PlayStation LifeStyle

New Star Wars Game Series to be Revealed Soon

Zak Islam — Sat, 26 May 2012 17:48:23 +0000

LucasArts is currently working on a new Star Wars game series, with the first game due to be revealed next week.

Spike TV announced the developer will showcase the debut of the new franchise via a tease on GameTrailers TV’s pre-E3 episode next Thursday. Following that will be the world gameplay premiere during the show’s E3 All Access Live, which commences on June 4th at 10.00 PM EDT (7.00 PM PDT).

GTTV and Spike TV host Geoff Keighley teased:

I am blown away by both the caliber of the team on this project and their bold vision for this new ‘Star Wars’ title. I can’t wait to introduce our viewers to this game and show off the footage that left my jaw on the floor when I first saw it.

Star Wars: Battlefront 3 was initially in development by Free Radical Design before IP holder LucasArts cancelled their contract with the now-defunct studio.

PlayStation LifeStyle have already booked a mysterious appointment with LucasArts to see an unannounced Star Wars title during E3. So it looks like we’ll be going hands-on, or at least eyes-on with the new title very soon. We’ll keep you posted and offer our thoughts about the game during E3 week.

Square Enix: Activision “Crazy” For Letting go of True Crime: Hong Kong

Zak Islam — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:32:18 +0000

Square Enix believes Activision has “gotta be crazy” for cancelling True Crime: Hong Kong, which the former acquired and renamed Sleeping Dogs.

Mike Fischer, president and chief executive of Square Enix’s US wing, told VentureBeat that Activision canning United Front’s title is his company’s gain:

The game was, in a sense, discovered. I’m making air quotes: ‘discovered’ by the folks in Wimbledon. The minute they showed it to us, we really felt like we had found a diamond in the rough. Obviously the game was originally True Crime: Hong Kong from Activision. I can’t speak to why they let that go. I’m not going to speculate on their behalf. All I know is, they’ve gotta be crazy. Because this game is just fantastic. The scale and scope of the game really encompasses all of everything you’d want to do in Hong Kong. The acting, the story, the characters are very deep.

He specifically explained the justification behind the firm purchasing the rights to the IP and compared Sleeping Dogs to several popular franchises:

There’s clearly a lot of inspiration from [the movies] The Departed and Infernal Affairs. You play an undercover cop who starts to feel mixed loyalties. But the open world feels like Arkham City, the combat feels as good as a fighting game, the driving is as good as a Need for Speed, and the story is every bit as rich as compelling as a Mass Effect. All in one game.
In a sense it reminds me a little bit of Dead Island, which Square Enix America did the sales and distribution for. Nobody had heard of that game coming into E3, and in the U.S. alone it sold over 2 million units. It’s great to have a sleeper.

Sleeping Dogs is currently scheduled for an August 14th release in North America and 17th in Europe.

Mad Riders Launch Trailer Pokes Fun At Trailers

Nick Michetti — Sat, 26 May 2012 02:51:38 +0000

Ubisoft has released a new, rather unorthodox launch trailer for Mad Riders.

Ubisoft and Techland’s upcoming PSN/XBLA racing title Mad Riders has a very different kind of trailer that’s kind of funny. The trailer parodies the styles of other trailers (slow-motion backwards, blaring music with big text, etc.) while showing some gameplay footage and, of course, promoting the release of Mad Riders.

To view the “Inside Look Into The Creation Of The Mad Riders Launch Trailer” trailer, click on the video below:

Mad Riders will release on the PlayStation Store on May 29th for $9.99. The Xbox 360 version will launch on May 30th for 800 Microsoft Points and the same day on PC (via digital download) for the same price as the PS3 version. To read some more details about the game and view the trailer for the announcement of the game’s release date, click here.

What do you think of the launch trailer? Will you be picking up Mad Riders? Let us know in the comments!

Agent 47 Strikes Again In New Hitman: Absolution Screenshots, Making Of Sniper Challenge Video Released

Nick Michetti — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:55:30 +0000

Square Enix has released the screenshots that tell the truth about what happened in yesterday’s Hope News Times Issue #5, in addition to a video that shows the making of the Hitman: Sniper Challenge GameStop pre-order bonus.

Yesterday, the Hope News Times reported that Stallion Armaments CEO Richard Strong Jr., in addition to his bodyguards and possibly others were murdered in an incident attributed to gang-related violence. However, today’s screenshots and video revealed that once again, it was Agent 47 that was responsible for the crimes. Agent 47 had been sniping his targets from a nearby rooftop. It appears that the Hitman: Sniper Challenge pre-order bonus at GameStop tells the story of what happened to an extent, as this event is the setting for it.

Square Enix also released a video that shows IO Interactive discussing the making of the Hitman: Sniper Challenge.

To view the “Making Of” video for Hitman: Sniper Challenge, click on the video below:

To view the screenshots released, click on the Media Gallery below:

Hitman: Absolution is currently scheduled to release on November 20th.

What do you think about the screenshots and video released? Let us know in the comments!

PSLS’ Ultimate Sony E3 2012 Wishlist

Sebastian Moss — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:33:05 +0000

E3 is right around the corner, so we here at PSLS are as excited as a bunch of kittens and crack. To help relieve some of the tension, we’ve come up with our ultimate E3 wishlist for Sony’s 2012 conference.

The rules of the wishlist are simple – we each chose three games or announcements we’d love to see, with the only clause being that they have to technically be possible, and not titles from another console manufaturer like Mario or Halo.

Sebastian Moss, Managing Editor:

The Getaway – this is a franchise that sold millions, had a strong fanbase, and wasn’t set in New York, San Fran or L.A. So, instead of doing the logical thing and making more of the games, Sony shelved the title and focused on EyePet… I’ll forgive Sony if they bring back the franchise.
Speaking of SCE London, how about a follow up to Dropship: United Peace Force? You might not have heard it if you’re in the US, as SCEA didn’t even bother publishing the game and left it to BAM! Entertainment. Despite being a complete flop, the game was awesome, and deserving of a followup that truly realized the dropshipping-from-space aspect that the first game was unable to live up to.
Sure, Rockstar might be working on GTAV and Red Dead Revolution, but what I really want is Bully 2. Bully (or Canis Canem Edit as I knew it) rocked. There’s still nothing like it, so I would kill to see a new Bully on this generation (or next) of consoles.

Nicholas Michetti, PSLS Daytime News Writer:

A new Metal Gear on PS3, Vita, or both – Kojima Productions’ stealth action series hasn’t seen a new installment in quite a while and is always a highlight of PlayStation console libraries.
inFAMOUS 3 and/or inFAMOUS Vita – inFAMOUS is a fun, action-packed, open-world franchise that doesn’t disappoint. More games on PS3, Vita, or both would be great.
Ratchet & Clank Vita – Sony could use a new major platformer on the Vita and new Ratchet & Clank would certainly help. The series had a standout game with its last PS3 release, A Crack In Time. Even if R&C Vita was A Crack In Time 2, Ratchet fans would pick it up without hesitation.

Anthony Severino, Editor-in-Chief:

The Last Guardian: Enough already, I want me some Team ICO. I fear if it’s not ready soon, it’ll either be too late in the PS3′s life for it to have much impact, or it’ll eventually be killed off.
New Hideo Kojima Exclusive for PlayStation Vita: I’m not talking Kojima Productions, I’m talking actual Hideo Kojima hands-on producer and director for a whole new, genre-defining experience on the PlayStation Vita that actually makes all of the Vita’s feature seem useful and underused.
Guerrilla Games New IP: Killzone 3 meets Skyrim. Rumors talked of Guerrilla making an fantasy-style first-person game based on magic. I can’t tell you how much I’d rather see this than a new Killzone title from them.

Dan Oravasaari, PSLS Daytime News Writer:

Mirrors Edge 2, I know it has been rumored but I think it is one of the few games that has pushed the first person genre forward.
Syphon Filter Reboot – Another series that has been rumored to be in-development, but has yet to be pushed into the limelight. With the release of the Vita and the success that previous SF titles have seen on the PSP, It seems that a new game is only a matter of time. Sadly, I would much rather have this as a full PS3 release, even though I do not see this as a likelihood.
Monster Hunter - Again, another likely title that will see a Vita release, but would much rather have as a full PS3 release.
Halo 4 - Mainly just because I dont like listening to Seb’s “rules”

Vivas Kaul, PSLS Daytime News Writer:

Grand Theft Auto V PS3 Exclusives: I would love to see some episodic content for the game be a timed exclusive for the PS3 much like Lost and the Damned was on the 360. Of course, this also assumes that GTAV makes an appearance at E3 this year.
The Last of Us Release Date: I would love to see a concrete release date for this, but considering Naughty Dog’s release schedule, and the fact that the game is coming out this year, I imagine that they’ll say it’ll be out in November.
Metal Gear Solid: Revengence: I seriously want to know what the hell is going on with this game. Is it still being developed, is Kojima going to release it. Seriously, what’s up?

Cameron Teague, Podcaster:

More RPGs for the Vita – One of the best things about the PSP were the amount of good RPGs for the handheld. Now it is the Vita’s turn and with what we hope to be a huge focus on Vita software at E3, this would be the perfect time to unvail Valkyria Chronicles Collection (all three titles) on the Vita, Suikoden VI, Persona 5, Final Fantasy Type 0, and oh man, who am I kidding?
Final Fantasy Versus XIII Goes Mutliplatform – Now before you start beating down my door just hear me out. A lot of us are getting tired of waiting on this game and maybe a multiplatform announcement is just what this game needs to get the motor churning and might actually give us a release faster. Final Fantasy XIII went multiplatform and it has released and then gave way to a sequel, all while Versus has gone MIA. So just let go of the suspense, make it multiplatform and let’s get this game out before it reaches Duke Nukem levels of ridiculous.
Less Talk, more Rock – What I mean by this is that I want less talking and fronting from Sony and more DOING. Cut out the numbers talk, no one cares about it to be honest. Get on stage, click your little pointer and show us the goods. Trailers, announcements, gameplay, excitement behind every corner. This is what the fans and a lot of us in the media want to see.

Alex Osborn, PSLS Daytime News Writer:

Quantic Dream’s New Title – David Cage blew us away with his “Kara” demo at GDC, proving that there’s still plenty of untapped power hidden under the hood of the PS3. The studio’s prior titles Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain pushed the envelope for what games can be, so I can’t wait to see how they plan to take it one step further.
Jak 4 – We know that Naughty Dog has officially moved on from the franchise, but I’m holding out hope that Sony has brought on another team to take over… Bend Studio perhaps? Sanzaru Games took over development responsibilities from Sucker Punch on the Sly franchise, so it’s certainly a possibility.
Kingdom Hearts 3 – Tetsuya Nomura has been teasing fans for quite a while now and we haven’t seen a proper installment since 2006, so KH3 is long overdue. I’m tired of convoluted portable spinoffs, give us the good stuff, Square!

Daniel Bischoff, Game Revolution News Editor:

The Last Guardian: Just release it already. You’ve taken so long and the development has clearly been quite rocky. Give us a product we can actually play.
Remote play on Vita for a vast majority of the PS3 catalog. With the rear touch panel, the Vita has every button needed to simulate a PS3 controller. If I’m in my own home this should be a reality.
More exclusive content for third party releases on the PS3: It gets so easy to pick between versions of a third-party game when I know I can get a new character or an exclusive mission on the PS3 over the 360.

What would you love to see at Sony’s E3 conference? Let us know in the comments below!

DualShock and Awe #8 – Big E3 Reveal

Josh Fernandes — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:30:57 +0000

What will Sony’s Big E3 reveal be this year? Listen in as the guys go over what the surprise will likely be.

Direct Download

iTunes

RSS

Anarchy Reigns Delay Confirmed by Platinum, Release Date “To Be Confirmed”

Alex Osborn — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:22:23 +0000

According to developer Platinum Games, Anarchy Reigns has been delayed by Sega even though localization is complete and the title is ready for release.

The publisher has given the game a “TBC” release date, which Platinum has clarified as meaning “‘to be confirmed,’ not ‘to be cancelled.’” The developer voiced their disappointment in the delay, making it clear that a punctual release was important to the studio.

