Slow news day for Sony? I wonder why?
No toiler humour jokes here, oh no. Just enjoy the simplicity of guiding patrons to the loo, to the sink and out the door. It will cost just £1.99 (or 99p for PS+ subs) so give it a whirl and see if you can help them go with the flow.
Over 2,700 news posts and accelerating on the PS Vita and PSP games, hardware and services
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Killzone Mercenary new screenshots blast off
This really could be the game that proves the Vita can do FPS. Accompanying another batch of previews, these screens show immense amounts of detail and scope for fun when screwing with those pesky Helghast. As long as the action keeps pace with the imagery, and it throws in some clever merc tricks to keep the gameplay fresh, how can this not be a winner.
Tearaway screens accompany new previews
Everyone seems to like Tearaway judging from a batch of new previews hitting sites, and what's not to love. Check out these new screens that show our paper-based hero exploring his/her that are packed with depth, charm and stylish effects.
First Freedom Wars/Panopticon screens and details emerge
Most of the the holes on the site are blanked out on Freedom Wars' official site for a staggered pre-E3 reveal, but a few have been filled in to show us our first look at the game in action. Interestingly there's a Yahoo maps logo on one, so likely the game uses real world mapping for 8-player online multiplayer, although that does sound odd for a game set in another time and another place.
UPDATE: Some text off the Japanese site has been auto-translated and reads roughly as: "In the far future, the Panopticon prison city dominates in a world that has been devastated, with no life outside its walls. In order to manage the sprawling mass of people, Panopticon imposes imprisonment for most humans and their sins. Criminals can participate in the war against the beasts and capturing other criminals, called "volunteer" labour to win their freedom. (Rough but I think that's what it means.)
UPDATE: Some text off the Japanese site has been auto-translated and reads roughly as: "In the far future, the Panopticon prison city dominates in a world that has been devastated, with no life outside its walls. In order to manage the sprawling mass of people, Panopticon imposes imprisonment for most humans and their sins. Criminals can participate in the war against the beasts and capturing other criminals, called "volunteer" labour to win their freedom. (Rough but I think that's what it means.)
The character details look crisp, while the weapons have that slightly annoying oversize feel to them and there's some tentative proof that the game does manage the huge leaps as shown in the trailer.
Confirmed: Panopticon is "Freedom Wars" for the Vita, new video!
Here you go, the same trailer pretty much with the official details tacked on the end, including a coming 2014 date, which means this game won't be saving the Vita's bacon any time soon. This ridiculously futuristic game is set in a city or world called Panopticon and while the pre-rendered stuff looks fun, I have serious doubts the Vita will produce anything close to this ideal.
While some commenters seem to think that multiplayer now must always mean "Monster Hunter," this game is classed as a "recovery" game which most likely means the focus is on rescuing people, with a healthy dose of monster bashing thrown in, no doubt.
While the trailer was announced in Japan, Sony Europe has a trademark for Freedom Wars, so expect the game to appear in Europe, eventually.
While some commenters seem to think that multiplayer now must always mean "Monster Hunter," this game is classed as a "recovery" game which most likely means the focus is on rescuing people, with a healthy dose of monster bashing thrown in, no doubt.
While the trailer was announced in Japan, Sony Europe has a trademark for Freedom Wars, so expect the game to appear in Europe, eventually.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Vita sales around 15,000 a month in America, ouch!
While Michael Pachter may be a self-serving games gimp to most, he should at least know the numbers from his day job as an industry analyst. So, when he says that estimates for April's NPD figures for the Vita are around 15,000 units (which is what it often sells per week in Japan) then its time for another wince and clench from existing happy (or unhappy) Vita owners.
Every time a number does appear, it seems way below what the Vita needs to attract western (and even Japanese) developers, beyond the welcome indie hordes. And, while there might be a last push from E3 up to Christmas, if the Vita doesn't take off dramatically by that point, then Sony will have to look at refocusing its effort on PS3/PS4 since developing big games at a major loss can only be tolerated for so long.
Which leaves us pretty much six months for a GTA, Gran Turismo or proper Call of Duty or Monster Hunter -esque title that will help sell millions of handhelds. Even if a new big-hitter does appear, with the next-gen hardware imminent, it is hard to see gamers flocking to a portable for just one or two games.
Perhaps if Sony throws in a year of PS+ (I think "20+ free games with this console" sounds rather good) with new bundles then things may get moving, but based on those numbers and Sony's insistence on hiding the true figures, you know things can't be good.
The last hard figure for Vita sales was 2.2 million worldwide some 11 months ago. If it is over three million now, I'd be impressed and most of that from the Japanese price cut and recent resurgence. Yes, we're well past the "Vita has no games" issue now, but even the supposed system sellers, Persona 4 and Soul Sacrifice made the merest dent in the chart.
Every time a number does appear, it seems way below what the Vita needs to attract western (and even Japanese) developers, beyond the welcome indie hordes. And, while there might be a last push from E3 up to Christmas, if the Vita doesn't take off dramatically by that point, then Sony will have to look at refocusing its effort on PS3/PS4 since developing big games at a major loss can only be tolerated for so long.
Which leaves us pretty much six months for a GTA, Gran Turismo or proper Call of Duty or Monster Hunter -esque title that will help sell millions of handhelds. Even if a new big-hitter does appear, with the next-gen hardware imminent, it is hard to see gamers flocking to a portable for just one or two games.
Perhaps if Sony throws in a year of PS+ (I think "20+ free games with this console" sounds rather good) with new bundles then things may get moving, but based on those numbers and Sony's insistence on hiding the true figures, you know things can't be good.
The last hard figure for Vita sales was 2.2 million worldwide some 11 months ago. If it is over three million now, I'd be impressed and most of that from the Japanese price cut and recent resurgence. Yes, we're well past the "Vita has no games" issue now, but even the supposed system sellers, Persona 4 and Soul Sacrifice made the merest dent in the chart.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Killzone Mercenary gets dodgy deal pre-order bonuses
When isn't a pre-order bonus a bonus? I'm comparing real things that add value to virtual guff (or cheating even) that just makes the game easier. Check out these offerings that will come for early orders of Guerilla's Killzone Mercenary exclusive for the Vita.
Players who pre-order Killzone: Mercenary will receive “Blackjack’s Briefcase,” a reward for their early support that affords them an early edge in both the game’s competitive online multiplayer and extensive Campaign mode. It includes: Double XP Boost Get out ahead of the pack! Start the 48-hour clock with this special access code and all contracts, bonuses and payoffs earn you twice the normal XP for two straight days! In-Game Cash Bonus Start the game and go straight to the armory!
With this bonus payout, you’ll have enough Vektan Cash to pick up a new weapon before you even step foot on the battlefield. In addition to the above, fans in the United States who reserve a copy of Killzone: Mercenary at GameStop will receive an exclusive gun for use in both Campaign and Multiplayer action: the M224-A1 Light Machine Gun.
A powerhouse weapon of the ISA, the M224-A1 carries more than enough ammo to get the job done at the cost of accuracy.
Players who pre-order Killzone: Mercenary will receive “Blackjack’s Briefcase,” a reward for their early support that affords them an early edge in both the game’s competitive online multiplayer and extensive Campaign mode. It includes: Double XP Boost Get out ahead of the pack! Start the 48-hour clock with this special access code and all contracts, bonuses and payoffs earn you twice the normal XP for two straight days! In-Game Cash Bonus Start the game and go straight to the armory!
With this bonus payout, you’ll have enough Vektan Cash to pick up a new weapon before you even step foot on the battlefield. In addition to the above, fans in the United States who reserve a copy of Killzone: Mercenary at GameStop will receive an exclusive gun for use in both Campaign and Multiplayer action: the M224-A1 Light Machine Gun.
A powerhouse weapon of the ISA, the M224-A1 carries more than enough ammo to get the job done at the cost of accuracy.
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (QForce) due on Vita next week
The long delayed Vita version of Insomniac's latest R&C opus is finally good to go and will hit the US and EU PSN stores next week. With a bonus game, Ratchet: Gladiator coming soon as a freebie to make up for the delay. More news on the PSN blog, note the games are called different things in different places for no good reason.
