The Android Developers blog has announced the latest update to the Native Development Kit, which now includes support for the proper extensions needed for developing 3D games using the newer Open GL ES 2.0 standard, placing games and applications developed with the NDK closer in performance to the games available on iPhone 3G/3GS and Palm Pre.

In related news, the first application developed with the NDK is now available for purchase from the Android market, which is a Japanese developed 3D shooter titled ExZeus Arcade for $3.99.  The game is limited to Android 2.x compatibility, limiting the game to the Motorola Milestone/Droid and Google Nexus One.

Nvidia has announced on its Twitter feed that it will debut its newest GF100 based graphics cards during the PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) East 2010 gaming convention. The dedicated page for the announcement is live and features more information on Nvidia’s activites during the convention.

Update: Nvidia has updated its Twitter feed, clarifying the release date for its GTX470 and for GTX480 graphics cards, which is now set for March 26th of this year.

In a letter to investors, Nippon Ichi President Tomohiro Sato has announced his resignation from the company, effective March 31st, for what Sato calls “personal reasons”.

Nippon Ichi Software recently posted a 97% loss in operating income for the nine month period ending on January 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008 in Japan, which sent the company’s stock price into freefall on the JASDAQ stock exchange.

The stock price which closed at ¥36,200 ($394.54) per share on February 5th, fell to a ¥7,000 drop ($78) on the 8th as the market reacted to the news by selling off the stock. The subsequent 20% drop in the stock price in turn forced the exchange to freeze the price before it could fall further and endanger the already fragile financial state of the developer.

The game developer and publisher’s US branch recently announced its intention to license and distribute anime in the US later this year beginning with Toradora! Pandora Hearts, Persona -trinity soul- andOur Home’s Fox Deity (Wagaya no Oinarisama). The resignation is not expected to affect those plans.

Update: Tomihiro Sato is the current head of sales and marketing for NIS Japan and is the person resigning in the letter sent to investors, while the current president and sometimes producer Sohei Shinkawa will not be stepping down. Apologies for the confusion.

Sony has decided to pursue a new strategy to ensure new purchases and pre-orders of its disc-based PSP games.

By turning SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3’s online play into a one time use bonus code that can’t be tranferred or reused when the game is sold either to a store or another individual, Sony hopes to curb piracy and used game sales.

The game is also the first to require registration via the Playstation Network under the new Entitlement program before beginning a new game, adding another layer of protection besides the one-time bonus code for online play.

To add insult to financial injury, Sony further suggests to customers that are and will be affected by the new requirements when purchasing a used copy of the game to pay an additional $20 under the “PSN Entitlement Voucher” system in order to receive another code.

Unsurprisingly, that has incensed and angered many used game consumers and enthusiasts on the basis that the functionality should have been included to begin with and not treated as a one time bonus.

The latest move by Sony revives the debate on how far developers and publishers will go in order to protect profits and margins on new games while fighting perceived losses due to used game sales and piracy.

Microsoft’s senior product manager Michael Chang has alluded to the possibility of allowing other game console online platforms access to Windows Phone 7 integration on the same level as the Xbox LIVE integration previously announced for the operating system, with Sony’s Playstation Network a strong possibility.

“If you look at our history in mobiles, we have never blocked anything off this platform because we compete in the same space, at least not in the phone space.” “We think it’s pretty clear – I was slightly worried that when we showed off Xbox Live on the Windows Phone 7 platform people might think it was Microsoft trying to own the [mobile] world.”

But the simplest way to put it is that there’s a very obvious reason we called it the Games hub and the Music + Video hub: Zune and Xbox are key parts, but not the only parts, of the overall Windows Phone experience.”

Chang further points out that Microsoft has allowed competing products to co-exist on the Windows Mobile platform with no conflict in the past, pointing to the company’s open stance on competing products and services, such as web browsers and office software.

Famed composer Nobuo Uematsu will be attending Anime Boston as a guest of honor during the convention scheduled for April 2nd-4th.

The composer is known for composing the scores to the first six entries in the Final Fantasy RPG franchise, the Blue Dragon video game and anime adaptation, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, as well as the Ah! My Goddess feature film.

Newegg is currently offering the Sony PSPgo at a $40 discount from its $249.99 MSRP, which includes free shipping in Pearl White for $209.99 while the standard Black color is on sale at a $30 discount for $219.99 also with free shipping.
Buy the PSP Go in Black from Newegg.com
Buy the PSPgo in Pearl White from Newegg.com

Konami has delayed the Japanese launch of the long awaited next entry in the Metal Gear Solid franchise in Peace Walker for the PSP from March 18th to April 29th.

The release goes on to explain the following reason for the delay:

“Unfortunately, we require more time in order to make the final adjustments and it is with the greatest regret that we have decided to change the release date for this product.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause customers who have already placed orders for this product or who are eagerly awaiting its release, as well as other concerned parties.”

Konami of America and the European subsidiary has yet to issue a formal statement on the delay and whether the new Japanese date will delay the US and European launches currently scheduled for May 25th. and 28th respectively.

Nintendo has reported a 23% drop in annual profit in the third quarter of 2009 due to slowing sales of the Nintendo DS and the September Wii price drop cutting into total earnings.

Total annual profit in the third quarter was down to $192 million from $249 million one year prior.

Nintendo will be launching another iteration of the DSi with larger displays in the DSi XL this April in the US.

The ESRB has issued ratings for the forthcoming port of Sega’s AfterBurner Climax flight combat game which will lead to an eventual release later this year in the US.

The game is currently slated for launch in Japan this Spring via Live Marketplace and Playstation Network for 800 Microsoft Points and 900 yen ($10) respectively.