PlayStationSpot

PLAYSTATION NEWS AND REVIEWS
July 3rd, 2009

Create a Comic, Get into our Exclusive Comic-Con Events (And Score Some Schwag!)

You know that one of our goals here at the PlayStation.Blog is to grant you access to all things PlayStation. Usually that means access to speak with a developer in a live chat or a Q&A, or, in the case of E3, access to some of our special events.

With San Diego Comic-Con coming up, we’ve got room for both. Sure, we’ll be hitting you up for your burning questions, and then getting them answered on camera. But how would you like access to a couple of sweet PlayStation VIP events? We’ve got your back - but you’ll have to earn your way in.

ACIT Ratchet Wrench

In conjunction with Comic-Con, on Wednesday, July 22, Insomniac Games and SCEA are planning to host a community event, co-sponsored with G4, to unveil the winner of the “Captain Qwark’s My Blaster Runs Hot” weapons contest and present them with a real-life replica of the weapon they created. In addition to the contest winner unveil, there will be a special reveal and maybe you’ll be cool enough to be one of the first to go hands-on with new Clank gameplay.

The next night, you’ll be one of the few with access into an exclusive PlayStation event where you’ll get to go hands-on with some of our biggest upcoming PS3, PSP and PSN titles.

Space is extremely limited, so how do we decide who gets in? Well it *is* Comic-Con, so we want to see your comic strip creation skills. You don’t necessarily have to be a Penny Arcade-caliber comic creator (though this strip was definitely an inspiration!), we just want to see how creative you are.

Using the template below, create your own Ratchet & Clank comic based on “time.” Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time features all-new Clank gameplay and special “time” abilities that bring meaning to “past selves.” So where will Clank go? What happens when we meets his “past selves?” Well, that’s up to you.

You can print out the template and draw the comic by hand, or do it all digitally, just make sure you send it to rcfcomiccon@gmail.com by 11:59pm (Pacific) next Friday, July 10th. Please include your name, address, and indicate whether or not you’ll be in the San Diego area on July 22nd.

Use the .jpeg template below, or if you’d like a higher-res version, download the .pdf template here.

RCF Comics Template

Once we receive and process all of the comic strips, we’ll be putting them all into a Flickr folder on Monday, July 13th. The comics with the most views received from July 13th – July 17th will be granted access to PlayStation events on July 22nd and 23rd in San Diego, along with a guest.

“But hey,” you interject, “I’m not going to Saint Diego for this Convention of Comics.” Ah yes, we foresaw that. Send in your comics anyway, and the top rated (again by page view) artists will receive a Comic-Con Schwag Bag, including a bad-ass Ratchet item. After the contest is over, we’ll be tossing shout outs to our favorite submissions, so what do you have to lose? Get cracking!

And please, check out the official rules here. Must be a US resident 18 or older to win.

July 3rd, 2009

Sack it To Me - The “Liberty” Edition

Happy 4th of July weekend LBP‘ers! Check out some of the latest happenings and have a wonderful break.

FREE COSTUME: The Sacktue of Liberty (Limited Time Only)

LBP - Sacktue of Liberty

If you have been keeping up with LBP news, you most likely scored the lovely Summer Solstice Druid costume that was available for free until this week. If you missed out, not to worry, because in celebration of Independence Day, our friends at Mm are paying tribute to Lady Liberty with one of the sweetest costumes to date — The Sacktue of Liberty. Since Liberty should be free for all, so is this costume, so grab it while you can! It’s up now until July 9th so be sure to download this before you light your bottle rockets and start up the BBQ!

Don’t forget that the Artist Sticker Pack by Jon Burgerman ($1.99) is also available now. If you need to give your level some flair, score some sweet sticker action designed by artist Jon Burgerman. The guy’s done toys, and his art is on clothes and galleries all over. Your level might be next!

THE ADVENTURES OF ARNOLD DRAKE

LBP Arnold Drake

Not to be confused with Nathan Drake of Uncharted fame, Arnold Drake is a Sackboy who blogs about his adventures around the planet. If you ever asked the questions:

What do you do if you have a camera, some imagination, and were lucky enough to score a limited-edition European Sackboy plushes?

