Ensemble of course was the muscle behind a Halo MMO that was greenlighted and then scrapped sometime last year. Cole's pictures (two are on his site) are titled "Halo Universe City," and in his description, Cole capitalizes "Halo Universe" a second time. Could have been a working title of the game. Joystiq also points out it could have been "Universe City." Which itself could have been a placeholder name. Who knows.

Of course it all doesn't matter. The project is kaput. But the pictures are pretty, and tell us a little more about an evolution of this franchise not meant to be. For now.

Halo Project - City Designs [Dylan Cole, via Joystiq]

But that's not negative space at top, or a handle. It's the screen of an "Xbox 1080" portable concept created by Carl Archambeault of Milwaukee, so standard concept disclaimers - not real, does not function, is not commissioned or endorsed by the company - apply. It's still a cool imagining of a Microsoft entry into the portable market. But they haven't done it and, considering the Zune, probably for good reason.

Xbox 1080 Portable Video and Music Device [Coroflot.com via Destructoid]

It's one of three concepts he did; including an "Xbox 720" which looks like - I dunno what the hell it looks like. And a "PSP2" that looks like a reading glasses case, until you roll out its OLED screen.

Remember: These are not real. The design isn't created or commissioned or endorsed by Sony or Microsoft. But these may be for sale in the Phillippines, who knows.

Tai Chiem's Gaming Systems of the Future [Core77 via UberGizmo]

The site that originally posted the images, Four Player Co-Op, says that Crystal Dynamics also contacted them asking to take down the pictures.

Sounds like the concept art that seems to show another reboot for the long-lived franchise are real. Of course, that doesn't mean that those images, or the description included with them, will ever actually see the light of day.

Should it?

Rumor: Tomb Raider Reboot Art, Details Leaked [Kotaku]

Confused? Let's take a tour. It's called the Microsoft Retail Experience Center, and is apparently designed to show how "Microsoft and the retail industry can address rising consumer expectations and competitive pressures during today’s challenging economic conditions".

Though really, it could just as easily be a concept for a possible future roll-out of dedicated Microsoft stores.

The 20,000-square-foot facility shows what a Microsoft Store would look like, were such a thing to exist. There are 360 games, 360s, 360 demos, accessories & Live points cards, and even some of Microsoft's other stuff on show. Like Zunes. Oh, and Windows.

Best part? The exit doors. With the painted-on car park scene. Creepy.

Microsoft's Fake Retail Store Looks Good, Reminds Us Of Their Real Retail Store [Gizmodo]

Kyle Cherry is the man behind this gaming laptop concept, and we like it because it just does not fuck around. No sleek lines or compact form to be found here; instead, Kyle has thrown three folding OLED screens (that combine to form a 26" display) atop a base that, with handle, is about the size of a vanilla Macbook.

As of today, this just can't be done, and at that size probably won't ever be done, but if you're going to dream (and put those dreams to paper), you may as well dream big.

Three-OLED-Screened, 28-Inch Gaming Laptop Sure is a Nice Idea [Gizmodo]

This concept gallery shows early Jedi/Sith character designs, a nice view of Coruscant that wouldn't look out of place in Episode 3 and two very similar monsters. Check after the jump to see how the artists' designs have been translated into polygonal reality.

First impressions - those lightsabers look a bit chunky. Maybe people were shorter back in the Old Republic.

Portable XBox 360/Zune Phone Fantasy is Exactly What Microsoft Should Make [Gizmodo]

OMG Iron Man in the Hulk game!

Hotness. But what's with those shoulder buttons?

Concept [flickr via PSPFanboy]

And I really do like the idea of a 16x9 screen on top (even if this image might not hit that scale perfectly, I can't tell). So what if games couldn't take advantage of the screen real estate, since movies and TV shows would look great. What do you think? Hot or not? Hit the jump for another shot.

That chrome DS symbol really seals the deal for me. Yes, I too can't believe that I just typed that last sentence. Hit the link for more shots.

Nintendo DS 2: the 3D Mock-Up Makes Us Drool Alien-Style [gizmodo]

Tetris Forever [via Gizmodo]

Horizontal scrolling allows you to check out different media easily within the current interface, taking advantage of the wide aspect ratio to fit numerous large preview images on the screen at once. And general navigation can be as quick and easy as XMB is now.
Plus, the pain in the ass shopping cart interface has been simplified in scrollable icons.

I dread the day when I'll actually visit the PS Store on a regular basis. So go ahead Sony, rip off this design. It's OK if one designer's heart is broken for the good of many. Better yet, just hire him. And then you can sit around the bar, telling interface jokes at LIVE Marketplace's expense (or at least show your face in public).

The "New" (photoshopped) PS Store [ps3forums]
Thanks Gantz!

