The news about the new game was spilled a little earlier than expected, ahead of a Kazunori Yamauch announcement later today at the UK’s Silverstone circuit. That will be one of the seven new locations included in GT6, iafrica reports.

There’ll also be a variety of aerodynamic parts, custom wheels, and other add-ons which drivers will be able to buy in-game and install on their cars. They’ll be offered for “almost all” of the vehicles to choose from, with several thousand components to choose between.

Gran Turismo 6 trailer:

Gran Turismo 6 will also further blur the lines between the gaming racing experience and cars in the real world. Toyota, for instance, will be the first to offer CAN-ECY system integration, with drivers of the GT86 able to download their telemetry from track days, and compare it in the game.

Exactly when GT6 will hit the shelves is unclear, though there’ll be smartphone and tablet integration for social and community features. It’ll also be based on a new, smaller game engine, which promises boosted performance as well as opening up support for extensible content.

The audio and subtitle options can now be accessed from within the video player, meaning that you don’t have to return to the main menu in order to adjust these settings. Plus, accessing these options from within the video player while watching a show will bring up catered settings for that particular show, including available languages and surround sound options.

The video player has also been updated to look more like the web and mobile versions, although it keeps some of the same PS3 aesthetic. The video player will now be much more reminiscent of other platforms with Netflix, and PlayStation 3 users should be able to pick up another device without a huge learning curve getting in the way.

Today’s PS3 update also includes improvements for “trickplay” mode, which is that fancy series of screenshots you get when you want to skip ahead or backward in a show. This time around, the screenshots appear much quicker on the screen, allowing users to fast-forward or rewind a show at a much quicker pace than before, although we would still love the option to automatically skip opening credits for a TV show that happens after the cold open, but it seems we’ll still be dreaming about that.

Netflix streaming first hit the PlayStation 3 back in November 2009, and it recently became the number one streaming device for Netflix, where Sony’s gaming console had more Netflix users than any other platform that Netflix in on, including the Xbox 360, so it’s really no surprise that the streaming company is giving extra attention to the PS3.

SOURCE: Netflix Blog

Speaking with Eurogamer, Kato says that much of the chip development for the PS4 has already been in place, whereas the PS3 required all-new development processes for the console’s chip. The PS4 will still see a new chip (and development is still happening for that), but Kato says that many existing technologies will be implemented in the PS4, cutting down on R&D costs.

Sony turned its first profitable year since 2008, but its PlayStation division was down during the 12-month period. Sales were down 12.2%, with operating income down a staggering 94% to just $18 million for the year. However, Kato says that income is expected to “increase significantly” for the company, with the PS4′s launch coming later this year.

Operating income is another story, though, as Kato expects it to be stagnant year-over-year due to R&D and marketing costs for the new and upcoming console. However, the PS4 is expected to turn a profit in a shorter amount of time than the PS3, which took several years before the console was finally in the black for Sony.

[via Eurogamer]

Gamers will be able to download demo via the Xbox Line Marketplace and the PlayStation Network on May 7. Playing the demo, players will be able to cooperate with up to four other players online. Local players will also be able to fight using a two player screen system. The demo allows players to choose one of four elite operatives to play as.

The operatives include Dalton Brooks, Izzy Sinclair, Jacob Kimble and Naya Deveraux. During game players will attempt to protect the Earth from an alien energy source called Fuse. The energy source was stolen by a paramilitary organization called Raven.

Each of the characters players can take control of has their own unique weapon and specialized skills. The game will launch at the same time for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. While much of the game is centered on cooperative play, there will be single player aspects so gamers can play alone if they want.

[via Fuse]

Although watchlist functionality has been present for Netflix US on-demand subscribers for some time, the ability to create a playlist has been largely absent outside of that country. In the UK, for instance, Netflix lacks the ability to create a “My Queue” list, despite regular requests from users.

Now, though, LOVEFiLM users in the UK and Germany will be able to line up a number of shows to watch, with the list synchronized across all apps and sites that are logged into the same account. There’s also a new homepage layout, which includes a “last viewed” widget with details on what was last played, what device played it, and what viewing point was reached, making it easier to resume.

Otherwise, there’s new search functionality and an updated recommendation engine, and LOVEFiLM has tweaked the UI in general to make things easier to navigate. The new PS3 app is available now, though LOVEFiLM hasn’t said when exactly those with other internet-connected devices will get it.

The game will launch in North America on August 20 with the international launch set for August 23. 2K will offer the game on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows computers for $59.99. The game is set in 1962 at the height of the Cold War. The storyline takes players into the original story for the clandestine XCOM organization and its first encounter with the enemy.

In the game, The Bureau was initially established to provide covert defense against the Soviet Union. Players will play as Special Agent William Carter leading a squad of agents to defeat the unknown enemy. 2K promises that the game will offer calculated combat designed to force players to think and act tactically.

The Bureau will be a third person perspective game and players will be able to transition in and out of a unique Battle Focus ability. The game also uses the concept of permanent consequence making each decision that the player makes effect the outcome of the game. The game is up to pre-order right now and those who do pre-order will get a special Codebreakers side mission as a bonus.

[via Erasethetruth]

The game promises cooperative gameplay as players take the role of Star Trek heroes Captain Kirk and Spock. Players will fight and explore the universe aboard the USS enterprise as you fight the enemy Gorn. The video game uses voices from the movie including the voices of Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock.

To succeed in the game players will have to work together and the developers behind the game say that this is the most expensive and authentic Star Trek experience ever developed for the video game platform. The video game uses costumes and set designs from the previous film and a musical score performed by a 100-piece orchestra. The game is based on an original story written by Marianne Krawczyk.

Other actors from the movie are also lending their voice talents the videogame including Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Simon Pegg as Scotty, John Cho as Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Chekov, and Karl Urban as bones. The game is available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $59.99. Computer gamers can purchase the game as a digital download through Steam and other locations for $49.99. The game is rated T for teen.

[via Star Trek: The Video Game]

While the original Dishonored story followed a man by the name of Corvo Attano, “the last bodyguard to the Empress”, this time you’re playing one of the assassins that inadvertently ruined Attano’s life. While it’s not said explicitly in the trailer you’re about to see, we can’t help but wonder if you and Attano will be meeting by the time this whole saga is over. Your name this time is Daud, and for six months you’ve had the weight of the world on your shoulders.

You’ll be BAMFing your way from one wall to another, knifing your enemies in the back here and there, and electrifying all those who would oppose you without end. This DLC for Dishonored will have you working with tricks you’ve seen before as well as a whole bunch of new bits and pieces only a real hardcore OG assassin would know.

This downloadable addition to your Dishonored experience will require that you already own and have installed the game (or have the disk in your drive if you’re on a console). You’ll be downloading Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall starting on April 16th for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC all at once. Make with the cash drop!

To be able to use the Epix application on your PS3, consumers have to be an authenticated subscriber to a participating cable or satellite company. However, the streaming application is offering a two week free trial to get people try the app and the network now and weekly free preview movie titles. That means if you download the app, even if you don’t have a cable subscription to Epix, you will be able to watch some content.

Cable subscribers who have access to the network and authenticate will be able watch over 3000 movies including some new releases. Those new releases include some very popular films such as The Avengers, Skyfall, The Hunger Games, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and more. The streaming application will also offer access to exclusive and original content from the television network.

The original content that will be offered via the app includes the network’s Original Concert events, documentaries, comedy specials, and championship boxing events. Epix says that in the future will also be offering a free movie or special event each week to PlayStation Plus members who download the app. Cable subscribers who do have the network as part of their subscription package can use the application at no additional cost.

[via Epix]

The new Doctor Who experience will roll out on March 27, which is tomorrow. The new PlayStation Home experience will give gamers a chance to go deeper into the world of Doctor Who and will allow fans to interact with iconic elements of the series. Players will be able to explore and customize environments as well as watch content from the popular series in a social atmosphere.

Fans of the series will be able to enjoy features based on the show’s most popular characters and scenery including the Eleventh Doctor and River Song costumes. The content also includes a TARDIS-themed private space and clubhouse. Fans can also visit a Doctor Who-themed LOOT Space Station Theater to enjoy additional video content from BBC Worldwide and shop for Doctor Who items real and virtual.

The new PlayStation Home content is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Doctor Who television series. Sony also promises that additional Doctor Who themed virtual goods, environments, and social experiences will be added to PlayStation Home throughout the year. Check out the video below to get a sneak peak at some of the content that will be coming to PlayStation Home.

[via BBC Worldwide]

Despite the feedback about the maturity rating, the game developers for Tomb Raider do not believe they were wrong when they added more violence to the game. They also said that they were not influenced into adding more violence to the game because of games like Call of Duty. President of Eidos Interactive, Ian Livingstone, stated that gamers have a desire for “gritty realism”, which is exactly why the developers included all the gore, traps, hunting, and more in this game. His point is proven in this Tomb Raider trailer when we see everything that Lara Croft has to go through in order to survive.

Livingstone stated, “A decision was made to make it 18+ because of the combat involved, the graphics involved, and that gritty realism. It’s definitely the correct decision.” He stated that Eidos wanted to improve the fighting elements of Tomb Raider, because it always seemed to be placed on the back burner while the puzzle elements were front and center. While the game still follows the elements of exploration, adventure, and puzzle solving, there will be a lot more combat in this reboot.

This Tomb Raider reboot will take you back to the origins of Lara Croft and how she became who she was in the previous games. The game is set to be released world wide on March 5th via its publisher, Square Enix. In this game, you can take part in Lara Croft’s first human kill, as well as her transformation from a scared, young girl to the tough, fearless tomb raider she is in the 1996 series.

