Playstation Plus Launches Today



Playstation Plus launched today, it is the new subscription based service for the Playstation Network.

The service was announced at E3 at the beginning of the month at the Sony Press Conference.  It offers subscribers exclusive content, Beta invitations, PSN games, games on demand and discounts in the PS Store.

There are two subscription packs you can choose from, the 12 month, or the 90 days packs.  12 months will cost you £39.99 and 3 months is £11.99.

For all you people that aren't going to sign up and are worried you will lose features you have at the moment, don't worry, you will lose no features, the subscription just gives people new features.

Dead Rising 2 gets delayed


Capcom has confirmed Dead Rising 2 has been delayed by a month in Europe and the US.

For Europe, the previous September 3rd date has been slapped on its zombie - mutated head, and the game will now ship on October 1st. In the US, the game now gets a release date of September 28th.

There were no reasons given for the delay, but its not much of one in any case.

The game is out on PS3, 360 and PC.

Last.fm heading to PSN?


According to an article on CVG, social music service Last.fm could be heading to the PS3 in the future, as its current availability on Xbox 360 has been revealed as a timed exclusive, which is set to expire this November.

2 million Xbox Live users signed up to Last.fm when it launched on the 360 last year, making it an extrememly successful venture. Now, word on the street is that Last.fm would like a couple more million users, in the shape of PSN.

Speaking to OXM, Last.fm boss, Orlena Yeung, hinted at new features for Last.fm on the console saying:

“There is a nice parallel between the community-driven experience at Last.FM and the gamer community on Xbox Live. I think we can create more experience where users are socialising their music taste across gaming and music. We will see…”

The bigger picture here, isn't the fact its Last.fm. With PlayStation Plus, Sony's new premium subscription package for PSN launching next week, will all future expansions and services be only made available to PS+ subscribers,- much like Xbox Live Gold? Will Sony's plan to keep online multiplayer free, be balanced out by offering other content only available via subscription? Time will tell.

Thanks, CVG.

The E3 Game Attic Podcast

We've been slacking this week, but with a new look and a new week beginning, cometh last week's E3 podcast on the site for those of you who haven't heard it yet.

Hear all the GT5 hate from our resident trolls (Curry and Timmy) as we discuss all the major events of the main 5 conferences and answer your questions on the event.

To listen/download/subscribe with iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/game-attic/id377043471

To listen/download/subscribe via other RSS means: http://gameattic.podhoster.com/

Or, listen here now:


A stunning Day and Night with Gran Turismo 5

Yes. E3 finally gave us the news we wanted. Gran Turismo 5 will ship for PS3 on November 2nd in the US, with a EU release still to be announced.

Some very nice footage was shown of the racer, as well as the usual but very good looking slew of screenshots. Today though, we have some stunning day and night shots from the game that make us bubble with joy just a little bit. Check em out below, as well as some footage from GTPlanet. Shots via VG247.







Game Attic UK's 2nd Podcast

Welcome to the second Game Attic podcast. This week, we discuss the iPhone 4, all the big stuff from E3, o2's tariffs... more o2, and some games.



Check it out below or search for "Game Attic" on iTunes (direct link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/game-attic/id377043471).

Stars:

Stuart
Marty
Timmy
and guest from Genuine Gamers, Steveo

E3 starts now - First Killzone 3 footage lands





And its pretty awesome indeed.

GameTrailers TV aired a pre-E3 special last night, and among other things, showed off the first proper in game footage of PS3 shooter Killzone 3, footage will you can see now.

The video shows off the new brutal melee combat system, the jetpacks, the new environments and well, just check out the thing for yourself. It's looking pretty good.

More to come at E3, also keep checking here for all the E3 news as we get it, including news from both Sony and Microsoft's keynote, and all the other stuff in between.




   

MotorStorm Apocalypse gets official, brings us screenshots


Evolution Studios have officially announced MotorStorm Apocalypse, for PlayStation 3.

Speaking on the PlayStation Blog, game director Matt Southern detailed the off road racer, which this time, takes place in an abandoned City similar to that of San Fransico, after a giant tremor decimates the place. Perfect place for some racing, then!

The game includes -


  • Sixteen player online multiplayer.
  • Four player split-screen.
  • Combinations of the two. Play with three friends in the living room against 12 more online.
  • Massive vehicle customisation. Change vinyls, vehicle parts, vehicle shapes and more. Upload them to the community site and share them with others. They automatically work on all vehicle types, and include your PSN ID.
  • Vehicle perks. Modify your handling, boosting and offensive abilities as you unlock new perks.
  • A wealth of rankings to progess through online with associated rewards and recognition.
  • Stacks of online rewards to earn and persistent progress giving the most determined and successful racers the status and recognition they deserve.
  • Persistent matchmaking. Keep your party together throughout your gaming session.
  • A Game Mode Creator. From a completely blank canvas you can design your own game rules and victory conditions, play them online, and incorporate them into tournaments.
Pretty impressive update to the series by the sounds of things. Check out the shots below courtesy of VideoGamer, they look a riot. The game is out on PS3 in 2011.








Dreamcast classics heading to PSN and Xbox Live


SEGA have confirmed the recent rumblings that classic titles from the Dreamcast such as Sonic Adventure would be making a digital return in the form of ports on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

On their blog, they stated Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi would be the first two classics made available , with Sonic heading our way first this Autumn.


“The Dreamcast is fondly remembered by a large community of dedicated fans as a console that was ahead of its time in terms of graphics, quality and online gaming” said Haruki Satomi, VP of Digital Business at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe.

“There are few things that are more requested from us than making Dreamcast classics available for download in today’s digital market place. We’re very excited to begin offering gamers our beloved Dreamcast titles again on the current console systems.”

The titles will be the same as the originals in terms of gameplay, but with updated high-res visuals, Trophies and Achievements as well as all the usual online leaderboard stuff for today's modern gamer.

Good stuff. Thanks, SEGA.

Space Invaders: Infinity Gene



This trailer has just been released for the upcoming XBLA/PSN game, Space Invaders: Infinity Gene.

I'm not quite sure what is happening in the trailer, but it looks good.  There's no release date, but we will keep you filled in, for now, just check out the trailer below.

Halo 3 Outsells Top PS3 Titles Combined




Aaron Greenburg has recently tweeted "Just in from research team (NPD): Halo 3 has outsold Resistance 1 + 2, Uncharted 1 + 2, Killzone 2 and God of War III COMBINED....wow"

This is obviously a kick in the teeth for Sony, and I'm sure this will be bought up at E3 in the Microsoft conference.  We will just have to wait and see if Sony have any amazing statistics up their sleeves.

No exact figures have yet been released, but expect them to come out very soon.

Respawn Has NO E3 Plans



Yesterday a Facebook page emerged claiming that Respawn (the studio started up by Jason West and Vince Zampella, after they left Infinity Ward) would have a "big" announcement for E3.

The facebook page said it represented the two (and the rest of the developers that left IW to make the move there) said: "big time announcement at E3 next week. stay tunes, kiddies!"

EA have now released a statement saying that there will not be an announcement from the Respawn studio.

FIFA 11 announced for Autumn

Electronic Arts today revealed that it's next installment in the FIFA franchise will once again be released in the traditional slot of Autumn.

The company also promised to "redefine player authenticity" through Personality+, an all-new feature "that sees individual abilities reflected in game, enabling clear differentiation for every player."

By utilizing a database that "evaluates and grades each player's skill-set over 36 attributes and 57 traits" collated by 1700 scouts positioned worldwide, Personality+ can distinguish individual footballers from one another in a way never seen before.

Additionally, FIFA 11 will include a Pro Passing system, where "pass accuracy is determined by a gamer’s ability on the control pad, and player skill, situation and urgency on the pitch, yielding a deeply rewarding passing system."

