Microsoft plans on lowering the price of its Xbox 360 in its Asian markets to revitalize sales - a move similar to when it cut the prices in Europe. For more information on these price cuts and the specific regions to be affected, head on over to the full article by clicking on the "read more" link below.

The organizers of the Games Convention Asia (GCA) and Games Convention Asia Conference (GCAC) must be very happy about the success of last year's events. This year's show has already been dated so  those who plan on attending might want to start clearing their schedules. For the venue and dates, head on over to the full article.

The Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) has lifted the ban it had earlier slapped on BioWare's controversial action role-playing game, Mass Effect, and has allowed the game to be released in Singapore under an M18 rating. The MDA officials had previously banned Mass Effect because of what they deemed to be an offensive scene in the game...

Find out the details of that scene after the jump!

It looks like it's official - the strict city-state of Singapore has added yet another ban to its list of prohibited games to reach the country. BioWare's Mass Effect, a Mature rated game based on the ESRB for the Xbox 360 won't be getting a release in Singapore due to its offensive content according to a representative from the local Board of Film Censors.

Read about the full article right after the jump!

If what we're hearing is correct, the Lion City may not have such a roaring reception readied for the upcoming release of Mass Effect for the Xbox 360. Rumor has it that Singapore has decided to ban the game from being distributed in their locale, following the showing of a love scene that's expected to take place during the RPG's gameplay. More details on this matter are readable in the full article.

Rumors often reflect the demand of the market so it's not surprising that this one has resurfaced: Microsoft, according to unnamed insiders, plans to release a new Xbox 360 model with an internal HD DVD drive. An intriguing notion but still only rumor for now so don't get your hopes up just yet.

According to Smarthouse's source, an unnamed senior Toshiba executive in Singapore says that:

An Xbox with a built in HD DVD drive is critical. They and we are working on it. It also has to be more than a gaming machine. Microsoft recognizes this. A version of the device may also be sold under the Toshiba brand name.

The idea seems to be given strength by a comment from Scott Browning, Marketing Director of JB HiFi, Australia's second largest consumer electronics retailer:

The device is ... essential for the HD DVD camp. We are told that one is coming. The PS3 has been extremely successful for Sony in getting Blu-ray off the ground and for Microsoft, the omission of a built in HD DVD player is set to hurt sales going forward as consumers are aware that the PS3 comes with a Blu-ray player.

It doesn't stop with just the internal HD DVD drive: Smarthouse also says that Microsoft may also include an HD TV tuner, EPG capability and a docking port for an MP3 player. Smarthouse suggests that Microsoft is vying to compete with the PlayStation 3's strengths as a media hub (and, consequently, the Blu-ray format).

The new Xbox 360, if it is indeed in the works, is expected to appear in the market by late 2008 or at the 2009 CES show in Las Vegas. We can expect more news (or more rumors) to surface in the following months. Microsoft recently announced that there's no new HD DVD drive in the works, but they never mentioned anything about an internal one so it's not out of the question.

The Games Convention Asia Conference is currently underway and has attracted respected delegates from over 20 countries. Industry bigwigs from North America, Asia and Europe were all at hand to share their thoughts on the state of the business.

 

The inaugural GCAC started on September 6 and wraps up on Sunday with an opener courtesy of  Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Second Minister for Information, Communication, and the Arts.

Managing Director for the Conference & Exhibition Management Services  Edward Liu and Leipzig Trade Fair President Wolfgang Marzin were also in attendance to welcome everyone. The two are the main organizers of the Games Convention events.

Marzin commended the host nation at the opening ceremonies and said, "Singapore is the gateway to the booming Asian-Pacific market, and opens up exciting new opportunities for the global games industry." Bob Wallace of Strategic Alternatives agrees:

The games business is a fast-growing entertainment market with participants from all nations. Asia, however, is the fastest growing part of this market, and many new world-class games companies are expected to emerge from Asia. GCA promises to be the first truly pan-Asian games conference showcasing game products and companies, and it is not to be missed by those who look toward the future.

The GCAC is happening alongside the GC Asia exhibit, which shows off the latest in the gaming industry, encompassing all platforms from consoles, PCs, handhelds and mobile phones.

The GCAC is expected to go off with a bang when Electronic Arts Worldwide executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur takes on the podium and offers his thoughts. Schnur says he is proud to be a part of GCAC and is excited about his turn to speak.

During the first ever Games Convention Asia Conference (GC Asia Conference) held in Singapore, many countries proved how the industry is also strong in Asia outside Japan. Singapore, known as a big market for MMORPGs, even took a step forward to announce that they're ready to become a games industry center of excellence.

Minister for community development, Vivian Balakrishnan, revealed that around US$ 330 million (SG$ 500 million) of government funds went to research and development in the digital interactive sector.

A student exchange program called "GAMBIT" is also under way for Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to share their expertise.

Other parts of South East Asia expressed interest in the industry. A memorandum that "signifies the recognition of each other as ideal counterparts for future collaboration and co-operation in this region for the benefit of the games industry" was signed by ten Asian game developers associations from various countries like Japan, Korea, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Asia-Pacific is expected to contribute 40% of gaming industry's US$ 39.8 billion annual revenue by the end of 2008, and Singapore wants a piece of the cake. "Singapore intends to be part of the action," said Balakrishnan.

US attorney Jack Thompson has commended the UK for banning Take-Two Interactive's Manhunt 2 from sale, adding that he "would absolutely like to see the US and other countries following the UK’s lead."

Thompson said in an article published in MCV UK that the British have a working model where a law has a functional sanction that prevents people from purchasing the concerned material. "I think you all have it right and I think the ruling on Manhunt 2 was spot on – and I see also that Take 2’s The Darkness was banned in Singapore," he says to the UK ratings body BBFC.

Thompson also took a swipe at nemesis publisher and developer tandem Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games, saying that the fact that they made Manhunt 2 made it all the more likely for a ban to be imposed. The high visibility of Take 2 and Rockstar – the poster child for what’s wrong in the industry – made it more likely that it would get a ban," comments the activist lawyer.

"In a way the BBFC rating is redundant because the industry itself, the format holders, have banned it," Thompson says in reference to what he says is a sensible act by Sony and Nintendo to not allow an Adults Only-rated game to be sold in their platforms.

And if you think gamers are the only people excited about Grand Theft Auto IV's launch, you're in for a shock. Thompson says "the next big thing that’s going to hit is Grand Theft Auto 4 and we’ll have to wait and see whether or not that deserves a very restricted rating or doesn’t get rated at all."

The US attorney then concluded with optimism that Americans will adopt a similar rating system to that of the UK, especially Thompson says, if Hillary Clinton becomes the next President. "This has been one of her issues for many years, so I think if she’s elected you’ll see a real push from the White House to have a national sanction hooking into the Government’s rating system."

Gaming in Asia is often associated with Japan, South Korea and China, but the region as a whole is catching up to the growing industry as evidenced by more events being organized to forge cooperation and spread new knowledge on the field.

Games Convention Asia Conference (GCAC) is among the first of such large scale events outside the three aforementioned nations. It's the equivalent of Europe's GCDC and this year, Singapore is hosting it.

The event is none-business in nature and more oriented on talks which seek to impart insights on the state of the industry. However, such conferences have been known to be venues where parties interested in starting commercial ties get acquainted and start partnerships in the long run.

Speakers from Europe, North America and Asia are in the roster of those who will be taking the stage as facilitators of discussions. Bob Bates, story writer behind Unreal Tournament II, will be there, as well as Steve Schnur, EA's Worldwide Executive for Music and Audio.

Local stalwart Chris Natsuume will also be among the first to speak in the events. He was largely responsible for the creation of the game Far Cry. Frank Sliwka, GCDC Project Manager, commented on the new event, stating:

We are confident that the GC Asia Conference will establish itself as the leading platform for the game development community in Asia. The program we put forward will provide attendees with the kind of practical knowledge and numerous networking opportunities for which GC development conferences are well known.

The Games Convention Asia Conference will commence September 6 and last for two days, although no particular venue in Singapore has been named as of press time.