Sony-Computer-Entertainment
Latest
Save the cheerleader later, watch Until Dawn's PSX demo now
When Sony debuted a new Until Dawn sequence at PlayStation Experience, the whole thing took on the surreal feel of a game show. As Supermassive's Pete Samuels walked through the choices in the teen horror game, the crowd yelled out their votes for what he should do next. It was almost like if he didn't hide under the bed, he'd miss out on the golden ticket and the chance to win $100,000 in pet food. As shown by the full, crowd-less gameplay demo below the break, Until Dawn speaks to very familiar horror film tropes. In the video, Hayden Panettiere's character runs around a dark cabin in a towel, while a masked, blood-soaked assailant chases her. She also encounters a deep, distorted voice booming over a speaker, and the odd bit of gruesomeness to unsettle the squeamish. If that sounds NSFW and/or spoiler-y to you, consider yourself warned.
Driveclub studio kicks the tires, lights two free DLC fires
Game launches can be tricky to nail, as there are plenty of variables where things can go wrong. Such was the case for the unfortunate Driveclub from developer Evolution Studios, which has already seen several fixes deployed and a delay of the game's PlayStation Plus version. Naturally, these developments have led to unhappy customers. To thank fans for their support in light of such problems, Evolution Studios will be giving away two DLC packs for free to customers who have purchased the game. The Ignition Expansion Pack and Photo-Finish Tour Pack, both due on November 25 in North America (November 26 in Europe, November 27 in Japan), will add five new cars, 22 new tour events, 10 new trophies and 10 new livery items. Since these new items will be given away for free, Evolution Studios will be offering Driveclub's Season Pass holders two extra DLC packs in July of 2015 so that, according to a Facebook post by the studio, "players who purchased the pass get everything that was promised." The studio will also be rolling out another update to the game on Tuesday, November 18, which will add the increasingly popular Photo Mode, as well as several game balances and fixes. [Image: Evolution Studios]
Bloodborne due date pushed back to March 2015
Bloodborne isn't delivering on February 6, 2015 as scheduled, after Sony announced a month-and-a-half delay for the PS4 game. The new action-RPG from Souls studio From Software is now due to launch on March 24 in North America and March 25 in mainland Europe. Japan follows suit on March 26, then UK and Ireland are last up on March 27. "While development continues unabated, we would like our team to deliver the best possible final experience," Sony's Masaaki Yamagiwa said on the PS Blog. "We were gratified by the feedback and data we received from those who participated in our limited alpha test. The extra production time will also allow us to better integrate these learnings."
Race the Sun, Escape Goat 2 on PSN next week, says PS Blogcast [update]
The PlayStation Blogcast often quietly slips out a surprise or two in its weekly rundown of new releases, and this week is no exception. According to the podcast, Race the Sun and Escape Goat 2 hit PSN in North America next week, which would pin them for October 21 release dates. There's been no other official word on that and Blogcast details have been off the mark before, so we've reached out to devs Flippfly and MagicalTimeBean to confirm. [Update: Sony confirmed Race the Sun indeed hits PSN in North America on October 21, priced $10. Flippfly's Aaron San Filippo told Joystiq the team's working on confirming the date for Europe, and the game will be available there at a roughly equivalent price.] [Update 2: MagicalTimeBean's Ian Stocker confirmed to Joystiq that Escape Goat 2 will also reach North America on October 21, and while its European launch is yet to be set in stone, Stocker notes it "won't be far behind."] Race the Sun is already confirmed as a cross-buy game for PS4, PS3 and Vita, meaning if you buy the game on one PS platform you get it for free on the others. Cross-save is also supported to carry scores across systems.
Bloodborne alpha returns this weekend for one postponed hurrah
Players of Bloodborne's alpha have one more chance to check out the build this Sunday, October 19, after developer From Software postponed the final day's session during the initial test run. The Souls studio canceled the October 5 session "due to some issues," but an email sent to Joystiq by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe detailed the encore with co-op play for up to two extra players included. According to a PlayStation Japan support page, the delayed alpha session is due to run between 5PM and 8PM PT in North America (8PM-11PM ET), while in Europe it's scheduled for 6PM-9PM BST (7-10PM CET). Meanwhile, Sony Europe notes voucher codes for the alpha have been extended beyond the stated expiry date, and advises users who've deleted the Alpha Test client they can re-download it.
Driveclub's imminent update to re-enable some online features
Server woes remain ongoing for PS4 racer Driveclub, but developer Evolution Studios announced a new update should allow the team to bring more functionality to the game's online side. Yesterday afternoon the UK studio said the update was due "within 24 hours," and would mean the dev could "switch on more of the online features, so that you will be able to play more of Driveclub online." When Driveclub launched last week, its servers buckled so hard under the traffic that Evolution decided to delay the launch of the content-lighter PlayStation Plus version to ease the load, as well as the companion iOS and Android app. Over the weekend a new patch allowed the servers to handle more players, but the studio added further work would make certain online features unavailable, such as challenge and social updates.
Nidhogg gets off the fence and onto PS4 and Vita this week
We were wondering when the frenzied fencing of Nidhogg was coming to PS4 and Vita, and now we know thanks to the PlayStation Blog. Messhof's mano-a-mano madness is listed among this week's new releases, which going by traditional PSN schedules should mean it hits North America tomorrow, October 14, and Europe the day after. There's no word on a price as yet but for reference the Steam version is $15. Also it's cross-buy on PSN, meaning if you purchase it for PS4 you get the Vita version free and vice-versa. If you've yet to see Nidhogg in action - and you should - the game challenges two pixelated opponents to best each other with blades as they attempt to scroll from one side to the other. Sounds simple but it's a tense, terse affair of two-player swashbuckling, which for extra intensity can be opened up for up to eight players in take-it-in-turns tournaments.
Report: Sony to ship 200K PS4s to China by December
Sony plans on bringing 200,000 PS4 systems to China by December, Bloomberg reports. The number comes from a filing on the Chinese (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone website, which reportedly notes that Sony intends on shipping that many consoles to the region on an annual basis. Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Masaki Tsukakoshi confirmed the report with Bloomberg and noted that the actual PS4 production amounts may vary. This follows news of Microsoft's relative success in China, as it reportedly sold 100,000 Xbox One consoles in its introductory week. Microsoft is the first to bring an official foreign console to China in 14 years since the government lifted its console ban in January. China issued a new set of rules for foreign video game and console sales in April, one of which requires that companies work with a China-based partner. Sony paired with the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group in May to bring the PS4 to the country. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub PS Plus temporarily held back to ease server load
Evolution Studios announced it's delaying the PlayStation Plus edition of Driveclub following the server troubles and connectivity issues the retail version's endured since launch. In a Facebook post, Game Director Paul Rustchynsky apologized for holding back the content-lite version free for Plus subscribers, which was due to launch alongside the full game this week, noting that "we want to ensure that when you come on board, you get the best experience possible." Rustchynsky didn't provide a new due date for the Plus edition, but said once Evolution's happy with server performance the studio will announce when it'll be available. The delay also applies to the racer's companion iOS and Android app, which did launch on Google Play yesterday but was since pulled. As for users who've pre-ordered the full game upgrade from the Plus edition, Rustchynsky said "you will still get the full version of Driveclub digitally." - we've reached out to Sony to clarify if that means they can obtain the full version now or when the Plus version launches [Update: A Sony UK spokesperson told Joystiq, "If someone has purchased the PS Plus version, they will be able to get the full game - as the game isn't out yet here, this would be on Friday in the UK."]
Bloodborne in the USA February 2015 (Europe too!)
