Video game companies in France may be losing their tax breaks in the near future. Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream’s co-CEO, Guillaume de Fondaumiere, has allegedly commented that the studio may relocate to Canada if the breaks aren’t reinstated.

GamesIndustry.biz (citing Develop) reports that January 2012 was the end of a five-year period of tax breaks for game development studios in France, which offered refunds as high as 20 percent on production costs. However, if an exemption from European laws against state aid isn’t extended, France and other European countries won’t be able to offer tax breaks at the state level. State aid is generally forbidden in EU law as it could give an unfair advantage to one country over another, but in 2007 game tax breaks were recognized as an exception until 2012. During that exception period, the French government usually offered a twenty per cent refund on production costs of games.

Develop reports that France is facing a “national budgetary crisis” and with a presidential election upcoming for the country, they don’t know whether or not they can set aside money for tax breaks.

Quantic Dream’s de Fondaumiere is also the Chairman of the European Games Developer Federation, and has apparently warned the European Commission that, due to the effectiveness of the measure in France and the hope brought to European studios, abandoning it would be “[a] historic mistake.”

He reportedly said that France doesn’t have an unfair advantage over other European nations due to the tax breaks and that there is no “distortion in competition within the EU” as a result of them.

He cited Ubisoft moving some of their production activities back to France between 2008 and 2011 as something that the publisher had attributed to the tax breaks.

de Fondaumiere also said that if France doesn’t reinstate the tax breaks, the studio may begin looking at Canada, a country which has seen an influx of British game industry talent after the UK government refused to implement tax breaks. Develop also reports that Ubisoft, EA, THQ and Square Enix have invested in “super-sized” studios across Quebec due to a possible 37.5% return on investment provided through tax breaks.

A TIGA study said that possibly as much as 40% of jobs in the video game industry in the UK were relocated to countries that have strong tax incentives.

A European Commission spokesperson gave the following comment to Develop:

French authorities have said they want to extend the scheme and have now provided detailed information on the effects of the earlier measures.

The Commission is analysing the request – no decision has been taken.

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

© nickmichetti for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us

Major video game retailer GameStop will be holding midnight launches for the First Edition Bundle of the PlayStation Vita.

At midnight on February 14th, certain GameStop locations will be open for the PlayStation Vita’s First Edition Bundle launch. Not all locations are participating, so check this link for the GameStop nearest you holding a midnight launch event.

The page doesn’t explicitly say that you need to have pre-ordered a First Edition Bundle to pick one up at the event, although there is a link on it to pre-order one online with a note that Vita can also be pre-ordered in stores.

GameStop also gives the following notes about the event:

• Doors will open in most locations at 11PM, but gamers should call their local GameStop in advance to check for the exact opening time.
• First Edition Bundles will be available for pick-up at midnight.
• Between 11PM and midnight is when the store will finalize your transaction. You will have to go to the register to receive your finalized purchased receipt. Finalizing the transaction is where they accept your deposit, partial or full, and create a sales receipt.
• Bring in any trade-ins you’d like to use towards trade-in offers to lower the price of your Vita.
• You don’t have to arrive at 11PM and can show up any time between 11PM and midnight. However, the earlier you show up, the earlier you can have your trade-ins and transaction processed.

Gamers can learn more about the midnight launch by calling this hotline number: 1-888-490-7664.

Will you be attending the Vita First Edition Bundle midnight launch events? Let us know in the comments below!

© nickmichetti for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us

Probably the best Move-only game out there, Zindagi Games’ Sports Champions highlighted just what the motion control was capable of. Their next release, Medieval Moves: Deadmund’s Quest, sadly wasn’t as good, but still helped support the Move platform – something that Sony has had trouble doing. Now, we’ve uncovered a job listing that states that the developer is working on yet another PS3-exclusive, which is probably another Move game.

The job listing on Gamasutra is under the PS3 category, with Zindagi calling themselves a 2nd party studio and talking about their work with the Move, including a mention that the company worked on the motion controller “since its inception all the way through R&D and production.” Their site also says “We work with the PlayStation Move”, all of which suggests that the game is a Move title.

We uncovered a similar job listing early last year, with the game turning out to be November’s Deadmund’s Quest.

What would you like to see Zindagi develop? Sports Champions 2, Deadmund’s Next Quest or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

© Sebastian Moss for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us

Konami’s off-beat action game NeverDead will be getting downloadable content on February 21st. Dubbed the “NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1,” this add-on content will treat gamers to all sorts of extra goodies.

The DLC includes a new playable character named Nikki Summerfield, a pop-star icon who can be taken online with friends via the game’s co-op challenges. Additionally, there will be three new game challenges added, all of which are set in the game’s expanded Asylum.

The challenges include “Egg Hunt,” which tasks players with finding and returning various collectables to designated “Score Zones,” “Fragile Alliance,” which is essentially a race that requires players to pass various checkpoints, and “Onslaught,” which, as the name implies, forces you to defeat all of the enemies before progressing to the next round where you’ll do the same.

Finally, there are two new costumes that gamers will get to dress up the main character Bryce in.

Check out screenshots of the add-on content below:

© Alex for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us

Gamers who pre-ordered PlayStation Vitas from Amazon.ca have claimed that they’ve received emails saying that their Vita pre-orders have shipped.

Users on NeoGAF (posts can be read here, here, and here) claim that they’ve received emails from Amazon.ca, Amazon.com’s Canadian branch, saying that their Vita pre-orders have shipped.

The Vitas being shipped to gamers who preordered appear to only be the Wi-Fi only Vitas, according to a user on the board (whose post can be read here).

Former 1UP.com staff member and Area 5 co-founder Ryan O’Donnell seemed to confirm the reports on Twitter:

Amazon.ca did break street date and Vitas have appeared on Canadian doorsteps. Yep, it happened. #NeoGAF

The PlayStation Vita’s release date is February 15th for First Edition Bundle pre-orderers, whereas the standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models are scheduled to release on February 22nd.

Have you preordered a PlayStation Vita? Let us know in the comments below.

© nickmichetti for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us

If downloading digital titles isn’t your thing, there’s still a way for you to get your hands on some Vita games early, as GameStop has just started offering first-party PS Vita games through their online and retail stores.

Here’s a list of the titles that are currently available:

• Uncharted: Golden Abyss
• Little Deviants
• Hot Shots Golf World Invitational
• Wipeout 2048
• ModNation Racers: Road Trip

Unless you imported a Japanese model of the Vita, end up winning our Vita giveaway, or are getting the first edition bundle which launches on the 15th, you’re going to have to remain patient until the 22nd, when you can finally dive in to those pretty blue cases that have been sitting on your shelf.

Perhaps amassing a little collection of Vita titles will ease the unbearable anticipation you have for the platform’s release.

[Source]

© Alex for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us

If you’ve been drooling over the gorgeous footage of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 on the PlayStation Vita, we’ve got some great news for you, as UMVC3′s producer believes that all console fighters should have a handheld counterpart.

Speaking to VG247, Ryota Niitsuma explained how he believes that bringing console fighters to handhelds like the Vita should be a no-brainer for developers.

Personally, I believe that fighting games should have a version on home consoles and then a version on handhelds which make it fun for people on the go, utilizing its features.

I think that the players also feel the same way. If we start seeing fighting games sold only on portable systems, then that would be a whole different story.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 will be released alongside the Vita on February 22nd. Don’t forget that Capcom also plans to bring Street Fighter X Tekken to the PlayStation handheld as well.

© Alex for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us

Yesterday, a report emerged that Sony wouldn’t be having a North American version of the UMD Passport Program, which allows gamers to download their original PSP UMD games on Vita for a discounted price. Sony Europe has offered a comment about Europe’s status for the program, but it unfortunately doesn’t make their status very clear.

Eurogamer reports that a Sony Europe spokesperson offered the following comment about European Vita owners receiving the UMD Passport Program:

We’ve not made any announcement about the program in the UK and Europe as yet. We’ll let you know as and when that changes.