This is your answer: You start a sweet blog to chronicle some Sackboy adventures! Forget that traveling gnome dude, he’s got nothing on Arnold Drake.

Check out more pics and adventures on www.arnolddrake.com.

Future LittleBigPlanet DLC?

LBP Who You Gonna Call

July 3rd, 2009

WipEout Fury Developer Diary - Ship Design

Daimion Pinnock here, SCEA Producer for the WipEout franchise. As some of you may be aware, the WipEout franchise has been around for a while now, and continues to improve with each new update. We released WipEout HD last year in stunning 1080p for $19.99, and it received strong reviews. This year we have a new release for you all, which is called WipEout HD Fury!! We announced it the day before E3, and I’m sure that you’ll be very impressed with what the guys at Studio Liverpool have been able to do.

Starting off a small series of posts, I’m happy to introduce some cool exclusive information about the making of the game and the Fury add-in, coming straight from Dave Glanister, WipEout Fury Ship designer on the WipEout HD development team.

Hello everyone, my name is Dave Glanister and I’m the WipEout Fury Ship designer, here to give you a little insight into how we created the look of the ships.

Our main aim for the new WipEout Fury ships was to modernize their visual look whilst keeping the DNA of each existing individual team. On previous WipEout games, a key feature for ship design was its dynamic straight edge and triangular silhouette. For PSone and PSP this key element was the best way to achieve a great design without using a huge amount of polygons.

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Our approach for the Fury ships was to keep the dynamic straight edge design but add to it by dividing the ships body panels up into three main layers. This new addition to the ships allowed us to overlap, interlock and weave the main ship panels together to achieve a more complex look.

By taking this approach it allowed the designs to show gaps, grooves and negative windows of space that were in-turn filled with real time PS3 self shadows. This made the ships appear lighter and more hover like without reducing the ships scale or bulk.

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To evolve the designs further we replaced the nut and bolt element to the WipEout HD ships by building clean simplified inter-locking mechanical shapes. This suggested fewer components in the ships build. Also it gave the ships a tailor-made look and also suggested that the ships parts had been created with new and advanced material.

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When viewing the ship design side on, the body panels have been purposely angled forwards to help create a dynamic appearance even when stationary. As a result the ship’s profile fights against the horizontal lines of the track’s surface which helps communicate the notion of an anti-gravity spacecraft.

To help identify the Fury ships within a race we added a second layer to the cockpit. This gives the impression of extra pilot protection. Well also placed a blue emissive tint to the cockpit glass which adds energy, notion of power and focal point to the core of every ship design.

That’s it from me! Hope you enjoyed reading about what I do :) I understand that we’ll have another update for you on WipEout Fury next week by another member of the team here. In the meantime, have a great weekend.

I look forward to seeing you all online!
-Daimion

July 3rd, 2009

PlayStation Network Video Content Update

Hi Everyone -

Here are this week’s new releases and top downloads for the Video Store.

This week we’ve added the following new content:

HD Movies

  • Hoodlum
  • An American Haunting
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer
  • Memoirs of a Geisha
  • H2 Theatrical Trailer
  • Inglourious Basterds Theatrical Trailer
  • The Pink Panther (2006)
  • District 9 - Theatrical Trailer
  • 12 Rounds
  • 12 Rounds EXTREME CUT
  • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
  • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li UNRATED
  • Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Movies

  • Hoodlum
  • Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine
  • Harder They Fall
  • Leprechaun 2
  • The Betrayed
  • The Pink Panther (2006)
  • Ready
  • District 9 - Theatrical Trailer
  • Out of the Pond
  • Smith!
  • American Outlaws
  • The Human Contract
  • Dark Streets
  • 12 Rounds
  • 12 Rounds EXTREME CUT
  • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
  • Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li UNRATED
  • Ice Age Short: Surviving Sid
  • Ice Age Short: No Time for Nuts
  • Ice Age Short: Gone Nutty
  • Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - Trailer

HD TV Shows

  • In Plain Sight | Season 2 “Who’s Bugging Mary?”
  • In Plain Sight | Season 2 “Miles to Go”
  • Jesse James is a Dead Man | Season 1 “Figure 8 World Championships”
  • Kings | Season 1 “Pilgrimage”
  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Season 8 “Salome in Manhattan”
  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Season 8 “Lady”s Man”
  • Rescue Me | Season 5 “Torch”
  • 4th and Long | Season 1 “The Rivals”
  • The Philanthropist | Season 1 “Episode 2″

TV

  • iCarly | Season 2 iMust Have Locker 239
  • Voltron | Season 5
  • Ice Road Truckers | Season 3 Accident Alley
  • In Plain Sight | Season 2 Who’s Bugging Mary?
  • In Plain Sight | Season 2 Miles to Go
  • Law & Order | Season 1
  • Brotherhood | Season 1
  • Brotherhood | Season 2
  • This American Life | Season 1 Reality Check
  • This American Life | Season 1 Growth Spurt
  • This American Life | Season 1 The Cameraman
  • This American Life | Season 1 God’s Close Up
  • This American Life | Season 1 My Way
  • This American Life | Season 1 Pandora’s Box
  • Read or Die | Season 1 Episode 01
  • Read or Die | Season 1 Episode 02
  • Read or Die | Season 1 Episode 03
  • Attack of the Show | Season 2009 Best of 6/27/09
  • True Jackson, VP | Season 1 True’s New Assistant
  • The Closer | Season 5 Walking Back The Cat
  • Jesse James is a Dead Man | Season 1 Figure 8 World Championships
  • Kings | Season 1 Pilgrimage
  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Season 8 Salome in Manhattan
  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Season 8 Lady”s Man
  • Air Master | Season 1, Volume 2
  • Captain Harlock | Season 1, Volume 2
  • Brooke Knows Best | Season 2 My Mother’s with Another
  • Rescue Me | Season 5 Torch
  • Better Off Ted | Season 1 Bioshuffle
  • Jon & Kate Plus 8 | Season 5 The First 10 Years
  • Run’s House | Season 6 Blog Wild
  • Run’s House | Season 6 Tapper’s Delight
  • Tattoo Highway | Season 1 New Kid on the Shop
  • 4th and Long | Season 1 The Rivals
  • TNA: iMPACT! | Season 1 TNA: iMPACT! 6/25/2009
  • Expedition: Africa | Season 1 African Monsoon
  • Expedition: Africa | Season 1 Danger In the Desert
  • X-Play | Season 2009 X-Play Weekly 7/1/09
  • Paris Hilton’s My New BFF | Season 2 Learn From Your Mistakes
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life On the D-List | Season 4
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Season 5 Place Your Bette
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Season 5 I Heart Lily Tomlin
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Season 5 Grammy Shmammy
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Season 5 Paris Is My New BFF
  • Make Me a Supermodel | Season 2
  • NYC Prep | Season 1 Sneak Preview
  • NYC Prep | Season 1 Top Half Of 1%
  • NYC Prep | Season 1 Flip Of The Hair
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 The Must Have
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 All the Bang, Half the Bucks
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 Trick Up Your Sleeve
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 The Shoe Must Go On
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 Shape Shifters
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 Mean Girls
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 On the Job
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 Ode to La Mode
  • The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Season 1
  • The Real Housewives of New Jersey | Season 1
  • The Real Housewives of Orange County | Season 4
  • Top Chef | Season 5
  • Top Chef Masters | Season 1 Masters Get Schooled
  • Top Chef Masters | Season 1 The Lost Supper
  • Top Chef Masters | Season 1 Offal Tasty
  • RENO 911! | Season 6 Ep. 14
  • The Philanthropist | Season 1 Ep. 2
  • The Real World Cancun | Season 22 Ep. 2
  • The Fashion Show | Season 1 Ep. 9
  • TNA: iMPACT! | Season 1 Ep. 27
  • GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley | Season 2 Ep. 16
  • Attack of the Show | Season 2009 Ep. 25
  • The Soup | Season 2009 Ep. 25
  • GT Bonus Round | Season 3 Ep. 18
  • The Othersiders | Season 1 Ep. 3
  • Voltron | Season 4
  • Sex Decoy : Love Stings | Season 1 Ep. 7
  • Sex Decoy : Love Stings | Season 1 Ep. 8

Top Movies

    1. Gran Torino
    2. Inkheart
    3. Friday the 13th
    4. Fanboys
    5. Valkyrie
    6. Taken
    7. 12 Rounds (Unrated)
    8. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li UNRATED
    9. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    10. He’s Just Not That Into You

