PS Blog
The PlayStation Recap — Big Guns Edition
I’m quietly stunned by how quickly 2012 has kicked into gear: This week gave us major new releases in the form of Soulcalibur V and Final Fantasy XIII-2; next week sees the release of The Darkness II and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, followed by Twisted Metal and the PS Vita First Edition Bundle the following week. What upcoming release are you most interested in playing?
This week saw a deluge of information for 2012′s gaming crop: Game Informer revealed its The Last of Us cover story, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford discussed Aliens: Colonial Marines and what he knows about Prometheus, Drinkbox Studios showed off Mutant Blobs Attack for PS Vita, the team behind MLB 12 The Show served up two new videos devoted to the improved batting and pitching gameplay, a new video revealed MotorStorm RC’s online features and PS3-to-PS Vita competition, Starbreeze Studios gave us a tour of its well-received Syndicate co-op demo, The Tester 3 revealed a sneak peek of its first episode, NIS America showcased Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention for PS Vita, and Team 17 revealed its PSN release plans for Worms Ultimate Mayhem.
- I’m playing: Mortal Kombat for PS Vita, Twisted Metal Multiplayer Demo, Soulcalibur V
- I’m watching: Homeland
- I’m reading: The End of Business as Usual by Brian Solis
- I’m listening to: Official PlayStation Blogcast 010: The Curious Case of Final Fantasy XIII-2
Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack – Platforming Fun for Your PS Vita
So you are probably thinking “Mutant Blobs Attack? Never heard of it. Why should I care about this game? Also, why does Reddit always have so many cat pictures on the front page?” Well, the first thing you need to do is unsubscribe from /r/aww. After that’s done, let me tell you a few reasons you should care about Mutant Blobs Attack.
First, you enjoy platformers but are maybe a bit tired of the typical offerings, and are looking for something fresh. You were thinking of buying a Vita, and need something fun to play in between your sessions of Michael Jackson the Experience. You also have a sense of humor and are tired of games that take themselves too seriously. Maybe you also enjoy monster movies that feature the destruction of all mankind, or perhaps have a slight Blob fetish?
And, if all of the above items apply, then this is REALLY the game for you.
Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a follow up to Tales from Space: About a Blob released early 2011 on the PlayStation 3 (via PSN). Mutant Blobs Attack differs from its predecessor in a number of ways. We want to leave SOME surprises for those who buy the game, so without giving too much away here is some more info about what’s in Mutant Blobs Attack.
This time around the Blob has some new abilities that were designed to take advantage of the Vita’s inputs. The first of these is Telekinesis, which allows the Blob to move objects/platforms around in the game world. These objects are indicated to the player with a green dot, which can be touched and dragged on the Vita’s touchscreen. Having movable objects in the world allows us to challenge the player with unique platforming puzzles.
The second new ability the player will encounter in the game is Rocket Mode. While in this mode, the Blob begins floating in the air, and is controlled using a rocket thruster. While flying around, the back touch pad of the Vita can be used to apply an additional “boost” of speed to the Blob.
Those of you that played Tales from Space: About a Blob will already be familiar with the Magnetic power, which is making a return. Magnetism allows the Blob to stick or repel from fixed metal surfaces, and also pull / push smaller metal objects that are not fixed in place. This power is often used in the game to solve puzzles.
As a break to the normal platforming gameplay, and utilizing another input feature of the Vita, we have spread tilt-based bonus levels throughout the main story. We made these levels all take place in unique and interesting environments like a wooden labyrinth, an old-school retro hand-held device, and maybe even Tom Selleck’s moustache (Editor’s note: Tom Selleck moustache level is not actually included in the game).
We are really proud of how the game turned out, and can’t wait to share it with the world! With the Vita and the game coming out very soon, we really hope that you guys & gals will take some time to check it out.
For up-to-date development news, make sure to follow us on Twitter @DrinkboxStudios and @MutantBlob, and check out our blog at www.mutantblobsattack.com. Also, feel free to shoot us any questions you have in the comments below, and we will try to answer them the best we can!
Zone Analog Batting and Pulse Pitching in MLB 12 The Show
Sports fans -
Zone Analog Batting is a by-product of our original Zone Batting hit mechanic and our most recent Analog Batting feature so we wanted to give users the best of both. From talking to our community, we found that some of our Zone Batting players weren’t using the Analog Batting because they couldn’t choose the zone they wanted to swing at. So, we decided to mix the two features and came up with ZAB (Zone Analog Batting). We went through many prototypes before we ended up with what we think may be the most realistic way to bat, ever, in a baseball game.
The concept is both intuitive and challenging at the same time. Getting your stride down with the right stick and simultaneously using the left stick to choose your zone was difficult at first. The key was getting your foot down early (stride with the right stick) to give yourself time to read the pitch and use the left stick to push in the direction of the ball. It’s the most organic and satisfying way to hit and dangerously close to feeling what it’s like to hit a CC Sabathia fastball!
We have five levels of ZAB to choose from, starting with Rookie, where you can get your stride down extremely early without getting penalized, all the way to our most challenging level, Legend, where you get to hit just like a true Major Leaguer.
Pulse Pitching spawned from our first ever pitching style for The Show, Classic Pitching. We like to keep the “classic” features around since we know there’s still a lot of people out there who use them. Pulse pitching is a more interactive and challenging way to pitch, combining both user skill and pitcher attributes that creates a unique way to deliver a pitch. There are five levels of Pulse Pitching, all the way from Rookie to Legend. The better pitchers will have a smaller pulse ring based on the command they have with that particular pitch. Alternatively, the worse command a pitcher has, the bigger the ring and the harder it is to hit your spots. It’s a really fun way to pitch, you may never go back to what you were using before! Here’s a look at our video…
Don’t forget, MLB 12 The Show for PS3 and PS Vita will be hitting store shelves in just a few weeks on March 6th. Be sure to keep an eye on the PlayStation.Blog and TheShowNation.com for more information in the coming days and weeks on this year’s game. And for our Canadian fans, if you haven’t seen yet, we recently announced that Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista will be gracing the cover of MLB 12 The Show in Canada. Here’s a look at our announcement video featuring Jose in action!
Welcome to The Show!
inFAMOUS 2: UGC Mission Contest Winner Announced
inFAMOUS 2 and inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood received widespread acclaim from the gaming community in 2011 not only for their amazing open-world super hero gameplay, but also for one very important, very unique feature: the ability to make your own missions. To bring out the best aspiring developers, we launched a contest late last year to see who could build the best mission within inFAMOUS 2. This mission needed to focus on telling a story about the main character Cole McGrath that could fit within the fiction of the universe. It also needed to play great, meaning good gameplay balance, strong action set-pieces, and a compelling narrative to pull you through.
