News - 2013, Week 05
Sunday3rd Feb 2013
News Which of These PS4 Controller Mock-Ups Is Your Favourite?
Input ideas
Sony is supposedly planning to debut a new controller alongside the PlayStation 4. While details about its size and shape are still under wraps, we do have a reasonable idea about what kind of new features the final device will include. According to both Kotaku and
Saturday2nd Feb 2013
Talking Point Could 2013 Be PlayStation's Best Ever Year?
Great expectations
Throughout the uncharacteristically barren first-party release schedule of 2012, it always felt like Sony’s attention was elsewhere. Twisted Metal, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, and Starhawk were all strong releases, but they felt like disposable distractions designed to fill the time ahead of the looming onslaught of...
Friday1st Feb 2013
News How Much Money Did Grand Theft Auto V Cost to Make?
Rich man's world
Have you ever wondered how much a game like Grand Theft Auto V costs to make? We don’t have official figures, but Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia suspects that the sum is around $137.5 million. The forecaster deduced the enormous number via a “hypothetical probability model”, assuming that around 250 people worked on the...
Saturday2nd Feb 2013
News Take a Look at the PlayStation 4 Game That You'll Never Play
Got to getaway
No matter how longingly you stare at the artwork embedded within this article, the game’s never coming out. It was canned, alongside developer Studio Liverpool, back in late August 2012. The concept art – penned by industry veteran Darren Douglas – demonstrates a slew of dramatic heist scenes, which match up with rumours...
News What Does Uncharted's Tenzin Have in Common with The Last of Us' Ellie?
Connected over a curry
Tenzin was one of the more interesting characters from Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The Tibetan explorer couldn't speak a word of English, making his relationship with protagonist Nathan Drake pretty unique. However, according to an excellent feature on GameSpot, the character was originally conceived as a mute female, who...
News Frozen Synapse: Tactics Moves onto PlayStation 3 and Vita
Planning ahead
Rounding out a week of great news, LittleBigPlanet Vita developer Double Eleven has announced that it is bringing Mode 7’s popular strategy game Frozen Synapse to the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Frozen Synapse: Tactics, as the port will be called, will release later this year on the PlayStation Network. The title puts you in control of...
News This Is What FuturLab's Surge Looks Like in LittleBigPlanet
Fan powered remake
Just like Smarties and Cheese & Onion crisps, YouTube user Evert84 has fused two of our favourite things. The budding creator curator has taken to the video sharing site to show off his latest LittleBigPlanet Vita level: an almost exact reimagining of FuturLab’s excellent PlayStation Mobile hit,
Friday1st Feb 2013
Rumour Could Ivory Tower's Leaked Racer Be a PS4 Launch Game?
Accelerating into sight
It’s not going to stop, is it? Seasoned online sleuth Superannuation may have just unearthed details about one of the PlayStation 4’s very first games. According to the CV of a contract artist – which has suspiciously been yanked – new developer Ivory Tower is working on a “confidential game” for the PlayStation 3...
Thursday31st Jan 2013
News Sony Teases the Future, Will Almost Certainly Reveal the PlayStation 4 on 20th February
Pick up your jaw
Now that’s how you drop a bomb. Sony has announced that it will reveal the future on 20th February at a PlayStation Meeting in New York City. The event – set to start at 18:00PM EST – will almost certainly play host to the PlayStation 4. Are you following this? It’s actually happening. According to infamous industry analyst...
Friday1st Feb 2013
Feature Five Mistakes That the PlayStation 4 Must Avoid
Potential pitfalls
The PlayStation 4 will finally be announced on 20th February. Sony shocked the gaming industry with a mysterious trailer that teased the reveal last night, confirming that it will be hosting a PlayStation Meeting in New York City later this month. But while the imminent announcement is understandably exciting, there are a number...
News Yes, Sony Will Announce the PlayStation 4 on 20th February
Event will be live streamed online
If last night’s unexpected teaser trailer didn’t make things obvious enough, sources have indicated that the PlayStation 4 will debut on 20th February. According to the Wall Street Journal, “people familiar with the matter” have hinted that the hotly anticipated next generation console will make its first...
News God of War: Ascension's Live Action Trailer Is Touching
Ashes to ashes
People struggle to relate with protagonist Kratos’ anger issues, but we reckon that this God of War: Ascension live action trailer does a good job of explaining the character's emotional turmoil. The short – which is set to air during the online stream of the Super Bowl this weekend – shows the antihero clutching his daughter...
Rumour PS4 Will Allow You to Share Videos and Screenshots
Europe will be made to wait again
According to EDGE, the PlayStation 4 will allow you to share gameplay footage and screenshots on the fly. In a new report citing development sources, the British publication has hinted that the impending console’s refreshed controller will include a new button, allowing you to distribute your achievements and...
Thursday31st Jan 2013
News Valhalla Knights 3 Strides into North America This Fall
Follow the leader
Not content with this morning’s Killer Is Dead confirmation, XSEED Games has announced that it will be bringing Valhalla Knights 3 to North America this Fall. The customisable PlayStation Vita exclusive will allow you to select from a list of 21 different jobs and seven races to create the perfect party. We fancy building an army...
Friday1st Feb 2013
News Catch the First 30 Minutes of God of War: Ascension
Spoilers, obviously
Sony Santa Monica’s been relatively quiet about God of War: Ascension’s single player campaign over the past year – but it opened up in dramatic fashion overnight. Polygon has posted a video featuring the first 30 minutes from the title. The drama never ends this week, does it? The extended clip – which obviously...
News The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Expands from 12th February
Fashionably late
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s long-overdue DLC will finally stumble onto the PlayStation 3 in North America this month. The first pack, Dragonborn, will arrive on 12th February, and will be followed by Hearthfire on 19th February and Dawnguard on 26th February. There’s no word on a European release just yet, but publisher...
Thursday31st Jan 2013
News Killzone: Mercenary Pre-orders Unlock Blackjack's Briefcase
Elite enhancements
If you’re eager to earn an early advantage on the battlefield, then you might want to consider pre-ordering your copy of Killzone: Mercenary. Online retailer Amazon.com has revealed that by registering your interest in the upcoming first-person shooter, you'll unlock Blackjack’s Briefcase, which boasts some beefy bonuses...
Talking Point Killzone: Mercenary Concludes a Killer Week for PS Vita
Back in the zone
It’s not been the best first year for the PlayStation Vita. Shunned in its home territory and disregarded overseas, the powerful portable has struggled to secure a foothold in the brutal video game market. But there have been signs this week that the system is not dead and buried yet, and while there’s still a long road ahead...
News Japanese Sales Charts: New Vita Titles Fail to Drive Hardware
Demon malaise
In the past, it’s been pretty easy to attribute the PlayStation Vita’s commercial woes in Japan to the platform's worrying lack of software. After all, whenever a new title has arrived, the system’s sales have almost always spiked. Worryingly, that wasn’t the case this week. Despite netting two major new releases in dungeon...
News Killzone: Mercenary Pays Out with Explosive Gameplay Trailer
Big bucks
Oh, this is good. Sony has released a brand new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Killzone: Mercenary – and it looks absolutely amazing. Just a reminder in case you’re skipping ahead to the video: this is a PlayStation Vita game. Alright, you can go ahead and watch it now, just make sure you scroll back up for all of the details...
Wednesday30th Jan 2013
News EA Games Fires Insomniac's Fuse into the Spring
Reloaded schedule
The handful of you looking forward to Insomniac Games’ divisive Fuse will be forced to wait a few more months, as the title has been delayed. EA Games confirmed the news during an earnings call earlier this evening, stating that it will now launch between the beginning of April and the end of June in 2013. The co-op shooter was...
Thursday31st Jan 2013
News God of War Legacy Bundle Is the Ultimate Gift from the Gods
True treasure
If you’re looking for an easy entry into the God of War series, then look no further than Sony’s enormous Legacy Bundle. The hardware package – due out on 12th March in North America – includes a 500GB ‘Garnet Red’ PlayStation 3 Super Slim, a copy of God of War: Ascension, a copy of the God of War: Saga (which features all...
News Grand Theft Auto V Hijacks PlayStation 3 on 17th September
Sorry, Killzone: Mercenary
Grand Theft Auto V will bask in the Los Santos sunshine from 17th September, publisher Rockstar Games has announced. That represents a small delay over the title’s originally planned spring launch, but the publisher promises that it will be worth the wait. "The biggest, most dynamic and most diverse open world Rockstar...
News New Tearaway Trailer Takes a Tantalising Trip to Sogport
Ripped open
Media Molecule would like to introduce you to the sodden scenery of Sogport, one of the many environments that you’ll explore during your time with the upcoming PlayStation Vita exclusive, Tearaway. “Sogport is a mysterious island marooned in a deep sea of glue, and inhabited by some very fishy folk with a fearful obsession with the...
