Dashhacker has finally released a Windows version of his Open Remote Play app. Now Windows users can get in on the fun and access their PS3s using their laptops or phones. Along with the release of the Windows beta, Dashhacker also released an updated version of the Mac OS X API.


Download: Open Remote Play v1.1 Beta (Mac OS X)
Download: Open Remote Play v1.1 Beta (Windows)

Developer mopx0 recently released a video demonstrating Windows Vista being emulated on the PlayStation 3 console. Details on how the developer managed to load Microsoft's latest OS on the Sony console are available in the full article.

Some people in the digital industry seem to believe that downloadable content is the future, but Blu-ray folks beg to differ. Blu-ray Association's European Chairman Frank Simonis believes that "exciting things" are bound to come to high definition discs in the next few months.

Among supporters that push for downloadable content is Microsoft's big man himself, Bill Gates. However, Simonis is not bothered by what MS has to say. "I think a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that Microsoft is the Holy Grail," he told Tech.co.uk.

Simonis continued, saying Gates just wants to spin a story that nobody wants HD. With Microsoft's failure to live up to its word in various occasions, like Windows Vista showing up as early as 2004, Simonis doesn't have much faith in the industry giant's prophecies.

"Microsoft is very bad at making predictions and I think that you can only judge that if the consumer truly has a choice in making use of that application," he added. High definition, as Simonis says, can carry a lot more than standard definition formats which should be attractive to consumers.

If the industry does take a turn to downloadable content, 25 GB movie downloads will simply be too painful to bear. Simonis wishes success for those who plan on getting their stuff online, and suggests that they should get Blu-ray instead.

Renowned game developer and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi recently expressed his distaste for former Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Ken Kutaragi, criticized Microsoft's marketing strategy in Japan, and expressed no plans to make games for the Nintendo Wii as of yet.

The founder of, arguably, the most successful RPG franchise in history told Electronic Gaming Monthly that he didn't like Kutaragi and his creation, the Sony PlayStation 3. "The machine's architecture is tricky, and I don't like Ken Kutaragi," says Sakaguchi. He offered no explanation as to why he's no fan of the father of the PlayStation line of game systems.

When asked about Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sakaguchi said he found the games in the platform far superior to those of its rival's. Microsoft's problem, he says, is how to reach out to Japanese consumers. He said Gears of War is a great title but nobody knows what it's about. He then describe the Windows Vista commercial as a "terrible" one.

Next on the plate was Nintendo. Amazingly, Sakaguchi had a high regard for the Wii. He said "The system is intriguing, but right now, I have no plans on making a game for the Wii."

Blu-ray and HD-DVD. AOL advised readers to not invest in Blu-ray and HD-DVD players, because like the early days of Betamax-versus-VHS, it's not yet clear which format will win. (If you haven't heard of Betamax, that's because you're too young; VHS ultimately won that format war.) If you wait for one format to be a clear winner, then you won't end up investing your money on the losing format (what are you going to do with obsolete technology?). An added bonus to waiting: prices will be lower.

PS3. AOL gave the same advice about the PS3, citing the lack of games and a steep price tag. Relax! AOL did not say that the PS3 is never going to be worth buying: all the author said was that you might want to wait for more games to be released and for the price to go down. Still, that didn't please the PlayStation 3 fanboys, and PS3 fan sentiments were further inflamed by this:

If you're simply looking for a fun game system, you can find a Nintendo Wii (try eBay) or Xbox for around $400. You could also simply wait for more PS3 games or for the system itself to come down in price.

Still, you know that the PS3 manufacturing cost will go down (so prices should drop), and this games "drought" won't last forever.

Windows Vista. Vista, the new Windows OS from Microsoft, got the same treatment from AOL. There are always bugs in any new operating system, and AOL cautioned that Vista's new features may not be worth the errors and bugs (we've reported on some of the game-related and game-crashing bugs before):

There's no huge benefit to upgrading now. Just keep using your current computer until you need to buy a new one and then you'll get a cleaned up version of Vista for free.

