Kotaku: playstation store

PlayStation Store Update: Credit Cards At The Ready

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:40:48 MDT

This is it, ladies and gentlemen. This is the week that we've all been waiting for as PlayStation 3 owners. The Made of Honor Blu-ray trailer has finally been added to the PlayStation Store, giving us all the opportunity to bask in the light of Patrick Dempsey's brightly shining smile at 1080p. I've downloaded the thing and, let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. It's not an understatement to call this thing a So I Married An Ax Murderer Blu-ray trailer-killer by any stretch. Oh, right — WipEout HD, Burnout Paradise and Mega Man 9 are also new on the Store.

And can I just mention that the new Soulcalibur IV wallpapers are not to be missed? Voldo in a Jack O' Lantern outfit will make the swallowing of DLC costumes that much easier.

Games and Demos
WipEout HD ($19.99)
Burnout Paradise ($29.99)
GEON Emotions ($9.99)
Mega Man 9 ($9.99)
Mega Man 9 demo
NBA 09 The Inside demo
NBA Live 09 demo
Untold Legends Brotherhood of the Blade for PSP ($14.99)
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for PSP ($14.99)
Buzz! Master Quiz demo for PSP
Pipe Mania demo for PSP

Expansions and Add-Ons
BUZZ! QuizTV Question Pack: National Geographic: Safari ($7.99)
BUZZ! QuizTV Question Pack: Videogames ($5.99)
BUZZ! QuizTV Question Pack: Sci-Fi ($5.99)
Soulcalibur IV Customization Equipment 2 ($1.99)
Rock Band tracks
* “Limelight (Original Version)” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Tom Sawyer (Original Version)” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Red Barchetta” - Rush ($1.99)
* “The Camera Eye” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Vital Signs” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Witch Hunt” - Rush ($1.99)
* “YYZ” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Moving Pictures (Album)” - Rush ($10.99) - includes “Tom Sawyer (Original Version),” “Red Barchetta,” “YYZ,” “Limelight (Original Version),” “The Camera Eye,” “Witch Hunt,” and “Vital Signs” by Rush.
* “Bandage” - Hot Hot Heat ($1.99)
* “Love Spreads” - Stone Roses ($1.99)
* “She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult ($1.99)
* “Shoot the Runner - Kasabian ($1.99)
* “Sorrow” - Bad Religion ($1.99)
* “You’re No Rock n’ Roll Fun” - Sleater Kinney ($1.99)

Game Videos
Tomb Raider: Underworld Gameplay trailer
PAIN: Amusement Park New Characters trailer
Resistance 2 Shattered History trailer
Brothers in Arms: Hell’ Highway Eyes Only trailer
Burnout Paradise Bikes trailer
Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #5 Network trailer

Movies and Television
88 Minutes Blu-ray trailer
Made of Honor Blu-ray trailer

Themes and Wallpapers
Soul Calibur IV Wallpaper 5
Soul Calibur IV Wallpaper 6

PlayStation Store Update: Doin' The Dew

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:40:07 MDT

There is absolutely no way this week's North American PlayStation Store update will leave you wanting, especially if you have an interest in downloading eight AST Dew Tour promotional videos. While trailers and videos may dominate the list of new additions, there's plenty to play. LucasArts' Fracture and EA's Mercenaries 2 both get new demos and D3Publisher's first batch of downloadable PSP games arrive. PlayStation 3 owners can also enjoy a price break on the Call of Duty 4 map pack, for a limited time. For the full list, hit the jump.

Games and Demos
Fracture demo
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames demo
Cube for PSP ($9.99)
PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient for PSP ($9.99)
NBA 09 The Inside demo for PSP

Expansions and Add-ons
Call of Duty 4 Variety map pack ($4.99)
Rock Band add-on tracks
* “The Conjuring” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “Wake Up Dead” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “Bad Omen” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “Devil’s Island” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “Good Mourning/Black Friday” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “I Ain’t Superstitious” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* “My Last Words” - Megadeth ($1.99)
* Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? album ($10.99) - includes “Wake Up Dead, “The Conjuring,” “Devil’s Island,” “Good Mourning/Black Friday”, “Bad Omen,” “I Ain’t Superstitious,” and “My Last Words” by Megadeth.
* “Hands Down” - Dashboard Confessional ($0.99)
* “One of THOSE Nights” by The Cab ($0.99)
* “She’s a Handsome Woman” by Panic at the Disco ($0.99)
* “Natural Disaster” by Plain White T’s ($0.99)
* Rock Band Live 2008 Tour Pack 1 ($3.99) - includes “Natural Disaster” by Plain White T’s, “She’s a Handsome Woman” by Panic at the Disco, “One of THOSE Nights” by The Cab, and “Hands Down” by Dashboard Confessional.

Game Videos
NBA 09 The Inside: The Life 1 trailer
NBA 09 The Inside: The Life 2 trailer
NBA 09 The Inside: The Life 3 trailer
NBA 09 The Inside: Victory trailer
Valkyria Chronicles GC Trailer
EA Sports Hockey League Video
AST Dew Tour - Portland FMX Jam Session
AST Dew Tour - Portland Skate Thrills
AST Dew Tour - Portland BMX Highlights
AST Dew Tour - Rob Darden Profile
AST Dew Tour - P Rod Profile
AST Dew Tour - Skate Park Stars
AST Dew Tour - Behind the Scenes with Andy M.
AST Dew Tour - PlayStation Pro Moments Portland
Play the Pros: Baltimore

PAL PlayStation Store Update: Tardiness Is Next To Godliness

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:30:00 MDT

Sorry this wasn't up yesterday, but it wasn't our fault! The PAL PSN update was well behind schedule after Sony experienced some "technical issues" getting it all up. Those issues have been sorted, the update's up, here's the pick of what's in it: Metallica, Rock Band, FIFA 09. For a more comprehensive breakdown, click through.

Game

METALLICA ‘DEATH MAGNETIC’ FULL ALBUM
1942 Joint Strike
Siren Blood Curse

Rockband (sorry about the lack of hard info, but this is how it came)

1 Track
3 Track Bundle
1 Track sale/developing artist
3 Track pack sale/developing artist
6 Track Bundle
9 Track Bundle
12 Track Bundle

Demo

ElefunkTrial
Play TV Demo
1942: Joint Strike
FIFA 09 Demo

Packs

Pain: Amusement Park
Pain-Kenneth Character
Pain -Yeony Character
Pain Tati Character

Videos

FIFA 09
MIRROR’S EDGE E3 TRAILER
TOMB RAIDER UNDERWORLD: TEASER TRAILER
PURE E3 TRAILER

Wallpapers

The Last Guy Wallpaper (x6)

Themes

PixelJunk Eden Red
PixelJunk Eden Black

In Game

Elefunk Full Game Upgrade

[via Three Speech]

PlayStation Store Update And The Colberts

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:40:28 MDT

Some of you will be enjoying MotorStorm: Pacific Rift for the first time today, courtesy of the PlayStation Store and your subscription to Qore. The rest of us will have to be content with Jeopardy! and/or our previous hands-on time with the Evolution Studios racer. There are no lack of things to play for North American PlayStation 3 owners this week, with a handful of new demos, new Rock Band tracks — one of them being free — and wallpapers to fiddle with. For the full list of new goodies, keep on keepin' on.

Games and Demos
Jeopardy! ($14.99)
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift demo - for Qore subscribers
FIFA 09 demo
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith demo
Field Commander for PSP ($14.99)

Expansions and Add-ons
PAIN Amusement Park ($5.99)
PAIN: Yeony Character ($0.99)
PAIN: Tati Character ($0.99)
PAIN: Kenneth Character ($0.99)
Rock Band tracks
* “Two Weeks” - All That Remains ($0.99)
* “This Calling” - All That Remains ($0.99)
* “Charlene (I’m Right Behind You)” - Stephen and the Colberts (free)
* All That Remains Pack ($2.99) - includes “This Calling,” “Two Weeks,” and “Chiron” by All That Remains

Game Videos
Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer
FIFA 09 trailer
NHL 09 "Teaser" trailer
NHL 09 "Defensive Sizzle" trailer
Blitz: The League II trailer
Saints Row 2 "Uncle Gary Sticky Bombs" trailer
Saints Row 2 "Uncle Gary Throwing People" trailer
Need For Speed: Undercover "Launch" trailer
Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway "Brutality of War Gameplay" video
Legendary "Behind the Scenes Episode 2"

Wallpapers and Themes
PAIN Amusement Park wallpaper (x3)
PAIN Amusement Park theme
PAIN Kenneth Character theme
PAIN Yeony Character theme
PAIN Tati Character theme
Mirror’s Edge theme
Need For Speed: Undercover theme

PAL PlayStation Store Update

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:30:00 MDT

Slow week this week. Nothing wrong on the parity side of things, as most things the US store got the PAL one's got, it's just a slow week, that's all. Can't imagine millions of you clamouring for some new Haze maps, though with ice hockey a sort-of-big-deal in certain parts of Europe, the NHL 2K9 demo might go down a little better.

PS3 store

Demo
NHL 2K9 Demo
Pure PS3

Packs
HAZE DESTRUCTION PACK
Warhawk™ Triple Combo Pack

Wallpapers
SOULCALIBUR WALLPAPER 01
SOULCALIBUR WALLPAPER 02
SOULCALIBUR WALLPAPER 03
SOULCALIBUR WALLPAPER 04

PSP store

Game
Media Manager for PSP™

Go! Explore Map Packs
Benelux Map Pack
DACH Map Pack
France Map Pack
Italy Map Pack
Scandinavia Map Pack
Spain & Portugal Map Pack
UK & Ireland Map Pack
Western Map Pack

In Game
Warhawk Booster Bundle

PSN store update…[Three Speech]

PlayStation Store Update: Haze Lives

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:40:05 MDT

You want more Haze? You got it! Wait, you want more Haze? Really? OK, well, this week's PlayStation Store update for North America has it, with the "Destruction Pack" bringing seven new multiplayer maps and a new "Capture and Hold" game type. The Store also gets one of its biggest and most expensive titles to date in NFL Head Coach 09. Pricey! The full list of new goodies is after this.

Qore Episode 04: September, 2008 ($2.99 Issue, $24.99 Annual Subscription)

Games and Demos
NFL Head Coach 09 ($49.99)
PURE Demo

Add-ons and Expansions
Haze "Destruction Pack" ($9.99)
Rock Band tracks ($0.99 each)
* “Skullcrusher Mountain” by Jonathan Coulton
* “Shhh….” by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
* “Livin’ at the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe” - MC Frontalot

Rock Band PAX Pack 1 ($2.99) - includes “Shhh….” by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, “Livin’ at the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe” by MC Frontalot, and “Skullcrusher Mountain” by Jonathan Coulton.

Game Videos
Jeopardy! trailer
Super Stardust HD Tips video 1
Super Stardust HD Tips video 2
PAIN "Call Da Shot Mode" video
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway "Making Of #3: Counter Attack"
Legendary Behind the Scenes Episode 1
Midnight Club Los Angeles trailer 2
Midnight Club Los Angeles trailer 3
Red Baron Arcade trailer
Saints Row 2 "Uncle Gary Motorcycles" trailer
Saints Row 2 "Uncle Gary Taunting" trailer

Movie and Television Trailers
The Ultimates Featurette
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist Trailer
The Fall Trailer

Wallpapers and Themes
The Last Guy wallpaper

PSP Online Access: Shit Just Got Real

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:20:38 MDT

Good news, fans of the internet. The PSP will be getting direct access to the PlayStation Store this fall, eliminating the need to travel through the tubes via your PlayStation 3 or PC to secure downloadable goodies for Sony's handheld. According to a report from IGN, a future firmware update will let PSP owners surf the store from the comfort of their toilets or local coffee houses, making theme-grabbing a breeze.

Don't junk your PS3s yet, though, as Sony is also planning to introduce a new feature that will let you take your ad hoc-only PSP games online, simulating infrastructure mode by way of your PlayStation 3. That means select titles that were previously playable only locally will be playable with folks nationwide. Note that "select", because it looks like not every title will make the jump online via your PS3.

Sony Boosts PSP Networking Capabilities [IGN]

PAL PlayStation Store Update: Parity

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Look at the North American PlayStation Store update. Go on, take a good look at it. Now look at this European one. Aside from the obligatory absence of timely Rock Band content, can you see much of a difference? At least in the important stuff? Don't bother, there isn't one. The Last Guy is there. The Warhawk pack is there. Heck, the PAL store even gets a few extras, like Medal of Honour Heroes 2 on PSP. Not often you see this kind of parity between the stores, PAL users, so be sure to make the most of it!

PS3 store

Game
Buzz!™ Junior Jungle Party, £3.49
The Last Guy, £4.99

Demo
The Last Guy Asakusa Level, FREE
NHL 09, FREE

Packs
Warhawk - Operation Fallen Star Pack, £3.99

Videos
HAWX Trailer, FREE
Far Cry 2 - E3 trailer, FREE
The Last Guy Launch Trailer, FREE
PS3 Platinum TV Ad, FREE
Super Stardust HD top tips solo trailer, FREE
Super Stardust HD™ top tips arcade trailer, FREE

Wallpapers
The Last Guy, FREE

Theme
Graffiti, FREE

PSP content available to download via PS3 Console store

Game
Medal of Honor Heros 2, £14.99

Demo
Pipe Mania, FREE

PSP STORE

Game
Medal of Honor Heroes 2, £14.99

Demo
Pipe Mania, FREE

In Game
Fallen Star Booster Pack, £3.99

PSN Store Update [Three Speech]

PlayStation Store Update: Zombie Jetpacks

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:20:00 MDT

While this week's North American PlayStation Store update isn't as rich in content as last week's, it's still an excellent offering. If only because, when you browse down the list of available items, you see the text "You are the chosen one, a zombie hero from the Himalayan mountains, and it is up to you to rescue the last survivors on Earth by leading them to safety through zombie-infested streets". You're on the right track with this whole Last Guy thing, Sony. Also available today is Warhawk's latest update - the one that brings the hot jetpack action - with the rest of the week's items after the jump.

Downloadable Games

The Last Guy ($9.99)

Add-on Game Content

Warhawk Fallen Star Pack ($7.99)

Warhawk Booster Combo ($15.99)

Rock Band

* “She Does” - Locksley ($0.99)
* “Don’t Make Me Wait” - Locksley ($0.99)
* “Don’t Make Me Wait” - Locksley ($0.99)
* “All Over Again” - Locksley ($0.99)
* Locksley Pack 1 ($2.99) - includes: “All Over Again,” “Don’t Make Me Wait,” and “She Does” by Locksley.

Game Demos

NHL 09 Demo

SOULCALIBUR IV Demo

Game Videos

SOCOM Confrontation Extraction trailer
LittleBigPlanet Leipzig “Sackzilla” Trailer
Motorstorm Pacific Rift Leipzig Trailer
PAIN Trauma Mode Trailer
GT5 Prologue Play the Pros with Tanner Foust!
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Machine Gun & Bazooka Video
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Squad Gameplay Video
Facebreaker Audition Video #1
Facebreaker Audition Video #2
Facebreaker Audition Video #3
Madden NFL 09 Gameplay Trailer
Madden NFL 09 Madden Moments Trailer
Madden NFL 09 Play Call Trailer
Top Spin 3 Player Creator Trailer

Movie and Blu-ray Trailers

Quantum Of Solace Trailer
Prom Night Trailer

PS3 Wallpaper

The Last Guy Wallpaper (x2)

PSP STORE

PSP Themes

Cake Mania: Baker’s Challenge theme

PSP Wallpaper

PSP Wallpapers Series 1 wallpaper (x3)
Hot Shots Golf Open Tee 2 wallpaper (x2)
Cake Mania: Baker’s Challenge wallpaper (x3)

PAL PlayStation Store Update: Leipzig Leipzig Leipzig

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:30:00 MDT

Good news, Europeans (and antipodeans)! Because it's the Leipzig Games Convention, and because Leipzig's in Europe, and because you've all been very, very good, this week's PlayStation Store update is almost exactly the same as the North American one. And the North American one was stacked. You get Ratchet & Clank, you get Kratos, you get DragonForce, you even get the PSP version of Pirates! as a downloadable title. So no complaining this week, OK?

