psphub

Madden NFL 10 gets ready for August 14 Launch

In January, EA confirmed that as part of its cost-cutting measures to reduce the company's total headcount by 11 percent, it had sacked a number of developers at its EA Tiburon studio, better known as the development house behind Madden NFL, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and NCAA Football.

Madden NFL 10's first screenshot.

Championing the "do more with less" ethos, EA today said that the last undated annual sports sim from its Tiburon studio--Madden NFL 10--will be available August 14. This year, Madden NFL will ship for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii.

As it does every year, EA Tiburon has continued to evolve its professional-football formula. Though EA has yet to fully delve into specifics, the publisher did say that the game will feature all-new animation technology. EA also promised that players would have more control over the outcome of a play, giving examples such as fighting for a loose fumble, dragging a defender toward the first-down marker, or stepping up in the pocket to avoid a rush.

With EA confirming earlier this month that NCAA Football 10 will sit out a year on the Wii, the publisher did say that Madden NFL 10 will appear on Nintendo's console. However, it appears as if the publisher will continue its sports-game experimentation on the Wii, saying that the title has been "completely redesigned and built from the ground up." Curiously, no mention was made of the casual-gamer-oriented All-Play label.

EA plans to methodically reveal more information through the Madden NFL 10 official Web site, which launched today. According to the site, a demo for the game is expected to arrive in early August.

Is PS3/PSP Connectivity Important?

When the PlayStation 3 first launched, one of its most highly touted features was the ability to link up with the PSP. Of course, it made little sense at first: in order to nab exclusive content for the handheld, you needed the pricey console to access the PlayStation Store. Since then, one can now remotely access the PSN via the PSP so it's now a viable option...but is it an appreciated one?

We have no idea how many of you out there have both the PS3 and PSP, but regardless of the actual number, we're having difficulty finding a lot of people who actually utilize this connectivity feature. Nowadays, the Store is home to a whole lot of content for both platforms in question, but now that PSP owners don't need the PS3, how often are they hooking up? Granted, there are plenty of reasons - you do need the link for certain things - but we're not sold on the idea that PS3/PSP connectivity is a selling point for either platform. If Sony wants this to become a bigger deal, perhaps they can adopt the Resistance: Retribution and Resistance 2 philosophy more often in the future. For those of you who don't know, if you have both the aforementioned titles, you will see that Retribution allows you play something special in R2 on the PS3. That could be fun. But for the most part, this is a new phenomenon.

So our question to you is: do you own both a PS3 and PSP, and if so, how often do you "connect?" Did any of you buy either the PS3 or PSP with the knowledge that you might want to try such a feature? And what would you want to see in the future? We enjoy most of the options presented on these systems but we have the sneaking suspicion that this particular one ain't quite as important as Sony may have hoped it would be...

NBC Universal populating PSN Video Store

It may not have been the most gaming-related news to come out of Sony's 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit press conference, but the hardware maker certainly surprised many with the news that its PlayStation Network Video Store was open for business. From the outset, Sony's video store has enjoyed content from major studios such as Lionsgate, Warner, Disney, Paramount, Turner Entertainment, MGM, and, naturally, Sony Pictures Entertainment. 

Soon, the PlayStation Video Store's library will become a measure larger. The Hollywood Reporter reports today that Sony Computer Entertainment and NBC Universal have reached an agreement to make a variety of its content available through the service. Downloaded content will be viewable both on the PSP and the PS3.

The deal extends to a select number of Universal Pictures and Focus Features films, such as Role Models, Wanted, Hellboy II, Burn After Reading, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The Big Lebowski. A variety of television shows from the NBC and Sci Fi Channel networks will also be available, including The Office, Heroes, 30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica, and Eureka.

NBC's offerings have long been available via Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace. However, unlike XBLM, film content distributed through Sony's video store can be rented and purchased both in standard and high-definition formats. When it comes to TV shows, which can be purchased on both services, Sony expects to have new installments available for download within 24 hours of airing on network television.

