Last week, the International Data Corporation essentially dismissed the notion that the console era is coming to a close despite falling revenue numbers. According to a recent study, Worldwide Game and Interactive Entertainment Console Hardware and Software 2011 -2015 Forecast (IDC #229438), the console market will reportedly begin to rebound early next year with the release of Nintendo’s Wii U.

“Total console hardware and disc-based software revenues are on track to slide a few percent in 2011 compared to 2010,” said Lewis Ward, research manager, Consumer Markets: Gaming, at IDC. “But prognostications that consoles have peaked as a product category are premature. I expect that the launch of the Wii U, a revamped interactive entertainment console from Microsoft in the 2014 timeframe, and the arrival of Sony’s ‘PS4′ circa 2015 – along with more than a few exclusive, innovative games – will help drive a new wave of console-centric spending in the next several years.”

The report goes on to declare that console hardware and physical (disc, SD) games will see a 3.6-percent compound annual growth rate between 2010 and 2015. The key reason for this bump is due to the growth of the console sector in developing countries. But at the same time, the proportional number of households that will actually use game consoles are expected to diminish as the world’s population grows.

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Proving once again that making something less expensive prompts more people to buy said thing, MCV is reporting that UK sales of the PlayStation 3 have spiked in the wake of its recent price drop. MCV doesn’t offer specific numbers, though a source claimed that sales of the console have risen sixty-five percent in the last week.

With the game industry’s holiday season set to kick into gear over the next two months, it seems likely that sales will continue to grow. Oh, and a quick note for all the new PS3 owners out there.

SOURCE via MCV UK

Looks like Razer’s not buying the whole “console > PC” argument. The company just went live with a new website that couldn’t possibly be more esoteric. Aside from telling us that “there’s something terribly wrong with gaming today,” we aren’t given much to go regarding its impending announcement. Apparently, something “big” is coming on the 26th of August, and whatever it is (Switchblade with DotA 2 preloaded, perhaps?), it’ll remind the world that PC gaming is, in fact, not dead.

SOURCE via Razer

In a mobile, app-driven world, Sony is convinced that gamers will flock to the PlayStation Vita. Based on the official specs alone, Sony could be right. Then again, Nvidia’s Kal-El is also around to corner, so we’ll have to see how this turns out.

In an interview with GameSpot during Gamescom 2011, Sony’s director of hardware marketing John Koller said that gamers will discard their smartphones and tablets for the company’s delayed handheld console, the PlayStation Vita. The comment isn’t surprising given that Sony is trying to push a very expensive piece of hardware, but given that consumers typically only want to carry one device as it is, the idea seems a bit naive in an app-controlled, mobile world.

“When you look at the type of consumer that’s playing cell phone games currently, it’s someone that enjoys smaller ‘kill time’ gaming and has not gravitated to the larger, richer, deeper experiences that true handheld gaming provides,” said Koller, adding that Sony has done “a lot of quantitative and qualitative research to back this up.”

Let’s stop right there. This mobile gamer demographic seemingly consists of two groups of consumers: those who play games to kill a little time while waiting at the doctor’s office or burning flesh at the beach, and those who enjoy games both on and off mobile devices. It’s highly unlikely the first group will purchase a $249 PlayStation Vita.

However, the second group may not purchase the PlayStation Vita because (1) the price (as seen with the Nintendo 3DS which actually soared in sales once Nintendo sliced off $80) and (2) they want to carry one device. Honestly, what hardcore gamer wants to carry around a smartphone, a bulky PlayStation Vita and possibly even a tablet? If anything, the Xperia Play seems to be a perfect example of where gamers are on the mobile market: they wants their games, their telephone, their Internet, their music and their movies all on one unit in their pocket.

But Sony seems convinced that gamers will want otherwise once they get a taste of the PlayStation Vita. “You’re going to see PS Vita expand what a lot of people believe to be true about handheld gaming, and you’re going to see a lot of those current mobile phone and tablet gamers come over to Vita,” he added. “We’re very convinced of that.”

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Wednesday during Gamescom 2011, peripheral manufacturer Razer revealed the “world’s first” discrete 7.1 surround sound gaming headset, the Razer Tiamat 7.1.

According to Razer, the headset packs a total of 10 discrete drivers, 5 in each circumaural ear cup. These drivers represent the 7 surround sound channels plus subwoofer: 2 for center, 1 each for the left and right, surround sound left and right and surround back left and right, and 2 for the subwoofer.  All 10 drivers work in unison to produce a true pinpoint positional surround sound.

“The Razer Tiamat 7.1 also gives gamers maximum customizability of their audio experience adjustable on a sleek control unit,” the company said in a press release. “You can precisely fine-tune the volume of every audio channel, position, and bass depth, as well as conveniently toggle between the headset’s 7.1 surround sound mode, 2.0 stereo mode or external speakers as long as they are also hooked up to the unit, so you’ll have the right setup for your entertainment at all times.”

