Yes, as Totilo theorized, the Battle of Forli and Bonfire of the Vanities DLC, dropping in January and February respectively, comprise the two missing segments in Ezio's DNA, annoying gaps played off in the main game as corrupted information. The newly re-titled Sequence 12: Battle of Forli will run players $3.99, with 13: Bonfire of the Vanities a dollar more at $4.99.

What will $9 get you, aside from $.02 change? The Battle of Foril contains six new memories revolving around Ezio aiding Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza with the defense of Forli from the Orsi Brothers, while preventing a Piece of Eden from falling into Templar hands. It also includes another ride in Leonardo's flying machine, which is either delightful or annoying - I just can't tell.

Bonfire of the Vanities unlocks a new area in Florence, which you'll navigate using a new move - the spring-jump. Florence is caught in the grip of the mad monk Saconarola, and Ezio must help Machiavelli liberate the city throughout the course of more than ten new memories.

It sounds like a large amount of content for the asking price, though I wish Ubisoft hadn't presented them as missing DNA segments. It makes it feel as if you are paying to complete the game, and that's no way for a man to feel.

The new system goes on sale on November 3rd, just in time for holiday shopping. The unit is the same size and shape as the 120GB PlayStation 3 Slim, only with slightly over double the hard drive capacity. The system seems to be priced a bit lower than its UK counterparts at $349.99.

Every day my $600 60GB PS3 launch purchase looks more and more ridiculous.

NEW 250GB PlayStation 3 System Available November 3 [PlayStation Blog]

Nintendo's top-selling Wii is getting a price drop of $50 to $200 starting this Sunday, something Nintendo hopes will drive gaming fence sitters to the mass-appeal console.

"Our research shows that 50 million people in the U.S. are considering getting involved with video games, but need a good reason," Kaigler told Kotaku in an email interview. "We feel that this price reduction, occurring during the time frame in which Wii Fit Plus is launched, will give many of them that reason. Generating increased consumer demand just before the holiday season is beneficial not only to Nintendo but our many publishing and retailer business partners."

The announcement of the new price landed during the middle of Sony's keynote at this year's Tokyo Game show. Kaigler said that that the timing of the coordinated Japan and U.S. announcement was the result of many factors, but in the end it was a date and time that "worked well for both of our regions."

Kaigler added that the price drop wasn't spurred by slow sales of Nintendo's console earlier this year, something she feels was more about game releases than console pricing.

"As we've stated before, this year's most anticipated releases for Wii come during the second half of the year. Last year, they arrived in the first half. That's the main reason for somewhat slower hardware sales this year," she said. "Of course, a lower price brings the system into consideration for many more people. But I'd like to ask your readers to not lose sight of what's involved in the comparison. Last year Wii set the record for the highest number of hardware sales for any system in U.S. history. Wii has consistently sold at least 250,000 units since it launched 34 months ago, setting another record for any home console."

The new price, Kaigler says, could also help attract a broader demographic to their console.

"I think the new price, combined with the inherent value of the Wii package, will make the system more attractive to consumers of all kinds, including passionate gamers and people who are still trying to decide whether they should get into video games," she said. "Our research shows that there are several different kinds of prospective buyers. The greatest number includes those who consider themselves possible video game players-they say they're just waiting for the right incentive. We've got a three-part program this holiday season to reach these people: a lower suggested price; hit new software, including both Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii; and an aggressive sampling tour that we expect will reach approximately 1 million people. This will provide a lot of incentive. "

While the $200 price tag makes the Wii the same price as Microsoft's entry-level Xbox 360 Arcade, Kaigler says that the experience out of the box for the Wii makes it a better value.

"The key component is value. Right out of the box, Wii owners receive unique motion control with the Wii Remote, and the groundbreaking Wii Sports," she said. "This experience isn't available anywhere else at any price-but now it's available from Nintendo at a more affordable price."

While Nintendo says the price drop was timed to the upcoming release of Wii Fit Plus, Nintendo currently has no plans to bundle that or any other additional game with the console.

"When we have something to announce, we will be sure to let your readers know," she said. She also said that the company currently has no news on the possibility of adding a service that would allow Wii owners to buy or rent videos through the Wii, something both the PS3 and Xbox 360 support.

And what about that rumored Wii 2?

"Our development teams are always working on new possibilities for future hardware and software, but we have nothing to announce at this time," she said.

Kaigler said that there is still plenty of room for the Wii to grow. Especially, she notes, in the realm of the console's WiiWare download only titles which haven't yet reached their full potential.

