PlayStation

PS Vita Can’t Handle Multiple PSN Accounts After All

At this point, I don’t know what to believe except the fact that Sony needs to put their management in check. You have companies like Microsoft and Apple who come out with clear statements and clear focus when information about a product is revealed. Sony on the other hand has been known for having someone in the US say one thing while another exec in a different territory states another thing. The PS Vita’s multiple PSN accounts is no different in which we’ve now heard three different stories from people within Sony!

Nearly two weeks ago, it was revealed that the PS Vita could not handle multiple PSN accounts. Though we were never bothered by the news, we also never had a chance to cover it. A few days passed and a Sony exec made a public statement, indicating that the PS Vita could indeed handle multiple PSN accounts. We jumped on that Sony, thinking that other sites had the earlier story wrong and were looking to bash a newly launched Sony device as it tends to be the theme, whenever Sony has a product launch. However, since then, Sony has come on record again, indicating that earlier reports were indeed correct and the PS Vita can’t handle multiple PSN accounts (It should be noted that technically, you can use multiple PSN accounts but that the system, requires a full restore, indicating that that this was left for when users wanted to potentially sell the device to someone else and not for casual logging in and out).

 [The] PSN account is tied to the hardware and the memory card, not just the card, a different Sony representative said in an e-mail, which means that if a second person is using your Vita, it’s not just a case of switching out memory cards, it’s clearing out all of your saved data on the Vita itself when you do the factory reset.

In other words, PlayStation Vita is intended to be played by only one user, the representative said. 

As I stated before, I don’t actually care for multiple PSN accounts on the PS Vita. Is it a nice thing to have? Sure but the Vita is meant to be a personal device, unlike a gaming console which tends to be more of a community device. So while I do believe the usefulness of that feature is a little over blown, my frustration is aimed at Sony who cannot get simple information out about their device. Seriously guys, this is a major product launch for you, in a time where you’re hurting in a lot of fronts. Make a simple FAQ sheet and text/email/fax it to all Sony exec with a reminder that speaking out of line can lead to finding a new job and if  the issue is coming from higher up with wrong information being handed down, then they also can start looking for a new job.

Let’s all talk, after the jump.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Review

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Review 

MSRP: $59.99

1- 16 Players

Holy Sh**!! It’s like Call of Duty in the skies!

That’s what I first thought as I played the first level of Assault Horizon. This air combat arcade/simulation hybrid from Namco re-invigorates the tired franchise and throttles up the intensity tenfold.

While older Ace Combat games were more futuristic and had some pretty out there plotlines, Assault Horizon features a modern military story full of intrigue, patriotism, and a hell of a lot of politics.

PlayStation 3D Glasses Unboxing (video)

Over here at SRN offices, we’ve had Christmas come a little early and we couldn’t be happier after our brown wearing UPS man dropped off a pair of PlayStation 3D glasses. In the last sever weeks, we’ve been gearing up for a office revitalization which has had us purchasing a new PlayStation 3, the mentioned glasses and the PlayStation 3D Display. We’ve slowly been unboxing, setting up and filming our unboxing videos which will cover all three devices.

After the jump is our video unboxing of the PlayStation 3D glasses. Feel free to ask us any questions you might have in the comments section as we follow up our piece with a review.

PlayStation 3 Sales Ahead of Forecast, Despite Weak World Wide Economy

Despite the weak world wide economy, Sony’s Andrew House, head of Sony Computer Entertainment which oversees the PlayStation brand told reporters that they expect the PlayStation 3 to keep its sales forecast target. In order to meet their goals, Sony has to sell 15 million PS3 units by end of March 2012.

Though Andrew didn’t go as far as to reveal any statistics, he did let it be known that the company is actually ahead in their sales forecast. With a story holiday lineup which included Skyrim, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield: 3 and the PlayStation exclusive, Uncharted 3, it’s hard to see Sony fall short of their expected goals.

This week, Sony is also launching the highly anticipated PlayStation Vita which will follow suit in February in the United States. No sales were revealed for the PS Vita but several major Japanese outlets have reported a sold out Vita inventory, ahead of the devices launch.

