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We’ve all seen Sony file a request with the FCC to change the Bluetooth module in the PS3, along with a higher capacity 80-GB hard drive last month. With Sony pulling the 20G model from shelves worldwide, it looks like the new 80G model is all set to replace the 60G model at the top of the PlayStation franchise.

While we just get breast enhancement ads in our inbox, Kotaku’s Michael McWhertor gets a nice little picture showing him a PS3 bearing a new model number (98004) and a larger 80-GB hard drive. Obviously, as Sony indicated to the FCC earlier, all that has changed is the Bluetooth module and the addition of the larger capacity HDD. While the image certainly doesn’t look fake, and we all know how Sony is planning an upgrade to the PS3, we can’t say for certain that this is indeed “not bogus”. Gotta admire Sony’s market plan though. Hey, not a lot of people are buying the lower priced versions so let’s just add more HDD space and charge people some more, just like Microsoft. Maybe then someone will grow a heart and try parting with a measly $600!

via [Kotaku]

We’ve all heard about how “convergence” is what will drive future technology. And it looks like we may be closer to that idea than most imagined. A new Xbox could be coming our way as a patent reveals (rather complicatedly) some of the features that could be available on the next generation of a Microsoft console. Although it cites Xbox as an example of how the patent describes a “gaming device”, it’s not completely clear if that is what the patent is for:

“A gaming system including handheld devices and console devices has variable functionality and processing performance as determined by the number of components in the system. Gaming components can be combined wirelessly, by wired connections (e.g., via a docking station), or a combination thereof. The processing capabilities and functionality of each gaming component in a combination are augmented by the processing capabilities and functionality of other gaming components in the combination. To take advantage of another gaming components processing capabilities and memory capacity, each gaming component is capable of utilizing another gaming component to process gaming applications. Further, each gaming component is capable of rendering audio and/or video information provided by another gaming component.”

The rise of the ultimate home entertainment device is here! Expect to see errors across all your Windows devices, from phones, to consoles, your MP3 players, PCs and even your car, if it will tie in to the system! Looks like Microsoft is already hard at work creating the successor to the Xbox 360, considering it’s market life of about five years! One thing’s for sure though, that patent’s probably got the largest use of the word “gaming” in all that have ever been filed. I wonder whether the next generation of the Microsoft console could “lend” its processing power to an Xbox Portable Gaming device, at least that would somehow allow me to play Fable on a handheld. Boy, how I would like something like that…

via [UnwiredView]

1. Nariko is dying.

The Heavenly Sword is a godly weapon that recently fell into the mortal realm. Because only gods can wield the Heavenly Sword without ill effects, Nariko is succumbing to its poisonous effects and has only hours to live when the game opens. In gameplay, your life meter is constantly depleting and can only be sustained through constant combat. This helps keep the focus on swordplay and not frustrating puzzles or platform-jumping exercises.

2. The head baddy is named King Botham.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about him aside from the fact that Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis (Gollum) is supplying motion-captured acting and facial expressions. His character is described as an invading, genocidal tyrant, but little else is known about his role or personality.

3. Nariko has three fighting stances.

With a press of a button, Nariko can swap between three core fighting styles. Ranged style allows Nariko to assault foes from a distance, though it lacks stopping power; Speed gives Nariko two short-swords for close-quarters combat but won’t defeat the toughest enemies; and Power style creates one massive sword than inflicts monumental damage, though it suffers from a slow swing time. Knowing when to swap between Nariko’s styles will be a key element in the final game.

4. The Cell processor pulls off some fancy tricks.

Heavenly Sword may just be the game to show what Sony’s high-end Cell CPU is made of. According to our talks with the developers at Ninja Theory, the Cell’s supposedly prodigious processing power enables some high-end effects, such as swirling cloth and hair, dazzling particle effects, and gorgeous waterfalls.

(more…)

It seems viral websites are all the rage here in gaming land. In a new and unique way of viral advertising, the development team working on Project Offset have unveiled it’s newest website.

http://www.projectoffset.com/astormiscoming/

This is the link to what at first appears to be a small image with a loading bar underneath it. But after a few moments of the screen being loaded, you will begin to notice that the bar isn’t moving. Well, if you thought that, you’d only be half right. This page is, in fact, being “loaded” by unique hits.

The bar on the bottom of the screen is a progress bar, which keeps track of how many unique visitors come to the site. Once the magic number of people have clicked on the aforementioned link, something is going to happen. As to what that something is, no one but the developers seem to know. Hopefully we’ll get a firm announcement of story line or platform, or if we’re really lucky, a trailer of the game.

Now for those of you who want to “cheat” the system by click refresh in your web browser, you can forget about it. The page tracks unique IP addresses, meaning that to get it to load up faster, the only thing you can do is spread the word.

Update: Two images have been unveiled as of yet, and it looks like with each fill of the progress bar, another image is revealed. We’re gonna have to wait a really, really long time to get more out of this site. Why do I get the feeling that a lot of people are just going to get bored if nothing starts happening on the site soon?

