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The PlayStation app is live and ready to download in Europe, after making a fashionably late entrance in line with the fashionably late PS4. The console arrives in a few days time on November 29, some two weeks after hitting North America.

Still, it could be worse - couldn't it, Japan?

To recap for our Euro-pals, the iOS and Android companion lets you access the PlayStation Network to chat with friends, compare trophies, purchase stuff on the store, access system guides, and a fair bit more besides. It also syncs up with the PS4 in various ways, including as an on-screen keyboard,and by offering the same Second Screen functionality (note: not Remote Play) that the Vita provides with certain PS4 games.

Sony also detailed that 18 apps will be available on the PS4 across the European launch, although a lot of them are limited to certain countries. The UK will get BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer, and Demand 5 apps, for example, and there are similar TV-based apps for specific countries like Germany, Belgium, and Spain. As for the more generally available apps, they include IGN, Netflix, Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited, and VidZone.

The PlayStation Blog has the full list of apps and the countries they'll be available in. [Image: Gianluca D. Muscelli via Shutterstock]

On Sunday morning we reported on a quartet of new game announcements from Atlus Japan: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, P4U: Persona 4 The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold, Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Persona 5. Today we have a bit more information on these games, courtesy series director Katsura Hashino.

"Just like the experiment of making a fighting game based off the Persona series in Persona 4 Arena, which was also well received by fans, the plan of making Persona Q came from wanting a game that could bring further joy from an even more 'unexpected element'," Hashino stated in a Famitsu article translated by Siliconera. "This will be the first title the Persona team will be making for Nintendo 3DS, and we also have Etrian Odyssey that represents Atlus for the 3DS, and we'll be using its system as part of a 'festive' collaboration mindset in the development for Persona Q."

While Persona Q is a fusion of Persona and Etrian Odyssey, Hashino assures fans of the former that Persona elements will be the foremost focus of the game. "While we are implementing Etrian Odyssey's system into it, just as the name implies, Persona Q will be a completely new title, but first and foremost, it'll be for the fans of the Persona series."

Though Hashino doesn't go into this level of detail on the other games, he does discuss how far along each is in its development. Like Persona Q, Persona: Dancing All Night is almost completed, with only a few new dances and animations to be added to the rhythm-focused spin-off game. Likewise, P4U: Persona 4 The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold is nearly ready to release (though this shouldn't be surprising given that its arcade incarnation was announced in August). Persona 5 lags behind the other titles announced, but Hashino is committed to releasing the game in Japan toward the end of 2014.

Notably absent from Hashino's comments is any word on when or if these games might appear outside of Japan.

According to a report on MCV's website, the UK will be getting the world's first PS4 + Vita hardware bundle, the two consoles to be packed into the same box and sold in time for Christmas.Read more...

It’s almost time to give thanks and pile loads of food onto your plate — copious amounts that you couldn’t possibly eat in one sitting. And as you sprawl out in a half-awake state, what better way to digest food than with some new video games? How about a long-running Japanese RPG with a huge world to explore? Sounds pretty tasty.

That’s right, this week sees the launch of Ys: Memories of Celceta. This JRPG joins the PS Vita family with an action-heavy battle system and an overworld that’s bigger than all the other maps in the series… combined.

Players will take control of series hero Adol Christin, and work to piece together his broken memories as he explores the dangers and intrigue of the Great Forest. Ys: Memories of Celceta also boasts an elaborate crafting system for those gamers out there that love to tweak gear and find the perfect tools for battle.

The PlayStation family also (re)welcomes two PSone Classics: Metal Gear Solid VR Missions and Oddworld: Abe Boxx, as well as the PS3 version of Super Motherload.

For a full list of games coming to PlayStation this week, check below. And, as ever, enjoy the Drop!

