"Great," you say, "but this is Gamepro. Am I really going to learn anything?" Maybe! Sure there are a few opinions disguised as "myths", such as the stance that console first-person shooters are on par with their PC brethren.

However, the fallacy that porn will settle the upcoming battle between HD-DVD and Blu-ray? Nonsense! Michael McWhertor

Feature: 14 Gaming Myths Exposed [Gamepro]

Would have been nice is EA had mentioned that feature a little earlier. I suppose they didn't think it a big deal until everyone started patting Sega on the back. As it stands I'm certain this will generate plenty of conspiracy theories about EA deciding to add it in order to one up the hedgehog factory. Still, good for them. Michael Fahey

EA Claims First Xbox 360 1080p Game Crown [Gamasutra]

Xbox owners will experience the full glory of 1080p gaming when Sega ships Virtua Tennis 3 for the 360 next month. As the first game to support 1080p resolution on Microsoft's console, it will afford players the opportunity to witness the horrific polygonal representations of twenty professional tennis players, showcasing the effects of "the uncanny valley" with unprecedented fidelity. Check out a full resolution shot of the game here.

In addition to PLAYSTATION 3 feature matching resolution, the Xbox 360 version of Virtua Tennis 3 will also support online matches via Live and a VT:TV live spectator mode. PS3 owners? We get SIXAXIS-specific controls. [Dramatic pause while I boil with nerd rage.]

I can't even begin to tell how unsatisfying that "exclusive" feature is, Sega. If I were going to purchase the PS3 version, which I am now not planning to, that would likely be the first option I turned off. Seriously. Where's the online support for the PS3, guys? This is ridiculous. Michael McWhertor

SEGA's 'Virtua Tennis 3' On Xbox 360 Hits The Spot With Xbox Live Play And Next-Gen 1080p Graphics

The most realistic tennis game just got better!

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (February 6th, 2007) - SEGA Europe Ltd. And SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Virtua Tennis 3 on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will, for the first time in franchise history, allow players to compete with gamers around the world in Ranked and Player Modes for top scores on the Leaderboard on the Xbox Live. Virtua Tennis 3 will also support stunning 1080p graphics and a brand new VT:TV live spectator mode when the game launches.

For the first time, Xbox 360 gamers can experience high-definition 1080p graphics on their console with Virtua Tennis 3. With the highest digital video standard enabled on the Xbox 360, each of the 20 tennis pros featured in Virtua Tennis 3 appear even more realistic, while the court environments deliver a newfound richness in colour and texture. The increased levels of detail can be picked out in the spectators and backgrounds, and despite the increased number of pixels on screen, the smooth gameplay mechanics and movements of the players are just as fluid as ever.

The online gameplay for Virtua Tennis 3 consist of a number of features set to make the most of the Xbox Live network. Players can take part in Ranked or Friendly modes, and enter Exhibition games or Tournaments in both singles and doubles matches across the Live network. The all new VT:TV real-time spectator mode allows players to view their friends or other top-ranked players compete in tournaments, adding an all new strategy in sizing up the next opponent.

"Virtua Tennis 3 on Xbox 360 is definitely the next generation of tennis" commented Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA. "We're striving to create games which not only have great gameplay but also can make the very most of the Xbox 360's amazing technology."

"We're thrilled to be able to say that Virtua Tennis 3 will be coming to Xbox 360, showcasing an online experience with Xbox Live that you won't find on any other systems and spectacular 1080p graphics," said George Peckham, general manager, global third party publishing for the Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. "Fun and easy to pick up and play, Sega is hitting another ace with Virtua Tennis 3."

Virtua Tennis 3 is slated for release in March 2007 on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

So, did Sony fix that niggling upscaling issue for PS3 owners who have 1080i support but not 720p? Hell no. Instead, the PS3 will now "automatically be displayed at the maximum resolution possible, according to the following order: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, Standard (NTSC)". Uh. Great?

On the plus side, support has been added for the Blu-ray remote control and USB peripherals"including steering wheels and flight sticks". Guitar Hero controller fix? Nah.

