infrastructure posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Someone at Sony is trying way too hard. Can you believe an ambitious young stooge has dared to decipher the mysterious toggle on the left side of the PSP? And wouldn't you know, the thing's a Wi-Fi switch! Now all hell's broken loose at Sony HQ, as the discovery has ushered in a new era of brite possibilities for the handheld. Imagine: shopping for themes and wallpaper directly from your PSP. It's true folks, PlayStation Store is coming to PSP sans hand holding (so long PS3, so long PC!) this fall in Japan -- probably worldwide, PSP Fanboy speculates. And there's a free game in it for anyone smart enough to flick the "on" switch.

But that's not all. Sony has announced (and pictured) a new Infrastructure mode, enabled by connecting PSP to Playstation 3 ... wirelessly. In essence, ad-hoc multiplayer modes will become online-enabled through a PS3 connection for some games (like Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G). In addition, text and voice chatting capabilities can be added through the new online mode. Add to this the rumor of PS3 gamepad support for PSP Brite, and Sony might as well slap a UMD drive on the next PS3 SKU.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Online services can't last forever, especially if no one is playing the game. SCEA SCEE has announced that they're ending support for Infrastructure in the following PSP games:

• Lemmings
• World Tour Soccer 2

The games will go offline on June 30th, so if you're still playing these games, you may want to schedule a bit more time with them before then.

[Via GI.biz]

EA loves adding a few extra things to the PSP versions of their games. Although ProStreet on PSP is "at its core, a portable edition of the console version," there are a number of extras that PSP owners can look forward to. Driver Intuition, Driver Personas, and Speed Mode are all features exclusive to the system. An IGN interview reveals that the "Driver Persona also indicates the level of assist that you will receive from the game; this is called Driver Intuition."

Intuition, an optional assist feature, will show you the best line to take in each course. Racing enthusiasts know that this information is crucial for winning a race. Handheld owners can rejoice in having this very helpful feature. Finally, people will be glad to hear that EA is continuing their Infrastructure efforts on PSP through this latest title.

Sega is continuing its (questionable) love of PSP with the newly announced SEGA Rally. Like Full Auto 2 before it, the game will be built from scratch for the handheld, instead of being a watered-down port of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. Bugbear Entertainment will be responsible for the PSP duties. An especially exciting feature of the PSP version is its Infrastructure mode, which allows players to compete over the internet against players around the world. From the press release:

"The original SEGA Rally is heralded as one of the all time great video games and this new installment on the PSP is a great example of updating a classic perfectly for today's machines," said Guy Wilday, Studio Director, SEGA Racing Studio. "With the addition of multiplayer Wi-Fi and online multiplayer, there's scope for players to show off their skills against their friends, whilst the excellent PSP screen exudes all the visual qualities expected of SEGA Rally".

After countless months of waiting, the promised Killzone: Liberation patch is finally available for download. The patch includes an extension of the single-player campaign (Chapter 5), and new multiplayer options -- such as the hotly anticipated Infrastructure mode, which allows players to compete against other PSP players around the globe.

The download is available through the game's in-game menu and can also be found at the newly revamped killzone.com website.

[Thanks, Lucas]

The SOCOM series has found a great deal of success on PSP. The Fireteam Bravo series have pushed the limits of Infrastructure play on the handheld. Now, Sony's taking the series in a bold new direction. Tactical Strike adds tactical strategy to the franchise. According to IGN, "Tactical Strike is something of a cross between Full Spectrum Warrior and the squad command element from Brother in Arms. You're in command of four soldiers broken into two smaller fire teams, and you're able to issue commands to either team, an individual soldier or all four guys at the same time."

The game promises to offer as much action as the rest of the series. The franchise is famous for its online play, and Tactical Strike looks to continue the trend: four players can control four soldiers each via Infrastructure. One of the most exciting aspects of the title has to be its visuals: the incredible amount of foliage and impressive lighting make it look like one of the most impressive SOCOM games, on console or handheld.

Tactical Strike is scheduled for an October release. Check out IGN for more details.

We know that Worms: Open Warfare 2 is coming to both Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. So, how are the two versions different? Well, both feature online (Infrastructure) play, but the PSP version will have a few features that Nintendo's handheld won't be able to offer. In an interview with IGN, director Martyn Brown revealed that the game will have additional leaderboards and the ability to share user-created levels with others.

"With the PSP version, each user can upload a number of their custom created landscapes to be stored on the game's server, and those landscapes can then be downloaded by other users at any time. The PSP version also has extended community features, enabling players to form clans and compete against other clans, as well as send messages to other players who are connected to the game server (aka WormNet)."

The PSP version will also have a few more customization options for Worms teams, and a "Time Attack" mode, "which are missions that see the player use the Ninja Rope, Parachute or Jetpack to race around a landscape, guiding their worm to an exit point in the shortest amount of time possible." We're excited to see Team 17 acknowledge the PSP's robust hardware capabilities and take advantage of it. When Worms: Open Warfare 2 comes later this year.

Remember the Killzone downloadable content that we were supposed to get nearly ten months ago? This free expansion will expand the single player campaign and offer a crucial upgrade to the multiplayer: Infrastructure support. After a successful beta test, we assumed that the patch would come soon, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Delay after delay has plagued this free download, and even as the new Killzone Command Center website opens today, we still don't see the expansion available for download.

So, what gives? Sure, the site is pretty, but we were expecting more. According to Gameplanet Store NZ, the expansion will finally come out on May 21st. We don't have official confirmation of this release date, but this is one of the few hints we have to work with. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer until Killzone fans get another fix.

[Via Sony Protection Group. Thanks, Jack!]

Worms Open Warfare 2 is getting serious about online. Not only does it feature Infrastructure play, it will offer a plethora of other features that will make it one of the most fully-featured online titles on our handheld. IGN's recent preview notes that "you can even create clans, text chat, track your online stats, share battlefields you've created in the level editor."

Of course, that's not all. Like Wipeout, the game will have a great deal of longevity thanks to its downloadable content. Players will be able to "download some of the classic maps from previous Worms games via the title's online capabilities." With all these new features, Open Warfare 2 looks like a substantial upgrade to the franchise's previous iteration.

Ready to rap? Good. PaRappa the Rapper is heading to American PSP systems this July, ten years after the release of the original. This remake features all the characters, levels and songs from the original and adds a slew of new wireless options. According to the press release, players can "go head-to-head in ad-hoc battles; wirelessly share a demo level through Game Share; and use the PSP Infrastructure Mode to download eight additional playable remixes for players to rap along to."

"Bringing PaRappa The Rapper to PSP allows true PlayStation fans to re-connect with this timeless classic," said John Koller, Senior Marketing Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "This also introduces the beloved PaRappa and his cast of colorful friends to a new generation of fans and potential hip-hop stars on the move."

For those unaware, PaRappa is considered a pioneer in music games, launching the genre to the mainstream. With Gitaroo-Man Lives!, DJ Max Portable, beaterator, and PaRappa all available on one console, PSP is quickly becoming the gaming machine for music lovers.

This is what the original Worms: Open Warfare needed! Infrastructure multiplayer. None of this silly Ad-Hoc play. Finally, for those of us that don't have friends, we can take part in online Worms mayhem. Not only will this be an "international" affair, THQ is promising "stats and leaderboards." Not only that, "this time round you can create your own custom landscapes; as well as team flags, modified hats, tombstones, victory dances and more."

A handful of new modes will be available in the sequel, including "Rope Race, Forts, Puzzle and Campaign modes. There's even a new Firing Range to try your hand at the 11 new weapons: such as the Bunker Buster, Buffalo of Lies, Super Sheep, Concrete Donkey and Holy Hand Grenades!" We have no idea what that means, but it sounds exciting, no?

See a trailer, after the cut.

[Via Joystiq]

Killzone fans want Infrastructure support--and they want it now! Unfortunately, it appears that this downloadable addition has been delayed yet again. According to a PlayStation forum post, "We still have too many bugs that need fixing before we can be 100% happy with the patch. We want it to be as good as possible and releasing it right now would not be fair on you guys, so we have decided to postpone it a couple of weeks."

In the midst of bad news, there's still some good: the single-player extension will be free, and the multiplayer mode will support microphone use, so you can taunt other players online: "Good news is, we have the all clear to make Chapter 5 a free download. We have been expecting this and have been 99.9% sure it would be, but we could not announce it without the blessing of the higher ups. Also I want to confirm that it will allow Voice comms for those with headsets, but that is all I want to tell you about it right now. "

This Killzone patch cannot come soon enough.

[Via PSP-Vault]

See also:
Killzone: Liberation downloadable demo

Triple Triad is no ordinary piece of homebrew. Like Wandria, or Hexaxis, this title is pushing the limits of what we thought homebrew development could produce. But, this game isn't a graphical showcase. Rather, it's pushing the online capabilities of the system, becoming the first ever homebrew MMO game.

The game is based on the card game from Final Fantasy VIII, with over 330 cards from Final Fantasy VII, VIII and X (with XI to come later). Not only will you be able to buy, sell and trade your cards with others, you'll also be able to send each other private messages, chat during the game, and more. You'll be able to have a friends list, a blacklist, and you'll also be able to track the movements of other players. Quite ambitious, is it not?

Hopefully, this revolutionary project will be able to deliver on all its promises. There won't be too long to wait, though: the game is planned to release this Monday.

[Via PlayStation Forums, QJ]

As we revealed earlier, Wipeout Pulse is heading to PSP. This sequel to Wipeout Pure will feature a number of enhancements over the previous iteration of the series:

• Pulse will feature 24 new tracks.
• Licensed music from Mason, Loco Dice and Stanton Warriors.
• Multiplayer via Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure
• Eight new teams, including "EG-X".
• New "Mag-strip" feature allows ships to magnetically stick to tracks. This will allow certain tracks to feature loops, 90 degree plummets, and other mind-destroying tricks.
• Custom soundtracks allow playback of MP3s stored on Memory Stick.
• Photo Mode captures in-game screenshots.
• Like Wipeout Pure, the game will feature downloadable content, such as new tracks and songs, immediately after release.

Check out Eurogamer for screenshots of this hotly anticipated sequel. The game will hit Europe this September.

It's been a long time coming, but internet tunneling for PSP seems to finally be in full-swing. With Xlink Kai, and a compatible Wi-Fi adapter, you'll be able to play Ad-Hoc games, like Monster Hunter, online. Watch Impress was able to squeeze in 2500 people into a Monster Hunter Portable 2nd game room. All that's needed is: an Xlink Kai account (which is currently free) and a compatible Wi-Fi adapter, such as the PCI Gamering XII, which includes the appropriate drivers.

When booting up a game in Ad-Hoc mode, it will make other Xlink Kai users appear as if they're in the same room as you. With Xlink, so many of the PSP multiplayer games that fans have been collecting won't feel so lonely anymore.

[Thanks, Steve! Via gearfuse]