PS3 Fanboy

Are Japanese players even interested in the very-Western SOCOM franchise? We're not entirely too sure, but this new trailer released for the Japanese market will try to attract players to the 32-player online fragfest. Thankfully, video footage of the game can be understood in any language. Chances are, though, if you're one of the many that are eagerly anticipating the game -- you're already in the beta.

We'll provide you with an exact release date as soon as the information is available.

[Via SOCOM.com]

Do you remember, way back in the mists of time (well, three months ago ...) when you were given a choice? To buy Qore or not to buy Qore. For those of you who did, today is the day that it pays off, particularly if you're a SOCOM fan. There's a chance you're already in the beta but, if not, you should be receiving and email today with download instructions for the game client. Check out the PlayStation Blog to get a sneak peek at those instructions before they drop at around 5pm PST.

The beta won't be available for download within Qore ep 1, so if you've been keeping it on your HDD for that reason you can feel free to delete it now. Only with the download code, redeemable through the Account Management menu of the XMB, will you be able to access the game. Remember, this is a beta, not a demo. We don't want to hear any whingeing about how bits and pieces are broken or buggy. Tell the appropriate people on the beta forum and they'll do their best to fix them before the full game releases.

Eurogamer will be giving out their SOCOM: Confrontation beta keys starting at 4PM UK time, which is half an hour from now. You must be in the United Kingdom, and you have to first register here with Eurogamer. Make sure you are signed in, and keep checking their page for more information. They will be given out on a first-come, first served basis. Finally, unlike the US beta keys, these UK beta keys will only work on one PS3. Good luck!

[Thanks John R.!]

Those of you on the other side of the Atlantic might have not heard much about those SOCOM: Confrontation beta keys since they were mentioned last month, but now we have a little bit of news for you guys in the UK. Apparently, Eurogamer will be have 6,000 of them to give out to UK gamers whenever the beta begins. No other information was available, but details should be announced in "the next few days."

Furthermore, late last week we learned that the US beta was delayed until September 5th. We knew that Europe was suppose to get the beta on the same day as the US, but as of now Eurogamer claims that "Sony has yet to confirm exact details for Europe," which hints at a delay. We'll keep you updated as soon as more information is released.

[Via Three Speech]

The official PS3 headset, which will be bundled with SOCOM Confrontation, really may be as high as $50 when it releases as a standalone product later this year. This would make the $60 SOCOM bundle an obvious deal, as it would give players both the headset and access to the online shooter for only $10 more than the headset alone.

The headset, which will debut on October 30th in Japan, will cost 5000 yen (~$45.93). It is supposedly of a much higher quality than the headset included with Warhawk last year.

While many (including ourselves) were excited for the launch of the public beta come September 1st, news on the official SOCOM site tells us that the public beta has been delayed (again). Thankfully, the wait isn't too long: the public beta will now be available on September 5th, with Qore purchasers getting access on September 12th. To make up for the delay, the beta will also be extended a few days, with a new end date of October 5th.

Those that want to get access into the public beta can go to GameStop to pre-order the game. With a pre-order, you'll get access for yourself, and two friends, to join this sneak peak at the online shooter.

[Thanks, frankym!]

Just like your friends across the Atlantic, European gamers will be able to enjoy the SOCOM Confrontation beta on September 1st. In fact, the beta will be global so players from Asia, America, Europe and Oceania will be able to play each other all on the same day (unlike some other beta programs). Each region will have different methods of acquiring access to the beta, so keep a sharp eye out at your local retailer for any pre-order incentives they may have.

[Thanks, raj!]

Details regarding the upcoming SOCOM: Confrontation open beta have today been revealed on the official website. If you want to get involved, there are two ways to do so. Firstly, drop $5 on a pre-order at Gamestop. This not only rewards you with an access voucher, but also allows you to invite two friends into the game as well. The Gamestop beta will begin on September 1st and run until the end of the month.

The other way of getting into the beta is to purchase the first episode of Qore. Doing so will allow you to download the beta client directly and play from September 8th until the 30th. This entire post is only relevant to Americans, though the official site does state that other territories will get acces and that this will be be announced by their representative SCE offices.

[Via PlayStation Blog; thanks David Doel & Joe]

After a minor delay, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation is heading over to store shelves and the PS Store on October 14th. The pricing scheme was also unveiled today, and it looks very similar to another PSN title, Warhawk:

• $59.99 Bundle Version -- Includes the game on Blu-ray, along with the newly designed Bluetooth headset, and some exclusive Behind the Scenes videos.
  
• $39.99 Stand Alone Version -- Includes the game on Blu-ray and nothing else.
• $39.99 via PlayStation Network -- Includes the game downloadable from the PSN and nothing else.

Amazon also has a pre-order bonus of five downloadable music tracks -- the Bundle Version is here and the Stand Alone Version is here. No information on a release date outside of the US at this time, however, Sony's goal is to have a simultaneous worldwide release. For more on the game, check out our hands-on impressions.

[Thanks, AlterEgo and David D.!]

Our impressions of SOCOM Confrontation made it clear: the game needed some extra work. The hotly anticipated PSN game looked great in the alpha build that we played, but nagging issues like a stuttering framerate and random network problems, made us think a delay was for the best. Well, looks like the SOCOM team agrees.

In a recent post on SOCOM.com, Seth Luisi notes that "Unfortunately, even working late into the nights and every weekend, we've had to re-evaluate our schedule. Our top priority is delivering the best SOCOM online experience possible. Tough decisions had to be made and we've decided to push back the release date to October 14th, 2008. We just had to face the facts and do what is best for the title. Rather than sacrifice features, quality and stability, we had to do the right thing and re-adjust our schedule.

Obviously, this means those that are eagerly awaiting the beta (in addition to the final game) will have to be a little bit more patient. In the case of SOCOM Confrontation, we're confident that the delay will be worth it.

Could it be? Is another anticipated PS3 game getting a delay? Maybe. But don't sweat this one! Gamestop customers have been notified that their upcoming pre-orders for SOCOM Confrontation may be delayed a month. Originally scheduled for a September release, it appears that the Slant Six team is getting an extra month to polish the title. The new release date? October 14th.

While this date has yet to be confirmed, we're told that the official SOCOM blog at SOCOM.com will update tomorrow with an official response. Stay tuned.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

The Blu-ray retail version of SOCOM Confrontation will include a Bluetooth headset. However, expect something much classier than the one included in the Warhawk bundle so long ago. This one is made specifically with gaming in mind -- and as such, earns the official PlayStation branding. The headset, which will also be available seperately from the game, is designed for long use and even includes a much-needed Mute button, a feature uncommon to most Bluetooth headsets. The device will also include a USB cradle, so that it can be charged via the PS3.

While neither the design and price have been completely finalized, Sony plans on pricing this quite competitively. From the looks of its quality, we believe Sony will charge more than what they did for Warhawk.

This is SOCOM. On the PS3. That's SOCOM Confrontation, put simply. It's somewhat strange to think that the team that brought us the incredibly innovative SOCOM Tactical Strike (PSP) is bringing us a game that feels so by-the-numbers. But for the hardcore SOCOM community, this is the game they've been waiting for. It's been years since the last major console SOCOM game, and Slant Six must offer a product that delivers all the thrills that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Rest assured, Confrontation delivers everything SOCOM fans have come to expect from the series, and expands upon the formula by adding massive 32-player matches and a fully-fleshed online community component.

Many criticized the game when it made its public debut last year for having dated graphics. But, Slant Six had only worked on the game for 5 months when the initial screens were shown to the public. Since then, the game has made remarkable progress, and looks rather stunning. The lighting, heat blur, and smoke effects are all beautifully rendered -- and the scope of each of the game's seven levels is massive.