Sony turns up the heat

More and more Sony ads are being aired on tv here in Europe, especially ones with LittleBigPlanet. This is quite a surprise, considering that Sony had previously been quite reluctant (or so it seemed) to spend big bucks on advertising, as the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo do. Anyway, here are some interesting (and short) ads of LBP:





More ads for Sony mean increased awareness of its products and, thus, increased sales. Seems like they want to turn up the heat in time for Christmas shopping, but that heat could (to be read, "should") have perhaps already been there by December to make for more buyers.

(and yes, I am very excited about LBP, it's actually being shipped to me as we speak...I mean write/read - so I can't wait :D)

1 TB Blu-ray compatible disc announced

An optical disc capable of holding up to 1TB of data (1 TB = 1000 GB) has not only been planned, but has already been successfully tested in March 2008, the suggested date of availability being around 2010-2011.

"An article on The Register tells the news of an announcement of a new 1TB optical drive and disc that will be backwardly compatible with Blu-ray discs. The technology, developed by Call/Recall in partnership with Nichia, uses a rhodamine-type dye in a 200+-layer recording medium that gives off light when excited by a laser beam, along with a single fluid-filled lens to read multiple layers by varying the amount of fluid to change the focal length. The technology is designed to work with Nichia's blue-violet laser diodes, which are already used in Blu-ray drives."

Full article here.

- source: N4G -

Great ad!

Even though it advertises the Xbox 360 and I've got a PS3, I can't help but laugh and say that this is one of the greatest commercials ever concerning video games (not) to be aired!

Hackers manage to run PS3 retail games through a HDD

"PS3News have been successful with running PS3 Retail game back-ups on a PS3 Test from both Internal and USB HDD (along with DVD). Unlike PS2 and PS1 development systems, a PS3 Test won't play a 1:1 copy/scene release.

It only plays development copies, so the executables (EBOOT.BIN) had to be decrypted and rebuilt for them to load. However, as mentioned previously, the executables also had to be patched to eliminate some disc checks.

VERY cool being able to run PS3 Retail Games via HDD though, and now PS3News can tinker with game data to find a potential flaw in how a game handles included files!"

And so it begins...

More information here...

- source: N4g -

Not meet Darth and Yoda will...mmmh!

The recent announcement that characters from Star Wars are to feature in the latest installment of the Soul Calibur series (Soul Calibur IV) comes with a twist: there are two characters that will be available for play, but each one will be featured exclusively on a platform.

The two characters are the infamous Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, and the Jedi Master - Yoda.

The catch is that the PS3 version of the game will have Darth Vader (and not have Yoda), and the 360 one the other way around.

Quite interesting, because the PS3 looks like Vader, with a black and glossy finish, while the 360 resembles Master Yoda, in a greenish and cute kind of way.

This does mean, however, that a confrontation between the two would be practically impossible, unless the other character becomes available for download (for a couple of bucks, of course) on the respective system. Who wouldn't want a fight featuring the two Jedi?

Very interesting it is! Choose a version you must, mmmmh!

- source: Kotaku -

Warner goes Blu

Quote:

"[Updated] In a move that could have serious implications for the movie format war, Warner Bros. has suddenly thrown its exclusive support behind Sony's Blu-ray format - making the PS3 even more appealing to hi-def movie watchers."

"Original story:

The next-generation movie format war may have just taken one step closer to being over, as the Blu-ray camp has secured the exclusive support from major studio Warner Bros. Entertainment. Warner up until this point had effectively been neutral, offering its movies in both HD DVD and Blu-ray. Now, "in response to consumer demand" the studio will begin releasing its HD library later this year in Blu-ray only.

Owners of HD DVD players will still be able to pick up HD DVD titles from Warner through this May. Warner Home Video said that "after a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008."

"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," said Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."

"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices," noted Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."

Added Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group: "A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry. Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future."

This comes as a pretty big blow to the HD DVD camp, as movies from Disney/Pixar, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, MGM and Lionsgate are now all Blu-ray exclusive. HD DVD is supported by Paramount/Dreamworks and Universal. For gamers interested in high-definition movies, however, Sony's PlayStation 3 just got another feather in its cap."

- source: GameDaily -

Santa casts his vote

I was wondering, some time ago, "What console shall Santa choose?".

Well, Santa's come and gone, and it's time to see what has happened to the console-wars during this period.
Here are the long-awaited (by some) results of the console-wars in the period of the Christmas Holidays (well, actually, Dec 2 - Dec 30):

Console	Wii	PS3	X360	PS2
Total	3,869,926	2,081,432	1,894,335	1,958,444
America	1,505,926	728,434	1,169,933	904,540
Japan	885,678	211,931	32,743	77,251
Total Others	1,478,322	1,141,067	691,659	976,653
UK	412,114	206,017	274,454	144,126
France	387,149	148,265	73,981	99,997
Germany	224,068	169,023	41,672	134,139
Spain	88,394	170,757	19,309	134,380
Italy	58,396	119,413	31,932	146,761
Scandinavia	90,556	57,117	47,427	66,438
Other Europe	112,171	119,623	45,258	91,157
Australia	74,171	45,818	55,158	38,768
Other	31,303	105,034	102,468	120,887

Very interesting, what's noticeable (except the fact that the Wii is thrashing everyone else) is that PS3 has overall defeated the Xbox360 in total sales, overcoming the gap caused by the American buyers (the Xbox sold 1.6 times more consoles than the PS3) with bigger sales in Japan (PS3 : X360 = 6:1) and Europe (PS3 : X360 = 1.6:1).

We can notice that the PS2 is still holding on, still selling quite a few consoles, even more than the X360, after last Christmas when it was the nr.1 best-selling console (yes, better than the wii).

- source: VGChartz -

PS3 Release Dates 2008 (USA)

Taken from TheSixthAxis:

"PS3 Release Dates 2008 (USA)
All dates subject to change, and all that. Some are probably already wrong.

Army of Two: 4th March
Battlefield Bad Company: 24th March
Borderlands: 1st September
Bourne Conspiracy: 3rd June
Brothers In Arms: 8th April
Brutal Legend: 3rd November
Burnout Paradise: 14th January
The Club: 19th February
Condemned 2: 26th February
Conflict: Denied Ops: 12th February
Dark Sector: 25th March
Dead Space: 8th October
Destroy All Humans 3: 4th March
Devil May Cry 4: 5th Feburary (and Special Edition)
Dynasty Warriors 6: 19th February
End War: 1st April
Fall Out 3: 9th September
Fatal Inertia: 1st May
FIFA Street 3: 18th February
Frontlines: 5th May
Ghostbusters: 7th October
Golden Axe: 8th September
GTA IV: 1st April (and Special Edition)
Haze: 18th March
Heist: 13th May
Hellboy: 24th June
History Channel: Battle for Pacific: 19th February
Hot Shots Golf 5: 18th March
Incredible Hulk: 3rd June
Iron Man: 22nd April
Karaoke Rev: American Idol: 3rd March
Killzone 2: 7th April
LittleBigPlanet: 7th April
Lost: 26th February
Lost Planet: 3rd March
Major League Baseball: 3rd March
Mercenaries 2: 8th April
Metal Gear Solid 4: 17th June
Midnight Club: 1st April
MLB 08: 4th March
Monster Madness: 8th April
NFL Tour: 8th January
Pro Evo Soccer 2008: 11th March
Prototype: 15th September
Rainbow Six Vegas 2: 11th March
Rogue Warrior: 10th November
Sega Superstars Tennis: 4th March
Sid Meier's Civilisation: 1st April
SingStar: 13th May
Soul Calibur IV: 2nd June
Star Wars Force Unleashed: 8th April
Tiberium: 2nd September
Turning Point: 26th February
Turok: 5th February
Two Worlds: 1st August
UEFA Euro 2008: 15th April
Viking: 4th March
WET: 1st October
Wheelman, The: 1st September"

Omg, March-April is seriously going to be a kick-a*s period. LittleBigPlanet, Army of Two, Battlefield Bad Company, EndWar, GTA IV, Haze, Killzone 2, Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, the new Civilization, Star Wars Force Unleashed (which bridges the storyline gap between Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith and the 4'th installment - "A New Hope" - picture) and Euro 2008 (football ftw!).

I can't wait for all these games coming this year! Woot!

How to: PC + PS3 = love

The point that the PS3 only has that much memory available, or that it doesn't work as a x86 Intel would is of no importance to what can be done to play said PC games on the PS3, because "to play" isn't well defined.

You do not actually "play" the game on your PS3, as in the game works off of your PS3. You merely stream the game from the PC, the base of the processing being done by the PC, not the PS3. That is part of the innovation, this is why the project is called "StreamMyGame", the fact that you stream the games off the PC, NOT process them with the PS3.

