Win a Sony 40" BRAVIA TV

Download selected titles from the Video Store of PlayStation®Store before 10 June 2010 and you could win a monster TV to watch it on.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, all you need to do is visit the Video Store on your PlayStation 3, PSP or using Media Go on a PC.

Look out for the Bank Holiday Competition banner and as long as you download any movie in this collection, you'll be entered into a draw to win a 40" Sony BRAVIA TV.

See below for full terms and conditions.

Specific Rules - Bank Holiday Promotion

1. This promotion is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over.

2. This promotion opens for entries on 27 May 2010 at 9.00am (BST) and closes for entries on9 June 2010 at 11.59pm (BST) (the "promotional period").

3. To enter this promotion, entrants must:

(i) Create a PlayStationNetwork (PSN) master account or sign in to their existing PSN master account; and
(ii) Purchase or rent from PlayStation Store a movie title from the Bank Holiday Competition Collection (each a "qualifying title") during the promotional period. Details of the Collection are set out at Paragraph 10 below

Entrants are responsible for any broadband access fees. Registration for PSN is subject to acceptance of the PSN Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy

4. All eligible entrants who purchase or rent a qualifying title from PlayStationStore during the promotional period will be automatically entered into a prize draw.

5. The draw will take place within ten days following the end of the promotional period.

6. The prize is a 40 inch Sony Bravia television.

7. The winner will be notified by e-mail within 7 days of the prize draw ("Notification") and must claim their prize within 14 days of the Notification.

8. The prize shall be dispatched by courier to the postal address registered to the eligible entrant's PSN account. If the prize is found to be defective or damaged on delivery, the Promoter must be notified in writing within 7 days of the delivery date, otherwise the prize will be deemed to be accepted as delivered. This does not affect your statutory rights (if any).

9. The Promoter may, at its sole discretion, publish the winner's PSN online ID on the Promoter's website(s). The winner's details (PSN online ID) will be made available on request to those enclosing a stamped SAE marked "Bank Holiday competition" to the address of the Promoter stated at Paragraph 12 below within 6 weeks of the end of the Promotional Period.

10. The Bank Holiday Competition Collection comprises the following titles:

Armored
Did you hear about the Morgans
The Boondock Saints 2
The Stepfather (2009)
2012 (2009)
Zombieland
Julia & Julia
Ice Castles (remake)
Michael Jackson's This is It
Ong Bak - The Beginning
Opapatika - Demon Warriers
Malice in Wonderland
Ugly Truth, The
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
Hardwired
Taking of Pelham 123, The (2009)
District 9
Terminator Salvation
Moon
Year One
Fired Up!
Obsessed (2009)
Doghouse
Rent: Filmed live on Broadway
Angels & Demons
Damned United, The
Art of War III, The Retribution
Not easily broken
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Cadillac Records
SIS (2008)
International, The (2009)

11. General Rules apply to this promotion. Please click here to view the General Rules.

12. The Promoter is: Sony Computer Entertainment UK Limited with a registered office at 10 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7LP.

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SEE THE FUTURE OF PS3. FIRST. Episode 8

Split/Second: Velocity, God of War III guide and a free mini!

FirstPlay episode 8 is on the Store from Wednesday, and there’s never been a better time to subscribe. This week we’re giving away the addictive arcade minis title Blast Off, and there are two more minis titles to follow in the next two eps. We’ve also got demos, themes and avatars on the way very soon, all of which you’ll get for free if you buy a 90 day subscription for just 8.99.

As for the videos, this week we start with a HD review of the sun-kissed arcade racer Split/Second: Velocity. On top of that we’ve got a preview of Codies’ International Cricket 2010 and a review of thunderous bike racer SBK X.

This week’s Network Highlights feature a guide to God Of War III’s challenge rooms, and our screenshot galleries, including the latest on Castlevania: Lord Of Shadows and Saw 2.

As ever, episode 008 costs just 99p.

We’d also like to remind you that you can stay in touch with all things FirstPlay by following us on Twitter at @firstplay_uk and on our Facebook page: FirstPlay (official). We also have a YouTube channel up and running here.

The FirstPlay team would love to hear from the PS3 community so if you’ve got anything to share, from videos and grabs to suggestions for content feel free to get in touch.

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LittleBigPlanet 2 first impressions

Return to the weird and wonderful world of Sackboy and friends in the highly anticipated sequel on PlayStation 3.

LittleBigPlanet is a game built on its community; it's about sharing, playing and creating, and Alex Evans and Mark Healey, the founders of Media Molecule know that. "We've got more ideas than we could ever possibly fit in ten LittleBigPlanet games," says Evans when eu.playstation catches up with both him and Healey at the unveiling of LittleBigPlanet 2 on PlayStation 3. "What the community helps us do is focus. The community helps us cut down on these ideas and give them what they want." That's exactly what Evans and the team at Media Molecule have done with LittleBigPlanet 2, the colourful sequel to the smash hit original.

Two million and counting

While the original LittleBigPlanet allowed players to build whole levels using the ingenious creation tools included in the game, LittleBigPlanet 2 is set to go one step further by granting them the ability to build entire games. That includes everything from racing games to arcade shooters and even real-time strategy titles too. The idea of play, share and create has evolved completely since Sackboy burst on to the scene in 2008 with over two million levels available to download via the LittleBigPlanet community. The good news is that every level crafted by the community will seamlessly work with LittleBigPlanet 2 when it's released later in 2010.

Interestingly, both Evans and Healey have seen players not only use the tools provided with the game to conjure up hordes of new levels, but also for stranger things such as a level designed to represent a marriage proposal. "That was pretty interesting. It actually had Yes and No entries at the end of the level", explains Evans. Other cool additions to the universe included levels based on the US presidential election and even players using LittleBigPlanet as a way to present their homework to teachers in school.

For Evans and Healey, the hope that players take things to the next level with these exciting new features is high. "I really do believe that someone is going to invent a whole new genre with the stuff that's in there," says Healey of the advanced creation tools set to feature in the game.

Say hello to the Sackbots

Aside from these new features, one of the most interesting inclusions are the Sackbots, characters that you can use to populate entire levels, which can be manipulated to behave whatever way you see fit through a series of commands available to you in the options menu. Sackbots can be ordered to follow you, patrol certain levels and can even have different personalities such as a fear of heights or anything dangerous in the environment.

Along with the Sackbots there are 30 new levels set to appear in the game when it launches, all of which feature various looks and styles. Some are influenced by the Renaissance, others by Steam Punk and technology, while one level in particular that the developer demoed owed a great debt to neon lighting and propaganda posters, which the team had aptly titled Neon Propaganda.

Another fantastic new addition to the LittleBigPlanet world is movie making. In LittleBigPlanet 2 players will make their own movies, or tell their own stories and record them before sharing them with the community. With this feature you have the ability to set up three different cameras for multiple angles and populate your scene with Sackbots. Once you have recorded your footage you can then share it with other LittleBigPlanet 2 players.

With a wealth of new creation tools to play with including movie making, Sackbots and 30 brand new levels, LittleBigPlanet 2 is set to revolutionise the world of play, create and share on PlayStation 3 later in 2010.

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Obsession Confessions: PlayStation Move

Tell the PlayStation community which classic games you would love to see remade for the PlayStation Move motion controller.

It's not too long before the PlayStation Move motion controller will be in your hands and you can experience a whole new way of playing with titles such as Sports Champions and The Fight.

But just for a moment, imagine that PlayStation Move had been here since the original PlayStation launched in 1995 - which classic games do you think would have benefitted most from motion control?

Perhaps you think PaRappa The Rapper would have been even better if you'd been able to dance along too, or maybe you'd have liked to pilot a plane in Ace Combat with your arms outstretched as if you're celebrating a goal.

Let us know in the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com which classic games you think are crying out for a PlayStation Move revival. The best comments will feature in an article here at eu.playstation.com in the coming weeks.

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The first look at Killzone 3

eu.playstation.com visits Amsterdam to meet the developers of Killzone 3 and play the game in stereoscopic 3D.

After playing an early build of Killzone 3 at an exclusive announcement event in Amsterdam, the first impression is that there's a new sense of urgency to the single player campaign. As in Killzone 2, you assume the role of ISA Sergeant Tomas 'Sev' Sevchenko fighting the Helghast on their own turf. However, this time it's a totally different war.

"You are in a situation now where the tables have turned," explains Hermen Hulst, managing director of Guerrilla Games. "In Killzone 2, you were an invading force but you are now the underdog. It's no longer about trying to win the war; it's simply a matter of survival."

As a result, the game feels more varied as you sprint from one fierce encounter to the next and the new enemy types keep you constantly on your toes. One of these is the Jetpack Trooper, a Helghast soldier able to soar high into the air and rain down machine gun fire.

These aerial encounters add a new dimension to the ground based battles, especially when you get your hands on the jet pack yourself. It works like an exaggerated jump: you can fly into the air and use up to two forward thrusts before having to land. Not only does this open up exciting battlefield opportunities, like gaining a vertical advantage or dropping in behind an enemy, it allows the developers to include platforming elements, adding yet more variety in terms of gameplay and pacing.

"When we started developing Killzone 3 back in January 2009, the greatest point of focus was to create a sequel that includes a lot of variety," says Hulst. "On top of that, we want to create an even deeper sense of immersion than we did with Killzone 2 by employing techniques such as stereoscopic 3D, which is a huge innovation for us."

Killzone 3 is one of the first PlayStation 3 games to have been developed with 3D in mind from the very beginning and the result is jaw-dropping. The barrel of your gun looks like it is reaching out into the world and the environment in front of you possesses an incredible sense of depth. Every minute detail in the game world has been created with 3D in mind, including each bullet and cloud of smoke. During the gameplay demonstrations, it's not unusual to see people physically ducking out of the way as a rocket zips past their ear.

"Killzone games have always sought to immerse the player in a rich world and 3D allows us to truly extend that sense of immersion; to put the player right in the thick of the action," says Hulst. "It also helps you play the game. It allows you to sense depth much more intuitively and judge where your enemies are and where you might need to go next."

It's quite terrifying to turn a corner and find a pair of Helghast eyes right in front of you, in 3D. Luckily, you have a wide array of close quarter combat moves known as Brutal Melee attacks. They work just like regular melee kills but how the action unfolds depends on your distance from the enemy, the environment, the weapon you are carrying and many other factors. Hulst says that they are still adding new animations and there will be dozens of these brutal attacks in the final game.

"I see the addition of Brutal Melee moves as one of our core genre innovations and it adds a great deal to the game's cinematic qualities," he adds.

Even at this early stage, Killzone 3 is shaping up to be a truly visceral experience and the inclusion of 3D adds even more to the cinematic quality and the sense of immersion that the series is renowned for.

Check out the PlayStation Blog for coverage of the Killzone 3 reveal event and further discussion with Hermen Hulst, managing director of Guerrilla Games.

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ModNation Racers Creation Guide

Earn the adoration of the community with these advanced tips to creating mods, karts and tracks in ModNation Racers on PS3.

Celebrity skin

When you access the Creation Station via the in-game menu, a blank white mod is the starting point to creating any character you like. You can edit any of the mods included with the game or download new ones from the community, but starting from scratch is the best way to really get to grips with the flexible creation tool.

Your choice of skin is a good place to start and while the standard patterns and colours offer a huge range of possibilities, there's a second layer of customisation options beneath the surface that will really help you get exactly what you're aiming for.

While you're choosing the colour of your skin, you can press the Square button to bring up the Material Properties sliders. These can be incredibly useful depending on what kind of mod you're trying to create. If you're trying to make a robot then move the metal slider all the way up to a hundred for that shiny, metallic look. There are also rubber and cloth sliders; experiment with combinations of all three until you get the result you're looking for.

Pimp your ride

When building a kart from scratch you can select the body, engine, seat, wheel, accessories and even raise or lower the suspension. However, if you want something utterly unique to take onto the racecourse, try creating your own custom badge using stickers.

There are dozens of stickers to choose from, ranging from basic shapes to elaborate patterns, and there are many ways to play around with them in order to achieve exactly what you're going for.

Once you've selected your sticker, you can press the Triangle button to adjust the colours and material properties, just like you did with your mod's skin. Hitting the L1 button brings up the Advance Edit options, allowing you to scale, stretch, skew and rotate your stickers. On a basic level, this is how you can turn a square into a rectangle and a triangle into an even pointier triangle, but play around with it and you'll be surprised by what you can achieve. You can even adjust the transparency and add relief to each sticker, giving a 3D effect - this is particularly effective on kart bodywork.

If you're using multiple stickers on a particularly grand design, grouping them together makes it easy to move and scale them as one. On the Stickers menu for each area on your kart, where there's a list of the ones you've used so far, highlight the stickers you want to group and press the L1 button. Now, anything you do to one of them will apply to the whole group. This is completely reversible, should you want to tinker with individual stickers, and you can have multiple groups at the same time.

King of the road

It's easy to get up and running on your own, unique track in minutes, but if you want to impress the community then you're going to have to come up with something that's fun to play.

Every good track should have a good amount of twists and turns, changes in elevation, varied surfaces and some shortcuts to add an element of strategy. And remember: shortcuts don't always have to be a quicker route; you can introduce an element of risk and reward, where a player can choose to take a slightly longer way round in order to access a speed boost or an item pod.

Of course, make sure your track is actually playable by testing it thoroughly beforehand and making sure that you and the AI opponents can finish a full lap without getting stuck or stranded. And help out your fellow racers with a few well-placed signposts, particularly ahead of tricky turns or hazards.

Above all, experiment and have fun. This guide only scratches the surface of what's possible in ModNation Racers so explore the tools and, before you know it, you'll be a Mod Square celebrity.

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The People vs: Andrew House

Andrew House, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, answers questions submitted on the official PlayStation Forums.

Will more of the PSP back catalogue be arriving on PlayStation Store? (Babaoriley3, righin, England)
Absolutely. We are committed to providing consumers with the choice between disc based games and downloadable games and as such will continue to improve the digital offering.

What is the schedule for expanding the Video Store to other countries in Europe? (Haraldo, Rafyk, Lord_Gremlin, natedenver, hevane, Greyder, Knigochey, LiveriuS)
We launched stores in Australia and Italy on 18 May 2010, which was stage two of the roll-out. For the next stage, we are looking at appropriate timing to launch further stores in many of the countries we are responsible for, but at this time unfortunately, I don’t have any more information to share with you. All I can say is that we will be rolling out more stores later this year.

Where do you see the future of content delivery on the PlayStation platforms; will it go towards a PSPgo type method, or sticking with a PS3 method, offering digital and optical media at the same time? (DeathroW22, pintito6, MOKOVITA06, Stratege, natedenver)
At the moment, disc based content is still very much what the consumer is used to and wants. However, there has been a change in attitude and technology that is making digital delivery far more feasible and far more attractive. It is our job to ensure that consumers have the choice between the two where possible. How this area will evolve, I can’t really say at this time, as we are relying on many things outside of our control, such as broadband speeds. Things are changing quickly and we have to make sure we are ready for those changes.

Do you think that any of the games released to date have fully utilised the potential the PS3 has to offer or is there still scope for developers to take their games even further? (Blupip)
As with all consoles, as developers spend more and more time on the platform, they learn more, resulting in an improvement in the quality of the games. If you look at PlayStation 2 as an example, it took God of War II, eight years into the lifecycle, to fully utilise the potential of the console. Already with PS3, you can see how games have evolved quickly in the three years since launch, with games such as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, LittleBigPlanet and Heavy Rain really exploring the potential and the power of PlayStation 3. I think it is unlikely that any developer has fully utilised the full potential of PS3 yet, but they are getting much closer everyday.

What are your views around stereoscopic 3D gaming? (RhesusVX, squall595, cicciopiccolo, RX12Hidro)
3D is a very exciting technology that has the potential to redefine how people consume their entertainment. More specifically, games are a perfect fit with 3D and I truly believe that it will be games that will lead the way in consumer understanding of how 3D enhances the entertainment experience. Games can be adapted into 3D relatively easily and with this technology we can add depth and make games more immersive than ever. As well as the games that will be available in June, WipEout HD, Super Stardust HD, Pain and a demo of MotorStorm Pacific Rift, we have some very exciting games on the horizon.

