2008 July | PlayStationSpot

Jul 31

Carmack: Rage to look worse on Xbox 360 than PS3, PC, Mac versions

At his keynote in this year's QuakeCon, id Software's iconic programmer John Carmack drew attention with a shocking revelation. He says the Xbox 360 version of their upcoming game Rage (will look worse than its PC, PlayStation 3 and Mac counterparts.

He clarified that this has nothing to do with the Xbox 360 hardware. He says the issue stems from compressing the data so much to the point that quality is compromised.

Rage is set to ship for the Xbox 360 on two DVDs. Carmack says using three DVDs is not an option because it would spell exorbitant production costs. This is not a problem with the PS3 as it uses high-capacity Blu-ray discs.

He also said that Rage and Doom 4 will most likely not be distributed via digital means. We'll give you more QuakeCon updates as we go along.

Related articles:

Glen D. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

Life with PlayStation update

We’d like to provide a quick update on Life with PlayStation for PLAYSTATION 3. We know many of you are eager to try out the new service for yourself, but you’ll have to hold tight. Due to a few procedural matters, the new service will make its way to PlayStation fans in August.

Rest assured, Life with PlayStation will be a service that introduces a new way to interact with your PS3. By bringing information from around the world into your living room, Life with PlayStation will offer a variety of interactive content and channels on a visually stunning worldwide map interface.

We’re focused on continuously expanding the world of PS3 through new services and hope to do just that with the upcoming launch of Life with PlayStation.

Noam Rimon on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Hardware, ps3 | No Comments -

Jul 31

Square Enix revenues down but profits kick up

Square Enix's overall sales are down in Q1 of this fiscal year, but that doesn't mean the company is losing money. As a matter of fact, it's gaining more profits compared to the same period last year.

Overall revenues fell 9.3 percent to US 275.3 million. Profits, however, jumped up to US 26.7 from the previous fiscal cycle's US 25.3, but the Japanese publisher did not explain why.

Regional sales were down in Europe and Asia, but the North American market is still responding well, posting a slight increase from US$23.8 million last year to US 24.4 million this year.

From a sectoral standpoint, Square Enix's sales are down in both online and offline portfolios. Similar slight falls were also noted for the company's mobile and amusement businesses.

Related articles:

Glen D. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

Square Enix revenues down but profits kick up

Square Enix's overall sales are down in Q1 of this fiscal year, but that doesn't mean the company is losing money. As a matter of fact, it's gaining more profits compared to the same period last year.

Overall revenues fell 9.3 percent to US 275.3 million. Profits, however, jumped up to US 26.7 from the previous fiscal cycle's US 25.3, but the Japanese publisher did not explain why.

Regional sales were down in Europe and Asia, but the North American market is still responding well, posting a slight increase from US$23.8 million last year to US 24.4 million this year.

From a sectoral standpoint, Square Enix's sales are down in both online and offline portfolios. Similar slight falls were also noted for the company's mobile and amusement businesses.

Related articles:

Glen D. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

THQ posts big earnings, bigger losses

While most publishers in the video game industry are reporting decent to good earnings in Q1 of 2008, the story is a bit different for THQ as it dipped well into the red zone with triple the losses it incurred in the same period last year.

THQ finished the quarter with US 137.6 million, US 33.1 million better than last year's total. A lot of this can be credited to multiplatform hit WALL-E which was developed in cooperation with Pixar. The IP sold over a million copies despite lukewarm critical reactions.

As good as the WALL-E efforts went, development costs sapped up the earnings and gave THQ a staggering US 27.2 million in deficits. This is triple of last year's losses, but THQ isn't fazed just yet.

CEO Brian Farrell said in a statement that THQ is still well on track to post earnings this year with a good number of their products still to come. Flagship franchises such as WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 and Saints Row 2 are waiting on the wings, and games like Red Faction Guerrilla, Darksiders: Wrath of War, and Legends of Wrestlemania are expected to do well.

THQ stands firm on its projection of US$1.15 billion to US$1.175 billion in revenues by the end of the fiscal year. We'll see if that statement can vindicate the game maker when the dust settles.

Related articles:

Glen D. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

Valve updates Team Fortress 2, Backburner loses health bonus

If you haven't gone online on Steam yet, then you probably missed the last Team Fortress 2 update made available a few days ago. Valve Corporation addressed a set of issues in-game and on the server browser interface, from cosmetics to full functionality hiccups. Take a gander at the patches specific to the Team Fortress 2 client first:

Fixed team switches on Attack/Defense maps spamming the console
Fixed the Kritzkrieg not working on servers with crits turned off
Fixed some clipped localized strings in various in-game dialogs
Fixed several cases where files were synchronously loaded while the game was running
Fixed a shutdown crash in the material system
Fixed grenades, rockets, and flamethrower being able to fire through grates at round starts
Fixed players being killed and creating ragdolls during team switches
Fixed various exploits and performance problems in CP_Badlands, CP_Well, and CP_Fastlane
Cached rendering of item model panels to improve performance, in particular while weapon selection was visible

On the other end of the spectrum, gameplay mechanics have changed a bit as well. Suicides may have not counted as nothing but a death point against you, but now Valve has arranged the system so that the last person who blew your life candle previously gets frag cred for your suicide.

An additional thing to consider before team-switch spamming, and rocket suicides, eh? Also, Valve also added a gear symbol behind the health bar for Engineer structures.

That goes for target ID and freeze panels, and those Pyro's going for the crit skill won't - and we stress won't - be gaining an additional 50 HP per successful backburns. Yeah - it was fun while it lasted.

Related articles:

Ceasar S. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

Steam gets a fixer-upper, Garry’s Mod loading sped up

Boot Steam up anytime between July 30 and later, and you'll find that little update progress bar postponing your fun for later. But allow Valve's Steam client to update, and the rewards will be half-worth the delay. Why? Because someone tinkered with cache management, and it goes all across the board for all your cached Steam titles.

Other changes include:

Fixed not correctly pausing any current downloads when launching a game
Improved cache mounting checks. This should decrease the startup time when launching Garry's Mod
Fixed startup to only request info about apps once
Fixed rare cache corruption caused by defragging
Fixed vgui crash when hitting pageup/pagedown in a sectioned list-panel
Fixed rare crash when downloading
Fixed -voicerelay steam command line to actually force use of the relay

We wish they had more, but this is all they could squeeze into a small download. More updates from Steam coming up next.

Related articles:

Ceasar S. on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

myMedia Center psp theme for 4.01 m33

myMedia Center psp theme

myMedia Center psp theme for 4.01 m33 by blessedhands.

Notes:

* please always read "readme.txt"
* this theme is to be used only on a psp with a 4.01 m33 CFW
* flash on your own risk OR
* use ctf version (recommended)
* Turn off WiFi to make the boot logo appear
* added 4.05 visualizer
* added go! messenger, skype, conn. display settings icon
* rebuilt ctf

**please post your thoughts and report any bugs.

Download myMedia Center psp theme - ziddu.com

Or

Download myMedia Center psp theme - rapidshare.com

Update: download link now fixed. Try to download again.

raedyfor on July 31st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Jul 31

PlayStation Store Update

Hey, everyone. It’s time again for the PLAYSTATION Store weekly update.

Downloadable Games

PixelJunk Eden ($9.99)
PixelJunk Eden is an organic platformer that sees you take control of a little ‘grimp’, swinging and jumping between tall alien plants, and collecting pollen to grow more life. Lush visuals, slick controls and amazing music make it an incredibly atmospheric and addictive experience. Download the full game today and prepare to enter Eden!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 106 MB

Add-on Game Content

Soul Calibur IV: Customization Equipment 1 ($1.49)
Revival is the word with equipment delivered directly from the previous Soulcalibur series. As a sneak preview, the armour of Sophitia, the head gears of Astaroth, Nightmare and Voldo are available to name some. Did we mention that the head gears of Yoshimitsu is also available as well?
File size: 3.09 MB

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

“Yomp” - thenewno2 ($0.99)
“This is It” - Staind ($1.99)
“They Say” - Scars on Broadway ($1.99)
“Electric Crown” - Testament ($1.99)

File sizes: 21.3 MB - 42.7 MB

Game Demos (free)

LEGO Indiana Jones The Original Adventures Demo
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures that enthralled audiences everywhere.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 762 MB

Madden NFL 09 Demo
Madden NFL 09 is the first ever sports game that adapts to you! Continuing 20 Years of Innovation, Madden NFL 09 unleashes over 85 new features and enhancements, including the all-new Virtual Training Center, EA Sports BackTrack and the Adaptive Difficulty Engine, which tailors the experience to your individual playing style and football IQ.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1230 MB

FaceBreaker Demo
The renaissance of the arcade boxing genre is upon us. Created by the same team that developed the award-winning Fight Night Round 3, FaceBreaker offers irreverent fun, immersive gameplay, and eye-popping stylized graphics. In this in-your-face, arcade world full of ego-wielding characters, each boxer comes to life with unique attributes and distinct personal style. Add a little personal motivation to your fight by uploading a photo of your face to create a realistic likeness using Photo Game Face, and go toe-to-toe with a real-life friend or foe.
ESRB Rated Teen
File size: 952 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Last Guy Trailer
You are the chosen one, and it is up to you to rescue the last survivors on earth by leading them to safety through zombie-infested streets. With a classic arcade style overhead view, make your way through detailed real-world cities and use your heat vision to find people hiding in buildings. Then lead them to the Escape Zone before time runs out in this frantic, addictive game.
File size: 69 MB (1080)

Vampire Rain Altered Species Trailer 3
File size: 97 MB (HD)

Beijing 2008 Track Trailer
Bring home the Gold! Compete in the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with new gameplay mechanics at home or with online multiplayer. 38 events across 10 official Olympic sports including track and field, aquatics, gymnastics, and cycling! Check out one of the new trailers featuring several track events!
File size: 55 MB (HD)

Beijing 2008 Swimming Trailer
Bring home the Gold! Compete in the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with new gameplay mechanics at home or with online multiplayer. 38 events across 10 official Olympic sports including track and field, aquatics, gymnastics, and cycling! Check out the new aquatics trailer for a taste of Olympic competition!
File size: 67 MB (HD)

Bionic Commando Rearmed: The Making Of - Part 2
Explore the re-making of a classic side-scroller in part 2 of this 3-part documentary that looks at how Bionic Commando was brought back into action!!
File size: 298 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - BMX Progression
Defending BMX Dirt champion Ryan Nyquist talks about how the sport has changed and how BMX Dirt is a melting pot of International competitors. Nyquist talks to us during the BMX Dirt finals where he captured the win.
File size: 134 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - BMX Rewind
A compilation of all the moments to remember in BMX Dirt, BMX Vert and BMX Park from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 125 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - FMX Unleashed
A compilation of the best moments in Freestyle Motocross from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 122 MB (HD)

AST Dew Tour - Skate Highlights
A compilation of the best moments in Skateboard Park and Skateboard Vert from the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Maryland.
File size: 94 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes (free)

Killzone 2 Theme
Customize your PS3 system with a cool Killzone 2 Theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. Download today!
File size: 3.87 MB

PixelJunk Eden Theme (x2)
Customize your PS3 system with a cool PixelJunk Eden Theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. Download today!
File size: 0.98 MB - 1.02 MB

PS3 Wallpaper (free)

Siren: Blood Curse Wallpaper (x2)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Siren: Blood Curse wallpaper
File size: 346 KB - 2.41 MB

Soul Calibur IV Wallpaper (x2)
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Soul Calibur IV wallpaper
File size: 288 KB - 1.57 MB

Street Fighter IV: Summer 08 Wallpaper
Customize the background of your PS3 system with this new Street Fighter IV wallpaper
File size: 185 KB - 795 KB

Game Music

Soul Calibur IV: Downloadable Music (x17 individual tracks @ $0.99 each, full set @ $14.99)
The ultimate music pack with all the stage music from the original SOULCALIBUR (1999). This set contains all the separate music files available by purchasing Music Set 1-17. Go to the OPTION menu and select STAGE MUSIC SETTINGS to play the music once purchased. Refunds cannot be offered for any individual music set already purchased prior to the ultimate music pack download.
File sizes: 5.58 MB - 8.97 MB (tracks), 75.1 MB (full set)

Hope you enjoy!

Grace Chen on July 31st, 2008 | File Under PlayStation Network, playstation store, psn | No Comments -

Jul 31

PaintMIXER 2.4.0: CPU setting autoclocks to 333 MHz

We've got good news for those who've got a taste for doodling on the go. Developer Gefa visited the QJ.NET Forums earlier to announced that PaintMIXER has been updated to version 2.4.0.

In case you weren't around during the previous release, this homebrew app enables you to draw and paint on your PSP using an interface very similar to MSPaint. Here are the changes that have been implemented in this new build:

CPU Clock automatically set on 333 MHz
Is now possible to change the picture's save name and the path save
Fixed some bugs

Further details on installing and running PaintMIXER on your PSP can be found in the Leggimi file in the bundle. Just keep a tab for your favorite translation engine handy, given the instructions are in Italian. You may also want to visit Gefa's release thread at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forum if you're interested in sending feedback.

In the meantime, Gefa recently posted a video demonstrating PaintMIXER v2.3.0. You might want to watch it in case you're wondering how the app works.

Download: PaintMIXER 2.4.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum