Tag Archives: Sony

Motorbikes hinted at for Gran Turismo 5 DLC

Posted on by
Reply

Valentino Rossi Racing Bike

Gran Turismo 5 developers Polyphony Digital have hinted that motorbikes may be added to the game as DLC.  Speaking to PSM3 Magazine, Polyphony boss Kazunori Yamauchi said:

“The environment we have right now allows us to drive motorcycles, but we need to get Gran Turismo 5 done first,”

“Once that’s out of the way, if there’s a strong demand for bikes, that’s something we’d consider.”

It motorbikes were added to Gran Turismo 5, it’d be the first time they’d feature in a Gran Turismo game. However, Polyphony Digital does have past experience with a two-wheeled racing game. The Gran Turismo 5 developers produced the well received Tourist Trophy for the PlayStation 2. It was practically Gran Turismo but on two wheels instead of four.

But motorbike enthusiasts shouldn’t get too excited yet, especially with Yamauchi saying they need to get Gran Turismo 5 done first. Meanwhile, car enthusiasts definitely won’t want to see motorbikes added to Gran Turismo 5 before the game is released. Why, they wouldn’t want Gran Turismo 5 delayed yet again, would they?

Gran Turismo 5 was finally scheduled for release on November 5th, however Polyphony Digital stated earlier this month that the racing sim has been delayed again to create the “perfect racing experience”  However, the developers say Gran Turismo 5 will be ready in time for the Holiday Season.

When it finally gets released, Gran Turismo 5 will feature over 1,000 fully licensed cars and over 70 racing circuits – including the Top Gear  test track. The much anticipated, and much delayed, racer will also be fully 3D compatible.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the possibility of post-release DLC for Gran Turismo 5 that includes motorbikes? Do you doubt that Gran Turismo 5 will actually receive any extra content post release given the time it’s taken to produce the game? Or do you think Polyphony Digital should produce a new version of Tourist Trophy?

You can leave your thoughts on the possible addition of two-wheeled racing to Gran Turismo 5 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Gran Turismo 5 delayed again

Posted on by
Reply

Gran Turismo 5Sony has revealed the release of Grand Turismo 5 has been delayed….yet again. The good news this time is that the wait isn’t going to be that long. Probably. The official announcement on the PlayStation blog says:

“We can confirm that Gran Turismo 5 will not be available this November 2nd, but the game’s release will be coming this holiday season.

We sincerely apologize to GT fans for the delay, however, creator Kazunori Yamauchi and the team at Polyphony Digital want to make certain they are creating the perfect racing experience, and we are confident that this ambitious game will exceed expectations when it launches.

We’ll have more information for you in the near future.”

CVG has confirmed that Gran Turismo 5 has also been delayed in Europe. However, ‘the Holiday season’ suggests that Gran Turismo 5 should be available before Christmas. However, with the number of delays that Gran Turismo 5 has suffered we can’t be sure. Development on Gran Turismo 5 started in 2006 after all!

The November 3rd release date for Gran Turismo 5 was revealed that this years’ GamesCom. When it’s finally hits the shops, Gran Turismo 5 will feature over 1,000 fully licensed cars and over 70 racing circuits – including the Top Gear  test track. The much anticipated, and much delayed, racer will also be fully 3D compatible.

So Train2Game, what do you think of this latest delay for Gran Turismo 5? Has anyone actually pre-ordered it? Surely the delay can only be good for the gameplay in Gran Turismo 5, right?

You can leave your thoughts about Gran Turismo 5 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

PlayStation Move is out! But where can you get it cheapest?

Posted on by
Reply

PlayStation MoveThe PlayStation Move is available to buy here in the UK!  Some of you have already told us using the Train2Game Twitter account that you’ve already got your PlayStation Move. No doubt some of you who do want the PlayStation Move didn’t pre-order because you cunningly foresaw that retailers would be trying to undercut each other.

The good news for you – if not for Sony and PlayStation Move is that  they have, so we at Train2Game are going to give you a rundown of the cheapest places to get yourself a PlayStation Move pack.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, supermarket giant Tesco are undercutting the rest of the market selling the PlayStation Move starter pack for just £39.70.

Other retailers selling the PlayStation Move at a reasonably low price are Simply Games who are selling the PlayStation Move starter pack for £41.85, and ShopTo selling it at £42.85.  The Game Collection have the PlayStation Move starter pack for sale at £43.99

The big games retailers, Game and GameStation, both price PlayStation Move at £44.99.

Of course, you could always purchase PlayStation Move from your local independent game shop and get a warm fuzzy feeling inside for helping an independent retailer.

Not convinced by PlayStation Move? Well, you’re not the only one, but perhaps this Kevin Butler advert will help you make a decision.

So Train2Game, if you pre-ordered PlayStation Move, have you tried it out yet? If so what are your initial impressions? Id you’re a PlayStation owner, will you be buying Move in the near future? Or are you going to wait and see how things go?

You can leave your thoughts on PlayStation Move here on the Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

The new Kevin Butler PlayStation Move advert is awesome

Posted on by
Reply

Sony have released another new Kevin Butler ad ahead of next weeks much anticipated release of PlayStation Move.

This time Kevin Butler is the Sony VP of Family Funterventions (with his very own awesome looking PlayStation VP-ehicle) and he’s promoting what the PlayStation Move can do – which in a dig at Microsoft Kinect includes ‘sitting gaming.’

Oh, and Kevin Butler also announces that he’s moving in with the family featured in the PlayStation Move ad…not that they’re keen on it. Hopefully our favourite PlayStation Exec won’t be starting anymore fires…

You can watch the new Kevin Butler PlayStation Move ad – Kevin Butler Moves In- below.


The video release comes after Sony say they’ve ‘adapted a more international perspective’ with their gaming marketing strategy than they have in the past. President and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Kaz Hirai said:

“This is a very much overseas market driven organisation. So our new perspective is very important.”

However, The PlayStation Move is likely to have slower but more sustained sales than a traditional gaming property, according to an expert Christopher Dring, Deputy Editor at trade publication MCV.

The PlayStation Move motion controller is released on September 15th in Europe then September 17th in North America.

So Train2Game, what do you think of the new Kevin Butler ad? Will you be buying a PlayStation Move? If so is it a day one purchase, or are you going to be biding your time?

You can leave your thoughts on the Kevin Butler ad, or the PlayStation Move here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

New creation tools revealed in the LittleBigPlanet 2 story trailer

Posted on by
Reply

Sony revealed plenty during their GamesCom 2010 press conference, but the new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer is something many Train2Game students will no doubt be interested in.

We’ve previously discussed how LittleBigPlanet 2 could be the Train2Game students dream, and the latest trailer only confirms this! The LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer, revealed to the world at GamesCom, shows just how many tools will be at LittleBigPlanet 2 players’ disposal when creating new levels and games.

The trailer starts with a peak at new story mode in LittleBigPlanet 2 which sees Sackboy playing the hero as “a negative force of evil stirs on the horizon” The LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer also revels some new creation tools including being able to ‘record’ your Sackboy’s movements for ‘actors’ to use in your own cut-scenes. You’ll also be able to set up your own cameras for use in your LittleBigPlanet 2 levels and cut-scenes.

In addition to this, the new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer also reveals a music creation tool which will allow you to add your own compositions to your custom levels and games. LittleBigPlanet 2 looks like it’ll give Train2Game students the ultimate opportunity to be creative. You can watch the LittleBigPlanet 2 trailers from GamesCom below.


So Train2Game, what do you think about these new features in LittleBigPlanet 2? Are you even more tempted to invest time into the game when it arrives? Or would you rather spend time making your own games?

You can leave your thoughts about LittleBigPlanet 2 here or on the Train2Game forum.

Gran Turismo 5 & New PlayStation 3 models release dates revealed by Sony at GamesCom

Posted on by
Reply

Sony have revealed the release date of Gran Turismo 5 and announced new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation models during their GamesCom 2010 Press Conference. We also got a surprise Resistance 3 announcement among plenty of other PlayStation 3 related reveals.

The long awaited Gran Turismo 5 will finally be released in the UK and Europe on November 3rd. Gran Turismo 5 will feature over 1,000 fully licensed cars and over 70 racing circuits – including the Top Gear  test track! The release date of November 3rd means Gran Turismo 5 will be released in the UK and Europe one day after it’s available in the United States.

The US release date of Gran Turismo 5 was announced earlier this year at E3, where we also found out that Gran Turismo 5 would also be fully 3D compatable.

The November release date of Gran Turismo 5 means that the much anticipated racing title will be out shortly after the new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation 3 models which have been revealed during the Sony GamesCom presentation.  The massive 320GB PlayStation 3 will be available in Europe from September 15th at a price of £284.99 which will include a PlayStation Move starter pack. The 160GB PlayStation 3 will be available in October for £249.99.

