The NPD Group released April 2008 sales figures today, and Sony had another solid month of system sales across all three platforms. The PSP was the biggest seller from Sony, selling almost 193,000 hardware units. The PSP was buoyed by the sales of God of War: Chains of Olympus and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, which were the top selling software titles on the handheld.While the PSP outsold the Xbox 360, the PS3 did almost as well, moving just over 187,000 units. The larger story, however, was the software sold for the system, with more than one million copies of Grand Theft Auto sold for the PS3 and 224,000 Blu-ray copies of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue sold. There was also a large number of DualShock 3 controllers sold as well, accounting for more than $10.9 million in April. Rounding out the setup was the PS2, which moved a little more than 124,000 units.Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, had the following statement about the company's April sales, "Clearly, the tremendous legacy of Grand Theft Auto on PlayStation, combined with the blockbuster launch of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue packed a one-two punch with consumers at retail this month. The proof is in the numbers and, in April, PlayStation 3 hardware sales experienced a 127% increase over April of last year. PS3 momentum is fueled by enthusiasm for Blu-ray as the definitive high def standard and the growing number of consumers gearing up for some of the most anticipated titles of the year, exclusively for PS3, including the June release of Metal Gear Solid 4, and other great exclusives in the second half on the year, such as Resistance 2, SOCOM: Confrontation and LittleBigPlanet to name a few. With exciting PlayStation Network innovations and our strongest console-driving titles of the year still on the horizon, PS3 remains on pace for a breakthrough year."
الجمعة، 16 مايو 2008
الأربعاء، 14 مايو 2008
Kojima hinting at MGS5?
Oh Mr. Kojima, why do you do this to us? At Tuesday's Metal Gear Solid 4 press event in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, the Kojima Productions team left those attending the event with a small audio clip that has spread like wildfire across the interenet about a possible sequel already in the works for the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The audio clip featured a conversation between Revolver Ocelot and an unknown character, with only Ocelot's side of the conversation presented in the clip (with subtitles shown on the screen). Mark MacDonald, from 1UP.com, provided the translation of the subtitles to English: [Ocelot's voice] Yes. We just finished the press conference. Yes. Everything went according to plan. Yes. We're entering into the last phase of the mission. Do you want to execute the launch day surprise? Yes, that's right. Akihabara, New York, L.A.... Live, simultaneously throughout the world... Yes, it's under control. The VIP's are happy to participate. Yeah, that's right. That person. Yes sir, understood. So on June 12th... By the way, what should we do about "The Project?" Yes, that's correct. That man has fallen. It's about the sequel. Yes, indeed. Yes. Yes. Yeah. I see. Yes, sir. Mr. CEO.This can be taken a whole bunch of ways but the first thought to mind (as the conversation clearly states) is that of a sequel to MGS4. Although there is no telling just yet, its likely that the conversation partly refers to the planned launch events and creator Hideo Kojima's world tour, both of which were discussed at the event. I guess we are all left wondering until June 12.
Sony sells 9.24 million PS3s in 2007; reveals forecast for '08
Sony Corporation has announced that it sold approximately 9.24 million PlayStation 3 consoles in the financial year ended March 31, further adding that it plans to sell 10 million during the upcoming 2008 business year.This brings the total number of PS3s sold globally since launch to 12.85 million, with the Xbox 360 currently at 19 million and the Wii at 24.45 million.
The company also revealed that it sold a total of 15 million PlayStation Portable units, although it neglected to reveal its current sales forecast for the handheld device. Elsewhere, the platform holder is also expected to sell 17 million liquid crystal TVs for the fiscal year ending March 2009, up from the previous year ended March 31 2008, where the firm sold 10.6 million.Mizuho Securities analyst, Koichi Hariya, commented: “The forecast for 450 billion yen in operating profit this financial year looks solid, given that there’s been speculation the yen’s rise and slower U.S. growth could have a negative impact.”“The results could lead to bullish sentiment on Sony shares."
The company also revealed that it sold a total of 15 million PlayStation Portable units, although it neglected to reveal its current sales forecast for the handheld device. Elsewhere, the platform holder is also expected to sell 17 million liquid crystal TVs for the fiscal year ending March 2009, up from the previous year ended March 31 2008, where the firm sold 10.6 million.Mizuho Securities analyst, Koichi Hariya, commented: “The forecast for 450 billion yen in operating profit this financial year looks solid, given that there’s been speculation the yen’s rise and slower U.S. growth could have a negative impact.”“The results could lead to bullish sentiment on Sony shares."
Evolution only "scratched surface" of PS3
Evolution Studios has said that it has only managed to scratch the surface of what it is capable of achieving on the PlayStation 3 following its work on the original MotorStorm title.Speaking during an interview with Videogamer.com, Nigel Kershaw, director of the upcoming sequel MotorStorm Pacific Rift, stated, "We've realised we've just scratched the surface of what we could actually do with the machine. And I'm sure next time around we'll learn a lot more from MotorStorm Pacific Rift.""The first game pushed the PS3, this is pushing the PS3, our next game is going to push the PS3. It's not so much about pushing the hardware, it's about learning how to use the hardware in the best possible fashion.""Now we've spent a lot of time with it we're starting to make it sing under the hood," he said, referring to the advantages of having already released a game for the Sony platform.Kershaw added that developers are slowly starting to unlock the power of the machine as companies begin work on their second or third title for the PS3, commenting:"Actually the first and second generation of games that we've seen on the PS3 are just people starting to learn how to make great games for it. It's a long race. Now that developers are starting to write their second or third game, they're starting to untap the power that's within there."MotorStorm Pacific Rift is due out later this year
Sega Sammy posts half-billion-dollar loss
Back in October, it was becoming clear that all was not entirely well within the franchise of Sega Sammy. The company, which makes the majority of its money from pachinko machines, downsized its profit and net sales forecasts for the financial year.
Although the official figures, released today, aren't quite as low as forecast, they're not far off. For Sega Sammy's financial year from April 1, 2007, through to March 31, 2008, net sales were down 13 percent over the previous year to ¥458.9 billion ($4.4 billion). Both operating and net income were in the red, with the company's operating loss hitting ¥5.8 billion ($55 million) and net loss at ¥52.5 billion ($500 million).
Sega Sammy pointed out a number of reasons behind the numbers. Its pachinko business in Japan continued to decline, with machine sales falling by 24,000 units to 108,000 units, and it had postponed a number of major pachinko machine titles until fiscal 2008.
The minus figures also included impairment losses for Chinese businesses, and a cancellation fee for ceasing development of an entertainment complex in Minato-ku. The company also dissolved Sega Amusements Singapore along with Sega Korea, in order to "increase operating efficiency in the amusement machine sales business."
