PlayStation Store update for Jan 8th 2009

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The first PlayStation Store update for 2009 is now live, though its quite a small one for both the European and US Stores. Europe has a new playable demo, a bunch of new game add-on content and some new videos. As for the US, Qore Episode 8 is now available for purchase and two new full games are out: Cuboid and Mahjong Tales. The US Store also has game add-on content for various titles. Check out the complete list below.

European Addtions:

Playable Demos
- Lord of the Rings: Conquest Demo
Game Add-on Content
- Tom Clancy’s EndWar Faction Elite Pack (£3.19)
- Guitar Hero World
  - Various Tracks – £1.59
  - Regga Pack
  - Country Pack – £4.39
  - European Track Pack 2 – £4.39
- Naruto Ultimate Ninja / Storm Pack 4
- Rock Band Content
  - Various Tracks – £0.99
Videos
- Brain Challenge Trailer
- Good to Be Bad (LOTR: Conquest) Trailer
- PS Store Exclusive – Tekken 6 Trailer

US Additions:

Qore Episode 8 ($2.99)
Downloadable Games
- Cuboid ($9.99)
- Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom ($9.99)
Game Add-on Content
- NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM Pack 6
- Tom Clancy’s EndWar Faction Elite Pack ($3.75)
- WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Roster Update ($4.99)
- Guitar Hero World Tour
- Rock Band
  - "Hymn 43" – Jethro Tull ($1.99)
  - "Space Truckin’? – Deep Purple ($1.99)
  - "Funk #49" – James Gang ($1.99)
  - "Take Back the City? – Snow Patrol ($1.99)
- Rock Revolution
  - "Cemetery Gates? ($1.50)
  - "Mouth For War? ($1.50)
  - "This Love? ($1.50)
  - "5 Minutes Alone? ($1.50)
  - "I’m Broken" ($1.50)
  - Pantera Pack Track Pack ($5.50)

EA announces support for PlayStation Home

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EA has announced that it will be supporting PlayStation Home and will begin with the EA SPORTS Complex, which is currently in development. “We’re proud to support the PlayStation Home Beta with a very robust offering from EA SPORTS,” said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. EA worked closely together with Sony Computer Entertainment to ensure that the EA SPORTS Complex space within PlayStation Home would be a compelling experience for all EA SPORTS fans, with a space designed for both casual and hardcore gamers. EA is also working with Sony Computer Entertainment on further label support of PlayStation Home Beta, and will announce plans in the near future.

Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS:

“As part of our continued commitment to the connected experience and the digitization of our business, the EA SPORTS Complex is a rich new online environment that presents a compelling and immersive social gaming experience for the global sports audience.”

Video:

Can I use old PSP accessories with the PSPgo?

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Your old PSP headphones can be used with the PSPgo, but any other accessory is not directly compatible with the PSPgo. The PSPgo Converter allows you to use accessories like the Go!Cam, GPS device and Talkman Mic with the PSPgo. The converter makes the PSPgo less portable and also makes it look uglier, but its the only way you can make use of your old stuff.

CES ’09: PlayStation Games in 3D

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3D technology something that the games industry is lacking, but this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sony demonstrated 3D gaming on the PlayStation 3. "Don’t get caught up with specs,"said a Sony representative. "We’re not going to talk about specifications. This is just a look at what 3D could look like if Sony decided to move in this direction." Sony showed off Wipeout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue running in true 3D, but didn’t give information away on how the 3D effects were achieved or if they would work on existing television sets.

In order to view the 3D effects, black glasses needs to be warn – which could put off some people. As a proof of concept, this is certainly something we will be keeping out eye on. Expect more information on 3D gaming from Sony in the next few days.

[Via: ars technica]

Qore Episode 8 out today

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The January issue of Qore will be available later today after the US PlayStation Store update. Episode 8 begins with a trip to Amsterdam for a inside look at one of this year’s most anticipated titles: Killzone 2. Veronica Belmont heads to Paris to bring us information on Heavy Rain as well as trying out a mo-cap suit. In Seattle, Monolith share the tricks used to create spooky sounds in FEAR 2. Episode 8 also features Street Fighter II HD and exclusive content for subscribers.

Customers of Episode 8 will be able to download the Killzone 2 XMB Theme and get exclusive access to the FEAR 2 demo (which will be live mid-January). Episode 8 will be available to purchase for $2.99 or you can get an annual subscription for $24.99.

Does the PSPgo have in-game XMB access?

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The XMB cannot be accessed directly within a game but the PSPgo does feature a Pause Game option. If you need to access the XMB during a game. Press the PS button and choose [Quit/Pause Game], then select [Pause Game] to save the game to temporary memory. You will be able to XMB and then resume the game from where you left off.

To resume the game, go to the [Game] menu on the XMB and select [Resume Game]. The game will continue from where you paused it. You can play another game while there is a paused game, but pausing another game will overwrite the previous paused game.

Can a PlayStation 3 Controller be used with the PSPgo?

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Yes. Using Blue-tooth connectivity, you can pair your PSP with a controller to play games. In order to pair your PSPgo with a PS3 Controller, you will need:

PSPgo System
PS3 System
DualShock 3 or SIXAXIS Controller
PSPgo USB Cable
PS3 Controller USB Cable

To pair your PSPgo with the controller, go to the [Settings] menu on the XMB and select the [Bluetooth Device Settings] option. Select [Bluetooth Device Management] and choose to register a PS3 System controller.

What colours is the PSPgo available in?

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The PSPgo is currently available in two colours: Piano Black and Pearl White. Both units retail for £225 / $249. More colours are expected to be announced in the future.

PSP-3000 compatible exploit found

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Homebrew may be a step closer on the third generation PSP Models (PSP-3000), thanks to a new exploit discovered last week in the game GripShift. The exploit is confirmed to work on the PSP-1000, PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 and on all firmware versions from 1.52 to 5.02. The exploit will allow you to run homebrew games that do not require kernel access – as a result, a downgrader is not yet possible but be sure to keep a look out for new developments.

A SDK has also been released for the exploit so you can run your own code using the exploit. You can download the Hello World demo and SDK below.

[GripShift Hello World Demo]
[Sparta SDK for GripShift]

What new functionality does the PSPgo offer?

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The PSPgo features most of the same functionality as the older PSP models, with a few exceptions. The PSPgo lacks a UMD drive but has 16GB of built-in flash storage. The PSPgo also has blue-tooth connectivity allowing you to use a PS3 Wireless Controller to play games or connect to the Internet using Bluetooth Modems or via Mobile Phones.

The PSPgo also uses M2 Memory Stick storage instead of the Memory Stick Duo found in the older PSPs. The USB connection on the PSPgo is different to older models – it is used for both connecting to the PS3/PC and for charging the unit. A built-in microphone is included in so a special headset is not required.