Tag: Sony - Page 306

  • Talking Point Why Sony Was Smart to Announce the PS4 First

    Playing its cards right

    Current Sony CEO, former PlayStation president, and lifelong Ridge Racer superfan Kaz Hirai is a smart man. In an interview with British newspaper The Times in late January, the executive offered a tidbit regarding the PlayStation 4 that threw everyone – including ourselves – off the scent. "Why go first when your...

  • News Japanese Sales Charts: PlayStation Vita Sinks Back into Second

    Sword Art Online steals top spot from Kingdom Hearts

    Sony’s first foray into the handheld market may have been replaced over a year ago, but that’s not stopped the PlayStation Portable from proving that it’s still a force to be reckoned with in this week’s Japanese sales charts. Namco Bandai’s anime adaptation Sword Art Online: Infinity...

  • News Uncharted 3's Free Multiplayer Proves That People Don't Like Paying

    Client has been downloaded over 350,000 times

    Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’s free multiplayer component has been downloaded more than 350,000 times since it launched at the end of February. The cheap and cheerful client – which gives you complimentary access to online play up to Level 15 – is funded by tiered payment options, which allow...

  • News Shadows of the Damned Director's New Studio Partners with Sony

    Working with platform holder on new IP

    Shadows of the Damned may have been a commercial flop, but that didn't stop the Grasshopper Manufacture developed third-person shooter from being a thoroughly enjoyable action romp. As such, you may be excited to learn that Massimo Guarini, the director of the aforementioned title, has signed up with Sony...

  • Rumour Final Fantasy XV Is Exclusive to the PS4, Sony Is Contributing to Development

    Final Fantasy Versus XIII turns its attention to the next generation

    With the PlayStation 4 now officially out in the open, it’s been a while since we last had a juicy rumour to sink our teeth into. But just as we were starting to feel impatient, infamous rumourmonger VGLeaks has cooked up a corker and served it in a mushroom cloud-shaped dish...

  • News PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Patch Prepares for DLC

    Update 1.10 rolls out the red carpet for Zeus and Isaac Clarke

    PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale’s latest patch has passed the weigh-in and is fit to fight. If you boot up either the PlayStation 3 or Vita version of the mascot mash-up right now, you’ll be prompted to download the meaty update ahead of the title’s impending DLC deployment. As...

  • Talking Point Will PlayStation Home Survive the Transition to PS4?

    Dancing into the next generation

    The word ‘social’ cropped up a lot during Sony’s big PlayStation 4 coming out party late last month, but we’re still yet to learn how PlayStation Home will be integrated into the next generation platform – if, indeed, it will be incorporated at all. The virtual world was Sony’s big bet on casual gaming...

  • News Geomerics Illuminates Impressive PS4 Lighting Demo

    Shining some light on the system

    It’s been almost exactly a month since we got our first look at the PlayStation 4, no doubt leaving many of you eager for your second glimpse at the console in action. Fortunately, lighting specialist Geomerics has released a demonstration of its new next generation real-time global illumination engine, Enlighten...

  • News PlayStation Plus Subscribers Secure Complimentary Entry into The Cave

    Tekken 6 and lots of discounts also up for grabs

    North American PlayStation Plus members may need to dig out their hardhats and fluorescent tabards, as this week’s update grants you free access to The Cave. The quirky Double Fine-developed platformer-cum-adventure game sees you fill the steel-toe cap boots of seven different archetypes, as you...

  • News Epic Mickey 2 Is Painting Its Way onto PlayStation Vita

    Now you can endure the adventure all over again

    Despite atrocious sales that led to the closure of developer Junction Point, Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is coming to the PlayStation Vita – in Europe anyway. The news was originally revealed by

  • News Analyst: PlayStation 4 Reveal Lacked Exclusives

    Pundit believes that the platform holder failed to bring the goods

    The response to Sony’s big PlayStation 4 coming out party has been generally positive on this website, but industry analyst Eric Handler has suggested that the reception was more “mixed” in mainstream circles. Speaking with

  • Talking Point Will You Use the PlayStation 4's Video Sharing Features?

    Next generation gimmick

    Sony went out of its way to sell the PlayStation 4 as a social platform during last month’s PlayStation Meeting press conference. It described in painstaking detail the manner in which you’ll be able to save screenshots to the PlayStation Network, watch videos recorded by your friends, and even share your own personal...

  • News God of War: Ascension's Sales Murdered By Previous Entry

    Prequel handily outsold by God of War III in the UK

    God of War: Ascension failed to come within striking distance of the sales tally of its predecessor God of War III in the UK. Chart-Track reports that the first week sales of Sony Santa Monica’s recently released prequel were less than half those of its predecessor, which launched all the way...

  • News Pachter: Microsoft Will 'Deliberately Trash' the PlayStation 4

    Competitor will attempt to belittle Sony's machine

    Controversial industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that Microsoft will "deliberately trash” the PlayStation 4 during its own next generation announcement event in order to give the impression that its console is stronger. With details regarding Sony’s impending machine readily available,...

  • News PlayStation All-Stars Patch Notes Punch in Ahead of New DLC

    Big balance tweaks incoming

    PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale's character roster is set to expand by two next week. As previously announced, both Zeus and Isaac Clarke will be joining the fight, alongside a new stage based on The Unfinished Swan and MediEvil. But Sony’s not stopping there, as it’s also announced a gigantic bala

  • News Sony Pours Beautiful New Rain Artwork Online

    Wet and wonderful

    Rain’s announcement left us dripping with anticipation at GamesCom last year, but publisher Sony has failed to drench us with much additional information in the months since. However, a new page on the platform holder’s official website has at least washed up some new artwork, which looks suitably overcast in the best possible...

  • News The Last of Us Will Spook You for About 12 to 16 Hours

    Naughty Dog stretching out its survival horror title

    The Last of Us will feature Naughty Dog’s longest single-player campaign on PlayStation 3 to date, with the developer shooting for an adventure approximately 12 to 16 hours in length. Community strategist Arne Meyer revealed the tantalising tidbit in an interview with EvolveEnt, which you can...

  • News Nvidia Isn't Particularly Impressed with the PlayStation 4

    Graphics company suggests that the console's already out of date

    At the start of this generation, Sony worked closely with Nvidia to create the PlayStation 3’s graphics chip. However, for the PlayStation 4, the manufacturer has switched sides, placing its allegiance with AMD instead. The change appears to have peeved the Santa Clara-based...

  • News PlayStation Network Down for Some, Sony Looking into the Problem

    Service suffering from connectivity issues

    You may want to put that pre-arranged Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 session on ice – the PlayStation Network is suffering from some poorly timed connectivity issues at the present. We’re able to log in without an issue here in the UK, but there are widespread reports of users receiving maintenance messages...

  • News PlayStation 3 Shifted 263,000 Units in North America Last Month

    Sales strong for Sony's system

    PlayStation 4 may have stolen the headlines in February, but the PlayStation 3 proved that it’s still got the staying power to carry Sony into the next generation. GamesIndustry.biz has revealed that the manufacturer’s current flagship console sold 263,000 units in North America last month – enough to make it the...

  • News Could The Last Guy Be Making a Comeback on Vita?

    Acquire title to be revealed next week

    Criminally underrated PlayStation Network arcade puzzler The Last Guy could be plotting a path onto the PlayStation Vita, if a new teaser website set up by Japanese developer Acquire is to be believed. The page – which includes Google Map-esque backgrounds similar to those employed by the aforementioned PSN...

  • News Nielsen Study Suggests Gaming Is Not the PS3's Primary Use

    North American consumers spending more time with other applications

    The PlayStation 3 may be a games console first and foremost – but North American consumers spent more time using it for non-gaming activities than anything else in 2012. The news comes courtesy of a study conducted by Nielsen, which analysed the responses of more than 2,500...

  • News God of War: Ascension's 'Trial of Archimedes' Getting Toned Down

    Sony to reduce difficulty of infuriating chapter

    If your DualShock 3’s in serious danger of terminal damage, then know that solace is nearby. God of War: Ascension’s director Todd Papy has taken to Twitter to confirm that an upcoming patch will soften the title’s outrageous ‘Trial of Archimedes’ difficulty spike. It’s unclear whether the...

  • Feature How inFAMOUS: Second Son's Smoke Powers Will Make You a Smouldering Superhero

    Coughing up theories on Sucker Punch’s upcoming PlayStation 4 sequel

    Smoke doesn’t necessarily sound like the most effective superpower. Poor old Delsin Rowe – the protagonist of upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive inFAMOUS: Second Son – was probably the last conduit in line when elemental abilities were being dished out. But while his smoggy...

  • News Japanese Sales Charts: Soul Sacrifice Pushes Vita Above 3DS

    Sony's system finally knocks its counterpart off the summit

    Savour the moment: the PlayStation Vita has finally toppled the Nintendo 3DS in Japan. Sales for Sony’s handheld stayed strong following last week’s price drop, with Soul Sacrifice pushing the system’s tally up to a colossal 63,581 units – a small improvement over last week’s...

