Source: Reports springing up in a number of gaming hangouts, including Gaming Age Forums and Cheap Ass Gamer.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: Even on their best days, most gaming message boards are not known as level-headed venues where different ways of thinking are welcome or accepted. So when Cheap Ass Gamer forum-goer "Hack" posted a picture of a GameStop flier over the weekend that said the retailer was requiring the $50 deposit on Wii and PlayStation 3 pre-orders to be paid in game trade-ins (cash or credit not accepted!), there was naturally much ado.

Gamers took the news and ran with it, spreading it around various message boards and getting a bit of coverage from news aggregators as well. However, as the news spread, it seemed certain nuances were lost. The original poster, Hack, updated his post to clarify things as he understood them after a call back to the store where he picked up the flier.

"I will repeat that I never said this was official, or meant this to be an official nationwide announcement," Hack wrote in an update to his post. "As the beginning of this post has always stated (or rather, used to state), I'm not aware if this is a nationwide trend or not (and we have learned that it currently IS NOT). I do live in Hawaii, and therefore this could only be in my region. This is basically a small scale test of this new pre-ordering method. That means that if this test succeeds in Hawaii, it could possibly take effect nationwide."

It seems the GameStop employee who filled Hack in had the facts straight. A spokesman for the retailer told us today that the pre-order stipulation is real, but stressed that it is only a test, and one that the company is conducting only in Hawaii. He also said the test began and ended today, and that the company doesn't have an official nationwide program for pre-orders yet. It's unknown if Hawaiian customers will get another crack at pre-orders in the nationwide program, whatever form it may take.

The test is over, and it will be a little while before we see whether or not GameStop decides to embrace that strategy on a nationwide basis. However, it seems likely that GameStop, and possibly other retailers as well, would do something to improve their bottom line on console launches.

Whereas the profit on new game hardware is traditionally very small, the profit on selling used games is considerably higher. Requiring trade-ins to cover the deposit would be one way for retailers to better their bottom lines without requiring the bundled purchases that have become common from online retailers, including GameStop's own Web store.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that the plan is nationwide. Not bogus that GameStop was using Hawaii to test consumer reaction to the idea.

Source: Taiwanese electronics-industry news site Digitimes.

What we heard: In September 2005, Microsoft announced it was supporting HD-DVD to succeed DVD as the next video format. Ever since, many have speculated that the software giant was planning a new version of its Xbox 360 console that would have an internal HD-DVD drive. Conventional wisdom was such a device could counter the PlayStation 3's inclusion of an internal drive for Blu-ray Discs, HD-DVD's rival.

However, in the intervening year, rumors of a HD-DVD-equipped 360 have largely died down. One big reason was Microsoft's unveiling of an external HD-DVD player at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2006 in May, which will let 360 owners watch HD-DVD movies when it goes on sale later this year. Another factor was the delay and scaling-down of the PlayStation 3 launch due to problems manufacturing Blu-ray drives--thus eliminating the immediate need for a competing product.

Today, though, reports of a HD-DVD-equipped 360 were back in the news, thanks to the Digitimes article. "Microsoft has started designing a new generation of Xbox 360s equipped with an internal HD-DVD drive and is selecting manufacturers in Taiwan to build the drive, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry," the publication claims. "If the process of selecting partner makers and subsequent certification goes smoothly, Microsoft may launch the Xbox 360 equipped with the built-in HD-DVD drive in the first half of 2007 at the soonest, the sources noted."

The official story: When contacted by GameSpot, Microsoft PR reps ladled out their 30 millionth serving of "We do not comment on rumors and speculation." However, they did, in fact, offer some additional comment, saying "Microsoft has been on the record on this issue in the past," and directed editors to a post on Gamerscoreblog.com, the collective blog of Microsoft's Games Global Marketing team. That post, which went up in June, succinctly summed up the company line thusly. "We have no plans to release an Xbox 360 with an internal HD-DVD," it said. "What we showcased at E3 was an external HD-DVD drive, and we're sticking with that."

Bogus or not bogus?: Officially bogus. Unofficially? Hard to say. Digitimes has been the source of many interesting rumors in the past--but not all of them have been accurate. In February, the site reported that Sony was planning to release a PSP with 8GB of flash memory by year's end--which now seems highly unlikely.

Source: An article on UK game site MCV.

