Sony reveals PS3 online plans
Gamers who buy next-generation console PlayStation 3 will be able to download a selection of games from the first two Sony consoles, the company announced last week at a Gamers Day event in San Francisco. Similar to Microsoft's Xbox Live, PS3 owners will be able to purchase new and cheap arcade games.
Games will be sold on the PS3's online service using real-world money instead of the points system used for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. The PS3 service will not feature an achievement system like that on Xbox Live.
Sony also revealed more info about the PS3's controller, Sixaxis. The device's motion-sensing capabilities will be built into several of the 21 launch titles, including "Tony Hawk's Project 8," "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" and "NBA 2K7." Sixaxis controllers will sell for $49.99 each, but one is included with the system.
Studios back out of "Halo" film
Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox may have backed out of a co-financing deal for the Peter Jackson-produced "Halo" movie, Variety reported last week.
Concerns over the $10 million script price tag and $75 million projected budget may have soured the studios to the movie, which is based on the bestselling Xbox video game series of the same name. Movie executives may also have been worried about amateur director Neil Blomkamp taking the reins.
The studios planned to send the film to theatres next summer. Microsoft reps told Gamespot.com that the project is still moving forward, and that Peter Jackson is still attached.
"Gears of War" too violent for Germany
German rating board Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) has refused to rate highly anticipated Xbox 360 shooter "Gears of War" due to violent content.
When the USK refused to rate zombie-smasher "Dead Rising" this summer, hungry German gamers were forced to import the title from foreign markets. Many consider "Gears of War" to be Microsoft's ace card for the holiday season, so the decision will likely hurt Germany's 360 sales.
In the United States, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board rated the game "M for Mature." "Gears of War" will blitz stores on Nov. 7.
Xbox Live hits population milestone
Hot on the heels of the U.S. Census Bureau's announcement that there are 300 million Americans, Microsoft revealed 4 million are playing on its online gaming service Xbox Live. Gamer time on Xbox Live is more than 2 billion hours.
Xbox Live will turn four years old next month. An update to the Xbox 360 dashboard is expected to coincide with the anniversary.
