Rob Fahey (Page 143)

Console giant Sony has unveiled one of its concept models for the PlayStation Portable device at a corporate strategy meeting in New York, giving significant insight into the company's plans for the hardware.

Guildford-based developer Mucky Foot has become the latest casualty among UK independent development studios, with the company going into liquidation after a work-in-progress project was cancelled by its publisher.

EA's FIFA 2004 and Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 3 held on to the first and second spots respectively in the UK Full Price chart this week, while there were plenty of new entries for other key titles in the top ten.

Publisher Atari has announced a net loss for its September quarter, with falling revenues being pinned on a sparse release schedule - but projections for the coming quarter, which includes the holiday season, are strong.

The price of the PlayStation 2 console is set to drop by over a quarter in Japan later this month, with Sony set to move the price point to 19,800 Yen (€157) in response to declining sales of the hardware.

Developer trade body TIGA is set to host its annual finance seminar on November 6th, with a focus on investing in game development and speakers from key developers, investment firms and accountants.

Enterprising coders have created a software solution which allows GameCube owners to play Mario Kart: Double Dash over the Internet using a tunnelling system which runs the game's LAN mode online.

New reports suggest that Microsoft is preparing to drop the price of its Xbox console to 16,800 Yen (€133) in Japan next month, in a move which will give the hardware a significant price edge over the PS2 in time for Christmas.

The innovative PS2 webcam game, Eye Toy Play, has passed a million sales in Europe and continues to sell strongly, with a second set of games for the peripheral due in time for Christmas.

Japanese gaming bible set to covermount Xbox jukebox software

British publisher Eidos has announced several changes to its board, along with the creation of a new media division for the company which is tasked with building on the success of the mobile versions of Tomb Raider.

Nintendo has announced Christmas plans for the GBA, with special limited edition packs featuring a GBA SP console, a copy of Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire and a matching carry case due for release in late November.

Leading publisher Nintendo has scored yet another number one in the Japanese software charts, with quirky GameCube title Made in Wario taking the top spot as Cube hardware sales were boosted by a price cut.

Lionhead Studios founder Peter Molyneux is set to receive an honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of Abertay Dundee for his achievements in the field of game creation and design.

Dennis Publishing has announced the final shortlists for its annual Golden Joystick awards, with Grand Theft Auto Vice City and Soul Calibur II leading the pack with three and four nominations respectively.

A new consumer initiative from publisher trade body ELSPA, supported by leading publisher EA, will see a leaflet explaining the new game rating systems being widely distributed at UK retail outlets in the run-up to Christmas.

Software giant Microsoft has announced slightly better than expected results for the first quarter of its financial year, ended September 30, with the figures revealing a 20 per cent climb in revenues from the Xbox.

Major US games retailer GameStop.com has reduced the price of Nokia's N-Gage game deck to $199 only two weeks after the system launched, in a time-limited offer which also includes free shipping for all N-Gage products.

The first shot in Microsoft's Christmas offensive against its console rivals has come in the form of a new bundle deal, which offers an Xbox system along with copies of Halo and Midtown Madness 3 for £139.99.

Consumer electronics giant Sony has reported a 25 per cent drop in its quarterly profits, and predicts a 23 per cent fall in annual operating profit, partly due to falling hardware sales in the games division.