So, to put is straight once and for all, this is NOT Sony fan-boy nonsense, as some have said. Perhaps I am a Sony fanboy, so let me show you just what to do to make it happen!

What you need to pull this off is:

1. PS3 with Linux installed (Ubuntu, Yellow Dog - you can download them here and here, respectively - or any other distribution)

2. PC with the StreamMyGame software (get the software here)

First, register an account on StreamMyGame.com here. Then, log in to your account and follow the instructions here to add a new game. You can find out plenty more, along with a step-by-step tutorial on the PC-part of this operation here.

For the Ps3 part, start by installing the Linux distribution, if you haven't done it already. (get help on YDL here)

- Secondly, download the Streamer Linux Player (here) on the Ps3.

- Open a Terminal on the PS3;

- Go to the directory where you saved the player (by typing "cd /home/your_username/your_directory"in the Terminal, replacing the username and directory in which you saved the file) and install the Linux Streamer (by typing in the Terminal "sudo sh ./smg-installer.sh" ). Make sure you read the Readme. When you're finished reading, press Q to quit.

- The next step is associating the files on the StreamMyGame website to the software you've just installed on your Ps3. Do that by typing "smg-protocol-setup" into the Terminal. From my experience and the StreamMyGame website help page, using the Gnome option over the KDE will prove much more reliable. Supposedly, the KDE will also work, but it didn't, at least for me.

- Browse to the SMG website and select the desired game. The Streamer software will start - insert your username and password.

- The SMG app will connect to your Windows PC and start displaying the game on Linux. Now, just click anywhere on the player and start using your keyboard & mouse for play.Notes (off the page of SMG.com):

"Note on Firewall

On Ubuntu use the Firestarter tool if that is what you have installed
On YellowDog the firewall configuration tool is under the Administration menu

Just add the ports listed in the README

Note on Resolution

Ubuntu may not display full screen on your TV / LCD and will have a black boarder around it. It will display at 1124 x 644 so you cant open a 720p game stream unless you change its resolution. We will release a new page in January about how to change this and display Ubuntu at 720p and 1080i."

What else could you want? Oh, yeah, playing with the Sixaxis on Linux? Check - some have even reported it works "out-of-the-box", just by connecting it to the USB.

Anything else left out?

Eight Playstation 3s used as a supercomputer

An astrophysicist has put together a system made out of eight Playstation 3s to replace a supercomputer, system which he plans on using for solving "a celestial mystery involving gravitational waves and what happens when a super-massive black hole, about a million times the mass of our own sun, swallows up a star."

Dr. Gaurav Khanna uses this cluster of PS3's to measure these theoretical gravity waves - "ripples in space-time that travel at the speed of light" - that Einstein's Relativity Theory predicted would take place in case of such an event.

"The interest in the PS3 really was for two main reasons," explains Khanna, an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth who specializes in computational astrophysics. "One of those is that Sony did this remarkable thing of making the PS3 an open platform, so you can in fact run Linux on it and it doesn't control what you do."

He also says that the Cell processors, developed by Sony, IBM and Toshiba, have the massive computing power that could, given proper optimization of the code used, turn them into the equivalent of a supercomputer, making them perfect for the operation at hand.

"The PS3/Linux combination offers a very attractive cost-performance solution whether the PS3s are distributed (like Sony and Stanford's Folding@home initiative) or clustered together (like Khanna's), says Sony's senior development manager of research and development, Noam Rimon.

"It has a general purpose processor, as well as eight additional processing cores, each of which has two processing pipelines and can process multiple numbers, all at the same time," Rimon says.

Prior to obtaining the PS3s, Khanna used various supercomputing sites spread across the United States. "Typically I'd use a couple hundred processors -- going up to 500 -- to do these same types of things."

However, every run of those supercomputers cost Khanna about $5,000. Eight 60 GB PS3 would cost just $3,200, in contrast, but he doubted he could receive a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to buy game consoles, even with the cost difference. So he thought it over and started tweaking code in order to take advantage of the unique architecture in the Cell processor, and then petitioned Sony for some help in the form of free PS3s.

"Once I was able to get to the point that I had this kind of performance from a single PS3, I think that's when Sony started paying attention," Khanna says of his optimized code.

"Khanna says that his gravity grid has been up and running for a little over a month now and that, crudely speaking, his eight consoles are equal to about 200 of the supercomputing nodes he used to rely on."

"Basically, it's almost like a replacement," he says. "I don't have to use that supercomputer anymore, which is a good thing."

