Sony Computer Entertainment has revealed that its planned worldwide launch for PlayStation 3 this November will be reaching a little less of the world than expected. Territories using the PAL display standard, including Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia will see PS3 launch in March 2007. Dates for Japan and North America were unaffected by the change, remaining on November 11 and November 17 respectively. Apparently, the postponement comes as a result of difficulties in manufacturing the blue laser diode used in the system's Blu-ray Disc player. According to Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi, manufacturing has been set back about a month. Today's press release noted that Sony is still on track for its previously stated target of shipping 6 million PS3 units within its fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2007.

Throughout the day there were numerous contrary claims regarding how many units Sony would ship upon launch, and how the shipments would break down between North America and Japan. Early reports came from the Associated Press' coverage of a Tokyo press conference held by Ken Kutaragi. The AP reported that the United States will receive an initial shipment of 400,000 units, with 100,000 heading to Japan. These numbers were later denied by Sony Computer Entertainment representatives, who claimed that the company's original plans of shipping 2 million units on launch day and 4 million by the end of calendar 2006 were still in the works. However, these claims were further disputed. When contacted for clarification, SCEA confirmed to Shacknews that the 400,000 and 100,000 figures for North America and Japan are indeed accurate. Sony now plans to ship only between 2 million and 2.4 million units between those two territories by the end of calendar 2006, with approximately half of that sum going to each.

As far as reasons for Europe being chosen for the delay, Kutaragi cited product transport costs as well as time needed to complete multilingual localization for games. In regards to the manufacturing problems themselves, it seems that they lie solely on Blu-ray, and not the system's new Cell CPU. Kutaragi claimed that despite PS3 not yet having entered production, Sony has already stocked 3 million Cell chips, with production on schedule.

In the wake of Sony's announcements of PlayStation 3 delays and shortages, executives--at Sony and elsewhere--and analysts have come forward to offer their opinions on the matter, the latest in what many have perceived as an ongoing line of PR nightmares for Sony. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Ray Maguire said, "We are extremely disappointed at news of this delay. We can truly empathise with everyone who was looking forward to PS3's imminent release." He went on to reassure fans that the upcoming March 2007 launch will be "the biggest and best in the company's history." These announcements come just one day after Sony launched its official European PS3 website, serving as a starting point for its "This is Living" advertising campaign and featuring short films promoting the system.

GI.biz also got feedback from an executive at major Sony competitor Microsoft. Speaking to the site, Xbox UK head Neil Thompson took some veiled jabs at Sony's latest announcements. "We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch," he said, "so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan, due to the unproven technology they are trying to pack in to their console." Thompson went on to make various comments on the relative awesomeness of Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Analysts had mixed reactions to today's news. Outspoken Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter claimed that the news demonstrates Sony's firm commitment to the North American market. "The allocation to the US--80 per cent of initial shipments--is shocking," said Pachter. "I really think it's unfortunate for European consumers, but the delay makes clear that Sony intends to fight the Blu-Ray - HD-DVD battle on US soil." He believes that the diode-related shipment problems may occur into 2007, evoking similaties to Microsoft's widely reported Xbox 360 shipment issues. London-based KBC Financial Products analyst Amir Anvarzedah was less charitable. "Sony Computer once again proves that its execution remains awful," he said, also pointing out that the last quarter of the calendar year, which PS3 will be missing in Europe, is responsible for up to 80 percent of industry sales.

IGN today published an interview with outspoken Team NINJA designer Tomonobu Itagaki, who spoke about his company's current projects in his well known brash manner. Most of the interview was dedicated to the studio's upcoming Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (X360), the volleyball- and mini-game-laden spinoff of the Dead or Alive series of fighting games. Later on, however, Itagaki got to talking about the Xbox 360 platform. Speaking on the system's multi-threaded architexture, he dropped a hint that a sequel to the studio's well received Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) may well be in the works. "if you're working on a game like Ninja Gaiden 2, where it's really important that enemies are smart and challenging, then we might use up to two threads on AI," he said. When asked about Ninja Gaiden 2 outright, Itagaki responded, "I won't upset anybody by denying your expectations. I like to see people's expectations fulfilled."

Itagaki also stated that Team NINJA has seen PlayStation 3 hardware and would consider developing for it. "I think the most important thing is for people to have good games that they want to play on good hardware, so if there is a demand for it, we may follow that path some time in the future," he said, adding, "Obviously, we are big supporters of the Xbox platform." Team NINJA has developed for the Xbox platform since 2001's Dead or Alive 3.

In the latest edition of IGN Wii's Mailbag column, editor Matt Cassamassina let loose two Wii-related rumors. The first is speculation on Cassamassina's part that, contrary to prior announcements, Wii may not have an optional DVD playback attachment. When first announced as Revolution, the system was to have a small internally contained component that would enable DVD playback in the machine, should owners need it. However, as Cassamassina points out, Nintendo has not so much as mentioned this attachment recently, and no mention is made of it on the company's official Wii site. Inquiries to Nintendo about the matter went unanswered. Looks like prospective Wii gamers may have to rely on one of the other half-dozen DVD players likely present somewhere in their houses.

Cassamassina's other claim, which seems to be based on tangible insider knowledge, is that the quietly announced GameCube platformer Super Paper Mario (screenshots) is now headed to Wii rather than to Nintendo's waning current-gen system. He did not have (or give) any details as to how it may affect the game's release or content.

Microsoft studio Turn 10's racer Forza Motorsport 2 (X360) has been long delayed beyond its original planned release of late 2004. Now, it appears it has been delayed again. According to a post in a monstrous Gaming-Age Forums thread on the part of Forza 2 community member Che Chou, the game will be missing its holiday season 2006 release date. Chou claimed that a new release date will be announced during Microsoft's upcoming X06 event in Barcelona.

This week, Microsoft released several new screenshots and wireframe renders for the game.

Atlus today announced that it will be publishing Mitchell's Polarium Advance in North America. The game is a sequel to Mitchell's Nintendo DS title Polarium, and features new sets of puzzles using the same tile-flipping gameplay as its predecessor, adding a few new types of tiles as well. Polarium Advance will contain 365 puzzles that can be played at any time or in a "Daily Polarium Mode" that delivers players a new puzzle each day. It also features an edit mode, allowing players to create up to 100 custom puzzles which can be sent to friends, presumably using a Game Boy Advance link cable or wireless adapter.

Atlus plans to release Mitchell's Polarium Advance in November 2006.

During Games Convention in Leipzig yesterday, Microsoft made the surprising announcement that next iterations of both major licensed soccer franchises FIFA 07 from Electronic Arts and Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 6 from Konami will be next-generation exclusives on Xbox 360 for the following twelve months. Though this does not bar them from appearing on the current-gen PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, it does mean that PlayStation 3 and Wii owners will have to sit out on licensed soccer games for a while. EA Canada's FIFA 07 for Xbox 360 (screenshots) is expected to ship this fall. Konami's Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 6 for Xbox 360 is set to release this October.

Microsoft also announcd that three well known board games will be coming to Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360: Carcassarone, Alhambra, and Settlers of Catan. No release dates, points, nor developers were revealed.

Finally, Microsoft revealed official United States launch dates and prices for its upcoming Xbox 360 accessories. The lineup is as follows:

- Xbox Live Vision ($39.99, Sep. 19): Includes Xbox Live Vision camera, Xbox 360 headset, one month of Xbox Live Gold, UNO, and Freeverse and Strange Flavour's camera-based game TotemBall.
- Xbox Live Video Chat Gold Kit ($79.99, Sep. 19): Includes Xbox Live Vision camera, Xbox 360 headset, 12 months of Xbox Live Gold, 200 Microsoft Points, UNO, TotemBall, and Robotron.
- Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($149.99, Nov. TBA): Includes wireless racing wheel and, for a limited time, a limited-edition force feedback-enabled version of Bizarre Creations' Project Gotham Racing 3.
- Xbox 360 Wireless Headset ($59.99, Nov. TBA)
- Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows ($19.99, late Dec.): Allows wireless Xbox 360 peripherals and controllers to be used with Windows PCs.
- Xbox 360 Faceplates ($19.99 each, early Nov.): New faceplates will be available featuring the Halo franchise, Viva Pinata, and Forza Motorsport 2.

Though its next-gen console won't be seeing an officially licensed soccer game in the next year thanks to Microsoft's timed exclusivity deal, Nintendo did announce that a new version of its own soccer franchises is coming to the system. During its Games Convention press conference today--entitled "Wii prove our promise," rather misleadingly seeing as the company revealed no new hard information about its system--Nintendo announced Mario Strikers Charged (artwork). The game features more team creation options than the original title, and also adds online multiplayer functionality. It will be developed by developer Next Level Games, also responsible for the original title.

