We have a policy here at ButtonBandits of not writing stories based on what analysts say. Atthe end of the day what exactly is a video games analyst? Anyone can claim to be one but who judges whether they are qualified enough to comment? We have made an exception today to prove the point that anyone really can be a video game market analyst. Yesterday retailer GAME announced record sales for the first half of the year up 52% based on the same period last year. A financial analyst stated that he believes sales have peaked when he said ”unless we see new hardware launches into the UK market over the next two years, which appears unlikely at present, then we believe profits will peak this year and fall consistently over the following three years,”. Despite the record sales, shares in GAME then plummeted by 14% following the comments.
Unreal Tournament 3 is released on Xbox 360 this week. Included on the disc is around 8 minutes of exclusive video showing Gears Of War 2 multiplayer footage and details. Check it out below or click through and select the high quality version for a better look.
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Sony Have taken down the all new PlayStation 3 firmware 2.4 release following a small number of reports online reporting that once the update is installed, users PS3’s will no longer boot up.
Sony’s official response on the issue is below as found on the US PlayStation blog:
“As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline. We’ve received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. While our consumer services department has seen a low volume of calls on this topic, we are committed to providing the PS3 community with XMB access features delivered in the v2.40 update. We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up.”
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Xleague TV and Codemasters are running a free to enter GRID competition with a £300 prize pool going to winners. Two tournaments will be running with one and Xbox 360 and the other on the PlayStation 3 version. Races will take place as a one V one setup with a group stage beginning on 14 of July and running until the 30th of August. A final televised knockout stage will then run at a date yet to be decided where qualifiers will face off to win the prizes on offer.
Registration for the competition closes on the 07/07/08 so players need to act quick in order to secure a slot. A maximum of 128 players will be allowed to register for the PlayStation 3 event with 70 registered players at time of publication. 256 slots are available in the Xbox 360 competition with 163 players currently registered at this point in time. Qualifying races will take place on Bridgestone Challenge, Le Mans Series (GT1) and Philips World Championship over 3 laps. Default game options will be used which means catchup switched off, damage on and assists on. For more information and to sign up for the tournament head on over to Xleague TV’s site and get signed up. Qualifying finalists will need to be available for filming at Xleague TV studios in London so the competition is only really plausible for residents of the UK.
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Sony today announced a major upgrade to the PlayStation 3’s Cross Media bar. The update being released this Wednesday (July 2nd) allows the bar to be accessed in game to check if friends are online send messages and much more. The update also brings achievements trophies to the PlayStation 3 whereby certain in game accomplishments are rewarded with a trophy going against your online id. The new features are best explained in the two video walkthroughs below. By the way Frosty, I just beat your score in Pixel Junk Monsters Encore, what are you going to do about it?
Sony is to finally implemented the last gen feature of rumble into it’s European PlayStation 3 controllers. The DualShock 3 will be available to buy separately as of July 4Th (that’s this Friday) for £39.99. Sony Says:
“Making your gaming experience more immersive, more intuitive and more realistic, DUALSHOCK 3 is the only Bluetooth® controller combining vibration function and SIXAXIS features, and the first choice for anyone wanting to get the most out of their PS3 gaming experience.”
There’s no information given on the controller being bundled with a purchase of a PlayStation 3 console. Presumably then Sony are happy for people to have to buy the first choice controller separately while bundling the second choice one with console purchases until stocks have ran out.
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Below is a 100% inaccurate interpretation of what happens to you and everyone nearby when you play the Nintendo DS’s Guitar Hero On Tour while in a park full of cool people. This is crying out for a remake showing what would actually happen!
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The highlight of this weeks unusually dreary episode of Games|Night on Xleague.tv came in part three of the show. The University professor guy that occasionally makes an appearence guest hosted in place of the absent “TV’s own” Paul Vale. During the show a competition was being held for viewers where one of the tasks was to spot the “visual cliche” that occurred in part three. The cliche was of course a mickey take out of Dave Jenkins (TeleText GameCentral) dress sense of always wearing short black trousers combined with high white socks. EuroGamer.net’s Ellie Gibson wins the prize for the best impersonation with a particularly good attempt. With the previous episodes embarrassing Rock Band performance, could a trend of injecting in-jokes into each episode be starting? Keep all eyes peeled on the next bi-weekly episode to try and spot more subtle hilarity.
For your viewing pleasure last weeks rockband performance can be found below featuring Steve Boxer (Guardian), Adam Doree (KIKIZO), Ellie Gibson (Eurogamer) and Sophie Blakemore. Ellie is the one at the back looking thrilled to be taking part.
If you’re one of the many people frustrated by the lack of SKY series link recording on Xleague.tv shows then be frustrated no longer! Sadly there’s still no series link option but Xleague have announced that some of their most popular shows are now available for free in iTunes. Games|Night leads the way followed by separate subscriptions available for The Chart, Game 60, Download and finally a general Xleague content subscription. Subscribe directly in Itunes using the links below. Continue Reading »
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IGN report Codemasters E3 lineup includes Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising. It’s not known what form the games presence will take at this stage and could be nothing more than a trailer. Little information has been released about the game up to now coming to PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the fourth quarter of 2008. This will all change next month as Codemasters Community Liaison Officer Helios advices PC Gamer in the UK US and France will be running a lead cover story in their July issue featuring ”a huge in-depth article regarding what you can expect to see in the game!”.
For now the press release excerpt and CGI target render footage below will have to make do:
“Set on a vast oil-rich island located off the eastern coast of Russia, just north of Japan, Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising’s plot takes place during a time of tension between Russia and China over the island’s disputed ownership,” explains Andrew Wafer, Brand Manager for Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising, at Codemasters. “The game opens as Chinese forces launch an offensive, and referencing the game’s title, as the dragon rises over the island, players will find themselves in a situation that is set to flare up into a flashpoint like never before.”
We have a policy here at ButtonBandits of not writing stories based on what analysts say. At the end of the day what exactly is a video games analyst? Anyone can claim to be one but who judges whether they are qualified enough to comment? We have made an exception today to prove the point that anyone really can be a video game market analyst. Yesterday retailer GAME announced record sales for the first half of the year up 52% based on the same period last year. A financial analyst stated that he believes sales have peaked when he said ”unless we see new hardware launches into the UK market over the next two years, which appears unlikely at present, then we believe profits will peak this year and fall consistently over the following three years,”. Despite the record sales, shares in GAME then plummeted by 14% following the comments.
