SOCOM: Confrontation: High-Res Screens & Information

Sony Computer Entertainment have updated the PlayStation.Blog today with the two previously released images of SOCOM: Confrontation in high-definition (click pictures for larger size). They explain each screenshot as well.

The first one is the Crossroads map, better known as the most fan-requested SOCOM map. The shot is taken from the new OTS camera, but in the screenshot, the player is backed against a wall, so it looks a bit strange.The guy to the upper right of the screenshot is aiming with a M87ELR, and his teammate by the tree is wielding a G36-C. The mercenary charging up the street is firing with an F90.

The second image is a brand new map, which has a 16 player core area and an expanded footpring for 32 player matches. The building you see there is a ruined shopping center, a great area for sniping. The player in the screenshot is using an M60-E3. The other players are wielding an AK-47, a USAS-12 and a SASR sniper rifle in this shot.

SealTeam-6 wants us to know as well that "There is an option to use classic SOCOM camera! It looks and feels like the original classic camera!" Thats just about it.

[Breaking the Silence - New SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Screens!]

Capcom Working on 15 Other Projects

Capcom, creators of the Mega Man, Devil May Cry, Lost Planet, Street Fighter, Dead Rising, Bionic Commando, & more series, are hiring. No doubt Capcom has made some of the best titles the industry has ever seen. Not that good with year old ports though.

Capcom is working on 15 new projects, some being Dark Void, Street Fighter 2 HD Remix, Commando 3, and titles that haven't been announced yet. If you want to get in on the action and become a member of their team, take a look at the job openings.

Perhaps share some of the information with us of what exactly these projects are.

[15 Projects Cooking and We Need More Chefs]

Saints Row 2: Customization to the Max

In a new IGN preview for Volition's upcoming Saints Row 2, they reveal some new story details. After the bomb explodes, your kingpin managed to survive the explosion, facing serious cosmetic damage. You begin a new storyline and redesign your character at a doctor's office as if your getting surgery. You find out later that it was the top members of your gang that set you up to buy the farm, and you need to rebuild the gang, and get revenge.

The ganes we know as Los Carnales, the Vice Kings, and the Westside Rollerz are gone. New gangs are coming in. One of the gangs shown during the presentation were the Sons of Samedi. No background was given on them. Stillwater has gone through major changes as well.

You can now use cars as weapons. We are not talking about running enemies over, we are talking about turning your car into a bomb. Throw some fireworks in the hood, ditch it, and watch it blow.

Saints Row 2 has huge customization options. Everyone has the ability to change their face, eyebrow length, character's mouth, and such, but Volition is taking it further than just that. You'll be able to customize your character's taunt, compliment, walk, and combat styles as well. You also have the ability to upgrade your crib as well, adding objects such as a stripper pole or nicer electronics.

There isn't much left to the preview, you can read the full article at the link below.

[Saints Row 2 First Look]

PlayStation Store Overhaul to Include Video Store?

Well, we already know the PlayStation Store is getting an overhaul in April 2008. Sources who attended Destination PlayStation last week in Scottsdale, Arizona say Sony showed off some of it's video store which uses the same SingStore-like interface the new PlayStation Store will have. There is a mock-up on the right made by Kotaku. No specifics were given, but if anything, these stores will probably be integrated into one.

[Sony's PlayStation 3 Video Store Sounds Ready To Go]

SEGA Superstars Tennis: Chu Chu Rocket Game

SEGA Superstars Tennis isn't just going to be any ordinary tennis game. It's packed with mini-games as well. One of these mini-games is the Chu Chu Rocket mini-game. Yes, all mini-games are played using tennis. It looks quite fun!

Hopefully soon we will see the return of the Jet Set Radio series.

Gamecock Launches Section 8 Website

Gamecock & TimeGate have officially launched the website for their upcoming sci-fi shooter, Section 8, today.

Section 8 is an intense first-person shooter that allows players to dynamically alter the flow of combat as they see fit. Employing tactical assets and on-demand vehicle deliveries, players are given unprecedented strategic control over epic sci-fi battlefields. Enjoy the site.

[SECTION 8] [Section 8 Website Now Live]

PSW March 2008 Contains One New Grand Theft Auto IV Scanshot

The Marach 2008 of PSW contains yet another preview of Rockstar's upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV. Information is light in the preview, but there is one new screenshot in the article. We will call it a scanshot for now.

[March PSW provides new screenshot]

Phil Harrison Appointed President of Infogrames

Seems like it was true. Phil Harrison has today been announced i n New York City that he is the new president of Atari's parent company, Infogrames. He resigned from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe last week, and now works for Atari. Congrats Phil!

[Phil Harrison appointed president of Infogrames]

Facebreaker: 13 New Screenshots

Thanks to Kotaku, we have some new screenshots of Electronic Arts' upcoming Facebreaker. EA Canada's upcoming cartoon-styled boxing game is really looking good. I can't wait to start knocking some heads. Enjoy!

Valykria Chronicles Japanese TV Spot

SEGA's upcoming Valkyria Chronicles may be waiting for an August 2008 release in the US, but Japan is getting this tactical-RPG on April 24, 2008. While we wait, let us enjoy this Japanese TV spot, showcasing the beauty of the title. Enjoy!

Dark Sector Online Half-Assed on PlayStation 3

D3 Publisher has released the official details on Dark Sector's online modes. There are many differences between the Xbox 360 version's online mode, and the PlayStation 3's.

First off, both console versions are played with their online provided and also have System Link/LAN as a choice as well. Each multiplayer game supports up to ten players, and have access to five different maps.

Leaderboards are available on both console versions of the gam as well. However, the Xbox 360 leaderboards uses TrueSkill ranking and the PlayStation 3's uses traditional scoring.

The PlayStation 3 version of the game will only support the ability to search for or create multiplayer games. The Xbox 360 version, however, allows you to create, join, and search for multiplayer games, use a Quick game option, Custom game option, and a Ranked game option.

Talk about half-assed.

Race Driver: GRID Interview: No Significant Difference in Console Versions

In an new interview with Ralph Fulton, the Chief Games Designer for the upcoming Race Driver: GRID from Codemasters, he sheds some light on the upcoming title.

They speak of the EGO engine on both consoles. The EGO engine is the engine running Race Driver: GRID. They state that there is no significant difference between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the engine. They aren't using a lead console, meaning each platform had it's own development team. They are locking the game at 30 frames per second.

Codemasters is planning to release a demo of Race Driver: GRID on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace at the start of May.

For more on the game, read the full interview at the link below.

[Race Driver: GRID Interview]

Sony: In-Game Communication to Arrive in the Summer

For those of you wondering when we will get in-game XMB, I think we finally have an answer. Sadly, it's not a good one. In an interview with SCE UK Boss, Ray Maguire, he tells us that in-game communication will arrive in a firmware update during the summer.

“Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios. I’d personally like to thank our trade and business partners for helping us on the start of the PS3 journey.”

There you have it, straight from his mouth. Looks like we have quite a bit of waiting to do.

[Sony hails retail as PS3 hits 1m]

Japan: Stores Pay More for Old PLAYSTATION 3s

According to Japanese gaming blog, My Game News Flash, a year ago, 20GB PS3s were being bought back at ¥15,000 (US $145) for 20GB and ¥20,000 ($194) for 60GB.

Now that Sony has let go of the backwards compatibility, the two launch systems are getting more valuable. Now stores are buying back used consoles the 20GB for ¥40,100 ($388) and the 60GB for ¥46,000 ($446). That means they are going to turn that around into possibly a $600-$700 sale. Only in Japan people.

[Stores Pay More for Old PLAYSTATION 3s]