Also announced during Nintendo's conference was Battalion Wars 2 (screenshot, artwork), which Nintendo was sure to note is abbreviated "BWii." The game is a followup to UK-based Kuju's action/strategy hybrid on GameCube published by Nintendo last year. As with Mario Strikers Charged, Battalion Wars 2's most notable improvement over its predecessor is the inclusion of online multiplayer, which has three main modes: the combat oriented Assault, the tactical Skirmish mode, and a cooperative mode. It also adds new units, races, and environments, including naval units, and is comprised of over 20 single-player missions and over 15 multiplayer missions.

Following Sony's announcement of its Europe-exclusive pink PlayStation 2 and PSP yesterday, Nintendo announced its own pink hardware. A pink DS Lite will be released in Europe on October 27. No mention of a North American release was made.

As far as DS software goes, Nintendo revealed a German version of English language training software, first released in Japan as Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Duke. The game will be coming to various European territories in localized form.

During this week's Games Convention in Leipzig, Sony Computer Entertainment released a list of 19 PlayStation 3 titles that will be playable at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which will run from September 22-24, 2006. The company noted that eight further playable titles are unrevealed, bringing the PS3 lineup for TGS to a total of 27. The current list is as follows:

- From Software's Armored Core 4
- Omega Force's Blade Storm: Hundred Years War
- Konami's Coded Arms Assault
- Capcom's Devil May Cry 4
- SCE Japan's The Eye of Judgment
- KOEI Canada's Fatal Inertia
- SCE Studios Liverpool's Formula One 06
- Game Republic's Genji: Days of the Blade
- Polyphony Digital's "Gran Turismo" series (unspecified game)
- Ninja Theory's Heavenly Sword
- Factor 5's Lair (working title)
- Koei's Mahjong Taikai IV
- Clap Hanz' Hot Shots Golf 5
- BEC's Mobile Suit Gundam
- Evolution Studios' MotorStorm
- Ongakukan's Railfan
- Insomniac Games' Resistance: Fall of Man
- Namco's Ridge Racer 7
- Incognito Entertainment's Warhawk

The company also noted that it will be showing video footage of a total of 35 games, which likely include many or all of the playable games listed above.

According to IGN, publisher THQ has put up a job post soliciting a tools programmer for a new strategy game. Interestingly, the listing notes that the game is in development for all three next generation consoles. It is unclear whether the game is a console version of one of Relic's PC franchises such as Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War or the upcoming Company of Heroes, or an entirely different franchise.

Neither Relic nor THQ could be reached for comment as of press time.

Konami held a press event today at which it showed off several of its upcoming games, and the publisher also announced a couple of new titles: Lost in Blue 2 for Nintendo DS, the sequel to the company's self-described sleeper hit adventure game Lost in Blue, and a new "dark yet zany" racing games for PSP entitled Pocket Racers.

Lost in Blue follows a similar plot to the original game, with a male character and female character trying to survive while stranded on a remote island. Konami noted that despite the structural similarities, the characters in Lost in Blue 2 are actually new characters, rather than the same pair from Lost in Blue. This time around, the unique abilities of the male and female characater have been strengthened and made more distinct. The DS' unique hardware capabilities also take on a greater role in puzzle solving and survival skills such as carpentry, food preparation, and so on. Lost in Blue 2 is set to wash up on North American shores in early 2007.

Pocket Racers is a supernatural-themed racing game, with the player racing for his or her very soul against the evil "Nemesis." Being an evil sort of fellow, the Nemesis has been transforming people into small cars, serving as the premise for the the game's odd plot. The game's environments consist of indoor household environments, in which objects such as tables and chairs become large imposing obstacles thanks to the scale-altering work of the Nemesis. The game features 15 environments and 16 vehicles. It includes both single-player and multiplayer modes, with up to four players supported via local wireless. Pocket Racers skids into North American stores this fall.

LucasArts has been making new developer partnerships left and right. Earlier this month, the publisher announced that it has struck a deal with Day 1 to create a new next generation franchise. Last week, it announced a deal with Ubisoft that will see the French developer and publisher creating an unspecified number of games starting with Star Wars: Lethal Alliance (NDS, PSP). Today, LucasArts announced that it is joining forces with another developer to create another unrevealed next generation franchise. This time, it's TimeSplitters developer Free Radical, which coincidentally is also working with Ubisoft on its shooter Haze (PS3, X360, PC). This latest announcement was extremely brief, and made no mention of platforms or release dates. "In recent years, LucasArts has established itself as one of the hottest publishers on the planet," said Free Radical director Steve Ellis. "We're honored that they’re every bit as interested to be working with us as we are to be working with them."

