Recently released in Europe is Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (coming to the US on April 19, 2008). The Blu-Ray disc version of the game comes with an advertisement for the upcoming PlayStation Network social community, Home. The advertisement displays the features of Home along with some of the requirements. Great to see they are getting it out.
[Home is being advertised on flyer In side GT5 prologues disc case!]
Well look at what we have here. Polyphony Digital has a nice surprise for experienced Gran Turismo 5 Prologue gamers who complete every event in every class. When you do that, you get this Honda CBR 600 in your garage free of charge. Talk about winning an online race.
[Honda CBR 600 in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue]
Konami knows how to build hype for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. First, they released Metal Gear Solid on the Japanese PlayStation Store, then they released The Essential Collection on the PS2. Of course, us American and European audiences would like Metal Gear Solid on our PlayStation Stores as well.
Ryan Payton stated on the latest episode of the Kojima Productions Report podcast that if many people in Japan download the classic re-release, then its interest could be released elsewhere. Lets hope Japan comes through for us.
[MGS1 on PSN could happen if Japanese interest is high enough]
A Sony Computer Entertainment contact for BitBag seems to have revealed some more on the upcoming PlayStation Store redesign. Since it's nothing official, we will smack the rumor label on this.
First off, the new store design is going to have a much better categorization system, letting you sort the items on each page by name, most downloads, date added, and category.
Second off, newer download types are going to be added to the PlayStation Store, meaning you'll be able to download full-length movies.
Now, lastly, there is going to be a mature section on the new store. The mature section features M-Rated games along with adult movies and such. To access the store, you'll need to go to the sign-up page, and verify your age. Then in 3-4 days, you'll receive a message on the PlayStation 3 from Sony, allowing you to access the content.
[PSN Store Redesign: Giggity Giggity.]
Today, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe officially announced SOCOM: Confrontation for the PlayStation 3. The game is going to include all these features when it releases late this year.
London, March 28th 2008: - SOCOM: Confrontation™ brings the highly decorated SOCOM franchise to PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). Focused exclusively on on-line play and powered by PLAYSTATION®Network, SOCOM: Confrontation delivers the contemporary combat experience that the SOCOM series is known for.
SOCOM: Confrontation allows players to freely associate, form teams and compete in up to 32 player battles and massive player tournaments. Customize your character and equip him from a selection of weapons. Recruit others, or be recruited, into an elite unit formed from free agents or friends you have served with before. Whether you are a Squad leader, or a soldier taking orders, everyone has a part to play. This is the chance for your team to confront the best soldiers the world has to offer and prove your superiority.
Featuring some of the most highly trained Special Forces regiments in the world, SOCOM: Confrontation is, like all true military scenarios, all about strategy and teamwork. Reward your troops not only when they are brave and fearless but when they use intelligence and work as a team. Trawl the world for the best soldiers to strengthen your team as you lead your men against other highly skilled outfits.
Country Name (abbreviation) Name in full
USA SEALs US Navy SEALs
UK SAS Special Air Service
France 1er RPIM 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine
Spain UOE Unidad de Operaciones Especiales
Germany KSK Kommando SpezialkräfteSOCOM Confrontation’s online offering on PLAYSTATION Network is supported by SOCOM.com - which allows you to manage your team online away from your PS3 – and will be backed by regular downloads from PLAYSTATION Network, including new Special Forces characters weapons and maps.
Competition is also a major factor in SOCOM Confrontation and many tournaments are available for you to show off your clan’s military knowledge and prowess. Choose from pre-set tournaments tailored to your schedule; these run on weekdays and weekends and are split on a regional and global basis.
Key features that make SOCOM Confrontation such a great online game include:
- Intense online combat experience with up to 32 players delivered in High Definition
- 7 highly detailed maps
- New engine built for PS3 with advanced physics, lighting and ballistics including penetration modelling
- Choice of playing as one of five special forces units: United States Navy SEALs, Special Air Service (SAS, United Kingdom), Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK, Germany), Unidad de Operaciones Especiales (UOE, Spain), 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa, France)
- Unrivalled Community Features with increased clan & ladder support
- Tournaments available at the regional, national and global levels
- Advanced player matching enable players to form teams with their friends and easily join an online game
- Integration with SOCOM.com: Stat tracking, clan management tools, My SOCOM pages and more
This is a 21st Century game for the 21st Century online soldier. SOCOM Confrontation™ launches on PS3 and will be available on Blu-ray Disc and as a download from PLAYSTATION Network.
On April 17, 2008, the PlayStation Store will be receiving some cake. It's not a lie this time. The famous ending song of Portal, titled "Still Alive" by Jonathan Coulton will be arriving on April 17, 2008 for the low price of $0.00. Yeah, that means free.
We should of been receiving it this Thursday or tomorrow, but due to the "no updates" till April 17, 2008, we will have to wait.
[Rock Band Weekly: Still Alive free tomorrow on XBM, April 17 for PSN]
A Sony Computer Entertainment source has told EuroGamer that the new PlayStation Store "will no longer use the PS3 browser". The new Store, launching in Mid-April, will feature a slick new interface along with improvements in other areas too.
"It will cache all images properly and is much faster than the old one," he says.
He told us that the Store "will require everyone to upgrade to 2.30 [firmware]," which Sony hasn't mentioned yet in public. Seems correct due to having to remove the old store icon and add in the new one.
[Revamped PS3 Store "will no longer use the PS3 browser"]
“The new design will deliver a hugely improved navigation system, much greater scope for categorisation and a dynamic new user interface,” said the company in a statement.
They state that there will be no content updates until the store relaunches in April. Kind of sucks, but at least the new store is coming. The official screenshots can be seen above and below. View the press release below. [VG247]
PLAYSTATION®Store to undergo April revamp
Customer feedback drives new design, interface and navigation
Updates on hold for two weeks; new-look Store launches mid-AprilThis April, PLAYSTATION®Store, the online content store on PLAYSTATION®Network, is getting a whole new look and feel – and it’s in response to feedback from the millions of PSN registrants in the PAL region.
The revamp comes in response to a survey last year which showed that many PLAYSTATION Store users wanted a better interface and easier navigation. The new design will deliver a hugely improved navigation system, much greater scope for categorisation and a dynamic new user interface.
Content will be suspended for two weeks while the improvements are carried out but users can look forward to a special update in mid-April.
There will be no weekly content updates between now and the re-launch, although users can still download content from the back catalogue, such as Warhawk™ and Gran Turismo™ 5 Prologue.
The PLAYSTATION Store revamp will not affect PLAYSTATION Network accounts or the virtual wallet system.
A new PlayStation 3 SKU may be on the way as the FCC has just approved one. As of now we have no idea what we have no idea whether this is a brand new model, or part of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle, or even a new color. Of course, when we find out, we will let you know.
[FCC Report]