When will we have cross-gaming chat? (KillerBread, Jalvarsan, Snake17x)
We know that cross-game chat is something that the community wants and hopefully we will have an answer for you very soon.

What kind of games will come to PlayStation Move? (LarsGrostad)
The aim with PlayStation Move is to offer a wide variety of games, so that there is something for all types of gamers and all moods. For the more hardcore gamer, there will be games such as SOCOM 4 and The Fight that use the precision of the controller to make the experience more immersive than ever before. For the more social gamer, there will be games such as Move Party (working title), which takes advantage of augmented reality, actually putting you in the game and Sports Champions that will take competitive gaming to a whole new level. We’ve got some great PS Move games still to be announced and I look forward to sharing them with you.

Why is FirstPlay only available to the UK and not the rest of Europe? (Trondp007, maggi 85)
FirstPlay was initially developed by Future Publishing in the UK and as such, we felt that it would be prudent to trial it in the UK before we could roll it out further. We are in discussions with publishers in other countries about offering local versions of FirstPlay and hopefully we will have some positive news for you soon.

Which game is going to be the "big one" after GT5? (Spurvugle)
I think we have a fantastic line-up of games coming out later this year and into 2011. We have just announced LittleBigPlanet 2, which is very exciting. The original game changed the way developers now look at developing games and the things Media Molecule has done with the sequel are truly incredible. I can’t wait for LBP2 to come out and can promise you that it will be great.

Which games will be available for the release of stereoscopic 3D? (Eddy4ever, maggi85)
To coincide with the launch of the new 3D BRAVIA TVs in June, anyone with a PS3 will be able to download WipEout HD, Super Stardust HD, Pain and a demo for MotorStorm Pacific Rift all in 3D. We have some great games coming out both this year and next in 3D, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer to hear about those.

Are you aware of the degree to which users complained (forums, news, etc.) about the decision to remove the Other OS Install option? Could you comment on the situation? (Haraldo, Sbiky, FelcKior, Vodka7up, ams010, Raxar)
We are very aware of how vocal the community has been about this. I can assure you that it was a very difficult decision for us to take, but one that we fully believe is in the best long-term interest of PlayStation and the PlayStation community.

I wonder if Sony will continue its strategy of acquiring of development studios as talented as Media Molecule. (Mektoub_93)
Our acquisition of Media Molecule clearly shows our commitment to our first party studios, to ensure that we continue to offer by far the most compelling, innovative exclusive games. Over the years we have done this with developers such as Guerilla Games and Evolution Studios and now with Media Molecule. I think it is clear that we are prepared to invest where there is long-term creative benefit to our platform and our consumers.

Will PlayStation Network become a paying service? (tako2008, natdark)
I can assure you that the current PSN as you know it will remain a free service. It is something that our competitors don’t offer and something that shows our loyalty to the PlayStation Community. However, Kaz Hirai stated a few months ago that we were looking at a premium service to sit alongside the current free service and that objective has not changed. You’ll learn more about it very soon.

Sony has recently been very active on the stereoscopic 3D television and videogames front. The PS3 will be able to manage it. Don't you think it is still premature to link video games and 3D technology? Won't the price of the 3D TV screens be prohibitive? (Triku25, city-XTI, Eddy4ever)
It is important to us that we are always moving forward with new technologies, especially where there is the potential to redefine the entertainment experience. As far as 3D is concerned, the potential for 3D gaming is huge and we are only scratching the surface. Of course, as with all new technologies, initially there are barriers to entry, such as the cost of the TVs. Regardless of that, we feel that it is our responsibility to offer all consumers a choice. If you want to spend the money on a new 3D TV, then we will provide you with 3D content to play. That is not to say that out priorities have changed. Our priority is still very much our key traditional Blu-ray Disc titles, and that does not mean that we can’t offer some 3D fun as well.

Is Gran Turismo 5 just a myth? (Nukem79, Macasfaj, yankien, NICKY_OM_13)
Absolutely not. It’s looking amazing and will be out soon.

Will you ever release some limited edition PS3 systems; a God of War themed one would have sold well or even just different colours like silver would be nice? (NERO125, baby19doc)
We are always looking at different opportunities and limited editions is something that frequently pops up in conversation. All I can say on this subject is that to produce limited edition hardware is very expensive as you have to change the manufacturing process. Therefore, we have to look at demand very carefully to ensure that, financially, it is a worthwhile venture.

What have been your stand-out gaming moments to date on the PS3 or other gaming hardware? (nikolastation, Smelck)
From a business point of view, I have to say that the stand out moment for me has to be the launch of PS3 slim at 299 euros in September 2009. We know that for a long time, PS3 was expensive and therefore holding people back. When we launched the slim PS3, sales exploded and haven’t really slowed down since. Obviously it has been helped by the incredible line-up of first party exclusive software such as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Heavy Rain, MAG and God of War III. Since that day, momentum has been firmly in our favour and we have no intention of giving that up.

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LOVE IT !

Our friends over at Sony Pictures have got a great new promotion. Tell them why you love a film and your quote & name could be featured in the advertising campaign!

Go to the Facebook Love It page 'like' love it, and get writing your winning quote. Fame could be a click away…

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Weekend Essentials – Issue 28

Fancy winning some tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in South Africa? Or being transported to worlds of cowboys and princes? Then read on…

Hit the World Cup as a finalist

The glorious multinational football tournament of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is nearly here, and what better way to celebrate the excitement than wining tickets to the final? Well here's your chance - head over to playstation2010fifaworldcup.com and take part in a competition which challenges you to identify the football legends as recreated using ModNation Racers' fun mod creation tool.

Go for your guns, padner

Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption offers all the thrills of the Wild West, courtesy of PlayStation 3, complete with wonderful High Definition visuals and addictive rough and ready open world gameplay. Take the role of former outlaw, John Marston, as he struggles to bury his bloodstained past, one man at a time. Or saddle up with friends online for a roaming adventure across the frontier.

Make your PS3 and PSP princely

The Prince is back - and his regal journey is more dangerous than ever before. Coinciding with Disney's film adaptation of the classic PlayStation 2 title, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands on PlayStation 3 and to download from PlayStation Store on PSP returns to popular storyline established in the Sands of Time.

It only takes a second

Drive your PS3 to the limit with Disney's Split/Second: Velocity, where the city you race around isn't just the course - it's a weapon to be used against your opponents. Speed through Hollywood style action extravaganzas where your actions can change the course to make each lap a different prospect. And if you want to make sure you're ahead of the competition, download the Time Saver's pack from PlayStation Store to unlock some of the vehicles and tracks from the game.

It takes a nation...

Have you jumped into the whacky racing fun of ModNation Racers yet? Create your own karts, characters and tracks, and then go online to race and share your creations with the world. ModNation Racers is all about you, and now you can download a demo of the PSP version from PlayStation Store, as well as buy the full game.

Don't worry if you don't have a PSP system - the game is also out on PlayStation 3 to enjoy as well, with the Van Man downloadable pack available from PlayStation Store to help spruce up your creation options.

Dodge this

New to PSP is the addictive fun of Coconut Dodge, an arcade style minis title which has dodging coconuts, weaving through airborne mazes and playing beach ball kick-ups to collect giant, shiny treasures. Perfect for some summer time fun, download it from PlayStation Store and go for gold.

Taking you to PlayStation Home

A new event has taken off in PlayStation Home - a two player duel brought to you courtesy of the bite-sized, downloadable minis range. Taking place on the top level of The Observatory space, this event lets you challenge an opponent to a game of memory. Match up the identical tiles (each based on a minis title) from a giant square board to win - but beware, the board contains traps as well as bonuses. Points can be stolen from you or your foes, so keep your fingers crossed and your wits about you.

Winners can gain a minis neon light for their personal space, while this minis related space gives you the chance to play futuristic pool game FreezeBall and purchase and download the latest minis titles for PS3 and PSP.

Take a peek into eu.playstation.com for prizes and more...

There are prizes for the taking in a large number of competitions on offer this week at eu.playstation.com/competitions, with chances to win a signed PS3 in the UFC Undisputed 2010 competition or a Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick controller in the Super Street Fighter IV competition.

