Late Night Consoling

On the increasingly accurate alleged leaked Ubisoft release list that surfaced some months ago, one upcoming unannounced title was "Alive," listed as coming to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, coming either in Spring 2007 or at an undetermined date depending on which version of the list you're consulting. Now, it seems the game has received inadvertent confirmation by way of an International Herald Tribune article on females in gaming.

The article describes Alive as a survival action game which forces players to be resourceful in surviving the aftereffects of a devastating earthquake. Ubisoft describes the game's style as "action plus." "It's more oriented toward drama, more life in characters, more depth," said Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. "It's still about surviving, but you can't resolve things by shooting only."

Responding to Shacknews' inquiries, an Ubisoft representative confirmed that Alive is in development, but did not give any further information. More information is expected in 2007.

Square Enix has revealed its upcoming lineup for Tokyo Game Show, via the company's official site. New screenshots for several of the titles can be found in the Misc. Media section below. The list of games, excluding mobile phone offerings, is as follows:

- Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book (NDS) (playable)
- Dawn of Mana (PS2) (playable)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (NDS) (playable)
- Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy Versus XIII (PS3) (video only)
- Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3) (video only)
- Final Fantasy III (NDS) (playable)
- Final Fantasy V Advance (GBA) (video only)
- Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA) (video only)
- Final Fantasy VIII: Crisis Core (PSP) (video only)
- Project Sylpheed (X360)

During last month's Games Convention, visitors spotted an ad in a Nintendo brochure advertising an upcoming unannounced MP3 player for Nintendo DS. Today, Nintendo officially confirmed the product, which seems to be essentially identical to the company's Japanese "Play-Yan" device, which comes in the form of a Game Boy Advance cartridge and works with both Nintendo DS and GBA hardware. The device accepts SD flash cards, and includes its own headphone jack. Gadget blog Gizmodo is claiming that the device will ship in Europe on October 8 for 29.99 Euros, though that information is not confirmed.

Nintendo had not responded to questions regarding the device's release in North America at time of writing.

Sony's official website contains spec sheets for both PS3 models, the 20GB hard drive model without HDMI, and the 60GB model with HDMI. Though the more expensive model can output an HDMI signal, it appears that it will not include the HDMI cable itself. According to the page's fine print, "HDMI cable not included." While this comes as little surprise, the page also suggests that no other HD-compatible cables, such as component cables, will be included either. "Video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately," states the page. By contrast, the Premium Xbox 360 package includes component cables, though the Core unit does not.

Speaking of Xbox 360, an odd product listing appeared on GameStop.com, showing a GameStop-branded $99.99 HDMI cable for Xbox 360. GameStop has now taken down the listing. Previously, Microsoft had downplayed the importance of HDMI for Xbox 360, and many had assumed that the system is incapable of outputting an HDMI signal. The upcoming HD-DVD player attachment for Xbox 360 does not feature HDMI output. Shacknews has sent inquiries to Microsoft for further clarification.

Based on comments made by Sony Ericsson exec Rikko Sakaguchi, CNET Asia is reporting that Sony Ericsson is likely to be working on some kind of PlayStation phone. It is unclear what the specific functionality of the device would be in terms of its gaming capabilities, but CNET Asia did describe Sakaguchi as stating that "the objective was not to create a gaming device but one that integrates both the gaming and communication functions." Sony Ericsson apparently takes about two years to develop a new product line, leading CNET Asia to speculate that a PlayStation phone may be coming in the relatively near future.

Sony Computer Entertainment had not responded to Shacknews' inquiries at time of writing.

Microsoft Game Studios sends word that Digital Eclipse's Xbox 360 version of the Konami arcade shooter Scramble has been delayed. Originally slated for release tomorrow, the game will now be available via Xbox Live on Wednesday, September 13. In its stead, tomorrow's release will be a Project Gotham Racing 3 themed card deck for UNO. It will run 100 Microsoft Points ($1.25).

Publisher Atari, which has seen significant financial troubles in recent times, today announced that it has appointed David Pierce as the company's new president and chief executive officer, assuming the CEO position formerly occupied by the outspoken Bruno Bonnell. Bonnell will remain at Atari as chairman and chief creative officer. Pierce comes from 20 years of service in other entertainment industries, having worked for such companies as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Entertainment, MGM, and Universal Pictures. "Atari has been a cornerstone of a global cultural movement that forever changed how we experience entertainment. It's an honor for me to have the opportunity to contribute to AtariÂ’s exciting future," said Pierce. "There's a heritage of expectation that demands a high level of responsibility to our consumers and the interactive entertainment industry."

While at Sony, Pierce headed up a successful restructuring of subsidiary Sony Wonder. Atari no doubt hopes his management skills will help turn the ailing publisher around. Pierce's skills are in immediate need; last week, Atari announced its common stock is facing facing delisting from Nasdaq due to its inability to maintain a $1.00 share price.

In other executive appointment news, Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced that Dave Karraker has been appointed to the position of Senior Director of Corporate Communications. Karraker will be filling the shoes of Molly Smith, whose departure from SCEA was widely reported following this year's E3. He will be reporting to Senior Vice President of Marketing Peter Dille, another recent arrival, and will coordinate PR for the upcoming launch of PlayStation 3.

Karraker's past experience spans the beverage industry, video game industry PR, and broadcast journalism. He has worked at PR firms Access Communications and Rogers & Cowan, where he represented companies such as Sega, Microsoft, 3DO, Crystal Dynamics, and 3Dfx. "Dave has the ideal blend of videogame, large consumer brand and retail experience to help us meet our goals with the PlayStation brand," said Dille. "SCEA's communications team will play a key role in the successful launch of the PLAYSTATION 3."