Rumorville: All the gaming gossip, rumors, & outright lies!

[ape2020]

Ok some stuff really doesn't need to be clogging up the gaming news thread so I thought I create a rumor thread. Which is stuff that is just as likely to be false as it might be true.

First up is...

HMV offering MGS 4 pre-orders for the 360 version (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/05/hmv-offering-mgs-4-preorders-for-the-360-version/). It seems those damn UKers are getting all the good stuff. First the PSP lite and now vaporware MSG4 XBOX360 version. :P :P :P

-ape2020

[mifuneral2]

I think this rumor is very likely to be BS. (http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/MaximusPaynicus/shenmue-iii-skies-of-arcadia-ii-jet-grind-radio-next-tgs-07--37507.phtml) However, it's nice to know that this person likes many of the same games that I do. :P

[Greywing]

I think this rumor is very likely to be BS. (http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/MaximusPaynicus/shenmue-iii-skies-of-arcadia-ii-jet-grind-radio-next-tgs-07--37507.phtml) However, it's nice to know that this person likes many of the same games that I do. :P

I'm going to keep telling myself this is BS until I hear something concrete but DAMN I hope this is true! :frog:

[ape2020]

I think this rumor is very likely to be BS. (http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/MaximusPaynicus/shenmue-iii-skies-of-arcadia-ii-jet-grind-radio-next-tgs-07--37507.phtml) However, it's nice to know that this person likes many of the same games that I do. :P

I'm going to keep telling myself this is BS until I hear something concrete but DAMN I hope this is true! :frog:

Yup this one has been talked about in the Gaming news thread but until confirmed by Sega it really belongs here in Rumorville. But god I hope its true.

-ape2020

[covnam]

I think this rumor is very likely to be BS. (http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/MaximusPaynicus/shenmue-iii-skies-of-arcadia-ii-jet-grind-radio-next-tgs-07--37507.phtml) However, it's nice to know that this person likes many of the same games that I do. :P

I'm going to keep telling myself this is BS until I hear something concrete but DAMN I hope this is true! :frog:

Yup this one has been talked about in the Gaming news thread but until confirmed by Sega it really belongs here in Rumorville. But god I hope its true.

-ape2020


I hope it becomes reality too, but if there's one game that I really want off of that list, it's Skies of Arcadia II.

[mifuneral2]

As much as I'd love Skies of Arcadia 2, I have no desire to buy a Wii. Not even that game would convince me to buy one as I'd still only have one worthwhile (to me anyway) game.

[ape2020]

Okay this is according to this entry from a semi reliable source.
xbox360 (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/08/hdmi-connectivity-to-become-a-360-standard/)

-ape2020

[Ty]

Okay this is according to this entry from a semi reliable source.
xbox360 (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/08/hdmi-connectivity-to-become-a-360-standard/)

-ape2020

Talk of that has been around since before the Elite launched. There was pretty solid word that the plan is to drop the Elite this winter and make it's features standard on the Premium model. Since the Elite sells better than MS thought it would that plan may have changed though.

[Magus427]

Okay this is according to this entry from a semi reliable source.
xbox360 (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/08/hdmi-connectivity-to-become-a-360-standard/)

-ape2020


The Arstechnica article 360 fanboy refers to:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/08/07/360-cores-and-premiums-with-hdmi-an-inside-source-spills-the-beans

Also looks like the new 65nm chip is on its way in late August/early September so that's why there may be a lack of 360s in places while the rest of the old stock is cleaned out.

-Magus

[ape2020]

Okay some marketing pics were found showing the Elite and Pro retail boxes sporting graphs of two packed in games Forza 2 and Marval Ultimate Alliance. Could this be to counter PS3 Motorstorm bundle? Well at least like the PS3 its two fairly popular and good games.

XBOX360 holiday bundles (http://kotaku.com/gaming/just-in-time-for-the-holidays/new-360-double-game-bundles-discovered-288570.php)

Hmmm, Two games, HDMI, and maybe the 65mm chipset and I could upgrade to an elite this xmas.

-ape2020

[lostnomad84]

Could this be to counter PS3 Motorstorm bundle? Well at least like the PS3 its two fairly popular and good games.


To be fair, Microsoft has almost always introduced a bundle during the holidays, ever since the original X-Box. Bundle or no bundle, I don't think Sony's plans influenced Microsoft's introduction of a holiday bundle.

[stfram]

Okay this is according to this entry from a semi reliable source.
xbox360 (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/08/hdmi-connectivity-to-become-a-360-standard/)


It would be nice if they added integrated wireless into the 360, rather than selling a separate $100 dongle.

Both the Wii and the PS3 (barring the failed 20gb model) have it, and the 360 really needs it as well.

HDMI is nice and useful, but honestly, with the emphasis MS is placing on the live marketplace, you'd think they would've put wifi in the Elite model.

[mifuneral2]

I have wireless on my 360 and I don't own the $100 adapter. I just hook it up to my laptop and share the wireless connection.

anyway, here's another rumor...

apparently CyberConnect2 is working on another game right now. some people speculate it might be another .hack game. that would rule, though I doubt that's what it is. Still, I need more .hack. 7 games is not enough :(

[stfram]

I have wireless on my 360 and I don't own the $100 adapter. I just hook it up to my laptop and share the wireless connection.


I've heard of others doing that, and while it's a solution...it's not really a good one.

In this day and age, it should be integrated.

I recall Nintendo justifying the expense of integrating it with the Wii since they would more than make up the cost with online sales.

[ADC]

I have wireless on my 360 and I don't own the $100 adapter. I just hook it up to my laptop and share the wireless connection.
Some people want a $100 adapter, but not mifuneral2. He wants the $1000 solution. :evil:

[mifuneral2]

My laptop was paid for 2 years ago. That makes it a free solution. :P

All you need is a network cable, which is provided with the 360 anyway.

[covnam]

I think this rumor is very likely to be BS. (http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/MaximusPaynicus/shenmue-iii-skies-of-arcadia-ii-jet-grind-radio-next-tgs-07--37507.phtml) However, it's nice to know that this person likes many of the same games that I do. :P

A partial TGS list for Sega was released:

Ibikisou (PS3)
Nights (Wii)
Sakura Taisen DS (DS)
Seaman 2 (PS2)
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Dinosaur King Nanatsu no Kakera (DS)
Doraemon Wii (Wii)
Doraemon (DS)
Sonic Rush Adventure (DS)
Touch de Zuno! DS (DS)
Sega Ages Fnatays Zone II DX (PS2)
Sega Ages Phantasy Star I, II, III, IV (PS2)
Sega Ages Virtual On (SP2)
Phantasy Star Universe Illuminous no Yabou (PS2)
Picto Image DS (DS)
1000 Big Stories from the Mainichi Shimbun (DS)
Jissen Pachislot Hisshouhou! First of the North Star 2 (PS2

Source: http://wii.ign.com/articles/813/813491p1.html

[DiGiKerot]

Sakura Taisen DS (DS)


:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[ADC]

And what are we to make of this (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162386), which says that Capcom is working on an enhanced port of Ôkami for the Wii? (It's past all the Kingdom Hearts whatever.) It being that my PS2 is rather dusty these days, I would certainly not be opposed to Ôkami making the jump to the Wii. The wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōkami) says that Capcom UK claims it won't happen because Clover closed, but as johnny will tell you, UK gamers are Sony whores. ;)

[Magus427]

And what are we to make of this (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162386), which says that Capcom is working on an enhanced port of Ôkami for the Wii? (It's past all the Kingdom Hearts whatever.) It being that my PS2 is rather dusty these days, I would certainly not be opposed to Ôkami making the jump to the Wii.

If they do as good of a port of Okami as they did RE4, I'd buy it in a second.

