After a day of frustration, rage and worry about today’s PSN crash, the network is finally back online.
Source: [PlayStation.Blog - PSN Restored]
On Sunday 28th February, the PSN became inaccessable and gamers were shown a 8001050F Error code display. A quick search of this code revealed that the entire world of PS3 users, excluding the PS3 Slim users, suffered a similar fate.
It was revealed that the error was caused by the fat-systems’ internal clock treating 2010 as a leap year.
More on this Major PSN Crash:[PlayStation.Blog - Latest Info On PSN Status]
During this temporary crisis, Sony announced that PS3 users must not use the console until after word of the fix or else…”or else” meant possible loss of data etc. I have just had experience of this “or else” but in a minor form which I will describe in the forums here.
So, yes Trinidad and Tobago…it should be safe to turn on your PS3 (but I take no account for anything that may happen =P).
This game is shaping up to be one of the most original, interactive-story experience this year and is due for release on February 23rd. It has similarities to a film-noir thriller and somehow reminds me of Silence of the Lambs.
The mall-scene gameplay above can only get you excited so much (and annoyed at ‘Jason’). That is why there is the news of a demo that will be released on the PSN come February 11th. The demo contains 2 chapters; one featuring FBI agent Norman Jayden attempting to track down the Origami Killer, the other on Scott Shelby, PI.
Source [Joystiq]
MAG, the 256 player game, that pits 128 vs 128 players in multiplayer comes to PS3 exclusively on Tuesday 26th January 2010.
An optional update for the PlayStation 3 is now out. (This means you manually go to “System Update” in your PS3 Settings to download it.)
Firmware 3.15 adds the ability to play PSP “Minis” on the console (cheap downloadable games originally psp exclusive).
The update also finally adds a long requested data transfer feature.
This feature allows a person with a second or new ps3, to connect that new ps3 to their old one via ethernet cable, and initiate a data transfer between them. This data transfer copies all the saved data, games, files and settings from the old system to the new one. The catch though is that any “Copy Protected” save files from the old ps3 will not “copy” to the new system, rather be “moved” to the new system. That means when the process is completed, the copy protected data will be deleted from the old ps3, but be present on the new ps3.
This patch is a big deal for many users that have experienced the Yellow Light of Death error and had their systems repaired. The data transfer gives certainty to users who invest in a new console to replace the old so that all their hard earned data is transferred to the new system.
Update is live, check it out and feedback is welcome!
Turn on your PS3 and start the system update. Firmware 3.10 is now available, and the first phase of PS3 Facebook Integration and modifications to the friends list and photos section.
The PlayStation.Blog revealed some details regarding an upcoming firmware for the PS3 which fixes some issues from firmware 3.00 and adds a couple of aesthetic features.
Also added to the update is the integration of the popular social networking website, Facebook, to the XMB interface. Facebook members will have the ability to update the Facebook News Feed with Trophy and PlayStation Store activity. Game developers also have the choice of integrating accomplishments in the game directly to the news feed.
Responding to the negative feedback about the grey boxes around the friends list, Sony has removed the boxes on all friends in the list except for the one currently being highlighted. Sony has also provided the ability to change the colour of your Gamer Tag, which will be seen when friends highlight your tag in the friends list.
The photo section of the XMB has been updated to a grid view instead of the normal vertical view of the photos. Now it will be easier to find that particular picture in a folder that contains hundreds of them.
Here is a video describing the highlights of the 3.10 firmware update, which should be out soon according to the PlayStation.Blog website:
[Via PlayStation.Blog]
Yesterday, Square-Enix has released a video revealing the release date for their upcoming flagship title, Final Fantasy XIII. The game will be released simultaneously in the US and EU for both the PS3 and the Xbox360 on March 9th 2010, and exclusively to the PS3 in Japan on December 17th 2009.
Mr. John Yamamoto, president and CEO of Square-Enix Inc. says, “…Final Fantasy XIII will exceed all expectations“. While the English version of the game would not contain both English and Japanese voices, as was expected, the English voices were actually well done. There will be upgradable weapons similar to Final Fantasy VIII and a new leveling system called the Crystalium System, which resembles the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy X. Also new to the title is a Paradigm Shift mode which allows the player the assign roles to characters in a somewhat similar fashion to Final Fantasy XII’s Gambit system.
