PlayStation 3 analog audio out hack

August 31st, 2013, 22:35 Posted By: wraggster


Here’s the scenario: You’ve got the rage to play som CoD (we’re more GTA fans but whatever) but the monitor you’re going to play on has no speakers. You can get a crystal clear image using HDMI, but getting sound is a different matter. What’s the fix? Crack open your PS3 and solder on some audio connectors.
[Paul] knew there is a special cable that breaks out analog audio. Like original Xbox hacking of ages past, there is now plenty of information online about the internals of these machines. He grabbed a copy of the A/V pinout and found the analog audio pins. After soldering on this pair of RCA cables he cut savaged a hole in the case and put the console back together. The machine he’s working with is a salvaged unit with no Blu-ray drive — he links to his past posts on the repair process. You may be thinking what good is it without an optical drive? Remember, this is the beginning of the Internet age… everything is downloadable.

http://hackaday.com/2013/08/30/plays...udio-out-hack/

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Assassin's Creed sale hits EU PlayStation Store

August 31st, 2013, 00:21 Posted By: wraggster

Sony and Ubisoft have kicked off an Assassin's Creedcontent sale on the European PlayStation Store.
The PS3, Vita and PSP content discounts listed below run for one week beginning from today.
The latest batch of EU PlayStation Plus content went live yesterday. It includes a free copy of Assassin's Creed 3 on PS3.
PS3

• Assassin's Creed II (Not available in Bulgaria, Hungary, Qatar), Was €14.99/£10.99/AU$17.95, now €6.99/£5.49/AU$10.35, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed Double Edition, Was €24.99/£19.99/AU$36.95, now €14.99/£11.99/AU$21.95, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Complete Pack (Not available in Turkey), Was €19.99/£15.99/AU$29.95, now €12.49/£9.89/AU$29.95, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed Revelations, Was €14.99/£10.99/AU$17.95, now €9.99/£7.99/AU$14.45, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III Classic Edition, Was €29.99/£23.99/AU$43.95, now €14.99/£11.99/AU$21.95
• Assassin's Creed III - Gold Edition, Was €49.99/£39.99/AU$73.95, now €24.99/ £19.99/AU$36.95, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III Season Pass (Not available in Turkey), Was €29.99/£23.99/AU$43.95, now €14.99/£11.99/AU$21.95, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III: The Infamy, Was €9.99/£7.99/AU$14.45, now €4.99/£3.99/AU$7.35, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III: The Battle Hardened Pack, Was €9.99/£7.99/AU$14.45, now €4.99/£3.99/AU$7.35, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III: The Redemption, Was €7.99/£6.49/AU$11.75, now €3.99/£3.19/AU$5.85, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III Benedict Arnold DLC, Was €4.99/£3.99/AU$7.35, now €2.49/£1.99/AU$3.65, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members
• Assassin's Creed III - The Hidden Secrets Pack, Was €4.99/£3.99/AU$7.35, now €2.49/£1.99/AU$3.65, Additional 10% off for PS Plus members

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PlayStation 3 analog audio out hack

August 30th, 2013, 21:59 Posted By: wraggster


Here’s the scenario: You’ve got the rage to play som CoD (we’re more GTA fans but whatever) but the monitor you’re going to play on has no speakers. You can get a crystal clear image using HDMI, but getting sound is a different matter. What’s the fix? Crack open your PS3 and solder on some audio connectors.
[Paul] knew there is a special cable that breaks out analog audio. Like original Xbox hacking of ages past, there is now plenty of information online about the internals of these machines. He grabbed a copy of the A/V pinout and found the analog audio pins. After soldering on this pair of RCA cables he cut savaged a hole in the case and put the console back together. The machine he’s working with is a salvaged unit with no Blu-ray drive — he links to his past posts on the repair process. You may be thinking what good is it without an optical drive? Remember, this is the beginning of the Internet age… everything is downloadable.

http://hackaday.com/2013/08/30/plays...udio-out-hack/

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Sony: Vita was designed for a different world, but changes are afoot

August 30th, 2013, 21:55 Posted By: wraggster

The PlayStation Vita was designed for a market where smartphones, tablets and freemium games were not the driving force.
So when the machine arrived in both £279.99 and £229.99 versions on February 22^nd 2012, it unsurprisingly struggled to make an impact on the market.
And that, according to Sony’s UK MD Fergal Gara, is why big changes are on the way – such as the recently announced price cut – that will reverse the machine’s fortunes.
"To bring a console out at £200+ and have software at £30, £40, £50 was a tough ask, even if it offered full controls and a superior gameplay experience,” he told Videogamer.
"Price is part of the equation but I think the landscape it entered is vastly different to that which maybe was imagined when the design process for the device started, in particular the tablet and smartphone and freemium-type models.
"So what's happening now is, you're getting the price of the console coming down, you've got tremendous value offerings around the software – we talked about Mega Packs [last week], we talked about PlayStation Plus and what that does for PlayStation Vita, and now you've got Remote Play as well.
“So in short, I think it could well be about to come into its prime and prove its distinctive worth, whereas it maybe struggled a little bit alongside the burgeoning tablet revolution."
Vita can typically be had for around £180 at the moment in the UK.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...-afoot/0120582

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PS4, next gen rivalry and the Vita rescue plan

August 30th, 2013, 21:52 Posted By: wraggster

We meet SCEE president and CEO Jim Ryan in ebullient mood the day after Sony’s Gamescom presentation, at which the platform holder seemed very confident in its next gen proposition. Microsoft is increasingly turning up the heat, though, and with a series of policy changes and the offer of a free copy of FIFA with every Xbox One, the choice between the two consoles isn’t as clear as it once was. Here, we discuss PlayStation’s Gamescom announcements, what they mean for PS4 and Vita and how the next gen race is shaping up.Your Gamescom showcase was very heavy on indie games, while Microsoft, with its Call Of Duty bundle and FIFA deal, feels like the blockbuster games console. Do you ever think you’re pushing this indie thing too hard?No I don’t think so. I can see how that vibe could kind of come out but it’s a fact that FIFA and Battlefield and Need For Speed – they’re all going to be on PS4. And you know, by the way, if you want to play Battlefield on a next gen console then the only one you can do it on is PS4.So they’re all going to be there, Call Of Duty’s going to be there, platform holders tie up with publishers for what is perceived to be mutual benefit. We’re doing it with Ubisoft and we’re doing it with Activision with Destiny. But at the end of the day these big games, they’re all multiformat and you’re talking about Windows of 60 or 30 days for one piece of DLC – it’s not the end of the world.And equally we gave prominence to the indie stuff yesterday and I think we were right to do that because I think there could be some very interesting things come out of that and it’d be nice if the sort of classical platform model with the big publishers getting ever bigger…if that was somehow broken and new stuff came from leftfield, it would reinvigorate something that’s at risk of possibly becoming a bit stale.But is it enough? Do you think the average guy on the street cares about indie games?That obviously is the job of marketing and I think you’re right, if you take any one of those games in isolation – nobody’s going to shell out 400 Euros just to buy that – it would be naïve of us to suppose that, but I think if you get a decent roster of that sort of stuff I think that enhances the platform. I’d point to the stuff that Thatgamecompany has brought – Flower, Flow and Journey – I would argue with anybody that that stuff has been platform enhancing.And I would argue that that stuff has been platform enhancing to the extent that a thirty day window on some DLC that’s quickly caught up by the competitor platform can’t be.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/...ions-jim-ryan/

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Octodad creator nabs PS4 dev kit within 48 hours

August 30th, 2013, 21:17 Posted By: wraggster

Sony continues indie push with fast turnarounds and developer support

Sony sent Octodad developer Young Horses a PS4 dev kit within two days of requesting it, says SCEA.
Speaking at the GameStop Expo, as reported by PlayStation Lifestyle, SCEA’s Sean Coleman said third-person adventure game Octodad, which started out as a school project, was up and running on the console within three weeks of the developer receiving the dev kit.

Sony has been heavily pushing indie support of late, promoting its self-publishing options and snapping up a number of timed console exclusives for the PS4 and Vita, such as Mike Bithell’s Volume, Vlambeer’s Wasteland Kings and Dennaton Games' Hotline Miami 2.
Despite revealing such a quick turnaround however, it is not yet clear how much development kits for the console will cost.
“In our pursuit of trying to create the best place to play, PlayStation has worked alongside revolutionary indie developers to give them the tools needed to self publish to the PlayStaion Store quickly and easily,” said Coleman.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ithin-48-hours

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21 third-party devs delivering exclusive PS4 content

August 30th, 2013, 21:16 Posted By: wraggster

Rockstar, Bungie, Ubisoft, Activision and Bethesda partner with Sony

The PS4 will receive exclusive game content from 21 third-party developers.
SCEA’s Sean Coleman revealed the list at the GameStop Expo, as reported by Gematsu, and showed off partnerships with Rockstar, Bungie, Activision, Ubisoft, Insomniac, Sumo Digital and Bethesda.

The list does not include the plethora of indie titles also set to hit the platform after launch.
“We’ve forged great third-party partnerships with some of the biggest developers to bring exclusive game content to PlayStation gamers which creates the best place to play,” said Coleman.
You can view the all the recently announced companies set to deliver exclusive PS4 game content below.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ve-PS4-content

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Sony ends PlayStation Home updates in Japan

August 30th, 2013, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

Plans to drop new content in Asia puts platform's future in doubt

There will be no new content or updates for PlayStation Home in Japan from September, Sony has announced.
Support for the social game platform throughout Asia will also be dropped from March next year.

The North American and European versions of PlayStation Home will continue to receive new content however.
It is currently unclear what Sony’s plans are for the future of PlayStation Home. Develophas asked Home developers what the future holds for the service, and has been told that Sony has yet to inform them of its plans.
But the lack of any announcements for PlayStation Home on PS4 to date appears to suggest the virtual world could be set to end with the PS3.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...dates-in-Japan

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PlayStation Store US supports operator billing ahead of GTA V launch

August 30th, 2013, 21:04 Posted By: wraggster

Stateside integration comes following a UK debut almost two months ago.
Sony partnered mobile payments company Boku at the start of July to integrate direct operator billing into the PlayStation Store UK, a move that allows British gamers to pay for content through their monthly bills.
The solution is useful for those that don't have cards to make payments with, and is particularly popular in emerging markets.
Sony and Boku have now added the operator-based solution to the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and Sony Entertainment Network in the US.
Interestingly, the integration comes ahead of September 17th GTA V release, which is perhaps the most anticipated PS3 game launch of the year.
Americans will be able top up their PlayStation account 'wallets' by choosing mobile as the preferred option, which must be verified through SMS.
They can use their bills to pay for downloadable games, add-ons, TV shows, Sony's subscription-based Music Unlimited service, films and more – just as long as they're subscribed to the select group of operators, which Sony is yet to clarify.
Eric Lempel, VP, Sony Network Entertainment International, said: "Offering customers the best entertainment content across the PlayStation Store and Sony Entertainment Network is our top priority.
"Mobile billing is another secure and convenient way for users to fund their wallet for immediate access to the content they want."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-launch/022269

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Vita firmware 2.61 released

August 30th, 2013, 01:24 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has released Vita firmware update 2.61.
According to the platform holder, the update has been designed to improve system software stability during use of some features.
Sony's handheld business is currently in decline, which prompted the company to announce a Vita price cut for Europe, the US and Australia last week at Gamescom. The firm slashed the handheld's price in Japan in February.
Asked whether he thinks Vita will be Sony's final portable gaming system, and if the company can continue to participate in the handheld market in the long-term, PlayStation development boss Shuhei Yoshida told CVGlast week: "Yeah I think we can still pursue it, and I don't think we have to make that decision now.
"Also, the distinction between the portables and mobile is [blurring], because there are all kinds of hybrids, different form factors and operating systems can still be conceived, in terms of how we characterise portable and mobile. We still like PS Vita and we know people who buy it really like it."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-261-released/

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PlayStation: We don't need to give anything away for free

August 30th, 2013, 00:08 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has shrugged off Xbox One's FIFA 14 giveaway.
The platform holder told MCV that it would only need to offer free games at launch if pre-orders were low, and that PS4 demand is currently much higher than expected.
Xbox announced at Gamescom that FIFA 14 would be included with every pre-order of Xbox One, a move that Xbox Europe VP Chris Lewis described a s a 'big bet' for the company.
But PlayStation Europe boss Jim Ryan told MCV: “We have over 1m pre-orders, so why would we need to do that? We had to switch off day one pre-orders, we are now onto day two, so why would we pour gasoline onto the fire?
“Platform holders and publishers run pre-order campaigns, and if you need to increase momentum then they dial it up a little bit with some promotional stuff, it’s a rational thing to do. But do we need to do that? No. We don't need to give anything away for free.”
SCE UK MD Fergal Gara added: “We don’t need to do anything to drive pre-orders, which this offer appears to be focused at. I’d point out the price of the PS4 and FIFA 14, if you bought both at full whack, it is still less than an Xbox One.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/plays...r-free/0120546

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GameStop announces FIFA 14 £5.97 trade-in deal

August 30th, 2013, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster

With a little less than a month to go before its release, the battle to win FIFA 14 mindshare appears to have begun.
GameStop.co.uk has revealed a similar trade-in scheme to that it is running for Grand Theft Auto V.
Punters who lay down £39.97 on a copy of FIFA 14 on either Xbox 360 or PS3 will receive alongside the game an envelope into which they can place two games from this quite extensive list.
Once the retailer gets your games it will refund you £34 within 10 days.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/games...n-deal/0120555

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PS4 and Xbox One FIFA 14 has 10x the animations of current gen game

August 29th, 2013, 23:59 Posted By: wraggster

EA has outlined some of the reasons why gamers may want to either hold out for next-gen FIFA 14 or buy the game a second time when PS4 and Xbox One are released.
"There were two things we did straight away," FIFA franchise boss David Rutter told Eurogamer when asked about how the team began approaching the next-gen game some two years ago.
"One was bump it up to 1080p and see if it made a difference, because 1080p's expensive. It's a lot of graphics. We were sceptical going into it, but came out being glad we did it, because it makes a significant difference. That was the most performance expensive thing we did initially.
“[Secondly] we've got roughly ten times the animation on Xbox One and PS4 than on current gen consoles. We wanted to improve the behaviours of the players and the AI. A lot of that is around physics and decision making and the way they move, and we've got roughly four times the processing of decisions.
"The feature's called Pro Instincts, and it's based around the processing power of the new consoles allowing us to have players almost predict the future.
“The player on the pitch is running along and a tackle comes in ahead of him. Currently two things happen – he either hits the leg or he doesn't hit the leg. This new generation of consoles we have every nuance of possible collision, and trying to position himself not to collide."
Rutter went on to add that while the extra detail afforded to the fully-3D crowds might not affect the gameplay, it certainly has a big impact on the game’s atmosphere.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ps4-a...n-game/0120560

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EU PS store update: Spelunky, Saints Row 4 DLC

August 29th, 2013, 01:04 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has detailed the latest PlayStation Store content update for Europe.
This week's highlights include the release of Spelunky for Vita, Saints Row 4 DLC, plus Assassin's Creed 3 and Jak and Daxter Trilogy for PS Plus subscribers.

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PS4 challenge will be meeting demand, says Sony

August 28th, 2013, 23:26 Posted By: wraggster

Sony Europe head Jim Ryan questions "odd" Xbox One FIFA promotion, defends bottom line benefit of indie push
Sony


When Sony launches the PlayStation 4 later this year, the company's big challenge will be shipping the hardware as fast as it sells. That's according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan, speaking with Metro at Gamescom last week. Ryan first broached the subject when asked if Sony would be launching its own promotion to counter Microsoft's deal with EA to give away copies of FIFA 14 with every Xbox One preorder in Europe.
"Why should we do that," Ryan asked. "Our problem is gonna be matching supply to demand. It's perfectly rational when a platform holder, or indeed a publisher, runs a pre-order campaign to engage in promotional behaviour to dial it up if you feel it's not where you need it to be. That's a rational thing for any businessman to do."
Ryan noted that Sony was happy with its current figures, adding that company has halted preorders for launch-day systems and consumers are now reserving hardware for subsequent shipments.
"So why would we go out and add something," Ryan asked. "Giving away stuff on day one of a new platform launch, in my mind it's kind of odd."
At the moment, Sony is just ramping up factory production on PS4 systems. The problem, if there's going to be one at all, would be "driven by demand being greater than we thought rather than inadequacy of supply," Ryan said.
Ryan also commented on Sony's public push to get indie games on the PS4. While such titles may not sell as well as their AAA counterparts, Ryan said the strategy should have some very clear benefits to the bottom line. He pointed to Thatgamecompany's trio of PS3 games, flOw, Flower, and Journey, saying they have been unquestionably "platform enhancing"
"They've certainly repaid whatever financial investment we made in them, those boxes are ticked," Ryan said. "But I would argue that those games have achieved breakout, and have really worked and worked well to improve the credibility and overall attractiveness of the PS3 platform. Indeed to the extent that we're sticking them on a Blu-ray disc and selling them in the stores. Not all of those other indie games are going to achieve that, and some will just go to establishing a critical mass of credible indie games. But you will get breakout with one or two, and they will do that."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ng-demand-sony

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Sony apologises for Grand Theft Auto V PS4 gaffe

August 28th, 2013, 21:21 Posted By: wraggster

Whoops. Sony has put its foot in it for a second time surrounding Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V.
The Sony UK Twitter account last night sent certain quarters of the video games fandom into convulsions when it name-dropped Grand Theft Auto V… on PS4.