What we heard:

The Nintendo Wii is no stranger to rumor and speculation, thanks mainly to the company's ultratight-lipped policy on launch details. Nintendo officially confirmed a Q4 launch for the Wii at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, but the price of the console has been the subject of much discussion among gamers and analysts. The closest that the company has come to an official line was at Leipzig, where Nintendo's German general manager said that the console would retail for under 250 euros ($320, £169) in Europe.

Nintendo is expected to firm up those elusive price and release-date details next week when it holds press conferences in New York and, reportedly, Japan. However, ahead of these conferences, respected UK industry magazine MCV has broken the news that Nintendo's Wii will hit retail worldwide before November 24, with a £149 ($281, 220 euros) UK price point.

The magazine, which was released today, doesn't cite any individuals for the details, although it says sources have told the publication that supply stock will not be an issue in the UK. According to the publication, there will be plenty of units for both the November launch and the run up to Christmas, which should eradicate any of the preorder woes that have blighted recent major console launches.

While the Web site seems confident about these details and has run the story on its front page, the information was obtained before the news of Sony's PlayStation 3 postponement in Europe. Though it's possible that this will affect the launch date and pricing, MCV expects Nintendo will want to take advantage of the opportunity present in Europe.

Interestingly the £150 price point sits right in the middle of what most people were expecting, although the American equivalent seems quite high--Nintendo has never launched a console in the US for over $200.

The official story: When asked for comment, a Nintendo representative told GameSpot UK: "We know that everyone is as excited as we are about the pending launch of Wii, and as a result, there is a lot of speculation and rumors. We ask people to be patient, as all will be revealed in due course."

Bogus or not bogus?: MCV's extra-broad timetable and price point seem legit, but without any firm sources, we'll take it with a grain of salt. Probably not bogus.

Source: Several sites, including DS fan site DS-X2.com.

What we heard: When the DS was first launched in 2004, many gamers simply took it for a gaming machine--mostly because that is what Nintendo marketed it as. Since its release, however, the machine has proven to move beyond Mario rehashes, with its Touch Generation brand of edutainment titles, Play-Yan media player, and recently released Web browser.

Little new info was released at Nintendo's press conference at the recent Leipzig Game Conference, but the company may be adding even more functionality to its precious handheld. Web site DS-X2 said that hidden in a Nintendo brochure was a "Nintendo MP3 Player" for the DS and DS Lite.

The information in the brochure (pictured--photo widely circulated on the Web) is in German, but translating the text reveals that the player will reportedly use SD cards (up to 2GB capacity) and display whatever pertinent tags (song names, artist names, albums, and the like) are available on a "graphics interface."

DS-X2 claims the add-on looks similar to the Play-Yan media player, which was released only in Japan, for the Game Boy Advance and DS. The site also reports that the MP3 player will be released on October 6 for just under 30 euros (approximately $38 in the US), will include Nintendo-themed skins, and will have a headphone port on it.

Nintendo has yet to officially announce the product, so DS owners are left to trust Internet hearsay. However, such an accessory would fall in line with Nintendo's recent push to make the DS more of a multimedia player along the lines of Sony's PSP.

The official story: "Nintendo of America has not announced an MP3 player for the DS."--Nintendo spokesperson.

Bogus or not bogus?: While Rumor Control doesn't believe this will be an iPod-killer, it does believe it's real. Not bogus...but will it come to the US?

Source: Posts on Joystiq and Evil Avatar citing an article in the October issue of PSM.

The official story: Sony had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

What we heard: This week's big rumor comes courtesy of a series of blogs, such as Evil Avatar and Joystiq. Both sites reported that the latest edition of PSM--which touts itself as America's only "independent" PlayStation Magazine--had rock-solid news of a PlayStation Portable redesign.

According to both sites, the October issue of PSM contained an article announcing that a new PSP will ship in March 2007, have eight gigs of built-in flash memory, sport a slimmer form factor, include a built-in camera, and have two--count 'em--two thumbsticks!

Though news of such developments sounded like the answer to many frustrated PSP owners' prayers, it turns out it was premature. GameSpot's supersecret investigative unit took extreme measures and went out and actually bought a copy of PSM.