New PlayStation Releases This Week Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory PS3 — Digital (Already Available at Retail) This over-the-top entry in the comedy RPG series makes its way to PlayStation Store. Enjoy fast-paced battles, dozens of dungeons, unique challenges, and a very fun look at the video game industry. Metal Gear Solid VR Missions PSone Classic Guide Solid Snake through more than 300 virtual reality training missions that will challenge your skills in combat, stealth, and overall espionage action. Snaaaaake! Oddworld: Abe Boxx PSone Classic The classic oddities return. This old-school bundle comes packed with Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee and Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, in all their strange glory. Help free hundreds of your fellow Mudokons from oppression. Painkiller Hell & Damnation PS3 — Digital Demonic powers are rising, and it’s up to Daniel Garner, the Toy of Light, to stop them. Storm through 13 levels in this modern-day remake of the original Painkiller and Battle Out of Hell. Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers PS3 — Digital Experience the legendary anime series in this visually striking fighter. Go head-to-head with more than 50 playable characters, and customize your Saint with an original levelling system. Super Motherload PS3 — Digital (Already Available on PS4) Something is amiss on the planet Mars. Dig down through minerals and deep secrets in an effort to uncover the truth. Play alone, or bring friends along for the ride in the gorgeous successor to Motherload. Ys: Memories of Celceta PS Vita — Digital, Retail The long journey of Adol Christin continues in this tremendous JRPG. Recover Adol’s scattered memories, wage battle, meet new friends, and participate in the 25th anniversary of the Ys series! Demos and Betas LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Demo — PS4
Payday 2 Demo — PS3

The above information is subject to change without notice.

PlayStation Home has been updated with a virtual PlayStation 4 area, where users can embark upon a most mighty and epic quest. A "Quest For Greatness" as Home calls it. Okay, so maybe it's less "epic" and more "find 13 hidden cards," but PSOne games Twisted Metal, Warhawk, and Destruction Derby are yours for the taking should you complete the hunt, along with lots of PS4-branded virtual swag.

The Quest For Greatness can be accessed via the Experience PlayStation 4 area, which is connected to the Home main hub. Inside the Experience PS4 area is a giant PlayStation Vita, and it is here your quest begins. Reddit posters have claimed that the ordeal shouldn't take more than roughly 10 minutes, so if that amount of time for three PSOne games playable on your PS3 and Vita sounds worth it, log onto PlayStation Home and get to collecting.

One third of all PlayStation Plus subscriptions sold by GameStop in its lifetime came in the week of the PlayStation 4's launch, GameStop President Tony Bartel revealed during the retailer's third quarter earnings call. GameStop reported an 8.6 percent increase in its digital sales for the quarter, contributing to its overall 18.8 percent sales increase. Likewise, the retailer sold through its reservations and some additional allocated PS4 units during the week.

Bartel said that "when you look at all of the PlayStation Plus subscriptions that we've sold in our lifetime as a company, we've been selling them for years, a full one-third of all subscriptions we've sold in our lifetime were sold in the last seven days at GameStop." The retailer began selling PSN content in its stores in November 2010, when it started offering PS Plus subscriptions and download codes for games and add-on content.

GameStop pointed out during the investor call that the PlayStation Network is a big part of Sony's future, and the company plans to continue being a part of that. "We're working very closely with Sony to make sure that we partner with them and we're giving them the consumer feedback and working closely to make sure we have a great product there," Bartel said.

It's unknown how much of an impact Sony's launch day deal had on subscription sales for GameStop for the week, in which players that purchased a year subscription to PlayStation Plus received $10 in PSN store credit. The deal was good through Best Buy and Newegg as well.

Vince and Destin talk about what's new in the PS4 version of Injustice.

IGN has learned from multiple reliable sources that Telltale is working on a game based on George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones.

Derek Yu's punishing roguelike, Spelunky, is getting daily challenges on the PS3 and PS Vita.

First introduced for the Steam and GOG.com versions back in August, daily challenges are special, randomly generated maps that are the same for all players. Each day a new map - that players may compete in only once - is rotated in, alongside matching leaderboards.

The addition of daily challenges is part of a new update for Spelunky that addresses framerate issues and a glitch preventing players from unlocking certain Trophies. The update is available now on both PS3 and PS Vita.

Greatness awaits, and we recently recommended upgrading your brand new Playstation 4 with a solid state or hybrid drive so you don't keep that greatness waiting. We were fairly certain there would be noticeable improvements to loading times, and it turns out we actually underestimated the benefits. Yesterday Kotaku shared with you a video from Tested comparing the boot and load time differences between the three types of drives, and we'd also like to point you to this great breakdown from the fine folks at IGN that puts the numbers side by side.Read more...

Hey everyone, Mark Pacini here, Game Director at Armature Studio for Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate. We have some videos highlighting our latest game on PS Vita. Blackgate is a 2.5D Metroidvania take on the popular Batman: Arkham series. The game itself takes place three months after the events of Batman: Arkham Origins, where Batman is sent in to investigate a riot at Blackgate Prison.

We recorded several “Case Files” to both introduce people to the game, as well as give a few hints here and there. We want you to be able to get the most out of Blackgate, as we tried to pour as much variety and intensity into it as possible.

Combat

FreeFlow Combat is one of the core pillars of the Batman: Arkham franchise, and we’ve adapted FreeFlow Combat from the console editions of the games into the 2.5D perspective of Blackgate. We had specific challenges in bringing this combat into the 2.5D plane on a completely different game engine, while maintaining the feeling of “being Batman” in combat.

This video highlights the various combat encounters in the game, including the different thug types, as well as some environmental effects that influence combat.

Bosses

Prior to the final boss, Batman will encounter six boss characters. Here are a few quick tips for each boss, as they have totally different strategies. We don’t give everything away, but enough to help people along. Purists may want to skip this video, as there are some spoilers here!

• Bronze Tiger: Bronze Tiger is a hand-to-hand battle, but keep in mind that after you find his weakness, he’ll evolve his fighting style, so you’ll need to change it up.
• Deadshot: Deadshot is the “man that never misses.” Luckily, his gun cannot fire immediately, so as soon as the gun is about to fire, get behind cover. Also, he is not a fan of spotlights shining is his face.
• Solomon Grundy: Being an undead monstrosity, Batman’s gadgets (and fists) are useless against him. Scrub the whole environment in detective mode to find things that could help you.
• Penguin: his thugs have motion sensors and advanced weaponry that will make life very difficult for Batman. You’ll want to find a way to pull the munitions backpacks off of their backs at a safe distance before descending on Penguin from above.
• Black Mask: at the beginning of the battle, Black Mask will toss grenades while you fight his goons. You’ll want to flip over enemies to dodge them. Afterwards, he will overload the generators and you’ll need to shut down the three switches simultaneously.
• The Joker: the Joker can outrun Batman, so you’ll need to quickly cross the room with the line launcher. Also, when the Joker takes out his stun stick, you’ll want to use something in your utility belt to short it out.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this look into Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate for PS Vita! For more information and the latest updates, visit www.batmanarkhamorigins.com.

The first time my face popped up to animate the sun in Tearaway's papercraft world, I beamed, as a sun should. From ear to ear, I smiled, and I watched my smile grow in real time.Read more...

We’re nearly there! Tearaway is out this Friday. We’re really looking forward to you folks finally getting your hands in our new game — it’s so great to be this close.

Just in the nick of time, we’ve launched the Tearaway community site — Tearaway.me — which is where all your photos and papercraft models will be displayed. You can check it out right now, and get a few free papercraft models for signing in, even before you own the game. You’ll also see some of the photos of people who have been reviewing Tearaway.

To celebrate our imminent launch, we’ve put together this new trailer for Tearaway, a final little teaser of what awaits you come Friday.

