Tag: Sony - Page 292
News Sony's Stocks Downgraded to 'Junk' By Credit Ratings Agency
Make believe?
Credit ratings agency Fitch has downgraded Sony’s stocks to ‘junk’ status, according to a report by the Financial Times. The firm dropped the conglomerate’s investment-grade score to BB-, indicating that the company is vulnerable to defaulting on debt. Fellow manufacturer Panasonic was reduced to BBB-. “This wasn't an easy...
News Here's How to Claim a Free 30-Day PlayStation Plus Trial
You know you want it
If those of you in the UK are feeling a little bit envious of North America’s outrageous Black Friday deals, we’ve discovered an offer that’s bound to improve your mood. In return for a few minor personal details, Sony is currently giving away free 30-day subscriptions to PlayStation Plus. All you need to do is visit this...
News North American Kids Want a PSP More Than a PlayStation Vita
Stocking fillers
Children aged between 6 and 12 in North America haven’t given up hope on the PlayStation Portable. In fact, the majority of them want one of the last generation handhelds more than the current PlayStation Vita this Christmas. A research poll conducted by Nielsen revealed that while 18 per cent of kids are hungry for a PSP this...
News Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Drags Vita Out of the Danger Zone in Japan
Kiss from a rose
It’s been a recurring theme that whenever software actually launches for the PlayStation Vita in Japan, the system gets a huge boost. That’s remained true this week, with Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation pulling the platform out of the danger zone. The handheld adventure was accompanied by a couple of new colours, which...
News Sony Paints t@g onto the PlayStation Store Today
Shape shifter
Don’t worry if you didn’t get invited to test out Sony’s augmented reality graffiti application t@g earlier this week, as the PlayStation Vita game is set to launch later today as part of the European PlayStation Store refresh. The title – which has been in development since before the handheld was actually announced – takes...
News Sony Succumbs to Seasonal Madness with Insane PS3 Deals
Bandwidth buster
PlayStation 3 owners will have plenty to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, as platform holder Sony is preparing a throng of hot discounts to get you in the seasonal spirit. Starting today, you’ll be able to pick up a slew of PS3 Ultimate Editions from the North American PlayStation Store at up to 66% off (73% for PlayStation Plus...
News PlayStation Mobile Is Providing Publishers with New Avenues to Release Their Content
Covering all bases
PlayStation Mobile may be seen as Sony’s foray into the cheap and cheerful world of smartphone gaming, but it’s also allowing the platform holder to enter new discussions with traditional console publishers as well. Speaking on the latest episode of the PlayStation Blogcast, SCEA president Jack Tretton revealed that through...
News PlayStation Vita Firmware Update v2.00 Available Now
Be prepared
As promised, Sony has released the latest firmware update for the PlayStation Vita. The landmark software refresh – dubbed v2.00 – brings with it a bevy of new features, including PlayStation Plus compatibility and
News Gravity Rush Costumes Sliding into LittleBigPlanet
Dusty?
Sony’s topsy-turvy handheld adventure Gravity Rush will soar into LittleBigPlanet this week, when a new costume pack launches for the popular first-party series. The outfits – featuring Alias, Unica, Raven, and, of course, Kat – will initially be compatible with LittleBigPlanet 2 and LittleBigPlanet Vita, but will be rolled out to Litt
News Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Delayed on Vita
We blame Captain Qwark
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault will still adhere to Sony’s cross-buy initiative when it releases on the PlayStation Network next week – but unfortunately you won’t be able to redeem the PlayStation Vita version until January. Despite the best efforts of third-party developer Tin Giant, the portable port...
News Sony Deals Uncharted: Fight for Fortune onto Vita This Winter
Plunder the pot
Nathan Drake is set to embark on a brand new adventure this December – in the form of turn-based card game Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. The upcoming PlayStation Vita title – which is in development at Sony Bend and One Loop Games – was leaked earlier in the year, when an errant software rating was spotted online. We suspect...
News Sony Stamping Inboxes with Early Access to Vita App t@g
Unleash your inner Banksy
Sony is inviting PlayStation Vita owners to try out its upcoming GPS-based graffiti application, t@g. The platform holder is currently distributing early access voucher codes via email, so it’s worth diving into your inbox to see if you’ve been asked to sample the streetwise software. “Unleash your creative talent...
News Until Dawn Is Leveraging the Killzone Engine
True grit
Sony’s stunning Killzone franchise has always had a foreboding visual undertone to it, so it’s not particularly surprising to learn that Supermassive Games’ upcoming PlayStation Move exclusive teen horror title Until Dawn is being built on top of the first-person shooter’s incredible technology. Speaking during the latest episode...
News Upcoming Vita Firmware Update Will Allow You to Browse the Web During Gaming Sessions
By popular demand
Being able to browse the web while in-game has always felt like a pipe-dream on any platform, but the PlayStation Vita’s upcoming v2.00 firmware update will finally make that fantasy a reality. Affable executive Shuhei Yoshida took to Twitter to confirm the news, announcing that the software refresh will transform the web browser...
News PSN Rolls Out the Red Carpet for More Retail Releases Next Week
Digital life
We’re rapidly approaching the point where most new PlayStation 3 releases are available digitally on the same day as retail, but that hasn’t always been the case. As such, Sony has ushered the online arrival of a wealth of older titles in recent weeks – and that’s set to continue with Darksiders II, Kingdoms of Amalur:...