No date was provided regarding when the first of NBC Universal's content would become available. 

Three reasons this could be the PSP’s year

This month, many of the nation’s video game sellers and makers met in Houston, Texas with Sony to talk all things PlayStation.

At the top of the list was the entertainment behemoth’s plans for a renaissance of the PlayStation Portable.

The PSP revival is being led by three key factors: A resurgence in developer interest in the portable, a push for more digital downloads and rumors of a new, sleeker model of the device.

While about 50 million people worldwide own PlayStation Portables, the device has, until recently, had trouble attracting developers. Last year, there was a dearth of good titles to choose from for the portable gaming device.

That’s because back in 2006, PlayStation Portable sales seemed to be bottoming out and a lot of developers decided to invest their money in other systems. But in 2007, with the release of a slimmer PSP model, PlayStation Portable sales started picking back up.

"When we met with developers in 2008, they wanted to know how they could get back into PSP development," said John Koller, Sony Computer Entertainment of America’s director of hardware marketing.

Because games can take a year to a year and a half to create, that gap in development meant a dry year for PSP owners in 2008. But at the week-long Destination PlayStation gathering, Sony unveiled a slew of high-end games for the PSP set for release this year.

Among the list is a portable version of PlayStation 3’s popular platformer LittleBigPlanet, a PSP version of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed and a PSP version of the PS3’s mud racer MotorStorm. And, Koller said, there are quite a few more big, exciting titles for the system that haven’t been announced yet.

Sony is also in talks with developer Ready at Dawn, creator of the highest-rated game for the platform, about making a new game for the PSP.

"This is going to be the year of software for the PSP," he said.

Besides attracting new games to the platform, Sony is going back through their library of old games, all the way back to the original PlayStation, to see which titles they can bring to the PSP. The titles they select would most likely be sold on the PlayStation Network, allowing gamers to download the game and install it on the PSP.

"We are making a concerted effort for digital distribution," he said.

Most triple-A titles coming to the PSP still use the proprietary UMD disc, but it may not be long before we start seeing more games go directly to digital distribution.

If more games go to digital distribution, it might make sense for the PSP to be redesigned without a UMD drive, making the device less expensive, smaller and with a longer battery life.

While Koller says Sony remains committed to the UMD, at least one developer says he knows that Sony is working on a new PSP design that won’t feature a UMD drive.

Acclaim’s David Perry says the device is already having games developed for it.

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter thinks eventually ditching the UMD is a good idea, but says Sony is stubbornly committed to their proprietary formats.

"Is it really worth building a drive in the PSP?" Pachter said. "The answer is probably no. The device is bulkier, heavier, and has less battery life with it."

"They would be better off designing it with flash memory."

With the PSP about halfway through its life-cycle, it’s probably about time for another major redesign.

Millions and Millions

A year into the life-cycle of Sony's „wonderbar“, also called PlayStation Portable, many assumed the multimedia all-rounder couldn't win the fight against the tremendously successful Nintendo DS. Especially after the Nintendo DS Lite hit the market, it was all but looking good for the PSP. One big failure of the console was UMD. Though being supported by almost every major Hollywood studio, the format just didn't kick off the way Sony hoped. After all, playing games from the handheld's memory stick was – and still is – just more comfortable and sleek and that is even more true when talking of movies on the go. Who is crazy enough to actually buy a flick twice, once on UMD to watch on the go and once on DVD/Blu-Ray to consume at home, when ripping the film from the DVD to your PSP is such an easy thing to do!?

Another huge problem was – and again, still is – the PSP's lack of software. Games suddenly stopped coming. There were literally months where we did not have a single, half-way decent PSP title hitting stores.

But Sony is a long time industry veteran who helped build the console market to what it is today, and one of their systems being a failure was simply not something they would have let happen easy. Sony did the only smart thing they could have done: They re-designed the PSP and released a new, more sleek, more shiny and lighter version of the gadget called PSP Slim and Lite.

What followed was a gigantic PR-campaign (PSPs were suddenly in every TV show, movie and commercial out there) which forced the good looks of the system into every kid's brain in the US, Japan and Europe.

Although the system is still not being flooded by new games, the software drought seems to have been beaten and one can expect to see a pretty cool new title now and then being released (Sam just yesterday reviewed the fantastic Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? Head over there NOW and check it out!). In my opinion – and I like to think everyone else agrees with me on that – this quality over quantity concept is unique in a good way. Nintendo's DS is really “suffering” from a gamer's perspective (of course Nintendo wouldn't agree...): Hundreds and hundreds of crappy titles being released every month doesn't make it easier for the average consumer to figure out which one is worthy enough of being spent thirty bucks on.

Coming to an end - a rather happy one that is: SCEE is more than happy to announce over 50 million (!) sold PSPs worldwide starting from its release in December 2004 until January 2009. If that ain't success, then what the heck is I ask you?

A First Glimpse of How the PSP Will Integrate to PS Home

While our PSP wish list has yet to be fulfilled, one game called The Idol Master SP (PSP) will offer PSP users a new level of PS Home integration.

According to Gpara:

The Idol Master for SP is in the Home, and "Rewards" are supported, depending on the progress of the game, the Home can be used to obtain the item.

As we understand it, as you advance in Idol Master, you'll unlock clothing (and even whole avatars according to this shot) in PSHome—probably through the virtual Idol Master vending machine seen in our lead photo.

Still, precisely how this unlocking will occur is unclear. It could involve a PSP to PS3 sync, an online server or just a redeemable code. That said, this is certainly a much-needed step in connecting these various PlayStation properties to form a cohesive network. [Gpara via PlayStation Lifestyle]

Sony somehow manages seven titles in four years.

A surefire candidate for most milked series on the PSP, Bleach will be receiving yet another adaptation on the portable. Sony made the announcement today via a newly opened official website.

Bleach: Heat the Soul 6 is, despite the number, actually the seventh Bleach game for the PSP (in addition to the Heat the Soul games, the system saw Soul Carnival late last year). While little is known at the moment, it seems the game will retain the tag-based fighting system that debuted in part 5.

Aside from that, we'll have to wait for Sony to share comment. A short video is available at the official site, so interested parties should check there for now.

Heat the Soul 6 is currently without a final release date.

New PSP colours announced

Sony has announced that the PSP-3000 will be available to UK customers in three new colours.

Later this month, the handheld platform will be released in Pearl White and Mystic Silver, with a Radiant Red model arriving in March.

The blue, yellow and green models available in other territories will not be released in the UK in the foreseeable future.

The 3000 model features an enhanced LCD screen, built-in microphone and home television compatibility.

Is the PSP going to become a PS3 peripheral?

A few weeks back, Sony distributed a survey asking whether readers wanted the ailing company to turn the PSP into an iPhone. Or at least that's how it seemed to us.

It seems Sony has distributed a second survey - or another part of the first one has come to light - and this time the inevitable rumours concern the PSP's relationship with the PS3.

Asking respondents to rate the following statements from 1-6, '1' being Not Appealing and '6' being Very Appealing, the survey asked if PSP owners would like to:

    * Use the device to complete side missions for console games (unlocakables, etc.).

    * Transfer media (music/pictures/video) wirelessly from the console to the device (broadcast television, new levels for games).

    * Use the device WHILE PLAYING the console game as an addition weapon/utility to help the gameplay (second player option, radar for incoming enemies, etc.).

    * Record console gameplay for display on the device (showing off your high scores ore "cool moves" to friends).

Of the four questions featured on Kotaku, which first reported the story, the third looks the most interesting: imagine if the mobile phone in GTA IV were an object you had on your lap, rather than a virtual interface. It would be a gimmick, but potentially a neat one.

