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LittleBigPlanet 2: Extras Edition coming to Europe in February
LittleBigPlanet 2: Extras Edition was recently announced for Europe, and is due to release in February. Extras Edition will include the original game along with three bonus level packs and a number of costumes for Sackboy to wear.Of the packed-in level kits, the previously-released Cross-Controller Pack is included, which has players using their Vita systems to control Sackboy in the game. The other level packs bundled on the disc are the Move Pack: Rise of the Cakeling, which features PlayStation Move controls, and The Muppets Premium Level Kit. Click past the break to check out the full box art of the Extras Edition.
Former Relentless devs open Wish Studios, prototyping new Sony IP
A group of developers from the UK's Relentless Software (makers of the Buzz! franchise and the Blue Toad Murder Files) has splintered off to form a new company called Wish Studios. The developers are already hard at work on a new IP for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Relentless veterans Caspar Field, Paul Brooke, and Tom Bennett joined together to become Wish's respective CEO, CTO and CCO back in July, and are steadily working on the prototype for Sony. The team hasn't announced anything about what the prototype is just yet, except to say that it's "playing beautifully and has enormous potential." Field, Brooke, and Bennett have plenty of experience with downloadable titles and games for Sony's EyeToy peripheral, so perhaps that's a clue. Whenever they want to tell us what the project is, we'll be listening.
Killzone 1 goes HD in PS3 'Killzone Trilogy,' packing all three games together this Oct.
Everyone's favorite yellow-eyed flunkies are returning to the PlayStation 3, albeit this time in a re-release of their greatest hits. Yes, Killzone's 1-3 – which aren't places, but games – are getting boxed and bundled for the PlayStation 3 as "Killzone Trilogy," arriving this October. The first of the three games is even getting an HD makeover for its re-release, and all the multiplayer content for the latter two games is included in the package.The whole shebang will run $39.99/€49.99/£40.84 when it arrives on October 23 in the US and October 24 in Europe. Head past the break for all the specifics on those bonus maps.%Gallery-164530%
Sony axing Liverpool game studio, ends Psygnosis' 28-year history
Sony has confirmed that it's shuttering Studio Liverpool, more famously known as Psygnosis. The publisher was founded in 1984 and is responsible for a legion of best-selling titles including Lemmings, Colony Wars, Destruction Derby, Wipeout and the Formula One games. In a statement, the company said that after a review of its "commercially viable" projects, it's focusing on projects in other parts of the business -- after slashing the studio's remit in a cost-cutting exercise in 2010. The facility is also the location of the company's European Quality Assurance team, which will reportedly remain in operation.
PlayStation Vita sales topped 2.2 million worldwide as of June 30
Sony says that its latest console, the PlayStation Vita, topped 2.2 million units sold this summer. "The latest figures we've released for Vita (as of June 30th) are 2.2. million sales worldwide," an SCEE rep told us. We reached out following a report from PlayFront.de, where German PlayStation head Uwe Bassendowski mentioned the number in the context of the Vita's marketing.The last update we had on Vita sales was back in May, when Sony CEO Kaz Hirai said the system sold 1.8 million units worldwide – meaning the console moved around 200K units each month in May and June. For some context, before the Nintendo 3DS received its price cut to $170 – and just days after its US launch – the then $250 handheld had sold 1.41 million units more than the Vita's current lifetime sales. As of September 2011 (one month after the price drop), the 3DS was at 6.68 million units sold worldwide – or more than triple where the Vita's selling at right now. "Yikes" is the word we'd use to describe that situation.A strong showing of Vita games at Gamescom 2012 and the subsequent launch of said games will hopefully bolster the Vita's sales numbers. We sure aren't gonna see a price cut anytime soon.
Red, white and silver limited edition PS3s now out in the UK
Back in April, retailer listings for a Scarlet Red PS3 surfaced on Amazon and Play. Today, the console launches in the UK, and is joined by two other console colors previously exclusive to Japan: Classic White and Satin Silver. Each console comes sporting a DualShock 3 controller, a 320 GB hard drive and about six years of games to catch up on.
Did Sony's latest PlayStation 3 redesign just get outed by Brazil's Anatel?
Remember that mysterious new PS3 variant that passed through the FCC not too long ago? Although that listing didn't have photos to confirm a redesign, a new one has hit Anatel (essentially Brazil's version of the FCC) with a quartet of pictures in tow. Specifically, it cites models CECH-4011A, CECH-4011B and CECH-4011C, matching up well with the 4K labeling from the aforementioned FCC visit -- if you'll recall, the current PS3 Slim has a 3K model number. According to Tecnoblog, the the three models point to a shockingly storage-cramped 16GB version, along with 250GB and 500GB variants. While this Anatel document appears to be from Sony, we'd be remiss not to mention that we haven't been able to load the photos as Tecnoblog has. In terms of looks, apart from appearing extra slim -- and decidedly less attractive -- the system notably seems to be rocking a top-loading disc drive (this would be a first for the PS3). For now, we'd advise taking this potential leak with a grain of salt, but rest assured that we'll inform you if we hear anything official from Sony.
Sony: Retail still important in wake of Gaikai purchase
While Sony has made a substantial investment in the Gaikai game streaming service – to the tune of $380 million – the company is still committed to retail, Sony UK's Fergal Gara told MCV. Fergal noted that UK retail is undergoing "a bit of a readjustment," referring to the trouble that retailers like GAME have suffered recently.Still, despite the issues being faced at retail, Sony plans to continue leveraging brick-and-mortar – the company will use retail to demonstrate Wonderbook, for example. He added that he hopes retailers, and not just specialist retailers, will stay committed to stocking games as well, especially considering that the next generation of gaming hardware is right around the corner.Of course, Sony is intent on creating a new cloud service, so it will be interesting to see how the company's next offering will fit into the retail structure. One example to follow might be that of GameStop, which makes a substantial chunk of change selling redemption tokens for digital goods at its many retail stores.
Sony: 'No definitive plans' for Resistance series, no games currently in the works
The folks who created the Resistance series, Insomniac Games, are no longer working on it. This much we know. But what of Sony? The Japanese publishing giant owns the intellectual property rights to the Resistance series – as evidenced by the recent release of Resistance: Burning Skies on Vita, developed by Nihilistic – but is it planning on any more series entries? "We have no definitive plans," Sony Computer Entertainment Europe producer Daniel Brooke said in a recent interview.That isn't to say the series is done, of course. Brooke's full answer was, "The Resistance franchise has been exciting to work on, but as for the future we have no definitive plans," which sounds an awful lot more couched to us than straight up saying the series is done with. Considering Sony's five games deep on the franchise and the latest entry was billed as a sell-point for the Vita, we're not counting out Resistance just yet. After all, those Chimera are awfully dexterous.
LittleBigPlanet 2 Vita Cross Control adds incredible griefing possibilities
You can do a lot with LittleBitPlanet 2's upcoming Vita Cross Control patch. In a game already filled to bursting with creative opportunities, the additional Vita features are honestly a little staggering. Sure, you could make intricate levels, leveraging every touch and tilt gimmick, every unique cooperative possibility.You could do that, but why bother when the Vita opens up a whole new world of ways to screw with your friends? Check out our demo with Media Molecule's David Dino above.
Quantic Dream's Infraworld may not be canned after all, was possibly just frozen
Quantic Dream has been flirting with the title Infraworld, since 2006, when it was first reported as a canceled game, to 2010 when it made an appearance in Heavy Rain, to last year's US trademark filing from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.This year, a Quantic Dream title due out in 2013 has made an appearance in the biography of French actress Priscilla Liaud, and a studio concept artist has listed Infraworld and another oft-rumored title, Fiv5, in his LinkedIn profile (since removed).With E3 next week, Quantic Dream may be in the perfect position to take its Infraworld flirtation to the next level: eye contact and straightforward sentences. Our hearts are all a-flutter just thinking about it.
LittleBigPlanet Karting arriving in 2012 from ModNation Racers devs
After briefly hearing about LittleBigPlanet Karting in early February, Sony decided to share some new details this morning on the upcoming adorable kart racer. United Front Games is handling production duties – which makes sense given the developer's track record with ModNation Racers – and the team promises the same level of dedication and attention to detail that Media Molecule lavishes on its main franchise LBP titles.Like those main titles, LBP Karting will support a full creation system, which allows players to craft new levels, racers, and even "to modify the rules of the game itself to create completely new modes and challenges," according to UFG senior producer James Grieve. He also says that some form of "community experience" will be included, though he stops short of saying whether LBP.me will play some part in that experience.When we first heard about LBP Karting, the game was said to feature PlayStation Move functionality as well, a la Mario Kart for Wii. However, neither Sony nor United Front Games mentions as much in this announcement. What we do know for sure is this: LittleBigPlanet Karting will launch at some point in 2012 on the PlayStation 3.%Gallery-151249%
Trine 2 hits PSN in Europe after delay
You can finally download Frozenbyte's well-received sequel, Trine 2, from the European PlayStation Store. Since SCEE took longer than expected to get the game through QA, it will initially be offered at a 30 percent discount for €7.99. After two weeks, Trine 2's price will be set at €11.25.European PS Plus members can download Trine 2 for free right now. Here on the other side of the Atlantic we're getting some free Sly Cooper.
Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software
As of recently, the PS Vita has become available in the locales of America, Europe and PAL territories, and now Sony's updated sales figures are in. How does "over 1.2 million units worldwide" sound? Because that's how many systems were purchased as of February 26th. If you'll recall, just two days after its December 19th arrival in Japan, the Vita rushed out of the gate, with Sony citing 321,000 units sold. Sales quickly slowed, however, despite the system making its way across Asia, as that number only rose to 500,000 by the time CES hit in January. Considering that means an additional 700K+ units were moved in less than two months, it seems that Sony's latest handheld isn't doing too shabby. Furthermore, it looks like a healthy amount of early adopters stocked up on games, as Sony also noted that more than two million pieces of software have been sold (out of 25 currently available titles) via retail and the PlayStation Store -- that said, there's no telling how popular those slightly cheaper digital editions have proved. Hit up the press release after the break for all the details, courtesy of the House of Kevin Butler Kaz Hirai.
Twisted Metal hits Europe on March 7
After the European launch of Twisted Metal was stalled last week, a new date has been announced by creator David Jaffe. The European release has been pushed back to March 7, according to Jaffe's Twitter account, thanks to localization issues and cuts that had to be made in cutscenes.Last week, Jaffe assured players that Twisted Metal's story -- surely its most integral component -- would remain intact despite the alterations.
Twisted Metal launch stalled in Europe, pushed back to March
Localization issues are holding up the launch of Twisted Metal in Europe, David Jaffe confirmed in a NeoGAF post today. Though he couldn't say exactly when the title would launch in March, it seems the whole month is in play -- it could pull into retail as early as March 1 or at the end of the month. Twisted Metal is still on board for a Valentine's Day launch on February 14 in North America.In addition to the delay, the European version will be modified. Jaffe says SCEE censored certain portions of cutscenes and minor gameplay elements have been tweaked. "99 percent of the cuts were in the movies and the movies are still intact and I sat with the editor -- who was the same editor of the American movies -- and we went thru and addressed the notes from Europe and made sure the stories still worked," Jaffe wrote in his post. As for the gameplay edits, Jaffe only spoke of one minor change: the guy laying on the gurney from Meat Wagon is now a cadaver rather than a live, screaming corpse. Yep, we're furious too.Oh well, at least you've got that demo to keep you company in the meanwhile.
Wipeout 2048's intro cinematic takes us through our future past
According to this intro cinematic for Wipeout 2048, which chronicles the evolution of the game's racing world and its technology, we've only got 36 years to get from out current Formula 1 racers to flying angular death rockets. Challenge accepted.
Sony UK: no evidence of 'widespread glitches' among Japanese Vitas
Sony UK is downplaying the scope of reported freezing issues with the PlayStation Vita. Speaking to The Guardian, SCE UK head of public relations David Wilson said, "We're annoyed with these stories, because we can't find any evidence of widespread glitches." He went on to clarify that there has been no apology issued from Sony on the subject of glitches. "The stories even said that Sony has issued an apology for PS Vita glitches, which simply isn't true – there's an apology on our Japanese website for people who are having trouble getting through to our technical help line, but that's it." The page with the apology also links directly to a list of troubleshooting measures in case of a freeze. But don't take the overwhelmed tech support, and addressing "freezes" in a shortlist of frequently asked questions, as evidence that freezing is a common issue.
PSA: PSN undergoing maintenance in Europe this Thursday
SCEE sent out some advance notice of a PSN outage in Europe via the PlayStation forum. Maintenance is scheduled on the network Thursday, December 15 from 4pm GMT (11am EST) to 2am GMT (9pm EST). No such announcement has been made for North America, but we can safely assume that the EU outage will coincide with network interruption here. Besides, the only "preparation" you have to do for such an event is not make ironclad plans to play online games or buy things from the PlayStation Store right then. If it turns out that the network doesn't go offline, just sign in and play extemporaneously. It's not going to adversely affect your life too much if this outage turns out to be EU-only, is what we're saying.
Sony bringing 12 first party Vita launch titles to Europe, including Uncharted and Wipeout
Sony kinda has a thing for Europe, as evidenced by today's PlayStation Vita event in London. SCEE worldwide studios SVP Michael Denny took to the stage to reveal the February 22, 2012 first party launch lineup for the PlayStation Vita, which includes titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Wipeout 2048. The list of 12 games adds to the two from Namco we already expected by February 22 -- namely Ridge Racer and Touch My Katamari -- and reveals a cadre of "in development" titles, even outing a couple we'd yet to hear about. Presumably the EU's first party launch lineup isn't far off from North America's, but we'll assuredly find out more definitively in the near future.
