The Wii did much better in October than analysts Michael Pachter and Jesse Divinch predicted. Divinch now predicts that the Wii and the DS will again dominate the holidays.

He further predicts that the Wii will sell just beyond a million units more than the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. He also makes other observations; read about them in the full article.

It's always nice when a game developer rolls out an expansion to an already-existing game that adds a ton of content and replayability. It's even better when the added content is not only well-thought out, but something the fans have been clamoring for. Such is the case with Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops' expansion, Konami's Metal Gear Solid: PO+, and we see just what's in store for us in this Japanese trailer video of the game.

New maps, new characters, a new Infinity Mission that involves the grandpappy of Hardcore, Big Boss - it's a dream come true for any Metal Gear Solid fan. What would make it better, though? The addition of all three games' bosses in the character roster.

Wouldn't it be cool to see Big Boss and Solid Snake fighting side by side against the likes of Sniper Wolf, Fortune and The Joy (formerly known as The Boss)? Totally awesome, and totally epic.

Take note, game developers - this is how you make an expansion. Enjoy the video!

 

Heads up, fellow gamers from Europe! You're in for some loving, as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) just unleashed their lineup of games for all PlayStation platforms. Or at least, if the post from NeoGAF holds true. Among the big titles, what catches our attention the most is the debut of PlayStation Home to European networks.

Looking at the PlayStation 3 list, Time Crisis 4 and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune are difficult to miss. Good stuff are also coming from PSN, with new entries to Sony's ever expanding library of downloadable games clocked in at 13 titles. Still, PlayStation Home being there makes us pray that the post is legit.

A healthy dose of games will be gracing the PS2 and PSP. Only a couple of solid dates are listed for Sony's handheld, but more titles are expected to get tagged with a release soon.

Keep in mind that we are yet to receive any official confirmation, but updates are sure to follow. Here's the list for now:

Playstation 3

• 17/10/2007 – Folklore
• 19/10/2007 – Lair
• 24/10/2007 – Eye of Judgment
• 07/11/2007 – Ratchet&Clank : Operation Destruction
• 28/11/2007 – Time Crisis 4
• 05/12/2007 – Uncharted : Drake’s Fortune
• December 2007 – Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

The rest of the list after the jump!

GamesIndustry.biz recently interviewed Dan Arey on his decision to leave Naughty Dog for Ready At Dawn Studios, the developers who are soon to release God of War: Chains of Olympus for the PSP. Summing up his decision to leave, he said:

Naughty Dog and Sony were a wonderful ride, and it was an experience I'll never forget. I was there for almost ten years, the last four as creative director. Really it was just a matter of being the right time for something new. You sometimes just feel it deep down.

Arey explains that he left Naughty Dog after his role on Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was already over so the game will not suffer anything with his departure. He lauds the game, saying, "People will be happy they have a PS3 once they've played Drake's Fortune." He also explains how the Jak and Daxter series shouldn't stop on his account, saying that Sony knows it's a great franchise.

When asked whether his decision to leave has anything to do with the PS3 not doing so well in sales, he responds by saying that he is very optimistic about the future of the PS3, especially with their first and third-party support. Arey finishes on a rather dramatic note, worthy of a veteran in the industry:

I've been around a long time (don't ask) and I've been through at least four major hardware transitions, and it is always the same fears - worry about rising costs, worry about team sizes, worry about price points, worry about whether the consumer base will be there this time. It always works out fine.

Games are here to stay as the primary source of entertainment and artistic expression for the 21st Century. When asked about the future, I say we just need to concentrate on making great games with passion and expertise, games people want and can't wait to play, and experiences that move the mind emotionally and all the rest will follow.

That's what Ready at Dawn is all about, and that's why I'm here.

With the NPD Group's June report arriving next Monday, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter, fresh out from frowning upon the recently concluded E3 Media & Business Summit, gathered relevant information and flexed a couple of neurons to predict last month's findings.

 

Top on his fortune telling list is that the Nintendo Wii's monthly sales will rise higher than a 4 to 1 ratio against the Sony PlayStation 3, even while Nintendo still cannot supply the overwhelming demand. Notably, however, Pachter is being optimistic about the PlayStation 3's 100,000 sales point for a second time, lowered estimates for the Xbox 360's sales, and forecasted June's numbers as:

• Wii - 435,000
• PS3 - 100,000
• 360 - 200,000
• PS2 - 235,000
• PSP - 250,000
• DS - 550,000
• GBA - 90,000

In comparison, Gamasutra reports that simExchange has also offered its own predictions for the NPD June reports. Predictions aggregated from several users of the service cried out a 433,000 unit sales for the Wii, 101,000 for the PlayStation 3, 191,000 for the Xbox 360, 273,000 for Sony's PlayStation Portable, and 510,000 for the Nintendo DS.