-Magus

[Johnny]

And what are we to make of this (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162386), which says that Capcom is working on an enhanced port of Ôkami for the Wii? (It's past all the Kingdom Hearts whatever.) It being that my PS2 is rather dusty these days, I would certainly not be opposed to Ôkami making the jump to the Wii. The wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōkami) says that Capcom UK claims it won't happen because Clover closed, but as johnny will tell you, UK gamers are Sony whores. ;)

Haha doesn't matter, the game wouldn't sell here anyway ;)

As for the rumour, it's been around for ages and has been denied by Capcom again and again but personally I do think it might happen. But with Clover gone, what would become of the development? Obviously Capcom owned Clover and therefore own the rights to the game but I wonder if it would be a priority given that the game sold poorly in Japan and only really did well among niche gamers in the US? Course, the new SEEDS studio could always handle it.

I'm generally not a fan of Wii ports of existing games but this is different as firstly it's Capcom, secondly, Resi 4 was a complete success in terms of how well the Wii controls were implemented and thirdly, this game would be so well suited to the Wii. Doing all those strokes with the paint brush would be fantastic!
I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Just thinking of it now makes me remember how gorgeous the game is in terms of graphics, gameplay and music :)
If you own a PS2 and don't own this game, make johnny smile, go out and buy it :D

[Damo]

And what are we to make of this (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162386), which says that Capcom is working on an enhanced port of Ôkami for the Wii? (It's past all the Kingdom Hearts whatever.) It being that my PS2 is rather dusty these days, I would certainly not be opposed to Ôkami making the jump to the Wii.

If they do as good of a port of Okami as they did RE4, I'd buy it in a second.

-Magus
I agree, If they do Okami for the Wii it will be THE GAME that WILL push me into finally buying the console, the brush techniques would be so cool under the Wiimote. Okami also one of my fav' PS2 games anyway.

[Chloe]

And what are we to make of this (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162386), which says that Capcom is working on an enhanced port of Ôkami for the Wii? (It's past all the Kingdom Hearts whatever.) It being that my PS2 is rather dusty these days, I would certainly not be opposed to Ôkami making the jump to the Wii. The wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōkami) says that Capcom UK claims it won't happen because Clover closed, but as johnny will tell you, UK gamers are Sony whores. ;)

Haha doesn't matter, the game wouldn't sell here anyway ;)

As for the rumour, it's been around for ages and has been denied by Capcom again and again but personally I do think it might happen. But with Clover gone, what would become of the development? Obviously Capcom owned Clover and therefore own the rights to the game but I wonder if it would be a priority given that the game sold poorly in Japan and only really did well among niche gamers in the US? Course, the new SEEDS studio could always handle it.

I'm generally not a fan of Wii ports of existing games but this is different as firstly it's Capcom, secondly, Resi 4 was a complete success in terms of how well the Wii controls were implemented and thirdly, this game would be so well suited to the Wii. Doing all those strokes with the paint brush would be fantastic!
I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Just thinking of it now makes me remember how gorgeous the game is in terms of graphics, gameplay and music :)
If you own a PS2 and don't own this game, make johnny smile, go out and buy it :D

Put that smile in the bank then, I've been shopping for a bargain copy of Okami for weeks. Without a doubt I have to get this one, it hits way too many of my selling points for me not to. I adored Windwaker for the cel-shading, and the trailers for Okami just had me drooling. Can't hardly wait. :D

[mifuneral2]

I found Okami to be far more engaging than Wind Waker.

I guess I'm just not a Zelda guy.

[Johnny]

I found Okami to be far more engaging than Wind Waker.

I guess I'm just not a Zelda guy.

Yep, Okami > Zelda

[AdyHart]

Yep, Okami > Zelda

Yeah Okami is a beautiful game and I actually bought it on Johnny's recommendation and Im so glad I did. Ive enjoyed every single piece of it while playing it (which reminds me I really should get it back into my active gaming stack :D )

Okami on the Wii would work really well still with Capcom having denied it looks like its not to be.
SEEDS or Capcom should just make Viewtiful Joe 3, that would make my day.

[indigo0086]

If okami was half as long as it was it would have been twice as good in my opinion. It just got old...slow.

[BonifaceVIII]

I own 3 Playstation games. 2 are regrettable, 1 is Okami. If Okami came out for the Wii, I would buy one no questions asked.

[mifuneral2]

SEEDS or Capcom should just make Viewtiful Joe 3, that would make my day.

Viewtiful Joe with the wiimote would kick all kinds of ass and would almost, ALMOST make me want a Wii. There would need to be at least 4 other similarly awesome games for me to actually get one though.

[Johnny]

Okami on the Wii would work really well still with Capcom having denied it looks like its not to be.
SEEDS or Capcom should just make Viewtiful Joe 3, that would make my day.

Their business side is denying it but this is Capcom. They're fond of remakes/ports ;)

As for VJ3, unfortunately I think the last that was heard on that one was that there were "no current plans" for a new one. Although having said that, Capcom are kinda busy at the minute with the likes of Devil May Cry 4, Resident Evil 5 and so on so who knows what the future holds. I'm hopeful if anything.

One more interesting point is that recently some website that had acquired something like 2,500 signatures in an online petition for a new Resident Evil on PSP notified Capcom who said that if they got 10,000+ sigs, they would actually consider making the game. Call me naive but I reckon they were being genuine. Even if they rejected the idea, it's interesting that they would even be considering the results of an online petition.

To cut a long story short, get that "Okami on Wii" petition started ;)
And while you're at it, request Devil May Cry PSP, Dino Crisis PSP, Onimusha PSP and Onimusha PS3 on my behalf :P

[mifuneral2]

Personally, I think the only reason Capcom accepted the challenge of the petition is that they were already planning on putting Resident Evil on PSP anyway.

[Johnny]

Personally, I think the only reason Capcom accepted the challenge of the petition is that they were already planning on putting Resident Evil on PSP anyway.

Well that could be true but this is a brand new Resi we're talking about. For one thing, in terms of the timeline there's not a lot more they can do, unless it's a Resi 5 tie-in of some sort.

I'd still love to see a new one but I'd settle for ports of 2 and 3 on the DS. The first one worked well. In all honesty though, 1, 2 and 3 (or at least 2 and 3) on one UMD would be even better.

[LOUiE]

Personally, I think the only reason Capcom accepted the challenge of the petition is that they were already planning on putting Resident Evil on PSP anyway.

Well that could be true but this is a brand new Resi we're talking about. For one thing, in terms of the timeline there's not a lot more they can do, unless it's a Resi 5 tie-in of some sort.

I'd still love to see a new one but I'd settle for ports of 2 and 3 on the DS. The first one worked well. In all honesty though, 1, 2 and 3 (or at least 2 and 3) on one UMD would be even better.
I'm personally looking forward to Umbrella Chronicles for the Wii. While it's a shooter, it'll have all the storylines from 0-3 (though I still haven't seen footage of 2 yet) and an extra storyline with Wesker from 4 years after the events of 0-3.

[ape2020]

Okay so far this is a rumor but its looking more and more like its coming. Cheaper model which might have a few less features like USB ports or backwards compatibility. Stay tuned!

Sony rumored to be announcing 40GB PS3 (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rumor-sony-announcing-40gb-ps3-this-week/#comments)

-Ape2020

[Lego]

Okay so far this is a rumor but its looking more and more like its coming. Cheaper model which might have a few less features like USB ports or backwards compatibility. Stay tuned!

Sony rumored to be announcing 40GB PS3 (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rumor-sony-announcing-40gb-ps3-this-week/#comments)

-Ape2020

Part of me thinks they're throwing darts at random numbers on a wall.

[ape2020]

Okay so far this is a rumor but its looking more and more like its coming. Cheaper model which might have a few less features like USB ports or backwards compatibility. Stay tuned!

Sony rumored to be announcing 40GB PS3 (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rumor-sony-announcing-40gb-ps3-this-week/#comments)

-Ape2020

Part of me thinks they're throwing darts at random numbers on a wall.


