News - 2013, Week 29
Monday22nd Jul 2013
News Compulsion Games Scratching Its Head Over PS4's Power
Sony's system providing new challenges
While the PlayStation 3 was a beast to develop for, the PlayStation 4 is proving a much simpler option. However, the console’s horsepower is prompting some headaches among developers – as studios agonise over the best ways to employ all of the platform’s added performance. One such outfit is Compulsion...
Sunday21st Jul 2013
Opinion The Problem with Knack, the PS4 Title That's Punching Above Its Weight
Monster problems
After somewhat slipping into irrelevancy throughout much of the PlayStation 3 era, Sony’s own Japan Studio is enjoying something of a renaissance at the minute. The first-party workshop – previously responsible for classics such as Ape Escape and Shadow of the Colossus – is
News Sony to Improve PlayStation Vita Sales with Hardware Initiatives
The only way is up
While the PlayStation Vita may still be struggling to make a commercial impact in many regions across the globe, the system is really maturing into an extremely attractive device. Removed from the software drought that plagued the platform at launch, there’s now plenty to play on the handheld, including some stellar indie...
News Someone Purchased a PS4 Pre-Order for Over $850
And so it begins
While pre-orders for the PlayStation 4 are still readily available from most retailers, GameStop recently sounded an availability alarm by shutting down sales for the next generation system – despite Sony telling the North American giant to open the floodgates earlier in the year. Now it seems that we could be heading towards a...
News This Is What Kaz Hirai's Been Up to Over the Past 12 Months
Smiles and suits
Since stepping into the big office at Sony Corp, Kaz Hirai’s presence has been diminished across the gaming division. The former PlayStation president now has much bigger fish to fry than petty console disputes, such as the health of a stumbling corporation. Fortunately, the executive’s not been wasting his time playing Rid
Saturday20th Jul 2013
News Here's What the Oculus Rift Could Look Like on PS4
Living in the future
Sony’s a fan of making you look like a loon. After all, who could forget the fairly recent HMZ-T1 headset? We’ve still got neck ache from testing it out. As such, it’s little surprise that the company’s a fan of Oculus Rift technology, as evidenced by Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida. “We’ve got a couple of...
News Strider Cutting PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 Next Year
No, really
Not content with resurrecting Killer Instinct for the Xbox One, Californian outfit Double Helix is also hard at work on a Strider reboot for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The revamp of the beloved Capcom action game will check all of the latest buzzwords, serving up a Metroidvania-inspired experience in a 2.5D world. Despite the...
News The Crew Designed with PS4's 'Play as You Download' Feature in Mind
Convenience content
For corridor conflicts like Call of Duty: Ghosts, the PlayStation 4’s ambitious ‘Play as You Download’ feature is unlikely to prove a problem. Developers can easily arrange data so that the first level of the campaign is pulled off the server first, followed by the second, third, and so on. But for open world games such as...
News SoulCalibur II HD Online Picks a Fight with PlayStation 3
Two souls, fiercely entangled
SoulCalibur II HD Online, an enhanced re-release of the brawler that single-handedly consumed our school days, is set to enter the ring on the PlayStation 3 this fall. As the name hints, the high-definition upgrade of the PlayStation 2 classic will regale its eternal tale with online multiplayer in tow. Console...
News Evolution Studios Putting DriveClub into Gear at GamesCom
Time to shine
While there’s plenty of promise in DriveClub’s social features, the PlayStation 4 launch title hasn’t quite lived up to the quality of its initial unveiling just yet. The demo on offer at last month’s E3 was just 35 per cent complete, leaving the visuals looking more Smart car than high-performance sports car. Still, developer...
Friday19th Jul 2013
Review Total Recoil (PlayStation Vita)
Grind-o-rama
The way that an individual perceives video games as an endeavour, not just in regard to their favourite genre, but their attitude and approach to this fine pastime, determines their entire gaming experience. For example, ask a retro gamer which game they first think of when you mention Naughty Dog and they may answer Crash Bandicoot,...
Review Painkiller: Hell & Damnation (PlayStation 3)
Damn it all to Hell
Developers have a nasty habit of referring to their games as ‘old school’ when they know that they may not be very good by modern standards. Pitched as a nostalgic trip down memory lane, and designed to serve as both a remake and a sequel to 2004’s Painkiller, does Painkiller: Hell & Damnation dance with the devil or...
