Please excuse the light postings that we’re giving you this weekend (and early next). We’re currently attending a few conferences in Vienna, Austria, discussing blogging, social networking and exchanging ideas and information with a room full of nerds. Always a fun experience.

For anyone interested, we are at Barcamp Vienna (I actually made this post from there, just couldn’t submit it before the WLAN went down again) and for the next few days, will be attending Blogtalk Reloaded, two very interesting conferences (or “unconference” in the case of Barcamp) happening in Vienna this weekend, which we couldn’t resist bringing our special brand of nerdiness to. If anyone happens (by some small chance) to also be in town and attending, feel free to leave look us up, we have beards.

After many rumours, RedOctane finally announced that Guitar Hero II will see a release on the Xbox 360, with the game and the “X-Plorer” controller currently being shown at Microsoft’s X06, currently underway. The controller is designed specifically for the Xbox 360 and players will be able to download new content, such as rock rhythm, lead and bass guitar tracks (awesome). With the Xbox Live Arcade being as great as it is, I imagine the possibilities are endless for downloadable content.

Read more: Red Octane announces Guitar Hero 360

Ohhhh, today has been just one long Wii revelations party and yes, we’ve already pre-ordered our Wii, booya! After their press presentation, Nintendo issued their official press release as well as their list of “launch-period” games, which is awesome, purely awesome. /Fan rant…

Read the games list and press release after the jump..

Read more of “Nintendo Wii press release and official games list“

Nintendo Wii in the US, November 19th, $249.99 at over 25,000 distribution points. Hardware, cables, sensor bar, 1 Wii remote and 1 nunchuck controller in the box.

Wii bowling, Wii Boxing, Wii Golf, Wii Baseball, Wii Tennis = Wii Sports which will be packed into the Wii box. Legend of Zelda and Excite Truck as part of the 30 planned Wii titles for Nintendo’s launch window (about half on launch day, rest following through 2006), software pricing to remain consistent with Gamecube ($49.99 for first-party titles).

Trauma Center, Madden 07, Need for Speed: Carbon, Elebits, Super Monkey Ball, Metal Slug Anthology, Red Steel, RRR all part of planned launch titles. Metroid Prime 3 coming in 2007.

Wii channels menu, news, weather, software shop, photo and others. 10 Virtual Console / Channel titles per month, including Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Super Mario 64, Super Mario World and more.

Wii points can be purchased online or at retailers, 2000 points = $20, purchased title available forever to re-download after purchase. Virtual Console / Channel games to cost $5-$10 each. No word on indie game developers actually getting a chance to develop VC titles.

Wii Photo channel the iPhoto of gaming? Take your SD card from your camera and plug it into your Wii. Scamble, doodle and more over your photos.

Messaging channel allows sending messages to PC users (chat?), cellphones (sms?) and to other Wii messaging users.

4 million Wii units by Dec 31st worldwide, 6 million by end of fiscal year (March 2007). US to get bulk of units, no word on if EU gets Wii this holiday season. :(

First online game in Japan at launch, Pokemon Battle Revolution, US version following shortly. Guaranteed million seller in japan.

WHEW!

JoWood today announced it’s newest title, The Mark, a new first-person shooter where the player fills the role of elite Marines (or possibly mercenaries) trying to foil the plans of terrorists who want to launch a nuclear attack on Europe’s largest city, London. The game will feature solo and multi-player modes with all of the required features for a modern 1st person action title, from sneaking to stealth to level editing and modding tools.

Read more: JoWooD announces “The Mark” | The Mark