Maybe its Sony getting some huge discount on a batch of 40GB 2.5" HD.

As for losing some functions I not so sure about that. USB are used to charge the controllers right or maybe they will cut it down to one port? As for BC well they are already going to software emulation, but isn't there still another chip needed for BC in the PS3 that hasn't been taken out yet?

-ape2020

[lostnomad84]

Okay so far this is a rumor but its looking more and more like its coming. Cheaper model which might have a few less features like USB ports or backwards compatibility. Stay tuned!

Sony rumored to be announcing 40GB PS3 (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rumor-sony-announcing-40gb-ps3-this-week/#comments)

-Ape2020

Part of me thinks they're throwing darts at random numbers on a wall.


Maybe its Sony getting some huge discount on a batch of 40GB 2.5" HD.

As for losing some functions I not so sure about that. USB are used to charge the controllers right or maybe they will cut it down to one port? As for BC well they are already going to software emulation, but isn't there still another chip needed for BC in the PS3 that hasn't been taken out yet?

-ape2020

I have been interested in this unit if it is $400. However, if the 40GB version lacks backwards capability or some other features that make it look like a poor substitute of the 60 or 80GB versions, it will do poor to mixed in sales, and I will personally pass on it as well. What Sony doesn't understand is that the 20GB version failed in the market simply because the consumer won't accept a poor substitute or nothing better than the best.

Also, I think Sony is making a bad decision to announce it this week with Halo 3's launch. Very few people will be paying attention to Sony and just focused on Halo instead. Best time to do it would have been last week during the Tokyo Game Show or a few weeks from now before Black Friday.

[covnam]

How could they leave out backwards compatibility when it's just software at this point? Or does the ps3 have ps/ps2 controller ports?
Also, leaving out usb ports would only hurt accessories, like the ps3 eyetoy. More likely they would leave out the media card slots and such. But then it might as well just be repackaged 20gb models with largers drives and no hardware backwards compatibility support.

[ADC]

How could they leave out backwards compatibility when it's just software at this point? Or does the ps3 have ps/ps2 controller ports?
Also, leaving out usb ports would only hurt accessories, like the ps3 eyetoy. More likely they would leave out the media card slots and such. But then it might as well just be repackaged 20gb models with largers drives and no hardware backwards compatibility support.
The PS3 doesn't have legacy ports, and I thought the Sixaxis recharged over USB; it's doubtful, therefore, that the backward compatibility would be compromised by that kind of hardware change. They could leave out the PS1/2 emulation software altogether, but that seems kind of stupid, too. What's left? Not supporting the PS1/2 memory card reader so you can't import your saves?

I genuinely hope they don't just put out a new version of the 20-GB model. WiFi is a deal-breaker for me. Wires suck. I say, who have just purchased a backup Wirebird for my slot-loading GCN. :nervous:

[Lego]

If they released the new budget PS3 without backwards compatibility it's another ploy by Sony to make you go get the more expensive brand. I still own my PS2 but I don't want to trudge it out every time I want a PS2 game. I'll just wait till this holiday season or black Friday.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

How could they leave out backwards compatibility when it's just software at this point? Or does the ps3 have ps/ps2 controller ports?
Also, leaving out usb ports would only hurt accessories, like the ps3 eyetoy. More likely they would leave out the media card slots and such. But then it might as well just be repackaged 20gb models with largers drives and no hardware backwards compatibility support.

I just wanted to add this real quick: One of the PS3 updates supports PS/PS2 to USB controller adapters which are currently being sold by third party manufacturers like Pelican. I own Pelican's adapter and it's nice to be able to play PS2 games on my PS3 with rumble.

In addition, as long as you're playing a game that doesn't use Sixaxis motion-sensing, you can use your PS/PS2 controller as an extra PS3 controller. The adapter has a "PS" button on it, so you can access the PS3 menu by pressing the adapter's button. If the game your playing DOES support motion, however, you're not going to be able to use a PS/PS2 controller easily. I tried using my PS2 controller on Lair with less than favorable results...

My dragon kept flying in a circle. LOL ;)

As for a potential 40GB model losing USB ports, the PS3 currently hosts 4 USB ports on the front of the system. If dropping this number down to 2 or 3 and removing the memory card readers will reduce the price to a competitive $400 USD, I don't see any problem with this. [Edit: The XBox 360 has 2 USB ports on the front and 1 USB port on the rear and no one complains... Much. ;) ]

I doubt that Sony will totally nix backwards compatibility, but I wouldn't be surprised if they made it software-only. Personally, I don't have a problem with this because Sony's been pretty good about expanding upon the PS/PS2 games that are playable on the PS3.

[ADC]

I tried using my PS2 controller on Lair with less than favorable results...

My dragon kept flying in a circle. LOL ;)
From what I've seen, that's not much different from using a Sixaxis with that game.

[ape2020]

Yes a rumor has surfaced that the next MK will be a verse installment against DC universe characters.

MK vs DC: FIGHT!!! (http://www.trmk.org/news/11082/rumor_mill_next_mortal_kombat_to_be_a_versus_title .html)

-Ape2020

[Greywing]

Yes a rumor has surfaced that the next MK will be a verse installment against DC universe characters.

MK vs DC: FIGHT!!! (http://www.trmk.org/news/11082/rumor_mill_next_mortal_kombat_to_be_a_versus_title .html)

-Ape2020

I heard of this a few days ago and I call BS. I can't see DC allowing their characters to be darkened to MK levels, and if the MK characters were softened for DC, it'd be pointless.

Although, seeing the Flash vibrate someone to mush or Wonder Woman use her lasso as a human cheese string for fatalities would be... amusing. :D

[ape2020]

Sure many folks here are excited about this.

"While the whole world is occupied with playing the third Halo, Game Informer got the chance to get the first real news about Team ICO's next generation game for PlayStation 3. Instead of having some lukewarm chit chat we went home with material for a whole feature - this feature. After having created two completely different experiences such as ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, one could wonder where the next game would go. Fighting giants in HD? No, thanks God, Fumito Ueda - who we talked to - chose another different, unique setting.


The whole game is one gigantic, wide flat desert. Ueda described it as being like Death Valley (California), only being different in one department: it’s not really a flat area. That’s what it looks like when you’re hundreds of meters above ground. Actually, the whole area is interspersed with canyons. A lot of them, and all of different width and depth. The key of the game is, so says Ueda, to explore these canyons and find 'something'. What this 'something' is will be revealed at a later time.


Now, what is it that’ll make this game so special one might ask?


Besides the breath-taking setting of this enormous desert with canyons all over the place, the way you explore those is what makes the difference. The main character will travel by utilizing a glider, which allows him to fly through the air. It’s not some high-tech glider, but seemingly a traditional glider, made of wood and cloth. What makes this so unique is that you freely - and we cannot put enough emphasize on that - fly around that desert, dive into these canyons and jump off the glider to run around without it. From what we’ve seen there’s never before been that feeling of flying around in the sky, combined with this scale of environment. One thing that returns from both previous games is the ability to climb. While diving into canyons you’ll have to climb back to the surface, having a glider and not a motor-driven vehicle.


The information you read until now was exciting, and we should end this article with something exciting, as well. The working title of Team ICO´s third game is 'The Last Canyon.' Having seen how many canyons this game has we’re looking forward to find out more about the title's meaning."

We'll have to wait till the new issue of GI is out, but if it is true, this is very exciting news.

-ape2020

[ape2020]

Well Brutal Legends is all fine and good but there is another "Comming Soon" pic just below it. Could it be a a squeal or remake of the critical darling but commerical failure Psychonauts. Maybe its just an announcment of BC or just one sick twisted joke.

Double Fine Projects (http://www.doublefine.com/news.php/projects)

-ape2020

[WRX]

Maybe its just an announcment of BC or just one sick twisted joke.
Psychonauts has had X360 BC for a while now so I doubt it's that. A true sequel would be awesome too, especially on next-gen consoles. :sdsmiley:

Hopefully they'll have better marketing this time. >_>;

[ape2020]

God you got to love rating national rating sites. It seems the German rating board has the squal to Lost Planet listed. But the date has me scratching my head and leaving this in the rumor file.

Lost Planet: Colonies (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/11/07/sequel-time-lost-planet-colonies-discovered/)

-ape2020

[ADC]

DS Fanboy says (http://www.dsfanboy.com/2007/11/15/analyst-details-possible-new-ds-hardware/) that some dude called Evan Wilson has discovered that Nintendo has a new version of the DS ready to roll. Out is the GBA slot (fine by me), in is a slimmer system (fine by me) with bigger screens (???). Why not get it out for the holidays? Nintendo's sitting on it until DS Lite sales slow down.

They're in for quite a wait.

[dunno001]

DS Fanboy says (http://www.dsfanboy.com/2007/11/15/analyst-details-possible-new-ds-hardware/) that some dude called Evan Wilson has discovered that Nintendo has a new version of the DS ready to roll. Out is the GBA slot (fine by me), in is a slimmer system (fine by me) with bigger screens (???). Why not get it out for the holidays? Nintendo's sitting on it until DS Lite sales slow down.

They're in for quite a wait.

I'm hoping not, since I like the idea of the GBA port as an expansion port. There was the rumble pack, the memory expansion for the DS Browser, and isn't there a version of Guitar Hero coming that'll use something in that also? (Then again, that last part may be just rumor, too...)

[Andrew Cunningham]

This might go along with the rumors that they're working on a way to let you down load Gameboy games from your wii. That could replace the Gameboy Advance slot, assuming it also worked with GBA games.
Doesn't do you much good if you have a big pile of GBA games, though.

[ADC]

I think that's part of the reason why they're still pumping out GBAs SP. You don't need a GBA slot on your DS if you have a GBA slot on your GBA. Now, if there were some device which could convert your GBA carts into ROM files for use on a DS, that would be fine, too.

[Johnny]

Dreamcast 2 megaton rumours starting.....NOW (http://www.videogamer.com/news/06-12-2007-7049.html)!

[lostnomad84]

Dreamcast 2 megaton rumours starting.....NOW (http://www.videogamer.com/news/06-12-2007-7049.html)!

Oh I would love for Sega to come back to the hardware market. However, the quality of games Sega has produced since the Dreamcast's demise has been mediocre to poor (Sonic has especially been the greatest tragedy of Sega's post-console days).

If Sega can get their act together, produce good quality first-title games, get a lot of 3rd parties on board this time around, also keep the hardware costs low and innovative (like the Wii), then I think they have a decent chance (at least they can not perform as pitiful as Microsoft does in Japan)!

[Johnny]

However, the quality of games Sega has produced since the Dreamcast's demise has been mediocre to poor (Sonic has especially been the greatest tragedy of Sega's post-console days).


To be honest though, they haven't. People look at things like Sonic next-gen, Sonic Riders, Shadow the Hedgehog etc which bombed at retail and decide that Sega are rubbish nowadays. But look at what they're doing with their IP's like After Burner, Sega Rally (and their entire back catalogue of racing games), NiGHTS, Samba de Amigo and so on - carefully choosing 3rd party devs who are updating these classics and they've been great so far. Sega Rally is one of the best racers to come out not only this year but in ages but has sadly been overlooked by many.

Recent games like Ghost Squad which, although older titles, prove that post-DC Sega is still a force to be reckoned with.

This DC 2 rumour is just people taking a simple measure to protect the DC name but rumours will spread I guess. In other words, nothing will come of it but if it did, I definitely think a new Sega console would be for ports of their arcade games and a Virtual Console style marketplace for classic Sega titles to be downloaded.

[ape2020]

Well not offically announced (hence it in Rumorville) but Kotaku is reporting SHO is getting an inevitable port to the PS2. Not sure if this is exciting or not.

Silent Hill Origins (http://kotaku.com/gaming/unconfirmed/silent-hill-0-gets-inevitable-ps2-port-331377.php)

-ape2020

[broodwars]

Well not offically announced (hence it in Rumorville) but Kotaku is reporting SHO is getting an inevitable port to the PS2. Not sure if this is exciting or not.

Silent Hill Origins (http://kotaku.com/gaming/unconfirmed/silent-hill-0-gets-inevitable-ps2-port-331377.php)

-ape2020

This news makes me wonder about an eventual port to the Wii. The folks at IGN Wii a month or so ago reported that "an old, beloved franchise will be coming to Wii next year. And if you want more of it, you'd better buy it" (paraphrase). That statement makes it sound like it's a popular franchise, but not one that sells exceptionally well (which rules out Final Fantasy). That game COULD be Silent Hill Origins, since a Wii port is only a hop; skip; and a jump from doing a PS2 version. Having a Silent Hill game on my Wii would make me very happy. ^_^

[NickFalzarano]

This news makes me wonder about an eventual port to the Wii. The folks at IGN Wii a month or so ago reported that "an old, beloved franchise will be coming to Wii next year. And if you want more of it, you'd better buy it" (paraphrase). That statement makes it sound like it's a popular franchise, but not one that sells exceptionally well (which rules out Final Fantasy). That game COULD be Silent Hill Origins, since a Wii port is only a hop; skip; and a jump from doing a PS2 version. Having a Silent Hill game on my Wii would make me very happy. ^_^

And this news (the game coming out on Wii or even the PS2) totally kills my motivation for buying it on the PSP. Seeing as how my PSP is practically on life support as it is with no (or few) games I want this is another blow to the system. :sigh:

[Kevinroc]

Here are some big rumors from RPG Magazine issue 5. (It's a French publication.)

http://gonintendo.com/?p=30026

- Square-Enix is considering bringing back Super Mario RPG by making a sequel on the DS. The sequel would include more characters from the Final Fantasy universe.

- Ogre Battle may be heading back to the Wii, and Yasumi Matsuno would be involved

- Camelot is bringing back the Golden Sun series by making a Wii installment. Fighting would be mostly focused on the Nunchuk.

[Mark]

Here are some big rumors from RPG Magazine issue 5. (It's a French publication.)

http://gonintendo.com/?p=30026

- Square-Enix is considering bringing back Super Mario RPG by making a sequel on the DS. The sequel would include more characters from the Final Fantasy universe.

I hope this rumor is true. An Nintendo themed Kingdom Hearts-like game would be cool. It just needs to limit the number of Mario characters and let the other franchises a chance to do something.
As for the IGN super-secret Wii rumor, they kept implying that it's an old franchise. I imagine 8-bit or 16-bit old and can't come up with anything.

[Johnny]

Heard about this one a few weeks ago but has reared its head again: 360 based Toshiba HD-DVD player (http://spong.com/article/14514/Xbox_Video_Recorder_To_Be_Announced_At_CES_/?d=200801021155&cb=437) to be announced by Gates?
Seems like this would be similar to the Panasonic Q Gamecube released in Japan with DVD playback.

Also, another 360 rumour - 360 Ultimate (http://stuff.tv/News/BIG-IN-2008-Xbox-Ultimate/) in Autumn 08 w/320Gb HDD, 1080p HDMI output, quieter fan, built-in wifi etc?

[ape2020]

And in the catagory of the rumor that wouldn't die: Metal Gear Solid 4 Coming to Xbox 360 12-14 months after PS3 version. Yeah I know I know but got help us if we need to endure another round of this stupid story.

Story (http://xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1123&Itemid=2)

-ape2020

[lostnomad84]

And in the catagory of the rumor that wouldn't die: Metal Gear Solid 4 Coming to Xbox 360 12-14 months after PS3 version. Yeah I know I know but got help us if we need to endure another round of this stupid story.