"This is a service that provides the highest possible range of creativity for the lowest developer investment. And creativity knows no boundaries," she said. "In the grand scheme of things, WiiWare is still a relatively new service. I think the reception so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Games like World of Goo have no doubt inspired other indie developers to say "I want to try that." We've seen a great deal of diversity in the types of games and developers on WiiWare but there is much more to come."

While we knew it was coming out on April 30th, up until now we had no price tag for the two maps included in the first round of Killzone 2 downloadable content. Now Sony affixes a $5.99 price tag to Wasteland Bullet and Vekta Cruiser, so we're basically paying $3.00 or so per map. Is it worth the price? Check out the trailer below to see if that sort of action is worth $6 to you.

Now we just have to wait a couple more weeks to see if the Castle Crashers price tag was wrong yet actually right as well.

Summer of Arcade: Braid - XBLA - Wednesday [Gamerscore Blog]

One title, Gangs of London, saw its price rise by 11 dollars to $29.99. Kingdom of Paradise and Ape Escape: On the Loose saw six-dollar jumps, while Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, WipeOut Pure and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo saw their prices go up by $5.

Twisted Metal: Head-On PSP and LocoRoco saw only a dollar increase. Many other titles, including FlOw and Echochrome remained the same, while The Con actually saw a $10 reduction.

Gamasutra's full list of changes follows the jump:

Prices up:
Gangs of London $11.99 up to $22.99 (+$11)
Kingdom of Paradise $10.99 to $16.99 (+$6)
Ape Escape: On the Loose $9.99 to $15.99 (+$6)
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee $10.99 to $15.99 (+$5)
WipeOut Pure $10.99 up to $15.99 (+$5)
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo $10.99 to $15.99 (+$5)
Twisted Metal: Head-On PSP $14.99 to $15.99 (+$1)
LocoRoco $21.99 to $22.99 (+$1)

Prices same:
Syphon Filter: Combat Ops stayed same at $9.99
Beats stayed same at $4.99
Ape Quest Bundle stayed same at $19.99
Go! Puzzle stayed same at $5.99
The Cryptics (digital comic) stayed same at $2.99
flOw stayed same at $7.99
echochrome stayed same at $9.99
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 stayed same at $15.99

Prices dropped:
The Con $19.99 dropped to $9.99 (-$10 )

Sony Raises PSP Downloadable Prices On PlayStation Store [Gamasutra]

HOTHEAD GAMES SETS PRICE, TECHNICAL SPECS FOR UPCOMING PENNY ARCADE GAME

Windows, Mac and Linux versions to sell worldwide for $19.95

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - March 27, 2008 - Hothead Games today announced official pricing for the upcoming first installment in the downloadable, episodic game series Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Although the title is long, the price is just a short and sweet $19.95 for the Windows®, Mac® and Linux® versions of the game, currently scheduled to launch simultaneously this spring on these platforms and via Xbox LIVE® Arcade.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is expected to offer gamers five to ten hours of gameplay and work on current generation computer hardware, making it compatible with players' schedules and pocketbooks.

Reqiured Specs:

Windows and Linux

* Windows® 2000/XP/VistaTM with latest updates or Linux® 32-bit x86
* Pentium® III, AMD AthlonTM 1.0 GHz or better

Mac

* Mac® OS X 10.4/10.5 with latest updates
* PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel® based Mac 1.0 GHz or better

All Platforms

* ATI RadeonTM 9500 or better, NVIDIA GeForceTM FX 5200 or better, Intel® GMA 950 or better with 64 MB of video memory (shared or dedicated)*
* 512 MB of available system memory
* OS-supported keyboard and mouse
* OS-supported sound card
* 350 MB of available hard drive space (185 MB installed)
* Available Internet connection for download and one-time authentication

Recommended Specs:

Windows and Linux

* Pentium® IV, AMD AthlonTM 1.5 GHz or better

Mac

* PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel® based Mac 1.5 GHz or better

All Platforms

* ATI RadeonTM X800 or better, NVIDIA GeForceTM 6600 or better video card with 128 MB of video memory*
* 768 MB of available system memory
* 16-bit stereo- or surround-capable sound card with latest drivers

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One has been rated "M" for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

Asked in its investor call if the company was seeing an end to the post-holiday shortages that affected the Xbox 360, DS, and Wii in January, company COO Dan DeMatteo said that specifically with the Wii, the company anticipated that the console's supply "won't meet demand for the next 2 quarters," at least.

The company also assumes a $30 price drop for the PS2, but said they don't see one coming for the Wii or PSP.

The call wrapped up with talk of how the-economic-down-turn-which-must-not-be-named won't effect the game industry and could in fact lead to sales growth as more people travel less and stay home more.

