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If you have a European PSN account, or you actually went to Leipzig, you may have seen these promotional trailers released by Sony promoting their upcoming line-up of games. We have three videos for you to see: one for PlayStation in general (above), one for the PSN, and one for Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming MMO games for the PS3. Enjoy!

The PS2 is unquestionably one of the greatest successes of videogaming history. However, it appears that the high manufacturing costs of Sony's latest effort has negated all the profit they made from the PS2 hardware -- at least according to developer Dave Perry, with information obtained from research firm DFC Intelligence (via 1UP). It's estimated that the console, which cost Sony up to $260 of losses per system sold, has left Sony with a total loss of $3 billion in the PS3's life so far.

While these figures seem rather bleak, one has to note the careful language used in the report is specifically about hardware, not software. Ultimately, Sony's goal is to profit off of its first-party offerings, and the licensing fees imposed upon third party developers.

[Via Joystiq]

The beginning of the PS3 life cycle was not good for the company coffers. The launch period resulted in significant losses for Sony. Q1 2008 for PlayStation resulted in a ¥29.2 billion loss (US$276 million). Look how quickly things have turned around, though. The first quarter of Sony's new fiscal year (April-June) has shown the games division posting a profit, albeit a small one. The games division was responsible for ¥5.4 billion in operating income (or US$51 million).

What's responsible for the startling change in profitability? Strong sales of the PS3 and PSP, of course. PS3 sold 1.56 million units this quarter, more than double that of Q1 2008. More importantly, 22.8 million units of PS3 software were sold during this time, an increase of 385% from the same period last year. PSP sold 3.72 million units that quarter as well.

This news will undoubtedly come as good news for investors. However, with so much money still lost on the PS3, Sony will need a few more quarters of strong earnings to recoup the costs of launching the PS3 into our homes.

[Image source]

We're here. Hope you join us. The entire E3 press conference will be liveblogged, after the break. Stay tuned!

Important Updates:

• Greatest Hits titles will be available at $29.99 retail later this year. Games include Resistance, Motorstorm, Warhawk, Call of Duty 3, Fight Night and Need for Speed Carbon, Rainbow Six Vegas, Assassins Creed, Oblivion, Ninja Gaiden.
• Universal access to PSN, via PC later this fall. Access Friends lists and more on your computer, even when you're not on the PS3.
• Ratchet & Clank Quest For Booty coming to PSN this Summer. A new concept: shorter game at a lower price. A big summer blockbuster film: it's everything you expect from a Ratchet game, and it's a continuation of the franchise. It leaves off where Tools of Destruction leaves off.
• New PSN games includes Rag Doll Kung Fu sequel.
• Movie and TV downloads. Major studio supports from Sony, Fox, MGM, Lions Gate, Warner, Disney, Paramount, Turner, Funimation will offer support for PlayStation video. Will offer SD and HD content. TV shows start at $1.99 per episode, movie rentals start at $5.99 per rental. Not only can you play the content on the PS3, you can play it on PSP. It can be placed on multiple devices at the same time.
• Ratchet & Clank Size Matters Entertainment Pack includes Size Matters, Nation Treasure 2, 1GB Memory Stick, echochrome for $199 later this year.
• PSP Resistance Retribution announced. Third person action game. The Resistance is now in your hands. Uses over-the-should view. From Sony Bend, developers of the Syphon Filter PSP games.
• PSP Software highlight reel includes Loco Roco 2, Super Stardust Portable. Valkyria Chronicles on PSP!
• Life with PlayStation also on display. Will be available at the end of the month.
• First look at DC Universe Online for PS3. Experience the DC Universe as never before. Fight against or alongside favorite DC heroes and villians, like Batman, Superman, The Joker. Build your legacy against superpowered enemies.
• 80GB Core Pack at $399.99. Twice the storage capacity at the same price. New SKU, most likely will not feature PS2 backwards compatibility.
• God of War III coming to PS3! Trailer showcased.
• inFamous coming Spring 2008.
• Andy Beaudoin from Zipper's new game. (Zipper worked on SOCOM on PS2.) MAG will support up to 256 players.

