Inferno Pool pits up to four online or local players against each other, trying to clear their pool table while their opponents fire balls at them. It's just like regular pool, only with alliances, betrayals, fire, and explosions. Truth be told, it sounds far more interesting than normal pool, through you can still play a regular game if you aren't up to the challenge.

Inferno Pool was released last year on the PlayStation Network in the UK and Europe, but has yet to hit North American or Asian PS3 consoles. Developer Dark Energy Digital has teamed up with Koch Media to deliver the game to the Xbox Live Arcade service next Wednesday, October 28th, in both North America and Asia. Go figure.

Find out more about the game at the official website, where two videos will start playing at once automatically when you load the page. Classy!

Inferno Pool Hits Xbox Live Arcade on October 28th [Evil Avatar]

Sony Computer Entertainment Asia announced that it will begin selling the 120GB PlayStation 3, the PSP and the PSPgo to Indonesia customers. Starting this October, the PS3, PSP and PSPgo will be available for 4,499,000rb, 2,599,000rb and 3,599,000rb respectively (including tax).

Indonesia is the latest country SCE Asia has expanded into. Other SCE Asia subsidiary markets include Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.

[Pic]

Reality Gap, whose free-play offerings include the MMO Monato Esprit (above), also faces competition in ports coming over from the more developed Asian free-play market. Korea's, especially, is "super-saturated. He seems to decry the "schlock" that arises when rampant me-tooism meets an already crowded space. But he adds they're also competing with some Asian market winners that turn into duds in the U.S.

"It's not just schlock. There are some good games that have come over here, but they weren't good necessarily for the U.S. market. A lot of things we've found, [like games based around] vanity items and things that are very, very popular in Asia … aren't necessarily as popular here. Things that are more important here are actually how the game plays, getting yourself more advancement and skill. So, it is really different."

Designed by giant ape specialists X-Large, the t-shirts will be available only at select Hong Kong stores between February 16 and March 15. Those lucky few who are interested in such a deal will be able to buy a bundle that includes the game, a t-shirt and a 2GB USB stick for around USD$80. Those just in it for one of the two shirts, they'll be going for around $40.

As you'll see in the gallery below, the stuff is actually quite presentable, and the big, UNSC supply case-looking plastic box the bundle comes in is a nice touch.

[thanks Thomas!]

Of course, we see this after Maggie (sniff ... sniff) is gone - she could read this stuff cold and tell us what is up. I ran a chunk through Babelfish and found out it translates as "Terminal Velocity Pleasant Sensation Online." Ohhhhh, brother ... All the text is in a flash presentation, so running it through Google's translation does no good.

It'll be free to play (as per the norm with many MMOs in Asia) and probably monetized through microtransactions. An extremely broken-English writeup at Online Games Magazine suggests this game is about three months away from launch in Taiwan.

Need for Speed: World Online [site, in Mandarin, via Online Games Magazine]

On January 15, SCE Asia is releasing PSP-3006s in "Radiant Red" and "Vibrant Blue." Each is priced at $1,380 HKD (US$177).

The PSP, Now In "Carnival Colors" [Siliconera]

The prediction comes from Xbox Asia's Alan Bowman, who thinks the console - buoyed by cheaper prices, improving performance in the Japanese market and the onset of Chinese New Years - can do better in '09 than it did in '08.

That's for his local markets, anyways. In terms of the global market, Bowman says that, with money tight, more people will want to stay at home and be entertained. And that means they'll buy video games, something we've already seen holding true for Bowman's home country.

Bowman also stresses that, despite economic woes, falling share prices and mass layoffs elsewhere in the industry, Microsoft don't have any major cost-cutting moves in place, and will continue to invest in games development:

Game development is the core of what we do. Microsoft is a software company by heart, and we will continue to work with our partners and by ourselves to develop new software for the market.

Microsoft eyes '09 market-beating Xbox sales [Reuters] [Image]

The categories are broken down into Bargains, Essentials and Hardware. Those interested in the "Things To Buy For Bashcraft" category, feel free to email.

Bargains:

Gears of War 2 (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: US$42.18
Rating: Mature
It's already being called Game of the Year by some. Instead of paying full price for Gears of War 2, pick up a new copy of the region free Asia region version. Title has full English support.

Aquanaut's Holiday: Hidden Memories (English/Chinese Version - Region Free)
Price: $49.90
Rating: Everyone
Hidden Memories is the latest in the entry in Aquanaut's Holiday series. Players take the role of an underwater explorer and dive into the depths of deep blue. Currently, the game does not have a Western release slated, but the "English/Chinese version" has localized language options. Better yet, it's cheaper than the Japanese original.

