Halo 3 tops UK charts, but GTA's still has record

FIFA 08 takes second, 360 sales double

Halo 3 has claimed the number one spot in the UK all-format charts, in a strong week for new releases.

However, it is not the fastest-selling game in UK history, as many had expected. According to Chart Track, that record still belongs to Rockstar's 2004 release Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, with Halo 3 second.

Chart Track also stated that Halo 3 had doubled sales of 360 hardware to the highest level this year.

EA Sports' multiformat football update, FIFA 08, entered the chart in second place behind Microsoft's Xbox 360 blockbuster. Last week's top two - Tiger Woods 08 and MySims - claimed fourth and third places respectively for EA.

Other new entries in the top 10 were Juiced 2 at 5, and Sega Rally at 7. EA's new skateboarding franchise Skate just missed out, debuting at number 11. Activision's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars also failed to make the top 10, entering at 16.

The remainder of places in the top 10 were taken by Nintendo (with More Brain Training, Super Paper Mario and Wii Play) and Activision's Transformers licence.

THQ's Ratatouille did not fare so well, entering the chart at 39. However, the Pixar film on which it is based has yet to be released in the UK.

As well as the 360 itself, there was one other notable beneficiary of the Halo effect: Microsoft's racing sim Forza Motorsport 2, which soared 22 places, from 35 to 13.

Microsoft responds to Bungie split rumours

Software giant denies any announcement

Microsoft has distanced itself from rumours that it will be relinquishing control of wholly-owned Halo developer Bungie, but stopped short of a categorical denial.

"There's been no such announcement," a spokesperson told Eurogamer.net. "We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3."

The claim came from a reader blog linked to the Seattle Post-Intelligence. The author claims to have heard from a friend with links inside Bungie that an announcement on the separation was imminent.

The author of the blog post, Jacob Metcalf, is not employed by the Seattle Post-Intelligence newspaper, which has consistently distanced itself from user-posted information in blogs.

The reasons cited for the split were Microsoft's expectation that Bungie dedicate itself to making further Halo games, and Bungie's frustration at Microsoft's interference in its practices.

However, in an interview with Edge magazine last year, Bungie executives stated their intention to expand the studio into multiple teams. This would allow it to develop new intellectual property alongside Halo.

The story suggests that Bungie will become an independent studio, and may continue to work for Microsoft as well as create games for other platforms. But it offers no explanation of the financial details of such a buyout - as it stands, Bungie is owned 100 per cent by Microsoft.

Source: Games Industry

Microsoft responds to Bungie split rumours

Software giant denies any announcement

Microsoft has distanced itself from rumours that it will be relinquishing control of wholly-owned Halo developer Bungie, but stopped short of a categorical denial.

"There's been no such announcement," a spokesperson told Eurogamer.net. "We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3."

The claim came from a reader blog linked to the Seattle Post-Intelligence. The author claims to have heard from a friend with links inside Bungie that an announcement on the separation was imminent.

The author of the blog post, Jacob Metcalf, is not employed by the Seattle Post-Intelligence newspaper, which has consistently distanced itself from user-posted information in blogs.

The reasons cited for the split were Microsoft's expectation that Bungie dedicate itself to making further Halo games, and Bungie's frustration at Microsoft's interference in its practices.

However, in an interview with Edge magazine last year, Bungie executives stated their intention to expand the studio into multiple teams. This would allow it to develop new intellectual property alongside Halo.

The story suggests that Bungie will become an independent studio, and may continue to work for Microsoft as well as create games for other platforms. But it offers no explanation of the financial details of such a buyout - as it stands, Bungie is owned 100 per cent by Microsoft.

Source: Games Industry

Guitar Hero 2007 Competition

Guitar Player's Guitar Hero 2007 Competition to Feature "Riff Off" Between Actual vs. Virtual Guitarist and Demos of Guitar Hero III

Ten finalists have been selected from among hundreds of entries posted on SonicBids.com to battle for the international title of “Guitar Hero” at Guitar Player’s Guitar Hero 2007 competition to be held Friday, October 12 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.

Activision, Microsoft and Digidesign are partnering to present the 3rd annual Guitar Player’s Guitar Hero competition. Activision produces the red-hot video game Guitar Hero and will be on hand with pre-launch demos of their new release, Guitar Hero III on Xbox XBox 360-outfitted kiosks on the show floor. The event will be webcast using Microsoft’s “Silverlight” medium on http://www.GuitarPlayer.com.

“This guitar gala brings together legendary musicians, aspiring guitarists, and phenomenally talented unknowns in an “American Idol-style competition ” for guitarists,” says Guitar Player Eeditor in Cchief Michael Molenda. “And for guitarist-gamers it’s an opportunity to experience the world’s best players live and in person!”

The premier premiere Guitar Player’s Guitar Hero competition was held in 2005 at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where New York’s Dominic Frasca was crowned with the Guitar Hero title. Last year’s champion was Trey Alexander of Pennsylvania.

The ten finalists – representing a wide range of guitar styles including Latin Shred, Rockabilly, Country and Rock – are: Jamie Robinson (Toronto, Ontario), Juan Coronado (Whitby, Ontario) Tony Smotherman (Jacksonville, Florida), Taka Minamino (Hollywood, CA ), Danny B. Harvey (Canyon County, CA), Curtis Fornadley (Playa Del Rey, CA), Casey Harshbarger (Indianapolis, Indiana), Ladd Smith (Nashville, Tennessee) , Les Robot (real name: Cory Melnychuk) (Edmonton, Alberta), and Chris Peters (Orlando, Florida).

All ten contestants receive an all expenses paid trip to San Francisco. The Winner, First Runner Up, and Second Runner Up of the event will receive custom trophies and gear packages from the event sponsors. The Winner will receive a Digidesign 003 Factory Pro Tools LE system (value: $2,495), a Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate software package, a Guitar Hero II XBox 360 bundle from Activision, an Epiphone Elitist Tak Matsumoto Signature Guitar With Hard Case AND an Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500RCCE Acoustic Guitar With Hard Gigbag, choice of a Mesa/Boogie Stiletto or Lone Star amp, a Jimi Hendrix Wah and MXR Distortion III guitar f/x pedal from Dunlop Manufacturing, and much more.

Celebrity judges including San Francisco’s legendary Joe Satriani, Toto axeman Steve Lukather, Elliot Easton of the Cars, prog-rock icon Greg Howe, Shrapnel Records’ Mike Varney, and a surprise guest willvirtuoso Nuno Bettencourt will evaluate each five-minute original performance and select the Winner and First and Second Runner-up finalists. Brendon Small, co-creator of Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse cartoon will emcee.

The contestants will perform with the house band Thud Ffactor, comprised of editors from music magazines Guitar Player, Bass Player and Keyboard.

Guitar Player’s Guitar Hero is sponsored by Activision, Digidesign, and Microsoft with additional sponsorship from Epiphone Guitars, Mesa/Boogie amps, Jodavi ZZYZX Snapjackk Cables, Dunlop Manufacturing, Moody Leather, Planet Waves, and Sonicbids. The competition takes place Friday, October 12, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA. Admission $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door. Tickets can be ordered online at www.gamh.com; www.tickets.com, or call 1-800-225-2277.

GuitarStar Goes Global With Player X

Player X Ready to Rock With Next-Gen GuitarStar

AdME today announced that award-winning mobile media company, Player X, will distribute its next-generation advertainment application, GuitarStar, worldwide. First released on the AT&T Wireless network, GuitarStar brings two new features to the mobile entertainment arena: beat-matching technology and unique advertising capabilities.

GuitarStar's revolutionary "beat-matching" technology synchronizes visual movements with the beat of the underlying musical soundtrack, allowing mobile gamers to "play by feel" rather than taking their cues solely from what they see.

But GuitarStar is not just a game. It also serves as a highly-versatile promotional platform, providing entertainment and consumer brands with an entirely new mobile medium to promote their products. GuitarStar currently includes emerging musical artists in the rock, pop and hip hop arenas.

Recently named the 4th fastest-growing venture-funded company in the U.K., Player X has been a leader in mobile content distribution since the inception of mobile data services and instrumental in the launch of some of the biggest mobile brands and games in the world. Today, the company champions a variety of media-led genres, including mobile music games and innovative mobile entertainment.

"Player X is extremely excited about partnering with AdME to bring this versatile new entertainment vehicle to a worldwide audience," said Tony Pearce, Player X CEO.

Peter Eggleston, AdME CEO added: "GuitarStar’s unique combination of gaming, music and branding capability makes it one of the most compelling mobile products available for both user and advertising communities alike.”

Xbox 360: The Official Xbox magazine gets new look

Changes at UK's bestselling videogames magazine

Future’s Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine unveils a cracking new look this month and gives gamers a real treat with an exclusive review of Halo 3 and a gigantic double-sided poster.

Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine has been given a comprehensive redesign as the UK’s best selling videogames magazine enters its third action-packed festive season.

The new look issue arrives at the same time as the launch of the long-awaited Halo 3, the final part in Microsoft’s record-breaking series. The team have been working hard to complete the game to bring OXM fans the first UK print review to hit the newsstands.

It’s all change for the magazine as editor Steve Brown leaves after two years. During his tenure he edited both PC Gamer and Future’s original Official Xbox title and will be still making appearances in OXM as he goes freelance.

“Future’s Group Senior Editor, Steve Jarratt will be taking the reins of the magazine until a full-time replacement is found. Jarratt has masterminded the redesign and brings an incredible range of experience to the project having been involved in the industry since Sonic was but a twinkle. He’s been responsible for some of the most iconic brands in the videogame magazine business including Edge and Total!”

Associate Publisher Emma Parkinson said:

“With Official Xbox Magazine about to spend its third Christmas in the market, we decided it was time for UK’s best-selling games magazine to get a new look. The console’s matured over this period, and we wanted to make sure that the magazine reflected this. Our readers have different demands now, especially since the range of games available is so vast, so the challenge was to meet the demands of these gamers while still ensuring that the magazine remains welcoming to people who have only just bought their 360, or who will be buying their first Xbox this Christmas.”

Also in issue 26 of OXM readers can read the verdict on Project Gotham Racing 4, Sega Rally and Virtua Fighter 4, check out a huge stack of previews and indulge in an eight-page open-world gaming feature looking at the shape of things to come. There are tips for Take 2’s masterpiece, Bioshock, a revamped news section and a packed disc that contains ten playable demos, loads of great trailers and previews and a special access code that unlocks Readers’ Only content on www.oxm.co.uk.

Nintendo Announces New Wii Remote Jacket Accessory

Nintendo announces the Wii Remote Jacket, a durable, silicone cover for the Wii Remote that provides a variety of benefits for the player. Nintendo will include the Wii Remote Jacket with all Wii hardware systems and with all Wii Remotes sold separately or packaged with Wii Play. Hardware featuring the Wii Remote Jacket will begin shipping to retailers on Oct. 2 and is expected to be on retail shelves the week of Oct. 15.

The Wii Remote Jacket provides cushioning for the Wii Remote for people who might accidentally throw or drop their Wii Remotes while playing games. Use of the Wii Remote Jacket is meant to supplement, not replace, the basic game-play instructions: keep a firm grip, don't let go of the controller, use the wrist strap and make sure your play area is free of people or objects. The Wii Remote Jacket also serves as a cover for the Wii Remote. Nintendo recommends players use the new Wii Remote Jacket as a cushiony shield, though the current Wii Remote is a safe product when used properly.

"We're always looking for ways to improve our products and make sure everyone has a safe and fun experience," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Many electronics manufacturers provide similar protective covers for products like cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players."

Current Wii owners who want to equip their Wii Remotes with the new Wii Remote Jacket free of charge can go to Wii.com or nintendo.com, or call 1-866-431-8367 to place an order. Nintendo will begin taking orders on Oct. 2, and Wii Remote Jackets will begin shipping the week of Oct. 15.

The Wii Remote Jacket is designed to be added and removed easily, in case users want to slip their Wii Remote into an accessory like the upcoming Wii Zapper™.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.4 billion video games and more than 420 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

The Virtual Army Experience Games

Five years ago, the U.S. Army launched America's Army, a free first-person-shooter (FPS) computer game based on the Army itself. It received solid reviews, and has been through multiple permutations, including retail versions for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. A new Xbox 360 America's Army game, True Soldiers, ships later this fall.

The Army is now bringing its video game series out of the PC and console and to virtual reality with the Virtual Army Experience. America's Army: VAE is a traveling exhibit presented by the U.S. Army that lets people get a dose of VR combat through the America's Army: Special Forces (Overmatch) video game. At Digital Life, I got a chance to try the Virtual Army Experience for myself.

The virtual reality game consists of a handful of mock-up military vehicles and a set of several large projection screens. After a short mission briefing (go into enemy territory, get a captured terrorist with valuable information, and leave), the game's participants and I got into the vehicles and manned mock-up M-240 machine gun mounts. I sat in the roof turret of a Humvee, with a gun mounted on a huge, circular rail that let it slide and swivel back and forth. When everyone got settled in, the mission began.

Like a giant light-gun arcade game, the experience consisted mostly on training my fake gun on terrorists and enemy vehicles and blowing them up to the best of my ability. The fake M-240 produced satisfying kickback, rattling and shaking in my hand thanks to pressurized air. The Humvee itself also shook as it absorbed virtual rockets and IEDs. I had fun, sliding and spinning back and forth, training my gun on enemy targets and trying to gun them down before they could fire on us. We drove through the simulated landscape, picking off terrorists and protecting fellow soldiers' rides until we reached the end of the game. The screens flashed large "Mission Accomplished" logos and we all shuffled out into another trailer for "debriefing".

More from crave

Video games banned on Japanese planes

No more DS or PSP playing for Japanese gamers in the air

Playing wireless hand-held video games on Japanese airplanes no longer will be allowed after a revised law enforcing an earlier ban went into effect Monday.


Previously, passengers were asked by airlines to refrain from using gaming systems with built-in wireless functions, like Nintendo's popular DS.


But Japan's transport ministry has concluded that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the consoles have the ability to interfere with aircraft navigation systems and other devices.


Passengers still will be permitted to use game systems that lack integral wireless communication functions.


The law also has been relaxed to permit the use of electric razors, calculators and cassette players.


Wireless computer mouses have also been banned aboard flights, along with headphones that are not provided by the airlines. Battery chargers and toys that give off electronic sounds can't be used during take-offs and landings, the ministry said.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Dragon Quest - make history on Slime Knights!

King Slime here asking you to join the journey to create an army and make history on Slime Knights!

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Members of Slime Knights get inside access to the latest news and media about Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker:

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Once you are a part of this insider community, you will be able to create your own profile and partake in special "Hunts" to further your fandom of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker.

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Take a look at the official community for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker and start living the life of a true monster hunter! Join us now at Slime Knights!