On page 34 (pictured) of the magazine is the article, titled "The Next PSP Comes Together," that many sites cited as gospel. However, the piece is actually largely speculative. It says that a new, camera-equipped PSP is "expected" next March, but doesn't give a source. It mentions "numerous reports in the semiconductor press" regarding Sony buying large amounts of 8GB flash-memory units--presumably the same reports mentioned in Rumor Control back in February. Nowhere does it say that the new PSP will have 8GB of memory, only that such a move is "likely." The addition of two thumbsticks is mentioned in a clearly marked "if we retooled the PSP" subsection listing changes the PSM editors would like to see in a PSP 2.0. However, the article itself says such an addition is unlikely.

The PSM article does cite "PSP developers who have been briefed on Sony's plans" as saying that the handheld will have "a high degree of connectivity" with the PlayStation 3--something Sony has stated publicly on numerous occasions. Also, "sources familiar with its development" confirmed the new PSP would be "thinner and lighter" than the current model. However, that’s all the article said was set in stone, and PSM is upfront about the rest being speculative--not that such distinctions make a difference in the blogosphere.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus.

Source: An e-mail "Wii Launch Party" invitation posted on the Gaming-Age forums.

What we heard: Secrets are tough to keep in the gaming industry. Leaks, moles, and cocktail hours generally spill the beans on the juiciest details before they're intended to go public. It's a wonder, then, that the season's biggest secret, the release date of the Nintendo Wii, remains unearthed.

The latest bit of quasi-information on the system's launch comes via the message boards over at Gaming-Age. Melissa from Web show GameLife posted an e-mail (pictured--click to enlarge) she received from Nintendo that invited her to a Wii launch party in Los Angeles...on November 17.

The date is no doubt familiar to gamers as the day the PlayStation 3 launches, but is it also the day the Wii launches? By all accounts, it would appear so. So that's it, case closed, right?

Not so fast. As reported by several gaming sites, including game blog Kotaku, Nintendo is also holding an event in New York City on September 14 which will be hosted by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. With Nintendo promising to release information on the console's price and release date in September, the smart money says that the NYC event will be the place the final details of the Wii are out of the bag.

But what of the Los Angeles event? Of course it could be the console's release date--after all, it is a launch party. But why would Nintendo make such a blatant error in sending out the information in a simple party invite rather than making an official announcement? The company is too smart to let something like that slip by.

Nintendo has insinuated that it plans to take the console on the road to prove its "Playing is Believing" slogan, so the LA party could be part of that tour and doesn't necessarily need to fall on the actual launch date--it could take place before or after. In fact, the rest of the invitation mentions the following: "These 'secret' parties will be held all across the globe to celebrate the worldwide release of the Wii..."

Something fishy is going on here (including the possibility of a Photoshop monkey hard at work nearby). Looks like we'll all have to wait until September to find out what Nintendo's up to.

The official story: Nintendo was unavailable for comment.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus that Nintendo is planning some mega prelaunch (and launch) events, but likely bogus that November 17 is the launch day.

Source: Tech blog Engadget via a lucky tipster.

What we heard: Nothing says "the next generation is here" quite like a webcam and the inevitable gratuitous displays of private parts. Microsoft is set to release its highly anticipated camera peripheral, Xbox Live Vision, for the Xbox 360 next month. However, if a report on Engadget is true, gamers may be getting peeks where the sun don't shine over Uno sooner than they think.

Over the weekend, Joystiq cited an anonymous source who claims that he already bought the camera from a local Toys 'R Us, despite the camera's apparent release date of September 19. The story is accompanied with a Flickr photo set complete with a Toys 'R Us receipt and the contents of the Vision package.

It appears a rumor that spread across the Web detailing the price and items in the Xbox Live Vision bundle may be correct. Included in the alleged set is the camera, a wired headset, a voucher for Xbox Live Arcade game Uno, and a one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold--all for $39.99.

This wouldn't be the first time a street date for gaming gear has been broken by a retailer. Earlier this year, many walked away with DS Lites almost a week before Nintendo intended them to go on sale.

If it is true, it's good news for gamers who like to ham it up for the camera. If stores have the stock in already, the peripheral is ready to go and delays are highly unlikely. As for those lucky enough to pick one up? The spring dashboard update included camera support, so they'll get a head start in getting acquainted with Vision.

The official story: When asked for comment, a Microsoft rep would only say that no official date or price has been announced for the camera.

Bogus or not bogus?: Probably not bogus. And probably best not to lay that Draw Four wild card without shielding your eyes.

