http://www.ps3news.com PS3 NEWS - PlayStation 3 News - PS3News - PS3News.com - PS3 Games - PS3 Hacks - PS3 Homebrew - PS3 Linux Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:07:40 CST en http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sonys-playstation-entertainment-unleashed-ad-campaign/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sonys-playstation-entertainment-unleashed-ad-campaign/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:07:40 CST PS3 News PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sonys-playstation-entertainment-unleashed-ad-campaign/ reported on a few holiday adverts that are part of a "bigger campaign".

Today Sony's Senior Vice President of Marketing & PlayStation Network Peter Dille detailed their PlayStation: Entertainment Unleashed ad campaign officially via PS Blog as follows:

This is one of the fun parts of my job, when we get to unveil our TV commercials and give you, our loyal fans, a preview of our spots before they hit the airwaves. This year's campaign is dubbed "Entertainment Unleashed" and for good reason.

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The campaign actually began quietly a few weeks back with three fifteen second "tease" executions. Hopefully, you've seen these by now. These initial ads depicted various people catching glimpses and reflections of beautiful PS3 game footage magically appearing on building facades across a city.

This weekend, we're excited to reveal what triggered the excitement. The spot begins with a guy creating a LittleBigPlanet level on a building wall and from there, the PS3 takes on a momentum all its own, spreading amazing entertainment content uncontrollably from building to building throughout the city.

The ad prominently features not just LittleBigPlanet but also two other PLAYSTATION 3 exclusive titles - Resistance 2 and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. And we've also highlighted PS3's Blu-ray capability by featuring Blu-ray movies like The Dark Knight, showcasing PS3's unrivaled leadership as both a gaming and multimedia entertainment experience.

PLAYSTATION 3 offers unrivaled game content, with not just one platform-defining game, but an array of groundbreaking games across virtually every genre throughout the year that are pushing the envelope of creativity and sheer gameplay.

And at the end of the spot, you'll see that all this great exclusive content has literally been unleashed on the city and its residents. I know our fans will appreciate spotting some of your favorite games across the cityscape.

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This week marks an important milestone for the PS3. And one of the things we're most excited about as we head into year three is the tremendous adoption and excitement found on PlayStation Network.

This year alone, we've added great new features you guys have been asking for like a service to deliver High Def movies and TV shows that you can rent or buy and store directly on the PS3's hard drive; a robust trophy system that lets you compare your gaming prowess with others as well as help you discover everything about the great PS3 games you're playing; and of course, the groundbreaking Home service, which is just around the corner for all.

All of this and a lot more has resulted in more than 14 million active PlayStation Network accounts - a very rapid expansion of a service that we have equally aggressive plans for in the future.

So with its tremendous growth and adoption, we thought it was time to give the PlayStation Network its own moment in the sun with a TV spot that sings its praises. This PlayStation Network ad will also make its debut this weekend. The ad is a metaphor and itself depicts the relentless spread of the PlayStation message from user to user.

We've featured various ways you can "Download/Play/Connect." Great downloadable games like Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, PAIN, Wipeout HD and Echochrome. Free online gaming and downloadable levels with games like LittleBigPlanet. Human connection and community via Home. And downloading great movies like Hancock directly to your PS3 and then sharing it with your PSP.

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When we launched the PS3 two years ago, we said we would deliver on the most advanced next generation console that would offer ten years of entertainment value. We are committed to that promise and remain confident that we're now just scratching the surface on PS3's potential.

We hope you like these new ads and look forward to your feedback and continued support for PlayStation.

Enjoy!

Peter

PS: Killzone 2 is real and it's spectacular...]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/from-the-abyss-hack-n-slash-rpg-announced-for-nintendo-ds/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/from-the-abyss-hack-n-slash-rpg-announced-for-nintendo-ds/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:52:30 CST PS3 News Nintendo DS http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/from-the-abyss-hack-n-slash-rpg-announced-for-nintendo-ds/
In this parallel universe players will be able to explore the vast world of Rubenhaut through a unique world creation engine exclusively created for the game.

Press Release: THE NINTENDO DS IS NOT JUST A CONSOLE FOR GIRLS, DADS, OR MOMS!

In "From the Abyss", the player will fight huge monsters with swords, spells and special abilities! A fast paced & action packed game for gamers!

The game also features an intuitive control scheme, lavish artwork, and an engaging 2 player co-op battle system.

Key Features:

- Explore your own unique Abyss!
Every time you start a new journey the game will randomly generate a custom world for a unique experience each time!

- Customize your character!
Distribute skill points that will define your character's powers and destiny. Will you go the way of the sword or be a powerful spell caster?

- Capture your enemy's soul!
Steal the enemy's techniques and use them to turn the tide in battle!

- Co-op Mode!

Wirelessly connect with a friend and fight together to defeat the Demon Lord of the Abyss!

About the game

Genre: Hack 'n slash
Platform: NDS
Publisher: Nobilis
Developer: Sonic Powered
Release date: Q1 2009
Official website: www.from-the-abyss.com]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/gran-turismo-in-four-times-the-resolution-of-full-hd-at-2160p/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/gran-turismo-in-four-times-the-resolution-of-full-hd-at-2160p/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:37:42 CST PS3 News PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/gran-turismo-in-four-times-the-resolution-of-full-hd-at-2160p/
Both of the presentations were founded on the philosophy of "achieving the highest possible quality" held over the years by Gran Turismo... showing it off that at 2160p.

It was all part of a time trial showcasing Sony's latest SRX-S110 projector technology, which can support resolutions of 4096 x 2160 pixels.

To quote: One of these, was a time trial competition using Sony's newest digital cinema projector, the "SRX-S110". Gran Turismo 5 prologue is already in Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080 pixels, providing the highest resolution possible in today's TV content.

However in this time trial, the Full HD image was increased to twice the resolution both vertically and horizontally (4x the surface area), enabling game play at an ultra high resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

This was performed by connecting and synchronizing four Playstation 3's outputting a quarter of the image each at 1920x1080 pixels, but you must remember this demands an extremely high quality image from the source that can withstand the ultra high resolution.

It can be said that this demonstration was only made possible, because the source image was Gran Turismo.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/which-console-had-the-best-exclusives-in-2008/ http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/which-console-had-the-best-exclusives-in-2008/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:29:21 CST Starlight General/Off Topic http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/which-console-had-the-best-exclusives-in-2008/
So, this is the first time that we can actually look back at 2008 and see which console had the best exclusives for the year - the PS3, Xbox 360, or Wii.

To do this, I decided to tally up the Metascore ratings (as of 11/20) for what are arguably the top ten exclusives for each console. Games that are available on PC and only one console are on the list as well (World of Goo and Left 4 Dead are two examples). So let's dive right in to those potentially forum-rioting numbers:

Nintendo Wii:
1. No More Heroes - 83%
2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl - 94%
3. Mario Kart Wii - 82%
4. Wii Fit - 80%
5. Wario Land: Shake it! - 78%
6. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility - 64%
7. World of Goo - 95%
8. Wii Music - 63%
9. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - 68%
10. Animal Crossing: City Folk - 71%
Average: 77.8%

Sony PlayStation 3:
1. GT5: Prologue - 80%
2. Haze - 55%
3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - 94%
4. Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty - 76%
5. Wipeout HD - 87%
6. SOCOM: Confrontation - 62%
7. LittleBigPlanet - 95%
8. Motorstorm: Pacific Rift - 81%
9. Resistance 2 - 87%
10. Valkyria Chronicles - 86%
Average: 80.3%

Microsoft Xbox 360:
1. Ninja Gaiden II - 81%
2. Too Human - 65%
3. Tales of Vesperia - 82%
4. Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise - 82%
5. Infinite Undiscovery - 68%
6. Fable II - 89%
7. Gears of War 2 - 93%
8. Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts - 78%
9. Left 4 Dead - 89%
10. Lips - 72%
Average: 79.9%

The closest battle, of course, was between the Xbox 360 and the PS3. The PS3 claimed the top spot, but only by the slim margin of 0.4%. Overall, both consoles had flops, the PS3's being Haze and Socom, the Xbox 360's Too Human and Infinite Undiscovery. However, both consoles had golden titles as well, such as LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Gears of War 2.

The Wii was in last place, but not by as much as most expected. The duds of the Wii (Wii Music, Harvest Moon, and Tales of Symphonia) were balanced out by great titles like World of Goo and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. And anyways, since the Wii is still outselling the PS3 and Xbox 360 combined, Nintendo doesn't really care about these numbers.

So after all of that fighting between fanboys on forums across the internet, the dust has finally settled. And guess what: it turns out that all three consoles did very well. So, fanboys, learn this: your fighting amounts to nothing. Can't we all just enjoy good games, no matter what console they're on?

Here are the averages in handy chart form below.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-confirms-32-additional-psp-titles-for-ad-hoc-party-support/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-confirms-32-additional-psp-titles-for-ad-hoc-party-support/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:29:13 CST PS3 News PlayStation Portable http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-confirms-32-additional-psp-titles-for-ad-hoc-party-support/
Most games seem to be working with no problem, but there a quite a few that are suffering from issues such as slowdown when using voice chat.

To quote: Games that have no reported problems include:

* Derby Stallion P (Enterbrain)
* Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable (Square Enix)
* Initial D Street Stage (Sega)
* Nouryoku Trainer Portable 2 (sega)
* Sarugetchu P! (SCEJ)
* Dokodemo Issyo (SCEJ)
* Piposaru Academia (SCEJ)
* Bleach Heat the Soul (SCEJ)
* Bleach Heat the Soul 4 (SCEJ)
* Boku no Natsuyasumi (SCEJ)
* Minna no Golf Portable (SCEJ)
* Minna no Golf Portable 2 (SCEJ)
* Ratchet & Clank 5 (SCEJ)
* LocoRoco (SCEJ)
* Gundam Battle Royal (Bandai Namco)
* Gundam SEED Federation VS Z.A.F.T. Portable (Bandai Namco)
* Taiko no Tatsujin Portable (Bandai Namco)
* Taiko no Tatsujin Portable 2 (Bandai Namco)
* Tales of the World Radiant Mythology (Bandai Namco)
* Tekken Dark Resurrection (Bandai Namco)
* Dragon Ball Z Shin Budoukai 2 (Bandai Namco)
* Narutimate Portable (Bandai Namco)

Games that have problems in some capacity include:

Macross Ace Frontier (Bandai Namco)
There may be some slowdown during battles. Rooms that you've made may not show up when using voice chat

Gundam VS Gundam (Bandai Namco, released today)
There may be some slowdown in four player battles when using voice chat

Gundam Battle Universe (Bandai Namco)
There may be some slowdown during battle

Gundam Battle Chronicle (Bandai Namco)
There may be some slowdown during battle. There may be some slowdown when using voice chat.

