Console War May Be Over If Microsoft Buys EA

In an attempt to freak out everyone in the video game industry, there are a flurry of rumors circulating that Microsoft may be planning to purchase Electronic Arts.

Although reuters.com called the recent rumor "unsubstantiated chatter" and seattlepi.com received confirmation from Microsoft spokesman David Dennis who said "There is no truth to this rumor" and "we have no plans to purchase EA," that didn't stop EA stocks from reaching about $20 a share today.

Alas, that affect would a monstrous merger like Microsoft purchasing EA have on the entire industry?

A whole lot.

Electronic Arts has historically been the single largest video game publisher in the industry releasing the most popular franchises on the market such as "Rock Band," Need for Speed," and the hugely popular "Madden" brand in their "EA Sports" line.

If Microsoft purchased EA and dissolved it into its publishing network, all of these multi-platform titles could potentially become Xbox 360 exclusives.

That would mean that you would have to own a Xbox 360 or PC to play "Madden," or even something like "Spore" or "Burnout."

However, we saw the success Microsoft last had with purchasing development studio "Rare." Which has yielded about two games - "Perfect Dark Zero" and "Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts" - which is fewer than the Nintendo 64 received in its heyday.

Because of that, Microsoft may allow select franchises such as all "EA Sports" titles to remain multi-platform while collecting royalties from Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 purchases.

Other franchises could become Xbox 360 exclusive and would create a substantial dent library of games for both Nintendo and Sony making the Xbox 360 a potential forerunner and possible victor in the current console war.

A grim possibility indeed, unless you're a Xbox 360 owner.

The Beatles: Rock Band Podcast Review

8.5 out of 10

Pros:

• It's The Beatles!
• Great visuals with few game play bugs
• Great potential in the form of upcoming album releases

Cons:

• The "Limited Edition" version is disappointing
• A little too easy
• Too few tracks

Nintendo Wii Price Cut Coming September 27

It seems as though every console price cut is preceded by a wave of online leaks before an official announcement is made.

Nintendo is no different.

A "Toys R Us" advertisement seems to be confirming that the price of console forerunner Nintendo Wii will be cut to $199.

The price change of the Wii would come just weeks after both Sony and Microsoft announced price cuts on their consoles bringing each to around $299 for comparable models.

However, it seems as though Microsoft's price edge with a $199 Xbox 360 Arcade will soon be met with a $199 Nintendo Wii effective September 27.

Nintendo could easily do without a price drop as consumers appear to still be enthralled with the motion controlled system which should now remain the cheapest console.

Alas, I still do not foresee any increase in sales for the Wii with the minor price reduction.

"The Beatles: Rock Band" Purchasing Guide

Today "The Beatles: Rock Band" was officially released to the world as well as digitally remastered versions of the full Beatles library.

However, before you run out and drop some serious cash out of "Beatlemania" you might want to reconsider your purchasing plan and figure out what is the best strategy for you.

It is no secret to anyone that the 45-track rhythm-based game is a special treat to Beatles fans and music lovers alike and it is no secret that the "limited edition premium bundle" costs $250. This bundle includes Paul McCartney's signature Hofner Bass replica wireless guitar, a "Beatles brand" drum set, microphone, microphone stand, and the game software itself.

The less expensive "special value edition" still comes with a whopping $140 price tag and includes the game software as well as standard "Rock Band" drums, guitar, and microphone.

That's right, the $110 difference is purely for instruments that look like Paul's bass and Ringo's drums. To make things worse is that the price is consistent across consoles. Normally, the Nintendo Wii version of any "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" title is at least $10 cheaper due to the consoles lower graphically complexity - but not this time.

Fork out the cash Wii owners.

It is clear that this is going to be an expensive purchase if you don't already own either "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" bundles - remember, the instruments are inner changeable by law.

So what's the best plan of attack?



The Completest Bundle (all Beatles instruments, 3 microphones) = $510










Sadly, in order receive the full "The Beatles: Rock Band" experience you have to spend enough money to buy a couple of consoles.

The completest will want the $250 bundle as well as John's replica Rickenbacker 325 and George's Gretsch Duo-Jet guitar controllers at $100 a piece for the full Beatles experience.

