This year’s list of “101 Dumbest Moments in Business” chronicles the PR blunders of Sony, listing the God of War 2 decapitated goat debacle as well as the inclusion of the Manchester Cathedral in Resistance. The list also carries other gaming organizations, including Atlus and Microsoft, though the latter is not included for a mistake related to gaming.
It has been quite a while since an unrated copy of Manhunt 2 had been made available on P2P and Warez networks worldwide. No one knew where the version originated from, until now. The originator of the leak was, apparently, an employee of SCEE. Here’s what Take-Two had to say:
[We] have confirmed that a former employee of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has acknowledged his responsibility for the unauthorized online distribution of an unrated play-test version of Manhunt 2 submitted for the European PAL PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.
Unfortunately, details of the case are yet unknown. Those interested in playing the unrated version can download it, but will need a modified PS2 to run the disc.
A rated version of Manhunt 2 will be released on October 31 on PS2, PSP and Wii in North America; the game is still banned in Britain.
Europeans are in luck this Holiday season as Sony has announced a new cheaper PS3 model. The new model features a 40GB hard drive and lacks backwards compatibility with PS2 and PS1 games, but will retail for less: 399 Euros (299 Pounds in the UK) starting October 10. The removal of past software support as explained by Sony: “The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).”
Additionally, the baseline model will feature two USB ports rather than the standard four and has no memory card slots. However, it retains the Wi-fi functionality of the immediate model.
Sony added to the announcement with word that the 60GB Starter pack available in Europe will get a 100 Euro price drop to 499 Euros. It contains an extra Sixaxis controller and two first-party titles. The company also introduced the Value pack model in the UK: it will include two Sixaxis controllers as well as two first-party titles and will retail for 349 Pounds.
Yes, we all know certain games can only be run on the Xbox (hint: Halo and Halo 2) and certain games only on the PlayStation (hint: Devil May Cry), but in this day and age you would developers would be smarter not to claim such things. Well, Guerilla Games has claimed just this: Killzone 2 is only possible on the PS3. In an interview with the Official PlayStation Magazine, the studio’s bigwigs revealed that developing exclusively for the PS3 is a “huge benefit” and that when developing for several platforms you always have to take “restrictions into consideration.” Well said words, but this is what stings the most: “[Killzone 2] would be difficult, if not impossible, to deliver on a competing machine.”
The game’s producer Ter Heide chimed in: “I would say [It's] impossible. We literally can’t do this stuff on any machine other than the PS3.” He notes the use of Blu-ray on the console, citing the recently shown demo that used 2GB space.
Those looking forward to Gran Turismo 5 for PS3 can now mark their calendars, as Sony has announced that it will release Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, a preview of the full game, at the end of this year. Prologue will feature forty cars, new physics engine and up to 16-player online racing via PlayStation Network.
Cars by Lotus, Nissan and Ferrari will be available for riding around in various tracks including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City track and Suzuka. It will feature Gran Turismo TV, letting players view matches, as well as a couple of other online functions such as online dealership, a My Garage function and more.
Gran Turismo 5, the full title, launches next year. Prologue is intended to serve as an indication of things to come.
Three new high-resolution screenshots from Killzone 2 straight from GC.
In its final announcement, SCEE announced the PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and personal video recorder (PVR) for the PS3. It will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other territories to follow course.
Designed to reinforce PS3’s rightful place in the Living Room at the heart of the home entertainment needs, the twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series1 to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) for remote viewing outside of the home.Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses an incredibly quick and easy to use 7-day Electronic Programme Guide EPG2. that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV.
In line with PlayStation’s focus on advanced technology made easy, PlayTV provides a host of added value features seldom seen on anything but the highest cost standalone PVRs:
- PlayTV’s two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3’s already impressive High Definition credentials.
- Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV’s EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3’s SIXAXIS™ wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.
- Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models
- Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.
- Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays, maximising the viewing experience.
- PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION®Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.
No pricing details were announced.
FIFA, EA and SCEE have announced the new season of the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the world’s only officially FIFA sanctioned global football gaming competition. Participants across the world will compete using FIFA 08 on the PS3.
The tournament will kick off early in October 27 and will culminate in the Grand Final in Berlin’s Sony Centre in May 2008. This year, players will be able to compete at one of more than 20 physical FIWC 08 Qualifier Events across the globe or online via the PlayStation Network in over 25 countries. Finalists will compete to be crowned the ultimate champion and win a cash prize of USD 20,000.
Interested players can find more details and register on the tournament’s official website.
In another announcement, SCEE announced Buzz!: Quiz TV, a quiz title for PS3 that will be available through Blu-ray in March 2008 featuring 5000 questions divided into five channels - music, movies and TV, sports, knowledge and lifestyle.
The game will let players download additional quiz packs through the PlayStation Store. It will also support online multiplayer gaming, letting users take part in leagues and tournaments. Finally, users will be able to write and share their own quizzes which can be created, played and rated via PC as well as PS3.
As stated above, the game is set for release during March 2008.
SCEE also announced that the PSP Slim and Lite will be available across all SCEE territories from September 5 onwards for €169.
Exclusive to the region for a limited time will be two limited edition PSP bundles. First up is the Spiderman bundle which includes a PSP in Spiderman Red and Black and a copy of the Spider-Man 2 game and a Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray disc. The other bundle will come in a “fetching” shade of Simpsons Yellow, which will come bundled with The Simpsons game. Both bundles will be available for €199.99.
In its third announcement, SCEE unveiled Go!Messenger, a wireless communications package for PSP due for release in January 2008 across Europe.
Utilising the very latest in VOIP technology, PSP users can now keep in touch with each other, for free, from any wireless internet connection. As part of a future firmware upgrade, Go! Messenger places a small application on PSP’s XMB (XrossMediaBar), which can be downloaded separately from the web and installed to the Memory Stick, and PSP owners will be able to instant message (IM) each other when connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot, using a new and intuitive on-screen keyboard. By adding a headset, voice chat and voice messaging becomes possible, and by connecting Go!Cam, the attachable video camera for PSP, users also have the ability to make video calls to their friends and leave fun video and voice messages.The Go!Messenger suite of communications tools will become a key part of the PSP owner’s busy lifestyle, enabling a variety of communications options to help them stay in touch with their friends, and truly bringing the entertainment potential of PSP to life.
SCEE also announced that it will launch a video download service for the PSP in Europe in partnership with British Sky Broadcasting. The Go! Branded service will launch early next year and will offer millions of PSP owners the opportunity to turn their device into a personalized library of programs to enjoy.
The service will launch with a selection of programs from Sky, spanning sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation. Additionally, non-Sky videos will also be offered through third-parties. Customers will be able to download content through their PSPs Wi-fi connection or through a PC.
No pricing details were mentioned. It also wasn’t detailed if the service would launch elsewhere as well.
At its press conference at the Leipzig Games Convention, SCEE unveiled GO!Explore, a new satellite navigation package for PSP, due for release early next year. The company has collaborated with market leaders TeleAtlas and NavNGo to create a pedestrian GPS application for the PSP which includes a GPS receiver and software UMD containing the chosen maps.
Go!Explore supports 11 unique audio languages on every geographic version and will offer access to upgradeable Maps & Points of Interest that can be purchased via the PlayStation Network. Here are the main features:
* 7 geographic versions confirmed (with country maps, hundreds of 3D landmarks and thousands of POIs available) :
- Multiple Languages 11 languages
- Find & Go Easy Search & Smart Keyboard
- Smart Zoom Automatic Zooming & Tilting
- Explore Map Search & Explore the map
- Points Of Interest 100 categories, with thousands of locations
- My Data Favourites, Home, History
- Route Settings Fastest/Shortest; Day/Night Mode;
- Improved Graphics 3D city maps & 3D landmarks;
- Customizable settings Customizable Route Settings & Visuals
- Itinerary Mode Turn-by-turn overview
UK/Ireland; Iberia; France; Germany/Austria/Switzerland; Italy; Benelux; Scandinavia
Owners of the PPS in the UK and Ireland will soon be able to view on-demand video on the Sony console, thanks to a joint venture company set up by SCEE and SKY.
The company, with equal board level representation from either company, will offer a video download service offering a wealth of video and film content to more than 2.3 million PSP users in the region. The company is also in talks to extend the service to other European countries.
More information on the service will be announced at the Leipzig Games Convention on August 22.
The fifth annual Develop Industry Excellence Awards was held to honor the visionaries behind the greatest games in the gaming industry. Voted for by an independent panel of industry experts, this year’s winners include Motorstorm (PS3), Crush (PSP), Crackdown (Xbox 360) and many other titles. In all, there were 17 different companies and individuals claiming the 18 awards.
Evolution Studio’s PS3-exclusive racer and Zoe Mode’s Crush picked up the best new IP awards, while Traveller’s Tales picked up best indie developer and best use of a license for Lego Star Wars II. Test Drive Unlimited by Eden Games picked up the best use of online award, while Rare’s Viva Pinata grabbed the award for visual arts. Other winners include Sega, Ubisoft, NCSoft and many more. Below is the full winners list:
New Console IP
MotorStorm (Evolution/SCEE External Development)New Handheld IP
Crush (Zoe Mode)Best Use of a Licence
Lego Star Wars II (Traveller’s Tales)Visual Arts
Rare (Viva Pinata)Audio Accomplishment
FreeStyle (B-Boy)Publishing Hero
SegaInnovation
Real Time Worlds (Crackdown)Tools Provider
HavokBest Use of Online
Eden Studios (Test Drive Unlimited)Services & Outsourcing
Babel MediaRecruitment Company
DatascopeNew UK Studio
Realtime WorldsHandheld Studio
Rockstar LeedsBusiness Development
BlitzIndependent Developer
Traveller’s TalesIn-house Developer
Ubisoft FranceDevelopment Legend
Ian HetheringtonGrand Prix
Sony
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