Tom Bramwell (Page 25)

Microsoft is adding something called Tilt Wheel Technology to its next set of computer mice, an innovation that could offer hardcore PC gamers a significant advantage over their rivals.

Popular programmer Graeme Devine has split from Id Software under amicable terms according to reports, relocating to Microsoft-owned Ensemble Studios where he will focus on game design.

Bandai's Mobile Suit Gundam SEED has sprouted far more aggressively than anything else this week, despite continued stagnation at retail, while the GBA claims yet more of the hardware market.

Your weekly guide to the hottest jobs in the games industry, courtesy of Aardvark Swift. This week - positions from across the industry, ranging from artists and programmers to translation specialists.

Following the announcement of new Dashboard features (which have now been rescheduled for mid-September), Microsoft has revealed plans to launch "Live Web" on August 25th, bringing Xbox Live to the PC for the first time.

Veteran developers The Bitmap Brothers, responsible for treasured 16-bit classics like Chaos Engine, have been accepted into a government scheme to help improve access to finance for small and medium enterprises.

Namco will be handling a new version of Donkey Kong, while a new Zelda game is planned for release before the end of 2004, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told the Japanese media today.

President Satoru Iwata has told a news conference that Nintendo will reveal details of a "new game product" in spring next year, and will also introduce a points scheme similar to air miles.

Xbox Live users will benefit from a revamped Dashboard starting towards the end of this month, which will offer easier Friends list access and Voice Chat features on the main menu.

Electronic Arts has signed a deal for a 250,000-square foot studio complex in the Playa Vista community near LA's Ballona Wetlands, a spot environmentalists have fought to preserve.

UK consumers are to get their first taste of Nokia N-Gage this month, as the game deck appears at the Edinburgh International Games Festival from August 11th to 18th.

The developer who created Kirby and steered the Smash Bros. series to critical and commercial success has resigned from his post, threatening the future of a major Nintendo franchise.

The French publisher has a dominating display once more, featuring every major title due out this year with only a couple of exceptions. Ubi has also announced its PSEx plans.

IBM's top iSeries scientist says his research team has managed to get the enterprise AS/400 operating system working on the PlayStation One. Apparently it's part of CELL research. Sounds like it!

The world's leading desktop graphics card manufacturer has moved to improve its standing in the 2.5G and 2G mobile sectors with the acquisition of specialists MediaQ.

More games join Nintendo's truck, but there are some significant absentees, including Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid and Rogue Squadron.

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has backed the London Games Week later this month with a message of goodwill, saying that it has "a major role to play in developing industry".

A London developer linked with a jaw-droppingly beautiful PS2-exclusive game allegedly called "Stolen" has refused to confirm that the game exists, despite a website listing to the contrary.

CEO Larry Probst will soon know whether next-gen consoles will launch in 2005 or 2006, and whether Sony plans to cut the price of PS2 again this fiscal year.

After the success of Nintendo's Zelda demo disc promotion, publisher LucasArts is planning a similar incentive for fans of its popular Rogue Squadron series, due out later this year.

But the GBA continues its hardware dominance moving further ahead of the PS2, despite no new releases and the top title on Sony's platform reaching 131,000 units sold.