[obonicus]

Originally Posted by PARANOiA

So did Vagrant Story end up getting released as rumoured?

It was delayed a week, I think. I think it was more than rumored, didn't the EU blog confirm then delay it?

[PARANOiA]

Awesome. My PS1 died before this was released over here (if it was even released over here... PAL PS1 gaming was so incredibly ripped off ) so I'm looking forward to it.

I keep breaking my "no more games this year" rule. I have about a dozen PS3 games to complete, ODST, Brutal Legend, Borderlands, and will likely buy the GoW Collection after the glowing reviews, and now probably Vagrant Story too. I also have half an eye on Gyromancer this week too. Stop stealing my money, gaming!

[obonicus]

I hear the PAL version isn't great, though. It's better than bupkiss the US store has, though.

[Arwin]

There's a preview of Firmware 3.10 on the Playstation Blog by the way, showing the Facebook integration features (which are currently limited to automatically posting events like trophies, purchases on the store etc.). Finally games that support it can also post about specific events. All three options can be individually turned on/off, and if you select the purchase update option, each time you download/purchase something you'll be asked if you want to post information on this purchase on facebook.

It seems to work pretty well, though of course the functionality is still limited (especially when compared to the 360 version). They're saying this is just the start though, so we can probably expect more features in the future.

They also revamped the picture browsing to make more efficient use of the screen space. I don't think it looks great to be honest, but in terms of useability I think it's an improvement. I'm guessing this is done in preparation for facebook integration for pictures as well.

Finally you can customise the background color for your PSN name in the friendslist, and this is then used on your friend's friendslists as well, leaving the much complained about grey only for those who are off-line.

[Arwin]

Decent update this week, and really strong update for the PSP. Especially curious about LittleBigPlanet

PlayStation Store via PS3
Special Offers

(from 19th November until the 3rd of December)

* Buzz! Brain Bender (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £9.99/€14.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Medal of Honor Heroes (PSP) (was – £9.99/€14.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Downloadable Game

* Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao (£9.99/€12.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales

* Gravity Crash Released on Tuesday the 24th of November Rating: PEGI 7+(£6.29/€7.99)

Availability: All locales
PSone Classic

* Metal Gear Solid (£7.99/€9.99) Rating: PEGI 18+

Availability: Not available in New Zealand
Trial & Unlock Key

* Critter Crunch (Trial free, Unlock Key £4.49/€5.49) Rating: PEGI 7+

Availability: All locales
Demo (free)

* Smash Cars Demo Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales
Add-On Game Content

* Dragon Age:Origins
o Warden’s Keep (£5.49/€6.99)
o The Stone Prisoner (£11.99/€14.99)

Rating: PEGI 18+
Availability: All locales

* LittleBigPlanet
o Assassin’s Creed II Ezio Auditore Costume Released on Tuesday the 24th of November (£1.59/€1.99)
o Thanksgiving Costume (only available for one week) (free)

Rating: PEGI 7+
Availability: All locales

* Pain
o Flavor Flav Pack (£1.19/€1.49)Rating: PEGI 16+

Availability: All locales

* EyePet
o Medieval Styling Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
o Lucky Dip Styling Pack 4 (free)

Rating: PEGI 3+
Availability: All locales

* High Velocity Bowling
o Psychedelic 60’s Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)
o Techno Modern Ball Pack (£0.79/€0.99)

Rating: PEGI 3+
Availability: All locales

* Beatles: Rock Band
o A Day in the Life (£0.99/€1.49)
o Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (£0.99/€1.49)
o Fixing a Hole (£0.99/€1.49)
o Lovely Rita (£0.99/€1.49)
o Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (£0.99/€1.49)
o She’s Leaving Home (£0.99/€1.49)
o When I’m Sixty-Four (£0.99/€1.49)
o Within You Without You (£0.99/€1.49)
o Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Album) (this pack contains the all tracks listed above) (£7.49/€8.99)

