The European Computer Trade Show, which took place at London's Olympia last weekend, dominates this week's trade papers. MCV lead with news of Microsoft's plans to produce a game console (the mysterious 'X-Box'), and there was a seditious (not really) meeting of publishers and developers at the Hilton Hotel. With Non Disclosure Agreements signed and sealed, Microsoft underlined plans to take over the world. Haven't they already done that? One Hilton attendee told MCV, "We went to the Hilton and were told Microsoft's plan. And when they tell you that the format will be PC-based, under $200, DVD, Nvidia graphics and Internet cable, with no royalty fee for supporting it, you listen closely." Blimmin' exciting, eh?

Nintendo's US Chairman Howard Lincoln reckons that Sony will enter the handheld market in the not-too-distant future. "The handheld sector is worth 25 per cent of the global market for videogames, and we have 99 per cent of that market," he told MCV. "We're also heading into a new era with Game Boy and I'm sure Sony have taken notice of that."

Rival trade paper CTW also lead with news of the 'X-Box' ("Silence that man, secret agent Lebowski!") and they also managed to get a 'source' to comment on the thing. "It's here at the show and they're showing it to people right now," he said, before slipping into the shadows.

According to CTW, SCi are planning to sell their equity stake to original Carmageddon developer Stainless Software. Which isn't particularly exciting. What is exciting is that Future (Future Gamer's daddy) are making ridiculous amounts of money. So say CTW, at least. Frankly, that's it from The Hacker this week. Got an appointment to test drive a Ferrari, see?