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Pain to get Trophies Sept. 4
We don't quite know how it does it, but the seemingly shallow Pain keeps finding ways to work itself back onto our radar. Before it's been free DLC, this time it's Trophies, being added to the game on Sept. 4, alongside the "Amusement Park" DLC pack. We're not positive, but it appears you won't have to grab the DLC to get the Trophies, they'll just be arriving concurrently. After the break you'll find a full list of Trophies, which run the gamut from seemingly impossible to embarrassingly crude. Which, as Pain producer Travis Williams points out, is completely appropriate for the game.
Trophies: PAIN
0 Platinum5 Gold10 Silver20 Bronze Difficulty: Impossible Online Trophies? No Time to Completion: 100 hoursDLC Trophies? Yes**Trophies requiring DLC are highlighted in yellow. View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-3203%%Gallery-28145%
Unlucky 1 percent of MobileMe email users may get relief
How big is one percent? If it's a surcharge on your restaurant check, not that much; if it's a point on your mortgage, ow. If it's a chunk of .Mac/MobileMe email account holders who are left hanging for a week without access to their email... well, let's just say that anyone in that select and sorry lot who used a mac.com email address for professional or vital communications is justifiably furious right now.The good news, if you can say that under the circumstances, is that the outage that started July 18 may be coming to a close. Apple has posted a tech note on the ongoing issues, launched a blog to cover the MobileMe introduction challenges, and provided some additional details about what happened. As of 10 pm PDT last night, the one-percenters should be able to log into MobileMe webmail and retrieve messages from the July 18–25 outage window, though none from before the problem started are available yet. Apple also warns affected users NOT to change MobileMe passwords, aliases or storage allocations until the problem is cleared up, so be alert. As the problem was triggered by a "serious issue" on one of Apple's mail servers, some messages got dropped in the bit bucket and will never come back (unless you have them cached in a local client like Mail.app, Entourage, Thunderbird or Outlook). Apple's statement: While the vast majority of your email messages will be fully restored, a small percentage of email messages in the affected accounts have regrettably been lost. This includes approximately 10% of messages received between 5:00 a.m. PDT on July 16 and 10:20 a.m. PDT on July 18. We sincerely apologize for any email messages you may have lost. Apologies are well and good -- but considering the MobileMe terms of service, that's about all you can expect to see, as Apple isn't liable for lost business or damages due to the outage. If there's a lesson in this, maybe it's that mission-critical users should own their own domains and public-facing email addresses, so that they can redirect incoming mail in a crisis. Depending on a single provider for mail (even ones with a reputation for reliability) can bite you.Written by Michael Rose. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
PSN first-party E3 screenshot roundup
Since we don't want you to be overwhelmed by the deluge of media emerging from E3, we've picked a bouquet of the best screenshots from Sony first-party PSN lineup, including luscious images from ex-seed expectations experience, Flower. Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, PixelJunk Eden, Fat Princess, Siren: Blood Curse ... Which of these are you dying to download? %Gallery-27943%%Gallery-27947%
Sony feels your pain, prepares more PAIN
The guilty pleasure that was is PAIN for PS3 is finally getting some substantial new content. By "substantial" we mean a new level – which will join the game's only level – called "Uncle Jimmy's Fun Spot Amusement Park." Sony and developer Idol Minds reckon it's more of an abusement park (their pun, not ours) and it's bringing more than just fresh scenery to the game.Slated to arrive "this summer," the PAIN Amusement Park add-on will introduce new player-requested features, including online multiplayer and PlayStation Trophies. These are in addition to the abundance of added moving set pieces you can see in the above video. Looks like in the case of PAIN and new content, it does hurt to ask.
PAIN Amusement Park trailer unveiled
A day late, but not necessarily a dollar short. The PAIN Amusement Park trailer is now up on the PlayStation Blog and can also be seen above. The expansion, which is due out next month, looks to be bigger and better than any other PAIN level that we've seen. Though, considering the game only shipped with a single level, that's not a particularly brave thing to say. We look forward to seeing more and picking up the Amusement Park, and not just because of trophies. Honest. Enjoy the video and check out the GamesRadar preview for more information. PAIN fans should love this expansion, while those who are still on the fence might be convinced to finally pick it up. Let us know what you think in the comments.
PAIN 'Amusement Park' tidbits revealed; video on Monday
Nestled deep in the comments section of the official PAIN Blog, Producer Travis Williams has been busy responding to the community. There's plenty of back-and-forth banter, but there are also some hidden gems of info which we thought you might be interested in. PAIN's expansion pack, the Amusement Park, will be available this Summer for "less than $6.99" and a video of it in action will be shown on the official PlayStation Blog at some point tomorrow. A European release will happen simultaneously.With regards to trophies, this will be included in the expansion pack and won't end there. Travis says that "new trophies for PAIN will come out as long as we continue to add content." Hopefully this is a common occurrence, with future game expansions for existing titles bringing more trophies. Could this mean more Super Stardust HD trophies are coming at some point in the future? Considering there's no Platinum trophy, we're guessing so.
PAIN expansion includes 'more than the original release'
PAIN was generally well received when it released in America last year (and a little later in Europe), but one of the main criticisms of the game was that there isn't enough variety. Many people called for another level because, let's face it, sometimes one just isn't enough. Thankfully, the latest blog post over at the official PAIN website discusses the first expansion pack for the game, as well as a screenshot of the new level that will be included. Apparently the new expansion will feature more content than the original release. Nice.Reading through the rather rambley blog post reveals a "wish list" of sorts, pulled directly from the comments and stats from PAIN players. This wish list includes more moving parts in levels, a different character launcher, a multi leveled environment and multiplayer. Supposedly all these, and more, will be included in the next expansion pack. When that will be and whether it will include trophies, is anyone's guess.
PSN Thursday: Still sifting through MGS4 database edition
The PSN update this week is nothing special, but we're still too busy sifting through the MGS4 Database added in last week's update to really care. Beyond the surprising amount of depth the database gets into, it's interesting to see some flat-out confirmations of some arguable points in the MGS canon -- like the whole Raikov being gay thing. The other additions this week include the normal rhythm game additions and Medievel Resurrection for PSP. The full PSN update can be found after the break. The MGS4 Database is the big deal this week on the European PSN update, get the full details on the update over at PS3 Fanboy.
PAIN patch is ... well, a pain [Update]
Yesterday's free patch to the popular PSN title PAIN has done more harm than good, it seems. According to IGN, the patch breaks all online functionality of the title, preventing players from accessing the in-game store or any other online features. Sony has acknowledged the problem, and is promising an update rather quickly. "We are aware that some users are receiving a network error message and are working to rectify this as soon as possible," a Sony rep said. "We expect this situation to be resolved withing the next 12 hours." For those that haven't downloaded the patch yet, we recommend waiting a day before attempting to play the game.Update: The patch has been, well, patched.
Pain gets some free content
Much like Ben Folds' solo project Fear of Pop, we hear a tale about a store where pain's for free, and if we ask for more, we don't pay our money and it's terrible pain and it's all for free. It turns out that there is such a place: The PlayStation Network, which will add some new content to PSN title Pain for free today.As reported on Sony's official blog, the updates include: Jukebox Play – Play your own music in Pain. Yay! New Downtown Layouts – New configurations for downtown. Demolition and Block Party. You'll find out how to unlock these (playable in HORSE mode) by going to the trophy room. Multiple Character Selection – Play two-player games with different characters. Logo Skip – Skip the, uh, opening logo. We usually ask this question with free DLC, and this time we're pretty sure we know the answer. But here it goes anyway: Are you still playing Pain?
European PSN update for March 20th
Happy PAIN day! Those of you who have been anticipating PAIN all these weeks months will no doubt be overjoyed to finally see it hit the PSN Store -- and with so many add-on packs too! Those of you who don't care for PAIN might be a bit disappointed because that's pretty much all their is. Just keep watching that HD Motorstorm 2 trailer over and over. Here's the full release list: PAIN full game (£4.99) PAIN "Muffy" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Cookie" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Hung-Lo" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Santa" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Scurv Dogg" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Ginger" add-on (£0.69) PAIN "Fun with Explosives" add-on (free) Stranglehold map pack (£9.99) MotorStorm 2 trailer (free) This certainly matches up to the "roadmap" that was leaked, but we'll reserve judgment further until a couple more weeks have gone by. It's nice to see that Europe is now up to date with PAIN content -- hopefully SCEE can keep us in sync from now on so that we don't have to suffer from any more ridiculous delays. If you're wondering why we haven't mentioned the Stranglehold pack, it's because it's ridiculously expensive and not worth our time. We're ignoring it and suggest you should too.
Next European PSN update to be the most PAINful yet
It has been confirmed to us that the wait is finally over. Europeans can get their hands on PAIN, as well as a few add on packs (probably the character packs already released in the US) this coming Thursday. With last week being described as "the last bad update for a while", things should pick up from now on. Yeah. How many times have we heard that one?The localisation issues that cause these ridiculous delays (it's been four months since PAIN was released in America) are due to be addressed at some point in the near future. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, something needs to be done, so we'll look forward to these discussions with cautious anticipation.
PSN Thursday: More PAIN for the ladies
Get your equal-opportunity woman beating on in this week's PSN update with PAIN's two new characters. Ginger the Nurse and Buffy the Cheerleader are ready to feel the impact of pavement and cars for $1 a piece. The Toy Home expansion may interest some folks along with the God of War: Chains of Olympus PS3 theme for free. Beyond that there's a smattering of random stuff to go with the newest Rock Band and GHIII DLC. Check out the complete list of this week's content after the break. To see what the Europeans got (hint: not much) go visit our pint-loving comrades at PS3 Fanboy.
Pain due out in Europe this month; Elefunk in April; Echochrome follows in May
Geekpulp, a New Zealand based site, has received a list of upcoming first-party downloads that will be up on the PlayStation Store within the next few months. These are PAL releases, so it's easy to assume that the same content will be reaching Europeans around the same time. With only three items on the list, however, we're hoping this isn't exhaustive. There will obviously be third party stuff coming too, but with Sony holding games like High Velocity Bowling and Dark Mist hostage, we were hoping to see them at some point soon. The press release says that Pain will be out at some point this month, along with a few extra buyable characters on day one. With ten extra characters finished and ready to go, both Europe (that seems to include all PAL territories) and America should be seeing more characters becoming available regularly. That's all very well and good, but where are the new levels? One really isn't enough, no matter how many characters you can toss around in it.Elefunk (a game we sadly haven't heard about in quite a while) will be available in April and the PS3 release of Echochrome will come in May. So, now you know how the next few months according to Sony and its first-party titles, what do you think?[Via N4G]
American PSN updates for February 28th
The PAIN content continues this week with another new character to lob around your virtual city. Unfortunately, there's no sign of any new levels for the game so chances are this new character won't add too much new gameplay for you for the time being. Still, for less than a dollar it's worth a punt. Here's the full release list: PAIN Skurv Dogg Character ($0.99) Rock Band "Nine Inch Nails" pack ($5.49) March of the Pigs ($1.99) The Collector ($1.99) The Perfect Drug ($1.99) Guitar Hero III -- No Doubt Track Pack ($6.25): Featuring Don't Speak, Excuse Me Mr. and Sunday Morning MLB 08 The Show Music Video (free) MLB 08 The Show Blog Video (free) NBA 08 Amare Stoudmire Bio (free) Condemned 2: Bloodshot Trailer 1 (free) Lost Planet Trailer (free) Star Trek Teaser Trailer (free) PAIN: Skurv Dogg Theme (free) Rocketman: Axis of Evil wallpaper (free) This is a good day for fans of rhythm games. Both Rock Band and Guitar Hero III have a worthwhile download pack going for them. The Guitar Hero pack is almost a dollar more expensive, but we'll forgive them that this week simply because we quite like "Don't Speak" by No Doubt. Sports fans have a few interesting videos to grab and trekkies can get their hands on a HD version of the Star Trek movie teaser trailer. Not a bad haul, overall.
PSN Thursday: Sadists rejoice with new PAIN character
Not through pummeling your pixelated pals with PAIN? Well, this week the PSN update will allow you to procure for a pittance a pirate to persistently pound into pavement. Skurv Dogg is a new downloadable character for PSN's PAIN at a mere $.99. Beyond that there's your normal serving of Rock Band DLC with a side order of No Doubt for Guitar Hero III. Want more? Um, there's the Star Trek teaser trailer in glorious HD to fill your television screen for a little over a minute. Check out the complete list of content after the break and go say hi to the gentlemen at PS3 Fanboy for European update details.
PAIN expansions coming today
You've been waiting for it. New PAIN content is hitting the PS Store later today. For a game that launched with only one freakin' level, that earns a huge sigh of relief from us. Stay tuned for more details on what new content PAIN will earn in today's complete PSN update.
PSN Thursday: Trials of Hawkish, Mesmerizing Snakeballs
This week's batch of PlayStation Network content is pretty massive - "our biggest ever," according to the official US PlayStation blog. There's a catch, of course, in that PSN will not be updated next Thursday (also known as Christmas Eve). Enough pouting, let's open our presents a week early!Warhawk fans have the most gifts under the tree this week, with the already-opened Omega Dawn expansion, a free theme, a game video of the expansion and (gasp!) the original Warhawk PS One title downloadable as a classic for play on either the PS3 or PSP. Rhythm fans also get a tasty sampler of the usual Rock Band DLC and a free Guitar Hero III song, the holiday-themed "We Three Kings" (strangely absent from the list: the premium GH3 songs for this week).Downloadable games include Toy Home, Snakeball and two PS Eye games: Trials of Topoq and Mesmerize: Distort. A demo for Blacksite: Area 51 is also out, and those looking for more festive updates can check out the free Folklore DLC and PAIN wallpaper. Full update list after the break; check out our sister site PS3 Fanboy for European PSN update info.Update: So apparently we have two fewer days to shop for Christmas gifts than we thought. Hmph.
Video games more effective than medication for pain?
Wii Fanboy has presented many stories about how the Wii has been able to help those in need. Whether it be soldiers dealing with combat wounds or the local retirement homes' residents stay active, it's a system that has amazed one and all. Now, a Canadian researcher is finding that video games on the whole have become quite the aid for those with chronic pain.The case of the Wii is especially interesting in regards to this study, because it's been shown to be an excellent physical therapy tool. Not only that, but the immersion factor has to be higher than that of the other current-gen systems. Sure, they have more photo-realistic graphics, but what gets you into the game more? Personally, we're pro-Wii, but then you probably knew that typing in the URL to our blog or however else you got here (tapping your heels together?).
