Socom: Confrontation Gets Cold Front PS3 DLC

SCEA Software Product Marketing Manager Scott McCarthy announced exciting news of a Cold Front DLC Pack for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation on PS3.

According to Scott McCarthy: We are very happy to announce the COLD FRONT DLC pack for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation.

Loaded with new features and content, this pack brings a brand new snowy Eastern European area of operations into play with two all new maps and three classic SOCOM maps for 16 to 32 players. The classic maps are drawn from some of the most popular SOCOM maps of all time, each built from the ground up for the PS3!

Kit yourself out in snow gear and fight your way through blizzard conditions, joining a team of mercenaries or a squad from one of the world’s top Special Forces regiments including the Russian Spetsnaz.

Try your hand at Arms Run, a new game mode that features dynamically placed missile launchers that must be activated or destroyed, depending on which side you’re fighting for.

Employ the new thermal vision scope weapon attachment to track your enemies’ heat signatures – vital in the dark and useful in daylight for picking out white camouflaged adversaries. In addition, we have new primary weapons to make use of and new attachments.

The pack will include:

• New Russian / Eastern European Area of Operation
• Snow setting complete with snow effects, new snow gear and camo for both the Special Forces and Mercenaries, and thermal vision
• New ARMS RUN gameplay mode
• 5 New Maps: Uprising, Entrapment, Blizzard, Night Stalker, Vigilance
• All new mercenaries characters with new looks and new VO.
• New Special Forces squad, the Russian Spetsnaz
• Gun turrets emplacements
• New music
• All new character specialization/progression system
• Allows players to pick a primary and secondary specialization and unlock new equipment exclusive to those specializations
• New weapons, including: 3 new weapons, 6 enhanced versions of weapons available as part of the new weapons specialization system, 2 new weapon attachments (including the thermal scope), 5 enhanced versions of weapon attachments also available as part of the new weapons specialization system.
• 2 new grenade launcher ammo types (flash and smoke)
• New Trophies
• This pack will be available for download via the Playstation Network for $14.99.

God of War III demo out Nov 19 in Japan

The Japanese version of Infamous is being pack with an extra little surprise, Sony is giving out demo codes to download God of War III Japanese demo from the PlayStation Store.

The demo will be available on November 19, about a month after Infamous’ October 15 release date in Japan. Codes can be redeemed from November 19 to February 2010.

MAG PS3 Pre-order Public Beta is Now Open

SCEA's Director of Development Seth Luisi has announced that the MAG (Massive Action Game) PS3 pre-order Public Beta is now open, and has detailed the hours below.

"Today a whole new group of operatives joined the Shadow War. October 12 marks the start of the GameStop and EB Games pre-order MAG Public Beta period.

At 10:00 AM this morning, all those who pre-ordered MAG from GameStop or EB Games in Canada received access to the MAG Public Beta and joined existing Public Beta users. Be prepared to choose your side – Raven, Valor, and S.V.E.R. are once again locked in battle.

The hours for this phase of the MAG Public Beta are:

Monday – Friday:
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM EDT

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM CDT

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM MDT
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM MDT

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT

Later this week or early next, we will be releasing a new version of the MAG Public Beta client. This will be a major update to the MAG Public Beta client and server set.

Remember, in North America the MAG Public Beta access from November 9 to November 20 will be available exclusively to people who pre-order MAG from GameStop or EB Games (in Canada).

If you live in North America and you want to continue playing MAG you will need to get your pre-order in to GameStop or EB Games and get your MAG Public Beta voucher code. This will also be the first time the MAG Public Beta will be available 24/7 with unlimited server hours (with the exception of server maintenance).

In conjunction with the next phase of the MAG Public Beta, we are also introducing a ton of new features for our Web site, MAG.com. The updated site will include a community section with access to the MAG forums, RSS feeds, and new media and downloads for fans, including wallpapers, AIM icons, and XMB themes for each of the PMCs.

You can also read more background on each of the PMCs and enlist in your favorite private army. Check it out now at MAG.com. The Shadow War is coming 1.26.10."

MAG PS3 Beta v1.22 is Now Live

Sony's MAG get new Patch version 1.22

Sony's MAG beta has just received a new patch, version 1.22, clocking in at 36MB the patch is now live on the PSN. After you've successfully downloaded and installed the 36MB patch, you will also have to download an additional 377.83MB.

