Yakuza: Of The End confirmed for the west

October 6th, 2011, 00:11 Posted By: wraggster

Yakuza: Of The End will be released in the west in March 2012 under the name Yakuza: Dead Souls.
The game is a spin-off from the main Yakuza series, a thirdperson shooter starring protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and cohorts as they try to survive in a zombie-infested Kabukicho.
Gary Knight, senior vice president of marketing at Sega, said: "We know how much people love Yakuza in the west and with Dead Souls being the latest and greatest in the franchise it's only right we bring it to them closer to the Japanese release than ever."
The announcement was very much expected, following the discovery last week that Sega had applied for the Yakuza: Dead Souls trademark in Europe.
We reviewed the Japanese release of Yakuza: Of The End in E232, awarding it seven out of ten and saying: "While shooting zombies in the head is undoubtedly fun, then, it's made more so by the sub-missions, the distractions, the characters and, of course, the opportunity to take to familiar streets that are wrecked and torn into unfamiliar shapes."

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/yakuza-end-confirmed-west

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Sony Bringing PSN Pass To All First-Party Games

October 6th, 2011, 00:06 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has confirmed that going forward, all first-party games will use the PSN Pass to force used game buyers to pay an extra $10 just for the right to play the multiplayer component of used games they buy for the PS3.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/1...st-party-games

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FRONTIER 1337 - version 0.3.0

October 5th, 2011, 12:57 Posted By: Atien

FRONTIER 1337 is a port for PSP from the 1993 Atari version of the game "FRONTIER - Elite II".
For those who still don't know this game, here is the intro sequence :

Here is the changelog for this new version :

• 30% speed improvement!
• Choice between fullscreen and original resolution at the begining.
• Select button is now also used to switch between radar and missiles.
• The game engine FPS can be show/hide by pressing right trigger plus select button.
• Now, you have to press CROSS button to pass the police arrest.
• Hold R trigger for moving the mouse cursor slowly (thanks JLF65 from DCEmu for the help).
• Hold R trigger and press D-pad UP to force mis-jump.
• Brand new PSP splashscreen and icon.

As always, for a better framerate result, set the level of shape detail to 'low' in the setup screen (start button), and disable things like 'Space dust, clouds etc' and 'Background stars'...

Don't try to change commander's name when you are saving your game. If you want to change it, rename the file in the savs folder.

You can find useful informations about the game on the official website, or about FRONTIER - Elite II in general at Frontierverse


INSTALLATION

Just unpack/copy FRONTIER_1337 folder to MS_ROOT/PSP/GAME
If you want sound, download the MUSIC and SFX packages, and place them in the FRONTIER_1337/data folder.


CONTROLS

Analog-stick - Move the cursor through the screen
Hold R trigger while moving the mouse cursor for a more slow and precise movment
SQUARE - Used like the left mouse clic to select things with the cursor
CROSS - Used like the right mouse clic + "p" key to get through the police arrest thing
Hold CROSS + Analog-stick - Roll the vessel
Hold CROSS + SQUARE - Fire laser beam
Hold CROSS + D-pad UP - Zoom-in with the camera in external view
Hold CROSS + D-pad DOWN - Zoom-out with the camera in external view
D-pad - Rotate the camera in external view, and make ravel the galactic chart or the stockmarket list
TRIANGLE - Rear propulsion to increase speed
CIRCLE - Front propulsion to decrease speed
L and R triggers - Choose the functions that where directly available on PC with F1 to F10 keys
L + R - Validate the choosen function
Start - Go to the option screen
Select - Switch between radar and missiles
R + D-pad UP - Force mis-jump
R + Select - Show/hide game engine FPS


COMPILATION

The sourcecode is included in the package. Use Minimalist PSPSDK to compile the game.
For unknown reasons, the game only compiles with the 0.10.0 version. If someone wants to take a look, the error is located in the screen.c function void Screen_Init(void).
Your computer must have loads of RAM to compile the huge generated C file.

