Hardware Geeks

Today Cryptic Studios announced that players can sign up for the official Closed Beta for the mmog Champions Online game, which is slated for a gold release in the spring of 2009.

“This closed beta is an exciting step in the evolution of Champions Online,” said Jack Emmert, chief creative officer for Cryptic Studios. “All of us here in the Cryptic offices have been playing the game for a while now, and we’re excited to invite others in to have as much fun with Champions Online as we’ve been having internally.”

The beta begins in the middle of November and you can apply to participate at http://www.champions-online.com/preview_application.

Today at the Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft announced that its new Xbox Dashboard will go live on November 19th, and also announced that starting this month if you buy any Xbox 360 Console you will get LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” and “Kung Fu Panda(TM) free.

“Our industry is defining the future of entertainment,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment, LIVE, Software and Studios, while at the Tokyo Game Show 2008. “When the New Xbox Experience launches in just six weeks, we will be inviting the whole world to play. We will also have the games that everyone will want, including all-new social experiences like ‘Lips,’ ‘Scene It? Box Office Smash,’ and ‘You’re In the Movies,’ all launching this holiday, all exclusively on Xbox 360.”

At the Nintendo Fall Press Conference, Nintendo announced the all “new” Nintendo DSi. Nintendo has opted to remove the GBA slot which in turn makes it thinner than the original DS. It also, oddly, sports a 0.3 megapixel camera as well as a SD slot to save the pictures to. The DSi will feature a built in browser which supports their new download service. Users will be able to download DSiWare from the new DSi Shop. Looks like the shop will include free games as well as games priced at 200, 500 and 800 points. New customers will get 1000 points with the purchase of a DSi. The DSi will be released in Japan on November for ￥18,900 or $180. No other territories have been announced.

Source: Kotaku

UPDATE: DSi to launch in Europe spring 2009

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has become the fastest selling Star Wars game ever, by selling 1.5 million copies of the game worldwide in under a week on all consoles.

“The record-setting sales of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed shows the undiminished power of Star Wars and its popularity across all media types, including video games,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. “We’re blown away by the response to the game.”

At an event tonight I was able to get two quick pictures of the Sony Playstation Portable 3000 (PSP 3000).

The device is extremely light weight but feels sturdy, it definitely doesn’t feel as it would break easily and the screen was crystal clear and sharp. I’d like to thank Berry for being my hand model in the pictures.

According to Sony this is the first time the PSP 3000 has been shown at an event in the US.

Microsoft today announced that Friday September 5th it will drop the prices of it’s Xbox 360 systems just intime for the Holiday Shopping Season. The Xbox 360 Arcade will retail for the estimated retail price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99 and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.

“We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry.” said Microsoft in a press release.

In responce to a YouTube video by a user who claimed they found a glitch in the popular golf game Tiger Woods 2009, EA released a video of their own, showing that the supposed glitch was in deed not a glitch but the fact that Tiger Woods simply is that good.

Let’s roll the Video Tape!

Announced by Sony at Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, is a new PS3 configuration.  The limited edition Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune PS3 Bundle will include a 160 GB PS3, a copy of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, a voucher to download PAIN from the PSN, and a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller.  The 160 GB PS3 is taking the same route as the current 80 GB model, and will not include PS2 backwards compatibility.  The Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune PS3 Bundle is set to be released in November for a retail price of $499.99.

Also announced is a Wireless Keypad attachment, similar to the Chatpad for Microsoft’s Xbox 360.  The new accessory will attach to the top of PS3 controllers and feature a full QWERTY keypad as well as a feature that turns the key area into a touch pad for cursor navigation.  The accessory also has shortcut keys for quick access to your friends list and messages.  The Wireless Keypad makes use of Bluetooth, so you will not only have the ability to use it with the PS3, but also with mobile phones or other devices with Bluetooth that support it.  A price has not been announced, but the Wireless Keypad will be sold starting in late November.

Today at Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Sony announced a new PSP model.  Set to replace the current Slim & Lite PSP (PSP-2000), the PSP-3000 will include a built-in microphone, an enhanced screen designed to reduce glare outdoors, and enhanced video out with support for interlaced TVs.  Other notable changes include a slimmer metal ring on the back of the unit (probably to reduce scratches), as well as a PlayStation logo button which replaces the Home button (probably to match the PS3 and lessen confusion with Sony’s upcoming Home service).  The PSP-3000 will go on sale October 14th in North America, and October 15th in Europe.