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PlayStation Blog wants your Killzone 2 photos
Planning on picking up Killzone 2 within the next 24 hours? Of course you are. Before you stick it in your PS3's drive and get transported to Helghan for the foreseeable future, the PlayStation Blog has a request. Take a photo of yourself posing with your newly purchased treasure (preferably as you're buying it) and upload it to the PlayStation Blog Facebook page. Make sure it's also tagged "kz2." The best photos will win an official strategy guide for the game.If you don't have a replica ISA rifle handy -- like the PlayStation Blog's Jeff Rubenstein has in the above image -- don't be put off. Blog employees aren't allowed to win. Good luck!
Sad day for collectors: no limited edition Killzone 2 pack
Sorry collectors, it looks like Killzone 2 will not receive a special limited edition when it launches in America on February 27th. Just a bog-standard vanilla pack. Jeff Rubenstein confirms this in a comment on the Killzone 2 CES interview post; "There is no collector's edition slated for Killzone 2. Guerrilla Games has put all of their effort into creating this masterpiece of a game, so we didn't actively pursue a CE." A shame, really. The game would've lent itself well to a collector's edition. Maybe we'll see one for Killzone 3.
The EA Sports Home space is actually pretty awesome
We're fairly certain that there's a good number of you who responded to the news of an EA Sports Home space with nothing more than a "meh." Some of us did too, to be honest. Some of us are not particularly big fans of sports games, so we assumed this Home space is for other people. Until, that is, we saw the new walkthrough video that has appeared on the PlayStation Blog, which shows off the entire space, including the three mini-games. Home users will be able to race go-karts against each other, with four people racing at once. There's also a golfing minigame and poker tables. While these are nothing too exciting on their own, EA are introducing a "light progression system" with their area. That means that you'll be able to spend your winnings on upgrading your go-karts, and progressing to higher level poker tables. There will also be wearable prizes and stuff for your Home apartment, as usual.So even if you're not a sports fan, you should find something to do within the EA Sports Home space when it launches around March.
Cuboid detailed and priced
It looks like Cuboid, one of three upcoming PSN games from Creat Studios, will be released soon. A post on the PlayStation Blog by Creat Producer Olga Sokolova shows a little more of what we can expect from the game. Cuboid will sell for $9.99 when it releases "soon" and will include 66 levels (that's just over 15 cents a level). Creat promises that there will also be post-launch premium packs including new levels as well as a level editor. Check out the video after the break to see the game in action and check out the PlayStation Blog post for some details on some of Cuboid's gameplay mechanics.
PlayStation Blog redesign imminent
It looks like the PlayStation Blog will be undergoing a bit of a redesign and, as a result, will be down for a short time on Monday. We're promised that it should be back with us by 9am PST. When it does return it'll have some funky new features and a slightly different layout, as you can see from the screenshot above (click it for a higher res version over at Sony's flickr page).New features include complete integration of all Sony's web 2.0 activity, including a Twitter ticker and easy links to facebook, viddler and flickr. There will also be a list of recent posts, so that whenever you happen to wake up you will be able to easily see what you've missed since your last visit. This is just the beginning -- the PlayStation Blog will continue to evolve over time (with some pretty cool upcoming features, we might add) and they're looking for your feedback. So leave a comment and let them know what you want to see.
Valkyria Chronicles DLC heading west in 2009
Valkyria Chronicles is out today! You should really go buy it if you're a fan of strategy RPGs and/or excellent stories. Need another reason? A new post on the PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the downloadable content that was made available in Japan will be translated for western audiences. Both add-on packs will be made available in America and Europe in "early 2009." The DLC involves a new mission and an extra hard skirmish mode. One of these allows you to play as the evil Imperial army invading Gallia and includes new vocals and and new sets of battles. These packs were paid content in Japan so no doubt they'll be the same over here. So even as you play through the lengthy main mission you'll have some new stuff to look forward to early next year. Hopefully Sega will also add trophies at some point too.
Plenty of downloadable content to come for MotorStorm Pacific Rift
Did you know yesterday was launch day for MotorStorm Pacific Rift? In case you might've forgotten Nigel Kershaw, the game's director, put up a new post on the PlayStation Blog just to remind you. In doing so he also gives us some interesting information about upcoming downloadable content for the game. Once the development team have had a break they'll be back to work finishing off some DLC they've already got in the pipes. "We've got a pile of stuff waiting in the wings, and, you'll be glad to know, a lot of it is free." Which we know will please a lot of people who were annoyed at having to pay to unlock content on MotorStorm 1's disc. It seems DLC will be appearing quite regularly, too, as the team is "going to try and give you something new to play with every week." There's also talk of some bigger expansions making their way to the Store by Christmas. MotorStorm 1 was very well supported post-release and its sequel looks to be no exception. We're intrigued to see what Evolution have in store for the game.
Some important info regarding the US Resistance 2 beta
Want to get in on the Resistance 2 action? You'd better be quick! Registration for the open beta in the US closes at 4PM Pacific time today. If you miss it, however, don't be too sad. There'll be other chances to get a key, what with USA Today handing out a load of them, starting on Tuesday. No doubt other media outlets will get their hands on them too. If you get your hand on a code make sure you use it before 5pm October 29th. At that time the download servers will be turned off. At one minute to midnight on October 30th the gameplay servers will be switched off and the beta will effectively end. After that you'll have only a few days to wait before the full game releases. Maybe you could use the time to replay Resistance 1 in preparation.
New High Velocity Bowling content coming, starting today
A new PlayStation Blog post details a number of new downloadables for everyone's favorite PSN bowling simulator, High Velocity Bowling. Two new characters, Foxy Powers and Chastity Falls, are joining the character roster. The development team will also start offering downloadable ball packs, giving you access to various different ball styles. The first ball pack, which is halloween themed. Each of these downloads will cost you $0.99 when they're made available on the US PSN Store later today. Just to be clear, that's $0.99 per character.Europeans, you're not being ignored. Mike Skinner, from Team RamRod, says that they "are working as fast as we can to release it to you as well." Maybe next week, eh?
Far Cry 2 is in ur Home, eating ur dinnerz
Ubisoft really loves Home. Not only did they host their "Ubidays" press event in the virtual space, but now a new game space for Far Cry 2 has been added. The weird thing? Home isn't even released yet. Still, those of you in the beta (which seems to be a greater number every day, recently) will be able to access this game space starting now.But what is it? The Far Cry 2 Home space includes mock-ups of in-game levels for you to explore. Within one of these spaces (seen in the image above) you'll be able to play with an interactive map of the Far Cry 2 world as well as learning more about the background story of the game from images and text articles. There's also a multiplayer minigame to play with your Home buddies. The PlayStation Blog post ends with a promise to update the game space regularly, so keep an eye out for developments in the future.Not bad for free, right? Imagine a Home populated with dozens of such game spaces. Doesn't seem quite so boring now, does it? Check out the PlayStation Blog post for more info and screenshots.
Watch as Grace Chen walks you through the new PSP Store
The new direct-connect PSP Store is on its way, but how does it look? Unsurprisingly it looks very similar to the PS3 Store. Coupled with the ability to sign on to the PlayStation Network from your PSP gives the two systems a much greater sense of integration. All we need now is a PSP friends list (and trophies wouldn't go amiss, either.)If you want to see exactly what the Store looks like, check out the video above. You'll be able to get your hands on it when the firmware goes live in the near future. Hopefully a more accessible PSP Store means we'll be getting better content updates from now on.
Download the Linger in Shadows soundtrack for free
The guys at Plastic are a charitable bunch -- they have made the soundtrack to their demoscene Linger in Shadows a free download on their website. The ZIP file even includes an additional track from their other demoscene, Into the Pink. Visit their website here and click on the soundtrack link in the middle of the page to download the file. Wojciech Golczewski is the Polish composer responsible for the atmospheric soundtrack. You can find out more information about him and sample additional tunes by visiting his official website here. [Thanks, kspraydad!]
Sony reveals firmware 2.50, coming 'soon'
It seems Sony has been busy recently. A new post on the PlayStation Blog details the next firmware update and, let's not beat about the bush, we're pleased with what we see. With this update Sony has made it clear that they are listening to its consumers. Adding Trophies in 2.40 could easily have been a fluke, but these updates show they're moving in the right direction.Our favorite additions include the trophy improvements (though, where's our "Level Up!" notification?), background downloading functionality and friend status updates. But, really, there's no fluff here. Hopefully Sony will continue this momentum through future updates. There's no word on when we can expect these features, but Eric Lempel says it'll be "soon." Check out the full feature list after the break and let us know what you think in the comments.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Linger In Shadows steps into the light this Thursday
A new PlayStation Blog post, written by Rusty Buchert (not to be confused with the PS3 Fanboy janitor, Rusty Bucket) who is the Senior Producer for Linger In Shadows, has revealed when we can finally get our hands on it. Buchert nonchalantly mentions that it'll be available on October 9th, but neglects to mention any pricing information. He also finally tells us a little something about the project's background. Buchert is keen to state that Linger In Shadows is not a game. Then what is it? " It is an experiment with the demoscene and it is an experiment in Interactive Digital Art." Historically, the demoscene has been a community who developed passive audio-visual "demos" which attempted to push the boundaries of a piece of technology. Linger In Shadows bucks the trend by allowing people to interact with their creation. Hence the trophies. So, based on that, we wouldn't be surprised if Linger In Shadows was released for free. Even if it's not, we're intrigued to check out what Plastic have been creating (in their spare time, no less). Check out the PlayStation Blog for more details.