Game sales were up overseas, but down in Japan--2007 saw the release of Sega titles including Condemned 2: Bloodshot, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and Viking: Battle for Asgard. The company sold just under 27 million games in total during fiscal 2007, an increase of 5.7 million over the previous fiscal year. Nonetheless, only a small amount of these sales came from its home nation. In Japan, 2.6 million games were offloaded onto the public, compared with 12 million in the US, 12.3 million in Europe, and 70,000 in other regions.
Sega stated that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was a best-seller overseas, whereas the third part in the Yakuza action adventure series, Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan, fared well in Japan.
Despite the year's losses, the company remained upbeat about the outlook for fiscal 2008. It believes that the group will return to profitability, forecasting consolidated net sales of ¥470 billion ($4.5 billion), consolidated operating income of ¥15 billion ($143 million), and net income of ¥5 billion ($48 million). Sega Sammy concluded that it expected its game sales to once again "show healthy growth" overseas, although it made no new announcements regarding upcoming games.
Although the official figures, released today, aren't quite as low as forecast, they're not far off. For Sega Sammy's financial year from April 1, 2007, through to March 31, 2008, net sales were down 13 percent over the previous year to ¥458.9 billion ($4.4 billion). Both operating and net income were in the red, with the company's operating loss hitting ¥5.8 billion ($55 million) and net loss at ¥52.5 billion ($500 million).
Sega Sammy pointed out a number of reasons behind the numbers. Its pachinko business in Japan continued to decline, with machine sales falling by 24,000 units to 108,000 units, and it had postponed a number of major pachinko machine titles until fiscal 2008.
The minus figures also included impairment losses for Chinese businesses, and a cancellation fee for ceasing development of an entertainment complex in Minato-ku. The company also dissolved Sega Amusements Singapore along with Sega Korea, in order to "increase operating efficiency in the amusement machine sales business."
Game sales were up overseas, but down in Japan--2007 saw the release of Sega titles including Condemned 2: Bloodshot, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and Viking: Battle for Asgard. The company sold just under 27 million games in total during fiscal 2007, an increase of 5.7 million over the previous fiscal year. Nonetheless, only a small amount of these sales came from its home nation. In Japan, 2.6 million games were offloaded onto the public, compared with 12 million in the US, 12.3 million in Europe, and 70,000 in other regions.
Sega stated that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was a best-seller overseas, whereas the third part in the Yakuza action adventure series, Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan, fared well in Japan.
Despite the year's losses, the company remained upbeat about the outlook for fiscal 2008. It believes that the group will return to profitability, forecasting consolidated net sales of ¥470 billion ($4.5 billion), consolidated operating income of ¥15 billion ($143 million), and net income of ¥5 billion ($48 million). Sega Sammy concluded that it expected its game sales to once again "show healthy growth" overseas, although it made no new announcements regarding upcoming games.
MS: 360 first to reach 10 million in US
Microsoft has apparently attached a special significance to the number 10 million. Five months before the Xbox 360 launched in November 2005, the company's head of the gaming business Peter Moore publicly stated that the console would sell 10 million units before the end of 2006. Just days into 2007, Microsoft used its CES keynote to announce that it had met that goal. Before and since, the company has publicly announced passing such milestones as 10 million Xbox Live members reached and 10 million pieces of content downloaded from the system's Marketplace storefront.
Today Microsoft added another public proclamation to the stack, saying that the Xbox 360's US installed user base has reached beyond the 10 million mark. The company added that the 360 is the first current-generation console to do so, and stressed the importance of that.
"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle," said Don Mattrick, the current head of Microsoft's gaming business, in a statement. "We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."
Worldwide, Microsoft said that the Xbox 360 is up to 19 million systems sold, which it initially claimed was "more than any other current-generation console." After being directed to Nintendo's latest financial results, in which the hardware maker revealed that it had sold more than 24 million Wiis to date, a Microsoft representative recanted the initial statement.
"We apologize for any confusion. Xbox 360 has the largest global install base of any current-generation high definition [emphasis added] gaming console," the representative said.
Microsoft also updated the size of its online user base. Xbox Live now claims 12 million members according to the company, up from 6 million a little over a year ago. Representatives from Sony and Nintendo did not return requests for the latest figures on the US installed user bases of the PlayStation 3 and Wii.
Today Microsoft added another public proclamation to the stack, saying that the Xbox 360's US installed user base has reached beyond the 10 million mark. The company added that the 360 is the first current-generation console to do so, and stressed the importance of that.
"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle," said Don Mattrick, the current head of Microsoft's gaming business, in a statement. "We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."
Worldwide, Microsoft said that the Xbox 360 is up to 19 million systems sold, which it initially claimed was "more than any other current-generation console." After being directed to Nintendo's latest financial results, in which the hardware maker revealed that it had sold more than 24 million Wiis to date, a Microsoft representative recanted the initial statement.
"We apologize for any confusion. Xbox 360 has the largest global install base of any current-generation high definition [emphasis added] gaming console," the representative said.
Microsoft also updated the size of its online user base. Xbox Live now claims 12 million members according to the company, up from 6 million a little over a year ago. Representatives from Sony and Nintendo did not return requests for the latest figures on the US installed user bases of the PlayStation 3 and Wii.
Sony revenues hit $78.5 billion
Sony has today announced that consolidated sales and net income for its financial 2007 (April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008) broke company records. Consolidated operating income was more than five times higher than the year before, and the second highest in the company's history. Sales of Bravia LCD televisions, VAIO PCs, and Cyber-shot digital cameras are the products that are selling best for Sony overall, while mobile phones and CRT televisions have seen a fall in sales.
Overall, sales and operating revenue was up 6.9 percent to ¥8.871 trillion ($78.5 billion), and operating income was up 422 percent to ¥374.5 billion ($3.3 billion). Income before taxes was up 357 percent to ¥466.3 billion ($3.9 billion), while net income for the whole of Sony was up 192.4 percent to ¥369.4 billion ($3.3 billion).
In the games division, sales increased by 26.3 percent over last year to ¥1.284 trillion ($11 billion). According to Sony, the PlayStation 3 saw a "significant increase" in sales, as did the PlayStation Portable, which Sony pointed out probably had to do with the release of a shiny new slim version.
Operating loss for the games division was almost halved from last year to ¥124.5 billion ($1.1 billion), an improvement of some ¥107.8 billion ($954 million) over the previous year.
Sony sold 9.24 million PS3s in fiscal 2007, bringing the total to just under 13 million worldwide. In comparison, Nintendo recently revealed that it has sold 24.5 million Wiis to date, with Microsoft selling 19 million Xbox 360s since the console's 2005 launch, according the company's latest figures.