MAG Beta Changes include the following in:

• Remove Infantry Gate from Domination mission primary objective areas
o We have alternate gate behavior on the way, but wanted to get this in for quick testing
• Update Domination gametype primary objective score-bleed
• Lower initial spawn times for attackers and defenders for all gametypes
• Update Major/Minor victory and loss scoring and conditions for all gametypes
• Tune Shadow War scoring and win/loss increments
• Several server stability fixes
• Download tuning and fixes
• The user is now able to create a character after deleting a character that is a clan leader

Uncharted 2 Demo PSN numbers will amaze you

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves demo hit the PlayStation Store about a week ago, and Naughty Dog could not be more pleased with the reception that fans have shown for the game. Apart from getting downloaded more times than a Brittany Spears crouch shot, the demo has amassed a hard to believe playing time that has is equivalent of 27 years. "WTF"

• Total Number of games played – 1,217,424

• Total Number of Kills – 92,110,787

• Total Number of Treasures Captured – 1,860,645

• Total Amount of Money Earned – $38,841,367,350

• Total Time Played – 9,905 days (or 27+ years!)

Currently, Uncharted 2 holds the record for most downloads for a demo on its first week on the PlayStation Network, and its likely that it will go on to become the most downloaded demo ever. Evan Wells, through his post at the PlayStation Blog, is also happy to report that out of 34 reviews on Metacritic, Uncharted 2 scored perfect on 17, and none went under 90.

Amazon Teams up with Sony To Sell PSN Content

Amazon Becomes First Online Retailer To Sell PSN Content Codes

PlayStation 3 owners rejoice, because Amazon have just announced a new effort with Sony that will allow PS3 owners to purchase PS3 and PSP content codes via Amazon, making Amazon the first online retailer to provide this service

Currently, the Amazon PS3/PSP section contains around 200 pieces of content (games, DLC, etc.), but that number will expand in the near future, as the service goes along. Some of the games available right now are Flower, Pixeljunk Eden, Echochrome and Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. Amazon’s vice president of consumer electronics, Paul Ryder, said in a statement, “We are excited to expand our current library of video game platform downloads. PlayStation Network games are an important addition and we plan to continue making it easier for customers to instantly enjoy new content as well as their favorite games from the comfort of their living rooms.”

Bayonetta shoots it's way onto Japanese PSN

The PS3 demo for Bayonetta has gone live on the Japanese PSN Store, for those who can't wait for it to arrive on our end. It's still not too late to set up all regional PSN accounts for your PS3.

The demo apparently features an extended version of the Angel Metropolis stage seen in the 360 demo, but doesn't have the Clock Tower level in it, according to PS3Center. It's a healthy dose of 1195MB file of super sexy gun slinging ass kicking action.

We expect Sony to confirm today's UK PSN update any time now. Hopefully it'll be in there too, for those of you too lazy to create a Japanese PSN account.

Sony PS3 PSN is Down

Good news Bad news, the bad news the Playstation Network is offline right about now. The good news Sony have just a few words to say about the matter, “Site Maintenance Notice: The server is currently down for maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try again later”. Apparently the maintenance should be all sorted in a few hours so you’ll have to do something other than play PS3 online. Maybe play it offline?

Naughty Dog Talk Uncharted On PSP, Jak & Daxter On PS3

With Uncharted 2 on the heels of a released on October 13th while receiving great praises as one of the best games to hit any console in a very long time.

An interview with Naughty Dog’s Evan Wells conducted by the Examiner has revealed some interesting clues regarding Jak & Daxter franchise, as well as the future of Uncharted franchise. When asked if Naughty Dog’s next project would be Jak & Daxter on Playstation 3, Evan responded, “I think you know I can’t answer that question. But I will say that all of us here love the Jak and Daxter franchise and would love to play in the universe again. Right now most of the studio is on a much deserved vacation and with all of the hard work that went into finishing Uncharted 2, we haven’t even decided what we’ll be working on when they get back.”

As for the future of Nathan Drake, Evan showed interest in the Uncharted franchise taking the jump to PSP, “We’d love to see Uncharted grow beyond the PS3. It would be interesting to see what sort of changes to the design one would make for a portable system. But right now Naughty Dog is purely focused on PS3 development so we can’t promise anything from us in the near future.”

So there you have it, Uncharted will eventually see the light on PSP/PSPGo and Jak & Daxter will be making an appearance on PS3 in the near future. Naughty Dog is a very AAA developer and they know there is a huge market for anything Jax & Dexter, it's a PlayStation mainstay.

Via:[Examiner]

PS3 Motion Controller Game List

The official pictures are out for Sony's new Motion Controller. We've had a chance to see the birth of the new motion controller through Sony's R&D labs releasing a series of videos. Now, thanks to an official press release we have the full Motion Controller details, along with a list of games which are being readied along side the new controller.

Check out the full press release below:
Motion Controller* for PlayStation(R)3 to Become Available in Spring 2010

Motion Controller (Unofficial Name) Equipped with High-Precision Motion Sensors, Combined With PlayStation(R)Eye Camera, Delivers Whole New Entertainment Experience on PlayStation(R)3

TOKYO, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release a new Motion Controller (unofficial name) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver a whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera(*1). Capable of recognizing and tracking a user’s face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player’s image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.

The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller’s angle and movement held in the user’s hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation® DUALSHOCK® series controller, delivering an immersive gaming experience to users.

Further expanding the new experience on PS3, SCE Worldwide Studios will deliver many exciting software titles for the Motion Controller in 2010(*2). SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the new Motion Controller and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.

* Motion Controller is a tentative name.

*1 Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3.

*2 Please see below for software titles to be released in 2010.

Product Outline
Motion Controller (Tentative)

Product name Motion Controller (tentative)

Release date Spring 2010

Recommended Retail Price To be decided.

Key Features — Three axes gyroscope, three axes accelerometer
– Bluetooth(R) 2.0
– Lithium-Ion rechargeable internal battery

Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios(*1)
(2010 release, includes both Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles)

Title name
———-
Ape Escape (Working Title)
Echochrome 2 (Working Title)
Eccentric Slider (Working Title)
Sing and Draw (Working Title)
Champions of Time (Working Title)
Motion Party (Working Title)
The Shoot (Working Title)
Tower (Working Title)
PAIN(*2)
Flower(*2)
Hustle Kings(*2)
High Velocity Bowling(*2)
EyePet(*2)

Via:[Press Release]

Final PS3 Motion Control Pic

You have seen the videos and you have heard the R&D blah blah. But we've never seen anything official, no final product shots, until now. Sony has officially shown us a picture of the New Motion Controller for the PS3. Looks very cool a remote control with a mini light bulb at the end. Can we think about the possibilities when Sony decides to give you the option to control other Sony device's besides the PS3. How cool?

PS3 Shortage is Possible?

Jack Tretton, the Sony Computer Entertainment America boss told Reuters today that if PlayStation 3 sales continue at it's current pace Sony will be seeing a shortage this upcoming holiday season.

"If things continue at this pace, it is conceivable that there will be product shortages," Tretton said, after noting the console's sales are up 300 percent over last year since its price was cut by $100. "We are up significantly versus last year," he said.

With the introduction of the PS3 slim into the wild Sony has proclaim that they are back on track to sell 13 million units by end of this fiscal year.

Via:[Reuters]

Best FREE Dynamic Theme for your PS3

With the recent firmware 3.0 update for the PS3, Sony added some new super premium themes also known as; Dynamic Theme, these themes usually cost $2.99USD/1.59EURO a little pricey if you ask me. Now what makes Dynamic Themes different and special they are in full high resolution 3D and involves some sort of motion giving a pseudo 3D effect without the glasses.

I am not sure if they're worth a full three bones yet but they are some that is worth the free download. Now if you have happen to set up all three regional accounts for your PS3, you can get a free theme from all PSN regions except the US.

The US received, PAIN,PixelJunk and LittleBigPlanet featuring Sony's new adorable mascot Sackboy running around on a LittlePlanet, I drop the three dollars to check it out LittleBigPlanet of course. Not bad, I still think Dynamic Themes are not worth $3. If there were minor to advance interaction between you and the theme by way of the Sony Sixaxis Controllers then Dynamic Themes may be worth it.(Can we see this coming in the near future?)

