Joystiq

PS All-Stars Battle Royale live-action TV ad, the European take

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST

This European TV ad for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is an interesting take on the live-action vid rolled out by Sony last month. The guy supposed to be Drake looks like the one person who didn't dress up at a Halloween party.

PS All-Stars Battle Royale live-action TV ad, the European take originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-Stars Battle Royale ad sees PlayStation heroes fight in live action

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST

When you think about it, this was a predictable step from the creators of last year's "Michael' commercial for PS3. After successfully expressing the thoughts of live-action PlayStation characters, this ad for PS All-Stars Battle Royale shows the time for talking is over. Maybe because the budget was blown on fancy special effects; Nolan North doesn't come cheap, you know.

Though it doesn't quite match the brilliance of last year's ad, it's another imaginative and fun effort for what will hopefully be a game with similar qualities. On a side note, live-action ads seem to be the rage at the moment. Last week Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Halo 4 got their real on, and now All-Stars Battle Royale follows suit. If only Nintendo would join the club.

All-Stars Battle Royale ad sees PlayStation heroes fight in live action originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Armature Studio assisting with Metal Gear Solid: HD Edition on Vita

JC Fletcher — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST

In 2008, staff from Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios broke off to form a new company, called Armature. Though it was initially partnered with EA, nothing has come of that deal, and to date no projects have come out that are officially attached to Armature.

It's quite a surprise, then, to see the studio's name on this Japanese website for the PlayStation Vita version of Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection. Its name is listed as co-developer along with fellow Austin studio Bluepoint Games, who was responsible for the console versions (and many other HD remakes of this generation).

So if you decide to pick up Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 in handheld form this summer (June in Japan), you'll be playing the first game(s) by Armature Studio!

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (Vita)

Armature Studio assisting with Metal Gear Solid: HD Edition on Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bluepoint Games offers insight into MGS, Ico, God of War remake process

JC Fletcher — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:35:00 EST

At one point, God of War, Ico, and Metal Gear Solid games were all being made in the same location ... in Austin, Texas. Well, remade, anyway. Bluepoint Games, the company behind the God of War, Ico/Shadow of the Colossus, and Metal Gear Solid HD Collections, recently explained elements of its process to Edge.

According to company president Andy O'Neil, Bluepoint reverse engineers the games, rather than collecting the original source files and recompiling. "The problem with source asset drops is that you don't know if it's the final shipped data," O'Neil said. "People will go and make last-minute changes."

Of course, Bluepoint is careful to keep the games running as-is, even when that keeps bugs found in the original versions. Some bugs were fixed for the PAL Shadow of the Colossus update --- "But it was a deliberate decision: this can break the game," O'Neil explained. "But we won't change anything without talking to the original developers."

Bluepoint Games offers insight into MGS, Ico, God of War remake process originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ico remastered preview: Not too little, definitely not too late

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST

I'm going to say something now and I don't want you to get mad. Promise that you won't? Promise?! Okay, fine -- I've never played Ico. It just didn't happen. A mixture of procrastination and disc-read errors have conspired to keep me from the lauded PS2 classic.

That changed late last week at a Sony press event, where the publisher showed off the forthcoming, double-game remaster Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection.

Gallery: ICO / Shadow of the Colossus Collection

Continue reading Ico remastered preview: Not too little, definitely not too late

Ico remastered preview: Not too little, definitely not too late originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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God of War Collection coming to PS3 this holiday

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

It's like this, but more definition-ier.

Backwards compatibility is back ... sort of! SCEA has announced that the PlayStation 2 God of War games will be coming to PlayStation 3 on a single, HD-enhanced Blu-ray disc. Previously hinted at in a consumer survey, the God of War Collection will feature "reworked" versions of both games, running at 60 frames per second and 720p resolution. The port is being handled by Bluepoint Games, the team behind the PSN-exclusive shooter, Blast Factor. Hopefully, the games will be more than simply upscaled, giving original PS3 owners a reason to partake in the double dip. Update: And yes, it will have Trophies.

The Blu-ray collection will be available this "holiday season," and will cost $39.99 -- the same price as buying both of the games on PS2. This HD remix should give fans some time to practice Kratos' moves before God of War III completes the "triology" (oh, press release typos!) in March.

[Thanks, Rob H.!]

God of War Collection coming to PS3 this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor: Advanced Research EU release date unearthed

Jem Alexander — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: PlayStation Store, News

ThreeSpeech, on their neverending quest to squeeze PSN info out of Sony Europe, have managed to get their hands on the release date for Blast Factor: Advanced Research. The add-on will go onto the store on September the 20th which, coincidentally, is the day the Tokyo Game Show starts. We're wondering what else Sony will have in store for us that day - hopefully they will pull off a hat trick and hack a whole host of new content up, as was the case with E3 and Leipzig.