PSP sales increased by 4.36 million year on year, bringing the total for fiscal 2007 to 13.89 million--last week, the company said it sold 34 million PSPs as of end of the 2007 calendar year. Sales of the PlayStation 2 were down by just under a million units with 13.73 million sold worldwide.
As for software, PS2 game sales slowed dramatically, down 39.5 million to 154 million, although Sony still sold more games on the PS2 than on the PS3 and PSP combined. PS3 game sales saw an annual increase of 44.6 million units to 57.9 million sold worldwide, and 55.5 million PSP titles left store shelves, an increase of 800,000.
Sony forecast that the games division would be back in the black in the next financial year due to hardware cost reductions and "an enhanced lineup of software titles in the PS3 business," despite falling PS2 sales.
Sony believes it will sell a further 9 million PS2s, 15 million PSPs, and 10 million PS3s during its 2008 fiscal year, which began April 1. For games, it wouldn't be drawn on its platform-specific projections, but said it believes it will sell 250 million units across the PS2, PS3, and PSP.
Overall, sales and operating revenue was up 6.9 percent to ¥8.871 trillion ($78.5 billion), and operating income was up 422 percent to ¥374.5 billion ($3.3 billion). Income before taxes was up 357 percent to ¥466.3 billion ($3.9 billion), while net income for the whole of Sony was up 192.4 percent to ¥369.4 billion ($3.3 billion).
In the games division, sales increased by 26.3 percent over last year to ¥1.284 trillion ($11 billion). According to Sony, the PlayStation 3 saw a "significant increase" in sales, as did the PlayStation Portable, which Sony pointed out probably had to do with the release of a shiny new slim version.
Operating loss for the games division was almost halved from last year to ¥124.5 billion ($1.1 billion), an improvement of some ¥107.8 billion ($954 million) over the previous year.
Sony sold 9.24 million PS3s in fiscal 2007, bringing the total to just under 13 million worldwide. In comparison, Nintendo recently revealed that it has sold 24.5 million Wiis to date, with Microsoft selling 19 million Xbox 360s since the console's 2005 launch, according the company's latest figures.
PSP sales increased by 4.36 million year on year, bringing the total for fiscal 2007 to 13.89 million--last week, the company said it sold 34 million PSPs as of end of the 2007 calendar year. Sales of the PlayStation 2 were down by just under a million units with 13.73 million sold worldwide.
As for software, PS2 game sales slowed dramatically, down 39.5 million to 154 million, although Sony still sold more games on the PS2 than on the PS3 and PSP combined. PS3 game sales saw an annual increase of 44.6 million units to 57.9 million sold worldwide, and 55.5 million PSP titles left store shelves, an increase of 800,000.
Sony forecast that the games division would be back in the black in the next financial year due to hardware cost reductions and "an enhanced lineup of software titles in the PS3 business," despite falling PS2 sales.
Sony believes it will sell a further 9 million PS2s, 15 million PSPs, and 10 million PS3s during its 2008 fiscal year, which began April 1. For games, it wouldn't be drawn on its platform-specific projections, but said it believes it will sell 250 million units across the PS2, PS3, and PSP.
Microsoft Limits Capabilities of Low Cost PCs
Microsoft will be offering steep discounts to PC manufactures that will use Windows XP in ultra low-cost desktops and notebooks. However, the discount comes with limitations, as Microsoft will be placing hardware restrictions for these manufacturers.
In hopes of fostering adoption of Windows over its Linux competitor, Microsoft will offer steep discounts of Windows XP Home Edition for ULPC desktops and notebooks like the Asus Eee PC or OLPC. The new program ask manufacturers that screen sizes on notebooks be smaller than 10.2 inches, touch screen not be used, hard drives should be under 80 GB, contain less than 1 GB of memory, and a single-core processor that clocks less than 1 GHz. The program has provided exception for pre-determined chips like Intel’s Atom and Via Technologies’ C7-M processors.
Microsoft’s goal is to limit hardware capabilities of upcoming generations of ULPCs so they do not reduce the demand for modern PCs with capable hardware. The limitations allow “PC makers to offer low-cost alternative, and it prevents eroding of pricing and margins in the mainstream OS market,” said analyst Roger Kay, EndPoint Technologies Associates president.
Microsoft’s program is expected to launch in June. Prices will reflect the market or country’s wealth. First world countries will get Windows XP Home Edition at $32, while developing markets such as China or India will only pay $26.
The surprising success of the Eee PC has forced many OEMs to quickly produce its own ULPC. HP recently launched its Via based Mini-Note, hoping to cash in on the growing market. Over twenty new designs of ULPCs are expected to launch later this year.
Microsoft had earlier announced its plans to stop selling Windows XP to OEMs after June 30, but ULPC has been noted as the exception.
The reduction seems more like an attempt at making Windows XP ULPCs less attractive than say, a more recent ULPC unit that would ship with Windows Vista.
In hopes of fostering adoption of Windows over its Linux competitor, Microsoft will offer steep discounts of Windows XP Home Edition for ULPC desktops and notebooks like the Asus Eee PC or OLPC. The new program ask manufacturers that screen sizes on notebooks be smaller than 10.2 inches, touch screen not be used, hard drives should be under 80 GB, contain less than 1 GB of memory, and a single-core processor that clocks less than 1 GHz. The program has provided exception for pre-determined chips like Intel’s Atom and Via Technologies’ C7-M processors.
Microsoft’s goal is to limit hardware capabilities of upcoming generations of ULPCs so they do not reduce the demand for modern PCs with capable hardware. The limitations allow “PC makers to offer low-cost alternative, and it prevents eroding of pricing and margins in the mainstream OS market,” said analyst Roger Kay, EndPoint Technologies Associates president.
Microsoft’s program is expected to launch in June. Prices will reflect the market or country’s wealth. First world countries will get Windows XP Home Edition at $32, while developing markets such as China or India will only pay $26.
The surprising success of the Eee PC has forced many OEMs to quickly produce its own ULPC. HP recently launched its Via based Mini-Note, hoping to cash in on the growing market. Over twenty new designs of ULPCs are expected to launch later this year.
Microsoft had earlier announced its plans to stop selling Windows XP to OEMs after June 30, but ULPC has been noted as the exception.
The reduction seems more like an attempt at making Windows XP ULPCs less attractive than say, a more recent ULPC unit that would ship with Windows Vista.
Smash Bros. Brawl AU Confirmed
After remaining frustratingly silent on the Australian Smash Bros. Brawl release for months, Nintendo has finally confirmed that the game will release on Wii locally on 26 June. That's just a little over a month - 42 sleeps to go.42 days may sound like a long time now but on the upside there's a veritable library of previews, videos and screens (102 videos and 2018 screens to be exact) available on Smash Bros. Brawl to help pass the remaining days. Be sure to check out our recent Aussie multiplayer hands-on preview.Of course, we can't help but be a little bitter about having had to endure one of the longest Aussie delays in years. While the majority of high profile games are released within a week of the overseas date, we've been lumbered with having to wait almost five months between the Japanese release on 30 January.At least we're not as bad off as our European cousins, who will have to wait another day and a half after our release. Ouch.
