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PlayStation Around the Web: What We Read

Jeff Rubenstein — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:01:36 +0000

This week’s a short work/school week for most of you, including us at PlayStation. So, as it has gone down the past two Thanksgiving weeks, the PlayStation Store will update on Tuesday this week. So look for a (rather substantial) Store update on the afternoon of the 24th (PST). On Thursday, as we did last year, we’ll be posting the Black Friday Bulletin Board post, where you can share the best PlayStation deals and doorbusters to kick off the Holiday Shopping Season. I can tell you this much – there are some real steals to be had for those of you hoping to knock out the shopping list early this year.

Finally I wanted to give some early “Thanks” to our readers that voted in the Mashable Open Web Awards call for entries – we made it into the final list of nominees for Best Corporate Blog. Now, if you wouldn’t mind casting a final vote for us, we’ll have that much more to be thankful for this week.

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of November 16, 2009)

The PlayStation Recap

Chris Morell — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:01:44 +0000

Talking Super Street Fighter IV with Capcom’s Seth Killian — Seth Killian is better than you at Street Fighter. Deal with it. So when he talks about Super Street Fighter IV, you better listen!
Behind the Scenes with God of War Collection – Developer Commentary — The two teams behind the amazing remastering of God of War and God of War II give five minutes of commentary on the making of the Blu-ray.
Coming to PSN this Week: Peggle & Peggle Nights — I’m a huge Peggle fan, so I’m stoked to see it come to PSN. Hopefully, you’re like me.
PlayStation 3 Firmware (v3.10) Update Preview — Get a preview of the latest PS3 firmware straight from Eric Lempel, including Facebook integration and more!
Get to Know Dark Void on PS3 with Capcom’s Morgan Gray — This is probably the first time you’ve seen Dark Void running on PS3. Vertical combat, FTW!
3D Dot Game Heroes Goes Retro on PS3 this May — As AtlusAram puts it, “The ultimate love-letter to retro gamers, the definitive homage to the action-adventure legends we all grew up with.” We like what we hear.
God of War Collection Launches Today for PS3! — Trophies, HD visuals and a chance to relive the complete and utter destruction that Kratos brings on the PS3? Count me in.
Happy 3rd Anniversary PS3 and PlayStation Network! — Man, time flies when you’ve got games, movies, TV shows, UNCHARTED2, MW2…and the list goes on. Happy three, PS3!
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta launches tomorrow! — The PS3-exclusive Bad Company 2 is live. Did you snag a code?
LittleBigPlanet Goes Portable! — Play, Create, Share makes the jump to PSP!
Special Thanksgiving Event in PlayStation Home + UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition Contest — A special Turkey Day event in Home to kick that post-pie coma. Plus, yet another chance to win the Fortune Hunter Edition!
Vote today for PlayStation’s 17 VGA Nominees — PlayStation’s got a whopping 17 nominees at the Video Game Awards. Vote now!
PSP Firmware (v6.20) Update — Update 6.20 adds the Digital Comics Reader, and you can export video and audio playlists.
Military Madness: Nectaris PSN Game Night — Did you partake in the 4-player versus matches over on PSN last night?
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Players…Unite! — Now you can officially get down with adhocParty with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite!
PlayStation Store Update — This week’s update brings adhocParty, Peggle, RE2, and new episode of Pulse and much more!
adhocParty for PSP: The Walkthrough — Get to know adhocParty with Kristin’s very informative walkthrough.
PlayStation Network Video Content Update — The weekly update of new TV shows and movies…a big one this week. Plus, free content!
It Only Does Blu-ray Movies — Kevin Butler fans, rejoice! The latest commercial is here for your viewing pleasure.
Digital Comics Reader Now Available for PSP – Get a Free Issue! — Update your PSP with the free Digital Comics Reader! And get a free Star Trek issue right now!

