PlayStation

PlayStation Preferred Over Xbox for Porn Viewing

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 20, 2016 | 3 comments

As taboo as the subject line might appear, porn has always played a crucial role in technology. Betamax famously took a huge hit when Sony didn’t allow porn to arrive on their format which would eventually lose to VHS. Years later in the format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD, both sides were quick to allow porn though Blu-ray with its larger discs had the upper hand and eventually won out.

This isn’t to say that porn has been the single catalyst for helping drive a format to victory, but that it does play a prominent role despite it not being talked about in public forums much. This next bit of news isn’t something you should expect Sony CEO Kaz Hirai to bring up as a slide during his next keynote – but nonetheless, it’s an important indicator that consumers are truly shifting away from Xbox and towards PlayStation.

More after the jump, including a fancy chart.

PSA: PS4 System Update 3.15 Now Available

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 13, 2016 | 0 comments

It’s that time again where I tell you about the newest PS4 firmware update with a few details.

An update to the PlayStation®4 system software was released on January 13, 2016. Use this update to install system software version 3.15.

Always update your PS4™ system to the latest version of the system software. By updating, you can enjoy additional features, improved usability, and enhanced security.

Sony says that PlayStation 4 system update 3.15

improves the quality of the system performance.

Basically, it’s all under the hood changes with no new features which isn’t a surprise, seeing how the update comes in at 260Mb.

Oculus Rift – PlayStation VR “Isn’t Quite As High-End As Ours” Not a Jab

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 12, 2016 | 1 comment

Fox News isn’t the only place that likes to take a small soundbite and spin it. Over the past few days, a lot has been said and made from the comments of Oculus Rift co-founder Palmer Luckey. When talking about PlayStation VR and Oculus in general, Luckey had this to say

It’s also worth noting that their headset isn’t quite as high-end as ours

Out of context, that seems to be a direct jab at Sony and PlayStation VR. After all, Oculus just a week ago revealed their price ($599) which doesn’t include the gaming PC you need to run it, really placing you around $1,500 or higher. On the other hand, the cost of VR from Sony will be considerably less, seeing how you need a PS4 ($350) and PS VR – which, even if it costs the same as Rift, will mean you finish out under $1,000 – and many expect PS VR to cost $399.

Despite all websites’ best efforts at creating some form of controversy around Luckey’s comments, it’s worth putting what he said in context.

I think that there’s not many people who already own a PS4 who don’t own a gaming PC who are going to go out and make that roughly $1,500 all-in investment in the Rift. It really is a separate market. They’re bringing virtual reality to a different group of people who I don’t think were ever really a part of our market anyway.

It’s also worth noting that their headset isn’t quite as high-end as ours — it’s still, I think, a good headset — and the PlayStation 4 is not nearly as powerful as our recommended spec for a PC.

In its entirety, nothing Luckey says is false. Any new PC gaming rig will certainly be more powerful than the PS4, seeing how you can scale those models with the latest CPU/GPU combo and RAM. Yet just because a BMW 7 series exists, it doesn’t make the 5 series any less luxurious. They’re both designed to impress but are targeted at different demographics like this instance.

In fact, Luckey follows up his comments with how Oculus and Sony enjoy a working relationship. Those details after the jump.

Sony Refutes PlayStation VR $800 Price Tag

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 11, 2016 | 2 comments

Over the weekend, thanks to a slip by Amazon, it was “revealed” that PlayStation VR would be priced at $799. This is important, mainly due to the fact that Oculus Rift a few days prior had announced its $599 price tag which doesn’t include the gaming rig required to power it all – meaning you’re actually looking at around $1,600 to get it all up and running, if not more. This price, of course, does not sit well with most VR enthusiasts who were hoping for a much lower price point. So does this mean that VR from Sony is also going to cost over $1,000, seeing how you also need a PS4?

Not so much. Sony’s statement after the jump.

Sony MP-CL1 Wireless Laser Projector Preview

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 7, 2016 | 0 comments

A few months back, the Sony MP-CL1, also known as the PlayStation 4 Mobile Projector, seemingly popped up out of nowhere. Its promise then was to allow you to take a projector anywhere by creating a form factor so small that it could fit in your pocket.

Now at CES 2016, I got to go hands on with the small projector which even offers around 2 hours of battery life for the ultimate wireless experience. I’m not sure how practical this device would be but for those who are cramped for space or travel, it might be a great solution.

‘Gran Turismo Sport’ Trailer Fails to Thrill

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 4, 2016 | 5 comments

Gran Turismo games have always been one of the staples of PlayStation in graphics and gameplay. Having been on the system since PSone, Gran Turismo, developed by Polyphony Digital, is one of those rare franchises that cannot be simply recreated despite the best effort of other studios. From the depth of tracks and cars to the smallest of details when tuning your car, Gran Turismo, especially with a proper seat and steering wheel, is likely the closest most of us will ever get to taking an exotic (or Mazda Miata) on the race tracks.

Apparently announced during Paris Game Week (which I completely missed since I was too busy getting married), Gran Turismo Sport is the latest iteration of the franchise that will arrive on PS4 sometime in 2016. Sadly, from what should have been an easy trailer to nail, we’re left with an awkward piece that fails to thrill and opts to show us a parked Mazda Miata and its interior.

More, including the trailer after the jump.

‘Destiny: The Taken King’ Now Includes Previous 2 DLC for $40

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 31, 2015 | 0 comments

If you’re not playing Destiny, you’re truly missing out one of the best experiences on PS4 and lucky for you, Bungie now has one hell of a deal for you. Destiny: The Taken King, the newest expansion and almost thought of as Destiny 2 by many now includes the previous two DLC for $39.99. That means you get

The Taken King
Expansion I: The Dark Below
Expansion II: House of Wolves
Level 25 Character Boost

You can read more about level boosters here. If you’re not playing Destiny, you seriously owe it to yourself to give the game a shot and if you are, you need The Taken King to see what you’re missing.

‘The Last of US 2’ Confirmed By Nolan North?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 31, 2015 | 2 comments

Sometimes actors let things slip by accident. That’s how long before Pixar would confirm it, we learned about Toy Story 4 through Tom Hanks in an off handed comment during an interview. Now, Nolan North, the man that Naughty Dog believes changed the industry has let it slip that The Last of US 2 is in development.

I know they’re doing Last of Us 2, but my character in Last of Us kinda met an untimely demise

While actors can at times have inaccurate information about a project, those sound like pretty definitive and specific words regarding The Last of US 2. However one prominent actor on the project, Troy Baker (Joel), disagrees about the project’s future. His statement after the jump.

‘Uncharted 4’ Commercial Recreated in ‘LittleBigPlanet 3’ With Fantastic Results

by Allegra Osati | Dec 30, 2015 | 0 comments

Alongside Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a new Uncharted 4 commercial debuted in theaters a little over 2 weeks ago. The 30 second spot (which should be watched first) from Naughty Dog is powerful and telling of the journey that we’ll be going on come late April and quite different from your traditional game commercial. Now, the same ad has been recreated in the LittleBigPlanet 3 engine with the original voiceover work to some fantastic results.

The mock-ad can be found after the jump.

2016 to See a “Rush of Big Titles for PS4” and Exclusives

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 29, 2015 | 0 comments

We as gamers always want more. We need more games, more features, and especially more exclusives. Luckily for us, Sony’s Worldwide Studio President, Shuhei Yoshida agrees and believes like Michael Ephraim (Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia) that 2016 will be different for PS4 owners. Shue

2016 marks an unprecedented rush of big titles for PS4. It’s also the year of the long-awaited launch of PlayStation VR. It’s the year PS4 users, and those who are on the fence on whether to buy it will absolutely think, ‘It’s good to have a PS4.’ Please look forward to it.

After the jump, some exclusive PS4 titles to look forward to.

PS4 or Block of Wood for Christmas?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 28, 2015 | 0 comments

Would you prefer to get a PS4 or a block of wood for Christmas? Scott Lundy from Wakefield, MA. didn’t get to make the choice. When he opened his Christmas gifts, what at first appeared to be a PS4 soon turned out to be a block of wood.

Instead of unboxing a sick next-gen console (his parents opted for the Teen-rated Uncharted bundle), Lundy found a PS4-shaped bit of wood. What’s worse, instead of a quick start guide to read, the malcontent penned a surly seasonal greeting.

But that’s not all. Not only did little Lundy not get a PS4, whomever left the block of wood inside the box also left a little message for the would-be block owner as well. What’s perhaps more interesting is that the block of wood actually has a design to it. I guess our little mischievous thieves had a bit of time on their hand. The note which is blurred out in the shot above can be found after the jump.

Nolan North “Changed the Industry” and Almost No ‘Uncharted 4’

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 28, 2015 | 0 comments

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End might be delayed till late April, but that doesn’t mean the team behind the highly-anticipated game are being any less chatty. Creative Co-Director Neil Druckmann recently shared his thoughts on how Uncharted 4 almost didn’t happen for him.

For me, I thought I was done with Uncharted, I thought, we did The Last o Us, and we’re gonna move to something else. […] And then we were asked to step in as directors for the project, and it was a shift. It was OK, we have to enter this world. Let’s enter the world where we crank it up to eleven.

His comments about Nolan North (top left) and what he brought to Uncharted after the jump.

‘Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’ Delayed Till April & Why That’s a Good Thing

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 23, 2015 | 2 comments

Neil Druckmann and Bruce Starlet from Naughty Dog released a statement today in which they announced another delay for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

Let’s start with the good news: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is wrapping up production and is shaping up to be the proper send off for Nathan Drake that we’ve promised you. The bad news is that we need a bit more time to finish the game so that it meets our standards and vision. Let’s cut to the chase, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End has a new release date in North America of April 26, 2016.

Pegged originally with a March release, the game is now seeing a two month delay and while disappointing, this move is not only a good sign from Naughty Dog but a gutsy one as well. That and the full statement after the jump.

GoPro Channel Launches on PS3 & PS4

by Allegra Osati | Dec 22, 2015 | 0 comments

Sony is beefing up PlayStation as a destination to consume media with the arrival of the GoPro channel. Available now on PS3 and PS4, the GoPro channel will allow users

to stream GoPro content on-demand and browse GoPro cameras and accessories

That’s not all:

PlayStation will get an exclusive in the form of The 66th Parallel show, or discovering Iceland with Ben Brown.

More details after the jump.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Available for Pre-order on PSN

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 22, 2015 | 9 comments

Over the weekend, a small indie film called Star Wars: The Force Awakens came to theaters. Not sure if the film had a wide release or if many people have seen it but if you’re part of the few who did see it and liked it, you now have a chance to pre-order the flick on PSN.

Those interested can pre-order the movie in SD for $14.99 or HD for ~~$19.99~~ $14.99. All films purchased on PSN are viewable on PSP, PS Vita, PS3, PS4 and PlayStation TVs. It’s likely that once the film approaches its official release on digital and Blu-ray, its price will pull a Lord Vader and riiiissseee.

Now a curious conversation to discuss after the jump.