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Star Ocean announced for Europe
Back at E3, Star Ocean: First Departure and Star Ocean: Second Evolution were both announced for North America. Since then, our European readers may have wondered if the titles would see release across the Atlantic. Luckily, Star Ocean actually will be crossing ... an ocean into Europe and releasing this October. However, only First Departure has been announced with a wide open October date. North Americans should still look out for October 21, 2008 for SO1 both titles and January 6, 2009 for SO2.%Gallery-27197%
FIFA 09: debut trailer, demo release date, adidas Live Season mode
Here's the first trailer released for FIFA 09, the newest iteration of the popular soccer franchise. The game is looking great, though some may complain the character models don't look enough like the actual players. You also won't have to wait long to try it out for yourself: the demo will be available from the PSN starting September 11st worldwide. Furthermore, EA has announced a new "premium service" (meaning it might cost money) called adidas Live Season. This service will provide a weekly update for each player's stats according to their performance in real-life games from the launch of FIFA 09 to the end of the 2008-09 season. It will be only available for Barclay's Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A and Mexican Primera Division. Finally, there's a gameplay video and trailer, after the jump.
Bug-filled PSN game, Savage Moon, revealed
Click for high-resolution image. As expected, Savage Moon was revealed for PSN at Leipzig today. This download exclusive is a strategy game with a terrifying bug-infested twist. Players must try to protect an isolated planetary outpost from rampaging hordes of gigantic, ravenous space bugs. It's like Starship Troopers ... meets PixelJunk Monsters. See the very first ever screenshots here.%Gallery-30084%
LGC 08: Fat Princess screens
Click for high-resolution image. Oddly, there are no fat princesses in these new screenshots from Leipzig. There are only skinny princesses to be seen. A game named Fat Princess should at least have one new screenshots with an actual chubby royal in it. We guess they need more cake. Hear that? More cake! %Gallery-28044%
Warhawk: Operation: Fallen Star expansion pack official details
Download to PSP The third expansion pack for the PSN-exclusive Warhawk is coming by month's end. Operation Fallen Star introduces Tau Crater, a remote, forested level that is the site of a crashed Chernovan warship containing experimental technology. This new pack adds the Infrantry Jetpack and ten new battlefields, most likely variations of the Tau Crater level. Of course, a free summer update will add a few new features, not forgetting Trophies.
SingStar firmware upgrade will allow PS2 disc swapping [Update]
Update: Slight change of plans; according to MTV Multiplayer, Sony isn't allowing you to export the music. Rather, there is an option to swap discs -- by pressing select during a session of SingStar on the PS3 and exchanging the disc for any PS2 SingStar game, you will be allowed to choose the songs from the PS2 disc. This is not permanent and you will need to have the PS2 disc in the drive in order to sing these songs. Moreover, as one of our readers asked, there were those of you who were concerned that PS3s without backwards compatibility would lack this feature. No need to worry; Sony has stated a free patch is coming for current SingStar game and this new disc-swapping feature will now be standard on all future incarnations of the title.
LGC 08: Killzone 2 screens
Click for high-resolution image. What else could we possibly say about Killzone 2 that we haven't already said? We're sure you've heard us say words like "amazing" or "visceral." With that said, we're sure you have your own words to describe how you feel when looking upon new screens like these. So use your own words (even made up ones) like ... Helghast-a-licious and check out these images.%Gallery-4722%
Everyday Shooter coming to PSP
Everyday Shooter has just been announced for the PSP. The original game debuted on PC and PS3, and was praised by critics for its innovative combination of music and shooting. No separate release date is available at this time, but it will be included in the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack, which will launch in November. The bundle will include a voucher which allows you to download the game from the PS Store. To find out more about this innovative shooter, check out PS3 Fanboy's coverage.
160GB model also announced for America: $499, November release
The 160GB model announced at Leipzig today will also be coming to America in a new bundle featuring last year's blockbuster PS3 exclusive, Uncharted. For $499, the 160GB system will include the new 160GB system, a DUALSHOCK 3 controller, a voucher for PAIN and a copy of Uncharted. It will be available in November."As PLAYSTATION Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a compelling bundle that delivers significant value."
