FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 45

TNT Racers!, Marvel VS Capcom 3: afte of Two Worlds, RPG Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll, WWE All Stars, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

In this week's FirstPlay we're very pleased to announce we're giving away an exclusive try before you buy trial of the fantastically playable arcade scrapper TNT Racers!

In fact we've got plenty more giveaway content coming up in the next few episodes, so if you don't already subscribe to FirstPlay now is a very good time to start. And for episode 45, it's just the beginning. We've also got comprehensive HD reviews of universe-clashing scrapper Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds and addictive old school RPG Trinity: Souls Of Zill O'll. That's on top of a preview of oiled nostalgia flex WWE All Stars, and a review of snappy horror Piranha 3D on Blu-ray.

And that's not all. We also talk to the guys at DICE about their Vietnam-flavoured update to Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and check out the latest downloadable movies on the PlayStation Store. FirstPlay's James Jarvis explains to us why Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit's Autolog system is both a blessing and a curse, we take a look at the saddest moments in games, ever, and still have time for our regular round of screenshot galleries, which this week include PSN explore 'em up Journey and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

All of this comes for just 99p, or less if you pick up 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 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.

‘Family Guy’ Exclusive: Nine Minutes Of ‘Star Wars’ Parody ‘It’s A Trap!’FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 41

Killzone: The story so far

We trace the bitter, bloody history of the seminal PlayStation series.

Battle of the planets

Captain Jan Templar is set to go down in legend as the man who prevented humanity being snuffed out by one of the most ruthlessly efficient enemies ever seen on PlayStation. This is Killzone on PlayStation 2 – and it's only the start of the most intense fight for survival you'll ever face.

Earth is but a war-ravaged memory to Templar and his Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) comrades; Vekta is mankind's new home, a planet rich in natural resources and coveted by its neighbours on the dark, inhospitable planet Helghan. Yet war itself is only too familiar to both planets, and the Helghast are eager for more.

Breaching defences the ISA said could never be breached, the Helghast launch a blistering rampage on Vekta. They are tougher, faster, and, above all, furious at being shunned by their human cousins. Rocked back on its heels, the ISA is forced into a desperate rearguard action of trench warfare and chaotic house to house firefights.

As ISA losses skyrocket and Vekta is ceded mile by mile, Helghast confidence and brutality grows. Against this terrifying backdrop, Templar and his grizzled squad – the hulking Rico Velasquez, the mysterious Shadow Marshal Luger and the half-Helghast Colonel Hakha – begin their inspirational counter surge.

With the battle lines blurred by treachery and the desire for revenge, Templar cuts a bloody path through the Helghast hordes. Clawing back his home planet and discovering the truth about his superiors – not least the real reason the Helghast were able to waltz through Vekta's defences – Templar sends a clear signal: we're not done yet...

Remind yourself how the legend was forged. Revisit Killzone on PlayStation 2 now.

Search and rescue

The Helghast threat is pinned back, but it is growing. Captain Jan Templar has barely had time to patch himself up before being called upon once more to spearhead the most perilous ISA assault yet. In Killzone Liberation for PSP, war waits for no one.

With the sadistic Helghast commander General Armin Metrac newly installed, the rules of war are ripped up and a fevered campaign ravages Vekta. Despite having pushed back the enemy front line in Killzone, the ISA again finds itself in a Helghast stranglehold.

Key to the reinvigorated Helghast war effort is the kidnapping of three pillars of the ISA – defence minister Heff Milcher, master tactician General Dwight Stratson and scientist Evelyn Batton – which means that hostage rescue is added to Templar's already daunting list of duties.

Facing a doubly determined enemy equipped with a fearsome arsenal of military hardware, Templar regroups with Velasquez, Luger and Hakha to track the Helghast abductors and free their prisoners. And if some serious holes are blown through the Helghast strategy along the way, so much the better.

War has a curious capacity to spin a soldier's moral compass, and so it is that Templar discovers yet another defector to the Helghast cause. Yet despite facing suffocating odds at every turn, Templar manages to smash through the Helghast lines to set up an explosive showdown in a remote mountain fortress against his deadliest foe yet – Metrac himself.

To miss Killzone Liberation is to give up on the fight halfway through. Download it from PlayStation Store to your PSP today.

The prey turns hunter

The ISA drives war directly into the Helghast heartland in Killzone 2 for PlayStation 3. Revenge and total victory is the motivation behind a huge ISA assault force, and by taking the fight to Helghan, they are marching into the most hellish theatre of operations imaginable.