The UMD Passport Program is available in Japan, which is the only territory confirmed to have it thus far. For those outside of Japan and without Passport Program access, the Vita can still download and play PSP games from the PlayStation Store.

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

Do you think Europe will receive the UMD Passport Program? Let us know in the comments below.

© nickmichetti for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us

With Sony losing money for four straight years in a row – over $2 billion in the last quarter alone – credit rating agency Standard and Poor has downgraded the company, citing “a massive erosion of prices, falling demand, and harsh competition” across Sony’s main businesses.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services today lowered its long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on Sony from A- to BBB+. BBB+ means that the agency – which is highly respected by investors – has downgraded its view of the company and its recommendation on whether people should invest in Sony, something which is sure to affect the Sony’s share price adversely.

S&P commented that the “outlook on the long-term corporate credit rating is negative”, saying that the “severe circumstances in Sony’s mainstay electronics businesses make a strong recovery in earnings unlikely”. The group warned that they could lower the rating further should they see no meaningful sign of a recovery within 6-12 months.

One of the main reasons for Sony’s failure is given to be their TV business, which has made repeated losses since fiscal 2004 totaling in the tens of billions. S&P stated that even if Sony shifted its focus from market share to profitability, they would still probably not make money in the industry until fiscal 2013.

Sony’s profitability is noted as being “significantly weaker than that of its global industry peers”, but did note that their will (probably) be no repeat of one-off expenses due to floods in Thailand and impairment losses on stockholdings, which should help the company.

To even think about upgrading the company, S&P would have to see Sony stabilize their core business earnings and show stronger prospects for financial improvement – something they see as unlikely to happen.

The news is set to make Kaz Hirai’s job as the upcoming CEO and President of Sony even harder, as he struggles to return profitability to what was once the king of the tech industry.

© Sebastian Moss for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us

The PlayStation Vita still isn’t available for purchase outside of Asia, but that hasn’t stopped Sony from updating their marketplace. If you spend a few minutes digging around on the PlayStation Store, you’ll be able to find five PlayStation Vita games available for download.

The downloadable titles include:

• Uncharted: Golden Abyss at $49.99
• ModNation Racers Road Trip at $26.99
• Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational at $35.99
• Wipeout 2048 at $35.99
• Super Stardust Delta at $9.99

It may sound a bit nonsensical to purchase the games now, but with the Vita only a few weeks away and the ability to transfer your games over via the Content Manager, you’ll be ready to go as soon as you come home from the store. Believe me, the last thing you’ll want to do when you get your shiny new toy is wait for a bunch of games to download on your device.

Look for the PlayStation Vita and its incredible launch lineup of games on February 15th as a First Edition bundle and on the 22nd for the official launch.

[Via]

© Alex for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us

Game retailer Future Shop has hinted at an impending God of War IV announcement during the ongoing retailer-centric event, PlayStation Destination.

Earlier today, a post on NeoGAF (which has since been removed) contained alleged evidence of a Tweet from Future Shop that teased the possibility of a God of War IV unveiling in the very near future.

From FS Gamer (the Canadian retailer at Destination PlayStation who let out LBP Karting):

“@brad_re: @FS_Gamer …god of war 4 announcement as a final maybe?!” Great Question. (;

Rumors have been circulating the web for some time regarding another installment in the God of War franchise, which is undoubtedly a safe bet, considering it is one of Sony’s best selling franchises. One rumor even pointed to a reveal this month.

Future Shop is believed to be a reliable source, as the retailer outed the existence of “LittleBigPlanet Karting“ and Sleeping Dogs yesterday, but this tweet is less reliable as they don’t outright confirm GOW IV.

© Alex for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us

Every three years, the US Copyright Office reviews requests for exemptions to the “anti-circumvention” rules in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, with the next review set for this Friday. Will jailbreaking be classified a crime?

Jailbreaking – the act of circumventing a system’s security to access its inner files and be able to do what you want with the system – was previously ruled legal on mobile devices like iPhones and iPads, but with the PS3 it’s a little different. While the general consensus is that it is legal, Sony continues to pursue action against the modding and cracking community as a true precedent has yet to be set (Geohotz settled out of court). But Friday’s review could change all that, and clearly define jailbreaking as illegal, or legal.

