Sony is gearing up for the release of it's Playstation 2 Network Adapter (August 27th, $39.99) and, as such, it has clarified some it's plans. 250,000 units will ship on on release day, with another to 150,000 following before the end of 2002. Sony also has plans to lauch a multi-million dollar ad-campaign in support of the device, which will include TV/magazine ads, promotional events (do I sense a future "Zany Promotion of the Day"? *crosses fingers*) and direct support through Playstation.com.

The Adapter, which allows gamers to play eachother over the internet, supports both broadband and dial-up, so gamers with any connection will be able to take their PS2's online. Sony has also announced that they will be giving away a free copy of Twisted Metal Black Online with the Adapter's purchase.

Finally, here's a list of games which will support online play, along with their projected release dates:
NFL GameDay 2003 - August 13, 2002
NFL 2K3 - August 13, 2002
Madden NFL 2003 - August 13, 2002
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs - August 27, 2002
Twisted Metal: Black Online - August 27, 2002
ATV Offroad Fury 2 - November 12, 2002
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 - Fall 2002
NBA Live 2003 - Fall 2002
Tribes Aerial Assault - Fall 2002
Auto Modellista - Winter 2002
My Street - Winter 2002
Frequency 2 - Spring 2003

There is now a few grainy shots of Square's recently announced Gamecube game Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicle online. Since we can't host the pictures oursleves (What? Lazy? Me? Never.) you can check them out by clicking the link contained within this gamers.com story. The screens are taken from a commercial for several upcoming GC games.

Vivendi Universal has added Black Label Studios to it's gaming arsenal, which will both develop and publish new titles for several consoles. First up are The Thing and The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. All games released by Black Label will be rated no lower than Teen which will bring a new dimension to Vivendi, usually known for games aimed at all audiences.

Unfortunately, we have no "Zany Promotion of the Day" (;_;, I know), but we do have a "Typical Well-Established, Though Uncreative Promotion of the Day" (just not the same, is it?). When Sega publishes Sega GT 2002 (X-Box) and Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (Gamecube) in September, the company will be holding a "Sega Game Party" at 20 Japanese gaming stores. The "Party" will feature playable demos of both games and some free Sega merchandise.

Sony has announced that they're working on a new Kung-fu action game starring Jet-Li, who will lend his voice, face and moves to the game, through the magic of motion-capture. Titled "Rise to Honor", the game's story is centered around Kit Yun ("played" by Li), a body gaurd for the leader of a Hong Kong crime syndicate. When Boss Yang (Yun's charge) is assasinated, Kit must find those responsible and beat the carp out of them KUNG-FU STYLE! YEAH!

In two uncomfirmed tid-bits: Lunar: Legend is rumored to be on track for a November release from Ubi-soft. And a Playstation port of Ico will be released in Europe. A Sony Computer Entertainment Germany spokesman said the reason why it will be released on the out-dated and inferior platfrom is because of it's huge installed user-base. Whether or not the Ico port will come to the US, along with a slew of other questions, have yet to be answered... We'll have more on both stories (like whether or not they're ture, and other meanial info) as it becomes available.
-Zerekile
Sources: Gamers.com, Gamesarefun.com and Videogames.com