The only element we're not sold on is the whammy bar which, though coated with with rubber "to prevent screen damage," doesn't seem to work next to the strum bar. Activision, Harmonix, whoever-the-hell has the rights now—let's make it happen. But an FYI: as long as the fret buttons are in tact, I can just strum with the buttons. You know, if that will help or something.

Concept by Dan Moore.

I'm with the Fallout forum regulars here...this is just too similar to the Capitol building concept from three weeks ago to really be all that interesting. They should have ended it with the spectacular piece from last week, which highlighted the 50's vibe that we know and love.

And that's it for the concept art. Now we just have seven days til the extremely important teaser trailer, as the more rabid Fallout followers sit by their computers, lighters poised under Molotov rag wicks as they watch for the slightest misstep. You can do it Bethesda. I believe in you. Michael Fahey

Fallout 3 [Bethesda Softworks]

I'll say it's an all-new look, considering the original character looked something like this.. Not sure how you go from a guy in a striped shirt to an alien with a blue gumdrop for a head. For Boulder Dash purists this is comparable to replacing Mario with an anthropomorphic cat with blue hair. Oh wait.

Luckily for everyone involved, the core charm of Boulder Dash has always been its gameplay, so this isn't exactly a disaster. Just a slightly freaky design choice. All hail the embryonic Teletubby! Michael Fahey

10TACLE STUDIOS AG and FIRST STAR SOFTWARE breath new life into cult gaming figure Rockford

"Boulder Dash -Rocks!" announced for Nintendo DSTM and PSP

Darmstadt, April 12th 2007 - 10TACLE STUDIOS and 10TACLE STUDIOS MOBILE along with First Star Software, Inc. are proud to present the first graphics of cult gaming figure Rockford of Boulder Dash fame. In Boulder Dash - Rocks! , the latest sequel to the 80s cult classic, our familiar well-loved hero appears with a whole new look. Both the logo and characters, as well as the in-game graphics, are designed to appeal to long-standing fans as well as target groups new to Boulder Dash, thus introducing a whole new Boulder Dash look.

The DS and PSP versions each offer at least one play mode custom-designed for, and unique to each platform. Boulder Dash-Rocks! is due for release on both platforms in the fourth quarter of 2007.

This challenging, arcade-puzzle game made its debut in the early 80s and continues to fascinate its enormous fan base decades later. Today the game is acknowledged as one of the classic cult games in computer gaming history. Now Boulder Dash will appear with a hot new look sure to take the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP platforms by storm. The hit game's main objective and game physics remains unchanged: the player has to collect a certain number of diamonds while avoiding falling objects, traps and besting enemies in order to open and discover the exit, before time runs out. Of course there are a number of helpful tools made available to players such as bombs or laser guns which can be loaded with different types of ammunition. These lasers provide the player with different temporary powers, such as the ability to freeze enemies, destroy boulders and even pull diamonds and other distant objects towards the player.

In addition to the classic single-player mode, presented in several different worlds, Boulder Dash- Rocks! offers a multi-player mode as well as three additional game modes for a total of five play modes for each version. There are two new game modes, never before available in the Boulder Dash series, one of which has been custom designed for each of the two different platforms.

For further informations:
www.10tacle.com

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Kaloki X was one of the first games on Live Arcade that made me actually dig out my wallet, and a fleshed out version of it has me feeling rather tingly all over. Sure to be the best game featuring a mustachioed pig wearing a tie ever created. Michael Fahey

The Peugeot Design Contest recently wrapped up and the judges selected that beauty above for inclusion in Project Gotham Racing 4.

Here's a word from the designer of the Flux:

The name Flux was inspired by the continuous change and flow of our daily lives during work and play. The shape also represents this flow with transitions through hard and smooth lines, between straight and curved all of which are characteristics of Peugeot. A relatively small car (3500cm long by 1650cm wide), it runs on a slim hydrogen power plant hidden in the back along with the tank mounted under the front bonnet. The hood and side body panels are made from plastic, polyurethane for the seats and aluminium for the mechanical parts. The main components such as the chassis and head protection are metal.

Made up of simple body work (basic intersected volumes) the car is easily produced and accessible to everyone but most of all, it's fun to drive.

Digital Displacement points out that it probably didn't hurt that the concept car comes with an Xbox 360 built into the dash. Brian Crecente

Winner of the Pug in PGR4 Contest [Digital Displacement]

Worst part of cell phone gaming? The controls. Face it, punching out an email is hard enough, let alone shooting up a hoarde of baddies. That tiny d-pad just doesn't cut it. A Russian company Industrial Design hopes to make cell phone game better, way better. Called the "CompactAnalog Thumbstick," it's a retractable joystick that pops up when pushed. Otherwise, it phone retains its traditional d-pad. Sadly, this is not a real product as of yet, but just a concept. A good one at that. Brian Ashcraft

Pop-Up Joystick [Boy Genius Report]