Sony has informed IGN that a playable demo of Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will be available to download from the PlayStation Network Store on October 4th 2007. After hearing the news, IGN checked with SCEE who confirmed that this was indeed true. News of a demo first surfaced during an interview with the Insomniac team on website TheDaily.com.au.

An unhelpfully nameless Insomniac employee commented, “We essentially flat-out demolish the symbol of PlayStation 2 Ratchet & Clank: the city of Metropolis [in Tools of Destruction]. Players will get a sneak peek of this level via a downloadable demo that should hit the PlayStation Network Store in the not-too-distant future.” The demo will allow gamers to play the opening level of the upcoming game.

[Via: IGN]

Team M33 have released a new version of their Custom Firmware, however, this time it for the new slim PSP (PSP-2000). Since Firmwar 3.60 is not publicly availabe, this custom firmware can only be installed on the new PSP model using Pandora’s Battery. The custom firmware includes all the features of Firmware 3.52 however the 1.50 Kernel has not been included due to incompatibilities with the new configuration.

Instructions on how to install the firmware are included in the ZIP package. Please note that Pandora’s Battery is required to install this firmware. If you do not have a properly configured battery then a PSP capable of running homebrew will be needed to create Pandora’s Battery.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.60 M33]

Team M33 has released a universal popsloader that is compatible with all of M33 Custom Firmware versions. If you enjoy playing PSOne titleson your PSP, then this good news for you. You can now use savadata files fron any version of pops – the plugin will convert the files for you. Check out the features below.

• Added the remaining pops: 3.00-3.03
• These pops require the following modules: kd/meaudio.prx, kd/popsman.prx, kd/pops.prx and vsh/module/pafmini.prx. As always, they go in seplugins/popsloader directory with the naming meaudio3xx.prx, popsman3xx.prx etc.
• Added compatibility between savedata <= 3.30 and those of 3.40 and higher.
• The thing works like this: If you have been playing in for example 3.52 pops, and then you select a pops from 3.00-3.30, popsloader will automatically convert the savedata into the old format.
• The reverse operation, from old format to new format, will be done by Sony code with a confirmation dialog.
• Popsloader plugin work in 3.51 M33, 3.52 M33 and….. 3.60 M33 for PSP slim. Coming soon.

[Download Universal popsloader]

The European release dates released yesterday are incorrect according to SCEE. A SCEE spokesperson has commented on the dates stating “That’s not an official release schedule. None of the dates on the list have been confirmed at this time.” Among the release dates list was a provisional date for PlayStation Home, the spokesperson revealed that Sony will be “making more announcements about Home at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.”

Games are sure to be disappointed regarding this bit of news, however, we hope the release dates are somewhat close to those stated in the earlier report. Look out for the actual release dates once they have officially been released by SCEE.

Sony have finally set a release date for PlayStation Home, although it is only provisional at this time. Nonetheless, it is still good news for PlayStation 3 owners in Europe. SCEE have revealed the release date for Home as well as a number of other titles. Home is provisionally set to be released on October 11th 2007. See below for other release dates.

The date for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has not been set yet, but it is expected for release sometime before December. The other game release dates are as follows:

• October 4th – SnakeBall and Pixel Junk Racers
• October 11th – Home (provisional)
• October 18th – High Velocity Bowling
• October 25th – Aqua Vita, Operation C.F, Trials of Topoq and Eye Create
• November 8th – Tori Emaki
• November 15th – Mesmerize
• December 6th – Sky Diving and Elefunk
• December 13th – Pain
• December 20th – Dark Mist

[Via: TheSixthAxis]

The new firmware found on the PSP-2000 a.k.a. PSP Slim has already been dumped, with the help from Dark_AleX. Homebrew coder Mathieulh has succeed in dumping the files directly from the flash0 directory on the PSP, with the assistance of Dark_AleX.What makes this news so interesting is that it could now be possible to hack the firmware or even developer a custom firmware.

Dark_AleX left the PSP scene a few months back but could be returing to the homebrew scene. It is unclear exactly how the firmware was dumped from the PSP. Since the firmware is not available to download online, this does indeed seem legit.

As we reported a few week back, Sony was planning to release a new starter pack in PAL territories. This move has now been confirmed according to several sources. However, Sony has mentioned that different regions will be getting different starter packs. On September 19th, France will be getting a new starter pack containing the PS3 console. Heavenly Sword, F1 and an extra controller.

SCEE provided the following details about the new 60GB Starter Packs:

• There will be an extra controller
• All SCEE regions will start getting a new 60GB starter pack
• Two bonus titles will be included in the package
• Depending on the region, freedom to change the titles is up to the individual markets based on their unique conditions.

A statement by Sony reads:

“To remove any confusion, the Starter Pack, with an extra controller and two titles is a SCEE wide initiative and has been launched in all of our territories. The choice of which titles to include in the Starter Pack, and the freedom to change the titles is up to the individual markets based on their unique market conditions.”

The European PlayStation Netowork store has now recieved its weekly update. As previously reported, the MotorStorm Coyote Revenge VIP Pass is now available to download as well as a number of new game and movie trailers. Unfortunately, there are no new playable demos this week, but who knows what next week will hold. As for the US PSN, the Stranglehold demo is now available to download just as the rumor suggested. Check out the list below.

European PSN Update List

• Game
  • MotorStorm Coyote Revenge VIP Pass (add-on)
• Game Trailers
  • GT5 Prologue Trailer
  • Lair Launch Trailer
  • Heavenly Sword
• Movie Trailers
  • The Invasion

US PSN Update List

The US PlayStation Store has also been updated today with two new playable demos and add-on content for MotorStorm and Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Check out the list below.

• Game Demos
  • Stranglehold
  • NBA Live 08
• Game Add-ons
  • MotorStorm Revenge Weekend Add-on Pack (New track, vehicles, races and race mode)
  • MotorStorm Add-on Vehicle 1 (Wakazashi Razor bike)
  • MotorStorm Add-on Vehicle 2 (Wombat Mudslide ATV)
  • MotorStorm Add-on Vehicle 3 (Atlas Varjack mudplugger)
  • MotorStorm Add-on Vehicle 4 (Atlas Arizona big rig)
  • Ninja Gaiden Sigma Weapons Master Add-on (5 survival modes)
• Game Trailers
  • Turok “Quite Kills” Trailer
  • PixelJunk Racers Trailer
  • Heavenly Sword “Making Of” No. 5
  • Heavenly Sword Anime No. 5
  • Lair “World in Chaos” Video
  • MotorStorm “Coyote Revenge” Video
  • Drillbit Tailer Trailer
  • Resident Evil: Extinction Trailer
• Wallpaper
• Heavenly Sword Anime No. 5 Wallpaper

A forum moderator at the Midway Discussion Board has suggested that the PlayStation 3 demo of Stranglehold will be available to download from the PlayStation Network Store this Thursday. Although the news has not been confirmed by Sony, the news could still be credible. The XBOX 360 demo was released earlier last month.

No information was available as to whether the demo is exclusively for the North American PlayStation Store, or if it would also be available from the European PSN Store. Look out for a list of new released when the PlayStation store is updated this week.