Late Night Consoling

In some territories, PlayStation 3 was launched only in its more expensive 60GB hard drive variety, with plans to follow up with the release of the 20GB hard drive at a later date. In the United States, where the two models launched for $599.99 and $499.99 respectivel, internet denizens recently noticed that the 20GB model is no longer available through Sony's online Sony Style Store. These developments have painted a picture of a clear worldwide focus on the 60GB model, and today Sony Computer Entertainment America issued a statement confirming that the 20GB console is being phased out entirely.

"At launch, we offered two separate models of PlayStation 3 to meet the diverse needs and interests of our PlayStation fan base. Initial retail demand in North America was upwards of ninety percent in favor of the 60GB sku, so we manufactured and shipped-in accordingly. Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America," explained SCEA corporate communications VP Dave Karraker. "In addition to the larger internal hard drive, the 60GB PlayStation 3 features added storage media slots and built-in Wi-Fi not found in the 20GB system. Based on retailer and consumer feedback, we have decided to focus our current efforts on the more popular 60GB model."

Today's news is sure to dismay some prospective cost-conscious future buyers of the PlayStation 3, as the cheaper 20GB model of the machine does not have any tangible disadvantages to its slightly more fully-featured cousin in terms of actual game playing ability, and thus represents a genuinely feasible alternative to the 60GB model.

Following the promise of downloadable content to be made available for the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II, Activision today announced the game's first round of music packs. Each pack will be sold for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25) and will include three playable tracks. Track Pack 1 will feature Ozzy Osbourne's Bark at the Moon, The Exies' Hey You, and Motorhead's Ace of Spades. Track Pack 2 will feature Queen's Killer Queen, The Donnas' Take it Off, and The Edger Winter Group's Frankenstein. Finally, Track Pack 3 will include the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Higher Ground, Bad Religion's Infected, and Incubus' Stellar.

All of the songs being sold have been drawn from the track list of Harmonix's original Guitar Hero (PS2). Each one will feature have support Guitar Hero II's cooperative play function, including the three instrument choices supported by Guitar Hero II--lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and bass guitar. It has been observed that, were all of the songs drawn from Guitar Hero's main track list to be made available for Guitar Hero II in the current format, they would fetch a total asking price of 5000 Microsoft Points ($62.50), more than the $49.99 suggested retail price for Guitar Hero itself when sold without its guitar controller.

"We're excited to offer downloadable content through Xbox Live Marketplace and have been working closely with the top record labels, music publishers and bands to provide the hottest tracks available to our fans," said Activision music exec Tim Riley. "We're constantly trying to find innovative ways to align our games with the best music possible, and for the first time ever, a game publisher will be offering fans the chance to download music and play it in a game." Riley's statement apparently does not take into account the remix download feature of Harmonix's own pre-Guitar Hero rhythm game, Amplitude (PS2).

The executive went on, "In addition to driving a new revenue stream for artists, we believe that this type of content will drive increased music sales and allow us to break new artists simultaneously with the record labels, while offering our dedicated fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of being a rockstar."

According to Activision, rounds of content will be made available on approximately a monthly basis. The first round is available now through the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Ignition Entertainment today sent word that Ignition Banbury's tilt-based Wii puzzler Mercury Meltdown Revolution has been pushed back from its original May 1 release date, and is now expected to hit North American retail shelves on June 12. The game, a followup to the studio's PSP games Archer Maclean's Mercury and Mercury Meltdown, has players navigate a ball of mercury through a variety of maze-like levels using the Wii remote's motion sensing control capabilities.

Activision noted today that a demo of Shaba Games' Xbox 360 version of Shrek the Third has been added to Xbox Live Marketplace. The playable demo is currently available for free download. Shrek the Third is set for release next month.