Archive for June, 2009
News: What’s new on Xbox Live Marketplace…
A fairly poor week saved by someone stopping, collaborating and listening…
The activity on Xbox Live Marketplace this week has been… well, lacking.
PS3 Firmware 2.80 -Details- Actually does quite a bit!
Well the Sony Playstation US Blog said this earlier on this week “Hello, I just wanted to provide everyone with a head’s up that the next PLAYSTATION 3 system software update (v2.80) will be coming soon. The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved”. Well the firmware came out, and boy, oh boy! It’s actually a cracker! Read below to find out all the details.
Ok, so if your wondering why the heck you haven’t had your system ask you to update your console yet, even though the firmware has been out for quite a while now. Well that’s because its an optional update (Yes Sony have been listening to our rants about being forced into downloading small pointless firmware updates all the time), you can get it by going to the “System Update” option at the top of the settings list on your X-Media Bar (XMB) and download and run the update from there.
Here is whats been changed/improved in firmware 2.80 that we know of so far:
- XMB works smoother and faster while in-game.
- Wireless PS3 Controller now is auto-assigned controller number one at start up, instead of any USB devices that you have plugged into the ps3’s USB (like Guitar Hero wireless dongles and such like, this has been needed for a long time!)
- Text chat now enables 64 characters per message instead of 32.
- The official Bluetooth wireless PS3 headset now has its microphone volume locked to level 3.
- Open Remote Play (ORP) has been de-activated in 2.80 for security reasons (not Remote Play, Open Remote Play is a home-brewed application that allows you to remote play onto your ps3 via your PC or Mac).
- PS1 game titles loading times have been decreased.
Also there are a few things we haven’t been able to test and confirm ourselves yet, and they are:
- Internet browser runs smoother and loads less corrupt pages.
- Trophy card loading is quicker (in-game and out of).
- A bug which allowed friends to be displayed offline has been fixed.
Have you noticed anything we haven’t? let us know below!
Source - Official Playstation Website
News: Exclusive Left 4 Dead NXE theme with issue 49
Bring infected hordes to your Xbox.
Subscribers will be getting their copies of issue 49 about now, and with it an exclusive Left 4 Dead Premium Theme for your Xbox 360 dashboard, created by the masters at Valve.
Blogs: Music Is Control
Gil muses on soundtracks altering gameplay tactics…
Due to my iPod being thieved and my portable HD on the frizz, I’m currently back to using my Xbox 360 as a music CD player. So a brief blast of Outrun the other night finds me foregoing the usual audio delight of Magical Sound Shower for a heavy stint of industrial rock by way of the custom soundtrack option - and it bizarrely led to a better gameplay performance.
Playstation Store Update - 25th of June 2009 (PS3 & PSP)
Another week, another update, but this one has benefits (if you don’t already own Super Stardust HD). This weeks update comes with a new game for the the ps3 and one for the psp too, oh and the usual DLC, videos and such like. I will list everything below.
Ok so first of all lets get down to the good stuff. This week, and for one week only (until 2nd of July), Super Stardust HD gets a MASSIVE price reduction from £6.29 down to an incredible £1.59, this is to celebrate its Anniversary (yes it really has been out that long). So if you don’t already own it and fancy giving it a try, now is your chance!
Also in the Playstation Store this week is “Zuma”, a highly addictive game that is similar to puzzle bobble, but in a completely new and unique way, you have to fire different coloured balls from a frogs mouth to match three or more balls with the same colour, and this is to stop the balls progressing around a set wiggly path to a Golden Skull, as you eliminate balls you make them retreat back down the path they came from and away from the Skull, there are many challenges and the game is genuinely addictive, especially displayed in full 1080p, this game also supports trophies.
Now here is the complete list of items in this weeks Playstation Store update:
PS3 Store Update for 25th June 2009
Game
Zuma
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PSP)
Super Stardust HD (Anniversary Special Offer)
Packs
Motorstorm Pacific Rift - Wombat Signature Livery
High Velocity Bowling
’60s Surf Ball Pack
Tiki Polynesian Ball Pack
Little Big Planet
Jon Burgerman Original Sticker kit
Solstice Costume (1 week only)
Rock Band
Maroon 5 Pack 01
21St Century (Digital Boy)
Alive (Live: Drop In The Park)
Brother’
I Didn’t Say I Was Powerful, I Said I Was A Wizard
Little Of Your Time
Makes Me Wonder
Reinventing Your Exit
State Of Love And Trust (Live: Drop In The Park)
The Downfall Of Us All
The Flood
Wake Up Call
Warped Tour 2009 Pack 01
Rock Band Unplugged PSP
Afterlife
Dr. Feelgood
Constant Motion
Sex Type Thing
Guitar Hero World Tour
Chalk Dust Torture’ By Phish
Down With Disease’ By Phish
Sample In A Jar’ By Phish
Phish Track Pack
Videos
Mini Ninjas E3 Trailer
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood
Story Trailer
Announcement Trailer
Wallpaper
Battlefield 1943 Wallpaper 1
Battlefield 1943 Wallpaper 2
Themes
Battlefield 1943
MotorStorm Pacific Rift Screenshot Competiton
PSP Store/Media Manager Store
Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Packs
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Additional Quests 2
Rock Band Unplugged
Afterlife
Dr. Feelgood
Constant Motion
Sex Type Thing
Source - Playstation Store Update thread