Activision, according to Pachter, will have seen the largest financial gain in June, garnering US$ 80 million worth in revenue, a year-on-year rise of 129%, while Take-Two Interactive may see an optimistic 6% increase from last year's revenue to US$ 40 million, despite the issues over Manhunt 2 and the company's restructuring efforts.

Although Pachter predicted 2007 as the Year of EA, Electronic Arts isn't doing better in his forecast as it may suffer a 11% drop - compared to last year - to US$ 65 million for the month of June.

XSEED Games sent QJ.NET an email regarding one of the more anticipated titles for the PlayStation Portable platform, Brave Story: New Traveler. This particular video game has been under development for some time now and it's finally being released on July 31.

Anyway, Brave Story is about the story of a boy and his friend Miki. One afternoon, Miki suddenly collapses from an unknown illness and shows no sign of waking up. A strange voice is then heard by our main protagonist offering him a second chance. "Beyond the door, you can change the destiny," says the voice.

XSEED Games also pointed us to the newly-launched website dedicated to the title where fans can know more about Brave Story: New Traveler itself, the characters, the title's lore, and The World of Vision. The game's features include:

• A role-playing game with an epic tale, introducing unique characters with distinct personalities and leading the player through the imaginative world of Vision as he learns to become a hero.
• Traditional turn-based battle system enhanced by innovative features based on the story's themes of friendship, courage, and growth:
• Friendship - Form bonds with party members to create new, cooperative skills.
• Courage - Use "brave power" (BP) to unleash powerful special abilities, continually refilling the gauge as you devastate the enemy.
• Growth - The hero's main weapon will evolve as he collects the gemstones needed to meet with the Goddess of Fortune. New accessories can be forged by collecting and combining the right materials. Each character can also unlock a one-of-a-kind innate ability.
• Beautifully rendered 3D graphics with vibrant colors and a distinct visual style, highlighted by polished character and enemy movement, graphical representations of sound effects, and a unique animation for each special ability - all exceptionally well drawn and intricately textured.
• Network with friends to trade your birds, or game-share a mini-game to have friends assist in capturing rare birds.

If you want to know read more about Brave Story, refer to our Read link below. It should take you to the title's official page.

You've seen the screenshots. Seen the videos. Heck, M.A.C.H.'s already out in the U.S. so you've probably played the game. Still, though, in commemoration of the game's March 1 release in Australia and the UK, we're bringing you guys some concept art from the game. Check 'em out below.

M.A.C.H. is set in the year 2049. The world's various governments have switched to using unmanned combat aircraft in an effort to save lives. Thousands of jets were decommissioned, ironically ending the livelihood of the very pilots whose lives the governments wished to save. The decommissioned aircraft eventually found their way to the black market, and before long, an underground competition featuring ex-fighter pilots, smugglers and wealthy hobbyists piloting the decommissioned aircraft emerged.

This is where you come in. As a pilot, you have to push your heavily-modified aircraft to outrace and outduel your enemies in order to win fame, glory and fortune. Touted as the "first flight/combat racing game for the PSP", M.A.C.H. will feature 11 different planes and a number of customizable parts that totals 180 different configurations, four gameplay modes, and support for up to eight players via Ad-Hoc.

More concept art after the jump!

First, for the good news: We will not be hitting you with pirate impersonations, so please put that cutlass down. Next, we have better news - Sid Meier's Pirates! for the PSP has gone gold, meaning the game is now only a few stages away from being released, announced to be February this year.

For the guys wondering what to expect, Pirates! puts you in the boots of a 17th century buccaneer. Your job in this strategy/adventure title will be to amass a vast fortune in the Caribbeans, all the while exploring the various areas in-game, be it the high seas, or dry land.

The game also allows for up to four players to go multiplayer, so expect to quadruple the fun with your comrades as you loot and plunder to your heart's content. And to cap off this good news, we provide you with several more screenshots for your viewing pleasure.

More screens await after the jump!

  

Here are two other SEGA Genesis classics, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sword of Vermillion, both of which are included in the SEGA Genesis Collection along with Golden Axe, Phantasy Star II and Ecco the Dolphin.

At first glance it looks like a very unlikely pair but these two games have more in common than you think. As fast as Sonic the Hedgehog can run, that's how quick you'll be able to reach the end of Sword of Vermillion. It is relatively short, compared to other RPG during that time. They say you can finish the game, in 20 hours, maybe even less. And then there's the fulfilling the prophecy bit. King Erik V son, in the end, fulfills the prophecy of the Malaga fortune tellers. While Sonic, fulfills the prophecy of still being the top hedgehog in all platforms. Okay there isn't such a prophecy, but we had to make the analogy work.

Feel free to dish out seeing blocks jokes while watching Sword of Vermillion and don't hold back on the cheers for Sonic the Hedgehog.

Download: [Sonic the Hedgehog]
                  [Sword of Vermillion]