News - 2012, Week 32
Sunday12th Aug 2012
Feature What to Expect from PlayStation at GamesCom 2012
Reading the stars
It’s pretty obvious that Sony adores GamesCom. The mid-August timing of the show appears to play right into the platform holder’s plans, allowing it to cast the spotlight on its holiday campaign much more assuredly than at E3 earlier in the year. Previous announcements that have taken place at the German tradeshow include the...
News Jack Tretton Believes Vita Sales Are "Acceptable"
Not sweating yet
Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton has stated that the PlayStation Vita’s sales are “acceptable”. Chatting with GamesIndustry.biz, the jovial executive admitted that he feels more comfortable about the console now than he did four months ago. “In this industry, you can't get too high or too low,...
News Guacamelee! Does Its Very Best Wii U Impression
Dual screen
Nintendo won’t be the only platform holder rejoicing in second screen technology this Christmas. Indie developer DrinkBox Studios has confirmed that it will be taking full advantage of PlayStation 3 and Vita connectivity for its upcoming Metroidvania adventure, Guacamelee!. "We're integrating the Vita as a PS3 controller for...
News Former Crysis 2 Writer Working for Guerrilla Games
New blood
Story has never been Killzone’s strongest asset. Despite the magnificent lore surrounding the series, developer Guerrilla Games has yet to really take advantage of it. Hopefully, new recruit Martin Lancaster can do a better job. The former Crysis 2 writer has updated his personal resume, citing an unannounced Guerrilla Games title as...
News Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD PS3 Details Incoming Next Week
Announcement of an announcement
Looks like Microsoft’s exclusivity deal with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD has finally come to an end. Activision has announced that fresh details about the re-make will be revealed next week, and will be particularly exciting to players “of the Sony persuasion”. To accompany the tease, Activision also
Friday10th Aug 2012
Review Foosball 2012 (PlayStation Vita)
Fun with the foos
It’s not often that we get to take the game of foosball seriously anymore. As many carefree teenagers do, we went through a two month love affair with the table-top sport during our heady college days. But our dreams of a glittering professional career were promptly quashed when we were informed by our haughty peers that we had...
News Activision Talks Up Call of Duty Vita Ahead of Full Reveal
True experience
Sony may be struggling to secure third-party content for the PlayStation Vita, but the platform holder still has Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified to boast about. While the handheld spin-off is currently shrouded in mystery, publisher Activision has promised to share more details about the title at GamesCom – and it has insisted...
News Need for Speed: Most Wanted Trailer Teases Multiplayer Reveal
Gearing up
If 25-second trailers are your thing, this brand new Need for Speed: Most Wanted teaser should get you all hot under the collar. The animated short promises to fully expose the racer's multiplayer component at GamesCom next week – and that’s pretty much the sum of its contents. We suppose you could say that the video's designed to...
News Sony Abandons The Last Guardian Trademark
Probably not a big deal
Sony has abandoned the trademark for oft-delayed Team ICO sequel The Last Guardian. The hotly anticipated PS3 exclusive was first teased way back in 2008, but details have been conspicuously slender ever since. Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida reassured that the game was still in development earlier in the year...
News 007 Legends Scoops Nostalgic Pre-Order Bonuses
Live and let buy
Activision has revealed the handful of pre-order bonuses set to accompany 007 Legends onto store shelves later this year. Register your interest in the throwback shooter at Amazon and you’ll net the Nemesis Pack, which will augment your game’s multiplayer component with playable villains Jaws and Baron Samedi. Meanwhile,...
News New PlayStation All-Stars Videos Focus on Fat Princess and Sly
Take your cake and eat it
Sony’s released two more videos in its PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale strategy series. This time the spotlight is on Fat Princess and Sly Cooper – two of the more unusual fighters in the mascot mash-up’s celebrity roster. Speaking on the Play
News Jet Set Radio HD Tags PSN on 11th September
Get some sleep
SEGA’s confirmed that it will paint Jet Set Radio HD onto the PlayStation Store on 11th September in North America. PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given the first opportunity to crank up the volume, with vanilla PSN members invited to the party on 18th September. The re-mastered Dreamcast classic will set you back just $9.99...
