It all begins here, folks. You're about to be inundated with quality titles from now until Christmas. Dead Space is one we've been eagerly anticipating, so it's great to see its release in the US and Asia this week.
Even better that it'll be waiting for us when we return from TGS. Other notable releases include SOCOM, Rock Revolution and Saints Row 2. When we say "notable," we don't necessarily mean that in a good way. Here's the full release list:
US Games • Dead Space
• Blitz II: The League
• FIFA Soccer 2009
• SOCOM: Confrontation (with headset)
• SOCOM: Confrontation (without headset)
• Rock Revolution
• Saints Row 2
• Saints Row 2 Collector's Edition
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
EU Games • PES 2009
• Saints Row 2
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
• Rapala Fishing Frenzy
Ever since the introduction of the PlayStation Network, I have been complaining about the PSP's inability to support its use. Well it looks like Sony is finally going to make me eat crow, as they announced full PSN integration into the newest PSP firmware update.
Details on PSP firmware 5.0 had been lacking, but Joystiq was able to get hands-on time with the newest update while attending the Tokyo Game Show:
"PSP firmware 5.0 ushers in the PS Store for PSP. With the exception of a separate video storefront, it is functionally identical to the PS3's PS store, including the option to enter PSN Card numbers and voucher codes from within. The final content categories are still being finalized, but the build we tried featured sections for downloadable games, UMD Legacy games, themes, video, and music. SCEA isn't saying whether it plans to offer digital releases all... More »
Some new details about GTA: Chinatown Wars are available as follows:
EDGE Magazine interviewed Rockstar Games VP, Dan Houser on what to expect for this winter’s forthcoming GTA debut on Nintendo DS, Chinatown Wars. The interview revealed a few new snippets of information about the game.
• Pedestrians will act the same as they do in GTA IV. You can find them talking with each other, buying snacks and items at newsstands, and will even take out an umbrella when it’s raining.
• Characters on foot will look exaggerated “for the very simple reason of being able to inject them with character when viewed from above”. Looking at some of the previously released screenshots, you’ll notice characters on foot are not in proportion (larger) to the environment around them (cars, etc).
• The game will feature an assisted driving system to help make driving a little forgiving.
Per Alan McDermott (Audio Lead, Evolution Studios) via PS Blog today:
Since Day 1, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to put a soundtrack together that would have the right vibe for a festival of racing like MotorStorm. You see, Music is one of those things that no one is ever “wrong” about. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone knows best, but no one is ever wrong!
After countless discussions with various people involved in creating the Festival Infrastructure around the MotorStorm racing events, my challenge was set: I needed to put together a lineup that not only fit with a racing game, but one which could feasibly be the Festival line up to end all Festival line ups.
It had to be Anarchic, Aggressive and Raucous. That was the easy part. The tough part was making sure that the soundtrack became as much a signature of MotorStorm as the racing itself was.
Twenty days ago, Sony released the LittleBigPlanet BETA version to those lucky enough to have the right code. The Internet went nuts over these keys, crashing a few big sites that offered access to the BETA.
As soon as the first batch of keys was sent, gamers got into create mode and built some amazing levels and objects. Playing, creating and sharing became a daily ritual for many LBP fans around the world.
Now the BETA is closed. It won’t work anymore and you’ll have to delete it soon. The problem is you can’t replace it with the full game yet.
The launch date is still 10 days away, 10 long and boring days without LittleBigPlanet to put a smile on our faces.
The Financial Times is reporting that Kazuo Hirai "has ruled out cutting the price of the PlayStation 3 console before Christmas, insisting that the PS3 is better value than rivals half its price."
To quote: Mr Hirai argues that the basic Xbox has no hard disk drive while the PS3 plays high-definition Blu-Ray movies as standard. “When you really compare apples to apples, then I think we have a very good value proposition,” he said.
“The answer is yes, if you’re asking, ‘Are these the prices we’re going with this Christmas?’” said Kazuo Hirai, president and group chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment, in an interview with the Financial Times.
The console kids both announced Second Life-style virtual environments at the Tokyo Game Show today. Both games show striking similarities to Linden Lab's creation.
Players are represented by avatars which live a virtual life - engaging in relationships, going about day-to-day business. These can be personalised to look as similar (or different) to how the user looks in real life.
Sony's "Home" virtual world for the Playstation 3 will be released on November 19th, after its delay twice already. It will go up against Microsoft's Xbox 360 "New Xbox Experience".
Ryoji Akagawa of Sony said that around 24 game design companies would provide the content needed for Home - but didn't give much else away.
Game expert, Hirokazu Hamamura head of Japanese publisher Enterbrain told Associated Press, "You still can't tell what (Home)'s all about."
Microsoft's John Schappert said, "Our goal is to make the Xbox experience more visual... More »
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