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Sony drops PlayStation TV price to £45 in the UK
Sony's PlayStation 4 is selling incredibly well, but an early price drop suggests its smaller cousin isn't doing so hot in the UK. The PlayStation TV has always been a peculiar proposition, offering an easy way to play some, but not all PlayStation Vita, PSP and classic PSone games. Arguably its best feature is Remote Play, but £84.99 is a tough sell if you just want to stream PS4 games around the house. The mini-console has been available in the UK for a little over three months, but already Sony is dropping the price to £44.99.
Joystiq Weekly: Intel's diversity initiative, IGF awards, GOTY roundtable and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Talks of diversity within the technology and gaming industries has amplified over the past several months, encouraging a consideration for walks of life that are unfamiliar to personal perspectives. Intel added a noteworthy talking point to the discussion during CES 2015, announcing plans to invest $300 million into increasing diversity among its staff and within the general tech space. It's easy to forget about humans when we're closing the gap on robot chefs, but sometimes the basic stuff that has nothing to do with pretend wardrobes and curved screens is just as cool. Plenty happened outside of CES 2015 however, including the announcement of nominations for the IGF awards, the Joystiq staff's video (and audio)-based roundtable Game of the Year discussion, and a potential end to the "Who's the true Commander Shepard" debate. All this and more is waiting for you after the break!
PlayStation TV price cut at major US retailers
The PlayStation TV's price tag has been reduced to Black Friday levels by several major US retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Gamestop. Gamespot took note of the unofficial reduction, which sees the core PS TV unit reduced to $80 ($20 off) and the controller-included bundle at $100 ($40 off). Sony's official site still has the device regularly priced. Positioned as PS Vita system alternative that plugs into any HDMI-equipped television, the system does feature some compatibility issues with games. Here is the latest list of compatible titles.
GameStop, Amazon discount PS3 and PS TV ahead of Black Friday
Black Friday may be two weeks away, but retailers are already dropping the price on two pieces of Sony hardware: PlayStation TV and PlayStation 3. Both systems will start at $80 and $200 respectively through Amazon and GameStop for the holiday season, though GameStop notes that the deals are temporary and are "first-come, first-served." The PS TV's DualShock 3 bundle is also down to $100 at the two retailers, saving game streamers $40 off the bundle's regular price. Thrifty buyers can also opt for deals on PS3 bundles, such as the 12 GB PS3 with Disney Infinity ($200) or a 500 GB console with either The Last of Us or Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham and The Sly Collection ($250 each). Sony isn't the only company offering early discounts this year; Microsoft cut the Xbox One's price by $50 for the holidays and already listed the Microsoft Store's Black Friday deals. [Image: Sony]
Sony's PlayStation TV now on sale in the UK for £85
Sony announced the impending arrival of its PlayStation TV mini-console in the UK back in August, and right on cue, it's now available to buy. The device, known as PS Vita TV in Japan, comes bundled with three digital games, OlliOlli, Velocity Ultra and Worms Revolution Extreme, and will give you access to Sony's library of PS Now games. More importantly, it'll also let you remotely access PlayStation 4 titles over your local network and offer TV and movie downloads via Sony's media store. As we noted in our review, the PlayStation TV has promise but compatibility issues mean it isn't quite the complete package. However, If you're looking to get your hands on the diminutive set-top box, Amazon is currently selling the mini-console for £84 -- 99 pence less than Sony's recommended sale price.
