Your PlayStation New Year’s Eve Party

Celebrate the dawn of 2010 and throw a New Year’s Eve party with PlayStation.

21:00
While you're waiting for guests to arrive, browse the thousands of games, films and comics available at PlayStation Store and start downloading. That way, you can spend New Year's Day relaxing on the sofa with a stack of entertainment to work through.

22:00
If there are children at the party, introduce them to EyePet on PlayStation 3 while you're polishing off the nibbles. See their faces light up as their own cute pet springs to life right there in the living room. They can pet him, feed him, bathe him and clothe him using their own hands, a PlayStation Eye camera and the magic card that comes with the game.

23:00
Say goodbye to 2009 for good with a Buzz! quiz session on its key events. With Buzz!: Quiz World and Buzz!: Quiz TV on PS3, you and your friends can grab a set of Buzz! Buzzers and play custom made quizzes submitted by the community at MyBuzzQuiz.com. Music lover? Try the Noughties Music quizzes. If you know your sport, then give yourself a real test with a quiz purely on England's Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club.

00:00
With some preparation, you could build a stylish countdown to 2010 in LittleBigPlanet on PS3 or PSP. Start by creating a replica of London's Big Ben, complete with a mechanical hand that reaches 12 and triggers a series of fireworks and a banner wishing your guests a Happy New Year. For the icing on the cake, connect a row of magnetic switches to a sequence of piano sound effects. Then, with a little patience and some musical talent, you can tweak them to play Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight. Publish the level earlier that day so the LBP community can join in the celebration and ring in the new year with Sackboy.

01:00
It's time for everyone to pull on their dancing shoes and step up to the microphone for some serious SingStar sessions. It's now easier than ever to browse the hundreds of downloadable tracks in the SingStore and view the community videos at My SingStar Online - just download the SingStar Viewer, free from PlayStation Store. It lets you access the SingStar universe direct from the PS3 XMB (XrossMediaBar) and without the need of a SingStar disc. Which song will you use to kick-start 2010?

02:00
Shove the sofas against the wall, lock away anything smashable and get down to your own personal party playlist with VidZone. You could bring together all of your favourite music videos from the last year, or maybe your playlist will look forward to the acts you think will be huge in the next 12 months. Whatever you pick, let your feet do the talking.

03:00
January 2010 is three hours old and your guests will start to trickle away so they can write in the diary the resolutions that they're definitely going to keep this year. Why not pick a more exciting New Year's resolution, like launching your own career in motorsport? Download the GT Academy Time Trial from PlayStation Store, set a quick lap time and you could find yourself driving for the Nissan PlayStation racing team before 2011 is out.

Whatever your plans, enjoy your New Year's Eve party and have a terrific 2010 with PlayStation.

Weekend Essentials – Issue 7Anna Kendrick Explains Why ‘New Moon’ Fans Should See ‘Up In The Air’

The 2009 PlayStation Picture Quiz

Test your knowledge of the year’s biggest releases with this fun picture quiz.

It's difficult to believe that it's been an entire year since America inaugurated a new President and The Lord of the Rings: Conquest came out on PlayStation 3, and 2009 has since provided dozens of fantastic PlayStation games.

The year 2010 is almost upon us, and before you get carried away looking forward to Heavy Rain, God of War III and more, remind yourself of the last 12 months with the 2009 PlayStation Picture Quiz.

Twenty-four pack fronts have been strategically cropped to hide their identity; simply enter the name of the game in the text box below each image and either press enter on your keyboard or click the button to the right of the text box to see if you are correct.

You can click on the Save Progress button at the bottom of the page to store your answers should you wish to return to them at a later date, and you can visit the official PlayStation Forums to get help.

Click here for the 2009 PlayStation Picture Quiz.

Have fun!

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GT Academy 2010: under starter’s orders

Swap your sofa for a real racing car in GT Academy 2010, the ultimate racing competition.

For many, 17 December 2009 will be their first chance to get behind the wheel of the latest Real Driving Simulator as an exclusive free demo of Gran Turismo 5 roars onto PlayStation Store. For one player, it will be the first day of their racing career.

GT Academy is back, giving PlayStation 3 owners the opportunity to turn their virtual racing dreams into reality; to graduate from Gran Turismo 5 to a full European GT4 Cup season, following in the footsteps of last year's winner, Lucas Ordez.

All you have to do is download the GT Academy Time Trial from PlayStation Store and start setting lap times around the Indianapolis 500 course in a Nissan 370Z. Times are recorded automatically and the highest placed racers at midnight on 24 January 2010 will be invited to their national finals. These will be tense affairs as the finalists go head-to-head on a new Gran Turismo 5 track.

From the national finals, 20 competitors will be selected for a five-day boot camp at the world famous Silverstone circuit in the UK, where they must prove their physical fitness, mental aptitude and raw speed in real race cars. The two drivers that most impress the judges will embark on the GT Academy - an intensive driving programme to qualify for an international racing licence.

From the final two, one driver will be declared the GT Academy winner and will represent the Nissan PlayStation team in a European GT4 Cup season.

Download the GT Academy Time Trial from PlayStation Store on 17 December 2009 for the chance to win the ultimate driving prize.

GT Academy 2010. The game is just the start.

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Go wild in Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar Games has unleashed more details on its wild western. Take up the reins and see what’s fresh on the PlayStation 3 prairie.

Red Dead Redemption is all about choice. Set in the Wild West, Rockstar Games' newest adult action adventure may well be a story of blood and penance, yet its core gameplay is all about your choices. And in the open environment of Red Dead Redemption, there's a lot of choice to be had...

Your wild ride awaits

With the advance of technology and government rule, the old West is experiencing an identity crisis, something reflected by John Marston's dilemma. A former outlaw, Marston has been forced to pick up his guns once more against his wishes. So while the Wild West is struggling for peace under a growing government, Marston's own peace has been shattered by hostility - and the only way back is by bloodshed.

How much blood gets spilt is down to you. Controlling Marston on his quest for redemption involves travelling through The Frontier, Mexico and the Great Plains, which are subdivided into a number of territories. You take part in missions to progress the story, with objectives such as infiltrating a compound with explosives and defending an outpost from invaders.

However, the world of Red Dead Redemption is a world of opportunity and a place to stamp your mark on, and it goes beyond pushing Marston towards his ultimate goal...

The world is yours

Rockstar Games has created an environment which looks and feels like a Wild West movie, with you as the star. Your decisions affect everything around you, whether you opt to engage in the story missions, take part in a number of side quests or just decide to roam the badlands. In Red Dead Redemption, the people go about their business and it's up to you whether you interact with them on the way.

Riding along the plains you may come across a firing squad, ready to execute their prisoner - do you save the captive and risk the ensuing gunfight? Sometimes you'll see a man being helplessly dragged along by a gang of bandits on horseback - it's your choice to do something about it, and your reward may be useful, or it may just be an unexpected bullet in your back.

Random passers-by will also run up to you for help... do you aid or ignore them? They may only be pretending to want help and try to steal your horse, although that doesn't mean you have to kill them - scaring them off or shooting the gun from their hand may be enough.

Wild animals might jump in too, as jackals and wolves prowl for easy prey, vultures circle for carrion and grizzly bears lurk with hostile intent. Kill them and sell their skins to a local store, attempt to goad them into fighting each other or try and escape with your life. It's up to you.

"I'll make ya famous..."

The savage nature of the Wild West isn't limited to the great outdoors. Venture into a town and you may find a brutal hanging taking place. Or if the day has turned to night, a trip to the saloon can reap drinking and card games to test your skill for profit, as well as the chance to protect a lady's virtue if a bar patron is getting a little too rowdy.

You may decide to pick up a sheriff's wanted poster and hunt down a bounty, with the size of your reward based on how much you've injured the target - a cleanly lassoed and unharmed criminal fetches a far greater prize than a dead or injured one, although they rarely come quietly or alone...

Dastardly deeds such as helping bandits or terrorising innocents may even have you wanted by the local authorities, which you can revel in for financial gain or seek a pardon letter to cool things off.

All of these actions influence your Honour and Fame meters, which will alter the way people react to you. If you get a little too famous, expect to be dragged into a few duels by gunslingers looking to make a name for themselves.

Draw, pilgrim

Whether you choose to be a surly bandit or a heroic gunman who likes to ride off into the sunset, Red Dead Redemption lets you take the reins of a fully loaded Western - and you can get some exciting glimpses of it in the trailers right here at eu.playstation.com.

‘New Moon,’ ‘Watchmen’ Among Our Favorite 2009 TrailersWeekend Essentials – Issue 8

Pack your PSP with these gaming treats

Planning on taking a trip this holiday season? Then take a look at our guide to these essential PSP games.

LittleBigPlanet

No trip away is complete without Sackboy, star of LittleBigPlanet and pint-sized king of creation. Whatever you can see, you can enhance. And whatever you don't see, you can invent. All you need is curiosity, creativity and a thirst for fun in Sackboy's colourful world. Featuring over 30 brand new levels in a variety of themed locations, you can create and customise your very own environments to show off to friends, family and LittleBigPlanet fans online this festive season.

MotorStorm Arctic Edge

Get ready to feel the biting cold in the roughest and toughest MotorStorm Festival yet. The world's most frenetic off-road racing tournament is set for a whole new challenge on PSP: Alaska. Jammed with new racing modes such as Time Ticker, 12 racing routes - each of which can be played in forward or reverse - multiplayer and brand new vehicles, MotorStorm Arctic Edge is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.

Gran Turismo

The king of driving simulators makes its stylish PSP debut with over 800 car models and 35 tracks. Like its PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 incarnations, Gran Turismo on PSP features jaw-dropping dream cars, all lovingly recreated for you to enjoy any time, anywhere. So, buckle up and take a deep breath as you set out to take on the opposition on amazing tracks across the globe.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

If you're looking for a game packed with innovation, humour and plenty to do then you need look no further than Chinatown Wars. You play as Huang Lee, a young Triad thrust into the world of crime and corruption on the streets of Liberty City. Your goal is simple: retrieve an ancient sword belonging to your family and uncover the truth behind your father's untimely demise. Packed with a huge variety of missions, mini-games and remastered audio, Chinatown Wars will have you hooked this holiday season.

Tekken 6

Take the legendary fighting game with you on your journey and compete in The King of Iron Fist Tournament wherever you go. Packed with new characters, hundreds of moves and gorgeous graphics, Tekken 6 is the ultimate fighting travel companion. Featuring all the explosive action found on the PS3 version, Tekken 6 on PSP also includes additional stages, content and items, and you can also compete with a friend Wirelessly via Ad Hoc Mode. Think you've got what it takes to be King of Iron Fist?

FIFA 10

Got football on the brain? Don't forget to pack FIFA 10, the truest football experience on PSP featuring authentic licences, tailored gameplay and an improved heading and crossing system. With 13 special team styles based on real world statistics, you get a greater level of authenticity on the move. Once you've honed your skills in the single player campaign, test your football might on the world usingthe Wireless Infrastructure Mode and take on some of the best players online.

Star Wars - Battlefront: Elite Squadron

Featuring all six Star Wars movies, plus 12 classic locations from the films and more characters than you can shake Luke Skywalker's lightsaber at, Star Wars - Battlefront: Elite Squadron is a must for movie, action and sci-fi fans. With an engrossing storyline that casts new light on the epic Star Wars saga, plus a bulging roster of characters to pick from, including Han Solo and Darth Vader, Elite Squadron packs in hours of intergalactic fun. Take the Force with you wherever you go this year.

Metal Gear Solid

Feel like a little PlayStation nostalgia? The original smash hit game, Metal Gear Solid is available on PlayStation Store for you to download and experience all over again on PSP. Featuring a twisting narrative, eye-catching bosses, a cast of enigmatic characters and the original PlayStation hero, Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid is a must for action fans. And with a host of other Metal Gear games available exclusively on PSP, this is just the start of a whole new adventure for you!

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Small is beautiful with PlayStation mini-games

Keep your little ones busy with some mini-game gems this festive season.

Looking for some entertainment to while away the wee hours? Then why not try your hand at a host of PlayStation mini-games, arcade style titles only available to play on your PC, to entertain kids and parents alike.

Ratchet & Clank - Race Through Time
Join Clank on a platform adventure where you must guide the little robotic hero to the top of the Great Clock. Don't worry about the tricky obstacles that stand between you and your goal - Clank has the ability to speed up and slow down time. Watch the hours fly by like minutes with this fun mini-game.

EyePet
Take the irresistible EyePet on new adventures with two mini-games. The first is High Flyer, which puts you in the cockpit of a cute toy aeroplane. Fly through a colourful household, collecting balloons which add to your final score and give you bonuses. Keep an eye on your fuel level - otherwise your fancy flying may come to a swift end.

The second min-game is BubbleBother, which challenges your fingers and puzzle solving skills. Direct the different coloured bubbles into the correct jars by drawing lines with your mouse. Watch out as the bubbles get faster, as directing them into the wrong jars loses you points.

There's a third mini-game coming soon, so keep an EyePet eye out.

Invizimals
Can you find the mysterious creatures that can only be seen through your PSP Camera? Practic your hunting skills by playing a mini-game that can win you a new Invizimal for the PSP title, which you can then trade with friends. To earn a free Invizimal, you must capture several of the creatures in the mini-game and then get them to battle. Can you defeat your opponent and claim your Invizimals prize?

MotorStorm Arctic Edge - Avalanche Anarchy
Tear it up in your snowmobile with a bass-heavy soundtrack urging you on - it can only be the off-road mayhem of Avalanche Anarchy. Are you fast enough to race across the mountain track finish line before the avalanche swallows you whole?

Gran Turismo Skills
Have you got what it takes to be a Gran Turismo champion? Gran Turismo Skills revs up eight challenges to test your co-ordination, observation, reactions, memory and knowledge of racing cars. It's the perfect entertainment for parents so why not take GT Skills out for a spin and see how far you can go?

This selection is just the start - so make sure you kick off your holidays with a mini blast of fun by checking out a range of lively mini-games at eu.playstation.com/games-media/minigames/.

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GT Academy 2010 interview

Mark Bowles and Darren Cox of SCEE and Nissan respectively discuss the ultimate driving competition.

SCEE's PS3 Brand Manager Mark Bowles and Nissan European Interactive Marketing Manager Darren Cox, two of the key figures behind GT Academy, talk to eu.playstation.com.

What is GT Academy?

Darren Cox: We ran the first GT Academy in 2008 and had 25,000 people from 12 different countries taking part. Essentially, GT Academy was an experiment conceived between Nissan Europe and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. We set ourselves the challenge to see if we could unearth a real racing driver from the virtual world of computer games. In the end, I think we proved that we could.

After a national selection process we ended up with a group of 22 gamers driving cars at Silverstone. It turned out that there were many good drivers among them and we had a tough job eventually selecting the two guys who went on to qualify for an international race licence.

In the end, only one of them made it all the way to drive in the Dubai International 24-hour race. Lucas Lucas Ordez, a student from Spain, was our man. He showed such promise that we were able to secure him a season-long drive in a Nissan 370Z in the European GT4 Cup and he came a very close second and won the team's championship. I think that was proof enough.

The whole process was so good that we sat down with PlayStation and decided to do it all over again.

Mark Bowles: The format for GT Academy 2010 will be very similar. It is essentially a five stage process to discover our racing driver. On 17 December 2010 the online stage will go live. Anyone eligible and from the countries taking part can download the GT Academy Time Trial from PlayStation Store.

For stage two we take the fastest 20 gamers from each country and invite them to a national finals event. From there, 20 competitors will be invited to the GT Academy. This is a like a racing driver's boot camp.

After five days of different challenges, our panel of expert judges will choose two winners who will enter an intensive, eight-week training programme to qualify for an international race licence. One of those will then be selected to race a Nissan 370Z in the European GT4 Cup season. We shall find out then if we have discovered another star.

Were you pleased with the results of the first GT Academy?

DC: I think everyone involved in the project was delighted with the way things turned out. There was a lot at stake for both Nissan and PlayStation. We were convinced in our own minds that we could unearth some real talent from the gaming community, but proving the point was another matter.

To emerge at the end with a guy like Lucas was a real vindication for us. He has proved to be a great competitor in the car and has just got better and better. He is also a great guy and has become an ambassador for both brands - he will be working with us throughout the GT Academy 2010 programme.

MB: From a PlayStation perspective, GT Academy was a very successful project. The Gran Turismo series is the most successful race simulation game in the world and Kazunori Yamauchi, its creator, has always set new benchmarks in realism with each version. I think he was personally intrigued to see what would happen and has been very happy to watch Lucas' progress.

GT Academy also fitted in well for us in terms of highlighting the online capabilities of Gran Turismo and PlayStation 3. We had 25,000 people playing the game online during the first stage. This year, we anticipate many more, creating a huge international community of online players. It is very exciting.

What has changed for 2010?

MB: As PlayStation we are naturally more involved in the gaming stages of the GT Academy process. A fantastic development for us is that Polyphony Digital, who develop the Gran Turismo games, have created an online Time Trial version for GT Academy.

This means that the online stage of GT Academy is open to anyone with a PS3 system, providing they live in a participating country. They simply have to register on PlayStation Network and download the free Time Trial from PlayStation Store.

We are also opening the competition to even more countries this year and, most notably, Australia and New Zealand will join the European countries taking part.

DC: I would say that we managed to get the first GT Academy just about right, so it is really just a few little tweaks and improvements. One difference is that people who already hold, or have held, a national or international racing licence will be excluded from progressing in the competition. In 2008, there were a few guys that made it to Silverstone who were already involved in racing, while most of them had no experience at all. It turned out not to be a big issue, as those with natural ability soon stood out. However, we just feel that it will add to the purity of the virtual to real racer experiment if we keep it to those who have not raced.

We shall also introduce the drivers that make it through to the final stages of GT Academy at Silverstone to a real, fully-tuned race car with sequential gear box and slick tyres. The jump to this type of car from a standard road car is likely to demonstrate who can go all the way.

What are your hopes for GT Academy 2010?

DC: Quite simply for us to repeat our success last year and unearth another racing talent.

MB: For more people to take part and become involved in the ongoing story. We want to build a community that gets behind our national champions and follows the process to the end.

Weekend Essentials – Issue 8Exclusive: Tom Hardy Talks ‘Mad Max’ For The First Time

Weekend Essentials – Issue 7

Blow away the winter blues with PixelJunk Shooter, Tekken 6 and a variety of top content from PlayStation Store.

Don't back down... anywhere

Namco's masterful Tekken 6 slams onto PSP for a round of beat ‘em up brilliance. Go head-to-head with over 40 characters in a variety of settings around the world to find out if you're a contender in The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6. Take your battles on the road with this essential portable fighting title.

A blistering blast

The newest game in the popular PixelJunk series is unleashed on PlayStation 3 - blast yourself into the arcade action of PixelJunk Shooter. Featuring stylised High Definition visuals, your job is to rescue survivors in a variety of cavernous environments by altering your surroundings and avoiding hazards. Are you up to the fiendishly addictive task? Download PixelJunk Shooter from PlayStation Store and find out.

Go behind the scenes of Uncharted 2

Developer Naughty Dog has lifted the curtain on one of 2009's biggest and best games, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Take a deeper look into this classic action adventure game with a selection of behind the scenes videos on PlayStation Store.

Download a delightful Dino Den din

Dino-sized fun for all the family arrives on PlayStation 3 with Buzz! Junior: Dino Den. Take part in a selection of mini-games designed to bring out the party animal in you - download it from PlayStation Store and see for yourself.

Dragon Age: Origins competition

Here's your chance to win a PlayStation 3 system and a Collector's Edition copy of Dragon Age: Origins. Take a journey over to eu.playstation.com/psn/competitions to enter the Dragon Age: Origins competition and win a prize.

Fights of fantasy

Storybook favourites gain a new lease of life in the PS3 demo for hack and slash epic Fairytale Fights. Download it from PlayStation Store and go on an adventure with the likes of Red Riding Hood, Snow White and other popular characters.

Sing for the season

Get into a festive mood with SingStar, the singing game which is guaranteed to get the family crooning to their favourite tunes. The Festive Fun 2009 SongPack is available to download from SingStore, meaning you'll be able to get the party season started with the following tracks:

Nat King Cole - A Cradle in Bethlehem
Doris Day - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Johnny Mathis - When a Child is Born
Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day
Elton John - Step Into Christmas

The fun with SingStar doesn't stop there. A festive party is opening in the SingStar VIP area of PlayStation Home, for a limited time. Take part in a special game there and you may be rewarded... just keep looking for the light in the SingStar VIP area and all will be revealed...

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Weekend Essentials – Issue 8

Never mind turkey and tinsel: check out all this PlayStation entertainment over the festive season.

Don't settle for a remote-controlled car this holiday season - download the GT Academy Time Trial, free from PlayStation Store, and launch your own real racing career.

Not only will it give you a taste of the latest Real Driving Simulator on PlayStation 3, Gran Turismo 5, the fastest players in each country will qualify for their National Finals and the chance to get behind the wheel of a real race car at Silverstone. The two most talented drivers will then embark on intensive training and only one will win a seat with the Nissan PlayStation race team in a full European GT4 Cup Season.

While time is always falling away from you on the race course, in Braid, you can rewind time, reverse its flow and wrap it around a single object across six worlds of mind-bending platform puzzles. It's available to download on PS3 from PlayStation Store.

Table time

Coming soon to PlayStation Store, Hustle Kings brings pool to PS3 in stunning style. It features plenty of game styles, such as nine ball, 14.1 continuous and trick shots; staggeringly beautiful graphics; fun multiplayer modes that let you bet your Hustle King Credits against online opponents; and unlockable chalks, cues and balls to spend your hard-earned cash on.

Quiz fanatics, you can now step out into the wild - Buzz!: Quiz World is available on PSP, both on Universal Media Disc and via download from PlayStation Store. With four single player modes, multiplayer quizzes to get you passing the PSP around and online multiplayer via Infrastructure Mode for the first time in the series, it's like swimming in a trivia river.

While you're downloading, pick up a PlayStation Store bargain, courtesy of EA. The publisher is offering much of its digital content, including Battlefield 1943, 3 on 3NHL Arcade and additional content for Skate 2 and Dead Space, at special prices. Check PlayStation Store for more details and be sure to get in before 7 January 2010 to make the most of these offers.

Party Time

It's the time of year when families come together, eat and drink well and promptly fall asleep. Keep them all awake with an impromptu post-turkey SingStar party and check out a stack of new songs available to download from the SingStore.

Unwrap the Festive Fun 2 SongPack under the tree and sing along to Cliff Richard's Saviour's Day and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Doris Day. If you fancy some funk before dinner, the Jackson 5 SongPack features five hits from one of the greatest family bands to come out of the 1970s. Or, once you're done filling your belly, fill your lungs for the Il Divo SongPack and belt out five modern operatic classics from the classical supergroup.

If you prefer something more laid-back, then why not get together, draw the curtains and settle in front of a good film. Holiday video treats on PlayStation Store include The Santa Clause, Elf Bowling or, if your idea of Christmas is jumping down a lift shaft, Die Hard.