[via The Guardian]

When asked about the extended longevity the COD games now have, Hirshberg doesn’t seem too scared of possible profit depletion. He says that the game has found the right supply and demand for new content for the Call of Duty community. Players are able to play the same game for longer times, and Activision and Treyarch are able to keep their profits up and keep players hooked by selling DLC packs.

Commenting on whether or not Call of Duty will ever be made into a movie, Hirshberg stated that Activision has been approached several times by a variety of companies to turn Call of Duty into a movie. Activision’s primary business, however, is making games and they don’t want to jeopardize that in the “pursuit of making movies”. Hirshberg did hint that if they do dabble in movies, “it’s going to be with the right partners, and at the right time, and for the right reason.”

Hirshberg also commented on their big investment in the free-to-play gaming space. Activision released Call of Duty free-to-play in China, which drew in “tens of millions” of gamers to its gaming franchise. He says that the free-to-play space is something the company is doing on a “case by case basis” and they’re still learning more about it. Hirshberg says that they will implement more free-to-play investments “where we think it’s appropriate”.

[via Digital Trends]

For those unaware, Dave Perry from Gaikai is all about cloud gaming. From Remote Play, to Playstation Cloud and more we can expect tons of good things since Sony acquired them last year. While he was on stage detailing Remote Play, he quickly mentioned the backwards compatibility issue. Don’t worry though folks because you’ll still be able to enjoy those old classics, just through the cloud.

Sony’s next-generation PlayStation 4 cloud-gaming console will stream original PS1, PS2 and PS3 games all from the cloud. Using their upcoming and next-gen cloud gaming system you’ll be able to enjoy all those classic titles right from Sony. We don’t know all the details yet but the PlayStation Cloud Service will be the center of it all.

Interestingly enough we didn’t get any further details regarding compatibility and how this will all work. Will gamers automatically be able to stream games they own from the cloud? Or will we have to buy them again digitally from the cloud service and PlayStation Network. We’ll be looking for more details as they become available to stay tuned to our PlayStation 4 Portal.

In a blog post, Brown says that there are numerous problems with the Xbox platform that leaves the door wide open for Apple. Plus, Microsoft has been making it extremely difficult to develop games for the Xbox, and it doesn’t really cater to indie developers. The Apple TV, on the other hand, runs iOS, which allows for anyone to develop apps and games fairly easily, which has spawned a wealth of games for users to play.

Of course, the Apple TV isn’t catered as a gaming platform, although it’s only a matter of time before that could happen. You can actually beam iOS games to your living room TV using the set-top box, but the Apple TV itself isn’t a gaming console by any means. However, that could change with just a few more advanced features added on.

In the end, Brown notes that the past five years have been painful to watch, in regards to the Xbox, because Microsoft has essentially failed to innovate and capitalize on the potential of innovations, like the Kinect sensor. Brown also wishes that Microsoft adopted a similar model for game and app distribution that iOS and Android have been using in order to create huge and successful gaming ecosystems.

[via Business Insider]

Players are able to customize their own lair to serve as a base and a battleground for new lair PVP battles. The players are able to harness the power and combat abilities using a mainframe computer located in their lair. These powers and combat abilities can be used on the streets of Gotham City and Metropolis.

The download content also gives players access to a new hideout, which is a more basic version of their lair with less capabilities. Players will have access to two different teams with four additional lair themes that are accessible via the marketplace. More themes will be offered later.

The mainframe computer allows users to order orbital strikes, call in reinforcements, or supply drops, and unlock new mods. The player’s lair can also be upgraded with mail, vendors, and a broker. New solo content also comes with download content including missions in four locations. The new locations offer 10 new missions. The Home Turf download content is $9.99 and Legendary members to the content for free.

Sony promises that the new online store offers rich and detailed product pages making it easy to browse the store catalog containing what Sony claims to be millions of pieces of game-related content. The game content includes downloadable games, add-on content, and themes. The store is accessible through the PS3 and content can be purchased online via computers.

Content purchased using a computer for the PS3 will be added directly to the My Downloads area within the PlayStation Store. The content is also accessible using the PlayStation Vita or the PSP. The content also includes movies and TV episodes available through the online store that can also be watched on any Windows computer via the Media Go application for Windows PCs.

The movie and TV content can also be viewed on Android-powered Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets. Sony says that this online store was first offered in Europe in December. As of January 24 the store is available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Sony announced not long ago that people can also find their account wallet using PayPal and those wallet funds can be used to purchase any content from the new online store.

[via Sony Entertainment Network]

In addition to the DLC release, Bethesda will also out the 1.8 update for Skyrim on PS3 next month, just ahead of Dragonborn’s launch in February. While no specific release dates for any of the expansions were disclosed, PC gamers will get the Dragonborn DLC on February 5. However, all of the expansions will be 50% off during their launch on the PlayStation Network.

It’s important to point out that the Xbox 360 has had all three DLC packs for some time now. Dawnguard was released in June, Hearthfire in September, and Dragonborn in December. Bethesda said that the delay for PS3 was completely their fault, and while they didn’t mention any specifics about the problem, they were destined to fix it and make things right for gamers.

