Tag Archives: PlayStation

Train2Game news: “If you care about games you’re going to want a Vita” say Sony

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PlayStation VitaTrain2Game students may already be very interested in the PlayStation Vita, thanks to a development kit that brings handheld and smartphone development together, but anyone who cares about games will want to buy one.

That’s according to Sony Worldwide Studios European senior VP Michael Denny, who was speaking to VideoGamer.

“Our mission, our vision, is that we now have a portable gaming system that is going to be massively appealing to gamers – initially core gamers, but then a wider sense of gamers going forward,” he said, adding that so long as Sony provide a good line up of title’s people will want to buy the PlayStation Vita.

“We have to concentrate on our plans and make sure we supply the right games, the right experience, the right software, and the right social connectivity for the platform. I believe if you care about games you’re going to want a Vita.”

Denny admitted that the PlayStation Vita enters into a competitive market against the Nintendo 3DS and smartphones

We have to acknowledge that we’re coming into a very competitive landscape in the portable, mobile gaming market,” said the Sony VP.

“But I think the main thing for us is that we are a true next-gen platform. We are going to truly differentiate ourselves from the competition, so people who do care about the gaming – who want a deeper, richer, more immersive experience with their gaming – are going to absolutely love this device.

He added that the PlayStation Vita has been built to give creative game developers plenty of opportunity to flex their muscles. The Train2Game blog has previously reported that Sony has already lent Vita development kits to indie studios.

“It’s been built from the ground up with creative games developers in mind as well, to give a hardware feature set that we think is unrivalled. With the launch line-up that we have as well, we feel it will be compelling to gamers everywhere.” said Denny.

Sony officially revealed the PlayStation Vita at E3 earlier this year, it’s scheduled for a UK release in February next year.

So Train2Game, do you want to buy a PlayStation Vita? Do you think it’ll be a success? And are you encouraged that Sony want developers to be creative?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: VideoGamer]

Train2Game news: Sony – ‘Time still not right’ for download only consoles

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Train2Game students will be aware of the growth of digital distribution in the games industry, with games available to download via services including Xbox LIVE, PSN and Steam.

And while the Train2Game blog has previously reported that some believe future consoles won’t use discs at all, Sony don’t believe this will happen any time soon.

“We believe, for some consumers, the time is [right], but for other consumers, the time is still not [right],” SCE Worldwide president Shuhei Yoshida told Edge in an interview about the PlayStation Vita

Sony officially revealed their new handheld console at E3 earlier this year.

Yoshida said that current internet connections mean that it’s not yet time for a console to go digital only. This is despite Sony attempting a download only console with the PSP Go.

“So we believe the time is still not right to go download-only as a platform. Some PS Vita titles, like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, will be close to 4GB in size, which could be too large to download for consumers who do not have a fast broadband connection.”

Yoshida added that some consumers will appreciate being able to go to a retailer and pick up a physical copy of a game.

“Also, some consumers like shopping in retail stores, talking to knowledgeable store clerks, buying and playing games on the spot. We do not want to remove that capability from consumers.”

Sony are also aware that downloads haven’t taken off in every part of the globe.

“There are consumers in parts of the world – this is a global device – where the digital model has not yet fully been embraced,” added SCEE CEO Jim Ryan.

Last month, the Train2Game blog reported that Crytek don’t believe that the industry is ready for digital distribution via cloud gaming.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Sony’s remarks about digital distribution? Can you see consoles going download only?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Edge via Industry Gamers]

Train2Game students split on potential of 3D gaming

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Train2Game students don’t appear to be fully convinced by comments made by Sony on the potential of 3D in gaming.

As reported by the Train2Game blog,  Sony Group Studio Director Mick Hocking believes the technology means we’re in “one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer”

And while some Train2Game students on the Train2Game Facebook page believe in the potential of gaming in 3D, some see it as little more than a fad.

“If the 3D is right, I feel it adds to the immersion of the gaming experience” said Train2Game student Richard Meredith

“Maybe not so much in shooter’s as I feel that the screen has too much going on and can cause confusion, don’t get me wrong some areas are of shooters in 3D are great, but I feel 3D works best for racing, sports, and third person perspective games.”