Courtesy of Ken Chan

God of War Collection Reviews: IGN Bestows a 9.4, Gamepro Praises with 5 Stars – We are pleased to share the amazing reception God of War Collection has been getting from both fans and critics alike. Here are some of the things people have been saying about this fall’s must-have action title.

PlayStation Around the Web: What We Read

Jeff Rubenstein — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:01:36 +0000

Presenting this week’s PlayStation reading list, including stories on Heavy Rain, LBP PSP, Uncharted 2, Valkyria Chronicles 2, and MW2, plus reviews of God of War Collection, Buzz! Quiz World, Locoroco Midnight Carnival, and Braid. Add your stories to the list, and we’ll pick up with the news again tomorrow.

Make sure to return at 9am (PST) for an interview with Capcom’s Seth Killian on Super Street Fighter IV; you’ll want to see Deejay, Juri, and T. Hawk’s new Ultras in action.

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of November 9, 2009)

The PlayStation Recap

Chris Morell — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:01:01 +0000

Coming to PSN this Week: Braid — A personal favorite of mine. How’s with me? Anyone beat it yet?
MAG Beta 4 Starts…Now! — MAG Beta 4, activate! More than 6,000 changes since the last version. Yes, six thousand!
Disney Selection on PSN is Way UP! — A veritable bevy of Disney movies hit the Video Store, including the recent UP!, Wall-E and more.
Netflix on the PS3 Available Now! — My disc came today! Who’s with me? Been wanting to stream the first season of Weeds. Now’s the time.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Launch Event in PlayStation Home — If you jumped in Home on Modern Warfare 2 launch day, you probably noticed the “Featured Game Party” for MW2, a new kind of event in PlayStation Home.
Up All Night: 24-hour LittleBigPlanet PSP Game Jam Session — What do you get when you mix art students and LBP? Insanely cool levels, as evidenced by this week’s LBP Academy or Art San Francisco Jam Session!
Asia, Europe Design Rag Doll Kung Fu Dolls for Us to Enjoy — You’re not going to turn down free stuff, are you? I thought not.
God of War Collection – Trophy Speed Run — God of War Collection’s Lead QA Tester speeds through God of War II’s Loom Chamber in record speed. You definitely want to watch this.
Coming to PSN this Week: Bubble Trubble PSP Mini — A new puzzle-based mini hits the PSP. Who grabbed it? Do tell.
Free Comet Crash Update Available Now on PSN! — There’s nothing I don’t like about a sentence with “free” and “update” in it. In this update, Comet Crash gets new levels, new maps and more.
This Week in PlayStation Home: Assassin’s Creed, Final Fantasy XIII, Fullmetal Alchemist and A&E’s Lawman — Lots of new stuff going on in Home this week, highlighted by a special line of Assassin’s Creed items.
Braid Available Today on PSN — Plenty or reasons highlighted here to pick up Braid for PS3. Regardless, it’s a great game.
SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 Competitive Multiplayer Features Unveiled — 16-player multiplayer, new modes and new MP screens. A welcome update for FTB3.
Pinball Heroes Out Today on PSN for PSP — Pinball Heroes hits PSP today with four tables, UNCHARTED, Hot Shots Golf, PAIN and High Velocity Bowling.
PlayStation Store Update — Braid, Star Trek D-A-C, four demos, and much more.
PlayStation Network Video Content Update — To celebrate MGM’s 85th Anniversary, you get a great selection of movies for $1.99.
adhocParty for PSP Available Soon — Yes, you’ve been waiting. Now adhocParty is coming very soon. Hit the post for details on how it works.
Fill Up Your Own Stocking This Year: Get a PSPgo for as Low as $199! — Get a Sony Card and score a PSPgo for $199. Not a bad deal, if you ask me.
PlayStation Eye Chat: Assassin’s Creed II — Ubi Lead Game Designer pipes in through the PS Eye, dropping lots of new details and features in Assassin’s Creed II.
Developer Diary #3: The Saboteur for PS3 — Tom French is back for #3 in his series of posts that reveal The Saboteur in great detail.

Courtesy of Jeremy Dunham

Challenge: Play the MAG Beta with Zipper! – Now’s your chance to test your skills against the folks who make the game.
MAG Developer Interview: Test Leads – Jay Embry and Kurt Manning take us behind the scenes with Zipper’s upcoming shooter and reveal just how important our beta tests have been.
MAG Beta 4 Starts Now! – Find out how you can take part in testing one of the hottest PS3-exclusives on 2010.

PlayStation Around the Web: What We Read

Jeff Rubenstein — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:01:48 +0000

To answer what many of you have asked about in recent months: yes, we are working on a podcast. What we’d like to know now is – how important is the “pod” in the podcast? i.e. Do you actually listen on an iPod via iTunes? Do you download and listen on some other device (like a PSP)? Stream directly from your desktop/laptop? Something else entirely?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

We wanna make sure we get the syndication right… if we’re not making it available the way you want to hear it, what’s the point, right?

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of November 2, 2009)

The PlayStation Recap

Chris Morell — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:01:33 +0000

Coming to PSN this Week: Military Madness: Nectaris — Kyle’s been around a few times to talk Military Madness, and now you can finally get your hands on it.
Coming to PSN this Week: Numblast — Addictive puzzle gameplay? Check. Low, low price of $4.99? Check. Colorful trailer that gets you acquainted with the action? Check.
Win the Ultimate UNCHARTED Adventure — Drink Pepsi…win a bunch of cool stuff. It’s really that simple.
BUZZ! Quiz World Launches Next Week on PS3! — BUZZers, get ready. BUZZ! Quiz World launches next week. There’s a lot of new additions that you should definitely check out.
MLB and Lucasfilm Join PlayStation Network’s Video Delivery Service — Miss the Yankees pile on yet another (argh) World Series title? Now you can catch the games on the Video Store, along with a Lucasfilm content and more!
This Week in PlayStation Home: Win a Copy of UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves – Fortune Hunter Edition — If you logged in to PlayStation Home between Thursday and Friday, and scored atop the Mask Mayhem mini-game…well, you nabbed a Fortune Hunter Edition. You lucky bast…
It’s Almost Time for Braid on PSN — I’ve been waiting and waiting for Braid on PSN. Now it’s just around the corner. This truly original 2D game is a treat, and we’ll have a great video interview coming early next week to get you pumped up.
Qore Episode 18 – Featuring ModNation Racers, Assassin’s Creed II, ILM and Star Trek — Miss Belmont and the rest of the Qore crew head up to Vancouver for a look at ModNation Racers. Plus, more deets on Assassin’s Creed II (man, the combat looks incredible this time around).
Topatoi: Free Arcade Style Pack DLC Available Today — The Topatoi Arcade Style Pack adds some new arcade action, and better yet, it’s free!
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – PS3 Beta Begins November 19 — November 19 is the day. The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta is coming exclusively to the PS3. Full details inside.
PlayStation Store Update — Lots of great stuff this week, including Military Madness: Nectaris, Numblast, a bunch of PSP games and more. Plus, if you haven’t given Trine a go, the demo is up for free.
PlayStation Network Video Content Update — G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, I Love You, Beth Cooper, The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3, and much more in the weekly Video Store update.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – Creating the Trailer — How much work went in to creating the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 trailer? You guess it. A lot.
70’s Mustang Joins the Gran Turismo 5 Lineup at the Gran Turismo Awards — See a great recap of the Gran Turismo Awards in Las Vegas, peep the winning car and hear from past winners.
Attention Canadian UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunters! — We love our neighbors to the north (Vancouver sushi and ramen, FTW!), and he’s just how much.
LittleBigPlanet: Sack It To Me – The “Happy Birthday” Edition! — The weekly roundup of LBP events, plus here’s how to grab LBP PSP costumes for ziltch!

