March 16

So another week, another war. Now I'm not talking about our Government's reaction to the world's troubles... I'm talking about the weekly 'Nichols v The World' battle.



And this week's evil foe is Telewest - oh, sorry... Virgin Media.

A couple of weeks ago there I was sat in my front room watching the news on the tv. I heard mention of Virgin Media losing most of its Sky channels (namely Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sky News) because the two giants could not agree on a fee for what is effectively the rental of the channels.

'Poor sods' who have Virgin Media I remember thinking. So you know what's coming right...?

The next day I went to see how Chelsea got on the night before and guess what... no Sky Sports News. Instead I had a message on my screen stating that Virgin Media was sorry for the lack of a channel and blamed the entire situation on Sky.

The war of giants had reached my home viewing pleasures in Mannamead. Now, that on-screen message infuriated me no end.

A). Why were Telewest customers not made aware of the fact that Virgin Media had bought the company out?

B). Why were Telewest, sorry Virgin Media customers not made aware of the threat of the loss of channels?

And c). Why did Virgin Media then not tell its customers they have a month-long period in which to cancel their subscription without charge (for your info that month ends on March 31)?

I tell you, the answer is MONEY.

Virgin Media is obviously fearful that it would/will lose customers if they were/are made aware of the pretty dire situation.

And I'm sorry if I'm being disloyal in any way at all, but I simply couldn't give a monkeys about Richard Branson and his Virgin empire.

My package of TV/phone and internet is handy and enjoyable but by no means essential.

My feelings were strengthened further when I tried (and I mean TRIED) to contact Virgin. From pillar to post is where I was passed on the phone system.

Eventually I got through and asked a series of questions: is it true there is a month long period where customers can leave the service without charge? (yes until March 31); can I keep me broadband connection and get rid of the other two? (yes, but I'll have to pay off the remainder of the monthly tolls for TV and phone for the rest of the 12-month contract); and why has Virgin NOT sent out a letter to its customers making this clear? (We haven't had time unfortunately).

Pfah.

Sky has cleverly began circulating fliers advertising Lost and other Sky shows which Virgin no longer has. It is also cheaper. Clever clever chaps. On these grounds I'm pitching my flag in the Sky field and cancelling my contract.

However while I'm happy for now with a better deal of what I want, I know that it won't be the end of the hassles involving these media giants.

I may have won this battle but there's still the war to come.



Anyhow, escape the madness and try your hand at these new titles:

Title: The Con

Platform: Sony PSP

RRP: £19.99

Hit count: 3/5



Review: Developed in Japan by Think And Feel Inc, The Con tells the story of a fighter indebted to an influential organiser of illegal street fights. Obviously, the game's objective is to make money through fighting, but all is not as it seems and not all fights are created equal.

In some clashes, the player will have to take their fare share of tactical losses as well as striving for pugilistic victory. This skewing of priorities is supported by a betting system that allows the player to gamble on either side winning each fight.

This opens up new avenues for generating cash via subterfuge and feint as well as guile and technique, where making money may be more important than winning with honour.

The Con's versatile fighting engine opens up tactical possibilities never seen before in a fighting game. Punches can be faked, guards can be deliberately lowered and dives to the floor can be initiated, making The Con the only game where losing a fight can benefit the player more than winning - provided it's done convincingly.

If the crowd don't buy your performance, you'll lose your winnings. Fights aren't strictly a one-on-one affair, either. Battles can involve up to three fighters on each side.

The Con also provides a remarkable amount of player customisation. The player's team of three characters can be moulded with an exemplary range of appearance-altering options.

Physique, clothing and accessories are all up for modification and the ability to import photographs allows for an infinite number of player faces - familiar, famous or otherwise.

Also part of The Con's complex package is the multiplayer mode, which takes a traditional route of providing one-on-one matches. Single-UMD game sharing is included, but players with two copies of The Con get the added benefit of being able to place unlocked items as a stake in their victory.

As part of the enhancements introduced for the UK release of The Con, players will find loading times have been shortened and tweaks have been made to the overall difficulty level.



Title: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Platform: Sony PS2

RRP: £19.99

Hit count: 5/5



Review: Vice City, 1984. Opportunity abounds in a city emerging from the swamps, its growth fueled by the violent power struggle in a lucrative drugs trade. Construction is everywhere as a shining metropolis rises from foundations of crime and betrayal.

As a soldier, Vic Vance has always protected his dysfunctional family, his country, himself.

One bad decision later and that job is about to get much harder. Kicked out onto the streets of a city torn between glamour and gluttony, Vic is faced with a stark choice - build an empire or be crushed. Top stuff.

Title: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

Platform: Sony PSP

RRP: £34.99

Hit count: 3/5



Review: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception brings the intense combat action to your PSP, as you fight for control of the skies. The Federal Republic of Auerila is at war with it's neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Leasath.

Auerila was said to have exploited Leasath during a civil war. You are the leader of Gryphus Squadron, of the Aurelian Air Force - which means you don't care about the politics behind the war. You're a fighter pilot with a job to do, so get in the cockpit and get ready for action.