PS2 later
Sony has delayed the European launch of the PlayStation 2 games console. The first hope was that it would arrive on September 29, the fifth anniversary of the PlayStation launch. Later, Sony said it would start shipping systems in the UK on October 26, but this has now been put back another month to November 24. Chris Deering, president of Sony Computer Entertainment in Europe, said: "This revised date allows us to provide increased quantities."
The PS2 will cost the same as the original PlayStation at launch: £299.99.
Sony has supply problems partly because it is trying to enter both the American and European markets before Christmas. Usually, console manufacturers leave six months or more between the Japanese, American and European launches. Also, the PS2 has been very popular in Japan, where Sony says it has already shipped 3m units.
Xbox develops
Microsoft has started shipping software development kits for its Xbox games console, which should offer much better graphics performance than the PlayStation 2 but will not appear until autumn 2001. Microsoft is shipping more than 1,000 kits to more than 100 companies.
The PC-based XDK includes early graphics hardware, a large hard drive, a pre-launch copy of DirectX 8 software, and off-the shelf game controllers that simulate Xbox functionality.
007 racing
Formula 1 would no doubt be more interesting if the cars had James Bond-style gadgets, but since that is not going to happen, you can try 007 Racing instead. The game is being developed in the UK by Eutechnyx www.eutechnyx.com, and Electronic Arts will publish it on the PlayStation later this year http://007.ea.com. Other versions will follow.
EA has a licensing deal with Danjaq LLC, the Cubby Broccoli company, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to produce a series of games based on Bond.
Eutechnyx specialises in driving games.
Deadly deer
"Help, I'm naked and I have a pizza" and "Free beer here" are among the "genuine hunter calls" used in two PC games, Deer Avenger and Deer Avenger 2, which AAA Game plans to release in the UK next month. These are parodies where hunters become the hunted and "Bambo" gets his revenge. You, as a deer, can use a variety of weapons including an M-16 and a bazooka, or simply fart your prey to death.
