Category Archives: Sony

Train2Game News Data Bank for PS4

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Nyko Technologies today announced the release of the highly-anticipated Data Bank for PlayStation 4, a hard drive dock that enables users to upgrade their console memory capacity from the PS4’s standard 2.5” hard drive to cheaper, higher-capacity 3.5” hard drives.

“With the Data Bank, we’re offering a solution that expands the console’s functionality and provides gamers with the convenience of extra storage space,” said Nyko director of marketing, Chris Arbogast.

“With downloadable and hard copies of games taking up tens of gigs of storage against the stock 500GB hard drive, we’re facing the tough decision of choosing which game save to delete in favor of playing a new game. Nyko wants to make sure that never has to happen again.”

As the PlayStation 4 does not presently support game installs or save data on external hard drives, the Data Bank enables users to expand their storage beyond the limits of 2.5” drives currently compatible with the console. This ultimately lets users leverage the larger storage, faster running speeds, and lower prices of 3.5” drives.

The Data Bank for PS4 replaces the top of the console and its existing hard drive with a simple single-screw installation, and seamlessly matches the minimalist design of the PlayStation 4. A built-in LED strip illuminates whenever the console is accessing its memory.

To purchase any product from Nyko’s full lineup of video game accessories for all current and previous generation consoles, visit the online store at www.nyko.com.

Train2Game News PlayStation 4 update

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Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced it will release system software update version 2.50, codenamed “Yukimura,” for the PlayStation 4 (PS4) system on March 26, bringing highly-anticipated and requested features to the system.

These forward-looking updates include the Suspend/Resume feature, which enables gamers to jump in and out of their games quickly and pick up where they left off. In addition, the PS4 system will add to its already robust set of social tools by making it easier than ever to connect gamers together, furthering its position as the best place to play with friends.

“With more than 20 million PlayStation 4 systems worldwide, PlayStation gamers are the foundation for our success. We are constantly listening to feedback from our growing community regarding improvements to make their PlayStation experience even better,” said John Koller, vice-president of platforms marketing. “We continue to focus on making PS4 the best place to play with friends. That’s why we’re delivering features like Facebook Friend Finder, Suspend/Resume to get into gaming quicker, a more streamlined Party and friending process, and new ways for users to see what their friends are playing so they can immediately get in and game together.”

Highlights coming to the PS4 system with “Yukimura” include:

Jump Back Into Games Faster with Suspend/Resume Suspend/Resume, which will be supported by nearly all PS4 titles, will allow PS4 owners to spend less time waiting for games to load and more time playing. Gamers will be able to suspend their game by putting their PS4 system into Rest Mode, and then quickly resume the game where they left off by pressing the PlayStation button on the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller, which wakes their system.

Back-Up and Restore Hard Disc Drive to External USB Drive “Yukimura” allows PS4 owners to back-up and restore the hard disc to and from an external USB drive. Hard disc drive data includes settings, saved data, screenshots and video clips as well as games, patches and download data.

PS4 owners will now be able to search for Facebook friends with their linked account. Friend requests and Real Name requests can be sent together in one step when adding a friend on the PS4 system. The update will allow users to easily view what their friends are playing by adding a “Friends Who Play This” section on each game detail page, while also highlighting which friends are currently online and playing it. The process to create a Party has also been streamlined with a reduction in the number of steps required. Additionally, the What’s New section will now feature a section where users can see what their friends are currently playing enabling them to join in the game if they own it or find out more on PlayStation Store.

PS4 owners have been sharing their most impressive gaming moments since the launch of the system, and with “Yukimura,” a screenshot will automatically be captured when a Trophy is earned, making it easy for users to share their favorite gaming moments with their friends. The update will also make it easy for players to share Trophy information to Facebook, Twitter or via Message by pressing the SHARE button. Additionally, users will now be able to sort their Trophy list by “Earned Date,” “Not Earned,” and “Grade,” as well as the option to remove games from the Trophy list that have zero percent completion.

