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PlayStation All-Stars, Sportsfriends free on PS Plus next month
Sony revealed next month's PlayStation Plus lineup, announcing that subscribers will get free access to PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, Sportsfriends, Velocity 2X, and other featured games throughout the month of September. Starting September 2, PlayStation 4 owners can download Futurlab's hybrid shooter-platformer Velocity 2X and Die Gute Fabrik's competitive multiplayer party game compilation Sportsfriends free of charge. PlayStation 3 members receive copies of the Super Smash Bros.-like mascot brawler PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and dragon-riding multiplayer action game Hoard, while PS Vita players can expect to see Hello Games' motorbike stunt sim Joe Danger and Llamasoft's Tempest variant TxK. [Video: Sony]
Europe's getting a 5-game Vita Slim bundle this summer
Sony's bringing a new Vita Slim bundle to Europe in June, this time with codes for a quintet of games. The famous five are Injustice: Gods Among Us, God of War: Chain of Olympus, PlayStation All-Stars, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate and Killzone: Liberation. You'll see it's subtitled the "Action Mega" pack, but with those games we'd call it "Not for Pacifists." The eagle-eyed of you will have spotted two of those games are for PSP rather than Vita - that's God of War and Killzone - and we'd prefer to see Killzone: Mercenary in there. In any case, the 200 euros bundle also chucks in a much-needed 8GB memory card. As for which countries, the pack's confirmed for Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, Iceland, France, Greece, Poland, Russia, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Spain. There's no word yet on a concrete release date. [Image: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe]
PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale rebalanced in 'ultimate' update
PaRappa the Rapper now stands a greater chance of winning a fistfight with Kratos, as Sony has released a major update for its franchise crossover fighter PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale targeting character balance. The patch institutes more than 100 balance tweaks across its entire playable roster, ranging from frame adjustments to major gameplay additions. The game's throw system has been overhauled, players can now manually disengage timed super moves, and double-jumps can no longer be chained off of certain attacks and recovery animations, among other significant changes. Battle Royale's latest update also unlocks alternate costumes for add-on characters Isaac and Zeus. Both characters are included as part of "The Graveyard Pack," a DLC expansion on sale for $1.99 through April 24. [Video: Sony]
Former PS All-Stars devs form Dead Alien Cult, introduce Viking Ghost
Indie developer Dead Alien Cult introduced its first game on Steam's Greenlight service this week, Viking Ghost. The developer comprises four people, two of which are former PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale developers: Andrew Marquis and John Lawrence. Viking Ghost is listed as an "Arcade Action Adventure-Dual Stick Shooter-Dungeon Crawler-Rogue-Like-Lite" game with weapons, abilities and an experience point-based upgrade system. The developer cites the Zelda series, The Binding of Isaac and Spelunky among its inspirations for the game, which has eight locations and procedurally-generated levels that liven up every playthrough. Marquis and Lawrence's former developer Superbot parted ways with Sony in February 2013 before downsizing in April. [Image: Dead Alien Cult]
3G Vita launch bundle $200, select PS3 Greatest Hits $15 at Best Buy
If you simply cannot wait for potential Gamescom news concerning the Vita, Best Buy is offering the 3G Vita launch bundle and the plain old Wi-Fi version of the system for $200. Select titles from the PS3's Greatest Hits library are also available for $15 apiece. The launch bundle includes a 3G-compatible Vita, an 8 GB memory card, and an AT&T DataConnect Session Pass for $200. According to Best Buy's listing for the bundle, it also includes an offer for a free PSN game, but it seems to have expired in May 2012. Still, this pack is a nice way to save on a memory card and some on-the-go online gaming. If you'd prefer to sidestep some savings and spend more money later, the non-bundled version of the Wi-Fi Vita is also $200. A cut from the PS3's Greatest Hits library is also yours for cheap if you can beat others to the checkout. Playstation All Stars: Battle Royale, Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time, God of War: Origins Collection, Twisted Metal, Infamous 2, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection, Killzone 3, LittleBigPlanet Karting, Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition, LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition and LittleBigPlanet: GOTY Edition are all available in limited quantities for $15. Playstation All-Stars and Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time are also crossplay compatible, meaning that you can pick up some cheap games for a cheap Vita.
Zombie Tycoon 2 free on PS Plus this week; BioShocks, Metal Gears, God of Wars on sale
This week's free PS Plus game is Zombie Tycoon 2, launching tomorrow as a PSN download on PS3 and PS Vita. Zombie Tycoon 2 is the sequel to Frima Studios' real-time strategy game pitting two mad scientists against one another, each with an army of zombies at his beck and call, as they try to invade the town of Finkleville.In addition to the free game, the usual discount trumpeting will take place tomorrow. Spring Fever concludes with arguably its best week yet, offering up discounts themed around PlayStation All-Stars ($20 for PS Plus members) and its featured combatants. Many notable series are on sale, including entries in Metal Gear, Sly Cooper, BioShock, LittleBigPlanet, Devil May Cry, God of War, Infamous, Ratchet & Clank and Twisted Metal. The full list is available over on the PlayStation Blog.
