There was a time when E3 was a really, really big deal. Now, it’s simply a really big deal. One of the biggest factors of its whole big dealness comes from the console manufacturers’ press conferences. They typically range from the epic (introduction of the Wii) to the horribly, horribly wrong (introduction of the PS3 and real-time weapon changing). So how did this year go for Sony?
If you simply cannot stand the current PlayStation Store, then April is your month. Sony has announced that the store will get its new redesign sometime in the middle of the month. In the meantime, content updates will cease April 3 until the new design launches.
The current store actually isn’t too bad, and a definite improvement over Xbox Live Marketplace in many regards. This new look is again clean and simple. Still, both systems leave a bit to be desired. It can still be difficult on both systems to find content, something Xbox Live Arcade publishers have complained about.
Bionic Commando is shaping up to be a very impressive remake. Now, finally, Capcom is starting to drop some details on it. The verdict? This is no quick cash grab of a remake.
First off, Bionic Commando will be priced at $10 across the PSN, Xbox Live and PC. Not a bad price at all for a completely rebuilt game. Consider that much lesser ports and casual titles have sold for $10 on Xbox Live Arcade. Capcom credits the fans for picking this price point, though one can imagine most fans suggested $5 or free. (more…)
In the least shocking news in months, Hudson has announced that Bomberman is coming to the Wii via the WiiWare platform. Even more shocking, they hint the little blue and white guy might be headed to the PS3. Again, a huge shock.
The WiiWare version of Bomberman will apparently be based on Bomberman Live for the Xbox 360, but with some changes. Who wants to take bets those changes will involve graphics and online multiplayer? In addition, the PS3 version for the PSN is simply a rumor for now, but Hudson says that platform’s maturity has finally made it viable to develop for. (more…)
In a recent interview with Gamasutra, John Hight gave insight into a planned revamp of the current PlayStation Store. Hight, who runs the digital game publishing of Sony products, had this to say: “We give Sony’s interface team a lot of feedback based on how our customers are reacting to things, and I think you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback.”
While the PlayStation Network is far from perfect, it’s definitely functional. Adding new features and categories to make it easier to navigate is always welcome. How Sony plans to incorporate this change is the key question. Will they deliver on their statement to make big changes in April? Or will they continue down their path of building anticipation for these “big” updates by releasing smaller, constant updates until the final product is in place? (more…)
While Home for the PS3 is still on the horizon, the PlayStation Network might be getting what some would say is a very necessary update. The PlayStation website briefly touted that a friends list and in-game messaging would be coming in the near future before quickly being removed. The option to communicate in game with both video and voice chat through the cross media bar (XMB) has been a desire of many PS3 owners since it’s debut but Sony has yet to fulfill the wishes of gamers yet.
It was promised recently at CES 2008 that the in-game XMB would be coming before the end of the year but so far no updates have been reported. Despite this missing feature, which has been available on Xbox Live for some time, the no cost online service is still a major bonus without the option of in-game chat.
Sony is expected to announce more information about the rumored feature at the upcoming Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco on February 18th.
Sony talks backwards compatibility in the newest issue of EGM. Included in the conversation are comments on the importance of BC to Sony’s future, as well as hints at downloadable PS2 games for the PS3. This should come as a shock to no one, least of all Microsoft.
To be fair, Sony has never been exactly coy with their plans to move their game catalog to digital. While we’re still likely many years off from seeing Resistance 2 as a downloadable offering, PS1 games have been around for a bit not for both the PS2 and PSP. It only makes sense that PS2 games would follow suit, especially with rumors of Sony offering a new version of the PS3 hardware with a bigger hard drive.
As noted, this is especially not news to Microsoft. While Sony maybe fired the first volley with downloadable PS1 titles, Microsoft fired the first cannon by offering original Xbox titles through Xbox Live. The PS2 catalog easily outpaces the Xbox catalog and Sony would be stupid to ignore it. That’s especially true when it comes to obscure, niche titles. Best of all for consumers, Sony has shown they are quite willing to sell downloadable content at reasonable prices. What does this mean for PS2 game prices? Expect below the greatest hits $20 price.
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