There are still two days left to pre-order Tearaway and get your hands on some tasty pre-order bonuses. If you want to buy it digitally, you’ll get the pre-order items as long as you buy it from PlayStation Store in the first week of release.

If you still haven’t made up your mind about Tearaway after watching the trailer, you’ll be able to download a free trial on Friday, and unlock the full game if you like what you see. It’s really great once you see the world up close, and experience what it feels like to hold a little papery world in your hands — try it, you might like it!

Shout out in the comments if you’re gonna be picking up Tearaway on Friday.

Following its iOS debut earlier this year, Capcom has revealed that Dragon's Dogma Quest will finally be available to Japanese Vita owners on December 19.

Though the free-to-play spin-off was initially revealed for the Vita, that version has been a long time coming. We first reported on the free to play roleplaying game in June, at which time it was scheduled for a Fall release. For unknown reasons, Capcom decided to launch the previously unrevealed iOS iteration of the game first, during this past summer. Until now we had no word on the status of the Japanese Vita version.

Fans of the original Dragon's Dogma will find a very different experience in Dragon's Dogma Quest. Instead of an open, 3D world, the free-to-play Quest is a 2D, online-only, traditional roleplaying game that asks players to command squads of eight Pawns. According to Siliconera, these Pawns can have up to 150 different character classes, and the strategic part of combat in Quest hinges on finding the best combination of classes to beat any given challenge.

There is still no word on when or if Dragon's Dogma Quest will be released outside of Japan.

Coming in spring of 2014 to the Vita and 3DS, Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars is a game in which the hero must foster relationships with young maidens in order to produce more powerful offspring to fight for him in battle. You make me so happy, Atlus. Read more...

Commemorating last week's launch of Sound Shapes for the PlayStation 4, developer Queasy Games has released a series of new community Milkcrate levels, Sound Packs, and Art Packs compatible across all versions of the game.

Priced at 99 cents each, the Vocoder Sound Pack and Old School Sound Pack add electro funk and jazzy bass options to user-made tracks, while the City Art Pack lets players customize levels with buildings, bridges, and other construction-themed decorations. The new community-sourced Milkcrate levels are free, and are included as part of Sound Shapes' latest patch.

Sound Shapes is available as a Cross-Buy release that bundles the PlayStation 3, PS4, and PS Vita versions of the game together in a buy-one-get-three package. PlayStation 4 owners who previously purchased the PS3 or Vita versions of Sound Shapes can download the new PS4 edition free of charge.

This week's PlayStation Network offerings are marked by NBA Live 14's arrival on PS4, the only game to launch on PS4 through PSN for the week. Additionally, the PS Vita's lone addition is The Amazing Spider Man.

Need for Speed: Rivals headlines the list of new, digitally distributed PS3 games - though it already launched on PS4 - and it's joined by a number of other PS3 games: Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know, Air Conflicts: Vietnam, AquaPazza, Arcania The Complete Tale, Blood Knights, Contrast, Dynasty Warriors 6, Farming Simulator, SoulCalibur 2 HD Online, Stick It to the Man and Young Justice: Legacy.

Like Need for Speed: Rivals, Contrast also previously launched on PS4 in addition to Xbox 360 and PC, the PS4 version being free for PlayStation Plus subscribers. As we noted yesterday, said PS Plus members can download Binary Domain and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD for free and Worms 2: Armageddon for $4.50 this week. Sony also opened up pre-orders on PSN for The Last of Us' single-player Left Behind DLC, which will launch in early 2014.

When the PlayStation Store updates tomorrow, PS Plus subscribers will have access to a pair of new free downloads. Both Binary Domain on PS3 and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD on PS Vita will be up for grabs.

