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Europe getting a PAIN-ful Blu-ray next week

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 16th 2009 at 10:50AM }

The most popular PlayStation Network game of 2008 is finally finding a home on retail disc ... in Europe. A Blu-ray version of the physics-based action game will be out June 24th in Europe, June 25th in Australia and New Zealand, and in the UK and Ireland on June 26th for €24.99/£19.99.

The offline collection will include all the expansions released so far: Abusement Park, Movie Studios and Sore Spots. You can expect a few DLC characters to be included as well, such as Tati, Ginger, Cookie and the Ded Baron. However, while the package is a rather comprehensive offering of PAIN, it will not include the next DLC pack, Museum, coming this summer.

[Thanks, Daniel G.!]

Joystiq hands-on: PAIN's Sore Spots (now with Daxter!)

by Kevin Kelly { Apr 29th 2009 at 6:57PM }

PAIN has come a long way since launching with just one level, two characters, and no online multiplayer. It's managed to rank at the top of PSN downloads through a consistent stream of content add-ons, which -- you guessed it -- have added new levels, new characters, and online multiplayer. We got our hands on the next update, the "Sore Spots" level pack, and its new characters at Sony's recent Gamers' Day in Los Angeles.

Read on for our full preview and to find out what's coming next from developer Idol Minds. (HInt: A heckuva lot more crotch-related agony.)

Gallery: Pain: Sore Spots and New Characters

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Upcoming PAIN expansion features wedgies, aliens and Trophies

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 26th 2009 at 5:20PM }

Looks like PSN's #1 game of 2008 is getting yet another expansion. The next expansion, "Sore Spots," will add two environments: the Morningwood High School gymnasium and the alien-infested Area 69. The expansions will also introduce a few new modes, such as the "Fun With Explosives" inspired "PAIN Science" mode.

The official PAIN blog features more details on the upcoming expansion, but we've taken a peek at the new Trophies for the upcoming expansion. To see Idol Minds' devilish new achievements, check past the break.

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PAIN goes online today

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 19th 2009 at 1:30PM }

PSN's best-selling game of '08 gets an extensive update today, adding voice chat, a lobby system and online play. Idol Minds' Travis Williams explains that the large amount of physics data that is used in the game will demand a hefty internet connection: a minimum of 256k upstream will be required.

Many new online modes will be introduced, including a paid PAIN content pack, dubbed the "Smack Pack." This premium content will include both Fortress and Darts modes of play. See a video of Fortress, after the cut.

[Thanks, Andrew L.!]

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Andy Dick in PAIN and so are we

by Justin McElroy { Mar 18th 2009 at 9:10AM }

From the "moments too late" category of stories comes the news that Andy Dick has recorded voice-over for his likeness in the PSN game, PAIN. Tragically, it comes after Dick has purportedly sobered up and gotten his life on track.

We would have loved to have put Dick in a giant slingshot just a few months ago when he was a total disaster. Now we're too nervous that our download of the "beat the crap out of Andy Dick" DLC is gonna be the one that pushes him off the wagon.

[Via Kotaku]

Video: PAIN getting new Darts mode

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 5th 2009 at 5:35PM }

Looks like the folks at Idol Minds just won't stop expanding PAIN. (Makes sense, considering it's the biggest download on PlayStation Network in 2008). One of the upcoming expansions to PAIN is a new Darts mode. This new mode looks to mix up the fun of Mime Toss with the competitive nature of Bowling. Also new to this mode: online multiplayer, a first for PAIN.

There's still no word on release date or price. Stay tuned as we'll be sure to update you when we find out.

Rumor: William Shatner next celeb to be in PAIN

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }

First David Hasselhoff, now William Shatner?

If VG247's supposed PlayStation Network calendar is to be believed, Star Trek star and Priceline.com spokesperson William Shatner will be the next celebrity offered for download in PAIN. SCEE hasn't confirmed the validity of this information, only saying "the PSN roadmap is for internal purposes" and "it's all subject to change." VG247 notes the Shatner addon will be available on March 19th.

[Via Joystiq]

Report: William Shatner smashing into PAIN

by Jason Dobson { Jan 8th 2009 at 3:47PM }

Whether commanding starships or green aliens into bed, there's no mistaking William Shatner, even if he is a greasy smear on the side of a building. The man who invented the Corbomite Maneuver will soon put his body in players' hands in PAIN, reports videogaming247.

While still unconfirmed, Shatner's ragdoll alter ego would join The Hoff as the latest celebrity to be broken by the -- true fact! -- most popular PSN title ever. James T. Kirk is scheduled to smash into Sony Europe's PSN on March 19th, though a Sony representative tells us the release schedule "is for internal purposes only" and "subject to change." Khaaaan you believe it?

PAIN glitch fixed, world now has solid ground

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 6th 2009 at 3:00PM }

During the holiday break, we discovered a terrible bug in PAIN that rendered new purchases of the Abusement Park expansion completely unplayable. Looks like the bug has been identified and squashed. Scott Goryl from SCEA updated us saying the glitch is fixed. Those that experienced the bug will want to go back to the PlayStation Store and re-download the expansion pack.

With SCEA back in the full swing of things, we're hoping it won't be long until we see other eagerly awaited patches: SOCOM Confrontation's 1.3 patch, LittleBigPlanet save data fix, and Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 save data fix.

New PAIN downloaders experiencing not-so-amusing glitch

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 31st 2008 at 10:04AM }

There are many people that are new to PAIN and its various expansion packs. The "Abusement Park" add-on is corrupted for anyone that downloads it right now. Many are blaming the recent 2.53 patch, which adds a free character and YouTube support to the game. "If you did not have the Abusement park addon downloaded from PSN prior to the update the level is destroyed and unusable, Items fall through the landscape the background image is blank white and the level is unusable."

Direct-feed video of the glitch shows how the game is rendered unplayable ... because nothing gets rendered! Unfortunately, this glitch doesn't appear to be affecting a small group of people. A quick look at this thread shows a lynch mob asking for Idol Minds' head. Once again, this being the holiday season, it seems unlikely that affected individuals will get a patch in the immediate future.

[Thanks, ThatBozGuy!]

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Top 10 downloaded PSN games of 2008

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 19th 2008 at 2:00PM }

PlayStation.com's Pulse program has revealed* PSN's "overall" most downloaded games of 2008. Now, before cursing the heavens that PAIN is at the top of the list, PS3 Fanboy is quick to point out that the game was free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year.

The list is still packed with surprises, especially with the performance of High Velocity Bowling and Aquatopia. It's good to see that PixelJunk Monsters did well, but where's Eden? WipEout HD's absence is also noticeable. We'd definitely like to see Pulse do this as a monthly feature.

*Copied list after the break for our mobile users who may not be able to read the image.

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PAIN is the most downloaded game on PSN in 2008

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 19th 2008 at 1:00PM }

The latest episode of Pulse reveals the top PSN game downloads of 2008. At the top of the list is Idol Minds' PAIN. This isn't too surprising, considering it was included for free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year. However, we're surprised to see how well High Velocity Bowling has done. Other surprises include Aquatopia and High Stakes Poker.

Do you think the top 10 list is missing any games? We certainly think so. Where's WipEout HD? Although it's a PSP remake, we think it's an incredible value.

Here's the list, for those of you unable to see the image above:

Pain
High Velocity Bowling
Super Stardust HD
PixelJunk Monsters
Flow
Warhawk
Aquatopia
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection
High Stakes Poker Edition
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty

LittleBigPlanet and PAIN getting free Xmas-themed costumes

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 10th 2008 at 6:30PM }

'Tis the season to be jolly ... and get free costumes. This week's free LittleBigPlanet costume is themed for the holidays. Everyone, meet Santa Sackboy. He'll be available for download on the PlayStation Store -- in two parts. But that's not the only free costume you'll be finding this holiday season.

PAIN players will discover a new character unlocked in the next game patch: Reindeer Ed (see him after the break). The next PAIN update will not only add a free character, but it will offer YouTube integration as well (something the game always needed!). No date on the PAIN patch, but we doubt it'll take too long.

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PAIN expansion coming this Thursday ... really

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 12th 2008 at 10:35AM }

Looks like the cause of the PAIN expansion pack delay has been resolved. If you looked carefully, you would've seen that there was a PSN Trophy involving a Street Fighter character. (Street Rider - Use any Street Fighter® character to travel 2 miles while grabbing a vehicle) Looks like licensing took longer than expected, and that feature has been removed from the upcoming Hollywood Studio expansion.

Travis from the PAIN blog explains that the expansion pack will be available in tomorrow's PSN update: "Everything is going well and we will get our approval form Format at the end of the day. Unless something blows up (which is highly unlikely) we WILL ship on Thursday @ 15:00 GMT." Considering this is PAIN, we wouldn't be surprised to have something blow up.

Hassel the Hoff later, PAIN expansion delayed

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 5th 2008 at 8:53PM }

This shouldn't come as a surprise to the PAIN community. The next expansion pack, Hollywood Studio, has been delayed. The pack, which includes everyone's almost-favorite Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, was originally scheduled to release this Thursday. "We were trying to get all the content/ legal issues squared away so that we could release and we held out even until yesterday. Unfortunately, we couldn't clear all our issues in time to deploy worldwide on Thursday," PAIN's Travis Williams explains on the official blog.

The team is trying to make sure the delay is less than two weeks. To make up for the delay, the team is promising a special Christmas surprise which they will make free -- a rarity in the PAIN world.

To get a sneak peak at what could be the cause of the delay, look at PAIN's updated Trophy list.