PlayStation Home "Universal Game Launching" Update Hits Oct. 1

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Denizens of PlayStation Home should warm up the internet connection for tomorrow, as the latest and greatest update to the virtual hang out service will hit Thursday, October 1.

Version 1.3 of Home, as previously detailed, will add universal game launching from within the service. No need to stop doing the Running Man just to start up a Resistance 2 fragfest, as any title can be launched from Home as of tomorrow.

Of course, there's more to it than that, including new items, emotes and clothing categories. Plus, Home residents will be able to preview wearable items and furniture in real time. And soon you'll be able to eat shrink cakes and take pictures with an in-Home camera! Truly, we have finally jacked into the Matrix.

PlayStation Home v1.3 Coming Thursday + New Central Plaza, Neptune Suite and More! [PlayStation.blog]

DSiWare purchases locked to hardware, only Nintendo can transfer

If you're bored with your black or electric blue DSi and looking to trade-over to one of the newly released white or pink models, your DSiWare purchases won't be able to make the journey. Australian site Nintendo Life has confirmed that, with the exception of a broken handheld, purchases made from the DSi Shop are permanently "locked" to the system they're downloaded onto.

Unlike Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP there's no method for transferring the rights to downloaded software from one machine to another by the end user. In fact, Nintendo Australia informed the site that, should a DSi break and its owner want its DSiWare moved to a new unit, both must be mailed in to Nintendo, which will perform the process.

We've asked Nintendo of America if it has a similar policy for what should be a matter of a simple phone call to de-authorize one DSi and authorize another to download content you've already paid for. We're anticipating a "yes" in response. Then again, as GameSpot points out, NOA's end user license states "software downloaded from Nintendo DSi Shop is licensed to you, not sold." Pays to read the fine print.

[Via GameSpot]

PSP firmware 6.10 coming 'soon,' introduces PSP Go cell phone tethering

PlayStation Network's Eric Lempel has just announced via the PlayStation Blog that PSP firmware version 6.10 -- which he dubs "a big update" -- will be available soon. The update will add a new feature, SensMe, to the system's XMB. This music player, announced at E3, can be used to generate playlists from songs stored on the system based on pre-defined "moods."

The most substantial addition, however, will only work with the PSP Go. Using the Go's built-in Bluetooth networking, owners of the new system will be able to tether the device to their Bluetooth-capable mobile phones and use them as wireless modems for internet access beyond WiFi hotspots -- essentially wherever a cellular data network is available.

An update to the free MediaGo software -- designed for transferring PS Store items and media to and from the PSP using a PC -- will be available for download tomorrow, October 1, according to Lempel.

We'll update once PSP firmware v6.10 goes live. In the meantime, you can watch SensMe in action after the break.

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Hands-on: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

If there's one thing to be thankful for in the face of Capcom's steady stream of Resident Evil games, it's that we've all been given a fairly comprehensive education on the undead blight. We can see a zombie coming a mile away, which presents an odd sense of frustration when the game's own characters fail to do the same. No, that person isn't sick. It's a zombie and it's going to bite your neck off. Just shoot it!

The Darkside Chronicles, an instantly familiar follow-up to the Wii's Umbrella Chronicles, often hesitates to pull the trigger. It takes a leisurely stroll when least appropriate and it's slow to react when things do get exciting. You might think that your friends Survival-Horror and On-Rails Shooter would get along just fine, but leave them both in the room while you go to the toilet and it's just awkward silence.

Gallery: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (TGS 2009)

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via joystiq

Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating

Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.

[Via GamesIndustry]

Preview: Crackdown 2

A hands-on preview of Crackdown 2 at TGS last week came with a catch: deathmatch only. No matter how much potential for greatness a game might possess, it's hard to gauge its true character when limited to a boring multiplayer mode. That's not to say that my time with Crackdown 2 was entirely boring -- it wasn't -- but simply playing the most generic mode of all didn't raise my enthusiasm beyond a mild passing interest.

While I wasn't able to play the game's single-player campaign, I was shown a rough portion of it in action. Ruffian lead designer Steve Iannetta and producer James Cope showcased the game's new weapons and enemies (the mutated citizens of Pacific City that were simply referred to as "The Freaks"). Unlike the deathmatch portion of the preview session, this part was interesting.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009 #2)

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Metarview: Dead Space: Extraction (Wii)

Did you know that Dead Space: Extraction landed in stores this week? It's true! We certainly dug it in our Snap Judgment, but in case that just wasn't enough for you, we've compiled a few other folks' opinions on the game just below. Worried about not seeing that beautiful screaming face in the future? We are too, folks. We are too.

