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Yakuza 4 demo hits PlayStation Plus Feb. 15, rest of PSN Feb. 22
If you're wondering about the differences between Yakuza 4's four protagonists, you'll get your chance to explore the subtle variations in each one's gangster-flattening technique starting February 15 (and Feb.16 in Europe). That's when Sega will offer a downloadable demo to the elite inner circle of the PSN family, also known as "people who paid for PlayStation Plus." The rest of us low-level thugs will have to wait until the following Tuesday, February 22 (and a day later in Europe), when Sega makes the demo available to any old PSN user. If you like what you see and/or knock over with a traffic cone, you'll be able to pick up Yakuza 4 on March 15 in North America, and three days later in Europe. After the break, check out a trailer all about the game's hostesses, and see what Yakuza fans were so upset about losing from the localized version of Yakuza 3. Warning: You will be embarrassed if anyone else is in the room.
Next PS3 update rumored to add 'Online Saving' for PlayStation Plus users
Say it with us, finally a PS3 firmware update that actually does something useful! We've grown so accustomed to Sony refreshing the software on its console just to spite jailbreakers that we almost started to believe that's all the word "update" entailed. But, here comes Kotaku with word that v3.6 of the PS3's firmware will come with a neat little addition: saving games to the cloud. This seems a very logical step toward delivering Sony's overall goal of giving users a holistic, integrated experience. Indeed, during the NGP presentation, guest speaker Hideo Kojima specifically referred to saving your PS3 game on the console and resuming it on the Next Generation Portable. "Online Saving," as Sony's reputed to be calling it, would be the conduit through which that can be realized, though it doesn't appear like it'll come for free. Kotaku's sources indicate it'll be part of the PlayStation Plus subscription, at least initially. Still, we like cloud storage, and if it means never having to see another hard drive again, we're all for it.
Tales From Space: About a Blob arrives Feb. 1 for PlayStation Plus users
DrinkBox Studios will see its Sony Pub Fund-backed platformer, Tales From Space: About a Blob, released on PSN on February 1 -- for PlayStation Plus subscribers, at least. The rest of the PlayStation Network populace will be able to download the title the following Tuesday, February 8. Tales From Space: About a Blob bears a resemblance to LocoRoco in terms of gameplay, with the added twist of its oozing protagonists (it's a two-player game) possessing the ability not only to grow larger by absorbing items, but fire them back out as projectiles, too. You know, like blobs tend to do. Final pricing hasn't been set, but DrinkBox CEO Ryan MacLean says on the PlayStation Blog that it should come in at $14.99 with a free trial version available, as well. Sounds like a goo-ed plan to us.
Scott Pilgrim getting an extra life through upcoming PlayStation Plus discount
The PlayStation Plus Sam & Max offer is running out on January 18, but it's being replaced by appealing discounts including half off on Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, which you should already have if you like brawlers or Anamanaguchi. Starting January 18, it'll be just $5. Other discounts include R.U.S.E. DLC, the upcoming Modern Combat: Domination, and the PSP's Juiced 2. The Minis launch title Hero of Sparta is available for PS Plus members for the low, low cost of free. Find all the other content for the upcoming Plus update, including the usual assortment of avatars and themes, after the break.
Shatter, Mushroom Wars highlight upcoming EU PlayStation Plus content
We hope PlayStation Plus subscribers living in Europe don't care too much about having their surprises spoiled: Sony has revealed all the EU PlayStation Plus bonuses for the next two months, featuring sweet lil' jams like Shatter and Mushroom Wars.
Holiday Buyer's Guide: PlayStation Network
Did someone get a PSN gift card for the holidays? What are you going to buy? Whether you've got a PS3 or PSP, $20 or $50 card, or whether you're a Trophy hunter or a "Move" buff, you've got plenty of options in the PlayStation Store. Here are our recommendations for the best of 2010! To begin, click one of the links below to jump to a category or simply head on past the break to peruse the guide form top to bottom. PS3 Best Friend | Hipster | Move Buff Retrobutionist | Trophy Hunter PSP New Essentials Valkyria Chronicles 2 Major Minis | PlayStation Plus
Lead and Gold, Spyro come to PlayStation Plus in January
PlayStation Plus subscribers growing weary of the DC Universe Online beta will be glad to read that a new trio of free games awaits them in the coming calendar year. PSN multiplayer game Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, PlayStation classic Spyro the Dragon, and PSN Mini Pipe Madness will unlock for free to all PS Plus members as of January 4, 2011. A handful of discounts will also become available, as well as a duo of featured themes and avatars. For those of you not yet enjoying December's PS Plus spoils, you've got until the aforementioned January date to snag 'em -- Dead Nation for $12 instead of $15? Yes, please! That said, at this point, you'll likely be the third or fourth person queuing up to speak with Superman in DCUO, but hopefully it'll be worth the wait.
Unlimited, full-game MAG trial coming to PlayStation Plus tomorrow
PlayStation Plus subscribers have been getting access to a number of cool bonuses as of late, but a new MAG promotion may be one of the more novel perks yet. Following tomorrow's PSN update, a "Full Game Trial" of MAG will be available to download in the Plus section of the PlayStation Store. However, unlike most Plus content, you'll have access to this content for as long as your membership is active. Of course, there's a catch: This is still only a game trial. Although you'll be able to play with and against actual owners of the game online for as long as you want, the full-game trial has an artificial level cap. You'll only be able to advance your MAG character up to level 8, enough to unlock access to the game's signature 256-player mode. Any experience you earn after level 8 will go unrewarded until you purchase the full digital license for $30. The trial's level cap means you won't be able to become a squad leader or change your faction either, but if you want to keep playing for free, simply put an artificial cap on your gameplay goals, too: Become the greatest level-8 soldier of all time.
MotorStorm Apocalypse gets Superbikes, photo mode, demo in 2011
Sony has unleashed a barrage of MotorStorm Apocalypse news over on the official PlayStation blog. Revealed in a video posted after the break is a track called Skyline, which pits racers against each other while driving across the rooftops of a destroyed (and crumbling) city. The clip also shows off a new Superbike vehicle, and lots more. The game will offer player customization in the form of both perks and cosmetic updates, a new photo mode for snapping shots mid-race, extensive PSN tie-in content including some PlayStation Plus exclusives and a new taunts / gestures system that will enable you to bug other riders online. Sony also promises lots of DLC (including possibly a free island-themed track) and a series of developer diary videos in the weeks to come. The game's been given a launch target of Spring 2011, and a demo is planned for early next year. Is it weird that whenever we start to key in on a big Sony release, our biggest wonder is what KB will say about it?
Young Thor studio unveils A Space Shooter for Two Bucks!
No, Frima Studio didn't receive two dollars to unveil its new game -- rather, the new PlayStation Mini from the Young Thor/Zombie Tycoon developer is called A Space Shooter for Two Bucks! You can guess both the genre and price from the title. Despite the low price, Frima Studio has included full voiceover for both the pilot character and his sarcastic AI companion, as well as every other character who, for some reason, has lines to speak in a shmup. If you have PlayStation Plus, you'll be able to get A Space Shooter For Two Bucks! for free when it launches on December 21.
DC Universe Online beta 'coming soon' to PlayStation Plus subscribers
While PlayStation Plus didn't make a particularly strong debut, it's hard to argue with the value of its newly announced offerings. In addition to earning free access to Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, PlayStation Plus members can expect an even more lucrative bonus: an invite into the beta of the long-awaited DC Universe Online. While specific timing hasn't been mentioned, the offer will extend to "all" Plus subscribers, instead of the "select" members chosen in previous betas. The update for December 21st will also include a free trial of Borderlands and discounts on Neo Geo software. Sony is certainly making the $50 asking price of Plus seem much more palpable.
PlayStation Plus users get an exclusive space away from the crowds of Home
Are you looking for the quietest place in the (virtual) world? Yes, even quieter than PlayStation Home. Sony Europe just launched a PlayStation Plus-exclusive lounge inside of Home. Perfect for the person who likes Home, but just wishes it didn't have so many people in it. Once you get past the doorman in the marble foyer, you'll be able to converse with the other occupant of the PlayStation Plus Private Members Club in peace -- mostly about how awesome it is to have a place to go where you can get away from all the people who meant to launch the PlayStation Store. There's a bar, "alcoves" for conversation, and even an exclusive card game, optimistically designed for two to four players.
Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse free for PlayStation Plus members this month
Don't have PlayStation Plus yet? This might be the one offer that seals the deal. On December 14th, members of Sony's premium PSN service will be able to download all five episodes of Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse for free. Considering the bundle usually goes for about $30, the $50 asking price for a year of PlayStation Plus seems entirely justified -- that is, if you don't already own the game. Other highlights include the free and early access to Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves and a full game trial of Prototype. Check out all the offers after the break.
