In the latest instalment in the battle of the gaming networks, Sony has announced that it has signed a deal to make NBC content available to PlayStation Network users. The news comes only a month after a similar deal was struck between NBC and Microsoft for the Xbox 360, and suggests that the battle to provide more and better content is intensifying.

Films from Universal Studios and programmes from NBC, such as Heroes, will now be available on the network for users of the PlayStation 3 and PSP to download. Films will be available in high definition, and the programmes will be made available to download the day after they have been aired on TV, meaning fans will not have to wait around to get hold of them. Prices will start at about $5 (£3), and this is expected to increase the popularity of the network.

According to Sony, there are now 1,300 films and 4,500 TV episodes in total to download from the network, including content from Paramount, Fox, MGM and Disney. It also said that it now has 20 million accounts on the network compared to 17 million for the Xbox.

The head of Universal’s home entertainment, Craig Kornblau, said that the “home entertainment experience continues to evolve”, and that people are “increasingly looking for activities within the home” when it comes to spending their free time. This market represents a crossing over from the games market to other areas of home entertainment, and we could be witnessing a significant shift in how we get hold of our content.

At the moment, the NBC content is only available in the US, so those of us in the UK will have to wait.

The first of two expansion packs for Grand Theft Auto IV was released recently, and with it came an interesting twist on the controversy that often surrounds new releases of the series. In GTA IV: The Lost and Damned, players leave behind the story of Niko Bellic and instead control Johnny Klebitz, playing out his role as the leader of a biker gang. The add-on has been described as darker and more gritty than its predecessor but it's not the brutal scenes (a sledge hammer to the face being most prominent) which are generating the news. Instead what jolted bloggers and online game journalists into action was something deemed far worse, something far more likely to bring society to its knees; the inclusion of a penis.

A penis being in a game rated for 18s and over should really not shock anyone, especially when it is flaccid and is only shown for seconds during a non-sexual sauna scene. Yes, it is the first time a modern, fully 3D game had done this but if anything shouldn’t we be asking why it has taken so long? Apparently not, if the majority of game journalists are anything to go by. Some simply used it as a way of making puns and jokes, whilst others appeared intent on hyping up the predicted reaction of the mainstream media. Irresponsible as it may be, anyone who can remember the “Hot Coffee” incident of 2004 will no doubt be aware of how many extra hits gaming sites received as the story played out. Add to that the attention/paycheques given to some journalists who were hired as “experts” by prime-time news shows across America and you can see why they seem so keen to cause a fuss.

It is interesting to note, then, that at the time of writing this article there have been no major reactions from newspapers or the television networks on the subject. Anyone not familiar with the American media may see this as normal, it is only a penis after all, but you only have to look back to the Mass Effect vs. Fox News fiasco to see how something so small can cause an over-blown reaction. Mass Effect, which included an implied sex-scene consisting of two people kissing and the side of a breast, was deemed as “full digital nudity” by the news program and condemned by a psychologist who later revealed she had never seen the scene in question. The reaction that followed however may be one reason it's all quiet on the GTA front. After the news report many gamers began to boycott Fox News, and the book authored by the so-called expert they had hired was hounded by negative user-reviews on popular sites such as Amazon.

Another factor that may be influencing the media is the rising popularity of gaming. The Wii and the DS have played a huge part in bringing gaming to different generations that had previously feared them. Even the American President has mentioned gaming in a positive light, and it is widely known that a Nintendo Wii resides in his household. Could the time have come when the world has finally decided to see games as more than just a children’s plaything?

We can only hope the that media is slowly learning its lesson and has realised that it can no longer market games as the newest corrupting evil to an audience which plays them. Perhaps this story simply slipped under the radar whilst the world worried about the economy and how to make things right, but if things really have started to change and games are no longer public enemy number one then I can only feel pity for whatever new medium they turn on next.

PlayStation has released new figures stating that it has now managed to sign up a record 20 million users to the PSN (PlayStation Network). This figure represents a huge rise in the popularity of the network since it was first created back in November 2006.

After 14 months in existence the network had five million users, after 20 months that was up to 10 million, and now the latest figures of 20 million seem to suggest it will just keep getting more and more popular.

It is not hard to see why the network has taken off so well. It allows PlayStation and PSP users to access a huge range of content, including multiplayer gaming, digital content, text messaging, video chat and social features. It also provides access to the PlayStation Store, which currently has over 14,500 items on it. This includes 5,900 TV episodes and films, numerous new games and even a Game Archive where users can buy cheaper older titles.

PlayStation has stated that 600 of its titles now involve an element of online play, meaning users can hook up to the network and play people from all over the world. And with the network now available in 55 countries across the planet, it really does have a global reach.

It’s all looking rather good for PlayStation, especially as the rest of the world struggles through the recession. It has caught onto the popularity of playing games over international networks, and is pleased to announce that 380 million downloads have been recorded from the PSN since it was launched. In all, that makes up a figure of $180 million in sales, which is certainly something to be pleased about.

When times are hard, there is always one way to guarantee bringing in the customers: release a novelty special edition product. So in the middle of this deep and worsening recession, it is no surprise that Microsoft has done just that with the announcement that it will be releasing a special edition red Xbox 360 in March.

This limited-edition model is sure to catch the eye of hardcore Xbox fans. The pre-release pictures show a slick machine decked out in a dark, blood-red colour, which is sure to provide a talking point in the months to come for those lucky enough to get their hands on it.

The reason for its release is to coincide with the eagerly awaited Resident Evil V, which is the first Resident Evil game in the franchise to make it to the Xbox 360. The game and the machine are to be sold together in a special bundle pack, which will also include a matching red wireless controller, a black wireless headset and an exclusive dashboard theme.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the bundle will also come with a bonus card allowing for a free download of Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix from Xbox Live Arcade.

The red console is to be the Elite Edition model, which means it will have a massive 120GB hard drive. The release date has been penned in as Friday 13th March, and it will be sold for a reported £233. However, it is thought to be a very limited offer and therefore pre-orders are being advised to avoid disappointment.

By now some readers will have already had a chance to look around the Community Games channel on Xbox Live, but with over 100 titles already uploaded you’re probably wondering which are worth your time? To help I have sampled every game so far and put together these short previews of a few titles that stand out from the crowd.

“Groov” by TheBarryman
Groov is a top-down, two stick shooter that is near identical to the XBLA game Geometry Wars. Its controls aren’t as tight and it’s nowhere near as pretty but there is one reason you should try it and that’s the music. The idea behind Groov is that you compose a song whilst you play. Every bullet you fire plays a musical note and every dead enemy sounds an instrumental tune. This adds a whole new level to the gameplay, with less emphasis on all out shooting, and more on the order and timing of your attacks. The result is that you become much more involved when playing, whilst dying gains the added consequence of ending your song and the atmosphere it creates. The demo gives you a nice part of the game to try for free, whilst harder modes are available once purchased for just 200 points.

“In the Pit” by Studio Hunty
In the Pit is an interesting title because although I wouldn’t recommend buying it, I highly recommend you try the demo. It does exactly what is expected from an indie project by throwing away the rule book and creating something fresh. In the game you play as a monster living in a pitch black cave. Using only sound (surround sound or headphones are required) you must find the intruder to your lair and eat them. In The Pit is simplistic, gimmicky and doesn’t have much lasting appeal, but more interesting than the game itself is the idea it inspires. It is likely that its unique design was born from the creator’s lack of artistic skills, but as a result of this shortcoming one of the first ever accessible games for the blind has been created on a console. Small games aimed at unique audiences, such as people with disabilities, is just one of the fantastic possibilities to come out of XBL Communities Games. This is an area often ignored by large publishers who work mainly on producing titles for the largest audience. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues, and if future releases continue to challenge the way our senses are used in play.

“Machiavelli’s Ascent” by Naturally Formed Studios
The beauty of Machiavelli’s Ascent is how simple, yet addictive it is. Like a Flash game it is accessible to all, reminiscent of “The Helicopter Game,” whose fame came through the viral spread of friends challenging each other’s top scores. The basic gameplay involves moving either left or right, attempting to hit orbs that continue your vertical momentum. The art style and music rise above what you would expect from this type of game, but with it also comes the obligatory price currently forced on all creators by Microsoft. Although it is probably worth the 200 points, these types of small games have been available for free on the internet for years. It’s hard not to wish Microsoft would use their ownership of the company Massive to develop an advert based pay system for smaller titles such as this. Pricing issues aside though, Machiavelli’s Ascent is a great game that always teases with the idea that your next go might just beat your last.

“Swords and Monsters” by Triple A Studios
Finally we have what is possibly the first attempt at a comedy title on XBL Community Games. There is no reason to buy this game (you’ll see why when you play it) but if you have a spare minute and fancy having some fun then download the trial and see how quickly you too can complete the epic adventure of Swords and Monsters.

Look out for more previews in the future as XBL Community Games continue to grow, and please use the comments section below to spread the word on your favourite Community Games.