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New features added to Killzone Command Center
We realize that the hardcore Killzone 2 fans among you are probably too busy enjoying the "Steel and Titanium" map pack to do any internetting right now, but if you haven't checked out the shooter's official site recently, you should really point your browser in that direction.The Killzone Command Center recently underwent a huge revamp, adding in a number of oft-requested features. Chief among these additions is the ability to upload and view battle replays, though the non-cinematically inclined have plenty to check out as well -- for instance, the site's improved tournament tracking page and live updates of featured matches are well worth a gander. Said gandering can be performed by clicking this here link.
PSN Thursday: Marvel vs Capcom vs the Helghast
Two big deals appear on the PSN Store in the US this week. Killzone 2 gets its first batch of DLC and the Marvel vs Capcom 2 demo is now available for everyone to enjoy. Yes, even those of you in Europe, if you've got a US account. Other than that it's mostly DLC, including even more Disgaea 3 content. PSP owners have a Patapon 2 demo to try out in preparation for its imminent release. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Killzone 2 multiplayer reaches 1 million participants
The Killzone 2 leaderboards aren't just for tracking who's best at putting down Helghast scum (or the invading ISA, if that's how you roll). The leaderboards are also handy for when you need to keep track of a milestone, like Killzone 2's millionth player to log in online, for example. That's right, Killzone 2 has over one million folks taking the fight online, achieving the number in little over two months of being on store shelves. Based on sales data, this also means that roughly 2/3rds of the people that purchased the game have taken it online, which is impressive in and of itself. And with so many of the people that bought the game going online to try their skills against the rest of the world, we're willing to bet that Sony will sell a good deal of Steel and Titanium to gamers. [Via PS3Center]
European PSN update for April 30
The weekly DLC onslaught continues this week with the anticipated release of Killzone 2's "Steel And Titanium" pack. Cops and Robbers also make their appearance on the streets of Paradise City and Egyptian gods invade LittleBigPlanet. A few more PSP classics have also been released for those who feel that UMDs are on the way out. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Joyswag: Killzone 2 Signature Series Guide
Killzone 2 is getting brand new DLC this week -- you don't want to get spanked on the online battlefield, do you? We're giving away ten copies of the official Killzone 2 guide, filled with tips and tricks to survive the battlefield, online and off. Master the different ranks you can play as, and earn every ribbon and medal. Leave a comment telling us the most difficult Trophy you've unlocked in Killzone 2. (See the Trophy list here.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day This entry period ends at 5:00 pm ET on Thursday, April 30 At that time, we'll randomly select ten winners to receive a copy of the Killzone 2 Brady Games Signature Series Guide (MSRP: $20). For a list of complete rules, click here Now, once you brush up your Killzone skills, you'll want to join the Killzone 2 Online Championship Tournament. Find out more after the break. %Gallery-50068%
Killzone 2 DLC adds 12 new Trophies
The upcoming "Steel and Titanium" DLC pack for Killzone 2 will also add 12 new Trophies to the game, all Bronze. Two two maps will feature six Trophies each, encouraging players to utilize all the various classes and tactics available in multiplayer. To check out the new Trophies, click past the break. [Thanks, Bahamut44-4!]
Killzone 2 'Steel and Titanium' DLC priced
If your metal death penis is in need of some more metal deathing, then you're likely anticipating Killzone 2's DLC pack, "Steel and Titanium." We all know it's coming on April 30, but we haven't heard of a price. Well, thanks to the PlayStation Blog, we now know it'll set gamers back a cool $5.99.The blog was also kind enough to put up a trailer showing off the two new multiplayer maps (Vekta Cruiser and Wasteland Bullet). You can watch it after the break.%Gallery-50068%
Killzone 2 patch goes live on April 22
A laundry list of fixes and features are planned for Killzone 2's 1.24 patch, set to go live on April 22. Included in the patch are fixes for multiple multiplayer exploits and a number of stability issues. The patch arrives just as Japanese gamers are about to welcome Killzone 2 to stores on April 23 and promises to sync files in preparation of the launch.According to detailed patch notes on the official PlayStation forum, Guerrilla Games hopes patch 1.24 will make finding and connecting with friends much easier and have spiced up multiplayer competition by including three additional ranks to the top of the rankings -- known as 'Hardcore ranks.' But our favorite addition has to be new load screens that advertise the upcoming DLC, 'Steel and Titanium,' releasing on April 30.At this rate, the next patch may as well add a giant hand that reaches out from your console to slap anyone who passes on the DLC. Detailed patch notes can be found after the break.[Via CVG]
Killzone 2 sells more than 1M copies worldwide
There's only one thing internet fanboys love debating as much as Killzone 2's graphical capabilities ("It's too brown!" "It's more real than real life!") -- and that's Killzone 2's sales numbers. SCEA has just announced that its flagship "only on PlayStation" game has sold over one million copies worldwide, making it "the biggest initial success at retail of any first-party PS3 title to date."It's taken Killzone 2 nearly seven weeks to reach the million milestone, and how that should be celebrated will largely depend on your loyalties. In comparison, Super Smash Bros. Brawl took a mere week to reach that magic number; Gears of War 2 managed to sell twice that much in its first week. Regardless, a million copies is nothing to scoff at -- we're certain these sales provided a nice injection of cash into the Sony war chest.
