Serving as the latest blow of bad news for PlayStation 3 fans, the International Herald Tribune, by way of The Associated Press, is reporting that the Sony console has been delayed in Europe. This comes straight from Ken Kutaragi, who cites a problem in mass producing a key compononent in the Blu-ray laser part of the machine as the culprit. Europe will now get the console sometime next year, with March pegged as a probable release date.

Both North America and Japan will, however, be getting the PS3 this November, though numbers won’t be sweet: according to the report, the US and Japan will get 400,000 and 100,000 units, respectively, at launch. “We decided to focus on the Japanese and U.S. markets,” said Kutaragi in Tokyo, adding that he’s “sorry” for not being able to “meet all expectations.”

By way of this International Herald Tribune article on females in gaming comes confirmation straight from the horse’s mouth that Alive is in development. Revealed earlier this year through an allegedly leaked Ubisoft release schedule, Alive will have players “rely on their instincts and each other to endure after an earthquake,” according to the article.

The game is quoted by Yves Guillemot, chief executive at the French publisher, to be “more oriented toward drama, more life in characters, more depth,” adding that it’s still about surviving, though you can’t solve everything by “shooting only.”

As per the article, Alive will be published some time next year, and if the leaked release schedule is to be believed, the game is in development for the PS3, PC and Xbox 360. An official confirmation, or press release, from Ubisoft is yet to come.

This year’s TGS is looking to be the greatest, what with around 30 playable PS3 titles to be present at the show, but also due to the presence of the two upcoming Final Fantasy XIII games (PS3), even if they’ll be making their appearances through videos only.

Square Enix will also be showing off the playable versions of Dawn of Mana (PS2) and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS), alongside Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book (DS). The company will also be showing off Project Sylpheed (X360) and several Final Fantasy titles for the GBA and DS, including Crisis Core for the PSP (video only).

Two big-name demos today:

• Company of Heroes on 3D Gamers, Boomtown, Computer Games, FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell, GameSpot, Gameworld Network, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Faces of War (Multiplayer) on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Boomtown, Computer Games, FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell, GameSpot, Gameworld Network, Strategy Informer, VGPRO and Worthplaying

To offer more of a choice to its Japanese customers, Sony will be cutting the price of the PS2 in its home region ahead of the PS3’s launch in November. Reuters reports that the PS2 may see a price cut of about 20 percent to 16,000 yen (approximately $140 US) down from its current 20,000 yen price point. The new price point will come into effect on September 15.

In comparison, PS3 goes on sale in the region on November 11 for 63,000 yen.

Battlefield edition today…

• Battlefield 2 v1.4 (update from v1.3) on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, AusGamers, Computer Games, FileFront, GameArena, Gamer’s Hell and Worthplaying

• Battlefield 2 v1.4 (direct) on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, AusGamers, Computer Games, FileFront, GameArena, Gamer’s Hell and Worthplaying

• Battlefield 2 v1.4 Windows dedicated server on 3D Gamers, Computer Games, FileFront and Gamer’s Hell

Dispelling certain rumors that Rayman Raving Rabbids, the fourth installment in the popular franchise, will be exclusive to the Wii, Ubisoft officially announced plans to release the game on PS2, PC, DS and GBA, alongside the aforementioned next-gen console.

Rayman Raving Rabbids is being developed by Ubi’s studio in Montpellier, France and is scheduled for release worldwide later this year. The game sees the return of Rayman, as his world is “threatened by devastating invasion of crazed, out-of-control bunnies.” As per videogame traditions, Rayman must rise up and foil their nefarious plans, making use of an array of amazing new abilities and with the aid of magical creatures.