Tag: Sony - Page 303
News You'll Totally Get a Free Game Pre-Installed on Your PS4
Power of play
There may be a wealth of free-to-play content already in the pipeline for the PlayStation 4, but there’s one game that Sony wants you to sample out of the box. The Playroom, the platform holder’s augmented reality technology demo, will come pre-loaded with every machine, allowing you to experience virtual pong in your living room...
News Japanese Sales Charts: Toukiden Prompts Vita to Surge
System shoots up the hardware charts
PlayStation Vita sales have been steady if unspectacular in Japan since the system’s surprise price drop earlier in the year, but the release of Monster Hunter-esque action game Toukiden really gave the console a jolt of energy in the region this week. Hardware sales more than doubled, resulting in an...
News Sony Confirms That Cross-Play Title Warrior's Lair Is Dead
Ruinous
Warrior's Lair, the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita cross-play title formerly known as Ruin, has been officially canned. The Diablo-esque dungeon crawler had a troubled development, as it was passed from Idol Minds to Sony San Diego in April 2012, nearly a year after it garnered rapturous applause during Sony's press conference at E3 in...
News Tokyo Jungle Mobile Makes a Mess on PSM in North America Next Week
Woof stuff
Tokyo Jungle Mobile will be taking a trip overseas next week, according to a post by our friends over at PSNStores. The game – which was announced for Japan in Famitsu magazine earlier today – will stalk Sony’s fledgling PlayStation Mobile platform from 10th July. It’ll cost y
Talking Point Sony's Slow and Steady PS4 Reveal Strategy Will Pay Off
Stockpiling ammunition
There’s a perception that Sony’s on top in the next generation race. The company’s adopting a humble approach in interviews, but it must be buzzing behind closed doors. Retailer charts place the PlayStation 4 in the driver's seat – even in the wake of Microsoft’
News Tokyo Jungle Mates with PlayStation Mobile on 10th July
Wild thing
Ace side-scrolling animal simulation Tokyo Jungle is set to get a PlayStation Mobile spin-off in Japan later this month, reports Siliconera. The farm-fresh digital download – teased in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine – will supposedly adopt an isometric perspective, and will subsequently play differently to its PlayStation 3...
News Nolan North Doesn't Know Anything About Uncharted 4
Yeah, and we're the offspring of Sir Francis Drake
Naughty Dog may have only just finished lapping up the plaudits for its latest release The Last of Us, but already the industry’s attention is turning to its next title. And given that it’s been almost two years since Nathan Drake’s last globe-trotting adventure, it's commonly accepted that...
Video Watch Us Put the Pedal to the Metal in Gran Turismo 6
Rolling start
Gran Turismo 6’s refreshingly early demo strapped itself into the PlayStation Store today, and we persuaded video boffin Rory Cocker to don his best leather gloves and take the title for a test drive. The gameplay teaser – which is available as part of the annual GT Academy competition – allows you to sample a handful of courses...
News Tretton: PlayStation Vita's Got a Dedicated Fanbase, It's Just Not Big Enough
Growing pains
While it’s now host to a pretty strong selection of games, the PlayStation Vita is still struggling to garner the commercial success that it probably deserves. Hardware numbers are catastrophically low, and it’s failing to secure big third-party brands as a result. Despite this, SCEA president Jack Tretton believes that there’s...
News Pinball Heroes: Complete Bumps into PlayStation Vita This Week
About flippin' time
As previously teased, Pinball Heroes: Complete is set to step up to the, er, table on the PlayStation Vita this week. The revamped PlayStation Portable title – which re-imagines a slew of PlayStation properties as pinball arenas – is due out later today in North America and tomorrow in Europe. It will set you back $5.99 in...
News PS4 Nominated Best of Show in E3 2013 Game Critics Awards
But misses out to Titanfall
Sony may be eager to not get too excited about its E3 2013 performance, but the PlayStation 4 has already scooped one major victory over the Xbox One. The console has been nominated ‘Best of Show’ in the E3 2013 Game Critics Awards, alongside the
News EDGE Magazine Backs PS4 in Next Generation Special
Picking sides
Multiformat publications tend to sit on the fence for obvious reasons, but popular British magazine EDGE has pulled no punches with its latest issue. The next generation special runs with the headline, “This is your next console,” and includes a picture of the PlayStation 4 hardware. It continues that Sony’s system is the “only...
News PS4's Price Was Not a Reaction to Xbox One's, States Tretton
How low can you go?
