PlayStation and NBC sign deal

On March 27, 2009 by

In the latest instalment in the battle of the gaming networks, Sony has announced that it has signed a deal to make NBC content available to PlayStation Network users. The news comes only a month after a similar deal was struck between NBC and Microsoft for the Xbox 360, and suggests that the battle to provide more and better content is intensifying.

Films from Universal Studios and programmes from NBC, such as Heroes, will now be available on the network for users of the PlayStation 3 and PSP to download. Films will be available in high definition, and the programmes will be made available to download the day after they have been aired on TV, meaning fans will not have to wait around to get hold of them. Prices will start at about $5 (£3), and this is expected to increase the popularity of the network.

According to Sony, there are now 1,300 films and 4,500 TV episodes in total to download from the network, including content from Paramount, Fox, MGM and Disney. It also said that it now has 20 million accounts on the network compared to 17 million for the Xbox.

The head of Universal’s home entertainment, Craig Kornblau, said that the

Has the coffee gone cold?

On March 19, 2009 by

The first of two expansion packs for Grand Theft Auto IV was released recently, and with it came an interesting twist on the controversy that often surrounds new releases of the series. In GTA IV: The Lost and Damned, players leave behind the story of Niko Bellic and instead control Johnny Klebitz, playing out his role as the leader of a biker gang. The add-on has been described as darker and more gritty than its predecessor but it’s not the brutal scenes (a sledge hammer to the face being most prominent) which are generating the news. Instead what jolted bloggers and online game journalists into action was something deemed far worse, something far more likely to bring society to its knees; the inclusion of a penis.

A penis being in a game rated for 18s and over should really not shock anyone, especially when it is flaccid and is only shown for seconds during a non-sexual sauna scene. Yes, it is the first time a modern, fully 3D game had done this but if anything shouldn’t we be asking why it has taken so long? Apparently not, if the majority of game journalists are anything to go by. Some simply used it as a way of making puns and jokes, whilst others appeared intent on hyping up the predicted reaction of the mainstream media. Irresponsible as it may be, anyone who can remember the

PlayStation Network hits 20 million users

On March 13, 2009 by

PlayStation has released new figures stating that it has now managed to sign up a record 20 million users to the PSN (PlayStation Network). This figure represents a huge rise in the popularity of the network since it was first created back in November 2006.

After 14 months in existence the network had five million users, after 20 months that was up to 10 million, and now the latest figures of 20 million seem to suggest it will just keep getting more and more popular.

It is not hard to see why the network has taken off so well. It allows PlayStation and PSP users to access a huge range of content, including multiplayer gaming, digital content, text messaging, video chat and social features. It also provides access to the PlayStation Store, which currently has over 14,500 items on it. This includes 5,900 TV episodes and films, numerous new games and even a Game Archive where users can buy cheaper older titles.

PlayStation has stated that 600 of its titles now involve an element of online play, meaning users can hook up to the network and play people from all over the world. And with the network now available in 55 countries across the planet, it really does have a global reach.

It’s all looking rather good for PlayStation, especially as the rest of the world struggles through the recession. It has caught onto the popularity of playing games over international networks, and is pleased to announce that 380 million downloads have been recorded from the PSN since it was launched. In all, that makes up a figure of $180 million in sales, which is certainly something to be pleased about.

Special edition red Xbox 360 in March

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When times are hard, there is always one way to guarantee bringing in the customers: release a novelty special edition product. So in the middle of this deep and worsening recession, it is no surprise that Microsoft has done just that with the announcement that it will be releasing a special edition red Xbox 360 in March.

This limited-edition model is sure to catch the eye of hardcore Xbox fans. The pre-release pictures show a slick machine decked out in a dark, blood-red colour, which is sure to provide a talking point in the months to come for those lucky enough to get their hands on it.

The reason for its release is to coincide with the eagerly awaited Resident Evil V, which is the first Resident Evil game in the franchise to make it to the Xbox 360. The game and the machine are to be sold together in a special bundle pack, which will also include a matching red wireless controller, a black wireless headset and an exclusive dashboard theme.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the bundle will also come with a bonus card allowing for a free download of Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix from Xbox Live Arcade.

The red console is to be the Elite Edition model, which means it will have a massive 120GB hard drive. The release date has been penned in as Friday 13th March, and it will be sold for a reported £233. However, it is thought to be a very limited offer and therefore pre-orders are being advised to avoid disappointment.

Community Games: The Weird and the Wonderful

On March 4, 2009 by

By now some readers will have already had a chance to look around the Community Games channel on Xbox Live, but with over 100 titles already uploaded you’re probably wondering which are worth your time? To help I have sampled every game so far and put together these short previews of a few titles that stand out from the crowd.