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PSP News is a News and downloads site for the PSP, PSVita, PS4, PS3, PS2 and PSOne, We have all the latest emulators, hack and custom firmwares, homebrew and all the downloads on this site, we also cover commercial gaming and console news., the latest homebrew and releases, Part of the
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April 27th, 2011, 19:44 Posted By: wraggster
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is to investigate Sony over the ongoing hacking scandal on PlayStation Network, it has been confirmed.
ICO is a non-departmental public body reporting directly to Parliament and deals primarily with the Data Protection Act and other related legislation.
Speaking to sister siteEurogamer, officials have confirmed that it will investigate Sony in order to discover whether proper security safeguards were taken.
"The Information Commissioner's Office takes data protection breaches extremely seriously," said a representative. "Any business or organisation that is processing personal information in the UK must ensure they comply with the law, including the need to keep data secure.
"We have recently been informed of an incident which appears to involve Sony. We are contacting Sony and will be making further enquiries to establish the precise nature of the incident before deciding what action, if any, needs to be taken by this office."
Although the exact nature and sophistication of the hacker attack is not clear the fact that Sony has already confirmed that passwords, and user data such as names and addresses, have been obtained implies that they were not properly encrypted - or not encrypted at all.
The latter in particular could cause Sony considerable legal and publicity problems if true, although currently much of customer's anger is directed at the perceived slowness of the company's approach to the problem and the lack of information on the breach.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ver-psn-breach
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April 27th, 2011, 19:39 Posted By: wraggster
Users told: We believe your details have been taken
PlayStation Network customers are beginning to receive email warnings regarding the service's extraordinary security threat.
In a mass-email the PlayStation firm writes:
“We believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address, country, email address, birth-date, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID.”
It is likely that the email was sent to every single active PSN user.
Sony announced in January this year that over 69 million people have registered a PlayStation Network account.
Yesterday Sony revealed that the data of "possibly all" PSN users had got into the hands of an unauthorised individual.
So far the stolen information has not led to reports of illicit credit card activity or identity theft, Sony claims.
“Not at this point in time,” the firm said yesterday.
It cannot be ruled out that credit card data was taken as part of the hack, Sony added, and judging by the perceived scale of the security alert, the likelihood of PSN credit card fraud is high.
In the mass-email, the company continued:
“It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained.
“If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence that credit card data was taken at this time, we cannot rule out the possibility”.
Since the announcement last night, a flood of PSN users have asked their banks to change their credit card details.
Passwords have been wiped and some credit ratings have been put on 'fraud alert'
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...-for-PSN-users
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April 27th, 2011, 19:37 Posted By: wraggster
Sony's PSN terms and conditions suggest the company isn't liable for the loss of customers' personal information.
As spotted by Edge, the firm's T&Cs read: "We exclude all liability for loss of data or unauthorised access to your data, Sony Online Network account or Sony Online Network wallet and for damage caused to your software or hardware as a result of using or accessing Sony Online Network."
However, the Information Commissioners Office, an independent UK authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, told the site: "While we are unable to say where the data is being stored at present, if it was in the UK, this clause would not free them from their obligations under the UK Data Protection Act.
"If we found a breach, one of the actions we could take would be to issue an undertaking, which is an agreement between the ICO and the company that if they are handling personal information they have to bring about set improvements in order for them to be compliant with the act."
The ICO added: "If the company is not compliant with the act within a certain time limit, further action would be taken and we might consider an enforcement notice or issue a monetary penalty. For serious breaches of the act, we can issue a monetary penalty up to £500,000."
The PlayStation Network has been out of action for a week following a security breach that has resulted in the theft of customers' personal data
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS
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April 27th, 2011, 19:35 Posted By: wraggster
Execs at Cohort, Zoe Mode, Curve and Doublesix express their views
The substantial security threat that has rocked the PlayStation Network could trigger widespread mistrust in digital distribution, a group of studios have said.
Several leading digital games studios have told Develop the infamous PSN hack may not only impact on Sony’s troubled service, but the digital distribution process as a whole.
