We’d like to provide a quick update on Life with PlayStation for PLAYSTATION 3. We know many of you are eager to try out the new service for yourself, but you’ll have to hold tight. Due to a few procedural matters, the new service will make its way to PlayStation fans in August.
Rest assured, Life with PlayStation will be a service that introduces a new way to interact with your PS3. By bringing information from around the world into your living room, Life with PlayStation will offer a variety of interactive content and channels on a visually stunning worldwide map interface.
We’re focused on continuously expanding the world of PS3 through new services and hope to do just that with the upcoming launch of Life with PlayStation.
Scott Steinberg, speaking to GamesIndustry.biz at E3, said that using the PS3 as a native development platform for games will result in subsequent ports’ “fidelity getting better and better - and in fact I think even Xbox 360 games will start to look better as a result.”
When asked about whether developers of third party titles will switch to the PS3 as the native development platform, SCEA’s Vice President of Product marketing cites Burnout Paradise as “a great example of a game that shipped fairly recently that showed what you can do if you start originally on PS3″ and that “as they realize that if you start on the PS3 other platforms look better, it starts to become a no-brainer.” That’s the mantra Sony’s been promoting since GDC, when they introduced PhyreEngine.
With major multiplatform titles like Dead Space and Mirror’s Edgedeclaring PS3 as its lead development platform, we’ll soon have points of comparison to either validate or debunk Steinberg’s statements.
PixelJunk Eden ($9.99)
PixelJunk Eden is an organic platformer that sees you take control of a little ‘grimp’, swinging and jumping between tall alien plants, and collecting pollen to grow more life. Lush visuals, slick controls and amazing music make it an incredibly atmospheric and addictive experience. Download the full game today and prepare to enter Eden!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 106 MB
Add-on Game Content
Soul Calibur IV: Customization Equipment 1 ($1.49)
Revival is the word with equipment delivered directly from the previous Soulcalibur series. As a sneak preview, the armour of Sophitia, the head gears of Astaroth, Nightmare and Voldo are available to name some. Did we mention that the head gears of Yoshimitsu is also available as well?
File size: 3.09 MB
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
“Yomp” - thenewno2 ($0.99)
“This is It” - Staind ($1.99)
“They Say” - Scars on Broadway ($1.99)
“Electric Crown” - Testament ($1.99)
File sizes: 21.3 MB - 42.7 MB
Game Demos (free)
LEGO Indiana Jones The Original Adventures Demo
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures that enthralled audiences everywhere.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 762 MB
Madden NFL 09 Demo
Madden NFL 09 is the first ever sports game that adapts to you! Continuing 20 Years of Innovation, Madden NFL 09 unleashes over 85 new features and enhancements, including the all-new Virtual Training Center, EA Sports BackTrack and the Adaptive Difficulty Engine, which tailors the experience to your individual playing style and football IQ.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1230 MB
FaceBreaker Demo
The renaissance of the arcade boxing genre is upon us. Created by the same team that developed the award-winning Fight Night Round 3, FaceBreaker offers irreverent fun, immersive gameplay, and eye-popping stylized graphics. In this in-your-face, arcade world full of ego-wielding characters, each boxer comes to life with unique attributes and distinct personal style. Add a little personal motivation to your fight by uploading a photo of your face to create a realistic likeness using Photo Game Face, and go toe-to-toe with a real-life friend or foe.
ESRB Rated Teen
File size: 952 MB
Game Videos (free)
The Last Guy Trailer
You are the chosen one, and it is up to you to rescue the last survivors on earth by leading them to safety through zombie-infested streets. With a classic arcade style overhead view, make your way through detailed real-world cities and use your heat vision to find people hiding in buildings. Then lead them to the Escape Zone before time runs out in this frantic, addictive game.
File size: 69 MB (1080)
Beijing 2008 Track Trailer
Bring home the Gold! Compete in the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with new gameplay mechanics at home or with online multiplayer. 38 events across 10 official Olympic sports including track and field, aquatics, gymnastics, and cycling! Check out one of the new trailers featuring several track events!
File size: 55 MB (HD)
Beijing 2008 Swimming Trailer
Bring home the Gold! Compete in the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with new gameplay mechanics at home or with online multiplayer. 38 events across 10 official Olympic sports including track and field, aquatics, gymnastics, and cycling! Check out the new aquatics trailer for a taste of Olympic competition!
File size: 67 MB (HD)
Bionic Commando Rearmed: The Making Of - Part 2
Explore the re-making of a classic side-scroller in part 2 of this 3-part documentary that looks at how Bionic Commando was brought back into action!!
