Saturday, January 29, 2011

FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 42.

PSN Avatars, Dead Space 2, Mass effect 2, Homefront, Resistance 3, Red Faction: Armageddon, Bodycount.

Before we get started with the regular content list, let me offer you a welcoming gift in the shape of another two PSN avatars, this time to tie in with ace PSN viking 'em up Swords & Soldiers and both free with this week's episode of FirstPlay.

Speaking of which, episode 42 of FirstPlay will be on the Store this Wednesday, and it's a cracker, with two huge sci-fi sequel reviews as we deliver verdicts on Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2, an expert guide to tuning your car in Gran Turismo 5, and a review of tie-in animation Dead Space: Aftermath.

We also sit down for a chat with Kaos Studios, the team behind upcoming shooter Homefront, check out some of the latest titles to appear on the PlayStation Store, and review PS Eye scrapper Kung-Fu Live. On top of all that we've got new screenshots from Resistance 3, Red Faction: Armageddon, Bodycount and more.

So that's free stuff, two of the biggest games on PS3 this year, behind the scenes access, movie reviews and a round-up of the PSN, all for just 99p, or even less if you buy a 12 week 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. And don't forget you can sign up for the FirstPlay newsletterhere to have regular news and content updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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.



FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 37‘Family Guy’ Exclusive: Nine Minutes Of ‘Star Wars’ Parody ‘It’s A Trap!’

FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First.Episode 40

Dead Space 2, Splatterhouse, Harry Potter and the Deatly Hallows- Part 1, Gran Turismo 5, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Mubi, Dungeon Siege 3, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, Earth Defence Force: Insect Armageddon

Episode 40 of FirstPlay hits this PlayStation Store this Wednesday, and this week we've got a First Hour preview with spiky necro-horror Dead Space 2.

Aside from that we've got a round-up of PS3 releases including Splatterhouse and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, the first part of our in-depth Gran Turismo 5 tuning guide and a review of The Last Exorcism on Blu-ray. There's also a look at Call Of Duty: Black Ops online, an overview of ace arty film service Mubi, and screenshot galleries including Dungeon Siege 3, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine and - the big one - Earth Defence Force: Insect Armageddon.

As always this comes for just 99p, or you can buy a 12 week subscription for 8.99 and get it for even less.

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. And don't forget you can sign up for the FirstPlay newsletterhere to have regular news and content updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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.



FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 37‘Star Wars’ Series To Be Re-Released In 3-D

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

First Look - Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

Knuckle down to the ultimate face-off between Marvel Comics' icons and Capcom's videogame legends.

It's the game beat em up fans have been waiting for. Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds on PlayStation 3 is a spectacular collision of two popular and colourful universes. Marvel comic book heroes and villains exploding into action with some of Capcom's most famed videogame characters. It can only lead to one thing...

...Fight!

The concept behind Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is rooted within questions fans have puzzled over for years. Who would win in a scrap between technological terror M.O.D.O.K. and alien scoundrel Super-Skrull ? Could Street Fighter's Chun Li really take on Mega Man's Zero in battle?

Now you can supply the answers in a fighting frenzy which brightens up your PS3 with incredible conflicts of colour and imagination. Choosing from a roster of over 30 characters, you pick three fighters from both universes to take on all comers in a quest to stop a powerful force threatening to destroy everything in its path.

The massive selection of brawlers available range from Marvel's despotic Doctor Doom and maniacal Resident Evil villain Albert Wesker to iconic superheroes Spider-Man and Hulk. They're joined by newer characters to the Marvel vs Capcom series, such as Street Fighter IV's Crimson Viper and valiant knight Arthur, from classic platform series Ghosts 'n Goblins.

Classy and classic conflicts

The attention to detail in Marvel vs Capcom 3 is staggering. Fans can delight in slick, well animated fighters whose fighting styles, signature moves, catchphrases and looks are authentically reproduced, so you'll see Ryu launch incredible Hadouken fireballs and Wolverine declaring that he's the best at what he does with a flash of his adamantium claws.

The wisecracking, moonwalking mercenary Deadpool personally addresses you after bouts like he addressed his comic book readers in the past, while certain characters call each other by their first name during a fight - or victoriously insult their arch-rivals. Marvel fans will get a kick out of hearing "Avengers Assemble!" should they pick a team of Iron Man, Captain America and Thor, and Resident Evil experts will relish the rivalry between Chris Redfield and Wesker.

With each fight lasting as long as you have one of your three characters available, the tag-team action is manically fast and flashy. There are a variety of moves to master, from team-ups and air combos to powerful individual super attacks which fill the whole screen with an amazing assault. Your two partners can leap into battle at any time with a fleeting strike or you can swiftly bring one of them into the fray to allow your other fighters some healing time behind the scenes.

Regardless of how you fight and which icons you choose, Marvel vs Capcom 3 promises to be an epic comic book adventure that is sure to grab your attention with a superhuman grip. Keep coming back to eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com so you can decide the Fate of Two Worlds...



FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 41‘Green Lantern’ Trailer Teaser Surfaces

Go mobile with the PlayStation Official App

Take the world of PlayStation everywhere you go with the PlayStation Official App on your mobile device.

Want to know how the world of PlayStation has become bigger and yet can still be taken around in your pocket? Welcome to the PlayStation Official App (version 1.0) - a brilliant and free new application which lets you access your PlayStation Network account and a number of other features, all from the convenience of your mobile device.

Available to download for iPhone and iPod Touch with OS 4 and above, or Android compatible handsets with a minimum of OS 1.6*, the PlayStation Official App brings you closer to PlayStation no matter where you are. Once downloaded from iTunes or the Android Market, you can:

•Check out your PlayStation Network trophies and keep up to date with your friends' games and online status.
•Discover all the latest games, news and hardware for your PlayStation 3, PSP and PlayStation 2.
•Read exciting announcements on PlayStation.Blog.

As the only official application with a constant finger on the pulse of PlayStation, the PlayStation Official App is your one-stop source to keep you ahead of the game, no matter where you are. Find out how to download the app at http://eu.playstation.com/mobile.

Keep an eye on eu.playstation.com and playstation.Blog for the latest developments on the PlayStation Official App.

*Note: the PlayStation Official App is not compatible with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini.



Put your questions to Time Crisis: Razing Storm developer, Namco Bandai‘Little Fockers’ Director On Sequel

FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 41

Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds, Bodycount, LittleBigPlanet 2, How To Train Your Dragon, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Gran Turismo 5, Portal 2, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

Episode 41 of FirstPlay, on the Store this Wednesday, is armed with an exclusive set of Landit Bandit-themed avatars - download the ep if you fancy giving yourself a PSN makeover!

Aside from that we've got our first hands-on preview with Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds. We're also going hands-on with Codemasters' upcoming shooter Bodycount, going behind the scenes to talk to the developers, and best of all, reviewing huge create 'em up sequel LittleBigPlanet 2.

And that's not all by a long shot. We've also got a Blu-ray review of the awesome How To Train Your Dragon, an online review of the tyre-shredding Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, and a personal take on the seductiveness of Gran Turismo 5 from our Sunday driver and soon-to-be-moving-on editor-in-chief Tim Clark. We also filter through the latest downloadable movies and PSP minis, and peer super-close at another batch of screenshot galleries, this week including Portal 2 and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

As always this comes for just 99p, or you can buy a 12 week subscription for 8.99 and get it for even less.

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.And don't forget you can sign up for the FirstPlay newsletter here to have regular news and content updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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.



FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 31Katherine Heigl Is Jealous Of Josh Duhamel’s Pied Piper Pheromones

Weekend Essentials 60

Borderlands tools up on PlayStation Store, Ezio stars in Assassin's Creed: Ascendance and MicroBot shows it's a shooter with heart. Welcome to PlayStation in 2011!

Into the wilds

For an almost limitless supply of explosive weaponry and a memorable take on the Wild West, try your hand at Borderlands, availablefrom PlayStation Storethis week. There's plenty to cut your spurs on here, whether it's multiplayer mayhem across vast maps or a compelling story mode. Download it for your PlayStation 3 immediately!

Germ warfare

War breaks out inside the human body this week in MicroBot, the game which tasks you with destroying a biotechnological disease spreading through the major organs of an unfortunate victim. It's a quirky spin on traditional shooters, so download it from PlayStation Store to find out whether you'll kill or cure your subject.

Filling in the gaps

If you're a little hazy over what happened between Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, a new animated short film from Ubisoft will clear things up. Assassin's Creed: Ascendance follows master assassin Ezio Auditore as he discovers the terrible truth behind the brutal Borgia family's rise to power in 15th century Italy. It's essential viewing for fans of the series – download it from PlayStation Store now.

Saturday night cinema

If you're looking to take it easy this weekend, why not check out the PlayStation Store Video Store? Some of the biggest, boldest movies ever to hit cinemas are now available to view, including the stunning Inception, the pop culture sensation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the all out action of The Expendables. Rent or purchase your favourite flicks from PlayStation Store now.

Feel the Effect

You'd be forgiven if you missed three stellar demos that hit PlayStationStore just before Christmas, so now that it's all calmed down again why not check them out? LittleBigPlanet 2, Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2 all have tantalizing tasters waiting to be downloaded for your PlayStation 3 ahead of their full game releases later this month.

Last chance to get lucky

Fancy the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Paris for you and your family? Of course you do! But you only have until 10 January 2011 to enter our fantastic competition, so look up eu.playstation.com/competitions this weekend to enter and be in with a chance of meeting Mickey Mouse and his gang.

Likewise, time is running out on your chance to win the PSPgo system Santa forgot to bring, along with ten of the finest games to go with it. Head to eu.playstation.com/competitions for more details.

Your time is coming...

As the epic DC Universe Online draws near, keep checking blog.eu.playstation.com for updates revealing details of the game in the run-up to its 14 January 2011 launch. Find out how you can be the nextlegend in a world of heroes, with exclusive developerinsight giving you a flavour of this unique world.

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.



Weekend Essentials 54‘Eclipse’ At The Box Office: What Does The Future Hold?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Coming to PS3 in 2011

Discover some of the biggest games heading your way on PlayStation in 2011.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
It's time for you to take on the role of Nathan Drake once more as you embark on a daring trek into the heart of the Arabian Desert on a journey that pits you and your mentor Victor Sullivan against a shadowy clandestine organization and its ruthless leader. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception features brand new hand-to-hand combat techniques, stealth attacks and a multiplayer experience that promises to bring the cinematic elements of the single player campaign to PlayStation Network. And best of all, it can be experienced in stunning stereoscopic 3D.

Killzone 3
Prepare for the next instalment in the gripping series as you try to escape the nuclear aftermath of Pyrrhus City and attempt to leave the hostile planet Helghan once and for all. Playable in stereoscopic 3D and with your PlayStation Move motion controller, Killzone 3 promises more action, more explosions and all-new brutal melee moves for when you want to get up close and personal with the Helghast forces.

LA Noire
Developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games, LA Noire is a dark and disturbing crime noir tale set on the streets of a perfectly recreated Los Angeles during the late forties. Take to the seedy streets of Los Angeles in search of clues to solve a series of heinous crimes as the epic story hurtles towards its conclusion.

LittleBigPlanet 2
Sackboy and friends are back in LittleBigPlanet 2, the sequel to the 2008 award winning title that lets you make your very own games as well as levels. You will be able to play through a fun filled story mode packed with new puzzles and challenges, and share your cool creations online with the thriving LittleBigPlanet community via PlayStation Network. 2011 promises to be a year of playing, creating and sharing with LittleBigPlanet on PlayStation 3.

Resistance 3
After the shocking conclusion of Resistance 2 on PlayStation 3 the war for humanity's survival rages on as a brand new hero, Joseph Capelli, steps into the fray to take on the Chimera forces. Set four years after the events of Resistance 2, Capelli must travel through the remnants of the United States on a desperate mission to save man from extinction at the hands of the Chimera.

The Last Guardian
Get ready for an incredibly moving journey in the latest tale from the award winning game director, Fumito Ueda. In The Last Guardian you take on the role of a young boy in a strange and fantastic world as you befriend a mythical beast created by the minds behind the spectacular PlayStation 2 hits, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus.

inFamous 2
The second electrifying chapter in the superhero series from developer Sucker Punch returns with a bang in 2011 as reluctant hero, Cole MacGrath, embarks on a journey to discover his true super-powered potential after being blamed for the destruction of Empire City. Featuring new powers, enemies and blockbuster action, inFamous 2 promises one of the most visceral takes on being a superhero on PlayStation 3.

MotorStorm: Apocalypse
Buckle up racing fans, the MotorStorm festival is back with MotorStorm: Apocalypse on PlayStation 3. Battling it out on the roads of an earthquake ravaged city, you'll have to survive hundreds of staggering, epic real-time destruction effects as you gun towards that number one spot on the track. Playable in eye-popping stereoscopic 3D, MotorStorm: Apocalypse is the fastest and most furious in the series yet.

Other titles to watch out for on eu.playstation.com over the coming months in 2011 include Dead Space 2, Batman: Arkham City, Portal 2, Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Mortal Kombat, Virtua Tennis 4 and Twisted Metal.



Look forward to a great 2011 on PlayStationJ.K. Simmons Reveals ‘Spider-Man 4′ Character Arc

minis monthly 3

Check out the minis titles that chomped, flew and blasted their way into PlayStation Store in December 2010.

Run like the wind

Save your girlfriend in just 24 hours in the frantic I Must Run! from Gamelion. Take on the role of a convicted marine and sprint through the city centre and scale rooftops to save your true love. Ready, steady, run!

Doctor, doctor...

Prescribe yourself with a whole host of crazy challenges including monkey-throwing and spaceship-dodging with Dr.Minigames. Side effects may include becoming hooked on this collection of mad missions - can you complete each one in just four seconds?

A balancing act

See if you can stay calm and composed in the puzzling Shapo as you pile objects on a set of scales and keep it balanced. Play through over 150 levels and unlock some true wonders.

The legend is here

That's right, PAC-MAN Championship Edition has arrived on PlayStation Store and the iconic yellow chomper is eager to munch some yummy Pac-Dots. Explore loads of mazes, play in six different game modes and get addicted to this arcade classic all over again.

Prepare for take-off

Take to the skies in Blimp: The Flying Adventures and transport soldiers, collect supplies and attack enemies from your aircraft. You'll be able to see if you're a high flyer with global leaderboards.

Feeling edgy?

Get addicted to a challenging puzzle game with Edge, and guide your cube around a geometric universe. Develop your telekinetic strength in over 40 levels.

Master blaster

Prevent thousands of deadly atomic cores from causing the explosion of your ship's engine in Core Blaster.Use your weapons to destroy the radioactive hazards and stop them blowing your ship into oblivion.

Take a trip to yesteryear...

Check out Nordcurrent's latest minis title, Arcade Essentials, and play five arcade challenges inspired by 80s classics. Unlock new levels and have a retro experience from the comfort of your own sofa.

A healthy option

Arrange your apples, oranges and bananas in groups and watch them disappear in Super Fruitfall Deluxe. Stack your fruit on top of each other or organize it into rows to score bunches of juicy points.

Join the fight for mankind's survival

Travel through five different environments in N.O.V.A. - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, the first person shooter from Gameloft. Choose from six weapons and blast your way through 13 levels. The fate of mankind is in your hands.

More aliens!

If you can't get enough of evil aliens in outer space, check out A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks, and take down extraterrestrials along with their Supreme Alien God Emperor.

Cream of the crop

You could become a true success in Farm Frenzy as you run your own farm and sell your produce at the local market. Tend to your animals, sell the items they produce and upgrade your farm to become even richer.

All of these titles can be downloaded from PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PSP,andyou will receive two free miniseach month if you have a PlayStation Plus account. Check out the next minis update in February 2011.



‘Unbreakable’ Inspired By Superhero-Film Offers, M. Night Shyamalan SaysHappy first birthday minis

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Game Talk: DC Universe Online - storyline

Comic book legend, Marv Wolfman, chats exclusively to eu.playstation.com about bringing the massive world of DC Comics to PlayStation 3.

How does writing the script for a massively multiplayer online action game (MMOAG) such as DC Universe Online compare to crafting one for a comic book, which is normally only 22 to 24 pages?

It takes much more time to do a videogame than a comic, let alone writing an MMOAG, but that's not the main difference. Comics are still pictures and videogames are always moving. But even more than that, the writer controls the story in comics; you follow exactly what we want you to follow.

In a massively MMOAG, the player is in charge. What the writer does is to come up with ideas that get you involved, that need your contributions; then we let you take over. So not only does the mission have to be interesting story-wise, we've got to lead you into great gameplay.

Comics are about us telling a story that you read. MMOAGs are about us telling you there are great things out there, and then letting you decide how you want to deal with them. They're very different.

What were the main guidelines and rules you had to follow when creating your stories in DC Universe Online?

The missions I came up with all had to be very DC Universe centric. That means when crafting a story that deals with Batman, it can't be the same kind of story The Flash would deal with. The characters are all different and so should the stories be.

How did the writing team work together to maintain a sense of cohesion on a project with as much scope as DC Universe Online?

The game producers are in complete charge of that. As a writer I take their lead and follow their directions. The missions I come up with are to solve problems the game designers and producers ask to be dealt with. Gameplay has to come first in order to make the game a great experience. The writer tries to find the most entertaining way of solving the game designer's problems.

How difficult was it to create so many great storylines given the constraints of writing for videogames?

It was only difficult in that I came in early, just as the process was still being developed. I've written videogames before but not MMOAGs and you have to keep reworking ideas so they work in an open world MMOAG environment as opposed to a regular videogame.

So there was lots of starting up, throwing things out and then starting all over again. Otherwise it's still a matter of coming up with a great Wonder Woman story or a great Teen Titans story that actually deals with the player first and the heroes second.

Did you drop or alter any of your creative ideas during the game's development?

Someone told me when I began writing for videogames that all games start at 300 per cent then cut their way down to 100 per cent. And that's always been true. So lots of things you try then get cut as you figure out what your game is and how best to tell your stories. It's very much trial and error until it all comes together as perfect as it can.

What sort of references in the game can fans expect to see from classic or current DC Universe stories?

Because it takes so long to create a game such as this, think of DC Universe Online as the classic DC Universe. We can't be absolutely up to date since it could take a year to get something done and by then the comic book continuity has moved on. But we can refer to events and keep moving the game forward as we go on.

Was it difficult to write for characters as powerful as Superman and Doomsday, knowing that players interact with them in the game rather than watch or observe them like in a comic or movie?

No. Player control is the sole purpose of the game, so you never let yourself think you're doing a Green Lantern game. Instead you're thinking about doing a game with the player that includes Green Lantern and is a perfect Green Lantern experience. It's the same with the other characters. You always think of the player first.

And finally, with DC Universe Online finally in the hands of gamers, which storylines are you most proud of?

I really liked some of my ideas for Gorilla Grodd, the Teen Titans and Superman.



Game Talk: Creating DC Universe Online – part one‘Paranormal Activity 2′ Director Reveals Sequel Ideas

Game Talk: Creating DC Universe Online – part one

Executive creative director, Jim Lee, chats exclusively to eu.playstation.com about developing DC Universe Online on PlayStation 3.

DC Universe Online is such an enormous project; can you talk us through how it came to be?

Well, I had heard that DC was interested in developing a massively multiplayer online action game (MMOAG) based on the DC Universe. After flirting with developing it internally, WildStorm partnered up with Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) based on their expertise in the field and the success they forged with EverQuest. I happened to be a huge EverQuest fan so I was already very familiar with this type of game and saw the incredible potential an MMOAG based on the DC Universe could have.

It really was the intersection of my twin passions of comics and games and I made it known I had to be involved. Being a hardcore EverQuest gamer, it allowed me to jump right into the project and work with SOE from day one, and it has just been an amazing journey.

What were your main goals for DC Universe Online when you began working as the game's executive creative director?

My goal was to capture the look, feel and excitement of the DC Universe in a game, and make the game so immersive it felt like you were actually a superhero or supervillain in the DC Universe. I also wanted to allow players to unlock their inner DC. Imagine getting to create your own unique superhero, give him or her a code name, choose a physique, a costume, a set of powers and then diving into the DC Universe where you get to meet and ally with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the entire pantheon of heroes.

Imagine getting to team up with friends and other players from around the world and take on the likes of The Joker, Lex Luthor and Deathstroke. Imagine getting to use your network of contacts to go on missions and adventures to incredibly diverse environments. Imagine gaining fame and notoriety, forming leagues of superheroes to battle one another or taking down Brainiac himself.

It's not hard to see how awesome a game like this would be, and it's really the chance to play around and do so many different things in the DC Universe which is the big draw to gamers and comic book fans alike. It really is about taking on the biggest fantasy there is in the world of comics and making it a reality.

How much of the art style in the game is your own and how much is taken from other artists working in the DC Universe?

The goal was to bring my art style and apply it to DC Universe Online. It's an impossible task for one person to do so WildStorm was hired to do all the concept artwork for the game. We have a small team of really gifted, well known artists like Carlos D'Anda, JJ Kirby, Eddy Nunez, Oliver Nome, Michael Lopez and Livio Ramondelli working with me on creating the look of the game.

We worked closely with SOE Austin art directors Jared Carr and Mark Anderson to make sure the style worked best for what the game was about. I approved and tweaked all the art and assets and it was a huge undertaking involving many talented artists, modellers and art directors. Senior lead character artist Jason Smith and SOE concept artist Mike Pedro were just a few of the many standouts on this project. It really ended up being a labour of love as everyone just put in so much effort to make sure the world looked as good as we could make it. At the end of the day, I think DC Universe Online really reflects the endless excitement that is the DC Universe.

Check back on eu.playstation.com tomorrow for part two of our exclusive interview with DC Universe Online executive creative director, Jim Lee.



Game Talk – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed IIKanye West’s ‘Runaway’ Is About ‘Remaking,’ Performance Artist Says

Monday, January 10, 2011

Look forward to a great 2011 on PlayStation

Discover the titles on PlayStation that game industry figures are looking forward to in 2011.

"Top of my list is Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. The series is a huge hit with my family and we are looking forward to seeing where the adventure will take us next." Andrew House, president, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

"I promise 2011 will be a great, busy year for the fans of PlayStation. We will start with a big bang, with the highly anticipated LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and MotorStorm Apocalypse and then we have already announced inFamous 2, SOCOM: Special Forces, Resistance 3, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One and The Last Guardian to follow up, too." Shuhei Yoshida, president, SCE Worldwide Studios

"I am looking forward to the next title in the Uncharted series. The immersive nature of these games truly displays what a videogame should consist of. The series is incredible." Hiroshi Matsuyama, president, CyberConnect2

"I'm really looking forward to the huge releases we have coming in the first half of the year alone. I can't wait to see what the community gets up to with the new features in LittleBigPlanet 2. Another big release will be MotorStorm Apocalypse, and then Killzone 3 and that just takes us to March!" Michael Denny, senior vice president, SCE Worldwide Studios, Europe

"The immediate standout game for me is The Last Guardian. Team ICO's ability to create massive worlds and adventures with almost insignificant characters growing into their hero status is something difficult to achieve in games." Jason Ried, producer, Split/Second: Velocity

"Definitely Fumito Ueda's The Last Guardian. Like David Cage, Ueda-san regards games as a true form of expression and all his creations are a work of art. He touches gamers on an emotional level. That is what games should strive for nowadays in my mind, and I can't wait to delve into another great poetic and emotional journey."Guillaume de Fondaumiere, executive producer, Heavy Rain

"Battlefield 3 is going to be absolutely epic! I am also really looking forward to seeing what Zipper Interactive does with the next SOCOM." Greg Goodrich, executive producer, Medal of Honor

"One of my favourite games of 2009 gets a sequel in Batman: Arkham City. The first game was easily the best superhero game I've ever played and I want more!" John McLaughlin, producer, XDev Studio Liverpool

"Personally I am a big science fiction fan, so I can't wait to get my hands on Killzone 3. That series has always been known for its amazing graphics; when you combine that with stereoscopic 3D and PS Move, I think it will certainly be the best one yet." Travis Steiner, lead designer, Zipper Interactive

"The one that has me most intrigued is inFamous 2. Everything about the sequel hits the right notes for me. I love the art style, and creating more of a focused open-world adventure is a smart move." Simon "Barlos" Barlow, associate game director, Evolution Studios

"2011 could not come soon enough for me because of one game... LittleBigPlanet 2. I love making games and LBP really allows me to explore my imagination. Also Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception: the previous two games were fantastic and I must have played both of them through four or five times." Mike Rouse, senior producer, SingStar

"It has to be The Last Guardian. I adored both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus and this is looking every bit as good." Paul Rustchynsky, senior designer, Evolution Studios

"I am looking forward to the launch party for Killzone 3. It's been an incredible ride for us at Guerrilla delivering a much bigger and more ambitious game than the last one in half the time. In terms of other games, I'm really looking forward to inFamous 2, as zipping around Empire City with Cole's electrical powers was one of my favourite gaming moments from 2009. I'm also slightly curious about the release of Duke Nukem Forever; I wouldn't be surprised if the game turns out to be great fun." Hermen Hulst, managing director, Guerrilla

"In 2011 I have high hopes for MotorStorm Apocalypse. I was fortunate enough to play an early build at E3 in 2010, and was so enthralled by the visuals I bought a 3D TV in anticipation of its release!" Karl Reader, UK product & community manager, CAPCOM

"LittleBigPlanet 2 on PS3. I loved the first, and am excited to see what the geniuses at Media Molecule have come up with, especially with it being PS Move compatible. I've also been very lucky to play an early build of Virtua Tennis 4, and it was already great fun to play, especially with the PS Move motion controller." Miles Jacobson, studio director, Sports Interactive



Dino De Laurentiis, Oscar-Winning Film Producer, Dies At 91Game Talk: The Last Guardian

Have a New Year's Eve party with PlayStation

Get ready to ring in the New Year with PlayStation and say hello to 2011.

Get out the drinks and nibbles - your family and friends will soon be arriving for the biggest party night of the year, and we have the ultimate line-up to keep your guests entertained into the small hours.

20:00

If you have any little ones at your party, keep them entertained with EyePet Move Edition on PlayStation 3. They'll be able to see themselves on-screen with their very own pet and clean, feed and play with him using the PlayStation Move motion controller. While they're occupied, get your VidZone playlist ready for later on when it's time to have a dance. VidZone allows you to stream loads of great music videos and create unlimited playlists for free so your party never gets interrupted.

21:00

Let your guests get to know each other a bit better with some great PlayStation Move games on PS3. The aptly named Start the Party! will get everyone in good spirits as they use the PlayStation Move motion controller as hair clippers, a hammer and even a huge dart to complete crazy challenges.

22:00

If you want to be the star of the evening, try your hand at TV Superstars with up to three friends and see how you handle life as a high-flying celebrity. Your PlayStation Move motion controller will become cooking utensils, home improvement tools and even let you perform dance moves on the catwalk.

23:00

The night is still young and everyone is in the party spirit: it's time to get out SingStar Dance. Push back the furniture, create a dance floor and bust some moves to your favourite tracks including Living La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga's Poker Face.

00.00

2011 is here! It's time to turn up your VidZone playlist and party the night away. As well as the fantastic selection of music videos usually available, VidZone will also be hosting the biggest videos of 2010, including great hits from Katy Perry, Florence and the Machine and Timberland.

01:00

Make sure you wish your loved ones a Happy New Year with the voice and video chat feature on your PlayStation 3. Set up your PlayStation Eye camera, choose someone off your PlayStation Network Friends List who couldn't attend the party and let them in on the action.

New Year's Day

When all the guests have gone and the house is back to normal, it's time to kick back and relax with a good film. Luckily, we have that covered too. Check out the latest blockbusters at the PlayStation Store Video Store, browse thousands of popular titles on LOVEFiLM and experience international and independent cinema with MUBI.

Then crack on with your new year's resolutions to play more PlayStation games... If you didn't finish them over Christmas, why not make time for the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, SingStar Guitar, Gran Turismo 5 and Sports Champions.

Enjoy New Year's Eve and have a great 2011.



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