PlayStation Store Update (12-13-11)

Are you ready for your PlayStation Store update? Well some highlights from todays freshly released downloads include:

  • Marvel Pinball (PSN Game) (free for PS+)
  • The King Of Fighters XIII Demo
  • LittleBigPlanet 2 Muppets Costume Pack 2 ($5.95)
  • Battlefield 3 – Physical Warfare Pack (free)
  • Assassin’s Creed Revelations Ancestors Character Pack ($3.99)

 

After the jump, your full PlayStation Store update.

PlayStation 3D Display Price Drops to $399

Sony has just announced that their 24-inch PlayStation 3D Display price has dropped by a $100, now down to $399. The bundle gives users a 2D/3D 1080p LCD TV with SimulView technology, allowing player to see two separate 1080p images. Also included in the bundle is a 3D glasses, a copy of MotorStorm: Apocalypse, and an HDMI cable. Having had a chance to see the PlayStation 3D Display during E3 2011 and again recently in Fry’s, an electronic chain in the west coast, I can tell you that the minute I saw the price drop, that there was no hesitation in my purchase and I’m currently awaiting delivery of my TV. It should be noted that this TV, depending on your taste might be too small for the living room but for a bedroom, office, dorm room and other like areas, this is the perfect TV. Especially, given the 2 HDMI and 1 component input, giving you access to plug in your PlayStation 3, cable box and whatever else you might have.

Your comments are welcomed after the jump, as well a link to purchase the 3D TV from Amazon which always has a small percentage of the proceeds go towards helping us maintain the site.

All Sites Get it Wrong. PS Vita Can Do Multiple PSN Accounts

With every new PlayStation device that tends to launch, there tends to also be a circus that follows where people find limitations, quirks, and, in this case, false information and they begin to smear the system. The PSP launched with many crying foul, claiming that the system’s battery could only game about 5 hours before needing a charge (though that seemed to affect such a minority of users who needed to game for 5 consecutive hours). The PS3 then launched with what will happen with Blu-ray and where is our promised 2 HDMI ports and, gasp, the base 20GB version didn’t have Wi-Fi, despite the competing machine didn’t offer Wi-Fi, HDMI, Blu-ray drive and a dedicated hard drive.

Last week, the same sort of assaults began to arise towards the PS Vita, with claims of lack of multiple PSN account access on the machine. Now first, let’s say that the PS Vita was truly locked into one PSN account: In how many instances do you foresee yourself using your Vita, and having a friend wanting to use one but insisting that they must log in via their PSN account? Unlike consoles which are more social, the PS Vita is meant for more of a personal use, much like your cellphone. However, despite all those crying foul, we’ve now learned that the PS Vita does indeed support multiple PSN accounts. Sony associate brand marketing manager Crystal MacKenzie,

 Your PSN ID is bonded to your memory card and your memory card is bonded to your Vita, MacKenzie said. So if you wanted to change different PSN users but use the same memory card, you would need to go factory reset. 

However, what this means is that if you and your friend both own a PS Vita, you can simply take your PS Vita memory card, which is tied to your PSN account, insert it into your friend’s Vita, thus enabling your account on that machine. What’s more is, if multiple people in the same house wish to play on the Vita with separate PSN accounts, each simply needs to own their own memory card (starting at $29 for 4GB) and can insert the card into the Vita, and continue their own saved games, trophy counts, and PSN purchases. So, there you have it folks: Multiple PSN accounts exist for you on the PS Vita. Also, many users need to simply look at the PSP and PS3 from when they launched to where they are now and relax a bit, knowing that Sony has always continued to pump new features in their devices, via free firmware updates.

The Top PS3 First-Party Exclusives Of 2011

2011 has been one of the best and worst years for PlayStation owners. First-party titles like Uncharted 3, Killzone 3, Infamous 2 all came out showing that the PS3 is still the “de facto” console for the best quality first-party games. While third-party exclusives like Back to The Future: The game, Disgaea 4, and Yakuza 4 brought unique experiences to PS3 owners that they’ll never find on any other consoles.

This list spotlights the best first exclusives games found on the PS3 in 2011.

