PlayStation Day 2008: Conference Videos Including Summary

Here are three new PlayStation Day 2008 videos showing the conference they've held in crystal clear HD. The same conference were Hirai delays Home and KILLZONE 2 once more. The summary can be seen above, other videos are below.

Microsoft's Greenberg Says Sony Fails on Promises

Microsoft's Aaron Greenbeg, Director of Product Management for the Xbox 360 and Live, spoke today on promises made by Sony that they've failed to keep. Read his "speech" below.

"I know a lot of folks enjoy watching the console wars and we would never underestimate our competition. But answer to your question specifically, didn't Sony promise all of this last year including Home as well? We have been fighting Sony's promises from the day we entered the market and if you remember at that time it was all about PS2 being an online cybercity with partner announcements from the likes of RealNetworks and AOL. Then three years ago at E3 they showed what PS3 games would supposedly look like with the Killzone 2 video, that we are now learning will ship four years later. That means that we will have shipped Gears of War and Gears of War 2 before they can even get Killzone out the door," he said. "Think back to GDC 2007 when Sony promised to leap ahead in online with the Sony Home unveil. Here we are two years later and multiple delays for a product that appears to have little to no buzz. Where are the achievements? The friends list integration across all games? Where is the long-promised video store? Where are all the other products using and networking with their CELL chip? How come Blu-ray did not result in better games? What happened with Sixaxis and rumble? Where is the complete 1080p game library we were promised? If Blu-ray as they said would be such a catalyst to PS3 console sales, then why have PS3 sales over the past couple months not seen any lift since the format victory?"

The regular PlayStation 3 owner will probably agree with the statements of Greenberg. He makes a valid point, as we still have not received our in-game XMB, Home, or any of the other stuff he mentioned. Games continue to come with required installation even though Blu-Ray is available. Can Sony turn this all around?

[Exclusive Destructoid interview: Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg on GTA IV]

Gran Turismo Hits the 50 Million Mark

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced today that the Gran Turismo series has hit the 50 million mark. The list of sales for each games puts Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec in the lead, with 5 Prologue in dead last. View the press release below.

Gran Turismo(TM) Series Shipment Exceeds 50 Million Units Worldwide
Remarkable Sales Achieved In Only 10 Years And 4 Months Since The Original Gran Turismo Launched In 1997

TOKYO, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that the cumulative worldwide shipment of the Gran Turismo(TM) franchise, a genre-defining racing and car-life simulator available on PlayStation(R), PlayStation(R)2, and PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) computer entertainment systems, has exceeded 50 million units as of April 30, 2008. This remarkable sales figure was achieved in just 10 years and 4 months since the launch of the first title in the franchise - Gran Turismo, in December 1997.

The Gran Turismo franchise, from the original Gran Turismo to the latest Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue, has continued to evolve alongside the PlayStation platforms. With its outstanding game play, beautiful graphics and the true to life driving feel, the franchise is recognized as the world's number one automotive game title on the PlayStation format, receiving high regard not just from game fans, but also from professional racing drivers and people in the automobile industry.

The seventh installment of the world's best-selling racing franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces entirely new entertainment modes by taking advantage of the broadband network, such as online head-to-head racing for up to 16 players, "GRAN TURISMO-TV"; a new in-game online channel that delivers automotive video contents from around the globe, and downloadable additional contents including new cars and courses, only possible on PS3. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has recorded strong sales since the first launch in Japan in December, 2007, followed by North America and Europe in Spring of 2008, with more than 2 million units of cumulative shipment worldwide and contributing to the further expansion of the PS3 platform.

For all Gran Turismo fans around the world, SCEI and the developer of the Gran Turismo series -- Polyphony Digital Inc., will continue hereon to vigorously promote development of the Gran Turismo series, which can be expected to evolve even further through the PS3 platform and broadband network environment.

"Initially, Gran Turismo was an 'alternative' racing game, kind of an outsider in the genre," said Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of Gran Turismo. "And we made it thinking that it would be okay as long as it reached out to 'the select few who would agree with us.' So this figure -- 50 million units -- is simply astounding. If you go to a game store and look for a particular package, and pay for it at the cash register, though the time may be very brief, it still takes at least 3 minutes or so. It's simply mind boggling and hard to believe that this has been repeated 50 million times all around the world in the last 10 years. I would really like to thank all the fans who have supported the Gran Turismo series over the years, for all their passion and love of the game. We'd like to continue making every effort to create cutting edge, high quality games, so that we don't disappoint anyone's expectations."

Title Release Dates in North America

Gran Turismo May 12, 1998
Gran Turismo 2 December 23, 1999
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec July 10, 2001
Gran Turismo 4 February 22, 2005
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue April 15, 2008

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Recognized as the global leader and the company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer level processing power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, PS3 and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Gran Turismo is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

US PlayStation Store Gets JP Feature

For those of you that have Japanese accounts on the PlayStation Network, you may have seen this when you were downloading your Mainichi Issho game or Siren: New Translation demo.

It has finally come the US store now, however. What I'm talking about here is the "Featured Games" and "Top Downloads" on the side there. It's always a good new feature to have.

[PSN@Home]

Motorstorm 2: SCEE Gamer's Day Trailer

Thanks to GameVideos, we have the SCEE Gamer's Day (PlayStation Day 2008) trailer for Motorstorm 2. Once again, it looks like nothing but Island Paradise. Enjoy!

Suikoden Rated for PlayStation Store PSone Classic by ESRB

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has rated Suikoden for the PlayStation Store as a PSone Classics release. Suikoden was released back in 1996 and received review scores mostly in the 9/10's. We anticipate it's Store release.

[ESRB (Search Suikoden)]

KILLZONE 2 & LittleBigPlanet: SCEE PlayStation Day 2008 Trailers

We can finally view it in all of it's high-definition glory. Here is the new KILLZONE 2 and LittleBigPlanet trailers from PlayStation Day 2008. Look at their heads bobble as they become the new Helghast. Enjoy!

Home Game Spaces to Be Shown Off Next Month

Daniel Hill of Sony Computer Entertainment said at Sony's Gamers Day in Europe that Home Game Spaces are going to be shown off at the end of this month. They will be shown to the closed beta members with game launching extending beyond Motorstorm and Warhawk.

He also reconfirmed the Open Beta in..... Autumn and said it will include all the necessary features such as trophies and game launching. He also mentioned trophies will be available in the XMB as well. They have to be," he said. We will take an order of "in-game XMB" along with that as well, please.

[Home 'game spaces' being shown off later this month]

Metal Gear Solid 4: European Bundle Image

Here is the first image of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots bundle for Europe. It will include a 40GB PLAYSTATION 3, a SIXAXIS controller, and of course a Kojima Productions masterpiece titled Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

[LusoPlay]

David Reeves: Home Open Beta Definately Coming Out... In Autumn

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's David Reeves said today that Home will definitely be coming out in autumn. Sad part is, even then, he said it will only be an Open Beta.

"It is definitely coming out in autumn," assured Reeves. "Whether that's October or November, I don't precisely know, but it is an open beta."

"We've realised that maybe we were too ambitious with the non-gaming applications within Home, getting sponsors and stuff like that," he went on to confess.

"In that sense we were deserting gamers. So, we're concentrating on the gaming by launching games in Home, and attracting people who are into gaming in first - instead of the Nike people, or Adidas people who are into fashion and not necessarily into gaming."

Reeves touched on loss of exclusives from third-parties by saying "We did Buzz, we're doing LittleBigPlanet, Killzone, and there are obviously others that we're developing. We're becoming less dependent on third parties."

Reeves, you silly dog you. That isn't funny, third-parties practically make the system.

[Reeves: Home was too ambitious] [Image]

Peter Moore Disappointed by PlayStation Home Delay

Peter Moore, former Xbox boss, now EA Sports President, said less than 24 hours after Kaz Hirai apologized for the Home delay that he was disappointed about it.

Moore said: "Yeah; I just wish it would ship. I [previously] questioned it a little bit, whether I'd want to wander around there. Phil Harrison showed me a demo - it's very cool, but let's go already. And so I'm disappointed that it's been pushed back a little bit again.

"But I really hope it gets going and becomes that portal to the PlayStation Network and we can utilize it. But boy, I just wish we'd get going."

We have to agree, just hurry up and release it Sony.

[Moore "disappointed" by Home delay]

KILLZONE 2: More Amazing Gameplay

Here is some new footage of KILLZONE 2 from IGN. Once again, we are nothing but amazed, especially those smoke effects towards to end. Great job Guerrilla! Enjoy!

KILLZONE 2: More PlayStation Day Footage

Thanks to JeuxVideo, we have some more KILLZONE 2 gameplay footage for you from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's PlayStation Day 2008 held on Tuesday. Enjoy!

[KILLZONE 2 Footage]

KILLZONE's Helghast in LittleBigPlanet

Wondering how diverse the character customization in LittleBigPlanet really is? Take a look at this video where we see the Helghast from KILLZONE as Sack Boys. They look awesome. Enjoy!

PixelJunk Monsters Encore Coming Thursday for $5.99

Matt Morton, Associate Producer for SCEA Santa Monica Studios updated us today about an interview with Dylan Cuthbert from Q-Games.

They've announced that PixelJunk Monsters Encore will be releasing this week during the update on May 8, 2008 for $5.99 as an expansion. They tell us the new expansion will include a secret landmass located between Tiki & Toki islands. Hit the link for the full interview with Dylan Cuthbert.

[PixelJunk Monsters Encore dated + interview part 2]

KILLZONE 2: More PlayStation Day Gameplay

We have some more gameplay videos of KILLZONE 2 from the SCEE PlayStation Day 2008 in London that was held today. This video is recorded from some snoopers that we thank. View the videos at the link. Enjoy!

[KILLZONE 2 PS Day 08' Gameplay]

Hirai: “GTA has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost”

Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai said today at PlayStation Day 2008 in London that he beleives Grand Theft Auto is primarily a PlayStation franchise.

“I think Grand Theft Auto, the franchise, has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost, and so I think consumers are coming back again,” he said.

“They had previous versions of Grand Theft Auto on previous platforms, so it’s always good to come home to PlayStation 3 as well, I think.”

Regarding whether or not Microsoft wasted their green when paying Rockstar $50 million for exclusive downloadable content, he said that punters will vote on their feet, and did not answer.

“Well, it’s really up to the consumers to decide,” he said. “As I said before… it’s a franchise that’s associated with PlayStation for the longest time, and I think that based on the numbers I’m seeing right now, I think the consumers feel that way as well.”

[Hirai: “GTA has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost”]

Motorstorm: Pacific Rift: First Gameplay from PlayStation Day

At the link, you'll see a video containing the first gameplay footage of Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, coming straight out of PlayStation Day 2008 in London. The game's graphcis are sleek, and the video we are watching is only in pre-alpha. Enjoy!

[Motorstorm 2 First Gameplay]

PlayStation Day 2008: Siren Blood Cursed Announced

At today's PlayStation Day in London, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced Siren Blood Curse for the PlayStation Network. The game will come in in twelve "TV-style, suspense-packed" downloadable episodes this summer. [Kotaku]

The next-gen horror-survival title is set in the Japanese village of Hanuda, where a TV crew from America arrive to research the legend of the ‘Vanished Village’ where human sacrifice is said to have taken place thirty years ago. Players discover the horrific curse that haunts Hanuda and battle to save the village’s survivors from the living dead – a spine-tingling struggle that involves using the unique Sight-Jack system to view events from the angle of your undead pursuers. In a gaming first, Siren Blood Curse will be released episodically, keeping gamers on the edge of their seats until the next download arrives in PSN.

KILLZONE 2 PlayStation Day 2008 Trailer, European Release Date

Here is the new KILLZONE 2 trailer from Sony's PlayStation Day 2008. Once again, as the previous trailers, we are nothing but amazed. Sony is really dishing them out today. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, however, we do get one bad thing from this and that is KILLZONE 2's pushed release date. It is now set to release in February 2009, as it's official release date. However, this delay is only for Europe.

Update: Removed too for some reason. Here is YouTube.