Congrats! You unlocked a Trophy! Time to sync it up with ... Oh, wait. Looks like there's a bug in the PlayStation Network right now, preventing users from syncing their Trophy data with the servers. You won't be able to compare Trophies with friends, with a frustrating error message (80022D27) popping up at every attempt.
Considering the large number of complaints on the PlayStation Forums, it looks as though this is a widespread Network-wide outage. There's no word yet on what's causing this problem or when it'll be fixed. Stay tuned.
The latest episode of Pulse reveals the top PSN game downloads of 2008. At the top of the list is Idol Minds' PAIN. This isn't too surprising, considering it was included for free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year. However, we're surprised to see how well High Velocity Bowling has done. Other surprises include Aquatopia and High Stakes Poker.
Do you think the top 10 list is missing any games? We certainly think so. Where's WipEout HD? Although it's a PSP remake, we think it's an incredible value.
Here's the list, for those of you unable to see the image above:
Looks like your ol' friend, the PlayStation Network, is taking a bit of nap this morning. The service will be undergoing "regular scheduled maintenance." And you know what that means -- free God of War III demo for everyone!*
Posted Dec 3rd 2008 10:00PM by Majed Athab Filed under: News
The independent, two-man dev team known as PomPom games is releasing their latest title, Astro Tripper, next week on the European PS Store. Astro Tripper is a side-scrolling shmup with 1080p graphics. It's also got Trophies.
A price for the title has yet to be determined, though those of you interested in learning more about the title can check out the official website. A US release date is promised to follow.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is launching "Get in the Game" tonight, a project which will offer five hopeful developers a chance to make content on the PlayStation Network. Ultimately, five creative teams will be chosen to receive GBP 10,000 each to prototype their ideas over the first three months of 2009. If good enough, these prototypes may be realized as games for release on PS3.
SCEE will be holding a free workshop in December to give developers better insight into what makes a PlayStation Network title.
Who knew making things free makes them more attractive? Although the Xbox 360 has a larger install base, it appears Sony has caught up with the number of connected users going online. Sony has announced 14 million users have registered on PlayStation Network -- a number matching Xbox LIVE's headcount (announced at TGS last month).
Because PlayStation Network is free, people may be less hesitant to jump in and dive into online gaming and shopping. It also means that the numbers may be slightly inflated, as people may own more than one account per machine. Regardless, we're glad that Sony has been able to support such a large number of people on their console for free -- an impressive feat.
Posted Nov 4th 2008 10:00AM by Majed Athab Filed under: News
SCEE is taking the PSN outside gaming yet again. The last major non-gaming feature content was Movement -- a made-for-PSN TV show documenting various European musicians. SCEE's new focus is Shoot!, which is a series of free downloadable short films from up-and-coming directors. Shoot! sees six Hollywood executive producers (including Jerry Bruckheimer) each chose an upcoming director "from their own country to mentor for the project."
The chosen directors are each tasked to create a short High Def film that "captures the essence of PlayStation: Play, Create, Share, Connect, Discover and Challenge." These films will be available for download off the European PS Store starting November 13, and will be formatted for both PS3 and PSP. The films will also be screened across European film festivals and ShortsTVnetworks starting in January 2009. Check out a full list of directors and deets on their films after the break.
Hate the long delays between game releases in America, Europe and Japan? Well, that may be over, according to a report by GameDaily. A change in the game approval process means developers can submit to just one territory, and gain approval in all. "Previously games had to be submitted separately through Sony Europe, Japan, and America. Now, the game idea is sent through a single website for approval."
Sony is hoping this will encourage even more developers to release their games on PlayStation Network. They'll continue to tout the benefits of the PSN: it's free, doesn't require a publishing partner, and can be distributed around the world simultaneously. Will developers be able to refuse this kind of offer?
The zombie infection is spreading everywhere these days. You just can't get rid of these rotting, animate corpses. The PSN isn't a safe haven from them either. In fact, a fresh batch of undead will be hitting the digital distribution platform in the form of Zombies!!! (yes, with three exclamation points), which is based off the original board games by Twilight Creations. The downloadable title is being developed by Big Rooster and will be available sometime in 2009.
All of a sudden, it appears many independent studios are ready to show off their PSN exclusive goods. PomPom Games has revealed a PSN shoot-em-up called Astro Tripper. Once again, this is a retro-styled arcade game in the style of other horizontal side-scrolling shooters. According to the official site, the game will promise "UFOS. Fat Motherships. Tanks. Choppers. Slimy Slug creatures. Alien Insects. Aztec structures brimming with electricity. And of course, Big Bosses!"
This PSN release is scheduled to release "soon" (whatever that means), and will feature 1080p graphics, online leaderboards, and Trophy support.
It looks like the PlayStation (gotta love that lowercase!) Network is currently down for some "temporary unscheduled maintenance" -- specifically, the PlayStation Store, account management and registration functions. You know what's not down? Online gameplay. It looks like Sony doesn't currently have a time frame for when the PSN will be fully functional again, but as soon as they announce it, we'll relay the information to you.
[Update] -- It looks like the PS Store update will be delayed as well. It will "likely follow as soon as things are back to normal."
[Update 2]The PSN Store and registration functions are now back online. Hooray!
When we say that Gomibako -- a new PSN title -- is trashy, we're not aiming to dis the game. You see, we're not referring to the game's quality, we're simply referring to what the game's all about. The given name "Gomibako" literally means "trash box," or "trash can" if you prefer. It's all about festering piles of garbage and how to get rid of them properly (and by "properly," we really mean "in outrageous and silly ways").
In going about our Earth-friendly activities, Gomibako asks players to fill up a giant blue bin with as much trash as possible. The game plays a lot like Tetris, and so, it's important to properly place each falling piece of garbage in order to conserve space for more items to come. But since we're talking about irregularly-shaped articles of trash, conserving space proves to be a little more difficult than it sounds.
Our beloved PLAYSTATION Network will down today for five hours for some "essential maintenance work" during the following time: 2PM - 7PM EST / 11AM - 4PM PST. This downtime applies to both the US and Europe. So what are you going to do during those five long, agonizing hours? Come read PS3Fanboy, of course!
Posted Oct 13th 2008 12:15PM by Alan Tsang Filed under: News
We've got bad news for these eBay sellers -- a poster on NeoGAF noticed that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has been rated for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Presumably, the title will be a downloadable one on the PS Store and XBLA. The ESRB has been a good source of leaks in the past, so we have no reason believe otherwise in this instance.
With the a total of 56 playable characters in the game spanning two vast fictional universes, hopefully Capcom doesn't plan on charging us $1.99 per character download.
[Via NeoGAF -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Do you think those free themes for your PS3 are lacking a little spiffiness? Not to worry, Sony's got your back in the form of premium themes for your PS3's XMB. Beginning tomorrow, you will able to purchase premium themes from the PS Store for $0.99 - $1.99. Theme types range from NCAA College teams (such as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels one above) to "beauties on the beach." Of course, these themes will offer "special backgrounds, XMB icons" and for selected themes, even ... sounds! Sony plans to offer 6-10 premium themes each month -- you can view samples of the themes here. What are your thoughts, readers? Are you going to dish out some dough for special themes for your XMB or are you like us, perfectly content with the complimentary ones?
Congrats! You unlocked a Trophy! Time to sync it up with ... Oh, wait. Looks like there's a bug in the PlayStation Network right now, preventing users from syncing their Trophy data with the servers. You won't be able to compare Trophies with friends, with a frustrating error message (80022D27) popping up at every attempt.
