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Pictures emerge of impending PlayStation Store redesign
It's no big secret that Sony is gearing up to redesign the PlayStation Store for users in Europe and the US, but with just days to go until the hard hats are donned, we figured it prudent to pass along the latest tidbits surrounding the change. Apparently the refacing will start on April 3rd and finish up in around a fortnight, but until the job is finished, "no additional downloadable content will be posted." Of course, existing content will remain available, and chances are you'll appreciate the updates when all is said and done, but we know how tough it'll be to not log on weekly and eagerly sniff for all new material. Hit up the via for lots of pictures -- we're told it'll help the sting.[Via PS3Fanboy, thanks Kiwi616]
Sony thinking about an online subscription game service?
This is just the faintest whiff of a rumor, but Sony Asia just put up a questionnaire in which it asks how interested PlayStation Store for PC customers would be in a "Monthly subscription plan (1 price for unlimited download)." That suggests that the company is at least thinking about a service that would let gamers play as many downloadable PS1 and PSP games as they want for a monthly fee -- although it's not at all clear if the service would be PSP-only or work on both the PSP and PS3, which would sweeten the deal considerably. Chalk this up as wishful thinking for now -- but those of you with PSN IDs may want to hit the read link and fill out the questionnaire.[Via CVG, thanks L. Rawlins]
Sony working on direct-to-PSP download store
Now that PSP owners in the US can finally access the Playstation store without a PS3, it looks like Sony's getting ready to take the next logical step and cut the computer out of the equation as well. Speaking to MTV's Multiplayer blog, Playstation Network operations chief Eric Lempel said PSP downloads were "Something we're thinking about. With the capability of the PSP it's something that should be possible...it's just a matter of priorities and some technology that we need to make it all work right and make sure the content is delivered securely, just to protect some of our [intellectual properties]." Lempel went on to say that Sony is also working on an iTunes-like syncing functionality for the PSP, and that Mac support will be forthcoming. All in all, it seems like interesting times are ahead for Sony's newly-revived little gamer.[Via The Boy Genius Report]
PlayStation Store now live, grab PSP content from your PC
The PlayStation 3 no longer exclusively acts as the eerily quiet middleman for your purchases from Sony's PlayStation Store. The PC-based online store (store.playstation.com) has gone live for the US and is ready to absorb your munnies in exchange for PSP games, demos, themes and PlayStation 1 games. Everything you need to get started is right on the front page -- software for transferring the downloaded content from your PC to your PSP, and the ability to create a free PSN account (your PS3 login will work too). Be sure to check out PSP Fanboy's step-by-step guide if Flash-based interfaces flummox you.The store currently boasts an exclusive PSP game, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops, along with downloadable versions of some UMD-based games (we spy WipEout Pure), several familiar PlayStation 1 titles (also compatible with PS3) and some new themes, demos and trailers, all of which you'll find listed after the break. The amount of content doesn't yet prompt the use of words like "glut" and "avalanche", but it's a solid start. Let's hope Sony keeps the store updated and the content fresh in the coming months.
PlayStation Store for PSP goes live in the US
The online Playstation Store for the PSP just quietly went live on our side of the world with two downloadable PSP titles, 16 PSone titles, and a handful of themes, wallpapers, and videos. Wipeout Pure and Syphon Filter: Combat Ops are the first two $10 PSP games out of the gate, and highlights of the PSone list include Twisted Metal 2, Crash Bandicoot, and Tekken 2, all for $6. The store requires the download of a Windows-only loader app to transfer files to your PSP -- and now, after waiting all this time for PS3-free downloads, we're kinda wondering why we can't sync up over WiFi. Eh, don't let our grumpy whining bother you -- go get your game on and let us know how things are working for you in comments.[Via Gamebrink]
PlayStation Store gets new demos, trailers
If you took advantage of the new price drop on the 80 GB PS3, you'll be happy to hear that you can start putting those luxurious gigs to good use with tons of new content on the PlayStation Store. First off, you've got some new demos for Folklore and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights and videos for Uncharted, Turok and Devil May Cry 4. In addition to some movie trailers, there's also a new Eye of Judgement-based theme.As if that weren't enough, the new update also come equipped with value, as the price of David Jaffe's super fun Calling All Cars has been reduced for one week to $4.99. ... Hey, does this mean it actually is in the garage sale bin now?
TGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC
In addition to becoming the PlayStation 3's power button of choice, the PSP has made relations with the PC. At the Tokyo Game Show press conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS Store will soon be accessible via the computer. According to Hirai, you will be able to purchase and download PSP content without using the PS3 as a middle-man. The service is reportedly available now in Japan; no word on when it will be coming elsewhere. [Via Joystiq]
PlayStation Store heads to your PC -- Home delayed until 2008
We could get used to this new effort on Sony's part at "openness," and even if this one's just a new way to access Sony's closed ecosystem of PlayStation Store content, it's a start at least. You can now use your humdrum, maybe-not-even-Sony-built PC to purchase and download PlayStation Store content -- including PSOne games -- and transfer it to your PSP, instead of relying on a 'spensive PS3 to do the trick. Sony has been promising this function for a few months now, but they've finally delivered, and apparently you can get in on the action today, at least in Japan. Also announced at TGS07 is future PSP Remote Play functionality (pictured) that allows you to turn on and off your PS3, and the ability to use your PS3 as a hub while PSPs act as a second screen, extra controllers and offer other networked functionality. No word on when these fanboy dreams will see light as a true-life firmware update. Oh, and before you get to thinking that the PSP is getting all the love here, Sony also announced a new function for Home called "dress," with "everybody's fashion entertainment" for a tag line. Whatever that means, Sony's going to be delaying the launch of Home into 2008, so we can't say we're exactly stoked about the new feature.Read - PSP Remote Play
Warhawk downloadable via PSN tonight
Sure, you can pick up Warhawk tomorrow in stores, but if you want to save on the gasoline, the title will be available for download via the PlayStation store tonight at 12:01 a.m. EST. That's a bonus for West Coast gamers, who can get the game at 9:00 p.m. PST tonight.Going the traditional route isn't a bad option, however, as the retail version is priced $20 more but includes more video content and a Bluetooth headset.%Gallery-1945%[Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 Fanboy interviews PSN producer Rusty Buchert
Ever wonder who's responsible for choosing the games on the PLAYSTATION Store? Rusty Buchert, senior producer at SCEA's Santa Monica Studio, is the man to talk to about original games on the PSN. He has a unique vision for the Store, where he wants to bring indie games, such as Everyday Shooter, to the masses. Check out our exclusive interview with the man behind the scenes.Can you explain to our readers what your position is at SCEA?Hi all, my name is Rusty Buchert and I am a Sr. Producer at the Santa Monica Studios. My focus is purely on PSN titles for the PS3.The PLAYSTATION Store has differentiated its offering from that of its competitors. We've seen a lot of unique experiences, such as fl0w, that simply aren't on the other platforms. How is Sony's focus on downloadable games different than the other guys?My focus has been to find unique, fun experiences. We started searching for games like this from the outset and we were searching through the Indie Scene right out the gate. In general the Scene thinks outside the traditional development box. All to often people get indoctrinated into one general way of thinking about games in genre, design, and execution. You are not going to get anything new thinking like that. We were betting on the fact that people wanted something new and not a rehash of a rehash of a rehash.
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.
