PSX
Latest
Nike's latest PlayStation shoe celebrates a classic look
After turning gamers into hypebeasts with a PlayStation-themed Nike release earlier this year, Paul George debuted a console-themed version of his PG 2.5 sneaker in a game tonight against the Golden State Warriors. Appropriately timed near the release of the PlayStation Classic mini-console, this PG 2.5 X PlayStation pair pays homage to the original system with its original gray color plus a PS logo on the tongue of the left shoe. Alone, it doesn't quite match the cool factor of the DualShock-like PG2 PlayStation's light-up tongue, (these still light up) but it will still have the consistent flair even after its batteries wear out. Other PlayStation Nikes have focused on the Air Force 1, which saw a QuickStrike release last year at E3 (we doubt that will happen in 2019 for obvious reasons) after limited releases in 2006 and 2009. If you'd like to get a pair of these, keep an eye on Nike's SNKRS app and "select" retailers December 1st.
Sony confirms PlayStation Experience won't happen this year
Sony's PlayStation Experience event won't take place this year. Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden confirmed the news Friday on the PlayStation Blogcast, noting that it was a "hard decision."
Try not to puke while playing 'Wipeout' in VR next year
Wipeout might be one of the most ill-suited games for virtual reality, featuring high-speed races with brilliant flashing lights and neon streaks -- but it's coming to PlayStation VR anyway. Wipeout Omega Collection will get a free VR mode in early 2018, Sony announced during tonight's PlayStation Experience pre-show. The VR update includes all modes and tracks in the base game, 3D audio support, plus exclusive ships and interiors. Puke bags are not included.
Watch the PlayStation Experience live stream right here
It's going to be a late night, folks. The PlayStation Experience takes place this weekend and Sony is kicking things off with a live-streamed presentation called PlayStation Presents tonight at 11 PM ET -- that's 8 PM in Anaheim, California, where the show is being held. No matter where you are on this fine Friday evening, you can catch PlayStation Presents right here with the embedded video, or on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook or the event's official site.
'Wipeout' comes to the PS4 through the 'Omega Collection'
Have you been suffering from Wipeout withdrawal symptoms since getting a PS4? You can relax. Sony has revealed that Wipeout Omega Collection is coming to the PS4 with remastered versions of three games (or two, depending on your point of view): Wipeout HD, Wipeout HD Fury and Wipeout 2048. It's not saying a whole lot about what's new, but it's safe to say that a graphical upgrade is on order -- especially for 2048, which was meant for the PS Vita. They're all getting 4K support, high dynamic range graphics and a "targeted" performance of 60 frames per second. You should see an "all-new" soundtrack, too. It's not a true sequel, and you'll have to wait until summer 2017 to get it, but it should at least end a years-long drought for people who have fond memories of racing hoverships to a thumping beat.
Watch the PlayStation Experience keynote right here!
PlayStation Experience kicks off today in Anaheim, California, offering a weekend of gaming, Capcom and Call of Duty eSports tournaments, and plenty of news for fans of Sony's wares. The keynote starts at 10AM PT / 1PM ET and it's poised to feature a handful of game announcements and information about the PlayStation 4, PS4 Pro and PS VR as we head into 2017. Catch it all live right here, regardless of your proximity to Anaheim. Sometimes, the internet truly is incredible.
'Destiny' will add a hovercraft racing competition next week
If you're searching for a new way to play Destiny, Bungie and Activision have PlayStation owners covered. Starting on December 8th, Destiny: The Taken King owners can participate in the Sparrow Racing League. It's a competitive race on the game's Sparrow hovercrafts against friends or strangers alike, and from the quick video we just saw at the PlayStation Experience event in San Francisco, it should be a good time. If you're a fan of F-Zero, Wipeout 2048 or any of the other many similar games out there, the Sparrow Racing League will likely scratch that same itch.
Here's where to watch Sony's PlayStation Experience keynote
Sony's big PlayStation Experience event kicks off in San Francisco in less than an hour -- but if you're not in attendance, it'll still be easy to follow along. The whole event will be streamed on the PlayStation website or over on the PlayStation Twitch channel (you can find the video stream below!). We're not sure what exactly Sony will be announcing just yet, but we're expecting to hear a lot about PlayStation VR and hopefully some new games -- it's a two-hour keynote, so it seems safe to say Sony has a few big announcements up its sleeve. We'll also be reporting straight from the keynote and the show floor all day long, so stay tuned for all the news from PlayStation Experience today.
You can now pre-order a 20th Anniversary PlayStation 4 (update: sold out)
Been jonesing for that matte gray, extra-limited 20th Anniversary Edition PlayStation 4? It's time to take action. As promised, Sony is now taking pre-orders for the commemorative game console in the US. Plunking down $500 will get you the system, a special controller and a PlayStation Camera in the PS1's distinctive-yet-drab colors. If you're successful, your unit should ship on December 21st. You'd better act fast if you want this machine, however. With just 12,300 systems shipping worldwide, you probably can't buy one for much longer -- Sony's store is already buckling under the demand. If you miss out, you can always live vicariously through Joystiq's unboxing of the special-run PS4. Update: To absolutely no one's surprise, the Sony Store already says it's "out of stock." There's no certainty that this is the only batch the company is selling, but you may have to resort to auction sites from here on out.
Here's everything Sony showed at the PlayStation Experience keynote
Sony just held the keynote for its first-ever PlayStation Experience fan event, and the company didn't hold back on game previews -- it showed dozens of titles that will be hitting the PS3, PS4 and PS Vita in the months ahead. Did you miss out on the whole shebang? Don't worry. We've rounded up all the games that got a showing at the Las Vegas event, ranging from blockbuster sequels like Uncharted 4 and Street Fighter V to eyebrow-raising originals like Wattam. If you're ready to start watching a ton of trailers, grab some popcorn and check out the full game list below.
Sony's Project SkyLight lets you customize your PlayStation 4
Microsoft might not have had much success with Xbox 360 faceplates, but that isn't stopping Sony from giving console customization a shot. The company's newly unveiled Project SkyLight beta lets you slap a faceplate on your PlayStation 4 for $25, livening up the otherwise plain surface of your gaming system. While only two limited edition plates (LittleBigPlanet 3 and The Order: 1886) are available in this test phase, there are promises of more -- don't be shocked if you see SkyLight add-ons tied to major PS4 releases from this moment onward.
'Final Fantasy VII' is coming exclusively to PlayStation 4 in Spring 2015
You read that right: Final Fantasy VII is coming exclusively to PlayStation 4 next spring. But instead of being the full-on HD remaster than many had likely hoped for, it's a port of the PC version. Essentially, it's an upscaled version of the game's original graphics. But, if the PS4 port retains all of the PC game's features, it'll come with cloud saves (har har), achievements and a "character booster" mode, too. We're just hoping that pricing stays in line with its computer-based counterpart ($12), all of the above considered.
Get a free game on every modern PlayStation console this weekend
PlayStation owners might not be blessed with Electronic Arts' EA Access subscription program, but the outfit's Peter Moore has a consolation prize for you. Sort of. Starting today at 3 p.m. Eastern / 12 p.m. Pacific, you can download Need for Speed: Most Wanted for PlayStation Vita, Mirror's Edge for PlayStation 3 and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare on PS4, all for free on the PSN Store. Pretty cool, right? But, you can't put this off: when Moore took the stage at today's PlayStation Experience keynote, he said the downloads only last until midnight Pacific tomorrow night -- hopefully you have some free space on your Sony console of choice. If not, well, there's still time to make room. [Image credit: Getty Images]
Take a look at the next Uncharted on the PlayStation 4
Uncharted's swashbuckling adventures already looked good on the PlayStation 3, so how will they improve on the PS4? Quite a lot, apparently. Naughty Dog has just shown off the first gameplay from Uncharted 4 at PlayStation Experience, and we won't lie: it's gorgeous. Characters look so good in-game that you'd think you were watching a cutscene, while even cliff faces (and there are many cliff faces) appear all too real. You'll also see some new game mechanics that promise to inject new life into the series, including grappling hooks and pinions that get you across seemingly impossible challenges. It's a shame that you'll still have to wait until 2015 to play, but this preview suggests that it could be worth the wait.
Watch the PlayStation Experience 2014 keynote right here!
Couldn't make it to Las Vegas this weekend to check out the first PlayStation Experience? Well, we've got you covered with a livestream of the event right after the break. If the official image above is any indication, we can expect to hear quite a bit about Until Dawn, Mortal Kombat X, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, The Order: 1866, Batman: Arkham City and hopefully a whole lot more -- maybe even a live demo of new Project Morpheus games. The Twitch stream starts with the keynote address at 1 p.m. Eastern / 10 a.m. Pacific and will run until 3 p.m. Eastern / 12 p.m. Pacific. Sony says that certain interviews and panels from the event will be broadcast as well, so be sure to keep this tab open!
PSIO prototype loads PlayStation 1 ISOs on the console, no burned CD necessary (video)
Project PlayStation Input Output has been trying to load PlayStation 1 game images through the game system's parallel I/O port since 2010, and now it's ready to show off the first prototype. If piracy is your aim, then modchips that let users play burned discs and emulators that have been available through the console's 19-year history should suffice, but this project aims to bypass those methods. The potential benefits include easier homebrew support and playing of ripped discs on the original hardware without worrying about wearing out an aging console's laser. Eventually the team wants to load games and saves from an SD card, but in this demo video it's playing Klonoa: Door to Phantomile from an attached PC. As seen in the nearly ten minute video it does work, albeit slowly. As the video notes, optimizations for the USB controller and CD sectors that should speed things up have not been implemented yet. According to its FAQ, the PSIO team aims to have a final version done this year, you can check out the fruits of their labor after the break.
Grandia: How a forgotten JRPG solved the problem of repetitive combat
This is a weekly column from freelancer Rowan Kaiser, which primarily focuses on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity. This week, however, Rowan focuses on a forgotten JRPG: Grandia. One of the core issues facing most role-playing games is how they deal with repetitive combat. Since RPGs tend to be so much longer than normal games, with a wider scope, it's much more difficult for them to create unique battles like a shorter action game can. So RPGs tend to have constant, similar, repetitive fights. These are often derided by players and critics under umbrella terms like "random battles," "grinding," or in massively multiplayer games, "trash." Yet RPGs need those regular battles to keep the games interesting. With rare exceptions, the player skills are unlikely to be tested in terms of skill outside of combat, and most RPG stories depend on violence and its consequences. This makes combat an integral component of the pacing of RPGs. Successful RPGs tend to strike a balance between combat, exploration, and storytelling. When one of those three part is left unchecked, the game can become boring – and it's usually excessive repetitive fighting that's the issue. For decades now, RPGs have attempted to make their regular battles more interesting, and less likely to be described as trash or grinding. Japanese RPGs have historically tended to experiment with different combat forms more aggressively than their Western counterparts. Some games, like the Suikoden series, tries to avoid the combat issue by making combat smooth and unobtrusive, as I wrote about in a prior column. But not every RPG can, or should, de-emphasize combat. When combat works, even in common random battles, it can be the best part of an RPG. How can RPGs avoid having combat be too repetitive and meaningless?
Sony offers up a PlayStation retrospective video
If your calendars aren't already marked for Sony's February 20 PlayStation 2013 event, Sony added a new video to its event page to remind you. The video teases next week's big announcement with a retrospective on the company's first console, the PlayStation.According to the Wall Street Journal, the PS4 will be announced at the event, will launch this year and include Gaikai streaming support for PS3 games.
Gamasutra tracks down creators of Colony Wars
Like all sane people, Isaiah Taylor has a fondness for the PSX's Colony Wars series. But where most of us are content to pine for a bygone era around the back tables of the same old man bars we've inhabited for years, Taylor has made use of his devotion. In a new Gamasutra piece, he tracks down some of the key members of the Psygnosis team that created the game as they share their memories of the operatic space shooter's development. Perhaps most interesting for series stalwarts like us is just how little experience the team had with the genre before digging in. The fantastic score, for example, was just the second orchestral piece composer Tim Wright had ever written. And no, before you ask, there's no hint of a fourth Colony Wars in the works, though most of the team says they'd be up for it if the opportunity came along and, most importantly, the public cried out for it. Speaking of which, can someone explain why protesters are occupying Wall Street when there's a real opportunity for positive change right here?
Crash Bandicoot creator ruminates on the old days
Don't be surprised if you see America's Favorite Marsupial (after Kangaroo Jack) tooling around on the highways and byways of this great land. That's right: Crash Bandicoot is old enough to get his learner's permit. To mark the big guy's 15th birthday, co-creator Andy Gavin took to his blog to share some memories of Crash's early days, naked baby photos, as it were. Our personal favorite is Gavin's story of trying to conduct an intensely technical conversation with Ken Kutaragi while (1) "pretty drunk" and (2) shouting over ear-splittingly loud music. It's a lot of fun, as are some of the Crash-centric memories readers have posted in the comments. ... And hey, while we're thinking about it, if you should happen to see Crash Bandicoot driving around, you should be wicked surprised, contrary to our intro. He's not only fictional, he's a bandicoot. It's an extremely unsafe situation that should probably reported to local law enforcement. Sorry for being so irresponsible.