The official US websites for SingStar Pop and God of War have been hacked, according to IT company Sophos. When visitors clicked onto the PlayStation site, they may have been greeted by a pop-up ad that claims viruses have been found on their computer. The scare tactic tries to trick people into buying anti-spyware software, and requires a visitor's credit card number.

According to Sophos, the hack was implemented through a "SQL injection attack" and according to the company, "the website is still infected." However, personal visits to the PlayStation sites on our browser (Firefox 3) have not turned up anything suspicious.

[Via Next-Gen]

It's not surprising to see Sony top the list of a "most innovative brand" survey. With creations such as the Walkman, CDs, and Blu-ray, there hasn't been any other company that has left such a footprint in our media-driven pop culture. Consumers haven't forgotten these achievements, as a recent survey revealed that Sony was perceived the most innovative brand beating out the likes of Apple, Microsoft, and Nintendo.

The survey was conducted by branding consultancy Incite. 500 people between the ages of 18 and 65 took part in the British led poll. There were a lot of other big names on the list. Do you want to know what other companies Sony beat out? Check out the top 20 list after the break.

[Via CVG]

Perhaps our previous feature on the ten worst PlayStation ads has left you with sleepless nights? We apologize for any bodily harm or psychological damage we may have caused you. You just need to remember that the history of PlayStation ads and campaigns is rich and rife with content. Sometimes these ads can be undeniable hits ... and sometimes they can be wayward misses. You just have to learn to take the good with the bad.

Like we promised, we're now presenting our top ten best PlayStation brand ads to balance out our previous feature. Are these good ones as memorable as the awful ones? Or are they not shocking enough to deserve your attention? You'll find out soon, won't you?

Over the past few years, Sony's controversial attempts at viral marketing for the PlayStation brand were not well-received by the general public. The company had been criticized on numerous occasions for various failed ad campaigns. Campaigns which didn't just fail to hit their target markets, but more importantly had an adverse effect leaving many people angry, rebellious, or just plain dumbfounded. A good example of one of these wrongfully done ads is the recent image of a naked man and his literal eleventh finger promoting the PlayStation 3. Just take a look at the universal heat this drew in.

This recent controversy rekindled the memory of all the horrible ads that have appeared in promotion for both the PS3 and the PlayStation Portable. But, it hasn't always been this bad. The general consensus on PlayStation One and PlayStation 2 ads were favorable; however, as 2006 rolled in with the PSP already under fire and the PS3 on the way, a new direction was emerging for the corporate giant. Was there such a need to be edgy Sony? You were doing so well.

We had thought the era of Sony's marketing fumbles had ended, but apparently it hasn't. So in honor of the embarrassing and often painful ad campaigns over the past few years, we present this look into the top ten worst PlayStation brand ads ever. We're sure Sony won't be too happy about us digging up old skeletons, but this is history and an interesting one at that. It's also one that's hard to forget. And besides, early next month we'll have a top ten best PlayStation ads list just so we're not being lopsided here. So get clicking, and see what NSFW atrocities we've compiled.

Ken Kutargi has long been named the "father of PlayStation," and that name has earned him a growing number of accolades. Most recently, he's been added to the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame. He'll join other notable inductees, such as the team that developed the first mobile phone and the "father of DVD." Not a bad list of people to join.

With over 200 million PlayStation-branded systems sold worldwide so far, it's clear that the lives of many people have been enhanced by Kutaragi's vision. Congrats to a well-deserved nod to his contribution to the world of consumer electronics.

