PlayStation Store update, April 1

IT IS PlayStation Store update time again - and there are some interesting surprises in there for UK gamers today, including an addition to the fantastic Heavy Rain.

Here's the full list:

PlayStation Store via PS3

Special Offers (PSP content also available via PSP and Media Go)

(Available until the 15th of April)

• Outrun Arcade Online (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £5.25/€6.59)
• Gunstar Heroes (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X – Russian Falcons Pack (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• Tom Clancy’s End War Escalation Expansion Pack (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Dynogems (mini) (was – £2.49/€2.99 now – £1.74/€1.99)
• Driver 76 (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
• Asphalt: Urban GT 2 (PSP) (was – £11.99/€14.99 now – £6.29/€7.99)
• Mawaskes Puzzle (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Cover Girl (PSP) (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

PSP Favourites (also available via PSP and Media Go)

(Available until the 15th of April)

• LittleBigPlanet (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Gran Turismo (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Ghostbusters (was – £14.99/€24.99 now – £9.99/€12.99)
• God of War: Chains of Olympus (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
• FIFA 10 (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Tekken 6 (was – £31.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• F1 2009 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (was £31.99/€39.99 now £15.99€19.99)
• Need for Speed: Shift (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Colin McRae DiRT 2 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Beaterator (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £7.19/€8.99)
• Football Manager Handheld 2010 (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)

Permanent Price Reductions

• Inferno Pool (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• FIFA 09(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Need for Speed: Pro Street(PSP) (was – £17.99/€21.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Madden NFL 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• NBA Live 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Burnout Dominator(PSP) (was – £17.99/€21.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Marvel Super Hero Squad(PSP) (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010(PSP) (was – £31.99/€39.99 now – £23.99/€29.99)

Downloadable Games

• Namco Museum Essentials (£7.99/€9.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

Pre-order Game Bundle

• Sam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouse (£17.99/€21.99)
  (This bundle allows you to pre-order all five episodes, which will be delivered via PlayStation Store monthly. This pre-order also allows you to purchase the bundle at a lower introductory price)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales

Game Bundle

• Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rainslick Precipice of Darkness
  Episodes One and Two Bundle (£11.99/€14.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Russia

Demo

• Namco Museum Essentials Demo (free)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

minis

• Hammer Wars (£2.49/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

Add-On Game Content

• Heavy Rain – Chronicle One: The Taxidermist (£3.19/€3.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: All locales
• Army of Two: The 40th Day – Chapters of Deceit (£6.29/€7.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Dragon Age: Origins –
  Feastday Combo Pack (free)
  Feastday Gifts (free)
  Feastday Pranks (free)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: All locales
• LittleBigPlanet – Fragrances Costume Pack (free)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales
• Dante’s Inferno – Godlike Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Russia
• Sonic & SEGA Allstars Racing –
  Metal Sonic & Death Egg Zone (£4.79/€5.99)
  Ryu Forklift Character Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales
• Dragon Ball: Raging Blast – Ultimate Warriors Pack 3 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales
  Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce – Additional Quests 3 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales
• EyePet -
  Easter Styling Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
  Lucky Dip Styling Pack 12 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales
• DJ Hero – Jay Z/Eminem Mix Pack (£6.29/€7.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Rock Band -
  Axis – Bold as Love (Album) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (£9.99/€14.99)
  (contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
  Ain’t No Telling (£0.99/€1.49)
  Bold As Love (£0.99/€1.49)
  Castles Made Of Sand (£0.99/€1.49)
  If 6 Was 9 (£0.99/€1.49)
  Little Miss Lover (£0.99/€1.49)
  Little Wing (£0.99/€1.49)
  One Rainy Wish (£0.99/€1.49)
  She’s So Fine (£0.99/€1.49)
  Spanish Castle Magic (£0.99/€1.49)
  Up From The Skies (£0.99/€1.49)
  Valleys Of Neptune (£0.99/€1.49)
  Wait Until Tomorrow (£0.99/€1.49)
  You Got Me Floatin’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE
• Guitar Hero 5 -
  Lynyrd Skynyrd Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)
  (contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
  Freebird (£1.59/€1.99)
  Gimme Three Steps (£1.59/€1.99)
  Simple Man (£1.59/€1.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Karaoke Revolution –
  Heart Of Glass (£0.79/€0.99)
  I Will Survive (£0.79/€0.99)
  Irreplaceable (£0.79/€0.99)
  Killing Me Softly With His Song (£0.79/€0.99)
  Kiss Me (£0.79/€0.99)
  Me And Bobby McGee (£0.79/€0.99)
  Stand By Your Man (£0.79/€0.99)
  You Can’t Hurry Love (£0.79/€0.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

