PlayStationSpot

 

Gamasutra got a hold of Paul Sams, chief of operations at Blizzard Entertainment, at the recent World Wide Invitational last weekend, and following an interview with senior vice president Rob Pardo, discovered that both agree on the same point: Microsoft is focusing a lot on their gaming system and is leaving PC gaming to fend for itself.

That notion was already put forth by several analysts, though Stardock Systems grasped a few ideas here and there to formulate a plausible theory. According to them, Microsoft can't try much to strengthen PC gaming without someone calling foul on Redmond's software behemoth.

Either way, Sams does believe that Microsoft can market PC gaming. He opined:

...I kind of look at [the situation] and say to myself - and I think similarly to [what] Rob [says] - is that it would be great if [Microsoft] put more emphasis on the Windows operating system, [because it is] certainly probably the most prominent operating system in the world. Even more so than console boxes.

And they own and operate that system, so having them put more energy and effort against [Windows] - and they would say that they are [putting more energy and effort against Windows], but I think that there's more that can be done.

Microsoft has always been active in the operating profits gig, and where it's biggest operations are, that's where they'd definitely put more focus to. While Windows 7 is definitely in development and geared to arrive in two years, Sams says that most of the investments are herding around their game console. He mused,

It makes sense to me, what they're doing, they're putting their energy and focus against the 360. That's where their huge R&D dollars are that they have to earn out on and that's where I think their gaming bread and butter is right now.

We'll probably learn more from Paul Sams in the near future, especially on this creeping rumor linked to his name that the Xbox 360 might - we say just might - receive Diablo 3. More on that as we get them.

Ceasar S. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Straight from QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums, we're treated to a new candidate to fix a PSP owner's chronological concerns: WakeUp Clock. WakeUp Clock is a keeper to its namesake - the homebrew application has every intention of getting you up at the time you set. And that's all the WinShell app does. Every day.

If you're looking for special features, WakeUp Clock v2 does have one: it can play it's default MP3 alarm or it can play an MP3 you choose. Other than that, there's nothing thrilling to be had here. The app just transforms your PSP to a nagging, chronomeasuring device with a penchance for noise at the right time and does little else.

In short, it acts like an ordinary alarm clock, it sports an ordinary digital alarm clock face, and it even sounds like an ordinary alarm clock with the right MP3. But if you have a habit of hammering your past digital alarm clock at bedside, move the PSP somewhere far to avoid undue harm to a sound investment.

To set and arm WakeUp clock, just use the following keymap as guide ( means combo):

• CIRCLE - Toggle the USB switch
• RIGHT SHOULDER LEFT SHOULDER - Terminate the application, while storing settings for color and time.
• RIGHT SHOULDER RIGHT SHOULDER DOWN and UP - The key combo to change the minutes of the clock, if you don't want to do it the simpler way.
• RIGHT SHOULDER RIGHT SHOULDER LEFT and RIGHT - The key combo to change the hours of the clock, if you still don't want to do it the simpler way.
• LEFT SHOULDER - For preparing and calibrating the MP3 file. You could use this to browse for another target MP3 sound track.

There's no readme for this homebrew application, but if you place all the archive's contents under WakeUp (or the default PSP_ALARMA) at the GAME directory of your memory stick, you're good to go. More updates as we get them.

Screenshot courtesy of PDRoms.

Download: WakeUp Clock v2
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums

Ceasar S. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

  

SeanPaul223 dropped by once again at our forums, and this time, it's to deliver his LUA creation, Mario Kart 64v1 - PSP Edition. As the name would suggest, it's a kart racing title featuring Nintendo's famous brothers, Mario and Luigi.

Features are:

• 3 Tracks for a "Best time Challenge"
• Koopa Troopa beach
• Moo Moo farm
• Kalimari Desert
• 2 Characters (Mario and Luigi)
• HighScores Manager System

It's certainly no Mario Kart Wii, but it sure looks like it can be just as fun. SeanPaul223's also said that this has been tested and found to work properly. However, there may be some freeze issues on the system, and that can be attributed to the RAM usage. Anyway he says he'll give it a fix soon, so just wait for it on the next update.

In the meantime, do enjoy this homebrew game.


