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Bloodborne due date pushed back to March 2015
Bloodborne isn't delivering on February 6, 2015 as scheduled, after Sony announced a month-and-a-half delay for the PS4 game. The new action-RPG from Souls studio From Software is now due to launch on March 24 in North America and March 25 in mainland Europe. Japan follows suit on March 26, then UK and Ireland are last up on March 27. "While development continues unabated, we would like our team to deliver the best possible final experience," Sony's Masaaki Yamagiwa said on the PS Blog. "We were gratified by the feedback and data we received from those who participated in our limited alpha test. The extra production time will also allow us to better integrate these learnings."
Bloodborne in the USA February 2015 (Europe too!)
From Software's Bloodborne is bringing its Victorian violence to North America and Europe on February 6, 2015, just a day after it lands Japan. The news hits as Sony Europe began issuing out alpha invites for the Souls dev's latest action-RPG, but there's no word yet if we can expect similar tests stateside. Also, there's a new trailer (which you'll find below the break) offering a glimpse at the game's yet-to-be disclosed online systems, which Sony Japan's Masaaki Yamagiwa noted includes "co-operative and asynchronous play." Yamagiwa also teased that some of the asynchronous play is tied to companion nightmarish creatures called Messengers.
Sony unveils Tokyo Game Show line-up
Disgaea 5, Tales of Zestiria and Resident Evil Revelations 2 are some of the standouts among the playable games Sony's exhibiting at the 2014 Tokyo Game Show. Sony unveiled the first and last of that trio at its Japan & Asia press conference, but Persona 5, newly announced for PS4 as well as PS3, isn't coming to the show floor. Other games that have graduated from the presser to this month's expo include Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War & Nightmare for PS4 and God Eater 2: Rage Burst on Vita. Attendees can also get their hands on, among others, Bloodborne, The Order: 1886, Minecraft Vita and Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix, as well PS4 VR headset Project Morpheus. To see the full list of confirmed games, queue up in front of the break for 3 hours before heading below it.
Sony's Metal Slime PlayStation 4 comes with a piece of gunk
We touched on it yesterday in the hubbub of Sony Japan & Asia's press conference, but here's a proper look at the Metal Slime PS4 that's coming to Japan. We're guessing your two immediate questions upon discovering this are 1. Why? 2. What's that thing? Well, the why is to commemorate the release of Dragon Quest Heroes, the new PS4 and PS3 Hyrule Warriors-like crossover that will combine the world of Square Enix's RPG series with action crafted by Dynasty Warriors devs. That's due in spring 2015. As for what that thing is - the happy little slimy dude - it's a removable USB cover rather than a permanent fixture. We're filing it under S for "Sure..." and Y for "Why not, I guess?"
Hot Shots Golf trailer brings green screens to PS4
This morning Sony published the reveal of the brand new Hot Shots Golf for PS4, as first broadcast during yesterday's pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference in Japan. Don't be fooled by that Bob Green fellow at the beginning, this really isn't Fat Cat Simulator 2014. Someone should make that if that hasn't been done already, which it probably has. The debut footage gives us a glimpse into the how Sony's oddball sportsballer looks on PS4, and the cutesy Shuhei Yoshida cameo suggests the series' super-deformed style isn't going anywhere anytime soon. During yesterday's stream, Yoshida said (as translated by Sony) the game features "open world entertainment focusing on golf." Interesting, even if we're a country mile from knowing what it means. Check out the trailer below the break.
Watch Sony's pre-TGS press conference right here [update: it's over!]
Update: It's over! Check out all the news here. Or replay the conference below that break. As the sun begins to set on PAX Prime in the West, it's also beginning to rise on the Tokyo Game Show in the East. While Japan's most major of games conventions doesn't begin for another two weeks yet, one of its most important precursors is under an hour away: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia's 2014 press conference. Last year's conference didn't disappoint in terms of big announcements, including the unveiling of the Vita 2000 and Vita TV, and the PS4 release date for Japan. Then again, 2013 was such an important one for Sony with the PS4 launch, so what are the chances we'll see an encore this year? Well, you can find out firsthand by joining us to watch the show. You'll find the livestream below the break of this post, and the conference is scheduled to begin at 2AM ET (7AM UK, 11PM PT August 31.) As ever, we'll endeavor to bring you all the news on the site as soon as we can.
Takara Tomy imagines PlayStation as Optimus Prime in disguise
Have you ever looked at the original 1994 PlayStation and wondered if there's more than meets the eye? Clearly Takara Tomy Arts has. The Japanese toymaker is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Transformers and the 20th anniversary of PlayStation by combining the two brands, quite literally. Yes, it's making a PlayStation toy that transforms into Autobot hero Optimus Prime, because why the hell not. It's not the only system-to-transformer toy the company has in the pipeline, by the way. In September it's releasing a Sega Genesis model that converts into the villanous Megatron - Mega Drive and Megatron, it had to be done. You can check out that transformation on Takara Tomy's site. Sadly for now there's just art of the PlayStation Prime robot, so you'll have to channel your imagination until the toy hits Japanese store shelves early next year.
Japan's white Destiny PS4 is that little bit prettier
Like in the West, Sony is releasing a shiny white PS4 bundle in Japan for Bungie shooter Destiny. The difference is that Japan's system is a smidgen cooler thanks to the addition of a laser-etched faceplate bearing the game's logo - pretty swish, I'd say. It's interesting to see Japan getting these PS4 faceplate bundles while there's been no sign of them across the ocean. Sony revealed another one for The Last of Us this week - you can check that one out below the break, but it's not doing it for me, big-time. We saw another last week for - of all things - Disney musical film Frozen, while ones for Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes and Final Fantasy 14 are already in Japanese homes. So, would you like to see the faceplates released over here? For now, only Japan's getting the TLOU-plated PS4 on August 21, while the Destiny system checks in on September 11.
Limited edition Frozen PS4 only announced for Japan, let it go
If you're a fan of Disney's animated musical Frozen, the sight of Sony's new limited edition PS4 might make you want to sing with joy - give us a sec to get the earplugs. Unfortunately it's currently limited to Japan, where the Frozen-covered system will be available on July 16 for 42,980 yen (around $424). If you're wondering, the answer is no, it doesn't come with a copy of Frozen - that would make too much sense. If you're surprised to see Frozen of all things on a PS4 in Japan of all places, the film's been the country's box office number one for the 16 weeks prior to this one. The film that finally toppled it? Disney's Maleficent. [Image: Sony]
Watch as the PlayStation 4 finally comes home to Japan
At 10AM ET/7AM PT today, it will be midnight on February 22 in Japan, marking the launch of the PlayStation 4 in its home country. After three months of watching the rest of the world play a new console, for once Japan has had to wait to join the party. If you'd like to see the moment as it happens, you can tune in to Sony's official stream of its launch event. The launch details: The base console is priced 39980 yen (around $390), and comes with a download voucher for Knack, one year's warranty, and a DualShock 4. Going by a Famitsu list, the launch line-up includes plenty of day 1 games across retail shelves and the PS Store - we've listed them below the break. One big name you won't find there is Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, but today also marks the worldwide launch of the first phase of its beta on PS4 - the game proper is due on April 11.
Party with Japan's new TV spot for next week's PS4 launch
Of all the world's many TV spots for the new consoles, we want to be in Japan's latest for the PS4. It barely shows off the games, and it's oddly preoccupied with the DualShock 4, but it just looks like fun - and everyone seems really happy to see us! While the PS4 has been out in North America and Europe for nearly three months, Japan has to wait just a bit longer to get its launch party started on February 22. Admission is priced at 39,980 yen, which converts to $392. [Image: Sony]
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Driveclub won't make PS4 launch in Japan
Driveclub is no longer part of the PS4 launch line-up in Japan, meaning it's been unpinned from a February 22 release date over there. It's perhaps not the most surprising news, given the racer's western window is still a vague "early 2014." According to Siliconera and GAME Watch, its new scheduling in the country is to be determined. It's not the first last-minute delay for Driveclub; the Evolution Studios sim was a PS4 launch title in the West before stalling a month ahead of the checkered flag. Back then, Sony Worldwide Studios chief Shuhei Yoshida said, "We understand that the delay is disappointing news, but can assure you that the reason we have made this decision is to ensure that when Driveclub launches, it will realize the next-gen racing vision." There's not been much word on the game since, and today's news doesn't shed light on things beyond making a western launch next month look unlikelier. Whenever it arrives, Driveclub is coming as a full, paid-for game and as a free download for PS Plus members, the latter "missing a few assets, such as cars and tracks" according to Evolution Studios.
Ghost of PlayStation past: PocketStation teased to return
PlayStation aficionados will nod knowledgeably at the mention of PocketStation, and most likely raise their eyebrows at news of a possible return. It you can't sit through all four of its theatrical minutes, we can confirm this PlayStation Japan video teases some kind of PocketStation announcement next week, on November 5. For the likely majority of you who don't remember the PocketStation, the Japan-only device was a memory card peripheral for the first PlayStation console. Similar to the Dreamcast's Visual Memory Unit that did come to the west, owners could store game save data on the PocketStation as well as play standalone games obtained via PlayStation CD-ROMs. Just ahead of the PS4 launch, it's not quite clear how a revival of this device would fit into Sony's plans.
Final Soul Sacrifice update adds 16 new (and tough!) quests
The Marvelous AQL and Japan Studio-developed Vita-exclusive Soul Sacrifice has been given its final update, SCEA producer Kumi Yuasa revealed in a post on the PlayStation Blog. Update 1.30 adds "16 challenging new quests" to the game, for free. Unlike previous updates, unlock keys from the PlayStation Store are not required to enjoy the content. Yuasa says the game's final bonus quests are all at level ten difficulty. "You'll be tasked with facing challenging boss characters you may have come across before," Yuasa adds. Soul Sacrifice launched for the PlayStation Vita in North America on April 30. The Joystiq review noted that playing it could exact an "unexpected toll on your thoughts." Spooky!
Take a break and watch penguins dance with the new Vita
If you can't spare 15 seconds to watch some technicolored penguins dance around with the new Vita-2000, you need to seriously think about the direction your life has gone in. Look at their little beaky faces.
Japan's PS4 launch day line-up features 19 games
We now have confirmation of what games will be available for the PlayStation 4 when it launches on February 22, 2014 in Japan. The nation's launch-day line-up includes 19 games - well, 18 games and a beta, although when that beta is for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, it probably counts as a game. The full launch day line-up is after the break.
Watch the Sony Japan press conference right here [update: it's over!]
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is holding a livestream press conference in an hour, which you can watch right here, above this cluster of text. Convenient. Now that we know the PS4 is launching on November 15 in North America and have a list of launch window games, will Sony finally announce those details for Japan? There isn't much else to reveal about the next generation of PlayStation. Will the PS3 and PS Vita be in attendance? We're not sure what to expect, so keep an eye on the front page for all the pertinent details. Update: It's all over, but there's a replay of the conference for your watching enjoyment.
Sony Japan hosts early morning streaming press conference on Monday
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is scheduled to host a press conference in the wee hours of morning on Monday, September 9, says the PlayStation Europe Twitter account. What exactly will be discussed remains a mystery, though it seems almost certain that the PlayStation 4 will be a focal point. If you'd like to watch the event unfold you can catch a live stream on the official PlayStation.blog. The stream begins at 7 a.m. BST, which translates to 2 a.m. Eastern/11 p.m. Pacific, with the latter technically falling on Sunday night. Sony's translators will be on hand to create a live, English-language transcript of the conference.
Getting the Knack of the PS4's family-friendly launch game
There's been a lot of talk about the unique advantage Knack has because its director is Mark Cerny, the PS4's lead architect. When the launch game was first shown at the console's reveal, the focus was on the many moving parts of Knack himself. At E3, producer Yusuke Watanabe told me Knack can be made up of anything between 70 and 5000 parts, and can grow to as much as 30 ft tall. It was impressive to see the power of the hardware, but what grabbed my attention with Knack is how easy it was to pick up and enjoy the game, at least for the brief time I had with it. The controls were simple: a jump button, one major attack button for brawling the goblin enemies, another button for bonus attack moves, and finally dodging with the right stick. There were some combinations, like dodging then attacking, jump attacks, and three two-button combos involving the bonus attack button, but I didn't see anything more complicated than that. The attacks themselves looked great, with Knack's parts flying around he swiped, rolled, and most pleasingly blew up. The game's environments were similarly welcoming. I played through four levels, two set in a city, one in an ice cavern, and another in what looked like a palace. Each one was lit with a warmth and depth reminiscent of a Pixar movie - and Watanabe noted Pixar as one of the inspirations for Knack. %Gallery-191361%
Sony's Panopticon countdown ends with mysterious trailer
The PlayStation Japan website just unveiled a trailer for what's apparently a new Japan Studio game, possibly called Panopticon going by the page name. The unveiling followed a week-long countdown, which was more like a count-up since the timer eventually ticked up to "1,000,000 years." It did just that at 6AM ET, with this trailer in its stead. The trailer depicts a futuristic, totalitarian world where citizens are seemingly identified by virtually visualized ID numbers. There's no indication of any platforms or release date. Earlier this year, it was spotted SCE Europe trademarked Panopticon. The word traces it roots to the Greek language, and means to "include everything visible in one view."
