June 30 - 8:35am EDT   Sony today hoped to spur growth in add-ons for PlayStation systems by launching an expanded official licensing program. The new approach lets companies in most areas make controllers or other peripherals for PS2, PS3 and PSP systems with full technical help and an official logo. In return, these companies will have to meet certain standards; it's not mentioned if companies will also pay royalties for the right to use the logo. [full story]

May 29 - 4:25pm EDT   A limited edition version of the upcoming DJ Hero video game will include exclusive greatest hits CDs from rappers Jay-Z and Eminem, along with an advanced version of the turntable controller, USA Today said on Friday. How the controller differs from the standard unit was not detailed, however. An offshoot of the highly popular Guitar Hero franchise from developer Activision, the limited edition game will also have a DJ stand and metal traveling case for the turntable. [full story]

May 22 - 5:00pm EDT   Genius on Friday announced the upcoming release of an addition to its lineup of steering wheels with the TwinWheel FF steering wheel controller. Compatible with Sony's PS2 gaming console and PCs, the wheel has 12 programmable buttons and attaches to flat surfaces via four suction cups and a c-clamp. It connects to a PC or PS2 via a USB port. [full story]

May 12 - 8:10am EDT   Logitech on Tuesday unveiled a standard, black version of its Wireless Guitar Controller (link active soon) for the PlayStation 2 and 3. The gaming peripheral is an improvement on the special-run red controller with better construction and is meant to provide a more authentic feel to games like the Guitar Hero series. Its body, fingerboard and neck are made of wood, with frets made of real metal; it also has silenced buttons to avoid detracting from the music and gets a touch-sensitive slider at the base of the neck. [full story]

March 31 - 12:00pm EDT   Sony's director of hardware marketing, John Koller, has officially announced that the PlayStation 2 gaming console will begin selling for $99.99 starting tomorrow, April 1st. This represents a $30 price drop from the current price, roughly 23 percent, and may be the source of rumors of a PS3 price cut. Sony has consistently denied any PS3 reductions. [full story]

July 15 - 3:15pm EDT   Sony today helped the PlayStation 2 towards the end of its life with news of a new bundle for the console. The Lego Batman bundle ties the black version of the game system with both a copy of the upcoming Lego Batman game as well as a DVD version of the new Justice League: New Frontiers superhero movie. The system is otherwise the same as the slim PS2 and comes with a lone DualShock 2 gamepad when it ships in the fall for $149. [full story]

February 20 - 9:45am EST   Logitech this morning helped kick off a round of announcements at the Game Developers' Conference through a new Driving Force wheel. The Driving Force GT (pictured) is the latest wheel controller officially connected to Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo racing games and is the first Logitech wheel specifically tailored to the upcoming GT5 Prologue PlayStation 3 title and its eventual GT5 follow-up: a dial at the front of the wheel allows drivers to adjust real-time settings that are available in some actual cars, such as brake bias, dampers, and the level of active traction control. [full story]