DUALSHOCK 3 Impressions

Well, I've finally gotten my DUALSHOCK 3. I've got to say, upon picking up this controller, you can certainly feel the difference. Comparing it with my SIXAXIS makes the SIXAXIS feel like a cheap plastic toy. The DUALSHOCK 3 features more weight due to the rumble component inside the controller, and it definitely feels the way a controller should.

I tested the new/old rumble feature with three SCEA games. Since I just bought the Omega Dawn and Broken Mirror booster packs, so I thought Warhawk, along with Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm would be my games. I'm telling you, I was definitely shocked when the controller first rumbled. It's a feeling we haven't felt on our controllers in so long, but it felt good. I got smashed in Warhawk, and it rumbled, and my hands loved it.

Let me just sum this up. We can't really go in-depth when we are talking about a controller that features rumble and a new (right) weight. The only thing we can say is put down those SUXASSES and go pick up a DUALSHOCK 3. You'll like the way your hands feel.

Own the Resistance Chimera Skull (You Know, from the Box)

Are you in love with Insomniac's Resistance: Fall of Man? Getting psyched for Resistance 2? We are. The Chimera skull from the first game's boxart is now up for auction on eBay. It was originally used in an early TV advertisment for the game.

The auction begins on March 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM for those who want to buy it. Unforunately, we want it, and it is starting at a good 2.5K. Oh well.

[1037:Chimera Skull from Playstation 3 game TV ad]

Walking Around Shirtless? Sony Has You Covered!

If your the type of guy who goes around showing off his favorite games, prepare to take it to another level (well, not really). Sony announced today their partnership with four different clothing and accessory makers to feature the companies biggest IPs.

Some of the franchises your going to see in these new clothing are God of War, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance: Fall of Man, Heavenly Sword and LittleBigPlanet.

"PlayStation is an extremely strong and well-known brand" Shelly Gayner, Director of Licensing, SCEA, said in a press release "We feel that this is a great opportunity for us to satiate our core fans and extend and capitalize on PlayStation name recognition by creating a new line of apparel in connection with the PlayStation brands and our top franchise titles."

[No shirt? Sony launches official apparel program]

Insomniac Games Still Making New IPs

Insomniac Games have established themselves quite nicely with their two succesful IPs known as Ratchet & Clank and Resistance. You'd think they'd keep making sequels as long as the money comes in, but Insomniac President Ted Price explains that they intend to "continue to produce new IP, there's no question about that."

Whats coming in these new IPs? We have no clue.

[Insomniac Still Developing New IPs]

Resistance: Fall of Man & It's Home Features

Insomniac's Resistance: Fall of Man is expected to have a huge presence in Home. The game will provide Home visitors with an interesting room to explore, letting game owners visit unseen areas of the game and view bonus content in the form of intrecepted radio transmissions between the European and United States forces.

These transmissions will show us more of the Resistance series' story. It's said that Home avatars will be able to roam unpopulated levels.

We got to admit, those are some sick plans. We know Home integration is coming for nearly every first party title, but Sony really needs to encourage third-parties.

[How Resistance: Fall of Man Makes Home Really, Really Cool]

SCEJ's First "PLAYSTATION 3 the Best" Line-Up

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is finall opening up their "PLAYSTATION 3 the Best" lineup. That means great titles at a budget.

According to the retailer, Japan goers will soon be able to pick up games like Resistance, Folksoul, and more for only 3,800 yen each. That amounts to around $35 in USD. The list of the first games to go to this collection include:

- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Folklore
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma
- Gundam: Target in Sight
- Ridge Racer 7

Stay tuned till we hear an official announcement that will hopefully include some new boxart as well.

[PS3 Games For Cheap in Japan]

Update 2/5/08: The official best of covers are now viewable as the image on the left. [PS3 the Best]

Resistance: Fall of Man Only Used 10-20 Percent of PS3's SPU

According to a newly released brochure from Insomniac early this month, Resistance: Fall of Man, which played great and looked terrific, only used 10-20% of the PLAYSTATION 3's SPU.

SPU System

- Animation
- Audio (NextSynth and LR1)
- Bucketer sort
- Collision (separate broad and narrow)
- Dynamic DB
- Dynamic joint
- FX update
- Geom Cull Clip (for shadows and decals)
- Glass
- Moby constants
- Physics collision
- Physics simulation
- Particle (weather fx)
- Render mats
- Static DB
- Water (FFT)

10-20% Total SPU Utilization

Resistance: Fall of Man was a great title, with it only using so little, we are in for a bigger ride when Resistance 2 hits us.

[Via NeoGAF]

PLAYSTATION 3: Last Minute Shopping Deals

If you forgot that Christmas Eve is tomorrow and only have tomorrow to do the rest of your shopping, we will help heal the pressure. Below is a list of deals for PLAYSTATION 3 titles.

Target
- Need for Speed: ProStreet ($38.00)
- Madden NFL 08 ($38.00)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare ($38.00)
- WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008 ($38.00)

Circuit City
- SEGA Rally Revo ($50.00)
- Motorstorm ($50.00)
- NASCAR 08, DiRT ($50.00)
- Kane & Lynch: Dead Men ($50.00)
- John Woo Presents Stranglehold ($50.00)
- Resistance: Fall of Man ($50.00)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion ($24.00)

Best Buy
- John Woo Presents Stranglehold ($40.00)
- Conan ($40.00)
- Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 ($40.00)
- The Simpsons Game ($38.00)
- Assassin's Creed ($38.00)

Hurry out and get them while you can!

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Resistance: Rise of Class 2007

40 Dedicated volunteers who play Insomniac Games' Resistance: Fall of Man got together one day and decided to have some fun with the in-game snapshot feature. Say hello to the class of 2007.

Too bad Resistance doesn't feature swords, or else this would seem more genuine. But this is a great replacement for water fountains, except, if you drink it, you well... die.

The community ended the day with the tradition of the Burning Man. They must of been some dedicated PS3 Fanboys, take a look who is in the middle.

[Via ThreeSpeech]

Resistance Axbridge & Bracknell Map Press Release

Insomniac Games & Sony has released a press release for the upcoming map pack for Resistance: Fall of Man containing the Bracknell and Axbridge maps. View the press release below.

Bracknell/Axbridge Maps

The Chimeran onslaught continues in these two additional multiplayer maps for Resistance: Fall of Man™. Fight for survival in the gloom of an abandoned railway system at Bracknell, or struggle to repel the enemy from a network of bases spanning the valley at Axbridge. Download the pack now for a chilling new combat challenge.

Continue the fight to save Britain – and the human race – in two incredible new locations, with additional multiplayer maps for Resistance: Fall of Man™.

In the Bracknell map, the struggle against the Chimera comes to the cavernous spaces of an old railway system – now a Chimeran node. Expect intense close-quarters fighting as you explore three storeys of dimly lit spawning rooms and disused train carriages.

The Axbridge map, meanwhile, consists of two resistance bases spanning a valley strewn with rocks and Chimeran structures. Find yourself a secret perch among the cliffs on either side or brave the walled ‘theatre of combat’ on the valley floor, and prepare for battle: the enemy will show no mercy.

Insomniac Talks In-Game XMB & PLAYSTATION Network

In a recent interview with Insomniac's Chief Creative Officer Brian Hastings, he discusses the power of the PLAYSTATION 3 and new IPs.

One of the questions that Brian Hastings is asked is about the PLAYSTATION Network, and how it's not a service as well built as Xbox LIVE. They ask him his views on the subject.

He replies that once Sony allows in-game XMB access, a lot of LIVE's advantages will go away. He goes on to say that Sony has some advantages over LIVE, being the fact that they support dedicated servers for their games, which allows us to create a lag-free play experience and avoid host advantage problems.

He also says that the PLAYSTATION Network's open approach to the online gives the developers more freedom to design the players online experience anyway they want.

Hastings likes some things about LIVE that he wishes Sony had done. One being including a headset in every PLAYSTATION 3 package, helping to build the online community and make friends online. He also likes achievements and he wishes they were part of PLAYSTATION 3 games as well. He likes the idea of comparing your score to other gamers like you can do on LIVE.

[Read: Brian Hastings Interview]

Resistance: Fall of Man: Map Pack Videos & Pictures

IGN has provided us with some video and screenshots of Axbridge and Bracknell, the two upcoming maps for the map pack for Resistance: Fall of Man released by Insomniac Games. View the videos above and below, along with a few screenshots below. To see all the screenshots, view them at the link.

View details about the map pack here.

[View: Map Pack #2 Screenshots]

Resistance: Map Pack #2 Unveiled

A good thing about the first party PLAYSTATION 3 games is that they keep the downloadable content coming. Whether it's Motorstorm or Resistance: Fall of Man, your always in for a treat.

Speaking of Resistance: Fall of Man, a new map pack is coming to the PLAYSTATION Network to enhance your playing experience. This map pack, titled Resistance: Map Pack #2, contains two new maps for online play.

The first of the map is Bracknell, a foreboding Chimeran node and Widowmaker breeding ground serve as eerie backdrops to this dark, all-interior environment loosely based on the Resistance single-player level. Players will fight in huge, cavernous spaces, where Chimeran architecture has overtaken an abandoned railway system. Bracknell is designed for both vertical and close-quarters combat, so polish those shotguns and Augers.

Next up on the map list is Axbridge. Axbridge has the perfect blend of frantic close quarters combat and concealed sniping perches. This map was created specifically for online multiplayer gameplay and not based on any Resistance single-player environment. It features a narrow corridor stretching under and above ground leading to two human bases on either side. The bases are large structures in their own right. Each contains several rooms and expansive fighting spaces.

Connecting the two bases is a large valley with a mix of organic and Chimeran architecture that provides excellent cover. But two large walls in the valley's middle create a heavily contested combat theater. Only the strong will survive!

IGN was able to do a little questionnaire with Ted Price, the president and CEO of Insomniac Games, about the upcoming content.

To sum up the questionnaire, Price stated they are going to release the new map pack at the end of November, 2007 with two maps in the package. The maps will work on all game modes and all sizes of games from 8 - 40 players. The size of the map changes depending on the amount of players.

Finally, Price mentioned a few tweaks made with the map pack:
We made several balance tweaks with the just-released Patch 6. Here they are:

Tweaks

• Range and damage on the Rossmore 236 has been decreased for both primary and secondary fire modes.
• Reload time of the LAARK L209 has been increased.
  
• Projectile speed of the LAARK L209 has been decreased.
  
• Splash damage radius of the LAARK L209 has been decreased.
  
• Hedgehog grenade splash damage has been generally increased, although the radius in which it will kill a player in 1 hit has been decreased.
  
• Frag grenade splash damage radius has been decreased.
  
• Arc charger fire rate has been increased.
  
• Arc charger clip size has been reduced.
  
• Arc charger damage has been decreased for the primary fire and increased for the secondary fire.
  
• Rate of fire the Bullseye tag (secondary fire) has been decreased.

Thats just about everything. Look for this new map pack around the end of the month.

[Via IGN]

Insomniac Bringing In More DLC

In an interview with D+Pad magazine, Insomniac Games' Ryan Schneider dropped some new information for hopeful additions to the Insomniac Games we already own:

"It's been great to have a network that can facilitate the map-pack downloads, demos and trailers for both Resistance: Fall of Man and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. The number of users on the PLAYSTATION Network has been rising steadily and we absolutely plan to support them with more new content coming soon."

We already know about Resistance: Fall of Man downloadable content, but Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction? That would make me happy.

[Via D+Pad November 2007]

Insomniac Officially Blogs Resistance Update

We may have posted it yesterday, but it's always good when the official PLAYSTATION Blog posts it. Greg Phillips posted the major details about the new patch, view the full list at the link from our previous post.

-Ability to take screenshots in game using a USB keyboard.
-Weapon balance changes and new round balancing options -Dual Shock 3 support added for online AND single player.
-Password protected custom games.
-Numerous bug fixes.

Like I said before, this is going to be a great update.

[Via PS.Blog]

Insomniac Rips on Aaron Thomas of GameSpot

In the latest fullmoon show from Insomniac Games, the crew discuss some reviews of the their recently released Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. They appreciative of the reviews after looking at Metacritic and GameRankings. They state that out of 21 scores, only 4 are below 90 with 3 perfect scores. They were concerned about critics to the "returning to roots" approach to the game, but people have received it very well.

One of the reviews had sticked out to them which prompted the crew to say "If you hate variety, than you've got a problem.", "play more sports games", and "we will not mention the media outlet".

After the discussion with their mystery guest, they speak to Ross Macintosh . The crew discusses their "GameSpot Resistance: Fall of Man Tournament." Ross quickly reminded the rest of the crew that the tournament is now called "The Resistance: Fall of Man Tournament with the website whose name we shall no longer mention" in a jokingly manner.

[Via N4G]

Resistance: Fall of Man Patch Details

The latest Insomniac Mooncast reveals some new details about the upcoming patch for Resistance: Fall of Man. Here are the features:

Features

• Turn off 40s and Tags.
• Private Game with Password.
• Roundbalancing More Aggressive.
• Rumble Ready.
• Weapon-Balancing.
• Decrease damage and range of shot range.
• Increase Laark reload - decrease radius of explosion and the speed.
• Frag grenade - less radius.
• More damage with Hedgehog - put smaller chance of One-Hit kill.
• Increasing the range of fire of Arc Charger + damage increased.
• Decreasing the damage of secondary Arc Charger.
• Clip-Fire reduced.
• Bullseye Tag Re-fire is slower.
• Custom Game Mode - Voicechat with EVERYONE in the game.
• Some bug fixes.
• Elite Soldier and Assains Medal recorded in all game modes.
• Defender Medals in CTF record in ranked too.

Unlockables

• Clank Backpack.
• Magna Boots.
• Ratchet's Wrench.

Wow, thats one hefty update, look forward to it. It's coming soon as Insomniac states "Patch will be availabe in the "near future." That's about all we know for now".

[Via PS3Forums]

Resistance: Fall of Cost: Now $52.99

Looking to pick up a first person shooter for your PLAYSTATION 3 at a low price, but don't know what to pick up? Well, we got you covered.

Over at Amazon, Resistance: Fall of Man has lowered from it's original $59.99 price to a $7.00 drop of $52.99. Sure it's not much, but you know what you can do with $7.00? Think of the possibilities.

To pick up Insomniac's first PLAYSTATION 3 title, head over to the link below, and enjoy it when you receive it.

[Buy: Resistance: Fall of Man]

Rise With Resistance Last Hope Tournament

GameSpot is having a new Resistance: Fall of Man Tournament. And this one is big, consisting of 128 teams, with 10 players on each team.

Top prize for this huge tournament includes each member of the winning team receiving a limited edition Star Wars Battlefront® Entertainment pack that includes a PSP® unit with Star Wars artwork and a copy of Star Wars Battlefront Renegade Squadron™. The first place winners also receive a $100 gift certificate to SonyStyle.com, an annual GameSpot Total Access subscription, and an Official Resistance: Fall of Man Jacket.

So if you want to get in, and rise your fallen man, do it now.

[Enter: Resistance Tournament]

Resistance Nominated For a Bafta, The Church Moans

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral has demanded the withdrawal of a violent computer game from an awards shortlist. Resistance: Fall of Man, uses the church as an area during the alien busting gunfights.

Sony apologised to church leaders earlier this year for using images of the interior without permission. The game is now nominated for a British Academy Video Games Award, organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta). The winners of these prestigious awards are chosen by you, the public.

The Very Rev Rogers Govender has said the nomination is a "disgrace" and claimed other churches remained at risk of exploitation. In a statement, the Dean said:

"It is a disgrace that Resistance: Fall of Man has been shortlisted.Sony has admitted that they did not have permission to film or use Manchester Cathedral in their computer game. Bafta should not be seen condoning such behaviour unless they are saying it is acceptable for producers to walk into historic buildings and film interiors - ignoring contracts, rights and liability."

Guess we can't all win now, can we Dean?

Resistance is one of seven shortlisted for a PC World Gamers Award which will be presented at a Bafta ceremony in Battersea, London, on 23 October.

Anne-Marie Flynn, head of awards for Bafta, said:

"Resistance: Fall Of Man has been nominated for the PC World Gamers' Award - the only publicly-voted award in this year's ceremony. The shortlist for the Gamers' Award was effectively selected by the public, in that it comprised the top-selling games on each platform according to the games charts published by Chart Track."

[Via BBC]