Both Blu-rays feature the Extended Directors Cut, which includes 20 minutes of new footage not shown in theaters, including an alternate ending and over 1.5 hours of special features and Blu-ray exclusive content. The God of War: Ascension Single Player demo is available with this special offer on the Blu-ray hybrid disc.

The demo includes the new gameplay mechanics and combat systems we showed off earlier this summer, so you can get a taste all of the brutal action before the game launches next March.

Sharpen your blades and stay tuned for more exciting updates on God of War: Ascension!

We’re happy to introduce a brand new PS3 bundle to coincide with the recent release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on Blu-ray. The Harry Potter 3D Experience Movie Pack PS3 bundle will be available starting this week for $249.99 (MSRP) and includes a 160GB PS3 system, a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Blu-ray Disc (both the 3D and 2D versions included), and you’ll also receive a voucher to download Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. As a special bonus, you will also get a 30 day free trial for PlayStation Plus, which gives you access to free PSN games, great discounts, and exclusive content.

Relive the mystical magic of the final Harry Potter installment over and over again in full stereoscopic 3D. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is the last adventure in the Harry Potter film series and the battle between good and evil has never been more intense. With dramatic 3D enhancements you can immerse yourself right in the action as Harry, Ron and Hermione search for Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes in their battle to destroy the Dark Lord.

The 3D experience is sure to be a major hit this holiday season as the lineup of 3D compatible games for PS3 and 3D Blu-ray movies continues to expand. Right now, there are more than 60 games and more than 70 Blu-ray movies available giving you a ton of options for 3D right in your living room on PS3. With the release of the new PlayStation 3D Display on November 13th, we are striving to make 3D an accessible entertainment option for all PS3 owners.

To make things easier for PlayStation Plus subscribers, we’ve added the option to automate two existing features. The [Automatic Download] feature will now be called [Automatic Update] as a result of these new options.

• A new auto upload function for online save data back-up will be added to make it easier to back-up your game save data. Under (Game), select the game for which you want to automatically upload saved data, and then press the Triangle button.
• Also, Trophies will now sync automatically at the timing of Auto Download.

A new recommendation function will be added that enables you to share your recommendations for PlayStation Store items, such as games and videos, with PlayStation Network friends. You will be able to send messages with a store link from the product pages within the PlayStation Store.

Due to the increase in video applications being offered on PS3, we are adding a new category on the XMB called TV/Video Services. This category will include video applications such as Netflix, Hulu PLUS, and VUDU.

• You’ll be able to find and download all of the video applications available on PS3 directly from this new XMB category.
• A folder labeled “My Channels” within this category will allow you to easily access your downloaded applications.
• Any videos downloaded from the PlayStation store will continue to be placed in the existing Video category on the XMB

Two updates for all of you enjoying Blu-ray 3D movies on PS3:

• 3D support will now be available when accessing Java-based special features on Blu-Ray
• DTS-HD MA, DTS-HD HR decoding/bit stream output (or lossless audio) will be supported while playing Blu-ray 3D movies.
• 3D digital photos in MPO format can now be viewed in 3D on the XMB and in the Photo Gallery app.

The 3.70 update will be available soon; additional details will be available after the firmware goes live here. Separately, there will also be a minor PSP system software update (v. 6.60) launching soon.

As always, let us know of any feedback in the comments below.

In addition, the game also supports stereoscopic 3D and PlayStation Move functionality included on the disc to really simulate a genuine bowling swing. The game’s a blast to play and lets up to four friends play offline, or go head-to-head online to see who the better bowler is.

If you already own the original High Velocity Bowling game on PSN, you can get the PlayStation Move add-on functionality for free if you are a PlayStation Plus member. If you aren’t a member of PlayStation Plus, don’t worry: the PlayStation Move add-on is planned to be released in the near future.

Additional new features in the 3.50 update include:

• Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have deep interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access their information on Facebook – including user name, profile, photos and friends list – to enhance their gameplay experience.
• Grief Reporting Function: Users can send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.

For more details and instructions on how to update the system software for the PS3 system, please visit http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Features/SystemUpdate.

As always, we look forward to your feedback.

This new feature expands the PS3’s 3D capabilities – as you may recall, we added the ability to play stereoscopic 3D games with the 3.30 firmware update in April.

While support for Blu-ray 3D discs is the primary new feature within the 3.50 update, there will be a few additional features. We’ll post more details on the blog prior to the firmware’s release, so check back here on Monday.

Adding to my Christmas Wish List this year (Hint to any of my family and friends reading this blog) is long awaited Blu-Ray release of District 9.

Starting with a gorgeous 1.85:1 1080p transfer, and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio Mix, the District 9 movie disc include a Interactive Map feature “Joburg from Above: Satellite and Schematics of the World of District 9,” which provides a highly detailed environmental exploration of the world through a series of interactive satellite maps, technology schematics and photo-real files; and movieIQ, which allows viewers to immediately access continuously updated information on the cast & crew and explore relevant trivia such as production facts, music and soundtrack information all tied to scenes within the movie.

But what makes this Blu-Ray release really special, is the inclusion of the highly sought after God of War III E3 2009 Demo! For the die-hard God of War fans, be sure to add this Blu-ray to your library collection as those that complete the demo will unlock an exclusive making of featurette about God of War III.

Beyond the amazing line up of Blu-ray games hitting this holiday, we’re also expecting some blockbuster Blu-ray movie releases, including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Star Trek. We’ve also announced some really groundbreaking initiatives that make Blu-ray synonymous with movie watching. In December, consumers will have access to the first-ever hybrid disc that will feature Sony Picture’s District 9 movie and a demo of God of War 3. This is a true testament to the endless opportunities ahead for Blu-ray and entertainment. And if you’re already an existing Netflix consumer, now you can access both your Blu-ray disc movies and stream 17,000 movies and TV shows from one machine – the PS3.

Readers of this blog are of course, already aware that the PS3 comes built in with one of the industry’s best Blu-ray players. But we wanted a spot that would hammer home the Blu-ray movie advantage and speak to this broader audience that may not be as familiar with the PS3′s feature set. So we asked Kevin Butler to bestow some wisdom in this exchange with an unhappy teenager who is complaining his grandmother is hogging the PS3 to watch Blu-ray movies. You can catch this commercial on air starting next week. For you, our loyal fans, here’s the exclusive sneak peek:

We’d love to hear what your favorite spots are so far. We certainly are having a hard time just picking one. We still have a couple more special updates on the way, so make sure to check in next weekend. More to come.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,

Peter

Starting tomorrow, November 10, you can purchase Disney Pixar’s Up from the PlayStation Network video delivery service — the same day it’s released on Blu-ray and DVD. The movie is available to own for $14.99 in standard-definition and $19.99 in high-definition.

Up is among nearly 80 full-length Disney feature films which we will be adding to the video store to purchase over the next couple of days, including 60 in high-definition, such as Disney Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E and Monsters, Inc.

Many of these Disney favorites are also already available for rent, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $5.99.

If you haven’t tried the video delivery service before, there’s never been a better time. There are over 2,400 full-length movies and 15,000 television episodes to choose from including new and favorite movies, television shows, sports, anime, original entertainment, and more.

Browse through the list below, then visit PlayStation Store and enjoy!

THE 25TH HOUR
ADVENTURELAND
ANNAPOLIS
BAD COMPANY (2002)
BEDTIME STORIES
BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA
BOLT
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
A BUG’S LIFE
CARS
CHICKEN LITTLE
CHRONICLES OF NARNIA‐ THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
COLLEGE ROAD TRIP
CON AIR
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC
DAN IN REAL LIFE
DISNEYNATURE: EARTH
DOUBT
ENCHANTED
ENEMY OF THE STATE
FINDING NEMO
THE GAME PLAN
G‐FORCE
GLORY ROAD
GONE BABY GONE
GONE IN 60 SECONDS
GOOD WILL HUNTING
HANNAH MONTANA 2009 MOVIE
HAPPY GO LUCKY
HERO
HIGH FIDELITY
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR
THE HITCHHIKERS’ GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, THE (1996)
THE INSIDER
INVINCIBLE
THE INVISIBLE
THE JONAS BROTHERS CONCERT
THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU
LILO & STITCH
MEET THE ROBINSONS
MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA
MISSION TO MARS
MONSTERS, INC.
NATIONAL TREASURE
NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS
NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST
POCAHONTAS (1995)
THE PRESTIGE
THE PRINCESS DIARIES
THE PROPOSAL
THE QUEEN
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN
RATATOUILLE
REMEMBER THE TITANS
THE ROCK
THE ROOKIE
ROVING MARS
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
SIGNS
THE SIXTH SENSE
SKY HIGH
SPACE BUDDIES
STAY ALIVE
STICK IT
TINKER BELL AND THE LOST TREASURE
TINKERBELL
UNBREAKABLE
UNDERDOG
THE VILLAGE
WALL‐E
WILD HOGS
UP!

United Front Games’ first title for the PS3, ModNation Racers, looks to bring the same “play, create, share” ethos of LittleBigPlanet to the kart racing genre, with tons of customization options combined with lively racing action. Veronica Belmont sees firsthand how easy it is to create drivers, karts and tracks and gives us a taste of what is to come.

The highly-anticipated sequel Assassin’s Creed II is almost upon us. Qore returns to the dangerous world of Renaissance Italy with an in-depth look at an all-new mission set in Venice including some amazing gameplay and information on new characters and tactics. There’s even a “spoiler” you can skip or dare to watch!

Industrial Light & Magic created the special effects for some of our favorite films spanning the decades from Star Wars to Transformers. In part one of our visit to ILM’s Presidio campus, they pull back the curtain to show Audrey Cleo the tech behind the magic.

One of ILM’s biggest productions this past year was Star Trek. Earlier this year, the franchise was re-booted with a new cast, a new director and a new timeline. With the film about to “beam down” onto Blu-ray, we take a look at its extra features.

This month, we’ve also got an exclusive ModNation Racers PS3 theme and the first in a series of themes based on classic PlayStation titles (PSone’s Blasto) for download.

As a reminder, the MAG Beta Test for Qore subscribers will soon be coming to an end. We hope you enjoyed your time with the game. Don’t forget to leave your feedback for the developers at Beta Central by following the instructions that came in your voucher e-mail. And if you are interested in continuing on with the Beta test, you can gain access by pre-ordering MAG at GameStop.
Look for Qore Episode 18 tomorrow.