News Some PlayStation Network Features to Return This Week
Official update arrives
Have you heard, the PlayStation brand is in decline
News Move Gets Its First Match-Three Game with 4 Elements HD
A day we thought would never come
News - 2011, Week 17
Sunday1st May 2011
News Some PlayStation Network Features to Return This Week
Official update arrives
Last night Sony held a press conference to give an update on the ongoing PlayStation Network outage, with some good news announced: the service will return this week, albeit not in its full form. According to the announcement, the following services make up the first part of the feature roll-out: Restoration of Online...
Sony Computer Entertainment president Kazuo Hirai has apologised to PlayStation Network users regarding the data breach which compromised approximately 75 million accounts
At a refreshingly personal press briefing in Tokyo this morning, Hirai said that Sony had "learned" its lesson, before detailing a number of plans aimed at trying to win...
News Sony: PSN Hack Will Not Delay NGP Release
Breathe a sigh of relief
Sony held a press conference overnight last night concerning the recent hack and outage of the PlayStation Network. While the company is restoring certain features of the PSN by week’s end (like online gaming, friend lists and chat), full restoration of the PSN, including the ability to download content from the...
Saturday30th Apr 2011
Have you heard, the PlayStation brand is in decline
That's according to an opinion piece crafted by Gamasutra's Colin Campbell. Does it sound familiar? It sure as hell does to me. In fact listening to podcasts and reading editorials this week has made me question whether I took a ride in a tripped out DeLorean against my will: it's 2007 all over...
News Sony Schedule PlayStation Network Press Conference For Tomorrow
Sony's confirmed that Kaz Hirai will hold a press conference regarding the current PlayStation Network situation in Tokyo tomorrow
The PlayStation Network gaffer will discuss the hack, as well as Sony's plans to rectify the situation from 14:00 tomorrow Japanese time. That's early morning for those of you in the UK, around 5:00AM. Hopefully Kaz can...
News Oh Hey Ubisoft, What's Assassin's Creed: Revelations All About?
The best thing about the months prior to E3 is when publishers and developers alike accidentally leak their own information
We'll never forget when Sony uploaded an episode of Qore a few days early, giving everyone the scoop on the PSPgo before it was even announced. While not quite as excessive, it does seem like Ubisoft has just accidentally...
News First Portal 2 DLC Will Be Free When It Releases This Summer
Good news for Valve: the developer has confirmed that Portal 2's launch is the "fastest-selling" since Half Life 2
To reward everyone for eagerly rushing out to purchase copies of the game, Valve has outlined what it's creatively entitling "Portal 2 DLC #1". We heard the first details about the content expansion a few days ago, when Valve...
Friday29th Apr 2011
Out Today Virtua Tennis 4 (Europe)
Make a racquet
After the disappointment that was Top Spin 4 comes Sega's attempt at mastering the Move tennis game with Virtua Tennis 4, out today across Europe. Unlike Top Spin, Virtua Tennis limits the use of Move to offline-only modes: Exhibition and Party, with no Move support for the World Tour or online play. It does however use 1:1 motion...
Now we've gotten over the worst of the PlayStation Network data breach, attention has started to turn to less immediately pressing matters
Trophies, purchasing history, friends — will they still be there when the PlayStation Network goes back online? Yes, says Sony. According to a new FAQ posted on the PlayStation Blog, everything will be in tact...
News Just Add Water Brings Lots Of Oddworld To PlayStation 3
If a job's worth doing, then you may as well do it properly
That's the mentality Just Add Water's taking with Oddworld, as it's announced a batch of new PlayStation 3 releases to celebrate the rebirth of the franchise. We already know about the PlayStation 3 remake of XBOX-exclusive Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. That's still happening, although Just...
Rumour Starhawk Announcement Imminent, Physical Release Planned
It feels like we've been talking about Starhawk for an eternity
Dylan Jobe's Lightbox Interactive studio has been rumoured to be working on the "Warhawk in space" release for yonks now. But despite the countless threads of industry whispers, nobody has any confirmation the game actually exists. Well, apart from SystemLink it seems. The...
