Well, maybe not stop, postpone I guess.
Sony have announced the PS3 slim officially now. In stead of just the entire internet knowing it was on the way, we now have official confirmation and details.
It looks like this:
A bit uglier than the PS3 phat, and doesn't seem to have the nifty 'button but not really a button' thing that the phat has, but seem more than worth it for it being not such an epic monolith of a console. It is 33% smaller, 36% lighter, and consumes 34% less power than the old model. Sony says it will be on sale worldwide by the 1st of September, and that is will have all the features of the phat.
Price is a funny one. The release price of the Slim is £249.99. Right now the best deal on a 80gb Phat is £250 from Asda, with 2 games. RRP for the phat 80gb model is £299.99, but that is also being dropped to £249.99.
Which doesn't make much sense to me.
Picture the scene:
Customer: "I'd like a PS3 please?"
Salesperson: "Sure, that's £250, would you like the old 80gb phat model, or the new 120gb slim model"
Customer: "What is the advantage of the phat model?"
Salesperson: "Nothing really"
No one is going to buy the phat at the same price as the slim. I predict retailers will be wanting to clear out the old models as soon as possible.
I don't think anyone's major complaint with the PS3 was size, it was price. They are starting to do fix that (although it possibly could be too little too late for some people). Either way, don't buy a PS3 now, either wait for the Slim, or wait a little while and get a big saving on the phat. As always, I will be keeping an eye out for the best launch prices for the slim, and any good clearance prices on the Phat.
Today is official "Stop any plans to buy a PS3" day
Pay what you want for Championship Manager 2010.
You have until midnight on September 10th to preorder Championship Manager 2010.
Minimum is £2.51, so you can pay that if you want. Or you can choose to give them more money.
It's a bold move, and probably the best way they can go about getting attention away from the market leading database simulator "Football Manager". Lets see how it pans out.
Details here, pre order here.
Zuma, PS3 - Review
Review by Will Templeton
"It is addictive, isn't it?"
My mother is not the type of person that you would say was au fait with an analogue stick. Or, rather, you would, but it would be accompanied by a devilish grin, a raise of the eyebrow, and an elbow to the ribs. Sat with a Dual Shock 3 in hand, though, she's powering through levels of Zuma that I've never even seen before.
She's not alone. Thousands of people worldwide log onto PopCap's website each month to play the games they have to offer, and Zuma has been one of their top games since its launch in 2003. People log in on their lunch breaks every day to match gems of three different colours together. It's a behaviour that we as enthusiasts perhaps have a little trouble understanding - the market is saturated with the Zumas and the Bejeweleds and everything in between. But what I'm seeing here is a link between what I like to do for entertainment, and something that gets my mum invested and engaged.
"I'd better slow down, I have to get to work tomorrow. But I can see why you don't sleep. It gets you fired up."
Aren't those familiar words to all of us? Playing online with some friends, with the promise to yourself that you'll go to bed after just one more match - and it ends up being 2am. Playing until just the next save point, and then being intrigued enough to carry on, and then having done so much that it would be a waste not to go to the next save point. To PopCap's audience, the concept of 'one more go' isn't to fight another strategic battle, or see more of an epic story unfold - it's to match more sets of three gems together, and challenge themselves on a much more basic level.
"Oh my God, look at this; look at the tunnels! Holy bloody shit. I can't see where it's going."
I've never heard my mother swear like that before. However, she hits it on the first try. She sits back, breathes a sigh of relief.
"It's not easy, that one. Oh, this looks like a shit one as well. Bugger, there's two of them."
I'm looking at the greater mechanics of the game - I know that I have to set up chains, I have a certain mindset that tells me automatically that I should fire earlier in the chain than nearer the hole, and that I should fire through gaps whenever possible for the bonus. She doesn't, yet. She's learning the techniques, and I'm watching it unfold as she focuses on only one string of gems as opposed to another, and the level ends before she knows it. I explain what happened. She starts it up again with the new knowledge, and clears the level again. It won't be long before I have to wrestle the controller from her to prevent her surpassing me.
There's a certain quality to Zuma that I'm not sure I would have seen if I hadn't passed the controller to someone less acquainted with games. This review would have been terse, a quick reminder that you've played this game before and five that are astoundingly similar. I'm reminded, though, that there's a reason we keep seeing these kinds of games crop up over and over. They're a link between the basic and advanced reasons we play games. My mother likes that she can set up a small chain and watch them cascade away from the hole. We both like that it challenges us just enough to give a sense of accomplishment, but not too much to annoy us into submission. And I appreciate that I can link up my PSP with Remote Play and continue my progress in bed.
"There's your coin," I say. "Down at the bottom."
"Bollocks to the coin."
Oh, Christ. She just got a Trophy that I don't have. I just need to have one more go...
Will Templeton is a contributing writer and podcast producer for SavyGamer. You can find more of his musings and tomfoolery at continueorquit.com.
360 Arcade price hike
In a similar move to what Nintendo did in March, Microsoft are increasing the price that they charge retailers for 360 Arcade consoles by £30.
Eurogamer has the details:
Retailers have told Eurogamer that Microsoft will increase the price of the Arcade Xbox 360 bundle to £159.99 (from £129.99) starting 1st September. The five XBLA games will no longer be included in the bundle, either.
ShopTo boss Igor Cipolletta received confirmation from Microsoft this morning, as did a corroborating independent retail chain source.
We're also told that Microsoft will bump the price of individual Xbox 360 accessories by one or two pounds. Our independent retail source said this is being done to counteract the poor pound-to-Euro currency exchange rate.
Furthermore, the email from Microsoft to retailers mentioned only Arcade and Elite bundles. This strengthens rumours that the Premium Xbox 360 bundle is being discontinued.
I think here are some key points to take from this:
The currency excuse is smoke and/or mirrors. If currency was the reason for this price change, then how come in the past when the currency situation was reversed, how come the UK did not receive any discounts? The price increase is simply because it is more profitable for Microsoft to charge more. That's fine, and certain not evil, but treating their customers like morons with PR speak bullshit about currency fluctuations helps no one.
I've never thought that the Core or Arcade system has been good value. I think it's a shame that there are 360s out their without hard drives, since developers can't assume that they are there, which is a significant step backwards from the original Xbox. I imagine that the value of having a hard drive, and the functionality it provides is worth way more than the difference in cost between the Arcade and the Pro to most people. If they are indeed removing the 60gb Pro console from the market, and the Elite stays at £229.99 RRP, then the 360 just got a lot worse value. I can't see how they could keep selling the 60gb alongside the Arcade, when its RRP is £169.99, £10 than the supposed new price for the Arcade (assuming retailers don't absorb the price difference entirely).
A 60gb pro console is £159.89 delivered right now. An excellent deal too.
Batman: Arkham Asylum, PC - £16.15
Batman: Arkham Asylum, PC - £16.15 delivered
Apply code "WEEKEND10" for 10% off.
Street Fighter IV [Collectors Edition], Xbox 360 - £28.98
Street Fighter IV [Collectors Edition], Xbox 360 - £28.98 delivered
Resistance: Fall Of Man, PS3 - £4.95
Resistance: Fall Of Man, PS3 - £4.95 delivered
Preowned, and in "working order".
Ridge Racer 6, Xbox 360 - £4.99
Ridge Racer 6, Xbox 360 - £4.99 delivered
Preowned and in "working" condition.
Modern Warfare 2: Hardened Edition, Xbox 360 - £54.99
Modern Warfare 2: Hardened Edition, Xbox 360 - £54.99 delivered
Comes with:
Steel book case
Art book,
Token to download the original Call of Duty from Xbox Live Arcade
Modern Warfare 2: Hardened Edition, PS3 - £54.99
Modern Warfare 2: Hardened Edition, PS3 - £54.99 delivered
Comes with:
Steel book case
Art book,
Token to download the original Call of Duty from the PlayStation Store.
Tomb Raider: Underworld, PC - £6.99
Tomb Raider: Underworld, PC - £6.99 delivered
Thanks to dancingcrab for the tip off.
Cheeky lil' GAME scam
GAME.co.uk currently have a voucher going (LEALTA09), £5 off off £50 spend.
This can be exploited for nefariousness means.
First, go to GAME.co.uk and pick something that you want to buy, then add it to your basket.
Then add a game preorder that pushes the total to above £50 (Modern Warfare 2 will work).
Then go you your basket, and apply the coupon "LEALTA09", and you should get £5 off the first item in your basket.
Complete the order.
Then go to your order history, and remove the preorder. You should then have the original item with £5 off, without having to spend a £50 total.
Some suggestions as to good items to get discounted, and the price you'll end up paying:
2100 MS Points - £11.99
Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership - £29.99
Guitar Hero: World Tour, Xbox 360 - £14.98
Guitar Hero: World Tour, PS3 - £14.98
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, DS - £7.98
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Directors Cut, Wii - £14.98
Persona 4, PS2 - £7.98
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, DS - £7.98
Resistance: Retribution, PSP - £9.98
Advance Wars: Dark Conflict - £4.98 (preowned)
Mirror's Edge, Xbox 360 - £2.98 (preowned)
Mirror's Edge, PS3 - £2.98 (preowned)
Bangai'O Spirits, DS - 98p!!!
Thanks to Paulando for the tip off, and this is a little bit naughty, so don't tell them you heard from me ;D
Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner, PS2 - £16.99
Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner, PS2 - £16.99 delivered
Best price I have seen, this has recently been reissued, but most places are selling it for £20.
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, PS3 - £16.99
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, PS3 - £16.99 delivered
Platinum rerelease preorder
DJ Hero
I have no idea if anyone actually wants to play this - stop me if I am wrong but this to me seems like a perfect example of exploiting a franchise too hard.
But whatever, these are the cheapest prices for DJ Hero:
DJ Hero + Turntable controller, Xbox 360 - £78.49 delivered
DJ Hero + Turntable controller, PS3 - £78.49 delivered
DJ Hero + Turntable controller, PS2 - £71.49 delivered
DJ Hero + Turntable controller, Wii - £78.49 delivered
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, PC - £27.99
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, PC - £27.99 delivered
Seriously, don't pay the RRP for this game, you don't need to.
Prototype, Xbox 360 - £23.49
Prototype, Xbox 360 - £23.49
It is £25 in store at Asda, and £39.99 at PC world. Comes to £23.49 via PC Worlds price match policy.
Prototype, PS3 - £23.49
Prototype, PS3 - £23.49
It is £25 in store at Asda, and £39.99 at PC world. Comes to £23.49 via PC Worlds price match policy.
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, DS - £12.99
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, DS - £12.99 delivered
The Art of Mass Effect - £4.98
The Art of Mass Effect - £4.98 delivered
This is, from what I have heard, a pretty badass artbook/strategy guide.
Cheers to Adam for the tip off
Overlord: Dark Legend, Wii - £7.95
Overlord: Dark Legend, Wii - £7.95 delivered
Cheers to Adam for the tip off
Fallout 3 add on content
Now, I have not done this myself, but everything I have heard about it is that this should work.
You can buy the Fallout 3 expansions from live if you like, or you can buy them on a retail disc. If you get the retail version, it installs onto your hard drive, then you use the Fallout 3 disc like normal.
This means that once you've installed the disc, you don't need it any more.
I suggest if you want the fallout DLC, the best thing to do would be get together a group of mates who want it, and split the costs between you, and just pass the disc round. Then when you are done with them, ebay them. You should be able to get the add on content for next to nothing.
This is all on the 360, I have no idea if it works the same for the PC version. Does anyone know?
Xbox 360
The Pitt & Operation Anchorage - £12.99 delivered
Broken Steel & Point Lookout - £11.73 delivered
PC
The Pitt & Operation Anchorage - £11.73 delivered
Broken Steel & Point Lookout - £9.99 delivered
That said, anyone got a copy of the first expansion on the 360 that they could lend me?
50 Cent: Blood On The Sand, PS3 - £9.95
50 Cent: Blood On The Sand, PS3 - £9.95 delivered
Cheers to Stephen for the tip off.
Civilization IV: Complete, PC - £7.98
Civilization IV: Complete, PC - £7.98 delivered
Remember, despite what the name says, it is not complete, it is missing the Colonization expansion (it was released before the expansion was).
Best of Indie Bundle, PC - £11.50
Best of Indie Bundle, PC - £11.50
Includes:
Defense Grid: The Awakening
Democracy 2
The Path
Zeno Clash
Cogs
Both Defense Grid and Zeno Clash can be added to your Steam account (in fact, Zeno Clash requires it), so if you want you could even split this package up with a friend. Incredible deal, thank you Mr Murdoch.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, PSP - £4.95
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, PSP - £4.95 delivered
Empire: Total War, PC - £9.95
Empire: Total War, PC - £9.95 delivered
You can add the serial of the retail release to your Steam account.
Gran Turismo 5, PS3 - £17.59
Gran Turismo 5, PS3 - £17.59 delivered
Almost certainly a misprice, but you won't lose anything by trying. Amazon sometimes honour misprices, but more often than not don't. There really is nothing to lose (I am 99% sure they don't charge you until it ships anyway)
UPDATE: The price is now back to £37.96.
360 install filesizes decreased with new dashboard
Excellent news for those of you who like installing 360 games before playing them (like me). With the new, soon to be released, dashboard update installing a game to the hard drive from a disc now uses less space.
King of Fighters XII was 3.4GB, it now takes up 703MB.
Raiden Fighters Aces was 3.4GB, it now takes up 484MB.
Left 4 Dead was 5GB, it now takes up 3.7GBGB.
Not all games will take up less space, and the amount of space saved depends largely on the game, but it is certainly nice to save some space.
Head to Digital Foundry for more.
UPDATE:
Some more comparisons
Earth Defence Force was 3.4GB, it now takes up 1.6GB.
Burnout Revenge was 4.4GB, it now takes up 3.6GB.
Guitar Hero Aerosmith + Wireless Guitar, Xbox 360 - £24.98
Guitar Hero Aerosmith + Wireless Guitar, Xbox 360 - £24.98 delivered
Tomb Raider: Underworld, PS3 - £9.99
Tomb Raider: Underworld, PS3 - £9.99 in store at Morrison's
Not sure if this is nationwide or not, but Mattias Werner spotted it in Teeside Park, let me know if you spot it in any other stores.
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, PC - £6.98
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, PC - £6.98 delivered
I'm pretty shocked to see such a massive discount on this so soon, especially since a lot of retailers have been struggling to keep it in stock at full price. It is alsready at low stock, so don't delay, it will sell out pretty soon I bet.
UPDATE:
It's out of stock now, but it appears they are still letting you order at this price, and will deliver it "within a week".
Cheap games at Amazon
Amazon have got a bunch of games available for cheap right now. I've bundled them together because if you spend £5 or more you get free p&p.
Fallout 3, PC - £12.99
GRID, Xbox 360 - £9.99
Astonishia Story, PSP - £7.47
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, PS2 - £7.71
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, Xbox 360 - £6.79
Daxter, PSP - £6.59
Geometry Wars: Galaxies, DS - £5.49
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PC - £2.06
Beowulf, PC - £1.85
PSN Collection: Power Pack, PSP - £2.06 (includes fl0w, Beats and Syphon Filter: Combat Ops)
Might and Magic IX, PC - £2.50
Paraworld, PC - £2.59
Another World: 15th Anniversary Edition, PC - £3.99
Fallout 3 [GOTY Edition], Xbox 360 - £29.99
Fallout 3 [GOTY Edition], Xbox 360 - £29.99 delivered
Includes all the DLC.
Fallout 3 [GOTY Edition], PS3 - £29.99
Fallout 3 [GOTY Edition], PS3 - £29.99 delivered
Includes all the DLC.
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion [GOTY Edition], PC - £11.99
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion [GOTY Edition], PC - £11.99 delivered
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box & Trivial Pursuit, Xbox 360 - £14.47
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box & Trivial Pursuit, Xbox 360 - £14.47 delivered
SNK Arcade Classics - Vol 1, Wii - £5.99
SNK Arcade Classics - Vol 1, Wii - £5.99 delivered
Contains:
Art of Fighting,
Baseball Stars 2,
Burning Fight,
Fatal Fury,
King of Fighters '94,
King of the Monsters,
Last Resort,
Magician Lord,
Metal Slug,
Neo Turf Masters,
Samurai Shodown,
Sengoku,
Shock Troopers,
Super Sidekicks 3,
Top Hunter and
World Heroes
Wii Sports Resort + Motion Plus, Wii - £37.99
Wii Sports Resort + Motion Plus, Wii - £37.99 delivered
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