PlayStation

E3 Hot Trailer: Sony Announces ‘Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation’ for PS Vita

by Chris Quibol | Jun 5, 2012 | 0 comments

While not a lot of games were shown for the PS Vita at this year’s Sony E3 press conference, one Vita game did take center stage during the presentation; one which managed to bring a few surprises to a well-established franchise. Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation will be released this fall on October 30 on the PlayStation Vita, available as a standalone game or as a part of the “Crystal White” Wi-Fi Vita bundle that Sony also announced during the press conference.

Sony debuted Liberation’s first trailer, with Sony Computer Entertainment of America President and CEO Jack Tretton calling the franchise “one of the most acclaimed franchises ever created in gaming” and that, much like previously released title Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Liberation is developed specifically for the Vita and its many features.

According to the latest issue of Game Informer magazine, Liberation is set in 18^th century New Orleans and will star an African-American female assassin named Aveline, whose connection to Desmond is currently unknown. Tretton also mentioned during the presentation that linking the two versions of Assassin’s Creed III (the Vita version and its PS3 brethren) will provide the Vita version with Connor’s tomahawk, an exclusive character skin, a multiplayer character, and a bonus in-game upgrade of ammunition pouches. No further information is available about the multiplayer side of things, though the trailer does have a ton of footage from the single player portion of the game.

The short trailer shows Aveline wielding dual hidden blades and executing the same types of cinematic kills and takedowns the series is known for, as well as providing a peek at the tree-based forest traversal that will possibly play a large role in the game.

Hit the jump to check out the Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation trailer for yourself.

Our 2012 Sony E3 Press Conference Live Blog Begins Now!

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2012 | 12 comments

As promised, we’re looking to bring you closer than ever to the 2012 Sony E3 press conference with our live blog. Our arsenal of tools to make this happen consist of a MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone, 4G card, Cybershot HX5V, Bloggie Live, and Nikon D5. This means that we’re hopefully ready for whatever E3 throws at us, minus snakes…because we at SRN hate snakes. Below, you will find our live blog from the event which can be accessed from any web browser, mobile device, or tablet. Remember that you can find additional coverage by us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Flickr.

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=74b11718d6" >2012 Sony E3 Press Conference Live Blog</a>

Rumor: Sony + Gaikai Deal To Bring PS1 & PS2 Backwards Compatibility Through Cloud Solution

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 3, 2012 | 3 comments

Rumblings and rumors within the industry sound like Sony’s cloud-gaming partnership with Gaikai will include bringing PS1 and PS2 compatibility to the PlayStation 3.

Last week, there were rumors that Sony is planning to announce a partnership with either Gaikai or Onlive (both cloud-based gaming services) to bring some kind of partnership service to PlayStation.

Well, according to Games Industry International’s sources close to the deal, the Sony + Gaikai partnership will include a way for third-party publishers (as well as first party Sony products) to bring their catalogues to the PlayStation Store.

And since most current PS3 Slim models do not have backwards compatibility, it only makes sense for Sony to employ a cloud-based gaming solution that will allow players to purchase games and stream them on their console. That’s exactly what Gaikai and Onlive subscribers have been doing for the last two years.

It’s not yet clear which systems this partnership service will show up on, but one can see that the PS3 and the PS Vita would best benefit from it. And since Sony has been eyeing cloud-based gaming solutions for a while now, this new partnership will help their R&D to test the waters and understand user needs for their next console release.

We’re Headed to E3 2012 and We Wanna Take You!

by Allegra Osati | Jun 2, 2012 | 21 comments

One of my biggest goals for SRN has always been to bring you closer to the game and tech industry. This means hosting live chats with some industry favorites like David Jaffe, creator of Twisted Metal and God of War while providing live coverage of Sony’s E3 and CES press conferences. When it comes to large events like CES and E3, we all have different games and topics that interest us and sometimes, that means not seeing the thing you wanted most covered. To do that, means that you have to pack your bags, head to LA, and have an industry pass to roam the halls and talk to your favorite developers, which can not only be expensive, but it’s technically impossible for most. So if we can’t take you, that leaves us as your voice and the next best option. If you have questions you want to ask a developer, if there are pictures you wanna see from booth or a video of a specific game, we want to be your eyes and ears at E3.

All you have to do is drop a comment in our comments section below or visit us on our many different outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Flickr. For the first time, we want your voice to help shape our coverage and the coverage you receive about E3. Though we can’t promise to get to everyone’s request, we hope that this will bring you one step closer to E3 though to be clear, we’re not about to cover Pokemon 2012 Extreme Lightning Edition or Mario Party 87 for Wii U, seeing how we’re a Sony site. Like last year, we will also be offering a live blog from the Sony E3 press conference. You can either bookmark this post which will be updated with a link, once the event is live or check back on the site on Monday, June 4th at 3:00pm PST.

YouTube Finally Coming To Vita This Month

by Jan Hutchings | Jun 1, 2012 | 16 comments

Earlier today, Sony announced that the oft-requested YouTube app is finally coming to the PlayStation Vita later this month. The YouTube app is perhaps one of the most popular additions to the PS Vita app library which includes Nico Nico, Paint Park, Skype, Facebook, and other social media applications.
The YouTube app will be a free download and will allow PS Vita users to search and watch millions of videos, comment on their favorites (or least favorites), and like/dislike them.

“You can easily search for videos, choose favorites and make comments, and your personal YouTube account is available right on your PS Vita.”

As well, Vita owners can access their personal YouTube account using the Vita YouTube app; however there’s no word on whether video upload and sharing will be available upon launch of the Vita YouTube app.

What The Hell Is Nico Nico On the PlayStation Vita Anyway?

by Jan Hutchings | May 31, 2012 | 24 comments

“So what the hell is Nico Nico anyway?”

If you’re one of those people (like myself) who look forward to PlayStation Network’s Tuesday releases, you were probably thinking the same thing as you downloaded the brand new Nico Nico app to your PlayStation Vita. Here I was eagerly awaiting a Youtube or a Crackle app, yet what I got was this video sharing service that’s definitely got “Japan” stamped right on it.

Nico Nico (or N² for short) is a social video network service, like Youtube, that allows users to share their own videos, follow other creators, and comment on videos uploaded to the service. In its native Japan, Nico Nico is one of the most popular and most-visited websites and is used by celebrities, game companies, and businesses to promote their products to the Japanese netizens.

Playstation Store Update (05-29-2012)

by Chris Quibol | May 30, 2012 | 11 comments

Memorial Day deals aren’t quite over, at least not if you shop on the Playstation Store. In this week’s Playstation Store update, aside from the usual new releases and demos, we have “PS3 Ultimate Deals,” which provide 30 percent (50 percent for Playstation Plus members) off of some amazing titles, including Bioshock 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Red Dead Redemption. If you’re not interested in any of the “Ultimate” deals (seriously, why wouldn’t you be?), then check out Pure Chess, a game that puts a special twist on the classic board game.

Also, Playstation Vita owners are in for a huge update this week, with Resistance: Burning Skies highlighting this week’s releases. Resistance is one of the Playstation brand’s strongest franchises and Burning Skies is the series’ first first-person foray into the full-fledged portable space. Be sure to check out the launch trailer below.

Also on Vita this week are demos for Resistance and Gravity Rush, the latter being a highly touted game from Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. And for the PS3 owner low on funds, be sure to check out the demo for Mad Riders, an off-road arcade racing game from Ubisoft.

Check out the full Playstation Store update after the break.

PlayStation Vita LittleBigPlanet Box Art Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | May 29, 2012 | 16 comments

Thanks to the PlayStation Blog, we now know what the box art for the highly anticipated Playstation Vita title, LittleBigPlanet, looks like. Not straying away whats made the previous two PS3 and PSP titles so unique, the new LBP box art one again features Sackboy and the adventurous world he’s bound to explore front and center. A behind-the-scenes video awaits you, after the jump.

PSN To Offer Ultimate Game Editions At Discounted Prices

by Jan Hutchings | May 29, 2012 | 1 comment

Starting today, May 29, the PlayStation Network will be offering “Ultimate Editions” of full PS3 games at 50% off for PlayStation Plus subscribers and 30% off for all PSN users until June 4, 2012.

The PlayStation Network is no stranger to full game downloads as players can purchase and install games as big as 11 GB’s onto their hard drives. From Assassin’s Creed 2 to Red Dead Redemption, PSN owners need not leave their house to get their favorite games; the PSN has them covered.

Check out the PSN’s Ultimate Edition games on sale after the break.

PSA: PlayStation 4 Will Not Have 100GB, 20GB, or 10GB RAM. Confirmed, it Will Have RAM

by Sohrab Osati | May 25, 2012 | 13 comments

News broke out earlier this morning from a European source that the upcoming PlayStation 4, or more famously known as Orbis around the Interwebs, is going to have some crazy specs. Seeing how Sony for better or worse is a hardware company first and software second (though they are learning with the PS Vita, which has a nice mixture of both), its not hard to believe that Sony will pack the PS4 with powerful specs. While many frowned upon the PS3 with its higher price, Sony at the end was right to include units which from the beginning had built in wireless, hard drives, HDMI out, Blu-ray drives, and 3D capabilities. On the other hand, the Xbox 360, Sony’s closest competitor, has seen 10 different revisions since its launch which has fragmented the user market where some have HDMI out and others don’t while the base model still lacks a hard drive.

