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Wolf down some new Okami HD screens
You'll get your first opportunity to play Okami HD at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend. But if you can't make it – or even if you can, and want something pretty to look at before you get there – here's a small gallery of new screens.
Glow sticks: A video tour of Pixeljunk 4am
Curious about Q-Games' Pixeljunk 4am, but not quite curious enough to plunk down ten bucks on PSN? Have no fear, for the intrepid maestros here at Joystiq have put the bizarre PlayStation Move "game" to the test.Check out the video above for the full rundown on the motion controlled music mixer, featuring the music of pro DJ, Pixeljunk Eden composer and epic Tweeter, Baiyon. We recommend cranking up the volume or using headphones to appreciate the subtleties of the audio.
Now Playing: July 9-15, 2012
Scout out the elite recruits this week with NCAA Football 13... Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
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.
Now Playing: July 2 - 8, 2012
Level up your musical skills this week with Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy... Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
Sony buying streaming game service Gaikai for $380 million, to establish 'new cloud service'
Sony announced this morning that it will purchase game streaming service Gaikai for $380 million in a "definitive agreement" that will see cloud gaming head to Sony Computer Entertainment's various properties. The announcement shies away from saying anything too specific, but notes that "SCE will establish a new cloud service" based on today's acquisition. The implication of course is that Gaikai will offer cloud-streaming gaming via the PlayStation 3 and Vita, not to mention any unannounced future systems and other Sony properties (Bravia televisions, for instance)."SCE Will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices," SCE prez and CEO Andrew House said of the news, hinting at where we'll see Gaikai's tech implemented.It's unclear whether the streaming tech is intended for Sony's PlayStation 3 or for future consoles unknown (or both). It's also unclear if Gaikai CEO David Perry will remain with his company in any capacity, or if he'll move to Sony, or if he's out altogether. And how does this affect Gaikai's existing partnerships with various television manufacturers (especially considering Sony's also in the television market)? We're not sure just yet.Gaikai was recently rumored to be seeking a buyer, to the lofty tune of $500 million. Today's news sees them coming up $120 million short of that number.
Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection just wants to dance
This trailer for Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection shows just how fun it is to let loose and dance. It's also a warning that busting moves instead of skulls won't help you survive the zombie apocalypse.
The tech inside the PlayStation Move Racing Wheel contraption
During its E3 press conference, Sony sneaked out news of a racing wheel attachment for the PlayStation Move, which looks like something superstitious aliens would use to find ground water.In this video, SCEA Research and Development's Anton Mikhailov details all the features that aren't necessarily evident from looking at the thing, like a series of additional rumble motors, and pivoting handles and twisting throttle functions to allow you to use it for motorcycle games. It's not just a plastic handle, even though that approach has proven enormously popular.
Kaz Hirai drops some titles at Sony, still president
One morning, Sony president and CEO Kaz Hirai woke up and said, "I probably have too many titles." Beyond being the president and CEO of Sony Corporation (the umbrella parent company of PlayStation, Bravia, and many other Sony brands), Hirai is also "representative director" and "chairman" – until today, that is. Hirai is relinquishing his responsibilities and titles for both his positions as representative director and chairman of Sony Corp.Hirai is dropping both titles and responsibility in today's move, only remaining on Sony's board in a "part-time capacity." He became president and CEO earlier this year, taking over former CEO Howard Stringer's spot in early February. Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House is taking over the vacated chairman position, effective this month, and former Sony Corp. head Howard Stringer is also exiting his board seat.In case the bizarre-looking hierarchy isn't clear enough, this means that Andrew House – the guy who runs the PlayStation brand – is the head of Sony Corp.'s board, followed by eight Japan-based Sony Corp. employees. One of those is his boss, Kaz Hirai. Yup.
Relive the undead onslaught today in Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection
Charge up your PlayStation Move – that's the one with the glowing ball on the end, remember? – and get ready for a trip down Memory-within-a-Memory Lane. Resident Evil Chronicles HD arrives on PS3 today, an upgraded port of two games that were already about revisiting classic Resident Evil locations and scenes.Each game will be available for $14.99, or you can get a two-pack for $26.99.%Gallery-152829%
Okami HD developed by Capcom and Hexa Drive
Joystiq has confirmed that Okami HD, a touched-up and brushed-down version of Clover Studio's beautiful Zelda-like adventure, is being developed in collaboration between Capcom and Hexa Drive.Remastered versions of classic games don't always enhance or preserve the experience properly, so we've come to scrutinize the pedigree of the companies that make them. Hexa Drive's most relevant resumé item happens to be an excellent Xbox Live Arcade update to another vibrant and cherished game: REZ HD.The Japanese studio is headed by Masakazu Matsushita, who worked as lead programmer on Capcom's Devil May Cry 3 and then Lost Planet. Hexa Drive also partnered with Square Enix while developing a slice of Parasite Eve for PSP, dubbed The 3rd Birthday.Okami HD is coming to PSN (with Move support) this fall for $20 – that's about 17 hours of game for every dollar, if we remember correctly.
