The different street dates for trade papers CTW and MCV enabled the former, Computer Trade Weekly, to steal a march on the news that Sega's Dreamcast is to launch in the UK on September 23 at £199. The Dreamcast announcement dominates the front page, and CTW reveals Sega Europe's Jean-Francois Cecillon thoughts on the timing: "Meeting consumer expectations is a priority at Sega," he's quoted as saying. "In addition to being sold at a competitive price, despite its technological superiority to the competition, the range of titles available at launch will easily exceed what our customers are anticipating". Which is... ?

The other big trade story is news of Electronic Boutique's purchase of rival retailer Game. Both brands will remain on the High Street. MCV also reports that THQ has signed a deal with Codemasters to convert Micro Machines and TOCA for the Game Boy. It's also reported that THQ will oversee the release of N64 versions of TOCA and Prince Naseem Boxing. Bad news at GT Interactive, where jobs are being cut after they posted a £35 million loss for the fourth quarter of last year.

Sony are being bullish after a Sega spokesman suggested last week that Sony would drop the price of the PlayStation in an attempt to deflect attention from the Dreamcast launch. "If they're (Sega) going to fund it for us as well as suggest it, then fine, we'll go ahead," blasted SCE UK boss Ray Maguire in MCV. "But in all honesty we're not looking at the price right now and if we do it will be because it's right for PlayStation." Ooooh...