You can even pick up a seasonal special offer: buy or rent Cars and you'll be able to watch two bonus Cars cartoons for free.

Whatever you do, play, sing, watch and eat over the festive season, have a smashing time!

Stocking filler gift ideasZoe Saldana Reveals The Secrets Behind Her ‘Avatar’ Alien

DC Universe Online developer interview

Discover new secrets hiding beneath the cowl of the superpowered action title DC Universe Online, thanks to its developer Sony Online Austin.

What is DC Universe Online?

DC Universe Online is a massively multiplayer action game for PlayStation 3. We're working closely with talented comic book artists and writers like Jim Lee, Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman to create a virtual representation of the DC Universe (DCU), where you can create your own legacy as a hero or villain.

What were the initial concerns in the planning stages of the game and how have you addressed them?

To pay off on the superhero fantasy, one of our major goals was to provide fast paced, visceral action combat with heavy use of physics. We spent a lot of time early in the development cycle solving many of the technical issues, and we are very happy with the results so far.

How early in the game's development was it decided that players wouldn't be able to control iconic characters such as Batman and Superman?

Very early. Our goal from day one was to allow players to feel like they've stepped into the DC Universe. In this virtual fantasy, all the famous iconic characters actually exist in this world, and the exciting part for the player is to build personal relationships with these characters and establish her/himself in the superhero or supervillain pantheon.

With characters as powerful as Superman and Doomsday, was it difficult getting a gameplay balance that would work without destroying the illusion of being within a living, breathing DC Universe?

Actually it's not as difficult as you might imagine. At the end of the day, the stories drive the interactions with the characters. For example, in [the Frank Miller story] The Dark Knight Returns, an aged Batman fights toe to toe with Superman and wins. It's the interesting stories and plot twists that actually add life to the DCU.

How did you decide on which iteration of certain characters to include, given the constantly changing face of DC Comics' ongoing series?

With about 75 years of story content to pull from, it was a bit of a challenge trying to figure out exactly what we wanted to include in the initial release of the game. In the end, we decided to build the ideal version of the DCU. We wanted a starting point that the mainstream audience could relate to... Clark Kent is Superman, Bruce Wayne is Batman, and so on. In the process, Jim's modernised some characters, and we've cherry-picked some awesome updates like the new Sinestro.

Will the game world reflect some of the big comic book stories that DC Comics has in store for the fans?

Going through this process, we've found that video game and comic book development timelines are on a vastly different scale. In the comic book world a lot can change in a single year, so we've been completely focused on our initial release plan. However, this is an online game with periodic updates and expansion plans, so the sky's the limit after that.

What is the development team most proud of in the game?

First, the visceral action combat is something that truly evolves the genre. DCUO plays like an action console game, so you feel connected to your character, and the heavy use of physics really delivers on the superpowered fantasy. Second, the environments are amazing. Up until now, you've only been able to catch glimpses of the world through TV, comic books and movies. Now, you virtually exist in the DCU and can fly over the streets of Metropolis or explore the alleys of Gotham. How cool is that?

Taylor Lautner Cast In Action Flick ‘Cancun’Digital Comics out now on PSP

Weekend Essentials - Issue 5

Relax with a Nathan Drake comic book adventure and some sparkling new games on PlayStation Store.

Win with Digital Comics

The Digital Comics reader for PSP is now available to play with, ready for you to download your favourite comics when the Comic Store opens for business on PlayStation Store in December 2009. So celebrate this new way to read comics by entering the Digital Comics competition where you can win a PSPgo system and more. Fly over to eu.playstation.com/digitalcomics and take part.

Nathan Drake enters new territory

There's no time to rest for the Uncharted series' charismatic adventure hero Nathan Drake as he dives into a brand new quest - Uncharted: The Eye of Indra, a digital motion comic. Coming exclusively to PlayStation Store in four parts, this new escapade sees Drake on a mission to help a criminal mastermind find the precious Eye of Indra, which lands the charismatic treasure hunter in a world of trouble.

Voiced by the actors behind Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted: The Eye of Indra is an unmissable voyage for fans of the stunning Uncharted series. Check out parts one and two now...

Gravity isn't your enemy

Classic arcade shooting is brought bang up to date with Gravity Crash on PlayStation Store, where you hop into a spacecraft and fight your way through hostile planets to complete a series of objectives. Save crewmen, destroy anti-gravity fighters and see how skilled a pilot you can be in a game which has you fighting gravity all the way. Will you fly high or crash and burn? Download Gravity Crash on PlayStation 3 and find out.

Drive your blues away

Even a lazy weekend can be full of breakneck thrills when you have F1 2009 on PSP. Featuring all the stars, cars and tracks from the 2009 Formula One season, you can take a spin with McLaren, Ferrari and even the all new Brawn GP team. Take to the track in single player, speed through some two player challenges or put your foot to the pedal through an entire gruelling season in co-operative mode. It's up to you - the race is on.

Tackle Madden NFL Arcade

Streamlined rules and no penalties? Five-on-five gridiron is where it's at, thanks to Electronic Arts' Madden NFL Arcade from PlayStation Store which puts you in a stadium of excitement where the only thing that matters is quick and stylish victory. Take to the field in a fast-paced and hard-hitting game of American football on PS3, where you and up to three friends can team up on an adrenaline fuelled sports romp.

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Weekend Essentials – Issue 6

Two new arrivals hit PlayStation 3 and there’s a free demo of LittleBigPlanet PSP to download from PlayStation Store.

Welcome to Pandora

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, a spin-off to the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster, is available on Blu-ray Disc for PlayStation 3 this week. Immerse yourself in Pandora, an alien planet from the imagination of James Cameron, and engage in a conflict between the RDA Corporation and the Na'vi.

From an imaginary world to the streets of Nazi-occupied Paris, The Saboteur is also out on PS3 this week. Take control of Sean Devlin, an Irish racing driver, and explore a stylised world of action, espionage and resistance against the Axis Powers. Free to explore this beautiful city, you can snipe from the top of the Eiffel Tower, climb Notre-Dame cathedral and brawl on the Champs lyses.

More entertainment in Store

If you've still not got your hands on LittleBigPlanet for PSP, then now's the perfect chance - there's a free demo available from PlayStation Store for you to get a taste of the wonderful worlds of the Creator Curators. And if that's not enough Sackboy for one weekend, you can download Assassin's Creed II Ezio Auditore, Santa Boots and Trousers and Santa Hat and Beard costumes to wear with pride in the PS3 version of LittleBigPlanet.

Also available to download from PlayStation Store, the Buzz!: Rock Idols Quiz Pack will see if you know your Black Sabbath from your Skunk Anansie. Just bear in mind that you'll need a copy of Buzz! on PS3 to use this Quiz Pack.

Be in it to win it

Here at eu.playstation.com there's plenty of opportunity to get your hands on PlayStation goodies.

This weekend, you could be in with a chance of winning a PSPgo, a signed copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and more by answering a series of questions. Or, if you think you know your comic book characters, enter the Digital Comics competition to snag yourself a PSPgo.

Just head to eu.playstation.com/competitions and follow the simple instructions to enter.

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Digital Comics out now on PSP

Take your entire comics collection anywhere you go with Digital Comics.

Welcome to Digital Comics, an exciting new service that lets you read and collect all your favourite comic books on your PSP system. Download a massive variety of comic books from the Comic Store of PlayStation Store and enjoy your comics anywhere you go, thanks to the portability of PSP.

Each comic explodes into action with AutoFlow, an innovative new feature that lets you navigate each page how you want. You can also listen to your own music while you read - the Digital Comics experience is entirely under your control.

With one of comics' leading publishers, Marvel Entertainment, and others such as IDW Publishing, Disney and iVerse Media providing hundreds of titles and adding dozens of new issues on a weekly basis, there's always an exciting new read to look forward to.

