News Here's How Cross-Buy's Going to Work for PlayStation All-Stars
Follow the simple steps
News - 2012, Week 45
Sunday11th Nov 2012
News Sony Bend on the Struggles of Creating a Convincing Female Lead for Golden Abyss
Elena job
For as interesting as Nathan Drake is, the protagonist has always relied on strong female characters to properly etch out his personality. According to a recent post-mortem with Gamasutra, that’s one area where Uncharted: Golden Abyss developer Sony Bend struggled. The game’s writer and director John Garvin has revealed that female...
Saturday10th Nov 2012
Review BreakQuest: Extra Evolution (PlayStation Minis)
Block bashing brilliance
Sprinkling innovation on top of what is ostensibly an Arkanoid clone is a tricky task, but developer Beatshapers has achieved it marvellously with the brilliant BreakQuest: Extra Evolution. Building on the original title from 2004, this PlayStation Mini lives up to its namesake by completely overhauling the block bashing...
News Purchase a 12GB PlayStation 3 and Wonderbook for £119.99
A kind of magic
If you’re looking for a decent stocking-filler this Christmas, UK retailer GameStation is running a magical deal. At the time of writing you can score a 12GB PlayStation 3 console with a copy of Wonderbook: Book of Spells, a Wonderbook accessory, a PlayStation Move motion controller, and a PlayStation Eye camera for – wait for it...
News Senior Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein Exits PlayStation
Thanks for the memories
After a slew of rumours, Senior Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein has confirmed that he’s leaving PlayStation. Those that have been invested in the brand since the early PS3 days will know that Jeff has played an integral part in transforming the PlayStation Blog into one of the most popular gaming websites in the world...
News Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Looks Appropriately Macabre
First look
We’re not sure that we understand Konami these days. The publisher seems committed to completely mismanaging every one of its non-Metal Gear and Pro Evolution Soccer brands. Take the recently announced Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 as an example. Despite being the sequel to a surprisingly popular PS3 adventure, the publisher is...
News God of War: Ascension Outlines the Advantages of Siding with Ares
Twisted firestarter
Selecting which mythical spirit to side with in God of War: Ascension’s multiplayer component is getting tougher and tougher all of the time. Sure, Zeus might have a perfectly groomed beard – but Ares is on friggin’ fire. This brand new trailer discusses the advantages of joining forces with the former God of War, and it...
Friday9th Nov 2012
Review Okami HD (PlayStation 3)
A game nearly fit for the Gods
In a time when sequels, prequels and HD remakes make up the majority of video game releases, we should start to ask ourselves: what really warrants a makeover? Okami is no stranger to the porting process, having been originally released for the PS2 in 2007, and then ported to the Wii in 2008 without even a major...
Feature How a Group of University Students Created a Commercial PlayStation Game
Purely academic
Steel Minions may sound like any other indie start-up on the surface – but the studio has a much more interesting tale to tell. Founded in 2010 by British university Sheffield Hallam, the outfit was conceived in order to provide game production students with hands-on experience within an operational development environment...
News 007 Legends' Skyfall Mission Completes the Game This Week
Face it all together
Activision has finally got around to wrapping up 007 Legends’ single-player storyline, announcing that the post-release Skyfall mission is now available from the PlayStation Store. The free download fills in the blanks at the close of crappy campaign, and closely mimics the events from the recently released big-screen...
News Sony: Sackboy Is Becoming a PlayStation Icon
LittleBigProtagonist
As the PlayStation 3 gets cheaper, Sony is banking on its mainstream characters to make the console more appealing to casual gamers and kids. One recognisable figure who’s quickly becoming the spear-head for that strategy is Sackboy. The burlap buccaneer has already appeared in two titles this year – LittleBigPlanet Vita and...
News The Last of Us Will Survive the Spike VGAs Next Month
Back to the scene of the crime
Joel and Ellie are set to step back into the spotlight next month, when a new The Last of Us trailer premieres during the Spike VGAs. Geoff Keighley emerged from the shadows overnight in order to promote the upcoming footage, which will debut on 7th December. Naughty Dog’s survival horror title was first announced...
Rumour Soldiers Disciplined Over Medal of Honor: Warfighter
Whoops
We imagine a group of high-profile SEALs are currently staring at Medal of Honor: Warfighter’s Metacritic score and wondering if it was all worth it. According to a report on CBS, seven soldiers have been reprimanded for consulting on the modern military shooter. They’ve each had half of their salaries docked for a total of two months,...
News October NPD: NBA 2K13 Slams, Industry Dunks
Bounce back
NBA 2K13 scored a convincing three-pointer in the latest NPD report, as the rest of the North American video games industry continued its downward trend. The sector as a whole earned $755.5 million for the period, a figure which compares negatively to last year’s $1 billion. While the figures aren't especially pleasant, analyst Liam...
News PlayStation All-Stars Has Hundreds of Hours of Content
Plenty under the hood
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is not a small game. Lead designer (and former Capcom man) Seth Killian has revealed that the title has hundreds of hours worth of content across its various game modes. “Beyond arcade mode with intros, endings, and rival cut-scenes for every character and all the multiplayer stuff,...
News Here's Another Hitman Absolution Trailer For You to Fawn Over
Hogging the headlines
For someone who’s supposed to be the ultimate assassin, Agent 47 sure does like the limelight. The stealthy skinhead has appeared in precisely 7,421 Hitman Absolution trailers to date – but this appears to be the last of them. Well, until the inevitable DLC promotions launch in a couple of weeks anyway.
News Planets Under Attack Invades the PSN on 21st November
Prepare yourself
Super secret PlayStation Network strategy title Planets Under Attack will launch on 21st November in Europe, developer Targem has told us. The game will be available in a trial and unlock format, meaning you’ll be able to test out the futuristic fleet management simulator before you spend a penny. The developer behind the...
Thursday8th Nov 2012
News Yes, You Will Fight Polygon Man in PlayStation All-Stars
Intro movie inside
As speculated, failed marketing mascot Polygon Man will represent the final boss in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. The infamous face – who was supposedly derided by platform father Ken Kutaragi in the brand's early days – is glimpsed at the end of the game’s stylish intro movie, which is embedded below. Polygon Man...
News The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's DLC Is Finally Coming to PS3
Hallelujah
After what seems like an eternity, Bethesda has confirmed that it is "close" to releasing new content for the PlayStation 3 version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Technical issues have delayed the content for months, despite it launching on the Xbox 360 and PC. But in a nonchalant Tweet posted earlier today, the publisher revealed that...
News Silent Hill: Downpour Patch Drenches PlayStation 3
Cats and dogs
Those of you that purchased Silent Hill: Downpour may be pleased to learn that the title is finally playable on the PlayStation 3. Konami has released a fairly comprehensive patch for the flawed survival horror title which promises to improve the game's frame-rate, fix the save system, wash away any mission related bugs, and introduce...
News Uncharted: Fight for Fortune Is a Card Game for PlayStation Vita
Snap
Uncharted protagonist Nathan Drake has dealt some deadly punches over the years, but never a full house. Reports emerging over the past 24 hours have pegged a new casino card game for PlayStation Vita named Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. Thus far, the title has appeared on Brazilian and
News Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Turns Your Vita into X-Ray Goggles
Treasure island
We understand the complaints that claim $250 is too much for a handheld console, but what if the PlayStation Vita doubled as a pair of X-Ray goggles too? That’s exactly what happens when you pick up Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, allowing you to easily uncover hidden in-game treasure and mark it on the big-screen for PlayStation 3...
News Grand Theft Auto V Features a Full Golf Course and Yoga
Little touches
Rockstar Games is pulling out all of the stops for Grand Theft Auto V. The hotly anticipated PlayStation 3 open world adventure will allow you to participate in a spot of yoga, tennis or golf – the latter of which will be supported by a full 18-hole course. It’s all part of the developer’s aim to create the most elaborate...
Store Update 6th November 2012 (North America)
Jammin'
There may well be heavy hitters such as LittleBigPlanet Karting and When Vikings Attack arriving as part of this week's North American PlayStation Store update – but the undisputed best new addition is ToeJam & Earl. The original SEGA Mega Drive title jives in this week alongside its side-scrolling sequel. Both titles will include...
News Grand Theft Auto V Features Three Playable Protagonists
Three's a charm
Grand Theft Auto V is following in the footsteps of the Yakuza franchise, and adding three playable protagonists to its open world. Game Informer magazine just broke the news – and revealed the very first artwork of the stars courtesy of its exclusive cover story. Those that purchase the publication will find 18 pages of...
News Andrew House Is Quickly Becoming One of the Most Important People in Sony
New roles
Andrew House has continued his rapid ascension through Sony's corporate hierarchy by being named as the new president of Sony Network Entertainment. The affable executive will replace Tim Schaaff, who is set to retire on 31st December. The former SCEE boss will juggle the role alongside his current commitments as the CEO of Sony Computer...
News Johann Sebastian Joust Is Finally Coming to the PS3
Maybe
Bizarre PlayStation Move duelling game Johann Sebastian Joust will finally release on the PS3, if it can achieve its reasonable Kickstarter target. The game will launch as part of a compilation named SPORTSFRIENDS, which contains a compendium of indie hits. Developer Die Gute Fabrick is describing the package as the modern day Summer Games...
Store Update 7th November 2012 (Europe)
Spice of life
There's a great mix of content available as part of this week's European PlayStation Store update. New arrivals include Dyad, ToeJam & Earl, LittleBigPlanet Karting, and PID. They're joined by a couple of must have shooters in the form of Vanquish and The Darkness II. Are you sitting comfortably?
News Grand Theft Auto V's Protagonist Is an East Coast Gangster
Snag a snippet
Grand Theft Auto V is set to get its first full blowout later today – putting the Internet on red-alert. The hotly anticipated Game Informer reveal – which has been teased for weeks now – will take place at 17:00PM GMT, forcing those of us in the UK to endure another long day at the office. Fortunately, the first details of the...
Wednesday7th Nov 2012
News Watch Dogs Will Hack Your PlayStation 3 in 2013
On hold
We reckon Watch Dogs would be more interesting if it took its title a little more literally, but Ubisoft's still got plenty of time to take our suggestion on board. The publisher has announced that the title will release in 2013 during a financial briefing earlier today. "Watch Dogs will be coming next year," CEO Yves Guillemot said. The...
News Assassin's Creed III Sells 3.5 Million Units in a Week
Viva la revolution
Assassin's Creed III has sold an estimated 3.5 million units since its release roughly a week ago, publisher Ubisoft has announced. According to CEO Yves Guillemot, the sales – which represent sell-through to consumers – represent a "year-on-year increase of more than 100 per cent". We're guessing that's a comparison to...
News LittleBigPlanet Karting's Launch Trailer Takes Pole Position
Front runner
Sackboy's due a rest. The recent LittleBigPlanet Vita represented the burlap buccaneer's fourth full outing on foot, so we reckon he's earned his break behind the wheel. Not that LittleBigPlanet Karting's a lazy Sunday drive – no, this a full-on Grand Prix for folks made of fabric. Don't believe us? Check out the launch trailer below,...
Tuesday6th Nov 2012
Review Assassin's Creed III: Liberation (PlayStation Vita)
Aveline in chains
You can’t fault Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation’s ambition. Ubisoft Sofia’s sprawling PlayStation Vita exclusive not only faithfully repurposes the free-roaming elimination escapades of its console counterparts, but through the corrupt recollections of mysterious protagonist Aveline de Grandpré it also attempts to imbue...
Review Ragnarok Odyssey (PlayStation Vita)
RPG oddity
After a great thunderous sound, the people of Rune Midgard find themselves under attack from mysterious creatures from the Millennium Peaks. It’s up to you and the residents of the kingdom to fight off these giants and survive. The story doesn't sound like much – primarily because it barely exists. Between missions, you’ll interact...
News Here's How Cross-Buy's Going to Work for PlayStation All-Stars
Follow the simple steps
Ever since it was announced at GamesCom earlier this year, people have pondered exactly how cross-buy for the PlayStation 3 and Vita would work. The offer has always seemed easily open to abuse, but Sony has now confirmed that the free handheld version of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale will be tied to your PlayStation...
News You Can Finally Play Smash TV on the PlayStation 3
"I love it"
Announcing the full roster of your arcade compilation on launch day doesn't seem like the smartest idea, but who cares when that roster includes Smash TV? To celebrate the launch of Midway Arcade Origins in North America today, developer BackBone Entertainment has revealed the 31 titles crammed onto the PlayStation 3 collection...
News MAG II Is Not the Sequel You've Been Hoping For
Light gun
Don't get your hopes up, legendary SOCOM developer Zipper Interactive is still closed and, as such, it's not working on a sequel to the incredibly ambitious MAG. Instead, the confusingly titled MAG II is a gun-shaped motion controller designed for use with the PlayStation 3 and PC. The peripheral – set for release on 13th November in...
News Yoshida: PlayStation Vita Sales Are Below Expectations
Developers aren't biting either
Despite an influx of new software in recent weeks, the PlayStation Vita's commercial situation remains ominous. Chatting candidly with French website Lemonde, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the platform's sales are “below expectations”. “Consumers now have multimedia devices, such...
News Purchase a PlayStation Vita and Three Blockbuster Games for £230
Bobby dazzler
If you're eager to do your part to improve the PlayStation Vita's current sales predicament, then UK retailer GAME has prepared a staggering deal that is designed to eliminate the cobwebs from inside your wallet. The exclusive bundle includes
News Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry Is Not 60 FPS, It Just Feels Like It Is
Black magic
Ninja Theory reckons it has mastered the art of illusion. Its upcoming Devil May Cry reboot will not run at 60 frames per second – but according to director Hideaki Itsuno it will still feel like it does. "60 FPS is a speed the brain and the eye can catch up with and understand," he told Eurogamer.net. "But at 30 FPS there's a...
News Future US Closes PlayStation: The Official Magazine in North America
Stop press
North American magazine publishing giant Future US has announced that it will end production of PlayStation: The Official Magazine later this year. The last issue of the historical publication will hit store shelves in December. The origins of the brand date all the way back to 1997. It caps a tough year for North American print media,...
News Dyad Developer Bringing a Game About Bouncing to PlayStation Home
Boing, boing
West Bromwich Albion fans will be eager to learn a little more about PlayStation Home's latest arcade cabinet. The release – simplistically entitled A Game About Bouncing – is the brainchild of Dyad developer Shawn McGrath. There's no price attached to the premium mini-game just yet, but we doubt it'll break the bank. Purchasing...
News Meet Dead Island: Riptide's Muscly New Playable Character
Built like a tank
Strange half-step sequel Dead Island: Riptide will add a fifth fisticuffs-style character to its roster named John Morgan, publisher Deep Silver has announced. The hand-to-hand combat specialist will be selectable from the start of the game, alongside the four protagonists from the original title's cast. Despite the additional...
News The Last Guardian Isn't Necessarily Going to Release Next Year
Vapourware
Shuhei Yoshida has refused to confirm whether troubled PlayStation 3 exclusive The Last Guardian will release next year. Chatting with French website JeuxVideo, the Sony Worldwide Studios president explained that the last time the company announced a date for the Team ICO developed title, it ultimately disappointed a lot of people – and...
News Dyad Dances onto the European PlayStation Store This Week
Head rush
Delayed downloadable racer Dyad will finally launch on the European PlayStation Network this week, developer Shawn McGrath has confirmed. The trippy title released overseas earlier this year to a slew of positive acclaim – but was delayed in Europe due to the developer's inability to orchestrate a global launch. In order to make up for...
Monday5th Nov 2012
Review When Vikings Attack (PlayStation 3)
Rise against the tyranny of the Vikings
There's a pitfall to the design goal of simplicity: repetition. Many accessible titles tend to eschew this obstacle through minimalistic charm and a compelling set of mechanics. But while When Vikings Attack certainly boasts these values, and makes good use of them, its incessant repetition fails to abate...
News This Russian PlayStation All-Stars Commercial Shows Fat Princess on the Throne
Also, Sackboy on a skateboard
If you thought the live-action trailer for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale in North America was nuts, wait until you get a glimpse of this low budget Russian alternative. The nonsense 30-second short not only shows Sweet Tooth clasping a rather cute puppy, but it also features a man dressed as Fat Princess sitting...
Competition Shut Your Claptrap and Win a Whole Slew of Borderlands 2 Loot
Vault hunter
If you haven't had the opportunity to return to Pandora just yet, we've teamed up with publisher 2K Games in order to scratch your loot lust. The company has sent us a treasure chest of Borderlands 2 goodies to give away to one lucky reader, all you need to do is answer the simple question below. Prizes include a copy of the game for...
News Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition Haunts North American PlayStation Plus Update
9-carat
The horror of Resident Evil 6 may still be fresh in your memories, but Sony is aiming to transport you back to a happier time with its latest North American PlayStation Plus update. Starting tomorrow, subscribers will be able to download the tropical Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition for free. The updated release includes two additional episodes...
News UK Sales Charts: Assassin's Creed III Starts a Revolution
Leap of faith
Assassin's Creed III has unsurprisingly infiltrated the top of the UK sales charts, securing the second biggest release of the year so far. The slick stealth title doubled the sales of Assassin's Creed II, and outsold last year's Revelations by a whopping 117,000 units. PlayStation Vita exclusive spin-off Assassin's Creed III: Liberati
News Gran Turismo 5 Races Past the 9 Million Sales Milestone
No slowing down
Sony's premium PlayStation 3 racing title Gran Turismo 5 has surpassed 9 million units, developer Polyphony Digital has announced. The achingly accurate driving simulator added another 1.5 million units to its tally since the last count – which is not especially surprising considering the title was the eighth biggest selling game...
News Grand Theft Auto V's Second Trailer Will Hijack Your Eyeballs Next Week
Mark your calendars
Grand Theft Auto V's hotly anticipated second trailer will infect the online airwaves on 14th November, publisher Rockstar Games has confirmed. The announcement comes just hours after the company officially opened pre-orders for the eagerly awaited open world crime drama. There's currently no firm release date for Grand Theft...
News THQ Delays Its Entire Upcoming Line-up, Seeks Additional Capital
Gulp
Things sure aren't looking particularly rosy for troubled publisher THQ. Despite cutting its operating losses to $19 million compared to last year's terrifying $97 million, the company still can't catch a break. During a financial briefing earlier this evening, the organisation reported net sales of $107 million – before delaying its entire...
