The week that was saw its share of quirky news (DDR Strawberry Shortcake, Lumines II's licensed music videos), industry talk (Microsoft's console sales expectations and Xbox Live users), and legal goings-on (Activision's labor suit, Jack Thompson's setback in Louisiana). But this week was controlled by news of Nintendo's DS Lite, Microsoft's just-announced Zune, and Sony's PlayStation 3.

　　But first: Is storytelling in video games an oxymoron? God of War designer David Jaffe kicked off the week with that suggestion, posted Sunday on his blog. While story-driven, action-oriented games such as 2005's smash hit God of War are fun to play, they aren't so much as fun to make, according to Jaffe. "Since God of War," Jaffe wrote, "I have lost interest in the genre of single-player action/adventure games. In fact, I've really lost interest in making any kind of game that does not fully and only embrace interactivity in the most purest sense. I don't want to tell stories with my games anymore."

　　Before God of War, Jaffe led development on the key entries of the Sony racing series Twisted Metal, known for their emphasis on gameplay, not story. But fans of God of War breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jaffe clarified his points. Although his untitled PlayStation Portable project will likely "embrace interactivity in the most purest sense," the upcoming God of War 2 will not be affected by his new approach to game design.

　　Also on Monday came news of a potential PR disaster for Nintendo's hot-selling DS Lite portable. Reports from around the Internet began documenting horrified DS Lite owners' accounts--and photos--of cracks on the handheld's left screen hinge. Nintendo said the number of complaints it received represented less than 0.02 percent--or less than one in 5,000--of the DS units it sold in the US.

　　A flat $50 fee would be required to fix any cracked units, Nintendo said, because a cracked hinge "in no way impacts the gameplay or integrity of the DS Lite." Later, rumors circulated that Nintendo would begin fixing cracked DS Lites for free, but Nintendo representatives contacted by GameSpot could not confirm those reports.

　　While the DS Lite "crack epidemic" spread throughout the Net, rumblings out of Taiwan on Wednesday suggested that production of Sony's PlayStation 3 was underway. The AFX news service reported that Taiwan's Commercial Times said Sony would take delivery of 200,000 of the consoles by the end of July. If true, that would mean production of the PS3 has begun a good deal more in advance of launch than production of the Xbox 360--but that remains an "if." On Thursday, Asustek--the firm said to be producing PS3s in Taiwan--did not confirm or deny the original report's accuracy, but it did issue a stern warning of legal action against erroneous reports that could harm its relationships with clients.

　　Wrapping up the week, Microsoft confirmed the existence of its much-rumored digital-media player, called Zune. The device is being positioned as a competitor primarily with Apple's iPod--but not necessarily Sony's PlayStation Portable, Nintendo's DS, or any other gaming device. Microsoft did not announce what game-related features Zune might contain upon release, but its stated goal for the Zune brand as delivering "great music and entertainment experiences" leaves the door open for gaming functions in the future.

　　MONDAY

　　Jaffe through with action adventures?

　　MS: 60 percent of 360 owners online

　　Square Enix shoots down Final Fantasy XI II reports

　　Hitman maker contracts new shooter

　　TUESDAY

　　No Neverwinter Nights 2 'til October

　　Analyst to Sony: change or lose

　　DDR tangos with Strawberry Shortcake

　　Lumines II pops out soundtrack

　　Amsterdam game-addiction clinic opens

　　WEDNESDAY

　　Report: PS3s entering production

　　Chromehounds in the doghouse?

　　Activision sued by shareholder

　　Sony patents new gaming interface

　　Wii success = third-party woes?

　　UK law could hobble WiiConnect24

　　THURSDAY

　　Activision faces labor suit

　　Test Drive Unlimited limited to $40

　　Nintendo: DS Lite cracks in less than .02 percent of units

　　Tokyo lines up for Noble Pink DS Lite

　　Retail Radar: PS3 Oblivion, Stranglehold release date?

　　FRIDAY

　　Blizzard announces WOW faction-class crossovers

　　Microsoft to ship 13-15 million 360s by June 2007

　　Zune announced, gaming bits not

　　Thompson denied in Louisiana

　　Games blamed for National Parks' decline

　　FTC ends 'Hot Coffee' probe

　　RUMORS OF THE WEEK

　　DS Lites experiencing a crack epidemic?

　　Dead Rising buried in Germany?

　　Prey movie on the way?

　　Guitar Hero to rip it on 360s?

　　Clinton planning federal tax on games?

　　RELEASES

　　Shippin' Out 7/17-21: NCAA Football 07, Monster House

　　CHARTS

　　US console sales charts: July 9-15

　　US PC game charts: July 2-8

　　UK game charts: July 9-15

　　Japan game charts: July 10-16