Late Night Consoling

Images are not the only things being leaked regarding the Xbox 360. The final specs hit the web, confirming that the memory has been bumped up to 512MB and the 3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2GHz. All games will support 16:9 at 720p or 1080i with anti-aliasing and there will be 3 USB ports on the console. More intriguing are the new Xbox Live details. There will be two packages; Gold and Silver. The main difference is that Silver can only play online during the weekends. However, there a ton of new features that can keep 'em busy during the week. Check the full deal out here.

With the MTV launch report just days away, more and more details are leaking concerning Microsoft's next-gen console. Over the weekend, this image hit the web which shows the console, headset, controller and a camera. Also spotted were these shots showing close-ups of the controller (with what appears to be the Xbox Live button) and the Media Center remote. Finally, via OurColony.net, this picture shows what could possibly be glimpses of the many different changeable faceplates the system will have. Interesting design choices!

Rockstar Games announced today the first title for their Vancouver studios; it's called Bully and will release for the PS2 and Xbox. "As a troublesome schoolboy, you'll laugh and cringe as you stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks on malicious kids, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious reform school, Bullworth Academy." It'll be shown in private at E3.

Majesco and Tiger Hill Entertainment announced the next-gen title Demonik, a third person action game franchise created with famed writer/director Clive Barker. Tiger Hill was co-founded by director John Woo. Demonik will be both a movie and a game, released at the same time. "Clive is known for creating great and horrific villains. In the game, you get to play the villain, and in the movie, you will be terrified by him," said Brad Foxhoven, president of Tiger Hill.

Nothing official has ever been stated regarding a sequel to Perfect Dark; it's always been rumored, but never confirmed. And while it is still not officially confirmed, guests to the MTV Xbox 360 taping said that Perfect Dark Zero was shown in playable form. Comparisons were made to the gameplay of Counter-Strike and gadgetry of Splinter Cell. According to these guests, the game won't be shown on the actual show this Thursday.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata talked a little bit about the online network for the Nintendo DS to Japanese site GameWatch. "Since we are hoping to make this a widely used component of the system, we have decided not to charge monthly fees for our games using the service," Iwata said. "However, in order to encourage third-party software makers, we do not plan on banning monthly subscription fees. We will be establishing a subscription system in which users will not have to worry about being charged without their knowledge." Hot spots will be set up, but how many in the US has yet to be confirmed (1,000 in Japan). Iwata did say that you can access the network from your home WiFi router.

Majesco revealed today that they are working on portable versions of Black & White for the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. It's called Black & White Creatures and will release in the first quarter of 2006. The DS version will make full use of the stylus to train and interact with the creatures. Voice recognition via the microphone will also be instituted. Not many details were released regarding the PSP version, but both games will feature new gameplay modes such as Creature Battle and Creature Dance challenge.

The rumored Virtua Tennis game for the PSP will be officially announced tomorrow by Sega. IGN took a look at the game and found it to be a very close port of the PS2 version. Nothing unique about the PSP version has been said, but more should be known at E3. Sumo Digital is heading up the development.

GameSpot chats with the lead animator of Conker: Live & Loaded.