Random PS3 News Thread

[jefXfree]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have announced that they are hosting a We are PlayStation photography competition that has now launched in Europe. Electronic Theatre ImageThe team?s jubilation at getting a BUZZ! question right; the laughter of a room full of SingStar fans; the entertaining journeys playing your PlayStation Portable! They?re all classic PlayStation moments that you?ve seen or experienced hundreds of times - but can you capture them in a photo? If you can, your name could be in the hat to win some great prizes. There?s also the possibility of a serious cash prize, the possibility of the images being used in future PlayStation campaigns as well as a new Sony D-SLR a350 digital camera and lens. Get snapping and upload your photos by the 16th March 2009 for a chance to win.

The rules are simple ? capture the perfect image of you, your friends or your family enjoying a PlayStation moment with your PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2 or PlayStation Portable and upload it to www.weareplaystation.com. There are different categories your photos could enter: Caught in the Moment, Unexpected Places, PlayStation Parties, True Love and Endless Play. A panel of guest judges will assess top user-rated snaps on their merits and work out which photographer deserves the top prize of 1000 euros and a Sony D-SLR a350 camera. Ten runners up will receive cash prizes of 100 euros each, while the next best 100 entries will get their hands on a top PlayStation game or vouchers for the PlayStation Store. All entries have the chance of being used in a future PlayStation marketing campaign.

Of course, PlayStation is all about its community ? and that?s why we?re asking you to judge the first round of the competition. PlayStation fans can visit the website and decide which shots will be put before the judges by rating each photo with a score from one to five. Also, every time you Electronic Theatre Imageenter the site, you can give your favourite image a secret ?Super Vote? which will be used to determine the finalists in case several entries generate the same overall rating. The images with the highest average score and, in the event of a tie, with the highest number of ?Super Votes? will go before the judging panel ? so it pays to get everyone you know onto the site and voting.

With so many great moments for so many different PlayStation communities, this is the chance not only to show off your natural eye for a photograph, but also to show the world just how much fun you have with your friends ? and a PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2 or PlayStation Portable. Visit www.weareplaystation.com for competition terms and conditions and get snapping!
________
PRILOSEC DEATH

 

[BlueCali]

Rockstar Co-Founders Form New Studio

Jamie King and Gary Formeman, who founded Rockstar Games with three others, are teaming up with former Image Metrics and NBC execs to create a new video game studio.

4mm Games is developing "online worlds that will define social gaming", according to the company's website. The studio is teaming with CEA Autumn Games in a multi-year partnership that will encompass multiple titles and platforms.

"4mm Games has a pioneering vision for the future of interactive entertainment," said Alex Collmer, CEO and co-founder of CEA Autumn Games. "We believe the 4mm management team combines a unique blend of design, technological prowess and cultural understanding in a way that that will speak to a broad audience, and we look forward to working together to create blockbuster entertainment."

Nicholas Perrett, former general manager of Image Metrics, will be the new studios chief executive officer. Paul Coyne, former VP of NBC and SVP of Warner Music group, will be the executive vice president of 4mm. King will be the studio's president and Foreman the chief technology officer.

"I was hugely honored to be approached by talent of Jamie and Gary's caliber to co-found 4mm Games," Perrett said. "It is an utterly unprecedented time in the history of video games, as the web and new business models disrupt the existing value chain. We are excited to create a new type of business to deliver groundbreaking content with global appeal to a consumer who lives online."

 

[DaMexiRican]

I'll pass for music downloads.

 

[Wreck]

I think it should be in both sections personally ... since the music would be on the PSN ...

 

[BlueCali]

Sony: "No PSN Cards for Europe"

Both the United States and in Japan it is already quite long use PSN cards. Many European PS3 owners yearn also to the introduction of this system in Europe. We put our ear this afternoon to listen to Sony Australia, but were unfortunately not welcome news.



Sony Australia says to be aware of the demand for PSN cards, especially in the Benelux, a region where less frequently works with Visa. The problem is it does not in any reluctance, but in quite special situation in Europe. Both the United States and Japan is a country in itself with its own rates and fees throughout the country. Europe is a complex web of dozens of countries, elks their own rates, as for example in terms of VAT. This situation makes the entire process. It will still be waiting a while before a solution is the bus cases.

