New DS to come out later this year in Japan, no US release date confirmed

Posted under Mr B4, Nintendo, Rumor Control, Websites, XBL Radio

What is up everybody at PN and XBL Radio, B4 here to give you the latest news as to what is going on in the gaming community. Today I actually have a news story for you from the world of Nintendo, so let us get right to it.

According to an article in which I found on the site gamesindustry.biz, which acquired this information from Nikkei Net, a new version of the DS that focuses on multimedia capabilities is set to release sometime this year in Japan.

Here are some of the new features that it will have:

1. Built in camera

2. Music playback capabilities

3. Improved wireless functions (not sure what this means, maybe better wi-fi support?)

4. Larger screens

I know it might seem like these new features are not all that special at first glance. If you take some time to think about it however, some of them might give a few titles that support wi-fi on the DS an even better chance, for the people who play them, to be more interactive with other people who play Nintendo games online.

Camera support could allow to import your face into a game, music playback might allow you to add your own soundtrack to a game, the possibilities are endless.

Now no pricing detail, or release date of the US version of this new system have been released yet, but it is said to cost JPY 20,000 in Japan, and will be releasing over there later this year.

When more details about this new version of the DS come out, I will let you know, until then, this is all I have to give you.

Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off

Take Care,

MrB4

Link to article: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/new-multimedia-ds-due-from-nintendo-this-year-report

80 GB PS3 out, 120-160 GB PS3 with Dual shock 3 in!

Posted under Mr B4, PS3, PSHRadio, PSP, Podcast, Rumor Control, Sony, Tech News, Websites, XBL Radio

Hey whats up gamers, it is Mr B4 here with the latest news as to what is going on in the gaming community. I got some news this week about a system that i never usually talk about it, the PS3.

Apparently, the rumors about the 80 GB PS3 being phased out at BestBuy are true. After speaking with Sony about the discontinuing of the 80 GB PS3, a source from arstechnica.com had a conversation with an unnamed person from sony found out some interesting information. First and foremost, Sony will be sticking with two SKUs from now on. Read below to find out the rest.

Here is the conversation in its entirety:

“Sony is, in fact, phasing out the 80GB PS3. Sony is going to stay with the two-SKU approach though, and the prices look to stay the same,” the mole told me. I heard sirens in the background, and the mole seemed nervous. “The Spiderman 3 pack-in will disappear as well once the 80GB unit is gone. In order to maintain a similar value proposition to the 80GB/Spiderman 3 bundle, I expect to see a storage increase to 120 or 160GB at the same price point, plus the new Dual-Shock 3 controller… what are you trying to accomplish with this story?”

“I’m just trying to get to the bottom of Sony’s plans for their hardware so my readers can decide whether or not they should buy now, or hold off. But I’m only one man,” I say.

“Now we’re two,” the mole whispers, and when I look around in surprise… my informant was already gone.

There you have it gamers, an anonymous rumor from an anonymous source who works for Sony, very vague and very bleak, so keep your eye out for this on your own, since nothing is set in stone as of right now. I own a PS2 as of right now, and if Sony offers this bundle at the same price as the 80 GB model, with the newer controller included, and much more hard drive space for my games, I might consider picking this version up. If you do not own a PS3 yet, and are thinking of getting one, wait for this version to come out, because this one could possibly be the best bang for your buck.

Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off

Take Care,

B4

Link to Story- http://news.filefront.com/rumor-80gb-ps3-out-120-%e2%80%93-160gb-in-with-dual-shock-3/

P.S.- If you get this system with the new controller, you might be just as awesome as Mr. Moneybags himself, Mr. Chiahippo.

The Duke is Back, Maybe?

Posted under 360, Game Releases, Games, Microsoft, Mr B4, Rumor Control, Tech News, Video, Websites, XBL Radio, Xbox 360

Whats up everybody, B4 here again with something I wanted to share with all of you. After checking out some video game sites the other day, I came across a teaser trailer for possibly the next game in the Duke Nukem Series, Duke Nukem:Forever.

Personally, I have been a fan of this series since Duke Nukem 64 came out, simply because of the attitude and originality that was brought to these games by the developers at 3D Realms. Going to strip clubs, smoking cigars, watching dirty movies, and delivering cheesy one-liners were what made Duke great, and the fun and exciting gameplay didnt hurt either. Granted it sometimes felt like Doom on steroids, but it was still fun to play.

The reason I am saying all of this is because after looking at the video, I got that same feeling of excitement once again. I was disappointed however that there was no gameplay shown in the video, especially since the game is taking “forever” to be made, you think there would be more footage of the game at this point,but there isn’t. Check out the video for yourselves and make the call, should we get more from a teaser trailer, or is this enough for now until another trailer comes out?

Here is the Video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWuteFLUPSY[/youtube]

Please share your opinion if you are a fan of the series as to how you feel about this video because i am kind of curious as to what all of you think.

Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off,

Take Care,

B4

You can’t give a bad review. YOUR FIRED!!!!!

Posted under Games, Mr B4, Review, Rumor Control, Tech News

I am not sure if all of you have heard this story yet, but I am sure some of you have, so I well tell you anyway.

As some of you may know, an editor at Gamespot by the name of Jeff Gerstmann was recently fired from the company, suppossedly because of a negative review he gave of the game “Kane & Lynch: Dead Men” by Eidos. The review was posted on Nov. 13th, 2007, and has just recently been pulled from the site. Apparently Gerstmann called it an “ugly game not worth a purchase”, and gave it a score of 6 out of 10. The advertising spread was also pulled for the game just hours after Gerstmann was fired.

Now there have been a number of excuses as to why he was fired. Some say that it was just a cause of bad timing, and that Gamespot was already unhappy with him as a reviewer, saying that his Kane & Lynch review just pushed the management over the edge and was the reason why they fired him. There is also talk as to the amount of pressure there is to appease game makers, and the amount of money they spent advertising by inflating scores so that sales will go up, which in return makes alot of money for their company. The guess would be that Gerstmann gave his honest opinion about the game instead of doing what he was told to do, and was fired because he did not make money for the game developers and his company.

Whatever the reason is, I do not see how a reviewer could get fired based on a review like this. I took a look at the video, and the only thing Gerstmann was doing, in my opinion, was giving an honest review about a game in which he thought sucked the big one. So if you pull someone from a site simply because he is telling people not to buy a game your advertising, then the site itself should simply not review anymore games if they do not want somebody to give their honest opinions about them.

Anyways, I have blabbed on too much as it is, take a look at the review, and judge for yourselves:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FuJ81sDR2o[/youtube]

Until next time games, this is B4 signing off
Take Care,
B4

Link to Story: http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/view.php?id=3466

Dashboard Update List- Worth it or not?

Posted under Microsoft, Mr B4, Rumor Control, Tech News, Xbox 360

Hey whats up gamers, its B4 here with your latest update as to whats going on in the gaming world. I found something on xbox360rally.com the other day that I wanted to share with all of you. Apparently, someone by the name of “Post Up” in the Xbox forums has posted the list for what is going to be coming to us Xbox owners in the forecoming Fall Dashboard Update.

Here is the list so you can judge for yourself if this update is really worth it or not:

Compatibility with 3rd party wireless controllers

Compatibility with messenger pad

Xbox Live Vision firmware upgrade, sharper image filtering

Many more Vision Cam settings

New screensaver settings - when away from Xbox 360, screensaver will play for optional time, before screen goes dark

New Xbox Live Arcade blade - where you can download, play and learn about Xbox Live Arcade

Brand new “web based adver-games” flash games which aren’t downloaded, but are playable bite sized games, accessed via new Xbox Live Arcade Blade

New Screensaver option in Themes and Gamer Pics option in Marketplace blade

New functionality with Messenger, works with chatpad

New XNA Game Launcher for those that have the program, new options

New language, time and date settings

New “advertising opportunities” in gameplay

Xvid support

New “favourites” option via Xbox Live Arcade, can rate according to preference

IPTV Functionality - support for TiVo like PVR options. Will be able to record TV direct. Options include source by channel, director, actor and distributor

Filter friends list, will be able to filter friends via games

New clan support - will be able to launch clan games direct from dashboard, can “fold” friends into new clan category in friends list

Better translations in settings and other options for Japanese, German and Spanish languages

New quick option to delete via X Button in memory viewer.

Option for having downloadable In-game content not inform when completed download

Option for having video content not inform when completed download

Faster settings for viewing unfinished video content downloads

New option in Games tab - beta and others, will be launcher for MMO and multiplayer betas

New option in Marketplace Games tab, search by letter, can be inputted via text pad or console

Smarter game settings - you can be messaged via publishers about new in-game content for your games

Picture in picture functionality for DVD Drive and some other updated settings

Improved USB Keyboard settings

Improved voice chat settings in game and from dashboard

Faster response times to Redeem Code settings

Option to play a Redeemed Code game straight after redeeming code

Console will now recognise low Hard Drive space, will inform you immediately if can’t download current item, will automatically download next available that is able.

Increased space size for gamerpics and dashboard themes

Themes can now be animated

Themes may now have sound effects

Better slideshow capabilities, new options added. New sound effects and integration with Hard Drive/ PC music capable.

New estimated timer for downloads, informing how long download will expect to take

After taking a look at list, do you think this update was really necessary, or is it just MS throwing stuff we do not need at us just so they can do some advertising for themselves. I personally think that even though some of this stuff is cool, especially with the new clan feature and XNA Game launcher support, most of this update is not really anything too exciting or new to me.

So I guess that only leaves me with one question to ask all of you about this Dashboard Update, is it worth it or not? I will leave that for all of you to decide.