Speculation about a possible next-gen release for the game continues, despite the fact that Rockstar has made no allusions to such a possibility.
The closest it has come are comments made last month when Rockstar North president Leslie Benzie said: “We'll get the current gen version out first and see what happens in the future.”
Over the weekend a Sony Europe error saw the full download of Grand Theft Auto V go live on PSNfor PS3 owners who pre-ordered the game. While the full game itself remained locked, industrious hackers were able to access some of the game files and begin leaking information online.
The download has now been pulled, with European PSN users who pre-order the game now being told that they will be able to pre-load the title on September 13^th – four days ahead of the game’s worldwide release.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...-gaffe/0120514

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Vita version of Rayman Legends delayed until September

August 28th, 2013, 21:18 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft has announced a delay to Rayman Legends on Sony’s PlayStation Vita.
The game was due to arrive on the handheld alongside Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U this Friday (August 30^th).
However, a Ubisoft rep has confirmed to Pocket Gamer that the Vita SKU will now not land until September 13^th "in order to apply the final level of polish gamers expect from a Rayman game".
Two weeks is, in truth, not a very long wait, but the game’s tremendous critical reception – it currently has a 91 per cent average on both PS3 and Wii U on Metacritic – might make it a little harder to bear.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/vita-...tember/0120522

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Sony: 'Killzone Mercenary will fill quality-FPS void'

August 28th, 2013, 21:11 Posted By: wraggster

Killzone Mercenary will deliver the console-grade FPS experience currently missing from handhelds, says Sony.
The platform holder believes the latest entry in its Killzone franchise is capable of mimicking the console shooter experience and offering it on Vita.
“Killzone Mercenary will deliver an truly uncompromised, home console-grade experience on a handheld device and promises to fill the quality-FPS void,” says Josh Walker, UK product manager.
Killzone is one of Vita’s flagship products this year and is therefore the subject of a major advertising campaign, with TV, online and print activity.
The firm is also letting PS Plus users try the Killzone beta from this week.
Walker added: “The response from media so far has been overwhelming with incredibly positive feedback. We’re working closely with all our retail partners to maximise awareness and presence, and drive intent to purchase for a true triple-A Vita title.
“We want to let the game do the talking and let people experience first-hand a quality FPS on PS Vita.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...s-void/0120527

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Smartphone app can remotely turn on PS4s for downloads

August 28th, 2013, 21:10 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's president of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed an interesting bit of functionality for PS4.
Speaking on Twitter, the exec revealed that consumers who buy a PS4 title using the corresponding smartphone app can remotely prompt their PS4 consoles to turn on and download the game.
The machine will turn itself off once it’s done.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ps4-s...nloads/0120530

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"27% of British mums would let their children play Grand Theft Auto V"

August 28th, 2013, 21:09 Posted By: wraggster

Y’know, there’s a reason why there’s a big red 18 on the front of the box.
A new survey has found that over a quarter – 27 per cent, in fact – of British mothers would let their children play Grand Theft Auto V despite its overtly adult content.
Interesting, just 23 per cent of mums answered yes when asked if they would allow their kids to play an unspecified 18-rated title. The power of the GTA brand, perhaps? Would we see the same result with Call of Duty?
“Many of our users believe that banning their children from playing certain games would only make them want to play them even more,” Babies.co.uk MD James Macfarlane stated. “They think that it is safer for their children to play these games under their own roof where they can keep an eye on them.”
ConsoleDeals.co.uk’s Phil Jones added: “Some parents argue that mature video games are no worse than what their children see on television and in films.
“Most parents would be shocked if they knew the level of violence in games like Grand Theft Auto. We would advise that parents always check the certificate rating and do some broader research before buying games for their children.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/27-of...auto-v/0120531

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