Source: 9lives.be/index.php/gamepublishers/sony-computer-entertainment-europe/nieuws/sony-belgium-voorlopig-geen-psn-cards-in-europa

 

[thunda123]

Wow, is that a translation? Cuz, I think I would've understood more in a different language.

 

[BlueCali]

a very bad one.. lol

 

[Nerdkiller]

I refuse to believe this until this news is on a more reliable source. If this is true, then BULL-FREAKING-S*IT! Europe is Sony's strongest region for their consoles and they are losing out on a lot of money on this. I mean, if Microsoft and Nintendo can do it with all the different regions, why not Sony? Are they too lazy? And believe me, using a 3V prepaid ticket on the console is a b*tch. You have to be very lucky if you want to get any money out of it. I'm pretty sure the Oz will get it, cos its just one region, but for us...its criminal. Sorry for the long rant, I just don't want a credit card to buy stuff from the service and Sony once again gives us the middle finger for us in Europe.

 

[BlueCali]

I refuse to believe this until this news is on a more reliable source. If this is true, then BULL-FREAKING-S*IT! Europe is Sony's strongest region for their consoles and they are losing out on a lot of money on this. I mean, if Microsoft and Nintendo can do it with all the different regions, why not Sony? Are they too lazy? And believe me, using a 3V prepaid ticket on the console is a b*tch. You have to be very lucky if you want to get any money out of it. I'm pretty sure the Oz will get it, cos its just one region, but for us...its criminal. Sorry for the long rant, I just don't want a credit card to buy stuff from the service and Sony once again gives us the middle finger for us in Europe.

Its because Nintendo and MS use points not real money... way easier to change...

 

[BlueCali]

Sony to host PS3 master training class for Developers

While Alan Wake, Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell devs will offer expert development insight

SCEE has announced that it will be hosting a unique PS3 training session during the upcoming two-day Paris Master Class event.

The event, which opens from June 25-26 in the French capital, offers intensive training sessions for visiting developers, with each class being taught by industry experts behind some of the biggest games in recent times.

A list of lecturers includes developers behind the likes of Assassin's Creed 2, Alan Wake, World of Warcraft, Splinter Cell and Resistance: Fall of Man.

Attendees can receive 7-14 hours of intensive training during the sessions, perfecting their skills and knowledge in the areas of programming, visual arts, production, game design and business.


Adding to that list of trainers is Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, which on June 24 will open a special Master Class centred on PS3 programming. The class will be free to all registered PS3 devs who are attending at least one other Master Class.

“We are happy to welcome SCEE at Paris Master Classes” said Pierre Carde, Executive Director of the event. “We are doing our best to make sure attending developers improve their skills and we are convinced having SCEE on board is a key element for it.”

20 devs per class, so space is limited. Those registering before June 3 get a discount. Here for more.

Source: developmag.com/news/31948/Sony-to-host-PS3-master-training-class

 

[LDUK]

I'm going there. I already have an advance place booked.

 

[BlueCali]

Redbox expands into video games

Redbox, the automated DVD rental kiosk company, has announced that they have hired their first "senior level videogames executive," and plan to expand into video game rentals this summer.

“Our customers and retail partners have been really clamoring for video games, and Redbox is responding,” added Mark Achler, Redbox's new VP of video games. “We are very actively engaged in putting out a video game offering. There are changing demographics, where we see the casual market continuing to open as more women become involved.”

The tricky part now is pricing. Redbox currently offers $1-a-night pricing for its video rentals, but it is almost a guarantee that the same pricing will not be given to video games, which retail for much more than DVDs and Blu-rays.

Achler added that Redbox will offer two types of kiosks; one with only video games and another with both games and movies. There will be titles for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii available.

“We think rental really has an opportunity to grow and lift the whole video game sector,” noted Achler.

 

[DaMexiRican]

In peter griffins voice....."Freaking Sweet!"

 

[Wreck]

This is awesome, but they should stick to $1 a day ... who the hell wants to pay $14 for one weeks worth of a rent ... most games that are good, you wont return that fast anyways ... It will be awesome tho to knock out the whole blind buy thing ... just redbox it first for 1-2 bucks

Gamefly will then REALLY have some competition. ... They'll prolly lower their fees.