How The RIAA Tracks File Sharing at Colleges
An anonymous RIAA representative has come out detailing the organization’s methods in seeking out file sharers on college campuses in the United States. In many ways the method is almost identical to the way one searches for music on peer-to-peer networks, except it searches a lot quicker.
The anonymous RIAA employee gave a private demonstration to The Chronicle on how it catches music pirates. The RIAA currently contracts Media Sentry, a company hired to do the majority of the dirty work. A list of songs with distribution rights that fall under the RIAA’s umbrella is provided to Media Sentry, which is then scripted for searches in LimeWire, as an example. The searches typically turn up hundreds of matches per song, and each hit is looked into individually.
At this point the host PC is searched via the software for any other suspected music that has been infringed. Media Sentry uses special software that checks for unique digital fingerprints in each of the offered files to match and verify with the copyrighted songs provided by the RIAA. If the digital fingerprints do not match, sound waves of each song are analyzed. If the company still does not have an identical match a live person will listen to the song as a last resort. Once a match has occurred investigators will engage in a TCP connection, known as an electronic “handshake”, with the host PC to verify if the host PC is online.
Once the dirty work as been done, the RIAA will send out letters containing names of files, date and time of when investigators found the files available. The letter will ask colleges to remove all infringing content from their networks.
According to the RIAA employee, on occasions the RIAA will send out “prelitigation settlement letters” to the alleged pirates demanding thousands of dollars as an alternative of going to court. If this happens, as a courtesy act, the RIAA will download the music first and verify the music is being infringed. On the bright side, the RIAA apparently does not single out any particular college campus.
Interestingly enough, a different method is used for alleged pirates on commercial ISPs, like AT&T. Most of the investigation done for commercial pirates is manually driven.
Earlier this month, a district court judge overturned the RIAA’s argument of “making available” as copyright infringement.
The anonymous RIAA employee gave a private demonstration to The Chronicle on how it catches music pirates. The RIAA currently contracts Media Sentry, a company hired to do the majority of the dirty work. A list of songs with distribution rights that fall under the RIAA’s umbrella is provided to Media Sentry, which is then scripted for searches in LimeWire, as an example. The searches typically turn up hundreds of matches per song, and each hit is looked into individually.
At this point the host PC is searched via the software for any other suspected music that has been infringed. Media Sentry uses special software that checks for unique digital fingerprints in each of the offered files to match and verify with the copyrighted songs provided by the RIAA. If the digital fingerprints do not match, sound waves of each song are analyzed. If the company still does not have an identical match a live person will listen to the song as a last resort. Once a match has occurred investigators will engage in a TCP connection, known as an electronic “handshake”, with the host PC to verify if the host PC is online.
Once the dirty work as been done, the RIAA will send out letters containing names of files, date and time of when investigators found the files available. The letter will ask colleges to remove all infringing content from their networks.
According to the RIAA employee, on occasions the RIAA will send out “prelitigation settlement letters” to the alleged pirates demanding thousands of dollars as an alternative of going to court. If this happens, as a courtesy act, the RIAA will download the music first and verify the music is being infringed. On the bright side, the RIAA apparently does not single out any particular college campus.
Interestingly enough, a different method is used for alleged pirates on commercial ISPs, like AT&T. Most of the investigation done for commercial pirates is manually driven.
Earlier this month, a district court judge overturned the RIAA’s argument of “making available” as copyright infringement.
Samsung Pitches 240 Hz LCD Technology
Seoul (Korea) - Samsung said it will demonstrate a new LCD technology at the upcoming SID 2008 International Symposium that will double the maximum image refresh rate of current LCD panels. The manufacturer believes that 240 Hz panels will reproduce images closer to that of a real moving image perceived by the human eye.
After HD, skyrocketing contrast and brightness ratios that treat consumers to already life-like experiences in front of their TV (at least if I compare today’s image quality to the snowstorm picture on my parent’s 1970s and 1980s TVs), there’s a new idea that promises to come even closer to an out-the-window view on future LCD TVs. Samsung’s "Blue Phase" technology upgrades the current maximum image refresh rate of 120 Hz of to 240 Hz. The manufacturer will show a prototype panel at the SID 2008 International Symposium and promises that the device will display "more natural moving images."
Samsung said that a "superior response rate" enables it to increase the speed without a need for any overdrive circuit. According to the company, Blue Phase does not require liquid crystal alignment layers, unlike today’s most widely used LCD modes such as Twisted Nematic, In-Plane Switching or Vertical Alignment. Instead, the technology mode can create its own alignment layers, eliminating the need for any mechanical alignment and rubbing processes. This reduces the number of required fabrication processes, resulting in considerable savings on production costs, Samsung said.
Another benefit of the technology that brightness changes across the screen are a thing of the past:, as they are not vulnerable to pressure on certain parts of the panel. The term "Blue Phase" relates to the developer’s observation of "bluish hues while watching their new liquid crystal mode in operation," Samsung said.
The technology is still far from being offered in commercial products: Samsung believes that Blue Phase LCDs could be put into mass-production sometime in 2011. These LCD panels are expected to be used mainly in "TVs that require high-speed video reproduction," the manufacturer said.
After HD, skyrocketing contrast and brightness ratios that treat consumers to already life-like experiences in front of their TV (at least if I compare today’s image quality to the snowstorm picture on my parent’s 1970s and 1980s TVs), there’s a new idea that promises to come even closer to an out-the-window view on future LCD TVs. Samsung’s "Blue Phase" technology upgrades the current maximum image refresh rate of 120 Hz of to 240 Hz. The manufacturer will show a prototype panel at the SID 2008 International Symposium and promises that the device will display "more natural moving images."
Samsung said that a "superior response rate" enables it to increase the speed without a need for any overdrive circuit. According to the company, Blue Phase does not require liquid crystal alignment layers, unlike today’s most widely used LCD modes such as Twisted Nematic, In-Plane Switching or Vertical Alignment. Instead, the technology mode can create its own alignment layers, eliminating the need for any mechanical alignment and rubbing processes. This reduces the number of required fabrication processes, resulting in considerable savings on production costs, Samsung said.
Another benefit of the technology that brightness changes across the screen are a thing of the past:, as they are not vulnerable to pressure on certain parts of the panel. The term "Blue Phase" relates to the developer’s observation of "bluish hues while watching their new liquid crystal mode in operation," Samsung said.
The technology is still far from being offered in commercial products: Samsung believes that Blue Phase LCDs could be put into mass-production sometime in 2011. These LCD panels are expected to be used mainly in "TVs that require high-speed video reproduction," the manufacturer said.
Xbox 360 Sales Milestone
Microsoft announced today that Xbox 360 has passed the 10 million units sold mark in the United States with more than 19 million units sold worldwide. They also announced that the total number of Xbox Live members is greater than 12 million. Note that includes both silver and gold-tier members. The press release touts Xbox 360 as being the first "current-generation console" to reach the 10 million and 19 million milestones, which is just a sneaky way of excluding the Wii from the equation. "Reaching an installed base of 10 million consoles in the U.S. is a significant achievement and an essential milestone on the road to market leadership," said Billy Pidgeon, research manager at IDC. "Perhaps more important is the Xbox 360 worldwide online base — 12 million Xbox LIVE gamers is the largest community in the connected console games sector, which represents the greatest growth opportunity in the console market and where Microsoft has been the leader for two generations." The release goes on to state that the software attach rate for the 360 is higher than any other console this generation (including Wii). Saying that the attach rate for Xbox 360 games is twice that of the Wii and a 16-2 lead when it comes to game titles topping one million units sold.
Images DBZ Burst Limit
The vidéos were not enough, here now a large batch of images for next Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit. Less arenas and combatants (a score) that in the preceding episode left on Wii and Playstation 2, the title will n the other hand propose graphics HD, an on-line mode worked and a history mode making it possible to admire many scenes in full combat. Exit envisaged on June 6 in Europe.
http://www.jeux-france.com/news27102.htmlLevel-5 Announces Console Title
Level-5 held a press conference in Tokyo today to announce cross media plans for Inazuma Eleven, its upcoming fusion of soccer and RPG gaming for the DS. Following details on an anime and trading card game based off the new title came first word of a new console game from the firm.This second self-published franchise for Level-5 (the first was the Professor Layton series) is going beyond videogames. Level-5 has already announced plans for an Inazuma Eleven comic, which will kick off in Japan's Coro Coro Comics starting on the 15th. To this, the firm also shed light on an anime and a trading card game.The anime is being produced by OLM, which has worked on a number of hit productions including Pokemon and Deltora Quest. For the Inazuma Eleven anime, we can expect 2D animation mixed with 3D stadium visuals. OLM hopes to get as many of the game's 1000 sub characters into the anime as possible.The trading card game is being produced by Mitsui Bussan. Test versions of the cards have already been created, and now the design staff is working on finalizing the rules and game systems.Level-5 president Akihiro Hino saved the real big news for last as he made first mention of the next Inazuma Eleven game. Titled Inazuma Eleven Break!, the new game is being designed for an undisclosed console, making it Level-5's first self-published console game.In a recent interview with Famitsu, Hino made mention of an expansion for the company into self-published console titles before the end of the year. He hinted that Wii was a strong contender to get the first games from the firm.All these cross media plans concern Japan only at the moment, as Inazuma Eleven has currently not been announced for release outside of Level-5's home territory. However, given the apparent success of Layton in overseas markets, don't be surprised if you hear more on the franchise in the future.
Rock Band Track Pack Details
Published by: MTV Games
Developed by: Pi Studios / Harmonix
Genre: Music
Number of Players: 1-4
Release Date:
US: June 22, 2008
Europe: Q3 2008
Australia: Unreleased
ESRB Content Descriptors: Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes
Since Harmonix and MTV Games announced the Rock Band Track Pack Volume 1 for the Wii and PlayStation 2 last week, stay-at-home rockers have been wondering how the disc would work. Would we have to interrupt our jam sessions to swap discs and load the new songs?At Electronic Arts' Spring Break event yesterday, an EA representative confirmed that Track Pack Volume 1 will be a standalone disc that does not require the original game DVD. Rock Band on the Wii and PS2 doesn't include the World Tour mode found in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions where all of the available songs (both original and downloaded) are constantly being mixed into your set list. The less powerful systems feature a linear progression through the track list much like Guitar Hero. Either the Track Pack will offer a new set list to play through, or the songs will be available to play in free mode.
Rock Band WiiImages Lost in Blue Wii
Here first images for the adaptation Wii de Lost in Blue, an episode which should offer to a principle similar to the versions Nintendo DS (management and survival) with in no-claims bonus a mode two players in co-operation. Exit planned for August in Japan.
Images Star Wars Unleashed
Some images of Star Wars: The capacity of the force have just fallen, the occasion to admire the Vador lord who will mark the title of his presence, the history being held between episode III and IV. Exit envisaged on September 16 in Europe.
الثلاثاء، 13 مايو 2008
Images Mario Super Sluggers
Super in the past Mario Stadium Baseball, Mario Super Sluggers reveals himself a little more in the pages of the Japanese magazine Koro Koro Comics. As often with the sporting range Mario, one will find the majority of the characters headlights of the company with grinds capacities at the time of the matches. One hopes for just only the problems of recognition in Wiimote since the last presentation. Exit envisaged on June 19 in Japan.
Report: Dell phasing out XPS gaming systems
Dell Inc. will begin phasing out its line of XPS desktop game machines, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
This will effectively leave Alienware as the sole high-end PC game offering from Dell, which acquired the Miami-based game system maker in March 2006.
Dell's XPS game PC line "ate into" Alienware sales, according to the report.
Alienware competes with brands such as Hewlett-Packard's Voodoo PC line and Falcon Northwest.
Alienware is also expected to bring out redesigned systems based on new materials that go beyond the brand's long-standing design, according to the report.
Game PCs from Alienware can cost as little as $1,000 but typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 and feature high-end Intel and AMD quad-core processors and graphics chips from Nvidia and ATI Technologies.
This will effectively leave Alienware as the sole high-end PC game offering from Dell, which acquired the Miami-based game system maker in March 2006.
Dell's XPS game PC line "ate into" Alienware sales, according to the report.
Alienware competes with brands such as Hewlett-Packard's Voodoo PC line and Falcon Northwest.
Alienware is also expected to bring out redesigned systems based on new materials that go beyond the brand's long-standing design, according to the report.
Game PCs from Alienware can cost as little as $1,000 but typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 and feature high-end Intel and AMD quad-core processors and graphics chips from Nvidia and ATI Technologies.
Too Human co-opting August
After an epic-length development, Too Human finally has an official release date. Microsoft, ahead of its event in San Francisco today, has confirmed that the sci-fi action role-playing game will ship for the Xbox 360 on August 19 in North America and August 29 in Europe.
Too Human's shipment will be the culmination of nearly 10 years work by its developer, Canadian shop Silicon Knights. The game was first announced at E3 1999 as an ambitious 3D RPG for the original PlayStation, spanning 80 hours of gameplay and 60 minutes of cinematics on four or five CD-ROMs. The game turned out to be too ambitious, as it was promptly delayed and then ported to the Nintendo GameCube in 2000.
For the next five years the game remained off the radar, until it resurfaced at Microsoft's X05 event as an Xbox 360 exclusive. Since then, the game has suffered numerous delays--delays which Silicon Knights head Denis Dyack blamed on problems with the Unreal Engine 3. Unreal maker Epic Games vigorously denied the charges, and the two companies' contentious differences resulted in tit-for-tat lawsuits last year. As a result, the game was delayed again to Q1 2008--a release window which has since passed.
With today's firm dating of the game, gamers finally have a date with Too Human's sprawling storyline. In it, players take on the role of the warrior Baldur--one of many characters based on Norse mythology--and choose to play one of several classes, including champion, defender, and bioengineer. GameSpot's previous preview has more details, and there will be a fresh look at the game from today's Microsoft Gamers' Day in San Francisco.
Last but not least, Microsoft today also revealed for the first time that Too Human will support co-op play through its campaign. According to the console maker, the co-op play will be via its Xbox Live online service, with no mention of a local split-screen option as of press time.
Too Human's shipment will be the culmination of nearly 10 years work by its developer, Canadian shop Silicon Knights. The game was first announced at E3 1999 as an ambitious 3D RPG for the original PlayStation, spanning 80 hours of gameplay and 60 minutes of cinematics on four or five CD-ROMs. The game turned out to be too ambitious, as it was promptly delayed and then ported to the Nintendo GameCube in 2000.
For the next five years the game remained off the radar, until it resurfaced at Microsoft's X05 event as an Xbox 360 exclusive. Since then, the game has suffered numerous delays--delays which Silicon Knights head Denis Dyack blamed on problems with the Unreal Engine 3. Unreal maker Epic Games vigorously denied the charges, and the two companies' contentious differences resulted in tit-for-tat lawsuits last year. As a result, the game was delayed again to Q1 2008--a release window which has since passed.
With today's firm dating of the game, gamers finally have a date with Too Human's sprawling storyline. In it, players take on the role of the warrior Baldur--one of many characters based on Norse mythology--and choose to play one of several classes, including champion, defender, and bioengineer. GameSpot's previous preview has more details, and there will be a fresh look at the game from today's Microsoft Gamers' Day in San Francisco.
Last but not least, Microsoft today also revealed for the first time that Too Human will support co-op play through its campaign. According to the console maker, the co-op play will be via its Xbox Live online service, with no mention of a local split-screen option as of press time.
EA reports loss, record full-year revenues
The growth of the gaming industry as a whole means publishers are posting bigger numbers than ever, and a wave of consolidation is only going to further inflate those totals. Electronic Arts is a prime example, having been the largest third-party publisher in the world even before last year's high-profile acquisition of developers BioWare and Pandemic, or the ongoing attempt at a Take-Two takeover.
EA today announced its full-year results for the 12 months ended March 31, and the company again laid claim to a number of titles, including the number one publisher across all platforms in both North America (where it claimed a 19 percent market share) and Europe (20 percent). EA also touted its position as the biggest third-party publisher of Wii games in Europe, making up 15 percent of the market there as opposed to just 7 percent in the previous year.
Counting sales from all regions, EA said it had 27 titles reach the million-sold milestone during the year, with 15 of those going on to break the 2 million barrier. In the previous year, EA had 24 million-sellers, with 10 titles going double platinum.
For the full year, EA posted net revenues of $3.67 billion, up 19 percent from the previous 12 months. However, due in part to the change in its accounting practices that caused a nearly $300 million hit to its second-quarter revenues, EA posted a net loss for the year of $454 million, compared to the previous year's bottom-line profit of $76 million.
For the fourth quarter alone, EA sales surged 84 percent year over year to $1.13 billion, up from $613 million for the same period the year before. In a conference call with investors, the publisher attributed the boost to strong sales from new releases like Burnout Paradise (1.5 million copies) and Army of Two (1.8 million copies), as well as continued sales of Rock Band (1.5 million copies in the January-March quarter alone).
For the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2009), Electronic Arts is expecting revenues between $4.9 billion and $5.15 billion, with a return to profitability on earnings per share between $.25 and $.52.
As of press time, Electronic Arts were up more than 1 percent to $55.15 in after-hours trading.
EA today announced its full-year results for the 12 months ended March 31, and the company again laid claim to a number of titles, including the number one publisher across all platforms in both North America (where it claimed a 19 percent market share) and Europe (20 percent). EA also touted its position as the biggest third-party publisher of Wii games in Europe, making up 15 percent of the market there as opposed to just 7 percent in the previous year.
Counting sales from all regions, EA said it had 27 titles reach the million-sold milestone during the year, with 15 of those going on to break the 2 million barrier. In the previous year, EA had 24 million-sellers, with 10 titles going double platinum.
For the full year, EA posted net revenues of $3.67 billion, up 19 percent from the previous 12 months. However, due in part to the change in its accounting practices that caused a nearly $300 million hit to its second-quarter revenues, EA posted a net loss for the year of $454 million, compared to the previous year's bottom-line profit of $76 million.
For the fourth quarter alone, EA sales surged 84 percent year over year to $1.13 billion, up from $613 million for the same period the year before. In a conference call with investors, the publisher attributed the boost to strong sales from new releases like Burnout Paradise (1.5 million copies) and Army of Two (1.8 million copies), as well as continued sales of Rock Band (1.5 million copies in the January-March quarter alone).
For the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2009), Electronic Arts is expecting revenues between $4.9 billion and $5.15 billion, with a return to profitability on earnings per share between $.25 and $.52.
As of press time, Electronic Arts were up more than 1 percent to $55.15 in after-hours trading.
Metal Gear Solid 4 golden
TOKYO--With Metal Gear Solid 4's anticipated worldwide release just a month away, Konami held a press conference near its headquarters today to announce that the game's development is officially complete. Press and guests were invited to the Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills cineplex, where they were treated to the latest trailers and live gameplay on the big screen with some popcorn on the side.
Similar to a real movie experience, the conference started off with some commercials, which were actually fake ads based on the Metal Gear Solid 4 world. Five commercials were shown, starting off with a "Praying Mantis unmanned security system." The ad featured a huge security robot chasing after a man on a bike and ultimately catching him, with fatal results. The ads are all available at Metal Gear Solid's new official site, together with a fresh Hollywood-style trailer that features numerous new scenes.
After the commercials and a brief look at what was apparently the game's opening sequence, Konami Digital Entertainment president Fumiaki Tanaka took the stage to make the opening announcements.
