Jem Alexander
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Create a Ratchet and Clank comic, win entry to Sony Comic Con events
by Jem Alexander { 2 days ago } 
So there's this contest going on at the PlayStation Blog, but you needn't bother. As you can see above, we've already won. If you insist on trying your luck, you can find the comic template at the PlayStation Flickr account. In order to win the prize, which is access to VIP events at Comic Con on July 22 & 23, including hands-on time with Ratchet and Clank: A Crack In Time and other games.
Can't make it to Comic Con? There's still some schwag in it for you, so you may as well give it a go. Except we've already won, as we've said. Still, your entries will need to involve something to do with time and must be sent to rcfcomiccon@gmail.com by midnight, July 10. Include your name, address and let them know whether you'll be in San Diego on July 22.
Can't make it to Comic Con? There's still some schwag in it for you, so you may as well give it a go. Except we've already won, as we've said. Still, your entries will need to involve something to do with time and must be sent to rcfcomiccon@gmail.com by midnight, July 10. Include your name, address and let them know whether you'll be in San Diego on July 22.
Square Enix reveals European Dissidia collector's edition
by Jem Alexander { 2 days ago } 
Sure, Europe still has some slight delay when getting Square Enix PSP titles, when compared to the US, but at least when they arrive, they come with extra goodies. Crisis Core had a bonus art book and now Dissidia will be getting the collector's edition treatment.This special edition will include a regular boxed copy of the game inside clamshell packaging, as shown in the image to the right. Also in the box will be a "Best Selection Soundtrack Mini-CD," with specially chosen tracks from the game and liner notes by the composer.
There will also be a 48-page hardback artbook, similar to the Crisis Core one, and a Brady Games Official Miniguide and two lithograph prints. Not a bad package, overall, but we're still waiting for the announcement of the European release of the limited edition Dissidia PSP-3000. It is coming, right Square Enix?
European PSN releases for July 2
by Jem Alexander { 3 days ago }
Okay Sony, we forgive you for the last couple of weeks. Today's PSN update is chock full of content, with particular emphasis on downloadable games. Punisher and Topatoi are joined by James Pond 2 and Numblast, plus a demo for Red Baron. There's also the usual amount of DLC for those rhythm games you kids love so much, along with a new MotorStorm Pacific Rift expansion.
PSP owners can grab Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, a PSP version of Numblast and some other games, but if none take your fancy at least there's some new Rock Band Unplugged DLC.
PSP owners can grab Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, a PSP version of Numblast and some other games, but if none take your fancy at least there's some new Rock Band Unplugged DLC.
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Home survey hints at future content
by Jem Alexander { 4 days ago }
Sony has sent around another Home survey to see if it can figure out what people actually want from the service. Triplechat has an in-depth post about the various features that are mentioned in the survey -- some of which are things that have been promised before (such as game launching and music / video sharing) and some of which are things that haven't been mentioned (such as a PlayStation-branded Home space).
The survey asks recipients to rate different features with regard to how appealing they are or how likely the are to encourage more frequent Home visits. One section asks users to indicate what types of streaming media they'd like to see in the theater, such as full movies and TV shows, indie movies, music videos, developer interviews and stand up comedy.
Elsewhere it asks what features users would like to see in the aforementioned PlayStation Home space. These include minigames, backstory of the history of PlayStation and its games, trailers, interactive demos of PlayStation products, developer interviews and the ability to ask PlayStation experts questions about the brand. It all sounds like content that would be worth a look, but there's no guarantee at this point how much will make it into the service. Still, it's nice to see Sony constantly tasting the soup as it cooks.
The survey asks recipients to rate different features with regard to how appealing they are or how likely the are to encourage more frequent Home visits. One section asks users to indicate what types of streaming media they'd like to see in the theater, such as full movies and TV shows, indie movies, music videos, developer interviews and stand up comedy.
Elsewhere it asks what features users would like to see in the aforementioned PlayStation Home space. These include minigames, backstory of the history of PlayStation and its games, trailers, interactive demos of PlayStation products, developer interviews and the ability to ask PlayStation experts questions about the brand. It all sounds like content that would be worth a look, but there's no guarantee at this point how much will make it into the service. Still, it's nice to see Sony constantly tasting the soup as it cooks.
Topatoi spinning to European PSN this week
by Jem Alexander { 4 days ago }
We haven't heard much from Topatoi, the spinning 3D platformer developed by Ukrainian developer Boolat Games, since it was announced last November. Now, suddenly, the European PlayStation Blog has revealed that the game will be released this week -- but only in Europe. Boolat's PR manager calls Topatoi "the first part of the saga" and notes that the game will include split-screen multiplayer, with future updates providing more multiplayer modes.
No word on an American release yet -- but it definitely won't be this week. The official Boolat website says an announcement will be coming "soon."
No word on an American release yet -- but it definitely won't be this week. The official Boolat website says an announcement will be coming "soon."
Gallery: Topatoi
European PSN releases for June 25
by Jem Alexander { 10 days ago }
There's not a whole lot of new content this week, but better than last, at least. Another PopCap game makes its way across the Atlantic today, in the form of Zuma. There's also the delayed Summer Solstice LittleBigPlanet DLC alongside the Jon Burgerman sticker pack, and PSP fans can grab Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and some Rock Band Unplugged DLC. Finally, to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the release of Super Stardust HD, the price for the game has been dropped to just £1.59. Go get!
Oh, also -- Final Fantasy VII has been fixed and re-released in France. Just thought you might like to know.
Oh, also -- Final Fantasy VII has been fixed and re-released in France. Just thought you might like to know.
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Super Stardust HD celebrates 2nd anniversary with Euro price drop
by Jem Alexander { 10 days ago }
Make sure you head on over to the European PlayStation Blog to see Housemarque's Petteri Putkonen's retrospective on the last two years. He also mentions Housemarque's desire to update the game even further, with an expansion that would "add a new dimension to the game," and requests that you contact him with any of your own ideas. It may be a while before you see them implemented, though, as the company is currently busy trying to outdo itself with its next PSN game. We can't wait.
Yoichi Wada suggests The Last Remnant may never make it to PS3
by Jem Alexander { 11 days ago }
We hope you're not holding your breath for a PS3 release of The Last Remnant, Square Enix's uneven attempt at creating a game using Unreal Engine 3. The company's CEO, Yoichi Wada, made some choice comments during a recent shareholder meeting which lead us to believe it may never make it out on Sony's system. AndriaSang.com has summarized his comments, in which he states that "it's tough on the development side of things to say that you'll release a game on multiple platforms but end up not doing so, Square Enix has to think about profitability."
"If there's a gap in the release of multiple versions of a game, and if the first version didn't necessarily see such great success, they have to think that there won't be a change in performance on a new platform." No games in particular were mentioned, but only one really fits the bill. The Last Remnant was announced as a multiplatform title, saw low sales on the Xbox 360 in November 2008, and there's been no sign of a PS3 release since then. In the interest of "profitability" this game may simply be put to pasture, instead.
"If there's a gap in the release of multiple versions of a game, and if the first version didn't necessarily see such great success, they have to think that there won't be a change in performance on a new platform." No games in particular were mentioned, but only one really fits the bill. The Last Remnant was announced as a multiplatform title, saw low sales on the Xbox 360 in November 2008, and there's been no sign of a PS3 release since then. In the interest of "profitability" this game may simply be put to pasture, instead.
Deal: Resident Evil 5 CE for $45 at Newegg
by Jem Alexander { 11 days ago }
Run, don't walk, over to NewEgg.com and check out their pretty awesome deal for the Resident Evil 5 collector's edition. At only $45, not only do you get the game itself for $15 under the RRP, but you also get all the extra bonus goodies found in the collector's edition at no extra cost. If you haven't picked up this game yet, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Probably best to do it quick -- at this price stock will probably shift quite swiftly.
[Via Slickdeals.net]
[Via Slickdeals.net]
Famitsu unveils Tales of Vesperia PS3 bonus content
by Jem Alexander { 12 days ago }
That guy in the picture? He's saying "damn, I wish I'd waited and bought the PS3 version of Tales of Vesperia, instead of the 360 version." That's because he's just read the latest Famitsu and found out about all the cool extras that will be included with the game when it hits the PS3 later this year. This includes new Giganto Monsters and new areas of the world for them to inhabit, such as additional dungeon and desert environments.