US PSN updated - trailers galore
As promised, the PlayStation Store has now been updated with plenty of E3 content. Some from the Sony Press Conference itself and some from, no doubt, the floor of E3. We've laid out a full list of content available now below, but we want to start by asking: "Where is the Press Conference itself?" It's not a huge deal, but it was promised. Who knows, maybe we'll see some more content being put up as the days go by. We'll keep you updated. Metal Gear Solid 4 Trailer Killzone 2 Trailer PS3 E3 '07 "Sizzle" video Lair Trailer Call of Duty 4: Modern Warrior Trailer Unreal Tournament 3 Trailer High Velocity Bowling Trailer Warhawk Trailer LittleBigPlanet "Create" Trailer Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Trailer PAIN Trailer Folklore Trailer BlackSite: Area 51 Trailer Go! Sports Ski Trailer Blast Factor Advanced Research Trailer Everyday Shooter Trailer Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice Trailer E3 '07 Closing Video So go get! We'll let you know when/if anything new comes up.
Japanese PSN receives a treasure trove of PS1 games
The Japanese PSN has had a veritable explosion of PS1 titles added to its collection. This puts the total number available on the Japanese Store up to twelve million or so now, we think. Hopefully we'll be seeing some more being released onto the US and EU stores in the near future. The full list of titles made available today are as follows. AI Mah Jong Selection (hamster) DEPTH (Sony computer Entertainment) Gussun Paradise (IREM software) Jet Moto (Sony computer Entertainment) Jumping Flash! 2 (Sony computer Entertainment) Major Wave Series: Puzzle Mania 2 (hamsters) Major Wave Series: Zipangu Jima: Unmei wa Saikoro ga Kimeru!? (Hamsters) Metal Slug (SNK Playmore) Oasis Road (Idea Factory) Panekit (Sony computer Entertainment) Samurai Spirits III: Zankuro Musouken (SNK Playmore) Samurai Spirits IV: Amakusa Kourin Special (SNK Playmore) Spectral Tower 2 (Idea Factory) SuperLite 1500 Series Cotton original (Success) SuperLite 1500 Series Sanvein (Success) The King OF Fighters '98 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters '99 (SNK Playmore) The King OF Fighters Kyo (SNK Playmore) XI [sai] (Sony computer Entertainment) There are a total of two games in that list that, if made available, we would download. Perhaps it's best to stick with the quality-over-quantity philosophy that SCEA and SCEE have for the PS1 releases. Though having said that, perhaps there's a happy medium between the two that means we can actually get some new games at some point. [Via PSP Fanboy]
PS1 games return in this week's Store update
The Motorstorm update isn't the only thing available in today's PS Store update. Two new PS1 classics are returning to the PS3. Check out this week's update: Motorstorm Time Attack (free): Remember to update your game to version 1.2 before downloading this free expansion! Hot Shots Golf 2 ($5.99) Coolboarders ($5.99) The Heartbreak Kid movie trailer (free) Both Hot Shots Golf 2 and Coolboarders were previously available on the Store, until they mysteriously disappeared. Now, these games will be playable on both your PS3 and PSP systems. PSP Fanboy reviewed the games: Hot Shots Golf 2 came recommended, but Coolboarders did not, earning a dismal 3/10 score.
Demo for Ape Escape spin-off, headed for Japanese gamers only
Introducing another shining example of Sony shafting non-Japanese gamers, Sony is releasing a demo of Sarugetchu: SaruSaru Daisakusen (a take off their popular Ape Escape franchise) at the World Hobby Fair on June 23rd. This same demo will also be available for download on the PlayStation 3, through the Japanese PlayStation Store, and later on June 29th, through means of an 8MB downloadable demo off their website. The full game is set for a July 26th release and as with most Japanese-originating releases, there is no official word on a North American translation or confirmed release at all. How many more Ape Escape fans do we have with us here that are hoping this title makes its way to other territories?