PS3 store

Game
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty
Buzz Quiz TV - National Geographic Safari Quiz
International Track & Field
Bionic Commando Rearmed Game

Demo
Bionic Commando Rearmed Trial
STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED

Packs
Everybody’s Golf World Tour: Extra Character – Kratos
Guitar Heros - DRAGONFORCE TRACK PACK
HAZE DOMINATION PACK

Videos
SCEA Press Conference at E3 2008
SCEA Press Conference at E3 2008 Part 2
SCEA Press Conference at E3 2008 Part 3
Far Cry 2 - Ubidays trailer
Play TV Trailer
Bionic Commando Rearmend Lunch Trailer
Fatal Inertia Ex Trailer 2

Leipzig Trailers
EyePet Leipzig 2008 Trailer
Heavy Rain Leipzig 2008 Trailer
inFamous Leipzig 2008 Trailer
Killzone® 2 Leipzig 2008 Trailer
LittleBigPlanet™ Leipzig 2008 Trailer
MotorStorm® Pacific Rift Trailer
Leipzig 2008 Sizzle
PLAYSTATION®Network Showcase – Leipzig 2008
Ratchet & Clank™: Quest for Booty Leipzig 2008 Trailer
Warhawk™ Operation Fallen Star Trailer
WipEout HD Trailer
VidZone on PLAYSTATION®3 Trailer
GTI CLUB+ RALLY COTE D’AZUR

PSP content available to download via PS3 Console store

Game
Medal of Honor Heros
SID MEIER’S PIRATES!

PC store

Game
Medal of Honor Heros
International Track & Field (PS1)
SID MEIER’S PIRATES!

Videos
Play TV Trailer
LocoRoco™ 2 Leipzig 2008 Trailer

In Game
Bionic Commando Rearmed Full Unlock, £6.99

PSN Store Update [Three Speech]

PlayStation Store Update: Booty Calls

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:40:00 MDT

This week's North American PlayStation Store update isn't here to mess around. It's heavy on the good stuff. Most prominent amongst the week's offerings is the all-new, all-downloadable Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, but if you're not up for spending the $15, there's the Kratos Hot Shots Golf add-on ($2), DragonForce track pack for Guitar Hero III ($6.25) or a bunch of free stuff, including demos for The Last Guy, Force Unleashed and NFL Head Coach 09.

Downloadable Games

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty ($14.99)

EA SPORTS Live Score Tracker ($0.99)

Hot Shots Golf Out Of Bounds: Kratos Character ($1.99)

HAZE Domination Pack (free)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Dragonforce Track Pack ($6.25)

Rock Band

* “Through Being Cool” - Devo ($1.99)
* “Girl U Want” - Devo ($1.99)
* “Rio” - Duran Duran ($1.99)
* “Girls on Film” - Duran Duran
* “Get Your Rock On” 1 The Janitors ($0.99)

Game Demos

The Last Guy

STAR WARS The Force Unleashed

NFL Head Coach 09

Leipzig Game Videos

SCEE Leipzig Software Compilation

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty Launch Trailer

inFamous Leipzig Trailer

Warhawk Fallen Star Video

Game Videos

The Last Guy Cities Trailer

PAIN Clown Toss Mode Trailer

PAIN Hot n’ Cold Mode Trailer

Vampire Rain Altered Species Trailer 5

Vampire Rain Gameplay Trailer #2

BiA Hell’s Highway Making of #1: Operation

Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway Making of #2: Roll Call

Madden NFL 09 Backtrack Video

Madden NFL 09 Rewind Video

Madden NFL 09 Virtual Trainer Video

PS3 Themes

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty

inFamous

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty Wallpaper

Motorstorm Pacific Rift Leipzig Wallpaper

TNA iMPACT! Wrestling Wallpaper

PLAYSTATION Store for PC

Downloadable Games

* Jeanne D’Arc ($22.99) (also downloadable via PS3)

Game Videos

* Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty Launch Trailer
* Jeanne D’Arc trailer
* Yggdra Union official trailer

PSP Wallpaper

* Hot Shots Golf Open Tee 2 Wallpaper
* Yggdra Union Wallpaper

PAL PlayStation Store Update: Bionic Commando Unarmed

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:30:00 MDT

Just in case you missed the news earlier, Europe, there's no Bionic Commando Rearmed for you today. Well, there isn't on PS3. There is on 360 and PC, but you, you're left with the PS1 version of Driver. Which as far as consolation prizes isn't too bad! It could have been a worse PS1 game. Or, you know. You could have got the usual deal, and got no games.

PS3 store

Game
Sheep (PS1 Classic)
Driver (PS1 Classic)

Demo
Facebreaker
Monster Madness
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09

Packs
Nascar 09 - Car Skin Pack 1
Nascar 09 - Car Skin Pack 2
Nascar 09 - Car Skin Pack 3
Nascar 09 - Montreal

Videos
E3 - In conversation with Shuhei Yoshida
Fatal Inertia Ex Trailer 1

PC store

Game
Sheep (PS one Classic)
Driver (PS one Classic)

Videos
Buzz!™: Master Quiz Trailer

In Game

Nucleus Updated Full Game file
Nucleus Updated In-game upgrade file

PSN store update! [Three Speech]

PlayStation Store Update: Rearmed

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:40:15 MDT

This week's North American PlayStation Store update is led (and dominated) by Bionic Commando: Rearmed. The high-def remake of the NES classic is now available for PlayStation 3 owners, bringing with it a demo, gameplay trailers, wallpapers and themes. The Store also got a kick in the pants in the game video section, with new (aka "new") trailers for Madden, Mirror's Edge and, unfortunately, Vampire Rain. For the full list, hit the jump. Or attach your bionic arm to the nearest hyperlink and swing past it.

Games and Demos
Bionic Commando Rearmed ($9.99)
Street Fighter Alpha ($5.99)
Bionic Commando: Rearmed demo
1942: Joint Strike demo
NHL 2K9 demo
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2009 demo

Expansions and Add-ons
Rock Band downloadable tracks
* “Constant Motion" by Dream Theater ($0.99)
* “Aesthetics of Hate" by Machine Head ($0.99)
* “My Curse" by Killswitch Engage ($0.99)
* “Clouds Over California" by DevilDriver ($0.99)
* “Runnin’ Wild" by Airbourne ($0.99)
* “Sleepwalker" by Megadeth ($0.99)

Roadrunner Records Pack 1 ($5.99) - includes “Runnin’ Wild" by Airbourne, “Clouds Over California" by DevilDriver, “Constant Motion" by Dream Theater, “My Curse” -Killswitch Engage, “Aesthetics of Hate" by Machine Head , and “Sleepwalker" by Megadeth.

Game Videos
The Last Guy "Gameplay" trailer
Bionic Commando: Rearmed: The Making Of Part 3
Bionic Commando: Rearmed Launch trailer
Saints Row 2 – Gangs trailer
Vampire Rain Gameplay trailer 1
Vampire Rain Running Alley trailer
Legendary Behind the Scenes Teaser trailer
Madden NFL 09 Buzz Video
Madden NFL 09 Announcers Video
Madden NFL 09 Presentation Video
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 : Fusion
Mirror’s Edge Story trailer 1
AST Dew Tour - Cleveland FMX Jam Session
AST Dew Tour - Cleveland Skate Thrills
AST Dew Tour - Cleveland BMX Highlights
AST Dew Tour - Hear it from Nyquist

Wallpapers and Themes
Bioshock theme
Bionic Commando: Rearmed themes
Bionic Commando: Rearmed wallpapers

PAL PlayStation Store Update: Squat. SQUAT!

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:30:00 MDT

Well would you get a load of this. A PAL PlayStation Store update with nothing in it? Incredible. Insulting. Disappointing. Predictable. Take your pick of any of those. There are five items available today, Europe. Five. And that's across both stores, PS3 and PSP. Surely this is the lowest moment yet for a weekly ritual that prides itself on low moments.

PS3 store

Guitar Hero III: Interscope Track Pack

Civilization Revolution - Wonders & Artefact Pack #1: The Mythic

Dead Space - Loved Ones Trailer

PSP Store

Secret Agent Clank Demo

Secret Agent Clank Trailer

Don't download it all at once, Europe, or you'll have nothing left to do until...Saturday.

PlayStation Store Update: Loot The Qore

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:40:21 MDT

This week's PlayStation Store update brings with it one of the many ways to get access to the Resistance 2 beta program. If you're a Qore annual subscriber, you're in. If you're a non-committal single issue buyer type, you're in (later). If none of that interests you, there's still a whopping amount of stuff in this week's North American PSN update, with a trio of Talkman Travel downloads for the PSP, a bunch of extra things to buy for NASCAR 09, as well as some nice Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice wallpaper. The full list is after the jump.

Qore Episode 3 ($2.99 Issue, $24.99 Annual Subscription)

Games and Demos
Talkman Travel: Rome ($5.99) for PSP
Talkman Travel: Tokyo ($5.99) for PSP
Talkman Travel: Paris ($5.99) for PSP

Expansions and Add-ons
Snakeball Team Mode ($1.99)
NASCAR 09 Montreal Track ($3.99)
NASCAR 09 Skin Pack 1 ($2.49)
NASCAR 09 Skin Pack 2 ($2.49)
NASCAR 09 Skin Pack 3 ($2.49)
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock "Interscope Track Pack" ($6.25)
Rock Band tracks
* “Toxicity” by System of a Down ($1.99)
* “B.Y.O.B” by System of a Down ($1.99)
* Crüe Fest Pack 2 ($2.99) - includes “Rescue Me” by Buckcherry, “Face Down in the Dirt” by Mötley Crüe, and “Life is Beautiful” by Sixx:A.M.
* “Rescue Me” by Buckcherry ($0.99)
* “Face Down in the Dirt” by Mötley Crüe ($0.99)
* “Life is Beautiful” by Sixx:A.M. ($0.99)

Game Videos
PlayStation Home "E3" Video
The Last Guy "Behind The Scenes"
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed trailer
Tomb Raider: Underworld trailer
Madden NFL 09 "E3" trailer
Madden NFL 20th Anniversary video
Madden NFL 09 "Adaptability" trailer
TNA iMPACT! "Head to Head" trailer
Dead Space "Dev Diary #5: Creating Horror"
Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #4
AST Dew Tour - Greg Lutzka’s Road to Finals
AST Dew Tour - One on one with James Foster
AST Dew Tour - PlayStation Pro Moments - 2
AST Dew Tour - Spinner looks to ‘08

Themes and Wallpapers
PlayStation Home theme
Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice wallpapers
Tomb Raider: Underworld wallpaper

PlayStation Store Update Eden

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:40:11 MDT

PixelJunk Eden is here! PixelJunk Eden is here! Get yer PixelJunk Eden here! Do as I do, start downloading Q Games newest entry in the PixelJunk series immediately, as it's now available on North American PlayStation Stores everywhere. Rounding out the playables are three new demos from EA and LucasArts. You can also enjoy paying for Soulcalibur III add-ons for your Soulcalibur IV characters! Click through for the full list of PSN newbies.

Games and Demos
PixelJunk Eden ($9.99)
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures demo
Madden NFL 09 demo
Facebreaker demo

Expansions and Add-ons
Soul Calibur IV: Customization Equipment 1 ($1.49)
Rock Band tracks
* “Yomp” - thenewno2 ($0.99)
* “This is It” - Staind ($1.99)
* “They Say” - Scars on Broadway ($1.99)
* “Electric Crown” - Testament ($1.99)

Game Videos
The Last Guy trailer
Vampire Rain: Altered Species trailer
Beijing 2008 Aquatics trailer
Beijing 2008 Track trailer
Bionic Commando Rearmed "The Making Of Part 2" video
AST Dew Tour BMX Progression video
AST Dew Tour BMX Rewind video
AST Dew Tour FMX Unleashed video
AST Dew Tour Skate Highlights video

Game Music
Soulcalibur IV: Downloadable Music ($0.99 each, $14.99 for the full set)

Wallpapers and Themes
Killzone 2 theme
PixelJunk Eden theme
Siren: Blood Curse wallpapers
Soulcalibur IV wallpapers
Street Fighter IV wallpaper

Digital Distribution Nets EA $90 Million In Q1

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:00:14 MDT

Electronics Arts pulled in a cool $90 million in its first quarter, strictly from the digital distribution business. While the company saw a net loss of $95 million, as previously reported, bypassing retail channels to the tune of close to a hundred million must warm the cockles of John Riccitiello's heart, while sending waves of nausea through the guts of brick and mortar game shop types.

EA execs didn't break down the details on which distribution methods did how much, but with the company shilling via its online EA Store, as well as the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace, is has ample opportunities.

What we'd really like to know is exactly how much of that is downloadable Rock Band content versus paid-for unlockables in games like Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf and Need For Speed: Pro Street. Excel documents with that information forwarded to tips@ will be treated with the utmost discretion.

PlayStation Store Update: Siren And Summer Sales

Mike Fahey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:20:00 MDT

The PlayStation store has updated today, bringing with it the survival horror creepiness of Siren: Blood Curse, as well as bargains as far as the eye can see! The big news is of course Siren, a Blu-ray-sized game cut up into bite-sized chunks for easy consumption. There are twelve chapters of the game in all, sold in sets of four for $14.99, or in one big, money-saving $39.00 package. Siren is joined by Capcom's 1942: Joint Strike, priced at a more modest $9.99.

In addition to the new games, some older titles are going on sale. For one week only, purchase PAIN, PixelJunk Monsters, High Velocity Bowling, High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition, or Rocketmen: Axis of Evil for only $4.99.

Topping it all off is a PixelJunk Eden demo, Guitar Hero and Rock Band DLC, and a fine assortment of themes, videos, and wallpapers, including entries in each category for Capcom's Street Fighter IV. Definitely a good week to own a PS3!

PlayStation Store Update [Official PlayStation Blog]

PlayStation Store Update: Hanuda Village Summer Party Games

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:30:00 MDT

North Americans, your pre-E3 weekend has just been taken care of, courtesy of the PlayStation Network, because with four demos hitting the service you should be plenty occupied between now and when E3 kicks off next week. Best of the lot? Probably the one for Siren: Blood Curse. Also available are trailers for SOCOM and Civilization Revolution, but really, you should just start at the Siren trailer and work down from there.

Add-on Game Content

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 - Gift Pack DLC (free)
As a thank you gift to our community, the team behind Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 brings you brand new Multiplayer content. This free map pack contains three maps to enhance your multiplayer experience: Calypso Casino, Murdertown – Dark and CQB Training – Dark. Experience your favorite game modes in a whole new way.
File size: 348 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

* “Working Man (Vault Edition)” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Closer to the Heart” - Rush ($1.99)
* “Snow (Hey Oh)” - Red Hot Chili Peppers ($1.99)
* “Tell Me Baby” - Red Hot Chili Peppers ($1.99)

File sizes: 16.2 MB - 45.2 MB
Game Demos (free)

Siren: Blood Curse Demo
Enter the world of Siren: Blood Curse with this exciting demo. An American TV crew has arrived in Japan to film an expose on the legend of the “vanished village,” only to find themselves caught in a deadly series of events. Controlling seven different playable characters, the player must uncover the mystery behind the curse that grips the eerie village of Hanuda.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 547 MB

Monster Madness: Grave Danger Demo
Monster Madness: Grave Danger is a next-gen four player, top down shooter, with tongue and cheek horror game fun. FULL Online co-op play, 100 NEW items and weapon upgrades, 25 NEW Challenge Mode mini-games, 18 Adventure Mode campaign levels with co-op play, and 9 Multiplayer Maps with Free For All Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag support for up to 12 players.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 707 MB

WALL-E Demo
Make Space for infinite action, astronomical fun and a mission that’s out of this world in Disney Pixar’s WALL-E the video game.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.02 GB

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Demo
The characters of C.S. Lewis’s timeless fantasy come to life in this newest installment of The Chronicles of Narnia series.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 564 MB
Game Videos (free)

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation - Assault Trailer
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation deploys you online into intense and unpredictable 32-player battles where it’s better to fight as a team than it is to be a hero. Battle teams across the world, earn your Community stripes and become the ultimate Spec Ops squad. Prepare yourself, the legendary squad-based online shooter is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION 3 system.
File size: 54 MB (HD)

Elefunk Official Trailer
Use your construction skills to save elephants from a dangerous fall! In the new puzzle game Elefunk, your elephants must traverse 20 levels of ravines, rivers, fire pits and swamps – and they’ll only get across if you strengthen the structures correctly with metal, wood and rope. It’s real construction with realistic physics and three different game modes: Time Attack, Puzzle, and Deconstruction. Download the trailer and learn more!
File size: 64 MB (HD)

Siren: Blood Curse Story Trailer
Enter the world of Siren: Blood Curse. An American TV crew has arrived in Japan to film an expose on the legend of the “vanished village,” only to find themselves caught in a deadly series of events. Controlling seven different playable characters, the player must uncover the mystery behind the curse that grips the eerie village of Hanuda. Download the latest trailer today and learn more about the gripping story.
File size: 50 MB (HD)

Super Stardust HD Add-on Intro
Super Stardust HD for the PLAYSTATION 3 system is a fully updated version of the classic game Stardust. Your mission is simple: destroy everything in sight! With five highly detailed 3D planets to save, hordes of enemies and asteroids to destroy, and various game play modes, Super Stardust HD presents super intense action. Learn about the exciting new gampelay modes featured in the Solo and Team add-ons in this exciting new trailer!
File size: 52 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - PlayStation Pro Moments
A Compilation of the best tricks that were thrown down in the finals of BMX Vert, BMX Dirt, Skateboard Park, Skateboard Vert, FMX and BMX Park.
File size: 50 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - Behind the Scenes with Spinner
BMX Park competitor Mike Spinner takes us Behind the Scenes in Baltimore, Maryland at the Panasonic Open.
File size: 92 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - Bilko’s Road to Finals
After crashing in the finals last year in Baltimore, Top FMX Competitor Blake “Bilko” Williams had to make it through the Open Qualifiers and Prelims at the first stop of the AST Dew Tour.
File size: 94 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - Burnquist Talks
Skateboard Vert Veteran Bob Burnquist is excited about competing at the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore.
File size: 94 MB (HD)

Civilization Revolution Launch Trailer
When the world is in your hands, how will you rule? Download the launch trailer to Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution.

Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Destructible Cover Gameplay Video
Download destructible cover video now to see how your weapons can damage, dent, scorch and destroy the world around you. Choose your cover wisely.
File size: 9 MB (SD), 32 MB (HD), 45 MB (1080)

Dead Space Dev Diary #1: Greenlight
This is the first video that goes behind the scenes and introduces the audience to the development team responsible for creating Dead Space.
File size: 314 MB (HD)
Movie and Blu-ray Trailers (free)

Quarantine
Television reporter Angela Vidal and her cameraman are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units.
File size: 20 MB (SD), 81 MB (HD), 95 MB (1080)
PLAYSTATION Store for PC

Here is this week’s content release for the PLAYSTATION Store for PC. To download these games to your PSP, navigate to http://store.playstation.com. There, you’ll find descriptions of the content and directions on how to get started. For more on the PLAYSTATION Store for PC, please click here.
Game Videos (free)

* SOCOM Confrontation Trailer

[thanks PlayStation.Blog]

PAL PlayStation Store Update: July 4 Was Just Another Day

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:00:00 MDT

America, your PlayStation Store offering for the week was pretty poor, but you're excused. It's a long weekend, you're out drinking and celebrating and letting off fireworks. But Europe? July 4 means nothing, so you have no excuse. Unless you lot were hanging out for Commando 3 or (the admittedly great) Space Invaders Extreme demo, all you're going to find are the usual assortment of wallpapers you'll never use and trailers you've already seen online. Disappointing, if not predictable.

Game

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, £6.99

Packs

Guitar Hero 3 - July 4th 2008 Holiday Single, FREE

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2:Gift Pack, FREE

Buzz! Australian Culture Quiz, £3.49

Buzz! UK Culture Quiz, £3.49

Buzz Rock Legends, £3.49

Buzz Sci Fi, £3.49

Video

Movement - Movement Ep1 ‘Lets hit the road’, FREE

Movement ep2 ‘Paris Respects to Jim’, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Be with you, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Continue, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Interview, FREE

Movement Pravda Interview, FREE

Movement Pravda ‘Je suis french’, FREE

Movement Pravda ‘Tu es l’Ouest’, FREE

BIA HH Ubidays Trailer, FREE

Haze Launch Trailer, FREE

Wallpapers

Top Spin 3 Wallpaper, FREE

Elefunk Forest Wallpaper, FREE

Elefunk Circus Wallpaper, FREE

Themes

MGS4 OTC Theme, FREE

Elefunk Theme, FREE

Echochrome Theme, FREE

PSP content available to download via PS3 Console store

Demo

Space Invaders Extreme Demo, FREE

PC store

Demo

Space Invaders Extreme Demo, FREE

Video

Movement - Movement Ep1 ‘Lets hit the road’, FREE

Movement ep2 ‘Paris Respects to Jim’, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Be with you, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Continue, FREE

Movement Minitel Rose Interview, FREE

Movement Pravda Interview, FREE

Movement Pravda ‘Je suis french’, FREE

Movement Pravda ‘Tu es l’Ouest’, FREE

Themes

Space Invaders Extreme, FREE

PlayStation Store Update: Bad Company

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:20:29 MDT

If you're in the mood to spend your Independence Day with some Battlefield: Bad Company trailers, this update has your name written all over it. It's also got Top Gun and FREE written all over it, as Guitar Hero III owners get a track for nothin'. Rock Band owners, you get a freebie, too. There's little that's playable this week, but the PlayStation Store is just stuffed with trailers. Pity then that two of them are for the PlayStation 3 port of Vampire Rain. Move along for the full update.

Expansions and Add-Ons

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bonus track - "Top Gun Anthem" (free)

Rock Band add-on tracks

* “Promised Land” by Vesuvius (free)

* “Who’s Going Home with You Tonight?” - Trapt ($0.99)

* “Time Is Running Out” - Papa Roach ($0.99)

* “Down at the Whisky” - Motley Crüe ($0.99)

* Crüe Fest Pack 1 ($2.99) - “Time Is Running Out” by Papa Roach, “Down at the Whisky” by Motley Crüe, and “Who’s Going Home with You Tonight?” by Trapt

Game Videos

Qore Episode 2 ($2.99 Issue, $24.99 Annual Subscription)

Killzone 2 trailer

Valkyria Chronicles teaser trailer

Battlefield: Bad Company "Bad World" trailer

Battlefield: Bad Company "Rainbow Sprinkles" trailer

Battlefield: Bad Company "Snake Eyes" trailer

Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #2

Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #3

Tiger Woods ‘09 "Course" video

Vampire Rain Altered Species trailers

Movie and Television Trailers

Lakeview Terrace

John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

Vantage Point

Persepolis

Wallpapers and Themes

Woodward theme

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution theme

Top Spin 3 Wallpaper

PlayStation Store Update: Gouge Away

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:00:48 MDT

PlayStation 3 owners, your update is ready. It's packed with Pixies and a triple shot of Weezer, a welcome kick in the pants for Rock Band owners. The Guitar Hero III clan hasn't been forgotten, as the World of Warcraft inspired "I Am Murloc" lets you rock gratis. Two sporty demos and video clips for seemingly every first-person shooter under the sun fill up the rest of the update, the full contents of which are after the jump.

Games and Demos
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds demo
Top Spin 3 demo

Expansions and Add-Ons
PAIN Nigel character ($0.99)
Guitar Hero III - "I Am Murloc" by Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain (free)
Rock Band Weezer Pack 1 ($5.49 or $1.99 per song) - “Dreamin’,” “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived,” and “Troublemaker” by Weezer
Rock Band The Pixies "Doolittle" album ($18.99 or $1.99 per song) - “Crackity Jones,” “Dead,” “Debaser,” “Gouge Away,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “Hey,” “I Bleed,” “La La Love You,” “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Mr. Grieves,” “No 13 Baby,” “Silver,” “Tame,” and “There Goes My Gun” by the Pixies

Game Videos
Battlefield: Bad Company "Accolades" TV spot
Battlefield: Bad Company "Preston's Blog" video
Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway trailer
Call of Duty: World at War trailer
The Incredible Hulk trailer
Haze "Launch" trailer
Haze "Song" trailer

Movie and Television Trailers
The House Bunny trailer
So I Married An Axe Murderer Blu-ray trailer
Men In Black Blu-ray trailer

Wallpapers and Themes
PlayStation Network theme
PAIN "Nigel" theme

First Shots Of PS3 Video Download Service, Due In "Summer 2008"

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Sony held a little mid-term corporate strategy meeting today in Japan. On the menu? All kinds of Sony stuff, but of particular interest to us, all kinds of PlayStation-related stuff. First up? These shots of the PS3's upcoming video download service, which formed part of a presentation by Kaz Hirai. As you can see, it's largely identical to the current PlayStation Store interface, though it's nice seeing the whole thing move out of the "will be here sometime" stage and into what's surely the "will be here soon" stage. But how soon?

Part of Sony boss Howard Stringer's presentation touches on the company's "video service rollout strategy", whereby they're looking at getting video download services running on not just the PS3, but the PSP, laptops, phones and beyond. That presentation has, as you can see, the PS3 and PSP tentatively scheduled to see the service in "Summer 2008". Expect more info at E3.

Tokyo, Japan – Sony today presented a series of new initiatives designed to build on its previous three-year revitalization plan and to position the company as the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment. In particular, the company will focus on strengthening core businesses, enhancing network initiatives and leveraging international growth opportunities to build for the future and drive further growth and profits. In addition, Sony announced the following key mid-term goals:

- Expand our PC, Blu-ray DiscTM-related products and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses**,” joining LCD TVs, digital imaging (digital cameras and camcorders), game and mobile phones and raising the total number of “trillion yen businesses” to seven.

- Ensure that 90% of our electronics product categories are network-enabled and
wireless-capable by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 (“FY2010”).

- Roll out video services across key Sony products by FY2010, starting with the summer 2008 launch on the PLAYSTATION®Network.

- Double annual revenue from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries to 2 trillion yen*** by FY2010.

* Three-year period ending March 31, 2011

** Businesses each generating 1 trillion yen or more of annual sales to outside customers, except for Blu-ray Disc
related business which includes intersegment sales

*** Includes Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT as allocated
Sony has identified a 5% operating margin as a baseline of profitability to generate cash to continue to lead and innovate. Furthermore we will target an annual return on equity of 10% by FY2010. Sony is also planning to allocate a total of 1.8 trillion yen to invest in and build key businesses and technologies over the next three years.
Highlights are as follows:

Further Strengthen Our Core Businesses

Sony intends to maintain a leading position in its “trillion yen businesses” (LCD TVs, digital imaging, game and mobile phones) and will focus on expanding its PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products, and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses” by the end of FY2010. At the same time, we expect to improve the operations of our TV business significantly and implement a variety of cost reduction measures to restore that business to profitability in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009*, and strive for the global No. 1 position in LCD TVs by FY2010. This press release was lifted off Kotaku. Of the planned 1.8 trillion yen investment over the next three years, approximately 900 billion yen will be allocated towards strengthening core focus areas within components and semiconductors, such as image sensors, batteries, display devices and Blu-ray Disc-related components. 1/3 Sony is also promoting the concept of “open innovation”, whereby we are looking not only inside the company, but outside for technologies that foster innovation. By combing Sony’s inherent technological strengths with external expertise, we aim to accelerate R&D efficiency and enable the company to effectively respond to rapidly changing customer needs and preferences in the network era.

Through the creation of new user experiences, strengthening core businesses, driving innovation, and minimizing the environmental impact of its operations, Sony will strive to achieve not only sales volume, but also sustainable and profitable growth. In the Game segment, the two key drivers of new growth are non-game content and services in tandem with enhanced network capability. Sony also expects to achieve profitability in this segment in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009*, a significant year-on-year improvement due to hardware cost reductions and an enhanced line-up of software titles for PLAYSTATION®3 (“PS3”). Key Game initiatives are:

1. Expand content and services available on the network platform
2. Continue to expand the PS3 customer base through the strength of Blu-ray Disc
3. Accelerate PS3 sales through upcoming key franchise software titles
4. Continue PS3 cost reduction initiatives
* Forecast as of May 14, 2008

Network Initiatives

Sony will increase network and wireless connectivity across its family of devices and build a service platform to provide a seamless user experience across our key hardware devices and content. We are planning to expand services that will enable our customers to enjoy content such as motion pictures and television programming through the network on a variety of Sony\ products such as BRAVIATM LCD TVs, PS3, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Walkman® video music players.

Sony’s unique position in electronics and entertainment allows us to offer compelling network services. As an example of our potential, this November, Sony Pictures Entertainment will offer one of the most highly anticipated films of the summer, “Hancock”, exclusively to all internet connected BRAVIA LCD TVs in the U.S. before it is available on DVD. This film will be distributed to Sony customers directly to their televisions outside conventional distributors and without the need for any set-top box. This is an industry first.

PSN Down For Maintenance Tomorrow

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:20:00 MDT

Planning on a spot of Warhawk with your Warhawk-based pals tomorrow? Might want to hang with your pen pals instead, because Sony has announced that the PlayStation Network will be down for around six hours tomorrow for "scheduled maintenance". It'll be taken down at 8am tommorrow (June 24), Pacific Time, and will hopefully be back by 2pm, during which time you won't be able to play games online or access the PlayStation Store. We're not even going to bother telling you not to expect 2.40 to hit (since when does a firmware update need the whole network taken down?), because we know you'll ignore us and start expecting it anyways.

Scheduled PLAYSTATION®Network Maintenance [PlayStation.com, thanks Justin!]

Europe Gets MGS Database On Thursday - Just ...

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:45:00 MDT

Europe Gets MGS Database On Thursday - Just a quick update to this item from last week; Konami Europe have announced that the Metal Gear database - already available on the North American and Japanese PlayStation Stores - will be ready for download in Europe on June 26. That's this Thursday.

PSN Cards FINALLY Hitting Stores

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:30:00 MDT

No announcement accompanying this, so I guess Sony are looking at soft-launching the things, but reader Terry sent us these pics of some PlayStation Network pre-paid cards available right now at his local Meijer store. Both $20 and $50 denominations are available, and Terry lets us know that (like the card says), unlike those for, say, the Wii, the PSN cards are only activated once they've been run through the register. Another shot of the cards (in the wild) after the jump.

PlayStation Store Update: A Fairly Solid Database Of Content

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:20:00 MDT

Bring buckets. And duffel bags. And donkeys. There's a mountain of content on the North American PlayStation Store today, and the quicker you can cart it all off and start sampling it, the better off you'll be. What constitutes a mountain of content? 1 game, 5 pieces of DLC, 4 demos, 7 trailers, a theme and even an mp3 file. And that's just the PS3 stuff. The PSP a game and a demo as well. Hope you finished MGS4 and have some time on your hands.

Downloadable Games

Fatal Inertia EX ($29.99)

Add-on Game Content

Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds Oceania Course ($4.99)

Metal Gear Solid 4 Database (free)

The Incredible Hulk Downloadable Content (free)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Coldplay Track Pack ($6.25)

Rock Band

* “Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream” - Crooked X ($0.99)
* “Afterlife” - Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99)
* “Critical Acclaim” - Avenged Sevenfold ($1.99)
* “Hammerhead” - The Offspring ($1.99)

Game Demos (free)

Fatal Inertia EX Trial
File size: 542 MB

NCAA Football 09 Demo
File size: 1.50 GB

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 Demo
File size: 112 MB

Hail to the Chimp Demo
File size: 374 MB

Game Videos (free)

Linger in Shadows Trailer
File size: 68 MB (HD)

PAIN: Character Intro Trailer
File size: 23 MB (SD), 83 MB (HD), 110 MB (1080)

Fatal Inertia EX Titan Trailer
File size: 178 MB (HD)

Golden Axe: Beast Rider Teaser Trailer
File size: 12 MB (SD), 44 MB (HD), 58 MB (1080)

Prince of Persia Debut Trailer
File size: 12 MB (SD), 45 MB (HD), 75 MB (1080)

Hail to the Chimp ‘Campaign Trail Madness’ Trailer
File size: 73 MB (HD)

Movie and Blu-ray Trailers (free)

Step Brothers (x2)
File size: 30-31 MB (SD), 110-114 MB (HD), 151-176 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes (free)

AST Dew Tour Theme

Game Music (free)

PAIN Theme Song

PLAYSTATION Store for PC

* Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure ($14.99) (also downloadable via PS3)

Game Demos (free)

* Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror (also downloadable via PS3)

Game Videos (free)

* Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror behind the scenes
* Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror full trailer

PSP Themes (free)

* AST Dew Tour Theme

Metal Gear Solid 4 Interactive Database Coming To PlayStation Store Tomorrow

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:00:08 MDT

Finding yourself flummoxed by all that Metal Gear history being bandied about in Metal Gear Solid 4's extremely wordy cut scenes? Konami and the PlayStation Store are coming to your aid, launching the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database tomorrow, a "free, downloadable interactive application that contains the official knowledge base of everything that is Metal Gear." It's sure to come in handy if you're a new recruit to the series.

What's included? Complete storylines, character profiles, relationship diagrams(!), plus "much more." The best part? Spoiler protection, as sensitive information that might ruin your MGS4 experience is "blacked out" until you've completed the game.

We'll have to check with the official Kotaku excitement tracker, but we don't remember being this enthusiastic about a database ever.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Database on the way! [PlayStation.blog]

PSP, WiiWare, XB Originals Masking The Cracks In Online Offerings?

