PlayStation 3

Sony Japan to Patent Backwards Compatibility Adapter

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 14, 2010 | 3 comments

From launch date to now, it took a while for the PS3 to gain some heat in sales (but now they are higher than ever). I bought my 60GB Playstation 3 on launch date. It was fully backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 games. Slowly but surely, Sony made newer models partially PS2 compatible and now the feature is out of their systems completely. If this was due to a cost issue, Sony now has profits coming in from PS3 sales so bring back this feature! I’m sure the desire for it lessens as time goes by but I wouldn’t mind popping in Kingdom Hearts to play once in a while.

Well, reported today from Japanese message boards exploded overnight when Sony Computer Entertainment Japan filed a patent for a backwards compatible adapter. Nice! The device shows it has its own processor, a DVD decoder/emulator, sound processor, and graphic processor.
Although it would be nice to have it built in and not an external device, this is far better than nothing or having to buy a PS2 again. Do you miss playing your PS2 games? Would you buy this adapter if it gave you backwards compatilibty?

Sony Launches New Playstation Move Site, Has Fun With Microsoft

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 12, 2010 | 9 comments

Sony has just launched a new site to promote the Playstation Move before its September 17th release. Designed to contain both facts and be cheeky at the same time, I feel like the site gives out a lot of information for those who want it. For example, not sure how to tell your mom or girlfriend that you want the Playstation Move? Use the ‘Sensitive Fireman’ tool and in no time, the website will give you a personal video that you can play to your loved one to help convince them that you need a Playstation Move.

Playstation 3.42 Update Out. Small but Deadly!

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 7, 2010 | 2 comments

Just to let you know, in case you are ready to game it up online, that you should head to your PS3 a few minutes early. Sony has announced a new update, allbeit a very small one that shouldnt take more a few minutes of your time. This update is described as:

A minor update to your PS3 system is now available via system software update v3.42 that includes additional security features.

Many in the community of course think that there is a little more to this update. No, we’re not talking about early 3D support, but now famous jail-breaking method of the PS3. If so, this probably closes that hole now. What I’m personally curious about is that even though I’m a Playstation Plus member, my PS3 did not auto update this. I’m thinking that this may be due to the fact that I did the update an hour after it was announced while the PS3 may check for updates at a particular time.

PS3 To Gain 3D Blu-ray Playback in October

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 7, 2010 | 50 comments

Although the Playstation has been capable of playing 3D games for a few months now, including Wipeout HD and Motorstorm 3D Rift which are both downloadable currently on PSN, Sony has yet to give its machine a firmware update to play 3D movies. All of this will change in October when Sony releases the needed firmware to give the PS3 3D movie playback via Blu-ray. In the meantime, Sony has released some 3D movies like Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Monster House. Expect the floodgates to open during this Holiday season with titles like Michael Jackson: This is It, Alice in Wonderland and of course Avatar. Till then, Sony is giving you the chance to experience 3D in other ways too.

White Dualshock 3 Available for Pre-order. White PS3 Slim Coming Next?

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 6, 2010 | 11 comments

When it comes to Playstation, and let’s be honest, most other electronics that Sony makes, Japan tends to get things first or get them entirely and leave us dry. This has always been especially true with the Playstation brand as they get limited edition colors and designs. The white Playstation 3 is no different and is something American fans have been wanting for a long time. Well, if this Amazon pre-order is any indiction, it will be coming soon.

Currently, you can pre-order the white dualshock 3 for an October 15th release and while this by itself doesn’t lend itself to a “white PS3 coming to the States”, I also wouldn’t be surprised if we got news from Sony in the following week that it indeed will be coming.

Click to pre-order from Amazon:

DualShock 3 Controller 3 – Classic White

Kevin Butlers Epic Playstation Move-Tage

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 2, 2010 | 1 comment

There really isn’t much to say here except to feast your eyes on the Butler and his ‘Epicness.’