Go! Puzzle headlines this week's Store update
Jem, and the rest of our European friends, have been able to play Go! Puzzle for the past two weeks. Now, America gets to join in on the puzzling fun. This collection of puzzle games may not demonstrate the power of the PS3, but at least it's playable, unlike last week's disappointing Store update.The collection includes three games, Swizzle Blocks, Aquatica, and Skyscraper. The "Starter Pack" is free and allows players to try three minute demos of each of these games. Full versions of each the games cost $2.99 each, or $5.99 for the entire collection.Finally, the weekly Store update wouldn't be complete without some videos. Here's this week's selection: Hot Rod trailer %Gallery-3964%
North American PSN releases for June 7th
Sorry, but nothing playable hits the Store in today's update. Not even a demo of The Darkness. What we do have are tons of videos. So get the microwave ready, pop up some popcorn and get ready to watch: Heavenly Sword Gamer's Day trailer. With this trailer on your PS3, at least you can pretend to be playing it. MLB 07 The Show trailer. Just in case watching last week's videos wasn't sufficient. Stranglehold trailer. John Woo's Hard Boiled sequel-turned-to-game gets another visit to the Store. Transformers movie trailer. In full HD, you'll get more than meets the eye. Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live in Dublin trailer. Hey ... where's our old 1080p Midway remake for this week?
Remote Play reveals unique features for Mainichi Issyo [Update]
For PSP owners itching to test out the game-playing capabilities of Remote Play (made possible from the last firmware upgrade), you'll want to go here for a walkthrough on setting up a Japan PlayStation Network account for your PS3. Mainichi Issyo has been (and still is) only available through the Japanese PlayStation Store. As reported during the firmware 3.50 release, the Remote Play functionality will allow Mainichi Issyo gamers to "interact with Toro the cat" through any available internet access point. New details unveil the game's unique ability to complete microtransactions through the PlayStation Store in-game, instead of dumping you out to the PSP built-in browser. Feel free to have yourself a look-see. We'll be sure to update you with our in-depth impressions on Remote Play, as promised.[Update: Changed the wording of the post to reflect the newly unveiled features within Mainichi Issyo, using Remote Play. The post title changed to reflect the description of these new in-game features.]
SNK dominates latest PS1 update in Japan
The Japanese PS Store has updated far more frequently than America's. Their selection of downloadable PS1 titles (which still requires a PS3 system) has expanded yet again, with a strong emphasis on SNK's classic fighters:Guilty GearKing of Fighters '95King of Fighters '96King of Fighters '97Little Princess: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special: Dominated MindSamurai Spirits: Kenkaku Yubinan PackSeptentrionSpectral Force 2Spectral TowerSuna no EmbraceThere's also a free offering on the Store, a demo of XI, also known as Devil Dice. While Japanese gamers are enjoying frequent updates to the retro catalog, American gamers haven't had anything new since the release of Wipeout in March. Of course, that's far better than the sparse availability of titles for Europeans: zero. Hopefully, with the new PSP store arriving this Fall, we'll have better access to these PlayStation classics.[Via Siliconera]
Championship Sprint motors hits PSN tomorrow, we're still bored.
The PlayStation Store seems to be on a mind-numbing sprint through the bargain bin of old classics, however this recent entry might struggle with even that very definition. Championship Sprint was an arcade treat in its heyday, but without the acrid smell of burnt pizza cheese permeating the air and the ching-ching-ching of tokens being dispensed nearby, we're not sure reliving this classic on the PS3 is going to evoke the same sense of guilty pleasure we once experienced. Pray tell, why exactly would anyone care to relive this classic without standing at the machine itself with a vice-like grip on the steering wheel (sans Force Feedback, we might add)? There is plenty of ripe fruit in the Sony catalog, so where are the classic gems from the lucrative and expansive PlayStation gallery? How many times can we ask for Twisted Metal? How about SOCOM? Honestly, lets skip the brussel sprouts and head right for the ice cream.For interested parties, Championship Sprint hits the PlayStation Store tomorrow, on May 31st, for $4.99. We suppose it's better than nothing, but not by much. Comments and suggestions on preferred PlayStation Store titles would be a fantastic addition here, so post away. Give Sony some ideas! Now, if you don't mind, we're heading back to the recesses of our couch to complete our Pirates of the Caribbean Blu-ray marathon. Wake us up when something more worthwhile is on.
