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Older PS3s losing 'install other OS' option in Thursday's firmware 3.21 update
Bad news, Linux fans. The older PlayStation 3 consoles are losing one of the features they could tout over their Slim successor. Firmware 3.21 is coming out this Thursday, April 1st, and its major raison d'être is to kill the "install other OS" option. (This is "not an April fools joke," as the PlayStation Europe blog clarifies.) "Security concerns" is the cited reason, although we're sure that doesn't make you feel much better -- no one likes the loss of a feature, even if it wasn't being used. Those who wish to keep Yellow Dog or Fedora running can opt to not upgrade, but skipping out means losing the ability to access PlayStation Network and play games online, among other things. DARPA enthusiasts notwithstanding, we can't say we know many people still running Linux on their console, but if you count yourself among the few and proud, our condolences. Them's the breaks, but hey, at least some of you still have PS2 compatibility.
PlayStation Move ad pulls no motion-controlled punches against Wii, Project Natal
Sony's VP of Realistic Movements Kevin Butler (boy, does that guy have a large business card) is at it again, this time in a video ad for the PlayStation Move. He's back from the future to thank us all for the success of the motion control device, and make a few jabs towards Nintendo and Microsoft for their efforts. Here's a few choice quotes. "Because real boxers don't hit like this [flails arms exasperatingly]" "It's also got what we in the future call buttons, which turn out to be pretty important to those handful of millions of people who enjoy playing shooters, platformers, well, anything that doesn't involve catching a big red ball." "C'mon, who wants to pretend their hand is a gun. What is this, third grade? Pew, pew, pew." Check out the futuristic -- or now-eristic, rather -- commercial after the break. And if you ask, sorry, we still wouldn't bet on Kansas City in six.
PlayStation Move will offer limited four player support
So you do your research, you read up on everything important about the PS3's new Move controller, and you consider yourself well prepared for a future of wild merrymaking and multiplayer gaming parties. And then you find out you can't use four full sets of controllers with your console. As it turns out, the PS3's Bluetooth module is only fit to address up to seven wireless devices at a time, which poses something of a puzzler when you consider that you need a pair of Move controllers (or a Move plus a sub-controller) to get your money's worth and four times two is, well, a number greater than seven. Perturbed by this, Gizmodo contacted Sony for an official response and the news gets even worse: "Four PlayStation Move controllers can connect to a PS3 at one time (or two PlayStation Move Controllers and 2 PlayStation Move sub-controllers)." That basically means you can have the full Move experience with only one friend, or you can share out the wands and have that tiny bit less fun with a quartet. Not a problem for the misanthropes out there -- or most people really -- but an important limitation to be aware of, nonetheless.
Sony wants to patent 'feature erosion' in game demos, illustrates the idea vividly
Want more evidence of the patent degradation of modern society? Well, here's Sony with its latest idea for selling games. The feature-eroding demo concept gives the user the full game to start off with, but then grows increasingly more limited the more you play it. In racing games, that means the number of tracks you can race on gradually dwindles, whereas in classically themed smack-em-ups like God of War your sword, erm... well, it also dwindles. We're kind of on the fence about this -- on the one hand, it's hilariously insulting to the user as it perpetually nags him about what a cheapskate he is for not purchasing the entire game, and yet on the other it does at least let you taste the full breadth of the game, albeit for a limited time. However you may feel, this is still at the application stage, but given the patent office's recent track record, there's no reason why Sony should be denied the rights over this supposed innovation.
Sony's PlayStation marks 15th anniversary
1994. A good year for many reasons, but for gamers it's best remembered as the year Sony shook things up in a big way with its original PlayStation game console (on this day in Japan, at least -- the rest of us had to wait 'til the fall of 1995). While Sega got a slight head start with its Saturn, the Sony PlayStation's lower price and strong launch line-up of games quickly vaulted it to the top of the pack, and helped bring in the slightly older audience that 3D0 and others tried and failed to capture. Of course, the original PlayStation was also just the beginning for Sony, and the company has taken this opportunity to reminisce a bit about the entire history of the PlayStation brand on a special 15th anniversary website (linked below). Feel free to share some thoughts of your own in the comments.
PlayStation 3 Video Delivery Service spreads to Europe
When Sony isn't busy adding Facebook functionality or potentially courting Firefox for its PS3, it likes nothing better than to dream of global all-encompassing online services and stores. A step toward that goal is the company's recent introduction of the PS3 Video Delivery Service into the heart of Europe. PlayStation loyalists in Deustchland, España, France, and the United Kingdom can now use their beloved console (or the PSP) to grab movies from a selection that is set to grow at a consistent pace of 50 new films being added per week. Both SD and HD versions are available, with the cheaper variants going for €1.99 / £2.49 to rent or €7.99 / £6.99 to purchase, and you can see a trailer for the new service after the break.
PlayStation 3 motion-sensing controller to be shown off at E3?
It's now just over a month before Sony's E3 press event and already the rumor mill is aflutter with what the comapny's planning to debut on stage. We've already heard about PSP's apparent makeover, and now comes word from Variety that the PlayStation 3's oft-rumored motion sensing controller, closer in the vein of the Wii remote than of its relative-positioning Sixaxis pad, will be getting some time on stage. A source from Kombo late last month suggested key third-party developers have already been brought up to speed and asked to implement the functionality into their upcoming titles. Like we said, this isn't the first time we've been down this road, and it's not happened infinitely more times than has, so... take that as you will. Brace yourself, this is only the beginning of the of a flurry of game-related murmurs and speculation in the leadup to next month's conference. Read - Variety Read - Kombo
Netflix on the lookout for gaming platforms engineering guru
We've heard whispers of Netflix heading to other, non-Xbox 360 game consoles before, and now adding to the susurrus is a job listing from the company for Engineering Lead - Gaming Platforms. The description calls for someone familiar with the technical hurdles of current-gen consoles for building a small team to "rapidly prototype and iterate on a variety of platforms." Whether or not this means we'll be seeing PlayStation 3 or Wii services in the near (or even distant) future is anyone's guess, but with Microsoft's version so far a streaming success, we wouldn't be surprised if the company took a few steps to increase the probability that 3 billionth delivered flick is digital.[Via Joystiq]
Sony: 'no plans' for a PS3 price cut
That PlayStation 3 price drop rumored to be coming tomorrow? Not happening, according to Sony. In a statement given to Joystiq, SCEA public relations manager Al De Leon says, "we do not have plans for a PS3 price drop, and any rumors to that effect are false and are the result of speculation." Although we wouldn't put it past the company to deny it up until the second before an official announcement, we seriously doubt Sony would announce any sort of price cut on the day it's most likely to get drowned out by fake PSP2 mockups. No word on that speculated $100 PS2, but we wouldn't get our hopes up here, either.
Bloomberg: Wii crushing PS3 in 5:1 sales in Japan
Bloomberg is reporting on some May sales figures, stating that the Wii outsold the PS3 in the region by a margin of about 5:1. The Wii, which sold 251,794 compared to just over 50,000 for the PS3, has been a hot item since its launch and is continuing to constantly sell out. These latest sales figures are an improvement for the system over last month, as in April it sold at about 4:1 with the PS3. The news that Nintendo is constantly beating out its competitors in the region comes as little shock, given the lack of software support and high price tag for Sony's machine. [Via Next Generation]
Boulder Dash rolls steadily on
Geology is a slow process. Making rocks takes time after all, much like game development. Meanwhile, classic action puzzler Boulder Dash - Rocks continues its glacial roll toward the DS and PSP.We first heard about this remake of the classic action-puzzler back in November. Since then a few new details have emerged. Rockford, our bling hungry hero, will be able to use lasers and bombs to help him on his underground quest for diamonds. We're also promised multiplayer modes, and platform specific game modes. No details on what these entail, but some kind of stylus based action seems inevitable on the DS - perhaps the ability to lift or smash rocks? That would certainly go some way to making the game a bit more accessible than the original, where a simple mistake could leave your precious diamonds buried forever under piles of rocks. We'll hopefully find out in late 2007, when Boulder Dash - Rocks is due for release.
Analyst picks PS3 to beat Wii
Quick, check out your window and make sure you don't see any pigs flying!Seriously though, where does this expectation come from? The future, apparently, as Peter O'Donovan from Gartner suggests. "We expect PS3 to outsell Wii and 360 in a couple of year's time," he says, with the kind of wide-eyed enthusiasm a new-born babe possesses, we imagine. Or, maybe he was drunk.Regardless of our incredible ability to imagine the most ridiculous things, let's open the flood gates and see what you all think. The Wii is kicking the crap out of the competition now, but do you see them doing so over the next year or two, or even the life of this console generation? What will keep them on top, or topple them from the top of the hill?[Via Codename Revolution]
Sharpen those pitchforks: self-professed "non gamer" trashes Wii
It's probably not a good idea to try and trash the Wii with little-to-no fact behind your fiction. One columnist found that out, the hard way, and now we have someone else trying to put the "man pants" on and beat down Nintendo like they're his red-headed stepchildren? Oh, no, we aren't having it! Like Forrest said "stupid is as stupid does."And that's exactly how this piece is coming off: ignorant. Why are you trying to write about the gaming industry and put weight behind your word after you profess to not even be a gamer? That totally validates your opinions, amirite? No, it does not. On top of that, you profess that "if you're a serious gamer looking for serious graphics and serious choice, you'll gladly pay double for a serious console." For being a "non gamer," you sure do know our kind well. Also, since when does "serious graphics" make a console and/or game? Some of the industry's best games have had sub-par graphics!We're usually calm-headed and objective, but this kind of biased "journalism" gets under our skin. We'll call a spade a spade any day of the week and while our blog is named Nintendo Wii Fanboy and our header image reiterates this title, it by no means makes us irrational, over-bearing fanboys. We love Nintendo because of the great products they provide us, not because they give us "serious choices."Whatever that means ...
Play Asia jacks up prices of Signature PSPs
You may remember Sony recently unveiling two new PSP models (the Kachofugetsu and the Tsukimi) in its Playstation Signature lineup. Well, Play Asia has just started selling both models on its Web site for a whopping $500 each, which is almost $200 more than Sony's MSRP.Keep in mind, however, these models are targeting the "high class" gamer demographic, but this mark up is pretty crazy, and unless you like throwing your money away, I don't suggest you bite on this just yet.I guess one of the pluses is the system comes with a 2200mAh battery, which will last you a bit longer than the normal 1800mAh battery.
PS3Fanboy has its debut
Is there really life beyond our Macs? Well, I guess I could find something else to occupy my time if pressed...like obsess over the (elusive) Playstation 3. Please welcome PS3 Fanboy to our big, happy Weblogs, Inc. family. Consider the site your one-stop source for all things PS3. There are some great posts up already, like this great collection of screenshots, an Xbox Live vs. PSNetwork showdown and a report from GDC. All I want to know is, does Sony plan to ever ship this thing? My Playstation 2 is getting a little long in the tooth.
