Santa Clara, Calif – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced Eternal Sonata™ for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. An award-winning role-playing game inspired by the life of legendary composer Frederic Chopin, Eternal Sonata is set to arrive on the PLAYSTATION 3 system this fall with new quests, new playable characters, new music and more.

A unique role-playing experience, Eternal Sonata lets gamers travel with 19th century composer Frederic Chopin as he explores a magical dream world during his final hours among the living. Utilizing a breathtaking cel-shaded graphics engine that gives form to the ethereal beauty of Chopin’s music, the game transports players to a vivid world inhabited by brave heroes, fearsome monsters and stunning environments. The game’s fast-paced battle system features an innovative“light and dark” mechanic which allows players to execute different special attacks depending on whether they stand in light or shadow, and transforms enemies into new and fearsome forms. Combining turn-based and real-time elements, this system allows for creative strategy and engaging action in each encounter, breaking new ground in the role-playing genre.

Critically acclaimed upon its original 2007 release, Eternal Sonata was selected as“Best Role-Playing Game” by GameTrailers.com and received“Best Artistic Design honors from IGN.com at E3 2007. The game was also chosen as a runner-up in the role-playing game category at the Spike TV 2007 Video Game Awards.

Eternal Sonata will launch for the PLAYSTATION 3 this fall and is currently available in stores for the Xbox 360. For more information, please visit eternalsonata.namcobandaigames.com.

New Details on Eternal Sonata's PS3 Port [Eternal Sonata]

I can’t speak for any other territories, but I believe Eternal Sonata is only announced for the PS3 in Japan right now... We have no plans to release the game on the PS3 in the US at this moment.

So no plans "at this moment." But tomorrow? The day after that? Next month? Who knows?!

Namco Bandai Eternal Sonata PS3 Japan Only [videogaming247 Thanks, nekotails!]

There is a chance; we love all the games we work on. We don't want to be pigeon-holed [into a genre], we want to be known for strong content...There's a strong chance we'll return to it, but there's no announcements yet.

Dyack: Strong Chance Of Eternal Darkness Return News [TVG]

The mystery "third-person action/psychological thriller" may very well be published by Sega, however, as SK prez Denis Dyack has said the relationship with the label is a "long term opportunity." We trust that Denis knows exactly what a long term opportunity is and look forward to learning more about Eternal Darkness II. Oops, I mean, whatever "Project Number 3" is going to be.

Eternal Darkness 2? [TooHuman.net]

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Dec. 3, 2007

Sometimes the Wii-kly Updates have a nice, unifying them. Sometimes they don't. This week we scoured the recesses of the classic games vault to come up with some interesting, if unrelated, gems. You can fight mechanized forces, battle with a bunch of fighters in the afterlife or play the role of a heroic regal bug. Like we said: Sometimes they don't.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii� Shop Channel every Monday. Wii� owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points� to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

ZANAC (NES�, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): ZANAC is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up game that was released in November 1986. Take control of the state-of-the-art fighter, ZANAC, with the objective of destroying the bases of the mechanized enemy forces. Use your full array of regular weapons as well as eight special weapons to clear the 12 intense areas of the game. Be careful, though, as the game changes the degree of difficulty in real time based on how well you play. This ensures that it feels like you're experiencing a new game every time you play.

Eternal Champions� (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): This 2-D fighting game introduces a cast of different characters that met untimely deaths in their lives on Earth. Now they have been given a chance to compete against each other, with the winner taking on the Eternal Champion, the ultimate fighter in the universe. The reward for defeating the Eternal Champion is a return to Earth for the opportunity to avenge death and restore balance to the universe. Choose from nine unique characters with a variety of fighting styles, and bring your best moves to defeat all comers in your quest to topple the Eternal Champion.