Now Playing: June 25 - July 1, 2012
Will you put an end to the vampire lords in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard, or become one yourself? Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
Game Australia to close all of its stores in the coming weeks
Retailer Game Australia will shut down all 31 of its remaining stores over the coming weeks, its administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers announced today. Game will close 16 Australian stores immediately and the remaining 15 within a few weeks.In May, Game Australia entered voluntary administration; it shuttered 60 stores, affecting 264 employees, and cut 17 head office positions. Before any closures, Game had an estimated 500 employees in Australia."This is a difficult time for employees, and closing the stores was not a decision we made easily," Warwick said of Game Australia's complete closure (and the ones in May). "Despite exploring available opportunities for continued trading, the ongoing trading performance and absence of viable offers for the purchase of the business has resulted in these closures."Game Australia is running discounts in a final closing-down sale online and in its remaining stores.
Okami HD to paint a picture on PS3 this fall
If you missed out on Okami or the DS sequel, Okamiden, Capcom's upcoming re-release may suit your needs. Okami is currently being remastered for the PS3, with full 1080p HD graphics and PlayStation Move support.This is all according to the latest issue of Famitsu, as revealed by Twitter sleuth Sinobi (translated by Andriasang). This Okami remaster is planned to launch on November 1 in Japan, for ¥3990 ($50).Update: Capcom just sent out a press release confirming the news. Okami HD will launch on PSN this fall, replete with PS3 Trophies and optional PS Move support. It will be priced at $19.99.
Now Playing: June 18-24, 2012
Explore new dimensions this week in Quantum Conundrum... Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
May NPD reactions: 160K 360s sold, Sony sees 'strong results' from PS3 exclusives [Update: Now with Nintendo statement]
The Xbox 360 sold 160,000 units during the month of May, which represents "a 45 percent share of current-generation console sales" in the United States, according to Microsoft's statement based on NPD data. This makes May the fifteenth consecutive month in which the 360 claimed ownership over 40 (or more) percent of stateside console sales, and the seventeenth month in which Xbox 360 is the best-selling console in the US, according to a statement at The Official Microsoft Blog.When looking at all Xbox 360-related hardware, software and accessories sales for May, the nation spent $209 million on the platform; more than the combined amount spent on "the other two current-generation consoles" over the same period. Save for Diablo 3, nine of the ten best-selling titles during May were available for Microsoft's baby, which probably had something to do with it.Those same nine games were also available on Sony's PlayStation 3, though the Japanese hardware giant has refrained from releasing specific hardware sales information for the period. It did say, however, that PS3-exclusive titles like Starhawk and MLB 12: The Show "again posted strong results," though what "strong" means in numerical terms is anyone's guess. Neither title was featured on NPD's combined platform top ten sales list for the month of May. Sony's complete statement can be found after the break.Update: Nintendo has weighed in with a statement of its own, announcing that the company sold "more than 285,000 units of portable and console hardware" during May. Nintendo's 3DS was the only console that didn't suffer a year-over-year sales decline for the period, according to NPD analyst Anita Frazier.
May NPD: Diablo 3 on top, all hardware (except 3DS) down
Surprising no one based on initial sale numbers provided by Activision Blizzard, Diablo 3 managed to best all comers to establish dominance in the month of May. Blizzard's latest is the first time a PC-only title has graced the top spot on NPD's "new physical retail only" list since July 2010, when StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty launched.Hardware sales are down compared to May 2011. Every console save for the 3DS – which saw a 17% spike in sales compared to last year – saw a decline year-over-year. Hardware saw a 39% drop, bringing in $138.9 million compared to $228.8 million in 2011. According to Microsoft, the Xbox 360 "remains the top-selling console of 2012," with 160,000 units sold.Software sales of new physical media (see: discs you cram into your GameBox) saw less of a drop, and are down 16%, accounting for $335.2 million in sales for the month of May. This is mainly attributed to less software launches this year compared to 2011, though the performance of Diablo 3 definitely helped to soften that blow. Also, for the first time, all of this sales data includes Walmart now.Hit the break for the full list of May's top software titles, which include a few surprises. For one, Modern Warfare 3 is not in the top three. How's that for a surprise?
Sony may sell its fancy New York City skyscraper
Sony's got a pretty swanky skyscraper in Manhattan. That skyscraper, however, may not feature Sony's logo much longer – not to mention the employees it houses – as the private-equity firm Blackstone Group for the potential sale of the 55th and Madison-based, 37-story building.Said talks apparently didn't conclude with a plan. A variety of potential outcomes are up in the air: renting out part of the building, selling the whole thing and leasing back part of it, and outright sale are all proposed in the piece."Sources familiar with the structure" valued the building at somewhere between $700 million and $1 billion, and Sony outright owns the structure – that kind of capital infusion would significantly impact the ailing hardware manufacturer's bottom line. The company's fiscal 2012 results depict a grim reality for Sony, with even its Consumer Products & Services division (read: PlayStation) suffering losses.Update: The commercial real estate group Newmark Grubb Knight Frank was originally named by the NY Post as party to these talks. The group has since refuted those claims.[Image credit: Rafael Chamorro]
Now Playing: June 11-17, 2012
Get some zombie killing in after homeroom with Lollipop Chainsaw... Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
A virtual excursion through Sony's E3 booth
Sony's labyrinthine E3 booth was full of games. We're estimating in the low ten thousands ... which might be a bit off. There was definitely a lot going on, including God of War: Ascension, lots of PS All-Stars, a sparkling lineup of indies (Retro City Rampage, Dyad, Sound Shapes) and endless banks of Vita games. Join us for a quick video tour.
