PlayStation

Modern Warfare 2's Stimulus Package Gets PS3 Release Date

by Jenni Petot | Apr 10, 2010 | 1 comment

Who Else Wants to Swim?

The temporary Microsoft exclusive of Modern Warfare 2‘s Stimulus Package got an official release date from Activation of May 4, 2010. The new map pack is priced at $14.99 and includes three new maps along without two favorites from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Crash and Overgrown. The new maps are: Bailout, a multilevel apartment complex; Storm, a cozy industrial setting loaded with machinery and Salvage, a snow-covered junkyard. Personally I’ll be getting the stimulus package day one. See you on the battlefield.

Playstation Move is the official name of PS3 Motion Controller

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 10, 2010 | 9 comments

There you have it. During today’s GDC 2010 we learned that the PlayStation 3 motion controller is now named the PlayStation Move. Even Socom 4 and LittleBigPlanet will play with it. Pretty cool.

Sony Still Losing 10% On Each Playstation 3

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 1, 2009 | 6 comments

Sony CFO Nobuyuki Oneda noted during Sony’s earning report that even though with huge surge of the PS3 over the last 2 years, Sony is still losing 10% on every PS3 sold, meaning roughly $40. So even with price cuts and cutting down of internal parts (like the PS2 emotion engine,two USB ports from four and no more card reader), Sony is indeed losing money and this makes us think, if the rumored PS3 price cut comes true during E3, will Sony continue to lose more? Or will the new PS3 model with a smaller Cell processor (the eventual 45mm) and blu-ray player with lower costs help Sony offset their losses on each unit and actually make money, if these cost cutting methods can be made.

Sony Working On PSP Music Store? More Like PSN

by Sohrab Osati | May 27, 2009 | 1 comment

Full Concept

A few websites are running with the news that Sony is looking to create a PSP music store. The theory goes that with the eventual death of the UMD drive on the PSP and the potential integration of build in flash drive and added Memory Stick expansion slot, Sony is looking to turn the PSP into an iPod Touch competitor, much like the touch is competing with the PSP/DSi.

Although I dont doubt such intensions, there is one piece of this story that I reject and feel like everybody is missing. Why would Sony just create a PSP music store? Do we forget that the download service was truly born for Sony on the PS3? (we will forget Sony Connect and such). And that at last E3, the movie side of the PSN store was born. So why would Sony suddenly just limit their music to the PSP? I think that the PSP is part of the puzzle, sure but this should be a PSN Music service. We must not forget that and I know im beating a dead horse, but Sony is a music company as well. Plus, Sony makes many devices like their new X1000 Walkman that is designed to head to head with the iPod Touch. So why limit the reach of your audience. It’s not like there is a separate iTunes music store for the iPod Touch vs. other Apple Products. In fact, the potential success of iTunes is the story of, sell music at a loss, but make the hardware like AppleTV, iPod Touch more appealing.

Sony must do the same thing with their PSN store if they are going to survive the next shift in the electronic industry. Just like how the PSN store made its way to the PSP, the Music side must a PSN service that Sony equipment can will tap into. Not a hardware to hardware specific service. Plus, wouldn’t those who use such a service (consumer) but happier knowing such a service will work with 15 of their Sony devices verses 1? And more so, what better way to lure content provider by saying that we have a reach of 80 Million (PSP+PS3, but hopefully, much more Sony devices in the future) then just 50 million (PSP users).

PS3 Firmware 2.7 is Live

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 2, 2009 | 28 comments

I just turned on my PS3 and firmware 2.7 is indeed live. Some of the key features are:

Chat rooms with up to 16 people where you can have live chats while playing a game.
File sending has been bumped from 1mb to 3mb.
You can now backup your downloaded movies on an external hard drive and delete them from your main system and transfer them.

So update away!

PS2 Drops To $99

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 31, 2009 | 4 comments

Im not gonna lie, I was a little antsy getting out of bed today because I was extremely excited for what Sony might have set aside for todays big announcement, centered around the PlayStation family. I made my coffee (Starbucks is the way to make it), cut my Banana into pieces, made some toast and jumped in front of my computer. And the now 9 year old PS2 is!……$99! YAY!!!!!!!!!….except the entire planet knew this yesterday… So heres to hoping more news comes out today.

