Joystiq

House of the Dead 3 on PSN next week, demo out now for PS Plus

Mike Schramm — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST

On-rails arcade shooter House of the Dead 3 is coming to the PlayStation Network on Valentine's Day, according to the official Sega blog. Just in time for you and your sweetheart to blow apart a few zombie heads, the game will be available for $6.99. For the next two weeks following its release, a free avatar will be included with purchase, making it a little like getting a Kit Kat bar with your very own Whitman's Sampler.

PlayStation Plus members have an even better deal: They'll be able to get House of the Dead 3 for 30% off until February 28, and will also get an exclusive theme and a few more avatars with the title. And starting today, PS Plus members can download the demo of the game, an exclusive that lasts until February 21.

House of the Dead 3 on PSN next week, demo out now for PS Plus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

PSA: PlayStation Plus launch details

JC Fletcher — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In case you're still hazy on the precise services included with Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription (and, let's be honest, that's not your fault), Sony recently detailed the initial offerings on PlayStation Blog. This should help you decide whether or not to subscribe when the service becomes available later today. (Protip: You'll need the latest firmware update, 3.40.)

Basically, you pay either $18 for three months or $50 for a year (plus 3 additional months if you sign up for the full year now). Each month new games will be available for you to download and play as long as you keep your subscription active. For the initial month, you'll get access to Wipeout HD, the, Age of Zombies Mini, PSOne Classic Rally Cross, Qore epsidoes, and an inFamous "Full Game Trial" (with option to purchase the full downloaded game and continue where the trial ends).

You'll also be able to set up automatic downloads of this content, if you want to feel like you're paying your PS3 to bring things to you.

Update: Find the full list of PlayStation Plus launch content in our PSN Tuesday update.

[Thanks, Vcize]

PSA: PlayStation Plus launch details originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cross-game party chat coming to PS3 (with strings attached) [Update]

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:55:00 EST

Update: A Sony representative reached out to us, saying "Cross-game voice chat was not announced as part of PlayStation Plus." The feature was not officially announced at E3, however sources familiar with the situation say that this incentive will be announced at a later date. "The new offering provides subscribers features such as frequent discounts on PlayStation Store content, free and exclusive access to select games, full game trials, early invitations to select betas of popular games, and new functionality such as content downloads and updates which will automatically be "pushed" to the PS3 system."

Cross-game chat is coming to the PlayStation Network! According to our sources at the company, Sony will offer cross-game chat, which allows PSN members to talk to each other, even while playing different games. However, the oft-demanded feature does come with one large caveat: chats can only be initiated by PlayStation Plus members.

PlayStation Plus members will be able to send invites to any member of the PlayStation Network, free or paid. Up to four PSN members can be in a party chat, however at least one participant must be a member of PlayStation Plus. The chat will discontinue if all paying members disconnect.

While some may be disappointed that such a hotly demanded feature is closed behind a pay wall, the service is still technically available to free members. So long as you're popular and have friends that pay for PlayStation Plus, you should be able cross-game chat and keep your free ride, too.

Cross-game party chat coming to PS3 (with strings attached) [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony E3 2010 keynote, live from the Shrine Auditorium

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:47:00 EST

We're outside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, waiting for Sony's E3 2010 press conference to begin. With multiple sequels, like Killzone 3, LittleBigPlanet 2 and Infamous 2 already announced and revealed, what will Sony have to show today? Will there be any surprises? Come back at 3:00PM EST for the big updates, but feel free to join us for some pre-show chatter after the break.

Sony E3 2010 keynote, live from the Shrine Auditorium originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SCEE president alludes to upcoming paid PSN subscription option

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

Even though Sony officially "won't comment on rumors or speculation" regarding a paid PSN offering in the near future, Sony Europe president Andrew House gave a bit more substantial answer in a recent Q&A on the UK PlayStation site. When asked outright, "Will PlayStation Network become a paying service?", House responded, "Kaz Hirai stated a few months ago that we were looking at a premium service to sit alongside the current free service and that objective has not changed. You'll learn more about it very soon."

He went on to console potentially upset readers with the knowledge that "the current PSN as you know it will remain a free service." That said, it seems like times are a-changin' for Sony's online network, and some (if not all) of the claims in our recent report on a "PSN+" service may come to pass in the not so distant future (cross-game chat, anyone?). If we were bettin' folks, we'd bet that not so distant future will start around the time of E3.

[Via 1UP]

SCEE president alludes to upcoming paid PSN subscription option originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumor: Sony to reveal 'PSN+' subscription service at E3 2010

Xav de Matos — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:05:00 EST

According to Joystiq's sources, Sony is set to reveal a premium tier of the PlayStation Network service, labeled PSN+, during its 2010 E3 media briefing. Unlike Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold service, PSN+ will focus on giving paid subscribers additional bonuses without limiting online multiplayer between paying and nonpaying users.

Many of the features included in the premium service mimic those featured in a supposed survey released late last year. Sources tell us that subscribers will have access to a rotating list of PSP Minis and PSone Classics, exclusive in-game DLC, discounts to the PlayStation Store and "first hour" demo access to full retail titles. Following the first hour of gameplay, players will have the ability to purchase the full title; however, demo access will only be available once the entire title has been downloaded.

As PSN+ subscribers, gamers will also receive protection for their consoles with the recently announced PlayStation Protection Plan, as well as exclusive access to the long-awaited cross-game voice chat. Additional features are said to be in the works following the launch of PSN+, including the previously rumored cloud-based saving system.

Joystiq has been informed that PSN+ subscribers will also have the ability to enable an auto-patching feature, which will detect, download and install updates for recently played PS3 titles on the system.

Pricing and a release for the PSN+ service is unknown, though one source speculates PSN+ may cost $9.99 per month. When contacted, a Sony representative said the company does not "comment on rumors or speculation."

Rumor: Sony to reveal 'PSN+' subscription service at E3 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments