Rob Fahey (Page 52)

Shares in leading game publishers were almost universally buoyed yesterday following the announcement of Sony's launch schedule for the PlayStation 3, with the stock markets reacting positively to the firm's plans for a November worldwide release.

The PlayStation 3 is set to launch in North America, Asia and Europe in early November this year, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi has announced, with the firm committed to shipping six million units by the end of 2006.

Further details of the PlayStation 3 have emerged from Sony's business briefing in Tokyo today, with the firm revealing that the device's hard drive will not be optional, and that a free online service will roll out for the launch of the console.

Sony has a host of updates to the PlayStation Portable planned over the coming months, with an EyeToy camera, a video and voice chat service, a GPS receiver and the ability to download and play a range of PSone games all on the way.

Russian developer Nival Interactive has announced that it is to establish a global headquarters in Los Angeles, with former Microsoft and Infinium Labs executive Kevin Bachus heading up the firm's management team as CEO.

One of Japan's leading newspapers, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, is reporting in its Wednesday morning edition that the PlayStation 3 console has been delayed to November due to unresolved issues with the Blu-Ray technology.

New information regarding Sony's PlayStation 3 plans, which could include the pricing, launch date and initial software line-up of the console, is set to be announced in Tokyo tomorrow at a specially convened Sony conference.

The operating profit recently reported by mobile publisher I-Play is entirely sustainable, according to the firm's chairman Richard Eyre, who told us this week that he believes that the firm's product portfolio now "matches the market".

Reports from development sources close to Sony Computer Entertainment are indicating that the firm is planning a major digital distribution service for game content, which could be a key element of PlayStation 3.

Anti-piracy software firm Starforce has been accused of posting links to pirate copies of Stardock's PC strategy title Galactic Civilizations II on its official website, in the latest in a series of PR blunders for the controversial company.

Information from a number of independent sources is suggesting that Sony may announce further details of its plans for PlayStation 3 next week in Tokyo, with the revised launch schedule for the console being at the top of the agenda.

Shares in specialist magazine publisher Future plc dropped to a three-year low on the London Stock Exchange this morning, after the firm warned that "challenging" market conditions would see its full-year profits sliding.

A senior spokesperson for SCEE has told <i>GamesIndustry.biz</i> that Sony has made no commitment to launching PS3 simultaneously in the US and Europe, despite comments seemingly to that effect made by SCEE boss David Reeves this week.

Top videogame creators Shigeru Miyamoto, Michel Ancel and Frederick Raynal are to be awarded with knighthoods in the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris next Monday, becoming the first game creators ever to receive this honour in France.

Namco Bandai president Takeo Takasu has publicly described Sony's current target of a Spring launch for the PlayStation 3 as "impossible", revealing that the top Japanese publisher is still waiting for information on the launch date.

UK videogames trade bodies ELSPA and TIGA have announced the creation of London Games Festival, a week-long series of events which will take place in early October, with the full support of BAFTA and the London Development Association.

Speaking to <i>GamesIndustry.biz</i>, a number of UK industry figures have discussed their thoughts on Nintendo's upcoming Revolution - and warned that the device's innovation alone many not guarantee success.

British developer Lionhead has confirmed industry rumours of layoffs at its studios in Surrey, with the company's headcount being cut from 250 to 200 in the wake of poor performance of recent PC titles.