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Puzzle Quest and expansion puzzling PSN this winter
by Jason Dobson 
{ Oct 2nd 2008 at 4:00PM }
Both titles will be released as a single purchase and download, though the publisher has not announced how much the time sink combo will cost. We're currently waiting to hear back from our man on the street, who's diligently checking the alleys to see how much a twofer of digital crack goes for these days, anyway.
[Via PS3F]
PSN gardening game to exercise green thumbs
by Jason Dobson { May 31st 2008 at 1:30PM }
Watch being the operative word here, as it seems that even virtually Sony doesn't trust our green thumbs, the report revealing that the game, or "environmental simulator" according to IGN, will focus more on letting players design gardens before letting the program have its way with them. In fact, according to producer Rie Nakamura, the title will include no gaming elements at all. Fun! Still, for all of its hands-offness, Shikitei will include elements such as custom soundtracks, as well as the ability to take a stroll through the virtual eden, no doubt offering solace in the fact that this is one garden that won't meet an untimely end at our hands. At least until we turn off the power.
PSN reaches a million accounts in Japan
by Jason Dobson { May 27th 2008 at 12:30PM }
The celebrate the achievement, SCEJ is offering up a thousand ¥1,000 PSN promotional tickets to use online, meaning if you happen to have access to a Japanese PSN account you have until June 9 to throw your virtual hat into the ring for a freebie.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Gran Turismo series ships more than 50 million globally
by Jason Dobson { May 9th 2008 at 10:57AM }
This figure, of course, includes the recently released Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which according to Sony has shipped out more than 2 million units. The company is playing coy, though, as to whether this number includes just physical products or digital downloads over PSN as well. We'd like to extend our hand and congratulate the series for making it this far, but unfortunately it didn't stop between the two yellow lines on the pavement so it's going to have to go back to the start and try again.
European PSN Store PlayStation Day 2008 update
by Majed Athab { May 6th 2008 at 1:20PM }
Playable content:
- Condemned 2 demo (free)
- Haze demo (free)
- Blast Factor Advanced full game (£4.99)
- High Velocity Bowling full game (£4.99)
- Street Skater PS1 game (£3.49)
Add-on content:
- High Velocity Bowling Character - Mike (£0.69)
Trailers:
- Buzz! Quiz TV (free)
- Secret Agent Clank (free)
- Siren Blood Curse (free)
- MotorStorm Pacific Rift (free)
- PLAYSTATION Network PS Day Showcase (free)
Sony issues consumer alert: PC PSN illegally accessed
by Majed Athab { Mar 26th 2008 at 5:00PM }
It is very likely this is just a small incident; however, it is a smart idea to stay cautious. To verify that your account is intact, sign into the PSN with your pre-set password. If you are successful, then your account is not affected by the incident. Currently, Sony is contacting customers who may have been affected. You can find more information about that at Sony's Knowledge Center.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Interview with SCEA's Hight confirms PSN redesign in April, Warhawk expansion, PS1 games
by Majed Athab { Mar 4th 2008 at 12:30PM }
Wow, more and more rumors popping up on the interwebs are proving to be true. This time around, the rumor about an April PSN store overhaul has been confirmed in an interview with John Hight, SCEA's director of product development. Hight is quoted saying, "I think you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback." So, we now know there's definitely a redesign coming, but we're still in the dark about new content like, oh say, that rumored video download service.Also in the interview, Hight confirms that the rumored expansion for Warhawk should hit the PSN by April, too. Hight stated, "We just released an expansion on Warhawk in September, and we'll release another one in April." Further more, when questioned about Japanese PS1 games on the American PSN store, Hight had this to say, "I'm pretty darn sure they will [appear on the American PSN], but I don't know which titles." Now hold your horses, what that probably means is that we could be seeing a similar title catalog, and not that Japanese version games will appear on the US PSN. Nice, but not a guarantee. Well, we'd be happy if we could just get Resident Evil 2 in our store ...
Four new PSN games for Japan
by Majed Athab { Feb 28th 2008 at 3:15PM }
Three out of the four games were not released outside Japan; the only one that was seen in the west was Um Jammer Lammy -- a rhythm game spin-off of PaRappa the Rapper. The Ide Yosuke game is yet another Mahjong game, while Wai Wai Bowling is, um, bowling. Lastly, Baroque Syndrome is a prequel to the PS1 RPG Baroque (which is also available on the PSN, at the same time ported to the PS2).
While there's really only one or two titles that are worth getting on that list, it still is quite annoying that the Japanese PS1 game library is way better than ours. When will our library start flooding with more and more PS1 games?
Rumor: FFXIII director predicts demo in 2008 [update]
by Griffin McElroy { Jan 27th 2008 at 3:15PM }
Fear not, for the long wait for the Fabula Nova Crystallis collection will be over soon enough. According to FinalFantasyVersusXIII.net's translation (there appear to be conflicting versions), game director Motomu Toriyama teases that a playable demo for FFXIII would be arriving in 2008 to show off the game's revamped battle system. So don your steepled hat and cuddle tight your cactuar plushie -- your chance to sit down with the unluckiest chapter in Square Enix's seminal RPG franchise may have just gotten a teensy bit closer.
[Update: We originally posted an incorrect interpretation of the original translated comments. The post has been corrected and Joystiq apologizes for the error.]
[Update 2: Square Enix has released an official response – and we eat more crow.]
Joystiq Interview: Kuju's download-only studio doublesix
by Jason Dobson { Dec 19th 2007 at 2:27PM }
With a moniker always referred to in lowercase, we expected doublesix to be quietly reserved regarding its plans, which include developing titles exclusively in the downloadable space for Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, WiiWare and the PC. What we found, however, was a studio that is enthusiastic about its positioning in this young, but rapidly growing segment of the video game industry. To find out more, we managed to speak with doublesix studio head James Brooksby on a number of topics, including the price of downloadable games today and in the future, the importance of platform exclusives in the digital space, and of course, where the team likes to eat.
Q-Games founder: PSN games haven't caught on in Japan
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Dec 7th 2007 at 8:57PM }
"So far, it really hasn't caught on in the same way it has in the West--the problem in Japan is a traditional aversion to using credit cards, as opposed to the West where it is second nature," he explained. "A lot of restaurants over here don't accept any credit card at all, and when you order things online to be delivered the majority of people pay on delivery or even by online bank transfer as opposed to using a credit card. Pre-paid cards are definitely the way to go forward to solve these problems, but they only rolled out recently, so we'll just have to wait and see."
It's odd to see the game (which arrives on our PSN in January) facing this external obstacle, especially since it was designed with Japanese sensibilities in mind -- those folks aren't too keen on real-time strategy either, it seems. Perhaps PixelJunk Monsters will find success on our shores, preying on our habit of whipping out the plastic whenever instant gratification is in view.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Aqua Teen devs to develop, publish PlayStation Network games
by Jason Dobson { Dec 7th 2007 at 11:00AM }
Fresh off of Midway's laboriously titled and unanimously panned Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am for the PlayStation 2, who can blame Creat Studios from wanting to try something different? The studio, which operates out of both Massachusetts and Russia, has announced a new deal with Sony that will allow it to develop and publish both its own and other company's games over the PlayStation Network. While no specific titles have been announced so far, we're hedging our bets that N-Cube and Warbit, two mysterious titles from Creat that appeared on last September's DualShock 3 compatibility list, are among them. Just back away from those Adult Swim licenses and we'll all stay friends.
Devil May Cry 4 demo confirmed for PSN, XBL in early 2008
by Jason Dobson { Dec 7th 2007 at 10:00AM }
It's unclear exactly what will be included in the demo, with Capcom saying only that the download will serve to introduce the game's new hero, Nero, and feature levels "chosen to showcase Devil May Cry 4's varied locales and allow gamers to familiarize themselves with Nero's unique abilities." The demo will also include in-game instructions on how to use DMC4's Exceed sword charge system and various superhuman abilities, made possible by Nero's "Devil Bringer" powers, and will be capped off with a fight against a surly boss named Berial. We hope the boss has insurance, because players have been waiting a long time revisit Devil May Cry, and we imagine Berial is going to buried many times before the game's February 5, 2008 release.
Uncharted demo fixed for European PS3s
by Griffin McElroy { Nov 11th 2007 at 9:45AM }
Some good news this morning for PS3 owners across the pond: Though Sony Europe has promised that the demo for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune would appear on the European and Japanese PlayStation Stores November 22, Naughty Dog has dropped the region specificity on the American demo, opening it up for everyone.
According to Christophe Balestra, co-president of Naughty Dog, the whole ordeal originated from a lack of knowledge about the PSN infrastructure. He claims they didn't know that European and Japanese PS3 owners couldn't access the US PlayStation Store and download demos - an oversight that Balestra himself corrected with the quickness. Now if Naughty Dog can just get the game out without boobies in their opening logo (link NSFW), they should be in the clear.
[Via PS3F]
LocoRoco Cocoreccho, Sega Rally Demo highlight PSN update
by Jason Dobson { Sep 20th 2007 at 3:20PM }
Those wanting to pick up the successor to Sony Japan's delightful PSP original LocoRoco can do so for $6.99, a bit of a leap from the game's previously confirmed £1.99 price in the UK. In addition to the already mentioned rally racer, PSN users can also snag demos for EA's Tony Hawk competitor Skate, as well as THQ's Stuntman: Ignition and Sony's own forthcoming NBA 08.
And as if that isn't enough, it also looks like Sony has tossed up some wallpapers, videos, and trailers from such eagerly anticipated eye candy as GT5 Prologue, Devil May Cry 4, and Ratchet and Clank Future, making this a meaty update indeed.
