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IGF finalist Hohokum launching next year for PS4, PS3, PS Vita
Sony Santa Monica is working with artist Richard Hogg and Frobisher Says! developer Honeyslug to produce Hohokum, an upcoming title for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita. Hogg describes Hohokum as a "whimsical colorful game with an emphasis on playful exploration and creativity." Players control a wormish, kite-like flying creature as they navigate a virtual playground and ferry around its inhabitants. It resembles Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy in premise, and Hogg notes that the experience is free from the "usual pressures" common to video games, such as persistent hand-holding and failure states. Hohokum was named as a finalist in the Excellence in Visual Arts category of 2011's Independent Games Festival. Hogg expects the game to launch in 2014.%Gallery-187737%
Journey ventures to PSN on March 13 for $15 [update: March 14 for EU]
Journey's developers at thatgamecompany refuse to dilly dally when it comes to seasonally tied launch windows, announcing this morning that Journey will arrive on March 13 for $15, effectively kicking off the spring season.According to a PlayStation Blog post revealing the launch date and pricing, no bonuses are currently being offered for PS Plus members regarding the title, but, uh, you can also totally play the game on March 13 as well, unless you choose to hold out for a special offer, of course.The release date announcement is just the beginning of a weeks-long trailer campaign leading up to thelaunch, so keep an eye out for more looks into the game in the near future. Should you need a fix right now, we've dropped a trailer above for you. You're so needy!Update: The EU PlayStation Blog says that the game will arrive on March 14 in Europe.
Starhawk lifts off on May 8, PS Plus beta starts today
Starhawk will engage in all-out war on May 8, the PlayStation Blog announced today. It also reiterated that the game's "public beta" begins today for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Those who purchased Uncharted 3 can fly into the beta January 31 in the US and February 1 in Europe. Normal ol' PSN accounts can try it out February 21, with Europe receiving access the following day. There are also opportunities to obtain beta codes from GameStop and IGN on February 7 and 14, respectively. Sony also reminds: "a Beta is a real world 'in the wild' test of the core game systems and gameplay. It is NOT a demo. Most of the final game features are not included."
Starhawk beta goes public starting with PSN Plus subscribers next week
For the last few month, LightBox has been running a Starhawk private beta, which just concluded on January 3. Like a big bouncer guarding the door of your city's hot new club, the developer barred entry to all Joe and Jane Schmoes looking to get their taste of what's to come. Boys and girls, soon you'll have your chance: the beta's going public. PlayStation Plus subscribers get first crack at the public demo starting next week on January 17 for the US and January 18 for Europe, PlayStation Blog reports. If you picked up Uncharted 3, you'll get a crack at the public beta two weeks later: January 31 in the US and February 1 in Europe. Finally, if you've got a regular ol' free PSN account, you can jump in on February 21, when the beta is open to all US users; European users get in on the following day. If you were one of the lucky few to get into the private beta, you'll have access to the public beta starting next week, granted you didn't erase your original beta files.
Composer confirms work on 'God of War IV' [update]
The man behind the orchestral arrangements for Valve's upcoming Dota 2, as well as orchestration in films like the recent remake of Halloween, claims to be working on the music for "God of War IV." Timothy Williams lists the unannounced God of War entry in his resume under "Video Games," and he denotes it as an "upcoming" title. This isn't the first time we've seen news of another God of War title popping up; this development follows a pair of job listings calling for talent to work on an unannounced God of War title at Sony's Santa Monica studios. The word on the street - yes, we're from the streets - is that the next, still unannounced God of War entry will arrive in time for fall 2012. Sony, meanwhile, hasn't said a peep, though we've reached out for comment once more all the same. Update: Sony tells us, "We do not comment on rumors or speculation about our products." Update 2: Timothy Williams confirmed the listing as accurate to Joystiq and explained that he is, "working on it in the capacity of orchestrations and some additional music," but wanted to note that Tyler Bates is the "main composer" and should be listed as such. Bates had yet to return request for comment as of this update.
Eat a funnel cake and watch this Carnival Island trailer
Carnivals are a great way to spend time with your family; the only problem is that they're hardly ever in town, and when they are, their poorly maintained rides and crooked midway attractions put you and your loved ones in harm's way, both physically and psychologically. Sony's Carnival Island hopes to replicate that experience in a less traumatic fashion, by replacing carnies with animals and impossible games with the Move controller.
Guerrilla demonstrates Killzone 3; promises a more epic, varied experience
Guerrilla Games showed Killzone 3 in action for the first time tonight at an event in San Francisco. Managing director Hermen Hulst was on hand to lay out some key details about the sequel -- unfortunately, any sort of release date wasn't among them. Saying that the team was inspired by the ambition exhibited by other Sony Worldwide Studios releases, specifically Uncharted 2 and God of War 3, Hulst detailed planned improvements across the board for Killzone 3. Chief among them is more variety in environments, weapons, vehicles and enemies. Promising more epic, unique moments throughout, he pointed out that the first three minutes of the demo featured more cinematics and scripted events than the entire first level of Killzone 2. My full hands-on with the game will be published tomorrow afternoon, but for now you can read on after the break for more on Killzone 3's new environments, weapons and other features.
Spike TV holding casting calls for nightmarish God of War 3 contest
Good news, The Tester -- you're off the hook for being the worst idea for a video game-themed game show. Look sharp, Spike TV's recently announced God of War 3 promotion/contest Last Titan Standing -- you're officially on notice. According to a recent press release announcing the show's casting call, Last Titan Standing (which airs the night before GoW 3's March 16 release) pits players against one another for a chance to play the game "before the rest of the world." Kind of a lackluster prize -- what will they be doing to win it? Well, according to the casting call: "The story, puzzles, and straight-up action in God of War 3 will be recreated and YOU can be standing in the midst of the battles." Thanks, but no thanks, Last Titan Standing -- all things considered, putting up with pre-order panhandling from our friendly neighborhood GameStop clerk is marginally more bearable than getting our arms ripped off by a minotaur.
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe gets DIY compatibility fix
Recent connection issues have marred European PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe owners from participating in rousing online games against North American and Asian players. Thankfully, the PlayStation Blog has released a two-part DIY guide to help fix the PSP game's issues. The process is simple: Delete your game through the PSP Home Menu (select Game>Memory Stick>press the triangle button with PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe highlighted and select Delete). Connect to PlayStation Store > Select View Downloads and re-download PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe from the Download List. Users will still retain their previous progress and now (hopefully) be completely problem free in their quest for online Deluxe dominance.%Gallery-51376%