Superbot 'substantially' smaller after Sony split, working on new IP
Superbot, the developer behind PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, is a smaller studio following its split with Sony earlier this year, which saw the Culver City-based outfit make a number of positions redundant. Its next step is to work on a new property."We have substantially shrunk down our operations but are still going strong while we work on a new IP," director of operations David Yang told Edge.Superbot was formed in 2009 as Broodworks, a studio focusing on developing video games for Sony handhelds. The studio was later renamed Superbot Entertainment and made its debut with PlayStation All-Stars.
GameStop adds All-Stars pre-order perk for God of War: Ascension
God of War: Ascension adds a voucher for two PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale characters with pre-orders from GameStop. The dueling duo is Zeus from the God of War series and Isaac Clarke of Dead Space fame, both of whom we met in February for PS All-Stars. The characters will unlock on March 19.This DLC joins the previous Ascension pre-order perk at GameStop, the Champions Pack that includes a skin of King Leonidas from 300, a 48-hour multiplayer XP boost and the Mythological Heroes Multiplayer Pack. The Champions Pack also includes a poster, but that's less "DLC" and more "reality."[Thanks, Bradley!]
See Zeus, Isaac Clarke throw down in PlayStation All-Stars
Sony will release downloadable characters Zeus and Isaac Clarke for PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale on March 19, along with a new stage that is a cross-over of MediEvil and The Unfinished Swan. According to a post on the PlayStation Blog from newly appointed Sony lead game designer Seth Killian, the stage will be free to play in online ranked matches, $1.99 to own.Both Zeus and Isaac are being offered gratis to those who purchase God of War: Ascension, available through an included voucher; or you can buy each combatant for $4.99 through PSN on March 19. Above, you can see Isaac battle back the madness – hop past the break if you want to see Zeus choke Sackboy.%Gallery-180147%
PlayStation All-Stars gets Isaac Clarke, Zeus, and an Unfinished stage next month
PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale will get DLC stage based on PSN's abstract The Unfinished Swan on March 19, according to an IGN feature, along with playable Zeus from God of War and Isaac Clarke from Dead Space.Isaac uses a variety of weapons in combat, with a style most similar to Jak, Drake, or Radec in IGN's estimation, while Zeus is more of a "powerhouse." The Unfinished Swan stage also crosses over with MediEvil.To see more of these new All-Stars and their new playground, you can watch 27 minutes of gameplay and commentary with Sony Santa Monica lead game designer Seth Killian.
PSA: PlayStation All-Stars get Kat and Emmett Graves today, free for 2 weeks
PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale gets an infusion of fresh blood today with the addition of two more classic Sony mascots. First up is Kat, star of last June's Gravity Rush. Next is Emmett Graves, grizzled protagonist of Starhawk, who comes to us all the way from last May.Okay, so maybe developer Superbot didn't dig too deep into the Sony library for these two, but the good news is that they're both completely free for the next two weeks. After that, they're $4.99 each.
Sony and Superbot part ways, Superbot 'excited' about its future
Sony and Superbot Entertainment, the developer behind PS3 and Vita brawler PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, are no longer an item. Sony confirms in a statement to Kotaku that its business relationship with Superbot is over:"Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that the working agreement with developer Superbot Entertainment has amicably ended. We have had a positive working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavor. PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale and the title's forthcoming DLC releases will continue to be fully supported by Santa Monica Studio."Superbot's director of operations David Yang provides a statement on the split, noting that the studio doesn't have plans to reduce its staff now, but that could change soon. "It is unlikely we can continue with our current work force for an extended period of time," Yang says. "We are still working things out and hope to continue on with as many of us as possible."Superbot's complete statement reads as follows:"Superbot Entertainment can confirm that the relationship with SCEA has ended on good terms. We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work on with Sony on Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and are extremely proud of the work we have done. Superbot Entertainment will continue working on projects that reflect our passion for games and our commitment to creating award winning titles. We are very excited about beginning the next chapter of our future and invite all of our fans and supporters to follow our journey."On January 25, Sony confirmed layoffs at Superbot and promised to support any future All-Stars DLC. A character pack for Battle Royale including Gravity Rush's Kat and Starhawk's Emmett Graves is due on February 12.
PS All-Stars dev SuperBot lays off unknown number of employees
Superbot Entertainment, the Sony-owned developer responsible for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, has suffered layoffs today, IGN reports."SCEA can confirm that SuperBot Entertainment did make a reduction in their workforce today," a Sony representative told IGN. "The studio and SCEA remain committed to supporting PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale post launch, including developing the title's forthcoming DLC releases in the coming months."Currently, the number of employees affected by the downsizing remains unknown, though we have reached out to both Sony and Superbot for more information about the situation and will update as details become available.Update: Sony has confirmed to us that layoffs have indeed hit Superbot, though no further information was given. Its full statement on the matter can be found after the break.
