Pre-E3 Snipe

E3 is just around the corner and it looks like there's plenty of rumors coming out of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.

First off, later on there will be an update to the 3DS itself. This update will finally add an eShop to the 3DS itself. It will also have some freebies when the shop launches: Excitebike 3D(A 3D update of the NES classic) and the Pokedex 3D. Also, the 3DS will have these features on launch

- 3DS firmware upgrade is roughly 50MB in size
- you can search for games based on popular search phrases that other users have inputted into the system
- search for game characters as well
- there will be display charts that highlight the most popular games, the most downloaded games, the most watched videos, and other similarly user-driven trends
- store up to $200 in the virtual wallet at any given time
- will only be able to spend $1,000 per month
- no gifting option right now
- news on new eShop games will go to the eShop and not through SpotPass
- Nintendo may tailor its messaging based on individual activity logs and games played

Now come on. A Price Limit? Up to $200 max? Only able to spend $1,000 a month? Don't tell me how I'm suppose to save my money. If I want to be reckless with my money, I have every right as an American to do so.

While Nintendo's services are bare bones at best, it seems they're also not worth hacking into, especially if you're Lulzsec, who decided to do that anyway.

Nintendo, the Japanese maker of the Wii game console and Super Mario games, says it was targeted in recent online data attacks, but that no personal or company information was lost.

Kyoto-based Nintendo Co. spokesman Ken Toyoda said Sunday that the server of an affiliate of Nintendo’s U.S. unit was accessed unlawfully a few weeks ago, but that there were no damages. He declined to elaborate.

The damage from what could be a spate of hacking was more serious at rival Sony Corp.

Sony has said massive personal information is suspected of having been stolen after security was compromised for its network service for the PlayStation 3 game machine, for other online services and, in the past week, from Sony Pictures’ website.

And this is what Lulzsec said through Twitter

Nintendo, we just got a config file and made it clear that we didn't mean any harm. Nintendo had already fixed it anyway.

Now come on here. You're going after Sony, 2600 and even the FBI and yet you pardon Nintendo?

Speaking of hacking, Sony got another taste of hackers again, and again.

Things just do not seem to be going Sony's way these last few weeks. First their entire PlayStation Network was hacked with information stolen and quickly leaked onto the Internet, then when the service was relaunched, the website was once again taken down due to an exploit.

After a number of other Sony-related product hacks, the latest one comes just after LulzSecurity managed to successfully hack Sony Pictures and Sony BMG. This time, LulzSecurity managed to obtain the source code for Sony Computer Entertainment Developer Network.

The website, scedev.net, houses all of the developer tools and kits for Sony products including PlayStation 3, PSP, Blu-Ray and many other products. However, the hack only managed to gather the source code for the website, and not the actual database.

The continued attacks on Sony have unveiled a number of their key online servers being unsecure. Later today, Sony will take the stage at E3 and talk a little bit about the recent PSN outage.

Poor Sony. It seems like every time they finally get up, Lulzsec knocks them back to the ground.

Finally, Microsoft. Rumor has it that there will be a new way for me to recklessly spend my money. And what better way than to create a Diamond Account.

Winrumors is reporting, based on anonymous sources, that Microsoft is in last-minute talks to secure the necessary agreements in time. The TV service is expected to be called Xbox LIVE Diamond and function as a "virtual cable operator." Microsoft could withhold an announcement if the ink hasn't dried in time.

Winrumors also is reporting that Microsoft may partner with cable companies to use the Xbox 360 to allow existing cable subscribers to watch shows and interact with their Xbox LIVE friends. The feature is available for Sky Sports subscribers in the U.K., who can scope out football rows with their Xbox avatars sitting in the front row.

The streaming TV business already has a crowded field of players, including Internet powerhouse Google, whose first attempt at Google TV didn't do so hot.

That means Microsoft may be taking a risk, though it could be successful if it turns the Xbox into a multimedia set-top box and maintains strong relationships with the cable companies.

Ahh, a Streaming TV Service. But I don't think its enough. Is there anyone Man Enough to top that and make me want to recklessly spend my money? Someone answer me now.

Consumers are used to paying $60 each for videogames that run on consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Now the publisher behind the industry's biggest videogame franchise—"Call of Duty"—is about to find out whether it can get them to pay a monthly bill, too.

Activision Blizzard Inc. plans to launch an online service called Call of Duty Elite this fall that will work with the next major edition of the game, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3," and future installments of the hyper-realistic combat-simulation game. In a move industry executives describe as a first, Activision plans to charge a monthly subscription fee for the service, which will provide extra content that isn't offered on game discs sold in stores, including downloadable map packs that give players new "Call of Duty" levels to play.


YES! A new means of recklessly spending money. And guess who has which blessing so far...

Set to debut alongside Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty Elite will offer a mixture of free and subscription features including social network offerings, a Halo Waypoint-style performance tracker, and extra content including downloadable map packs as part of the paid service.

Rob Dyer, senior vice president of publisher relations at Sony Computer Entertainment America, told the Wall Street Journal that only a few series have a strong enough following to support a subscription service, but he's nevertheless "very confident" other publishers will follow Activision's lead. "There's money to be made there," he added.

Meanwhile, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he isn't worried about a backlash from players because Call of Duty multiplayer in its existing form will remain free-to-play.

He said the money spent to develop Call of Duty Elite and the customer-service operation that'll be required to support it mean it can't be offered for free. "This is an enormous investment."

That's right folks. Good ol Sony supports the decision to add a subscription fee to Call of Duty and it also wishes for others to follow suit. Ahh how I love being an American.

Works Cited:
GoNintendo
Technoty
Neowin
PCWorld
Wall Street Journal
Computer and Video Games