All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

So, you've finally managed to topple the impossibly low track times set by your unlawful friends in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, learning how to handle the game's fastest, most reckless automobiles along the way. The "Super Sports" DLC pack, due out on December 21 on Xbox 360, and December 22 on PSN, will to add 13 new events and three cars to the game: The Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the GUMPERT Apollo S and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. We bet they're as difficult to drive as they are to pronounce.

The pack will run you $6.99 USD (560 Microsoft Points), which might seem like a bit much for three new cars and 13 new races. Still, think of the joy you'll get when driving the Bugatti Veyron while playing on the law enforcement team, effectively turning yourself into the world's fanciest cop.

#clips Players losing in Heroes of Newerth 2.0 may find that they've had their "cherry popped" or taken part in a "three way" if the person they're playing against purchased the PC game's "flamboyant" audio pack. More »

Now that we’ve got the announcement, some early info and a few images for UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception out of the way, I’ll bet you’re all wondering when you can see something in motion.

Well, you won’t need to wait long as we’ve just put our first trailer in the can and you’ll be able to watch it first at the Spike Video Game Awards 2010!

We’re looking forward to giving you the first glimpse of the challenges and intrigue that are in store for Nathan Drake in UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception!

Check out the Spike VGA teaser for UNCHARTED 3 embedded below. You can also view it on Spike.com.

VGA 2010 Uncharted 3 Teaser | SpikeTV | SPIKE.com

The Spike Video Game Awards 2010 will be airing live on the Spike channel or on Spike.com TOMORROW, Saturday, December 11, starting at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

And don’t forget to pick up this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly (12/17) to see UNCHARTED 3′s reveal in print!

Make December a hot month for gaming.

IGN UK's personal picks of this year's gaming highlights.

IGN UK's personal picks of this year's gaming highlights.

Free The Silver Lining soundtrack and e-cards available now; Episode 3 coming in January.

IGN UK's personal picks of this year's gaming highlights.

Gawd bless Long Island boys and their capacity for spite, for without it we wouldn't be graced with Billy Joel's greatest hits as Rock Band DLC next week. The story goes that the piano man had his people open the conversation of being part of the video game after a critic noted such a thing would be a travesty. So, pour a bottle of red, a bottle of white, and rock out to the legend's greatest hits, because only the good die young.

Also, just to test if we have Billy Joel powers: Heaven forbid anyone should ever make a new Freedom Fighters or Alpha Centauri, that would be a sin against gaming!

Move on out past the break for the full track list.

#clips Players losing in Heroes of Newerth 2.0 may find that they've had their "cherry popped" or taken part in a "three way" if the person they're playing against purchased the PC game's "flamboyant" audio pack. More »

#dlc In case the cars in Criterion Games' Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit weren't fast enough, the Super Sports content pack will be out later this month, adding new events and three ridiculously powerful vehicles to the mix. More »

Because it takes two hands to fire a gun.

#clips Angry Birds needs no tutorial, not when you have a two-year-old super-fan to teach you how to play the game. Cute kid! More »

The latest trailer for Deus Ex: Human Revolution may be five minutes of pure cinematic CGI, but we'll take something like this over that worthless Batman: Arkham City trailer anytime. It may not be in-game footage, but it is gorgeous.

Programmer/artist Chris O'Shea has tapped even more of the Kinect's potential as a nerd fantasy-fulfillment device -- using its hand-tracking abilities, he's turned the gadget into an air guitar simulator. Check out the video after the jump to watch his wild gesticulations turn into sweet riffs.

It’s amazing to look at the evolution of PlayStation Home and see how much it has changed since we launched in December two years ago. From our humble beginnings in 2008, we’ve become a world filled with hundreds of games enjoyed by 17 million users worldwide and given PlayStation Network users a unique and dynamic gaming experience that can only be found on our platform.

The idea of what games mean in PS Home has also changed. In contrast to the handful of simple mini-games offered at launch, we now see a huge variety of games, including massive full-length games developed by some of the most prominent and innovative indie developers in our industry. The experience of PS Home itself has radically improved over the years as well, with faster load times, zero-wait game access, intuitive navigation, and the addition of features such as group-based voice chat and robust inventory management.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so check out the infographic below to see how PlayStation Home has evolved over the last two years into an industry leading social game platform:

Also, as part of our second anniversary celebration, I’d like to discuss some new games for PlayStation Home. These games clearly show PS Home as a platform for the most exciting indie and social games today. Some of these titles are sequels to hugely popular games in Home, demonstrating the business success of our partners. From Novus Prime which launched last week, to Sodium 2 coming next year, I hope you are as excited about these games as I am!

Novus Prime – Now Available

Created by Hellfire Games, Novus Prime brings a multiplayer space shooter to PlayStation Home. Players can band together to protect their space station. Along with the ability to customize ships and embark on space battles of epic proportions, players can also jump out into zero G and defend the space station from parasitic insects. See the game trailer here.

Midway 2 – Now Available

The folks over at Mass Media have seen a great amount of success with the first Midway game released on PlayStation Home in 2010. They’ve been so happy with how their title has preformed that they are back again! Mass Media has expanded their offerings of popular Midway games with Midway 2. Midway 2 brings nine new games plus the timeless classic, Miz Fortune, to the already robust set of games in Midway. Along with the new games comes 100 new game prizes, a new meta-prize for winning all 20 Midway games and a Scramble Puzzle game as the meta-prize for getting 5,000 points. For those of you that were fond of Darla, we’re bringing in Karla – Darla’s sister – in the game “Wet and Wild,” where you can dunk her in the water tank and get a snapshot of her giving you a kiss! Check out the official trailer from Wednesday’s update.

Conspiracy – Available January 2011

There is a mystery afoot! Jet Set Games is getting ready to release its first ever PlayStation Home game and is ready to take players into a secret world filled with covert infiltration and espionage with their new action/puzzle game, Conspiracy. Conspiracy will have players join different factions as they work to steal goods from enemy corporations. As the rival corporations battle it out, they will uncover the mysteries of the ultimate Conspiracy. Be prepared to learn the secrets of the Conspiracy world in early 2011.

Sodium 2 – Available Spring 2011

Veteran PlayStation Home developers, Outso, are back with a sequel to their highly successful PlayStation Home game, Sodium One. Sodium 2 is looking to expand on every area of the original game with heavily customizable jet racers, supersonic speeds and a pounding soundtrack. The future of Sodium is coming soon, so be on look out for Outso’s new game coming in Spring 2011 to a teleporter near you.

These four games just barely scratch the surface of what the future holds for PlayStation Home. We hope you continue to enjoy what we have to offer on our platform as much as we enjoy creating it for you.

See you in PS Home.

#crime While PlayStation 3 thieves busy themselves punching women in the face, an Xbox thief in North Carolina breaks into a medical center and steals multiple consoles meant for children recovering from cancer. It's the most wonderful time of the year. More »

We've got bad news and we've got worse news. First, the bad news: The PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIV, originally due March of next year, has been delayed indefinitely.

The worse news is that it's been delayed because the PC game is such a disaster. In an announcement released to the FFXIV community, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada apologized for the fact that the game isn't very enjoyable ... and then said that the FFXIV team is restructuring, with new leadership stepping in. Producer Hiromichi Tanaka is out, with Naoki Yoshida taking over as producer/director, and many other positions are also being restaffed. The new team is now working on "a concrete plan outlining Final Fantasy XIV's new direction." Until that new plan is implemented, the game's free trial period will continue.

And so, with the PC version currently a directionless mess, Square Enix wisely decided not to base the PS3 version on that, but instead on whatever the post-restructuring game will be. There's good news, then: Square Enix stopped making what would have been a terrible PS3 game.

Journey isn't a game about transforming a landscape with the power of wind, or experiencing aquatic evolution, but about guiding your cloaked, scarf-wearing avatar through a world -- either alone or with another, unknown person -- and forever pushing towards the mountain in the distance. The game's latest trailer encapsulates a lonely tone and showcases Journey's gorgeous environments.

thatgamecompany president Kellee Santiago characterized the PSN-exclusive Journey as "a social experiment" in a recent interview with GTTV (much like her studio's previous two games have been), while creative lead Jenova Chen says he's hoping to evoke the feeling of awe and wonder that people experience while on a hike. Neither explains what the deal is with the scarves, though.

#clips Before you scrutinize this video, sit back and absorb it. Take it for what it is said to be: An unbelievable stop-action ode to video games made entirely of quarters. More »

Inception hits the video store this week, giving consumers the heart-pounding thrill ride again in SD and HD. Want to know more about this dream-invading thriller? Then also check out Inception (HD + Bonus Features) which offers you incredible bonus content like a comprehensive look at the film’s special effects and a glimpse behind the scenes with the cast and crew. Next, catch up on the entire first season of The Walking Dead, plus the exciting cliffhanger season finale!

Bargain hunters are in luck this week! Now through 12/20, PlayStation lets you enjoy two movies for the price of one! Purchase the Apocalypse Now Redux in HD and get a free HD download of the original Apocalypse Now. Click here to learn more info. This week, BBC America takes over the store in full force, with newly added television series like Being Human, Doctor Who, Planet Earth, and many more. Go to TV Shows > Networks > BBC America to get the entire BBC America library. Last but not least, root on your favorite contenders of UFC 124, and check out Get Ready for UFC 124 with the best fights featuring Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck.

New movies and TV series hit the store each week. And, great news – we just extended the rental period for all of your movies and TV rentals from 14 days to 30 days. Here is a taste of what’s in store…

Just in TV
US Store: American Dad: Season 6, NBA Games Of The Year: Season 2010 – 2011, The Walking Dead: Season 1, How I Met Your Mother: Season 6, The Closer: Season 6, Glee: Season 2, No Ordinary Family: Season 1, Modern Family: Season 2, Naruto Shippuden Uncut: Season 2, Vol. 1, Ancient Aliens: Season 2, Burn Notice: Season 4, The Vampire Diaries: Season 2, and more.

Canada Store: The Walking Dead: Season 1, Deadliest Catch: Season 5, Naruto Shippuden Uncut: Season 2, Vol. 1, The First 48: Season 10, 30 Rock: Season 5, MythBusters: Season 7, and more.

New Release Movies
US Store: Inception, Inception (HD plus Bonus Features), Peepli Live, Shrek Forever After, Exit Through The Gift Shop, Barry Munday, Mademoiselle Chambon, Held Up, Yogi Bear’s All-Star Comedy Christmas, and more.

Canada Store: Inception, Dead Man Running, Ondine, Shrek Forever After, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia, Frozen, Road Kill, Dolan’s Cadillac, This Movie Is Broken, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, and more.

Before you head to the store, watch the trailer for the mind-bending psychological thriller, Inception, available now for both US and Canada-English users!

Top TV Downloads

US:

The Walking Dead | Season 1 - TS-19 The Walking Dead | Season 1 - Wildfire Smallville | Season 10 – Luthor Sons of Anarchy | Season 3 – NS Supernatural | Season 6 – Caged Heat The Walking Dead | Season 1 - Days Gone Bye It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Season 6 – The Gang Gets Stranded in the Woods The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Guts The Walking Dead | Season 1 - Vatos The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Tell It To The Frogs

Canada:

The Walking Dead | Season 1 TS-19 The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Wildfire The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Guts The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Vatos The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Days Gone Bye The Walking Dead | Season 1 – Tell It To The Frogs Human Weapon | Season 1 – Muay Thai: Ultimate Striking Bleach | Season 12 – Bleach 182 Caprica: The Series | Season 1 – Retribution Caprica: The Series | Season 1 – Things We Lock Away

Top Movie Downloads

US:

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Inception Knight and Day The Expendables Vampires Suck Knight and Day Extended Edition Toy Story 3 Grown Ups Going the Distance The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Canada:

Inception The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Expendables Knight and Day The Last Airbender Grown Ups Vampires Suck Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Knight and Day Extended Edition Toy Story 3

Sony's pretty confident in its latest big release, Gran Turismo 5. The publisher shipped 5.5 million copies of the game to retailers worldwide since launching in late November, pushing the entire franchise's worldwide lifetime shipped numbers to just over the 60 million mark (61.41 million, precisely). Gran Turismo 5 debuted on November 24th and placed 8th on the NPD's software sales ranking for that month.

Sony and developer Polyphony Digital also noted their dedication to expanding the world of GT5 in the future. "Polyphony Digital Inc., will continue hereon to vigorously promote development of the Gran Turismo series, which can be expected to evolve even further through the PS3 platform and broadband network environment." Let's hope for more notable additions, like the recent introduction (v1.03) of tiered vehicle damage to online races.

#review There are two traditional options for racing game controllers: a gamepad and a wheel. The HKS Racing Controller is somewhere in the middle. But does that mean it's middle of the road? More »

Hello hello hello! This is Kellee Santiago, and I am honored to fulfill thatgamecompany‘s final wish for 2010 – to show you more Journey. Most of you probably watched Jenova and I on SPIKE’s special pre-VGA show last night – well, I have more for you. Below is our very first trailer to showcase some of the great things to come.

I’m in NYC right now, where we’ve been talking more about the game, and specifically about our approach to creating a unique, intuitive, and accessible online experience. So keep a look out for more info to come!

#tombraider Square Enix is rebooting Tomb Raider, and wiping the slate clean means no more 1990s-style sexy game heroine pandering. But what does that mean for Lara in 2010? Two words: ripped clothing. More »

#kinect The current "plastic instruments" phase of the music game scene seems to have run its course. Next up must surely be the genre's logical conclusion: Air Guitar Hero. More »

Hi again, Playstation fans!

As we get closer and closer to the launch of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam (December 21 (NA)/December 22 (EU)), let’s take a look at the hard-earned medals you can be awarded for your heroic actions in combat. Below is the complete list of every trophy in the game (these are bronze).

Can I Go Home Now?
Achieve a team victory on all Vietnam levels

Every Gun has a Silver Lining
Get silver stars on all primary Vietnam weapons
(Veteran weapons not included)

Ecstasy of Gold
Get gold stars on all primary Vietnam weapons
(Veteran weapons not included)

Doing the Rounds
Get a kill with all Vietnam vehicles

Cantankerous Chauffeur
Get 100 kills with Vietnam tanks

Ride of the Valkyrie
Get 50 kills with the helicopter

Would you Kindly STFU?
Destroy a Hannoi Hannah propaganda speaker

Great Balls of Fire
Get 20 kills with the flamethrower

Just Because I Can
Finish 1st on the scoreboard on any Vietnam level

Secret Achievement
This one is secret (duh)

That’s it for this week! If you missed our announcement of the fifth multiplayer map last week, check out our sweet “Battle for Hastings” trailer on the PS.Blog right here.

#toys While Blizzard do a better job than many other game developers in getting toys based on their games out to the masses, some people still prefer to forgo official figures and make their own stuff. More »

#clips Ni No Kuni, the Nintendo DS title from animator Studio Ghibli and Professor Layton developer Level-5, is out in Japan. Those outside The Land of the Rising Sun are out in the cold. This video might make things all better. More »

After months of waiting, The Flying Hamster finally made it to the North American PlayStation Store this week. Developer Game Atelier apologized for the delay, explaining that "things don't always go the way you want" as an indie developer. "We wished that this title would have been released way earlier than now."

In spite of the setback, it seems the studio has more plans for the adorable rodent. "We're working harder than ever to release this title on the iPhone," the representative teased, without revealing any other details. Given the game's warm reception, we're certain iOS gamers will welcome the classically styled shmup.