And Train2Game student Danny Goddard believes it definitely has potential.

“Don’t think 3D tech is quite “there” yet.” he wrote on the Train2Game Facebook page

“However, I do consider it a stepping stone to greater things in the future of entertainment/Games industry.” He added.

Meanwhile, some Train2Game students believe 3D is nothing more than a gimmick which will eventually pass.

“3D is a fad the comes around every 10 years or so, sooner the better it goes the same way the HDDVD drive went for the 360” said Mark Byrne, while Louise Grundy believes 3D looks good, but is still just a fad.

“3D on the 3DS looked better than I expected, but it’s just a gimmick and nothing more.” She wrote on the Train2Game Facebook page

There are also those such as Calum Knight who believe 3D has potential, but needs to do more to avoid falling into a failed technology fad.

“If they ever get 3D to work with the gameplay of a game yes, if it’s just for showing off simply no. Current 3D is just a gimmicky fad at the moment.” he said.

And finally, responding to Train2Game via Twitter, Levi Dargue was more than a little cynical about Sony’s enthusiasm for 3D gaming.

“Of course they would say that, those shiny new overpriced 3DTV’s won’t sell themselves” he said.

Where do you stand on 3D?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: 3D means we’re in “one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer” say Sony

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Train2Game students will probably be aware that Sony have a strong interested in 3D, with Uncharted 3 being seen as the game that could help bring the technology to the mainstream.

Resistance 3 is another big title that boasts 3D compatibility, which the Train2Game blog reported today debuted at No.4 in the UK Charts.

Sony believe that 3D will eventually enter gamers lives in a big way, but at the moment the technology is only just beginning to show what it’s capable of.

“Looking at the future of 3D, I think we’ve really only just begun to realize its potential as a creative medium.”  Sony Group Studio Director Mick Hocking told Industry Gamers.

“With the combination of 3D and motion control gaming with PlayStation Move, I think titles like Resistance 3 are just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” he argued.

And Hocking believes that the potential of 3D makes it a hugely exciting time to be a video game consumer.

“For those who may have been fans of some of the ‘virtual reality’ projects of the late 1980s and early 1990s, improvements in processing power and 3D screen resolution are creating virtual spaces that are more realistic than ever” he said.

“If you look at what PlayStation is doing now and the innovations that are being worked on in our Studios in 3D gaming, we’re living in one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer,” the 3D enthusiast concluded.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, 3D technology was a huge part of Sony’s E3 press conference. And last month Sony revealed a futuristic 3D headset, which while impressive, at a cost of around £500 is probably a little too expensive for most gamers.

Sony have long been evangelists for 3D gaming, but the technology is also starting to gain interest from their rivals Microsoft. Indeed, the upcoming Halo Anniversary from 343 will feature 3D compatibility.

“With Halo: Anniversary you are able to play the game in stereoscopic 3D and really, the important thing for us was to add features that didn’t impact gameplay but enhanced it, and 3D was a good opportunity to do that”

“So, we were able to add 3D into the game and you can play 3D in re-mastered mode however much you like” Producer Dennis Ries told the Train2Game blog in a recent interview

So Train2Game, what do you think is the potential of 3D technology? Will it enter the gaming mainstream? Or does it feel like a gimmick to you?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game news: THQ say future consoles won’t use discs

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Train2Game students who like to collect boxed games may find this a little hard to take, but the future of games consoles won’t involve discs.

That’s according to THQ CEO Brian Farrell who made the prediction during his keynote presentation at Cloud Gaming USA.

But it could be a good thing for Train2Game students, the game developers of the future, because according to Farrell the lack of a disc drive “will result in a lower cost for the hardware manufacturer, which will result in a lower cost to consumers and therefore a lower entry point, thus driving more mass market adoption.”

In addition to allowing more people to play games, the THQ CEO believes that any future consoles with no disc drive will generate more revenue for game developers.

“No physical goods cost for game makers. No inventory, no markdowns, and all the money spent by the consumer would go to the developer or publisher.” said Farrell.

Farrell also believes that cloud gaming will be beneficial for gaming communities

“Our games are always on and our players are always connected….We have the opportunity to interact with players in new ways that can be reactive to their desires, play habits, and buying habits.”