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:30:00 MDT

That's the impression I'm getting from these graphs, showing how many titles were offered for sale/download on each of the platform holder's online services since launch. While the numbers obviously fluctuate from month-to-month on all three - Xbox Live, the PlayStation Store and the Wii Shop Channel - general trends still present themselves. Like the fact all three hit a peak in late 2007 before dropping off in the first half of 2008, with the number of XBL Arcade, PSN and Virtual Console games going through the floor. Lucky for Xbox Originals, WiiWare and PSP downloads then!

The effect is greater for some than others. The number of XBLA games, for example, may be down from Sep/Oct 2007 onwards, but they're still at a fairly healthy figure. Downloadable PS3 games look a little worse, culminating in not a single new game being released for the PSN in May, but then, their numbers were never that high to begin with. Which leaves the Wii as the worst hit, as the number of Virtual Console games has gone from an average of 12-14 per month in 2007 to only 6-8 in 2008.

Sure, the introduction of Xbox Originals and PSP downloads in November helped the 360 and PS3, and as you can see, the launch of WiiWare did the same for the total numbers of games available on Wii, but isn't that just plastering over the cracks? Where are the Virtual Console games? Where are the PSN games? Shouldn't these new offerings be adding to the old ones, instead of augmenting/replacing them?

Three Services, Three Stores: Analyzing XBLA, PSN and Wii Shop Channel [Gamasutra]

PlayStation Store Update Raises Prices On PSP Downloadables

Leigh Alexander — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:20:00 MDT

Gamasutra has noticed a change in some of the PlayStation Store prices on downloadable PSP titles, mostly "premium" games being republished on the store.

One title, Gangs of London, saw its price rise by 11 dollars to $29.99. Kingdom of Paradise and Ape Escape: On the Loose saw six-dollar jumps, while Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, WipeOut Pure and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo saw their prices go up by $5.

Twisted Metal: Head-On PSP and LocoRoco saw only a dollar increase. Many other titles, including FlOw and Echochrome remained the same, while The Con actually saw a $10 reduction.

Gamasutra's full list of changes follows the jump:

Prices up:
Gangs of London $11.99 up to $22.99 (+$11)
Kingdom of Paradise $10.99 to $16.99 (+$6)
Ape Escape: On the Loose $9.99 to $15.99 (+$6)
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee $10.99 to $15.99 (+$5)
WipeOut Pure $10.99 up to $15.99 (+$5)
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo $10.99 to $15.99 (+$5)
Twisted Metal: Head-On PSP $14.99 to $15.99 (+$1)
LocoRoco $21.99 to $22.99 (+$1)

Prices same:
Syphon Filter: Combat Ops stayed same at $9.99
Beats stayed same at $4.99
Ape Quest Bundle stayed same at $19.99
Go! Puzzle stayed same at $5.99
The Cryptics (digital comic) stayed same at $2.99
flOw stayed same at $7.99
echochrome stayed same at $9.99
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 stayed same at $15.99

Prices dropped:
The Con $19.99 dropped to $9.99 (-$10 )

Sony Raises PSP Downloadable Prices On PlayStation Store [Gamasutra]

PAL PlayStation Store Update

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:00:00 MDT

If you're coming here expecting me to blow sunshine up your arse about the improving state of the European PlayStation Store, get out of here. You've got it all wrong. Being a PAL update, we deal in misery and despair here, not things like "hope" for some "brighter future". Makes it easier to click through and see an update with only seven items. Especially when two are wallpapers/themes, and two are interviews with Korn.

Demos

* Enemy Territory Quake Wars
* Monster Madness: Grave Danger

Packs

* Guitar Hero - Isle of Wight Track Pack (£3.99)

Video

* Haze Korn Interview #1
* Haze Korn Interview #2

Wallpapers

* PixelJunk Monsters Bee Wallpaper

Themes

* PixelJunk Monsters Rainbow Theme

Euro PSN update, June 12 [VG247]

PlayStation Store Update: You Should Be Playing Metal Gear Anyway Edition

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:20:37 MDT

After last week's tardy PlayStation Store blow-out, it would be hard to go anywhere but down in the content department. At least there's a sweet Metal Gear Solid 4 theme! If you a craving a bit more action, perhaps the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars demo will suffice. Hit the jump for the full list, with requisite Guitar Hero III and Rock Band music downloads rounding out a light-on-anything-but-trailers week.

Games and Demos
Syphon Filter 3 ($5.99)
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars demo

Expansions and Add-Ons
Guitar Hero III "Isle of Wight Festival" Track Pack ($6.25) - “Shoot the Runner” by Kasabian, “Problems (Live at Brixton)” by The Sex Pistols and “I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs
Army of Two: Veteran Map Pack (free)
Rock Band add-on tracks ($1.99 each) - "Girls Who Play Guitars" by Maximo Park, “Moving to Seattle” by The Material, “A Clean Shot” by The Myriad, and “Bullets & Guns” by Them Terribles.
Rock Band "MTV2 Pack" ($5.49) - “Moving to Seattle” by The Material, “A Clean Shot” by The Myriad, and “Bullets & Guns” by Them Terribles.

Game Videos
GameTrailers TV - Resistance 2 teaser
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots “Theatrical” trailer
Kung Fu Panda Launch trailer
Fatal Inertia EX Phoenix trailer
FIFA Interactive World Cup 2008 trailer
Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution Leader’s Quotes trailer
Hail to the Chimp: Inshellitron trailer

Movie and Television Trailers
Hancock trailer

Wallpapers and Themes
PixelJunk Monsters wallpaper
Metal Gear Solid 4 theme

PLAYSTATION Store DOJO!! Update Running Late

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 MDT

Today's PLAYSTATION Store Update is running late. It's slated to bring a couple potentially good demos, plus a free Guitar Hero III tune from God of War II — not to mention Sony's launching online digital magaziney thingy Qore. Since it hasn't gone live yet (perhaps because of the Qore launch?), people are FREAKING OUT and GOING BANANAS. Over on the Sony site, PLAYSTATION Store Senior Manager Grace Chen blogs:

Hey, everyone. We know you’re waiting for today’s PLAYSTATION Store weekly update, but it’s not quite ready. We will inform you right here when the Store update goes live. In the meantime, please take a look at what will be heading your way this week...

Deep breaths everyone, deep breaths.

PS Store Update [PlayStation.Blog Thanks everyone who sent this in!]

PlayStation Store Update: Games! Games!

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:00:00 MDT

Alright, no complaining. We don't wanna hear it. You're getting two brand new downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 this week, plus three potentially good demos, plus a free Guitar Hero III tune from God of War II. Sure, this week's Rock Band tracks may make you wish you could download a half-dozen MP3s of fingernails scraping across chalkboard, but some solid new game trailers should help wash away that Margaritaville film. Oh, I suppose you could also question why you'd want to pay three bucks a month for Qore, but it wouldn't do you any good.

Hit the jump for the full list of new additions to the North American PlayStation Store.

Games and Demos

Qore Digital Magazine ($2.99 per issue or $24.99 per year)
Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 ($9.99)
Novastrike ($9.99)
Civilization Revolution demo
Battlefield: Bad Company Multi-player demo
NASCAR 09 demo

Add-ons and Expansions

Guitar Hero III - “The End Begins (to Rock)” from God of War II (free)
Guitar Hero III: Motorhead Track Pack ($6.25) - “Stay Clean”, “(We Are) The Road Crew” and “Motorhead” by Motorhead
Rock Band tracks
* “Perfect Insanity” - Disturbed ($0.99)
* “Inside the Fire” - Disturbed ($0.99)
* “Indestructible” - Disturbed ($0.99)
* “Volcano” - Jimmy Buffett ($1.99)
* “Margaritaville” - Jimmy Buffett ($1.99)
* “Cheeseburger in Paradise” - Jimmy Buffett ($1.99)
Rock Band Jimmy Buffett Pack ($5.49) - “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “Volcano” by Jimmy Buffett
Rock Band Disturbed Pack ($2.99) - “Indestructible,” “Perfect Insanity,” and “Inside the Fire” by Disturbed

Game Videos

Guitar Hero III - God Of War II music video
Resident Evil 5 "Spring" trailer
Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 trailer
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures trailer
Dead Space "Story" trailer
Fracture trailer
Fracture "Behind the Scenes Story” video
Hail to the Chimp: "3:00 AM" trailer

Wallpapers and Themes

Retro theme

PAL PlayStation Store Update

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:30:00 MDT

The PAL PlayStation Store update's got more meat on its bone this week. While its lacking in videos, trailers and demos, it does manage three full games, which is nice. One of them, OK, it's very, very late. Almost a year late. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. The others are the original Rayman along with MediEvil: Resurrection, given a third lease of life as a downloadable title.

Games and Demos
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Rayman
MediEvil: Resurrection

Expansions And Add-Ons
Army of Two: Veteran

Game Videos
Metal Gear Solid 4: E3 2006 Trailer
Overlord Raising Hell
Super Stardust HD

Themes and Wallpapers
Prince of Persia Prodigy Arabesque Wallpaper
Prince of Persia Prodigy New Prince Wallpaper
PixelJunk Monsters Wallpaper

PlayStation Store Update: You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:20:00 MDT

Last week's dry spell runs right on into this week, because unless you own Rock Band and are a big Cars fan, you'll find nothing playable whatsoever. What you will find are seven videos (including the first Dead Space animated comic), two movie trailers - including No Country For Old Men - and...a couple of Prince of Persia wallpapers, which have the game labelled as "Prince of Persia Prodigy".

Games and Demos
- -

Expansions And Add-Ons
Rock Band tracks ($1.99 each)
* “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” - The Cars
* “My Best Friend’s Girl” - The Cars
* “Moving in Stereo” - The Cars
* “Just What I Needed” - The Cars
* “I’m in Touch with Your World” - The Cars
* “Good Times Roll” - The Cars
* “Don’t Cha Stop” - The Cars
* “Bye Bye Love” - The Cars
* “All Mixed up” - The Cars

Rock Band album ($14.99)
* “The Cars” Album - “All Mixed Up,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Don’t Cha Stop,” “Good Times Roll,” “I’m in Touch with Your World,” “Just What I Needed,” “Moving in Stereo,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” by The Cars.

Rock Band sale ($0.99 each)
* “Gimme Three Steps” - Lyrnyrd Skynyrd
* “Dirty Little Secret” - All-American Rejects

Game Videos
Top Spin 3 Debut Trailer
Battlefield: Bad Company Dev Diary - Characters
Battlefield: Bad Company Sweetwater’s Blog
Dead Space Animated Comic Issue #1
Project Origin Teaser Trailer
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars Projectile Dysfunction
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars Human Juicer Video

Movie and Television Trailers
Enchanted
No Country for Old Men

Themes and Wallpapers
Prince of Persia Prodigy Arabesque Wallpaper
Prince of Persia Prodigy New Prince Wallpaper

PAL PlayStation Store Update

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Europe, Australia, let us see what's new in the PlayStation Store for today. Two demos is a nice improvement, even if one of them is Iron Man, while the rest of the update seems content to dump on you a ton of video content from the recent PlayStation Day event held in London. There's also some PSP demos (Everybody's Golf 2) and an Indiana Jones movie trailer.

PS3: Playable Game Demos
* Iron Man (946 MB)
* The Bourne Conspiracy (1654 MB)

PS3: Game Expansions

* High Stakes Poker - Video Chat Add-On

PS3: Game Videos

* Korn - Haze
* High Stakes Poker

PS3: PlayStation Day Videos

* Introduction by Kaz Hirai (629 MB)
* Play has no limitations (284 MB)
* Play is hiding and waiting (979 MB)
* Play is full throttle (293 MB)
* Play is a thousand stories (485 MB)
* Play brings us together (191 MB)
* Play is moving lips, hips (136 MB)
* Play is unexplored (132 MB)
* Summary: Play (102 MB)
* Compilation Trailer (138 MB)

PS3: Movie Trailers

* Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

PS3: Themes and Wallpapers

* Echochrome - wallpaper
* PixelJunk Monsters - theme & wallpaper

PSP: Playable Game Demos

* Everybody's Golf 2 Beginner Demo (30 MB)
* Everybody's Golf 2 Intermediate Demo (30 MB)
* Ultimate Board Game Collection (22 MB)

PSP: Game Expansions

* Go! Explore Map Packs: each are £14.99: Western Europe, UK & Ireland, Spain & Portugal, Scandinavia, Italy, France, Benelux

Euro PSN update, May 22 [VG247]

PlayStation Store Update: We Already Miss DBZ

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:40:23 MDT

Egads! This week's North American PlayStation Store update is a bit on the lighter side, with nothing in the way of new and playable on the PlayStation 3 side, with only a few PSP titles making their way to downloadable format. Those PSP releases would be The Con, now a digitally distributed title, and demos for Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2. There's the standard Rock Band track update, which is all Euro, all the time, one game soundtrack, four new themes and a handful of new trailers. We highly recommend the trailer for the Blu-ray release of Untraceable for its unintentional humor. "He hacked my car's computer?!" gets me every time. Full list after the jump.

Games and Demos
The Con for PSP ($19.99)
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 Beginner demo for PSP
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 Intermediate demo for PSP

Expansions and Add-Ons
Rock Band tracks ($1.99 each)
* “Beetlebum” - Blur
* “Countdown to Insanity” - H-BlockX
* “Hier Kommt Alex” - Die Toten Hosen
* “Hysteria” - Muse
* “Manu Chao” - Les Wampas
* “Monsoon” - Tokio Hotel
* “New Wave” - Pleymo
* “Perfekte Welle” - Juli
* “Rock ‘N’ Roll Star” - Oasis

Game Videos
Siren: Blood Curse "Debut" trailer
GRID "CGI" trailer
Battlefield: Bad Company "Find All Five – Recon Kit"
Battlefield: Bad Company "Find All Five – Support Kit"
Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway "Wasn’t Supposed to Happen"
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian trailer
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars "Launch" trailer
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars "Team Play Behind the Scenes" video

Game Music
PixelJunk Monsters Soundtrack ($2.99)

Movie and Television Trailers
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Untraceable
First Sunday

Themes and Wallpapers
"Graffiti" theme
High Velocity Bowling themes

PAL PlayStation Store Update

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:40:00 MDT

Hold onto your bowler hats/berets/lederhosen/akubras, PAL PS3 owners, because this week, the PlayStation Store update brings content. And not just any content, but games. Sure, one of them's Dark Mist, but the other one is the original Red Alert! Which now that I say it out loud is probably quite terrible, but nostalgia should get you through at least 10-15 minutes with it. As for the rest of the updates, there's an Overlord demo and themes. So, so many themes.

Demos

Overlord

Games

Command & Conquer Red Alert
Dark Mist

DLC

Pixel Junk Encore Pack
Everybody's Golf World Tour (Gloria Pack)
Everybody's Golf World Tour (Alex Pack)

Videos

Dark Sector Launch Trailer
Haze
Welcome to Paradise City
Burnout Paradise Accolade
Brothers In Arms Hell's Highway

Wallpapers

Overlord Wallpaper (there's five of them)

Themes

Warhawk Eucadian
Warhawk Operation Broken Mirror
Eye Of Judgment Spellbound
Eye Of Judgment Citadel
Pain: The Dude
Pain: ED T Bone
Pain: Jarvis
Pain: Ice T
Pain: Cookie
Pain: Ginger
Pain Muffy
Pain Hung Lo
Pain Santa
Pain Scurv Dogg
Pain Cookie
Overlord

Games (PSP Store)

Command & Conquer Red Alert
WipEout Pure PLA

PlayStation Store Update: DBZZZZ...

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:00:00 MDT

Anime fans? This one's for you! The PlayStation Store update kicks off with the PlayStation 3 version of Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, giving fans of convoluted cheeseball fighting dramas something to kill the time before the full game is released in June. The cel shading doesn't stop there, as a trailer for Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm keeps the anime-inspired fighting fun going. A pair of demos for the PS3 and PSP round out the playables, with new content for Rock Band, Hot Shots Golf Out of Bounds and Rocketmen keeping those titles fresh. There's new echochrome content, too, but that will be delivered in-game. The full list, and potential Dragon Ball Z discussion, is after the jump! Yay!

Games and Demos
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit demo
Overlord Raising Hell demo
Secret Agent Clank demo (for PSP)

Expansions and Add-Ons
Rock Band tracks ($1.99 each) - "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth, "Train In Vain" by The Clash and "Hanging on the Telephone" by Blondie
Hot Shots Golf Out of Bounds characters ($0.99 each)
* Gloria - Expert Skill Level
* Alex - Intermediate Skill Level
Rocketmen: It Came From Uranus! expansion ($4.95)
Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore songs ($1.49 each) - There are 21 of them!

Game Videos
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Storm trailer
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe "Gamer's Day" trailer

Movie and Television Trailers
Pineapple Express trailer
Saawariya trailer

Wallpapers and Themes
Haze theme
Overlord Raising Hell theme
Overlord Raising Hell wallpaper
echochrome themes (for PSP and PS3)