 

[BlueCali]

Sony keeps PS3 price cut deliberaton close to vest

LOS ANGELES -- Sony Corp. is in no hurry to cut prices on its PlayStation games console, top executives said, even though many industry experts and other executives consider it a foregone conclusion.

Some analysts thought Sony might announce a price cut at the E3 video game convention that wraps up Thursday. Others predict the cut would come in September, ahead of the winter holidays.

Such a move would boost Sony's console sales, lift demand for gaming software and increase foot traffic to retailers, experts say.

And with a big portion of holiday season sales at stake, rivals Microsoft Corp and Nintendo Co Ltd might follow suit, or perhaps offer promotions that bundle in free games or accessories.

Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, said in an interview that as of now, the company planned no price cut.

Asked how long that would remain true, he said: "It is tough to predict the future. There is nothing on the horizon. It depends on how far you see the horizon."

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter expects a drop in the U.S. base price of the popular console to $349 or $299, from the current $399.

It could use the help. Pachter estimated that through April, U.S. cumulative hardware sales of the PS3 stood at 8 million units, trailing by far the 20 million for the Nintendo Wii and 15 million for Microsoft's Xbox 360, which debuted a year ahead of the PS3.

Microsoft cut prices on the Xbox 360 last year. And Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America, told Reuters this week the market leaders had no plans for a price cut on the Wii.

TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT?

During its two-hour presentation Tuesday, Sony unveiled new games, introduced a slimmed down version of its PSP portable device and demonstrated cutting edge controller technology. Lower prices of the PS3, which started selling in Japan and the United States in Nov. 2006, was not on the agenda.

Sony's Tretton reiterated that PS3 sales continue to grow at current prices of $400 to $500, depending on features. He adds that shoppers get more bang for their buck because of services connected to the machine, beyond purely playing games.

"We have added so many things to our (PlayStation 3) platform, without having the consumer invest another penny," he said in an interview on Wednesday.

Still, he did not deny that lowering prices was an option the company may someday employ, saying that Sony was not done with efforts to find ways to trim the cost of making the box.

"We will continue to focus our efforts on (adding features) while working on production efficiencies to ultimately bring more and more attractive retail pricing to consumers," he said.

"If consumers ask, 'what do I get when I buy a PlayStation 3', I don't think that $399 is going to stop them from making that purchase," he added.

While shoppers would clearly vote for lower prices, Sony's corporate bosses have to keep in mind the consequences: less revenue and slimmer profit margins -- if any.

Last month, Sony forecast its first back-to-back annual losses since listing in 1958, underscoring troubles for a company that has fallen behind Apple Inc's iPod in portable music, Nintendo in video games, and is losing money on flat TVs.

In 2007, Sony cut the price of the PS3, which has a built-in Blu-ray disc player that drives up production costs, making its retail price at launch twice as expensive as the Wii.

He said PS3 was in year three of what was originally foreseen as a 10-year life span .

There should therefore be no rush to slash prices - a lesson Sony has learned from past models. Its original PlayStation was introduced in 1995 in the U.S. and discontinued in 2006, and its PlayStation 2 model -- the best-selling console ever -- is still in demand after nine years. Sony cut the PS2's price this year to $99.

"I think we have demonstrated that we know how to manage a product life cycle," Tretton said. (Reporting by Franklin Paul)

By: Franklin Paul

Copyright 2009 Reuters.

 

[BlueCali]

Wal-Mart gets a Fathers Day PS3 Bundle

A brand new, limited edition bundle is upon us. This bundle, currently known to only be sold at Wal-Mart stores, is being released to celebrate Fathers Day. This bundle will only be available for a very limited amount of time - a few weeks tops.

While the hard disc size has not been confirmed, what is known is that it comes with two pieces of media - MLB 09: The Show and Quantum of Solace 007 on Blu-ray Disc.

All information has been confirmed by an official Sony Distribution Representative. Expect this Fathers Day bundle to be available at your local Wal-Mart stores in roughly a week or two and be gone by the end of the month so if this bundle interests you, get it while it lasts.

 

[thunda123]

I've got some giftcards to Walmart so if the price is right maybe I'll finally spring for my 2nd PS3. Already have QoS and MLB 08: the show but 09 will be cool. We'll see about that price.

 

[Wreck]

You can sell me ur QoS cheap if u get it

 

[BlueCali]

Sony Boss: "People Don't Respect Confidentiality In This Industry"

You have to feel bad for Sony. By any normal standards, the company’s press conference at E3 should have had jaws on the floor.

A new portable gaming system. A motion sensing game controller. A greatly increased focus on digital distribution. Normally, just one of these announcements would have rocked the show. But thanks to the industry grapevine, the details of all of these announcements were known long before E3 began.

Shizuo Kambayashi / AP

Leaks are a common occurrence in the video game industry, perhaps more so than any other entertainment medium, but the growing frequency of them makes it harder and harder for companies to contain information — and control consumer expectations.

“People don’t respect confidentiality in this industry,” says Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. “It’s tough enough to keep a secret within your own company, much less when you speak to third parties.”

For E3, it was an annoyance, but as research and development work gets underway for the next generation of consoles, it could be particularly damaging. Makers of video game machines try to keep the features of new machines top secret during the development phase so they can differentiate themselves from the competition at launch.

And while we’re several years away from the PlayStation 4, Tretton’s still worried about the rumor mill beating the company to its own news once again.

“This is an industry that has trouble focusing on today,” he says “We want to constantly talk about tomorrow.… You have to prepare for people to know things in advance. The frustrating thing is they only know a part of the story and that opens up a lot of conjecture and misinformation that ultimately waters down the reality when you roll it out.”

Sony [SNE 27.22 -0.20 (-0.73%) ] was hardly alone in having news leaked. Word of Microsoft’s [MSFT 22.95 0.12 (+0.53%) ] “Project Natal” began to trickle out weeks before the show. And everyone walking into Nintendo’s [NTDOY 32.22 -0.78 (-2.36%) ] press conference knew they’d be hearing about either a new Mario or Zelda game.

RELATED LINKS

Current DateTime: 08:11:14 12 Jun 2009
LinksList Documentid: 21422835

* Latest Tech Stories from Wires
* Top Technology News
* Tech Check with Jim Goldman

It was a video of Sony executives discussing the PSP-Go handheld system that made the company stand out, though. Despite the anticlimactic announcement at the press conference, the company is still confident the system will be a success – even with the increased competition from Apple.

“At the end of the day, the iPhone is a phone,” says Tretton. “At the end of the day, we’re a game system.… If the iPhone gets you interested in gaming, that’s good for me, because it gives me a chance to sell you a PSP.”

And while Sony’s motion sensor control didn’t turn as many heads as Microsoft’s did with the general public, the buzz on it was still very strong among developers.

The company will roll the device out next year. While Sony only focused on tech demos at its press conference, Tretton says gamers may be surprised when they see how many games will support the technology.

“Personally, it’s very difficult for me to perceive ‘God of War 3’ being played with the Wii controller,” he says. “It’s a different experience that doesn’t lend itself to certain types of games. [But] I think our [motion] controller can be used with every game that’s on the system now — and every game we’re working on.”

Do does that mean we could see updates released for existing games to make them compatible with the new controller?

More Technology News

”I think that’s absolutely conceivable,” says Tretton.

With leaks come false rumors — and the biggest was an expected $100 price cut for the PlayStation 3. Many publishers, including Activision [ATVI 12.7501 -0.2599 (-2%) ] and Disney Interactive Studios [DIS 24.73 -0.50 (-1.98%) ] were hoping to see one, but were left disappointed. Analysts still believe Sony will lower prices before the holiday (likely in August), but Tretton says the company will not be pressured, even by its partners.

“I can’t remember a day that people who have no stake in the profitability of our company have not called for a price cut,” he says. “I think everybody but us would love to see it given away for free.”

The focus, says Tretton, is managing the PS3’s life cycle — and making it so the machine has a 10-year (or longer) lifespan. And while he certainly gave no official guidance for a price cut, he did tease:

“We’ll do everything we can do to make our pricing relevant. But remember cheapest isn’t always the most successful. It’s what you get for your dollar.”

 

[Wreck]

good read.

 

[Horhay]

Sometimes they themselves give out interviews and reveal things that shouldn't be revealed. So they have absolutely no place to be saying that there's no confidentiality.