Game

With Sony releasing version 2.40 of the PlayStation 3 firmware today, it's no surprise that talk about a new Xbox 360 dashboard update has surfaced.

Aside from the normal list of technical updates, this rumored dashboard update will supposedly incorporate an entire new graphical user interface as well. Right now, reports point toward a sort of 3D experience, deviating from the current "blade" system. There's also talk that this alternative GUI will take advantage of some sort of motion-control device yet-to-be-announced by Microsoft.

Kotaku describes the new interface as a nod to the control scheme … Read more

UPDATED JULY 6, 2008, 7:30pm PST

Due to a version control issue I accidentally deleted the pointer to this list of 29 potential video game monetization methods from Jeremy Liew at Lightspeed VP Blog. This list originally appeared as a guest post on Jeremy's blog. I didn't realize it got botched when I hit publish. Apologies.

David Perry, Chief Creative Officer of Acclaim Games has identified 29 possible ways to monetize video games.

Potential Video Game Monetization Methods.

List ? 2008 David Perry. www.dperry.com

1. Retail (bricks & mortar), selling boxed product at places like EBGames, Gamestop or Virgin Megastore. This also includes mom & pop stores, hardcore specialist gamer shops, and online retailers like Amazon.com that ship the product to your door. The gap in this market is "same day" physical delivery of games too big to download or 1st party titles (basically combining online & bricks and mortar in one solution.) The future of this space is pre-paid cards as the consoles will (in the future) go online only, distributing everything directly to the consumer, so retail (to make it worth selling the hardware) will need a cut of the software sales. Hence prepaid cards. The Gamestop tactic of re-selling USED games (to avoid paying for new product) will finally be over. To drive users to retail, the making of special "enhanced" versions just for their retail chain is a common practice.

2. Digital Distribution (direct download, direct to consumer), like the Steam service from Valve Software, the PlayStation Store or Xbox Live Arcade from Microsoft. This also technically includes "unlocking" access to a game already on a service, like the faux install process on Facebook (however the player would have to pay to do this unlock.)

3. In-Game Advertising (either obvious billboards or branded items in the game world, or subtle product placement (certain clothing, sunglasses or vehicles like Gaia Online), or built into story elements (like the hero's girlfriend works for a Neutrogena). Companies like IGA, Massive, Game Jacket, Mochi Media, Google, VideoEgg etc.

4. Around-Game Advertising (basically making money from banner & skyscraper adverts that circle the gameplay window), this is common on flash game aggregator sites, they use services like Google, Commission Junction, personal affiliate deals etc. The revenue comes from CPM (cost per thousand views), CPC (cost per click), CPA (cost per acquisition of a player), CPP (cost for a "real" player who really plays for a certain time, or to a certain level.)… Read more

Update: Sony has suspended the 2.40 upgrade, following reports that it has fouled up some PS3 systems (see Joystiq for more). While the two PS3s we have here at CNET were able to install the update with no adverse effects, it appears that some users were considerable less fortunate.

The 2.40 firmware update for the PlayStation 3 is now available. The free update, which Sony has been talking up for the past several days, adds a smattering of new features, including in-game access to the XMB (Cross Media Bar) home screen, custom soundtracks, a new trophy system, and … Read more

It seems that our friends in the Middle Kingdom are getting some serious Razer love as the peripheral maker has just announced an entry-level gaming keyboard that will be sold only in China.

And don't let the term "entry-level" fool you. The Razer Aurantia is about as functional as one can get, with 104 macro programmable keys, special function buttons for gaming mode, profile switching, and 10 software profiles. The main differences from its more expensive Lycosa brethren are anti-ghosting capabilities and backlight illumination, features that are nice to have but not essential.

Priced at 399 yuan (… Read more

The idea that Microsoft's split loyalties between the PC and its console business isn't new now, nor was it new when we raised the issue a few months back. But we're not sure we've heard a Microsoft representative speak quite so frankly on the topic as in a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

In response to the question, "Which format is your priority in Europe," Microsoft's Peter Zetterberg says the following:

On a global scale, the Windows Vista business is as important as our Xbox 360 business. But in Germany, for example, we … Read more

The makers of World of Warcraft are offering players of the online role-playing game an optional layer of security in the form of an electronic token device called Blizzard Authenticator designed to prevent unauthorized access to an account.

The lightweight device, which fits on a keyring, provides a unique, one-time six-digit numeric code that the account holder includes when logging in. It is used in addition to a password and account name.

It was offered to attendees at the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide invitational in Paris over the weekend and will be available for $6.50 through Blizzard's online … Read more

If you think the new generations of video cards, the Radeon HD 4800 series and the GeForce GTX 200 series, from ATI and nVIDIA, respectively, are hot (as they actually are, literally and figuratively), then just know that they can be cool, too. Liquid-cooled, that is.

Asetek announced last Friday their first liquid cooling solution, called LCLC, for the latest video cards from the two leading GPU companies. Asetek's new liquid cooling solution is compact yet powerful enough to bring the temperature of the card down to less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit during peak performance. This allows users to … Read more

The Olympic Games are supposed to be about international brotherhood and friendly competition, but NBC apparently doesn't want its competition to get too chummy.

NBC, which has the exclusive rights to televise events from the games in Beijing, has made great strides over the years in bringing more content to viewers. For the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, the network set up NBCOlympics.com, but alas it offered little more than photos and schedules intended to drive Web surfers to their TVs.

In 2004, the network discovered high definition, which was nice--unless you weren't too keen on … Read more

Anyone can have a Bluetooth headset nowadays and, unfortunately, it often seems like everyone does. But there's one way you can separate yourself from the loquacious crowd--with a model branded specifically for your favorite game.

Just as Metal Gear Solid 4 got its own headset, SOCOM Confrontation--another PlayStation 3 title--will get one as well. Sony says it will available both as a standalone product and as part of a bundle with the Blu-ray version of the game, according to SlashGear, though no pricing has been disclosed yet.

The headset will come with its own USB charging dock and, … Read more