PlayStation News, Articles and Information for the UK and Europe

It wasn’t long ago that Kazunori Yamauchi revealed that GT5 would be getting a major update in mid October, however at the time he didn’t reveal any details of what would be in the update as such. Today, though Yamauchi released a few details of new features via Twitter – with some features that fans will be very pleased with.

• A simplified interior view will be added on ALL standard cars.
• Users will now be able to control the Change Weather feature.
• A new setting sheet feature allowing you to save multiple car setups.
• A new opening movie for Spec 2.0.
• The User Interface has been improved and will be more responsive.
• Replays now have rewind and fast forward functionality.
• In-game race saves will now be possible.
• The Online Lounge Features have been expanded (such as narrowing down car types and shuffling races).
• Remote race features for B-Spec have been expanded.
• Expanded photo travel features – such as the ability to take a picture of your car with your avatar.
• Added “NASCAR Pit Scene” to Photo Travel.
• Added eleven 2011 model NASCAR cars.
• Added the Nissan GT-R N24 Shulze Motor Sport.
• Improved physics and AI
• Added support for the Logitech G25/G27 Steering wheel.

Something like this. For the DLC we’re preparing a racing car pack, a course pack, and a racing gear pack…I’ll let you know more about that soon.

This week’s top ten sees a large change in the charts, with barely any games remaining at their position from the week before – only Gran Turismo 5 managed to keep its spot at number 7. The biggest casualty of the week is Resistance 3, which plummets 7 places to No. 8, with Formula 1 2011 taking its place atop the chart. Splinter Cell Trilogy HD and Bleach: Soul Resurrection both rise 5 places to 4th and 5th respectively and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit flutters back in at number 10 – perhaps because of its low price tag (just £12.85!).

The full list is available after the jump…

Read more

You may remember back in July, that Future’s weekly downloadable show on PSN – FirstPlay – was axed. You may also remember that Future and Sony promised that another show would soon take its place – and that it would be absolutely free. Well, releasing on the PlayStation Store today is Access, the new FREE weekly downloadable show.

Like FirstPlay, Access is hosted by comedian Lucy Porter and will provide the latest HD news, interviews and previews. Sadly, Access will only be available to UK PSN users, however it will be possible to see some of the content on Future’s web publications – namely CVG and Gamesradar.

The first episode of Access will focus on Resistance 3, FIFA 12 and the SCE UK Access Tour.

Sony has released PS3 system software update version 3.72. This update is only minor but is mandatory in order to sign into the PlayStation Network. Sony has stated “With this minor update, system stability during use of PS3 format software and network services has been improved.”

If you’re not currently using system software version 3.70, check to see what other features may be included in your update in our archive here.

L.A. Noire is a crime thriller set in the late 1940s in Los Angeles. You take the role of Cole Phelps, a patrolman who has just returned from fighting as a Marine out in Japan and follow his journey through the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department. What makes this title special though, is the introduction of MotionScan technology, a system of HD cameras which are used to directly relay an actor’s face into the game. But underneath all of that, does the game play well? Or is the MotionScan gimmick the only reason to buy the game?

Read more

If you’re a follower here at PlayStation Future, you’ll know that a while back we had a feature listing Amazon’s Top 10 games every week. Sadly, we had to drop that feature but due to its popularity we have decided to bring it back with ShopTo as its focus. Like a game that you see in the list? Click on it and you’ll be taken straight to the product page at ShopTo!

This week, Resistance 3 just managed to pip Dead Island to the number one spot. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine takes third whilst the God of War Collection Volume 2 takes fourth on the day of its release. Gran Turismo 5 (Platinum) makes an appearance at number 7 with its brand new Platinum edition – available for just £17.86! Deus Ex: Human Revolution has proven to be a hit with critics and sits happily at number 8 whilst Splinter Cell Trilogy HD occupies 9th place – also on the day of its release.

Hit the jump to see the full list…

Read more

Sony held a conference at TGS this morning, revealing a number of exciting details about many things – but mainly Vita. To round up, the conference told us the following:

• The latest worldwide sales figures for PS3 and PSP are 51.8 million and 71.4 million respectively.
• Vita will be launching in Japan on 17th December.
• The Welcome Park application on the VIta introduces you to the system.
• Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will be a launch title for the Vita.
• Square Enix announce two launch titles for the Vita: Lord of Apocalypse and Army Corps of Hell.
• A HD Remake of Final Fantasy X will be released on PS3 and Vita to coincide with the 10th anniversary of its release.
• Metal Gear and Zone of the Enders HD Collections are coming to Vita in 2012.
• The launch line-up for Vita will also include Fish On, Ridge Racer, Dream Club Portable, Project Noels, F1 2011 and Virtua Tennis 4 – making a total of 26 launch titles – check the dedicated page here.
• The Vita will feature PSP backwards compatibility, with full scaling and use of dual analog sticks.
• Sony is considering making special downloads for UMD-only titles.

Sony has released version 3.70 of the PS3′s system software for download. The update includes several new features – a few of which add new functionality to PlayStation Plus.

If you’re a member of PlayStation Plus, automatic trophy-syncing has been added as well as automatic upload of game saves to online storage. These two functions will take place at the time you have selected Automatic Download to be run – and will not be available to non-Plus subscribers.

If you’re not a member of PlayStation Plus, there are a few new things in this update too:

• The TV section has been renamed to TV/Video Services, this section has also been redesigned to include MUBI and LoveFilm.
• You can now Recommend items on the PS Store to friends.
• MPO files for 3D Photos and Multi-Angle viewing are now supported.
• 3D support for Blu-Ray Java has been added.

Sony has today announced a new programme for the purchase of specific titles on the PlayStation Store – called PSN PLAY. PLAY is an annual offer which focuses on the coming season’s best games – pre-ordering any one of the games will net you a DLC bonus and an exclusive theme, however if you buy all the titles in the offer before a specified date – you’ll receive an extra game at no extra cost! What’s more, all PlayStation Plus members will get a 20% discount on all the titles (if purchased before 20th September).

This season’s PLAY offer is as follows (descriptions taken from the official press release):

Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition

Release: 24th August; Available to pre-order from 18th August.

This highly-anticipated action-fighting title from Capcom features 20 playable characters, HD graphics, more than 200 pieces of unlockable content, more than 100 trials and more than 100 challenges. When Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition is purchased through PLAY, purchasers will be able to unlock GILL, the self-proclaimed god, without having to beat the game with every character, as day-one DLC.  Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition will be €14.99.

The Baconing

Release: 31st August; Available to pre-order from 25th August.

The newest action-RPG title from Hothead Studios is the third in the popular DeathSpank series. Attempt to defeat the Anti-Spank and his army of Cyborques, before they cast an evil shadow over Spanktopia. Discover exciting new worlds and battle hordes of enemies as you search to unlock the secret within the Fires of Bacon.  When The Baconing is purchased through PLAY, purchasers will receive an additional co-op character, Roesha – One Bad Mutha. The Baconing will be €12.99.

BloodRayne: Betrayal

Release: 7th September; Available to pre-order from 1st September.

This 2D side-scrolling platformer from Majesco Entertainment features 15 bloodthirsty levels where Rayne attempts to infiltrate a treacherous castle, take out a fiendish horde and stop an evil vampire massacre. When BloodRayne: Betrayal is purchased through PLAY, purchasers will receive a BloodRayne: Betrayal virtual item for their PlayStation®Home avatar and an exclusive dynamic theme.BloodRayne: Betrayal will be €12.99.

Renegade Ops

Release: 14th September; Available to pre-order from 9th September.

This top-down, driving shooter from SEGA features a huge variety of vehicles, guns and endless enemies. The game features Sandbox-style missions, so there are many different ways to play. When Renegade Ops is purchased through PLAY, purchasers will receive a Vehicle & Character Pack with two new vehicles and special weapons. Renegade Ops will be €12.99.

PAYDAY: The Heist

Available for free if the above four titles are purchased before 20th September.

This gritty, first-person shooter from Sony Online Entertainment lets players take on the role of a hardened career criminal executing intense, dynamic heists in constant pursuit of the next “big score.” A PSN voucher code for PAYDAY: The Heist will be provided to buyers of all four PLAY titles as a bonus gift provided they purchase the games on or before September 20, following release of the game. The game can also be pre-ordered separately starting September 21, 2011. European pricing for PAYDAY: The Heist is to be confirmed.

Sony is currently in the process of developing a new weekly show about the latest gaming news, to be available absolutely free for all UK PSN users. They’re working with UK magazine publisher Future Publishing to bring the latest reviews and previews for the latest games to everyone.

Future Publishing are the company behind FirstPlay, a weekly downloadable show available for 99p. FirstPlay has since ceased development (since 6th July) in order to focus on this new show.

Simon Maxwell, Future’s Entertainment Group Publisher said:

“We went a long way very quickly with FirstPlay and this new phase in our partnership with PlayStation will allow us to take HD video magazine content to the next level.

Production on the new show is well under way and editorial standards are impeccably high. We’re looking forward to providing SCE UK with top-quality video content for more PlayStation gamers than ever before.”

The new show doesn’t yet have a name, nor does it have a release date, but rest assured, we’ll let you know as soon as we here any news.

With thanks to CVG for the tip…