froodog blog

Filed under: PlayStation Network, News

Those of you on the other side of the Atlantic might have not heard much about those SOCOM: Confrontation beta keys since they were mentioned last month, but now we have a little bit of news for you guys in the UK. Apparently, Eurogamer will be have 6,000 of them to give out to UK gamers whenever the beta begins. No other information was available, but details should be announced in “the next few days.”

Furthermore, late last week we learned that the US beta was delayed until September 5th. We knew that Europe was suppose to get the beta on the same day as the US, but as of now Eurogamer claims that “Sony has yet to confirm exact details for Europe,” which hints at a delay. We’ll keep you updated as soon as more information is released.

[Via Three Speech]

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Filed under: PlayStation Store

This week’s update in America is rather unsurprising. In fact, it looks like our European update earlier today: The Last Guy and the Warhawk expansion are what we’re sure everyone is eyeing. That free Soulcalibur demo is a nice perk too.

Downloadable Games

• The Last Guy ($9.99)

Add-on Content:

• Rock Band DLC
• Warhawk Fallen Star Pack ($7.99)
• Warhawk Booster Combo ($15.99)

Game Demos

• NHL 09
• Soulcalibur IV

Continue reading American PSN update for August 28th

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Filed under: PlayStation Network

One of the big differentiating factors between Xbox LIVE and PLAYSTATION Network is the cost. PSN has tried to stand out as the better value, by offering free online gameplay. The Network is trying to expand to other free services, such as Home and the Euro-exclusive VidZone, which offers streaming music videos for free.

Of course, that’s not the end to Sony’s ambitious plans. Shuhei Yoshida explains to GI.biz that Sony alone cannot manage all the experiences it wants to provide. “We can’t support all the needs of the consumer,” Yoshida admits. However, “there are great companies providing services on the PC already - so we’re very open to provide the opportunity to those companies to reach our user base as well.”

Once again, it looks like unique advertising relationships must be established. By offering advertisers a unique platform to highlight their goods, players will be able to enjoy an expansive lineup of services for free. “We like to provide as many services as possible for free - we already provide our network access for gameplay for free - and the interesting thing about the network side and the Internet business is that there’s a variety of revenue sources,” he said. “Not necessarily getting people to pay, but with advertising and so on.”

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Filed under: PlayStation Network

The only time we ever saw a PLAYSTATION Network card was when Sony gave us one for Christmas. Never — not even once — have we seen these cards available at a retail store. This is easily one of the most demanded items from our readers, many who don’t have a credit card to use for the PSN. Thankfully, support for these cards will expand in September to stores we’ve actually heard of.

According to the PlayStation website, these pre-paid cards can be found at Blockbuster, 7-Eleven and Rite-Aid this September. So whether you’re renting a movie, drinking a Slurpee, or buying some condoms in a rush — keep an eye out for these PSN cards.

[Via CAG]

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Filed under: PlayStation Network, e-Distribution Games, News

Not really announced per se, Savage Moon was shown off at the Leipzig Game Convention during a sizzle trailer at SCEE’s press conference. Now, the PlayStation Blog, has more details on the game. This PSN downloadable title is a tower defence game, but set in a “gritty sci-fi” environment, so it will have a very different feel to PixelJunk Monsters, though the gameplay will be similar.

It’ll be out this Autumn, along with a whole host of other PSN titles such as Crash Commando, Fat Princess and Flower. As if Sony’s 1st party Blu-ray titles for the next six months aren’t awesome enough, the tidal wave of PSN downloadable games coming should keep us all busy well into 2009. Bring it on.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, e-Distribution Games

Download to PSP

Stainless Studios is bringing their PC arcade air combat game to the PSN in September. Set in World War I, Red Baron challenges players to tackle 36 single player missions, or go head-to-head in 8 player online multiplayer. There will be over 20 aircraft to choose from, and multiple modes: deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag. It’s a genre seriously under-represented on the PSN, and we’re sure many will try the downloadable demo when it releases on September 18th.

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Filed under: PlayStation Network

Those of you trying to go online right now will see that the PSN is currently down. According to Metal Gear Online, the service will be unavailable until 1PM PST (4PM EST).

Update: It’s back up!

Check the status of the Network here.

[Thanks, Tony!]

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Filed under: Rants

Kylie Prymus is the first columnist for PS Fanboy. A Ph.D candidate in philosophy, Kylie specializes in the sociology of technology. Through this new weekly column, Kylie will explore the impact of PlayStation on thought and culture.

My PSN profile tells me that I am a Trophy n00b. An abysmal 1st level collector. I’ve acquired most of the trophies that you average primate could gather with ease, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to get many more. I have a paltry 8 trophies, all of them from PixelJunk Eden. That puts me at a 33% completion rate, firmly in the middle of category: l-o-s-e-r. Still, I didn’t download Eden for the Trophies any more than I downloaded it hoping it would teach me to finally get my snozzberry* plants to grow. I downloaded it because it was a much lauded and quirky, not to mention exclusive, PSN title and I happen to have a soft spot for such qualities (particularly the exclusivity). Being able to collect Trophies through the game is just a bonus, a diversionary side quest that makes the whole package slightly more appealing.

As I venture for the first time into this whole trophy business I’ve had to ask myself why I should even bother. What is the appeal of achievements Trophies? Do they add to or take away from a game? What is it about the Trophy system that made it such a sought after addition to the PSN? Milestones? Bragging rights?

Continue reading Carpe Trophaeum

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Filed under: e-Distribution Games, News

Did you try out the demo for The Last Guy yesterday? If you did, and if you liked it, you’ll probably be glad to know this bit of news. According to IGN, The Last Guy will be available for the North American PS Store next week on August 28. As for the price, it’s going to cost only $9.99 — nearly half the price of the Japanese version which will release on the same day.

So make sure you play up that demo over and over again, and practice saving the herds and herds of people. You’ll also want to check out Andrew’s hands-on with the US version to prepare for the monster-dodging to come.

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Filed under: Videos and Screenshots, e-Distribution Games

The Last Guy will be fully released in Japan next week. On August 28, the full game will be available on the Japanese store for ¥2,000 ($18.44). For those who purchased the Japan Premium pack (which was the Asakusa-only level), you can get a refund of your ¥500 for purchasing the full game. However, you’ll only have until October 31 to get the “discount.”

Checking out the newly released trailer (embedded above), the game will include cities such as London, Berlin, Sydney, Yokohama, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, and will also include a whole slew of new (and deadly-looking) monsters. Now, all we need to do is wait for dates and prices on a Western release to pop up.

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