In addition to the 7.1 model, Razer also revealed a cheaper Tiamat 2.2 version using 4 discrete drivers, two of which are dedicated to bass. Both models feature leatherette ear cushions and a precise, unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone.

Along with the announcement, Razer has launched the “Experience the Power of 7 – with the Razer Tiamat 7.1” contest. Participants must answer two questions related to the product, invite seven friends via Facebook and/or Twitter, and like the product on Facebook.

“The Razer Tiamat headset range is the pride of our audio engineering, the world’s first 10 driver headset, built to deliver the most powerful, clear and accurately produced positional audio gamers will ever need for the competitive edge,” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President, Razer USA.  ”Surprise the enemy trying to creep up for a stealth kill, when you can hear their footsteps loud and clear behind you.”

So far both headsets are slated for a Q4 2011 release. The Razer Tiamat 7.1 will be priced at $179.99 (179.99 euro) and the Razer Tiamat 2.2 will be priced at $99.99 (99.99 euro).

SOURCE via Razer

When the Xbox 360 Slim was unveiled at E3 2010, our first thought here at the Tom’s Hardware office was, “That thing is a fingerprint magnet.” Of course, we weren’t alone in this and now it seems Microsoft has realised that while the glossy exterior doesn’t have a negative affect on performance, it’s definitely a pain in the bum. Redmond last Friday revealed that it was phasing out the glossy Xbox 360 S and replacing it with a much more sensible matte finish.

“You may have heard last week that Microsoft is changing the outer finish of the Xbox 360 250GB consoles from a glossy black to a matte black finish, similar to the current Xbox 360 4GB model,” Larry Hryb, also known as Xbox Live’s Major Nelson, wrote on his blog.

“Some of the news outlets that covered it mentioned having a choice between matte and glossy Xbox 360s this holiday,” he continued, adding, “I wanted to set the record straight and let everyone know that that is not the case.”

Hryb went on to say that Microsoft is actively transitioning all Xbox 360 S consoles to a matte finish.

“The consoles will start to arrive in stores over the coming weeks, so if you really love the idea of a glossy console don’t wait much longer,” he warned.

Though you can’t argue that the glossy finish attracts fingerprints, not everyone dislikes it. For those that do have an affinity for the shiny exterior, you’ll be pleased to know that Microsoft isn’t ditching the idea completely. Hryb said that while they’re transitioning all Xbox 360 S consoles to matte, limited edition models, such as the upcoming Gears of War 3 Console, may have a gloss finish.

SOURCE via Major Nelson

Sony has just announced in its Gamescom 2011 keynote that it will be giving its PS3 a price cut. The base PlayStation 3 models will run you just $250 in the US, €250 in Europe, and ¥24,980 in Japan.

Announced at the same show two years ago with a $300 price tag, the base PS3 Slim model includes a 160GB hard drive. A lower price will provide a nice cushion for that $299 Call of Duty: Black Ops bundle, which just hit stores earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, the 320GB model will see a $50 drop as well, with new pricing for both models kicking in immediately in the US and Europe, and August 18th in Japan.

SOURCE via Joystiq

Sony had announced that it will be releasing a new budget-priced PSP model that sports a new design and curiously ditches the WiFi capability that the PSP has had since its debut. No word of a North American release just yet, but folks in Europe will be able to pick it up this fall for €99. The cut-down PSP will be called the PSP E-1000, and it will only be available in PAL territories.

After an apparently successful start in July, Sony has announced that the $0.99 movie and television rental program will become a permanent part of PlayStation Network. Every Tuesday, a selection of movie and TV rentals will see a week-long discount to $0.99 for SD versions and $1.99 for HD versions.

We haven’t heard of most of this week’s selections, apart from Michael Moore’s Sicko and Fred Durst’s The Longshots . See all of this week’s selections after the break.

• Sicko
• The Longshots
• Salvage
• Tony
• Shank
• Bonded By Blood
• JFK: Reckless Youth (Part 1)
• JFK: Reckless Youth (Part 2)
• Deadly Blessing (Directed by Wes Craven)
• Carver
• Devil in the Flesh 2 (aka Teacher’s Pet 2)
• Illuminating Angels & Demons

Ubisoft is coming out strong in support of the PlayStation Vita, because it’s a video game system and that’s what Ubisoft does. In advance of Sony’s Gamescom presser today, the company announced development of six titles for the handheld, including Asphalt racing game, Assassin’s Creed, Dungeon Hunter Alliance (above), Rayman Origins, and Michael Jackson: The Experience.

Perhaps most exciting, the PSP launch standout Lumines is returning on PlayStation Vita. Along with the announcement, Ubisoft shared screens of Rayman, Asphalt, and Dungeon Hunter. No dates were provided for any of these, but expect at least a few of them at the system’s launch, because, again, that’s what Ubisoft does.