Time to bring out fat kitty again as the PSN update drops a bunch of new content on us this week. There's interactive art piece Linger in Shadows, a bunch of new add-on content, a new Qore, the level pack for echochrome PSP and a whole truckload of premium themes. Check it all out after the break.

The European PSN update can be found over with those Tokyo socialites at PS3 Fanboy.

October's episode of Qore goes deep into the heart of horror with segments on Dead Space, Resident Evil 5, Fallout 3 and Shaun White Snowboarding. Yes, that last one fits into the horror category.

Purchasers of this edition of the online magazine gain access to Sega's Valkyria Chronicles demo and there's also interactive "shooting galleries," which open up extra video segments. Qore is $3 per episode or $25 for an annual subscription.

Future Publishing and Sony UK announced today that it will deliver an "on-console digital magazine" for Europe in early 2009. The thing doesn't have a name, but for all intents and purposes it sounds like Future's US digital magazine, Qore.

This would explains why Qore hasn't been available to the European audience since it launched back in June. No word yet if the UK version will have a new host or if Veronica Belmont will be taking lessons from a dialect coach for the gig.

The Motorstorm: Pacific Rift demo is now available for those who have an annual Qore subscription or purchased Episode 4 of the digital magazine last week. Other additions to this week's PSN lineup include PAIN's Amusement Park expansion and America's favorite "answering answers with a question" game show, JEOPARDY! The details about this week's update can be found after the break.

The European PSN update has been delayed until tomorrow due to technical difficulties. PS3 Fanboy will have the update as soon as it shows up.

Here in the States, Qore subscribers will be able to fling mud across the startled faces of both friends and enemies alike in the Motorstorm: Pacific Rift demo which is due out this week for those who purchased the fourth installment of Sony's online gaming mag. Unfortunately, Qore number four isn't available on the PSN in other territories -- however, a recent news brief from unofficial PlayStation blog Three Speech hints that Europeans will receive the demo soon -- albeit in a fairly unconventional manner.

Three Speech reports that random European PS3 owners will be receiving vouchers this coming Thursday via email which will allow them to download the Pacific Rift demo on PSN. We're not entirely sure why Sony decided upon this "Golden Ticket" approach for the demo's release -- sure, the hype built from all the exclusivity will likely pay off, but will all the disappointment felt by the unchosen really be worth it?

Purchasing this month's episode of Qore unlocks the door on the Motorstorm: Pacific Rim Rift demo when it actually releases on Sept. 11. It also includes an "exclusive" LittleBigPlanet theme. Beyond that, it's a relatively quiet week on the PSN, but it is worth checking out the Pure demo. The details about this week's PSN update can be found after the break.

Those rugged stallions over at PS3 Fanboy have the details on this week's European update. Why "rugged stallions?" What happens at PAX, stays at PAX, friends.

It appears that the next episode of Sony's Qore digital magazine will feature the Motorstorm: Pacific Rift demo a month before it's free for all. That means $3 can secure you the demo, at least if you don't want the $25 annual Qore subscription, which will net you Calling All Cars as well.

The fourth installment of Qore will also feature a LittleBigPlanet theme, Prince of Persia and BioShock ... yes, we wrote that just in case you somehow missed the same information in the picture above.

[PS3 Fanboy]

It's time for Veronica Belmont to show us around the Qore again. Episode 3 covers DC Universe Online, Lego Batman and a couple other titles. As an added bonus, Qore annual subscribers will gain access to the Resistance 2 beta this month. Speaking of betas, downloading the Home theme in this week's update will sign you up for a chance to enter the Home beta. There's some other goodies to be found in the PSN update this week, but we're sure you're still enjoying that purchase of PixelJunk Eden from last week, right? RIGHT?! At least try the demo.

The Trophy-addicts over at PS3 Fanboy have the details on this week's European update. Be sure to check out their Trophy portal while you're over there.

If you're already an annual subscriber to the PlayStation Network's Qore "magazine" then you're undoubtedly already content with your purchase, having scored Calling All Cars, a beta invite to SOCOM: Confrontation (beta forthcoming), some interstitial advertising and, of course, two issues of interactive-y content. If you've been waiting to drop your virtual bucks on an annual subscription, today's installment should probably be on your radar because, as you undoubtedly remember, that subscription grants one access to the Resistance 2 beta program in September.