If you want to get your creative juices going, then you can also enter the brand new THE EYE OF JUDGMENT LEGENDS competition, which challenges you create your own ultimate creature card, inspired by the game's fantastic artwork. If your design impresses the title's developer, Yusuke Watanabe, then you could win a specially created figure of a character from THE EYE OF JUDGMENT LEGENDS, a PSP-3000 system and even a large-scale copy of your designed card.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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Play Like a Pro - Split/Second: Velocity

Jason Ried, producer of Split/Second: Velocity, gives his tips to tearing up the track in the explosive racer on PlayStation 3.

Ultimately, Split/Second: Velocity is a driving game that rewards good driving. You can earn power by drifting, slipstreaming and jumping; if you don't try to do any of these then you won't get any Powerplays and you're going to fall behind the pack. So my suggestion is to hammer into every corner as if your life depends on it and try to control the drift. That's the best way to earn power and get those important Powerplays.

Knowledge is power

My second piece of advice is to learn the tracks - know where the Powerplays are and how best to use them. If there's a helicopter waiting with an explosive barrel, for example, that's going to be very useful if you're sitting in second or third place. The whole idea behind Powerplays is using the track to your advantage and waiting for the best opportunity to completely change the race.

Horses for courses

There are 27 cars in Split/Second: Velocity, including trucks, muscle cars and sports cars. They're all totally unique: trucks have fast acceleration and are very durable, but lack the top-end speed of a sports car; sports cars are rapid but are relatively fragile; while muscle cars are good all-rounders. Figure out which vehicle is best for each track and game mode to take the advantage.

Variety is the spice of life

In Season Mode, around 60 per cent of the challenges you'll be taking on are races and the remainder is made up of our other game modes. You don't have to do them but it's really worth your while as you will be rewarded with credits to unlock new cars.

Know your enemy

When racing online, the best approach usually depends on the opposition. Some people will always wait for the huge Powerplays while others will use smaller ones frequently. The key to success in competitive races is studying your opponents and trying to foil their tactics. For example, if you see another racer saving up for a big Powerplay, take them out and they will lose power. Knowing what your opponents have going into the last lap is really important and will give you an idea of what dangers lurk ahead.

Download the free Split/Second: Velocity demo from PlayStation Store and get a taste of the explosive PlayStation 3 racer.

‘Breaking Dawn,’ ‘Transformers 3′ And Other Films That Might Go 3-DDemo Guide - Split/Second: Velocity

Put your questions to Super Street Fighter 4’s producer

Enter the ring with Capcom and find out what you’ve always wanted to know about Super Street Fighter 4.

The beat ‘em up bliss of Super Street Fighter 4 on PlayStation 3 has taken the world by storm, thanks to a perfect blend of arresting presentation, smoothly refined gameplay and a range of addictive multiplayer modes. So here's your chance to take the fight to Capcom by posing your pugilistic questions to the game's producer, Yoshinori Ono.

Want to get in on the action? Then put on your best sparring gear and head over to the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com to leave your finest fighting questions. The best ones will be picked for Ono-san to tackle.

Check back to eu.playstation.com in the coming weeks to see if your questions were selected for some rather special fighting talk.

Robert Downey Jr. May Play Wizard In ‘Oz’ PrequelWeekend Essentials – Issue 25

Toy Story 3: The Videogame plays with your imagination

The toys are back in town and on PlayStation 3. Take a sneak peek into Pixar’s most popular toy box and get the whole story…

"Toy Story 3 is not the game you're expecting it to be," smiles Avalanche Software's senior producer, Jonathan Warner. It's an infectious grin of someone who has proudly created an extremely well made toy and can't wait for you to play it. "When you buy it and take it home, this is going to be something which will make you say ‘wow, I did not expect this'".

This statement is backed up by a wonderful looking game which complements Disney and Pixar's equally wonderful looking film due in summer 2010. Whether you're a fan of the previous movies or not too familiar with the likes of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends, there's plenty in Toy Story 3: The Videogame to appeal to toy lovers of all ages and types.

No toy gets left behind

True to Warner's words, the Avalanche Software developed Toy Story 3 goes down a different route to the typical game-to-movie tie-in. There are two main gameplay elements - the first is the story mode, which puts you in the colourful and well animated shapes of Woody, Buzz and Jessie across eight levels for adventures based on the film. Platforming, flying, riding and running are the order of the day, including a videogame version of Toy Story 2's opening so you can actually play the Buzz Lightyear videogame the toys played in the movie.

However, it's the second mode which stores the bulk of the game's toys, which promises a lengthy and lasting playtime. The Toy Box mode is an open world which invites you to create your own personal environment and play the way you want to.

Starting in a Wild West setting, you pick Woody, Buzz or Jessie (and later the unlockable Emperor Zurg, exclusive to the PlayStation 3 version) to be sheriff and take part in a variety of missions, collect items and accessories, jump into races, create customisable buildings, or just roam around the town for fun. It's a free-roaming land that perfectly mimics the wide and constantly changing imagination of a child's very own toy box.

A toy for all

"We wanted to cater to different play styles," explains Warner. "Some players want to accomplish missions, so we built in a robust mission system for structured play. Others are explorers who want to discover new things, so we have a play space which allows you to do that. And some players enjoy customising things, building, making and painting. So we have a system where all the toys you bring into the Toy Box mode can be customised.

"When new people come on to the set you can customise them too, with new hats, outfits and other stuff. We also wanted to take that experience where kids combine different sets of toys from their toy box but it totally makes sense to them, it all flows out of their imagination.

"So when you start out, things are what you would expect the style of a Western town to be, but soon you're able to start bringing in toys that make no sense to the Western setting and context, like a haunted house toy - and these change the way the town looks, the sort of enemies and toys it brings to the environment, pushing things in a completely different direction."

You've got a friend in me...

The range of ways you can alter your space is impressively wide. As you gain money by mining, tackling the mischievous Banditos who are causing havoc in the town and performing other duties, more characters, vehicles and buildings are available to buy. Fancy adding in Emperor Zurg's space fortress? Or throwing in some extras from other Pixar movies such as Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and The Incredibles? You've got it.

The more you play, buy and customise, the more missions and goodies become available to you - and there are even more unlockables that become accessible to you from the story mode as well. It's a massive and well thought-out system which means your game will be different from your friend's. Your Toy Story 3 experience is a personal thing, which is exactly what Warner wanted to portray to give justice to the film.

"When we saw an early draft of the film in 2007 and got to the end, our eyes started to well up a little - and we looked around as the lights went up and noticed that everybody was choked up!" says Warner. "That's when we knew we wanted to do something really special with the property so it could be a worthwhile companion. Hopefully we've come up with something that's pretty different and surprising."

Expect more in-depth Toy Story 3: The Videogame coverage on eu.playstation.com soon.

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MUBI is coming to PlayStation 3

Watch, share and discover a new world of film masterpieces with MUBI, the new service coming to PlayStation 3 that turns your TV into an on-demand international cinema.

During the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced MUBI, a stunning new service coming to PlayStation 3 that is set to introduce millions of PS3 owners to the world of international, classic, Independent and cult cinema.

MUBI will open up a treasure trove of hidden gems, art-house flicks and international masterpieces including past Cannes Film Festival classics so that film lovers can sit back and enjoy what might otherwise have taken a lifetime to discover.

However, MUBI on PS3 is not just about enjoying the exquisite collection of films in the library, it also allows you to be part of a community of film lovers, where you can discover and share your world of film with like-minded people

So how will it all work? First, you download the free MUBI application from PlayStation Store. Then, you open it up and start watching and discovering- it's really that easy. You'll see some free-to-watch movies alongside pay-per-view movies that you can rent for a week - and you may be tempted by an all-you-can-watch monthly subscription

MUBI is VOD for cinephiles who love discovering and talking about film, and it's a movie service that takes you beyond the mainstream, all streamed straight to your PS3 to turn your living room into a cinema that never closes. Prepare to dim your lights and enjoy the main feature.

Start discovering a whole different world of cinema on PlayStation 3 later in 2010.

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Spend £25 and save £5 on Blu-ray movies at Play.com

Exclusive PlayStation offer

Exclusive to PlayStation is this fantastic money-saving offer from Play.com. Just enter the code PS3PLAY to receive 5 off when you spend 25 on Blu-ray movies, from this awesome selection by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

This offer is only valid until midnight on 19th May, so to redeem your discount now, simply choose one of the options below – we’d like to know if you currently purchase Blu-rays or not, so…

If you’ve ever bought a movie on Blu-ray before (not just at Play.com – could be anywhere!) click here

If this is your first Blu-ray movie purchase, click here

For full terms and conditions click here

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Demo Guide - Split/Second: Velocity

Cause destruction on your way to first place with this guide to the most explosive racing demo on PlayStation Store.

In Split/Second: Velocity you must race through courses that have been rigged to blow. You can decide when the explosives are triggered but so can your opponents. Download the free demo from PlayStation Store to try out the Airport Terminal level and follow these tips to master the napalm ballet ahead of the full game's release.

You've got the power

It's all well and good sticking to the racing line and staying out of trouble, but if you want to get ahead of the pack then you're going to have to blow some stuff up. To do this, you need to build your Powerplay meter with flashy driving. Slipstreaming an opponent, as in driving directly behind them, will do this, and so will jumps and drifting around corners. Tap the L2 button to squeeze on the brakes and start a drift as you head into the apex of a corner. The longer you hold the drift, the more power you will earn and, before you know it, you'll have enough to make some loud noises...

Flight cancelled

There are two levels of Powerplays available at certain points on the course. Level one Powerplays are isolated events and include explosive barrels dropped from helicopters and a particularly unstable petrol station. Level two Powerplays are where you really start causing damage and take out multiple opponents, or even change the course entirely. Ones to look out for in the demo include a collapsing radio tower smashing open a new route and an out of control jumbo jet careering down the runway, taking out anything in its path.

Cutting corners

Not all Powerplays are about creating employment opportunities in the construction industry - some open up sneaky short cuts to aid your lap times. Just after you leave the runway section of the Airport Terminal course, look out for a yellow hydraulic lift. You can raise it for a limited time and slide under; time it just right and it will come crashing down on any opponents that try to follow you.

Download the free Split/Second: Velocity demo guide from PlayStation Store and get behind the wheel of the most volatile racing game on PlayStation 3.

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PS3 theme guidelines 1.70 released

Spruce up your XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) using the latest version of the PS3 Custom Theme Guidelines.

On 6 May 2010, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. released version 1.70 of the popular guidelines which allow anyone to give their PS3 a unique look by creating bespoke themes on their PC.

Version 1.70 of the guidelines include the addition of the minis icon as a customisable icon under Game on the XMB, as well as a new section which gives advice on things to check on your newly created theme before you distribute it.

Visit PlayStation Store on your PS3 and head to the Other Media section to view our selection of great themes and check out the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com to see what the community has been up to.

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Win tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final

Take part in our fun competition and you could book yourself a seat at the biggest football match of 2010.

Since April 2010, we've been giving you the chance to win tickets to a number of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa group matches in association with upcoming PlayStation 3 and PSP title ModNation Racers.

We've already had several lucky winners, including Terry from England who bagged a pair of tickets to Uruguay v France in Group A on the opening day of the tournament.

"I had to read the congratulatory email three times before believing I had won the competition,” said Terry. “I'm looking forward to enjoying the build up to the start of the tournament and watching the South Africa v Mexico opening match before heading to the brand new Green Point Stadium for Uruguay v France, wearing my Ireland shirt! As a Liverpool fan I then look forward to enjoying a Stevie Gerrard inspired 4-0 opening victory for England before heading home. Thanks Sony."

Terry will be joined in South Africa by Chris, also from England, who won a pair of tickets to watch England take on the USA in their opening Group C match. Surrounded by his collection of England shirts past and present, Chris said: "I've never been to South Africa before and can't wait to get there to experience something really special. This is the greatest competition in the world - the 2010 FIFA World Cup!"

Visit playstation2010fifaworldcup.com and win more tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are also giving away tickets to the final in our final week, starting on 21 May 2010.

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Demo Guide: UFC Undisputed 2010

Hit the canvas, learn the ropes and hone your fighting skills in this guide to the UFC Undisputed 2010 demo now on PlayStation Store.

THQ has let loose a demo on PlayStation Store for fighting fans and newcomers alike to get to grips with. With the stunning MGM Grand as your arena and two types of matches to battle it out in, check out this guide to mastering the UFC Undisputed 2010 demo.

Exhibition or Tournament match?

There are two fighting modes to choose from in the UFC Undisputed 2010 menu; Exhibition and Tournament mode. Exhibition allows you to jump straight into the action and choose from four different fighters. In Tournament mode, you can compete in a brief tournament for the coveted UFC champion's title.

Choose your fighter

There are four different fighters to choose from in the demo including Lyoto Machida, Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans and one of the most famous UFC fighters, Rampage Jackson. Each one appears in the Light Heavyweight division of the game and can battle it out in either three or five rounds, depending on how long you want the fight to last. Of course, if you can perform a knockout in the first round you're more than ready to step up to the full game.

Fists, feet and knees of fury

There are a huge variety of moves to get to grips with in UFC Undisputed 2010 including striking moves, grappling attacks and takedowns. The most basic of these attacks include front kicks, quick hooks and straight kicks which can each be performed using the Square, Triangle, X and Circle buttons. For more variety and power, you can combine these attacks with the L1 and L2 buttons.

The MGM Grand

The stadium you will be facing off against your opponents in the UFC Undisputed 2010 demo is none other than the world-famous MGM Grand located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The spectacular arena has played home to a huge number of sporting events over the years including a number of UFC title fights.

Download the UFC Undisputed 2010 demo from PlayStation Store now.

Weekend Essentials – Issue 25‘Toy Story 3′ Director Hypes His Movie’s ‘Crazy’ 3-D

Weekend Essentials – Issue 27

There’s a trio of great games on PS3 this week, whether you’re into retro adventures, killing insects with friends or standing on planks of wood.

Hero squared

Don't stay at home this weekend; take a short break to Dotnia and get nostalgic with 3D Dot Game Heroes. Worried that his charming 2D kingdom no longer attracted as many visitors as before, King Tezro issued a bold declaration: "This is an age of 3D!" Squares became cubes and Dotnia returned to its former glory. However, someone has released the Dark King and evil creatures now roam the realm. Enter a young hero - one so powerful that dragons consider him a boss - to save the day.

3D Dot Game Heroes is a 21st century take on classic 8-bit role-playing adventure games with beautiful High Definition graphics and a self-aware sense of humour. It's available now, only on PlayStation 3.

It takes more than a sword and a boomerang to dispose of the massive alien insects in Lost Planet 2. Luckily, you have machine guns, rocket launchers and mechanised robot suits at your disposal, not to mention a little help from your friends, in this co-operative blaster from CAPCOM. You can team up with your friends via PlayStation Network as you guide snow pirates across a changing planet.

Skate 3 is the third PS3 release this week. The skater friendly city of Port Carverton is your destination this time around and there's no need to feel alone - gameplay enhancements based around teamwork let you grind with friends and set up crews via PlayStation Network. You can even go online and compete against other crews to prove you're the kings of the half-pipe.

Speedy downloads

Roaring onto PlayStation Store for you to download to PS3 this week is Rocket Knight, a High Definition revival of a game series that began with Rocket Knight Adventures. It is joined by Catan, a digital version of the classic board game Settlers of Catan, for all you hexagon lovers out there.

On the free demo front you have another rocket powered adventure, Dark Void, to try out, along with a mode of transport more realistic but no less hair-raising - the bikes of MotoGP 09/10.

Meanwhile, you can download a host of extra content for BioShock 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, LittleBigPlanet, Nier, Super Street Fighter IV, Way of the Samurai 3 and Skate 3, all from PlayStation Store.

Welcome Home, Sackboy

While you've no doubt heard that LittleBigPlanet 2 is coming to PlayStation 3, you don't have to wait for that to get inspired - the LittleBigPlanet PlayGround space has just landed in PlayStation Home.