News The Crew Was Ported to PS4 by Just Two to Three People
Times are changing
At this point prior to the PlayStation 3’s release, we were starting to hear whispers about the console’s complex architecture. Third-party studios were really struggling to get to grips with the system, and that was evidenced by the slew of shoddy ports that plagued the platform for years after its arrival. Fortunately, the...
Talking Point Is Free-to-Play the Future for PlayStation 4?
Thinking different
In theory, you won’t need to spend a penny on software when you pick up your shiny new PlayStation 4 on launch day. While there will be boxed blockbusters vying for your attention, all flaunting familiar price stickers – unless the executives at EA get their way – the console will also be complemented by a handful of...
News Battlestar Galactica Writer Penning Sony Santa Monica's PS4 Project
Secret title is not related to God of War
We’ve known for several years that Sony Santa Monica is working on a new title for the PlayStation 4, but the platform holder has kept the release secret during that time. However, the San Diego Comic-Con has provided us with our first hint at the project’s progress, as legendary screenwriter Michael...
News June NPD: The Last of Us Conquers Charts, Sneaks Up on God of War III's Record
Ellie of a performance
Naughty Dog has well and truly hammered a nail in the coffin of comments suggesting that new franchises struggle at the end of a generation. First-party favourite The Last of Us topped the North American sales charts for June, securing the third largest launch in the month since NPD started tracking data in 1995. The...
News Ace Combat: Infinity Swoops onto PlayStation 3
Teaser trailer exits the runway
Ace Combat: Infinity, the next entry in Namco Bandai’s popular air combat series, will take flight exclusively on the PlayStation 3, according to the teaser trailer embedded below. In addition to the sound of a giggling schoolgirl, the footage includes the quote: “That day our sky fell, the heavens split to create...
News Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational Putts PlayStation 3 Next Week
Hole in one
Just in time to celebrate the Open – and Rory McIlroy’s confidence crisis – Sony has announced that it’s bringing the PlayStation 3 version of Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational to Europe and North America next week. The arcade golf game – which struck an albatross on the PlayStation
News Tom Clancy's The Division Video Delves Behind-the-Scenes
The final countdown
Tom Clancy’s The Division was easily one of the hottest games revealed at this year’s E3, and Ubisoft has deployed a brand new video detailing the build-up to the next generation title’s big announcement. In it, an awkwardly dressed Justin Levy talks to a handful of the major players at developer Massive about pre-show...
Thursday18th Jul 2013
News Your Existing PS3 Wireless Headsets Will Work with PS4
Find a Pulse
Sony’s not going to force you to splash out on an expensive new headset for the PlayStation 4. Chatting with Polygon at the San Diego Comic-Con, a company representative confirmed that PlayStation 3 wireless headsets will be compatible with the next generation console. That includes the platform holder’s own pricey – but awesome...
Review Tokyo Jungle Mobile (PlayStation Mobile)
Beast wars
You might be kidded into thinking that there'd be some modicum of peace on Earth if the human race, along with its wide range of squabbles and skirmishes, evaporated one day. The Tokyo Jungle series disagrees. After society collapses, humans go bye-bye and cities become overgrown concrete jungles, the conflicts of the animal kingdom rage...
News PlayStation's Bid for Greatness Campaign Tarnished by Cheaters
Hackers abuse system
This is why we can’t have nice things. Sony’s clever Bid for Greatness campaign was accompanied by an appropriately positive response earlier this week. The endeavour – which transforms your earned Trophies into a digital currency – augments you with the ability to compete for various props and items from the platfo
News Angry Birds: Star Wars Finds the Force on PlayStation 3 and Vita
Luke Flywalker
Angry Birds: Star Wars, Rovio and LucasArts’ license to print money, is set to step away from the Pork Side of mobiles and tablets, and fly onto the PlayStation 3 and Vita this fall. The title – which popped up on Amazon overnight – will catapult its way onto a console near you on 29th October in North America and 1st November...
News Sucker Punch: Impossible Dreams Are Now Possible on PS4
Seattle studio thinking big with inFAMOUS: Second Son
The power of the PlayStation 4 has cleared the fog on inFAMOUS: Second Son developer Sucker Punch’s dreams, according to co-founder Brian Fleming. Speaking as part of Sony’s ongoing ‘Conversations with Creators’ video series, the studio gaffer admitted that the console transition has...
