News - 2012, Week 26
Saturday30th Jun 2012
News Retro City Rampage Embraces "Buy One Get Both" Model
Hip hip hooray
You’ll no longer have to make an agonising decision over which platform to purchase the upcoming Retro City Rampage for, as the game will take advantage of Sony’s “buy one get both” deal. That means, regardless of which system you snap up the 8-bit adventure for, you’ll be able to experience it on both PS3 and Vita. In...
News Fresh The Last of Us Footage to Debut at Comic-Con
Survivor
Not even next month’s San Diego Comic-Con will be safe from the impending apocalypse, as Naughty Dog has announced that it will be hosting a panel for upcoming PS3 exclusive The Last of Us at the show. The event will be attended by creative director Neil Druckmann, game director Bruce Straley, and voice actors Ashley Johnson and Troy...
News Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's Arctic Strike DLC Gets Cold Feet
On the back burner
Much like the oft-delayed tactical shooter itself, Ubisoft has pushed back Ghost Recon: Future Soldier’s first DLC pack Arctic Strike. The expansion was originally scheduled to release on 3rd July, but publisher Ubisoft cited “polish” as the reason for the setback. The pack will now deploy in late July, with an exact...
News New Rainbow Moon Developer Diary Details Crafting and Loot
Suits you
Loot is utterly worthless if it doesn’t have an impact upon your character’s appearance, but thankfully SideQuest Studios’ upcoming Rainbow Moon has that covered. The developer has released a brand new behind-the-scenes video outlining the game’s in-depth item and crafting systems. It all looks rather meaty, doesn’t it? The game...
Friday29th Jun 2012
Review LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PlayStation 3)
Blockbusters
Even the Dark Knight needs a little help now and then. Bruce Wayne returns in blocky form after his critically acclaimed first outing, and this time he's brought along a huge gang of friends – and their enemies. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes still hangs on Batman and Gotham City, but the scope has been expanded to give you the chance...
News Rugby League Live 2 Charges onto PS3 This Year
Scrumptious
Those of you that prefer your balls slightly squashed (and fundamentally not American) will probably be pleased to learn that Australian developer Big Ant Studios is hard at work on Rugby League Live 2 for PlayStation 3. The meaty sequel promises licensed teams from the NRL, Super League, Cooperative Championships, NSW and QLD cups,...
News Kaz Hirai's Custom PS3 Will Probably Make You Jealous
Parting gifts
Earlier this week, new Sony president Kaz Hirai formally announced his departure from the SCE board. In order to celebrate his services to the division, the company held a leaving party for the busy executive in Japan earlier this afternoon. At the event, Hirai was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a custom PlayStation 3...
News Sony Reveals Scorching Summer PSN Sale
Why go outside?
If you’ve been eyeing Europe’s excellent PlayStation Vita sale with envy over the past couple of weeks, then you’ll probably be excited to learn that a brand new promotion is set to launch in North America next week. While it doesn’t feature any Vita titles, the summer sale will allow you to choose from a wealth of popular...
News Learn About the Technology Inside Move's Racing Wheel
More than meets the eye
Sony’s hastily announced PlayStation Move racing wheel proves that appearances aren’t everything. The peripheral might look unwieldy at first, but it’s actually packing some interesting technology beneath the surface, as this video with Sony's Anton Mikhailov demonstrates. For example, the peripheral boasts a series of...
News 007 Legends Embarks On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Branched off
Activision has confirmed that an adaptation of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service will represent the second playable chunk of Eurocom’s upcoming James Bond love-in 007 Legends. The game will feature five classic missions in total, with Moonraker already confirmed. A sixth mission will tie into the upcoming Skyfall, which is set to...
News Get a Nifty Basketball with NBA 2K13's Dynasty Edition
Baller beats
While throwing hoops on PS3 is perfectly enjoyable, it never comes close to bettering the real thing. Publisher 2K Sports seems to understand that, hence its decision to bundle a genuine basketball with the Dynasty Edition of NBA 2K13. The brightly coloured Spalding ball boasts some fairly appropriate street artwork and the NBA 2K13...
News MercurySteam Rues Rushed Castlevania: Lords of Shadow DLC
Surprise success
If you haven’t played Castlevania: Lords of Shadow’s poorly received downloadable content, then developer MercurySteam would rather you didn’t. Chatting candidly with Gameranx, producer David Cox explained that the content was rushed after the game’s encouraging retail performance. He said: The problem was that the game's...
