Tag: Sony - Page 294
Review Open Me (PlayStation Vita)
Box clever
There's finally a reason to dust off those augmented reality cards that came with your PlayStation Vita. While there have been an abundance of titles that support the laminated rectangles, Open Me's brain teasers really make digging them out a worthwhile endeavour. This is a fun, engaging, and quirky puzzle game that forces you to, ahem,...
News Puppeteer Presents an Epic Tale of Past Performances
Curtain call
As pointed out in our recent preview, Puppeteer is shaping up to be something special. The Japan Studio side-scroller takes you on a tour through a theatrical world, as you battle against pantomime villains with a pair of scissors. Of course, considering that this is coming from the same creative powerhouse as ICO and
Weirdness This Simpsons Style The Last of Us Art Is Excellent
Why you little...
Duffman can’t breathe – especially when he ends up face-to-face with a Clicker from The Last of Us. This brilliant piece of artwork by DeviantArt user Raqos reveals what would happen if the cordyceps virus spread to Springfield. We must admit, the very thought of an infected Bart Simpson makes us want to ‘Ay caramba’ and...
Talking Point What Are Your Hopes and Fears for the PS4, PS3, and Vita at GamesCom?
Greatness awaits
Despite being the biggest video games convention on the planet, GamesCom rarely serves up the jaw dropping reveals that are so common at E3. The stakes are much higher this year, though, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One going head-to-head yet again. For both Sony and Microsoft,
News Killzone: Mercenary Beta Opens for Brutal Business Next Week
Sharpen up soldier
Those of you not lucky enough to infiltrate Killzone: Mercenary’s private multiplayer beta earlier in the year will unlock access to the online stress test next week. Guerrilla Cambridge will be recruiting PlayStation Plus members from 20th August in North America and 21st August in Europe, followed by everyone else from 27th...
Feature PS4, PS3, and Vita Announcements You Should Expect at GamesCom 2013
Reading the tea leaves
GamesCom has always been good to PlayStation. While the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo tend to show up when they feel like it, Sony has always enjoyed an extremely strong presence at the German convention, dating all the way back to the PlayStation 3’s all-important hardware revision reveal way back in 2009. Erase that...
News Sony Depicts the Visual Progression from PSone to PS4
Spyro to Shadow Fall
Do you remember when games were little more than a collection of polygons and grainy textures? There’s a good chance that you grew up during the PSone era, then, which means that you’ve been lucky enough to live through the technical progression of the PlayStation brand since its very inception. For those of you that have...
GamesCom 2013 PS4 Release Plans Will Be Shared in Germany
Platform holder teases big news
We’ll know exactly when the PlayStation 4 is set to launch this time next week. While a date always seemed likely at GamesCom, Sony has teased that its 20th August press conference will play host to “release plans” for the next generation console, as well as updates on the PlayStation 3 and Vita. “For one...
News Sounds Like Sony May Be Taking the TV, TV, TV Track, Too
Company on the cusp of groundbreaking deal
Microsoft may have been ridiculed for its frankly baffling emphasis on television during the Xbox One’s reveal back in May, but Sony was never going to let its competitor outright dominate the market that it’s been fighting for ever since the PlayStation 2 included a DVD player. The Wall Street Journal...
News PlayStation Vita Pets Dresses Talking Dogs in Tutus
Wag your tail and woof
We suspect that those of you yapping about the need for new PlayStation Vita games had something other than PlayStation Vita Pets in mind, but we still reckon that there’s potential in the doggy endeavour. The title – in production at EyePet Adventures developer Spiral House – riffs on the ideas originally introduced...
News PlayStation Plus Will Rake in $1.2 Billion a Year, Reckons Analyst
Did it for the dollar sign
Sony’s decision to introduce a subscription paywall to its multiplayer offerings on the PlayStation 4 may have irritated some people, but it’s not hard to see why the platform holder made the decision. According to IHS analyst Piers Harding-Rolls, the firm stands to earn a whopping $1.2 billion in annual consumer...
Rumour Sony's Next Big PS4 Exclusive Could Be Named Helldivers
Platform holder registers domain
Sony's said that it plans to release 20 exclusive games for the PlayStation 4 within its first year on the market, but we still only know about four of them. While that’s likely to change at GamesCom next week, online sleuth Superannuation has already uncovered evidence of a potential next generation release named...
Reaction Xbox One Delay Leaves the Door Ajar for PS4
Windows of opportunity
There will have been one of two reactions to Microsoft’s sizeable Xbox One delay within Sony’s colossal European headquarters today: cheers or mopped brows. At almost every turn, the North American company has been playing into the PlayStation maker’s hands, and this latest setback is just another example of that. It’s...
GamesCom 2013 Sony Bringing Unmissable Reveals to German Show
Don't miss a thing
GamesCom is less than a week away now, meaning that the folks over at Sony are packing their bags and panicking over their passports as we type. This year’s show promises to be a big one, with the platform holder teasing tons of information regarding announced and unannounced titles. “Suffice to say, you won’t want to miss...
News Housemarque: We Love the PS4's Architecture and Power
Finnish outfit is falling for next generation console
We’re mere days away from getting our first look at Housemarque’s inaugural PlayStation 4 project, a supposed “spiritual successor” to the sublime Super Stardust HD. The company confirmed earlier in the month that it will be jetting off to GamesCom next week, where it will pull back the...
News Well, You Can Forget Watching NFL on Your PS3 This Year
Sunday skip-it
If you prefer your balls of the egg-shaped variety, then you may be gutted to learn that NFL Sunday Ticket will not be making a return to the PlayStation 3 this year. Speaking with IGN, a Sony representative confirmed that the football streaming service will be sitting on the sidelines this season. It seems that this may be a casualty...
Feature Eight PS4 Titles That Are Changing the Game
New grounds
Prior to the PlayStation 4’s announcement, many sceptics questioned what the system could possibly do better than existing machines. Titles such as The Last of Us already look absolutely incredible, so it’s a fair query – even if it has been answered emphatically by the likes of Killzone: Shadow Fall and inFAMOUS: Second Son...
News First Image of North American 12GB PS3 Super Slim Emerges
Size doesn't matter
Those of you in North America will soon have the option to battle with hard drive space, as it looks like Sony really is bringing the 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim overseas. The console – which has been available in Europe for some time – had been rumoured over the weekend, but now an image of the teensy platform has emerged...
News Sony's Secret to Indie Success: Don't Be a Jerk
Wise words
Sony has the indie development community eating out of its hand like a hedgehog hovering over a plateful of mealworms. The platform holder has turned its third-party relations around, assembling a dream team of taste-makers who have become the focal point of the brand. And during that transition, the company has learned some important...
News Good Grief, There's an 'Exciting' LittleBigPlanet Announcement Incoming
Read this article in your best Stephen Fry voice
Hold onto your burlap dolls everyone – a big LittleBigPlanet reveal is mere moments away. Writing on the franchise’s Twitter page, the community team behind the ‘Play, Create, Share’ favourite teased the imminent news. “Stay tuned to the PlayStation Blog because we have an exciting...
Talking Point Could PS4 Streaming Impact Native Vita Development?
Devil in disguise
Aside from games that make heavy use of the PlayStation Eye camera, you’ll be able to play your entire PlayStation 4 library on the PlayStation Vita. The promising Wii U-esque ‘Off-TV’ functionality is something that Sony envisioned with its previous generation consoles, touting the benefits of Remote Play as early as 2006...
News Sony Opens Zany Augmented Reality Game on PlayStation Vita
Don't be square
Open Me, Sony’s wacky augmented reality co-operative puzzle game, is set to think outside of the box on the PlayStation Vita this week. Just like Fruit Ninja, the title was listed as part of the PlayStation Blog’s weekly release schedule, confirming a North American launch. There’s no word on a European date just yet, but we...
News Polls Show PS4 Is Preferred Next Generation System, Says Sony
Top of the lot
In somewhat harrowing news for Microsoft and its upcoming Xbox One console, Sony’s chief financial officer Masaru Kato has told investors that around 80 per cent of consumers prefer the PlayStation 4 to its counterparts. The executive was citing polls including the Redmond-based manufacturer’s system, as well as Nintendo’s...
Rumour Is Sony Set to Drop the PS Vita's Price at GamesCom?
Breaking the barriers
A leaked Target flier hints that Sony may drop the PlayStation Vita’s price at GamesCom. The paper-based advertisement (pictured above) puts the flagship portable’s base cost at $199.99, some $50 less than its recommended retail price. Adding further fuel to the fire, the promotion is dated for 18th August to 24th August,...
News Sony Promises That PS4 Losses Won't Be Anything Like PS3
That's good news, huh?
Considering that the PlayStation 3 left Sony in a financial crater equivalent to the one that prompted the onset of the last great ice age, it’s reassuring to learn that the Japanese giant is not planning on burning quite as much cash with its next generation console. Speaking as part of an investors meeting last week, group...
