Late Night Consoling

Though we already knew a new Katamari was on the way, Namco made it official today with the announcement of Beautiful Katamari for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The latest rendition of everyone's favorite roll 'em up, which is being produced without the involvement of creator Keita Takahashi, will render at 720p and features online multiplayer and content download through each console's respective online service. Previously, the Katamari franchise has seen two iterations on the PlayStation 2 and one on the PSP. A lone screenshot accompanied the game's revelation.

Beautiful Katamari is scheduled for release this fall. No word yet on the previously rumored Wii version.

Llamasoft has completed its latest project, the psychedelic shooter Space Giraffe. Created by Jeff Minter, the fellow behind trippy efforts such as Tempest 2000 (JAG, SAT, PC) and the Xbox 360's music visualizer, the game is due to be released via Xbox Live Arcade once it passes Microsoft's certification process. Among other distinct features, Space Giraffe utilizes a random name generator for its levels, producing results such as "Diluted Doorknob For The Win," "Preaching Cabbage Be Mine," and "Purple Moo-Cow Please."

Along with the announcement, Minter uploaded a few new screens. Further down the page, he posted pictures of sheep.

The Xbox 360 demo of EA LA's Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars mentioned last week is now available for Xbox Live Gold subscribers through the Xbox Live Marketplace. Weighing in at 1 GB, the free download includes a training mode, two missions of the GDI campaign, and 1v1 multiplayer over Xbox Live. Following the PC version's late March release by little over a month, Command & Conquer 3 hits the Xbox 360 on May 10th.

Over at Level Up, N'Gai Croal chats with game director David Jaffe on a variety of topics, including his canceled PSP game Heartland and Incognito's upcoming Calling All Cars (PS3).

Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield talks up stealth developer Tose, discussing the studio's policy to stay hidden and let others take credit for much of its work.