Game Developers Conference has officially ended for another year (sob), but we’re still preparing game demo videos and hands-on impressions to release in the weeks to come (yay!). It was a rowdy week for announcements with unveiling of Assassin’s Creed III, a tauntingly vague introduction for PSN gem Datura, a long-awaited release date for Sorcery, and news of a massive Starhawk Beta upgrade.
Crazy week! With PS Vita officially in the wild, and Mass Effect 3‘s PS3 release looming just over the horizon, my free time is destined to become scarcer than Element Zero. But for now, I’m content to best Jeff and Rey’s Super Stardust Delta scores (Casual difficulty is for sissies!), crush Lorenzo (from the Latin American Blog) in Tekken 6, and continue exploring PS Vita’s many nooks and crannies.
In other news this week, we learned how the ever-intriguing Sumioni: Demon Arts will help you master PS Vita, Evolution Studios revealed a March 6th release date for the adorable PS3 and PS Vita racer MotorStorm RC (complete with a new gameplay trailer), the PlayStation Home team revealed a way to win a trip to E3 2012, Starhawk’s multiplayer beta opened wide for all PSN users, and SCEI’s President and CEO Andy House shared his thoughts on PS Vita’s historic launch. Also, be sure to keep reading today’s Recap to see some important UNCHARTED 3 multiplayer news.
What are you playing this weekend?
I’m playing: Tekken 6, Rayman Origins and Lumines: Electronic Symphony for PS Vita
I’m watching: The Wire Season 1, The Walking Dead Season 2
I’m reading: Not much, I’m afraid. With PS Vita successfully launched, I’ll kick back into my reading schedule this week!
Most-Watched Video of the Week: The Launch of PlayStation Vita
The 10 Most-Viewed Posts of the Week
PlayStation Store Update – A monster Store update that adds nine new PS Vita games, three free Augmented Reality games, three new demos and a looooot more.
PS Vita: Our 9 Favorite Tips – A hodgepodge of helpful tips and secret functions to help you make the most of your new portable powerhouse. Add your own in the comments!
Flashback Map Pack #2 Released and Co-Op Shade Survival Mode Announced – This week marks the release of the Flashback Map Pack #2 for UNCHARTED 3 multiplayer. We posted a new trailer showing off the new maps which you should check out. We also announced a brand new game mode that is coming soon – Co-Op Shade Survival!
UNCHARTED 3 – Patch 1.05 Notes – Patch 1.05 was deployed for UNCHARTED 3 this week, these are the details on what was updated.
UNCHARTED 3 – Flashback Map Pack #2 Fixes – We’ve pushed out a couple of live fixes to Flashback Map Pack #2 to the Plaza map in Competitive and Co-operative modes. In addition, players from the US and EU playing in the same match have sometimes seen some anomalies, which we’ve fixed as well. EU players, you should re-download Flashback Map Pack #2 from the PS Store. US players, you’re good.
The big day is almost here! This Wednesday (or Tuesday night) sees the launch of PS Vita — the most powerful and versatile handheld gaming machine on the planet. PS Vita’s imminent launch stirs up some powerful memories for me, including January of 2011 when Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. revealed NGP (“Next Generation Portable”) to a small group of journalists in Tokyo, and the night of PlayStation’s E3 2011 press conference when Kaz Hirai announced that PS Vita’s 9 to 9 retail price — a shocking development at the time, as many analysts and editors were predicting a price closer to 9.
Time flies, and it’s hard to believe that PS Vita’s long gestation process is nearly complete. But it’s so exciting to see PS Vita making its way into the wild for the first time and hear first impressions from early adopters enjoying the launch lineup. If you’re picking up PS Vita next week, be sure to tell us whether you’re getting a 3G/Wi-fi system or a Wi-Fi system, as well as what games and accessories you’re thinking of buying!
Most-Watched Video of the Week: PS Vita: “Bad Intentions” Commercial
The 10 Most-Viewed Posts of the Week
PlayStation Store Update – A ridiculous update: Free Far Cry 2 for PS Plus users, three new PS3 games including The House of the Dead III, and 17 new PS Vita games. Definitely worth a look.
PS Vita: The Ultimate FAQ – More than 45 PS Vita questions answered in exquisite detail. Don’t see yours answered? Leave it in the comments!
Mass Effect 3 Demo Coming Today to PSN – I’m trying to avoid spoilers, so I won’t be playing this. The demo also gives you a taste of multiplayer — anybody try it out?
It’s a rewarding time to be a part of the PlayStation community with the long-awaited birth of Twisted Metal on PS3 and the arrival of the PS Vita First Edition Bundle next week, followed by the nationwide launch of PS Vita on February 22nd. Exciting times! Oh, and before I forget, this is your last weekend to sign up for Starhawk beta early access. Don’t miss out!
Are you picking up Twisted Metal or the PS Vita First Edition Bundle next week? What games are you catching up on over the weekend? Let us know in the comments!
Dive Into PS Vita’s Augmented Reality Suite – PS Vita launches with a pack of Augmented Reality Play cards and free downloadable minigames. Get a tour of Fireworks and Cliff Diving here.
Under Siege, our real time strategy game for PSN, is getting a massive update today. We listened to our friends, fans, and critics and took all their opinions very seriously. So we went back and decided to improve Under Siege in every way possible. Today’s free 1.02 update adds the following features:
Upgrade to 4 players online and local
Antialiasing in both 720p and 1080p
Players can now continue the campaign from any level they have already finished, instead of only the last
The first few levels of the game were rebalanced to make the game more accessible to new players and the casual difficulty was completely redone
Cooperative maps are unlocked from the start
General performance improvements and shorter load times
News feed from the team directly on the Main Menu
There’s more; the full update list can be checked on our forums here.