Still, at some point, enough is enough and with the PS4 rumored to have 10GB of RAM, we have to issue a public service announcement to help bring everyone back to reality. After the jump, let’s separate fact and the pipe dreams.

Rumor: ‘OnLive’ Cloud-Based Gaming Service Coming To PlayStation

by Jan Hutchings | May 25, 2012 | 11 comments

There have been a number of reports saying that Sony is about to announce a partnership deal with either Gaikai or Onlive to bring cloud-based gaming service to PlayStation products.

According to VG247, Sony is preparing to announce a BIG partnership with one of the two cloud-based gaming service providers at E3 next month. Though it’s not yet clear if the service will be for PS3 or Vita. Or perhaps both.

Onlive was actually in talks with Sony to solidify a partnership and to bring their cloud-gaming service to the console last year.

Hit the jump for more information.

PSA: Scheduled PSN Maintenance on Thursday

by Sohrab Osati | May 23, 2012 | 17 comments

Just a quick little heads up to all you PlayStation Network users on the PS3 and PS Vita. Sony is performing PSN maintenance, tomorrow (Thursday) May 24th from 8:00am till 11:00pm PDT. During the down time, access to PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home will be inaccessible while those looking to play online and use online based apps like Hulu, Netflix, and Movies Unlimited will be able to, uninterrupted, as long as you’ve been signed into your account prior to the down time.

Full press release after the jump.

Sony’s Sorcery Finally Comes To PlayStation 3

by Jan Hutchings | May 22, 2012 | 22 comments

Developed in collaboration with Santa Monica Studios, The Workshop’s Sorcery was finally released on PSN and in retail earlier today. Sorcery is a PlayStation Move-enabled title and lets users conjure a myriad of magical powers using their PS Move controller.

Sorcery is this year’s most anticipated PS Move-exclusive title and perhaps the killer app PlayStation Move needs to be rejuvinated.

Learn more about Sony’s Sorcery for the PlayStation Move after the break.

DmC Devil May Cry is Delayed till January 2013

by Sohrab Osati | May 21, 2012 | 0 comments

Capcom and developer Ninja Theory have announced that Dante fans will have to wait till January 15th, 2013 before they get a chance to play the latest incarnation of the good hearted ~~boy band~~ demon. DmC: Devil Mary Cry is a reboot of the then-PlayStation exclusive Devil May Cry which saw our antagonist, Dante, battle demons. Wanting to cater to a more Western audience like Square-Enix has with Final Fantasy XIII which has only pissed off long time fans, Capcom has gone out and hired Ninja Theory, creators of the PS3 exclusive Heavenly Sword (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and the multi-platform Odyssey: A Journey to the West which was plagued with technical issues and in many ways inferior to Heavenly Sword, despite being released 3 years after it.

If I sound bitter about it, I’m not; the new Dante has done little to attract my attention. With a new emo-boy band character at the helm which does little to peak my curiosity, Ninja Theory has yet to prove that they can deliver a solid multi-platform hit. Heavenly Sword, in my eyes, was a superb game with a rich world, plot, and it was a technical marvel. Once the company went multi-platform, despite an intriguing world, Odyssey: A Journey to the West was riddled with audio-syncing issues and other visual detractors which were nowhere to be found on their prior PS3-exclusive title. With the new DmC once again being multi-platform and a new character design which has ruffled the feathers of a few fans, I hope that Ninja Theory can take this extra time and really deliver something solid because I never want to see any developer fail. After the jump, the official press release and additional Dante boy band shots await you.

Two New PlayStation Vita Bundles Headed to Europe

by Sohrab Osati | May 21, 2012 | 24 comments

Even though E3, the big video game convention which is held in Los Angeles once a year, is right around the corner, Sony isn’t sitting by idle for its press conference to make moves with the PlayStation brand. The PlayStation Vita, arguably the most powerful handheld to date, even when placed next to juggernauts like the iPhone 4S is getting two new bundles for Europe. The first gives Wi-Fi only lovers a 4GB memory card and Uncharted: Golden Abyss for €249 ($320).

Those who wish to purchase the Wi-Fi + 3G PS Vita will also receive a 4GB memory card and a Motorstorm RC download code for €299 ($380). No word yet if such bundles will make it State side but with news of a Crystal White PlayStation Vita heading to Japan and Hong Kong, it seems like there should be plenty of Vita news and changes coming at this years E3 press conference.