Activision Reports $2.90 Billion Year

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 4:11 pm


Publisher Activision today released its financial figures for the 2008 fiscal year ending March 31, revealing whopping net revenues of $2.90 billion, up from $1.51 billion the previous year.

Reporting $602.5 million in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008, Activision attributed the results to “strong market conditions” and the ongoing success of multi-platform software hits Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. For comparison’s sake, the company made $312.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year.

In terms of future outlook, Activision’s first quarter of fiscal 2009, which runs through April 1 to June 30, will see the release of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, Kung Fu Panda, Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

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PlayStation Store Update Thursday

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 2:40 pm


This week’s PlayStation Store update is packed to the brim with a staggering amount of add-on content and game demos. First up is the Encore expansion pack to PixelJunk Monsters, which adds 15 levels on an all-new map entitled “Toki Island.” Also available now on the add-on content front are three new Rock Back song tracks and the recently-announced Muse track pack for Activision’s Guitar Hero III.

In terms of freely available content, this week brings the four player co-op enabled Haze demo to the North America PSN, along with playable demos for The Bourne Conspiracy, Race Driver: GRID, and PSP title SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2.

For the full list of this week’s content, look past the break.

read more »

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Bizarre Creations Finished With PGR 4 DLC

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 1:37 pm


In a post on the company’s official message board, Bizarre Creations’ community manager Ben Ward confirmed that they won’t be releasing additional downloadable content for Xbox 360 title Project Gotham Racing 4.

“Sorry but you won’t see any more PGR4 DLC from Bizarre Creations,” said Ward. He added, “It’s possible that [Microsoft] may create some more content in the future, but we haven’t heard of anything in the pipeline I’m afraid.”

WILL THERE BE ANY MORE DLC FOR PGR4 [Bizarre Creations]

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ESRB Watch: Suikoden Rated For PSN

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 12:51 pm


The rare and memorable first installment in Konami’s long-running Suikoden RPG series may make an appearance on PSN in the near future, according to the ESRB. A search on the ESRB’s always-handy website reveals that the title was recently given an E rating for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.

However, at the snail-paced rate that Sony is adding PSOne classics to the store, it could be awhile before we see it. Regardless, we’ll cross our fingers for an imminent release.

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Reeves: Home Delayed Due To Non Gaming Focus

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 11:58 am


So, why was PlayStation Home delayed? Sure, we know Sony desperately needed more time to improve the service, but that’s a rather vague reason. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss David Reeves has elaborated on why they chose to delay Home, revealing that the decision was made due to a lack of focus towards gamers, and more of a focus towards advertisers and sponsors.

We’ve realized that maybe we were too ambitious with the non-gaming applications within Home, getting sponsors and stuff like that.

In that sense we were deserting gamers. So, we’re concentrating on the gaming by launching games in Home, and attracting people who are into gaming in first - instead of the Nike people, or Adidas people who are into fashion and not necessarily into gaming.

It’s okay Reeves! Everyone makes mistakes. And at least you are being honest about it. Barring any last minute delays, the Home open beta is set to launch this fall.

Reeves: Home was too ambitious [CVG]

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The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Confirmed

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 11:07 am


Electronic Arts today confirmed that Lord of the Rings: Conquest is in development at Pandemic Studios, the LA-based studio responsible for crafting the popular Star Wars Battlefront series.

According to an early preview over at IGN, the game will feature massive battlefields that allow up to 150 characters on-screen. Players will be able to assume the role of a number of characters from the series in the main campaign, which features support four player co-op via online and split-screen. Additionally, the online multiplayer component will allow up to 16 players to wage war amongst each other.

Conquest is scheduled for a release this fall on Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3. A handheld version on the Nintendo DS is also planned, although specifics were not disclosed.

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Sierra Announces The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor

Posted by x3sphere at May 8, 2008, 10:11 am


Sierra Entertainment today announced the development of third-person action adventure title The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Developed by Eurocom Studios and based on the forthcoming live-action film, players will assume the role of adventurer Rick O’Connell and his son, Alex.

The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor is slated to hit shelves July 22 on the Wii, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS. A European release will follow on August 8.

read more »

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PSP Filer 5.0

Posted by x3sphere at May 7, 2008, 9:40 pm


Homebrew developer Mediumgauge has released an update to PSP Filer, a powerful yet easy-to-use file management application designed specifically for the PSP. By using PSP Filer, users can easily edit, copy, delete, and transfer files on the memory stick and flash memory.

In addition to a couple bug-related fixes, version 5.0 adds full support for the Greek language set. As usual, the complete changelog can be found below.

* added Greek mode.
* fixed a bug that Filer was crashed when it opened some kind of RAR file (probably having a comment).
* fixed a bug that a zipped file made by Mac OS could not be accessed.

Download PSP Filer 5.0

Release Thread

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Wipeout Pulse, Daxter Ports Hit PS2 This Summer

Posted by x3sphere at May 7, 2008, 6:29 pm


Joining the ever-expanding catalog of PSP to PS2 ports this summer will be Wipeout Pulse and Daxter, according to a report from French-based site JeuxVideo. The titles are slated for a European release on September 3 and July 25, respectively.

No word on if the ports will be making their way stateside as of yet. However, such a move would be far from unprecedented.

Wipeout Pulse Daxten annoncés et sur PS2 [JeuxVideo]

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WiiFit Pre-Orders Selling Out Across Retailers Nationwide

Posted by x3sphere at May 7, 2008, 4:55 pm


Just like Europe before it, Nintendo’s acrobatic exercise game WiiFit is gearing up to be a massive hit in the states. Pre-orders of the title have sold out across GameStop brick and mortar outlets nationwide, according to multiple reports. Additionally, the retailer’s web site lists WiiFit as “not for sale.”

GameStop isn’t the only retailer seeing a vast number of WiiFit pre-orders. A quick trip to online retail giant Amazon reveals that the title is out of stock. The company says it is “actively seeking” more of the product from its suppliers.

It’s worth pointing out that Best Buy and Wal-Mart are still accepting pre-orders for WiiFit, however. As revealed last week, Wal-Mart is offering a $10 gift card with the pre-purchase of the title, so that’s probably your best bet as of now.

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