Download: Mario Kart 64v1 - PSP Edition
Discuss: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums

Mabie A. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

 

Poisonhzkj's plug-in for the PSP has been updated by developer Miriam to accommodate Team M33's Custom Firmware 4.01, and apparently, this little PRX is going to be one of the ways to apply one of your 4.01 M33-compatible custom themes on the PlayStation Portable's XMB.

We get this straight from PSPGEN reporter MaGiXieN, who tipped us, together with dka7414, of the new update's significance.

Now as with the previous releases from Poisonhzkj, there's a process involved in getting custom themes to work on custom firmwares. Luckily, there are two ways to go about it if you're a newbie to custom themes:

• You can either take the source link we've provided below and set your gaze upon a step-by-step tutorial dotted with visual aids (translate the page so it'll get smoother); or,
  
• You could open up the bundled documentation with a non-Windows-inclined text editor (standard line breaks are sometimes non-Windows friendly) and take your queues from there.

If you've got your hands on a CTF (a custom theme file), make sure it's compatible with 4.01 M33. Usually authors would update upon the release of newer custom firmwares, so check back to make sure.

Once you're absolutely sure, download Red Squirrel's RSPsar Dumper v3.4 (anonymously updated) and a copy of Sony's 4.00 official firmware released recently, and then go about setting up Miriam's updated plugin for CTF use.


Download: CXMB plugin v4.0 for CFW 4.01 M33

Ceasar S. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Torch is back and he's brought along v2.0 for his Hold PSP homebrew application. Hold is basically a plug-in to make sure you make the most out of your battery life, while conserving it as well.

Looks as if for this version, the only differences from the previous v1.0 is that this one's been tested on 4.01M33-2 Slim, and that it's now been tweaked to prevent the PSP from going into suspend mode if you accidentally push the power switch too far when turning off Hold mode.

If you're new to this app, here's a view of the changelog from the last time it was upped so you'll know what to expect from it as well:

• Switches off the LCD backlight.
• Switches off the actual LCD screen.
• (This is important because the backlight and actual screen are two different things. You can have an image being displayed on the screen while the backlight is switched off, such that you can see the image if you use a flashlight. You can also have the screen switched off while the backlight still illuminates the powered off screen.)
• Underclocks the CPU to 61MHz
• (Sony has changed the clock speed functions such that only certain combinations of speeds work correctly. Simply trying to underclock to arbitrary values will result in the CPU simply running at the stock speed. I have verified that Hold successfully underclocks to 61MHz.)
• The original screen brightness and clock speed are restored when the Hold switch is released.

Be sure to check out the forums thread as well as the readme included in the .zipfile bundle to make sure you're doing it right, okay?

Thanks for the heads up, Torch!


Download: Hold v2.0
Discuss: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums

Mabie A. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Tiger Woods’ coach is now your coach! In Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 09, Hank Haney will be there from the start to assess your skills, help you tune your clubs and give you feedback after every round as you attempt to climb the leaderboards and win the FedExCup. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 09 is a highly adaptable game that allows both the rookie and the seasoned veteran the ability to have a personalized and customized day on the links. This year’s game also features enhancements to the online experience with a highly integrated EA SPORTS GamerNet experience as well as an all-new online engine powering Simultaneous Play.

Features

• Performance Coach – The TOUR pros have their own coaches and now you do too. Tiger Woods real life coach Hank Haney will guide you through your career right from the start and help you improve your skills as you play each of your rounds. Haney is constantly watching your performance and assessing areas for improvement, providing you tips on how to increase your skills.
• Tune Your Clubs to Maximize Your Swing – With the all new Club Tuner you’ll be able to tune your individual wedges, irons, woods and driver to customize your bag and get the most out of every club. But strategy will come into play as you must weigh the risks of club performance versus ease of use. So tune wisely!
• Dynamic Skills — All-new Dynamic Skills eliminates the chore of building your character up from scratch with skills you set at the beginning of your career. Based up on your performance after each round, your skills will go up and down.
• Enhanced EA SPORTS GamerNet — Personalize your experience on EA SPORTS GamerNet like never before. With the all new Instant Challenges you can earn points in any game mode and climb the Daily GamerNet leaderboards. These Instant Challenges - long drive, approach shots and putting, will appear throughout every round, providing a multitude of opportunities to earn GamerNet points while playing other modes.
• New Online Mode - In addition, to turn based play an all-new 4-Player Online Simultaneous Play will allow you to compete in a four person round in the same time it takes to play single player. No more waiting for your buddies to hit their golf shot. You will see ball trails from each of your playing partners as the foursome plays the hole at the same time. Finish the hole first and switch over to spectator mode where you’ll see your partners characters as they finish up the hole.
• New Courses and Golfers — New challenges await with exotic new locations including Gary Player Country Club in South Africa, Wentworth Country Club in England, Sheshan Golf Club in China, Wolf Creek in Nevada and Bay Hill Country Club in Florida. Adding international flavor to the available golfers in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 are Si Re Pak, Darren Clarke, Nick Dougherty and Rory McIlroy.

PlayStation.com - New Game Releases on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

 

We hear news that the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit has yet another downside, and it's somehow related to the fact that the invitation only show now has very little room to showcase PC games.

What remaining members seem to agree on is that the upcoming gaming event is almost just purely console games. And this, onlookers say, could deal a big blow to E3's image.

"E3 has fundamentally become a console show," said Unangst, and even semiconductor giant Intel, who is often present at E3 to promote gaming technology, agrees.

 "We didn't want to just squeeze out some time at a console show," explained the senior director. Instead, it was revealed that videogame titles to be published with the company's Windows gaming label have been featured in a separate gaming event at the final week of June.

ESA has had its downs lately, and it appears that because of the several game companies that have left the association due to otherwise unconfirmed reasons, there's going to be a shortage of PC games in the midst of the exposition there.

Blizzard and Her Interactive are two companies most dedicated to PC gaming, and they're part of a few members who have left the association this year. id Software, LucasArts, Vivendi, NCsoft, and Crave Entertainment were the others officially reported to have given up their membership. Some have claimed to move their portfolios to other gaming events, including their own.

Now it seems that even after the rumors, E3 is still receiving serious flak. The neutral summit is even smaller than before, and there's little in the horizon to convince many of it's comeback. More on this as we get them.

Ceasar S. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Hi again! It’s great to see the positive reaction to the unveiling of system software update v2.40. We can’t wait for you to finally go hands-on with XMB access in-game and the Trophy system – and it’s less than 2 days away. Not surprisingly, a number of you have posed questions both here and on other forums. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Will voice-messaging/private chat be featured in 2.40 as well? If not, can we expect to see this feature added in the future?

We are evaluating the opportunity to offer voice chat, but for this update, we wanted to focus on text messaging as the key priority for communications that our users have asked for.

Can you use the web browser in game?

No, you must exit the game before browsing the internet.

Will In-Game XMB come up during playback of PS2 games, Blu-Ray discs, and DVDs?

The XMB is an exclusive feature for PS3 game titles. Accessing the XMB during gameplay was the top request from our users, which we focused on for this update. However, we continually engage PS3 owners for feedback and will evaluate the opportunity to offer XMB access during movie playback in the future.

Can we go to the display settings and change anything there in-game (resolution, input, etc)?

No, you must exit the game before changing these settings.

Will it be possible to change in-game the sound output?

Yes, sound output changes are supported.


Will we be able to access the PLAYSTATION Store while in-game?

No, but you can view your downloads in progress.

Will we be able to stream music (either via media server or USB drive) for custom soundtracks or is it relegated to music stored on the HDD?

Currently only music stored on the HDD is accessible in games that support this feature. We’d also like to reiterate that Firmware v2.40 merely enables custom soundtracks. It’s up to developers to include this feature in upcoming games (or to patch existing ones).

Does 2.4 enable cross game invites? Will it down the line?

No, cross-game invites are not available in this system software update. We are evaluating opportunities to expand on the new features delivered in 2.40.

Will trophies be mandatory for all games release here on out?

We are working with developers to ensure that Trophies are supported across the board in the future.

Where is each player’s trophy stat info held? I am going to upgrade my hard drive and I don’t know if the trophies will still be on my account if I earn some and then get a new hard drive.

Trophies will be attached to users’ PSN ID. Trophy data needs to be synchronized to the online account on PSN to be transferred to the new PS3 system.

Will the patch automatically allocate unlocked trophies according to your saved files or would you have to do it again?

