NewsFactor - A milestone in the world of computer games was reached Wednesday. Electronic Arts announced that it has sold 100 million copies of The Sims franchise, one of the most famous game brands in the world.
Reuters - They are two ends of the video game spectrum: the tiny, personal-sized casual game on one end and, on the other, the complex, massive multiplayer online game (MMOG) which can support thousands of players simultaneously. Rarely, if ever, do the twain meet. Until now.
Reuters - A judge has dismissed several claims accusing Take-Two Interactive Software Inc of misleading shareholders about an installment of its popular “Grant Theft Auto” video game that contained hidden sex scenes and caused a consumer uproar.
Reuters - Microsoft Corp said on Thursday it sold 262,000 Xbox 360 game consoles in the United States in March, regaining its lead over Sony Corp’s (6758.T) PlayStation 3 as supply constraints eased.
AP - Shareholders of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. easily passed a proposal Thursday to grant ZelnickMedia, the company’s management, 1.5 million shares of restricted stock.
According to the latest software chart data from Media Create, Mario Kart Wii has reached 594,000 sales in its first week, putting it straight in at number one. Second is Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP) with 220,000 units brining its tally to 1,590,000 since its launch. The rest of the chart is as follows: Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin (PS2) 56,000, Wii Fit 31,000, Tottadoo! Yoiko no Mujintou Seikatsu (NDS) 26,000, Pro Yakyuu Spirits 5 (PS2) 22,000, Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP) 18,000, Deca Sporta: Wii de Sports 10 Shumoku! (Wii), Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) 14,000.
Enterbrain has rubbished reports that claimed president Hirakazu Hamamura said a new DS would be unveiled at E3. Hamamura has said that he doesn\’t believe a new DS model or a successor to DS was on the cards as the DS is currently in scarce availability caused by its huge popularity worldwide.
ThreeSpeech has posted a huge Q&A on SingStar Vol 2. A question many were asking was whether all the tracks from SingStar Vol 1 & 2 be downloadable from SingStore. Sony say that they \”are working hard at clearing tracks for the SingStore and will continue to clear as many tracks as quickly as possible. When Vol 2 is released a number of tracks from the disc-based product will also be available to buy in the SingStore.\” They also said that the new Harmony mode will also be available to owners of the first SingStar blu-ray disc with a free upgrade via the PSN.
European PS3 owners are giving SCEE a piece of their mind over at the official EU Playstation forums on a quickly growing thread called \”SCEE - a track record of laziness and incompetence.\” It seems Europeans are tired of Sony\’s excuses and want a service equal to that provided by SCEA. They are also upset by comments by Sony executive VP Jamie MacDonal that said \”European consumers have shown that historically they don\’t mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan.\”
This weeks Playstation Store update includes: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue ($39.99), Warhawk Broken Mirror Pack ($7.99), Warhawk Booster Combo ($11.99), Rock Band Harmonix Pack 1 ($2.99)/Classic Rock Pack 1 ($5.49).
Criterion have announced that Burnout Paradise custom soundtracks will be coming to the PS3 as part of the Cagney software update. To play your own music while in Paradise City you will have to hit the Easydrive menu, select Soundtrack and hit Custom. This will bring up the XMB custom soundtracks page, where you can select what you\’ll play, whether you want to shuffle or repeat and group music.
Namco Bandai announced today that they have released a free update for TEKKEN 5: Dark Resurrection Online exclusively for the PS3. The new downloadable update brings a host of new features including: Pickup Match Mode, DUALSHOCK 3 rumble support, multiple bug fixes and more.
A student has created an interesting looking 3.5\” PS3 hard disk holder for a school project. The inspiration for the the project was that 3.5\” hard drives were a lot cheaper than 2.5\” equivalents.
Microsoft today announced that European sales have more than doubled in the wake of recent price cuts. Ms say upcoming releases of blockbuster games such as “Grand Theft Auto IV,” “Rock Band,” “Lego Indiana Jones” and “Ninja Gaiden 2,” will continue this momentum and give consumers even more reasons to buy Xbox 360.
According to a 100 % unofficial GTA IV special in a Future Publishing magazine, has said that GTA IV is set to completely redefine the idea with expansions that are to GTA IV what Vice City or San Andreas were GTA III. \”Yes, Rockstar is clearly hinting at new downloadable cities; and the chances of them being London, Vice City or SA again are slim to none. So that\’s new as in brand new. GTA IV\’s Liberty City is the beginning. Think about that and be excited.\”