PlayStation TV launches stateside with last-minute compatibility changes
The PlayStation TV launches today in North America boasting compatibility with a large number of PSP, PS Vita, and PS minis games, but users at NeoGAF point out that a last-minute compatibility update renders several major titles unplayable on Sony's new hardware. Just prior to the system's stateside launch, Sony updated its PlayStation TV compatibility list, removing entries for notable PSP games like Twisted Metal: Head-On, Valkyria Chronicles 2, and WipeOut Pure. Several Konami-published PSone games are also no longer compatible with the PlayStation TV, including Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Suikoden. The lack of omitted games that begin with the letters A through L suggests that Sony may be sorting out cross-platform rights issues alphabetically. While SNK-published PS minis games like Time Soldiers and Vanguard didn't make the cut, fellow SNK Arcade Classics 0 ports like Athena and Guerrilla War remain listed, hinting that further compatibility updates may be in store. Positioned as a non-portable alternative to Sony's PS Vita system, the PlayStation TV plugs into any HDMI-equipped television and plays games and movies downloaded from the PlayStation Network. The system is available today as a $99.99 standalone package and bundled with a DualShock 3 controller and memory card for $139.99. [Video: Sony]
Killzone: Mercenary update adds PlayStation TV support
If you prefer to dispatch Helghast hordes from a stationary position while seated in front of a sizable television, you'll be happy to hear that the latest Killzone: Mercenary update adds support for the imminent PlayStation TV device to the formerly Vita-exclusive first-person shooter. "The game does indeed look fantastic on the big screen, and the DualShock controls bring a new feel to the game's mechanics," reads a description on the PlayStation.blog. "We've reworked all the touch mechanics to maximize the experience when played with those controls. Knowing that PS Vita players will play directly with PlayStation TV players online, we've worked hard to ensure the game is balanced for both parties, without either one having a competitive advantage." The PlayStation TV is slated to launch tomorrow, October 14. Additionally, the update adds a new "restart-from-checkpoint" system to the sci-fi shooter, allowing players to put their mission on hold without having to suspend the game to the PS TV or Vita menu screens. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation Now open beta hits PS TV, Vita on October 14
Tucked inside a lengthy pre-launch fact sheet for the PlayStation TV is word that the PlayStation Now open beta test will reach both the Vita handheld and the PS TV on October 14. Like the PlayStation 4, the PS TV and Vita beta tests will offer users access to "more than 150" PlayStation 3 games that can be streamed on-demand from Sony by anyone willing to pay for limited time access. October 14 also marks the initial debut of the PlayStation TV, meaning that those willing to purchase the gadget will not only have access to the PlayStation Now catalogue, but will also be able to play "nearly 700" compatible games, ranging from PlayStation One classics to portable PSP hits. Additionally, Sony claims the PlayStation TV will have access to "videos and movies" from the PlayStation Network Store and will launch with support for "other entertainment services," though it's not known which media options this might include. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation TV explained in one family-friendly video
PlayStation TV isn't an actual television, in case anyone was still wondering. It's a teeny tiny console that plays Vita, PSP and PSOne games, and streams PS3 and PS4 games. Sony recently revealed that PlayStation TV would play "nearly 700" Vita games, to be precise. [Image: Sony]
PS TV hits US on October 14 with 'nearly 700' compatible games
Though the PlayStation TV won't support all Vita games at its October 14 debut, the miniscule console will play "nearly 700" Vita releases, according to Sony. Less a proper console and more a device that combines the functionality of numerous Sony gaming machines, the PlayStation TV plays digital Vita games, PSP games and PlayStation One games, while streaming PS3 games via PlayStation Now and PlayStation 4 games via that console's Remote Play feature. Specifically named among supported Vita games are hits like Rayman Origins, the God of War Collection, Borderlands 2 and Persona 4 Golden. Additionally, Sony has announced that the upcoming Adventure Time tie-in game, Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom from Little Orbit, will launch simultaneously for both the Vita handheld and the PlayStation TV on November 18. Sony has revealed plans to add support for additional games in the future (including Minecraft), though the PlayStation.blog offers no timeline on when those updates might be available. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation TV launches October 14th in US and Canada
Sony will be releasing its PlayStation TV here in the US and in Canada on October 14th. What's more, as it looks to get people amped up for it, the company also let it be known that the mini console is set to have nearly 700 playable games from day one, giving interested folks Stateside and in The Great White North something to look forward to come launch day. That amount of games, naturally, is made possible thanks to the PlayStation TV's flexibility -- it provides access to a variety of content in different ways, including through PS Vita titles, PlayStation Now and via Remote Play with a PlayStation 4. The PlayStation TV is going to be available for $99 (system-only), or you also have the option to get a $140 bundle which includes a DualShock 3 controller, 8GB memory card and The Lego Movie Videogame.
Sony's PlayStation TV is coming to Europe on November 14th
Microsoft's already taken the stage at Gamescom to show us what's next for Xbox, and now it is Sony's turn to do the same with PlayStation. Today, in Cologne, Germany, the Japanese outfit announced that its micro-console, the PlayStation TV, will be available in Europe starting November 14th. SCEE worldwide studios SVP Michael Denny said PlayStation TV, also known as PS Vita TV, is set to hit European shelves bundled with three digital games, priced at 99 euros. According to Sony's teaser video, which you can watch after the break, the titles included are OlliOlli, Velocity Ultra and Worms Revolution Extreme. The tiny streaming box was released in Japan on November 14th of last year, so it has taken Sony quite a while to bring it to The Old Continent. Earlier, Sony revealed it has now sold over 10 million PS4s to date, making it obvious that demand for the console hasn't slowed down a bit since its debut.
PlayStation TV heads to PAL territories Nov. 14 for €99 [Update: trailer and included games]
PlayStation TV, Sony's little set-top-box that gives players access to Vita games and PS4 remote play, will arrive in PAL territories starting on November 14. The package will retail for €99 and will include 3 downloadable games. The news comes via Sony's Gamescom press conference. Update: According to a new trailer (embedded after the break), the three included games are OlliOlli, Worms Revolution Extreme and Velocity Ultra.
Engadget Daily: Amazon Prime Music, getting sweaty with Sony's VR headset and more!
Today, we demo Street Luge on Sony's Project Morpheus VR headset, break down Amazon's new Prime Music streaming service, go hands-on with Beats' new Powerbeats2 wireless buds and learn about Sony's plan for the PlayStation TV. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
With the PlayStation TV, Sony's going after families with young kids
The PlayStation TV is a curious oddity. The $100 device, a rebranded Vita TV that's slated to launch in North America and Europe later this fall, is Sony's direct answer to the Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV streaming boxes currently flooding the market. It's also the only box of the bunch capable of offering a video game experience that goes beyond just casual gaming. In fact, the PlayStation TV's library of titles spans several platforms: the PS Vita, PSP, PS One, PS3 (via PS Now's cloud streaming) and PS4 over Remote Play. It'll also offer consumers the ability to stream video content. But with the PS4 occupying the top spot in the PlayStation totem pole, we have to wonder: Just who is the PlayStation TV for?
PlayStation TV coming to the UK this autumn for £85
You may have heard that Sony is finally launching the PlayStation TV (or Vita TV as it was previously known) outside of Japan. We know that the mini-console will be priced at $99/€99 in North America and Europe respectively, but we were left in the dark over how much it would cost in the UK. Until now. Eurogamer reports that when it arrives in the autumn, the PlayStation TV will retail for £84.99. That's a significant bump over the £60 (plus taxes) it would set you back if you went out to the US and bought one direct. To make matters worse, Sony won't offer UK customers the PS3 DualShock controller bundle like it does in the US and Asia. That said, it'll still mirror your PlayStation 4 screen and you'll still be able to play lots of Vita games, PlayStation games and stream video content, as well as music and video from Sony's own store.
Vita TV becomes PlayStation TV in the US, Europe and Canada for $99 this fall
The Vita TV is coming to America! It's just going to get a bit of an identity change first. Now the micro-console will be called PlayStation TV for North American and European audiences. The good news is that it will only be $99, while still giving you access to the library of PS Now games and the ability to remotely access titles on your local network. As we learned in our review, it's not a perfect device, but it's clear that Sony is investing in the platform... so there could be some significant improvements on the horizon. You'll be able to pick up the newly christened PlayStation TV this fall either as a standalone unit, or as part of a bundle with a DualShock 3 controller, 8GB memory card, an HDMI cable and a voucher for Lego: The Movie Videogame. Though, honestly, we assume if you're in the market for this streaming-only console, you have most of those things already.
Disney Infinity 2.0 announced for Vita, Vita TV
Amid the unveiling of PlayStation TV for the West, Sony slipped in that Disney Infinity 2.0 is coming to the Vita and its TV-connecting variant. Disney's second game in its new plastic-stuffed series is due to hit various PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox systems this fall.
Sony trademarks 'PlayStation TV' after abandoning 2006 mark
Sony filed a trademark and service mark for "PlayStation TV" on June 26, covering hardware and potential related services, such as streaming television or movies, an IGN reader spotted. Sony held a trademark and service mark for "PlayStation TV" in September 2006, but it was abandoned in September 2012. Both marks feature the same logo and share features protected under the filings. Sony didn't manufacture a PlayStation TV in the six years it held the first trademark, though it did launch a PlayStation-branded 3DTV in 2011. Recall that Sony holds the patent for a system that turns ads into interactive mini-games, asking viewers to yell out company names such as "McDonald's!" to end commercials.
LG's new 3D TV has true gaming split-screen, reminds us of another display
LG's LW980T 3D TV is ready to rumble in the market with Sony's PlayStation 3D Display, both of which pander to gamers, allowing players to see separate images from different angles. LG's TV is scheduled for release this month and comes in two screen sizes: 47-inch and 55-inch, for $2,921 (£1,799) and $4,057 (£2,499), respectively. Sony's display is set for release in November and comes in one size, 24-inch, for $500 (£308). The LW980T (such a catchy name) will come with eight pairs of 3D glasses, but the split-screen gaming glasses will cost extra. LG and Sony recently dropped patent suits against each other and signed a cross-licensing deal after three years of disputes over smartphone, Blu-ray and TV technologies. Sony hasn't sued LG yet, so this must fit within the bounds of their deal -- perhaps because Sony's product is a display, meaning it won't directly receive broadcasts, and LG's is a true-blue TV. Or maybe it's all in the name: Sony's split-screen tech is called SimulView while LG's is called Dual Play. See? Totally different.
