Tag: Hardware - Page 18
News Tretton: PlayStation Vita's Got a Dedicated Fanbase, It's Just Not Big Enough
Growing pains
While it’s now host to a pretty strong selection of games, the PlayStation Vita is still struggling to garner the commercial success that it probably deserves. Hardware numbers are catastrophically low, and it’s failing to secure big third-party brands as a result. Despite this, SCEA president Jack Tretton believes that there’s...
News PS4 System Architect Mark Cerny Didn't See The Console Casing Until E3
"I was in the nosebleed seats with the rest of the audience"
Mark Cerny is an industry veteran and the man behind the PS4's internal architecture. You might assume that this means he will have been one of the first people to see the console's sleek external casing — but you'd be wrong. Cerny has revealed that he decided against seeing the PS4...
News Sony's Considering Multiple PS4 Hardware Packages
Value added
To date, Sony’s only really announced one version of the PlayStation 4. The competitively priced $399.99 option includes the console and a DualShock 4, but the platform holder is considering deploying some bigger bundles. In an interview with MCV, SCEE president Jim Ryan added that larger packages are something that the platform...
News Sony Tells GameStop to Open the Floodgates on PS4 Pre-orders
Platform holder gets aggressive
Sony seems to have some serious confidence in its production pipeline, as it has informed GameStop to accept “unlimited pre-orders” for the PlayStation 4. In a leaked memo sent to stores across North America, the retailer revealed that the platform holder has allowed it to open the floodgates on system reserves...
News PlayStation Vita Mega Pack Bundles Outrageous Value
Pick up an 8GB memory card with 10 free games
We all know that the price of the PlayStation Vita’s memory cards is an enormous issue, but Sony is attempting to offset the problem by launching a new line of 8GB cards bundling ten downloadable titles. Due out on 21st June in Europe for €39.99, the tempting Mega Pack includes an empty storage stick...
News Sony's Sending These Awesome Custom PS3s to Its Partners
You know you want one
Sony’s been in a very charitable mood lately, attempting to entice developers such as Mojang with PlayStation-related goodies. But while the gold PSone that the platform holder sent to Markus ‘Notch’ Persson was nice, these custom PlayStation 3 consoles take things a step further. Adam Boyes, the head of publisher and...
Talking Point What Do You Think of the PS4's Hardware Design?
Spill your thoughts on Sony's latest console
Sony laid out the design of the PlayStation 4 like an open book at its press conference earlier this evening – a fitting metaphor, considering the console kind of resembles a hard-back tome. The hardware has an angled surface to it, and has a pronounced split across the spine. There’s a splash of blue...
News Will the New PlayStation Eye Come Bundled with the PS4?
Big brother
Prior to the announcement of the PlayStation 4, a number of outlets reported that the console would come bundled with an improved PlayStation Eye camera. Sony failed to clarify that point when it revealed the peripheral at its PlayStation Meeting earlier in the year, but the implication has always been that the system will be sold...
News Sony's Actively Pushing for Sturdier Game Performances on PS4
Smooth as silk
Sony’s hoping that the added horsepower of the PlayStation 4 will put an end to inconsistent frame rates and low resolution visuals. Chatting with Eurogamer.net in a recent feature, Just Add Water’s head honcho Stewart Gilray revealed that the platform holder is “actively pushing” for games that run at 60 frames per second on...
News PS4's Development Environment Is Much More Mature Than Xbox One
Cerny difference
Sony’s commitment to the humble developer has been pretty consistent over the past couple of months. While it made some major missteps with the PlayStation 3’s architecture, the company’s aiming to reverse those issues with the PlayStation 4. And, according to Avalanche Studios – who’s working on an unannounced next...
News PlayStation 4 Has a Significant Power Advantage Over Xbox One
Sony's system leading the charge
It seems that there was a reason behind the hazy specifications that Microsoft released for the Xbox One – it’s not quite up to snuff compared to the PlayStation 4. The ever reliable technology gurus over at Digital Foundry have stripped back both consoles and come up with some fascinating conclusions – namely...
News How Do Xbox One's Hardware Specifications Compare to PS4?
A broad look
Games are by far the most important part of any new console, but the hardware is significant too. While Sony spent a lot of time discussing the internals of the PlayStation 4 at its own unveiling conference earlier in the year, Microsoft was decidedly more muted during its presentation. However, following today’s press conference, the...
