The Live Lounge - News

Japan: Xbox outsells PS3 again

Despite all the odds, the Xbox 360 has gone on to outsell the PlayStation 3 for the second week in a row... in Japan!!!

While it didn't quite manage to reach the top spot in the region (that goes to Nintendo DS, obviously) the 360 did clear the PS3 by over 5,500 units, according to data from Media Create.

The Xbox 360 sold 13,777 units in the week ending September 21, while the PS3 managed 8,156, the stats say.

The recent boost in Japanese sales has been accredited to the release of Square Enix's Infinite Undiscovery, following the last sales jump surrounding Namco's Tales of Vesperia last month.

As you can imagine, Microsoft Japan has decided that getting big RPGs on the console is now a top priority: in order to bring more gamers from a broader segment of consumers to the Xbox 360, we need to make the strengthening of our RPG line-up a priority," Xbox Japan boss Takashi Sensui said.

"We have similar high hopes for the upcoming launch of other RPGs such as The Last Remnant, Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope and Fable II. However, we have no plans to launch Final Fantasy XIII in Japan," he added.

(I reckon they'll soon change that!)

Here are the numbers:

DS - 61,242
Wii - 29,921
PSP - 28,674
360 - 13,777
PS3 - 8,156
PS2 - 7,720

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Bloody hell, miracles do happen?

EA will throw new Army of Two co-op and multiplayer maps onto XBL and PSN this week - for free!

The Veteran Map Pack will hit both consoles on May 29 - that's this Thursday - packing two new co-op missions. One places you underground in a subway station in Kiev where you must "find and destroy the central hub of a dangerous militia."

The other, as EA explains, takes you "back to SSC headquarters in Miami where they finally get the chance to take out Dalton, Rios and Salem's ex-boss and the man responsible for framing them, in an intense boss fight".

And for the multiplayer mode, you'll get the China Canal Lock map. And you won't have to pay a penny.

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Bloody hell, miracles do happen?

EA will throw new Army of Two co-op and multiplayer maps onto XBL and PSN this week - for free!

The Veteran Map Pack will hit both consoles on May 29 - that's this Thursday - packing two new co-op missions. One places you underground in a subway station in Kiev where you must "find and destroy the central hub of a dangerous militia."

The other, as EA explains, takes you "back to SSC headquarters in Miami where they finally get the chance to take out Dalton, Rios and Salem's ex-boss and the man responsible for framing them, in an intense boss fight".

And for the multiplayer mode, you'll get the China Canal Lock map. And you won't have to pay a penny.

Taken from C&VG.

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Paramount/Dreamworks joins HDDVD

Paramount/Dreamworks have just given BluRay a huge kick in the nads by announcing that they are going to be supporting HD DVD exclusively from now and for the forseeable future.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA), each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit "Blades of Glory" on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third". These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.

"The combination of Paramount and DreamWorks Animation brings a critical mass of current box office hits to consumers with a line-up of live action and animated films that are perfect for HD DVD," stated Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, which is currently the leading studio in domestic box office. "Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience. I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."

"We decided to release "Shrek the Third" and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience -- families," stated DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. "We believe the combination of this year's low-priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home."

With the rapid increase of HD TV screens in households, and audiences wanting to enjoy the total entertainment experience, HD DVD has emerged as the most affordable way for consumers to watch their movies in high definition. In addition to pristine quality, HD DVD also offers consumers the chance to personalize the movie-watching experience, to interact with their movies and even to connect with a community of other fans.

Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today's announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company has theatrically released a total of fourteen animated feature films, including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Over the Hedge, Flushed Away, and Shrek the Third. DreamWorks Animation's newest release, Bee Movie, opens in theaters November 2, 2007.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks Animation

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Track and field on XBLA this wednesday

"This Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday, gamers can log virtual track time and exercise their fingers and thumbs with the highly anticipated �Track & Field� from Konami. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade smash. The updated version for Xbox LIVE Arcade features the same button mashing game mechanic as the original, and now allows for up to four player multiplayer competition on one Xbox 360 or over Xbox LIVE. Clocking in at 400 Microsoft Points, �Track & Field� will be available to download on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday 8th August beginning at 09:00 GMT / 10:00 CET."

Games also releasing in August include:

�Ecco the Dolphin� (Sega) Cool off with this fun, whimsical update of the classic undersea exploration game featuring everyone�s favorite bottlenose dolphin, Ecco!

�Hexic 2� (Carbonated Games) The highly anticipated sequel to the popular puzzle game �Hexic HD� will have gamers racing to solve brand new challenges, including an all new two player Battle mode.

�War World� (Ubisoft) A pure adrenaline rush, War World features powerful armoured mechanoids battling head-to-head in all-out savage single and multiplayer battles that combine action and strategy.

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CoD 4 beta coming to Europe after all?

So yesterday Activison said we're not getting it, and now Infinity Ward says we probably will. We are of course talking about the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta, which is set to kick off for US Xbox 360 owners later this month.