Today, there's coverage of Leipzig's Games Convention from GameSpot, IGN, 1UP,

Independent developer Edge of Reality today announced its first original project since the studio's inception eight years ago, a military-themed action title featuring heroic protagonist John Cipher. "In Cipher Complex, a recon satellite is mysteriously blasted from orbit, and when diplomatic requests for information are stonewalled, the US government is forced to call in its last resort - Operative John Cipher," reads the announcement. "Charged with uncovering the truth by any means necessary, Cipher is going behind enemy lines to extract information the hard way." Company president Binu Philip promises "brand new styles of gameplay and methods of storytelling." The game is internally funded, and no information regarding a publisher was revealed.

Previously, Edge of Reality has worked on titles such as Shark Tale (PS2, Xbox, GCN, also on GBA, PC), Pitfall: The Lost Expedition (PS2, Xbox, GCN, PC), and N64 ports of the first three Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games. This March, Midway cancelled the gang warfare-themed game Fear & Respect (PS3, X360), in development by Edge of Reality.

Cipher Complex is in the works for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. No release date has yet been announced.

Classic game character Sonic The Hedgehog--who you may also know as "the blue dude with the 'tude"--celebrates his fifteenth birthday today, having starred in his first eponymous game for the SEGA Genesis on June 23, 1991. According to sega, over 44 million copies of over 30 different Sonic titles have been sold worldwide since the series' inception, which works out to over 8.000 Sonic games being sold every day. Gamers have sunk over 500 million hours playing Sonic and collected a mind-boggling 66 billion rings.

In honor of the occasion (and possibly also in a fortuitous bit of marketing coinciding with the onset of the three next-gen consoles), there are several upcoming Sonic games in the pipeline. As far as what's been previously announced, Sonic The Hedgehog will be coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 later this year, Sonic Wild Fire will be coming to Wii in 2007, and racer Sonic Rivals will hit PSP this fall.

Finally, another title was newly announced today. Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis, a light remake of the first Sonic game, will be released for Game Boy Advance this November at a $19.99 price point. The game will be nearly identical to the classic, with the addition of Sonic's later-added "Spin-Dash" maneuvre as well as an upgraded save system.

Following a PC update earlier this week, today the Chapter 2 content for the Xbox 360 version of Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter was made available on Xbox Live (which the press release refers to as "Xbox LIVE!").

Chapter 2 is downloadable via Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft points ($15). It contains four new co-op missions, eight relit multiplayer maps from the original game, new game mode Team Battle with two new game types, two camouflage patterns, four faces, and five weapons. For more details, check out the announcement from earlier this month.

The seven HDMI Founder companies--Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, Matsushita/Panasonic, Philips, Silicon Image, and Thompson--announced this week the HDMI 1.3 specifications. Included in the announcement was news that PlayStation 3 will utilize the standard. New features to HDMI 1.3 include:

- Increasing the interface's bandwidth speed from 4.95 GB/s to 10.2 GB/s
- Support for 30-bit, 36-bit, and 48-bit color depth, up from 24-bit in prior versions
- New smaller connector option for smaller devices such as camcorders
- Automatic audio/video synching capability
- Support for new lossless audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio

"PLAYSTATION 3 will be the most advanced computer platform for enjoying a wide range of entertainment content, including the latest games and HD movies, in the home," said Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi regarding the announcement. "By introducing the next-generation HDMI 1.3 technology, with its high speed and deep color capabilities, PS3 will push the boundaries of audiovisual quality to the next level of more natural and smoother expression on the latest large flat panel displays."

PlayStation 3 will launch this November with a split price point; in North America, a 20GB hard drive model will retail for $499, and a 60GB model for $599. Among other differences, the $499 model does not include support for HDMI.

This week, Nintendo's Japanese operations announced the Japanese release date for Opera Software's Nintendo DS web browser. It will be available July 24 exclusively through online sales for a price of 3,800 yen ($35). The browser itself ships on a DS cartridge, and the package includes an additional GBA cartridge that acts as memory enhancement for smoother browsing. According to images released by Nintendo, two versions will be available, one with the expansion cart tailored to fit the original DS, and one tailored to fit the DS Lite.

No pricing or release date information for non-Japanese territories has yet been announced. - Screenshots.

Bethesda Softworks today announced that Johnny Depp will be reprising his Pirates of the Caribbean film role of Captain Jack Sparrow in 7 Studios' upcoming action/adventure game Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow. "We are thrilled to have Johnny Depp working on this project," says Todd Vaughn, executive producer of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow. "We couldn't imagine a better way to capture the spirit of the character than to have Depp lend his voice to Captain Jack Sparrow. It truly adds to an already rich gameplay experience."

7 Studios' Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow will be released for PlayStation 2 and PC by Bethesda Softworks on June 27.

Nintendo's press site reveals that Brownie Brown's tentatively named DS RPG Magical Vacation has been redubbed Magical Starsign for its North American release. The game, which was released this week in Japan, is actually a sequel to a GBA game called Magical Vacation, which never made it out of Japan. Brownie Brown is a studio founded by former Square artists and designers responsible for Square's Secret of Mana seriers; the recognizable Mana visual style is apparent in Starsign.

Magical Starsign ships October 23 for Nintendo DS. - Screenshots.

Nintendo has announced that in the first month of its release New Super Mario Bros. (NDS) has surpassed sales of 500,000 in the United States, which apparently works out to a sales rate of 20 per minute since its release. According to NPD sales data, the game was the #1 selling title in the month of May.

Myelin Media sent out word that a patch for the Xbox version of 5000ft's Stacked with Daniel Negreanu has been released via Xbox Live. It fixes various issues, including an unintentional reset of a players' bankroll when logging into Xbox Love, incorrect leaderboard tracking, and inappropriate "Ask Daniel" poker tips. Apparently, another patch is forthcoming to address a recurring "dirty disc" error message.

GameDaily BIZ chats it up with Nintendo EAD Software Designing Department head Takashi Tezuka, speaking about developing for Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as what it's like working directly underneath Shigeru Miyamoto.

Game Informer has an interview with SCE Santa Monica's Cory Barlog about the upcoming God of War II (PS2).

PSINext chats with Ninja Theory's Marco Salvi about the tech behind Heavenly Sword (PS3).

Music 4 Games talks with EA music and marketing exec Steve Schnur about the soundtrack for EA Tiburon's Madden NFL 07 (PS2, Xbox, GCN, PS3, X360, Wii, NDS, PSP, GBA, PC).

Throughout the week, there have been numerous statements on the part of Sony executives, industry analysts, and game publishers giving various details and opinions about the upcoming PlayStation 3 launch. Here's a recap:

- As far as how many games Sony is claiming will launch with the system, Sony Computer Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai stated that the total number may be as high as 15. Several games previously slated for PS3's November 17 launch are now scheduled for 2007. SCEE's David Reeves confirmed this week that Ninja Theory's Heavenly Sword, SCE Worldwide Studios Liverpool's Formula One, and Evolution Studios' MotorStorm will all be hitting the console next year. While a specific launch period was never announced for PS3's first EyeToy game, Reeves also noted that it too will be out next year, narrowing it down to a release by March 2007. Sony's SingStar, which it frequently showcases at press conferences, will be out this year, though likely not at the system's launch. Finally, as a bright spot amidst the news of delays, Insomniac's anticipated shooter Resistance: Fall of Man was confirmed as still on track for the system's launch.

- Speaking to MCV, Sony Computer Entertainment UK's Ray Maguire stated that the dual-pricing configuration may not be in the cards for PS3 in the UK. "The lower-end 20Gb version of PlayStation 3 has no wi-fi, no HDMI and none of the other slots in it, so it's really a question of where we would position it," Maguire noted. "It's more likely that we will only launch the 60Gb version." That system would likely launch at GBP 425 in the UK, which at current exchange rates places it at the equivalent of about $800, $200 more than the $599 price point for that model in the US. Maguire did note that with several months until launch, plans have not yet been finalized. However, one decision that does seem final is that the UK will definitely not be using the store-bought online payment cards Sony showcased at E3, used to make purchases through Sony's online service without use of a credit card.

- A few publishers were vocally critical of Sony's handling of third party PS3 development so far. Speaking to Bloomberg Japan, Sega of America president Simon Jeffery said, "A lot of developers have not gotten the kits,'' adding, "There certainly will not be a lot of titles available." THQ CEO Brian Farrel echoed Jeffery's comments, noting that the publisher was unable to make a PS3 version of its upcoming Sopranos game, as it "didn't have enough information" about the system. "It was too risky to do it," said Farrell. "It made no sense." Two other publishers, however, had a different view of the situation: #1 US publisher Electronic Arts and #2 US publisher Activision. EA president Paul Lee said simply, "We're happy with the development kits." Activision CEO Robert Kotick said, "While we may not have the final, final hardware, we know what the processor's capacity is. We have active development under way." Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot noted that the first PS3 games will not take full advantage of the system, but then neither did the first Xbox 360 games.

- Analysis firm DFC intelligence took a pessimistic view this week of Sony's recently announced pricing scheme for PS3. "The video game business model has been to build an installed base of tens of millions of users in a very short-time frame," said a DFC report. "A key factor in this model is relatively low cost hardware." The firm postulated that while many will pay the asking price, Sony's overall audience will be much smaller than the previous mass audience it captured with PS2. DFC noted that Xbox 360 is seeing an increasingly strong library, particularly after last week's announcement of Grand Theft Auto IV launching simultaneously on the two systems, which makes it all the more crucial for Sony to differentiate its machine and justify its price. This could result in problems for the whole industry, not just Sony, DFC noted. "Unfortunately, there is a sinking feeling that things may have spun out of control for Sony and thus price cuts will be slow in coming," read the report. "While that may be good news for Microsoft and Nintendo it could spell rough times for publishers that have come to rely so much on Sonyâ s ability to build a huge market of devoted video game consumers."

Rumors have been swirling for months that legendary Sega designer Yuji Naka had quit his employer and founded his own studio, and now Idle Thumbs offers a confirmation based on a Japanese press release from Sega. Naka's new company is named Prope, and will be partially funded by Sega. With him will be going ten members of Sonic Team, with which Naka formerly worked.

Sega will have first publishing rights to any Prope games. It is unknown what current projects are in the works from the studio. Several rumors have surfaced recently that Naka is developing a sequel to cult favorite NiGHTS Into Dreams (SAT) for Wii. Most recently, Electronic Gaming Monthly reported the rumor in its latest issue, though a specific platform was not noted.

Nintendo UK's David Yarnton may be spending a bit too much time with diehard Nintendo loyalists online. Speaking to trade publication MCV, Yarnton claims Sony "didn't innovate, they copied," resulting in the company's recent removal of its controller's rumble feature. Yarnton's implication is likely that the feature's removal is directly connected to Sony's ongoing legal battles with haptic technology provider Immersion. The Nintendo UK executive also took a potshot at Sony's Phil Harrison, suggesting that Harrison may have displayed hypocrisy by previously downplaying the then-named Revolution controller, with Sony later implementing similar technology into its PlayStation 3. Yarnton followed this up with a rather cringe-inducing claim: "I donâ t know what their decision making process is but I think if you look back, any innovation that has come in gameplay has come from us."

It's a great day for hubris on the part of European console executives, I guess. Speaking to Computer and Video Games, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO David Reeves had high expectations for PS3's launch despite any hitches it may potentially have. PS3 would sell millions even if it had no games, he claimed. "We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even [if] it didn't have games," said Reeves.

While North America has known when it will be getting Nintendo's updated DS Lite for a few weeks now, Europe has been in the dark about its own release dates and price points for the machine. According to trade publication MCV, that will change on Monday, May 22. That's right, folks, a rumor announcing an announcement. But hey, if you were wondering, you know?

In terms of more specific, yet equally unconfirmed, rumor, a potential date and price of June 23 and 150 Euro have been floating around various European news outlets. Take that as you will.

Gamasutra has an incredibly fascinating interview with several executives of Tose Software, one of the best-kept secretes in game development. The company has created over a thousand games across almost every system since 1979, but willingly and actively strives to keep its name off of credits and game boxes, sometimes going so far as to have staffers use false names. All of its games are done for external publishers, who are credited for the games' development; for example, many Square Enix titles have in fact been developed by Tose, as well as those for numerous other major Japanese publishers. Nintendo's recent Super Princess Peach (DS) was in fact a Tose product. Tose's Starfy series is the first case in the company's history it has owned any part of the properties it develops; the franchise is co-owned by Nintendo and Tose. Tose is currently trying to establish itself among publishers in US and Europe, but is having some trouble as despite its enormous portfolio, few people have actually heard of the company. You have likely played Tose games without knowing it.

Planet GameCube chats with Nintendo EAD's Takashi Tezuka, currently supervising all Nintendo-developed Wii games, in an interview that's surprisingly informative (for a Nintendo interview, anyway).

Gaming-Age has an interview with Epic's CliffyB, talking about Gears of War and...well, a bunch of other stuff.

Probably the last day of new E3 previews today. If you're interested, check that out at Game Informer, GameSpot, Eurogamer, IGN, GameSpy, and surely others. And hey, if you missed ours, here it is.