Source: Game blog with the kooky spelling Joystiq.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: When Activision shelled out nearly $100 million for RedOctane, the studio behind Guitar Hero, many industry watchers thought the publisher was off its rocker. However, if a report on Joystiq is to be believed, Activision may just be doing a lot of rocking.

Joystiq cites an anonymous source as saying that there are "potentially" four more Guitar Hero games on the way, with Guitar Hero: World Tour, Guitar Hero: Encore, and Guitar Hero: Axe Grinder among the options.

Guitar Hero II is due out later this year, and Eurogamer previously reported that RedOctane CEO Kelly Sumner had told MCV that "five or six" GH games could be available by mid-2007. (Activision has not announced any Guitar Hero game beyond Guitar Hero II.) Also a possibility for the popular franchise is the option to download songs for a price, and execs love microtransactions, especially Activision, which recently took in $1 million in Call of Duty 2 downloads.

Given that developing a Guitar Hero game isn't as much of a strain as an art-intensive action adventure game or a first-person shooter, pushing out a few Guitar Hero games in a single year isn't out of the realm of possibility. Several games in a year would also give RedOctane the chance to dedicate different editions to different musical genres--think Guitar Hero Country, Guitar Hero Speed Metal, and Guitar Hero Top 40 Garbage.

Should all these rumors prove true, it would make RedOctane a seriously prized possession...maybe even worth buying for almost $100 million.

RedOctane and Activision were not available for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Nothing is official yet, but given the hefty price Activision paid for RedOctane, it sounds not bogus.

Source: Popular hardware destination HardOCP.com, Taiwan-based Digitimes, and game-info site Digitalbattle.

What we heard: Ever since the Xbox 360 was first shown to the public in May 2005, rumors have surrounded it. Once the specs for the console were revealed, the speculation shifted from what the console could do at present, to what it will be able to do in the future.

Microsoft answered part of that question at E3 this year, unveiling several new peripherals, announcing Live Anywhere, and taking the wraps off the 360's external HD-DVD drive. Many speculated that premium, hard drive-equipped 360s fitted with the unpriced HD-DVD drive would cost around $600 a pop--that is, $399 plus a rumored $199. That's as much as the high-end model of the Blu-ray drive-equipped PlayStation 3, which has taken considerable flak for its premium price point.

This week, two sources reported that the 360 HD-DVD drive will indeed ring up at around $200. First was Digitimes, which stated flatly on Monday that "Microsoft will launch external HD-DVD drives for its Xbox 360 at a retail price of US$200 by Christmas of this year."

Seconding that opinion was HardOCP, which yesterday included the HD-DVD price point report as part of a piece titled "Xbox360 Roadmap Peeked At." The site elaborated on the add-on, saying it would "only require component inputs. ... No HDMI in sight." It also said that Microsoft would be releasing a cable to support 1080p video output. However, "little more information is known on [1080 output] or if there will be a gaming performance impact."

Last but not least, HardOCP revealed that the Xbox 360 would soon get functionality borrowed from a Windows Media Center PC. "While this is not a term that Microsoft used, the Xbox360 will be seeing an added on 'media jukebox' for handling tons of movies, video, pictures, and music," said the site. No mention was made as to whether Microsoft was going to release larger-capacity "outrigger" hard drives to store said media, since many 360 owners' 20GB HDDs are getting nearly full with game demos, trailers, and saves.

In other 360-rumor news, Digitalbattle reported that Microsoft is mulling a second controller specifically for first-person shooters. "The new controller would have an improved and more precise right analog stick for games requiring higher precision," read the report, which sourced Microsoft’s product unit manager Robert Walker's presentation at the Microsoft Gamefest developers' conference. Strangely, though, firsthand accounts of Walker's Monday speech, like the exhaustive recap of the session on FiringSquad.com, make no mention of an FPS-centric controller.

The official story: So what does Microsoft have to say about all this? Not much, unsurprisingly. Regarding the HD-DVD, "We haven't announced any pricing or availability at this point so we'll keep you posted," a rep for the game giant said regarding the HD-DVD. The same rep wouldn't comment on 1080p support and media jukebox functionality and would say only that "we have not made any announcements about a new Xbox 360 controller."

Bogus or not bogus?: $200 360 HD-DVDD? If bogus, it's a close estimate. Support for 1080p? Almost certainly. Media jukebox? Sounds probable, given that Windows Media Center PCs already have similar functionality. New FPS-specific controller? The jury's out on that one, but it would make sense.