"In recent years, casual games have become extremely popular. With the rise of new consumers, the [game industry] is expanding into new directions," said Tanaka. "While it's said that the current mainstream is casual games, we took the challenge to make a blockbuster title, Metal Gear Solid 4, headed by Kojima."
He continued, "Metal Gear Solid 4 surpasses the scale of its previous titles in all aspects, including their story, visuals, and music. Using the PlayStation 3's high capabilities to its capacity, I believe that our developers have realized MGS4 without any compromise."
However, Tanaka also stressed that MGS4 certainly won't be the last of Konami's big projects on the PS3. "We believe that the PlayStation 3 still has some undiscovered capabilities, and there's still many points where we can be more clever to take its full advantage," he teased. "We will continue to create more good products in the future."
Following Tanaka, director Hideo Kojima appeared on stage to announce the completion of his four-year long project. "I'm very happy that we can announce the completion of MGS4 in front of everyone here today," he said, beaming. "MGS4 has been an extremely difficult project. At one point, it was like an eternal spiral where the game felt like it would never get completed no matter how hard we worked on it."
"We took on all sorts of challenges in the making of MGS4," reminisced Kojima. "We were challenged to make MGS4 on the Cell-processor-operated, unknown monster of a hardware called the PlayStation 3. We were challenged to make MGS4 in high definition graphics and 5.1ch surround sound so that it'd play in the leagues of movies. We were challenged to give MGS4 the most [content] in the series, and so we had the largest number of developers working [on the franchise] ever. We were challenged to release the game simultaneously worldwide for the first time. And, we were challenged to make it the last title in the series, as the game will be the conclusion to the Metal Gear Saga."
Interestingly, Kojima also took the opportunity to make some comments on the current situation of the game industry, with Japanese publishers increasingly leaning toward casual games that don't require expensive development.
"Casual games have become mainstream in the industry," he declared. "It's not just a Japanese phenomenon but also something that's happening worldwide. There are new markets and possibilities opening up thanks to the trend, which is great. But on the other hand, we shouldn't forget about the hardcore gamers whose lives are about videogames. The gamers who consider video games a subculture, and enjoy taking their time to sit down and play games that gives them energy and courage. I wanted to remind those gamers about the fun of video games. I know that we're going against the trend, but we've been working hard for the past four years so that the fire [of non-casual games] won't blow out."
"I believe that video games are a form of synthesized art that evolves by adapting new technologies," continued Kojima. "It's a business, so there are difficult decisions, but when you think about the future of video games, I think that you need to take some risks to move on forward. Once you halt, it's really hard to go [back on track] and take steps forward. Unfortunately, overseas game production companies, which are well-funded and extremely skilled, have surpassed us by a couple of steps. It was once said that Japan molded the world's video game [industry], but that's becoming a thing of the past. Sad as it may be, it's the truth."
"We developed MGS4 for fans that love Metal Gear. But at the same time, I was creating it with some hopes to stir a revival of [non-casual] videogames."
Kojima then went on to play some Metal Gear Solid 4 on the cinema's big screen, revealing that the the game will be chapter-based, unlike the previous installments in the series. A few minutes of the first chapter, "Act 1: Liquid Sun," was played in hard mode.
After playing the game, Kojima revealed a number of new collaborations in Metal Gear Solid 4, the biggest being with Apple's iPod. Snake carries around an iPod in MGS4, which lets him play music tracks that he finds scattered throughout the game. Collected tracks can be played as background music during the game, with additional tracks being offered for download.
Last month on April Fool's Day, footage of Metal Gear Solid 4 featuring Snake in Altair's robe from Assassin's Creed appeared without warning on YouTube. Today, Kojima confirmed that it's more than just a prank, as the Altair costume will be an unlockable feature in the game.
Other collaborations in MGS4 include Triumph Motorcycles, Sony Ericsson, Regain, and Uniqlo. For Triumph Motorcycles, this is the second time they're collaborating with the Metal Gear series following MGS3. This time, their Bonneville T100 and Speed Triple Motorcycles will appear in a chase scene during the game.
With Sony Ericsson, their W62S model cell phone is seen in the game, used by Vamp and Naomi. What's more, the collaboration goes both ways. Sony Ericsson's mobile portal will offer a downloadable MGS4 version of "Ganbare Salary Man," a cell phone game about a middle-age salary worker.
Another product being advertised in MGS4 is Regain, a popular Japanese energy drink. The beverage is featured in-game as an item that energizes Snake when he takes a sip. This collaboration also goes both ways: Starting on June 10 in Japan, convenience stores will sell special bottles of Regain that include an original MGS4-themed cell phone cleaner or dog tag.
Uniqlo, a Japanese apparel maker with stores also in the USA and UK, France, Korea, China, and Hong Kong, doesn't have any items appearing in-game. Instead, they're collaborating with MGS4 with the release of six "Metal Gear Solid 4 UT Design" T-shirts, featuring logos and artworks inspired from the game. The shirts will be available at Uniqlo shops from June 12.
Similar to previous Metal Gear Solid installments, MGS4 will also feature a gravure girl. Minami Akina, an 18-year-old cover girl who's been a big fan of the series, appears on a poster in the game. Akina appeared during the press conference and congratulated Kojima on his game. Kojima's staff also congratulated Akina with a large MGS4 cake, as she's turning 19 in two days.
In Japan, Konami will also be releasing a variety of Metal Gear Solid merchandise near the launch of MGS4. The game's soundtrack will be released on May 28 as a two-disc set, featuring a total of 47 tracks.
"Ga-ko," a duck-shaped alarm clock that appears in the game, will be sold as a product on July 31.
A novel by Raymond Benson based on the original Metal Gear Solid will be released on May 25 (May 27 in the US), while a Japanese novel by Keikaku Ito, Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, will be released on June 12.
In terms of launch promotions, plans for a "Metal Gear Solid 4 World Tour" are underway. Kojima and his staff will travel around the world to meet up with series fans. Tour locations include London, Madrid, Milano, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In Japan, Konami will also be collaborating with Sony to push MGS4 on the PlayStation Network. The daily "Toro Station" show will feature three consecutive days of Metal Gear coverage, possibly with a sneak peek into the latest game's development facilities.
One of the surprises at the press conference came at the very end. As the lights dimmed out for the event to end, a one-way dialogue very similar to the endings in the MGS games took place, hinting about a "worldwide live broadcast" and "VIP" events in Akihabara, New York, and Los Angeles on June 12.
Similar to a real movie experience, the conference started off with some commercials, which were actually fake ads based on the Metal Gear Solid 4 world. Five commercials were shown, starting off with a "Praying Mantis unmanned security system." The ad featured a huge security robot chasing after a man on a bike and ultimately catching him, with fatal results. The ads are all available at Metal Gear Solid's new official site, together with a fresh Hollywood-style trailer that features numerous new scenes.
