To keep with the Metal Gear theme and having acronyms for everything, we have decided to take on that tradition to anything MGS related till the game comes out on June 12th. Gun Metal Metal Gear Solid 4 (GMMGS4) version of the PS3 is no longer limited to Japan as word has it from Konami that this rare beauty is headed state side also. Not only does the package contain the 80GB PS3 with Dualshock 3, but will also have contain the limited edition MGS4. Keep in mind that this is going to be extremely limited so only the few, the proud, the ones with contacts and people who wait in line because they got a hint from their friend who works in GameStop will be able to get one. Having said that, I dont qualify for a single one of the things I listed and its not going to stop me from trying to get my hands on one.
PlayStation 3
With no sign of warning, no grin, no gesture, the Bahamut Sony has decided to grace us with DTS and squash one more PS3 flameware across the web. With the upcoming firmware 2.30, it would give the PS3 the ability to decode DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio tracks, “that is to say, Blu-ray audio at variable bit rates up to 24.5Mbps, and 7.1 streaming of 96K/24-bit tracks.” All on all this goes to the saying that you get what you paid for as the PS3 continues to prove its versatility and ability to adapt and offer cutting edge technology. So Blu-ray fans rejoice as two years into the cycle and the PS3 continues to be the best damn Blu-ray player out there.
Japan? Has DualShock 3. Me? I Have DuakcShock 3. US of the A? Getting DualShock 3 in the next week. Europe? Knows Japan, USA and I have DualShock 3. It seems as Sony of Europe has “No Word” on the release date for Europe. This is what you get for getting Grand Turismo 5 Prologues before us Europe!
So a few hours ago, a little rumor has hit the web about a crack/hack whatever you want to call it that enables users who are not in the private Home Beta to install it. Some sites are even posting step by step instructions on how to achieve this (although I have yet to verify how legit this is so if you got it up and running, email us). Now im not going to be posting any links to them to them so if your interested, hit up a few other sites and let me tell you why.
First, Home is a closed Beta, do you really think they (Sony) dosent know who is in it and who is not? Suddenly random new accounts being created when invites arent being sent out. wow. that wont be obvious. There goes your account, aka your banned. But of course, people are having in the ingenious idea of “Im not dumb enough to use my account, ill create a sub account”. Wow you sure did out smart Sony. Jeee, if there was only a way they could still track your account by I dunno…your IP address or even something better, your PS3’s unique serial number. What if they just ban that one. That means, time for a new PS3!
So will Sony go to such extent? I dont know but its not out of the question as your doing something your not suppose to do. So ill ask you to think and see if its worth having a banned account or worse, a banned PS3 (when it comes to PSN), just to get a taste of home, when it seems like a public Home Beta is around the corner anyways.
Now, usually when another site has a news story, I read it over a few times, check into the sources and come up with my own take on the story but the picture alone here has made my day so im not even going to try to top it. According to Gizmodo:
iPhone and iPod touch users will be able to control their Blu-ray players using an application called BD Touch. The application will use the network capabilities of Blu-ray hardware and Apple’s handheld devices to transfer data, allowing you to do many different things beyond controlling movie playback.
[Full Article: Gizmodo]
So back during the GCD08, Sony’s Scott Steinberg told the media that the 80GB was on its way out. When all current inventories sold out, they would be all gone, hence a dried up supply during the Holiday Season. But it seems like the old Bond title, Never Say Never as the 80GB units have proved to be more popular then previously thought. Steinberg explains about the shift:
Reality is the price wasn’t that big of a deal and $499 sold a lot more than we thought, so the 80 GB got dry at retail not due to us artificially compressing it but the demand became greater than we thought. So you’ll see us replenish these in the marketplace. We’re still committed to our current strategy and there is much to do about nothing, I think is the way to think about it.
Home Beta? Awesome. I know this because i’ve been part of it from day one but cannot report on it, due to User Agreements. However, i’m excited to share with you that according to PSN’s senior director, Susan Panico, has told the Official PlayStation mag that Sony will be “opening up the Home beta to the public very soon”. This really first and foremost benefits Home itself as the more users on it, the more chances of its bugs and kinks being worked out and with more feedback from users, the better the experience can be. And in the long run, this really effects the PlayStation community as once Home launches, it will be a much more refined and enjoyable experience for them, instead of a glitchfest.
VS 
Now everything here is still pretty unofficial but judging by them, they look about as official as a box art can look. It also seems like Europe is getting a very similar box art like Japan while the US version is taking a completely different route. Thoughts? Opinions about either? Let em rip in the comments section.
As always Hit the MagicButton for higher res pics!
Anybody remember Socom 3 and Socom: Combined Assault? Gimme Hooorraaaahh!!!! Cause I sure as hell do. The hours and hours ive spent on that series is bad and so it gives me great joy to hear Zipper still supporting the games with news that free maps is coming to both games.
Crossroads is a SOCOM II urban map based in North Africa. Crossroads consistently ranks as the most popular classic SOCOM map and a next generation version of Crossroads will be featured in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Demolition and Control gametypes.
Fishhook is a SOCOM II map based on a seaside North African village. It is playable with up to 16 players in a day or night setting in Suppression, Extraction, Control and Breach gametypes.
Frostfire is a SOCOM map which features an oil drilling platform off of the coast of Alaska. It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Control and Demolition gametypes.
Guidance is a SOCOM II map which features an ex-soviet military base in Russia. It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Demolition and Control gametypes.
Now im guilty of not having played Socom sense the PS3 came out but for my fellow PS2 owners out there or those who have moved their Socom to the PS3, this should hold you till September when Socom Confrontations comes out for the PS3. Then, its a sure bet your gonna be seeing me on with the clan.
[Socom]
wow. Europe gets another thing before the States. Its like Sony is acknowledging that they exists. So now that were on the same page with Sony, a Swedish retailer’s website is offering a 40GB PS3, a copy of the game (GTA4), a decorated box and it sure is pretty for 4,499 SEK (or about $755). Thats all so far. No word on a DualShock 3 (dont kid yourself Europe). Now last time I checked, GTA was one of the biggest games on the PS2 and one of the more anticipated games of the current gen systems (give me some FF or MGS action anyday but hey, a few million people will beg to differ with me) so it would be for lack of word, retarded for Sony not to bring this state side. Mostly with the 360 getting its own GTA4 bundle and exclusive content. But hey, what I do know? (alot in case you were wondering)
And here I thought we (US) loved MGS more then Japan just because we bought more of it but I guess it has its perks that Konami is a Japanese publisher as Famitsu points out, their PSN is getting MGS for PSP/PS3 this Spring.
Usually we write something witty here. And then give out details on whats going on. In this case, we all know about Home and we all know about Japan. So here to explain it all are some Japanese Home Screens. High Res too!
Hit the magic button for the pics
Anybody catch Equilibrium? I sure did and loved it. Anybody else catch Ultraviolet? I sure did…(those dots speak words about the movie) So I have mixed feelings when rumors have come on the interweb that Kurt Wimmer might be penning and directing the movie. Now, to his more positive credit, he has also penned Sphere and The Thomas Crown Affair so more positive points for him but I cant help but think, why not Kojima son himself? One of the reasons why the MGS series has been so well received is that its as smart and twisted and action packed as any Hollywood film could ever be and the dialogue is smart and packed with many layers of the current state of the world. Plus, the MGS series have equally been known for how cinematic they feel and play. So with that in mind, wouldn’t it just make sense to have the man who made all of this happen be the writer/director and hell, actor? (Stunts and Gaffer work not included)
So everybody was up in arms as the next generation console game prices were announced. (A $10 spike to $59 for new titles but I guess everybody forgot about the days of NES and $100 games) but thats ok because I guess Japan still remembers. According to Famitsu, the regular version of Metal Gear Solid 4 will retail for ¥8,800 (US $91), the Special Edition will go for ¥9,800 ($101). But thats not all Japan is getting because for ¥51,800 ($534), you get yourself a limited edition MGS4 PS3, all MGS4 style.
Hit the magic button for a higher res pic.
Its time for Singstar fans to put a smile on their face as a fairly good sized update is hitting the Singstar Store. The only catch is that the 24 song update are songs that have already appeared on the PS2 version but if you dont own them, then this friday is game day.
Hit the magic button for the full list.