The question has to be asked, why would you buy the 160GB model when you can have a 320GB PlayStation with double the hard drive space AND a PlayStation Move starter pack for just £35 extra!

In other news, Resistance 3 has been revealed thanks to a trailer during the Sony Press Conference. Unfortunately, the live action footage doesn’t really tell us anything except that Resistance 3 is currently in development. Other game trailers revealed by Sony included big titles in the form of  Infamous 2, LittleBigPlanet 2, and Killzone 3.

We were also treated to other announcements including a new four player cooperative Ratchet & Clank game and the fact that MAG will be PlayStation Move compatible.

So Train2Game, what are your highlights of the Sony GamesCom press conference? Is it Gran Turismo 5 finally getting a release date? The new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation 3 models? Resistance 3 perhaps? Or maybe it’s something completely different?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum

New LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer released…and it looks adorable.

Posted on by
Reply

Sony has revealed a new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer on the PlayStation Blog, and it looks very promising indeed.

The Adventure trailer – for that is its name – shows some of the new tools and abilities at Sackboy’s disposal which includes commanding Sackbots, flying a spaceship, throwing enemies and using bouncy jump pads. You’ll need to use them all as you play through 50 levels in order to save Craftworld from the evil Negativitron.

Of course, the customisation tools available meant, LittleBigPlanet was more than just a platformer, and Media Molecule’s sequel just gives players even more options in this area. Not only can you create your own levels, you can create your own games. It’s something that every PlayStation 3 owning Train2Game student – especially the Games Designers – really should be looking into.

LittleBigPlanet 2 is due for release in the USA on November 16th, with a European release date rumoured to be coming at the upcoming GamesCom.

Still not convinced by it? Then check out the LittleBigPlanet 2: Adventure Trailer here below. If you don’t feel all warm inside then you probably have a heart made of stone.

So Train2Game, what do you think of the video? Of course, you like what you see, but what is your favourite new feature? And do you have any ideas for LittleBigPlanet2 levels or games?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft defends Kinect price

Posted on by
Reply

The Kinect motion controller is ‘very competitively priced.’ That’s according Microsoft UK Marketing Manager Brett Siddons who also says out that Xbox 360 device offers a full multiplayer experience when compared to its rivals.

Speaking at the Kinect stand at an Amazon event, Siddons told Techradar:

“The price thing itself depends on how you look at it, its £129.99 RRP but it comes with a game within that price – so Adventures will be packed in with the camera.”

“If you buy it with the console which normally costs £149.99, [the package price is] £249.99 with the Kinect and the games – another 100 pound on top.

“The camera tracks six people – with two active gamers – you don’t have to buy anything else.

“I’ll let you do the maths but when you say Nintendo Wii or PlayStation Move you buy this and this, even for a two player games.

“What do you need and what do actually have to spend for a two player game for this device versus that device. You actually find that [Kinect] is very competitively priced.”

TechRadar helpfully do ‘the maths.’  They point out that while a basic PlayStation Move pack consisting of a controller and a PlayStation Eye costs just £49.99, buying another motion sensor controller and two sets of navigation controllers for multiplayer games brings the PlayStation Move price up to £150. Of course, Sony could still announce other packages before Move is released.

It appears Mr Siddons wasn’t asked why Kinect costs more in the UK than in the United States. If the price was directly converted from the $150 US price, Kinect would cost £95. It’s very unlikely that VAT on its own adds the additional £35.

So, Train2Game universe, do you agree with the Microsoft UK Marketing manager that Kinect is competitively priced. Or do you think the PlayStation Move, or indeed, Nintendo Wii offers more value for money? And what do you think of the difference between the UK and US prices?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Want to make games for PlayStation Home?

Posted on by
Reply

You'll be able to do much more than this soon.

Sony has formed a partnership with independent game label Codename which will see a series of indie titles released exclusively on PlayStation Home. Some of these new games are being produced by ‘undiscovered first-time developers’

Therefore, perhaps it’s possible that a studio formed by Train2Game Games Designers, Games Developers and Games Artist & Animator students could be released through PlayStation Home in future? It could happen you know.

Of course, some of you may be completely unfamiliar as to what PlayStation home actually is. So what is it? Well it’s designed for online social gaming on the PlayStation 3. You design your own avatar  – and their house – wander around the environments, meet people and play social games like bowling and chess for example. Cynics might say it’s just an attempt to mix Second Life and the popularity of Xbox Live avatars. What do you think of PlayStation home?

