Images of Sega Rally Revo

PS3 "Already Making Comeback"

news from (http://www.next-gen.biz)
"All the production problems have been solved. We are making a comeback already,” Stringer said in an associated press report.

He reiterated that the PS3 is going to play a major role in Sony’s overall financial s, calling the console “a key driver” for growth.

Sony's meeting was reportedly upbeat, with talk of recovery in games and big strides in flat-panel TV and digital camera sales. But shareholders remain cautious. Shareholder Kazuhiko Machida, for instance, is particularly aware of Sony’s PS3 missteps.

"It's hard to think that Sony has solved all its problems," he said. "The Sony brand has taken a beating. I think Sony may be at a crossroads, but it's too early to say 'Banzai!'”

But Stringer still has an immense amount of faith in Sony’s games business. Earlier today, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai said that 380 games would be hitting PS3 this year.

"We believe that the PS3 going forward will be vital to our future, and succeed,” Stringer said.
news from (http://www.next-gen.biz)

HAZE

A spokesperson for Ubisoft has confirmed this morning that yesterday’s release schedule was incorrect. Haze is still to be confirmed for PC and Xbox 360, apparently, so the 30th November date now slips into the realms of TBA. The exclusive PS3 date remains the same. Enjoy the Screens.

Call of Duty 4 Gameplay Movie

Xbox 360 sales hit a wall euro wall

news by http://www.gamesindustry.biz
Sales of the Xbox 360 in Europe have hit a wall according to a new report from Screen Digest, which suggests Microsoft is struggling to expand the user base for the next-gen console.

"For Xbox 360, European hardware sales seem to have hit a wall. The target market is still too focused on adult males and the brand does not enjoy the same cachet in non-Anglo Saxon markets as it does in the US and, to a lesser extent, the UK," reads the report.

While there are no concerns about appealing to a dedicated gaming audience, "failing to break out of a small number of genres and thereby appealing to groups outside of hardcore gamer," is a bigger problem according to Screen Digest.

Despite these issues the report does highlight that some of the most anticipated titles for the coming Q4 are for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live is described as a "beacon of hope".

According to the analysts group, the Nintendo Wii is splitting business models across the industry.

"Some publishers are investing much less saying they will leave the platform drivers to Nintendo and ride their coat tails by spending very little on mediocre quality titles which will give some return."

On the other hand, "the combination of lower development costs and fastest growing installed base confers significant economic advantages in publishing games for Wii relative to competitive consoles, and this has lead to some third-party publishers increasing investment levels in developing for the platform."

The report points out that a low return on Wii software may hamper investment by publishers in other formats, as it simply does not generate as much profit at a time when PS3 and Xbox 360 development costs are rising.

And on the PlayStation 3, the report criticises Sony for not educating consumers as to what's in the box and relying too much on the PlayStation brand. Because of this a price drop is inevitable, says Screen Digest.

"A price drop before the end of the year is inevitable and would be in line with previous PlayStation first time price reduction timings."

"Marketing material has tended towards the esoteric and abstract and has seemingly failed to resonate with the consumer."

It also points out that Sony could drop a "bombshell" by the end of the year with a combined price drop and the launch of the Home virtual networking and online game service.

news by http://www.gamesindustry.biz

Duke Nukem Forever

Gran Turismo 5

Late last year, Gran Turismo designer Kazunori Yamauchi told fans that the next installment in his popular driving simulation series would reflect a change and become "a fully realized online car life simulation."

While it might not be one of the "core principles" Yamauchi referred to last year, the designer did confirm one change in store for the next Gran Turismo in a recent polyphony digital by French motorsports program turbo. For the first time in a Gran Turismo game, players will be able to select an inside-the-car viewpoint with the steering wheel and dashboard visible.

"To translate the real car into 3D, we use data and assets provided by the car manufacturers, but we also use a scanner that completely digitizes a car," Yamauchi told the show. "Here's a scoop: We're also modeling the dashboards because you can drive from the interior view in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5."

When asked about the Gran Turismo five in-car views and recent rumors of downloadable content for Gran Turismo HD for the PlayStation 3, a Sony representative told GameSpot, "We haven't made any recent announcements on the GT franchise."

news from gamespot