News No Plans for Ultra Street Fighter IV to Dragon Punch PS4
Capcom admits that there's lots of anticipation for a Vita version, though
Series producer Yoshinori Ono has KO’d any hopes of the recently announced Ultra Street Fighter IV punching its way onto the PlayStation 4. In a series of Tweets, the Capcom legend admitted that the publisher has no plans to release the title on any platforms beyond current...
News Level-5: PS4 Price Proves Sony Is Serious About Next Generation
Akihiro Hino impressed with platform holder's strategy
The next generation may not have started yet, but Sony’s already ensured a strong start for the PlayStation 4. The system’s used game policies and competitive price point have propelled the platform to
News Ubisoft: PS4 Pre-Orders Double Those of PS3 Prior to Launch
Money, money, money
While analysts obsess over the health of the dedicated video game market in a post-smartphone climate, it seems unlikely that Sony or Microsoft will be losing any sleep. According to Ubisoft overlord Yves Guillemot, pre-orders for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are roughly “two times” the level of their predecessors at...
News Dragon's Crown Is Questing to Europe Later This Year
Worldwide looting
A European release for Atlus' highly anticipated action RPG Dragon's Crown was beginning to look quite sketchy, but today the title was confirmed to be making the journey by publisher NIS America. Although no solid release date was given, Europe is to expect the game sometime in the Autumn. Sporting a fantastic art style, chaotic...
News DriveClub Will Evolve with Brand New Content Beyond Launch
Back for a second lap
Evolution Studios does not intend to keep DriveClub parked up once the PlayStation 4 launch title is on store shelves. Chatting with VG247, director Col Rodgers explained that the company considers the next generation racer a service, which it intends to lavish with new content over time. “Ultimately, the game that you buy...
News PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD Lays a Trap on 30th July
Somewhere over the rainbow
Double Eleven’s delicious high-definition port of PlayStation Network classic PixelJunk Monsters will crash like a cannonball onto the PlayStation Vita later this month. The British developer has confirmed that the tastefully titled PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD will strut onto Sony’s slick handheld on 30th July in...
Wednesday17th Jul 2013
Talking Point When Will the PlayStation 4 Release?
Speed dating
Sony has few battles left to win in the build-up to the PlayStation 4’s launch. It’s already outmanoeuvred Microsoft on price and policies, and it’s reaping the rewards in pre-order numbers as a result. However, while the platform holder is riding high on
News Sony's Indie Support 'Lives Up to the Hype, and Then Some'
Liege developer impressed with platform holder
Sony’s aggressive pursuit of indie outfits has been in force for some time now, and the positive word of mouth surrounding the platform holder is beginning to encourage some smaller studios to actively approach the Japanese giant. One such developer is John Rhee, who decided to reach out to the...
Interview Checking in with Liege's John Rhee, the Mind Behind PS4 and Vita's Next Best Adventure
Once u-pawn a time
Few could argue that Liege looks the part. The fantasy excursion – inspired by classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Suikoden, and, er, chess – is the product of one-man development shop Coda Games, and could yet be spreading its vibr
News PS4's Ace Augmented Reality Demo May Grow Before Launch
You're probably going to want a PlayStation Eye
Sony didn’t intend to release The Playroom. The absolutely incredible augmented reality showcase – which we recently got to check out firsthand – was designed as a collaborative effort between the platform holder’s hardware and software teams in order to better understand the new control...
News Sony Sidelines MAG, SOCOM 4, and SOCOM: Confrontation
Platform holder pulling the plug in January
Zipper Interactive’s lasting legacy will be powered down next year, as Sony has announced that the online components for MAG, SOCOM Confrontation, and SOCOM 4 will all be switched off on 28th January. Of the three games, only the latter has a single player campaign, mean
News Need for Speed: Most Wanted Leads High-Octane EU PS Plus Refresh
Lineup includes Mafia II, Spec Ops: The Line, and more
The sun is certainly shining, but that’s not stopping Sony from waving the chequered flag on another insane European PlayStation Plus offering. Starting from 31st July, you’ll be able to burn rubber in Need for Speed: Most Wanted, all without needing to worry about the price of petrol. But...
