Splitfish splices mouse into PS3 pad

　　With next-gen accessories already proving to be big business, Splitfish announced today its first peripheral for the PlayStation 3, dubbed the FragFX. Designed to bring keyboard-and-mouse precision to console shooters, the FragFX replaces the right half of a traditional gamepad with a mouse-style add-on. In addition to translating functions traditionally relegated to the right thumbstick, the peripheral includes several customization features and player-performance aids. The FragFX supports all PlayStation 3 games, includes motion-sensing functionality, and should appear in stores sometime next week at a $59.99 price point.

　　Freegames' not-so-free game on Steam

　　Valve seems to be getting keen on episodic adventure games for its downloadable-game service lately. Last week, Sam and Max publisher Telltale announced installments from its quirky adventure game series are getting the Steam treatment. Today, Meridian4 announced it would be bringing the first episode of France-based developer Freegames' horror-themed adventure game Vigil to Valve's online service. Originally released last December, Vigil Episode 1: Blood Bitterness was initially available only through Freegames' Web site or GarageGames' online store. It will be available on Steam beginning June 29 and will run for $9.95.

　　Hudson teams with UK publisher for Wii, DS, PSP games

　　UK-based publisher Rising Star Games today announced a joint publishing deal with party-game aficionados Hudson Soft. As part of the deal, Rising Star will bring seven titles to the UK market between September 2007 and March 2008. Though not yet named, the games will be for Nintendo's cash-cow systems the DS and Wii, as well as Sony's PlayStation Portable. In the past, Rising Star partnered with Japanese publisher Marvelous to bring Harvest Moon Magical Melody to the UK. The publisher plans to bring its first Wii title to market in early 2008.