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Run Like Hell! to Vita in September
Diplomacy can be tough to conduct with a language barrier in the way. Of course, it doesn't help if spears are flung before the first untranslated word is even exchanged. Such is the scenario in Run Like Hell!, Mass Creation's runner that follows a treasure hunter's long-distance sprint from a disgruntled group of cannibals through procedurally-generated environments. North American Vita owners can join the run on September 16, with European adventurers giving chase on September 17. There's three ways to handle cardio in Run Like Hell!; the story-focused Great Escape mode, the endless runner-style Arcade mode or the Online section that handles versus and tournament play as well as 50 unspecified objectives. Speaking of unspecified, Run Like Hell!'s pricing info has yet to be announced, but maybe you'll break even once you find that treasure you're after. [Image: Mass Creation]
Trapt coming to PlayStation Store as PS2 classic
A recent episode of the PlayStation Blogcast announced that Trapt will make its way to PlayStation 3 as a PS2 Classic. Despite Trapt's absence of clever space battle tactics, it does involve plotting the deaths of enemies by ensnaring them in traps. In Trapt, Princess Allura is framed as the murderer of her father, King Olaf, and is then accused by her stepmother Catalina. Not keen on awaiting her trial, Allura escapes to a forest and progresses through stages by eliminating enemies with traps on the walls, floors and ceilings of rooms. Money earned from outwitting enemies can be spent on new traps or keys to access locked portions of stages. Trapt also has multiple endings, leaving the fate of the game's cast up to the player to influence. A price for Trapt was not suggested, but that doesn't have to stop you from practicing making traps out of household items! [Image: PlayStation Store]
PlayStation Blog reveals Game of the Year winners, as chosen by readers
It's that time of year again! No, not when we gather with our loved ones and take a break from working. It's Game of the Year season, meaning we've got a great excuse to look back on games we played in 2013 and tell everyone about our favorite experiences. The PlayStation Blog finished tallying up votes from its readers yesterday, announcing the Platinum through Bronze-worthy victors in a blog post. In regards to their shiny new PS4s, readers most enjoyed their relaxing, sing-along journeys on Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag's Caribbean seas. The Last of Us won over the hearts of PS3 users, presumably for the knee-slappers that came out of Ellie's joke book. Vita fans were most enamored with Tearaway, Media Molecule's crafty platformer made out of paper. Lastly, Housemarque's voxel-jumbling shooter Resogun was voted as the year's best digital release. Looking forward to 2014, fans are most anticipating Infamous: Second Son, the smoky super hero story based in Seattle, which you can expect on March 21. If you're curious about more than just the winners, the full post also lists runners up for each category as well as personal picks from the PlayStation Blog staff.
PlayStation Home updated to version 1.7
PlayStation Home has earned itself another global platform update, bringing Sony's virtual environment to version 1.7. This update adds the Camera to the Emotes menu, so you can pull it out at any time and take some pictures of your bad virtual self. There are also improvements to the in-game item store, new animated items to buy and find, and some new features on the ignore and block system, as well as some general stability improvements.You can download and install the update on PlayStation Home right now. There are also some new deals and sales going on for Home's various virtual areas (like the x7 nightclub, above), but we'll let you find those for yourself. After all, exploration is what really draws players into Home, right? There is something that draws players into Home, right? We're pretty sure there must be something.
Axel free to all in Twisted Metal tomorrow, Sweet Tooth skin for Starhawk previewed
For those of you still firing missiles in Twisted Metal (but didn't think of pre-ordering it ahead of time), good news! Axel was formerly only available as a pre-order bonus, but as of tomorrow, April 18, his vehicle will be available to all. You too can run around on two wheels, pushing smaller vehicles around with your special moves. The PSBlog has also posted a video, embedded below, of the Sweet Tooth skin going to Starhawk when it launches early next month. Every (new) copy of Twisted Metal has a code for the Outcast skin, so you'll just have to punch that in when the Starhawk comes out.
PSN Spring Fever promo begins tomorrow, it's probably contagious
PSN has a fever, and the only prescription is... well, lots of liquids and rest, probably, and definitely not cowbell. Seriously, have you been near someone playing the cowbell while your head is in a vice grip of feverish pain? It's terrible.PSN has spring fever, and its only symptoms are offering discounts and special deals on a handful of franchises for the next three weeks. PSN Spring Fever begins tomorrow with the launch of Journey for non-PS Plus members (no discount; just the release) and a sale on the Call of Duty franchise, with Black Ops, Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, and Classic full games on sale, and World at War's map packs on discount.Check out this week's sale below, as provided by the PlayStation Blog, and play Journey. We think you'll really enjoy it.
