Late Night Consoling

Sony Computer Entertainment America head Kaz Hirai spoke in the latest edition of PlayStation Magazine on potential price ranges for PlayStation 3 software, Microsoft's business strategies, and the dangers of rushing a product to market. His remarks included some particularly pointed pokes at prime competitor Microsoft.

When asked whether PS3 games would be priced similarly to Xbox 360 games, most of which retail for $59.99, Hirai was reluctant to nail down a price point. "Generally speaking, over the past twelve years or so, there has been a consumer expectation that disc-based games are maybe $59 on the high end to $39 on the low end," he explained. "So, what I can say now is, I think it would be a bit of a stretch to think that we could suddenly turn around and say, 'PS3 games now $99.99.' I don't think consumers expect software pricing to suddenly double... So, if it becomes a bit higher than $59, don't ding me, but, again, I don't expect it to be $100."

At one point, the interviewer suggested that Sony and Microsoft are going the same direction with their next-gen machines, and Hirai agreed wholeheartedly. "We seem to," he answered. "Every time we go down a path, we look behind and they're right there--we just can't shake these guys. I wish that they would come up with some strategies of their own, but they seem to be going down the path of everything we do. If you look at their strategy in other business areas as well, they tend to do that."

Hirai also snuck in a jab at Microsoft's upcoming external HD-DVD drive for Xbox 360. "You take a look at, for example, the fact that we incorporate the Blu-ray drive from day one," he said. "You're not going to be asking me, 'So, talk to me about this Blu-ray add-on that you have. Does it work for games? Is it just for movies?' That's exactly the kind of pitfall you fall into if you launch something that's too early, too premature."

Job listings from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe pertaining to the company's Liverpool, Cambridge, and London development studios have revealed various details about upcoming first party Sony titles.

Liverpool is searching for a variety of positions to work on PlayStation 3 and PSP versions of Sony's Wipeout futuristic racing franchise. Among all the various job listings listed on the page, only that for a senior/lead designer on Wipeout is listed as "URGENT," suggesting that development may be farther along than some of the other projects.

SCEE Studio London is advertising for positions on several projects. Among those mentioned are upcoming football (ie, soccer) games for both PS3 and PSP as well as an NTSC conversion of karaoke game SingStar (PS2), presumably for release in North America. The company is also looking for developers to work on an unnamed new property, described as "large and ambitious" and "a mullet-million [sic] dollar production." In all likelihood, this is the modern action title Eight Days (PS3), whose name was first revealed during Sony's pre-E3 conference this year.

Cambridge requires various positions, though no specific upcoming games are mentioned. Recently, the studio shipped 24: The Game (PS2) and Ghost Hunter (PS2), and is responsible for the Midievil franchise (PS1, PSP).

Yesterday, tabletop game manufacturer and French developer Cyanide announced an upcoming series of games based on Games Workshop's brutal sports/strategy tabletop game Blood Bowl, a fantasy take on American football. No platforms nor release dates were given in the announcement, though Cyanide's past development history is heavily PC-oriented.

Speaking to Shacknews today, a Cyanide representative indicated that the first game in the works will be a portable title. In all likelihood, this refers to Nintendo DS and/or PSP, rather than the waning Game Boy Advance. The studio is planning for a 2007 release of the game. A next generation console version is also expected to ship in "early 2008." Surprisingly, no PC version is planned.

Square Enix today announced the North American release date for the latest entry in its acclaimed Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy XII (PS2) will hit shelves October 31, 2006.

Two versions of the game will be available, a standard edition for $49.99 and the Collector's Edition retailing for $59.99. For that extra $10, players will receive unique packaging and a bonus DVD containing Japanese and American trailers for the game, developer interviews, artwork, and Final Fantasy video features. The Collector's Edition will only be available from EB Games and GameStop stores, as well as their online counterparts.

According to translations of Japanese publication Famitsu, Taito is working on a sequel to its PSP action/puzzle game Exit. Entitled Kangaeru Exit ("Thinking Exit") in Japan, the game keeps the main game mechanics while scaling down some of the action elements and putting more of a focus on puzzling--hence the title. As with the first game, Taito will offer additional downloadable levels following the game's release, to complement the included 110.

Taito plans to ship Kangaeru Exit in Japan this September. No plans for a North American release have been released.

A playable demo of From Software's Xbox 360 mech action title Chromehounds has been made available in a simultaneous worldwide release* via Xbox Live. The demo is currently downloadable at no charge.

*Simultaneous worldwide release excludes the United States and Canada

Nintendo's Japanese operation has announced a new DS Lite color for the Japanese market: Noble Pink. NintendoÂ’s pink version of the original DS form factor was reported to have gone over quite well with the ladies, and the company no doubt hopes to reproduce that success with its new model. The device goes on sale July 20. Plans for additional North American DS Lite colors have not yet been announced.

IGN takes a look at The Future of Japanese Gaming, including Xbox 360's prospects in the land of the rising sun.

GameSpot chats with Immersion president Vic Viegas about his company's recently announced next generation force feedback game controller technology.

Game Informer interviews EA Canada producer David Littman about the company's upcoming NHL 07 (PS2, Xbox, X360, PSP, PC).

Pro-G has an interview on Awesome Studios' Mercury Meltdown (PSP).