Two years on from the invasion of Vekta in Killzone, the ISA decides it must capture its architect, Emperor Scolar Visari, to finally cripple the Helghast war machine. New hero Tomas 'Sev' Sevchenko, a flinty special forces veteran, is assigned to lead his crack squad on a mission to take the Helghan capital, Pyrrhus. However, the Helghast waste no time in displaying their superiority in their own backyard.

Sev and the entire ISA high command – which now includes Killzone hero Jan Templar as fleet commander – quickly realise the scale of the challenge ahead. Choking atmospheric conditions, razor-sharp enemy tactics and freakish lightning storms that are turned against the ISA mean Visari and closure may be a step too far.

The fighting exacts a terrible toll on Sev and his comrades. The initial ISA invasion force is reduced to a rabble in a devastating ambush, crucial members of the ISA effort are lost, even Rico Velasquez, fighting at Sev's side, is fast losing faith. However, one last push sees the two men – deeply troubled by the horrors they have witnessed – confront Visari, with far-reaching consequences.

Cut off from the ISA, trapped in the most hostile surroundings conceivable and scarred by their efforts, Sev and Velasquez are left high and dry. The scene is set for Killzone 3, where, in Visari's own words, "the madness begins".

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First Look: Virtua Tennis 4

Find out why PlayStation Move and stereoscopic 3D are the aces up the sleeve of Virtua Tennis 4.

It's the series that has consistently managed the clever trick of balancing arcade action with depth and detail. Now, Virtua Tennis is back and better than ever, thanks to the intuitive control offered by PlayStation Move as well as stereoscopic 3D functionality. Boasting a roster of superbly realistic players, such as Rafael Nadal, Venus Williams and Novak Djokovic, and devilishly addictive gameplay, Virtua Tennis 4 is warming up nicely ahead of its release later this year.

Mie Kumagai, creator of the series and producer of Virtua Tennis 4, is hugely excited by the level of realism offered by PlayStation Move. "I've been really impressed with just how much subtlety the controller gives," she tells eu.playstation.com. "I never imagined when I first created Virtua Tennis that some day people would be able to play it in this way."

Of all the possibilities offered by the motion controller, the fit with tennis is one of the most natural. "Players will find they can really easily add so much more to their shots by the tiniest change in the angle of the controller – top spin, slice, swerve and power," Kumagai-san says. "If a user has held a real tennis racket before they will find it very natural to use the PlayStation Move motion controller, and even if they haven't, they will very quickly pick it up."

On the surface, simply timing your shots successfully will see you through matches on the easier difficulty settings. Then once you have mastered reaching the ball and returning it, the fun comes from using PlayStation Move to outfox your opponent by adding variety to your shots. Depending on the pro player you use, the effectiveness of each shot will vary according to that player's skill.

An unstoppable force

The Match Momentum feature is a neat way to capitalise on a player's strength and use it to your advantage. An on-screen gauge fills up as you successfully use a player's trademark shot, giving you a power boost around the court when it reaches maximum. "Andy Roddick is well known for his big serve, so as you win points on that serve, you fill up the Match Momentum meter," Kumagai-san explains. "I hope this makes users experiment with all the different players to find out what works for them."

Add stereoscopic 3D support, and Virtua Tennis 4 really storms the court. "We wanted to go beyond making a great looking game," says Kumagai-san. "Through a 3D TV, we wanted to have a bigger impact on a user's experience. I think they will find that as a return shot heads towards them, they will feel as though they can really stretch out to reach it. They'll be able to anticipate where a ball will end up – and I think this will work perfectly together with PlayStation Move."

Kumagai-san is proud of Virtua Tennis 4: "The time has gone so fast since my very first Virtua Tennis title, but in a way I'm glad that it has." With such an electrifying blend of all court action, offbeat mini-games and some of today's most dazzling stars, it's not hard to see why.

Keep checking eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for more news on Virtua Tennis 4.

Coming to PS3 in 2011‘X-Men: First Class’ Trailer: Professor X And Magneto, The Way They Were

Weekend Essentials 64

Find out even more about the next generation portable, take shelter from zombies in PlayStation Home and work out with Zumba Fitness this weekend.

Perfectly portable

Last week saw the announcement of our next generation portable entertainment system (code name: NPG) - and now there is so much more to tell. NGP will be hitting your hands at the end of 2011, featuring front and rear cameras and two analog sticks, plus with Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity.

Check out all the essential facts, latest information and news about NGP right here at eu.playstation.com, and read an exclusive interview with Andrew House, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, over at PlayStation.Blog.

