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Sony's original series 'Powers' won't return for season three
Although it lasted two seasons, Sony's original superhero crime drama Powers unfortunately won't be returning for a third. According to series creator and comic book author Brian Michael Bendis on Twitter, "season 2 was the last. at least for now."
'Don't Starve: Shipwrecked' gets a PS4 release date
If you own a PlayStation 4 and have been patiently waiting to play Don't Starve: Shipwrecked, then you're in luck. The nautical-themed expansion will be released on August 2nd on the PSN store, with a 10 percent launch discount to boot. Though that August 2nd date is only a few weeks away, this marks a several month delay for the expansion. Shipwrecked was originally supposed to launch on Sony's console sometime this spring.
PlayStation Network is adding two-factor sign-ins
It's about to get much harder for someone to compromise your PlayStation Network account. Sony has confirmed that it's working on two-factor authentication for PSN, preventing intruders from getting into your games (or worse, going on a spending spree) simply because they have your password. It's unclear just what that second identifying factor will be, but the odds are that you'll get an SMS-based code to type in the first time you sign into a device or website.
Sony finally hands out free game codes for its 2011 hack
If you were one of the 70 million Sony customers affected by the 2011 Sony hack, and took the time to fill in a lengthy claim form following the intrusion, now is the time to check your inbox. Since March 2nd, Sony has been compensating PlayStation Network, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment account holders as a result of a class action settlement against it in 2014. On offer are free download codes for a number of PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PSP games, as well as a handful of themes.
Cast your vote for March's free PlayStation 4 indie game
With the Iowa caucuses behind us, it's understandable if you want to make your voice heard again before this November. Well, PlayStation has your back because Vote to Play is making a return. Starting February 9th, you can once again vote for which of three indie game candidates will be a free PS Plus download for March. The program's been on hiatus since August for whatever reason, but this month's crop looks pretty solid.
PS Vita hit with battery and PlayStation Store problems
Sony's PlayStation Vita is usually a quiet little beast, slowly accruing indie titles and the occasional "triple-A" exclusive. Today, however, the under-appreciated handheld has stumbled into the limelight because of some unfortunate technical hiccups. As countless commenters on Reddit, NeoGAF and Sony's PlayStation forums explain, the most recent Vita firmware update (3.57) has rendered the console almost useless for some players. Launching the PlayStation Store can trigger a never-ending "Please Wait" message, and sometimes the console struggles to fall into its sleep mode, draining the battery for many unsuspecting owners.
PlayStation Network is down, Sony confirms (update)
It's a rough Monday for Sony, as the PlayStation Network appears to be experiencing widespread issues. Sony acknowledge that it's aware of the problems, which have affected PS4, PS3 and Vita users for pretty much the entire morning. The company's network status tracker also notes that all of PSN's services are having issues. There's no word when service will be restored, but we'd imagine Sony is working feverishly to get things sorted ahead of its CES press conference tomorrow. We've reached out to Sony for additional comment and will update if we hear back.We're aware that some users are having trouble accessing PSN. Thanks for your patience as we investigate. https://t.co/8hMUSl2cCe— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) January 4, 2016Update: Judging by Twitter, PSN services are back in action, with head of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida confirming as much.As people are tweeting, PSN is back online. Very sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. https://t.co/y3aO5iiWfn— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) January 5, 2016
PlayStation 3's free-to-play 'Soul Calibur' shuts down in November
There was a brief period when Bandai Namco was trying a free-to-play model for its bigger franchises like the venerable Soul Calibur fighting series and its arcadey Ridge Racer. The latter shut down in 2014, and the former will suffer a similar fate pretty soon. Come November 30th, the PlayStation 3 exclusive Soul Calibur Lost Swords closes its virtual doors while sales of in-game items stop about a month prior on October 27th, according to GamesIndustry.biz. From September 16th to September 30th though, Bandai Namco is hosting some commemorative "ranking quests" to mark the occasion. Are you among the game's over two million players and are already mourning its passing? Let us know in the comments. And hey, who knows, this could point toward a Soul Calibur hitting modern consoles sometime soon -- possible silver lining and all that.
What's on your HDTV: 'Powers', 'The Breakfast Club' Blu-ray, 'The Jinx'
Sony's first TV show for the PlayStation Network is finally here. The supernatural cop show Powers will be free for PlayStation Plus members, but everyone can check out the first episode and it's embedded after the break. This week The Breakfast Club is back on Blu-ray for its 30th Anniversary Edition, and HBO wraps up its excellent series looking into the life of creepy killer billionaire Robert Durst. On Sunday, ESPN's 30 for 30 featuring Christian Laettner airs, and we have the season finale of Episodes. Need one more thing to look forward to? Fine, don't forget that Community comes back on Yahoo Screen next week, and of course, the F1 season kicks off Sunday morning from Australia. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Your PlayStation account is ready to grow up when you do
What does upgrading a PlayStation Network sub-account to a master account have in common with buying lottery tickets? Well, now both are things you can do when you turn 18. That's right: You won't have to start a new account (or lose any of those platinum trophies) to get an unrestricted connection to game-broadcasting, messaging and PSN Store spending limits. For now, you have to handle the process via the Sony Entertainment Network website, but the PlayStation Blog says that it's en route to the PlayStation 4 as well. Xbox Live has had this feature for awhile, of course, so it's nice to see Sony's listened to its community and followed suit. Naturally, if you're a parent and don't think your kid is ready for unfettered access to everything PSN offers, Sony's quick to note that this is in no way mandatory. Given some of the things we've seen and heard while playing online with adults, that's almost positively one for the "win" column.
PSN Store Update: Phrasing!
Alright, let's talk about dying lights, grim fandangos and how life is strange. No, not that recent rumor, silly-billy! We're totally referring to this week's new releases on the PlayStation Store, which include Techland's Dying Light ($60), the Grim Fandango remaster ($15) and the debut episode of teen drama Life is Strange ($5). All three of those are on PS4, while you'll also find Life is Strange on PS3 and Grim Fandango on Vita. By the by, Grim Fandango is cross-buy; if you buy it on PS4 you'll unlock it on Vita for free, and vice versa. Meanwhile, Life is Strange won't be available until Friday, January 30.
Sony accepting claims on 2011 PSN data breach settlement
If you were a PSN, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment user at the time of the April 2011 Sony hack that disrupted the PlayStation Network for nearly a month and compromised 70 million user accounts, now's your chance to get a piece of the class action settlement levied against Sony last year. To qualify, you must have held a PSN, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment account on or before May 14, 2011. Each service is eligible to receive different claims, but PSN users are able to receive either one or two games - if you already received a free game in Sony's 2011 "Welcome Back" promotion, you're only eligible for one; if not, you're eligible to choose two - from a list that includes standouts like LittleBigPlanet and God of War HD. Notably, none of the games on offer are for the PlayStation 4. If none of the games tickle your fancy, you can instead choose free dynamic themes for your PlayStation 3 or free PlayStation Plus subscription time. After wading through multiple pages of bureaucratic legalese, you'll find everything you need to make your claim at the PSN-SOE settlement website. [Image: Sony]
The claim process for Sony's $15 million PSN breach lawsuit starts now
Been waiting for Sony to start dishing out the $15 million in restitution for the 2011 breach that took its PlayStation Network and Qriocity services down back in 2011? Well, thanks to the outfit putting a claim form online, now you can start the payment redemption process. It's limited to those who had either a PSN, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment account prior to the intrusion (May 15, 2011), and the payouts aren't all that different from what the firm gave out as part of its "Welcome Back" program at the time. Of course, back then PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable games and themes were a bit more desirable, but three months of PlayStation Plus is actually a bit more valuable now than it once was. Sony doling out the goods could still take a bit longer, though.
PSN Indie game flash sale: Resogun, Brothers, Shadow Warrior
A lineup of more than 60 indie games and various movies are on sale right now on the PlayStation Network as part of a new Flash Sale, the PlayStation Blog has revealed. From now until Monday, January 26 at 9:00am, titles like the PS4 original downloadable indie title Resogun, Joystiq favorite Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and the modern revival of Shadow Warrior and more are available for up to 80% off. The sale features games across the PS4, PS3 and Vita libraries. A handful of movies are also discounted as part of the deal, including Snowpiercer and The Raid 2. [Image: Sony]
'Powers,' the first PlayStation TV show launches on March 10th
When Powers failed to materialize on Sony's PlayStation Network back in December, you were probably distracted by the company's other, more high-profile catastrophes. Now that some of the dust has settled, however, series creator Brian Michael Bendis has taken to the PlayStation Blog to tell the world that the supernatural cop show will debut on March 10th. The first three episodes will all land on that day, with the remaining seven episodes that comprise the first season launching on subsequent Tuesdays.
PSN members get one-use 10% discount code this weekend
Sony's goodwill discount is up for the taking this weekend, allowing users to save 10 percent off a one-time total cart purchase in the PlayStation Store. The offer is part of Sony's show of appreciation for PSN members' patience following the network issues over the holidays. The rules are that the purchase must be made between 9AM PT/12PM ET on January 23 and the same time on January 26. To reiterate, it's 10 percent off a total cart purchase rather than a single item, so if you're in the mood for a PSN splurge then it's your lucky day. However, it's a one-time dealio, so make sure you put all your PSN eggs in your 10 percent basket.
UK teen arrested over suspected involvement in Xbox Live, PSN DDoS attacks
An 18-year-old male was arrested as part of a larger investigation into the attacks which brought down the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live in 2014, according to a statement released earlier this week by the UK's South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). Craig Jones, head of SEROCU's Cyber Crime Unit, attested to working with the FBI on the investigation, which also includes numerous "swatting" offenses. "This investigation is a good example of joint law enforcement cooperation in relation to a type of criminality that is not restricted by any geographical boundaries," Jones said. "We will continue to work closely with the FBI to identify those to who commit offences and hold them to account." The alleged cyber criminal was brought in under suspicion of unauthorized access to computer material contrary to section 1 of Computer Misuse Act 1990, unauthorized access with intent to commit further offences contrary to section 2 of Computer Misuse Act 1990 and threats to kill contrary to Section 16 of Offences against the person Act 1861. [Image: Microsoft/Sony]
Destiny tops PS4 downloads in 2014
Bungie's Destiny topped the PlayStation Store's PS4 best-sellers list for all of 2014, Sony revealed today. The store's top sellers on the current-generation console don't include many surprises; Grand Theft Auto 5 took the second spot, followed by Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Minecraft and The Last of Us Remastered to round out the top five. GTA 5 was the most purchased PS4 game in the month of December. As for PS3 games, Minecraft led all purchases on the system in 2014 on the PS Store, followed by GTA 5, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Destiny and Battlefield 4. Likewise, the list of top-selling PS4 and PS3 add-ons are a mix of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC for the most part; Battlefield 4 Premium and The Last of Us' Left Behind DLC swooped in to the third spot in the PS4 and PS3 lists, respectively. Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment was the highest-selling game last year on the PlayStation Store for Vita. The Bandai Namco RPG was trailed on the handheld system by Minecraft, Killzone: Mercenary, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. [Image: Activision]
PSA: PlayStation Network comes down temporarily on January 15
Owners of Sony gaming devices, take note: The console manufacturer has scheduled PlayStation Network maintenance for January 15, which will bring the online service down for approximately four hours. During the downtime, PlayStation owners will not be able to access the PSN Store, any streaming entertainment apps or online gameplay functions. However, if you just can't go four hours without shooting somebody over the Internet, you can get around this problem by signing into PSN before the network comes down. As long as you don't sign out of the PlayStation Network, you'll be able to play online while everyone else is forced to interact with reality. Barring any last-minute changes or unexpected problems, the downtime is scheduled to occur at 12PM EST and last through 4PM EST. [Image: Sony]
Limbo limbering up for PlayStation 4, according to PEGI
It's GOTY Season here at Joystiq, so it's apt timing for Limbo to bend its way back into the news. 2010's #8 game looks set to make its debut on PS4 - yes, yet another system - following a new PEGI listing at the turn of the year. The European ratings board is rarely misleading on these things, but for now we're waiting on official confirmation. We approached developer Playdead this morning about the PEGI rating, but CEO Dino Patti said the company wasn't able to comment.