• GamePro (100/100): "An experience that's more captivating and engaging than any light-gun game I've ever played before. [The story] mirrors Dead Space's thoughtful dialogue, characterizations and pacing which is a good thing all around."
• GameDaily (80/100): "Although we questioned EA's decision to do this, as well as bring Dead Space to the family centric Wii, everything clicks and the game's surprisingly enjoyable. Instead of conjuring up a cheesy narrative (as seen in other shooters like Ghost Squad), the developers put a lot of effort into the story and its characters."
• Eurogamer (80/100): "Gameplay is straightforward, yet it's a refined familiarity, borrowing numerous elements from the original Dead Space in abundance while wrapping them around the well-worn demands of a typical on-rails shooter ... One area that definitely benefits from the on-rails nature of Extraction is the overall pacing. Sometimes you creep along agonisingly, other times it feels like the enemy onslaught is never going to end. There are few occasions where you don't come away feeling like your scraped through by the skin of your teeth, and even on the game's lowest 'Normal' difficulty, there's a definite sense of achievement when you get through."
• Giant Bomb (60/100): "Extraction's marketing campaign would like you to think of it as a 'guided experience' that whisks you through the dramatic beginnings of the series' horrible space-monster outbreak, but in blunt terms, Extraction is an on-rails shooter. Blunter still: it's a light-gun game. These days, that's not a style of game serious game players usually gravitate toward. But keeping the genre's inherent restrictions in mind--not to mention the limitations of the Wii hardware -- Extraction is really pretty good, for what it is."

Gallery: Dead Space: Extraction

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Need for Speed: Shift demo drifts to Xbox Live, PSN on Thursday

Attention, race fans: EA's Need for Speed: Shift will have a demo ready for a qualifying run this Thursday, October 1. The demo features two tracks (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and London River) as well as five different vehicles to master:

• BMW M3 (E46)
• 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
• 2006 Lotus Elise 111R
• 2008 Nissan GT-R
• 2006 Pagani Zonda F (unlockable)

As for that last car, you'll need to excel on the two courses and earn enough points to unlock it. And remember: The demo is not limited to Blur developers, so feel free to make with the loading down!

Metareview: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Now that Joystiq has gone on record regarding Naughty Dog's sequel, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, we figured it prudent to scour the webotron for more organized words on the PS3 exclusive so we could present you this Metareview. Let's not waste any time -- the reviews await your anxious eyeballs!

• Eurogamer (100/100): "Whether or not the multiplayer sticks, however, is arguably a footnote, because at the core of Uncharted 2 is an action-adventure masterpiece whose minor flaws are washed away on a tide of rhythm and spectacle -- one that would still be an essential experience even without the option to pull your friends off cliffs and play capture-the-heirloom."
• GamePro (100/100): "The A.I. is a little suspect, the camera can be stubborn, and you will die your fair share of cheap deaths. But it's still a fantastic effort and Naughty Dog deserves full credit for building upon the momentum of the first installment. PS3 owners should definitely experience it, especially if they liked the original."
• 1UP (A+): "Uncharted 2 is simply a vast improvement over its predecessor, and it's a damn great PS3 game. Let's leave the "are games art?" question for another time; what Uncharted 2 proves is that games are, at the very least, craft. Just as Raiders is Spielberg at the top of his game, Uncharted 2 is Naughty Dog at the top of theirs, and further proof that they are masters of their craft."
• IGN (95/100): "It's very, very good. It's easily one of the best games on the system, blending fantastic presentation and visuals with gameplay that is practically second to none. And then there's the stellar multiplayer which you'll probably be playing until Uncharted 3 ships. No, Uncharted 2 is not perfect, but it's closer than pretty much any other game out there these days."
• Videogamer (90/100): "Uncharted 2 does so many things right, that its problems (a less than perfect cover system, some frustrating combat and unfortunate glitches) are easy to overlook. The single-player adventure packs in so many incredible moments that you'll be talking about it with friends for months, the multiplayer functionality is superb and rammed with content, and the whole game looks beyond anything you'll have seen before."

Gallery: Uncharted 2

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PSA: Uncharted 2 multiplayer demo is live for all on PSN

If you didn't pre-order, reserve or otherwise "guarantee" your day-one copy of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (we hear the game's pretty good!), your waiting to try out the game's life-eating multiplayer modes has come to an end. As promised by Naughty Dog, the multiplayer demo for Nate Drake's latest adventure is now available (albeit a bit behind schedule) via the PSN's PlayStation store for everyone.