News New PlayStation 3 Bundle Is Perfect for Fans of High Performance Fuel
Gives you wings
Whether its electricity or good old-fashioned gasoline that gets you going, Sony’s brand new North American PlayStation 3 hardware package should have you racing to your nearest store. Dubbed the ‘Legacy’ bundle, the $299.99 offering collates a 500GB PS3 Super Slim system with Gran Turismo 5 XL, inFAMOUS 2, and a 30-day voucher...
News PlayStation 4 Will Get You into Your Games Quicker Than Ever Before
System architect promises faster access and swifter loading
While we lament the addition of another seemingly needless PlayStation 3 firmware update, Mark Cerny – the mastermind behind both the PlayStation 4 and arcade classic Marble Madness – has discussed in detail the feature inside Sony’s next generation console that will get you playing...
News Sony Pulls Back the Curtain on the PlayStation 4's Controller
Get a grip
Is this a response to yesterday’s Xbox announcement? It’s probably a coincidence, but it’s interesting that Sony’s opted to release this trailer for the PlayStation 4’s controller less than 24 hours after Microsoft confirmed the date for its impending system’s announcement. If memory serves correctly, we think that this...
News Sony: We've Learned Pricing Lessons for PlayStation 4
Platform holder hints that the system probably won't break the bank
Sony has admitted that it was forced to learn hard lessons regarding the pricing of the PlayStation 3, and it will put those into practice with its impending next generation console. Chatting with EDGE magazine, Worldwide Studios vice president Michael Denny revealed that the...
News Colossal RAM Could Lead to Lazy PlayStation 4 Programmers
No need to be clean and tidy
While the confirmation that Sony’s next generation system will include 8GB GDDR5 RAM was met by rapturous applause during February’s big PlayStation 4 jolly-up, a laundry list of developers have hinted that the gigantic offering could lead to ‘lazy’ programming in a report published by
Rumour PS4 Developers Will Have Access to 7GB GDDR5 RAM
Remaining memory used for the operating system
Pull out your favourite salt shaker and prepare to toss a hefty helping all over your keyboard, because the rumourmongers are out in force today. PS4Daily is reporting that developers will have access to 7GB of the PlayStation 4’s total 8GB GDDR5 RAM for games, with the remaining 1GB being reserved...
News Guerrilla: PlayStation 4 Has No Performance Bottlenecks
First-party studio is unsurprisingly satisfied with the system
Killzone: Shadow Fall may be drawing its fair share of criticism for lacking innovation, but there’s no denying that the title is already shaping up to be a visual masterpiece. That’s mostly due to the brute power of the PlayStation 4, which is perfectly "balanced” according to...
News Sony Thought 'Long and Hard' Over PS4's Lack of Backward Compatibility
Losing legacy support wasn't an easy decision for the platform holder
There’s no doubt that the PlayStation 4 is exciting for all sorts of reasons, but the next generation system’s lack of backward compatibility remains one of its biggest blemishes. While the manufacturer has promised to explore other methods of legacy support through Gaikai,...
Talking Point How the PS4 Will Put an End to Some of the PS3's Biggest Issues
Better, faster, stronger
We love our good old pal the PlayStation 3, but even we can acknowledge that the console is not without fault. Its complex architecture has proved a headache for developers ever since its release almost seven years ago – and it's resulted in some less than desirable ports being published for our favourite machine. But with...
News Nvidia Isn't Particularly Impressed with the PlayStation 4
Graphics company suggests that the console's already out of date
At the start of this generation, Sony worked closely with Nvidia to create the PlayStation 3’s graphics chip. However, for the PlayStation 4, the manufacturer has switched sides, placing its allegiance with AMD instead. The change appears to have peeved the Santa Clara-based...
News PS4 Will 'Out-Power Most PCs for Years to Come', Says Just Cause Developer
Avalanche Studios particularly impressed with Sony's next generation hardware
Linus Blomberg, a leading technical officer at Just Cause 2 developer Avalanche Studios, is seriously excited for the PlayStation 4. In an interview with GamingBolt, the employee praised the platform’s developer-friendly environment and the vision behind the console’s...
Rumour Sony's Aiming to Ship a Huge Number of PS4s This Year
Manufacturer wants 16 million units on store shelves in 2013
If last month’s big PlayStation Meeting taught us anything, it’s that Sony is not messing around anymore. While the PlayStation 3 was cursed by the company’s arrogance, it genuinely feels like the organisation has learned its lessons, and that’s reflected in almost every aspect of...
Talking Point How Important Is 'Plug and Play' to the PlayStation 4?
Working in perfect harmony
Consoles are getting more and more complex. There was a time when we expected our favourite system to play games and little else – but now we demand video streaming, direct communication with our friends, network-wide achievements, and more. Sony’s current flagship console, the PlayStation 3, wasn’t designed with...
News Killzone: Shadow Fall Will Broadcast Radio Messages Through the DualShock 4
Static sounds
One of the more superfluous features of the PlayStation 4’s new controller is the speaker in the middle of the device. While we’ve known about this addition ever since the handset leaked, Sony has been very vague about how it will actually be used. However, speaking during last night’s Jimmy Fallon
News No, PlayStation Vita's Not Getting a Price Cut in North America
Sony's staying put for the time being
Starting next week, you’ll be able to purchase a PlayStation Vita for a significantly reduced price in Japan. Both the bog-standard Wi-Fi and 3G iterations will be available for ¥19,980 ($213), representing a decrease of around ¥5,000 ($53) on the basic model. However, while we’d predicted a similar change...
News PlayStation Vita Bonus Pack Bundles 32GB Memory Card
Solving problems
While the PlayStation Vita is about to get significantly cheaper in its native Japan, the cost of memory cards still remains a problem. However, Sony hopes to rectify that issue by introducing a new ‘Bonus Bundle’ in the region, which includes a 3G console and a 32GB memory card for just ¥24,980 ($269). That’s the same price...
News Kratos Will Kill a Kitten If You Ignore This God of War Bundle
Think about it
Wannabe deities will be able to augment their shrines with a limited edition God of War: Ascension hardware bundle this March. The package – currently only announced for British-based worshippers – includes a 500GB Classic White PlayStation 3, a copy of the game, and a limited edition DualShock 3. The controller sports the same...
News Latest PlayStation Vita Colour Is As Cold As Ice
Not willing to sacrifice, though
Sony’s trotting out another new PlayStation Vita colour in Asia next month. The chilly ‘Ice Silver’ design is set to release on 28th February in Hong Kong, with additional regions nabbing the hue in early March. “By continually releasing a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles, SCE is also...
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 PlayStation 3 Super Slim Flashes Red and Blue in UK
Just like the police (minus Sting)
Those recently announced ‘Garnet Red’ and ‘Azurite Blue’ PlayStation 3 Super Slim consoles are set to light up UK store shelves on 15th February, platform holder Sony has announced. The systems will be available as part of a temporary run, and will come bundled with two matching DualShock 3 controllers and...
News New PS3 Super Slim Colours Strut Their Stuff in Japan
And maybe overseas, too
A couple of custom PlayStation 3 Super Slim colours will hit the console catwalk in Japan next month, platform holder Sony has announced. The newly unveiled 250GB Garnet Red and Azurite Blue systems will launch on 28th February in the land of the rising sun, and will set you back ¥24,980 ($279). Interestingly, the consoles...
News Classic White PS3 Coming to North America on 27th January
Nicely iced
To complement the dusting of snow on our windowsill right now (no, really), Sony has announced that it’s bringing the classic white PlayStation 3 Super Slim to North America later this month. As with Canada, the wintery system will arrive on 27th January, and will come with a year’s subscription to PlayStation Plus and a 500GB...
News Canada Paints the PlayStation 3 White on 27th January
Cold as ice
Clearly inspired by the winter months, Sony’s Canadian department has committed to bringing the white PlayStation 3 Super Slim overseas. Gamers in the maple syrup loving nation will be able to purchase the cool console from 27th January, according to a Best Buy listing. The system will ship with a year’s subscription to PlayStation...
Hardware Review Sony Pulse Wireless Headset
Audio extravaganza
While a great many of us are more than happy to experience game audio through a gigantic set of speakers that tickle your intestines every time a bass line drops, the reality for most players is that they can’t be keeping the neighbours up all night with their entertainment pursuits. Some kind of headphone-based alternative is a...
News Special Metal Gear Rising PS3 Adds a Splash of Blue
Cut and take it
We think it’s safe to say that custom console redesigns just don’t work as well with the PlayStation 3 Super Slim. Previous hardware bundles for Yakuza 3 and Ni No Kuni have prompted stunning new styles – making this Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance tie-in look bland by comparison. The console – due out on 21st February in...
News Sony Celebrates Soul Sacrifice Release Date with Vita Bundle
Worth an arm and a leg
Soul Sacrifice is by far the PlayStation Vita’s most important exclusive in Japan. As such, it’s not especially surprising to see the platform holder lavish the title with its own hardware bundle. Announced alongside the title’s controversial release date, the special edition will include a gorgeous crimson console, a...
News Pick Up a 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim for Under £160
Every little helps
Those of you eagerly anticipating an opportunity to enter the third place will be delighted to learn that UK supermarket Morrisons is selling the brand new 12GB PlayStation 3 Super Slim for just £158 in-store today. Elsewhere, Toys ‘R’ Us is bundling the system alongside a copy of FIFA 13 for a competitive £179.99 in-store...
News This Is What a PS3 Super Slim Looks Like Without Its Clothes
Pulled to pieces
The folks over at iFixit have a bizarre fetish for consoles without their clothes – and thankfully they’re eager to share it with the world. This time their ever-busy fingers have uncovered the internals of the brand new PlayStation 3 Super Slim, which is packing some tasty technology inside. The website notes that the system...
News Sony Has "Nothing Against" a PS3 and Vita Bundle
Multiplatform
Sony’s not averse to bundling the PlayStation 3 with the Vita. Speaking with CVG, PlayStation UK managing director Fergal Gara explained that the company has "nothing against” the idea, and that, while there are currently no plans to produce it, the hardware compilation could feasibly hit store shelves as early as Christmas. He...
News We're Not Sure What to Think of This Yakuza 5 Branded PS3
Garish, perhaps?
The Yakuza franchise has a history of prompting some pretty spectacular PlayStation 3 bundles – but this latest redesign isn’t to our tastes. The custom console comes with a gold DualShock 3 controller, a copy of Yakuza 5, an 8GB USB drive, and a beach towel. Yeah, we don’t get the significance of the towel either. It'll...
News Wonderbook: Book of Spells Conjures New PS3 Bundles
A kind of magic
Wonderbook: Book of Spells is brimming with potential. The augmented reality PlayStation 3 exclusive has the opportunity to tempt both hardcore Harry Potter fanatics and casual gamers alike – assuming Sony gets its marketing department in order. It’s made the first step by announcing that newcomers in Europe will be able to...
News PlayStation Vita Gets Colourful New Models in Japan
Are you red or blue?
There might not have been a whole lot of new Vita software to instil confidence during Sony's Tokyo Game Show press conference earlier today – but at least there were a couple of fresh hardware colours announced. The striking Sapphire Blue and Cosmic Red consoles will hit Japanese store shelves on 15th November. As with...
News Sony Officially Unveils the PlayStation 3 Super Slim
Cosmetic surgery
The PlayStation 3 sure is a big fan of make overs. Speaking during its Tokyo Game Show press conference earlier today, Sony took a moment to confirm the heavily rumoured Super Slim hardware refresh. It will launch in three different flavours in Japan: 250GB and 500GB models in “Charcoal Black”, and 250GB in “Classic White”...
News Polish Promotion Points to Imminent PS3 Super Slim Reveal
See you in Tokyo
The heavily rumoured PlayStation 3 Super Slim will be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show later this week, a Polish advertisement has all but confirmed. A promotion for the hardware refresh – which narrowly missed out on a GamesCom reveal last month – was spotted by TheSixthAxis on Polish website
News Chinese Vita Copycat Droid X360 is a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen
Attack of the clone
While western companies take each other to court over the tiniest little patent infraction, over in China hardware manufacturers have no such concerns; they'll happily copy a rival product right down to the design - something which is proven perfectly by the Droid X360. Looking every inch like a PlayStation Vita, this is...
News Japanese Government Investigating Overheating Vitas
Hot stuff
There are times playing WipEout 2048 when we’ve felt like we’re on fire, but that’s just because we’re exceptionally good at Zone mode. We’re pretty sure that’s not why the Japanese government has agreed to investigate the PlayStation Vita over reports of serious overheating. According to Sony, there have been 31 cases of the...
News Limited Edition PS3s Sneak onto UK Store Shelves
Blood and bandages
Sony has released a trio of limited edition PlayStation 3 colours in the UK today. The farm fresh Satin Silver, Scarlet Red and Classic White consoles are available from leading retailers right now – all three of which were previously exclusive to Japan. Each system ships with a matching DualShock 3 controller and a 320GB hard...
News Looks Like That Super Slim PS3 Is Totally Real After All
These pictures prove it
The PlayStation 3’s been on a rigorous diet. Cast your mind back to little over a week ago, and you’ll recall us posting about an American FCC listing which appeared to hint at a super slim iteration of Sony’s premium home console. Well, surprise: here it is. Bizarrely, the images popped up on the website of Anatel...
