Joystiq [Playstation]

Xav de Matos

Toronto, Canada - http://

I'm the Internet's Xav de Matos. I write about games for a living. Strange?

EMAIL: xav [at] joystiq [dot] com
TWITTER: @XAV

Race against the Motorstorm: Arctic Edge devs tomorrow

by Xav de Matos { 11 days ago }

The development team at Bigbig Studios -- who are ironically comprised of employees under 5 feet tall on average* -- will face off against Motorstorm: Arctic Edge players tomorrow in an evening multiplayer event. According to the PlayStation UK Blog, the event will take place on European servers from 17:30 GMT (1:30PM EDT) to 19:00 GMT (3:00PM EDT).

Along with (probably) destroying the community at the PSP racer they made, the developers will offer a live Twitter commentary to the Europe-only event. That's right. Bigbig Studios is so confident they will destroy the opposition they will be tweeting as they race. That, kids, is called confidence.

*This information is probably not accurate.

PlayStation UK Blog brings BioWare doctors in for Dragon Age live chat

by Xav de Matos { 16 days ago }

BioWare fans should start polishing up their Dragon Age: Origins related questions, because the good Canadian doctors from the famed studio will be on hand for a live chat with fans this Friday, October 23, on the PlayStation UK Blog.

Beginning at 7PM BST (2PM EDT), BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck will be on hand taking questions about its latest role-playing game. The hour-long event will give fans a chance to ask about upcoming content, exclusive bonuses and what it's like working with ~~that evil clown from Steven King's It~~ Tim Curry.

Dizzee Rascal gets first keys to Home's new SingStar VIP space

by Xav de Matos { 1 month ago }

British artist Dizzee Rascal will headline the European launch of the new SingStar VIP space during an online PlayStation Home event on September 24 at 20:00 BST (UK time)/ 21:00 CEST (Mainland Europe). The Mercury Award-winning rapper will be on hand to promote his upcoming fourth album Tongue N' Cheek and answer fan questions, but not before taking the stage to perform some of his chart topping jams and his upcoming single.

If you need more incentive to connect, Home users who join the artist's launch party can get their hands on a free Dizzee Rascal mask (as terrifyingly seen above) for 48 hours. With an accessory as crazy as that, we hope to see a quick Quincy resurgence.

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September Qore heads to Skywalker Ranch, subscribers get MAG beta

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

September's episode of Qore features a view from Skywalker Ranch, as the soundtrack to Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is mixed and mastered at George Lucas' famous estate. Qore also sits down with gear head Jay "Retired for 10 Seconds" Leno and talks about his involvement with PSP's long-in-development installment of Gran Turismo. But, the real meat of this month's episode is access to the upcoming MAG beta -- for gamers not lucky enough to have been invited already.

Users are automatically entered into the beta test -- set to begin later this month -- if they are Qore subscribers. If you're thirsty for large-scale online battles, users who subscribe to Qore on or before September 17 will also be invited. Sadly, purchasing September's episode alone will not net you the beta access. Even sadder, we're used to having to pay our way into these exciting bonuses.

Check out a preview for this month's episode after the break.

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US SingStore adds Blondie, individual Coldplay tracks

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Brace your faces, karaoke fans -- SingStar's US store has added even more content to help you sing the night away. This week the US SingStore has added a Blondie song pack comprised of five hits from the 70s-80s phenom as well as individual Coldplay tracks, originally released together as a package a few months ago.

The store is also adding a few international flavors with tracks from (the awesome) Los Delinquentes with fellow Spanish star Bebe and Portugal's ironically named (because he's totally not a giant) Sir Giant. Full track listing can be found after the break.

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Cage: Multiple playthroughs of Heavy Rain could 'kill the magic of it'

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

In a recently posted excerpt from a GamesCom 2009 interview, Quantic Dream's David Cage told G4TV that multiple playthroughs of the upcoming Heavy Rain could "kill the magic of it." Cage's hope is that players approach the title as they do life -- with no second chances -- but the dev understands (and accepts) that players will eventually attempt to relive the experience.

"The right way to enjoy Heavy Rain is really to make one thing because it's going to be your story. It's going to be unique to you. It's really the story you decided to write." While Cage is fine with players going back to experience the title multiple times, we have a sneaking suspicion that Quantic is working on an Inspector Gadget style self-destruction feature for Heavy Rain's retail release.

Gallery: Heavy Rain: The Origami Killer

Fallout 3 DLC Trophies show up in player profiles

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

New trophies tied to the downloadable content for Fallout 3 have appeared on player profiles recently, leading some to ~~pray with all their might~~ believe Bethesda could release the content early. Originally planned for a late-June release, the first of Fallout 3's DLC was delayed by Bethesda to the "end of September." Whether the appearance of the trophies signify an early release for the DLC or not, it appears the content is just around the corner for those clamoring for an excuse to revisit the Wasteland.

Whenever it releases, the first downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 version of Fallout 3 will be the level-raising adventure 'Broken Steel' -- originally the third DLC pack for Xbox 360 users. If Fallout 3 has yet to make its way into your library and you're the inquisitive type, you can check out the new trophy listing [via Kotaku] after the break.

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Tanaka on bringing FFXI character names into Final Fantasy XIV

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

When it was announced at E3, Square Enix mentioned the development team was looking for a way to allow players to bring their existing Final Fantasy XI character names into Final Fantasy XIV. At the recent GamesCom event in Cologne, Final Fantasy XIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka wouldn't confirm the feature would be included, but noted Square Enix would like to give incentives for players of its first MMO outing.

