Sony plans to make game trailers available for download all week during E3 2007. Here’s a screen cap of the top of the email:

Notice that there aren’t any game names listed and, unlike Microsoft’s Xbox Live “E3: Bringing it Home”
campaign, no press conference or playable demos.

Otherwise, click though to see the rest of the items listed in the email…

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According to Microsoft’s press release, Xbox Live service has “...7,000 pieces of gaming and entertainment content and counting” with content currently provided by 15 entertainment partners including MTV, Comedy Central and VH1 (which all happen to be owned by Viacom).

Xbox Live is a download service available to Xbox and Xbox 360 game system owners. While some downloads are free, may require Microsoft Points which can be purchase in retail stores, online or through the Xbox Live service at a rate of US$1.25 per 100 points. The Xbox Live service on the original Xbox console requires an annual subscription while the Xbox 360 does not. The Silver Level is free while the Gold level requires a membership fee (in addition to microtransaction fees).

Here are a few of the announcements from Microsoft concerning TV and movie updates on Xbox Live for June 2007:

Country Music Television - On June 6, 2007, country music fans will be able to TV shows from CMT including first seasons shows “Comedy Stage,“ “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out” and “Prankville.“ More series and episodes rolling out this summer.

Logo - On June 11, 2007, Xbox 360 will become the first gaming console to offer content from Logo, the network for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender audience from MTV Networks. Xbox LIVE will offer Logo shows including “Wisecrack,“ “The Big Gay Sketch Show,“ “Noah’s Arc,“ “Curl Girls” and “Real Momentum Documentaries.“

FUNimation - Beginning June 12, 2007, the epic adventure series “Samurai 7,“ adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s legendry film “Seven Samurai,“ is coming to Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Also coming from FUNimation: “Trinity Blood,“ “Gunslinger Girl,“ and “Basilisk.“

Geneon Entertainment - On June 12, 2007, Die-hard fans and those new to the genre alike will enjoy the U.S. HD debut of the anime classic “Akira,“ available exclusively from Geneon on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Also available from Geneon Entertainment at launch: “Gun Sword,“ “Last Exile,“ “Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Lupin the 3rd.“

A few new films coming to Xbox Live in June 2007 include:

• Team America World Police (HD)
• Dreamgirls
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Shooter
• Black Snake Moan
• Pan’s Labyrinth

(Descriptions from Microsoft’s press release)

Though I’m not quire certain about 7000 individual items available for download (though if you count individual weapons, maps and pairs of socks for every game, it might be possible) Xbox Live does still offer the best download service of the 3 newest gen consoles. The others may catch up in terms of volume any time soon, but do offer their own brands of quality.

Site [Xbox Live Marketplace]

• New details about the Jasper-chipped, Red Ring of Death-free Xbox 360s
• Walmart’s Cyber Monday 2008 video game deals
• Configure your BMW on a Microsoft Surface

Added to the Playstation Store this week, available for download through the PS3:

MLB 07 Show Turorials (Free) - Three videos. The best-selling baseball franchise is back! This season we’re proud to introduce a slew of new features including: Road To The Show, Adaptive Pitching Intelligence, Online League Play, Real Time Roster Updates and unique Umpire Personalities. MLB 07 The Show.