So now you're at $450, but you're not done yet.

The newest feature in the "Rock Band" franchise is the ability to harmonize with fellow players in the saw way the "fab four" used it. "Rock Band" microphones cost about $30 each and up to three players can harmonize at once so that's an added $60.

Finally, you can have your full "The Beatles: Rock Band" experience at a low price of $510.

That's about the price of either an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii combined.




The Starter Band (microphone, drums, standard guitar, Beatles guitar) = $240









If you're not into dropping $510 or even $250 to play as the Beatles then you may want to consider the "special value edition" even though you don't get any shinny Beatles instruments.

However, you could couple that purchase with one of the special edition guitars and create your own bundle with a microphone, drums, and two guitars at only $240.




GameStop's "Beatles Rock Band Value Bundle" (Rock Band 2, microphone, drums, standard guitar) = $160













Right now you can get the exact peripherals as the "special value edition" plus "Rock Band 2" for only $20 more through GameStop.

Throw in a Beatles guitar for $100 and you sitting at $10 more than the "limited edition" with two guitars and "Rock Band 2."


Thankfully, I'm not the only one who sees how overpriced this game can be. The hefty price tag and short lived story mode was the highlight of 1up.com's review.

Nevertheless, the game looks great and hopefully you can find a purchasing method that fits your budget.

"GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony" Trailer Makes its Debut

A new trailer for the Xbox 360 exclusive addition to "Grand Theft Auto IV" universe was made available today.

"The Ballad of Gay Tony" - the second of two exclusive "GTA IV" episodes for the Xbox 360 - will be available on October 29 and initial reports suggest that this saga will be much more action-oriented than others in the series:



"The Ballad of Gay Tony" as well as "The Lost and the Damned" will be available as a retail disc on October 29 named "GTA: Episodes from Liberty City." The disc is also a Xbox 360 exclusive and is priced at $40.

Sony Motion Controller to have pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback

Followers of Sony's Playstation Blog were treated today by a lengthy interview with Sony research and development guru Richard Marks.

Marks discloses new information about the origin of the new motion controller as well as pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback:

Strange Video Game World Records

As if he haven't heard enough of how great Eidos' new "Batman" video game is, there's now official proof.

"Batman: Arkham Asylum" now holds the Guinness World record for "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever" with an average score of 91.67 - sorry "Superman 64."

Now that the world has received perhaps its finest superhero video game, what about other world worthy records in the video game world?

After taking a look at the "Guinness World Record: Gamer's Edition" there are a few video game records that range from the unordinary to the bizarre that you might not know about.

FIRST GAMING CLAN TO LEGALLY BIND THEIR PLAYERS












That's right "Counter Strike" clan "Team NoA" bought our team member "Ola 'elemeNt' Moum" from clan "SK Gaming" for an undisclosed amount of money in 2004. Maybe there is hope for professional gamers to become as wealthy as professional athletes.


LONGEST PRISON SENTENCE FOR PLAYING A VIDEO GAME








In September of 2002, UK native Faiz Chopdat was incarcerated for four months for playing "Tetris" on his mobile phone while on an airplane. I at least hope he accomplished a Tetris for his troubles.


FIRST VIDEO GAME SERIES TO INSPIRE A BALLET







That's right a ballet. "Dragon Quest" holds the honors here. I would have guessed one of the "Final Fantasy" games as well.


FIRST CONSOLE IN A NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONSPIRACY









In 2000, Iraq i dictator Saddam Hussein was investigated for possibly avoiding UN sanctions when a shipment of 4,000 Playstation 2 consoles were sent to Iraq. The UN sanction prohibited the sale of computer hardware to Iraq and it was feared that the Playstation 2 consoles were to be used for a guidance system for long-range missiles. Just think of the damage that could be done with a few Playstation 3's since 8 of them now make a supercomputer.


LARGEST SIMULTANEOUS VIDEO GAME EXERCISE ROUTINE








The EA Burnaby, CAN campus sports field held 605 people who simultaneously "danced," "boxed," and "curled" to "EA Sports Active" for the Nintendo Wii on May 22, 2009. That must have been one sweaty field.