We are curious to know just how many gamers are still loyal to a game that hasn’t seen any new content in over a year, but the developer’s heavy discount of the DLC packs when they eventually release will hopefully spark the fun back into the game, and we’ll hopefully see more PS3 gamers get back into the groove of things.

[via Eurogamer]

The new download content takes place in Aegrus, which is in uncharted territory in the swamps of Pandora. The new campaign has appearances from Sir Hammerlock and Claptrap. Players will also meet new characters including Hyperion Scientist Professor Nakayama. The professor tries to derail the players hunt.

Players will explore all-new environments in the The Sun Swamps on a quest to collect new loot and to fight new bosses. Among the new bosses the players will encounter is the cave-dwelling monster called Thermitage. The new mission supports play with up to four friends cooperatively and players will battle new enemies.

New enemies will include spider-like Two-Legged Drifters, flying Slagged Spores, and Vampire Witch Doctors. That last new enemy is able to unleash swarms of bats to attack the player. Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt is the third add-on content campaign for Borderlands 2 and is available as part of the Borderlands 2 Season Pass for $29.99 or 2400 Microsoft points. The Big Game Hunt content is available alone for 800 Microsoft points or $9.99.

The Xbox 360’s staying power in the U.S. is nothing short of astounding. In December, alone, Microsoft sold 1.4 million consoles in the U.S., indicating gamers see no reason to hold off on buying the device until the Xbox 720 launches later this year. Better yet for Microsoft, many of those folks sign up for Xbox Live, providing the software giant with a steady stream of revenue over the course of its lifecycle.

All of that success, however, has me thinking: why is the Xbox 360 – a console that, at launch, some thought would be trounced by the PlayStation 3 – so popular in the U.S.?

Perhaps the first reason is its core market. Microsoft isn’t trying to take on Nintendo’s more casual gamers. Instead, Microsoft has found a loyal following in the hardcore segment, where gamers like to play online, pick up shooters, and play for hours. To those gamers, the Xbox 360 is a device worthy of its success.

According to NPD, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was the most popular game in the industry last year. And for the fourth year in a row, the Xbox 360 version was the most popular option among U.S.-based consumers. That’s perhaps as much a testament to the console as it is its robust online-gaming service that delivers the features today’s customers want far more effectively than on competing consoles.

Speaking of competing consoles, is it possible that they’re causing the Xbox 360 to be so popular? Granted, the PlayStation 3 has sold more units worldwide than the Xbox 360, but let’s not forget that that is due mainly to Sony’s international success. In the U.S., the Xbox 360 is still the dominant force.

Perhaps that’s due to Sony’s sluggish online services. Although they’ve been around for years, Sony’s online services haven’t really caught on until recently. Plus, with the hacking scandal that rocked the platform, gamers became a bit more wary of the PlayStation Network.

The Wii and Wii U might also be pushing gamers to Microsoft. As mentioned, those consoles cater to a casual sector of the market – one that Microsoft doesn’t really care about. At the same time, hardcore gamers who have played the Wii and Wii U and try to stick with it have trouble. Like it or not, the consoles just aren’t capable of keeping their attention as much as the Xbox.

Finally, I think we should point to the Xbox 360’s strong library. For years now, it has offered just about every major franchise, and exclusives like Halo have kept customers coming back. Hardware might get all of the attention in the marketplace, but it’s software that drives customers to buy the consoles. And on that front, Microsoft is winning handily.

Of course, the Xbox 360’s success might be due to several other factors. Why do you think Microsoft’s console is so popular today?

If you’ve got a PlayMemories Online account for storing your multimedia in the cloud, PlayMemories Studio can now access that content and include it in your edits. That’s in addition to the original local content support, which can be saved to your PS3′s drive or stored on a USB stick or removable HDD.

The new version also allows for archiving photos and videos in 720p HD resolution. There are ten new background music tracks to choose between, along with 29 new sound effects.

Those buying a new Sony digital camera or camcorder will get a free copy of PlayMemories Studio, as will PlayStation Plus subscribers. Everyone else gets a 30-day trial, after which they’ll have to buy the app from the PlayStation Store.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also had some words about the recent milestone for Sony and the PlayStation 3. He says that the “PS3 is a natural fit for Netflix in terms of developing” and deploying the service’s newest features. Hastings says that it’s really easy to update the Netflix PS3 app, and it allows the company to “transparently update” the application with new features “on a daily basis.”

The PlayStation 3 first introduced Netflix over three years ago, and it’s been a platform for which many Netflix features have been released first. For instance, the PlayStation 3 was the first to offer Netflix in full 1080p video resolution with 5.1-channel surround sound, as well as offering post play, second-screen controls, on device sign-up, and subtitles.