Until next time my friends, this is B4 signing off
Take Care,
B4

Article link: http://www.xbox360rally.com/fall-dashboard-update-list-leaked/

No More $50-$60 games? Lets hope so.

Posted under Interview, Mr B4, Rumor Control, Tech News

Could this be true, well, according to one person this has to happen, or else the entire gaming industry will suffer.

During an interview, the CEO of EA (John Riccitiello), had this to say about the prices of video games as he tells Fortune magazine this past Wednesday:

“In the next five years, we’re all going to have to deal with different pricing models“, Riccitiello Said. Then he said “In China, they’re giving games away for free. People who benefit from the current model will need to embrace a new revenue model, or wait for others to disrupt.” He also stated that EA will experiment with different pricing models over the next decade, with things such as Online Advertising, in an effort to remain competitive in a changing game landscape.

As being the gamers that we are, I want to ask you a couple of questions about this:

Do you agree with what Riccitiello said, that something has to be done, or else the entire industry will suffer, or do you think things are just fine as they are?

Will the idea that he has actually work, and will he actually go through with it, or is it just some bs we are being fed by a CEO to make us feel better as gamers, and to make him look good in the public eye?

Either way, no matter what he says, we as gamers need our games to not only be affordable, but to also be of good quality. With the amount of money it takes to make a decent game these days, this is a hard thing to do. If gamers deserve the best though, shouldnt we get the best for what we can afford? Just something to think about my fellow members of the nation.

Until next time, this is B4 signing off.
Take care,
B4

Will Bungie say game over to Microsoft?

Posted under Microsoft, Rumor Control, TOG

A friend of a friend told a friend that his friend said he has a friend that works at Bungie and that they were going to part ways with Microsoft.

Well, something like that.

Over at 8BitJoystick. com there’s a post by Jake stating a friend of his that works at Bungie sent him an “internal” email saying that Bungie will no longer be under the thumb of MS and that with in the next day or two you will have an announcement from MS & Bungie.

Today I called both MS and Bungie and both pretty much told me that they knew nothing of the matter and had no other comment.

Click here to read full post at 8bit

And then there were 4!

Posted under PS3, Rumor Control, TOG

Will a new PS3 hit the stores this year? I have learned some information that might prove it true.

Early this month, we recently discovered the FCC filing Sony made with in its PS3 models. Now there’s a new advertisement spot for five free Blu-Ray movies on BluraySavings.com. To get the 5 free Blu-Ray movies you have to buy 1 of the 18 qualifying Blu-Ray disc player models.

The PS3 as of now only has 3 models but in this ad it shows a list of FOUR model numbers for the PS3 the CECHA01, CECH01, CECH0198137 (80 GB), & CECHG01. So will we see a new version for the Holiday season?

Microsoft Planning to Nickel & Dime for Faster Xbox Live Downloads

Posted under Rumor Control, Rusty Ranchero, Xbox Live

“Would you consider buying a service that allows downloading Xbox LIVE Marketplace content faster than your current experience?”, asks question six.

If you subscribe to the Xbox Flash Newsletter, the latest issue (9-18-2007) will invite you to take a survey to “Let [them] know how you feel about Xbox LIVE Marketplace*.” First, commendation goes to MS for being very sharp about the agenda of the servey. There is no beating around the bush or any masks behind the questions at all. Now with that said, shall we continue?

The final two inquiries of the survey blatantly ask “How much” would you spend, either for a monthly subscription (from $2-or-less to $4-or-more) or a per-download use (from 10 cents to 25 cents)? Taking note that there is no option for zero dollars and zero cents. Now at this point, am I really the only one asking, “shouldn’t this be free?” And who in their right mind would pick the more expensive answers in this survey?

“But Rusty, we live in a democracy where free trade and capitalism is not regulated. Businesses and corporations have the right to charge whatever they want for any porducts and services they offer. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.” Thank you. You are very educated.

I’m saying consumers have a voice and the Xbox Live Team asked to hear our voices by publishing this questionnaire and then sending out an email asking gamers to take the survey. Please let me help spread the word. I encourage everyone who may have recieved the latest Xbox Flash email to take the survey. Let them hear your voice by clicking your mouse. That’s all. And you know, some surveys ask for comments and feedback right before you hit the submit button; this one does not.

New 360 SKU in the UK?

Posted under Microsoft, Racingfreak92, Rumor Control, Xbox 360

A blockbuster employee in the UK, who at this time has requested not to be named, has reported that a new Xbox 360 SKU has been listed in their computer system. This new SKU, titled “Xb360-console (20G) (b4j-00110)” is still listed alongside the original Premium system which has been changed to the “xb360-console (20G) (b4j-00004)”. A google search for “b4j-oooo4″ does come up with results for the Premium, while a google search for “b4j-00110″ comes up with nothing. The rumored “Just Play” SKU is supposed to have a memory card so this new SKU could either be the Premium’s with the HDMI port included or a completely different SKU.