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Astro Tripper shoots up PSN on Dec. 11
The independent, two-man dev team known as PomPom games is releasing their latest title, Astro Tripper, next week on the European PS Store. Astro Tripper is a side-scrolling shmup with 1080p graphics. It's also got Trophies. A price for the title has yet to be determined, though those of you interested in learning more about the title can check out the official website. A US release date is promised to follow.[press release]
Yo Asteroid! Super Stardust Portable out Dec. 4
If there's one classic concept that video games have taught us, it's that things from outer space are coming to kill you. In the case of Super Stardust Portable, said things are mainly calamitous asteroids, intent on colliding with your puny spaceship and the planet below. The downloadable PSP title, a handheld rendition of the popular rock-blasting shooter on PlayStation 3, will become available on the PlayStation Store next Thursday, December 4th, for $9.99.Those used to the chaotic action of Super Stardust have a new "Impact" mode (bombs and boosts only!) to look forward to in this version, as well as a new final boss. Not that we thought you'd be bored without them -- the PSP version promises to hurl over 1,000 objects at the field at any given time. As programming lead Kimmo Lahtinen points out, "That's a lot of things to shoot."
More PlayStation oldies coming to PSN 'shortly'
Despite being overwhelmed with current releases and all their graphical bumpy maps, we do occasionally yearn for something a little more earnest and antiquated. This isn't a problem if you have access to the Japanese PSN, but browsers of the American PlayStation Store are unlikely to describe the pre-PS2 pickings as anything but "slim." With that in mind, MTV Multiplayer asked Sony's head of hardware marketing, John Koller, if more downloadable classics were on the way. "Yes, we are working on further PSone additions to the PS Store and should see those launch shortly," came the answer. Though we're left to wonder just how "shortly" that is, we've already assembled a list of our favorite PlayStation games. Won't you vote in our poll and tell us which one you'd like to see on PSN next?%Poll-22767%
Far Cry 2 'Fortune's Pack' adds new vehicles, weapons, maps
Ubisoft has revealed a new batch of downloadable content for its incredibly aggressive African safari, Far Cry 2. Due to be released "by the end of November," the Fortune's Pack bolsters the game's collection of weapons, multiplayer maps and, perhaps most importantly, fuel-guzzling transports. It's not quite the turret-equipped elephant we were hoping for, but a quad should do us fine. There's also a "unimog," which is either a big truck thing or an adorable Final Fantasy creature with a tertiary education. Probably the former.Also added to both the single- and multiplayer components are three new weapons: the sawed-off shotgun; the silenced shotgun; and the crossbow. Be sure to use those on Fortune's four additional multiplayer maps, dubbed Cheap Labor, Last Resort, Lake Smear and Fort Fury. The pack will be available on Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store for $10 -- or two of the diamonds you found in a suspicious briefcase in the middle of nowhere.%Gallery-37661%
Firmware v5.02 is out now
Another day, another firmware. We kid, we kid -- but as we announced two days ago, there is another update available for you to download. Firmware v5.02 doesn't appear to do much, other than "improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store."
Firmware v5.02 out soon
Here's another minor update to look out for soon -- though unless you find yourself having problems, you probably can go without this one. Firmware v5.02 doesn't do much except the fact that it "improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store." According to the Director of PlayStation Network Operations, Eric Lempel, the new update will be "available shortly."
Shark eats Sackboy in new LittleBigPlanet DLC
Just in time for Halloween 2009, Sony has revealed six new LittleBigPlanet costumes that will be available tomorrow on the PlayStation Store. While the Sack-Eating Plant will be offered free of charge, the other animal suits (Lilly Pad, Hugo, Great Blue and Frost-E) will cost $0.99 apiece, or $2.99 for all four. Additionally, the MotorStormer gear will set you back $1.99.These costumes join Spacesuit and Halloween mask, which debuted last week and remain free until November 19. Fear not, Japanese gamers, for your LittleBigPlanet experience also gets an injection of cute this week, with four of the above costumes (all but Sack-Eating Plant and MotorStormer) arriving in tandem with Japanese Sony character Toro.