Bleach Heat the Soul 5 (SCEJ)
There may be some slowdown when using voice chat

Kazuo (SCEJ)
You may get a communication error when using voice chat

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable (Konami)
There may be some slowdown when using voice chat

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 2 (Konami)
There may be some slowdown when using voice chat

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3 (Konami)
You may get a communication error during matches

Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories (Capcom)
You may have your connection cut when three or more players attempt to connect.

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
In one room, when five or more PSP's attempt to connect, the game may not run correctly. You can't play Shuukaijo and Enshuujo simultaneously in the same room. Guild cards may fail to send sometimes.

In addition to this updated compatibility list, Sony revealed today that the beta application has received over 90,000 downloads thus far.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/microsoft-rep-on-xbox-360-rrod-issue-they-fed-us-to-the-lions/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/microsoft-rep-on-xbox-360-rrod-issue-they-fed-us-to-the-lions/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:22:06 CST Starlight XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/microsoft-rep-on-xbox-360-rrod-issue-they-fed-us-to-the-lions/
While most scoffed at the idea, the prediction held true and MS service lines are white hot with calls from angry customers.

"I hate what the company did this year," says the rep. "They released the New Xbox Experience a few days after the extended warranty period ended for most users and it's tough to explain that to raging callers. How do you say that MS just screwed them all?"

He adds "our bosses really fed us to the lions this time. We're getting everything from crying kids to death threats from angry adults. It's an orgy, I tell ya."

The rep ended the short chat by lamenting how Xbox 360 owners are blaming the update for even the most far-fetched issues. An example, he says, is a call from a 32-year old man claiming that his house's power went out after updating.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/new-littlebigplanet-1-04-patch-update-goes-live-for-ps3/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/new-littlebigplanet-1-04-patch-update-goes-live-for-ps3/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:21:55 CST PS3 News PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/new-littlebigplanet-1-04-patch-update-goes-live-for-ps3/
According to users on the LittleBigWorkshop forums, the new patch includes the following (unconfirmed) updates:

- Using Undo in Creator mode requires a network call
- Gluing can be un-glued from the ground

Media Molecule has yet to make an official announcement on the patch, so stay tuned for further updates.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/microsofts-helping-hand-through-sony-playstation-advertising/ http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/microsofts-helping-hand-through-sony-playstation-advertising/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:07:36 CST Starlight General/Off Topic http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/microsofts-helping-hand-through-sony-playstation-advertising/
Well in any case, below is pictured a leaflet from Microsoft Windows Vista unconsciously advertising for PlayStation instead of Xbox or Xbox 360.

The sheet contains a photo with 2 guys playing with PlayStation 2 controllers!

Surely an oversight by Microsoft, but one they probably will not like once it catches up with them.

Click on the pic below to enlarge it.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-store-us-update-for-november-20th-2008/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-store-us-update-for-november-20th-2008/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:47:13 CST Bakke PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-store-us-update-for-november-20th-2008/
Hey, everyone. It's time again for the PlayStation Store weekly update.

Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet Sack in the Box Costume (free)
A community costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet LocoRoco Costumes ($2.99)
A costume kit for SackBoy! Contains 5 different costumes.
File size: 1.04 MB

BioShock PS3 Challenge Rooms ($9.99)
Experience the intense, terrifying world of Rapture like never before with the all-new PLAYSTATION 3 exclusive Add-On Game Content featuring three unique Challenge Rooms and some very cool extras. In "A Shocking Turn of Events," rescue a trapped Little Sister in a disturbing carnival in Rapture. In "The I in Team", defeat a Big Daddy using only your wits. In "Worlds of Hurt" plow through eight rooms filled with the worst Rapture has to offer.
File size: 402 MB

Dead Space

* Dead Space Astronaut Pack ($2.99)
Download the Astronaut Suit and Weapon Skin Pack, featuring an amazing 26th Century Astronaut Suit and new skins for the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper!
* Dead Space Big Gun Pack ($0.99)
Download the Steam Punk Force Gun, the ultimate in Necromorph-killing destruction.
* Dead Space Heavy Damage Pack ($2.99)
Download the Heavy Damage Weapon pack featuring a cool new look and massive firepower for the Plasma Cutter, Contact Beam, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper.
* Dead Space Hot Rod Pack ($0.99)
Download the Hot Rod Weapon Skin Pack, featuring awesome flame graphics for the Flamethrower and Pulse Rifle.
* Dead Space Military Pack ($3.99)
Download the Military Weapon Pack for a new look and enhanced power for all 7 Dead Space weapons.
* Dead Space Obsidian Pack ($1.49)
Download the exclusive Obsidian Suit and Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION 3! Includes an upgraded Level 5 suit, and weapon skins for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle, all in jet-black PLAYSTATION 3 colors.
* Dead Space Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack ($1.49)
Download the exclusive Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION 3 Includes weapon skins in jet-black Playstation 3 colors for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle.
* Dead Space Pedestrian Pack ($1.49)
Download the Pedestrian Weapon Skin Pack, featuring a fresh new look for the Contact Beam, Plasma Cutter, and Ripper.
* Dead Space Scorpion Pack ($3.99)
Download the Scorpion Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and three powered up weapons, all decorated in an awesome red Scorpion Skin.
* Dead Space Scorpion Weapon Pack ($2.25)
Download the Scorpion Weapon Pack featuring a faster death-dealing Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun in awesome red skins.
* Dead Space Speed Kills Pack ($2.25)
Download the Speed Kills Weapon Pack! Includes faster-firing Force Gun, Line Gun, and Plasma Cutter.
* Dead Space Tank Pack ($3.99)
Download the Tank Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and powered up Flamethrower, Force Gun, and Line Gun, all covered in Unitology script.

File sizes: 4.12 MB - 18 MB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

* "Consoler of the Lonely" by The Raconteurs ($1.99)
* "Hold Up" by The Raconteurs ($1.99)
* "Salute Your Solution" by The Raconteurs ($1.99)
* The Raconteurs Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring "Consoler of the Lonely", "Hold Up", and "Salute Your Solution" by The Raconteurs. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as a part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
Expand your Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 library by purchasing these tracks.

* (I Just) Died In Your Arms ($1.49)
* All You Wanted ($1.49)
* Black Hole Sun ($1.49)
* It's Not Unusual ($1.49)
* September ($1.49)

File sizes: 9.73 MB - 44 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

* "That's When I Reach for my Revolver" - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
* "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate" - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
* "Mica" - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
* Mission of Burma Pack 01 ($5.49) - this track pack includes all of the above Mission of Burma singles.
* "Police Truck" - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
* "Holiday in Cambodia" - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
* "California Über Alles" - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
* Dead Kennedys Pack 01 ($5.49) - this track pack includes all of the above Dead Kennedys singles.
* "Gone" - Crooked X ($0.99)
* "Swamped" - Lacuna Coil ($1.99)
* "Forever" - In This Moment ($1.99)
* "Closer" - Lacuna Coil ($1.99)
* Century Media Girls of Metal Pack 01 ($5.49) - this track pack includes

File sizes: 15 MB - 36 MB (singles)

Game Demos (free)

MotoGP 08 Demo
MotoGP 08 brings the premiere motorcycling championship to your home console! Speed down 18 official tracks in 15 countries and challenge others in online races, alone or with friends. Featuring easy-to-learn controls, MotoGP 08 is the most accessible motorcycle racing game to date.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 672 MB

Game Videos (free)

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Features and Strategy Trailer
File size: 70 MB (HD), 118 MB (1080)

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe: Kreating the Comic Trailer
File size: 129 MB (HD)

Lord of the Rings: Conquest Trailer
File size: 81 MB (HD)

NBA 2K9 Momentous #1 Trailer
File size: 85 MB (HD), 100 MB (1080)

NBA 2K9 Momentous Trailer 2
File size: 116 MB (HD), 155 MB (1080)

Tom Clancy's EndWar Launch Trailer
File size: 77 MB (HD)

FIFA 09 "In The Game" Part 8 - Online Team Play
File size: 191 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - Chad Kagy
File size: 109 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - Adam Jones
File sizes: 107 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - From Flow to Pro
File sizes: 97 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - BMX Dirt Dew Cup Race
File sizes: 125 MB (HD)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers

Hancock Trailer
File size: 124 MB (HD), 156 MB (1080)

This Christmas Trailer (Blu-ray)
File size: 120 MB (HD), 156 MB (1080)

Tenacious D - The Complete Masterworks Trailer
File size: 30 MB (SD), 112 MB (1080)

Sara Bareilles - Between The Lines Trailer
File size: 50 MB (SD), 261 MB (1080)

Incbus "Look Alive" Trailer
File size: 48 MB (SD), 229 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

NBA 2K9 Theme (free)
File size: 1.99 MB

Hancock Theme (free)
File sizes: 2.40 MB

Timea Mojorova Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 5.41 MB

University of California Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 5.17 MB

Shadowy Graves Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 5.09 MB

Darklight Fractais Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 6.14 MB

Mrs. Claus Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 6.86 MB

GunGirls Theme ($0.99)]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Linux/yellow-dog-linux-v6-1-out-for-ps3-with-advanced-cell-experience/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Linux/yellow-dog-linux-v6-1-out-for-ps3-with-advanced-cell-experience/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:47:03 CST andre86 PS3 Linux http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Linux/yellow-dog-linux-v6-1-out-for-ps3-with-advanced-cell-experience/
You should notice a great increase of speed while using linux.

The free version can be downloaded in four weeks. For now only owners of YDL.net Enhanced Accounts can access YDL 6.1.

Press Release: AUSTIN, Texas - 19 November 2008 - From the show floor of SuperComputing 2008, booth #1915, Fixstars today released Yellow Dog Linux v6.1 for Apple G4/G5, Sony PLAYSTATION3, PowerStation, and IBM Power Systems. Built upon the CentOS foundation, a derivative of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, YDL v6.1 offers several end-user and development tool improvements over the previous v6.0.

"This marks the final release of Yellow Dog Linux by Terra Soft and the first by Fixstars," states Owen Stampflee, Fixstars Solutions' Director of Engineering, "In my five years with Terra Soft we have made incremental improvements with each release, always pressing for a higher quality end user experience.

In some updates, we focus on the desktop; in others the development environment. With version 6.1 we have accomplished a unique blend of both. I am personally proud of what we offer with this version of Yellow Dog, and believe our users will enjoy it as well."

Satoshi Miki, Fixstars Chief Executive Officer states, "We are proud to not only acquire and tightly integrate YDL into our product and service offerings, but to be a part of this particular release which intentionally addresses the needs of the Cell developer. Having been a YDL user for more than two years, to launch our first Fixstars' branded YDL distribution is a proud moment for my company."

For end users, Yellow Dog Linux v6.1 offers an updated Firefox and OpenOffice.org, a vastly improved graphical wireless configuration tool, and the introduction of ps3vram functionality which enables use of PS3 video RAM for temporary storage or swap.

