Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Paid subscription a possibility for the future of PlayStation Network]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/paid-subscription-and-achievements-the-future-of-playstation-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/paid-subscription-and-achievements-the-future-of-playstation-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/paid-subscription-and-achievements-the-future-of-playstation-ne/#commentsFiled under:


Paying for a subscription would certainly seem to be a possibility, especially as the long-rumored feature upgrades come filing into the PlayStation Network. When speaking with Geoff Keighley on the latest edition of Gametrailers' Bonus Round, Eric Lempel spoke about the PlayStation Network's current free service and that, "in time, anything can change." Comparing the PlayStation Network to Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Lempel, Sony's director of Network Operations reconfirmed "we're working on an achievements system," describing its inclusion as "an important feature." Voice-chat across all games is also something (thankfully) that Mr. Lempel touched base on, saying "talking across games ... definitely builds momentum for games and actually migrate(s) users to other games and keeps you in touch with your gaming community." We couldn't agree more.

Exactly when these implementations will make it to a PS3 near you, via firmware upgrade, is uncertain. "It's not in the next firmware update but it's something we're working on," says Mr. Lempel. We certainly hope so, though we are catching wind of the potential trade-off here. What do you think? Would you pay a subscription fee (similar to Xbox Live) for a plan that allows cross-game invites, built-in voice chat for all multiplayer games and a similar achievement points implementation? Or would you rather say the heck with all that, and voice to keep the PlayStation Network free for all, setting it apart from Microsoft's Xbox Live service?

[Via Next-Gen]

JoystiqPaid subscription a possibility for the future of PlayStation Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementscross-game inviteCross-gameInviteeric lempelEricLempelmicrosoftplaystation networkPlaystationNetworkvoice chatVoiceChatxbox liveXboxLiveMon, 18 Jun 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make VOIP calls with your PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/make-voip-calls-with-your-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/make-voip-calls-with-your-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/make-voip-calls-with-your-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,


Voice communication is coming to the PS3 in a big way. A VOIP service provider by the name of Jajah, has tailored an interface with the PS3 in mind. Users can head to the Jajah website via the PS3 web browser to setup the number they wish to initiate a call with. Jajah already provides VOIP supports extensions for Firefox, Outlook and even PDAs. Gamers already have voice chat while in game over the PlayStation Network, if games decide to include and support it. However, Jajah's VOIP service could allow one solution for gamers, regardless of voice support, on all PS3 titles. While the process isn't quite as streamlined as another network we heard about, it's still a welcome step in the right direction. Solidifying the good news is word that Intel has invested $15 million in the company, via its Intel Capital arm. Perhaps this is the beginning of a more unified voice chat solution on the PlayStation Network?

JoystiqMake VOIP calls with your PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intel capitalIntelCapitaljajahplaystation networkPlaystationNetworkvoice chatVoiceChatvoipWed, 09 May 2007 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS headsets thrown into ring, forced to fight to the death]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/22/ds-headsets-thrown-into-ring-forced-to-fight-to-the-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/22/ds-headsets-thrown-into-ring-forced-to-fight-to-the-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/22/ds-headsets-thrown-into-ring-forced-to-fight-to-the-death/#commentsFiled under: ,

Did you pick up a DS headset today along with your preorder of Pokémon Diamond/Pearl? What will you be using to take advantage of the online voice chat feature? Nintendo's official headset, Turtle Beach's Earforce D2, or Datel's Communicator? Or will you be slumming it with the handheld's built-in microphone?

If you're still in the market for a headset solution, Nintendo Gal has posted a comparison chart and her analysis on the three products. Testing their comfort, durability, sound output, and recording quality, she was able to determine which one deserves our hard-earned allowance money. There are even recording samples available that you can listen to and weigh in on yourself.

We're surprised that the Earforce D2 was judged as the best of the lot, but seeing that it's also the most expensive at $19.99 (Nintendo's headset is on sale for $9.99 at Amazon), it's good to know that you're not paying that premium for nothing. Turtle Beach's headset outclassed the official one in every category except recording quality, while Datel's Communicator was laughed out of the competition.

JoystiqDS headsets thrown into ring, forced to fight to the death originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatcommunicatord2dateldsearforceearforced2headsetnintendonintendodsturtlebeachvoicevoicechatvoipwifiSun, 22 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Voice chat in the works for Phantom Hourglass?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/14/voice-chat-in-the-works-for-phantom-hourglass/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/14/voice-chat-in-the-works-for-phantom-hourglass/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/14/voice-chat-in-the-works-for-phantom-hourglass/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last week's issue of Famitsu hid more in its Japanese text than just the June 23rd release date for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Zelda Universe's novice translation of the scanned pages indicates that the title might support online voice chat. Though this feature doesn't seem useful beyond setting up matches and trash-talking with your friends, it's a nice addition to the meager multiplayer mode.

With upcoming games like Pokemon Diamond/Pearl and Panel de Pon also planning to use the Nintendo DS' VoIP capabilities, purchasing the uncomfortable-looking, official headset is beginning to make a lot more sense to us. Of all the titles we expected to eventually include voice communication, Phantom Hourglass was definitely not one of them.

Update: Having a bit more experience with the Japanese language, The Hylia translated the Famitsu scans in an effort to confirm this news. Much to our dismay, The Hylia found that there is no voice chat support planned for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

[Via Digg]

JoystiqVoice chat in the works for Phantom Hourglass? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfamitsulegendofzeldalinknintendonintendodsnintendowificonnectionnwfconlinephphantomhourglassthelegendofzeldavoicechatvoipwfcwifizeldaSat, 14 Apr 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft to doctor Rainbow Six Vegas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/ubi-to-doctor-rainbow-six/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/ubi-to-doctor-rainbow-six/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/ubi-to-doctor-rainbow-six/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

vegas, baby.Ubisoft has released a list of some 36 gameplay issues that will be addressed in an upcoming Rainbow Six Vegas patch, including the now infamous voice chat bug. This latest development adds to the growing concern that console titles, particularly their online modes, are being governed by a 'ship now, fix later' mentality.

Who will protect us from such lax development standards?

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqUbisoft to doctor Rainbow Six Vegas originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CommunicationHeadsetMultiplayerPatchRainbow SixRainbow Six VegasRainbowSixRainbowSixVegasTom ClancyTomClancyUbisoftVoice ChatVoiceChatXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveThu, 07 Dec 2006 22:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Third-party X360 Bluetooth headset beats MS to the punch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/third-party-x360-bluetooth-headset-beats-ms-to-the-punch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/third-party-x360-bluetooth-headset-beats-ms-to-the-punch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/third-party-x360-bluetooth-headset-beats-ms-to-the-punch/#commentsFiled under: ,

Datel's 3rd-party Xbox 360 Bluetooth headset has popped up on Amazon UK with a shipping date of the 30th of June and with a price tag of £59.99/$109. Originally the headset was said to ship on the 17th of March, but there's still no mention of it on the company's website, so it's possible that Amazon jumped the gun by placing it on their site. If it does ship when they say, it'll have the market for wireless Xbox 360 headsets to itself for quite a while; Microsoft hasn't said anything more about when their official headset will be released.

The device itself is a bundle of what appears to be a relatively generic Bluetooth headset--it looks strikingly similar to Motorola's HS820 headset--coupled with a dongle that attaches to the controller's standard headset port, packaged together in a standard Xbox-green and white box.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

JoystiqThird-party X360 Bluetooth headset beats MS to the punch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BluetoothBT HeadsetBtHeadsetHeadsetLiveMicrosoftMotorolaOnlineonline gamingOnlineGamingVoice ChatVoiceChatWirelessXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveTue, 27 Jun 2006 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 worldwide in November [UPDATE 21]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PS3 Early November 2006 Worldwide Launch cropped montageIt looks like the PS3 press conference is just getting started.

IGN reports Ken Kutaragi's opening statement as follows: "It is my aim to clear things up about the PlayStation 3 today. The PS2, the PS3, the network, and Future Cell Network, this will all be addressed."

More as we get it... Update 16--the wrap-up: The PS3 will launch "in early November 2006 in Japan, North America and Europe simultaneously." Incorporating the final specifications of the Blu-ray format will enable "playback of BD software at a high bit rate," with "a maximum storage capacity of 50 GB (dual layer) and robust security." The PS3 will be compatible with all kinds of TVs and a high-speed broadband connection. Update 19 (via 1UP's updated page): DRM was what delayed the launch, but the system will come with a 60GB HDD preinstalled before 11/11/06.

[Thanks, bv; pics used to create new montage from Watch Impress]

Continue reading PS3 worldwide in November [UPDATE 21]

JoystiqPS3 worldwide in November [UPDATE 21] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Mar 2006 01:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$199 PSP base unit$199PspBaseUnit4D50000 Yen50000Yen60GBbackwards compatibleBackwardsCompatibleBlu-raydev kitDevKitDRME-Distributionearly NovemberEarlyNovemberEuropeEyeToyFiscal Year 2006FiscalYear2006Flashfree basic serviceFreeBasicServiceFuture Cell NetworkFutureCellNetworkGPShard driveHardDriveHDMIJapanKen KutaragiKenKutaragilobby matchingLobbyMatchingMemory StickMemoryStickNorth AmericaNorthAmericaPlayStation Business Briefing 2006PlaystationBusinessBriefing2006press conferencePressConferenceprice dropPriceDropPS2PS3PSOnePSPsimultaneous launchSimultaneousLaunchsix millionSixMillionUSBvoice chatvoice-over-IPVoiceChatworldwideWed, 15 Mar 2006 01:43:00 EST