Sony has from the beginning pushed the PlayStation 3 as a computer instead of just a gaming console. They will be staying true to their word if this Japanese PC Watch article is correct: the company is planning on releasing an “AV-centric” version of the PS3 that will see the console being upgraded, breaking the chain of fixed-configuration systems in the gaming industry.

As per the record, the third version of the PS3 will feature anti-vibration mechanism on the Blu-ray drive, 512 MB of XDR memory, two HDMI connectors and an advanced power supply unit. The system will also have a new design, matching other electronic products; it is very unlikely to be similar to other PlayStation products. Although the configuration may be different, the system will still be able to play PS3 games flawlessly.

Comments made by Sony Computer Entertainment’s executives indicate that the machine will very likely be sold under a different Sony brand than them. It will be sold at a premium price, with statements from an executive saying that the price range could be from 200,000 to 300,000 yen – that’s around $1700 to $2500 US.

No release date or other details were revealed.

If you can get past the horrible, neon-colored wheels, the Suzuku SXBox concept vehicle is an interesting car. Based on the 2007 SX4 compact sport X-over, the car is designed specifically for Xbox 360 fans, featuring a dashboard-integrated Xbox 360 console, close proximity digital projector on the vehicles retractable hood as well as an Xbox-inspired color scheme inside the vehicle. Wait, that’s not all: there is also a second Xbox 360 console which can be played via two separate LCD screens in the seat backs for rear passengers, and if that’s not enough, there is always the 30-inch retractable rear projection screen in the cargo area.

Taking in-car gaming to the next level, the SXBox also includes high-relief, force-feedback front seats with game-station highlights and four wireless controllers, including a steering-wheel mounted one for the driver; the sound system is powered by a multi-speaker surround audio setup.

The car has been built by ASC of Huntington Beach, California, and features mild performance upgrades over the original SX4. No pricing or release date has been divulged due to the fact that it is still a concept car. However, you can view high-resolution photos and drool all you want over on Team Xbox.

If there’s one thing to be learned from game movies, it’s that they are horribly done - Street Fighter comes to mind. But that’s not stopping Capcom from letting others butcher their games: the company is reported to aggressively push its franchises to be made into movies. The publisher has already signed up with Sony Pictures to create another Street Fighter movie focusing on Chun-Li (the movie is due in 2008).

Capcom, according to this Hollywood Reporter article, has hired Germaine Gioai to serve as Senior VP Licensing in its Los Angeles Office. Her job is to link with Hollywood studios to create games based on the company’s franchises, including Devil May Cry, Lost Planet and Dead Rising.

Gioai previously worked at THQ, where she formed partnerships with Nickelodeon that resulted in the publisher taking up so many children’s licenses, helping it become a heavyweight in the industry. She plans on taking a new approach to licensing, one that will see the game’s creators themselves involved in the Hollywood licensing process.

“For the near-term, I’m going to look at the game engines that Capcom has and the capabilities internally at the studios and presumably see if there are things we can take advantage of with properties that might do well with recognizable characters or story lines associated with existing game engines,” Gioia said. “But that always doesn’t work, so it might be a while before certain licensed properties that have been developed from the ground up are out in the marketplace.”

It’s basic gaming knowledge that the PS2 is the most successful console in history, but just how popular is it? Well, for one, its competitors - Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s Gamecube - are no longer in production, and it still has kickass titles like God of War 2 going for it. It’s also the cheapest console in the market right now.

All that, and the fact that it still has major publisher support, is leading analysts to believe that the PS2 will outsell and outplay the PS3, its bigger brother, in the coming year. This BusinessWeek article states that Sony plans on shipping 11 million PS2s in 2007, whereas the PS3 will ship only 7 million. Add this to the fact that developing games for the console is dirt cheap when compared to next-gen consoles, especially the PS3, and the PS2 suddenly becomes a beacon of hope for the ailing games division of Sony.

Well, 2007 is yet to come, and while we cannot predict how things will play out, it can be easily said that Sony will do very well with their three individual consoles aimed at different markets.

Through an iffy Google translation and a slideshow image, Gizmodo is speculating that a redesigned PSP with a 60GB hard drive may be in the works. In Samsung’s recent showcase of its N-series 1.8-inch disk drives, the company (mistakenly?) depicted the PSP as having a built-in hard drive, though it is yet to be confirmed by either company.