You can deck your avatar out in a range of snappy threads, including new hooded tops and T-shirts, and bound around colourful environments packed with all sorts of LBP goodness to see and interact with.

Creative types can team up with friends to make unique wallpapers for their PS3 XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) in the Creator mini-game. Earn smashing PS Home rewards by taking the perfect picture in the King's Snap Happy Photo Challenge. Then get competitive and prove you have the sharpest eye and the nimblest fingers in the sharpshooting LittleBigDerby mini-game.

All in all, there's a sackful of LBP joy waiting for you in PS Home. Stop by now to play, create and share with friends old and new.

Note: PlayStation Home supports the following languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Win World Cup tickets!

There are still chances to win tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa by identifying the football legends as recreated using ModNation Racers' fun mod creation tool. Just head over to playstation2010fifaworldcup.com to submit your entry.

In the UFC Undisputed 2010 competition you can win a PS3 signed by a selction of top British fighters. Meanwhile, virtual brawlers can get on top of their game by entering the Super Street Fighter IV competition. Just answer a simple question to be in with a chance of winning an Arcade Stick controller, a copy of the game and a T-shirt. These and other competitions can be found at eu.playstation.com/competitions.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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Weekend Essentials – Issue 26

It’s a bumper week of downloadable content at PlayStation Store.

Beat the rush

Popping into the city to meet your girlfriend might usually result in dinner and a film. In Anarchy: Rush Hour, however, she gets kidnapped by a criminal gang and you are forced to take part in street races through peak time traffic while various things explode.

Anarchy: Rush Hour is available to download to PlayStation 3 from PlayStation Store and it includes dozens of sports cars to choose from and the freedom to tear through jammed city streets however you choose.

For anarchy on two feet, you can now play as Hit Girl, Big Daddy and the titular wannabe superhero in Kick-Ass: The Game, also available to download to PS3 from PlayStation Store.

Meanwhile, it's survival of the hungriest in Feeding Frenzy 2, the sequel to the popular game in which the size of your fish determines whether he munches or is munched. Download the free trial version to PS3 from PlayStation Store to give it a try before you buy.

Take a test drive

There are two new demos of PS3 games on PlayStation Store this week: Split/Second: Velocity, which is best described as a racing game set in Jerry Bruckheimer's teenage dreams, and UFC Undisputed 2010, the latest game based on the popular mixed martial arts organisation.

Modern Warfare 2 receives five new multiplayer maps this week via the Stimulus Package. Check out the competition at eu.playstation.com/competitions in which there are 10 pairs of night vision goggles up for grabs, as well as copies of Modern Warfare 2 and voucher codes to download the Stimulus Package from PlayStation Store.

Burn Zombie Burn... In Space! adds new stages and game modes to the arcade blaster that let you incinerate the undead in the stratosphere.

On PSP this week, you can download R-Type Tactics, which brings a strategic element to the classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up games, as well as a series of extra content packs for Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days. And as the hayfever season approaches for many, Sneezies arrives in the minis category on PlayStation Store, letting you release sneezing powder into the air and release cute little creatures from their bubbles using the power of their noses.

Spring cleaning

This week, PlayStation Home interior designers get a host of new decorative options for their virtual abodes.

The Uncharted Personal Space is a great place to rest your feet after a hard day's treasure hunting; it's also the perfect place to show off your Uncharted ornaments and furnishings.

In the Uncharted universe there are two things that can be found lying around just about anywhere: priceless artefacts and guns, and your apartment need no longer be any different. You can now purchase an arsenal of SOCOM firearms, ranging from handguns to rifles, and either place them on existing furniture or display them in a rack.

Completing this week's PS Home update is another treasure trove of Monkey Island content from LucasArts. Guys can brighten everyone's day with the colourful Stan the Salesman outfit while women can pick up the Sword Master and strike fear into anyone that tries to Cabbage Patch in their way.

Win big!

Here at eu.playstation.com there's plenty of opportunity to get your hands on games, goodies and more in our fantastic competitions.

Top of the bill this weekend is the chance to win tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa by identifying the football legends as recreated using ModNation Racers' fun mod creation tool. Just head over to playstation2010fifaworldcup.com to submit your entry.

There are also competitions for Modern Warfare 2's Stimulus Package, UFC Undisputed 2010 and one in which you could win a PlayStation Network Card to download whatever you like. Head over to eu.playstation.com/competitions to be in with a chance of winning.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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Get new Modern Warfare 2 maps with the Stimulus Package

Download the Stimulus Package from PlayStation Store and expand the blockbuster first person shooter.

If you're still hooked on Modern Warfare 2's explosive online multiplayer, PlayStation Store has the download for you. The Stimulus Package introduces five new multiplayer maps to the hit action title, including two fan favourites from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The new maps are:

Bailout

An apartment complex with claustrophobic corridors and blown out sections overlooking a courtyard and car park.

Storm

A storm-ravaged industrial park littered with worn out factory machines providing precious cover in this open arena.

Salvage

A forgotten scrapyard covered in snow with piled up cars providing a good mix of open air and close quarters combat.

Crash

One of the most popular maps in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, this urban environment has a crashed helicopter at its centre.

Overgrown

Another Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare favourite, this leafy village has a dry creek bed running through the centre, effectively splitting the map in two.

Report to PlayStation Store and download the Stimulus Package today to expand the war zone in Modern Warfare 2 on PlayStation 3.

‘Breaking Dawn’ Director Bill Condon Reaches Out To FansWeekend Essentials – Issue 21

Hideo Kojima comes to London for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker launch

Signing at UNIQLO’s London flagship store on Oxford Street, June 19th 2010

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is released for PSP™ on 18 June 2010, and to celebrate its launch, UNIQLO has produced a collection of 10 limited edition UT t-shirts, exclusively available at selected UNIQLO stores and online from Saturday 19 June, priced at 12.99 each. Each UT t-shirt comes with its own special code, that when entered into Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker game, unlocks the purchase so the t-shirt can worn by a character within the game.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is the latest addition to Konami’s best-selling series of stealth-based action titles and sees series hero Naked Snake embark on a mission to South America during the Cold War. Written and directed by series creator Hideo Kojima, the new game boasts stunning visuals that bring the game to vivid life, as players are charged with infiltrating a series of heavily-guarded areas and neutralising the enemy threat.

To celebrate the launch of the game and the UNIQLO UT collection, Hideo Kojima and lead artist Yoji Shinkawa will be making a one-off appearance at UNIQLO’s London flagship store, 311 Oxford Street W1C 2HP, on Saturday 19 June 2010, where they will be signing copies of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and exclusive postcards. Both will sign one item per person and will be in-store from 11:00am-1:00pm.

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Vengeance returns on PSP

Kratos’ rage is unleashed in a new adventure on PSP in 2010.

Journey with Kratos on a brutal and destructive rampage through the dark world of the Greek gods as he uncovers his cursed history in God of War: Ghost of Sparta only on PSP and PSPgo. Developed by Ready at Dawn, the epic adventure will reveal the true story behind Kratos' tragic past and his meteoric rise to his seat on Mount Olympus.

It's brutal, it's bloody and it's everything you love about God of War, delivering the action, storyline and graphics on PSP for you to play on the move, any time and anywhere. Wield the deadly Blades of Chaos as the all-powerful Kratos, and overcome the might of ancient Greece, battling mythological creatures and armies.

With significantly extended gameplay, awesome new weaponry and devastating magical powers, the latest addition to the iconic God of War series will stun with its depth and scale. Prepare to wield the Blades of Chaos yet again in God of War: Ghost of Sparta on PSP in 2010.

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Weapons of war

SEE THE FUTURE OF PS3. FIRST. Episode 6

Lost Planet 2, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and lots more

Episode 006 kicks off with Capcom's off-world bug-hunter Lost Planet 2. The game ticks a lot of boxes - monsters, robots, explosions, snow - and you can find out whether it holds together in our HD review. We've also got a preview of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and a review of the retro adventure, 3D Dot Game Heroes.

On top of that we've got our regular round-up of the best of the PlayStation Network, including the latest and greatest downloadable movies, a handful of PSone classics, and a guide to the tactical minefield that is Final Fantasy XIII's Paradigm system. And there's even more in our screenshot galleries, including the latest from Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. Episode 006 is available to download from the Store on Wednesday 12th May.

This episode we've also got a Kane & Lynch theme featured download for you all, and the next four episodes will each come with a free minis title.

As ever, episode 006 costs just 99p, or you can sign up to a 90-day subscription for 8.99.

We'd also like to remind you that you can stay in touch with all things FirstPlay by following us on Twitter at @firstplay_uk and on our Facebook page: FirstPlay (official). We also have a YouTube channel up and running at http://www.youtube.com/user/FirstPlayUK

The FirstPlay team would love to hear from the PS3 community so if you've got anything to share, from videos and grabs to suggestions for content feel free to get in touch.

SEE THE FUTURE OF PS3. FIRST. Episode 5

‘Nightmare On Elm Street’: The Reviews Are In!

FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010 interview

Following his epic win in Barcelona which saw him emerge as the top virtual footballer in the world, Nenad Stojkovic chats to eu.playstation.com.

What does today mean to you?
Today means that I am the best in the world. I beat the best here, I beat the top 32 players in the world.

Why is that important to you?
It's important because you put in so much time and effort and you try to be the best in whatever you do and to actually say that you're the best at what you do is such an accomplishment, you can't beat that feeling.

How were you feeling during the final game?
At that moment [when I missed a chance near the end of the game], I was just concentrating. I had a chance, I should have put it away but I mean you just got to concentrate, you got to keep going. You can't worry about the past because you can't change the past. So you have to look on and you have to concentrate. I think that's what helped me overcome him [when] he was putting so much pressure on me at the end. My defence won it for me, that's what I concentrated on all day and it was good enough to win it all.

Altundag was a tough opponent because you faced him in the group stages and it was 2-2 and then you played him again in the final.
It was surprising because I've played him before this and I thought he was a good player but there are so many other good players that you never think that they could go through. He made the final beating everyone by a good score, 5-1 and 4-1, so [having drawn 2-2 previously] I was confident I could beat him in this game. I felt like I controlled the game the whole way, I kept possession most of the time because I knew that’s the way to beat him, you got to keep possession and that’s what I did and it was good enough to overcome him.

What are you going to do with the prize money?
I never really thought I had a chance of winning so I told my dad before I came here that I would give it to him. So I gave him my word and I can't really go back on it now.

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Stojkovic crowned FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010

Play Like A Pro: FIFA 10

Some of the finalists at the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2010 Grand Final tell us their top FIFA 10 tip and which team they think will win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Tan Kim Leong (Singapore)
Top tip: I always play with Real Madrid, with Ronaldo, Benzema and Kaka upfront.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: France

Abdulaziz Shiddo (Sudan)
Top tip: You have to keep your game cool at all times, play smart, keep it basic and simple and go for the goal whenever you can and just kill off the game.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: I am hoping for an African team, otherwise Spain

Stephen Coorey (Australia)
Top tip: Find a way to beat the goalkeeper and then make a gameplan to get in that position.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Australia

Robert Brewster (England)
Top tip: Keep defensive and don't get countered.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: England

Chris Bullard (England)
Top tip: Play whatever formation that suits your style the most. Don't see the best players and steal their formations, just go with what feels right for you.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: England

Alan Flemming (Mexico)
Top tip: Tranquility is key and winning the first match is vital. I always play attacking football and try to defend really well.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Germany

Eduardo Lillo (Chile)
Top tip: Calmness is the most important thing followed by a good defence. A good defence is crucial in order to be able to attack later but the most important is the defence.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Chile

Nenad Stojkovic (USA)
Top tip: Concentrate on defence. Defence wins games, defence wins you the tournament so I would just concentrate on defence and work on bringing everyone back and counter-attacking. That's the best style to play.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Serbia

Mitchell Snell (Australia)
Top tip: If you find something that works well, just stick with it, don't change. Keep trying to perfect it, keep going with it and then along the way you'll learn other things and it will all contribute to your game.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: If not Australia, England

Hesham Khater (Egypt)
Top tip: You must care about defence. Good teams start from defence and they build up attack from there so they can score more goals.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Spain

Adrian Esteban (USA)
Top tip: You've got to practise a lot, you've got to spend a lot of time playing against other players, trying to find the top players and see what they do. It's a lot of figuring out what formations to use and what teams are better for what. So, it's just the time you put into it really. Most of the top players play all the time.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa prediction: Spain or Brazil

Thanks to all the finalists who shared their tips and predictions with us; visit PlayStation Store now to download the demo for 2010 FIFA World Cup and shoot for glory.

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Play your way to the FIFA World Cup™ Finals

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Put your questions to the developers of Fat Princess on PSP

What do you want to know about Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake?

Once upon a time, there was an exciting and original action game called Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake and it was specially developed for PSP by SuperVillain Studios.

The game follows the story of two princesses, cursed by some magical cake that they found in the forest and couldn't resist. Now they are addicted to the delicious treat, which is causing all sorts of bother around the medieval land of Titania.

Now we're giving you the chance to ask the game's developers anything you like about this exciting new title. All you have to do is head over to the forums at community.eu.playstation.com and leave your questions.

We will take them to the developers and find out everything you want to know about Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake, so check back soon to see if your question was used.

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Stojkovic crowned FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010

"I'm the best in the world," says the man from the USA as he emerges from a strong field as the world's top virtual footballer.

There was a nip in the air as the doors swung open on the FIFA Interactive Word Cup Grand Final in Barcelona's Port Olimpic.

The field of 32 players looking to stake their claim for glory included former champions Alfonso Ramos from Spain and Bruce Grannec from France.

Both previous winners had a slow start, losing their opening matches 3-1 and 4-1 respectively. Following that early setback, Grannec hit his stride, winning his subsequent group matches 3-1 and 6-1 to progress to the knock-out stage of the tournament.

The first knock-out round saw the first real shock of the day as Sudan's Abdulaziz Shiddo beat England’s Chris Bullard, one of the favourites, 3-1.

The man from Africa faced Grannec in the quarter-finals and they were joined by the England duo of Danny Taylor and Robert Brewster, Colombia's Javier Munoz, France's Adrien's Makhloufi, Germany's Ayhan Altundag and, of course, Nenad Stojkovic.

With the competition down to the last eight, the tension was palpable, especially in the game that saw Taylor defeat Munoz by the narrowest of margins, scoring with seconds remaining in extra time to secure his place in the semis. In the other matches, the reigning champion Grannec was hitting his stride, comfortably seeing off Shiddo 4-1.

With the sun now bathing the arena, the crowd was swelling, lapping up the entertainment on offer in the form of Samba drumming band Batacuda, freestylers John Farnworth and Spain's Jesus, a beach soccer demo from Spain's Amarelle and areas featuring the latest PlayStation 3 titles and games from EA.

The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the arrival of Patrick Kluivert and the former Dutch star gamely faced off against Amarelle in a FIFA 10 exhibition match before shooting signed footballs into the crowd for people to claim.

Then it was back to the serious business as first Grannec and Stojkovic returned under the spotlight for the first semi-final. In a tense game which saw Chelsea take on Chelsea, neither player was able to pull clear of the other and, with the score at 3-3, extra time beckoned.

With penalties looming, the man from the United States finished off the champion with three quick goals in the last six minutes, including two exquisite lobs. In the other semi-final, 18-year-old Altundag playing as France saw off 17-year-old Taylor playing as Real Madrid; the 3-1 scoreline included a sweet lob from Thierry Henry in the 63rd minute and although the Englishman came back strongly, hitting the post in the final minutes, Altundag hung on to secure his place in the final.

Grannec then overcame Taylor 3-0 to secure third place; it was an even game in terms of possession and the Frenchman's experience and cool head in front of goal made the difference as he took the 1,000 USD prize.

And so to the final. From over 775,000 players the world over, it had come to this: two young men appearing in their very first FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final tournament took their seat for 12 of the most important minutes of their life yet. Both players had met at the start of the day, drawing 2-2 when they had faced each other in their first group game and, second time around, it proved to be an equally tense affair.

Altundag playing as France held the upper hand to begin with, only for Stojkovic playing as Chelsea to take first blood on 35 minutes with a sweet goal against the run of play.