Top HD Movies

    1. Gran Torino
    2. Friday the 13th
    3. Inkheart
    4. Valkyrie
    5. Fanboys
    6. Taken
    7. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
    8. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li UNRATED
    9. 12 Rounds (Unrated)
    10. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Top TV Episodes

    1. Family Guy | Season 7 -420
    2. Family Guy | Season 7 -Stew-Roids
    3. Burn Notice | Season 3 -Fearless Leader
    4. Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series | Season 1 -Episode 6
    5. Dexter | Season 3 -Finding Freebo -2
    6. South Park: Uncensored | Season 13 -Fishsticks
    7. Dexter | Season 3-Our Father
    8. Robot Chicken | Season 0 -Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode II
    9. Dexter | Season 3 -The Lion Sleeps Tonight
    10. Family Guy | Season 7 -Three Kings

Top HD TV Episodes

    1. Burn Notice | Season 3 -Fearless Leader
    2. Jesse James is a Dead Man | Season 1 -Jesse James vs. The Cops 2
    3. Kings | Season 1 -Pilgrimage
    4. South Park: Uncensored | Season 13 -Fishsticks
    5. UFC Fights | Season 1 -Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar UFC 81: Breaking Point
    6. South Park: Uncensored | Season 13 -Fatbeard
    7. Kings | Season 1 -The Sabbath Queen
    8. UFC Fights | Season 1 -Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson
    9. South Park: Uncensored | Season 13 -Eat, Pray, Queef
    10. Rescue Me | Season 5 -Disease
July 2nd, 2009

PlayStation Store Update

Hi Everyone - It’s time again for the weekly PlayStation Store Update.

To commemorate the availability of the Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li movie on the Video Store, we’ve gathered all our Street Fighter-related items under one category. Find them all housed under the New Releases category. Check ‘em out and get your Hadouken on!!

Qore

Qore Annual Subscription - July 2009 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a high-definition monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to upcoming titles from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and third-party developers across the globe.
File size: 1.17 GB

Qore Episode 14: July 2009 ($2.99)
Episode 14 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network takes you inside the dangerous world of Assassin’s Creed 2.
File size: 1.17 GB

Downloadable Games

Punisher: No Mercy ($9.99)
Zen Studios gives you a first look at The Punisher: No Mercy, coming exclusively to Playstation Network. Powered by Unreal Engine 3, No Mercy features fast-paced first person shooter action and explosive online multiplayer game play. With inspiration rooted in the Punisher’s rich comic book history, the game allows players to choose from an eclectic mix of Punisher allies and villains.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 737 MB

Add-on Game Content

High Velocity Bowling Ball Pack 6 - 4th of July Americana ($0.99)
It’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Spice up your bowling game with this cool pack of six custom “4th of July Americana” theme bowling balls.
File size: 4.68 MB

High Velocity Bowling Ball Pack 7 - Route 66 Americana ($0.99)
t’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Spice up your bowling game with this cool pack of six custom “Route 66 Americana” theme bowling balls.
File size: 6.55 MB

LittleBigPlanet Sacktue of Liberty Costume (free)
“Celebrate Independence Day in LittleBigPlanet with this special costume for Sackboy! Available for a limited time!”
File size: 1.04 MB

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Monarch Signature Livery Pack (free)
Make your vehicle stand out from the crowd with this exclusive MotorStorm Pacific Rift livery pack, available for a limited time only from PlayStation Store.
File size: 100 KB

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Speed Expansion ($9.99)
Download the Speed Expansion Pack to get 3 brand new tracks for MotorStorm Pacific Rift, playable in all online modes, and offline in Time Attack, Free Play, and Split Screen.

  • Quicksands
  • Darkfire Swamp
  • Engorged

File size: 572 MB

Cross Edge Safety Pack (free)
Add a few extra items to your inventory with this free pack!
File size: 111 KB

Cross Edge Additional Dungeon 2 (free)
Extend your adventure with this bonus dungeon!
File size: 111 KB

Cross Edge New Costume Set 1 ($3.99)
Expand your wardrobe along with your power with this clothing pack!
File size: 192 MB

Quantum of Solace: The Game 007 Camille Map Pack ($4.99)
The Camille Map Pack includes four new multiplayer maps: “Canals,” a claustrophobic section of Venice where constant movement is the key to winning and losing; “Bags” places you in a gloomy area of the Miami airport that will have you frantically trying to find cover; “Dam” an outdoor arena that requires constant teamwork and “Cisterns”, the dark underbelly of Siena where trouble lurks around every dark corner.
File size: 348 MB

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 The Predator ($7.50)
Grab your clubs and prepare for a true adventure at The Predator! Bring all your shots including your ability to work the ball left and right as creativity will help you get around this jungle of a course.
File size: 170 MB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com

  • “21st Century (Digital Boy)” by Bad Religion ($1.99)
  • “Linoleum” by NOFX ($1.99)
  • “Ruby Soho” by Rancid ($1.99)
  • Epitaph Punk-O-Rama Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “21st Century (Digital Boy)” by Bad Religion, “Linoleum” by NOFX and “Ruby Soho” by Rancid. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File sizes: 24 MB - 33 MB (singles), 83 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

  • “Blue Morning, Blue Day” - Foreigner ($1.99)
  • “Feels Like the First Time” - Foreigner ($1.99)
  • “Headknocker” - Foreigner ($1.99)
  • Foreigner Pack 01 ($5.49) - Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Foreigner Pack 01. This pack includes: “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Headknocker,” and “Feels Like the First Time” by Foreigner.
  • “Hey John, What’s Your Name Again?” - The Devil Wears Prada ($1.99)
  • “Image of the Invisible” - Thrice ($1.99)
  • “Sweet Talk” - Dear and the Headlights ($1.99)
  • Warped Tour 2009 Pack 02 ($5.49) - Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Warped Tour 2009 Pack 02. This pack includes “Sweet Talk” by Dear and the Headlights, “Hey John, What’s Your Name Again?” by The Devil Wears Prada, and “Image of the Invisible” by Thrice.
  • Weapon of Choice” - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club ($1.99)

File sizes: 25 MB - 31 MB (singles), 86 MB - 87 MB (track packs)

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 7/2 Edition
Join host Christina Lee for PULSE presented by the PlayStation Network. This edition features a patriotic add-on to LittleBigPlanet, the puzzles of Droplitz and an exciting challenge from Battlefield 1943. We also take a look at the PSone Classic, Metal Gear Solid, and the Top 10 PSone Classics to date. New video arrivals include NYC Prep, Bravo’s series about the privileged teenagers of Manhattan’s elite high school scene.
File size: 255 MB (HD) 438 MB (1080)

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Speed Expansion Pack Trailer
File size: 81 MB (HD) 139 MB (1080)

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Adrenaline Expansion Pack Trailer
File size: 79 MB (HD) 133 MB (1080)

Bayonetta E3 Trailer
File size: 69 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

Anime MBM 4 PS3 ($1.49)
File size: 4.03 MB

Farmer’s Daughter PS3 Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.2 MB

Ink Skulls PS3 Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.17 MB

Sniper Girls PS3 Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.54 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games

Capcom Classics Collection Remixed ($19.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
Bursting with retro flavor, this portable arcade compilation comes together in an amazing collection of 20 all-time Capcom favorites.
Included games are: Street Fighter, Strider, Final Fight, 1941, Captain Commando, Bionic Commando, Legendary Wings, Forgotten Worlds, Black Tiger, 3 Wonders, Avengers, Block Block, Last Duel, Side Arms, Mega Twins, Varth, Magic Sword, Section Z, Quiz and Dragons, and The Speed Rumbler.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 489 MB

Mind Quiz ($9.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
Mind Quiz is the only PSP game that helps you make your brain younger.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 20 MB

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Essentials ($19.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
You are double agent Sam Fisher, caught in a menacing conspiracy. Immerse yourself in the world of international espionage and discover the entire Splinter Cell series through flashbacks and exclusive new missions.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to media differences, the digital and UMD disc versions of this title are incompatible with each other in Multiplayer mode.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.23 GB

Add-on Game Content

Rock Band Unplugged (also available from PS3 storefront)
Build your Rock Band Unplugged library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

  • “Losing My Religion”— R.E.M. ($1.99)
  • “Sin Wagon”— Dixie Chicks ($1.99)

File sizes: 15 MB - 19 MB

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 7/2 Edition
File size: 50 MB

PSP Themes

Anime MBM 7 PSP Theme ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 534 KB

Anime MBM 8 PSP Theme ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 500 KB

4th of July PSP Theme 1 ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 480 KB

4th of July PSP Theme 2 ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 489 KB

Farmer’s Daughter PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 495 KB

Ink Skulls PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 330 KB

Sniper Girls PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 561 KB

July 2nd, 2009

PULSE Returns Today!