From the missions that we’re submitted on infamousthegame.com, PlayStation and Sucker Punch reviewed only the most-played and highest-ranked missions as voted on by the community that plays. This tool not only makes it easy to find great missions in-game, but you can also browse and queue up missions to play in-game on the web by logging in with your PSN ID.
After much debate with the team from Sucker Punch, we’re ready to share the grand prize winner of the Cole’s Missing Mission contest. Introducing PSN member Seth9977 with his mission: Spying on the Spies. His mission brought a great story that matched the tone of Cole’s character while providing sweeping travel segments, awesome combat, and just the right amount of humor. He also goes a bit in-depth with Cole’s character to imply some deeper issues he’s struggling with and has some great call-backs to Cole’s time in Empire City. It’s now playable in inFAMOUS 2 under the Featured Missions category.
Hi everyone; Seth9977 here.
The thing that inspired me to make that mission was the story mission: “Alden Strikes” from inFAMOUS. I put my own little twist of Zeke being captured to bring back some good old memories of rescuing Zeke from inFAMOUS 1.
My advice to other mission builders:
It’s always best to get an idea of what you’re about to make, rather than sit there with nothing. Find something to spark your creativity, and don’t be afraid to try something new. It’s also best to learn how to use the tools. If you don’t know how something works, look at a template, play around with it, or come ask the friendly users at suckerpunch.com for help. Another thing that is a must for creating a fail-proof mission would be play testing and polishing. It’s always best to constantly test and play your mission whenever you make a change, look for ways that a player can break your mission. It will help you in the long run!
Whenever play testing a narrative, make sure to check your grammar, and read it out loud to make sure it sounds right. There are three questions that you should always ask yourself: 1) “Will this be enjoyable for the player?” 2) “Can less experienced players beat this?” and 3) “Will they be able to break my mission?” If you design around these questions, I’m sure you will have a great and fun mission for users to play!
My thoughts on the design tools:
The design tools overall are well made and allowed me to do a number of things. From creating a simple sentence to making an intense fight. I enjoy working a lot with narrative type stuff, so when I first picked up inFAMOUS 2, and fired up the UGC creator I was glad to see there was a way to implement a story into my mission. The variety of tools in the UGC creator has expanded upon the months, and I’m eager to see what else the people at Sucker Punch have to offer to us!
I would also like to thank everyone who has made this possible for me. I’ve learned a lot on my own, but when I got involved with the community at Suckerpunch.com and infamousthegame.com, I’ve learned a lot more on how the UGC creator of inFAMOUS 2 works. It wouldn’t have been possible without the players too! A lot of thanks have to go to the PlayStation.blog and PSN Community Management team too! Thanks for playing all my missions and inspiring me to keep on creating!
We also want to include mentions for the runner ups in this very heated competition. PSN members jedicam10 (Karma Police), The_Golden_Hero (Children of Empire City), and codybean1 (Cole in Time) also made some stellar missions. These missions are also now easily accessible in-game under the Feature Missions category.
Congrats again to Seth9977! Your $1,000 in PSN Voucher Codes, limited-edition Cole statue, and signed copy of inFAMOUS 2 from the Sucker Punch team is on its way!
Dev Diary: Skullgirls is a Feature-Rich PSN Fighter
Previously on the PlayStation.Blog, I introduced you to Skullgirls’ story and characters and discussed its unique gameplay systems. Today, with the game racing towards completion, I’m here to shed a little more light on the game’s features.
Even though Skullgirls is a downloadable game for PSN, we’ve got a feature set consistent with a full-priced fighter.
- Story Mode
- Arcade Mode
- Tutorials
- Practice Room
- Ranked and Unranked Online Play
- Custom Soundtracks
- PS3-exclusive Trophies
The world of Skullgirls is vast and full of colorful characters well beyond the eight playable characters we’ll have in the game. These characters will show up throughout the characters’ stories, which are told with a series of short vignettes, and are told with over 200 pieces of unique art, character portraits and new music.
Check out our new Story mode trailer above, which features Skullgirls’ awesome attract mode and glimpses at some of the characters’ stories.
While there is a “true,” canonical story kicking around in creative director Alex Ahad’s head, the Story mode shows a number of “what if” scenarios playing out across alternate timelines. The characters are true to themselves in these altered circumstances, but events are unfolding differently.
Arcade ModeIn Arcade Mode, you get a single player campaign at its purest. You can pick any team size and make-up you like and fight a handful of rounds against the CPU and end with a climactic fight against… oh, I’ve said too much.
Tutorials and Practice RoomWhen you think about it, fighting games are really the only games left that doesn’t actually teach the basics of how to play them, so we’ve created an extensive series of tutorials.
Not only will these teach you how to play Skullgirls, but they should also help you learn the concepts underlying the fighting game genre as a whole. There are 17 courses explaining basic and advanced concepts, from movement to hit confirmation and advanced tactics, some of which use AI to help you learn. Of particular note, we’ve put a heavy emphasis on teaching defense, something of vital importance that is glossed over in most other games.
Of course, for the most dedicated of players, we’ve got a Practice Room to help you work on your game. In addition to a visual timer to display hit-stun and block-stun to help you learn combos, we’ll also have attack data and hitboxes to help you wring every bit of damage out of your favorite characters.
Of course no fighter these days is complete without online play, and we’ve got that covered. Skullgirls features ranked and unranked online play using the excellent GGPO networking library.
Custom SoundtrackWe went all out on Skullgirls’ music and signed the legendary composer of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Michiru Yamane, but after hundreds of hours of play even the best soundtrack can wear thin.
One of the first feature requests we had from PlayStation 3 owners was a custom soundtrack option, so I’m happy to announce that we’ll be delivering this surprisingly rare feature with the game.
PS3-exclusive TrophiesFinally… Trophies. Trophies are a requirement for all games these days, but we went the extra mile and created four exclusive Trophies for PlayStation 3 users.
There are a lot of complaints out there about fighting Trophies in fighting games, so we sought out forum feedback before designing ours so we could deliver the most satisfying Trophy-hunting experience possible. We think we’ve come up with a pretty good set.
We’ll be releasing more information about the specific Trophies in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that!
And that wraps up the features — in the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing the 8th and final character, the release date and price, and… more.
If you like what you see here, visit our website, Twitter @Skullgirls or Liking us on Facebook for the latest on the game! Thanks for reading!
Randy Pitchford Talks Aliens: Colonial Marines Release Date, Prometheus Possibilities
The Alien films have always held enormous power over me, occupying the same sphere of significance that Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings do for many others. So it’s been with great interest and no small amount of hope that I’ve watched the development saga of Aliens: Colonial Marines. This Gearbox Software-developed first-person shooter promises to pick up where James Cameron’s 1986 classic Aliens left off — an irresistible premise for any diehard fan of the series. A recent trailer (watch it below) presented a convincing succession of sound and images, yet carried the sadface news of a new fall 2012 release date. What’s an impatient Alien fan to do?
Well, I went to Randy Pitchford to get some answers. The gregarious CEO of Gearbox Software was all too happy to share new insights into the studio’s plans for Aliens: Colonial Marines, including multiplayer concepts, the control scheme, play style…and, perhaps most tantalizing, what he knows about the upcoming Ridley Scott-directed origin tale Prometheus.
Alien fans: Something tells me that 2012 is going to be a mighty fine year.
PlayStation.Blog: Aliens: Colonial Marines was recently confirmed to be a fall 2012 title. How will the game’s new fall 2012 release date benefit the final product?
Randy Pitchford, CEO, Gearbox Software: Aliens: Colonial Marines has been a dream project – a labor of love. We’re fully committed to our vision for the game. Creating deadlines is helpful to the process, but we do regret where it creates expectations that cause us to choose between changing expectations or compromising the vision.
PSB: Are you excited to see Prometheus? Will any of the Space Jockey lore hinted at in the film make it into Aliens: Colonial Marines?
RP: I’m very excited about Prometheus. 20th Century Fox invited us to read the script and check out production and ACM’s director, Brian Martel, had a discussion with Ridley Scott about the matter years and years ago, so it’s been a really interesting seat for us on this one. A bunch of our guys went out to read the script a while back. I chose to decline because I didn’t want the spoilers — I can’t wait to see the final film! Ridley is such a master storyteller and filmmaker and I’m thrilled that he’s spending some more time in science fiction. Oh, and I haven’t dodged your real question. Yes, ACM will bring you inside The Derelict on LV-426. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll leave it at that!
PSB: Would you describe the FPS feel as grittier and more realistic, or focused on arcadier accessibility?
RP: I would say that the player’s experience for Aliens: Colonial Marines will tend closer to the gritty realism side. I say that because sometimes the gameplay footage we use for marketing will tend to focus more on the action — which is definitely in there — but you can’t really feel difficulty and challenge as well when you’re trying to promote and market the game using promotional footage.
PSB: How are you approaching the control scheme? Does the game feature aim down the sight and a two-weapon limit? Are there any equipment slots or ways to customize your character?
RP: Looking down the sights properly is a big deal. Gearbox is really proud of its heritage in the evolution of down-the-sights views having really pushed that feature forward in the first Brothers in Arms game. Since then, every shooter we’ve created has featured direct down the sights views with ballistic weapons — including Borderlands. There are still some things we’re bouncing around between with respect to how we’re managing weapon slots and equipment with ACM, so I’ll reserve making a commitment on that right now.
Peer review and testing with customers is really important to us in the tuning process. If any of your readers are in Dallas, TX and want to be part of our user testing program, they should check out our website for more information.
PSB: Displaying the aliens themselves is a tricky balance between showing too much and showing too little. What’s your philosophy when it comes to showing them in the game?
RP: It’s been fun for us to dream up the presentations, but we’re not approaching it like no one knows what a xenomorph looks like. We do have some awesome new variants to reveal for the first time, so we try to get value out of those moments for the experience when you’re playing the game.
PSB: Finally, how important is the multiplayer experience to Aliens: Colonial Marines? Can you give us any hint as to the way it will play?
RP: Multiplayer is a big deal for us. It’s getting a huge amount of attention. I think we’ll be looking for some opportunities very soon to get some people outside of our studios, including some journalists, to have a chance to preview the multiplayer game and play a bit of it. We’re really looking forward to testing it against other eyes and getting some feedback from that, so it shouldn’t be too long before we make that happen.
New on Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited
Head over to the new Sony Entertainment Network Blog today for the latest updates on new movies, music and more!
This week, the Video Unlimited library adds Dream House, In Time, and The Thing. Plus, watch Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie before it hits theatres. See this week’s update here.
The Music Unlimited service features new releases from Lana Del Rey, Leonard Cohen, and The Jealous Sound, as well as titles from Jack White, M.I.A, Gotye, Scorpions, and more!
Official PlayStation Blogcast 010: The Curious Case of Final Fantasy XIII-2
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This week, we tackle one of this winter’s biggest PS3 releases: Final Fantasy XIII-2. We invited IGN editor, renowned JRPG expert, and K-pop enthusiast Ryan Clements to give us his detailed analysis of a game that Square Enix has described as “exceed[ing] Final Fantasy XIII in every aspect.” Ryan wrote IGN’s FFXIII-2 review, so he was able to lead a deep and thought-provoking discussion of how Square Enix incorporated fan requests to make a nonlinear, exploration-focused RPG, how Eastern RPG design differs from Western RPG design, and much more. Definitely worth a listen!
We also reveal the new PSN game lineup for Tuesday, February 7th, serve up a new PSN Gem of the Week, and answer a slew of user questions related to PS Vita: the PSN launch-day game lineup, Bluetooth capabilities, and where to go to play it right now (hint!).
In other news…Woo-hoo! PlayStation Blogcast has hit the big 1-0! Frankly, I’m shocked: it feels like only yesterday that we were taking crash courses in Garage Band and cobbling together audio gear in order to get our long-promised podcast off the ground. And now, 11 weeks and 10 shows later, we’re in a regular weekly recording routine. It just goes to show that if you work hard, take your vitamins, and trust in Nick Suttner, anything is possible. Thanks to PlayStation.Blog readers for your support and feedback!
How’s our driving? We want your feedback, comments, questions, and suggestions, so leave ‘em in the comments below!
Action Items-Twisted Metal community event in San Francisco tonight!
-Final Fantasy XIII-2 IGN review by Ryan Clements
-Vita Hill social clubs now open in eight US cities
-Soul Calibur V
-Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (aka Jeff’s post-Skyrim obsession)
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
First MW3 Maps Hit PS3 Call of Duty Elite Premium Members on 2/28
It’s going to be a long year – and that’s a good thing. While Modern Warfare 3 has occupied a lot of time in the drives of a lot of PS3 owners since its November release, there is more content to come over the next several months. And if you’re a premium member of Call of Duty Elite, you’re going to get your first two tastes of that content on February 28th.
While the content season will contain more than 20 items overall – some multiplayer maps, some game modes, and some Spec Ops missions – the first two pieces of content in the season are a Call of Duty player’s bread and butter: multiplayer maps. The seaside village of Piazza is a perfect battleground for fans of close-quarters combat; the sharp corners, tight corridors, and stone staircases all offer compelling examples of why the word “paranoia” is the same in English and Italian.
Liberation offers more room to run, but it’s no less deadly. Enjoy the beautiful foliage, romantic footbridges, and brutal explosions as you attack the enemy centrally located park in Manhattan. Snipers will find their perches, but sneaky players will enjoy the underground passage and ample ambush cover options.
The first two maps will arrive for Call of Duty Elite premium members first on February 28th, with more content to come over the nine months that follow. If you’re an Elite premium member, you’ll get a message at the MW3 multiplayer menu as soon as the content is available to download; from there, just select Store from the multiplayer menu and the downloads will be yours at no additional charge. It’s part of the whole Elite premium package. If you want in, the details are here.
It won’t be long now before we see each other in Italy and New York. Ciao, buddy.
The Last of Us Coming to Game Informer Magazine’s March Cover
It was only a few weeks ago that a small crew of Game Informer editors and myself left the frigid winter of Minnesota for the sunny shores of Santa Monica to visit one of the best developers in the world. It’s been a tough wait, but we’re excited to finally announce Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us as our March cover.
At the studio, we were ushered past numerous awards for blockbuster series like Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter, and UNCHARTED, but it was inside Naughty Dog’s impressive movie theater-style presentation room that we got to see and discuss what we came there for. On day one, Director Bruce Straley and Creative Director Neil Druckmann talked about their vision for the game while co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra discussed their decision to double the staff and create an entirely separate team from the UNCHARTED crew.
Before long they fired up an amazing live gameplay demo showcasing the combat, stealth, and presentation style and offering a glimpse at the evolving character relationship between protagonists Joel and Ellie. The team offered frank and open responses to all of our questions and only really held back on heavy spoilers and elements that weren’t 100 percent nailed down yet. They were also gracious enough to play through the whole fascinating demo again (and we didn’t even have to beg that much).
On day two, we conducted several on-camera interviews and rounded up loads of online content that will roll out throughout the entire month of February. So be sure to head over to gameinformer.com to see our full front and back panoramic cover image and keep coming back for more The Last of Us throughout the days ahead. In fact, you don’t have to wait long. At 4:00PM Central Time today, we’re exclusively debuting the first three in-game screenshots of The Last of Us. We’ll see you there!
Worms Ultimate Mayhem Obliterates PSN February 14th
We are delighted to be able to announce the U.S. release date of Worms Ultimate Mayhem is Tuesday February 14, 2012. We’d also like to introduce the game to you all and answer any questions you may have.
Can you introduce the game to us please?
Sure, Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a “best of” compilation of content from both Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem, so it’s got 38 weapons, plenty of customization options (including a selection of new ones) making for 115 individual customization elements in total. There are also 60 single-player missions taken from both sources, making it a massive game. We’ve taken the opportunity to improve on what was there already too. We have made some really nice improvements to the camera and made the game even more approachable; to this end we added a new utility (the Binoculars) to help you aim, and an automatic shot assist mechanic that helps your shots find their targets in easy mode. We have also added some really cool loyalty content too.
In terms of visual improvements, we’ve brought the game up to date with a raft of enhancements. New water effects, up-scaled textures and fonts, higher polygon counts, specular materials, real-time lighting and dynamic shadows all get the game looking a little more modern while still retaining its attractive cartoon style visuals. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget the audio improvements too… we’ve a whole bunch of new music in the game, and some of the cut-scenes have been re-edited, voice-acted and lip-synched, which makes a massive difference!
What are the main gameplay features and mechanics in ‘Worms Ultimate Mayhem’?
Despite being 3D, the game is pretty much built around the same principles as all the “Worms” games. There’s the unique 3D deformable landscape and the satisfaction of destroying EVERYTHING. It’s pretty satisfying blowing things up, and that mindless destruction has always been a staple of the brand.
There’s the humour and genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, the crazy weapons (such as the Concrete Donkey, an Inflatable Scouser and a Bovine Blitz cow-themed airstrike!), the worms mugging to camera or the silly story sequences. Humour has always been an important ingredient, and it actually translates very well into 3D.
There’s customizing things: from what their worms wear and what they say to tailoring individual game settings. There’s also the ability to create your very own secret weapon, deciding how it’s launched, what effect it has and what it looks like. I think that aspect has always extended the life of the game as it allows players to make it their own.
And lastly, there’s the insane amount of content. We always try and over-deliver with the games we make, and Worms Ultimate Mayhem is no different: 60 single player missions, 8 challenges, 10 deathmatch challenges, 6 FMVs, 5 online and offline multiplayer modes, 1,000,000+ game style choices via Wormpot, 23 speech-banks, 115 customization items, 38 weapons and 5 Easter eggs. With plenty of PSN Trophies, including a Platinum, that’s a lot of game to enjoy!
Worms Ultimate Mayhem will be priced at $14.99, with an additional launch discount for PlayStation Plus subscribers; we look forward to answering any questions you may have in the comments.
Experience Wimbledon this February, Only Through Grand Slam Tennis 2
Hey everyone, I’m Nate McDonald, one of the producers for EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis 2. We are very excited to be bringing this franchise to you on the PlayStation 3 platform. Right now, I’m going to give you a quick rundown of what you can be looking forward to in our demo, which is currently available on the PlayStation Store.
One of our big innovations is our All-New Total Racquet Control, where you can control every shot with the right analog stick, smashing forehands, backhands, overheads, and volleys with precision, accuracy, and power. You can utilize this control system to take your game to the next level, however, if you prefer the old school button controls, those are still available to play with as well.
Also new, and exclusive to PlayStation 3, is our PlayStation Move support. The motion control experience gets you on your feet and literally puts the racquet right in the palm of your hands. With a little bit of practice in the Practice Court prior to playing a match, you should have a good handle on all of the different control schemes in no time!
Once you have developed your shots in the Practice Court, take your skills to one of the most prestigious venues in sports: Wimbledon (exclusive to Grand Slam Tennis 2!). You can relive or rewrite the 2011 Wimbledon final match on Centre Court between the top 2 seeded players in the world, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Here you can feel the true excitement and emotion of championship tennis with EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis 2 in this 3 game set. You can play by yourself or against a friend on the same system.
We hope you enjoy the demo!
Keep an eye out for the full version of the product (available worldwide by February 14) which features over 20 of the greatest past and present players, a deep 10-year career mode, a wide variety of online gameplay features including EA SPORTS Game Face technology, and lots more.
For more info and to check out some producer videos, go here.
That’s it for now!
MotorStorm RC: Video Run-through of Competitive Online Play
MotorStorm RC is a few short weeks away and already the competitive online cross-play at its heart is igniting intense rivalries. Here at Evolution Studios there’s been a lot of competition for the best performances on every track and we’re thrilled that gamers and journalists are experiencing this at special preview events all around the world.
Ahead of getting the opportunity to jump into the competition for yourself, I’m here to give you the low down on just how online competition works with other players – running you through a short video of me competing with Zoe (Evolution Studios QA Manager, who sits on the desk across from me) as I take on her performance in a Hot Lap race.
It’s so easy to see what your friends and rivals have been up to and, with super-fast load times on both PS3 and PS Vita, jump into a race instantly to beat their fastest times and wipe the smirk off their face.
Competing like this, on your own schedule, is a perfect fit for both MotorStorm RC and the PlayStation Vita, letting you pick up the game and compete against friends when it’s convenient for you. Whether you’re playing on your PS Vita or PS3, for a few minutes or a few hours, out and about or in the comfort of your own home; you can always see what’s been going on and get right into the heat of competition. MotorStorm RC is coming soon, so keep an eye out for more information.
PlayStation Network Scheduled Maintenance
PlayStation Network will be offline for routine scheduled maintenance on Thursday, February 2nd from approximately 6am until midnight PST. During the maintenance, you will be unable to access the following services:
- PlayStation Store on PS3, PSP, and Media Go
- PlayStation Network Account Management
- PlayStation Network Account Registration
- PlayStation HomeMusic Unlimited & Video Unlimited services
- You will not be able to sign in to PlayStation Network from us.playstation.com (or the PlayStation.Blog).
Fortunately, most online play will be unaffected. Users who are already signed into their account on PlayStation Network before the start of the maintenance should be able to stay signed in to their online session, but will not be able to access any of the services listed above. Users who attempt to sign-in to their PlayStation Network account after the start of the maintenance may be presented with the site maintenance notification page if they haven’t signed in recently. During this maintenance, you can continue to collect in-game Trophies and these will be updated on your profile once PlayStation Network is back up and running.
Stay tuned to the PlayStation Twitter feed for updates and a notice when maintenance has concluded. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Hands-On: Mortal Kombat for PS Vita
I’ve got good news, and I’ve got good news. First, the good news: Based on my recent hands-on play sessions, Mortal Kombat on PS Vita plays identically to its PS3 counterpart. That means fluid 60 frames-per-second fighting, lush presentation, and every bit of content from the console version. That includes the critically acclaimed Story mode, a full character roster, the Krypt, the works. It’s all here, baby.
I also tried out a series of local (non-internet) Wifi multiplayer matches, and I’m happy to report that the game felt smooth and responsive with no perceptible lag. If you’re skeptical, watch the video above to see local multiplayer — and my hairy, hairy paws — in action. One thing to note is that the PS Vita version supports up to two players in Wifi multiplayer, not four as in the PS3 version.
Now for the good news: The PS Vita version adds an ambitious array of extra content, starting with every piece of DLC ever released on PS3. That means you’ll be able to play as Freddy Krueger, Kenshi, Rain, and Skarlet from day one, and select MK1 and MK2 retro-styled costumes to drape over your male and female ninja characters. The Vita version sweetens the pot with 15 more exclusive costumes, including MK3-styled garb for the ninjas. Not a bad start, but it gets better.
If you read PlayStation.Blog’s exclusive interview with Ed Boon, you’ll know that Netherrealm Studios has prepared an all-new Challenge Tower II mode that’s exclusive to PS Vita. I went hands-on with four of the 150 total new challenges, more than half of which take advantage of PS Vita’s touchscreen and sixaxis motion sensors in novel (and challenging!) ways:
The final game will also include two new bonus modes in the spirit of the Test Your Might minigames. In Test Your Balance, you’re challenged with balancing on a beam and using PS Vita’s sixaxis motion sensor to adjust your balance…while you’re being pelted with body parts. Fail, and you’ll plummet to a gory death (which I won’t spoil here). There will be a second Vita-exclusive minigame as well, but Netherrealms Studios is keeping this under wraps for the
time being.
And yes, there will be new Trophies. What questions do you have about Mortal Kombat for PS Vita? Fire away in the comments and I’ll do my best to serve up answers.
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention – PS Vita’s First RPG Hits in April
Hello everyone! Today, I would like to share our brand new trailer for Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention for the PlayStation Vita system. Disgaea 3 for the PS Vita will be released in April. We are really excited about Disgaea 3 coming out on the PS Vita over here. Yes, it is a port of the PlayStation 3 version, but it will be equipped with new character stories, new systems, new attack levels, new bosses, and will include all the DLC that was released for the PS3 version, all on one card. So even if you have already played Disgaea 3 on the PS3 system, you’ll have something new to experience with this PS Vita version!
Of course, there will be some PS Vita specific systems integrated into the game, as well. For example, there is a system called “Honor Quotient,” which uses the GPS to track how far you’ve traveled while playing the game. The more you travel, the higher your Honor Quotient will rise (you’ll be able to increase your Honor Quotient by winning battles, increasing your total play time, and by other means as well). With a high Honor Quotient, you will be able to gain more experience points, Mana points, get discounts at item shops, etc. So, don’t forget to take your PS Vita with you wherever you go! Also, with the rear touch panel, you can view the map from any angle. It sometimes gets really crowded and busy on the map, but with this camera angle control, you’ll be able to see your map much easier.
Let’s talk about the new characters for Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention. You’ll be introduced to two new characters, Rutile and Stella. Rutile is half-Nekomata, half-human. She was raised in the Human World, so she doesn’t really know much about the Netherworld. She enters Evil Academy as a transfer student. The other character is Stella, who is the student body president and daughter of the dean of the rival school, Death Institute, Majin Academy. She is a snobby rich girl, but she also loves playing tricks on others. She loves elegance, and believes that everything she does is “elegant.” …We’ll see about that!
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention will be jam-packed with new stuff! Please visit the official website for more information. And, now enjoy the official trailer of Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post today! Have a great day!