Final Fantasy 14 System Requirements = Go Buy For PS3

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 1, 2010 | 11 comments

Have you seen the minimum system requirements for Final Fantasy 14 for the PC? Cause yea, the following is dead minimum for the game to install, not even whats recommended for it to run smoothly. Even then, if you meet the minium requirements, compatibility issues with certain hardware, software, and driver combinations may prevent the game from running acceptably. So the question that needs to be asked is, should I invest all that money to make my PC run this game or should I just buy a PS3 (if you don’t already own one, if you do, then the question is which system to buy it for).

Having been a player of all Final Fantasy games, including Final Fantasy XI which I’m currently still playing on my PC (although I used to play it on my PS2), I would highly recommend leaning towards the PS3 version. Think of it like this, there is no system incompatibility to worry about or lack of system power. You will be running the game, exactly as its intended too, without the headaches of the above paragraph. Also, remember that any Bluetooth/USB Keyboard, Mouse and headset work with the PS3 so you are not going to lack anything that your PC counterpart might have. In fact, you are at the advantage because next time you are running a quest and you won’t the teams only WHM and get booted because your damn Antivirus popped up.

Sony Gives You Some Cheap 3D Content via PS3

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 24, 2010 | 16 comments

During their now normal Tuesday update, Sony will be bringing Motorstorm 3D Rift to the Playstation Network for $9.99. Giving users 10 levels and multiple vehicles to choose from, Motorstorm rift is meant to wet the appetite of those who own 3D TVs and show them what future 3D gaming will look like. Of course, this game is also presented in 2D as well and how all the normal supports a game would like Trophies. This is a welcome move on Sony to first give 3D users content and not make them face a drought, now that they have purchased a 3D set. Second, Sony knows that 2D users and 3D users are the same. There is no reason to charge extra for 3D content or to make multiple versions of the same game. By giving users both the 2D and 3D version of the game, this will allow the adoption of 3D to be faster and more friendly for the consumer.

A Thought: Don't Jailbreak your PS3 or Sony will Jail You

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 24, 2010 | 18 comments

In mother Russia, Sony jailbreak you! And thats exactly what’s going to happen if you attempt to run any of the new jailbreak softwares that are available for the PS3. This is caused by the fact that once your Playstation 3 has been hacked, the software ID from the unit changes and Sony can detect this. Of course, if you don’t wish to ever do anything online with your PS3, from the PSN Store to friends list and online play, then sure you can just stay offline and Sony will never know. But once online with it, Sony has the power to detect the new invalid ID and ban your PS3 from the network. According to the hack creators:

Sony does currently ban PSN/consoles that results in the 8002A227 error code…[So], as people start getting their PSjb in the next few weeks, we highly advise that you do not log into PSN while using the backup manager, which means no playing online.”

So while Sony will only cut you off from the online portion of the Playstation world and not brick your PS3, is it really worth it? For me, no but for you? Probably not either. No seriously, it’s not worth it.

An In Depth Look at the Playstation Move

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 19, 2010 | 3 comments

Although I’ve been dying for a chance to test out the Playstation Move, I have yet to be given a chance to play with this new add on. For those who also know me, the idea of me hating the Wii is nothing new. I thought the concept and the simplicity of the unit was beyond childish, for me. I say this because I completely also understand the reasons behind the success of the Wii and applaud Nintendo on that. This respect comes from the fact that I’m a Business and Marketing major and also as a gamer, it’s always great to see companies grow and pull in a new demograph into our circle and show them that gaming is not just about fragging people. The reason I mention all of this is to let you know that I was not one who was going to be easily impressed by the Move. I never liked the idea of rolling around on the floor and jumping up and down to play a game. Once I saw the depth and power of the Move, as well as what Kevin Butler will call “buttons”, however, I began to get excited for the Move. Plus, Sony has backed up the fact that they stand for real gaming by supporting titles such as LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and Socom 4. For those who would like to see further into the power of the Playstation Move, the folks at CVG got to spend some time with Dr. Richard Marks, the head of the Playstation Move. This video will really again show the depth, power and precision of the Move.