News Need For Speed: The Run Is A Real Video Game, Teaser Trailer Released
Hurriedly announced after a teaser trailer leaked on a retail website, EA has confirmed that Need For Speed: The Run is a genuine video game due for release on PlayStation 3 this year
The game's pushing the Need For Speed franchise back into the realm of underground illicit, high-stakes racing, after Shift and Hot Pursuit both took the series...
News Debut Hydrophobia Prophecy Trailer Looks Great
We know a lot of people weren't too keen on the XBOX 360 version of Hydrophobia, but developers Dark Energy Digital are promising big changes with the PSN release of Hydrophobia Prophecy
The water physics have always been the game's selling point, and they look fantastic in this latest trailer. The game's due out next month on PlayStation 3. We'll...
News Sony Santa Monica's Looking For Developers With Open World, Shooter Experience
God Of War studio, Sony Santa Monica, is hunting for a level designer with experience in "open world games"
The developer is also after a senior combat designer with an understanding of first and third-person shooters, as well as "experience working with, developing or designing vehicle combat". The studio previously put out a job listing...
Thursday28th Apr 2011
Review WSC Real 11 (PlayStation 3)
Cue de grâce?
PlayStation Move and cue sports go together like balls and baize: PlayStation Network release Hustle Kings has already shown how well the motion controller can work with the sport, and now Dark Energy Digital has responded to VooFoo Studios' break with WSC Real 11. The most obvious enhancement WSC brings to the table is the World...
News Europe Joins Cabela's Dangerous Hunts on 6th May
Better load up
Just as we'd all but given hope of seeing Activision's animal-blaster Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011 reaching Europe, the company pulls it out of the bag by announcing a release date of 6th May 2011. This year's outing is notable for including a full first-person story mode that sees a family head into the woods to kill things, as well...
News Move Gets Its First Match-Three Game with 4 Elements HD
A day we thought would never come
That most beloved of all genres, the match-three puzzle game, will gain a new dimension of motion control when 4 Elements HD lines up with PlayStation Network in the coming months. A new version of the PC original, the game will run in full 1080p with PlayStation Move support, letting you see every detail as you...
News Let this Hydrophobia Prophecy Trailer Wash Over Your Eyes
Water water everywhere
Dark Energy Digital's much-improved version of last year's Hydrophobia, Hydrophobia Prophecy is coming to PlayStation Network later this year, complete with PlayStation Move controls. We have the first trailer for your viewing pleasure below. The game promises a laundry list of improvements over Xbox Live Arcade's Hydrophobia...
News Major Credit Card Companies Note No Indication Of PlayStation Network Hack Fraud
Sony has reiterated multiple times that there is "no evidence" of any PlayStation Network credit card theft in the wake of a recent hacking attempt on the service
That line has now been corroborated by a number of leading US banking outfits. Speaking with Bloomberg , spokesmen for Wells Fargo, American Express and MasterCard said they "were...
News Welcome To The Stage Of History: Namco Bandai Teases 'New Chapter'
Hot on the heels of fresh Soul Calibur murmurs, Namco Bandai has launched a new countdown teaser hinting at a new announcement in the brawling franchise
The website teases the on-set of a new chapter. You'll have to wait another 13 days to find out exactly what that entails. Hint: it'll involve Soul Calibur.
Kristopher from Alabama might want to consider ripping up his premature lawsuit, as Sony has confirmed in a new PSN related FAQ that all credit card data was encrypted by the company
Furthermore, the platform holder has reiterated that there is "no evidence" any credit card information was taken at all. While Sony still refuses to rule out...
Rumour Sony London Working On Unannounced PlayStation 3 Title
The best way to get a scoop in the game's industry these days is to filter through the millions of LinkedIn CVs
Eventually, you'll come up with something. Case in point: VGN365 has happened upon the profile of ex-PlayStation Home developer Martijn van der Meulen. According to Meulen's LinkedIn profile, he is currently working at Sony Studio London...