There's no word on how much Advanced Research will cost, but if we can find out then we will let you know.

Blast Factor: Advanced Research EU release date unearthed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American PSN updates for August 2nd

Jem Alexander — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: PlayStation Store

The press release is in and we can now reveal the lineup for today's US PSN Store update. While we're not entirely sure when the update will take place, you can look forward to seeing the following filling your hard drive at some point later today:

Blast Factor: Advanced Research expansion ($4.99)
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 demo (free)
The Darkness demo (free)
Michael Clayton movie trailer (free)
Get Smart movie trailer (free)
The Game Plan movie trailer (free)
[Update: Super Rub-a-Dub has dropped in price to a mere $2.99!]

Well what do you know. We were right. We look forward to tucking into the delights of Advanced Research later today. Not to mention the two demos - both of which are available right now on the EU PSN Store, but nevermind. This feels like a much more substantial update than we've seen in Europe today. You guys should be very pleased.

American PSN updates for August 2nd originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor: Advanced Research due out today?

Jem Alexander — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:45:00 EST

Filed under: PlayStation Store

Just by chance, we decided to give Blast Factor another go this morning. Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps we were reminded how fun it is by the promise of an soon-to-be-released expansion on the PlayStation.Blog. Either way, when we started the game we were greeted by a message on the menu screen. It read as follows: "A new Blast Factor expansion pack is available to download. Please visit the PLAYSTATION@Store to find out more!"

Of course, with no new updates to the UK or US store as of yet, there's nothing there. We're hoping that means we'll be seeing Advanced Research when the store update hits. We'll let you know when that happens and what it contains.

Blast Factor: Advanced Research due out today? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor: Advanced Research on the way

Justin McElroy — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Retro, Online

Sure, your friends may laugh at you as you continue to play Blast Factor many months after it appeared on PSN. But soon, your devotion will be rewarded by Blast Factor: Advanced Research, according to a post on the official PlayStation blog. Imagine how your friends' skills, thick and unwieldy from disuse will be shamed by your laser-like precision as you sail through seven new levels, eleven new enemy types and two new bosses. Yes, they could attempt to make use of the new practice modes, but it will all be for naught. ... You'll have already grown too powerful.

Want to making your revenge dish even colder? The expansion adds monthly online high score tables, so the world will watch in awe, quaking before your greatness, finally realizing that though they laughed at you for your love of Blast Factor, in the end, the joke would be on them.

Blast Factor: Advanced Research on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor: Advanced Research on its way to the PSN Store "soon"

Jem Alexander — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:12:00 EST

Filed under: PlayStation Store

The president of Bluepoint Games, Andy O'Neil, has posted on the PlayStation.Blog with details on the upcoming "expansion" to Blast Factor. We put quotation marks around the word "expansion" because, from the looks of things, it's going to be bigger than the original game was. Namely "Seven new specimens, eleven new types of enemy, two new bosses, monthly online high score tables, new practice mode, remixed sound effects, eight new music tracks and dynamic lighting." Sounds great to us!

While Blast Factor: Advanced Research has an uphill battle ahead of it if it wants to beat Super Stardust HD and become King of the dual-analogue shooters, we're looking forward to it. We were big fans of the original Blast Factor, even if no-one else was. Thankfully for those who are a bit more cautious about what you download from the store, Advanced Research will have a demo available with the release of the game. Check out the post on the PlayStation.Blog for more details.

Blast Factor: Advanced Research on its way to the PSN Store "soon" originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Network garners 1.3 million users

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Business

A Gamespot report reveals the first usage statistics for the PlayStation 3's online network, the astonishingly named PlayStation Network. According to Sony, over 1.3 million users have signed on to the free service, 600,000 of them being based in the United States. All together, users have downloaded 3.7 million pieces of content.

"Users have downloaded 3.7 million pieces of content!"

Thank you. It's not explicitly mentioned how many of said pieces are PSN games, but individual sales data for Blast Factor, fl0w and others may be released at a later stage. Comparing overall statistics to those of Xbox Live shows Microsoft's service in the lead with six million users (an unknown percentage of those paying for a Gold subscription), but it's to be expected given the PS3's comparatively recent launch. With some strong online titles and more free services, the PSN stands every chance of overcoming its growing pains and becoming more competitive. Of course, consumers would stand to benefit most if things stayed neck-and-neck. After all, Xbox Live's no good to us dead.

