Kit yourself out in snow gear and fight your way through blizzard conditions, joining a team of mercenaries or a squad from one of the world’s top Special Forces regiments including the Russian Spetsnaz.

Try your hand at Arms Run, a new game mode that features dynamically placed missile launchers that must be activated or destroyed, depending on which side you’re fighting for.

Employ the new thermal vision scope weapon attachment to track your enemies’ heat signatures – vital in the dark and useful in daylight for picking out white camouflaged adversaries. In addition, we have new primary weapons to make use of and new attachments.

All told, this pack will have:

• New Russian / Eastern European Area of Operation
• Snow setting complete with snow effects, new snow gear and camo for both the Special Forces and Mercenaries, and thermal vision
• New ARMS RUN gameplay mode
• 5 New Maps: Uprising, Entrapment, Blizzard, Night Stalker, Vigilance
• All new mercenaries characters with new looks and new VO.
• New Special Forces squad, the Russian Spetsnaz
• Gun turrets emplacements
• New music
• All new character specialization/progression system
• Allows players to pick a primary and secondary specialization and unlock new equipment exclusive to those specializations
• New weapons, including: 3 new weapons, 6 enhanced versions of weapons available as part of the new weapons specialization system, 2 new weapon attachments (including the thermal scope), 5 enhanced versions of weapon attachments also available as part of the new weapons specialization system.
• 2 new grenade launcher ammo types (flash and smoke)
• New Trophies

This pack will be available for download via the Playstation Network for $14.99.

Stand by. More information on this COLD FRONT DLC will be coming your way very soon.

Patch 1.50 includes many new and diverse features including but not limited to: Clan Ladders, Tournaments, Calendar, Follow-A-Friend, and Private Games.

Along with these features there are many optimizations, enhancements and fixes. Included below are some of the highlights:

Crashes, Freezes and Hangs Fixed

• Players being booted out of the game to the XMB while loading into gameplay.
• Players freezing on the loading screen going into and returning from gameplay.
• Loss of input issues that occurred when using the pause menu or scoreboard.
• Low frequency freezes when creating a clan.
• Players occasionally getting stuck on the Quick Match screen after selecting an invitation.
• Rare cases where players would become stuck in Spectator mode.

General Gameplay Updates

• Numerous improvements to lag and latency, as well as bandwidth optimizations.
• To eliminate exploits where players were escaping to outside of the playable space, many of the previously found routes are now blocked off. As a further measure, the playable areas are now surrounded by trigger volumes that will kill players attempting to find new exploits.
• Players are no longer able to plant claymores through pillars, walls and other objects.
• Target spotting will now default to OFF in all ranked games.
• Fixed characters occasionally getting stuck when planting flares in Control mode.
• Made the range players could plant the satchel more consistent between levels, in both Breach and Demolition modes.
• Commando reticles now turn green when targeting a VIP in Escort mode.
• Increased the priority of picking up the satchel so it can be picked up more easily when weapons and other objects are piled around it.
• Louder and improved footstep audio for characters that are out of view.
• Limited the angle that climb prompts appear at, character will no longer turn 90 degrees before climbing.
• VIPs no longer appear on the HUD Radar after being killed.
• Added the ability to plant Control flares and Demolition/Breach satchels while prone.
• Improved grenade throws, they now more closely follow the throw arc, added better wall detection to keep players from throwing grenades through walls and other objects.
• Fixed issues where different weapons would appear in characters hands to different players.
• Players can no longer take control of VIPs/Hostages through walls or other objects.
• Improved performance for the late joiner, host and all other players when joining a match in progress.
• The satchel will no longer appear in the incorrect location for players that late join Demolition and Breach matches.
• Fixed cases where the number of rounds won by each team could become out of sync.
• The death camera will stop following the character that killed your player after 5 seconds.
• In spectator mode, the button commands will fade out after 5 seconds.
• When selecting a weapon in-game the player’s custom loadout will not be overwritten, that can only be done in the Front End Armoury.
• Fixed cases where Detonators for Key Moments could become desynced, allowing them to be used twice.
• Multiple fixes for situations where characters could become invisible.
• Drastically cut down the Fade-In time at the start of the round.
• Fixed the jittering reticle when planting C4 and Claymores.
• Improved ability to plant the C4 on Breach walls.
• Resolved issues across all maps where players could become stuck when crouching or going prone in tight spaces.
• Closed an exploit where players could shoot through walls close to windows when using a scope.

User Interface

• Improvements across multiple Front End screens to improve the look and feel for Standard Definition users.
• Fixed cases where scrolling rapidly or backing out quickly from Front End screens could lead to multiple items overlapping.
• Sort the Channels list in a more user friendly way.
• Updated several places in the Records and Statistics where the same gun would appear more than once.
• Increased functionality for customizing controls including adding Hold functions to the Analog sticks.
• Added an option to disable D-pad Lean.
• Created a new Nordisk channel.
• Fixed an issue where the Clan Mottos would sometimes be cut off.
• Added more information to the Game Details screen in the briefing room.

Weapons

• Reduced the accuracy of the FAMAS.
• Improved damage of the Desert Eagle.
• Improved damage done by all Sniper Rifles.

Crossroads

• Improved collision on railings to allow bullets to pass through them easier.
• Removed a dynamic spawn from several modes that had a player respawn in a locked room in several modes.
• Several fixes to curbs around the level so the player can traverse smoothly over them without reload interruptions.
• Updated one of the breach walls on the Overlook so player cannot get past without destroying it.
• Closed several exploit holes that allowed players to gain access to out of bounds areas including: numerous rooftops around the level and the area above the warehouse.

Quarantine

• Players can no longer swim under the platform of the main floor of the dome.
• Players no longer get stuck in the water of the main floor of the dome.
• Improved AI pathfinding with extra focus on the transitions in and out of water, including lowering the water in the dome at the start of the round in Escort and Extraction modes.
• Updated several locations inside the dome where the camera could pass through the ceiling and walls.
• Tweaked the collision on several pipes and beams so players cannot pass through or get trapped.
• Closed several exploit holes that allowed players to gain access to out of bounds areas including: the dome roof, areas past the outer fences and the submarine.

Fallen

• Improved AI pathfinding with special attention given to transitions in and out of the water.
• Aligned a dynamic spawn point with the world to prevent players from spawning halfway into the ground in Escort mode.
• Added more detailed collision to several cliffs to prevent players from clipping through the terrain.
• Closed several exploit holes that allowed players to gain access to out of bounds areas including: the cliffs above each spawn, the roof of the temple and behind fences.

Kasbah

• Aligned Demolition markers to be more visible.
• Resized one case where a Control flare could be thrown over the edge of a balcony.
• Added collision to a fence above Commando spawn that would allow players access to the 32 player area in the 16 player map.
• Closed several exploit holes that allowed players to gain access to out of bounds areas including: across destroyed bridges, outside the walls and on rooftops.

Urban Wasteland

• Aligned markers in Demolition and Breach mode to be exactly at the centre of the target zones.
• Resized two cases where Control flares could be planted behind walls.
• Several fixes to curbs around the level so the player can traverse smoothly over them without reload interruptions.
• Closed several exploits that would allow the player access to out of bounds areas including: hotel rooftops, the sky bridge roof and several buildings around the level.

FrostFire

• Fixed camera issue where players below the Watch Deck could see enemies above when standing on the pipe.
• Closed several exploits that would allow the player access to out of bounds areas including: rooftops, the helicopter and the water.

Desert Glory

• Smoothed the collision on several pieces of rubble on the ground to allow easier traversal of the level.
• Closed several exploits that would allow the player access to out of bounds areas including: the cliffs above and the winding road below.

We have a lot more coming for you all in the weeks ahead. So please stay tuned!

While SOCOM.com is still in beta, it’s open to the public and has many new features for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation fans. There are a lot of changes to check out, so let’s get into it from top to bottom.

At the very top of the site is a scrolling ticker. It’s a live feed from My SOCOM, and it lists the top rated players in a variety of categories, number of players currently online, and even a feed of the titles of the latest blog posts. If you see something you like, click it to get more info!

Just below that is our new menu bar. Mousing over Community or My SOCOM reveals a couple of drop down menus. Community gives you direct access to the forums and the blog.

My SOCOM is pretty meaty. You can access My SOCOM itself, which is your gateway to the Leaderboards, your clan, profile, and many other options. If you need to check your mail, get the latest in clan updates, or compare your stats to a standout player, you can do that here. You can even recruit new clan members or view the manual for SOCOM: Confrontation.

To fully appreciate SOCOM.com, you’re going to have to log in with your PSN ID. Use the same email address and password you use on your PLAYSTATION 3. By doing this, you can use your PSN ID on the forums and in My SOCOM.

SOCOM.com is in beta and we’ve got some cool new features coming your way in the near future. Stay tuned, and come on over and check us out.

Well, I just wrapped up a conversation with the SOCOM team, where they’ve confirmed the fact that trophies *will* be coming, via a patch, within the next couple of weeks.

Stay tuned to SOCOM.com for the latest on SOCOM Confrontation.

• Coming Out of the Shadows: Rusty Buchert Talks Latest Project
• NBA 09 The Inside: The Jukebox
• MotorStorm Monday: The Vehicles … All of Them
• What Do You Want to Know? TGS Edition: LocoRoco 2 & Patapon 2
• Qore Episode 5 Hits PSN Thursday
• PlayStation.Blog Readers: “First!” to 100,000
• USA Today Has the Last of the LittleBigPlanet Beta Keys!
• 71% More echochrome PSP, Coming Tomorrow
• A Programmer’s Look Inside BioShock
• TGS 08: Sackboy Solid Snake and Sephiroth to join LittleBigPlanet
• Resistance: Retribution & Resistance 2 Interoperability and Then Some
• Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars: Available Today on PSN!
• Linger in Shadows Hits PSN Today!
• PlayStation Store Update
• TGS 08: White Knight Chronicles media event
• Arrr! Age of Booty to Plunder PSN Soon
• THE EYE OF JUDGMENT RETURNS!- An Insider’s Look at SET 3 (part PART 2)
• PLAYSTATION Network Video Content Update

Courtesy of David “Point Man” Brothers

• Demolished – Take a look at the other kind of Demolition.
• Final Beta Wrap – We had four great nights of beta battles.
• Location, Location, Location – Where do you play?
• Guns of the Beta – What did you use?
• Next Week! – Are you ready for release?



Courtesy of Victor Zuylen – Editor, Killzone Community

• The Heavy Soldier – We investigate the creation of one of the most dangerous enemies in Killzone 2, from initial concept to animation.
• The Resistance – Finally, a slice of Killzone history from the perspective of the ISA is revealed. Spot the differences with the Helghast version!
]]> http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/the-psb-socom-killzone-recap/feed/ 42 http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/see-the-official-playstation-bluetooth-headset/ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/see-the-official-playstation-bluetooth-headset/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:57:21 +0000 Anand Agarwal http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=2296 Hey PlayStation fans! Thanks for your enthusiastic response on our first blog post on the advanced features of the official Bluetooth Headset for the PS3. We have put together a feature video for the Headset and wanted to post it here so that you can see it firsthand.

As you may already know, this headset will be available with the SOCOM: Confrontation bundle ($59.99 MSRP) on Oct 14th and as a stand-alone peripheral ($49.99 MSRP) shortly thereafter.

]]> http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/see-the-official-playstation-bluetooth-headset/feed/ 117 http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/the-psb-socomcom-insomniac-weekly-recap-3/ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/the-psb-socomcom-insomniac-weekly-recap-3/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:57:51 +0000 Jeff Rubenstein http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=1812 No Killzone 2 update this week… fortunately Insomniac picks up the slack.



• Novastrike Update Brings Trophies…Right Now – A host of gameplay tweaks included in the patch as well.
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed on PlayStation Platforms Next Week – Make sure to tune back in Monday (noon Pacific) for a chance to win some Star Wars loot.
• LittleBigPlanet: SackBoys in the Wild – Awesome trailer. Watch it here.
• Live “The Life” on PS3 with NBA 09: The Inside – NBA 09 coming to all 3 PlayStation platforms this fall.
• Jeopardy! Coming to PSN – What is coming out Thursday? (see what I did there?)
• MotorStorm Pacific Rift crosses the finish line October 28th – Demo now playable for Qore Episode 4 and pre-purchase people.
• PAIN AMUSEMENT PARK OPEN! – Trophies enabled as well.
• PlayStation Store Update – Featuring, well, everything mentioned above.
• SOCOM: Confrontation Deploys for Qore Subscribers Tomorrow
  – Stay tuned to SOCOM.com for the latest.
• U.S. MyBUZZ Launches – Prize Opportunities! – Not only that, but MyBuzz participation may lead to a trophy…
• Burnout Bikes Dated! – We’re less than a week away from this long-awaited, free update.



Courtesy of David “Point Man” Brothers

• SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta 1.10 Patch and Server update – The team released an update to keep the beta running smoothly.
• Cartography – Which map are you looking forward to the most?
• Regular and Large Size – The maps don’t just add an extra box and call it a day. Instead, stages grow outward and upward.
• Qore Audience – A beta update for our Qore subscribers!
• SOCOM Confrontation Public Beta Update – The team is still hard at work keeping things running. Catch an update here.
• Surprise! – Anyone up for a quick game of SOCOM with your SOCOM.com team? I know I am.



Courtesy of Bryan Intihar – Community Manager, Insomniac Games

I recently posted a new blog over at the Insomniac Games developer’s website. I talk about the “jazz hands” process, my experience at PAX, the Resistance private/public beta, and even dish out a few details regarding the next R2 trailer. Check it out at http://www.insomniacgames.com/news/.
]]> http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/the-psb-socomcom-insomniac-weekly-recap-3/feed/ 62 http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/socom-confrontation-deploys-for-qore-subscribers-tomorrow/ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/socom-confrontation-deploys-for-qore-subscribers-tomorrow/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:52:25 +0000 Jeff Rubenstein http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=1788 What are you playing this weekend? If you’re a Qore subscriber, I’m confident that the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation beta is in your plans. How do you get in? SOCOM.com just posted this nugget:

Greetings all Qore Episode 1 and Annual Customers,

We have some great news for you – the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation public beta is scheduled to be available tomorrow afternoon (think 5:00 PM PST) to all that purchased Episode 01 of Qore and that became Qore Annual Subscribers as of Episode 01. Please note that you will not be able to download the SOCOM: Confrontation beta through the Episode 01 Download Center – you can only gain access by using the SOCOM: Confrontation Beta Promotion Code that is being emailed to you tomorrow.
Once you receive the email containing your Promotion Code:

* Go to the PLAYSTATION Network Icon on the PLAYSTATION3 XMB (XrossMediaBar)
*Select “Account Management”
* Select “Transaction Management”
* Choose “Redeem PLAYSTATION Network Card or Promotion Code”
* Enter the code (below)
* Click “Continue”

The download will be available on the next screen

Sound good? Keep an eye on your mailboxes.

]]> http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/socom-confrontation-deploys-for-qore-subscribers-tomorrow/feed/ 462 http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/socom-us-navy-seals-confrontation-public-beta-coming-tomorrow/ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/09/socom-us-navy-seals-confrontation-public-beta-coming-tomorrow/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:27:40 +0000 Jeff Rubenstein http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=1654 As we mentioned last week, the eagerly-anticipated (understatement of the year) SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Public Beta is less than a day away. Just in case you missed this recent message on SOCOM.com, and so you don’t furiously, continuously refresh your inbox at midnight – bringing Gmail to its knees – here’s SCEA’s Seth Luisi with the rundown:

We apologize to everyone for the inconvenience of the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta delay. However, I am happy to say that everything has now been worked out and the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta will go live in North America tomorrow for anyone who has preordered at GameStop/EB GAMES. You must be registered for the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta using the instructions provided on the GameStop/EB GAMES SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta voucher to get your SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta code.

Assuming you’ve already registered, here is what to expect. At around 10am Pacific Daylight Time, e-mails containing the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta PSN codes will start going out in bursts. The e-mails will start arriving at e-mail in-boxes throughout the day. The e-mail will be sent to the PSN login e-mail address you provided when you registered for the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta. To redeem the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta PSN code, use the following steps:

* Go to the PLAYSTATION Network Icon on the PLAYSTATION 3 XMB (XrossMediaBar).
* Select “Account Management.”
* Select “Transaction Management.”
* Choose “Redeem PLAYSTATION® Network Card or Promotion Code.”
* Enter the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta code which you received in the e-mail.
* Click “Continue.”
* The download will be available on the next screen.
* Redeem and download your own SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta client first, then give the code to two other friends.

I look forward to seeing you all on-line in the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Public Beta.

For continuous updates on the SOCOM beta, and everything else in the world of SOCOM – keep your browser pointed to SOCOM.com.

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