Those who pre-order in Japan will also receive a redemption code for downloadable costumes from another game in the series, Tales of the Abyss. Not only that, but people who buy both Vesperia and the upcoming PSP Tales of VS will get even more goodies, as each game will include a password which will activate new content in the other.
[Via Andriasang.com]
Those who pre-order in Japan will also receive a redemption code for downloadable costumes from another game in the series, Tales of the Abyss. Not only that, but people who buy both Vesperia and the upcoming PSP Tales of VS will get even more goodies, as each game will include a password which will activate new content in the other.
[Via Andriasang.com]
Firmware 2.80 coming soon, does very little [update]
by Jem Alexander { 12 days ago } 
It's deja vu time. Another firmware update which seemingly does nothing. Firmware 2.80 has, according to PlayStation Network's Eric Lempel, a single feature. "The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved." Of course, it's bound to do something, so the first person to download and discover the trophy improvements / added video codec compatibilities / kitten spawner* wins a cookie. Should be out within the next 24 hours, if other releases are anything to go by.
*Please note, 2.80 may very well not include any of these things. We just don't know.
[Update] Firmware 2.80 is now available. Notice anything different?
*Please note, 2.80 may very well not include any of these things. We just don't know.
Nolan North discusses being the voice of Nathan Drake
by Jem Alexander { 18 days ago }
Nolan North may be a posterboy for video game voice acting but, as you'll hear in his interview with the PS Blog's Jeff Rubenstein after the break, working on the Uncharted games is his favorite job so far. He describes what makes voicing these games so different from others -- but that's not all he discusses. There's almost eleven minutes of pure Nolan North interview to watch here, including a visit from a few of his Uncharted 2 voicing buddies.
As for the burning question of who would be best to play Nathan in an Uncharted movie, we're surprised no-one mentioned the obvious answer. Nathan Fillion, duh.
As for the burning question of who would be best to play Nathan in an Uncharted movie, we're surprised no-one mentioned the obvious answer. Nathan Fillion, duh.
ESRB rates Final Fantasy Tactics for PS3 and PSP
by Jem Alexander { 20 days ago }
Square-Enix' E3 gift of a Final Fantasy VII PSN release was gratefully received, but if you'd asked us what PS1 games we'd like to see next from the publishers, Final Fantasy Tactics would be near the bottom of our list. Somewhere under Chocobo Racing and Ehrgeiz, to be exact. It's not that we dislike the game -- far from it -- it's just that we've played it recently on our PSPs with improved cutscenes and vastly superior translation. The idea of releasing the old "Spoony Bard" version on PSN instead of Final Fantasy VIII or IX doesn't exactly thrill us.But it looks like that's what will be happening as the ESRB has rated the game for both the PS3 and PSP, meaning we could see it pop on the American PSN store at any moment. As for Europe? Don't bet on it -- the original PS1 version never made it across the Atlantic, so we don't expect the digital version to do so either.
European PSN releases for June 11
by Jem Alexander { 24 days ago }
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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VidZone launches June 11 with three weeks worth of content
by Jem Alexander { 25 days ago }
VidZone, Sony's Europe exclusive free streaming music service, is on the cusp of launching. The date has been set for June 11, mere hours away, and SCEE has announced that you'll be able to enjoy a huge amount of content on day one. More specifically, there will be three solid weeks of content available to stream on launch day. The press release also promises that there's "much, much more on the way."
While these 10,000 videos are exclusive to Europe, there's nothing stopping people in the US from downloading it from the PlayStation Store via their European -- er, friend's -- account. Whether or not Sony has put an IP region lock on the software itself is unknown. We'll find out for sure tomorrow.
While these 10,000 videos are exclusive to Europe, there's nothing stopping people in the US from downloading it from the PlayStation Store via their European -- er, friend's -- account. Whether or not Sony has put an IP region lock on the software itself is unknown. We'll find out for sure tomorrow.
