Newsbriefs: PS2 BC Fixes, Game Host Acquired, DAoC/UO Gatherings

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 4:00pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include news of PS2 backward compatibility getting an unannounced fix on the PS3, Global Netoptex acquiring game hosting solutions company Online Game Services, Inc, and official fan-gathering dates for Dark Age of Camelot and Ultima Online. - With the North American release of the PlayStation 3's 1.5 version firmware, numerous online reports have come in saying that a graphic hitch in the PS3's rendering of PS2 games has been resolved. Many PS3 players reported distorted text and graphics when playing PlayStation 2 titles through the PS3's backward compatibility, which, with the latest firmware, are no longer apparent. The official changelog for the latest firmware makes no mention of any rendering differences. It does however, add to yesterday's reports, with the following changes: user icons can now be updated with an image from the PS3's photo menu, a new sound setting, 'key tone' has been added, the system backup utility menu now has a 'delete backup data' option, WEP 128, WPA-PSK (TKIP) and WPA-PSK (AES) wifi security methods have been added to the AOSS selection, and there are now two separate options for saving your password and signing in for the PlayStation Network. - Managed hosting services company Global Netoptex, Inc. (GNi) has announced that it has acquired long-term partner Online Game Services, Inc (OGSi) for more than $3 million. The acquisition, says GNi, 'strengthens the ability of both companies to provide compelling “pay-as-you-grow” game hosting solutions to the online games industry.' GNi notes that OGSi has been providing game-specific, dedicated hosting environments, and network services for such companies as Ping0 and GoPets since its inception in June 2004. “OGSi has enjoyed a productive, successful relationship with GNi for the past two years,” said James Hursthouse, CEO of OGSi. “Combining our two companies clearly strengthens our ability to serve the game industry with innovative hosting solutions. We’ll also be taking our ‘pay-as-you-grow’ model into new areas such as interactive TV, video and music services, and social community websites.” - EA Mythic has announced dates and locations for its 2007 fan gathering events for two MMOs: the Dark Age of Camelot Road Trips and Ultima Online Town Halls. EA Mythic says the events will 'offer players the chance to meet the developers, unite with other fans, and ask those burning questions they have been dying to have answered,' as well as get news, information, and sneak peeks of upcoming content for their favorite online games. The dates run from January 27th to November, in such places as Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Seattle. Full schedule information can be found at the Dark Age of Camelot's Road Trip site. - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch include an update on the upcoming 2007 Independent Games Summit, a look at game design research by Obsidian's Chris Avellone, and a set of six annoying trends in video games. - The latest updates from Gamasutra sister website Game Career Guide include a call for submissions for ACE 2007, the Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from Concrete Games, Edge of Reality, Massive Entertainment AB, Perpetual Entertainment, Petroglyph Games, and Rainbow Studios.