Killzone 2 'Steel and Titanium' DLC coming April 30th
Click for bigger Helghast We caught a sneak peek at Killzone 2's upcoming map content -- named the "Steel And Titanium" pack -- on GTTV recently. Now, you can take a closer look at the two levels, the ISA cruiser and the Helghast freighter trains, in the gallery below. As you will see, the maps live up to their name, with either steel or titanium (sometimes both!) wherever you look. Should keep us nice and busy until the "Retro" pack comes out ... whenever that may be.[Update] The PlayStation Blog has just revealed that the DLC will be available to download on April 30th. The price is yet to be determined.%Gallery-50068%
GameTrailers gives sneak peek at Killzone 2 DLC
So, thanks to Geoff Keighley's journalizing, we have a good idea of what we can expect from the first batch of Killzone 2 DLC and a hint of what's to come. The first, called "Steel and Titanium" (finally, some gray in Killzone! -- ed.) will feature two maps, one set on the ISA tech cruiser "New Sun" and featuring more vertical gameplay, and one aboard two Helghast freight trains that can be leapt between, if you're willing to brave the environmental hazards. Go here and skip to 7:50 to see for yourself.Guerrilla boss Herman Hulst went on to reveal that the 2nd DLC pack would include the word "Retro" and would likely include some Killzone 1-related content. So, what would you like to see make the jump to modern day?
Killzone 2 DLC details coming April 10
PlayStation.Blog has just updated with word that Guerrilla Games is set to reveal the first DLC for Killzone 2 early tomorrow morning. The unveil will take place on Spike's GameTrailers TV, which airs Thursday morning at 12:30 a.m. EST/PST (the program's new time slot).Guerrilla Games managing director, Hermen Hulst, will make the announcement, which will probably have absolutely nothing to do with new maps. We kid; it's almost assuredly new multiplayer maps. In fact, we'd bet our replica Helghast STA52 rifle on it ... if we'd actually won one, that is.
Killzone 2 has speedy run to 500k sold
Maybe it was that snazzy commercial or those poor souls who confused it with Dead Space, but Killzone 2 has set a sales record, becoming the fastest first-party PS3 title to reach 500,000 units sold. Scott Steinberg, VP of Product Marketing at SCEA, added that the game is the highest-selling SCEA PS3 title for the first 30 days out of launch, saying the company was "extremely happy with the results."Now, let the comment debate over why Killzone 2 should have sold more (or less) commence!
Sony targets collectors with licensing agreement
Sony is looking to extract some more money from European wallets through a new deal inked with Target Entertainment, who will now be the consumer product licensing agent for all PlayStation software IP. This means you could have a nice 6" tall Kratos watching over your cubicle whenever you go to refill that mug of coffee, or your own cuddly, huge Sackboy to snuggle up with every night while in bed. Really, the possibilities for merchandise are near endless here.SCEE's licensing and peripherals manager Stephanie Freeman says Sony wants "consumers to have the ability to interact with our brands and characters in ways other than just on screen. We feel Target Entertainment Group has the vibrancy and experience to help us do this successfully." No word on when these products will be making their way to market, but you should be able to stock up on Helghast target dummies and Ratchet and Clank ratchet sets soon.