Videos

• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Launch Trailer
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 TV Trailer
• Brink Official Trailer
• Kane and Lynch 2 Welcome to Shanghai Trailer
• Patchwork Heroes Warship Attack Trailer

Dynamic Themes

• Warhawk Dynamic Theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Themes

• Patchwork Heroes City Theme

FirstPlay console show launches in April

EUROPE’S first on-console show FirstPlay will launch its first weekly episode on Thursday (April 8) on the PlayStation Network, bringing high-def video reviews and previews every week, plus exclusive downloadable content and much more.
Brought about by TechRadar’s publisher Future, FirstPlay will be available to UK gamers through Sony’s PlayStation 3 console from the PlayStation Network for 99p an episode or £8.99 for a 90-day subscription.
Highlights in the first episode include a review of Just Cause 2 – rewarding viewers with an exclusive in-game item for use by Rico Rodriquez as well as Sony’s God of War III – and a first-look at EA’s Fifa World Cup 2010.
Plus, there’s an interactive gallery function, including screenshots and artwork from Formula One 2010, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Red Dead Redemption.

Other OS to be disabled in new PS3 software update

FAT PS3 owners beware - if you have installed an alternative operating system on your console, it may become redundant in a couple of days' time.

The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 system will be released on April 1, and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.

This was a handy feature for techie PS3 owners to have, but obviously worries over the console and the PlayStation Network mean you will just have to make use of the Sony OS from now on.

Planet MiniGolf heading to the PS3

ZEN Studios has announced that Planet MiniGolf will be coming exclusively to PlayStation Network in Spring 2010.

ZEN is applying its acclaimed ball physics engine used in top-selling ZEN Pinball to deliver the best golf experience on PlayStation.

Planet MiniGolf features a deep single-player campaign with beautiful and intricate courses and over 140 challenging holes to play through, as well as a multitude of fun multi-player options, from the local hotseat mode to weekly online tournaments and a Worldwide Competition mode.

Wakeboarding on your PS3

A NEW high-def game is to make a splash on the PS3 this week - and us lucky gamers in Europe will be the first to get it, for a change!
TikGames and Creat Studios have announced that Wakeboarding HD will be available for download on your PS3 this Thursday, March 18 in Europe and March 25 in North America.
Wakeboarding HD features state-of-the-art water simulation and split-screen local multiplayer, and will be available via Sony’s PlayStation Network for £14.99 / $14.99.
Grab your board and hold on tight! Wakeboarding HD drops players into 20 high-speed, water-filled, arcade levels to maneuver through tracks, perform high-flying tricks, collect bonuses and avoid dangers from exploding mines to bloodthirsty sharks. Gamers of all ages can show their skills and wreak havoc as the tropical paradise resort transforms into an action-packed extreme playground.

Wakeboarding HD will include PlayStation Trophy support.

PlayStation Store update

HERE is today's (Thursday) latest update of the PlayStation Network store - it looks like we can all have a go on the much-anticipated Just Cause 2 demo:

Special Offers

(Available until the 18th of March)

* Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Age of Booty (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
* Far Cry 2 Fortunes Pack (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
* Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. Supremacy Pack (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99
* Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Tom Clancy’s EndWar (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Chessmaster: The Art Of Learning (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)

Downloadable Games

* Vandal Hearts Flames of Judgement (£9.99/€12.99) Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: All locales
Demos (free)

* Just Cause 2 Demo Rating: PEGI 18

Availability: Not available in Germany

* Moto 09/10 Demo Rating: PEGI 3

Availability: All locales
Add-On Game Content

* Resident Evil 5
o Desperate Escape (£3.99/€4.99)
o Costume Pack 2 (£1.59/€1.99)

Rating: PEGI 18

Availability: All locales

* Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising – Overwatch Pack (£3.19/€3.99) Rating: PEGI 18