For developers, v6.1 offers the latest stable kernel, an updated GCC, the open portion of the IBM Cell SDK v3.1, and through a working relationship with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, YDL v6.1 now ships with the new Cell Superscalar.

With the appearance of new multicore processor architectures, the Cell Broadband Engine included, there is a need for new programming paradigms. CellSs is a programming model that addresses the automatic exploitation of functional parallelism from a sequential application with annotations.

Yellow Dog Linux v6.1 supports:
- Sony PS3.
- Apple PowerPC G4, G5.
- YDL PowerStation.
- IBM System p (JS2x, 510, 520, 540).

Yellow Dog Linux v6.1 offers these updates over v6.0:
- Kernel 2.6.27
- GCC 4.1.2
- Cell SDK 3.1
- Firefox 3.0
- OpenOffice 2.3 (v3.0 coming to YDL.net Enhanced soon!)
- X.org 1.4.999 with xrandr 1.2.2
- Dramatically improved, automated wireless config.
- GUI configuration tool for YDL.net.
- Bluetooth support for the PS3 Sixaxis controller.
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center CellSs.
- ps3vram for fast, temp file storage or swap using PS3 video RAM.

Users often state that YDL is the simplest to install of any distribution. Post-installation, the default applications are a makes-sense offering of the industry standards: Firefox web browser, Thunderbird email, Pidgin IM/IRC client, Ekiga voice over IP, OpenOffice, gThumb and GIMP, the Fluendo multimedia player installer, and a suite of personal accessories.
Learn more about the default installed applications.

Study the Tutorial for YDL and E17

YDL v6.1 will be available by the close of today via YDL.net Enhanced accounts purchased at the Fixstars Store

The physical DVD sets will ship from Fixstars in 2 weeks. The public mirrors will offer v6.1 downloads in one month.

To speak with Satoshi Miki, CEO of Fixstars; Kai Staats, COO of Fixstars Solutions; or Owen Stampflee, Director of Engineering and lead Yellow Dog Linux engineer, please stop by booth #1915 at SC08]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-3-trophies-to-be-mandatory-from-january-2009/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-3-trophies-to-be-mandatory-from-january-2009/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:46:54 CST wicked insanity PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-3-trophies-to-be-mandatory-from-january-2009/
Earlier this week they received a tip from an anonymous source within the UK video game industry that, from January 2009 onwards, all newly released PS3 titles will be required to support the PS3 Trophy system.

Today a Sony Computer Entertainment Europe spokesperson confirmed that this information is accurate, stating: "Yes from Jan 09 all games must have trophies."

This news is sure to be met very positively by PS3 gamers who are currently having to put up with sporadic Trophy support from this winter's biggest releases.

Mandatory Trophy support will also put an end to post release Trophy patches that force gamers to replay games to earn the Trophies.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/super-street-fighter-ii-turbo-hd-remix-cometh-to-psn/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/super-street-fighter-ii-turbo-hd-remix-cometh-to-psn/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:46:45 CST PS3 News PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/super-street-fighter-ii-turbo-hd-remix-cometh-to-psn/
It's a great time to be a Street Fighter! It's with great pleasure that I announce that HD Remix will arrive on the PlayStation Network real soon! Now you have the chance to debate which legs are more appealing, the turkey leg you're about to have or the ones on Chun-Li.

Here are the details:
Release date: November 25, 2008 (I know, finally, right?)
Price: You've heard it here first! Only $14.99!
Trophies: Not at launch
Online Play: Of course
Graphics: 1080p baby
Gameplay: Two types - Original and Rebalanced

Here are some videos that will get you hyped for the game and will make you say, "Put him in a body bag!"

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But wait, there's more! Exclusive to the PlayStation Network, fans will have the opportunity to download the Street Fighter Underground Remix Soundtrack for free! I was able to get a few of my favorite hip hop artists to create original songs inspired by the series. Here's the line up: Redman, Hieroglyphics, DJ Qbert, DJ Toure, Zion I, Mistah F.A.B. and Oh No.

Oh yeah, we also have a "little" Street Fighter surprise coming later this holiday season. Let the speculation begin. Talk to you next week!

Hadouken!]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/team-twiizers-clears-things-up-on-the-new-3-4-wii-update/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/team-twiizers-clears-things-up-on-the-new-3-4-wii-update/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:10:40 CST Tidusnake666 Nintendo Wii http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/team-twiizers-clears-things-up-on-the-new-3-4-wii-update/ recent update that once again tries to secure some existing bugs on the console, breaks some things, deletes others. This time they've also gone around and modified the TOS. As usual, mass panic ensues.

The people who are panicking can be divided roughly into two groups (non exclusive):

- The pirates
- The clueless

This should go without saying, but we don't want to have anything to do with the former group. Nintendo is obviously going to fight piracy (and that's going to hurt homebrew). We'll have to deal with the homebrew part, but don't expect that to help piracy in any way. It may, or it may not. And if it doesn't, pirates will have to deal with fighting nintendo themselves.

The usual messages about WADs, "backups", and all that crap are going straight to /dev/null, and we're seeing quite a few bans due to piracy on #wiidev recently. Don't ask us about it, don't talk to us about it.

The clueless are panicking because, well, that's the thing to do (OMG, new update! What will we do!). Read the Wiibrew page about the update. To clarify some things: the Twilight Hack is gone and probably won't be coming back. There are other game exploits on the table (which haven't been announced yet).

Given the ability to run PPC code, we can install stuff and exploit IOS, as the HBC beta9 installer already shows. In short, homebrew isn't going to go away. We can "do anything" right now. But we do need to figure out what to do.

All we're concerned with is the ability to run homebrew (from-scratch programs), not necessarily modify the existing system. This means that we're not necessarily concerned with getting things like menuloader and DVDX working again. Menuloader involves hacking the system menu - which is pointless if it can be replaced. DVDX enables DVD use - which is pointless if there are other ways or you use an entirely new IOS.

We're also not big fans about installable stuff - the utopian homebrew ecosystem would be contained entirely on removable storage and involve zero changes to NAND (implausible, but hey). Either way, the ultimate goal is to have homebrew that is able to use the Wii's features, period. How that is accomplished is irrelevant, so old methods of doing things aren't necessarily going to work in the future, nor do we care about it (we'll find alternatives if necessary).

You may be wondering what it is that we're doing anyway. Basically, we're looking at the current situation, moving on with existing projects, and trying to figure out what the best course for the future will be. Quickly releasing hacks as soon as they're available might not be such a good idea for the future - it's best if we think it through a bit.

We've also got tons of stuff to do. Prognosis is good, and hacks will come out eventually, but you'll have to wait it out. And you shouldn't expect anything in particular. Remember, it's about the end result (homebrew), not about how we get there. Also, don't take some ideas that we've thrown out there previously as definitive - we're rethinking things right now.

In short, calm the hell down and just wait. Don't update if you don't feel like "change" - you've got that option so far. And if you've updated, my suggestion is that you wait. Avoid hacky workarounds - they can be worse than the problems they purport to fix.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/gta-iv-exclusive-xbox-360-dlc-unveiled/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/gta-iv-exclusive-xbox-360-dlc-unveiled/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:05:07 CST hunter316 XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/gta-iv-exclusive-xbox-360-dlc-unveiled/
Revealed by USA Today, the downloadable content is titled 'Lost and Damned', and centres around the character of Johnny Klebitz, a member of Liberty City's biker gang The Lost.

Rockstar's Dan Houser said of the add-on '"I can't go into too much detail on the story, because we try not to give away too much plot before the game is released. But I can say that the story will show you a different side of Liberty City."

Further details are scarce, although a February 17 release date has been attached to Lost and Damned.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-home-1-0-update-release-available-november-20th/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-home-1-0-update-release-available-november-20th/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:25:16 CST 51N15T3R PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/playstation-home-1-0-update-release-available-november-20th/
Highlights include new emotes and dance moves for avatars, new arcade games, new ways to launch into games from PlayStation Home, a new game rewards system, and much, much more! We think you'll enjoy these many changes and improvements.

Home will be down for a period of time tomorrow to prepare for the launch of Version 1.0. I will let you know in the forums when it is back up.

We will be inviting a tremendous number of new beta testers soon, and conducting a massive load test this Friday night, November 21st. We will have an event to celebrate the moment. Stay tuned for further information as your assistance with this event is greatly appreciated.

Please note that the new users will not have access to the closed beta forums, as we will be transitioning to a new system in preparation for launch. More information on this to follow...

During the first weeks of the release of version 1.0, we will focus on testing core PlayStation Home assets and will need your help, and release additional content on an ongoing basis. You will notice that your 0.98 clothing and apartment decoration items will have temporarily disappeared from your inventory. Never fear, after a period of time, you will be able to get these back by going to the Mall and reacquiring them through the storefronts.

Installation and the First Visit

When you run PlayStation Home for the first time you will be prompted to reserve space on your hard drive into which data can be downloaded now and in the future. PlayStation Home will occupy 3077MB of Space on your hard drive as before.

Something new will be our simple, interactive tutorial. This introduces many of the core aspects of PlayStation Home and is available to review in your apartment. If you want to go through the tutorial again there is an option to reset it in the new Menu Pad.

Clubs and Clubhouses

A Clubhouse is a personal space for club members to meet in, and remains available for use even when the leader of the club is offline. The first active feature for Clubhouses is the bulletin board where the leader and, optionally, the sub-leaders can leave announcements for the whole club to read.

Over time new premium Clubhouse designs will become available, as will other tools and services to support and personalize your club. Please note that we are currently testing this feature, and clubs created in Closed Beta will be deleted when Open Beta starts. More information on this to follow soon.

Some facts on clubs:

- A user can own only one club at a time
- A user can be a member of a total of five clubs, which includes any self-owned club. You can own one club and be a member of four others, or simply be a member of five clubs owned by other people
- Each club has one leader (the owner) and up to four sub-leaders
- A club can have up to 32 members
- Each club name is unique
- Announcements are currently limited to four simultaneous announcements
- You can send requests to join a club and leaders can send invitations

Background Downloading

When you first visit a Space it will be downloaded to your PlayStation 3, but now you will be offered the choice of downloading it in the background. This can be used on multiple spaces at the same time. When each download is complete a message will appear to let you know, and will ask if you would like to go to that Space now.

Animations

We have spent some time on the dances and you'll find they have improved. We have removed a few of the less popular moves to make room for some new dances that should cater to your dancing needs better.

You will also find that you are now able to sit on the floor just about anywhere you like. That option is under the "extra" menu available by pressing R1. Some emotes are available while seated on the floor.

Age Limits and Ratings

Home itself is not a game and is therefore not age-rated as such. SCEA's age limit for PlayStation Home will be 13 and up from the start of Open Beta, but will remain 18 and over during the Closed Beta.

