The PlayStation Home Beta software has been updated to build 0.7.7, in both Europe and North America. So, for those lucky enough to be in the closed beta have some new features to play with and new areas to visit. In addition, the America, Europe and Japan each their own servers to improve speed and preformance. The public release isn’t until Spring 2008 so in the mean time, you can read what’s new below.

• There’s a new building in the world, although it’s currently one that can’t be entered
• You are finally able to enter your Home Space’s patio
• You can now use your own pictures in your Home Space
• A game launching option has been added, though it is not functioning completely at the present time
• The cinema’s movie theatres have transferred from the second floor to the first floor
• America, Japan, and Europe each have their own server no

The Pro Evo Soccer 2008 patch is now available to download, although it is a little late. The free patch is designed to rectify issues with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, including the online lag and the slowdown that affects the game in both online and offline modes. The PS3 update also fixes problems associated with downloading the game to the console’s hard drive.

Konami has stated that it will continue to look into ways to extend users’ enjoyment of PES 2008 and is still working on further improvements. Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding the updates it appears they are only mildly successful. Console owners are reporting that while the patches do improve matters online somewhat, there is still warping, teleporting and lag, despite the updates.

The latest issue of the XTREME PSP magazine in now available to download. The December 2007 issue has PSP previews on Wipeout Pulse, and PS3 previews on Echochrome and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Plus, PSP reviews on The Sims 2: Castaway and PS3 reviews of Conan and Smackdown vs RAW 2008. You can also find all the usual content including news, PSP wallpapers and more. Chek out the full content still below.

Content List:

• PSP Previews
  
  • Wipeout Pulse
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus
• PS3 Previews
  
  • Echochrome
  • Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
  • Devil May Cry 4
• PSP Reviews
  
  • The Sims 2: Castaway
  • Ben 10
• PS3 Reviews
  
  • Conan
  • WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008

[Download XTREME PSP Mag i029]
[Read XTREME PSP Mag i029 Online]

According to a post by the UK Community Manager over at the Ubisoft Forums, a patch for the PlayStation 3 version of Assassin’s Creed will be available soon. The Community Manager confirms that the development team is actively working on a game update that will correct the freeze issues that some gamers are facing while playing the game on the PS3.

The patch should be available to download soon, and will increase the stability of the game. There is no exact release date but the patch will be available as soon as possible.

[Via: Ubi Forums]

A Warhawk expansion will be available to download this December. Dubbed Operation: Omega Dawn, the expansion pack will add a brand new map an­d a new aircraft to the game. The new map will be set at night for added impact and tension. The new aircraft, the KT-424 Combat Dropship, can transports 1 pilot, 6 soldiers and 1 ground vehicle, and is equipped with a deadly new weapon – the MBEC-3 Heavy Support Cannon.

Key features:

• Omega Factory battlefield includes 5 new map layouts featuring advanced building complexes and huge industrial towers.
• KT-424 Combat Dropship transports 1 pilot, 6 soldiers and 1 ground vehicle; and features a deadly new weapon – the MBEC-3 Heavy Support Cannon.
• The 5 large layouts from the original battlefields have been modified to include the KT-424 Combat Dropship.
• All this in one single download from PLAYSTATION Network this December

The European PlayStation Store has been updated today, while the US PlayStation Store was updated on Tuesday. The update for Europe isn’t as big as the US one, but at least there are two new playable demos: Uncharted and Blazing Angels 2, and a new PlayStation One title: G-Police. There are also a number of new game videos and trailers. Australia recieved the same update as Europe, but they also got a new music video.

European PSN Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
  • Blazing Angels 2
• PSOne Games:
  • G-Police (£3.49)
• Add-ons:
  • MotorStorm: Rascal & Governor (£1.49)
  • Folklore: The Alchemist Pack (£1.49)
• Wallpapers:
  • Tekken 5: DR Wallpaper (4)
• Game Videos and Trailers:
  • Ratchet & Clank Future Trailer
  • MotorStorm Devils Weekend Trailer
  • Uncharted: Lifelike Facial Animation Video
  • Uncharted: Hunting El Dorado Trailer
  • PSN Showcase Trailer
  • Blazing Angels 2 Trailers
  • Battlefield: Bad Company Trailer
  • Beowulf The Game Trailer

Australian PSN Store:

The Australian PlayStation Netwwork Store contains the same content above and the following new items:

• Music Videos:
  • Shannon Noll – Loud

Prior to firmware 2.01, gamers were complaining about problems with slowness in the XMB and frequent disconnects from the PlayStation Network cause by Firmware 2.00. These issues were addressed in the latest firmware release but it also introduced new problems to the system. Some players are complaing that Call of Duty 4 was running fine when playing online on Firmware 2.00, but it causing major headaches on firmware 2.01. Some gamers have been able to play for several hours before experiencing the same symptons.

Could the Sony firmware have cause these problems or does CoD4 need more servers in their current setup to support the growing number of players? If you are having problems, let us know through the comment section below. There has been no official word some Sony about the issue, but expect more details soon.

[Originally Posted On: 21/11/07 11:05 AM]

UPDATE (Nov 21st 2007, 4:00 PM):

Problems caused by Firmware 2.01 has now been fixed according to Infinity Ward’s community relations manager:

"You should no longer be receiving this error message or any other
issues related to the firmware update in the game. Thank you to everyone for giving us the heads up on this so we could start tracking down answers, and getting it resolved and please let us know if you have any additional issues."

It seems that the problem was on the server’s side and not related to firmware 2.01 directly. Anyway, the issue has now been fixed. A further patch is also on its way to the PS3 version of the game bringing optim­isation of some multiplayer aspects, host migration and a
‘player mute’ option.

­

The PlayStation Network Store is now accessible from a PC, ealier than e­xpected. The PC version of the PSN Store allows you to download full games, demos, PlayStation One titles, videos, trailers and more to your PSP. There are already several full games available to download as well as a number of demos, wallpapers, themes and videos.

­

[PlayStation Network Store]

The US PlayStation Network Store has been updated earlier than usual this week because of Thanksgiving. The US store has received a massive update ­with two new PlayStation Eye titles and several other­ full games. In addition, there is a new demo for you to enjoy: MX vs ATV; and several add-on packs. There are 18 Rock Band add-on packs available to purchase and add-on packs for NFS: ProStreet and flOw. Check out the complete list below.

US PlayStation Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • MX vs ATV: Untamed
• Full Games:
  • Aquatopia ($1.99)
  • Operation Creature Feature ($4.99)
• Full Games (Discounted until Nov 29th 2007):
• Calling All Cars ($4.99)
• flOw ($4.99)
• Everyday Shooter ($4.99)
• PixelJunk Racers ($4.99)
• Add-ons:
  • Rock Band Add-ons (18 in total, from $1.99 to $5.49)
  • flOw Expansion Pack ($2.99)
  • NFS: ProStreet Collector’s Upgrade ($9.99)
• Videos:
  • Snakeball Trailer
  • Ratchet Behinds the Scenes: Story
  • Ratchet Behinds the Scenes: Design
  • Battlefield: Bad Company Trailer 2
  • Superbad Trailer