PSP

Persona 2: Innocent Sin PSP Bound

by Jan Hutchings | Sep 4, 2011 | 8 comments

It’s official! Persona 2: Innocent Sin is finally coming to the PSP this fall. According to Atlus, the game is definitely coming to North America for the first time. The original release – for the PlayStation – was never localized for North American audiences.

It looks like this remake will not only give players the original game, but it will also include new missions, audio tracks, and an overhauled presentation fit for the new generation of gaming.

Persona 2: Innocent Sin will be priced at $40 and will release on September 20, 2011 at retail locations across North America.

Gamers who pre-order the game through Gamestop and Amazon.com will also recieve a limited-edition Persona series soundtrack from famed game composer Meguro Shoji.

Sony Kills off Qriocity Brand, Regroups Digital Groups Under Sony Entertainment Network

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 1, 2011 | 26 comments

Sony Corporation is a double-edged sword in some ways. The electronics giant is the maker of such brands like Bravia, VAIO, and PlayStation, while their reaches are felt in the entertainment industry with branches like Sony Pictures and Sony Music/BMG. The fact that Sony has so many branches means that they are able to influence and penetrate many different markets with potentially unique offerings. On the other hand, with so many different brands, managements, and content offering, it can be hard at times to create a unified product, let alone brand and message. Qriocty was no different; the new service launched from Sony earlier this year was officially called Qriocity Music Unlimited and Qriocity Video Unlimited. The music aspect of the service revolved around streaming unlimited music to Qriocity-enabled devices like the PlayStation 3, PSP, Bravia televisions, and compatible Android phones with a subscription cost of either $3.99 or $9.99 while the video side relied on a-la-carte-style shopping, much like video through iTunes.

Another digital service from Sony is the PlayStation Network, which powers the PlayStation 3, PSP, and the soon-to-be-released PlayStation Vita. Till now, Qriocity and PSN have lived and operated independently of each other, though money added to either account was shared in a unified wallet. Now, Sony is dumping the Qriocity brand and instead calling the services Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited. In addition to that, both streaming services and PSN are being unified under a new group called Sony Entertainment Network. Though not owned by Sony, Hulu Plus, Netflix MLB.tv, and Pandora are also joining and being bunched under this category which is designed to streamline Sony’s online services and e-wallet. Think about how, in the Apple ecosystem, content bought from iTunes or App Store on any iDevice or App Store on the Mac are all reaching into the same wallet/credit card account, instead of having users sub-manage 3-5 different accounts. Under the Sony Entertainment Network, PSN will still retain its branding and therefore, the surface, you won’t see any changes there.

While I’m all for a more streamlined offering from Sony and cannot disagree as a whole to their move, I have to wonder if simply rebranding Qriocity will make it any more successful than before. Previously, it was outright silly that Qriocity was fully called Qriocity Music Unlimited. Yes it gave you an idea as to what you were getting, but a brand has to be catchy and Qriocity Music Unlimited was/is not. As clean as Music Unlimited sounds, it still doesn’t function in a conversation. For example, brands like Pandora, Hulu, and to a degree, Netflix didn’t have much meaning prior to their rise. However, as the services caught on, so did their names, which became synonymous with what they offer. I believe instead, Sony should have dropped the Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited part of the branding and focused on a marketing campaign which got the word out that a service called Qriocity exists. As long as the offerings of that service are compelling to the consumer, the name will also catch on, i.e.: Pandora, Wii, Kindle, etc., which at first glance have nothing to do with the actual product.

Discuss:

Are you currently subscribed to Qriocity or have you used the service in the past? If not, what would motivate you to use the service?

PlayStation Store Update (08-30-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 30, 2011 | 45 comments

With PAX now behind us, it’s time to not just talk about gaming, but get back into gaming as well. What better way to do that than to visit the PlayStation Store and stuff your PS3 with some games, demos and or videos? Some noteworthy items for your digital consuming habits include:

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Multiplayer Beta (release date 9/2/11) (PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Exclusive)
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection ($9.99)
LittleBigPlanet 2 Toy Story 3 Costume Pack ($5.99)
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Package – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
FIFA Soccer 12 First Official Gameplay Trailer

After the jump, the full PlayStation Store update awaits you.

Sony Announces PSP E-1000, Priced at $99

by Jan Hutchings | Aug 17, 2011 | 36 comments

Just when you thought it was out, they pull it right back in. At its Gamescom press event in Germany, Sony announced a new SKU that will be added to the PlayStation Portable family. What differentiates this SKU from the others?

It’s at a $99 price point.
It doesn’t have Wi-Fi
It features a cool, black, matte finish (reminiscent of the PS3 Slim)
It only supports UMD Games

Those who thought the PSP was already dead were surprised when they heard that the new $99 PSP E-1000 will be released later this year. The PSP E-1000 will release with a number of PSP Essential titles like Invizimals, Eyepet, FIFA ’12, and other games.