News Killer Is Dead Stabs Western Regions This Summer
Spilling overseas
As expected, Grasshopper Manufacture’s gorgeous assassin action game Killer Is Dead will arrive in western territories this summer. The title will be published by XSEED Games in North America, while Dead Island overlord and new Saints Row owner Deep Silver w
News BioShock Infinite Trailer Sticks Its Head Among the Clouds
What goes up, must come down
We reckon that 31st January should be officially renamed ‘Amazing Trailer Day’. If this morning’s jaw dropping Killzone: Mercenary and Tearaway videos didn’t already stir your steely hearts, then this BioShock: Infinite short should do the trick. It focuses on the floating city of Columbia for the most part, but...
Wednesday30th Jan 2013
News Insomniac Frustrated Over Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Vita Delays
In the dark
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault was billed as a cross-buy title, but the PlayStation Vita version was delayed late last year. Sony promised that more information would be shared in January, but it’s almost February and we still haven’t heard a peep. In a
Rumour Could Mutant Mudds Be Switching Planes on PS Vita?
Stranger things have happened
You might be familiar with Mutant Mudds, the platformer from Renegade Kid that's seen a run on not only the Nintendo 3DS, but also PC and iPhone. According to a reliable source close to the developer, a port to the PlayStation Vita is being seriously considered at the moment. The retro-themed release puts you in...
Talking Point Will God of War's Super Bowl Commercial Score a Touchdown with Consumers?
Mass market
Update: Since publishing this story it's emerged that the God of War: Ascension commercial will only be shown during the Super Bowl's online stream. Last year the show attracted more than 2 million viewers, which is a far cry from the numbers of the conventional broadcast. Obviously, that lessens the impact of the discussion within –...
Feature Crafting the Contrasting Sounds of The Unfinished Swan
Secret gardens and synths
The Unfinished Swan is a blank canvas; an engrossing adventure open to interpretation and debate. It’s a title that’s defined by contrasts, be it the bold blobs of colour that paint your progression through the game’s otherwise vacant world, or the juxtaposed personalities of the protagonist and his counterpart, the...
Store Update 29th January 2013 (North America)
Hooked hitman
It’s not a particularly packed week on the North American PlayStation Store, but there’s still a string of titles worth your attention. New arrivals include the digital version of Bayonetta, the Hitman HD Trilogy, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. There’s also a little game called Let’s Fish: Hooked On, which we’re genuinely...
News God of War: Ascension Slays the 2013 Super Bowl
Blood, sweat, and tears
As predicted yesterday, Sony has confirmed that it will be unchaining a brand new God of War: Ascension advert during this weekend’s Super Bowl. The latest teaser trailer focuses on protagonist Kratos’ wife and daughter, as an army of soldiers stomp through a nearby field. According to the conclusion of the short, more...
News Additional Content Disturbing Dead Space 3 Soon
Hold onto your disc
It looks like Dead Space 3’s jump scares will not conclude once you reach the solace of the title’s credits, because developer Visceral Games is currently working on a slice of post-release content for the survival horror shooter. Steve Papoutsis, the game’s producer, revealed the news in an official EA blog post. “The...
Store Update 30th January 2013 (Europe)
Back in time
It may be discontinued, but the PlayStation 2 is making a comeback. There are no less than ten PS2 Classics in this week’s European PlayStation Store refresh, including Dynasty Warriors 4, Samurai Warriors 2, and, as promised, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Let’s Fish: Hooked On is also out this week on PlayStation Vita, alongside
News Sleeping Dogs Celebrates in Style with Year of the Snake DLC
Slithering in soon
Sleeping Dogs won’t be taking a nap prior to the impending Chinese New Year celebrations, because it’s got a brand new slice of post-release content in the pipeline. The festive ‘Year of the Snake’ add-on – as spotted by our partners in crime, Eurogamer.net – promises a wealth of cosmetic tweaks, many of which are...
Tuesday29th Jan 2013
Interview SWERY Discusses the Success of Deadly Premonition, Sequels, and Strange Snacks
Going back to Greenvale
This year PlayStation 3 owners will finally be able to journey to the mysterious town of Greenvale, where purple fog pollutes the air, axe-murderers grace the streets, and the rain never seems to stop falling. We recently caught up with Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut honcho Hidetaka 'SWERY' Suehiro, producer Tomio...
Rumour Could Cutter Be Making a Comeback in Uncharted 4?
"Need to top up my minutes"
Now that critically acclaimed first-party developer Naughty Dog has expanded into two teams, we can safely assume that the studio is working on a new entry in the Uncharted franchise. After all, the series still hasn’t reached its full commercial potential, and we suspect that there’s plenty that the ambitious...
News FuturLab's Velocity Ultra Will Be Propelled By a Platinum Trophy
Bling
FuturLab’s upcoming PlayStation Vita re-release Velocity Ultra is turning into quite the slice of fan service. Not only does the title exist because people asked for it, but it’s also getting a Platinum Trophy because, well, people asked for it. The award winning Brighton-based developer confirmed the news in a relatively simple blog post...
Rumour Muramasa Rebirth Cutting PS Vita on 25th June?
Sharper than a razor cut
The only thing missing from this evening’s Muramasa Rebirth announcement was a release date – but online retailer Amazon may have outed that. The site is listing a 25th June launch for the title in North America, despite Aksys being frustratingly quiet. According to our extensive calendar checks, the listed date is a...
News Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus Boasts More Blood Than Ever
Scarlet shredder
Don’t think that Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus will be going soft in its transition to the PlayStation Vita, because publisher Tecmo Koei has confirmed that handheld port will be bloodier than ever before. The title, due out on 26th February in North America and 1st March in Europe, will boast a bevy of new modes, in addition to a...
News Muramasa Rebirth Slicing North American PlayStation Vitas
Dream come true
We told you that the PlayStation Vita port of Vanillaware favourite Muramasa: The Demon Blade would make its way overseas, didn’t we? Siliconera is reporting that Aksys will be publishing the title in North America as
Monday28th Jan 2013
News Legendary Rare Developer Switches Xbox for PlayStation
Flying the first-party flag
You may not have heard of George Andreas, but you will almost certainly have played one of his games. The former Rare employee worked on a wealth of classics during his 16 year tenure at the UK studio, including Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and even GoldenEye 007. But, after playing a pivotal role in the production of
Tuesday29th Jan 2013
News Sony Teases Game Day with Mysterious Trailer
What does it all mean?
Sony has added a mysterious trailer entitled ‘Game Day’ to its YouTube channel. The short shows a lady in classical garb strutting through a field, and closes with an open eye and 1st February date. It’s perhaps worth noting that the fonts, clothing, and sound effects all have a God of War-esque feel to them. We’re...
News Soul Sacrifice Saps Your Body and Mind from 30th April
Monster hunter
Enjoy your limbs while you’ve got them, because Sony has announced that it will conjure copies of Soul Sacrifice onto store shelves on 30th April in North America. The title will start slaying grotesque ogres on 1st May in Europe, with both regions securing digital releases on their respective dates. For the uninitiated amongst...
News Deadly Premonition 2 Could Take Place in an English Market Town
Change of scenery
Chatting to us as part of his world tour, Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut creator Hidetaka 'SWERY' Suehiro has hinted that he is already pondering his next title – but whether it gets made depends on the success of the upcoming re-release. “We are in discussion about moving onto the next project,” he teased. “It all...
News Warren Spector's Junction Point Reaches the End of the Line
Mickey mania
After the reportedly dire sales of Epic Mickey 2, it’s perhaps not surprising that Disney has decided to shutter developer Junction Point today – but that doesn’t make the news any easier to swallow. The publisher, currently wrapped up in the production of Disney Infinity, confirmed the closure earlier this evening, citing its...
Monday28th Jan 2013
News Crytek Resurrects Darksiders Developers with Texas Studio
Back from the brink
Darksiders may have been caught by the scythe of Death, but that’s not stopping a number of former Vigil Games employees from finding new life at Crytek USA. The Austin-based outfit, announced earlier today, represents the ninth studio in the German firm’s portfolio. Its foundation follows closely in the footsteps of Crytek...
Tuesday29th Jan 2013
News We'd Totally Study the History of BioShock Infinite's Columbia
Look around you
We never really cared about history at school – but we suspect that our disinterest would have been reversed if we got to learn about floating cities. This excellent BioShock: Infinite mockumentary outlines the history of Columbia in an informative and educational way. It sure beats watching another ancient BBC funded video about...
Monday28th Jan 2013
Review Gun Commando (PlayStation Mobile)
All outta gum?
It’s been a good 20 years since DOOM blasted its way onto the scene and laid the foundations for the rise of the first-person shooter. Some people may look back on its arrival with dismay given how stagnant the genre has become, but its legacy cannot be denied. Developer Green Hill Studios hopes to capitalise on that with its latest...