“The box, ship and done model is transitioning to: observe, measure, and modify, a games as a service model where direct consumer feedback allows the ability to operate in this always on, always connected environment.” he told Cloud Gaming USA.

Train2Game students will have the opportunity to try out cloud gaming for themselves at the upcoming Eurogamer Expo. As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, OnLive will be at the event and Train2Game students could get their hands on a free OnLive system to take home.

Of course, Train2Game will be highly visible at the Eurogamer Expo too, and are giving Train2Game students the opportunity to win an iPad 2 complete with an i OS developer account.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Farrell’s predictions? Do you think there will be consoles that don’t use discs in future? Is cloud gaming the way forward?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Fallout New Vegas Developer Diary #5 – The Strip

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Obsidian has released a fifth Fallout: New Vegas developer diary. This time the team focus on one of the key areas of Fallout: New Vegas, the Strip.

The team at Obsidian discuss how getting the New Vegas look right was very important, and how it’s the part of Fallout: New Vegas they “put the most amount of work in term terms of design”. They also discuss the huge scale of The Strip and how they’ve captured elements that have always made Las Vegas exciting, then combined them with the pseudo 1950’s Sci-Fi world of Fallout: New Vegas.

Obsidian are obviously very proud of The Strip they’ve created for Fallout: New Vegas, saying that there’s nothing like it in the entire Fallout universe to date.

Of course, New Vegas isn’t all about the landscape, and we’re told how its glitz also features soldiers “walking around in drunken stupors, puking on the sidewalks and dancing naked in fountains, and that sort of thing” Naturally, you can also gamble and The Strip is also seems to play an important part in the storyline of Fallout: New Vegas. The developers say there is plenty to do!

You can watch Fallout New Vegas Developer Diary #5 – The Strip, below.


There are four other Fallout: New Vegas developer diaries from Obsidian. They cover The Story, the Tech & Sound, the Art Direction, and the Factions of Fallout: New Vegas.

You can also find out hardcore mode, morality, and combat in Fallout: New Vegas, by checking out this Q & A post in the PlayStation blog. You can also see the Train2Game preview of Fallout: New Vegas here.

Fallout: New Vegas is released in one week on October 22nd, and will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

So Train2Game, what do you think about the amount of effort Obsidian have put into Fallout: New Vegas’ Strip? What real world locations would you like to see transformed in a future Fallout game? And of course, who is going to be playing Fallout: New Vegas this time next week?

You can leave your thoughts about Fallout: New Vegas here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft announce Xbox Live price increase

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Microsoft has confirmed that subscription prices for Xbox Live will be going up from November 1st.  The price increase for Xbox Live was confirmed by Major Nelson in a blog titled Price change for Xbox LIVE Gold subscription

The good news (sort of) for UK Xbox Live subscribers is that the price will only be increasing if you pay for your Xbox Live membership on a monthly basis. Does anyone actually pay for Xbox Live every month?

From November 1st, Xbox Live members who buy pay buy their Xbox Live Gold subscriptions monthly will see the price increase from £4.99 a month to £5.99 a month. That’s a whole £1 people. Does anyone actually pay for their Xbox Live membership on a monthly basis?

The good news for every other Xbox Live subscriber in the UK is that Xbox Live membership costs for 3 month Live subscriptions and yearly subscriptions won’t be changing and remain unchanged.

If you’re an Xbox Live subscriber in the United States, you’ll see the biggest price rises with monthly Xbox Live subscription costs rising from $7.99 to $9.99, Three month Xbox Live Gold membership fees rising from $19.99 to $24.99, while the yearly cost for Xbox Live Gold membership goes up from $49.99 to $59.99.

The increase in Xbox Live  Gold membership fees is the first price increase since Xbox Live was introduced onto the original Xbox all the way back in 2002.

So Train2Game students, how do you feel about the increase in price of a subscription to Xbox Live? If you’re paying a monthly fee, will this encourage you to pay for a yearly membership? Or do you think this is a money making ploy by Microsoft?

Could it push you towards the free PlayStation Network?

Leave your thoughts about the increase in Xbox Live subscription costs here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.