PlayStation

Sony Closes Zipper Interactive

by Jan Hutchings | Apr 3, 2012 | 20 comments

Oft-rumored a few weeks beforehand, Sony has now confirmed that they have closed Zipper Interactive, the developers behind franchises like SOCOM, MAG, and Unit 13. Zipper Interactive was purchased by Sony in 1996 and has been the company’s go-to developer for online-enabled multiplayer games on the PlayStation 2 with SOCOM 1, 2, and 3.

Sony had this to say about the studio closure:

“Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm the closure of Zipper Interactive, a Seattle-based internal game development studio that has been part of the global development operation of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS).

The closure is a result of a normal cycle of resource re-alignment within SCE WWS. Zipper has completed all work associated with its most recent project, Unit 13 for PlayStation Vita. Zipper titles MAG, SOCOM 4 and Unit 13 will continue to be supported, including the new Daily Challenges in Unit 13.”

Zipper had trouble achieving hits with the console generation shift. Their recent projects MAG and Unit 13 were met with low sales and mixed reviews.

PlayStation Vita System Software Update v1.65 Goes Live

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 3, 2012 | 0 comments

The new PlayStation Vita system software update V1.65 has just gone live for your downloading pleasure. The small (97MB) download targets both Wi-Fi and 3G US models with minor enhancements and can be either downloaded via Wi-Fi (no go on the 3G) by going to:

Settings > System Update or
Connecting your PlayStation Vita to your Mac or PC and downloading the update via Sony’s free Content Manager software.

Now lets talk about the new enhancements with this new firmware update.

Editorial: Hey MSNBC, Quit Making Sh*t Up, PS4 Will Not Be Called Orbis

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 2, 2012 | 43 comments

Nothing gets me more riled up then when big media companies think they understand technology and decide that, because they have some big title, they are now deemed as a credible source of information in that area. This sequence of thinking further expands when big media thinks it understand gaming, gaming companies, and the culture that follows. Usually, as they fall pray to false information or misconception of what the gaming landscape looks like, big publications like MSNBC will write or air articles news pieces without much fact checking or even worse, relying on a single source of information. Sadly, even if they are proven wrong, there isn’t much internal integrity to go back and address their mistake, minus Ira Glass from This American Life who did the right thing when he found out the false information they had aired on Apple. So what specifically has me going today? The fact that MSNBC just assumed now, without a single strain of evidence, that the PS4 will be released under the name of Orbis and not PlayStation 4.

‘Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken’ Flying to PlayStation Vita

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 31, 2012 | 22 comments

Who says chickens can't be badass?

One of the PlayStation Network’s most visually stunning games of 2011, Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, is set to arrive on the PlayStation Vita later this year. While Ratloop Asia hasn’t given much detail on what additional features the Vita version will have, we do know that RocketBirds will be a digital-only release and will support cooperative gameplay for up to two players.

If you’re one of the many who hasn’t played Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken yet, the game is an independent 2D sidescrolling action game that meshes on-foot and on-rocketpack flight gameplay. Rocketbirds casts players as Hardboiled Chicken (dubbed the original Co** of War.) as he goes on a mission to assassinate the leader of a totalitarian penguin regime.

It’s 15 chapters of full-on mayhem with a separate 10 chapter co-op campaign for those who want to play with their friends. It also features a badass soundtrack performed by the indie rock group New World Revolution.

It’s one of my favorite PSN games and was hoping to get a sequel soon, but given its visually striking presentation and lightning fast 2D side-scrolling action, I’ll be glad to play the entire thing again on my Vita.

Check out the full trailer after the break.

‘Journey’ Surpasses Expectations And Becomes PSN’s Fastest Selling Title

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 30, 2012 | 7 comments

Released just a few weeks ago, thatgamecompany’s Journey surpassed everyone’s expectations and quickly became the most purchased game on Sony’s PlayStation Store.
Jenova Chen, Journey’s creator thanked fans for their continued support of the game and in gratitude, posted exclusive Journey images and artwork on the Official PlayStation Blog.