Amazon lop £5 off the 32GB Vita memory card
Sure, its not a massive discount, but the price has rarely dipped below £60. Still, if you've been waiting for just a sniff of a price cut, then this will have to do. The PS Vita 32GB Memory Card
cut follows recent trims to the basic Vita unit and the bundles. But, without much in the way of new software, sales have to be treading water at best.
I haven't really looked around, but let us know if one is cheaper anywhere else.
cut follows recent trims to the basic Vita unit and the bundles. But, without much in the way of new software, sales have to be treading water at best.
I haven't really looked around, but let us know if one is cheaper anywhere else.
Velocity Ultra soundtrack available for purchase
You might not really notice or appreciate the driving soundtrack behind Velocity as you're concentrating on picking up the survivors, sending bombs left, right and backward and warping into tiny crevices for the bonuses, but it is probably worth a listen in less stressful surroundings.
Composed and produced by FuturLab's James Marsden and Joris de Man of Killzone fame, plus a host of musicians and remix artists such as CoLDSToRAGE, you can pick it up on iTunes, Google Play or Juno with 11 tracks (or 6 tracks and 5 remixes, running at 64 minutes) from £5.99 to £7.99.
Composed and produced by FuturLab's James Marsden and Joris de Man of Killzone fame, plus a host of musicians and remix artists such as CoLDSToRAGE, you can pick it up on iTunes, Google Play or Juno with 11 tracks (or 6 tracks and 5 remixes, running at 64 minutes) from £5.99 to £7.99.
Sony Japan Panopticon confusion conundrum
What the heck is going on here? We have a TV spot out in Japan:
That hints at a new PS Vita monster hunting/party style game, then we have the Panopticon trailer come out on the same day, but no link is made between the two events.
It seems odd they'd run this on TV, show the Panopticon trailer on the web and not link the two in some form. Which makes me wonder if two different games are coming out, as Panopticon looks more of a big-screen experience with the scaling that seems really off for a handheld game (okay, its pre-rendered, but can they really do that sort of landscape/monster/character scale and interaction on a Vita at any decent framerate?)
Perhaps they are one and the same, but it would be nice of Sony to actually tie its advertising together, rather than leave gamers scratching their heads. Of course, Panopticon could be a PS3/PS4/Vita crossover game which would make more sense, but again, a little clarity please!
Word is more about Panopticon will be unveiled on the 21 May, the same day as Microsoft's Next Xbox is unveiled, not much of a spoiler is it?
That hints at a new PS Vita monster hunting/party style game, then we have the Panopticon trailer come out on the same day, but no link is made between the two events.
It seems odd they'd run this on TV, show the Panopticon trailer on the web and not link the two in some form. Which makes me wonder if two different games are coming out, as Panopticon looks more of a big-screen experience with the scaling that seems really off for a handheld game (okay, its pre-rendered, but can they really do that sort of landscape/monster/character scale and interaction on a Vita at any decent framerate?)
Perhaps they are one and the same, but it would be nice of Sony to actually tie its advertising together, rather than leave gamers scratching their heads. Of course, Panopticon could be a PS3/PS4/Vita crossover game which would make more sense, but again, a little clarity please!
Word is more about Panopticon will be unveiled on the 21 May, the same day as Microsoft's Next Xbox is unveiled, not much of a spoiler is it?
OlliOlli gets its first video outing
Miss good Tony Hawk games? OlliOlli won't replace them, but the brief tech demo showing the game, at least hints that it has the potential to be an attractive addition to the Vita's small collection of endless runners with some boarding tricks thrown in. Obviously, it'll look better with the backgrounds thrown in (first story).
As I said on first hearing about OlliOlli, this will be sold on the soundtrack and EuroGamer says the developers (I'm guessing with Sony support) have signed up U.S. blues-rockers Leftlane Cruiser and Mizz Beats from London's Grime scene to provide the score which seem to be pretty opposite ends of the spectrum.
As I said on first hearing about OlliOlli, this will be sold on the soundtrack and EuroGamer says the developers (I'm guessing with Sony support) have signed up U.S. blues-rockers Leftlane Cruiser and Mizz Beats from London's Grime scene to provide the score which seem to be pretty opposite ends of the spectrum.
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