GameStop: Wii Shortages To Continue, Price Drops Expected For PS3, 360 [Gamasutra]

Wii Fit Priced for UK [IGN]

Looks like we just hit step six.

Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe just confirmed what we seemingly all already knew: The Playstation 3 is getting a price drop. Only they don't call it a price drop, they call it a new model. Why does this sound familiar?

The "new" 40GBHDD PS3 will hit SCEE territories on Oct. 10 for €399 and comes with a SIXAXIS wireless controller, WiFi, HDMI two USB ports, rather than four, and no multi memory card port. The new model will also not be backwards compatible with the PS2.

SCEE also announced that the 60GB PS3 will not sell for €499 until they run out of supplies. Which makes me think they're getting rid of the 60GB model in Europe. I'll be checking on both that and if this will in anyway be mirrored in the U.S. or other territories. Stay tuned.

New PLAYSTATION®3 Model to Take Holiday Season by Storm [SCEE, thanks for all of the tips]

New PLAYSTATION®3 Model to Take Holiday Season by Storm

Aggressively priced hardware and a terrific software line-up make for an unbeatable combination
New 40GB PS3 at €399

London, 5 October 2007 - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced details of its exciting new PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) model that will launch throughout the SCEE territories on 10th October 2007 at the highly attractive price of €399.

Providing an incredibly appealing entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and entertainment for the holiday season, the new PS3 brings the next generation of interactive home entertainment to homes all across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia.

Along with an ever expanding line-up of PS3 titles (a total of 65 titles tracking across all genres by Christmas), the new PS3 is equipped with a 40GB HDD and includes all the features central to the High Definition entertainment experience; true next generation gameplay, stunning High Definition Blu-ray Disc™ movies, SIXAXIS™ wireless controller, Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity, all powered by the Cell Broadband Engine™, the digital heart of PS3.

As with the 60GB PS3, the new PS3 features upgradeable firmware allowing new features and functionality to be added to the system as time progresses. A recent firmware update, for example, enabled PS3 to upscale DVD's played on the system to full 1080P High Definition.

The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port.

The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).

The existing Starter Pack*, comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to €499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.

"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable High Definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.

*In the UK and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3.

USA Today ran one of those no-brainer stories today about how people won't, in fact, pay anything for electronics and do have limits for how much they're willing to spend. The story was spurred by last week's announcement by Steve Jobs that he was dropping the price of the iPhone by $200 (Hey, it suckered me into getting one.)

After citing an analyst saying that most consumers will only pay about $400 for a "typical electronic item" the story goes on to list "several recent cutting-edge devices (that) have struggled to find buyers" among them, both the PS3 and Blu-ray players.

•Sony in July lopped $100 from the price of its $599 PlayStation 3 video game system, even though researcher iSuppli estimates it costs more than $800 to make. Sony's move came after being outsold more than 2-to-1 by rival Nintendo's $250 Wii. (Microsoft's Xbox 360, starting at $280, has also outsold PlayStation 3.)

•Blu-ray players were expected to dominate the new market for high-definition DVD, but sales are falling short of expectations, says tech analyst J.P. Gownder with researcher Forrester. The players, made by Philips, Samsung, Sony and others, start at about $450. Players using a rival technology, HD-DVD, start at about $250. Despite Blu-ray's powerful backers, HD-DVD players are outselling it, Gownder says. (Exact numbers aren't in yet.) That's because the average high-definition TV owner only wants to pay about $204 for a DVD player, he says.

Double whammy Sony, ouch.

"We're not making any pricing announcements at Games Convention at all. There's none. And we don't have any plans in that regard. We're really happy with the way that things are going for the PAL business. We really are. It's on track."

Apparently it is for Europe's own good. They want to keep the focus narrow to help people schedule their game playing and not go all willy-nilly.

"It's important to get a window so that someone's played a game and they're ready for the next one, because they don't have huge wallets and they can't go out and buy five games at 59 Euros all the time. So we're trying to do pillar titles every month."

GC: Sony has no plans to cut PS3 price - Reeves [Eurogamer.net]

Everyone's favorite game developer Dylan Jobe just hopped onto the official Playstation Blog to announce both the date and the price(s) for the Warhawk. The game will go on sale in stores and on PSN on Aug. 28. The game will sell for $39.99 online and $59.99 in a store. The boxed version will come with some extra video content a manual and a Jabra Bluetooth headset.

Jobe points out that the game, while multiplayer only, is quite robust and says he feels it can easily deliver more than 70 hours of enjoyment. Most beta testers logged more than 30 hours and many more than 70.