Tanaka notes the process of allowing names to carry over into a new Final Fantasy MMO could cause conflicts, but proposes one solution that could work: Force people to add a surname. "Players can keep their main name, but they can add something else to their surname -- that way players with overlapping names can keep their names from FFXI, but they can add something on to it to make it unique," Tanaka told the PlayStation Blog.

Tanaka also discussed Final Fantasy XIV's combat system, which -- as already revealed -- will not be based on a job system. FFXIV's armory system will allow players to switch weapons and abilities within the game, to best suit players who prefer to go solo or as part of a team. As players use weapons and equipment more frequently, the statistics of those items grow, building a stronger class of character without grinding for experience points.

While Tanaka was asked to name his biggest MMO-based inspiration, he quietly brushed the question aside, noting the community was his biggest influence. But clearly Tanaka's biggest MMO influence is Final Fantasy XI ... what else is out there?

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV

Capcom rolls out Fate/Unlimited Codes on PSN next week

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Capcom's latest downloadable title, Fate/Unlimited Codes, is set to drop on the PlayStation Store on September 3. Developed by Eighting (the team behind Tatsunoko Vs Capcom), Fate/Unlimited Codes is a fighter specifically designed for the PSP Go, based on a popular Japanese anime franchise.

Originally a PlayStation 2 title in Japan in 2008, Fate/Unlimited Codes has been available for the PSP in the Far East since June, but the pseudo-3D fighter hopes to make a splash when it lands on North American and European shores next week. The story of Fate/Unlimited Codes goes like this: Seven masters and servants battle for control of a small Japanese town's "Holy Grail," which can grant the winner anything they wish. What would we wish for? For it to be September 3, so we can get our hands on Capcom's latest. Oh, and a pony!

Gallery: Fate/Unlimited Codes

Swiss gamer comes out on top as Buzz! World Champion

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Earlier this week, Armin Diethelm of Switzerland was crowned Buzz! World Champion in the town of Buñol, Spain, during a massive international competition. Armed with a Buzz! controller and a quick trigger finger, Diethelm walked away from the contest with his new title and a MINI Clubman.

If playing the popular trivia game for high stakes wasn't enough excitement for the 32 national champions flown in from around the world, the competition's conclusion marked the start of Buñol's annual tomato fight, La Tomatina. We don't know the history behind the event, but we do know what kind of soup the people in Valencia will be enjoying for the next six weeks.

Famitsu reveals Darius Burst for PSP

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

According to the latest pages of Famitsu (Via Examiner), Taito will be bringing a new game in the Darius series to PSP. The latest in the classic 2D horizontal-shooter franchise is titled Darius Burst, and marks the first time the series has been tapped for a title since Darius R landed on GameBoy Advance systems in Japan nearly a decade ago.

Famitsu notes Darius Burst will feature 11 levels, with non-linear paths throughout the stages -- splitting each initial level into two paths for players to choose. If you love shmups like we love shmups then you should be giddy about Taito's decision and hopeful the title will see a North American release.

PSN's Topatoi now available in Australia, New Zealand

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Australian and New Zealand gamers are in for a treat, as the adorable Topatoi is now available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. Pardon, Stateside PlayStation 3 owners? "What's Topatoi?" It's an adventure platformer currently available to European gamers, but not planned for a North America release until later this year.

If you hail from the place people think Flight of the Conchords are from, versus where they are actually from, the platformer is available for 15.95AUD or 18.9NZD, respectively. Those looking for more Topatoi action will be happy to hear the game's developer has confirmed that the second chapter in the saga will release later this year, via the PlayStation Europe Blog.

Gallery: Topatoi

PSA: The Force Unleashed trophies now available

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

Trophies for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed are now available for gamers looking to increase their online reputation. In case you forgot, the catch for the new awards is that gamers cannot get them retroactively, forcing Jedi (or Sith) masters to replay the 2008 release. For what we can only assume is everybody's reaction to the reminder, check out the video after the break.

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PS2 deal: Guitar Hero World Tour + 2 guitars = $50

by Xav de Matos { 2 months ago }

The official Guitar Hero store has a great deal for PS2 gamers, bundling the single guitar pack of Guitar Hero: World Tour with a bonus Kramer Guitar controller for $50. The $39.99 value is only available for a limited time.

If you're still rocking a PlayStation 2, the bundle could come in handy during parties where you'd prefer to spend your time staring at your television rather than speak to your invited guests. Also, the bundle will help future rockers to "man-it-up," by giving you a spare guitar in case you smash one after a sweet solo.

Fat Princess's patch of ample proportions

by Xav de Matos { 3 months ago }

As Fat Princess fans have already realized, Titan's portly PSN exclusive is plagued with connection and balance issues; but a fix is on the way. While Titan Studios has yet to put a date on the upcoming patch, it has revealed a list of some of the issues that will be addressed. According to a recent post on the dev's blog, the patch will tackle connection issues, lag, hosting problems, scoreboard errors, dead hat machines and scoring exploits -- to name a few.

The plump princess's dev team has also compiled a growing list of balance changes and feature requests based on player feedback for future updates, including the addition of new modes, maps and classes to an already rotund release. Titan promises an online FAQ will be made available soon to address upcoming changes in greater detail -- a full listing of issues and future changes can be found after the break.