Category: PS3

Are You Interested in Sony’s PlayStation 3D Display?

Sony posted a friendly reminder that its bonus program for the PlayStation 3D Display expires on September 30, 2011. This 24-inch HDTV comes with a pair of 3D glasses and Motorstorm Apocalypse. If you pre-order by the end of September, you’ll get a copy of Resistance 3 as well. The PlayStation 3D Display retails for $499.99. Here are the bullet points if you need a refresher:

  • Full HD 1080p resolution and 240hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth play
  • 3 HD inputs (2 HDMI and 1 component) so you can hook up your PS3, cable TV box, and PC
  • Built-in speakers and subwoofer for a more immersive audio experience.

Remember, the hook on this television is that it can support two players in full HD 3D. Sony calls this SimulView technology…which is almost as silly a term as Retina Display. Some argue that the the bundle is a great deal. I’m not sold just yet. I wasn’t too impressed with the display quality shown at E3 2011. That said, those were early models and were probably calibrated by hacks. The final product will likely offer a better picture. How much better? I’m curious to find out.

The PlayStation 3D Display looks like a versatile television that can support your consoles and PC, while offering superior sound and 3D gaming. It seems perfect for a game reviewer’s desk, but I wonder if any “real” people are interested.  Any of you thinking of taking the plunge?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

Are you ready for some (American) football?!? A bunch of you had fantasy drafts yesterday and are amped for the season to start. Why not increase the anticipation with some Madden NFL 12? If you’re more about guns than balls then you should keep an eye on Bodycount, the spiritual successor to the underrated Black. Looking for something more esoteric and Japanese? How about Cladun X2 from the excellent people at Nippon Ichi Software America? You can add some (scary) spice to your life and get in shape on the Wii with Get Fit with Mel B.

Anyone buying new games this week?

Same-Sex Marriage Confirmed For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda vice president Pete Hines confirmed that there will be an option for same-sex marriage in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Replying to a fan on Twitter, Hines wrote, “Not making a huge deal out of it. You can marry anyone.” Some of you will recall that some BioWare fans were not pleased with the homosexual romance options in Dragon Age II. I’m curious to see if Skyrim will elicit a similar reaction.

I love that this is an option in the game. It is, after all, role-playing. I think it’s great that homosexual gamers have an option to play as a character that reflects their lifestyle. Same-sex marriages happen all over the world and it’s fantastic that a videogame reflects modern society. I’m sure Bethesda will get some unnecessary heat for having same-sex marriage in a videogame…and I’m sure a lot of it will be based on stupidity.

What do you think about same-sex marriages in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Character Creation Screens

Here are a bunch of screens of the character creation process in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The screenshots show the facial presets for the game’s various races. Head shots of argonians, dark elves, nords, orcs, and more are included. Some of you will recall that Skyrim was in my E3 2011 personal top five. My head is currently swimming with character creation ideas. I want to play now!!!

How about you? What kind of character do you plan on playing as in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

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PlayStation Home Getting Massive Overhaul: Do You Care?

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that PlayStation Home will be getting a massive redesign later this year. The new PlayStation Home will feature “an all-new hub that integrates games, quests, community events and user-generated content, while providing players with additional navigation, shopping, socialization and entertainment options.” Here’s the rundown of Home’s “new core experience” from today’s press release:

  • The Hub: The new, futuristic Hub brings games directly to players with a featured game front-and-center upon login, the Activity Board where players can engage in quests and community activities, and a direct path to free games via the teleporter.
  • Action District: A gathering place for the hardcore demographic, the Action District has a gritty, urban feel reminiscent of a first-person shooter level and provides a direct travel point to action and horror games.
  • Sportswalk: The Sportswalk has an exciting outside-the-stadium feel with instant major league sports scores, headlines and highlights, ample space for sports-themed games and provides direct travel points to sports-related games.
  • Adventure District: The Adventure District drops you in a lush island jungle with an air of mystery, hidden treasure and discovery, where players will be able to launch directly into adventure-themed games.
  • Pier Park: A waterfront boardwalk leads players to carnival, puzzle, outdoor and arcade games. Take a ride on the Pier Park Ferris wheel or visit the arcade for some bright entertainment.

I really wanted to like PlayStation Home when I first learned about it. Unfortunately, the project I learned about was nothing like the product that launched. Dueling ideologies transformed Home into something I was looking forward to into something I find extremely boring. Don’t get me wrong, I fully understand that Home is very popular. I just don’t understand why people are digging it. Perhaps the new PlayStation Home will be more to my liking.

How about you? Are you looking forward to the new PlayStation Home? Or does it still seem boring?

Serah Kicks Ass in the Latest Final Fantasy XIII-2 Screens

The latest batch of Final Fantasy XIII-2 screens shows Serah Farron in action. As you can tell from the images, she’s no longer Lightning’s little sister that needs protection. She kicks all sorts of ass with a bow and sword. With the way that many Asian people switch R’s and L’s, I’m calling her Serah Fallon…which makes her related to Jimmy Fallon.

Anyway, check out the screens and let me know what you think (please)!

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

After several dry weeks in August, there are finally some great games coming out! Deus Ex: Human Revolution has been getting a ton of hype. I loved the original and can’t wait to dive into this one. Gamers looking to show off their martial prowess online will want to pick up Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition. A lot of hardcore gamers feel that this game is the pinnacle of 2D fighting. On Sunday, Nintendo will have four great old games rebranded as $19.99 Nintendo Selects for Wii.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

PlayStation 3 Getting NFL Sunday Ticket for $339.95

Sony Computer Entertainment America and DirecTV have announced that the popular NFL Sunday Ticket subscription package will be available on the PlayStation 3 for $339.95. The subscription will let gamers view every out-of-market NFL game. Considering that NFL football is the most popular sport in America, this is an enormous deal. Here’s more from Sony Computer Entertainment America senior vice president Philip Rosenberg:

At the start of the season, viewers who do not currently have access to DirecTV will be able to subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket at the season price of $339.95. Existing DirecTV customers can access the service on their PS3 for an additional $50 and use the PS3 as an additional receiver for your home.

NFL Sunday Ticket is a DirecTV-exclusive sports package that offers:

  • Up to 14 NFL games every Sunday
  • Full HD for every football game
  • DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel

Like I said, this is a huge deal for the American market. With this announcement and the recent PlayStation 3 price cut, I wonder if any American consumers will use the PS3 as a way to compensate for DirecTV unavailability. $340 is a lot of money, but if you can’t get DirecTV then this is a reasonable option. Hell, if you can get DirecTV but don’t care about its programming packages then this can save you money in the long run.

Are any of you tempted by this deal? Imagine if the PS3 launched with this partnership? The console wars would have played out so differently in America. Also, where’s my Manchester City subscription package for real football?!? (Half-joke)

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[I wanted to post this story yesterday, but my crap web host decided to take the day off. Never use AnHosting.]

PlayStation 3 Price Cut to $250

[Updated 9:10PM PDT] Sony has just announced that the PlayStation 3 160GB model has been price cut to $250 effective immediately. I’m waiting for the official press release, but for now check out that image of the “official” tweet from the PlayStation account. For those of you that don’t have a PS3, are you going to buy one for $250?

[Update: Here’s a clip from the press release with the official price of multiple models in multiple territories.]

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system with 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), currently available at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 29,980 yen (including tax), $299 and euro 299, will be available at a very attractive new RRP of 24,980 yen (including tax) for Japan, $249 for North America and euro 249 for Europe/PAL territories. SCE will also reduce the price of the PS3® system with 320GB HDD, currently available at a RRP of 34,980 yen (including tax), $349 and euro 349, to RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax), $299 and euro 299. The new pricing will be immediately effective for North America and Europe/PAL territories, and starting August 18, 2011 for Japan.

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Final Fantasy XIII-2 Screens are Moogletastic!

I’m loving the latest batch of Final Fantasy XIII-2 screens. They’re full of moogle goodness! Several of the shots show the game’s moogle in cutscenes and in action. In addition to being awesomely cute, the moogle fits into the combat and puzzle aspects of FFXIII-2. There’s also this cool shot of Serah wielding a comically large bow. It’s amazing that her skinny arms can even lift it!

Anyway, please check out the screens and share your thoughts on ’em. Kupo!!!

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