  • News GameStop: More than 600,000 Gamers Showing Strong Demand for PS4

    Retailer reckons console is off to a positive start

    North American video game specialist GameStop has revealed that more than 600,000 members of its Power Up Rewards programme have signed up to its ‘First to Know’ list for the PlayStation 4. The initiative offers availability updates, purchase options, and details about Sony’s next generation...

  • News Sound Shapes DLC Honks Its Horn to the Beat

    Baby, you can drive our car

    Sound Shapes is aiming to pump up the volume this week with a couple of downloadable expansion packs. The first – memorably dubbed the Car Mini-Album and Creator Pack – will augment the rhythmic platformer with a couple of pimped out rides, in addition to a number of new campaign levels, a full sound pack, a slew of...

  • Talking Point Should God of War Follow in the Footsteps of Assassin's Creed?

    Mixing up mythologies

    God of War finds itself in a challenging spot. The savage series remains one of Sony’s most popular first-party products, but it’s starting to suffer from franchise fatigue. The reception to the recently released God of War: Ascension evidences as much – it’s far from a bad game, but the review sc

  • News Japanese Soul Sacrifice Commercial Shakes Its Maracas

    Sony forgoes sanity for latest spot

    Sony is pushing PlayStation Vita exclusive Soul Sacrifice extremely hard in Japan. We’ve already seen a couple of the platform holder’s more conventional commercials for the Monster Hunter-esque title, but this one steps headfirst into nonsense territory. It shows a group of Japanese office workers going nuts...

  • News Is Sony Discontinuing the 3G PlayStation Vita?

    North American stores slashing the price of the connected console

    A slew of Sony stores across North America have discounted the price of the 3G PlayStation Vita, with some outlets explaining that it’s because the premium console is about to be discontinued. Joystiq reports that you can currently purchase a bundle including a 3G handheld, an 8GB...

  • News PlayStation Vita Boosted to Firmware Update v2.06

    Nothing meaningful added, though

    If you’re planning on spending some time with your PlayStation Vita this week, you may want to know that there’s a new firmware update available. Version 2.06 adds the grand sum of nothing to the portable platform, merely promising further “system software stability”. We’d expect the handheld to be firmer...

  • News Controversial God of War: Ascension Trophy Name Squashed

    Bros before foes

    God of War: Ascension has manufactured a bit of a backlash in some circles for the name of one of its Trophies. The digital trinket pops shortly after you’ve finished bashing the brains out of one of the Furies, the aggressive trio of witches who form the lead antagonists of the game. After a particularly brutal fighting sequence,...

  • Guide How to Beat the 'Trial of Archimedes' in God of War: Ascension

    Throwing down the gauntlet

    God of War: Ascension is one of the more manageable entries in Sony’s savage Spartan series, but it does have one particular difficulty spike. The rage-worthy 'Trial of Archimedes' located at the start of Chapter 28 is perhaps one of the most punishing sections in the series, prompting the ire of many reviewers...

  • News Joe Danger 2: The Movie Headlines NA PlayStation Plus Update

    Plus, oodles of Ubisoft discounts

    North American PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given the opportunity to star in Joe Danger 2: The Movie this week, when the enjoyable arcade adventure is added to the Instant Game Collection. You’ll be able to download the madcap motorcycle title for free from tomorrow, as well as the recently announced S

  • News Jonathan Blow 'Happy' to Be Working with Sony on The Witness

    Developer excited by his relationship with the platform holder

    Braid may have been a watershed release for Xbox Live Arcade, but creator Jonathan Blow reckons that he’s “happy” to be working with Sony on his next project The Witness. The title was announced as a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 4 during the platform holder’s press...

  • News Former Sony CEO Howard Stringer to Retire in June

    Brave new world

    Sony chairman and former chief executive officer Howard Stringer has announced that he will retire from his position within the firm in June. The Welsh businessman announced his departure as part of a speech at the Japan Society in New York City last week, where he revealed that he will turn his attention to the healthcare and...

  • News PlayStation 4 Trailer Beats Super Bowl Commercials on YouTube

    Was the most viewed advertisement in February

    Remember when Microsoft said that no one would even know about the PlayStation 4’s announcement? Well, the debut trailer for Sony’s latest system has topped YouTube’s most viewed advertisements leaderboard in February – beating out a slew of Super Bowl commercials in the process. The spot –...

  • News Pachter Predicts PlayStation 4 Will Get Outsold By Next Xbox

    But still thinks that Sony's system will thrive

    Seasoned industry analyst Michael Pachter is renowned for his bold predictions, but he’s really sticking his neck out this time. Speaking as part of this year’s SXSW event in Austin, the Wedbush Securities employee suggested that he expects the next generation Xbox to win out the impending console...

  • News Sharpen Up with These Slick PlayStation Cufflinks

    Dressed to impress

    Nothing says “hire me” quite like a pair of PlayStation-themed cufflinks. North American jeweller The Purple Armadillo has a selection of Sony-inspired accessories for sale to complete your corporate look. Amongst its wares are a couple of DualShock 3-esque fasteners, which are sure to

  • News This Is What Kratos Sounds Like in His Native Tongue

    Realistic raging

    Kratos tends to talk with an American accent most of the time – but he is a Greek warrior by trade. This brand new God of War: Ascension trailer shows the character shouting in his natural lingo. We can’t understand a word of what he’s saying, but we’re guessing that it involves particularly nasty things about the Gods. You...

  • News Wonderbook: Book of Spells Failed to Enchant Store Shelves

    Harry Potter spin-off could have sold better

    Wonderbook: Book of Spells was a fine experiment that failed to cast a charm on as many consumers as Sony expected. Despite a strong marketing push in Europe, SCEUK’s Fergal Gara has admitted that the innovative title “could have sold better”, even though it did “respectively well”. “I am...

  • News Sony: PlayStation Vita Sales 'Absolutely Exploded' Over Christmas

    Plenty more content in the pipeline, too

    It sounds like the PlayStation Vita is finally on the ascension. In a recent interview with industry publication MCV, Sony Computer Entertainment UK’s managing director Fergal Gara has hinted that the system’s sales “absolutely exploded” during the holiday season – even though it had to endure a...

  • News The Last of Us Demo Finds Company at the End of May

    Early access for God of War: Ascension owners

    As promised, those of you that purchase God of War: Ascension will unlock exclusive early access to The Last of Us’ single-player demo. While the exact date of the gameplay teaser’s release had been kept under wraps, developer Naughty Dog h

  • Interview Unchaining God of War: Ascension's Jason McDonald and Mark Simon

    Blood brothers

    As the impending God of War: Ascension continues its march towards store shelves, we were lucky enough to catch up with lead combat designer Jason McDonald and lead game designer Mark Simon to discuss Kratos’ softer side, online sceptics and, very briefly, PlayStation 4. Push Square: Hi, thanks so much for taking time out of your...

  • News Retailer: PlayStation 4 Will Revive the UK's Flagging Market

    Pre-orders for the next generation platform performing extremely well

    UK retailer GAME believes that the impending PlayStation 4 will successfully resurrect the nation’s troubled video game market. Chatting with VideoGamer.com, category director Charlotte Knight explained that pre-orders for the platform are “performing very well” at the...

  • News Expect Particle Effects to Look Even Prettier with PhysX on PS4

    Reality just got a lot blander

    Nvidia’s luridly named PhysX technology will bring realistic physics to the PlayStation 4, the graphics company has announced. Developers will be able to utilise new software development kits on Sony’s next generation system, which in turn will result in more life-like destruction, character models, and clothing...

  • Rumour Sony's Aiming to Ship a Huge Number of PS4s This Year

    Manufacturer wants 16 million units on store shelves in 2013

    If last month’s big PlayStation Meeting taught us anything, it’s that Sony is not messing around anymore. While the PlayStation 3 was cursed by the company’s arrogance, it genuinely feels like the organisation has learned its lessons, and that’s reflected in almost every aspect of...

  • News God of War: Ascension's Multiplayer Started with Four Fighting Kratoses

    Chaos theory

    What’s worse than one angry Kratos? Well, four of them we suppose. One of the biggest new additions to the upcoming God of War: Ascension is its surprisingly satisfying multiplayer component. However, speaking as part of an exclusive interview with Push Square, lead combat designer Jason McDonald told us that the mode wasn’t always...

  • Talking Point Is Sony Putting Too Much Faith in the Killzone Franchise?

    Hopes and Helghast

    Let’s be brutally honest: Killzone has never quite reached its true potential. Despite the media pegging the original sci-fi shooter as Sony’s answer to Master Chief, the Guerrilla Games developed first-person franchise has struggled to appeal outside of its core community, garnering a vocal fanbase sans the mainstream appeal...

  • News Colossal God of War Savings Announced for Europe

    Greater than Gaia

    In order to celebrate the impending arrival of God of War: Ascension, Sony has slashed the price of almost every title in the savage Spartan series on the European PlayStation Store. Between now and 13th March, you’ll be able to snap up the God of War Collection and the God of War Collection Volume II for just £10.99 apiece...