PlayStation 3

PlayStation Move Ships 8.3 Million Units

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 16, 2011 | 10 comments

At a recent SCEA GDC Online 2011 presentation, Gabe Ahn, a developer support engineer for Sony Computer Entertainment America, stated that to date, Sony has shipped 8.3 million units of the PlayStation Move worldwide. And that almost 7 PS Move games have been shipped to North America.

Compared to the very casual-gamer -friendly Kinect (although it’s changing some), the PlayStation Move has seen a diverse set of games released specifically for/compatible with it. From AAA titles like SOCOM 4, Killzone 3, and LittleBigPlanet 2, to smaller, more niche titles like Eyepet and The Fight: Lights Out, the PlayStation Move offers something for everyone, no matter their choice of play style.

Hit the jump to read more on SCEA’s presentation on the PS Move.

Final Fantasy XIV Finally Gets A PS3 Release Date

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 14, 2011 | 5 comments

Square-Enix has finally announced a Holiday 2012 release for the Massively Multiplayer Online game Final Fantasy XIV. The company was forced to put the PC version on an indefinite free-trial phase just a few months after it’s release due to customer complaints and poor review scores.

According to the Final Fantasy XIV producer Naoki Yoshida, the PS3 version, which will hit sometime between October and December 2012 will have coincide with Square-Enix’s plans for a second free-trial period that will end on an unspecified date.

This Final Fantasy XIV Online Version 2.0 will come with many reworked game maps, new clients and servers, and (on the PC) the implementation of a subscription-based billing system akin to what it had when it first released. No plans for subscriptions have been announced for the PS3 version as of yet.

Stay Tuned for more information as they arrive.

[Via EpicBattleAxe]

“PAYDAY: The Heist” Preview

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 13, 2011 | 21 comments

Sony and Overkill’s upcoming PAYDAY: The Heist has finally been given a release date: October 18th, 2011. The co-operative heist game has been touted as one of the most anticipated PlayStation Network exclusive games of the year, and it’s finally coming later this month.

Hit the jump for the full preview and release date of the co-op first person shooter, available only on the PSN.

Sony PlayStation Bluetooth Headset Overview (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 9, 2011 | 22 comments

If multiplayer gaming is important to you, then this article should put a smile on your face. Introduced in early 2011, the second generation Sony PlayStation Bluetooth Headset was a much-improved followup to the original Bluetooth headset from Sony. This 2nd generation headset took all that was great about the original and improved it with better sound quality, weight and battery lifetime. Compatible with all PlayStation 3 titles and any mobile handset, we walked away quite pleased with our new Bluetooth headset. In our video overview, we show you all there is to know about this followup accessory from Sony.

SEGA Releasing Yakuza: Dead Souls To The West

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 9, 2011 | 27 comments

Sega announced earlier this week that they will be releasing the highly-anticipated Yakuza: Dead Souls in North America. Formerly called Yakuza: Of the End, the game finally got SEGA’s go-ahead for localization.

In case you didn’t know, SEGA’s Yakuza series (known as Ryu Ga Gotoku in Japan) is big in its native country.

How big, might you ask? Huge. As in, it has it’s own live-action film, huge. As in, companies want their products placed in the game, huge.

Yet for some reason or another, the franchise can never seem to get out of its niche genre here in North America. Maybe it’s the Japanese setting, or maybe the game is just interesting to those who like Japanese culture? Whatever the reason is, I think it’s about to change when SEGA finally releases Yakuza: Dead Souls to the west.

Hit the jump to find out more about Yakuza: Dead Souls including a brand new gameplay demo from the Japanese version.

Namco Announces Two Tekken Hybrid Limited Edition Bundles

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 8, 2011 | 20 comments

Earlier this week, Namco Bandai announced two limited edition bundles for their upcoming Tekken Hybrid Blu-Ray for the PlayStation 3.