From Software's Bloodborne is bringing its Victorian violence to North America and Europe on February 6, 2015, just a day after it lands Japan. The news hits as Sony Europe began issuing out alpha invites for the Souls dev's latest action-RPG, but there's no word yet if we can expect similar tests stateside. Also, there's a new trailer (which you'll find below the break) offering a glimpse at the game's yet-to-be disclosed online systems, which Sony Japan's Masaaki Yamagiwa noted includes "co-operative and asynchronous play." Yamagiwa also teased that some of the asynchronous play is tied to companion nightmarish creatures called Messengers.
Driveclub additional to regular PS Plus allocation, says Sony [update]
PlayStation Plus members are getting the service's edition of Driveclub on top of next month's regular number of games, according to Sony Europe. That means the PS4 racer's lite edition is effectively a bonus for Plus subscribers, who can download and play it as well as the two PS4, two PS3 and two Vita freebies due monthly in the Instant Game Collection. The confirmation comes from Sony Europe's Fred Dutton on the region's PlayStation Blog, so we've reached out to Sony America to confirm the same deal applies. [Update: A Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesperson told Joystiq the same does apply for North America] Evolution Studio's sim is out October 7 as a full retail game and in an edition free for Plus members, with the latter missing most of the cars and tracks available in the former. The Plus edition includes 10 cars and 5 tracks with 11 variations or routes, while the full game features 50 cars and 25 tracks with 55 routes. It's unclear whether or not the hashtag is included in the Plus edition, but the good news those who download the Driveclub freebie can upgrade to the full game for $50. [Image: Sony Europe]
Vita oddball Murasaki Baby on board next week
Murasaki Baby - AKA that touch-based Vita game where you guide a little girl who has her mouth on top of her head - is out on September 16 in North America and September 17 in Europe. It's priced $15 for regular users, but if you've got Plus membership you'll be able to grab it for $12 during its first week. Murasaki Baby marks the debut of Sony Europe's self-proclaimed "avant-garde" Ovosonico studio, which was founded by former Grasshopper Manufacture director Massimo Guarini. That might explain the why of the game, but not the what: Well, in it you're guiding the head-mouth girl, a lost child called Baby, through nightmarish landscapes. While you can drag, tap and swipe to help Baby along, you're also in control of the world around her. Swipes of the rear pad, for example, can change the background to useful effect, like bringing in a wind turbine to drive lurking bats away. You can also tap on the front screen to take out dangers like, er, flying safety pins. They may not sound the deadliest of foes, but if one of them hits Baby's heart balloon then she immediately dies.
Lego Batman 3 PS3 bundle out in na-na-na-na-na-November
Sony's hoping for a few more PS3 sales with a new Lego Batman 3 and The Sly Collection bundle that's coming to North America's retail shelves on November 11. Like other recent bundles involving the 500GB Slim PS3, it's $270 for the console, the dynamic duo of games and all the usual extras. As for the games themselves, The Sly Collection features HD remasters of the three PS2 entries in the stealth platforming series, namely Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves. That's already out in stores, while Lego Batman 3 hits alongside the bundle on November 11, packing more than 150 DC Comics characters into its blocky escapades. They include Superman, Flash, the Green Lantern, and most importantly of all, Adam West, who isn't a DC Comics character (but kind of is at this point.) [Image: Sony]
Sony unveils Tokyo Game Show line-up
Disgaea 5, Tales of Zestiria and Resident Evil Revelations 2 are some of the standouts among the playable games Sony's exhibiting at the 2014 Tokyo Game Show. Sony unveiled the first and last of that trio at its Japan & Asia press conference, but Persona 5, newly announced for PS4 as well as PS3, isn't coming to the show floor. Other games that have graduated from the presser to this month's expo include Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War & Nightmare for PS4 and God Eater 2: Rage Burst on Vita. Attendees can also get their hands on, among others, Bloodborne, The Order: 1886, Minecraft Vita and Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix, as well PS4 VR headset Project Morpheus. To see the full list of confirmed games, queue up in front of the break for 3 hours before heading below it.