Binary Domain is a third-person shooter, developed by Yakuza Team for Sega, set in a future populated by robots, humans and even robots that look like humans. The heart of Binary Domain is its Consequence system, which takes player actions into account and modifies squad AI behavior based on how they view your choices.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, the action-adventure where you hunt down bounties as the gruff-but-lovable Stranger, was developed by Oddworld Inhabitants and originally launched on the Xbox back in 2005. It is categorized by a unique system where players use in-game creatures as ammo. We've heard of pea shooters, but this one's got bee shooters.

In addition to the free downloads, Worms 2: Armageddon will be on sale tomorrow when the weekly content update drops. It's regularly $15 but will be discounted down to $4.50.

Super Crate Box dev Vlambeer said it won't release dogfighter Luftrausers before early 2014 "unless a miracle happens." While it's the season for such things, the indie dev believes a 2013 release window is "unlikely" because the PS3, Vita, and Steam game has still to undergo quality assurance.

The Luftrauser sequel was first due in 2012, but Vlambeer admitted development hasn't been the smoothest - and that's without mentioning any thievery or clones.

"The way we worked with Luftrausers, in hindsight, wasn't really optimal," the company's blog notes. "We assumed that certification would be harsh, but didn't expect it to take more than a month or two. While a part of our team was already focusing on Nuclear Throne and Ridiculous Fishing, we kept being pulled back to fix things or add last minute changes to the game to fit within the requirements. Switching between projects in such different states mentally is extremely exhausting, and a lot of our time was spent orienting on where the game was and where it needed to go."

Elsewhere, progress has been steadier. An Android version of Ridiculous Fishing is on the way soon, while Nuclear Throne sold more than 10,000 copies across its first two weeks on Steam Early Access.

The HD Remasters of Final Fantasy X and X-2 won't reach North America and Europe until March 2014, and that date is apparently only confirmed for the PS3 version. As it stands, the PS3 version will hit North America on March 18, 2014, and then Europe three days later on March 21, 2014. We've reached out to Square Enix about the Vita version.

[developing...]

In the wake of the PS4 launch, the world of PlayStation continues to grow with rubber-burning races, online fighters, shadow puzzles, anime antics, and… farming?!

If you’ve yet to purchase a PS4, the latest edition in the Need for Speed series hits PS3 this week with enough breakneck competition to satisfy the most seasoned adrenaline junkie. Need for Speed Rivals features the AllDrive system, which fuses single-player driving into a seamless multiplayer world, where your friends can race in and out of events without the need for lobbies or loading.

But if you’re more in the mood for a colorful, thought-provoking challenge, look no further than Contrast, which also lands on PS3 Tuesday. And for those of you gamers that still fondly remember crossing blades in Soulcalibur II, perhaps you’ll want to note the imminent arrival of Soulcalibur II HD Online — a visually upgraded take on the classic fighter.

Hungry for more? Head below for a complete list of new games joining the PlayStation family this week. Enjoy the Drop.

New PlayStation Releases This Week Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don’t Know! PS3 — Digital, Retail A four-player adventure from show creator Pendleton Ward and the developers at WayForward. Finn and Jake are tasked with investigating a series of thefts in the Candy Kingdom. Explore the dungeon! Air Conflicts: Vietnam PS3 — Digital Take to the harrowing skies above Vietnam in this arcade-style aerial shooter. Fly and customize more than 20 planes and helicopters, and challenge friends to eight-player dogfights. The Amazing Spider-Man PS Vita — Digital, Retail Suit up as the iconic hero and travel through the streets of Manhattan. Sling web, stop crime, and save the day. AquaPazza PS3 — Digital, Retail Select a fighter, partner up, and compete in this 2D, anime fighter from Atlus. Arcania The Complete Tale PS3 — Digital Immerse yourself in a civil war that revolves around an ancient power. Engage opponents in an action-oriented combat system, and complete quests in a world rife with surprise. Bandfuse: Rock Legends PS3 — Retail Rock out with friends. Form local bands and jam to favorite tracks, or create original music with up to four players on guitar, bass, or vocals. Blood Knights PS3 — Digital You, once a famed vampire hunter, have been turned. Now, with a thirst for blood driving you on, you must fight to regain your honor. A hack and slash experience with drop-in/drop-out cooperative play and plenty of brutal weapons. Contrast PS3 — Digital A visually enticing puzzle game with a charming pair of heroes. Move in and out of your own shadow to clear obstacles and uncover the story behind this colorful world. Dynasty Warriors 6 PS3 — Digital (Already Available at Retail) This iteration of the long-running action series arrives on PlayStation Store. Return to battle and command mighty heroes against hundreds of enemy soldiers. Farming Simulator PS3 — Digital, Retail You know exactly what this game is about. Features more than 20 licensed brands including Case IH, Lamborghini, and Same. New career mode with an economic system, animal husbandry, and purchasable fields. NBA Live 14 PS4 — Digital, Retail New BounceTek aims for more organic control of players and authentic player movement. CourtQ delivers real-time NBA information to every game. Need for Speed Rivals PS3 — Digital, Retail Race through the streets of Redview County in high-speed chases as either a cop or racer. The AllDrive system blends single-player and multiplayer events into one seamless experience, and always keeps your blood pumping. Soulcalibur II HD Online PS3 — Digital The classic fighting game returns to the world of gaming with upgraded visuals and online connectivity. Welcome back, to the stage of history! Stick It To The Man PS3 — Digital After a freak accident, our hero Ray wakes up with a giant, pink arm growing out of his brain. This arm has given Ray psychic powers, which will be quite handy in solving puzzles and clearing his name of a crime he didn’t commit. The Walking Dead Game of the Year Edition PS3 — Retail The award-winning, story-driven experience storms back to PS3 with the added bonus of the 400 Days downloadable content. Make every choice count in this breakout adventure from Telltale Games. Worms Revoltuion Collection PS3 — Retail Includes Worms Revolution and Worms 2: Armageddon, as well as eight DLC packs. Loaded with new features, dynamic effects, and tons of explosions. Young Justice: Legacy PS3 — Digital, Retail Live the action of the WB animated series. Play as any of the team’s 12 heroes, and work to undo evil plots that threaten the world. Demos and Betas Blood Knights PS3 Demo
NBA Live 14 PS4 Demo (Available 11/15)

The information above is subject to change without notice.

Some users are having problems connecting to the PlayStation Network, after Sony noted a "very high volume" on the service following the midnight launch of the PS4. There's no word yet as to when these issues are likely to clear up.

With hundred of thousands of new consoles in the wild, and a significant 308MB firmware patch to download, it's perhaps unsurprising to see issues at this stage.

Sony said it thanks users for their patience, and through its Ask PlayStation account asked them to "please sit tight" for the time being. That account directs people to a PlayStation Forum thread for further updates, and we'll be keeping an eye on how things develop too.

Just Add Water announced that its tastier, juicier remake of the classic puzzle-platformer Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee will hit the PlayStation 3, PS4, and PS Vita in the spring of next year.

Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty updates the PSOne-era favorite with HD graphics and a 2.5D presentation, along with an extra helping of the morbid humor that defined the long-running series. At this year's E3, it was revealed that New 'n' Tasty will make its console debut on PlayStation platforms, capping off a string of indie partnership announcements from Sony.

New 'n' Tasty ports are also in the works for Windows, Mac, Linux, and the Wii U eShop, though release dates for non-Sony platforms have not been announced.

The PlayStation 4's Remote Play functionality might be one of the system's coolest features, at least in theory: the idea of being able to switch between the big screen and the Vita for just about any game is undeniably appealing to a ton of people—especially the ones who share their televisions with loved ones or other nuisances.Read more...

PlayStation 4 lead architect Mark Cerny addressed the console's Gaikai-powered cloud gaming capabilities in a recent interview with IGN, explaining that certain genres may be more conducive to streamed gameplay than others due to latency.

"It is just a part of that cloud gaming technology that there will be a bit of latency there," Cerny said. "Ultimately I think it's going to be that some games will work really well in that kind of context and some games will work less well. If you're playing a twitch fighter or racing game, you might not want to be doing that. That's cloud gaming. But a lot of games will work very well that way."

Remote Play performance between the PlayStation 4 and a linked PlayStation Vita system should not be an issue, however. "If we're talking about Remote Play on Vita, that's done with a direct Wi-Fi link, and the latency is very low," Cerny assured. "It's all in the house. Once you get out of the house, there will be some latency."

Sony previously announced that players will be able to stream cloud-stored PlayStation 3 games on PS3, PS4, and PS Vita systems starting in 2014.

Indies have won their revolution, and Sony is now an active part of the new world that emerged in its aftermath, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's head of strategic content Shahid Ahmad said during his keynote speech at London Games Conference this week.

"People say the indie revolution is only just beginning," Ahmad said. "It's not. It's over. When the power structure shifts to the content creators, the old buildings might still be standing but there's new people in there. New content creators, with new ways of doing things. That's what's happened to PlayStation."

Ahmad added: "It's through the experience of the last few years that PlayStation is emerging. We realize we have to be focused and passionate about embracing that new space."

Ahmad explains that the indie movement helped define the PlayStation Vita in particular, establishing its current developer-focused approach to content curation after a rocky start.

"I found myself asking: 'was PlayStation even relevant any more?'" Ahmad stated. "There was a whole generation of developers that didn't even know what Vita was. And it wasn't just indies we had trouble getting behind Vita - even our favorite partners like Sega and Sports Interactive."

"You don't change the course of supertanker by saying you want to go another way," Ahmad explained. "You have to take radical action. [...] In an era of massive fragmentation, the old rulebook doesn't work. Operating in an environment of trust was the only way to work. We've forged open and friendly relationships with developers - in fact our relationship with developers are better than they have ever been."

Need gift ideas for the fantasy fan in your life? Consider Fables, the Harry Potter Wizard's Collection, or a Game of Thrones Dire Wolf Plush. For the full list check out IGN's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide.

The PS Vita went on sale in Japan today. Know what that means? Somebody's already taken the microconsole apart for your viewing pleasure.Read more...

Sony announced December's PlayStation Plus lineup for Europe, revealing that Codemasters' racing game GRID 2 and Drinkbox Studios' luchador-themed platformer Guacamelee will be free for subscribers to download starting later this month.

PlayStation Plus members will also get free access to the PlayStation Vita version of Sega's kart racer Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, along with Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PSP.

PlayStation 4 early adopters who subscribe to PlayStation Plus can download free copies of Housemarque's Defender-like Resogun and Compulsion Games' light-and-shadow platformer Contrast starting on November 29. December's PlayStation 3, Vita, and PSP program inductees will be available in Europe on November 27.

Nearly lost in the chaos of the imminent PlayStation 4 launch is another Sony gadget, the PlayStation Vita TV, which made its Japanese debut today.

The Vita TV serves double duty, both as a device for streaming media options such as Hulu to your television and also as a stationary Vita analogue. The Vita TV is said to support 1,300 games from the Vita, PSP and other, older Sony platforms, as well as support for the PS3's DualShock 3 controller. Though the selection of compatible titles is slated to grow over time, on debut, the system will support standouts like Persona 4 Golden and Lumines: Electronic Symphony. Further, the Vita TV will also support Remote Play with either PlayStation 3 titles that support it, or the upcoming PlayStation 4.

You can find full technical specs on the Vita TV in our story on the device, or if you'd prefer moving pictures, YouTube user "RedSunGamerTV" offers an unboxing video. Currently, the Vita TV bears a price tag of ¥9,945 (about $100). Sony has yet to announce a Western release for the Vita TV, so if you plan to import one, expect to pay a bit more.