Additionally, the multiplayer network code had a huge revision and along with it we bring you 4 new multiplayer maps:
2×2 Capture Point – Swamp
Compete 2 vs 2 in this capture point map based on the swamp theme. Aim to reach 1.000 points faster than the other team by capturing 4 bases.
2×2 Capture the Flag – Ruins
Compete 2 vs 2 in this capture the flag map based on the ruins theme. Take control of the Golem and be the first team to capture 3 flags.
CO-OP Capture Point – Mountains
Cooperate with another player to capture this heavily defended map. Climb up the mountain and resist the incoming waves of enemies.
2×2 Team Deathmatch – Forest
Compete 2 vs 2 in this team deathmatch map based on the forest theme. Be the first team to reach 5 victories.
How much does this update cost? Nothing, it is for free and available now – just launch the game. Visit us at www.undersiegegame.com or on Facebook for more info.
I’m happy to announce Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition, a brand-new version of Gran Turismo 5 packed with even more features, functionality, and content. Here’s what you can expect to find inside when it rolls out to stores starting January 17th:
Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition Contents
Original Gran Turismo 5 game, featuring more than 1,000 cars, 20+ locations with 70+ track layouts, diverse racing styles including rally, track, karting, NASCAR, and more, deep online community features and online racing, plus Gran Turismo TV, Course Maker and more.
All of the new and improved features and functionality from all free downloadable game updates up through Spec 2.0 included on the disc.
Voucher good for over worth of DLC content, including the Racing Car Pack, Car Pack 2, Course Pack, Racing Gear Pack, and Paint Pack.
The XL Edition will also feature a new reversible inside coversheet featuring the new Red Bull X2011 supercar, to add a different look to your game library shelf.
You’ll be able to pick up the XL Edition of Gran Turismo 5 after January 17 for just .99. Watch the blog and the official GT website for more news about Gran Turismo, DLC, and new Gran Turismo TV content available exclusively within the game.
Most-Watched Video of the Week: Only On PSN – Launch Trailer
The 10 Most-Viewed Posts of the Week
PlayStation Store Update — Eufloria, Crisis, Call of Duty ELITE pre-order with bonus, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, Space Channel 5 Part 2, Sega Bass Fishing and more round out a powerful week for the PlayStation Store. What did you get?
Introducing ‘Only On PSN’ For New Exclusive Games Throughout October — PlayStation Plus members get a whopping 20% discount on exclusive PSN titles all month long, including Rochard, Eufloria, Sideway: New York, the Sodium Collection, Okabua, RocketBirds: Hardboiled Chicken, inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood, and PixelJunk Sidescroller.
I also took a test flight of Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII, a combat flying game due out this November on PS3. It was a lot of fun – I’m no expert at flying games, but the PlayStation Move support worked wonders to simplify the interface.
Long Live Play — After holding gamers in suspense with a short-lived retirement, Kevin Butler returns in an epic new video.
Co-op the Battlefield 3 Way — Battlefield 3′s two-player cooperative mode alllows you to unlock co-op-exclusive guns and carry them to the competitive multiplayer mode. Face it: You’ve got to learn teamwork.
3D Display Pre-Order Offer includes Resistance 3 — 9.99 gets you a lot these days: a free copy of MotorStorm Apocalypse, a pair of the new lightweight 3D glasses, an HDMI cable, and the 24” 3D Display with SimulView technology.
When Resistance 3 Met Kevin Butler — With Resistance 3′s September 6th release date almost here, Insomniac Game debuts two new commercials, including a story-focused spot focusing on protagonist Joseph Capelli.
God of War: Origins Collection Demo on PSN This Week — PlayStation Plus users now have access to the God of War: Origins Collection Demo; all PSN users will get access come this Tuesday, September 6th. Which game are you most eager to try?
Jeff and Rey have officially landed in Germany, the site of Europe’s largest video game conference in Gamescom 2011. I’ll be hanging back in California to make sure North American PlayStation.Blog readers get any major news and announcements as quickly as possible. Protip: Keep our Facebook livestream bookmarked and check back Tuesday morning for an update.
Most-Watched Video of the Week: God of War: Origins Collection – PSP Vs. PS3
The 10 Most-Viewed Posts of the Week
PS3 System Software Update (v3.70) – Our top story this week details just what you’ll get in the new PS3 firmware 3.70, available now. From automatic cloud game saves and Trophy synching for PlayStation Plus users to new options for 3D content, what’s your favorite new feature?
PlayStation Store Update – This week, Freddy Krueger makes his Mortal Kombat debut, Far Cry 2 emerges as a full game download, and demos for Madden NFL 12 and Driver: San Francisco arrive on PSN. Also: New PlayStation Plus content.
Herculean Task: Remastering God of War: Origins Collection for PS3 – Making a PSP game look great in high-def is no small task, and Ready At Dawn’s art director Nathan Phail-Liff shows how the magic happened. The team added high-res textures, higher polygon counts, and 3D support for a game that new runs at 1080p and 60 frames per second.
Pre-orders for PlayStation Network PLAY Begin Now! – If you’re intrigued by the PSN PLAY game lineup (Street Fighter III, The Baconing, BloodRayne: Betrayal, and Renegade Ops), be sure to pre-order them soon so you can earn extra bonus content. Street Fighter III’s pre-order option ends 8/18, so don’t wait.
BioShock Infinite Q&A: Ken Levine’s PlayStation Moves – Irrational Games’ president and creative director tells PlayStation.Blog readers why the PS3, PlayStation Move and PS Vita are top-of-mind at the award-winning studio, and gives us a new glimpse into the stunning world(s) of BioShock Infinite.
