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Lego The Last of Us video proves someone needs to make this game
Some properties are a bit too mature for it, but you still know they'd be great for the Lego game treatment. Animator Brian Anderson is a going a long way to proving that, following up his Lego Breaking Bad video with one for gritty PS3 hit The Last of Us. While we're at it, if you've not checked out Anderson's Bluthfighter video, you really should. It's as Ann as the nose on Plain's face that someone should be making these games.
Today's PSN maintenance ups activation slots for portables
If you've been waiting to tie all three of your PlayStation portables to one Sony Entertainment Network account, today's PSN maintenance will make you smile. For everyone else it's five hours of downtime starting at 9AM PT (12PM ET, 5PM UK time) and ending at 2PM PT (5PM ET, midnight UK - that's right, two hours extra for the extra special UK). There are some other, minor improvements being implemented during the maintenance, but the main one is the bumping up of portable activation slots to three. Once it's done, users will be able to tie SEN accounts to three Vita systems, or three PSPs, or a three-hit combo of Vitas and PSPs – go crazy with your combos, the world is your portable oyster. As for the downtime, as usual the PS Store, Home, and account management go offline, but if you've signed into PSN sometime in the last few days it won't affect online play or apps.
Gran Turismo 6 first week UK sales around five times less than GT5
Gran Turismo 6 is way off the pace of its predecessor, after debuting in the UK with close to five times less sales than Gran Turismo 5. Yes, the presence of two next-gen consoles is no doubt a factor - also GT5 came out on a Wednesday, and GT6 on Friday - but it's still a concerning performance by the PS3 racer, especially considering it had this week to itself, retail-wise. To add insult to injury, it placed eighth in the UK charts this week - behind the nearly three-month-old Grand Theft Auto 5. With Gran Turismo 6 failing to light up the charts, this week's podium is the same as last week's: Battlefield 4 in third, FIFA 14 second, and Call of Duty: Ghosts top for the second week running. There's barely any shuffling to mention either, outside of Killzone: Shadow Fall dropping from fourth to ninth. Instead of dwelling on that, let's close with a gif that harks back to happier times.
Sony announces PS4 sales total 2.1 million, 700K in Europe, Australasia
Sony announced this morning that PlayStation 4 sales exceed 2.1 million as of December 1, with 700,000 consoles sold across Europe and Australasia across their launch weekends. The number is again stipulated as sell-through, meaning it represents units sold to customers rather than retailers, as estimated by Sony Computer Entertainment. According to Sony's numbers, PS4 sales have now doubled since its first day of availability in North America, boosted by launches across Europe, Australasia, and Latin America last week. The console looks on target to meet SCE America President and CEO Jack Tretton's prediction of 3 million sales by the end of the year. Sony is aiming for 5 million sales by the end of March 2014, boosted again by the console's launch in Japan on February 22.
Guerilla outlines Killzone Mercenary updates, two free maps next year
The PlayStation 4 and Killzone Shadow Fall may be out in the wild, but Guerrilla Games still has plans for several updates to Vita entry Killzone Mercenary. The European studio detailed four patches headed for the handheld shooter, including one that'll add two free multiplayer maps early in 2014. That's Update 5, and that patch will also add the offline Botzone mode that's appeared in other Killzone games. Updates 3 and 4 are due before it, the first in the next few weeks and the second some time in January. Update 3 will free up 800MB of precious Vita space by reducing the sizes of prior patches, while Update 4 will tweak matchmaking and automatic team re-balancing. Rounding things off is Update 6, which is due in the "early months of 2014," and offers the chief addition of Vita TV support.
PlayStation app out in Europe, services outlined for PS4 launch
The PlayStation app is live and ready to download in Europe, after making a fashionably late entrance in line with the fashionably late PS4. The console arrives in a few days time on November 29, some two weeks after hitting North America. Still, it could be worse - couldn't it, Japan? To recap for our Euro-pals, the iOS and Android companion lets you access the PlayStation Network to chat with friends, compare trophies, purchase stuff on the store, access system guides, and a fair bit more besides. It also syncs up with the PS4 in various ways, including as an on-screen keyboard,and by offering the same Second Screen functionality (note: not Remote Play) that the Vita provides with certain PS4 games. Sony also detailed that 18 apps will be available on the PS4 across the European launch, although a lot of them are limited to certain countries. The UK will get BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer, and Demand 5 apps, for example, and there are similar TV-based apps for specific countries like Germany, Belgium, and Spain. As for the more generally available apps, they include IGN, Netflix, Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited, and VidZone. The PlayStation Blog has the full list of apps and the countries they'll be available in. [Image: Gianluca D. Muscelli via Shutterstock]
PS4 in 'good supply' through the holiday season, says Sony
Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House finds himself in the auspicious position of assuring a "good supply" of PlayStation 4 consoles across the holidays. Speaking to Game Informer, House said Sony had a "good sense" of ramping up production to meet rising demands, evidenced by the 1 million consoles sold on launch day last week However, as House explained it's not simply a matter of having enough consoles to meet demand. The perception of a console that looks like it isn't selling can be catastrophic, and Sony has to balance the need to meet customer demands against the danger of having too much stock on store shelves. "We are ensuring that we have the broadest reach to ensure that people are satisfied, especially when they've been loyal to brand for so long," House told Game Informer. "On the other hand, we're not engendering frustration by having a shortage of supply. I think through the holiday season that we'll be in good supply. The sales target that I announced for the company is 5 million units sold by the end of our fiscal year. March 31, 2014" The PS4 launch is ongoing, with Europe to receive the console on November 29, and then Japan a while later on February 22, 2014. Of the later Japanese launch, House said, "We paid careful attention to when we had enough confidence that we would have developed from the ground-up experiences that the Japanese consumer would really respond to." For one, the PS4's arrival in Japan coincides with the launch of Final Fantasy 14's beta on the system, while free-to-play Capcom RPG Deep Down enters beta near that time too.
PSA: Gran Turismo 6 PSN pre-orders now available in Europe
The European territories can now ensure that they're able to race on launch day thanks to the addition of a Gran Turismo 6 pre-order option to the PlayStation 3's online store. Those who pre-order the standard edition of the game will receive a bonus "Precision Pack," which adds five new sports cars to the game. Additionally, they'll be able to choose from one of four other car packs or one million in-game credits. The more expensive Anniversary Edition of the game includes all five car packs and that oversized stack of cash. Gran Turismo 6 is scheduled to debut on December 6. The game can now be pre-ordered either from your console or by visiting the Gran Turismo website.
PlayStation App goes live
PS4 owners-to-be can put twiddling thumbs to use by downloading the PlayStation App, which is out now on iOS and Android in North America. As for Euro twiddlers, unless they have an Android device they may have to wait until nearer November 29, when the console launches on that side of the ocean. North Americans still have to wait until Friday to check out of the app's PS4-based features, such as providing a screen-based keyboard for the console, or a second SmartGlass-like screen for certain PS4 games. In the meantime, there's always things like text chat with PSN friends, trophy comparisons, profile viewing, game alerts, and PS Store browsing to keep you occupied. When the console does arrive on November 15, PS4 owners will be able to use the app to download purchased content directly to their new black box. Also, one very useful thing the app links to is the console's web-based user manual. As it happens, we can do that too.
Unlock Knack items (eventually) in free iOS match-3 game, out now
It'd be a stretch to say Knack's Quest gives you a taste of PS4 launch game Knack, but the iOS companion game is free and out now on the App Store. I played it briefly this morning on my iPhone 5, and it looked to be an inoffensive Bejeweled-like. So what's the kicker? Well, as you progress through the iOS game you unlock various parts of items, just as you do in the PS4 game. Find all the constituent parts and you unlock that item, which you'll then be able to "send" to Knack in the PS4 game itself. That functionality isn't built into the iOS game yet, not that it'd be much use without the console or its game. As for the PS4 game, I enjoyed my time at E3 with Mark Cerny's action-adventure. Much like its iOS sibling, I found it pretty easy to get the knack of Knack, and it should be one of the more accessible PS4 launch games, albeit on the lower difficulties. Knack is one of 17 games confirmed for to be available when the PS4 launches next week on November 15, with the console priced at $400.
PlayStation 3 up to 80 million consoles shipped worldwide
The PlayStation 3 passed the threshold of 80 million units shipped on November 2, just ahead of its successor's launch next week. Given the figure was 70 million this time last year, Sony shipped around 10 million PS3 consoles across the prior 12 months. To compare the PS3 with its rivals, the Xbox 360 just beat it to the 80 mill mark back in September. Of course, both consoles still sit way behind Nintendo's Wii, which reached the nine figures of 100 million in June. Another item of note from Sony's announcement is staggering, although it's difficult to quantify exactly. According to the company, the number of "software titles" released for the PS3 is 4,332 as of the end of September 2013 - that's excluding downloadable games. We'd have to think there's a fair few different versions of games in there, but it's still a huge number, even if the console is coming up to its 7th birthday. To the people who've played all 4,332 games, we salute you, you crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy people.
Gran Turismo 6 lands a moon buggy, otherwise Earthly car list revealed
Of the 1197 vehicles confirmed for Gran Turismo 6, one certainly stands out. That said, the Lunar Roving Vehicle LRV-001 would stand out just about anywhere except the moon. The iconic Apollo 15 buggy is the most surprising inclusion in Polyphony Digital's sim, and the most befuddling. After all, it's unclear if you'll drive it on the Moon, or Earth, or maybe both. A new trailer certainly hints at the possibility of some lunar lapping, at least. As for the other 1196 cars, which suddenly seem humdrum in comparison, you can check them out on the Gran Turismo 6 website. And maybe we'll see you on the dark side of the moon in a month's time, when the PS3 game lands on December 6.
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus comes with free Quest for Booty
If you've yet to hit Quest for Booty, look no further than the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus. Sony Computer Entertainment announced that Insomniac's conclusion to the Future saga brings with it a free download voucher for Quest for Booty - that applies to both the disc and download versions of Into the Nexus. SCE revealed the freebie on the PlayStation Blog, where it also announced Into the Nexus' asking price of 30 bucks. Insomniac released Quest for Booty back in 2008 as a short downloadable follow-up to Ratchet and Clank's PS3 debut, Tools of Destruction. That game began the Future series that will end with Into the Nexus, but the Lombax and robot duo are set to return in 2015. That is, however, via the medium of cinema screens. The last bit of news is only a slight downer, as Europeans are now getting Into the Nexus a week later than planned on November 20 - that's November 21 in Spain, and November 22 in UK and Ireland. By the way, for some reason in Europe the game's subtitled Nexus rather than Into the Nexus. Well, you know what they say about us Europeans and prepositions? We just don't see the point them [LAUGHTER]. As for the North American version, it's out on retail and PSN on November 12.
Rumor: PS4 launch title Driveclub delayed
Two reports are claiming that PS4 launch title Driveclub may be the latest title to receive a last-minute delay. Ominous silence from publisher Sony and developer Evolution Studios isn't allaying fears after this week's Watch Dogs delay. The rumblings began yesterday at UK-based site The Same Coin, which reported it received word from an "anonymous source" that Evolution Studios' racer was being pushed back to spring 2014. The Same Coin told Joystiq the anonymous source is a Sony employee, but we've not been able to verify this. The rumor was then followed up by Kotaku, who posted that "a person familiar with goings-on at Sony" told the site that The Same Coin's report is accurate. Kotaku also noted Driveclub was originally part of the line-up at a PS4 event in San Francisco yesterday, but was later removed because of a "scheduling conflict," according to a Sony representative. We're also unable to verify that Same Coin and Kotaku aren't talking to the same source. We've reached out to Sony for comment, but we've yet to hear back. Meanwhile, Evolution Design Director Paul Rustchynsky seemed to deflect multiple queries about the rumor on Twitter, instead saying, "Unfortunately guys I don't have any new information on Driveclub to share. I've been out if the office for a week looking after my newborn!" Driveclub is due to launch alongside the PS4 on November 15 in North America, and November 25 in Europe. There's a free, beta version of the game allegedly coming to PS Plus subscribers that's missing "a few assets" from the full version.
Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus hits PS3 Nov. 12, pre-order bonuses outlined
The budget-priced end-cap to this generation's stable of Ratchet and Clank games, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, will bring zany weapons and robotic antics to the PlayStation 3 on November 12, to the tune of $29.99. Folks who pre-order from "participating retailers" will receive Ratchet's "Pyronox Armor," which reduces incoming damage by five percent. Amazon pre-orders also include "roughly $30" worth of Ratchet and Clank items for PlayStation Home (according to the PlayStation Blog), though the exact nature of said items is not specified. Meanwhile, Insomniac also released this faux-VHS orientation video detailing Ratchet's hands-on involvement in the series' development process, including his failed mo-cap suit made out of DualShock 3 controllers.
Japan's PS4 launch day line-up features 19 games
We now have confirmation of what games will be available for the PlayStation 4 when it launches on February 22, 2014 in Japan. The nation's launch-day line-up includes 19 games - well, 18 games and a beta, although when that beta is for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, it probably counts as a game. The full launch day line-up is after the break.
Rumor: Infamous coming to Vita
A single sentence uttered by a developer in a recent Q&A has spawned the rumor that Sucker Punch Productions' Infamous series will be making an appearance on Sony's Vita handheld. At the 5:45 mark of the DualShockers interview above you can hear Infamous: Second Son director Nate Fox obliquely reference a potential Vita entry in the Infamous franchise when asked point-blank about its existence after misinterpreting a question regarding Vita-related functionality for Second Son. "Right now we're only talking about the PS4 game," states Fox. "I would love to talk to you about any Vita-related titles when, or if the time comes." Was this a casual slip of the tongue or something more meaningful? VGLeaks sees the quote as evidence of an upcoming Infamous game in development for the Vita. "This statement sounds like Sucker Punch has been working on Infamous for PS Vita, however it could be just a project in an early stage, a test for that hardware," said the site. The next entry in the franchise, Infamous: Second Son, is currently slated for exclusive release on the PlayStation 4 in Q1 2014. We've reached out to both Sony and Sucker Punch for more information. Update: This article's sourcing has been updated based on new information.
Welcome to Driveclub, now watch these instructional videos
Four Driveclub videos for the price of one post! That's what we have today, thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment publishing a flurry of footage from the PS4 game. The quartet of vids are taken from a direct feed of the racer's Gamescom demo; you'll find one above, and the other three past the break. Paul Rustchynsky, design director at developer Evolution Studios, took to NeoGAF to spill a few more details on Driveclub's slightly stripped-down PlayStation Plus version. According to Rustchynsky, the Plus edition "will be available well into the new year," and lets players earn the platinum trophy despite missing some cars and tracks from the full game. Rustchynsky also reiterated that there'll be a discount to upgrade from the Plus version to the full digital game, but we'll still have to wait on prices for "a few more weeks yet." Driveclub revs onto the PlayStation 4 at launch, which is November 15 in North America.
Start October with a Beyond: Two Souls demo
Ellen Page simulator Beyond: Two Souls gets a demo on October 1 in North America, and the day after in Europe. We jest when we call it that, because Quantic Dream's next PS3 game will clearly be its own complicated beast, much like Heavy Rain before it, and hopefully much more than Hollywood-tinted mo-cap. For the curious, the demo should provide some inkling as to how Beyond plays, but it may be far from the full picture. The PSN demo includes two sections: The first stars a mini-Jodie (Page's character) as she takes part in an experiment scrutinizing her supernatural abilities, while the second sees an older Jodie on the run from government agents. If you'd rather hold out for the full game, you won't have long to wait: Beyond: Two Souls hits North American retail shelves on October 8, and Europe on October 11. Oh, and if you happen to have pre-ordered Beyond from GAME in the UK, you'll get the demo a week early on September 25. In the US PlayStation Blog's announcement, there's mention of "opportunities for a few of you" to get the demo on September 24, so maybe, just maybeeeee there'll be something similar in North America.
Killzone: Shadow Fall DLC multiplayer maps to be free, other DLC not so much
While most of Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer DLC will still necessitate an expenditure of hard-earned cash money, new maps will at least be delivered free of charge, according to an announcement on the game's official blog. "We aim to keep the post-launch multiplayer experience fresh through the frequent release of paid DLC expansion packs that offer new gameplay and customization features," the update reads. "At the same time, all DLC multiplayer maps will be released free of charge to prevent the player base from becoming fractured." We fractured our player base once, it was awful – had to sit on this special inflatable pillow for like a month and a half, we can totally get why Guerrilla Games is trying to avoid that. No further information was given with regards to just how frequent these DLC releases may be.
