An exhaustive report – combining factors like game sales, Metacritic averages and developer feedback through Gamasutra – has concluded creating the first-ever Top 50 Developers list from Game Developer magazine. Coming in at the top of the list is, but of course, Nintendo’s Kyoto studio, followed by Infinity Ward, Blizzard, EA Canada, and Valve.

The top 20 are as follows, along with some of their notable 2007 releases:

1. Nintendo Kyoto (Brain Age, Wii Play)
2. Infinity Ward (Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare)
3. Blizzard Entertainment (World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade)
4. Electronic Arts Canada (FIFA Soccer 08, NBA Street: Homecourt)
5. Valve (Portal, Team Fortress 2)
6. Konami Japan Studio (Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer, Dance Dance Revolution Universe)
7. Insomniac Games (Ratchet & Clank Future)
8. Capcom Osaka Studio (Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, Monster Hunter Freedom)
9. Electronic Arts Tiburon (Madden NFL 08, NASCAR 08)
10. BioWare Edmonton (Mass Effect, Jade Empire: Special Edition)
11. Bungie Studios (Halo 3)
12. Ubisoft Montreal (Assassin’s Creed, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja)
13. 2K Boston [& Australia] (BioShock)
14. Harmonix (Rock Band)
15. Bandai Namco Tokyo (Ace Combat 6: Fires Of Liberation, Beautiful Katamari)
16. Square Enix Tokyo (Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, Front Mission DS)
17. Game Freak (Pokemon Diamond/Pearl)
18. Epic Games (Unreal Tournament 3, Gears Of War PC)
19. Hudson Soft (Mario Party 8, Mario Party DS)
20. Neversoft (Guitar Hero III, Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground)

The full list and all of the excruciating minutiae that went into the list can be found at the Game Developer Research website, located here. It’s interesting to see how the top 50 shaped itself; in the top 20 alone I was surprised by several things (Valve not being higher and Hudson Soft being so high, for example) – what do you make of the list?

Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii flew to the top of the Japanese software charts, selling over 250,000 units during its first week according to data from Media Create. This magic number is almost equal to the rest of the top ten put together, even with Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, which entered the chart at number two and has sold 77,000 units, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2 continuing to fly off of retail shelves.According to the numbers this week, the Xbox 360 had three titles in the top 30, which is pretty good considering we are talking Nintendo Country here, but not surprisingly the chart is dominated by the Nintendo DS, which accounted for over half of titles.

The Top 10 are as follows:

1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
2. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (360)
3. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (DS)
4. Super Robot Wars Scramble Commander the 2nd (PS2)
5. DS Literature Collection (DS)
6. DS Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent (DS)
7. Wii Sports (Wii)
8. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
9. World Soccer Winning Eleven DS: Goal to Goal (DS)
10. Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)

Thanks for the info: GamesIndustry.biz

NAMCO BANDAI announced today that the downloadable demo for Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation has surpassed one million downloads worldwide on Xbox Live. Exclusively for the Xbox 360, Ace Combat 6 is a flight-action game with some of the most spectacular graphics that I personally have ever seen. The game has numerous online multiplayer modes and new gameplay features that provide players with more ways to rule the skies than ever before.

“We are proud that gamers have responded so positively to the demo for Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, and urge anyone who has not yet tried this groundbreaking flight action experience to download it from Xbox LIVE Marketplace,” said Makoto Iwai, Executive Vice President and COO at NAMCO BANDAI GAMES America Inc. “The demo provides a brief glimpse at the game’s incredible flight action gameplay, and we hope gamers will continue to dominate the skies when Ace Combat 6 ships to stores.”

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation introduces “living battlefields” that players must manage to turn the tide of a war that is tearing the country of Emmeria apart. With the Dynamic Operations System, players can battle across multiple fronts and tackle different objectives as they strategically engage enemies in the land, sea and air. Players can unleash full military might upon the opposition with the new Allied Support System, calling in for reinforcements to assist in battle. Across the game’s singleplayer campaign, players will be able to purchase and upgrade a hangar full of licensed aircraft, choosing from advanced and fearsome fighter jets to accomplish air-to-air and ground support missions. Ace Combat 6 introduces online dogfights via XBL, letting up to 16 players engage in competitive or cooperative game types.