Lumines Electronic Symphony: Q Entertainment’s Love Letter to Electronic Music
When we first began work on Lumines Electronic Symphony, we envisioned a game that would take Lumines players through a diverse but unified sampling of electronic music. This would allow us to entertain players and expose them to some amazing music. With that in mind, we gathered together a diverse array of artists who would collectively compose our “electronic symphony.” Below is the full list of artists and songs that will make up the 33-licensed tracks in Lumines Electronic Symphony:
- “4 AM” – Kaskade
- “Aganju” – Bebel Gilberto
- “Always Loved A Film” – Underworld
- “Apollo Throwdown” – The Go! Team
- “Automatons” – Anything Box
- “Autumn Love” – SCSI-9
- “Bang Bang Bang” – Mark Ronson & The Business
- “Celebrate Our Love” – Howard Jones
- “Close (To The Edit)” – Art of Noise
- “Disco Infiltrator” – LCD Soundsystem
- “Dissolve” – The Chemical Brothers
- “Embracing The Future” – B.T.
- “Flyin’ Hi” – Faithless
- “Good Girl” – Benny Benassi
- “Gouryella” – Gouryella
- “Hey Boy Hey Girl” – The Chemical Brothers
- “Higher State of Consciousness” – Wink
- “In My Arms” – Mylo
- “Kelly Watch The Stars” – Air
- “Moistly” – LFO
- “Out Of The Blue” – System F
- “Pacific 707” – 808 State
- “Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)” – Safri Duo
- “Rocket (Tiesto Remix)” – Goldfrapp
- “Sunriser (Publicmind Remix)” – Ken Ishii
- “Superstar” – Aeroplane
- “The Future of the Future (Stay Gold)” – Deep Dish
- “The Sun Rising” – The Beloved
- “What’s Your Number” – Ian Pooley
- “Windowlicker” – Aphex Twin
- “Wolfgang’s 5th Symphony” – Wolfgang Gartner
- “Wooden Toy” – Amon Tobin
- “Yesterday When I Was Mad (Jam & Spoon Mix)” – Pet Shop Boys
Finally, to end the game on a beautiful note, we enlisted the aid of Orbital’s “Never” to close out the credits of Lumines Electronic Symphony.
Now that we’ve announced the full tracklisting for Lumines Electronic Symphony, not only is this the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the musical direction behind the game, but we’ve also reached out to some of the artists featured in Electronic Symphony to comment on their inclusion in Q Entertainment’s love letter to electronic music. That’s how ambitious our scope was when we set out to compile a sampling of the finest electronic musicians in the world in one game. In the end, we managed to do a pretty good job covering all the bases in a span of 34 songs.
Our goal was simple. We wanted to tell a story through sound. With this in mind, our song selection was done to replicate a groovy lounge instead of trying to develop a non-stop 140BPM megamix. The soundtrack is designed to rise and fall like waves, giving the player both rhythm and respite, which would feel like a musical journey.
Even more exciting than announcing this soundtrack is hearing some of the reactions from the artists that are being featured in our game. Joining us in the celebration of Lumines Electronic Symphony’s soundtrack announcement are Benny Benassi, SCSI-9, The Go! Team and Howard Jones.
James Mielke: We’ve included your song ‘Good Girl’ in Lumines because we love your distinctive electronic sound. How do you feel about your music being in a video game? Are you looking forward to playing it?
Benny Benassi: Hi, I’m here in the studio with my cousin, Alle Benassi, who is my producer and musician. We want to answer these questions together as they also concern the production. Thanks for the compliments and support! We are really happy that the track is in the video game. The music and the game are both forms of electronic entertainment, so it makes sense, for sure. And yes, we’re looking forward to trying out the game!
JM: With Sony’s PlayStation Vita coming out, are you excited to get your music in front of millions of gamers who may discover your music for the first time?
BB: This is one of the amazing ‘side effects’ of this kind of exploitation of our music. It’s a way to reach people who don’t normally go to clubs or listen to club music. It’s really exciting.
James Mielke: Is this your first time a song of yours has been licensed into a video game? If so, do you also play video games, and how does it feel to have your song Autumn Love included?
SCSI-9: So far we know about it only by email, so it stays a bit abstract right now. But, at some point people we know will play the game and – huh ?! – “This is SCSI-9 …?!” They will probably call us and that’s where the fun begins. But, seriously, this is great news. Videogames have developed into a really powerful dimension of graphics, production, SFX and music as well. This is the first time we’ve licensed a tune for a game, so we are quite happy.
JM: This LUMINES game is a collection of some of the greatest electronic music of the past 30 years. Your song is included along with groups like Faithless, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, The Art of Noise, Goldfrapp, and more. Do you think this is a cool way to expose your music to a new International audience?
SCSI-9: Exactly. Today the flood of music is so immense that you will appreciate any opportunity to promote your music. We rarely get international airplay on TV or radio so it’s great that Lumines can give us a lift to somebody’s mind.
(replied to by main songwriter, Ian Parton)
James Mielke: We included your song Apollo Throwdown in our game, because it has an incredibly uplifting atmosphere, a great beat and a funky rap. It’s actually quite a standout in the game’s soundtrack as a result. How do you feel about our selection of this song for the game, and what’s the inspiration of the song?
IP: I wanted to make Apollo Throwdown a kind of warped space-age old school hip-hop song. It’s quite strange and unmistakably The Go! Team, I think. There’s girl gangs, a strange flute through a delay pedal and even a Bollywood string section going on….
JM: We put your song ‘Bottle Rocket’ in Lumines II. Are you excited to introduce your music to a whole new generation of gamers in Lumines Electronic Symphony? We are!
IP: Yes, I always like it when Go! Team music is used on creative stuff and the LUMINES game looks real nice. It’s cool when you’re introducing yourself to a bunch of people who might never have heard you otherwise
James Mielke: I don’t know if any of your songs have ever been used in a videogame before, but how do you feel about people discovering your music through games? Do you think ‘Celebrate Our Love’ is a good introduction to people who may not be familiar with your work?
HJ: I think a few pieces have been used in games before but nothing from the Revolution of the Heart album. I am very pleased that you see quality music as a priority in the gaming experience. I love all the tracks on ROTH and I think Celebrate Our Love is a great introduction to the album.
JM: Did you play video games during the 80s arcade craze? Wondering what your thoughts are on games in general and whether game music is anything you’d be interested in composing. Gaming consoles allow composers to do a lot with sounds these days.
HJ: I was a big Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Galaxians fan and then bought a Defender machine. Unfortunately I ended up playing it so much I had to give it away so that I could get on with some music! I also enjoyed the problem-solving games like Myst. I am interested in all new ways of interacting with music.
PlayStation Store Update
Hi Everyone -
This week, the folks at Konami are excited to bring you the new PSN Release Puddle! Relying on the physics of water and other fluids (hot magma anyone?) in ever-evolving environments, you’ll need to guide the fluid flow with precision to get to the goal. While it seems like a simple concept, the gameplay requires a fun puzzle-focused mentality where you must tilt the entire environment, balancing the push of each fluid’s unique properties with the pull of environmental factors of gravity, friction, and obstacles. With PlayStation Move compatibility, and a demo available as well, Puddle is set to make a big splash on PlayStation Network.
You may have seen EA’s news predicting the Super Bowl winners with Madden NFL 12. If you haven’t picked up this year’s edition yet, you can set up your own Super Bowl match yourself as it’s now available in the PS3 Full Games category. Joining it is also Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, its predecessor Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, and Mini Ninjas. PlayStation Plus subscribers will have access to a 1 hour rental of all of these via Full Game Trials as well.
Twisted Metal fans; the big day is almost here. Although you won’t be able to buy the game until February 14th, the demo is now available to download! Get your hands on the new online multiplayer experience in classic Free for All or the all-new Nuke mode. In other demo news, Syndicate is also now available to try via a 4 player co-op demo.
Since the new PlayStation Plus content for February, announced earlier today, won’t be hitting until next week, this week is your last chance to get some of January’s free content like Back To The Future: The Game – Full Series, PS one Classics Syphon Filter 1-3, and PSN Game Sword and Soldiers. But with January’s final update for Plus subscribers, there’s plenty of new Full Game Trials as well as some great new free Avatars and Themes. Check out the Abstract Art theme in particular.
That’s all for this week. Check out the full details of this week’s update below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on the PlayStation Community forums in the Official PlayStation Store Update thread.
Here is the weekly PlayStation Store update:
PlayStation Plus
Don’t have PlayStation Plus? Click here to purchase your subscription today!
Tank Commander Avatar Themes: Abstract Art Dynamic Theme PSN Games
Puddle ($9.99)
In this one of a kind game experience, guide puddles of fluid (a cup of water, a drop of dew, molten lava, and others) through a variety of beautifully designed environments (the human body, a garden, a foundry, and more).
ESRB rated T
File size 1.08 GB
Madden NFL 12 ($29.99)
Madden NFL 12 continues the rich tradition of the storied franchise by bringing fans closer to the NFL than ever before. Featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and your favorite players in the league, Madden NFL 12 is True to the Game.
ESRB rated E
File size 4.97 GB
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days ($19.99)
What would you not do for love? For acceptance? When would you give-up? For Kane & Lynch, there is no limit.
ESRB rated M
File size 8.1 GB
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men ($14.99)
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men follows the violent and chaotic journey of two men – a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath and their brutal attitude towards right and wrong. This volatile partnership combined with innovative technologies allow for an unparalleled gaming experience.
ESRB rated M
File size 10 GB
Mini Ninjas ($19.99)
Join Hiro, the smallest hero on the biggest adventure, as he embarks on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Use your skills and mighty Ninja training to battle a magical army of evil Samurai.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 6.3 GB
Twisted Metal Multiplayer Demo
Twisted Metal is here with an exclusive early access demo. Get your hands on the new online multiplayer experience in classic Free for All or the all-new Nuke mode. Download the Twisted Metal Multiplayer Demo today!
ESRB rated M
File size 1.49 GB
Syndicate Demo
Syndicate is a re-imagination of the classic 1993 Syndicate game – a cyber punk FPS set in a dystopian world where large Syndicates rule and Business is War. In the 4-player co-op demo, team-up to take down rival Syndicate Cayman Global as you battle for market dominance and your life. Some takeovers are more hostile than others.
ESRB rated M
File size 620 MB
Puddle Demo
Check out this demo! In this one of a kind game experience, guide puddles of fluid (a cup of water, a drop of dew, molten lava, and others) through a variety of beautifully designed environments (the human body, a garden, a foundry, and more). But to do so, you must tilt the environment, balancing the push of each fluid’s unique properties with the pull of environmental factors of gravity, friction, and obstacles.
ESRB rated T
File size 1.08 GB
LittleBigPlanet Groundhog Day Costume (Free)
A seasonal exclusive costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB
Assorted PlayStation Home Packs x 15 ($2.99 – $4.99)
15 PlayStation Home Packs that include over 300 items combined!
File size: N/A
Dead Island – Ryder White ($9.99)
There are always two sides to a story! Experience the events on Banoi as seen through the eyes of the villain. Are things really as they seem?
File size 1.04 GB
Need For Speed: The Run – Italian Pack ($6.99)
The NFSTR Italian Pack contains the following: 1995 Lamborghini Diablo SV, 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, 2009 Pagani Zonda R, 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, 2005 Maserati MC12, 1993 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione, Italian Motor Racing Playlist, Italian Challenge Series, Italy vs. World Challenge Series, New Trophies.
File size 3.16 MB
The King Of Fighters XIII Unlock Icons ($2.99)
The entire Customize Icon set for personalizing your online match profile is available to purchase. *These icons can also be unlocked by playing the game. With the triumphant return of fan favorite characters like Mai, K’, and Vice, extensive refinement of the core fighting engine based on community feedback, and vastly improved network functionality, THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII represents the HD entry in the series that fans have been waiting for.
File size 6 KB
Soulcalibur V Customization Equipment 1 ($1.99)
File size 134 KB
Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music 1 -10 ($0.99 each)
File size 136 KB each
Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music Pack 1 ($2.99)
This pack contains the stage music tracks: BRAVELY FOLK SONG, HORANGI ARIRANG, SOUL AND SWORD, THE WIND AND CLOUDS, and WORLD ATLAS COLLAPSED from SOUL BLADE. This content should only be purchased by those who have not already purchased one or more of the background music tracks in this pack.
File size 138 KB
Soulcalibur V Downloadable Music Pack 2 ($2.99)
This pack contains the background music tracks: CHASING DOWNSTREAM, DUELISTS, THE CURSED IMAGE, UNBLESSED SOUL, and WING OF FAITH from SOULCALIBUR. This content should only be purchased by those who have not already purchased one or more of the background music tracks in this pack.
