The Playstation

Sony announced that this will be the first time since the PS3’s release four years ago in which the company sees profits on the system.  In an interview with IGN, President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida made sure to note that they still aren’t seeing huge numbers, but that they “aren’t bleeding like [they] used to.”

The Playstation 3 underwent a large transformation (and price cut) last year, when the PS3 Slim was released for $299.  This model features a smaller shape and a 120 GB hard drive for $100 less than the original console.  Sony’s recent news is not likely to mean another price drop, but instead an increase in production as Sony attempts to move more units.

However, you can still get more for your money by taking advantage of Sony’s Playstation Plus service.  Coming right on the heels of a download to allow 3D functionality, the new service will let gamers personalize their online profiles and access exclusive features and content.  This could finally allow Sony to compete with the Xbox Live Gold service in terms of exclusive content like downloadable games and discounts. Read the rest of this entry »

With the release of The Sly Cooper Collection, a PS3-remastered collection of all three classic platformers, coming in November, fans have been waiting to find out if Sony would continue the practice for other fan-favorite games.  It now seems that others may indeed be (if I may borrow an image from Sony’s esteemed competitor) in the pipeline.

No official titles have been announced to follow up The Sly Cooper Collection, which will be updated to take advantage of HDTVs and will also feature Playstation Move mini-games and Trophies.  However, Sony President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida has said that “Sony is looking at different methods” for porting PS2 titles to the station.

It would make sense for single games to be available via download, rather than in hard copy, since it would be inefficient to release a single PS2 game on a Blu-Ray disc.  Sony also released a God of War collection last year which combined the first two games in the series, updating the graphics and speed to 60 fps and providing Trophy support.  However, some complained of the lack of inventiveness in the Trophies list as well as poorly remastered graphics. Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of weeks ago, a mysterious 8-minute long video started making the rounds on the web, featuring Michael Jai White as hard-bitten detective Jax, Jeri Ryan as the sultry Sonya Blade, and Ian Anthony Dale as the eerie Scorpion.  If those characters don’t sound familiar, then you’re not a fan of the long-running Mortal Kombat fighting series, and considering its lackluster presentation in recent years, it’s hard to blame you.  However, the short showcased a darkness and energy never before seen in the series, tempered by a real-world sensibility.

While fans wondered what this short entailed, NetherRealm Studios announced the latest in the game series.  It was later confirmed that the video was an unofficial teaser for the rumored third film.  This synergistic shot could be just what the series needs to win over a new generation of fans.

The new game is titled simply Mortal Kombat, taking a back-to-basics approach.  In that vein, the storyline revisits the events of the first three games, picking up with thunder god Raiden right before his execution by the evil Shao Kahn.  Raiden sends a message back in time, and in doing so, he (and the player) revisit the events of MK I-III, encompassing black magic, humanoid reptiles, and cybernetic ninjas. Read the rest of this entry »

Marvel comics have seen an amazing resurgence in recent years, especially with the success of films like Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk.  Popular game titles like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 also brought in new fans.  Ultimate Alliance 2 was an adaptation of two popular storylines from the Marvel Comics universe, Secret War and Civil War.  These tales left no character untouched, and many were thrilled at the opportunity to play as favorites like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor, along with surprises like vampire-hunter Blade and the wisecracking assassin, Deadpool.

Now Marvel has a number of new ways for fans to create their own stories.  First up is exclusive downloadable content for Little Big Planet, the acclaimed PS3 title which allows players to construct their own doll-like characters (referred to as Sackboys and Sackgirls) and run them through puzzle-based levels, making sure not to get crushed, flamed, or thrown into the abyss along the way.  Marvel’s content will come with costumes of 20 of the most popular characters, including Captain America, Daredevil, Hulk, Iron Man, as well as the urban vigilante, the Punisher.  There will also be a four-level kit in which players can take on the X-men’s nemesis Magneto. Read the rest of this entry »

What makes a game sell?  Is it the development team, the marketing, or the attachment of a recognizable series name?  Sometimes, even all that isn’t enough—and sometimes, a hit can come out of nowhere.  I check in with a few popular series and try to find out what’s next.

• BioShock: Take-Two admitted that the sequel to their original smash-hit FPS didn’t move as many copies as they expected, but was still a success for the franchise.  Speaking from experience, a too-short single-player campaign and a disappointing multiplayer feature could have hindered sales.  Still, there are big things in the water for the sci-fi series, which follows the events of a civil war in a utopian underwater city called Rapture.  A film is currently in preproduction.
• Final Fantasy: Game director Tetsuya Nomura has announced that the script for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is now complete.  The game takes place in the same universe as Final Fantasy XIII, a world a lot like ours but with a science-fiction slant.  Nomura has said that the game will incorporate third-person shooter aspects, and will even have some blood, as opposed to earlier games.  Unlike FFXIII, Versus is currently PS3-exclusive. Read the rest of this entry »