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Rumor: PSN to receive store redesign in April?
Almost all of the news coming out of the recent Destination PlayStation retailer conference has been regarding various release dates. Kotaku, however, is reporting that a small extra rumor might have snuck out of the conference concerning the PSN store and a (much needed) redesign. Nothing's official or confirmed as of yet, but the rumor is out there and that's enough to get us to cross our fingers. We've often lambasted Sony for the state of the PSN Store and its horrific design, so we would love to see a redesign. The rumor goes that this store overhaul will come in April, around the same time Gran Turismo 5: Prologue hits and will resemble the Singstar SingStore. Sounds good to us, the Singstore is much flashier, easier to use and more practical than the current PSN store. Of all the rumors we've heard so far this year, this is the one we'd most like to see come to fruition.
PSN Thursday: Demo that one you bought a few weeks back
You bought the game! Now play the demo. PixelJunk Monsters: THE DEMO arrives today, just 28 days after the full game. Brilliant. In other news, now that the PS Store's catalog of Jet Moto games is finally complete, maybe next week Sony will let us revisit something other than x-treme hoverbiking.Check out the complete list of content after the break, including PC Store additions -- or head over to PS3 Fanboy for European update details.
European PSN updates for February 14th
It's the day you've all been waiting for (unless, of course, you're waiting around for Pain). Everyday Shooter is finally available in Europe - and it only took five months! Good going SCEE! There's also a demo and some DLC for GHIII. Here's the full release list: Riff: Everyday Shooter full game (£4.99/€7.99) Guitar Hero III "Classic Rock Track Pack" add-on (£3.99/€5.99) Everybody's Golf 5 demo (free) Conflict: Denied Ops teaser trailer (free) Conflict: Denied Ops "Developer Diary 1" (free) Conflict: Denied Ops "Developer Diary 2" (free) Resident Evil 5 wallpaper (free) Super Stardust HD theme (free) Spiderwick movie trailer (free) No PS1 games? Maybe we're being spoilt ... We're just so happy to finally see Everyday Shooter available in Europe. If you want to know what we thought of the game, check out our review and, if you want to see more screenshots, have a look at the gallery below. It's very pretty.%Gallery-4926%
American PSN updates for February 7th
Another Thursday, another PSN update and, boy, have we got a treasure trove of content for you? Well, not really. There's a lot here but a lot is filler. Go! Sports Skydiving is almost certainly not worth a purchase, though Crash Bandicoot 3 definitely is. Here's the full release list: Go! Sports Skydiving full game ($4.99) Crash Bandicoot: Warped PS1 game ($5.99) Lost Planet demo (free) Rock Band DLC Kiss' "Calling Dr. Love" ($1.99) B-52's "Roam" ($1.99) Faith No More's "We Care A Lot" ($1.99) Motorstorm "Chinese New Year" add-on (free) MLB 08 The Show "First Look" video (free) Uncharted "Final trailer" (free) Burnout Paradise "Dev Diary" video (free) Burnout Paradise "Launch Trailer 1" (free) Burnout Paradise "Launch Trailer 2" (free) Conflict: Denied Ops "Dev Diary 1" (free) Wall-E movie trailer (free) 30 Days of Night Blu-Ray trailer (free) Uncharted Wallpaper 6 (free) Uncharted Wallpaper 7 (free) We've always been curious as to why we receive "Launch Trailers" on the store several weeks after the game's initial launch. Is it some attempt at ironic humour? Who knows. Have you downloaded Crash Bandicoot: Warped yet? No? Well get a move on!
Lost Planet demo hitting the US PSN Store today
In keeping with two weeks ago, Capcom will be placing a multiplayer demo for the upcoming Xbox 360 port Lost Planet on the US PSN Store the same day it arrived in Japan. As with the DMC4 demo two weeks ago, Europe has missed out on the demo and so will probably get it next week - though no doubt most of you will be picking it up from the US Store today anyway. The US Store update isn't up yet, but we'll let you know what's available as soon as we find out. If you don't want to wait until then, you can go ahead and grab it from the Japanese Store. It looks like the servers are worldwide, meaning the version you have won't restrict who you play against. Read our complete impressions here.
European PSN Updates for February 7th
Blimey Sony, give us time to get out of bed before updating the store, won'tcha? Today's early store update is not bad at all. A short list, yes, but there's no filler content here. Here's the full release list: Sky Diving full game (£3.49/€4.99) Turok demo (free) Conflict: Denied Ops demo (free) Motorstorm "Chinese New Year gift" add-on (free) Folklore "Mailion" add-on (free) Lost Planet trailer (free) If you fancy the look of Lost Planet, don't forget that there's a demo available on the Japanese PSN Store. As for Sky Diving, we'll probably have a review up of the game before too long. We're not expecting much, but you never know. Enjoy your free game add-ons - the Folklore "Malion" pack contains the winner of the European "Design a Folk" competition, which was won by Jeff Read from the UK.
PSN sales surprise even Sony CEOs
The PlayStation 3 is experiencing a power surge. No, it didn't ingest PowerThirst, but people have been purchasing the system and utilizing the PlayStation Store more than even Sony expected. SCEE president and CEO, David Reeves, expressed that very sentiment in regards to the European market: "We've gone from zero to almost double-digit millions in terms of what people have purchased in euros." Awesome.If this is any indication of Sony's 2008 domination (relative to their performance in 2007), we're off to a great start. We wonder how PSN sales are doing in the US and Japan, because quite frankly, Europe has often gotten the shaft when it comes to downloadable titles. We can only imagine if there will be another surge when Home releases, or if we'll get a surprising lull. Who knows.[via CVG]
American PSN updates for January 24th
This week's updated is jam packed with goodness and there should be something for everyone. Here's the full release list: Devil May Cry 4 demo (free) The Club demo (free) PixelJunk Monsters PSN game ($7.99) Jet Moto 2 PS1 game ($5.99) Folklore "Create A Creature winner" add-on (free) Stranglehold map-pack add-on ($14.99) Stranglehold: Collector's Edition map-pack add-on ($14.99) Rock Band "Oasis" song pack ($5.49) Oasis' "Don't Look Back In Anger" ($1.99) Oasis' "Live Forever" ($1.99) Oasis' "Wonderwall" ($1.99) Need For Speed ProStreet "Premium Car Bundle 1" add-on pack ($5.99) Need For Speed ProStreet "Premium Car Bundle 2" add-on pack ($5.99) Tony Hawk's Proving Grounds "Stevie Williams Skater Profile" video (free) We'll save you some counting; there are two demos, two full games and seven game add-ons. As a result, this may in fact be the best update we've seen yet. PixelJunk Monsters is a great little game and we should have a review up for you soon. In the meantime, if you want to try it out for yourself without paying, grab the demo off the Japanese PSN Store. Don't be afraid, it's in English.
Japan gets Echochrome in March
We've wanted to test our ability to solve some Escher-like puzzles since we first saw Echochrome. The date is drawing closer and closer for its release, with a March release in Japan. Maybe we're crazy, but we doubt there will be much localization to do for other countries so we'd think it'll show up shortly after the Japanese launch. The Japan-only PSP version of the game releases on March 19th, the same as the PSN title. Will the two be compatible in any way? Share puzzles? We'll see.
Vib Ribbon hitting PlayStation Network soon
If you were in the video game news business many years ago, you may remember a game called Vib Ribbon. It was a sort of musical game, a rhythm game if we may, sort of like PaRappa the Rapper. This game was different on the original PlayStation though, as it allowed you to slide in any audio CD you wanted to use as your rhythm tracks. Unique levels and clever programming were everywhere and now the title is coming to the PSN. Will it be a remake? Will it be a port of the original? It's a natural fit for allowing the use of any music you want. We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available, but this is a classic game that should not be overlooked.[Via NeoGAF]
Vib Ribbon coming to PlayStation Network
If you were in the video game news business many years ago, you may remember a game called Vib Ribbon. It was a sort of musical game, a rhythm game in the vein of PaRappa the Rapper. This game was different on the original PlayStation though, as it allowed you to slide in any audio CD you wanted to use as your rhythm tracks. Unique levels and clever programming were everywhere and now the title is coming to the PSN and will hopefully get supported via the PSP as well. It's a natural fit for allowing the use of any music you want. Our only query is how we'll get the music on the PSP. Hopefully the game will be tweaked to allow our Memory Sticks to carry the music we want. We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available, but this is a classic game that should not be overlooked.
PSP 'Beats' on PC PlayStation Store today
PlayStation Store's PC portal will be updated today with an original PSP game, Beats. The $4.99 download serves as a rhythm playground for any tunes you've got stored on the Memory Stick, not unlike Harmonix's Phase for iPod.Developed by SCEE's London Studio, Beats began as a UMD project to be loaded with licensed music and videos by British pop band Sugababes. Thankfully, the London team got the memo in time. As soon as the developers learned that the PSP Store (albeit a PC-to-PSP store) was finally transitioning from dream to reality, they dropped the Sugababes, rear-loading disc and bloated price tag, and opted for an inexpensive, downloadable game powered by its users. Imagine that, Sony did something right.(Note: Beats is not currently available through PS3's PS Store.)[Via PSP Fanboy]
PSP store now available online via the PC
Do you own a PSP but not a PS3? Are you jealous of PS3 owners downloading exclusive PSP content? Well Sony has finally come to your rescue. A PC version of the PlayStation Store is now available for those of you without a PlayStation 3. This store actually includes exclusive content not available on the PS3 store, including full PSP games such as Wipeout Pure and Gangs of London. The interface is really nice and easy to navigate and for those of you who do have a PS3 you can sign in using your PlayStation Network ID and it will link through to show all your downloaded items. You can also edit your account details, including adding money to your wallet. No doubt this service will continue to evolve over time and we look forward to seeing it do so.Update: Read the full step-by-step guide to using the Store here.[Thanks, pecorre!]
Expect the following in High Velocity Bowling: bowling
"Bowling's like life, don'cha think?" No, frankly, we don't, but it's still an entertaining glimpse at the downloadable title High Velocity Bowling, headed to the PlayStation Store at ... well ... at some point. There are eight different colorful characters to play as (and themed alleys to unlock), and with support for up to four players, it's a pretty sweet concept.The game is fully controlled by the Sixaxis, with a simulated bowling swing. Not sure how comfy the Sixaxis will fit in that manner, but whatever. There's a trophy room where you can view all your successes, which will probably come from the Challenge Mode where you progress through tournaments, matches, and some interesting trick shot performances. Overall, it's a bowling game. What else did you expect?%Gallery-4969%
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.
Rumor: Sony to reveal massive changes to the XMB and PS Store at E3
It seems every couple weeks we get another rumored list of new features/changes for upcoming firmware releases. They rarely come true and are usually quickly debunked, but are kind of fun regardless. Still, this most recent rumor is pretty juicy and comes from a PS3 Forums regular. Supposedly Sony is going to be showing off a huge overhaul to the XMB and the PlayStation store at E3, with heavy Home integration and the implementation of several features that have been long request. We've broken down the info into tasty little bulleted tidbits: Folder support for all sections of the XMB including Games, allowing you to organize your plethora of demos/ps1 titles/PSN games. User Profile page accessible directly from the XMB that shows off the your gamerscore, profile info and trophies. The page will also be viewable in your Home apartment. PlayStation Store is getting completely redesigned to make it more console accessible and to pave the way for the additional content Sony plans to release by the end of the year (videos, movies, music, etc). You'll be able to select your trophies for use as a t-shirt graphic in Home so everybody can check out your Loco Roco skillz without having to go to your house. A lot of the things mentioned sound reasonable. For example, the PlayStation Store will have to be revamped if Sony wants to offer a wide range of content there. As it is, it's unbelievably slow and really isn't conducive to prolonged sessions of browsing through content. Also, Phil Harrison has previously mentioned increased integration between Home and XMB, and Eric Lempel recently commented that Sony is indeed working on a gamerscore type of system. But still, take this rumor with a big ol' salt lick -- at least we won't have to wait long to find out if it's true![Thanks Joe!]
PlayStation Underground survey hints at PSP-PS3 possibilities
This one's coming from user sqrtlsqd7 over at the PS3Forums. We've all gotten those e-mails from PlayStation Underground about new releases on the PS Store, or little announcements about games coming out, just released, or off in the distance. What sqrtlsqd7 brings to our attention is something we had nearly forgotten about -- surveys. When we first signed up for the PlayStation Network, we took a survey. But these questions were not found there.If you can't read the screenshot above, Sony is asking about what you'd like to see with PSP/PS3 connectivity. The ideas highlighted are: Side missions or unlockables for PS3 games on the PSP, Transferring media wirelessly to the PSP (not just what we've got now, we mean broadcast television and new levels for games), Using your PSP while playing the PS3 as additional weapon or utility (radar, 2nd controller, etc), Recording your gameplay for boasting abilities later on in life. These ideas are interesting. It sort of reminds us of the connectivity between the GameCube and GameBoy Advance, specifically in regards to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and the Game Boy Fire Emblem games. Except, you know, with a lot more options available. What do you guys think? Would more advanced connectivity options with the PSP get your juices flowing? Would you snag a slim PSP if these proposed ideas came to fruition?
Japanese PS3 game available via Remote Play
If you haven't gotten the newest update for your PSP's firmware to get Remote Play cranking out worldwide awesomeness, you aren't alone. Media streaming and Remote Play seem to be creating frustration with a lot of people. We've got ours working and we can assure you that if you get everything connected ... wow. To add icing to the already sickeningly sweet cake, Sony is making a Japanese PS3 title available for everyone via the Remote Play function.The game is Mainichi Issyo, some crazy title about a cat doing whatever you tell it to. The game, available as a free download exclusively on the Japanese PS Store, can be played via remote play on your PSP and even access microtransactions in-game for added content. That means there is in-game PlayStation Store support via Remote Play. Even though we've got no idea what's happening in the game, that's an impressive feat and indicative of the potential of this feature. Perhaps someday we'll get Super Stardust HD or other titles available for play wherever we are in the world (assuming there's a wireless access point nearby). Perhaps.
Square Enix teases us with upcoming Kingdom Hearts news
A short interview was conducted with some members of the Square Enix PR department by the folks over at RPGamer. While there isn't that much truly invigorating information, we thought it'd be nice to bring you up to speed on some of the anticipated titles that, we hope, make their way onto the PS3. Also of note are Square Enix's tentative plans for the PlayStation Store. Enticed? Summary below. The PS Store is too young to decide if content is worth posting, says Square Enix. Would we really want another version of a Final Fantasy game anyway? We'd love to see something like Einhander make its way onto the store, though ... The next Kingdom Hearts title (they didn't specify whether it would be the third main installment or another off-shoot title) will get announced at the Tokyo Game Show. Also not-yet-officially-announced is a special party hosted by Square Enix on June 26. It will take place at the PlayStation Store in San Fransisco. More details on that later. We're fairly sure that the Kingdom Hearts announcement will be for an offshoot title for a handheld. Not sure why; just a gut reaction. As for the PS Store, while it is young, it will never get older if developers don't give it worthwhile titles. In fact, in our latest podcast, we sort of touched on the topic -- Japan is getting a ton of PS One titles and we've gotten none for the past couple of months. Surely this will change soon, Sony?
FolksSoul demo coming this Friday
Make a Japanese PSN account. Now. If you haven't, you're going to continue missing out on all the free demos the Japanese gamer crowd get. It's not tough -- sign up for one in your own language, make notes about what information goes on each page, then make a Japanese one. Why are we insisting you do this? So you can test drive FolksSoul along with us this Friday when a demo hits the Japanese PS Store.Also known as Folklore in the US, the game had kept a very low key until Gamer's Day, when a new trailer and multiple screens made an entrance and blew a lot of people away. Sure, it's absolutely a Japanese game -- lacking muscular men with big shiny guns, but it does look incredibly fun to play. So that's why we're telling you about the demo. It's rumored to be over an entire gigabyte, so make sure you've got something else to do. Try it out, then decide if it's for you or not!
