PlayStation News Message Board older than one year ago

The war has arrived.

Hello PlayStation.Blog residents. Emil Ayoubkhan here from The Behemoth. We were graciously granted access to the blog to update everyone on our progress with Castle Crashers for PSN.

I’m here today to talk about our new volleyball minigame that we will be including in our upcoming version of Castle, but before I get into that, let’s talk about the release date. This is pretty straightforward actually as we don’t have one yet. We’re looking to finish sometime this year and as soon as we can narrow it down to a specific month, we will be able to talk about this more.

Now back to the to volleyball minigame. Here are some of the finer points:

Play co-op or vs your buddies

Local or online play From 1-4 players per team for up to 8 player matches Variable stats based on character Use magic attacks to place 8 new magic status effects on the volleyball Cool new serving and spiking moves Available AI teammates or opponents Play as any character you have unlocked Play 1, 3 or 5 matches against your opponents Leaderboards to track the best in the land

It’s basically like playing volleyball with your friends but you get to replace good sportsmanship with explosions, magic, and weaponry. As we get closer to the release, we’ll start revealing some more features and additions. What will they be? How will they work? What will they do? Stay tuned for more.

-Emil

You ready? Okay -- follow along: Sony announced today that the Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary will change its name to SNE Platform (or "SNEP"), and then transfer its video game operations to a new subsidiary, named -- surprise! -- Sony Computer Entertainment. On April 1, SNEP, which will be primarily operating Sony's network services and business as a wholly-owned subsidiary, will merge with Sony, and then promptly dissolve into the parent company. Since Sony already owns all shares of SNEP, there's not going to be any market action (issuance of new shares, share capital increases or cash payments) upon the merger.

So, wait, what's happening? Essentially, Sony is moving its network business out from under the gaming wing and bringing it up to the parent company level. This is a different path than the one laid out a year ago, which suggested SCE, as then operator of the network business (think: PSN), would begin to play a larger role in the unification of the company as it pertains to an online strategy. Instead, the "new" Sony Computer Entertainment will have a slightly more narrow focus, "mainly consisting of the planning, development, manufacturing and sales of home-use/portable game consoles and software," according to the reorganization announcement; and Sony Online Service, including the proposed expansion of PSN IDs to non-gaming Sony devices, will seemingly be handled by a new division (but possibly the same personnel) within the Sony parent company.

Though listed as the "Representative Director" of the short-lived SNEP subsidiary, Kaz Hirai will presumably remain in charge of the PlayStation division now and after the April 1 merger. Sub-divisions SCEA and SCEE are unaffected by the reorganziation.

First: Sorry about the obvious gag. Second: It seems several players are having an issue with their copy of Heavy Rain not only seizing up but (in a few cases) corrupting their save data; you can read all the stories on the PlayStation forums. Info is limited at the moment, but a Sony rep in the thread suggested the stopgap of waiting at least five minutes before rebooting if a freeze occurs. The rep seemed hopeful that measure would enough to avoid save data corruption.

Heavy Rain is intense enough without having to worry about losing your save data at any moment. Here's hoping we have word of a fix soon.

[Thanks, Ryan S.]

PlayStation classic Grandia will make its way to the PSN this Thursday, February 25, at a price far less than what you'd pay for a new or used copy. For $10, North America can finally access the RPG that's been on the Japanese PSN since April 2009 -- and on the Sega Saturn since 1997.

Grandia stands out from other JRPGs with its exciting combat system, which was obviously in its infancy during the first installment. In fact, we've been waiting for another high-profile game to iterate Grandia's turn-based battle system for years. Y'all just wait, when Joystiq publishing is off the ground, we'll iterate the heck out of it.

Mount & Blade, Lead and Gold, and more.

As we revealed over at IGN two weeks ago, the new “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” for UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves is available today on the PlayStation Store.

The “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” includes two maps and six character skins inspired by Nathan Drake’s debut adventure, UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune. The six skins are available $2.99 and the two maps are available for $3.99 – or you can get all of skins and maps in a convenient, value-priced bundle for $5.99.

Check out some of the new character renders of the skins included in the Pack:

You can view and download the full set of character renders from the Naughty Dog Flickr page.

So, you may be thinking to yourself, “What are these skins and maps exactly?” We’re glad you asked. Read on for detailed descriptions of our “Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack” content.

TWO new maps, available in all competitive multiplayer game types and in the co-op arena game types, inspired by locations found in UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune.

The Flooded Ruins
Based on UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Chapter 10 – The Customs House, players will find themselves fighting in the midst of a thunderstorm, complete with rain, thunder and lightning. The Flooded Ruins is an asymmetrical map centered on the Customs House building, which is surrounded on one side by multiple two-story buildings and many flanking routes – you’ll need to stay on your toes and watch your back. The Customs House itself provides the advantage of higher ground if you manage to take the center sniper perch, where you can dispatch your opponents or call out their positions to your teammates. Watch out for incoming grenades!