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, $99 is indeed a much needed life savor to the PS2 and while many of us have moved away from the PS2 years ago, trend shows that the now 9 year old unit still sells thousands a week and this just makes it more affordable for the consumer. Plus, with the world wide recession, more and more are turning to cheaper, home alternative forms of entertainment and the PS2 can cover that segment, offering a huge library of games, a DVD/CD player, free online play. Plus, with a $99 price point, there is still a large part of the consumer segment that Sony can penetrate and more so, other countries Sony can reach for like India and Russia who are just now emerging on the gaming world radar. So while for us, it might not be anything to get excited over, from a corporate strategic standpoint, it makes perfect sense.

PS3 Gains Steam In Japan

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 14, 2009 | 2 comments

It seems that in the last few weeks, the PS3 again has been gaining steam in Japan as this chart will show that for the first time in a long time, both the PSP and PS3 sit on top of the charts for the 2nd week in a row. With that in mind, I dont want to turn this site into a gaming site as there is more then a dozen sites with a lot more resources at their disposal to do that, but the PlayStation brand is indeed an important part of Sonys portfolio and I believe to the future of the company, especially with the implementation of the XMB (Cross Media Bar) and PSN (PlayStation Network). Part of the reasoning behind this is a few new major titles out for the system, something that the PS3 lacked in the first two years. I truly believe that Sony on every level shouldnt worry about Nintendo and indeed have its cross hairs on Microsoft, especially in Japan and Europe where Sony has always had a huge dominance or it can risk losing a generation of Gamers.

PSP – 59,568
PlayStation 3 – 39,835
Nintendo DSi – 32,102
Wii – 16,560
Xbox 360 – 14,994
Nintendo DS Lite – 11,240
PlayStation 2 – 4,954

[Via Kotaku]

Sony Announces PlayStation Visa Credit Card

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 25, 2008 | 11 comments

Lets say your in the market for a new PS3 but a price tag of $249 sounds alot better to you. Or maybe your just a PlayStation fan and want to show your dedication wherever that you shop. Thought you were out of luck and the only solution was to get a PlayStation tattoo in hopes of those around you noticing and maybe Sony giving you a discount?

Think again because Sony has your back with a new PlayStation Visa credit card. Using this credit card will also give you a $150 off the PS3 and if this is any indication of their old promotions, you can expect for future promotions to arrive with the usage of this card. Just hit the following site to apply. www.sony.com/getpscard

[Via PlayStation Blog]

PSN Achieves 14 Million Users. A New Game Plan for Sony

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 21, 2008 | 6 comments

On the two year anniversary of the PS3, PlayStation director of hardware marketing John Koller has announced that PSN (PlayStation Network, other wise, known as your friends list and the PlayStation Store) has hit the milestone of 14 million users. What makes this more astonishing is that 4.2 million more users then just one month ago. John Joller went on to say:

PlayStation Network has truly hit its stride with unique downloadable games and a video delivery service featuring movies, TV shows, and original programming that you can watch in HD with your PS3, or bring with you on your PSP. And with 14 million active accounts and 273 million pieces of content downloaded, we know that you’re thirsting for this digital entertainment.

What makes this piece of news even more exciting for PlayStation fans, but more so for Sony should be that this puts them neck in neck with Microsoft’s X-Box Live thats had a year head start on the 360 and user wise, was available during the entire lifespan of the Xbox/PS2 era where Sony offered no such service.

Part of this winning strategy I believe is due to the value of PSN and that value is that its free. Unlike X-Box Live where there is a $60 yearly charge that keeps alot of users offline and away from content that they might wish to pay for, aka profits. We have also seen Sony now offer the PSN store on the PSP systems where with a Wi-Fi connection or through their PC (No Mac support yet, wth Sony), they can download and purchase content. Although currently no buddy list and messengering system is available for the PSP, it is a good start.

I am personally a huge believer in PSN because I see it being part of a further strategy that can really set Sony apart then the X-Box 360 and Wii, but also help Sony catchup to services like X-Box Live and iTunes where Sony’s Connect service failed.

First, I believe that its great that Sony offers the PSN store through the web for the PSP (although in a new update, you can access it from Sony’s PSP Manager program but you have to purchase that). But to really capture the side entertainment functionality of the PSP, Sony needs to offer that program for free. Instead of people download other free programs, create a system and then sell content through it. Like iTunes. The iPod is only as great as its content provider and Apple has done an amazing job with iTunes. Sony needs this. Once there is an official program, it will be much easier for the nearly 40 Million PSP users to get content for. This of course, then ties back into PSN. Sony needs to make PSN its key weapon. Instead of having multiple services that are different for the PSP to the PS3 to the walkman and Bravia, have one source. Now, under a unified flag, you are able to give content to over 100 Million devices out there. This first and foremost creates an echo-system for Sony. Meaning, I can feel confident about purchasing content and knowing that I can take it between my devices and more so, ill feel safe and thus purchase more. Second, it gives Sony a great negotiating chip. Instead of saying we provide content to 14 Million users, when they go to Fox and WB and the music groups and game developers and so forth, they can now state that they command a 100 Million + users base. Then, providers will be put in a situation where they will want to give content to Sony and Sony can not only negotiate better pricing for themselves, but for their users as well that in long term, turns out better for Sony. Plus, we must not forget, Sony is a large Movie Studio and even larger Music Studio with Sony Pictures, Tri-Star, and Sony/BMG. They on their own can start this concept and have companies sign on as they see the potential.

This thought process really came to be when I was logged onto PSN and downloaded some great 1080p free content from some Sony like Sara Bareilles – Between The Lines that was of a concert she had and Incubus “Look Alive”. This then got me to think of the current state of the music industry. First, these concerts looked fantastic and yes they are being offered on Blu-ray but somebody might not go out and purchase a BD disc, just for that artist so why not offer first, a music tab under PSN. I mean hell Sony, your giving your content to iTunes and DRM free on Amazon, so why not your own network. But second, I believe that yes, a lot of people pirate music, so why not capitalize on the industry in other ways. Offer free videos and paid videos of these artists. Behind the scenes content and concert footage. Not only does this help promote your artists but users might be much more open to the idea of downloading a concert for their enjoyment for lets say $10 then to go purchase an entire DVD or Blu-ray. Plus, while their PSP or PS3 is on, they can just scroll to the content and start it up. Again, this is what iTunes was able to achieve, ease of use and I think Sony can offer the same and up them one if they embrace it properly.

The argument of this would be that this could eat away into their Blu-ray sales and I don’t agree with that. For me, downloading a movie is just not an option the picture and sound quality and behind the scenes content and now, more interactive content from Blu-ray Live is only offered to me on Blu-ray. But music and music video content is different and is much more casual. And also, I truly do believe that more of this content needs to be free. Why? Because it creates value where there needs to be real value and thats for the artists. Get people excited for their up coming tours, offer free Themes and Music Videos and free or lower priced concert videos. This will get fans excited and next time there is a tour near by, they will easily cash out that $60+ where the real money is.

Again, once this echo-system is in place, we can also see a much more unified marketing front for Sony or whoever else that wants their content on PSN. For example, why was there no new or exclusive content for Sony own 007: Quantum of Solace film? No front banner, theme, Alicia Keys (Sony Artist) video, behind the scenes video, press releases. Nothing. Again, if you are commanding a 14 Million + and with my vision, 100+ marketing, why would you ignore it?

Once a true structure is set for PSN, Sony has the opportunity to achieve something very unique and yet competitive with the likes of X-Box Live and iTunes and Sony dosen’t even need to look to outside providers to start this off. Sony needs to only look inward to see all the media it holds. The video store is a good start, but there is much work to be done Sony.

PSP Also Has 10 Year Life Cycle

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 27, 2008 | 17 comments

With the PSone, Sony did something no other console maker had done, keep it relevant and supported for 10 years. Many said it was because the PSone was their first console and so Sony followed up with a 10 year life cycle plan for the PS2 (and they near that). Sony has also planned this strategy for the PS3 but many have been unsure of Sony has in store the PSP. Now news comes from Sony in regards to the PSP, “[does] not have a planned obsolescence strategy.”

The 10 year life cycle plan that Sony has been developing for its consoles means that first, their products are not an after thought and are part of a longer term strategy. This on its own is great for Sony because it means that its not just another product and that it has room for growth both from within and from competition. But also this is a win for the consumer. Nothing is worse then buying shiny new gadget, just to see in 3 years a new version come out, leaving you without any new features and many times, leaving you with a dead format as developers move on. By offering room and power to grow and adapt, we have seen the PSP in its 4 year span improve and gain grounds on its much cheaper competitors via software update and new revision, while keeping all the core functionality the same so those with a 4 year old PSP can enjoy the same content as those with a brand new PSP.