We asked the developer of the first “Modified Firmware” for the PlayStation 3 and leading industry figure Youness Alaoui (known as KaKaRoTo) about his thoughts on the matter. He replied:

We own computers and we use them any way we want, and that’s normal and legal. But recently, most of our devices, have become full fledged computers. The PlayStation 3 is a computer, referred to by Sony as a “Computer Entertainment System” and which could even run Linux at one point. When we buy a PS3, we own it, but we are locked out of it by Sony for no reason other than for them to impose on us a flawed business model.

My PlayStation 3, for example, is full of spyware (you should see the kind of personal information it sends without your knowledge), adware (all those “PSN Store” icons in every XMB category, the “What’s new”, Video unlimited, Netflix, NHL, etc.. icons) and malware (removal of OtherOS, removal of copy to PSP feature, forced silent updates, etc..) which Sony forcefully installed without my consent and I have no way to uninstall them. When you get spyware/adware/malware installed on your PC, it is considered a “virus” and you must uninstall it, and you have tools for that, but with the PS3, you can’t, and the tools to do that are considered illegal.

Jailbreaking allows us to gain back control of our own devices. I buy my device, I own it. While I do not own the operating system/software that runs on it, I am forced to use it to run the machine. What if I don’t want to agree to their terms of service anymore (which change every other week, and rob me of my constitutional rights), what if I don’t want to use their software anymore? I should be allowed to legally jailbreak the device and completely replace the software, the operating system, with one that I approve. If I can’t replace the operating system, then my property (the hardware) cannot be used anymore, and Sony basically stole my money. I sign a user agreement to use their software, but the hardware is mine and I don’t want their software anymore.

Jailbreaking is not a crime, Jailbreaking is about freedom and doing what’s right. And while pirating software is a crime and cheating online is immoral and unethical, the act of jailbreaking in itself is not and should not be considered a crime.

It is time to make our voice heard and let everyone know that we cannot tolerate being dictated what to do and how to do it, being forced to see ads everyday and then being called criminals for requesting our fundamental rights. It is time to refuse having our property defaced with their adware, our privacy violated with their spyware, and our freedom forgotten by their lawyers.

Jailbreaking is not a crime. Sign the petition today and tell the US Congress why you think your freedom is more important than some corrupt business model: https://www.jailbreakingisnotacrime.org/

You can find out more about KaKaRoTo’s views in an exclusive PSLS interview, “Who Owns Your PS3?”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, who we interviewed about free speech and jailbreaking last year, also believes that you should be allowed to do what you want with your own tech. The EFF also made a parody video ridiculing the fact that you can set your PS3 on fire, smash it and toast it, but can’t jailbreak it:

If you agree that jailbreaking should be legal, you have one day left to let the Copyright Office know. But if you feel otherwise, be sure to voice your opinion, as is your free speech right.

Where do you stand? Should you be allowed to do what you want with the hardware you own, or is the safety and the security of the closed system paramount? Share your thoughts below.

© Sebastian Moss for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us

After a talkative retailer revealed Square Enix title Sleeping Dogs, the publisher has officially announced the game, along with releasing a fast-paced live-action trailer.

Described as “a gritty and visceral openworld cop drama set in the vibrant city of Hong Kong”, Sleeping Dogs is the new name for True Crime: Hong Kong, as suspected. Developed by ModNation Racers studio United Front Games, with the help of Square Enix London Studios, you play as undercover cop Wei Shen, who is tasked with taking down the Hong Kong Triads from the inside – something that apparently sucks Wei in and makes him begin to question his own motives. You will be able to explore Hong Kong island in the open-world game, with street corners, market stalls, harbour docks and city skyscrapers accessible.

The announcement came with an impressive martial arts live action trailer that wouldn’t be out of place in a Hollywood movie:

While the trailer is well made and definitely enjoyable, it obviously doesn’t really reveal much about the game.