Activison's UK op told CVG yesterday that the multiplayer beta would not be making its way to the UK and Europe, but now developer Infinity Ward has issued a statement that offers gamers this side of the pond glimmer of hope...

"There was some confusion caused this week stating that the Beta would be US-exclusive, however that statement was premature, because we have not finalized final details on who would be involved in the beta at this point," Infinity Ward's statement reads.

"In order to get started, and kick off the beta we will begin in the United States, but are looking to go International and currently sorting out those details."

Sounds like Activison UK might've got its wires crossed then. To put things straight it, Infinity Ward says it is US-only for now, but at least it hasn't ruled out the possibility of it coming over here at some point.

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Quake 3 arena comes to XBLA

Id Software has revealed that Quake 3 Arena is coming to Xbox Live Arcade

It's being developed in partnership with Pi Studios, the blokes responsible for the PC port of Halo 2 and the upcoming PS2 version of Mercenaries 2. Surely, they couldn't possibly mess up the Quake 3 formula, right?

The release looks thanks to the stellar response from fans to Doom XBLA. Id CEO Todd Hollenshead told Kotaku "It was amazing, sales were incredible"

In more Quake 3-related news, Id also dropped word on 'Quake Zero', a free web-based version of Quake 3 mutliplayer. Apparently it's an attempt for Id to dip its toe in online advertising, and bring its once-dominate online shooter back into the fold. This will allow virtually anyone with a computer to play Quake matches, Hollenshead said.

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Halo 3: Four-player online co-op confirmed!

The long-rumoured and eternally-desired Halo 3 online co-op feature is a beautiful, beautiful reality.

The news comes from a press conference in Amsterdam, where Microsoft announced that up to four (yes, four) players will be able to shoot, drive and melee attack alongside each other through Halo 3's entire single-player campaign on Xbox Live. We can almost hear our social lives skipping off into the sunset.

The latest Bungie update reads:

"So you were probably wondering why we didn't want to commit to two player co-op online over Xbox Live. We certainly got plenty of mail asking, no, demanding that we make it happen. Of course we were working on it, but we were also working on something better. Not two player co-op. Not three-player co-op, but up to four player co-op. Online. On Xbox Live, or sure, System Link if you prefer.

"That is correct - up to four player co-op in Campaign mode on Xbox Live or System Link.

"We've been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our "t"s were crossed and our "i"s dotted before unveiling this important new part of Halo 3's Campaign mode.

"Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented us, were the various gameplay balance issues it adds to the fray. So we got it all together, polished it, and that's why we're revealing it now. As a result, you're going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it. We'd certainly recommend Legendary, but we'll be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for multiple players in the very near future.

"Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign gameplay - something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The combinations and scenarios are endless - and you'll be able to enjoy them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.

"We mentioned that we've been having a blast. We have a lot of stories. Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise.

"Like every other aspect of Halo 3, this mode is chosen from a Lobby. Simply select Campaign, choose your network (Xbox Live or System Link) and invite your friends to join you, or they can simply join your session once it's set up and in a lobby (but they cannot join a game once it's in-progress). They will pop into your lobby instantly, and when you have all the players you need (anywhere from one to four) you can begin the game from the beginning - or from any of your saved checkpoints.

"Split-screen co-op is as ever, limited to two players per screen - but they can if they wish join two other friends online or via System Link.

"For fictional reasons, we decided to avoid Halo's slightly surreal compromise of two identical Master Chiefs and rather, use this opportunity to expand the Halo universe just a little bit. Player one will control the Master Chief, player two will control the Arbiter and players three and four will get the chance to control two brand new Elite characters."

Previously the company was refusing to commit to the inclusion of online co-op, telling US mag EGM "We know that people want it and we're trying to make it happen." Seems they knew it would all along, but they just didn't want to say it out loud.

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MS: No 360 price cut for UK

It's widely expected that Microsoft is to officially cut the price of Xbox 360 over in the US shortly, but it's a move that won't be emulated in the UK.

"We're very happy with the price we're at, and have no plans to make any changes at this time," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

It's said the US price cut, which is reportedly effective as of August 12, will see $50 (�25) lopped off the Premium console, $30 (�14) off the Elite system and only $20 (�10) cut from the price of a Core console.

This would put the price of US 360s at $349.99 for a Premium (�172), $449.99 for an Elite (�222) and $279.99 for a Core console (�138!!).

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Sony plans PS3 digital TV tuner for 2008?

Early next year PS3 owners will be able to enjoy programmable TV and recording functionality with their console, Sony has suggested.

Explaining how Sony can transform the PS3 capabilities so as to meet people's changing entertainment needs, Warwick Light, head of marketing at SCE New Zealand told press, "We're also hoping next year - about the same time that Freeview launches its terrestrial broadcasting service (expected to be in March) - to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder."

Light may well have pre-empted one of Sony's expected big announcements for the Leipzig Games Convention this month, where previous rumour has suggested the company will announced details on Freeview TV for PS3.

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