PlayStation

PSP2 to Have OLED Touchscreen and 3G Connectivity?

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 25, 2011 | 5 comments

If Nikkei, the Japanese news giant, is to be believed, not only will the PSP2 be announced this week on the 27th, but that this hotly anticipated and better kept secret from Sony will come with an OLED Touchscreen and 3G cellular connectivity. First, let’s talk about the announcement date. Although nobody is expecting to unit to actually go on sale soon, the announcement time does make sense if Sony wants to take some steam out of the recently-announced and soon-to-launch Nintendo 3DS. If Sony can really offer consumers something different and comparable in price, many might deice to skip out on the 3DS and wait for the Sony handheld. Now, when it comes to a OLED touchscreen, I think this one is a no brainer. Sony recently launched a new Cybershot model during CES which also happens to come with an OLED screen. This is a clear indication though it doesn’t prove that Sony is now producing these in smaller sizes, something that will be perfect for the PSP2. As for a touchscreen, after the iPhone and iPod Touch craze, that is as good as a requirement, especially if Sony wants to draw in more independent developers like those seen on the Apple App store. In respect to the 3G, this again seems like the obvious evolution of the handheld. So many of today’s devices have internet connectivity and the brilliance of an iPod Touch as an example wouldn’t be seen if it didn’t have access to the internet. Now of course, the iPod Touch only has Wifi and not 3G like the original PSP. The difference is with the original PSP and PSPgo, internet connectivity was never a convenient thing, unlike the iPod Touch. Also, Sony needs to offer users something different and the ability to have a 3G data plan in order to play online and download new content at any time will truly set aside the PSP2. If all this holds up though, I’m curious as to which carriers will have access to the PSP2.

[Via Nikkei]

First Official Pictures of the PSP2?

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 24, 2011 | 6 comments

Though by now we all know what the inevitable PlayStation Phone will look like, the PSP2 has been guarded more closely by Sony. We’ve received bits and pieces of information here and there with a supposed spec sheet and rumors of the unit losing its UMD drive (a no brainer really) and being as powerful as the Xbox 360. Starting last week, new rumors started to go around that Sony is planning on announcing and showing off the PSP2 for the first time on the 27th of this month. That puts it at just 2 days away by the time you read this and it might lead some to believe that the above picture is indeed legitimate. I for one am not buying into the rumor. If it’s indeed a scan of the press photo that will be handed out on the 27th, and that is what those behind this leak claim, then why it it at such a low resolution? Better yet, why do some parts of the image appear more crisp then others? Also, a stylus? I just don’t see Sony releasing a gaming device that is meant to go toe to toe with the iPod Touch being released with a stylus. Still, we are only 2 days away and we will find out soon enough.

Should You Buy the ‘Quad Charger for PS3 Move?’

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 21, 2011 | 7 comments

A little under two months ago, I did a video review, though in hindsight should have been called overview of the Quad Charger for the PS3 Move. Back then, I was still getting pieces together for my PlayStation Move setup and did not actually own the PlayStation move itself. Fast forward to today, thanks to a wonderful girlfriend and mother, I now own two PlayStation Move Controllers and 2 PlayStation Move Navigation controllers. This presented itself as the perfect time to revisit the old video and do a full review of the product. For those looking to buy one, Amazon has a fantastic price on them. Our video review, after the jump.

VUDU Gains 3D Movies, PS3 Now Offers Another Avenue for 3D Content

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 21, 2011 | 23 comments

Without a doubt, Sony would not have won the battle of HD-DVD vs. the Sony backed Blu-ray, had every PlayStation not been equipped with a Blu-ray player. Since then, Sony has been able to leverage the PlayStation 3’s Blu-ray player to give developers extra space to create their games and owners of the PS3 the capability to watch the latest movies on Blu-ray. This combination of next generation gaming and movie watching experience though was costly to Sony during the initial three years of the PlayStation 3, has now locked Blu-ray as the winning future format for movies and continues to be a big draw of the PS3.

What many might not have seen though is the fact that Sony will once again be using the PlayStation 3 as a means to draw audiences to 3D. Currently, the PlayStation 3 offers a few games in 3D with the list expanding heavily during 2011 with all first party PlayStation 3 games being in 3D. On the movie side of the PlayStation Network Side (PSN), Sony also currently offers 9 movies for download or rent which are in 3D, giving those who own a 3D television some much needed content. But Sony isn’t looking to go at this alone, instead now announcing that movie streaming app VUDU is now gaining 3D movies. The free app which just recently saw an update is again gaining a new server side update that allows users to rent movies in 3D. That’s not all, VUDU has also stated that they are looking to soon provide users with the option of buying movies in 3D as well.