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation ships on October 23rd and launching on the same day is the limited edition Ace Combat 6 ACE-EDGE Flightstick Bundle. For more information on the game, please check out our previous posts and the official website.

Everyone loves lists, and within this list is something everyone can love. Below you will find complied release dates for games coming out in October. The dates listed are as current as possible, so if a publisher changes the date we will try our best to update the list. We are well aware that September still has a couple of weeks left, give or take, but we just want to help plan your lives for the next month or two. Who loves you baby?

10/1/2007

Backyard Basketball 2007 —- GameCube
Field Ops —- PC
Heavy Rain (working title) —- PS3
Hot Shots Golf 5 —- PS3
MLB Power Pros —- PS2
Popx3 —- Wii
Race —- PC
RACE 07 – The WTCC Game — PC
The Chosen – Well of Souls —- PC
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass —– DS
Ultimate 3D Pinball —- PC, Wii

MORE AFTER THE BREAK

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Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to introduce their new line up of blockbuster games with the support of some of the most talented and respected Japanese Developers in the business at this year’s Tokyo Game Show. Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., unveiled a holiday lineup of blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007.

Developers Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/Tecmo Ltd. and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker and representatives from SQUARE ENIX announced their support for the Xbox 360 platform as they introduced their latest creations. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop NINJA GAIDEN 2, the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed Xbox original, exclusively for Xbox 360. Sakaguchi revealed pricing and availability for Mistwalker’s upcoming role-playing game (RPG) Lost Odyssey, available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and around the world in early 2008. In addition, SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new games for Xbox 360: INFINITE UNDISCOVERY and THE LAST REMNANT.

“Gamers around the world can look forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan’s best and most innovative developers, and we’re looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond.”

Read the full article

In the biggest shock to hit the gaming world since the announcement of another Tony Hawk game, Microsoft has officially dropped the price of their console by $50. I’ll give you a minute to recover from the surprise. This confirmation came in the form of their latest press release, which also gave the first listing of the Halo 3 themed console since its lackluster debut at E3.

The new prices for the Xbox 360 line of consoles are as follows:

Core System: $279.99
Premium System: $349.99 (Tho Microsoft seems to have dropped the “Premium” term, as this system is recognized as the “standard” model.)
Elite System: $449.99
Halo 3 Special Edition System: $399.99

We have known about most of this information for months, with the Halo 3 console pricing being really the only revelation. Does the fancy paint scheme of the Halo 3 system warrant the $50 difference? I’m just going to have a hard time matching the Halo 3 system’s Army-like olive color to the rest of my entertainment center, as it’s totally going to throw off the Feng Shui of the room.

See the press release after the jump:
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Last month, I told you about Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation being an Xbox-360 exclusive. Yesterday we received more media from Namco Bandai Games, and they some nice looking screens.

“Players will be in full control of the battlefield in Fires of Liberation with the Allied Support System. This gameplay mechanic allows players to use a variety of allied vehicles including; fighter planes, tanks, heavy bombers and naval fleets. Each unit carries their own strengths and weaknesses into battle as they help even the odds against the enemy. Allied forces react to the player’s level of success in real-time, with more skillful players bringing a more efficient fighting team of allies into battle. Allies will also report in with video updates from the battlefield, giving virtual pilots key strategic intelligence to help manage their battle situation. Players can take their planes online via XBL, to compete in adversarial and team-based dogfights. The next-gen engine gives players a totally immersive living battlefield, where they will find more aggressive and smarter enemies in larger numbers than ever before. Calling upon allies with the new massive-scale Allied Support System will be the key for survival against such powerful foes.”

MORE SCREENS

Today, NAMCO BANDAIi revealed it’s product lineup for E3. This lineup of 17 titles includes games for all major consoles as well as the Nintendo DS and PSP. “Our E3 2007 lineup highlights NAMCO BANDAI Games’ unparalleled commitment to delivering a collection of core franchises, licenses and original properties that will appeal to everyone,” said Genichi Ito, president and CEO of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “As our industry continues to evolve and captivate the next generation of gamers, we are prepared to meet this market change and engage those who enjoy interactive entertainment with appropriate high-quality content across all platforms and genres.”