Talking Point Should the PS4 Feature an Avatar System?
Mii too
Rarely a week goes by where there isn’t a new LittleBigPlanet costume to buy. Whether it’s the re-release of seasonal outfits or some brand new threads to tie into a big movie or game launch, Sackboy’s the undisputed king when it comes to cosplay. But for as popular (and presumably profitable) as these downloadable garments are, you...
News Cory Barlog Recruiting a New Team at Sony Santa Monica
God of War II director working on something huge
Cory Barlog’s “crazy announcement” turned out to be exactly what we expected: the God of War II director is returning to his former stomping ground, Sony Santa Monica. In an enormous post on the PlayStation Blog, the outspoken developer talked candidly about the tim
News Crash Bandicoot Spins Past 500,000 Downloads in Europe
Naughty Gods
Releasing old games like Crash Bandicoot on the PlayStation Network makes more sense than peanut butter and jelly, as evidenced by the fact that the PSone Classic has now surpassed 500,000 downloads in Europe. Sony confirmed the tidbit as part of its monthly digital sales charts, where the Naughty Dog hit held onto its place atop the...
News God of War II Director Cory Barlog Teases 'Crazy' Reveal
Has the king come home?
Put your hype in perspective – this is unlikely to be a game announcement. However, it’s still news worth anticipating. Cory Barlog, the man behind God of War II, has Tweeted that there’ll be a “crazy announcement” on the PlayStation Blog today. Our best guess? He’s returning to Sony Santa Monica. The outspoken
News As You'd Expect, Media Molecule Has a Ping-Pong Table
Tons of papercraft animals, too
Ever since we wore plimsolls and Donkey Kong shirts with a smile (sorry, we didn’t know any better back then), we’ve promised ourselves that we’ll one day work in an office where there’s a ping-pong table. We haven’t quite realised that dream yet, but if we keep cranking out quality stories like this one,...
Feature Do You Remember These PlayStation Branded Mobile Phone Spin-Offs?
PlayStation All-Stars Island is not the first of its kind
Sony shocked, embarrassed, and tickled PlayStation fans today with the announcement of PlayStation All-Stars Island – a summery smartphone cash-in that sees first-party favourites such as Sackboy and Nathan Drake cameo in a collection of copycat minigames. But while
Weirdness PlayStation All-Stars Holiday in Coke Zero Phone App
Marketing mash-up
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale may be deader than Sir Daniel Fortesque, but that’s not stopping Sony from partnering with Coca-Cola for PlayStation All-Stars Island – a co-marketing endeavour between the platform holder and the soft drinks giant for iOS and Android devices. Yes, you read th
News This Is What Originally Happened At the End of The Last of Us
Spoilers lurk inside here
Stop right now, thank you very much. If you haven’t finished The Last of Us yet, for the love of Ellie please click your browser’s friendly ‘back’ button right now. We’re about to blow the game wide open, so you’re going to regret it if you don’t sprint like a Runner late for the bus. Are we safe yet? Alright,...
News Pssht, You Won't Need to Pay to Share Game Footage on PS4
Shiny happy people
We’re convinced that Sony’s been glugging holy water or something. The company can’t seem to do anything wrong at the moment – and that’s making Microsoft’s errors stand out like a lighthouse beacon. Earlier in the week, the Redmond-based manufacturer revealed that you’ll need an Xbox Live Gold account to access the...
News Super Stardust Developer Confirms PS4 Reveal for GamesCom
Late boomer
We already predicted that Super Stardust HD developer Housemarque would be dropping some PlayStation 4 related bombs at GamesCom earlier in the week – but now the developer has confirmed as much. Writing on Twitter, the Finnish studio simply responded “yes” when asked by a fan if it would be
News Sony Playing It Safe with PS4 Pre-Orders, Doesn't Want Customers to Defect
Hoping to get lots of stock on store shelves
As we know, Sony has locked down pre-orders for the PlayStation 4 in Europe. The platform holder has warned retailers across the continent that launch day delivery can no longer be guaranteed. However, according to
News Sony XDev Europe Plotting 'Fantastic' Reveals for GamesCom
Hold onto your hype
Sony XDev Europe, the Liverpool-based group responsible for external PlayStation projects, is planning some “fantastic announcements” at GamesCom. The outfit teased the tidbit on its Twitter page, adding that it’s “looking forward" to the show. The platform holder’s set to host a press conference on 20th August, where...
News You'll Be Racing Through India and Canada in DriveClub on PS4
Around the world in three laps
Evolution Studios promised that DriveClub would take us on a world tour when the PlayStation 4 launch title was first announced, but so far we’ve only got a glimpse at muggy old Scotland. That’s because the developer has been busy beavering away on some more exotic locations behind closed doors – including Canada...
Talking Point How Will the PS4 Controller's Touchpad Be Used?
Rub-a-Dub
We’ve already established in previous articles that the PlayStation 4’s refreshed controller is a thing of beauty. The analogue sticks feel sturdier than a body builder’s biceps, the triggers melt under your fingertips like a Mini Milk in the microwave, and the light bar looks snazzier than Chewbacca donning Dolce Gabbana shades. One...
News Yep, PS4 Pre-Orders Are No Longer Guaranteed for Launch
You're too late
It’s strange that Sony hasn’t officially said anything about the PlayStation 4’s pre-order scenario in Europe. We suspect that it wants punters to go ahead and put a deposit on the system, anyway – even if launch day consoles are now no longer guaranteed. That’s official at this point by the way, as UK outlet ShopTo has...
News Oh Wow, Check Out the PS4's User Interface in Action
Thank heavens for crashes
We’re in PlayStation 4 limbo at the present. The console is approximately three months away, yet we’re still greedily awaiting more information about its software, features, and functionality. With platform holder Sony running a tight ship until GamesCom, that means that we’re being forced to feed on scraps – like...
News Sound Shapes, We're Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday
We're gonna sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
If you happened to spot a small circle being sick In Da Club last night, then you likely bumped into Sound Shapes’ first birthday celebration. The game is exactly a year old in North America today, and while it may have acknowledged that fact with a few too many shandies overnight, it’s planning to...
News PS4 Downloads Can Be Adapted Depending on Player Habits
Smart system
Much in the same way that we always move the tomato sauce to the front of the fridge, PlayStation 4 downloads can be rearranged depending on which modes and features prove the most popular. Speaking as part of an interview with The Guardian, DriveClub’s technical director Scott Kirkland explained that certain circuits and vehicles can...
News Look Around the PlayStation Vita's Latest Firmware Update
Please ensure that you have your copybook at hand
We don’t know what your high school experience was like, but whenever our teachers couldn’t be bothered to do any work, we were always plonked in front of a video. Perched on uncomfortable stools, we'd be forced to watch low-budget documentaries, which almost always included really patronising...
News Housemarque's Jetting Off to GamesCom, Expect PS4 Bombs
We're already drooling
Super Stardust HD developer Housemarque is set to swap its humble home of Helsinki for the bright lights of Cologne later this month, as it heads to GamesCom – presumably to make some PlayStation 4 related announcements. The company confirmed that it’s attending the German convention on its Facebook page, explaining that...
News Amazon Warns That Fresh PS4 Pre-Orders May Not Be Fulfilled At Launch
British supplies running dry
Amazon is the latest retailer to acknowledge Sony’s previously reported PlayStation 4 pre-order deadline. The UK arm of the online giant has added a message to the next generation console’s product page, warning consumers that any purchases made after 6th August may not be fulfilled at launch. “Due to high demand,...
News Whoa, This Is How The Last of Us Almost Ended
Spoilers hide on the other side
Consider this your last warning: there are spoilers in this article. If you haven’t finished The Last of Us yet, then you may want to consider tapping your browser’s obliging ‘back’ button right about now. Have you done it yet? Can we stop waffling? Seriously, if you’re still reading this then we can’t be...
News Bluepoint Games Is Bringing a PlayStation Classic to Current Consoles
You've got our attention
Ooh, this is a fascinating little tidbit. Bluepoint Games, the Austin-based studio behind the God of War Collection and the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, is currently “bringing a Sony classic to current game systems”. The snippet is mentioned as part of a couple of job listings, but no additional information is...
News What Does PlayStation Vita Firmware Update v2.60 Do?
Keeping things convenient
If you’ve powered up your PlayStation Vita this morning, you may have spotted that there’s some new system software available. Sony sneakily deployed firmware update v2.60 overnight, and while it’s not exactly bursting with must-have features, it does include some minor tweaks that should make using the system a...
News Hitman: Absolution Infiltrates North American PlayStation Plus
Runner 2, Star Wars Pinball, and more on the way
PlayStation Plus is set to get a little bit balder in North America, as Sony has announced that Hitman: Absolution will be whacking the Instant Game Collection this week. Agent 47’s latest adventure will be accompanied by discounts on escapeVektor,