Fable II (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: $38.33
Rating: Mature
One of this year's biggest action RPGs, Fable II lets players chose between being good or evil. You know what's evil? Paying full price for Fable II. You know what's good? Getting the (cheaper) region free Asia version.

Mirror's Edge (Asia Version - Region Free)
Price: $48.99 (with free international shipping)
Rating: Teen
Do you like running? What about jumping? Kicking people? Then first-person-parkour game Mirror's Edge is for you. Hate paying full price for new games? Then get the Asia version.

Hakuna Makata (Afrika) (English/Chinese Version - Region Free)
Price: $49.90
Rating: Everyone
PS3 exclusive Afrika is out this month in North America, but Sony does not have plans to bring the title to Europe. What does that mean for European PS3 owners who want to take in-game pictures of wild animals? It means they've got to import. The Asia version has full English support and a new title to boot: Hakuna Makata. Makes us want to watch The Lion King. Over and over and over again.

Essentials:
Ketsui Death Label (Region free - Bonus DVD Japanese Region Only)
$58.90
Rating: Everyone
Ketsui isn't just a shooter, but an environment shooter! Set in the global warming ravaged future, the vertical scrolling shooting game has players join a United Nations elite squad to take down a rouge arms dealer. Akira's port of bullet hell shooter from venerated Japanese arcade dev Cave . Ketsui Death Label offers different skill level modes — some ideal for pick up and play. This special box set includes a Superplay DVD as well.

Ikkitousen: Eloquent Fist [Limited Edition With Original Figure Set]
$87.99
Rating: CERO C (15 years old and up)
PSP schoolgirl beat 'em up Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist offers more than fan service. It offers knuckle sammiches *and* fan service. Based on the popular Ikki Tousen manga/anime, Eloquent Fist is a brawler adventure game mash-up and boasts over 4,000 animated cutscenes to boot. Cutscenes are in Japanese, but the clothes-ripping-off parts should be universal.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Japanese Nintendo Wii Only)
Rating: CERO B (12 years old and up)
$70.99
Japanese game company Capcom dishes out knuckle sandwiches to Japanese animation studio Tatsunoko in this Wii port of the arcade title Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. Think Marvel vs. Capcom but with Casshern and Yatterman! The title is not likely to get a Western release due to licensing issue, but Capcom USA is working on that. In the meantime, import, import, import.

DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou Black Label Extra (Japanese Xbox 360 Only)
Rating: Everyone
$65.90
The Xbox 360 port features the original arcade version of Cave's manic arcade shooter as well as the "Black Label" version — identifiable by its black title screen. There's also a beginner's mode called "X Mode," which is perfectly for those not quite accustomed to maneuvering through a blanket of projectiles. More extras for DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou Black Label Extra is online ranking, a replay function so you can watch your own play and a new green outfit wearing character named "Piper."

DJ Max Portable Emotional Sense — Clazziquai Edition [Special Package]
$49.90
Rating: Everyone
First question: Like DJ Max rhythm games? If yes, continue. Second question: Like Clazziquai? If yes, this is your game. (For those who do not know Clazziquai, check this and this and this. Delights!) The Korean group teamed up with developer Pentavision for this more casual DJ Max title — “casual” is not a pejorative term here. DJ Max is reason enough to own a PSP, and Clazziquai is reason enough to own this title.

Thunder Force VI (Japanese PS2 Only)
$59.90
Rating: Everyone
No doubt horizontally scrolling shmup Thunder Force VI is one of the PS2's last great swan songs. It's been a little over ten years since Thunder Force V hit the SEGA Saturn and when developer Technosoft was purchased by a pachinko company, it didn't look like we'd ever see another Thunder Force. We here we are! Thunder Force VI was directed by SEGA's Tetsu Okano, best know for Japan only title Segagaga.

Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles (Region Free - Dreamcast)
Rating: Everyone
$39.99
Would it be Christmas without a new Dreamcast game? Probably. But Costa Rican developer Yuan Works does its best to offer holiday cheer with this DC title. The puzzle game has players match elements to clear blocks from the board. Featuring English and Japanese language support, the Dreamcast release is being handled by European publisher redspotgames.

Hardware:
DISSIDIA: Final Fantasy [20th Anniversary Limited Pack]
Rating: CERO C (15 years old and up)
$349.90
Unless you are proficient in Japanese (or decent enough at navigating it), the main draw here isn’t necessarily the Japanese language fighting game, but the DISSIDIA PSP — and the pretty box it comes in! Included is a copy of the game and a limited (and classy) DISSIDIA PSP-3000.