The German struck back minutes later and it was 1-1 going into the break. With chances few and far between after the restart, extra time seemed to be beckoning until Drogba turned smartly in the box for Stojkovic and shot across the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Despite failing to add to his lead minutes later, the ball looping tantalisingly wide, Stojkovic held on to claim the title.

After handing out the prizes to the top three, Kerry Lee from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe said: "It's been a brilliant day. It was a hard fought competition with some incredible football being played and everyone seemed to have a great time."

"Today has been a fitting end to months of intense competition across the world and I'm really pleased for Nenad. I am looking forward to next year's competition already."

With the sun shining down on him and Groove Armada's Andy Cato taking to the stage to keep the crowds entertained, let's leave the last word to Nenad Stojkovic, the FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010: "I'm ecstatic. You try to be the best in whatever you do and to actually say that you're the best is such an accomplishment. You can't beat that feeling."

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LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenge 11 kicks off

Fancy wining yourself a copy of LittleBigPlanet on PSP for your creative contraptions?

After the resounding success and popularity of creative competition LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenge 10, which saw over 1,000 entries and over 200,000 views, the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com is ready to launch LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenge 11 - Artillery Weapon.

If you've not jumped into a LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenge before, the concept is brilliantly simple. All you need to do is load your copy of LittleBigPlanet on PlayStation 3 and show off your creative side to the world. The Challenge gives you a task to create a contraption in LBP's Create Mode in the most original and imaginative way possible.

In this particular case, Contraption Challenge 11 is titled Artillery Weapon, which requires you to construct an artillery weapon which comprises of three parts:

1. The weapon itself (it can be mobile or stationary).
2. The projectile (angry cats, rotating mops or even a simple bomb).
3. A target (entrants can create their own or use the ones provided in the example level).

In order to enter, you must first visit the level titled CC11 - Example by Forum member Nuclearfish for instructions, then construct your contraption using the My Moon area in LittleBigPlanet on PS3. Once your contraption is complete, you must publish it (along with the projectile and target) within a level. You can name your level anything you want, but it must contain the phrase CC11 in its title to be valid for entry.

Four finalists will be chosen from the entries, with a poll held at the Challenge's conclusion to decide the overall winner, who will earn a copy of LittleBigPlanet on PSP. The submission deadline is 9 May 2010, so make sure you get creating now. Entries are limited to three per PlayStation Network online ID and you must be 18 or over to claim the prize.

Visit the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com for more information and we wish you the best of luck!

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ModNation Racers speeds into PlayStation Home

Take your imagination for a spin with the ModNation Racers ModSpot Challenge in the PlayStation Home Events Space.

With ModNation Racers on PlayStation 3 and PSP nearing release, race over to the PlayStation Home Events Space and take part in the ModNation Racers ModSpot Challenge to win some exclusive PS Home items.

A group of mods have invaded PS Home and you need to track them down one by one. Once you're shown a mod, run around the Events Space to track it down and note its number, then return back to the start and enter that mod's number to reveal the next. The clock is ticking, so your mind will need to be as quick as your feet if you want to win a prize.

While you're there, check out the ModNation Racers Pit Stop Shop and purchase a limited edition Animated ModNation Racers hat (where mods speed around and through your head.) It's only available for a limited time only so be quick off the starting grid.

Also new in PS Home is the Iron Man Flying Game which can be found in the Audi Space. Strap on the iconic Iron Man suit and weave between skyscrapers, picking up arc reactors and dodging mines as you soar. The top ten players on the leaderboard when the event closes will be rewarded with an Iron Man suit to wear around PS Home, so head over to the Audi Space and start your flight training.

Finally, pick up a very different kind of iron suit: two Big Daddy costumes and one Big Sister costume from BioShock 2. Pick them up from Threads in the Shopping Centre and then choose something else... choose Rapture.

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Hustle and win a BRAVIA TV

Enter the Hustle Kings High-Score 9-ball Clearance competition and win a brand new TV.

The Hustle Kings High-Score 9-ball Clearance competition gives you the chance to win a brand new 46" Sony BRAVIA TV and a PlayStation Network wallet top-up - and all you have to do is show off your skills on PlayStation 3 pool title, Hustle Kings.

Your task is to perform a 9-ball clearance from break in a match of Hustle Kings and then capture this using the in-game recording feature. Once you've performed this feat, upload your replay to YouTube using the Hustle Kings YouTube upload feature. You can then copy the YouTube link of your video and submit it by Private Message on the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com.

The best submission with the highest score wins a 46" Sony BRAVIA television, while the next four best scoring submissions will win a PlayStation Network wallet top-up to the value of 50.

The competition is now open and will close on 13 May 2010. Watch the promotional trailer above for some handy tips and techniques you can use to help you get ahead, and good luck.

Read the terms and conditions for full details, and visit PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com.

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SEE THE FUTURE OF PS3. FIRST. Episode 5

God of War Collection, ModNation Racers and a PSN highlights

Episode 005 brings you a review of God Of War Collection, the HD refit of God Of War I and II which hit the shops last week. We've also got an in-depth look at ModNation Racers and its impressive creation mode, and a preview of motorbike racer SBK X. And of course there's our usual spread of Network Highlights, featuring a PSP round-up and an awesome Uncharted 2 kill-streak,plus screenshots galleries including Skate 3 and EA Sports' MMA. Episode 005 is available to download from the Store on Thursday 6th May.

As ever, episode 005 costs just 99p, or you can sign up to a 90-day subscription for 8.99.

We'd also like to remind you that you can stay in touch with all things FirstPlay by following us on Twitter at @firstplay_uk and on our Facebook page: FirstPlay (official). We also have a YouTube channel up and running at http://www.youtube.com/user/FirstPlayUK

The FirstPlay team would love to hear from the PS3 community so if you've got anything to share, from videos and grabs to suggestions for content feel free to get in touch.

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Weekend Essentials – Issue 25

Waiting for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to begin just got a little bit easier.

The beautiful game

As if you weren't excited enough already, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is out on PlayStation 3 and PSP this week to send you into fever pitch. It captures the carnival atmosphere of the world's greatest football competition and features the 199 national teams that entered qualification, so even Vanuatu fans can live out their dreams of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.

While many rival nations will be plotting their vengeance on the pitch this summer, you can relive Kratos' rampage of revenge in the God of War Collection on PS3. It includes God of War and God of War II, both first seen on PlayStation 2, remastered in High Definition and presented on one Blu-ray Disc.

For your third dose of retribution this week, reignite those beat 'em up rivalries with Super Street Fighter IV, the ultimate version of the fighting classic on PS3. It features all new online game modes, such as team battle and tournament, as well as new characters and a few returning favourites. By popular demand, it even brings back the bonus stages from Street Fighter II so you can batter a car and a room full of barrels in High Definition.

Lots more in Store

MAG players will want to check out the Fast Attack Gear Pack in PlayStation Store this week - it adds three new sniper rifles and a set of improved light armour for each faction. Best of all, it's completely free.

You can also pick up the Trials of St. Lucia pack for Dante's Inferno and wade through hell with a friend in 12 new arena based co-operative levels, as well as a playable demo for Wakeboarding HD. There's also extra content for Mega Man 10, Just Cause 2, Race Driver: GRID, Super Street Fighter IV and DJ Hero, all available now from PlayStation Store.

On PSP, there are two of games to download, starting with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, the portable version of the football simulator on PS3. Or for something completely different, check out Gensan and help a young carpenter protect his home town from Yakuza thugs.

Virtual reality

Barcelona plays host to the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final this weekend and the PlayStation Blog will be there to bring you live updates from the biggest event on the virtual football calendar. Head over to blog.eu.playstation.com for breaking news and images, direct from Port Olympic, from 1 May 2010.

You could also be heading to the real life FIFA World Cup if you enter the competition at eu.playstation.com. Identify the football legends recreated using ModNation Racers' fun and flexible mod creation tool and you could be jetting off to South Africa for the greatest football tournament on the planet.

Speaking of competitions, you could win a PlayStation 3 signed by a host of UFC fighters, in preparation for the release of UFC Undisputed 2010.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMBTM (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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