As for recording console gameplay: no thanks.

Sony vs. Nintendo: same bad economy, very different results

Recently, Sony gave a preview of its third quarter earnings that set the stage for a grim set of final figures. Those figures were released Thursday, on the same day that Nintendo unveiled the results of its sales during the third quarter. Although both companies are facing the same problems when it comes to general economic conditions, Nintendo seems set to stay in the black regardless, and it's worth taking a look at why.

The most fundamental problem that both companies face is that much of their income comes from overseas sales, and the Yen has strengthened considerably against many currencies as people flock to its relative stability. That means that all of the overseas revenue is diluted in value when it's converted to Yen on its return to the company. 

Sony: trouble in diversity

This can be clearly seen in Sony's financial statement, which broke out the company's electronics operations revenue in detail. From having over ¥200 billion in revenue (currently about $2.2 billion) in the Q3 of 2007, the division slid to a loss of ¥16 billion. Nearly half of that drop, ¥94 billion, came from the exchange rate alone. Nintendo took a hit from the foreign exchange problem as well, but nothing nearly that severe. The company isn't breaking out quarterly figures, but is instead giving combined numbers for the first nine months of its current fiscal year. During that time, the damage from the foreign exchange rate has eaten into its profits, but only to the tune of an 18 percent year-over-year drop.

Part of Sony's problem is its diversity. For the most part, its different electronics offerings aren't mutually supportive—owning a Vaio PC doesn't seem to make anyone more likely to buy a Bravia TV or a PS3. As such, sales of nearly everything plummeted. This was especially true of its mobile phone affiliate, Sony Ericsson, which made a big contribution to the ¥45 billion lost by the electronics division.

The game division, all things considered, did moderately well for Sony. Sales dropped by about a third year-over-year, but the group managed to stay above water, bringing in a profit of ¥400 million. That's a big (97 percent) drop year-over-year, but Sony calculated how that figure would look if the Yen's value were pegged at where it started the fiscal year, and found it would actually be up by over 150 percent.

That sounds great, at least until you look at the numbers, which suggest that most of this boost comes from changes in margins and PS3 software sales, as sales of everything else were down. The flagship PS3 was down nine percent year-over-year, the PSP dropped slightly more, while the PS2 was clearly slouching towards end-of-life territory, with sales plunging by over half. Its software sales followed it with a similar plunge, and PSP software sales were in line with its drop, as well. The only win? PS3 software sales, which rose by over 50 percent.

Nintendo: strength in focus

Nintendo, as we mentioned, only provides its results in terms of the total of the fiscal year, of which the holiday season constituted the third quarter. Some quick math with the previous quarter's results, however, yield some pretty impressive numbers. Net sales were ¥700 billion, yielding a profit of ¥68 billion, or about $750 million. It's not all good news, though—as of its last quarterly report, net income was running about ¥10 billion ahead of the previous year; now they're running about ¥45 billion behind, even though operating income is up substantially.

In terms of actual hardware, the DS moved just shy of 12 million units over the holidays, while the Wii picked up another 10.4 million in sales. That leaves the Wii comfortably ahead of where it was this time last year, and just shy of having 45 million units sold in its lifetime. That huge installed base is driving software sales. With three fiscal quarters down, software sales were nearly double what they were at this point last year, and over 82 million units of software were sold in the holiday quarter. All told, software sales accounted for about ¥250 billion in revenue.

It's clear that Nintendo has guessed right in designing a console that can appeal to the mass market, one that it acknowledges in its earnings statement: "Nintendo will continue to pursue expansion of the gaming audience and provide products that offer unique entertainment that puts smiles on the faces of people of all ages and genders." Its focus on that market has helped it avoid having its success in gaming diluted by the broad losses in many divisions that are plaguing Sony, despite the fact that both companies are facing a similar economic problem.