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Shingo Takatsuka, the progenitor of the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series, recently had a few choice words to share with IGN on the subject of incorporating motion control into the franchise. Though the producer of that other soccer game has stated his indifference to motion control schemes, Takatsuka explained Konami is highly intrigued by Project Natal and the heretofore "officially" unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller -- intrigued to the extent that he's "looking at integrating those devices into our games very aggressively." As we all know, soccer is the most fatiguing activity any human can participate in, so we expect that a Natal-ized version of PES would be appropriately taxing. However, given the sport's limited employment of hands, we'd be curious to see how Sony's motion-sensing peripheral would be utilized. There are few pieces of gaming hardware we'd outright refuse to give a fair shot, but shoe adapters might just be beyond our capacity for humiliation.

Aping a popular franchise's mechanics and style may be seen as a safe business proposition, but in terms of critical evaluation, the copy-cat game is likely to face stricter judgment. After all, if you're going to copy the good stuff, you've got to get it right. Tecmo's PlayStation 3 exclusive, Quantum Theory (just Quantum outside of Japan), certainly succeeds in evoking memories of Gears of War -- at least, if you remember Epic's shooter being a technically unsound and completely unappealing disaster. If the Tokyo Game Show build is any indication, Quantum needs to undergo crucial work before its early 2010 release.

Though the Japanese aren't exactly known for their love affair with first-person shooters, Team Ico director Fumito Ueda can name at least one that he digs: Half-Life 2. Speaking to G4TV (through a translator), Ueda named the Valve-developed sequel when asked which games he has had an emotional reaction to."There was variation in terms [of] locations and also [in] the way of storytelling in the game. Usually, you have to incorporate storytelling with constraints, but the way [Valve] implemented constraints was something different that I enjoyed, compared to other games," observed Ueda. He's even considered making his own first-person game at some point, stating, "I have an interest in making first-person games."If Ueda's previous development cycle lengths are any indication, we tentatively expect to see a Ueda-developed first-person game by 2025 or so ... at the earliest. [Image credit: jeriaska]

For gamers who bore witness to the advent of the PlayStation, Toshinden likely brings back memories. You'll remember how you forced yourself to believe it was incredibly awesome at the time (It's like Street Fighter ... in 3D!). And you'll remember going back to the game a few years later and wondering just what you were thinking. Relive all that self-deceptive awe all over again with this trailer for Toshinden on the Wii! Check it out after the break. Question: Where the hell is Fo Fai? He was totally the best character. [Via Siliconera]

During GamesCom, Activision said that DJ Hero would come to Europe in "late October." The good news is that the publisher didn't pick the very last day in October to release the game ... though it's awfully close. Today, Activision told Eurogamer that all versions of DJ Hero will be out in the UK and mainland Europe on October 30. The previously-announced price of £109.99 (roughly €120) still stands, meaning that gamers may have to sell off some of their record collections to get the game and turntable deck. Of course, with many of DJing's biggest stars repping Europe, the territory is a key -- and potentially profitable -- market for Activsion.

Neither Microsoft nor Sony has an "official" name for its respective motion project. At the very least, Microsoft has donned a far more attractive (and marketable) codename for its tech: "Project Natal" versus the clunky-but-aptly titled "PlayStation Motion Controller."One name Sony may be using with developers is "Sphere," a word that highlights the glowing colored orb central to the motion controller's technology. Sega producer Yasuhito Baba and his translator both referred to the controller as "Sphere" during an interview at Tokyo Game Show last month. Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi also talked about the PlayStation Motion Controller when we asked him if Gran Turismo would support the "Sphere" peripheral.Sony representatives we chatted with admitted they were unfamiliar with the "Sphere" name, meaning it may be strictly a development codename for now.

It's a light load this week for Nintendo aficionados. With only a trio of new downloads available, this week's offerings pale in comparison to the robust line-up of last week, but, alas, we must soldier on. Despite a lack of quantity this week, quality is here, as Nintendo and Square Enix have finally made good on their promise to bring Final Fantasy to the Virtual Console.See the full release details after the break.

The Sackboys and girls will go portable when LittleBigPlanet PSP popits into retail November 17. The new travel-size adventure will bring the intuitive level-creation of its PS3 cousin, but it's a strictly solo escapade.For a fuller LBP experience this fall, there's always the "Game of the Year edition" on PS3.

IndieCade 2009 was held in Culver City, CA this past weekend, and the local art galleries and restaurants were filled with independent games and their developers from all over the world. The festival billed itself as the "video game Sundance" and lived up to this self-made reputation, putting 29 different indie games on display, both throughout the weekend and during a Thursday night opening ceremony MC'd by Uncharted 2's Richard Lemarchand (shown above with festival founder Stephanie Barish).We've rounded up the festival's finalists in the gallery below. You may be familiar with a few of them, including Twisted Pixel's The Maw and a selection of well-known iPhone titles, but all of these titles deserve your attention -- and a playthrough!

In an interview with Joystiq, Microsoft's Phil Spencer said he wouldn't be surprised to see Project Natal integration in Fable 3. Another person who wouldn't be surprised? The guy in charge of Fable 3. Peter Molyneux told Game Kings that he was "leaving the most exciting gameplay stuff for later." He then added, "I am going to say it's going to use a controller, but I've never said it's not going to use Natal.""And obviously what would probably happen if I started talking about this is you would see a little red dot appear moving on my forehead," Molyneux continued. "And then as I would start to speak the words then there would be a shotgun fire, and I would be assassinated. Quite clearly, it is that sensitive." But not so sensitive that he can't quite nearly confirm it in the next breath."Do you really think, knowing me, as maybe you do over the years, I wouldn't want to use something like Natal? I mean, that's just mad, man." Let's just lay it out here: The guy responsible for basically the only known Natal project is going to put some Natal segments in Fable 3. We all know this. It's going to happen. Try to look surprised when it's announced at whichever trade show next year.[Via IGN]

FIFA 10 -- the Madden of Europa -- had the most successful "all formats" launch since Grand Theft Auto IV in the UK, according to Chart Track. First week sales of the footie fiesta grew by nearly 48 percent over its predecessor's opening week a year ago. This was the highest-selling launch of a FIFA game ever, with the Xbox 360 generating 48 percent of sales, PS3 46 percent, and the remaining formats making up six percent.Professor Layton and Pandora's Box (the Diabolical Box in the States) held onto the number two spot from last week, while Halo 3: ODST sales dropped 75 percent to the third spot, after holding last week's crown. Source -- FIFA 10 scores BIG (Chart Track) Source -- All formats chart (Chart Track)

This is the bicep of a very well-known game developer. Do you think you can guess who it is? Stake your claim (mentally) before your hit the jump! I know, I can’t believe it either! Looks like Kojima has been taking on some of the training that Snake involves himself with! I [...]