"For the same amount of money -- well, I didn't pay for it, but even if you look into the amount of funding that would go into buying something like eight PS3s -- for the same amount of money I can do these runs indefinitely."

"The point of the simulations Khanna and his team at UMass are running on the cluster is to see if gravitational waves, which have been postulated for almost 100 years but have never been observed, are strong enough that we could actually observe them one day. Indeed, with NASA and other agencies building some very big gravitational wave observatories with the sensitivity to be able to detect these waves, Khanna's sees his work as complementary to such endeavors."

- source: Wired.com -

PC + PS3 = love

Remember the post in which I told you about the possibility of playing PC games on the PS3 sometime in the future?

The guys over at StreamMyGame finally managed (a few weeks ago) to put together the system that would facilitate doing just that.

If you've got a PS3 with Linux installed (any type of Linux - Yellow Dog Linux, Ubuntu etc) you can get this up and running. More explanations in a thread on the StreamMyGame forum here. (and here for a tutorial on how to install Linux on the PS3)

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm planning on doing it soon enough. I've downloaded a free (legit) copy of Yellow Dog Linux and have started backing up the data on my PS3's hard drive (you need to create a special partition to install Linux => you've got to format the entire drive).

This seems to me a win-win(-win) situation for the guys at Sony, for Linux as an OS, and for all the PS3 owners, because being able to play the games you've got for PC on the PS3, taking full advantage of the HDTV you probably have, will definitely make any PC owner happy and, thus, boost sales and create the much-needed buzz for Linux.
Perhaps this could be considered as a blow to the Xbox, who's custom made operating system by Microsoft isn't open-source, thus destroying hopes of Homebrew-lovers.

What else can I say about this breakthrough other than I hope we'll get to see (more) Homebrew on the PS3?

Omg, I wonder how Microsoft feels knowing that PS3 owners all around the world are able to play their so-bitterly-kept-off-the-PS3 games like Bioshock, Gears of War or even Halo. Zomg, playing a Halo game on a Sony console!
Maybe we'll even get to see something like this sometime in the future:Blasphemy?
No, reality.

Later Edit: Make sure you read this post (How to: PC + PS3 = love) for more clarifications and a step-by-step tutorial on getting the Streamer software up and running in no time.

Wii are the champions!

Today is my birthday. Perhaps you already knew that (like, if you've read the last post).

Anyway, today I'm turning 16. Happy birthday for me!

Among the very nice presents I've received today, besides the new clothes, a new home theater system, and a happy-b'day kiss from all the girls in my class, is a Nindendo Wii. Zomg, a NINTENDO WII!

So, now I've got two next-gen consoles to examine and enjoy. Wohoo for me!

Sorry for not posting in a while but I'm very busy playing the Wii (the thing really makes you sweat :\) and the new Ps3 games (CoD 4, Assassin's Creed & Fifa 08) and studying for school.

Later!
Cya!

Assassin's Creed graphics

Perhaps some of you are still wondering which next-gen console boasts better graphics...

Well, I've stumbled upon a video that comparatively shows the graphics of the game on both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 (PS3).
The poster had this to say about the result:
"While mild tearing is evident in both versions, the PS3 appears to have the edge with richer colors and deeper blacks. The 360 footage looks a bit washed out by comparison, though it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference without viewing the clips side-by-side. Either platform will deliver an exemplary Templar-slashing experience."

Here is the video:

Here's a comparative screenshot of the two versions:
So the bottom line is: overall, Sony executives could say the PS3 offers better graphics than the 360 and, from the Microsoft point of view, get away with it...

P.S. This is one of the moments in which I'm proud for choosing PS3. Me is happy!!11!

- source: GamesRadar -

PS3 for $299 a reality!

Omg! Here's a piece of information I bet would interest even the most bored viewer of the console-wars (console war, what-ever!) :

Sony has put forward a new offer which states that if you purchase a PS3 with the Sony Credit Card, you get 100$ worth of credit, thus making the 40GB PS3's price go down to 299$.

Go here if you're interested in signing up!

That just about puts to rest all possible arguments implying that the Playstation 3 is too expensive for purchase. If you're into buying a gaming console, you most likely know a little bit of something about games and stuff (and the fact that Nintendo's Wii doesn't output in HD - High Definition, that is - ) so you will probably be interested in the Xbox 360 from Microsoft or the Playstation 3 from Sony.

