PS4 News Revamped

September 1st, 2013, 20:14 Posted By: wraggster

Getting really bored of redoing sites now but this is the turn of our PS4 website, the site was using already using our newest design but ive now added auto updating pages for whats new and whats selling best in the UK and USA and also the latest Ebay Auctions for the PS4 in both USA and UK.

Check out the new pages

PS4 Ebay USA Auctions
PS4 Ebay UK Auctions
BestSelling PS4 USA Games
BestSelling PS4 USA Consoles
BestSelling PS4 USA Accessories
Newly Released PS4 USA Games
Newly Released PS4 USA Consoles
Newly Released PS4 USA Accessories
BestSelling PS4 UK Games
Newly Released PS4 UK Games

Check out the new and improved PS4 News Here --> http://ps4-news.dcemu.co.uk/

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The Witch and the Hundred Knight marches to western PS3s in 2014

September 1st, 2013, 20:42 Posted By: wraggster

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PS3 News Revamped

September 1st, 2013, 23:04 Posted By: wraggster

Yet another of the DCEmu Family of sites has had a redesign and this time its the PS3 site, our PS3 site covers everything from hacking to Homebrew and Emulation to Commercial games and everything else.

Ive mad the site much more PS3 focused and added these pages for those of you who like to know whats selling well, whats new and whats top rated:

PS3 Ebay Usa Auctions
PS3 Ebay UK Auctions
BestSelling PS3 Games UK
BestSelling PS3 Games Usa
BestSelling PS3 Consoles UK
BestSelling PS3 Consoles Usa
BestSelling PS3 Accessories UK
BestSelling PS3 Accessories Usa
Top Rated PS3 Games USA
New PS3 Games Usa
Top Rated PS3 Consoles USA
New PS3 Consoles Usa
Top Rated PS3 Accessories USA
New PS3 Accessories Usa
BestSelling PS3 Playstation Move UK
New PS3 Games UK
New PS3 Consoles UK
New PS3 Accessories UK

Visit PS3 News Here --> http://ps3-evolution.dcemu.co.uk/

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PS Vita: Firmware 2.61 and the Arcade Games...

September 1st, 2013, 23:16 Posted By: wraggster



Sony just released the firmware 2.61 for the PS Vita, which could fix the exploits in the arcade titles, but does it fix them? Check the video for more information!

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PS Vita: Half Byte Loader for Firmware 2.61

September 1st, 2013, 23:17 Posted By: wraggster



Sony just released this new FW, which fixes the 2.60 Exploit games (Arcade Darts, and co.). Even though they've fixed all the Arcade games, there are still some games that are exploitable, and that work at firmware 2.61

Be sure to NOT UPDATE if you are using one of the Arcade games and are at firmware 2.60. Stay at FW 2.60 if you want to use your HBL via your Arcade games.

Stay tuned for more updates!

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Release: V3 patch for the ‘Arcade’ VHBL on PS Vita 2.60 fixes Snes9xTYL and other hom

September 1st, 2013, 23:48 Posted By: wraggster

via http://wololo.net/2013/08/26/release...her-homebrews/

The updates keep coming! As the latest VHBL release was a bit precipitated due to external events, the first release made by Acid_Snake and Qwikrazor87 wasn’t optimal, and some of you reported issues running, among others, famous Super NES emulator Snes9XTYL. Qwikrazor87 has been hard at work over the past few days to address all these issues.

We have to keep in mind here that this is an unusual situation, not only because the exploit was announced much earlier than was initially planned, but also because technically, if you count the US/EU variations, the VHBL had to be ported (and maintained!) to a total of 8 games. This is a lot to test, and obviously the hackers don’t have all copies of all games. It so happens that most of the testing happens on PSPs, and sometimes tiny inconsistencies with the PSP emulator on the Vita can lead to bugs such as the one experienced in Snes9XTYL.
VHBL For Arcade Pool – US (v3, 2013/08/25)
VHBL For Arcade Pool & Snooker – EU (v3, 2013/08/25)

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PCSX Reloaded 1.9.93

September 2nd, 2013, 00:07 Posted By: wraggster

via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Sony Playstation emulator has been updated. Changes:
- SIO1 support is enabled by default.
- OpenAL can be the back-end to the sound plug-in.
- Removal of the GXVideo plug-in code.
- Multi-block saves are copied correctly.
File: Download
News source: http://pcsxr.codeplex.com

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PPSSPP Git (2013/09/01)

September 2nd, 2013, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PPSSPP Git (2013/09/01) is compiled. PPSSPP is a fast and portable PSP emulator for Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, written in C++.

PPSSPP Git Changelog:
* Merge pull request #3545 from unknownbrackets/warnings
Warning fixes
* Add a note so as not to forget.
* Add some reporting to the software GPU.
* Fix some initialization/sprintf warnings.
* Remove -ffast-math from cmakelists
* Merge pull request #3546 from Kingcom/Assembler
Proper assembler error messages
* Correct move pseudo opcode
* Display proper error messages when assembling failed
* Merge pull request #3544 from unknownbrackets/module-imports
Invalidate icache on stub/var import update
* Cleanup comment (broke savestates anyway.)
* Keep unknown syscall reporting the same.
Oops.
* Invalidate stubs/var imports when writing them.
* Just invalidate blocks on ClearCacheAt().
This makes it safe to call from a jitted syscall, etc.
* Fix InvalidateICache() breaking binary searching.
* Prevent a crash in debugger without jit.
* Include the PPC jit in the project.
So it's easier to find when refactoring.
* Merge pull request #3542 from unknownbrackets/module-imports
Track module imports and exports with a proper lifecycle
* Get rid of the bad object errors on shutdown.
* Unresolve function imports, track in loader.
* Optimize a bit by checking module names.
* Unexport var symbols when destroying modules.
The problem with a global list is that an unloaded module with unresolved
imports will get garbage written in. This should be safer, and hopefully
not slower.
Next up: func imports.
* Centralize and track imports/exports.
So that we can "unresolve" them.
* Merge pull request #3540 from raven02/patch-33
Apply auto-gen mipmapping to desktop
* Apply auto-gen mipmapping to WIN32
* Merge pull request #3537 from unknownbrackets/utility-minor
Return wrong dialog type in screenshot/gamesharing
* Return wrong dialog type in screenshot/gamesharing.
Should at least reduce reports of these failing, and give us better info.
May also work more correctly.
* Add some reporting and fix some duplicates.
* Disable -ffast-math - appears to have caused breakage.
* Merge branch 'fix_tigerxdragon_crash' of https://github.com/kaienfr/ppsspp_cn into kaienfr-fix_tigerxdragon_crash
* Fix the crash of game "tiger x dragon"
* updates
* Update lang
* Merge pull request #3532 from ufdada/patch-2
Small improvement for fade-in and fade-out sounds in Loco Roco
* Small improvement for fade-in and fade-out sounds in Loco Roco
The fade-in and fade-out sounds in Loco Roco are way too long, this small change improves it alot. now the sound that is played after reaching the goal in a level sounds about right.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/da1dd7

http://www.sendspace.com/file/bsl729

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PCSX2 SVN r5725

September 2nd, 2013, 00:32 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PCSX2 SVN r5725 is compiled. 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:
r5725
gsdx ogl: the proof of concept commit

* GL_ARB_shader_subroutine for perf
fix for nvidia => add missing shader declaration. Nvidia got +4fps on colin3

For the moment only 2 PS parameters are supported. Code need to be extended to support others games that often
switch shader program (like xenosaga).
require GL4 class hardware and the option override_GL_ARB_shader_subroutine = 1
Note: strangely on AMD linux it is slower!

* GL_ARB_shader_image_load_store for accuraccy (Date)
Use a signed integer texture and reenable color buffer writing

Current status: Amagami_transparency.gs & P3_battle_shadows.gs are now working on Nvidia with a small perf impact.
Current implementation detail:
1/ setup the standard stencil as before
2/ on remaining pixel, draw once to compute first primitive that will write a fail alpha value.
3/ final draw based on primitive id of step 2

Note: I think we would get a bad behavior if depth test&mask are enabled on step 2/3
Note2: on my limited testcase the perf impact was on CPU. It would be possible to merge step1&2 to nullifying it (could
even be faster actually), however it would require more GPU power.

Again require GL4 class hardware. And the option UserHacks_DateGL4 = 1

http://www.sendspace.com/file/oh8dio

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rpcs3 Git (2013/08/27)

September 2nd, 2013, 00:33 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/


rpcs3 Git (2013/08/27) is compiled. 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 Git Changelog:
* - Version bump.
* OpenGL renderer:
- Disabled dump vertex data.
- Fixed fragment constants loader.
- Fixed fbo creation.
- Implemented texture filtering.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vztawn

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Jpcsp SVN r3375

September 2nd, 2013, 00:34 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

Jpcsp SVN r3375 is compiled. JPCSP is the most advanced PlayStation Portable(PSP) emulator, allowing you to play your PSP games on a PC. Even though Jpcsp is written in Java, it can already reach 100% PSP speed on a lot of commercial games... and the emulator performance is constantly increasing. Jpcsp takes full advantage of dual-core processors, matching the PSP dual-core architecture. Even a quad-core can give a small performance improvement by leaving free CPU cores for the Java JIT Compiler and the graphics cache.

Jpcsp SVN changelog:
r3375
ControlsGUI: changed font to fixed to avoid resizing issues
---------------------
r3374
WindowPropSaver: do not remember properties for standard dialogs
---------------------
r3373
project.properties: dist.dir changed to ${bin.dir} to support start scripts after building

http://www.sendspace.com/file/mpo6jg

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Sony launches third-party production team

September 2nd, 2013, 19:31 Posted By: wraggster

Former LucasArts lead producer Gio Corsi heads up new branch

Sony Computer Entertainment America has launched a new third-party production team for PlayStation platforms.
Headed by former LucasArts lead producer Gio Corsi, the new team will work with the firm’s publishing partners to help bring their IP to Vita, PS3 and PS4.

Partners will also be able to use staff at the new branch to help with their own development process.
One of the first projects currently underway is Gearbox’s Borderlands 2 for Vita. Corsi said consumers can expect to see more ports, new IPs and localised products on PlayStation platforms thanks to the scheme.
“I’m really excited for our team to explore new opportunities on behalf of PlayStation,” said Corsi.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...roduction-team

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PS4 to feature some sort of voice command functionality

September 2nd, 2013, 20:01 Posted By: wraggster

Sony seems intent on replicating what Microsoft believes is one of its key USPs on Xbox One.
The platform holder has confirmed to Polygon that PS4’s optional PlayStation Camera “allows for voice recognition”, although it’s not yet ready to share any more details.
That the PS4 would offer such functionality was hinted at in a recent GameStop Expo 2013 presentation that claimed: "From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming.
"When you add the PlayStation camera into the mix, the pair works together to expand upon system features and enhance your PlayStation 4 experience. The new stereoscopic lenses track your body movements in games or even recognize your face easier system navigation."
Seeing as Xbox One has been designed from the ground up as an interactive media centre that users can control with voice and gesture, it’s unlikely that Sony will be able to rival the breadth of functionality offered by Microsoft machine.
However, even basic voice control will allow your floor salesperson to tick that box when trying to peddle PS4 and could prove an important factor for Sony.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ps4-t...nality/0120597

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US PS Plus update: Resi Evil Chronicles free, F1 2013 discounted

September 2nd, 2013, 23:38 Posted By: wraggster

US PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download the Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection at no additional cost starting tomorrow, September 3.
The bundle, which includes Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, will be added to the US Instant Game Collection, making it free to download for anyone who's signed up to the PS Plus service.
Also in this week's PS Plus update, Sony introduces discounts to new games including F1 2013 (PS Plus Price: $53.99, Regular Price: $59.99), Puppeteer (PS Plus Price: $35.99, Regular Price: $39.99), KickBeat (PS Plus Price: $7.99, Regular Price: $9.99), Zombie Driver HD (PS Plus Price: $3.99, Regular Price: $9.99), and Retro City Rampage (PS Plus Price: $8.99, Regular Price: $14.99).
Subs can also get a discount on the pre-order-only F1 2013 Classic Edition, which is expanded with "extra classic content from the 1990s and additional classic tracks", costing $67.49 for subs, down from the regular price of $74.99.
Knytt Underground will be removed from the Instant Game Collection list on September 10, Sony has confirmed.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...13-discounted/

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Gaikai on PS4: EU launch uncertain due to broadband issues

September 2nd, 2013, 23:39 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's Gaikai cloud streaming service is targeting an 'early-ish' 2014 launch in North America, but has no projected launch window for EU due to 'issues of broadband' in the region.
SCEE president and CEO Jim Ryan has told Edge that the service - which eventually will bring PS1, 2 and 3 games to PS4 - hasn't been dated for Europe because there are "bumps along the road that need to be ironed out".

"The plan is to begin with North America next year and the plan is to provide a streaming service that will allow for PS3 content initially to be streamed to firstly PS4 then PS Vita and then PS3," said Ryan in an interview with Edge.
"And so that will happen in 2014 in North America initially. Now, and I touched upon these issues of broadband in Europe during the presentation - Europe is of course on the roadmap for that service to be deployed at some point in the future, but for reasons outside of our control we don't yet have a timeline for it," he went on to confirm.
This, he added, is why Sony left Gaikai talks out of its Gamescom presentation in Germany. "At a show which is now pretty global in its reach but primarily aimed at a European audience, we didn't really want to start talking about the virtues of this great cloud-based service without knowing exactly when it'll come to Europe.
"We've got a roadmap, there's just a few bumps along the road that need to be ironed out," he said.
As Sony as previously explained, PS4 is unable provide native backwards compatibility with PS3 games due to the vast architectural differences between the two platforms.
When eventually launched, the Gaikai streaming service will serve as a solution to this problem, providing access to older PlayStation libraries via a cloud streaming service similar to OnLive.
Gaikai tech will, however, also be powering other PS4 hardware featuresthat will be available at launch, including its ability to live-stream gameplay footage to other PS4 users, and instantly stream playable demos to the console.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...adband-issues/

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Sony to enter virtual reality with PS4 headset

September 3rd, 2013, 23:52 Posted By: wraggster

It has been reported that Sony is planning a virtual reality headset, similar to that of the Oculus Rift, for the PS4.
Citing “multiple sources”, Eurogamer states that a VR headset for the PS4 “is on track to be revealed in 2014.”
The article claims that the headset will be similar in operation to that of the Oculus Rift, which is currently in developers’ hands and is expected to reach consumers next year. A HD version, similar to the upcoming consumer release of the Rift, was shown at Gamescom.
The founder of Oculus, the makers of the Oculus Rift, Palmer Luckey has stated in the past that any appearance from Microsoft or Sony in the virtual reality market would “validate the market”.
“It would show that VR is important and it’s here to stay,” he added.
Meanwhile, COO of Oculus, Laird Malamed has said that an entrance into the market by either Microsoft or Sony would be “better for all of us,” as developers would be more likely to create content that supports virtual reality.
Eurogamer’s sources say that Sony’s device has been showcased in Evolution Studios’ upcoming PS4 game DriveClub, with players able to move their head to look around the interior of cars. Evolution Studios houses the Worldwide Studios Stereoscopic 3D team, who previously worked on 3D game development for the Playstation 3.
It is rumoured that Sony’s headset was to debut at the recent Gamescom event in Germany, but was halted from appearing because of unspecified reasons.
Sony has previously attempted to capture the virtual reality market with its 3D HMZ personal viewer (pictured), which sells for £1000 in the UK. The HMZ has a 720p display panel for each eye, and is compatible with 3D-capable games and movies.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...headset/031800

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Social networking central to PS4 gaming, says Yoshida

September 3rd, 2013, 23:57 Posted By: wraggster

Discoverability to be the biggest feature of next-gen system

Social networking, and the personal experience and discoveries that it enables, will be the highlight of gaming on PS4, Sony’s Worldwide Studios head has remarked.
As reported by CVG, Shuhei Yoshida explained that “the discoverability of things” will be PS4’s biggest highlight in a recent Q&A session.

“It’s like checking your social media every day,” he said. “I really like that people can find out about new games, information, and what their friends are doing, without even booting the game.
“For example, you can check out whether you have had new challenges from friends from the home screen of every game. All the important information is presented to you immediately. The same game might come out on PS3 and PS4, but playing the game on PS4 will be much more fun, I would expect.”
On stage at Sony’s Gamescom press conference in Cologne last month, Yoshida opened the show with a brief live demonstration of the PS4’s user interface, which showed off the system’s social features.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...g-says-Yoshida

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Optimism around PS Vita is growing, says Sony

September 4th, 2013, 00:06 Posted By: wraggster

Momentum behind PlayStation Vita is finally building, says Sony.
The UK team has seen sales of Vita increase 100 per cent during the summer, partly thanks to the launch of its Mega Pack – which is a collection of ten Vita games, bundled onto an 8GB memory card, for £35.
UK boss Fergal Gara told MCV that the firm will not forget Vita in the ramp up to the PS4 launch. The console’s price was cut at Gamescom, and new games were shown, including BigFest, Murasaki Baby and Borderlands 2. Sony says there will be 900 Vita games by the end of 2013.
“Vita had a good summer, the Mega Pack is one of the things that has boosted performance by more than 100 per cent,” said Gara. “It’s now in growth year-on-year. And you’ve seen several pieces of news at Gamescom which will only help. So that means we can feel optimistic.
“The process of trying to drive costs down on Vita has happened just as it’s lining up to be a fantastic companion to PS4. Our optimism around Vita is growing.”
Sony believes the Remote Play functionality – which lets players stream games from their PS4 console onto Vita – can be a killer app for the portable this Christmas.
“The ability to play all 32 PS4 launch titles using Remote Play does a lot for the Vita catalogue,” said SCEE boss Jim Ryan.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/optim...s-sony/0120637

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CryEngine-powered Timesplitters Rewind in development for PS4

September 4th, 2013, 00:09 Posted By: wraggster

Lots of you seem to want a new Timesplitters game. Well happy days then, as a new one is now in development.
It’s called Timesplitters Rewind and its creators are making it for PS4. That’s the last of the concrete information, however, with everything becoming a little hopeful and speculative beyond that point.
GamingBlend caught up with the project’s lead Michael Hubricka. He revealed that around 35 part-time devs are currently working on the project using CryEngine 3.
However, he also admitted that the team has yet to receive the official nod from Timesplitters IP holder CryTek.
“We're actually going to go ahead and start development on PlayStation 4,” he admitted. “Just because we're pretty confident Crytek's going to say go ahead and do it. But we don't want them saying go ahead and do it when we're caught with our pants down and we're like halfway through development and start something for the PlayStation 4.
"So we decided that since they released the SDK to allow us to do this, we're going to go ahead and do it ourselves, and when they say 'yes' or 'no' we can decide what to do with that. For now we're just going to go ahead and do it. So at least we're prepared.
“It's mostly just us waiting on Crytek's legal department to give us the go ahead. With these things it's not like they say 'Hey, we don't know you but we'll give you access to these things and you can release it on this or that console.' It's also their reputation on the line.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/cryen...or-ps4/0120630

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Rayman Legends missing some content on Vita

September 4th, 2013, 00:10 Posted By: wraggster

It appears that the PlayStation Vita version of Rayman Legends lack some content found in the other releases.
Legends is already available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC but will not hit Vita until later this month following arecently announced delay.
Now CVG reports that the Vita release, according to early chatter from a journalist currently reviewing it, does not include the 28 Invasion levels – the site calculates that the omission equates to around a 12 per cent cut in content.
Ubisoft has not previously suggested that the Vita release would be cut down in any way.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/rayma...n-vita/0120628

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European broadband issues delaying PS4 Gaikai streaming rollout

September 4th, 2013, 00:12 Posted By: wraggster

There’s currently no timeline as to when European PS4 owners will be able to stream PS3 content onto their machines.
SCEE president and CEO Jim Ryan told Edge that the service is expected to arrive in North America in early 2014. But he’s not able to date a European rollout due to factors beyond the company’s control.
“So the plan is to begin with North America next year and the plan is to provide a streaming service that will allow for PS3 content initially to be streamed to firstly PS4 then PS Vita and then PS3,” he explained.
“And so that will happen in 2014 in North America initially. Now, and I touched upon these issues of broadband in Europe during the presentation – Europe is of course on the roadmap for that service to be deployed at some point in the future, but for reasons outside of our control we don’t yet have a timeline for it.
“We’ve got a roadmap, there’s just a few bumps along the road that need to be ironed out.”
Sony acquired Gaikai in mid 2012.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/europ...ollout/0120625

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Sony's Gara: PS4 "feels like a bit of a rebirth"

September 4th, 2013, 00:16 Posted By: wraggster

Meet the man that every UK games retailer has on speed dial
Sony

Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony Computer Entertainment is a Japanese videogame company specialising in a variety of areas in the...
playstation.com

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

eu.playstation.com


Fergal Gara is VP and MD of UK and Ireland at Sony Computer Entertainment and he's just about to face his first console launch. He's had experience of retail before with nearly six years with Asda, but the PlayStation 4 puts him firmly on the other side of that fence, marketing a huge product launch at his erstwhile colleagues and contemporaries.
GamesIndustry International sat down with Gara the morning after Sony's Gamescom press conference to talk about the PlayStation 4's success in the pre-order market so far, why Vita is still an essential part of Sony's offering and why it's an emotional time to be a console manufacturer.

Q: Sony as whole seems to have been very open about the details and features of the PlayStation 4 from very early on, was that a conscious decision?
Fergal Gara: For me that goes all the way back to February 20 and Mark Cerny who said it was a five year project in listening to developers in particular: what did they need to make life easier, to get the toolkit that gave them the most creative scope? And therefore it's been a project of opening up and embracing the development community, big and small.
I think what you saw last night was a great, rich example of the sheer breadth that comes out of having such a policy. I think we just further underlined the points that have been there since February really, of which there are more and more examples. It's great to see that diversity, we want to be the ubiquitous home for gaming, gaming for everybody and that means every kind of user, every kind of gamer, but also every kind of developer.
Q: It does feel that with this console launch Sony have got things right. Is that how it feels internally? Do you feel confident?
Fergal Gara: There's nothing better in any form of business than when customers are rewarding you with their custom and it's absolutely true to say, particularly since E3, that gamers have been rewarding us with their commitment and their pre-orders. That does have a motivational effect on the team so people are more chipper, they're more focused, they're more upbeat and it is fantastic that the key strategies that have been laid out and planned way back, we've been able to not deviate from them whatsoever. It does feel like we're getting a lot of things right and that's helping the teams be even more motivated and even more focused on doing the best job that they can.
Q: Pre-orders must help when you're making deals with publishers and developers too?
"Success is contagious, but we don't allow ourselves to get smug or complacent"

Fergal Gara: Success is contagious, and it does feel like a lot of things are clicking into place now nicely, but we don't allow ourselves to get in any way smug or complacent. But yes, we're feeling confident and that's a good place to be.
Q: You've announced the release dates now - why that particular timeframe and was that always where you were aiming for?
Fergal Gara: Yes. The release target window has been there or thereabouts for a very very long time. What's happened in recent weeks is that confidence on the production side of the equation has grown as units have started flying off the production lines. Now we can start to allocate the volumes and calculate the volumes needed by region, by territories, so that's allowing us to communicate the date with greater confidence.
Q: Do have any idea how many units have been allocated to the UK?
Fergal Gara: Yes, but I can't share it with you I'm afraid.
The only thing I would say is Andy [House] quoted a number last night for pre-orders, in fact he quoted a low end number, he said 'in excess of.' What I will say is that the UK represents a significant proportion of that, we're talking unprecedented levels of pre-orders that we haven't seen in 20 years in this business.
The pre-order phenomenon is a reasonably recent one, or certainly growing in recent years - but it does mean that demand is well ahead of our expectations as they were earlier in the year so our internal conversations are now all about securing volume to maximise the number of gamers we can satisfy on that day one or close to day one. It's a problem but it's a good problem to have.
There will be some frustration around it and we know that we'll have to do our best to satisfy the demand and outside of that manage the frustration that may result if we're not able to meet all of it immediately. It's a good problem to have but a problem, and we don't like to let anybody down.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-03-sonys-gara

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GAME details GTA 5 midnight store openings

September 4th, 2013, 00:56 Posted By: wraggster

GAME is to open hundreds of stores nationwide at midnight in order to sell Grand Theft Auto as early as possible on September 17.
For midnight launches, stores generally open their doors between around 11.45pm and 1am. For those who can't make it to a midnight opening, many stores will be opening early the following morning at 8:30am.
HMV stores across the country will also be opening their doors in the early hours to enable consumers to pick up copies of the game at the earliest possible opportunity.
Rockstar has confirmed a US and European GTA 5 release date of September 17 on Xbox 360 and PS3. The game will launch in Japan on October 10.
Last month the studio revealed GTA Online with a debut trailer and the news that it will launch two weeks after GTA 5. For more details read ourGTA Online interview, and get our impressions of it in this GTA Online first look preview.
Rockstar also recently released the official Grand Theft Auto 5 trailer.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...tore-openings/

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Sony has 'no firm plans' for PS4 and Vita bundle

September 4th, 2013, 01:01 Posted By: wraggster

Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Fergal Gara says the company currently has no plans to release a PS4 and Vita hardware bundle.
There are "no firm plans at this stage to put the two together in one box", he told OPM.
"But as a minimum there is clearly the opportunity for us to work with retailers to put them together alongside each other as at least a great companion trade up sale," he added.
Sony confirmed in May that all PS4 games bar those that require use of specific hardware like the PS Camera will support Vita Remote Play.
Gara also told OPM that the recent Vita price cut, introduced three months before November's PS4 release date, was "a nice coincidence in timing".
Reducing hardware costs is "a process we continually try and drive on all of the platforms", he said. "How can we sweat the technology and production costs to offer better value to the gamer. So we've hit a moment when we can do that and bring [the Vita] down in cost [and] that happens to time very, very nicely with PS4, which further adds to the PlayStation Vita agenda."
Vita is now available for €199 / $199, while the PS4 price has been set at £349 / €399 / $399.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...d-vita-bundle/

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Sony showing more than 50 games at TGS

September 4th, 2013, 01:04 Posted By: wraggster

Sony intends to showcase over 50 PlayStation titles at Tokyo Game Show 2013 later this month.
The figure includes more than ten PS4 games such as Knack and Capcom's Deep Down, which was recently revealed to be an online title.
Vita and PS3 titles being exhibited will include Tearaway, Gran Turismo 6, PES 2014 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan said today in a press release.
A trio of Sony executives are reportedly set to deliver an opening day keynote at TGS, which runs from September 19 to 22.
Titled 'The World PlayStation 4 Creates', the keynote session will be hosted by Sony Computer Entertainment president and group CEO Andrew House, senior vice president Masayasu Ito, and Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida.
At Gamescom in August, Sony announced a PS4 release date of November 15 in the US and November 29 in Europe.
PS4 will be available in 32 countries this holiday. The PS4 price has been set at £349 / €399 / $399. First party launch titles will includeKillzone Shadow Fall, DriveClub and Knack.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-games-at-tgs/

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Killzone: Shadow Fall, Gran Turismo 6 headline Sony's TGS lineup

September 4th, 2013, 01:28 Posted By: wraggster

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Square Enix apologizes for Final Fantasy 14 headaches with week of free play

September 4th, 2013, 01:30 Posted By: wraggster

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Rayman Legends Vita: Missing levels promised as free DLC

September 4th, 2013, 22:46 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft will bring the Vita version of Rayman Legends up to par with the console versions with a free DLC update containing the missing levels.
Outrage was sparked when it emerged that Rayman Legends on Vita was missing the 28 'Invasion' levels, despite an earlier statement from Ubisoft which claimed the portable version "includes all of the original Rayman Legends content, as well as five exclusive maps".
But Ubisoft communications manager Gary Steinman has said the publisher will later add the missing content for free.
"Due to a longer development time than expected, we couldn't initially include the Invasion Mode - essentially, a second take on existing Rayman Legends maps -- in the Vita version of the game," he explained.
"However, we can confirm that the Invasion Mode will be added via a free patch, at a later date," said Steinman.
In late August the Vita version was delayed for a further two weeks in the UK, "in order to apply the final level of polish gamers expect from a Rayman game".
In our Rayman Legends review, we said the game is "an absolute joy to play", offering "essential platforming shenanigans" that are "best experienced on Wii U".

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...d-as-free-dlc/

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EU PS Store update: Diablo 3, Killzone Mercenary

September 4th, 2013, 22:53 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has detailed this week's European PlayStation Store content update.
This week's highlights include the PSN releases of Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons and Castle Of Illusion. Digital releases for Diablo 3, Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut and Farming Simulator 2013 are also part of the line-up.
On Vita, the big release is Killzone Mercenary, which we described as "a shining showcase of the Vita's power" in our Killzone Mercenary review.
PS3 games

• Best Of PSN Vol 1 (Fat Princess, When Vikings Attack, Sound Shapes, Tokyo Jungle) - £23.99/€29.99
• Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons - £11.99/€14.99
• Castle Of Illusion - £9.99/€12.99
• Crazy Strike Bowling - £9.69/€11.99
• Dancestar Digital - Free
• Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut - £29.99/€39.99
• Diablo III - £49.99/€59.99
• Farming Simulator 2013 - £29.99/€39.99
• Hatsune Miku Project DIVA F - £31.99/€39.99
• Hunter's Trophy 2 - America - £7.99/€9.99

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PSN Final Fantasy XIV buyers to receive a refund

September 4th, 2013, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster

Customers who purchased a digital PlayStation Network version of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn are to be given a full refund, Sony confirmed today.

Square Enix has been unable to deliver a quality service since the title launched on PC and PS3 last week due to overwhelming demand, which resulted in the publisher halting digital sales as it attempted to expand server capacity to accommodate the number of people wanting to play.
After downloading and installing the game last week, numerous PS3 users complained of being unable to log in. Even after binding their PSN and Square Enix accounts, affected users were met with the following message, according to SixthAxis:

No valid service account is available to play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn. In order to play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn you must first purchase the digital download from the Playstation Store or register a product code. Please restart the client for FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn

On Tuesday, Square Enix said players will receive seven extra days of free play time following the game's troubled launch.
Earlier today, the company carried out maintenance on the game designed to improve the user experience. Square says: "This maintenance has implemented countermeasures to alleviate the stress on servers. Previously, matching took place across all servers in the various region data centers, but following this maintenance, matching will now take place within selected groups."
A Realm Reborn is a redesigned and redeveloped version of the original, much criticised Final Fantasy XIV. Monthly subscriptions start at £7.69 / €10.99.
At E3 in June, Square said A Realm Reborn will release on PS4 in 2014.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...eive-a-refund/

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Killzone Mercenary day one optimisation patch is 1.2GB

September 4th, 2013, 23:20 Posted By: wraggster

A day one Killzone Mercenary optimisation patch has been released.
Offering "stability fixes and performance optimisations", it weighs in at 1.2GB, taking the Vita shooter's total size close to 5GB, SixthAxis reports.
The list of Killzone Mercenary Trophies was posted online earlier this week ahead of today's Killzone Mercenary release date in Europe. The game's due to hit UK stores on Friday and US ones on September 10.
Developed by Guerrilla Games Cambridge, the title sees players step into the boots of the new Mercenary faction, taking on paid contracts from both the warring ISA and Helghast forces.
You can expect CVG's Killzone Mercenary review to be published on the site later today. For more on the game before than, check out 30 minutes of Killzone Mercenary gameplay and read all about Killzone Mercenary multiplayer.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...patch-is-12gb/

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GTA V voiced by real criminals

September 5th, 2013, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster

Writer Lazlow Jones says gang members hired for 'authenticity'

Rockstar Games has opted out of tradition voice actors in favor of “authenticity” by recording the conversations of actual gang members for use in Grand Theft Auto V.
In a radio interview with Chicago station WGNpicked up by Polygon, GTA V contributing writer and producer Lazlow Jones said he hired real criminals to voice ambient characters in the game.

"When we record all these ambient characters we go towards authenticity," he said.
"We recruited a guy who gets gang members, actual real gang members, like El Salvadoran gang dudes with amazing tattoos, one of which had literally gotten out of prison the day before.”
This commitment to authenticity is an interesting thing to announce on the radio when a host of senators are denouncing the game industry for its alleged connections to real-world violence, but it could well add to the tone fans expect from the franchise.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...real-criminals

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Sony refunds digital FFXIV: A Realm Reborn purchases on PSN

September 5th, 2013, 23:49 Posted By: wraggster

Those who paid for the PSN version of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn have been refunded by Sony.
The funds should already have been credited to users’ wallet, with the game itself now available to download from their download history.
The move follows the ongoing problems surrounding the re-launch of Square Enix’s MMO.
“I would like to take the time to personally apologise once again to all those players who have been affected by the extended World login and character creation restrictions which have been in place for the past several days,” the game’s producer and director Naoki Yoshida said on the game’s forum.
“I also understand that apologies will not help you get logged in. Considering the outcome of our first launch, our sales estimates for this one were decidedly conservative, as we believed that there would be a more gradual rise in users over the opening weeks and months.
“Instead, to our pleasant surprise, we experienced tremendous support from a great number of players who were eager to get into the game from day one. The fact that we had to implement these restrictions is a direct result of my inaccurate sales and login estimates, and as producer, I must accept complete responsibility for this misstep.
“Each and every player who has been affected has my deepest apologies.”
Square Enix last week suspended digital sales of the game as it continued to struggle with its technical issues.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...on-psn/0120673

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Sony hikes Indian game prices as Rupee decline continues

September 5th, 2013, 23:53 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has increased the prices of upcoming PS3 titles Beyond: Two Souls and Gran Turismo 6.
Both games were previously priced at Rs 2,999, but are now increased to Rs 3,499. The price hikes are attributed to the continuing decline of the Rupee, which today stands at Rs 67 against the US Dollar.
It is widely expected that other publishers will follow suit. Games from several publishers are currently priced at Rs 2,799 or Rs 2,999, and many of these are expected to increase.
Retailer buzz suggests that Grand Theft Auto 5, which is only two weeks away from release, will also receive a price hike, although the exact amount is not known yet.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...tinues/0120671

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Dark Souls 2 PS3 beta begins on 12th October

September 6th, 2013, 01:13 Posted By: wraggster

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Project Phoenix confirmed for PlayStation 4 and Vita

September 6th, 2013, 01:29 Posted By: wraggster

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EA: Madden 25 sells through over 1 million units in first week

September 6th, 2013, 01:30 Posted By: wraggster

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European broadband issues delaying PS4 Gaikai rollout

September 6th, 2013, 01:32 Posted By: wraggster

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Rockstar: Grand Theft Auto V "feels next-generation to us"

September 7th, 2013, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

Stop whining about a possible next-gen release for Grand Theft Auto V – Rockstar reckons the PS3 and Xbox 360 game already feels next-gen.
Of course, the game won’t be able to compete with the visuals offering by the likes of PS4 and Xbox One, but the title has been re-worked and fine-tuned in so many other respects that Rockstar believes it is already ahead of its time.
“When we started we knew the scope of GTA V was huge and incredibly ambitious,” Rockstar North associate technical director and combat designer Phil Hooker toldIGN.
“Fortunately from completing GTA IV we had a team that was already very familiar with the hardware.
“Every aspect of the game had to be better, richer in gameplay and more fluid and knowing we were launching on the same platforms meant we could focus on extracting the most out of those consoles and making the game as fantastic as possible.
“In the end we surpassed our own expectations and during development I think everyone working on the game has been astounded by improvements to the graphics, or new mechanics, or AI, or mission scope along the way.
“Hopefully the gamers will see all of these improvements at once in one go, compared to GTA IV this definitely feels 'next generation' to us.”
Rockstar has drawn on elements from many of its other titles in an effort to make every element of GTAV work as smoothly as possible.
Look out for gunplay influenced by Max Payne 3, a weapon wheel born from the mechanics seen in Red Dead Redemption and driving influenced by Midnight Club.
Grand Theft Auto V will be released on September 17^th.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/rocks...-to-us/0120707

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Japanese PS4 release date to be announced next week

September 7th, 2013, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster

It’s been easy to forget amongst the launch excitement that PS4 has yet to be dated in Japan.
That will all change next week, with confirmation that SCE Japan will host a press conference on Monday September 9^th at 7am UK time. It is expected that the console’s launch date for the territory will be revealed at that time.
PS4 will be released in the US on November 15^th and in Europe on November 29^th.
The Xbox One’s US and European launch date takes place right in the middle on November 22nd, although it will not arrive in Japan until an unspecified time in 2014.
Sony’s decision to reveal PS4’s Japanese date after Western markets is symptomatic of both the perception of the increasing importance of the Western games market and the ever decreasing stature of its home territory whose dwindling games console market is now resolutely bossed by Nintendo.
That’s not to say PS4 will definitely arrive in japan after the West, although it does seem increasingly likely.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/japan...t-week/0120705

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Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon sales break 1 million, boxed copy a possibility

September 8th, 2013, 22:00 Posted By: wraggster

More than a million gamers have fired their neon lasers at neon soldiers and neon reptiles (which also shoot neon lasers) in Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told Game Informer that the "mini-AAA" game has sold more than 1 million units to date, and that developing and publishing games like Blood Dragon and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger will be a continued business model for the company going forward.

Guillemot also teased that future sales of Blood Dragon may not be limited to digital copies. Although Guillemot didn't specify when or how likely the scenario was, he suggested that, "maybe we'll go retail at one point so we'll be able to achieve a bit more." You just can't keep a good cyber-commando down.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/08/fa...xed-copy-a-po/

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Rumor: Infamous coming to Vita

September 8th, 2013, 22:04 Posted By: wraggster

A single sentence uttered by a developer in a recent Q&A has spawned the rumor that Sucker Punch Productions' Infamous series will be making an appearance on Sony's Vita handheld.

At the 5:45 mark of the DualShockers interview above you can hear Infamous: Second Son director Nate Fox obliquely reference a potential Vita entry in the Infamous franchise when asked point-blank about its existence after misinterpreting a question regarding Vita-related functionality for Second Son. "Right now we're only talking about the PS4 game," states Fox. "I would love to talk to you about any Vita-related titles when, or if the time comes."

Was this a casual slip of the tongue or something more meaningful? VGLeakssees the quote as evidence of an upcoming Infamous game in development for the Vita. "This statement sounds like Sucker Punch has been working on Infamous for PS Vita, however it could be just a project in an early stage, a test for that hardware," said the site.

The next entry in the franchise, Infamous: Second Son, is currently slated for exclusive release on the PlayStation 4 in Q1 2014. We've reached out to both Sony and Sucker Punch for more information.

Update: This article's sourcing has been updated based on new information.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/06/ru...oming-to-vita/

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Next Dynasty Warriors: Gundam announced for PS3, Vita

September 8th, 2013, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

Shin Gundam Musou, the fourth entry in Namco Bandai's Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series, will make its Japanese debut on December 19, Polygon reports from an issue of Famitsu.

While Shin Gundam Musou will retain the series' trademark gameplay involving mobile suits from the Gundam anime mowing down hordes of enemies en masse, the game is said to feature a more realistic aesthetic than Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3. This allows the development team to add features such as spot damage, which may seem minor, but should increase the game's ambiance and help players differentiate its 100-plus playable mobile suits.Shin Gundam Musou will feature both an Official Mode that borrows storylines from several Gundam anime episodes, as well as an Ultimate Mode, which offers an original plot, the site says.

Past entries in the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series have been multiplatform, but this latest game is slated for release exclusively on the PlayStation 3 and Vita. So far there's been no word on an American release of Shin Gundam Musou, but if franchise history (and public affection for Gundam) is any indicator we can expect Namco Bandai to reveal an English-language iteration of the game in due time.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/05/re...-for-ps3-vita/

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Mega Pack, Remote Play boost Vita momentum in UK

September 8th, 2013, 22:24 Posted By: wraggster

Sales of the Vita handheld increased by more than 100 percent in the UK over the summer, leaving Sony feeling optimistic for the portable's future.

"Vita had a good summer, the Mega Pack is one of the things that has boosted performance by more than 100 per cent," said PlayStation UK managing director Fergal Gara . "It's now in growth year-on-year. And you've seen several pieces of news at Gamescom which will only help. So that means we can feel optimistic."

As Gara mentioned, Sony attributes much of this success to the release of theMega Pack, a collection of 10 Vita games installed on a single 8GB memory card which has a retail price of £35 ($54.57). The Mega Pack is also available as a pack-in game with certain Vita systems for £170 ($265.06). Both the bundle and the standalone game made their retail debut on June 21.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president and CEO Jim Ryan also believes the Remote Play functionality of the PlayStation 4 will provide a boost to the handheld's sales.

"The ability to play all 32 PS4 launch titles using Remote Play does a lot for the Vita catalogue," said Ryan.
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/05/me...omentum-in-uk/

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Puzzle Square 2.0 Jigs to PSP

September 8th, 2013, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster

We've seen the work of the homebrew developer known as Chus before, but today there is a brand new product to try. For those that haven't played the previous version, Puzzle Square is essentially a jigsaw puzzle simulator for PSP. That means players will use their control pad to direct a series of tiles into their proper locations. Once you have finished, you'll be rewarded with the appearance of an interesting graphic. The catch is, you'll have to work quickly. Each level contains a time limit!
As far as 2.0 features are concerned, most of the changes come through thirty-six video game-themed level additions. You'll also find smarter piece-placement AI and the option to continue working on an incomplete puzzle. To get your memory jogging, there's even a a built in MP3 player. Finally, there are a few code changes designed to lessen the amount of crashes. If you're a real thinker and a PSP homebrewer, Puzzle Square 2.0 just might be for you!

http://psp.scenebeta.com/noticia/puzzle-square

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New jpcsp revision 3375

September 8th, 2013, 23:33 Posted By: wraggster

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3k3y vs Cobra ODE - Fight!

September 8th, 2013, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster

modrobert writes: "The 'feature competition' between Team Cobra and Team 3k3y is heating up as Cobra ODE is getting closer to bulk shipping (so far they only shipped review samples). The 3k3y Team has been shipping their ODE device for FAT PS3 since February 2013 and Super Slim for roughly a month. Last night (Bangkok time) some well known homebrew titles were released for ODE devices in ISO format by Deank; multiMAN and ShowTime tested on Cobra ODE, there was also a 3k3y version of ShowTime posted by Bubba, and more homebrew stuff at the k3yforums.com. As you probably know by now both these devices support PS3 Super Slim without using the BD drive key. I expect a lot more will come soon, interesting times ahead.

http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?na...ticle&sid=3226

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3k3y news roundup

September 8th, 2013, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster

source: Team 3k3y @ FB] 3k3y Firmware 2.02 is now available! Leech it here. Did you know that you can generate the latest 3key disk key database here? Unlike with "competing" products you don't have to wait for the manufacturer to pinch the disk keys from our IRD database and compile it into a database 3k3y: "Universal" daughterboard for 25xx/3xxx/4xxx models finished! Its now now in production and will be available in about 2 weeks. This means that 3k3y will support ALL SATA (Slim and Super Slim models) using only 2 daughterboards - one solder free for 200x/210x models and one for *all* other models!

http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?na...ticle&sid=3225

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Mednafen 0.9.31 WIP

September 8th, 2013, 23:48 Posted By: wraggster

via http://emu-russia.net/en/

NES/GBA/GB/Lynx/PC Engine/PC-FX/Wonderswan/Genesis/SNES/VirtualBoy/PS1 emulator has been updated recently. Changes:
- Experimental CloneCD CD image support. The base part of the CCD/SUB/IMG filenames should match, and the file extensions should match in case(as in, upper or lower). Many CloneCD-format rips floating around on the Internet have unusable garbage Q subchannel data(from faulty ripping software, or faulty drives, I'm not sure), and Mednafen will refuse to use such a rip when it is detected(though detection isn't guaranteed).
- Improved PS1 CPU emulation timing accuracy; fixes problems with "Final Fantasy Tactics", "Battle Arena Toshinden", "Zero Divide", "NBA Jam Extreme", "Tiny Toon Adventures - Plucky's Big Adventure", "Eldergate", "Ballblazer Champions", and "Incredible Crisis".
- Misc PS1 bug fixes; fixes problems with "Tetris with Cardcaptor Sakura", "Arcade Party Pak", and "Crash Team Racing".
- Optimized the PS1 MDEC decoding IDCT code.
- Improved PS1 multitap emulation accuracy; The "Tales of [...]" games will now work properly when multitap is enabled.
- Changed how virtual ports are mapped when PS1 multitap emulation is enabled, to make more sense. See the included PSX module documentation for more details.
- Improved Virtual Boy noise emulation accuracy; fixes the digital sample playback in "Hyper Fighting".
- Deprecated command-line option "-loadcd", and added command-line option "-physcd".
File: Download
News source: http://forum.fobby.net

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PPSSPP Git (2013/09/08)

September 9th, 2013, 11:18 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PPSSPP Git (2013/09/08) is compiled. PPSSPP is a fast and portable PSP emulator for Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, written in C++.

PPSSPP Git Changelog:
* Merge pull request #3690 from Kingcom/Reset
Reset while stepping improvements
* Reset while stepping improvements
* Merge pull request #3684 from thedax/instantAntiAliasing
Win32: Let NewUI's Antialiasing option be instant so a game reboot isn't required.
* Remove stray tab.
* Let NewUI's Antialiasing option be instant so a game reboot isn't required.
* Merge pull request #3685 from mgaver/patch-5
Update korean.txt
* Update korean.txt
* Merge pull request #3681 from Kokusho/master
some fix for qt interface
* fix zlib compilation error
on ubuntu 13.04 if -lz isn't the last parameter occurs a compilation error
* linux qt build failed fix ( Issue 3599 )
simple fix based on NativeApp.cpp
* Merge pull request #3686 from unknownbrackets/warnings
Warning fixes
* Fix some minor warnings.
* Provide for GPU init failure, kill a warning.
* Improve DirectoryFileSystem's wide char handling.
* Merge pull request #3682 from mupralsh/patch-1
Remove Bahasa (which means language) from dr_ID region name.
* Remove Bahasa (which means language) from dr_ID region name.
* Merge pull request #3687 from unknownbrackets/mips-minor
Always use fastmem for sw/lw offset from SP
* Always use fastmem for sw/lw on SP.
* Add Finnish to langregion.ini to display correctly as "Suomi"
* Update lang
* Merge pull request #3679 from Kingcom/VirtDiscFix
Fix VirtualDiscFileSystem::GetDirListing
* Fix linux version too
* Fix VirtualDiscFileSystem::GetDirListing
* Merge pull request #3678 from thedax/win32UIOverhaul
Win32: Disable the Pause/Run/Reset buttons appropriately when More Settings/Control Mapping are selected.
* Make More Settings and Control Mapping translatable.
* Set the UI state to MENU so that the pause/reset/stop buttons disable appropriately.
* Merge pull request #3670 from thedax/win32UIOverhaul
Overhaul the Win32 UI with simplification and organisation.
* Update the menus after translating them. Should fix the pause/reset/stop options when exiting out of the game settings screen.
* Overhaul the Win32 UI. New things include:
-File -> Savestate Slot: Lets the user pick the savestate slot to be used.
-Game Settings -> More Settings...: Opens the main settings screen from anywhere.
-Game Settings -> Control Mapping...: Opens the key mapping screen from anywhere.
-Infrequently changed options were removed.
-Organised menus; nothing is out of place anymore.
-Simplified menus: as some options were removed or moved, it's easier to find what you're looking for, now.
* Merge pull request #3677 from unknownbrackets/logging
Move some things to G3D, enable G3D by default on Windows
* Enable the G3D log on Windows by default.
* Change a few more log types.
* Merge pull request #3676 from Kingcom/BrowseForFolderFix
Fix BrowseForFolder
* Fix BrowseForFolder
* More log categories, use them (and existing ones). Improve log config.
* Let's actually use the log category mechanism. A first step.
* Add optional "DevMenu" in-game button for quick access to things like log settings
* Merge pull request #3675 from unknownbrackets/io-async
Improve io async waits, callback handlers
* Add io async wait callback handlers.
* Use a different wait type for async io.
* Refactor wait verification a bit in kernel waits.
* Wake up waiting threads on file delete.
* Allow separate threads to wait on async io.
* Merge pull request #3667 from raven02/patch-18
Make it invalid for subarea texture
* Make it invalid for subarea texture
* Merge pull request #3674 from thedax/updateLang
Update lang so Indonesian support works.
* Update lang so Indonesian support works.
* Merge pull request #3672 from unknownbrackets/ui-tweaks
Android buildfix, avoid win32 api in UI
* Decouple win32 and UI a bit more.
* Use a UI event for clearing recents.
This way it builds on Android, and is cross platform too.


http://www.sendspace.com/file/ev51uu

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PCSX Reloaded SVN r87093

September 9th, 2013, 11:22 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PCSX Reloaded r87093 is compiled. PCSX-Reloaded is a fork of the PCSX-df Project, a PlayStation Emulator, with support for both Windows and GNU/Linux operating systems as well as several bugfixes/improvements.

PCSX Reloaded SVN Changelog:
r87093
small fix (windows);
---------------------
r87087
.
---------------------
r87086
'debian-upstream' directory was removed, not actual.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ppnlm3

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PCSX2 SVN r5726

September 9th, 2013, 11:23 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PCSX2 SVN r5726 is compiled. 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:
r5726
pcsx2: fix 4 arrays out of bond
Gsdx: fix a memcpy src/dst overlap + a clang compilation fix

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1weug7

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rpcs3 Git (2013/09/05)

September 9th, 2013, 11:25 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

rpcs3 Git (2013/09/05) is compiled. 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 Git Changelog:
* Merge pull request #2 from cornytrace/master
Several small improvements
* Fix more spelling mistakes
* Update .gitignore
* Refactor of game loading

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5oqgut

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Sony announces Playstation Vita Slim and Vita TV

September 9th, 2013, 21:06 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has announced a redesigned Playstation Vita and the Vita TV, a microconsole that plays Vita games on users’ TVs.
The Playstation Vita Slim, 20 per cent thinner and 15 per cent lighter than the Vita, will be released in Japan on October 10th and will cost ¥18,980 (£122).
The device loses the Vita’s OLED screen, bumps up battery life to six hours and includes 1GB of on-board memory. On the outside, the device will come in white, black, grey, blue, yellow and pink.
Revealed alongside the Slim, the 10cm by 6cm Playstation Vita TV is a microconsole that plugs into a gamer’s TV and provides the ability to play Vita and PSP games using a Dualshock 3 controller and access streaming video and TV services.
The Vita TV will launch in Japan on November 14th for ¥9,480 (£61). A bundle including an 8GB memory card and joypad will cost ¥14,280 (£92).
Watch Sony’s video showcasing the Vita Slim and Vita TV alongside the PS4 below, and then read more about the Playstation Vita Slim and Vita TV on MCV UK.


http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...vita-tv/031847

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Yoshida: Indie games can be system-sellers

September 9th, 2013, 21:13 Posted By: wraggster

Journey and its contemporaries are leading gaming into a bright future, says Sony

Indie games can sell consoles, and will play a major factor in tipping the scales in the coming generation, Sony’s Shuhei Yoshida believes.
The PlayStation-makers’ head of Worldwide Studios and indie visionary told Develop at Gamescom last month that fresh ideas from indie talent is where he sees the next big system-sellers emerging.

“I think Journey is a system seller in terms of the impact it makes. It may not be that people buy a PS3 to play Journey – but they hear about other people playing it, he toldDevelop.
“It proves the breadth of the platform, and I think it proves to non-gamers how broad games can be. That’s a wonderful thing.”
Minecraft is possibly the best example of an indie game that has built up enough momentum for it to generate huge interest among platform holders of all kinds. The game is now on mobiles, desktops and will be coming to both Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...system-sellers

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PS4 gets 2014 release in Japan

September 9th, 2013, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's next-gen console arrives in its home country three months after the US and Europe

Sony has surprised gamers from its homeland with news of a significant wait for the console to be released in Japan.
PS4 will arrive in Japan on February 22nd priced at ¥39,980 (£256) or for ¥43,980 (£282) for those who also want a PlayStation Camera. A free digital copy of Knack will be included in the bundle for those who pre-order.

Compare that to its November 15th release in North America and its November 29th arrival in Europe.
Sony said that the longer than expected wait is to ensure it has time to prepare a selection of software that it considers suitable for the region.

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

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Playstation Vita Slim & PSVita TV Announced and All the Details

September 9th, 2013, 22:48 Posted By: wraggster

Sony following from the success of the announcement of the PS4 have today thrown a curveball into the arena with the announcement of the PSVita Slim and also PSVita TV.



The new look version of the PlayStation Vita has today been confirmed by Sony Japan. It is scheduled to be released in Japan on October 10th and will cost the equivalent of £122/$180. The unit looks similiar to the design of the Vita you have now but will be 20 per cent thinner and 15 per cent lighter, one downer is the omission of an OLED screen. One bonus is that battery life is now up to six hours and 1GB of on-board memory is now added. It will also come in a range of colours including white, black, grey, blue, yellow and pink. No dates for release in the UK/USA as of yet.



Sony also sprang the PS Vita TV onto us today. PSVita TV is a microconsole that plugs directly into a user’s TV and allows them to play Vita and PSP games using a DualShock 3 controller, as well as access streaming video and TV services. The unit is 10cm long and 6cm wide. PS Vita TV will launch in Japan on November 14th priced at £61/$100. A bundle including an 8GB memory card and joypad will cost £92/$130.

PSVita TV will work with Rayman Origins, Persona 4, Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Final Fantasy X and X-2 HD Remastered, God Eater 2, Ragnarok Odyssey, Earth Defense Force 3 and Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
.
Sony have said the console will work with a game library some 1,300 titles strong spanning releases for Vita, PSP and the original PlayStation.

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"Concept of masculinity" the reason behind lack of female GTA V protagonist

September 9th, 2013, 23:06 Posted By: wraggster

Rockstar co-founder and vice president of creativity Dan Houser has briefly touched on the male-only character roster for Grand Theft Auto V.
As the first game in the series to feature more than one protagonist, some observers have bemoaned the decision not to use this flexibility to introduce a female lead to the game for the first time.
"The concept of being masculine was so key to this story," is the sole reason given for the decision by Houser in an interview with The Guardian.
"Having three protagonists allows us to create nuanced stories, not a set of archetypes. Rather than seeming like you've got this super-criminal who can do everything effortlessly, they're all good and bad at different things.
"We liked the idea of a protagonist retiring with a family, and how awful that would be. We've never done anything like that and you don't really see it in games – to feed into these concepts of parenting and pseudo-parenting."
Grand Theft Auto V is released worldwide on September 17^th.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/conce...gonist/0120744

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Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn offers free PS3-PS4 switch

September 9th, 2013, 23:11 Posted By: wraggster

Square Enix has offered a generous freebie to console Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn players.
The publisher says that it will allow those who buy the game on PS3 to switch to the PS4 version for free.
Note that the beta for the PS4 version won’t go live until Saturday February 22^nd – the same day that PS4 is released in Japan.
“Those who are currently playing the PS3 version of FFXIV: ARR will not have to re-buy the game on PS4 and will be able to transition to playing on PS4 at no additional cost,” a statement confirmed.
“They will even be able to carry over their character data and continue playing on the new platform.
“Further information on the PS4 beta tests and the PS4 version transition service will be released soon and we hope everyone will have a great experience with FFXIV: ARR.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/final...switch/0120743

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PS Vita TV demonstrates Sony's ambition, is dangerous for Ouya

September 9th, 2013, 23:13 Posted By: wraggster

Sony surprised the industry with the reveal of PS Vita TV this morning, but what does the device say about the company’s forward thinking?
Put simply, it shows that Sony has ambitions to tap into what many perceive to be the biggest growth sectors open to core gaming.
An alternative interpretation is that Sony recognises that the games market is changing and does not want to be left beghind. The fact that neither Microsoft nor Nintendo have demonstrated similar intentions could potentially leave both in a spot of bother.
On the face of it PS Vita TV seems to square up firmly against one of gaming’s liveliest upstarts – Ouya.
Both devices are small and both attach discreetly to a user’s TV. Both eschew raw technical power in favour of affordable access to indie and smartphone-orientated gaming – and considering how much airtime indie games have commanded throughout this year’s next-gen excitement, that’s seemingly an increasingly sensible move.
Interestingly, both microconsoles make the same compromise, too. Ouya is designed to work with Android games, the vast majority of which were designed for touchscreen interfaces. PS Vita TV is designed to work with Vita games that may or may not utilise Vita front touchscreen or rear touchpad.
This does look to be an area where Vita TV has an advantage, however. Plenty of Vita games favour traditional controls only, and don’t forget that the device swill also work with the sizable PSP back-catalogue.
Ouya’s use of Android will likely gain favour amongst the tech-minded, but Sony’s closed-walls OS will almost definitely make Vita TV the more accessible unit for the average user.
Ouya may have enjoyed a head start on the market, but its brand power simply cannot hope to compete with that of PlayStation. And depending on how PS Vita TV’s £61 Japanese price translates to the West, Sony’s unit may have a price advantage too.
PS Vita TV houses an ARM Cortex A9 quad core processor compared to Ouya’s Tegra 3 quad core CPU. Both have 1GB of RAM, wireless internet access and HDMI out, although Ouya can output in full 1080p HD whereas PS Vita TV has an upper-limit of 1080i.
Sony tells MCV that it has “not made any announcement about whether the 2000 series Vita and PS Vita TV will be releasing in the UK/Europe" although it is hard to imagine it not doing so.
You could argue, of course, that the microconsole market is a non-starter regardless. Ouya’s relatively low sales can’t really be seen as an any sort of indicator, considering its non-traditional route to market and low brand value. Can the famed PlayStation brand fare better? We’ll see.

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Breaking down the PS Vita TV: Why Sony's $100 set-top box is more than a consolation

September 9th, 2013, 23:50 Posted By: wraggster

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CoD: Ghosts 'on track to be most pre-ordered game of 2013

September 10th, 2013, 01:45 Posted By: wraggster

Call of Duty: Ghosts is apparently "on track" to be the most pre-ordered titled in 2013.
That's according to Bob Puzon, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop, who said the title could top the list of most pre-ordered games this year.
"Call of Duty is an entertainment juggernaut and cultural phenomenon," he said in recent PR. "We look forward to celebrating the worldwide November launch of this great game that is on track to be the most pre-ordered title of the year."
This comes after Activision Publishing president Epic Hirshberg said in an earnings call last month that pre-orders for Call of Duty: Ghosts are "well below" that of last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
Hirshberg blamed 'hesitation' caused by the looming console transition. While no figures were disclosed, Hirshberg said the company's "quantitative consumer research" indicates that "hesitation amongst past CoD pre-orderers is primarily due to not knowing which platform they'll be playing on, which is natural at this time in the console transition."
Activision has confirmed a Call of Duty: Ghosts release date of November 5 on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and PC. The game will also be a launch title for Xbox One (November 22) and PS4 (November 15).
US pre-orders via GameStop will get customers a discount on a downloadable version of Eminem's new album, The Marshal Mathers LP 2.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-gamestop-rep/

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US PS Plus update: Galaga Legions DX free, CoD sale

September 10th, 2013, 01:51 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has confirmed that Galaga Legions DX will be the latest game added to the US PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection.
The game will be downloadable to subscribers at no additional cost from tomorrow, September 10.
This week's PS Plus update will also bring discounts on games and DLC packs in the Call of Duty series, including all three Modern Warfare games, Black Ops and Black Ops 2. Here's the full list of prices:
Aliens: Colonial Marines is also being discounted to $8.99, along with slashed prices on its DLC content.
Metal Slug XX and Pinball Arcade will be removed from the Instant Game Collection on September 17. Check out the PS Blog for the full list of outgoing content.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...free-cod-sale/

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Feudal spin-off Yakuza Ishin is a PS4 launch title in Japan

September 10th, 2013, 01:55 Posted By: wraggster

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Earth Defense Force announced for PS4

September 10th, 2013, 01:56 Posted By: wraggster

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Guilty Gear Xrd Sign confirmed for PS4

September 10th, 2013, 01:58 Posted By: wraggster

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Soul Sacrifice Delta announced for PlayStation Vita

September 10th, 2013, 01:59 Posted By: wraggster

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Street Fighter 25th Anniversary collection reduced to $80 for 360, PS3

September 10th, 2013, 02:04 Posted By: wraggster

The Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Collection has Hadouken'd its hefty $150 price point, and is now available for $80 through the Capcom Store. That's a savings of almost 50 percent, and $20 cheaper than last time the set was on sale, which calls for a theme. A theme that goes with everything, perhaps.

This is the same collection as when it was first announced, meaning you'll getSuper Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition, Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix,Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition and Street Fighter X Tekken when you pick up the collection for Xbox 360, or all of the above plus all three Street Fighter Alpha titles should you opt for the PS3 version. The Capcom Store also advertises all costume DLC for SSF4 Arcade and all character and Swap Costume DLC for Street Fighter x Tekken, but it doesn't seem that "all" includes DLC released or announced after the collection's debut.

The set includes an 11-disc soundtrack, a 64-page art boook, the I Am Street Fighter documentary, all episodes of the Street Fighter anime, and Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie. You'll also be able to display a certificate of authenticity, a light-up Ryu statue, or even the iconic fighter's belt, proudly in your dojo.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/09/st...0-for-360-ps3/

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Final Fantasy X, X-2 HD remasters to be bundled with special edition Vita

September 10th, 2013, 02:06 Posted By: wraggster

The Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 HD re-releases will be available as part of a bundle with a special edition PS Vita, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today. The unique Vita captures that iconic Macalania Spring scene from FFX. Awww...

No release date or other details regarding the bundle were given, but it appears that the bundle will feature the new 2000 model of the PS Vita.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/09/fi...-with-special/

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Something About Japan: why PS4 isn’t a Japanese console and Vita TV could be a stroke

September 11th, 2013, 00:13 Posted By: wraggster

So, 22 February 2014 it is then. Japan, Sony’s home country, which has always had a head start on PlayStation hardware, will get PS4 three full months after the US and Europe, and in its place this November we will instead get Vita TV, a newly announced miniature console for playing Vita-compatible games on your TV.And in a way, it’s no big surprise. Sony has several reasons to leave Japan till last on the PS4 list. Not that Sony can afford to coast in Japan – Xbox might be dead in the water here, but Nintendo is still top dog. Still, with Microsoft Japan labelling Japan a “Tier 2” region that is unlikely to see Xbox One in 2013, coupled with Wii U’s abysmal sales in Japan and everywhere else, Sony probably feels the home front is not at risk just yet.Also, the PS4’s launch line-up for November holds little appeal for Japanese gamers. With the exception of Deep Down and possibly Knack, these are exactly the sort of titles that no one here will want: shooters (Killzone Shadow Fall and Wolfenstein: The New Order), an overly serious racer (Driveclub) and another Assassin’s Creed game. If pushing back to February means a few more Japan-centric games, such as new Yakuza title Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin and another Dynasty Warriors game, it might make for a smoother launch.

http://www.edge-online.com/features/...oke-of-genius/

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Indie title Pavilion pledges loyalty to PlayStation

September 11th, 2013, 00:29 Posted By: wraggster

PlayStation has landed itself another tasty-looking indie exclusive in the form of Visiontrick media’s Pavilion.
The studio has confirmed a PS4 and Vita release for the game in spring 2014.
“Pavilion is a fourth person exploratory experience about guidance, influence and subliminal control,” according to the official blurb.
“Manipulate the surrounding environment, influence his sense and guide the main character on the path towards truth. Pavilion takes place in a world unknown to both the player and the main character. A surreal dream-like place where reality clash with fantasy.
"Fully realized in beautiful hand-painted 2D graphics and dreamy ambient music that makes for an unforgettable audio-visual experience.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/indie...tation/0120798

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Sony confirms 19 games for PS4's Japanese launch

September 11th, 2013, 00:33 Posted By: wraggster

19 games will be available alongside PS4 when it launches in Japan on February 22^nd 2014.
Note that one of the ‘games’ is actually a beta for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Square Enix yesterday confirmed that PS3 owners of the game will be able toupgrade to the PS4 version for free.
Other titles on the list include the recently announced Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, Knack, fantasy RPG Natural Doctrine and Yakuza: Restoration.
Plenty of Western games are represented, too, including the likes of Watch Dogs, Battlefield 4, FIFA 14 and Killzone: Shadow Fall.
Here’s the complete list:
Assassin's Creed 4
Battlefield 4
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Doki-Doki Universe
Dream Club: Host Girls on Stage
Driveclub
Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends
FIFA 14
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn beta
Hohokum
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Knack
Natural Doctrine
Puzzle 4 Sudoku
Tottemo E Mahjong Plus
Resogun
Strider
Watch Dogs
Yakuza: Restoration

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...launch/0120793

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Has Sony just closed the door on the microconsoles?

September 11th, 2013, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

Vita TV has the brand, platform and price to own the market
Sony Corporation


Not so long ago, Sony had a reputation which had particular relevance for journalists: they were a leaky ship, unable to keep anything under wraps until its big on-stage reveal. If something was happening at Sony, it wasn't unusual for the news to be broken on tech sites and fan blogs well before the PR machine had all its ducks in a row, ready to whip away the velvet curtain. Now, it seems, the corporation has remembered how to keep secrets, announcing the PlayStation Vita TV with not so much as a grainy mobile photo appearing online first.
The news follows on from a strong E3, where Sony left Microsoft reeling with well-guarded news of free second-hand trading, a lower price point and a rippling set of hardware specs. With Vita TV, Sony has now tossed its not inconsiderable hat into the ring of the micro-consoles, and nobody really saw it coming.
Onstage at the pre-TGS press briefing which happened just a few hours ago, Andrew House unveiled the little white box almost casually. At the end of a presentation which had focused on forthcoming games and a new 'slim' model Vita came a new piece of hardware which follows in the footsteps of a few other trailblazers, but adds a totally new feather to Sony's cap.
Initially, it seemed that the company might had pulled a bit of a Wii U - revealing a new product without really explaining what it was or why you need it - but once the dust had settled and the translators had explained the slightly ambiguous lifestyle trailer, Twitter came alive with interest. Positive reactions were split over which feature was the clincher, but there's little to dislike about a machine with that feature set at that price point.
"Sony is thumbing its nose at not just Ouya and Gamestick et al, but Microsoft, Nintendo, Apple and, potentially, Google, too"

With a £60 machine which can play Vita games on a TV, stream PS4 content to another screen and access all of the video on demand services which have become consoles secondary raison d'etre, Sony is thumbing its nose at not just Ouya and Gamestick et al, but Microsoft, Nintendo, Apple and, potentially, Google, too. Nothing the Vita TV does is unique, but the combination of them all is. Plus, I can't help but feel that Sony has an edge on nearly all the new competitors it's just earned.
Take a look at the Ouya, for example. After engaging millions worldwide with a high-profile Kickstarter campaign and some savvy hiring and promotion, Ouya is on the market and off to a surprisingly rocky start. Customers have been disappointed with the UI and strorefront of the machine, not to mention that the allure of playing smartphone games on a 40" screen has been a relatively short-lived one.
When Ouya was announced, we knew it would be a bit of a sacrificial lamb - a new concept breaking new ground and likely taking the fall whilst the kinks were worked out for the next generation. Making enough money to get to Ouya 2.0 was surely always the aim, lodging the idea firmly enough in customers heads for as long as it took Android technology to produce a handset which attracted games of the sort of quality and depth to be enjoyed on a big screen. Once the ecosystem is established and filled with top-tier content, the market can be secured.
In a way, that's just happened, and it wasn't Ouya pulling the trigger.
I should be clear here that I'm playing a bit of devil's advocate. There's a clear market difference between a machine which plays 69p games and one which will set you back £35 for the biggest titles. The Ouya is out there to capitalise on the mobile explosion, particularly the throw-away, scatter-gun approach to marketing and design which cheerfully occupies much of that space.
"When Ouya was announced, we knew it would be a bit of a sacrificial lamb"

Whilst Sony has made incursions over those borders with cheap minis and free-to-play experiments, it remains largely enemy territory. The Vita has always been about high-quality games on high-end hardware, something which has undoubtedly made it a hard sell in recent months. Presumably, Vita games aren't getting any cheaper, but they are still going to be a cut above what's available on the Android storefront. Sony doesn't have the breadth of the Ouya's potential offering, either, especially given that not all Vita games are going to playable via the system, but quality should win out here, too. Vita TV also has access to the PlayStation Network and PS+ - more weighty assets in the war for recognition and perception.
That said, Sony does desperately need to work on its Vita catalogue and it's going to struggle to attract the big names whilst its install base is so limited. Whether the addition of a second platform for Vita games will swing that balance remains to be seen, but it is opening that catalogue to an entirely new market. It seems unlikely that there'll be Vita TV only titles on the cards, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that there'll be a few which are played almost exclusively on the housebound box.
TV streaming, essentially moving into Apple TV's backyard, is an obvious extension of the faculties of the PS3 and Xbox 360. Research shows that many consoles are used more for Lovefilm and Netflix than they are gaming and Sony's deals with services like Hulu and NicoNico Douga show a real commitment to making the Vita TV a true multimedia box. Top it all off with the admittedly niche option to stream a PS4 game to your bedroom when someone is watching a film on the TV in the front room and you've got a pretty complete package.
"the headshot factor here is that, in Japan at least, it's running at about £60. Carry that price over globally and you've suddenly got something that's an impulse buy and not a saved-for consideration"

But, for me at least, this is about nailing the price point. This is undoubtedly a frivolous, luxury item. It's an addition to existing tech, a garnish for your multimedia meal. It's by no means necessary or life-changing and you're likely to already have devices with some roughly analogous functions. But it's Sony. It's going to be good hardware, from a reputable, globally recognised manufacturer. It's got big brands on board and a solid, deep catalogue of games. It's small, it's pretty and it's slick. All great, but the headshot factor here is that, in Japan at least, it's running at about £60. Carry that price over globally and you've suddenly got something that's an impulse buy and not a saved-for consideration.
If you're a parent who wants to give their children a little privacy, or retake the living room for a while, this is cheap enough to be absolutely ideal. If you're a student with a shared television or a partner of someone who enjoys watching you play considerably less than they enjoy watching anything else, it's a boon. Like most exciting things in our market, it's undoubtedly an experiment, too, but I for one hope it's a successful one.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-microconsoles

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Ubisoft's Uplay social gaming platform coming to PS4 and Xbox One

September 11th, 2013, 01:16 Posted By: wraggster

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Pavilion is a "fourth-person exploratory experience" for PS4 and Vita

September 11th, 2013, 01:25 Posted By: wraggster

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...r-ps4-and-vita
Sony has picked up indie game Pavilion, a "fourth-person exploratory experience", for release exclusively on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in the spring of 2014.Sony announced it had signed Pavilion, the work of two-person studio Visiontrick Media, on the quiet during Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's press conference yesterday.Pavilion is about "guidance, influence and subliminal control", according to its developers. "Manipulate the surrounding environment, influence his sense and guide the main character on the path towards truth."It's set in a "surreal dream-like place where reality clash with fantasy". The screenshots, below, reveal hand-painted 2D graphics. There's "dreamy" ambient music, too, composed by live space music maestro Tony Gerber. Have a listen to the video, below, for a teaser.Pavilion will be fully unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show next week.

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Killzone Mercenary patch improves online stability

September 11th, 2013, 01:30 Posted By: wraggster

Developer Guerrilla Cambridge has issued a patch for the just-releasedKillzone Mercenary said to improve the game's online connectivity and multiplayer stability, issues which stood out in our recent review.

"The multiplayer game has been through a few stages of Beta Trials over the last couple of months and, we've said this elsewhere, we are immensely grateful to all those people who took part, especially those who took the time to provide feedback," wrote senior producer Mark Green on the game's official blog. "We've worked hard to make sure those views were taken on board (we were overwhelming by how much feedback we received!), and the day one patch is a direct consequence of that feedback with changes made to improve standard things like stability and connectivity, but also to get people back into the game quicker."

Addressing the patch's notably large 1.1GB size, Green continues, "We appreciate some users' frustration over the patch's size, but we offer every assurance that we couldn't have included its changes any sooner, and that the enhancements - borne of the beta -offer dramatic and worthwhile improvements. The Beta Trials were limited in what they showed, just one or two modes and maps, but we hope you'll feel the impact of all the time that has been dedicated to perfecting the multiplayer experience when you play the game."

When we reviewed Killzone Mercenary, we were impressed by how well the generally console-based franchise was translated to the Vita handheld, but noted significant latency problems in multiplayer. Since downloading the patch, overall lag during online gameplay has drastically improved (though it remains a periodic issue), while random disconnects seem more prevalent (though not to such a degree that they're an ongoing frustration).

Killzone Mercenary is now available for the Vita for $40.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/10/ki...ine-stability/

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PS Vita TV's Killer App: Remote Play

September 11th, 2013, 20:33 Posted By: wraggster

When Sony announced the PS Vita TV yesterday, most observers saw it as competition for the Apple TV and Roku, or maybe the Ouya. But gaming writer Peter Smith views it differently; he thinks that remote play, including the ability to stream games from the upcoming PlayStation 4 console, will be the Vita TV's killer-app. In that sense, it isn't so much a low-cost replacement for casual gamers as an add-on to the high-end PS4. '[W]hen you're in the middle of a game and someone wants to watch TV, you can just grab a Vita and keep on playing. (This is similar to the popular "tablet play" feature of Nintendo's Wii U, without the Wii U's limitation of having to stay in close proximity to the base console.) ... For any Playstation 4 household with more than one TV I think the PS Vita TV will become a 'must-have' accessory; it's almost like getting a second PS4 for $100.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...pp-remote-play

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Bale to don Real Madrid kit on FIFA 14's UK cover

September 11th, 2013, 20:38 Posted By: wraggster

If MCV were a trade publication for football, we’d probably make an observation about no Premier League players appearing on the UK boxart for FIFA 14.
As revealed by MCV earlier this month, EA had already confirmed that the world’s most expensive footballer would remain on the game’s cover despite his €100m move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid.
EA has now released a revised version of the art with the Welsh winger sporting his new whites.
He also looks significantly less enthused, perhaps due to the vast wads of cash stashed under his bed making his mattress bumpy and preventing him sleeping?
Here’s an image of the old and new covers together:
























http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/bale-...-cover/0120874

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Soul Calibur also getting the free-to-play treatment

September 11th, 2013, 20:41 Posted By: wraggster

Namco Bandai’s free-to-play frenzy seems to be continuing.
A translated Famitsu article from Gematsu says that a free-to-play version of Soul Calibur is currently in development for PS3. There’s no word yet on when it might be released.
The release follows the release of two other free-to-play Namco titles – smartphone release Tekken Card Tournament and PS3 and PC racer Ridge Racer Driftopia.
A F2P Ace Combat title is also in the works.
Don’t forget that Namco Bandai was also the first publisher to indulge Nintendo’s free-to-play curiosity by releasing an F2P version of Wii U title Tank! Tank! Tank! earlier this year.

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The PS4 launch price in Argentina will make you choke on your tea

September 11th, 2013, 21:55 Posted By: wraggster

£350. Yeah, that’s a fair bit of money. Xbox One’s £425 is even steeper. But trust us, you’ve definitely got it good.
VG247 spotted a post on NeoGaf revealing the PS4’s launch price in Argentina – 6,500 Pesos. That’s around $1,200. Or £763. Seven hundred and sixty three pounds.
The poster who revealed the info added that the amount is around 25 per cent more than their monthly salary. We dread to think how much the games are going to cost.
As VG247 also points out, Argentina’s economy has had a torrid time in 2013 with horrendous levels of inflation threatening to spin out of control, with the government censoring economists who dare to publish any non-official inflation figures. And even the official numbers suggest a monthly inflation rate in excess of ten per cent.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/the-p...ur-tea/0120866

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Lemmings Touch revealed for PS Vita

September 11th, 2013, 23:37 Posted By: wraggster

Classic '90s puzzle series Lemmings is staging a comeback with a new touch-based entry on PS Vita.
Titled Lemmings Touch, the game will feature new gameplay mechanics with a heavy emphasis on touch-screen play.

PrevNext1 of 2

Lemmings is a classic puzzle game in which the player must guide a horde of Lemmings - small characters who lack any self-preservation instincts - through a maze of deadly obstacles.
Players assign jobs to specific Lemmings, such as digging tunnels or building bridges, to create a safe path for their Lemmings to traverse.
Lemmings Touch will feature 100 levels, with new touch controls that let you directly interact with objects.
As developer d3t's Jamie Campbell explains, "These new objects include cannons and trampolines that you need to aim by touching and manipulating them on-screen, platforms you can slide to transport Lemmings, objects you can lift up and down to create new paths, and buttons that Lemmings have to press to bring other areas of the levels into play."
There's currently no word on a launch window. Above is a gallery of the first screenshots.
Sony recently revealed a new thinner, lighter version of the PS Vita, set for release in Japan on October 10. A release date in other regions is yet to be announced.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...d-for-ps-vita/

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Anime fighter AquaPazza hits PlayStation 3 on November 19

September 12th, 2013, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster

Colorful anime fighter AquaPazza is set to beat its way to PlayStation 3 on November 19. Publisher Atlus also reiterated that the game, which will be available at retail and through the PlayStation Network, will be priced at $29.99.

The North American edition will enter the retail arena with version 2.01 of the Japanese arcade spec, featuring 13 characters and "improvements for tournament-grade action." True tournament-level Aquapazza pros know how to say the game's name without imagining a soggy pizza.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/11/an...n-november-19/

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Grand Theft Auto is the UK's fourth biggest video games brand

September 13th, 2013, 00:52 Posted By: wraggster

There's reason to be excited ahead of next week's Grand Theft Auto V launch.
GfK Chart-Track has told MCV that GTA is the fourth biggest revenue-generating brand in the UK games industry.
The stat tracker revealed a number of GTA facts ahead of the blockbuster arrival of GTA V.
The PS2 version of GTA: San Andreas is the fourth biggest grossing game on an individual format in the UK ever, behind Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii and Call of Duty: Black Ops. An impressive feat for a title now nine years old.
In terms of the launch week, San Andreas on PS2 is the fastest selling individual format GTA game, ahead of GTA IV on Xbox 360. But when you combine PS3 and 360 sales, GTA IV is the sixth biggest grossing title during a launch week in UK history.
During the launch week, GTA IV accounted for 83 per cent of all Xbox 360 games sold that week.
GTA III holds the record for the longest consecutive weeks a game has spent in the UK Top Ten – 55 weeks.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/grand...-brand/0120983

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PlayStation Europe boss on PS4, rescuing Vita and Sony's relationship with EA

September 13th, 2013, 00:58 Posted By: wraggster

There’s something quite refreshing about the executives at Sony.
They haven’t had their personalities media trained out of them. They will give you a straight answer (most of the time). They do appear nervous on stage in front of thousands of journalists. They are more than happy to mock their rivals.
As a result, PlayStation has managed to charm an industry over the last eight months. And this may be a reason why the press has warmed so much to Sony – why the likes of Edge and GamesTM have tipped PS4 to beat Xbox One, even before a console has been sold.
But it’s not all been about Sony’s charm and personality. The firm has done everything right so far with PS4, from its price to its business strategy. Regardless of what Microsoft has or hasn’t done.
Yet at Gamescom, as Microsoft announced plans to give away FIFA 14 with every Xbox One (Day One) pre-order, Sony took a gamble with an eccentric press conference that was filled to the brim with unique indie titles.
Was it enough to keep them ahead of Microsoft? We speak to SCEE boss Jim Ryan.
It was certainly a different Gamescom conference. How do you feel it went?
I was very happy with it. It was nice to do it a little bit differently. It was a bit risky to do that so close to an extremely important platform launch. But I think people enjoyed it. I have been to Gamescoms when the predominantly German audience has been quite flat and difficult to get going, but there seemed to be a good vibe this year.

Are you going to react to the FIFA 14 giveaway with Xbox One at all?
No, no. 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.

EA has aggressively partnered with Xbox. Have there been problem between PlayStation and EA?
No, not at all. It’s common knowledge that EA has done a deal with Microsoft, but all of its games – Battlefield, Need for Speed, FIFA – are all on PS4. In fact, the only platform you could play Battlefield 4 at Gamescom was on PS4. Try and find that on Xbox One.
You announced over 1m pre-orders worldwide. How much of that are European pre-orders?
Europe is right up there. We are not disclosing the split, but MCV readers probably have a good idea of the relevant weight of day-to-day business between ourselves and North America, and the pre-order trend is very much in-line with that. The European component of that 1m is very significant.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/plays...ith-ea/0120931

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Sony explains Vita Slim strategy, but screen downgrade draws criticism

September 13th, 2013, 01:01 Posted By: wraggster

The re-designed PlayStation Vita has been constructed with a very simple premise in mind – make the system cheaper and more appealing.
To put it differently, the Slim is about “attracting more gamers without affecting the game experience” the machine’s head of design Mika Nagae told Famitsu, as reported by Polygon.
"In addition to people who're already using PS Vitas, we were also targeting new users here. The current Vita presents this sort of high-class look with its coloring but we wanted the new Vita to be accessible by anyone, regardless of age or gender.
“So I discussed things with the designers, trying to come up with casual, yet fresh and unique colours we could use. The colours have been pretty basic up to now, but the new Vita is trying to change that image by taking a different approach to colouring.
"In addition, the speaker holes have also been rearranged into this kind of flower shape which I, at least, think is cute.”
However, one element of the redesign that has drawn criticism is the decision to drop the original Vita’s beautiful OLED screen in favour of an LCD version.
A picture posted on Twitter, which you can see below, seems to suggest that the change brings with it a significant drop in vibrancy and colour quality.

Speaking to Nikkei (as reported by Kotaku), PlayStation boss Andrew House reckons that the change won’t result in any noticeable drop in quality for users.
"The main reason is that the LCD panel can now realize an image as high quality as that of the OLED panel," he stated, although he did add that the change to LCD made it easier to slim down the PS Vita.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...ticism/0120930

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Sony hails "incredible" PS4 yields

September 13th, 2013, 01:03 Posted By: wraggster

SCEA president Jack Tretton has described PS4 production yields as “incredible”.
And as a result, the exec added, the PS4 launch will be the biggest in his company’s history.
"We want to make sure that consumers have an opportunity to buy one on November 15th and through the holidays," he told Fox, as transcribed by Videogamer. "We're holding back some inventory to make sure that people have an opportunity to buy one that come in on launch day.
"But we can pre-sell every unit we can manufacture and the good news, production yields have been phenomenal, so this will be by a magnitude of a lot the biggest launch we've ever had.
“It's going to be the biggest launch in history."
A report last month claimed that Microsoft was struggling with its Xbox One production yields, although the platform holder later dismissed the talk, describing yields as being “better than expected”.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/sony-...yields/0120929

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PS Vita TV can 'technically' support PS3 games through the cloud, according to SCE CE

September 13th, 2013, 01:46 Posted By: wraggster

We know that the PS Vita TV will play PSP, PSOne and Vita titles, and will even (eventually) be able to stream PS4 titles once both devices are on sale. But how about PS3? Andrew House, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO, explained in a round-table interview that the tiny streaming set is "technically" capable of supporting PS3 titles through the same cloud-based streaming that will bring PS3 titles to its successor. It makes sense, (if it can stream fancier games from the PS4, titles from console iteration no.3 should be a cinch, right?) but it's the first time we've heard that Sony is considering it. We're hoping the feature eventually makes it, if only to make amends for the confusing backwards-compatibility saga that the PS3 previously suffered.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/12/p...ort-ps3-games/

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Sony preparing against PS4 post-launch sell-out

September 13th, 2013, 01:54 Posted By: wraggster

The chief executive of PlayStation America has said his team is holding back PlayStation 4 inventory to ensure that stock will be replenished throughout the holiday season.
Following the news that more than one million people have pre-ordered a PlayStation 4 for launch day, Jack Tretton told Fox Business that the PlayStation business is "at an all-time high right now". But he insisted that Sony would be able to refill post-launch stock despite the huge demand from pre-orders.
"We want to make sure people can buy a PS4 on November 15[November 29 in the UK] and through the holidays, so we're holding back some inventory to make sure people will be able to buy one," he said.
"We can pre-sell every unit we can manufacture, and the good news is that production yields have been phenomenal. We're going to work very hard to make sure that every consumer that wants one gets one."
In the UK, Sony and select retailers have warned customers that new PS4 pre-orders will not guarantee a system on launch day.
In his interview, Tretton was asked to discuss the advantages the PS4 has over its newest rival system, Xbox One. In response, he claimed that Sony is delivering a more powerful machine at $100 less with, he said, the best and most diverse console launch game line-up.
Sony has confirmed a PS4 release date of November 15 in the US and November 29 in Europe. The console will be available in 32 countries this holiday priced at £349 / €399 / $399.
In Japan, the system's launch has been delayed to February 22.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...unch-sell-out/

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Gran Turismo 7 ready for PS4 'in a year or two', says Yamauchi

September 13th, 2013, 01:59 Posted By: wraggster

Gran Turismo 7 will arrive on PlayStation 4 "in about a year or two", according to series creator Kazunori Yamauchi.
The latest game in the series, Gran Turismo 6, will be released on December 6 on the PS3, and not on the new PS4 which will, by that time,already be available in North America and Europe.
Fans have called for a next-gen port, but Yamauchi says a PS4-bound Gran Turismo is more likely to be a full-on sequel and will be ready sooner than series fans might expect.
"The PlayStation 4 game which we'll likely call GT7 will be done in about a year or two, I think," Yamauchi told Famitsu recently, accordingPolygon.
Series fans will, however, know not to get too excited just yet. The Gran Turismo series has gained considerable notoriety for its extended delays. Gran Turismo 5, unveiled in 2006, suffered a series of delays that pushed the game back from an initially expected 2008 outing to an eventual late 2010 release, stretching its development time to around five years.
Kazunori went on to play down the need for a next-gen version of GT, suggesting that the game's most crucial element - the online community gameplay - is unaffected by platform.
"The PlayStation 4's large memory size is a unique trait, but in terms of CPU performance, the PS3's Cell chip, while difficult to handle, is really capable," he said. "They both have different advantages. Besides, I think the online community aspect, one of the most fun parts of GT, doesn't have anything to do with the platform."
This comment comes somewhat at odds with Sony's messaging, which has touted the PS4's new community-driven and social networking capabilities as the key selling point of the new console.
Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida recently highlighted social interactions and 'discoverability' as the main features that will set PS4 gaming apart from PS3.
"It's like checking your social media every day," Yoshida commented. "For example, you can check out whether you have had new challenges from friends from the home screen of every game. All the important information is presented to you immediately. The same game might come out on PS3 and PS4, but playing the game on PS4 will be much more fun, I would expect."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...says-yamauchi/

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New PS Vita LCD screen 'not inferior to OLED', insists Sony

September 13th, 2013, 02:11 Posted By: wraggster

The five-inch LCD panel at the centre of the new PlayStation Vita will match the quality of the OLED display found in older models, a Sony exec has claimed.
PlayStation Group chief executive Andrew House met with reporters on Tuesday following the announcement of the PS Vita version two; a new handheld model that is said to be 20 per cent thinner and a fifth lighter than the original.

But it was also revealed that the new model would ditch the OLED display for an LCD panel - a cost-saving measure that some suspect will reduce quality of picture. But House told reporters on Tuesday that the LCD display won't worsen the overall experience.
"The main reason is that the LCD panel can now realise an image quality as high as that of the OLED panel," House told the gathering of journalists.
According to House's quotes paraphrased by Japan newspaper Nikkei, the new LCD panel helps reduce the thickness of the handheld.
It has been rumoured that the OLED panel in Vita was difficult to manufacture due to the ease in which it could break during assembly.
The new PS Vita will launch "first" in Japan on October 10, priced at 19,929 yen (£128 / $200 USD) - release plans and prices for the west have yet to be announced.
Featuring all the basic functionality of the existing model, the new Vita will be available in six colours designed to appeal to all types of consumers, says SCE. Launch colours include Black, White, Lime green/White, Light blue/White, Pink/Black and Khaki/Black.
In August Sony dropped the original PS Vita price to $200 and €200.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-insists-sony/

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Vita TV not planned for US, EU market as yet; can 'technically' stream PS3 games

September 13th, 2013, 02:14 Posted By: wraggster

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Kazunori Yamauchi: GT6 is 80% complete

September 13th, 2013, 22:17 Posted By: wraggster

Next-gen Gran Turismo 7 about two years away, says creator

PS3 racer Gran Turismo 6 is due out on December 6th. And it’s about 80 per cent completed.
Should that be a cause for concern, considering Polyphony’s less than stellar track record in hitting release dates?

“The basic components are already complete, so overall I'd have to say about 80 per cent,” producer Kazunori Yamauchi told Famitsu when asked how close to completion the game was, as reported by Polygon. “The physics engine, the steering controls; those parts of the user interface are things that we fine tune-right up to the very end. Things like the game modes; I can say that those are complete."
Despite seemingly flying close to the wind with its upcoming game, Yamauchi reckons that Gran Turiosmo 7 – or at least the first PS4 title in the series, whatever that may be called – is not that far off.
Added the dev: “The PlayStation 4 game which we'll likely call GT7 will be done in about a year or two, I think."
Yamauchi also touched upon the differences in developing for Sony’s current and upcoming console.
"The PlayStation 4's large memory size is a unique trait but in terms of CPU performance, the PS3's Cell chip, while difficult to handle, is really capable," he explained.
“They both have different advantages. Besides, I think the online community aspect, one of the most fun parts of GT, doesn't have anything to do with the platform.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...is-80-complete

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Grand Theft Auto V PSN PS3 pre-load delayed until next week

September 13th, 2013, 22:30 Posted By: wraggster

There is uproar on the European PSN forums this afternoon following the delay of the Grand Theft Auto V pre-load.
Customers who had been pre-ordered the PS3 game on Sony’s digital service had, via a message in their download queue, been previously told that the 17GB download would be available to pre-load from today (September 13^th).
The game itself would then activate and be available to play on the day of release – Tuesday September 17^th.
However, after the pre-load failed to activate this morning Sony has now via its forums confirmed that the pre-load will not in fact be available until September 16^th – just a day before release.
This has evoked much anger from forum users, many of whom worry that PSN will be unable to cope with the pressure, preventing their download from completing in time for the launch at midnight.
This is of course a particular concern for users with a slow internet connection, many of whom had pre-ordered on PSN on the presumption that the four-day pre-load window would give them plenty of time to get the game downloaded onto their machines.
There’s the fact, too, that most who had pre-ordered had already added the funds to the PlayStation Wallet, meaning they are unable to recoup the funds in order to source an alternative pre-order.
Pre-loading is not an option on PSN outside of Europe.
UPDATE: A Tweet from PlayStation Europe says that the pre-load date has now been brought forward to 3pm on the afternoon of Sunday September 15th.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/grand...t-week/0121066

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Developers claim PS4 has a "significant" performance advantage over Xbox One

September 13th, 2013, 22:39 Posted By: wraggster

Sony’s PS4 enjoys what is being described as a “significant” and “obvious” performance advantage over Xbox One.
That’s according to unnamed “multiple high-level game development sources” sourced by Edge.
The site claims that memory read speeds are 40-50 per cent faster on PS4 and that its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. This apparently means that a game running at 30 frames per second in 1080p on PS4 will manage only “20-something” frames per second at 1600x900 on Xbox One.
Much of the trouble is apparently blamed on Microsoft’s drivers which are allegedly “running behind” according to one source are “horrible” according to another.
However, the differences are unlikely to result in any tangible differences across the machine’s third-party launch titles, with the need to develop for both machines to a tight deadline meaning that many studios will simply “castrate” the PS4 version to bring both in line.
One source stated: “The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/devel...ox-one/0121022

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PS Vita TV likely to get Western release, Sony suggests

September 13th, 2013, 22:43 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has calmed fears that the recently announced PS Vita TV will not be launched in the West.
Much of the game press latched onto a comment made by PlayStation CEO Andrew House in an interview withTechOn in which he stated that Sony “is planning to sell the PS Vita TV in China, South Korea, etc, but not in the US and European market at this point”.
That seemed to MCV as very much the response you would expect considering that Western launch details had not yet been announced.
And that, it seemingly transpires, is very much the case.
Speaking on Twitter, Sony studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has stated: “For people wondering about PS Vita TV outside Japan, we are just saying now ‘PS Vita TV releasing first in Japan’. Stay tuned.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ps-vi...ggests/0121019

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80% of Payday 2's 1.58m sales were digital

September 14th, 2013, 00:31 Posted By: wraggster

The increasing importance of tracking digital sales has been highlighted once again by multiplayer heist shooter Payday 2.
Its developer Starbreeze told investors last night, via a note translated by Eurogamer, that its game has to date sold a total of 1.58m copies.
Perhaps more interestingly, however, it added that 80 per cent of those sales were digital, although it didn’t specify how this was shared between PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
The news is all the more pertinent considering MCV’s news yesterday that last week’s UK No.1 wasn’t really Saints Row IV but should in fact have been Total War: Rome II owing to its strong digital sales – numbers that are not taken into account by the UK All Formats charts.
Payday 2 publisher 505 Games said last month that Payday 2 “was too big for digital” and required a physical release.
In the same story it was confirmed that the original Payday has to date sold 1.6m copies, meaning its successor will likely overtake it shortly.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/80-of...igital/0121011

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GTA 5 pre-loading on PS3 delayed until September 16

September 15th, 2013, 18:35 Posted By: wraggster

Pre-loading of the PS3 Grand Theft Auto 5 through the PlayStation Network has been delayed until September 16, it has been confirmed.
Sony previously said customers pre-ordering through its online store would be able to download the 17 gigabytes worth of data the game encompasses from September 13. However it has now told users on the official PlayStation forum pre-loading has been delayed until a day before the game's official release.
"I can confirm that GTA V will be available to pre-download on Monday the 16th September," posted an online support coordinator.
"I will try to find out why the date has changed but its confirmed that the pre-download will be on the 16th."
A number of forum users have responded with anger, citing the ability pre-load well in advance of the release date as a key factor in their decision to pre-order through Sony's store.
"Most of us preordered from PSN because we could preload it on the 13th," said one user.
"First time pre-ordering digitally and the last time," another added. "What a shambles Sony. No point in asking for the £50 back from my wallet I guess. That's the part of the deal you will hold up - no refunds."
A number of users on the forum have pointed out that, without the ability to pre-load the game, they won't be able to play the game when it unlocks at midnight.
Concern have also been expressed at the potential network problems that could arise from a significant number of PSN users attempting to download 17GB worth of data simultaneously. Additionally, users with slow internet connections may find themselves having to wait an even greater period of time to play the game.
Sony has not said whether it will let customers cancel pre-orders and offer refunds.
The delay follows the leak of GTA 5 details through a PlayStation Store error. In August gamers who pre-ordered the game via the EU PlayStation Store were apparently accidentally given access to files that revealed game details, which were inevitably posted online.
Pictures of the official Grand Theft Auto 5 map have emerged online, showing how large the new game will be. New Grand Theft Auto Online details have also been released, delivering insight into character creation, activities and more.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-september-16/

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GTA V copies sold early, Rockstar 'investigating'

September 15th, 2013, 22:16 Posted By: wraggster

Copies of Grand Theft Auto V have been shipped to gamers this weekend, breaking Rockstar's September 17 street date.
The early copies were allegedly shipped by online retail giant Amazon, according to pictures of the game that have been posted online on Saturday.
It is not unusual for Amazon to ship games just ahead of their release dates to ensure their arrival on the release date itself. In this case, copies of GTA V appear to have turned up in customers' mailboxes four days early.
Rockstar has said it's investigating. "We are in the process of investigating early 'sales' to determine how and why that is occurring," the publisher told Games Industry.
Sony confirmed earlier today that pre-loading of the PS3 Grand Theft Auto 5 through the PlayStation Network has been delayed until September 16.
The delay follows the leak of GTA 5 details through a PlayStation Store error. In August gamers who pre-ordered the game via the EU PlayStation Store were apparently accidentally given access to files that revealed game details, which were inevitably posted online.
A new GTA V trailer was released Friday in the form of a spoof commercial promoting the sights and sounds of Blaine County.
Rockstar has confirmed a US and European GTA 5 release date of September 17 on Xbox 360 and PS3. The game will launch in Japan on October 10.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...investigating/

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Battlefield 4 PS3-to-PS4 upgrade done via in-box code

September 15th, 2013, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

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Football Manager 2014 launching October 31, adds Vita cross-save support

September 15th, 2013, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

Football Manager 2014 will launch October 31, Sports Interactive announced. The game will make its way to Linux for the first time, and will also include cross-save support for those with a copy of the Vita version.

The soccer management sim will feature Steam Workshop support, so players can share game skins and graphics as well as custom roster databases and game scenarios. Football Manager 2014 includes a "zoom in/zoom out" option for players to better adjust the game's interface, making Steam Big Picture mode a better fit for the game for those looking to get their soccer management fix in the living room.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/13/fo...ta-cross-save/

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Capcom Fighting Evolution hits PSN next week as PS2 Classic

September 15th, 2013, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster

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Yifan Lu: ‘Why hacking the Vita is hard’

September 16th, 2013, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster

via http://wololo.net/2013/09/14/yifan-l...-vita-is-hard/

A few days ago, Yifan Lu posted on his blog his thoughts about the current status of the Vita in terms of hacking, why we are not seeing any significant progress, and why we are in a very different situation than we were a few years ago with the PSP.


In many aspects, Yifan Lu’s article echoes what I said 6 months ago (although I was much more hopeful back then), and what the fail0verflow team (famous for hacking the PS3) wrote in may as well.

Yifan Lu first summarizes what’s been said a lot recently, that the interest of hackers towards the Vita is not comparable to what we had when the PSP was pretty much the only valid portable device available for tinkerers. The rise of smartphones has changed the rules: hackers and indie developers are not focused on dedicated portable gaming systems anymore.

He then develops 3 main points that explain why the Vita is harder to hack than its older sister, or than smartphones: the fact that the PSP had flaws on day 1, which the Vita doesn’t; the fact that the Vita is a very specific piece of hardware making it difficult for hackers to “borrow” ideas from previous hacks; and the fact that hardware hacks, which have proven in the past to be the most effective, would be extremely hard and costly to achieve on the Vita (something that I also pointed out a while ago).

All these points may sound obvious to some of view today, but it’s something the hacking scene had been foreseeing for a few years now… did you see how many “scene” websites have transformed into “regular” gaming websites in the past few years?

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PS2 Shin Master of Monsters Final EX Project started

September 16th, 2013, 00:23 Posted By: wraggster

You can only re-fight WWII so many times, before it gets boring.
Nebelwurfer HQ’s next project is translating Shin Master of Monsters Final EX, a recent Fantasy themed Strategic game from Japan. In it, a Magician progresses through a series of battle maps while an overall story is gradually revealed. The key to the game is obtaining a force of Monsters that can be summoned onto the battlefield to fight. Different monster types can be recruited depending on the map square where the army camps between battles.
The main character and his monster army will gain experience and can evolve up to more formidable monster types over time. Also humanoid type monsters can be equipped with weapons, armor, and an item.
Thus far only the Tutorial maps and a handful of Campaign scenarios have been translated. However, this is sufficient to give you a feel for the game and follow-up patches will be released periodically as the translator progresses in the game.
There are 11 playable characters in the game, each with their own dialog trees. This translation will focus on the Soldier character. Perhaps others will step forward to translate the other character’s dialog trees.

http://www.knology.net/~mackdraper/MOM_PS2/Overview.htm

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New jpcsp revision 3376

September 16th, 2013, 00:32 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.jpcsp.org/

The revision 3376 of the emulator jpcsp was released and built. Here are the download links:

windows-x86-32: http://rapidga...x86-32.7z.html
windows-x86-64: http://rapidga...x86-64.7z.html
linux-x86-32: http://rapidga...x86-32.7z.html
linux-x86-64: http://rapidga...x86-64.7z.html
macosx: http://rapidga...macosx.7z.html

check out the Live Downloads section for more builds

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Mednafen 0.9.32 WIP

September 16th, 2013, 00:43 Posted By: wraggster

via http://emu-russia.net/en/

NES/GBA/GB/Lynx/PC Engine/PC-FX/Wonderswan/Genesis/SNES/VirtualBoy/PS1 emulator has been updated recently. Changes:
- PSX: Reworked GPU interlacing and double-height mode emulation code a bit; fixes lockups in "iS: Internal Section" and "The Next Tetris".
File: Download
News source: http://forum.fobby.net

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PPSSPP Git (2013/09/15)

September 16th, 2013, 00:59 Posted By: wraggster

via www.emucr.com

PPSSPP Git (2013/09/15) is compiled. PPSSPP is a fast and portable PSP emulator for Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, written in C++.

PPSSPP Git Changelog:
* Must detect language before loading config. Should fix #3763 broken by #3750 .
* Merge pull request #3774 from raven02/patch-8
Zeroize destination alpha as well when stencil test disabled.
* Only zeroize dst alpha when both stencil and depth testing disabled.
* Zeroize destination alpha as well when stencil test disabled.
* Convert to new-style DoState
* Merge branch 'patch-1' of https://github.com/shenweip/ppsspp into shenweip-patch-1
* Merge pull request #3755 from thedax/win32RememberWindowPosSize
Win32: Don't allow SavePosition to execute if we're entering fullscreen.
* Merge pull request #3766 from kozec/master
AT3+ plugin detection on Linux
* Merge pull request #3758 from thedax/win32Cleanup
Win32 UI: Some cleanups and simplifications, fix some small bugs.
* Use consistent directory slashes. We'll just replace all backslashes with forward slashes, eliminating the chance of duplicat recents. Fixes #3352.
* Merge pull request #3770 from unknownbrackets/softgpu
Crashes/cleanup in softgpu, fix a couple warnings, remove some unused gstate_c
* Bypass vertex decoder z scaling.
Everything is compared against the u16 value. This should be correct for
throughmode at least.
* Remove some unused gstate_c values.
* Remove a bunch of debug logs, sync with gles.
This may fix bad vertex/index addresses, or crashes from the matrix
arrays. The debug logging is better replaced with "dump this frame".
* Don't allow boneMatrixNumber to go outside bounds.
Just from the GLES code.
Fixes the Monster Hunter 3rd demo crash, but not sure why it's trying to
use crazy numbers in the first place...
* Use less pointer math in softgpu buffer access.
* Use accessors for offsetx/y.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dym80e

http://www.sendspace.com/file/gxwlls

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PCSX2 SVN r5731

September 16th, 2013, 01:03 Posted By: wraggster

via www.emucr.com


PCSX2 SVN r5731 is compiled. 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:
r5731
spu2x (linux): allow to use sdl as audio backend instead of portaudio (recommended for pulseaudio user). Close i1413

Thanks to Matt Scheirer for his patch

http://www.sendspace.com/file/50i6v5

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PCSX Reloaded SVN r87169

September 16th, 2013, 01:10 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

PCSX Reloaded r87169 is compiled. PCSX-Reloaded is a fork of the PCSX-df Project, a PlayStation Emulator, with support for both Windows and GNU/Linux operating systems as well as several bugfixes/improvements.

PCSX Reloaded SVN Changelog:
r87167
Changing a few Objective C classes to have their ivars hidden.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ursrvb

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UK Grand Theft Auto V prices are the cheapest in Europe

September 16th, 2013, 22:12 Posted By: wraggster

Gamers on the continent have faced paying up to 42 per cent more for their copies of Grand Theft Auto V than those buying it in the UK.
That’s according to Idealo, which found that pre-order prices for the game across Europe suggest UK gamers have actually got it pretty good.
Going by the £34.99 price offered on both Xbox 360 and PS3 by Amazon, the site found that consumers in Austria, for instance, faced a 42 per cent higher price on PS3 and 34 per cent on 360. That translates to £49.57 and £46.98 respectively.
Looking just at the PS3 version, German prices are 37 per cent higher, Italian 29 per cent, Polish 25 per cent and French 17 per cent.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/uk-gr...europe/0121110

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Report: 3.1m Xbox One and PS4 consoles could be sold this Christmas

September 16th, 2013, 22:23 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox One and PS4 should generate at least £1.2bn for UK retailers this Christmas.
That comes from 3.1m console sales, 1.3m Xbox Ones and 1.8m PS4s.
That's according to trade body the Entertainment Retailer's Association, which also says that number could rise to £3bn. The figures are drawn from a consumer survey of over 2,000 people.
It's an astonishing figure that, if true, will make Christmas 2013 the biggest ever for games stores.
However, the data compiled by ERA does make assumptions on the wide availability of stock this Christmas. MCV understands that it's very unlikely that there will be 3.1m Xbox One and PS4 consoles in the channel this year.
ERA does expect the sales of games to outsell music and video combined this Christmas.
ERA director general Kim Bayley said: “The drama and excitement generated by PS4 and Xbox One look set to produce the sales boost retailers have been crying out for.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/repor...istmas/0121101

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Grand Theft Auto V PSN pre-loads prove how much further console digital has to go

September 16th, 2013, 22:26 Posted By: wraggster

Amazon would get a copy of GTA V to you on release day (or even before that if you’re lucky) for £35. So why would you spend £50 on a digital PS3 version?
Well, there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means the game will always be there on your HDD in an instantly accessible, non disc-swappable form. It might even load a bit faster too.
But another good reason was SCEE’s policy of allowing you to download the game early (or ‘preload’) meaning that the very moment the game is released you’ll be able to access it.
In actual fact a Sony cock-up meant that a handful of folk who pre-ordered the game at the end of August were able to preload it immediately. This ultimately led to some game detail leaks and undoubtedly resulted in Sony receiving an ungodly bollocking from Rockstar, but when the dust settled PSN was telling customers that the game would be available to preload from September 13^th.
When September 13^th arrived and the game was not preloading, folk became agitated. The news that its preload had been delayed until September 16^th was greeted with unimaginable fury on the PlayStation forums, so much so that Sony and/or Rockstar moved the preload date forward to 15:00 yesterday afternoon (September 15^th).
You can guess what happened. Yesterday, 15:06. “This is beyond a joke now…”. 15:07. “shame on you SONY”. 15:10. “You take OUR money and nothing you suck”. 15:11. “Still not able liars they are”. 15:13. “Well it seems that Rockstar have lied through their teeth yet again and it seems they cannot be trusted with anything they say these days. Part of me wishes GTAV was a flop just so sc*ew them over for doing the same to loyal paying customers.” 15:18. “hey sony and rockstar i am becoming a videogame pirate now i will get me a ps3 with custom firmware and pirate all your games because you dont ra** us sony customers in the ass ever again”.
After some reasoned and learned debate about possible GMT/BST confusion, the download went live at 15:39. One member of the MCV team started their download at 15:44. The first 60 per cent sailed down the pipes in an hour. Then things slowed down.
The download completed at 20:44. That’s five hours to download 18GB on a 60MB internet line. And then the install failed due to a corrupted file.
A second download, presumably helped by the fact that it was getting late and PSN was under less strain, took just an hour and a half. An additional half hour installation later and the game is good to go, once Sony’s server give it the digital nod at midnight tonight. Which will of course pass off without a hitch.
Of course, this isn’t an inherent problem with digital. Gamers have been preloading titles on Steam for yonks without any such issues. And truth be told that’s exactly the model Sony and Microsoft need to be following if they want digital to become a viable consumer proposition on PS4 and Xbox One.
But for all those who spent the latter half of yesterday trying to get a working copy of a game they’ve already paid for onto their PS3 – while reading online about those happily playing their Amazon copies – an all-digital future feels today like a somewhat less enticing prospect.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/grand...-to-go/0121097

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US PS Plus update: GTA: Vice City Stories, Ico go free

September 17th, 2013, 00:09 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has released a list of the latest new content and deals for PlayStation Plus subscribers in North America, going live tomorrow, September 17.
No doubt to coincide with the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 5 tomorrow (GTA 5 review here), PS2/PSP classic Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories will join the Instant Game Collection, making it free to download to PS Plus subs.
The critically acclaimed Ico - the first game from the team behind Shadow of the Colossus, will also be added to the Instant Game Collection.
Sony will introduce discounts on Pixel Junk Monsters: Ultimate HD on Vita (PS Plus Price: $11.99, Regular Price: $14.99), Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (PS Plus Price: $5.99, Regular Price: $14.99) and Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (PS Plus Price: $7.99, Regular Price: $19.99).
Sleeping Dogs will get a huge discount (PS Plus Price: $9.99, Regular Price: $24.99), and Real Boxing for Vita will also be reduced in price (PS Plus Price: $11.99, Regular Price: $14.99).
Point-and-click adventure Machinarium will be removed from the Instant Game Collection on September 24.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...s-ico-go-free/

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Grand Theft Auto V Exclusive PS3 Console Reduced to $269.99!

September 17th, 2013, 02:10 Posted By: wraggster

• The PlayStation 3 Grand Theft Auto V Bundle includes the fifth installment of one of the best selling franchises of all time, Grand Theft Auto.
• Los Santos: a sprawling metropolis full of self-help gurus, starlets and fading celebrities struggling to stay afloat in an era of economic uncertainty and cheap cable TV. Amidst the turmoil, three very different criminals risk everything in a series of daring and dangerous heists that could set them up for life.
• With the 30-Day PlayStation Plus Trial that is included in the PlayStation 3 Grand Theft Auto V Bundle gives you access to: 12 Hit games each month, member exclusive Game Betas, Demos and Features, exclusive discounts of 10% - 75% on the PlayStation Store, 1 GB of cloud storage and automatic game saves and system updates, 6 Additional games unlocked for your PS Vita system

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PS4 maker chose x86 chip for its broad technology uses

September 18th, 2013, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster

Tech shifts mean chip is 'finally usable in a console'

PlayStation 4’s chief system architect has said the console’s CPU was chosen for its ability to suit practically anyone who’s involved in making technology.
There’s been much discussion about PS4 and Xbox One being, for all intents and purposes, more or less the same technology-wise.

However, with PS4, Sony has chosen to avoid going down the proprietary technology route of its predecessors, instead going to AMD for an off-the-shelf x86 Jaguar processor, but one that it believes will allow the platform to suit game makers and software makers alike.
Speaking to Official PlayStation Magazine UK, Mark Cerny said there were concerns over the chips suitability for the game console, but advancements in technology led him to believe that the chip was “finally usable in a console”.
“There was definitely a first-party voice that said [the x86 chip] probably couldn't be used for games,” said Cerny.
“Because of its very long history, the x86 is rather complex... If you read an x86 manual, it takes pages to explain all the different ways that you can move data from one register to another, based on all the additions to the architecture over the years. It's a bit overwhelming from that perspective.”
Cerny and Sony’s internal hardware team set to work on researching a chip as early as 2007, during his post-mortem on PS3.
Cerny added: “Actual work on PS4 didn’t start until 2008. [At first] I wasn't deciding whether the x86 would be the chip. I was trying to work out whether it would be an option. If your only option is the Power PC, it's very restrictive in terms of hardware vendors. If you can also use the x86, you can talk to anyone out there who makes technology.
“We made 15 separate presentations [with first-party teams]. The presentation we did was so long that one of the teams was stranded on the tarmac for five hours, and they still arrived before we finished going through all the materials we prepared.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...echnology-uses