Not only do players get a movie, an HD remaster of Tekken Tag Tournament, and the prologue to TTTournament 2, the limited edition bundle also nets them a soundtrack, a cool artbook, and some unannounced PlayStation Network downloadable goodies that will definitely add to the already feature-filled package.

Hit the jump to find out more about this and Namco Bandai’s exlcusive online-only bundle.

Sony Announces New PlayStation Bluetooth Remote

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 7, 2011 | 26 comments

Sony has announced a new PlayStation Bluetooth Blu-ray remote for the PlayStation 3. The new remote which is nearly identical to the previous model will have some new added functionalities like controlling your television and receiver with browsing and controlling Netflix. No word yet on all the exact details but Sony is expecting out the new vacation in late October.

PlayStation 3 to Support 4K Resolution Pictures

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 6, 2011 | 0 comments

According to Sony, in a future update, their flagship gaming console, the PlayStation 3 will be able to display and output pictures with a 4k resolution. The update which is aimed for sometime in early 2012 will mean that those who are shooting high resolution pictures with their digital cameras and have a higher end projector (seeing how all LCD televisions are capped at 1080p or 1920 x 1080) will be able to playback their photos and view them in all their glory. Could this update also hint at higher end, 4k resolution video playback as well? With the power of the multicore Cell processor inside of the PS3, one can only imagine.

[Via Engadget]

Quantic Dream Would Be Tempted To Be Part Of Sony Family

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 5, 2011 | 11 comments

Quantic Dream has been a Sony exclusive developer for a few years now, with their latest Heavy Rain selling millions to become one of the most sought-after and innovative games of this generation. Given their exclusivity deal, it only makes sense for Sony to aquire the independent development studio in order to legitimize their “Only on PlayStation” brand.

Quantic Dream is actually working on a different IP than Heavy Rain right now. In a recent interview with Develop-Online, David Cage, founder of the company has said that they are making:

“something exciting, something different. Hopefully it will build on the foundations of Heavy Rain, but go forward in a very, very, different way.”

He also mentioned that if Sony decides that they would like to acquire the development studio, that he would welcome the chance to be part of the PlayStation family. He (and his company) has a great working relationship with Sony and has placed their loyalty to the PlayStation Brand.

“Of course I would. Of course. I really like Sony, honestly I do. They’ve made some bets with developers like Fumito Ueda and Media Molecule. I kind of feel loyal to them.”

Given Sony’s recent acquisitions of developers Sucker Punch and Media Molecule, wouldn’t it be a big coup for the company to add Quantic Dream to their stable of AAA talent development studios?

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – Valve Interview

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 4, 2011 | 19 comments

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – Valve Interview

Valve is hard at work at creating the newest game in its ultra-popular multiplayer franchise. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the fourth game in the CS franchise and one that is supported by the many Counter-Strike councils and the community. Global Offensive is a downloadable title that will be available for PC, and for the first time, the PlayStation 3 in 2012.

For the last 12 years, Counter-Strike has been at the forefront of FPS gaming mod communities as well as gaming tournament worldwide. What started out as a mod by two guys, became a sensation, a game that was played by religiously by many even more than a decade after it’s release.

I had a chance to talk with Ido Magal , Project Lead and Chet Faliszek, Writer at Valve Corporation to discuss details about Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Hit the jump for the full interview and gameplay teaser trailer.

Uncharted 3 Multiplayer To Require PSN Pass

by Jan Hutchings | Oct 2, 2011 | 2 comments

It's a solo experience without a PSN Pass

According to Sony, the upcoming Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception will employ the company’s online pass system. This means that only new copies of the game will have a one-time use code (redeemable on PSN) so that the player can experience the online features much like the recent Resistance 3.

Players who purchase the game used will have to pony up some cash – $10 to be exact – to purchase the PSN Pass from the PlayStation Network.

Sony has said that this move towards the use of PSN Passes is one of the ways the company is fighting against piracy. It doesn’t hurt that the move also puts money back into the hands of the publisher and developer instead of retailers who re-sell used copies of the game for profit.

It looks like the PSN Pass is here to stay so expect more Sony internal studio-developed games to have the online pass in the future.

DISCUSS:

Do you think the PSN Pass is a good business move for Sony?
Do you think it will help or hamper Uncharted 3 sales this holiday season?

I Am Alive Coming To The PSN in 2011

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 29, 2011 | 18 comments

Remember Ubisoft’s really cool, yet really abrupt game teaser from E3 2008? The one where a number of men fought for one bottle of water? The title was I Am Alive, a surivival game that disappeared into obscurity after its initial tease.

Well it looks like the game survived, and will be coming this winter to the PlayStation Network as a downloadable title. I Am Alive tells the story of a regular every-man who is caught in the middle of a catastrophic natural disaster.

Hit the jump for more information about I Am Alive.

Journey Coming To PS3 Next Spring

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 28, 2011 | 10 comments

Jenova Chen, the co-founder of Thatgamecompany wrote on the PlayStation Blog earlier today where he announced that Journey will be available for purchase next spring.

According to Chen, Journey’s recent closed beta had been a “great success” and that since the beta did really well, they can now confidently announce that the game will be out in the spring of 2012.

“For the past few months, we kept getting asked about Journey’s release date.” Chen noted, “fortunately, the online beta went very well, and our continued playtests have given us great feedback on the work we have left to complete. While there is still a ton of care and polish needed, we can’t wait to finally deliver Journey, TGC’s take on an online adventure game.”

In Journey, players take control of a robed figure as he/she traverses a dream-like world where the only real goal is to get to a towering mountain in the distance. Players can meet other journeymen/women online, and can help each other out in their quest, however players will not be able to converse with each other and the only way to communicate is through a soundless shout to one another.

NYKO Raven Review For PS3

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 23, 2011 | 21 comments

The PlayStation 3 is home to many great first-person-shooter titles. Admittedly, the PS3’s DualShock 3 isn’t the best gamepad for these games. I would rather play them with my PlayStation Move controller to replicate a mouse-like precision aiming experience. Or I’ll play using my Xbox 360 wired controller using the XCM Cross Battle Adapte. (That’s right! You can use Xbox 360 controllers with the PS3).

That’s why I was so excited when I found and purchased the NYKO Raven “Alternate” controller for the PS3. It had the same control and button layout and feel as the Xbox 360 controller. The left thumbstick is now located on top of the directional buttons and triggers have replaced the traditional R2 and L2 shoulder buttons.

In addition to that, there’s a switch that toggles/switches L1 and R1 functionalities to the triggers themselves, adding to that Xbox 360 controller feel. It has an internal rechargeable battery like the Dualshock that lasts about 20 to 25 hours. With all these features, the NYKO Raven controller sounds like a dream come true for PS3 owners right?

Right?

Read More ›

Battlefield 3 Timed Exclusives For PlayStation 3

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 22, 2011 | 15 comments

EA announced today that all Battlefield 3 DLC are “timed exclusives” and will appear on the PlayStation 3 one week ahead of the Xbox 360 and PC. This is a big coup for SONY and EA as Microsoft has been getting timed dlc exclusives for Activision’s Call of Duty franchise since Modern Warfare 2.

The first expansion pack called “Back To Karkand” (4 throwback maps from Battlefield 2) will be the first to arrive a week early exclusively for the PS3. According to Developer DICE’s Tommy Rydling,

“You’ll be happy to know that, starting with our first expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand (released later this year), all full-blown upcoming expansion packs for the game will appear one week early exclusively on PlayStation 3!”

While it’s not the months long timed exclusivity that Microsoft has with Call of Duty DLC’s, but it’s still a win for anyone wanting to pick up Battlefield 3 for their PS3.

[Via PlayStation Blog]