Story (http://xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1123&Itemid=2)

-ape2020

I'm going to file this under the "plausible" category. After now spending some time with both the PS3 and the 360 I am more than convinced that the 360 can handle this game. I am also more than convinced that Konami is not confident that they can break even with just the PS3 version, especially with Konami members stating that they need to sell 1 million copies on day one to make a profit on the game. I can not think of a single PS3 game that has had that level of success, nor do I think any MGS game has had that level of success in the past.

The only thing that is making me from fully saying it is an accurate rumor is due to the belief that I think Sony has paid Konami a lot of cash to keep this game as an exclusive and Sony knows they can not afford to lose this game as an exclusive. Also, this is one of the few games I think will require the use of a large media storage, like blu-ray. However, the game most likely can be placed on multiple DVDs, if it were ever ported.

So, like I said before, plausible.

[indigo0086]

the subject of MGS4 on 360 will just put pressure on Hideo to weigh staying loyal and possibly expanding Sony's fanbase with expanding his own fanbase and sales. Banking on the former would be pretty silly and selfish on sony's part given the cost of making the game and PS3's total machinery in homes. mixing japan's PS3 audience with 360s audience everywhere else, considering the former makes me wonder why he got into game development in the first place.

[Johnny]

I hate this rumour and replying it is keeping it alive, I know, but if it did come to the 360 in a years time, all the 360 fanboys would be claiming victory over Sony despite a few obvious things:

Previous MGS games have been ported to other consoles without it making that much difference to PS version sales.
In a years time, we're likely to see or be waiting a few months on, the likes of Gears of War 2 and it's not as if the PS3 (and 360) won't have other games that will take attention away from MGS4. It's gonna be a fantasitc game, but it's not the be-all-and-end-all of the industry.

Personally, my take is that it won't ever show up on the 360, but the rumour that this all came from (that in which Konami hinted a MGS game would make an appearance on a non-Sony console) will result in MGS Online being released for the 360 as well as PS3. Although having said that, the fact that MGS4 on PS3 wil now include MGS Online makes waiting on the 360 one less appealing.
Either way, this story needs to be laid to rest one way or another. It's stuff like this that does nothing, aside from give Konami a hell of a lot more free publicity for the game, but give fanboys (on all sides) reason to talk all manner of shite.

[ape2020]

Hence why this rumor can't die yet. Us "fanboys" need shit to piss, moan, and thump chest too. Of course if you could tell from my tone of writting I could give a piss one way or another.

In other gossip with LIVE having problems there are hints from MS that they will do something for their paying members to compensate for their troubles. I say it will be some crappy themes or more likely crappy gamer pics.

-ape2020

[Johnny]

MGS4 on 360 a no-go, according to Konami (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEAAFFVZVpPzsBENCF.php).

"For the record, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a PlayStation 3 exclusive and there are no plans to develop an Xbox 360 version of the game."

[Magus427]

MGS4 on 360 a no-go, according to Konami (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEAAFFVZVpPzsBENCF.php).

"For the record, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a PlayStation 3 exclusive and there are no plans to develop an Xbox 360 version of the game."

Well, now you've got a contridiction. You've got a Konami rep at a distribution meeting saying it is coming to the 360 and the official PR of Konami saying it's not. Who to believe, who to believe...

-Magus

[covnam]

In other gossip with LIVE having problems there are hints from MS that they will do something for their paying members to compensate for their troubles. I say it will be some crappy themes or more likely crappy gamer pics.

-ape2020

Major Nelson confirmed that there will be a free game coming, no mention of when or which game. Here's hoping it isn't Robotron again =/

[ape2020]

In other gossip with LIVE having problems there are hints from MS that they will do something for their paying members to compensate for their troubles. I say it will be some crappy themes or more likely crappy gamer pics.

-ape2020

Major Nelson confirmed that there will be a free game coming, no mention of when or which game. Here's hoping it isn't Robotron again =/


Yeah I saw this too, and it will be for both gold and silver members. You know the best thing for them to do would be to offer a game not yet released, like Schizoid or Omega Five or 400 MS points. Of course most bets are on an old craptacular game like Frogger or Space Giraffe, maybe Yaris 2.

-ape2020

[indigo0086]

In all fairness Carcassonne, the last game to be released for free, is pretty awesome. I'd take points over the games, but hey, they're doing something.

[ape2020]

In all fairness Carcassonne, the last game to be released for free, is pretty awesome. I'd take points over the games, but hey, they're doing something.

Actually their free games have been decent, I mean Texas Hold'em, Cascassonne, Aegis Wings, Yar...uh lets just forget that last one okay.

-ape2020

[GHardin]

In all fairness Carcassonne, the last game to be released for free, is pretty awesome. I'd take points over the games, but hey, they're doing something.

Actually their free games have been decent, I mean Texas Hold'em, Cascassonne, Aegis Wings, Yar...uh lets just forget that last one okay.

-ape2020


Yes, please. Yaris was...a waste. I think I'll just leave it at that. I feel sad enough that I played it for 15-20 minutes. :cry:

[ape2020]

In all fairness Carcassonne, the last game to be released for free, is pretty awesome. I'd take points over the games, but hey, they're doing something.

Actually their free games have been decent, I mean Texas Hold'em, Cascassonne, Aegis Wings, Yar...uh lets just forget that last one okay.

-ape2020


Yes, please. Yaris was...a waste. I think I'll just leave it at that. I feel sad enough that I played it for 15-20 minutes. :cry:

Holy Crap! You admit to playing that POS! Hell I would rather admit to killing kittens or having sex with rubber dolls then admit to playing Yaris. You are one sick sad bastard.

-ape2020

[GHardin]

Holy Crap! You admit to playing that POS! Hell I would rather admit to killing kittens or having sex with rubber dolls then admit to playing Yaris. You are one sick sad bastard.

-ape2020


Aye, I was curious...I didn't know any better. And when I found out what a piece of shit it was, I was wondering...why the hell was I still playing it?

[TheStrongMan]

So...there's this rumor (http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=26140722&sid=6184321&om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;title;4) going around that Bill Gates is going to announce some kind of "X-Box Ultimate" at CES that will include a HD-DVD drive.

Seems to be pretty damn useless now considering the Warner announcement don't ya think?

[Lego]

So...there's this rumor (http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=26140722&sid=6184321&om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;title;4) going around that Bill Gates is going to announce some kind of "X-Box Ultimate" at CES that will include a HD-DVD drive.

Seems to be pretty damn useless now considering the Warner announcement don't ya think?

20GB is enough!
We want to let our customers choose and not put a drive in our system!
DVD has plenty of space!

When did we stop having consoles that played actual games and turned into media centers?

[Sheldon]

whoa whoa whoa whoa, the xbox 360 is using the DVD format to store games?! what about the wii?

[Swordfish_II]

whoa whoa whoa whoa, the xbox 360 is using the DVD format to store games?! what about the wii?
Yes, the 360 does.

The Wii uses Wii Optical Discs, which have the same capacity as DVDs, but aren't DVDs.

[Sheldon]

whoa whoa whoa whoa, the xbox 360 is using the DVD format to store games?! what about the wii?
Yes, the 360 does.

The Wii uses Wii Optical Discs, which have the same capacity as DVDs, but aren't DVDs.


daaamn that about 9GB worth of data compared to 50gb. god damn thats an arm's length and a couple poles apart i didnt realize how different the 3 platforms were. so then wouldnt the ps3 ave better games?

[Sheldon]

damn and nintendo is greedy as f!ck, i dnt think they support anything they dnt make themselves they shud be raking in some SERIOUS profits on software and hardware. so games like assasin's creed and CoD4 are under 9 gb? naughty dog stated uncharted could have only been on the ps3 because of the amount of space it took up does anybody know the exact size?