The Facility
Based on the submarine bay in UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Chapter 18 – The Bunker, The Facility is centered on a rusted out U-boat that has been left to rot in its dry dock. This fairly symmetrical map works well with all game types. Players can hide in dark corners, snipe from the control tower, or go guns blazing into combat. Look out for the moving cargo on the upper levels – it can block your shots or cut off an escape route at a very inopportune moment!

SIX new multiplayer skins based on characters from UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune.

UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Nathan Drake UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Elena Fisher Gabriel Roman Atoq Navarro Eddy Raja Javier, the mercenary

The Multiplayer Pack also unlocks 12 NEW Trophies – 11 Bronze and 1 Silver – to earn as you play:

Bronze Brass Knuckles – Get 100 Melee Kills in Deathmatch or Elimination Games Gold Digger – Finish Wave 10 in 1 Gold Rush Game I Told You I Was Hardcore! – Complete All 3 Co-op Objective Maps on Hard Difficulty Made It – Finish Wave 10 in 1 Survival Game Plays Well With Others – Win 50 Objective Games Plundered! – Get 200 Captured Medals Rapid Fire – Get 7 Tripled Medals in Deathmatch or Elimination games Sneaky… – Get 50 Stealth Kills in Deathmatch of Elimination games Still Alive – Win 50 Elimination Games Tastes Like Chicken – Get 20 BBQ Medals in Deathmatch or Elimination games Wipe Them Out… – Win 50 Deathmatch Games Silver Cold Blooded – Get 2,500 Kills in Deathmatch or Elimination games

Downloading the either the maps or the bundle unlocks the Trophies within the in-game multiplayer menu. You can gain progress towards completing these new Trophies in any game type that fits the Trophy criteria.

Purchasing the skins only will NOT unlock the additional Trophies.

We’ve also made sure that all our players can play from the same matchmaking pool regardless of whether they have purchased the maps or not – head over to NaughtyDog.com to read about how we’re doing this and how to change your profile settings.

You ready? Okay -- follow along: Sony announced today that the Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary will change its name to SNE Platform (or "SNEP"), and then transfer its video game operations to a new subsidiary, named -- surprise! -- Sony Computer Entertainment. On April 1, SNEP, which will be primarily operating Sony's network services and business as a wholly-owned subsidiary, will merge with Sony, and then promptly dissolve into the parent company. Since Sony already owns all shares of SNEP, there's not going to be any market action (issuance of new shares, share capital increases or cash payments) upon the merger.

So, wait, what's happening? Essentially, Sony is moving its network business out from under the gaming wing and bringing it up to the parent company level. This is a different path than the one laid out a year ago, which suggested SCE, as then operator of the network business (think: PSN), would begin to play a larger role in the unification of the company as it pertains to an online strategy. Instead, the "new" Sony Computer Entertainment will have a slightly more narrow focus, "mainly consisting of the planning, development, manufacturing and sales of home-use/portable game consoles and software," according to the reorganization announcement; and Sony Online Service, including the proposed expansion of PSN IDs to non-gaming Sony devices, will seemingly be handled by a new division (but possibly the same personnel) within the Sony parent company.

Though listed as the "Representative Director" of the short-lived SNEP subsidiary, Kaz Hirai will presumably remain in charge of the PlayStation division now and after the April 1 merger. Sub-divisions SCEA and SCEE are unaffected by the reorganziation.

The bunny was already out of the velvet hat regarding Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone, but here's a twist: it's coming to the PS3, according to the ESRB. If true, this would be the first time Sam & Max bring their special style of police work to Sony's console. Oddly, no ratings for other consoles (nor PC) have been published on the ESRB's online database.

We're currently following up with developer Telltale and the ESRB for clarification on platforms. After all, nobody should be left out when it comes to the Sam & Max adventure games.ESRB rates 'Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse' for PS3

Wow, what an evening it was last week at the annual Interactive Achievement Awards. UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves received ten Interactive Achievement Awards, including Overall Game of the Year. I was sitting in the audience watching the Naughty Dog team walk up to podium to accept one award after another. By the end of the show, the entire UNCHARTED 2 core team was on the stage with the biggest award in their hands, thanking their incredibly talented team and family members who supported their intense development cycle. AIAS Award, like the Academy Award for movies, is chosen and voted by the professional game developer community. It’s a celebration of creativity in game development and to let the world know who brought the most exceptional talent, passion and love to make a game in the past year. I have been attending this event for many years, but being associated with the game that has taken the highest honor of the year is an incredibly special moment for anyone in the industry. I was as ecstatic last year to see LittleBigPlanet receive the Overall Game of the Year honor, which also garnered a total of eight awards. It is mind boggling to think that we can now count three Overall Game of the Year awards from the academy — UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves in 2009, LittleBigPlanet in 2008 and God of War in 2005. Amazing.

I am fortunate to be part of the great creativity and innovation coming out of our first party studios time and time again. The accolades are so well deserved. Congratulations Evan, Christophe, Amy, Bruce, Richard and all the talented members of Naughty Dog!

Last week’s ceremony was also very special to me as Mark Cerny, my long term friend and business partner, was handed the prestigious Hall of Fame award. The list of past recipients included Shigeru Miyamoto, Will Wright, and John Carmack — legendary game creators that have shaped the game industry today. I have had the great honor and joy to work with Mark since I started in game development in PS one days, across Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, Resistance, UNCHARTED, and tech projects on PlayStation 2 and PS3. Mark has helped realize the creative visions of teams behind these great franchises, including producing, designing and programming many of them himself. I would not be doing what I do today if it were not for the great fortune (again) to be able to work with Mark for so many years. Congratulations Mark!

2009 was really a great year for us, not only did we have UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, we also released Killzone 2, inFAMOUS, flOwer (which also received Casual Game of the Year last week!), Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, PixelJunk Shooter, LittleBigPlanet PSP, Gran Turismo PSP, Patapon 2 and so on. 2010 is already shaping up to be an exciting year as we just released MAG and with Heavy Rain, MLB 10: The Show and God of War III around the corner. We’ve also got ModNation Racers, Gran Turismo 5, and motion controller games that include many unannounced titles, as well as many new PSP and PSN titles hitting throughout this fiscal year.

We certainly have not been immune to the impacts of the economy, but I believe the gaming industry will continue to offer strong growth in the long term. And as far as PlayStation is concerned, I believe we have a truly strong line up in the pipeline, combined with a hardware installed base that is continuing to grow, and an evolving offering of new online features and services. 2010 is looking to be a great year for fans of PlayStation. We’re working hard to keep you entertained and excited with new games and services for many years to come.

And yes, The Last Guardian team is also working hard, too.

President and CEO Brian Farrell says consoles still have a lot to give.

The Epic evolution of gaming's most influential engine, from Gears of War to Mass Effect 2.

It's rare for a console to get a spec upgrade in the middle of its life. However, Sony has stealthily upgraded the PS3 over the past few months to unlock additional usable RAM for developers. Much like the PSP received a boost in clock speed, the latest firmware updates provide developers an additional 70MB of RAM to work with. The change was initially discovered by PlayStation University, noting the reduction in the system OS's memory footprint, from 120MB to 50MB. As the OS continues to slim down, developers are allowed access to even more usable system memory.

SCEA's Patrick Seybold recently confirmed the change to Joystiq. "Since the launch of the PS3, we have been continuously making efforts to reinforce our support system to game developers, allowing them to express their creativity freely on the PS3. As part of this support for game development, the size of the PS3 OS memory footprint has been reduced through network update for the game developers."

While 70MB of additional memory is not insignificant, don't expect drastic changes to future PS3 games. A PS3 developer told us that "any bit of RAM helps. Generally it probably won't change design, but might allow extra effects resolution or dynamic lights or something. Probably more beneficial from the systems and art side then from design/gameplay." In tandem with increasingly efficient code, the added RAM will undoubtedly make for even better looking games. Certainly, that's not something we'd complain about.

Publisher not expecting current consoles to go away anytime soon.

You know what, Uncharted 2? We get it -- okay? We get it. You're awesome. Not only did you win all the awards, now, according to Scott Rohde, VP of product development for SCEA, you've sold 3.5 million units, enough to become the fastest-selling first-party game on the PlayStation 3 to date.

Frankly, Mr. "Among Thieves," we've all been talking about it and ... well, it's starting to come off as a little desperate. And, to be honest, we're a little upset that Joystiq GOTY honors wasn't good enough for you. There -- we said it.

Metal Gear Arcade joins new Virtua Fighter and new Bemani games.

SCEE has registered the domain "motorstorm3.com," according to WHOIS data first found by The Gaming Liberty. The domain, which currently redirects to the UK's PlayStation site, would seem to provide a hint that a sequel to the PS3's flagship truck-dirtying simulator is on the way. Or does it?

Sony told VG247 that "It's not uncommon for us to secure the URLs containing the names of our successful IP, and those actions should not be interpreted as an announcement of a new title in a franchise." That leaves only the knowledge that MotorStorm is one of Sony's major PS3 showpieces and of course there's going to be another one.

[Via Eurogamer]

We've lived with an unspoken fear in the back of our minds since the middle of January, when the nominees for the Writers Guild of America video game writing award were first announced. We weren't sure if we could live in a world where X-Men Origins: Wolverine was decorated over Assassin's Creed 2 and Uncharted 2 for having the year's best in-game writing. Fortunately, this fear has been dissuaded: Last night at the WGA awards ceremony, Uncharted 2 writer Amy Hennig took home the prize.

In a way, though, we feel bad for Ms. Hennig. How frustrating must it be to know that you can't get comfortable in your seat for too long at one of these awards shows? And can you imagine how many acceptance speeches she's had to write over the past month? The poor thing.

In a letter recently distributed (.pdf link) to the company's investors, Nippon Ichi president Tomohiro Sato announced that he would be stepping down from his managerial post on March 31. Sato cites "personal reasons" as the force leading him to resign, though this news comes only two weeks on the heels of Nippon Ichi's announcement of its 98 percent year-over-year revenue decline, and resulting JASDAQ freefall.

Though we may not undoubtedly know what led to Sato's departure, we're really hoping this is just part of Nippon Ichi's restructuring process, and that we're one step closer to getting our hands on Absolute Hero Modding Project. Ever the pragmatists, we are.

Update: Tomohiro Sato is actually the company's head of Sales and Marketing. The current president, Sohei Shinkawa, is not stepping down. We apologize for the mix-up.

In a letter recently distributed (.pdf link) to the company's investors, Nippon Ichi president Tomohiro Sato announced that he would be stepping down from his managerial post on March 31. Sato cites "personal reasons" as the force leading him to resign, though this news comes only two weeks on the heels of Nippon Ichi's announcement of its 98 percent year-over-year revenue decline, and resulting JASDAQ freefall.

Though we may not undoubtedly know what led to Sato's departure, we're really hoping this is just part of Nippon Ichi's restructuring process, and that we're one step closer to getting our hands on Absolute Hero Modding Project. Ever the pragmatists, we are.

Company could be looking to unify gaming experiences with touch-screen controls.

Another version to make you forget about R.

Namco Bandai makes the move to PS3 arcade hardware for latest title.

Namco Bandai Monster Hunter clone approaches half million sold in two weeks.

It looks like PixelJunk Racers is going to join PixelJunk Monsters, PixelJunk Shooter and PixelJunk Eden in the exclusive "PixelJunk Games with Sequels or Expansion Packs Club" -- a hypothetical club whose name can now be changed to the snappier "All PixelJunk Games Club." The ESRB has outed "PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap" for PS3.

While the ratings board doesn't yet offer a content description for the title, we can confidently conjecture that 2nd Lap changes Racers into a board game about managing a pretzel store includes more tracks for the four existing modes, possibly a new type of race and a few new features.

When we awarded Uncharted 2 our top spot in 2010, we simply thought we were aligning ourselves with other people with impeccable taste; however, after reading the results from last night's 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (i.e., the DICE awards) we've discovered that we've also aligned ourselves with the entire video game development community. While we only bestowed a single award on Naughty Dog's latest outing, the Academy dropped ten awards on ol' Nathan Drake and friends, including Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering ... oh, and Game of the Year. (Pictured above: Some of the Naughty Dog team, visibly exhausted from climbing up to the stage ten times.)

While Uncharted 2 was the hands-down "winner" last night, there were 17 other awards handed out (some of which we're sure Uncharted would have won, had it been eligible). Other familiar names on the list (which can be found in its entirety after the break) include: Batman: Arkham Asylum, with three awards; Scribblenauts, with three awards; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, with two awards; and Brütal Legend, with two awards.

Congratulations to all the winners. Oh, and let's just give Naughty Dog all its awards at once from now on; it's tough to make award-winning games without any cartilage in your knees.

The company could've snapped up Maxis and Will Wright's Sim-based phenomenon, but decided against it.

If the convenience of streaming content via Netflix and/or having magical pixies deliver discs to your mailbox (that's how they get there, right?) aren't your thing, then know your insatiable desire to view high-def movies will soon be satiated via Redbox. The aptly-titled crimson structure that spits out discs inside your local supermarket or at your favorite strip mall has begun an initiative to see Blu-ray rentals offered starting sometime around mid-2010, Blu-ray.com reports.

Of course, all of those extra defs won't come cheap: CEO of Coinstar -- Redbox's parent company -- Richard Davis exclaimed that a pricing structure for Blu-ray rentals hasn't been finalized yet, though it will likely be "higher than our standard DVDs." So ... two dollars, then?

The week in Aussie news, reviews and opinions – in video form!

Heavy Rain is on our minds.