News Johnny Gat Is Back with a Vengeance in Saints Row IV
Here's Johnny
Much to the disappointment and rage of many, Volition decided to kill off fan favourite character Johnny Gat during the opening hour of Saints Row: The Third. Despite reappearing as a zombie later in the game, and as a giant mutant in the 'The Trouble with Clones' DLC, these cameos weren't really enough to appease the disgruntled...
Store Update 17th July 2013 (Europe)
Nothing to see here
We were hoping that this week’s European PlayStation Store update would offer something of merit after last week’s shambles, but it turns out that the games industry really is on vacation. We suppose that there’s The Smurfs 2 to keep you entertained. Urgh, forget it – we’re going outside to eat a Calippo. PS3 Games:...
Store Update 16th July 2013 (North America)
PLAYtime
The lineup of this year’s PlayStation Store PLAY promotion takes centre stage in North America this week, with all four titles available for pre-order. However, the platform holder’s latest digital initiative is not the only highlight, with Dynasty Warriors 8, Doodle God, and Kung Fu Rabbit also fleshing out a surprisingl
Tuesday16th Jul 2013
Review Dynasty Warriors 8 (PlayStation 3)
Xiahou done
There comes a time when you begin to ask yourself why you’re still playing a series of games that has somehow spawned eight main iterations and countless spin-offs while retelling the same old story over and over again. What could possibly be keeping your interest in a franchise that has done almost nothing but stick to its guns for...
Preview Hopping Away from The Evil Within, the Scariest Game on PS4
Lopped legs
Despite what the developers may tell you, survival horror is as dead as the butchered corpses that once tormented the genre. Franchises that founded the format – the likes of Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and, to a lesser extent, Alone in the Dark – have gradually shed their endurance aspects, favouring rote supernatural shootouts in...
Review International Snooker (PlayStation Vita)
Match ball?
British developer Big Head Games racked up International Snooker on various other formats prior to this high-definition PlayStation Vita port, and generally to favourable reviews. So, given the handheld's repertoire of quality controls and processing power, does this enhanced version of the title build a big break, or sink the white on...
News PS4 Will Push the Vita's LiveArea Interface Much, Much Further
Keeping connected
LiveArea is arguably one of the most underrated elements of the PlayStation Vita’s operating system. While it’s not been used to its full potential by most developers, the landing screen system – which can display important game data, links, statistics, and messages from developers – is an undeniably nifty idea. As such,...
News Count Up Those Gold Trophies, You're Going to Need Them
Bid for greatness
Those that dismiss the Trophy metagame often question its worth in the real world. After all, what’s the point in spending several hours scooping up feathers in Assassin’s Creed II when your efforts are rewarded with little more than a tiny PNG image and a sense of satisfaction? Well, Sony hopes to answer that question with its...
News The LEGO Movie Videogame Assembles on PS4, PS3, and Vita
Flicks based on bricks
Just when you thought that you were safe from block-building action, Warner Bros has announced another LEGO title, this time designed to tie into the popular toy’s imminent big screen debut. Due out in 2014 on the – wait for it – PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita, The LEGO Movie Videogame will depict the...
News Sony Designed the DualShock 4 with First-Person Shooters in Mind
Call of Duty a key inspiration
As far as we’re concerned, the PlayStation 3 controller is easily the most versatile peripheral on the market. It suits sports games, platformers, and more. However, some would argue that the device is not compatible with first-person shooters, and while it’s not a sentiment that we necessarily agree with, it’s...
News Liege Expands to PlayStation 4 and Vita with Your Help
Developer needs additional funding to realise dream
Much like Disastercake’s recent Kickstarter campaign for RPG throwback Soul Saga, Coda Games' upcoming Liege is inspired by countless PlayStation classics. Fortunately, the tactical title – which aims to blend an adult narrative with dense strategic gameplay –
News Hatsune Miku Project Diva F Could Be Dancing onto Your Vita, Too
Strut your stuff
We already know that Hatsune Miku Project Diva F is pulling some shapes on the PlayStation 3 later this year, but the curious vocaloid popstar could also be strutting onto the PlayStation Vita as well. The ESRB – North America’s chief video game classifications board – has
News Survey Finds PS4 the Most Attractive Console for European Developers
Sony's system won't be short of support
If you’re worried that the PlayStation 4 may struggle to cultivate a compelling catalogue of content in the months directly following its launch, then you may want to put those concerns out in the cold for the time being. A developer survey has revealed that Sony’s next generation system is more appealing...
News VidZone Starts a Music Video Streaming Party in North America
Just dance
VidZone has been a mainstay of the European PlayStation 3 experience for eons, cranking out killer tunes since before Lady GaGa was hip. But now, much like Spotify before it, the service is set to play catch up in North America, allowing residents of the new world to stream the hits of Hanson until their heart’s content. Mmmbop. The...
News Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches Stirs Up August Release
Toil and trouble
French developer Arkane Studios will conclude Dishonored’s post-release strategy with a third DLC pack named ‘The Brigmore Witches’. The expansion – which is due out on 13th August in North America and 14th August in Europe – will pick up where ‘The Knife of Dunwall’ left off, directly after antagonist Daud’s...
News Diablo III Deploying in 2014 on the PlayStation 4
Fire and brimstone
While you’ll be able to cruise through Diablo III's underworld on the PlayStation 3 from 3rd September, you’ll have to wait until 2014 to rummage through the adventure on your PlayStation 4. Despite being announced during Sony’s next generation coming out party in February, Blizzard has admitted that it's only just got...
Monday15th Jul 2013
News Sony Fires Off Five Scorching inFAMOUS: Second Son Screens
Smokin' hot
If the summer weather has left you melting like a Popsicle in a microwave, then we recommend steering well clear of these smouldering inFAMOUS: Second Son screens. The images, which publisher Sony coughed up earlier today, show puerile protagonist Delsin Rowe unloading a handful of, er, fiery firepower on a selection of unsuspecting DUP...
News The Last of Us Limping Towards Black Ops II Record in the UK
Sweet six
Assuming that The Last of Us can survive another week at the top of the UK sales charts, it will match a record held by Call of Duty: Black Ops II and FIFA 12. Both of the aforementioned titles managed to sit at the summit for a whopping six consecutive weeks. Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed opus is now at five weeks, with
News Disgaea 4: Return Makes a Promise with PS Vita Next Year
Criminal Girls inviting your attention, too
Fans of exceptionally long adventures will get their money’s worth next year, as Nippon Ichi has announced that Disgaea 4: Return is in active production for the PlayStation Vita. The port of the PlayStation 3 favourite Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten was announced during an anniversary event in...
News PlayStation Store PLAY 2013 Saves You Money This Summer
Top titles featured in PSN promotion
Sony’s answer to the uber-popular Xbox Live Summer of Arcade initiative, PlayStation Store PLAY, is back for another term, this time bringing with it four farm-fresh PlayStation Network titles for you to harvest. The games featured in this year’s lineup include Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark (23rd July),...
News Avalanche Pulls the Trigger on Mad Max Footage
Soul of a man
Swedish outfit Avalanche Studios has put its foot down on the first in-engine footage of Mad Max. The title – which is set to shoot up the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 – will depict the eponymous hero’s plight, as he attempts to recover his lost vehicle, the Interceptor, from a barren desert wasteland. Despite being dubbed a...
News Ultra Street Fighter IV Throws a Few Fireballs Next Year
Hadouken
Capcom’s not done re-releasing Street Fighter IV just yet. During a panel at the EVO Championships this weekend, the publisher announced Ultra Street Fighter IV, a brand new expansion pack featuring five new characters, six stages, and rebalanced gameplay based entirely on fan feedback. The add-on’s due out early next year as an £11.99...
News PS3 Rules UK Retail in June, Commands 40 Per Cent Software Share
The Last of Us fronts positive period for Sony's system
While the PlayStation 3 is generally the platform of choice in Europe, it’s forced to sit behind the Xbox 360 in the UK. A strong marketing presence from Microsoft means that, while still popular, Sony’s system is regularly treated as second-best in the region. Despite this, though, the...
News UK Sales Charts: The Last of Us Survives a Fifth Week at the Top
Nothing's gonna stop us now
This is fairly unprecedented for a PlayStation 3 exclusive: The Last of Us has managed a fifth week at the top of the UK sales charts. Granted, there’s very little software deploying at the moment, but that’s still a seriously impressive feat for Naughty Dog’s survival horror excursion. There’s a chance that it...
