February 22nd. April 11th. May 16th. June 16th. July 18th. What do these disparate days have in common? They’re all seemingly arbitrary ‘expiration dates’ by which Take-Two or its shareholders had to either fork over the company to Electronic Arts in exchange for $25.74 per share, or risk the unthinkable — a one-month extension. CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman wrote that EA was losing its credibility after the third such elapsed expiration, one month ago today, but now we’re on take four. Why persist? What’s in it for EA other than a summary dismissal?

I just got off the phone with Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter, and the answer is: a lot. Continue Reading

Today, Sony revealed that they will finally provide the in-game XrossMediaBar functionality that was first demonstrated back in 2006, as well as the “trophy” achievement system promised in early 2007, as a part of their v2.4 software update for the PlayStation 3. They’re not saying when it will arrive, but perhaps that’s a wise choice; Sony doesn’t exactly have a solid track record when it comes to keeping promises.

To be sure, we don’t care if the PS3 can display at 120 frames-per-second or not. We’ll forgive the lack of a second HDMI port and the built-in ethernet router, even though you snatched them right out from under our noses. But after factoring in the constant delays of Home and the faked Killzone 2 assets, we begin to wonder where else Sony might have pulled the wool over our eyes.

In part two of “Promises, Promises,” GameCyte’s look back at the promises — and results — surrounding our game systems, we revisit the hype and spin Sony execs employed to sell the PlayStation 3. Continue Reading

Regardless of Microsoft’s many missteps when it comes to fully satisfying the hardcore gaming population, and despite the near-certainty of Nintendo usurping the current-generation console crown despite Redmond’s one-year head start, in many ways the Xbox 360 is a considerable success. Now, with the 360 business finally on the verge of posting profits, VentureBeat has scored a revealing interview with Entertainment and Devices Group president Robbie Bach, in which the Xbox boss speaks more candidly than you might expect about the console’s successes and failures. Continue Reading

Last week, we discussed seven games in which the options menu wasn’t merely a place to adjust your TV display, but rather the key to unlocking the full potential of some truly stellar titles. While the post was primarily meant to inform gamers of the remarkable possibilities they might have overlooked in their own collection, I’d also wondered if I might convince a budding developer or three that in-game settings deserve more than an afterthought.

However, I realize that it’s not enough to point at Genji, explain how awesome realistic surround sound can be and then expect every developer to score their game in full Dolby Digital — just as it’s still inconceivable that games will fulfill every tenet of David Wong and Haimoimoi’s brilliant Gamer’s Manifesto, even three years later. We’ve made progress, but the choices that will truly change games require time, effort and foresight.

But what if there were changes that developers could implement, right now, that would address some of gamers’ biggest peeves with a minimum of fuss and bother? I think there are — and you’ll hopefully soon find them in the in-game settings menu. Continue Reading

Your daily smörgåsbord of the very best gaming has to offer.

Today, updated on the fly:

Gaming:

• MGS4 80GB PS3 bundle sells out in seven minutes, KOs Amazon.com (PS3 Fanboy via Gaming Today)

• GTA IV exclusive Xbox 360 DLC delayed until Q1 2009, says Take-Two… (ShackNews)

• …but Microsoft reminds us that Q1 begins November 2008, and says GTA DLC on track for Fall release (CVG)

• Soulcalibur IV to have lightsaber duels after all, as Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice joins the fray (GameSpot, Kotaku)

• Capcom responds to kiddie game backlash, argues Spyborgs is new Zack & Wiki (Capcom BBS via GoNintendo)

Industry:

• Layoffs at LucasArts, up to 100 employees reportedly let go, with outsourcing plans likely (Kotaku, Gamasutra)

• Disney merging game group, internet group (AllThingsD)

Trendwatch:

• IndentiFiction promises TV-like weekly doses of episodic content this October (GamesIndustry.biz)

• Social gaming poised to dominate, says admittedly invested guest author at (TechCrunch)

• PSP continues to top Japanese hardware sales, surpassing Wii and DS Lite (Media Create via Next-Gen)

Education: Sony to sell PS2/PSP dev kits to academic institutions (PlayStation.Blog)

Interview: Mirror’s Edge inspired by Firefly, Serenity; DICE dev discusses creative process (Gamasutra)

Watch: Jace Hall play Duke Nukem Forever — it exists (Crackle via ShackNews)

Listen: Video game concert tour Video Games Live announces 50 new shows (Video Games Live)

Sport: Celtics’ Kevin Garnett to grace cover of NBA 2K9 (BusinessWire)

Tech: MGS4 Bluetooth Headset reviewed, found wanting (GadgetMadness via PS3 Fanboy)

Reflexive Horn Toot: Age of Conan — one million served (BusinessWire)

Yesterday, we suggested that industry analysts would be a far more reliable source of prognostication than cautiously spinning studio executives, but we forgot that there is another semi-reliable source that has even greater access to sales data — the GameStop corporation. Following today’s quarterly earnings report, CEO Dick Fontaine told investors that the industry is in “an explosive growth cycle” when it comes to hardware, the cycle will last longer than ever before, and that the PS3 price is fine just the way it is. Continue Reading

GameStop announced the quarterly results for the company today. In a shocking turn of events, the company destroyed its previous quarterly record with massive sales of AAA titles like GTA IV, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros. Brawl. Sales rose 42% over the previous quarter to a stunning $1.8 billion while profits rose 151% to $62.1 million. Excuse me while I take my sarcastic hat off. GameStop makes a lot of money from video games, and when three big titles like those are all released in one quarter, it’s going to be a great quarter for GameStop’s abacus pushers. What is notable, however, is that GameStop’s great quarter was so dependent on new games and not used games. To wit:

GameStop reported that new game software sales were up an “amazing” 72 percent, with comparable store sales up 27.1 percent in the first quarter. New game hardware made up 18.7 percent of sales at $339 million, new game software making up 43.7 percent at $792.8 million, and used games making up 22.9 percent at $415.7 million.

Hit the jump for some “bullish” statements from CEO R. Richard Fontaine.

Continue Reading

As the console wars rage on, armchair quarterbacks and company executives alike continue their foolhardy attempts to predict the outcome. But what about the real prognosticators? Michael Pachter, Colin Sebastian, and Jesse Divnich are industry analysts with a proven track record, and though we’re not sure if they’ll appreciate how closely we positioned their names, we think you’ll find their opinions worthwhile — especially that of Mr. Sebastian, whom we interviewed earlier today.

Continue Reading

This week, California State Senator Leland Yee defends our children — and his own political stance — by answering YOUR questions. Continue Reading

The April NPD numbers are here, and once again the gaming industry performs as if recession meant every American had $600 burning a hole in their pocket and only games to spend it on. With multiple Guinness World Records in its honor, even with only five days worth of sales there was no question whatsoever as to which game would land on top of the April heap. We’re not even going to speak its hallowed name, lest we inflate Rockstar’s ego some more. Instead, let’s see how everything else held up in the juggernaut’s wake.
Continue Reading