File size: 298 MB (HD)
AST Dew Tour - BMX Progression
Defending BMX Dirt champion Ryan Nyquist talks about how the sport has changed and how BMX Dirt is a melting pot of International competitors. Nyquist talks to us during the BMX Dirt finals where he captured the win.
File size: 134 MB (HD)
AST Dew Tour - BMX Rewind
A compilation of all the moments to remember in BMX Dirt, BMX Vert and BMX Park from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 125 MB (HD)
AST Dew Tour - FMX Unleashed
A compilation of the best moments in Freestyle Motocross from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 122 MB (HD)
AST Dew Tour - Skate Highlights
A compilation of the best moments in Skateboard Park and Skateboard Vert from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 94 MB (HD)
PS3 Themes (free)
Killzone 2 Theme
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Killzone 2 Theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. Download today!
File size: 3.87 MB
PixelJunk Eden Theme (x2)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool PixelJunk Eden Theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. Download today!
File size: 0.98 MB - 1.02 MB
PS3 Wallpaper (free)
Siren: Blood Curse Wallpaper (x2)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Siren: Blood Curse wallpaper
File size: 346 KB - 2.41 MB
Soul Calibur IV Wallpaper (x2)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Soul Calibur IV wallpaper
File size: 288 KB - 1.57 MB
Street Fighter IV: Summer 08 Wallpaper
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Street Fighter IV wallpaper
File size: 185 KB - 795 KB
Game Music
Soul Calibur IV: Downloadable Music (x17 individual tracks @ $0.99 each, full set @ $14.99)
The ultimate music pack with all the stage music from the original SOULCALIBUR (1999). This set contains all the separate music files available by purchasing Music Set 1-17. Go to the OPTION menu and select STAGE MUSIC SETTINGS to play the music once purchased. Refunds cannot be offered for any individual music set already purchased prior to the ultimate music pack download.
File sizes: 5.58 MB - 8.97 MB (tracks), 75.1 MB (full set)
On Friday, August 1st, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue owners will receive a significant update that will take their racing and automotive experience to a new level.
The heart of this update is a new line-up of exciting automotive programming for “Gran Turismo TV”, our in-game automotive media channel. Gearheads will enjoy a host of new free and pay-per-view programming, including “Top Gear“, UK’s premier car entertainment program, and Japan’s “Best Motoring” video magazine, dedicated to the pursuit of the pleasure of driving.
Whether you’re in the mood to tour Ferrari’s factory in Italy with Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi, or to be insulted by Jeremy Clarkson talking trash about your favorite cars, or even sitting down to watch some mad Japanese race drivers play ‘car soccer’, there is a variety of choices for all types of car fans. Gran Turismo TV is housed within Gran Turismo 5 Prologue so access and videos is all in-game!
A few other notes about Gran Turismo TV for you to keep in mind:
For the first two weeks only, we are providing all pay-per-view content for at a discounted price of $.99! It’s a good way to get a taste Gran Turismo TV. The HD content we shoot for our exclusive stuff looks pretty amazing. Following the initial two-week period, content will start at $1.99. So start downloading away!
Be sure to check the full content list for a full content list, as we will be adding new programs on a regular basis.
Gran Turismo TV will also include new features that allow viewers to fast forward, rewind, and move between chapters when viewing video content.
Viewers can download up to 8 episodes simultaneously and pause individual downloads.
Personally, I would like to find some American content to beef-up the roster. What do you think? We welcome any suggestions you may have.
In addition, other gameplay enhancements come with this update, like fixes in penalty judgments, more tire choices for Time Trial and improved physics during collisions between cars during online races (YES! We’ve been carefully monitoring players behaviors online and all your comments on the forums.)
“Just wanted to give everyone a quick heads up that a PS3 firmware update (v2.42) is now available for download. This update improves the playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation format software.”
I have also seen and experienced that the trophies load much faster now.
While doing my research into the weekly updates for the store (full post coming soon), I stumbled upon information that I personally was excited about and wanted to share. After not getting a Madden demo last year, PS3 gamers will be happy this Thursday when they fire up the PS3 to find a demo of this year’s Madden available.
[Update: Apparently to cut down on the size of the demo, it will not include audio commentary.]
EA confirmed the news of the demo:
The Madden NFL 09 Demo showcases some of the new and exciting features in Madden NFL 09. The demo begins with the user being loaded into the all new Virtual Trainer to begin the Madden Test. The Madden Test is a Madden aptitude test of sorts, that is used to assess your Madden IQ, which drives the users custom difficulty and play settings. The Madden Test consists of 4 core game play mechanics: Passing, Rushing, Pass Defense, and Rush Defense. Gamers will be taken through the entirety of the Madden test and then given their final Madden IQ.
Once the Madden Test is completed and with the your Madden IQ decided, gamers are then brought into yet another all new feature, Madden Moments. Madden Moments allows for users to replay a team’s key moment from the 2007 season. Upon entry into this mode, you’ll see a brief overview of the moment, which is the Giants final Super Bowl-winning drive. With about 2 minutes to go, you will take over the reins of Eli and the Giants and begin their march to victory. Once the moment has been completed, users will be allowed to restart the moment as many times as they want.
The demo will be available for free download on August 1st on Xbox Live and PSN.
Note that August 1 mentioned above is Friday, but the demo will be arriving on Thursday, July 31 along with the other scheduled PSN store updates.
Ever since the release of the 2.40 PlayStation 3 firmware, PS3 gamers everywhere have been clamoring for titles beyond Super Stardust HD to earn Trophies in. While a slew of new titles coming later this year will offer support for the system, some studios are going back and patching existing games to give players another reason to play through their games again. One of these updated titles will be Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Naughty Dog’s excellent island adventure game released late last year.
Fortunately, gamers won’t have to wait much longer as the Uncharted Trophy patch is imminent (the exact day is still TBD). To find out what the patch will entail, what we’ll have to do to earn these awards and much more, we fired off a bunch of questions to Arne Meyer, senior manager of marketing communications over at Naughty Dog. Here’s what he had to say:
IGN: How many Trophies will be available to nab in Uncharted?
Arne Meyer: You’ll be able to get up to 48 Trophies in Uncharted. There are 47 Trophies related to what you do in the game — finding treasures, hand-to-hand or gun combat and the like — and the last one is the Platinum Trophy for getting all the other Trophies.
IGN: What are some of the more notable or difficult Trophies that you’ve added?
Arne Meyer: Well, some of our more notable and tougher Trophies are hidden, so it wouldn’t be any fun if we revealed those, right? That being said, I think the Trophies for getting 100 headshots or defeating 50 enemies in a row without dying can present a challenge to most players. Of course, there’s also the Trophy for the Strange Relic, which some Naughty Dog fans might find familiar…
IGN: Is there a direct link to the treasures and unlockables that are already in the game with the new Trophies?
Arne Meyer: Yep. The Trophies are tied to the medal rewards which already exist in Uncharted. The requirement to get each Trophy is exactly the same as the one for the associated medal.
IGN: Will veterans be able to go in and nab all the Trophies in a single play-through?
Arne Meyer: No, that won’t be possible. It is possible to get nearly all of the Trophies on a single playthrough, but I think you’d have to be very good and extremely thorough to do that. We’d like to believe that some of the more difficult Trophies are enough of a challenge that even the most skilled gamer will have to play through Uncharted a couple of times.
IGN: Will any of them be able to be awarded retroactively?
Arne Meyer: That would have been nice, but it wasn’t something we would be able to do. We originally left our save games unlocked and portable so gamers could move them off the hard drive and their existing game elsewhere or show off some of the unlocked content at a friend’s house. This type of portability would have allowed gamers to get Trophies unfairly and we couldn’t let that happen. To receive Trophies in Uncharted you will have to start a brand new save game without any medals or rewards unlocked.
IGN: Will the update contain anything in addition to Trophies? We happen to be fans of the different rendering modes that you can unlock…
Arne Meyer: Aww, we like the rendering modes too. However, the patch only adds Trophy support to Uncharted. We didn’t add anything new. Sorry!
IGN: How long did it take you to go back and implement Trophies in the game?
Arne Meyer: Adding Trophies was a relatively simple task for us since we already had a reward system coded into the game with medals. It took about a month to go from deciding to go ahead with adding Trophy support all the way through testing and releasing the patch.
IGN: Was it fun to go back and give Uncharted a fresh coat of paint, as it were?
Arne Meyer: We definitely enjoyed going back and revisiting Uncharted since wrapping up development nearly ten months ago. Everyone at Naughty Dog has really been looking forward to getting the patch done and out the door. We’ve got a few people here who are just itching for the patch to be released so they can power through Uncharted and get the first Platinum Trophy ever… well, within the studio at least.
IGN: Do you wish to take this time and formally announce Uncharted 2: The Search for Atlantis? =)
As announced at our E3 press conference, some of our top PLAYSTATION 3 titles will be re-launched as Greatest Hits. Starting today, you can now get these blockbuster titles for only $29.99. Yep, you read it right, $29.99. So for all you PS3 owners out there who have been holding off on any of these games, now is your chance to expand your videogame collection. Not a PS3 owner? No more excuses.