News Sexy Threads Heading to Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut
Dressed to kill
The previously announced post-release DLC for Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut will include some saucy new threads for Greenvale's favourite female cop Emily, according to series creator Hidetaka 'SWERY' Suehiro. Speaking as part of an exclusive interview with Push Square, the legendary developer revealed that the outfit was...
News Heavy Rain Composer Sadly Passes Away at 56
Leaves behind an incredible legacy
The composer best known for scoring Heavy Rain’s emotional soundtrack, Normand Corbeil, has passed away at 56. The sad news comes courtesy of 8bitfix.com, who reports that the musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August of 2012. He lost the battle with the disease on Friday, 25th January. Corbeil has...
News Killzone: Mercenary Breaches Polish Magazine Cover
Details deploying soon
Polish magazine PSX Extreme has released some brand new information about the upcoming PlayStation Vita first-person shooter, Killzone: Mercenary. According to the publication, the title is built upon the same engine as Killzone 3, meaning that it looks absolutely staggering. It’s thought that the release will rival
News Sleeping Dogs Headlines Explosive Euro PS Plus Update
It's full of stars
European PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to rest easy knowing that Sleeping Dogs is set to awaken the service’s bursting Instant Game Collection next month. Sony has announced that the critically acclaimed sandbox crime drama will be available for free from 6th February, leaving you with plenty of change to splash out...
News Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus Strikes North American PS Plus
Slice and dice
Sony is rounding out January in style, by giving away copies of Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus to North American PlayStation Plus subscribers. The critically acclaimed PlayStation Vita port – which secured a strong 8/10 in our review – will be available for free from 29th January, so make sure you free up some space on your system’s...
News Deadly Premonition's York Was Originally Going to Be a Girl
Right, Zacherina?
Since its release in 2010, Deadly Premonition has rightfully earned its title as one of the most absurd, yet insanely gripping open world horror games in history. However, the story of Agent Francis York Morgan could have been very different, as director Hidetaka 'SWERY' Suehiro and producer Tomio Kanazawa explained in a recent...
News Dead Space 3's Launch Trailer Murders a Classic
Oh lord
Forget the Necromorphs, the scariest thing about this Dead Space 3 launch trailer is the awful Phil Collins cover. It’s a shame, because the footage itself is exceptional, focusing on several enormous set-pieces from the single-player campaign. We’re guessing that that big centipede thing isn’t popping up to play tag. All will be...
News Rory McIlroy Swings onto Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14's Box Art
Hole in one
Not content with being brightest light on the circuit, landing a lucrative deal with Nike, and pulling women’s tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy can now add appearing on the cover of a video game to his list of achievements. The Northern Irish hot shot will star on the front of the European edition of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14,...
News Stylish Hitman HD Trilogy Trailer Dons a Cunning Disguise
You're already dead
With the release of the Hitman HD Trilogy nearing swifter than a blow to the brain, Square Enix has deployed the title’s official launch trailer in the space below. The compilation promises over 75 hits and more than 40 levels across three re-mastered PlayStation 2 campaigns. You’ll also unlock access to the previously...
News UK Sales Charts: DmC Pounded into Fourth by Black Ops 2
Sinking feeling
After dominating last week, DmC: Devil May Cry’s halo has slipped down into fourth position in the UK sales charts. The title was toppled by former frontrunner Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, which shot straight back to the summit. Familiar favourites FIFA 13 and Far Cry 3 occupied second and third respectively. Elsewhere,
News Sony Bundling 3 Month Bonuses with Annual PS Plus Subs
More for your money
It pays to be a PlayStation Plus subscriber these days – and there’s never been a better time to sign up. Sony has announced that anyone in North America that buys a 12 month membership between now and 4th March will get an extra three months absolutely free. That’s a generous bonus when you consider the sheer amount of...
Most Read
News Which of These PS4 Controller Mock-Ups Is Your Favourite?
Rumour Could Ivory Tower's Leaked Racer Be a PS4 Launch Game?
Interview SWERY Discusses the Success of Deadly Premonition, Sequels, and Strange ...
News Sony Teases the Future, Will Almost Certainly Reveal the PlayStation 4 o...
News Yes, Sony Will Announce the PlayStation 4 on 20th February
News Take a Look at the PlayStation 4 Game That You'll Never Play
News Killzone: Mercenary Pre-orders Unlock Blackjack's Briefcase
