At the Nintendo's Tokyo Press Event yesterday, the big-N announced a new DS handheld console with new features, including a .3-megapixel (that's point-three) camera. Called the DSi (how reverse-Apple of them), the new system will be available before the end of the year... in Japan. Here in the U.S. ... who knows? 1up says: well into 2009. On this page, it looks like the DSi has two cameras... one on the outside and one on the inside (in the hinge). Also, the DSi is smaller, but with larger screens and no slot for older GameBoy titles. Instead, there is also an SD card slot to save images and downloadable games.

Also announced at the event, was the Wii's new ability to save downloaded games on SD cards. This will help make up for the Wii's insufficient storage space. This feature probably won't be available until next year.

The U.S. will get something cool THIS year... our own Club Nintendo. It's the cool rewards program that Japan has had for years and allows for loyal gamers to get cool exclusive items. Past Club Nintendo goodies have included rare-colors of the DS and groovy Nintendo themed toys. I can't wait for this.

Here's the full transcript of my e-mail interview with Bonnie Ross, general manager of the Halo business at Microsoft, about why Ensemble Studios is being closed once work is done on Halo Wars:

Q: What precipitated the decision to close Ensemble? Based on Bruce Shelley's blog, it sounds like this decision was as much a surprise to the employees at Ensemble as it was to the gaming community.

A: Microsoft Game Studios is always evaluating its business model to determine what is best for both gamers and the company. Many factors were considered to make this difficult decision, and we feel this move will help us better align with our goals for the near future.

Q: Why make the decision to close Ensemble before Halo Wars was released? Wouldn't it have made more sense to see what kind of sales numbers the game produced?

A: We are confident that "Halo Wars" will do brilliantly in sales figures, especially with all the great feedback it has received in behind-closed-doors demos. Our decision to announce this before the game's release is rooted in an evaluation of the larger strategy and direction of MGS and Ensemble, and did not rest solely on "Halo Wars." Additionally, we had originally planned to move Ensemble to a new location in Plano, Texas and Ensemble employees were starting to consider buying new homes. We wanted to prevent people from uprooting unnecessarily. This was a difficult business decision and it impacts our employees and their family's lives. "Halo Wars" is a great game created by the Ensemble team. We want the team to be proud of what they created, but also feel that they have the time to make decisions for their future whether it's with Microsoft Game Studios, the new studio some of the Ensemble employees are forming or elsewhere.

Continue reading "My interview with Microsoft about why they're closing Ensemble Studios" »

Reviews have been hit or miss on this one. I loved it!

Here's the comparison vid. What do you think?

UPDATE: Ian Shepherd (the mastering engineer who basically kick-started this entire debate) sent me an e-mail in which he argued that the "high quality" version of that YouTube video makes the difference between the CD and Guitar Hero versions even more obvious. I think he's right, but judge for yourself. I can't get the high quality version to embed, but just click here and it should play right away.

Here's the new trailer hot off the presses from Disney Interactive Studios. It's Ultimate Band. Nice to see you don't need to clog your room with even more periphs!

The sequel to the best game ever (yeah, I said that) gets a new trailer. What it needs is a release date.

Not only do I have the higher Force Unleashed gamerscore, but I actually nailed the "Worst Day-Shift Manager Ever" achievement in the first level for killing 12 Stormtroopers while playing as Vader.

Still, I wasn't as big of an a*hole as that Jeff Vader character:

All I got was an insurance bill.

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This game from local boys id looks amazing. Check out the video!

As us gamers turn into moms and dads, a lot of us will struggle with the task of introducing our kids to our hobby.

My own kid has become quite a devotee of the Pixar-based games, with Cars and Wall-E currently in heavy rotation.

So here's my column that ran this past Saturday on what it was like for me growing up as a gamer, and some of the things I worry about and enjoy with regards to my son becoming a gamer.