Sierra has announced today that they will be bringing the well recieved PC strategy game, World In Conflict to Xbox 360 and PS3 this Fall. The game made a big splash when it came out on PC last Fall, even garnering the E3 2007 Game Critics “Best Strategy Game” award and topping many “Best of 2007″ lists.

World in Conflict, originally created by Sierra’s-own Massive Entertainment, is being redesigned for consoles and will also include a host of new content for both the single-player campaign and the game’s award-winning multiplayer mode. The new content will also be made available for personal computer as an add-on to the original World in Conflict game. More information on the PC release will be provided soon.

“World in Conflict was one of the best games on any platform in 2007 and its innovative action-focused gameplay makes it a perfect fit for the transition to consoles,” said Martin Tremblay, president of worldwide studios, Sierra Entertainment. “World in Conflict is being reinvented for Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION 3 system, with innovative features and new single player and multiplayer content created for the console audience. World in Conflict on consoles will be an amazing extension of an already great gaming franchise.”

EA has announced that they will finally ship Spore in September. The title will be available on PC, Mac and DS on September 7. Spore gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers.

“The wait is almost over,” said Maxis Chief Designer Will Wright. “We’re in our final stages of testing and polish with Spore, and the team at Maxis can’t wait to see the cosmos of content created by the community later this year.”

EA has announced that they will publish Mass Effect on the PC in May 2008. EA has also revealed that they have struck a deal with Microsoft that will allow them to handle publishing for Mass Effect in the future. This includes the upcoming PC version of the original as well as future titles in the trilogy. What this means regarding what, additional if any, consoles the latter titles appear on is currently unknown. Bioware had recently stated that they intend to publish the trilogy for the Xbox 360, but we’ll have to see if anything else will fall outside of Microsoft’s console and the PC for future titles.

In addition to giving PC gamers the same experience that Xbox 360 owners already enjoyed, there are a few additions gamers can expect to see as well.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:

· Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.

· High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.

· Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.

· Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.

· New decryption mini-game.

· New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

We’ll have more information on the PC version of Mass Effect soon.

Capcom sends word that the PlayStation Network store will carry the Lost Planet: Extreme Condition demo starting today. This multiplayer demo features a single multiplayer map – Pirate Fortress – and support for only 8 players (the full game will support up to 16 players). This demo sports two of the four multiplayer modes, Elimination (standard deathmatch mode) and Team Elimination. The retail version of Lost Planet for the PS3 will have four multiplayer modes altogether, including the two from the demo, plus Post Grab and Fugitive.

Capcom’s latest title in the popular Devil May Cry series has shipped to retail. For the first time ever, a Devil May Cry game is making an appearance on a non PlayStation console as Devil May Cry 4 sees a simultaneous release on Xbox 360 as well as PS3.

From the producer of the original Devil May Cry and Resident Evil 4 comes the next installment in the hugely successful stylized action series that has so far achieved global sales of nearly seven million units. Devil May Cry 4 immerses gamers in a gothic supernatural world, where a new protagonist, Nero, clashes with Dante, the featured character in the previous Devil May Cry games. As Nero, players will unleash incredible attacks and non-stop combos using a unique new gameplay mechanic, his powerful “Devil Bringer” arm. Fans of Dante won’t be disappointed as he too will be playable during the course of the game.

Devil May Cry 4 is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and is available as both standard edition ($59.99 MSRP) and a special Collector’s Edition package ($79.99 MSRP).

Devil May Cry 4 Collector’s Edition contains the following extras:
• Volume 1 of ADV Film’s Devil May Cry: The Animated Series on DVD, including four complete episodes of the anime (a retail value of $29.99)
• Unique Steelbook™ metal case
• Bonus DVD
o Making of Devil May Cry 4
o Music from the soundtrack
o Digital artbook
o PC content (screen savers, wallpapers, icons)

SCEA has announced that the latest title in the popular Twisted Metal series has shipped to retailers. Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition marks the return of the franchise to the PlayStation 2. This is David Jaffe’s first title, at his new company Eat Sleep Play, since he left SCEA.

Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition lets players reminisce with classic characters and arenas of the past and offers up the “Lost” levels, built from the
never-released Twisted Metal: Black sequel.

“Twisted Metal: Head On: Extra Twisted Edition returns to its roots and combines the perfect blend of gameplay and bonus content to deliver what I believe is the best Twisted Metal ever,” said Jeff Reese, director, software marketing, SCEA. “A tremendous value at only $19.99, this title also demonstrates our continued commitment to providing new and compelling content to PlayStation 2.”

Midway today announced that Chuck D and Just Blaze will have prominent roles in NBA Ballers: Chosen One. Chuck D, the famed front man and founder of Public Enemy, will serve as announcer and studio-host for the Chosen One tournament, and also provide play-by-play commentary throughout the game. Just Blaze, who has produced tracks for best-selling artists such as Jay-Z, Usher, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, T.I. and many more, will produce the entire instrumental score for NBA Ballers: Chosen One.

The Just Blaze-produced score for NBA Ballers: Chosen One marks a bold departure from the current norm in sports video game soundtracks. Instead of a random compilation of tracks from various artists, the soundtrack will instead interact with the gameplay, much like a cinematic score, and will be a noticeable change from the typical use of licensed music in games.

NBA Ballers: Chosen One will release in the Spring for PS3 and Xbox 360.

SCEA has announced that the latest PSP firmware has been released. The firmware brings new functionality to the PSP-2000 (PSP Slimbody) by introducing the Skype software stack to the platform. Further details on how Skype will work on the PSP can be found below.

How it works

· Download and install the 3.90 firmware upgrade to the PSP-2000 system.

· Connect the PSP system to the Internet at a Wi-Fi hotspot*.

· Attach a PSP Headset ($19.99 MSRP) and the Remote Control from the PSP-2000 Headphones ($29.99), and insert a Memory Stick Duo to save the Skype software.

· Access the Skype/Sign In icon within the Network category of the XMB menu. First-time Skype users need to create a free account, while existing Skype users can simply enter their username/password.

· To make a call, either access the Contacts icon and click on a name or scroll to the Dial icon.

SCEA has finally given the details that Sony gearheads have been waiting for. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be released on April 17th. The title will see release on both Blu-Ray Disc as well as directly from the Playstation Store for $39.99. The BD version will also come included with a behind the scenes HD video feature “Beyond the Apex.”

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, the precursor to Gran Turismo 5, features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Audi and Nissan. Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online — at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD* — with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks
from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway and a London City track.

Capcom sends word that Devil May Cry 4 will be playable by the masses as soon as this Thursday. The demo for the once PlayStation 3 exclusive title will be hitting the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday, January 24. The demo will end with gamers fighting against Berial, the boss that’s been appearing ever since the first trailer for the title was released. We’ve had our eye on the title ever since we first played it a year ago and gamers will be in for a treat.

Devil May Cry 4 will ship on Xbox 360 and PS3 on February 2nd.