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Linasoft's AutoPlay Menu Builder offers a simple method for building digital menus. Perfect for DVDs and CD-ROMs, its usefulness easily overcomes some minor design hurdles.

We headed straight for the Help file and its topic-by-topic instructions upon opening this program. The layout was a cluttered collection of separate command windows surrounding the main screen and didn't make sense at first, but these issues were quickly sorted out, improving navigation overall. AutoPlay wisely offers about seven different templates for making menus, ranging from DVDs to tutorials and software installations. There's also an option to build a menu from … Read more

The video game industry is poised to make a rebound, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter wrote in a note to clients on Thursday. The analyst also predicted that it will be Sony's PlayStation 3, and not the Nintendo Wii, that will lead console sales for the month, when NPD releases figures next week.

"After six consecutive months of double-digit declines, we expect a return to double-digit sales growth (on video game software)," Pachter wrote to clients. "We forecast sales of $750 million, up 21 percent, compared to last year's $618 million."

It's … Read more

Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO Jack Tretton said in an interview with Forbes earlier this week that a Sony victory in this generation's console war is good for the industry.

"In an industry that has certainly had its challenges this year, we like to say that the environment where the PlayStation wins is best for this industry," Tretton told Forbes. "We have a brand that can play on a worldwide basis, to young and old, male and female, where our competition tends to be relegated to select regions or to select consumer audiences."

Tretton's comments came after the SCEA chief told Forbes that Nintendo, the current console leader, "delivers a casual, youth-oriented entertainment experience."

Of course, Tretton's statements echo what has been coming out of the Sony camp for quite a while. Sony has made it clear that it views Microsoft as its direct competitor. And although Nintendo sells far more consoles than both Microsoft and Sony, it seems that, as always, Sony doesn't believe that Nintendo is a real competitor.

More than gaming That might be based in Tretton's belief that the PlayStation 3 is much more than just a gaming console. Tretton cited Sony's new advertising slogan where the company claims the PlayStation "only does everything." He said that the PlayStation 3 might be a gaming console at its core, "but it's so much more: Blu-ray movies, downloading music content, downloading video content, surfing the Internet. This is really the central entertainment device for a room."… Read more

Sony announced Wednesday that Amazon will be the first online retailer to sell codes for games and add-ons available in the PlayStation Store. In addition to buying a voucher in-store or downloading directly from the PlayStation Store, PlayStation 3, PSP, and PSP Go owners can now shop online at the world's largest online retailer as well.

Having a digital store has seemed to work for Microsoft and the Xbox Marketplace as users can also use the site to read customer reviews and browse through rankings. Sony has recently increased the number of original PSP games available in the PlayStation … Read more

The Entertainment Software Association reported this week that more colleges and universities than ever are offering degrees and certificate programs in video game design, programming, and art.

According to the organization, 254 institutions currently offer programs focused on video game creation. Notably, the University of Pennsylvania offers a master's degree in computer graphics and game technology. The ESA said 54 programs have been added since 2008, representing a 27 percent increase in the number of video game-related degree programs across the United States.

"Today, video games are not only the fastest-growing entertainment medium, they are also increasingly used … Read more

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it has launched a new Xbox 360 Elite Holiday bundle.

Microsoft's new Xbox 360 Elite bundle features the Xbox 360 console, a wireless black controller, and copies of Lego Batman: The Videogame and action sports game Pure. According to the company, the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle starts shipping to retailers Tuesday. It will be available for $299.

Microsoft also announced the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack. That bundle features a black wireless controller and four Xbox Live Arcade titles--Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live, and a downloadable token for … Read more

The lack of a hard release date--or even projected timeframe--has been a bit of a sore spot for Gran Turismo fans when comparing GT5 to Forza Motorsport 3. Well, those days are almost over, as Sony has finally announced the next installment in Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo racing series will go on sale in March 2010. However, that is specifically the Japanese release date, leaving us in the dark as to whether we will get a concurrent North American release or if we'll have to wait a bit longer.

Six months (or more) is quite a wait to … Read more

With the announcement late Wednesday that Nintendo has dropped the price of its Wii console to $199.99, effective Sunday, all three companies in the video game space have reduced the price of their consoles. Now, the Xbox 360 Elite is available for $299.99. Microsoft's Xbox 360 Arcade is offered for $199.99. And the PlayStation 3 sports a $299.99 price tag.

But price shouldn't be the only consideration when determining your video game purchase. When all's said and done, value is important.

That's why I've compiled a list outlining the cost of the consoles, important peripherals gamers might want to buy, and some additional features that users might care about. I won't tally the full cost, since every gamer is different. I also won't determine the real value of a respective console--that's your job.

Let's take a look.… Read more