Try out Digital Comics now with a selection of free comics to download from the Comic Store. And if you want to check out the comic book catalogue, talk to other Digital Comics enthusiasts and find out the latest news, head over to playstationcomics.com and explore exciting new worlds at your fingertips...

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Weekend Essentials - Issue 4

The weekend is just the start when you can become a feared assassin in Assassin’s Creed 2, witness new Final Fantasy XIII footage, play the latest demos, and more…

Become an Assassin of the ages

The time has come to don your assassin's garb once more as Ubisoft challenges you to enter a world of espionage and conspiracies - welcome to Assassin's Creed II on PlayStation 3 and Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines on PSP.

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines continues the story of the previous game's protagonist, Altair, as he continues his fight against the Templars, while PlayStation 3 assassins can jump further into the murky history of the hooded ones with new assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze in a tale set during the Italian Renaissance. There you will master the dark arts and use numerous weapons and instruments, including Leonardo Da Vinci's flying machine.

Eager assassins can truly indulge the lore of Creed by connecting both PSP and PS3 titles together to unlock exclusive weapons in both games.

The release date of your Fantasy

Square Enix has given role-playing game fans reason to rejoice with the unveiling of a European release date for Final Fantasy XIII. Find out more and enjoy new footage in the Special Announcement Trailer at PlayStation Store.

Portable gems

PSP owners are in for a treat this weekend as two epic titles arrive. First to take a bow is Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, which promises a rip-roaring adventure through lost lands. Battle Sky Pirates, Aeropeans and others in a war which thrusts you beyond the Brink.

The second unmissable PSP game to get your digits on is the long awaited LittleBigPlanet, which combines the fun and creativity of the PS3 version with the extra portability. Play over 30 brand new levels in seven themed locations, create and customise your own environments and share your creations with friends. Discover a world of endless possibilities where the only limit is your imagination.

A demonstration of fun in Store

PlayStation Store is home to many downloadable goodies and this week is no different with the arrival of demos for two PSP greats, the blisteringly fast racing game MotorStorm Arctic Edge and fiendishly addictive tower defence game, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe. If you were sitting on the fence before, now is the perfect time to give these two superb titles a try.

PS3 owners aren't left out either, thanks to some new downloadable content packs for Dragon Age: Origins, The Stone Prisoner and Warden's Keep. The Stone Prisoner unlocks Shale, a unique party character with all new abilities, before pitching you into an adventure to discover his past with new map areas and quests.

The Warden's Keep introduces a bevy of new features, including a base of operations, party chest, map areas, quests and merchants. Discover what really happened to the Order at their darkest hour.

Be a winner with TEKKEN 6 and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Want to win some superb prizes here at eu.playstation.com? Well double your chances with two new competitions to test your mettle with.

The Monster Hunter Freedom Unite competition challenges you to prove your hunting skills and win a PSPgo system, a signed copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, a T-shirt and more, while the TEKKEN 6 competition gives you a fighting chance to win a PlayStation 3 system and a Limited Edition copy of TEKKEN 6, which includes a sweatshirt, poster and artwork book.

Step up and try your hand - head over to eu.playstation.com/psn/competitions to take part.

The man with the hat is back

LEGO Indiana Jones has whipped up a new adventure in the shape of LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues on PSP and PS3. Featuring a tongue-in-cheek take on all four movies, the iconic archaeologist's escapades are in your hands as you have the ability to recreate classic moments from your favourite movies and even create levels of your own.

Don your fedora and get ready for an adventure of your very own making.

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PlayStation gift ideas for over 18s

Turn the volume up and the lights down, and enjoy some of the best titles available for adults this festive season.

PlayStation 3 shooter fans can rest easy thanks to some film style blockbuster action that will make sure the house is constantly filled with excitement. Killzone 2 is an intense sci-fi combat epic, dropping you on the hostile planet of Helghan where you have to survive the brutal environment as well as the intimidating Helghast army.

A bit closer to home on Earth, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 brings the breakneck pace of an action movie thriller straight into your living room and into your hands. Loaded with stunning set pieces and a brilliant array of multiplayer modes that will have you taking on friends all over the world on PlayStation Network, there's no stopping this unmissable title.

Hailed by many as one of the most spectacular games yet on PS3, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves blends slick action, exotic locales and massive set pieces into an irresistible adventure. This action thriller sees the return of charismatic treasure hunter Nathan Drake as he becomes tangled in a twisting plot to find the fabled city of Shambhala and its precious prize, the Cintamani Stone. Whether it's the scintillating single player story or the engaging multiplayer mode, Uncharted 2 captures the imagination on all levels.

Shocks, scares and survival horror are the ingredients for Resident Evil 5, a PS3 action adventure which continues the massively successful series and adds a new twist - a co-operative two player mode. Set in a fictional town in Africa overrun with a lethal and horrific virus, you take the roles of Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance agents Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar to uncover the origin of a terrifying conspiracy - made all the more frightening with razor sharp High Definition visuals. Play it with the lights off - if you dare...

Adult themed, comic book style titles have safe refuge on PS3, with the highly acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum and inFamous ready to shock and surprise you with their dark and stormy tales. Batman: Arkham Asylum takes you beneath the cape of Gotham City's greatest superhero as you attempt to bring order back to the chaos of Arkham. Meanwhile, action adventure inFamous asks the question - do you want to be a hero... or take a darker path? As Cole MacGrath you can choose whether a devastated Empire City will rise again thanks to your good deeds, or fall beneath your more selfish decisions. With your electricity based superpowers, you decide the fate of thousands.

Tekken 6 on PS3 and PSP is bound to keep you on your toes during the quiet moments of your festive break, with a hearty feast of beat ‘em up action between dozens of fighters to claim undisputed victory in The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6.

There's no doubting that World War II action adventure title, The Saboteur, is aimed at adults, with its gritty tone and storyline. Controlling street-tough Irish mechanic Sean Devlin in Nazi-occupied Paris, you're tasked with sabotaging the lives of those who have killed Devlin's loved ones. An entertaining open world (which has you racing as well as causing destruction) and novel use of colour makes The Saboteur a standout game for PS3.

Sneaking into the tail end of 2009 just in time to grab your attention with its slick, stealth based action is Assassin's Creed II on PS3. Take up the bloodstained cowl of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young assassin fighting for justice in the Italian Renaissance.

PSP isn't left out either, with Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines also emerging from the shadows. Become the feared assassin Altair, fresh from his adventure in the original Assassin's Creed, and fill in the missing story between the games - and unlock bonuses in Assassin's Creed II on PS3 by linking up with Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines on PSP.

If you're looking for titles to take to family gatherings, a couple of PSP games can transport you away from any potential disagreements over what to watch on the television. Resistance: Retribution mixes sci-fi with horror for a breathless third person action adventure where you struggle for survival against the deadly Chimera in a war-torn alternative history Europe.

The mighty Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars joins Resistance to create a perfect double whammy of adult PSP games, letting you take the dangerous tales of Liberty City anywhere you go. You assume the role of Huang Lee, a young Triad who travels to the city after the mysterious death of his father. A huge batch of varied missions and the popular GTA humour take you on a journey that provides as many laughs as it does surprises.

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Movie magic

Browse the Video Store on PlayStation Store and spend the festive season at the movies.

The Hangover

One of 2009s funniest films comes to the Video Store with a cast of comic geniuses and star cameos including former superstar boxer, Mike Tyson. When three friends awake in their hotel room after a night out in Las Vegas on the eve of their friend's wedding, they're faced with a problem: the groom is missing. Cue comedy high jinks as the threesome attempt to retrace their steps in order to figure out where it all went wrong and locate the missing husband-to-be.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

Settle down in front of your PlayStation 3 an action packed sequel to the original blockbuster. With eye-popping special effects, robot brawls and a host of new Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers 2 is packed with excitement. This time the Decepticons have sworn vengeance on Earth, and with an army of the evil robots forming in deep space, Sam (Shia LaBouef) must team up with Optimus Prime and some new faces to save the world.