News Portal 2 DLC Coming In Time For The Summer
If you've already beaten Portal 2's single-player and co-operative campaigns, then you might be wondering when you might be able to get an additional fix of portal-powered puzzling
Speaking with the Fast Company, Valve's marketing gaffer Doug Lombardi has confirmed that more content is on the way, possibly as soon as this summer. "We will be...
News Red Faction: Armageddon Pushed Back Ever So Slightly
Sorry explosives fans, you're just going to have to wait a couple of extra days to get your hands on Red Faction: Armageddon
THQ has announced that it's delaying the game's release a couple of days from May 31st until June 7th in North America. Europeans will get to play the game on June 10th. No reason has been given for the delay. A demo is due on...
News SEGA Confirms 2012 Release For Binary Domain, New Trailer Is Sweet As Hell
Binary Domain might not be what we've come to expect from the team behind the Yakuza franchise, but that's not stopping it from looking properly amazing
Sure ok, there are robots and the characters look like they've been ripped straight out of Gears Of War — but if Binary Domain can bring the narrative success of the Yakuza franchise and marry it...
News Driver: San Francisco Burns Rubber On August 30th, 2011
Ubisoft's announced that the frequently delayed Driver: San Francisco will be tearing up North American retail chains from August 30th
The game was announced last year alongside an unusual mechanic which allows protagonist Tanner to shift into the bodies of other drivers on the fly. Sounds bonkers, but might be a cool way of making chases super...
News Bloober Team Confirm Development On NGP Launch Title, Announcement Next Month
Polish studio Bloober Team has confirmed that it's currently working on a launch title for Sony's next handheld platform, the NGP
Bloober Team has previously worked on Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder for the PlayStation Minis series. SCEE will publish the studio's NGP debut. Obviously, its quite a tremendous honor to be included in the initial,...
News Ubisoft Earns Publisher Rights To WRC, SBK Games
Ubisoft has announced that it has secured rights to publish Black Bean's games in the UK
According to MCV, the move means that Ubisoft will now publish games such as WRC and SBK, as well as other titles like Let's Dance With Mel B. The first game under the new deal is set to be SBK 2011 which is due out on May 13th.
News Driver: San Francisco Coming To PlayStation 3 On September 2nd In The UK
Ubisoft's slapped a big fat September 2nd UK release date on Driver: San Francisco
The game was given an August 30th release window in North America earlier on today. The game depicts the actions of series protagonist Tanner after he is submerged into a coma. The phenomenon gives Tanner the ability to "Shift" into the bodies of other...
Report Sony Distributing New Software Development Kits To PS3 Developers
Fact: when the PlayStation Network is back online you will have to install a very large patch
That's not really up for debate now. There's going to be a firmware update. PS3 developers are already getting those updates, according to GamaSutra. The site reports that numerous development sources are being asked to use updated versions of the PS3 SDK...
The third-instalment in Warner's horror franchise, FEAR, was scheduled to release on May 27th
Not anymore. The publisher has confirmed to Videogamer that FEAR 3 will now release on June 24th in the UK. No reason was given for the delay. Joystiq followed up the story in the US, confirming a June 21st release in North America. This is third time FEAR...
News So, That Modern Day Call Of Juarez Game Is Still Happening
We loved the last Call Of Juarez game, but this new modern day setting isn't hooking us
Clubs, gangsters and cars in a cowboy franchise seem a bit — odd. Granted, we're probably not giving Call Of Juarez: The Cartel the fairest of shakes because we enjoyed the previous title so much. And at the very least this is a unique setting for a...
News Ubisoft E3 Press Conference Confirmed For June 6th
Ubisoft has confirmed that it will hold its E3 press conference on June 6th at 14:30PST
That's right before Sony's briefing at 17:00PST on the same day. Expect the publisher to focus heavily on the direction of the Assassin's Creed franchise, and keep your fingers crossed for a Beyond Good & Evil 2 announcement. What would you most like to see...
Wednesday27th Apr 2011
Talking Point The Impact of the PlayStation Network Disaster
Where do we go from here?
The recent attack on PlayStation Network has made headlines around the world, even reaching the US Senate as players, analysts and politicians come to terms with what has happened. Here's a quick recap: Sunday 17th April to Tuesday 19th April PlayStation Network is the victim of an "illegal and unauthorised...