The land of the raising sun receives a herd a zebras roaming around eating grass and getting very close to the screen almost to see what your doing. This theme is a tribute to Afrika the Sony PS3 exclusive which will be here stateside before year end.

Finally our friends across the pond in England gets a Wipeout HD fury theme. This is the coolest and most engaging theme Sonys offers by far and it's FREE. The Wipeout HD fury theme is basically a Wipeout HD hovercraft being tested in a lab, I swear, if this was in True HD 3D, I would piss on myself it's cool as shit. Do yourself a favor and create an EU Sony PSN account and download this Wipeout HD fury theme right away plus it's free.

DreamCast Reborn: Sega wants all Past IPs on the PS3

With the recently leaked Sega PR document by a mysterious stranger that is currently employed by Sega(for the moment) shows that Sega is trying to relive their glory days through the Sony PS3.

This PR nightmare or well timed leaked has shown a bright relationship between Sega and Sony. The leaked documents states that there will be a PS2 emulator for PS3, this could be by firmware update or it could off been sneaked in with firmware 3.0.

With Sega's commitment to raise out the ashes, a FREE digital platform like the PSN may help their agenda. Sega is seriously considering putting Japanese games directly on PSN for download in a "special Japanese Import section (pricing $9.99 to $39.99 for full game).Might need to localize menus at least with subtitles. SCEA interested in helping on MKTG side if they can have period of exclusivity"

Sega and Sony also wants to release their entire PS2 library onto the PSN "as well SCEA wants to sell all PS2 titles on PSN (GTA Vice City/Sonic/etc)For co Marketing money show PS3 controller on TV ads – similar to EA Madden Spots, NCAA, etc…"

Sony Ericsson’s Aino for PS3

With the recent release of the PS3 Slim, comes another new piece of Sony hardware. Sony Ericsson’s Aino is the world’s first mobile phone able to access video and music stored on the games console’s hard disk or on any device connected to it. It’s a very interesting device that is clearly part of a broader strategy by Sony to put the PS3 at the center of an Digital HD 3D do it all, multimedia device.

Once the phone has been registered with a PS3 running on a broadband home network — a procedure much like pairing two Bluetooth devices — you can connect with the console over the internet from anywhere in the world. The PS3’s distinctive XMB “crossbar”, a menu that will be familiar to users of the console, is reproduced on the screen of the phone, allowing you to take control of the PS3 remotely.

This lets you, for example, command the PS3 to scroll to the video folder so you can choose a film. Select play and the console compresses the video to the size of the phone’s 3in display, streaming it over the net to the handset, with no apparent time delay.

Order Pizza From Your PS3 "Slim"

Life cannot get any better than this, Sony and Pappa Johns are teaming up to bring laziness to the next generation. Sept 27th, folks will be able to order Papa John’s pizza directly from their PlayStation 3, thanks to a new built-in button, sending gamers to a special pizza website that caters to the console. Now you can still hop on your browser and order from anyone beside Pappa Johns. It looks like Pappa John is capitalizing on this new HD venture by taking lessons from the liberal media about gamers being fat and lazy.

HD 3D Sony's PS3 Secret weapon Part II

If you ask any fanboy who is the "victor" this current console war many would proclaim the Nintendo Wii as the new 'champ' with the Xbox 360 a close second and PS3 feeling like a redhead step child.

Nintendo brought motion control (MoCo) to the masses and made it relevant amongst game designers and grandmothers, Xbox 360 introduced a unified and seem-less way to play online with a community of your top 100 friends. Sony on the other hand--introduced an expensive super HD Blu-ray player that actually play games that no one seem to get right.

Sony has unleashed a foray of never before seen R&D videos showing what they have been stealthily cooking up in their labs. We saw a very interesting super zoom feature for the PS3, Sony unveiled advance facial recognition with head tracking for the PS3, Sony also demo'd a new voice recognition library for the PS3, dubbed PS3VR which is currently featured in SingStar, and most importantly Sony showed off WipeoutHD 3D in spectacular true 3D HD.

Sony is currently lagging behind it's major competitors in terms of sales, with the recent introduction of the PS3 Slim has helped close the gap. Sony needs to do something big to change the playing field and prove their relevance to the gaming world and most importantly the public.

Sony's secret weapon that will help change the tide will be the advancement of 3D viewing technology in our living rooms. With most major Movie Studios going 3D and many movie theaters revamping their screens to digital 3D. The next logical step in the world of 3D would be to bring 3D to our living rooms.

With Blu-ray being Sony's Trojan horse, Blu-ray will be the Trojan horse for 3D eventually arrival into our living rooms. Sony announced a few weeks at IFA 2009 it is to bring out a 3D series of its Bravia TVs in 2010, marking the first time the company has brought 3D technology to its TV range.

"Incorporating frame sequential display and active-shutter glass systems, Sony's proprietary high frame rate technology will enable the reproduction of full High Definition high-quality 3D images, and will form the centerpiece of Sony's 3D entertainment experience for the home," reads Sony's IFA release.

In addition, to 3D Bravias, Sony is also set to introduce and "develop 3D compatibility into many more of its devices, such as Blu-ray Disc products, Vaio and PlayStation 3, to provide a multitude of ways in which 3D content can be enjoyed in the home - from 3D movies to stereoscopic 3D games."

Specialist 3D games developer, Andrew Oliver, founder and CEO of Blitz Games told TechRadar:

"At IFA this week the big news is going to be 3D! Several companies will be showing their new 3DTVs, which is really exciting and having been privileged enough to have seen some of the prototypes, they really do produce exceptional results. 3DTV not only gives you the high resolution of HDTV, but also allows you to look into the worlds with a far greater level of immersion. 3DTV will soon be the new HDTV."

Sony also launched a new branding strategy at IFA 2009 – with its "'make.believe' philosophy" signifying the company's ability to "turn ideas into reality", with lots of talk at the IFA conference of 'synergies' and 'leveraging resources' in order to help promote 3D in the home.

Katamari Forever Demo Now on PS3

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that a Katamari Forever™ demo is now available on the PlayStation®Network for the Sony PS3.

Katamari Forever will boasts the largest collection of stages, modes, songs, and cousins to date. Remixed classic Katamari Damacy tunes, a brand-new storyline, multiple new visual effects and 1080p graphics come together to make this the ultimate Katamari experience yet.

Katamari Forever features a brand new art style along with multiple unlockable graphic filters to bring out even more variety than ever before. The new changeable graphic filters give Katamari Forever a certain “je ne sais quoi” that all Katamari games possess. Wood Tone transforms everything in the world into carved out wooden blocks while Comic Book paints the screen with deep, rich colors. Players looking to take a trip down memory lane can switch to Original and re-create the series trademark visual style in glorious 1080p.

HD 3D Porn coming to the PS3?

Vivid Boss and on of the most powerful human beings in the world of adult entertainment is attempting to court Sony to release Vivid massive collection of porn onto Sony's PSN video Network.

While speaking with MCVUK, Vivid Entertainment Founder and Co-Chairman, Steven Hirsch said the distribution of adult films on the PS3, had “real potential”.

Hirsch also said:

“[DDM’s launch] is a good start. We hope that Sony will allow adult movies to be downloaded worldwide.”

This may never happen states side, even though the land of the raising sun will be getting DDM.tv, and it’s Blu-Ray Quality HD Adult Movies right on every PS3 in Japan. Now the world’s largest pornography producer want’s to bring Adult content to the PS3.

PS3 Slim breaks record numbers in Japan

Famitsu publisher Enterbrain released early sales figures for the PS3 lite today, and they are indeed good. For the week of August 31 through September 6, total sales for the PS3 platform as a whole reached 150,832 units. Of these, 150,252 were from the slim, which arrived on Thursday.

In the previous week, the PS3 just barely managed to top the 1,000 mark. The system was hard to find at retail, and even if you did find one, it was probably still carrying the standard 39,800 yen price point, as Sony did not stage pre-slim price cuts in Japan.

The 150,832 figure is a new record for the PS3 in Japan, easily beating the previous high of 88,000, achieved during the first two days after the November 2006 launch. Other surges from games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and the Spring Final Fantasy XIII demo capped out at below 70,000.