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A 'Final Fantasy XIV' live-action TV show is in the works
Final Fantasy might be making its way to a screen near you, albeit without the need for you to have a controller in hand. Square Enix and Sony Pictures Television are developing a live-action Final Fantasy TV series with Hivemind, the production company behind The Expanse. It's also working on Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher.
PlayStation exclusive TV show 'Powers' debuts in March
The PlayStation-exclusive original series Powers will debut on March 10, the PlayStation Blog has announced. The series will span ten episodes, with the first episode available for free to all PSN account holders. PlayStation Plus subscribers will have access to the complete season. Based on the ongoing Image Comics series from writer Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man) and artist Michael Avon Oeming (Judge Dredd), Powers is a police-procedural set in Chicago where two homicide detectives investigate cases involving citizens with superhuman abilities. The series stars District 9 standout Sharlto Copley as Christian Walker, a former superhero who becomes a detective after he loses his powers, and his partner Deena Pilgrim, played by The Following's Susan Heyward. Eddie Izzard portrays the villainous character Wolfe. Watch a trailer for the series after the break. [Image: Sony]
Superheroes go breaking, bad in PlayStation show Powers
Powers, a Sony Pictures Television-produced adaptation of the comic of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Michael Avon Oeming (Judge Dredd), has been given its first trailer. And judging by the footage, these aren't your wisecracking, happy-go-lucky superheroes. See for yourself after the break - but you might want to keep the volume down if there are kids around, as there's quite a few drops of the F-bomb. Powers revolves around the lives of Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, two homicide detectives whose cases focus on individuals with superhuman abilities - collectively known as "powers." Walker himself once was a power, but lost his abilities and had them replaced with a badge. As he ponders in the trailer: "The f*** am I supposed to do with that?" (See? Told you about that F-bomb thing.) The series, which has 10 episodes in development, will air exclusively on the PlayStation Network. Every PSN account holder will get access to the first episode for free, while those who subscribe to PlayStation Plus will be able to view the entire first season. The show stars Sharlto Copley as Walker, Susan Heyward as Pilgrim, and Eddie Izzard as the villainous Wolfe.
PS Plus subscribers get free Powers in December
The PlayStation Network will be bitten by a radioactive crime drama series later this year; Powers, a live-action adaptation of the comic of the same name, will be available via the PSN starting in December, with the debut episode available for free. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to view the entire series at no charge. David Slade (Hannibal, Breaking Bad) will direct the first two episodes of the show, which focuses on detectives who investigate cases involving people with superhuman powers. The original comic, published by Image until 2004 and currently by Marvel, is written by Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy) and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming (Judge Dredd, Catwoman). [Image: Marvel]
PlayStation Network gets original TV with superpowered crime drama
Microsoft and Xbox won't be the only producers of original television content aimed at console owners this generation. Variety reports that Sony Pictures Television will be producing an original series called "Powers," which will air via the PlayStation Network. Powers will be an adaptation of a long-running comic of the same name, written by Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy) and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming (Judge Dredd, Catwoman). The comic mixes crime drama and superhero fantasy, sort of like Law & Order, if Jack McCoy was prosecuting Magneto. Bendis and Oeming will also serve as producers for the show, which currently has 10 episodes in the works. No release date was given for Powers. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation Network's first original TV show is an adaptation of the 'Powers' comics
Sony executives have revealed the company's first entry into original content for the PlayStation, a TV show based on the Powers series of comics. Sony Pictures Television is producing the show, made up of ten one-hour episodes focusing on a detective who investigates cases involving people with superhuman abilities. Sony's push for original PlayStation Network-exclusive video content is moving forward alongside its planned internet TV service, and will have competition from Xbox that includes a Steven Spielberg-produced series based on the Halo games. So far, Sony hasn't said if there will be an extra charge to watch the show or if it will be included with the PlayStation Plus package somehow, but its PSN exclusivity only applies in the US -- internationally Sony Pictures will license it to networks just like Breaking Bad or Justified. The Hollywood Reporter mentions Powers has been under development for FX since 2011 when a pilot starring Jason Patric wasn't picked up, and attempts at adapting the source material for TV or movies have been under way for more than a decade. Unlike Microsoft's Halo project, we know some of the names attached to this show, at least behind the camera. Writer Charlie Huston has been working on the project with series creator Brian Michael Bendis and producers include several names attached to the Circle of Confusion company along with Bendis and co-creator Michael Avon Oeming. In previous videogame generations console exclusives consisted of games and occasionally services, but it looks like Sony and Microsoft's next battleground is the one already occupied by internet video streamers like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu.
Sony Pictures TV launches sports trivia mobile game, Sports Jeopardy
Hot on the heels of its first original mobile IP, Sony Pictures TV launched another mobile game last week, Sports Jeopardy. The sports trivia game uses Jeopardy's branding and quiz show style to challenge players with thousands of sports-related questions. It is available now on iOS and Android via Google Play and the Amazon App Store. Sports Jeopardy includes a leaderboard-enabled leveling system with challenges and achievements as well as turn-based online and local multiplayer modes. To spice up the traditional Jeopardy formula, the game also features power-ups like Time Out to add more time to the clock for answers and Double Down, which provides another Daily Double bonus on a tile on the board. The game is 99 cents with the option of additional in-game purchases, and also uses in-game coins for unlockable jerseys, podiums and avatar accessories. [Image: Sony Pictures TV]
Sony launches Blackjack-meets-RPG Suits and Swords on iOS, Android
Sony Pictures Television, a division of Sony's TV and film production company Sony Pictures Entertainment, launched its first original mobile IP today, Suits and Swords. The free-to-play game mixes fantasy RPG elements with the classic card game Blackjack. It challenges players with saving four lands that represent the four suits in a standard deck of 52 playing cards: Heart Union, Diamond Empire, Club Kingdom and Spade Nation, guiding a knight named Captain Black Jack on a quest to face "the Joker." Along the way, players upgrade Black Jack's magic, weapons and armor and unlock additional side quests. Suits and Swords is available for free on iOS and Android via Google Play and the Amazon App Store.
Netflix recruits creators of 'Damages' to premiere a psychological thriller original series
No one can deny Netflix is betting big on its original content -- and for very good reasons, mind you. In light of this, the video streaming giant is already preparing to premiere yet another series of its own: a psychological thriller from the brains behind the television show Damages. Netflix announced today it has signed up Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman to create a 13-episode original, with the plot focusing around "a family of adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home." The new series, which will be produced by Sony Pictures Television, is expected to start production in early 2014 -- Netflix hasn't revealed the official name yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we find that out. [Image credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]
Draw Something game show pilot coming to CBS
CBS will team up with Zynga to produce a pilot for a primetime gameshow based on the mobile game Draw Something. CBS beat a number of other networks in a bidding war to take on the Sony Pictures Television, Embassy Row, and Ryan Seacrest Productions project.Ryan Seacrest, Michael Davies, and RSP CEO Adam Sher are teaming up as executive producers on the project. The show has players and celebrities use their drawing skills to win money. Seacrest's website added that "viewers at home will also be able play along and compete with for prizes using phones and tablets, ushering in a new era in game show viewing."Seacrest is not anticipated to be the host of the show, according to Variety.
ModNation Racers makes appearance in NBC's 'Community'
Guess who's been playing ModNation Racers before its release? Yes, video game bloggers. But what about some more interesting people? The cast of NBC's sitcom Community have been getting their hands on Sony's upcoming PS3 (and PSP) racer. Three members of Greendale Community College (including Chevy Chase!) can be seen playing three-player split-screen in the brief clip available on Hulu (embedded after the break, available only for US readers). So, how did the cast of this TV series score an early copy of the game? The product placement comes courtesy of the show's producers: Sony Pictures Television. [Thanks, Marc O.!]
THQ buys a vowel, licenses Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. What are the two Sony Pictures Television game shows that THQ has licensed for video games? The publisher announced that it has acquired multi-year licenses for the two venerable game shows, specifically for the Wii and DS/DSi, with options for other platforms. The first games will be out later this year. A statement from THQ Kids, Family, and Casual Games Executive VP Doug Clemmer suggests that THQ has online play in mind for its adaptations: "The opportunity to implement new features such as Wii Speak will re-imagine how these games are played and engage fans with a whole new level of interactivity," he said. No longer will it be shameful to leave the show with naught but the home game! An aside: We find it extremely odd that there's a sudden uptick in Wii Speak use a year-and-a-half after the accessory was released.
Who you gonna call ... on your iPhone?
Sony Pictures Television just announced a bunch of upcoming mobile games for iPhone/iPod Touch and other mobile platforms, including Q*Bert, Angels & Demons, and Voltron. But the most notable release, if only because it makes the joke in our headline work, is an iPhone/Touch Ghostbusters game to be released in June.According to the press release, the game allows players to "catch ghosts and save citizens from being slimed as you make your way through the big city." The June release date, which coincides with the console Ghostbusters games, suggests that it will be similar in design to one of them -- probably either the DS or Wii game.Also potentially cool: Top Agent, a multiplayer James Bond game for iPhone to be released in August.[Via Electricpig]
Sony's PIX brings full-length films to AT&T Mobile TV
Sony just revealed a bit more about AT&T's Mobile TV service launching in May. We now know that one of the two exclusive AT&T channels will be called PIX, Sony's new feature film channel for cellphones. The service is a first of its kind in the US... for good reason. Oh, it's not that we have anything against the roster of films including "Ghostbusters," "Philadelphia" and "Karate Kid." It's more the prospect of sitting in front of that tiny mobile screen to watch a full-length film without the ability to pause, fast forward or rewind. This is live broadcast folks. Nevertheless, Sony Pictures claims to understand the risk. According to Eric Berger, VP Mobile Entertainment at Sony Pictures Television, "We recognize that people are on the go with their mobile phone and coming and going. This isn't for people looking to view a movie for the first time. It's OK to miss the beginning." Films will run on PIX for a month with new additions added weakly weekly.
PS3 could get downloadable Sony Pictures Television content in DivX format
DivX and Sony Pictures Television have locked arms in a deal to enable online retailers to offer Sony Pictures content for download-to-own on DivX Certified devices. Engadget HD has confirmed that PlayStation 3 is one such 'certified' device, but not Xbox 360 (we're guessing Microsoft passed on paying the licensing fee). Though specific platforms have yet to be named, the agreement could see any number of Sony Pictures' ginormous catalog of past and present television shows being sold through PSN in high-quality DivX format. But, seeing as how Sony can barely manage to deliver a single, unenhanced PS1 game on the network at snail's pace, we're cautious to put our faith in the dubious service ever taking on the competition.[Via Engadget HD]
Sony Pictures Television's serving up content to DivX Certified players
DivX announced Sony Pictures Television will be offering "high quality, secure" content for download-to-own to DivX Certified hardware (like the PlayStation 3 or DSM-330, but probably definitely not the Xbox 360). Little details like who will actually sell this content, what shows will be available (our fingers are crossed for syndicated Jeopardy HD episodes) and when aren't mentioned, but this is another step as it promotes itself as a platform for legitimate content distribution.Update: We contacted DivX and confirmed the Xbox 360 is not a Divx Certified device and will not play this content, while DivX Connected devices like the DSM-330 will..
