Damien McFerran

Damien McFerran

Editorial Director

Author Profile

Damien has been writing professionally about tech and video games since 2007 and oversees all of Hookshot Media's sites from an editorial perspective. He's also the editor of Time Extension, the network's newest site, which – paradoxically – is all about gaming's past glories.

Damien began his professional journalistic career with Retro Gamer magazine and has since written for Pocket Gamer, Eurogamer, CNET, Red Bull Gaming, SFX Magazine and many other clients within the tech and video game industries.

Username
Damo
Articles
131 (15 reviews)
First Article
Thu 2nd, September 2010
Avg. Review Score
7.9
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  • Grasshopper Manufacture Announces Lily Bergamo For PlayStation 4

    6

    News Grasshopper Manufacture Announces Lily Bergamo For PlayStation 4

    Complete with a sexy female ninja, of course

    Grasshopper Manufacture — the company behind No More Heroes and the recent Killer is Dead — has confirmed that its next title is PS4 exclusive Lily Bergamo. Announced during the recent Sony Computer Entertainment press conference in Japan, the game appears to be anime-inspired and stars a female...

  • You'll Be Busting Bugs On Your PS4 Thanks To Earth Defense Force

    12

    News You'll Be Busting Bugs On Your PS4 Thanks To Earth Defense Force

    New title in the cult series confirmed for Sony's upcoming console

    It has been confirmed that a new entry in the popular Earth Defense Force series is in development for the PS4. D3 is publishing the game, but the developer has yet to be confirmed. Japanese studio Sandlot has been synonymous with previous titles in the franchise, but the last...

  • Sega Goes Back In Time With PS4 Launch Title Yakuza Ishin

    4

    News Sega Goes Back In Time With PS4 Launch Title Yakuza Ishin

    Also coming to PS3 and Vita

    Sega's Yakuza series is insanely popular in Japan, and it's getting a spin-off title in the form of Yakuza Ishin — which will be a PS4 launch title in its home territory. Set in Japan's bloody feudal past, the game showcases the same action we've come to know and love from the series — albeit with swords instead of...

  • Intriguing Indie Title Pavilion Is Exclusive To PS4 And PS Vita In 2014

    1

    News Intriguing Indie Title Pavilion Is Exclusive To PS4 And PS Vita In 2014

    A "surreal dream-like experience", say its developers

    Amid the chaos that was Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's press conference yesterday it was announced that the company is bringing Visiontrick Media's indie title Pavilion to the PS4 and PS Vita early next year. Described by its developers as "fourth-person exploratory experience" about...

  • Assassin's Creed Liberation HD Is Stalking Towards The PS3

    15

    News Assassin's Creed Liberation HD Is Stalking Towards The PS3

    Vita game gets updated for the home

    Ubisoft has confirmed the existence of Assassin's Creed Liberation HD, a home console version of the PS Vita title Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. As well as getting a resolution boost, the game will benefit from improved facial animation, improved AI, better audio and 15 additional missions. However, some of...

  • Sega's Phantasy Star Nova Is Exclusive To PS Vita

    9

    News Sega's Phantasy Star Nova Is Exclusive To PS Vita

    tri-Ace handling development duties, 2014 release expected

    Sega has confirmed that the next entry in its popular Phantasy Star series is coming to the PS Vita. Phantasy Star Nova — which is being coded by tri-Ace — will take place in the same universe as Phantasy Star Online 2. However, despite being able to go online with up to three friends,...

  • Surprise! Capcom's Dark Fantasy Deep Down Actually Takes Place In New York, 2094

    13

    News Surprise! Capcom's Dark Fantasy Deep Down Actually Takes Place In New York, 2094

    A sci-fi setting with procedural dungeons

    Remember Deep Down, the impressive PS4 action title unveiled by Capcom not so long ago? Well, it would appear the game isn't all that it seems, as a new trailer released at this morning's Sony Computer Entertainment Japan press conference attests. Despite the medieval aesthetic, the game is actually set in...

  • Soul Sacrifice Delta Coming To PS Vita In 2014

    7

    News Soul Sacrifice Delta Coming To PS Vita In 2014

    Keiji Inafune also hints at full-blown sequel in 2015

    PS Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice is getting a revised version in the shape of Soul Sacrifice Delta, the existence of which was confirmed by creator Keiji Inafune during Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's press conference this morning. The game is expected to hit Japan in March next year. New...

  • Ouch, Japan Isn't Getting PS4 Until February 2014

    19

    News Ouch, Japan Isn't Getting PS4 Until February 2014

    First Sony console not to hit its homeland before anywhere else

    Sony has revealed that the Japanese launch of the PS4 won't take place until February 22nd, 2014 — after the North American and European release. That means Sony's forthcoming system is the first it has produced which hasn't been released in its home territory before anywhere else...

  • Sony Enters the Micro-console Arena With PS Vita TV, The Smallest PlayStation Yet

    59

    News Sony Enters the Micro-console Arena With PS Vita TV, The Smallest PlayStation Yet

    Size of a pack of cards, plays Vita and PSP games on your telly

    The slimmer and lighter PS Vita wasn't the only piece of hardware announced by Sony today — it has also confirmed the release of the PS Vita TV. Measuring 60mm by 100mm, it's a micro-console which plugs into your TV and allows you to play PS Vita games on the big screen. It pairs...

  • Slimmer, Lighter PS Vita Announced With 1GB Of Storage And LCD Screen

    29

    News Slimmer, Lighter PS Vita Announced With 1GB Of Storage And LCD Screen

    Launches in Japan on October 10th

    Sony has confirmed that it is releasing a redesigned version of the PS Vita console with a slimmer form factor, lighter frame, improved battery life, 1GB of internal memory and an LCD display. With a width of 15mm, the new edition will be 20 percent thinner than the existing Vita, and at 219g is 15 percent lighter...

  • Here's the Grand Theft Auto V Gameplay Trailer You've Been Waiting For

    27

    News Here's the Grand Theft Auto V Gameplay Trailer You've Been Waiting For

    Rockstar shows off the game that will dominate your life come September

    As we reported yesterday, Rockstar has released the first gameplay trailer for Grand Theft Auto V. The new trailer shows off some of the activities you'll be able to indulge in when the game finally launches, as well as some of the vehicles you can "borrow". You can gorge your...

  • Hotline Miami (PlayStation Vita)

    11

    Review Hotline Miami (PlayStation Vita)

    Do you like hurting other people?

    Like the Hollywood classic Drive which provided a large helping of inspiration during development, Hotline Miami is a visceral assault on the senses which often leaves you breathless and sweaty-palmed, but also isn’t afraid to offer up moments of shocking frustration. Part action game, part puzzle title, part...

  • Sony Originally Wanted To Sell PS4 For $499 With PlayStation Eye

    23

    Rumour Sony Originally Wanted To Sell PS4 For $499 With PlayStation Eye

    Camera was removed and price dropped to best Microsoft

    Sony scored an early victory over Microsoft at E3, thanks purely to the fact that the PS4 will retail for less than the Xbox One. However, according to IGN, Sony's original plan was to bundle the PlayStation Eye camera with the system — just as Microsoft has done with its Kinect peripheral —...

  • Sony Has No Plans For Vita StreetPass Rival Toro's Friend Network In Europe

    6

    News Sony Has No Plans For Vita StreetPass Rival Toro's Friend Network In Europe

    Well, boo.

    The 3DS may be technically inferior to the PS Vita, but its StreetPass feature has long been viewed with jealousy by many Sony fans. Using the console's wireless connection, it allows 3DS owners to share data, take part in mini-games and generally indulge in all kinds of social fun. Earlier this month, Sony launched its StreetPass...