If you own a PS3, it's pretty much your honor-bound duty to download it. You should also track down your pre-orderin' friends and prove that the head-start they got on you isn't going to help them in the slightest. (Insert diabolical laughter)

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

L4D 'Crash Course' DLC now on XBLM, correct price to follow later [update]

Update: Looks like the issue is resolved as the DLC is now priced correctly. Also of note: 'Crash Course' is also now available on the PC!

Rather than coasting onto Xbox Live Marketplace with ease, we regret to inform you that the new Left 4 Dead DLC 'Crash Course' has made an emergency landing. The DLC is currently listed for a more expensive 800 and not the promised 560, Major Nelson informs.

If you're anxious to get your hands on the new content, just sit tight and try to relax. We wouldn't want you to lose your mind and do something you'd regret now, would we?

Infinity Ward has no plans for pre-launch Modern Warfare 2 demo

If you're on the fence about your purchase of Infinity Ward's infinitely intimidating shooter, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, you should probably get comfortable with straddling said pickets -- Robert Bowling recently confirmed via Twitter that the title wouldn't receive a demo before its November 10 release. According to the tweet, "the entire team is focused on polish all the way up to ship of the full game."

If you were really hoping to test out the game before it comes out, we suggest playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and imagining it "kicked up a notch" in an Emeril Lagassi-like fashion.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Chilean PS3 ad depicts gamer giving blood to Nazi officer

Here we go again: A Chilean advertisement for PS3, created by major ad firm BBDO, has become the source of a great deal of controversy for showing a modern day gamer giving a blood transfusion ... to a Nazi! The National Socialist in question is intended to be Erwin Rommel, a German field marshal whose humane treatment of captive soldiers and refusal to kill Jewish civilians made him a fairly respected military figure -- but we doubt the casual observer's initial reaction to the ad goes much further than, "Oh gawd, is that a ... swastika!"

Then again, after being accused of promoting racism and endorsing, nay, providing instructions on suicide, accusations of harboring Nazi sympathies is kind of par for the course for Sony's PlayStation advertising. Check out the full advertisement -- as well as a similar, equally perplexing ad depicting a gamer giving his still-beating heart to Joan of Arc -- after the jump.

(By the way, we'll be patrolling comments on this post for any invocation of Godwin's Law. Keep it civil, gang.)

[Via Engadget]

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Square Enix expects Final Fantasy XIII sales to exceed 6 million

Speaking to Reuters Japan, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada told the news service that the publisher expects Final Fantasy XIII to sell more than its predecessor, which has sold close to six million copies worldwide since its release in 2006. According to Andriasang, Wada remarked that he's hopeful recent price cuts on PS3 and Xbox 360 will drive up sales of the game when it arrives in Japan on December 17 and the rest of the world next spring.

Considering XIII is this console generation's first traditional Final Fantasy installment, we don't imagine Square Enix will have any problem moving units. After all, to hit the six-million-sold mark, only about 11 percent of the combined worldwide PS3 and Xbox 360 userbase will need to buy a copy.

[Via Andriasang]

Warzonegamer's RunDown episode.2

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Super Street Fighter IV confirmed, eight fighters added

Looks like the rumors and speculation were spot-on -- GameStop just revealed the first details on Super Street Fighter IV, a new version of the brawler released earlier this year in the U.S., which will rebalance the game's existing characters and add eight new fighters to the roster. For now, the only confirmed fighters we know are series regulars T. Hawk and Dee Jay, and a brand new female pugilist named Juri.

Due to the minor scope of the changes, Capcom won't be charging full price for the title -- however, the character balancing is drastic enough to prevent cross-game matches between SFIV and its Super iteration. The game is due out in Spring 2010 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. For more details about the updated Hadoken simulator, check out Gamespot's initial impressions. To see the complete version of the A-ha-esque trailer which was teased earlier today, watch the video after the jump.

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TGS 2009: Kudo demoes Natal, invents dance craze

As you've probably guessed, the dearth of footage of actual Project Natal gameplay can be attributed to Microsoft's ban on filming the screen during demos of the technology. Hence, the gameplay-less video above, captured by Engadget during a Natal preview of Beautiful Katamari and Space Invaders Extreme.

Watch as Project Natal creative director Kudo Tsunoda shows how one rolls giant sticky balls or pushes back extraterrestrial attackers using only one's limbs. Without seeing the screen, we can't be certain how well he's performing these activities, but we can certainly attest to his remarkable dancing prowess.

