MLB 12 The Show Franchise Mode Improvements
| Next up on our MLB 12 The Show developer blog tour is our Franchise mode and the improvements coming to players this year. One of our goals going into this development cycle was to enhance the trade logic for CPU teams to better mimic their real-life counterparts. In order to do so, we had to examine the current system and identify the faults to then build and improve upon it. This year we are considering more factors in each trade offer, with the end result being more realistic trades. Teams are valuing their rosters much higher this year, and they aren’t going to ship out prospects so easily, nor will they offer up too many players to fill a positional void. You’ll also see more trades that better suit the teams' current strategies (i.e. playoff push vs. rebuilding strategies).
Another addition to the trades system is the interface itself. We’ve revamped the trade screen to bring you more detailed information about the players involved and the likelihood of the trade offer being accepted. All of this is aimed at providing more information to help you make sound moves. Here's a look at this feature on PS Vita. As we've said from the start, MLB 12 The Show on PS Vita will utilize all of the core gameplay features found in the PS3 version, and this is no different here! |  |
Armored Core V Preps PS3 Community for Deep Multiplayer Action
| FromSoftware, developer of last fall’s critically acclaimed Action-RPG Dark Souls, has been spreading bullets from mech-to-mech for nearly 15 years since the very first Armored Core premiered on the PSone back in 1997. So needless to say, when it comes to intense metal-shredding action and hardcore strategy, the team at FromSoftware knows what they’re doing… but will you?
Armored Core V hits consoles across North America on March 20th, and when it does, we at Namco Bandai Games want everyone up to be up to speed on all of the ins and outs on what it will take to survive while piloting the Armored Cores (or “ACs”) in the dusty, shrapnel-laden world full of limitless online gameplay possibilities. |  |
Special Launch Day PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Bundle Announced
| With only 27 days until the launch of PlayStation Vita, we are excited to announce two PS Vita 3G/WiFi bundles. If you were one of the lucky consumers to pre order the PS Vita First Edition Bundle, in addition to the PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi hardware, a limited edition case, a 4GB PS Vita Memory Card and Little Deviants game, we will now be including an AT&T DataConnect Pass good for one free 250MB session, and a PlayStation Network game – both provided upon 3G activation. And the best part, you still get it a week before the official launch date.
We are happy to announce today that we will be creating an extremely limited-edition PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi bundle designed to reward those who brave the cold to stand in line on February 22nd (or even those who come in the few days that follow). In addition to the PS Vita hardware, we will be including an 8GB PS Vita Memory Card, an AT&T DataConnect Pass and a PlayStation Network game all for the usual MSRP of $299. This SKU is part of a promotional offer and will sell out immediately so we strongly recommend that you purchase your PS Vita early to make sure you get the extra value! |  |
It’s About Time We Published Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time for PSP
| It’s been years since the last Growlanser game, dearest members of the Blog of PlayStation (Growlanser: Heritage of War, for those of you playing “PlayStation Blog: The At-Home Edition,” was released for PS2 back in 2007). Even before that, hardcore RPG fans have been clamoring for the fourth entry, one of their favorites in the series, to make its way to North America. Now, there are always factors for games released in Japan to either never come or come much, much later to US shores. This was one of those cases where hope seemed quite faint.
Just this past week, those hopes were given a prescription-strength injection of horse steroids as Atlus (that’s us) officially announced Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time, the enhanced PSP version of the long-beloved and much-requested fourth chapter in the popular series of RPGs, for release this summer in North America. |  |
It Begins: 3 Ways to Win a PS Vita Early Only From Taco Bell
| A few weeks back I shared the big news that you would soon have the chance to win your PlayStation Vita only at Taco Bell before it hits retail this February 22nd. Well, it’s official! Starting now through March 11th, PlayStation and Taco Bell are giving you three ways to win your PS Vita: Unlock the Box, Battle, and Boast. On average, one winner will be selected every 15 minutes through March, so there are a lot of chances to win! Here's how:
Unlock the Box: Head to your local Taco Bell today to pick up a specially marked $5 Big Box – which includes a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, Crunchy Taco, Burrito Supreme and medium fountain drink. You'll see a code printed on the top of the box; enter that code at unlock.tacobell.com for a chance to win your PS Vita! |  |
Ubisoft PS Vita Week: Relive Pop History in Michael Jackson The Experience
| I started at Ubisoft around the time that we launched the first iterations of Michael Jackson The Experience. Being a longtime fan of the King of Pop, I always hoped that I could experience the game on the road. With Michael Jackson The Experience coming to PS Vita on February 14th, my wish has been granted!
In Michael Jackson The Experience, you’ll experience the King of Pop’s chart-topping tracks as you draw shapes and tap on both of PS Vita’s multi touch pads to the beat and choreography of the Michael Jackson avatar. You’ll play through 15 HD scenes inspired by Michael Jackson’s iconic music videos and short films, including “Smooth Criminal”, “Thriller”, “Remember the Time” and many more, all with high-definition quality graphics. Master each of those performances and unlock collectibles and rewards, including alternative outfits and special effects. Michael Jackson The Experience will also have song-based leaderboards and an online Dance Battle mode, giving you a reason to to keep playing these classics over and over again. |  |
Pac-Man and Mega Man Join Street Fighter X Tekken’s PlayStation Exclusives
| Street Fighter X Tekken's roster is already bursting with fan favorites from both sides, and today we can add two more iconic characters to the list - and in this case, they're exclusive to PS3 and PS Vita players...
Two iconic mascots, Pac-Man and Mega Man, join the fray with existing PlayStation exclusives Cole, Kuro and Toro. However, both mascots arrive in altered forms to create battles unique to Street Fighter X Tekken; Pac-Man rides Tekken's Mokujin, while Mega Man references the "classic" bad box art from the original US Mega Man.
Street Fighter X Tekken for the PS3 launches March 6, with the PS Vita to follow!
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PlayStation Blogcast 009: Joystiq Joyride
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After last week’s discussion on video game production with SCEA Senior Producer Kyle Shubel, we wanted to shed some light on the other side of the digital curtain -- video game media. In this week’s five-way free-for-all, we’re joined by Joystiq’s Ludwig Kietzmann, who recently moved to San Francisco from South Africa (lekker!). In his new role as Editor-in-Chief of Joystiq, Ludwig now sits astride one of the biggest, most influential videogame blogs on the ‘net. |  |
SSX: Mt. Fuji Details and Reviving a Genre
| SSX is just over a month away, and we’re excited to give our PS3 fans in North America some exclusive content to keep you busy on the slopes. Mt. Fuji, the legendary Japanese mountain will only available on PS3 in North America. The mountain that owns the horizon in Tokyo is packed with six unique event drops. Three race drops and three trick drops will have PS3 players carving down and in the majestic landmark in true SSX fashion – with a complete disregard for the laws of physics. From racing through cherry blossoms to tricking off Torii gates, North American Playstation gamers will have something unique to look forward to when SSX arrives on Feb 28th.
Now a few words from the creative director on bringing back SSX from Creative Director Todd Batty. |  |
The PlayStation Recap — Never Stop Playing Edition
