FCC Approves New PlayStation 3 Console

A new PlayStation 3 console was approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission last week, according to the agency's online filings database.No information on the new model, number CECHL01, is available at present from the filing because Sony was granted short-term confidentiality on the papers but it is likely the 80G-byte version announced earlier this month during the E3 games show in Los Angeles. The console is due on sale in the next couple of months and will replace the current 40G-byte model.

Sony's filing to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission was made because the FCC is the radio regulator in the U.S. and as such all new products that use radio must be submitted to the organization for approval before they can be sold.

The PlayStation 3 includes both 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

"PS3 Virtual Universe will Be Late": Says SONY

Sony's game unit said Tuesday it was delaying for the second time the launch of an online virtual universe for the PlayStation 3 because the service needs further development.

"Home" had originally been scheduled for launch in late 2007 but was delayed until early 2008. Now Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. plans to open up an early version of the virtual universe in the second half of 2008.

"We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today," said the head of Sony's game unit, Kazuo Hirai.

The delay is another setback to Sony, which has much riding on the PS3 but faces fierce competition from Microsoft's XBox 360 and Nintendo's Wii.

Sony has said previously that the free service would allow PS3 users to set up an apartment for life-like virtual characters, or avatars, who can invite friends over, share pictures and videos, and play online games.

Users can personalise their virtual home with furniture, art and other items and chat through audio or video links.

The service is seen as a cross between social community website MySpace and Linden Lab's Second Life, which allows "residents" to build homes, create vehicles, nightclubs and stores, and to communicate with instant messaging.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that Sony was preparing to launch a separate online video service for the PS3 as soon as the US summer, quoting unnamed studio executives familiar with the plan.

Nintendo Wii outsells PS3 3-to-1 in Japan in March

Nintendo Co Ltd's (7974.OS) Wii game console outsold Sony Corp's (6758.T) PlayStation 3 by 3-to-1 in Japan in March but its DS handheld machine fell behind the PlayStation Portable for the first time in six months, a game magazine publisher said.
Nintendo, creator of such game characters as Mario and Zelda, sold 265,542 units of the Wii in the five weeks to March 30, compared with 81,579 units of the PS3, Enterbrain said on Friday.

The Wii features an innovative motion-sensing controller that allows gamers direct on-screen play by swinging it like a racket or sword, while offering a range of games that has widened the machine's appeal to women and the elderly.

Sony sold 415,415 units of its PlayStation Portable (PSP) during the month. That beat DS sales of 255,124 units, as Capcom Co Ltd's (9697.T) hunting action game, "Monster Hunter Freedom 2G," designed for the PSP, became the top seller in March, Enterbrain said.

Sales of Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) Xbox 360, which is popular in the United States but is struggling in the home turf of Sony and Nintendo, came to 13,127 units, according to Enterbrain.

Prior to the announcement, shares in Nintendo closed up 1.1 percent at 54,400 yen while Sony fell 2.1 percent to 4,260 yen. The benchmark Nikkei average (.N225) lost 0.7 percent.

Video game firm THQ sees buying opportunities

THQ Inc (THQI.O) is looking at buying other video game developers, but the publisher of games like "Cars" and "Saints Row" can grow without making acquisitions, Chief Executive Brian Farrell said on Thursday.

"We are seeing some opportunities in the marketplace given the two transactions going on," Farrell told Reuters in an interview at a company event to preview upcoming games.

He was referring to the pending merger between Activision Inc (ATVI.O) and the games unit of Vivendi (VIV.PA), and Electronic Arts Inc's (ERTS.O) $2 billion offer for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O).

"It's going to create some opportunities because we are actively looking at every developer, every license out there and with our size now we can be more aggressive than larger, slower firms," Farrell said.

THQ has already moved this year to bolster its product lineup. Earlier this week, it said had bought Elephant Entertainment, a maker of casual and online games, for an undisclosed amount.

In January, THQ bought Big Huge Games, a studio focused on strategy games such as "Rise of Nations." Farrell said that team is focused on making a new role-playing game to fill a gap in THQ's product lineup.

Asked if THQ was looking at buying smaller development studios or publicly listed firms, Farrell said: "M&A is not a required or necessary thing in order to grow."

Analysts have said the recent merger activity in the video game industry is partly a result of development budgets for new games soaring into the tens of millions of dollars, putting pressure on smaller firms with limited financial resources.

Farrell said the video game industry was still growing fast despite concerns that a broad U.S. economic slowdown could hit consumer spending.

"We haven't seen any signs of slowdown," Farrell said. He said strong year-end holiday sales of new gaming hardware like Nintendo Co Ltd's (7974.OS) Wii console, Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) Xbox 360 and Sony Corp's (6758.T) PlayStation 3.

This year, THQ is banking on new games like criminal action title "Saints Row 2" and "WallE" based on the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie to drive growth after a disappointing 2007 forced it to kill off lackluster franchises like "Stuntman."

He declined to comment on specific financial forecasts, saying THQ would give an updated outlook when it reported results for its fiscal fourth quarter ended in March. The company previously said it expected a net loss of 13 cents per share on sales of $200 million.

THQ shares have risen 23 percent over the past month but its stock is still down 35 percent from a year ago.