Hori Classic Controller
$29.90
Just in time for all the GameCube games Nintendo is re-releasing for the Wii comes this Classic Controlled. Made by Japanese peripheral maker Hori, the controller features autofire switches for every button on the controller. It's available in three colors: Black, white and light blue.

Nintendo DSi (Region free for DS games, locked for DSi games)
$249.00
Nintendo's latest edition to the Nintendo DS line-up brings a 17 percent larger screen and two embedded digital cameras. It's smaller than the DS Lite and is lighter than the Lite, too! While it does not play GBA titles, the portable does have a SD card slot. It does not feature English language support, however. Comes in white and black.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam [PSP Bundle]
Rating: Everyone
$379.99 (with free international shipping)
One of the big, hot popular titles in Japan this fall is Namco Bandai's Gundam vs. Gundam, which brings thirty plus Gundams from various series together in one game. Originally an arcade game, the PSP version includes several bonus mechas. The PSP bundle includes the game and a Gundam vs. Gundam PSP-3000. Game is, like most things in Japan, in Japanese.

Otomedius Gorgeous + Hyper Stick Pro (Japanese Consoles Only)
Rating: CERO C (15 years old and up)
$389.90
It’s always nice to see incredibly pricey game hardware designed specially for one game. Famed Japanese peripheral maker Hori worked with Konami to created this stick designed to recreate the Otomedius arcade experience at home. The Hori hyper stick pro boasts a touch pad just like the original arcade version. The bundle includes the game as well as a set of six tin badges.

The videogame industry will never stop pushing boundaries. It can't - gamers have an insatiable demand for more visceral experiences and will continue to flock to games that provide them. The problem, however, is the potentially heavy cost of taking risks on a global scale. The companies that have been most fearless about creating controversial games are the ones with the money to fight those battles, backed by publishers like EA who assume some of the risk. Smaller teams may find ways of breaking the boundaries in other content-neutral ways, like Jonathan Blow's Braid, which approaches storytelling through creative game mechanics. But the uncertainty that shrouds the ratings processes all over the world is a giant red flag for all but the most courageous game companies.

Of course, this ignores many of the good points of a more international scene, and I can't imagine there's a good way to get around this (short of trying to create an isolationist industry, which is unreasonable from several fronts). But it's certainly an interesting problem to ponder.

Crossing Boundaries [The Escapist]

The Turner-owned kids brand has commissioned SinoTech, a Beijing-based firm, to create online casual games based on its own characters as well as cartoon characters owned by SinoTech. The deal also gives SinoTech exclusive rights to sell ads around the games, with a focus on tapping new advertisers from China.

SinoTech will develop two games each month that can be deployed on Cartoon Network’s pan-regional site as well its localized site in Taiwan. The games they produce may find their way onto Cartoon Network’s other localized sites in Asia such as Japan and Korea, as well as on a mooted localized site for mainland China that's in the pipeline.

CN is looking for a piece of the casual Chinese pie, though it's doubtful they'll really be able to challenge QQ.com; still, CN execs are confident that their targeted kids market will give focus and direction to future marketing efforts.

Cartoon Network’s Chinese Dream [Asia Media Journal]

For example, Aroon Tan, president of Games Exchange Alliance (GXA), suggested that Singapore—which has ambitions of becoming a regional games hub—promote itself as a gateway for foreign game developers to Asia. Based in Singapore, GXA aims to help game companies overcome commercialization hurdles and bring game titles to market across Asia.

Tan explained that setting up physical presence in several Asian countries is a challenge for North American and European game companies. However, Singapore's policies provide relatively lower barriers to entry to the country and the region, he told ZDNet Asia.

"Singapore offers lots of incentives, making it an attractive first market to enter the region," he said, adding that at the recent Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, exhibitors he met were keen to do business in Asia.

The export market is still a giant hurdle — while there are South Korean and Chinese companies making quiet, but successful, inroads to Western markets, quality localization remains something that many companies haven't quite managed to do.

Asia must localize for global gamers [ZDNet Asia]

Sony plans local PS3 launch [The Star Online Thanks, Issam!] [Pic]

“The Asian markets represent a significant growth opportunity for THQ, particularly as we execute on our strategy to grow revenue from online gaming, an increasingly important segment for our industry,” said Martin Good, senior vice president THQ Asia Pacific. ‘We look forward to continuing to build new publishing and development relationships in China to expand our presence in this important and fast growing gaming market.”

China is of course home to over a billion Chinese people, many of whom turn to gaming in order to have something to look at other than other Chinese people all the time, hence the exploding game market. Good move, THQ.