The article also covered "Draft N" wireless routers (just get the cheaper and more compatible "G" routers instead, said AOL) and 10-megapixel digital cameras (the improvement isn't noticeable to the average consumer, so just buy the cheaper 5-megapixel ones instead).

We all know what fanboys think about the consoles of their choice (as well as their thoughts about the others). The question is what do Japanese game developers think about  the next-gen consoles? Famitsu Mag took it upon themselves to ask 58 game developers (directors, programmers and designers) from 19 game companies about next-gen consoles and here are the results.

Which next-gen console will send cash registers ringing:

• Wii (60%)
• PS3 (37%)
• Xbox 360's (3%)

Which system they prefer for game development:

• Wii (63%)
• PS3 (32%)
• Xbox 360's (5%)

Which next-gen console they want for Christmas:

• Wii (49%)
• PS3 (42%)
• Xbox 360 (9%)

The rest of the survey results await after the jump.

Ubisoft and Polish developer Techland today announced that the First-person shooter Call Of Juarez is scheduled for a release on a next-generation console in 2007. As Ubisoft wants to launch the PC version of Call Of Juarez simultaneously to the upcoming console version, the North American PC release will be held back. Techland will use the time to improve the PC version significantly, and optimise it for Windows Vista. European release dates for Call Of Juarez remain unchanged.

Techland's Call Of Juarez is a shooter set in the old Wild West. Giving players the ability to immerse themselves in the authentic, vast landscapes of South Texas in 1883, the game revolves around the fate of Billy Candle. Billy has been accused of murdering his mother and stepfather. Hot on his trail is Reverend Ray McCall, his stepfather’s brother and an infamous gunfighter who believes the Lord has chosen him to be Billy’s judge, jury and executioner. For the first time, players can take up the role of the hunted AND the hunter.

A PC demo of Call Of Juarez has recently been released to positive reception, the full version is set for a release this summer.

Final Fantasy is arguably the best fantasy-themed title in the history of gaming. Heck, you have to be more than special after being called "final" more than a dozen times. As a testament to that reputation, news have leaked out that a sequel to Final Fantasy XI is already in the works and will come out on next-gen platforms PS3 and Xbox 360, and will also be on Windows Vista formats.

Yep, Square Enix is already deep into preparation for the upcoming adventure of the Children of Vana'diel. Apart from the confirmation that it is indeed being developed, no further details on exactly what plot the upcoming game will follow (if it's a direct followup of the Vana'diel quests or not), who actually will be the people handling the project, and when it will be out (or at least the date when we can actually start to expect it).

As usual, speculations were abound on who exactly is shaping up the project. IGN thinks Final Fantasy XI producer Hiromichi Tanaka and his team are still the crew manning the ship, given the said producer's previous announcement that they are currently working on another game (apart from FFXI).

We can all guess as much as we want but judging from the already-rich lore that surrounds the said franchise, it's hard to do anything wrong with it. But then again that strength may very well be the source of its weakness. We all know how touchy we are when it comes to well-established institution on any media (cough * Star Wars * cough). Sometimes, there are just expectations that can't be reached; not because the people doing it underachieved, but because the bars set were ridiculously high. Well we've been humbled before, we're dying to be again, bring it on Square Enix!

Update: Square Enix has just issued a statement denying that they are making the reported sequel. In the statement: "The Company did not make such an announcement and has not made any decisions resembling those detailed in the media report. As the Company announced in May 2005, it is currently developing an online title for next-generation platforms including game consoles and PCs; however, this title is being developed as a completely new MMORPG. We will disclose further details of this title, including platform compatibility, immediately after any relevant decisions are made."

Although they did mention that "In addition, the Company continuously plans to release expansion packs for Final Fantasy XI, available on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Windows, as well as perform version updates." All hope isn't yet lost I guess...