Have fun and get fit this weekend

Why not try a new style of exercise with Zumba Fitness? This energetic workout will have you dancing to international music and perfecting all sorts of high-energy dances from the flamenco to the salsa.

Prepare to boogie to the beat - get Zumba Fitness now.

Strike!

Get your friends and family round this weekend and challenge them to a game of Brunswick Pro Bowling. Use your PlayStation Move motion controller to earn loads of trophies as you work towards becoming a bowling champion.

Start knocking down some pins now.

Safe as houses

Take cover from a zombie apocalypse in an abandoned hotel in the Dead Nation space of PlayStation Home. In the Safe House, get together with the other residents, plot your attack on the undead and practise your shooting skills as the virus spreads...

Enter PlayStation Home and take shelter now.

Heroes and villains

Battle your way to Island M, take down the Master of Magnetism and save Kitty Pryde and Professor Xavier in X-Men Arcade, now available to download from PlayStation Store. Begin your side-scrolling action-packed adventure now.

More island antics

Take on countless enemies on the island of Papagaya and stop the evil General Sabio from launching a deadly attack in Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. Shoot your way through this lush environment as Nathan 'Radd' Spencer and serve up some justice.

Get it first

Excited about Killzone 3? Your timing couldn't be better. Download and join the Killzone 3 Open Beta from PlayStation Store and experience the Frozen Dam multiplayer level, featuring all three multiplayer modes.

Head over to PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for more information, and check out the new Killzone 3 trailers, too.

Want more?

Check out blog.eu.playstation.com to see interviews from the PlayStation Experience event in London, and find out everything about the latest big games.

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.

PlayStation Network scheduled maintenance‘The Social Network’ Remains Friends With Weekend Box Office

Killzone 3 Ultimate Recruit

Will You Make the Grade?

On 10th February, ISA Ultimate Recruit training opens. A hands on, interactive bootcamp created to help you prepare for the launch of Killzone 3. And really get to know your enemy.

Recruits will take instructions from the ferocious ISA drill instructor, Sergeant McCain.

First up is theory. Over the course of training you will hone your intelligence-gathering skills in order to locate and track Helghast activity.

Initially you need to locate the enemy by collecting the hidden Helghast symbols. Then, you have to complete four training simulations using the internet, your phone and most importantly your wits.

The top 500 recruits who make the grade will win a place on the Live Fire Range, where they will fire a real Helghast weapon over the internet.

The cream of the crop will be in with the chance to go to E3 in Los Angeles.

As well as this, there'll be rewards through the experience for those good enough to prove their worth. Look out for the chance to win game unlock points, themes for your PS3 and copies of the Helghast Edition of the game.

Enroll now, at ultimaterecruit.killzone.comand you'll be notified when recruitment opens.

ISA Ultimate Recruit. Will you make the grade?

Please note: recruits must be aged 18 or over. The Live Fire and E3 Prize is only open to UK residents.

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FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 44

Killzone 3, Red Faction: Armageddon, LA Noire, The Hole, Dead Space 2,

Inside episode 44 of FirstPlay, on the store this Wednesday, you'll find a pair of Swords & Soldiers-themed PSN avatars in the shape of the Aztec Ruler and Jaguar Warrior. Alongside this are two highly polished blockbuster previews of Killzone 3 and Red Faction: Armageddon, for which we travelled to both Guerrilla Games in Amsterdam and Volition Inc. in Illinois to bring you two completely new and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews.

We've also got a look at Rockstar Games' seedy period drama L.A. Noire, and a review of kiddie shocker The Hole on Blu-ray. And then things go Valentine's Day special as the guys and gals of Official PlayStation Magazine present their favourite romantic gaming moments. And there's still enough time to present a guide to finding Dead Space 2's most cunningly hidden power nodes, to have a play about with FIFA's custom team builder and to profile Killzone boss Hermen Hulst, as well as our huge screenshot galleries.

All of this comes for just 99p, or less if you pick up 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 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.

‘Family Guy’ Exclusive: Nine Minutes Of ‘Star Wars’ Parody ‘It’s A Trap!’FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 42.

Introducing PlayStation Suite

Sony Computer Entertainment unveils PlayStation Suite and introduces the world of PlayStation to Android based portable devices.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) has unveiled PlayStationSuite (PS Suite), delivering the PlayStation experience to Android based portable devices*.

Thanks to this entirely new initiative, users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history.