News Explosive Joe Danger 2: The Movie Trailer Bursts Online
Busy man
Joe Danger may have made the best career change in his life. The likeable stuntman was just about getting by on his faithful dirt bike, but now he’s being signed up to star in a multitude of big-screen blockbusters. This brand new Joe Danger 2: The Movie trailer shows the disproportionate protagonist chasing criminals, riding mine carts...
News July NPD: NCAA Football '13 Sprints Straight to the Top
Industry woes continue, though
July proved to be another desperately disappointing month for physical video game sales in North America. Overall sales in the retail sector dropped by 20 percent year over year – bringing in just $548.4 million compared to $686.3 million the year prior. Hardware sales dwindled by as much as 32 percent, with a 23...
News Latest Starhawk Patch Adds New Complimentary Maps
Cypress hill
Lest you forget that Starhawk actually released this year, developer Lightbox Interactive has announced a new update for the PS3 exclusive. Set to release later today, the patch includes a cavalcade of gameplay fixes, in addition to a couple of brand new multiplayer maps. The maps are set on Cypress, the first planet where Rift Energy...
News Square Enix Fires Sleeping Dogs Launch Trailer Online
Life in the fast lane
Square Enix has released the launch trailer for upcoming open-world adventure, Sleeping Dogs. As you’d expect, it features a flurry of footage from the game – including fist-fights, car chases and scantily clad women. The title’s due out on 14th August in North America and 17th August in Europe. Check out the new footage...
Thursday9th Aug 2012
News Sony Struggling to Secure Third-Party Content for Vita
Keep calm and carry on
According to an Official PlayStation Magazine interview with the brutally honest Shuhei Yoshida, Sony is struggling to secure third-party support for the PlayStation Vita. The system's sales have stumbled since release – a factor which may be contributing to the uncertainty. “We’re having a more difficult time than we...
Rumour Plants vs. Zombies Shooter in Development
What?
Plants vs. Zombies may be known for its light hearted take on tower defence, but publisher EA is looking to transform the franchise into a shooter. A report by video game sleuth Superannuation notes that Need for Speed: The Run developer EA Black Box is working on the console conversion. A job listing on the developer’s website offers an...
News Sony Accidentally Outs More PlayStation All-Stars Fighters
Whoops
SuperBot Entertainment’s not having the best of luck with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Having already had the entire contents of its roster leaked online, the developer has now accidentally updated its website a week too early. The eagle-eyed folks over at NeoGAF managed to nab a screengrab confirming both Sackboy and Raiden
News DUST 514 Beta Clashes with Eve Online This Month
Boom
CCP Games will be hoping nothing explodes when it moves the DUST 514 beta onto a standalone test server with hardcore PC MMO EVE Online later this month. The move – pencilled in for 21st August – will coincide with the beta’s latest update, allowing players of both games to communicate in real-time and exchange messages with each other...
News Vita's Facebook App Nets New Features
What's on your mind?
Sony’s released an update for the PlayStation Vita’s free Facebook app. The small download adds the ability to share your location, upload photos using the Vita’s cameras, and search for new friends. The app’s also been enhanced with various performance upgrades, resulting in a smoother experience. You can download the...
News Sony Signs Trio of Indie Titles for PlayStation Plus
Bang for your buck
Sony has snapped up indie titles Knytt Underground and Big Sky Infinity for PlayStation Plus, reports Eurogamer.net. The niche sequels will be joined by a third unannounced game as part of the platform holder’s PlayStation Plus Presents promotion. The label is designed to highlight the best indie experiences available on the...
News You'll Be Able to Play Taiko Drum Master in Yakuza 5
Could this game get any better?
Yakuza 5 has continued its pursuit towards ultimate epicness by announcing that Namco Bandai’s Taiko Drum Master will appear as a playable arcade cabinet within the open-world adventure. Arcade mini-games are no stranger to SEGA’s successful series, but this marks the first time that the publisher has teamed up...
News Hell Yeah! Rolls onto PS3 on 25th September
Dangerously attractive
Arkedo Studio’s acclaimed PSN platformer Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit is set to take on the underworld on 25th September, a new trailer has revealed. A European release will follow on 3rd October. The game will cost $14.99. If you don’t know much about the SEGA published title, then, well, we wished we could help...
News Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee HD Details Stumbling into EG Expo
First screenshot revealed, too
Video game legend Lorne Lanning is set to make an appearance at this year’s Eurogamer Expo, organisers have announced. The Oddworld Inhabitants gaffer will present fresh details about Just Add Water’s upcoming Abe’s Oddysee HD remake during a developer session at the show. The panel’s set to kick-off at...
News Sweet Tooth Stars in New PlayStation All-Stars Video
We all scream for ice-cream
Twisted Metal’s antagonistic anti-hero Sweet Tooth is the latest fighter to be featured in Sony’s ongoing PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale video documentary series. In the accompanying blog post, lead combat designer Paul Edwards says that the character was designed with input from the Twisted Metal team –...
Wednesday8th Aug 2012
News Sony Reps Planning to Storm Anaheim, CA on 18th August
Water balloons at the ready
This year marks the 4th Annual Gathering of Video Game Legends at Westwood College in Anaheim, CA. The event is free to attend and features panels, workshops and even pitch sessions, but one event (you can view a complete list here) stands out in particular: Water Balloon Trebuchet. And while Water Balloon Trebuchet...
Store Update 8th August 2012 (Europe)
Sour grapes
This week’s lousy European PlayStation Network update would be forgivable if Sound Shapes had made it out on time overseas. As it happens, we’ve still got another week to wait before we can get our hands on the Queasy Games developed musical platformer. Grrr. Filling the gap is self-aware JRPG Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 and The...
News Konami Confirms Metal Gear Solid HD Edition Release Dates
Tactical deployment
Following on from the physical release of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on PS3 and PS Vita, Konami has announced the release dates for the digital versions of the individual games. 21st August Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty HD Edition (PS Vita) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater HD Edition (PS Vita) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons...
News Zen Pinball 2 Bounces onto PS3 and Vita This September
About flippin' time
Zen Pinball 2 is set to launch onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita this September, developer Zen Studios has announced. The cross-compatible pinball platform will be free to download, with trials for all 26 of the title’s tables available from the offset. Those of you that already own the original Zen Pinball or
News Skyrim Version 1.7 Travels to PS3 This Week
The long and winding road
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will finally be updated to version 1.7 in North America this week. European players will have to wait an extra week, because, well, it’s customary on these shores, isn’t it? The patch implements a number of bug fixes, including “general memory and stability optimisations”. Unfortunately,...
News GRID 2 Races onto PlayStation 3 Next Year
Told you
Codemasters has confirmed what we’d already figured out – that GRID 2 is set to drift onto the PlayStation 3 next year. The hotly anticipated sequel has been in development for two years, and will take advantage of the most recent version of Codemasters’ excellent EGO Engine. The game’s debut trailer – embedded below – includes...
News You Should Probably Watch This Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Trailer
Back to the future
Haters may want to divert their attention elsewhere, because we’re about to say something positive about Activision’s upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. The publisher’s released the very first footage of the near-future shooter’s multiplayer component – and it actually looks really good. Freed from the shackles of the...
News Emotional Papo & Yo Launch Trailer Hides Online
Different dimensions
Isn’t it amazing how far PlayStation Network titles have come? The service was originally conceived as a means to host bite-sized titles such as Super Stardust HD, but has since blossomed into a viable platform for indie developers to realise their dreams. Papo & Yo is one such project, as this live-action launch trailer...
News Latest PlayStation All-Stars Video Jams with PaRappa
Gotta believe
Sony’s released the third video in its PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale strategy series. This time the short focuses on popular PlayStation hero: PaRappa the Rapper. In the accompanying blog post, combat designer Ray Shen explains that he spent a lot of time researching the character in order to cap
News Don't Worry, Sony's Streaming Its GamesCom Press Conference
Dropping bombs
Sony’s announced that it will be live streaming its GamesCom press conference online next week. The show will kick-off at 18:00PM BST on 14th August. It’ll be followed by a panel featuring Shuhei Yoshida (SCE), Kellee Santiago (ex-thatgamecompany), Alex Evans (Media Molecule) and Ian Dallas (Giant Sparrow). The platform...
Store Update 7th August 2012 (North America)
Pull shapes
There’s only one title you need to pay attention to as part of this week’s PlayStation Store update: Sound Shapes. In fact, we’re not even going to continue until you go and buy it. Go on – we’ll wait. Are you all done? Excellent, now we can tell you all about, er, Farm Frenzy 3 and Payday: The Heist’s DLC. What’s that?...
News Who Fancies Some Lumines: Electronic Symphony DLC?
Raises hand
Q Entertainment would love to make some DLC for Vita launch title Lumines: Electronic Symphony. Sadly, it doesn’t sound like publisher Ubisoft shares its enthusiasm. As such, the studio's taken to Facebook to drum up some interest in the hypothetical expansion. "Who wants some DLC?" the company asked on its p
News PlayStation All-Stars Will Support Arcade Sticks
For show-offs
It looks like developer SuperBot Entertainment is serious in its pursuit to ensure that PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has a presence in the professional fighting game community. The upstart has announced on its Facebook page that the upcoming mascot mash-up will feature full support for arcade sticks. “We are happy to announce...
Tuesday7th Aug 2012
Rumour Mafia III Firing onto PlayStation 4
Next generation looms
The sequel to the atmospheric Mafia II is in development for PlayStation 4, according to a report on Eurogamer.net. The site claims that the sequel had been intended as a launch title for Sony’s next system (drool), but is now unlikely to hit that deadline. Developer 2K Czech is still rebuilding its team after layoffs last...
News Oddworld Titles Arriving on Vita "Very Soon"
Save your moolah
Quirky re-releases Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD and Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee HD will arrive on PlayStation Vita “very soon”, publisher Oddworld Inhabitants has announced on its Facebook page. "Both titles are coming to Vita very soon, we just need to get them finished up and through Sony QA before we can release them,"...
News Sound Shapes Makes Beautiful Music This Week
The next best game ever
As if you needed selling on Sound Shapes again, Sony has released a beautiful new launch trailer certain to send your pulse rate through the roof. So good. Sound Shapes is due out later today in North America and on 15th August in Europe. And, yes, we hate every single one of you in the US. Only joking. (Sort of.)
News Sony Expands EU Summer Sale with More Sizzling Deals
Why go outside?
Sony’s excellent European PlayStation Network Summer Sale is about to get a bit bigger. The platform holder has taken to the PlayStation Blog to announce the next batch of offers being added to the bumper promotion. Notable discounts include Shoot Many Robots for £3.99, Mad Riders for
News Take a Closer Look at Kratos and Radec in PlayStation All-Stars
Gloves off
The entire contents of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale may have leaked online, but there’s still plenty left to learn about the game’s bulging roster. Filling in the gaps, Sony has released a brand new series on the PlayStation Blog providing in-depth strategy videos for each of the title’s big-name br
News Sony Trademarks Rain Ahead of GamesCom
It's pouring
Here’s a juicy tidbit to set you up for the day: Sony is working on a project called Rain. The platform holder registered a trademark for the mysterious title in North America last week – just days ahead of its GamesCom press conference. The title is unlikely to be associated with Heavy Rain, primarily due to the timing of the...
News THQ Shelves Guillermo Del Toro's inSANE
Not exactly crazy
In arguably the most unsurprising turn of events, THQ has ceased development on Guillermo Del Toro's inSANE and returned the rights to the Mexican director. The information was announced during THQ’s quarterly financial call overnight, in which the troubled publisher actually exceeded expectations. It recorded a net income of...
News Oh, Sony's Also Trademarked Until Dawn Again
Coincidence?
Hot on the heels of this morning’s Rain trademark, seasoned snoopers have also discovered that Sony has re-registered the rights to Until Dawn. The name has long been associated with a mysterious PlayStation Move survival horror project that first appeared in a demo reel almost three years ago. Sony’s expected to
News Assassin's Creed III Boasts an Extra Hour of Gameplay on PS3
On the other foot
Honestly, we’d rather Sony spent its money on first-party content rather than multiplatform games – but we’re so used to delayed DLC and missing content on PS3 titles, that we’re actually pretty pleased with this Assassin’s Creed III announcement. Following on from the promise of exclusive content at E3, Ubisoft has...
