The second PlayStation Store update for this week is in! The US have received three new playable demos including Haze and The Bourne Conspiracy. The US has also received new game add-on content, including the PixelJunk Monsters Encore Pack; new game videos and new movie trailers. Europe has received a new playable demo, new game add-on content and new videos and trailers. Overall, not a bad update for Europe this week. Check out the list below.

European Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • GRID demo
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Army of Two
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
    • Def Leppard Track Pack
    • Muse Track Pack
• Game Videos and Trailers
  • Echochrome Apple Trailer
  • Play Compilation Trailer
  • Press Conference Trailers (9)

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
• HAZE Demo
• The Bourne Conspiracy Demo
• GRID Demo
• Full Games
  
  • Rocketmen: Axis of Evil ($9.99)
• Game Add-on Content
• PixelJunk Monsters Encore ($5.99)
• Rock Band
  • Date with the Night – Yeah Yeah Yeahs ($1.99)
  • It Hurts – Angels & Airwaves ($1.99)
  • This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race – Fall Out Boy ($1.99)
  • Scene Pack 01 ($5.49)
• Guitar Hero III: Muse Track Pack ($6.25)
• Game Videos
• WipEout HD Trailer
• PLAYSTATION 3 What You Need Video
• Mirror’s Edge Gameplay Trailer
• Mercenaries 2 Payback Trailer
• Overlord Raising Hell Trailer
• The Wheelman Trailer
• TNA iMPACT! Gamers Day Trailer
• Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers
• Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Teaser Trailer
• The Love Guru
• Iron Man Trailer 2
• PS3 Themes
• PixelJunk Monsters Theme 3
• Sports Theme
• PixelJunk Monsters Wallpapers (2)

Rockstar Games have released a patch for the PlayStation 3 version of GTA IV. The patch will fix the freezing issues reported by gamers since the game’s release last week. The 18MB update will "prevent GameSpy’s servers from being overloaded," making the online component of the game more stable. In turn should reduce “the impact on those servers that were causing the game to stutter and lock up.”

The update will hopefully fix all the freezing issues reported by gamers. This will mean that you no longer have to disconnect from the PSN in order to play the game.

Official Statement:

"Rockstar Games has released a GTA IV patch for Playstation 3 today that prevents Gamespy’s servers from being overloaded and therefore reduces the impact on those servers that were causing the game to stutter and lock up. We continue to monitor the performance of the game both on and offline and will provide further updates as necessary. We want to assure everyone that, together with our hardware partners, we continue to strive to give our fans the best possible interactive entertainment experiences possible. This update will ensure that everyone will experience Grand Theft Auto IV the way it was intended. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused."

In the first of two updates this week, Europe has received a number of new additions to the PlayStation Store. The most significant additions to the store are two new demos: Condemned 2 and Haze; and three new full games. Other content include new add-on content, new trailers, and a selection of videos from PlayStation Day 2008 itself. Check out the list below.

New European Content:

• Playable Demos:
  • Condemned 2
  • Haze
• Full Games:
  • Blast Factor Advanced
  • High Velocity Bowling
  • Street Skater
• Game add-on Content:
  • Blast Factor Advanced Research
  • High Velocity Bowling Character – Mike
• Videos and Trailers
  • Buzz! Quiz TV Trailer
  • Secret Agent Clank Trailer
  • Siren Blood Curse Trailer
  • MotorStorm is Back

David Reeves has announced the release dates of PlayTV for the PlayStation 3 and Go!View for the PlayStation Portable at PlayStation Day 2008. Reeves has revealed that PlayTV will be available to purchase in Europe this September prices at £99. The PlayTV device will allow PS3 owners to view and record free-to-air TV programs. Apart from the initial cost of the peripheral, the service will be free. Go!View for the PSP will see light of day before the end of June.

Go!View will be available as either a subscription service or pay-per-view, the pricing details for either option has not been revealed. The exact release date for PlayTV has not been revealed, only that it will be available to buy in September.

David Reeves has announced the release dates of PlayTV for the PlayStation 3 and Go!View for the PlayStation Portable at PlayStation Day 2008. Reeves has revealed that PlayTV will be available to purchase in Europe this September prices at £99. The PlayTV device will allow PS3 owners to view and record free-to-air TV programs. Apart from the initial cost of the peripheral, the service will be free. Go!View for the PSP will see light of day before the end of June.

Go!View will be available as either a subscription service or pay-per-view, the pricing details for either option has not been revealed. The exact release date for PlayTV has not been revealed, only that it will be available to buy in September.

Rockstar are still working on a fix for the GTA IV freezing issues but until a patch is available a temporary fix is available for you to try out. According to several reports, and from our own testing, we have found that most of the freezing issue can be resolved by simply signing out of the PlayStation Network before booting the game. However, this means that you will not be able to play any online multiplayer games until an official patch is available.

We’ve tested this method and it seemed to solve most of our freezing issues. If you later sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the game may crash instantly upon successful sign-in. Most GTA IV discs work fine with the PSN signed-in, but others don’t. Let us know if this method worked for you using the comments section below.

As part of Sony’s PlayStation Day in London on May 6th 2008, there will be two updates to the PlayStation Store. Games can look forward to several new demos this week including Haze, Condemned 2, and Bourne Conspiracy. The first update on May 6th will also contain new full games, new game add-on content and new trailers. The usual update on May 8th 2008 will contain new game add-on content and new trailers. See the full list below.

May 6th 2008 Update:

• Playable Demos:
  • Condemned 2
  • Haze
• Full Games:
  • Blast Factor Advanced
  • High Velocity Bowling
  • Street Skater
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Blast Factor Advanced Research
  • High Velocity Bowling Character – Mike
• Trailers:
  • Buzz! Quiz TV
  • Secret Agent Clank
  • Siren Blood Curse

May 8th 2008 Update:

• Playable Demos:
  • Bourne Conspiracy
  • Race Driver: GRID
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Army of Two
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Def Leppard Track Pack
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Muse Track Pack
• Trailers:
  • Echochrome Apple
  • Play Compilation
  • Press Conference

According to a Take-Two customer support representative, Rockstar is working around the clock to fix the freezing issues experienced by PS3 and Xbox 360 users. The representative said that "a patch is being worked on around the clock to address the issues. It’s bound to be. That’s how they address this sort of thing. It is being worked on. We’re looking into it. You will hear from us if a patch is released. A patch is usually the way it’s been done." This doesn’t look very encouraging to users experiencing problems.

In a related issue, SCEA has stated "Yes, we are aware of what the message boards and a few of the industry blogs are saying about a ‘freezing’ issue with GTA IV on a limited number of PS3s. Although we have seen an extremely low volume of contacts to our customer service department regarding such an issue, we want to ensure that every consumer has a great experience on our console and with GTA IV. All parties involved are working to isolate the problem for those few units and identify a solution."

According to various blogs and forums, the problem is not just isolated to a limited number of PS3s. Could Sony be playing down the issue in order to avoid bad press?

The first PlayStation Store update for May is in. US owners of Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore will be happy at the huge number of new track available to download, though they cost $1.49 each. In terms of size, the US beats Europe (as usual) with significantly more content. The Dark Sector demo is available to download from the US store as well as the full Echochrome version, new game videos and trailers, and PS3 wallpaper. Europe has received a few Need for Speed Game Add-ons, a few new XMB themes and wallpaper, and a new movie trailer. Complete list below.

European Additions:

• Game Add-on Content
  • Need for Speed Pro-Street
    • "Bugatti Veyron" pack (£1.99/€2.99)
    • "Mclaren F1" pack (£1.99/€2.99)
    • Premium Car pack 1 (£3.49/€4.99)
    • Premium Car pack 2 (£3.49/€4.99)
  • Snakeball "Team Mode" expansion (£1.99/€2.99)
  • Kane & Lynch Fragile Alliance map pack
• Movie Trailers
  • Iron Man
• XMB Themes
  • Rainbow Six Vegas 2
  • Dark Sector
  • Haze
• PS3 Wallpapers
  • Haze Wallpaper

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • Dark Sector
• Full Games
  • Echochrome ($9.99)
• Game Add-on Content
  • Rock Band
  • Zero – Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
  • Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear – The Mother Hips ($1.99)
  • Red Tandy – The Mother Hips ($1.99)
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore ($1.49 each)
  • (You Make Me Feel Life) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
  • Against All Odds – Phil Collins
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • Ain’t Nothing Life the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Temptations
  • Alone – Heart
  • Always Something There to Remind Me – Naked Eyes
  • American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
  • Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
  • Careless Whisper – Wham
  • Complicated – Avril Lavigne
  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
  • Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
  • Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club
  • Every Rose Has its Thorn – Poison
  • Flashdance What a Feeling – Irene Cara
  • Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
  • Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
  • I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
  • If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
  • I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
  • It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  • Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
  • Ladies Night – Kool & the Gang
  • Let s Get it On – Marvin Gaye
  • Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
  • My Girl – Temptations
  • New York – Frank Sinatra
  • On the Road Again – Willy Nelson
  • Photograph – Nickelback
  • Proud Mary – Creedance Clearwater
  • Respect – Aretha Franklin
  • Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
  • Straight Up – Paula Abdul
  • Sugar, We’re Goin Down – Fall Out Boy
  • Taking Care of Business – Bachman Turner Overdrive
  • The First Cut is the Deepest – Sheryl Crow / Rod Stewart
  • The Real Thing – Bo Bice
  • When the Sun Goes Down – Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker
  • Who Can it be Now? – Men At Work
  • You and Me – Lifehouse
  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
• Game Videos and Trailers
  • Echochrome Trailer
  • Battlefield Bad Redford Blog
  • Kung Fu Panda Trailer
  • Dead Space Announcement Trailer
  • Dead Space Ship Date Trailer
  • Turok Bring It Trailer
  • Turok – Kane Gameplay Trailer
  • NBA Ballers: Chosen One TV Spot
  • Wyclef’s Fast Car Music Video
• PS3 Wallpaper
  • Echochrome Wallpapers (4)
  • Kung Fu Panda Wallpapers (3)

The new issue of XTREME PSP Mag is now available to download. Issue 34 contains preview of Metal Gear Online, Echochrome and This is Vegas; reviews of Wild Arms XF, Sega Superstar Tennis and UEFA Euro 2008. Plus, you will find all the regular content including last month’s top stories, Wallpapers and more. Check out the complete list of content below.

Content:

• Top stories from April.
• Previews:
  • Echochrome (PSP/PS3)
  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 (PSP)
  • This is Vegas (PS3)
  • Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (PS3)
  • Metal Gear Online (PS3)
• Reviews
  • Wild Arms XF (PSP)
  • Puzzle Guzzle (PSP)
  • Sega Superstar Tennis (PS3)
  • UEFA Euro 2008 (PS3)
• Wallpapers
• User Commentry
• Competition

[Download XTREME PSP Mag i034]