Hey everyone, I’m Kim Nguyen, Marketing Manager for PLAYSTATION 3. This is my first post and I’m happy to report that the PS3 brand campaign officially kicks off this week with our online campaign. The first of many banners will appear today and run through December. In a nutshell, the theme of this year’s campaign uses computer animation to model key PS3 iconography in a black onyx world. Phew, yeah, that’s a mouthful. Better yet, why don’t you see it for yourself. This link takes you to the “Blu-ray” banner and is just the beginning with lots more to come. Stay tuned
http://apps.eyewonderlabs.com/adWdrVideoSpace/ad/28148/approvalJSTags.html
Thursday, October 4, 2007
NCsoft loads Carbine Studios
Korea-based publisher assembles big names within industry for newly unveiled MMOG
Perhaps taking cues from its massively multiplayer online games, NCsoft has announced the second major expansion of its operations in as many weeks. Last week, the Korea-based publisher revealed it would be dramatically ramping up production at its European studio in the UK with the addition of 100 new jobs.
Conducive to working long hours developing its games, NCsoft today formerly unveiled its newest shop, dubbed Carbine Studios, in Orange County, California. The studio was initially founded as a division of NCsoft North America in 2005.
NCsoft wasted no time loading up Carbine with some high-caliber talent. Its vice president will be Kevin Beardslee, a former lead designer on World of Warcraft. City of Heroes executive producer and cofounder of Turbine Inc. Jeremy Gaffney will transition into a similar role at Carbine. And last but not least, Tim Cain--leader designer of the original Fallout and cofounder of Troika Games--will serve as programming director.
Carbine Studios is currently working on an as-yet-unannounced massively multiplayer online game for NCsoft. NCsoft currently has several other projects under its wing, including Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa, which is now set to blast off November 2, as well as Aion and Guild Wars 2. The prolific MMOG publisher also has plans to port over some of its existing franchises, as well as create original properties, for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.
Perhaps taking cues from its massively multiplayer online games, NCsoft has announced the second major expansion of its operations in as many weeks. Last week, the Korea-based publisher revealed it would be dramatically ramping up production at its European studio in the UK with the addition of 100 new jobs.
Conducive to working long hours developing its games, NCsoft today formerly unveiled its newest shop, dubbed Carbine Studios, in Orange County, California. The studio was initially founded as a division of NCsoft North America in 2005.
NCsoft wasted no time loading up Carbine with some high-caliber talent. Its vice president will be Kevin Beardslee, a former lead designer on World of Warcraft. City of Heroes executive producer and cofounder of Turbine Inc. Jeremy Gaffney will transition into a similar role at Carbine. And last but not least, Tim Cain--leader designer of the original Fallout and cofounder of Troika Games--will serve as programming director.
Carbine Studios is currently working on an as-yet-unannounced massively multiplayer online game for NCsoft. NCsoft currently has several other projects under its wing, including Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa, which is now set to blast off November 2, as well as Aion and Guild Wars 2. The prolific MMOG publisher also has plans to port over some of its existing franchises, as well as create original properties, for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.
The new PlayStation Portable sells more than half a million in first two weeks in
A shop in Tokyo proclaiming the PSP is sold out.^^^^^^^^^^
580,000 PSP slims sold in Japan
A shop in Tokyo proclaiming the PSP is sold out.
For a long time, the Japanese hardware sales charts have been predictable--Nintendo DS Lite on top, Wii outselling the PlayStation 3 in a ratio of 4-to-1. But the last three weeks have seen a phoenix-like rising of the PlayStation Portable, as it grabbed and held the top slot.
According to figures released by Famitsu, the new, lighter version of the handheld has already shifted approximately 580,000 units in Japan--no mean feat considering the portable version 2.0 was released there just two weeks ago on September 20.
The first week saw 250,000 new-model PSPs sold. But even the week before the PSP slim's Japanese launch saw the PSP selling well due to the release of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, along with 77,777 limited-edition bundle packs.
The PSP slim went on sale in Japan on September 20, in six different colours, for 19,800 yen. The new model of the portable was first revealed by SCE president Kaz Hirai at this year's E3. The system is 33 percent lighter and 19 percent slimmer, and it also comes with video output.
Folklore Review
IGN Ratings for Folklore (PS3)
Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
9.5 Presentation
Incredible. Everything from the cutscenes to the falling leaves in the menus work together to create a very enthralling experience.
9.0 Graphics
While not superb in a technical sense, the artistic direction and execution of what's there are top notch.
8.5 Sound
Solid voice acting and a vividly atmospheric score demand you to turn the volume up.
8.5 Gameplay
Very fun combat with great motion controls, but a few key issues end up doing a bit of damage to the experience.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
A haunting adventure (that will take fifteen hours at least) worth coming back to.
9.0
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Right on Sony...
40GB PS3 reports attaining critical mass Sources
What we heard: In August, rumors first surfaced that Sony was readying a stripped-down $399 40GB PlayStation 3 for release by year's end. Since then, evidence of the console's existence have proliferated like an invasive species, popping up in everything from the FCC's Web site to reports from Wedbush Morgan Analyst Michael Pachter, who thought the console might be unveiled during the 2007 Tokyo Game Show. Though that did not come to pass, Wedbush analysts said Monday they still "expect the heavily speculated 40GB PS3 to appear at a $399 price as early as the holidays (and in any event early next year)."
Indeed, the past few days have seen a passel of reports all but proving Pachter's PS3 prognostication. On Saturday, the Web site for the French edition of GamePro claimed to have learned that Sony is planning a "big bang" announcement on Friday, October 12. (UPDATE: Sony Europe now denies any such announcement is planned.) On Sunday, the Sony-backed site Bluraysavings.com announced that purchasers of the same PS3 model revealed in the FCC documents--which still officially doesn't exist--would be eligible to receive several free BD movies. (The page has since been altered to just read "PlayStation 3").
Yesterday, popular tech-blog Engadget reported receiving evidence that monolithic electronics retailer Best Buy had already entered a $399, 40GB PS3 into their internal systems. Then, this morning, British game trade MCV reported its sister magazine in Italy had confirmed a 399 euro, 40GB PS3 was set to hit story shelves on October 10--exactly one week from today.
Finally, just hours ago, GameSpot received a tip from the manager of an Australian electronics retailer who said he was shown materials announcing the arrival of a 40GB PS3 "in the new two weeks." The model would bear a price tag of AU$699 (around $617), way down from the AU$999 ($882) price tag of the 60GB PS3. (NOTE: The US Dollar's exchange rate is currently at a near-all-time low against the Australian dollar.)
The official story: "Thanks for contacting us for comment, but our response remains the same--It's our policy not to comment on rumors or speculation."--Sony rep.
Bogus or not bogus?: Though nothing is official, the $399 40GB PS3 is looking more and more likely. It also makes sense: the price point would put it between the $449 Elite and $349 Pro models of the Xbox 360, making it semi-affordable by comparison. The move would also give the PS3 some more ammo for the brutal battle for holiday shopping dollars.
Indeed, the past few days have seen a passel of reports all but proving Pachter's PS3 prognostication. On Saturday, the Web site for the French edition of GamePro claimed to have learned that Sony is planning a "big bang" announcement on Friday, October 12. (UPDATE: Sony Europe now denies any such announcement is planned.) On Sunday, the Sony-backed site Bluraysavings.com announced that purchasers of the same PS3 model revealed in the FCC documents--which still officially doesn't exist--would be eligible to receive several free BD movies. (The page has since been altered to just read "PlayStation 3").
Yesterday, popular tech-blog Engadget reported receiving evidence that monolithic electronics retailer Best Buy had already entered a $399, 40GB PS3 into their internal systems. Then, this morning, British game trade MCV reported its sister magazine in Italy had confirmed a 399 euro, 40GB PS3 was set to hit story shelves on October 10--exactly one week from today.
Finally, just hours ago, GameSpot received a tip from the manager of an Australian electronics retailer who said he was shown materials announcing the arrival of a 40GB PS3 "in the new two weeks." The model would bear a price tag of AU$699 (around $617), way down from the AU$999 ($882) price tag of the 60GB PS3. (NOTE: The US Dollar's exchange rate is currently at a near-all-time low against the Australian dollar.)
The official story: "Thanks for contacting us for comment, but our response remains the same--It's our policy not to comment on rumors or speculation."--Sony rep.
Bogus or not bogus?: Though nothing is official, the $399 40GB PS3 is looking more and more likely. It also makes sense: the price point would put it between the $449 Elite and $349 Pro models of the Xbox 360, making it semi-affordable by comparison. The move would also give the PS3 some more ammo for the brutal battle for holiday shopping dollars.
UK PS3 price cut coming tomorrow?
What we heard: Pocket-Lint reports that Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will be making a series of big announcements tomorrow for its UK customers. These include a price reduction of the 60GB PlayStation 3 (currently priced at £425), down £56 to £369.
There will also supposedly be an official announcement of the much-rumoured 40GB version, which will be priced at £299. Also, the starter pack, which was announced at E3 in July, will be phased out. The new 40GB version will come with Wi-Fi and a Sixaxis controller, but will have two fewer USB slots, and will also lose the emotion engine chip and memory card reader, according to Pocket-Lint's sources.
This is just the latest report in an increasing body of evidence that suggests Sony is on the verge of announcing a 40GB PS3. It now appears such an announcement is more a matter of when, not if.
The official story: Sony maintained its standard response to enquiries of this ilk. A spokesperson told GameSpot, "I am afraid we do not comment on rumours and speculation."
Bogus or not bogus? The exact details may be up in the air, but something's definitely in the works. Not bogus.
There will also supposedly be an official announcement of the much-rumoured 40GB version, which will be priced at £299. Also, the starter pack, which was announced at E3 in July, will be phased out. The new 40GB version will come with Wi-Fi and a Sixaxis controller, but will have two fewer USB slots, and will also lose the emotion engine chip and memory card reader, according to Pocket-Lint's sources.
This is just the latest report in an increasing body of evidence that suggests Sony is on the verge of announcing a 40GB PS3. It now appears such an announcement is more a matter of when, not if.
The official story: Sony maintained its standard response to enquiries of this ilk. A spokesperson told GameSpot, "I am afraid we do not comment on rumours and speculation."
Bogus or not bogus? The exact details may be up in the air, but something's definitely in the works. Not bogus.
GT5 Prologue fact sheet revealed!
Sony has put out the official fact sheet for the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for the PS3 which will be available on the PlayStation Network on the PS3 as a free download this holiday season!
Sony stated ini the press release that GT5 Prologue would be an amazing experience and feature over 40 detailed cars including vehicles by Ferrari, Lotus, and Nissan. You will be able to race on five beautifully rendered tracks from around the world in 1080p high-definition.
There will also be head-to-head racing onlinie which will support up to 16 players complete with global leaderbboards. Can you handle the stress of trying to become the leader of the World of GT? We will find out.
The key features that they named for Gran Turismo 5 are below.
• A first for the franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports online racing with up to 16 drivers racing simultaneously on a beautifully rendered race track.
• Race 30 high-performance and exhaustively detailed cars, including vehicles from Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
• Race on five stunningly realistic tracks, including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka – then race them in reverse and with alternative routes.
• A new physics engine delivers next-generation vehicle handling. True to the heritage of the Gran Turismo franshise, this new physics engine provides unprecedented realism and authentic handling specific to each car.
• A new in-cockpit view provides a unique perspective for racers and features a customized dashboard for each of the cars in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
• All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting race experience
• Access to Gran Turismo TV: a world of great motoring TV programming online through PLAYSTATION Network.
• My Garage is a personalized homepage feature with a friends list, chat functionality and personal game records to expand the interaction between car enthusiasts in the world of GT.
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tires, suspension and much more.
• All in stunning High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps)
• Photo Mode gives players the opportunity to photograph their car during the race where they can take advantage of zoom, depth of field and motion blur.
Sony stated ini the press release that GT5 Prologue would be an amazing experience and feature over 40 detailed cars including vehicles by Ferrari, Lotus, and Nissan. You will be able to race on five beautifully rendered tracks from around the world in 1080p high-definition.
There will also be head-to-head racing onlinie which will support up to 16 players complete with global leaderbboards. Can you handle the stress of trying to become the leader of the World of GT? We will find out.
The key features that they named for Gran Turismo 5 are below.
• A first for the franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports online racing with up to 16 drivers racing simultaneously on a beautifully rendered race track.
• Race 30 high-performance and exhaustively detailed cars, including vehicles from Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
• Race on five stunningly realistic tracks, including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka – then race them in reverse and with alternative routes.
• A new physics engine delivers next-generation vehicle handling. True to the heritage of the Gran Turismo franshise, this new physics engine provides unprecedented realism and authentic handling specific to each car.
• A new in-cockpit view provides a unique perspective for racers and features a customized dashboard for each of the cars in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
• All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting race experience
• Access to Gran Turismo TV: a world of great motoring TV programming online through PLAYSTATION Network.
• My Garage is a personalized homepage feature with a friends list, chat functionality and personal game records to expand the interaction between car enthusiasts in the world of GT.
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tires, suspension and much more.
• All in stunning High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps)
• Photo Mode gives players the opportunity to photograph their car during the race where they can take advantage of zoom, depth of field and motion blur.
Sony will lower by 200 euros the price of its PlayStation 3 in Europe
Sony will lower by 200 euros the price of its PlayStation 3 in Europe
Sony is on the point of proposing a new version of its game console PlayStation 3 to 400 euros. A fall of 200 euros compared to the current model. The objective is to dope the sales for Christmas, period crucial for the sector.
In the Hexagon, Sony aims at the 500.000 machines sold for the end of the year. The fall of the price should strongly help there.It is Christmas of all the dangers to the manufacturers of consoles. Competition is announced hard. And Sony is well decided to make up for its lost time on Microsoft and its Xbox360 by announcing tomorrow a fall of spectacular price of 200 euros for its PlayStation 3.
For the first time, the whole of the consoles of living room of new generation (Xbox360 of Microsoft, PlayStation 3 of Sony and Wii of Nintendo) will be in frontal competition on the principal markets for the festivals of end of the year. If Xbox360 has left for now two years, the PS3 is not, it, available that since last March in Europe. Offensive, Sony thus decided to only launch on the European market a new model equipped with a hard disk of 40 gigaoctets to 399 euros, that is to say 200 euros less than the current version! Another model, equipped with a hard disk of 60 gigaoctets, and accompanied by two plays, will be proposed to him with 499 euros. After having positioned its PS3 like an expensive top-of-the-range multi-media terminal, Sony remembered that, in the act of purchase, the price passes before the technological prowesses graphics functionalities, especially in Europe.
According to our information, the Japanese giant should announce this fall of spectacular price tomorrow at the time of a press conference. The new product will be available later one week, about on October 13. Questioned yesterday about this next fall of price, Sony still made mine contradict. But, according to several sources of the sector, it seems well that the launching of this PS3 to 400 euros is indeed acquired.
To counteract on the same ground
“It is a very good news for us, explains an important editor of video games, who confirms information. The falls of 200 euros of the telephone iPhone of Apple and that of PlayStation 3 of Sony show that the consumers have truths doubts about the high prices practised by the giants of electronics. ”
Before applying such a fall to its console, Sony had to wait until the price on the market of platinums DVD high definition of its allies of Blu-ray consortium (Samsung, Philips, etc…) also drop.
But, from now on, to deal with Microsoft which put on the new play headlight Halation 3 for “booster rocket” the sales of its Xbox360 (sold 349 euros), Sony must counteract on the same ground. The more so as Wii of Nintendo (249 euros only) always dominates the sales of consoles in Japan, but also in Europe and in the United States. By the end of the year, the “family” console of Nintendo should become, if it did not already become it, the console of new generation the most sold, far in front of its two competitors.