The fact is, a couple of months ago, everyone was saying that they couldn't buy the PS3 because of it's horrendous price compared to the 360. Now, taking advantage of this offer, every model of the Ps3 is 50$ cheaper than it's Microsoftian sibling, without even taking into consideration the Xbox Live subscription, which is another 50$ for U.S. residents, and 80$ (80 - ZOMG!) for Europe residents or the difference in out-of-the-box features.

The scene is definitely set for an all-out battle this Christmas, and it will be very interesting to follow both Microsoft and the audience's replies.

P.S. I think this change deserves a new head-to-head review of the two gaming systems, don't you? When I have some time, I'll work on it.

PC games on the PS3?

Why not?

A UK-based company under the name of StreamMyGame.com claims it has managed to create a system of hypertext links to computers that can be used remotely to play PC games by other visitors on the PC or other platforms.
Right now the games must be compatible to either Windows XP or Vista, supporting DirectX8, DirectX9, DirectX10 and OpenGL formats on resolutions up to HDTV 3200x2400. However, they promise to develop a Linux-based system by the end of the year, allowing games to be played on the(-also-Linux-based) PS3.

" "We are embarking on a new paradigm in the gaming industry fuelled by advances in computer hardware, network speeds and the want of gamers to have more freedom," said Richard Faria CEO of StreamMyGame. "We network the power of their main PC so it can be used to play high end games on other PCs and laptops around the home. I believe the demand for high resolutions will drive the sales of high end PC hardware".

"We will release a Linux version in Q4 2007 which will enable PC games to be played on the PlayStation 3 and many other devices including DVD players, set top boxes, networked media devices and mobile phones," he said. " - more here

How about that for a revolution? I think it would be absolutely brilliant if they managed to put together such a community of multi-platformed gamers, especially due to the fact that my PS3 only currently has 6 games and about 30 demos, while the library of my PC games reaches a couple of hundred big (and a couple of thousand small) games.
Bring on the future, I'm ready for it!

Altair is his name, stealthin' is his game.

One of the games that inspired me to purchase a Playstation 3 (PS3) - actually, this game, along with Haze, counts for most of my most-eagerly-awaited games on the console - is Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed".

The game takes place in medieval times (during the Third Crusade, more precisely the year 1191) and places you in the shoes of Altair, a member of the Hashshashin sect of true "assassins", who moves freely between the cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus with the goal of eliminating nine important and historically-accurate figures.

Key aspects of the game's appeal are the total interactiveness of the environment (very realistically crafted, they say) and the flawless historical accuracy (all targets of elimination are people who died or disappeared in the year of 1191).

To tell you the truth, I think that this was the game that "rang the bell" for me, in terms of gaming platform of the future, because it will only be available for the PS3 (Sony's latest baby - if you didn't know that, go back and make sure you read my posts attentively. I mean, I'm working my ...keyboard off trying to get my posts to be factually accurate and you don't bother to take notice and learn?! :D) and the Xbox 360 from Sony's bitter rival, Microsoft. (it is announced for the PC also, to be released sometime in early - Q1 - 2008)

I now invite you to join me in watching "Assassin's Creed" 's beautifully made trailer :



Seems like Ubisoft did it again, wouldn't you agree?
I can barely wait to get my hands on it!

What console shall Santa choose?

It seems Sony is definitely putting up a fight for this winter's top console seller place. The announcement that the 400$ 40Gb version of the PS3 is coming out early in November (2nd) brings along a price-cut of 100$ to the 80Gb version, taking it's price down to 500$. The discontinued 60Gb version that isn't being produced anymore since this summer currently retails at 500$ - I guess it will fall to ...what, 450$, after the aforementioned 40Gb version comes out?

Everybody has been (to be honest - pretty justly, I'd say) criticizing Sony for it's sales strategy this past year so this move is going to be something of a breath of air for the company's future image (and customers, for that matter).

Hold on a second! Why don't we do an updated comparison between the PS3 and the Xbox360, to see what it's going to come down to this Christmas, because I've the vague impression that Sony's offer is getting more and more tempting, even for the keen-on-buying-360 potential customer.

Conveniently enough, I have stumbled upon just such a chart, completely updated. Here it is :


Well, seems like judging by this here chart, the PS3 overall surpasses the 360 (one may even say that it PWNES the 360), considering the fact that anyone would need a minimum hard-drive for all those demos, infinite saves and other media, that you would eventually buy a WiFi adapter for the Xbox (come on, I mean who WOULDN'T want to play online in front of any TV in the house, regardless of cord length?) and that the yearly subscription to the Xbox Live! is 50$, as opposed to the free online potential offered by the PS3. So, even ignoring the 180$ extension to play HD-DVD movies on it (PS3 has free included Blu-Ray support) the Xbox kind of gets to about the same (or even higher) price that it's PS3 counter-part - comparison made at the same capabilities level. Makes me wonder... is a surprise in store for this year's Christmas?

