PLAYSTATION 3 Firmware 2.00: The Dream

I thought it would be nice to outline what most PLAYSTATION 3 owners want in Firmware 2.00. I got some of these features from the 2.00 Rumors from a while ago. Tell us what you think, in comment form.

• Users
• You can now password-protect user accounts.

• Settings
  • [Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as an option under [Sound Settings].
  • [Energy Saver] has been added as an option.
  • [Equalizer] has been added as a feature under [Music Settings].
  • [Full] has been added as an option for [DVD Wide Display] under [BD / DVD Settings].
  • [Photo Settings] has been added as an option.
  • [PS / PS2 Settings] has been added as an option.
  • [RSS Channel Settings] has been added as an option.
  • [Sample Rate] has been added to [Audio CD Import] under [Music Settings].
  • [Screen Saver] has been expanded under [Display Settings].
  • The method of selecting an output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
  • [Theme Settings] has been added as an option.
  • [Zero Unused Disk Space] has been added as an option under [System Settings] > [Format Utility].
  • [Rumble Settings] has been added as an option.
    

• Video
  • You can now play [AVI] type video files that are saved on Memory Stick™ media or on the hard disk of a video camera.
  • You can now play [WMV] type video files that are saved on Memory Stick™ media or on the hard disk of a video camera.
  • You can now select [Zoom] under [Screen Mode] when playing video files saved on the hard disk or storage media.
  • [Movies], [Movie Trailers], [Game Videos], [TV Shows], and [User Movies] have been added under the [Video] menu of the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar).
  
  
• Photo
• Custom Folders are able to be created under [Photo].

• Music
• Additional visualizations have been added.
• CD information can now be entered.
• Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.

• Game
  • Support for PLAYSTATION®3 format software titles has been expanded.
  • [Downloadable Games], [Demos], and [Applications] have been added under the [Game] menu of the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar).
  • [Demos] no longer require installation.
    

• Network
  • [Add to Bookmarks] has been added as an option in the [File] menu of the Internet browser.
  • [RSS Channel] has been added as a feature.
  • [PLAYSTATION Store] has been replaced with an updated system integrated version, newly designed.
    

• Friends - PLAYSTATION Network
  • [Friends] changed to [PLAYSTATION Network]
    
  • You can now select an image to use as your Avatar from [Photo].
  • [Friends] has been added under [PLAYSTATION Network].
  • [Game Invite] has been added under [PLAYSTATION Network].
  • [Profile] has been added under [PLAYSTATION Network].
  • [Entitlements] have been added under [PLAYSTATION Network].
  • [IM] has been added under [PLAYSTATION Network].
  
  
• Other
• XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) is now accessible during gameplay.
• XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) Customization.
• PLAYSTATION 3 may now be turned on by PSP Remote Play.
  

Personally, I think that this would be the greatest update in the history of Firmware updates.

PLAYSTATION Eye Showcase Reveals 6 Player Chat, More

The newest showcasing video of the PLAYSTATION Eye, just released on the website shows a few new features for this puppy.

• Built-in 4 microphone array.
• Chat with up to 6 people at once.
• Ultra fast frame rate of 120 frames per second ensures pristine video quality.
• Engineered to work well in low light conditions.
• Includes free EyeCreate™ Software download.

It also seems that you can launch it straight from the game, at least thats what the video shows. Also, it seems that our PLAYSTATION Eye title, Aqua Vita has been renamed to Aquatopia. View the video at the link, or watch it above.

[Via PLAYSTATION]

Unreal Tournament III Cinematic Trailer

This new cinematic trailer for Unreal Tournament III displays the storyline of the game. If you've played Unreal Tournament games long, you'll know there has never really been a good storyline. It's all about to change.

Sony Registers New Trademarks, PSN Games

Sony has recently registered new trademarks that could be possible PLAYSTATION Network games. Two of the registered, we already know, Ember, and SkyBlue.

• Ember (ThreeSpeech)
• SkyBlue (ThreeSpeech)
• Carriage Return
• Race Day
• Strings Attached

Carriage Return sounds like a grocery shop racing game, maybe something like that old game show. Strings Attached may be some fancy type game, with a unique artistic style to it. Our guesses at least.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Time Crisis 4, Time Is Running Out

Take aim at on-screen enemies with unprecedented precision using the next-generation Guncon 3 controller in this new Time Crisis 4, Time Is Running Out video.

GT5 Prologue BMW 135i Gameplay

Put the pedal to the floor and hug the turns to ensure your victory on the racetrack in this new Gran Turismo 5 Prologue gameplay video.

Turok Rock Formations Gameplay

Turok sure is shaping up to be an excellent dino hunter. I hope this video helps you in your future hunting though, never, and I mean NEVER, take on a T-Rex head on with those little baby guns.

US PlayStation Store Update Predictions: October 25, 2007

The day before Thursday, that means our (probably not going to come true) predictions! Here they are:

Downloadable Games

• Snakeball OR Toy Home

Game Demos

• Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Demo (English, of course)
  
• Need for Speed ProStreet Demo
  
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Demo
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 Demo

High hopes, yes, but hey, you never know.

Soldier of Fortune 3: Mercs Wanted Trailer

Do you have what it takes to immerse yourself in the underground world of mercenary warfare? Find out in this new trailer for Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back.

Gran Turismo 5 To Feature 900 Cars?

Top Gear was able to get Sony to let them have a test drive for the upcoming Gran Turismo 5.

The latest iteration of the Gran Turismo series will be fully online, using the PLAYSTATION Network, alongside lapping the TG circuit, players will be able to download classic episodes of Top Gear via a dedicated motoring channel called Gran Turismo TV.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be coming out first, with around 10 tracks and 60 cars, feauturing Top Gear TV content, but not the TG track.

The full version of the game is due to arrive around Christmas 2008 and, again, details are yet to be confirmed. Top Gear then writes:

"We have been told to expect around 900 cars and, of course, our track."

If Gran Turismo 5 has 900 cars, and your a race fan, it might be hard to get bored.

[Via Top Gear]

Stranglehold Finally Gold, Woo Fans Rejoice

Today, Midway anounced that Stranglehold has gone gold for the Playstation 3. The action third-person shooter done in collaboration with John Woo will pack the film "Hard-Boiled" in the Collector's Edition for $69.99.

"The 50GB capacity of Blu-ray disc allows PS3 content publishers to do things simply not possible on our competitor's 9GB DVD-based systems. Thanks to the advanced technology found in PS3, developers like Midway can truly realize their visions, bringing consumers even closer to the game," said Riley Russell, senior vice president Third Party Relations from SCEA. Stranglehold continues the story of Inspector Tequila, played by Chow Yun-Fat that started in 1992 with John Woo's "Hard Boiled"

As you wait for it's October 29th release date, enjoy the video trailer that Gaming Bits has provided us above.

[Via Gaming Bits]

Ratchet & Clank Future Developer Diary #1

Insomniac Games has some developer diaries they would like to share with us. In their first entry, they focus on one Brian Hastings, who is the Chief Creative Officer at Insomniac Games. Brian contributed to the overall story concept in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and the fine tuning of several other critical elements such as gameplay and voice acting to help ensure RRatchet & Clank Future went from good to great. He’s also an accomplished programmer, serving as the lead gameplay programmer on the first two Ratchet & Clank games.

In this developer diary, Brian discusses what Insomniac wanted to accomplish with Ratchet & Clank Future, how the team found decided what to keep in the game and what to cut, and shares his favorite joke in the game.

[Via PlayStation.Blog]

PES 2008 Goals Can Bounce Your Balls

A pretty funny video of a tiny glitch that occurred in the PLAYSTATION 3 version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. It seems someone went for a free kick and the glitch kicked in. Take a look for yourself. Oh, one thing to note is that GamesRadar writes:

"It's likely that the mirthsome moment comes from the next-gen demo, like the one on PlayStation Network"

Last time I checked, it wasn't on there.

[Via GamesRadar]

The Elder Scrolls IV: The Shivering Isles Going Standalone

Today Bethesda announced it will release a standalone retail disc for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's expansion, The Shivering Isles. The Isles are also included in the Game of the Year Edition of Oblivion released last week. But for gamers who already bought the original game when it was released last March, now they can visit the Isles, as well.

The second full expansion pack to Oblivion, The Shivering Isles allows players to explore The Isles of Mania and Dementia, reachable through a door on an island that appears in Niben Bay near Bravil. The expansion will extend Oblivion's gameplay for another 30+ hours and includes new quests, creatures, and dungeons. Among the new monsters are the Gatekeeper, a collection of bodyparts that have been stitched together, and the Knights of the Order, made up of tree roots.

The Shivering Isles standalone disc will be released on November 20, 2007.

[Via IGN]

Motorstorm: The 3.0 Update

The 3.0 update for Evolution's Motorstorm will be available for download tomorrow, October 25, 2007. The update includes:

• Added vibration support for DUALSHOCK 3 controller with adjustable sensitivity settings.
• Grid order has been randomised for first race in any online lobby.
• Finishing positions in your last race now determine your starting grid position in the next race within the same online lobby.
• On-screen indicator has been added to show whether voice comms are issuing from TV or headset – As before, please press and hold L1 (R1 if using control scheme ‘B’) to toggle headset output through TV or Headset.
• Sensitivity Settings for SIXAXIS™ Motion Sensor control have been added.
• ‘Gloating Index’ has been added to the Stats card – The Gloating index gives guidance as to a racer’s online prowess. It takes into account the number of people you’ve beaten in each race and the number of people that have beaten you. Use the gloating index to spot the players to beat in each race! Try and rank your Gloating Index up to the perfect ‘10’!
• Several causes for an occasional snagging issue which would destroy vehicles on suspension impact have been addressed.
• Further fixes to prevent the occasional statistics reset issue have been applied.
• Fixed an occasional issue with inaccuracies in Eliminator finishing results.
• Fixed an issue where winners leaving Eliminator before race completed could cause issues for other players in lobby.

Seems every game is getting updated for the DUALSHOCK 3. Great, lets use it... oh wait.

[Via PS EU]

PLAYSTATION 3 BlackSite: Trouble In Development?

Just yesterday, we reported on the missing voice chat in the PLAYSTATION 3 version of BlackSite: Area 51. Now, we have even more news from an "insider".

"The PS3 version is experiencing issues and missed deadlines," he tells Opposable Thumbs. The insider also notes Midway's unhappiness with these issues; the PS3 demo and launch will likely end up being delayed as a result.

"Midway isn't happy at all about the progress, and it's a story I've heard over and over this year across the industry when it comes to the PS3 and cross-platform titles," the insider states.

BlackSite: Area 51 uses the Unreal Engine 3, which powers Midway games such as Unreal Tournament III and John Woo's Stranglehold, which are also being delayed on the PLAYSTATION 3 console.

What could the problem be? Maybe Sony should step in and lend a hand.

[Via Opposable Thumbs]

New Street Fighter 2 HD Work-In-Progress Images

Capcom Digital posted some new work-in-progress images of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD, the revamped version of Street Fighter 2 coming to the PLAYSTATION Network and Xbox Live. Take a moment to give these three a look, we think they look prety good, no pixels baby, no pixels.

[Via Capcom Digital]

GTA: Vice City Goes To The Future

The thing that sucks about the PLAYSTATION 2 version of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the no modifications situation going on. The PLAYSTATION 3 is starting to change that with Unreal Tournament III, hopefully we can see mods for Grand Theft Auto IV as well. This Back to the Future mod for the PC version of Vice City, and it's really quite cool.

It has the scorching tire marks, time travel, the flying DeLorean, the hoverboard, and another surprise at the very end, courtesy of the imagination of Doc Brown.