THQ Further Expands Publishing and Development Activities in Asia with New Shanghai Office
New Office to Oversee XDG Global Operations and China Development Initiatives;

Tim Page and Kevin Chu to Lead Publishing and Product Development Efforts

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. & SHANGHAI, China—(BUSINESS WIRE)—THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced the opening of its new office in Shanghai, China, from which THQ will pursue new development opportunities and expand publishing partnerships in the fast growing Chinese market. Building on its relationships established with local Chinese developers and publishers over the past several years, THQ’s new Shanghai office will spearhead the expansion of local partnerships to develop and publish both online and packaged games for distribution in China and around the world.

Later this fiscal year, the company plans to launch Company of Heroes® Online, a free to play, micro-transaction game designed specifically for Asia, in collaboration with its China publishing partner Shanda Interactive Entertainment, Ltd.

“The Asian markets represent a significant growth opportunity for THQ, particularly as we execute on our strategy to grow revenue from online gaming, an increasingly important segment for our industry,” said Martin Good, senior vice president THQ Asia Pacific. ‘We look forward to continuing to build new publishing and development relationships in China to expand our presence in this important and fast growing gaming market.”

Tim Page, market development director for Asia Pacific, THQ, will lead efforts to expand THQ’s online gaming portfolio by establishing and maintaining local publishing partnerships as well as bringing THQ online content to other markets around the world. Page’s extensive experience includes more than 12 years in the games industry both in and across Asia Pacific. Over the past few years, he has been driving THQ’s online strategy for Asia, building successful partnerships and sourcing new online products, many of which are yet to be announced.

“We view our China initiative as an integral part of our greater Asia online strategy and Tim Page brings tremendous experience to drive our success in this area,” said Good. “THQ China will be a springboard from which to expand our online games content, including Company of Heroes Online, to neighboring markets across Asia.”

Kevin Chu, corporate director of THQ’s External Development Group (XDG), will run THQ’s global outsourcing operations and assist in local product development initiatives from Shanghai. Chu, also a veteran of the video game industry, has extensive experience training and building teams in the Asia region. His strong track record of successful co-development partnerships and distributed development projects has driven millions in cost savings, enhanced product quality and improved production efficiencies.

“Kevin has played an instrumental role in building relationships with many very talented development teams in China,” said Steve Dauterman, senior vice president of product development, THQ. “By expanding our development operations and deepening our commitment to the local market, we will accelerate our growth in Asia and at the same time improve the efficiency of our development processes worldwide.”

THQ China’s new operation is well positioned to capitalize on China’s fast growing online games market, which was valued at US$1.7 billion in 2007 and reached more than 42 million online gamers. The market is expected to grow to US$4.2 billion by 2010. (Source: Niko Partners).

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT HONG KONG LIMITED ANNOUNCES 3D ONLINE-USER COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR PLAYSTATION®3– 「PLAYSTATION®HOME」 COMING TO HONG KONG, SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN IN FALL 2008

CLOSED BETA TESTING FOR 「PLAYSTATION®HOME」WILL START FROM MID-SEPTEMBER 2008

Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited (SCEH) today announced that the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind 3D online community service for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system would be available for Hong Kong , Singapore and Taiwan region PLAYSTATION®Network users.

PlayStation®Home is the online community service on PLAYSTATION®Network. It is an evolving online social gaming service built for PS3™ users to meet and share gaming experiences. With an avatar uniquely customized according to each user’s preference, users can explore the 3D community which includes custom spaces dedicated to specific games, press releases on kotaku, event spaces or personal apartments. Each user is assigned an apartment in PlayStation®Home where they can invite others to join them as they show off their own style in an area they can personalize themselves with furniture and other items. Very rich interactive communication with others is achieved through built in text, audio chat, along with sophisticated emotional animations for each character.

PlayStation®Home official website for Asia is now available at The Closed Beta testing for PlayStation®Home will be starting from Mid-September 2008. SCEH would like to invite Hong Kong and Singapore users to participate in the Closed Beta testing. The details will be available on the official website from August 29, 2008.

SCEH will continue to further expand PS3 users’ gaming experience and create a new world of computer entertainment by offering the high quality of the world of PlayStation®Home towards the Open Beta Service in this fall along with more and more attractive PS3 software titles which will be available le in the market

He explains that a large portion of the Asian MMO-playing public spend their days in crowded internet cafes, cigarette in one hand, mouse in the other, chain-smoking while they are chain-killing mobs...and I suppose technically their fellow patrons as well. And here I was, trying to use gaming as a reason not to smoke.

