The new firmware is already available for PS3 owners. The 2.80 version brings a lot of joy to digital entertainment lovers: DivX video files full support, and also Profile 1.1 Blu-ray discs reading capabilities (with the "picture in picture" feature, where available).

<-125x125 Button - left->Other new features incluse support for VC1 (HD - WMV) video encoded files, and the sleek voice-changer option. But PS3 owners are not the only ones to enjoy the DivX full support: with the new version of firmware, namely 3.80, the PSP owners will also be able to watch DivX video files, and listen to internet radio - here are a few instructions from PlayStation Blog on how to access the internet radio:

- Download and install firmware update 3.80.
- Ensure you are in a Wi-Fi environment before attempting use
- With Memory Stick Duo containing firmware update 3.80 inserted into PSP, select Internet Radio icon under Network, and then “About Internet Radio.”
- Select “Adding the player to the Memory Stick Duo(TM)” and press the X button.
- When you have added the Internet Radio player, the player icon will appear under the “About Internet Radio” icon.
- Select Internet Radio player icon.
- Choose a genre and select a station.

Apparenty two of the most famous games of the moment for the PC market, that come under the "Games For Windows" brand, are not doing so well in terms of sales numbers.

NPD reported that Crysis sold 86,633 units so far and Unreal Tournament 3 has recorded a number of 33,995 units. While we may understand that the ridiculous system requirements has determined a lot of gamers not to buy Crysis, there was a higher number of sales that was expected for Unreal Tournament 3 - largely due to the existing legions of fans. Probably the availability of UT3 in the PS3 format will increase the number of sales but in the case of Crysis, due to its limitation to the PC platform only (and it's quite a PC that it is required for Crysis!), the numbers might not increase soon.

Every serious gamer knows about the E3 Venue, the place where all big game developers show off their work and present to the world their upcoming titles. While E3 2007 wasn't what one would call a success, the Entertainment Software Association thought it would be in the best interest of the venue to return to the original location.

The press release states that "The event will continue to focus on the business of the computer and video game industry, with an emphasis on press events and small meetings with media, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit will not feature the large trade show environment of previous years." ESA president Mike Gallagher added: "We look forward to welcoming the media and top industry executives to a centralized, business focused and personalized experience. Our program of high-level meetings, networking and personal dialogue, and industry-shaping panel discussions will capture the explosive growth we have seen in 2007 and lay the foundation for the 2008 video game marketplace."

That's what MacDonald Armories did - Paul Macdonald crafted a Negotiator, based on the designs of the sword from the "Hellgate: London" video game. As you can see in the picture below, the real version tries to immitate a lot of details from the original design.

<-250x250 Square - left->However, if you look at the image at the end of this article you will see how much of a pale immitation in the "real" version of the sword when compared to the one from the concept art image collection. Yes, it's nice to see there are some "crackles" as if the sword has been used in intensive battle, but in no way whatsoever does it come close to the real shapes and curved lines from the concept art. It might be an unfinished or unpolished work, but still, it does not cover completely the concept of the Holy Negotiator, the sword of the Knights from the game mentioned above. I remember that there were some swords, inspired by the "Blade" movie trilogy - and those were extremely accurate and sharp too - they were made by the United Cutlery company - which have a well known reputation for professional design and crafting methods.

By the end of the November, we presented to you a piece of news telling that there was an appeal in the case of BBFC against Rockstar Games, the creator of Manhunt 2. The Video Appeals Committee decided in the favor of Manhunt 2 and stated that the decision to reject the game should be overturned.

At that time, everyone thought that the game would be realeased but the BBFC announced today that the debate will be going on for a longer time than expected. The British ratings board has decided to apply for a judicial review of the VAC's decision to overturn the ban, and they will take the matter to the High Court if necessary. The game would be kept off the UK stores while the judicial review is underway. The official statemen of BBFC is: "The BBFC is contesting the VAC judgement because, in the Board's view, it is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act. The VAC judgement, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board's decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence." On a side note, I do understand the need to express the freedom of the game developers, but in the case of Rockstar Games I'd think twice - they have a reputation indeed for releasing games packed with violence, and Manhunt 2 is quite at the top. The problem here is not about the game itself, but what it could trigger in the feeble minds of some gamers (the ones who can be easily influenced and they are not even aware of it!) - it's not something that could be acceptable by any laws or moral rules within the UK. While BBFC may have exaggerated in some ratings, in this case they do have a strong argument to uphold.