Final Fantasy XIII is the most eagerly anticipated title in the Final Fantasy franchise and maybe the most anticipated role playing game for the PS3. (The instant I get news that I can make Lightning weak at Thunder and powerful at Water/Ice, then its on my list for Q1 2010.)
This September October will be a very interesting time to be in PlayStation Home as version 1.3 will be released the first day of that month. Now, it should be noted that this will be a very serious update which will bring some major requested features to the PlayStation Network community. Features like:
- Universal Game Launching with any PS3 game without the need to sign out of Home!
- In-Store Item Previewing that allows even combinations of clothing to be previewed on your avatar in 3-D (something I’ve wanted for a long time). You can even view furniture in full 3-D
- Free Cameras to capture that memorable moment with friends (in either 1st or 3rd person view) and instantly save the pictures to the PS3’s HDD
- More Portable Objects like the Bubble Machine. However, the developers have seen what problems portable objects can cause (e.g. trouble accessing mini-games with a Bubble Machine nearby) and so have devised a solution. Now you can ‘hide’ someone’s object(s) and make targeting easy
- Determine Your Cache Size from 3GB to 12 GB to allow a smoother Home experience
- a SingStar Home Space will be released around the same time as the v1.3 update. Reactive dance-floor, SingStar Quiz and a Video-Voting Jukebox are enough to have a party with friends anytime
- and…Limited Use Items like a Shrinking Potion can be purchased, and yes it really does shrink your avatar!
Tom Thumb comes Home
There will also be fixes, additions and optimisations in the update, and judging by the major features above, there certainly will be lots for everyone to enjoy in Home come September October.
Read more via: [PlayStation.Blog, PlayStation.Blog(update)]
PlayStation 3 (PS3) firmware update (v3.00) adds a number of great new features that we’re excited to share with you. The latest update incorporates changes that improve navigation on your PS3. First, you’ll notice some cosmetic changes to the design of the XMB (Xross Media Bar). We’ve enhanced the look and feel of the XMB so that it’s easier and even more intuitive to use. We’ve also added network improvements and personalization options to help enhance your PS3 experience.
Additional highlights from update 3.00 include:
“What’s New” – The “Information Board” will be replaced with a “What’s New” section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, “What’s New” displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.Status Indicator – In the top right corner we’ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.
Friends List – Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends’ respective profiles.PlayStation Store Shortcuts – We’ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.
Personalization – Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.Trophies – Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories—base trophies and add-on trophies—that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.
[Via Playstation.Blog]
Although there weren’t many major surprises at Sony’s E3 press conference this year (thanks to several pre-E3 leaks), the company managed to impress the audience with its future line-up of quality titles for both the PS3 and PSP. While Sony was proud to showcase trailers and live demos of its superior exclusives, the PSP Go! (aka ‘the worst kept secret of E3‘) was the highlight of the show.
Kaz Hirai, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., officially announced that the PSP Go! will not replace the current PSP-3000 model but will stand alongside it when it is released on Oct. 1st 2009. This new model is 15% lighter and 43% smaller than the PSP-3000 and utilises a sliding screen that covers the face buttons. Although the UMD drive has been removed, it promotes the feature of direct downloads from the PSStore and the new Media Go! which will replace the previous Media Manager. Kaz stated that this does not mean the UMD format will become obsolete as it will still be sold.
Sony also presented live demos including:
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Massive Action Game (MAG) – actual 256 players live
- Assassin’s Creed II
- Mod Nation Racers
- God of War III
Exclusive games that were revealed were:
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- MAG
- Gran Turismo PSP
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP) – a true sequel to MGS3
- Agent – from Rockstar Games
- Final Fantasy XIV (online)
- Mod Nation Racers – the LittleBigPlanet of racing
- The Last Guardian – Team Ico’s masterpiece
- Gran Turismo 5
- God of War III – March 2010 release date
The day before, Microsoft was proud to show a tech demo of their Project Natal motion-sensing and voice-recognition camera. Sony made it known that they are also working on motion-sensing by use of a new prototype controller and the PS Eye. It wasn’t as impressive as Project Natal, but unique and interesting nonetheless. This motion controller is due for release in Spring 2010.
For those of you who wish to watch the entire E3 press conferences, here are the links to the rebroadcasting videos below:
[Via CNet (1), CNet (2), Mirror, DigitalSomething]
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