The Rumour Mine: Massive Infinity Blade update in February, Sony snubs iOS, and The Next Big Thing on iPad

Much is being made of Sony's new portable, the plainly codenamed NGP, though it's important to remember which devices have the games.

For the time being, iOS has the momentum and that doesn't look to change anytime soon. Even with Nintendo 3DS and NGP on the horizon, iPhone and iPad are still driving this rig. Just look at this week's rumours. More content coming to Infinity Blade, a new adventure game on its way to iPad - the wealth of titles available on the App Store is stunning.

Sure, not all of it is great, but it's affordable and accessible. The big question now is where does Apple go with iPhone and iPod touch now that Nintendo and Sony have laid their cards on the table?

Sony not open to launching PlayStation Suite on iPhone, iPad

Contrary to speculation elsewhere on the web, two sources have confirmed that Sony is not in the least interested in making PlayStation games available on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. Quite the opposite, the company purposefully selected Android as a way of snubbing Apple's growing iOS platform.

PlayStation Suite, which is a new gaming platform designed around Android devices to launch within the next couple months, will enable Android devices to run PSone titles. Later on, PlayStation Store games will be offered too. There's no way that the service will come to iOS, two separate sources told me.

The reason: Sony is intent on crushing Apple's gaming business. After transforming the portable gaming space with iPhone and iPod touch, Sony has been scrambling to make up lost ground. The company's newly announced NGP is the main thrust of its strategy, though the Android-based PlayStation Suite is also meant to bite into Apple's momentum.

Simply put, don't expect PlayStation games on your iPhone because the battle between Sony and Apple is just beginning.

Infinity Blade update in February to introduce multiplayer, new areas

Two weeks ago I told you of Epic Games's plan to provide consistent updates for action role-playing game Infinity Blade, and today I have details on the first of these updates scheduled for the middle of February. According to a confidential source close to publisher Epic Games, the February update will deliver on the promise of multiplayer - but, there's more.

Along with multiplayer, the update will add new areas to the castle, allowing you to take new routes that veer off the paths as currently laid out. Unlike adding a new level, the update expands the existing castle with new areas. In short, you'll have more branching paths available from which to play the game. You can also expect new weapons and armour, of course.

As my source put it, the update has so much content that it's practically a new game. So if you've spent hours with this graphical beauty, there's reason to revisit once this massive update hits iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad next month.

Adventure game The Next Big Thing coming to iPad

Spanish developer Pendulo Studios has built a solid reputation for crafting classic adventure games and their newest title, The Next Big Thing, promises to build on it. Publicly listed for release on PC and Mac, you can start anticipating the unannounced iPad version as well.

The adventure game, which involves a comic pair of reporters forced to work together on a story involving a bizarre movie producer, is sure to further iPad's credibility as built for the genre. Beautiful graphic novel-style presentation, intuitive touch controls, and a well-written story sound like a winning recipe.

Of course, the true test will come down to Pendulo Studios's ability to work with iPad hardware. Other PC-to-iPad ports have not fared well technically; some titles have performed decently, but stodgy gameplay held them back. The Next Big Thing looks extremely promising, though, so here's hoping it's made official soon and it turns out well.