Killzone developer says PS3 dev easier than PS2
You've heard it time and time again: the PS3 is not easy to develop for. However, the folks behind Sony's flagship FPS, Killzone 2, will disagree. Guerilla Games' Managing Director Hermen Hulst spoke to GameDaily about the working as a PlayStation-exclusive developer. "Like us, if you are native to PlayStation, our tech director doesn't say it's particularly difficult. It's specific, but it's not difficult like PS2 was difficult – PS2 was a difficult [machine] to crack, but PS3 didn't take us a long time to get up and running." Hulst does admit that multiplatform developers may have more trouble working with Sony's console "because it is very different" from other consoles.Development Director Arjan Brussee not only sees PS3 as an easier system to develop for, but also believes Sony's proprietary architecture can be easier to deal with than the Xbox 360. "I actually think PS3 is a simpler architecture than some of the other consoles; you just have to have a certain mindset on how to address it. I think the Cell-based processor with the SPUs and the super high speed DSPs that you can throw all your calculation tasks at gives us a model that's way easier to program for, even for junior programmers, than the general purpose multi-core type of architecture, which the PC and Xbox 360 have." Brussee notes that offloading certain processes to the SPUs allows programmers to take full advantage of Cell's processing power.The remarkable visuals of Killzone 2 certainly gives credence to their claims. Perhaps Guerilla should follow Insomniac's steps and allow the development community to learn some of their PS3 programming tricks.
April Fools: Helghast find love in Lovezone
Killzone isn't just about death and destruction. No, the Helghan world is just like our own, with stories of peril, triumph ... and love. Black20, in collaboration with IGN, have created a trailer for a fictional romance set in the Killzone universe. "Lovezone" tells the touching story of how two Helghast can meet on the battlefield, and the struggles they must overcome to realize their love. Check it out after the break. [Thanks, Jay!]
Go behind the 'Behind the Bullet' Killzone 2 ad this Thursday
Have you seen the Killzone 2 TV commercial? The "Behind the Bullet" ad focuses on the journey of a single bullet in the Helghan battlefield. The entire commercial was rendered in real-time on the PS3, and players will be able to see the proof this week. A free PlayStation Network download will allow people to manipulate the visuals of the commercial in real-time and see all the various elements that go into creating the chaotic landscape of the ad. For a behind-the-scenes look at the, uh, behind-the-scenes making of the ad, check out GTTV.
Killzone 2 patch coming early Tuesday morning
You know, you live a tough life. You spend all day working for The Man, spend all night taking care of your family, with only a few moments at the end of the day for Killzone 2. In those all too brief minutes, you shouldn't have to put up with a lack of standardization of the Y-Axis controls on the HGH Scout when zoomed with the Sniper Rifle. Beginning tomorrow at 4 a.m. EDT, you won't have to. Guerrilla Games has just announced via its Twitter feed that you can expect a new patch to arrive at that time.Sure, there are other things fixed by the 1.21 update -- in fact, we've got a full list after the break. But we're not going to waste any more of your time. You live a tough life.
Oh, Aaron Greenberg: PS3 'hemorrhaging at retail,' GTA IV DLC would have beaten Killzone 2 at retail
Citing February NPD numbers against those in the past couple of years -- and Microsoft's own, mysterious Xbox Live numbers on GTA IV's exclusive downloadable expansion -- Xbox 360 product management director Aaron Greenberg did quite a bit of chest pounding to Gamasutra's Chris Remo yesterday. Broaching the subject of competitors head on, Greenberg says, "What we hear from our partners is that it's not just PS3, it's also PS2 down 62 percent year over year. With that business declining, and with the PS3 business declining, it's been described to me as hemorrhaging at retail right now, and it just keeps getting worse."Moving right along to the subject of Killzone 2 -- a game released on the 27th of a 28 day month -- Greenberg compares the title to the aforementioned GTA IV mystery numbers, "If that content was sold at retail, it would be one of the best sellers across all platforms. It would have outsold Killzone 2." Considering GTA IV's astronomical sales numbers, if even half of the game's owners have the 360 iteration and a quarter of those people bought the expansion, that's over 1.5 million downloads. Still, without hard numbers to back up his statements, Greenberg's words amount to little more than our monthly rendezvous with executive smack talking. Update: SCEA responds to February NPD numbers on Joystiq PlayStation. "We have no doubt [Killzone 2] will deliver a next gen experience and will be responsible for driving hardware sales throughout the year."
Sony's Steinberg says 2009 lineup is 'relentless, AAA-quality'
Speaking with David Radd at GameDaily, VP of Product Marketing at SCEA, Scott Steinberg, wants you to know that, if you were under the impression Sony had "punched itself out," you're mistaken! Citing Killzone 2 as the beginning of, "a great lineup [that is] relentless and AAA-quality," Steinberg names MLB 09: The Show and this summer's inFamous as two titles that are, "going to arrest the momentum from competitors." That's without mentioning the Heavy Rains and Uncharted 2s of the world, we might add. And though Steinberg's remarks are filled with marketing speak (that's the technical term, folks), we can't help but agree that the company's 2009 lineup seems a lot more fleshed out three months into the year than its competitors. Maybe next week's Game Developer's Conference will change some of that. We'll just have to wait and see.
