The SIXAXIS 04.24.07
Posted by Andrew Mellick on 04.24.2007
Home brew on the PS3, PSP price drop in the UK, numbers on the PS3 network, a firmware update worth having, and a bunch of games on the way. Two weeks worth of news so buckle up, this is going to be a wild ride.
1,2,3,4,5 everybody its SIXAXIS come on let's ride!
Welcome back; fresh off a two week hiatus. I've managed to rid my house of the flu bug and am back to rock!
It's been a busy few weeks in the sport of MMA. Make sure you head to the sports section for the lowdown on that. But you didn't come here for sports, you came to pay homage to the greatest company ever, and homage I shall pay!
Sony News
Making moon shine, PS3 style!
Big daddy Harrison, Sony's head cheese said in an interview that he wants the PS3 to be accessible to smaller companies and game designers. "I fully support the notion of game development at home using powerful tools available to anyone…" Said Phil, "We were one of the first companies to recognize this in 1996 with Net Yaroze on PS1. It's a vital, crucial aspect of the future growth of our industry."
He went on to say ""If we can make certain aspects of PS3 open to the independent game development community, we will do our industry a service by providing opportunities for the next generation of creative and technical talent."
No real information has been released on how this will be accomplished yet. Microsoft has already made strides in embracing the homebrew creators out there with the XNA homebrew gaming kit. Judging by Harrison's comments, one would suspect some type of kit wouldn't be too far behind for the PS3.
While I'm not a developer, I do have a friend who is very excited to use this new technology. Here is to hoping that the PS3 version is accessible for developers and really allows them to tap into the system's power. Oh and here's to my friend making me that sequel to Playboy: The mansion I so desperately crave.
Ello, ello, shine your PSP, gov'na?
A few weeks after we saw the price of the PSP drop by 30 bucks in the US, Sony has announced that the UK will receive the same treatment; dropping down from a bulky £149.99 to a sleek £129.99. Along with that, Sony has announced that they will be reducing the cost of greatest hit titles to £14.99 and releasing five top selling titles into their greatest hit collection. What titles you ask? Why Ridge Racer 2, Tekken, Killzone, LocoRoco and MotoGP of course.
"PSP is unique and is constantly evolving. It offers the widest palette of mobile entertainment, from gaming to video, music, photos and Internet," said SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire. "But now the exciting possibility of connecting remotely to PlayStation 3 makes PSP more relevant than ever. So what better time to offer a brand new price point, and the launch of five new Platinum titles?"
What better time indeed! Now cynics out there will still point out the fact that the PSP is still quite a bit higher in the UK than the US. Well, sorry chums, but you remember a little episode called the Boston tea party? Yes, you were charging us way more for tea then yourselves. HAHA yes payback is a bitch! (I realize the Sony is not an American company and thus has nothing to do with the Boston tea party but it's the only analogy I could think of.)
PS3: It's the network.
Six months after the launch of the Playstation Network we finally have some information on just how many people are taking their PS3's online.
To date Sony's online network has garnered an impressing 1.3 million users worldwide. Of those users about 600,000 are in the US. This means that about 50% of US gamers are registered online.
Comparing these numbers to the 360, which has an average of about 60% of its owners online and a network that boasts 6 million and you can see that Sony is right on track. It's taken Microsoft five years to build up to 6 mil, while Sony is already at 1.3 mil in six months.
I don't know about you but I think Microsoft might start hearing footsteps pretty soon. Sony really has put a lot of effort into their free network, and it has shown. Considering the inevitable price drops for the system, we may be looking at a new champion of online game play.
I hope you've saved your pennies…or have good credit.
Get ready for the onslaught. Sony has announced that in the second quarter of 2007 it will be releasing over one hundred first and third party titles for the PS3, PS2, and PSP respectably.
"Mama mia, that's alotta games." Said a shocked Mario.
F.E.A.R., Spiderman, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, and The Darkness lead the way on the PS3. Dawn of Mana, Tony Hawk, and Manhunt 2 will be hitting the PS2. While the PSP will receive Alien Syndrome, Crush, and Final Fantasy, 1 and 2. These are just a few of the hundred plus titles to grace the Sony stage in the next few months.
Isn't this exactly what I said to do? I said, "Ok, the systems are out, now lets get those games rolling!" My wish is Sony's command. The power, oh the power! In all seriousness though, there is no better way to win over gamers than with games. Stand back, Sony is on the war path.
Reunited and it feels so good.
Usually Sony makes firmware updates to the PSP and the PS3 on a fairly consistent basis and I don't report it because, really it doesn't change anything. Well this time there is actually something worth reporting.
