Konami have put the Metal Gear Online Beta on hold, which started today, due to high levels of traffic. The beta has only been delayed for the US, and is still accessible for Europe and Japan, according to the official response from Konami. Konami will make another announcement regarding the beta test tomorrow (April 22nd) at 11:00 PM (PDT) regarding the US beta. The online beta has also been extended from May 6th 2008 to May 11th 2008. The start date for the US is yet to be determined. See the official announcement below.

"IMPORTANT NOTICE for all
METAL GEAR ONLINE PREMIERE BETA players

We would like to thank all players for their keen interest in taking part in the beta test. However, we regret to inform you that due to extraordinary levels of traffic from all around the globe, we have been unable to run the service to the level we expected. As a temporary measure, we will be deferring the start of the US public beta test until we are able to stabilize our server.

We would like to apologize for all inconveniences as well as confusion caused. We would like to add that due to the above reasons, we will be making the following changes to the schedule:

1) Starting date: TBA. We will be making another announcement on 22/4/2008 23:00(PDT)
2) Beta Test closure: This will now be on 11/05/2008 at 24:00(PDT) rather than 06/05/2008 at 24:00(PDT)

IMPORTANT: Please note that your voucher code will only be valid up until 05/06/2008, so please make sure to register them by then."

[Via: MGO Official Site]

[Originally Posted On: 21/04/08 08:48 AM]

UPDATE:

Konami has suspended the beta in Japan and Europe following the announcement above due to server problems. The good news is that the beta will now begin on April 24th at 24:00 (April 25th at 00:00), just in time for the weekend. You should be warned that while this date is official, unforeseen circumstances could delay it further.

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According to a reliable source, SCEE will be holding an invite-only media event in London on Tuesday, May 6th 2008. Unfortunately, we do not have exact details of where and when the event will be taking place but our source did say "many of your
questions will be answered at that event, so keep an eye on the games
press the following day." SCEE will release a number of press releases after the event, and the event itself can be streamed live from the Virtual Press Office. We speculate that SCEE will reveal the release schedule for PlayStation Home at the event and possible details about other upcoming titles.

We will update this article once we have more information on when the event will take place. We cannot reveal our source so it is likely some of you may not believe this story.

We wrote:

"It would be great if you could clear up a few details. A approximate release date for PlayStation Home would be great. Any idea when the open beta will begin or is SCEE planning to launch without a public beta?"

Source wrote:

"We are holding a media event in London on 6th May and many of your questions will be answered at that event, so keep an eye on the games press the following day."

UPDATE (April 18th 2008, at 14:00 PM):

Event is Sony Gamer’s Day 2008

We just got another email from an anonymous source stating the Media Event is "strictly press and developers, and press badges are being sent out." Further more, the event "will be similar to the Sony Gamers Day hosted last year."

"The event will be hosted in London, with all the major Developers for
Sony, including first party and second party developers will be there.
Showcasing future titles and much more. The event is strictly press and
developers, and press badges are being sent out. Furthermore the event
will be similar to the sony Gamers Day hosted last year."

The PlayStation Store has been updated today with some great new content. For Europe, the Metal Gear Online Beta is now available to download and so in the new Warhawk booster pack, Operation: Broken Mirror. The US has received Gran Turismo 5: Prologue as well as the MGO Beta and Warhawk booster pack. A great update for everyone indeed, though the US also benefits from additional Rock Band content and more videos. Check out the list of additions below.

European Additions:

• Playable Games
  • Metal Gear Online Beta
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Warhawk Operation: Broken Mirror booster pack (£3.99)
  • Lair Deadly Dragons booster pack
• Videos
  • GTAIV Trailer 4 – ‘Everyone’s a Rat’

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • UEFA Euro 2008
• Playable Games
  • Metal Gear Online Beta
  • Gran Turismo 5: Prologue
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Warhawk Operation: Broken Mirror booster pack ($7.99)
  • Warhawk Booster Pack Combo: Omega Dawn and Broken Mirror ($11.99)
  • Rock Band
    
    • "Still Alive" – GLaDOS and Jonathan Coulton (free)
    • "Sprode" – Freezepop ($0.99)
    • "Shake" – Count Zero ($0.99)
    • "Rock Rebellion" – Bang Camaro ($0.99)
    • Harmonix Pack 1 ($2.99)
    • "Call Me" – Blondie ($1.99)
    • "Simple Man" – Lynyrd Skynyrd ($1.99)
    • "Message In A Bottle" – The Police ($1.99)
    • "Classic Rock Pack 1 ($5.49)
• Videos
  • Warhawk Broken Mirror Trailer
  • Condemned 2: Bloodshot Making Of The TV Spot
  • HAZE Mantel Corporate Vision
  • This is Vegas Annoucement Trailer

With the release of the new PlayStation Store, we took a look at now the two stores now compare. While the interface and navigation has certainly improved, there are till major differences between the US and European PlayStation Stores. The US store is better organized and as we all know, they get better updates then the Euro PSN Store. Here is what we found out.

First off, the PlayStation Store loads a lot quicker though the icons do take a while to load up. Navigating is a lot easier too, and works much like a menu. You press to select items and to move up one level. The categories are only visible on the top level but there is a button on the top left of the screen that will take you straight there. The new Store looks the same on both SD and HD resolutions, unlike the old store layout.

There are more categories available so it makes finding what you want a lot easier. But this is where the US and Euro stores are different. The US store is much better organized with content much easier to find. For example, Demos can be found in the "Demos" category, but for Europe, you will have to first look in "Latest" and then "All Games" if you can’t find it. There is no "Demos" category in the European Store. And what’s with the "Family Games" category? The "Other Media" category contains Themes and Wallpapers to why not name it that (like the US store)?

After the icons have loaded, the store is much quicker to navigate. You can easily see information about an item without clicking on the item itself. A smaller icon within the item icon indicates whether the item is in your basket (basket icon) or if you have already downloaded (shown by a red PlayStation Bag icon). Some games have a "Preview" button which launches a video player so you can watch a video related to the item. SCEE states that the slow loading of icons is a temporary issue and should be resolved within a few days (see below).

The store is much better that the previous version and Sony have done a good job in improving the interface and navigation. The interface is still blue but looks cool. We were a bit disappointed with the poor categorization of the European store but hopefully Sony listens to the feedback and improves this. We’re now looking forward to the new store additions coming this Thursday (Metal Gear Online Beta, Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue).

Lestrade, Community Team Leader at the SCEE PlayStation Forums wrote:

"We are aware that many of you have experienced delays whilst the PS Store’s thumbnail icons are being downloaded. This is a temporary consequence of a new system implementation and high global traffic levels, and will be resolved within the next few days."

As you all know, the new PlayStation Store was launched today and along with some new content. There will be two updates this week, with the second one being on Thursday where the US can look forward to Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and everyone can look forward to Metal Gear Online Beta. Today’s update for Europe includes a new playale demo, some new add-on content and trailers. The US has received some add-on content and trailers too. See the list below.

European Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • SEGA Superstars Tennis
• Game Add-on Content
  • Super Stardust HD Solo Add-on Pack (£2.99)
  • Guitar Hero III Dropkick Murphys pack
• Videos
  • Bionic Commando Rearmed trailer
• Lost Planet trailer 2
• SEGA Superstars Tennis trailer

US Additions:

• Game Add-on Content
  • Super Stardust HD Solo Add-on Pack ($4.99)
  • Lair Dragons and Control Pack
• Videos
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue "Beyond the Apex" trailer
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue "Friendly Fires” video

PlayStation 3 firmware 2.30 is now available to download, as promised by Sony last week. The firmware update gives you access to the new revamped PlayStation Store and also adds DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio features for Blu-ray movies. We’re still waiting for the official changelog but from looking at the Japanese PlayStation website, nothing else has been added. See Japenese changelog below. Unfortunately, PlayStation Home was not included with the update.

Japanese Changelog:

• PlayStation Network
  
  • PlayStation Store has been renewed. New features have been added.
• Video
  • DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is now supported.

Japan is getting the is in yet another new color, this time it’s Matte Bronze. The new color PSP will be available to buy in Japan from April 24th 2008 at a price of 23,800 yen (approx. $236) for the value pack. The value pack will come with all the usual accessories including pouch, strap, cloth, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, TV-Out cable (component D), battery and charger.