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See the promise of PS Eye software
The first round of PlayStation Eye titles already put everything on the EyeToy to shame; it's not even a contest. To prove that, check out this new compilation video, which showcases, not only the graphical power of the PS3, but also the potential of the PlayStation Eye. Europeans who own a PS Eye can already experience Tori Emaki and Mesmerize as they were just released yesterday on the PlayStation Network. Don't worry, though, fellow Americans, our time will come.
Sony set to launch its biggest hardware ad campaign
Most gamers and industry critics alike have long said it was only a matter of time before the PlayStation 3 got its legs underneath it and came out swinging. It seems that time has arrived as this weekend will not only mark the 40GB PlayStation 3's official launch in North America but also Sony's largest-ever hardware marketing campaign to promote its new console.The marketing push will center around several 30- and 60-second commercials that feature the lower-priced unit, Sony's recent and upcoming first-party and exclusive titles, the PS3's Blu-ray capability, Home and the PlayStation Network, Vice President of Marketing at SCEA Peter Dille announced on the PlayStation Blog. "Beyond the brilliant HD games that the PS3 delivers, you'll also see a big focus behind the PS3's Blu-ray movie capability and, for the first time, you'll see a major focus behind the PlayStation Network and the exclusive gaming content available on the PlayStation Store, as well as break through services like Home," he wrote."Add to that the inflow of great games and a PS3 brand campaign - our largest ever behind a hardware platform - and we think it's going to be a great holiday season for PS3," Dille wrote. In the past, we've been critical of Sony's past marketing attempts of the PlayStation brand, but we think it's right on track with these new TV spots. However, only time will tell if this new push will create the consumer awareness that translates into the desired hardware and software sales.
Netflix interested in PS3 video-on-demand service
While Sony is planning a video distribution service through the PlayStation Network, it could have a partner waiting in the wings. In a Q3 earnings call, Netflix executive Reed Hastings alluded that the video rental giant would like to expand its services online through a variety of methods, one being "internet-connected game consoles."The Netflix president, CEO and board chairman said, "In terms of enabling the viewing of online content on the television screen, we are exploring a variety of options, including Internet connected, high definition DVD players, internet connected game consoles, and dedicated internet set tops, with a variety of partners, trying to understand the best ways to provide inexpensive viewing of online content on the television."This could be a perfect opportunity for Sony to offer a robust lineup of content right out of the gate with a proven company like Netflix. Who knows, though, if Sony will be willing to share its piece of the pie?
GT5 Prologue demo coming Oct 20 in Japan
Japanese racing fanatics (and international racing fanatics with Japanese accounts) can rejoice. A demo for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is coming to the Japanese PlayStation Network on October 20. Given the futuristic nature of the country (it's currently early morning Friday), that's less than 24 hours from this time of publication.According to the press release (via Rocket Punch Auto Blog), the trial includes seven cars and one course (Suzuka). There is no online play but single-player races for up to 16 cars. Video service Gran Turismo TV will also be included with reports from 40th Tokyo Motor Show. No word on a demo release outside of Japan. GT5 Prologue is due out this year next year, according to the official PS blog.%Gallery-4884%
Music, video distribution the future of PlayStation Network
The line that separates the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 continues to grow thinner. Just recently, rumors sprouted that Microsoft has plans for a Home-style service, similar to that of the PS3's. And now, it seems, Sony is preparing to launch video and music distribution, which has been present on the 360 for a while now."We are building a software infrastructure to distribute video and music, more particularly video, through the PlayStation Network," Sony chief executive Howard Stringer recently said. While he gave no confirmation when we should expect such a service, he did say Sony plans to incorporate the PSP into the fray, as well."That is a Japanese and American combined effort to build a platform around a common software architecture to distribute video via the PlayStation network into the [PSP handhelds] and beyond," he said."We are trying to get our devices to talk to each other efficiently. PlayStation Network should migrate from gadget to gadget." If Sony can successfully make a no-hassle transfer of downloaded movies from the PS3 to the PSP, it definitely has the potential to be more compelling than its rival.
Seven first-party downloadable PSP titles coming 2008
Sony Computer Entertainment America is currently developing seven original titles for the PSP, due out next year via download through the PlayStation Store. According to sources speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, the first-party septet encompass three action games, two music-based games, one shooter and one racer (where does Calling All Cars fit into that list?). They will be approximately one-half to one-third the size of current UMD disks and are intended to provide two to ten hours of gameplay. Sony is also reportedly courting developers to provide more original titles to the network. No other details are currently available. The PlayStation Store, currently only accessible via the PS3, will be available through the PC and PSP next year.
Two Home videos detailing more customizations
As if you could get enough of Home footage, we've got even more for you. There are two videos -- we've cleverly disguised the other one to appear after the jump, but they go over more customization options for your avatar, the wallpaper feature, some video playback implementation in your Home apartment, and a small tour around the areas available (which we're familiar with by now).What's there to be said that hasn't already about this stuff? We're interested to see the final build, but the limited options available to beta testers doesn't exactly give off the most accurate representation of what to expect. Still, we'll consume whatever footage of the beta we can get, since it's interesting to see how it's evolved from the very first trailer shown a long time ago. Check out the videos and leave your thoughts, but be warned, combined you'll be sitting through ten minutes of Home, so grab a soda or something.[via N4G]
Does High Velocity Bowling steal more than just hype?
The PlayStation Network's upcoming downloadable title High Velocity Bowling certainly hasn't met critical acclaim so far. When Andrew played the game earlier this year, he felt the game's use of the Sixaxis controller was gimmicky and didn't successfully recreate the feel of actual bowling like that certain other bowling game.Not only does this game attempt to get in on the hype Wii Sports has created, it also appears to have stolen the name of one of Nintendo's most disrespected and abused characters of all time. Watch the video and see if you can find who we're talking about.
PSN update: US gets NBA 2K8, Europe gets new Folklore demo
Today's additions to the PlayStation Store may not incite frenzy, but with the entire video game world talking about a certain spartan, maybe Sony thought it was to retain their big guns for another week where they could garner more press. For US PS3 owners, in addition to an assortment of free trailers, we have demos for Clive Barker's Jericho (which also came out today on the Xbox 360 and PC) and NBA 2K8, a new vehicle for Motorstorm dubbed the Castro Capitano ($0.99) and Speed Master feature for Ninja Gaiden Sigma. European gamers today got some Warhawk and Heavenly Sword wallpaper, a quartet of new Motorstorm vehicles (£1.49 for each pair), the Ninja Gaiden SIgma Speed Master pack a demos for Sega Rally and Folklore (this is a different demo than the one previously released). [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Don't expect any Treasure games on PSN anytime soon
On the cusp of Tokyo Game Show, the 1up crew tracked down Treasure president Masato Maegawa to ask him all sorts of questions regarding his company's future. Treasure, of course, is the company behind such great titles like Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun and Guardian Heroes.While we're sure plenty of you would love to download any of those games via the PlayStation Network, it doesn't look like it'll be happening ... at least not for awhile, anyway. Maegawa said that Treasure is just now "fully up and running on developing for Xbox Live Arcade, so to move resources to PSN just now wouldn't make much sense."Ouch, did you hear that? That's the sound of my heart being crushed under Maegawa's steel-toed penny loafers. You'll rue the day for this decision, Maegawa. RUE!
Stick-figures get their hero in Echochrome
Enter Echochrome, one of the most interesting and engaging new titles popping up at this year's E3. "Least graphics, most game play is their angle," said Sony's Phil Harrison, as he introduced Echochrome in the midst of Sony's E3 keynote. In addition to our earlier description as, "Jenga blocks, plus stick figure man plus acid," game play seemingly bears a distant resemblance to games like Crush (PSP) and the upcoming PC release Portal. Echochrome looks like it will have players assembling the game world to steer the stick-figure hero to his end goal. An orchestral score keeps an ambient atmosphere, which should help for those ultra-tricky sections that will be sure to induce cold sweats. Ah, the intense pleasures of a great puzzler. Echochrome certainly looks promising and the fact it will arrive on both UMD for the PSP and the PlayStation Store as one of the "more than 80 first-party games available" makes it all the more desirable.
Sony 'bringing home' E3 too, on PSN
Much like what Microsoft has been doing with the Bringing It Home campaign since last E3 (and again with this one), Sony has unveiled its initiative to provide coverage of next week's E3 summit to PlayStation 3 owners via the PlayStation Network.The July 11 press conference will be available for download as well as unspecified "trailers, videos, and other editorial content," according to a GamesIndustry.biz report. Additionally, the official PlayStation blog will reportedly be updated alongside the show.
Nielsen tracking in-game ads for Sony
Sony Computer Entertainment America and The Nielsen Company want to track your stats. Specifically, the two companies have teamed up to "develop a measurement system for game network advertising that will help make game software a more competitive advertising platform," according to the press release. SCEA will "share with Nielsen game network traffic and other data" from PS3 titles, PlayStation Network and the upcoming social MMO Home, at first only in North America -- details beyond that are sketchy, but Nielson calls the effort "fully-transparent" in the press release. The results will be used "to deliver the right ad to the right person at the right time" and to help advertisers figure out a CPM, or cost per impression, for in-game ads.The initial results of the partnership are expected later this year. Expect more in-game ads you're less inclined to ignore and possibly the strange feeling that Big Brother is critiquing your gamer skills.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Long-delayed Resistance update coming Friday
An update to Resistance: Fall of Man that Once Upon a Time was to be released at the end of May is finally coming this Friday. The download, so far confirmed only for Europe, will enable global multiplayer matches. Servers will be down for 16 hours, from 2:00 am to 6:00 pm BST, while they are updated, according to Eurogamer. Also coming tomorrow is the first Map Pack, which includes maps Westmorland and Camborn, for £2.99 GBP and US $7.99. No word on the map pack or update outside of Europe; we've contacted Sony Computer Entertainment America for information on the status of the update in the US. [Update: Included US information care of Sony's shiny new blog. Thanks for the heads-up!] [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Super Stardust HD shoots up PSN today
You're a spaceship destroying bad guys and asteroids -- it's been a time-honored tradition from Space War all the way to Geometry Wars and now crash landing on the US PlayStation Network as Super Stardust HD, an ancestor to descendant of [update: you have your concept of the direction of time and I have mine] the 1993 game Stardust with 1080p visuals. The shooter was released in Europe on June 15, receiving a glowing review from Eurogamer. Super Stardust HD should be available today for US PlayStation 3 owners for $7.99. %Gallery-2813%
Sony not killing Connect after all, just Connect jobs
Those rumors of Connect's demise were apparently greatly exaggerated -- Sony today confirmed that while the company is in fact trimming some 20 jobs at the fledging download service, it intends to keep the servers running. The company is still planning on shifting resources and attention to the Playstation Network, however, so we'll see how long this stay of execution lasts for Connect -- Sony Reader downloads alone aren't going to keep it alive, after all.
Paid subscription a possibility for the future of PlayStation Network
Paying for a subscription would certainly seem to be a possibility, especially as the long-rumored feature upgrades come filing into the PlayStation Network. When speaking with Geoff Keighley on the latest edition of Gametrailers' Bonus Round, Eric Lempel spoke about the PlayStation Network's current free service and that, "in time, anything can change." Comparing the PlayStation Network to Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Lempel, Sony's director of Network Operations reconfirmed "we're working on an achievements system," describing its inclusion as "an important feature." Voice-chat across all games is also something (thankfully) that Mr. Lempel touched base on, saying "talking across games ... definitely builds momentum for games and actually migrate(s) users to other games and keeps you in touch with your gaming community." We couldn't agree more. Exactly when these implementations will make it to a PS3 near you, via firmware upgrade, is uncertain. "It's not in the next firmware update but it's something we're working on," says Mr. Lempel. We certainly hope so, though we are catching wind of the potential trade-off here. What do you think? Would you pay a subscription fee (similar to Xbox Live) for a plan that allows cross-game invites, built-in voice chat for all multiplayer games and a similar achievement points implementation? Or would you rather say the heck with all that, and voice to keep the PlayStation Network free for all, setting it apart from Microsoft's Xbox Live service? [Via Next-Gen]
PS3 Tekken 5 going online via premium update in Japan
The Japanese version of Tekken 5: Dark Ressurection for PlayStation 3 will soon have online multiplayer, but it's going to cost you a bit extra. The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu reports that T5: DR Online will feature free online multiplayer with a ranking system, practice mode and survival mode.The game will cost 2,800 yen (about US $23), or 1,000 yen (US $8) for current owners of the game to upgrade. Since the game initially came out for 2,000 yen, early adopters are paying 200 yen extra for the time they've had with the offline title since its release in late December. No release date has been decided for the upgrade, and no word at all on a release outside of Japan.
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 23
PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.)New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed. Metal Gear Solid 4 [PS3]Download MP4 (84.9MB) | Download JPG The following videos are featured after the break: Kane & Lynch (PS3 & 360), PLAYSTATION Network, You Kill Me
Resistance & Motorstorm updates further delayed
Technical issues befall updates to PlayStation 3 titles Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm. The content was originally supposed to be on the PlayStation Network today alongside currently-available trailers for Heavenly Sword, MLB 07 The Show and Stranglehold, which did come out.The MotorStorm 1.2 update has now been slightly split up. A Sony spokesperson told IGN that the patch, which promises to improve online play, will be available on June 11. The new Time Attack mode will be made available June 14. The update was initially due in mid-May.Resistance: Fall of Man was to have new content pack that includes new maps and the game modes Team Conversion and Assault, as well as allow for global online play. "The delay will not be long, and we'll have a firm date to share with you shortly," said Alyssa Casella at SCEA, citing "a few last minute issues ... during the final testing of the global server" for the game. The update had already been pushed back to today, initially promised for the end of May.