Watchmen

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's influential graphic novel has taken over 20 years to make its way to the big screen thanks to the efforts of 300 director, Zack Snyder. Set in an alternate 1985 where superheroes exist, Watchmen sees Rorschach, a masked vigilante, set out on a mission to uncover the truth behind a plot to murder and discredit all past and present superheroes. Packed with action, a griping story and a cast of eclectic characters, Watchmen is a must see.

Terminator Salvation

The Terminator saga continues in this fourth instalment of the blockbuster series with Christian Bale starring as John Connor, future leader of the resistance against evil supercomputer Skynet. Connor meets Marcus Wright, a mysterious man whose last memory is being sentenced to death long before the war against the machines began. Connor must decide whether or not to trust Marcus as he prepares to face the wrath of the machines head-on in this special effects extravaganza from Charlie's Angels director McG.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of The Dinosaurs

Ice Age 3 is the perfect movie for all the family. This latest film sees mammoths Manny and Ellie awaiting the birth of their first child, while Diego the sabretooth tiger wonders if he's getting too soft hanging out with his pals. But when Sid the sloth gets into serious hot water when he steals some dinosaur eggs, Manny, Ellie and Diego set out on a journey to rescue him while dodging dinosaur attacks and all manner of dangerous critters.

Star Trek

Boldly going where no Star Trek director has ever gone before, Lost creator J.J Abrams has taken the beloved sci-fi series and revamped it entirely for a new generation of movie lovers. Complete with a new, younger crew, jaw-dropping special effects and a time travelling storyline featuring the villainous Romulans, Star Trek is a roller coaster ride from start to finish.

Angels and Demons

Tom Hanks reprises his role as Robert Langdon in a quest to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Illuminati society. With a new Pope to be chosen and prospective candidates being killed off by a rogue member of the organisation, Langdon is called in to handle the case. When the murders lead him to a weapon of mass destruction, priorities change and he soon embarks on a race against the clock to uncover the truth and save the city from total destruction.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry and his pals are back in this sixth instalment of the magical movie series, another perfect film that all the family can gather round and watch together this holiday season. As the tension is ramped up, Harry must face his darkest and most troubling year so far and desperately try to figure out a way to defeat the evil Voldemort who grows stronger by the day. With the final two films in production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sets the tone for what promises to be a thrilling finale to one of the most enjoyable big screen tales of all time.

Start downloading great movies now.

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Stocking filler gift ideas

This festive season there are PlayStation gifts to suit even the tightest of budgets.

In the run-up to Christmas, four of the biggest blockbusters on PlayStation 3 have been added to the cut-price Platinum range, making them even more irresistible. Whether you go for the fearsome theatre of war that is Killzone 2 or the brutal off-road racing of MotorStorm Pacific Rift, look out for these and many more Platinum titles in your local games retailer.

PS3 Platinum titles:

Killzone 2
Resistance 2
MotorStorm Pacific Rift
inFamous

It's not just PS3 owners that can benefit from Platinum hits - PSP owners can also pick up classic games at great prices, either in-store or online at PlayStation Store.

PSP Platinum titles on Universal Media Disc and PlayStation Store:

WipEout Pulse
Ape Academy
Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice
Fired Up
Go! Sudoku
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
World Tour Soccer 2
SOCOM: U.S. NAVY SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2

Available on Universal Media Disc:

Secret Agent Clank
Namco Museum Battle Collection
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

minis are great, affordable little games available to download to PSP and PS3 from the minis category of PlayStation Store. From life in the dugout with This is Football Management to cute puzzle platformer Kahoots, each offers a snackable slice of gaming perfect for those on the go.

If you really can't decide what to get the gamer in your life this Christmas, pick up a PlayStation Network Card. They're available in 20 and 50 denominations from all good retailers and will allow the recipient to download a wide range of games, movies, Digital Comics and much more from PlayStation Store, the SingStore and PlayStation Home.

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PlayStation Network Video Store available in Europe

High quality movies, to rent or to own, at the click of a button on PS3 and PSP.

The PlayStation entertainment experience continues to grow with the arrival of the PlayStation Network Video Store for Europe and the PAL territories. Launched in November 2009 in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, with other markets to follow in 2010, the service allows movie fans to download all the latest releases straight to their PlayStation 3 and PSP for viewing at home or on the move.

Movies at your fingertips

The service features a wealth of major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Starz Media, Universal, and Warner Bros., in addition to local market studios including Universum Film (Germany) and Constantin Film (Germany).

Hundreds of titles are available including Angels and Demons; Bruno; Crank 2; The Dark Knight; Dead Space: Downfall; Gran Torino; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; National Treasure; Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; Public Enemies; Star Trek; Terminator Salvation; Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Rent or buy

PlayStation users who choose to rent have up to 14 days to watch their movie, and, once playback is started, have a maximum of 48 hours to watch each film. Movie lovers who purchase their favourite films can store them on the PS3 Hard Disk Drive which can be accessed at home via PS3 or transferred to PSP for movies on the go.

Find out more at eu.playstation.com/video-store.

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In Kahoots with Honeyslug

eu.playstation.com visits the minis developer to find out about the development of Kahoots in this exclusive video interview.

Visit a videogame developer and you'll usually encounter an army of people, dozens - if not hundreds - of computers and a wealth of audio and visual equipment.

Yet Honeyslug is made up of just three people and their PSP latest title Kahoots, available from the minis category of PlayStation Store, was created with, among other things, a few blocks of plasticine, a desk lamp, a selection of sweets and a cardboard robot covered in tinfoil.

Still, the puzzle platformer has received a series of rave reviews. Check out the video interview below for a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most intriguing videogame projects you're likely to see. Every in-game item, from the claymation playable character, to the blocks he walks on, are real world objects scanned into a computer using a conventional desktop scanner.

It's an example of how smaller developers, with a little budget and a great deal of ingenuity, can get their content onto PSP and PS3 via the minis category.

Many thanks to Mark, Nat and Ricky for letting eu.playstation.com into their world for an afternoon; be sure to check out the video and download Kahoots from PlayStation Store.

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PlayStation gift ideas – get sporty

Prove to your friends and family that you’re a sporting winner this festive season with a selection of superb sports titles.

Sports fans have been spoiled for choice in 2009 with a glorious line-up of PlayStation games to satisfy those who like their outdoor activities to be just as much fun indoors.

The popular EA Sports FIFA 10 on PlayStation 3, PSP and PlayStation 2 offers a perfect fix for football fans, letting you step into the boots of thousands of players from dozens of international and licensed club teams. Choose your favourite side and go for glory in one of the most realistic recreations of the sport yet. And as it's appearing on a hat-trick of PlayStation systems, there's no excuse to miss out.

Also stepping onto the winner's podium across PS3, PSP and PS2 is PES 2010, which gives you another chance to indulge your dream of becoming a world class footballer. Addictive arcade action awaits, complemented by a fully licensed UEFA Champions League mode to let you become a European legend.

For PS3 football of a completely different type - American football, that is - there are two hard-hitting Madden NFL games to suit your needs. For simulation buffs, Madden NFL 10 slams home all the tactical warfare of the sport, wrapped in a glossy TV broadcast style presentation. If you're tempted by a faster paced blitz of American football, Madden NFL Arcade gives you plenty of action with its five-on-five streamlined gameplay.

A more laid-back sporting offer comes in the colourful package of Hustle Kings, a PS3 pool simulation available to download from PlayStation Store. Become pool royalty in a variety of game types, such as eight-ball and killer pool and go to the table against a roster of challenging opponents.

