The PlayStation 3 firmware has already been updated this week, and now the PSP is getting its own update. Firmware 6.20 will be released later today, according to the Japanese PlayStation Website. The new update adds support for the PlayStation Video Store in Europe, which also launches today, and the PSP Comic Service.
As many of you know, this week marked the third anniversary of PS3 and PlayStation Network for Japan and North America. At launch three years ago, PS3 was a cutting edge gaming console, ushering in the idea of a forward thinking format like Blu-ray that few people had heard of. Since then, there has been many updated to the PS3, in terms of both hardware and software.
With the official announcement of PS3 Firmware 3.10 earlier this week, Sony has provided us with new new screens of some of the new features. The biggest of which is Facebook integration. While it may not be the same level of integration as Xbox 360, it’s a start. Firmware 3.10 also introduces other changes including a revised layout of how photos are displayed on the XMB. Firmware 3.10 is available to download via the System Update feature on your PS3.
Weve just come home from the PlayStation Video Store launch party in London and were excited to reveal that the PlayStation Video Store launches on Europe later today. The Video Store will be available in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, with other countries to be added in the future. Later today, you will be able to find over 800 movies for rent and download, many of which will also be available in High-Definition. Movies can be rented from £2.49 or purchased from £6.99.
With the Digital Comic service coming to PSP soon and Ben Templesmith, creator of the weirdly wonderful Wormwood, visiting London earlier this month, Sony has decided to up a video. Ben very kindly took the time to speak to Sony outside his hotel in London’s Docklands.
It’s official folks! The European PlayStation Video Store will be launching in France, Germany, Spain and the UK soon. Sony is holding a special launch party tomorrow (Wednesday, November 18th 2009), which we’ve been invited to. The launch event is being held in London, though we cannot reveal the exact location.
If you have wondered what Mushroom Wars is like but didn’t want to spend the money, you will be happy to know that a demo will be released on the European PlayStation Store this week. Mushroom Wars is a fast-paced and accessible RTS, with a quaint, anime-inspired visual style, where you send your cute armies into battle, upgrade your mushroom bases, improve your weaponry and fight skirmishes in close-quarter maps.
Over the coming weeks VidZone expands across Europe, allowing a further 11 countries to use the service. Starting from next Thursday, 26th November, VidZone will be released available to PS3 owners in Netherlands, Portugal and Austria. In December, 8 further countries will be added to the list – check out the release dates below. Unfortunately, still no word on when the service will be available in North America and elsewhere.
It’s now official – Facebook Integration is coming to the PlayStation 3 in the next firmware update, v3.10. For the moment, the Facebook connectivity on the PlayStation 3 will automatically update your Facebook Newsfeed with trophy and PlayStation Store activity, but more functionality is planned for the future. According to Eric Lempel, “This is just the beginning of our integration with Facebook and we are looking forward to adding new features enhancing the experience in future updates.”
Metal Gear fans have something to look forward to this week. The PSOne Classic Metal Gear Solid is heading to the European PlayStation Store this week, priced at £7.99 / €9.99. Konami plans to release four classic Metal Gear titles in the run up to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, starting from this week.