Certain things within PlayStation Home will be specifically age-rated, however, and age ratings will be displayed and enforced where applicable.

Menu Pad

The vPSP has been replaced by our new Menu Pad. This has allowed us to reorganize the menus so you should find the presentation and flow of options faster and easier to navigate. Additionally, we can now support in-game XMB throughout PlayStation Home.

Profanity Filter

We have completely replaced the profanity filter with a far more adaptable and flexible system which is able to deal with languages in isolation from each other.

Regional Travel

Currently, regional travel is accessible in your Personal Spaces and Clubhouses so you'll be able to chat and visit with friends, game launch and form clubs with people from other parts of the world. As we continue to experiment with global travel in the Closed Beta, licensing, contracts, moderation, localization and regional business direction will need to be considered. Given this, we will keep the public areas exclusive to users from their own regions for the time being.

Interface Changes

When you select full screen on something like a video or poster, it will now ensure you have a clear view by making anyone standing in the way invisible to you.

The information you see above someone's avatar has changed with added functionality. For example, if an avatar is setting up a game launching session, the name of the game and how many other people are in the group will now be displayed.

The friends list has had a small change and now a star will appear next to a friend's name if you are both in the same area in PlayStation Home.

Spaces

The shopping interface in the Mall has been rebuilt and now closely resembles the PlayStation Store interface.

The Game Space has been renamed the Bowling Alley and many improvements have been made to the games inside. Pool has been overhauled and now includes a strength gauge for your shots. Bowling has had many changes made to it including full animations for players while bowling and a much improved interface.

We also have two new games for the arcade: Ice Breaker and Echochrome, both of which feature rewards. Some of the older arcade games have been removed for updating, and many will return soon, along with some new surprises.

Please note that several of the branded game spaces will be unavailable for a period of time. This will assist us in load testing the core spaces in preparation for launch.

Rewards

Both Echochrome and Ice Breaker include our new system of Rewards. This is a means of giving PlayStation Home items as rewards for activities, trophies and other accomplishments both within and outside of Home, right across the PlayStation Network.

Grief Types

The first proper list of Grief Types is now live and replaces the old list completely. These are the categories of griefing that you can report other users for using the "Submit a Report" function. Further types will be added in the coming weeks.

Store items (Note: this only applies to the testers that had version 0.98)

As discussed earlier, items that you previously obtained from the stores in the Mall will be missing. Clothing that you were wearing will be replaced by default clothing and furniture will be gone. However, you can reacquire these items from the Mall once the items return.

Reward items from competitions, games and puzzles will be unaffected by this.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/playstation-portable-firmware-update-5-02-released/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/playstation-portable-firmware-update-5-02-released/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:37:00 CST PS3 News PlayStation Portable http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/playstation-portable-firmware-update-5-02-released/ PS Blog, PSP Firmware Update 5.02 is now available for download below.

Download: PSP Firmware Update 5.02 (US) / PSP Firmware Update 5.02 (EU)

To quote: Just a quick update, we'll be making PSP firmware update 5.02 available shortly.

This update improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/video-street-fighter-littlebigplanet-turbo-wonky-edition/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/video-street-fighter-littlebigplanet-turbo-wonky-edition/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:49:18 CST PS3 News PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/video-street-fighter-littlebigplanet-turbo-wonky-edition/ Capcom Blog has praised today.

To quote: I stumbled onto this awesome creation right here in our own creative forums!

RelentlessRolento is the master artist and level designer. He's designed it in a way that allows player to control Ryu and Ken by jumping on the buttons. They do all sorts of awesome moves!

You can find and try out this level by putting in his PSN username, Rolento. Check it out! Seth and I will be duking it out on this level later today, and this may be the only Street Fighter I can actually have a hope of beating him in... Nice work Rolento!

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Video's caption: A Street Fighter themed level I made in Little Big Planet. If you want to play it as well as unlock templates to make your own fights look up within the game either "Street Fighter Wonky" or my PSN Rolento.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sony-littlebigplanet-a-clear-number-one-any-other-time-of-year/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sony-littlebigplanet-a-clear-number-one-any-other-time-of-year/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:40:15 CST PS3 News PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/sony-littlebigplanet-a-clear-number-one-any-other-time-of-year/
He added that in any other time of year it would be a clear number one, so the chart which says otherwise must be put into context.

To quote: "We're really pleased with the initial reaction to LittleBigPlanet - it has been our highest scoring game ever I believe with a Metacritic score of 95 and a huge list of 10/10s or 100 per cent scores," explained Wilson.

"We are also pleased with its commercial performance. In other times of the year it would be a clear number one - so you have to put the chart in context.

This is an incredibly volatile time of year and the chart reflects that - November 7 saw 47 titles released on that one day alone including many big hitters with Christmas number one aspirations. Look at the chart this week - the top four are all brand new entries."]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/new-blood-of-bahamut-for-nintendo-ds-details-available/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/new-blood-of-bahamut-for-nintendo-ds-details-available/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:40:04 CST PS3 News Nintendo DS http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/new-blood-of-bahamut-for-nintendo-ds-details-available/
To quote: The game's Official site promised over 130 missions for the game without specifying anything about beast count.

In the interview, Yokoyama said to expect over 10 main beast types. With variations in place, there may be up to 150 types. The variations include different target areas for your attacks.

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As suggested by the trailer (above), you'll also be facing off against smaller enemies. Those, Toriyama revealed, are small enemies that have been summoned by the beasts. You'll end up facing off against the smaller enemies while you fight the main beast, with no transition between the two fights. One thing you'll have to consider is how to stop the main beasts from summoning the small enemies.

Finally, the two shared a few details on the game's storyline. As previously revealed, Blood of Bahamut takes place in a world where people have come to live on the backs of giant slumbering beasts. Upwards of 100,000 resided on the back of Gigant, the beast that's shown in the trailer at the official site. Once the beasts rose from their slumber, people attempted to flee, thinking that they couldn't defeat the beasts.

The game features seven heroes who rise up during this time of despair. They may not necessarily be friendly towards one another though. The seven come from different giants, meaning they're of different races and countries, and their thinking and goals are different.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/gti-club-on-grid-for-december-4th-playstation-network-launch/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/gti-club-on-grid-for-december-4th-playstation-network-launch/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:34:59 CST PS3 News PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/gti-club-on-grid-for-december-4th-playstation-network-launch/
Priced just 14,99 Euro, GTi Club+ Rally Cote D'Azur boasts all-new HD visuals and widely expanded gameplay elements.

Press Release: Classic Konami coin-op heads to PLAYSTATION®Network in all-new HD livery

Available exclusively via the PlayStation Store, the 335Mb download is one of the fastest road racers imaginable. A classic race against the clock, GTi Club+ recreates the beauty of its French locale within a giant game map that is gradually opened as the player breaks certain records.

Boasting 720p graphics and running at 60fps, the game offers five distinctly different licensed cars- Austin Mini Cooper, Renault 5, Fiat A112 Abarth, Lancia Delta and the VW Golf GTi- and invites players to compete via the solo mode or against up to seven other people online.

Using timing, hidden short cuts and handbrake turns, GTi Club+ comes into its own when played online. Three difficulty settings can be selected, adjusting the severity of the course in the process, while a Bomb Tag game sees players attempting to eradicate their rivals in an explosive chase mode. The PLAYSTATION®Eye peripheral is also supported, and users can send images to their rivals mid-race, with the best times uploaded to an ever-changing online leaderboard.

Other new elements include a Sat Nav system to help traverse the open nature of the huge courses, dizzying replays, 5.1 sound including a remix of the original coin-op's music by Atjazz, and player-to-player voice comms. Konami will also make further expansion elements available in the future, including new cars.

GTi Club+ will be released for PLAYSTATION®3 via the PlayStation Store on December 4th, priced just 14,99 Euro. For more information, please contact Steve Merrett at Voltage PR on 020 7903 5122 or email steve@voltagepr.com.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/grand-theft-auto-iv-pc-in-game-editor-video-clips-available/ http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/grand-theft-auto-iv-pc-in-game-editor-video-clips-available/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:33:15 CST PS3 News PC/Tech http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/grand-theft-auto-iv-pc-in-game-editor-video-clips-available/
Gamers will be able to upload their creations to the Rockstar Games Social Club. The game is set for release in the US on December 2 and in Europe on December 3.

Video clips below!

Niko vs. Niko
14269673&downloadURL=http://pcmovies.ign.com/pc/video/article/931/931513/gta_NikovsNiko_111808_flvlowwide.flv

Liberty
14269673&downloadURL=http://pcmovies.ign.com/pc/video/article/931/931513/gta_Liberty_111808_flvlowwide.flv

Gutterballs
14269673&downloadURL=http://pcmovies.ign.com/pc/video/article/931/931513/gta_Gutterballs_111808_flvlowwide.flv

The Peeper
14269673&downloadURL=http://pcmovies.ign.com/pc/video/article/931/931513/gta_Peeper_111808_flvlowwide.flv]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/bioshock-ps3-dlc-surfaces-tomorrow-on-playstation-network/ http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/bioshock-ps3-dlc-surfaces-tomorrow-on-playstation-network/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:48:36 CST PS3 News PS3 Online http://www.ps3news.com/PS3Online/bioshock-ps3-dlc-surfaces-tomorrow-on-playstation-network/
Hey there! What's that you say? You love challenging gameplay... and failed underwater utopias?

Then prepare to experience the world of Rapture like never before with the BioShock PS3 Challenge Rooms Add-On Content pack available tomorrow, November 20, for $9.99 only on the PlayStation Network.

I'm Keith Shetler, Assistant Producer at 2K Boston, and I'm very excited to introduce two new play modes with this DLC pack: New Game Plus and Challenge Rooms. Both add new twists to the game millions already love!

New Game Plus allows you to start a new supercharged playthrough of BioShock. Ready for this? You begin the game with any weapons, abilities, and inventory that you collected during a previous playthrough. Always wish you could obliterate Dr. Steinman with your uber grenade launcher? Now you can!

Challenge Rooms are another beast altogether. These are puzzle rooms where the objective is to rescue a Little Sister. Sounds easy enough, right? Dead wrong! Whether it's fighting a Big Daddy without any weapons or surviving room after room of Splicers, Challenge Rooms require equal amounts brain and brawn in order to succeed.

