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80GB PlayStation 3 officially back in Sony Style

80GB PlayStation 3 Back on Sony Style
Sony announced that the 80GB PlayStation 3 model would return as part of a Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle. Expected to launch alongside the release of the game on June 12, the upcoming 80GB PS3 bundle is now officially listed on Sony’s U.S. online store as the only option for a hard drive of that size. The model number for the new SKU is PS398011 and lists for $499.99.

Haze PS3 Demo Coming Early May
Ubisoft announced that Haze, the PS3-exclusive shooter from Free Radical (the creators of the TimeSplitters series), will be available for trial as a demo sometime early May. Even better, perhaps, is that the demo will allow for four player campaign co-operative play. Although Haze was at one point a multi-platform release, Ubisoft said in its media alert that the game is “scheduled for release exclusively on the PS3.”

Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack Now Available
Halo fans will undoubtedly find this bit of news old, but casual gamers may appreciate to know that the Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack is now available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace. Those who aren’t in a rush to play the new Halo 3 maps may want to consider Circuit City’s offer of the map pack for free with the pre-order of Ninja Gaiden II – it may be an easy way to kill two birds with one stone, while saving 800 Microsoft Points.

Ubisoft Acquires GameLoft Studio in India
Further expanding its worldwide collection of game development studios, Ubisoft announced that it has acquired Indian development studio GameLoft. The Pune-based developer is known mostly for its mobile phone games. Ubisoft appears to be stretching out to Asia for its development, with its already established studios in China and it’s recently opened Singapore branch. “Following on the recent announcement of our new Singapore studio, this acquisition will reinforce Ubisoft’s presence in Asia and the southeast region in particular. India has a promising future in the video game industry and this is an opportunity for us to establish ourselves in the country,” stated Christine Burgess-Quémard, executive director of worldwide studios at Ubisoft.

Rock Band Wii’s Extra Songs Not So Exclusive
When Harmonix announced that Rock Band would be headed to the Wii on June 22, it was also mentioned that 5 additional songs would be added to the original set list that made it to the PS3/Xbox 360/PS2. It turns out, however, that the extra tracks are all already available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store. Those songs are: “Dirty Little Secret” - The All American Rejects; “Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis; “Roam” - The B-52’s; “Rockaway Beach” - The Ramones; and “Roxanne” - The Police.

dailytech.com