<![CDATA[Kotaku: playstation network]]> http://tags.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: playstation network]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/playstationnetwork http://kotaku.com/tag/playstationnetwork <![CDATA[The Eye of Judgment Drops Camera, Cards & UMD For PSP Version]]> Sony will release The Eye of Judgment Legends on PSP in North America, trimming the fat of the PlayStation Eye and physical cards, focusing only on the core card-based board game strategy gameplay.

The Eye of Judgment Legends (don't-call-it-a-port) version will also drop one more physical object: the UMD. Legends will hit the PlayStation Store in North America as a digital download sometime in (wait for it) spring of 2010, packing in some 300 digital cards, 30 of which are unique to the PSP version.

Sony will also offer wireless card trading, a story mode and downloadable booster packs—at some point—with the PSP version of Eye of Judgment.

Coming to PSP: THE EYE OF JUDGMENT LEGENDS [PlayStation.blog]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5432359&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PlayStation Store Now Selling "Premium Avatars" In Hong Kong, Europe]]> The Hong Kong and European versions of the PlayStation Store now offer one more way to empty one's virtual Wallet, one dollar at a time, with the release of "premium avatar packs" for the PlayStation 3's XMB.

The first of four avatar packs, each featuring three or four LittleBigPlanet-themed icons that can represent you on the PlayStation 3 cross media bar and friends list, are going for $8.00 HK in Hong Kong, which translates to about $1.00 USD. In Europe, individual premium avatars are priced at £0.20/€0.25 each. Not a bad deal, should you have a dollar or two rotting in your Wallet.

On the other hand, it's a formerly free thing now monetized, something Sony seems more and more interested in doing lately. Good for business, bad for people who want things given to them gratis.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5432266&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Fat Princess Gets Fifth Finger, Release Date For Japan]]> After suffering a short delay, it appears that PlayStation Network game Fat Princess will be released in Japan on Christmas Day. And the reason for that delay? Previous speculation about a lack of fingers may have been accurate.

In newly released artwork for the PlayStation 3 game, the Fat Princess cast is now playing with a full hand, each class sporting five fingers instead of the previous four. While not officially blamed for the game's release, a four-fingered hand is often linked to referencing yakuza culture, the Burakamin Japanese social minority group and the the numeral four as an unlucky number.

The old Fat Princess artwork for Japan, for comparison sake, is below.

Pocchari Princess [PlayStation.jp via Andriasang / Hatchimaki]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5431464&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Sony Piques 'Qriocity' by Registering that Trademark]]> This always happens in threes. Yesterday we saw the magic words tipping off Nintendo and Microsoft's next projects. Today brings word that Sony's having fun with high-scoring Scrabble consonants again, registering "Qriocity" not for a game - but a network.

From the company that brought you "Qore" and "Xross Media Bar," that one is pronounced "curiosity." It's important to note this was registered by Sony, not Sony Computer Entertainment. But the trademark covers "portable video game machines," and "game services provided on-line from a computer network," as well as "operating an on-line shopping mall." This is especially interesting in light of the recent survey Sony sent out, indicating it's considering pricing some subscription levels to the PlayStation Network. Might this "Qriocity" be one of them? Accessed by the PSP?

Siliconera, which found the trademark, also notes that Sony registered the domain name "qriocity" a few months before this filing (dated Dec. 15.)

Since a lot of what's written up here ends up turning the comments into Question Time in parliament, only more brutal, I now put this to you, my fellow MPs. Should you wish to huzzah, please spell that correctly. If you find this to be ridiqulis or a bunch of xrap, please misspell creatively.


Qriocity, The Name Of A New Sony Handheld Or Online Service?
[Siliconera via Destructoid]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5430652&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Survey: Sony Considering Premium PlayStation Network Subscriptions]]> A survey sent from IPSOS Online Research indicates that Sony is considering premium subscription plans for the PlayStation Network, detailing potential prices and premium services, including full hour game trials, free access to PSOne Classics, and cross-game voice chat.

Reader Brenna sent us PDF files containing the Sony survey, which begins with the following bit of text:

Sony is considering offering a premium PlayStation Network subscription in the future. The subscription offering would provide new premium features you could choose to pay for and are in addition to the features currently available for free such as access to online multiplayer gaming (current features would remain free).

