Late Night Consoling

Electronic Arts went ahead and announced the latest entry into the Burnout series, Burnout Revenge, set for release later this year for the PS2 and Xbox. The press release started with some statistics about rush hour traffic in the United States and followed it by saying Burnout Revenge will allow gamers to "rip through rush hour traffic and lay waste to scores of rubbernecking roadhogs in an over-the-top scene of vehicular mayhem." The game will make its full debut at E3 next month.

Another official interview from Microsoft, this time from the Japanese site, talked with Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamato who teased gamers by saying some big-name studios will soon be signing with Microsoft to rebuild MS' reputation in Japan. "[Final Fantasy creator Hironobu] Sakaguchi-san, [Space Channel 5 creator Tetsuya] Mizuguchi-san, and myself have been the focus of attention so far. But I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining [in making games for the next Xbox]. There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'." He added, "There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the line-up."

As if it was any surprise, Microsoft's Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios, confirmed in an interview on Xbox.com that the next-gen Xbox will receive new games in the Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing series. The rest of the interview consists of stuff we already know, but he does mention he is enjoying Forza Motorsport at the moment. Read the full interview here.

Visitors to THQ's website will notice a new poll that asks what would make the best free gift to be included with the upcoming Destroy All Humans. Three DVDs are selectable: Plan 9 from Outer Space, Independence Day, or a Making Of feature. Other options are a DAH! t-shirt, poster, or soundtrack. The current vote leader is the ID4 DVD with 34%.

Although I don't normally post links to contests, I'll make an exception for this one as I know many of you out there are dying for the opportunity to attend an E3. Xbox.com is looking for an apprentice to help with some duties at the show and if you can tell 'em in 250 words or less why they should pick you, you're in! Visit the contest site to learn how to enter.

While cruising for news, I ran into a couple stories that made me think to myself, "wtf, mate?" First is the waterproof PSP. While the buttons all appear functional, doesn't look like you can use the analog nub. So uh, guess I can use my PSP in the shower now. Also, over at Lik-Sang, nostalgic gamers can buy the Dreamcast tissue holder. Now when I weep over Sega's final console, I can do it in style.

Gaming Nexus talks with Chris Satchell of Microsoft about their XNA Studio platform. FileFront chats with Josh Sawyer about Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows.