Week of December 3, 2006

With the holidays rapidly approaching, developers are doing their best to ensure every gamer will play their games this season.

Sony has released a firmware updated (version 1.30) for the PlayStation 3 today.

Sony Computer Entertainment America today introduced new features and settings to the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system as part of the latest firmware update, version 1.30. Among the key updates is support for a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) remote control and the ability to select the output format for BD/DVD video through an HDMI cable.

In addition to offering developers the ability to create more immersive games, the Blu-ray format delivers the ultimate in high-definition video through the highest resolution available today (1080p). Now PS3 owners can register a remote control for easier playback of movies on BD discs. The Bluetooth®-enabled remote control will be available at retail later this month for $24.99. Also, to suit your TV’s specification, you can now select the video output format (automatic, RGB, or Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr) for Blu-ray disc playback using an HDMI cable.

In addition to the updates related to the Blu-ray player, firmware 1.30 includes the following.

Turner Broadcast’s GameTap advances onto the battle field with the introduction of thirteen combat games to its catalog of more than 750 titles. Among the array of popular titles being announced is the stellar “Soldiers: Heroes of War II.” According to GameRankings.com, this title exceeded an 80% rating by the majority of leading video game publications who reviewed it.

This week’s full list of featured action titles includes:

Air Raid (PC): An addictive WWII game that puts you in the middle of the action, defending your battleship from Japanese kamikazes and German fighters. This first person shooter orders you to man a Borfor anti-aircraft deck gun through 99 fictitious missions.

G.I. combat: Episode 1, Battle of Normandy (PC): Join the allied forces as they uproot the German stronghold to capture Normandy. G.I. Combat makes you the company commander in one of the deadliest battles of the war.

Pearl Harbor 2 (PC): This war simulation game puts the day of infamy into your hands. Called to fend off the Japanese, you’ll be shooting down planes and taking names from a U.S. Navy gun turret.

Cuban Missile Crisis: The Aftermath (PC): Built around a post apocalyptic, 1962 setting, this real-time strategy game offers a glimpse into an alternate reality, one that you need to command your forces out of.

SoldiersT82;: Heroes of World War II (PC): Join the American fighting campaign in this squad-level real-time strategy game that puts the enemy in your sights. Navigate through 30 levels to decide the outcome of the war and your fate.

P.O.W. Prisoners of War™ (PC): With brutal action and fast gameplay, this shooter drops you behind enemy lines, forcing you to escape using only what you can wrestle from the enemy.

The wait is finally over! Pre-order Vanguard: Saga of Heroes today!

Sony Online Entertainment and Sigil Games Online today announced the arrival of “Vanguard: Saga of Heroes” pre-order boxes in select retailers. The boxes should be available starting December 5th, depending on the retailer.

The culmination of years of work in “Vanguard: Saga of Heroes” would not have been possible without its strong community support. In the homestretch before launch, the pre-order program is a perfect way to gear up for the impending release, and gain access to a few goodies as well.

The pre-order box includes the following:

• Early access to the game! Log on and get a jump start up to three days prior to the official launch!
• A special account key that will grant you a unique exclusive in-game scroll, allowing your character to sprint for longer periods of time due to an endurance buff (one per account).
• An invitation to the Vanguard: Saga of Heroes beta (for eligible participants).
• Guild Mail – a fun recruitment tool to help you build your guild before launch!
• A king’s ransom of assets, including videos, wallpapers and screenshots


You can pick your pre-order boxes at the following retailers – GameStop, Best Buy, Fry’s as well as a few other valued retailers.

Soldak Entertainment today announced Depths of Peril for Windows PCs. Depths of Peril is a single player action role-playing game (rpg) with strong strategy elements. You play as a faction leader protecting the barbarian city, Jorvik, by destroying threatening monsters and completing quests. At the same time, you compete with rival factions to see who will rule the city. Barbarians choose their leaders by fighting to the death!

As a faction leader, you must deal with rival factions through diplomacy, trade, and in time, war. Between battles and raids against other barbarian factions, you build the most powerful faction possible, to withstand your enemies. Building the power of a faction involves exploring a fantasy world, slaying dangerous monsters, solving quests for the city, avoiding deadly traps, and plundering loot to share within your faction.

But in this world, actions actually have consequences, so take care. Annoying the powerful and aggressive Legion of Fear faction will cause them to declare war and destroy you. Ignored Orc uprisings in the Black Forest will cause even more trouble. Protect ally covenants that are being raided, because friends are hard to come by.

Depths of Peril is scheduled to be released in the 1st quarter of 2007, however it will be released when it’s done.

It's been a while since we've posted game reviews but the wait will be worth it. We've got a whole slew of next-gen reviews, with Twilight Princess and Resistance: Fall of Man being the highlights. We'll have more next-gen review later this week, including more from the incredible PlayStation 3.