The PSP E-1000 ditches the Wi-Fi, therefore saving Sony money in production and lowering the SKU’s price point to a low $99. That means you won’t be able to play SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 online. You’re basically stuck with single-player modes.

However the new SKU looks like a great buy for RPG fans as they will be able to play their favorite RPG’s like the Persona series on-the-go for cheaper. Those who prefer to buy their PSP games from PSN will have to download the titles using the Media Go software that connects PCs to the PSP.

DISCUSS:

If you do not have a PSP as of yet, will the $99 price point entice you to finally purchase the system? Or will you wait for the PlayStation Vita to come out?

PlayStation Store Update (08-16-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 17, 2011 | 60 comments

You might have noticed that Tuesday came by and even ended for you but a PlayStation Store update never came. It in fact did go live on Tuesday, depending on your time zone but nearly towards the end of the night. However, with all the exciting PlayStation announcements like Resistance: Burning Skies for PS Vita and a PlayStation 3 price drop to $249, you can excuse the folks at PlayStation for being a tad busy. So what do you have to look forward to this week? Here are some of our top picks:

Qore (Free for all)
LittleBigPlanet 2 Toy Story 2 Costume Pack ($5.99)
inFAMOUS 2 – Various add ons and packs (x15) ($0.99 – $2.99)
Driver: San Francisco – Multiplayer Demo
Section 8: Prejudice (Free PS3 Theme)
BREATH OF FIRE IV ($5.99)

Hit the jump as always to find the full PlayStation Store update listings.

Sony Announces Resistance: Burning Skies For Vita

by Jan Hutchings | Aug 16, 2011 | 14 comments

Sony announced Resistance: Burning Skies for the PlayStation Vita at their Gamescom conference earlier today.

Developed by Nihilistic, developers of the critically acclaimed Vampire: The Masquerade, Burning Skies acts as a prequel to the events of Resistance 2. Burning Skies casts players as Tom Reilly, a New York Firefighter caught in the midst of the Chimeran invasion of the United States. Hit the jump for more on Resistance: Burning Skies for the PlayStation Vita.

Sony Steps Up to Help London Boy Whose PSP Was Stolen When He Was Mugged

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 12, 2011 | 12 comments

Sony is no stranger to the riots that have taken place in London. The company just experienced first hand, the destructive nature of the mobs who turned their attention to Sony’s optical disc warehouse and burned it to the ground. Luckily, no employees were directly affected (other then not having a place to work now) and no one was injured during the fire. Ashraf Haziq, a Sony fan and PSP owner was not so lucky though. In an unrelated incident, looters in the streets of London turned their attention to Haziq, a 20 year old Malaysian student. After mugging Haziq, which caused a broken jaw for the unfortunate boy, a man reaches into his backpack and takes what he could grab which happened to be a PSP. All of this can be seen in the video below.

Now, SCEE marketing director Alan Duncan wants to do something nice for the boy and wants to “give Ashraf a new PSP and games.” The only thing standing between this good will gesture is if Sony can be put in touch with the hospital that Haziq is being treated at. “If we can find out how to get it to him we’ll replace the PSP,” added a SCE UK rep. According to VG247, Namco Bandai also wants to support SCEE’s good will gesture by giving the young boy some games.

Video can be found after the jump.

PlayStation Store Update (08-09-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 9, 2011 | 158 comments

With looters running around wild in London and the stock market taking a nose dive in the US, this week might be better spent at home gaming then going outside and facing all the crazies. This week’s PlayStation Store update note worthy titles include:

Fry Cry 2
PlayStation PLAY
LittleBigPlanet 2 Perseids costume (Free)
Mortal Kombat – Freddy Kreuger ($4.99)
Pulse 8/9 Edition

As always, hit the jump for a full breakdown of this weeks PlayStation Store update.

Sony Under Pressure To Cut PS Vita Price

by Jan Hutchings | Aug 8, 2011 | 17 comments

Sony is under much pressure from analysts as well as the gaming public to cut the PlayStation Vita’s price in order to compete with Nintendo’s 3DS as well as the expanding mobile gaming market. Even at a stunning $250 price point, many gamers believe that the next-generation portable gaming system is still too expensive.

Nintendo cut its 3DS gaming system’s price to a low $169.99 a few months after its release. It seems the mobile gaming market is getting more and more competitive with Andriod- and iOS-handhelds selling more games at cheaper price points.

Bloomberg reported that Ace Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda believes that if Sony does not drop the price of its upcoming PS Vita, it could result in failure for the system.

“Gamers are increasingly anticipating Sony to lower prices, especially after the 3DS cut; Sony is under major pressure to cut the price of the Vita or risk a major failure.”

Despite all that, The Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment Kaz Hirai stated last week that the PlayStation Vita will stay its course and will not drop lower its price point.

DISCUSS:

Do you think Sony should initiate a PS Vita price cut in order to compete with the Nintendo 3DS and the broader mobile gaming market?

[Via Bloomberg]

PlayStation Vita Passes Through FCC, Prepares for Fall US Launch

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 3, 2011 | 11 comments

In the last two weeks, we’ve seen a slew of Sony devices pass through the FCC like the Xperia Mini, the Xperia Mini Pro, and a yet-to-be-announced Reader. Today’s FCC approval, though, should garner a little more interest from the gaming community, as the PlayStation Vita (WiFi edition) has passed through the FCC successfully. For those not familiar with US regulations, the FCC is the final stopping house for devices with wireless capabilities before they are allowed for public release. Generally, when a device passes through the FCC, it also indicates that all the given changes from the manufacturer have been made and that the device is ready for production. Today’s PlayStation Vita FCC approval also pegs the device for a Fall release, a date that Sony itself stated that they were aiming for which also aligns with the fact that the PS Vita is now up for pre-order on Sony’s site.

Discuss:

[Via FCC]

PlayStation Store Update (08-02-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 2, 2011 | 28 comments

Internet nerds and geeks alike, today is WiFi day, 802.11, and I say what better way to celebrate this day than to have the PlayStation Store be updated with new content. Seeing how we have such strong connections with the PlayStation team, they’ve decided to grant us with loads of new content (at our request of course). Some noteworthy things include:

Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team ($9.99)
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team (demo)
LittleBigPlanet 2 Toy Story 1 Costume Pack ($5.99)
LittleBigPlanet 2 Toy Story Level Kit (+ Alien Costume) ($5.99)
Qore Episode 39 – August Edition
GT Academy National Finals in Orlando (Video)

Hit the jump for the full PlayStation Store breakdown.

PlayStation Store Update (07-19-11)

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 19, 2011 | 19 comments

It’s Tuesday, the day before the ComicCon preview night and two days before the mayhem that is surely to ensue. As usual, there is a new PlayStation Store update awaiting your PS3 and PSP systems. For those who will get a chance to attend this years ComicCon, keep in mind that PlayStation will have a presence with their 2011 exclusive lineup of games including, Starhawk, Uncharted 3, Twisted Metal and Resistance 3 to name a few. Some note worthy highlights from todays store update include:

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP)
Borderlands, BioShock 2, and Mafia II (50% off)
Guerrilla War and Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar (Free for PlayStation Plus members)
Mortal Kombat Warrior Rain ($4.99)

Hit the jump for the full store release.

PS Vita Now Available for Pre-Order

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 19, 2011 | 25 comments

In keeping with recent PS Vita news, Sony has officially listed both variations of the powerful gaming handheld for pre-order. $249 will grab you a PS Vita WiFi while $299 will land you in the WiFi+3G club. Alas, no release date is attached to either model yet though Sony is aiming for a holiday 2011 launch.

[Via Sony]

Sony Demos ‘Face Control’ on the PS Vita

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 19, 2011 | 6 comments

The PS Vita, which is the successor to the PSP system from Sony, is looking more impressive with each new tech demo and announcement from the Japanese electronic maker. Already encompassing an impressive set of specs, Sony continues to show new and exciting features that the device is capable of. In this round, Sony is showing what the PS Vita can achieve via the front-facing camera and processing power. In the demo, two users are engaged in a video chat, but instead of simply displaying your face, you can select from a list of animated character avatars. What’s impressive from the demo is that the avatars are capable of mimicking your facial features in real time during the chat.

There is no particular announcement yet from Sony on how they wish to incorporate this technology or whether video chatting will even be available. However, seeing how the current PSP and PSPgo systems are capable of tapping into Skype, it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to assume that a similar feature is coming to the PS Vita as well.

[Via Andriasang]

Sony Ends Digital Comics Store for PSP. Readies for PS Vita?

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 8, 2011 | 8 comments

Sony and the PlayStation team have given the Digital Comics Store one last update. The store, which allows you to download over 4,000 comics for your PSP and PSPgo systems, has received its last-ever update this week and is going out with a bang with titles like Batman: Arkham City, Stark Trek, and Transformers, to name a few. After this week, the store will continue to exist and all of your comics will be safe on your device but Sony will cease updating the store with new content. Grace Chen from the PlayStation Blog said,

The Digital Comics Team will continue to work on bringing the comic service to other Sony devices.

Though that statement itself is vague, it’s not hard to imagine where Sony is going with this. With the PS Vita readying for a holiday season launch date, what better Sony device to ready the store for than the Vita? This is especially true if you consider that the Vita has both front and back touchscreen, allowing you to easily navigate the comics with a much more natural feel while the 3G version will give users access anywhere to downloading new content. Of course, with Sony’s S1 and S2 tablets being PlayStation Suite Certified, it would be interesting to have Sony expand the store into a greater number of products. In doing so, the company both adds further value to their own products while allowing consumers to more easily purchase the given contents, knowing that they will work on a larger device base.

[Via PlayStation Blog]