In the Hexagon, Sony ran out 200.000 machines and aims at the bar of the 500.000 for the end of the year. The fall of the price should strongly help there, the 600 euros requested up to that point from the players appearing increasingly crippling. “After a very strong starting, the curve of the sales very clearly inflected, and the price, as the lack of titles of exclusiveness, played a part determining in this inflecting”, analyzes another editor. With this more reasonable price, Sony envisages to run out in the world 16,5 million consoles at at the end of March, against 5,5 million currently. To support the sales of its PS3, the group also hopes on plays headlights, like Metal GEAR 4, whose preceding version had doped the sales of the PS2.
Sony has denied that it will be holding a press conference on October 12, where the company is rumored to announce the availability of a 40GB PlayStation 3 console.
Rumors of the new SKU materialised before the Tokyo Games Show, where it was later expected to be announced a press conference next week. However, a Sony spokesperson has contacted Eurogamer stating that there is no such conference being held.
This, however, may simply imply that the conference itself is not happening, as the firm refused to confirm or deny the existence of the new PS3 unit.
More to come http://wwwps3life.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Go! Sports Ski Coming This Thursday
As part of its weekly Thursday update to the PlayStation Store, Sony will launch Go! Sports Ski for the low, low price of $2.99. The skiing title is being developed by Yuke's Media Creations, the studio most famous for its SmackDown vs. RAW franchise.
For videos, screens and previews of the game, go ahead and click right here, and stay tuned for our impending review.
For videos, screens and previews of the game, go ahead and click right here, and stay tuned for our impending review.
PSN October 3 update
Hey, everyone. It’s time for the PLAYSTATION Store weekly update.
Games:
Go! Sports Ski (2.99 US) - Go! Sports Ski is a visually stunning, skiing simulator that harnesses the
SIXAXIS controller.
Demos:
The Simpsons demo
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War demo
Tutorials:
NBA 08 key control play calling tutorial video
Eye of Judgement tutorial video
Other video:
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune BTS
Haze Dev interview
Tekkonkinkreet video
Surf’s Up BD trailer
Enjoy!
Borderlands: 4 Player Online Action-RPG
Thanks to the newest issue of Game Informer, we have details on the upcoming PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC title currently being developed by Gearbox Software, Borderlands:
- Game boasts of tons of weapons (tons of customizable parts - can make over 500,000 unique weapons).
- The game is an FPS RPG.
- There are vechs in it. The AI seems to be pretty advanced.
- "We're building the game from the start as a co-op game that you can play by yourself" (meaning that the AI is good enough to help you along if you don't have a friend to play with online)
- Graphics Look Spectacular (Unreal Tournament 3 for example -- It also looks a bit like Fallout 3)
Uncharted demo confirmed
Today Sony Computer Entertainment and Naughty Dog launched the official website for Naughty Dog's first next generation game; "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune".
Along with the opening of the official website, the company revealed that the game entered Beta testing on September 16, confirming that it is on track for its North American release this November.
Furthermore Evan Wells, Naughty Dog's co-President, confirmed they would create a demo for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune for the PlayStation Store. The final date for the demo is yet to be determined, but it will be made available prior to the games release.
Uncharted is scheduled for a November release in Europe, and will be released in North America on November 20.
10 millionth BD-50 printed
Sony today announced that the 10 millionth BD-50 (or 50GB Blu-ray disc) was produced in the company’s factory in Terre Haute, Indiana.
This brings the total number of discs made to over over 50 million, manufactured between three plants, the other two based in Austria and Japan.
The disc was a copy of Spider-man 3, an upcoming Blu-ray release that is sure to be one of the format's biggest selling titles.
Spider-man 3 is rumored for release on October 30, in a possible 40GB PlayStation 3 bundle pack, designed to promote the consoles multimedia capabilities. If this bundle is confirmed, BD will be in for a great holiday season.
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