5. Simultaneous GTA IV Release

How do you put a major dent in Sony’s gaming empire? You take away time exclusivity of one of the largest selling franchises in gaming history. Peter Moore’s infamous tatoo during During E3 2006 continues to live in infamy.

4. Playstation 3 in Last Place

After completely dominating the previous generation, it was expected that it would be business as usual for Sony’s future console. So far, this is not the case. Unprecedented competition coupled with the Wii’s domination of the casual market has landed Sony’s console in last place. Although things may look bleek for the PS3 at the moment, the much rumored price drop along with its stellar 2009 lineup could shift the tide in Sony’s favor.

3. RROD

There are always errors and bugs in the consumer electronics industry, but a failure rate upwards of 33% is totally unacceptable. Microsoft’s latest offering shocked many early adopters by throwing in the towel sometimes after only a few ours of gameplay. The irony is that Microsoft had previously produced one of the most sturdy consoles to date(the original X-box). Although releasing the 360 early has allowed Microsoft to lead the PS3 in terms of sales, that lead definately came at a price.

2. Final Fantasy 13 Going Multiplatform

Probably the biggest announcement in gaming history, Microsofts announcement during E3 2008 sent shockwaves throughout the industry. Every since the early days of the original Playstation, the Final Fantasy name has been synonymous with Sony’s system. Many wondered how Sony managed to lose exclusivity of this title. Whether it was the power of the almighty dollar or SE’s insistence on penetrating the western market, this announcement was definately a shock to the industry.

1. Nintendo Wii Dominating Console Market

Once thought to be only a fad, the Nintendo Wii has took the gaming industry by surprise. Armed with a simple gimmick and a slew of classic franchises, the Wii has managed to carve out an entire new market previously unknown to its competitors. With a 19 million unit lead on its nearest competitor along with the 753,000 units sold in February, there seems to be no slowing down this runaway sensation.

- One Step Closer To Becoming The Galaxy’s Most Notorious Criminal with Development Complete on Anticipated New Game –

- ‘Assault On Dark Athena’ Brings Riddick into Multiplayer Realm for First Time with Six Intense Online Combat Modes -

- Xbox LIVE and PLAYSTATION®3 Demos Available Now -

NEW YORK, NY – March 20, 2009 – Atari, one of the world’s most recognized video game publishers, today announced that development is complete on the latest gripping installment from the Riddick franchise, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

Developed by the acclaimed team at Starbreeze Studios in conjunction with Tigon Studios and Universal Pictures, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena features a brand new 11 hour chapter in the Riddick saga with six intense online multiplayer game modes including the unique and thrilling Pitch Black mode. In addition to the full Assault on Dark Athena campaign, the disc includes a stunning HD remastering of celebrated title The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.

The game is scheduled for launch on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft ($59.99), PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system ($59.99) and Windows PC ($49.99) on April 7 in North America and April 24 worldwide.

In The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena the player takes the role of Riddick, as played by Vin Diesel, using stealth and action to overcome the merciless crew of the predatory Merc-ship Dark Athena which awaits its prey in the dark reaches of space. Cheating death through a series of spectacular battles and events, Riddick will fight for his life amid a storm of malevolence and horror. The Chronicles of Riddick series of games takes the player deeper into the universe of Universal Pictures’ films The Chronicles of Riddick and cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Vin Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick.

Starbreeze Studios has created an exciting and original multiplayer component in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. The game features six multiplayer modes, including the original and inventive Pitch Black mode and intense Butcher Bay Riot. Unlike traditional MP modes, Pitch Black features a nerve-wracking stealth hunt through the darkness. A six player mode on all maps, five players take the role of Mercenaries trying to hunt down and kill Riddick across levels swathed in darkness, with only weapon-mounted flashlights to see by. Butcher Bay Riot presents a fast paced three team mode, in which 12 players split into teams of Guards, Prisoners and Mercenaries fight over a power cell.

Playable demos of The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena for both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3 are currently available for download. Featuring the Athena Main Decks level, the demo showcases the evocative art style and breadth of the gameplay contained in the game, including brutal melee combat, nerve-rattling stealth, and high-powered gunplay. Among other gameplay elements, the demo also lets players try one of the game’s unique features, controlling a Drone, while classic Riddick cut-scenes bring the harsh Riddick universe into sharp focus.

Featuring a tense and brutal new adventure, a high-definition re-work of the classic Escape from Butcher Bay campaign and exhilarating multiplayer gameplay, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena launches worldwide in April 2009.

The PlayStation 3 was supposed to be the “be all end all” of gaming consoles. Ever since it’s release in 2006 sales have been less than expected. Now two and a half years later it is safe to say that the PS3 has not lived up to Sony’s expectations. It’s not too late for Sony though. This article will examine three main reasons for the PS3’s continued slow progress and how to change the consoles fortunes.

