iPhone more popular than DS and PSP

A recent survey by Game Developers Research, found that game developers prefer the iPhone as a mobile gaming platform above the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo DS. According to Electronista, “Demand for the iPhone has surged to where about 19 percent of all game developers are writing for the iPhone and iPod touch. The figure is more than twice as high as for the DS and PSP…” 

3D capable PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment America’s (SCEA) director of hardware and marketing John Koller recently gave a few particulars about Sony’s 3D plans for its PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in an interview with Pocket-lint. According to Koller, after the next spate of scheduled firmware updates your PS3 will be able to play 3D Blu-ray movies and 3D stereoscopic games, of course only on a 3D television.     

In related news, Yaster, a member of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s (SCEE) community team has revealed details of the PlayStation Network’s new chat invite system. “Ok for those who don’t know, it is possible to set up 16 player chatrooms on PS3 which allow you to text chat while playing games at the touch of the DUALSHOCK 3’s PS button, just go to your Friends menu on the XMB and select “Start a new chat” to get one started,” Yaster explains. Games that currently support this system include Bioshock 2, Call of Duty Classic, Alien vs Predator Demo and Dirt 2. 

Ferrari back in NFS

On Monday EA Games announced some new  downloadable content (DLC) for Need for Speed: SHIFT that will be available for Xbox 360 owners of the game as of 18 February at a cost of $10 (about R76.50). The new DLC will have you driving ten of the most desirable supercars from arguably the most famous name in motoring. Some of the Ferraris included in the Ferrari Racing Series are the California, F430 GTC and the exceptional F50 GT.

Ubisoft deliver soft sales

Unlike Japanese games developer Square Enix's rise in profits, mostly due to sales of its flagship offering Final Fantasy XIII title in Japan, Ubisoft’s main title Assassin’s Creed II, didn't do enough to guide it to a rise in sales. The French company released its financial report for its third quarter 2009-2010 on Tuesday, and found their game releases producing sales of €495 million (about R5.25 billion), which is down 2.7% when compared to the same period for 2008-2009, when sales amounted to €508 million (approx. R5.4 billion). Assassin's Creed II has sold over eight million copies since its launch in November last year.