E3 Lineup:

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Release date: October 23, 2007
Platform: Xbox 360

Beautiful Katamari
Release date: Fall 2007
Platform: Xbox 360

Culdcept SAGA
Release date Q1 2008
Platform: Xbox 360

Digimon World: Dawn/ Digimon World: Dusk
Release date: Fall 2007
Platform: Nintendo DS

Digimon World: Data Squad
Release date: Fall 2007
Platform: PlayStation 2

Dynasty Warriors:GUNDAM
Release date: Summer 2007
Platform: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3

Eternal Sonata
Release date: September 2007
Platform: Xbox 360

.hack®//G.U. Vol. 3: Redemption
Release date: Fall 2007
Platform: PlayStation 2

Namco Museum DS
Release date: Fall 2007
Platform: Nintendo DS

Namco Museum REMIX
Release date: Q4 2007
Platform: Wii

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes
Release date: August 28, 2007
Platform: PSP

NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles 2
Release date: September 2007
Platform: PlayStation 2

Smash Court Tennis 3
Release date: July 10, 2007
Platform: PSP

SOULCALIBUR Legends
Release date: Q4 2007
Platform: Wii

Space Station Tycoon
Release date: Q3 2007
Platform: Wii

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology
Release date: July 2007
Platform: PSP

Time Crisis 4
Release date: Q4 2007
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

Full Press Release after the break

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Last year, Microsoft for the first time brought videos that were being directly shown at E3 to Xbox 360 owners around the world with their E3: Bringing It Home. During that time, 1.5 millions Xbox 360 owners actively downloaded up to 5 million pieces of E3: Bringing It Home content.

Microsoft announced today they will be “Bringing It Home” again this year starting Tuesday, July 10th until Friday, July 13th. Here’s a rundown of the content Microsoft is expected to have available on the Marketplace:

• Microsoft’s E3 2007 press conference — beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 10 — will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in high definition later in the week

Trailers, themes, gamer pics, and demos of from such titles as:

• “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.)
• “Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft)
• “BioShock” (2K)
• “Blue Dragon” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Burnout Paradise” (Electronic Arts Inc.)
• “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (Activision)
• “FIFA Soccer 08” (Electronic Arts)
• “Guitar Hero III” (Activision/RedOctane)
• “Lost Odyssey™” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Madden NFL 08” (Electronic Arts)
• “NCAA Football 08” (Electronic Arts)
• “Need for Speed: ProStreet” (Electronic Arts)
• “Project Gotham Racing® 4” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “The Simpsons Game” (Electronic Arts)
• “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08” (Electronic Arts)
• “WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008” (THQ)

NAMCO BANDAI announced today that, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation will hit stores on October 23rd. An Xbox 360 exclusive,
Fires of Liberation brings the Ace Combat series to next-gen with a mmo experience, photo-realistic high-def graphics, an all new story, and brand new gameplay that includes features like the Allied Support System and Dynamic Operations System, that change the way missions can be completed.

“Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is the most robust Ace Combat game to date and will be a killer flight action game to own on the Xbox 360 this Holiday Season, “Makoto Iwai, Senior Vice President and COO of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. said. “With some of the most incredible and realistic HD graphics ever seen and extensive online multiplayer modes, there will be no other game out on the market like it.”

Players will be in full control of the battlefield in Fires of Liberation with the Allied Support System. This gameplay mechanic allows players to use a variety of allied vehicles including; fighter planes, tanks, heavy bombers and naval fleets. Each unit carries their own strengths and weaknesses into battle as they help even the odds against the enemy. Allied forces react to the player’s level of success in real-time, with more skillful players bringing a more efficient fighting team of allies into battle. Allies will also report in with video updates from the battlefield, giving virtual pilots key strategic intelligence to help manage their battle situation. Players can take their planes online via XBL, to compete in adversarial and team-based dogfights. The next-gen engine gives players a totally immersive living battlefield, where they will find more aggressive and smarter enemies in larger numbers than ever before. Calling upon allies with the new massive-scale Allied Support System will be the key for survival against such powerful foes.

For screens and more info click here!