A video game controlled by a stuffed pet toy!

A FASCINATING new video game is on its way to the Nintendo Wii later this year – and may become the latest must-have for younger gamers.

Wiiwaa is an upcoming video game currently being developed by Zoink Games for the Wii. It is a unique title due to the fact it is controlled by placing the Wii Remote inside a stuffed toy, which is used to control the on-screen avatar. The game is currently in development and a release date has yet to be announced, but is expected to be released sometime in 2010.

Aimed at young children, Wiiwaa offers a unique take on motion controlled gaming by offering control via a stuffed toy named Wiiwaa. By feeding the Wii Remote into Wiiwaa’s mouth, it becomes a controller that can be used to move its in-game counterpart. By moving Wiiwaa about, he walks across an on-rails path.

If Wiiwaa is attacked by enemies, the player can shake Wiiwaa to defeat them. The player can also make Wiiwaa duck in order to sneak up on certain enemies. There are also minigames in which players can throw Wiiwaa into the air to jump towards fruit, or hang him via its extendable rubber ears to bungee off a flying creature. The game is planned to include badges that the player can choose to attach to Wiiwaa as a reward for completing certain tasks.

For a peek at what the game will look like, have a look at the video at http://www.zoinkgames.com/wiiwaa/

New screenshots for Dante's Inferno

HERE are some great new screenshots for the forthcoming Dante's Inferno - let's hope it plays as good as it looks!
Mind you, our US counterparts already know how it plays - a demo was released this weekend. But for some reason, I downloaded it with my US account I had set up, but the demo will not install - has Sony now blocked Euro users from using US accounts?
If anyone knows, please let me know!

Optional software update coming for the PS3

A NEW system software update is on its way to the PS3 - except this time, it is optional.

The PS3 will receive its next system software update shortly – v. 3.15.

This is an optional update, and it enables existing PS3 owners who purchase a new PS3 system (perhaps as a second unit for the household) to transfer their content from their current PS3 to the new system. Content such as games, game save data, and videos downloaded from PlayStation Network can be transferred to the new PS3 system and deleted from the current PS3 system. Other content, including personal media files (photos, music, videos), can be copied onto the new PS3 and remain on the current PS3 system.

Data Transfer Utility Explained:

1. Turn both the current PS3 (A) and new PS3 (B) on and connect them with a LAN cable; PS3 (A) should be connected to the TV. Please note, firmware (v3.15) must be installed on both systems.

2. On the XMB of PS3 (A), scroll to the Settings category and select [System Settings] and then [Data Transfer Utility]

3. Follow the instructions on-screen and transfer data

4. After transferring the data, follow the instructions on-screen, and then connect PS3 (B) to the TV to view the XMB

5. If content that was downloaded from PlayStation Store was transferred as part of this operation, you must activate PS3 (B) before you can use the data. Log in to the PS3 system as the user who owns the content, and then select (PlayStation Network) > (Account Management) > (System Activation) to activate the system.

More details on Data Transfer Utility will be available here once the firmware updat

ModNation Racer beta is an early Christmas present

A BETA of ModNation Racer is coming to the PlayStation Network on December 18 - but I'm guessing that, yet again, this will only be for US gamers.

Us European players obviously aren't good enough to test out these forthcoming games.

The Beta runs untilJanuary 10, and you will have the chance to score a Beta voucher on the PlayStation Blog! Stay tuned very soon for details on the Beta giveaway.

Those of you who picked up LittleBigPlanet Game of the Year Edition already have a voucher, so you’re good to go!

Santa is coming Home....

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is inviting PS3 users to the new Winter Wonderland space starting December 10.

Visitors can hang out with Santa and his elves and you will be able to assist in Christmas preparation via mini-games.

PlaystationBlog UE writes:

"There will be plenty to do, so make sure you keep coming back frequently to find out what Santa and his elves need next. You wouldn’t want to miss out on opening a present, or taking part in one of the task mini-games, now would you? While you’re there make sure to browse the winter market, and don’t forget to get your picture taken by the photo elf. He’ll even throw in a special festive border!"

New racing pack for Need for Speed SHIFT

Electronic Arts has announced that an all-new Team Racing pack for Need for Speed SHIFT will be released for PS3 on December 3 in Europe and on December 10 in North America.

The Team Racing pack will be available worldwide on December 1 for Xbox 360. The content pack includes an action-packed new race mode and five renowned racing cars.

And best off all - it sounds like it is going to be completely free!

Online video service now running for the PS3

SONY Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) further expanded its PlayStation® entertainment experience on Thursday with the launch of the PlayStation®Network video delivery service for Europe.

Now available in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, with other countries to follow in 2010, the service allows film fans to download hundreds of movies, including the latest releases, straight to their PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable).
More than 2,000 movies are available across the stores to rent (from €1.99) or to buy (from €7.99), many in High Definition* (HD) as well as Standard Definition (SD), from major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company1, Lionsgate2, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Starz Media2, Universal, and Warner Bros. The service also provides a broad selection of content from local market studios including ContentFilm International, E1 Entertainment UK and Optimum Releasing (UK), and Constantin Film, Kinowelt and Universum Film (Germany), MK2, EuropaCorp, Pathé, SND and Wild Side Video (France) and Vértice Cine (Spain).
Titles available within the launch window include Angels and Demons; Bruno; Disney/Pixar’s Cars; Walt Disney Pictures’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; Crank 2; The Dark Knight; Dead Space: Downfall; Drag Me to Hell; Gran Torino; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; National Treasure; Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; Public Enemies; Star Trek; Terminator Salvation; Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen; and Valkyrie; and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Additional content will be added on a weekly basis.
“The launch of the PlayStation Network video delivery service extends our entertainment offering and provides consumers with another way to access their favourite movies, whether at home or on the go,” said Andrew House, President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “With the choice of content constantly expanding, including full games, bite-size downloadable “minis” games, demos and now movies too, the PlayStation Network is the gateway to a world of entertainment.”
At launch, there will be a special offer for existing PSN members, allowing them to receive a complimentary copy of The Da Vinci Code if they buy Angels and Demons. There will also be a special promotion to encourage new members. Anyone who registers for a PlayStation®Network account using their new PS3s between 19th & 30th November 2009 will receive a voucher to download a complimentary copy of Transformers to own3.
Located on the PlayStation®Store under the “Video Store” section, the PlayStation Network video delivery service provides consumers with an exceptional entertainment experience, adding HD and SD movies for rental or purchase, to the already comprehensive line-up of games, demos, trailers and other content.
The video delivery service will be fully integrated within the PlayStation Network, using the same log-in, wallet system and user-interface. Visitors can search for movies by name, or can browse categories such as “new releases”, “genres” and ”most popular downloads”. PS3’s progressive downloading allows viewers to start watching a film shortly after the download begins. They can also access certain games or other content on their PS3 while the download is taking place.
Consumers who choose to rent have up to 14 days to watch their movie, and, once playback is started, they have 48 hours to watch the content. Purchased movies are stored on the PS3 hard disk drive and can be accessed at home via PS3 or transferred to PSP for content on the go.
The PlayStation Network video delivery service takes prime position in a line-up of PlayStation entertainment features, alongside streaming music video with VidZone®, Catch Up TV services and free digital TV viewing with PlayTV™. With games, music, Internet, photos, communications and more, it’s yet another reason to make PS3 and PSP the heart of your entertainment world. To find out more, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.eu.playstation.com" www.eu.playstation.com.
* Initially HD content will only be available to rent
1 Content only available to rent or to buy in the UK and to rent in Germany at launch
2 Content from these studios will be available only in the UK
3 The promotional code will be sent to eligible customers in December 2009.