“Thanks to you, Journey has officially brokenPlayStation Network and PlayStation Store sales records, surpassing all first and third-party games to become the fastest-selling game ever released in the SCEA region on the PlayStation Network.”

Chen also talked about thatgamecompany’s past and their experiences with fans as well as the amount of people they inspire and the emotions they evoke with the types of games they create.

“We owe a lot to our fans. In fact, idea of forming the thatgamecompany team to create games with Sony Santa Monica originated from several dozen emails that players sent in after playing our first student game, Cloud, from our time at USC. It was the players who told us how moving the game was and how it is important that we keep making these types of games so that more people in the world will realize what video games can be, and can grow to love games through our work. To me, that was a life-changing moment. I knew making games was my life calling.”

Next PlayStation, Codenamed ‘Orbis,’ Might Not Play Pre-Owned Games

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 30, 2012 | 21 comments

According to a report from Kotaku, The next PlayStation console codenamed “Orbis” may not allow pre-owned games to be played on it. In the report, the next PlayStation may connect games to the person’s PSN account and may even require online activation in order for the games to be played. New games will be available either by download or by Blu-Ray disc; once dowloaded or purchased, the system will activate the game (connecting it to the PSN account) and then allow it to be played.

Those who purchase pre-owned games will find that they will not be able to access certain parts of the game. Their sources mention that like the recent Online Passes, pre-owned games become a limited/trial mode requiring consumers to pay a fee to unlock all the features on the disc.

Now, lets talk about the rumored specs.

Should You Buy ‘Journey?’

by Chris Quibol | Mar 30, 2012 | 18 comments

Videogames at their worst are trivial and unfulfilling distractions, used purely for entertainment, and tossed aside seconds after completion, never to be looked at again. However, at their very best, videogames can be genuinely inspiring works of art, things that elicit discussion and awe whenever mentioned while still remaining fun to play. These are games after all. And while a lot of talk has floated around lately about how much of a “game” Journey really is, there is no doubt in my mind that Journey represents the very best that videogames have to offer, simultaneously innovating and inspiring during the memorable, albeit short, trip through its excellently-crafted world.

It’s not an exaggeration when I say that Journey is unlike any other game I’ve ever played. Everything in the game feels deliberate. The developers at thatgamecompany have really crafted one of the tightest game experiences ever, where no second feels wasted or unnecessary. Journey doesn’t have any dialogue or any traditional exposition, nor does it have any sort of combat or real conflict. The heart of Journey lies in exploration and movement.

The premise behind Journey is simple: get your character from point A to point B while occasionally solving simple puzzles. Your character can jump, float, and use the wind to glide across the often vast landscapes; though unlike most games that focus on movement, very little skill is necessary to accomplish your goal. Still, thatgamecompany manages to make the movement feel intensely satisfying, and the details in how your character moves or how the wind sometimes blows in the direction you travel to give you a slight boost of speed help players get lost in the beautifully designed world.

Fun Bits Heats Up Vita Digital Sales With Escape Plan

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 28, 2012 | 1 comment

Independent Studio Fun Bits has been having a lot of success lately with Escape Plan, their first PlayStation Vita title. Escape Plan has been the top downloaded game on the Vita PSN store for the last three weeks; surpassing downloads of even the Vita’s flagship title, Sony Bend’s Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

It’s really quite surprising to see many downloadable Vita titles making waves on the PSN charts. Escape Plan even placed fourth most downloaded game on the store; more than Shank 2, NFL Blitz, Angry Birds and even Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.

Other Vita titles to crack the PSN top downloaded list are Super Stardust Delta and Super Stardust Delta: Interstellar Bundle.

The top 10 downloaded Vita games of March are:

Escape Plan
Super Stardust Delta
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Plants vs. Zombies Vita
Rayman Origins Vita
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus
Hustle Kings Vita
Dynasty Warriors Next

Playstation Store Update (03-27-2012)

by Chris Quibol | Mar 28, 2012 | 22 comments

The last week of Playstation’s annual “Spring Fever” sale brings huge discounts on games from the Tom Clancy franchise. Fans of the series can get modern classics like Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, and Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 for up to 75 percent off for a limited time. Also on sale this week is Closure, an award-winning indie puzzle game in the same spirit as critical darling Journey, which released on the Playstation Store two weeks ago.

New games on the Playstation Store include full-game downloads of FIFA 2012 on Playstation 3 and Supremacy MMA for Playstation Vita. If you’re short on funds this week, then you can download demos for Closure, Blades of Time, and 2D action-platformer Zack Zack.

Also, be sure to check out episode eight of the latest season of “The Tester,” hosted by SonyRumors’ special guest Meredith Molinari. You can find “The Tester” under the “Game Videos” tab of the Playstation Store.

Hit the jump to see this week’s Playstation Store update.

Who Do You Think Will Win ‘The Tester: Season 3?’ (poll)

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 26, 2012 | 16 comments

Tomorrow is the final day of PlayStation’s reality show, The Tester: Season 3, which pits gamers against each other for a job at Sony Santa Monica studios, the team behind God of War. Potentially the most dramatic season yet, season 3 has seen the now-voted-off Suzkaiden be shunned from the rest of the contestants due to her loud and disruptive behavior while Egoraptor, voted on by fans, crashed and burned in the very first episode.

Only three contestants remain: Air Force reservist Akilleezmight, contortionist and former carnival worker Krystipryde, and gamer addict and level 20 trophy holder on PSN, RealityPalez. Who show host Meredith Molinari (who we are giving you a chance to interview) will announce as this year’s winner will be determined tomorrow, but here’s your chance to weigh in our poll. My vote and hope goes towards Akilleezmight who has shown maturity and consistency in his time there.

Cast picture, discussion, and your chance to vote, after the jump.

EVE Online and Dust 514 To Interact Seamlessly

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 26, 2012 | 18 comments

A few months ago, we interviewed Sveinn J. Kjarval, EVE Online’s Community Developer, about CCP’s upcoming Dust 514 and talked about how EVE and Dust will co-exist in the same universe and that decisions made in EVE Online have an impact in the battlefields of Dust 514.

At CCP’s recent EVE Fanfest, the company showed exactly how seamlessly each game interacts with each other. In a video called “Orbital Bombardment,” one screen had a massive planetary war underway in Dust 514 with live players battling for supremacy while the other screen showed an EVE Online player ordering one of his battlecruisers to fire at a specific location on the battlefield below. Everything happening in real-time adds another amazing layer of tactical options available for DUST 514 and EVE Online players in their cross-platform war.

DUST 514 is coming to the PlayStation 3 as a free-to-play massively multiplayer online first person shooter later this year.

First Look: LittleBigPlanet Karting

by Chris Quibol | Mar 23, 2012 | 1 comment

In somewhat of a surprise announcement, Sony recently released the first trailer to LittleBigPlanet Karting, a charming Playstation 3 kart racer based in the LittleBigPlanet universe set to release sometime this year. Sony announced that United Front Games, developers of Playstation-exclusive kart racer ModNation Racers, will be handling LBP Karting’s development, while Media Molecule will continue to focus on main franchise LBP titles.

The short trailer showcases the traditional LittleBigPlanet aesthetic, along with splitscreen multiplayer races and battles, kart customization, and a glimpse into the different gameplay styles the game looks to offer. From initial trailer impressions, the game, expectedly, seems very similar to ModNation Racers; however, how different the two games will be remains to be seen.

According to Senior Producer at United Front Game James Grieve, the creation system looks to keep many of the same tools from the traditional LBP games while also adding to it to accommodate for the 3D and kart racing elements. Still, Grieves told the Playstation Blog that fans of the creation tools from the older games should feel comfortable with the creation in LBP Karting.

“Our goal with LBP Karting has been fairly simple – provide a fast-paced experience that captures the best of classic karting gameplay, married with the unbridled creativity of LBP. This new adventure will be accessible to players of all ages and have all of the variety necessary to satisfy both the hardcore and more casual players.

