PlayStation

The PSN Video Rental/Purchase Service Is Live

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 15, 2008 | 17 comments

As promised during todays E3 Press Confrence, the PlayStation Network has indeed been updated with movies, tv shows, rentals and purchases. Best of all, all these content are transferable to your PSP via USB Cable. Currently Sony Pictures, Warner, Fox, Lion’s Gate, Disney, MGM and Paramount. Leaving only Universal Studios to drag their feet (but they seem to be late comers as they were the only supporters of HD DVD and looked what happened there) so it seems like fresh of its Blu-ray victory, Sony and the gang are here to back up the PlayStation Network service.

My impressions so far is just wow. The sheer content available on launch date is fantastic and this ranges from TV shows to old cataloge movies. But most surprising is the fact that there is already 53 movies available in HD. Not bad at all (although the one information I cannot find yet is if the HD content is 720p, 1080i or 1080p)

As it stands, the store has a few nice catigory selections to help you find the content your looking for easily with New Arrivals, Movies, Television and Anime to name a few (and yes, there is even an Anime Section!) For example, under Television Shows, you can either find your show via the Network it airs under (and all Networks have their own page) or you can browse with Titles. So if you just know you like Prison Break, go ahead and glance under P while somebody else might just be curious as to what Discovery has and can select the given channel to find their content. My one beef currently and although everybody else does the same (like iTunes and the AppleTV) is the fact that TV shows cannot be rented. So as it stands, shows are $1.99 and only offered in SD (another bummer but again, iTunes seems to be the same way). Also, there dosent seem to be a simple Purchase Season button. Im currently hot off the heals of finishing “Prison Break Season 1” on Blu-ray and I wanted to purchase all of Season 2 on the PSN, but I must instead go through episode by Episode. This of course in the grand scheme of things should be a simple fix. Another odd issue is the placement of content. For example, if you go under new releases, there is Season 5 of 24. But if you go under Fox and selection 24, you are only offered Season 1 and 2. Again, small little glitches that dont take away from the experience in any shape or form. Mostly for it being live for only an hour so far.

The Movies section also gives you the same option, but also breaks it down via Rental or Purchase. With that in mind, if you selection a title that has all the given options (Rental SD, Rental HD and Purchase) you do not need to exit out to find its other options as once you have clicked on it, it will display it all for you.

More Impressions to come but first, a Dominoes Run

Greatest Hits Games For The PS3. Priced At $30

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 15, 2008 | 5 comments

Sony was the first company to introduce the now industry standard “Greatest Hits”. Although speculation began to rumble a while back about the inevetible Greatest Hits coming to the PS3, its now official and priced for $30. Sony is looking to kick off the new deals with:

Resistance: Fall of Man

Motorstorm

Warhawk

Call of Duty 3

Fight Night

Need For Speed: Carbon

New 80GB PS3 for $399

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 15, 2008 | 32 comments

At Sony’s E3 press conference today, aimed at the gaming market for those who dont follow, Jack Tretton showcased a brand new PS3 package. Dubbed as “The Core”, the $399 PS3 boasts all the same features of the current 40GB PS3 with one difference, having an 80GB hard drive instead. Available during September, this seems to bring Sony back towards their PS2 and PSone strategy of offering a single sku (Bundles of course are a different story). With this follows speculation of will there ever be a higher end model that offers bigger hard drive, more USB ports with a Multi-Media Card Reader and of course, PS2 backwards compatibility, or is the only way to live the PS2 era will be through an unannounced PSN downloadable service.

Mr. Tretton finished with “This new 80 GB PS3 is perfectly suited for HD games, music, movies and more.”

As always, hit the MagicGate for the full press release.

MagicGate!

Kaz Hirai Expands Sony Online Entertainment

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 9, 2008 | 4 comments

Sony Online Entertainment, developer and publisher of EverQuest, The Agency, Star Wars Galaxies, Matrix Online and a whole lot more is now having to report to Kaz Hirai. Kaz Hirai has recently been promoted to Sony Entertainment International, the job previously held by legendary Ken Kutaragi aka, the Father of the PlayStation.

SOE itself has not been exclusive to just the PC as they have brought their popular EverQuest games to the PS2 and others to the PSP but it seems like with the vision now having to report to Kaz, there might be more content heading towards the PS3 and the PlayStation Store.

Hit the MagicButton for the full press release.

MagicGate!

BioShock PS3 Details = Legit Rumors

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 5, 2008 | 2 comments

By now, we all know that Bioshock is coming to the PS3 later this year but besides the fact that PlayStation users will be getting “exclusive content”, we had never actually known what it was going to be. PlayStation Lifestyle claims that they indeed have the scoop on this so take this all with a grain of salt but their also a trusted source so we wouldn’t be surprised if it all turned to be true and not a fanboys dream. So with that being said, its looks like the PS3 version will get a new opening video that’s showcases to the users what Rapture was like before and that should give you 6 minutes worth of eye candy. Also is the “Zoo Level” that never made it to the 360 version due to the time constraint and resources. Trophies and Sixaxis Motion Control is to also be included and it’s even thought that better visuals will trickle down with less texture pop-ups and lower loading times.