Additionally, under System Settings, a hard disk back up utility has been added to allow back up or restore of hard disk data. Interested parties should out the full statement after the jump for more info, while PS3 owners without 720p support should kindly piss off per Sony's request. Michael McWhertor

Sony Computer Entertainment America today introduced new features and settings to the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3 ) computer entertainment system as part of the latest firmware update, version 1.30. Among the key updates is support for a Blu-ray Disc (BD) remote control and the ability to select the output format for BD/DVD video through an HDMI cable.

In addition to offering developers the ability to create more immersive games, the Blu-ray format delivers the ultimate in high-definition video through the highest resolution available today (1080p). Now PS3 owners can register a remote control for easier playback of movies on BD discs. The Bluetooth -enabled remote control will be available at retail later this month for $24.99. Also, to suit your TV's specification, you can now select the video output format (automatic, RGB, or Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr) for Blu-ray disc playback using an HDMI cable.

In addition to the updates related to the Blu-ray player, firmware 1.30 includes the following.

- Selecting video output resolution has changed, allowing you to choose all the resolutions supported by the TV. The video will automatically be displayed at the maximum resolution possible, according to the following order: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, Standard (NTSC).

- Backup utility has been added as a feature under System Settings, enabling you to back up your PS3's hard disk data to storage media or restore data from storage media to the hard disk.

- USB peripherals designed for PlayStation 2 titles, including steering wheels and flight sticks, can now be used when playing PlayStation 2 games on the PS3 system.

To install the latest system software on your PS3 system, you can select the System Update feature, use a PC to download the update data and transfer it to the PS3 system through storage media or a USB mass storage device, or install it using update data included on a game disc. Further details are available at http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Network/Updates/default.html .

Major Nelson reports today that a new Live update has hit that will fix 1080p issues with the Xbox 360.

Specifically, the download will improve support for HD video output over VGA, improve plug and play performance for wired headsets and tweaks the recently played games list.

The update is, fortunately, an international one. Brian Crecente

The 1080p Fix [Major Nelson]

Ooops! The Wii, well, Official Nintendo Magazine was wrong. The publication recently ran this juicy quote: "At the time of going to print, Wii games will output in 720i and 720p - 720i is your standard TV picture." That would put it up there with the Xbox 360, which outputs at 720p. But! Nope. Not true, says game site Eurogamer who confirmed with Nintendo UK that the Wii outputs in 480p. Bummer. Brian Ashcraft

Only 480p [Eurogamer]

News of the issue, which means you can't display a 1080p image on the television at all, has lead some to start wondering if this was a deliberate move on Microsoft's part, being that the television is made by Sony or if someone dropped the ball and a patch is coming for the 360.

Has anyone else had any issues with 1080p on the 360? I haven't my TV only goes to 1080I.

Read the angry letter on the jump. Brian Crecente

Official 40", 46" XBR2 Thread [AVS Forums]

Something fishy is going on with the 360's dashboard update from yesterday. Sony's XBR2/XBR3 line of televisions are pretty universally regarded as top of the line when it comes to 1080p displays, but despite that, the 360 will not display 1080p resolution, either with component cables or VGA. Via component, after selecting 1080p, the screen just turns to a distorted/static picture for a few seconds before reverting to 1080i. With VGA, the picture is severely cut off on both sides of the screen, and a prompt on the TV displays "Invalid Signal—Check Your PC Output." Several owners of the TV claim that it will NOT accept 1080p over component, so that should take care of that factor. However, there is no conceivable reason these two pieces of equipment shouldn't work together via VGA. Any other VGA device I've tested works fine on the set, and other competing sets (Samsung, Sharp) display the 360 in 1080p without any issu! es.

I don't want to throw the blame out before more is known, but I will say the Sony has been out for several months now, and the dashboard update is about 12 hours old at this writing, so it seems like the ball is in Microsoft's court. The XBR2/3 series is extremely popular so I don't buy that Microsoft "didn't test it" with one of those sets. If MS did intentionally sabotage it, this is easily on par with any scummy activity in the video game industry this year. If they didn't intentionally sabotage it but knew of the issue beforehand and didn't say anything, it's not much better.