1. High Price: This one is the obvious choice for the number one main reason for PS3’s slow progress. The PS3 for it’s entire life cycle thus far is getting beat mostly due to a higher price point than that of it’s competitors. While there have been rumblings online that the PS3 will receive a price cut very soon Sony is keeping quiet. The move would make sense. The PS3 is now profitable, has great games and is still one of the most recognizable brand names in the business. A price drop could go a long way towards fixing Sony’s problems. Third Party Developers are asking for a price cut and so are PS2 owners that are finally looking to make the jump into the next-generation of consoles. Most analysts agree that a $100 price cut should be enough to give Sony’s console a much needed shot in the arm.

2. Too Little Advertising: Remember back in the PS2 glory days all the advertising that Sony used to do for the system and its games? Well what the heck happened? It seems as if Sony grew such a big ego over the past to generations that they just decided that they didn’t need to advertise anymore. Now days Microsoft holds the advertising crown and it shows. Ask any gamer or analysts who has done a better job at getting word out about their products this generation and they will all tell you it’s Microsoft. Supposedly Sony is gearing up for its biggest marketing campaign ever. Most people assumed this would have started with Killzone 2, the PS3’s most hyped game to date. Sadly ads for Killzone 2 have been few and far between. It seems as if in the early part of 09 Sony has decided to give more attention to MLB: The Show 09. A grave mistake indeed. Sony must begin to really get behind the PS3 by flexing its marketing muscle. Enough of the half ass-ed attempts to create momentum. Sony has the line-up this year now they just need to actually support that line-up.

3. DLC Problems: DLC has become one of the new standards in gaming this generation. Developers and gamers understand this. Apparently Sony does not. Time and time again Sony has let Microsoft buyout exclusive DLC for must have multi-platform games. GTA 4 is a shinning example of how this can hurt. The “Lost and Damned” DLC is now Microsoft’s best selling DLC to date according to Microsoft. Aaron Greenberg even stated yesterday that “If that content was sold at retail, it would be one of the best sellers across all platforms, it would have outsold Killzone 2.” It’s not just the exclusive DLC that Sony is missing out on. Publishers are growing increasingly weary over what DLC they supply the PS3 with. In October of 2008 Sony began to make Publishers pay for the cost of bandwidth that is associated with releasing new DLC. Sometimes at a cost up to $160,000. Microsoft  on the other hand is still picking up the tab for developers which gives them even more reason to make the 360 their console of choice in regards to DLC perks. It’s not too late for Sony to reverse the decision. This is one area where Sony just needs to say “Okay that was a dumb idea, we’re sorry, now lets move on” However the odds of that happening are highly unlikely.

It’s not to late for Sony to turn it around. All their major problems are within their control. The future really is in Sony’s hands. All they really need to do is; drop the price, start to really advertise like they promised, change the no good DLC policies and all will be well again. Here’s to hoping they do.

yahoo news

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran played down President Barack Obama’s new video message to the Iranian people on Friday, saying it welcomed the overtures but warned that decades of mistrust can’t easily be erased.

Obama released the video to coincide with the major Iranian festival of Nowruz, a 12-day holiday that marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year in Iran. In the video, which has Farsi subtitles, Obama said the U.S. is prepared to end the strained relations if Tehran tones down its combative rhetoric.

But in the first government reaction to the video, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s press adviser said “minor changes will not end the differences” between Tehran and Washington.

“Obama has talked of change but has taken no practical measures to address America’s past mistakes in Iran. If Mr. Obama takes concrete actions and makes fundamental changes in U.S. foreign policy toward other nations including Iran, the Iranian government and people will not turn their back on him,” Ali Akbar Javanfekr told the Iranian state-run English-language Press TV satellite station.

It wasn’t clear how many Iranians were able to see the video, which was not aired on state television in Iran on Friday. It was likely shown on Farsi-language TV stations beamed in from outside of the country, but many Iranians don’t watch television in the first days of long Nowruz holiday that is normally filled with family gatherings or vacations away from home.

Iranians could see the video on the White House Web site, but other popular video sharing sites like YouTube are blocked in Iran.

Obama has repeatedly signaled a willingness to engage with Iran about its nuclear program and hostility toward Israel, a key U.S. ally. At his inauguration, the president said his administration would reach out to rival states, declaring “we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

But Iranian leaders have been not been as eager. Ahmadinejad has said Iran would welcome talks with the U.S. — but only if there was mutual respect. Iranian officials say that means the U.S. needs to stop accusing Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism, charges Tehran has denied.

Iran and the United States broke off diplomatic relations after the 1979 Islamic revolution and the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by hard-line students.