News Turn the Pages of This European Ni No Kuni Collector's Edition
Bookworm
Those eager to splash out on Namco Bandai’s upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch will no doubt be thrilled to learn about the title’s European collector’s edition. The premium bundle – which is set to release alongside the standard version of the title on 25th January – includes a copy of the game,...
News Battlefield 3 Premium Exceeds 800,000 Subscriptions
Splash damage
More than 800,000 players signed up to Battlefield 3’s Premium subscription tier within two weeks of the package being available, EA has announced. Chatting with USA Today, EA Games chief Patrick Soderlund explained that the service had already exceeded the publisher’s expectations. “We are very pleased with the performance so...
News Radical Entertainment Reduced to "Support" Role at Activision
Staff cuts
Radical Entertainment is the latest developer to fall foul to Activision’s high expectations. The developer – which recently released the middling Prototype 2 – has been dropped to a support role after a significant reduction in staff. Activision explained that it had explored “various options for the studio, including a...
News Dungeon Twister Weaves onto PSN in July
Twist and shout
While Dungeon Twister is not the fantasy-themed party game for contortionists you’ve always dreamed of, it is a promising looking board game adaptation for PSN. The Hydravision developed turn-based strategy title is set to roll its first dice on 3rd July, when the title charges onto Sony’s digital storefront for $9.99. In the...
Thursday28th Jun 2012
News Nuketown Explodes into Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Explosive territory
Chances are if you only know the name of one Call of Duty multiplayer map, it’ll be Nuketown. The popular Call of Duty: Black Ops layout has an immense following, and looks set to make a return appearance in the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. According to information obtained from a variety of retail sources, the map will...
News Watch This Ridiculous Japanese PlayStation Vita Commercial
Erm
Sony has revealed its latest PlayStation Vita commercial for Japan. The campaign – which was teased earlier in the week – shows local celebrity Shigeru Matsuzaki strumming an acoustic guitar while a Crystal White PlayStation Vita obscures his face. The commercial then closes with the tagline “it’s getting interesting”, which boasts a...
News Sony Announces Duo of New PSP Titles for Kids
Licensed fun
Believe it or not, the PSP continues to sell reasonably well in pockets of Europe. Games such as Invizimals have given the handheld a new lease of life amongst younger users, and Sony’s hoping to capitalise on that with the announcement of a duo of new children’s focused games. First up is Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second...
News The Last of Us Will Feature Online Multiplayer
Against the world
To date, all we’ve seen of Naughty Dog’s upcoming The Last of Us is single-player action. But while the title won’t boast co-operative gameplay, the Uncharted developer has confirmed that it will feature online multiplayer modes. Chatting with Gaming Examiner, creative director Neil Druckmann explained: We are supporting...
News Duo of Dishonored Demos Depict Different Player Decisions
Variety is the spice of life
While most games can explain the extent of their gameplay in a 60 second trailer, Bethesda’s upcoming Dishonored is a teensy bit more ambitious. When you’re not deliberating the current value of whale oil with fellow aristocrats, you’ll need to decide how best to approach a wealth of murderous acts. These two...
News Andrew House Stresses the Importance of United Sony
Sticking together
Sony is not in a good position. While core elements of its business – including the PlayStation division – are ticking over nicely, the company as a whole is bleeding money. The worry for Sony is that it’s been struggling for a while. But while the company's situation is becoming all too familiar from the outside, key...
News Team Ninja Introduces Dead or Alive 5's Latest Combatant
A right rigmarole
If you’re working on an oil rig, then it’s probably best to settle your disputes without setting fire to the fragile platform you're residing on. Still, that’s exactly what happens in this Dead or Alive 5 trailer, as newcomer Rig and returning favourite Bass Armstrong brawl over, er, motorbikes. The footage is melodramatic...
News Play Tomb Raider and Hitman: Absolution at Eurogamer Expo
Hot stuff
Current Eurogamer Expo ticket holders have earned the right to feel smug this afternoon, as Square Enix has announced that both Tomb Raider and Hitman: Absolution will be playable at the London convention later this year. The additions help to inflate an already bulging line-up, including Resident Evil 6 and Assassin’s Creed III. For...
Rumour Mass Effect 3 DLC Details Extracted from Extended Cut
Between the lines
It was only yesterday that Mass Effect 3 producer Mike Gamble teased the impending arrival of additional single-player DLC for the popular space opera. But rather than patiently wait for the developer to officially share additional information, hackers have taken it upon themselves to crack open the recently released Extended Cut...
News The Expendables 2 Shoots onto PSN This Summer
Last action hero
Fans of high-profile actors and big explosions have our permission to scream like little girls, as Ubisoft has announced that it’s bringing The Expendables 2 to PSN this summer. The heavily rumoured movie spin-off promises “a feast of explosive over-the-top action, authentic to the Expendables franchise”. The game will see...
News Get a Taste for Local Justice in New Max Payne 3 DLC Trailer
Banged up
Local justice might sound like a delicate means of reprimanding miscreants, but it’s actually nothing of the sort. Rockstar Games has released a brand new trailer honing in on the recently announced Max Payne 3 DLC pack, and it focuses much more prominently on gun shots than stern telling offs. You’ll be able to grab the expansion...
Wednesday27th Jun 2012
News Japanese Sales Charts: PlayStation Vita Dips Again
Boing boing
Last week’s exceptional PlayStation Vita performance was a one-off it seems. With the excitement surrounding Persona 4: The Golden now restored to a reasonable level, the handheld plunged to just 13k units. Not horrific, but far from exceptional either. One hypothesis for the Vita’s relatively sluggish week centres on the imminent...
News YouTube Application Now Available for PlayStation Vita
Toobin'
Those of you lucky enough to live in the US can now watch your favourite cute kitten videos on the go. Sony has launched the PlayStation Vita’s heavily anticipated YouTube application, which allows you to watch videos in both standard and high definition via the handheld's striking OLED screen. The application boasts many of YouTube’s...
Store Update 27th June 2012 (Europe)
Sony sale continues
Sony's dropped the prices on more of its top titles this week, including plenty for PlayStation Move in an effort to get you using the motion controller, plus there's some long-overdue digital releases for one Nathan Drake. PlayStation Plus: Uncharted --15% off for 1 week Uncharted 2 — 15% off for 1 week Resident Evil...
Store Update 26th June 2012 (North America)
Grab your Move
Not one but two PlayStation Move-compatible games hit the North American PlayStation Store this week, so time to dust off your motion controller and come out swinging. Here's what's up now. PlayStation Plus: Journey — 20% off, $11.99 (from $14.99) [Journey review] Resident Evil Chronicles: HD — 10% off, $24.29 (from $26.99)...
News Telltale Working with Sony on European The Walking Dead Delay
Stumbling overseas
Delays are par for the course here in Europe. Things have gotten better over the past decade, but one area that continuously lags behind is the PlayStation Store. SCEE’s keen to point out that the sheer number of languages and laws in Europe makes it difficult to ensure every game gets a simultaneous global release, but it...
News Kaz Hirai Drops Sony Computer Entertainment Chairman Role
Bigger fish to fry
New Sony president Kaz Hirai is a busy man. The former Sony Computer Entertainment gaffer has been handed the daunting task of turning the troubled Japanese manufacturer’s fortunes around. As such, the likable executive has decided to step away from his role as chairman on the SCE board. He will still serve in a part time...
News Media Molecule Recruiting for New "AAA Title"
The next big thing
LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule is staffing up for a new “AAA title". The UK-based studio has been alarmingly quiet ever since the release of LittleBigPlanet 2 last year, but it looks like the inventive team is starting to seriously consider the future. There’s some conflicting information amongst the multiple job...
News Reserve Your Space in the LittleBigPlanet Karting Beta
Va va voom
If entry into the LittleBigPlanet Vita beta wasn't enough burlap action for you eager lot, then Sony’s announced that it's serving up early access to the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Karting too. Those of you in Europe can register your interest by completing the fairly straight-forward form accessible through here. Unfortunately, we don't...
News Buddy Up with Spec Ops: The Line's Free Co-Op DLC
Two's company
2K Games is eschewing costly industry trends with the upcoming Spec Ops: The Line, announcing a free co-op update set to release in August. The download will implement objective based multiplayer scenarios into the tropical shooter that will help to expand upon some of the events from the single-player campaign. Four missions will be...
News Mass Effect 3 Producer Teases Plenty More DLC
Play beyond
If you felt that Mass Effect 3’s recently released Extended Cut DLC wrapped things up nicely, then you might be keen to know what’s next the for the mammoth space adventure. Thankfully, producer Mike Gamble has taken to Twitter to confirm that there’s plenty more content on the horizon. Chatting on the micro-blogging website,...
News Max Payne 3 Serves Up Local Justice on 3rd July
Behind bars
Rockstar’s popular sequel Max Payne 3 will get its first dose of DLC on 3rd July, the company has announced. The Local Justice pack will add a host of fresh content to the multiplayer component of the third-person shooter, including three new maps and a handful of new weapons and character customisation options. In response to missing...
Tuesday26th Jun 2012
News European PlayStation Vita Sale Adds PSP Titles into the Mix
Pound stretcher
For the PlayStation Vita to be a success, regular software discounts are a necessity. Sony's European branch seems to understand that, as it’s been running a fairly robust digital sale for the past three weeks now. Writing on the PlayStation Blog, it’s announced the final leg of that promotion this afternoon. As promised, the...
News Camilla Luddington Steps into the Shoes of Lara Croft
Dulcet tones
True Blood actress Camilla Luddington has been confirmed as the new voice of Lara Croft in Crystal Dynamics’ upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. The British-born star was chosen after an “international talent search using scouts in Europe and the US”. She will also shoot performance capture for the protagonist. Studio gaffer Darrell...
News The Amazing Spider-Man Gets Acrobatic Launch Trailer
Sky high
Activision’s upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man might look hot in this brand new launch trailer, but we’re more taken with the soundtrack. After years of having our eardrums attacked by shoddy dubstep, a bit of Garbage makes for a refreshing change. The game’s due out this week on PlayStation 3.
News The Last of Us Scoops Five Game Critics Awards
Best of show
There’s no stopping Naughty Dog at the moment. Not content with dominating the generation with Uncharted, it’s now repeating that success with its upcoming survival horror The Last of Us. The PlayStation 3 exclusive was the star of this year’s E3, taking home five Game Critics Awards for Best Original Game, Best Console Game,...
News FIFA 13 Kicks Off on 28th September
Ultimate edition
If you’re still reeling from England’s premature exit from the European championships this weekend, then we imagine the last thing you’ll want to read about is football. Still, EA thought it was appropriate to reveal the UK release date for the upcoming FIFA 13 today, so here we are. Don’t worry, we keep seeing Ashley...
News Sony Has "No Definitive Plans" for the Future of Resistance
Resistance is futile
With Insomniac Games stepping away from the Resistance franchise, and Nihilistic’s recent Vita spin-off failing to impress critics, the fate of the first-person franchise is in doubt. Chatting with Official PlayStation Magazine, producer Daniel Brooke confirmed what many of us expected, that there are “no definitive...
News New DLC Races into Gran Turismo 5 This Week
On track
If you’re one of those people that absolutely refuses to remove Gran Turismo 5 from your PS3’s disc drive, then you might be excited to learn that the already enormous simulation racer is set to get a little bit bigger this week. Sony has announced two new DLC packs for the popular exclusive, spanning the Twin Ring Motegi Pack and Scion...
News Capcom Confirms Killer Line-Up for Eurogamer Expo
Drop dead
Fans of zombies, controversy and The Thing will probably want to snatch up the few remaining tickets to September’s Eurogamer Expo. The London convention is set to pay host to a trio of top-tier titles from Capcom, with Resident Evil 6, DmC: Devil May Cry and Lost Planet 3 all playable on the show floor. Members of the Push Square team...
News Rainbow Moon Launch Trailer Lights Up the Sky
Colourful comet
There’s a delightfully retro flavour to this Rainbow Moon launch trailer. Everything from the harsh arpeggiated lead melodies right through to the lashings of reverb applied to the announcer’s vocal samples help to sell the throwback feel. The game itself looks excellent too. You’ll be able to get your hands on the old-school...
News Warm Up with the LittleBigPlanet 2 Summer Creator's Kit
We're all going on a summer holiday
While the weather is never guaranteed here in the UK, at least you can depend on the sun shining in LittleBigPlanet 2. Media Molecule has announced a brand new limited edition DLC pack designed to celebrate the summer, which features a batch of new stickers, objects, decorations and materials. The pack will cost...
News The Walking Dead: Episode 2 Shuffles onto PSN This Week
Just in time
Telltale Games has just about managed to fulfil its self-imposed deadline, announcing a 29th June release date for the second episode in its massively popular The Walking Dead series. Sadly, the aforementioned date only applies to the North American version of the download, with a European release still yet to be nailed down. Are you...
News DUST 514's Mercenary Pack Guarantees Early Beta Access
Pay to play
If you simply can’t wait to get your hands on CCP’s upcoming free-to-play PSN shooter DUST 514, then the Icelandic developer has a rather tantalising proposition for you. Stump up the cash for the title’s impending Mercenary Pack and you’ll be guaranteed early access to the game’s closed beta. You’ll also score a wealth of...
News Journey Collector's Edition Trailer Floats Online
Goosebumps
It should only take about 60 seconds of Austin Wintory’s scorching score to sell you on the Journey Collector's Edition. We dare you to watch the trailer below and not come away itching to get your hands on thatgamecompany’s innovative opus all over again. The specially prepared compilation is set to release on 28th August in North...
Monday25th Jun 2012
News Resident Evil 6 Collector's Edition Unveiled
Steelbook and more
Every big release needs a special edition, and Capcom's Resident Evil 6 is no exception. The publisher's just lifted the lid on its collector's edition for Europe and Australia, and it's a whopper. Here's what the package contains: Resident Evil 6 Game Zombie Steel Book Exclusive RE6 hardback artbook showing concept art from...
News PlayStation 3 Firmware Update 4.20 Arrives Tomorrow
Minor improvements
Those of you dreaming of cross-game chat and tighter Vita integration will do well to temper your expectations for the latest mandatory PS3 firmware update. Indeed, the impending software revision instead features better power saving support and the ability to copy multiple saves to external devices or the cloud. Not especially...
News LittleBigPlanet Vita Lands BioShock Pre-Order Costumes
Mr. Bubbles
Sony’s really pushing the BioShock franchise at the moment. Not content with the inclusion of Big Daddy in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, the platform holder’s also announced the aquatic giant’s excursion into LittleBigPlanet Vita. Pre-order the upcoming portable platformer and you’ll net an exclusive Big Daddy and Little...
News Sony Launches Mysterious Ad Campaign Across Japan
What?
Sony’s launched a new line of baffling promotional PlayStation posters across Japan. The confusing images – which feature the face of celebrity Shigeru Matsuzaki – are being erected in train stations across the country. The platform holder promises that all will be revealed on the 28th June. That just so happens to be a big day for the...
News Not Even Treyarch Knows Who's Developing Call of Duty Vita
In the dark
We still don’t know much about PlayStation Vita spin-off Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. Other than the brief blurb provided by retail websites last week, the game still remains very much a mystery. It turns out that Treyarch – the developer behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on PS3 – is as much in the dark as we are. When...
News Criterion Takes the Wheel of the Need for Speed Franchise
In control
UK developer Criterion knows how to make a quality racing game, so it’s fitting that the studio has been handed the keys to the Need for Speed franchise. Following last year’s disappointing Need for Speed: The Run, the team has revealed that its “stamp’s going to be in everything you see in Need for Speed and Burnout going forward...
News Journey Collector's Edition Travels to Stores on 28th August
Take the high road
After just over a week of speculation, thatgamecompany has finally revealed the official contents of the Journey Collector’s Edition. As expected, the disc-based compilation – which is set to release in North America on 28th August for $29.99 – will bundle all three of the studio’s critically acclaimed PSN exclusives with...
News ESRB Ratings Tease Grand Theft Auto Titles for PS3
Back to the big city
Looks like both Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City are plotting an excursion onto PlayStation 3. The ESRB – North America's video game ratings board – has filed two listings for the open-world classics on Sony’s premium home console. Due to the nature of the listings, it’s unlikely that the titles will...
News Far Cry 3 Bottles the Madness Until 4th December
Holding it in
Don’t go spare, but Ubisoft has pushed back Far Cry 3 until 4th December in North America. The title had originally been scheduled for release in early September, but now has an additional three months in the oven. Those of you in the UK will get to play the game a few days early, when the title arrives overseas on 30th November...
News James Mielke Departs Lumines Developer for PixelJunk Studio
All change
Former 1UP writer James Mielke has departed Lumines developer Q Entertainment, and, in a twist that you almost certainly couldn’t make up, has announced his arrival at PixelJunk studio Q Games. He’ll serve as a producer on an unannounced project. Speaking with CVG, Mielke paid tribute to his former employer Tetsuya Mizuguchi:...
News Spec Ops: The Line Launch Trailer Takes You to Hell
Blue skies
If Hell looks as good as 2K Games’ upcoming Spec Ops: The Line, then we’re booking front-row seats. The oft-delayed title may be yet another third-person shooter, but it at least boasts a broader colour palette than the usual permutations of brown and grey. Mmm, just look at that Dubai skyline – it’s orange and blue. The game's...
News LEGO Batman 2 Glides to UK Charts Summit
Holy sales, Batman
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes has shot straight to the top of the UK sales charts, beating out continued competition from FIFA 12. It’s familiar form for the blocky caped crusader, whose previous outing debuted in second way back in 2008. Elsewhere, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier held onto its position in third, while Lollipop Ch