I'm anticipating some finger pointing here, but I don't care who did what. I want my damn $4000 TV and my damn $400 video game console to work together like they should. This kind of news doesn't exactly help anticipation for the 360's HD-DVD player, and these kinds of scumbag tactics don't help either side. If it's confusing to the hardcore, imagine what it's like to clueless consumers.

-Nick

He said, she said.

The she, in this case, is 1UP's hirsute Luke Smith, who took time out of poking around the hairy nest of his mustache for a stray piece of week old scrambled egg to au contraire an initial Gamepro report that Splinter Cell: Double Agent supported 1080p.

When we asked Ubisoft for clarification, company reps told us: "It's 1080i." Even if Double Agent supported 1080p right now — and it doesn't — there aren't any retail Xbox 360s that would support the feature. That update hasn't been released, yet.

Oh, but allow Gamepro to retort:

No word yet on whether it's an update on the game disc or a forthcoming Xbox Live download, but Ubisoft has confirmed 1080p support to us.

So who's got their head up their ass here? Probably the same guy with his head up Sam Kennedy's. Florian Eckhardt

This week's radiOPM podcast featured Full Auto 2 producer Mike Gallo from Sega of America who talked in great detail about the company's upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive launch title. The OPM guys prodded Gallo about the online portion of the game and what user experience we can expect when taking our PS3's through a series of internet tubes.

We use Gamespy as part of our backend. And we do support your user profile, or whatever the final name for that's gonna be for the [PlayStation 3], that'll be what gets logged for stats.

OPM: SO WHEN YOU GO INTO NETWORK PLAY, YOU'LL SEE SORT OF A BROWSER?
When you first turn on the machine it logs you in automatically, I think you can change that in the settings. You have a user ID and an online profile, thats set up through the PlayStation, we don't have anything to do with that. That's all done through the PlayStation Network. When you log in and as long you have an ID and you're an active online member, when you go to the online mode, you'll get a menu option, you'll get to pick ranked or unranked play, then you'll see what games are available and then jump into one of those.

More about stats, what was dropped from the 360 version, and more after the jump.

OPM: AS FAR AS STAT TRACKING, IS IT ALL WITHIN FULL AUTO? IS THAT OUTSIDE? When you play ranked play, your stats, pretty basic set of stats, wins, losses, will get uploaded to Gamespy. You'll be able to see, I think we actually have it sortable by... its world wide and monthly or all-time, so you'll get to see who's ranked where. You'll be able to access it from our Web site, as well, so you can look at those stats independently of the game.

OPM: ACHEIVEMENTS ARE BIG ON 360, DID YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT THROWING IN THAT CONCEPT FOR THE PS3?
We actually do not have that in Full Auto 2. It's a feature we had to regrettably not support, a lot of it was just because of that moving target with the development timeline, we had make sure our online modes and network play was solid before we added some of that other stuff. Unfortunately, that was one of the things we had to drop.

Bummer. Sounds like Sony won't be requiring an Xbox Live level of standard feature sets for all online games, but at least the online portion sounds as simple to get into. Gallo also confirms that the game will run at 1080p, feature two-player split screen, pass on SixAxis control features, and a host of other sexy features.

Check out the full podcast for more. Michael McWhertor

RadiOPM Podcast

Looks like Namco's Ridger Racer 7 is too taxing on the PlayStation 3. We caught this poor floor rep tending to the overheated, bugged out PS3 that shit the bed during the first day of TGS. Yeah, we know this sort of thing happens all the time when you've got unfinished code running on unproven hardware, but we also know that even though you've got a Bravia television and a high end PlayStation 3, your cooling solution is wicked ghetto.

Plus, 1080p and 60 frames per second don't mean squat when you're rendering a blank screen.

We've seen a couple of kiosks and machines go down, but can somewhat safely assume this is just software related and not an issue with the PlayStation 3 machines themselves.

