PlayStation LifeStyle » Devon Simpson

PS3 Slim Retail Pack Hides a Top Secret Portal

Devon Simpson — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:34:20 +0000

The PS3 Slim ushered in a smaller, more efficient PlayStation 3 console. Not only was it easier on the wallet, the unit is much cooler temperature-wise as well. The slim deserves much of the credit for Sony‘s resurgence in this generation of console war and it looks like they have a few more tricks up their sleeve. The latest batch of PlayStation 3 Slims hide a small but effective secret. Full details are below.

Currently most of the PS3 slim retail packaging have PlayStation box tape covering a small portal. Earlier retail packaging was not designed in this manner. This is very similar to guitar / band kits available which enabled the game to be packed in after it leaves the factory. Sony has not officially announced a game pack-in to utilize this, but clearly they have plans for ad-hoc bundling in the future. This feature applies to both the 120 and 250 GB PS3 Slim hardware.

This definitely offers Sony some flexibility when creating bundles for the latest and greatest titles. There is no real interruption at the factory level unless the bundle involves cross-branding. A benefit to the consumer and Sony is cost control. Does this cheapen the game bundle if its your favorite game being tossed in? Or is this just a wise move in a soft economy?

Qore Confirms Ezio Wields Guns In Assassin’s Creed II

Devon Simpson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:49:38 +0000

After downloading and viewing episode 18 of Qore on the PSN, I began watching the segment on Assassins Creed II and was stunned to come across this…

As you can see by this concept art clearly Ezio has at least one gun in his arsenal, not very subtle for assassinations in crowds but pretty bad ass none the less.

Note to self: don't get shot in the lower back

Here is screen shot of the gun being fired in game.

Veronica Belmont confirms in the video in the AC2 segment that a gun is present in the game too.

Stay tuned to PSLS for any upcoming news and a review of Assassin’s Creed 2 coming soon…

Netflix Streams To PS3 Despite Microsoft’s Exclusivity Deal

Devon Simpson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:16:04 +0000

As many heard the other day Netflix will finally be streaming to the PS3 gaming console. What many didn’t hear is that streaming Netflix to the PS3 wont be done through an application on the XMB menu system, but instead will be using BD Live through a special Blu-Ray Disc to stream content. The interesting part is that this may be due to a loophole in Microsoft’s Netflix exclusivity deal. Hit the jump for more details…

Yes Netflix will be coming to the PS3, but how when Microsoft have claimed they have exclusivity? Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities, everyone’s favorite video game industry analyst, claims that this workaround avoids violating Netflix and Microsoft’s exclusivity deal by streaming Netflix to the PS3 via BD Live.

Gamespot and Joystiq have contacted Netflix for more specifics and here are the main details:

The PS3 application was developed internally by Netflix, with the help of the Sony team.
The Netflix disc has to be inserted every time to access the Netflix service. It can’t be installed on the PS3 hard drive.
You keep the disc forever.
A disc-based streaming application was used because it was the fastest and easiest way to implement streaming on the PS3.
Late 2010, an embedded solution is expected for the PS3 via a system software update slated for release through the PlayStation Network.
No special features will be available for streaming.
There is no difference between the content catalog available on PS3 versus Xbox 360 and the PC, including high definition.
No streaming-only subscription plan will be offered.

Ratchet & Clank ACIT Demo Spotted Out in the Wild

Devon Simpson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:48:50 +0000

The third installment to the Ratchet & Clank Future series will be hitting store shelves in just over a week. The previous entries each had a demo available in the PlayStation Store. Fans of the series will be happy to know A Crack in Time appears to be following the same trend.

Retail PlayStation 3 demo kiosks have quietly been updated with our favorite Lomax and robot friend. Ratchet & Clank A Crack in Time demo has hit various retailers with PS3 demo kiosks. The demo is a decent length and chances are your local retailer has the available now.

The Lesser Known Bricks of Lego Rock Band

Devon Simpson — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:51:50 +0000

As The Beatles Rock Band has just graced us with the fab 4, we have one more Rock Band release to build up to this November, Lego Rock Band. Information on this game has been scarce since inception till E3 when the game was finally debuted to the public, here’s the information you need to snap your bricks together till the game releases.

4 players (like Rock Band 2)
Lego Avatars in game
Import songs ala Rock Band 1 to Rock band 2′s set list
Songs targeting a “family audience”, but include: Foo Fighters Breakout, Ghostbusters Theme Song, Queen We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions, Song 2 (Whew Who) by Blur, and Kung Fu Fighting to name a few.
Developed by Harmonix, published by Warner Bros. Interactive
No box sets will be available, only stand alone software
Feature’s much different cover art than other Rock Band / Lego Games

Breaking out in November

Retailer Leaks Vital Info on Beatles: Rock Band

Devon Simpson — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:28:52 +0000

If you were one of the people who pre-ordered The Beatles: Rock Band at GameStop, you were treated to three free DLC songs. Unfortunately gamers don’t get to choose just any Beatles song; instead, they were handed a pre-selected list of eight songs from two classic Beatles albums.

Check out which albums they are, as well as their pending release dates on PSN and Xbox Live:

As you can see, the Abbey Road Album will hit October 20, 2009 and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hart Club Band will be one month later in November. Make sure to save up on your virtual wallet for these big DLC releases.