Screenshots can be found below along with the Press Release.





EA’S FIFA 11 SET TO REDEFINE PLAYER AUTHENTICITY

All-New Personality+ Enables Players to Behave and Perform as True Individuals

GUILDFORD, UK. – 9th June, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed that its top-selling* franchise from EA SPORTS™ will redefine player authenticity when FIFA 11 launches this Fall on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system. FIFA 11 reinvents player authenticity – on and off the ball – for every player and at every position on the pitch with Personality+, an all-new feature that sees individual abilities reflected in game, enabling clear differentiation for every player.

"Personality+ is the evolution of individual distinctiveness that sees a footballer's abilities on the pitch mirrored authentically in our game, creating individual personalities in FIFA 11," said Executive Producer Kaz Makita. "We have reached a level of sophistication within our game engine where footballers in our game will behave and perform as true individuals."

Personality+ distinguishes individual footballers from one another by utilizing a database that evaluates and grades each player's skill-set over 36 attributes and 57 traits. The EA SPORTS FIFA franchise utilizes a network of 1700 scouts, editors and reviewers positioned around the world to evaluate each player, creating one of the world's most comprehensive databases to drive its market-leading football engine. Personality+ plus will be integrated everywhere in-game. Elite players are now empowered to showcase their world class skills. Real Madrid's Kaka will deliver crisp, creative passes, Barcelona's Andres Iniesta will utilize tighter turns and close control to dribble through defenses, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney will hold off defenders and strike shots from distance with pace, and top-flight defenders like Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus will anticipate, predict and react to offensive players to win back possession. New body types and player models will further distinguish each player on the pitch. In addition, goalkeepers have also been injected with Personality+. The real-life personality of the keeper, whether acrobatic or traditional, will dictate his style in game. Dive attributes will determine the keepers with the ability to reach for further shots while reflex attributes determine reaction times, so a keeper like Petr Cech of Chelsea FC will be able to showcase world-class skills.

FIFA 11 introduces new Pro Passing where pass accuracy is determined by a gamer's ability on the control pad, and player skill, situation and urgency on the pitch, yielding a deeply rewarding passing system. Poor decisions or over/under striking the ball will mean error-prone outcomes. New types of passes such as swerve passes will enable players to make a safer and more effective play.

Building on FIFA 10 gameplay that won 50 sports game of the year awards, FIFA 11 continues to listen to its growing legion of FIFA fans around the world to refine gameplay in ways that matter most to fans. Visit http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa to join the FIFA group to express feedback directly to game developers and receive exclusive content. New game modes and innovations will be revealed in the coming months along with features on other platforms.

FIFA 11 will be available in stores world-wide this Fall for the PlayStation3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and mobile. It is developed under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game has not yet been rated.

Trailer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s third map pack


EA’s released a trailer of the third map pack for Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Some of the new stuff includes Squad Deathmatch on Nelson Bay and Squad Rush on Laguna Alta.

The new content is available to those who bought the game with a VIP code from June 9 for PS3 and 360. Which is tomorrow, chaps!

Watch the video below!

Rumor: Xbox 360 getting rebrand at E3?


Yes, its Sunday. The worst day for news of anykind, not least anything related to gaming. But we've found something half interesting to bring to you today.

According to XboxEvolved, Microsoft could be set to rebrand Xbox at E3, including the boxart branding, and a new Xbox SKU, tentatively named Xbox 360+.

The new branding in question, which you can see below has been found on two games so far, - Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, with the same branding also appearing on Microsoft's E3 press inviations. Its also fair to say it looks a little 'wavey'. Remember those Project Natal naming rumors?

The site also ran an article last year in which an Xbox engineer claimed on his website he was working on something called Xbox 360+ to launch along with Project Natal, something which was then quickly removed.

Its only a matter of days until we find out if this is true thankfully, but seeing as PS3 sales have rocketed since the slim and the PS3 rebrand, it's not hard to imagine a fresh Xbox 360 either.

Thanks, XboxEvolved


Lost Planet 2 to receive sizeable improvements via update

Played Lost Planet 2 yet? Been infuriated when seconds away from killing that massive boss on that train only for someone to be hurled under the tracks and to be thrown back 3 levels and made to do it all again?

Gameplay like that may cut it in Japan, but in the UK, we don't kindly to that sort of crap, so Capcom have listened and have thankfully decided to add checkpoints in each level and before each boss battle. Hallelujah.

Full contents of the patch can be found below:




- Respawning points are changed - e.g. the player can start from the beginning of the boss fight, rather than start the level from the beginning and so on.
Applies to the whole game.

- The player's attacking power has been strengthened.
This applies when the difficulty level is set at either Easy or Normal and when only one player starts the game.

- The level of animations for the player being affected near by attack/explosion is lowered.
This applies when the difficulty level is set at either Easy or Normal and when only one player starts the game.

- The level of damage to the player is lowered.
This applies when the difficulty level is set at either Easy or Normal and when only one player starts the game.

- Harmonizer is adjusted to be more powerful.
This applies when the difficulty level is set at either Easy or Normal and when only one player starts the game.

- The level of animations for the enemies being affected near by attack/explosion is increased.
This applies when the difficulty level is set at either Easy or Normal and when only one player starts the game.

- Tip texts are added to the objects that require the B button action such as Data Posts.
Applies to the whole game.

- Weapons' parameters are adjusted - i.e. they became quite evenly balanced (not too strong, not too weak).
Applies to the whole game.

- The speed of the player's dash is increased.
Applies to the whole game.

Launch dates are 7th June for the PS3, 360 is TBA.

inFamous 2 revealed in GI



The July issue of Game Informer has a full on spread revealing inFamous 2, the follow up to Sucker Punch's 2009 hit sandboxer, inFamous. Obviously.

According to the mag, a few changes have taken place since we last visited Empire City, namely its not set in Empire City anymore, but an entirely new one. Cole MacGrath, the protagonist from the first game looks totally different, is said to have new powers and will face a totally new enemy. Good stuff.

No release date as yet, but this one practically bites on the ass of E3. Hit the link for more info from GI.

Game Attic UK's Debut Podcast!

We are here, and we're live, witness the train wreck live below or download via iTunes.

Discussed in it are the MW2 map pack, E3, Fifa World Cup 2010, Alan Wake, Split/Second and much more including how 'gypsies all own Wii's" and "why is Marty such a noob".


Give it a listen and let us know what you think.

Stars:

Curry (Stuart)
Marty (Marty)
Phonebox man (JD)
Timmy (Timmy).

Deus Ex (3): Human Revolution Trailer



It's been rumoured for a while and demanded by fans for what seems an eternity, today the road to Deus Ex only gets longer and more painful with the latest official trailer, courtesy of the official Deus Ex YouTube account. Enjoy:

LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 demo available from 7th June

Warner and Traveller’s Tales have announced that a demo for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 will be available from 7th June.

The demo, which allows you to learn and cast spells and explore the Forbidden Forest, is to be an Xbox 360 exclusive for about a month, when it will then hit PS3.

The full game releases in the UK on 25th June, with a US launch on 29th June.

Some E3 News



A couple of developers have announced their plans for E3, which takes place in just a couple of weeks time now.

Rockstar have said they have no plans to show off any new games, which means there are a lot of disappointed people who were hoping for a GTA V announcement.

A bit of good news though, is that Bethesda are going to be showing Fallout: New Vegas, Rage, Brink and Hunted, all of which seem like they could shape up to be great games.

With E3 just around the corner expect more developers to be announcing their plans for the show, and we will have all the info right here.

Deus Ex (3): Human Revolution 'teaser shots' released

Specially for you guys, the gang at Square Enix have sent us 4 action shots ahead of a world premier trailer set to be unveiled some time this week.

This has been a long time coming for some, so enjoy.

 

 

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