After the commercials and a brief look at what was apparently the game's opening sequence, Konami Digital Entertainment president Fumiaki Tanaka took the stage to make the opening announcements.
"In recent years, casual games have become extremely popular. With the rise of new consumers, the [game industry] is expanding into new directions," said Tanaka. "While it's said that the current mainstream is casual games, we took the challenge to make a blockbuster title, Metal Gear Solid 4, headed by Kojima."
He continued, "Metal Gear Solid 4 surpasses the scale of its previous titles in all aspects, including their story, visuals, and music. Using the PlayStation 3's high capabilities to its capacity, I believe that our developers have realized MGS4 without any compromise."
However, Tanaka also stressed that MGS4 certainly won't be the last of Konami's big projects on the PS3. "We believe that the PlayStation 3 still has some undiscovered capabilities, and there's still many points where we can be more clever to take its full advantage," he teased. "We will continue to create more good products in the future."
Following Tanaka, director Hideo Kojima appeared on stage to announce the completion of his four-year long project. "I'm very happy that we can announce the completion of MGS4 in front of everyone here today," he said, beaming. "MGS4 has been an extremely difficult project. At one point, it was like an eternal spiral where the game felt like it would never get completed no matter how hard we worked on it."
"We took on all sorts of challenges in the making of MGS4," reminisced Kojima. "We were challenged to make MGS4 on the Cell-processor-operated, unknown monster of a hardware called the PlayStation 3. We were challenged to make MGS4 in high definition graphics and 5.1ch surround sound so that it'd play in the leagues of movies. We were challenged to give MGS4 the most [content] in the series, and so we had the largest number of developers working [on the franchise] ever. We were challenged to release the game simultaneously worldwide for the first time. And, we were challenged to make it the last title in the series, as the game will be the conclusion to the Metal Gear Saga."
Interestingly, Kojima also took the opportunity to make some comments on the current situation of the game industry, with Japanese publishers increasingly leaning toward casual games that don't require expensive development.
"Casual games have become mainstream in the industry," he declared. "It's not just a Japanese phenomenon but also something that's happening worldwide. There are new markets and possibilities opening up thanks to the trend, which is great. But on the other hand, we shouldn't forget about the hardcore gamers whose lives are about videogames. The gamers who consider video games a subculture, and enjoy taking their time to sit down and play games that gives them energy and courage. I wanted to remind those gamers about the fun of video games. I know that we're going against the trend, but we've been working hard for the past four years so that the fire [of non-casual games] won't blow out."
"I believe that video games are a form of synthesized art that evolves by adapting new technologies," continued Kojima. "It's a business, so there are difficult decisions, but when you think about the future of video games, I think that you need to take some risks to move on forward. Once you halt, it's really hard to go [back on track] and take steps forward. Unfortunately, overseas game production companies, which are well-funded and extremely skilled, have surpassed us by a couple of steps. It was once said that Japan molded the world's video game [industry], but that's becoming a thing of the past. Sad as it may be, it's the truth."
"We developed MGS4 for fans that love Metal Gear. But at the same time, I was creating it with some hopes to stir a revival of [non-casual] videogames."
Kojima then went on to play some Metal Gear Solid 4 on the cinema's big screen, revealing that the the game will be chapter-based, unlike the previous installments in the series. A few minutes of the first chapter, "Act 1: Liquid Sun," was played in hard mode.
After playing the game, Kojima revealed a number of new collaborations in Metal Gear Solid 4, the biggest being with Apple's iPod. Snake carries around an iPod in MGS4, which lets him play music tracks that he finds scattered throughout the game. Collected tracks can be played as background music during the game, with additional tracks being offered for download.
Last month on April Fool's Day, footage of Metal Gear Solid 4 featuring Snake in Altair's robe from Assassin's Creed appeared without warning on YouTube. Today, Kojima confirmed that it's more than just a prank, as the Altair costume will be an unlockable feature in the game.
Other collaborations in MGS4 include Triumph Motorcycles, Sony Ericsson, Regain, and Uniqlo. For Triumph Motorcycles, this is the second time they're collaborating with the Metal Gear series following MGS3. This time, their Bonneville T100 and Speed Triple Motorcycles will appear in a chase scene during the game.
With Sony Ericsson, their W62S model cell phone is seen in the game, used by Vamp and Naomi. What's more, the collaboration goes both ways. Sony Ericsson's mobile portal will offer a downloadable MGS4 version of "Ganbare Salary Man," a cell phone game about a middle-age salary worker.
Another product being advertised in MGS4 is Regain, a popular Japanese energy drink. The beverage is featured in-game as an item that energizes Snake when he takes a sip. This collaboration also goes both ways: Starting on June 10 in Japan, convenience stores will sell special bottles of Regain that include an original MGS4-themed cell phone cleaner or dog tag.
Uniqlo, a Japanese apparel maker with stores also in the USA and UK, France, Korea, China, and Hong Kong, doesn't have any items appearing in-game. Instead, they're collaborating with MGS4 with the release of six "Metal Gear Solid 4 UT Design" T-shirts, featuring logos and artworks inspired from the game. The shirts will be available at Uniqlo shops from June 12.
Similar to previous Metal Gear Solid installments, MGS4 will also feature a gravure girl. Minami Akina, an 18-year-old cover girl who's been a big fan of the series, appears on a poster in the game. Akina appeared during the press conference and congratulated Kojima on his game. Kojima's staff also congratulated Akina with a large MGS4 cake, as she's turning 19 in two days.
In Japan, Konami will also be releasing a variety of Metal Gear Solid merchandise near the launch of MGS4. The game's soundtrack will be released on May 28 as a two-disc set, featuring a total of 47 tracks.
"Ga-ko," a duck-shaped alarm clock that appears in the game, will be sold as a product on July 31.
A novel by Raymond Benson based on the original Metal Gear Solid will be released on May 25 (May 27 in the US), while a Japanese novel by Keikaku Ito, Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, will be released on June 12.
In terms of launch promotions, plans for a "Metal Gear Solid 4 World Tour" are underway. Kojima and his staff will travel around the world to meet up with series fans. Tour locations include London, Madrid, Milano, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In Japan, Konami will also be collaborating with Sony to push MGS4 on the PlayStation Network. The daily "Toro Station" show will feature three consecutive days of Metal Gear coverage, possibly with a sneak peek into the latest game's development facilities.
One of the surprises at the press conference came at the very end. As the lights dimmed out for the event to end, a one-way dialogue very similar to the endings in the MGS games took place, hinting about a "worldwide live broadcast" and "VIP" events in Akihabara, New York, and Los Angeles on June 12.
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