Many more LBP beta keys available at the PS Blog
Want another opportunity to get your hands on a LittleBigPlanet beta key? The PlayStation Blog is giving away a few more today. By "a few more," we're talking hundreds, if not thousands. If you want to get your hands on one of 2000 beta keys, simply check out the latest post on the PlayStation Blog and follow the instructions. The PlayStation Blog has also revealed the latest LBP trailer, which you can see above. Probably best to take a peek after you've emailed for a beta code, though. The beta finishes in 10 days, which is plenty of time to get stuck in and play many of the awesome levels that people have made (as well as many of the not-so-good ones, too). Good luck![UPDATE] That's all, folks! Please don't send any more emails as many thousands have already been received. If you've sent one in already, you'll no doubt find out if you were quick enough fairly soon.
LittleBigPlanet beta keys now available on the PlayStation Blog
Are you fast enough? There are 50 LittleBigPlanet beta keys available for those of you who email the PlayStation Blog and ask for them. The announcement is hidden at the bottom of this post about the reader meetup in Orlando last Friday. Seems like a good time was had by all, as they all left with LittleBigPlanet beta keys, and other prizes. Wait, where are you going? Alright, alright, we understand. Good luck trying to get those keys![UPDATE] Wow, that didn't take long. They're all gone. There may be other opportunities to get a key in the future, we'll keep you posted.
Reader visits Orlando PS.blog meetup, gets free LBP code
PS Fanboy reader Josh attended last week's PlayStation.blog reader meet up in Orlando, Florida. There, the crowd got to enjoy some BBQ, WipEout, Buzz and the company of like-minded PlayStation fans. Most impressive: everyone that attended the meet up got a mysterious code ... which was later revealed to be a code to enter the LittleBigPlanet beta. Wow! What a nice surprise.Check out Josh's Flickr to vicariously relive the events of the PS.blog meetup.
Your Punisher: No Mercy questions answered
It's been two days since The Punisher: No Mercy was announced via the PlayStation blog. That's two days of head scratching and confused looks in the PS3 Fanboy office. What is this game going to be like? Thankfully, our questions, and yours, have been answered in the latest PlayStation Blog post. Zen Studios plans on pushing the Unreal Engine to its limits with regards to the game's graphics. Just because it's a downloadable title, don't be expecting them to skimp on the polys. A trailer will be released within the next couple of weeks and trophy support is already confirmed. That's another one to add to our trophy portal. There will also be a single player story mode (no word on co-op, but that doesn't mean it won't be included) and the download file is being kept as low as possible, but will probably hover around the 1 gigabyte mark. So now we know a little more about the title and, we have to say, we're quite intrigued. Check out the full Q&A for more deets.
PlayStation Blog heads to Orlando and wants you to meet them there
Details for the third PlayStation Blog meet up have been revealed. After swapping the Mexican cuisine of King Taco in Los Angeles for the sophisticated morning coffee and doughnuts of Seattle, the menu has moved on to southern style BBQ in Orlando, Florida. But you won't be attending for the food alone, obviously. You'll be meeting up with the PlayStation Blog staff, other fanboys (and maybe some fangirls, if you're lucky) and, who knows, maybe some other journo type people (though, sadly, we won't be able to attend this time). Not to mention more competitive gaming for, no doubt, awesome prizes.So now we've got you interested you'll need to know the wheres, whens and whyfores. The meetup will be taking place near downtown Orlando at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy next Friday, the 26th of September, between 7pm and 9pm. It's free, so just turn up, and you'll probably need your PSP. Chances are there'll be an after party at a local bar, by the looks of things. For full details, including funny maps, check out the PlayStation Blog post and RSVP on Facebook.
Video Store update for the week ending September 19th
You already know what we're playing this weekend, but who has time for games when there's so much new stuff on the video store to watch. There are seven seasons worth of TV shows added alongside nineteen new movies. Our pick of the week? Probably Robot Chicken, because we like to laugh at crude animations. Here's the list of TV shows, films are listed after the break: Burn Notice, Season 2 Crime 360, Season 1 Deadliest Catch, Season 3 Married with Children, Season 6 Miami Ink, Season 5 Most Shocking, Season 1 Robot Chicken, Season 3 If you're interested in checking out the top-twenty downloads for the week, be sure to check out the PlayStation Blog post.
