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If it wasn't evident by now, we're absolutely in love with the upcoming PSP shooter The Flying Hamster. It's bizarre, and more importantly, absolutely adorable. We've only seen screens of the game so far, but with the release of its new official website, we can finally see the game (and its weapons) in action.

The first three videos introduce some of the tactics players can use. The default weapon appears to be some kind of hamster spit, which can be charged to produce a more substantial ball of wet destruction. Other weapons include sunflower seeds and berries, which can be charged to devastating effect. While these may not seem like the most appropriate weapons to use in a shooter, they certainly match the zany character of the game. Seriously, it's hard not to laugh while watching these videos.

You can check out all the action after the break.

Get more games for less money.

Uncle Stuart, back on the knobs.

Tapping the gogglebox's rich vein for great gaming ideas.

As promised, PS3 firmware update 3.21 has gone live -- and no, it's not some kind of elaborate April Fool's joke crafted by Sony. Yes, the update removes Linux support from Phat PS3 systems. And yes, the update makes it explicitly clear that this update will remove a feature (and corresponding menu options) from your system.

This is a mandatory update, meaning you won't be able to log on to the PlayStation Network without it. So, might as well get it out of your way as soon as possible. You can use either System Update from the XMB, or download the update from PlayStation.com to a USB stick.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Epic Games' Cliffy B gives IGN AU the scoop. First concept art inside!

This month came in like a lion. An awesome lion with sweet games in its mouth.

It appears someone has snuck a free movie onto the PlayStation Store. Armored, which is still playing in theaters right now, can be downloaded to your PS3/PSP with a minimal amount of cleverness. Go to the PlayStation Video Store and click the "Search" icon at the top right. Search for "Armored" and you'll find a free download of the movie, compatible with both the PSP and PS3. If the price of entry (free) isn't incentive enough, consider this: the cast features Matt Dillon, Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne. That's gotta count for something right? See the trailer after the break. [Thanks, Ryan!]

How the Dante's Inferno and BioShock 2 composer brings tone, terror and tension to some of our favorite games.

Boston's gaming convention is in the books; these stories shaped the show.

Read any good books lately? We've got a couple you might be interested in: Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition and the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide. We're giving away 5 copies of each, courtesy of Guinness World Records and Brady Games. Plus, one lucky reader will also win a copy of the God of War III game!

To enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment with the correct multiple-choice answer to the following trivia question:
  At the launch party for God of War II (in April 2007), Sony made headlines for which controversial display:
  • (A) Scantily clad women dancing in cages
  • (B) A headless goat
  • (C) A model of the Parthenon desecrated by graffiti
  • (D) A boneless chicken
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
• Limit 1 entry per person.
• This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Wednesday, March 31.
• At that time, we'll randomly select 1 grand prize winner from the eligible commenters who answer correctly to receive the God of War III game (ARV $59.99), the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide (ARV $19.99) and the Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition book (ARV $14.99); and 4 first prize winners to receive the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide (ARV $19.99) and the Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition book (ARV $14.99); check your emails!
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here. Oh, and if you're stumped by the trivia question above, this hint should help you choose the right answer.
Joyswag: God of War 3, guide & Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition

The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.

In addition, disabling the “Other OS” feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.

Consumers and organizations that currently use the “Other OS” feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

• Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
• Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
• Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
• Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.

Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here:
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm

PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services:
http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)

Throw away that crappy desk calendar. This is the one that matters.

Read any good books lately? We've got a couple you might be interested in: Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition and the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide. We're giving away 5 copies of each, courtesy of Guinness World Records and Brady Games. Plus, one lucky reader will also win a copy of the God of War III game!

To enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment with the correct multiple-choice answer to the following trivia question:
  At the launch party for God of War II (in April 2007), Sony made headlines for which controversial display:
  • (A) Scantily clad women dancing in cages
  • (B) A headless goat
  • (C) A model of the Parthenon desecrated by graffiti
  • (D) A boneless chicken
• You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
• Limit 1 entry per person.
• This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Wednesday, March 31.
• At that time, we'll randomly select 1 grand prize winner from the eligible commenters who answer correctly to receive the God of War III game (ARV $59.99), the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide (ARV $19.99) and the Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition book (ARV $14.99); and 4 first prize winners to receive the God of War III Signature Series Strategy Guide (ARV $19.99) and the Guinness World Records 2010: Gamer's Edition book (ARV $14.99); check your emails!
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here. Oh, and if you're stumped by the trivia question above, this hint should help you choose the right answer.
Joyswag: God of War 3, guide & Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition book

Will the final PlayStation Final Fantasy go downloadable?

Though the original Uncharted was a well paced and cleverly written experience, it wasn't without its share of largely inoffensive faults. For instance, the game's stealth aspects weren't well publicized to the player, leaving Nathan Drake's instant kill abilities unused for most playthroughs. The game's main antagonist, Navarro, wasn't really demonized in the first half of the game. There were also small plot omissions -- like, for instance, how did Elena and Drake get to their plane after the exciting conclusion of Chapter 3?

Naughty Dog recently rectified these three issues during a presentation at PAX East by creating a new, "third-and-a-half" chapter for Uncharted, in which Elena and Drake had to sneak onto an airstrip filled with Navarro's goons, and escape unharmed. With a little help from the audience, the Naughty Dog developers in attendance were able to create a framework for the new chapter, and even bestowed it with yet another clever moniker: "Strip Search."

It's rare for a company to announce a firmware update that removes functionality from a product, but that's exactly what Sony is doing with the upcoming release of PS3 firmware update 3.21 on April 1st. The rarely utilized, but nonetheless useful, ability to install another operating system (Linux) on the PS3 will be removed in the upcoming system software revision, a feature that was already removed in the PS3 Slim. SCEA's Patrick Seybold explains that the removal of said functionality is necessary "due to security concerns ... [and] will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system."

This move may be a response to recent claims that the PS3 has been "hacked." The language used in Seybold's post reminds us of another Sony platform that's been plagued by rampant piracy: the PSP. While the move seems to be a preventative measure on Sony's part, the early response to the removal of Linux support has been passionately negative. Undoubtedly, there will be few that will be genuinely inconvenienced by this decision. However, the rest of us have good reason for some dread: who can look forward to the prospect of downloading and installing a firmware update that offers no added functionality?

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

A rose-tinted look back at the major games in the hallowed strategy series.

Firmware disables "Install Other OS" system feature available in all pre-slim models.

Motion control or out-of-control? That's the question. (Not really.)

In this week’s links, the 5th anniversary of the PSP gets writers feeling nostalgic, our East Coast swing results in more fresh PlayStation Move impressions, and yes, more praise heaped upon God of War III. Did we miss anything good? Please feel free to share your links with us in the comments below.

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of March 22, 2010)

• Music fit for an Anti-Hero: The God of War III Soundtrack Album – G4tv.com
• True 3D Dot Game Heroes Starts Here – Bitmob
• PAX East 10: Hands-on the Move’s Sports Champions – Destructoid
• All About Slider, The Escaping On An Office Chair PlayStation Move Game – Siliconera
• Lunar: Silver Star Harmony for PlayStation Portable – G4tv.com
• The Possibilities, Surprises And Limits of Playstation’s Move According to The Inventor – Kotaku
• God of War 3 Review and Gameplay!!! – Zeitgeist Review
• Review: MLB 10: The Show PSP – examiner.com
• PSU’s Top Ten Greatest Music Tracks on PSone – PlayStation Universe
• God of War III launch – electric playground
• The Top Five PSP Games of the Past Five Years – IGN
• The PSP’s Fifth Birthday Blowout – IGN
• Top 30 funniest tweets by Kevin Butler – PS3 Attitude
• Aliens vs. Predator coming to PlayStation Home March 25th! – SEGA America Blog
• PAX East 10: Why the Move controller might break less TVs – Destructoid
• Yakuza 3: The Best Japanese RPG You’re (Probably) Not Playing – Bitmob
• Five Years, Ten Games: PSP Essentials – G4tv.com
• PAX East 10: What the PS Move does differently, better – Destructoid
• It’s Official: PS3 Has The Best Library Ever – 1up
• The Engadget Show – 007: Nicholas Negroponte, PlayStation Move exclusive demos, Dr. Richard Marks, Joystiq’s Chris Grant, and more! — Engadget
• Loco Roco Nursery – MachWerx
• Heavy Rain’s Scott Shelby had a cameo in a real film – Destructoid
• BAFTAs: Uncharted 2, Batman: AA win big – Destructoid
• Review: MLB 10 The Show – Destructoid
• ModNation Racers Has Four-Player Splitscreen Possibly Thanks To You – Kotaku
• How to become a videogame VO Actor (Part 1 of 2) – Insomniac Games Blog

Naughty Dog's panel at PAX East 2010 offered attendees a fairly in-depth look at how the studio created each level in Uncharted and Uncharted 2. One important aspect of the series' level design is, of course, coming up with a clever name for each chapter -- a task assigned to lead designer Richard Lemarchand.

Unfortunately, "the Man" occasionally prevents Lemarchand from putting certain chapter titles in the game, keeping Uncharted 2's original train segment title card (pictured above) out of the final version. Curse you, unseen managerial powers-that-be!

Here is IGN's handy list of PAX East games we've already written about.

We have a bit of evidence now suggesting that Final Fantasy IX might be headed to the PSOne Classics selection of the PlayStation Store -- besides the fact that Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and Tactics are already available on the store. Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto Tweeted (translation by Andriasang) that "Regarding an FF9 download release, everyone is so passionate about it that I'll be proposing it at the next board meeting. Look forward to next week!"

To those of you out there constantly discussing how awesome Quina is on Twitter, in Japanese, it looks like you might be victorious. Of course, this kind of statement is more likely to make fans feel engaged in a process that is going on independent of their participation -- by which we mean this was totally going to happen anyway.

On the heels of our recent price-drop for Warhawk, and for all of our fans both rookies and veterans, we have decided to hold a new Warhawk Competition!

Many of us here in the States have been spending way too much time staring at our brackets so we’re opting not to do a traditional “bracketed” tournament based on teams or clans. Instead, we’re going to make this competition more accommodating of the individual player by hosting special Capture the Flag Servers that players can join and play on. These servers will have their stats tracked separately for the duration of the competition, specifically Points earned, and these stats will be displayed on a new Tab labeled “TOURNY” that we are adding to the Warhawk website and this new tab will process and update all the player data periodically — so if you get a kill or flag capture and then *immediately* go check the “TOURNY” Tab, just be aware that the server churns all the data every 6 hours and your fine, fine combat skills may take a bit of time to be displayed :-)

So here are the ground rules:

• Competition starts on April 2nd at 5am Pacific Time and will run through May 3rd at 5am Pacific Time.
• Players must play on Official SONY Servers named “Tournament-CTF-1,2,3, etc.”
• Competition is open to North American *AND* European players.
• The top 50 players that have earned the most Points on these designated servers will win the competition.

Winners will receive the very rare Champions Blade! It’s an in-game weapon like a trophy that you can bash people with. You’ll also get a special edition Warhawk shirt for your avatar in HOME — only available to the winners of this competition!

So…

Start sharpening your skills and get ready for the competition — an who knows, you may even run into a dev or two ;-)

Rock on,
-Dylan

Want to see what Boston's got in store for videogame fans?

And now back to our regularly scheduled programme.

Debuting this week on the PlayStation Network store is the Blue Toad Murder Files series, an episodic puzzle-adventure from Relentless Software, makers of the BUZZ! quiz games. We also have the first (free) MAG DLC, the debut of the multiplayer-only sci-fi FPS Section 8 and two new PS3 dynamic themes -- Heavy Rain Forest A.R.I. and Mega Man 10 -- joined by some PSN-only games and plenty of DLC. PSP gets some full game download love, including Cho Aniki Zero.

Oh, and there's episode six of The Tester.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

First party development for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) extended on EyePet.