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Glu developing Modern Warfare 2 for mobile phones

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 24th 2009 at 11:00PM }

It's true that we haven't played a "video game" on a cellular device (at least, one that wasn't an iPhone) since our lengthy Snake sessions back in 1999 -- though we imagine there's a contingency of folks out there who get excited for mobile adaptations of console games. For instance, you may find yourself thrilled about Glu's next mobile project -- a version of Modern Warfare 2 that's coming to Androids, Blackberrys, BREWs, J2MEs and Windows Mobile phones in Q4 of this year.

The only piece of media we have for the game is shown above -- really tantalizing stuff there, Glu -- though we imagine the gameplay will resemble that of the World at War port the studio developed last year, only with a tad less flame throwing.

Access your PS3 anywhere with the Sony Aino cell phone

by Jem Alexander { May 28th 2009 at 4:45PM }

Sadly, the Sony Aino mobile phone isn't the fabled PSPhone, but it does support one feature from the handheld device. Using the phone, you will be able to access your PS3 via Remote Play and, because the device is 3G enabled, you won't have to rely on Wi-Fi access. Once connected, you'll be able to stream movies, images and music from your hard disk drive.

Europeans will also be able to access PlayTV, allowing them to view, pause and rewind live television, as well as setting programs to record from afar. There's no indication of whether the phone will have access to the PlayStation Network store or the friends list, but that would be the icing on an already tasty cake. Having this feature on a cell phone makes perfect sense -- hopefully this is something that will become a lot more prevalent in the future. Who knows, one day we might see a Remote Play iPhone app. We'd love that.

[Via Engadget]

The DS Life: Prank call

by Eric Caoili { Sep 3rd 2008 at 11:59PM }

Midas wasn't sure what he should do when the phone, which sat unattended across from him, began to beep. His father left the handset on the chair before stepping away for a moment, and Midas was too young to know what the appropriate action would be for situations such as these.

Would it be rude if he answered the phone? How would he explain to the caller that his father was currently indisposed? What exactly does "indisposed" mean, anyway?

Children aren't known for their patience, so it was only a few seconds before Midas hopped off his chair, peeked at the mobile's screen to see if it was a number he recognized, and lifted the phone to his ear.

Continued →

GC 2008: Buzz!, Destruction Derby going mobile in Europe

by Jason Dobson { Aug 21st 2008 at 1:00AM }

Hands on your buzzers. What two companies partnered during this year's Leipzig Games Convention to bring "key" PlayStation franchises to mobile carriers in the European market? Quickly now. 3 ... 2 ...1... buzzcrak! The correct answer, had you answered on time, would have been Sony and UK mobile games publisher Player X, though we can forgive your tardiness given that the duo's idea of a pivotal franchise is likely to differ from what you have in mind.

No, rather than whipping Kratos' Blades of Chaos with the number 4 key on your handset, or tapping a put into the cup with the 9 in a miniaturized version of Hot Shots Golf, the companies have announced plans to bring virtual quiz show Buzz! and Reflection's original PlayStation racer Destruction Derby to mobile phones this fall and in early 2009, respectively. True, neither of these inspire us to reach for our phones just yet. However, Sony adds that the deal, a first for Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios with an outsider, will continue to bring PlayStation luminaries to mobile phones in Europe for the next three years. Thanks for playing.

Hacker creates a real, functional PSP phone

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 8th 2008 at 11:00PM }

Tired of waiting for Sony to make their own PSP phone, a hacker created his own functional prototype. By gutting out the UMD drive from the PSP, he made room for a fancy touch screen phone. It's impressive, although some may complain that this is nothing more than a fancy piecemeal job, as there's no real integration between the PSP gaming compartment and the phone itself.

[Thanks, NukeAssault! Via Engadget]

iBreakout hurls balls at iBrick in the iWall

by Kevin Kelly { Aug 1st 2008 at 5:00AM }

While the jury hasn't even begun to assemble to decide if gaming on the iPhone is going to set records and become an extremely viable platform, we already know some those time-wasting casual games are addictive and fun.

Zecil Software is jumping into the fray with iBreakout, now available for $4.99 in the iPhone App Store, and it promises "75 meticulously crafted levels, with striking graphics, featuring 50 different backgrounds!" Striking graphics? Well, if by striking they mean you can make the ball hit the bricks, then okay. However, you can submit your high scores to leaderboard right from your phone, which is fairly nifty. Try breaking out of it at your own risk.

Gallery: iBreakout

Fallout 3 Vault-Tec phone number decoded

by Kevin Kelly { Jul 17th 2008 at 9:30PM }

Pete Hines from Bethesda shattered our crystalline dreams yesterday when he told us that the Vault-Tec 800 number for Fallout 3 means... absolutely nothing. He and Todd Howard had argued about it, and Pete wanted it to actually have something hidden inside for fans, but he got vetoed.

Although Bethesda would love for rabid Fallout fans to kick down the door of a 68 year old woman's house in Texas in search of hidden editions of the game, it just ain't happenin'. Listen to the actual audio dialogue below which busted up our hopes for a Rain Man level math secret hidden in the phone message.

Fallout 3's Vault-Tec toll-free number wants you to hold forever

by Kevin Kelly { Jul 15th 2008 at 3:00AM }

If you call the Vault-Tec toll free hotline at 1-888-4-VAULTTEC (dang novelty 800 numbers!), you'll be stuck on immediate hold and told there are 101,000,000 callers in front of you ... which leads to an extremely long hold time. In fact, a mutant voice lets you know it's about 78,643 hours (unless we're hearing it wrong). We checked back to see if it's counting down, and it doesn't seem to be.