Kat, Emmett join PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Feb. 12
Gravity Rush's Kat and Starhawk's Emmett Graves will be joining the fray as PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's first DLC characters on February 12, Sony has announced. Both characters will be free for their first two weeks of availability, though their price point after the fact remains unknown.As we learned during their initial reveal last December, both characters make heavy usage of the abilities their own games are based on, with Kat (above) manipulating gravity and Emmett summoning mining equipment, as seen after the break. Both characters sport the same amenities as the original cast: extra costumes, full arcade stories and trial modes, etc.The previously announced Heavenly Sword/Wipeout stage has also been slated for February, though a specific release date or price was not provided. We're still holding out for a ship from Wipeout as a playable character.
PlayStation All-Stars adding Kat and Emmett Graves, plus Heavenly Sword/Wipeout level
SuperBot Entertainment showed off a new pair of fighters in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale at the Sony Santa Monica studio recently: Kat from Gravity Rush and Emmett Graves from Starhawk will be the first two DLC characters to join the fracas. The character pack containing both will be free for a limited time when it arrives sometime early next year.SuperBot's director Omar Kendall also premiered a brand new level for the game, combining the worlds of Heavenly Sword and Wipeout into a beautiful but precarious environment. The actual pricing (and release date) for the level hasn't yet been decided.While letting us play a little bit with each character, Kendall talked to us about the reaction to PlayStation All-Stars, why these two characters are the first to make the DLC cut, and what else SuperBot has planned.%Gallery-172572%
Robot Chicken creates PlayStation All-Stars ad, debuts tonight [update]
A 60-second ad created by the Robot Chicken team for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale will air tonight "sometime" during the 10PM hour on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The PlayStation Blog currently has a 15-second version of tonight's ad up on its site, but the other 75 percent is still super secret.The Robot Chicken ad finds Sony's cast of characters working through their issues in a company break room. PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale ended up being pretty good according to our review, in which we said it was more than a simple imitator of the Smash Bros. formula.Update: The full ad is now online, waiting for you to watch it above. %Gallery-171477%
Amazon selling $180 Vita bundles with Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, PS All-Stars
There's no telling how many minutes or seconds remain on this deal, as we're sure it's flying off of shelves, so you'll have to make your mind up about this Vita deal post haste.Amazon is selling the Crystal White Assassin's Creed 3 Liberation bundle – with extras including a copy of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, $10 off Assassin's Creed 3 for PS3 or Xbox 360, and 3 months of PlayStation Plus – for a special price of $179.99, $70 cheaper than the base Vita bundle.The bundle is offered as a Deal of the Day, but we doubt it'll last all day.
PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale review: Smashing
Nintendo's presence looms large in the fledgling category of game mascot fighters. For years, the company has had a monopoly on the concept with its Smash Bros. series, essentially making it a genre of one. Sony may be the only other publisher with a large enough bench to support such a concept, and as a result PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale has been subject to many comparisons with Nintendo's beloved franchise (not all of them favorable).All-Stars certainly wears its influences on its sleeve, but thanks to some clever ideas, it also earns its keep. This isn't just a carbon copy, but a well-designed game that could go toe-to-toe with Nintendo's fighters.%Gallery-171477%
PSN Tuesday: PS All-Stars and Persona 4 Golden out today
The latest PlayStation Store update brings two long-awaited game to PS3 and PS Vita. PlayStation All-Stars is now available in digital form on the PS3 for $59.99, as is a pint-sized version on the PS Vita for $39.99. And Atlus' acclaimed JRPG, Persona 4: Golden, is out on the PS Vita for $39.99.Meanwhile, Clan of Champions and Sine Mora are both available on the PS3, and Jet Set Radio and Halfbrick's great iOS game, Jetpack Joyride, hit the Vita. A new bundle assembles Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequel for $4.99, and some bonus content is thrown in with Hitman Absolution, alongside a discounted Sleeping Dogs.There are also sales on some PS3 Ultimates (including the great Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine), and over in the DLC column we get the fifth episode of Telltale's popular Walking Dead series. Today also marks the debut of Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage for Borderlands 2 and a demo for the new DMC: Devil May Cry.You can see the full list of additions over on the PlayStation blog.
Gravity Rush, Starhawk characters join PlayStation All-Stars as free DLC
A couple more all-stars are joining the PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale lineup after launch. Kat, also known as "Gravity Rush girl," and "Starhawk guy," whose real name is Emmett Graves apparently, will be released as DLC for the fighting game early next year.Even better, upon their arrival, the two characters will be free for the first two weeks, meaning there's no reason you shouldn't make Emmett beat up on Parappa except for common decency. And best of all, perhaps the appearance of Kat in this game will prompt at least one person to pick up the wonderful Gravity Rush.