[ADC]

daaamn that about 9GB worth of data compared to 50gb. god damn thats an arm's length and a couple poles apart i didnt realize how different the 3 platforms were. so then wouldnt the ps3 ave better games?
Higher capacity makes a small difference, if any. Games which are developed specifically for the PS3 might use that extra space well; games developed for the 360 and ported to the PS3, or games developed for both from the outset, will see little or no difference. The PS3 and 360 are both capable of roughly the same graphics output, with a maximum games resolution of 1920x1080 (the Wii tops out at 853x480), but most games aren't using the highest resolution yet. They usually still run at 1280x720. The only difference the disc format makes is whether a particularly long game will need to be spread across multiple discs or not.

Look at it this way. Final Fantasy VII is spread across three CDs (~2000 MB) and plays at a resolution of 320x240. Grandia III takes up two DVDs (~15,000 MB) and runs at 640x480. There's not a boy or girl alive who'll tell you that Grandia III is the better game.

The other issue is that the 360 has a one-year lead on the PS3, so developers have had more time to learn how to use the custom PowerPC chip in the 360. They haven't figured out the PS3's Cell processor to such a degree yet.

So sure, in theory, developers should be able to make better games for the PS3. In practice, a shit game's a shit game whether it's on a BD, DVD, UMD, CD, or cartridge.

[Sheldon]

daaamn that about 9GB worth of data compared to 50gb. god damn thats an arm's length and a couple poles apart i didnt realize how different the 3 platforms were. so then wouldnt the ps3 ave better games?
Higher capacity makes a small difference, if any. Games which are developed specifically for the PS3 might use that extra space well; games developed for the 360 and ported to the PS3, or games developed for both from the outset, will see little or no difference. The PS3 and 360 are both capable of roughly the same graphics output, with a maximum games resolution of 1920x1080 (the Wii tops out at 853x480), but most games aren't using the highest resolution yet. They usually still run at 1280x720. The only difference the disc format makes is whether a particularly long game will need to be spread across multiple discs or not.

Look at it this way. Final Fantasy VII is spread across three CDs (~2000 MB) and plays at a resolution of 320x240. Grandia III takes up two DVDs (~15,000 MB) and runs at 640x480. There's not a boy or girl alive who'll tell you that Grandia III is the better game.

The other issue is that the 360 has a one-year lead on the PS3, so developers have had more time to learn how to use the custom PowerPC chip in the 360. They haven't figured out the PS3's Cell processor to such a degree yet.

So sure, in theory, developers should be able to make better games for the PS3. In practice, a shit game's a shit game whether it's on a BD, DVD, UMD, CD, or cartridge.


very true, but daaaaaamn 50gb?

[Magus427]

Higher capacity makes a small difference, if any. Games which are developed specifically for the PS3 might use that extra space well; games developed for the 360 and ported to the PS3, or games developed for both from the outset, will see little or no difference. The PS3 and 360 are both capable of roughly the same graphics output, with a maximum games resolution of 1920x1080 (the Wii tops out at 853x480), but most games aren't using the highest resolution yet. They usually still run at 1280x720. The only difference the disc format makes is whether a particularly long game will need to be spread across multiple discs or not.

The other issue is that the 360 has a one-year lead on the PS3, so developers have had more time to learn how to use the custom PowerPC chip in the 360. They haven't figured out the PS3's Cell processor to such a degree yet.


Developers for PS3 games have also been adding repeat data on the discs because Sony has split up the processors and memory associated with them making it more difficult to easily get full use out of the system in comparison to the way the 360 is setup.

For example, Resistance: Fall of Man used all the space on the BR DVD but only because they had to have duplicate data on the disc in order for the game to run properly at a consistent framerate on the PS3. In actuality, if they had put the game on the 360 and didn't have to duplicate the data, it would've fit on one regular DVD. So while BR is touted for it's great storage space, it doesn't make the PS3 any easier to program for and does not allow all developers to easily take advantage of the greater disc storage for "larger" games.

-Magus

[ADC]

Why the hell did Sony do that? Do they want to have developers work on their hardware?

… in other words, I did know that developing for the Cell processor is a pain in the dick, but I didn't know it was that bad. It makes me wonder if Sony really wants to stay in the game beyond Generation 7. In the meantime, Nintendo gets by on a machine that uses almost the same guts as a seven-year-old Mac, on which development is comparatively easy and inexpensive.

[lostnomad84]

Why the hell did Sony do that? Do they want to have developers work on their hardware?

… in other words, I did know that developing for the Cell processor is a pain in the dick, but I didn't know it was that bad. It makes me wonder if Sony really wants to stay in the game beyond Generation 7. In the meantime, Nintendo gets by on a machine that uses almost the same guts as a seven-year-old Mac, on which development is comparatively easy and inexpensive.

I have a partial answer to the question. When I attended the GDC in '06 and Sony was showing off to developers the concept of the Cell, they more or less explained that they believed that giving developers the ability to program and run something in each core allowed for a more interactive experience and allowed for developers to expand what they could possibly do in a game. The example they gave was a bathtub, the water was controlled by one core, light by another, then they added ducks to the tub, and the ducks were controlled by a core, then they added a sailboat and that was another core, etc...

Each core in the cell has to be independently programmed in order for it to accomplish a certain functional goal. I've heard developers, through blogs and websites, describe the code in order to just set up the core as useless in almost any other forms of programming. It could also be the reason why it takes some of the best programmers to program such a game.

Then when it comes to framerates, the PS3 has the issue of a narrow bus between the CPU, GPU, and Memory. In comparison, the 360 does not have a narrow bandwidth, which doesn't make it much an issue on that system. As a result with the PS3, developers have to implement tricks to get the framerates constant.

If you think about Sony's ultimate goal in granting the developers the ability to implement multiple functions and objects on a screen to their own independent core processor, it is a great concept. The problem is that the hardware is so complicated in design that it makes it very difficult to program such a game. If developers worked more with the cell and if Sony were more helpful (or so what I've read), then I think we could see great games coming out on the PS3. Heck, I think Metal Gear Solid 4 will be one of those games that will truly showcase the console's potential. However, since the alternative Microsoft offers with their console in programming for the 360 in a similar fashion (from what I've read) to that in programming for a PC game, also a larger user-base, the end result is more developers interested in making the game for the 360 over the PS3.

[ADC]

From what I've heard, though, some of the shovelware games that dropped on the PS3 in its first year in the wild weren't even using the extra cores. They were making games that looked awesome, sure, but only because the Cell's main core is powerful enough to do 720p games without help. It appears, at least for now, that the developers who really use the PS3 hardware to its fullest will only be the well-heeled, best-of-the-best developers (Konami, as you noted; Square Enix; Capcom; any of Sony's second-party friends with access to SCE's purse). Everybody else will go to the competition or just stick to PS2 games. And there are still developers doing just that.

[ape2020]

While more Bioshock is a no brainer here is some interesting news in that it already in production and targetting 2009 for release.
Story (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/01/08/rumor-rapture-will-fall-in-bioshock-prequel/)

-ape2020

[ape2020]

Lookie what showed up on the ESRB ratings board website story (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/01/08/rumor-peggle-bliss-island-and-ubam-to-xbla/). Of course I don't know a thing about Peggles but I hear its pretty popular.

-ape2020

[ADC]

Of course I don't know a thing about Peggles but I hear its pretty popular.
Sure. You start playing it at midnight and then it's four in the morning and you're still playing. That's what happens with this unholy union of Plinko, pachinko, and pinball.

I've finished all of the Challenges but one. I can't reach 750,000 points in one stage.