News PSN Outage Delays Under Siege Yet Again
Announcement due today
The long and arduous path that Under Siege has followed on its way to the PlayStation Store was supposed to end today with its release across Europe, but the well-documented ongoing PlayStation Network outage has thrown a further spanner in Seed Studios' plan. The studio is expected to make an announcement today on the Under...
News ... And Here Come The Lawsuits
It's been merely twenty-four hours since Sony announced the potential breach of customer information via the PlayStation Network
Now news of the first lawsuit is trickling onto the Internet. We very much doubt it will be the last. Kristopher Johns of Birmingham, Alabama today filed a suit against the Japanese platform holder, citing failures of the...
News LucasArts Licenses Unreal Engine 3 For Multiple Future Projects
What's with publishers signing their allegiance to Epic's famously flaky Unreal Engine technology? It wasn't so long ago that Warner Bros was releasing a similar statement, now LucasArts has confirmed it will be exclusively utilising Epic's technology for multiple future projects
We assume the use of Unreal Engine makes lots of sense for developers...
Sony Online Entertainment has released a statement noting that its servers are separate to those used by SCE for the PSN, reassuring players that no additional data theft has occurred via the DC Universe Online developer's network
We wanted to update you on the status of our examination of the SOE system intrusion we announced last week,said...
News UK Fraud Organisation Calms PlayStation Network Identity Theft Concerns
An organisation familiar with fraud prevention in the UK, Financial Fraud Action UK (or FFA UK), has moved to calm gamers amidst a massive potential data breach of the PlayStation Network
The organisation has warned against an overreaction amongst consumers, offering Eurogamer the following statement: "FFA UK has been made aware that out of the...
News We May As Well Have A Michael Pachter Quote For The Road, Eh?
Pssht
What a day? When we started up PushSquare we did so with the intention of writing about video games. Granted we could avoid the PlayStation Network security breach entirely [you'll note we never wrote a single word about GeoHot - Ed] but unfortunately this story is too big to avoid. Furthermore, we've received like three press releases today...
News ICO To Investigate Sony Over PlayStation Network Personal Data Breach
Eurogamer's reporting that the Information Commissioner's Office will question Sony over the potential theft of millions of PlayStation Network users' data
The investigation will aim to discover whether Sony correctly protected users' data. Their findings could ultimately absolve or damn Sony depending on the practices the platform holder had in...
News Cohort Studios Planning To Go Out With A Bang, Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar! Looks Great
Cohort Studios may be shutting up shop, but their final release is shaping up very nicely indeed
Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar! will release on Sony's PlayStation Minis service next week [fingers crossed! - Ed] and looks to have all the colourful charm of Cohort's previous PlayStation title, The Shoot. "Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar! is a single player...
News Obviously There'll Be No PlayStation Store Update Today
If you were twiddling your thumbs anticipating a PlayStation Store update today, you are crazy
Absolutely crazy. Stuff happened and it's been all over the mainstream news. You should probably get up to date with that before you read this story. So yeah, no PlayStation Store update today. In fact, no PlayStation Store update in the near future...
News Hulu Plus Pledges One-Week Credit To Subscribers Using PlayStation Network
Just as soon as we get news of one good-will gesture, in comes another
Despite Hulu Plus working across a range of devices, the company has pledged compensation for all inconvenienced users that have been unable to stream content via the PS3 while the PlayStation Network is down. To compensate, one-week's worth of credit has been distributed to...
News Full Investigation The Cause Of Sony's Delayed PlayStation Network Theft Response
Probably the biggest backlash against the PlayStation Network data breach situation has been, "why didn't Sony come forward sooner?" Most people understand that this kind of attack is possible on any network, but are still disappointed by Sony's laboured response
The platform holder has followed up its initial statement on the PlayStation Blog...
Report Sony Urged To 'Invest A Lot' In Order To Rebuild Business
Having spent the morning re-securing our personal finances, our attention has slowly turned to the commercial fallout of Sony's breached security
As die-hard PlayStation fans we're obviously concerned about the near-term impact this story is going to have on Sony's platforms and games. Furthermore, as a website that deals solely in PlayStation...
Tuesday26th Apr 2011
Guides SOCOM 4, PlayStation Move and Sharp Shooter Tips
Tactically movin'
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs has been on store shelves for nearly a week now, and the bulk of the game has been crippled by the untimely PSN server issues. Even though blasting away with Move and Sharp Shooter online isn’t currently possible, the offline Campaign is still readily available. We at Movemodo have been diligently working...
News No More Heroes Trailer Looks Like a Bloody Good Time
Another adults-only Move title
No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (known as No More Heroes: Red Zone in Japan) is bound to make waves when it comes to PlayStation 3 later this year, much like the original No More Heroes on Wii all those years ago. The trailer below, despite being in Japanese, should give you a pretty clear idea of what to expect from...
We're writing this post with a heavy heart
Everything looked so good for PlayStation 3 going into 2011 but ever since the PlayStation 3 was hacked earlier in the year there's been a storm brewing behind scenes. It's culminated in a press release from Sony today confirming that hackers have managed to obtain sensitive data from the 75 million...
News Hydrophobia Prophecy Wets PlayStation Network's Appetite
Dark Energy's second Move title
Last year's release of Hydrophobia on Xbox Live Arcade didn't exactly go down well, but developer Dark Energy Digital admirably embraced the criticisms of its audience and started a "listening post", where users could respond with their feedback to help improve the game. Now the team has crunched all the...
Rumour Uncharted, WipEout and ModNation Ready for Launch
Not a bad line-up
More sources have apparently leaked Sony’s first-party line up for the PlayStation NGP, with four first-party titles set for the system’s holiday launch. The four first-party titles are: UnchartedSmart AsWipEout 2048ModNation Racers. Resistance is supposedly launching in early 2012. The source also claims that the previous...
News Red Faction: Armageddon Demo Incoming Next Week (If The PlayStation Network's Back Online!)
THQ's confirmed that it'll release a demo for the explosive Red Faction: Armageddon next week on the PlayStation Network -- if the service has been properly resumed, of course
Assuming everything's back to normal by then, you'll get to step into the shoes of protagonist Darius Mason [worst name ever - Ed] and blast your way through some underground...
News Hydrophobia Prophecy Coming To PlayStation 3, Includes PlayStation Move Support
According to Eurogamer, Dark Energy Digital will bring its ambitious downloadable third-person water-based action series, Hydrophobia, to the PlayStation 3 later this year
Hydrophobia Prophecy is pitched by the publication as an update on last year's XBOX 360 exclusive. The PSN title will include new levels, and reworked existing stages. Apparently...
News Sarah Michelle Gellar & Danny Trejo Star In Call Of Duty: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC Pack
Treyarch's been keeping Call Of The Dead -- an additional zombie co-op map to be included with Call Of Duty: Black Ops' second DLC pack, Escalation -- pretty quiet
And this grindhouse inspired trailer reveals exactly why. You'll get a chance to play as a quarter of a zombie killing dream-team, with Danny Trejo, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert Englund...
News Ridge Racer Unbounded Teaser Trailer Features Cars Crashing Into Walls
Picture the scene: you're in a hot pursuit against an equally powered super-car
You've taken a turn into an alleyway and are still haven't managed to shake your pursuer. There's a wall dead ahead, with no other exit. Do you: a) hit the handbrake and slide into a perfect u-turn ready to boost out of the alley, or; b) drive through the wall in front...
News NGP Camera Utilised in Resistance and Uncharted
What will you see?
The NGP will feature two cameras, one front-facing and one in the back, and it appears that the Uncharted and Resistance titles coming to the NGP will make use of at least one of the system’s cameras in one way or another. According to sources “close to Sony”, Resistance NGP will allow players to use the camera to pick up...
News UK Sales Charts: Portal 2 Takes Top-Spot, Mortal Kombat Settles For Second
Last week was big for new releases
Portal 2, Mortal Kombat, SOCOM 4 (or Special Forces depending on your region) and Operation Flashpoint: Red River all launching ahead of the Easter weekend. As suspected, Portal 2 and Mortal Kombat had the strongest showing, both finishing up first and second respectively. That's a well deserved result for both...
