Sony Playstation Home 1.3 Launches In September

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Sony announced at the Gamescom 2009 that there will be a new Playstation Home update. The Sony Playstation Blog now details the Playstation Home update which is supposed to be launched next month.

Playstation Home 1.3 will allow users to launch any PS3 game directly from Home. Titles that fully support game launching (like Street Fighter IV, Resistance 2, MotorStorm, and Far Cry 2) will be identified by separate icons that appear over an avatar’s head and will have varying degrees of additional multiplayer functionality built in. Read more

Posted on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

More PlayStation Peripherals Coming

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Sony's been having some financial issues lately and they need to perk up their ailing PlayStation 3 to reverse the trend. As a way to drum up more interest in the PlayStation brand Sony has just announced the expansion of their “Official License Program”. This will allow more peripheral manufacturers from all around the world to make addons for the platform.

Manufacturers who sign onto this license will be able to access documentation to help the design and build products for the PlayStations. You can find out more information about Sony's 'Official License Program' at their website here. It's too early to tell what new peripherals this arrangement will spawn. Hopefully we'll see something more creative than just a new generation of light guns.

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Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:25:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

PlayStation Phone On The Way?

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Once again rumors of a PlayStation smartphone are finding their way around the tangled corridors of the Internet. This time the whispers come from Tokyo, where Nikkei business daily has reported that the Sony Corporation is once again thinking about developing a “cellphone-game gear hybrid”.

Nikkei says that Sony is planning to establish a project team in July to begin development on the new smartphone. This new mobile would basically be a cross between the PSP and one of Ericsson's smartphones. Sony recognizes that both the mobile gaming market and the smartphone market are in a period of great growth. They want their own share of that pie before Apple goes and gobbles it all up.

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Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:50:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

PlayStation 3 Motion Controller: Spring 2010

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It looks like a big wand with a glowing purple ball on the end. According to the Sony techs, the PlayStation EyeToy tracks the big glowing ball in order to capture your motion as you play. From the demo we are seeing, the Eye is capable of replacing the control in the virtual world with things like baseball bats, guns, and even a laser whip.

Sony is very excited about the artistic potential of their new motion controller. The new controller is capable of capturing even tiny little motions so that you can draw or write your name with a fairly high degree of accuracy. We also got to see them use a spray paint cannister (which they had to shake up before using) and 'tag' a brick wall.

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2009 14:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Final Fantasy 7: Out today on the PlayStation Network

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Moments ago, Sony announced that more than 50 classic PlayStation 1 games were being put up for download on the PlayStation Network. One of those new games is out today; Final Fantasy 7 is back.

FF7 is one of the most successful role-playing games in history, and original copies of the PS1 game routinely sell online for more than their old retail price. Now fans of the legendary Square classic can play their favorite game once more.

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2009 14:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Analyst Says; PlayStation 3 Price to Drop $100.

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Sony is in a bit of trouble. They've posted their first full-year losses in fourteen years, and they expect those losses to continue clear through to 2010. Once the top-dog of the console market, the PlayStation line is running into a lot of trouble due to its bulky size and high price.

That's why Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian believes that Sony will cut the price of a PS3 from $399 to $299 before the summer is out. Sebastian goes so far as to say that he believes the price drop will happen between E3 and the end of summer. The reason the anticipated price drop is $100 is due to the fact that "sweet spot" for console price is a little under $300.

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Posted on Thu, 14 May 2009 13:30:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

PlayStation Phone ''A Possibility''.

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Hideki Komiyama, President of Sony Ericsson, stated in an interview with the Financial Times that a PlayStation mobile phone "could happen". This came at the end of a long interview about Sony's recent losses in the mobile market, and their scramble to produce a smartphone capable of competing with the iPhone.

Aside from a brief, failed experiment with the X1 last year, Sony Ericsson has so far resisted the urge to dip its toes into the smartphone market. At the end of this year, however, they have two brand new smartphones set to come out. A third is being released in early 2010. FT.com thinks that these new smartphones could "make or break" Sony Ericsson.

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Posted on Fri, 8 May 2009 16:35:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Loot Delivered to PlayStation Home.

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Sony's just announced the formation of a group of developers called 'Loot'. Loot's purpose will be to develop "interactive entertainment products" for the PlayStation Home gaming community. The first Loot release is the "Living Room Stage Set", which is a blank media soundstage that you can fill up with props and cameras and furniture. The "Living Room" set is available now from PlayStation Home in North America.

PlayStation Home is a 3D online gaming community for PlayStation users. On it they can chat and start multiplayer games together. Loot's purpose within Home seems to be to turn it into a profit-generating social environment. Sony sells its customers different sets to decorate their stage with (Living Room is $4.99, which will probably be standard), in the hopes that PlayStation Home will catch on as a social trend and how your 'home' set looks will be a status symbol.

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Posted on Fri, 8 May 2009 14:30:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 Will Have Motion Sensing!

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Engadget has released information that Sony will be debuting their new motion-sensing controller for the PS3 at E3. Kombo stated last month that several developers are already working on incorporating motion-sensors into already released games.

We've reported before that there were rumors of an Xbox motion sensor as well, but this is the first solid piece of evidence we've seen. Engadget recieved word that Microsoft had developed a sensor bar to monitor whole-body motion for the 360. An actual photo of the set-up is out now, complete with what appears to be the on-screen calibration tool and the motion sensor hooked in front of the television.

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Posted on Fri, 1 May 2009 13:04:26 CDT | by Robert Evans

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Confirmed for Xbox Live, PlayStation Network

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Long-standing rumors of fighting-game favorite Marvel vs. Capcom 2 coming to Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network were confirmed today on the Capcom Unity blog, with a demo scheduled for release on the PlayStation Network later this week.

The post claims that this will be the “definitive” version of MVC2, based on the Dreamcast code base. Other features include online play with leaderboards and stat tracking, HD upscaling options, widescreen support, custom soundtracks, and no unlocking required to play all 56 characters.

No release date was provided, only a note that the game would drop “this summer.” No pricing information was released.

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Posted on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:30:00 CDT | by James Douglas

Backstage with Guitar Hero Debuts on PlayStation Home

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Activision has announced that Guitar Hero Backstage has now launched on PlayStation Home. The launch adds a virtual destination on PlayStation Home where fans of the franchise can meet up and chat.

Activision says that users of the virtual backstage area can talk about the game, meet new friends, and maybe even find new bands to challenge. The virtual space offers the backstage area and a huge concert venue. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Playstation Network has over 20 million Users

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Sony announced today that the Playstation Network exceeded 20 million registered users world-wide this month.
The registered accounts on PlayStation Network reached 5 million in 1 year and 2 months, 10 million in 1 year and 8 months, and exceeded 20 million in only 2 years and 3 months from the service launch on November 11, 2006.

Sony says that the new 3D world PlayStation Home launched in December 2008 has 4 million users. Read more

Posted on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:46:06 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Casual Classic Games Available on PlayStation Network

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Sony has announced that classic casual games from PopCap Games like Bejeweled 2 are now available on the PlayStation Network. Other casual games like Zuma, Heavy Weapon, Peggle, and Feeding Frenzy will be made available for download soon.

Bejeweled 2 is available to download now for $9.99 and offers four ways to play the match-3 game. Players can solve puzzles against the clock or on their own time and new gems are available. Read more

Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Playstation Home gets mixed Reviews after two Weeks

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Sony's virtual world Playstation Home has been in open beta for two weeks now. I have been looking around a bit and visually it is stunning. The interface is easy to use. Voice or keypad is essential though to have meaningful conversations. Overall the virtual PS3 world still feels empty in regards to users and content. Today two big newspapers published reviews about Sony Playstation Home putting their fingers on the current problems.
The Washington Post mentions a good way to make friends in their review. The author bought a snowman head and dressed his avatar in a business suit. This getup apparently made him very popular with the ladies in Playstation Home. Read more

Posted on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony PlayStation Home Launches Tomorrow

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Just yesterday, we were speculating on if the launch of PlayStation home would actually happen this year as Sony had promised or if we would get nothing but another delay announcement as time ran out. Sony computer Entertainment has announced today that the PlayStation Home beta will be rolled out globally starting tomorrow.

Some speculation yesterday had the Home service not coming as a firmware update or a download from the PlayStation Store. That is true, though I worried that we might be talking about a physical media install, which we are not. Read more

Posted on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Qore PS3 Magazine free this Month on Playstation Network

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Sony is releasing the new online video gaming magazine Qore episode today for free. Qore Episode 07 (December ’08) can be downloaded today from the Playstation Network.
Episode 07 begins with an inside look at EA’s “Skate 2,” the sequel to the game that redefined what it means to ride a virtual board. Then, Audrey Cleo rolls over to Skatefest ‘08 in San Diego for a spin around the boarding scene. Read more

Posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2008 02:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Prepare for Playstation Home, buy Wireless Keypad for PS3

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Sony announced the Wireless Keypad for the PS3 in August. The official Playstation blog features a video that demonstrates the keypad and touts the keyboard as the must have accessory for Playstation Home.

The full QWERTY keyboard is operated with the thumbs. The keypad is paired to the PS3 by connecting it with the included USB cable.
The keypad supports chat and has quick access buttons that can take gamers to the friends list and Message Box during gameplay. Read more

Posted on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Capcom Store to launch at Sony Playstation Store alongside Age of Booty for PS3

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The Sony Playstation Store will get a Capcom games store this week on Thursday.
The Capcom store front launches with the release of Capcom's Age of Booty. Age of Booty is a casual real-time multiplayer strategy game that puts players at the helm of their own pirate ship with the goal of sending your enemies to the briny deep, and looting and capturing towns for your pirate faction.

The Capcom Playstation Store section offers all content available for Capcom games including full game content, demo and promotional items like themes, wallpapers, and more. Read more

Posted on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Playstation Home is all about Social

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The 3D online community platform Playstation Home is still slated to launch as open beta in Fall. Currently Playstation Home is in extended beta. MTV sat down with Jack Buser, director of the PlayStation 3 virtual world "Home" project last week to get a demonstration of Playstation Home in its current state.
Mr. Buser took a lot of emphasis on the social aspects of the Playstation Home platform and how it will help PS3 gamers to meet each other and "socialize". Read more

Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2008 09:53:58 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Playstation Life for PS3 is available now

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Sony launched Playstation Life for the Sony PS3. You can install it right now. Playstation Life is replacing the Folding@Home application as it will contain it.
Life with PlayStation provides an interactive globe, a 3D world map that you can twirl around to see live cloud movement courtesy of the University of Wisconsin, combined with up-to-date weather information from the Weather Channel, top news headlines provided by Google news, and live web cam images via the Earth Television Network. Read more

Posted on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:09:47 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Playstation Life for the PS3 will be free

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Sony delays the Playstation Life service but says it will be free of charge.
Sony announced previously that Playstation Life for the PS3 would launch in August. Now we are in September and Sony is blaming unfinished paperwork for the delay of the 3D earth news service.
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Posted on Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:05:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr