Articles posted by Niraj Shah

UPDATE: LittleBigPlanet Valentines Pack

With love in the air and Valentines Day just over a week away, Media Molecule has announced a new theme pack for LittleBigPlanet. The Valentines Day theme pack comes with a full array of stickers and decorations to help you create your own love-oriented levels. The McLovin Sackboy costume will also available to download (see below). The best part is that it’s all free. So show your Sackboy or Sackgirl some love and download the pack after today’s PlayStation Store update.

[Originally Posted On: 05/02/09 09:42 AM]

UPDATE:

The level kit is now available but it is not free. Mark Valledor posted a message on the Official PlayStation.Blog to indicate that the level pack is actually priced at $2.99. Please send all your hate messages here.

UPDATE: PlayStation Home updated to v1.10

PlayStation Home will be down from 8:00am today for essential maintenance. Once the maintenance is complete, you will be asked to update your version by downloading a patch that will contain new features and improvements. One of the features added to v1.10 will be the ‘Remove Player’ option in Game Launching. Also, the speed of the login process has been improved and a progress bar has been added to provide visual feedback. There are a number of improvements and bug fixes, details of which can be found below.

New features

We have added a new ?Remove Player? function that allows the creator to remove people from a Game Launching session. This is complemented by the Block Player function, accessible via the Safe Screen, which can be used to stop people rejoining.

Changes and Improvements

The speed of the initial log-on process has been improved and a progress bar has been added to provide you with more information about what is happening.
Items that you have already purchased will now be loaded when you first log-in, reducing the loading time when you enter stores in the Mall.
Other players? avatars will now load faster when you enter a space.
The names of Home reward items will now be shown when you obtain them.
Download priorities have been changed so that certain graphics and images (like thumbnail images and World Map chips) will download more quickly.
The inventory system (that stores Home Reward items) has been reworked and made more robust. We have also implemented additional safeguards to help ensure that you cannot inadvertently lose any of your items.
The Chat log window will now always be displayed on top of any other on-screen graphics, except when zoomed in to a video or poster. When zoomed in, the chat window will no longer display.
The size of the text box has been improved on message boards in Clubhouses.
The option to ?Block voice chat? has been changed to ?Block chat,? which will allow you to block both voice chat and text chat at the same time. Players blocked with this feature will not be automatically added to the block list on your Friends list.
The game camera will now go into attract mode once you have been idle for more than 3 minutes.
The ?Resign sub leader? command has been removed from the Menu Pad. Club leaders will now have to downgrade sub leaders if they wish.
We have further improved the UI for a variety of systems including Game Launching, Clubhouses and the Store.
We have made several memory optimizations to improve client stability.
We have made graphical improvements to particle systems and water effects.

Bug fixes

Furniture in Personal Spaces will no longer occasionally vanish when you leave lights or lamps turned on.
Single-seat chairs and sofas can no longer be occupied by more than one person at a time.
You can now turn lighting objects on/off in your Personal Space.
Furniture layout issues in Clubhouses have been resolved.
The ?Refresh Club Menus? option in the Menu Pad should now work as intended.
Dates will now be displayed on Clubhouse bulletin board messages.
A fix has been applied to the Home Safe Screen reporting process.
Your screen will no longer freeze if you leave a game session with the game disc ejected.
Item names and prices will now display correctly in the Mall.
Wallpapers will now be displayed properly when you invite friends to your Harbour Studio.
You will no longer be able to make a phone call to players who have deactivated voice chat.
You should now be able to use two-seater sofas properly.

[Originally Posted On: 05/02/09 09:33 AM]

UPDATE:

A last minute bug has meant that the new patch was not released during the maintenance window. Currently, there is no ETA on when the patch will be available.

Qore Episode 9 coming next week

Episode 9 of Qore will be available to download after next week’s PlayStation Store update. Episode 9 will feature a Resident Evil 5 walkthrough video, allowing you to switching between Chris and Sheva in real-time so you can see the differences in view-point for the two playable characters. The February 2009 episode will also cover The Godfather II and MLB 2009: The Show. As for exclusive downloads, two new Killzone XMB Themes will be available to Qore customers.

The issue will be available on February 12th, after the US PlayStation Store update. Annual subscribers can download the episode for free, and non-subscribers can purchase this episode for $2.99.

3 on 3 NHL Arcade Trophies

An all-new downloadable hockey experience from EA Sports, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade promises to provide a lightning-paced, no rules hockey experience that gamers of all ages and ability levels can enjoy. There are 13 trophies to unlock, all of which are pretty easy to obtain.

Killzone 2 Demo coming this Thursday

That’s right folks. If you are looking forward to playing Killzone 2, the wait is almost up. A demo of the game will be released this week on the PlayStation Store, containing the first sections of the first level in the game. The demo will basically be a tutorial on how to play the game, giving you a head start when the game comes out later this month.

The level is called ‘Corinth River’. The demo will be available in both Europe and the US on Thursday, 5th Feb 2009. For those of you in the UK, let’s hope for more snow so we can all stay home!

PlayStation Store update for Jan 29th 2009

This weeks PlayStation Store update adds new games to both the US and European Stores. Europe has finally got Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, while the US has received three new games: Bejeweled 2, Savage Moon and Brain Challenge. The January 29th episode of Pulse is now available to download from the US store too. This weeks update also adds several new game add-on content including new LittleBigPlanet costumes and the God of War Level kit. Check out the complete list below.

European Additions:

Downloadable Games
- Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (7.99/?9.99)
Game Add-on Content
- Lord Of The Rings: Conquest Hero Arena bonus
- Mirror’s Edge – Exclusive Map
- Skate 2 – Filmer Pack (4.79/?5.99)
- LittleBigPlanet
  - Ground Hog Day Costume
  - Ape Escape Sackboy Costume (1.59/?1.99)
  - Kratos Sackboy Costume (1.59/?1.99)
  - Toro Costume (1.59/?1.99)
  - God of War Level Kit (2.39/?2.99 )
- Rock Band Tracks (from £0.99/?1.49)
- Magic Ball Trailer
- Final Fantasy XIII Official Trailer 1
- High Velocity Bowling?Characters Trailer
XMB Themes
- Crash Commando map theme

US Additions:

Pulse Jan 29th Edition
Playable Demis
- Bejeweled 2 Demo
Downloadable Games
- Bejeweled 2 ($9.99)
- Savage Moon ($9.99)
- Brain Challenge PS3 + PSP games Bundle ($12.99)
Add-on Game Content
- LittleBigPlanet
  - God of War Mini Pack ($2.99)
  - Kratos Costume ($1.99)
  - GroundHog Day Costume
  - Ape Escape Costume ($1.99)
  - Toro Costume ($1.99)
- Skate 2 Filmer Pack ($7.49)
- Mirror’s Edge Exclusive Free DLC Map
- The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Content Pack
- Disgaea 3
  - Absence of Justice Character: Hanako ($1.99)
  - Absence of Justice Character: Taro ($1.99)
- Rock Band
  - "Cold Rain and Snow" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - "Doin’ That Rag" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - "Don’t Ease Me In" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - "Fire on the Mountain" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - "Hell in a Bucket" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - "Uncle John’s Band" – Grateful Dead ($1.99)
  - Grateful Dead Pack 02 ($9.99)
- Guitar Hero World Tour
  - "Bag It Up" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "The Turning" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "Waiting for the Rapture" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "The Shock of the Lightning" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "I’m Outta Time" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "Falling Down" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "To Be Where There’s Life" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "Ain’t Got Nothin’" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "The Nature of Reality" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - "Soldier On" by Oasis ($1.99)
  - Full Album "Dig Out Your Soul" by Oasis ($18.99)
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
  - Twist & Shout ($1.49)
  - Irreplaceable ($1.49)
  - Sister Christian ($1.49)
  - Killing Me Softly With His Song ($1.49)
  - If You Don’t Know Me By Now ($1.49)
  - Breakaway ($1.49)
Game Videos
- PULSE 01/29 Edition (also available from the PSP store)
- Final Fantasy XIII Trailer
- Wanted: Weapons of Fate Teaser
Movie Trailers
- The International Trailer
- Angels & Demons Trailer
- The Making of Hulk Vs. Wolverine
- The Making of Hulk Vs. Thor

How do I access the PlayStation 3 Recovery Menu?

We’ve received many emails and YouTube comment about how to access the PS3 recovery menu, so we though we would write up a detailed walk-through to help you out. The PS3 recovery menu is available on firmware 2.50+ and allows you to preform various operations on your PS3, including restore factory settings and reinstall firmware. You can read our original coverage on the PS3 Recovery Menu (including video) too.

Chinese New Year costumes for LittleBigPlanet

Gong Hei Fat Choi, everyone! In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Media Molecule has released two cute Chinese Sackboy/girl costumes. The costumes are available from the PlayStation Store for free, but for a limited time only – the costumes will only be available for 10 days so be sure to download them ASAP. Media Molecule has also uploaded a video to provide gamers with tips on how to create your own Survival Challenges.

PlayStation Store update for Jan 22nd 2009

This week’s PlayStation Store update is now live. The FEAR 2 demo is available to download from both Stores, and the WipEout HD Demo is available on the US store too. Both Stores have received new game add-on content for Buzz! Quiz TV, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Naruto. The European Store has also received a number of new downloadable games including Penny Arcade Adventures, EA Replay and Tom Clancy’s EndWar. Check out the complete list for both stores below (content is free unless stated).

