New PS3 Firmware 2.17

Sony just released the new 2.17 PS3 firmware, no major changes and no In-game XMB still, only online play improvements according to Jeff Rubenstein @ the Official Playstation Blog.
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News: Motorstorm 2 Details

Sony released information today on the upcoming PS3 Motorstorm 2. Now with 4 player split screen multiplayer and an all new forest locale. Hopefully this new Morotstorm supports Logitech steering wheels, Burnout already does. Motorstorm 2 is expected Fall 2008 and a demo should be expected this summer. We will expect more information on Motorstorm 2 at Sony Gamer Day 2008 and E3 08'.

Read more about Motorstorm 2

Uncharted Oddities

If you have played Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on the PS3, good for you. If you have followed the game since development you may know two obscure changes that were subtly made to the final game. First, Elena's hair was originally brown and was changed to blonde. This change was mentioned by Naughty Dog since they thought she looked better as a blonde. In the Game Informer issue #168 April 2007 she has brown hair on the cover page and in the article. Also, in the original trailer (on the PSN or the internet) Elena has brown hair.

The second really odd and hard to spot difference is in Elena's video camera. In the original trailer and also in the Game Informer #168 article Elena uses a Sony brand HDV (High-def video) camera. In the retail release the Sony name and HDV were taken off the camera in the game. Why would Sony pull their name off a video camera (a market they dominate) in one of the biggest Ps3 games from Fall 2007? There is one cut scene that I believe holds the answer. Elena goes into the water with her video camera in one cut scene. I believe that Sony was worried that the scene misrepresented the actual use of the camera (I assume the real HDV camera is not water proof) and the legal dept. probably said to take out of the game.

Weird huh, do you know any odd changes that were made from development to the final retail release of any game?

Rumor: Public Home Beta Trial Soon?

Many blogs and publications on the internet are hinting to a public beta for Playstation Home at the end of March 08'. This makes sense, SCEA stated last Fall 07' that the public beta would be in the spring with the release flowing a month of so after the beta. Even at E3 2007 Phil Harrison stated that a public beta for Home was coming. I'm waiting as patiently as you all are.

Home Beta Trial Signups

GTA 4, which system are you buying it for?

I would like to hear from our readers which system you plan on buying GTA IV on. Will it be the 360 with the extra DLC or will you prefer the PS3 version with only one game disc (the 360 may have multiple discs, Rockstar said in Fall 07' that the lack of Blu-ray in the 360 was hindering game development). At least what do you guys think, rumors are floating around the internet that the PS3 has the right to DLC after the 360's DLC is released. Let the battle of PS3 and 360 begin, I even don't know what console I want it for. Lets hear what you have to say...

Tips: PS3 can rip DRM I-tunes music

As a tip to our readers the PS3 has the ability to rip Ipod based DRM (Digital Rights Management) music files to the PS3 HDD. First, enable playback of ACC files in the system settings on the XMB menu. Next connect your Ipod via USB to the PS3. Then go into the Music tab on the XMB and select Ipod (under removable devices) and hit Triangle. This will bring up the options, select view all then you will see file folders for music and Itunes, go into the folder for music and you will see a list of oddly named titles. The DRM changes the artist and track name to gibberish (i.e. the music file will look like someone mashed a keyboard, "hfqds" would be a music file name). Just go through the individual files (you want) and copy to your PS3's HDD by hitting triangle under the file name and selecting copy. You can rename the music file once it's on your Ps3's HDD. Now you can listen to your Ipod's DRM based music. Not to soon as the In-game XMB menu comes out late Spring/ Early Summer 2008.

Rumor: Official PS3 Bluetooth headset with Socom: Confrontation this summer?

Insiders claim they have been revealed an official Playstation Bluetooth headset that is due to arrive this summer between July and August 2008. The expected retail price of the headset is $49.99 and will also feature a pack-in deal similar to the Warhawk Bundle offered in August 07' for $59.99 and come packed in with Socom: Confrontation (a PSN exclusive title). Hopefully this is true since the Jabra headsets with Warhawk were cheap crap in comparison to better BT headsets. Also, most PS3 online games are eerily silent in comparison to 360 games where you get too much voice chatting, this would be a great addition to home and other PS3 games.




Official PS3 Headset