The whole BioShock downloadable content team is proud to bring this new content to the fans that made and continue to make BioShock a huge success. We hope that you enjoy playing it as much as we did making it.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/wiibuilder-v1-0-for-nintendo-wii-homebrew-development-out/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/wiibuilder-v1-0-for-nintendo-wii-homebrew-development-out/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:41:11 CST PS3 News Nintendo Wii http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/wiibuilder-v1-0-for-nintendo-wii-homebrew-development-out/
Download: WiiBuilder v1.0

Usage:

The File tab is use to:

- Convert Portable Network Graphics (.png) to C array in header file (.h), works with GRRLIB 3.0 and libwiisprite
- Convert Images (.gif, .bmp, .jpeg or .jpg) to header file (.h), works with GRRLIB 2.0 or less
- Convert XML (.xml) to C array in header file (.h)
- Convert GRRLIB 2.0 (or less) screenshot (.grr) to Portable Network Graphics (.png)
- Load Wii executables files (.dol) from a computer to a Wii with the Homebrew Channel, IP address must be entered in the Settings
- Compile Makefile to (.dol and .elf), you must have "make" available in your path

You just need to drop a file in the list box. If drag-and-drop is not working (Wine), you could simply right click on the list box to bring the popup menu. From the menu, select Add a File to the List..., in the Open dialog box you could select multiple files.

If you don't want to open the software, just drag-and-drop files on the program icon. This is because the software accepts command line, just type WiiBuilder myfile.png. When the files are generated, they overwrite existing ones.

The Font Generator tab is use to generate a image (PNG or Bitmap) from a specific font on your system. PNG files will have the GRRLIB 3.0 format and Bitmap files will only work with GRRLIB 2.0 or less. Just select the font, size and style you need and click on the Generate Image button to open the Save As dialog box. The antialiasing option only works when you are saving a PNG file.

The Color Converter is a tool convert color from one format to another. It could be used to convert colors from 24-bit truecolor to 16-bit highcolor code. Result could be shown in Hex or Dec.

Finally, the Settings tab is use to save your configurations in the registry. If you want to delete the software it's best to click on the Clean Registry button to delete all registry entry.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/psp-psardumper-with-psp-3000-module-decryption-released/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/psp-psardumper-with-psp-3000-module-decryption-released/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:22:54 CST PS3 News PlayStation Portable http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/psp-psardumper-with-psp-3000-module-decryption-released/
Download: PSARDumper With PSP-3000 Module Decryption / PSARDumper With PSP-3000 Module Decryption [Mirror]

To quote: Firstly, to avoid misunderstanding: This program is NOT for psp 3000. It is for psp1000/2000, but it allows the decryption of psp 3000 prx's for researching purposes.

Modules specifically of psp 3000 usually end with 03g. From the files, it seems that umdcache is handled differently in psp 3000, and that psp 3000 comes with a new wireless chip.

P.D: better looked now, it seems that wlanfirm_02g and wlanfirm_03g prx are equal. Same happens with umdcache_02g.prx and 03g. It seems that Sony enjoys making redundant data to make update eboots bigger.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/netflix-speaks-on-sony-movies-disappearing-from-xbox-360-service-1/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/netflix-speaks-on-sony-movies-disappearing-from-xbox-360-service-1/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:22:37 CST Starlight XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/netflix-speaks-on-sony-movies-disappearing-from-xbox-360-service-1/
Joystiq broke word this evening that Netflix stopped Xbox 360 users from streaming movies distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

This restriction only applies to Xbox 360 users. PC, Mac and other Netflix-enabled on-demand devices can still stream Sony Pictures Entertainment films, and is not a glitch.

"In the case of Xbox 360, a few hundred titles are temporarily unavailable to be streamed via the Xbox game console," Netflix VP of corporate communications Steve Swasey told MTV Multiplayer in an e-mailed statement tonight.

"Those titles are still available to be watched on subscribers' computers and on TVs via other partner devices, and we hope they'll be licensed for Xbox 360 shortly."

When asked if the license just coincidentally expired as Microsoft was adding Netflix support or Sony Pictures Entertainment specifically requested Xbox 360 streaming to be disabled, Swasey wouldn't say.

"As watching instantly becomes a more prominent part of the Netflix service, our goal is to have all of our streaming content licensed for all of our partner devices," he said.

"We're doing well in this area, but it will take some time before we fully achieve that goal. Today, titles regularly come in and out of license and there is a natural ebb and flow to what we have on license at any given point in time."

For now, however, Sony Pictures Entertainment films available for streaming through Netflix - including "Superbad," "We Own The Night" and others - will remain blocked on Xbox 360, until Sony says otherwise.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/review-80gb-playstation-3-is-a-superb-gaming-console/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/review-80gb-playstation-3-is-a-superb-gaming-console/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:20:16 CST Starlight PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/review-80gb-playstation-3-is-a-superb-gaming-console/
Even worse, the PS3 didn't initially have any real must-have exclusive titles, and despite the power of its vaunted Cell processor, multiplatform games from third-party developers didn't look appreciably better than the respective titles on the Xbox 360.

Since then, the company's been modifying the PlayStation product line to better fit the competitive market landscape. As of August 2008, a new "bargain" PS3 is available with a larger, 80GB hard drive, and a "deluxe" model is due in November, doubling the capacity to 160GB.

Both, however, lack backward compatibility with PS2 games and do not come with flash card readers. If those features are a must, it might be best to pick up the 80GB "Metal Gear" bundle version on eBay while they're still out there.

If you don't want to opt for the new 160GB (that will also ship with "Uncharted: Drakes Fortune"), the 80GB version reviewed here might short you on space. Now that you can fill up that hard drive more easily with TV shows and movies from the PlayStation Store, it's much easier to do so.

Still, for those on a budget, the $400 PS3 ups the hard-drive capacity from the older "budget" model and delivers nearly all the same gaming and home theater features as its more expensive sibling. The PS3's game drought has largely evaporated, with popular titles such as "Grand Theft Auto IV," "Rock Band," "Call of Duty 4," and "BioShock" all making their way to the console.

While these titles are also available on the Xbox 360, the PS3 has exclusive dibs on "Metal Gear," "Uncharted," and "MLB 08: The Show," as well as the hotly anticipated "Resistance 2" and "Killzone 2" due to hit in upcoming months.

Yes, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii also have their own handful of exclusive titles ("Halo" and "Gears of War" on the former, and all of the "Mario," "Metroid," and "Zelda" games on the latter), but the PS3's HD graphics go far beyond those of the low-resolution Wii, and its stable hardware doesn't suffer from the Xbox 360's notorious red ring of death.

Plus, now that Blu-ray Discs have become the de facto standard for high-def media, the PS3 is still the only console available to play back that format, and consequently is the best performing and affordable Blu-ray player on the market--a great option if you want to introduce yourself to high-def content.

Design
Like the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 can stand vertically or lie horizontally in an AV rack, though because of its curved top, it's not meant to have any other components resting on top of it. Early prototypes were shown in white and silver, but currently the PS3 is only available in black.

The 20GB version (now discontinued) was all black, but the larger capacity (and all current models) are highlighted with chrome trim--and there's no way to customize its look as you can with the Xbox 360's interchangeable, if overpriced, faceplates. Judging from Sony's recent decision to bring out the PSP in more colors, we don't expect the company to stick to the black-only option for too long, especially since this system, like the PSP, is a fingerprint and smudge-magnet.

As for its dimensions, the PS3 measures 12.8 inches wide by 3.8 inches high by 10.8 inches long, which is roughly in line with the overall volume of the Xbox 360. That said, the PS3 does weigh a bit more--11 pounds to the 360's 9.9 pounds including power supply--so if you're going by heft alone, you're getting almost 10 percent more console.

Most impressively, there's no external power supply for the PS3; you just plug the included power cable--it's the same standard three-prong style you'll find on most desktop PCs--into the back of the unit and you're good to go. For those of us who own an Xbox 360, and have had to struggle with its massive brick of a power supply, this seems like a remarkable feat on Sony's part.

One obvious difference between the Xbox 360 and the PS3 is the way you load media. As opposed to the more typical tray loader, the PS3 has a front-slot-loading, Blu-ray Disc drive, which contributes to the unit's slicker appearance. Discs slide in and eject smoothly enough, so chalk one up for the PS3 here.

On the front, you'll find two USB ports for connecting (and charging) controllers and other accessories, including USB keyboards, thumbdrives, and the PSP. Unfortunately if you need more than two ports, you're out of luck as only the older versions of the PS3 came with four.

This will certainly become an issue particularly if you want to charge your controllers as well as use an accessory like the PS Eye). The PS3 still doesn't come with USB ports on the back of the unit--something we've desired for a while. Both new versions of the PS3 also now lack multiple flash card readers. While we could see this feature being dropped for a reduced price, even the "deluxe" 160GB model, priced still at $500, will not come with it.

Around back is where you'll find ports for Ethernet, HDMI output, optical digital audio output (SPDIF), and the proprietary PlayStation AV output for analog audio and video. A composite AV cable ships with the unit, and because it uses the same connector as the PlayStation 2, that system's S-Video and component cables should work with it, as well (to get HD video, you'll need component or HDMI).

This, once again, leaves us asking why Sony does not ship the console HD-ready out-of-the-box. Unlike the proprietary snap-on hard drive of the Xbox 360, the PS3's internal hard drive is user replaceable with any off-the-shelf laptop drive. The only caveat: it uses the smaller 2.5-inch drive size, which are twice, or even close to three times as expensive as the larger 3.5-inch hard drive that go into a desktop computer.

The Sixaxis DualShock 3 Controller
When the PS3 was first released in the fall of 2006, gamers gave Sony a lot of grief that the included Sixaxis controller lacked rumble (vibration) support--a feature found on the controllers for the Xbox 360, Wii, and even the older PlayStation 2. Sony has since corrected that with the DualShock 3 controller, which is basically just the Sixaxis with rumble. Starting with the new 80GB core system, all new PS3 versions will include a DualShock 3 controller by default.

With the exception of its included rumble support--and a bit more weight as a result--the Dual Shock 3 is otherwise pretty much identical to the Sixaxis. Fans of the older Sony game consoles will note that it even looks identical to the older PlayStation controllers, but there are some differences.

For starters, it's wireless. You can connect as many as seven controllers via the system's built-in Bluetooth, which Sony claims offers a 20-meter range (about 65 feet). Recharging the built-in battery simply requires connecting the included USB cable between the console and the controller. You can continue to play as the battery juices up (Sony pledges 30 hours of gameplay between charges), but the cable's somewhat short 5-foot length will put you right on top of the TV.

That said, the controller has a standard mini USB port similar to the one found on many digital cameras and PC peripherals, so swapping in a longer cable--or using a USB extender--shouldn't be a problem. We should also note that we had some success charging the DualShock 3 on a number of PC USB ports and even the port on a cable box.

Unfortunately, the battery isn't removable, which means that if it dies--as inevitably it will some day--you'll have to replace the entire controller ($50) if you want to play wirelessly. By comparison, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii controllers offer user-replaceable batteries: AAs or proprietary rechargeables for the 360, and AAs for the Wii.