PSP-3000 North American details
SCEA just announced the North American details concerning the PSP-3000. The previously announced Ratchet & Clank PSP Entertainment Pack will launch on October 14th for $199.99. It will now include the following: Mystic Silver PSP-3000 Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD echochrome PSN voucher 1GB Memory Stick PRO duo A second entertainment pack has also been announced called the PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack. The will launch in November for $199.99 as well. It includes: Piano Black PSP-3000 4GB Memory Stick PRO duo Everyday Shooter PSN voucher The Piano Black PSP-3000 will be sold separately later this year as a PSP Core Pack, which includes only an AC adaptor and battery pack for $169.99.%Gallery-30064%
New PlayStation Eye game announced: Eyepet
Download to PSP Do you love puppies and kittens? How about virtual puppies and kitties? If you do you, you might enjoy the new Eyepet game that's just been announced. Check it out in the video above.It's a virtual pet game that allows gamers to interact with their pet by utilizing the PlayStation Eye peripheral. If you put an object in front of the PS Eye, the pet will interact with it on screen. If you wave your fingers in front of the PS Eye, you can tickle your "loveable, simian-like pet." Eyepet is developed by SCEE and will be available in "late 2009" for PAL regions.%Gallery-30069%
Buzz! returns to PSP in Brain Bender
European games just can't get enough Buzz! A brand new Buzz! trivia game is coming to PSP later this year in Europe, entitled Buzz! Brain Bender. There are sixteen mini-games to find in this latest iteration of the popular trivia franchise. Eight have been revealed so far: Analysis Games:Path Finder: A maze game where players have to quickly decide what path leads to the centre.Power Struggle: A decision game based on who can win "tugs of wars" battles between different vehicles Observation Games:Match Up: Can you tell how many pairs of contestants there are in a puzzle?Pattern Match: A puzzle style game where players need to identify the correct shapes to fit into a missing grid. Memory Games:Take Away: A card game where players need to identify the missing cards from a series.Sound Bites: A game based on sounds made by animals or objects. Players have to correctly recall the order they were played out. Calculation Games:Blot Swot: Can you still solve maths puzzles when they're full of missing numbers?Sliced Up: A game where the player must decide what portion of the food on display hasn't been eaten. In a Brain Age twist, the upcoming game will also add a Test mode, which will track your progress and determine your brain power. Stay tuned for more.%Gallery-30078%
SingStar Disney brings magical glee to PS2 [Update]
Update: Looks like we got the platform wrong. SingStar: Singalong with Disney is a PS2 game. What's the next generation of SingStar? You guessed it: SingStar: Singalong with Disney will bring karaoke lovers the classic Disney songs we've all known and loved, with classic Disney movie footage in the background. The enthusiasm in the audience is quite noticeable, looking at Jem's Twitter entry.Other additions to the SingStar franchise were also revealed in Europe. SingStar Vol.3 Party Edition will add classic pop hits from Barry Manilow, Lionel Ritchie and Kate Bush sit alongside recent chart hits from The Ting Tings, Timbaland, Sara Bareilles and Coldplay.Two download packs from classic rock group Queen will also be added to the SingStore.
Heavy Rain confirmed for late 2009
Download to PSP At the end of the new Heavy Rain trailer, a vague (but nonetheless reassuring) release date was mentioned: 2009. Slowly, but surely, Sony's 2009 killer apps are being revealed. With MAG, Killzone 2, inFAMOUS and now Heavy Rain, gamers will have a lot to look forward to in 2009.Heavy Rain is a "dark, immersive and emotionally-engaging experience" expanding upon the ideas of Quantic Dream's previous adventure game, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy). Once again, the promise is that "every action has a consequence" with a constantly evolving story based on the way you interact with others and the choices you make. SCEE is promising it will talk about topics unheard of in gaming, "making it a genuinely mature game for a new world of adult gamers."%Gallery-12818%
LittleBigPlanet European release date set in stone [Update]
It's been quite a long wait for LittleBigPlanet, but that wait is soon to be no longer. At Sony's press conference in Leipzig today, it was announced that the create-it-yourself platformer would be available to gamers in Europe by October 29. While Europeans across the continent mark their calendars, North Americans will have to keep their eyes peeled for a future announcement. Update: Now updated with new trailer!%Gallery-3199%
VidZones brings unlimited streaming music videos ... for free
Europe is getting a wicked cool service to use early next year. Entitled VidZones, this new service, available in 23 European countries, including Australia and New Zealand, will allow PS3 fans to access an unlimited amount of streaming music videos on their PS3 for the incredible price of: free. You'll be able to create custom playlists and yes, you'll be able to stream it on your PSP via Remote Play. This will operate separately from the current PS3 Video Store.In addition, users of VidZones will be able to download music videos and ringtones directly to their cell phones ... all for a nominal charge, of course. With this and PlayTV, the multimedia features of the European PS3 is far outclassing those of their (now jealous) neighbors.
Wireless keypad attachment revealed for PS3
A new peripheral for the PS3 has just been announced at Leipzig. A wireless keypad is similar to Xbox 360's current chatpad, but it will connect to the controller through the top USB port. The chatpad will also enable "touchpad mode for mouse input." A picture of the keypad attached to a controller, after the jump.
80GB goes on sale in Europe this Friday, 160GB PS3 available 10/31
Looks like the retailer leaks were right. The 80GB PS3 will launch in Europe this Friday (except for Australia). A new 160GB model has also been announced. Retailing for €449, this premium bundle will include a €70 game and will be available on Oct 31st. This bundle will not include PS2 backwards compatibility either.
PSP-3000 features enhanced screen & built-in microphone
Sony just announced at their Leipzig press conference the PSP-3000 series. It will look exactly the same as the current PSP-2000 (Slim & Light) model, but will add a built-in microphone and enhanced screen. Apparently, the screen will work better outdoors, being able to resist glare. The built-in microphone will be a huge plus for regular Skype users, and those that take their PSP online via Infrastructure.Video-Out has also been enhanced, with the system now able to interlace for televisions that don't support a progressive output (that means non-HDTVs).The PSP-3000 series will be available on October 15th in Europe and will retail for €199. There will be 8 bundles, each adding one game to the package.
Konami and Mercury Steam unveil Lords of Shadow
How many of you have semi-long term memory? Can you remember stories we wrote about back in March? Do you remember that mystery game that Konami and Mercury Steam were working on? As it turns out, that game is this: Lords of Shadow. While the image above has nothing to do with the game, we do have some new information on this previously shadowy title. Set in southern Europe during the middle ages, Lords of Shadow is best described as a "dark fairy tale." It's a third-person, action-adventure title which pits players in the role of protagonist Gabriel. His struggle seems to be all about discovering "true meaning of sacrifice amidst murder and betrayal." It sounds like an intriguing title, but one you won't be able to touch until 2010.[via press release]