Getting up to speed with motorsport games is no problem on both PSP and PS3 with Need for Speed SHIFT. Taking you for a spin in an authentic driving experience, this is one title that is sure to keep you on course for many laps of racing excitement.

If you want to impress your family at the festive gathering, why not provide them with an answer to the often asked sporting question: who would win in a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson? This is where EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 comes into play on PS3, with its massive range of fighting styles and legendary boxers to take into the square circle. Pit some of history's greatest heavyweight champions against each other and settle friendly disputes with the most realistic in-the-ring experience to date.

One way of beating the winter blues is by stepping onto the tennis court, something not always easily done... unless you have a PS3 system and a copy of Virtua Tennis 2009 to hand. Become number one by creating your own tennis player or by picking up the racket of 23 of the world's top stars, such as Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.

Even if you're not the sporting type, these games are sure to bring the family together with their varied and fun activities - not to mention help keep you a bit warmer as you bask in the heat of victory against loved ones. Why not give them a try?

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Obsession Confessions – delicious downloads

Which PlayStation Store downloads made you want to high-five the Internet? Tell us in the official PlayStation Forums.

Last time in Obsession Confessions, you answered the call, you hit the official PlayStation Forums and you posted which games you spent the most time playing. Your response was fantastic so here's another theme to get you talking.

Picture the scene: it's Christmas Day and Santa has brought you a brand new PlayStation 3. The only problem is, he left the games in the back of the sleigh and all the shops are shut.

Luckily, PlayStation Store is open 24/7, 365 days a year and is full of top titles to keep you playing long after the last turkey sandwich. So what would you download?

Would you put your feet up with Flower or down with Burnout Paradise?

It doesn't have to be a PS3 game - there are plenty of great PSP titles on PlayStation Store too.

Start talking at community.eu.playstation.com.

In a fortnight's time, the top ten selections will be listed here on eu.playstation.com with quotes from you, the community.

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Blockbuster entertainment

Take a look at the perfect gift guide for movie and videogame fans this festive season on PS3.

Games to move you

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Move over Indy, Nathan Drake is back! Drake is lured back into the world of treasure hunting and mercenaries on an expedition to find the legendary Himalayan city of Shambhala and its greatest prize: the Cintamani Stone.

Adventure loving gamers and film buff are in for a roller coaster ride of a festive treat with Naughty Dog's sequel to the smash hit Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Rammed with action, loaded with suspense and filled to the top with ancient treasures ripe for the taking, Uncharted 2 features hours of gunplay peppered with brain teasing puzzles and frenetic multiplayer and cooperative modes.

Modern Warfare 2

Hungry for a little action this festive season? Then look no further than Modern Warfare 2, the biggest gaming entertainment launch of all time. With a gripping set of storylines that picks up right where Modern Warfare left off, you're tasked with battling through a wealth of adrenaline pumping scenarios including an invasion of the United States.

With the addictive multiplayer mode, which now comes packed with a host of new unlockable perks, plus the kinetic SpecOps cooperative mode that takes you on unique missions with a friend either online or in split screen, you're in for an explosive time.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Comic book, movie and action fans are treated to one of the finest Batman PlayStation experiences ever in this breathtaking vision of the DC Comics character. With The Joker in control of Gotham's mad house, Arkham Asylum, and Batman trapped inside, it's up to you to take control of the Dark Knight's utility belt and battle hordes of notorious lunatics including Killer Croc, Bane, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.

With a hugely engaging storyline, innovative controls and fluid combat system coupled with a series of Challenge Rooms that will have you hooked long after you've finished the single player campaign, Arkham Asylum is an essential gift this holiday season.

Assassin's Creed II

With Ubisoft's Prince Of Persia hitting the big screens in 2010, it's only a matter of time before the mind-bending exploits of their Assassin's Creed series are transformed into a mega budget movie. But if you can't wait for a big screen version, you can experience Assassin's Creed for yourself in this sequel to the 2007 hit.

Set during the Italian Renaissance, you play as Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young man fighting for change, freedom and justice. Featuring a huge open world for you to explore, all new weapons and assassination attacks, plus a special appearance by Leonardo da Vinci, Assassin's Creed II will take you on an epic journey this festive season.

Moves that will blow you away

Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen

There's more adrenaline-fuelled mayhem from Hollywood action guru Michael Bay in this follow-up to the 2007 smash hit. Featuring returning stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and the eye-popping Autobots, Transformers 2 sees the team once more band together to defend the Earth from the Decepticon threat and The Fallen, an ancient robot bent on destroying all of mankind.

The Blu-ray Disc comes packed with extras including in-depth commentary by Michael Bay and writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Other great additions such as a retrospective documentary on the beloved toys that inspired the film, deleted scenes and visual effects featurettes make for superb added entertainment.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Add a little magic to your festivities this year with the latest Harry Potter. The tension is ramped up considerably as the series draws ever closer to the final battle in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. For Harry, his sixth and penultimate year at Hogwarts is ultimately his darkest and most troubling yet and the question remains as to whether or not he can find a way to defeat Voldemort and save all he holds dear?

With an interactive mode that takes you behind the scenes as you watch the film, a whole host of interviews with the cast and crew plus extras on the stunts, make-up, art, special effects and author J.K. Rowling, this Blu-ray Disc is the perfect gift for any Harry Potter fan. And you won't have to break the bank at Gringotts to afford it.

Terminator Salvation

He said he'd be back and he is, kind of. Arnie returns to the big screen like never before in a brief cameo alongside Christian Bale in this fourth instalment in the man versus machines series that's been a hit with action fans and cinema lovers for over two decades.

Set in a post-apocalyptic 2018 Bale stars as John Connor, humanity's last hope in the war against the machines. In it, Connor stumbles upon Marcus Wright, a mysterious man from the past whose last memory is being on death row before awakening in the post apocalyptic ruins of Los Angeles, carrying with him a shattering secret. Loaded with jaw-dropping special effects, intense action and a myriad of extras including behind the scenes featurettes, picture in picture commentary from director McG and BD-LIVE content, Terminator Salvation packs a mighty punch.

Star Trek

Live long and prosper with this, the perfect gift for science fiction fans, 2009's summer blockbuster and reboot of the classic TV and film series. Reinventing the acclaimed series was always going to be controversial, and Lost's J.J. Abrams has pulled it off with style, creating a bold vision that is faithful, fun and delivers on action like never before.

Just like the rest of the great Blu-ray Disc gifts in our guide, Star Trek isn't shy of extras that take you on a bold journey beyond the movie and behind the scenes. Everything from the cast to the costumes, props and creature design is covered in great detail on this superbly presented High Definition extravaganza.

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PlayStation gift ideas for kids

Keep the little ones quiet over the festive season with a selection of great titles.

Everyone likes to play

For all the fun of owning a pet without the cleaning up and visits to the vet, introduce EyePet into your family home this holiday season. Using the PlayStation Eye camera included with the game, see a furry friend spring to life in your very own living room. Dress him, bathe him, trim his fur or just tickle his belly and see him chase you across the living room; EyePet is a magical experience for all ages on PlayStation 3.

Invizimals brings a very different kind of creature into your world using the PSP Camera. Explore your surroundings and hunt invisible animals, then capture them using the Trap card included, and pit them against each other in battle. Suddenly bedroom, garden and playground will never be the same again.

For multiplayer fun that very small children can enjoy, the Buzz! Junior series - available on PlayStation 2 and on PS3 via download from PlayStation Store - is hard to beat. Whether you're tearing round the track in Buzz! Junior: Ace Racers or being a cheeky monkey in Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party, the Buzz! Buzzer controls are easy to learn, even for very small thumbs.

Making a song and dance

Kids love music and there's a fine selection of tuneful games available on PlayStation to make a song and dance about.

SingStar Singalong with Disney brings songs from some of the best-loved animated films in history to PlayStation 2, from The Jungle Book to Toy Story. Up to eight players of all ages can join in the fun, and remember: if you have a PlayStation 3 and a PS3 SingStar game, you can use PS2 discs via the Disc Swap feature.

If singing doesn't do it for you, LEGO Rock Band is a spin-off of the popular Rock Band party games that's suitable for little ears. With upbeat tracks and adorable LEGO versions of real life rock stars, it features the classic instrument controller gameplay that made the series such a massive hit, making for a party game that hits the right notes with the whole family.

Games to grow up with

For teenagers and older children, Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time is an intergalactic adventure featuring two familiar PlayStation heroes. Ratchet's search for him robotic sidekick Clank now points to The Great Clock - an enormous space station that regulates the flow of time in the universe. The bright graphics and riotous sense of humour appeal to kids, while the fast-paced action and cerebral time-bending puzzles offer a challenge to older siblings and parents.

Another pair of PlayStation heroes, Jak and Daxter, have been saving the world for years and their latest adventure is Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier on PSP and PS2. It brings cut-throat pirates, huge areas to explore and epic aircraft battles to the handheld system, and a story that follows on from the original trilogy on PS2.

Finally, if you're taking refuge from the chill this winter - or relaxing on a sun-kissed beach for those south of the equator - MotorStorm Arctic Edge brings the MotorStorm festival to icier climates, and the palm of your hand on PSP. Keep your finger on the accelerator if you don't want to be left in the cold. Also available on PS2.

When buying games for kids, remember to check the rating that applies to your country to ensure it is suitable. Ratings are displayed on the front cover of each game and they indicate the suitability of the content, not the difficulty level. You can find out how ratings are implemented in your region, along with tips for playing safely online and more, at ps-playsafeonline.com.

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Assassin’s Creed II developer interview

Discover the secrets within the shadows of Assassin’s Creed II, as its Producer Sebastien Puel and Art Director Mohamed Gambouz discuss the game.

What is Assassin's Creed II about?

Sebastien Puel: Once again, Desmond will be exploring his DNA to relive an ancestor's life, however this time it is with a very different goal and it's a very different kind of ancestor. Ezio Auditore Da Firenze; a nobleman who lived at the end of the 15th century in Italy, is our new hero. His family is betrayed and murdered by the ruling families of Italy, and Ezio must uncover the arts of his ancestors in order to avenge their death.

To his allies, he will become a force for change - fighting for freedom and justice. To his enemies, he will become a bogeyman - dedicated to the destruction of the tyrants of Italy. Through Ezio's quest for vengeance, Desmond and the present-day Assassins will uncover the crucial piece of the conspiracy that was hinted at in the first Assassin's Creed game. The Templar/Abstergo plot is bigger than could have been imagined with consequences reaching to every detail of modern life as we know it.

What have you changed in Assassin's Creed II compared to its predecessor?

SP: What we do in Assassin's Creed II is quite simple: take the best of Assassin's Creed and bring it to the next level! Assassin's Creed was an astonishing experience; I believe it brought entirely new elements to the industry, allowing players to fluidly navigate an urban environment while enjoying breathtaking views and full freedom of control. And beyond gameplay innovations in the area of free-running and crowds, the team also pushed for innovation in storytelling.

Assassin's Creed was the first game to immerse players in a believable and mature experience inspired by historical events. Of course we will improve on all those elements with even more gorgeous city landscapes, more animations, a new and even more exciting historical setting, more ways to interact with the crowd... but our main focus is to bring diversity and depth to the gameplay: more variety in missions and objectives, more weapons, more diverse assassinations and a deep character progression. These will make the experience evolve throughout the game. We really want Assassin's Creed II to be unpredictable and have the player wonder after each main assassination: "what's next!?"

Can you go into detail about some of the new mission types?

SP: The game structure and the mission system were the most crucial elements we wanted to improve. We are redefining the overall mission structure to give gamers a more fun, rewarding and unpredictable experience throughout by adding a lot of variety in missions types and changing the way the story and the missions unfold.

There are no more patterns of missions to perform but rather a story that develops through a great amount of characters [offering] missions. Some characters will give you an assassination mission, others an escort/protect mission while some will give you a chase mission and so on. There is no limit to the types of challenges we give players.

We invested most of our development time in ensuring that there is a huge amount of variety and depth in the missions required to finish the story. But we also want the player to have a real freedom and opportunity to explore and use the world we have created at their own pace. Cities are now filled with a ton of missions for the player to choose from. For instance, you can now decide to get rid of witnesses if you feel you are becoming too notorious after a not so stealthy assassination, or help thieves pursued by guards. These tasks are optional but will bring you interesting rewards if you accept them.

Where did the inspiration for Ezio come from?

Mohamed Gambouz: Our main inspiration was, of course, Altair. From there, we got a lot of inspiration from paintings and sculptures from the period as well as movies which are set during the Renaissance like The Merchant of Venice, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, or TV series like The Tudors - the last two are set in England so we adapted them to fit the Renaissance.

Since we are essentially keeping the main visual characteristics of Altair, the best way to change from the medieval look to the Renaissance look is to put more refinement and richness to the cloth and ornaments of our main characters. We also added more elegance to his silhouette, which suggests a bird of prey, and we've taken the hidden blade and given it a more refined look. Since Ezio is from a noble family, these changes in his design work very well.

What were the most challenging parts of creating Assassin's Creed II?

SP: At the conception of Assassin's Creed II, we had the technology created thanks to all the efforts we put into the first Assassin's Creed and could now concentrate much more on the game design for the sequel. We could have fun with the engine we created and therefore really push the game design, give tons of main and side missions, a deep storyline, a more profound combat system and so much more.

What I'm particularly proud of is the new game architecture allowing much more diverse gameplay and missions in our engine. What was quite challenging to develop and that we are very proud of is the new enhanced non-player character navigation showcasing parkour-like acrobatics that spice up the chases and escape missions. We also have the new archetype of guard that is agile and can free-run, climb buildings and choose his own random path every time a new chase begins.

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Weekend Essentials – 4/12/09

Two new arrivals hit PlayStation 3 and there’s a free demo of LittleBigPlanet PSP to download from PlayStation Store.

Welcome to Pandora

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, a spin-off to the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster, is available on Blu-ray Disc for PlayStation 3 this week. Immerse yourself in Pandora, an alien planet from the imagination of James Cameron, and engage in a conflict between the RDA Corporation and the Na'vi.

From an imaginary world to the streets of Nazi-occupied Paris, The Saboteur is also out on PS3 this week. Take control of Sean Devlin, an Irish racing driver, and explore a stylised world of action, espionage and resistance against the Axis Powers. Free to explore this beautiful city, you can snipe from the top of the Eiffel Tower, climb Notre-Dame cathedral and brawl on the Champs lyses.

More entertainment in Store

If you've still not got your hands on LittleBigPlanet for PSP, then now's the perfect chance - there's a free demo available from PlayStation Store for you to get a taste of the wonderful worlds of the Creator Curators. And if that's not enough Sackboy for one weekend, you can download Assassin's Creed II Ezio Auditore, Santa Boots and Trousers and Santa Hat and Beard costumes to wear with pride in the PS3 version of LittleBigPlanet.

Also available to download from PlayStation Store, the Buzz!: Rock Idols Quiz Pack will see if you know your Black Sabbath from your Skunk Anansie. Just bear in mind that you'll need a copy of Buzz! on PS3 to use this Quiz Pack.

Be in it to win it

Here at eu.playstation.com there's plenty of opportunity to get your hands on PlayStation goodies.

This weekend, you could be in with a chance of winning a PSPgo, a signed copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and more by answering a series of questions. Or, if you think you know your comic book characters, enter the Digital Comics competition to snag yourself a PSPgo.

Just head to eu.playstation.com/competitions and follow the simple instructions to enter.

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