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November 20th, 2009

PS3 Tacks On Facebook Two Days After Xbox 360

With a surprisingly short turnaround from rumor to official announcement to reality, Sony cranked out a PlayStation 3 firmware update that added Facebook access to the console Thursday, just a couple days after Microsoft’s ballyhooed addition of a portal to the social networking service.

Granted, the PS3 could technically could always access Facebook since — like the Wii and unlike the 360 — it always boasted a web browser, but now it’s got a streamlined, easy-access app just like the one the 360 has.

November 20th, 2009

Sony Plans Online Services, 'Confident' In 13 Million PS3 Target This Year

Sony’s shooting to hit 13 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold worldwide this fiscal year, says Sony executive VP Kaz Hirai, and he tells media outlets he’s “confident” the company can achieve its target.

The company has been discussing its strategy for the year ahead in some depth lately, including its plans to achieve profitability by March 2011. To that end, Sony’s undertaking cost-cutting and investing in new technologies, notably with a focus on 3D entertainment and gaming — Sony recently said that all PS3 consoles are firmware-upgradeable to 3D.

At the same time, according to a new Reuters report, Hirai said Sony will launch a new online content service that will distribute media like books, movies and music to network-capable devices as a value add to its hardware portfolio.

If achieved, the 13 million target that Sony has been touting would represent a significant gain over the company’s fiscal 2008, which saw 10.1 million units sold. Sony’s fiscal year ends in March 2010.

According to the company’s own numbers, it’s sold a total 4.3 million consoles in its first and second quarter together, which means it will need to sell nearly double that many units over its second half — which will include the key holiday season.

November 20th, 2009

Sony Plans Online Services, ‘Confident’ In 13 Million PS3 Target This Year

Sony’s shooting to hit 13 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold worldwide this fiscal year, says Sony executive VP Kaz Hirai, and he tells media outlets he’s “confident” the company can achieve its target.

The company has been discussing its strategy for the year ahead in some depth lately, including its plans to achieve profitability by March 2011. To that end, Sony’s undertaking cost-cutting and investing in new technologies, notably with a focus on 3D entertainment and gaming — Sony recently said that all PS3 consoles are firmware-upgradeable to 3D.

At the same time, according to a new Reuters report, Hirai said Sony will launch a new online content service that will distribute media like books, movies and music to network-capable devices as a value add to its hardware portfolio.

If achieved, the 13 million target that Sony has been touting would represent a significant gain over the company’s fiscal 2008, which saw 10.1 million units sold. Sony’s fiscal year ends in March 2010.

According to the company’s own numbers, it’s sold a total 4.3 million consoles in its first and second quarter together, which means it will need to sell nearly double that many units over its second half — which will include the key holiday season.

November 11th, 2009

1.02 patch now live for Modern Warfare 2 on the Playstation 3

Although Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has only been available for one day, Infinity Ward has already released an update for the Playstation 3 version. As stated earlier, the 1.02 patch fixes the trophy bug from the game. You will be prompted to download the update once you boot up the game with your Playstation 3 connected to the Playstation Network.

Another update, which will fix the party invite system, is expected to come out by Friday.

November 11th, 2009

PlayStation 3 Facebook Integration May Also Be On The Way

The PlayStation 3 recently picked up Netflix support — could it be getting Facebook integration as well? If these image is anything to go by, it’ll indeed be happening sooner than later.

ScrawlFX is reporting that an “anonymous tipster” sent the picture above and others along. They depict Facebook support, a revamped gamer card, and a new way to organize photos.

Obviously, this “anonymous tipster” could be an ordinary person who knows how to use Photoshop, so treat these pictures as pure rumor for now. However, it’s certainly not far-fetched to assume that Sony will follow Microsoft’s lead and integrate social networking tools into their platform.

Regardless of whether or not these images are legit, don’t be surprised if Facebook integration does indeed appear sometime next year.

November 11th, 2009

"Gates Of Hell" Dante's Inferno Demo Hits Next Month

A month before God of War III arrives, EA will offer their brutal, over-the-top action extravaganza that should tide you over for a few weeks.

It’s Dante’s Inferno, and if you want a closer look, you’ll get it before the year is out. EA and developer Visceral Games has announced that a playable demo for the game will be available next month; this “Gates of Hell” sample features the “entire opening level” and thereby introduce you to the game’s main hero. You’ll battle hordes of hell-spawn as you progress through the dark and intimidating section, eventually facing off against the ultimate boss: Death. Once you manage to defeat Death, you will take his scythe (the weapon you see Dante wielding in many screenshots and gameplay videos) and will also utilize a powerful holy cross. Said executive producer Jonathan Knight:

“Our main goal from the start of this project has been to create a journey that will make gamers truly feel like they are going through hell. The demo will give everyone some insight into how we are treating the story and a taste of the gameplay. And with nine more circles of hell to explore once the game comes out in February, we are literally just scratching the surface.”

In the full game, you will work your way through the nine infamous circles of hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Of course, it doesn’t really follow the actual story of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy,” as there is no fighting or mauling going on in that novel; it’s a religious adventure through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. But hey, you gotta take creative license in order to make a scintillating interactive experience, right?

Dante’s Inferno is slated to launch in North America for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PSP on February 9, 2010. This demo will only be available for the PS3 and 360, though.

November 11th, 2009

“Gates Of Hell” Dante’s Inferno Demo Hits Next Month

A month before God of War III arrives, EA will offer their brutal, over-the-top action extravaganza that should tide you over for a few weeks.

It’s Dante’s Inferno, and if you want a closer look, you’ll get it before the year is out. EA and developer Visceral Games has announced that a playable demo for the game will be available next month; this “Gates of Hell” sample features the “entire opening level” and thereby introduce you to the game’s main hero. You’ll battle hordes of hell-spawn as you progress through the dark and intimidating section, eventually facing off against the ultimate boss: Death. Once you manage to defeat Death, you will take his scythe (the weapon you see Dante wielding in many screenshots and gameplay videos) and will also utilize a powerful holy cross. Said executive producer Jonathan Knight:

“Our main goal from the start of this project has been to create a journey that will make gamers truly feel like they are going through hell. The demo will give everyone some insight into how we are treating the story and a taste of the gameplay. And with nine more circles of hell to explore once the game comes out in February, we are literally just scratching the surface.”

In the full game, you will work your way through the nine infamous circles of hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Of course, it doesn’t really follow the actual story of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy,” as there is no fighting or mauling going on in that novel; it’s a religious adventure through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. But hey, you gotta take creative license in order to make a scintillating interactive experience, right?

Dante’s Inferno is slated to launch in North America for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PSP on February 9, 2010. This demo will only be available for the PS3 and 360, though.

November 11th, 2009

PlayStation 3 Netflix Streaming Support Arrives

The PlayStation 3 support for streaming Netflix’s online library of movies and television shows announced last month is now active, Sony’s PlayStation.Blog proclaims.

As well as a subscription to the DVD rental service, viewers will need a free disc–available from Netflix and “on its way” to all who reserved one–to access the service.

A downloadable Netflix application is scheduled for “late next year.” Industry analyst Michael Pacther believes the disc solution is necessary due to an exclusivity agreement Netflix holds with Microsoft, whose Xbox 360 has integrated Netflix streaming support.

Pachter also predicted “a similar arrangement will be announced for the Wii in the next 12 months,” a move Netflix has often teased through statements and surveys.

November 3rd, 2009

God Of War Collection Took Just 15 Weeks To Port To Playstation 3

Sony Santa Monica have confirmed that they read a lot of “blog posts” before deciding to port God Of War I & II to Playstation 3. Dare we say, our own piece may have been what sparked Santa Monica into building the God Of War Collection, with more than a 150 comments [we've cleaned up the backend since - Ed] calling for a God Of War re-release on Playstation 3.

According to GameHunters, it took just 15 weeks for Bluepoint to successfully convert God Of War I & II onto the Playstation 3. That’s around July/August – sometime after E3 and proving that this whole PS2 ports business is totally feasible for other products.

Of course they’re going to have to be loved franchises to stand out amongst newer Playstation 3 releases. But if you keep making noise about Ico/Shadow Of The Colossus — we’re confident Sony are listening.

And with a 15 week turnaround, it doesn’t sound like they have much to lose either.

November 3rd, 2009

Kojima Productions Working On An English Peace Walker Demo

The worst thing about Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker at the moment is that it makes no sense at all. Obviously, we chortle. We’ve only played a Japanese demo so, kinda expect things to be in Japanese. Thanfully, Kojima and his team are working on bringing us an English demo however. According to a Kojima Productions podcast, it’s actually already in the works.

We do hope it’s not far away. From what we’ve played of Peace Walker is balls-to-the-wall amazing.