Can Sony make up for all the mistakes it has done up to this point in the eyes of the fans? Only time shall tell...

I'm shot! (a.k.a "Un fleac! M-au ciuruit!")

Another victim in the next-gen console-war : me.

As you already know (if you've cared enough to have read my posts), I've been researching for a while now. All that research seems to have paid off. About a week ago, I decided to buy a next-gen console.

"Why?", you ask? Because I had been reading so much about it that I thought I knew all the advantages and disadvantages, both for now and for the future, and I got sooooo hyped that I decided the console that I had to own and abuse for a couple of years would be... ta-da-da-dam... yes, you've guessed it, the PS3!

I got it - Starter Pack - on thursday from the local Mall for a whopping 1900 RON (that's about 800$).

I know, I know, "You're one crazy Sony fanboy!". Actually, no. At least you can't call me a Wii-tard or a Gaylo lover (actually, I do like Halo - a lot), or any other Wii or 360 related insult for that matter. *sigh* Ok, bring on the flaming!

Well, I've had it for almost 4 days now and I'm damn proud of it. They didn't have Resistance or an extra controller at the store anymore, so I'll have to pay them another visit next week to pick those up. I purchased Warhawk, so I can only currently play that and Motorstorm, which came with the Starter Pack.

What can I say? The PS3 compelled me to buy a HD-Ready Tv (I'm thinking of writing a guide to buying an HDTV, actually). I think it a blasphemy, a sin to have a source like a PS3 or an Xbox360 and not connect it to a HD-compliant Tv, instead playing it on your tiny couple-of-decades-old 4:3-ratioed CRT. A sin, I tell you! THE LORD SHALL SMITE YOU, O, BLASPHEMOUS ONE! Being a God-fearing mortal that I *still* am (even though I own a PS3 - shouldn't that, like, make me a gaming mini-god or something??), I chose, after careful deliberation/googling, LG's 32lc51 to do my bidding.

I must say, one fact that upsets me is the lack of support Sony has for many european countries. I was anxiously waiting to enter the Playstation Store and download some free demo's or other free content, but it seems that Romania hasn't got a Store of its own. That would be just fine with me, if it wasn't for the fact that Sony doesn't allow you to access any other country's Store but yours. That implies that, unless you have an account with a location of a Store-supported-country, you can't get any Sony free content. Not fair, one would say! I searched for a solution and found out that one can have multiple accounts, so one can add an account with an american, let's say, residence. That enables the use of that country's Playstation Store. "Finally!" I said...now I'm downloading about 6 almost-one-gigabyte-sized demos that'll help me choose my next games.

Also in the news, I've found another sales-counting site which states that Wii is, in fact, the market leader. About time, I say! I give you, VGCHARTZ!


I hope I'll get around to writing some reviews of all the new features and also of the few games I've managed to play so far on the PS3, but for now, "sayonara"!

In the trenches

Well, folks, after numerous nights spent on the internet researching every consoles' ups and downs, I've come to the following conclusion, based on one's choice of console:
-you're either interested in the future, in next-gen games with next-gen graphics, in online capabilities and next-game movie viewing; this case is split into two parts : the Xbox 360 part and the Ps3 part; in this case you can either wait and save up some more $$ and then go and get PS3, or buy the Xbox360, thinking "Wow, it's got more games than the PS3...I am just going to ignore the fact that it doesn't come with a HD-DVD player, included wireless network support or free online browsing - true, this is only a few bucks away - (and if I ever want that, I've got to spend some big bucks *which I think will make it as expensive as the PS3*)...but hey, who needs that? It's got MORE GAMES!!!111"; or
- you're simply interested in having a good time and lots of fun during your time out from school/work, in which case you'll choose the revolutionary Wii as your best-friend and ally;

The above represent my opinion and my opinion only, do not take them as facts or insults to any of the god-companies by the names of Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo. (To be read: blabla...*subliminal message: either buy PS3 or Wii*...blabla..*subliminal message*...disclaimer)

Right now I've got to go to school to gather more knowledge to help me in my *secret* plan of world domination...*insert creepy Mandark-like laugh here*mwhuahahahaha!

Movies

Some movies to releave the console-wars-tension:

and