A recently published advertisement for a LittleBigPlanet-themed PSP case from Accessories4Technology may have unintentionally confirmed existence of a PSP-4000. Specifically, the advert makes mention of compatibility with 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 series PSP models. While Sony has yet to officially announce a fourth generation PSP separate from the go line, it's no secret that such a product has been heavily rumored in the past. Talk of the supposed 4000 was reportedly one of the hot topics among Japanese game developers at this year's Tokyo Game Show. This, coupled with the fact that Sony has a historically dubious track record of keeping premature information regarding new PSP iterations under the rug, makes it hard to us to simply put this down to being your typical print snafu.

All that being said, it certainly won't be a surprise to us if  more details to trickle out within the coming months, eventually leading up to an announcement and subsequent product unveiling. In the meantime, we've contacted Sony for comment.

Licensed Accessory Maker Name Drops PSP-4000 [eXophase.com]

An inside source has told UK news site CVG that Logitech is working on an external UMD drive for the PSPgo, presumably allowing owners to playback of their games on the format. There’s word on hwo the attachment will work exactly, but CVG surmises that it could plug into left memory stick slot, much like Datel’s unofficial hard drive add-on for original PSP units did.

Sounds a little far-fetched to us, unless Sony plans on officially endorsing this peripheral. Logitech will need licensing on this item if it ever plans to see the light of day. Besides, with the push towards digital distribution on the go, it seems silly for Sony to backpedal like this. On the other hand, having more options is good for the consumer. However, we don’t see it happening. A revised PSP adopting the same sliding design as the go but with a built-in UMD slot sounds more likely. PSP-4000, anyone?

Rumor: Logitech Devising External UMD Drive for PSPgo - [eXophase.com]

According to a pamphlet given out to attendees of a PlayStation demo event in Japan, a PSN release for Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is not on the cards, at least in the Land of the Rising Sun. As shown in the above picture, no PS Store icon is visible, only UMD.

To add insult to injury, a fan who attended the event twittered that a rep working there told him that there would not be a download version of the title due to licensing issues with IP holder Disney. While we cannot confirm this, it is certainly a possibility – seeing as Sony does not mandate that titles are released on PSN date and date with their retail counterpart.

Square Enix has yet to make an official comment on the matter. Whether or not this issue will prove to be a blockade for a North American or European PSN release of the title is unknown at this point.

Rumor: PSP Go users not getting Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep? [NeoGAF]

Rumor: License Tangle Preventing Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep PSN Release In Japan - [eXophase.com]

This year’s self-proclaimed biggest entertainment launch might not reach all platforms simultaneously. According to a Electronic Threatre piece citing unidentified sources, the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 will miss its once-scheduled November 10 release date and has been pushed back till the 24th. While the exact reasoning behind this setback is unknown, speculation suggests that it may be due to looming piracy concerns or supply constraints.

Listings at online retailers such as Amazon and GameStop still reflect a November 10 date for all versions of the game and publisher Activision has yet to comment on the report. We’ll update when and if they do.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Delayed on PC [Electronic Theatre]

Rumor: Modern Warfare 2 PC Hit With Delay - [eXophase.com]

Citing a “trusted retail source,” Eurogamer has it on good authority that Sony will debut a set of PS3 Slim bundles later this October, each packaged with a 250GB hard drive — more than double that of the standard configuration.

Said to be priced at £299.99, the bundles will include your choice of either Uncharted 2, Assassin’s Creed II, or Gran Turismo 5. We won’t see them all at once, obviously, considering the latter of those titles aren’t due for a release until after October.

Consider it rumor for now, but we have little reason to doubt the validity of such a move when an conspicuous FCC listing turned up a 250GB PS3 model last month. The only question is if SCEA will employ a similar marketing strategy, as they’re not as bundle happy as SCEE is.

PS3 250GB bundles priced, detailed [Eurogamer]

Rumor: PS3 Slim Bundles Hitting Europe In 250GB Variants - [eXophase.com]

Nintendo may have plans to position the DSi platform as more than a mere enhancement over previous DS hardware iterations with rumors cropping up that titles exclusive to DSi will hit retail channels later this fall. They’ve already done this to a certain extent with DSiWare, but the digital market is still small potatoes compared to retail.

Industry sources have told weblog Kotaku that DSi-specific software will be visually identifiable from that of legacy titles, packaged in an all white game casing brandished with an “only for DSi” label.

It’s a transition reminiscent of the Game Boy Color era. The original GB was still extremely popular during the introduction of the GBC and as such Nintendo eased the transition early on with software titles that were compatible with both platforms then later moved on to releasing GBC-only software.

It looks as if Nintendo will once again employ this strategy to lure folks over to the DSi platform, which in addition to featuring a camera component, sports beefed up hardware specifications: double the CPU clock speed and four times as much RAM as the original DS and DS Lite. Of course, this is still is a rumor, leaving only time to confirm Nintendo’s eventual plans.

Rumor: DSi Exclusive Titles Hit This Fall - [eXophase.com]

It looks as if Rocksteady Studios – most recently of Batman: Arkham Asylum fame – are aiding in development efforts on the next Hitman entry, tentatively titled Hitman 5. An online resume page for UK-based actor Mark Sloan reveals that he provided motion capture services for the title. Conveniently listed next to that tidbit of info is the company responsible for contracting Sloan, which is none other than Rocksteady.

Considering the series has traditionally been handled by IO Interactive, we’re not convinced that Rocksteady is operating on its own with this one. As Eidos owns a stake in the studio, they may simply be working with IO.

Eidos has yet to comment on the status of Hitman 5.

Rumor: Rocksteady Lending A Hand In Hitman 5 Development - [eXophase.com]

For a company so adamant on keeping things under wraps, Sony sure is having a tough time with information control on its purported PS3 Slim hardware revision. French-based site JVN reports that the slimmed down model will hit store shelves next month in Europe at 299.99 Euro — 100 Euro less than the current asking price.

If true, official word must not be far off, as one would presume that Sony plans to make an announcement at its gamescom press briefing on August 18. Considering the showing is scheduled to be a full three hours long, we’re certain Sony plans to bring up some important announcements there. The countdown is on.

Report: PS3 Slim Arrives In Europe Next Month At 299 Euro - [eXophase.com]

It appears the purported PS3 Slim is inching closer from mere speculation to a real tangible item, as the product pages of Amazon Germany now contain a listing for “PlayStation 3 Konsole slim.”

Aside from the product ID number “B002JM1GPU” that turns up no noteworthy results other than this listing, no further details are available. Is this an actual slip-up or was someone at Amazon bored on the job? It’s impossible to tell at the moment, but this certainly adds weight to widely circulated rumors that suggest a slimmed-down version of the PS3 is due out by the end of this year, possibly as soon as fall.

Thanks Chathurga for the tip!

Amazon Germany Lists PS3 Slim - [eXophase.com]

If a report from Taiwan-based finance site UDN is to be believed, the much-rumored PS3 Slim model has entered the production phase and units will be ready to ship by July at the earliest. Do keep in mind that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll reach store shelves this month, but this tidbit of information does fall in line with previous rumors that pegged a price cut for later this fall. Clearly, Sony is up to something.

With stock of the current 80GB model reportedly being phased out, a late August or early September retail availability date for the PS3 Slim is looking increasingly likely. More as it breaks.

PS3代工 鴻海搶到大單 [UDN]

Report: Rumored PS3 Slim Enters Production Phase - [eXophase.com]