Microsoft may have reversed some of its policies over the past couple of weeks, but it’s still hard to forget the series of sucker punches that Sony landed on its competitor during E3. It got consumers on its side by announcing that the PlayStation 4 will support used games, and then landed a killer blow by
News Battlefield 3 Fires onto North American PlayStation Plus
Jet Set Radio, Dokuro, and more all up for grabs
Sony’s set to start the summer in spectacular fashion, with a bumper North American PlayStation Plus update that includes Battlefield 3. From today, you’ll be able to download DICE’s chunky first-person shooter for free, which should get you in the mood for the title’s big-budget sequel later
News There's a Secret Room Inside Naughty Dog That's As Cold As ICE
The department that makes PlayStation's first-party tick
Sony’s fabled ICE Team has always remained something of a mystery. While the platform holder’s acknowledged the existence of the technology-focused unit in the past, it’s never been entirely clear about how the Naughty Dog-based department came to exist. However, speaking as part of a...
News Mark Cerny Reveals the Cheers and Jeers That Shaped PS4
Luminary opens the book on his career and Sony's latest console
Marble Madness creator Mark Cerny is the last person that you’d ever expect to get heckled, but the PlayStation 4 system architect has revealed that some jeers helped to shape Sony’s next generation console. Speaking candidly about his career and his involvement with the evolution...
News Whoa, There Are Now Eight Million Levels in LittleBigPlanet
More content than you could ever want
If, like this flustered author, you don’t have time to play half of the games that you own, then you may want to steer clear of LittleBigPlanet. While we’d recommend all of the entries in the whimsical do-it-yourself franchise, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. And the fact that the series is...
Game of the Month June 2013 - The Last of Us
It wasn't for nothing
Who wants to know a little secret? Ordinarily we run an internal poll for these Game of the Month posts, but on this occasion we didn’t bother. Anyone that dared to vote against Naughty Dog’s incredible opus The Last of Us was going to be forced to spend the week shamefully sat on the step outside of our big cheese’s...
Review Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (PlayStation Vita)
Icky mouse
It’s ironic that the latest blockbuster starring Walt Disney’s most iconic cartoon creation is a bit of a Mickey Mouse affair. Last year’s PlayStation 3 release of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, the sequel to development juggernaut Warren Spector’s popular Nintendo Wii game, fell flat on its button nose due to shoddy...
News UK Sales Charts: The Last of Us Keeps Clicking at the Summit
The sky has turned grey
While we appreciate that we’re in the midst of the slow summer season, it’s pretty unprecedented for a PlayStation 3 exclusive to cling onto the UK sales charts top spot for longer than a week. But despite a slew of bad press over the past few days, The Last of Us has managed to do just that, holding onto its place atop...
News The Legend of Dragoon's Dart Almost Fought in PlayStation All-Stars
Here comes a new challenger
We thought that the roster in mascot mash-up PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was fine, but it could have used a few more niche names. While we were always personally gunning for the mannequin from Echochrome, it turns out that Dart, the protagonist from PSone classic The Legend of Dragoon, was in production as DLC at...
News The Last of Us Lacks Multiplayer Dismemberments in Europe
Sweetness and light
The Last of Us is not the type of game that you should play while devouring a plate of spaghetti bolognese. Naughty Dog’s survival horror opus is packed with more blood, guts, and gore than a butcher’s backroom. Alas, the European release doesn’t quite boast the same level of spew-inducing viscera as its North American...
News The Last of Us Patch Removes Kinky Sex Line Numbers
Dial a fix
The real-world racy sex line numbers accidentally included in The Last of Us have been removed as part of the title’s v1.02 patch. The update – released overnight – changes “the texture of a phone number on a bulletin board” in the game, meaning that you’ll no longer find your dignity in tatters should you opt to call upon...
News Puppeteer Stages a Demo on European PlayStation Network Soon
Dress rehearsal
Japan Studio’s quirky PlayStation 3 platform adventure Puppeteer is set to break a leg a little earlier than expected in Europe. Those of you residing in the region will be invited to read a few lines with the cast of the side scrolling adventure “soon”, as the developer applies the finishing touches to the title’s demo...
Review Jak & Daxter Collection (PlayStation Vita)
Naughty Dog's legacy
When you think of the developer Naughty Dog, quality and genre-defining are certainly two terms that come to mind. But for many people the Uncharted series on the PS3 was their first experience of the developer, unaware of the legacy of titles on the previous home consoles with Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter. The later of...
