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Rumor: Sony leaks screens of next PS3 firmware, Facebook integration
by Randy Nelson 
{ Nov 11th 2009 at 2:20PM }
Click to enlarge
Earlier today, website Scrawl stumbled upon what appears to be an unintentional first glimpse at a major PS3 firmware update. The somewhat tiny images Scrawl found buried, yet publicly accessible on Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's website, seem to hint at native Facebook integration on the console, along with the ability to change "gamer card" colors (as if the current friends list wasn't obnoxious enough) and view thumbnails of photos in a grid layout.
The images are still up as of this posting, but we'd imagine Sony will be pulling them before too long -- legit or not. After all, these could simply be mock-ups of design ideas meant for internal eyes only, just ... bungled. The one element that isn't design-related, the Facebook settings subsection of User Accounts, has us thinking there's a higher than average chance these aren't simple mock-ups, but rather the result on a Sony slip-up.
We contacted SCEE regarding the images and were told by a spokesperson that the company "doesn't comment on rumor or speculation."
[Thanks Alex!]
The images are still up as of this posting, but we'd imagine Sony will be pulling them before too long -- legit or not. After all, these could simply be mock-ups of design ideas meant for internal eyes only, just ... bungled. The one element that isn't design-related, the Facebook settings subsection of User Accounts, has us thinking there's a higher than average chance these aren't simple mock-ups, but rather the result on a Sony slip-up.
We contacted SCEE regarding the images and were told by a spokesperson that the company "doesn't comment on rumor or speculation."
[Thanks Alex!]
Everyone agrees: new IP needed for industry 'to survive'
by Andrew Yoon { Nov 6th 2009 at 12:00AM }
Wada agrees with Denny's sentiment, noting that "as an entertainment company the business won't be viable if we don't continue to nurture new IPs." This may be ironic coming from a company that's releasing a game called Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers this holiday, and both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIV next year, but we can credit them for making The World Ends With You, right?
Cousens goes a step further, saying innovation has always been at the heart of the industry. "From day one since we walked in the door we've always tried to be experimental, to be innovative, to take things into new areas and to make it interesting." Obviously, the reason why publishers need to invest in new IPs is clear -- let's not forget that games like Madden used to be an original IP at one point.
Source - Sony: Industry needs new IP to survive
Source - Wada: Business 'not viable' without new IP
Source - Cousens: Industry must pursue new IP
New in-game ads speeding towards WipEout HD
by Andrew Yoon { Oct 29th 2009 at 11:15AM }
That doesn't mean ads have been completely removed from the picture with 2.10! In fact, more advertising is about to hit the game -- at least in European territories. "WipEout and in-game advertising and sponsorship have gone hand-in-hand since 1996, when a now famous energy drink appeared in the seminal Wipeout 2097 and over the years many brands and products have been associated with the series," Arrien said, trying to explain why the WipEout HD platform seems so ripe for commercialization.
LittleBigWorkshop reveals a handful of LBP PSP costumes
by Griffin McElroy { Oct 23rd 2009 at 12:15PM }
The most intriguing of these duds are referenced in a section of the post discussing "preorder incentives and upcoming DLC packs" -- a moon buggy and a tank, seen above. We imagine these are just articles of clothing and not actual vehicles (a "moon buggy belt", if you will), but if you think that makes us less interested in them, then you must not know us very well.
Test your friendship with Buzz! on Facebook
by Andrew Yoon { Oct 9th 2009 at 11:30AM }
Buzz will be narrating the entire game, so expect some snide remarks from the short British host. Each question, in typical Buzz! style, is timed: make sure you answer quickly to get the most points. At the end of the game, you'll be able to post your total score to your Wall, as you wait for your invited friends to beat you. It's a terrific twist on classic Buzz! gameplay, and best of all -- it's free.
[Via PlayStation.Blog Europe]
Retail gets PSN 'Game Cards' in NA, PSN vouchers in the UK
by Ben Gilbert { Oct 1st 2009 at 10:00PM }
click to embiggen
With the launch of Sony's PSP Go this week, the first download-only gaming device from a major console developer has finally arrived on the market. Given the profitability of the used games market and brick-and-mortar's relative stronghold on game sales, we asked Sony of America (SCEA) and Sony of Europe (SCEE) how they're going to get download-only games onto retailer shelves. SCEA's answer: PlayStation Network Game Cards.According to an SCEA rep, 10 titles (all of which can be found after the break) will be available "in North America at select retailers" and should be available as of today. Unfortunately for retailers across the pond, no such luck -- at very least in the UK. An SCEE rep told Joystiq, "We don't have any plans for vouchers/gift cards like this ... at the moment we are only selling the PSN vouchers of £20 and £50 for the UK," though that isn't to say PSN Game Cards will never arrive on European shores.
At least for now it seems that SCEA will be keeping a foothold in retail with its download-only titles (and even some UMD-based titles now available as downloads) through these game vouchers. UK retailers ... well ... at least people will be coming in for the PSP-3000, right?