[Via CVG]

Sony and Subway want you to Eat Fresh and Move

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 18, 2010 | 15 comments

If I were Stephen Colbert, I’m sure I could think of some awesome puns here but alas, I’m not so I will report this as it is. Sony and Subway have announced a new advertising plan that is looking to give out $1 million worth of Playstation loot, including the new Playstation Move. Called the “Fiery Footlong Frenzy Fueled by PlayStation Program,” all gamers and non-gamers have to do is to stop by a local Subway and purchase a Fiery Footlong sub and a 32 ounce drink. The rewards will then be located on the 32 ounce drink that the user will peel away. Besides the Playstation Move, Sony will also be giving away the PSP-3000 (no love for the PSPgo), Playstation 3 units as well as 3D Bravia televisions.

“PlayStation consumers are accustomed to being the first to have access to innovative technology unlike anything on the market,” said Ginger Kraus, senior director of brand alliances at Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC in the press release. “We are thrilled to team up with Subway in the U.S. to carry on this tradition, and extend the PlayStation experience through strategic partnerships like this that will ultimately benefit fans of both PlayStation and Subway.”

Overall, this is a fantastic little promotion for the Move. Not only does it offer gamers a healthy sandwich, but it links the Playstation Move to it, which is designed to get you off of your ass and…well…Move!…while playing games.

Can You Change Your PSN ID? Could Be Possible, Someday…

by Jenni Petot | Aug 13, 2010 | 2 comments

I’m sure there are many of you that would love to change or even tweak your current PSN ID name. I am one of them. Right now I am Domino_237 (feel free to add me) and would love to just be Domino or lose the underscore. Anyway, this is a requested feature PS3 users have wanted for a while. Last week it was reported/rumored that hackers found this feature “hidden inside the Playstation Plus”. Although Sony has never announced this, Jeff Rubenstein, Social Media Manager for the US Playstation Blog said:

It’s an idea that’s been brought up multiple times, and it’s something I’d like to see as well. I dont’ think there are any current plans to enact this, however, I’ll bring it up again.

So we can only hope something will be implemented by Sony from our requests and desires. Even if this feature is just for Playstation Plus users, it’ll be great. For now, people who REALLY need their ID changed will have to start a new account, start from scratch regardless of how high their ranking is on Modern Warfare is, how many friends they have or how many trophies they’ve earned. I personally don’t see too many people willing to do that.

Anatomy of a Playstation 3 Controller? Err?

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 9, 2010 | 41 comments

You may or may not have seen this image of the Playstation 3 controller floating around the web. It’s called the anatomy of a Playstation 3 controller, but to be honest, I don’t get it. I mean, it looks cool, but err? It would have been a tad cooler if we saw the actual rumble gear and the gyro scopes, instead of a tongue and teeth.

Sony Stole Playstation 3 Design From Japan!

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 5, 2010 | 13 comments

lol. This has been posted I’m sure plenty of other places but this building in Japan does sure look familiar huh? (btw, I really don’t believe Sony actually stole the PS3 design).

Sony Profits Boost High Last Quarter

by Jenni Petot | Aug 3, 2010 | 1 comment

Sony profits are rising and came to $294 million net profit for the April-June quarter. Revenue for Sony grew 3.8%. This was mostly because of rising TV and Playstation sales internationally. In this last quarter alone, Sony sold 5.1 million LCD TVs which is 59% higher than last year’s numbers. PS3 sales more than doubled (yay) and sold 2.4 million units. Along with these rising sales, music sales also rose with music from the hit show “Glee” and “Iron Man 2” soundtrack. At Sony’s briefing for analysis, Sony’s new Chief Financial Officer Masaru Kato said:

“We do have good products and good momentum, and we want to build on this so that our business keeps improving.”

I’m glad to see a stronger demand for the PS3 because it really “does everything” and is a must own for optimal gaming and blu-ray viewing. With Sony releasing new products like their 3D TVs, Playstation Plus and pairing up with Google Inc. and Logitech International to offer internet on their TVs I think (and hope) sales continue to rise for Sony.