12w ago - Today Kotaku reports that Sony's PlayStation 4 / PS4 console is rumored to use real names for online gaming.

Below are the details, to quote: "Among the bits of information dropped during last week's PlayStation 4 announcement was this from PS4 lead architect Mark Cerny, as he discussed the system's enhanced social features:

"With the PlayStation 4 we are transitioning to a friends network based on real world friends. We'll keep around the alias and icon used in today's multiplayer matches. These are great to have when anonymity is important. But most of the new social dimension to PS4 will be interacting with friends using real names and profile pictures most likely seeded from your existing social network."

Some crucial-sounding words in there: "Alias." "Real names." "Profile pictures." "Anonymity." But what exactly does all that mean? Like so many other things introduced at the PS4 event, it's not entirely clear.

Since its inception, the PlayStation Network has for the most part been a gateway to buying content and a loose way to connect with your friends to play games. But Sony appears set to turn their service into much more of a "proper" social network. And parts of that social network are going to involve your real name.

Let's scrounge for crumbs of information...

13w ago - Sony President and CEO Jack Tretton has cordially welcomed fans to PlayStation Meeting 2013: The Future of Gaming with PlayStation 4 today!

Below are the details, as follows: Today is an exciting day for gamers everywhere.

As you may have seen live with millions of others across the world, just moments ago we introduced PlayStation 4 (PS4), our next-generation console that will deliver breakthrough gaming experiences for our fans starting this holiday season.

PlayStation 4 is centered on all of you - the gamers. It redefines rich and immersive gameplay with powerful graphics and speed, intelligent personalization, deeply integrated social capabilities, and innovative second-screen features.

When we designed PlayStation 4, we focused on building an architecture that will allow the greatest game developers in the industry to push boundaries and dig deep within their imaginations to create the most immersive and unique games for you to enjoy.

The future of PlayStation is all about great games and entertainment, and at PlayStation Meeting 2013, we brought some of the brightest and most creative minds from the development community on stage to unveil the games that will define PS4.

A partial initial lineup for PlayStation 4 includes first-party games...

13w ago - Devolver Digital Chief Financial Officer Fork Parker has posted up a video today announcing that Hotline Miami will be assaulting PS3 and PS Vita consoles this Spring.

Below are the details, to quote: The teams at Dennaton Games and Devolver Digital are thrilled to announce that the pixilated brutality and neon hyper-violence of Hotline Miami will be testing the will of gamers on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita this spring.

Through unknown black magic and dark arts, our friends at Abstraction Games are crafting an absolutely perfect version of Hotline Miami for both PlayStation 3 and PS Vita and are taking great care to take advantage of both systems nifty features.

For those unfamiliar with Hotline Miami, it's the debut commercial effort of prolific indie developer Jonatan Soderstrom and artist/designer Dennis Wedin. Hotline Miami almost immediately garnered praise from both gamers and press for its distinct visual presentation, driving soundtrack, breakneck action, and schizophrenic narrative that leaves players with more questions than answers.

Since then the game has won awards from IGN, Destructoid, Machinima, and Indiecade culminating with a nomination for the Independent Games Festival's Grand Prize.

48w ago - Today the XCM Team has officially introduced their new XCM Mini Stick for Mobile Gaming alongside a video demo of it in action below!

To quote from their official site: Choose the right stick of your choice for your favorite mobile game from a 3-piece mini stick:

• XBox 360 analog stick shape concave design, PS3 analog stick shape convex design and D-pad shape.
  
• To use the mini sticks, a player simply sticks it in place and starts.
  

Features:

• Arcade game stick compatible with mobile / iPhone, iPad and tablets
  
• Add a real physical mini joystick to your mobile phone or tablet for enhanced gaming precision
  
• Works with most of games
  
• No wires or batteries required
  
• Won't damage the screen
  
• Easy to remove and reposition
  
• Suction cup
  
• Contact touch-screen sensitivity
  

50w ago - Update: It's now confirmed that Sony has acquired Gaikai for $380 million with the official press release below.

Press Release: Sony Computer Entertainment to Acquire Gaikai Inc., a Leading Interactive Cloud Gaming Company

SCE to Build a Cloud Service Bringing Gaikai's Cloud Based-Streaming Technologies into Its Network Business

TOKYO, July 2, 2012 PRNewswire - Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement on June 30, 2012 (Japan Time) to acquire Gaikai Inc., the world's leading interactive cloud-based gaming company, for approximately USD 380 million.

Through the acquisition, SCE will establish a new cloud service, ensuring that it continues to provide users with truly innovative and immersive interactive entertainment experiences.

"By combining Gaikai's resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE's extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.