After taking a short break after our special editions from E3, PULSE, presented by the PlayStation Network, returns today with an extended look at Battlefield 1943, a peek at the free “Sacktue of Liberty” Sackboy costume, and a look back at the original Metal Gear Solid.

For those of you who haven’t experienced the Ghostbuster Fire House HQ and the SOCOM Tactical Operations Center spaces launched earlier in PlayStation Home, PULSE also takes a quick tour of these very cool spaces.

The Top 10 Games focuses on PSone Classics, while the Top 10 Videos combines both television and movie titles for the month of June.

And, yes, Christina’s voice is back too!

You’ll find this 7/2 Edition of PULSE available in full HD in the Media section of the PlayStation Store later today (along with the E3 Special Editions that are also still available).

July 2nd, 2009

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Pre-Order Goodies

Hi all,

We know a lot of you Ratchet & Clank fans are looking forward to the return of everyone’s favorite intergalactic duo this fall in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. As we gear up for launch, we wanted to fill you in on some pre-order programs for the game which kick off today! Here are some of the cool R&C goodies you’ll get when you pre-order Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time:

Discovery Package – Explore the Insomniac Moon, a special level that resembles the layout of the Insomniac Games’ offices! Scattered through this museum-like level, you will discover a moon’s worth of extra content that didn’t quite make it into the game.

A Crack in Time - Discovery Package

Power Package –The Power package includes an exclusive weapon skin for one of Ratchet’s weapons. You will also start the game with extra hit points, and Ratchet’s brand new Cryo Mine Glove, a weapon that freezes enemies! (This pre-order program goes into effect over the next few weeks.)

A Crack in Time - Power Package


Bolt Package – The thrifty gamer will find lots to love in this exclusive Bolt Package! Start the game with two of Ratchet’s most bolt-centric power-ups — the Bolt Magnetizer and Box Basher, and you will discover your galactic bank account has already loaded with 5,000 bolts when you start the game.

A Crack in Time - Bolt Package

Space Package – The Space Package offers an exclusive hotrod skin for Ratchet’s ship, the Aphelion. You also will start with 5,000 bolts as well as an exclusive Ratchet & Clank PlayStation Home Avatar Skin!

A Crack in Time - Space Package

You can find these pre-order programs at retailers like Amazon.com, Best Buy, Game Crazy, GameStop and/or other participating retailers.

That’s it for now, but there’s plenty of Ratchet & Clank goodness coming your way the next few months. Next up for the Insomniac crew is Comic-Con, so stay tuned for a whole slew of new info and gameplay later this month!

July 2nd, 2009

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Challenge

Hello PlayStation Blog readers! I’m Yosuke Hayashi, producer at Team NINJA (Tecmo). Since the announcement of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in March, I’ve been looking forward to sharing more details on the title, so here we are. We received great feedback on our playable demo at E3 (both Ryu and Ayane were playable) and as you can imagine, we are working very hard to finish up the game in time for the fall release.

Since this is the PlayStation Blog, I’m going to refrain from comparing Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 to Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360). All you really need to know is that this isn’t just a port and this will be the most complete Ninja Gaiden game released to date. Team NINJA has put out five Ninja Gaiden games in five years and we are confident that this is THE one you want to play and own!

Today, I’d like provide a quick overview on our three sexy, female PLAYABLE characters: Rachel, Ayane, and Momiji.

Rachel: Strong and powerful. Signature weapon – War Hammer. New weapon – Machine Gun!

Ayane: Young, purple-haired female ninja from the Dead or Alive series. Quick. Weapons - Dual short swords and a dagger with a pinwheel carrying her signature iris.