Sony's PlayStation party at GDC08 was one of the most exclusive parties to get into. Just ask MTV's Stephen Totilo, the GameTrailers crew, and the entire team at Insomniac Games. (None of these people were invited, supposedly.)
As we described earlier, "There are hula-hoop girls with really short shorts; there's a breakdancing crew getting boogaloo on the dance floor; there's a DJ mashing up 70's throwbacks; there's a barber shop upstairs (no, seriously, they're actually cutting hair)." If you didn't believe us, try watching this video: it'll be like you're there! Enjoy this, uh, VIP access to the show.

Download an HD version (for your PS3) from my Vimeo page.

We're currently enjoying the tunes of Q-Tip and Guru in what's been called the most exclusive party of GDC. Sony's "PlayStation Block Party" has a seemingly limitless budget, with food, booze, and girls everywhere. "Let the good times roll," indeed. But we have a question: where are the games?

Enjoy our gallery to make yourself feel like you're there. We'll try to have video for you in the coming hours.

In their latest poll, our good buddies over at EngadgetHD beg the question: What Blu-ray player will you be picking up? With the death of HD DVD ending the format wars, there is only one choice left for high-def needs: Blu-ray. New buyers and HD DVD refugees alike need to make a choice; so what Blu-ray player did they choose? Why, the PS3 of course!

Even though polling is still going on, the PS3 is the clear winner at 56.6% of the total votes. The next closest Blu-ray player is the Panasonic DMP-BD50 at 8.3%; we suspect it's not likely that the DMP-BD50 will catch up to the PS3's massive 48% lead. What does this mean for the PS3? It means that sales can only go up from here.

[Thanks Aaron!]

If you've thought that hiring hitmen to "off" someone was a device you'd only see in the movies, you've thought wrong. Many people have hired so-called mercenaries to take out someone who has wronged them in the past, but today, something is different. That something is video game deprivation. Due to slipping grades, a boy named Cory Ryder was banned from TV and his sexy PlayStation. In retaliation, he plotted to murder his parents.

Due to some threats he made to his parents, they decided to organize a sting operation where a police officer would play the role of a hitman. Naturally, Cory found his way to that very hitman and offered his dad's truck as payment, allegedly saying "two bullets is all it takes". He was subsequently arrested. Now, we love PlayStation too, but if we're failing school and our parents take it away, you'd think to try harder at studying first, kill parents as a completely off-the-wall nonsensical suggestion second. What would you guys do if your PlayStation was somehow confiscated? What lengths would you go to get it back? Hiring ninjas, for example? Or pirates?

[via Digg]

Another feather in the cap for the PlayStation brand, replacing those weird ugly marks that marred the hat in the eyes of the public for a little while. Two aspects of the PlayStation customer service system, the call center and outsourcing technology, have recently been given the thumbs up in the form of two awards, given by the National Outsourcing Association.

While Sony doesn't get the awards, the service who takes care of the customer care end, Sitel, claimed the awards for Best Private Sector Call Centre and Utilities and High-Tech Outsourcing Project of the Year. Like we said, not directly Sony, but it's a plus in the PlayStation brand as a whole. Anyone had to rely on customer service with a Sony product? Did it go swimmingly?

The father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi, has officially retired from Sony Computer Entertainment. Previously, following a corporate re-shuffle, Mr. Kutaragi stepped down as CEO of SCE, replaced by Kaz Hirai. Now, Ken Kutaragi is relinquishing his Sony duties further, stepping down as SCE's Chairman and Group Chief Executive while remaining on board with SCE in an advisory role. Perhaps Sir Howard Stringer can assist with Ken Kutaragi's early retirement by quickly issuing restraining orders against him on all things Sony PlayStation-related. After all, earlier reports show "Krazy Ken" Kutaragi clearly doesn't know "when to say when" as he proceeded to inflate the PS3's budget until it exploded in everyone's collective faces, causing fallout from a few layoffs to a huge quarterly loss. Except now without Kutaragi in the limelight, how are we going to get such beautiful mock-ups of the PlayStation grill?