PlayStation Plus Members Get Tomb Raider: Underworld, Marvel Pinball, and More for Free

Sony and the team at PlayStation are giving PlayStation Plus members an extra reason to smile this holiday season with a few free games and some big savings. To kick things off, starting on Tuesday, December 5th, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Marvel Pinball and Spyro: Year of the Dragon will be offered all month long for free. Spyro fans will note that Year of the Dragon is the 3rd in the series that premiered on the PlayStation and that Sony had previously offered the previous two titles for PlayStation Plus members for free. Now, Sony is also bringing back the first two entries in the series, again for free for PlayStation Plus members, giving you all three PSone classics. If that’s not enough free content, your PSP, PS Vita and PS3 will also get Orbit, a new mini game for free as well.

If that still doesn’t bring a smile on your face, Sony is also giving you deeper discounts on the Holiday Collection sale. Titles include games like Sonic Adventures (Game + Add-On) – 30% off, Assassins Creed Brotherhood Bundle – 30% off and LA NOIRE Bundle/Complete Edition – 30% off to name a few. After the jump, the full list of games and their savings.

Sony Saved Evolution Studios, Creators of MotorStorm

Unlike movie studios that can afford to release movies that fail to gain box office traction, game studios tend to live on a game-by-game cycle. If the game they’ve been working on is a hit, the studio can move on to a new project, whether it’s a sequel or an all-new IP (though that tends to be more rare). When a game released fails to gain a large audience, the story tends to change quickly with layoffs which usually lead to studio doors closing. It should also be taken into account that a game’s financial success is not always related to the critical appeal and quality of the game. Poor marketing or an overcrowded market are just two causes that can lead to a studio’s demise.

Evolution Studios, the team behind the PlayStation 3 exclusive series, MotorStorm, is no stranger to this formula. Launching the original MotorStorm alongside of the PlayStation 3’s debut, Evolution Studios has followed up the series with MotorStorm: Pacific Rift and MotorStorm: Apocalypse, the latest in the franchise. Unfortunately for studio boss Matt Southern and the team, Apocalypse was met with poor sales, despite rave reviews. To make matters worse, the game, which was based around racing while landscapes around you were destroyed by the likes of earthquakes was released at the same time as the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Japan. Due to this, Sony would cancel the games release in Japan, in respect of the people there. Matt Southern:

 “We made a game we’re really proud of and for some really heartbreaking reasons things didn’t go so well” 

Luckily for Matt, the team at Evolution Studios and PlayStation owners, Sony would step in and help the studio out. Backed by the folks at Sony and PlayStation, Evolution Studios is again able to continue working on games for the PlayStation brand, including DLC content for the PS3 and an all new game for the PS Vita.

  “We split the company up into three teams, one making RC, one supporting MotorStorm Apocalypse post-launch with DLC and multiplayer, and another bunch of guys just brainstorming new ideas. In a climate like the one we’ve had this year, that is rare.” 

In a time where studios closures are nothing new and the slow economic recovery for the entire globe continues, it’s nice to know that a beloved franchise is able to continue and those behind it will not have to be looking for a new job. With the studio finishing development of MotorStorm: RC for the PS Vita, Southern and team seem to be in a much better place now.

 “We all started to pick ourselves up and get excited about it. We’re not out of it yet, [but] things are turning round, I think. The studio’s really, really buzzing now.” 

Well done, Sony, well done.

After the jump, our comments section and a trailer for MotorStorm: RC await you.

PlayStation 3 System Update 4.0 Is Now Live

PlayStation 3 System Update 4.0 is now live and ready for your downloading pleasure. The new system update is designed to complement the launch of the PS Vita, which will be happen in Japan soon. The new update will allow the PS3 to act as a content server to the PS Vita. According to Sony, the new update will also:

 allow users to copy their digital content such as games, music, photos, and videos between PS Vita and PS3, back up PS Vita game games including save data to your PS3 hard drive, and update the system software for your PS Vita system using the network features of your PS3. 

Features include:

  • PlayStation Plus members can now choose to enable or disable each automatic update feature
  • Game patches
  • System software
  • Recommended games and videos
  • Sync trophy information
  • New PlayStation Network settings for filtering friend requests and messages
  • PS Vita Memory Cards Get Priced, Come in 4, 8, 16, and 32GB Variations

     

    When Sony announced the PlayStation Vita, many were surprised and blown away by the system’s specs and features for the price. Compared to similar devices which now include the Nintendo 3DS and Apple iPod Touch, the PS Vita is a powerful handheld, rightly compared as the PS3 of the handheld world. The PS Vita does not, however, offer internal memory, something that the iPod Touch does. Sony has indicated that they wanted to give users the flexibility of choosing the internal memory of their choice. By also offering a removable internal storage, based on the SD card (though similar, the PS Vita memory card is indeed proprietary), users can own multiple cards with different content on them, allowing for easy swapping, something that again cannot be done on the iPod Touch.

