Reader AvatarKasier has tipped us off to a new batch of downloadable content now available for both the PS3 and PC PlayStation Stores. Aside from game trailers, one DLC that might grab your interest is part 1 of Sony's E3 Press Conference video. The rest of the PSN update list is available over in the full article.

According to a new report from Toward Freedom, the PlayStation 2's requirement of a metal called Tantalum helped fuel a war that caused the deaths of several million in the Congo. This event was labeled as the PlayStation War. Story in the full article.

Those of you who aren't satisfied with the knowledge of Resident Evil 5 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) being set in Africa, here's a few more juicy game tidbits for you to chew on. UK magazine Xbox World 360, a sister publication of GamesRadar, wrote a preview of RE5 and revealed some very interesting features that will make it in the game. Find out what these fresh details are by clicking on the "read more" link found below.

In some parts of the world, people are making profit off arcades hosting consoles. In particular, business in Sierra Leone of Africa is booming due to the popularity of the PlayStation brand. Head over to the full article for more details.

It sure is a hassle to watch a video interview in a foreign language without being able to understand it, isn't it? Worry not, as we now present the same Resident Evil 5 interview with Capcom's Jun Takeuchi - this time with subtitles. Turn to the full article after the jump and pay attention as Takeuchi talks about Chris Redfield, Africa and what not.

Pivotal Games and Eidos Interactive are confident that their February 2008 release Conflict: Denied Ops (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC) will carry explosive action and good graphics. Now they want to make sure that the musical score is just as intense. They've decided to get Richard Jacques for the job to do just that. Find out why in the full article.

In a game where breathtaking visuals are mixed in with totally destructible surroundings, it's really interesting when the developers talk about the painstaking details on how they were able to build up the very malleable in-game environments for Conflict: Denied Ops (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3).

Watch the video of the developers diary in the full article!

Yet another video from the fresh bounty of videogame eye candy that is E3, and this time it's about the latest entry in the legendary series about shooting up zombies, Capcom's Resident Evil 5 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We get you the skinny on what's to expect come the game's still unannounced release.

In the video, we see our hero stuck in another frighteningly-realistic town that seems to be set somewhere in war-torn Africa. It's to note that the atmosphere is strikingly similar to Resident Evil 4, where the inhabitants (usually the zombies you'll be facing off against) have very distinct nationalities. The graphics are looking sharp, with the textures and facial features amazingly detailed. No actual confirmation if the footage we're seeing is actual gameplay or CGI, though, but suffice to say this could be the prettiest Resident Evil we've ever seen.

Enough spoilers from us, enjoy the video!

According to an industry analysis report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the video game industry will continue to be considered as an above-average growth segment of the global entertainment industries. Additionally, they have claimed that this year's investments made by the game industry is "set to exceed" the current spending for the music industry.

 
The global spending has jumped 14.3% to US$ 31.6 billion back in 2006, and PwC expects that the amount should climb another 18.5% to US$ 37.5 billion in 2007. The report also projects that the game industry will officially overtake the music industry by 2008 in the US, as data from key growth factors in the industry have been gaining performance this year.

Such factors include that of online and wireless games, next generation consoles and the advent of in-game advertising. Although much of the analysis took the US into question, PwC cut back on US-only expectations and spread its views over the global scape.

Click on Full Article to learn more of the gaming industry's performance as a whole and the best performing region for 2007.

According to an official announcement made by France-based Ubisoft, the video game publisher is planning to expand its employee base for its studio in Casablanca, Morocco. Spurred by a local government incentive program for high quality jobs in technology, the studio established back in 1998 will open up 150 seats for interested applicants.

 

The Moroccan studio has been active in delivering titles under Ubisoft's umbrella, featuring a portfolio of games such as Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie and Prince of Persia The Two Thrones. They were also responsible for bringing Rayman Raving Rabbids to the DS, together with Star Wars: Lethal Alliance.

And although mostly lacking in the manpower as opposed to Ubisoft's Montreal studios, the 50-man team is currently at work on Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for the Nintendo DS. And while the studio is the only game developer studio in Morocco or in Northern Africa, the team is mostly staffed by local people - artists and engineers from the local populace.

Managing director of Ubisoft's Casablanca studio, Cyril Vermeil, stated that many of the young people in Morocco are passionate about games: "Our task will be to recruit people who want to grow with Ubisoft to become leading specialists in an industry offering an increasing number of career opportunities for local talent."

Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, said that the studio was established because Ubisoft knew local education system would provide talented people for game development. He concluded the announcement saying:

It is an honor to work with the Moroccan government to significantly expand our presence in the region. Both the video game industry and the Moroccan economy are strong and growing, and we look forward to pioneering the industry in this exciting region.