Last month Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Tactics for the PSP. To accompany the article, here are 39 screenshots of what it will look like on the PSP. The PSP version will include a new job class, and you can also expect an appearance from Final Fantasy XII’s Balthier. Until we have more information, check out the below screenshots.
Masi Oka is much more than the star of NBC’s breakout comic book-driven hit, “Heroes”, and the man behind the special effects you’ve enjoyed for years in movies like Star Wars Episodes I and III, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, War of the Worlds and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, he is also a gamer. When he’s not playing Hiro Nakamura on NBC, Oka spends some of his free time working with George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). When he is on set, he spends his free time playing on the PSP.
“I like playing the puzzle games, because as an actor, I’m always trying to kill time on the set,” said Oka. “On ‘Heroes,’ there’s a lot of waiting. I can’t play a long role-playing game, because once you get into that, you get so hooked, you don’t want to stop. The AD is trying to get you to the set and you’re in your trailer yelling, ‘Hold on, I’m almost done.’ But you’re never really done. I like playing self-contained games like sports or puzzle games.”
Oka, who returns to Japan routinely and travels a lot for work, also finds his PSP system a godsend on airplanes.
“On planes, it’s great to watch a movie or games,” said Oka. “That’s all I do on planes, is whip out my PSP and just stay focused on it the whole ride through. I won’t even get food. I’m not a big fan of flying, so the PSP system helps me. I usually bring 10 games with me, like Loco Roco or Star Wars Battlefront II. I play a lot of Capcom Classics, Mercury, Sudoku. I also like compilations like the Sega Genesis Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures and EA Replay.”
Oka’s into all type of technology and games. He said he didn’t even realize the full potential of the PSP system when he first got one. Now he uses it for everything from watching UMD movies to listening to MP3s.
Oka’s psyched about the new Remote Access for the PSP system, which allows any Wi-Fi connected home to share content between PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system. The actor recently received a PS3 and he’s looking forward to Sony’s next step in Remote Access, which will expand the technology in 2007 to allow for instant access of PS3 content from any hot spot anywhere in the world.
“As an actor, Remote Access will allow you to connect to the Internet with the PSP,” said Oka. “It’s so much smaller and lighter than lugging around a laptop. I can be on location and surfing the Web with my PSP. It just gives you a lot more versatility and a lot more options.”
When the acting quiets down at some point down the line–with 14 million people tuning in each week to “Heroes,” it likely won’t be soon–Oka said he’d like to get involved in videogame development. Through ILM, he has friends that work at game companies like Electronic Arts and Activision. And he has a lot of ideas that would be great for games, including one for a “Heroes” game.
That show has certainly changed Oka’s life. No one out there knew he was the guy who made the water effects in blockbuster movies, but everyone knows him as Hiro.
Gamers will likely hear a lot more from Oka, both through his TV role, his behind-the-scenes work on films, and, some day, through his videogames.
[Via: PlayStation NA]
European gamers still have a little more waiting to do before they get their hands on the PlayStation 3, and compared to the November 2006 release of both the Japanese and US versions, its seems like ages. Sony remains confident that they will be able to meet the March launch date, despite speculation that further delays would be likely. A Sony spokesperson today told journalists, “[President of SCEE] David Reeves has confirmed again today that we are still on course for a March release.”
A spokesperson for SCEA confirmed:
“In a recent interview, Sir Howard Stringer stated that the launch for the PS3 in Europe and other PAL countries is slated for April. Sir Howard meant to say the launch was set for ‘this Spring.’ The release for the PS3 in Europe and other PAL countries remains March.”
In a previous interview, Sony CEO Howard Stringer said that “the European launch in April…is very important to us." European gamers will be glad to see the launch back on track.
Also Today, Sony’s Irish PS3 Web site quoted a price for the console of EUR 629.99 (approx USD 815/GBP 415) for the 60GB model, a higher amount than the previously confirmed price of EuR 599 (USD 775/GBP 395) for Europe. Sony stated that this was due to Ireland’s VAT rate, which is currently 21 percent, and not any pricing changes by Sony. The price for other regions will be announced next week.
Square Enix has announced the release of Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition and Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition for the PSP as part of the 20th Anniversary of Final Fantasy. To clear things up, these two games will not be ports of the originals but will include the gameplay system and scenarios from the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation ports, including the opening FMV sequences as well as a music player mode and monster gallery.