As for the controller's design, Sony has made a few tweaks versus the old PS2 version. The L2 and R2 trigger buttons are a bit bigger, and the increased depth in stroke offers players more subtle game control. Sony has also increased the tilting angle of the analog joysticks to give you more precise control and a wider range of motion.

Those analog sticks are more sensitive as well. The PS2's Dual Shock 2 controller had 8-bit sensitivity, while the PS3's controller has 10-bit motion detection. The Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers also have a centered Home button, which functions much like its counterpart on the Xbox 360 controller. You use it to return to the console's main menu screen, as well as to sync the controller to the console and start it up or shut it down wirelessly. In game, the Home button will now bring up the cross-media-bar (XMB).

The other big upgrade on the DualShock 3 (and Sixaxis) from its predecessors is its motion sensitivity. As the name indicates, the controller is capable of sensing motion in six directions: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. Game developers have incorporated this technology in many of the new games in one form or another.

For example, in "Call of Duty 3," you can arm explosives with a twist of the controller. 2K's "NBA 2K8" also makes interesting use of the tilt feature, allowing you shoot free throws by motioning a shot with your controller.

After almost two years of titles, some implementations of the tilt sensitivity are better than others. Some games' use of it are optional and can be switched off, as we can certainly see some folks not wanting to bother with it at all. Clearly, Sony wanted to steal some of Nintendo's interactive thunder, and there's no denying that the Wii's motion-sensitive controllers are more central to that console's DNA.

The Wii controllers are also more sophisticated, including the capability to measure actual motion (spatial movement) and acceleration, rather than just tilting. But unlike the Wii, the PS3 doesn't require a motion-sensor bar in front of the TV. (The current Xbox 360 controllers offer no motion sensitivity at all.)

It's safe to say we'll see more innovative uses of the tilting sensitivity feature in future games as it definitely adds an extra level of control when flying the eponymous attack vehicle in "Warhawk" or controlling the trajectory of an arrow in "Heavenly Sword." On the other hand, the highly touted "Lair" is widely considered unplayable thanks to a poorly implemented Sixaxis control scheme.

Familiar interface
If you own a Sony PSP, you'll immediately notice the similarities between the PS3's interface and the PSP's cross media bar-style (XMB) graphical user interface. You navigate horizontally through top-level selection categories such as users, system settings, and media options such as photos, music, videos, games, network, and friends.

When you select a top-level category, a vertical list of suboptions appears, and you can navigate down that list until you find the option you want. The interface is polished and generally easy to use, but you do have to drill down a few levels to reach certain features, and getting to some functions isn't quite as intuitive as it should be. Still, the overall design is slick enough to be called Mac-like, and--at least from an aesthetic standpoint--is more appealing than the Xbox 360's Dashboard and Nintendo Wii's Channels interfaces.

Since the release of the PlayStation 3, Sony has continued to release newer versions of the embedded firmware. These updates usually address bugs and other glitches and even add features such as DVD upscaling, Blu-ray improvements, and an improved interface for the PlayStation Store. These updates are always free, but unlike the Xbox 360 and Wii, they take quite some time to download and then install. Just recently, force vibration capability was added with the release of the DualShock 3 controller on previous titles.

Digital Media Hub
Before we delve into the PS3's HD movie prowess (see Movie Watching, below), let's take a holistic look at the console's multimedia functionality.

With the new 80GB and 160GB versions, the PS3 drops the flash card reader--a major blow for shutterbugs out there. It also skimps out on available USB slots, limiting them to two, but it does support importing images from a full array of USB-attached devices, including most digital cameras, the PSP, USB flash drives, and home-burned CD-Rs. (One caveat: the images may need to be placed in a special directory, such as DCIM or Picture, if they're not already there.)

A few slide-show styles are available, including a unique "photo album" view that displays the images across a white work surface as if you'd dumped them there and spread them out. When stored internally on the hard drive (copying back and forth is easy), photos appear rapidly, and in the basic slide-show mode, you can advance your slides forward by simply pressing on the top-right shoulder button (the left shoulder takes you back a slide).

Most JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, and PNG images should work just fine. By contrast, the Xbox 360 lacks the impressive photo album viewer, and the Wii--while including some cool and fun photo-viewing and manipulation functionality--includes only a built-in SD card reader.

As for music, the PS3 supports most of the major music-file types, including MP3, ATRAC, AAC, and WAV, and like the Xbox 360, has a built-in music visualizer. As with the photos, you can import songs from the flash card reader, a USB thumbdrive--again, you'll have to create a special Music folder--or rip songs directly to the hard drive from a CD. (Yes, unlike some Blu-ray players on the market, the PS3 can actually recognize and play CDs).

It cannot play back music from attached iPods, nor can it stream from other music players that incorporate copy-protected music formats. Here, the 360 has a leg up: it offers some iPod compatibility, and it can play back WMA music files, as well. In addition, the Xbox 360 allows you to customize your in-game music, while the experience with this on the PS3 is somewhat of a mixed bag.

On the video front, the PS3 plays Profile 2.0 Blu-ray Discs in full high-definition as well as DVD movies. It also supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4/h.264 video files from USB or disc-based media (reading from the "video" directory). If you transfer the videos to the PS3's hard drive, thumbnails on the video menu are shown as 15-second video clips, rather than just as still images of the first frame of the video. Like the Xbox 360, the PS3 can act as a digital media hub, with the ability to stream content from any DLNA-compatible network device, including PCs and network attached hard drives.

PSP owners will find increasingly close integration between Sony's portable and the PS3. Users now have the ability to control their PS3 anywhere in the world using a Wi-Fi connection, thanks to the Remote Play feature. Digital media, including photos, music, and video can be streamed to the PSP, as well.

Sony's version of Web TV Taking a page out of the PSP's book, the PS3 also has a built-in Web browser, but the nice thing about the PS3 is that if you connect a USB keyboard, you don't have to type in URL addresses using the system's tedious virtual keyboard. Likewise, a USB mouse lets you point and click your way through a Web page, just as if you were on a PC.

Not all Bluetooth keyboards will pair with the PS3--the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard requires a USB dongle, for instance. But our favorite keyboard for light text entry is the Logitech diNovo Mini, which interfaces directly via the console without monopolizing one of the precious USB ports. (Likewise, most Bluetooth phone headsets should work fine, allowing you to chat with fellow players during online gaming sessions.)

The browser is fairly robust, and even offers limited Flash support. For instance, YouTube videos work fine, but those on ABC.com and Hulu do not. Overall, the browser is a nice convenience for those who want to browse from their living room couch. That said, the sharpness of Web pages' appearance--and how readable they are--will depend on the quality of your TV and its size.

For example, viewing Web pages on a 60-inch DLP set is going to be more of a challenge than, say, looking at those same pages over a 20-inch computer monitor. And viewing Web pages on anything less than an HDTV at full resolution (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) will be decidedly eye-straining.

The PlayStation Network
While the PlayStation Network did not launch simultaneously with the PlayStation 3, it has since opened up to the public and with it, many games and services are now available. Connecting to the PlayStation Network is free, as is multiplayer gaming, although downloadable games and other content come at a cost. You can, however, get free demos to most games so that you can try-before-you-buy.

In fall 2008, the PlayStation Network will launch PlayStation Home. Home is an online virtual world, somewhat in the vein of Second Life, where gamers can have their avatars interact with one another in addition to the ability to virtually create your own "home." From Home's interface, you can set up game matches and communicate with friends as well as other gamers. The service also promises to integrate the recently-debuted Trophy System, the PS3 equivalent of Xbox Achievements.

The PSN allows all gamers to play online in multiplayer matches for free. By contrast, Xbox Live Silver, Microsoft's free entry-level service, gives you access to some community options but to play online multiplayer games, you have to upgrade to Xbox Live Gold service, which runs $50 per year.

Free online play is obviously a big plus in Sony's favor. That said, Xbox Live has been around for years and has had time to mature, plus the majority of Xbox 360 games offer some form of online play. Microsoft also has its Xbox Live Marketplace, where you can download games, demos, video content, full-length movies, and TV shows in high-definition, as well as game themes and additional game content.

As the PSN matures, Sony has been moving more in that direction, as well: there are now plenty of free demos for download, as well as dozens of original mini-games and classic PlayStation One games available for purchase. Sony also recently debuted an entire video section to the PlayStation Store, allowing PS3 owners the same content-on-demand experience Xbox Live users have had for some time now.

Instead of the points-based payment system found on Microsoft and Nintendo's networks, the PlayStation Store sticks to dollars and cents--users can simply transfer cash to their PlayStation 3 Wallet via credit card or with prepaid gift cards. (International locations will likewise be denominated in their home currency--yen, euros, pounds, sterling, Canadian dollars, and so forth.)

Overall, there's a strong and growing list of titles with solid online play primarily composed of first-person-shooters, action games ("Resistance: Fall of Man," "Warhawk," "Call of Duty 4," "Unreal Tournament 3," and "Grand Theft Auto IV") and sports titles. Pairing a Bluetooth headset will give you chat support in most games as well.

While the online multiplayer support isn't quite as robust and widespread on the PS3 as it is on Xbox Live, it's a big notch up from the Nintendo Wii--the few online games the console offers are burdened with Nintendo's friend 16-digit code system, which must be activated on a title-by-title basis.

Cell Inside
When final specifications were released for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, not surprisingly, there was a big debate over which system was technically more powerful. The 360 uses more off-the-shelf PC components, while the PlayStation 3's 3.2GHz Cell processor was built from the ground up just for the console.

It consists of a single PowerPC-based core with seven synergistic processing units and is the result of a joint effort between IBM, Sony, and Toshiba, which was ironic, considering that Sony and Toshiba were in a deathmatch over Blu-ray and HD DVD.

From the get-go, we were told that the Cell has the juice to run a new class of gameplay physics that will allow developers to create spectacular effects and eventually provide a whole new depth of realism to games. Paired with PlayStation 3's RSX Reality Synthesizer graphics-processing unit, a gargantuan 550MHz, 300-million-transistor graphics chip based on Nvidia's GeForce 7800 GTX graphics technology, and you're looking at a very high-end PC.

The only problem, of course, is that it has taken developers years to learn how to take full advantage of all that processing power and truly deliver on the graphical promise of the system. Titles such as Heavenly Sword and Metal Gear Solid 4 (as well as previews of 2009's Killzone 2) have shown that developers are finally beginning to tap the full potential of the PS3's power.

That said, the hope that the PS3's graphics would run circles around those of the Xbox 360 has yet to be realized. To date, the vast majority of games that appear on both systems look roughly indistinguishable.

As with the graphics chip, the PS3's Blu-ray drive--which allows for games of 25GB to 50GB in size--has yet to show a big advantage over the 8.5GB limit of the Xbox 360's DVD media.

