Capcom to Roll Out Grand Theft Auto IV in Japan

Capcom Japan announced today that it will be publishing the Japanese version of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV. the game will be released in Japan sometime this year for both the PlayStation 3 and Japan.

Capcom has published past Grand Theft Auto titles in Japan, and they have seen critical success, with games usually selling over 200,000.

[GTAIV Heads to Japan]

GTA Online Is "Very Doable"

In a new interview with Co-Founder of Rockstar Games, Sam Houser, he explains that a massively multiplayer online Grand Theft Auto game is "very, very doable". He explains "I think a subscription-based Grand Theft Auto-type game...is very, very doable and is a very, very compelling proposition." Hey, maybe we will see it one day.

[1UP Interview]

Sony Advertises Grand Theft Auto IV: 'meant to be played on the PS3'

In a new campaign paid for by Sony, they advertise Grand Theft Auto IV on Amazon as "Meant to Be Played on the PS3". For some reason, however, the advertisement has been since changed to just "Experience Grand Theft Auto IV on the PS3". We have no idea why if it was paid for. Amazon says Microsoft will do something similar next week.

[Sony promotes GTA4 as 'meant to be played on the PS3' [update]]

Midway Gamers' Day 08: Ed Boon Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Interview

At the Midway Gamers' Day 08, an interview with Ed Boon, creator of the Mortal Kombat series, was done. He talks about the newly announced Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. He explains how he always wanted to do a cross-over, but he wanted to do something nobody would ever expect. Enjoy!

G4TV: Grand Theft Auto IV First Gameplay Arriving Sunday

You'd never think that a game with as much anticipation as Grand Theft Auto IV would wait two days before it's release to show the first gameplay video. Well, think again. On Sunday, April 27, 2008, G4TV will have an exclusive sneak peak of a hands-on demo for Grand Theft Auto IV. Tune in, we know we will.

[Catch GTA IV On G4 This Sunday]

Huge Mods to Come to Unreal Tournament III

Unreal Tournament III is set to get some bigger modifications on the PlayStation 3 soon. Developers behind Tactical Ops (classic Unreal Tournament mod) want to bring Tactical Ops 3 the consoles. The team doesn't thing that their first release of Tactial Ops 3 will support consoles, but they are hoping to do it for future releases.

"This modification of Unreal Tournament III will focus on capturing the original Tactical Ops feel, with all the updated goodies v has to offer. The Tactical Ops series focuses on fast, action-packed gameplay, pitting terrorists against Special Forces in the most deadly scenarios."

Lets hope we can see this on the system.

[Huge UT III mod whets PS3 appetites]

Head Coach 09 to Have Standalone Release Along with Madden 09 Collector's Bundle

Electronic Arts has announced today that NFL Head Coach 09 will have it's own standalone release rather than only being in the Madden NFL 09 Collector's Edition. The game will be relesed on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this Fall for $49.99. That means if you want it separately, you'll have to wait about a month after Madden 09 releases.

[NFL Head Coach 09 NOT Only Available In Madden 09 Collectors Edition]

Susan Panico Says Video Service for Next Store Update

In a new interview with PlayStation Network senior director Susan Panico, she talks about the new PlayStation Store redesign we've seen in firmware update 2.30.

She says that the Video Service for the PlayStation Network will be in the next firmware update (for the store). She says that it will be coming "soon." such as Peter Dille stated. They are spending more time on developing to reaffirm their commitment to delivering a good experience. The video content is going to be available through the PlayStation Store on the Network.

Regarding PSone Classics on the PlayStation Store, Panico says "We are working as fast as we can to get the catalog of PS One games on to the PlayStation Store. The licensing and clearing of these titles can be challenging and time consuming. For example, the software publisher may not have cleared the music rights in the game past a five-year period, which prevents us from selling it on the store."

Lets hope to see the video service, and more classics soon.

[Q&A: Behind the new PlayStation Store-front]

Rumor: US Store Update for April 24, 2008?

Sev1512 claims to have gotten a hold of the upcoming US PlayStation Store update on April 24, 2008. For content's sake, we hope there is more. Take a look.

• Iron Man Demo (free)
• Echochrome Demo (free)
• LocoRoco PSP Game ($)
• Kingdom Of Paradise PSP Game ($)
• Call of Duty 4 Map Pack ($)
• Eye of Judgement Add-On ($)
• Resistance 2 Trailer (free)
• R-Type PSone Classic ($)

[Sev1512]

EA Announces Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Electronic Arts today announced that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be getting it's video game adaption from EA's Bright Light Studio, releasing when the movie releases later on this year. The game will be arriving on mainly all consoles available. View the press release below.

EA AND WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE VIDEO GAME
Fans will relive the thrills, action and excitement of the movie this holiday season

Guildford, U.K. – April 22nd, 2008 – EA’s Casual Entertainment Label and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ video game will be released later this year to coincide with the Warner Bros. Pictures film based on J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book.

“We believe that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game represents a milestone in the movie tie-in genre,” said Harvey Elliott, Head of EA Bright Light studio in the UK where the Harry Potter franchise has its home. “Building on the technological advancements of previous games in the series and with a particular focus on the unique control system of Nintendo’s WiiTM, the team here is working closely with the filmmakers to create an immersive interactive experience that captures the story, the action, the excitement and, above all, the fun of the film. ”

“Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans a compelling Harry Potter video game, one which captures the thrilling storyline and high visual quality of the movie,” said Scott Johnson, Vice President, Business Development for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The adherence to the rich fiction is a trademark of this franchise and with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fans will experience the most authentic and enjoyable game in the series to date.”

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

In the game of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron’s romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

Under development by EA Bright Light Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release in time for the movie launch this fall for the Wii, PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Nintendo DS, Windows PC, Macintosh and mobile devices.

Hip-Hop Producer Just Blaze Shows His Love for PlayStation 3, Final Fantasy

In a new video recording, hip-hop producer Just Blaze gives us a tour of his room. The fact that it is so crappy is beyond us since he is CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment, but he does express his love for PlayStation 3 and Final Fantasy. "How many rappers you know got this" he says as he holds a copy of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Enjoy!

Grand Theft Auto IV Takes Over LA Hotel

Rockstar Games really knows how to advertise when it comes to their games. Here is something unsurprising, a huge Grand Theft Auto IV three-column banner over Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles. Yes, it looks nice.

[GTA in LA]

Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition Packaging Revealed

An Australian retail store has received the Special Edition of Grand Theft Auto IV in. So how will it be pacakged? Well, the pictures show you. The Special Edition comes with the game, soundtrack CD, art book, keyring and bag stuffed inside the lock box, which will be in a cardboard box featuring that lollipop girl you see here. Enjoy!

[GTA IV Special Edition arrives in stores]

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Delayed till 2009

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, announced earlier this year, will not be coming out in 2008. At this year's NYC Comic Con, they revealed that the game will be released in 2009. We don't know if anybody really cares, but I'm sure there are a few of you out there.

[Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Crosses Over Into 2009]

PlayStation Home Not Launching till Fall 2008

Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed today that PlayStation Home will not arrive until Fall 2008, delaying it from it's already delayed Spring release.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for PLAYSTATION®Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants from the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) users. Following completion of the Expanded Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will commence in Fall 2008.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation® tradition.”

The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences, such as connecting PlayStation games with Home and providing places and items from the games.

Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.

We understand you need more time and all, but can't you throw us those Home features for use in the XMB so we can actually do something on the PlayStation Network while we are waiting?