The Dynastic Hero (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG featuring a cast of insect characters. The story begins with the invasion of their peaceful homeland of Tarron by the evil Drilkor Empire. Rushing to the insects' aid is Dyna, the prince of Beetras. Take control of Dyna as he battles through action-filled stages. Equip weapons and items to vanquish the relentless foes, and acquire special items that enable you to brave the journey across the perilous desert or open sea. But it's not just all action. Correctly answer multiple-choice quizzes, and play the ocarina to find the right melody to open doors. Plus, there are countless traps and other puzzles packed into this fun game to keep you entertained and ensure you continue coming back for more.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Matt Mihaly, CEO of both Sparkplay and Iron Realms, said, "We're creating a separate company because the aims of Sparkplay are a bit different from Iron Realms. With IRE we've tried to create the most expansive, deep text-based MMORPG experiences around ... Sparkplay, on the other hand, is creating games (3d and otherwise) for an audience that is looking for experiences that don't necessarily require the same level of commitment to get into."

Iron Realms Spins Off Sparkplay Media

Mill Valley, CA, November 5, 2007 - Iron Realms Entertainment has spun off the division working on its 3d MMO Earth Eternal into a separate company and brand - Sparkplay Media.

Matt Mihaly, CEO of both Sparkplay and Iron Realms, said, "We're creating a separate company because the aims of Sparkplay are a bit different from Iron Realms. With IRE we've tried to create the most expansive, deep text-based MMORPG experiences around, and IRE will continue to do that with new text MMOs and with the near-daily game updates that our fans have become accustomed to."

"Sparkplay, on the other hand, is creating games (3d and otherwise) for an audience that is looking for experiences that don't necessarily require the same level of commitment to get into."

Sparkplay plans a 2008 release of its first game - Earth Eternal - and a 2009 release of two following games.

"It is no secret that Pirates and Ninjas have beef," stated Chris Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard. "But it turns out both have a great love for dodgeball and unique skills when it comes to playing the game. We are bringing together sworn enemies for what I can guarantee will be explosive dodgeball action."

Blazing Lizard's Pirates vs. NinjasTM Dodgeball To Hit Xbox 360 LIVE Arcade

Eternally Warring Camps To Meet On Neutral Ground For The First Time - The Dodgeball Court

Cockpit, Austin, TX - November 1, 2007 - Gamecock Media Group announced today that Blazing Lizard's Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball will debut on Xbox LIVE™ Arcade on Xbox 360™ in early 2008. The title looks to answer the age-old question of which much-revered profession is better, by settling the score...with (dodge)balls.

"It is no secret that Pirates and Ninjas have beef," stated Chris Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard. "But it turns out both have a great love for dodgeball and unique skills when it comes to playing the game. We are bringing together sworn enemies for what I can guarantee will be explosive dodgeball action."

Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball will have sea-faring thieves squaring off against stealthy martial artists in beautiful environments. The game will allow for up to eight players and offer five teams, including pirates and ninjas and three more that will announced soon. Each team has their own unique style and techniques and is hell-bent on destroying the opposition.

Look for Pirates vs. Ninjas™ Dodgeball to hit an Xbox near you in early 2008.

Spyro the Dragon to Scorch Wendy's Restaurants This Fall

Popular Sierra Entertainment Franchise Featured in Nationwide Kid's Meal Promotion

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced a nationwide promotion with Wendy's, coinciding with the launch of The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night.

Beginning October 8, 2007, the four-week promotion features one of five Spyro premium items and a coupon with each purchase of a Wendy's Kids' Meal at participating Wendy's restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.

"Not only are we offering a variety of nutritious Kids' Meal options — from low-fat milk and yogurt to mandarin oranges and turkey sandwiches — we're focusing on promotional extensions that bring families together in entertaining, engaging ways," said Ana Hernandez, Wendy's diversity marketing director.

Featured premium item characters from the new video game include the Sparx Flyer, Flapping Spyro, a Spyro Keychain, Spyro Checkers and Ruby Reveal. The panel of each Kids' Meal bag also will feature a $5 off coupon from GameStop for any platform of The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night.

