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The Playstation 3 prices are going to be lowered. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe seems to just confirm what we knew already. They do not call it a price cut though, according to them this is a new model! Sounds familiar!

The “new” 40 GB, HDD PS 3 will hit SCEE territories on Oct 10 at Euro 399 with SIXAXIS wireless controller, HDMI, 2 USB ports rather than 4, WiFi and no multi memory card port. It’s not going to be backwards compatible to PS 2.

The 60 GB HDD model will now sell for Euro 499 until stocks run out, may be they are emptying their stock and then discontinue that in European territory. I’ll check that and if that’s what is going to happen in these parts too. Stay tuned!!!

You win some and then lose some. Often it may be better to put your foot in the mouth than putting them in the hands of the gamers. They probably know better than to take you seriously anyway! Particularly, when you call force feedback as something of a “last generation feature”.

Enter Playstation 3 DUALSHOCK wireless controller. Announced in Tokyo yesterday as a standalone accessory in November in Japan and by Spring 2008 in the North America and Europe. Welcome back force feedback, we sure did miss ya.

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Hewlett Packard (HP) has announced a new line of high end desktops that’s squarely addressed to the gaming segment.

These have been named Blackbird and are developed by the company using the expertise of VoodooPC, the company it acquired some time back.

Blackbird is a cool stylish machine. For easy maintainability it’s been designed such that major parts can be removed or added without using any tools. Hard drives just snap in into a pull-out tray, saving time on connecting cables and removing screws and putting them back again.

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Well according to EA sports, Madden NFL 2008 will just render 30 FPS in the PlayStation 3 version while it will be around 60 FPS in the XBox 360 version which is double the amount. Well this doesn’t mean that the PlayStation 3 version of Madden NFL 08 isn’t unplayable due to its lower frame rate, it’s just that the XBox 360 version is preferred for its smoother animations and good frame rates.

This difference is due to vast hardware differences between the two consoles and it’s difficult for the game manufacturers to create a game for both the new consoles with new technology.

After cutting out Xbox 360 price , Microsoft has now announced the limited edition of the Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 console.

This special edition will be launched in spartan green color and will include 20GB hard disk. The console will also include a HDMI input but no HDMI cable is provided with it.

The Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console comprises of :
# Halo 3 Special Edition Console
# Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
# Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
# Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
# Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
# Component HD AV Cable, Ethernet Cable, HDMI Port, Play and Charge Kit
# Xbox LIVE Silver Membership and One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership

The Halo-3 themed Xbox 360 will be shipped by September in the US market and it will be available at the price of $399.99.

Most of the new buyers might be a bit confused on choosing between the best suitable version of the XBox 360. Currently there are three versions of the XBox 360; Core, Premium and the Elite. Well let’s start with the Elite version

The Elite Version:

The Elite version is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in HD entertainment up to 1080p. It’s not just the console that’s in black but all its accessories as well as its components, well… its box as well. The Elite version comes with a 120GB detachable hard disk. This hard if brought separately will cost you $180. Well regarding other things there seem to be same components as that of Xbox360 premium version; Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 headset, Xbox 360 HDMI Cable, Xbox LIVE Silver Membership and One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. The Elite is currently priced at $479.

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My dear Canadian brother’s cheer up. Microsoft announced that the Canadians can now grab the Premium package for just $399.99 CDN, the Core version at just $299.99 CDN and the Elite for $499.99 CDN beginning Aug. 8 on all nationwide retail outlets. By the way if you are those Halo fanboys you could grab the Halo3- themed 360’s that lands next month for $449.99 CDN. Being allies always help be it war or consoles.

“The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360,” said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president, Global Retail Sales and Marketing Group, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “On the eve of the best holiday games lineup ever and the launch of ‘Madden NFL 08,’ there has never been a better time to jump into Xbox 360.”

August arrived and now we have the 80GB Playstation 3 due on sale. Unfortunately a specific date didn’t came from the Sony PR team. But looks like that GameStop / EB Games are stacking up the $599 console that will bundle with MotoStorm.

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According to latest internal Best Buy reports reveal that the Xbox 360 core system will be removed from the stock. But don’t you worry people this is not a sign of discontinuing the Xbox360 core system by Microsoft. The Xbox 360 Core remains an important member of the Xbox 360 family and hence it won’t be discontinued.

The XBox 360 core system price will be reduced by 20$, hope it comes down to 200$ very soon as Microsoft feels that 200$ is a sweet spot for the core version.

One of the most anticipated games of 2007 Halo 3’s multiplayer beta will be made available on May 16.It will be offered to those registered through the “Rule of Three” promotion or those who purchased specially marked copies of the game Crackdown.The download will be available via Xbox Live Marketplace.

Three maps will be made available within the beta:”Snowboard”, “High Ground” and “Valhalla.” New weapons, vehicles and game types will also be made available that will be a part of the Final Release.