Blast Factor brings together “old school” and “new school” arcade action. Supporting true High Definition (HD) at full 1080p and taking advantage of the PS3 system’s advanced processing power.
PlayStation Store update for Dec 4th 2008
The first PlayStation Store update for December is now out. There is plenty of new content on both the US and European PlayStation Stores including lots of new game add-on content for games including LittleBigPlanet, Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Star Wars: Force Unleashed. You will also find a selection of new game videos, wallpapers and themes. The US store has also got a handfull of new premium XMB themes (the Lingerie Girls theme caught our eyes!). Check out the complete list below.
European Additions:
- Playable Demos
- Lego Batman: The Videogame demo
- Downloadable Games
- Jet Rider (£3.99/?4.99)
- GTI CLUB (£9.99/?12.99)
- C&C – Red Alert Retaliation (£3.99/?4.99)
- Brain Challenge (£3.99/?4.99)
- Game Add-on Content
- Race Driver GRID 8-Ball Pack (£4.99/?6.28)
- Star Wars Costume Pack 2 (£3.99/?4.99)
- Star Wars: Force Unleashed Jedi Temple Mission pack (£7.99/?9.99)
- Soul Calibur – Customization Equipment (£0.79/?0.99)
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm – Storm Pack 2
- LittleBigPlanet Kabuki Actor costume
- Rock Band Tracks
- Guitar Hero World Tour Tracks
- Game Videos
- Shoot! Hands : A Short Film
- Shoot! Hands : The Pitch
- Shoot! Hands : Behind the Scenes
- Shoot! Hands An Interview With Xavi Jos
- Resistance 2 Action Trailer
- Resistance 2 TV Ad
- Skate 2 – GVR SKATE PARK TRAILER
- Skate 2 – ROSTER TRAILER
- PS3 Themes
- R&C Q4B
- GTI CLUB
- PS3 Wallpapers
- Endwar Apocalypse Wallpaper (x3)
- SoulCalibur Wallpaper (x2)
- NFS undercover
- Far Cry 2 (x4)
US Additions:
- Qore Episode 7: December, 2008
- Downloadable Games
- Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer ($9.99)
- Game Add-on Content
- LittleBigPlanet Kabuki Actor
- Age of Booty Map Packs (x3)
- Far Cry 2 Fortunes Pack ($9.99)
- GRID 8-Ball Additional Content ($9.99)
- Guitar Hero World Tour Tracks
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 Tracks
- NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM Pack 4
- Rock Band Tracks
- SOULCALIBUR IV Customization Equipment 3 ($1.99)
- Game Videos
- Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Trailer
- Prince of Persia Dev Diary 2
- Prince of Persia Dev Diary 3
- Mercenaries 2 Blow It Up Again Trailer
- Facebreaker Audition Video #4
- Facebreaker Audition Video #5
- BAJA: Edge of Control – Launch Trailer
- Savage Moon Trailer
- Resistance 2 – Last Hours
- Life in LittleBigPlanet: Ep 4
- LittleBigPlanet WELCOME TO MY WORLD Video
- PS3 Themes
- Lingerie Girls Theme ($1.49)
- University of Florida Theme ($1.99)
- European Highlands Theme ($1.49)
- Bloodwork Theme ($1.49)
- Atomic Acid Theme ($1.49)
- Metal Battalion Maidens Theme ($0.99)
- PS3 Wallpaper
- Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Wallpaper 1
- Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer Wallpaper 2
- SOULCALIBUR IV Holiday Hilde Wallpaper
- SOULCALIBUR IV Holiday Ivy Wallpaper
Qore Episode 7 out tomorrow
The December 2008 issue of Qore is out tomorrow, after the weekly PlayStation Store update. The best part of the new Episode is that it can be downloaded for free. Why? It’s Sony’s way of saying "Happy Holidays". Episode 07 begins with an inside look at EA’s "Skate 2," the sequel to the game that redefined what it means to ride a virtual board. Then, Audrey Cleo rolls over to Skatefest ?08 in San Diego for a spin around the boarding scene. Annual Subscribers to Qore will find their Download Centers filled with a Qore-exclusive "Flock" demo.