We'll have more gratuitous fatal system errors soon, coupled with frustrated game producers and booth reps. We promise. Michael McWhertor

"It's unfortunate that Microsoft's external HD-DVD drive will not enhance the experience at all for the gamer. Sony realizes that to truly take gaming into the next generation requires a larger data format for both games and movies. PS3 uses the Blu-ray format for gaming, giving developers 50 GB of high-definition storage on a single disc, while Microsoft's 9 GB DVD gaming format is an obstacle for storing HD content. Furthermore, Microsoft's announced HD games patch is really just a compatibility feature — upscaling lower-resolution content does not make it Full HD (1080p), something that PS3 can do out of the box."

Snap! Brian Crecente

If you missed the news check out the full press release on the jump, but in a nutshell Microsoft announced the Japan price and date for the HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360. More importantly, they announced that the fall software update for the console will allow the console to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution. That's right I said movies and games.

The interview was exactly 10 minutes long, so naturally I spent nine minutes trying to figure out just how a console with no HDMI out would gain 1080p output with a software update.

Kim was clear that the console could support true 1080p out.

"If it is running at 720p we will up-res it to 1080p, if it it's already 1080p then we can display it in 1080p," he said. " This is a great example of our console's ability and the great advantage of being a software company."

Kim said that while the console will soon support 1080p out, it will not have an HDMI out.

"We have the ability to output either through VGA or component. We have no HDMI announcement now," he said. "We do have the capability to deliver the software and, if needed, the hardware."

I pointed out that some movie studios have said they will use HDMI output as a form of copy protection and Kim acknowledged that if a studio uses that scheme then HDMI will indeed be required.

While Kim expects that some third-party game developers will create 1080p games, he said that 720p will likely remain the norm.

"We believe 720p is the sweet-spot for high definition," he said, adding that Microsoft Game Studio titles will, for now, continue to be created at 720p.

While the release of a low-cost HD-DVD player for the 360 could help make the console more competitive against Sony's upcoming PS3, Kim things the main development that could help jumpstart 360 sales in Japan are game titles.

Kim said that Microsoft plans to have 110 titles available for the 360 by the end of the year in Japan and 160 in North America.

"It's all going to be about the content and how customers value the content," he said.

Hit the jump for the official press release with details on new Live games, the Pac-Man World Championships, Xbox 360's HD-DVD player, some new titles and XNA support in Japan. Brian Crecente

Microsoft Showcases Library of Nearly 110 High-Definition Xbox 360 Games at the Tokyo Game Show
"Blue Dragon" Leads Holiday Lineup of Games; "Pac-Man" World Championship, Xbox 360 HD DVD Player in Japan and 1080p Support for Xbox 360 unveiled.

TOKYO — Sept. 20, 2006 — Today at the Tokyo Game Show 2006, Microsoft Corp. delivered information on new and improved entertainment experiences for Japanese gamers, including details of the Xbox 360 library of nearly 110 high-definition games available this holiday season in Japan, which will include the highly anticipated "Blue Dragon" from Microsoft Game Studios. Microsoft also paid tribute to NAMCO BANDAI Games and "Pac-Man," announcing that the first "Pac-Man" World Championship will be held in early 2007 using Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade. Microsoft also revealed details of other entertainment offerings enabled through Xbox 360, with availability date and pricing provided for the Xbox 360 HD DVD player in Japan, as well as news of an update that will allow the Xbox 360 console to output full 1080p games and video.

At the best-attended gaming convention in the world, Microsoft showcased games that will boost the Xbox 360 software library in Japan to nearly 110 titles by holiday season 2006 as well as more titles coming well into 2007. The Xbox 360 games showcased include "Blue Dragon" (Microsoft Game Studios), "Lost Planet: Extreme Condition" (Capcom), "Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2" (Tecmo Inc.) and the newly announced "Trusty Bell" (NAMCO BANDAI Games), and a host of anticipated Xbox Live Arcade titles. For 2007, Microsoft also announced a pipeline of great games that include the epic role-playing game (RPG) "Infinite Undiscovery" (Microsoft Game Studios).

