PS3 Fanboy

Sony and Electronic Arts have just announced a partnership to provide the EA SPORTS Complex within PS3's PlayStation Home community. In this exclusive game space, gamers will be able to play new EA SPORTS multiplayer games, view leaderboards and interact with other fans while watching trailers and content from EA SPORTS games.

"We're proud to support the PlayStation Home Beta with a very robust offering from EA SPORTS," said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. "As part of our continued commitment to the connected experience and the digitization of our business, the EA SPORTS Complex is a rich new online environment that presents a compelling and immersive social gaming experience for the global sports audience."

EA also announced plans to introduce other EA brands to PlayStation Home in the future. This announcement, in conjunction with today's Red Bull space, shows that Home is rapidly becoming a much more engaging experience than what it was at launch.

Update: Video trailer, after the break.

EA's Skate 2 will be arriving on the PlayStation Store next week. Strange, considering the demo is available on Xbox Live this week. Maybe EA is playing console favorites again? (PSN has been home to demos of Lord of the Rings Conquest, The Simpsons Game and others earlier than on Xbox Live.) Regardless of the one week delay, PS3 fans can expect a lot to do in the demo, especially as it includes access to two online "Party Play" modes: Thrasher's Hall of Meat and Spot Battle.

No matter how you spin it, Mirror's Edge has been a flop. In an effort to boost sales, EA and DICE has announced that the Time Trial Mode in the demo that was previously exclusive to those who pre-ordered from Gamestop has been unlocked to the general public. All you have to do is head to the main menu, select "Race", then pick "Play Time Trial". When prompted, just enter any 16-digit code in order to unlock the mode.

Tme Trial Mode "challenges players to find the fastest routes throughout the city." You can even upload your best times to the scoreboards and compare it against your friends. We doubt any of this will cause a sudden spike in Mirror's Edge sales, but hey, it's free!

[Via press release]

We're thrilled to see that despite disappointing holiday sales EA is still willing to take a punt on untested, creative new IPs. That's exactly what it's doing by taking Tim Schafer's Brutal Legend under its wing, which has been announced today. The game started life with Sierra as its publisher but after the Activision-Blizzard merger it was turfed out, alongside Ghostbusters and Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena (both of which were rescued by Atari).

There were fears that, publisherless, Brutal Legend would never see the light of day. Thankfully EA has stepped up and guaranteed that we'll be stepping into Jack Black's guitar-wielding, demon slaying shoes next Autumn. We can't wait to see more of the game, though it won't be long now. Gameplay footage will be shown at Spike TV's VGAs on December 14th. Until then, refamiliarise yourself with the bizarre concept by watching the video after the break.

EA and DICE have announced details on Mirror's Edge DLC. In late January, players will be able to download nine new races for the Time Trial mode. According to the press release, these levels will have "no guns, no cops, and no city: this is true aesthetics, agility and flow that will challenge any runner." We're not entirely sure what that means, but we certainly want to find out. Update: Well, this new video certainly clears things up. Wow.

The nine new races will cost $10. However, PS3 owners get a special treat. All owners of the game can download an additional tenth race for free from the PlayStation Store. This is the PS3-exclusive DLC we've been waiting to hear about. (Who doesn't like free stuff?)

To read our review of Mirror's Edge, click here.

Remember not to spend all your money during Black Friday -- a good number of games are scheduled to release in the first part of 2009. Skate 2, EA's follow-up to 2007's innovative skateboarding game, is making a return to the PS3 on January 21st (23rd in Europe).

There are a couple of big new features in Skate 2, like the ability to get off one's board and traverse to areas previous inaccessible. Skaters can grab objects and set up new, crazy lines down their favorite routes. In addition, an online graphics creator gives you the ability to add your own custom textures to your boards. Pre-order the game to get access to the "Throwback Pack," a collection of retro accessories and clothing.

So, now that Mirror's Edge is out, what's next for Faith and friends? Well, more Mirror's Edge. DICE and EA have announced DLC for the game will be available early next year, but haven't revealed any more details. A Sony rep said that PS3 would receive some form of exclusive DLC. While added time trial levels seem most likely, perhaps DICE will add extra story chapters that fill in the gaping holes in the swiss cheese-like plot. We certainly wouldn't mind that.

Stay tuned for more details.

First, we'd like to applaud EA for creating Dead Space -- an absolutely terrific survival horror game that kept PS3 Fanboy writers compelled for days. Kudos to EA for giving PS3 owners access to Obsidian Suit DLC at launch ... for free. We like free things!

Now, the praise can stop. This upcoming batch of DLC for Dead Space is a bit excessive, don't you think? On November 13th, EA will release a whopping 12 different DLC packs. The "Astronaut Pack" and "Pedestrian Pack" simply changes Issac's appearance. However, the "Heavy Damage Pack" and "Military Pack" will offer enhanced weapons that should make going through the Dead Space adventure a bit easier. You can also buy a new weapon, the Steam Punk Force Gun -- you may need it if you're trying to go for the Dead Space Platinum Trophy (Impossible Mode can be pretty rough!).

See the entire list of DLC after the break. To be honest, while we loved Dead Space, we don't plan on going near any of this DLC.

We really wish we could tell you how awesome Mirror's Edge is. Unfortunately, there's an embargo date on the review. So, just take a look at this (the final?) trailer for EA's upcoming first person parkour game. This trailer reveals some of the later levels in the game, and shows off even more of the stunning train tunnel sequence. We won't say anymore, but if you don't scream "OMG" during this segment, you have nerves of steel.

While the system may deserve the "DelayStation" moniker that many give it, delays have had some genuinely good effects on games arriving on the challenging PS3. For example, Oblivion arrived on PS3 with extra content, and better stability. BioShock made the transition to PS3 with added content and exclusive DLC. Eternal Sonata also received additional content. The upcoming Alone in the Dark features an extra chapter and bonus PS3-exclusive features like "controls." The list goes on and on.

Red Alert 3 is now completed for Xbox 360 and PC. With these two projects out of the way, EA can now focus on a PS3 version, according to Videogamer.com. "If you're a PS3 owner and you don't own a PC and you don't have an Xbox 360 you don't have to write on your Christmas or Hanukkah list that you want to have an Xbox," David Silvermann said. "You can play Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, bide your time and you'll be very pleased. We're looking at doing some really cool things with the PS3 version. Since it is shipping later we're putting in a lot of cool content and really taking advantage of both the 1080p nature and the high-defness of Blu-Ray and also the fact that it can hold just so much more space."

It sounds like PS3 owners will get added content if they're truly taking advantage of Blu-ray. But let's hope that the devs at EA don't forget an oft-forgotten PS3 feature: the ability to plug in a mouse and keyboard.

[Thanks, Kspraydad!]

Sorry Gamestop, but publishers are increasingly turning towards digital distribution. EA experimented with Burnout Paradise, by releasing the full retail game on the PlayStation Network. Its budget price ($30) certainly attracted quite a number of fans, as it was able to earn 20,000 downloads since its release, only three weeks ago.

20k is a small figure compared to the total number of units the game has sold since its release in January (at least 1.6 million units). However, EA is able to make a greater profit off of direct-to-consumer sales. The digital release of Burnout Paradise is quite late -- we're certain it would've done even better were it to have launched simultaneously with the retail release.

Still, digital distribution has many hurdles to overcome. For many, digital distribution isn't a viable means of acquiring games, due to slow connection speeds or bandwidth caps. For others, the lack of packaging far outweighs any other potential benefits, like launching from the hard drive and lessened load times. As the industry progresses, it's clear that publishers will continue experimenting with digital distribution.

The Criterion Games guys are still working hard on Burnout Paradise. In fact, they'll be working on their critically acclaimed racer well into 2009. Their constant updates in BP have added a slew of new features, like new races, challenges and even vehicles. The amount of content they've released for free post-release has been absolutely astounding.

The free ride may be ending soon, though. The first pack of 2009 for BP will be called Burnout Paradise Party, and it will feature 8-player pass-the-controller multiplayer. Players will compete in a party-themed challenge. Interestingly, not only will Party add more gameplay, it will also revamp the visuals. "We've overhauled not just the presentation screens but also the in-game visuals, which are now brighter and more colourful in recognition of Burnout's new party theme."

No word on price yet, but Party will be available as DLC next year. It will also be included in a new retail disc called Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box, which will include all the free packs released so far and the Party pack.

The Mirror's Edge team is taking the PS3 seriously. The demo will available on PSN today (XBL tomorrow for Gold users). In order to promote the release of the playable demo, EA has released a new trailer -- and it's all about the PS3. Many of the quotes come from various PlayStation magazines around the world, praising the game's innovative controls and concept. Once the Store update goes live, let us know what you think about the game.