Spike’s Video Game Awards ‘08

Yes that’s right the VGA ‘ 08 is tonight at 9:00. Game of the year: Gears 2, Fallout 3, or Fable 2. In my opinion it is tough to choose between Fallout 3 and Gears of war 2, Fable 2 in my opinion is good but not compared to these games. Anyway watch on Spike TV at 9:00.

SCEE boss: PSP 2 not planned, PSP is devs’ last pick

We hope you’re content with the current PSP, scanlines and all. While most hardware makers have historically begun R&D on their next generation platforms just as, or even before, the current generation is hitting shelves, SCEE president, David Reeves, has said that Sony is not currently planning a PSP 2. Interviewed by MCV, Reeves admitted that, “there are currently no plans for a PSP2,” adding, “I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it, I think they have their hands full at the moment.” Reeves also addressed the thorny issue of PSP software (or, more specifically, the lack thereof), saying, “[PSP's] weakness…is its software.” PlayStation’s European boss chalks the situation up risky business, explaining of developers that “when it comes to placing their bets, have to choose PS3 and 360, then Wii, then DS, maybe even PS2 before PSP.” He did not offer any details of how Sony is (hopefully) working to change this. Mr. Reeves, sir, you’re not exactly instilling us with confidence.

Atari focused on downloadable PSP games

While the PSP may be suffering from a drought of UMDs worth your holiday dollar, Atari’s Phil Harrison is convinced that Sony’s sexy portable remains a “very vibrant platform,” at least when it comes to downloadables. Despite a lack of PSP titles in its upcoming catalog, Eurogamer reports that the former Sony exec is “looking to explore” the platform’s digital goodies down the line. Hardly a shock, especially given Harrison’s notion that kids of tomorrow will turn their noses up at the idea of owning physical media. However, without any of those big-budget, single-player games to fall back on we doubt we’ll be busting ghosts or assaulting Dark Athena while waiting for the bus any time soon.

Star Ocean: Second Evolution slips to Jan. 20

Saucer-eyed space teenager news now, with a quick note from Square Enix announcing a delay for Star Ocean: Second Evolution. Originally scheduled for North American release on Jan. 6th, the remastered role-playing classic will now ship to eager PSP owners on Jan. 20th. We’ve contacted Square Enix to find out why the date was changed, but we’re not expecting a very interesting response. Like, “We woke up this morning and just hated the main character’s hair.”

Heads up, hackers: PSP firmware 5.02 inbound

A small update on the PlayStation Blog could mean big-ish things for the PSP homebrew scene. SCEA’s Eric Lempel reports that PSP firmware 5.02 is due soon, and that it “improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store.” Which, as all conspiracy theorists know, is code for “We’re going to break your custom firmware.” Of course, for the majority of PSP owners, there will likely be some actual improvements to system stability. No amount of firmware magicks will ever be able to fix those darn scanlines on the PSP-3000 PSP Brite, though.

SCEE dates new PS3, PSP firmware for Oct. 15

The UK’s semi-official PlayStation blog, ThreeSpeech, has published a Sony Computer Entertainment Europe press release on PS3 firmware 2.5 and PSP firmware 5.0, which includes the line: “Both system software updates will be released on 15th October.” Hey, that’s … tomorrow! The Oct. 15 date is also backed up by a post on SCEE’s official forums from one of its community leads. All indications point towards tomorrow being the day both platforms will get tricked out with the new features Joystiq posted about yesterday, plus a couple of surprises – most notably Flash 9 support for the PS3’s web browser. We’ve dropped SCEA a line for confirmation on a North American rollout of the firmware tomorrow.

TGS 08: PSP Wi-Fi Store opening Oct. 15 in Japan; all future first-party titles to be downloadable

Sony has announced that all future first-party PSP games will be available through download in Japan, beginning later this year via the Wi-Fi Store. The store is scheduled to open in Japan on October 15th with the firmware v5.00 update. Games to be sold by direct download include Secret Agent Clank (11/20), Patapon 2 (11/27), and LocoRoco 2 (12/4) (these titles will also be available on UMD). There is currently no date for the release of the store in North America or Europe. We’re also wondering how downloadable games’ pricing will compare to standard UMD retail prices (considering that direct downloads save on packaging, shipping and a slew of other costs). We’ll update as soon as we hear anything.

TGS 08: PSP Plus adds DualShock 3 controller functionality

One of Sony’s upcoming PSP games, Resistance Retribution, will utilize a newly developed technology called “PSP Plus.” The feature will allow players of Retribution to connect their systems to the PS3, in order to enable use of PS3 wireless controllers. Using the DualShock will enable dual-analog control in the game. In addition, rumble will be supported. This potential use of connectivity was hinted at in a patent filed over a year ago. Other games may be able to potentially utilize PSP Plus, however, it is currently a Retribution-only tech. Stay tuned as we reveal the exciting additions PS3’s Resistance 2 and PSP’s Resistance Retribution will bring.

[Update]

Remember Nintendo’s attempts at GBA-GC connectivity? Well, Sony may be a generation late to the party, but at least they’re doing it right. For this interesting gaming experiment, you’ll need a PSP, a PS3, Resistance 2 and Resistance Retribution. And the results are quite interesting. So we noted that you’ll be able to use your DualShock controller with Retribution through a new feature called PSP Plus. However, there’s even more fun to be had through the game’s unique Infection mode. In this new feature, players can connect PSP’s Resistance Retribution via USB cable to a PS3 running Resistance 2. From R2, players can go into the menu and activate Infection, which will almost instantly transform the PSP game.

News

We’d like to suggest a new video game rating system. It’s super easy to remember and, with only two different degrees of quality, we think it’s something just about anyone can understand: “Games That Are Worth Getting Sued for $150,000 to Pirate” and “Games That Are Not.” That’s exactly the light that James R. Strickland of New York is having to see Call of Duty 3 in, as he was sued last month by Activision after he (allegedly) “copied the Copyrighted Video Game and distributed the Copyrighted Video Game to the public.” Our friends at GamePolitics did a little digging and found that these sorts of lawsuits were pretty common for Activision, with at least six examples that GP could locate. It appears that the suits are for the actual copying of games rather than just sharing files, but we bet it’s probably enough to give some wrongdoers pause.

And if you are going to get sued, at least go with Call of Duty 4, OK?

Let’s just say that Rock Band was on its walkabout and that’s why it will finally arrive in Australian stores on November 7. Gamespot reports the game will be sold the same way as the European version, with instruments and software offered separately. The good news is that the instruments plus software will only cost $250 AUD ($208), instead of the $300-something the Europeans had to shell out. What about Rock Band 2? Oh, let’s just not talk about that. The Europeans need to get their fix before EA can worry about the land down under, right?

If any sort of parallel can be drawn between Spore and the creatures you foster into civilization within its digital confines, then we’ve reached a very proud moment. After it emerged from the development seas, wobbling on two spindly legs, Spore has now gone through its first evolution, thanks to a recently released patch that should help the fledgling game walk just a bit straighter. There’s a bevy of changes, from a difficulty increase in the game’s first half and a decrease of random attacks on your home planet during the Space stage. Read all about Spore’s evolutionary step right here.

Despite its rigorous, retro stylings and old-fashioned platforming, not everything in Mega Man 9 is rooted in the past, in fact, not every thing is in Mega Man 9. Nintendo Wii Fanboy peered into the downloadable game’s online instruction manual (they’re really terrible at it, you see) and discovered what appears to be a list of all the game’s planned downloadable content, including dates and prices. There are five pieces in total, with the first two modes, namely “Proto Man Mode” and “Endless Attack,” scheduled to arrive on October 6th or 200 Wii Points and 300 Wii Points, respectively. The plans also reveal “Hero Mode,” “Special Stage” and “Superhero Mode” due on October 20th. While you examine the full details after the break, we’ll check in with Capcom whether all (or any) of these apply to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Mega Man 9.

New From Sony!

This morning at the Leipzig Games Convention, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced it would release a new 160GB PlayStation 3 in Europe for €449 ($660). Within minutes, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the model, which boasts twice the hard drive space as the current 80GB SKU, would also be making its way to North America, albeit in a different form. While the European model will come with €70 ($102) in downloadable content localized to the user’s territory, the US and Canadian model will be introduced November via a limited edition bundle. Costing $499 in both territories, the package will include the 160GB PS3, a DualShock 3 controller, Naughty Dog’s acclaimed adventure game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, and a voucher for the downloadable game Pain. In a statement, SCEA president and CEO Jack Tretton explained the rationale behind the new PS3 model. “As [the] PlayStation Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity,” he said. “Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand.” Sony also had news today for those unswayed by the 160GB PS3 package’s offerings, or those simply unable to afford it or wait until November. The company said that this week, the new $399 80GB PS3 had begun shipping to stores. Announced at the E3 Media & Business Summit last month, the console is $100 cheaper than the previous 80GB PS3 SKU, but no longer offers software-based backward compatibility for PlayStation 2 games. SCEA reps confirmed for GameSpot that the 160GB model would also be bereft of PS2 game support.

Nice little update to the system, but why remove PS2 backwards compatibility? Unless its now going to be non software based…

Also this morning at the Leipzig, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe officially revealed the PSP-3000. Shortly thereafter, Sony Computer Entertainment America formally announced that the latest hardware revision of the PlayStation Portable would ship worldwide in October, or roughly two months’ time. SCEA’s announcement gave more concrete details about the PSP-3000 and Sony’s plans for it outside Europe. The handheld is the same width as the PSP-2000, the slimmer model Sony unveiled at E3 2007, and will sport the same video output functionality. However, the new model will now output gameplay in interlaced video format compatible with non-progressive video displays. More significant new additions to the new PSP include a redesigned LCD screen that boasts “more natural and vibrant colors” and “anti-reflection technology” to foil glare. The handheld will also sport a built-in microphone for use with the PSP’s Skype functionality and voice-enabled games, eliminating the need for an external headset. Another change visible on the PSP-3000 is the replacement of the “home” button on its front with a button bearing the PlayStation logo. The switch prompted rumors that the new PSP would sport a XrossMediaBar (XMB) which could be accessed in-game as on the PlayStation 3. However, SCEA reps said that the logo button would have the same functionality as the home button, and had no new information on whe, or if, an in-game XMB would come to the PSP, as trophies are suspected of. Sony also announced today that the new PSP would come in three colors–”Piano Black,” “Pearl White,” and “Mystic Silver.” The new model will replace the PSP-2000 in all current retail configurations, including the $169 PSP Core Pack and the various $199 PSP Entertainment Packs. These include the forthcoming Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters Entertainment Pack, which also contains a 1GB Memory Stick Duo, an UMD copy of the film National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, and a voucher for the downloadable title Echochrome.

Better, but why are they still sticking with those stupid UMDs?