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So LittleBigPlanet is complete. You know this from our interview at Leipzig. We've been covering the game pretty closely since its reveal at GDC 2007, so we wanted something a little special for our PAX 2008 coverage. What could be more special than building the Joystiq logo and stickering the thing to death, before riding off in a fully-functional tank? We've sped it up and added some music you might be familiar with, to give you a bite sized, level building experience. Hopefully, for the LittleBigObsessed, we'll have the full 15 minute video available for you to check out soon.

If you want to chat with the PS3 Fanboys, and punch the X3F guys in the face* -- don't forget that our meet-up is tonight in Santa Monica! We're going to have tons of swag to give away, and if you haven't heard, we're going to have some top-notch video game celebs stop by as well. There's also a huge surprise in store for people who enjoy having fun.

Here's the info:

When: 6pm - 10pm PT on Thursday, July 17th
Where: Mahalo HQ, 902 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica 90401 (map)
The Who: We wish.
RSVP: Facebook

[Image Source]

*Please do not punch in face.

Many people assumed that the PS3 was software emulating PS2 games, ever since the release of the 80GB model. That system removed the Emotion Engine from the hardware, and required Sony to implement a backwards compatibility solution that involved emulation. Many, including Joystiq, wondered why the new 40GB model couldn't do the same.

SCEE's Nick Sharples sent a technical explanation as to why the new 40GB model loses support for PS2 games. "Backwards compatibility for PS2 titles is largely made possible through the use of actual semiconductors, supported by the PS3 system software. The 20GB and 60GB PS3 models launched in Japan and the USA were equipped with both the PS2 Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesiser chips and we could therefore guarantee over 90% backwards compatibility for PS2 titles.

"The 60GB model launched in Europe was a new model (shared with the 80GB model launched subsequently in USA) which contains only a modified version of the Graphics Synthesiser chip from the PS2 and not the Emotion Engine chip. The European launch model therefore used a combination of software and the modified version of the PS2 Graphics Synthesiser chip to deliver backwards compatibility for PS2 titles. As a result the percentage of backwards compatible PS2 titles was slightly reduced.

"The 40GB model, to be launched in Europe on 10th October, is a new model and is not equipped with any of the semi conductors from the PS2, and backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone." Because each game would have to be individually emulated (much like on the Xbox 360), Sony decided that an effort like that would be much too costly, and opted to remove BC support from the 40GB system entirely. That decision has not only produced a cheaper system for Sony to manufacture, but for consumers to buy as well.

Rhianna Pratchett is the esteemed writer of Sony's upcoming PS3 action game, Heavenly Sword. In a revealing interview with Joystiq, she reveals her inspirations and the responsibilities of a game writer (you know you want to be one).

One of the more interesting aspects of Heavenly Sword's dialog system comes from its "Chatterbox" system. As she explains: "the Chatterbox system that the Ninja Theory guys have talked about way back when they did the cover of Heavenly Sword in Edge. You've got the soldiers talking away to each other during fights, mocking Nariko, mocking each other, reacting to the player's moves etc. The enemy will have a noticeable change depending on how many of them there are in the fight. If there are lots then they'll be more upbeat and bolshy. If there's just a few they'll be much more panicked or cowardly."

Read Joystiq's full interview to find out more about Heavenly Sword and game writing.

You asked for it, and we're delivering. Here's the zeroth episode of the PlayStation Fancast. Why is it Episode 0? Well, we're still learning how to produce a podcast effectively. We plan on having a full-blown "professional-sounding" podcast with intro music, stronger audio quality, and flaming monkeys in the future. However, with so much to talk about from Gamers Day, we had to share something with you right now.

Episode 0 features PS Fanboy's Andrew Yoon and Joystiq's Kevin Kelly talking about highlights from SGD. Listen to how Sony's upcoming lineup of heavy-hitters has convinced Kevin to purchase both a PS3 and PSP.

Complete Show
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
[RSS MP3] Add the PlayStation Fancast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Use m.pspfanboy.com to add the show to your PSP system's RSS feeds.

PS3-only
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

We'd really appreciate your comments, so tell us how we did. Yeah, the audio was a little messed up, and the encoding is a little wonky -- but we want to get better for you! Stay tuned for more details on the official launch of the PlayStation Fancast, and thanks for reading/listening.

We've all heard the news by now. If not, here: Sony isn't shipping high-end PS3's with the HDMI cables. Now, reminiscing back to the days worked in Office Max, we always warned customers buying a printer that they did not come with a USB cable. This is relevant because the ever-intelligent GameStop employee's need to know to enlighten buyers to this issue (if they care about the upgrade from 1080i to 1080p). As this intrepid blogger realized as he purchased a used copy of Grandia III from his local game store, the employee's neglected to put the actual game discs in the case. A major annoyance and a word of warning to shoppers: don't forget the HDMI cable (if you care).