News Latest Uncharted 3 Patch Adds Tournaments and More
Impressive stuff
Naughty Dog’s announced a gigantic patch for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’s multiplayer component. The update – memorably dubbed version 1.13 – includes over 137 pieces of DLC, various gameplay fixes, and a new Tournaments mode. That’s all in addition to over 50 PlayStation Network Trophies. It's set to release later...
News LittleBigPlanet Karting Takes to the Track on 6th November
Box car racer
If you’re still lamenting the closure of the LittleBigPlanet Karting beta, then perhaps we can improve your mood with a release date. Sony's announced that Sackboy’s set to hit the road on 6th November in North America and 9th November in Europe. The platform holder’s also revealed pre-order bonuses for the imaginative racer. In...
Monday6th Aug 2012
News Sony Announces New PlayStation Collections for PS3
Bumper bundles
With the PlayStation 3 set to enjoy its most mainstream year yet, Sony’s dreamt up a cost effective way for newcomers to catch up with all of the content they’ve missed. The platform holder’s newly announced "Collections" line is designed to bundle together multiple classics into various affordable packages. Starting 28th...
News Hideki Kamiya's Not a Big Fan of PlayStation All-Stars
Hush your mouth
Outspoken Platinum Games developer Hideki Kamiya has kick-started the console wars once more, describing the upcoming PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale as a “rip-off” without “morals”. The Devil May Cry developer really tore into the title on Twitter overnight, prompting plenty of inevitable angry responses. We don’t...
News Yes, There's Going to Be Another BlazBlue Game
We've lost count, too
Developer Arc System Works certainly knows how to get the most out of its fighting franchises. The studio has announced another version of technical brawler BlazBlue, this time carrying the subtitle Chrono Phantasma. The arcade title features three new characters: Amane Nishiki, Bullet and Azrael. It will also boast improved...
News F1 2012 Pits You Against the Best in Champions Mode
Have you got what it takes?
Identifying that its F1 series can be a bit intense at times, Codemasters has announced a new quick play option for the upcoming F1 2012. Dubbed the Champions Mode, the feature will allow you to jump into a host of individual race scenarios against former champions. Think International Superstar Soccer’s challenge mode...
Rumour Prince of Persia Reboot Screenshot Revealed
The secret's out
A screenshot allegedly taken from an in-development version of Prince of Persia has emerged online. The image – which popped up on the official Ubisoft forums this weekend – offers a sneak peek at a project called Prince of Persia Zero 2. The title is supposedly related to a failed reboot set in the modern day. The image shows...
News Ubisoft Skipping Assassin's Creed III Beta
Time sink
Assassin’s Creed III might be one of the biggest games of the year, but Ubisoft has decided against launching a multiplayer beta for it. Speaking with – whisper it – XboxGameZone.co.uk, Ubisoft Annecy’s Damien Kieken explained that preparing betas can take a lot of time and resources away from the main game. He said: A...
News Metal Gear Solid 4's Trophy Patch Is Live
Off the blocks
Hear that? That’s the sound of a loaded pistol signifying the beginning of the great Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Trophy race. As promised, publisher Konami has released the stealth title’s long awaited patch this morning, which clocks in at 516MB. The patch includes the anticipated Trophy set, in addition to
News LittleBigPlanet Smashes 7 Million Stages Milestone
Dreams can come true
Anyone that’s contributed to LittleBigPlanet’s gigantic 7 million stage roster should give themselves a humongous pat on the back. Go on, get on with it – we’ll wait. Feeling all warm and fuzzy inside? Good, let’s continue. Media Molecule’s revealed on its official blog that the milestone was reached just as
News EA Teases Competitive Multiplayer Mode for SSX
Head to head
It looks like a competitive multiplayer mode is sliding into SSX, even though publisher EA is taking forever to confirm it. The company released a teaser trailer for the “classified” mode over the weekend, showing at least five snowboarders diving out of the game’s starting helicopter at the same time. EA’s SSX reboot currently...
News UK Sales Charts: London 2012 Holds onto Gold
Inspired
SEGA’s decent London 2012 tie-in was never going to let Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah steal all the headlines this week, as it's held onto its position atop the UK sales charts for a second week running. Of course, it’s not especially surprising – the world has caught Olympics fever and, well, there’s nothing else coming out. Proving...