Rating: PEGI 12+
Availability: All except Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE

* Guitar Hero 5
o I Was Made For Loving You by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o Lick by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o Modern Day Delilah by KISS (£1.59/€1.99)
o KISS Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)

Rating: PEGI 12+
Availability: All except Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
Videos (free)

* Final Fantasy XIII Announcement Trailer
* DC Universe Brian Stevens Interview
* Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Space Trailer
* Army of Two: 40th Day Sniper Trailer
* Dante’s Inferno Greed Dev Trailer

Premium Themes

(Static themes)

* Wise Father Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
* Yuefeng Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
* King Zumo Theme (£1.19/€1.49)
* Cavalier Warrior Theme (£1.19/€1.49)

Availability: All locales
PlayStation Store via PSP and Media Go
Special Offers

(from 19th November until the 3rd of December)

* Buzz! Brain Bender (PSP) (was – £19.99/€29.99 now – £9.99/€14.99)
* EA Replay (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Medal of Honor Heroes (PSP) (was – £9.99/€14.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
* Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP) (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
* Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

Downloadable Games (also available via the PS3 store)

* LittleBigPlanet (£21.99/€36.99) Rating: PEGI 7+

Availability: All locales

* Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines (£23.99/€29.99) Rating: PEGI 16+

Availability: All locales

* Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (£21.99/€36.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales

* The Warriors (£9.99/€12.99) Rating: PEGI 18+

Availability: All locales except Germany

* Star Wars Battlefront II (£15.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales except Russia

* NBA 2K10 (£15.99/€19.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales

* Mercury Meltdown (£4.79/€5.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales except New Zealand, Portugal and Russia

* Megaman Maverick Hunter X (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales except Portugal and Russia

* Capcom Puzzle World (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales except Portugal and Russia

* Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (£13.99/€17.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales except Portugal and Russia

* Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (£11.99/€14.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales

* Mana Khemia: Student Alliance (£19.99/€24.99) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All except Australia and New Zealand

* Williams Pinball Classics (£11.99/€14.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales
minis (also available via the PS3 store)

* Echoes (£2.49/€2.99) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All except Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Switzerland

* Pinball Dreams (£3.99/€4.99) Rating: PEGI 7+

Availability: All locales
Demo (free)

* MotorStorm: Arctic Edge Demo (free) Rating: PEGI 12+

Availability: All locales

* PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe Demo (free) Rating: PEGI 3+

Availability: All locales
Add-On Game Content (also available via the PS3 store)

* Rock Band Unplugged
o California Über Alles by Dead Kennedys (£0.99/€1.49)
o You’re No Rock and Roll Fun by Sleater-Kinney (£0.99/€1.49)

[patsu]

I saw a PJ Shooter icon on the US PS Store. Is it out already ? Had to run quickly, so I didn't drill down.

Originally Posted by Arwin

They also revamped the picture browsing to make more efficient use of the screen space. I don't think it looks great to be honest, but in terms of useability I think it's an improvement. I'm guessing this is done in preparation for facebook integration for pictures as well.

I don't know how to activate the new photo browsing mode.

[Arwin]

You don't have to activate it, actually - it should be on by default! Just select a folder with pictures (I have mine 'per month') and if you open it you'll no longer see just a long vertical line of pictures to scroll through, but a grid of photos about 5-6 wide times 4-5 high, that you can still scroll through (at fairly impressive speeds too).

Seeing it in the flesh, I actually like it a lot and think it is a big improvement.

Originally Posted by patsu

I don't know how to activate the new photo browsing mode.

[patsu]

I was changing my account icon. It has a photo browser selection screen. That one is still linear.

Went to XMB and check the photos there. It's a 2D grid alright. Yes, it does make the navigation faster and easier.

[Arwin]

Vidzone is finally available in the Netherlands, woohoo! And it's really rather excellent. My wife is enjoying it now. It has loads more songs than I expected - a few hundred artists per letter of the alphabet, with some having just one song, but others just about all the clip hits they've ever had.

[RenegadeRocks]

How do I change the BG color of my Avatar Bar in the friend list?

Everyones colourful and cheerful, I am still Gray !

[patsu]

Press X on your own PSN avatar. Then X again to bring up the color palette. It should be selected by default already.

[RenegadeRocks]

okie dokies ! Hmmm....now when's the MAG download gonna end ?!?!?!??!

[Phil]

Does anyone know when Pixeljunk 'shooter' is supposed to come out? I'm craving this game like none other.....

[Shifty Geezer]

I think not far off, because the Gravity Crash guys were somewhat concerned about the game similarities. That wouldn't be an issue if they launched months before Shooter.

[patsu]

Originally Posted by Phil

Does anyone know when Pixeljunk 'shooter' is supposed to come out? I'm craving this game like none other.....

Confirmed for December in US:
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-429811.aspx

I need to get Braid before Shooter.

[Arwin]

Lots of stuff this week:

- the GT Academy Time Trial (PS3) (already up)
- Digital Comics service launches (PSP)
PS3 can now play all PSP Minis (except Tetris, by the way). I'll be testing this - I have at least one.
- Braid (PS3)
- Lots of Home stuff

And that's just the stuff that received its own article. No idea what else is on there.

EDIT: this

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/...09/#more-11077

[deathindustrial]

Boo on not providing a preview for the new Star Trek dynamic themes.

Cheers

[patsu]

What Star Trek dynamic theme ?

I can see the dynamic themes here:
http://www.dynamicps3themes.com/

It's missing the Demon's Souls theme. Didn't know we have dynamic themes for SouthPark, MotorStorm and soon Modern Warfare.

[deathindustrial]

It is listed in here:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/...16/#more-21380

STAR TREK: TOS Dynamic Theme Dual Pack $4.99
File size: 11.55 MB

STAR TREK: TOS Blue Edition Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 6.27 MB

STAR TREK: TOS Red Edition Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 5.28 MB

Unlike the other dynamic themes though it includes no preview option so who knows what you get.

Cheers

[patsu]

That is odd. Liked the movie, didn't expect a Star Trek dynamic theme at all. Best chance is to wait for the themes to show up on youtube. They always do.

[PARANOiA]

Hrmm... how long did it take FF7 to get from the NA store to the EU store? :/ Would like to pick up FF8.

[rabidrabbit]

I wished for a christmas themed dynamic theme, but seems I won't be getting one
An interactive snow globe would've been cute

[Arwin]

Originally Posted by patsu

That is odd. Liked the movie, didn't expect a Star Trek dynamic theme at all. Best chance is to wait for the themes to show up on youtube. They always do.

Yeah. It's not there yet though ... I did find a Demon's Souls dynamic theme that I didn't know about ...

[Phil]

Originally Posted by PARANOiA

Hrmm... how long did it take FF7 to get from the NA store to the EU store? :/ Would like to pick up FF8.

Yeah me too...
FF8 is one of my most awaited games and I want it soo bad. I was never able to buy it, so I ended up getting it for PC and playing it from my laptop with a 3 meter USB cable sitting on my couch with the keyboard... I was THAT desperate! And I love the game too... The only FF I have only completed once!

[Arwin]

I tried the Minis on PS3 thing by the way, because I'd bought Pinball Fantasies for PSP so I just had to redownload that whopping 5MB. Anyway, it works as advertised and is exactly the same in this case, even including changing the display to portrait mode, so this is a rare game that you can play while lying on the couch on your side.

Obviously you're better off getting Zen Pinball for your PS3 if you want a good Pinball game for the PS3, but if you already got this for the PSP it's a nice feature - for me personally just listening to the awesome soundtrack of the skulls n bones table is a nice trip down Amiga memory lane.