Although a specific reason for the delay wasn't explicitly given, it looks like it probably amounted to Sony needing more time to launch the device with a strong line-up of compatible games. "We have decided to release the Motion Controller in fall 2010 when we will be able to offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users," explained SCE president and group CEO Kaz Hirai. "We will continue to work to have a comprehensive portfolio of attractive and innovative games for the Motion Controller, not only from SCE Worldwide Studios but also from the third party developers and publishers, whom we have been working closely with."

And in a separate but related PS3 motion controller rumor floating around the net, VG247 reports that an official name for the device has been chosen: According to an anonymous but "concrete source," the name is Arc. Yes, Arc. No explanation for this supposed name was given (all weird controller names need an equally weird and strained explanation, don't they?), but Sony gave VG247 a standard "we don't comment on rumor or speculation" response.

But the delay to fall is definitely not a rumor, and sets up an interesting battle later this year -- with Microsoft's Project Natal also previously announced for a fall release, both Natal and the PS3 Motion Controller will now launch just about side-by-side.

Source: 1UP

We have supported C4E and Team Jungle for some time now and it is so ridiculous to us when we see so much garbage and drama being posted around on different forums. First we see some sites trying to sell iXtreme LT for stupid amounts of money, then the price goes in half then it doubles then it shows as out of stock? Then of course everyone *****es about C4E even though this wasn’t his idea and these guys also forget that the iXtreme firmwares are his work and no one else’s – he owes nothing to no one. He should be lauded with credits and support not with *****ing and whining, I’m surprised he even bothers any more but we also know how much he loves to do this work. It really is pathetic to see some fools post crap like that,  but i guess the console scene never changes does it.

Now we see attempts at “cracking” a pre-release demo version of the LT firmware and people trying to gain credits and “pats on the back” for this work. All we can say is – we’ve looked at both firmwares – the real Lt and the leaked one. Take our advice – don’t use the leaked incomplete version and connect to Xbox Live.

We developed bios’ for many years and know how much time and effort it takes to do this kind of work – we fully support C4E in all the work he does and as members of the scene we thank him for it.

Anyway the guys at Team Jungle have updated their Twitter page with this info:

iXtreme LT will release shortly as promised for free. Unofficial files are incomplete and unsafe. Protection was to prevent unofficial use!

Maybe you should start giving a few posts of appreciation – then maybe you will see Benq, Samsung & Hitachi versions too – because they won’t come from anyone else we can assure you of that much.

Source: Team-Xecuter

The details come from US insiders.

Infinity Ward has this far avoided the issue of its work after Modern Warfare 2, saying no decision had been made on further projects in the run up to the shooter’s launch last November.

“Right now we don’t have a clue what our next game is going to be, and we won’t know what it will be until we finish with Modern Warfare 2, which won’t be for a while,” studio frontman Rob Bowling told IGN UK last October.

MW2 DLC packs are scheduled to release this “spring” as a timed 360 exclusive.

It’s unclear where the third game will be made if IW really has gone AWOL from the series.

We were told by one dev source that a Canadian studio was handling it, but another pointed to newly-formed Sledgehammer Games, headed by ex-Visceral bosses Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey.

Sledgehammer, based in the Bay Area, is currently recruiting for a multiplayer designer with “five years experience working on current AAA multiplayer shooters for current consoles and PC.”

The identity of Sledgehammer’s first project is yet to be announced.

Activision’s only Canadian developer is Vancouver-based Radical Entertainment, the studio behind last year’s free-roaming adventure, Prototype.

Rumour surrounding the Call of Duty franchise in general is escalating. A report yesterday claimed that Treyarch is currently putting together a story-focused, Vietnam-based episode in the series for release later this year.

Activision had not returned calls at the time of writing.

Source: VG247

Here are some quotes:

No, COM5 is not WM7. It is a continuation of the WM 6.5.x code.

WM7 is a completely different tree.

Do not expect any current device to run WM7. It is certainly possible, but the OEM will have to go out of their way to code drivers/kernel for it, and it is not a likely thing. Very few current devices will receive such an update.

Snapdragon/OMAP3+ devices are likely to get WM7 support.

Anything older than that is not likely to get WM7 support and will likely be end-of-life'd with WM 6.6.

Remember, with all current "cooking" we are using code based on CE 5.x kernel, so is relatively easy to port to newer builds.

Once we move up to a CE 6.x or 7.x kernel, the same principles no longer apply. The entire set-up of the OEM part of the kernel and the Microsoft part of the kernel is different (better now, after WM7 it will be much easier to update the microsoft bits while keeping the same OEM bits) So do not expect any current device to be running WM7 in the future (although a select few may, as they are/will be used for test devices.)

Initial alphas of WM7 were based on CE6, but have been CE7 for about a year now.

As far as MS upgrading the kernel of WM to CE6, I think you misunderstand what's required, it's already done as far as MS is concerned. There is a tree with the same UI/UX, features, etc. as WM 6.5.x but based on the CE 6 core instead of CE 5. But the OEM needs to come in and re-code their stuff against it. Which I don't believe any of them are doing at this point in time. Maybe in the future... It's not like an upgrade from XP SP1 to XP SP2 where you can just drop in the new bits and hit the ground running..

It's more like an upgrade from XP x86 to XP x64. Same GUI, same functionality, but running on a different core, and none of the drivers work. So the OEM has to re-code their drivers. When/If that happens we can surely have a CE6 based WM build on that device. But given the history of most OEM's issuing major OS updates, I wouldn't hold my breath for it on current devices (the most recent cores like snapdragon/OMAP3+ being a possible exception)

And no, WM 6.6 wasn't a typo...  But don't expect to start seeing builds of that until 6.5.x is polished up and we're into 2010 a bit.

The upgrade path for current devices has us staying on the CE 5.x kernel and the highest-tier devices (snapdragon and similar faster chips like tegra and omap3+) will be getting WM7. This is due to numerous features implemented in WM7 that require a higher end device than the current crop.

Nice isn't it? Only bad thing is that we now know that our devices(xperia, diamond, touch pro etc). Can't run this new windows mobile version until new drivers are made. And like you can read that will be never most likely. But from the other side when it's finally released I think everyone already got a new phone so should not be a big problem.

But this wasn't everything. He also told us something about a new cool feature from WM 7. Here's the quote:

Coolest feature to come with WM7/CE7 is the Location Framework, I think...

Now rather than guessing location from cell tower id, or gps (one or the other), Location Framework will take input from all radios on device (WiMax, WiFi, GPS, Cell, etc.) - aggregate information from all sources and use to constantly keep location awareness.

This will allow the device to constantly be aware of its location to some degree of accuracy, which opens up many possibilities for location aware applications that would otherwise require the GPS to be running constantly.

Also the compositing engine will be very nice, finally will have true compositing in WM, so can do nifty things like transparencies, blurring, etc (you can see some of this in the drop-down notification bar in WM 6.5.x - also in SIP input suggestions)

The new rendercore will make advanced vector based graphics engines like Flash and Silvercore a breeze, and XAML will make "porting" applications from one resolution to another a much more simple task than it is today

That's according to a report by USA Today, which notes that the game has generated USD 125 million in sales for the 27 million unit-selling franchise.

The report also points out that Microsoft's 343 Industries division, which handles all things Halo, is also working on new game Halo: Reach, a second Marvel comic book series set for release before the end of the year, the Halo Legends anime to be shown on the Halo Waypoint Xbox Live channel, and more books and figures from McFarlane Toys.

Source: GamesIndustry