[broodwars]

While more Bioshock is a no brainer here is some interesting news in that it already in production and targetting 2009 for release.
Story (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/01/08/rumor-rapture-will-fall-in-bioshock-prequel/)

-ape2020

Hmm, in the case of Bioshock a prequel is a tricky thing to anticipate. On the one hand, it's more Bioshock and the story will cover a very interesting period of Rapture's history we only heard about in the original. On the other hand, there's not a whole lot of ground to cover on the fall of Rapture we haven't been told already, and I really don't know what they would do for a Final Boss this time considering how the Major Powers were in place in the original game. I really don't know what to think of this. Frankly, if they wanted to stay on the Rand track, how about doing adaptations of other Rand work besides Atlus Shrugged?

[AutoGyro]

Come on people, hit me with all the Fatal Frame 4 rumors. And don't let up on those PS3/360/Wii remakes of the original Fatal Frame :grin:

[beatmania]

I have a partial answer to the question. When I attended the GDC in '06 and Sony was showing off to developers the concept of the Cell, they more or less explained that they believed that giving developers the ability to program and run something in each core allowed for a more interactive experience and allowed for developers to expand what they could possibly do in a game. The example they gave was a bathtub, the water was controlled by one core, light by another, then they added ducks to the tub, and the ducks were controlled by a core, then they added a sailboat and that was another core, etc...

Each core in the cell has to be independently programmed in order for it to accomplish a certain functional goal. I've heard developers, through blogs and websites, describe the code in order to just set up the core as useless in almost any other forms of programming. It could also be the reason why it takes some of the best programmers to program such a game.

Then when it comes to framerates, the PS3 has the issue of a narrow bus between the CPU, GPU, and Memory. In comparison, the 360 does not have a narrow bandwidth, which doesn't make it much an issue on that system. As a result with the PS3, developers have to implement tricks to get the framerates constant.

If you think about Sony's ultimate goal in granting the developers the ability to implement multiple functions and objects on a screen to their own independent core processor, it is a great concept. The problem is that the hardware is so complicated in design that it makes it very difficult to program such a game. If developers worked more with the cell and if Sony were more helpful (or so what I've read), then I think we could see great games coming out on the PS3. Heck, I think Metal Gear Solid 4 will be one of those games that will truly showcase the console's potential. However, since the alternative Microsoft offers with their console in programming for the 360 in a similar fashion (from what I've read) to that in programming for a PC game, also a larger user-base, the end result is more developers interested in making the game for the 360 over the PS3.

Is this any different from programming for all these new multi-core CPUs on the computer?

Too bad Sony sold the Cell to Toshiba, because if they continue development on it and are confident enough to use it for PS4 (instead of chickening out and use an Intel or PowerPC cpu like Microsoft and Nintendo), programmers would be more educated and familiar with the architecture. Now they're at Toshiba's mercy to the direction the Cell will go.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

how about doing adaptations of other Rand work besides Atlus Shrugged?

Um... Because no one knows about the other works? I mean, how many people were forced to read "We the Living" in High School? Now how many were forced to read "Atlus Shrugged"?

Sad, but true. I can't honestly say I've read any of her other work either. :shrugs:

[lostnomad84]

I have a partial answer to the question. When I attended the GDC in '06 and Sony was showing off to developers the concept of the Cell, they more or less explained that they believed that giving developers the ability to program and run something in each core allowed for a more interactive experience and allowed for developers to expand what they could possibly do in a game. The example they gave was a bathtub, the water was controlled by one core, light by another, then they added ducks to the tub, and the ducks were controlled by a core, then they added a sailboat and that was another core, etc...

Each core in the cell has to be independently programmed in order for it to accomplish a certain functional goal. I've heard developers, through blogs and websites, describe the code in order to just set up the core as useless in almost any other forms of programming. It could also be the reason why it takes some of the best programmers to program such a game.

Then when it comes to framerates, the PS3 has the issue of a narrow bus between the CPU, GPU, and Memory. In comparison, the 360 does not have a narrow bandwidth, which doesn't make it much an issue on that system. As a result with the PS3, developers have to implement tricks to get the framerates constant.

If you think about Sony's ultimate goal in granting the developers the ability to implement multiple functions and objects on a screen to their own independent core processor, it is a great concept. The problem is that the hardware is so complicated in design that it makes it very difficult to program such a game. If developers worked more with the cell and if Sony were more helpful (or so what I've read), then I think we could see great games coming out on the PS3. Heck, I think Metal Gear Solid 4 will be one of those games that will truly showcase the console's potential. However, since the alternative Microsoft offers with their console in programming for the 360 in a similar fashion (from what I've read) to that in programming for a PC game, also a larger user-base, the end result is more developers interested in making the game for the 360 over the PS3.

Is this any different from programming for all these new multi-core CPUs on the computer?

Too bad Sony sold the Cell to Toshiba, because if they continue development on it and are confident enough to use it for PS4 (instead of chickening out and use an Intel or PowerPC cpu like Microsoft and Nintendo), programmers would be more educated and familiar with the architecture. Now they're at Toshiba's mercy to the direction the Cell will go.

I honestly have no idea. I have no experience programming with anything beyond a one core machine. If I had to pin it down to a guess in the difference, it would be with the developer environment Sony created for the PS3 and the language Sony is using for PS3 games. From what I've read, each of the cores in the cell are "generic" and a programmer has to write extensive code to just specialize a core to work in the manner they want it. Some of PS3 programming code has been criticized as being "useless" in being used to program almost anything else. More than likely they are referring to the code for the cores.

[broodwars]

how about doing adaptations of other Rand work besides Atlus Shrugged?

Um... Because no one knows about the other works? I mean, how many people were forced to read "We the Living" in High School? Now how many were forced to read "Atlus Shrugged"?

Sad, but true. I can't honestly say I've read any of her other work either. :shrugs:

Back in my High School days (which weren't very long ago), here novella Anthem was required reading. It was a short novel about a society based on a kinder, gentler 1984 Big Brother Government. No one has individual identity, and a person's life is picked for them from birth to death to service the community. The main character struggles to understand the concept of the invidual ego in all this. It's quite a good book, and would make an excellent basis for a Bioshock spiritual sequel.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

You went to a unique High School, then. My High School and most people I've spoken to who have attended High School have, at best, only been required to read "Atlus Shrugged". At my school, it all depended upon the teacher you had as to whether or not you even had to read that.

[beatmania]

Wow you people read some modern stuff ... I read books like Great Expectations and Iliad in HS. No Ayn Rand for me.

[SilverLuz]

Is this any different from programming for all these new multi-core CPUs on the computer?


Yes and no. Programming for multiple cores isn't too bad, but can get nasty if you've got tight requirements - like making sure core 1 finishes thing x by the time core 2 needs that info while trying not to stall waiting for it. Programming for a bunch of cores is a "Multiple Instruction Multiple Data" type of problem - basically each core is off doing its own thing.

The bigger problem is probably programming for the Cell architecture in the first place. Each core has one main general purpose processor, which is OK but nothing stellar, and also has 8 (IIRC) mini-cores. The little CPUs are where the real power of the chip is, but they're a "Single Instruction Multiple Data" set-up. Each one gets its own data to work with, but they all do the same operation at the same time, like synchronized swimmers. That's cool and all, but setting everything up to take advantage of it efficiently can be hard. You need to worry about things like how your data's stored in physical memory, as well as how your program is organized. I don't know what kind of PS3-specific development tools there are, but the straight Cell stuff from IBM was pretty low-level - closer to bare metal than I like to venture (and that's coming from an old-school C programmer).

We had the guys from IBM out a couple of months ago trying to sell us on Cell, to do a special port/optimization of our software packages and maybe buy some Cell blade servers in the process. The chip is cool, and our stuff could probably fly on it, but I hope I don't get stuck with that project, since it looks like it'd be a real beast. (Well, it's more like "You don't PAY me enough to do that.")

[lostnomad84]

I don't know what kind of PS3-specific development tools there are, but the straight Cell stuff from IBM was pretty low-level - closer to bare metal than I like to venture (and that's coming from an old-school C programmer).

