Monthly Archives: November 2009

PlayStation 3 News

Final Fantasy XIII PS3: No Installs, High FMV Quality?

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Whether or not this leak is genuine is unclear, but if it is, then Unoffical Final Fantasy Site has noticed (via CVG) that the box claims no hard drive install at all (optional or mandatory) and a positively miniscule 500kb save game size.

Also revealed is that the PS3 version will feature LPCM 5.1 audio and that the CGI sequences will be in full 1080p. Blimey. The game itself will still run in 720p, however.

Final Fantasy XIII, being a Final Fantasy title, will be one of next year’s biggest games. It was recently dated for a simultaneous launch on 9 March in both Europe and North America.

PlayStation 3 News

PS3 Off To A Fast Holiday Start

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The holiday season is always critical for video game manufacturers and most agreed that Sony had the definite edge heading into Black Friday. Well, so far, things are going quite well.

In looking around the Internet, one can see the PlayStation 3 is a hot-ticket item for holiday shoppers. As compiled by PS3Center, best seller lists for major retailers prove that consumers have responded to the top-notch games and those “It Only Does Everything” commercials. The 120GB PS3 bundle Amazon had, featuring inFamous and Killzone 2, used to be higher than #10 on Amazon’s top seller list but it has dropped because they’re now sold out. There are two Xbox 360 games in the top 10 for Amazon - Halo 3: ODST andLeft 4 Dead 2 – but the console barely cracks the top 100, which signifies that the games aren’t system sellers; those who already have the 360 are buying those two titles, that’s all. As for PS3 games, even last year’s Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is in the top 25, which is more proof that we’re seeing a lot of new PS3 owners; what would you buy if you just got the console? Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will take a prominent place on that list throughout the holiday season, too.

Oh, and the PS3 is also the more popular selection at both Best Buy and Wal-Mart right now (even though the Wii still has a slight lead at the latter retailer), while the 360 isn’t really even close. So thus far, Sony should be pleased with the PS3′s showing…now, it just needs to carry this popularity on through December.

PlayStation 3 News

PS3 to go 3D in 2010, says Sony

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Sony has formally announced plans to bring true 3D gaming to the PlayStation 3.

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Five advantages of the PS3 over, presumably, the Xbox 360
Source: Kotaku

In a presentation designed to outline the “five key advantages of PlayStation 3”, Sony stated: “All PS3 units will be firmware upgradeable to 3D.” The company also promised to “release 3D games”.

Sony has spoken about taking the PS3 3D before, even demoing a PS3 running 3D versions Gran Turismo Prologue and MotorStorm at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) back in January 2009. But this is thought to be the first time that the electronics giant has officially promised that the console will go 3D.

Rollout of “3D Gaming on PlayStation 3” will start next year, Sony’s presentation slides revealed.

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Will PS3′s appear in cinemas?

Beyond the PlayStation, Sony will support broadcasters begin transmitting live events in 3D, while also persuading more cinemas to adopt digital projection equipment fitted with 3D kit. ®

PlayStation 3 News

PS3 Tacks On Facebook Two Days After Xbox 360

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

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

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

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

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

PlayStation 3 Facebook Integration May Also Be On The Way

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

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

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

PlayStation 3 Netflix Streaming Support Arrives

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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.

PlayStation 3 News

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

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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.