The Japanese will be getting a redesign of the PS2 hardware later this month, as announced by SCEJ. The model is listed as SCPH-90000, and is a slight streamlining of the current slim PS2. It weighs in at 720 grams, which is about 200 grams lesser than the previous model, and replaces the power brick with an internal one without affecting the system’s dimensions.

Arriving in the land of the rising sun on November 22, the new model will be available in three different colors - black (pictured), white and silver. Unlike past rumors, the price will remain the same at 16,000 yen (approximately $140 US).

No announcements were made for other regions.

It has been revealed by a Sony representative that Cory Barlog, the dude behind God of War 2, is leaving SCEA’s Santa Monica studio. “We are grateful for his work and creative vision for the critically acclaimed God of War franchise,” he said, adding that they are confident in the remaining members of the God of War team, unofficially confirming the development of God of War 3 on the PS3.

Barlog is best known for stepping into the titan-sized shoes of David Jaffe, creator of the God of War franchise, in the sequel; he served as animation director on the first game. While Jaffe went on to form his own Sony-endorsed game studio Eat, Sleep and Play, it is currently not known what Barlog’s future plans are.

We wish you good luck Barlog, wherever you go!

Sega has claimed that it plans on bringing more previously import-only Sega Genesis titles to the Wii Virtual Console service. According to the publisher, prices for import games will begin at 900 Wii points ($9 US), a premium over standard titles mostly caused by localization efforts.

The company’s first titles on the service were recently released Golden Axe 3 and Alien Soldier, both of which were previously only available to North American Genesis owners.

The Hollywood writer’s strike is taking a toll on TV shows and movies, but thankfully not on videogames. Even then, SCI-FI WIRE reports that the Return to Castle Wolfenstein movie is on hold due to the strike.

Roger Avary (Beowulf, Silent Hill) is the writer of the script behind the film, revealing that he is “almost done” with the script and that he is “proud of it”, but that the production date and the consequent events are currently on hold due to the strike, which he “fully support[s].”

When asked about what the game will be like, he had this to say: “a World War II old movie of guys who are out on a mission, but this one will have the addition of monsters and horror and a lot of craziness all mixed together.”

Bringing puzzle-platforming to the PSP is European developer Ivolgamus, who is currently developing Fading Shadows for the aforementioned handheld device. Exclusive to the PSP, the game will feature action-based puzzle gameplay, with a “riveting and immersive” storyline, wireless multiplayer modes and more.

Fading Shadows sees the player faced with the challenge of saving Erwyn, whose death, according to the millennia-old prophecy, will allow evil master Gardal to breach the gates of the Castle of Heaven, the supreme fortress built to protect the world from the forces of darkness. Erywn’s soul has been enclosed in a protective orb by his clairvoyant sister, Aira, and the orb must now be transported to the Castle of Heaven, using a magical beam of light.

The player is charged with using the beam of light and exploit its state-changing abilities to complete the challenges set out in the 40 single-player levels or 10 multiplayer levels. Environments include swamps, mountains, castles and deserted cities. The game is due out in February 2008.

Good news comes for European gamers, who will get free Xbox Live Gold membership over the coming weekend as part of Microsoft’s Xtival ‘07 event, a four day “festival” of gaming, competitions and exclusive downloads for Xbox 360 gamers in the region.

The event will run from Friday 23 November until Monday 26 November, offering the following:

Friday 23rd November - OLD SKOOL V NEW SKOOL

As the gates open for this unique weekend, Friday is gamers’ chance to play the newest versions of games everyone’s talking about and show their mates how it’s done. Or, show the world their genius on something they really know their way around. These games will include FIFA ‘08, Halo® 3, Lost Planet, Gears of War along with all the latest titles from the Xbox LIVE Arcade.

There is also the chance to take part in a ‘Developer Jam Session’ Competition taking on the brains behind Project Gotham Racing 4, the blockbuster title from Bizarre.

Saturday 24th November - HEADLINERS

On the second day, gamers will get to prove themselves as Guitar Heroes in waiting, as they are invited to take part in a unique ‘Game with Fame’ session with a top name talent. More details to be revealed later this month.

They will also get to take on the developers of the amazing music title along with playing friends old and new alike on Viva Piñata Party Animals, Naruto, Call of Duty 4 and Rainbow 6 Vegas

Sunday 25th November - SPORTS DAY

Closing out Xtival ‘07, the organisers will be showcasing the best sport on the planet, inviting visitors to show off their skills on the top Xbox 360 games titles including Tiger Woods, Table Tennis, Virtua Tennis, Forza® 2 Motorsport, and Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

Additionally, there will be a Halo art competition, seeing players submit the moments they are most proud of to the judges. The winning entry will be printed and given to the gamer for hanging on the wall and basking in its glory. Finally, a mystery gamer competition will also be going on, giving away Microsoft points to randomly selected gamers who get online and play during the weekend. There will also be free exclusive theme packs and gamer pics available on the service for the festival weekend only.

There’s news for underwear perverts - NCsoft has announced the formation of a new development studio in Mountain View, California that will be dedicated to develop the City of Heroes property, which, the company mentions, is now owned 100 percent by NCsoft. The previos ownership was split between NCsoft and Cryptic Studios, the original developer of the project.

The new studio will be built around key members of the City of Heroes team from either companies, including the art, programming and design team leads.

“We’re happy to announce that NCsoft has acquired full ownership of the City of Heroes IP,” said Brian Clayton, NCsoft executive producer and manager of the new studio. “Our plans are clear. We are now in a position to make a major reinvestment in the City of Heroes product line. With our existing Cryptic and NCsoft team as the core, we will be able to run our current service without any interruption to our players, expand our studio to deliver triple-A content, and take City of Heroes to new heights.”

While formal plans for the IP are still slated to be announced in the future, it was implied that a sequel to the popular MMO is being developed right now.

2K Sports has announced that College Hoops 2K8 will contain 90 classic teams for gamers to play. The game will offer historically famed college teams as well as current favorite ones; out of the 90 classic teams, 69 will consist of teams from years past including the 1982 North Carolina Tarheels to the 1990 Loyola Marymount Lions. Additionally, gamers can choose to play from six all-time conference teams or 15 all-time school teams.

The game will be out later this month on PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Reflexive Entertainment, the developers of the award-winning Wik: Fable of Souls game, has partnered with The Axiom Corporation to create Axiom Overdrive, a new Xbox Live Arcade title. Here’s the scoop:

With the mine in full production, The Axiom Corp. mining company is now preparing for a massive hiring program of O.T.F. pilots. Pilots in the employ of The Axiom Corporation immerse themselves in the kinetic world of the mining colony AF128. Inside the mine, pilots discover side-scrolling, omni-directional, 3D, physics-based job challenges that will push their piloting skills while dazzling their eyes.

The Axiom Corporation, in conjunction with Reflexive Entertainment, Inc., is known for it’s innovation, and the mining colony on AF128 has been created to showcase our latest technological advances. We look forward to unveiling more information to the known universe about our mining colony on AF128, and our O.T.F. pilot employment program, in the near future.

The official website carries first screenshots and details from the game. No release date has been offered yet.

Sunglass-wearing developer Tomonobu Itagaki educates gamers in the correct pronounciation of “Ninja Gaiden” in this particularly amusing video. He also takes on “Helena” from Dead or Alive 4.