Category: PS3

Insomniac Says it’s 2 to 3 Years Until PS3 is Maxed Out

Ratchet and Clank Future

While some people believe that we’re already past the midpoint of this console generation, others think that we still have a ways to go. Developer Insomniac Games (Resistance, Ratchet & Clank) is part of the latter group. The company believes that it will be two to three years until the power of the PlayStation 3 is fully realized. In a recent interview with CVG community manager James Stevenson said:

The first couple of years are all about developers getting games up and working. You see what Naughty Dog has had the chance to do in the past two years. You’ve seen what we’ve been able to do in that time. This is where it gets exciting.

I still think you’re not going to see the PS3 really maxed out for another two to three years. We’re using all of the PS3 right now, but you can always be more efficient in the way you use it.

While I do think there are still ways for developers to exploit the power of the PS3, three years seems too long. With games like Uncharted 2, God of War III, and Heavy Rain, it seems like developers are pretty close to maxing out the PS3. While I like and respect Stevenson, his words would have been more powerful coming from someone on the development team.

Still, I could be wrong. What do you guys and dolls think? Will it be three years until the PS3 is pushed to the limits? Or are developers close to that point now?

Source

Coffee Talk #11: Achievements vs. Trophies — Fight!!!

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, if Lyoto Machida deserved that decision over Shogun Rua, T-Mobile’s new pricing plans, or how awesome it is to have the Yankees in the World Series, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

First off, kindly vote in the Saved by the Bell poll. It’s important…like very. Now getting back to the topic at hand….

RPad TV Achievement

Achievements and trophies. Trophies and achievements. They’re essentially the same thing — a little pat on the back for doing something in a game. In some cases, the reward is for something you would have done anyway. In others, you’re coerced to play more of a game and/or play it in a different way just to get some meaningless points or symbols. Don’t get me wrong, I love these things. I want them. (Even if I don’t know why.) What I find curious is that some gamers greatly prefer one over the other.

Familiarity might have something to do with it. Microsoft wisely incorporated achievements during the early planning stages of the Xbox 360. By introducing the system on day one, it was able to establish achievements as the norm and get gamers hooked on the whole idea. Sony’s trophies came much later and support hasn’t been consistent. This has changed, but there are some early releases that don’t support trophies. All that aside, some people prefer trophies because they rather have a symbol than a number. Personally, I don’t care either way — I want them all!!! (Unfortunately, I’ve played so many games on debug units and/or under shared accounts that my personal scores suck *sniff*)

On this fine Monday Monday (so good to me), I want to know which system you prefer and why. Are trophies your bag? Or do you dig achievements?

Continue reading “Coffee Talk #11: Achievements vs. Trophies — Fight!!!”

Netflix Streaming Coming to PlayStation 3 in November

PS3 Slim Netflix

Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced that Netflix streaming will be hitting the PlayStation 3 in November. In a recent press release, SCEA president and CEO Jack Tretton said:

The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows. Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.

Although Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has offered this feature for quite some time, it’s an important feature for Sony to have for attracting new customers. Both consoles offer downloadable movies, DVD playback, and Netflix streaming, but only the PS3 offers Blu-ray capabilities. Considering that both consoles are similarly priced (now), Microsoft has lost one of its differentiating features.

This Week’s Videogame Releases

We’re smack dab in the middle of the Q4 release rush. There are lots of interesting games this week, including some excellent platform exclusives. Lots of PS3 gamers are high on Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, while Xbox 360 gamers will get their motors runnin’ with Forza Motorsport 3. Here are this week’s PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS releases…along with some brief commentary. I’ve taken out most of the garbage and kids games (unless I found them funny).

Let me know what games you plan on picking up this week (please)!

Forza Motorsport 3

Xbox 360
CSI Deadly Intent — You know Jim, sometimes the box exes you. (yooooowwwwww!)
DJ Hero — The reviews are good, but I wonder how many people are going to buy an expensive game in this economic climate.
Fairytale Fights — A lot of you probably haven’t been following this one, but it looks like fun.
Forza Motorsport 3 — Microsoft’s first-party racer makes its highly-anticipated return.
Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City
Jurassic the Hunted
Tekken 6 — I wonder if Tekken will do as well as or surpass Street Fighter IV.

Continue reading “This Week’s Videogame Releases”

Fat Princess Gets Patched and Porked

Fat Princess

Titan Studios has released patch 1.03 for Fat Princess, which includes the new Pork City map. Creative director Craig Leigh said:

Your faithful developers at Titan Studios and team at Sony Santa Monica Studio are extremely happy to announce that after careful thought and great labor, Patch 1.03 is complete and ready for imminent release.

Patch 1.03 contains the awesome New Pork city level, and due to the amazing support we have received from the community, we have decided to release the map for free! Yes you heard us right, for free!

While the new map is the most exciting and obvious feature of the patch, there are several stability enhancements that should improve the game’s overall experience. Full details can be found on Sony’s PlayStation Blog.

Would anyone be up for a Team RPad.tv session of Fat Princess? We could take over the world!!!

Source

Final Fantasy XIII Special Edition Soundtrack Detailed

FFXIII soundtrack

In addition to a soundtrack coming out in conjunction with Final Fantasy XIII’s December 2009 release, Square Enix will be releasing a super-duper special-edition soundtrack a month later. Andriasang has the details:

On top of the four music discs, the limited edition adds a bonus drama CD featuring a retelling of the Encounter volume of the Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero Promise web novel that’s currently being distributed at the FFXIII official site. The drama CD uses the same voice staff as the game.

Also included with the limited edition is a special box case, a special sleeve, and a 32 page visual book that’s also — you guessed it — special.

Look for the FFXIII soundtrack on January 27. Pricing is set at ¥3,990 for the standard version and ¥5,250 for the limited edition.

It’s expensive, excessive, and a little ridiculous…which means I’m probably going to buy it. *sigh* I love Japanese packaging.

Source

Sony Unleashes Uncharted: Eye of Indra Motion Comic Prequel

Uncharted 2 Eye of Indra

Sony Computer Entertainment of America has released Uncharted: Eye of Indra, a motion comic that fleshes out the Uncharted universe. The first episode is available now on PlayStation Network. Naughty Dog lead game designer Neil Druckmann wrote the following on the PlayStation Blog:

For all of you wanting more Nathan Drake, you’re in luck — hitting the PSN today is Uncharted: Eye of Indra – a four episode Motion Comic — it’s an original prequel story to Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. We’ve been working on this baby for the past year and it’s been brutal not being able to talk about it.

There are a millions of Uncharted and Naughty Dog fans out there, so I’m sure a lot of people will watch Eye of Indra. I’ll be one of those people, but I’m not yet sold on the whole motion comics thing. Perhaps it’s nostalgia, remembering all those great times I spent curled up with comic books, but the format doesn’t work for me (yet). That aside, this is a great way for Naughty Dog and Sony to further expand and market Uncharted.

If you check out Uncharted: Eye of Indra, I’d love to know what you think!

Source

Dragon Age: Journeys Unlocks Content for Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age Journeys 3

BioWare has revealed that playing the Dragon Age: Journeys Flash game unlocks content for Dragon Age: Origins for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. That’s right, all three platforms! Here’s a juicy tidbit from BioWare’s blog:

By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 items for use when you purchase a copy of Dragon Age: Origins for the PC, Xbox 360 or PS3. By playing DAJ while signed in with your EA account, these items will automatically be added to your inventory in DA:O when you sign in with that same account. These entitlements work across all three platforms.

That’s a very, very clever way to get people to sign up for an EA account.

Are you going to play Dragon Age: Journeys? If so, are you going to take advantage of the bonus items for Dragon Age: Origins?

Source

Trophy Support for Final Fantasy XIII Confirmed

Final Fantasy XIII a

Square Enix director Motomu Toriyama has confirmed trophy support for Final Fantasy XIII for PlayStation 3. IGN translated some of his word in an interview with Famitsu:

Toriyama also shared some technical details on the game. Save data will take up 500KB. Trophy data takes up 3,080KB (yes, it looks like the game supports Trophies!). In case you were stocking up munitions for a big system wars battle, there won’t be a hard disk installation.

Trophies are always welcomed, but I found it odd that there won’t be a hard-drive option. If it decreases load times and optical-disc access, I’ll always go with that option. Curious, eh?

Source