Any hackers out there with Rain Man-like number skillz who want to try and decode what this could possibly mean for Fallout 3? Maybe it's the date of the apocalypse. Have at it, and have fun. Also, please don't stay on hold that long and blame us later. If you're phonically challenged, just watch our special Joystiq audio-only recording of the call posted after the break.

[Thanks, Robert]

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PSP Phone rumors resurface

by Jem Alexander { Jun 25th 2008 at 12:05PM }

These PSP Phone rumors just won't go away, will they? Another one has surfaced today via UK marketing magazine, Marketing Week. Their sources say that a phone incorporating elements from the PSP will be out in time for Christmas 2009. Interestingly, the article also intimates that "the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson has become 'frosty'" and that "Sony would "never give its PlayStation branding" to the Sony Ericsson joint venture." Interesting.

If this phone is in the works, despite a breakdown between Sony and Sony Ericsson, could Sony be working on it alone? GameIndustry.biz state that Sony have previously confirmed that they are not working with Sony Ericsson on any such device. We'll be keeping our ear to the ground in case any new information becomes available.

[Via GI.biz]

It's not the PSP phone but ...

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 16th 2008 at 11:16AM }

Sony Ericsson has unveiled its new gaming phone. It's not the elusive "PSP phone" that many have been searching for, but it'll suffice for now. The games available on the F305 are going to be incredibly simple, with 2D era graphics. There are PlayStation buttons, but only two: a O and X button. The camera phone will feature "EDGE speeds, a Memory Stick Micro slot, a 2-inch 176 x 220 display and some music playback features."

For us gamers, this phone does nothing to attract us. It's going to take something really big to tug us away from keeping our PSPs in our pants.

[Thanks, xzentrico! Via Engadget]

Straps and stands: More preorder bonuses in Korea

by Eric Caoili { Apr 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM }

Koreans really love free stuff! Then again, who doesn't?

This latest round of preorder incentives rewards gamers who've reserved Wii Sports with branded towels and Wii Remote cell phone straps. Unlike in the states, Wiis will not come bundled with Wii Sports when the console launches in South Korea on April 26th.

EA is also throwing in what looks like Brando's Crystal Cooler with every preorder for FIFA 08. The replacement base features a cooling fan and electric blue LEDs -- not too useful, but it's free, which automatically makes it a hundred times more awesome. Bring five bucks past the post break to get a look at the stand offer.

Continued →

Yet another PSP phone patent surfaces

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 6th 2008 at 10:00PM }

The PSP Phone is quite the legend in this neck of the woods. It's no secret that Sony Ericsson wants to create a hybrid phone/gaming device. The number of murmurs heard throughout the web attest to that fact. However, it looks like the company has created failed attempt after another, as patents slowly become unearthed. Unwired View happend to stumble upon another. This design reminds us of what the PSP would look like if it had kids with the Game Boy Micro.

Will the PSP Phone ever become reality? Chances are, yes. The real question is: when?

[Via Pocket Gamer]

The dream continues: supposed PSP Phone image [Update]

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 16th 2008 at 10:30PM }

The internet is abuzz yet again about the PSP Phone. The rumor-that-won't-go-away makes a return in this supposed magazine scan, which displays the supposed device. The image illustrates how both gaming and phone calls would work in this effort by Sony Ericsson. We have to admit, it does look quite nice. But, does it look real? We're still a bit skeptical on this one. We certainly wouldn't mind if this were real -- but for now, we're only dreamers.

Update: Our skepticism was right: looks like this was just a mock-up created by the magazine. Thanks to everyone that noticed this!

[Thanks, Jerome D.! Via MAXCONSOLE]

PSP phone hints dropped in Sony magazine

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 16th 2008 at 7:00PM }

If the test we performed during Podcast 37 was any indication, the Skype feature which was recently made available to PSPs, while neat, probably doesn't cut it when it comes to your main form of mobile communication. However, we can't be expected to carry around our cell phones and our PSPs. We only have one pair of multi-pocketed cargo pants, and, well, they really don't do much for our figure.

We might be in luck -- a recent issue of Sony Magazine has stoked the fires of a finely aged rumor that a PSP phone is currently in the works, possibly under Sony Ericsson. One article briefly mentions that a "PSP-style phone is apparently in development," and that the device could hit retail "as early as February." While it wouldn't be the first time Sony released a handheld upon an unsuspecting public with little to no fanfare, we would think we'd hear about something like this more than a month before it hits store shelves. We mean -- part gaming device, part mobile phone? The world's never seen anything like this before!

Sony Magazine says 'PSP style phone in the works'

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 15th 2008 at 6:30PM }

You'd think something named "Sony Magazine" would know a thing or two about what's going on with Sony. But they oh-so-casually appear to reference "a new PSP-style phone" in the latest issue. It doesn't go into too many details, but suggests that "it could be in the shops as early as February." That seems unlikely, considering we haven't heard a peep from Sony regarding the matter, and it wasn't showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Phones are electronics for consumers, right?

But this isn't the first time we've heard of the so-called PSP phone. So many rumors have rocked the web that we feel like it's not a question of it, but rather a question of when.

[Via Engadget]