Momiji: Heroine from Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, who trained under Ryu. How much sexier can a female ninja get? Weapons – Naginata long sword and bow. Check out this video of Momiji:

Each character has its own unique set of weapons, moves and ninpos. If you thought you mastered Ryu, that won’t be enough in Sigma 2! There are plenty of melee and projectile weapons to unlock along the way.

Here’s some fun until next time: On the cover of PlayStation: The Official Magazine’s May 2009 issue, there’s an image of Ryu with his sword standing in the urban landscape. Our artists decided to do a version featuring each of female characters, all for you to download, available exclusively on the PlayStation Blog. We wanted to have some fun with the images, so each picture has three “things” that are different from Ryu’s image. Since Ninja Gaiden is known to have a high difficulty level, this challenge is no different. Some of the differences in the pictures may be unnoticeable to the naked eye, so download the images, look closely, and have fun!

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - Ryu Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - Rachel

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - Ayane Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - Momiji

July 1st, 2009

Qore Episode 14 – Featuring Assassin’s Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, Lost Planet 2 and Battlefield: 1943

As Qore begins its second year on the PlayStation Network, this episode is all about sequels. When a developer succeeds in creating an acclaimed title, the pressure is on to repeat that success. But making sequels isn’t easy. Change too much, and you risk alienating fans of the original title. Change too little, and you’ll be criticized by gamers who want something new.

With many of our favorite franchises returning soon, the Qore team caught up with the folks responsible for these highly anticipated sequels in order to bring you the most recent developments.

Renaissance Man

The action/adventure game that focused on simulated ancestral memories now shifts locales to Italy in Assassin’s Creed 2. Audrey Cleo takes a look at the new tale of power, revenge and conspiracy that lets you put Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions to good use.

Special Ops

Acclaimed developer Infinity Ward returns to the Call of Duty franchise with a direct sequel to 2007’s Modern Warfare. So how do you make one of the most popular games of this current generation even better? Add snowmobiles, of course!

Hell, (Un)frozen Over

Ten years after the events of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, the ice and snow have finally melted—but that doesn’t make the planet any more hospitable! Capcom shows Veronica how players can team up to take down the enormous Akrid.

Sky, Land and Sea

The popular PC franchise is coming to the PlayStation Network in the form of Battlefield: 1943 - a fast-paced online shooter with multiple vehicles, 24 player combat, and environmental destruction in WWII Pacific Theatre locales.

Subscription Renewal Update

Initial subscribers from June 2008 can now take advantage of a special renewal offer. Please check your e-mail for details. You’ll need to visit the PlayStation Store and, under the Media category, find and select the special renewal ‘thumbnail’ to avoid missing an episode.

All annual subscribers and single episode purchasers will receive an exclusive Battlefield: 1943 theme this month, and don’t forget to look for a new mini-game in the Qore Arcade. Also, in celebration of Independence Day, check out your very own fireworks launcher built into the What’s Hot section where, of course, you’ll also find Audrey Cleo’s Blu-ray round up.

Look for Episode 14 tomorrow.

July 1st, 2009

Capcom Classics Coming to PSN Starting Tomorrow

Capcom Classics - Logo

Hey PlayStation fans, I’m Ryan, Capcom’s newest Bearer of Good News. Today, I’m here to bring you word of our upcoming PlayStation classics, a library of classic games being brought to you on the PlayStation Network. We’ve sorted through our archives and hand-selected the games that rocked the industry. All of these upcoming classics will be released over the PSN, and will be playable on your PSP.

Coming up first is Capcom Classics Collection: Remixed, available tomorrow. The game is a collection of arcade classics from gaming’s glorious past. Pay homage to the best of the arcades, like Final Fight, Bionic Commando, Street Fighter, and Magic Sword. Prove your old-school dominance with twenty full arcade titles. Check out the full list of included games here.

Later this summer, look forward to Fate/Unlimited Codes. Capcom’s fighting game masters have brought one of Japan’s most popular animes exclusively to the PSN, ready for the new PSPgo. High-flying combos and fast-paced versus action show off the game’s gorgeous 3D graphics, and it’s a fighting-game experience you can’t get anywhere else.

Next, keep your eyes out for more gems from Capcom, being brought directly to the PSN. Check out the full list below, including PSone and UMD Legacy titles, and come back often for more info on individual release timing.