Tag: Sony - Page 312
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Graphics company suggests that the console's already out of date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...
News MLB 13: The Show Hits a Homerun in Europe Later Today
Anyone for a game of rounders?
Sony’s responded to the demand for MLB 13: The Show outside of North America, announcing that the baseball simulator will take aim on the European PlayStation Store later today. You’ll be able to purchase both the PlayStation 3 and Vita versions of the critically acclaimed sports title when the digital storefront...
News PlayStation Vita Sales Surpass 62,000 Units in Japan Post Price Cut
Onwards and upwards
PlayStation Vita sales surged to 62,543 units in Japan following last week’s price cut. The system – which saw its cost slashed to ¥19,980 on 28th February – sold out in some stores, prompting SCEJ executive Hiroshi Kawano to hint that sales had quadrupled. However,
News Journey Floats Away with Five BAFTA Awards
The Unfinished Swan also recognised
Journey’s unstoppable success has continued with a further five awards at this year’s BAFTAs. The popular PlayStation Network exclusive netted gongs for Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, Best Online Multiplayer, Best Game Design, and Best Original Music. Meanwhile, The Unfinished Swan uncovered...
Talking Point How Important Is 'Plug and Play' to the PlayStation 4?
Working in perfect harmony
Consoles are getting more and more complex. There was a time when we expected our favourite system to play games and little else – but now we demand video streaming, direct communication with our friends, network-wide achievements, and more. Sony’s current flagship console, the PlayStation 3, wasn’t designed with...
News Wonderbook: Diggs Nightcrawler Pops Its Collar in May
L.A. Noire for kids
Intriguing augmented reality adventure Wonderbook: Diggs Nightcrawler has bookmarked a May release date in Europe. The title – which takes advantage of Sony’s page-turning peripheral – sees you assume the role of a budding detective, as you attempt to solve a series of crimes in an eye-catching film noir world. You can...
Feature PlayStation All-Stars Fans Campaigning for Crash Bandicoot and Spyro DLC
Community launches online assault at Activision and Sony Santa Monica
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is a fine game, but there are some major omissions in its roster. The loveable Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon are both considered PlayStation icons, but unfortunately they belong to Activision. That clearly prompted some serious...
News PlayStation Vita Sales Quadruple in Japan Post Price Cut
System primed for positive week overseas
We already know that the PlayStation Vita’s commercial performance has improved dramatically since the console’s recent price drop, but just how much has remained a bit of a mystery. Fortunately, speaking at a One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 presentation earlier today, SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano has...
News Spec Ops: The Line Steps into the Fray on North American PlayStation Plus
Joe Danger 2: The Movie, The Cave, and more also up for grabs
Evidently weary of all of the complaining, whining, and general bad blood, Sony has decided to adapt the way that it discusses PlayStation Plus content in North America, opting for a full monthly rundown rather than a weekly update. There will still be regular PlayStation Blog posts...
News Sony Sells Shares in Online Gaming Firm for $440 Million
Platform holder freeing up assets
As part of an ongoing effort to stabilise its financial footing, Sony has announced that it’s selling its shares in Japanese online gaming firm DeNA for around $440 million. Games Industry.biz reports that Nomura Securities are poised to snatch up the 17.72 million shares, which will add a few more zeroes to the...
News PlayStation Network Scheduled Maintenance Times Revised
Disruption for a little longer than expected
Don’t panic if you’re just signing in to find the PlayStation Network offline – Sony has revised the times of its previously announced scheduled maintenance, bringing it forward to 13:00PM GMT. The construction period will run until 03:00AM GMT tomorrow, but you may still be able to login in the...
News PlayStation Plus Will Play a 'Prominent Role' on PlayStation 4
Subscription service a core part of Sony's next generation system
Sony’s popular subscription service PlayStation Plus will continue to play a “pivotal role” on the PlayStation 4, according to SCEE executive Jim Ryan. Chatting with the PlayStation Blog, the suit explained that the platform holder is “very happy with the service” and that...
News You'll Be Able to Download 100GB Movies to Your PlayStation 4
The future is 4K, apparently
You won’t be able to play games in the fledgling 4K format on the PlayStation 4, but you absolutely will be able to watch videos in the swanky resolution via the system. And, speaking with The Verge, Sony’s Phil Molyneux has hinted that the next generation platform will take advantage of the conglomerate’s...
News Guerrilla Games Helped Design the PlayStation 4's Controller
Killzone developer wanted to build a great device for shooters
Much like the rest of its next generation console, Sony consulted with a number of its first-party developers to design the DualShock 4. One of those studios was Killzone creator Guerrilla Games, who, unsurprisingly, wanted to help the platform holder “build a great controller for [a...