Improved and Expanded Accessibility Options “Yukimura” introduces new options to customize the user experience with the PS4 system, making it easier for gamers with impaired vision and limited manual dexterity to play. Customized button assignments for DUALSHOCK 4 and a zoom feature for displayed pictures and inverted colors will be available for all system functions, apps and games. Text-to-speech and enlarged text will be available across the graphical user interface, including Message and Party, and enlarged text will also be enabled for use in the system’s browser. Bolder fonts and higher contrast UI will be available for all system applications but will not apply to games or third-party applications.

Additional features and updates introduced with “Yukimura” include:

*              Remote Play and Share Play: For games that support 60 fps, users will be able to stream those games with 60 fps for both Remote Play and Share Play on supported devices.
*              Automatic Installation for System Software Updates: Users will be able to automatically install future system software updates.
*              Sub-Account Upgrade: Users 18 years of age or older with sub-accounts will be able to upgrade to a master account directly on the PS4 system, removing restrictions on chat and enabling users to add funds to their Wallet, purchase content and more.
*              Verified Accounts: Verified accounts for game industry professionals, including developers, producers, designers and community managers will appear with a badge.
*              Dailymotion.com: Players will have the ability to upload video clips directly to Dailymotion via the SHARE button.

The PlayStation Vita system and PlayStation App for smartphones and tablets will also receive system software updates with the same timing as “Yukimura,” adding complementary features to those added to the PS4 system with the update. PS Vita update version 3.50 and PlayStation App update version 2.50 will add new accessibility options, including enlarge text, increase contrast and more. This update also enables PS Vita systems to support 60 fps streaming for Remote Play.

For more information, including the full list of features added to the PlayStation 4 system, PlayStation Vita system and PlayStation App, please visit: www.us.playstation.com

Train2Game News Crytek showing VR at GDC

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With GDC 2015 just around the corner, independent game developer and publisher Crytek has announced details of its plans for the annual conference and expo in San Francisco, which runs from March 4th – 6th this year.

Crytek will set up base at booth #1424 in the South Hall of the Moscone Center, where attendees will be able to take a closer look at a brand new VR demo powered by CRYENGINE and witness Crytek’s technology at work on Android-based systems.

On top of seeing CRYENGINE unleashed for VR and Android, visitors can discover how the engine is equipping developers on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Linux, and learn more about CRYENGINE Sandbox – the ultimate multiplatform toolset.

Throughout the expo, Crytek’s booth will also play host to a regular program of live theatre demos hosted by CRYENGINE licensees and Crytek staff. These demos will offer audiences a detailed look at how both major studios and indie developers are using the engine to create stunning new projects irrespective of size or budget.

For more information, visit www.cryengine.com.

Train2Game News Top 10 PlayStation Icons

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Official PlayStation Magazine have asked the top hardcore gamers, their readers, who have voted in their tens of thousands to crown their favourite PlayStation Icon.

The magazine presents the top 20 PlayStation Icons of all time in the February issue, and Crash Bandicoot was voted top of the poll.

Speaking about the winner, Official PlayStation Magazine Editor Matthew Pellett said; “Despite being absent from our screens since 2008, the original PlayStation Icon remains in the hearts of modern gamers. Our readers have spoken loud and clear: even though Naughty Dog has moved on to blockbusters such as the Uncharted series and The Last Of Us, the developer’s PS1 marsupial still casts a shadow over all other gaming characters. Thousands of people voted Crash Bandicoot into the number one spot and calls for his return to PlayStation grow louder every single month.”

The top 10 are:

10 Batman
9 Cloud Strife
8 Pyramid Head
7 Big Boss
6 Lara Croft
5 Scorpion/Sub-Zero (joint placement)
4 Nathan Drake
3 Kratos
2 Solid Snake
1 Crash Bandicoot

To see the full list, purchase a copy of Official PlayStation Magazine now. Available on newsstands until 12 February 2015.

Train2Game News Suikoden coming to PSN

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Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has responded to a huge online campaign to bring back its popular Suikoden role-playing series, and will re-release the ever-popular Suikoden and Suikoden II titles digitally via PlayStation Network in January 2015.

