Late Night Consoling (Updated)

In the days following last week's Consumer Electronics Show, reports originating from a 1UP podcast indicated that there is an Xbox 360 spinoff of Crytek's upcoming PC shooter Crysis in the works. The rumor seemed plausible, particularly given that Crytek's previous game, Far Cry, was reworked for Xbox as Far Cry Instincts, which eventually found its way to several other consoles. However, a representative from publisher Electronic Arts today told Shacknews that these claims were erroneous, and merely "wild speculation." While it's not difficult to imagine that the Crysis name could eventually be found on a console game of some sort, it's not anything Crytek is tasked with at the moment.

In a prior interview with Game Informer, when asked whether the technically demanding Crysis would be released for consoles, Crytek president and CEO Cevat Yerli laughed and responded, "There is no possibility."

For more on Crysis, check out our extensive interview with lead designer Jack Mamais, published this morning.

Update: We have received further comment from Yerli on the matter. In response to our inquiries, he wrote, "Contrary to any rumors that may be in circulation, neither Crytek nor any third parties are currently engaged in developing Crysis for console platforms." However, while Crysis does not look to be leaving PC, he noted that Crytek may well consider console platforms for further projects.

Days ago, a series of game prototype movies surfaced on video sharing site YouTube, demonstrating what appeared to be gameplay from an in-development game based on Ivan Reitman's 1984 comedy classic Ghostbusters. A great deal of speculation followed as to whether the videos were genuine and, if so, for what platforms the game is intended. Most of the questions surrounding the videos were answered when gamers stumbled upon the official website of Slovenia-based developer ZootFly, which has some explanatory text regarding the Ghostbusters game on its front page. "What youÂ’ve seen is indeed in-game footage of early prototypes on the Xbox 360, running on ZootFlyÂ’s proprietary engine," reads the page. "Due to licensing issues, further development of the Ghostbusters game hit a bump on the road, but everybody here at ZootFly is working actively on resolving the challenges with the owners of the Ghostbusters IP." It is unclear whether these licensing issues arose in the midst of development, or simply had yet to be sorted out before development began.

While the videos depict Xbox 360 gameplay, ZootFly's proprietary Xubl2 engine is designed for PlayStation 3 and PC as well, which makes it seem likely that if development on the game continues it will target those platforms as well, particularly given the traditionally multiplatform nature of movie-based adaptations.

Simultaneously, ZootFly is working on an original game entitled TimeO. The game's premise seems to share elements with that of Ghostbusters: two New Yorkers come upon a portal to a parallel version of the city, whether they must stop a vast paranormal threat within three days. Indeed, the studio's site notes that it is inspired by the film, though notes that it is also "based on a true story about two urban explorers." TimeO is in the works for current-gen consoles.

Publisher THQ, known for its long time strength in the wrestling game market, today announced that it has expanded its reach in games based on burly men by acquiring the complete video game rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship through 2011. The five-year agreement gives THQ license to publish games on current generation, last generation, handheld, and PC platforms, including online- and download-related rights. THQ's games will include UFC personalities both past and present.

"Interactive is a critical opportunity for us to expand the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand," UFC president Dana White on the deal. "Our goal for the UFC games is to give our growing, global fan base the opportunity to experience the most exciting live sporting event in the world--the UFC. THQ's unparalleled development and pedigree in the fighting/action-sports genre, in addition to their leading position as a global publisher, makes them our best partner to deliver on this objective."

Terms of the agreement, signed with Las Vegas-based UFC owner Zuffa, LLC, were not disclosed.

Sony sent word today that it has updated PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store with another PlayStation game playable on PSP. This time it's Sony's own Rally Cross, a 1997 rally racer. It is currently available for transfer to PSP at the standard $5.99 price point.

As for other gaming content added to the PlayStation store, owners of historical action game Genji Days of the Blade from Game Republic can now download a free costume pack, outfitting in-game characters with alternate armor.

In the near future, Sony will also release Psygnosis' original PlayStation version of WipeOut as well as SingleTrac's Jet Moto, both for PSP via PS3's store. Those games will be available for $5.99.

Finally, a multiplayer pack for top-down shooter Blast Factor is coming soon, and will be available for $2.99.

Nintendo this week updated its Wii Virtual Console service with three new games across three separate original platforms. On tap are the NES version of the classic shooter Xevious (1-2 players) for 500 Wii Points ($5), Irem's Super Nintendo shooter R-Type III: The Third Lightning (1-2 players) for 800 Wii Points ($8), and Nippon Computer System's futuristic TurboGrafx-16 racer Moto Roader (1-5 players) for 600 Wii Points ($6). As with other Virtual Console games supporting more than four players, players can assemble any combination of Wii Remotes and GameCube controllers to reach the total number.

Last month, Microsoft announced that they would be releasing a demo of Real Time World's superhuman-cop-in-GTA action game Crackdown, featuring both single-player and cooperative mode, on January 18. Today, the publisher sent over word that due to a delay in reaching final certification, the demo won't be hitting that date. There is no specific updated date for its release, though Microsoft promises that it will be available for download by the end of the month.

Crackdown will ship to retail stores on February 20.