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SOE offers EQ and EQII rewards with Landmark pre-orders
Here's a gift idea for that sandbox MMO nut on your Christmas list: EverQuest Next Landmark Founder's Packs. Well, probably just one Founder's Pack, but you get the idea. SOE has updated its website with pre-order gifting functionality, and the company has also added a wee bit of extra incentive for current players of both EverQuest and EverQuest II. That incentive takes the form of an in-game flag corresponding to your Settler, Explorer, or Trailblazer Founder's Pack purchase. You can either use the flag as a home decoration or "carry it along with you during your adventures in Norrath."
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus rated for PS Vita in Europe, Brazil
A portable release for Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus grows increasingly likely, as multiple ratings boards report content submissions for a still-unannounced PlayStation Vita version of Insomniac Games' lombax-and-robot buddy platformer. The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system reports an age rating of 7 for the supposed Vita version of Into the Nexus, while Brazil's ratings board also suggests that a Vita port is in the works. The ratings submissions follow up on a Vita listing at Amazon France earlier this year, reported by PlayStation Universe. The PlayStation 3 version of the game was found to list a Vita edition in its trophy set upon its launch last month, but Sony has yet to comment on the possibility of a release for its portable platform.
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Audio
Welcome to Engadget's holiday gift guide! Head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Like cameras, audio gadgets are the kind of gifts you want to start using fresh out of the box at this year's holiday parties. Okay, it's probably not a good idea to ditch the festivities to test out that new pair of over-ears, but the speakers and services listed below should guarantee that your party playlists are taken care of.
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PlanetSide vs. PlanetSide 2: The key differences
If you're a PlanetSide player who has been around since the beginning, I don't need to explain the differences between the original and its follow-up, PlanetSide 2. But if you're an old-school player who has never touched the second version, a new-school player who's never played the original, or a player who's brand-new to the universe completely, then this article about the PlanetSide duo and what sets the two games apart is for you. The first and most important difference is each game's population. I am not exaggerating when I say that the original PlanetSide is today merely a shell of its former self. I tried on several occasions to find a fight to join and was only once able to locate a tiny battle in one small corner of the world. That's something to keep in mind if you give the elder game a deeper look.
Join us at Engadget Live in San Francisco this Thursday!
While December brings no shortage of events to attend in the City by the Bay, we're hosting one of our own, minus the mistletoe. This Thursday, we're bringing Engadget Live to Temple Nightclub in the heart of San Francisco. Engadget Live is a casual gathering that brings gadget lovers and tech brands together under one roof. We'll have some of the biggest names in technology on hand for you to interact with, including Nokia, Slingbox, TiVo, Gogo and many more. Western Digital is even bringing its Creative Masters, Mikel Paris, to perform throughout the night. Since we'll be at a nightclub, we're setting up a few themed lounges for you to explore. In one, our friends from the CEA (who put on that little shindig in Vegas called CES) will show off the latest in UHD TVs. In another, Chevrolet will help you #FindNewRoads. And in yet another, Sony will be on hand and letting you go hands-on with the PS4. The best part about Engadget Live is the cover charge: $0. Temple is close to BART and Caltrain, so getting there from any part of the Bay Area should be simple. Grab your ticket here and we'll see you there on Thursday night beginning at 7:00 PM.
Pre-orders open for God of War Collection on Vita
The God of War Collection for PlayStation Vita is now available to pre-order through GameStop. The pack includes remastered versions of Sony's first two PS2 games in the series with full trophy support. The listing does not indicate when the bundle will arrive, but it is priced at $39.99. Sony previously launched the God of War Collection on PS3 in November 2009 before packing the original games in with God of War 3, God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta in the God of War Saga bundle for PS3 in August 2012. Those that own the former collection can already play the games on Vita thanks to a September 2012 update, which opened up remote play for the collection on the system.
Now Playing: December 3-8, 2013
Race around the world this week with Gran Turismo 6... Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:
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.
Sony says it sold 2.1 million PS4s in November (update: Microsoft issues Xbox One statement)
One million units in a day was a pretty good start, and SCE's Andrew House has just announced that the company's now sold 2.1 million PlayStation 4s as of December 1st. That combines sales from the US, Europe and parts of Asia, although the Sony console hasn't reached every corner of the globe just yet. Perhaps everyone's read our recommendation... Update: Microsoft issued its own numbers missive this afternoon, instead choosing to tout various game stats of the Xbox One rather than sales numbers. The piece says "over 3 billion" zombies were killed in Dead Rising 3 and that "over 90 million miles" were driven in Forza Motorsport 5 by December 1st. It doesn't say whether or not the Xbox One bested 2.1 million consoles sold by December 1st, and we're betting it doesn't because the Xbox One still hasn't bested 2.1 million consoles sold as of December 1st. Read into it what you will -- the Xbox One launched seven days after the PlayStation 4, albeit in more markets, and both consoles are on-track to sell out everywhere this holiday. We're just glad the next-gen is finally here!
SOE planning 'additional personal progression systems' for PlanetSide 2
You probably knew that PlanetSide 2 recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. You may not have known that SOE devs took to Reddit earlier today for an Ask Me Anything session. Several PS2 luminaries participated, but one of the most interesting answers was given by creative director Matt Higby. The question focused on PS2's progression system and whether or not SOE plans to augment it. "At a certain point people will run out of things to unlock, we're not trying to run a non-stop gear treadmill game," Higby explained. "One thing we're working on is adding additional personal progression systems that aren't tied to gear or player power -- this will allow us to provide those long term reach goals without having to either price new players out of important gear, make a punishingly steep grind for advanced upgrades, or continuously inflate the number of upgrades at the end of the treadmill like most MMO games do."
Engadget's Cyber Monday 2013 roundup
As tempting as post-Thanksgiving savings are, some of us simply aren't brave enough to face the Black Friday hordes. That doesn't mean stay-at-home shoppers aren't still looking for a bargain: Cyber Monday is upon us, and there are deals aplenty. If you skipped this weekend's brick-and-mortar discounts, read on -- we've got TVs, PCs and tablets galore. Can't find what you're looking for? Stick around, we'll be updating this post as more deals go live. [Buy More Stuff photo credit: jbhthescots / Flickr]
Europe: Gran Turismo 6 contest will dole out racing pods to lucky fans
PlayStation is holding a Gran Turismo 6 contest for Europe's would-be speed demons. Don't think you'll be able to just waltz on in and snatch a spot in the drawing, though. In order to be entered, you'll have to take a multiple-choice quiz on the history of the Gran Turismo series. There are six questions, and the fastest time wins. You know what that means - no screen-looking Google searching. Should you be one of the five grand prize winners, you'll receive an official Gran Turismo racing pod, a 40-inch Sony Bravia TV, a Thrustmaster Steering Wheel and racing seat, a PS3 system and a copy of Gran Turismo 6 Anniversary Edition. Ten runners-up will receive a copy of GT6 Anniversary Edition and a PS3 to play it on. As far as we're aware, you won't be able to do any sick burnouts using the Gran Turismo racing pod. As far as we're aware.
IRL: FIFA 14 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. What? You thought we were done covering the next-gen consoles? Just because we've written full reviews of the Xbox One and PS4 (along with a comparison guide), doesn't mean we've said everything there is to say. Now that more games are starting to roll out post-launch, you might see us get hands-on with some of them, especially if that game is FIFA 14, and especially if the reviewer is Engadget's resident football fan Edgar Alvarez. Read on for a double-dose of impressions, with feedback from both consoles.
Sony says Siren listing was 'mistake,' should have referred to Rime
Horror fans excited by the possibility of a new game in the Siren series are getting some metaphorical coal in their equally-metaphorical stocking early; IGN reports that the Romanian PlayStation 4 press release which seemed to have leaked a PS4-bound Siren game was actually referring to the working title for Rime by Tequila Works. "The listing for Siren was a mistake, it should have listed Rime," Sony told IGN. Not much is known about Rime at this time - oh hey, that rhymes! - other than it will feature open-world exploration of an ancient civilization's ruins. While that's probably not what Siren hopefuls had in mind, the Rime trailer shows some strange and spooky creatures moving about, so ... silver lining and all that.
Europe: 12 Deals of Christmas PSN sale for PS3, Vita games starts Dec 1
On the first day of Christmas, Sony gave to you - provided of course that you live in one of the countries serviced by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe - a bunch of sales on various gaaaaaaames. From December 1 to Christmas Day, SCEE will be offering a total of 24 deals on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita games as part of its "12 Deals of Christmas" promotion. Starting tomorrow, and every 48 hours thereafter, Sony will announce two new sales for the PlayStation Store: one for PS3, and one for Vita. You can check with the PlayStation Blog to stay current with the sales before Santa takes them back to the North Pole they end on December 25.
Code redemption down on PlayStation Network [Update]
Manage to pick up a PlayStation 4 on Black Friday, or for the system's launch in Europe? Got some codes you need to redeem? Not so fast. Sony has ceased code redemption on the PlayStation Network, meaning game vouchers, money cards and the like are currently as useful as pretty words on pretty paper. Sony tweeted the news via its PlayStation Twitter account, linking to a post on the PlayStation Blog. The post notes that online play and other features of the network are still up and running, and claims an update will be provided "soon." We'll be keeping an eye out for the update, and let you know when then will be now. Update: Users are reporting that codes can be redeemed, just not necessarily through the PlayStation Store. From the XMB menu, go to Account Management -> Redeem Code. Update 2: The PSN is armed, but not yet fully operational. A post on the EU PlayStation Blog notes several updates, the most recent of which reads: "We have been working on the PSN service roll-out throughout the weekend and are continually increasing the availability of the voucher redemption functionality. The next phase of the roll out is to introduce the What's New Activity Feed and Live Item in the Content Information Screen, which we will be able to update you on tomorrow. Thank you for your continued patience as we manage PSN to restore full service."
PlayStation 4 and PS Vita bundle now available in the UK, but it's no bargain
Remember that rumored PlayStation 4 and PS Vita bundle that was due to reach the UK in time for the holidays? It's now official -- if not the discount that some were hoping for. Sony UK head Fergal Gara tells Eurogamer that some stores are carrying the device combo starting today, but it will cost only slightly less than the £500 ($816) you'd pay to get the systems one at a time. Appropriately, a few shops will offer a "soft bundle" that involves regular PS4 and Vita boxes. The kit doesn't make much financial sense, then, but Gara describes this as a philosophical move that highlights the PS4's Remote Play feature. To us, the real problem will be supply; when the PS4 is flying off shelves, there may not be many bundles to sell in the first place.
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PlayStation Plus has Borderlands 2, Grid 2 for your holiday stocking
December tends to be a financially exhausting month, what with the cousins, co-workers, friends and pets filling up your "must gift" list. All that generosity can leave you left with nothing but warm feelings and an empty wallet, and let's be honest - warm feelings won't do much to stave off the soul-crushing boredom that hits around 4PM every Saturday. Members of PlayStation Plus need not fear, however, as the service is winding down 2013 with a fine selection of free games for PS3 and Vita. If driving is your thang, snag "aggressive" racer Grid 2, which lets you wind back a few seconds of time should something disastrous happen on the track. If you like to drive, shoot things, and collect a lot of loot (with which you can also shoot things), there's Borderlands 2. If you've never given this one a try, do it, especially if you're in the mood for some superfun co-op. If shooting things while experiencing a rip in the fabric of spacetime all hopped up on cold medicine is more your style, Dyad is the way to go. A bit of a hidden gem, Dyad is a trippy shooter in the spirit of Rez or Space Giraffe, and while the blend of color and music with fast-paced twitch shooting isn't for everyone, we're pretty sure it's a recruitment tool for Starfighters of some sort. Vita owners get a pair of wheel-happy titles gratis in December: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and Urban Trial Freestyle. It would be hard to blame you for shrugging off a kart racer, even a free one, but we said Sonic "might be the best racer of its kind to come along in years, and that's no exaggeration," so you may want to make a point of checking it out. The latter lets you take your customizable motorbike all over town, performing tricks like ollies, wallrides, and others that undoubtedly invalidate your insurance policy. For those still on the fence about picking up a PlayStation Plus membership, it's on the cheap this Black Friday (today!), with various retailers marking it down to $29.99.
Sony suspends PlayStation promo code support following network trouble (update)
Sony's PSN woes aren't over just yet. The company has temporarily stopped taking PlayStation promo codes following a surge in traffic on the gaming service; for the moment, money cards and game vouchers won't work. There's no estimate for when code redemption will return. It's easy to see the potential causes, however. Between the weekend, the PlayStation 4's European launch and a big discount on PlayStation Plus subscriptions at Amazon, there's guaranteed to be a deluge of PSN activity -- Sony may have unintentionally created a perfect storm. Update (12/1/13): According to the PlayStation Europe Blog, Sony is "continually increasing the availability of the voucher redemption functionality," so you should see it soon if it's not on your system already. The next step, which we should hear more about tomorrow, is to switch on the What's New activity feed and Live Item in the Content Information Screen for users outside North America.
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Gaming
Welcome to Engadget's holiday gift guide! Head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. This is an especially good year for gamers: With major consoles from Microsoft and Sony debuting just in time for the holidays, there are some pretty obvious items to add to the wish list. If hand-held gaming is more your thing, don't fret; we've got you covered, too.