Looks like Aiman was wrong, and it’s, very, very sadly, not God of War: Chupaqabra of Death or Chu Chu Kingdom! If you’ve had nothing better to do in your miserable life than to stare at the new countdown timer on the Island of Rhodes site each day, like us, then you’d see that a significant portion of the new name has now been revealed. And considering how there’s very little space left in the frame and just one large character left, we are betting our lives and using our really sharp, blazing fast brains to deduce that the new game/mode will be titled: God of War: Chains of Olympus. Actually, we have a life, so we just leeched this news off the poor sucker that actually managed to complete all the tile puzzles, the Roman number puzzles and then got to this picture. We don’t know about you, but we are definitely betting all that’s left of our hard earned money that Chains of Olympus is definitely either an announcement on Ready At Dawn’s port of God of War on the PSP or a new locked blade upgrade in God of War 2 that can be unlocked somehow, considering SCEA had said that the site is for God of War puritans and bears the PS2 logo all over the place. Either which way, we’re cleaning the freshly dried blood off our blades for the upcoming battle, errr, announcement.

Amazing how a lot of people already predicted that the annoucement would be called Chains of Olympus, even before the word “Chains” could be fully unveiled…

Update: The game has now been officially unveiled. For more info on the game, the trailer and the free demo UMD, head on over here.

Finally, the news that everyone knew was coming. Fans who have been itching to return to the spooky hollow of Konami’s Silent Hill after Silent Hill 4: The Room will be happy to know that the next version of the game is now confirmed to be coming to the next generation consoles including the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. While there’s no news at this time on whether the sequel will be heading to the PC or the Wii, Silent Hill composer and the director of the last game, Akira Yamaoka, speaking to GamePro Magazine about the game, said that it will hark a return to Silent Hill 2’s direction style and character behavior. Now we’re sure a lot of people are taking a huge breath of relief because Silent Hill 4 is considered to be the least shocking game in the entire series and news on an upcoming PSP prequel to the series, tentatively titled Origins, which drops the slow, creepy movement of the console games for a new control and camera system, was received with much skepticism.

Silent Hill 5 is rumored to explode onto next generation platforms sometime next year, but considering how Silent Hill: Origins was supposed to be released Winter 2006, we’re not really sure when we can really expect to enjoy an eerie midnight romp through the ghost town, but you can bet your bottom that we’ll be packing tons of heart medication when we do.

Read the full transcript of the interview with Akira Yamaoka >> 

via [Games Radar]

It seems another viral site from our friends at Ubisoft has just sprung up,this time it’s for the once-dubbed “Crysis killer”, HAZE. The website www.mantelglobalindustries.com has a video of the person we see in the trailer (now identified as Mr. David Bloomfield) speaking about how Mantel Corp. has changed the way of life and a lot of PR bullplop how the company is making a difference. On the left hand side we see various clickeys, and while the product page is restricted, you can take a look at what Mantel is all about. One interesting information I got was about “NECTAR”.

Excerpts from the site:

A zoom on Mantel’s best: the Nectar. From the groundbreaking researchers who brought you the Endone (200,000,000 pills sold each month) and the Aracmen revolution, comes Mantel Health’s latest medical innovation: the Nova-Keto-Thyrazine - also called NECTAR. The result of more than ten years of the most advanced research in both human therapeutic antibodies and neuronal genetic engineering, the Nectar was originally conceived as a support treatment for Mantel Military’s field employees: “Join the team!” A closely kept secret, its formula allows better recovery from both physical and mental efforts on the field. In addition, it regulates the adrenaline rush that has previously led to tragic accidents (amongst which the infamous “Blue on Blue”), thus ensuring our boys stay 200 percent focused on their mission and objective. The military-grade version of NECTAR is of course strictly regulated and only used on-field after a thorough medical exam of each field operative. At Mantel, we are aware that life can be a daily battle. Feeling depressed, overwhelmed by having to juggle your job, the kids, errands, your social life? We have the solution: direct from Mantel Health, we are proud to introduce the public version of NECTAR. Already more than 150 million people around the world use it everyday. You too can regain control of your life, starting today! Simply contact your nearest local Mantel Health or Mantel Care retailer, who will be more than happy to guide you.

Mantel Health has also created a brand new vitamin- and protein-rich beverage in order for kids to take full advantage of NECTAR’s benefits in complete safety. Ask for Nectar-In at your nearest retailer to make your children both happier and saner! Nectar-In is also delivered free to all participating schools as part of the Children Priority Mission Nutrition Program. Ask your children’s school’s parental committee or your nearest Mantel Care or Mantel Health retailer directly, who will be more than happy to guide you.

Hmm, theraputic antibodies and neuronal genetic enginnering. Oh yeah. some real bad shit is gonna hit the fan here!!