“There’s a real concern that PSN users will have lost a lot of trust,” said Lol Scragg, CEO of Dundee studio Cohort.
“The PSN market could well decrease after this,” he said.
“There are so many issues for consumers to think about now”.
Cohort is set to close down in a matter of weeks, and its final game – Me Monstar – could miss its release due to the ongoing PSN blackout.
“Our concern is that people just will not be able to purchase our game as it launches next week,” Scragg said.
A ‘LITTLE STEP BACK’
Scragg’s views are to an extent echoed by Ste Curran, the creative director of Kuju Entertainment's Zoe Mode studio in Brighton.
“From my perspective, the bigger issue is not about PSN, but confidence in digital distribution generally,” Curran said.
“For every story like this that breaks in the mainstream press, consumer confidence about their details being safe is eroded. Confidence [in online transactions] has been building up, and I think will continue to, but this is a blip. It could be a little step back,” he added.
Zoe Mode’s music-based puzzle game, Chime Super Deluxe, launched on the PlayStation Network late in March.
One studio – speaking anonymously to Develop – said the network downtime has cost them thousands of pounds. Yet Curran said it would be hard to quantify revenue losses.
He also appeared convinced that the backlash against Sony has more bark than bite.
“There’s a lot of noise on the internet right now about people saying ‘oh I’ll never use PSN again etcetera’, but a lot of that is due to this ongoing rivalry between Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 fanboys, and I think a lot of these comments of abandoning PlayStation are from people that don’t have a console in the first place,” he said.
Curran’s faith in digital distribution has not been significantly affected by the PSN data scare.
‘IT GOES BEYOND PSN’
“Digital distribution is the future, and it’s awesome,” he said.
“I just think people will be a bit more hesitant to [buy content digitally] like this in the future. Not just on PSN, but on Xbox 360 and other non-game related services as well.
“I don’t think this is a case of people thinking PSN is vulnerable. This is about every single digital distribution system”.
Yesterday Sony said it shut down the PlayStation Network for seven consecutive days after a “malicious” attack on the online system.
Credit card details, user information and passwords have been compromised. The issue may affect every single PSN user, Sony said. More information can be found here.
Ed Fear, publishing producer at London-based Curve Studios, remains faithful that Sony will resolve the issue.
“I’m concerned that users will be wary of re-entering their credit card details into the system, which will likely affect PSN sales,” he said.
“Naturally, there’s an issue of the lost sales over this period where the system has been down.
“But ultimately, I think Sony will sort us and everyone else out – they’ve done a lot of work encouraging developers to PSN and they’re not going to let all that go to waste now.”
In February, Curve Studios released on PSN its distinct platform title Explodemon.
‘WE CAN HOLD OUR RELEASE BACK’
The studio head at fellow UK PSN studio, Doublesix, said it was unfortunate that a service like the PlayStation Network has been out under such an unflattering light.
“It's obviously a sad turn of events,” he told Develop.
“Our colleagues at Sony have such a great games service and every day that it's down hurts the wider gaming community.
“Our studio hasn't been affected too greatly, we were just preparing a release, but we can afford to hold it back. Our sympathy goes out to the studios who've only just released a game or were due to release last week.
“My greater concern is how this will affect video game consumers behaviour across all the digital platforms, including PSN, XBLA, Steam, iTunes and the rest,” he said.
“Consumers have been more ready to purchase games and other content online, and this may rock their confidence, become a set back that affects us all.
“Of course, it's only a blip, but one that the world of digital games delivery could do without. Only time will tell.”
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...t-could-follow
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April 27th, 2011, 19:30 Posted By: wraggster
Only a few tables left for May 11th event as new Joint-Headline sponsor comes on board
The prize pot at next month’s Develop Quiz just got bigger: One victorious team will get their hands on Sony Ericsson’s new gaming smartphone, the Xperia Play.
The latest award is provided by event co-sponsor Qualcomm, the Californian wireless telecommunications group.
As well as an Xperia Play, the Develop Quiz winning team will take £2,000 ad credit in Develop print or online, plus a bottle of champagne for each team member.
Only a few tables remain for the May 11th event, which takes place in the evening at the Sway Bar, London.
Offering great networking opportunities, games industry firms already attending include Rocksteady, Blitz Games Studios, Creative Assembly, Big Head Games, Peppermint P, Spilt Milk Studios, Harbottle & Lewis and Wave Studios.
Now a regular feature in the Develop calendar, the Quiz gives the UK dev industry an opportunity to find out which studio boasts the most intelligent staff.
Eighteen teams of five will lock horns in a quiz packed with questions on subjects ranging from games to science.
The event, which has a free bar and food, sells out every year.
Networking opportunities come with the chance to let your hair down and argue with other teams about general knowledge.
The second-place prize is lunch with the Develop editorial team, plus champers for each team member. And the team in third place will get a bottle of bubbly each too.
It costs just £219 to enter a team of five. This covers participation in the quiz, free bar and food for all five members of the team.
Avatar Games Recruitment has lent its support as Round Sponsor, while Jagex and Qualcomm have both registered as Joint Headline Sponsor.
Contact Kathryn.Humphrey@intentmedia.co.uk to book one of the final team places.
For sponsorship opportunities contact Alex.Boucher@intentmedia.co.uk
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...t-Develop-Quiz
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April 27th, 2011, 02:26 Posted By: wraggster
Security alert as millions of PlayStation Network users are told of ‘malicious’ attack
An illegal hack into the PlayStation Network may have exposed the personal data of every single user, Sony has warned.
In an admission of the sheer enormity of the security alert, Sony said “our investigation indicates that all PlayStation Network/ Qriocity accounts may be affected”.
Earlier, the company said a “malicious” hack has compromised key info of PlayStation Network users – including credit card data.
Now the platform holder has revealed the attack could put every single account at risk.
In a notice pubished on the PlayStation Blog, the company was asked if all user information had been compromised.
“In terms of possibility, yes,” the company said.
Sony announced in January this year that over 69 million people have registered a PlayStation Network account.
The company added, however, that it has not received any information that PSN data has been used illicitly.
“Not at this point in time,” the firm said.
It cannot be ruled out that credit card data was taken as part of the hack, Sony added, and judging by the perceived scale of the security alert, the likelihood of PSN credit card fraud is high.
A notice will be sent to every single PlayStation Network account holder to warn of identity fraud, Sony said.
The PlayStation 3 manufacturer said it had shut down the PlayStation Network for the past week due to “malicious actions”.
Data thought to be at risk includes user's names, addresses, emails, date of birth, PSN password and login information.
‘BE ON ALERT’
The hack occurred between April 17th and 19th, Sony said.
The company advised US account holders that they can place a “fraud alert” on their personal credit file.
Sony is conducting “a full and complete investigation into what happened”, and claims to have “taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure by re-building our system to provide you with greater protection of your personal information”.
“Be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information” read a statement.
“Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information.
"If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity".
Sony added that it may offer a refud to PSN users.
"When the full services are restored and the length of the outage is known, we will assess the correct course of action," the firm said.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...d-by-data-hack
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April 27th, 2011, 02:20 Posted By: wraggster
Sony has admitted that PlayStation Network account holders may have had their credit card details stolen during the recent, widely-publicised security breach that has kept the service offline for the past week.
So, what does that mean for you? Are your life savings at risk?
UK consumer rights group Which? offers some comfort, explaining that it's very unlikely that PlayStation owners will have to pick up any costs in the event that their credit cards are used for fraudulent activity.
"Unless you've been involved in the fraud or have been grossly negligent – for example, writing down your Pin and leaving it with your card – the most you can be liable for fraud on debit and credit cards is £50, and this is normally waived," reads anFAQ on its site.
If you believe your card has been used for fraudulent activity Which? recommends taking the following action:
"Call your card issuer immediately and cancel your cards. Contact credit reference agencies Experian, Callcredit and Equifax to check no fraudulent applications for credit have been made in your name."
Wedbush Morgan analyst and former lawyer Michael Pachter told Eurogamer that the situation will be similar in the US, with Sony likely to be liable for any losses.
"In the US, none of Sony's customers will have to pay for any fraudulent use of credit information, so Sony will work with the financial institutions to cover any losses," he explained.
"Sony will of course be liable to reimburse PlayStation Plus customers for their downtime. I'm sure that they will provide something (free game downloads or something similar) to recompense customers for the inconvenience caused, which is significant."
Pachter went on to speculate that whoever is responsible for the security breach is probably not interested in your credit card details in any case.
"It's really hard to protect against a determined hacker, and Sony's customers should take solace in the thought that an evil hacker would have been wiser to attack a bank instead of a gaming network. That's my attempt to say that this was probably the work of a show-off, rather than of a thief."
Nevertheless, vigilance is advised. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, recommended to IGNthat PSN users keep a close eye on their accounts.
"You should be monitoring your credit card statements as closely as you monitor the scores of the game, as closely as your monitor your email, as closely as you monitor the weather," he insisted.
"You need to know what's going on at all times regarding your credit card statements, what charges are being made and who is making them."
"If you receive emails that look like they're coming from Sony or PlayStation or whoever - emails that you might be accustomed to already receiving from brands you already trust - be suspect," he added. "Never click on links in the body of the email."
Sony's official advice echoes Siciliano's.
"For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, postal mail or other scams that ask for personal or sensitive information," reads its security breach FAQ.
"Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking.
"Additionally, if you use the same user name or password for your PlayStation Network or Qriocity service account for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them.
"When the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are back on line, we also strongly recommend that you log on to change your password.
"To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to remain vigilant to review your account statements and to monitor your credit reports."
Sony also pointed out that it's only your credit card number and expiration date that may have been compromised, not the security code, diminishing the risk of fraudulent use.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-means-for-you
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April 27th, 2011, 02:16 Posted By: wraggster
Sony Computer Entertainment has finally issued a detailed statement on the PlayStation Network downtime, confirming the possibility that private customer information may have been compromised as a result of "malicious actions."
Although Sony said it expects to have PSN up and running within a week, it admits that between April 17 - April 19, the service suffered an "illegal and unauthorized intrusion" and that the name, address, country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and PSN online ID of users have been obtained by an unauthorised person.
"While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility," wrote Sony's Patrick Seybold on the PlayStation blog.
Out an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.
Patrick Seybold, SCEA
The PlayStation Network currently has over 75 million registered users accessing services on PlayStation 3, PSP and PC.
"If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained."
"For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information," continued Seybold.
"When the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them, as well."
Sony's online PlayStation service was taken offline last Wednesday with few updates given to users as to why they were unable to access multiplayer gaming, purchase content and use online functions for the console.
The full message from Sony Computer Entertainment follows:
"Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve the current outage of PlayStation Network & Qriocity services. We are currently working to send a similar message to the one below via email to all of our registered account holders regarding a compromise of personal information as a result of an illegal intrusion on our systems. These malicious actions have also had an impact on your ability to enjoy the services provided by PlayStation Network and Qriocity including online gaming and online access to music, movies, sports and TV shows. We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week.
We're working day and night to ensure it is done as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and feedback.
Valued PlayStation Network/Qriocity Customer: We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network. In response to this intrusion, we have:
- 1. Temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services;
- 2. Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full and complete investigation into what happened; and
- 3. Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure by re-building our system to provide you with greater protection of your personal information.
We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and goodwill as we do whatever it takes to resolve these issues as quickly and efficiently as practicable.
Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.
For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information. Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them, as well.
To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to remain vigilant, to review your account statements and to monitor your credit reports. We are providing the following information for those who wish to consider it:
U.S. residents are entitled under U.S. law to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free (877) 322-8228.
We have also provided names and contact information for the three major U.S. credit bureaus below. At no charge, U.S. residents can have these credit bureaus place a "fraud alert" on your file that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. This service can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name. Note, however, that because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you, it also may delay your ability to obtain credit while the agency verifies your identity. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts on your file. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, or should you have any questions regarding your credit report, please contact any one of the agencies listed below.
Experian: 888-397-3742; www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
You may wish to visit the web site of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or reach the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580 for further information about how to protect yourself from identity theft. Your state Attorney General may also have advice on preventing identity theft, and you should report instances of known or suspected identity theft to law enforcement, your State Attorney General, and the FTC. For North Carolina residents, the Attorney General can be contacted at 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; telephone (877) 566-7226; or www.ncdoj.gov. For Maryland residents, the Attorney General can be contacted at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; telephone: (888) 743-0023; or www.oag.state.md.us.
We thank you for your patience as we complete our investigation of this incident, and we regret any inconvenience. Our teams are working around the clock on this, and services will be restored as soon as possible. Sony takes information protection very seriously and will continue to work to ensure that additional measures are taken to protect personally identifiable information. Providing quality and secure entertainment services to our customers is our utmost priority. Please contact us at 1-800-345-7669 should you have any additional questions.
Sincerely, Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment"
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ng-psn-attacks
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April 26th, 2011, 23:12 Posted By: wraggster
News via http://www.psp-hacks.com/2011/04/25/...ally-released/
Ready for the masses — DaedalusX64 BETA 3 Update! It’s still beta 3, but it’s an update addressing several issues found in the initial release: improved stability, several speed enhancements and the added support for cheat codes. One release at a time… The N64 emulation movement is growing, getting better.
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April 26th, 2011, 22:54 Posted By: wraggster
News via http://wololo.net/wagic/2011/04/26/v...of-of-concept/
Developer HacKmaN, who works closely with Total_Noob on TN Hen, just released a video showcasing TN Hen on a 6.38 OFW.
A few weeks ago, Total_Noob had announced in this interview that he was investigating Kernel exploits on the latest firmware. He then confirmed he was onto something, by showing a video running a kernel exploit POC on a PSP running OFW 6.38.
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April 26th, 2011, 22:52 Posted By: wraggster
News via http://wololo.net/wagic/2011/04/25/3...s-compo-entry/
Ok, forget about the bad taste joke in the title, this game is plain casual fun, and I think everybody will love the intro. This is Chimecho’s entry to the PSP Genesis competition, a game in which you have to move a ball in moving platforms, and avoid to disappear on top of the screen. Damn, screw my explanations, just watch the youtube video
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April 26th, 2011, 22:47 Posted By: wraggster
News via http://wololo.net/wagic/2011/04/25/l...s-compo-entry/
Knopper’s entry for the PSP Genesis Compo is a nice little app that will secure some of your files on the PSP with a password. This also hides the folders on Windows, which won’t help you if your friends are technical savvy, but might help if your little brother is a bit too curious with your stuff. Yay, now you can finally have porn very secure documents on your PSP that people won’t see.
Download Here
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April 26th, 2011, 21:38 Posted By: wraggster
Sony's failure to notify customers immediately about the hacker attack that shut down the PlayStation Network last week is "troubling" and the firm should provide more information about it, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told the tech giant in a letter Tuesday.
Sony announced Monday it would shut down the gaming network indefinitely after an attack brought it down last week, potentially endangering users' personal information and prompting widespread outrage from online gamers.
"I am concerned that PlayStation Network users’ personal and financial information may have been inappropriately accessed by a third party," Blumenthal wrote to Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach."
Blumenthal claims Sony has yet to notify customers, even a week after the attack, about the breach or provide them with information on how to protect themselves from identity theft.
He argued Sony should provide users with services to protect their financial data, including paying for customers credit reports for two years and insurance for possible identity theft.
"PlayStation Network users deserve more complete information on the data breach, as well as the assurance that their personal and financial information will be securely maintained," the letter states.
Sony has yet to provide details on the incident to the press aside from acknowledging an "external intrusion" that forced the Japanese firm to shut down the popular gaming network.
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-va...rk-data-breach
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April 26th, 2011, 19:55 Posted By: wraggster
Sony's hosting a press event in Tokyo today where it just made the first announcement: a pair of Android 3.0 tablets -- yes, the very two Honeycomb slabs we told you about exclusively back in February. The first is the Qriocity-focused 9.4-inch S1 media tablet with both front- and rear-facing cameras and a curved wrap design that resembles a folded magazine. The S1 features a Tegra 2 SoC and customized "Quick and Smooth" touch panel UI with "Swift" web browser. It can also be used as a remote control for Sony gear thanks to integrated infrared.
The second tablet is the dual-screen S2 clamshell with its pair of 5.5-inch 1,024 x 480 pixel displays, Tegra 2 SoC, and camera. While it sounds bulky, Kunimasa Suzuki just pulled the hinged tablet from his jacket pocket on stage. Sony takes advantage of the two screens with a custom book-style UI layout for its e-reader app, split keyboard and messaging displays for email, and split display and game controllers for PS One gaming. Both the S1 and S2 are PlayStation Certified, support DLNA, and are WiFi and 3G/4G "compatible" according to Sony. See the Sony tablets codenamed "S1" and "S2" in action after the break on their way to a global release in the fall -- possibly sooner in the US.
P.S. While the company isn't ready to talk prices yet, our sources told us back in February that Sony was considering a $599 MSRP on the S1 while the S2 would likely come in at $699. Still no word on theWindows 7 slider but with the other two leaks official, it's now only a matter of time.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/s...ycomb-tablets/
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April 26th, 2011, 19:48 Posted By: wraggster
It's not just Sony and its customers who are currently suffering through the widely-publicisedPSN outage – developers are starting to hurt too.
Q-Games – the studio behind the PSN-exclusive PixelJunk series – has claimed that the downtime is starting to cost it money.
"PSN being out definitely affects our bottom line," boss Dylan Cuthbert told IndustryGamers, "but as long as the people who were going to be playing Shooter 2 and other PixelJunk titles will get right back in there playing them when it comes back up we'll be happy and hopefully income won't be dented too much."
Cuthbert added that his studio was just as much in the dark about when the service might be back online as the general population.
"Sony has contacted us to let us know they are working as hard as they can 24 hours a day to fully correct and secure the breach," he explained.
"Apart from that we don't know any other information. Fingers crossed they'll get it up and running very soon."
Q-Games' most recent effort, PixelJunk Shooter 2, launched on PlayStation Network last month, scoring 7/10 from Eurogamer's Chris Schilling.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ing-developers
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April 26th, 2011, 19:44 Posted By: wraggster
Downloadable action game Hydrophobia is coming to Steam and the PlayStation 3, Eurogamer can exclusively reveal.
Hydrophobia Prophecy is described as version 1.5 of the game that began life on the Xbox 360 last year.
It also follows the December 2010 release of Hydrophobia Pure on Xbox Live Arcade.
The game includes new levels – around 70 per cent of the game is new - and existing levels have been reworked.
The cover system has been improved, and combat is now possible from climbing points. The game is said to have a "proper, dramatic new ending", with an expanded storyline. There are new voice actors, too.
And the game has been augmented, developer Dark Energy Digital said, with feedback gathered from the Hydrophobia Listening Post.
"It's Hydrophobia 1.5, really," managing director Deborah Jones told Eurogamer.
"It's also not the original and it's also not Pure."
"The game is now hugely longer," DED boss Pete Jones added. "We've honed, refined and developed the stuff people liked, and we've added a bunch of new stuff that's gone down really well in usability tests."
The Steam version launches on 9th May, with a pre-order price of £7.64 / $10.19.
The PlayStation Network version, which launches shortly after the Steam version, supports the Move controller, and will be similarly priced.
Here, the navigation controller controls player movement, and the Move controller is used to control the camera and aiming.
Pete Jones said "the ultimate decision" on whether DED will bring Prophecy to the Xbox 360 is Microsoft's, but "it's our intention to do so".
The Steam version of Prophecy includes a developer feedback system, called Darknet, built in. It allows players to pause the game and send contextually augmented feedback to DED's servers in real-time.
Prophecy brings the Hydrophobia story arc to a close, but DED wants to expand on the concept with "other stories within the Hydrophobia universe".
"We want to be the first game and the first developer that truly has a one-to-one connection with the community," Jones said.
"We're a bit of a slow starter and we made mistakes in the beginning, but we've got there in the end. We've been committed heart and soul to this project. We believe in it completely. We've created something now we're all very proud of."
Screenshots of the Steam version are below, along with a list of Prophecy's many enhancements. These are on top of Pure's additions:
Graphics
- Enhanced environmental lighting throughout the game
- High resolution textures
- Updated video texture work
- Hugely improved particle systems throughout the game
- Depth of field effects implemented
- MLAA anti-aliasing
- Improved lighting and shadowing solutions
HydroEngine Enhancements
- Enhanced character DripMapping technology
- Improved reflection and refraction mapping
- Enhancement underwater visual effects
- Underwater depth of field effect
- Enhanced particle system and improved performance
- New high resolution RippleMap simulation responds to characters and objects
- Jump distance more accurate relative to movement speed
- Added stationary jump
- Speed of movement through vents increased and animations improved
- Speed of movement with MAVI increased
- Various animations refined to provide better feedback
Narrative and Backstory
- Scoot character remodelled
- Scoot character recast, now played by Oliver Vaquer (GTA: Liberty City Stories, The Warriors, Law & Order)
- Characterisation improved with remastered voice acting and additional scenes
- Mila characters role has been enhanced with compelling new scenes
- Storyline enhanced and completed
- Dramatic new plot points shed light on the back story and the Prophecy of Malthus
- New in game video communications enhance the narrative without disrupting gameplay
- Compelling new cutscenes and dramatic twists
- New mechanics designed around the deeper narrative
- Hydro Kinetic powers brought into the main story
- Dramatic new ending completes the story arc
Wading and Swimming
- Reworked Kate's bracing animation and responsiveness
- Eliminated undesirable situations where the character was swept out of player control
- Increased speed of recovery after being wiped out by water
- Removed invasive reactionary animations after being wiped out by water
Art Direction
- Improved environmental lighting
- Re-designed locations add variety and drama
- Spectacular new environments introduced
- Reworked environmental assets
Audio
- New and improved music tracks
- Re-mastered audio and improved sound design
- New SFX added to various feedback systems
Puzzles
- Improved lock-on effect for electric cable puzzles
- Added mini-puzzles to existing areas
- Exclusive new environments introduce new physics based puzzles
- Ability to manipulate floating objects to solve bouyancy based puzzles
- New narrative based challenges
Combat and Cover Systems
- Individual bone based enemy lock on feature (depending on difficult setting)
- Improved aim assist functionality
- Dynamic aim reticule adapts to different ammo types and combat behaviour
- Destructable object system reworked for greater feedback and effectiveness
- Greater variety of ammo earlier in the game
- AI enhancements and performance improvements
- Instant ammo collection features eliminates unneccessary button presses
- Rebalanced Sonic Rounds for more effective combat
- Reload times reduced for better combat flow
Cover System Enhancements
- Blind fire functionality added
- Turn corners while in cover and engage in flanking maneuvours
- Cover animation improvements
- More responsive and smooth cover transitions
- All new Floating Cover system
- Grab bouyant object to use as dynamic cover in water
- Use floating cover on the surface or during underwater combat
- New Climbing Combat system
- Ability to shoot and engage in combat while climbing or hanging
Levels and Game Balance
- Enhanced and redesigned levels
- Exclusive new levels to explore throughout the game
- All new mechanics, puzzles and combat added
- Dramatic new end sequence using Hydro Kinetic abilities
- Decrypting doors sequence shortened
- Tutorial added for hack mini game
- Improved feedback, waypoint design and tutorials
- Better checkpoint design
- Improved difficulty setting design
- Rationalised waypoint system choice allows players to set their preference for how much hand holding they want independently of difficulty setting
Darknet
- Contextual Dev Feedback System - bring up Dev Feedback from the pause menu at any time to comment on your experience
- Your feedback is uploaded to Dark Energy augmented with contextual information about the gamestate
- Dark Energy will continue to act upon gathered data from the playing community
GUI and Front End
- Menus reworked
- Front end menus re-designed
- In game menus re-designed
Value
- Pre-purchase the Steam version for just $10.19 / £7.64 (including 15% pre-purchase discount)
- New locations, mechanics and narrative elements extend the lifespan of the main game massively
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...phecy-revealed
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April 26th, 2011, 17:06 Posted By: wraggster
Sony has admitted it is unable to update PlayStation 3 owners on when the PlayStation Network will be back online or give any clarity as to why the online service has been unavailable for almost a week.
The company took PSN offline last Wednesday, admitting over the holiday period that the measure was due to "external forces."
Sony is in the process of "re-building" the system, a move it acknowledges is time consuming and frustrating for players that want to engage in any multiplayer gaming, download or purchase new content or use any of the other online services it offers.
"I know you are waiting for additional information on when PlayStation Network and Qriocity services will be online. Unfortunately, I don't have an update or timeframe to share at this point in time," said senior director of corporate communications Patrick Seybold on the PlayStation blog.
"As we previously noted, this is a time intensive process and we're working to get them back online quickly. We'll keep you updated with information as it becomes available. We once again thank you for your patience," he added.
The PSN troubles are deeply embarrassing for Sony, likely to strain relationships with content providers and upset PlayStation 3 gamers.
While Sony is passing limited information to the user, theories are emerging as to why the service - which boasts 75 million registered accounts - is currently down.
The latest high-profile rumour suggests a recent custom firmware update allowed users to download content from the PlayStation Network using fake credit card information.
Sony has not revealed whether any secure PSN account information such as credit card details have been accessed by hackers.
Activist group Anonymous, which said recently that it would step up attacks on Sony, has denied any involvement with the current problems.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...emains-offline
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April 26th, 2011, 16:55 Posted By: wraggster
Warner Bros. is celebrating a No.1 in the official UK PS3 chart for Mortal Kombat - as the classic fighter outsells Valve's Portal 2 on the console.
It's all change at the top of the weekly UKIE/GfK-ChartTrack list, with Activision's Call Of Duty: Black Ops jumping a whopping nine places into third spot underneath the all-new top two.
Elsewhere, FIFA 11 climbs from No.7 to No.4, whilst Codemasters' Operation Flashpoint: Red River debuts at No.6. Sony's SOCOM: Special Forces spends its first week at No.8.
The top two titles in the PS3 list swap places in the All Formats chart, with Portal 2 selling over half of its boxed copies on Xbox 360.
The full UK PS3 Top 20 chart for the week ending April 23 reads:
1) MORTAL KOMBAT (Warner)
2) PORTAL 2 (EA)
3) CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS (Activision)
4) FIFA 11 (EA)
5) CRYSIS 2 (EA)
6) OPERATION FLASHPOINT: RED RIVER (Codemasters)
7) LITTLEBIGPLANET 2 (Sony)
8) SOCOM: SPECIAL FORCES (Sony)
9) HOMEFRONT (THQ)
10) WWE ALL STARS (THQ)
11) MOTORSTORM: APOCALYPSE (Sony)
12) KILLZONE 3 (Sony)
13) TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 12: THE MASTERS (EA)
14) SHIFT 2: UNLEASHED (EA)
15) FIGHT NIGHT CHAMPION (EA)
16) ASSASSIN'S CREED: BROTHERHOOD (Ubisoft)
17) LEGO STAR WARS III: THE CLONE WARS (LucasArts)
18) RED DEAD REDEMPTION (Rockstar)
19) DRAGON AGE II (EA)
20) WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2011 (THQ)
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS
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