NEWS:

This fall Microsoft says we are taking over by opening up a retail store right next door to Apple. This is a direct challenge in the heat of competition, Microsoft is no joke because when they want something they go after it and that is the number one spot.

Microsoft took a beating to Sony with the PS2 and now the roles has reversed. Microsoft is leading against Sony with a significant lead at that with both software and hardware. Apple has ipods, macs, apps and now Microsoft wants apart of the action head on and they are bringing the fight pulling no punches.

Microsoft announcing project natal is going to be the answer to the Nintendo Wii and this generation it’s too little to late but, don’t be surprised if Microsoft beats Nintendo as well in the next go around because Natal will be there on day one.

The company’s COO Kevin Turner has officially announced that they will open their own retail stores “right next door to Apple this fall”:

after Apple’s success in the retail channel—which has helped the Cupertino company to win the mindshare battle—Microsoft wants to fight right back right there

Stay tuned for more breaking news in this battle

Source

Sony Computer Entertainment America (“SCEA”) together with the leading online tournament site, GameBattles, is pleased to announce the MLB® 09: The Show ™All Star Championship, an online single player tournament where fans of PlayStation® and baseball can compete for more than $13,000 in cash and prizes.

Registration for the MLB® 09: The Show ™All Star Championship is open now and ladder play, the period in which players will battle to qualify for the tournament final, begins on August 3, 2009. The top 128 players will proceed into a single elimination bracketed online tournament, from September 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009.

Over $12,000 in cash and merchandise will be given away to Tournament winners. Prizes include:

• 1st Place = $10,000 cash

• 2nd Place = $2,000 Sony®Style Gift Card and an official MLB® Jersey

• 3rd Place = $500 cash and an official MLB® Jersey

Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, San Diego Studio, MLB® 09: The Show ™provides aspiring big leaguers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ultimate baseball experience. With its meticulous attention to detail, MLB® 09: The Show ™offers gameplay and graphics that truly set it apart from the competition. The unrivaled “player creator” allows users to create their own player, deciding on their look, pitch/swing style, and even emotions while the custom-created player’s perspective gives users the ability to engage in interactive training and coaching to further encourage player development in the game. Furthermore, features like improved franchise and online modes, transitional lighting effects, and customizable fan chants and yells, the series promises to create a wholly interactive and customizable experience not found anywhere else.

Registration is opened to the public from July 12, 2009. To register, participants can log on to the GameBattles website and complete the free online registration form at http://gamebattles.com/mlb09theshow/.

To compete in this battle, players must have access to a broadband connected PS3™ system and the MLB® 09: The Show ™video game. All participants must be legal residents of the United States and at least 13 years of age as of the date of entry.

NEWS:

Here’s a list of the new DLC that Transformers 2 owners can enjoy later this summer on Xbox360 and PS3

Over TEN new multiplayer characters including ultimate fan favorites such
as G1 Starscream and movie favorites like Sideswipe.

1. Three all-new multiplayer maps.

4. New Achievements and Trophies to earn.

This will increase everyone’s playability with this long loved franchise

NEWS:

Matt Spall seems to know something that we don’t but hope for and that’s Cloud Computing In The Next Generation.

“I think the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii will be purely browser-based systems,” Says Matt Spall

Spall seemingly echoed recent comments by David Perry, who of course is pushing cloud computing heavily with his own Gaikai service. “It won’t be long before 100 percent of games are all online,” Perry said at the conference.

This is huge and also industry changing. The current generation that we are in we’ve seen some major problems from Gamestop and their used market tactics cutting out the developers cut. Ported games being bad for one system causing bad gameplay experiences, also the industry has suffered from the cost of putting games on disc and sometimes multiple disc fees which overtime can hurt game developers.

Cloud Computing can solve alot of those problems and it will also make the console more streamlined if done correctly. The Next Generation along with other technology upgrades should be significant enough to be successful utilizing Cloud Computing

Perry plans to install his Gaikai servers in “every major city” across the globe. He noted that currently 67% of the U.K. and 60% of North America has enough bandwidth to support Gaikai.

Stay tuned for more info regarding Cloud Computing and the Next Generation of Consoles.

source

NEWS:

7 million people in Home who says no one stays there now. Home can be so much better but with the consistent updates and community surrounding this application it’s obvious that Home has a significant presence on the Playstation 3. Later this year more features and functions will be hitting Home and one of them that we may see is the movie streaming service.

This will add so much fun to the application being able to invite friends to your house and watch movies together and not only that you can upload your own movies as well and share them with the rest of your friends.

This is a free service but it’s also a major revenue stream for Sony and considering Home has hit the 7 million mark it just goes to show how strong the game division is financially and how much support Home has been receiving.

Xbox live has netflix, and now coming soon the instant HD option which is all great features but to have a 3D social network with not only blockbuster movies, but your own uploaded video content to share with others. The community seems to be in favor of the PS3 with this new addition.

Since Home launched seven months ago, European users have downloaded six million pieces of merchandise. Yes, said Edward, some of those were free, but make no mistake: “This is a commercial business, it is up and running and it is making money.”

Stay Tuned For Mose Significant Updates Within Home