Last year, though, the Nintendo Wii held the crown for the most-popular Netflix streaming device, according to Nielsen. The research firm reported that the Wii represented 25% of Netflix’s market share, with the PlayStation 3 trailing behind at 13%. We’re not sure how long the PS3 will be able to keep its #1 spot, but we reckon that it won’t be held onto forever.

BioShock 2 was released in February 2010, and it’s the sequel to the original BioShock, which featured some of the best gameplay elements we’ve ever seen. All week long, PlayStation Plus users will have the chance to download and play the game for free via the service’s Instant Game Collection.

Other deals for Plus subscribers include a 10% discount on Rockstar Games Collection Edition 1, which is a bundle that includes Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, L.A. Noire, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles Complete Edition. The bundle usually costs $59.99, but Plus members can pick it up for $53.99 — not a huge discount, but better than no discount at all.

Puzzle game Puddle will also be 50% off on both of its platforms, costing only $5 for PlayStation 3 gamers and just $4 for PlayStation Vita users. However, it’s not cross-platform compatible, so if you want the game on both systems, you’ll have to cough up $9 for the pair. Sony has said that they plan to release weekly updates to the PlayStation Store that will include new deals and offers for every week all month long.

PlayStation Vita bundles will sell for $199 each, and will come in three different bundles. One will come with a limited edition white Vita with Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation and a 4GB memory card. The other two will come with a black WiFi Vita model with either Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified and a 4GB memory card, or Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.

Sony will also have a $199 PlayStation 3 bundle that will include a 250GB console, Uncharted, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Infamous, Infamous 2, and Infamous: Festival of Blood, as well as a 30-day subscription to PlayStation Plus. Sony will also be offering DualShock 3 controllers for $39.99 “at select retailers nationwide.”

Microsoft will also be offering console bundles for their Xbox 360, but the bundles will vary between different retailers. Walmart will have a special edition white 4GB console with Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure and a Skylanders figurine for $149. Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Newegg will have a 250GB Xbox 360 with Forza 4: Essentials Edition and Skyrim for $199. Target, Amazon, Sam’s Club, Meijer, Kmart, and Microsoft Stores will have a 4GB console bundled with a Kinect sensor and Disneyland Adventures for $199. GameStop will be offering a 250GB console with Call of Duty: Black Ops II for $249, RadioShack will have a 4GB console with a wired headset for $169, and Toys R Us will offer a 4GB console with a $50 gift card for $179.

Microsoft will also be discounting a handful of games at select retailers, and will also be offering a three-month Xbox Live subscription for $12.99. The games include Dance Central 3, Kinect Sports Ultimate, and Fable: The Journey for $29.99 each. Forza Horizon will be discounted to $39.99, and the purchase of Halo 4 at either Target or Amazon will net you a $20 gift card (plus a $10 instant video credit when you buy the game at Amazon).

The 70 million figure also matches the number of consoles that Microsoft sold with its Xbox 360, which they reported in their Q1 2012 back in October. However, Sony notes that the figures are confirmed as being “sell-ins,” meaning the sales represent the amount of units sold to retailers rather than to customers.

Currently, Nintendo leads the race to all-time global sales for any one console, with the Wii reaching just over 97 million units sold as of September 30. Plus, the company’s newest console, the Wii U, is releasing in just a couple of days, meaning that Nintendo will see even more sales coming their way soon.

There are currently around 3,600 games published for the PlayStation 3, with over 595 million copies sold worldwide. The PlayStation Network has also seen some fascinating numbers. The service now operates in 59 territories, and offers over 170,000 pieces of downloadable content, of which just 57,000 are game-related.

This trailer shows three men trying to get by in the world, each of them with their own terrible problems to deal with. You’ll see three different perspectives on the everyday situations of mob-connected or otherwise gang violence-toting regular Joe kind of fellows, complete with pistols under the covers. A lovely rendition of “Skeletons in my Closet” rings true as these three wild beasts take it to the streets and either try to keep the game going or stop it entirely – good luck to you, the player.

You’ll see all manner of vehicles, mind you, including helicopters, motorbikes, trains, and boats. The three of these guys appear to start their journeys off in completely different directions, but by the end of the video you’ll find that they’ve got to team up to take on whatever evil they’ve gotten themselves into. Expect not only to be acting as an anti-hero here – expect some hero action as well.

This game is set to bring on the largest live maps in the history of gaming and will be showing up with play that’s more high-definition than the folks at RockStar have ever brought on before. Also see if you can spot the Apple computer in the trailer – it’s hot!

The demo starts players behind the wheel of one of the coolest cars in the game including the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi R8 GT Spyder, and the Ford Focus RS500. Those three additional cars are hidden in different areas of Fairhaven forcing players to search them out to drive them.

Each of the vehicles has its own unique races, challenges, and modifications that players can unlock. The game features Autolog 2 allowing for social competition when you’re online giving people the chance to beat rival times in certain races and other challenges. Players can rack up to 50,000 Speed Points playing the demo, which carry over into the full game.

Need for Speed Most Wanted offers seamless, nonstop multiple player action with no lobbies. The game also promises different events with persistent scoring and unlimited rewards. The game has received high scores in reviews and has proven to be one more popular games in the franchise.

There’s a brand new launch trailer out today for LittleBigPlanet and the game is being excitedly launched after two years of development by none other than United Front Games and Sony San Diego Studio – Sackboy ahoy! This carting adventure takes you across an undeniably colorful landscape where you’ll be creating your own experience just as the franchise always promises. Have a peek at the trailer here right this minute:

There’s also a “Week One” shirt available in-game with the little man himself sitting on the front with a Canadian tag attached. This jersey is available inside the game for your character of choice for another $4.99 – and yes, only inside the first week this game is on the market.

It’s time to break out the create tools and get your engine started – or one or the other at once, don’t want to be losing a wrench in your engine when you’re on the track. And make it down to the store today! Then we’ll see you on the track this week!

[via PlayStation Blog]

The headphones are called the Tritton Pro True 5.1 Surround Sound Headset featuring Dolby Digital technology. These headphones are an upgrade to the Tritton AX Pro. The new headphones are compatible with both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 game systems. The headphones claim to be the only true 5.1 headset on the market for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

The headphones have four individual speakers in each ear cup to provide true surround sound. The headphones also have an inline volume control allowing you to adjust the volume for front, center, rear, and subs individually. The headphones also allow you to control the volume of audio from your competitors so you can tune out their voice without tuning out the sounds they make creeping up behind you.

The headphones use a 12-foot long cable and feature an optical audio input. The frequency response is 25 Hz to 20 kHz. The front and rear channel speakers are 30 mm units, the center channel speakers are 23 mm, and the subwoofer is 40 mm. The total headset has eight speakers total. The headphones are available to purchase right now for $199.99 in the US.

That second game is a flash-based puzzle game called BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution. This little puzzle game was apparently made specifically for the Gamestop pre-order promotion. The game has players filling the shoes of the factory worker in the BioShock Infinite world who completes puzzles to support one of the two factions in the full game.

The game promises more than 50 levels to play. BioShock Infinite currently has a release date of February 26, 2013. That release date has already been pushed back in the past so more delays are always a possibility. What we know about BioShock Infinite so far is that the developers promise the new game will dwarf the original in scope and ambition.

The developers have apparently been working on the game for about four years. The original launch date was set as of October 16 with availability for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. The developers say that they have done things no one has ever done in a first-person shooter before.

[via Joystiq]

Sony says that the trophy collection will now reside under the PlayStation Network on the XMB. One significant change for gamers who own both the PS3, and the PlayStation Vita is that Vita trophies are now displayed on your PS3. Players will be able see their trophy level and progress towards the next level while viewing the trophy collection as well.

Sony has also announced that by the beginning of November, it will retire services currently available through the Life with PlayStation application. That means that the Life with PlayStation application will be offered new users starting with the 4.30 update. The discontinuation of the life with PlayStation application means that Sony has ended its participation with Stanford University’s Folding@home project.

Sony says that more than 15 million users have participated in the program since the start of the PS3 in 2007. PS3 users donated more than 100 million computation hours to the Folding@home project since it launched. The project used various computer and game console devices and project aimed at understanding protein folding, misfolding, and studying the causes of all sorts of diseases, including various cancers and Alzheimer’s.

The download content adds customizable housing to the video game for the first time, allowing players to have their own lair. The download also adds in new customizable backdrops for combat as well. Players will be able to design their lairs and just about any way they can think of including the ability to fashion their space to be similar to the Hall of Doom or Watchtower.

The player spaces are also going to double as battlegrounds allowing players to challenge each other in one-on-one player versus player matches. The Home Turf content will also bring new missions and boss fights at four iconic locations within the game, including Stryker’s Island, Arkham Asylum, Steelworks and Ace Chemicals.

Each of the locations will have 10 new missions the players will be able to complete to earn Marks of Triumph. Those Marks of Triumph will enable players to upgrade their lair and unlock other benefits. Home Turf will be offered as a free download for Legendary members and will be available as paid content for free and premium players.

The sequel is called Skylanders Giants, and it will be available in stores on October 21, which is Sunday. The game will be available for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, and the PS3. The game has 16 new characters including eight Giant Skylanders that are twice the size of the normal characters.

Each of those giant characters has special powers to go along with their massive size. Along with the giant characters are eight new Skylanders that have their own unseen powers. The game will also introduce new LightCore Skylanders that glow when on or near the Portal of Power without batteries being required.

The Portal of Power is the little accessory you set the figurines on to get them into the game. It’s also worth noting that all the characters from the original Skylanders game are compatible with Skylanders Giants. The stats and customizations applied to those original game characters will stay intact.

The Bond films that the video game is based on include Goldfinger, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Moonraker, License to Kill, Die Another Day, and the upcoming film Skyfall. The box image for the video game shows my favorite Bond villain of all time, Jaws. I hope Jaws is a playable character and figures heavily into the game.