Capcom's PSN storefront opening on Nov. 13
This week's PlayStation Store update will bring with it the first storefront dedicated to a notably proficient publisher. As of Thursday, November 13th, PSN users will be able to access a Capcom-branded section, a convenient repository for all things Mega Man, Street Fighter and Bionic Commando. It's where you'll find this week's pirate-infested arrr-ival, Age of Booty, as well as the upcoming, beefed-up brawler, Super Stunning Ultra Street Fighter II Turbo Special HD Championship Mega Radical Remix.[Thanks, Chris]
Sony bringing original HD short films to European PSN this month
Hancock may not see it's first run on the PlayStation Store, but Sony Europe's Shoot! project lined up six Hollywood producers to make a short film (in high definition, naturally) that "captures the essence of PlayStation." Jerry Bruckheimer's on the list, with PS3 & PSP formatted versions of the films due to hit the PS Store for free November 13, before hitting the film festival circuit. No word whether they'll be available outside the Euro store, but if the essence of PlayStation involves an attractive young crime scene investigator running fingerprints through a suspiciously user-friendly database while trance music pulses in the background, then we've seen at least one of them already.
Burnout Paradise sells 20k copies via PS Store
In an earnings call yesterday, Electronic Arts revealed that Burnout Paradise had been downloaded over 20,000 times in the first three weeks of launch on the PlayStation Store. "In the future we see slower growth in the basic packaged goods business, and higher margins, greater growth and reduced cyclicality [sic] with these new direct-to-consumer businesses," said CEO John Riccitiello, who added that the company is investing $150 million in digital distribution. At $30 per download, that amounts to $600,000 for the publisher (and Sony, who undoubtedly gets a share of that). Riccitiello also said that on average, $14.50 has been spent per user in The Sims 2 online store. For this fiscal year, EA expects $185 million in online revenue. Burnout Paradise "Party" DLC and Ultimate Box set are coming February 2009.
Media Manager 3.0 now available for PSP / PC
Has anyone seen our stack of Cloud Cult MP3s? We could have sworn we left it on our PSP ... or was it the PS3? See, this is why need something to manage ... our media. If someone, somewhere could just come up with some sort of "software" that facilitates the transferral of music, photos and save data to and from our PlayStation Portable, and even allows access to the PC PlayStation Store, that would be rad. Oh, and if the latest version of this hypothetical application could be available for download over here at the marvelous price of zero dollars, it would be even better. We'd wish for a Mac version too, but that's just a little too outlandish. Oh well.[Via PSP Fanboy]
PSP firmware 5.01 coming soon to fix Memory Stick issues
Those who have 8GB and 16GB Memory Stick Duo cards may be experiencing issues with the handheld not recognizing that sufficient space exists when trying to download directly from the PS Store, even when you are certain that echochrome will be less than 14.1 GB. According to the Official PlayStation Blog, Sony is aware of the problem and is working on a fix in the form of Firmware 5.01 (version 5.00, which enabled the PSP to directly access the PS Store, was released last week). No word on when the update will be available. In the meantime, if you're having trouble with the storage recognition, you can still download PSP games via the PlayStation 3 or PC PS Store, like you did in the days before 5.00 (i.e. October 13 and before). [Via PSP Fanboy]
The PSN is down ... well, parts of it
It looks like the PlayStation (gotta love that lowercase!) Network is currently down for some "temporary unscheduled maintenance" -- specifically, the PlayStation Store, account management and registration functions. You know what's not down? Online gameplay. It looks like Sony doesn't currently have a time frame for when the PSN will be fully functional again, but as soon as they announce it, we'll relay the information to you.[Update] -- It looks like the PS Store update will be delayed as well. It will "likely follow as soon as things are back to normal."[Update 2] The PSN Store and registration functions are now back online. Hooray![Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Sony pushes out firmware 5.0 for PSP
"Soon-ish" has turned to "now-ish." PSP owners eager to get their minds into the PlayStation Network (and thus, the PS Store) right on their handheld can now do so... right after they suck down the freshly released firmware 5.0, of course. Aside from the obvious changes, the PlayStation format software can now be output in full-screen size on a connected device, the sleep timer feature can now be used under [Music], the system automatically reverts to USB mode when a USB cable is connected and the [Original] theme has been redesigned. Get it while the gettin's good.