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All Sony online games to use PSN Pass

October 5th, 2011, 00:43 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has confirmed that an online pass system “will be incorporated into Uncharted 3 and future Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios games with online functionality".
"We will provide further information in the future,” the firm told Destructoid.
In June, Sony announced plans to introduce an online pass system which would see new copies of select firstparty games ship with a single-use code required to access their full online feature set, beginning with September’s Resistance 3.
"This program will be game-specific,” it said at the time. “This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/all-son...s-use-psn-pass

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PSN Import section launches this week

October 5th, 2011, 00:40 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's PSN Import programme begins this week, with three lesser-known Japanese PlayStation games to launch on the European PlayStation Store.
All three ports have been handled by MonkeyPaw games, which has been busily converting obscure Japanese PSOne games to PS3 since PSN Imports launched in the US last September.
First is Arc The Lad, G-Craft's tactical RPG which was first released in Japan in 1995. It's joined by 1996 vertically-scrolling shooterSonic Wings Special, and Cho Aniki, a resolutely Japanese shooter accurately described by the PlayStation Blog as "a comic display of homoerotic, over-the-top graphics and Japanese wackiness on every level."
Sony announced in August that it had completed work on NTSC-J and NTSC-U PSOne emulators for PlayStation 3. All games released as part of the programme will be in their original form and require 60Hz displays to run properly.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/psn-imp...-launches-week

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The PlayStation Vita box, launch apps

October 3rd, 2011, 23:56 Posted By: wraggster

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PS3 CHART: Ico & SotC Collection makes 3rd place debut

October 3rd, 2011, 23:30 Posted By: wraggster

As expected FIFA 12 comes out on top of the UK PlayStation 3 sales chart this week and is closely followed by Codemasters' F1 2011.

Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection makes its debut on the PS3 chart at No.3, pushing Insomniac's Resistance 3 down to No.4.

Also suffering a bit of a stumble is Dead Island, which falls from No.2 to No.5.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution takes a less severe drop and moves from No.5 to No.6 and is followed by Driver: San Francisco at No.7, Call of Duty: Black Ops at No.8 and Gran Turismo 5, which had new DLC announced last week, at No.9.

Bringing the top ten to a close is 505 Games' Rugby World Cup 2011.

Here's how the top ten for the week of ending October 1 reads:

01. FIFA 12 (EA)
02. F1 2011 (Codemasters)
03. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection (Sony)
04. Resistance 3 (Sony)
05. Dead Island (Deep Silver)
06. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Square Enix)
07. Driver: San Francisco (Ubisoft)
08. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision)
09. Gran Turismo 5 (Sony)
10. Rugby World Cup 2011 (505 Games)

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...d-place-debut/

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PS2 games going digital in 'Only on PlayStation Network' campaign

October 3rd, 2011, 23:21 Posted By: wraggster

As if you don't have enough games to worry about this torrential fall, Sony is adding to the downpour with its "Only on PlayStation Network" campaign. Every Tuesday this month, we'll not only be getting exclusives but a selection of "rare classic games" including God Hand, GrimGrimoire, Maximo, Odin Sphere and Ring of Red, all coming tomorrow. (We guess that since your PS3 doen't play PS2 games any more, those really are only on PSN.)

Industry Gamers reports PlayStation Plus members get every title at 20 percent off during launch week and those that spend more than $60 in October on the service will get a $10 credit for November. We're unclear on what other PS2 games to expect, but here's the lineup of PSN exlusives so you can plan your buying accordingly:

• October 4 - Eufloria and Rochard
• October 11 - Sideway: New York
• October 13 - Sodium Collection
• October 18 - Okabu and RocketBirds
• October 25 - inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood and PixelJunk Sidescroller

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Come, ogle the European Vita box and learn about the launch screen

October 3rd, 2011, 23:17 Posted By: wraggster

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Uncharted 3 'Multiplayer Experience' live for PS Plus members in EMEA, AU/NZ this wee

October 3rd, 2011, 23:15 Posted By: wraggster

It seems that Subway and Naughty Dog's bizarre "Taste for Adventure" campaigndoesn't extend past US borders, as Uncharted 3's "Multiplayer Experience" heads to other parts of the world this Wednesday without help from the sandwich chain. The only caveat? You must have a subscription to PlayStation Plus to join in.

Sony's EU blog announced as much this morning, detailing the "Multiplayer Experience" as a chance for gamers in "Europe, South Africa, The Middle East, Australia and New Zealand" to check out U3's multiplayer -- post-beta -- for a full month before the game's early November launch. Don't fret, frugal non-PS Plus subscriber, as the announce additionally teases "other ways to gain access" to the multiplayer... thing via the PS blog and community forums.

Like the US version, participants will be able to carry over "key aspects" of their multiplayer experience to the retail version, such as XP. Other details are unfortunately scant, but Sony promises more soon.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/un...us-members-in/

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Current Assassin's Creed arc seeking resolution by 2012's end

October 3rd, 2011, 23:14 Posted By: wraggster

Though Ubisoft's accounting and marketing departments probably have a greater say in the practice of annualizing Assassin's Creed (y'all keep buying it every year!), the people in charge of the franchise's elaborate fiction have their own impetus in the form of a ticking clock.

With Assassin's Creed: Revelations concluding Ezio's extended quest (and the "Embers" animated short providing a dignified epilogue), the plot's modern component -- starring feeble hoodie-hermit Desmond -- is set to run its course by the end of 2012, just in time for next year's AC outing. Creative lead Alexandre Amancio explains it to Eurogamer: "In Assassin's Creed we set up a timeline with this whole end of the world plot of December 2012. That's fast approaching, and the story we have to tell, we obviously need to do it before we arrive at that point."

Desmond's tale is far from being the final one in Assassin's Creed, but Amancio believes that having the current protagonist's dilemma linger after calendar 2013 would be "stupid," given the authors' efforts to run parallel to reality. "It would be stupid of us to be centring [sic] a game on a semi-reality and then have that conclusion happen after that date in real life," he says.

That's assuming we all survive beyond 2012 anyway.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/cu...-by-2012s-end/

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No five-year wait for next SSX, says EA

October 3rd, 2011, 22:56 Posted By: wraggster

SSX is on course to become a regularly released series again, EA has told MCV.
The last title in the franchise was 2007 Wii title SSX Blur. But with SSX making its comeback next January on Xbox 360 and PS3, EA wants to ensure fans don’t have to wait as long for the next instalment.
“We don’t want to wait another five years to bring it out again on PS4 or Xbox 720 or whatever,” SSX communications boss Duke Indrasigamany told MCV.
“But it depends on when the next consoles are due. I don’t know what Microsoft or Sony are planning, but if SSX is successful there’s a lot of things we could really explore. We don’t want to see this franchise go away for a long time. We want to make another one.”
The first SSX arrived on PS2 in 2000. EA says it’s going to be difficult to not only bring the IP back, but also appeal to younger players during the quiet January release window.
Indrasigamany added: “It’s been a long time since the last SSX and although there’s a lot of old school fans out there, it’s going to be a challenge to bring it to the current generation of gamers. But we really want to bring this franchise back.
“It’s also hard to say what sort of consumer mindsets and wallets will be saying after Christmas, but we feel January is the time the team needs to get it done at a level of quality EA Sports will be proud of.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/no-fi...says-ea/085743

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Bloody Roar 5 announced

October 3rd, 2011, 22:39 Posted By: wraggster

Hudson revealed its intention to capitalise on the rebirth of the fighting game with the announcement this weekend of Bloody Roar 5.
In a brief message on Twitter, the developer said: "New Bloody Roar sequel is in production! We'll post more soon," with hashtags implying that the game is planned for release next year.
This will be the first appearance of the series - which first appeared in arcades and on PlayStation in 1997 - since 2003 PlayStation 2 release Bloody Roar 4.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/bloody-roar-5-announced

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PS2 classics hit PSN this week

October 3rd, 2011, 22:37 Posted By: wraggster

A selection of "rare classic games" will be made available on the US PlayStation Store this week, according to Industry Gamers.
The move is part of Only On PlayStation Network, Sony's bid to draw attention to the range of exclusive games available from its PlayStation 3 download store. On October 4, PS2 classics including Capcom's high-camp brawler God Hand and hack-and-slash titleMaximo: Ghosts To Glory, Konami's strategy game Ring Of Red, and Vanillaware titles Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire will be released.
As well as the old classics, October will also see the release of a host of PSN exclusives, starting on October 4 with Eufloria andRochard. Sideway: New York follows next week, with Sodium Collection due on October 13. Okabu and Rocketbirds launch on October 18 and, the following week, InFamous 2 expansion Festival Of Blood and Pixeljunk Sidescroller will be released.
PlayStation Plus subscribers will get a 20 per cent discount on all games released in the promotion, and those that spend $60 on the store during October will receive $10 credit for purchases in November.
We've contacted SCEE to ascertain whether the promotion only applies to the United States or will be rolled out worldwide, and are waiting to hear back from Capcom whether the PS2 games will be in original form or upscaled to HD.
UPDATE: We've had the following statement from Sony: "The Only On PlayStation Network programme is for the SCEA region only. However, we will be bringing the majority of the content to the SCEE audience, including classic PS2 titles. We have numerous exciting offers that we will be introducing to PSN users throughout our region in the lead up to Christmas and look forward to sharing these with you."

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/ps2-classics-hit-psn-week

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Australian commissioner clears Sony of privacy charges

October 3rd, 2011, 20:52 Posted By: wraggster

The Australian Privacy Commissioner has declared that Sony Australia broke no privacy laws in its handling of the PSN breach earlier this year.
Although the Commissioner made clear that Sony should have communicated the extent of the breach to its customers more quickly, the legal investigation into culpability for the data loss has concluded that the loss occurred as a: "result of a sophisticated security cyber attack on the Network Platform's systems."
The office, which only has jurisdiction over Sony's Australian branch, also pointed out that the information itself was actually held by a different division of the company in California, reportsGamasutra.
The office judged Sony Australia to have responded to the crisis with due diligence in order to protect any further theft of its customers' information.
"The Privacy Commissioner was also satisfied with how the incident was dealt with following the breach in terms of the extra security measures that have been implemented to help protect personal information," reads the commissioners report.
However, some criticism was reserved for the speed with which Sony informed customers about the security breach.
"Given his concerns over the period that elapsed before Sony notified its customers, the Privacy Commissioner strongly recommended that Sony review how it applies the OIAC's Guide to handling personal information security breaches."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...rivacy-charges

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Japanese PS Vita downloads limited to 20mb over 3G

October 3rd, 2011, 20:50 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's PlayStation Vita will have a 20mb filesize limit for 3G downloads for its Japanese launch, in line with Apple's similar policy on downloading over a mobile data network.
On Apple devices, download filesize is also limited to 20mb unless connected by wireless, a limit which Sony has decided to emulate, reports Japanese blog ASCII, translated by Andriasang.
Sony has indicated that this number may change in the future. Sony Europe has been contacted for clarification on whether the limit will apply to European territories too. Sony is yet to announce pricing or carrier parters for the UK.
Download speeds on the 3G model Vita are fixed to 128kbps down, with upload rates capped at 64kbps, allowing Sony's Japanese mobile carrier partner NTT DoCoMo to sell 3G access cards by the hour. However, the 100 hour card, priced at ¥4,980, grants users 3 hours of free high speed, 14 mbs down and 5.7 mbs up usage.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...o-20mb-over-3g

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Sony Ericsson lends hand to FreeXperia devs, shows love for CyanogenMod 7.1

October 3rd, 2011, 20:44 Posted By: wraggster

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PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach

October 3rd, 2011, 20:40 Posted By: wraggster

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rpcs3 SVN r28

October 3rd, 2011, 02:22 Posted By: wraggster

rpcs3 SVN r28 is released. rpcs3 is an open source PlayStation 3 (PS3) emulator for the Microsoft Windows. Current versions can run only small homebrew for PS3. Developers are planning to make it to emulate PS3 on its speed in the near future.

rpcs3 purpose:
- Make PS3 developers easily test their apps and homebrews on PC without crashing their PS3 or moving their apps from PC to PS3.
- Just playing PS3 games on your PC and have fun! ( In the future )

rpcs3 SVN Changelog:
r28
- Implemented "DisAsm & Interpreter" mode.
- Implemented SPU emulating.
- Fixed crash in NullMemoryBlock read mode.
- Implemented loading flags from ".got", ".data.sceFStub" and ".rodata.sceFNID" sections.
- Fixed seek for FS syscalls.
- Emulated more PPU instructions.

http://down.emucr.com/v2/1gwf8bd8u2aabt7

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PCSX2 SVN r4920

October 3rd, 2011, 02:21 Posted By: wraggster

PCSX2 SVN r4920 is released. PCSX2 is an open source PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulator for the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. With the most recent versions, many PS2 games are playable (although speed limitations have made play-to-completion tests for many games impractical), and several games are claimed to have full functionality.

PCSX2 SVN Changelog:
r4920
i18n: long-awaited update. Big changes on pt_BR/sv_SE/zh_*
cmake: install also the man page

http://www.emucr.com/2011/09/pcsx2-svn-r4920.html

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