Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss Andrew House says PSP Go’s $249/€249 price point is based on a “premium” associated with new hardware.

Speaking to MCV, House explained that PSP Go’s price wasn’t set in a bid to protect retailers’ margins – which will be hit by the handheld’s download-only software model – or to cover Sony’s research and development costs.

“Those aren’t the factors,” he said. “When you introduce a new piece of hardware you have the opportunity to say there is a certain premium that is associated with it, and we took that into account.

“As with all hardware launches you look at the business model, the cost structure, and the necessarily level of profitability, and you use that to set the wholesale price. Much as we do with any other hardware.”

PSP Go has yet to be officially priced for the UK market, but multiple indie retailers told us earlier this week that they were downbeat about the recently announced system’s prospects.

Chips MD Don McCabe told us that he isn’t currently planning on stocking PSP Go upon its October 1 release, while Grainger Games purchasing director Chris Harwood said that PSP “appears to have died as a format.”

[Via Edge-Online]

The PlayStation 3 may be receiving a large firmware update this fall, according to a rumor from VG247. The firmware 3.0 update is said to be “a huge overhaul” and was compared to the Xbox 360’s NXE in some respects. The new features are said to include a reputation system that will allow users to evaluate each other and view the reps of other players. No doubt aiding in the reputation system will be a “grief reporting system,” allowing players to take pictures of offensive users and report them to Sony.

Someone at SCEA is going to be busy parsing user reports. Other features may allow background downloads of game patches, and simultaneous HDMI and digital optical output for audiophiles. The update is reportedly planned to hit before Christmas. As always, we classify this as a rumor until we hear something official from Sony. It doesn’t sound like an unrealistic wish list of features, so we’ll be looking for more details in the coming months.

[Via 1up.com]

As it was rumored, Rockstar Games has announced that one of the highest-rated handheld games of all time, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will released for PSP this autumn.

“We’re proud to extend this truly unique handheld Grand Theft Auto experience to PSP and offer a downloadable version of Chinatown Wars for PSP GO,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “Rockstar Leeds has shown incredible talent in creating games that raise the bar in terms of depth and innovation on portables, and with Chinatown Wars we have a rich, fast-paced, and incredibly addictive entry into the series.”

“Rockstar’s work with the GTA series has been an enormous part of the success of PlayStation platforms,” added Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. “We’re excited to welcome the critically acclaimed Chinatown Wars to the outstanding line-up of great games headed to the PSP platform this fall.”

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows the story of Huang Lee, a young Triad who travels to Liberty City after the mysterious death of his father.

Via GameCenterOnline]

Namco’s dated Tekken 6 as an October 27 release in North America, according to this Gamespot story.

Versions for Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia are to follow in “close proximity”.

The fighter’s also to have pre-order incentives, for the US at least.

A Tekken 6 Wireless Fight Stick Bundle is to be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 at participating retailers for $150.

The bundle includes a Hori wireless fight stick, as well as a Tekken 6-themed art book.

[Via VG247]

PSx Extreme writes: Anyway, you all may recall the speculation that Sony was prepared to launch a new Slim PlayStation 3 model. The supposed evidence came from a Chinese manufacturer and as they’re hardly official, we don’t really want to post the leaked pics here. But you can see one at Live PlayStation, who says that according to the UK’s PSW Magazine, there is a striking similarity between the PS3 Slim photo and the early PSP Go packaging. The magazine reads:

“The PS3 Slim Packaging looks almost identical to the confirmed PSP Go, so it isn’t a fake. Expect the smaller, lighter PS3 to be announced at the Tokyo Games Show in September, just in time for Xmas.”

Well, the Tokyo Game Show is slated to kick off on September 24 in Chiba, Japan, and it’s bound to be a big show (it is most every year). Of course, when Sony was asked about the possibility of a PS3 Slim, they quickly said they’ve “never seen it before” and in all honesty, really didn’t know what those pictures were. For our part, it might not be a bad idea, but the PS3 still needs a price cut…perhaps Sony is planning to slim it down and announce a price cut at the same time. In other words, the next time you hear of a new model, it’ll be nice and thin and retail for $299. Who knows?

[Via PSxExtreme]

Kotaku Writes: We sat down with Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon tonight to chat about his latest project, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe. Once again, we pestered Mr. Boon about the scrapped version of Mortal Kombat 8, once described by the long-term Midway dev as being heavily inspired by the look of Gears of War.

While that grittier, darker version of MK didn’t make it far beyond the technology development stages — Boon told us there was little in the way of concept art for the grimier spin on the series — the next next Mortal Kombat may strive for more blood, more violence, more of everything that warrants an M-rating.

The artistic vision of a less saturated, less Superman filled fighter is still swimming around Boon’s head, a title that may rest on the success of MK vs. DC. We spent more time with the crossover fighter tonight and talked with Boon about plenty of other MK-related topics. Tune in tomorrow for the rest of our conversation.

[Via Kotaku]

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke at The Executive’s Club of Chicago today, discussing “the role of innovation in changing economic times.” TG Daily covered the event live from the Hilton Chicago. During his speech he addressed many economic issues, and touched on the importance of innovation. However, it was his Xbox announcement which has our publication excited.

Rumors can be confirmed, as Ballmer stated openly during a speech on the recession to those in attendance at the Executives Club in Chicago, a new Xbox 360 will hit the store shelves in 2010. The upgraded console timing would fit perfect considering the approximate release of Microsoft’s new exclusive camera-hardware being “sometime next year”.

The new device will be equipped with technology that is “really, really, close” to an actuality. The console, which was described as having a “natural interface,” will have a built in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice (project Natal anyone). With no official release, those were all of the details that were shared. We are awaiting a response from our inquiries to Microsoft so for the time being consider none of this information to be fact, much larger mistakes have happened in the past during a CEO’s speech.

[Via PlanetXbox360]

The 230.1MB download, available through iTunes, is said to contain “over 100 new features,” including the oft-requested copy and paste functionality and the not-so-oft-requested support for “in app” purchases, such as additional game content.

Other additions include peer-to-peer multiplayer gaming support and push notifications, with several other popular requests–picture messaging, tethering–included but not yet supported by AT&T. A partial list of the multiple tweaks can be found below.

The update comes just two days before Apple rolls out the latest version of the device, the iPhone 3G S, which sports a new video camera, compass, and a horsepower boost that some have likened to the performance gains in the early days of PC gaming. Read More

Following its bankruptcy Factor 5 — the developer behind games such as Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and the disastrous PS3-exclusive Lair — is being sued by former employees for “allegedly fraudulently conveying intellectual property to another company prior to declaring bankruptcy,” reports Gamasutra.

According to the suit, to avoid paying its debts the developer’s founders transferred all assets (including source code and IP) to Blue Harvest, a new company under their control. This was done before Factor 5 closed its doors in May. Factor 5 had 69 claims for unpaid wages totaling over $900,000 very soon after closing.

Another interesting point is that Factor 5 is estimated to have between $1 million to $10 million in debt.

You can read the full story here.

[Via ActionTrip]

Loot Ninja is reporting that those who volunteered to be a part of the Starcraft II closed beta received emails telling them to get ready.

We received an email from Blizzard PR preparing us for the much anticipated Beta, which was not given a release date yet.

With the gaming press being invited to sign up before June 19th, it’s safe to expect a public release before the end of the month. The best part is that there’s no NDA associated with the Beta, so we can bring you our thoughts on how StarCraft has evolv

[Via GameStooge]