Late Night Consoling (Updated)

Update: 1UP has updated its original story with statements from Sony Online Entertainment's Chris Kramer. Kramer clarifies the situation, stating that the Xfire deal in fact applies only to SOE's launch title Untold Legends Dark Kingdom, and not to the PlayStation Network Platform as a whole. "This proposed deal is completely separate and independent from the PlayStation Network Platform, and is something that SOE was examining specifically for Dark Kingdom," said Kramer. "More information on Xfire and Dark Kingdom will be coming soon." IGN has a similar statement from Xfire CEO Mike Cassidy, who said, "We do have future announcements. For now I can only tell you Xfire is not part of PS3's PNP."

Original story: In a Viacom conference call transcript released on August 9th, the media conglomerate revealed a particularly interesting detail about Sony's upcoming free online service for PlayStation 3, about which very little has been said. Viacom-owned Xfire, which offers a multifeatured set of communication and browsing service for online games, will be producing a version of its software for PS3. The relevant statement from Viacom's report is as follows:

Importantly, Xfire just signed a deal with Sony to create a version of their platform for the new PS3, which will now enable Xfire to extend its reach further into the huge console gaming market.

Sony has stated on numerous occasions that basic online functions such as online multiplayer, matchmaking, and messaging will be free to PS3 owners. It is likely that functions such as these will be handled by the system's Xfire implementation. Xfire on PC also includes functions such as in-game voice chat, which is almost certainly to be a basic PS3 function, and gamer profiles, which Sony is no doubt planning to include on PS3 given their success on Xbox Live.

One other possibility is that Sony may opt to include an option for Xfire's game server browing in addition to automatic matchmaking. Whereas Microsoft has strived to differentiate its Xbox console family from PCs by streamlining processes as much as possible and disallowing the use of a mouse and keyboard interface in gameplay, Sony seems to be going the opposite direction, allowing mouse and keyboard and pushing the console as a computer. This may suggest that the company would want to further entice PC gamers by including a PC-like server browser, though that is purely speculative.

1UP, which first noticed Viacom's statement, also speculates that Sony may be hoping to allow cross-platform play between PS3 and PC gamers. This is something Microsoft is also planning on leveraging as part of its upcoming Live Anywhere initiatives.

Sony had not responded to inquiries on the matter at time of writing.

With seven actively supported home and portable consoles competing for consumers' dollars this holiday season, manufacturers will be looking for ways to make their systems attractive buys. Sony is making an early move in its direction with its PSP Entertainment Pack, which the company announced today. The bundle contains a black PSP system, Climax's ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, Lords of Dogtown on UMD, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. It will be available for a suggested retail price of $249.99 when it goes on sale tomorrow. Sony notes that the individual components contained in the Entertainment Pack would retail for over $300 if purchased separately.

"While the PSP system has out-sold all other next-generation gaming handhelds in the period since its launch," said SCEA senior marketing VP Peter Dille, "we expect this new offering to drive additional consumer interest and sales, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches." - Product shot.

Among other iPod-related announcements today, Apple announced that its flagship line of MP3 players will be gaining increased gaming capabilities. Standard iPods--the big ones--will be able to play a variety of casual games, many of which are also available on PC gaming portals as well as Xbox Live Arcade. The initial lineup consists of nine titles, each of which will sell via iTunes for $4.99:

- Bejeweled
- Cubis 2
- Mahjong
- Mini Golf
- Pac-Man
- Tetris
- Texas Hold 'Em
- Vortex
- Zuma

Codemasters today announced that Pompom Software is producing a PSP version of its popular PC web-based Bliss Island. Controlling protagonist Hoshi the Zwooph among others, players participate in a number of mini-games that will see them "juggle, race, defend, and direct" various characters and objects. Bliss Island for PSP will contain over 80 different challenges, and will support local wireless multiplayer. The game is set to ship this winter. - Screenshots, artwork.

A 60 minute trial of the PC version of the game is playable at Funsta.com.

Following last month's Games Convention in Leipzig, a panel of judges representing the event has announced the games comprising the "Best of GC 2006." This year's awards chose one game each from the PlayStation home consoles, Xbox home consoles, Nintendo DS, PSP, and PC. The winners are as follows:

- PlayStation: Relentless' Buzz! Junior Jungle Party (PS2)
- Xbox: Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (X360)
- Nintendo DS: Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- PSP: Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 6
- PC: Maxis' Spore

Capcom today sent out a press release commenting on its win for its sci-fi action title Lost Planet. "With more than 180,000 people in attendance, the Leipzig Games Convention provided a great opportunity for gamers to experience Lost PlanetÂ’s gripping single player campaign and multiplayer modes," said Capcom marketing VP Charles Bellfield. "We are extremely pleased to have won the Best Xbox 360 Game award as it is a testament to its unrivalled gameplay experience."

Activision today announced that Infinity Ward's Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty 2, which was the best selling Xbox 360 launch title and continues to be its highest selling game, has become the first Xbox 360 game to reach one million sales at United States retail. "We are proud that Call of Duty 2 is the first title to sell over one million units on the Xbox 360 in the U.S." said Activision executive VP Robin Kaminsky. "Activision has made a strong commitment to develop leading franchises for the next-generation consoles and we look forward to continuing that successful strategy with our titles launching on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Wii this fall."

IGN has an absolutely massive interview on EA Canada's Wii version of EA Tiburon's Madden NFL 07. Producer Jason Armenise speaks about the game's control scheme as well as numerous other features unique to the Wii version.

We've got an interview with Activision producer Matthew Paul, speaking about Raven Software's Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS2, Xbox, GCN, PS3, X360, Wii, NDS, PSP, GBA, PC).