Report: Sony ‘on brink of upheaval’ – factory, division closures

Look, we know the economy is in shambles; a perambulating corpse, gnawing its way through the hopes and dreams of the global populace … but this is getting ridiculous. Reports of “drastic cost cuts” at Sony have us really spooked, think not only “factory closures” but also “the abolition of several major divisions,” according to the Times of London. (In response to the report, Sony told Reuters, “We don’t have any such plan.”) While there’s no mention of specifics (will the PlayStation brand/division be affected?), the Times does quote a Credit Suisse analyst who says that, unless Sony takes aggressive steps to consolidate power in the hands of prez Howard Stringer – it will be unable to “close the gap with competitors such as Apple and Nintendo.” Perhaps more evident to those of us watching the gaming industry specifically is the mention of “frustrations … and a clear internal cultural clash between Japanese Sony and its US and European operations.” We thought Kaz was going to bring some of that good, ol-fashioned American can-do attitude to Japan back in ought-six? Nevertheless, we want to talk to the investors directly: Listen guys, we know Sony’s got some problems. We know that. But you’ve got to just chill out and relax, chillax even, and wait until the Big S shows off whatever Team ICO’s got in the oven. Not buying it? How about this: Microsoft is feeling the economic pinch also, but the grapevine seems to think the Xbox division will be spared. Nintendo isn’t the only competition out there, you know?

Report: PS3 leads Wii … in web browsing

If you’ve ever wondered “Does anyone actually browse the web on consoles?,” Market Share has an answer for you: yes, but not very many people. The firm reports that .04% of all web browsing is performed on PS3, compared to the .01% of Wii, the only other current-gen console with a browser. Of course, PS3’s browser is built-in; Wii’s particular version of Opera costs 500 Wii Points ($5) and, well, people have to seek it out among the other WiiWare offerings. So, tell us, are you reading Joystiq on a console, and if so, which one?

Tune Raider: ‘Underworld’ soundtrack available for free download

Nothing says “yuletide cheer” like a bombastic action score, such as the one written by Colin O’Malley for Tomb Raider: Underworld. Good news: said soundtrack is being offered as a free download from the website Tomb Raider Chronicles (and actually has been for a while, but “better late thannever“). There are actually several downloads to choose from: bundles of tracks associated with each of the game’s locales, or one big “deluxe edition” (198MB) containing all 71 tracks in 320kbps MP3 format. (Lady Croft demands nothing but the highest bitrates.)

Suit up: New TR Underworld costumes available

Eidos has given Underworld fans another free costume pack, perfect for playing dress-up with Lara Croft. The 62MB download gives Lara a blue and a red wetsuit to add to her walk-in closet. A previous free costume pack bestowed Lady Croft with her treasured original (Anniversary) outfit and her Legend ensemble. As much as we love putting Lara in new clothes, pretending she’s the Barbie doll dad wouldn’t let us have as a kid, don’t think we’ve forgotten about those Underworld level packs. Pretty clothes might distract us, but the “Beneath the Ashes” mission was originally planned to be out by now.

CVG digs up Dead Space’s religious secrets

Even after you’ve milked Dead Space for all the fun of its dismemberment and plant-monster scares, did you know there’s a deeper mystery to uncover? CVG is offering up all the tools you need to decipher the secret language of the in-game religion, Unitology. If you’re too lazy to do even that, they’ve already done much of the legwork for you. This isn’t just a way to uncover back story either, as there are some power nodes and other goodies to be had. Be aware, though: There are also some spoilers to be had.

Top 10 downloaded PSN games of 2008

PlayStation.com’s Pulse program has revealed* PSN’s “overall” most downloaded games of 2008. Now, before cursing the heavens that PAIN is at the top of the list, PS3 Fanboy is quick to point out that the game was free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year. The list is still packed with surprises, especially with the performance of High Velocity Bowling and Aquatopia. It’s good to see that PixelJunk Monsters did well, but where’s Eden? WipEout HD’s absence is also noticeable. We’d definitely like to see Pulse do this as a monthly feature.

*Copied list after the break for our mobile users who may not be able to read the image.

Home connection fix coming Dec. 18

Ah, Error C-931. You’re like a Wal-Mart greeter gone mad with power, picking and choosing who gets into the store. Well, buddy, your days are numbered. According to a post on SCEE’s official Home support forum, you’ll be out of a job soon. Happy Holidays. Tomorrow’s patch is “the first step in tackling the connection issues that you’ll know as C-931 errors,” according to the post. Wait – first step? “Its just a first step and we’ll bring you more information this latter (sic) this week.” Evidently, C-931 is legion and has one goal: keeping you from connecting to Home. Hopefully, thwarting you won’t distract the Home team from its other tasks … like giving people more to do once they get in.

Sony: God of War 3 will be the ‘last installment’

Kratos will be hanging up his swords after God of War III, though we hope he does something about those chains first. Sony has revealed that the upcoming sequel will be “the last installment” in the series, leaving the Ghost of Sparta to find creative ways to make beheadings and impalement look good on his resume. According to Sony, the game will also boast four times the texture resolution seen in God of War II, as well as dynamic lighting and more on-screen enemies than before, which goes a long way explaining why David Jaffe’s jaw is still on the floor. Do something about that, will you?

Edge magazine GOTY ‘08: LittleBigPlanet

UK-based Edge magazine’s latest issue contains the publication’s “best of” picks for 2008, and LittleBigPlanet is at the top of the heap. Sony’s über-platformer took game of the year honors, edging out runners-up Grand Theft Auto IV and Fable 2. (Fun fact: all three contenders were UK-developed.) LBP creator Media Molecule was recognized as 2008’s best developer, while its creation also picked up the highest acclaim for innovation and visual design. (Yes, Halo 3’s “best innovation” streak has finally been broken.) Edge also named winners for best audio design (Dead Space), best hardware (Xbox 360), best publisher (Microsoft Game Studios), and best online experience (Left 4 Dead).

Phelps, 505 Games announce partnership, first game in 2010

In a heroic feat of strength, swimmer Michael Phelps has managed to hoist the hojillion Olympic medals off his neck and dive into the world of video games. It’s true! Developer and publisher 505 Games announced that it has inked a partnership with Phelps, who first revealed his plans to swim in digital waters earlier this month. According to 505, it plans to bring Phelps to next generation consoles (a term we grow to despise more each day) and the iPhone. But don’t be expecting to see Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” on the cover of any game soon, as the first title from this pairing isn’t expected to reach the other side of the retail pool until spring 2010. Of course, by then most of us will have forgotten all about Phelps’ drenched mug and will instead be preparing ourselves for the year we make contact.