Availability: All locales

* Dante’s Inferno – Dark Forest (£3.99/€4.99) Rating: PEGI 18

Availability: Not available in Russian Federation

* Race Driver GRID – Prestige Pack (£7.99/€9.99) Rating: PEGI 7

Availability: All locales

* Dragon Ball: Raging Blast – Ultimate Warriors Pack 1 (free) Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: All locales

* Karaoke Revolution
o (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (£0.79/€0.99)
o Against All Odds (£0.79/€0.99)
o Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (£0.79/€0.99)
o Black Velvet (£0.79/€0.99)
o Breakaway (£0.79/€0.99)
o Build Me Up Buttercup (£0.79/€0.99)
o Call Me (£0.79/€0.99)
o Can’t Help Falling In Love (£0.79/€0.99)
o Careless Whisper (£0.79/€0.99)
o Celebration (£0.79/€0.99)
o Complicated (£0.79/€0.99)
o Crazy (£0.79/€0.99)
o Crazy Little Thing Called Love (£0.79/€0.99)
o Easy (£0.79/€0.99)
o Every Breath You Take (£0.79/€0.99)
o Heartbreak Hotel (£0.79/€0.99)
o Holiday (£0.79/€0.99)
o Hot Stuff (£0.79/€0.99)
o How Do I Live (£0.79/€0.99)
o How You Remind Me (£0.79/€0.99)
o If You Don’t Know Me By Now (£0.79/€0.99)
o It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (£0.79/€0.99)
o Lady Marmalade (£0.79/€0.99)
o Let’s Get It On (£0.79/€0.99)
o Material Girl (£0.79/€0.99)
o More Than Words (£0.79/€0.99)
o New York New York (£0.79/€0.99)
o Oops!…I Did It Again (£0.79/€0.99)
o Respect (£0.79/€0.99)
o Saving All My Love For You (£0.79/€0.99)
o Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay (£0.79/€0.99)
o Son Of A Preacher Man (£0.79/€0.99)
o Stand By Me (£0.79/€0.99)
o Straight Up (£0.79/€0.99)
o Sweet Home Alabama (£0.79/€0.99)
o Take On Me (£0.79/€0.99)
o These Words (£0.79/€0.99)
o Time After Time (£0.79/€0.99)
o Unfaithful (£0.79/€0.99)
o Uptown Girl (£0.79/€0.99)
o We Are Family (£0.79/€0.99)
o What Is Love? (£0.79/€0.99)
o You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling (£0.79/€0.99)

Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: All locales

* The Beatles: Rock Band – All You Need Is Love (£0.99/€1.49) Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE

* Rock Band
o Downfall by Trust Company (£0.99/€1.49)
o Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups (£0.99/€1.49)
o Sort Of by Silversun Pickups (£0.99/€1.49)
o Third Floor Story by The Mother Hips (£0.99/€1.49)
o White Falcon Buzz by The Mother Hips (£0.99/€1.49)
o Disturbed Pack 02 (£2.49/€3.99)

(contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
o Meaning of Life (£0.99/€1.49)
o The Game (£0.99/€1.49)
o Voices (£0.99/€1.49)

Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE

* Guitar Hero 5
o Blink-182 Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)

(contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
o Adam’s Song (£1.59/€1.99)
o All the Small Things (£1.59/€1.99)
o First Date (£1.59/€1.99)

Rating: PEGI 12

Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
Videos (free)

* Fallout: New Vegas Tease
* Split Second Standstill Trailer
* Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Announcement Trailer
* Bomberman Ultra Trailer

PlayStation Network is down!

SONY'S PlayStation Network was hit by a glitch that has left users on all continents unable to connect to the online service, the company said Monday.

The problem appears to be affecting only the older PlayStation 3 consoles and not the newer so-called "slim" models that were recently launched, according to messages on Twitter.

First reports of the problem began appearing online late afternoon on Sunday, US time, and acknowledgement came from Sony's US unit in the form of a blog and Twitter posting.

"We're narrowing down the issue and continue to work to restore service to all. Updates as soon as we have them," the company said on its @SonyPlayStation Twitter channel.

New interactive gaming show coming to the PS3

A NEW interactive gaming show will soon be winging its way to the PS3.

FirstPlay is being launched on PS3, which will take the form of an on-console episodic gaming show which will bring together reviews, trailers, video previews, galleries, downloads and demos.

And it won't be limited to that alone; it will also be in high-definition and managed by the editorial team behind Official PlayStation Magazine at Future Publishing.

Weekly episodes will cost 99p each, while three-month subscriptions will be going for £8.99.

User-created content will also be available, as well as downloads exclusive to those buying the service.

GTA expansion now coming to PS3 and PC

PUTTING an end to the Xbox 360 exclusivity, Rockstar Games has announced that, for the first time, PS3 and PC players will have the opportunity to experience the last two thrilling chapters of the Grand Theft Auto IV saga.

The release of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City on disc is coming this spring, on March 30.


The two action episodes will also be available in digital forms via Playstation Network and PC. Prices have only so far been released for the US, at $19.99 each.

"Each episode boasts the same detailed and immersive Liberty City we all know and love," says Rockstar on its official website.

Dark Void demo is coming

WITH the launch of Capcom’s Science-Fiction third-person Shooter, Dark Void, coming soon, the firm is giving gamers a chance to experience the void for themselves this week with a downloadable demo coming to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Dark Void is a blend of aerial and ground combat which centres on Will, a pilot who crash lands in the Bermuda Triangle following a routine mission. Will wakes up to find himself in “The Void,” a parallel world resembling a primitive earth, upon which aliens with superior technology are planning to take over civilisation. Together with a faction of humans who have also travelled into the Void, Will takes on the alien race using their own advanced technology; including the famed high powered jet pack

The Dark Void demo will be available for download from Xbox Live on Wednesday January 6th and PlayStation Network on Thursday January 7^th. The demo will give gamers a chance to strap on their jet pack for the first time and explore the mysterious and miraculous world of Dark Void through a combination of thrilling aerial dog-fighting, unique vertical cover action and on-foot combat.

Dark Void is due to be released across Europe on Friday, January 22 and will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

MAG beta out now - for everyone!

THE MAG Beta is open to the world today - but catch it now, as it only lasts a week!

Sony has announced the MAG beta which will be available worldwide to everyone starting from Monday. All you need is a PS3 and a internet connection. The MAG Beta will be available to everyone from today until the end of the testing phase on January 10 at 11.59pm.

The beta will come with two different game modes: 64-player sabotage and 256-player domination!

What you’ll need to do to get the Beta:

1. Log on to the PlayStation Store, Select “View All By Title -> M Titles -> MAG” and download the MAG Beta file like you would any other freely-available PSN video or demo (298 MB)

2. Launch the MAG Beta program from your XMB to download a special patch that will restart MAG once the update has been received (another 37 MB)

3. After the reboot, the Beta will reconnect and download the actual game data so that you can play (1.8 GB – 2.3 GB depending on your region)

Optional software update coming for the PS3

A NEW system software update is on its way to the PS3 - except this time, it is optional.

The PS3 will receive its next system software update shortly – v. 3.15.

This is an optional update, and it enables existing PS3 owners who purchase a new PS3 system (perhaps as a second unit for the household) to transfer their content from their current PS3 to the new system. Content such as games, game save data, and videos downloaded from PlayStation Network can be transferred to the new PS3 system and deleted from the current PS3 system. Other content, including personal media files (photos, music, videos), can be copied onto the new PS3 and remain on the current PS3 system.

Data Transfer Utility Explained:

1. Turn both the current PS3 (A) and new PS3 (B) on and connect them with a LAN cable; PS3 (A) should be connected to the TV. Please note, firmware (v3.15) must be installed on both systems.

2. On the XMB of PS3 (A), scroll to the Settings category and select [System Settings] and then [Data Transfer Utility]

3. Follow the instructions on-screen and transfer data

4. After transferring the data, follow the instructions on-screen, and then connect PS3 (B) to the TV to view the XMB

5. If content that was downloaded from PlayStation Store was transferred as part of this operation, you must activate PS3 (B) before you can use the data. Log in to the PS3 system as the user who owns the content, and then select (PlayStation Network) > (Account Management) > (System Activation) to activate the system.

More details on Data Transfer Utility will be available here once the firmware updat