BusinessWeek: Apple may soon be "a Mobile Gaming Force"
Be afraid, be very afraid. That’s BusinessWeek talking to Sony and Nintendo. The business publication just boldly predicted that Apple, through its iPhone and Touch, will soon be “a mobile gaming force.”
The report looks at how Apple’s gadgets can directly compete with the same market of the PSP and DS considering the availability of games and pricing.
According to BusinessWeek, although the iPhone is primarily a… erm… phone, it being a gaming platform is not so hard to imagine. The iTunes’ participation in the whole thing makes it more easier, seeing as there are more games on it than those lined up for both the DS and PSP combined.
Currently, it’s looking like the iTunes App Store already hosts about 1,500 games, and no, they’re not just all Solitaires in many variations. Meanwhile, the PSP has got about 300 titles, while the DS has 600.
Apart from that, Apple is projected to easily sell more or less 40 million devices every year that accommodates games. If we are to look at Nintendo’s numbers, selling 42 million in the last 18 months, then we can see how Apple can easily outrun Ninty if they be inclined to do so.
True that the gaming function of Apple’s gadgets is a secondary one. But that’s just it, imagine what more it can do were it to focus on gaming as its primary function.
All in all, the BusinessWeek report is saying that both Nintendo and Sony shouldn’t be resting on their laurels in the handheld market. There’s a new guy in town and he’s bound to ruffle some feathers.
So to Sony and Nintendo, stop saying you’re not worried about iPhone. Because if BW is right, then it seems like you have every reason to be. Now that the holidays are coming, that would be a good time to see how close the numbers really are.
For the full report, click on the source link below.
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- Steve Jobs: iPod Touch is the best portable gaming device
- E3 2008: Koller says DS, not PSP, should be worrying about iPhone
- Eternity’s Child creator: DS, iPhone can coexist; PSP’s days may be numbered
- Iwata: DSi not after iPhone and PSP marketshare
PSP Homebrew - PRXdecrypter v2.1
After taking some time primping up his PRXdecrypter for the PSP, jas0nuk is finally ready to release the latest update, version 2.1.
According to him, he did internally update the project to 2.1 to fix a bunch of issues like the GZ error. KL3E was also added to the last release, but he can’t be too sure if it still works on 5.00 since it uses a RAM search to hook the function.
But anyhow, here’s the changelog for the 2.1 unofficial update with the newly added 5.00 keys:
- Latest decryption keys (up to 5.01)
- GZIP failure bug fixed on 3.80
- Now bruteforces the XOR key for updater modules (appears in blue at the right of the screen), takes a longer but now it will work on all future updaters until Sony change their updater security
- User is now asked whether they want to decrypt updater modules which have just been extracted
- User is now asked whether they want to overwrite files that are read-only before saving them
Download: PRXdecrypter v2.1
PSP homebrew plugin: Power Manager v2.0
PSP homebrew developer levone (aka pspjoke aka christian) has released a plugin that gives you more control over your PSP’s configurations - thus allowing you to effectively cut back on power consumption.
Power Manager v2.0 tweaks the brightness functionality of your handheld unit, and even allows you to “unlock the full brightness of the screen” when you plug your charger in. Another thing you should know: this plugin is compatible with CWCheat too!
Here’s the full version history for Power Manager:
- v2.0:
- added ability to turn on and off maximum brightness.
- added CW-Cheat Companion Mode.
- Greatly optimized code.
- Decreased CPU usage.
- replaced hold start while booting or luanching game to enable auto-clocker with ability to switch on and off anytime.
- v1.0:
- Plug psp in to charger to unlock the full brightness of the screen.
- can auto-clock the cpu based on usage
- Optimized code.
- v0.1:
- plug psp in to force cpu clock to 333mhz.
More notes can be found in the readme included in the download archive. You can also visit the QJ.NET forums below to give a shout out to levone! Nice work, man!
Download: Power Manager v2.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP development forums
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Wagic, The Homebrew ?! v0.2.1: AI impovements, improved Deck Editor
Developer Wololo has released the latest build to Wagic, The Homebrew ?!, the homebrew equivalent (duh) of Magic: The Gathering. Extensive beta testing has rewarded the game with new features, including better AI, and a Deck Editor that’s easier to navigate. To give you an idea of the game’s new AI and Deck Editor, here’s a vid showing off some gameplay clips:
And here’s the changelog:
General
- Deck Editor easier to navigate (shows the number of occurrences of a given card rather than all the occurrences, cards sorted by alphabetical order, other improvements)
- (bug fix) Less crashes in the Deck Editor and the shop (fixed some memory leaks and other bugs)
- (AI) : The AI can now play cards that have hybrid mana in their cost
- (AI): AI doesn t hangs up at damage resolution step anymore
- Spells that target stuff in the stack, such as lifeforce, Cancel, counterspell, etc should now work !!
- added around 30 new cards, including Relentless Rats, Icy manipulator, Boomerang
- Cards navigation improved in the game
- (internal) Test suite can now target objects in the stack
- Added a new keyword for _cards.dat : draw
- Improved some keywords for _cards.dat. Now some cards can have changing targets (to code abilities such as prodigal sorcerer)
- Small improvements to the AI
- You can display/hide the ingame big cards by pressing the triangle button
Rules Fixes
- (bug fix) Legendary should now work
- (bug fix) Persist should now half work
- Added Flash (untested)
- (bug fix) Summoning sickness fixed
- (bug fix) An attacking creature with protection from cannot be blocked by cards with the quality
- Library cannot be seen anymore
- A player that needs to draw but has no card in his/her library loses the game
Cards
Bugs where fixed on the following cards:
- Animate Dead
- Armageddon clock
- Benalish Knight
- Cancel
- Castle
- Counterspell
- Force of Nature
- Helm of Chtazuk
- Hurkyll s Recall
- Hypnotic specter 10E
- Kormus Bell, Living Lands (AI crash)
- Kudzu
- Lifeforce
- Obelisk of Bant
- Resurrection
- Roc of Kher Ridges
Props to Abra for the tip!
Download: Wagic, The Homebrew ?! v0.2.1
Previous version:
Heads rolling: EA axes 600 employees
Publishing giant and corporate overlord, EA Games, put into effect a cost reduction plan citing a general weakening of the retail market as the main cause.
“Considering the slow down at retail we ve seen in October, we are cautious in the short term,” said EA CEO John Riccitiello in the company’s results statement.
The major publisher’s cost reduction plan includes a reduction of its work force of about 6 percent, approximately 600 employees. It will be a global reduction, not just focused on one studio or one location. Through the layoffs, the publisher hopes to gain pre-tax savings of US 50 million.
I admit I hard had a time swallowing this news, at first, since EA seemed to be in pretty good shape lately with the strong launches of Madden NFL 09 (Nintendo DS, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360), Spore, Mercenaries 2 (Xbox 360, PC, PS3) and Warhammer Online. Add this to the strength of their previous titles and one has to wonder why they’re choosing now to trim the fat.
According to their financial statement, EA’s overall revenues rocketed to US 864 million, a 33 percent boost over last year’s US 650 million. Problem is, their losses grew by around 37 percent too, from US 195 million to US 310 million. A fairly alarming stat in the face of a slumping economy, which, until recently, many felt would not greatly impact the gaming industry.
Riccitiello ended his official statement with a hopeful note, however, saying:
Longer term, we are very bullish on the game sector overall and on EA in particular. The industry is growing double-digits on the strength of three new game consoles and increases in the number of homes with broadband internet connections.
Included in the studios that will be experiencing the layoffs are Los Angeles and Pandemic. Keep it tuned here for more news on this issue.
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California to revive violent video game law in federal appeals court
This Wednesday, California will be pitching the old anti-violent video game law to the Court of Appeals. This is the same law that received an injunction last year when it was ruled to be a threat to free-speech rights.
The proposed law prevents those below 18 from buying and renting games that “appeal to a deviant or morbid interest of children and are patently offensive to prevailing community standards.” Very vague. huh.
The proposal also requires retailers to put an “18″ label on these kinds of video games. Retailers who allow these games to be sold to minors will be fined US 1,000.
A lot of groups were against it the first time it was brought up, saying that it was too broad and was unconstitutional. The movie and music industries were also against it, saying that the law could affect the sale of their respective medias that also have graphic violence.
Sen. Leland Yee, who wrote the legislation, has this to say about the proposal:
This is the same technology the armed forces use to help soldiers kill the enemy. All we’re saying is, ‘Don’t sell it to kids.’
A point more reasonable than Jack Thompson’s “murder simulator” argument to be sure. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration, represented by Deputy Attorney General Zackery Morazzini, also argues for the proposal, saying that ratings aren’t enough:
It defies logic to suggest that our founding fathers intended to adopt a First Amendment that would guarantee children the right to purchase a video game wherein the player is rewarded for interactively causing a character to take out a shovel and bash the head of an image of a human being.
This would probably get out of hand if Thompson still had a say. Would probably get more amusing too. Whatever their arguments though, if the court found it unconstitutional last year, why should it be any different this year?
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- California game law proven unconstitutional; Schwarzenegger to appeal
- Schwarzenegger revives game violence law as ESA asks for 325k in legal fees
More screens, characters for Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce revealed; official site goes live
We’ve got another barrage of Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce media for you today: screens and character renders! The best part about this batch is that we no longer have to deal with just the three usual suspects we’ve been seeing over and over again for the past couple of weeks (i.e. Zhao Yun, Sun Shang Xiang, and Xiahou Dun).
Koei’s also launched the official UK website for Strikeforce. You can check that out through the Via link below.
Now, see the artwork below the in-game screens? Yep, more characters! Today we see Dian Wei, Xu Zhu, Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei - all in their Shin Musou Kakusei forms!
Koei’s Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce is heading to North America and Europe next year.
Thanks again to Peter Bauer for the tip!
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- Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce promo trailer for Japan
- TGS 2008: Dynasty Warriors Multi-Raid heads west as Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce, screens
Famitsu - GTA 4 scores nearly perfect, LittleBigPlanet comes in a close second
Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu recently gave out scores on today’s hottest titles. Four reviewers would score a game on a scale to 10, with 10 being the highest. With a score of 10, 10, 9, 10, Grand Theft Auto 4 (PS3, Xbox 360) tops the charts, slightly edging LittleBigPlanet, which scored 10, 10, 9, 9.
Here’s how the other games fared:
- Cid and Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS - 8, 8, 8, 8
- Vitamin Y - 6, 6, 6, 7
- Precure 5 - 7, 6, 6, 5
- Aralechan - 4, 5, 4, 4
- Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One - 8, 8, 8, 8
- Avalon Code - 7, 8, 7, 8
- Boku to Simu no Machi - 7, 8, 7, 7
- Bokujou Monogatari - 7, 8, 7, 7
- Fracture (Xbox 360, PS3) 7, 8, 7, 6
- Thunderforce 6 - 7, 7, 6, 6
It’s quite remarkable that no game on that list even scored a 9. It seems that GTA4 and LittleBigPlanet stand out as today’s hottest titles - at least for Japan. Maybe we can see more of LittleBigPlanet as soon as the recall controversy dies down, but hats off to GTA for another great title.
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- NPD, Chart Track, Enterbrain combined global report: GTA4 on top, Wii games follow
A kick to the shin: PES 2009 overthrows FIFA 09 from Chart Track UK top spot
The latest software sales figures from Chart Track UK are in. FIFA 09 bids farewell to their two-week crown to make way for another football game on the top spot, Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
Also for week ending October 18, Saints Row 2 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 clobbers it way to the third spot on its first week, while fellow debuting title, BioShock (PS3), struggles for air, entering the charts as number 14.
Via press release, here are the Chart Track UK’s All Formats Top 20 for week ending October 18:
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
- FIFA 09
- Saints Row 2
- Lego Batman: The Video Game
- Wii Fit
- Mario Kart Wii
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- Wii Play
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09
- Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
- Carnival: Funfair Games
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Family Trainer
- BioShock
- Big Beach Sports
- Halo 3
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Ben 10: Protector of Earth
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- Chart Track UK software: FIFA 09 scores a goal, week ending Oct 4
PlayStation brings home the bacon, Sony responds to NPD results
The PlayStation brand continues to bring home the bacon as it earns US 379 million just last September and a total of US 4.03 billion since January of this year, representing an increase of 20 year-over-year.
The PS3 sold 232,408 units in September and experienced a massive 94 increase year-over-year. PS3 software did even better, selling 1.72 million units with a 130 year-over-year growth. The PSP also continues to do well, with 238,056 units sold in the same month.
Even the PS2 is still in on the action, selling 173,527 units and posting a 20 growth from last month. As of September 2008, a whopping 42.9 million PS2s have been sold in the US alone.
Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, has this to say:
“We remain confident that our footing is solid as we enter the holiday season this year. Our new 80GB PS3 model has made its way to retail shelves and into consumers living rooms as the best value for both their gaming and entertainment needs. If the impressive pre-sale numbers and ratings for LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM: Confrontation, and Resistance 2 are any indication, we anticipate hardware and software sales to continue to lift in October as we officially kick off the broadest and deepest software line-up this holiday, including LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM: Confrontation, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift and NBA 09: The Inside.”
It looks like Sony is expecting to see PlayStation in everyone’s Christmas list - I know it’s in mine! With hot titles coming out in the coming months, they’re probably right. Time to save up.
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