Following the introduction is a series of definitions of terms such as Token Wagering - a set number of tokens given to subscribers per month that can be used to be on games and exchanged for PSN content - and Cloud Storage Space for Games, which would allow players to save their game online rather than on their hard disk, protecting their data.

Other notable services listed as potential premiums include loyalty reward programs, automatic updates, member-exclusive Facebook Connectivity, an online music service and music video service, Hulu TV catch-ups, member-only game content, discounts, demo-sharing (sharing exclusive member-only demos from your full games with friends), and Netflix without a disc.

By far the most attractive premiums are full title trials, which give the user one hour access to full PlayStation 3 games, and free access to PSOne Classics, PSP minis, and premium themes.

The list also indicates that some eagerly awaited features could be subscriber only, such as cross-game voice chat. Having waited so long for the feature, I doubt fans would be particularly happy to have to pay for it.

The chart below details four potential plans, with three costing $69.99 a year or $9.99 a month - more than an Xbox Live Gold subscription, and one running $4.99 a month and $29.99 a year.

We've contacted Sony for comment on the survey, but have yet to hear back as of press time. Just keep in mind that companies regularly test the waters by sending out questionnaires like these, and they by no means represent any concrete plans on Sony's behalf.

It seems as if they simply want to gauge customer reaction to the various plans and features. Your reactions, please?

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5429592&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PixelJunk Shooter Micro-Review: Just Add Water... Or Lava]]> Q-Games continues its series of deceptively simple PlayStation Network games with PixelJunk Shooter, where danger runs hot and salvation is just a glass of water away.

Okay, maybe not a glass. PixelJunk Shooter is a game about saving miners and scientists trapped beneath the surface of a strange planet, but it's also a game about using opposing forces of nature in order to make your way through a twisted series of underground caverns. You can douse lava with water to create land, ignite pockets of gas with molten rock to unleash destructive explosions; over the course of the game you'll discover new tools to help you harness the elements, all the while using your weapons to take out the various mysterious enemies lurking beneath the planet's crust.

Water and fire are two of nature's most destructive forces, and many have lost their lives trying to harness them. How'd Q-Games do?

Loved
Troubleshooting: PixelJunk Shooter is a puzzle game disguised as a shooter. While there are times when your main focus will be on firing your weapons at enemies to survive, the main focus of the game is using the elements against your environment and each other in order to save miners stranded deep underground. It's this clashing of elements, water and lava, that forms the foundation for the gameplay. Lava cools heats you up, water cools you down, and when the two meet, destructible earth is formed. As the game progresses the difficulty ramps and new tools are introduced, but the relationship between the two is always paramount. It's a simple concept brought to life, and it's a wonderful life.

Bring A Friend: PixelJunk Shooter is a game that begs to be played with a friend. In a world where one stray bullet can mean the difference between freeing a trapped miner and being engulfed by lava, adding an unpredictable human element to the mix can be entertaining, to say the least, and raises all sorts of new questions as you play. Do you take turns saving miners, or is this a competition? Who gets to wear the water suit and who wears the lava suit? Will the player wearing the lava suit bury the other in a cascade of deadly molten rock? Most likely, but all will be forgiven once you realize how helpful it is to have another set of guns during the game's rare but entertaining massive boss fights.

Hated
A Candle In The Wind: Ah, PixelJunk Shooter, you had only just begun when you ended. Three different worlds with five levels each split into multiple stages seems like a great deal, but it's over in a flash. All things considered, four hours for a $9.99 game isn't bad, and multiplayer extends the game's life considerably, but it feels as if there could have been so much more.

Like PixelJunk Eden, the third game in the PixelJunk series, Shooter takes a simple concept and creates a complex, entertaining gameplay experience from it. With Eden it was the pollination of plants, and with Shooter it's the relationship between two opposing elements. Like water and magma crashing together to create rock, Q-Games has married this natural relationship with puzzle and shooting mechanics to create something more enjoyably substantial than its parts.

PixelJunk Shooter was developed by Q-Games and published in North America by Sony Computer Entertainment America for the PlayStation Network. Retails for $9.99 USD. A download code for the game was given to us by the publisher for reviewing purposes. Played through the entire game solo and multiple levels in two player mode.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5428188&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Sony Brings Up Monthly Fees Again]]> During an interview with Nikkei Japan, Sony's CTO Masayuki Chatani touches on the growing number of ways the PlayStation 3 has to accept payment, including the dreaded "monthly fees."

Last month during a Sony investor presentation, the company made mention of a potential subscription service for the PlayStation Network. While there's still nothing to announce on that front, Chatani once again brings up the possibility of monthly fees while discussing the cost of maintaining the PlayStation Network.

Servers and the like have running costs, and we would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services. We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like. We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways. In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges. I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too.

It doesn't sound to me like Sony would be charging for the PlayStation Network as much as they would be offering additional services and content on top of what players already get for free on PSN. Of course that's merely speculation.

Would you be open to paying a small monthly fee for easy access to downloadable content and items, or would you prefer to pay as you go?

PS3, PSP Made Smaller, Lighter to Capture New Customer Segments [Tech-On]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5425997&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[No Really, Revenge Of The Wounded Dragons Hits PSN This Week]]> After a brief delay following our last release announcement for Artificial Mind & Movement's kung fu beat-em-up, Revenge of the Wounded Dragons is finally hitting the North American PlayStation Store this week, we hope.

Originally scheduled for release on November 24th, the PlayStation Blog post we culled the information from on Revenge of the Wounded Dragons was updated to reflect a brief delay shortly after we posted the news. The dragons went back into hiding for around two weeks, and according to Sony Online Entertainment, they're ready to kick some ass on your PlayStation 3 this Thursday, December 10th.

Unless of course they delay it again, in which case it's Owen's turn to write the next release announcement.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5422538&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype's Lovely Bullet Hell]]> SideQuest Studio's sequel to PlayStation Network exclusive side-scrolling shooter Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is just as free with the bullets as its predecessor was, as these new screens demonstrate.

Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer was released around this time last year on the PlayStation Network, so its about time we got around to playing the follow-up. This time around the game comes complete with a dynamic score-based difficulty system, which increases the challenge the more points you accumulate. It should make for a satisfyingly tailored shmup experience.

I can hardly wait, and I probably won't have to for much longer. Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype is due for release this winter on PSN.

Please ignore the Lich King screen appearing in the gallery. Buggy gallery is buggy. Should be gone now.












]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5422418&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Madden NFL Arcade Micro-Review: Snacking on Football]]> Did you toss the football around over Thanksgiving? If so, did you take time to read the playbook and set your audibles? Thought so. That's the spirit behind EA Sports's Madden NFL Arcade, the bite-size complement to its full franchise.

Sports sims' increasing complexity and granular game management decisions can be off-putting, even intimidating, to players who just want to wing the ball down the sidelines or blitz the QB. Sometimes even diehards want to play a game without turning it into a film session on Edge NFL Matchup. But stripping a sport down to just its fun parts is risky in its own right. Like, is it still fun?

Loved
Pick Up and Play: Despite its limitations (below) Madden NFL Arcade does a good job of luring you back in for just one more game. The singleplayer games go quickly (although, some multiplayer contests were epic in length), they have all the boring stuff stripped out, and the singleplayer achievements are challenging enough to keep you trying. Even now, I've got 15 minutes to kill before I have to make a phone call and I'm thinking about taking the Patriots out to kick the Browns' ass. Or vice versa. In singleplayer, the ratings are not so overbearing that you can't win with the Lions or Redskins, if they're your favorite teams (and God help you if they are, but that's beside the point.) Online, you'll have to resort to cheese and dirty tricks to win with lesser teams, but that's in real Madden too. Bottom line, Madden NFL Arcade is video game potato chips; even if they aren't my favorite flavor, put a bowl in front of me and I'm a-scarfin'.

Hated
Lack of Variety: Madden NFL Arcade succeeds at delivering a uncomplicated shootout-style football game akin to what you play in the backyard, but doesn't go much further than that. While I don't need a full playbook, two sets of passing routes per play is not enough, and the deep pass fly patterns are too easily defended. The game just begs for hot routes or an audible to a basic run or pass. Just give me one play I can put in at the line of scrimmage. The cartoony players are built on three body types, some looking a little out of character. Colts safety Bob Sanders (5-8, 206) gets a linebacker's tank body but Ravens safety Ed Reed (5-11, 200) looks like Merton Hanks, giraffe-neck and all. The game-changers are a nice touch but two of them, which do nothing more than slow down or speed up the players, are unimaginative, mostly useless, sometimes even helpful to the offense if called by a defense. The rosters, ratings and team attributes are all built on beginning-0f-the-year models from the full Madden title, so Cincinnati, a division leader in real life, is a weak team in the game. Finally, the game begs for stats. Somewhere, even if it's just a boxscore. If this game's supposed to inspire trash talk, stats - beyond your multiplayer win-loss - are necessary.

Game Changers: I wanted to like these, but the gimmick really under-delivers. I won more with playcalling and execution than I did doing things like freezing a defender (or receiver), turning off someone's passing icons or assuring their ballcarrier fumbles when he's hit. The game randomly selects a game-changer cheat for you each play (or gives you nothing), which you may hold over until you really need it (the extra-play for fourth down, for example). You don't get a changer on every down, which is good, but the rotation over-seeds the more useless ones, doesn't bring up bona fide game changers often enough, and the ones that are valuable are useful only in very specific situations (fourth down, or inside the red zone for "make-it take-it.") You can turn the game changers on or off; I would have liked greater control over how many and what quality you get. Sure, against a computer, you don't want to flipflop the score every other down, but among friends, bombing each other with douche moves would add some good-natured spite and revenge to the bragging-rights contest.

Madden NFL Arcade is not boring but it does come off a little bland at times. You've got cartoon players performing the same animations of the real-world sim, for example, and it could really benefit from a little more zaniness, especially in the hitting. For those who want to play some chuck-and-duck football without setting aside time for an hourlong game or learning the finer points of an offense, it'll satisfy your gridiron cravings. Potato chips are a snack; a cupcake is a treat. Madden NFL Arcade is a football snack.

Madden NFL Arcade was developed by EA Sports and published by Electronic Arts for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Nov. 25. Retails for 1200 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Marketplace, $14.99 on PlayStation Network. A copy of the game was given to us by the publisher for reviewing purposes. Played about three dozen games, single and multiplayer, on varying difficulty settings using multiple NFL teams. Shut out the Patriots with the Lions. OK, that one was on rookie difficulty.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5419127&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[The iPhone's Online Identity Crisis]]> Initially conceived as a multimedia device, the iPhone overcame a number of hurdles to become a popular gaming portable. But one surprising problem still haunts the device's gaming capabilities.

Despite being a phone, the iPhone doesn't have a single cohesive online experience for playing games.

Where the DS, Playstation 3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360 each have a single online services for gaming, Apple has left the creation of iPhone gaming networks to the game publishers. The result is a handful of disconnected services vying to be number one.

Publishers Gameloft, Ngmoco and Aurora Feint operate the three most popular services for the iPhone, each giving gamers the ability to connect with one another, share their gaming experiences, and play online.

Gameloft Live allows players to chat, message one another, earn game trophies and play mulitplayer matches live. Currently nine of Gameloft's titles are supported by the service with most of the publisher's future games slated to include Live support.

While Gameloft Live is only for Gameloft's titles, both Ngmoco's Plus+ network and Aurora Feint's OpenFeint are used by other developers to add online support to their games.

OpenFeint is being used in more than 300 games with another 800 in development, said Peter Relan, chairman of Aurora Feint.

The service includes game lobbies, social discovery, the ability to see what friends are playing and challenge them to games. Mulitplayer support is currently being tested, Relan said, with turn based multiplayer expected this holiday.

Ngmoco's Plus+ network allows players to create a profile, challenge friends, compete on leaderboards and find other games supported by the network.

While some gamers may feel it's inconvenient to have to sign up for multiple services to play online, the lack of any single gaming service doesn't seem like a bad thing to the three companies.

