April 25, 2008

New, free Hot Shots Golf features available now

Being just one day shy from a much needed weekend — isn’t every weekend a needed weekend? – I’m sure many of you have already penned in various activities in your filofax/pda/napkin/bathroom mirror/etc; and while I’m not here to judge how the quality (or legality) of your weekend plans, I am here to let you know that if there are some time gaps between your fun-doing, you can fill it up with some serious Hot Shots Golf online action.

So what’s with all the noise? Simply put, it’s the much awaited (and promised) Stroke and Match Online Play download patch that is making its way around the wired – for FREE! No coupons necessary, no forms to fill, no seminar to attend… it’s gratis (free). To take advantage of this very-berry unlimited offer, follow the steps below.

Insert Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds disc into PS3
Go to the online features
Watch the goodness stream into your PS3 from our servers.

* Note: please make sure to have a valid PSN account and to be logged on prior to download.

So what’s in the new menu item you ask? First of all, this new Online feature will let you roam about the course as you see fit, taunt other golfers while you wait your turn, and be magically transported back to your spot once it’s your turn – – and of course, this new feature will also take advantage of all the HSG rules you’ve come to love and expect.

Also, we’ve been really happy to see the crazy avatar combinations you’ve come up with, so to mix it up a bit, we’ll be adding some more items as we move along… but in the meantime, we’ve thrown in a soccer balls in a couple of the lobbies to get you guys going on some impromptu footie action.

Meanwhile, back at the hamster ranch…
Some of you might have experienced some server issues in the past few weeks – and we’ve noticed them too! So to mend this we’ve fed the server hamsters and greased the wheels; things should be running a lot smoother now.

That is all for now today, but keep an eye out for more Hot Shots Golf news on DLC content – – till then, see you here, or there or maybe even over there.

Comments are closed.

39 Comments

5 Author Replies

TouchyEd
April 25, 2008 at 10:16 am PDT

Until there’s voice chat, unfortunately, I won’t own the Hot Shots Golf disc to put in my PS3.
romoleonard
April 25, 2008 at 10:20 am PDT

Yea, no voice chat…horrible! Thanks for the patch though!
Makasu
April 25, 2008 at 10:21 am PDT

Thanks for the update! One question, japan has gotten 2 DLC characters and 1 new course. The course is on the disc allready and can just be bought/unlocked, but only in japan. When will eu/us be able to get these? And also how will dlc-characters be ranked? Pro’s?

Thanks.
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  April 25, 2008 at 11:20 am PDT
  
  Dear Makasu – please stop being a spy and leaking DLC news before I get a chance to – – that is what we call \”stealing thunder\”. :)
  
  Seriously though, you brought up a great point and I\’m happy to say that we will be releasing the characters and courses in the US, but as far as more details, you\’ll just have to wait a bit more.
spunnups
April 25, 2008 at 10:23 am PDT

i really wish it had voice chat- is it possible to patch something like that?
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  April 25, 2008 at 11:26 am PDT
  
  Possible? Perhaps. Again, to all inquiring about a Voice Chat feature: we\’re seriously considering it , and the teams are looking into how to best implement this feature. We\’ll keep everyone posted on news regarding this feature.
depward
April 25, 2008 at 10:31 am PDT

Thanks for the improvements – love the game!
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  April 25, 2008 at 11:35 am PDT
  
  Thanks Depward! We love that you love the game.
Snap
April 25, 2008 at 10:38 am PDT

The lack of voice chat is great actually. If you’ve played any of the tournaments you’d see that generally people are civil but I have tons of screen shots from people using racial slurs, homophobic slurs, etc. Thankfully there isn’t any voice chat because then I’d have to listen to these people.

PSN has horrible voice chat support. There is no ability to directly mute certain people, no method for reporting abusive users, no method for rating people, no privacy options to mute everyone but people on your friends list. When it comes to voice chat Xbox Live does it very, very well. It has all of these voice features and more. Until PSN actually learns how to implement voice chat I’d prefer they don’t bother with it.
SPARDA
April 25, 2008 at 10:43 am PDT

Sounds great.
But give me voice chat and I wll pick up this game in a heart beat.

