Call of Duty 4 PS3 1.3 Patch up

The version 1.3 PS3 patch to Call of Duty 4 came out today.

Rockband 1.4 Patch Released for PS3

Unannounced by Harmonix the 1.4 patch for Rockband on PS3 was released today. Now songs are available for purchase in-game before they are released on the standard PS store. The in-game music store is fully working again (it was broken after the new PS store launched), but the in-game store is still using the old store interface.

What happened to educational games?

Everyone has heard of the most popular educational (casual) video game of all time, The Oregon Trail, but what has happened to this popular 90's genre? It seems that most educational game IP's were founded in the early 90's including; The Oregon Trail, Munchers series (Word Munchers, Number Munchers, etc), Math Blaster, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, and many more. Since the 90's little to no educational games have captivated the public like the educational IP's of the 90's. As games become more interactive, and companies like Turning Point Industries who are creating interactive software (primarily power point class room interaction) for the class room, can this genre be saved? What has happened to this popular gaming genre, could a next gen renaissance of educational gaming be around the corner? Could a PS3 or 360 be integrated into class rooms for educational games, only time will tell.

If Sega made a next gen console, what would it be like?

I have been pondering this question for some time, what if Sega were still in the console market and what would their next gen console be like relative to all the competitors on the market (Wii, PS3, 360)? Would the new system be innovative like the Wii, or will it be a hardware showcase like the PS3, or will it be a gaming work horse like the 360? What exclusive games would come out (Toe Jam and Earl net gen, amazing) and what innovations would the new console hold over the competition. What is your take, would a fourth console competitor make an impact on the already tight console market, how could Sega innovate above the competition?

BD Touch, control and watch Blu-ray movies on your Iphone and Ipod

Netblender, a technology firm from Alexandria, VA has created Blu-ray software that works in collaboration with BD-Live (internet enabled Blu-ray players including the PS3) . The software called BD Touch will enable an Ipod or Iphone to interact with the player using such features like using the device as "a remote control letting users interact with a Blu-ray movie, including bonus features, GPS tracking, trivia and games. BD Touch allows for the transfer of video, audio, text and player commands to an Iphone or Ipod." - Home media Magazine April 13-19, 2008

Some features listed by Netblender's website

• Pushing digital copies of movies to an iPhone from the Blu-ray disc menu.
• Automatically cataloguing a viewer’s Blu-ray disc collection and providing movie suggestions
• Updating and managing a viewer’s rental queue
• Displaying trivia and extra information about a movie in sync with the movie's playback
• Turning existing Blu-ray discs into games that use the iPhone as the game controller
• Viewing fan-created content in sync with the disc

Link to Netblender's Website

Is The Video Game Industry Resseesion Proof?

Playstation the Official Magazine (May 2008) was able to interview one of the most influential analysis for the gaming industry, Michale Patcher. One of the questions asked during the interview regarded the video game industry and its inherent ability to stay recession proof, in theory.

PTOM: "The video game industry in general has often been considered "recession proof" since in times of economic strain consumers specifically focus their available leisure dollars on their core enthusiasts interests. Do you believe that it's true, and if the worldwide economic woes continue, will it impact, for example, expensive PS3 game development?"

Michael Patcher: "It's impossible to know whether video games are "recession proof," but I think it's likely that this is true. Entertainment in general is more affordable than things like vacations, and consumers seem to believe that entertainment is essential, while things like sweaters and shoes are more discretionary. Think about it: when was the last time you bought a pair of shoes just because your old ones had a hole in the sole? I think that parents canceling that trip to Disney World as too expensive will consider buying games (and consoles) out of guilt for a fraction of the cost. I don't think that world economic woes will significantly impact PS3 development, given that the developers / publishers are primarily well-capitalized companies with easy access to cash. Also, games being developed today are intended to release in two years, so only a foolish developer would hold off based upon a concern that the economic meltdown will last that long."

So, in theory the video game industry is recession proof, interesting.

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.
Jump to the Playstation Blog

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