PlayStation Network
Latest
Warhawk to swoop onto Blu-ray
After Sony's unveiling of a reworked and online-only Warhawk at GDC last week, a general assumption was made that the game would be available for purchase and download on the PlayStation Network. While this may still be true, a Sony spokesperson has confirmed to IGN that, "Officially, Warhawk will be released as a Blu-ray-based product." Well, we'll assume you know what they say about assuming.Sony has not yet made any announcements regarding the price of Warhawk, though one would assume -- or rather, expect -- it to be appropriately priced for a title focused entirely on multiplayer content. At the Sony's bloggers meeting held during GDC, Incognito's Dylan Jobe said, "I don't think it should be a full-priced product." Go ahead and assume that you'll find out more before the game's late Summer release (u ass).[Via PS3 Fanboy]
GDC 07: Warhawk's transition into a Network title
At the Sony blogger's event, Warhawk's Dylan Jobe admitted that the PlayStation Network game doesn't deserve "to be a full priced game." Unfortunately, he admits, it's not his job to set the pricing. The team wanted to make a good product, but there were a few employees frustrated that the game was becoming a Network-only game. There's a stigma, he noted, and one disgruntled employee left the team due to the misconception that downloadable games are somehow lesser experiences."Crap product will sell like crap, whether or not it's on a shelf or not," Dylan admitted. He thinks that the future of Sony's Network offerings is exciting, especially because it "transcends arcade rehashes." These are "high quality titles" that will allow the company to "earn the player's trust back."Going forward, Sony admits that they're trying to get a "downloadable demo for every title." There is no Warhawk demo in the works now, but the possibility of offering a public beta for trial purpose is still being discussed.
Wipeout PS1 comes to PSP
Yet again Sony has released a downloadable game on the PlayStation Store that is already available in a better form on PSP. The original Wipeout from the days of PS1 has landed in downloadble form on Sony's PS3 market. I'm sure for hardcore Wipeout fans this is exciting and more playable games for PSP is never a bad thing, but why can't Sony focus on games that aren't already available on PSP and give us some downloadable games worth getting excited about? I'm sitting with my hands outstretched and they have money in them. Sony can take that money as soon as they give me some games I want to download and enjoy on my PSP.
GDC 07: Less than half of PS3 owners are "connected"
Sony discussed the number of people that were actively interacting with the PlayStation Network services in yesterday's bloggers meeting. According to Sony, there are about 500,000 PSN accounts open in the North America. However, according to recent sales data from VGcharts.org, one can see that there are about 1.3 million PS3 systems out there: shouldn't more PS3s be connected to Sony's Xbox Live alternative?Phil Harrison was quick to point out that the 500,000 figure represents PSN sign-ups only. You can still use the PS3's online capabilities without ever registering for Sony's online service by uploading music to your console, or by using the Internet Browser, or by downloading a firmware upgrade. The goal of Home, however, is to increase PSN sign-ups, and have people become increasingly involved with Sony's robust online services.
What's new in the PS Store? Lots.
After peeling myself away from reading Homer's The Odyssey and completing a research paper in a Marketing course (the subject was Electronic Gaming Monthly, actually), I recalled that I had yet to announce all the new goodies available on the PlayStation Network. Many of you may know this by now, but we're going to tell you nonetheless.First up, that long-awaited PSP-gone-PS3 title, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection is up and waiting for your $19.99... and you know what? It's games like these that really show the power of the PlayStation Network -- downloading a full game, with tons of little extras, and load times that make the PSP cry. Seriously, battles are nigh instantaneous. Also available now is a behind the scenes look at MotorStorm. Not really sure why you'd go for that, but if you just can't get enough of motors or of storms, it's probably extremely interesting to see how it all came together. Personally, I'll have to pass. Excited for MotorStorm, but not that excited. There's also a Ridge Racer 7 demo and a trailer for the Nancy Drew movie. Well, hope you guys are enjoying your PS3's! I've noticed a lot more people online a lot more often the past week. Glad to see it!
Stuntman Ignition on PS3 & Xbox 360 in summer 2007
THQ has announced that the follow-up to Atari's 2002 Stuntman will arrive this summer for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Dubbed Stuntman Ignition, the sequel is being developed by the publisher's internal studio Paradigm Entertainment (formerly of Atari). The original Stuntman was developed by another former Atari studio, now with Ubisoft, Reflections. Ignition will continue the tradition of insane(-ly frustrating) stunts, as players desperately fight to maintain a variety of careening-prone vehicles, including exotic sports cars, motorcycles, and (ever-impossible to control) hovercraft. Thankfully, an online mode will let you design the torturous routes, and then invite others to suffer the trial and error.
Mortal Kombat II heading to Playstation Network this March
When Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 appeared on Xbox Live Arcade this past October, folks cried out for the prequel, Jax Vs Mile- err, we mean, Mortal Kombat 2. Playstation 3 owners win this round as Sony Online Entertainment will be bringing classic kombat to the Playstation Network this March.Mortal Kombat 2 will be available for $4.99 and is being handled by the team behind UMK3 for Xbox Live Arcade, Digital Eclipse. The site for the game itself is slim on details, but if we're to believe this preview from CES, it will support online multiplayer and a 720p resolution.Enjoy the screenshots and the quick-look strategy guide provided above.%Gallery-1824%
Japan PS1 download envy
I'm not sure what Sony has against those outside of Japan, but US PSP owners wanting to download PS1 games onto their PSP really haven't had much to get excited about. Nearly every game available for download on the US PLAYSTATION Store is either garbage or there is a better version in the series already on PSP. Tekken 2 or Wipeout aren't that appealing when we can already play more recent and better versions of each on the PSP. Meanwhile, Japan gets 21 PS1 game downloads to choose from and there are some heavy-hitters in the lot too, like Resident Evil, R-Types, Arc the Lad and Mr. Driller. I've only downloaded 1 of the 11 games available in the US and it isn't for a lack of desire. Stop teasing us Sony and give those outside of Japan some worthwhile downloads!
This week on XBLA: Absolutely Nothing
Video: GSB News: XBLA Forecast var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/This_week_on_XBLA_Absolutely_Nothing'; Microsoft must be running low on original ideas as this week, Absolutely Nothing is making its way to the Xbox Live Arcade. As a sequel to the critically panned Jacksquat, you would think that Microsoft would wise up and stop trying to shove this property down our throats. Alas, in a week that has given us the likes of New Adventure Island and Streets of Rage for Virtual Console, and FlOw for the Playstation Network, Microsoft will be delivering Absolutely Nothing to your Xbox 360 this Wednesday. It's not very funny, is it? Someone should have told the folks over at the mouthpiece Gamerscore Blog that before they whipped up the video above, coincidentally, just after pulling their entry declaring that Xbox Live Arcade fans are shafted for the week. Okay, it's kind of funny, but we're still not laughing. Neither sarcasm nor serious cat (who, last we checked, was serious) can shed a positive light on yet another week of disappointment for Microsoft's download service.Do us a favor. The next time you don't have anything to offer, just give it to us straight. Don't play cute about failing to meet the demands of your audience for the umpteenth time.[Update - The aforementioned entry at the Gamerscore Blog is back up, and here it is!][Thanks, Ben!]
The Playstation ducks return in Super Rub'a'Dub
Sony's Phil Harrison held his D.I.C.E keynote today with the help of some very familiar faces (and we're not talking about Newsweek's N'Gai Croal). Typically seen in the thousands, the rubber duckies of the Playstation brand are Sony's secret weapons when it comes to fancy technical demonstrations. Having paid their dues, the next big thing for the rubber wonders is a Playstation Network title by the name of Super Rub'a'Dub.Played entirely with the Playstation 3 motion controls, Super Rub'a'Dub has players controlling the alpha duck, herding the little ones together before making a swim for the exit. Sounds like Bubbles to us! Not much else is known about the title, other than it will release in time for the European launch. Now do you believe the wait was worth it?Read - GameSpot's live coverageRead - Coverage and pics from Game|Life
Rumor: Killzone 2 demo before Halo 3 beta
1UP Editor Luke Smith has posted a bold prediction on his blog: "Expect a playable Killzone 2 demo to be released ... before gamers are participating in the beta for Halo 3." Smith's reasoning descends from a string of rumors, which suggest that Killzone disappeared, in part, to direct the spotlight on Resistance. The rumors also indicate that while on the down-low, Guerilla has transformed its "Halo-killer" from a pre-rendered heartthrob into a developed game; some rumorists even suspect that Killzone has been playable online for nearly a year.Smith points to Phil Harrison's GDC keynote address as an opportunity for Sony to steal (in typical from-out-of-nowhere fashion) some mindshare away from Microsoft and the mid-March Halo beta test by dropping *GASP* the Killzone 2 bomb demo! Never mind that the Killzone franchise has yet to deliver a noteworthy game; is the first half of 2007 really gonna be defined by a clash between a beta test and purported demo? If I'm a developer not working for Bungie or Guerilla, I'm about ready to hire a new PR agency -- that, or beg Sony to let my game piggyback on the Killzone demo's shoulders.Update: In response to comments that Killzone: Liberation (PSP) is "very good" or has "gotten great scores all around" (etc...), we simply offer up evidence that the title ranks 56th among current PSP games (233 in all) listed in score order. While we respect the opinions of those who enjoy the game, generally speaking, we maintain that Liberation is hardly noteworthy beyond its tie to the ridiculously over-hyped Killzone franchise.
Splinter Cell 'spy girl' a Double Agent, on PS3 & 360
Ubisoft has clarified that the Splinter Cell: Double Agent 'spy girl' multiplayer skin will be available for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game. The skin will be included in the PS3 release (scheduled for March), along with a pair of new multiplayer maps and additional co-op challenges. Xbox 360 players will be able to download the skin through an upcoming Xbox Live Marketplace offer. Ubisoft has yet to confirm the new maps and co-op challenges for Xbox 360, or publicize whether or not the spy girl skin (and any additional content) will be free to download. Given that Microsoft has already invested so much in the franchise, securing a console-exclusive deal for the next Splinter Cell game, our guess is that any new Double Agent content featured in the PS3 version will be eventually offered on Xbox 360 -- for a price. [Via Eurogamer]
Epic wants 40 UT3 maps, ponders platform-exclusive content
Speaking with CVG, Unreal Tournament 3 producer Jeff Morris detailed Epic's goal to ship its forthcoming shooter with 30 to 40 multiplayer maps. "[That's] substantially more than other games in the genre," observed Morris; indeed, but not necessarily enough to make UT3 a genre standout. The franchise has yet to take hold on console platforms.Perhaps, as Morris suggests, Epic would boost UT3's console presence by offering exclusive content for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 through post-release updates. While certainly a bonus, offering platform-exclusive content is becoming standard practice. Where UT3 could really shine is through user mod support. If epic could coerce Sony and particularly Microsoft into opening their consoles up to user-created content it would put UT3 into a unique class of console FPS unto itself.
Saints Row confirmed for PS3
THQ has confirmed rumors that Saints Row is headed to the PlayStation 3. Volition's port is expected to be released this spring and will include support for PlayStation Network, bringing Saints Row's enjoyable multiplayer modes to PS3. The publisher did not address the possibility of new content being added to the PS3 version. Saints Row debuted on Xbox 360 in late August, receiving generally positive reviews. [Thanks, The_Foo_Fighter]
Epic aims for Unreal Tournament user mods on PS3, 360
Speaking to Game Informer, Epic's Mark Rein sounded confident that user-created content would be distributed to Unreal Tournament 3 console players via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Rein explained that the reason for delaying confirmation of UT3 on 360 was tied to this issue, as Epic was unsure that Microsoft's strict certification process would allow for user mods on the console. Rein admitted that "it's still a bit of an open issue," but added that "we've had some pretty clear indications that we'll be able to [bring mods to Xbox 360]."It's unclear how mods would be created and distributed for console use. On Xbox 360, given potential leverage earned by Gears of War's success, perhaps Epic could smuggle mods through XNA. More likely, Epic would convert select user-created mods for the PC version and distribute them via Xbox Live Marketplace (as a courtesy, we would hope). On PS3, there seem to be more "open" possibilities, but the process could be equally simplified.[Via 1UP]
Do PSP games on PS3 cause a threat?
Sony seems to be having a bit of a problem. They have a portable system that is a success, but not by any means their main product. Then they have a new console that desperately needs games any way it can get them. Obviously they need to compete on the high end next gen game front, but they also need to compete against the Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade. Without the backlog of games like Nintendo or the head start of Microsoft, they seem to be turning to a questionable source for their downloadable games; the PSP. The obvious issue with PSP games going to PS3 is that it begins to negate the reasons for a consumer to own both. Sure, right now it's a Gripshift and a Tekken, but what happens if the trend just continues? Sure, this would strengthen the PlayStation Network, but at the cost of PSP exclusives. This is just not acceptable when the PSP still has a long way to go to establish itself. If Sony does insist on continuing to take games from the PSP library to the PS3, than it needs to change how it does so. Microsoft announced Live Anywhere quite some time ago, but we're still waiting for the day when we can play Xbox Live Arcade games on the go. Part of the reason is that Microsoft doesn't yet have a portable gaming system, but Sony does. Why not have it so if I download Gripshift on the PS3 I can download it to my PSP as well free as charge. For games that require progress, it would be great if I was able to share saves between my PSP and PS3. Maybe this is part of Sony's eventual plans anyway, but until I can buy Tekken on my PSP and continue it on my PS3 or vice-versa, it seems like a missed opportunity. It could just be that this is a temporary solution and as more developers jump on board the PlayStation Network, Sony will stop relying on PSP games as downloadable content. Even if this is the case though, it still seems like a dangerous road for Sony to travel. It could just be that I'm overreacting though. What do fellow PSP owners think of this development?
Sony responds to online taunt with weak rebuttal
Yesterday, Microsoft's Chris Satchell and Peter Moore offered up an old-fashioned bitch slap at Sony's burgeoning online service, saying the PlayStation Network was "pretty much a disaster," in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. The war of words has now been joined by SCEA's Dave Karraker, who told GamePro, basically, "Um, hey, we've sold a lot of systems." Karraker said the over 200 million PlayStation branded products sold to date were proof that consumers worldwide support Sony's ability to "deliver hardware, software and services to suit this industry." Um, sure, but what do historic sales have to do exactly with a brand new online network? Karakker then trotted out Gran Turismo HD as an example of "the potential of the PlayStation Network and the kind of ground breaking content we plan to offer." Really? Your big defense of your online service is a game demo? Xbox Live has been offering those for over a year now. What else you got? Apparently not much, at least not much that made it into the "in-depth rebuttal" GamePro printed. If Sony is counting on brand recognition and past sales to carry it through this generation, they've got a long, disappointing fight ahead of them. [Via GameTrailers, thanks Phil]
SOE to bring six Midway classics to Playstation Network
In an effort to ensure that Joust will grace just about every console known to humankind, Sony Online Entertainment announced today that Mortal Kombat II, Gauntlet II, Rampart, Rampage World Tour, Championship Spirit and yes, Joust, will all be making their way to the Playstation Network.These six titles, chosen based upon their specific multiplayer strengths, will be playable online and developed by SOE themselves as opposed to a third-party company along the lines of Digital Eclipse who handled the Xbox Live Arcade ports for Midway. Dates and prices have yet to be announced beyond "early 2007," so we should have but a short wait ahead of us before we find out if someone out there listened to our own Vlad's whacky ideas concerning these classic quarter gobblers.
GripShift and Jumping Flash available on the PSN!
Well, seems they changed something in the PlayStation Store after a good friend and my 3 A.M. Resistance bout ended. What's so different? No, not the logo... it's not the color of the store, either... oh my goodness! Two more games to enjoy! The elation is not unwarranted -- one is a fairly celebrated PSP cross-genre title, GripShift, and the other is long celebrated as the very first fully 3-D platformer (and consisting of a robotic rabbit aptly named Robbit), Jumping Flash.The demo for GripShift is free -- so we're currently downloading it now to try it out. Feel free to leave any feedback you may have for the title here. Also feel free to talk about how much, or how little, Jumping Flash has aged since its original inception. Good stuff, Sony! Keep cranking out these downloadable titles and we'll have a sufficient online library of games in no time at all.[thanks to those who sent this in!]
New PSOne downloads in Japan, new PSP firmware everywhere
Sony has dropped nine more PSOne games into Japan's PlayStation Store. The process is still tedious, the files still only playable on PSP (and only downloadable with a PlayStation 3). A new PSP firmware update (v3.03) is required to play the newest oldies; and although the update is available for all to install, it's useless to those outside of Japan -- or those in Japan without access to PS3's PlayStation Network.Here's a rundown of the PSOne games you won't be playing on your PSP today: Dino Crisis Gekitotsu Toma L'Arc: L'Arc-en-Ciel vs Tomarunner Global Force: Shin Sentou Kokka Migi Hadari U-SA Migi Hadari USA Mr. Driller R-Type Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure Taiyou no Shippo: Wild, Pure, Simple Life The Conveni: Anomachi o Dokusenseyo