Rumors of a PSP upgrade have been in the pipeline for quite some time now, and CES 2007 might be the end of the wait. Sony is expected to make an announcement regarding their portable console at the event, which takes place in a couple of weeks.

My Gaming Den reports that Japanese gamers can now download Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the PS3 through the console’s online network. A remake of the PSP game, Tekken 5 retails for 2,000 yen, which, according to the site, amounts to $17 US. It is not available to North American users; no release information has been provided for other regions.

Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the PS3 retains all the characteristics of its portable version, but also adds 1080p support, new characters, new gameplay modes and bonus features.

The latest numbers are in from Japan, and the initial next-gen console winner in the country is Wii. Both Sony and Nintendo had their second-best week in Japan, following their launches last month, with the Wii selling more than 543,000 units in the last two months; the PS3, in comparison, has sold only around 225,000 units, barely half of Nintendo.

The Wii sold 108, 237 units during the last week, with the PS3 coming in second at 70,942. As expected, Xbox 360 is the undoubted loser: it has only managed to sell 71,000 units since its launch last year, though its sales have increased alarmingly due to the recent release of Blue Dragon, a Japanese developed RPG.

On the software front, Wii dominated the charts, with Wii Sports and Pokemon: Battle Revolution making it into the top ten. The highest-selling PS3 game ranked in at a lowly number 35 in the chart that was dominated by PS2 and DS titles.

This video interview on Gamespot reveals that the PC edition of Dark Sector has been cancelled. However, the game is still in development for the PS3 and Xbox 360 for release during Fall 2007.

MMO Portal has announced that MMO Calendar 2007 has gone on sale, offering artwork from a wide range of MMOGs for the twelve months of 2007. Titles range from the ubiquitous World of Warcraft to Dungeons & Dragons Online. In addition, each artwork is signed by the developers themselves. Proceeds from the sale will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so if you want to bring a smile to childrens’ faces and want to get yourself some MMOG love, this is the way to do it!

Further details, as well as purchase information, can be found on their website.

Dark Horizons reports that Roger Avary and fantasy author Neil Gaiman will team up to write Silent Hill 2. This comes from an interview with Christophe Gans on DVD Rama, a French site, who states that Avary will work on the project after he completes his work on the Driver script.

Christophe Gans is currently working on a live-action Onimusha adaptation, and as per the article, may or may not work on the Silent Hill sequel.

Update: Neil Gaiman has refuted his relationship with the project through a post in his blog. He states that this is a discredited internet rumor, but does not blow out the possibility of him working on the project if an offer is given.

According to Variety, users of Xbox 360’s video download service is consuming more than any other video download service. Even though the console is “only” in 3.5 million homes (as per Variety), Microsoft’s Xbox Live video service has generated far more downloads than competing e-tailers, including the biggest online retailer Amazon.

The article theorizes that the console’s direct connection to the TV, as well as the option of downloading HD movies, has resulted in its greater success, whereas only tech-savvy users on other e-tailers can watch their purchased videos on their television. It continues, saying that Microsoft is in talks with more studios (except Sony, of course) to get their hands on more high-definition content for its users.

Video sharing sites like YouTube were designed to be viewed on a high-resolution computer display, and not for TV. Well, SofaTube rectifies that: this online application lets users of the Wii and PS3 browsers view videos from the site through a simplified layout, with easy navigation, big-sized fonts and less browser load.

The application has been developed by Red Kawa, who also has a collection of games for the aforementioned consoles, as well as a few other applications, including one involving Flickr.

I’d like to wish all my readers (and browsers) a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you guys have an awesome time today!

As a Christmas present, CryTek released three new screenshots from the highly anticipated shooter. These shots, staying true to the season, showcase the cold environments in the game and show the aliens for the first time. Enjoy.

As of this writing, the PlayStation Network is down. The online network for Sony’s PlayStation 3 is supposed to have been taken down by the early release of Gran Turismo HD, which clocks in at over 1GB. Apparently, everyone is trying to download the demo, causing severe overload for Sony.

Please refer to this story for more information on the free release.