Masahiro Sakurai PS3 crashed at world’s end

You know what they say about Murphy’s Law – it strikes when you least expect it to, and the same can be said for Masahiro Sakurai whose claim to fame is as the creator of Kirby as well as being the director of the Nintendo 3DS-bound Kid Icarus: Uprising. The thing is, his PS3’s hard drive died on him, and it is not just a matter of a few bad sectors hanging around, but a “full crash” in Masahiro’s own words, followed by an epitaph, “The end. Goodbye, Planet Earth.”

The thing is, this is no vanilla PS3 but rather, his console was one of the original 2006 models that came with hardware-based backwards compatibility with titles from the PS1 and PS2. To put it in a nutshell, he lost all his data for three generations of the PlayStation console, which translates to approximately 18 years’ worth of data saved. No idea on the hundreds of hours that he spent playing all the different games across the PS1, PS2 and PS3. I guess this just goes to show that nothing is permanent in this life apart from death and taxes.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Beta access for PS3 and PS Vita kicks off , New PlayStation Store arriving this October 23rd,

Activision releases 007 Legends video game

Activision has announced that its new video game 007 Legends is available to purchase. This is the latest video game in Activision’s James Bond franchise, and the game sounds very cool. As the name implies, the game is based on five different classic Bond movies.

The Bond films that the video game is based on include Goldfinger, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Moonraker, License to Kill, Die Another Day, and the upcoming film Skyfall. The box image for the video game shows my favorite Bond villain of all time, Jaws. I hope Jaws is a playable character and figures heavily into the game.

The video game will launch across Europe on October 19 and on in Australia on October 31. From the description, it sounds as if the missions go along with each of the classic films. A sixth mission is unlockable that is based on the new Skyfall movie due out next month.

The Skyfall mission is offered as download content and its availability is timed to coincide with the movie. PlayStation Network subscribers will be able to access the Skyfall mission on November 9, and the mission will hit Xbox Live on November 20. Each of the six missions the game offers multiple levels and allows players to use spy gadgets, different weapons, vehicles, and more. The game will be offered for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and Windows computers. The Windows version will be available on Steam on November 2.


Activision releases 007 Legends video game is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Beta access for PS3 and PS Vita kicks off

If you own either the PS3 or the PS Vita, then you will be pleased to know that PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Beta access for both consoles, handheld or otherwise, is already on its way to begin. PlayStation Plus members on the PS3 will be able to enjoy the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Beta access from October 16th onwards, where everyone else will be able to enjoy it a full week later via the PlayStation Store. As for PS Vita owners, you will be able to jump straight into the multiplayer beta action from tomorrow onwards sans the need for a Plus subscription. Just like Street Fighter x Tekken, the beta will support Cross-Play, allowing PS3 and PS Vita owners to duke it out with one another, throwing bone crunching punches at each other’s avatars.

The limited Beta will see characters such as Kratos, Sweet Tooth, Colonel Radec, Sly Cooper, PaRappa, and Fat Princess cause havoc, as you play in both the Metropolis and Hades stages. Not only that, you can always give the four-player online tournaments and 2 v 2 online tournaments a go.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony PS3 and Vita bundle a possibility, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale pre-order bonuses detailed, launches on October 23,

Rockstar Games Collection: Edition 1 Packs in Four Sweet Games for One Sweet Price

Rockstar Games has produced some of the most popular video games around over the last several years. The company is particularly well known for the insanely popular Grand That Auto franchise. Rockstar Games has announced a new video game compilation collection called the Rockstar Games Collection: Edition 1.

rockstar

The compilation puts four full versions of popular Rockstar video games in one box and will be available in North America on November 6. The game collection will be offered for PS3 and Xbox 360 systems at a retail price of $59.99(USD).

The titles included in the game pack are Red Dead Redemption, GTA: Episodes from Liberty City, L.A. Noire, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles Complete Edition. That last game is a driving game, and includes every downloadable real-world vehicle and city section released since the game debuted. This pack should make a great gift for gamers this holiday season, and is a great deal, considering that each of the games originally sold for $59.99.


New PlayStation Store arriving this October 23rd

Do you think that the current PlayStation Store is just looking too tired, and is in serious need for a revamp? For those who have answered in the affirmative, then you would be pleased to mark down October 23rd on your calendars as that is when the new and redesigned PlayStation Store for the PS3 will launch. Sony claimed to have listened closely to users’ feedback, and have used it to construct a totally new PlayStation Store from ground up. From what you see above, what do you think of the new user interface? Is it “stunning” as described by Sony themselves? Delivering simple search and powerful content discovery, the new PlayStation Store aims to be an in-store experience which is far more streamlined and accessible than before.

With the new PlayStation Store, you will be able to access over 20,000 pieces of game-related content, ranging from downloadable games, add-ons and themes and more than 100,000 videos and TV shows. There is a whole lot more to choose from, where the redesign offers easier navigation to locate the perfect game, video or application. Product pages will be more comprehensive as they deliver in-depth information concerning games and videos, all presented in high definition visuals.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: PlayStation Store not returning today after all, Skyrim: Dawnguard PS3 delay is ‘our problem’, admits Bethesda,

PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd

PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd

If you feel the current design of the PlayStation Store leaves a lot to be desired, then you’ll probably be glad to hear it’s being totally revamped. A new UI should do a better job of pushing fresh content at you, and its appearance will be consistent regardless of whether you’re outputting in standard or high def. Searching has been improved to handle abbreviations and misspellings, and a dynamic list of suggestions will try to work out what you’re looking for as you type. Also, Vita and PSP content will be separated, new filters will be available and content hubs will offer everything linked to a certain title, à la the Xbox 360 Marketplace. Sound good? Well, there’s not long to wait – it’ll be launching in PAL regions (Europe, Asia, Australia and others) on October 17th, while North Americans will receive it almost a week later, on October 23rd.

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PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers

Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers

There are plenty of gaming headsets, but only so many specifically tuned to the PlayStation audience that aren’t made by Sony itself. Mad Catz’ Tritton label has just shipped a version of its Kunai wired headset optimized for both the PS3 and the PS Vita that might redress that (admittedly minor) deficit. About the only real customization for Vita owners is the option for a shorter 3-foot cord, but PS3 owners can plug in through USB and adjust voice volume independently from the gunshots and explosions. Regardless of which game console the Kunai links to, there’s a modest 25Hz to 20KHz headphone frequency range and few frills aside from a detachable boom microphone. Tritton is mostly counting on the price to lure us in, which just might work — at $60, berating players in-game with a Kunai will cost as much as one of the games themselves.

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Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?

PlayStation 3 Slim 3rdgen review

What else can be said about the PlayStation 3 at this point that hasn’t already been said? Since launching in 2006, there have been approximately 400 different permutations of the console: variations on hard drive sizes, functionality, physical shape and, of course, price. The latest model, the PlayStation 3 Superslim, is no different. It comes in just two permutations: 250GB ($270) and 500GB ($300). With the latter launching at the end of October, we’ve spent the last week with the already available 250GB model. Is it time to finally jump in to the PlayStation 3 party, or upgrade that aging 2006 model? Head below to find out.

Continue reading PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?

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PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nielsen says game consoles get men to use TV more: hurray, we think

Nielsen says game console use gets men to use TV more hurray, we think

We’re not sure if we should always cheer figures that reflect sedentary behavior. Still, chalk one up for greater (if superficial) gender equality. Nielsen finds that, as of this past March, men who owned a modern game console like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Wii were using their TVs almost as much as women: while males in the broader population typically spend 37 fewer minutes in front of the big screen every day than females, that gap shrank to a negligible 11 minutes when console use came into play. Unfortunately, the agency doesn’t say just what’s getting men to tune in for that much longer. Gaming is the most likely culprit, but a raft of streaming video options could have some of those refined couch potatoes watching Hulu or Netflix instead of playing one more round of Gears of War. If consoles have people of all genders spending more time together, we’re in favor of it; given that men still spend over twice as much time on consoles as women, though, it’s clear there’s still a bridge to cross if we want more of a balance in the kinds of TV activity we enjoy.

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Nielsen says game consoles get men to use TV more: hurray, we think originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skyrim: Dawnguard PS3 delay is ‘our problem’, admits Bethesda

Earlier this morning, we brought you word from Bethesda’s Pete Hines himself via Twitter that the gaming house is still hard at work to introduce DLC (Downloadable Content) such as Skyrim and Hearthfire for the PS3, especially when the PS3’s rival platform, the Xbox 360, has already received its latest Hearthfire DLC without any hassles, while Dawnguard has already arrived on the Xbox 360 and PC platforms since summer.

Hines tweeted, “We’re still on it. Will share update when I have one.” When pressed further on the reason behind Dawnguard’s seeming impotency on the PS3 platform, Hines continued, “The performance isn’t good enough in all cases. For most folks, it’d be fine. For some, it wouldn’t be. We’ve never blamed anyone or anything. It’s our problem, and it’s on us to solve it.”

Spoken like a true leader, he now needs to make sure that his creative team of programmers and developers will be able to find a way to get Dawnguard up and running on the PS3 without any hiccups.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony and Bethesda scramble to get PS3 Dawnguard DLC working, Resistance Collection arrives on the PS3 in winter,