The Beatles: Rock Band DLC Not So Exclusive to Xbox

Devon Simpson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:05:58 +0000

Is everyone ready for The Beatles Rock Band to grace us on September 9th? As many of you know, I work for a major electronics retailer here on the West coast. We had our Microsoft rep pop in to update our Xbox kiosk (Sony does the same) and dropped off some Beatles: Rock Band displays. Standard procedure and all, but I happened to notice something odd regarding one of the Beatles top songs “All You Need Is Love,” which is considered Xbox 360 exclusive DLC…

So if you were bitter about MS was getting one of the Beatles’ classics, don’t worry. It’ll be on PS3 either right before Christmas, or in early 2010 for PS3 and Wii. I love how Microsoft NEVER said that they had a “timed exclusivity contract” on the DLC song, and instead chose to say that it was “Xbox 360 Exclusive”. But it wouldn’t be the first time.

Batman: Arkham Asylum Gets Insanely Viral In Its Marketing Campaign

Devon Simpson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:36:04 +0000

When I arrived at work on Monday (at Fry’s Electronics), I instantly noticed some interesting ID cards scattered about my PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 aisles. Interestingly enough no vendors came into the store all day which is a sign of viral marketing done by someone posing as a customer.

These Arkham Asylum security access cards were scattered about with a mug shot of Frank Boles. When I asked my store’s PlayStation rep about these security cards, he had no idea what they were and quickly came to the conclusion that they were a form of viral marketing for Batman: Arkham Asylum.

The card has an 800 phone number on the back (1-888-8ARKHAM) along with a website, ArkhamCare.com. I did some research to find out more about these cards, but alas, there is very little info on them other than that they originated out of Comic-Con ’09. Also these cards popped up at various Best Buy locations, which is a sign that this was a national campaign.

Netflix Streaming Coming to Sony Products

Devon Simpson — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:30:28 +0000

Sony has recently joined over 100 third party companies (including Microsoft’s Xbox 360) that offer streaming solutions for Netflix streaming of video content. The only question is will PS3 be left in the dust, or is Sony ready to bite..

According to Home Media Magazine, Sony will begin streaming Netflix content as soon as Fall 2009 to internet-ready Bravia HDTV’s. Interestingly enough, John Kohler stated the following in a December 2008 interview with GamePro:

“We’ve concentrated most of our efforts on our download service, both rentals and downloads of movies and TV shows. Our efforts will continue to be there, because our customers want to own the content.”

Clearly, Sony Electronics as a whole prefer the latter, as the HDTV divison within Sony will be adding Netflix Streaming this Fall. We can see the first step being a testing ground, with other Sony products, such as standalone Blu-ray players and the PS3, being next in line.

What do you think? Are you excited at the prospect of Netflix streaming on your PS3? Or will it collect dust, along with some other unused features on the console?

[source 1,2]

What You May Not Know About The Beatles: Rock Band

Devon Simpson — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:00:15 +0000

As 09.09.09 approaches in a little over a month, I thought it would be a great idea to let people know about certain aspects regarding The Beatles Rock Band most may not know…

I work for a national electronics retailer who held video conferences last Friday in all stores, with a representative from EA hosting the event. As a writer for PSLS, I had a great opportunity to inform our readers and get some tidbits regarding The Beatles: Rock Band.

Rock Band 1 or 2 DLC is not supported in the Beatles Rock Band (sorry they will not be singing Paramore).
Rock Band Beatles DLC is incompatible with other Rock Band titles.
Beatles DLC will not see a weekly release; most likely bi-weekly or monthly.
RB Beatles will NOT be on PS2 either as a box set or standalone software.
SingStar Mics are supported, including the wireless ones.
Two box sets will be available. $250 for the Pearl Drums, Hofner Bass, Mic Stand, Mic, and game. $159 for Rock Band 2′s default instruments along with the game.
No additional USB hub is needed if buying The Beatles: Rock Band instruments, as the dongles are attached to a USB hub (check out the pic).

Tom Clancy’s Endwar and Official PS3 Headset for $22.48

Devon Simpson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:06:59 +0000

One Amazing Deal!

Here is an amazing deal for anyone who doesn’t own Endwar and or a PS3 headset (the official one at that) for $22.48. I was wondering a major national retailer when I noticed this unbelievable deal that normally goes for $89.99, hell the official headset msrp’s for $50. Who could the retailer be…

If you couldn’t tell already I took the picture at a local Target store. I highly recommend this insane deal that won’t last long since it’s on clearance. The game and headset cost more used which means Target is taking a hefty loss per unit sold, therefore you wont see this deal anyhere else. Call your local store for availablity of coarse, enjoy this amazing deal.

Rock Band AC/DC Track Pack No Longer Wal-Mart Exclusive

Devon Simpson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:37:38 +0000

Makin' it's way to a retailer near you

To all Rock Band Fans, we’ve got great news for you. Or at least the ones who don’t already own the AC/DC track pack, as it is no longer in the exclusive reigns of Walmart.

ACDC Shirts

Fry’s Electronics and other major retailers will be receiving the former timed exclusive track pack. In the Fry’s POS system, it retails for $30, which is $10 cheaper than what Walmart was retailing the product for. The track pack will release before August.

Fry's Electronics Point of Sale System

ACDC Shirts

Jack Thompson Owns a PS3

Devon Simpson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:04:47 +0000

While watching Penn and Teller’s: Bull Shit!, a Showtime series about various topics that are about, well bull shit, I noticed this week’s episode was on violence in video games (season: 7 episode: 3, 7 mins). Of course the infamous Jack Thompson was profiled and spouted his usual anti-video game violence babble. But I was shocked when I saw this right on my TV…

Jack Thompson Pimps His PS3

I assume he uses it to play marathon sessions of GTA IV online, but that’s just my opinion. What do you think?

Penn And Teller Bullshit!: Video Games

This Occurs ~7 Mins in to the show.