The video game will launch across Europe on October 19 and on in Australia on October 31. From the description, it sounds as if the missions go along with each of the classic films. A sixth mission is unlockable that is based on the new Skyfall movie due out next month.

The Skyfall mission is offered as download content and its availability is timed to coincide with the movie. PlayStation Network subscribers will be able to access the Skyfall mission on November 9, and the mission will hit Xbox Live on November 20. Each of the six missions the game offers multiple levels and allows players to use spy gadgets, different weapons, vehicles, and more. The game will be offered for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and Windows computers. The Windows version will be available on Steam on November 2.

The video was updated to an official Sony PlayStation Japan YouTube Channel and does indeed work in 3D via YouTube’s ability to show such content. Because of this, we’ve got the feeling that Sony will be pushing 3D abilities from the basic place they’re at in the current newest iteration of the PlayStation 3 to a new level by the time this device is out across the earth. That said, there’s really no accounting for the terrorizing of the audience.

On the other hand, it could very well be a teaser for the upcoming 3D release of Resident Evil 6, of course. This release will likely be so gigantic that Sony will be joining in on the fun with special edition controllers and perhaps even a console covered with infected blood – you never know! For now we’re guessing that this is just something we can rack up to Japanese television wackiness.

Take a peek at the timeline below to see other hints and tips on what the next PlayStation 3 console release will be like. We know it’ll be 25% lighter and 20% smaller than the PlayStation 3 Slim, but other than that we’ve got little to no information on the books. Don’t expect any sort of price decrease, either!

[via WebProNews]

That underwhelming CPU is giving one Wii U launch developer some trouble. During the Tokyo Game Show, Eurogamer sat down with Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper producer Akihiro Suzuki, who says that the Wii U’s CPU tends to have some issues when there are multiple characters on screen, which is pretty much always the case when playing a Dynasty Warriors game. “One of the weaknesses of the Wii U compared to PS3 and Xbox 360 is the CPU power is a little bit less,” Suzuki said. “So for games in the Warriors series, including Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi, when you have a lot of enemies coming at you at once, the performance tends to be affected because of the CPU.”

Suzuki followed up by saying that dealing with those performance issues can be “a challenge,” but did also point out that as far as sheer graphics power is concerned, the Wii U has the 360 and PS3 beat. Not only does the Wii U feature what is believed to be a custom AMD 7 series GPU, but it’s been confirmed to house 1GB of RAM that is dedicated to games, which is twice the amount the 360 and PS3 can boast. This means games which are more GPU-intensive will shine on Wii U, while those that require some significant CPU power risk falling flat.

It’s important to keep in mind that as time goes on, developers will figure out how to squeeze the most power out of the Wii U’s CPU. All you need to do is look at this generation to see that much is true – compare titles like The Last of Us or Uncharted 3 to games that launched at the beginning of the generation, and you’ll surely notice a sizable boost in overall quality. It seems safe to assume that we can expect a similar progression with games on Wii U, so this is just probably one of those launch hurdles that most developers have to deal with. Check our story timeline below for more on the Wii U!

In Fuse, players are able to choose to play as Dalton Brooks, Izzy Sinclair, Jacob Kimble or Naya Deveraux. The premise of the game is that the four warriors are fighting to protect humanity from a deadly alien energy source called Fuse. This game will be the first multiple platform launch from Insomniac Games and is scheduled to launch in March 2013 in North America and Europe.

Insomniac is the developer who created the franchises Ratchet & Clank and Resistance. While the game supports four players in cooperative play, lone players are able to fight using the game’s LEAP feature to allow them to switch between all four characters at will during the fighting. The experimental weapons used in the game are powered by an alien substance giving capabilities to expand strategic options during combat.

The game also allows players to earn Fuse points for upgrades and players are able to level up characters and choose unique paths online and off-line. The level up allows players to unlock powerful Fuse-driven abilities as the game progresses. All four of the playable characters are members of a team called Overstrike 9 who are attempting to prevent a paramilitary organization from stealing a Fuse source of in a classified government facility. The game will be available on Xbox 360 and the PS3.

Unfortunately for Nintendo, however, the discussion about the Wii U has been more likely to center not on the console’s features, but on its chances of being overshadowed by hardware from the likes of Microsoft and Sony.

See, nearly everyone is wondering when Sony and Microsoft will launch their next consoles. Conventional wisdom currently pegs the Wii U at November, the Xbox 720 at 2013, and the PlayStation 4 at 2014. I get the Nintendo release date and I think the 2013 schedule for the Xbox 720 makes a lot of sense. But it’s the 2014 release date for the PlayStation 4 that concerns me.

Unfortunately for Sony, there’s a good chance that Nintendo will deliver a unique experience that appeals to casual games. And Microsoft, not wanting to get burned by Sony again, will offer up some of the most impressive hardware features we’ve seen yet. That will appeal to the hard-core segment.

