86w ago - Sony Senior Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein has posted up some new video footage today on PSN Exclusive Rochard in action at Fantastic Fest 2011.

To quote: We have showcased PSN exclusive Rochard before - we examined its gravity-based side-scrolling gameplay and Team Fortress-esque aesthetic in previous posts.

But it wasn't until the game was right in front of me at Austin's Fantastic Fest that the premise, art style, and gameplay all came together into a coherent whole. Being able to control your character and the gravity of the entire level takes a bit of getting used to, but after a few minutes, it clicks.

While Rochard is packed with clever puzzles, it's also very much an action game. See for yourself in our new video walkthrough above, which we shot at our Fantastic Fest community meetup and where Blog readers got their hands all over a host of upcoming PSN and PS3 games.





Watching Rochard in action, I was struck by the large number of ways you could dispose of enemies and obstacles: the physics-based g-lifter, the scorching plasma gun, melee blows - even dropping a box on an unsuspecting enemy's head (netting you a "Death From...

87w ago - Yesterday we reported on Sony's updated Terms of Service which included a clause to waive participating in new class action lawsuits against the corporation, and today VideoGameWriters.com notes how to opt-out of the new PSN TOS class action waiver while still being able to access PlayStation Network.

To quote: "However, as user ThinkWeak on Slashdot pointed out, there is a remedy written into the ToS for consumers who do not want to roll over for Sony.

On page 17 of the full Terms of Service, (section 15 paragraph 3), there is the following helpful information, capitalized to indicate that they are yelling at you for some reason:

RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF BINDING ARBITRATION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER WITHIN 30 DAYS. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THE BINDING ARBITRATION AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN THIS SECTION 15, YOU MUST NOTIFY SNEI IN WRITING...

90w ago - Today Sony Senior Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein has announced that PS3 exclusive title Elevator Action Deluxe ascends to PSN tomorrow!

To quote: Back in the 80s, it wasn't uncommon for restaurants to have a lone arcade cabinet sitting by the entrance. I've got fond, but hazy memories of a suburban Philadelphia diner where I discovered an innovative title called Elevator Action. I also recall a bacon cheeseburger...

In the 80s, most games confined you to a simple side-scrolling plane - it was akin to being on rails. Elavator Action enabled you to traverse a building vertically. It was a revelation. It was true freedom. It was, well, a different time.

So when I learned that Elevator Action Deluxe was on its way exclusively to the PlayStation Network, my nostalgia was inflamed. With the game available tomorrow, Square Enix offered me the chance to ask a few questions of Producer Yosuke Tsuda.

PlayStation.Blog: Would you categorize Elevator Action for PSN as a straight remake or more of a reinterpretation?

Yosuke Tsuda, Producer, Elevator Action Deluxe: We began the development process based on three concepts:

• Have visuals that allow people to instantly recognize this as...

93w ago - Bedlam Games Director of Production Tim Ernst has revealed details today from the Daggerdale PS3 development diary, covering the transition from Dungeons & Dragons to an Action-RPG on PlayStation Network.

To quote: When we first heard about the opportunity to not only work with Wizards of the Coast but on the Dungeons & Dragons property itself, well let's just say that the nerdgasm around the studio was at an all-time high.

We went with action-RPG as the genre based off of studio competency, market trends and general interest (basically, we thought it was cool and knew we can do a good job of it.) We knew that this the best fit for our first D&D game.

We wanted to make the game as accessible as possible, just let players play, harkening back to the 'old school' days of gaming. You should be able to play alone, call a buddy over and play locally or jump online and find a party of adventurers to group with.

There are definitely development issues with balancing and performance having a downloadable PSN game that is fully featured, but we felt strongly about the usability of the game. Besides, isn't that what D&D is about - freedom of play?

It was also important to us that the player has a persistent character without restrictions that he or she can continually...

102w ago - SCEA Senior Producer Travis Williams has shared details on RUIN today, which will be bringing Social Action-RPGs to both PS Vita and the PlayStation 3 console.

To quote: "I have a great idea for a game..." If you only knew how many times producers hear those words it would honestly amaze you.

We hear them all the time and we have to try our best to get excited about the words that follow that phrase. When we (Sony San Diego Studios and Idol Minds) stopped building PAIN expansions those words were music to my ears... Okay, what's next?

When I started working in games 20 years ago, I worked as an RPG designer/tester. So when we decided to make a social action-role-playing game you KNOW I was on board. When the decision was made to make it a PS Vita product I got even more excited.

Even among the nerds here in San Diego Studios I am branded nerdy. So making a game based in fantasy is right where I want to be. RUIN (Working Title) will be that fast-paced action-RPG that I have wanted to build since I first played old-school action-RPGs.

There will be some unique differences. Social networks and constant net connections make your victories (and losses) more public. The...