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Canada getting PSN price adjustment due to strong currency
Sony just sent out a press release stating on May 1 there'll be a price adjustment for Canadian PlayStation Store customers in response to the strengthening Canadian dollar. The prices will be adjusted in phases prior to the regularly scheduled update.Although it wasn't in the press release, we spoke with Sony and have been told that the adjustment will lead to "price parity" between the United States and Canada. Meaning that something which costs $5 USD in the US PSN will cost $5 CDN in Canada. Enjoy the equality, Canada.
Bishi Bashi Special 'first of several' in the coming months
Today Konami Europe has released a rather tardy press release to announce last Thursday's release of Bishi Bashi Special on the European PSN Store. The press release contains the normal PR speak about how thrilled Konami is that Bishi Bashi Special is their first PS1 game released over the PSN, how awesome the game is and how exciting the whole situation is. Nestled at the end, however, is the statement that Bishi Bashi Special is "the first of several classic Konami PSOne titles heading to the PlayStation Store in the coming months," with more detailed announcements "to follow." Sounds great to us. We've always been strong advocates of the sadly infrequent PS1 releases. Obviously, at the top of our list would be the original Metal Gear Solid, which would tie perfectly with the release of MGS4 in just over a month. What other Konami titles would you like to see gracing the European store in the coming months?[Via Press Release]
PSN Thursday: Echoing that the echochrome demo releases today
Happy echochrome demo day! But, for those not in the mood to Escher their minds, there may be a couple other things in this week's PSN update to pique your interest. The PS1 classic R-Types is available for $6 and bundles R-Type with R-Type II for one giant classic shmup experience. The Call of Duty 4 fans can get excited that the Variety Map Pack is finally available. Living room performers should be happy that Karaoke Revolution: AIE added a massive variety of new songs. There's a lot of stuff in this update, so check it all out after the break.Europe has an update too. Want to know what it is? Head on over to PS3 Fanboy.%Gallery-11823%
American PSN Store update for April 24th
Not one to be upstaged, SCEA has bettered today's decent PSN update with an even bigger one. Today you'll find two demos, a PS1 game, five expansion packs and a large collection of trailers. We approve. More updates like this in the future, please. Here's the full release list:Playable content: R-Types PS1 game ($5.99) - Includes R-Type and R-Type II Iron Man demo (free) echochrome demo (free) Add-on content Eye of Judgment Set 2 expansion ($15) Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack ($9.99) Rock Band songs (listed after the break) Guitar Hero 3 Def Leppard pack ($6.25) Army of Two SSC Challenge pack ($7.50) Karaoke Revolution: AIE songs (check PS.Blog for full list) So what's your first purchase? R-Types or the Eye of Judgment expansion? Or maybe the Rock Band songs or Call of Duty 4 map pack. Honestly, you're spoiled for choice. Rock Band songs and assorted trailers are listed after the break.
European PSN Store update for April 24th
There's a pleasing amount of new content made available today on the European PlayStation Store. It's not very often we get to say that, but this week is surprisingly good. We'll sit back for a couple more weeks before throwing SCEE a "We Forgive You!" party, but for now we're placated. Here's the full release list, in a new handy-dandy format:Playable content Rocketmen: Axis of Evil demo (free) (Review) Bishi Bashi Special PS1 game (£3.49/€4.99 ) Command & Conquer PS1 game (£3.49/€4.99 ) FlOw PSP version (£4.99/€7.99 ) (Review) God of War: Chains of Olympus demo for PSP (free) (Review) Add-on content Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack (£6.99/€9.99) Trailers Resistance 2 announcement trailer (free) Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror trailer (free) Two Viking trailers (free) Three Timeshift "FPS Differently" trailers (free) Themes and wallpapers Metal Gear Solid 4 "Sneak Out" PS3 theme (free) Dark Sector wallpaper (free) Seven Motorstorm wallpapers (free) Two PS1 games? Yes please. Good ones, too. This is more like what we expected from the service. No more Reel Fishing, thanks. We're also pleased to see the Resistance 2 trailer going up today, alongside the American release. That and the Variety Map Pack start to make us wonder whether SCEE really is serious about fixing their problems with the European Store. Keep it up.
PSN Thursday: Welcome back, Updates
What a week it's been for the PSN! A new store, a Tuesday update and now we get back into the snug confines of routine with a normal Thursday update. The big deal this week, to those who consider "real driving simulators" precious, is that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue can now be purchased on PSN without ever having to deal with those filthy hobbitsez at retail.Warhawk's expansion, Operation Broken Mirror, is also available for download and there's a discount bundle for those who didn't purchase the Omega Dawn expansion. Don't forget to grab the analog control update if you own DOTY (disaster of the year) Lair. The full list of the PSN update is after the break.Check out what Europe's update looks like by heading on over to those fine chaps at PS3 Fanboy.%Gallery-19777%
American PSN update for April 17th
It's been a long two weeks, hasn't it? But finally, finally we can get our hands on it. That one piece of content we've been looking forward to ever since it was announced. No, not Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Nor Warhawk's new expansion, Operation Broken Mirror. We're talking about "Still Alive" for Rock Band! Here's the full release list: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue ($39.99) Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror expansion pack ($7.99) Warhawk "Booster Combo pack" ($11.99) -- contains Operation Broken Mirror and Operation Omega Dawn Rock Band DLC (listed after the break) UEFA Euro 2008 demo (free) Warhawk Operation Broken Mirror trailer (free) Condemned 2: Bloodshot "Making Of" video (free) Haze "Mantel Corporate Vision" video (free) This is Vegas announcement trailer (free) Gran Turismo 5 Prologue "Friendly Fires" video (free) Gran Turismo 5 Prologue "Beyond the Apex" (free) Two Warhawk themes (free) Lair "Mokai" theme (free) Pineapple Express movie trailer (free) Don't forget a load of content also went up on Tuesday, when the store launched. We're glad to see the PSN Store getting content again. Don't forget we've listed all the yummy new Rock Band downloadable content after the break. So what will your first purchase be? GT5:P, Operation Broken Mirror or "Still Alive"?
European PS3 owners are up in arms once again [Update]
The list of grievances Europe is holding against SCEE seems to be growing by the week. A new thread on the official European PlayStation forums demonstrates the various areas in which SCEE is underachieving in comparison to SCEA. While everyone seems happy with the design of the new PSN Store, which went live recently, European PS3 owners seem annoyed at the weird categorisation system used on the EU version. There's no "demos" section, requiring you to search through each game in turn to see whether it has a demo available or not.Not only that, but there's no "preview" button on the European Store, which means that there are no video previews of games. Other annoyances include a lack of decent content, games appearing late (or never at all) compared to their US releases and the lack of a real European PlayStation.Blog. It looks like the members of the official forums aren't going to take it anymore. But will SCEE listen? Sadly, we doubt it.[UPDATE] The thread has been moved to the feedback section of the official European PlayStation forums.[Thanks, madrabbit!]
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue now available from the US PSN Store
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is now up and ready to be downloaded from the American PSN Store, and has been since midnight EST. The price of the game is $40 as well as 1.9GB of your precious hard drive space. Those of you who haven't picked up the, frankly, superior (and cheaper) Blu-Ray version can now go ahead and get your hands on the game without leaving your couch by utilizing the sexy new PlayStation Store. There's more to come from the Store later today and we'll let you know exactly what else is going up as soon as we find out.
SingStar Vol. 2 announced, new tracks available Friday
The Euro-exclusive PS3 version of SingStar is ready to belt out another edition with SingStar Volume 2, just as the SingStore is finally getting up to speed. Volume 2 will include 30 new songs, a "Harmony Duet" mode, remote PSP play (you can't sing in public, only browse the SingStore) and features songs like "California Dreamin" by the Mamas and the Papas, along with a lot of artists from this decade. There is currently no release date or announcement whether the new tracks and features will be available as DLC from the SingStore.The SingStore is also adding 45 new songs this Friday featuring a wide variety of international flavor. We've placed the full list after the break. Still no word when (or if) SingStar for PS3 will make it across the pond.Read -- SingStar Vol. 2 announcementRead -- SingStore update this Friday[Via Gamespot UK]
Reminder: The new PSN Store, PS3 firmware 2.30 both live
If you love retooled buying experiences or super, SUPER 27.1 surround sound, then we probably don't need to remind you of this, but for the rest of you: The new PlayStation Store and PlayStation 3 firmware version 2.30 are both live.As if that weren't exciting enough, this also means that weekly updates to the store will resume and PS3 Rock Band owners will finally get their hands on Jonathan Coulton's "Still Alive." We'd expect the geek anthem to be part of a pretty beefy update this week to mark the store's return, we'll let you know when we hear something. Gallery: PlayStation Store Update Spring '08 [Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
PSN Store down today for 'scheduled maintenance'
According to the US PlayStation Support site, the PSN store will be down for "scheduled maintenance" from 8AM - 11PM PST today. The PlayStation Blog is a little looser with the time of the maintenance, expressing it'll be from early today through the "early morning of Tuesday, April 15." Once the downtime ends, users will be prompted to download a firmware update.All of this, of course, is in preparation for the new PSN Store going live tomorrow. We do not believe this behind-the-scenes updating will affect other PSN features such as chat or games, but if something does go wrong -- well, this will probably be the reason.[Via PS3 Fanboy]%Gallery-19777%
SCEE announces next PSN Store update, including MGO beta [Update]
SCEE has confirmed that the PSN Store redesign will be going live on April 15th. It has also been revealed that the European Store won't get updated until Thursday the 17th, but it should be worth the wait. A list of upcoming content was included in the press release, including the European Metal Gear Online beta. From the looks of things, it'll be an open beta for anyone who wants to take part, unlike in the US or Japan where beta keys were handed out with Metal Gear Solid 4 preorders. Here's what we can expect to see next Thursday: Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror expansion Lair "Diabolical Dragons" pack Lair "Skyguard Upgrade" pack "A collection of trailers including the latest for GTA IV" Sega Superstar Tennis demo Looks like that "special update" we were promised was pointing towards the MGO beta. Nice to see Europe not getting shafted in the end -- in fact, they get the best deal. A seemingly open beta. We're not sure whether the content listed above is exhaustive, but assume for now that it is. We'll let you know if we find out otherwise.[Update] Konami has confirmed that the beta will be completely open and will last between April 21st and May 6th. After May 6th the beta client will be removed from the PSN Store.%Gallery-19482%%Gallery-12719%
Let Grace Chen walk you through the PSN Store redesign
Screenshots are all very well, but we've been waiting and waiting to see the PSN Store redesign in all its full-motion glory. Well, the time has come. Instead of a Store release post (there won't be one today, remember?) Grace Chen has stepped in front of a camera in order to show off the redesign to us. Thankfully, it looks fantastic. Complete with SingStar-esque fades between pages.Some of these features are more than we'd ever have anticipated. Being able to see every piece of content, whether it's a demo, wallpaper, theme or add-on pack for each particular game is excellent -- as are the pop-up and full screen preview videos. Finally, it's nice to see that the Store will no longer shrink when you buy content, instead a wee shopping bag will let you know that you've already bought it. Great. We can't wait to get our hands on the new Store when it's released on April 15th.Just in case motion makes your eyes go funny, we've put our collection of very static screenshots below.%Gallery-19482%
Store redesign dated for the 15th
Click for high resolution image. A press release sent out by SCEJ has revealed that firmware version 2.30 and, by extension, the newly redesigned PlayStation Store will be available on April 15th. There's no word on whether new content will be placed on the store on the day that the redesign goes live, and we're all too familiar with how much Sony hates updating the store on days that don't begin with "Thurs." When the update does go live, however, we'll have plenty of exciting content to look forward to -- Americans can finally get their hands on GT5:P and Warhawk fans the world over will be able to grab the latest expansion. What else? We have no idea, but we're excited to find out.Reacquaint yourself with the new Store design via our gallery below.%Gallery-19482%
New PSN Store screenshots reveal preview button; video coming next week
Click for high resolution image. The PlayStation Store may not have updated yesterday, but Grace Chen still managed to get a post up on the PlayStation.Blog. In it she reminds us that Warhawk is still only $29.99 (and, therefore, must be immediately purchased by those who still don't have it) as well as revealing a few new screens of the PSN Store redesign. We've added these to the gallery below and look forward to seeing the Store in motion when a video goes up on the PlayStation.Blog sometime next week.One of the screenshots reveals a "preview" button which, Chen confirms in the comments, will show off some some of the game's visuals to help people make a purchase decision. While the current store already has screenshots embedded in the item description, it seems that content will now be able to have video previews as well. This will make it much easier to see whether a game might be worth grabbing or not. %Gallery-19482%
PSN Thursday: Gone fishin', enjoy some new store screens
There is no PSN update this week (or next, for that matter) due to the incoming PlayStation Store revamp. Today Sony added some new images of the forthcoming store to the PlayStation Blog -- these can be found in the gallery below. For those who missed the announcement last week, the recently patched Warhawk is currently on sale until April 15 for $30.%Gallery-19777%
Store redesign coming to America; same content suspension as Europe
Click for high resolution We have received confirmation that the redesigned US PSN Store will be arriving around the same time as its European counterpart. A new image has also been revealed showing how the US will differ from the EU store - the front page, at least. Apart from a few changes with the wording ("Featured Items" rather than "We Recommend") everything seems very similar. No content will be released on the US Store for the next two weeks.The US press release also confirms that the Store will be software based, as opposed to the current web based version. A firmware update will be released when it launches which will "activate" the new Store. A software based storefront will mean a much faster, less aggravating PSN Store. Singstar owners will already have experienced this with the SingStore, which is much nicer to use. We're holding out until we see the redesign in action, but so far we're very optimistic about the new PSN Store redesign.
PSN redesign unveiled; no new content for two weeks [Update]
Click for high resolution image. We've known that the Store would be undergoing a redesign in April for a little while, but until now we've had no idea exactly what it would look like. SCEE has been kind enough to reveal some images of the new look for the Store, and it's certainly an improvement over the current one. Be sure to check out the gallery below for high resolution images.Unfortunately, the redesign means that European PS3 owners will be missing out on two weeks worth of PSN content - the European Store will not be updated between now and when the redesign goes live in "mid-April." That's a sacrifice we're willing to make, however. Sony is keen to tell us that the new look store is a result of "a survey last year which showed that many PlayStation Store users wanted a better interface and easier navigation." To make up for the two weeks without new content we're promised a "special update in mid-April." This information is currently only correct for Europe. We're waiting to hear from SCEA regarding their redesign plans.[UPDATE] SCEA has confirmed that the US Store will also be redesigned around the same time. There will be no Store updates between now and the launch. %Gallery-19482%
European PSN update coming sometime today - we hope
Sony has released a statement regarding yesterday's European PSN update-that-never-was. "Due to last minute technical difficulties" the Store wasn't able to be updated (and still hasn't been), but they "are working to resolve these issues and will let you know as soon as new content is posted." Normally, this wouldn't really be an issue, considering the European updates are so poor, but yesterday was meant to be the PSN release of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue. Considering the game has already gone platinum on European pre-releases alone, we expect there are quite a few annoyed people out there who were planning on grabbing the download a day early.Other expected releases include the Eye of Judgment expansion. Obviously, we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything. If you're feeling really impatient, however, feel free to go pick up the Blu-Ray version. With no idea about when the store update is coming, It could be a long day of waiting.