Finally Jobe announced that the top 100 player in the beta are going to be receiving a fancy, very limited edition metal Warhawk Wings pin.

Warhawk Goes Gold [Playstation Blog, thanks Freneil]

Rock Band Collection [Amazon.com Product Page via technabob]

Sony's finally come out with some good news for the UK: First party Playstation 3 titles will sell for EUR 59.99 / GBP 39.99 at launch, or GBP 10 less than Xbox 360 games, Games Industry reports.

Launch titles will include Motorstorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Genji, Ridge Racer 7 and Formula One Championship Edition. The games will sell for AUD 99.95 and NZD 109.95, so not such good news for Luke, I think.

Fahey points out that while the suggested retail price for 360 games may be 49.99 pounds, some retailers sell them at the 39.99 price point anyway. This, of course, could also happen with PS3 titles, since we're only taking retail suggested.

Downloadable content will start at EUR 0.99.

SCEE boss David Reeves commented, "Not only will it be completely free to register on the PlayStation Network with no subscription fees and access to many free demos, but with these competitive prices for additional content we are able to offer the consumer both top quality games on Blu-ray discs and a whole range of downloadable content.

"With over 30 first and third party disc and network games available at launch, we are confident that this will be one of the most successful launches of all time."

How much this will make up for the PS3's gimpy backward compatibility is still up in the air. Which would you rather have, full backward compatibility or cheaper PS3 titles? Brian Crecente

Sony announces prices for first-party PS3 games [Games Industry]

EB games charging people $7.99 for used Burger King Pocket Bike Racer. [Digg]

Prior to today, 3,533 PS3s have sold on eBay for an average price of $1,788.88. There are currently about 1,580 listings on the site. The average price for the PS3 for the past week was $1,959.73. While yesterday, 334 of the consoles sold for $2,185.85.

What does that all mean? It means that the price seems have started drifting up a bit since the console has become available in stores. The real measure of what's going to happen to the console's price is what happens with stock come Monday. Brian Crecente

Linden Labs today rolled out a new pricing system for ownership of the game's private islands, bumping the price of a 16 acres island by 34 percent and the monthly maintenance fees by about 52 percent.

The price hike will not effect current owners of private islands or mainland land purchasers, just those interested in buying up new digital island land masses.

News of the uppage has lead to some angry words from gamers and at least one major land baron to give up the ghost and leave the world.

"I'm sure you can appreciate that (the price changes) will have a huge effect on the rental market," wrote Hiro Queso, an owner and landlord of a number of "Second Life" islands. "With great sadness, I hereby give you notice that I will no longer be offering rentals and all (islands) will be cleared" within a month.

Others say they will just pass the cost on to their renters, effectively becoming slumlords. Actually, I made the slumlord part up, but it's endlessly fascinating to watch how Second Life doings so closely mirror the real world. So much for virtual utopia. Brian Crecente

'Second Life' land prices get hefty hikes [CNet]

We were all amused when Sony Australia's Michael Ephraim screamed, "Hello, Microsoft and Nintendo? YOU'RE BLACK!" earlier today. Not just because Microsoft's whiter than white and Nintendo is, if we're speaking frankly, largely Japanese, but Sony telling its competitors that the Wii and 360 are too pricey is more equivalent to a dialogue an anthropomorphic pot might have with a kettle than a comparison a Sony executive, out of the bottom of his cups, might actually seriously claim.

Well, Ephraim's back to set the record straight. How? By saying something even stupider:

Sorry you didn't have the opportunity to buy a PS3 this year, but I'm sure it beats lining up in a queue for hours on end only to be told the store has sold out.

So not having the opportunity to buy the PS3 this Christmas is better than... not having the opportunity to buy the PS3 this Christmas? That man's really earning his salary, isn't he? Florian Eckhardt

PlayStation boss responds to pricing furor [The Age]

At last month's NYC presser on the Wii, Nintendo announced that all first-party Wii games would be the slightly high $50. Maybe EB Games didn't get the memo, because they're listing a slew of first-party Wii games for $60.

While the latest Legend of Zelda rings in at $50, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Wii Sports, Wii Sports Airplane, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Duck Hunt (yeah, I don't think that;s a game either), Wii Music and Necro-Nesia all show a price of $60. I suppose this could be a typo, a whole lotta typos, but it does make me a bit nervous.

The thing is, prices are never determined by the cost associated with creating a thing, it's always about supply and demand and we know Wii demand has been going through the roof lately. I'll buzz Nintendo about this for an official word. Brian Crecente