NHL GameCenter Live brings streaming hockey games to PS3 starting today
NHL fans will want to check the PlayStation Store right now. Sony and the NHL have just announced an exclusive partnership that enables PS3 owners to watch live hockey games through the NHL GameCenter Live app on the PlayStation Network. The app, which will exist under the Video section of the XMB, will be available for $10 or for free to PlayStation Plus members. The interface of the app should be familiar to anyone that's tried MLB.tv, released earlier this year on PS3. With the app installed, PS3 owners will be able to access features like post-game highlights, team schedules, standings, player stats and profiles, and the full NHL scoreboard. Fans that subscribe to the GameCenter Live service ($169 annually) will get additional features, most notably the ability to stream live out-of-market games and "select" playoff broadcasts. In addition to the live streams, subscribers will get access to full-length and condensed replays of games 48 hours after they air (no blackouts). Included with membership is access to the NHL Vault, which gives you instant access to full replays of classic NHL games, going as far back as the 1960s. NHL's Senior Director of Digital Business Development Alexandre G. Simon told us that the decision to partner with Sony exclusively was an easy one, after a successful experience selling content on the PlayStation Network's video service. According to Simon, the GameCenter app is a huge opportunity for the league to expand its reach to gamers who may be familiar with the NHL games, but haven't had the ability to regularly follow live games. With no ISP restrictions, and with "about half" of fans following out-of-market teams, the GameCenter app might just lure in some new followers -- especially for those who don't subscribe or have access to the Versus cable channel, where the NHL currently resides. %Gallery-107134%
GameStop now selling PSN content in stores
GameStop continues its march toward the Store of the Future, by offering PSN content both in-store and (soon) online. The retailer started offering Xbox Live DLC in-store earlier this year. According to Sony and GameStop, cards for PlayStation Plus subscriptions, PSN games and add-on content will be available in 4,400 GameStop stores this month, and will also be available through GameStop.com. Not only is this a way for GameStop to get a piece of the exploding digital distribution market, it's a much more elegant way to gift a specific game, we suppose, than just writing "Scott Pilgrim" in Sharpie on a $10 PSN card.
Hulu Plus hits 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs, coming to all PS3 users next week
Sad, dreary day at your place? Fret not, as the Boob Tube is just about to get even better. Hulu has just revealed a movement to get Hulu Plus stocked with more content and onto more devices, STAT. Making sure those words aren't empty, we're learning that all 2010 Sony BRAVIA HDTVs will today have access to the subscription programming service, with it bleeding over to Sony's various Blu-ray players, home theater systems, network media players and even the Dash -- yeah, that Dash -- in due time. In related news, Hulu will be soon yanking the invite requirement to get Hulu Plus on the PlayStation 3, and as of next week, any ole PlayStation Network member (as opposed to PlayStation Plus, as it stands today) will be able to grab it. 'Course, even those freeloaders will be forced to pony up $9.99 per month if they're interested in using it, but hey, it's not like Raising Hope is financed with pixie dust, right? [Thanks, Brian]
Hulu Plus available on PS3 without PlayStation Plus next week
The PlayStation Plus requirement for the PS3 Hulu Plus app will go away next week, allowing all PSN users to download the app. And you'll be able to use that app, since Hulu just made it so that you no longer have to be invited to subscribe to the $9.99/month service. The Hulu Plus service remains in "preview" while the company works to add more features and more devices -- like new Sony Bravia TVs, which Sony also announced. The app you'll be able to download next week, according to Hulu, "incorporates some of the feedback we've received to date" from users of the (already nice) app that's been available through PlayStation Plus since July. Hopefully that includes the feedback about wanting to watch all the same shows on our PS3 as we can on the computer. We ... we just wanted to see Top Chef.
PlayStation Plus update for November 16: Abe's Exoddus, Shatter
It only makes sense that after offering PlayStation Plus subscribers a free download of Abe's Oddysee, Sony would let them complete the saga by handing out Abe's Exoddus. It's just one of the handful of freebies coming in the next PS+ update, which is detailed after the jump.
PSA: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood beta available to PlayStation Plus members
If you're a PlayStation Plus member, you can get into the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood beta now! Originally available to pre-orderers and "select" PlayStation Plus subscribers, Sony and Ubisoft have opened up the beta to all those who have paid their dues to Plus. So now the service is good for Hulu Plus, discounts on Cho Aniki ... and this. We say you can get in "now," but the beta client is a 2,806 MB download, so you can start the process of getting in now, and actually play the game some time tomorrow.
Killzone 3 public beta starts October 25 in the US
Guerrilla Games' Killzone The Tres is set to unleash a public beta on October 25, the PlayStation Blog promises. Of course, there's a catch: in order to get in on it, you'll need to be a PlayStation Plus subscriber before the beta rolls out, and download a custom Killzone 3 XMB theme, which'll release on October 19. The first 10,000 to download the theme will get access -- 5,000 from the US, 5,000 from Europe. You'll also want to keep an eye on your email inbox, because Sony plans to mail out codes on October 25 to the lucky 10,000 who snagged the XMB theme first. To help tide you over, Sony's got a new trailer, which you can check out past the break.