Lee Singleton, General Manager of Square Enix London Studio, commented on the reveal:

From the moment you pick up the controller and experience the blend of driving, close combat and shooting you know you’re playing something fresh and a bit special. Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there — it’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves, and when added to UFG’s proven heritage in driving games, a first class story and the vibrant backdrop of the Hong Kong underworld we get a fiery recipe with fun written all over it.

Stephen Van Der Mescht, Executive Producer at United Front Games, added:

Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we’re really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios. The extensive experience both our studios have in creating compelling openworld gameplay and rich and rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we can make sure that Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive experience it can be.

Has the trailer made you excited about the game? Let us know in the comments below.

© Sebastian Moss for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us

With the advent of PS2 Classics on the PlayStation Store, the possibility of more greats from the generation past quickly became a reality. So it was for the original Killzone, which launched on the PS2 in 2004. The announcement fans were waiting for came: Killzone would be made available as a PS2 Classic. However, no further details were given, and the announcement has since faded into black.

Until today, that is, when the official KillzoneDotCom Twitter account revealed that Killzone on the PS3 had been “delayed indefinitely”. No reason was given for the delay, but one could speculate that it could be re-positioned as an HD remake of sorts – but being just one game from the PS2, the scenario is unlikely. Bad news, indeed.

But, not all is lost. When asked about a Killzone 4, the man (or woman) behind the KillzoneDotCom Twitter curtain replied jovially: No comment!

It’s a stretch, but the smiley emoticon usually signals a tease of sorts. Could yet another Killzone game be in development at Guerrilla Games, on top of the new IP they’re working on? A report from EDGE magazine from back in November believes that is the case. We’ll find out if and when Guerrilla and Sony get closer to deployment.

© Staff for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us

While the consensus worldwide seems to be that the PlayStation Vita’s Western launch holds much greater potential than its Japanese one did, the system is also clawing its way up in Japan. While last week’s release of Tales of Innocence-R marked the highest a Vita game had ever charted with slot number three, ToI-R this week becomes the first to stay within Media Create‘s top 20 for more than one week. As you may recall, Hot Shots Golf and Uncharted debuted nicely, but were out by the next week.

Sony’s new handheld claims the fourth spot on the software sales charts, this time with GameArts and GunHo’s Ragnarok Odyssey. Sony did once again take the third spot, but with the elder of its two handhelds and its highly anticipated FotoKano: Picture Girlfriend.

1. (3DS) Resident Evil: Revelations
2. (PS3) Soul Calibur V
3. (PSP) PhotoKano: Picture Girlfriend
4. (PSV) Ragnarok Odyssey
5. (PS3) Armored Core V
6. (3DS) Mario Kart 7
7. (3DS) Monster Hunter 3G
8. (3DS) Super Mario 3D Land
9. (PS3) Gran Turismo 5 Spec II
10. (PS3) Dragon Age II
11. (3DS) Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure
12. (360) Monster Hunter Frontier Online: Forward .3 Premium Package
13. (3DS) Inazuma Eleven Go: Shine/Dark
14. (PSV) Tales of Innocence-R
15. (WII) Just Dance Wii
16. (360) Soul Calibur V
17. (PSP) Monster Hunter Portable 3
18. (WII) Wii Sports Resort w/ Remote Plus
19. (PS3) Final Fantasy XIII-2
20. (WII) Mario Kart Wii

The hardware sales, while once again not showing Vita punching suckers in the face, at least show some level of stability. While last week marked the first week since launch time in which the Vita outsold its elder portable, the PSP, this week’s repeat performance officially marks the first time it’s held off the PSP in back-to-back weeks. It’s gotta start sometime, right? This is a good sign for the future of Vita in the Far East.

3DS – 84,789
PS3 – 23,293
Vita – 17,141
PSP – 15,847
Wii – 8,814
360 – 1,382
PS2 – 481

Next week, data for two more desirable Vita games will be posted, as Sumioni and Gravity Daze will hit Japanese shelves.

© Knifefight for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us