We had the guys from IBM out a couple of months ago trying to sell us on Cell, to do a special port/optimization of our software packages and maybe buy some Cell blade servers in the process. The chip is cool, and our stuff could probably fly on it, but I hope I don't get stuck with that project, since it looks like it'd be a real beast. (Well, it's more like "You don't PAY me enough to do that.")

Oh that is really bad. If the Cell requires one to go down to the assembly level to monitor memory usage and other system-specific tasks, that is definitely very difficult to program. In a sense, it seems like in order to program with the Cell, one would need to learn PowerPC assembly programming and be skilled at maintaining all the separate core tasks. No wonder why developers say they are using their most skilled programmers to work on games for the PS3.

[ADC]

I think I recall that programming for the Cell could be done in one of the Cs, but I don't remember which. It's still a damn'd sight better than programming for the EE; Sony didn't release any APIs for it, and for some reason you had to write your games in Assembly. All my geek friends were like, shit, nobody's going to make games for that if that's the way they have to do it. They all predicted that the Dreamcast would kick the PS2's big black ass.

Pffth. Geeks.

I know I recall that Sony requires that any Cell chip that goes into a PS3 have seven working mini-cores. Early yields of the Cell were pretty poor, with a lot of chips coming off the line with only four (or fewer) working mini-cores. So I don't think any developers will actually be able to use all eight of the mini-cores because some PS3s might choke on the games. Brilliant hardware design, isn't it? That was probably a decision some accountant at SCE made when it looked like the PS3 would be the last one out and totally fail in its efforts to catch the Xbox 360 in sales.

Pffth. Accountants.

[SilverLuz]

I think I recall that programming for the Cell could be done in one of the Cs, but I don't remember which. It's still a damn'd sight better than programming for the EE; Sony didn't release any APIs for it, and for some reason you had to write your games in Assembly. All my geek friends were like, shit, nobody's going to make games for that if that's the way they have to do it. They all predicted that the Dreamcast would kick the PS2's big black ass.

Pffth. Geeks.

I know I recall that Sony requires that any Cell chip that goes into a PS3 have seven working mini-cores. Early yields of the Cell were pretty poor, with a lot of chips coming off the line with only four (or fewer) working mini-cores. So I don't think any developers will actually be able to use all eight of the mini-cores because some PS3s might choke on the games. Brilliant hardware design, isn't it? That was probably a decision some accountant at SCE made when it looked like the PS3 would be the last one out and totally fail in its efforts to catch the Xbox 360 in sales.

Pffth. Accountants.

Yeah, it's a set of C extensions. Function calls that look suspiciously like basic assembly ops, except with actually understandable syntax. Still, not where I'd want to be for writing games.

And not being able to count on having all the units?! My head is going all desk-y now.

[stfram]

You went to a unique High School, then. My High School and most people I've spoken to who have attended High School have, at best, only been required to read "Atlus Shrugged".


Your high school sounds unique. I was forced to read stuff like Hamlet.

It's a "classic", but it really only enabled me to get lines in Robocop (Good night sweet prince!) and the spoof in Last Action Hero.

I would've loved to have read Atlas, or anything else by Rand.

I think the coolest book I ever read thanks to "required reading" is "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Once_and_Future_King


At my school, it all depended upon the teacher you had as to whether or not you even had to read that.


Being that it's spelled Atlas Shrugged, I suspect your teacher didn't require it. :D

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Being that it's spelled Atlas Shrugged, I suspect your teacher didn't require it. :D


D'OH!

I knew the correct spelling, I just haven't been paying full attention while posting (tired + Watching "Gundam SEED" on my second monitor). Sorry!

And no, my Senior Year English teacher forced us to read "Hamlet", "Beowulf", and two other classic novels that I can't remember at the moment (it was 8 years ago!!). I remember enjoying "Hamlet" more than "Romeo and Juliet"...

What a lame play. :crazy:

At least when the teacher decided to show us the movie, she showed us the 1960's version. Yay 80085 in school (if only for a second - It was 9th grade, us guys were excited)!

The classic novel I liked the most from my mandatory reading days was "A Tale of Two Cities". While I didn't enjoy its portrayal of women, I did enjoy the story overall.

[untoldsorrow]

Just read in the latest EGM issue that Persona Fes is coming out here but it was in the rumor section so I'll put it here, lol.

[Merr]

Just read in the latest EGM issue that Persona Fes is coming out here but it was in the rumor section so I'll put it here, lol.
As another slightly dubious source of proof, Grant George (who played Jin and Shinjiro in Persona 3) lists a game called Persona 3.5 on his resume, which may be what Atlus is calling Fes for the US release.

See here http://www.jessicavoice.com/aboutgrant.html

[ape2020]

Yup and soon like within several monthes from now. Here is the story: Rumor: Duke Nukem 3D for Xbox Live (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/845/845449p1.html)

-ape2020

[ADC]

According to Kombo.com (http://wii.kombo.com/article.php?artid=11331) (which I'd never seen before today), Factor 5's triumphant return to Nintendo hardware won't be a Rogue Squadron title after all. They're careful to note that this is a rumor, of course, but they claim that a credible source says it's a new Kid Icarus title.

I'm in for $50 if it's true.

[Lego]

After the crapfest that Lair was they vanished off the face of the earth.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Seconded. Factor 5 has convinced me to never pay full price for a new game ever again.

:points to his $30 or less USED game policy now in effect:

I don't care if it's literally the second coming, I'm not paying $60 for another game again.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The Game Boy Kid Icarus was one of the best games I had for the system.
Would much prefer the franchise stay 2D.

[broodwars]

I always thought that Kid Icarus was a very ambitious bad game that came before the technology needed to properly do it. It's not a franchise I'm thrilled to see possibly return, though.

[Super Saiyajin Joshua]

The Game Boy Kid Icarus was one of the best games I had for the system.
Would much prefer the franchise stay 2D.

I really liked the Kid Icarus games and if the rumor is true I agree that it should stay 2d and be for the DS. Maybe I'm alone here but I'm sick of the Wii's game's all having to have some kind of motion control.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I always thought that Kid Icarus was a very ambitious bad game that came before the technology needed to properly do it. It's not a franchise I'm thrilled to see possibly return, though.

I'd say that's a fair assessment of the NES game. The Game Boy one neatly fixed all the problems I had with the original, and ended up being pretty great.

[ape2020]

Yup another classic Sega game is said to be in the works for the mighty Wii. I'm guessing this would be sorta like Nights and more of a remake then a port.

In other gossip there has been rumbling of SC5 making its way to XBLA (and by then PSN too). I wouldn't mind if they juiced up the graphics or added more gameplay as I loved Ulala and Puddin.

Story (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/rumor-space-channel-5-coming-to-wii-other-systems/#comments)

Now all we need is ChuChu Rocket to get to the downloadable services and I would be in hog heaven!

-ape2020

[ADC]

I'm in for some Ulala Wii action. Especially if they do a good job with the motion controls. Back in the day when I played it on the Dreamcast, I used to piss off my friends by chanting along with the motions. Up! Up! … Down! Down! … Chu-chu! Chu! And they'd be all, Isn't she saying "Shoot"? But I didn't care.

[NickFalzarano]

Now all we need is ChuChu Rocket to get to the downloadable services and I would be in hog heaven!


ChuChu Rocket NEEDS to be on XLA. Now.

[ape2020]

Okay dokay just like the clearance price cut of the XBOX 360 20GB started leaking out early. New rumors are starting that a real price cut is coming making the 120GB Elite $399, 60GB Pro $299, and Arcade $199.

First Source (http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2008/08/01/mole-attack-360-price-cuts-on-all-hardware-in-september)

Growing Evidence (http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=1618)

At those prices and the rumored 60GB HDD bundle I might get an arcade for my room and switch the 20GB to it with an upgrade out in the living room.

-Ape2020