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Interview with SCEA's Hight confirms PSN redesign in April, Warhawk expansion, PS1 games
Wow, more and more rumors popping up on the interwebs are proving to be true. This time around, the rumor about an April PSN store overhaul has been confirmed in an interview with John Hight, SCEA's director of product development. Hight is quoted saying, "I think you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback." So, we now know there's definitely a redesign coming, but we're still in the dark about new content like, oh say, that rumored video download service.Also in the interview, Hight confirms that the rumored expansion for Warhawk should hit the PSN by April, too. Hight stated, "We just released an expansion on Warhawk in September, and we'll release another one in April." Further more, when questioned about Japanese PS1 games on the American PSN store, Hight had this to say, "I'm pretty darn sure they will [appear on the American PSN], but I don't know which titles." Now hold your horses, what that probably means is that we could be seeing a similar title catalog, and not that Japanese version games will appear on the US PSN. Nice, but not a guarantee. Well, we'd be happy if we could just get Resident Evil 2 in our store ...
Today's most perspective-bending trailer: echochrome in real life
Ever wonder what echochrome would look like in real life? Of course, given the entire game is based on perspective, we'd never be able to enjoy the new reality because we'd always be watching from afar. But then that person would see the real perspective and not benefit from the ... oh, we've gone ahead and confused ourselves. Thankfully you don't have to wrap such conundrums around your head. Just enjoy this Japanese commercial for the game after the break. (Take note of the pretty Mint Green PSP seen at the end.) [Via PSP Fanboy]
flOw out this month in PAL territories; Ape Quest in April
According to a press release sent to New Zealand based site GeekPulp, PAL territories will be able to get their hands on flOw during the same month their American cousins will. The game is due out sometime this month for both territories and for more information you should check out our PSP hands-on. Another game hitting the PC Store is the monkeylicious Ape Quest, which Americans have had their hands on for a little while now. The Ape Escape spin-off RPG will be available in PAL territories sometime in April. Check out our review for more information. [Via N4G]
Rocketmen: Axis of Evil on PSN next week
Capcom just announced that Rocketmen: Axis of Evil will be hitting the PS Store on Thursday next week. The game won't cost you an arm or a leg, but it will set you back $10 in "human money."The game, for those who don't know, is an arcade shooter based off Wizkids' constructible strategy game. Though this Rocketman game stays far away from the meticulous micromanagement of strategy games, it instead trades its old duds for straight up shooting. The game supports up to four player co-op both on and offline, and features customizable characters. Check out the beautiful cel-shaded graphics in the gallery below:%Gallery-17253%
Rocketmen blast off onto XBLA, PSN next week
Eight-directional arcade shoot-em-up Rocketmen: Axis of Evil is coming next week to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Store. In addition to customizable characters and four-player co-op (online and offline), the game will support 1080i visuals, according to a press release.Rocketmen was originally unveiled in April alongside Talisman. The game will come out next Wednesday (Xbox 360) and Thursday (PS3) for 800 MS points / $10. (Important note: We were debating between the current headline and "Rocketmen explode onto XBLA, PSN." In the end, both were deemed equally pun-ful/painful and a coin was tossed.)[Via Press Release]%Gallery-2571%
Call of Duty 4 feature patch is now live
You may remember last week when we told you about the chock-full feature patch that would be hitting Call of Duty 4 sometime in the near future. Well, friends: The future is now. ... At least, it is for Xbox 360 owners. We're assuming PlayStation 3 players will be getting it soon if they haven't already, we just haven't had a chance to test yet.In case you missed the post (for shame!) expect host migration (even when a host drops teams stay together), better accuracy for snipers and ACOG scope users, an expanded Kill Cam that includes claymores, airstrikes and grenades, nine new spawn points on each map, quick mute and some other tweaks. ... Well, what are you waiting for? Go play already!
Japanese PSN game Dark Mist gets expansion, still no Euro version
The downloadable Japanese PSN title Dark Mist is getting an expansion: Dark Mist: The Depths of Darkness. Priced at ¥500 ($4.75), this update adds three new characters and a four-player online mode. The download is 148MB large.Dark Mist is an action adventure game that was supposed to hit the EU PSN, but has not yet made it's way over there. A North American release had never even been mentioned; however, we're hoping this interest in making new content for the game might somehow spark an interest in bringing it over our way. Optimistically hopeful much? Yes.
Four new PSN games for Japan
It took forever to translate the names of these new Japanese PSN games, but we finally got them. Recently hitting the PlayStation Network over in the land of the rising sun are four PlayStation classics: Ide Yosuke no Mahjong Kyoshitsu, Baroque Syndrome, Wai Wai Bowling, and Um Jammer Lammy.Three out of the four games were not released outside Japan; the only one that was seen in the west was Um Jammer Lammy -- a rhythm game spin-off of PaRappa the Rapper. The Ide Yosuke game is yet another Mahjong game, while Wai Wai Bowling is, um, bowling. Lastly, Baroque Syndrome is a prequel to the PS1 RPG Baroque (which is also available on the PSN, at the same time ported to the PS2).While there's really only one or two titles that are worth getting on that list, it still is quite annoying that the Japanese PS1 game library is way better than ours. When will our library start flooding with more and more PS1 games?
WipEout HD to support customizable soundtracks
The ability to create customized soundtracks is a criminally underused feature in many games, as players are forced to turn down the volume and crank up the stereo just so they can tackle their boss of choice to the musical styling of their favorite 80s hair band. It's not too much to ask, and apparently Sony agrees, with the upcoming WipEout HD for the PS3 now confirmed to support fully customized soundtracks. Taking a page from the recently released Wipeout Pulse for the PSP, the upcoming racer will sport a handful of what we're sure will turn out to be suitably electronic tracks, though if you're in the mood for -- let's just say Barry Manilow – that's entirely your choice. [Via PS3 Fanboy] %Gallery-17035%
Sony throws open doors to in-game advertising initiative
As the subject line indicates, Sony has opened up the PS3 to in-game advertisers. Many are expecting this move to ignite a battle between the three main advertisers that make their business off of in-game ads. The three big companies, Double Fusion, IGA, and AdScape, are able to strike deals with game publishers like EA or Ubisoft to get their junk into the PS3 games -- and, we expect, Home.Don't worry, though. You won't get blasted by ads just yet -- this worry was one of the reasons why Sony wouldn't enter into an exclusive contract with one of the companies for advertising. A competitive model lets the companies play around with what works and what doesn't, "how to charge, what gamers will and will not put up with" and more. The article over at AdAge goes into the business and marketing side of the situation and really is a fascinating read for anyone who is in a related field.
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.
GDC08: Why you should develop for the PSN
We thought you'd enjoy seeing some of Sony's GDC presentation at Game Developer's Conference. SCEA reached out to the game development community, attempting to highlight the reasons why the PSN should be a destination for developers. The benefits of network distribution (slide, above) are pretty obvious: No physical goods Lower development costs Keep more of the money! No used games market These are all intrinsic to digital distribution. But, Sony's presentation revealed some more interesting points.
GDC08: Bionic Commando Rearmed aims for May
Capcom is targeting May for a simultaneous release of Bionic Commando Rearmed on XBLA, PSN and PC, according to videogaming247. A company representative allegedly cited the date during a meeting with 247 in an off-site hotel suite. We'll confirm later today when Joystiq collides with Capcom. [Update: Confirmed!] Gallery: Bionic Commando Rearmed
GDC08: The top PSN downloads since launch
Congratulations to flOw for standing atop of Sony's list of best selling PSN purchases since the Store's debut over a year ago. It's great to see stellar games, like Everyday Shooter and Super Stardust HD, earn the sales recognition they deserve. But, why such high sales of Mortal Kombat II? Guess nostalgia (and bargain price) help loosen the wallet of potential buyers.For the list of top downloaded demos from the PSN (and European figures), check out PS3 Fanboy.
GDC08: The Top 10 PSN downloads since launch
Ever wanted to know what the best selling PSN games are? Well, here it is. The top 10 PSN purchases since the system's launch. flOw Mortal Kombat II Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection PAIN Warhawk High Velocity Bowling Super Stardust HD Calling All Cars Aquatopia Everyday Shooter Are you surprised that flOw is the best selling PSN title so far? We are as well. Even more surprising: how well Mortal Kombat II seemingly did. At the very least, we're glad to see great games like Super Stardust HD and Everyday Shooter make the list as well.
PS3 Echochrome coming stateside Spring 2008, PSP version 'up in the air' [update]
North American gamers who wish to live out their long held fantasies of frolicking through Escher's world of Relativity will get their chance this summer, when Echochrome, Sony's perspective swapping puzzle platformer, will be made available for download on the PlayStation Network. In the usual fashion for Sony developed games, Japanese gamers will be able to pick up the game long before the rest of us -- some time in March. No news has been heard about a stateside release date for the pricier PSP version of the game, though Siliconera is claiming that a Sony rep told them the handheld edition is "up in the air". This isn't a death knell for the portable port -- we don't know why they'd cancel the U.S. version, considering that Japan's March release date is for the PSP as well. We'll let you know when we know a more definite release date for the two versions, until then, we suggest enrolling into some sort of MENSA organization in order to garner the massive, genius brain you'll need to navigate these impossible constructions. Update: The PS3 version is on track for a Spring release.
PSP Fanboy hands-on: flOw
Within the PlayStation Lounge at GDC, we were able to try out the upcoming PSP version of flOw. The game starts with an interesting attempt to connect to the Network. Interestingly, this is done outside of the usual PSP Network interface. We can only hypothesize that the PSP is looking for other systems to play with, if any happen to be nearby. Unfortunately, no one was able to comment. From the very get-go, one will see the seriously toned-down graphics. The screenshots initially released don't accurately convey how poorly the transition to PSP has affected the visual presentation. Pixelation is very present, and in spite of the small screen of the PSP, nothing looks very sharp. The framerate didn't seem silky smooth like the PS3 original, either. It doesn't look bad per se, but we were rather disappointed. %Gallery-15561%
GDC08: Hands-on with PSP's flOw
The good news is that nothing has been lost in flOw's translation to the PlayStation Portable. The bad news, however, is that something has been gained. Though the aesthetics and soothing audio of the PlayStation 3 version have been mostly preserved, SuperVillain Studios' pint-sized port has been "gifted" with with far more precise control, courtesy of the system's analog nub. Unfortunately, what would normally be considered to be an improvement introduces a mechanical, almost rigid feel to the relaxed and fluid movements in flOw. It's a bizarre complaint -- oh no, the control is more responsive! -- but in the dreamy context of flOw, an increase in precision isn't necessarily in the game's best interests. We should have considered throwing some quotation marks around the word "game" (just like that), as its serene atmosphere and aimless immersion still manages to evade such precise definition, even on a smaller screen.
PSN about quality, not quantity, says Sony
Sony has a unique approach to downloadable games. They take chances -- they allow some unique stuff to get released. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, SCEA's John Hight explains why the PSN hasn't been inundated with games: "Early on as a company we decided it's not going to be about giant numbers and 'Hey, come to PlayStation Network and you'll have 5000 games, maybe three of which you actually want." It's true -- almost every game on the PSN is worth somebody's time.Each game experience should be something special, he says. Doing this allows Sony to keep an eye out for the next creative genius: the next Will Wright or David Jaffe. Expect more games this year, and more with multiplayer, maybe with online components. As for pricing, Sony's messing around with it until they feel they get it right. So if you feel pricing is unfair or surprisingly cheap, it might shift one way or the other throughout the year.[via Next-Gen]
Lost Planet demo returns to PSN
Capcom US's official blog is reporting that the Lost Planet: Extreme Condition demo has been safely returned to the Playstation Network, in good working order. According to Capcom, the original problem stemmed from over 100,000 people downloading and running the online demo in its first 24 hours, causing a bit of unexpected server stress.The Lost Planet demo features elimination and team elimination modes on the Pirate Fortress map, and is limited to 8 players per match. The full title is due out in North America on February 26, and will feature all the additional content from the PC version (and yes, that includes Frank West from the 360-exclusive Dead Rising -- irony of ironies).