Video: PSP surfs over to PlayStation Store via firmware 5.0
Good news, PSP fans -- the PlayStation Store is closer than ever to hitting your handheld, and we've got the video to prove it. Sony has hosted up a clip to give us all a better idea of what firmware 5.0 has in store for the PSP, and while there aren't any real surprises, it's always good to get a sneak peek. We're told that users will soon be able to create an account and access the PlayStation Network right on the PlayStation Portable, and the PS Store access is the same as on the PS3. Enough chatter -- give the video a look in the read link.
Premium themes to be available for purchase on PS Store
Do you think those free themes for your PS3 are lacking a little spiffiness? Not to worry, Sony's got your back in the form of premium themes for your PS3's XMB. Beginning tomorrow, you will able to purchase premium themes from the PS Store for $0.99 - $1.99. Theme types range from NCAA College teams (such as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels one above) to "beauties on the beach." Of course, these themes will offer "special backgrounds, XMB icons" and for selected themes, even ... sounds! Sony plans to offer 6-10 premium themes each month -- you can view samples of the themes here. What are your thoughts, readers? Are you going to dish out some dough for special themes for your XMB or are you like us, perfectly content with the complimentary ones?
WipEout HD hits PSN SEpt. 25, still fEaturEs thE capital E
Annoying, isn't it? E-noying. Okay, despite that particularly loathsome, mid-title capitalization, it's fair to say that we love just about everything in Sony's hover-racing remix, WipEout HD. The 1080p, 60 frames-per-second visuals, the 5.1 soundtrack, the custom tunes support, the five game modes, the eight reversible tracks, the eight-player multiplayer and -- here's a new one -- the fact that it becomes available on the North American and European PSN next week on September 25th. Defying gravity and evading epilepsy will cost you $19.99.
WipEout HD brings hyper racing home on September 25
The circle is now complete. After finding out the price for WipEout HD, and learning of the slick new details, there was only one piece of key information that was left missing; that would be a solid release date. However, now we know it: Thursday, September 25 for North America.That's next week's PSN Thursday. Dropping a 20 note for the game shouldn't be too difficult to do. After all, you'll be foaming from the mouth to play this -- not from epilepsy mind you, but from the sheer gorgeousness of it. Go on, wipe that chin ... you're staining the carpet.[UPDATE] Europeans, don't fret. SCEE have told us that WipEout HD will be available on the European PSN on the same day, September 25th.%Gallery-7754%
Breaking news: Fracture demo due on Sept. 18
Hoping to shatter our notions of shooters and the rigid environments they take place in, LucasArts' Fracture is set to debut in demo form via the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on Thursday, September 18th. If you recall (and let's face it, you probably don't), Fracture's biggest back-of-the-box bullet point is "Terrain Deformation," which allows players to reshape the landscape in the midst of frantic combat.The interactive teaser is an opportunity to "create cover, solve puzzles and revolutionize battlefield tactics," says LucasArts, shortly before reminding us that Fracture will dash onto the retail stage and break its metaphorical leg on October 7th in North America, and October 10th in Europe. Let's hope big "L" steps up the marketing campaign just a tad before then.%Gallery-2929%
PSP Wi-Fi Store to launch in fall, PS3 Infrastructure mode announced
Someone at Sony is trying way too hard. Can you believe an ambitious young stooge has dared to decipher the mysterious toggle on the left side of the PSP? And wouldn't you know, the thing's a Wi-Fi switch! Now all hell's broken loose at Sony HQ, as the discovery has ushered in a new era of brite possibilities for the handheld. Imagine: shopping for themes and wallpaper directly from your PSP. It's true folks, PlayStation Store is coming to PSP sans hand holding (so long PS3, so long PC!) this fall in Japan -- probably worldwide, PSP Fanboy speculates. And there's a free game in it for anyone smart enough to flick the "on" switch.But that's not all. Sony has announced (and pictured) a new Infrastructure mode, enabled by connecting PSP to Playstation 3 ... wirelessly. In essence, ad-hoc multiplayer modes will become online-enabled through a PS3 connection for some games (like Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G). In addition, text and voice chatting capabilities can be added through the new online mode. Add to this the rumor of PS3 gamepad support for PSP Brite, and Sony might as well slap a UMD drive on the next PS3 SKU.[Via PSP Fanboy]
