Game Business – Page 17

Rumor: New PS3 Model to Be Priced at $400

The PS3

Rumors are running a muck over the supposed release of a newer, cheaper, and slimmer PS3 model. Apparently, the new model will contain a 40 gig hard drive and will only cost $400. This is all according to Ars Technica’s mole who seems to be a very reliable source, previously reporting the addition of HDMI ports to the 360 and the the wireless/wired controllers for 360/PS3 versions of Rock Band (respectively). According to the mole, the 80 gig model will be dropped to $500, the new 40 gig model will be priced at $400, and the good ol’ PS2 will be priced at $99. In addition, a Blu-ray version of Spider-Man 3 will come with the purchase of any PS3, or at least with one of the models.

To fuel the flames of this rumor, Sony has filed information about a new PS3 model – CECHG01 – with the FCC and (as you can see in the post below) has announced that there will be a big announcement on October 12th. Could this be the new 40 gig PS3?

A $400 PS3 is exactly what Sony needs to get back on it’s feet. It would put the PS3 within a competitive pricing range of the 360. If they can manage to release some more good games for their console, this could be Sony’s saving grace.

Ah, but take this all with a grain of salt. In fact, take it with an ounce of salt. These are just rumors at this time. Hopefully, for any PS3 fans, they are true. Sony’s big announcement is in only 12 days so that’s all you have to wait to find out.
Well, see you then.

-Burbank

Sony planning something big for October 12th?

It seems that Sony has heard enough news articles bashing them and their erratic corporate policies. We can’t blame them, although I would have preferred slicing journalists’ limbs with a chainsaw. If rumour is to be believed, Sony is preparing to strike back with a “Big bang” announcement this October the 12th.

GamePro states that something is going on in Sony’s offices, and it will all spill out on said date. Now, speculation has been running wild and since this news article is still in “rumour” section, we can predict anything from collaboration with aliens to a price drop for the PS3 to the announcement of the company’s dissolution. For all we know, Sony might even be creating a new universe. (They did say “Big Bang” 🙁 )

Whatever it is, it will have to wait for 12 days. We really hope this is worth it, Sony.

[Via Qj.net]

Halo 3 Obliterates Industries

Master Chief has gotten leaked

After only one day of being available in retail stores, Microsoft has come out to announce that Halo 3 has sold over $170 million worth of copies. This is bigger than any previous entertainment launch – even box office smashes like Spider-Man 3! In addition to that more than 1 million Xbox Live users have played Halo 3.

Continue reading “Halo 3 Obliterates Industries”

Say Goodbye to Bizarre Creations

To me Bizarre Creations is one of the best arcade racing game developers in the world. They’ve made everything from Metropolis Street Racer, on the Dreamcast, to the more recent Project Gotham Racing series. Each of their games has always been about improving over the previous title. However all of that could be about to change with the announcement today that Activision has now bought Bizarre Studios. Activision is known for milking franchises (a la Tony Hawk) and potentially now with PGR as well as Geometry Wars!

This is not a good thing folks. Anyone looking forward to the Geometry Wars for the DS and Wii, be forwornd that these two titles aren’t being developed by Bizarre Creations. Both games are being made by the terrible development studio called Kuju Entertainment.

If this is going to be the future of Bizarre, one where games are milked to the extreme, then I for one will not buy them. It’s very well possible that Bizarre could take Activision racing series and improve upon them, or continue to make their own original titles. Either way I hope that this previously independent studio can stay on top of its game and give fans what they deserve.

PGR4

Intel buys Havok – randomest acquisition of the week

Gamers will know Havok, the Irish company for their stellar physics engine, while movie buffs might know it for providing special effects from movies like The Matrix, Poseidon and so on. Well, word is that Intel has bought Havok. Why, you ask? I have no idea. Maybe they just thought it’s a nice company to buy.

But Havok’s CEO says “The acquisition will help Havok grow into new market segments,” which sounds good! Havok will continue to keep business on as usual, though. In layman’s terms, Havok’s the same – except that it might just get a little, and then a little bigger.

Havok was founded in 1998 and has created the famous Havok Physics Engine, which has been seen in dozens of games since, examples including BioShock, Half-Life 2, Deus Ex: Invisible War, Age of Empires III and many, many more.

[Via PC World]

Wii Price Cut

Wii

When will Nintendo lower the price on the Wii? If you think it’ll be this holiday season, you’re probably wrong. I’d say Spring ’08/Summer ’08. Here’s why:

Nintendo has yet to steadily replenish its Wii unit supply. Why would Nintendo want to lower the price of a system that’s still sold out? There wouldn’t be any advantage to doing it.

This holiday season Nintendo needs to focus in on the games. It needs to tell gamers that while the Xbox 360 may have Halo 3 and the PS3 has Heavenly Sword – The Wii has Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros Brawl. Mario has always been a million unit seller series and last generation’s Smash Bros title gave the Gamecube its most wide appealing game. Nintendo cannot afford to draw attention from these two AAA title releases.

Thirdly it’s highly likely that Sony will lower the price of the PS3 either by this holiday season or early next year. In the race of console supremacy, the PS3 is in dead last. Sony needs to throw as many cards as it has to grab gamer’s attentions before the gap between the Wii and Xbox 360 sales gets seriously out of control.

In order to continue to appeal to a wider consumer audience, Nintendo will have to lower the price of the Wii console. Keeping the above factors in mind, Nintendo will most likely wait till next year to take the plunge. Most likely the price drop will only be a $50 price reduction. Hopefully Nintendo will continue to bundle Wii Sports even after the price drop. Wii Sports has been the reason why many casual gamers have been so interested in the Wii with its unique gaming style. To eliminate this free bundled title might actually hurt Nintendo in the short run.