So what exactly makes this not a port? Simple, Square Enix has remade the sprites and backgrounds to fit on the PSP’s widescreen TFT and added new battle effects. The screen layout remains the same and the game will still be in 2D. Some may feel disappointed that Square Enix’s big FF Anniversary resulted in a few minor updates, however, it turns out that this is just the first of many projects. Square Enix executive producer Shinji Hashimoto says to look forward to April for more surprises.
Dark_AleX has updated Custom Firmware 3.03 OE yet again, Revision B of 3.03 Open Edition (OE) has full resolution support for MP4-AVC videos. Unlike the Official Sony Firmwares, OE-B supports full 480 x 272 resolution so you can watch your own views in “UMD-Video” quality. No special video players are needed since OE-B updates the native video player so you can watch full-screen videos directly from the XMB. In addition to this feature various bugs have also been fixed.
Here is a breakdown of the changes:
[Download]
The PSP is to become available in yet another colour. This time its Champagne Gold (PSP-1000 CG), bringing the total available PSP colour range to six. The new PSP will go on sale in Japan on February 22nd retailing for 20,790 Yen (inc. tax), which is approximately GBP 90/USD 175/EUR 135, which is quiet cheap for a [Base Pack] PSP. For a limited time only, the Gold PSP will be bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2, which will be released in Japan on the same day. No details about a European or North American release so far, but Sony has mentioned a wider release if it is successful in Japan.
So, the full PSP colour range as it currently stands is:
[Via: PlayStation Japan]
The Official Sony 8GB Memory Stick (Sony Part no. MSX-M8GS) will be available to purchase in the US next month, with a heavy pricetag of USD 300. The advantage is more space on your PSP so you can store over 1,500 hi-resolution photos, over 18 hours of video or lots of games! The Memory Stick can be purchased from Official Sony Resellers, Sony Stores and online at Sony Style.
The Memory Stick will be compatible with PSPs running Firmware 2.81 or higher. Weighing only 2g and measuring 1.22″ long, its tiny and can fit entirely in your PSP, unlike the Datel 4GB PSP Hard Drive. How much porn will you be able to fit one it?
Dark_AleX recently updated his latest Custom Firmware, 3.03 OE-A, to OE-A2 (or A’). The minor update fixes a few bugs in the firmware while adding a new feature. Custom Firmware 3.03 OE-A was released only a few days ago and Dark_AleX is already working hard to correct bugs. To update to OE-A’, simply copy ‘oe_a2update’ folder onto your PSP and run the program. You must be running firmware 3.03 OE-A in order for the update to work, so if you are not already using 3.03 OE-A, install it before updating.
Here is a list of changes:
[Download]
Channel 4 is to deliver programming to the PSP via the Internet. Using Wi-Fi hotspots, PSP owners in the UK will be able to download various programs such as Channel 4 News, Celebrity Big Brother updates and radio podcasts. The initial content will be delivered in podcast form from the broadcaster’s new radio service.
The service is aimed at commuters who can log on for internet updates using hotspots operated by the Cloud Wireless Network. Access to Cloud hotspots costs GBP 11.99 a month on their monthly tarrif, but shows can be downloaded for free via the Channel 4 portal.
Nathalie Schwarz, director of Channel 4 Radio, said:
“Becoming the first broadcaster to make radio content available wirelessly on PSPs will help 4Radio connect with a young, mobile audience, making our programming easily available whenever and wherever they want.”
The BBC are ITV are planning to follow Channel 4’s example later this year by broadcasting live TV online. Both providers are to launch a “catch-up” service where viewers are able to watch any program broadcasted within the past seven days for free.
[Via: Times Online]
SCEE has officially released its own PSP formatted magazine for the PSP, called “The Magazine”. Just like any other PSP formatted magazine, it can be viewed using the PHOTO Menu on the PSP. The first issue was released on December 15nd, 2006 via the PlayStation Store found at YourPSP.com (not the one via the PS3) . Issue 1 contains reviews about various PSP and PS2 games including Killzone Liberation (PSP), Guitar Hero II (PS2), and several others. There is also an article about the new James Bond Movie, Casino Royale and a tribute to Singstar.
In my opinion, the magazine is good but lacks the quality seen in many of the independent magazines available on the Internet. It is a good try but improvement is necessary. We have no information on when Issue 2 is to be released but we will keep you informed. In the mean time, head over to the Your PSP Store and download a copy for yourself.
You must register to YourPSP.com before you can download any content from the store. The magazine is available for free, however, you must have your PSP connected to your PC as it will be downloaded directly on to it (using a Java Applet).
[Via: YourPSP Store]