Presumably, as games become larger and more complex (Xbox titles could eventually spread to two or three discs, all of which should have no problem fitting on a single Blu-ray), the PS3 still has one annoyance: its Blu-ray drive has a comparatively slow transfer time, which requires most games to utilize a PC-style hard-disk installation. Installs can take up to 20 minutes but only usually need to be done once, but it doesn't exactly scream "next-generation" from a convenience standpoint.

Those minor gripes notwithstanding, the PS3 delivers an overall level of excellence when it comes to engineering and performance. What's impressive about the PS3, in fact, is that with all this power under the hood, the system runs as quietly as it does. (Some have complained about fan noise, but those problems seem to be few and far between--contact Sony's customer support if your PS3's fan is excessively loud.)

After running for several hours straight, we found that we could still place a hand over the back of the unit and not get scorched--the system runs pretty warm, but not blazingly hot. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 cooling fan and DVD drive are comparatively far noisier, often to the point of distraction. Also, the PS3 hasn't had any widespread reliability problems, unlike the "red ring of death" problem that continues to plague the 360.

The console's high failure rate--at least on models produced early on in its life cycle--has made for customer service headaches and a billion-dollar liability for Microsoft as frustrated Xbox gamers exchange dead consoles.

Play time
As mentioned above, despite all of the vaunted "power" of the PS3's unique Cell processor, games appearing on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 tend to look all but identical on both consoles. The PS3 clearly measures up to the Xbox 360 in terms of its graphics prowess, but there are few games available that are unique enough to declare them as a "system-seller," while the argument can be made that "Metal Gear Solid 4" is that game.

However, other exclusive titles such as "Heavenly Sword," "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction," and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" have finally given PlayStation 3 owners something to cheer about. Simply put: Sony needs to deliver still more compelling exclusives, as well as multiplatform titles that look and play better on the PS3.

That said, 2008 has certainly seen things looking much better for the console than ever before as sales have gone up, most likely because of the decision to cut the price of the console and the end of the high-def format war.

At first, the PS3 came with backward support for a wide range of PS2 games (with the 20GB and 60GB models), utilizing the "Emotion Engine" chip to provide hardware support. When the updated versions shipped in March and August 2007, the company stripped the console of this chip to reduce costs and in its place added a software emulation solution for PS2 playback.

This became a precarious situation for long-time PlayStation fans as backward compatibility with PS2 games was slightly deteriorated. However, this has gradually improved with periodic software updates. All along Sony has stated that it wanted to eventually shift to developing content exclusively for the PS3, and with the total omission of PS2 support in the new 2008 PS3 models, this is the first indication of that focus.

Movie watching
Since the PS3's debut, we've seen several Blu-ray players from Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Sony itself. None of them generally perform any better than the PS3, even though they cost more (twice as much or more in some cases). HD movies look superb on the PS3, which can output video at full 1080p resolution via its HDMI 1.3 port.

Audio support is also top notch as the PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks internally, outputting them as linear PCM, which should deliver impeccable lossless surround when connected to most HDMI-equipped AV receivers.

Sticklers may lament the lack of "bit stream" audio output or multichannel analog connectors--if either is an issue for you, then you're in the small minority who should opt for one of those more expensive standalone Blu-ray players.

With Blu-ray having soundly defeated HD-DVD in the high-def format war (thanks, in large part, to the popularity of the PS3), all major Hollywood studios are now supporting the format, and Blu-ray releases are ramping up as the format slowly but surely becomes more prevalent. In the meantime, the PS3 also plays (and upconverts) standard DVDs (see detailed analysis).

As of now, the PS3 is the only console available with the best Blu-ray player on the market. This is yet another reason to consider it not only a gaming console but a fully featured, high-def media hub that can easily compete with the Xbox 360 in terms of video quality. The PS3 will once again have its hands full when the Xbox 360 begins to offer Netflix streaming with the much anticipated November 2008 dashboard update.

Our only real complaint with the PS3's movie playback is the remote control issue. Accessing Blu-ray and DVD menus with the PS3 controller is functional, yet a bit awkward. Unfortunately, you won't be able to program a standard universal remote to control your PS3 as it lacks an infrared port. Thus, it needs to receive commands via Bluetooth. Not coincidentally, Sony offers a Bluetooth compatible remote for $25.

Other options have surfaced to combat this issue, such as the Nyko Blu-Wave Infrared Remote and the USBIRX3 from Schmartz.com. But we just wish Sony would've spent a few extra pennies and added a standard infrared receiver to the console. Also, with the console now only offering two USB ports, you'll be down to one should you choose a USB IR solution.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/new-xbox-experience-update-says-hello-with-rrod-reports-1/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/new-xbox-experience-update-says-hello-with-rrod-reports-1/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:16:23 CST Starlight XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/new-xbox-experience-update-says-hello-with-rrod-reports-1/ are already piling up.

Various forums online (such as the one linked above) have threads and threads of people reporting anything from connection freezes, slow downs, lock ups, broken TV connections, and so many other different numerical errors that, if all of them were strung together, could potentially measure all the way from Earth to the moon (and back).

There are even reports of brickage - yes, the famed red ring of death is back. Some say it's limited to modded consoles only (no surprise there) but other untainted units seem to be affected by the same problem too.

We've yet to hear any official response from Major Nelson or any of the Microsoft staff. Some say the slow downs are caused by the simple fact of surging traffic accessing XBL, but the other problems are still unaccounted for.

If you are experiencing any problems with the NXE update, you might want to contact customer service (good luck!) or check forums to ask around if anyone's getting the same problem as you.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/controller-throwing-moments-are-games-getting-too-difficult/ http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/controller-throwing-moments-are-games-getting-too-difficult/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:12:57 CST wicked insanity General/Off Topic http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/controller-throwing-moments-are-games-getting-too-difficult/
That's the point that I'm tempted to toss the controller across the room.

That point hit me while playing Mirror's Edge the other day, the parkour-inspired game where you're a futuristic courier on the run who must bounce, jump, swing and wall-run from the pursuing police. All had been going well until I came to a section where I had to wall-run, jump then turn and grab on to a bar. Do you think I could do it first go? If you answered no, you'd be right.

After about 15 minutes I was still trying to master the move, but generally ended up on my back on the floor below or missing the wall run completely and just dropped to the floor below me.

I think that was when I tossed the controller on to the couch - gently, mind you, as I'm too tight to buy a new one - muttered a couple of choice expletives and turned the game off. I came back to it later that night after I'd cooled down, where I managed to complete the maneuver and move on.

Sometimes leaving something, cooling down, then returning to it can pay dividends, but sometimes I wonder whether game makers sometimes expect a little too much of gamers to sometimes complete what seem ridiculously hard puzzles or moves.

I know games should be challenging, but to the point of causing gamers to almost smash a controller through frustration?]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/nasa-tests-deep-space-internet-1/ http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/nasa-tests-deep-space-internet-1/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:09:14 CST wicked insanity PC/Tech http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/nasa-tests-deep-space-internet-1/
"This is the first step in creating a totally new space communications capability, an interplanetary Internet," Adrian Hooke, NASA's manager of space-networking architecture, technology and standards, said in a statement.

The US space agency said Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineers used software called Disruption-Tolerant Networking, or DTN, to transmit dozens of space images to and from a NASA spacecraft some 20 million miles (32.4 million kilometers) from Earth.

NASA said the software protocol, which must be able to withstand delays, disruptions and disconnections in space, was designed in partnership with Vint Cerf, a vice president at Internet search giant Google.

DTN sends information using a method that differs from the normal Internet's Transmission-Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, or TCP/IP, communication suite, which Cerf co-designed, NASA said.

Unlike TCP/IP, DTN does not assume a continuous end-to-end connection, NASA said, noting that glitches can happen when a spacecraft moves behind a planet, or when solar storms and long communication delays occur.

It said the delay, for example, in sending or receiving data from Mars takes between three-and-a-half minutes and 20 minutes at the speed of light.

NASA said that if a destination path cannot be found, data packets are not discarded but kept by each network node until it can communicate safely with another node.

Eventually, it said, the information is delivered to the end user.

"In space today, an operations team must manually schedule each link and generate all the commands to specify which data to send, when to send it, and where to send it," said Leigh Torgerson, manager of the DTN Experiment Operations Center at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

"With standardized DTN, this can all be done automatically."

NASA said engineers had begun a month-long series of DTN demonstrations in October using NASA's Epoxi spacecraft, which is on a mission to encounter Comet Hartley 2 in two years, as a Mars data-relay orbiter.

It said there are 10 nodes in the early interplanetary network -- the Epoxi spacecraft itself and nine on the ground at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory simulating Mars landers, orbiters and ground mission-operations centers.

NASA said a test of DTN software loaded on board the International Space Station would begin next summer.

It said an "Interplanetary Internet" could enable many new types of space missions including complex flights involving multiple spacecraft and ensure reliable communications for astronauts on the the moon.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/fumito-ueda-on-famitsu-ico-3-is-based-on-contact/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/fumito-ueda-on-famitsu-ico-3-is-based-on-contact/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:06:50 CST takavach PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/fumito-ueda-on-famitsu-ico-3-is-based-on-contact/
ICO was based on two characters holding hands and the core mechanic in Shadow of the Colossus was holding onto a colossus. Both of these functions were executed by pressing and holding a button. A similar form of contact will be present in his new game.

This aspect was already suggested in a previous interview Ueda had with Game Watch, just after finishing Shadow of the Colossus.

You can read more about it, and all the other things we know about 'ICO 3', in this interview here, which was put together by piecing all bits of information we have on the new game.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-new-xbox-experience/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-new-xbox-experience/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:00:53 CST takavach XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-new-xbox-experience/
No exceptions; this is what your machine will look like until either it dies, you die, or Microsoft decides to make ANOTHER Xbox Experience.

Unfortunately, unlike Batman, you didn't have time to prepare. Here are the ten things you should know about the new Xbox experience so you can be set for today.

1) Installation is quick. Owners with hard drives that aren't 100% full will be able to update with no problem, but Xbox 360 Arcade fans that rely on memory cards can get in on the free 512MB card deal from Microsoft. We'd recommend you go for the 20GB hard drive for $20 if anything.

The update won't be as fast as the 10-second patches you're used to for standard Xbox Dashboard upgrades, but clocking in at somewhere between five to ten minutes, it's still faster than standard PS3 firmware refreshes. And this changes the entire UI!

2) Avatars are neat, but need some work. They're not necessary in the sense that you've still got the option of using your old gamerpics to represent your gamertag to the rest of Xbox Live, but everyone can create a Nintendo Mii-like avatar.

Because there are only a handful of clothing options and customizability selections, your Mii will only kinda look like you. They're neat, though, and can be used in future games so you can control a virtual you instead of, say, Venus Williams or Marcus Fenix-the second being extremely unlikely.

