Archive for the ‘Gaming’ Category:
Sony Introduces The PlayStation Move
Sony introduced yesterday at the Game Developers Conference [GDC] 2010 a new motion-based controller for the PS3 called “PlayStation Move.” The new controller is similar in various aspects to the Wii Remote. For instance, The PS Move will have a companion “subcontroller” with an analog stick very much like the Nintendo Wii Nunchuk. However, the PlayStation Move works in conjunction with Sony’s PlayStation Eye camera, which tracks all the movements of the new controller. Sony calls the PlayStation Move the “next generation of motion gaming.”
As far as pricing and availability go, the PlayStation Move is said to become available right around the holidays for just “under $100.” According to Sony, gamers will be able to purchase the PlayStation Move in the following ways:
- Camera + controller (including a “starter disc” with a range of demos for games releasing later in the year)
- A single controller for people who already have a PlayStation Eye camera More »
Tags: controller, motion, Nunchuk, playstation 3, PlayStation Eye, PlayStation Move, ps3, sony, Wii Remote
Microsoft Changes Xbox Live Policies to Allow Sexual Orientation Expression
Microsoft has changed the Xbox Live Terms of Use and Code of Conduct to allow the use of words that suggest one’s sexual orientation in profiles or Gamertags. Previously, Microsoft did not allow users to express their sexual orientation through their profiles or tags. Users who violated the rule were either censored, suspended, or in some extreme cases, even banned completely from the service.
Microsoft stated that their former Terms of Use were put into effect to protect users against discrimination or harassment, though the previous rules were so extremely radical that even names like “Gaylord” or “Gaywood” were prohibited. Fortunately for Xbox Live users of all sexual backgrounds, Microsoft has righted their wrong. More »
Tags: Code of Conduct, gamertags, LGBT, microsoft, orientation, policies, profile, rules, terms of use, xbox live
PlayStation 2 Turns Ten Years Old Today
Ten years ago today on March 5th, 2000, Sony released the first version of the PlayStation 2 in Japan, which means the game-console is essentially turning 10 years old today. The PS2 was later released in North America on October 26, 2000. With more than 140 million units sold as of September 2009, the PlayStation 2 has become the best-selling video game-console of all time and sales are surprsingly still going strong. Believe it or not, several new games are scheduled to be released for the platform this year.
It’s definitely a great milestone for such a revolutionary and innovative game-console that really changed the way we played video games. Happy 10th birthday to the PlayStation 2!
Tell us anything you remember about your PlayStation 2, from crazy stories to fondest memories. We are also curious to know if any of you still own a PS2. I know I still do.
PlayStation 3 Issues Have Been Fixed
Great news, everyone! It appears like the bug plaguing the original [fat] version of the PlayStation 3 has been fixed. The information comes from the folks at Joystiq who tested a few units after receiving tips from readers. Even better is the fact that lost trophies and game data appeared to have been restored and re-synced to PlayStation Network accounts. All games on and offline are also playable now. So far there are no reports of lost data, though that is something that could change as time goes by.
Sony was very fast to respond to the issue, and managed to resolve the problem before its 24-hour deadline. The company has yet to make an official public statement announcing that the issues has been fixed. Either way, kudos to Sony!
Check out a few Q&As by Joystiq that provide more information regarding the issue after the break. More »
Don’t Use Your PlayStation 3, Sony Warns Users
In what could be called an epic failure, Sony’s PlayStation Network [PSN] has gone done for many PlayStation 3 owners — especially “fat” PS3 owners, as we reported late last night.
After investigating, Sony has determined the root cause of the issue to be the system’s console clock. Sony has actually warned users of the “fat” console (PS3 Slim owners should be fine) to refrain from playing until a patch has been released. That patch could come in the next 24 hours according to Sony in a statement:
“We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies and not being able to restore certain data.” More »
PlayStation Network [PSN] Goes Down
Earlier this evening, it was reported that the PlayStation Network [PSN] was down for users across Europe, North America, Australia, and other regions around the world. Users have been reporting 8001050F error codes, corrupted trophy info and user data, crashes, and even the inability to play certain games. Original PlayStation 3 owners have also reported the loss of data and clock resets to December 31, 1999.
Sony has acknowledged via Twitter that they are “aware of the problem” and that they are “looking into it.” We still don’t have any information as to what the cause of the issue is, but we’ll definitely keep our eyes and ears open for any new developments. In the meantime, let us know if you are experiencing any problems connecting to the PlayStation Network.
More as we learn more.
[ via Engadget ]
Tags: Australia, connectivity, down, Europe, issues, network, north america, outage, playstation, PSN, worldwide
Nintendo DSi XL Coming to North American on March 28th
Nintendo announced on Wednesday at a press conference in San Francisco, California that the new Nintendo DSi XL will be making its way to stores across North America on March 28th. The 4.2-inch LCD dual-screen Nintendo DSi XL — also known and marketed in Japan as the DSi LL — is a 93% more beefed up version than the original Nintendo DS Lite. It is set to retail in Burgundy and Bronze versions for US$190, and it will come preloaded with two DSiWare Brain Age games, Photo Clock, Flipnote Studio, and the DSi Browser. The DSi XL is set to be released in Europe on March 5th.
Check out the promo video and the full press release after the break. More »
New Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Models Make Their Way Through The FCC
Two new models of the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim have apparently made their way through the FCC under the codenames CECH-2101A and CECH-2101B. The listings have been filed by “Sand Dollar Enterprise, Inc,” which is a codename that Sony has previously used when filing new PlayStation 3 Slim hardware with the FCC.
According to the new FCC document [PDF], the only difference between the CECH-2101A and CECH-2101B models is the size of the hard drives inside. It’s currently unknown what else is completely new inside these new models, or why Sony is even passing these models through the FCC. It is believed that maybe the company found a new manufacturer for some of the internal components and had to get them approved by the FCC again, others believe it might be a completely new PS3 with revamped hardware that might hit the market in the near future.
One more image after the break. More »
“Nintendo working on new hardware,” so says Mario Creator, Shigeru Miyamoto.
With the Xbox Live and PS3, console gamers are routinely spoiled with immersive online game play and breathtaking, realistic graphics. On the Wii gaming front, the graphics are less than stellar and online support is pretty minimal. Though some would argue that isn’t the main focus of Nintendo or the Wii to begin with. Ok, I’ll give you that one…