PlayStation

Don’t Expect PS4 Supplies to Improve till April

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 21, 2014 | 1 comment

Ever since its launch, the PlayStation 4 has been sold out at world wide retailers. Here and there, small shipments of them appear but just as quickly as they appear, they tend to disappear into gamer hands. The situation itself certainly won’t be improving in the near future as Japan, Sony’s home country is the latest region that the powerful console has just launched in, ensuring that global supplies will once again take a hit. With the company selling a whopping 5.3 million units, well ahead of Microsoft and the Xbox One, Sony is having a problem that many companies would like to have, where demand outstrips supply. Still, keep it up for too long and those excited buyers might turn their attention towards the competitor or a different product category.

So when can we expect PS4 production to catch up to demand? Not for a few months it seems.

PSA: Mandatory PlayStation 4 System Software Update Version 1.61 Is Live

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 20, 2014 | 0 comments

Only a few weeks after the PlayStation 4 System Software Update version 1.60 and Sony has a new update ready for download. This time around, the update is a mandatory one though a fairly small one as the 1.61 number represents. While the previous update brought with it compatibility with the PlayStation Pulse Elite Headset, this update is meant to address “stability improvements” as PlayStation Europe’s Chris Owen put it.

After the jump, the official PlayStation 4 System Software Update version 1.61 changelog.

Publisher 2K Enlists the “No Update” Remark About ‘BioShock’ on PlayStation Vita

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 20, 2014 | 0 comments

While Top Gear ends every episode with a bombshell from Jeremy Clarkson, Tuesday started off with one from Irrational Games head, Ken Levine, the man behind the Bioshock franchise. In his announcement, Levine revealed that he be shutting down the studio and take a small team of 15 to form a new studio that would offer a more experimental games with new ways of telling a story. While that sounds great, this means that nearly a 100 people or so will lose their jobs because Levine became bored and potentially had too much ego to turn the studio over to someone else. Beyond the ramifications to many whose lives will suddenly be changed due to the sudden loss of their job (income), gamers are left in question about the state of BioShock on the PlayStation Vita which was nearly announced three years ago. Now, publisher 2K has spoken up about the matter though there’s more to the story.

Should You Buy ‘Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’ for PS Vita?

by Trevor Rodenberger | Feb 19, 2014 | 0 comments

The first time I heard about the concept for the Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, I was immediately intrigued. The game has elements of many other games including Persona 4, Ace Attorney, and Virtue’s Last Reward. As a fan of all of these games, I was excited at the prospect of playing Danganronpa, especially on a portable console like the PS Vita.

In Danganronpa, the player controls Makoto Naegi who, along with 14 other students, was recently accepted into the highly elite high school Hope’s Peak Academy. Hope’s Peak only accepts students who are considered the best or “ultimate” in their respective field. Examples of some of the others students include: the Ultimate Baseball Star, the Ultimate Fan Fiction Creator, the Ultimate Fashionista, and the Ultimate Moral Compass. Makoto, on the other hand, does not have a specific talent or skill. Instead, he won a raffle and was accepted into the school as the winner making him the Ultimate Lucky Student. Everything quickly takes a turn for the worst as the students realize they have been trapped in the school by an evil remote-controlled teddy bear named Monokuma.

Is Danganronpa truly a mix of Persona 4, Ace Attorney, and Virtue’s Last Reward and does it work? Keep reading and find out in our official review.

Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes Video Comparison – PS4 vs. PS3. Xbox One vs. Xbox 360

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 18, 2014 | 4 comments

You’ve probably been reading a lot about how Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes will run best on PS4 with native 1080p 60fps while other console versions, including the Xbox One will only provide a maximum of 720p resolution. While providing screenshots and theoretical comparisons is one thing, to be able to see all four versions run next to each other with closeup shots and breakdowns is something else. It’s also exactly what you can expect in the video after the jump with some potentially shocking differences.

The Order: 1886 Won’t Offer Multiplayer, Gameplay Details Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 18, 2014 | 0 comments

As we inch closer to E3 where games like The Order: 1886 will likely make their full debut prior to their scheduled Fall release, new details have begun to emerge about the game. That includes the shocking revelation that the game will not feature any multiplayer as revealed by Andrea Pessino, co-founders of Ready at Dawn, the studio behind the PS4 exclusive game. In the last few years, the trend has been for most titles to receive some form of multiplayer, even if they’re traditionally more in line with a single player title. This includes games like Uncharted, God of War: Ascension, and The Last of Us. While not taking cues from other titles that have gone multiplayer, The Order: 1886 will share features with other games out from Santa Monica Studios, including quicktime events. Let’s talk more details.

PlayStation Store Update (02-18-14)

by Trevor Rodenberger | Feb 18, 2014 | 0 comments

Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for February 18, 2014. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. Rayman Legends was originally released for the PlayStation 3 last year and now PlayStation 4 users can enjoy this wonderful game.

Both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 users can now download a stand-alone version of the popular Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag DLC Freedom Cry. Earth Defense Force 2025 brings insect shooting action to the PlayStation 3 today as well. There is also a large sale on past titles from Rockstar including: L.A. Noire, Max Payne 3, and Red Dead Redemption.

Finally, PlayStation Plus users will be receiving Remember Me (PlayStation 3) and Street Fighter X Tekken (PS Vita) for free along with many discounts on several games. Keep reading to see a complete list of content available on the PlayStation Store this week!

‘Thief’ to Also Boast Better Graphics on PS4 (1080p) vs. Xbox One (900p)

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 18, 2014 | 0 comments

Set to be released by the once RPG king Square-Enix, Thief is joining a long list of multi-platform titles that will be boasting better visuals on the PS4 than on Xbox One. While both games will feature 30fps, Thief on PS4 will offer a resolution of 1080p versus the 900p on Xbox One. Other titles as of recent who’ve joined this growing trend of better visuals and frame rates on the PS4 include Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes. Game Director Nicolas Cantin had this to say about the resolution difference.

PS4 Sales Top 5.3 Million, Exceeds Company Goals and Xbox One Sales

by Jonathan Nolan | Feb 18, 2014 | 1 comment

Sony has announced that PS4 sales have now shot passed 5.3 million units as of February 8th. This beats the company’s full year target before even bringing the glory home to Japan on February 22.

The console has officially launched in Europe, America, Canada, India and other select south-east Asian countries.

MGS 5: Ground Zeroes Runs 1080p on PS4 vs. 720p on Xbox One. Does It Matter?

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 17, 2014 | 5 comments

As you’ve probably heard by now, Konami will be releasing Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with frame rates and resolution. To be exact, MGS 5: Ground Zeroes will run at 1080p 60fps on PS4 and 720p 60fps on Xbox One, and 720 30fps on Xbox 360, and PS3. That’s right, Microsoft’s next gen (now current gen) console will run the game at the same resolution as the outgoing gen consoles. Series creator Hideo Kojima had this to say about it:

Being asked so often about differences in “frame rate” and “resolution” depending on the hardware model make little sense to me, but I listened, so I plan to publish it tomorrow (laughs).

Which begs the question, does frame rate and resolution really matter?

PlayStation Store Update- Valentine’s Day Flash Sale Edition (02-14-14)

by Trevor Rodenberger | Feb 14, 2014 | 1 comment

Looking for a great deal on PlayStation games this weekend? If so, PlayStation has you covered has they have slashed prices on several different titles for all 3 systems in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The sale ends Monday, February 17th , so act fast. Some of the deals featured include: NBA 2K14 (PS3) for $39.99, Divekick (PS Vita) for $2.49, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (PS4) for $29.99. Keep reading to see the rest of the deals!

Sony Just Getting ‘Warmed Up’ With the PlayStation Vita?

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 13, 2014 | 3 comments

While the PlayStation Vita came out with a bang, the subsequent time its spent in the market has been ho hum to say the least. That is, till the last year where thanks to rise of indie games on the portable powerhouse and more recently the PS4 and its Remote Play features, the console is starting to see a revitalization. A big part of the consoles embrace for indie games and indie devs focus on the Vita has been largely because of Shahid Ahmad, Sony’s Computer Entertainment Europe Senior Business Development Manager. While the Vita’s had a huge flux of indie games and some bigger titles as of recent like Killzone: Mercenariness, Ahmad believes that he’s just getting warmed up.

Naughty Dog Releases Valentine’s Day Cards for ‘Uncharted,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ and ‘Jak & Daxter’

by Allegra Osati | Feb 12, 2014 | 1 comment

If you’re looking to give your significant other or the person you have a crush on a Valentine’s Day card and a normal Hallmark card just won’t cover it, then listen up. Naughty Dog, the famous PlayStation-exclusive developer, has just released a set of Valentine’s Day cards for your downloading pleasure. The three sets cover the company’s famous franchises which include Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Jak & Daxter.

After the jump, we’ve broken apart all three sets for easy viewing and downloading.

PlayStation Store Update (02-11-14)

by Trevor Rodenberger | Feb 11, 2014 | 1 comment

Welcome to the PlayStation Store update for February 11, 2014. We have a great update this week packed full of new content and sales. The trilogy that began with the polarizing Final Fantasy XIII is completed today with the release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII for the PlayStation 3. PlayStation 3 users also can receive a great deal on The Last Of Us Bundle for $59.99. This bundle includes the base game along with the DLC Season Pass giving you access to the story add-on Left Behind which releases on the store this Friday, February 14th.

PlayStation Vita users have several things to be excited about this week including: The Action RPG Toukiden: The Age of Demons and a game that has been described as a mash-up of Virtue’s Last Reward and Phoenix Wright, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc.

Finally, PlayStation Plus users will be receiving PayDay 2 (PlayStation 3) for free along with many discounts on several games. Keep reading to see a complete list of content available on the PlayStation Store this week!

Sony 3rd Quarter Financial Results: PS4, Xperia Strong, TV Divest, PC Sold

by Jonathan Nolan | Feb 6, 2014 | 9 comments

The financial results for the past three months of Sony Corp. were released today, forecasting a net loss of 110bn yen ($1.1bn) for the financial year ending March. This a revision downward from a previous prospect of 30bn yen profit.

The company reported a significant boost to sales and operating income, lifting the stock price. PS4 and Xperia smartphone and tablet sales were strong, as expected. All segments reported increased year-on-year sales and operating revenue, except for devices.

Sony has bit the bullet and sold of it’s PC business and is pushing out the TV division to a wholly-owned subsidary. This leads to impairment charges and write-offs with 5,000 job cuts planned before the end of the 2014 financial year. The PC business is sold to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. to “enhance the autonomy of the business”.

Read on the for full story.