How do you feel about initiatives like EA’s Project Ten Dollar? Well, I hope you don’t mind that Sony has sorta-kinda adopted the same thing.
Beginning with the launch Resistance 3, select Sony games will come with a PSN Pass, which essentially means you’ll have to buy a game brand new in order to unlock all of the online capabilities. But let’s say you want to save a few bucks and buy one of the aforementioned games used. What then? While I have yet to see where Sony has confirmed this, I’m assuming that if you want to unlock all of the online capabilities, you’ll have to purchase a code to do so.
“We are always evaluating new programs for our online offering, and starting with Resistance 3 this September, we will be instituting a network pass program for PS3 games with online capabilities. This program will be game-specific. Games that are a part of this program will include a single-use registration code that grants the account holder redeeming the code full online access for that title.” Sony said.
“This is an important initiative as it allows us to a celerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio.”
In other, simpler words, this is Sony’s way of combating used game sales.
According to TredMicro’s online security expert Kevin Stevens, “low-level cybercriminals” have claimed to be shopping around databases containing credit card information belonging to 2.2 million PSN users.
The information, supposedly available on “illegal forums”, is said to contain mailing addresses, email addresses with corresponding passwords, credit card numbers, expiration dates and the three digit security codes.
RUT ROH.
But before you fret (even harder than you might be), there’s a good chance this is all a bogus attempt to phish information from the bastards that would consider purchasing this information.
Sony has said that it doesn’t store the three digit security code found on the back of credit cards.
“Yeah, this information about the [three-digit security code] numbers could be bogus. The guys selling the [database] could just be making it up,” said Stevens.
Anyway, it’s still a good idea to keep your eye on your biz, if you nah’whatim’sayin.
Hehehe. I giggle because I’ve done the same thing.
But seeing this picture reminded me of a patent Sony registered months ago. If I remember correctly, Sony had patented 3DTV compatible glasses that would essentially allow two players to play split-screen on the same television but ONLY see their half of the screen. Does that make sense?
Wouldn’t that be freakin’ awesome?! Of course, you would have to fork out the money for a 3DTV and the glasses, but it’s a small big price to pay.
VG247 has acquired pictures an older PSP2 dev kit. Apparently the sliding screen was causing the unit to overheat, so Sony switched to a non-slider. But these pictures DO cause happiness in the pants for a few reasons.
Two thumbsticks? Check.
Front and rear facing camera? Check.
HD screen? Check.
Touchscreen back? Aaand…check.
VG247 pinky promises these photos are legit. For more information, head here.
According to VG247, multiple sources have confirmed that the PSP2 is codenamed “Veta” in attempts to…I dunno, hide stuff. I’d have to imagine this isn’t working out too well, seeing as of late a LOT of PSP2 rumors from “legitimate” sources have been sauntering about. But then again Sony’s secrets always tend to unearth themselves one way or another, don’t they?
However, it may be Sony themselves initially spreading faulty PSP2 rumors in order to determine where the leaks are coming from.
DUN DUN DUUUUN!
It was earlier reported that the PSP2 would have twice the amount of RAM as the Xbox 360, an HD screen, dual analog sticks, and would utilize memory sticks.
There is a slight pun in that title, isn’t there? You know, “have a go”. PlayStation…PSP…get it?
God, that was terrible.
Anyway.
First reported in August by Engadget, there have been rumors surrounding a PlayStation phone for several months now, and last night photos of the supposed phone were finally leaked, along with specs.
I won’t lie and pretend to know what half of this means, but here goes:
1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655
512MB of RAM
1GB of ROM
3.7 to 4.1 inch screen
This goes without saying, but the phone also includes a d-pad, action buttons and shoulder buttons.
Engadget assures readers that the photos posted are really and truly legit shots of the PlayStation phone.
Buuuut Sony has since released a comment to NowGamer, stating that the photos are “definitely fake”.
Of course they are. And I say that with a wink.
Update: Engadget has fired back against the alleged claims that this whole thing is fake.
Via Engadget:
“By now you’ve seen our photos of the PlayStation Phone, and likely you’ve also heard the scattered reports of debunkings and cries of “fake!” — it wouldn’t be a scoop without it. Only here’s the thing: the PlayStation Phone in the photos we ran last night, and the device reported on back in August is most definitely real. We’re not saying that because we want to believe or because we’re gingerly trying to nab pageviews: we’re saying it because we know it to be true. This is a device which has been confirmed through multiple, trusted sources. And we’re not just talking good tipsters — some of our information comes from people much more closely connected to the project.”
Today, SCEA is celebrating fifteen wonderful years of PlayStation in North America.
So, I figured we could all hold hands, forget about whatever fanboy allegiance it is that we pledge to and take a trip down memory lane. You know, to share stories and indulge in tea and crumpets while feeling the summer breeze blow through our hair as the sun sets.
::sits back in rocking chair::
When I was a wee lass at the age of 7, I remember coming home from Christmas festivities with a brand new PlayStation. I also remember my parents and I couldn’t get it to work (why does that always happen? Ultimate boner kill). The first games I played were the demos of Parappa the Rapper and Croc. I remember sucking terribly at Parappa (how I became good at Guitar Hero is beyond me) and being rather good at Croc. Other demos I played down the line were Spyro the Dragon and Tomb Raider. I was perfectly content with the demos, and never desired full games.
What a weirdo.
About 5 years later, I was sitting on my parents’ couch when my mom comes in the room while talking on the phone with my grandma. In a nonchalant tone my mom says, “Grandma wants to know if you want a PlayStation 2.”.
That was a very happy day. I was sooo ecstatic… I was FINALLY going to have a DVD player! Seriously, that was one of the first things that crossed my mind. I’m happy to report that same, original, fat PlayStation 2 lived a long and healthy life until it decided it no longer wanted to read blue discs. Then I shunned it and bought another.
Fast forward nine years later…
Yeah, this took until last year to happen. I was a little late to the party.
I want to know what your earliest memory with PlayStation is. Do you remember your first PlayStation console? Your first game? The first time you used a memory card? Did you squeal as that white launch screen lit up your television?
Nintendo announced it’s beautiful new 3DS (that I cannot wait to try at PAX!), and Sony doesn’t like it. Surprise, surprise. The 3DS promises to have a 3D screen that doesn’t require any special glasses.
Sony is claiming that they researched this “naked eye” 3D technology in the past, and didn’t find it to be flawless. Kazuo Hirai, the head of SCA said “Based on internally conducted research, naked-eye 3D for portables does not have high precision, and at present there are limitations”.
Instead of being a friendly competitor and appreciating Nintendo’s advancement as an opportunity to grow the portable gaming industry, Sony’s going to be a whiny baby about it.
Sounds like someone’s jealous…
What are your thoughts? Do you think Sony has a point? Do you think the 3DS will work as they say it will?
(For those who want a slightly less biased article on this, you can find one here. Thanks to @FreakingWesley for the find!)
This video from the Engaget Show really makes me do a double take on the type of fun we could have with PS3′s Move. As previously thought, the PS3 Move controller just looks like a fancy Wii-mote with a colorful ball on the top. Now getting a real and genuine look at it from this Engaget video, I’m really starting to get excited! The controller displayed on the TV is transformed by the user into fun objects such as a sword or a mallet and used for gameplay. It reminds me of animated meets live-action movies, kind of like a ‘Who Framed Rodger Rabbit,’ only staring yourself!
What would YOU transform your remote into? I think I’d want King Triton’s Trident from Kingdom Hearts and use it to defeat my foes! Or use it as a fork to feed a monster friend! :o)
