Gamernode: Latest PlayStation 3 News

Imabikisou horrifies TGS

Now I will be the first to admit that I am somewhat of a sucker for horror games, but this one looks too bugged out NOT to pass along to GN's readers. It's like Fatal Frame meets flaming hell guys and bloody stuff with creepy ghost-like lurky things in derelict mansions plus trucks killing people and undoubtedly laced food items with powerfully mind-altering drugs and crazy nightmares, all rolled into one. Check it out:

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PS3 Unreal Tournament 3 will be missing maps

Despite the PS3 version of Unreal Tournament 3 utilizing supportive hardware like a keyboard and mouse and containing map-building tools, it looks like the game will ship with a few less maps then its PC counterpart, according to IGN.

Mark Rein, Epic Games' VP, said that a few maps didn't mesh well with the PS3, "...because the system didn't have the resources to produce a smooth gameplay experience," and the decision was made to axe them.

While the number of cut maps isn't known, I'm sure players won't notice a dramatic difference.Also, PS3 owners will be able to create their own maps, so in a sense, those maps can easily fill the missing maps' place.

Rein also revealed that players can release their maps on the PlayStation Network for sale. With the PSN, Epic Games is planning a future u...

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Home public beta coming this year

Sony has been making a lot of noise at this year's Tokyo Game Show, as well as during the weeks leading up to it. Much of that noise has been about their upcoming nework service, Home.

A week ago, GamerNode reported on the abandonment of an October launch, which Sony has transformed into an expansion of the closed beta, instead. Then on Thursday, Sony made the announcement that the final release of the service would be pushed back to the spring of 2008.

Now, it seems they are meeting gamers in the middle (well, not really, since it was planned for October, but ok) with a public beta that will begin around the beginning of December.

Said Sony Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison, "We will still be opening in late November/early December for general beta testing. So, the commercial start ...

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The PS3 is a Blu-ray player, too!

Sony president Kaz Hirai has told the Financial Times that his company will be pushing their Playstation 3 console this holiday season by marketing it as a Blu-ray player as well as a videogame console.

Hirai stated that this approach to marketing the system will end up becoming a "balancing act," as Sony will have to find the perfect ratio of game- and movie-focussed advertising.

Said Hirai, "The PS3 is first and foremost a videogames machine but we want to say – by the way, it's a great Blu-ray player as well."

He went on to say that Sony plans no price cuts for the system as part of their marketing strategy for the holiday season.

"Going aggressive only on price without being able to back it up with content doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me," he explained.

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What's wrong with Lair? Ken Levine weighs in

Make no mistake, more than a few shins were scuffed and whimpering tears were shed over the critical reception of Lair. For the last two weeks it's been pretty much Factor 5 versus the world. The world said Lair was mediocre, Factor 5 seemed intent that it was a Halo/WoW/Final Fantasy killer.

Now instead of fanboy rants and hurt feelings, we finally have a voice of rationality and objectivity. A voice I think we all can expect. He's attained near rock star status after the release of his media darling Bioshock....ladies and gentlemen...I give you: Ken Levine on Lair! He was recently featured on a podcast aired on Gamerswithjobs.com where he gave more than a few opinions, but most notable was his shpiel on Lair. It starts off a bit off topic, but he wraps it together nicely.

"Is there a game,...

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List of SIXAXIS rumble compatible games

So, the rumors were true. Sony is in fact releasing a rumble-enabled version of the SIXAXIS. They denied the topic for nearly a year saying that rumble was not something they even wanted in their machine. That it was "last gen." 

Well now that they've come full circle and embraced the feature, they have released a list (in the article) of games that they say are going to make use of the feature, but only if the player has rumble. At this time they are holding firm that no game will require a rumble enabled controller.

What interests me about this list is that many of these games have already been released, and all of them have been in development for quite some time.This means that Sony had intended all along to eventually settle their law suits and include the feature. But they refused to t...

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LocoRoco Cocoreccho! and 4 demos hit PSN

For you PS3 owners, this week seems to be the one that keeps on giving since four new demos and a new downloadable game have appeared on the PlayStation Store. The new downloadable game, LocoRoco Cocorechho!, costs $6.99 USD and contains new gameplay, full 1080p and SIXAXIS wireless support and additional mini-games. Here's a bit more from the press release:

"All new LocoRoco game exclusively for PS3! Play as a butterfly and guide the cute little LocoRoco to safety. The LocoRocos respond to the environment, interact with each other, and sing along to the music. Running at 1080p, LocoRoco Cocoreccho! brings all new gameplay, use of the SIXAXIS wireless controller technology, mini-games, and online rankings."

The four new game demos are for NBA 08, Skate, Sega Rally Revo and Stuntman: Ignition...

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TGS 2007: Kingdom Hearts Gets Expanded

Kingdom Hearts fans your prayers have been answered...sorta. While no direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 2 was announced at this year's TGS, Square Enix did unveil three new games coming to a variety of systems. Unfortunately, none of them are going to be featured on the three big consoles.

Thanks to Square's new initiative to focus on the mobile gaming environment, the three new Kingdom Hearts titles are going to be sitting snuggly on the PSP, Nintendo DS, and mobile phones. So just like the Final Fantasy 7 Compilation, Square is so far giving fans everything, but the one game they really want.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the PSP title and is the closest experience fans will get to the traditional action-RPG experience of the actual Kingdom Hearts games. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is hea...

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Metal Gear Online to be bundled with MGS4

When Kojima Productions held its big bash for the twentieth anniversary of its renowned Metal Gear Solid series, the developer unveiled its stealth action online shooter (Metal Gear Online) to those who were in attendance.

In addition, Kojima and Co. announced that the game would be sold separately from the final chapter in the MGS saga.

According to CVG.com, it was recently revealed at the Tokyo Game Show that the stealth action multiplayer shooter will also be bundled with MGS4 when it is released in March of '08. However, no individual pricing has been announced for MGO as of yet.

If that dynamic combination doesn't sound like a smart way of ending the series on a great note, I honestly don't know what does. To help you cope with the fact that it won't be released for quite some time, I ...

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Sony buys MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced today they've acquired MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios and its subsidiary Bigbig Studios.

While Evolution Studios put itself on the map with the platinum-selling PS3 game MotorStorm, which was released in March 2007, they've worked with SCE since 1999 with the World Rally Championship series for the PS2.

Evolution Studios is currently working on MotorStorm 2 for the PS3, scheduled for release sometime in 2008, along with continual updates and additions to the original MotorStorm via the PlayStation Network.

Bigbig Studios developed Pursuit Force for the PSP back in March 2006, which has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide. The developer is currently working on the second game in the series titled Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice, which will be ...

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Home delayed until spring 2008

Sony has announced that its ambitious online project, Home, will be delayed until the spring of 2008.

Currently, the project is in a closed beta phase, with an expansion scheduled for sometime in October. The expansion will still not make the service publicly available, however. For that, everyone will just have to keep playing the waiting game.

The specific reasons for the delay are unclear, but at his Tokyo Game Show keynote address, Sony Computer Entertainment president Kazuo Hirai stated that the delay is "so we can truly meet the needs and feedback of the users."

He also said that Sony is examining various business models for the service in order to determine what is best for Sony and its partners.

"The more I think about it, I think there are a multitude of business chances - not just ...

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It's official: Sixaxis becomes Dualshock 3

It's now official: Sony will be adding rumble to the Playstation 3's Sixaxis controller. The confirmation came from Kaz Hirai during his Tokyo Game Show Keynote address yesterday.

Now dubbed the Dualshock 3, Sony's new controller will essentially be a weighty version of the current Sixaxis, with rumble technology embedded safely inside the unchanged plastic housing. This, of course, is the very same feature that Sony described as "last-gen" up until the legal battle with Immersion was resolved.

Hirai had this to say:

"SCEI will continue R&D efforts to accommodate to users' demand. As part of such efforts, SCEI today announced DUALSHOCK(R)3 Wireless Controller, a new controller for PS3 incorporating a rumble feature, to become available in Japan in November as a separately sold accessory. I...

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Metal Gear Solid 4 TGS trailer

I promised you the trailer of Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4 from this year's Tokyo Game Show, and I'm here to tell you that I am no liar. This six minute selection of footage should be sufficient enough to whet your appetite, but be warned - there may be more to see here than you would like. If not, then sit back and enjoy.

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Madden patch--the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf

Gone are the days when you had to scour through newspapers and sports reports to find out the newest NFL transactions, then manually update the rosters. This is all thanks to next-gen online updating. Or is it?

EA recently put a new roster update online--that isn't very new. But the most obvious roster change is Michael Vick getting the boot from the entire NFL. But low and behold, he's still starting for the Falcons. And if you know your sports, you can probably even find a roster discrepancy on every team.

Even as a kid I did better than them with the updates, and I didn't get paid for it.

On top of it, the "patch" for the PS3 worked out to be more like a virus. Downloading the patch has caused PS3's to not even load Madden discs. So a little word of caution; DON'T DOWNLOAD THE PATCH.

If y...

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Wipeout HD: Exclusively for the PS3...so far

Wa- wa-wa-wa Wipeout!... HD...

That's right, the good ol' anti-gravity combat racer is coming out in full 1080p High-Def glory. This edition of Wipeout comes with plenty of features including full Sixaxis motion sensor technology and eight man multiplayer racing.

The game comes complete with a compilation of the best tracks from the past titles redone in HD. With downloadable content available, there is sure to be more tracks in the future.

There are also seven race modes, and a race campaign to leave you with hours of replay value. You can even customize the race rules, in case you can't win the regular way. They're in your world now!

If you're a fan of the series, this is a must buy.

 Via Games.internode

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Sony planning new "sci-fi" type game interfaces?

If you're on the edge of your seat regarding Sony's "confirmed" announcement of DualShock 3 during this year's Tokyo Game Show, then prepare to not only fall of your chair but proceed to fall out the window and into a dumpster.

According to Games Radar, they did some detective work and uncovered some patents and trademarks Sony filed back in September 2006. The patents include voice-activated consoles, pressure-sensitive buttons and a biofeedback headset.

What is a voice-activated console?  Does that mean I can say some phrase and my PS3 will turn on? That reminds me of a The Simpsons scene when Smithers turns on his PC to have an automated Mr. Burns say, "Hello Smithers, you're quite good at turning me on."

While I wouldn't want that said when my PS3 turns on (maybe), something along the l...

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DualShock 3 to be unveiled at TGS?

Something seemingly abandoned (apparently for good reason) from the Sixaxis PS3 controller is its vibration/rumble capabilities. Time to dry the tears away because according to 1UP's latest podcast, DualShock 3 will be unveiled at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which starts this Thursday.

In addition to the DualShock 3 announcement, Sony is also planning to showcase its 2.0 firmware, which, among other things, will include the ability to run XMB tools from any game.

Upon the PS3's debut, Sony explained that the removal of the vibration feature was due to interference with the controller's motion-sensing capabilities. But, of course, critics pointed to the Wiimote and said, "what gives?!"

Touch-sensitive technology developer, Immersion Corporation, also expressed similar doubts and even success...

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Ninja Theory's God of War shout out

Ninja Theory's Heavenly Sword has been compared to the critically acclaimed God of War series on countless occasions. The truth of the matter is that the development team did borrow much of Kratos' style to create the Playstation 3 action title. The combat, control scheme, and even the main character's weapons are reminiscent of the Greek classic, and Ninja Theory admits it.

Rather than crediting Jaffe and company with mere words, however, Ninja Theory has done one better and paid homage within their game itself. In a certain castle courtyard, Kai runs across a pair of familiar blades and suit of armor hanging on an iron gate. I guess Kratos is taking a sh*t or a shower somewhere nearby, because it just so happens to be his armor and the Blades of Chaos.

It's really nice to see developers ...

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Guitar Hero III full tracklist revealed

Neversoft and RedOctane's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is still over a month away from release, but that hasn't stopped the game's full tracklist from being released on the good ol' internet.

From what I can tell, there are some excellent songs on the list, and although I am admittedly more familiar with the tracks in the earlier tiers, I can't wait to see what sort of hell The Devil Went Down to Georgia is going to put gamers through in the tier 8 encore.

Read on for the full list:

Tier 1: Foghat - Slow Ride Poison - Talk Dirty to Me Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot Social Distortion - Story of My Life

Encore: Kiss - Rock and Roll All Nite Co-op Encore: Beastie Boys - Sabotage

Tier 2: Mountain - Mississippi Queen Alice Cooper - School's Out Cream - Sunshine of Your Life Heart - B...

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Eternal Sonata now only time-exclusive

Playstation 3 owners must enjoy adventuring in the dream worlds manifested in the slumbering subconscious of 19th century composers. I mean, who doesn't?

Well, now they have the opportunity to do just that, because Namco-Bandai Games has announced that the Tri-Crescendo-developed Eternal Sonata will be gracing Sony's console in early 2008. The game, which was previously an Xbox 360 exclusive, is an RPG that places players inside the psyche of dying romantic composer Frederic Chopin.

Eternal Sonata is scheduled for release next week on the 360, so some level of Microsoft exclusivity still remains.

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