Sony will introduce 34 titles for the P3 in the next year as the company rebuilds sales in the money-losing unit. The games, including 15 developed in-house and 19 from independent publishers, were unveiled to reporters and analysts at the company’s San Diego development studio. Sony’s videogame unit, which sold more than 100 million PS2 consoles, is under pressure to increase sales of the new console, ranked third behind Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. The PS3 contributed to Sony’s $562 million fourth-quarter loss, the biggest in four years.

Most of the new games follow traditional genres, such as the action-adventure game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, in which treasure hunters battle modern-day pirates in the South Pacific, and the fighting game Heavenly Sword. In a nod to more casual game players, Sony also unveiled SingStar, which allows two players to sing along with music videos by artists including U2 and Britney Spears. Players are rated according to pitch and whether they hit the right notes.

During the presentations in San Diego, Sony executives touted the PS3′s processing power, which they said produces sharper graphics and deeper gameplay. In Uncharted, for example, characters display subtle facial expressions that include wrinkle lines when they smile or grimace. In Heavenly Sword, players encounter dozens of enemy soldiers, each with the ability to move independently and respond to the player’s moves.

Source: Bloomberg

Midway Games and Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced an exclusive PS3 collector’s edition for Stranglehold. The limited edition will feature both the game and film director John Woo’s action movie, Hard Boiled, on the same Blu-ray disc. The collector’s edition will be available at U.S. retailers this summer for a suggested retail price of $69.95. Stranglehold continues the story of Inspector Tequila, played by Chow Yun-Fat, that started in 1992 with John Woo’s Hard Boiled.

Microsoft has scheduled Halo 3 for a Sept. 25th worldwide release. The Xbox 360 game, which the publisher says is the final installment in the series, is in development at Bungie Studios. Fans won’t have to wait until this fall to get a taste of the game, however, as Microsoft is launching the multiplayer beta on Xbox LIVE today. Gamers can participate through the purchase of the Xbox 360 title Crackdown, which was launched in February. Specially marked copies of Crackdown will act as the key for gamers to participate in the Halo 3 multiplayer beta.

Ubisoft will release Prince of Persia Classic on Xbox LIVE Arcade this summer. The remake of the 1989 Prince of Persia game features the same level design, swordplay, puzzles and storyline as the original as well as new character designs, animations, visuals and lighting effects. New traps, puzzles and enemies have also been added. Here’s more from the press release: “While the Sultan of Persia is away for a war, the evil Vizier seizes the throne for himself. He has also imprisoned the beautiful Princess and given her one hour to decide her fate — marry him or die. As the courageous Prince, you have 60 minutes to complete the mission of saving the Princess from her deadly fate.”

With the release of Forza Motorsport 2 just weeks away, a new fan site kit for the Xbox 360 game is available for download. Included are website interface components, screenshots, desktop wallpapers and other artwork. The fan site kit can be downloaded from the official Forza Motorsport 2 website.

Wargaming.net has release a new demo of its turn-based strategy game, Massive Assault Network 2. Click here to download it. Massive Assault Network 2 is an online strategy game featuring science fiction battles on distant planets. The new version allows you to select from both skill-based and experience-based systems when choosing opponents. New players can use the experience-based system, which is based on their growing skills. The skill-based system is intended for hardcore players. The new demo also features the mentoring system, which aims to stimulate rookies to learn battle tactics from experienced players.

Croteam, the developer of the Serious Sam series, has announced Gamecock will publish its next project. The as-yet-untitled game is in development using the latest version of Croteam’s proprietary game development system, the Serious Engine 3. Gamecock will publish the title, which is scheduled to ship in 2009 on the PC and specific next generation consoles, in North America.

From the “this is kind of cool department” comes news that Konami Digital Entertainment will use Sony BMG Music Entertainment to digitally distribute its library of songs from its catalog of video games. Konami’s music will be available for download from major online retailers such as iTunes and Rhapsody as well as a number of mobile service providers. This will give you access to original music from Castlevania, Silent Hill, Dance Dance Revolution and Elebits as well as classic arcade hits such as Gradius and Contra. The music will also be available through major mobile carriers as well as Konami’s website.

Game publisher Atlus U.S.A. is shipping Etrian Odyssey, a first-person RPG for the Nintendo DS, to stores across North America. From the creator of Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Etrian Odyssey features 3D graphics, a script from Shigeo Komori, characters and monsters designed by Yuji Himukai and Shin Nagasawa, and a music score composed by Yuzo Koshiro. The ESRB has rated Etrian Odyssey “T” for Teen for blood, mild fantasy violence and mild suggestive themes.

Sony Computer Entertainment America has shipped MLB 07: The Show for PS3. Already out on the PS2 and PSP, MLB 07 features a number of online enhancements over previous installments in the series, including a scrolling MLB score ticker, buddy invites that can occur at any point and online league play with the ability to set up leagues with up to 30 teams, complete with statistical tracking, point benefits and full customization. MLB 07 also introduces the Road to The Show mode, which enables you to play as a custom-created rookie on both offense and defense while attempting to rise through the ranks and make a starting line-up in the Majors.

MLB 07 also includes crowd interaction and ambiance, including fans reaching for foul balls, vendors selling baseball fare, singing of the traditional 7th inning stretch, participation in the wave, standing ovations and unique stadium environments. On the field, more than 3,000 individual player animations have been incorporated into the game, including personalized stances, pitching animations, individual swings, batting rituals, pitcher release points, player-scaled strike zones and motion captures from MLB players such as David Wright, David Ortiz, Eric Chavez, Shawn Green and more. Additionally, MLB 07: The Show for PS3 incorporates analysis from the entire 2006 MLB season, which includes 18,891 at bats and 707,722 pitches in 2,429 games.

Moreover, the new Pitching Command System offers a predetermined pitch comfort level based on a best to worst pitch scenario. In addition, Adaptive Pitching Intelligence allows you to either shake off the catcher or trust the calls he makes based on batter tendencies and the pitcher’s strengths. Also, with updates to the Branch Point Technology, you can now take full control of all of the fielders involved in double plays and relays.

Returning key features for the MLB franchise include the Career and Season Modes, controlled access to full 40-man rosters, downloadable rosters, advanced batting and base running controls, interactive hot and cold zones and commentary featuring the three-man booth of Rex Huddler, Matt Vasgerian and Dave Campbell.

SNK Playmore USA has shipped Art of Fighting Anthology for the PS2 to gaming retailers across North America. The collection contains the entire Art of Fighting trilogy, which features 33 classic SNK characters. Art of Fighting was SNK’s second fighting game franchise. Set in the same universe as the Fatal Fury series, it served as a prequel to the Fatal Fury saga. The Art of Fighting games utilized a 2D combat system featuring a spirit gauge that gave you the ability to perform special attacks, as well as an innovative graphical-scaling camera system.

Digital Bamboo has entered the interactive entertainment arena. Through work with neuroscientists and educational psychologists, as well as licensed health technologies, the company is creating software products that will measure heart physiology, challenging users to manipulate internal stress levels to control the action in a console or PC game. For example, by incorporating heart rate measurement and stress response management into a golfing game, you’ll need to steady your nerves before sinking a putt or minimize your cortical inhibition before firing a shot in a first person title.

Over the past 18 months, Digital Bamboo has collaborated with sports, military and educational groups, as well as Chinese medical experts, to design games intended to help people overcome unfamiliar environments and challenges. Chinese national sports teams trained using Digital Bamboo’s interactive games to improve concentration and eliminate the negative effects of stress.

Digital Bamboo has a separate team working on similar technology for MMORPGs.

Sony Online Entertainment has completed a transaction to purchase key assets of Sigil Games Online. Through the deal, SOE now owns Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Sigil’s massively multiplayer online game. As part of the acquisition, a majority of the Sigil team will join SOE, integrating into SOE’s worldwide group of studios which includes offices in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles and Taiwan.

The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University and SMU’s School of Engineering have launched a degree program to offer a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in video game development in five years. SMU also plans to offer a similar program through the university’s Meadows School of the Arts, where students will receive a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in video game development.

Students in the program first come to the SMU main campus to complete their general education curriculum requirements and their major requirements within the School of Engineering, then move to the Plano campus to join The Guildhall at SMU in the last semester of their senior year. While at the Plano campus, students finish their undergraduate degrees and start the master’s program by replacing their senior electives and some cultural formations credits with their coursework at The Guildhall at SMU. At the undergraduate level, students learn all aspects of computer science. Upon moving to The Guildhall at SMU, teams focus on game design and work together to complete projects.

High school students interested in the program can get more information by contacting the SMU School of Engineering at 214-768-3041.

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron will hit store shelves everywhere this fall, LucasArts announced yesterday. In development for the PSP at U.K.-based Rebellion, Renegade Squadron offers new battles and missions as well as extensive customization options. You can also team up or compete against friends online.

Renegade Squadron tells the story of “a ragtag ensemble of battle-hardened rogues and scoundrels” assembled by Han Solo. Gathered to execute secret operations in the Rebel Alliance’s war against the Galactic Empire, the Renegade Squadron participates in battles spanning the galaxy. From the Valley of the Sith on Korriban to a dogfight in space through the remains of Alderaan, Solo directs the team on missions of sabotage, rescue and retrieval.

In Renegade Squadron, customization options that enable you to choose your own weapons, equipment and abilities replace the class system seen in previous Star Wars Battlefront titles. The game also allows up to 16 players to compete against each other over the Internet and eight via the PSP’s ad-hoc wireless connection.

More at starwarsbattlefront.com.