Conducting meaningful relationships with various publications, including catering to the thousands (if not millions) of games sites out there can be a daunting task for any PR guy. However, that does not necessarily mean they can ignore most publications and get away with it, expecting the ignored ones to offer coverage for their products.

GameMethod’s Managing Editor Tracy Erickson takes a look at all the mismanagement that happened during E3 2006, noting that most companies really don’t seem to care about your average gaming site, or any other publication other than the big three (IGN, Gamespy and Gamespot).

If I was the only editor to have experienced this treatment, I wouldn’t have published this article; unfortunately, my words represent numerous complaints from fellow journalists who are tired of dealing with uncooperative public relations staff. As journalists, we do not have an obligation to cover a company’s games; rather, companies should actively seek coverage, not the other way around. It is the responsibility of public relations staff to disseminate information and work with press to facilitate coverage. Why is it that some companies fail to address these responsibilities?

Before the exposition even starts, evidence of substandard public relations work is evident. Companies like Koei and Capcom provide perfect examples this year of the challenge in setting appointments for E3. Two and a half weeks before the show, I sent e-mails to several companies requesting an appointment to preview their games, Koei and Capcom were included. Two weeks later, both companies replied denying our request for an appointment. Since when has delaying media requests two weeks become an acceptable practice? Perhaps if both companies had responded to our requests in a timely, professional manner, they wouldn’t have denied our request for an appointment. At least these companies replied. Square Enix representatives never responded to our multiple requests to attend their press conference. Similarly, a 2K Games representative was wonderful in connecting us with an outside firm to schedule an appointment; too bad we were never contacted after that.

However, there are always exceptions, and Sony, CDV and Microsoft were all applauded for their great work. I agree with him from personal experience, and believe that publishers should expect the sort of coverage that they can bestow upon us.

PS3Land has a quote from a SCEA PR Manager confirming that online gaming will be free on the PS3, which many doubted would happen.

Apparently, Kaz Hirai’s presentation at E3 had somehow missed “online multiplayer” as part of the basic, free service on the PS3, setting Internet forums and websites on fire (come on… people have to bash Sony on something!). This comes in direct juxtaposition with the subscription model for Xbox Live, differentiating Sony’s online ambitions from Microsoft. However, as the article points out, MMO games on the console may still have some sort of fee.

Square Enix sends word that Kingdom Hearts II will be available in Europe exclusively for the PS2 this Autumn.

The highly anticipated RPG sequel brings the world of Disney and Square Enix characters to life again with a new story and even more characters and locations.

In KINGDOM HEARTS II, players will travel through the worlds of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Steamboat Willie and Tron as well as revisit worlds from the original, including Aladdin, Disney Castle, Hercules, The Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The game features more than 100 Disney characters, including the new additions of Chicken Little, Stitch from Lilo and Stitch and one of Disney’s favourite villains, Pete.

KINGDOM HEARTS II also introduces new, original characters such as Roxas, members of Organization XIII and the Nobodies, all designed by Square Enix’s Tetsuya Nomura, director and character designer of the KINGDOM HEARTS series. Nomura is best known for his creations in the top selling titles FINAL FANTASY VII, VIII, X, X-2 and directing FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN.

Words from Ray Maguire, SCE UK’s Managing Director, has left many British gamers waiting for the PS3 in a state of shock: the console’s going to launch in the country for £425 starting November 17.

Apparently, the price is a “bargain,” according to the MD, comparing it to standalone Blu-ray players which will be retailing for £600-£700. The price mentioned above is for the “full” PS3 console; no reference to the 20GB model was made, hinting that the region might not get the lower-spec model.

In comparison, the premium Xbox 360 bundle currently retails for £280 in the region, making the PS3 around £150 more expensive. It is known that the British usually pay more for consoles, but this is ridiculous: according to a currency conversion on XE.com, the British will be paying almost $800 for the PS3 console, as opposed to Americans paying $600. THAT’S A PREMIUM OF $200 PER CONSOLE!

Get your black suit and red tie on: a demo for Blood Money is coming just after the weekend. Gamespot announces that the Hitman: Blood Money demo will be premiering on the site on Monday at 9am PDT. The sampling will feature the first level of the game, having Agent 47 tracking down a target through a run-down theme park that has been converted into a makeshift drug lab.

Hitman: Blood Money is due out on May 30 for the PC, PS2, Xbox and Xbox 360.