Both games are regarded as some of the best role-playing titles for home systems, with Suikoden originally released for PlayStation® in 1997 and Suikoden II was released across Europe for the same format in 2000. They form the first two installments of the six-game series, With Suikoden following an unlikely hero as he attempts to locate the 108 Stars of Destiny that are needed to free his homeland.

Suikoden’s hero, who can be named by the player, is the son of the Great General, Teo McDohl. With his Father summoned to the front in Northlands, the player begins the game undergoing guard training in Gregminster. Via an old friend, the player is charged with protectingthe Rune of Life and Death; one of the 27 runes that govern the world, and which lead the hero to flee the capital. He duly encounters a rebel organization and embarks on a mission to find the Stars of Destiny – comrades needed to restore peace to the land, and to save the home they love.

Suikoden II centres on an orphan called Hero, his friend Jowy and his orphan sister, Nanami. This unlikely trio find themselves in the middle of a war between the Highland Kingdom and the City States. Thus, the three heroes embark on a journey that will question their preconceptions of life, society and war as they gather the famed 108 Stars of Destiny, initially introduced in the first game.

Together, the friends will face potentially life-and-death decisions that force the player to make tough choices, while the game’s celebrated story takes twists and turns and develops based on the decisions made. The trio will also be forced to go into battle as they progress, with combat consisting of a dynamic battle style where multiple team members or enemies can attack simultaneously. Suikoden II also offers players a unique magic rune and skills system that encourages players to perform combat moves with strategy in mind.

Some 18 years after the first game’s launch, Suikoden and Suikoden II are still regarded as two of the greatest role-playing games for home formats. Both will be released via the new PSOne Classic games collection in January for PlayStation 3. Release date and price will be announced soon.

“It is a testament to the content and quality of the Suikoden series that fans still talk about it, some 18 years later,” commented Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. “We have received countless requests to revisit the series, so are delighted to be able to satiate its fans with these digital editions of the first two games. We hope people enjoy returning to the world of Suikoden, and that maybe its clever mechanics and engrossing story wins it a new fanbase.”

Train2Game News Creative England offering investment

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Creative EnglandCreative England and SCEE have announced a new £250,000 fund to accelerate and incubate five UK games companies.

The organisation’s will invest £50,000 into each of the selected five developers to support the development of new titles for PS3, PS4 and PlayStation Vita. The studios will also receive business support, dev kits for the three PlayStation platforms and other technical and fringe benefits.

The partnership is part of a new incubator and accelerator programme called GamesLab Campus. Information on how to apply will be made available soon at www.creativeengland.co.uk/games.

The partnership was announced by SCEE’s senior account manager for publisher and developer relations Agostino Simonetta during the Develop Conference in Brighton today.

“We are delighted to work with Creative England on this program,” he said. “We believe this to be a great partnership and an opportunity to illustrate our continuous support and commitment to the independent development community.”

Jaspal Sohal, head of games and digital media at Creative England, added: “At Creative England, we are always looking to support new game development talent and opening doors to help ndie studios grow and achieve commercial success. It’s fantastic to have PlayStation on board and together we’ve designed GamesLab Campus to be a complete investment and support package.

“Whether you’re a start-up or an experienced developer, we’re looking for exciting and innovative projects to invest in.”

Train2Game News Unity for PS Mobile offers Vita support

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PS VitaUnity now fully supports PlayStation Mobile, allowing users on the PSM Developer Program to publish content to the PlayStation Store and Vita for free.

The PSM build option works with both the free and Pro versions of the Unity game engine.

The new release features in-app purchase APIs and also allows developers to distribute their titles to PlayStation TV.

Unity for PS Mobile differs from the existing Vita build option however. PSM support is designed to provide free access for development on a standard retail Vita, while the existing Vita build option provides full native access to the handheld and full access to PSN.

Visit the official website for more information.

Train2Game News Unity for PS4

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unity-logoUnity for PlayStation 4 has been fully released for all registered Sony developers.

The new version brings full support to Shader Model 5 and compute shaders, as well as for all DualShock 4 features including the touchpad, vibration, light colour and speaker control.

Developers will also be able to access camera features such as depth detection, hand and face positioning and PS Move detection.

Sony will be making a number of licences available free of charge for approved titles.

Unity also said it was working on full support for integration with Sony’s virtual reality headset Project Morpheus.

Train2Game News Sony at E3

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SONY_logoAt its annual E3 Media & Business Summit press conference today, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) unveiled a line-up of premiere content for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system.

The games included Destiny from Bungie & Activision , Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End from Naughty Dog , Far Cry 4 from Ubisoft , Batman: Arkham Knight from Rocksteady & Warner Bros Interactive , The Order: 1886 from Ready at Dawn, the highly anticipated No Man’s Sky by Hello Games, and many more.

SCEA also unveiled an exclusive PS4 Destiny bundle that includes a custom glacier white PS4, provided an update on its original content series “Powers,” introduced PlayStation TV (PS TV) for the North American and European markets, and discussed the rollout of “PlayStation Now” (PS Now) in the United States and Canada.

“With the success of PS4 − the number one next generation platform globally − and the announcements we made tonight around exciting new content, platforms and services, PlayStation is delivering unique and powerful entertainment experiences that speak to the hearts and minds of gamers,” said Shawn Layden, president and CEO of SCEA.

“PlayStation offers something for everyone, whether you want to lose yourself in a massive virtual world with tons of social interaction like Destiny or you’re looking for a more intimate, unique experience offering plenty of challenge like Entwined. Our unwavering commitment to gamers will ensure that PlayStation will always be where the greatest play happens.”

You can view more information on the Sony E3 conference in the link below

Sony at E3

Train2Game News Develop 2014 keynote speakers

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DevelopAndrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), and Mark Cerny, Lead System Architect for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, have been confirmed as the keynote for the Develop in Brighton conference which takes place at the city’s Hilton Metropole from 8-10 July 2014.

House and Cerny’s in conversation keynote, 20 Years of PlayStation, 40 Years of Console Games, and 100 Years to Come, will see these two industry heavyweights look over the history of PlayStation and how it propelled console gaming into the mainstream.

The pair will explore what the company has learnt along this journey, how these principles were applied to PlayStation 4 and what the future holds, both in terms of the opportunities PlayStation 4 presents and the long term direction of the industry.

Andrew House has been President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) since September 2011.  Working closely with Sony Corporation’s senior management, as well as business units and regional management teams, he is responsible for the development and growth of the PlayStation business globally.

House joined the Sony family in 1990 and in those 24 years has held a number of positions including Executive Vice President, Sony Computer Entertainment America and, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Chief Marketing Officer, Sony Corporation.  He has been part of the PlayStation team virtually since its inception.

Since joining Atari Games in 1982, Mark Cerny has had a long and storied career. He has worked variously as a producer, programmer, and game designer, in the US and Japan, in arcade games and console games. He is best known for his collaborations with Naughty Dog (on Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Uncharted) and Insomniac Games (on Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance).

Most recently Cerny served as Lead System Architect of the PlayStation 4 system, guiding the development of the hardware and system software over the course of its six years of development.

“It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since the arrival of the first PlayStation,” commented President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Andrew House. “Mark Cerny and I will look back over this fantastic period in which console gaming became mainstream, how our experiences shaped PlayStation 4 and where the industry will go from here.”

“We learnt a lot of lessons over the past 20 years which shaped the decisions taken in designing PlayStation 4,” said Mark Cerny, Lead System Architect on PlayStation 4 and President of Cerny Games. “The Develop in Brighton conference is a wonderful opportunity for us to share some of these experiences with the industry and discuss what the future might hold.”

“Following the rave reviews and accolades PlayStation 4 has received we are honoured to have Andrew House and Mark Cerny deliver the Develop in Brighton this July,” said Andy Lane, managing director of Tandem Events.

Registration is open at www.developconference.com with passes starting from as little as £75. Entry to the Expo is free.