Massive Officially Shrunk

Microsoft has confirmed that Massive Inc., their in-game advertising firm, has been shut down. Only a small staff will remain at the division, while Massive’s technology is developed by others in Microsoft.

“Massive s in-game advertisement service will be integrated into Xbox Live and MSN,” Microsoft said in a statement. “We remain very committed to games and entertainment advertising, specifically on our owned and operated properties such as Xbox Live and MSN.”

This marks a sad end to a once promising division that was purchased for hundreds of millions of dollars. EA dropped Massive’s service earlier this year, opting to handle in-game ads in-house.

Source: Develop

Madden Gets 3-D Thanks To Doritos

Doritos and EA Sports have announced a deal to bring 3D to Madden NFL 11. This ability can be unlocked with a downloadable code found only on specially marked bags of Doritos Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese flavored chips, with limited-edition Doritos branded 3-D glasses available to order online at www.doritoschangethegame.com {link no longer active} for $2.99 each.

“Through our work with EA Sports, we are committed to finding ways to elevate the gaming experience and give fans control over their biggest and best gaming moments,” said Rudy Wilson, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. “That’s why now we are pushing the limits and giving fans unprecedented access to enjoy their favorite football video game in 3-D.”

“The Doritos and EA Sports collaboration has truly given us the opportunity to take the idea of gaming to the next level,” shared Chris Erb, senior director, marketing, EA Sports. “Our diehard fans are the reason Madden NFL has been so successful year after year so that’s why we are thrilled to give them yet another way to enjoy the game.”

Find out more about the overall Doritos partnership, check out this [a]list feature.

Apple More Of A Threat Than Microsoft, Says Reggie

With information and entertainment so readily available to consumers these days, it can often be a challenge for users to have the time to spend time with everything they want to. That’s the way that Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime sees it, with competitors everywhere.

“It’s all about time,” said Fils-Aime. “I compete with Zynga, I compete with surfing the net, I compete with the newspaper.”

“While Nintendo has done pretty well for itself, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking over their shoulder at Apple and the strides they’ve made with gaming apps. Do I think that in the near term they can hurt us more than Microsoft? Absolutely,” said Fils-Aime.

Source: Forbes

HP Slate 500 Is Here

HP has launched their new Slate 500, which will compete with other tablets like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy. The device will cost $799 and be aimed at business users.

The HP Slate 500 runs Windows 7 using 2GB RAM and a 64GB SSD drive, with a processor capable of 1080p video playback. While the device has a 8.9 inch screen and weighs 1.5 pounds, it is feature rich with additions like a USB port and a task manager button.

Games Most Popular Category For iPad Apps

Nielsen recently surveyed 5,000 consumers on their use of their tablet computer, eReader, netbook, media/games player, or smartphone. In particular with the iPad, games were the most popular category, with 62 percent of owners buying a digital game.

This trend is similar to the iPhone, although Books are a much more popular catergory on the iPad with 54 percent downloading a book for their iPad. While roughly a third of users aren’t downloading any apps at all to their iPad, 63 percent are open to paid app downloads.

PSPgo Priced to Move

Sony today officially announced that they are reducing the price of the PSPgo. The price will be cut $50 down to $199.

Japan, will see an even bigger cut of 10,000 yen, down from 26,800 yen ($330) to 16,800 ($205) on October 26. Additionally, the download-only portable system will be cut from 225 British pounds to 159.99 British pounds in the U.K. on November 1.

Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome Pilot Coming

Syfy has confirmed that they have given the greenlight for Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome. With David Eick as Executive Producer, a two-hour pilot will be produced for the Syfy channel.

“The Galactica universe as re-imagined by Ron Moore and David Eick is rich with possibilities and backstory,” said Mark Stern. “We jumped at the chance to revisit the William Adama character and explore this exciting chapter in the BSG narrative which falls between the events of the original series and the prequel, Caprica, currently airing on Syfy.”

Michael Taylor wrote the teleplay from a story by Eick and others. Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome takes place in the tenth year of the first Cylon war, where the green Viper pilot Ensign William is assigned to the newly christened Battlestar Galactica, performing a secret mission that might bring about a turn in the war.

“While maintaining the themes of politics, social propaganda, and the timeless question: what does it mean to be human,” said Eick. “Blood & Chrome will also return us to the authentic, relentless depiction of combat and the agony and ecstasy of human-Cylon war, which was the hallmark of Battlestar Galactica‘s early seasons.”

PSP2 Pegged For Fall 2011

Reports have surfaced that Sony held several private meetings with developers during the Tokyo Game Show. What developers were shown was an early version of the PSP2.

The PSP2 will apparently have the rumored touch panel not unlike a mouse trackpad on the underside. Sony is letting use of the track-pad be dictated by the developers themselves.

The screen for the PSP2 is described as being both higher resolution and an inch larger. Sony apparently described the screen as HD in the private meetings.

Right now. Sony is trying to balance battery length, power and heat, so the final specs for the PSP2 haven’t been nailed down. Still, they are going to implement two analog sticks in the final device.

The PSP2 is believed to be coming in Fall 2011.

Source: Kotaku