Home Being Accessed by Non-Beta Members?

Some new footage has appeared on YouTube of PlayStation Home being accessed from the PlayStation Network icon rather than the normal beta accessed through the Game icon. The user who made the video claims he is not in the beta. The video looks legit, but it's odd at the same time.

Game Informer May 2008 Loose Talk

The latest issue of Game Informer should be arriving at subscribers' homes soon. The cover story is not quite PlayStation 3 related (Gears of War 2), but the magazine contains some Loose Talk regarding the PlayStation 3.

Rumor has it that Sony Computer Entertainment is developing a Wiimote-like device called the Waggle. It is said to be packed in with a game. Its full functionality not being known at the time, but it will of course have motion sensing and not require a sensor bar. Also, it is said that Road Rash is the title that EA and Starbreeze Studios are developing.

[Game Informer May 2008 Issue - Reviews, Etc.]

HAZE: (Final?) Words on PlayStation 3 Exclusivity from Yescombe

There are two things that constantly appear when your talking about HAZE. The first is delays, and the second is exclusivity. Luckily, we are done with the delays, as it is set for a May 2008 release, but lets see what script writer for HAZE, Rob Yescombe, has to say on the exclusivity. When asked about HAZE's exclusivity, Rob answered.

"Why does everybody keep asking that? It’s a Playstation 3 exclusive. Buy a Playstation 3 and play it. I want it to be the reason people buy a Playstation 3."

Could it come out on another platform further down the line?

"We’re a Playstation 3 exclusive. If by some magical wave of the wand that happens, I won’t be complaining. But we’re a Playstation 3 exclusive."

Yescombe says that they've been working on the Sony platforms for a while and it was easier for them, and that is one of the reasons they brought the game just to the PlayStation 3.

[HAZE: Final Words on PS3 Exclusivity]

Mafia II: Two More Screenshots

Tiscali Games seems to have gotten two new and exclusive screenshots of the upcoming Mafia II. These times really make me mad. I want exclusive shots of the Italian Mob game. Ah well, we cannot all get what we want, perhaps when the new site opens. Enjoy!

PSP Firmware Update v3.95 Coming Soon

Shortly, you may get a notification on your PSP to update the system. The v3.95 update includes two new features.

• While playing PSone games on your PSP, you can now customize how the buttons are assigned by going to [Controller Settings] > [Assign Buttons] and select [Custom].
• You can now quit Remote Play and choose to turn off your PS3 or leave it on after quitting. This is useful if you are performing a download and want to quit Remote Play, but still want your download to continue on the PS3. Select [Quit and Turn Off the PS3 System] or [Quit Without Turning Off the PS3 System] from [Quit Remote Play] when you press the HOME button on the PSP system.

Look for the update on the network soon.

[PSP Firmware (v3.95) Coming Soon]

Saints Row 2 Boxart & Collector's Edition Sneaks onto Amazon

Checking out Amazon lately, I've come across the boxart for THQ's upcoming Saints Row 2, and it's more orange than ever. I thought this game's color was supposed to be purple? Well, that sure shows a bit on the gold on the collector's edition box as well. We have no idea on what is in the collector's edition, although. We can say the box is nice, though.

By the way, why is it that if you search Saints Row 2 for the first time on Amazon, it shows the Xbox 360 versions of Saints Row 2, Saints Row, Grand Theft Auto IV, Mafia II, Gears 2, and many others before finally getting to the PlayStation 3 versions of Saints Row 2? Last I checked, those titles didn't have the words "Saints" and "Row" in them.

[Saints Row 2] [Collector's Edition]

Valkyria Chronicles Originally for Xbox 360 Only

According to a Japanese developer blog, SEGA's upcoming Valkyria Chronicles for the PlayStation 3 was originally an Xbox 360 exclusive. When the game was announced, SEGA switched development over to the PlayStation 3. The game has been in development for over three years according to SEGA, and it's platform was switched early in development. The reason of why development was switched to PlayStation 3 was not stated, but you can expect to see it this Fall 2008 exclusively for the console.

[Valkyria Chronicles was originally an Xbox 360 exclusive] [Dev Blog]

Kane & Lynch Free DLC Set for April 17, 2008

Today Eidos Interactive announced that on April 17, 2008, gamers will be able to download four new multiplayer maps for their "hit" Kane and Lynch: Dead Men. The new maps will be for the Fragile Alliance mode and be completely free. View the mini-press release below.

Eidos will be announcing on Tuesday April 8, the upcoming release of four new downloadable maps for the Fragile Alliance multiplayer mode in Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. The maps will be downloadable for FREE on April 17, from Xbox LIVE and from the PLAYSTATION Network for the PS3. The new maps will be released in one downloadable pack entitled ‘The Dope Bag’, with each of the four maps featuring its own unique scenario.

[Kane & Lynch Downloadable Content Coming Soon]

Mafia II Breakdown from PlayStation: Official Magazine of May 2008

The latest issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine contains an extensive preview of the upcoming Mafia II. As always, when a hot story is shown, a NeoGAF member will break it down for us. Lets take a look.

• The game will feature 3 families.
• Cops only call reinforcements if you committed a large enough crime.
• In total, there are about 2 hours of cutscenes.
• The game will contain references to the original game along with easter eggs.
• The game has 3 acts.
• All of the 2.5 square mile city available for travel at the start.
• You can use taxi's to get around the city.
• Cars get damaged, dirty, and even explode if shot in the gas tank.
• You can customize cars with your own license plates.
• There are 2 types of context sensitive environment interactions: Standard and Violent.
• You can buy food from vendors such as hotdogs.
• While buying stuff you cannot be attacked.
• NPC's will smoke, read newspapers, wait for buses, look through trash cans, etc.
• In several points in the story, you can make choices that affect the game.
• The game will feature multiple endings.
• Police will go after other criminals instead of just you
• You can buy houses where you can store your gear
• You can take missions for and against competing families.
• There will be many interactive objects such as chairs, bottles, sinks, etc.
• The map will have waypoints including sidequests.
• Checkpoints have improved from the original game.
• There will be no on screen interface.
• You can go to gyms to learn new hand to hand combo moves.
• Shooting through doors will possibly be added.

The game is sounding promising. I will have to pick up this issue soon as I'm a sucker for Italian games. I even re-purchased Godfather: The Don's Edition when I already had the original on the PlayStation 2. Damn Italian blood.

[Playstation: The Official Magazine May 08]

Resistance 2 Trailer Friday Night at Midnight on GT.TV

Well, the preview for this week's upcoming episode of GameTrailers TV is up today, and it confirms a trailer of the upcoming Resistance 2 for Friday night at a special time of 12:00am. Other than that, the first Yoda and Darth Vader gameplay for Soul Calibur IV along with some exclusives of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be featured.

Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition in the Flesh

We've seen official images of it on retailer sites like GameStop, but we haven't yet seen it in the flesh. This image comes straight from some press conference where the Special Edition of Grand Theft Auto IV was on display. Ah, only 22 more days. View the full content list below.

• Grand Theft Auto IV video game.
• Rockstar Games duffle bag.
• Grand Theft Auto IV Ammo Box.
• The Art of Grand Theft Auto IV book.
• Grand Theft Auto IV Limited Edition DVD.

[GTAIV Special Edition content shown]

New Sonic Unleashed Teaser Shows Wolf Sonic's Hand

SEGA released a new teaser for the upcoming Sonic Unleashed today. The new teaser shows Sonic's hand messing around with a ring, and soon after, his hand turns into a wolf hand and smashes the ring. I guess Sonic the Werehedgehog is confirmed.

2K Marin Hiring for BioShock 2, PlayStation 3 Likely

A new job listing for a Character Rigger/Animator at 2K Marin states that they need to the worker to bring the souls of BioShock 2 to life. Under the job qualifications, it states that you need: "Experience working with recent generation game console technology (Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 or PLAYSTATION 3) and PLAYSTATION 3 experience is required." The game will also be using the Unreal Engine as well. Looks like BioShock 2 is going to come to PlayStation 3.

[2K Marin Hiring for Bioshock 2, uses E.E. 3x. and PS3 Version Possible]

Grand Theft Auto IV: 12 Multiplayer Shots

Thanks to GameKult, we have twelve screenshots of the multiplayer mode for Rockstar's upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV (only 22 days away!). The multiplayer is looking great, and with 15 modes, the game is a bargain itself. Online previews will be on big websites such as IGN tomorrow according to GTA4.net.

Exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV Bundle for Europe?

It seems Europe will be getting one awesome PlayStation 3 bundle, which is great for new owners. Swedish retailer Webhallen revealed today a new listing showing what seems to be a Grand Theft Auto IV 40GB PlayStation 3 bundle for Europe. As of now, it is not confirmed, but it seems pretty possible. Rumors say that it will be exclusive to Europe.

[Exclusive GTAIV PlayStation 3 Bundle confirmed for Europe?] [Webhallen]

New Fallout 3 Screenshots Look Fantastic

Some new screenshots from Bethesda Softworks' upcoming Fallout 3 appeared today on foreign language gaming site, PC Games. The new screenshots show zombies, shooting, a birthday party, and you and your dog side-by-side. They can be seen at the link. Enjoy!

[Fallout 3 Screenshots]