Meanwhile, the PlayStation 3 will continue to sit on store shelves and appear to be the obsolete device no one cares about. The PlayStation 4, offered up as much as a year after the Xbox 720, will be the device that few people want, since the consoles they already have are scratching their gaming itch.

With a 2013 launch, however, all of that could change. Sony could stem any losses it might incur in the casual segment, since those customers would at least want to see what Sony offers before buying the Wii U. And by launching the PlayStation 4 around the same time as the Xbox 720, it stops Microsoft from taking advantage of a full year headstart.

If this generation has taught us anything, it’s that timing matters. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is by means superior to the PlayStation 3 nowadays, but it has a slight lead because it was offered up long before Sony’s option. If Sony had released the PlayStation 3 at around the same time as Microsoft’s 360, the market would look much different today.

So, Sony can’t make that same mistake this time around. Although another year would afford the company the opportunity to bundle better components, it’s far more important for Sony to launch the PlayStation 4 around the same time as the Xbox 720. It’s the kind of move that could make or break Sony’s next console, depending on the decision it makes.

And as for Nintendo? Well, all the company can do is hope for the best. The Wii U looks promising and Nintendo’s first-party lineup has always been popular. But the Wii U won’t have the firepower its competitors will. And the chances of it lasting as long as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720 seem slim.

At this point, all Nintendo can hope for is beneficial timing.

Sound familiar, Sony?

[Image credit: Tai Chiem]

The first video you’re going to see is called the “Main Event”, then you’re going to get a peek at individual trailers for each of the new characters including gameplay. This first video shows the characters looking fabulous in their cinematic-mode style, standing around looking epic or otherwise jumping about for glee. This trailer was released at Gamescon 2012 in Germany, if you’d like to know.

The above trailer also uses the song “Genesis” by Justice from the album Cross (or the cross symbol, if you prefer.) Below you’ll see the first character trailer with Spike from the game Ape Escape. This little guy will be rolling with a massive sword and set of energy moves for close-range attacks as well as specials like his energy blaster. Terrifying satellite bouncing included!

Next you’ll see SackBoy from LittleBigPlanet, complete with rocket packs and some undeniably hardcore-looking fists of metal. This isn’t Mortal Kombat, but Sackboy wouldn’t look all that out of place there for one reason or another.

Have a peek at Dante after that, with one of the more human looks of the game. You’ll be slicing your way through your opponents with a massive scythe and pistol, not to mention a batch of lovely white magic and a red iteration of yourself for ultimate bloodthirsty supremacy.

Finally there’s Ratchet and Clank, with so many gadgets your head will spin. Fly and hover, toss bombs, create little minions, and bust out some of the most massive guns in the game. You’ll be playing as Ratchet some times and Clank the others, and you’ve got a special move that includes you busting out your spaceship’s full offensive systems on the entire gaming grid at once – watch out!

Stay tuned as Sony continues to unleash fury upon Germany and brings the PlayStation universe into the future in waves. Check the timeline below for all the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale history you can handle, and watch the gaming throne, Sony wants it back!

There’ll also be new software for Sony Tablet users, plus those with a PSP or PSP Vita ; they, along with their VAIO PC counterparts, will be able to remotely access the nasne and stream live and recorded digital terrestrial and satellite content across their network. Sony’s gadget also supports standard DLNA streaming for non-Sony devices, such as Microsoft’s Xbox 360 or Smart TVs.

nasne packs both a terrestrial tuner and a satellite tuner, along with a 500GB hard-drive and a B-CAS card slot for paid broadcast access. It allows for live streaming and recording, as well as remote access from outside of the home network, pausing live TV, and sharing photos and music as with a regular NAS.

Originally, nasne was intended to go on sale on July 19 in Japan, but at the last moment Sony identified an issue with the SATA drives believed to be down to issues in how they had been transported. The PVR box is priced at 16,800 yen ($214), and Sony is yet to announce any international launch plans.

Operating income sank to $79bn, which Sony blames on the MP&C division’s sales and restructuring costs, the latter of which alone amounted to $143m. On the flip side, insurance payouts post-Thailand flooding and some unexpected Blu-ray patent royalties helped fill Sony’s cup a little.

There remain some significantly underperforming divisions, however. Poor PS3 and PSP sales were “partially offset” by the PS Vita, but still overall declined 14.5-percent year-on-year to $1.5bn. Home Entertainment & Sound sank 26.2-percent, to $3.2bn, with sales of LCD TVs ditching in Japan, North America and Europe; similarly, LCD production underperformed.

One of the only bright points was Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras, which helped buoy the Imaging Products & Solutions division to a 7.6-percent increase compared to the same period last year, and sales of $2.5bn. Sony also managed to straighten out its supply chain for broadcast cameras and companion products, which boosted the division as well.

Sony has now cut its whole fiscal year estimates by 27.8-percent compared to May’s forecast. The company expects continued falls in key products and an ongoing negative impact from the strength of the yen versus other currencies.