Gamertell

With the rumors and finally confirmation that Microsoft is cutting $50 from the Xbox 360 Premium console, Sony was asked whether it would consider a similar price cut for one of the two remaining PlayStation 3 models.

According to the New York Times, Sony’s CEO Howard Stringer stated at the Allen & Company conference that Microsoft was reducing the price of the Xbox 360 because it realizes sales of the console are getting lower…

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Exit DS will be coming stateside, thanks to Square Enix. The Taito developed game was previously release in Japan in January 2008, but a NA release has only just been announced. Square Enix hasn’t made an official announcement, but the ESRB has given Exit DS a rating of “Everyone.”

It is practically the same Exit that appeared on the PSP, only with touch screen controls and Wi-Fi capabilities. Players, as Mr. Esc, have to save people from buildings that are about to fall apart. There are 100 levels to conquer, so it should keep you busy for quite a while. Players can also upload their times to an online scoreboard to see who is the best savior.

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Bear in mind that the following is coming from 1up/EGM’s “Quartermann” and is an unconfirmed rumor. But the Q-man has been on something of a roll lately, so this is worth looking into: apparently, Rare is working on a new installment of mid ‘90s fighter Killer Instinct. The game (listed as ”Killer Instinct 3D: Death, Destruction, and Doom”) is in the works for the Xbox 360 and features full 3D graphics and an overhauled combat engine.

So who’s excited? As a fan of just about every hokey 2d fighter from the era (including KI) I’d like to take a stab at it, should it actually materialize.

Read [1up]

An MTV article quotes an anonymous source as saying that a Xbox 360 version of the WiiMote has been under development since last summer and will be launched by the end of 2008.

The source went as far as providing MTV with a sketch of the last prototype of the new motion-sensing controller for the Xbox 360 that it claims to have seen. The controller’s design bears a striking resemblance to the WiiMote…

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The guys over at GamePro had a little powwow with Electronic Arts’ CEO John Riccitiello last Thursday (February 1st, 2008) and got the skinny on what was going down with EA’s plans for their instant hit game, Rock Band.  It looks like lucky Wii owners can look forward to rocking out sometime in 2008.

Rumors that Rock Band would be coming to the Nintendo Wii have been spreading around like the love for rock ballads spread in the ‘80s.  The rumors started when Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos told…

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I am sure we have all dreamt about the prospect of sitting around doing nothing, while getting paid. Well, aside from writing for game web sites, the next best thing has to be voice acting.

In the past, terrible voice acting was one of the benchmarks for the video game industry, right up there with music. In recent years, with titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Stranglehold and Rise of Honor, big-name actors and directors have turned to videogames for a little extra cash and to tell new stories that don’t necessarily have to seen on the big scene. While many actors might do voice work for video game tie-in’s for summer movies, some do it just for…

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Today, January 26, 2008, is a great day for Super Smash Brothers Brawl demo reports. Kiosks in Japan are having demos of the title set up this weekend. There have also been recent rumors floating around the internet that US gamers will soon be sampling the game as well.

Kombo.com reports that Japanese stores began featuring Super Smash Brothers Brawl demos for Wii kiosks today. They also provide quite a few links to various Youtube videos which have already debuted on the internet.

Click through to see a video of King Dedede and Koopa facing off…

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When Reuterspublished its article, “Microsoft’s Xbox could consider Blu-ray support,” on January 8, 2008, rumors began spreading about the upcoming possibilities the Blu-Ray technology could bring to the Xbox 360.

According to GameDaily, Microsoft Marketing Manager Albert Penello said Reuters had mistaken what Penello told them and came to their own conclusions. In fact, he told Gizmodo that Microsoft never even considered supporting Blu-ray for the XBox system.

“It should be consumer choice; and if that’s the way they vote, that’s something we’ll have to consider,” Penello told Reuters.

Currently, the Xbox 360 system supports standard definition and high definition video output and supports games with 16:9 widescreen, anti-aliasing, and high-definition video (720p minimum.)

Although this rumor has been smashed to pieces, there are those on the internet clinging to the idea that some day Microsoft will consider supporting Blu-ray. For now, its only a rumor.

Read [GameDaily] Read [Reuters] Read [Gizmodo] Site [XBox360]

Today, January 7, 2008, at CES, internet voice service Skype has just announced its expansion strategy - a plan that involves the PSP. According to a gamasutra report, Sony has confirmed that a late January firmware update will allow PSP users to partake in Skype’s for-pay and free voice services. The service will include contact list management and a from-PSP Skype feature that will allow users to see which friends are available to talk online at any given time. Users will be able to use Skypeout (calls to land lines) and receive Skypein (calls from selected numbers) with Skype Credit.

In addition to the PSP functionality, Skype has also announced the 3 Skypephone, a 3G handset capable of making skype to skype calls and text messages to users anywhere in the world, a “Freetalk” wireless headset; and compatibility with other mobile devices, including Sony’s mylo communicator, intel-based mobile internet devices and the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet.

Read [Gamasutra]

According to the 1UP.com Network, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) will be delivering an 11-page spread dedicated to Street Fighter IV (SFIV) in its January 2008 issue (available December 18, 2007).

The feature represents a world-exclusive first look at Capcom’s latest installment in its popular fighting franchise, complete with hands-on impressions of gameplay. The 1UP Network also notes that information regarding characters, graphics and gameplay mechanics will be provided. In addition, 1UP.com and GameVideos will feature exclusive Street Fighter-related content throughout the month of January 2008 to fan the flames of curious gamers’ interests.

There has been a great deal of speculation since the SFIV teaser was released by Capcom several weeks ago. Many gamers even considered it to be a hoax until production was confirmed by developers and the main question on everyone’s mind since then is, “2D or 3D gameplay?”

Street Fighter has always been a fighting game franchise rooted in 2D mechanics and is widely considered to be the series that pioneered concepts and mechanics important to casual and tournament players alike. A 2D SFIV is certainly what most fans that have followed the franchise from its inception have been demanding and expecting, so it comes as a relief to many that the first in-game screenshot of the game seems to indicate that the SFIV will utilize 3D graphics with 2D gameplay. In any case, perhaps the revival of the classic series will be accompanied by the revival of the classic arcade scene—but I’m not holding my breath.

Read [1UP] Also Read [IGN]