European Additions:

Playable Demos
- F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
Downloadable Games
- Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness – Episode One (£7.99, ?9.99)
- Riff: Everyday Shooter (£6.29, ?7.99)
- EA Replay (£15.99, ?19.99)
- Super Pocket Tennis (£7.99, ?9.99)
- Tom Clancy’s EndWar (£39.99, ?49.99)
- Disney’s Action Game Feat. Hercules (£3.99, ?4.99)
- Disney’s The Little Mermand II (£3.99, ?4.99)
Game Add-on Content
- Guitar Hero World Tour
  - Aussie Track Pack (?5,49, £4.39 or ?1,99, £1.59 per song)
    - "Outtathaway!" – The Vines
    - "Tomorrow" – Silverchair
    - "Dimension" by Wolfmother – Flo Rida
- Rock Band
  - Steve Miller Band Pack 01 (?3.99, £2.49 or £0.99, ?1.49 per song)
    - "Space Cowboy" – The Steve Miller Band
    - "The Joker" – The Steve Miller Band
    - "Take the Money and Run" – The Steve Miller Band
  - Assorted Tracks (£0.99, ?1.49 per song)
    - "War Zone" – Rob Zombie
    - "I Stand Alone" – Godsmack
    - "Wind Me Up" – Ghost Hounds
    - "Feed the Tree" – Belly
    - "Typical" – Mute Math
- Buzz! Quiz TV – American Culture Quiz (£3.99, ?4.99)
- Skate 2 – Time is Money Unlock Pack (£3.19, ?3.99)
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm – Storm Pack 5
Videos
- * God of War III Trailer
  * Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Trailer
  * Mafia II Christmas Confession Trailer

US Additions:

Playable Demos
- WipEout HD
- F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Demo
Game Add-on Content
- BUZZ! Quiz TV American Culture Pack ($5.99)
- NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM Pack 7
- Skate 2 Time Is Money Pack ($4.99)
- Guitar Hero World Tour
  - "Tomorrow" by Silverchair ($1.99)
  - "Outtathaway!" by The Vines ($1.99)
  - "Dimension" by Wolfmother ($1.99)
  - Aussie Track Pack ($5.49)
- Rock Band
  - "Feed the Tree" – Belly ($1.99)
  - "I Stand Alone" – Godsmack ($1.99)
  - "Typical" – Mute Math ($1.99)
  - "War Zone" – Rob Zombie ($1.99)
  - "Wind Me Up" – Ghost Hounds ($1.99)
  - "Space Cowboy" – Steve Miller Band ($1.99)
  - "Take the Money and Run" – Steve Miller Band ($1.99)
  - "The Joker" – Steve Miller Band ($1.99)
  - Steve Miller Band Track Pack 01 ($5.49)
Videos
- Resistance: Retribution Story Trailer
- Lords of the Rings Conquest: Conquest Good to be Good Trailer
- Mirror’s Edge DLC Trailer
- Eat Lead Teaser Trailer
- Ski-Doo Snowmobile Challenge
Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers

The X-Files: I Want to Believe: "Reinstated" Featurette
Max Payne: Script to Screen Featurette
Horton Hears a Who: Anatomy of a Scene Featurette

UPDATE: PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.60

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.60 in now available to download. The new update is "designed primarily to enhance the system’s media capabilities." This includes a new Photo Gallery application, which delivers a suite of tools for sorting through and displaying your digital photo collection, guest access to the PlayStation Store and DivX 3.11 support. The Photo Gallery application needs to be installed separately after updating your PlayStation 3. Guest access to the PlayStation Store will allow unregistered users to browse the store to check out the latest games, demos, videos, etc.

Changelog:

Gallery Application – delivers a suite of tools for sorting through and displaying your digital photo collection. Digital pictures can be organized in groups according to various criteria, including the camera used to take the photos, the event date and time, colors in the photos, as well as the number, ages, or facial expressions of the people pictured. You can also create slideshows set to music and build photo playlists with an easy-to-use interface.
Guest access to PlayStation Store ? This enables non-PlayStation Network members to browse through the storefront to check out the latest games, demos, videos, etc.
DivX 3.11 support ? Videos in this format can now be played on PS3.

Walkthough Video:

[Originally Posted On: 21/01/09 09:43 AM]

UPDATE:

According to a few websites, Sony has sneaked some unannounced features into PS3 Firmware 2.60, these include:

Blu-Ray Disc Theme Support
HDD Data can be accessed and deleted in-game
3-D Secure Support
Improved System Stability

‘Improved System Stability’ isn’t exactly a feature but it’s good to know Sony is improving the stability of the software. We’re not exactly sure what is meant by BD Disc Theme Support and 3-D Secure Support but it could be something Sony are adding for future use. As for ‘HDD Data can be accessed and deleted in-game’, we’re sure some data could already be deleted within a game. Sony hasn’t confirmed any of the above features so for now, they fall into the ‘Rumor’ category.

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