Archive for the ‘PlayStation 3’ Category
Happy Thanksgiving (+Canada Black Friday Deals)
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in black friday, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, PlayStation Portable, PS3, psp on November 25th, 2010
We wish a football, GT5, and turkey-filled Thanksgiving to you from SCEA and your PlayStation Social Media Team!
We’re taking the next few days off for um, football, turkey, and GT5, and will be back with our regularly scheduled programming on Monday. While Sid is evangelizing Twitter and The Walking Dead back home in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Rey and I are freezing our asses off in the significantly-colder-than-normal, but-not-actually-that-cold Bay Area, we’ll leave you with links to the best PlayStation Black Friday deals.
Black Friday PS3 Bundles
Black Friday PSP Bundles
I’ll now wait for our Canadian friends to remind us that Thanksgiving was last month :) We’ve got you covered too. Toronto-based correspondent Ashley Beaulac sent along these Canada-centric Black Friday Deals:
Often referred to as the busiest retail shopping day of the year, Black Friday serves as the ‘unofficial’ beginning of the holiday season, falling on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
United States you say? Don’t worry, we aren’t leaving our PlayStation Canada fans out! We also have a “Black Friday Bundle” to offer you. Tomorrow we will be introducing the PlayStation 3 EA Sports NHL Bundle and the PSP Holiday Pack at select retailers, see details below:
PlayStation 3 EA Sports NHL Bundle – $299.99
Includes:
• PlayStation 3 160GB Entertainment System
• DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller
• EA Sports NHL 11 Blu-ray Game
• inFAMOUS Greatest Hits Game
PSP Holiday Pack – $129.99
Includes:
• Piano Black PSP-3000
• LittleBIGPlanet UMD Game
• Karate Kid UMD Movie
1G Memory StickThese bundles will be available while supplies last at all major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, EB Games, Future Shop, GameStop, HMV, Loblaws, London Drugs, Solutions 2 Go, Sony Style, The Source, Toys R Us, Walmart and Zellers.
Happy shopping!
Have you found a great Black Friday deal? Share it with your fellow readers in the comments.
Happy Thanksgiving!
New Bluetooth Headset Available Soon for PS3
Posted by Anand Agarwal in bluetooth, news, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, PS3 on November 8th, 2010
Hi Everyone! Back in 2008, we unveiled the official Bluetooth Headset for the PlayStation 3. Since then, many of you added it to your arsenal of PS3 must-haves. Today we’re excited to announce a new version of the official Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 system. It will be available at retailers near you this month at the same price ($49.99 MSRP) as the earlier version of this headset.
The new Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 offers the same unparalleled gaming experience as the previous model, making it a must have for intense online multiplayer games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops, MAG or the highly anticipated sci-fi shooter, Killzone 3. It offers a dual-microphone design, automatic pairing via USB cable with the PS3**, in-game headset status indicator**, an easily accessible microphone mute button, and a charging cradle which also functions as a desktop microphone**. On top of all of that, it’s the only device to offer High-Quality (HQ) mode** which delivers crystal clear voice chat while gaming on the PS3.
So what’s different, you ask? New features include a redesign, making it sleeker, high-gloss and more compact – 30% smaller than the original model. In addition, the Bluetooth Headset now has built-in noise cancellation for filtering out ambient noise when used with the PS3 system as well as your mobile phone. Gadget fiends take note – the new Bluetooth Headset isn’t just for gaming. The improved mobile phone feature support allows you to use features such as three-way calling and call waiting. And with nearly six hours of talk time, you can easily take the Bluetooth Headset with you straight from the living room to the streets.
The new Bluetooth Headset is compatible with devices with Bluetooth 1.1 or higher, and is ideal for gamers, technophiles and anyone in the market for multi-use Bluetooth Headset. Enjoy!
** This feature requires a PS3 system and PS3 system software version 3.50 or later.
PlayStation Move: By The Numbers
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in PlayStation 3, playstation move on November 8th, 2010
Whether we’re talking Trophy Level, KDR, or NPD, us gamers are a pretty stat-obsessed lot. Last week, we announced that a million PlayStation Move units have been shipped in North America. This morning, have a look at some more stats about the first month of PlayStation Move’s availability.
Later this week, we’ll have more Move stats for you as the Sports Champions team will share some interesting gameplay tidbits.
