M U L T I

- Apple announced that all the music in iTunes online store will be DRM-free by the end of this quarter, and iTune songs will come in three pricing tiers: $0.69, $0.99 and $1.29, instead of just $0.99. iPhone 3G users can also download music over the 3G network directly.

- In Famitsu interview, Hideo Kojima from Konami revealed that the Kojima Production studio will go though some changes where he described as "starting from zero again", a move to produce games that don't just appeal to Japanese market, but to the world.

- Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft's Xbox 360 technology was built around Sony's PS3 Cell technology. Back in 2001, Microsoft approached IBM to have the Xbox 360 chip built around components of the Cell processor. As a result part of Sony's R&D money was spent creating a component for Xbox 360.

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- Times reported that Sony will unveil a "sweeping" restructuring after CES 2009, and the changes will heavily impact the Japanese operations as the company will be closing factories and major divisions in Japan.

- Marvel Entertainment has asked Sony to remove some user produced materials in Little Big Planet, which infringe Marvel's copyrights, including Sackboys that resembles Marvel characters like the Thing in Fantastic Four and so on.

- Sony reported that North America PS3 sales rise 40% in 2008, the actual figure according to NPD is under 3.6 million units in North America. PS3 sales also went up by 130% during holiday season.

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- Microsoft will make an announcement about its first massive layoff in history, 15000 jobs will be cut worldwide, which will primary impact the MSN and Zune departments.

P S P

- Here are some new images of the PSP port of Nippon Ichi's Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable, the game will be based on the PS2 version, with 30% more content, including new stories for the dark hero Axel; new playable characters such as Lord Zetta from Makai Kingdom and Prier from La Pucelle Tactics.

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N I N T E N D O   D S

- Here are some new images of Atlus' NDS RPG Megami Ibunroku: Devil Survivor, the game will be released in Japan on January 15, 2009.

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- Here are some new images of Square Enix's multiplayer RPG Dragon Quest IX, the game will be released in Japan on March 28, 2009, for 5980 yen.

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M U L T I

- Enterbrain revealed console sales figures in Japan for 2008:

- RUMOR: Traveler's Tale is working on a Lego Rock Band for Electronic Arts, according to a radio interview with EGTV's Johnny Minkley in Radio One.

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- Here are the Top 20 Xbox Live Games of 2008, based on Xbox Live connectivity and unique users.

- Here are the Top 20 Xbox Live Arcade Games of 2008, based on full version purchases.

- Here are the Top 20 Original Xbox Live Games of 2008, based on unique users.

i P H O N E

- Here are some new images of Konami's Metal Gear Solid Touch for iPhone and iPod Touch, the story is based on MGS4, but the genre is strictly shooting.....

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- Spike announced its PS3 samurai action adventure game Samurai Michi 3 [Way of the Samurai 3] will be coming to Xbox 360 in Japan on February 26, 2009, for 7700 yen.

M U L T I

- Here are the Famitsu console software and hardware sales for the week of December 22 - 28, 2008:

- The Japanese arcade magazine Arcadia announced its picks of the Arcade Game of the Year 2008.

P L A Y S T A T I O N   3

- Here are some new images of Sega's Ryuga Gotoku 3 [Yakuza 3]. There are 3 clubs in the game, in which you can meet club girls, play mini games and unlock new events...

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M U L T I

- Here are some new images of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII, new elements in the battle system have been revealed, such as chain bonus, break bonus, execute multiple commands in a turn in the new high speed ATB system....

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- Here are some new images of Square Enix's Blu-ray video Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete, a high-def version with 30 minutes of addition scenes not found in the original. The first print version and PS3 Bundle version will come with a FFXIII playable demo, preview trailer of FF Versus XIII and FF Agito XIII.

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- Effissimo Capital Management, the second largest shareholder of Tecmo, voiced out that the company is unhappy with the Tecmo Koei merger decision. Effissimo holds 17.6% Tecmo shares, raised its concern to the Ministry of Finance in Japan, saying that they have not had sufficient information from the company to make a judgment on the merger, such as feasibility of their plan to raise shareholder value. Tecmo confirmed its receipt of the document and Koei remain silent with the matter so far.

N I N T E N D O   D S

- Here are some new images of Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days. The Aladdin world is revealed, you can find Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, Pete, Genie and the magic carpet....

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M U L T I

- Here are the latest Famitsu Most Wanted Console Games in Japan.

- Here are the preliminary console software sales in Japan for the week of December 22 - 28.

W i i

- Here are some new images of Capcom's Monster Hunter G for Wii, a remake of the PS2 version with online play. The Wii version will have new weapons, monsters and stages not found in the original.

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- Here are some new images of Capcom's online action game Monster Hunter 3 for Wii, new monsters and locations have been revealed.

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- Here are some new images of Microsoft and From Software's dramatic action adventure game Ninja Blade, the game will be released in Japan on January 29, 2009.

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P L A Y S T A T I O N   3

- Enterbrain reported that Sony and Level 5's highly anticipated PS3 RPG White Knight Chronicles have sold 100,000 copies in Japan on the date it released.