Here's the bad news: That access to the SOCOM beta you've been waiting for ... well, it won't start until September 8th (incidentally a full week after it kicks off for those who pre-ordered). The Resistance 2 beta: also September (and also after those pesky pre-order folks). So what we're trying to say here is this: your September is probably going to be pretty busy playing multiplayer PlayStation 3 shooters that aren't out yet. For more details on this month's episode of Qore, hit up that Source link or watch the trailer after the break.

PlayStation 3 owners who subscribe to Sony's "interactive magazine" Qore will be able to participate in Resistance 2's beta this September (via IGN). The details are sketchy at the moment -- we're going to guess you'll have to pay the $25 annual subscription fee and not just $3 for the related episode -- but the thought of 60-player team deathmatch has us frothing at the mouth. No beta details revealed yet for the Qore-less Europe.

Update: Posting on myresistance.net, Insomniac Community Manager James Stevenson has clarified that "you will have many ways to get in" the beta. "The best way which will give you the earliest access to the beta will involve a pre-order program that should be announced soon," Stevenson writes. As for those of you residing outside of North America, don't worry, Insomniac has you covered ... somehow -- worldwide servers will be tested! [Thanks, Jay]

Veronica Belmont, of Qore fame, jams into a van with various Joystiq-network bloggers for this "special episode" of Qore. You'd think that a site owned by mega-corporation AOL would be able to give us more than one van to squeeze into. Just, don't tell the Los Angeles police department how many people we packed into the car (and its trunk).

To watch in 1080p, click here.

Unless the promise of spending time with our pal Ms. Veronica Belmont and another episode of Qore sounds like a nice Thursday night (there's an episode teaser after the break) it might be best to just ignore this week's PSN update. Per usual, the rhythm games add some content and there's also some game videos that might be of interest. With E3 only a couple weeks away, it's understandable that things are a bit quiet at the moment, but we're seriously starting to itch for PixelJunk Eden!

This week's European PSN update adds several pieces of Buzz!-worthy content; check it out over at PS3 Fanboy.

Not to be trumped in the online flesh-and-blood female host arms race by Sony and Qore's Veronica Belmont, Microsoft has announced a partnership with IGN to bring its popular "IGN Strategize" segments to Xbox Live, hosted by IGN host/celebrity Jessica Chobot (who may or may not lick a 360 controller).

Larry Hryb, Xbox Live's "Major Nelson," made the announcement this morning via his Twitter feed. A brief preview clip of himself and Chobot chatting has subsequently hit the "Inside Xbox" section of Live. IGN Strategize will soon join the other regular Inside Xbox segments and focus on tips, tricks, and strategies, hence the name.

What is Qore? It's a new digital magazine exclusively available via PSN that stars our friend, Veronica Belmont. One slightly delayed launch later, and it's finally available to the masses. Qore promises a number of bonuses, such as entry into the SOCOM Confrontation beta, and a few hidden mini-games ... but is it worth the cost of admission ($3 an issue, $25 for an annual subscription)? PS3 Fanboy thinks it's a pretty good deal, especially with the bonus download of Calling all Cars! for annual subscribers. They've gone through the entire issue, and have broken it down inch-by-inch, so you can determine whether or not its worth your hard-earned digital coin.

Click here to begin the tour and be sure to let us know what you think.

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced an exclusive development agreement with Future US, Inc., publisher of PlayStation: The Official Magazine, to introduce Qore, "a highly interactive, monthly original program that covers the world inside PlayStation," to the PlayStation 3 on June 5. The "interactive online magazine" term that was first trademarked by Sony a few weeks ago seems to be a fitting description of the program slash show, which will provide subscribers with a monthly dose of "exclusive multimedia news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scene looks at the hottest PLAYSTATION games," as well as special game demos, betas, add-ons and other interactive tidbits.

Now, you'll have noted the word, "subscribers," in the previous paragraph. The first episode of Qore will be available on the PlayStation Store for the "introductory price" of $2.99, with annual subscriptions (providing 13 episodes) costing $24.99. For a limited time, annual subscribers will also receive a free copy of David Jaffe's Calling All Cars.

Sony labels Qore as "truly interactive," stating that members will be able to access and view the content as they wish, with multiple windows, picture-in-picture and other features altering the presentation. Oh, and it's hosted by our favorite high school detective and vampire slayer, Veronica Belmont. See for yourself in a preview video after the break.

The first episode of Qore will feature "exclusive and never-before released content" on several upcoming PS3 games, including SOCOM:US. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4 and Afro Samurai. It will also include a SOCOM: Confrontation theme, art galleries and an invitation to the shooter's upcoming beta.

Update: A SCEE rep has told PS3 Fanboy that Qore "is an SCEA only initiative at this time."