PlayStation Around the Web: What We Read

Jeff Rubenstein — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:01:49 +0000

Here are this week’s PlayStation links, presented one hour later than usual.
Please share with the group, putting any of your favorite links in the comments area below. And if you saw any good PlayStation-relevant Halloween costumes last night, go ahead and share those as well.

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of October 26, 2009)

The PlayStation Recap

Chris Morell — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:01:39 +0000

Brütal Legend’s Tears of the Hextadon DLC Launches for Free on PSN! — The Brutal Legend Tears of the Hextadon downloadable content pack is free for two weeks exclusively on PSN!!
God of War Collection Ships November 17th, Plan Your Trophy Hunt Now! — Trophies and HD added to two absolutely amazing games, now dated: It’s November 17!
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Out Today + Insomniac Community Day Recap — Insomniac Games Community Day was amazing. Thanks to everyone who showed up, and if you couldn’t make it, check out the recap video for a rundown of the festivities.
Call of Duty: World at War Map Packs 50% Off, New Playlists! — For one week only, get Call of Duty: World at War map packs for half price! Go!
Winners of the UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition! — We know you’ve been asking…for a while. Well, here’s the giant list of the Fortune Hunter Edition winners. Congrats if you hit the jackpot!
Celebrate Halloween PlayStation Home-Style at the Zombie Rally — Zombies are invading Home. Don’t believe us? Head Home now!
District 9 Forged Together With God of War III — Pick up the District 9 Blu-ray on December 29, and you’ll get the God of War III E3 2009 demo included on the disc. The first of it’s kind!
Update: SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 — The new FTB3 PSP release date is January 12. Get much more details in the coming months.
Developer Diary #2: The Saboteur for PS3 — Number two in our developer series for the Saboteur for PS3. Tom French is back, this time describing what it’s like to recreate the in-game city of Paris.
MLB 09 THE SHOW’s World Series Prediction: Phillies Stun Yankees in 7 Games — Philly wins in our simulation, Jeff’s happy. But really, I’m hoping the Phils win in five so my avatar can go back to normal operation.
Zombie Tycoon Shambles to PSP Minis Today — Frima Studio drops by to tell us all about their brand new PSP mini, Zombie Tycoon for $7.99!
LocoRoco Midnight Carnival Launches Today! — Your pal Tsubasa is back on Loco launch day to talk about the new global LocoRoco leaderboard and more!
Fat Princess: Her Majesty Gifts Unto Thee … — The Fat Princess demo and patch are out now! To New Pork and beyond!
PlayStation Store Update — Another big update this week brings plenty of new games and more. Don’t forget to check out the Ratchet demo for Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, and there’s a great sale on Super Stardust Portable and other PSP games!
PlayStation Network Video Content Update — If you haven’t picked out a dynamic theme for your PS3, may I suggest the new South Park dynamic theme?
God of War III Ultimate Edition and Pre-Order Items Announced — Presenting the God of War III Ultimate Edition. This thing looks epic thanks to everyone who took the pool earlier this year.
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Celebrates Halloween with a Title Update and a Double Cash Weekend — An update to UNCHARTED 2 makes the game even better (is that even possible?), plus the first double cash weekend!
The 7th Annual Gran Turismo Awards at SEMA Coming November 4 — And check out Autoblog to win a GT PSP pack each day next week!
LittleBigPlanet: Sack it to Me – LittleBigHalloween Edition — Get free Halloween digs for your Sackboy, plus updates on LBP PSP, community picks, and free stuff!

Courtesy of Ken Chan

God of War Collection ships November 17th, Plan Your Trophy Hunt Now! – Still wondering when you’ll be able to get your hands on the God of War Collection? Well, wait no more. The God of War Collection has gone gold!
District 9 Forged Together With God of War III – Come December 29th, when you snag your copy of District 9 on Blu-ray, included on the very same disc will be the highly sought after God of War III E3 2009 Demo.
God of War III Ultimate Edition and Pre-Order Items Announced – SCEA and Santa Monica Studios are thrilled to announce the first Ultimate Edition for God of War. Earlier this year, we polled a number of fans on what would make an awesome collector’s edition for God of War. Well, we took your advice and created something epic and filled it with premium collectible and exclusive digital content.

PlayStation Around the Web: What We Read

Jeff Rubenstein — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:01:56 +0000

We’re not even through Holiday 09 (Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time hits Tuesday!), but we on the Blog team are starting to look towards 2010. For the new decade, we’re thinking the ol’ Blog could use a new look. We’ve got quite a few ideas for what we’d like to see in PSB 2.0. But since we’re here for you – anything you’d like to see us do next year?

In the meantime, please feel free to share your favorite links of the week.

The PS Blog weekly reading list (Week of October 19, 2009)

The PlayStation Recap

Chris Morell — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:01:35 +0000

Okay, about my avatar. I lost a bet. I’m a Dodgers fan, Jeff’s a Phillies fan. You can figure the rest out for yourself. Now let us never speak of it again.

Pre-order Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! on UMD Today! — Your votes helped put Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! on UMD. Now you can pre-order!
Coming to PSN this Week: Trine — Yes. Exhale. It’s finally here. So now that you’ve played it, tell us how it is!
Coming to PSN this Week: Oddworld PSone Classics — Abe’s adventures are no longer just a thing of the past. These two Oddworld games let you relive history.
Welcome to the PlayStation Nation — Nearly half a million PS3 purchases in September. And with all the great games out now, or coming soon, it’s a great time to be a PlayStation gamer.
GTA: Chinatown Wars Launching Today for PSP on UMD and PSN — I just started it, and so far it rocks. Plus, it’s getting great reviews across the board.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time First Review, Demos and New Videos — The IGN review is in. Verdict? Awesome. Get the Clank Demo now, with the Ratchet demo coming next week! And peep some new videos…
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Hits PlayStation Home + Tekken 6 & Street Fighter IV Spaces — The UNCHARTED 2 space debuts in Home, plus fighting fans rejoice — Tekken 6 and Street Fighter IV spaces!
Don’t Forget! Celebrate Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time at Insomniac Community Day this Friday! — I was there, and it was an amazing time! Huge thanks to Insomniac for opening its doors to over 130 fans from across California and beyond. Head back next week for a recap with video!
MAG Public Beta Update (v1.30) — Over 8,000(!) updates and fixes. Check out the list for the highlights.
We’re Looking For The Ultimate Gran Turismo Fan! — Tell us why you’re the biggest GT fan around, and win your very own suit, helmet and gloves!
UNCHARTED: Eye of Indra – First Episode on PSN Today — Want more Drake? The first episode of the UNCHARTED motion comic — a four episode series — is now available on the PlayStation Store!
PlayStation Store Update — A giant update this week brings the droolworthy Trine, the Clank Demo, Critter Crunch Demo, GTA PSP games and a whole lot more.
PlayStation Network Video Content Update — For a limited time get Naruto Shippuden Uncut the TV series episode one for free! Plus, a host of other shows and movies get added to the Video Store this week.
PlayStation Eye Chat: Insomniac’s Brian Allgeier — Insomniac Games’ Brian Allgeier chats up Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Only four days until release!
Dragon Age: Origins Live Chat with Bioware Today — The very first live chat from across the Pond. Blog.Europe’s Jem Alexander hosts Bioware to talk Dragon Age Origins.
It Only Does Great Games — Two brand new TV spots debut with Kevin Butler, one with Ratchet and the other a great montage of PS3 games.
Fat Princess: Demo & Patch 1.03 & New Pork Map is FREE…Oh My! — New Pork, completely free! Joy! Plus info on the demo and patch 1.03.
LittleBigPlanet: Sack it to Me – “Whole’lotta Community Gems” Edition — The title pretty much speaks for itself. Plus, a new dev story on LBP PSP.

Courtesy of Ken Chan

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