News Proposed PS4 Release Date Is Merely Speculation, Says Sony
Platform holder puts ice on rumours
Retailers around Europe started erecting 13th November release date banners for the PlayStation 4 this week, but the manufacturer has labelled the window as little more than “speculation”. German giant Media Markt was one of the first outlets to state the date, before being followed by
News Justin Bieber Lands the Role of Nathan Drake in the Uncharted Movie
Don't worry, it's just a joke
Naughty Dog’s known for packing its games full of Easter Eggs, and The Last of Us is no different. One keen Reddit user spotted this newspaper in the post-apocalyptic game, which reveals that Justin Bieber will assume the role of Nathan Drake in the Uncharted Movie. Thank goodness for fungal infections, huh? The real...
News Sony's Considering Multiple PS4 Hardware Packages
Value added
To date, Sony’s only really announced one version of the PlayStation 4. The competitively priced $399.99 option includes the console and a DualShock 4, but the platform holder is considering deploying some bigger bundles. In an interview with MCV, SCEE president Jim Ryan added that larger packages are something that the platform...
News PS3 Firmware Update v4.45 Fix Deploying on 27th June
Back in the game
Those of you caught off guard by this week’s fatal PlayStation 3 firmware update may be pleased to learn that a fix is on the way. A post on Sony’s official community forums explains that the company has found the issue with v4.45, and will deploy a solution on 27th June. Some users complained that the software refre
News Sony Tells GameStop to Open the Floodgates on PS4 Pre-orders
Platform holder gets aggressive
Sony seems to have some serious confidence in its production pipeline, as it has informed GameStop to accept “unlimited pre-orders” for the PlayStation 4. In a leaked memo sent to stores across North America, the retailer revealed that the platform holder has allowed it to open the floodgates on system reserves...
First Impressions Turning the Pages of Wonderbook: Book of Potions
Brewing up a storm
Wonderbook may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for families, and those of an inquisitive nature, it offers a totally new way to play games. The only problem, up until recently, was that there was only one title that used the novel peripheral, Wonderbook: Book of Spells. Fortunately, last month saw the release of
News Watch David Cage Talk Shenmue and Beyond: Two Souls with Yu Suzuki
When worlds collide
There’s no denying that Dreamcast classic Shenmue and Heavy Rain share similarities. While the two titles are set in completely different worlds, they both aspire to the same cinematic goals. As such, this interview conducted by Camouflaj developer Ryan Payton is particularly fascinating. In it, both SEGA legend Yu Suzuki and...
News You'll Be Able to Upload Your PS4 Videos Directly to YouTube
Broadcast yourself
Sony’s been a little cagey with regards to where you’ll actually be able to share your gameplay clips from the PlayStation 4, but system architect Mark Cerny virtually confirmed compatibility with YouTube on the Jimmy Fallon show earlier in the week. Explaining the console’s social features to the excitable host, the video...
News PS4 Doesn't Support Oculus Rift Right Now, But It May Do in the Future
Smiles all around
Oculus Rift is the future – at least, that’s what we’re told. The virtual reality headset allows you to explore three-dimensional worlds by looking around you – there’s even a racy role-playing game in production for the hardware. And the functionality could yet be coming to the PlayStation 4, if you read into the smiles...
News Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Paints the Vita
Mouse magic
The most baffling port in PlayStation history is poised to pull out the Dulux and roller kits this week, as Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two embarks on an excursion to the PlayStation Vita. Sony’s promised a slew of enhancements for the portable platformer, including touch controls, tilt functionality, and co-op. Whether the...
Reaction Microsoft May Have Reacted, But PS4 Is in Control
Follow the leader
Sony has been heavily criticised for being reactionary throughout the course of this generation. The platform holder that so confidently set the tone of the gaming landscape with the PSone and the PlayStation 2 was caught off guard by the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii, an oversight that prompted it to play catch-up in almost every...
News Analysts Believe That PS4 Is Still in the Driver's Seat
Microsoft's adapted policies won't change system showdown
The immediate question after Microsoft’s dramatic DRM u-turn last night revolved around what impact the reversal will have on the PlayStation 4. Sony milked its pro-consumer policies during E3 2013 last week, but now that the Redmond-based firm has responded, does that put the Japanese...
News Pre-order Allocations for PS4 Far Outstrip Xbox One
GameStop ceases accepting deposits for Microsoft's machine
Microsoft may have moseyed back into the console battlefield with last night’s announcements, but it could still struggle to satisfy demand at launch. Polygon reports that mega retailer GameStop has already fulfilled its allocation of pre-orders for the Xbox One, and has ceased accepting...