"We see it as an opportunity," said Simon Jeffery, Ngmoco's chief publishing officer. "Apple has provided a strong foundation for the development and publishing community to nurture into a rich gaming and social ecosystem. The Plus+ network was born out of consumer need, and its evolution and growth are fueled by the market."

Julien Fournials, Gameloft's senior vice president of production, agrees:

"At this point, I don't think it's that big of an issue," Fournials said. "What's happening now is that publishers are testing out and playing around with different gaming networks and customizing it to fit the needs of their games. It's good for the industry as a whole to offer consumers different gaming options."

But eventually the multiple networks could lead to problems, says Aurora Feint's Relan.

"In the long term it's a problem if the game networks are fractured," he said. "In the short term it's OK to have multiple because it creates innovation."

Eventually, Ngmoco's Jeffery say, the market will sort itself out if Apple doesn't step in with it's own network.

"We believe that there is certainly room for a couple of networks within the iPhone gaming ecosystem, possibly serving different segments of the overall market, but ultimately probably not more than that," he said. "Casual users in particular will get frustrated with multiple accounts and multiple login requests. We firmly believe that the market will rationalize into a couple of strong leaders very quickly now."

It could be a mistake to look at the current status quo of console gaming when considering the future of Apple's iPhone. Gameloft's Fournials says it might be better to compare iPhone gaming to other social networks like YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, rather than to gaming platforms.

"The whole DNA of the App Store is diversity, so to have multiple social networking sites fits in with that structure," he said.

In the future, Gameloft Live will include stronger integration of social networks like Facebook, something Ngmoco is already pushing.

Meanwhile, Aurora Feint's founder and CEO Jason Citron says that his service is working to provide a network similar to Xbox Live for their games with the introduction of OpenFeint 2.4.

"Players will know when their friends are online, what game they are playing, and be able to instant message or mail each other just like on Xbox Live," Citron said. "We've added in-game forums for players to share tips and tricks, level strategies, or whatever they want with each other. Developers will be able to have a direct conversation with their players from right inside their games too — in the forums, by sending in-app announcements, responding to player feedback, or via e-mail to players who opt-in."

While it may feel like a disservice to gamers now, the ability for publishers and developers to test the bounds of what works and doesn't work in terms of social play and online gaming could help the iPhone evolve its own online gaming personality.

Providing a consistent login for the basics of online gaming, like finding opponents and comparing scores, is a must, but pushing the envelope through social interactions and community building would in the long run help emphasize the iPhone's unique networking strengths.

The best solution would be for Apple to provide that core online experience and leave the experimentation and innovation to outside developers.

Well Played is a weekly news and opinion column about the big stories of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5410248&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PlayStation Store Update: Finite Climax Action]]> PlayStation 3 owners can see what the Bayonetta buzz is about with the North American release of the game's demo, which joins Call of Duty: Classic in this week's PlayStation Store update.

If they have an Xbox 360, they can also download the Xbox 360 version of that Bayonetta demo, letting them compare, contrast and verify reports of one version lagging behind the other. But on the positive tip, there's new Santa-themed LittleBigPlanet outfits to download, new Fight Night Round 4 boxers to buy and a triple-shot of Night Ranger tracks to invest in.

Yes, you can still rock in America, kids. But before you do, take a peek at all of this week's new additions to the PlayStation Store and budget accordingly.

Games & Demos for PlayStation 3
Call of Duty: Classic ($14.99)
Call Of Duty Classic – French Version ($14.99)
PSone Classics: Command & Conquer: Red Alert Retaliation ($5.99)
PSone Classics: Resident Evil 3: Nemesis ($5.99)
Bayonetta demo
Fairytale Fights demo

Games & Demos for PSP
Beta Bloc ($4.99)
Super Pocket Tennis ($4.99)
MX vs ATV Reflex ($29.99)

Expansions & Add-ons
BUZZ! Question Pack: Rock Idols ($7.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Champions Pack II ($9.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Ring Rivalries ($1.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Old School Rules ($3.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Bernard Hopkins ($1.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Evander Holyfield ($1.99)
Fight Night Round 4 Sonny Liston ($1.99)
LittleBigPlanet LBP Santa Coat and Trousers (free)
LittleBigPlanet LBP Santa Hat and Beard (free)
LittleBigPlanet Festive Pack ($2.99)
LittleBigPlanet LittleBigPlanet Assassin's Creed II Costume ($1.99)
Operation Flash Point: Dragon Rising Skirmish Pack ($4.99)
Tekken 6 Samurai DLC Pack (free)

Guitar Hero 5 tracks

  • "A Classic Case of Transference" by The Fall of Troy ($1.99)
  • "Panic Attack" by The Fall of Troy ($1.99)
  • "Single" by The Fall of Troy ($1.99)
  • The Fall of Troy Track Pack ($5.49) – "Panic Attack", "A Classic Case of Transference", "Single" by The Fall of Troy

Rock Band tracks

  • "New Fang" by Them Crooked Vultures ($1.99)
  • "You're Gonna Hear From Me" by Night Ranger ($1.99)
  • "(You Can Still) Rock in America" by Night Ranger ($1.99)
  • "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" by Night Ranger ($1.99)
  • Night Ranger Pack 1 ($5.49) – "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," "(You Can Still) Rock in America," and "You're Gonna Hear From Me" by Night Ranger
  • "Come As You Are (Live From MTV Unplugged)" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • "Lithium (Live at Reading)" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • Nirvana Pack 2 ($5.49) – "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come As You Are (Live From MTV Unplugged)," and "Lithium (Live at Reading)" by Nirvana

Game Videos
Qore Episode 19: December 2009 ($2.99)
Pulse 12/3 Edition
Gravity Crash Dev. Tutorial Video
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – Behind the Scenes Video 7
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – Behind the Scenes Video 8
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – Behind the Scenes Video 9

Themes & Wallpapers
Bikini Nurse Girl Hook-Ups Theme ($1.99)
Catfight Girl Hook-Ups Theme ($1.99)
Super Cop Hook-Ups Theme ($1.99)
Santa's Sexy Helpers Theme ($1.49)
topatoi: Wallpaper 4

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5418474&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet PSP Sacks PlayStation Network Tuesday]]> After a brief delay, the PlayStation Network release of the PlayStation Portable version of LittleBigPlanet will officially go live this week for PSPgo users and agoraphobics.

Consider the annoyance of leaving the house to invest in a UMD a thing of the past as of tomorrow. Yes, the PlayStation Store will update a little earlier than normal in North America this week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving by gorging on turkeys and LittleBigPlanet PSP levels.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5411421&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PlayStation Store Exacts Revenge of the Wounded Dragons This Week]]> PlayStation 3 owners will get an old school kick in the pants this week with the North American PlayStation Store release of Revenge of the Wounded Dragons, a side-scrolling arcade beat 'em up that's chock full of kung fu.

And comparisons to arcade side-scrolling kickfest Kung Fu are not too far off the mark, as the game eschews the extra planes of pummeling that a Double Dragon or Final Fight might have. Revenge of the Wounded Dragons looks to keep things a little simpler, offering a single horizontal plane in which to kick and punch scores of roundhouse fodder, all for just $9.99 USD.

Wanako, Wet developer Artificial Mind & Movement's Chilean studio, is responsible for the game and provides a complete, bullet point-filled preview of the game at the PlayStation.blog.

Coming to PSN this Week: Revenge of the Wounded Dragons [PlayStation.blog]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5411374&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[NY Testing Emergency Broadcasts Over Gaming Networks]]> In many places, should the unthinkable happen and a serious emergency arise, citizens are alerted via the TV and radio. How 20th century. New York, however, are going a little more modern, and adding gaming networks to the list.

There's currently a trial program in place in the state called "Empire 2.0", which is all about the government extending existing services and means of communication to 21st century outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

Of course, gaming consoles are included in that, and NY are in the process of testing - across Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network and the Wii's network - a means of distributing emergency warning messages across those platforms, so anyone with their console on (and TV or radio off) can be reached. NY residents note: they're not live testing yet, just doing some background stuff.

It's a good idea. I actually had the displeasure of hearing the "whoooop whoooop" of an emergency warning back in 2003, but I only heard it - and evacuated my house in time - because it was on both the radio and television. These days, I'd be far more likely to be on Xbox Live or the PSN.

Not that I live in NY, just saying...it's a good idea.

Interop: New York Tests Xbox-Based Alert System [IW, via Gizmodo]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5408922&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[The PlayStation Network By the Numbers]]> Outlined today during a Sony presentation to investors and analysts, the PlayStation Network has 33 million registered accounts, 5.4 million daily user sign-ins and 1.4 million daily visits to the PlayStation Store.

Those 33 million users download a staggering 25 petabytes of data a month. More importantly for Sony, they're also spending three times what they did last year at the PlayStation Store.

Sony's presentation highlights what it called a significant revenue in downloadable games and add-ons. The company also pointed out that its video delivery service now has more than 2,417 movies and 15,047 television episodes.

A final point made in the slide presentation by Sony about the PlayStation Network is that a new revenue stream is coming from a subscription model.

Reached for contact this morning, SCEA told Kotaku that in terms of the PlayStation Network and subscriptions "we're looking into a variety of options, but nothing to announce at this time."

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5408390&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PSP AdhocParty Coming To North America]]> Sony is bringing PSP adhocParty to North America, allowing PSP titles like Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Gran Turismo to be played online through your PlayStation 3.

The PSP has two modes of internet play: Ad Hoc and Infrastructure. Infrastructure mode lets players connect through the internet, but Ad Hoc mode is local only, or at least it was. The PSP adhocParty, launched last year in Japan, allows select games that normally allow for only face-to-face multiplayer connect via the PlayStation Network, using the PlayStation 3 as a bridge.

"The PlayStation brand is synonymous with creating exciting new gameplay experiences that connect and challenge people in ways they never thought possible," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. "AdhocParty for the PSP system creates an avenue for gamers to connect, strategize, and compete with each other – Gran Turismo is a great example of this. Polyphony Digital developed robust Ad Hoc features within the game, which are now even more accessible through adhocParty. We saw this as a tremendous opportunity to enhance the PSP system's online gaming experience and bring the service to our North American consumers."

While it would be nice if the PSP could perform this sort of function on its own instead of requiring a PlayStation 3, the service will definitely be a godsend, especially to those poor, lonely Monster Hunter Freedom Unite players. Look for the feature to go live later this month.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5404058&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Vagrant Story Coming To PAL PSN]]> Released on the Japanese PlayStation Network in August, Square Enix is bringing classic PlayStation RPG Vagrant Story to the PAL PlayStation Network. Can a North American release be far behind?

How good is Vagrant Story? At a time when Square was releasing Final Fantasy VII through Final Fantasy IX, Vagrant Story was the only original PlayStation game to receive a perfect score from Japanese video game magazine Famitsu. That's how good it is.

The game, which actually takes place in the Final Fantasy Ivalice setting used in the tactics titles and Final Fantasy XII, follows the story of Riskbreaker Ashley Riot as he investigates the link between a cult leader and Duke Bardorba of Valendia. It's a solo dungeon crawler that relies on weapons crafting and modification rather than the random shopkeepers scattered across most RPG worlds.

It's an exquisite experience, and according to the latest European Square Enix newsletter, forwarded to us via Kotakuite Emilia, it's coming soon to the PAL PlayStation Network.

Way back at the dawn of time (better known as the year 2000), a certain video games company called SQUARE made a game called VAGRANT STORY, which stormed the charts, became a genre-defining classic and, amongst other things, garnered a perfect score from Famitsu magazine - so pretty much business as usual for character design god Akihiko Yoshida. But the great news is that SQUARE ENIX are bringing it to the PS3 and the PSP on the 12th November!

Note that Square Enix has clarified since the newsletter was released that the date given is incorrect, and the title is coming soon. Hopefully this means we'll be seeing the game released in North America soon as well. It's a PSone Classic I would purchase without hesitation if I didn't have the original sitting on a shelf behind me.

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5401378&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[PlayStation Store Update: Happy Birthday, Sackboy]]> Celebratory LittleBigPlanet costumes may get the headline in this week's North American PlayStation Store update, but there's much, much more to this week's new batch of digital goodies than just cake and spacesuits.

There's Military Madness, Numblast and a Trine demo for PlayStation 3 owners to enjoy, with a little something for the PSP crowd too—Dissidia Final Fantasy and Ghostbusters: the Video Game have made the jump to digital download.

On the DLC side, there's paid content for Dragon Age: Origins and free content for Brutal Legend. See? Plenty to be excited about this week. The full list of PlayStation Store noobs is below.

Games & Demos for PlayStation 3
Military Madness: Nectaris ($9.99)
Numblast ($4.99)
PSone Classics: Gex ($5.99)
Trine demo
Military Madness: Nectaris demo

Games & Demos for PSP
Ben 10 Alien Force ($19.99)
Ben 10: Protector of Earth ($14.99)
Crimson Room: Reverse ($7.99)
Class of Heroes ($39.99)
Creature Defense ($7.99)
Dissidia Final Fantasy ($39.99)
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground ($14.99)
Ghostbusters The Video Game PSP ($29.99)
Numblast PSP ($4.99)
Star Wars Battlefront Elite Squadron ($29.99)
Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes ($29.99)
MotorStorm Arctic Edge demo (free)

Expansions & Add-ons
LittleBigPlanet Anniversary Birthday Cake Costume (free)
LittleBigPlanet Spaceman Costume (free)
Dragon Age Origins - Stone Prisoner DLC ($14.99)
Dragon Age Origins - Warden's Keep DLC ($6.99)
Brutal Legend - Tears of the Hextadon Map Pack (free)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character and Mission Pack ($9.99)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character Compatibility Pack (free)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Juggernaut Playable Character ($1.99)
Topatoi: The Great Tree Story Arcade Style (free)
Way of the Samurai 3 Weapons pack (free)

Rock Band tracks

  • "Best of You" by Foo Fighters ($1.99)
  • "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters ($1.99)
  • "Wheels" by Foo Fighters ($1.99)
  • "Word Forward" by Foo Fighters ($1.99)
  • "Foo Fighters Pack 03 ($6.99) – "Best of You," "The Pretender," "Wheels," and "Word Forward" by Foo Fighters.
  • "Fake Friends" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts ($1.99)
  • "About a Girl" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • "Blew" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • "School" by Nirvana ($1.99)
  • "Nirvana Bleach Pack ($5.49) – "About a Girl," "Blew," and "School" by Nirvana.

Game Videos
Qore Episode 18: November 2009 ($2.99)
Pulse 11/5 Edition
God of War Collection Trailer
PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – "Candle"
PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – "Montage"
Assassin's Creed 2 Dev Diary 4
Dragon Age: Origins City Elf Trailer
Dragon Age: Origins Dwarf Commoner Origin Trailer
Dragon Age: Origins Mage Origin Trailer
Numblast Trailer
NIER TGS 2009 Trailer

Themes & Wallpapers
Tekken 6 – Returning Characters Theme (free)
Tekken 6 – The Fight Card Theme (free)
Tekken 6 – The New Faces Theme (free)
Family Guy Theme ($1.99)
Roadkill Theme ($1.99)
DarkMatter Quadrilogy Theme Pack ($5.99)
FIFA Soccer 10 Wallpaper
Let's FIFA 10 Wallpaper
FIFA Soccer 10 Blanco Wallpaper
FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper
FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper 2
Tekken 6 Alisa Wallpaper
Tekken 6 Asuka Wallpaper
Tekken 6 Hwoarang Wallpaper
Tekken 6 Jin Wallpaper
Tekken 6 Kazuya Wallpaper

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5398273&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[The World Series Comes To PlayStation Network]]> The PlayStation Store's video delivery side got a shot in the arm this week, thanks to the addition of new watchables from LucasFilm, TNT and more. Also new to the video store is the World Series.

Major League Baseball is offering games from the showdown between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, just in case you happened to miss a game and would pay to relive it. The official PlayStation.blog also makes mention of "classic games" coming to the North American PlayStation Store, downloadable for your viewing pleasure.

Any takers?

MLB and Lucasfilm Join PlayStation Network's Video Delivery Service [PlayStation.blog]

]]>
http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5397061&view=rss&microfeed=true