No, Trophies aren’t retroactive.

Can we view PSN profiles/Trophies from a PC using a Web browser? Will there be an API for web developers to access the PSN data, so online profiles can be created?

We’re evaluating these opportunities to expand where Trophies can be experienced.

Can you only compare trophies with friends that are online?

As long as a friend has a PSN account, you can compare trophies with them regardless of their online status.

Is there a limit to how many trophies the devs can put set by Sony?

There’s not a limit on number of trophies, but there’s a value assigned to each trophy. Developers must balance out the trophies that are available to stay within an overall value based on whether the game is considered large-scope or small-scope. Essentially, a user that has unlocked every trophy in one game would have the same level as a user that unlocked every trophy in another title, all titles (depending on scope) have the same overall impact on a users’ level.

Will new games have a cool little icon on the back saying “trophy compatible?”

We’re currently working on how Trophy support will be messaged to the consumer on our software packaging.

When you get a trophy, does it make a noise?

Currently, no. How quickly things can change - there *will* be a sound effect when you unlock a Trophy.

What is Eric’s favorite cheese?

Mozzarella

Once again, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance the PLAYSTATION 3’s system software throughout the console’s life cycle. Consumer feedback has contributed greatly to the contents of Firmware v2.40, and continues to be appreciated. Don’t forget, this Firmware will be available for download on July 2nd.

Eric Lempel on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Hardware, firmware, ps3 | No Comments -

Finally, we're on Year 2! QuickJump QuickPeek has indeed been around for fifty-two weeks (which is ... less than nine thousaaaaand!) now, and we're giving each of our blogs the chance to shine in their very own Weekend Warrior post.

As you can see below, QuickPeek's that much more quicker of a peek, as its name should suggest. What with snowballing down the hill of long updates in previous QuickPeek editions, we're reducing things in bite-sized format for all of you guys. If you want a more in-depth look at a certain blog's week in recap, you can click on the links provided.

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We see great strides in custom firmware development this week. With the release of the official PSP FW 4.0 (and its subsequent 4.01 update) comes CFW 4.01 M33 from Dark AleX and the rest of Team M33!

Square Enix has also revealed quite a lot of details about Dissidia: Final Fantasy. There's nothing much new on the side of full character rosters, but speculation in the comments section sure do run deep.

Link: The PSP Weekend Warrior: the FW-CFW update tango, Dissidia mania, and PlayStation Store

Solid Snake's power level? It's over nine thousaaand! Even a couple of weeks after its release, Hideo Kojima's PS3-exclusive is still making waves - selling by the millions, no less.

And though our PS3 blog might seem like it's transformed into an MGS4 blog, we still have a couple of cool updates. Aside from more details on games like LittleBigPlanet and Call of Duty 5, news from Sony's corporate table has its ups and downs - respectively: a) the announcement of the new 65nm RSX Graphics Chip, and b) Sony's loss of US$3 billion since the PS3's launch. But what's this about CliffyB's statement?

Link: The PS3 Weekend Warrior: MGS4 still dominant, Sony on the comeback trail, and a little something from CliffyB

CliffyB is one of today's greatest minds in the video game industry. With Unreal Tournament and Gears of War (not to mention Jazz Jackrabbit from ages past) on his portfolio, he's got quite the two cents on MGS4.

Despite Bill Gates stepping down from his chairman position in Microsoft this week, things are still looking up. We've also got some coverage on the release of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD's beta (some freezing problems notwithstanding), and over on XBL, there's a handful of content to download: a GTA4 patch, a map for Frontlines, and two XBLA titles.

Link: The Xbox 360 Weekend Warrior: Say 'Bye-bye!' to Bill, and other flights of fancy

This week on the Wii scene, we get two Warriors waving the flag for the great waggler. On top of finding more details (and screens, mind you!) for Mario Super Sluggers and Wario Land, there's already talk of E3 line-ups.

Other than Nintendo games, third-party titles like CoD5 (yes! we're getting it this time too!) and Castlevania: Judgment are shaping up pretty well. Not to mention the official confirmation of Mega Man 9 for the WiiWare service!

With the Wii homebrew scene boom like no other, we decided to create a spin-off Weekend Warrior solely for the whole slew of Wiibrew updates we've gotten this week, which include: a new Twilight Hack that's compatible with Wii Menu Update v3.3, some homebrew media applications (the GeeXboX is a sure fire hit!), as well as games and emulators to boot.

Link: The Wii Weekend Warrior: the rest of the year's going to be busy

Link: The Wiibrew Weekend Warrior: the dawn of a new Twilight Hack

The Nintendo DS scene has been quiet of late - everyone's probably busy with Space Invaders Extreme or Final Fantasy Tactics A2. That hasn't stopped homebrew devs from releasing a ton of projects though.

Link: The DS Weekend Warrior: games, games, and more games

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What's new for the PC? In case you've been living in the deepest, darkest crevices of Hades, know you this: Blizzard has finally unveiled Diablo 3! From new NVIDIA and Radeon cards to patches, we got you covered!

Link: The PC Weekend Warrior: shooting for 2 billion in 2014, weighing copy protection

Lots of updates on the MMORPG blog, and as with the Wii blog, we decided to create spin-off Warriors for World of Warcraft and Age of Conan. We're geeks like that too - for sure you've noticed.

SOE's E3 line-up has finally been published, but more importantly, we get some details on their upcoming DC Universe MMORPG. Sweet! You can finally get to live your dream life of wearing undies on the outside.

Meanwhile, Age of Conan's seen quite a(nother) dose of patches - twice this week - and we've got some coverage on the undocumented changes both of them introduce. But in between regular updates for WoW, we hear of where the MMORPG found its roots: a free-to-play model!

Link: The MMORPG Weekend Warrior: DC MMORPG, AoC patches, WoW Free-to-Play, and item giveaways

Link: The World of Warcraft Weekend Warrior: Booze in the PTR, fire in the public realms, and a Lich King for the weekend

Link: The Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Weekend Warrior: patches galore and more

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Our Science blog has been running crazy with a big boom in comments lately - nice intellectual humor on the side too! This week, we hear more about black holes and veggies and chocolate (and Switzerland too)!

Link: The Science Weekend Warrior: black holes and Martian asparagus

What's this? A Trojan... for the Mac?! What's the world coming to? But that's not the only thing spotted this week: on the brighter side of things, we also got to see Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard running in the wild!

Link: The Apple Weekend Warrior: Snow Leopards and Trojan malware for everyone

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It's over nine thousaaaaannnnddd!

And that's it for the first week of our band of Weekend Warriors. QuickPeek sure looks different now, but wait!, we can't just leave it at that, can we? We all know that QuickPeek can't be QuickPeek without a final closing remark from our Comment of the Week!

While the individual Weekend Warriors may or may not have their own blog-specific Comment of the Week, that doesn't mean QuickPeek can't have its own, right?

Pretty tough week on our hands - lots of good comments here and there, probably totally over nine thousand. For one, that CliffyB post was quite a field day for all of us, wasn't it? And every now and then, a science article would explode with so much feedback from you guys.

But now, we turn our eyes to Nathanias who has quite a novel suggestion for Dark AleX's next custom firmware update. Well, what with so many features being incorporated in almost every CFW release, maybe there is room for some certain... changes?

We know our search engine ain't all that great... (not to mention the messy character/symbol transformation in our comments system too)... but we're sure some of you guys might get a kick out of it either way.

Link: Dark AleX releases PSP CFW 4.01 M33; 1.50 kernel add-on to follow

Gino D. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

PSP Dungeon: Assault Run is looking more and more awesome with every update homebrew developer charnold releases. The latest version of the application, v1.0.5, consists of a new EBOOT which implements a number of changes that make the game play smoother.

For those new to this game, PSP Dungeon: Assault Run is a first person shooter for the Sony PSP. Those who have been following this homebrew since it came out will be more interested at the changes charnold has added to the program. Here they are as taken from the release thread of the program:

06-28-2008 Version 1.0.5 (just a new eboot here)

• faster collision detection of enemy bullets vs. player
• faster collision detection of enemy vs. world geometry
• slightly faster rendering of bullets and world geometry
• new option in config.txt: [GODMODE] on/off
• weapon shooting range enemy sight range limited to 50 meter

Download: PSP Dungeon: Assault Run v1.0.5 Eboot
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

Enrico S. on June 30th, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -