Reader Jeff S. took this picture of $50 North American PSN cards and sent it over to us. He found the elusive prepaid cards on sale at a gas station in Fort Gordon near Augusta, GA. Now, one would think that these things should be found in a more suitable place -- say a Sony store or even a gaming shop. A gas station seems like an odd choice, but then perhaps a strange location like this suggests that Sony is testing the whole process of selling and distributing these cards.
While that last bit is just a guess, there is one thing we know for certain. A sighting like this coupled with a confirmed Spring release pretty much points out that these cards will be out in more direct ways possibly sooner than we think.
Sony may have already proved that they're listening to what we want with the redesign of the PSN Store, but there are plenty of other features people are clamoring for from the service. Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of the PlayStation Network, has written a post on the PS.Blog letting everyone know that they are listening and that features are coming. Specifically, he confirms that in-game XMB is coming this year, along with a video download service (for North America) and "other community-related services."
There's lots of exciting stuff to come this year then, not to mention Home which will (literally) add a whole new dimension to the PlayStation Network. Dille promises that more information on the video download service will be coming "very soon" and states that we should "stay tuned" for "more announcements on the expanding community functions within PLAYSTATION Network in the near future." Trust us, Peter (can we call you Peter?). We've been "tuned" for over a year now. Let's here more about those features ASAP, please.
Lastly, the PlayStation Network cards are finally getting released in the US. They're shipping out to retailers this Spring and will allow you to add either $20 or $50 to your PSN wallet. Handy for those of you who don't have a credit card.
Don't have a credit card? Want to purchase things on the PLAYSTATION Store? No worries. Now you have the PLAYSTATION Network card. The kind folks at SCEA sent us an early Christmas gift -- a card that's redeemable for PS3 and PSP purchases on the PLAYSTATION Store. No further details have been officially released, but rest assured that these cards will be readily available in retail stores in the future.
When the Go! Sports Ski trailer appeared on the PlayStation Store, we can't say we were too impressed. Sports games are a dime a dozen, and it appears that Go! Sports Ski will have unique Sixaxis motion-controls. In fact, that's the only way it'll be controlled.
This downloadable title will be available on the Store later this year, and will feature global rankings and online play for up to four players. Stay tuned for more details.
There's a great simplicity to be admired in PixelJunk Racers, an upcoming downloadable title for the PlayStation Network. The game offers traditional top-down 2D racing with a variety of gameplay modes. We could see at least two dozen modes to choose from, each with their own goals to achieve.
For example, in one mode, players raced around the circular track. We had to navigate around cars that were scattered around the track in order to gain momentum. With enough speed, the car would turn into a fireball, destroying any cars that had the mishap to be in our way. The goal of the game is to destroy as many cars as possible within the time limit.
Another mode took the same concept, but reversed the roles involved. Instead of turning into a fireball, the computer-controlled NPC cars on the track were able to turn into deadly missiles. While the previous mode was all about destruction, this was about survival. We had a great time trying to navigate around cars that were in our way, as flaming fireballs tracked us down, trying to destroy us. Each player must try to survive as long as possible -- a feat that becomes quite difficult at the speeds the game ran at.
PixelJunk Racers looks to be yet another great addition to the PlayStation Network. What it lacks in depth and presentation it makes up for through sheer fun. The simplistic nature of the game may not appeal to the hardcore, but so long as PixelJunk Racers is priced right, it might be worth a look.
Whoops! Those crazy elephants -- what will they do next? Elefunk is yet another new game for the PlayStation Network that features elephants doing crazy things. We don't know much else about the game right now, but can anyone seriously question the entertainment value of elephants collapsing off of bridges?
There's one thing we can confidently say about the upcoming PS3 Network title, High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: it's a good deal. While other poker games have retailed for full price, this download-only title will be available for only $10 in the new few weeks, and it comes loaded with features.
In addition to the now-requisite 1080p graphics, High Stakes has a few unique features. There's a fast-forward mode, which allows you to cut past any unnecessary action of AI opponents. The "Turbo Fold" function lets you fold without having to wait for computer AI to play their cards. Most excitingly, we saw the EyeToy in action, which allowed you to capture your image while playing the game. Video appears on the screen, showing your opponents' faces as they play their hand. It was surprisingly easy to set up, and will work with most USB video cameras, not just the EyeToy.
High Stakes isn't the most exciting game to come out on the PSN. However, it shows Sony's continued dedication to providing a variety of gameplay options for an affordable price.
Everyday Shooter made a big impression at GDC earlier this year. Winner of the Game Design Innovation award from the Game Developer's Choice Awards, Everyday Shooter took a unique approach to the dual-sticked shooter genre. N'Gai from Newsweek reports that the indie title will appear on the PlayStation Network in 1080p, at 60fps. "It didn't take us long to realize that we were playing something special. After five minutes, we were hooked; after an hour, we had to tear ourselves away to meet up with some fellow journalists for drinks."
The game focuses on creating chain explosions. Each enemy explodes in a unique note or riff, based on a musical theme. The experience is seemingly nothing less than a cacophony of chaos. The synesthetic approach will certainly appeal to fans of Mizuguchi titles, such as Rez and Lumines. Although the game takes a more musical approach, we're wondering if games like Super Stardust HD haven't already satiated the average gamer's appetite for an everyday shooter.
Sony's Network Ticket allows gamers without credit cards to make purchases off the PlayStation Store. Sony's lively collection of tickets will be available to purchase next week, June 6th. Japanese gamers must visit kiosks at a participating convenience stores and ATM machines.
So far, there are no plans on releasing the Ticket outside of Japan. However, depending on the popularity of these prepaid cards in Japan, that might change.
Jack Tretton is a man of big promises. Although his claims may be boisterous at times, we can't help but join in his excitement for the future of PS3. Sure, we've heard the song and dance before: PS3 is a system of potential. As the system continues to grow, it will offer and more and more. For example, the PLAYSTATION Network is going to expand. In a recent interview with GamePro, Tretton reveals that the system will become so expansive, "almost to the point of being overwhelming."
The Network will not only feature downloadable on-demand movies, but it will also have a vast supply of games as well. "We have 41 games in development devoted to the Network, not just talking about PSone games being enabled. We're talking about games developed specifically for the PS3."
So when is it going to happen? "So, really it will happen this fall ... we'll get there well before the holiday timeframe. Every month you'll just see more and more content on there it'll get to the point where it's be really rich by September. And I think that will be timed really nicely with the advent of Home as well."
Sony revolutionizes the games industry yet again by introducing a sports game that detects your motion through the controller! Instead of pressing buttons, one can hold the controller and move it as if it were a real bowling ball. We love the idea!
But in all honesty, we think that the SIXAXIS may not be as well-suited for this type of gameplay as other consoles. Joystiq's Kevin Kelly tried the game, and as we suspected, didn't have the easiest time with the game: "You literally flip the controller on its side, hold it with your thumb between the analog sticks, and then sweep your arm gracefully along an arc while holding and releasing one of the buttons to send your ball down the alley. Sound simple? Well, it is and it isn't. Holding the SIXAXIS like that feels really, really weird. It's like we're wired or programmed to hold that controller with both hands, and doing something like that makes our gamer genes cry out in pain. Although, in all honesty, once we got the hang of it, it wasn't all that bad."
So while not truly revolutionary, High Velocity Bowling should offer some motion-sensing fun for the Wii-less. Because it's coming through the PLAYSTATION Network, this experiment in copycat design should, at the very least, be affordable.
Sony Online Entertainment has just revealed a new downloadable title for the PLAYSTATION Network. The much too awkwardly titled High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition will be released this summer on the Network for $9.99. A variety of play modes will be available, including Texas Hold'em, Super Hold'em, Billabong, Tahoe and Shanghai. Each style can be played as limit, pot limit or no limit poker.
The greatest draw for the title will be its online multiplayer, with up to six people playing at once. Players will be able to play quick matches, or choose to play through an entire season. There will be online leader boards, in-depth statistics, and customizable characters. Over time, players will be able to collect points and unlock new items for their characters.
One of the unique features of the game has to be its integration with cameras. Users will be able to connect a camera to the PS3 to enhance the game play experience. "Being among the first PLAYSTATION Network publishers to release a game that takes advantage of the EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2) and other PC compatible USB cameras is not only exciting, but also puts the player into a realistic game play setting featuring live audio and video feed," said Michael Lustenberger, VP of Marketing for Sony Online Entertainment. Screenshots can be found, after the break.
Sony Online Entertainment sure loves the PLAYSTATION Network. With 300,000 downloads under their belt, of course they'd be happy. In addition to revealing High Stakes today, SOE has released some new screenshots of two of their upcoming Network titles. Two classic titles, Championship Spirit and Rampage World Tour, will run in glorious HD ... but does that really matter? As these new screens reveal, the titles look decidedly retro.
Do we need these games to be released on PSN? Or, would you rather have the PS3's incredible power harnessed for something a bit more visually arresting?
Oh yeah! This brings back the old-school memories. Button mashing never got any better than Mortal Kombat II, and now you can experience it all over again on your PS3 this week. From the press release:
"Get ready to re-live all of the classic arcade action that made Mortal Kombat II a beloved classic. Brought back and available for download exclusively on the PS3, re-experience the classic head-to-head fighting game featuring classic characters such as Sub-Zero or Goro. Players will fight their way through the Outworld and defeat Shang Tsung or battle hidden characters including Jade and Smoke!"
Ten new levels, online multiplayer and smack-talk inducing leaderboards will likely make this the best $5 you've spent in a long, long time. Get ready to download it on the PLAYSTATION Store this Thursday. And try not to break your SIXAXIS ... that thing is not made for prolonged thumb attacks.
At the Sony blogger's event, Warhawk's Dylan Jobe admitted that the PlayStation Network game doesn't deserve "to be a full priced game." Unfortunately, he admits, it's not his job to set the pricing. The team wanted to make a good product, but there were a few employees frustrated that the game was becoming a Network-only game. There's a stigma, he noted, and one disgruntled employee left the team due to the misconception that downloadable games are somehow lesser experiences.
"Crap product will sell like crap, whether or not it's on a shelf or not," Dylan admitted. He thinks that the future of Sony's Network offerings is exciting, especially because it "transcends arcade rehashes." These are "high quality titles" that will allow the company to "earn the player's trust back."
Going forward, Sony admits that they're trying to get a "downloadable demo for every title." There is no Warhawk demo in the works now, but the possibility of offering a public beta for trial purpose is still being discussed.
Jack Tretton is a man of big promises. Although his claims may be boisterous at times, we can't help but join in his excitement for the future of PS3. Sure, we've heard the song and dance before: PS3 is a system of potential. As the system continues to grow, it will offer and more and more. For example, the PLAYSTATION Network is going to expand. In a recent interview with GamePro, Tretton reveals that the system will become so expansive, "almost to the point of being overwhelming."
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