Standalone 320GB PS3 System Available Soon
Posted by Kim Nguyen in Inside PlayStation, news, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, playstation move, PS3, PSN on October 28th, 2010
Hi Everyone! With all of the great new movies, music, TV shows, games and game demos being distributed over the PlayStation Network, it became clear that we needed to offer PlayStation 3’s with larger hard drives to store all of the media for our most active users. Back in August we announced the availability of a new 160GB PS3 system for $299.99 (MSRP) as well as a 320GB PS3 system bundled with a PlayStation Move motion controller, PlayStation Eye and copy of Sports Champions for $399.99 (MSRP). Many of you asked if you can buy the 320GB PS3 system on its own and we’re very excited to announce that we will begin shipping the standalone 320GB systems today to your local retailers.
The digital distribution trend is undeniably gaining momentum, and we here at PlayStation are committed to providing you with the hardware you need to support as much downloadable media as possible. The 320GB PS3 system, which will retail for $349.99, has the largest storage capacity of any next-gen console and will continue to provide the same high-quality gaming that PlayStation fans have come to expect. For only $50 more, you get twice the storage capacity of the 160GB system.
With popular downloadable PlayStation Move games like Tumble already out and PSN exclusives like echochrome ii, Beat Sketcher, PAIN, and Dead Nation on the horizon, there are more options for downloadable content now than ever. But advantages of more storage on your PS3 doesn’t stop with the great games; blockbuster movies and hit TV shows are available for download on PSN and viewable in HD on the only all-in-one gaming and entertainment console that boasts a Blu-ray player. Enjoy!
Red Faction: Battlegrounds Beta Extension for PlayStation Plus
Posted by J Goldberg in beta, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Games, playstation plus, PS3, red faction: battlegrounds on October 20th, 2010
I’ve been invited here today to let everyone know about the Red Faction: Battlegrounds Beta currently in progress, exclusively on PSN. For the past two weeks, PlayStation Plus members have been battling it out and having a blast in THQ Digital UK’s new twin-stick vehicular combat game. Within the beta, there are a handful of addicting single-player challenges, which are great training opportunities for multiplayer, featuring four-player combat both online and on your couch.
The past two weeks have been great, but we want to get even more feedback. We’re not only extending the beta for Red Faction: Battlegrounds an extra week until October 26th, but Sony Computer Entertainment is giving out 1,000 more keys to PlayStation Plus members! Make sure to check your e-mail / PSN mailbox to find out if you’ve been accepted and download the client.
We have two small requests for everyone participating in the beta. First, we’re trying to pack the servers to their limit, so please try to connect to the “Online” mode during the following times each day. While you’re at it, bring your friends!
6-8 PM Pacific Time / 7-9 PM Mountain Time / 8-10 PM Central Time / 9-11 PM Eastern Time
Second, please spend a few minutes between sessions and give us your feedback on Red Faction: Battlegrounds. We want to know what you liked, any bugs you ran into, and even what you were not happy with. You can leave feedback on the official PlayStation forums, or on the official Red Faction Community Site, and each comment will result in a greater overall experience.
Thanks again to everyone participating and stay tuned for the full release of Red Faction: Battlegrounds next year!
Surround Sound System for PS3 Available Next Week
Posted by Anand Agarwal in PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, PS3, surround sound system on October 13th, 2010
Hi all! Back at E3, we had announced that we will be releasing an all-in-one Surround Sound System for the PS3 system with built-in subwoofer. A device made for the ultimate gamer, the Surround Sound System will be available next week in the U.S. and Canada. It’s perfect for use with games and Blu-ray movies and more importantly, is easy to use. You’ll be able to enjoy immersive audio by simply placing the Surround Sound System in front of the television and connecting it to the PS3 system with the optical digital cable. The sleek design of the Sound Bar compliments the design of your PS3.
So, why pick up the Surround Sound System? The Surround Sound System utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound that creates the equivalent of a home theater system, bringing to life in-game sounds not normally audible with conventional acoustic systems. Bringing in SCE’s expertise in both entertainment and technology acquired from developing games, four sound fields and two sound modes have been designed with the help of our expert game sound designers. Check out this video that has excerpts from our conversations with the game sound design team:
To learn more about the features and specifications of this Sound Bar, visit our web site. Many retailers across the country have it on display as well. Visit one of the online retailers listed on our website for more info. Enjoy!
PS3 System Software Update v3.50 Available Soon
Posted by Eric Lempel in 3D, blu-ray, facebook, Firmware, PlayStation 3, PS3 on September 20th, 2010
Hi everyone, as we announced previously, the PS3 system software update (v3.50) is adding support for Blu-ray 3D Disc Playback, and it will be released shortly.
Additional new features in the 3.50 update include:
- Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have deep interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access their information on Facebook – including user name, profile, photos and friends list – to enhance their gameplay experience.
- Grief Reporting Function: Users can send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.
For more details and instructions on how to update the system software for the PS3 system, please visit http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Features/SystemUpdate.
As always, we look forward to your feedback.
PlayStation Move Launches at Stores Across North America
Posted by John Koller in PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, playstation move, PS3 on September 17th, 2010
It’s been years in the making, and this weekend we’re ushering in a new era in gaming with the launch of PlayStation Move. We thank you guys for all the support you’ve shown Move since we announced it back at E3 2009 and now, we’re thrilled to bring you the most immersive and precise high definition gaming experience ever designed, exclusive to the PS3 system.
As we’ve mentioned before, you’ll be able to pick up PlayStation Move in a variety of ways:
- For those who don’t own a PS3, the PlayStation 3 Sports Champion Move Bundle: Available for $399.99 (MSRP), it includes a 320GB HDD model PS3 system, one PlayStation Move motion controller, a PlayStation Eye camera, a copy of Sports Champions on Blu-ray disc, and a PlayStation Move game bonus demo disc
- For those who own a PS3, the PlayStation Move Bundle: Available for $99.99 (MSRP), it includes one PlayStation Move motion controller, a PlayStation Eye camera and a copy of Sports Champions on Blu-ray disc.
- PlayStation Move motion controller: Available as a stand-alone product for $49.99 (MSRP)
- PlayStation Move navigation controller: Also available as a stand-alone product for $29.99 (MSRP)
Whether you’re an experienced or casual gamer, or somewhere in between, there’s an incredibly diverse range of PlayStation Move game content available, including sports, shooters, puzzles, party and family-friendly titles, all in high definition. We’ve specifically designed Move to cater to everyone in the family, so no matter which genre you’re into, you can have hours of fun, while experiencing realistic and accurate motion controlled gameplay unlike anything on the market. Think you’re a pro golfer? Try Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (Electronic Arts Inc). Want to become a street brawler (The Fight), take on combatants on a battlefield (MAG), or become a beach volleyball star (Sports Champions)? You can become any character you wish with PlayStation Move – which literally places YOU in the game. With close to 30 titles announced to date offering PlayStation Move functionality, including EyePet, The Fight: Lights Out, Heavy Rain, Killzone 3, Kung Fu Rider, MAG, Start the Party!, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (Capcom), Sports Champions, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), Time Crisis: Razing Storm (NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.), and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11, PlayStation Move has high definition games for all demographics and types of gamers.
For the past 15 years, PlayStation has helped revolutionize the video game industry, by introducing you to in-depth, high-resolution and real time 3D computer graphics and technical innovations such as Blu-ray and stereoscopic 3D entertainment for the home. With the introduction of PlayStation Move, we’re once again changing home entertainment by delivering more immersive and challenging gaming experiences that cater to everyone in the family.
Thanks again for all your support. We hope you jump off the couch and enjoy PlayStation Move every bit as much as we have while working towards this launch the past few years. As always, let us know your thoughts!
Blu-ray 3D Disc Playback Support Coming to PlayStation 3 System Next Week
Posted by Eric Lempel in 3D, blu-ray, Firmware, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, PS3, tgs10 on September 15th, 2010
Hi everyone, I wanted to share some news out of Tokyo Game Show. We’ve announced that the PS3 system will be able to play back 3D content on Blu-ray 3D discs with the next system software update (v.3.50), slated for release on September 21. We know that many consumers have purchased 3D TVs already and more of you will be purchasing them as the holidays approach – so we’re excited to offer this firmware update that makes all 38 million PS3s worldwide compatible with Blu-ray 3D discs.
This new feature expands the PS3’s 3D capabilities – as you may recall, we added the ability to play stereoscopic 3D games with the 3.30 firmware update in April.
While support for Blu-ray 3D discs is the primary new feature within the 3.50 update, there will be a few additional features. We’ll post more details on the blog prior to the firmware’s release, so check back here on Monday.
PlayStation 3 System Software Update v3.42 Now Available
Posted by John Koller in Firmware, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Hardware, PS3 on September 6th, 2010
Hi everyone! A minor update to your PS3 system is now available via system software update v3.42 that includes additional security features. For more details and instructions on how to update the system software for the PS3 system, please visit the PS3 System Updates page.