The developers of Warhawk, Incognito, have been working hard to resolve several issues in the game. Gameplay Statistics was causing the most problems for players with delays in updates. Now, Incognito are ready to release an update that will solve many problems in the game, while improving other aspects. The update was announced via the PlayStation.Blog with a post from Dylan Jobe.

The patch in currently undergoing final testing and should be available to download near the end of October. In addition, a second patch is also in the works, however, details have not been mentioned.

Server-side updates

• Stat database stability improvements
• Improved server stability
• Max Clan limit changed from 32 to 64
• Viral Rank-up bug fixed and correct for players that were accidentally ranked up.
• “Time-in-Vehicle” Stats fixed so certain awards can now be granted properly.

Client-side updates for Patch v1.1

• Stat connection, fetch/post fixes
• Significantly improved client connection stability
• Quad “????” Ping display bug fixed.
• Added support for Player-Ranked Servers.
• Game synchronization fixes due to fluctuating network conditions (packet-drop).
• Crash fixes for end of game and split screen.

Sony has updated their PSP Media Manager PRO software to version 2.5. The new version of the software now supports Microsoft Windows Vista and adds some new functionality to the software. Best of all, if you purchased PSP Media Manager 2.00 and registered your software, you will receive a free upgrade to the new version.

New in Version 2.5

• Windows Vista support
• Backup of games downloaded from PLAYSTATION Store
• Audio shuffle and search
• FLAC format support

If you have registered PSP Media Manager 2.0, check your email to find your free upgrade serial number.

Looking forward to see what’s new on the PlayStation Store this week? Well, here is your weekly update. For the US, there are two new demos available and a number of new videos and wallpaper. The demo of Juiced 2 and Folklore is now available to download. As for Europe, several new PSOne titles have been added and a new demon.

Europe Update List:

• Playable Demo
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
• PSOne Titles
• Crash Team Racing
• Everybody’s Golf 2
• Syphon Filter 3

US Update List:

• Playable Demos
• Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
• Folklore
• Videos
• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Tech Dive Video
• Burnout Paradise Steel Wheels Trailer
• Turok Dino Luring Trailer
• Devil May Cry 4 TGS Short Trailer

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that it will be dropping the price of the 80GB PlayStation 3 by $100. This announcement comes shortly after SCEA officially announced the November 2nd launch date for the 40GB PS3 Model, which will not feature backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 games. The 80GB model will, however, retains BC via software software support.

Jack Tretton, SCEA CEO, stated:

“We’re pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in hard-drive.”

Sony is planning a new firmware update for the PlayStation 3 that will increase Blu-Ray interactivity. The revelation came about from Don Eklund, Sony VP of advanced technologies, at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference in Universal City, California during a panel discussion about next-gen interactivity. The firmware is expected “soon”, but no exact date has been revealed.

The PlayStation Network store has been updated once again. For Europe, a lot of new content has been added including three new demos, the Speed Master add-on for Ninja Gaiden Sigma, and several videos and trailers. As for the US, they also received three new demos, a new downloadable game an lots of new videos and trailers.

Europe Update List

• Playable Demos
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
• FIFA 2008
• The Simpsons
• Game Add-ons
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma Speed Master (GBP 2.99)

US Update List

• Playable Demos
• Ratchet and Clank Future
• NHL 2K8
• Conan
• Full Games
• Everyday Shooter (USD 9.99)

With the release of the new 40GB PlayStation 3 model, SCEE has confirmed that the price cut on the 60GB model is to help phase out the model. As a result, once stocks on the 60GB model are depleted, only the 40GB model will remain. SCEE has stated that stocks for the 60GB model should be available until Christmas, but that depends on how quickly the model sells.

“We announced our reduced offering on the 60GB model last week. We re looking to sell our remaining 60GB stock, after which the 40GB model will be the only SKU available in Europe.

We anticipate that the 60GB stock should be available until Christmas, but of course it depends on how quickly it sells.”

Sony has officially announced the release of the 40GB PlayStation 3 model. The new model will be available from October 10th and will retail for GBP 299. In addition, the current 60GB Starter Pack will be reduced to GBP 349. Apart from the smaller hard drive, the 40GB PS3 model will have a number of other modifications.

The 40GB model will come with only two USB ports and will not come with Memory Card slots. Also, the new model will not be backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles. The 60GB Starter Pack will continue to have backwards compatibility and will come a SIXAXIS controller and two PS3 titles.

UPDATE:

Following the announcement of the 40GB PS3 model, SCE Australia has stated that the 40GB model will be available in Australia from October 11th, retailing for AUS 699. The specifications for the 40GB model are same as above.

The European PlayStation Store has been updated with several new demos, including Jericho, Suntman, and Bladestorm. In addition to four new demos, new videos and wallpapers have also been added
to the store. The US gets Go!Sports Ski, a new downloadable game as well as two new demos and a number of new videos.

Europe Update List:

• Playable Demos
• • Clive Barker’s Jericho
  • Stuntman: Ignition
  • Bladestorm
  • Skate
• Videos
• • Snakeball Trailer
  • GRAW 2 Trailers
  • Haze Gameplay Trailer
• Wallpaper
• • Blast Factor Wallpapers
  • FlOw Wallpaper

US Update List:

• Playable Demos
• • The Simpsons
  • Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War
• Full Game
• • Go! Sports Ski
• Videos
• • NBA 08 key control play calling tutorial video
  • Eye of Judgment tutorial video
  • Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune BTS
  • Haze Dev interview
  • Tekkonkinkreet video
  • Surf’s Up Blu-Ray trailer

A new version of Team M33’s Custom Firmware has been released, however, Dark_AleX was responsible for the new version. 3.71 M33-2 corrects a few bugs and adds a few new features and
modifications. See below for the complete changelog.

Changelog:

• There was a bug that caused corruption when writing files of more than 32256 bytes using usb flash. The bug has been corrected, and now the implementation is as reliable as it was when it was
  based on 1.50 kernel. (tested with a full restauration of a dump)
• PSP Slim: a functionality to let the charge of battery when connecting a usb cable has been added. This feature is based on Noobz plugin code. By default is not enabled, you can enable it in recovery. Note that the charge of battery may be delayed some
  seconds since the moment you plug the cable.
• After installing this update, program at /PSP/GAME/UPDATE will always be executed on 3.71 kernel, despite configuration.
• VSHMenu: vshmenu will not be executed when onscreen keyboard is active, to avoid the lost of the select button function in the keyboard. An option to reset the PSP has been added.
• VSH plugins are not longer executed anymore in recovery mode, that was the cause of pseudo-bricks.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.71 M33-2]