Gallery: PlayStation Network Game Cards
250GB PS3 Slim bundles also coming to Europe [update]
by Griffin McElroy { Sep 25th 2009 at 1:01PM }
Europeans will have their choice of two bundles, both of which will be made available throughout October. One of the collections includes Need for Speed: Shift, while the other includes FIFA 10. Needless to say, both bundles come with the recently GB-boosted console. A price point for these two bundles has not been specified, but we've contacted Sony for clarification.
Bizarrely enough, the UK's getting a different set of bundles than the rest of the continent. On October 1, United Kingdomites will have their choice of a 250GB PS3 bundled with Infamous or two unnamed Platinum Hits. Their options will be further expanded on October 16 with the release of an Uncharted 2 bundle, and once more on October 19 with a bundle that includes the X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Dark Knight films on Blu-ray and a film-friendly remote control.
SCE UK has graciously provided a price for its bundles -- £284.99 ($450) -- making it our certified favourite European Sony chapter of the day. That's as legit as being knighted by the Queen, you know.
Update: After the break, we've posted a snapshot of the FIFA bundle provided by a GameStop employee in Norway.
Sony 'looking into' changing PS3's newly redesigned Friends list
by Andrew Yoon { Sep 10th 2009 at 1:00PM }
This is not what the Friends list currently looks like.
Thankfully, the Friends list is something Sony is "looking into based on your comments." Mark Bowles added, "We really do appreciate the feedback you guys give us, both positive and negative."
Sony, may we recommend you take some inspiration from the mock-ups (seen above) created by Steven Shaw? The "box" idea works really well, when implemented correctly. Above, Shaw uses the box to highlight the selected user, and then takes advantage of the screen real estate to provide instant access to useful information. We're quite fond of his work -- you should definitely check out more.
SCEE Platinum line expands, includes Resistance 2, Killzone 2
by Andrew Yoon { Sep 8th 2009 at 3:15PM }
We're a bit jealous of our European friends, as games rarely get the "Greatest Hits" label so soon. Killzone 2, for example, released just a little over six months ago. However, it makes sense to drop the price of these games, especially Killzone 2, so soon -- there are a lot of new PS3 owners out there, hungry to try out the system's greatest games.
You MAY have written part of this MAG trailer
by Andrew Yoon { Sep 4th 2009 at 6:00PM }
PS3 vs. Xbox 360: European install base tiff muddled by murky borders
by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 3rd 2009 at 3:00PM }
In fact, Lewis takes the counting contention one step further. "We're confident we are actually around a million units ahead," he claims. While we're fairly certain both parties stick to the traditional "1, 2, 3" ... and so on convention, we suspect Lewis is arguing over just which "European" territories are at stake in this numbers game. SCEE pools its population from Europe, Australiasia and other territories outside of Japan, the rest of Asia and North America. Microsoft EMEA combines figures from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Kinda hard to wage a console war when the opposing sides are scurrying about different maps. So then, stalemate?
Sony Ericsson's 'Aino' is almost a PSP phone ... but not really
by Ben Gilbert { Sep 1st 2009 at 9:00PM }
Sony Ericsson's Lisa Canning told the Euro PS blog that the first Aino will be arriving "early October in the UK, with the rest of Europe to follow," though no release Stateside has been announced yet. Aside from the missing UMD playback ability, no indication is given whether or not it will support PSP Minis, but unfortunately no games can be played through the Aino's Remote Play functionality. We're still not sure if a PSP phone is ever going to come out -- we are sure, however, that we stopped holding our breath for one a long, long time ago.
LocoRoco: Midnight Carnival details bounce into our hearts
by Griffin McElroy { Sep 1st 2009 at 5:45PM }
No release date or pricing details are mentioned in the post, but considering the game only contains 16 stages, two mini-games and three bonus stages, we're hoping it ends up being easy on the ol' pocketbook.
EyePet making your coffee table more adorable Nov. 17
by Griffin McElroy { Aug 29th 2009 at 1:30PM }
For a quick breakdown of what EyePet is all about, check out the recent PlayStation.Blog video posted after the break. Here's a quick summary: It's like Seaman, only way less creepy, and with a Monkey-esque thing instead of a Man-Fish, and also the Monkey-thing will never learn to speak and question you about your sex life. We hope.
Sony spends £82 million in new European marketing campaign
by Andrew Yoon { Aug 25th 2009 at 12:30PM }
The first of the "Start" series of ads focuses solely on entertainment services offered on PS3, like VidZone and the included Blu-ray player. However, future ads will also talk about the bread and butter of the system: games. But before Sony continues with the campaign, we'd recommend the company fix its Google search recommendation. Right now, the ad ends telling viewers to search "PS3 Start." Unfortunately, this pops up as one of the first results for that search term. Ouch.