3) Performance gains are found everywhere. One of the things Microsoft with the new Dashboard was lift restrictions about how much resources it could use, resulting in a much speedier and more fluid browsing experience.

For example, your Xbox Live Arcade game list loads instantly, instead of one at a time in the order you downloaded them. Other time savers are the ability to bring up the Xbox guide from wherever you are and jump into another game, bypassing the need to reroute from back in the Dashboard.

4) Everything is much more usable because it's organized better. By putting in a game and going to its info screen, you can look at its achievements, all its possible downloads and access game details like whether or not it supports 1080p and co-op. In fact, you can do this for all the games in the marketplace, giving you an easy way to browse around and learn whether or not Fable 2 supports online multiplayer (it does).

5) Blades are still there if you want them. Although you're "stuck" with the new interface in the actual Dashboard, you can hit the Xbox guide button on your controller and hop around the console that way. There really isn't a reason to dislike the new interface, but if you're one of those weirdos that hates things because they're new, you've got an option.

6) Netflix movie and TV streaming look great. As Mark covered in his impressions, Netflix streaming to your Xbox works fantastically as long as your connection is fast enough. HD streaming requires 8Mbps for their highest tier quality, but Mark was fine with 5Mbps in their second tier. This all requires you to have an actual Netflix account to be able to access the feature, but the convenience of movies on demand, directly to your TV should make you at least sign up for a trial.

7) Hard disk game installs save time, save wear-and-tear on your DVD drive. As bingegamer details, installing a game on a hard drive usually cuts down load times and improves streaming from the disk in sandbox games. It's very rare that installing actually makes games slower, but it's been known to happen in Halo 3 and a couple other titles.

The other benefit, besides speeding up gaming sessions, is that you eliminate DVD noise. You still need to have the disc in the drive when you play, so you can't go rent games, install them and return them.

8) Media Center and media playback still work. No change in Media Center or DivX/XviD playback functionality in case you were worried about compatibility issues before upgrading.

9) Ads are basically everywhere. You know how there's space set aside in the current Dashboard for ads and promo content? Well, in NXE, promo content can be mixed into the regular menu system, which makes it more difficult to tell at a glance whether you're firing up your own copy of Gears of War 2 or clicking to the Gears of War download page where they want you to download themes. It's not too horrible, on the whole.

10) The future looks good for NXE. Instead of sticking to the Spring/Fall update cycle, NXE allows Microsoft to roll out incremental updates for your Xbox whenever they're ready.

This means more timely feature bumps (stuff like Netflix, for example), and special one-off changes that can skin your interface based on whatever hot game is due out soon. And who wouldn't want to be able to download a Gears of War suit for your avatar?

Our final verdict is that NXE is a good thing. It's great of Microsoft to be devoting precious resources to revamping a usable interface (you won't see a new Wii Experience anytime soon) three years into a console's lifetime because they think they can do a better job the second time around.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/analyst-recession-could-affect-playstation-3-sales-the-most/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/analyst-recession-could-affect-playstation-3-sales-the-most/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:45:14 CST PS3 News PlayStation 3 http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStation3/analyst-recession-could-affect-playstation-3-sales-the-most/
Blu-ray predictions are down due to the struggling economy. PS3 sales should also be affected, an obvious conclusion made by analyst Piers Harding-Rolls.

"At the top end, the PS3 with its high price is arguably more likely to be impacted by a recession than the other platforms. This may prompt consumers to consider other consoles or wait for the PS3 price to drop."

But, sluggish sales of the PS3 won't be the only outcome of a recession economy. Credit has dried up in many areas, meaning developers of games may be forced to cancel or stall projects, before funds become more readily available.

"Where I do see an impact is with regards to access to credit for publishers that look to borrow to invest in content production. Obviously credit is less available generally so this may result in cost cutting and some projects being canceled and put on hold."

Of course, when developers and publishers can't try something new, you know what they turn to: less original IPs as investors become increasingly wary of games with ambiguous potential.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/spore-patch-3-now-available-with-24-free-creature-limbs/ http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/spore-patch-3-now-available-with-24-free-creature-limbs/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:26:49 CST PS3 News PC/Tech http://www.ps3news.com/PC_Tech/spore-patch-3-now-available-with-24-free-creature-limbs/
Press Release: Spore Patch 3 Now Available with 24 FREE Creature Limbs!

To get the patch, launch the EA Download Manager to download and install it. If you didn't install the EADM when you installed Spore, you can get it from: http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/eadm-installer.exe

- Additional Patch Features:
- Fix for esc key not bringing up Options in Galaxy Game Entry
- Update to help keep achievements on the server in sync with achievements in the game

This patch is available for both PC and Mac.

To check out what Spore is all about, log on to: www.spore.com]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/xbox-com-maintenance-nxe-tomorrow-with-capcom-branding/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/xbox-com-maintenance-nxe-tomorrow-with-capcom-branding/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:12:08 CST PS3 News XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/xbox-com-maintenance-nxe-tomorrow-with-capcom-branding/
This does NOT affect Xbox LIVE, which will remain available during this time.

Additionally, similar as was done for the PlayStation 3 recently, Microsoft will give Capcom its own "branded destination experience" tomorrow, to coincide with the launch of New Xbox Experience.

The hub will serve as a sort of one-stop shop for all things Street Fighter. Related add-ons and content, as well information on upcoming releases, will be accessible from one single destination.

Press Release: CAPCOM® PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT® TO PROVIDE A BRANDED EXPERIENCE WITH SUPER STREET FIGHTER® II TURBO HD REMIX

Street Fighter® Branded Destination Experience to be featured in the New Xbox Experience!

SAN MATEO, CA - November 18, 2008 - Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is proud to announce that the much anticipated Super Street Fighter® II Turbo HD Remix for Xbox LIVE® Arcade will be one of the first games to be featured in the New Xbox® Experience with a Branded Destination Experience.

Launching tomorrow, the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix destination experience will provide a central place for Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers to learn about new content, view the latest trailers, and access downloadable content, including picture packs, and both Basic and Premium Themes.

The new Street Fighter® Premium Theme features extensive high-definition graphical layers that take over your Dashboard, presenting a fully dynamic and encompassing package for the ultimate social entertainment experience on Xbox LIVE.

"With 1080p high-definition art and graphics, and the ultimate user feature set, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is the perfect game to compliment the New Xbox Experience," said Christian Svensson, VP of Strategic Planning and Business Development at Capcom Entertainment Inc.

"Capcom is dedicated to providing captivating content to the digital space and we're proud to participate in this new era of Xbox LIVE."]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/video-acekard-flast-cart-running-on-the-nintendo-dsi/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/video-acekard-flast-cart-running-on-the-nintendo-dsi/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:52:16 CST PS3 News Nintendo DS http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoDS/video-acekard-flast-cart-running-on-the-nintendo-dsi/
To quote: This is a lab work, it works ONLY in LAB. Even though we can go this far, it is almost impossible to make a commercial product.

There is a major problem that can't be resolved, at least for now. It seems DSi did many sanity checks to make sure there is no more fcards.. we will keep researching and good luck to all.

BTW: We assume there are more than one modes on DSi, we still haven't found any way to access the SD card slot in origin DS mode.

2dge0VGOugQ]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-fined-18-5-million-in-patent-infringement-suit/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-fined-18-5-million-in-patent-infringement-suit/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:46:58 CST Starlight PlayStation Portable http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/sony-fined-18-5-million-in-patent-infringement-suit/
Looks like the courts ruled in Agere Systems' favor.

Sony has been fined $18.5 million for use of the technology in their devices, such as the Mylo and PlayStation Portable.

Finally, the jury ruled that the patent infringement was willful.]]> http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/tomb-raider-underworld-gets-exclusive-xbox-360-chapters-1/ http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/tomb-raider-underworld-gets-exclusive-xbox-360-chapters-1/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:46:47 CST Starlight XBox 360 http://www.ps3news.com/XBox360/tomb-raider-underworld-gets-exclusive-xbox-360-chapters-1/
In Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara travels around the world to explore and solve puzzles on a scale grander than any the series has presented before.

In addition, Eidos has confirmed purchasers of the Xbox 360 version will receive an exclusive treat this holiday season.

Available sometime next month only on Xbox 360 will be the first of two new chapters, Tomb Raider: Underworld - Beneath the Ashes. This chapter takes place after the Underworld story has finished and features a new environment to explore and additional secrets to unlock.

The second chapter, Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow, will follow in early 2009 and introduce a new currently unknown playable character.

Tomb Raider: Underworld on Xbox 360 and PS3 sells for $59.99. The Wii version clocks in at $39.99 and DS at $29.99. Finally, a video can be seen of it HERE. Enjoy!]]> http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/rumor-psp-3000-hacked-by-datel-via-psp-service-mode/ http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/rumor-psp-3000-hacked-by-datel-via-psp-service-mode/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:40:32 CST PS3 News PlayStation Portable http://www.ps3news.com/PlayStationPortable/rumor-psp-3000-hacked-by-datel-via-psp-service-mode/ Datel, longtime developer and manufacturer of videogame enhancement products, has beat conventional PSP hackers in unlocking the PSP 3000 console.

To quote: The breakthrough was made by Datel, thanks to their newest tool battery that will put the PSP 3K into service mode. Okay, what does this exactly do? According to their post, service mode allows you to downgrade your PSP for you to do whatever you may want to do with it, basically.

So. Here's the deal. In order for you to enable the service mode on your PSP 2K and 3K models, you'll need Datel's new crypto processor based battery called the Lite Blue Tool battery.

It comes with toggle options between a service mode and normal mode, as well as a built in LED power gauge feature! Datel's Lite Blue Tool comes to your nearest store on November 28th for a mere US$ 19.99 (UK) and US$ 29.99 (NA).]]> http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/playstation-gamers-will-be-disappointed-by-sony-holiday-adverts/ http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/playstation-gamers-will-be-disappointed-by-sony-holiday-adverts/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:40:16 CST Starlight General/Off Topic http://www.ps3news.com/General_OffTopic/playstation-gamers-will-be-disappointed-by-sony-holiday-adverts/
What's even worse is that they are releasing one TV Spot with the same theme every few days till the 21st when they are launching a "bigger campaign". I don't know about you guys, but the TV spots so far are not inspiring me yet.

The first one is known as the "Alley" and the second one known as "Office Park", and are part of the reflection campaign. Hopefully this "bigger campaign" will be more persuasive to the average consumer this holiday season.

Show us your killer titles, like Resistance 2, and LittleBigPlanet that you have been so excited for this year!

cBRIZN6e8qg

jL7M-hu4DuM]]> http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/wii-system-menu-3-4-blocks-homebrew-wipes-saves-channels/ http://www.ps3news.com/NintendoWii/wii-system-menu-3-4-blocks-homebrew-wipes-saves-channels/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:57:07 CST PS3 News Nintendo Wii</