We worked really hard to make sure everybody could get the game on time. The game is fully localized. If you buy the Japanese version or any version, it’s going to have all the languages in it. We really wanted everybody online around the world to play together at the same time, but unfortunately that’s not going to happen.

Platinum Games went on to emphasize that the Western release of Anarchy Reigns is now in the hands of Sega, saying:

In the West, Sega is looking for the best time to put it out. It will still be out in July. There will still be ways for you to get it if you know where to go. We’re still 100 per cent behind the game and we still want to connect with you and play with you and have a good time. So let’s make sure that happens no matter what bad news we get.

Stay tuned to PlayStation LifeStyle for future updates on Anarchy Reigns. In the meantime, get pumped for Platinum’s other highly anticipated title Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

[Via]

Resident Evil 6 Box Art Revealed By Capcom

Nick Michetti — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:27:47 +0000

Capcom has revealed the box art for their upcoming survival horror title, Resident Evil 6.

Capcom Twitter account @RE_Games revealed the box art for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, which depict the logo of the game, an “RP” (Rating Pending) ESRB icon, and Capcom’s logo as well. To view the PS3 version of the box art, see the image towards the bottom of this post.

Resident Evil 6‘s box art isn’t the only news related to the Resident Evil series to emerge today, as Capcom has also announced the North American release date of PSN-only compilation Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection.

To view the box art for Resident Evil 6, see the image below:

Resident Evil 6 is currently scheduled to release on October 2nd for PS3 and Xbox 360, with a PC version release coming sometime later.

Resident Evil fans: What do you think about the box art? Let us know in the comments below!

[Update] Namco Delays Inversion to July Release Window In EU

Alex Osborn — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:31:08 +0000

[Update] We have just been notified that the July release window for Inversion applies to Europe only. The game will still arrive on June 5th in North America.

Namco Bandai’s upcoming shooter Inversion has been officially delayed to July, as the development team needs some extra time to polish the game up before release.

The game is being developed by the guys at Saber Interactive and was supposed to launch on June 5th. Considering that is the same date that marks the beginning of E3, we’d have to agree with their decision to push the game back a month, as the release would undoubtedly get drowned out by all the chaos that E3 will inevitably cause.

This isn’t the first time the game has been delayed however, as Inversion saw a prior setback just a few months ago. Hopefully this most recent delay is no cause for alarm as the team puts the finishing touches on their unique, gravity-defying shooter.

A statement from Saber regarding the game’s original delay said the following:

The extra development time for Inversion affords the team the opportunity to create an enjoyable and engaging third-person shooter experience with a comprehensive multiplayer component, including extensive competitive and co-operative modes.

[Source]

id Software Hiring For Next Gen FPS

Sebastian Moss — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:43:12 +0000

Sure, the PS3 might be getting more great games than ever before, but more and more developers are already setting their sights on the next gen. Now, we’ve uncovered a job listing that suggests that id Software are working on a FPS for the next gen.

A id Software job advert for a Senior Environment Artist states that “the ideal candidate should have experience with the full range of Next-Gen asset creation”, which points towards the game being for the next gen. Console development experience is also mentioned, so it’s unlikely the title is PC only.

With Doom 4 supposedly set to release next year for PS3, 360 and PC, there’s always the chance that a higher-def version will come to PS4 and 720. Other possible titles include Wolfenstein, Rage 2 or Quake V, although there’s always the chance that the game is a new IP. However, a job listing for a Senior Level Designer does ask for “familiarity with id Software games, characters, brands and worlds”, so even if it is a new IP, don’t expect a big change in design.

What would you like id Software to be working on for the next gen? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Demon’s Souls Online Server Functionality Extended

Nick Michetti — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:02:11 +0000

Good news for fans of Demon’s Souls: the game’s popular online functionality will continue.

Atlus has announced today that online server support for PS3 exclusive RPG Demon’s Souls will continue. The announcement in its entirety can be seen below.

Atlus VP of Sales and Marketing Tim Pivnicny said:

While it originally seemed as though it would be unfeasible for us to continue to sustain the servers, a number of developments have made it possible for us to continue to invest in and support our fans as they have continued to invest in and support us and Demon’s Souls. For all the gamers who have yet to discover the game’s amazing online experience, we’re happy to say you can still log on and find out why Demon’s Souls is still regarded by many as one of the finest games of all time.

The extension announcement doesn’t contain any timeframe that suggests when server operation may be shut down in the future. The servers were originally scheduled to be shut down in May.

If there are any updates, PSLS will keep you posted.

Demon’s Souls fans: Are you excited about the extension of the operation of the game’s online servers? Let us know in the comments!

Jet Set Radio Coming to Vita, Will be Playable at E3

Alex Osborn — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:50:34 +0000

Sega has just announced that they will be bringing the much beloved Dreamcast classic Jet Set Radio to the PlayStation Vita.

The game will be available this summer and will take advantage of a number of the Vita’s features. This portable version will allow you to spray graffiti by using the Vita’s touch controls and make use of the camera to undoubtedly import your own images into the game. Not only that, but the publisher went on to add that the title will be playable at E3.

A high-definition port of Jet Set Radio was already confirmed earlier this year for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It’s great to see that a PS Vita port of the game will launch alongside the other versions this summer.

In a statement from Haruki Satomi, the Sega Senior VP of Digital Business shared his excitement in the announcement, saying:

The fan reaction to our recent reveal of Jet Set Radio has been incredible! As Jet Set Radio is focused on creativity, the touch capabilities of the PlayStation VITA are proving to be a perfect fit.

Take a gander at the handful of screenshots that accompanied this announcement in the gallery below.

Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection Release Date & Price Revealed

Nick Michetti — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:41:29 +0000

Capcom has announced the price and release date of Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection.

The compilation of the PlayStation Move-enabled, high-definition remastered versions of both Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles will be releasing on the PlayStation Store in North America on June 26th. RE:CHDC will be priced at $26.99. Also, beginning July 17th, both will be available individually for purchase for $14.99 each.

Capcom had previously confirmed in March that the collection would be heading stateside. Both games are on-rails, light gun-style shooters that had previously only been available on the Nintendo Wii.

To view some footage of the games that been released at a Resident Evil anniversary celebration event, click here.

If there are any updates about games in the Resident Evil series, PSLS will keep you posted.

Resident Evil fans: What do you think about the release date and pricing announcements? Will you be picking up the compilation? Let us know in the comments below!

Kojima Teases New Zone of the Enders Project With Artwork

Alex Osborn — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:01:17 +0000

Famed Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima revealed an early glimpse at an all new project set in the Zone of the Enders universe.

The project is currently in the works at Kojima Productions and is tentatively titled the “Enders Project.” At a Zone of the Enders HD event in Japan, Kojima and his team teased this new title with a few pieces of artwork that we’ve embedded below for you to check out.

4Gamer.net is reporting that Hideo Kojima is very intent on creating a Zone of the Enders sequel. However, it appears that the game is quite a ways off, as the “Enders Project” is still in the very early stages of development.

Additionally, an individual who attended the event tweeted that the project is set during ancient times and will serve as a sequel to Anubis. Reports also indicate that – as one would expect – the Fox Engine is currently powering the project.

[Via]

Sony Patents PS SkEYEnet To Watch Your Every Move, Emotion

Sebastian Moss — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:42:40 +0000

It’s time to grab your tinfoil hats and prepare for the coming of an Orwellian nightmare – a new Sony patent highlights the possibility of a console that will track every aspect of your personality and life.

In a 2010 patent from Sony Computer Entertainment that has only just been published, Sony has detailed the creepy potential of a biometric controller and next gen PS Eye combination. The patent, innocuously titled “Automated Video Game Rating”, the company first describes how manual rating systems are flawed:

To guide consumers in their purchase, various rating schemes have been devised. Typically, these involve affirmative questioning of the users, and the use of their explicit input. Unfortunately, such an approach inevitably imports the biases of the users, and can lead to inaccurate or irrelevant ratings, because not all users are equally situated, and because haste, and sometimes deliberate dishonesty, factor into the rating session.

Fair enough – people do generally only rate a game if they really enjoy it or hate it, and there’s no way of knowing if that person has similar tastes to you. Sony’s proposed solution? To film you, watch you and listen to you.

The patent says that:

[A] Camera operates to observe the player during play, triggered to turn on when game play commences for instance. Facial recognition software, provided in camera or console , or even on a remote server such as rating server , serves to register various facial expressions and other behaviors of the player, in real time as the game is played. Expressions that can be registered include grins, grimaces, frowns, face contortions, looks of anger or astonishment, and the like. Each such expression is assigned a value that indicates a positive or negative experience and the degree of that experience at a particular point in game play. The values can be sent to ratings server through the network or stored on the console for sending at a later time when the conditions of network are more appropriate or the game deems more appropriate.

Continuing:

Other observational player data can also be collected. For instance, a sound recorder, integral with camera and/or console, can be used for voice recognition, to determine when expletives are used or when sounds or tones of contentment, triumph, anger or excitement are uttered. These incidents, measured in real time commensurately with game play, are also assigned various values indicative of their positive or negative nature and their degree. A user may shout “Hooray!” triumphantly upon defeating a foe in the game, for instance, and this can be detected and assigned a high positive value. Alternatively, the user can shout an expletive, which, if under expected circumstances, such as upon losing a life, may be assigned one negative value, while if under unexpected circumstances, as in uneventful game play, may be assigned a higher negative value as it may indicate boredom or lack of challenge or excitement. Other observational player data can include body position and posture and changes therein, along with various physical actions, such jumping up suddenly, flinging motions, and so forth.

So, at this stage, the patent allows the camera to watch your emotions, as well as listen to you. The level of accuracy of the watching camera could be potentially incredible:

Temperature of the player’s hands or face or other body parts (via an infrared camera for instance) as signs of stress, frustration or anger
Player’s gaze time for how bored they are to what is displayed on screen

Could the next PS Eye – which has been repeatedly patented – be even more precise than the recently revealed Leap camera (which is apparently 100x as precise as the Kinect)?

But the camera wouldn’t be the only thing used to work out exactly what you’re thinking. The patent mentions biometric controllers that measure your heartbeat and even sweat levels. This ties in to previous patents and rumors that the PS4 would have biometric controllers.

Using both these input methods, the console would also work out more personal aspects of your being, such as:

Hair style recognized (large, long, afro, bald)
Hair color
Facial hair recognized
Wears glasses
Color of clothing
Has an eye patch
Wears earrings
Wears facial jewelry (nose rings, etc)

This aspect of the patent is all the more baffling: while heartrates and sweat levels could potentially show your enjoyment levels of a game, what would your hair color have to do with it? Does Sony think people with blond hair like certain types of games, or that those with nose rings won’t like first person shooters?

In fact, the patent says something that isn’t exactly very politically correct:

Geographic information can even be used to point to cultural differences in players.

To get this information, the system could end up “analyzing IP addresses or by using GPS coordinates.”

You won’t be able to escape it when you travel either, with the patent saying that “the system can take the form of a portable gaming device”. If you have a 3G gaming device, it will then track where you play, and somehow work out your surroundings:

The type of games that are played while riding busses, trains or cars, or waiting in lines at a bank or at a bus stop can be tracked, based on geographic data, which can vary while the game is played. Also, indoor vs. outdoor game playing can be tracked, either geographically or using appropriate sensors, such as natural/sunlight detectors, provided for example on a portable gaming device. The geographical inference can even be resolve to the particular type of indoor room in a house or mall, or whether the player is seated at a desk, standing up in front of a TV, or reclining on a couch. Such information can elucidate player behavior and help match players to each other.

Don’t expect to be able to hide much from the system either if you have a Twitter or Facebook account, as it can access “databases such as those of social networks” to get your age and gender.

Of course, all of this is simply a patent and might never see the light of day, but even the fact that Sony could be contemptating such an invasive move sends chills down my spine.

What do you think, would you be comfortable with your every comment, every facial expression and every heartbeat being watched, recorded and analyzed? Let us know in the comments below.