Q*bert, the colorful, loveable and jumpy character the children of the 80s have grown to love, is now in High Definition on the PS3, supporting resolutions up to 720p. Download Q*bert from the PlayStation Network on Feb. 22, 2007 for $4.99, and navigate through the pyramid levels, but watch out for his nemesis, Coily, and his gaggle of friends.

Available on the Playstation Network is a playable demo for SEGA's car combat game Full Auto 2: Battlelines, as well as a downloadable version of the PS1 classic Destruction Derby ($5.99) for the PSP. The array of tracks and race styles will keep you coming back for more, as you're on a mission to bash, smash and crash into the other guy until his car (or yours) gives up the ghost.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced that, in addition to the extensive line-up of games, the first 500,000 purchasers of PS3 who registered on the PlayStation Network would receive a Blu-ray disc movie of Casino Royale, starring James Bond newcomer Daniel Craig.

Currently only available in Japan, Namco Bandai Games America announced that Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, will be available later this month to North American gamers as an exclusive download from the PlayStation Store.

In an interview with CNET, Sony's CEO made a statement that, if true, indicates the European PS3 launch might be facing a delay after all. Originally scheduled for March, Howard Stringer commented "We have got the European launch in April, which is very important to us." Unless this is merely a miscommunication Europe will have to wait yet another month extra.

UPDATE:Sony Europe President David Reeves confirmed again that the PS3 is still on for a March release, Stringer's statement was a mishap.

GripShift HD combines high-flying stunt driving with unique puzzle-solving action in an all-out, pedal-to-the-metal racing experience, optimized for the PS3 (720p, 60fps).

Research and Markets' latest survey "The Transforming Global Video Games Market: The Emergence of Next Generation Gaming," predicts that sony PS3 will win the console war in the long term with an install base of around 75 million globally by 2010.

SCEA announced the North American release of Gran Turismo HD Concept, available for free download on the PS3's PlayStation Store. Polyphony Digital Inc's driving game features an all-new course for players to be the first to drive a Ferrari on a PS3, as well as the option to select a car from nine other manufacturers including Infiniti, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki.

A Time article looking back at phenomena that captivated the media during 2006, but in the long run turned out to be less than huge, calls the PS3 a bust. Listed among disappointing box office movie Snakes on a Plane, O.J. Simpson's "If I Did it .." scandalous book, the underwhelming Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip TV series, and less than stellar Olympic performance of Bode Miller, is Sony's next-gen PS3 console, refered to as "How to blow a huge lead." Critized for being too expensive, too difficult to develop for, not enough launch day units, and bad initial portfolio.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. announced some management shuffling as President, and Group CEO, Ken Kutaragi, becomes Chairman, while former President and CEO of SCEA Kaz Hirai, replaced by SCEA EVP and co-COO Jack Tretton, steps up as President and Group COO of SCEI, effective December 1, 2006.

The PlayStation Network (PSN) allows every PS3 user to experience the built-in broadband connectivity capabilities assuring immediate access to the PSN with free services including network gaming, access to the PlayStation Store, web browsing, friend chat, and more.

SCEA announced the launch of its next generation PlayStation 3 entertainment system, for sale ($499-$599) throughout North America. In addition to the PS3 hardware, a software line up of more than 20 first- and third-party titles will be available at retailers nationwide.

Sony Computer Entertainment America and Ziff Davis Game Group announced today the companies have mutually agreed to discontinue production on the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (OPM) in North America, January 2007 being its final issue.

Sony Europe today announced that they've sold 40 million PlayStation 2 units in Europe and PAL territories, surpassing the PS1's 39 million mark. PlayStation 2 has over 2,000 titles available throughout Europe, with another 50 due for release in time for Christmas. In the previous month, over 100,000 units were sold per week, according to SCEE President David Reeves.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced the expansion of the PS2 line-up in Europe with the introduction of a new color. The new, limited edition Pink PS2 will come complete with two Pink Dualshock 2 Analog Controllers, and a 8MB Pink Memory Card.

Market research consultancy Anderson Analytics has devised a technique to measure subconscious attitudes of potential consumers, combining personality psychologists with new text mining software. The technique was used to measure Playstation vs. Xbox, and Barbie vs. Bratz research.

While Sony promised that all PSOne and PS2 games would be backward compatible, it also unveiled that even your old savegames will be useable on the PS3. To use saved data on a PS2 memory card, you must copy the data onto a virtual memory card within the hard disk,which will require a PS2/PSone memory card adaptor to copy the data to your PS3. A memory card adaptor is designed to edit, up/download game saves to and from EMS flash card or smart media card. Details on the adaptor, as to price or manufactorer, were however not provided

Asustek Computer announced it will deliver PS3 game consoles to Sony this month as the Japanese firm gets ready to step up productions to meet demand for the 2006 holiday season. The first shipment is for 4 million units, with a target of 200,000 units per month thereafter. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co will pitch in shortly and will soon begin making PS3 units for Sony as well.

Not quite sure what to make of this, but in an interview with PSM, SCEA president Kaz Hirai made a rather surprising statement about the game prices for its upcoming PS3 console. "I think it would be a bit of a stretch to think that we could suddenly turn around and say, 'PS3 games now $99.99.' I don't think the consumers expect the software pricing to suddenly be double. So, if it becomes a bit higher than 59 bucks, don't ding me, but, again, as I said, I don't expect it to be 100 bucks."

Sony Computer Entertainment is looking for people interested in testing PS3 software, "This position entails checking the functionality of software for the PS3, PS2, and PSP, compiling reports, and evaluating content." Requirements are pretty light, between the age of 20-30, ability to work for a year starting July 18, not be a student, and obviously love games. No experience is required and pay ranges from $8 to $12/hour. Interested parties must submit their résumé to SCEJ by July 3.

With the launch of new consoles comes the inevitable discussion of backwards compatibility, and it seems Sony is running into a few issues. Initially announced as made possible through a software emulator, it seems engineers will not be able to complete the tool in time, and thus Sony opted to simple include PS2 hardware inside each PS3, at least until the emu is finished. The report also reveals update patches through online service, plans for bigger hds, upgraded network features, and that the flash memory will be used for its OS. There is also speculation on Sony's next-gen console price, set at 73,000 yen, but that is to be taken with a grain of salt.

According to ABI Research, Sony's console pricing strategy is fraught with risk, and may ultimately jeopardize its market leadership position. Sony is placing a serious bet that its inclusion of a Blu-ray drive in the PlayStation 3 will entice consumers to pay a premium price for the new console, despite lower cost alternatives from both Nintendo and Microsoft.

The Sony pre-E3 briefing just concluded, and the big news out of the event is that Sony's next-gen console will launch in Japan on November 11 and in North America, Europe and Australia on November 17. Each unit will ship with a hard drive included, although there will be two versions: a PS3 with a 20gb hd will set you back $499, while the 60gb version will cost $599. Its redesigned Dual Shock controller is wireless, Bluetooth-enabled and uses motion sensors, similar to the Wii conroller.

SCEE extended its sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League competition for the third time since the partnership which began in 1997. The sponsorship agreement will extend up to and including the 2008/2009 season.

SCEA today announced that it has made its PS2 more affordable than ever throughout North America. Effective immediately, consumers can purchase the PS2 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $129.99. SCEA expects this latest price move to fuel consumer demand even further.