"The key to winning the hearts and minds of the Japanese market is great games, and this great lineup demonstrates that Xbox 360 has those games in spades," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "Our lineup of role-playing games from the acknowledged masters of the genre is proof positive that there has never been a better time for Japanese gamers to jump in and pick up an Xbox 360 system."

Many game titles, including the much-anticipated epic RPG "Blue Dragon," will be playable for the first time in the Microsoft booth at the Tokyo Game Show. Other playable titles include "Lost Odyssey " (Microsoft Game Studios) and "Viva Pi ata " (Microsoft Game Studios).

Xbox Live Arcade and the "Pac-Man" World Championship
The creator of "Pac-Man," Toru Iwatani, announced onstage with Moore that Microsoft and NAMCO BANDAI will host the first "Pac-Man" World Championship in early 2007. The top 10 players in the world for "Pac-Man" on Xbox Live Arcade will compete for the title in New York City. More details, including how to qualify for the championship, will be made available in the coming months.

Continuing its tremendous momentum, Xbox Live Arcade has also announced in Tokyo a host of exciting new games, including some that will be exclusive to the Japanese market. Gamers will have the opportunity to try a host of new games on the show floor, including the classic side-scroller "Contra" (Konami Corp.), the space-shooter "Gyruss" (Konami), the enemy-popping classic "Dig Dug" (NAMCO BANDAI Games), arcade favorite "Track & Field" (Konami), "New Rally-X" (NAMCO BANDAI Games) "Rush'n Attack" (Konami), a favorite 1980s side-scroller, and the inimitable "Ms. Pac-Man" (NAMCO BANDAI). In addition, the Japan-exclusive Xbox Live Arcade game "Yie Ar Kung Fu" (Konami), one of the very first fighting games, was announced for release in 2007.

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and 1080p Support
Microsoft announced pricing and availability details for the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player in Japan. The accessory will launch on Nov. 17, 2006, priced at 19,800 (estimated retail price), and will come with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.

"Xbox 360 and the HD DVD Player together deliver the most powerful and affordable games and movie system for Japanese consumers," Moore said. "The freedom to choose their entertainment experiences is extremely important for consumers as they enter the next generation."

In addition, Microsoft announced that its fall software update, scheduled for release later this year, will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution.

XNA
Demonstrating its pledge to democratize game development for tomorrow's game developers, Microsoft announced that four Japanese universities will use its XNA Game Studio Express software in educational material and research within their course offerings. The XNA software allows hobbyists, students and independent game developers to create games for Windows and, for the first time, Xbox 360 with the goal that user-generated games made with XNA will arrive on Xbox Live Marketplace. Tokyo University, Tokyo Polytechnic University, Ritsumeikan University and Osaka Electro-Communication University join the dozens of universities worldwide that have pledged support for Microsoft's XNA vision and are recognizing the potential of XNA Game Studio Express as an educational tool. As a result, these four schools will integrate XNA software into their game development curricula, labs and games-related research.

"As I turn my attention and passion toward teaching the next generation of game developers, I am thrilled with XNA Game Studio Express and related products," said Toru Iwatani, a lecturer at Tokyo Polytechnic University and original creator of "Pac-Man." "I believe that these products are attractive and effective because they create a development environment that matches the skill level and area of expertise, widening the entry of future developers into game development."

XNA Game Studio Express beta was made available to users worldwide on Aug. 30, 2006. The final version of XNA Game Studio Express will be made available this holiday season.

Sega announced in Tokyo over the weekend that Virtua Tennis for the Playstation 3 will run in 1080p. The actual demo event featured a bunch of the games running live on 1080p HD sets, 1Up reports.

Virtua Tennis 3 is the second PS3 title confirmed to run in 1080p. Gran Turismo HD, if it ever comes out, is the other title. Sony has said they also hope to get Resistance: Fall of Man and NBA 07 running in 1080p as well, but they weren't sure if this was going to be doable. Brian Crecente

PS3 Virtua Tennis 3 in 1080p [1Up]

According to Sony, the official US PlayStation 3 site's caveat that the HDMI connection is required for 1080p signals in Blu-ray movies is fallout from uncertainty over the Image Constraint Token - a next-generation anti-piracy measure.

