Nintendo wants to give you a quick update on how awesome it’s doing. It’s now planning on doing wicked awesome this current fiscal year, with an expected 11% increase in sales. That means instead of the 28 million Nintendo DSs and 25 million Wiis it had planned to ship by March 31 of 2009, it will ship… more. More software too! Laughs and chuckles were heard emanating from the company’s Kyoto offices today.
Oh, and it’ll make more money accordingly. Operating income and net income have both been projected to be much, much higher. What does that really mean?
Net income of somewhere in the ballpark of $US 3.8 billion (in U.S. bucks) for the year, according to Bloomberg, news that gave Nintendo’s stock price a positive kick in the pants. The Bloomberg report does not mention, however, exactly when Nintendo expects to give up its efforts and go third party and put guns on cars like they probably should. You’re just prolonging the inevitable, Iwata!
Nintendo Raises Forecasts on Wii, DS; Shares Surge [Bloomberg]
The Ministry of Information at Bungie has seen fit to provide those of us who aren’t attending PAX this year a look at the newest of Halo 3 maps, known as Assembly. Formerly known as the infinitely more ear-pleasing “Purple Reign”, the map will be playable by Halo uber-fans at the Penny Arcade Expo this weekend.
When will the rest of us get our hands on it? We don’t know and neither does Bungie. You’ll have to settle for going retina deep with carefully chosen high-res screen shots for now.
Bungie Weekly Update: 8/29/08 [Bungie.net - thanks, Johnnynn!]
I’ve got a fever and the only cure is more Pac-Man! If you’re at PAX and you love Pac-Man, you may want to swing by Namco Networks’ booth #141. Throughout the day there will be tournaments where players compete for the best score in Pac-Man. The top 4 scores of the day move onto the daily final challenge where the winner will win a nice prize pack that includes a brand new phone! If you’re not ready for a challenge, you can just check out the other mobile games at the booth, such as Pac-Man, Galaga, and Pac-Man Arcade Golf. Full release after the jump.
No relief in sight for the 5000 or so Japanese gamers who might be on the weekly hunt for an Xbox 360. With a limited supply, those looking for a Microsoft brand console on which to play a copy of Tales of Vesperia or a second game will be left wanting until such time as supplies are replenished. That means that only 3500 Japanese gamers could get their hands on a 360 this past week. Just heartbreaking to see demand kind of (maybe) outstripping supply like this.
There’s better news for Nintendo, as continued sales of Rhythm Tengoku Gold and Dragon Quest V help the portable carve out a big slice of the hardware pie.
Nintendo DS – 55,995 PSP – 47,604 Wii – 35,173 PlayStation 3 – 9,020 PlayStation 2 – 8,420 Xbox 360 – 3,551
MCV is reporting that Rising Star are attempting to target R-Type Tactics squarely at the retro gaming crowd.
Tactics is a new spin on the R-Type franchise, swapping the familiar side-scrolling twitch gameplay for a resolutely older-than-old-skool turn-based hex ‘em up.
“The sense of nostalgia you get when you see the artwork and knowing you grew up with this series is immense and great fun to work on”., said Rising Star’s Yen Hau, “Considering the size of the fan base, we expect to see steady sales throughout the Christmas period and into the New Year.”
I have to say, this does sound like they are boxing themselves in a bit – is there really a big enough market for this? If it’s a fun game then it is a fun game, but if you have to go out of your way to stress the nostalgia element.. it doesn’t bode well.
R-Type Tactics is out on September 12th.
After Crecente snuck onto the PAX showroom floor he headed directly into the throne room itself to get a first hand discussion with the Kings of PAX Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik. In his talk with the guys they discuss topics ranging from Crecente’s socks to the future of Child’s Play. This is the fifth PAX event by the way and this year’s attendance estimations are going to topple fifty thousand. Rest of the interview after the jump.
Now, see, I think Turbine have missed a trick here. Surely the best — nay, the only — way to enter the beta program for LOTR Online expansion pack Mines Of Moria is by speaking ‘Friend’ and then entering?
Sadly, they have plumped for the more prosaic (and, lets be realistic, more practical) option of a website where you can sign up in the hope your name gets plucked from the wizard’s hat.
The Mines final-stage beta is invite only, but you can apply for consideration at the official site. As well as the titular underground complex, the expansion will contain a couple of new character classes, hundreds of quests and Balrogs.
Invites Open for Mines of Moria Beta [Wired Game|Life]
I’m sitting in the cavernous main hall of the Washington State Convention waiting for Penny Arcade Expo 2008 to officially kick off with Ken Levine’s keynote.
Levine, compatriot and family (including in his parents) are actually sitting right next to me. They’re all very nice people. Hit up the jump to follow along as Levine wows us.
Odd timing or a reminder that while GameStop may not be listing the game anymore, Ghostbusters The Video Game still exists?
Tagged on every lanyard at Penny Arcade Expo was the game’s name (glow in the dark) but, alas, no release date… or publisher.
Today’s the day – the fangirls are out in force and the cosplayers are carousing in every nook and cranny of the convention centre. I’ve only been in Seattle for about four hours and already I’ve counted 41 utilikilts and 19 sets of cat ears. The favoured motif this year appears to be Naruto, with the odd smattering of old school Nintendo characters.
I’d love to post pics of all of this, but man friend has wandered off with my USB cable.
So here I sit in Handheld Lounge C, waiting for him to return (hopefully with beverage), counting up the swag I managed to accrue in the half hour I spent in the Exhibit Hall. So far, I’ve got 16 random scraps of paper (possibly stickers) and four buttons for games I’ve never felt the urge to play. If you’re around, come and find me – I’m the incredibly tired looking girl with the red, white and blue stars on her shirt.
There’s a lot to take in here and I’m only one woman – so help me out, readers. What games should I go after and what panels should I hit up? (Check the schedule here.)
Hit the jump to find out what it feels like to wait in line for two and a half hours. Why didn’t I apply for a press pass?
