Sony Announces PS3 Price Drop At Gamescom 2011
Straight from Germany’s Gamescom 2011 comes great news for Sony fans. Effective immediately, the Playstation 3 will now cost $249.99, down from $299.99.
Playstation Vita Will Be Playstation 3 Compatible, Act As Controller
Quick, one of you nerds tell me how to say “Uh oh” in Japanese. Sony Europe R&D manager Phil Rogers has confirmed that the forthcoming Playstation Vita will also work as a Playstation 3 controller. Sound familiar? It should. Post E3, one of the hottest topics was whether or not the Wii U would be Nintendo 3DS compatible: Nintendo even mentioned that they’d at one time considered making the 3DS a workable controller for Wii U. It looks like that will be a reality now for Sony with their next generation of handheld.
All in all, it’s looking like the Vita is shaping up to be formidable competition against the 3DS, whose lack of popularity recently prompted an $80 price drop. With its superior graphics, WiFi/3G capability, competitive pricing, and upcoming Uncharted title, surely the Vita is a real contender.
Oh, and bonus: this Vita/PS3 functionality will be added to past titles with an update in the future, solidifying the sweetness of this new piece of information. Sony, however, has yet to officially comment.
PSN Officially Back Online
Sony has just announced the phased restoration of Playstation Network online. In a video announcement placed on their official blog, Executive Deputy President of Sony Kazuo Hirai confirmed the restored functionality to PSN across Playstation 3 and PSP, noting that users will have to change their password upon restoring their service. He added that the system’s security updates include “advanced security technology, increased levels of encryption, additional firewalls, and early warning detection systems for any unusual activity that could signal an attack on the network”.
For now nline multiplayer capabilities are restored as this phased restoration continues on a country by country basis. No specific times have been given for each region, but you can check out the progress on the Playstation Blog map if you’re feeling antsy.
Sony Releases New Details On Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Time to squeeze one out before bed. Ha, an article that is. Gutterheads.
I got a press release today highlighting some of the exciting improvements coming to Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Most of the details are pretty predictable—improved visuals, new setting (with the tech to match), and more on the back story of Drake and aging cohort Sully. Of note, however, were a few details. The signature combat system is said to be improved with multiple opponents per encounter, “contextual melee attacks”, and new stealth options. It’ll be interesting to see what those specifically entail.
As for multiplayer, there will be a batch of new modes, and up to ten players in 5 vs. 5 in the classic Death Match. An improved match-making system will ensure games stay “competitive”, and players will have the ability to join ones already in progress. Two player split-screen with two separate PSN logins will also be supported.
One handy feature they’ll be adding is the Enhanced Cinema, allowing tools and editing for gameplay videos that you can then send to YouTube from within the game. The service will be included as part of a social networking integration that will highlight the best YouTube footage on channel Uncharted TV.
For more details, check out the press release below.
Get The Steam-y Details On Portal 2
As previously reported, Portal 2 will feature the ultra-rare cross platform multiplayer, utilizing Steam and Playstation 3 to allow co-op between the two systems. From Valve:
Portal 2 Achievement List Reignites Talk Of Half Life 2: Episode 3
A “leaked” list of Portal 2 achievements are reason enough to get excited, but if you’re a fan of Half Life 2 and are waiting for news of Half Life 2: Episode 3, this next tidbit will interest you. One achievement has revived hopes that the third and final chapter will be coming at long last. Entitled “Find The Missing Experiment”, clearly it has to be a reference to the Borealis, the Aperture Science research vessel from Episode 2. Will the worlds of Gordon and Chell collide?
For the full list of Portal 2 achievements, hit up Xbox360Achievements.
Welcome To The Jungle Green PS3 Controller
My love for all controllers colored continues with the new Dualshock wireless controller, available in February 2011 for $54.99, to coincide with the launch of Killzone 3.
Oooh the poses I’m gonna make with this shell. I’m thinking a little of this:
Or maybe some this:
Or how about THIS:
Not that that has to do with anything, I’ve just always wanted to casually walk away from an explosion.
Uncharted 3 Officially Revealed
The Internet is all abuzz this morning with the spectacular news of the just-announced Uncharted 3: Hot Piece Returns (just kidding, it’s called Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception), the third entry in the series from Naughty Dog, chronicling the capers of Nathan Drake as he trots the globe in another epic adventure, this time in his search for the “Atlantis of the Sands”. Now that you’ve heard the exciting news, you can sit back and enjoy this split second teaser trailer straight from Sony.
I’m very curious about this title, Drake’s Deception. Part of the appeal of the series to me has been that Nathan Drake is a pretty decent and likable, so this word “deception” worries me. But only in a very superficial sense. Really I’m more concerned with if we get to see some ass cheek, Ethan Mars style.
Sony Dubs Motion Controller “Playstation Move”
It’s time for another entry in “shit I’m only writing about because I know I’m supposed to care.” Yes, it’s that magic time where I write a post solely in the name of looking legit. This time, it’s the announcement of the official name of Playstation’s motion control.
Sony finally debuted the name at the GDC yesterday, and it’s called the Playstation Move. Creative, huh? The brilliance continues with the list of known video games that will utilize motion control:
The motion controller will also come in a number of bundles and be treated as a full platform launch. Expect one bundle to include the PS3, the Playstation Move, and the Playstation Eye (the webcam! DURRRrrr!). Another will included the Move, the Eye, and an unspecified game for under $100.
- Sports Champion
- The Shoot
- Slider
- TV Superstars
- Move Party
- Motion Fighter
To be fair, it’s not that I don’t give a damn about the Move. I mean, I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I won’t. I just haven’t heard of any supported titles that make me interested yet. Check out the Move in action below:
[Joystiq]