So if you are a current 3D TV owners with a PlayStation 3, I highly recommend you picking up one of these devices as it will be the source of a lot of upcoming 3D content from Sony and partners alike. If you already own a PlayStation 3 and are on the fence about 3D, look at this as a clear sign that Sony and it’s partners are serious about 3D and it’s not something that is going away.

SOCOM 4 Release Date News & Killzone 3 will have SOCOM 4 Beta

by Jenni Petot | Jan 19, 2011 | 14 comments

SOCOM 4 news has been pretty quiet ever since we heard that the game was delayed back in July of last year. However, the Wall Street Journal said this third-person shooter game will be arriving in April. A specific date has not been set but we have a month and it’s getting there. SOCOM 4 will also be Playstation Move compatible.

Other exciting news for fans was announced today from Sony. When buying Killzone 3, players will receive a code to access the SOCOM 4 Beta. Killzone 3 arrives in just over a month, (February 22) and this definitely adds to the excitement and anticipation for this game . The beta will test the online multiplayer portion of the game, offering up to 32-player firefights. Zipper Interactive’s Chris Roper described the details:

To get early access to the beta, look for the SOCOM 4 callout on the front of all eligible copies of Killzone 3 (including both the standalone and Helghast Editions). Inside the box you’ll find a PSN code that you’ll be able to redeem for your early access as soon as the beta goes live. To find out when the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta begins, be sure to check back at SOCOM.com once you pick up your copy of Killzone 3, hitting shelves on February 22nd.

We’ll have more information on the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta itself in the near future. For now, take a look at the callout for the beta on the awesome Killzone 3 box art!

There’s no word as to when the SOCOM 4 beta will kick off but details should come shortly. The beta code will only be available at participating retailers. Pre-order Killzone 3 now at GameStop, Amazon or Best Buy to receive the SOCOM 4 Beta.

[via Playstation Blog]

SOCOM 4 Release Date News & Killzone 3 will have SOCOM 4 Beta

by Jenni Petot | Jan 19, 2011 | 7 comments

To get early access to the beta, look for the SOCOM 4 callout on the front of all eligible copies of Killzone 3 (including both the standalone and Helghast Editions). Inside the box you’ll find a PSN code that you’ll be able to redeem for your early access as soon as the beta goes live. To find out when the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta begins, be sure to check back at SOCOM.com once you pick up your copy of Killzone 3, hitting shelves on February 22nd.

We’ll have more information on the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta itself in the near future. For now, take a look at the callout for the beta on the awesome Killzone 3 box art!

[via Playstation Blog]

Watch Players Try to Set Guinness World Book Record for LittleBigPlanet 2

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 18, 2011 | 8 comments

In celebration of the release of LittleBigPlanet 2 today, Sony and Media Molecule are in the middle of hosting a LittleBigPlanet 2 party with games, food and team members from MM. Besides celebrating the release of the game, the team is also trying to set a few Guinness World Book records. What are those records?

Longest marathon playing a platform game
Most user-generated video game levels played in a marathon
Most gaming genres in one video game
Most player-created level in one video game
Most video game genres played in one video game in 24 hours
Most user-generated video game levels played in 24 hours
Longest marathon playing LBP2

Throughout the live feed, not only do you get to see people lounge around and play LBP2, but team members from MM will show you parts of the game, how to build levels and give you further insight into the game.

Head over to Amazon to purchase the game if you haven’t already and watch the live feed for some LBP2 fun and hopefully a few broken world records as well.

Editorial: Why Every Playstation 3 Owner Needs Playstation Plus

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 16, 2011 | 4 comments

Ok, let me scale back: Maybe not every Playstation 3 owner needs this subscription offering from Sony but if you play your system on a regular basis or like a variety of games for your PS3 and PSP, Playstation Plus is an offering you cannot pass on. So first, let’s break down what Playstation Plus is.

Playstation Plus is a monthly or yearly subscription service from Sony for the Playstation 3. Members of the service recieve the following:

Full Game Trials
Automatic Downloads
PS Store Discounts
Exclusive Offers
Free Games and Add-ons
Early Demos
Priority Beta Access

This is a kind of bulleted list of what exactly the service offers but that’s nothing more than just words. So why is this service so compelling? First, if you like to play games, this service gives you access to so many games you might not have played, whether it be from discounts on PSN games or entirely free games. I own so many new titles now for my PS3 and at least 15 titles for my PSP, including Mini Games and the PSone Classics. These are games I honestly would not have normally paid for, not because they are not worth the value, but because I have so many other titles I want to play. But now, I’m getting all of these games to own. If betas are your thing, since the release, I’ve been in the Killzone 3, MAG, and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood betas to name a few. I’ve truly never had access to so many games before and my Trophies collection is loving it too! So again, if you game and you want your gaming experience to be fresh and diverse, Playstation Plus is for you.

MotorStorm Apocalypse Release Dates Announced!

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 13, 2011 | 3 comments

Along with the release date, the retail box art was revealed. Quite strangely, the European and US release dates are a month apart. For once, Europe gets something first. Although, it’s obviously best when release dates are as close as possible. The game will be released on March 16th in Europe, and April 12th in the US.

Follow the links for the official announcements:

[Via PlayStation Blog – US / Europe]

VUDU 2.0 Interface is Now Live for the PlayStation 3

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 13, 2011 | 1 comment

Just a little heads up to those who are using or are planning on using the recently announced PlayStation video delivery system VUDU. If you navigate over to the app (available in the video section of PSN), and launch it, you will notice the new 2.0 interface with 1080p HDX streaming and 5.1 surround sound. Other features include a much more streamlined interface and PlayStation Move support. Remember, new users to the service are currently eligible for one free HD rental.

As always, hit the jump for some more screen shots of the service.

More PlayStation Phone Images Appear

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 9, 2011 | 2 comments

The Chinese website, TGbus, has published a preview of Sony’s – still officially unannounced – PlayStation phone. It features a plethora of images, comparing it with other popular devices. Engadget’s translator, Richard Lai, interpreted the article, highlighting the statement that, ‘…a third-party emulator was downloaded and tested, with 70 percent success.’ The emulator being referred to is unknown at the moment.

The consistent inability to prevent information from being revealed must not have a considerable impact on sales and proficiency in making a profit, because if it did, Sony would be history. In other words, it’s difficult to keep secrets when information now naturally flows so freely. I for one am glad that Sony is doing okay despite its marked information security deficiency.

Follow the link to TGbus to check out all the comparison images.

[Via Engadget]

[Original Chinese Preview – TGbus]

Tomb Raider Trilogy in HD – Exclusive to PS3

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 6, 2011 | 95 comments

It’s clear that the convenience and popularity of ‘HD collections’ is not going unnoticed by developers. In particular, the current set of industry circumstances, that make the process of re-releasing PS2 games in higher resolution (among other things) for PS3 feasible, are ideal.

The Anniversary, Legend and Underworld Tomb Raider titles will be found in this HD trilogy on Blu ray for the PS3. Due to Anniversary already being a remake of the original Tomb Raider game, things begin to get a little complicated, and a little suggestive of the recycled nature of the franchise. Nevertheless, the product’s premise is certainly compelling.

As always, follow the links for the official announcement.

[Via PlayStation Blog – US / Europe]

Sony Ericsson PlayStation Phone to be called Xperia Play?

by Allegra Osati | Jan 3, 2011 | 4 comments

As we get closer and closer to the inevitable launch of the Sony Ericsson PlayStation Phone, there still remains plenty of unanswered questions. Let’s forget that we still don’t know how the device will function, let alone the exact specs and offerings of the system, even after all the leaks we have had. But could we at least finally find out the device’s name? If a recent Sony Ericsson EU trademark registration is to be believed, Xperia Play will be the name. Not only does a trademark for Xperia Play now exist, but Xperia Play.com, .net and .org have been snatched up by Sony Ericsson PR firm Jung Relations as well. But that’s not all, other new trademark fillings include Xperia Arc, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Neo. This of course does not mean there will be multiple PlayStation Phones coming, but it does indeed indicate that there is more than likely a slew of new handsets to be released from Sony Ericsson during 2011.

[Via Unofficial XperiaX10 Blog]

Myth: Games Sell More on Xbox Than on PS3 (Updated with latest results)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 2, 2011 | 43 comments

It shouldn’t be news to anybody that the Xbox 360 is ahead of the Playstation 3 when it comes to units sold. Not only did the Xbox launch a full year ahead of the PS3, but Sony had a rocky 2-3 years before they got their game plan together. Another advantage that the Xbox 360 has enjoyed is its lower price point, now offering a very stripped down version for $150 vs. the $299 PS3. This puts the Xbox 360 at 44.2 million units sold worldwide with the PS3 coming in at 40.3 million. Now there is some discrepancy with the Xbox 360 sales where it’s been widely reported that the systems have suffered upwards of 30% failure rate. This has even caused game retailer giant Gamestop to stop offering warranties on them. But the flip side is that there are PS3 owners who have simply purchased the console for its Blu-ray player, streaming and other media features for their home theater and are not using the unit for gaming purpose. So with the two different situations effecting the number of active consoles that are dedicated to gaming, let’s assume that the number difference between the two consoles is correct. Does this then mean that the 360 really sells more games than the PS3? The answer may be a bit surprising.

The Xbox 360 is shooter heaven where its users flock on the first day to games like Halo, Call of Duty and Gears of War. Sure, the PS3 has Call of Duty and its own exclusives series like Killzone, Socom and Resistance, but when it comes to sales, a game like Gears of War 2 does 1.9 million on first week worldwide where other AAA and highly rated PS3 game like Uncharted 2 do only 800,000. Sure Uncharted 2 now has 3.8 million sales, but Gears of War 2 is sitting on a cool 5.9 million. So we can all agree that 360 users buy their FPS (first person shooter) games in droves, but how do other games that are not FPS and released on both consoles average in sales? The results seem to be much different.

Beyonata PS3 (0.74 million)
Beyonata 360 (0.67 million)
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game PS3 (0.58 million)
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game 360 (0.56 million)
Lost Planet 2 PS3 (0.52 million)
Lost Planet 2 360 (0.44 million)
Mafia II PS3 (0.46 million)
Mafia II 360 (0.46 million)
Resident Evil 5 PS3 (3.39 million)
Resident Evil 5 360 (2.82 million)
FIFA Soccer 10 PS3 (3.54 million)
FIFA Soccer 10 PS2 (1.27 million)
FIFA Soccer 10 PSP (0.76 million)
FIFA Soccer 10 360 (2.68 million)
Just Cause 2 PS3 (0.78 million)
Just Cause 2 360 (0.70 million)

The above numbers are games that the PS3 has outsold its 360 version, and that does not mean that there are not other dual-release games with which the 360 has outsold the PS3. But, we can take away from this that even with its lower install base, Playstation owners seem to play a wider variety of games and publishers indeed are able to sell more titles to them while 360 owners only show up in masses for FPS games. Another advantage that Sony offers to publishers is their multi console offering where sport games are not released just on the PS3, but the PS2 and PSP as well (above example is FIFA ’10). This means that despite the stigma out there, Sony’s Playstation platform continues to offer the most compelling platform for publishers to release games on.

[Via VGChartz]

Sony Pleased with PlayStation Plus, Sees Betas as a Big Draw

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 1, 2011 | 17 comments

Announced during the 2010 E3 press conference, PlayStation Plus is a 3-month ($17.99) and 1-year ($49.99) plan that gives members access to early titles, downloads, discounts and betas (View our earlier review of the PlayStation Plus service to get a full understanding of it). Until now, Sony had been quiet about the reception of the service and member count, but with the year finishing out Sony is ready to talk a little how consumers are reacting to the service. Susan Panico, senior director for PlayStation Network, pointed out that a big recent draw to the membership has been due to exclusive beta access to games like Killzone 3, DC Universe Online and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. She went on to say:

PS Plus, we haven’t released figures yet, but in the most recent month, it’s been very successful. We’ve listened to the feedback and have tried to offer the content that they want. We are running a business, so we had to look at a way to create reoccurring revenue, and we looked to see what would people be willing to pay for and PS Plus was what we came up with, providing a lot of great content, exclusive discounts and exclusive access to betas, and it enhances the overall experience for fans, but it also has a chance to reach a whole new audience for people who want whole new content.

Throughout her interview, Panico was clear to point out that they see PSN being free to all users a big reason for their continued growth and success. This is especially true when their “primary user is male 18 to 35” which Panico sees as a “lucrative audience” and they indeed are the audience that advertisers and content providers target the most. This statement should also go a long way towards those rumors that creep up every few months about how PSN is going to eventually be a paid in service like Xbox Live.

Hopefully people are drawn to the open access to the service, because if you’re going to spend $60 on a game, we’re not going to charge you for just playing the game; it doesn’t make sense from the consumer experience. Also, when you’re looking at strong franchises on multiple platforms, it shows that we are a destination for hardcore multiplayer gamers, but we’ve also introduced games like Singstar and LittleBigPlanet where more casual players can socially play online.

Have you tried PlayStation Plus yet? If so, what are your thoughts and if not, what’s holding you back? Let us know in the comments!