Now then -- does this lack of inclusion matter? No. An HDMI cable is indeed an accessory, increasing the ability of the PS3. While some may argue that it should be included because they're already throwing down $600, you must remember that few games will operate at 1080p right at launch. Krazy Kaz Hirai even said, "to my eyes anyway, there's not a discernible difference between what you get between HDMI and other forms of high definition." That's cool. Besides, HDMI support isn't exactly a necessity to everyday gamers (hardcore or not), more of a plus. A fantastic article over at Joystiq talks further about this subject and should be thoroughly studied and reported on back here! We really have to get the people's opinion on the matter, but PS3fanboy says: HDMI cable exclusion isn't that big of a deal.

Phil Harrison, big boss of Sony Computer Entertainment, sat down for a short session with Joystiq's Conrad Quilty-Harper and cleared up a couple of the more embarassing quotes from other members of Sony. About Sony's arrogance, he said: "There's always going to be a risk when you are market leader for ten years that we start to lose perspective; and we have to make sure that we don't lose perspective." He then reassures Conrad Sony is not being arrogant, but are always in the spotlight and any quotes will be dissected into whatever spin is being sought.

About the statement "Microsoft is copying Sony"? Phil claims the quote was taken out of context, which is kind of hard to do when it was practically verbatim. Even so, as being the leader in the industry for about ten years, not only is it easier to get more hate than praise (if you think bashing President Bush is bad now, imagine how it would spiral out of control in four more years!), but it's also easier for the leader to get an inflated ego. As such, less people may support the PS3, but saying Sony's arrogant? Taken out of context, indeed. Really, this interview with Phil Harrison did not seem to clear much up at all except the people at Sony really believe in what they say. But should we?

[via Joystiq]

"Free" offers on the internet often come with annoying trials and lengthy cancellation procedures, but this one here's legit -- it's actually running from the subscription web site of the publisher of EGM, Ziff Davis Media.

You may have seen this offer for 12 free issues of Electronic Gaming Monthly on Joystiq or other game sites out there. Basically, what's happening is the Ziff Davis Game Group is running a subscription drive for the mag, sponsored by the World Cyber Games. Free subs are only on offer through today, however, so get a move on if you want a piece of the printed action.

Of course, EGM may be no OPM, but it's helpful for even the healthiest fanboy to get a balanced diet of multiplatform news and information on a regular basis. Also, please note that you're under no obligation to sign up for the World Cyber Games page which follows the EGM subscription one, so you can absolutely get your free mag without registering with the WCG.

[Via Joystiq]

Have you been a long-time poster at Joystiq or one of its awesome network-affiliated sites, only to see others have stars placed next to their name (or negatives) and wonder what exactly dictates that rewarding or stripping of star(s)?  Well, Joystiq's Vlad Cole has broken down the star system to show you exactly how it works. These guidelines apply to all the Joystiq network sites:

• Value: Does the comment enhance the topic at hand and add new perspective to the discussion? Is it a good question or interesting insight?
  
• Impartiality: This is hard, especially for Fanboy sites such as this, but as much as we loudly proclaim this system to be the superior, it detracts from the discussion at hand. It's OK to be touched with Fanboyitis, however try to curb it as best as you can as to not damage the topic at hand whilst commenting.
  
• Civility: This is just common sense. We all have opinions and want to share them, however as human beings we have the ability to exercise civility, even during the most heated debate.
• Other: Humor, wit, and bribes of cold, fresh chocolate milk. We like chocolate milk.

As such, these are the guidelines followed when hiring Bloggers for the network (you have no idea how much chocolate milk it took for me to get the job), so keep that in mind should you one day wish to kill me and take my place. Vlad is answering as many questions as he can over at Joystiq, but if you post any questions here, we'll try the best we can to answer.

Whether you're here because you saw the related post on Joystiq Central or because a link was flashed elsewhere online, we wish to warmly welcome you to PS3 Fanboy, the site that loves Sony's next console with all its heart (even if it ends up with that batarang prototype as a controller).

For a few more details on the wild 'n' crazy guys responsible for bringing this site to you, check out our unofficial welcome post with its shameless bios and boastful claims.

We couldn't be happier to join the Joystiq family of fanboy blogs (especially our dearest brother Gizmondo Fanboy), and we certainly hope you enjoy your stay here. Just six weeks till the E3 overload... are you all ready yet?