File size 138 KB
Rock Band 3
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
- “Fat Lip” – Sum 41 ($1.99)
- “Head Over Heels” – Tears for Fears ($1.99)
- “Still Waiting” – Sum 41 ($1.99)
File size: 19 – 32 MB (singles)
Rock Band Network v2.0
- “Africa” – Quartered ($1.99)
- “Against the Wall” – Ill Niño ($1.99)
- “El Monstro” – Dance for the Dying ($0.99)
- “Hysteria” – Aiden ($1.99)
- “Turn Around” – Bumblefoot ($0.99)
File size: 21 – 31 MB (singles)
Updates
Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom (Sale) (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
The Darkness II Avatars (x15) ($0.49 each)
The Darkness II Avatar Bundles (x3) ($1.49 each)
The King Of Fighters XIII Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)
Atelier Totori Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)
Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken Avatar Bundle 1 ($2.99)
Assassin’s Creed Universe Avatars (x5) ($0.49 each)
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Avatars (x9) ($0.49 each)
Jak and Daxter Collection Dark Jak Avatar 2 ($0.49)
Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar 3 ($0.49)
PixelJunk Shooter (x6) ($0.49 each)
Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar 2 ($0.49)
Jak and Daxter Collection Dark Jak Avatar ($0.49)
Jak and Daxter Collection Jak and Daxter Avatar ($0.49)
Carnival Island Avatar Bundle 1 ($1.49)
PlayStation B-boy Avatar (x3) ($0.49 each)
Game Videos (free)Pulse 1/31 Edition
Reality Fighters Features Trailer
Aliens: Colonial Marines Contact Trailer
The House Of The Dead III Announcement Trailer
UFC Undisputed 3 – Roster Video
PS3 ThemesThe Darkness Ii: Official Theme (free)
Atlanta Hawks 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Charlotte Bobcats 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Cleveland Cavaliers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Denver Nuggets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Detroit Pistons 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Golden State Warriors 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Houston Rockets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Indiana Pacers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
LA Clippers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Memphis Grizzlies 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Milwaukee Bucks 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Minnesota Timberwolves 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
New Jersey Nets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
New Orleans Hornets 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Philadelphia 76ers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Portland Trailblazers 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Sacramento Kings 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Toronto Raptors 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Utah Jazz 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Washington Wizards 2012 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Digital Blasphemy: Hidden Forces ($2.99)
Dynamic Temple Temptress ($2.99)
Wendy Premium Theme 5 ($2.99)
Vampire 5 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Dragon 3 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Technicolour Yawn by Tom Sewell Static Theme ($1.99)
PlayStation Store for PSP Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)Naruto Shippuden: UN Impact ($39.99)
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Impact revolutionizes the Ultimate Ninja series with the all new ‘Rush Battle System’. With this new battle system, players are challenged to trust their instincts as they face off against hordes of enemies in 1 Vs. 100 battles! Players will also be treated to a variety of giant boss battles to test their tactical prowess. Also experience the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN storyline from Naruto and Sasuke’s point of view.
ESRB rated T
File size 899 MB
Pulse 1/31 Edition
PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)Redbox PSP Theme ($1.99)
Death Dealer PSP theme ($1.99)
Dragon 4 PSP theme ($1.99)
Dragon 5 PSP theme ($1.99)
Twisted Metal Multiplayer Demo Coming to PSN Today
We know your appetite for destruction is growing as we draw closer to Twisted Metal‘s Valentine’s Day release (2/14), so we’re pleased to announce that the Twisted Metal Multiplayer Demo goes live on the PlayStation Store this afternoon!
Once the demo hits the Store, you’ll get a taste of Twisted Metal’s online play with:
- Eight vehicles to choose from, each with their own unique special weapons
- Two multiplayer modes: Classic free-for-all Death Match, and team-based Nuke mode—a Twisted take on Capture the Flag that’s brand new to the series
- Challenge mode, where you can practice with each vehicle to hone your destructive skills
Be sure to try out all the vehicles and modes available in the multiplayer demo and let us know your favorites. Servers will be up today through February 7th, so you’ve got a week to practice before the full game comes out on February 14th. Get killin’!
To celebrate today’s release, Game Director David Jaffe chimed in with answers to some popular user questions. This Q&A relates to the final retail game, not today’s multiplayer demo, but it will give you a closer look at what to expect this February 14th.
Will Twisted Metal feature a Party System for easy play with friends?
100%! The new Twisted Metal supports Party and Clan systems allowing players to easily jump into ranked and unranked matches together. The party system was key, not just because it’s a staple for online games, but because we heard from so many players who came up playing this game with friends (be it as little kids, or college students) and now their crew have scattered across the globe and they were asking us for a fast, easy way to jump into games with friends so they could relive some of those fun memories (and ideally make a lot more new ones)!
Will Twisted Metal have splitscreen coop missions?
Split screen local co-op has been a staple of the series since TM2 and it’s back and better than ever. The campaign that you and a buddy can go through together is more varied than any other TM campaign we’ve done. And the other split screen modes- for 2 to 4 players on the same tv- allow for free for all and team games with lots of host options for players so they can tweak and adjust the game so it always says fresh. In 2 player split the players have 30+ levels to choose from. In 3 and 4 player split, players can choose from 10 battlegrounds.
Is there any gameplay relevance related to the pedestrians in the environments, mechanics and trophies?
Yes to all three questions :). A good example: in the level called BLACK ROCK STADIUM- which is this ‘hi tech meat grinder-meets-Roman Gladiator Colosseum’ players can park their vehicles on pressure plates. Sitting on these plates long enough causes audience members to get ejected from the stands. Each audience member that is ejected is wearing one of two kinds of vests: a vest with a cross on it and a vest with a question mark. Hitting cross vested peds yields health. Hitting mystery peds yields a random weapon pick up.
If you kill an enemy, the drive and gunner eject from the explosion and their burning bodies go running around in terror. After a few seconds they die, but if you can hit the gunner before he dies, you get a random weapon. If you hit the driver before he dies, you get a little extra health.
Which characters are some of the Twisted Metal team’s other favorites?
All of the human characters in the new Twisted made it in mainly because they represent the team’s favorite from a 50+ roster of characters that live in the Twisted Metal universe. So besides Tooth, we’re all big fans of Calypso, Mr. Grimm, Dollface, and Preacher. We also tend to dig No Face and Minion. As for vehicles, we love the cast of vehicles in the new Twisted and that’s a big reason they made the cut. We do miss some of our old friends however, such as Thumper, Pit Viper, Yellow Jacket, Twisted, and Mr. Slam.
The Tester 3: Premiere Episode Sneak Peek
With only one week until the season 3 premiere of The Tester on February 7, it’s time to give you a sneak peek at what you’ll be seeing in the first episode of the season, and a taste of what’s to come in future episodes. We have a lot in store this season, and we don’t want to ruin any surprises, but today’s preview should give you a good idea of what challenges this season’s group of contestants will be tackling as they vie for a chance to work as a Production Associate at Santa Monica Studio.
With hissing cockroaches, brutal obstacle courses, and much more standing in their way of the grand prize, our contestants this season will have their work cut out for them.
As always, you can get acquainted with this season’s cast, panelists, and special guests on our site here. Keep an eye out next Monday, February 6 for the full premiere announcement, and be sure to tune on Tuesday, February 7 for the season 3 premiere of The Tester on PlayStation Network!