News Buy a Bargain with PlayStation's Black Friday Bundles
Start queuing now
We’re too civilised to participate in anything as vulgar as Black Friday overseas – we wait until Boxing Day instead. Still, Sony clearly understands the importance of the day, and, as such, it has collated some of its best holiday bundles on the PlayStation Blog in order to keep you in the loop this year. Unsurprisingly,...
News Journey Walks Away with Seven Spike VGA 2012 Nominations
The road less travelled
It may have been a somewhat muted year for exclusive PlayStation 3 software, but thatgamecompany’s staggering Journey has ensured that the platform has a big presence at this year’s Spike Video Game Awards. The downloadable epic has been nominated for a whopping seven gongs, alongside the coveted Game of the Year award...
News PlayStation 3 Surpasses 70 Million Units Shipped Globally
Celebrate good times
While we all lament the PlayStation Vita’s current commercial woes, it’s worth remembering that the mighty PlayStation 3 once faced a similar predicament. There was a time when armchair analysts were calling for the console to be scrapped – but over the years, Sony has proved that the knee-jerk reactions were premature...
News Wonderbook Was Originally Conceived Over Seven Years Ago
Once upon a time
Sony will conjure Wonderbook: Book of Spells onto store shelves later this week – over seven years after the magical adventure was originally conceived. Chatting with VG247 at an industry event in London, art director Masami Kochi explained that the family friendly idea pre-dates even the PlayStation 3. “Back in 2005, when I...
News Gravity Rush's Kat Soars into PlayStation All-Stars
Emmett Graves, too
If there’s one character that’s been a consistent source of conversation during the build-up to PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale’s release, it’s Gravity Rush’s loveable heroine Kat. Despite being rumoured on a number of occasions, the protagonist is not part of the upcoming mascot mash-up’s initial roster – but...
News Sony Bend Recruiting for Blockbuster Vita Game
New blood
Sony Bend, the North American first-party studio responsible for the Syphon Filter franchise and the recent Uncharted: Golden Abyss, is staffing up for a new blockbuster PlayStation Vita title. A job listing for a Senior Staff Technical Animator on Gamasutra notes that the developer is currently looking for “top artistic talent to help...
News Have You Ever Wondered How Sony Could Afford Gaikai?
Convertible bonds
Sony is supposedly a shuffling financial wreck, but it still stumped up the $380 million required to acquire Gaikai. That doesn’t quite add up. Indeed, it turns out that the company is not quite as broke as it seems, having recently offloaded a slew of convertible bonds to the tune of $1.9 billion. A third of that cash will be...
News PlayStation Vita Slumps to Its Saddest Defeat Yet in Japan
Hide behind the sofa
The PlayStation Vita is a stunning system with some great games, but it’s becoming more and more difficult to overlook the platform’s commercial problems – especially overseas. While we still believe that it’s too early to pull the plug on the handheld, the situation in Japan is not looking good. In fact, it’s gone...
News Firmware Update v2.00 Adds Emails to the PlayStation Vita
Connected world
The PlayStation Vita’s upcoming v2.00 firmware update will not only add PlayStation Plus to the portable platform, but also a new email application as well. You’ll be able to hook up any accounts to the handheld assuming you have the appropriate information available – but there will be quick select options for Gmail and Yahoo...
News PlayStation Plus Expands to Vita in Style with Free Copies of Uncharted and Gravity Rush
Service launches next week
Frequent participants in the PlayStation Plus predictions post might want to pull up a pew – because the first Instant Game Collection update for PlayStation Vita beggars belief. Premium subscribers in Europe will be able to download free copies of both Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Gravity Rush when the service expands to...
News David Cage: I Wish I Could Say Nothing About Beyond
Keeping secrets
Quantic Dream's eccentric head honcho David Cage is keen to keep Beyond: Two Souls spoilers under wraps – to the point where he’d rather not talk about the game at all. Speaking with the PlayStation Blog in an interview published earlier today, the likeable director explained: “Like other game creators, I wish I could say...
News Full PlayStation Plus for Vita Details Dropping This Week
Pinky promise
We assumed that PlayStation Plus would have already expanded to Sony’s hottest handheld by now, but the eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that it hasn’t. That’s likely to change later this week, though, when the platform holder promises to reveal all about the service's expansion to the PlayStation Vita. On the subject of...
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...
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 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...
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 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 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 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...
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 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 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 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 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,...
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 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 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 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 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 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 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...
News Find Out What Happens When Vikings Attack Next Week
Answers at last
Sony will attempt to solve one of life’s most enduring enquiries next week: what happens When Vikings Attack? The quirky Power Stone-esque arena battler will invade the PlayStation Store from 6th November in North America and 7th November in Europe. Purchasing the Clever Beans developed title will net you the game on both PS3 and...
News Frobisher Says' Animated Ladies Were Too Saucy for Sony
Cor, blimey!
Ross Phillips’ brilliant ‘Smile at the Ladies’ mini-game in the zany PlayStation Vita exclusive Frobisher Says was originally too saucy for Sony, according to artist Dick Hogg. In an interview with the wonderful online art gallery Venus Patrol, the illustrator explained: “It is really cool to be able to contact some guy on the...
News Sony Advertising PlayStation All-Stars Ahead of Wreck-It Ralph
Hot spot
Nintendo isn’t the only one using Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph as an opportunity to promote their latest software. SuperBot Entertainment has announced that it will be showing PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale’s recent
News European PlayStation Plus Subscribers Score Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
Four play
European PlayStation Plus subscribers will have more than just Crysis 2 to look forward to this month. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One will also be added to the Instant Game Collection from next week, making the co-operative adventure completely free to play. But that’s not all. Laughing Jackal’s surprisingly solid Cubixx HD wi