Talking Point What Does Microsoft's Massive Xbox One-Eighty Mean for PS4?
Round like a record
We didn’t expect Microsoft to stick with its digital rights management policies after the mauling that it faced from consumers and the media at E3 2013 last week, but even we’re a little stunned by the swiftness and scale of its turnaround. If you’ve been living under a rock, the Redmond-based firm has just revealed that...
News PlayStation Vita Mega Pack Bundles Outrageous Value
Pick up an 8GB memory card with 10 free games
We all know that the price of the PlayStation Vita’s memory cards is an enormous issue, but Sony is attempting to offset the problem by launching a new line of 8GB cards bundling ten downloadable titles. Due out on 21st June in Europe for €39.99, the tempting Mega Pack includes an empty storage stick...
News Battlefield 3 Deploys As Part of Bumper EU PlayStation Plus Update
Saints Row: The Third, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, and more on offer
Sony may be about to start charging for online multiplayer, but it’s really hard to argue against the value of PlayStation Plus. The platform holder has just revealed the premium service’s European offering for July, and it includes a little release called Battlefield 3. You’ll...
News Jimmy Fallon Has a Knack for Playing, Er, Knack
Mark Cerny pops up on television
Late night TV host Jimmy Fallon may have struggled to get to grips with Killzone: Shadow Fall earlier in the year, but he definitely put in a much better performance with Knack overnight. As part of an ongoing video game week, Fallon invited PlayStation 4 system architect Mark Cerny onto the show to talk hardware and...
News Evolution Studios Shooting for 60FPS in PS4 Racer DriveClub
No promises, though
DriveClub has had a bit of a strange E3 2013. While most of Sony’s launch window games got lengthy gameplay trailers, the latest racer from Evolution Studios has been restricted to off-screen footage. And that may be for good reason – the Runcorn-based developer was telling attendees at the show that the demo on display was...
News Sony's First-Party PlayStation 4 Games Won't Break the Bank
Tried and tested
Sony won’t charge you more to get your greasy mitts on first-party software for the PlayStation 4. In a brief exchange with Shacknews, a representative for the platform holder explained that all four of its impending launch window games will retail for $59.99, the same as on the PlayStation 3. Those titles include DriveClub,...
News PS3 Firmware Update v4.45 May Brick Your Machine, Avoid Like the Plague
Platform holder pulls borked stability upgrade
While new firmware updates for the PlayStation 3 are occassionally a source of excitement, v4.45 is proving to be nothing but a headache. The stability refresh which launched overnight – and has since been pulled – has caused a gaggle of console owners some serious problems, resulting in their...
Reaction PS4 Price Advantage Will Prove Pivotal in the Battle Against Xbox One
Every little helps
While much of the next generation narrative has been pointed purposefully at digital rights management and used games, arguably the biggest discussion thus far has been left untouched like the awful pizza at a Chinese buffet. SCEA executive Jack Tretton may have revelled in revealing the PlayStation 4’s pro-consumer plans during...
News You Won't Be Able to Pre-order a PS4 from This Particular Branch of GAME
Only people wearing green may enter
Much like GameStop in North America, GAME is the biggest specialist video game retailer in the UK, stocking a diverse range of software for all of the major consoles. However, you won’t be able to purchase PlayStation content at the giant’s latest branch in Shoreditch, London – because it will only stock...
News You Won't Need a PlayStation Plus Membership to Access PS4's Social Features
Auto-update will also be free
Sony won’t charge you to access the PlayStation 4’s wealth of social features, despite what we predicted earlier in the year. Back in April, we pondered whether the platform holder would lock access to functionality such as the ‘Share’ button behind a paywall. But despite confirming that the company is to start...
E3 2013 Studio Japan Spent a Year Perfecting Puppeteer's Jump Mechanic
Practice makes perfect
Puppeteer is truly shaping up to be something of a dark horse. The moody Studio Japan platformer has been patiently sitting just outside of the spotlight since its announcement at GamesCom last year, but it looks like it’s finally ready to take centre stage. And judging by this live GameSpot demonstration, it’s poised to...
News The Last of Us Thumped First Uncharted's Launch Sales by a Factor of Five
Ellie effect
We already know that The Last of Us has got off to a stellar start in the UK, but just how well did it sell during its first weekend on the market? Eurogamer.net reports that the title stomped the launch sales of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune by a whopp