Crysis LIVE! aims to bring the game into the real world

Ever since Crysis released, we've found our life lacking in two distinct ways:

1. We totally want a Nanosuit of our own and would do close to anything for one
2. We wish Jason Statham was our squadmate in real life and often daydream about being stranded on a tropical island with him

While the second option is likely never going to happen without some jail time attached to it, the first item is actually a possibility for those willing to travel to Nottingham, UK next month. On October 29 - 30, Crytek UK will section off an area and create "a real-life tropical jungle, complete with exotic flora and fauna" for folks to take part in a real life version of the PC game. In fact, those attending will even be able to try on an actual Nanosuit and, somehow, become invisible while playing a real-life version of the PC title. Crytek UK's Narrative Designer, Rob Yescombe, describes the game as "Hide and Seek for the 21st Century – good old fashioned fun but with a Crytek UK twist."

Who's going?

[Via Big Download]

Watch Frank West chop his Tatsunoko vs. Capcom opponents 'til they drop

There are some things we all know about Frank West. He's covered wars (y'know), enjoys the potent effects of a well-blended smoothie and, with a mean 5 o'clock shadow, looks a great deal like Niko Belic. But, what you may not know is that despite lacking an entire mall's worth of weaponry, the dude is still a pretty solid fighter.

Even though we've already put together some words detailing the man's moves in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, it's always nice to actually see that thing we talked about in motion. So, head past the break for a gameplay video of Capcom's Seth Killian demonstrating West's moves for GameSpot.

[Via Capcom-Unity]

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Microsoft says Halo 3: ODST disc read errors aren't 'widespread'

Bungie quickly responded to a 60-page-long thread on the Halo 3: ODST forums where users complained the title had experienced disc read errors while playing in the game's Campaign and Firefight modes. Now, Microsoft has also sounded off on the errors, telling Eurogamer, "we are aware of a very small number of people who are reporting they can't play the game," and later adding "at this point it doesn't appear to be a widespread issue."

In our last post regarding the game-crashing errors, we asked readers if they had encountered similar problems during their time with ODST. Out of the 5,608 participants who responded at the time this article was written, 1,769 (or 31.5 percent) had reported technical issues with the game. We're sure Microsoft has their own method of tracking this data, but our polling figures certainly make the problems seem as though they've spread fairly wide.

Game Crazy closing 200 locations in October

Joystiq has learned that retailer Game Crazy plans to close 200 of its approximately 680 locations at the end of October. Sources working at Game Crazy stores attached to Hollywood Video locations have told us that the movie rental chain will remain open after their stores' closures.

Game Crazy's official statement on the matter: "Movie Gallery, Inc. is currently operating in an unprecedented consumer/retail environment. In order for us to continue to best serve our millions of customers across North America we're addressing underperforming stores and ensuring that there is sufficient [return on investment] associated with each of these stores going forward. The vast majority of our stores will be unaffected by these efforts."

For those who've placed a pre-order at a Game Crazy, it would be advisable to check if that location will still exist at the end of the month. We are currently working on obtaining a list of locations affected. If you're a Game Crazy employee with more details, please feel free to contact us*.

*Tips will remain confidential, please leave a valid email address in case we have further questions. Thank you!

Video hands-on: PSP Go

We've had our very own PSP Go for a little over a week now in preparation for the review of the system we posted earlier today. When we first got it in, we were limited to showing you a video of the unboxing -- accompanied by some upbeat jazz -- but today it's all fair game.

We wanted to make a video to compliment our review by showing the system in action, sizing it up against other handhelds, taking a look at loading times and demoing some of its exclusive features. We believe the above video is that video. In fact, we know it is, because we've watched it about a dozen times. We hope you'll want to watch it just as many, but we'll understand if you want to keep it to, say, two or four viewings. (If only to appreciate the Garrison Keillor-esque cadence and model-caliber hands of its narrator.)

Rumor: Sony survey hints at PlanetSide 2 development

Sony Online Entertainment's PlanetSide was one of the more ambitious MMO titles of its time -- largely due to its focus on twitchy shooting action (instead of infinitely repetitive Dire Rabbit slaying). It seems Sony wants to re-energize the waning franchise with a new installment in the series -- a number of PlanetSide subscribers recently received an SOE email survey asking for inspiration as the developer begins to "plan to expand the PlanetSide universe with another game."

The language in the survey (posted after the jump) doesn't make it sound like SOE is working on a half-baked expansion or a genre-defying spinoff, as it tells participants, "the information you provide will play a critical role into helping guide the development and direction of the next hit Massively Multiplayer Online First Person Shooter." The only thing we remember from our time with PlanetSide was getting killed a whole whole lot. We're not sure what Sony can do about that, besides entirely removing death from the sequel.

[Thanks, Alex!]

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