    Sony has now revealed that the PS Vita memory cards will come in 4, 8, 16, and 32GB variations and will be available on February 15th, right along side of the PS Vita launch. Prices break down as follows:

    • 4GB – $29.99
    • 8GB – $44.99
    • 16GB – $69.99
    • 32Gb – $119.99
    It should also be noted that these prices are the MSRP and so you can traditionally expect to find better deals on Amazon as time goes on, especially if other manufacturers like SanDisk are allowed to make them as well. After the jump, our question to you and the comments section awaits you.

    PlayStation 3D Display Gets Delayed in the UK, Due to Inventory Problems

    The PlayStation 3D Display was destined to change the publics eye about what 3D can do and the affordability of it. Priced at just $499, Sony’s 24-inch PlayStation 3 Display offers consumers a 1080p television, capable of delivering 2D and 3D, via your cable provider, Blu-ray player or PlayStation 3, one pair of 3D glasses, an HDMI cable and MotorStorm: Apocalypse. However, what sets this display apart from other 3D televisions out there, besides the price point is Sony’s exclusive  SimulView technology, allowing you and a friend to play a multiplayer game at the same time on the same screen while each seeing a separate screen. Thanks to the built-in 3D technology, each pair of 3D glasses (one is included in the bundle) is able to receive a separate video image, thus allowing two different screens while each person only sees their own screen on the 24-inch TV.

    The PlayStation 3D Display has been on US shelves for nearly two weeks with a UK release around the corner. Now, Amazon has confirmed that Sony will be pushing back the release of their PlayStation branded 3D display, due to inventory problems.

     “We have been informed by our supplier that there will be a delay in obtaining stock for this item and it will no longer be released in Europe in 2011.” 

    Sony has yet to release a statement with any information or a new release date but it seems that the company will miss the much important holiday season, like the PlayStation Vita. As much as it pains our UK readers, we hope that this is due to greater than expected US sales and not due to production issues but we really can’t confirm one or the either just yet.

    PS Vita “Unit 13” 3rd Person Shooter Debut Trailer

    Zipper Interactive, the team behind the SOCOM franchise and MAG is at it again and this time, their targeting the portable 3rd person shooter fans. The company, who is no stranger to 3rd person shooter  games on portable devices, having brought over the SOCOM franchise to the PSP is now creating an entire new franchise for the PS Vita. Unit 13 will let players choose one of six special operatives to tackle 36 varied missions across nine locales. Mission sizes and variety will differ which also create smaller bite-sized battles or can lead to  longer, more challenging, multi-objective missions that are a good test for any skilled shooter fan.

    Unit 13 will also fully tap into the PS Vita’s Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities with live notification interface, which will notify you of leaderboard positions, new Daily Challenge content, new unlocks, and challenges from friends as they move past you on the leader boards. Wouldn’t be a Zipper Interactive game without Co-op so rest assured that you and a friend can play through together and have full audio chat support with the PS Vita’s built in mic.

    After the jump, the games debut trailer awaits you.

    EverQuest II Finally Going Free-To-Play

    After DC Universe Online’s successful transition into the world of free-to-play MMO’s, it looks like Sony Online Entertainment is taking another one of it’s most valued – and long running – franchises and making it free for everyone to play.

    According to SOE, EverQuest II, their long standing (Seven Years!)  fantasy-themed MMORPG is finally going free-to-play this December to coincide with the release of it’s latest expansion pack, aptly named Age of Discovery.

    Following on DCUO’s footsteps, EverQuest II will have three separate membership classes:

    • The Free-To-Play Class – standard EverQuest II gameplay with a number of limitations
    • The Silver Class – Includes the standard EverQuest II gameplay as well as removes the limitations of the free-to-play class.
    • Gold Service Class – Monthly subscription-based services that add premium options and gameplay additions to the core game and character classes.