Personally, I haven’t used Home since it was introduced in 2008, and generally prefer to use a PC over a PlayStation 3 console for online games. However, there are large numbers of people that use PlayStation Home, with Sony stating there are over 14 million active users.

Anyhow, back to the games. They’ll be made by indie developers – which could be you in future – from all over the world, and there are four titles that’ll be released in the coming months:

Dueling Gentlemen, created by Odd Gentleman, players strategize the right moves on a giant stage in Home’s Plaza, to outsmart opponents and win this old-time battle for honor and prestige.

Minor Battle, created by Peanut Gallery, winner of the IndieCade 2010 Audience Award, a team-based game where two teams run around a cube of four screens to beat each other in a capture-the-flag style platformer.

Super Awesome Mountain RPG, created by Codename, a blend of tabletop board games and fantasy RPGs, where players ascend a fantastical mountain in Home’s Central Plaza using a custom animated figurine.

Cogs in 3D multiplayer, a multiplayer version of Lazy8’s diabolically clever Steampunk-style game, this gear-based puzzler will also be a dynamic public spectacle in Home’s Central Plaza.

They sound quite interesting don’t they? And they’re just the first of many that will become available to PlayStation Home users in future. Founding Codename partner Jesse Vigil is excited by the new partnership with Sony.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with PlayStation Home to create and develop games that step outside the parameters of traditional game development and we’re really looking forward to the creative opportunities that lie ahead.”

“Our model of pulling together teams of developers and allowing them to make their creative dreams a reality has only one main tenet — any game created for PlayStation Home is graphically and visually entertaining to both play and watch, at the same time.”

So Train2Game students, would you jump at an opportunity to develop games for the PlayStation home? Do you think it has the possibility to provide an indie developer with their big break? Or do you think that the whole scheme will be forgotten about in the near future?

As usual, you can leave your comments here or on the Train2Game forum.

The future of gaming, according to Stan Lee

Posted on by
1

Video games are not only one of the greatest forms of entertainment, but will in future, become a key part of a single system – That’s the opinion of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee.

Speaking to a BBC reporter at Activision’s impressive E3 event, the veteran comics publisher spoke very positively of video games.

“I love games, I’m no good at them myself, but I love to watch people play them and I love to watch people play the games.

And I think it’s one of the greatest methods of entertainment, and I think it’s only at the beginning now, it’s burgeoning, growing.

….There was a survey and it said the average age of game players now is mid 20s to mid 30s, it’s no longer just a kids thing and it’s a wonderful form of entertainment.

Because you’re seeing the story, but you’re participating in the story and what can be better than that?”

Stan Lee is certainly right about the growth of the games industry. It’s amazing to think how far it’s come in such a relatively short space of time – just compare how Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Nintendo Wii looks compared to the first ever Super Mario Bros, released on the NES just over 20 years ago!

And with new innovations in recent years like motion controllers – including PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect –  and 3D gaming, in addition to ever  more photo-realistic graphics, who knows where the games industry will be in another 20 years time! The big name Games Designers, Games Developers, and Games Artist and Animators of the future – who could very well be current Train2Game students – could be revealing absolutely mind blowing new innovations at E3 2030! (In case you’ve somehow managed to miss the key events from the current E3 2010, you can catch up with developments here)

When asked about the future of video games by BBC reporter Daniel Emery, Stan Lee only sees great things:

“I think they’ll get better and better. I think the whole of entertainment is coming together, sort of homogenising.

You’re going to have comic books, you’re going to have cartoons, movies, television, video games and music.

They’re all becoming one thing and you’ll be able to watch it on your little telephone screen when you’re travelling, then everybody’s going to want the biggest TV set, bigger than his neighbour.

It’s incredible. Everybody wants the biggest TV set and the smallest little thing to watch it on, but everything will be on one screen eventually, including video games and everything else.”

If Stan Lee’s predictions do come to pass, it’s entirely possible that Train2Game course graduates could be designing games that will be accessible to anyone through a single multi-purpose entertainment system.  Are the first steps towards this already happening? Possibly, with OnLive going live tomorrow (Thursday 17th June) we could be seeing the future of gaming, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Of course, smart phones such as the iPhone already provide people with multiple forms of entertainment – including games – in one place, and as we’ve discussed previously on the Train2Game blog, the iPhone could give a Train2Game student their big break.

The video games industry has a very bright future, and as a Train2Game graduate, you could very well be a part of it. Do you think you could end up developing games for a home entertainment hub? As usual let us know here on this blog, or on the Train2Game Forum.