Now if all this didn’t satisfy your thirst, let this be a Shock to you (couldn’t resist). But PS3 users are also said to be treated to free downloadable content. Now its been also confirmed that all the downloadable content that 360 users have to pay for (and they have to pay to go online…yesh) will also be included on the PS3 version. So if this is the same thing or more coming to the PS3 has yet to be clarified.

PSN Live

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 4, 2008 | 16 comments

By now, the all confirmed firmware 2.4 and i’m sure downloaded firmware is on every PS3 that’s connected to the web, but that dosen’t mean that Sony is looking to stop now. A “Senior” PS3 developer told VG247 that “there is Live-like stuff coming to PS3, yes. It’s going into titles in the works now”. Currently, a limited number of PS3 games support the new Trophy system, although older games are expected to be patched to also support the new system while future games are all expected to support this. With that have said, it seems like Sony has a lot more in mind for Trophies and possible Web/Home integration in the future. Look for a potential tease of the up coming features at E3? Till then, lets do what we PS3 owners always do after a new firmware, start bitching and moaning again about other things.

[Via VG247]

Blu-ray Copies Coming To PSP Later This Year? (Portable Copy)

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 2, 2008 | 12 comments

So this is something that when it happens, all PS3/PSP owners who own Blu-rays will get the worlds biggest grin on their face and more so, helps expand the PS3 and PSP value and even more, further values the Blu-ray and gives PS3 and PSP users a reason to buy. Sony has stated that the technology is currently in development so its still up in the air firmware wise when we might be seeing this. But according to Sony Pictures, Portable Copy is coming “later this year”.

PlayStation Firmware 2.4 is Live! Download Away (Update)

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 1, 2008 | 19 comments

Update: Took a max of 5 minutes to download and install and everything is working as expected. As previously stated, nobody has any Trophies. A side note, is it just me or does the PSN Store feel snappier too?

So its finally July 2nd and guess what, the firmware 2.4 is officially live so download away! For those not sure whats in store for them, the following is not rumors, but official:

* In Game XMB (Cross Media Bar) with all PS3 games.
* Trophies. The following games are confirmed to support the new Trophy system but its expected that all future games and prior games via patches will support this.
* BUZZ! Quiz TV
* LittleBigPlanet
* MotorStorm Pacific Rift
* NBA 09 – PS3
* PAIN
* PixelJunk Eden
* Resistance 2
* SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
* Warhawk

The following can be accessed during XMB:
* Friend category
* View, send, receive messages
* Manage downloads
* Set the vibration feature of the controller
* Sign in to PlayStation Network
* Register friends
* Manage Bluetooth devices
* Terminate the game
* Music category
* Use the system BGM (play custom music in-game)
* Work the system BGM operation panel
* Settings category
* Assign controllers
* View profiles
* Game category
* Set audio devices
* Use the voice changer

Firmware 2.4 Rumors Overdrive

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 30, 2008 | 27 comments

So by now, we all know that firmware 2.4 is going to bring in game XMB (Cross Media Bar) and Trophies. What we dont know is the release date although E3 makes big sense. But of course as with any new firmware comes loads of rumors so here is a new list of supposid new features:

* Friend category
* View, send, receive messages
* Manage downloads
* Set the vibration feature of the controller
* Sign in to PlayStation Network
* Register friends
* Manage Bluetooth devices
* Terminate the game
* Music category
* Use the system BGM
* Work the system BGM operation panel
* Settings category
* Assign controllers
* View profiles
* Game category
* Set audio devices
* Use the voice changer

Also expected is time travel.

[Via Gizmodo]

Life with PlayStation

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 30, 2008 | 11 comments

Sony is soon introducing a new service to the PlayStation 3 called “Life with PlayStation” to give users real time weather and news. Using its web ready capabilities and powerful cell processor explained Kiz Hirai, the PS3 will display the globe with real time rendered weather satellite image showing cloud patterns, and it also supports geo-tagged photos and other content. The most amazing part about the given demo was the fact that all visuals were in real time. That means that the weather patterns seen at the time were exactly the same as say the Weather Channel but in 1080p! Kaz Hirai went on:

“For the primary version the application sticks to the present time but in the future we plan to build a system that can visually present stored photos and movies according to their recorded time and place, allowing users with their friends and family to enjoy the visuals in chronological order.”

The service is in many ways expected to be like Folding@Home, using the same engine but aiming to be more informative and visual. This is expected to be a free update and a nice feature to the ever growing PS3 platform. Although this in no way is a game changer, its nice to see the PS3 grow and the idea of just checking around the globe visually and seeing weather and news events is an interesting on its own.

Hit the MagicButton for some more pictures.

MagicGate!

Europe Gives 1 Million Love to MGS4

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 25, 2008 | 35 comments

Who loves MGS4? I do. But I guess so does Japan and even the US. But better yet, it seems like the ever growing love for the PS3 in Europe is now shinning its lights on MGS4 with reports that they have already hit the 1 Million mark in just the first week. An impressive number, only better held by Grand Turismo 5: Prologue that had 1 million on just pre-order but that’s to be expected from the content that gives us BMW, Ferrari and Porsche to name a few. Martin Schneider, Sales and Marketing Director Germany for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH, comments with SPOILER: (Minor but still, consider it)

Full Press release after the MagicGate. Keep in mind, SPOILER!

MagicGate!

PlayStation Network is Back, Nothing New

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 24, 2008 | 3 comments

So as many might know, today from 8am-2pm, Sony took down the PlayStation Network, no PlayStation Store or online friends in order to do some maintenance on the network. Now many people started to speculate that this meant that the up coming Firmware 2.4 with now confirmed Trophies and in game XMB (Cross Media Bar) but that is not the case as pointed out and confirmed by a SCEE employee at the Official European Playstation forum:

“The PLAYSTATION Network will be offline for 5 hours today from 3pm BST (4pm CEST) for maintenance work. It’s pretty much all behind-the-scenes work and is, most definitely, not the 2.4 System Software update. Sorry, you need to wait a little longer for that one!”

With that in mind, there is no doubt that the update is coming at this downtime with the recent firmware 2.36 is setting up the ground work, but were not at 2.4 just yet. Im gonna go ahead and pen down E3 for firmware 2.4 but im down for a surprise Sony.

MGS4 Bundle Will BRB

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 24, 2008 | 11 comments

For Sony, the MotorStorm bundle was an extremely popular bundle, helping MotorStorm near the 3.5 million sold mark. Not bad for a launch title, let alone a new IP. But sense then, Sony has introduced two new bundles. A 40GB MGS4 bundle and a more limited edition 80GB. (Now neither of these the extremely rare MGS4 Bundle that Konami itself made). Its no surprise that MGS4 was going to be huge but word comes out that within days, the more limited edition 80GB MGS4 bundle is sold out nation wide. With that comes word from Sony Style:

“Due to overwhelming demand, the product is currently unavailable. The new estimated time of arrival date for when this will be available is the beginning of July.”

Now Sony isn’t giving a number in terms of sales with a sold out supply, we can only assume their happy. A SCEA representative stated:

“While we cant provide specifics on inventory levels, the Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 bundle is a limited-edition offering thats experiencing high demand from Metal Gear and PlayStation enthusiasts. Were pleased with the strong consumer interest in the bundle and are working to ensure that additional shipments are provided to retailers.”

So for those looking to get their hand on the limited edition of the MGS4 bundle, there is hope. Pros? Cheaper then buying an 80GB PS3 and then the limited edition of the MGS4. Cons, the wait. Verdict?, eBay!

Platinum Titles Coming To The PlayStation 3

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 20, 2008 | 7 comments

One of the industry changing ideas that Sony introduced way back with the PlayStation (original) was Platinum titles. The idea was to introduce gamers to titles that had crossed the 1 million mark but with a reduced price drop after they wore down their shine. But in order to grab the attention of the consumer and help shine on the product as well and help give the older titles a new boost, a new box art was introduced with them, letting them stand out from other budget games. The tradition sense then has followed to the PlayStation 2 and PSP and even competitors have taken to the idea, all be it with a different name. With that comes news that the tradition is indeed following on the PS3. The following is still unofficial but from the images, they look fairly legit and all these titles are older and have all indeed crossed the 1 million mark. Hopefully more follows and were assuming an official E3 announcement of the PS3 Platinum titles.

Hit the MagicGate for a few more shots.

MagicGate!

PSP Firmware 4.0 Brings Google and More

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 16, 2008 | 13 comments

So this might not be all the facts and features of the PSP 4.0 update when it comes out and so far from Sony, its been dubbed under “Soon” but it looks like the PSP is taking one more step towards web efficiency as there will be a Google Search built directly into the PSP’s XMB, allowing you to just search for content while the Google algorithms take care of the keywords. Your search history will also be up to 20 previous sites to help speed up your access to older content. Of course a required Wi-Fi connection will be needed for all web related things. Also being introduced is the capability to slow down or speed up videos stored on your Memory Stick by just tapping up or down on the D-Pad. Built in Google search works for us as its the best out there anyways. But more so, this really shows the ever growing power of the PSP and flexible this platform has grown to be. Now if Sony would just market the damn thing more and better. Plus, this shouldn’t hopefully be too far off for the PS3 then right?

Edit: Ive read an interesting response to the fact the yes, currently the PSP does indeed have a web browser and all a user has to do is to prompt open the browser and hit their bookmarks to launch Google. So although this function isn’t new to the PSP (in terms of using Google), I believe it takes the systems capability one step further to the casual. With a built in Google Icon, it gives way to the user to skip out on a few steps and just get them to search and I believe this will gain both the attention of developers and the user community towards the web function capability of the PSP and help promote its web capabilities. Plus if nothing more, its just faster.

[Via PlayStation Blog]