The Surprising Reason Asian MMOs Are Mouse-Based [MTV Multiplayer]

台灣微軟澄清《Final Fantasy XIII》在台上市說法 表示一切仍屬未定 [GNN Gamer Thanks, Dutch!] [Pic]

Many companies in the game industry are prioritizing mainland Asian expansions as a way to grow their business and tap into the devoted game market there. According to the Nikkei, Nintendo has reportedly been supporting a South Korean developer who's doing a number of titles including a touch screen-based DS game.

The DS reportedly sold 1.4 million units in South Korea, and 2.6 million game titles. Nintendo is looking at Taiwan as well for DS sales, and will sell localized DS systems in cell phone stores there.

Thompson Financial also reported on what Sony's doing to catch some of that audience:

Meanwhile, the game unit of Sony Corp. (nyse: SNE - news - people ) plans to work with Taiwanese authorities to train game creators starting in September, the Nikkei said.

It will dispatch personnel to a local educational institution to offer instruction, with newly developed games to be distributed online for the PlayStation 3.

Sony Computer Entertainment also intends to expand operations in South Korea, where it distributes video online for the PlayStation 3.

The article didn't specify what sort of expansion of operations Sony is planning, but console penetration has faced challenges in regions like South Korea and China where the audience seems vastly to prefer PC MMOs.

Japan's Nintendo, Sony to explore Asian game market - report [Thompson Financial via Forbes]

Demo: Tales of Vesperia [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

Infinite Undiscovery Dated [Famitsu]

"Hubert Larenaudie is an experienced senior executive who has successfully built or expanded Asia Pacific operations for prominent interactive entertainment and consumer goods companies," said Gary Dale. "His in-depth knowledge of the region; his skill in creating the right product development, distribution and marketing strategy for each local market; and his track record of driving growth will help Take-Two realize the tremendous opportunities in APAC."

Along with EA, Larenaudie's previous employers also include Vivendi Universal, with whom he helped establish World of Warcraft's foothold in the region.

This is Take-Two's way of showing their shareholders that they mean business. They aren't selling to anybody, dammit! This train is barreling at full-speed and no EA is going to bar their path! Don't bail on us please, okay? We'll see how this whole strategy pays off during Take-Two's annual stockholder meeting this Thursday.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Announces Asia Expansion Strategy; Adds Senior Market Leader Hubert Larenaudie to Head Asia Pacific

Focus on Broadening Distribution and Launching Online Game Offerings in High Growth Asia Pacific Markets

New York, NY - April 14, 2008 - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced that Hubert Larenaudie, an accomplished senior executive with more than 15 years' experience in building successful Asia Pacific businesses, has joined the Company to spearhead its expansion initiatives in this rapidly growing region. Mr. Larenaudie, who previously served in senior roles with Electronic Arts and Vivendi Universal Games, holds the newly created position of President for Asia and is establishing an office in Singapore as the focal point for Take-Two's Asia Pacific operations. He will report to Gary Dale, Executive Vice President of Take-Two.

The top priorities for Take-Two in the region include: expanding distribution in the Asia Pacific (APAC) for the Company's interactive entertainment products; developing a strong presence in Japan; and establishing a meaningful online game operation, especially in China and Korea.

"Hubert Larenaudie is an experienced senior executive who has successfully built or expanded Asia Pacific operations for prominent interactive entertainment and consumer goods companies," said Gary Dale. "His in-depth knowledge of the region; his skill in creating the right product development, distribution and marketing strategy for each local market; and his track record of driving growth will help Take-Two realize the tremendous opportunities in APAC."

Mr. Larenaudie added, "Many of Take-Two's franchises, such as Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club, Sid Meier's Civilization, and BioShock are international hits, and already have attracted large and enthusiastic fan bases in markets such as Japan, South Korea and China. With the Company's portfolio of leading brands, growing sports business, extraordinary creative talent and global appeal, I see exciting potential to build a significant Asia Pacific business for Take-Two, with a particular emphasis on the online game segment of the market."

Before joining Take-Two, Mr. Larenaudie was President of Asia Online for Electronic Arts. While there, he established leadership positions in the South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia markets and oversaw product development, licensing and studio acquisitions in the region. Previously, he was President-Asia Pacific of Vivendi Universal Games (VUG). Under his supervision, VUG became one of the most successful interactive entertainment companies in the Asia Pacific region, with extensive market penetration for its World of Warcraft brand. Prior to that, Mr. Larenaudie held a variety of management positions in Asia, Latin America and Europe in high growth consumer goods companies.