"The Spyro the Dragon franchise has reached families all over the world," said Al Simone, senior vice president of Global Marketing, Sierra Entertainment. "After millions and millions of video games sold, it's great to be able to extend the brand by offering fun toys and games to Wendy's customers."

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is the latest installment in the 20 million-unit-selling Spyro franchise and a continuation of the new The Legend of Spyro trilogy of video games. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is currently available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance, Nintendo DS(TM) and available in early November for mobile phones. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night will carry an MSRP of $39.99 for the PlayStation(R)2 system, $49.99 Wii(R), $29.99 Game Boy Advance and $29.99 for Nintendo DS.

The Left Behind folks, still reeling from their disastrous launch last year, are gearing up for the release of their expansion pack next month... As an offensive strategy, they are trying to intimidate the Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders in the blogosphere who led the charge against this awful game...Christians should not sit silently while corporate money-grubbers make a buck out of perverting the Christian faith. Nor should we sit silently when a game is marketed to children promoting religious violence while American soldiers are dying overseas in the middle of a religious and ethnic civil war.

RE: False information posted on your site about the video game LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces

To whom this may concern:

I represent Left Behind Games Inc., the developer and publisher of the LEFT BEHIND series of video games. Your organization hosts a website that has information posted about this game. Unfortunately, there are many statements on your website which appear to be false and misleading. This type of misinformation may cause significant and irreparable harm to Left Behind Video Games Inc. and must be removed.

Left Behind Games Inc. generally supports free speech in the media and understands how important it is to have various opinions presented for public consumption. It will not, however, tolerate the publication of information regarding its products that is false or misleading.

Left Behind Games Inc. is demanding that you immediately remove any and all information contained on your site about the above stated game that is false and/or misleading, including any such statements or commentary and the responses thereto. This includes posted comments made by others in the context of reading the incorrect or misleading statements.

If you do not comply immediately, the company will be forced to pursue additional legal action which will include claims for damages, costs of suit and attorney's fees. This may subject you and your organization to significant legal and financial damages.

Left Behind Games Gets Apocalyptic with Bloggers [gamepolitics]

The Neverending Story

You've probably heard the plot synopsis before. Frédéric Chopin lies on his death bed after a long struggle with pulminary tuberculosis, and in his last moments he visits a fantastical world where everyone has a music-themed named and the terminally ill can cast magic. He meets a girl named Polka who is dying and wants to do something good for the world before she goes and gets caught up in an epic struggle against Count Waltz of Forte, who is using medicine to turn his citizens into mindless, magic-using monsters. Along the way you meet a host of colorful characters including Allegretto and Beat, a pair of orphans trying to help the poor in the port city of Ritardando, Jazz, Falsetto and Claves, members of the Andantino resistance, and twins Salsa and March, who are seeking to protect the Agogo forest from the dangers of Forte's strip mining.

The game packs plenty of social commentary in a tiny package. From class struggles to drug use, ecological concerns to unfair taxation, Eternal Sonata has it all. It's a bit much, really, to the point where I was rolling my eyes every time a new issue came to light. Messages in video games are great in moderation, but this is just a bit much.

You Talk Too Much

Speaking of a bit much, the exposition in the game is downright yawn-inducing. Whenever a character starts talking to themselves you know you are in for a good five minutes worth of dialog that usually says the same thing, over and over again. At one point Chopin questions the nature of reality and dreams, and I literally fell asleep in the middle of it. Boring, weighty dialog that just bogs down the game tremendously. There's a death scene that I swore went on for ten minutes, and the character was completely alone at the time. I never wanted a person to die as much as the character in question. You'll see.

Shot Through The Heart

While we're on boring and repetitive, let's talk about combat. Now combat in Eternal Sonata is a mix of real-time and turn based that is actually quite pleasing at first. Your character's turn comes up, and then once you initiate an action you have a certain amount of time available to act, after which the turn passes on. Characters can use normal attacks to build up combos which are then used to augment the power of special attacks. Later on you can chain special attacks once you have a certain amount of combo points, making for some interesting and downright awesome amounts of damage racking up. Quick, easy, and a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, every area you wander into only houses two or three types of enemies with established attacking patterns, so after you've f aught a similar group three or four times you end up doing the exact same thing, over and over again. After the 10th similar group it starts getting really old, and almost frustratingly easy if there is such a thing.