With the recent batch of updates PS3 owners can now download titles and play them….wait for it….ON THE PS3!!! Yes no more downloading titles to your PS3 and transferring them to your PSP. Now you can actually play them to the system you download them to.
It's actually looking pretty slick now. You can download classics to your PS3 and play them on either system. The save system is also connected so you can play a game at home and then take it on the road with you starting at the same point you left off at. Any games you may have already downloaded will be available for you to redownload for free. Also downloading any new game will allow you to access it for both systems.
I really don't know why this wasn't possible at launch but I'm glad they have it fixed now. Allowing gamers the ability to play games for both systems but keeping the download price the same is a very smart move. Yet another feature that makes the PS3 and PSP all the more valuable.
The Shortage is over!
According to Sony execs the PS3 shortage is now over. This is thanks to Sony fixing their issue with mass producing the blue laser diode required to run the powerful system. However, the technical problems that have hampered the production of these diodes seem to be rectified as Sony is planning to pump out 5 million PS3's a month.
Well, Sony seems to be covering all their bases. Get more PS3's out there; check. Fix connectivity and online issues; check and check. Release an absurd amount of games; check. Bring down console prices…; half check. Yes sir, the company who was behind the eight ball a few months back looks to have righted this ship. It's a good thing to or I'd be out of a job.
New Releases
PS3
Release of the week: F.E.A.R. Sure it's been out for computer and 360 for a while now. But who cares, this game is awesome. Combine that with the new weapons and added levels and you have yourself a very excited SIXAXIS writer.
PSP
Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos: Well according to the paperclip on my right "Aedis" isn't really even a word. So apparently they had to make up words to describe how cool this game is. Right?
The Fast and the Furious: Now you can take crap with you!
Cube: Boy, the PSP sure does love puzzles?
7 wonders: Puzzles in ancient Rome? Can you solve this mind bender to get to the Roman orgy in time?
Hard Rock Casino: All the fun of selling out in hand held form.
PS2
The Red Star: This game puts the blame where it should be, squarely on the shoulders of Russia.
Eureka 7 Vol. 2: The New vision My favorite volume in the Encyclopedia Eurekita.
Toyko Xtreme Racer Drift 2: Yet another exciting title for the company that brought you Super punchout Xtreme power to the moon and Super happy fun time hot dog America baseball.
Th3 Plan: This is a heist game, though the name suggests that there is a lot of texting involved LOL OMG RSVP!
Survey of the week
I played some old school Tomb Raider this weekend and it got me thinking. What needs to be done to save the series?
Yes, right away 3%
Yes, soon 5%
No, already have one 22%
No, gotta be cheaper 60%
Never, I hate Sony, but really I fear its power 9%
Cheaper aye? Well you may be waiting a while. But who knows could happen by the holiday's maybe.
The water cooler
What the hell is this? I'm glad you asked. For the time being I am retiring "the bargain bin" to be honest, I've covered all the gems I want to and to keep it going would basically consist of me actually looking around for old school games and going through them again. So for now this section is on hiatus until I have the time to play some games and build up a cue again.
Now this section is going to be dedicated to my opinion on various gaming issues. I know what you're thinking "Oh another holier than thou 411 writer is going to blabber on about his opinion like the whole world gives a crap". If that's what your thinking then you're a very mean person. Still though you raise a good point, why should you care about this section? Well for starters you don't have to, that's why God put that little scroll bar on the right of the screen so you can skip this.
But what this section will be about is light topical stuff, nothing to do with "Do games desensitize us?" or anything like that. It's just an area for me to be creative and have some fun. But this intro has already gone long enough, so look forward to next week!
Download: $15.00
Youtube Theatre
Here's a look at Spiderman 3 for the PS3 coming out at the end of the month.
Pictures for Ashish
Two weeks in a row of successful pictures, I can't stop now, but what to post? Well this week I chose to post a picture that would send a message. I'm not just here for eye candy people. As I look at the gaming industry I see an alarming number of people who take their characters a bit too seriously. Some try to use their expressions or phrases in everyday life. Others own every character rendering ever created of their hero. Still others take it even farther. That is the subject of this week's picture. Prepare to be shocked and horrified.
Cosplay, we are all just a few steps away. So remember kids, play the game, don't let the game play you.
I don't want to cram pimpage
Damian is back to show us that games don't just entertain us, they teach us things. But you don't have to take my word for it. Angry Gaming.
Mr. Tang takes a look at the newest offering for the Wii The Godfather It looks pretty cool, too bad Nintendo is only for kids so like five people will actually buy this game.
Mr. Moore brings you some old school awesomeness in The Fun factor.