On Friday, Javanfekr blamed the United States’ “hostile policy toward Iran” for the tense ties between the two countries. He said Iranian’s “will never forget” Washington’s past actions including the U.S.-backed coup that toppled the elected government of Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh in 1953, its backing of Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s war with Iran in the 1980s and the downing of an Iranian airliner in 1988 by a U.S. naval ship.

But in Europe, the EU’s policy chief urged Iranian officials to accept Obama’s oustretched hand.

“It’s a very constructive message,” Javier Solana said at an EU summit in Brussels. “I hope that will open a new chapter in relations with Tehran.”

thisis50.com

Eminem will be one of the presenters coming to Cleveland for the sold-out Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday, April 4, at Public Auditorium. He will induct Run DMC.

The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

Eminem’s upcoming album “Relapse” is due for release on May 19th. A new single and video is set to drop on April 7th.

thisis50.com

“And 3 members of Soul 4 Real have been indicted on 145 counts of Aggravated Identity Fraud. WTF?? I don’t know who’s who anymore but Duluth, GA police say that Brian Dalyimple’s brothers (and fellow group members), Jason Dalyrimple and Andre Dalyrimple will all be indicted.

33 year old Brian was arrested on suspicion of identity fraud earlier this month after somebody reported $12 g’s thanks to fraudulent purchases. According to the PD:

“[We also found] a multitude of fraudulently obtained credit cards,” said Major Woodruff of Duluth PD, “documents for bank loans, checking and savings accounts in fraudulent names, account and routing numbers belonging to legitimate accounts and documents containing identifying information of many individuals.”

Until October 1 2008, video game publishers who wanted to offer downloadable content on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 didn’t have to worry about getting a bill from Microsoft and Sony.

The million-plus downloads that a popular demo or map pack might receive could delight gamers, but rack up some expensive bandwidth costs. No problem: the publishers, who already pay a licensing fee to get their games on the two big platforms, could count on the platform holders — Microsoft and Sony — to pay the cost of piping that digital content to gamers.

That situation changed with the PS3 on October 1 of last year, when Sony implemented a 16 cents per Gigabyte fee to publishers for paid and free downloadable content, according to publishing sources familiar with Sony’s policy.

Game publishers are not happy about it.

MTV Multiplayer has verified that a letter sent to publishers last fall detailed the policy. It applies a 16-cent charge to every Gigabyte of content downloaded from the PS3’s PSN online store.  For free content, like demos, those charges apply only during the first 60 days of the content’s release. For paid content, like map packs, the charges rack up in perpetuity, or until that content is removed from the PlayStation 3’s online store.

This “PlayStation Network Bandwidth” fee has been unpopular with game companies, according to at least three publishing and development sources who spoke to MTV Multiplayer about the policy on the condition of anonymity so as not to get their companies on Sony’s bad side.

“It definitely makes us think about how we view the distribution of content related to our games when it is free for us to do it on the web, on Xbox Live, or any other way — including broadcast — than on Sony’s platform,” one publishing source said. “It’s a new thing we have to budget. It’s not cool. It sucks.”

Publishers already pay costs for creating a demo, a process that can run six figures. Sony’s fees add a new expense. For a demo that is sized at exactly 1GB and is downloaded one million times, that would add an extra $160,000 that Sony is now charging and that, according to publishing sources, Microsoft isn’t. That’s what could scare publishers from placing content on the PS3.

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I was in Home today and on the info boards there was a message saying that 50Cent has some tracks in Home now. There are 10 songs two of which are exclusive but while I’m sitting here I have yet to hear any lyrics. Still cool as hell though.

Lagoon 2 – Maybe no one remembers Lagoon, but it was released for the SNES. It had a sort Zelda feel to it and in my opinion was superior to Zelda. The story was similar to that of Fallout 3 which involved polluted water. The hero Nasir (Champion of Light) would have to find a way to clean the pollution in the city water. Change the name of the Main character or just change the character altogether and it would be fantastic (WTF kind of name is Nasir?). Sony should try and buy the license for this game considering Microsoft already has plenty of these kinds of games.

Jet Grind Radio 2 – Although it would be nice to see a sequel to Jet Grind Radio go multi-platform, this game would seem to fit nicely as a Wii exclusive or a full downloadable sequel for the XBLA & PSN.

Shadow of the Colossus 2 – Everyone remember this screen right? Maybe not as I just saw it recently; but it sure as hell hints that Team Ico is in the works to develop another great PS brand exclusive judging from the previous games they released. This was one of their best games considering they only had two, but it would be amazing to see a sequel to Shadow of the Colossus be released a few months after God of War 3. Before I move onto the next, I do know this was called the prequel of ICO, though it didn’t feel like it to me. But what the hell, both are good and weather its Shadow of the Colossus 3 or ICO 2, its all the same I guess, as long as we get one of the two.

ICO 2 – This was a great game for its time with a concept of “boy meets girl.” Sony is currently pushing many Action Adventures such as Infamous and shortly after Uncharted 2, but it sure would be nice to see a sequel. This is less likely to happen however since it’s the other Team Ico game I briefly mentioned above; they would only have time to work on one game and I would preferably like to see Shadow of the Colossus sequel over an Ico sequel.

Donkey Kong Country 4 – Back on the SNES, this was an amazing game, the next good one since Country 1 thought DK Country 2 was pretty good too. I don’t know who kept the license for this game since last time I heard from it, it was on the Wii, but the license of the game was owned by Rare, which was bought out by Microsoft. Whoever has the rights, I would like to see a true successor to this great series on any console, but none of that DK music garbage or any cheap spin offs. What? You guys can’t make a good monkey/gorilla game without drums?

Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2 – Most Wanted was the true last good arcade racer the NFS franchise ever had and nothing they could do to the series could bring the scale and greatness of this game back to it. Sadly, none of the 4 new NFS titles are a Most Wanted sequel. I would also like to see these teams take their next project seriously. Instead of them focusing on all platforms possible, they should only put their time in at least two consoles and most being three, of course I mean PS3, 360 and/or PC.

Kingdom Hearts 3 – I don’t really care for this “Kingdom Hearts Coded” nor “Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days” but I would give it to the DS’s 358/2 Days if I had to choose between the two. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep looks good though, at least in CGI form, but the last time I checked, it was going to implement the same fighting mechanics as KH Re: CoM which included the card scheme. In my opinion, this was a horrible feature for KH Re: CoM just as it was for the one battle in KH2. Square Enix has screwed Sony over plenty, which is why I think this game should remain exclusive to the PS3, though I doubt it will. Come on Square, stop with the BS; stop all these “Prequels” that you keep pulling out you’re a** and give me the real next installment. I hate when Games are released and then instead of giving you its true successor, they give you a prequel. I don’t want to go backwards in the story, I want to progress; I already know how the story will end in all prequels. Also, Donald and Goofy have been re-united with their king which was their main purpose for being with you, so please exclude them from tagging along with you in the next installment to the series on consoles.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – Now that SF4 has been released, we know that Capcom still has it in them to make an excellent fighter. Now the only thing I want to see Capcom master is 3D physics for their fighting genre. They still haven’t managed to make one 3d Fighter and yet, other developers were able to do it from their beginning, seen in Tekken. There should be no excuse by now, if they can execute it right, their fighters would remain fresh, innovative, and still feel original. MvC2 had 56 fighters, I would hate to see Capcom pull a Midway and release this possible next installment with a fraction of the characters (see MK: Armageddon, 63 playable characters as opposed to MK vs. DCU, 20 Playable characters).

Mega-Man X9, Legends 3, or X: Command Mission 2 – Let’s face it, everyone misses old Blue. What the series needs to assure it from becoming a complete failure like Sonic is a complete overhaul. How about an action RPG or an action adventure genre based game? This would make the series nice and keep it fresh. If Capcom could learn to master 3D for Rockman, it would be another great innovation in its series. Capcom is afraid of change and that’s why they don’t try and make overhauls on their games; they are afraid that people will hate them for it, but it’s a risk everyone must take if they want to keep their beloved series fresh; if it fails, you can always revert to your old ways.

Mortal Kombat 5 – This game has a good possibility of being released, at least within 2 or 3 years. Why? Midway is selling the rights to it, that’s why! Regardless of who gets it, I’m sure it will be better than the previous MK vs. DCU. Fatalities are everyone’s favorite feature in the series, but the fighting mechanic looks to need a serious change. Keep all the characters special moves and hell, keep them all and add 20 new to the next MK; this would keep it great and the scale of the game would be unmatched. MK4 didn’t do nearly as big a bang as MK3 just as SF3 when compared to SF2. All of Capcom’s next installments after SF3 didn’t really do noise until SF4 (I mean Street Fighter 2nd Impact & 3rd Strike; there was also Street Fighter Alpha, Alpha 2, & Alpha 3). The MK series has had many games that spun off the series so maybe a return to the original line would turn heads once again to their series.

Special thanks to the creator of the KH3 art, I edited it to say “Only on Playstation 3″. I created the rest of the other ones. Hope you enjoyed. Give me your thoughts on my list and also your list.

hey guys got bad news, I cannot make it to Australian Idol this year because of my brothers wedding, it is on the same month when Australian Idol starts. Plus i got college I have to complete and need to get a job to work, so yea i gotta change the schedule to next year. But im 100% sure I’ll go next year, hope you guys understand, you all know how life is right, so yes Australian Idol for next year.

Also I need to Work on my Singing by increasing my pitch and vocals, also need to write my owns songs because they will be asking to sing your own song and learn the song on the keyboard.