Aside from the nifty combat style, Eternal Sonata is pretty much your standard RPG. Your characters level, learn new powers, gain enhanced stats, etc. Your equipment is good until you find the next upgrade, and as long as you keep up with equipment and take care of every monster you run into the whole game is pretty easy. Of course I am only about 23 hours in right now, and I've still got a major boss fight or two left, but so far it's been smooth sailing.

You're Beautiful, It's True

Where the game really shines is presentation. It's no secret that I've been in love with the game since I saw the first screenshots, and the real thing holds up just as well. Environments are vibrant, colorful, and full of just as much character as the characters themselves. You can take a screenshot during any of the cutscenes and have yourself an image suitable for framing. My only real complaint with the graphics is that the characters all look the same, albeit with different hair styles and colors, but that's pretty much the same with any anime-inspired look.

Rock Me Ama...Nevermind

A game about Chopin better have good music, and Eternal Sonata delivers, to an extent. The Chopin portions are simply amazing. Each chapter of the game is named for one of the composers more famous works, and at certain points in each chapter the piece will play in full, along with a brief history behind the music complete with still photographs and illustrations from places Chopin lived. From the five or so pieces I've collected I've learned more about the man's life than any music appreciation class I've ever taken. In case you are really, really pathetic, Namco Bandai will sell you a code to unlock all of the music for a small fee via Xbox Live. Seriously, if you do this you suck.

The rest of the game music, however, suffers in comparison. At best it is generic, though a few pieces do stand out. I don't care how talented a game composer you are - you go up against Chopin, you lose.

As with any Japanese game translated into US English, voices are pretty hit or miss. Some are done very well (the man himself), while others are at first cute but quickly become grating (March.) Japanese with subtitles is the way to go, as any anime fan worth their salt will tell you.

This Is The End

Eternal Sonata is a truly beautiful game graphically and musically, and the concept certainly deserves points for originality, but the rest of the game didn't follow suit. It's certainly worth purchasing, but don't go into it looking for and innovating RPG or you'll be disappointed.

Hopefully, this news doesn't come as too much of a shock for Namco Bandai themselves who were "not aware" of the PS3 version of the game just a few months ago and that portable defibrillators are on hand at the publisher's HQ.

Eternal Sonata also on PlayStation 3 [Jeux-France]

Clerical error or something far more sinister?! It's hard to think "sinister" when one is discussing an RPG occuring in the mind of a dying Polish composer or rolling things up with a katamari, so we'll remain simply skeptical of the listings. Maybe we will know more after our trip to Tokyo next week.

Thanks to our tipsters for the heads up.

NEW ETERNAL SONATA COMMUNITY SITE STEPS UP TO THE PODIUM

Eternal Sonata fans rejoice as NAMCO BANDAI Games has dimmed the house lights and drawn back the curtains on Endless Nocturne, a new interactive community site for their upcoming RPG title, Eternal Sonata for the Xbox 360. Aspiring maestros around the world are invited to create their magnum opus for fellow composers, and receive musical "Notes" for their submissions of fan art, contributions to the community forums, and participation in polls, quizzes, surveys, and other Eternal Sonata-inspired assignments and creative opportunities. Accomplished artistes can then exchange their Notes in the Endless Nocturne shop for Eternal Sonata posters, custom signed artwork, soundtracks, copies of the game, or even the ultimate musical prize — an iPod or Zune MP3 player. Artisans and aficionados alike can join the Eternal Sonata community now at www.endlessnocturne.com.

Eternal Sonata is the RPG to own this Fall as its intuitive and strategic combat system, featuring a blend of real-time and turn-based battle, keeps the action flowing and takes into account elements such as light and darkness. Boasting an intriguing story told through real-time cut-scenes, an unforgettable cast of characters, and incredibly detailed environments to explore, Eternal Sonata is set to deliver one of the most engrossing RPG experiences of the year for the Xbox 360.

For more information on Eternal Sonata, please visit http://eternalsonata.namcobandaigames.com

Following a post on The Nation by Max Blumenthal in which he slammed the game's inclusion, which was due to be mailed overseas with socks, snacks and other evangelical instruments, it appears that OSU may have decided to nix the poorly received game. For those not in the know when it comes to Left Behind: Eternal Forces, it puts the player in a post-Rapture scenario, in which you command an army of holy soldiers against those left behind (get it?). Either convert your enemies, putting the love of Jesus in their hearts, or blast the bejeezus out of them by shooting them in the heart.

The game has received its share of detractors, seeing public outcry from liberal groups, Islamic groups, Christian groups and, naturally, The Daily Show.

Kill Or Convert, Brought To You By the Pentagon [The Nation]

People who play games and people who love classical music are not necessarily sharing [the] same type of interests. Most people in Japan know the name of Chopin; however, most of the people who know of Chopin think he is just some kind of a great music composer without knowing any more about him. Most of them have heard Chopin's music but not a lot could put his name to it immediately. By creating a colorful fantasy world in Chopin's dream, I was hoping that people would get into this game easily and also come to know how great Chopin's music is.

Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman will be returning to reprise the roles of the titular dragon and his mentor Ignitus, a move which I am sure ate half of the game development budget right there.

My last E3 before next week's event was way back when Spyro the Dragon was first launched. I still remember the giant purple construct hovering above the Sony booth, adorably majestic, heralding what would be one of my favorite platform games of all time. Over the years the magic has faded considerably, yet I keep hoping that one day I'll recapture it in the for of a new Spyro title that knocks me off my feet. This probably isn't it. *sniffles

SPYRO THE DRAGON® TO CONTINUE HIS EPIC NEW TRILOGY THIS FALL IN THE LEGEND OF SPYRO: THE ETERNAL NIGHT

Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman Return to Provide Voice-Over Performances

READING (6th July, 2007) - Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced The Legend of Spyro™: The Eternal Night, the latest installment in the 17 million-unit-selling Spyro™ franchise and a continuation of the new The Legend of Spyro trilogy of games. The game is expected to release this autumn for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo DS™ and mobile phones.

The legend continues in the second installment of The Legend of Spyro trilogy with the Ape King arriving at the Temple of Souls in an effort to usher in a new age of darkness. As Spyro, players must unlock the secrets behind a series of strange visions that he is having and find the power to defeat this terrifying new force.

"We're really excited to continue the re-emergence of one of video gaming's most popular characters through this ongoing trilogy," said Al Simone, senior vice president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment . "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night takes the action and excitement of The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning to the next level with new breath attacks, fury modes, and the introduction of the new 'Dragon Time' ability to deliver an exciting experience that Spyro fans and gamers of all ages will love."

Returning to provide voices for The Legend of Spyro™: The Eternal Night are leading Hollywood actors Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy) as Spyro and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black from the Harry Potter films) as Ignitus, the Fire Dragon Elder and Spyro's mentor.

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night continues the strong action-infused gameplay focus established in The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning and takes it even further with exciting new powers, including:

• Four new, upgradeable Breath Attacks (one for each element type), such as Ice Bomb, Electric Orb, Earth Vine, Enhanced Fire
• Four new elemental melee moves, including Comet Dash, Artic Blast, Earth Pound, Electric Spin
• Four new Fury attacks - Earth, Electricity, Ice, Fire
• Monstrous new and explosive boss battles against the likes of Skabb the Pirate, Gaul the Ape King and more

Introducing "Dragon Time"
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night will also expand Spyro's combat arsenal by adding "Dragon Time," a new advanced move that allows Spyro to bend time to his will. Players will be able to engage Dragon Time to dodge attacks, out-maneuver enemies or solve tricky time-based environmental puzzles.

Developed by critically-acclaimed developers Krome Studios (PlayStation 2 and Wii) and Amaze Entertainment (Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance), The Legend of Spyro™: The Eternal Night is scheduled to be released in autumn 2007. Vivendi Games Mobile is also making The Legend of Spyro™: The Eternal Night available for mobile phones throughout Europe and North America. For more information, please visit the game's official website at www.spyrothedragon.com.

Eternal Sonata (or Trusty Bell as it is still called in the corner of this clip) continues to wow us with it's stunning graphics and this short bit of the prologue doesn't disappoint. The first half is really nothing more than two characters speaking to each other and sure I can't understand a word of Japanese, but boy howdy is it gorgeous.

The second half, which is included after the jump, shows a portion of the story we haven't seen to much of yet. That is the storyline which ties the whole game together; the composer Chopin on his deathbed, whose fevered dreams define the game's main story. Instead of being in an open field, we are taken into in interior scene that is highly detailed and every bit as beautiful as it's simpler counterpart.

This is really shaping up to be a must have 360 title for me. So far, the few RPG offerings we've seen for the system have been pretty dull. Perhaps Eternal Sonata can break the mold and give us a truly in-depth RPG experience. Flynn De Marco

Given that PlayStation fans have already had their fill of three Katamari titles, combined with Microsoft's desire to expand its library with non-shooters and the paltry PS3 install base, an exclusivity deal, timed or no, makes good sense. Namco Bandai and Microsoft seem like great corporate pals. I bet MS would've even let them publish Frame City Killer without a peep!

I guess we'll know if and when the PLAYSTATION 3 is getting a new-gen Katamari at E3. Exciting times, aren't they? Michael McWhertor

On A Roll, Or, How Microsoft Secured Yet Another Exclusive—Beautiful Katamari—From Namco Bandai [N'Gai Croal's Level Up]

Chopin-starring RPG Eternal Sonata (AKA Trusty Bell) is released today in Japan, and already there is sequel talk. At a launch party held in Roppongi, a Bandai Namco VP Shin Unozawa floated the word "sequel," saying the company would like to assist in creating one. Nothing official was announced, of course. (Well, a VP saying that is kinda official!)

Best of all, the Roppongi event had popular pro fighter and self-proclaimed Xbox 360 fan Kazushi Sakuraba on hand. Sakuraba often shows up for matches in funny costumes like schoolboy outfits and whatnot. For the launch party, he wore a custom made Trusty Bell lucha libre mask. So cool. Brian Ashcraft

Trusty Bell Event [Famitsu]

Another beautiful trailer for Eternal Sonata (formerly Trusty Bell) from Japan. These trailers continue to impress with their pretty graphic style and classical music score. If you didn't go through all the ridiculous steps to play the English language version of the Japanese demo, you'll have to be satisfied with these Japanese language trailers. If you're really nice to Ash, maybe he'll translate them for you.

Seriously, he loves it when you message him with stuff like that. Flynn De Marco

I went back and checked with the battle trainer guy, who explained that you have different powers depending on whether you are in a light or dark part of the battlefield., which explains why I was taking pictures I suppose. Oh, and there are also birds in the demo, assuaging my onion fears. Michael Fahey

Thanks for the tip, Cody!

No, not really. Really, he just quit and the CEO for the Christian game dev company wants more people to join him.

Left Behind Games officially accepted the resignation of senior vice president Jeffrey S. Frichner, but CEO Troy Lyndon still wants the souls jobs of the company's three remaining board members.

The shake-up comes just months after Left Behind Games reported a $4.1 million loss for its third quarter. While LBG hasn't said why they are seeking a new board, it's pretty clear things aren't going too well over there. Brian Crecente

Left Behind Games Begins Executive Purge [Gamasutra]

Although the game has been honored with the Xbox 360 bundle treatment in its native Japan, the game was never branded with an "Only On Xbox 360" descriptor. While the game is almost definitely coming to the PLAYSTATION 3, don't be surprised if that particular version sees a bit of a delayed release so Namco gets their co-marketing dollars.

While we await the impending official confirmation, let's just enjoy this new world of non-exclusives, where Xbox 360 owners and PS3 owners can live in harmony and discuss the finer points of cel-shaded adventuring in the dreamworld of Polish composer Fr d ric Chopin. Michael McWhertor

ESRB Software Ratings

Dust off that box covered with Animal Crossing stickers, it's time to remember at the top ten games you loved (in my case) a year ago. But for all of you out there in Kotaku-land who already sold your box to buy something newer and shinier, this should make you reconsider picking one up at the next garage sale you crash.

I've already been inspired to find that infectious Mario Sunshine soundtrack. Kim Phu

Screw Attack's Gamecube Farewell [Gametrailers]

Frog-people, gecko-people, and boar-people now join the stable (hehe) of playable races in the game, bringing the grand total up to sixteen. Seems those three choices were so good the developers couldn't pick just one, as the contest originally specified.

It almost seems like they were looking specifically for animals not generally associated with Furry art, which is why I had to resort to the Geico spokes model above instead of an explicit piece of anthropomorphic lizard adult artwork as I originally intended. Michael Fahey

Pick-A-Beast Contest Winners [Earth Eternal Forums]

Just like Blue Dragon before it, Microsoft Japan is enticing Japanese customers to take that leap of faith with a console/RPG game bundle. This time, it's Trusty Bell. The game features a core Xbox 360, wired controller, copy of Trusty Bell (retitled Eternal Sonata for the West) and a special DVD soundtrack. Bundle drops June 14, pricing is open, and the side of the box has Trusty Bell art on it — If you are into that. Brian Ashcraft

Trusty Bundle [Game Watch]

The winner will work with the game's lead designer on fleshing out the race and receive a month of exclusive access to their creation during beta for them and up to 10 friends.

You have until April 9th to enter. If one of our readers ends up winning the contest, I will personally mail them a cheese sandwich. Extra slice if the winning entry contains the adjective 'sexy'. Michael Fahey

Pick A Beast Contest [Earth Eternal]

They go on to offer the following:

Having said this, we realize that our choice of anthropomorphic characters (ie humanoid animals) is likely to attract a fair number of furries. We're ok with that, and if there are enough furries, we'll consider creating a dedicated furry server. We will not, however, be ok with public sex, and won't be providing any sexual animations or content, furry or otherwise.

Cause you know all furries are hella into some hot public sex action. I guess Earth Eternal isn't the high-tech furry haven we all hoped for. Guess it's back to waiting for Furcadia to go next-gen. Michael Fahey

Earth Eternal Website

Eternal Sonata, the upcoming Xbox 360 RPG that takes place in a dying Chopin's dream looks quite beautiful. If you saw the gallery of screens we had up a few days ago then you already know how incredibly gorgeous it is.

The first of these two clips is a teaser trailer of the storyline showing some cut scenes and a bit of narration. It's a little slow going but the eye candy gives you more than enough to look at while the rather boring narrator tells bits of the story. (They should have gotten Linda Hunt!) The second clip, which can be found the jump, is a bit more exciting with some battle gameplay and spell casting. The music is, of course, Chopin and the orchestration is exceedingly well done.

So, sit back, relax, grab a cup of one of those International Coffees and enjoy the magic and wonder of Eternal Sonata. Flynn De Marco

Software that features "violent racism" or "religious violence" was targeted by both (along with other distasteful displays of rape, incest, bestiality, etc.). Each proposal, dated about a week apart, would require specially designated areas for games that feature content they consider unsuitable for minors as well as proof of age checks.

Both proposals, virtually identical in their text, require that anyone who appears to be under 30 years of age show ID to purchase a mature title. I hope this bill passes, just so I can be carded by the nice man at EB when I try to buy Bonestorm DS next time I'm in New York. Michael McWhertor

N.Y. Bill Limits Racial & Religious Violence in Games and Proposed New York Law Would Block Sale of Violent Games to Minors [Game Politics]