Alpha Little Big Planet

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 21, 2008 | 32 comments

It seems like this is the year of Beta’s for the PS3 as Home is getting ready for public Beta, MGS4 is to also offer one and even this little game called KillZone 2 is rumored to be offering it. Having said that, lets not forget about Little Big Planet as it gets ready for its eventual launch. The best way to make sure you have your kinks worked out? Offering a Beta of course. Only obstacles left? Getting to the Alpha first as the Media Molecule team explains:

Basically this means all the cool stuff we said will be in there should be playable, even if it isn’t pretty enough to release. The game seems to change every day at the moment and it is very exciting to be able to sit down and play what feels more and more like a complete experience.

And here we were ready for the game or a Beta.

[Media Molecule]

No Musical Limitations On PS3

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 6, 2008 | 75 comments

When it comes to music, I prefer nothing over a good musical score. Whether its the trumpets that kicking while Spider-man is swinging through the city or soft Piano as Yuna is dancing over a lake or the awesome orchestra that comes with Sephiroth appearing on the screen. Music has a powerful way of impacting us. We don’t have to see anything on screen but when we hear the Jaws theme, we know there is trouble or when we hear the 007 snip, we already have a clue as what’s to come. Plus, music can heighten the emotion and our senses, gives us clues and help shift our emotion. There is not a better example then the eerie settings of Silent Hill that do such an amazing job of playing with the audience and giving false implications of what’s to come while scaring the big jesus out of you. But when it comes to movies, there has never really been limitations. The composer and the sound mixer were able to create the mix they wish and deliver it to their audience.

This wasn’t always the case for the gaming community, dating back to the Atari that just hand Zap Zap noises. Sure we can fast forward the PS2 and say we had Dolby Digital but there was still limitations on what the hardware could provide and so music in many cases never reached its true potential. Square-Enix’s Yoko Shimomura who is responsible for the music of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XIII thinks all of that is changing with the PlayStation 3.

“With the PlayStation 2, sound production was mainly based on the internal sound chip, not streaming, so it was a constant battle with memory and limitations,” she said. “With the PlayStation 3, I’m expecting to have it sound the way I please, without limitations.”

Shimomura later on went to say “the sound quality of current generation game hardware is pretty advanced, so it’s ideal if we can utilize streaming.” Fans of the PS3 have already been treated to some amazing music already from Uncharted and Heavenly Sword (although I dearly wish for a soundtrack from Heavenly Sword) and even award winning from Lair. But it seems things are only going to get better as Harry Gregson-Williams treats us to yet another Metal Gear score and Square-Enix never seems to fail with a Final Fantasy score, although we do miss Nobuo Uematsu.

Zone of Enders 3 for the PS3

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 4, 2008 | 5 comments

MGS2 was suppose to be the last Metal Gear Solid game but thank the lords of Kobal (eh eh, any BSG fans?) we got Snake Eater and now, were getting the game the world is going gaga for, MGS4. But Kojima-Son is vowing that this indeed is the end of Snakes adventures.

But now that the the Kojima Productions team is free and Konami can now invest its resources else where, rumors are starting to be heard about another possible ZOE game. For those with the need of a recap, ZOE, followed by ZOE: The 2nd Runner, a crtically accalimed game for its fantastic story and fast pasesed action. Kojima recently talked to ign:

“Finally, it’s the end of Snake, so I’d really want to start something really fresh and new when I create the game for the next one. However, maybe the sequel to ZOE, or a remake of Snatcher, for instance, if I just participate as a producer, yeah, that could be possible.”

Now this could mean that there could indeed be a new ZOE game or a remake of ZOE2. We are open to either and would actually prefer both. (Loved ZOE and ive yet to be able to get my hand on ZOE2)

Life with PlayStation Delayed

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 1, 2008 | 2 comments

It seems like “Life with Playstation” didn’t make it’s July launch as was promised pre E3 but fret not. The World View, Weather News machine will be launching shortly in August with SCEA Noam Rimon saying:

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.

Although this is not a life changing application that is headed to the PS3, its none the less, part of the greater PS3 vision, bringing more then just gaming to the living room and so I myself am eagerly looking forward to this.

87% of PlayStation 3 Owners Watching Blu-ray Movies

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 18, 2008 | 7 comments

A new survey done by the Entertainment Merchant’s Association 2008 Annual Report on the Home Entertainment Industry is stating that 87% of PlayStation 3 owners are watching Blu-ray movies. Now of course, this dosent mean that they have all shifted over from DVD and are just purely investing in Blu-ray, but none the less, the number is significant, meaning that the PS3 indeed was the Trojan horse for Blu-rays victory over HD DVD. But also means that more and more people are becoming aware of Blu-ray and hopefully the benefits it has to offer.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Image courtesy of Engadget