Sony has made an issue of pointing out that 1080p, which the Xbox 360 is incapable of, is the Holy Grail of "full HD". As it stands now, the only game that is running in 1080p, said Fargher, is Gran Turismo HD - a tech demo crafted by Polyphony to showcase what the system is capable of.

This is in line with our earlier report, where a development source told Kikizo that, "even with [final hardware] in mind, reaching good frame rates at 1080p with next-gen graphics is almost impossible. Instead many developers, ourselves included, are reworking so they run at 720p. "

In other words, movies will play at 1080p. Games won't, and maybe never will. Not that this is really new, but it's always distressing to have the obvious reiterated officially. Florian Eckhardt

No 1080p PS3 Games Yet, Says Sony [Kikizo]

Here's what I found out:

You will be able to upgrade the hard drive of the cheaper PS3 after you buy it. You can also buy a WiFi adaptor and memory card reader after the fact. Despite the negative buzz, the cheaper version will support the wireless Bluetooth controller.

According to Sony, and I asked them to double check this for me, both the 60 GB HDMI version and 20 GB non-HDMI version of the PS3 will support 1080p output.

The Sony spokeswoman couldn't explain the technical ins and outs of how it would be done, but one reader sent in an explanation.

Both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD (what Microsoft's HDMI-less add-on uses) support the Image Constraint Token - used to scale down the resolution of video over analog outputs. ... In reality, with Blu-Ray (and I assume HD-DVD, though I haven't gone out of my way to confirm it), whether any particular piece of media implements the ICT is left up to the publisher of the media. Sony and many other studios have already said their movies will not be implementing the technology. ... This means, (most) Blu-Ray movies will run at full resolution over analog outputs such as those on the $500 PS3. Now, do I trust Sony and the rest of the MPAA to not implement ICT in all their Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movies after a year or so, once everyone has their backs turned? Hell no. But officially, for now, either PS3 will work just fine for playing your movies.

So, there you have it. —Brian Crecente

Sony is surveying their Playstation Underground members about their feelings on HDTV use and importance. The questions are telling, but most importantly, they seem to verify that the Playstation 3 will indeed have a BlueRay DVD player built into it and that the games will support 1080p.

Check out question number 3:

3. The PlayStation 3 will include BluRay , the high definition DVD technology, and support games in resolutions of up to 1080p, (the highest supported standard on the market.) Given that information, please choose the statement below that best describes you.

Hit the jump for the full survey questions and choices.

THE OFFICIAL SURVEY

As High Definition TV begins to make its mark on the world of entertainment, we're wondering where you stand. How do you think HDTV will affect you and your gaming? Answer a few quick questions about the upcoming High Definition generation, and we'll enter you in a very cool drawing one PlayStation Underground member (chosen at random from our pool of responses) will win a PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

To get started, just click here but hurry; this survey must be completed and returned to us by 8:00 AM PST on 2/20/06 in order to qualify for the PSP System Giveaway.

So, tell us, do you see your future in high definition? Good luck!

Sincerely,

The PlayStation Underground

HDTV Entertainment Survey

1. When you think about the next generation of gaming consoles, what are the things you are most looking forward to/interested in?

Content playback, storage.
BluRay DVD Capability
Interaction with Portable Devices
Online Interactivity
Improved gaming
Other

2. Which of the following statements best describes you?

I own an HD TV
I don't own an HDTV but plan to get one within a year.
I have no current plant to get an HDTV.

3. The PlayStation 3 will include BluRay , the high definition DVD technology, and support games in resolutions of up to 1080p, (the highest supported standard on the market.) Given that information, please choose the statement below that best describes you.

I will be more likely to purchase a PlayStation 3 because of the HD functionality
I will get more use out of my HDTV once I have a PlayStation 3
I m not immediately interested in the HD features of the PlayStation 3

4. As an HDTV owner, what percentage of your TV viewing time is spent watching HD content?

Less than 25 percent
25 to 49 percent
50 to 74 perecnt
75 to 100 percent

5. Are you satisfied with the amount of HD Content currently available for your television?

Yes
No