Veronica Belmont makes her way to Capcom to check out two of their latest projects – "Bionic Commando", the re-imagining of the classic 8-bit franchise, and "Flock", a really cool PlayStation Network game that definitely does not follow the herd.
Episode 7 also introduces you to the "Steam Punk" sub-culture as they take a look at Codemasters? "Damnation" – a post-modern third person-shooter served with a Jules Verne twist. Episode 7 will also include a exclusive downloadable Killzone 2 theme.
Preview:
Echochrome Trophies
Featuring elegantly designed black and white drawings, Echochrome is a unique and captivating puzzle game. Echochrome challenges the player to abide by 5 simple laws of perspective, which govern how the player advances through each stage. Offering the most gameplay with the least graphics, Echochrome is likened to playing a M.C. Escher drawing.
System Software Ver. 2.53
Network
- The full-screen mode setting in Adobe Flash Player is now supported in the Internet Browser.
PS3 Firmware v2.53
PlayStation 3 Firmware v2.53 is now available to download using the Network Update feature on the console. You will be prompted to update your system (if you haven’t already done so) when you boot up your PS3. The new system software version improves the Flash Player in the [Internet Browser] to support full screen viewing and also adds Live movie playability (using RTMP format). What does this mean? You can now enjoy YouTube and BBC iPlayer videos in full screen on your HD (or SD) TV.
The new update brings the PlayStation 3 slightly closer to becoming the ultimate multimedia device. Of course, there are still plenty of features Sony can add, such as better video format support, subtitle support (.srt files) and the PlayStation Video Store for other regions (currently only available in the US).
BBC iPlayer now PS3 compatible
The BBC iPlayer is now compatible with the PlayStation 3 Internet Browser so you can enjoy all your favourite BBC shows on your HDTV. The BBC iPlayer service provides a video-on-demand service allowing you watch programs up to seven days after they broadcast on live TV. You can access the iPlayer by visiting the iPlayer Website on your PS3. Of course, you must live within the United Kingdom in order to use the BBC iPlayer. The PS3 compatible iPlayer was announced back in October this year, and has been available on the Wii for some time now.
With the new features in Firmware Update v2.53, you will also be able to enjoy the iPlayer videos in full screen. If you already own the PlayTV device in the UK, this service is a bonus to the BBC channels you already receive.
PlayStation Home invites sent out in Europe
If you are in Europe and haven’t had a go at PlayStation Home yet, be sure to check your email. More PlayStation Home invites were sent out last night to gamers in Europe (we received a second invite into PlayStation Home at 22:21 pm). If you received the invite, your promotion code must be redeemed by December 1st 2008 or you will have to wait for the Open Beta. You will need to have a European PlayStation Network Account and be over 18 years of age to participate in the closed beta.
The Email:
PlayStation Home is a 3D, interactive, evolving service, exclusive to PS3. It’s free to download and easy to use.
To take part please redeem your unique promotional code below using your PLAYSTATION 3 and join us in Home.
How to redeem your Promotional code and access Home
If you haven?t already done so, register for an account on PlayStation Network, then follow these steps:
1. Sign in to your PlayStation Network account via your PLAYSTATION 3 system.
2. Once signed in, select [Account Management].
3. Choose [Redeem Code]
4. Enter your 12 character promotion code and select [Continue].
NOTE: promotion codes are case sensitive and must be entered exactly as displayed.5. Follow the on-screen instructions to redeem the promotion code.
XXX-YYYY-ZZZZ
Redemption expiry date: 01/12/2008
Note: Promotional codes can only be used once.
PlayStation Store update for Nov 27th 2008
Both the PlayStation Store updates for this week are in. The US update was live earlier this week (because of Thanksgiving) but the European update went live on Thursday as usual. There are new demos available to download from both stores as well as some new downloadable games. New Sackboy costumes are up for download as well as new tracks for Rock Band and Guitar Hero. You can also find various game videos, movie trailers, wallpapers and themes in this week’s update. Check out the list below.
European Additions:
- Playable Demos
- Dead Space Dismemberment Demo
- GTI Club Demo
- Age of Booty Trial
- Downloadable Games
- Age of Booty
- Game Add-on Content
- LittleBigPlanet
- Turkey Head Costume
- Chimera SackBoy Costume
- G1 Jockey 4 2008 Additional data
- Far Cry 2 Fortunes Pack
- Rock Band
- Caprici di Diablo
- Damnation Game
- Jesus Christ Pose
- Laid to Rest
- Mr. Brightside
- Pretty Noose
- Red Devil
- Smile Like You Mean It
- Spaceman
- The Killers Pack 01
- Yngwie Malmsteen Pack 01
- "Human" by the Killers
- "Losing Touch" by the Killers
- "Mr. Brightside" by the Killers
- The Killers Track Pack
- Guitar Hero World Tour
- The Raconteurs Track Pack
- "Hold Up" by the Raconteurs
- "Consoler of the Lonely" by the Raconteurs
- "Salute Your Solution" by the Raconteurs
- LittleBigPlanet
- Game Videos
- Tomb Raider – Beneath the Surface 5
- Resistance 2 Action Trailer
- SHOOT! Citizen Hero Christophe Perie 1 min pitch
- SHOOT! Citizen Hero Christophe Perie BTS
- SHOOT! Citizen Hero Christophe Perie interview
- SHOOT! Citizen Hero Christophe Perie short film
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trailer Final
- Resistance 2 TV Ad
- Themes
- High Velocity Bowling – Chastity and Foxy Theme
US Additions:
- Playable Demos
- Dead Space Dismemberment Demo
- Downloadable Games
- Brain Challenge ($9.99)
- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix ($14.99)
- Game Add-on Content
- LittleBigPlanet
- Turkey Head Costume
- Chimera SackBoy Costume ($1.99)
- Guitar Hero World Tour
- "Human" by The Killers ($1.99)
- "Losing Touch" by The Killers ($1.99)
- "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers ($1.99)
- The Killers Track Pack ($5.49)
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
- Unfaithful ($1.49)
- Are You Happy Now? ($1.49)
- Heartbreaker ($1.49)
- All My Life ($1.49)
- Rock Band
- "Mr. Brightside" – The Killers ($1.99)
- "Smile Like You Mean It" – The Killers ($1.99)
- "Spaceman" – The Killers ($1.99)
- The Killers Pack 01 ($5.49) – this track pack includes all of the above The Killers singles.
- "Caprici Di Diablo" – Yngwie Malmsteen ($1.99)
- "Damnation Game" – Yngwie Malmsteen ($1.99)
- "Red Devil" – Yngwie Malmsteen ($1.99)
- Yngwie Malmsteen Pack 01 ($5.49) – this track pack includes all of the above Yngwie Malmsteen singles.
- "Pretty Noose" – Soundgarden ($1.99)
- "Jesus Christ Pose" – Soundgarden ($1.99)
- "Laid to Rest" – Lamb of God ($1.99)
- LittleBigPlanet
- Game Videos
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Fighting Mechanics Trailer
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Story Mode Preview Trailer
- NBA 2K9 Iguodala Trailer
- NBA 2K9 J In Your Face Trailer
- Prince of Persia – Art Video
- Prince of Persia – Dev Diary 1
- Dew Tour: Orlando – Orlando BMX Highlights
- Dew Tour: Orlando – Orlando Skate Thrills
- Dew Tour: Orlando – Orlando FMX Recap
- Movie and Blu-Ray Trailers
- Punisher: War Zone
- Lost: The Complete Fourth Season
- PS3 Wallpaper
- Prince of Persia Wallpaper (x3)
- Super Street Fighter II HD Turbo Remix Wallpaper
- Game Music
- Super Street Fighter II HD Turbo Remix tracks (x5)
PlayStation 3 Firmware v2.53 expected soon
The PlayStation 3 will be getting a firmware update soon, bringing the system software version to v2.53. The minor update will support for full screen flash content. According to several websites the update was supposed to be released on November 26th, but so far the update is no where to be found. We speculate that Sony may have found a bug (or two) just before public release. Sony has not made a official announcement regarding the update but we can expect one close to the release date.
Some websites claim that the update was announced on the US PlayStation 3 Website but we have failed to find any such announcement. The announcement could have been on the website but pulled after delays in releasing the update. For now, keep a look out for an official announcement.