80GB PlayStation 3
Back on Sony Style
Sony announced that the 80GB PlayStation 3 model would return as part of a Metal
Gear Solid 4 bundle. Expected to launch alongside the release of the game on
June 12, the upcoming 80GB PS3 bundle is now officially
listed on Sony’s U.S. online store as the only option for a hard drive of
that size. The model number for the new SKU is PS398011 and lists for $499.99.
Haze PS3 Demo
Coming Early May
Ubisoft announced that Haze, the PS3-exclusive shooter from Free Radical (the
creators of the TimeSplitters series), will be available for trial as a demo
sometime early May. Even better, perhaps, is that the demo will allow for four
player campaign co-operative play. Although Haze was at one point a
multi-platform release, Ubisoft said in its media alert that the game is “scheduled
for release exclusively on the PS3.”
Halo 3 Legendary
Map Pack Now Available
Halo fans will undoubtedly find this bit of news old, but casual gamers may
appreciate to know that the Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack is now available for
download on Xbox Live Marketplace. Those who aren’t in a rush to play the new
Halo 3 maps may want to consider Circuit City’s offer of the map pack for free
with the pre-order
of Ninja Gaiden II – it may be an easy way to kill two birds with one stone,
while saving 800 Microsoft Points.
Ubisoft Acquires
GameLoft Studio in India
Further expanding its worldwide collection of game development studios, Ubisoft
announced that it has acquired Indian development studio GameLoft. The
Pune-based developer is known mostly for its mobile phone games. Ubisoft
appears to be stretching out to Asia for its development, with its already
established studios in China and it’s recently opened Singapore branch. "Following
on the recent announcement of our new Singapore studio, this acquisition will
reinforce Ubisoft’s presence in Asia and the southeast region in particular.
India has a promising future in the video game industry and this is an
opportunity for us to establish ourselves in the country," stated
Christine Burgess-Quémard, executive director of worldwide studios at
Ubisoft.
Rock Band Wii’s Extra
Songs Not So Exclusive
When Harmonix announced that Rock
Band would be headed to the Wii on June 22, it was also mentioned that 5
additional songs would be added to the original set list that made it to the
PS3/Xbox 360/PS2. It turns out, however, that the extra tracks are all already
available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store.
Those songs are: "Dirty Little Secret" - The All American Rejects; "Don't
Look Back in Anger" – Oasis; "Roam" - The B-52's; "Rockaway
Beach" - The Ramones; and "Roxanne" - The Police.