News Sony Unveils S1 & S2 Tablets, Both Feature PlayStation Functionality
Sony's finally stepped into the tablet computer bloodbath
The Japanese consumer electronics giant has this morning announced two new tablet computers to rival the Apple iPad and other popular devices. The S1 is designed with "rich media entertainment" in mind, while the S2 has "mobile communication and entertainment" as its...
News FYI: Green Hill Zone In Sonic Generations Is Gorgeous
Colours
That's exactly what most Unreal Engine moden video games lack. Colours. SEGA understands that. Not content with the blistering blue skies of Okinawa in Yakuza, SEGA's still pumping out eye-wateringly bright Sonic games too. Sonic Generations will be no exception. We couldn't be happier.</em>
News Catherine Questions The Importance Of Marriage In Latest Screens
Atlus has released the first batch of Catherine screens boasting English sub-titles
The Japanese adventure-meets-puzzle-platformer title tackles a number of adult subjects, including infidelity and responsibility. The game also includes sheep. Lots of sheep.</em> There are more screens over on Joystiq.
News Q-Games Offers Developer Perspective Of PSN Outage
Industry veteran and Q-Games gaffer Dylan Cuthbert has spoken to IndustryGamers about the affect the current PSN outage is having on his company
Q-Games is behind the PixelJunk series — one of the most important brands available on the PlayStation Store. Unfortunately for Dylan and his company, the outage is already taking its toll on the studio's...
News Sony Promising Additional Promotional Support For Developers Over PSN Outage
The surprisingly good Mad Blocker Alpha launched on the North American PlayStation Store last week
But with the PlayStation Network down for much of the week, developer Open Emotion's lost a good chunk of its first week sales. Thankfully Sony's promised the studio will get a few weeks additional promotion to compensate — a bold but necessary...
News Security Expert Predicts Big Patches When PlayStation Network Returns
Database security engineer expert Neil Martin has told NowGamer that he expects the PlayStation Network to be back online by the end of the week
Martin believes that Sony will be using the downtime to remove original server code and rebuild it "using new login keys for their admin side". Martin also believes that this will affect our...
News Oh Sure, We Could Go For Some More Soul Calibur
Soul Calibur gaffer Daishi Odashima has teased the announcement of a new title in the fighting game franchise
Writing on Twitter, the series stalwart noted that "hopefully" he will be able to announce something in "mid May". Aside from a respectful PSP release, Soul Calibur has been deadly quiet since SCIV released in 2008. It'd...
Monday25th Apr 2011
News Travis Steiner Leaves Zipper Interactive, Opens New Company
Zipper Interactive veteran Travis Steiner has announced he's left the company after fulfilling his duties on SOCOM 4
The lead designer has been with the studio for eight years, but has left in order to start up his own company. There's very little information on what that project will pertain, but Steiner's promising an update soon. Clearly Steiner...
News PSN Offline For A Fifth Day, Sony Working To Get 'Back Online Quickly'
Day five in the Big Brother house and Sony has no new information regarding the PSN outage that's kept PlayStation 3s offline over the Bank Holiday weekend
Despite forum users demanding updates across the web, Patrick Seybold's latest blog post hasn't done much to appease those requesting information. In his post, the communications gaffer outright...
News DONTNOD Confirm Plans For E3 Appearance, PlayStation 3 Announcement Likely
"Who's DONTNOD?" we hear you scream
A relatively unknown developer thought to be working on a big-time PlayStation 3 exclusive is the answer. We reported at the start of the month that Sony had teamed up with the little-known French developer over a "AAA" (i.e. big budget) title for the PS3. The game's yet to be announced, but is thought...
Most Read
Feature PlayStation Network Data Breach Gives Us All A Chance To Pretend It's 20...
News Move Gets Its First Match-Three Game with 4 Elements HD
News And The Day Will Forever Be Known As Black Tuesday: Sony Confirms PlaySt...
Talking Point The Impact of the PlayStation Network Disaster
