Late Night Consoling

It has been confirmed by Microsoft that backwards compatibility with Xbox games on Xbox 360 will require the hard drive, as Xbox games were not engineered to function without one. However, 1UP is reporting that a select few (very few, it seems) Xbox games are being programmed to function without a hard drive present, and they will include the necessary emulation code directly on the disc so it doesn't need to be read from a hard drive. However, this will apparently only be done for notable "AAA" titles that are being developed after the official Xbox 360 announcement.

In order to "stimulate creation of cell-based applications beyond gaming," Sony, Toshiba, and IBM today disclosed documentation of certain aspects of their Cell processor. The documents are dated from August 1 to August 8 and covers such topics such as "Synergistic Processor Unit(SPU) Instruction Set Architecture" and "SPU Application Binary Interface Specification". A fairly standard usage agreement is required to download the PDFs.

Next Generation is reporting the results of a Japanese survey of PSP users. The survey indicates that at least in Japan the console does not hold much appeal as a media playing device, in contrast to markets such as the US which have strong UMD sales. Only 10% of those surveyed had watched a movie on their PSPs, with most having no plans to buy any movies. Less than 50% planned to view movies or photographs by way of memory sticks, with only 30% when looking at females specifically. 25% of males have installed the internet-enabling patch, 10% of women.

50% of users noted that their PSP had gone unused for "some time" despite an average games library of 3.1 games and a strong general allegience towards Sony products: 90% reported owning a PS2 and 60% own a PlayStation, whereas only about 50% have a Game Boy Advance.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, various reports are emerging indicating that Final Fantasy XI on Xbox 360 will require the use of the optional hard drive. It seems a reasonable assumption, given that the game will only play on hard drive-equipped PS2s (and PCs, obviously). However, if this indeed the case, it won't look good for Microsoft, who has been suggesting that games will be able to run on either configuration of the console. One game having such a requirement might set a bad precedent. Square Enix has not yet confirmed or denied the possibility.

In what appears to be the latest salvo in a slightly ridiculous war to make the most extreme Xbox 360 bundle, GameStop has unveiled the Omega Bundle. This behemoth retails for $1,999.69 and includes the premium system, four controllers, one play and charge kit, a memory card, a rechargable battery for the controller, a network adapter, an extra faceplate, a year of Xbox Live, a 1-year warranty, and twenty games. Yes, twenty. You can go discover which ones yourself, I'm not typing them out. That right there is $1200 of the total price, assuming $60 per game (though it is unlikely that every single game will retail for $60). Exactly what market they're targeting is a mystery, as it's also unlikely all of those titles will even be available at launch.

Eight games were granted PS2 Greatest Hits status today, Sony announced. Greatest Hits generally have a North American MSRP of $19.99.

The titles affected are: ATV Offroad Fury 3, Hot Shots Golf: FORE!, Jak 3, Killzone, Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Sly 2: Band of Thieves, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, and WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW.

Sony has acquired the video game license to Blood+, an anime series that will begin airing in Japan on October 8. Sony will produce and publish the games, scheduled for release on PS2 and PSP, internally.

Perhaps spurred on by the success of the somewhat similar Nintendogs (DS), Bandai has produced a DS version of its once-incredibly-popular Tamagotchi brand. From the description, the game, entitled Tamagotchi Shop Simulation, sounds more like Animal Crossing (GCN) than the rather annoying Tamagotchi toys. It will be released in Japan on September 15 with a general goal of Winter in North America.

A Reuters news report released yesterday alleges that "'Halo' is a science fiction game about an alien-fighting warrior."

Brandon Sheffield at Gamasutra interviews Takayoshi Sato, formerly of Konami and currently at EA.