This is an LBP game, so we could never talk about it without mentioning the Create tools. LBP Karting is set in an entirely 3D world that will enable players to create rich and varied gameplay experiences. Tons of familiar LBP gadgets will be present, along with a new toolbox specifically tailored to allow for building in LBP Karting’s 3D world. Along with fan-favorite racing and battle modes, players will be able to modify the rules of the game itself to create completely new modes and challenges. All of this is wrapped up in a community experience that should have LBP fans feeling right at home.”

LBP Karting is one of two LittleBigPlanet releases set for this year, the other being LittleBigPlanet in development for the Playstation Vita, which is being developed by Tarsier and Double Eleven Studios. Be sure to keep an eye out for both titles as development passes.

Hit the jump to check out the LittleBigPlanet Karting trailer for yourself.

PlayStation Vita Awarded The Red Dot Award (Innovative Product Design)

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 23, 2012 | 7 comments

Just recently, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. was awarded the Red Dot Award for innovative product design by Design Zentrum Nordrhei Westfalen in Germany. Up against stiff competition, (4,500 entries from 58 countries in fact) and judged by an independent jury of technology experts, The PlayStation Vita won one of the most prestigous awards for its innovative design, quality, and technology.
SCE was also awarded Red Dot Awards for their designs for products like the Wireless Stereo Headset for the PS3, the Wireless Keyboard for PS3, and the PS3 3D Display. Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. was ecstatic and amazed by the judges decision.

“To be recognized for our commitment to product design by leading industry experts is a fantastic achievement for SCE”, Said House, “We are particularly thrilled with the reaction and expectation to the recently launched PS Vita in North America, and Europe, the ultimate portable entertainment system, especially the introduction of innovative new ways to play and interact. Winning a red dot award for product design further establishes PS Vita as the must-have portable entertainment system across the world.”

The Red Dot Design Award or the “red dot” is known internationally as it signifies a product’s excellence in design. Winners are offered multiple presentation opportunities in order to set themselves apart from their competition through proven quality (as judged by the red dot adjudication panel) and not just through aggressive pricing and marketing strategies. Winners also get their products exhibited in various design museums in Germany, Singapore, and other countries as well as worldwide technology touring shows.

So the next time you play your PlayStation Vita, know that it has been recognized for its excellent quality, its bench-marking technology, and its innovative design by tech experts from all over the world.

Preview – Metal Gear Solid: Play Arts Kai Figures

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 22, 2012 | 21 comments

If you thought your Metal Gear Solid action figures had perfect articulation, you might have to change your mind after checking out Square Enix’s upcoming Metal Gear Solid Play Arts Kai figures that are coming April 2012. Based on the prototype creation and production photography by Yoji Shinkawa, Art Director of the METAL GEAR SOLID series, these fully inspected action figures are some of the best looking ones based off of the popular game series.

Hit the jump for more information and screenshots of the Solid Snake and Grey Fox Play Arts Kai figures.

Metal Gear Series Retrospective

by Jan Hutchings | Mar 21, 2012 | 22 comments

Just in time for the Metal Gear Series’ 25th anniversary, Kojima Productions revealed that all of their Metal Gear titles combined has sold more than 31 million copies worldwide at the opening of the Smithsonian Art of Video Games Exhibition last Sunday.

Starting with the original Metal Gear for the MSX, the series has spawned some of the best and most loved games of the last 30 years. While popular, the Metal Gear series really took off after the release of Metal Gear Solid for the original PlayStation, followed by the not-so-popular Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions.

In 2000, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel relesed to much fanfare on the Game Boy Color and is still regarded as the 12th best game on the handheld with an aggregate score of 95.92% over at GameRankings. A year later, Metal Gear Solid 2 debuted on the PlayStation 2 after years of speculation and media hype. While amazing, the game became infamous for it’s bait-and-switch which had players taking control of series joke Raiden about 20% into the game.