'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)
Did you just brave the lines of a midnight launch party and snag yourself a PS Vita in the US? Good news ye early adopters, Sony's PlayStation.Blog.US has just announced that select free apps will be available as part of today's PlayStation Store update. Currently, you'll find Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr, but there's still nary of trace of Facebook or Foursquare among the bunch (nor any official word on release dates for that matter). We gave each app a download and quick spin prior to them being officially listed without much in the way of hiccups -- however, Netflix does take its sweet time to start-up. Disappointingly, Vita's 20MB cap on 3G data is totally in effect on Netflix, as switching to our cellular connection denied us any access to the service. We're giving the apps some extended use to bring you our initial impressions shortly, but for now, you'll find more info at the source link below.Update: We've added gallery below and a brief video hands-on just past the break to let you grab a taste of each app before downloading them for yourself.
PS Vita 1.61 adds Maps app, video recording, and other updates
The PS Vita has a system update lined up for tonight, preceding Wednesday's mainstream launch. Early adopters can update their systems to firmware version 1.61, which adds a Maps application to the home screen, allows for video recording in the Photos application, and allows for any ratings you make in the PlayStation Store to appear on Facebook. Additionally, the Discoveries screen now lists up to 100 players, as well as the number of times they've been seen.The Content Manager Assistant app has been updated, and is available now both as a Windows and Mac download. Even if you've got version 1.60 already, you should make the jump to 1.61, as Sony says there are some systemwide performance improvements too. The latest firmware can be downloaded on the console over Wi-Fi, or can be updated from a PC or Mac with the Content Manager Assistant.
PlayStation blog's all-stars enter week three of official 'blogcast'
Being a team composed of ex-media, the PlayStation Blog dudes have been sorely missing a podcast for some time, leaving Major Nelson to eat their lunch. Last month, however, PlayStation US social media guys Sid Shuman, Jeff Rubenstein, and Rey Gutierrez teamed up with product evaluator (and known swell guy) Nick Suttner to create the "Official PlayStation Blogcast." Beyond rapping about games, the guys do the occasional interview, highlight especially interesting PlayStation content (the incredible XMB theme above, for instance), and this week they're kicking off their "Origin stories" series on the game industry. The guys also have an insider eye into the goings on behind some of PlayStation's neatest stuff, so it behooves you to give them a shot.
Sony's latest PS Move Bundles let you go Medieval, get your groove on
Good ol' gaming bundles can be enticing when you're on the prowl for a new console or accessory set, and we have to admit, we'd be excited to lay some motion-controlled moves down with Sony's latest PlayStation offerings. Back at E3, we had a chance to slice enemies with virtual swords in Medieval Heros: Deadmunds Quest, thanks to the PS Move's 1:1 tracking abilities. With the game releasing next week, Sony's decided to offer it in a $100 bundle, packing a PS Eye, Move controller and a copy of Sports Champions (which Deadmund shares its gameplay mechanics with). If you don't already own a PS3 -- and love getting your groove on -- the Everybody Dance bundle may be your $300 ticket to the wand-waving fun; it features a 320GB PS3 Slim, PS Eye and Move controller, along with a DualShock 3 for when Duty Calls. These likely won't be Sony's last PlayStation-related bundles to hit shelves before the year's through, but if it sounds like your kind of party you'll find more info at the source link below.
Playstation 3D Display hits shelves November 13, Sony answers your burning questions
We'd imagine come November 13th, the above will be the scene inside many a PS3 owner's house. That's when Sony's hot little 24-inch PlayStation 3D display will officially be available in the US, Canada, Europe and parts of Asia. Sony took to its US PlayStation Blog today with the news, along with a lengthy FAQ to keep your GAS at bay in the meantime. If you'll recall, the 240Hz 1080p display packs a single set of component inputs, two HDMI 1.4 ports, stereo RCA outputs, a headphone jack, an integrated subwoofer, and of course, 3D-capability with supported titles. For five hundred bucks you'll get the PS 3D Display, one pair of USB-rechargeable 3D Glasses ($70 for each additional pair), a copy of Motorstorm: Apocalypse and even an HDMI cable. Notably, its fancy (and exclusive) SimulView feature will let two sets of 3D shades grab either the left or right side feed in supported 3D games for a private 2D view. Disappointingly, this puppy isn't wall-mountable, but hey, that 24-inch panel surely makes it ideal for a desktop setup, no? Full details at the links below, along with a refresher shot of those 3D specs just past the break.
Sony offering free identity theft coverage for PS3 users
Sony has officially announced specifics of the complimentary identity theft protection program it's extending to customers in the wake of its well-publicized security breach. Corporate communications director Patrick Seybold outlines the details in a new post on the official PlayStation blog. Sony has partnered with Debix, Inc., and gamers will be able to take advantage of the latter company's AllClearID Plus program for 12 months at no cost. Sony will be sending out activation emails over the next few days, and you'll need to redeem your code by June 18th to participate. Seybold notes that this program is only valid for account holders in the United States, and Sony is currently "working to make similar programs available in other countries/territories." The AllClearID Plus program includes cyber monitoring and surveillance designed to detect exposure of personal information, priority access to licensed investigators and ID restoration specialists, and a $1 million insurance policy.
PSA: PlayStation Blog comment system tied to PSN accounts, also down
The PSN outage has caused another (online) casualty: the PlayStation Blog's comment system. Commenters are required to sign in using their PlayStation Network accounts, which, of course, are inaccessible. Only those who signed in before the PSN went down are able to comment. The European PS Blog warns that the cookies on comment account logins expire after a week, which means that even those lucky enough to have signed in just before PSN went kaput will lose their online voices soon. The site lists Twitter accounts for each country, and directs users to leave feedback there. Though, if we were Sony, we would have a hard time looking at that feedback.
Sony abre el 'PlayStation Blog' para América Latina
Despite already having a Spanish language version of the PlayStation Blog, Sony today announced plans for the official company blog to extend into Latin America. Unlike the Spanish language version, however, the Latin American version will directly target Central and South American PlayStation fans. Lorenzo Grajales will be heading up the PS blog's new wing, acting as Social Media Manager for the region. Grajales' Twitter profile tells us he's a man of refined tastes -- particularly melon ice cream and tacos al pastor at 3AM. We like him already! Check out the new site -- en Español -- right here.
PlayStation.Blog Share lets fans chime in most-wanted features
Tired of yelling CROSS GAME CHAT into every post on the PlayStation.Blog? Thankfully, there's a new venue for you to take advantage of. PlayStation.Blog Share lets fans submit requests and vote on new features to implement across Sony's family of consoles. The requests range from the ever-popular cross game chat option to more specific options, like enabling PSP Remote Play of PS2 games. It's certainly an interesting social experiment, but we wonder if fans will see any requests (large or small) come to fruition. At the very least, Share gives Sony the appearance of listening, and should reduce the obnoxious comment spam that oftentimes clutters the PlayStation.Blog.
MAG developers provide instructional videos on how to be better at MAG
What, you think the Joystiq Biomass, MAG's premier, S.V.E.R.-aligned clan will accept any greenhorn off the street to join its ranks? No, no -- we're only looking for cold-blooded, military-minded killing machines. If you're hoping to join our prestigious organization, you might want to give PlayStation.Blog's recently concluded MAG Developer Tips series a look-see. It provides helpful information on how to play each archetype, how to fill each leadership role, and to not get destroyed in the various gametypes. You'll find links to all of these lessons posted after the jump. Study up, and we might just reconsider your application.
Media Molecule awards LittleBigPlanet community with 'Sackies'
It's rare that creator curators in the LittleBigPlanet community are rewarded for their homebrewed platforming projects -- a policy Media Molecule seems to want to reverse. Over the past few weeks, the developer has been handing out awards in various categories to the game's wide base of level designers. In a recent PlayStation.Blog post, the studio wrapped these awards up into a single presentation, cheekily titled the "2009 Sackies." Check out the PlayStation.Blog post to see the full list of winners, including "Roll Over Beethoven," which we think we can all agree is just the coolest thing ever.
PSA: Uncharted 2 double cash weekend, Santa hats in play
In our rush to the yule late this past week, we nearly forgot to mention that Nathan Drake and Nathan Drake lookalikes (Drakealikes?) have the chance to earn double cash (read: XP) this weekend in Uncharted 2's multiplayer mode. Donning the ubiquitous red cap (and apparently two brand new invisible hands), those taking Drake online will encounter not just jollier looking foes, but also "double for all kills and medals," according to Naughty Dog marketing man Arne Meyer on the PlayStation Blog. The temporary XP boost kicked in on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 10AM PST and goes until tomorrow at 11AM PST, so there are still at least another 24 or so hours to shoot some of those dastardly Drakealikes in multiplayer. %Gallery-51151%
Sony launches German and Italian PlayStation Blogs
Sony Europe announced today that its PlayStation Blog format has been localized for German- and Italian-speaking audiences. The two new sites will likely translate much of the content found on the English site, with extra posts that will be specific for the region covered. For Italiano -- blog.it.playstation.com For Deutsch -- blog.de.playstation.com For Spanish and French -- Ummmm... The French and Spanish blogs will allegedly launch "very soon." Considering significant portions of North America speak both of those languages, it'll be interesting to see if the US PlayStation Blog utilizes those translations.
Square Enix: FFXI players may be able to keep their names in FFXIV
Good news for Final Fantasy XI players looking to make the jump into Final Fantasy XIV in 2010 -- you may be able to keep your existing FFXI character names in the upcoming title. At least, you will if Square Enix Producer Hiromichi Tanaka has his way. Tanaka and FFXIV Producer Sage Sundi were interviewed by the PlayStation Blog's Chris Morell at GamesCom 2009, when they were asked if name transfers between the Final Fantasy MMOs will be possible. Tanaka said, "It hasn't been confirmed yet, but we would like to give incentives to the players. First of all, FFXI has 32 worlds, and they may have the same name across different worlds [...]. However, when we have FFXIV, we still don't know how many worlds there's going to be yet, but players might have the same name if they all move to the same world, so there may be conflicts."Square Enix's solution, if implemented, is to have a surname system where players can keep their original name but pair it with something else unique in a surname. While the ability to import character names into FFXIV isn't confirmed, it's still good news that Square Enix is considering offering this to their long-time fans in Final Fantasy XI. [Via Joystiq]