PS: does at least support private games with friends only??
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  April 25, 2008 at 11:34 am PDT
  
  Private games are all the rage these days – and you can set up your own little VIP room to host matches for all your friends, close relatives and business execs you\’re looking to close deals with.
  
  So without Voice Chat, you\’d pick it up in… three heart beats?
mercury187
April 25, 2008 at 10:56 am PDT

wheres the demo? This game’s been out how long and there is no demo on the psn? what the F sony?
Schitthammer
April 25, 2008 at 10:57 am PDT

Thanks for the update Chris, looking forward to playing it later this evening!
OldManGaming
April 25, 2008 at 11:03 am PDT

free is good, very good.

Chris, pretty funny post too :)
Jimb0
April 25, 2008 at 11:08 am PDT

One of the best games of 2008, seriously.

Anyone who hasn’t played online and totally loved it, is lacking a soul.
Jeigh
April 25, 2008 at 11:08 am PDT

That sucks! I hate free stuff! I demand you slap a price tag on it! XD Thanks for the upgrades. I plan to pick up this up REALLY soon.

And as for that Hawaiiaiaian(sp? :P) Punch commercial: wow… just… wow.
maluraq
April 25, 2008 at 11:10 am PDT

No voice chat is actually excellent. The pick-a-comment list allows messages to be auto-translated to everyone’s local language, there’s no stupid music playing by other users, and I don’t have to worry about racial slurs or swearing when I’m playing online with my 6yo daughter in the room.

Why you’d want to voice-chat in this game is beyond me, since you all tee off simultaneously and its not like you have any real time to chat unless you’re on the VERY slow holes.
Toast
April 25, 2008 at 11:27 am PDT

This just might get me to go pick up hot shots to have something to do pre gta4…

liked the game on ps2…so maybe…just maybe
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  April 25, 2008 at 11:36 am PDT
  
  No maybes! Just commit already!
JinRamen
April 25, 2008 at 11:32 am PDT

Love this game! Free DLC is great as well. I agree with Snap about the voice chat. I only wish that if you form your own lobby with friends voice chat was available. I do miss being able to mix and match costumes like in HSG Open Tee. Otherwise great game bought it the day it came out.
Makasu
April 25, 2008 at 11:32 am PDT

Thanks Chris! Really looking forward to it!
EvoAnubis
April 25, 2008 at 11:38 am PDT

Well, Chris, you told me to buy the game, and I did. It is awesome, and this update makes it even better.

Can’t wait to see what comes next!
frito
April 25, 2008 at 11:42 am PDT

I really enjoy the new detailed backgrounds and goofy gameplay- this is the best Hot Shots yet!

thanks for this free content!

It’s refreshing to see developers using DLC as community building free DL’s.

It really adds more incentive to buying a game if you see the developers respect the consumers enough to offer “support” in the way of add-ons and fun new mods, maps, characters, etc. etc.

(as opposed to nickel and diming every bit of add-on DLC)

thanks!

***********************************************
QUESTION FOR YA CHRIS!
***********************************************

Is it true the future DLC you referenced (and will be charging us for) is already stored on the retail disc itself?

if yes, can the features be unlocked through actual gameplay AND/OR paying for them to be unlocked?

because if the only option to unlock the “new” content is to pay for it…

well then I call SHENANIGANS!

if it’s on the disc, it is ours, as we already paid for it! I know the majority of gamers feel the way I do about this..

please tell us you won’t be double charging us to play this great game!

it would really tarnish your image in mine and many other’s eyes in the blogosphere and online forums.

so once again thanks for the great game, and sorry I had to bring this up, but it’s important!

thanks for any response!
Makasu
April 25, 2008 at 12:00 pm PDT

I dont mind paying for courses, doesnt matter if they are on the disc or not, i just want them :)
jcolls
April 25, 2008 at 12:21 pm PDT

Hi Chris, I’m from the UK and have Everybody’s Golf – World Tour. Will this version of the game be getting the DLC?
agenttrav
April 25, 2008 at 12:27 pm PDT

Any chance of some custom soundtracks anytime soon? Not that the game music is awful…but, umm…the game music is awful. Pleeeeease make custom soundtracks a reality!
mercury187
April 25, 2008 at 12:58 pm PDT

Chris Hinojosa-Miranda: Is there going to be a demo of Hot Shots Golf for those that would like to try it in order to make a decision if they want to buy it?
davehyunch
April 25, 2008 at 1:13 pm PDT

Chris, thanks for the info. I’ve played Hot Shots 1 through 5 and loved every one of them. I was wondering, is there a way to play online in real time so that I can see my opponents shots?

I just can’t figure out how to do this. When I play one-on-one in stroke or match play, I would prefer to watch every shot (it makes a difference). If it’s not possible, is it something that could be added? Thanks.
Makasu
April 25, 2008 at 1:34 pm PDT

@23. This is what the new patch does :) atleast when you play against a friend, not for tournaments (would take too long)
darkiewonder
April 25, 2008 at 1:39 pm PDT

can you guys like switch the Default Virtual Keyboard to the full layout one? it’s hard to chat with the multi-tap one.
enrichovega
April 25, 2008 at 1:40 pm PDT

Personally…If not for the demo…I would not have purchased this game. Last I checked sales were around the 50K mark here in the U.S. which I guarantee would QUADRUPLE should the demo be released here as well.
MrCamo
April 25, 2008 at 1:46 pm PDT

@ Chris:

I see the voice chat issue has been brought up, just so my voice is heard, please add voice chat, and make it a protocall for the PS3 online games. I come from a system design background for home automation and if a product does not fulfill a list of requirements, we do not sell it. Your game developers should have to adhere to a list of requirements that would make the PS3 experience more uniform online and off.
An example would be:
1) Support Home
2)Support 1n G@me You Know What
3)Support voice chat for onine play
4) Support In Game Video Chat
i know some games would not make sense to add voice chat, and a developer would need to submit a form or proposal explaining their reason for breaking protocall prior to going gold.
No complaints, just a suggestion i am sure you have already thought of…
xmscott
April 25, 2008 at 1:52 pm PDT

I saw an NPD report that stated that Hot Shots Golf OOB sold 32k its first week or month. Doesnt matter that number is FAR TOO LOW!

Game rules. I welcome more courses and voice chat.
jqtaxpayer
April 25, 2008 at 1:58 pm PDT

I tend to stick to this single player component of this game, but it’s nice to see companies out there that respond to the marketplace’s demand. In regards to the voice chat options, after being a member of Xbox Live, I’d rather not hear what folks online have to say… so if it DOES get implemented, please don’t forget a mute feature!

And, yeah, I’m anxiously awaiting some new characters and courses myself… like maybe a putt-putt style course with all sorts of wacky obstacles like windmills and Abe Lincoln just for kicks. I already love this game, but that would just send it over the top for me.
frito
April 25, 2008 at 2:36 pm PDT

hmmm…a Hot Shots Putt-Putt mini course would be great!

great idea, jqtaxpayer!
Del-Vo
April 25, 2008 at 4:59 pm PDT

I agree (frito), a Putt-Putt or mini golf course would be a great add-on. Hot Shots use to have mini golf then it mysteriously disappeared!
Kedaro
April 26, 2008 at 1:49 am PDT

I plan on getting this game soon, but I want to secure my staple games first, I’m not much of a golf game fan, other than playing it IRL, and Hot Shots Golf. I don’t know why I don’t attach well with the other golf games, I just simply have the most fun in Hot Shots, so expect my purchase shortly after GTA IV & MGS 4
DaftMav
April 26, 2008 at 6:10 am PDT

Awesome, but will the EU version (Everbody’s golf) get this too anytime soon? Or do we have to wait 6 months like with some other games…?
bepaof11
April 26, 2008 at 7:42 am PDT

I have the game (Disk), but no Broadband. Is there some way I can get the update? Thanks!
DaftMav
April 26, 2008 at 8:47 am PDT

Also, will the framerate issues be addressed in a patch? The flaming swing when you use the special hits sometimes really slows it down, so much actually that you can’t hit the ball anymore. Making the special balls kinda useless, as they were intended to give you some boost but now just make hitting it nearly impossible.
VipeNess
April 26, 2008 at 1:43 pm PDT

Hey; please help me with Hot Shots Golf. I have repeatly posted messages on the forums and with no help. I try to create an online game, and I get unable to create room. It has been this way since the beginning of the game, and is still like that in this version as well. I know you are high up there and maybe you can help me out play online and create rooms. Please overlook this note. http://www.thegamershow.com
JEdwards
April 26, 2008 at 5:45 pm PDT

While you look at voice chat, *please* find a way to increase the maximum number of characters for text entries. It’s obvious there’s room for additional characters on the leaderboard screen between holes. The other thing that would be useful would be the ability to block or mute (suppress text display) while on the leaderboard. There are some very rude people and an “block/ignore” or even “report” type of function would be nice.
chainlink13
April 26, 2008 at 7:01 pm PDT

Ummm…..so how does this roaming work? I tried in tournaments…no go…I tried to play a private game…how does it work??
Callahan09
April 27, 2008 at 7:58 am PDT

It’s a phenomenal game and I love you guys for making it. Don’t worry about doing anything extra to make me happy, you’ve already made me happy!
abuscemi
April 27, 2008 at 4:30 pm PDT

Hot Shots is incredible and have been a huge fan since the PS1 games. This game is exceptional – keeps the same feel of the older games with great new features.

A friend of mine just picked up a PS3 and was asking what game to get to play online and the only thing that stopped me from recommending this game is the lack of voice chat. Please, please add this…it is so important to having fun with your buddies when playing this game.

I play HSG-OB with another buddy and we’re big enough dorks to have 360’s too. So we talk through our 360’s while playing Hot Shots. That’s pretty stupid, huh? Lack of voice chat is the only thing from making this game perfect in my mind, please please add.

Also, a nice feature for downloadable content would be characters in previous versions of Hot Shots….just a thought…
krae_man
May 1, 2008 at 8:00 pm PDT

Any chance of patching the game to prevent shots with perfect impact going extremly astray for no apparent reason?

Might be blue powershot related but not necessarily. Loading screen says blue power shots give you extra power but make sure you get perfect impact or you don’t know where your shot will land.

Well perfect impact shots go extremly astray on me alot and it frustrates the hell out of me.
SlackAlley
May 2, 2008 at 3:38 am PDT

Hi, just wanted to say i love the game, (loved it on PSP also) and this was a big reason in me getting a PS3 at last.

I’ve seen the comments on voice chat, and look forward to this possible inclusion. It would add alot to the online aspect, even if (or especially if) it was added to Private Matches. These are obviously where you’d most like to chat with your opponent (and you’re also then not having to worry about making it work with the large numbers that the lobbys have in them).

Please try and get an update out for this, it would add alot to the fun, and would make your game a shining example of how good PS3 online games can be. Thanks :)
krae_man
May 3, 2008 at 8:38 am PDT

You guys need to look at the games smut filter. It censors all kinds of words that arnt vulgar in any way. Just last night I found out that the words “after” and “happened” are censored for some strange reason.

But I can happily report that “surprise buttsecks” is not censored :p
ss18
May 19, 2008 at 9:04 am PDT

i really miss the MINI GOLF. HSG: FORE had 3 courses, i was excited for the ps3 version hoping to get more courses and maybe even be able to downloaded them. i would pay a few bucks to download minigolf courses!!!