Run Sackboy! Run! starts an endless stitch-hunt on Vita, mobile
Sony is pumping up the volume ahead of LittleBigPlanet 3 with Run Sackboy! Run!, a free-to-play side-scroller on its way to Vita , iOS and Android sometime in October. Going by Senior Producer Tom O'Connor's announcement on the PlayStation Blog, it sounds like an endless auto-runner in the vein of Canabalt and Jetpack Joyride. O'Connor said players use tap and swipe movements to make Sackboy avoid obstacles and for as long as possible stay ahead of the chasing Negativitron, which LBP2 players may remember as that game's main antagonist. The ragdoll hero can collect bubbles to unlock costumes and upgrades, as well as use power-ups such as jet-packs and gliders.
Build that city in Minecraft PS4, launching today
The ever-growing, seemingly insatiable Minecraft family welcomes PlayStation 4 today, with a stateside PSN launch locked in for "before 12PM PT" (3PM ET.) Mojang's blocky world of creativity and creepers is already out on PS4 in Europe, as of late last night. As we reported yesterday, the Xbox One launch is confirmed for tomorrow, September 5. Both the PS4 and Xbox One ports are features-wise on par with PS3/Xbox 360 editions, but the new hardware allows for worlds up to 36 times larger and greater draw distances.
Sony's Metal Slime PlayStation 4 comes with a piece of gunk
We touched on it yesterday in the hubbub of Sony Japan & Asia's press conference, but here's a proper look at the Metal Slime PS4 that's coming to Japan. We're guessing your two immediate questions upon discovering this are 1. Why? 2. What's that thing? Well, the why is to commemorate the release of Dragon Quest Heroes, the new PS4 and PS3 Hyrule Warriors-like crossover that will combine the world of Square Enix's RPG series with action crafted by Dynasty Warriors devs. That's due in spring 2015. As for what that thing is - the happy little slimy dude - it's a removable USB cover rather than a permanent fixture. We're filing it under S for "Sure..." and Y for "Why not, I guess?"
Hot Shots Golf trailer brings green screens to PS4
This morning Sony published the reveal of the brand new Hot Shots Golf for PS4, as first broadcast during yesterday's pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference in Japan. Don't be fooled by that Bob Green fellow at the beginning, this really isn't Fat Cat Simulator 2014. Someone should make that if that hasn't been done already, which it probably has. The debut footage gives us a glimpse into the how Sony's oddball sportsballer looks on PS4, and the cutesy Shuhei Yoshida cameo suggests the series' super-deformed style isn't going anywhere anytime soon. During yesterday's stream, Yoshida said (as translated by Sony) the game features "open world entertainment focusing on golf." Interesting, even if we're a country mile from knowing what it means. Check out the trailer below the break.
Bloodborne to tear up Japan in February 2015 [update: trailer]
From Software's Bloodborne will launch in Japan on February 5, 2015, Sony announced at this morning's pre-Tokyo Game Show conference. There's no further news as yet on when it will launch internationally. Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida revealed the game's limited edition will include an artbook and soundtrack over in Japan. For more on the new terror from the Demon's Souls and Dark Souls studio, check out our hands-on from Gamescom.
New Hot Shots Golf swinging to PlayStation fore
A new Hot Shots Golf - or as its known in Japan, "Everybody's Golf" - is in development for PlayStation 4, Sony announced during their pre-Tokyo Game Show conference. According to Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida (as translated during the stream by Sony), the game will feature "open world entertainment focusing on golf." The Hot Shots Golf series has been off the green for some time now; the last major entry developed for console specifically, Hot Shots Golf 5, appeared on PS3 in 2008, while Hot Shots Golf World Invitational took golf on the go by way of the Vita before coming to the PS3 later. No release window or official name was announced for the new game. [Image: Sony]