PlayStation Network garners 1.3 million users originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor multiplayer, Jet Moto (PS1) added to PS3 Store

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Retro, Action, Driving, Online

Sony got around to releasing that Blast Factor multiplayer pack ($2.99) for PlayStation 3 today. The update adds support for 4 players (co-op and 'grudge' modes) and an option to increase the game's speed by 50%.

Jet Moto ($5.99) joins the Blast Factor add-on in PlayStation Store as a ~~lonely~~ lowly PS1-to-PSP offering. The PS3-required PSP service has sure gotten off to a slow start; and Jet Moto (pictured) is hardly reason to believe that release pace and quality will improve. Having watched hacker efforts surge ahead of Sony (a month ago!), using Sony's own emulation technology -- releasing Eboots of most pertinent PS1 games, while offering tools for PSP owners to create their own -- one has to wonder, really wonder, what is Sony's strategy? Jet Moto?

[Via Press Release]

Continue reading Blast Factor multiplayer, Jet Moto (PS1) added to PS3 Store

Blast Factor multiplayer, Jet Moto (PS1) added to PS3 Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS Store updates starting to roll in like a square wheel

Nick Doerr — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Downloads, PlayStation Store, e-Distribution Games, Game Patches

The idea behind the subject is that we're getting annoyed at the small-scale of updates for the PlayStation Store -- while welcome, we'd like to see something bigger and better. Like, say, demos of upcoming titles. Giving us ports of classic titles is okay, but getting a demo for Lair or Assassin's Creed would give our friends a reason to gather 'round the TV and screw around. So, what did we get?

Available now is the all-terrain racing title Jet Moto. It's a classic, indeed. Also available for your download pleasure is the multiplayer expansion pack for the fun-filled Blast Factor. The pack allows 4 players to join in cooperative or grudge match multiplayer modes. You can also speed the game up to 150%. The expansion costs three bucks while Jet Moto will set you back six. Enjoy!

PS Store updates starting to roll in like a square wheel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New details, no date on Blast Factor multiplayer pack

Ross Miller — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:25:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Online

We've got some new details regarding the recently-unveiled Blast Factor multiplayer pack, set for release at a still-unknown future date. The $2.99 add-on pack is set to include both co-op and grudge matches on the same screen. Inquiries into online multiplayer were left unanswered.

In addition to multiplayer, the new Blast Factor pack will feature time accleration modes, dubbed AT and 2xAT, which ups the difficulty and speed in exchange for added bonuses and new specimen. We're still not convinced the pack has the goods to bring this game above its modest mediocrity, but it's looking good so far.

New details, no date on Blast Factor multiplayer pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blast Factor goes multiplayer for $2.99

Ross Miller — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Driving, Online

With an ever-enigmatic "coming soon," Sony announced via press release that it will be releasing a multiplayer pack for the downloadable PS3 launch title Blast Factor. Nothing else is currently known about the pack; we've contacted Sony bigwigs to see what else we can find out. If it can reinvigorate our interest in the game, then it might be worth the $2.99 price tag.

Also coming soon is a trailer for the Gran Turismo HD Concept. We're hoping it shows footage of new tracks because otherwise, with the game free and replays freely available through the game, there's no point.

Blast Factor goes multiplayer for $2.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Downloadable content is coming our way!

Nick Doerr — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Previews, News, Downloads, Culture, PlayStation Store

You know you're tired of looking at the same fugly outfit your character in Genji is clad in. You know you're sick of handing off the controller when you die in Blast Factor. So what're you going to do about it? Initiate some microtransactions, that's what! Coming soon to the PlayStation Store are:

Genji: Days of the Blade costume pack
Blast Factor co-op play download pack
flOw game and demo

Granted, flOw might take a litter longer than the rest. Heard rumors of a January release, though, so maybe they'll all hit at once. In any case... gentlemen, start your engines! Ready, set, down...load? Damn. Wanted a clever download phrase/cliche, but alas. Next time, surely.

Downloadable content is coming our way! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 launch: Blast Factor impressions

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Online

Comparisons between Blast Factor and Geometry Wars are unavoidable. In truth, Sony's downloadable games service launch title is more akin to PomPom's Mutant Storm Reloaded (Xbox Live Arcade) both in gameplay and price. We will say, of the three (Blast Factor, Geometry Wars, and Mutant Storm), Bizzare's $5 gem still trumps all in aesthetic and pace.

Where Blast Factor lacks style it makes up for with dynamic gameplay elements, including the most effective usage of Sixaxis's motion capabilities to date. While deceptively simple, the act of jerking the controller left or right to slosh around the liquid within each stage (corralling the enemies) typifies a clear advantage PS3 could have over Xbox 360 -- though the lack of rumble certainly damages the game's 'blast' factor. Other noteworthy devices include Blast Factor's auto-adjusting difficulty and enemy variation (players must discover how each class of baddie is defeated).

There are some quibbles that make Blast Factor's $9.99* price tag difficult to swallow. That each level (there are seven) contains an identical stage map, with each stage bordered by the same hexagon, is disappointing; that each level's boss is essentially identical is even more disappointing -- and puzzling, given that Bluepoint designed a decent range of non-boss foes. Still, we would have be willing to look past these faults if Blast Factor sustained that frantic whirlwind of action so elegantly composed in Geometry Wars. But it doesn't.

*Blast Factor is currently on sale for $7.99.

PS3 launch: Blast Factor impressions originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We want it now! (PS3 annoyance #003)

James Ransom-Wiley — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Sony PlayStation 3, Online, Business

Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade has spoiled us. After a downloadable game trial ends we expect to be able to press a button, unlock the full version, and keep on blastin'. Sony has got it all wrong.

If the Blast Factor teaser manages to tempt your wallet, you'll have some work to do before the $7.99 launch title is yours. Don't be fooled by the "Buy Blast Factor" option in the demo's menu; that simply launches a message directing you back to the PlayStation Store, where, once there, you'll have to sit and wait for the game (93 MB) to download and install again. Oy!

PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyances
Wii delights vs. Wii annoyances
Xbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances

Continue reading We want it now! (PS3 annoyance #003)

We want it now! (PS3 annoyance #003) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Network downloadable game prices revealed!

Nick Doerr — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Previews, News, Culture, PlayStation Store, e-Distribution Games

It's a pretty long subject for an otherwise simple idea, isn't it? How wordy. Anyway, Sony Computer Entertainment finally announced pricing for some of their downloadable games, such as the super neat looking Blast Factor. And by some of their downloadable games, we mean Blast Factor. Let's just assume it's indicative of all other downloadable game prices. First off, there will be a free demo for you to download to make sure the game is up your alley. Second off, how else can we keep beating around the bush? Are you annoyed yet? $7.00. Approximately $7.00... which is what, 840 yen? Yes, it is.

As far as eating up your PS3 hard drive space, make sure you can stomach parting with 95 megabytes. If you have a 360, confirm for us this: that size is, on average, higher than Xbox Live Arcade titles. Is this too pricey? Just right? Personally, anything under $10 is pretty easy to stomach, but that's very subjective and it's the voices of the masses that matter, not my own.

PlayStation Network downloadable game prices revealed! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Geometry Wars (and other e-Distributed titles) leaked

Christopher Grant — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Online

While Sony is poised to break their media silence this Thursday at their "Gamer's Day" event in San Francisco (we'll be on hand, eagerly awaiting something), that didn't stop some of their secrets from sneaking their ways onto the web.

A tipster clued us into a survey to gauge future interest in downloadable games on a certain unnamed gaming console featuring motion sensitive controllers (hrmmm) as well as "HD and surround sound" (well, that narrows it down). They describe Blast Factor (pictured above) as "an up-to-date version of Asteroids or Geometry Wars." We'll gloss over that Geometry Wars not up-to-date jab, and concentrate on what it offers: 1080p, motion control support, online rankings, and a potential $5 price point (one of their surveyed price points, and the equivalent of GW's 400 MS points). A quick look at the screens will reinforce the title's close relationship to Xbox Live Arcade's super-hit, Geometry Wars.

But that wasn't it. In addition to our tipster's images, a PS3 Forums member posted an extensive list of screenshots and images of several upcoming e-Distribution titles including: Blast Factor, flOw, Go Sudoku, Lemmings 2, and Swizzleblocks. Games without images or info include: Gripshift, Crash Carnage Ciaos, and Wheel of Fortune. Our tipster also managed to get an image of one additional game, titled Criminal Crackdown, with a tentative price of $14.99. We'll probably know a whole lot more about these titles come Thursday. That wasn't so hard, was it Sony?

Additional images and text from our tipster after the break. Note, PS3 Forums is getting hammered, so check out a (not quite up-to-date) mirror at NeoGAF.

[Thanks, Cabrill and Meh]

Continue reading Sony's Geometry Wars (and other e-Distributed titles) leaked

Sony's Geometry Wars (and other e-Distributed titles) leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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