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That’s right, the third annual Penny Arcade Expo has been announced. If you haven’t been before, the Expo features tabletop games, concerts, intense competitions, demos of upcoming games, and tons more. The event is scheduled for August 25th-27th, and if you pre-order now, you can save up to 40%. I attended the expo last year and had a great time. I met some awesome people and had a blast playing games. The event takes place just outside of Seattle - so if you’re not in the area but are interested in attending, start planning soon!
Read More 
| Penny Arcade
Japanese PlayStation Site Lists PS3 Launch Titles
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: PlayStation 3, Release Dates,
While we haven’t heard any real news from Sony on PS3 in quite a while, the company has updated its Japanese PlayStation website with a brief list of supposed PS3 launch titles. As always, these release dates are only temporary but you’ve got to wonder, why would Sony list these games unless they really are going to be launch titles?
The list:
- The Eye of Judgment
- Genji 2
- Angel Rings
- Monster Carnival
- Everybody’s Golf 5
- Gran Turismo Series
Honestly though, most of the titles don’t look interesting at all. However, Hot Shots Golf 5 (Everybody’s Golf 5) could very well end up being a stellar game, especially considering how top-notch the earlier games in the series have been. Additionally, it’s interesting to see the “Gran Turismo Series” listed - but what does it mean? We’re almost positive that GT6 wouldn’t be ready for release so soon, but perhaps we can expect a GT mega-pack featuring all five previous games updated for the PS3?
Read More | Game Brink
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We love insanely odd gadgets from the Orient. Today, Sega’s iFish has caught our attention. The iFish is basically a toy fish that “swims” across your desk on two wheels. It plays 50 “healing” sounds (read: nature, oceans) and reacts to movement with light effects built into it’s head. Hook it up to a music source, and the iFish will move and groove to the beat, similar to the way the iDog does it’s thing. If you want to import, check out Brando where you can pick one up for $64.90 USD. The iFish hits stores in Japan later this month.
Read More | iFish Product Page (Japanese)
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Playfeed Review: Super Mario Strikers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Nintendo Gamecube, Reviews, Sports,
Okay, so let’s be real for a second. Mario is one talented plumber. He somehow manages to hang on to that day job while stomping giant mutant turtles (of the non-ninja variety), making time to party with his friends, and taking part in just about every sport known to man. Most recently, that would be soccer. We gave you an early preview of Super Mario Strikers when we went hands on with it at E3 2005. We have finally played through every part of the finished product that we can, and we are back to give you the scoop on whether Mario continues with another super game, or if he strikes out.
Click to continue reading Playfeed Review: Super Mario Strikers
Tycho and Gabe of Penny Arcade have announced initial plans for a Penny Arcade Scholarship. The Seattle-based duo have been extremely generous before with their Child’s Play charity, and this scholarship could mean big things for some lucky kids out there. They also have a fairly well-known webcomic and will be hosting their third gaming expo this summer.
Read More | GameTab
2old2play has put together an interesting article on what it defines as the six different types of gamers that make up “The Society of Gaming.”
The different categories are: Hard Core, Devoted, Pretend Hard Core, Casual, Clueless and Worthless. We’re sure no one who reads this blog - or any other video game websites - would fall into either of the last two categories. In fact, we’d bet most gamers who visit gaming sites would fit into either Hard Core, Devoted, or Pretend Hard Core. Hopefully you’re not a Pretend Hard Core, or PHC, claiming to know more than you really do.
For full definitions, check out the site.
Read More | 2old2play
You know, some products are just better explained by an image rather than with words, this being one of them. I mean, a knife block shaped like a human head, with slots for the knives located all over the scalp? Pure genious. When they start taking picture submissions so that they can re-create the head of the guy who stole your prom date, let us know, kay?
Read More | Baas via BoingBoing
Microsoft to Develop New Kids Properties, Buys 4Kids
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Corporate News,
Next Generation reports that Microsoft has purchased “entertainment provider and merchandiser” 4Kids Entertainment. Microsoft will develop games and other various media with the 4Kids Entertainment license.
“We are thrilled to serve as the partner of choice and act as the vehicle for Microsoft to broaden its appeal among a more mainstream market focusing on children and family entertainment,” said Alfred Kahn, chairman and CEO of 4Kids. “We are confident our strong track record in developing integrated marketing and merchandising programs designed specifically for kids will enhance the future success of Microsoft Game Studios.”
We see this move only as a good one for Microsoft. With the purchase, Microsoft will hopefully to be able to reach more with its games and media.
Read More | Next Generation
A Pacific Crest analyst speculates that Sony will ship about one million PlayStation 3 units this fall in North America for launch. The analyst goes as far as saying that PS3 will likely be released in the U.S. on November 1st, in Japan over the summer, and in Europe early next year.
While this information isn’t official in any way, we feel it is a good indication of what’s to come. We doubt Sony is planning on launching the PS3 worldwide, as Microsoft did with its Xbox 360. As a result, Sony should hopefully be able to have a million units here at launch - almost three times as many 360s were available on November 22nd, 2005. Still, one million units wouldn’t be enough and we already are expecting PS3 to be the hot item come holiday 2006. So pre-order as many PS3s as soon as you can and prepare to sell extra consoles on eBay to make some landfall profits!
Read More | Kotaku
According to a Gamestop insider, the retail company is having some big troubles. The manager reports that employees are being instructed to work less hours in the name of maintaining profits. Meanwhile, store managers, who work on salary, are being told to work more hours. Upper management is also instructing its stores to make far more Game Informer subscription sales and to lock in more pre-orders.
Why is all of this supposedly happening? Based upon what the source says, these strong demands are being made to cover upper management salaries. Personally, I don’t fully buy it. It’s a known fact that game sales at the end of the year were down. Yes, upper management needs to be paid but the company has a plethora of other expenses, and the only way to pay off the expenses, and hopefully profit, would be to push more sales.
On another note, video game retailing is fiercly competitive. With other retailers, from Wal-Mart to Best Buy selling video games as well, why would anyone want to go to Gamestop when those consumers may have other non-videogame products that are sold at the other stores? Additionally, Gamestop hardly ever offers sales on its video games, while stores like Best Buy do on a somewhat regular basis.
Read More | Kotaku