  • Naughty Dog Working To Remove Sex Line Numbers From The Last Of Us

    15

    News Naughty Dog Working To Remove Sex Line Numbers From The Last Of Us

    Not a great week for Naughty Dog's PR department

    Earlier this week we reported that Naughty Dog had received a complaint from a cartographer regarding a subway map which had been used in The Last of Us without permission. That was a red-face situation for the developer, but since then another even more embarrassing cock-up has been unearthed. The...

  • Mark Cerny: I Hope Sony's Impact Will Match Nintendo's In Years To Come

    22

    News Mark Cerny: I Hope Sony's Impact Will Match Nintendo's In Years To Come

    PS4 system architect talks at Gamelab

    PS4 system architect Mark Cerny has revealed his hope that in years to come, Sony's status within the games industry will match that of rival Nintendo. Speaking at Gamelab in Barcelona, Cerny said: I have a great friend who lives in Kyoto in the eastern part of Japan. He runs a developer there and he's worked...

  • PS4 System Architect Mark Cerny Didn't See The Console Casing Until E3

    6

    News PS4 System Architect Mark Cerny Didn't See The Console Casing Until E3

    "I was in the nosebleed seats with the rest of the audience"

    Mark Cerny is an industry veteran and the man behind the PS4's internal architecture. You might assume that this means he will have been one of the first people to see the console's sleek external casing — but you'd be wrong. Cerny has revealed that he decided against seeing the PS4...

  • How To Manually Unbrick Your PS3 Using Software Update v4.46

    14

    Guide How To Manually Unbrick Your PS3 Using Software Update v4.46

    v4.45, begone!

    A short time ago, Sony issued PS3 software update v4.45, which was supposed to offer minor software upgrades and the ability to turn off Trophy notifications. However, for some users, it came with a hidden catch — the update rendered many consoles totally useless. Sony promised an update to solve the issue for those users impacted...

  • Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid And Castlevania All Discounted In PSN Retro Sale

    9

    News Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid And Castlevania All Discounted In PSN Retro Sale

    PSN update brings a slew of PlayStation discount

    This week's PSN update is packed with retro goodness, thanks to a flood of price reductions on classic 32-bit PlayStation titles. Classics such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Tekken 2 and Metal Gear Solid are all available at a lower price, making this the perfect time to revisit some...

  • Alien Anal Probe Ensures That Saints Row 4 Is Banned In Australia

    10

    News Alien Anal Probe Ensures That Saints Row 4 Is Banned In Australia

    Causing trouble Down Under

    Saints Row: The Third became infamous for its dildo-shaped weapon, and it would appear that its sequel is trying to be even more tasteless. It showcases an item known as an "Alien Anal Probe", which can be inserted into the bottoms of unsuspecting foes. Unsurprisingly, the inclusion of this weapon has resulted in the game...

  • Kojima Wants Someone To Remake Metal Gear Solid Using Fox Engine

    11

    News Kojima Wants Someone To Remake Metal Gear Solid Using Fox Engine

    Snake!

    Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima has revealed that he's looking for an external studio to produce a new version of the original Metal Gear Solid, and he wants it done using the swanky new Fox Engine. Speaking during a closed interview session at E3, Kojima confirmed that he was actively seeking the help of another developer to produce the...

  • Naughty Dog Apologises For Using Subway Map In The Last Of Us Without Permission

    34

    News Naughty Dog Apologises For Using Subway Map In The Last Of Us Without Permission

    Naughty, dog

    The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog has been forced to apologise to the creator of a map which appears in the critically-acclaimed survival horror epic. The angered (but now satisfied) party is cartographer Cameron Booth, who created a map of the Boston Subway system which was subsequently used in PS3 game. Below is the image taken...

  • New Dark Souls 2 Gameplay Footage Emerges Online

    2

    Video New Dark Souls 2 Gameplay Footage Emerges Online

    The wait is becoming soul-destroying

    Japanese video game magazine Famitsu has posted four new gameplay videos for the forthcoming action RPG Dark Souls 2. The four videos — which appear to be based on the demo shown at E3 2013 — feature four different character classes: Warrior, Sorcerer, Temple Knight, and Dual Swordsman. It's worth pointing...