In the dramatically evolving and diversifying mobile market, the number of users who enjoy games casually on a variety of devices including mobile phones, smart phones and tablet PCs, has been increasing significantly. By offering quality PlayStation content to this rapidly growing market, SCE will not only deliver the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users around the globe, but will also be able to offer game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to these devices.

In providing the PlayStation experience on Android based portable devices, SCE will commence a PlayStationCertified licence programme for hardware manufacturers. Through this programme, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support and logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of quality PlayStation experiences across various devices.

On the software front, SCE plans to provide PS Suite content during 2011, starting with original PlayStation games** (PS one classics) that will allow users to enjoy quality PlayStation gameplay on their Android based portable devices.

SCE also plans to make PlayStation Store directly available to Android based portable devices, so that users will be able to download content in an easy to use environment. Moreover, SCE will provide a new game development environment in an effort to ensure new and compelling content is delivered on PS Suite, which will also offer opportunities for a wider base of developers and publishers to further expand their business on various portable devices.

Newly developed content for PS Suite can also be enjoyed on the next generation portable entertainment system (code name: NGP), which SCE announced at the same time. Users who have never experienced PlayStation content can get a taste of the PlayStation experience through PS Suite and, from there, they can enjoy the ultimate portable entertainment experience that is only possible on NGP.

Keep an eye on eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for more news on this exciting new service.

* Android 2.3 or beyond is required.
** PS one game console software title. Titles will be announced at a later date.

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10 of the Best: Love stories in games

In the mood for a little gaming affection? Then check out this surprising selection of PlayStation games with a whole lot of love in them.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game
Get ready for the ultimate rock 'n' roll love story this Valentine's Day with the side scrolling brawler based on the hit movie. The goal is simple: take on the role of the geeky Scott Pilgrim and defeat his girlfriend's seven evil exes to win her heart. Think you have what it takes? Then download the game from PlayStation Store today for PlayStation 3 and get the girl.

Dante's Inferno
Despite the brutality of Visceral Games' epic action adventure, Dante's Inferno is a dark love story at heart that sees you play as Dante as you journey through the nine circles of Hell to free your loved one's soul from the clutches of Lucifer. Terrifying, twisted and filled with heart-stopping creatures of the night, Dante's Inferno is a love story with a scythe-shaped edge. Go to Hell on PlayStation 3 and PSP today.

Monsters (probably) Stole My Princess
Fancy a love story with a rollicking sense of humour this Valentine's Day? Then get yourself to PlayStation Store and pick up this hilarious minis title. In it, you play as The Duke, an aristocratic demon whose lovely lady has been kidnapped by nefarious ghouls. With six stages spread out over 24 levels, there's plenty of lovin' in this bite-sized platformer.

ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West
Arguably one of the most breathtaking games of 2010, Ninja Theory's ENSLAVED is a brilliantly paced action adventure game on PlayStation 3 that follows the story of two strangers who form an unbreakable bond on a perilous journey across ravaged lands. With performances from Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis, and a script by 28 Days Later writer, Alex Garland, ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West is an action game with a surprisingly warm heart.

Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar Games' sprawling western is, despite the high body count, a story about a man's love for his family and the lengths he'll go to protect them. All John Marsden ever wanted was to run a farm with his wife and son and grow old, but unfortunately for him, his past (and fate) wouldn't allow it. Take on the Wild West on PlayStation 3 today and pick up a copy of Red Dead Redemption.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
It's raw, it's brutal and it's the ultimate action man's love story. Welcome to the bullet-riddled world of Kane and Lynch, two of gaming's most notorious criminals. You play as Lynch. Someone has stolen your woman, and you want her back. Armed to the teeth and angry as hell, your mission is to wreak havoc on the streets of Shanghai all in the name of love.

Shadow of the Colossus
A huge hit on PlayStation 2 in 2006 and set for a High Definition upgrade later in 2011 on PlayStation 3, Shadow of the Colossus is a fantastical fable about a hero desperately seeking to return the soul of a young girl to her body and bring her back to this world. However, the only way to do this is to slay 16 legendary Colossi that roam the ancient land.

The Darkness
In this PlayStation 3 first person shooter based on the acclaimed noir horror comic, you play as Jackie Estacado, a contract killer for the Mafia in New York. When the mob tries to assassinate you on your 21st birthday and you survive after being possessed by the demonic Darkness, things get a little personal when they murder your girlfriend, Jenny. From here, love is the catalyst for a story filled with revenge and bullets.

Final Fantasy VIII
In Final Fantasy VIII you play as Squall, a military student leading a crew of warriors to save the world from the evil sorceress Edea. Within this epic tale lies a love story between Squall and team member Rinoa. It may take a little time to develop, and Squall will have to save her life many times along the way, but Final Fantasy VIII's cute couple are the stuff of gaming legend. Download it from PlayStation Store today for your PS3 and PSP.

ICO
From the team behind the awe-inspiring Shadow of the Colossus comes ICO, a beautifully told tale about a young boy banished to a castle trying to save a girl from her malevolent mother. Like Shadow of the Colossus, this spellbinding tale is due for a High Definition makeover later in 2011 on PlayStation 3.

If you're looking for love with a twist this Valentine's weekend, then check out one or more of these great titles.

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The People vs: Killzone 3

Put your questions to the team behind one of the biggest games of 2011.

Killzone 3 drops you onto the truly inhospitable planet Helghan, the very backyard of the iconic Helghast. What follows is one of the most thrilling escapes ever depicted on PlayStation 3 as you guide Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko through the orange-eyed hordes and into legend.

With Killzone 3 almost ready to launch, now's your chance to quiz the team behind the game. It's a huge game in every respect, and such a high profile brings with it lots of questions. What was it like working with renowned actors Malcolm McDowell and Ray Winstone? How did the team come up with the war-torn look of planet Helghan? How did it feel pitting Sev into such a terrifying cauldron?

Just head over to the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com to submit your query. It can be anything you like – we're especially keen to see some really unusual questions. We'll then pick the best ones, put them to the team at developer Guerrilla Games and publish their answers right here on eu.playstation.com.

Leave your questions at community.eu.playstation.com before 15 February 2011.

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Weekend Essentials 63

Find out all the official news on the next generation portable, get the fright of your life in Dead Space 2 and win a bonanza of prizes this weekend.

The next generation of portable entertainment is coming

Unparalleled interactive entertainment anywhere you go. That's what the next generation portable entertainment system from PlayStation (code name: NGP) will offer when it arrives at the end of 2011. Officially announced at a press conference in Tokyo this week, NGP will feature a sleek Super Oval Design to fit comfortably in your hands, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) 5-inch screen for superb picture quality. You can also get closer to games and other entertainment with its multi touch front screen and unique multi touch pad on the rear.

Want even more control? NGP has it all in hand with dual analog sticks and a range of buttons to offer ample control possibilities. And with both Wireless and 3G network connectivity, together with the location based service, "Near", to let you meet friends virtually and share game information, you're always connected no matter where you are.

We're only skimming the surface of what NGP offers you. Check out the other articles and features on eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for all the latest NGP news.

Dead set

Put your nerves to the test in one of the most blood-curdling adventures ever seen in a videogame - Dead Space 2 has landed on PlayStation 3. This sci-fi nightmare is sure to shock your senses... and for an extra thrill try Dead Space 2 Collector's Edition which includes tense blaster Dead Space Extraction in full High Definition for the first time, complete with PlayStation Move motion controller compatibility and co-op gameplay. You can also download Dead Space Extraction from PlayStation Store now on its own - so what are you waiting for? Not scared... are you?

Are you a Facebook superhero?

PlayStation and Facebook are a superteam you can rely on for fantastic fun. Prove your knowledge of the DC Universe with the DC Universe Online quiz at facebook.com/dcuniverseonlinequiz/, where you can test your supersenses to win exclusive prizes such as a much sought after Batman figurine.

Then leap into some LittleBigPlanet 2 action with the LBP2 mini-game on Facebook. Playable at apps.facebook.com/lbptwominigame, you're given the task of saving your Facebook friends in an entertaining shooter where you are the hero. Once you've had a blast, why not explore the LittleBigMap? Head over to littlebigmap.littlebigplanet.com and check out the latest videos, pictures and tweets from LittleBigPlanet fans all over the globe.

You're a winner with eu.playstation.com

Try your hand at a variety of competitions at eu.playstation.com/competitions that could turn you into a big winner at the start of 2011. Fancy a 320GB PlayStation 3 system and a PlayStation Move Starter Pack? Then you can get the chance to win them in the Modern Combat: Domination competition. If football is more your thing, then have a go at the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2011 competition for a chance to grab yourself a BRAVIA 3D TV, a PlayStation 3 system and a PSP system, along with a copy of EA SPORTS FIFA 11 for both systems.

For those who like their prizes a little darker, the Dead Space 2 competition delivers deadly temptation with the chance to win a PlayStation 3 system and a copy of Dead Space 2 Collector's Edition. On the less frightening side of things, Bon Jovi fans can stage-dive into the chance to win a copy of SingStar Guitar on PlayStation 3 along with some Bon Jovi goodies including a copy of the band's new book, When We Were Beautiful.

Don't forget that there's still time to enter our Green Hornet and Gran Turismo 5 competitions to win a 3D cinema screening and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, respectively. Get your competition face on and start winning at eu.playstation.com/psn/competitions.

The hottest games, the fastest trailers

Head over to PlayStation.Blog and get up to speed with incredible new trailers from forthcoming PlayStation 3 hits MotorStorm Apocalypse and Killzone 3.

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.

‘Three Stooges’ Film Is ‘Dead’ For Jim CarreyPlayStation Network scheduled maintenance

Demo Guide: Killzone 3

Download the Killzone 3 Single Player Demo today and get a head start in the desperate fight for mankind's future.

The Killzone 3 Single Player Demo will hit PlayStation Store on 16 February 2011, while PlayStation Plus members can access it a week earlier. Use our Demo Guide to ensure you are at peak battle readiness ahead of the release of Killzone 3.

3D or not 3D?

Two versions of the Single Player Demo are available to download from PlayStation Store: one in 2D, and one in stereoscopic 3D for those of you with 3D-ready televisions. Don't worry if you download the 3D version by mistake – you'll simply receive a message saying "No 3D TV detected" and then be able to play as normal. However, if you'd like to experience the action with a co-op partner, you'll only be able to do so with the 2D version of the demo.

An icy reception

Whether you choose to play in 2D or 3D, the welcome you receive as you land on Helghan is just as furious. You dive into the action with the Icy Incursion level, midway through the Campaign Mode. It kicks off with a blistering gunship raid on heavily fortified Helghast outposts that bristle with anti-aircraft guns. Keep your finger clamped to the R1 button to rain a torrent of hot lead onto your enemies, being careful to focus your fire on one target at a time.

Hit the ground gunning

After softening up your targets from above, it's time to deliver a decisive blow on the ground. How you storm their position is your call: you could obliterate resistance using the hulking mini-gun found by your downed assault craft, or you could sample the new Brutal Melee attack by squeezing the L1 button after sneaking up on an enemy. Cover is essential to both approaches – remember to use the L2 button to duck out of the line of fire.

Up and away

Trapped on Helghan and hugely outnumbered by a vindictive enemy, it falls to you to slug your way to freedom using anything you happen to find. If "anything" takes the form of an experimental jet pack, so much the better. Following a hard fought struggle against a number of airborne Helghast troopers, during which a missile launcher and plenty of cover are your best friends, you get to strap on this powerful gear and take the battle to the skies.

A sting in the tale

Being at the bottom of a mountain swarming with Helghast might be a sticky situation for some, but not to you, or rather Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko. Spotting an opportunity to turn the Helghast's own arsenal against them, the thunderous WASP guided rocket launcher is acquired so you can scatter the Helghast like orange-tinted confetti. Can't see a way past machine gun emplacements? Then bring up the WASP launcher using the RIGHT button and lock on to multiple targets to lay them to waste.

Get closer to the action

To really feel what it's like in Sev's battered boots, calibrate your PlayStation Move motion controller and get the enemy in your target sights. Incredibly precise aiming and intuitive control combine to immerse you in the chaos of the battlefield – combine a livewire trigger finger with steely resolve to win through.

Download the Killzone 3 Single Player Demo from PlayStation Store today and get ready for the fight of your life.

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The People vs: PixelJunk Shooter 2

Put your questions to Q-Games and find out even more about PixelJunk Shooter 2.

PixelJunk Shooter 2 is an intergalactic adventure on PlayStation 3 that sees you blasting through the depths of outer space to rescue stranded miners. As well as featuring explosive new weapons and more ferocious enemies, PixelJunk Shooter 2 introduces Online Battle mode to the popular PixelJunk series, so you can take on your friends via PlayStation Network.

Do you have a burning question about this exciting new title? If so, now is the perfect time to wheel it out - we're giving you the chance to ask the game's developers anything you like. All you have to do is head over to the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com and leave your questions for them.

We willpick our favourite questions and pose them to the game's developer, Q-Games,so check back soon to see if your question was used.

Submit your questions at community.eu.playstation.com by 10 February 2011.

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Can you survive the virus in PlayStation Home?

Head to the Dead Nation Safe House and take refuge from the zombie apocalypse.

A deadly plague is sweeping across PlayStation Home, turning innocent citizens into terrifying zombies. Leave everything behind and head to the Safe House - a disused hotel where you can shelter from the wrath of the undead.

In the creepy, blood-stained Safe House, get together with other residents, hatch plans to defeat the zombies and prepare yourself for an attack in the shooting range mini-game. Take out as many zombie targets as you can and climb your way to the top of the Safe House leaderboard. There are three zombie statues to earn if you complete the mini-game.

If you can't get enough of the infestation, you can get a zombie companion to keep you company in the Safe House, or order Dead Nation and try to take down the undead mob solo.

Take refuge fromdeadly virusin PlayStation Home from 3 February 2011.

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

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FIFA Interactive World Cup becomes a record breaker

In January 2011, the FIFA Interactive World Cup was officially recognised as the largest videogame tournament in the world.

FIFA President Joseph S. (Sepp) Blatter had the pleasure of welcoming a special guest to the home of FIFA when Nenad Stojkovic, FIFA Interactive World Cup Champion 2010, joined the celebrations to mark the tournament's entry into the latest version of the Guinness Book of Records.

The FIFA Interactive World Cup is now officially the largest gaming tournament in the world, with 775,000 competitors taking part in the 2010 edition of the event. This climaxed in Barcelona in May 2010 when Nenad was crowned champion after defeating 31 challengers at the Grand Final.

"The FIFA Interactive World Cup is of great importance to FIFA's portfolio of events," said Mr Blatter. "The tournament gives us the opportunity to engage with a wider target audience through a platform which is of high relevance to the next generation of football fans."

These words were echoed by the chief editor of the Guinness World Records, Gaz Deaves, who congratulated FIFA and its partners, EA SPORTS and Sony Computer Entertainment, saying "The strength of the FIFA Interactive World Cup is a hugely impressive achievement and its 775,000 participants are a testament not only to the popularity of sports videogames but also to the incredible effort it takes to organise the biggest gaming tournament in the world. We are pleased to award this record to FIFA and look forward to seeing it broken in 2011."

This year's edition of the FIFA Interactive World Cup promises to be larger than ever, surpassing its own record for the number of competitors. For the 2010/2011 season, the tournament has a new format, with six online seasons making the event more accessible than ever.

Sign up now in-game to get involved as you play your part in helping to make it another record-breaking year on PlayStation 3, and visit fifa.com/FIWC to find our more, including tips from 2010 champion Nenad Stojkovic.

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Play Like A Pro: LittleBigPlanet 2

Wow the LittleBigPlanet community with these Create Mode tips, direct from developer Media Molecule.

Finished Play Mode in LittleBigPlanet 2? Then turn your attention to the outstanding Create Mode, where you can let your imagination run wild. Developer Media Molecule has put together a list of essential tips to help you on your way. For the finest examples of do-it-yourself games-making, keep checking the LittleBigPlanet community at LBP.me.

Building blocks

Don't start building at ground level – it will only restrict your creativity. If you start building in the middle of the screen you are free to go in any direction.

Build the mechanics for the level first. It's no good making something really pretty only to find it doesn't work and must be redesigned.

Consider using the Anti-Gravity Tweaker instead of glue. It has the same effect and will make it easier to edit the individual parts of the level.

Decide early what type of level you are building. It's much easier to create your landscapes and puzzles when you know how many players need to be involved, and whether they're working with or against each other.

Don't give score bubbles away for nothing and don't give away too many at once, as doing so can defeat the object of high scores and reduces the level's replayability.

Refine your creations

Leaving circuit boards open in Create Mode costs thermometer heat. Try closing them if you are working on large levels to improve performance while creating.

Using lots of materials costs memory. To build larger, longer levels, use a small selection of materials that work with the theme you have set.

Recording your own audio with the Magic Mouth option is fun as well as useful. Use it wisely however – it is expensive and will eat up your thermometer.

Check out the Tools & Used Objects menu in the Personal section. When you are running out of thermometer space, it is useful to be able to see what you have used already. It may help you decide what to remove in order to free up space.

Give your game character

When decorating your Sackboy, a Sackbot or a Creatinator, use the L2 button and the R2 button to move the camera up and down, and the L1 button and the R1 button to rotate it. Then you can stick stickers on Sackboy's bottom or head!

If stickers are a fundamental part of a costume's design, scale up a Sackbot and create the costume on him. This will give you more surface area and make it easier to place the stickers precisely.

Take control

Not sure how to show the players the control layout for your creation? Naming ports on a Controlinator automatically creates button prompts that will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Become the puppet master by putting a Controlinator in a Sackbot's head and setting it to be a receiver. Set another Controlinator to transmit to the corresponding colour and hey presto – no wires needed.

Don't short-circuit

When making circuit boards, be sure to use the Notes option to label the different parts of your logic. This will help no end in keeping track of your fiendish design.

Microchips and Controlinators can be moved from one object to another. If you create a piece of logic or a control method that you are particularly proud of, remember to save it and reuse it to save yourself time in the future.

Placing a wire down on an empty bit of circuit board instead of into a gadget input adds a router. Use routers to tidy up the wiring on complicated circuit boards.

Power to the people

Decorate your Creatinator with stickers or decorations to change the look of it when another player picks it up. This can be used to tailor the Creatinator to correspond with the object it is firing, such as Victoria's Sniper Trifle.

The cheapest way to use weapons to trigger gadgets is to use standard projectiles (electric, fire, plasma, paint and water) with the projectile sensors. Player-made ammunition using tags will cost more.

Check your progress

Remember to use checkpoints and place them wisely. If a player dies and has to replay too much of the level, you risk frustrating them and making them quit without finishing.

Use the right checkpoint for the right situation. If you use the Infinite Life checkpoint all the time, players will not fear for Sackboy's safety. Play through your challenges and make a decision about which checkpoint is most appropriate.

Put these expert tips into practise now and visit LBP.me if you need more inspiration.

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Ultimate portable entertainment is coming

Sony Computer Entertainment introduces the next generation portable entertainment system that will make its debut in 2011.

On 27 January 2011 at a specially convened press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) announced its next generation portable entertainment system (code name: NGP), which delivers the ultimate portable entertainment experience.

NGP will arrive at the end of 2011 and is designed to offer unparalleled interactive entertainment that only PlayStation can deliver. This new system offers a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context, made possible by maximising SCE's experience from both PSP and PlayStation 3.

Deep and immersive gaming is at the core of the PlayStation DNA, and NGP is the latest embodiment of this vision. By having both Wireless and 3G network connectivity, together with various applications, NGP will enable infinite possibilities for users to connect, share and play with friends wherever they are.

The device includes a range of features that provide a genuinely cutting-edge, next generation, ultimate portable entertainment experience, such as:

Stunning OLED and Revolutionary User Interface

NGP incorporates a beautiful multi touch, 5-inch organic light emitting diode (OLED) as the front display. A high performance CPU / GPU combined with OLED enables rich, visually striking graphics never seen before on a portable entertainment system, for both games and other digital entertainment content. The new system also incorporates a unique multi touch pad on the rear, and together with the front touch display, NGP offers new gameplay allowing users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through "touch, grab, trace, push and pull" hand movements.

Super Oval Design and Dual Analog Sticks

While succeeding the basic design philosophy of PSP, NGP adopts the Super Oval Design form factor, created to fit comfortably in users' hands. For the first time, a portable entertainment system will feature two analog sticks, which enable a wider range of genres to be brought into the world of portable videogaming.

LiveArea™

Every game title for NGP will be provided with a space called LiveArea™ where users can share the fun and excitement with other players. Users will have access to the latest information on games from developers and publishers via PlayStation Network. Additionally, NGP users will be able to view an Activity log that is constantly updated with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game, which can trigger active real time communication among users.

Near

SCE will also provide location-based services on NGP as part of the basic features utilising PlayStation Network. The new application called Near, developed specifically for this service and the network, will be pre-installed on the system to let users find out what their friends in the vicinity are playing right now or what they were playing recently. Users can meet their friends and new players virtually, regardless of what games they are playing, simply by sharing their game information across the dimensions of time and distance.

New Game Medium

NGP adopts a new game medium, a small, flash memory based card, dedicated for NGP software titles. Taking advantage of the flash memory feature, this innovative card can store full software titles plus add-on game content or game save data. By adopting a flash memory based card solution, SCE will be able to provide game cards with higher capacity in the future, allowing developers to store more game data to deliver rich and immersive games.

NGP will also come equipped with two cameras, one on the front and one on the rear of the system, as well as three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass, all of which are designed to enable users to enjoy a world of entertainment that is linked with real life experiences.

PlayStationSuite (PS Suite), announced at the same time as NGP, will also closely co-ordinate with NGP. The newly developed and released game content for Android based portable devices can also be enjoyed on NGP. As a result, users will have access to not only the most leading-edge content, but also some of the more casual experiences that typify the mobile market place.

Specifications for NGP
CPU: ARM Cortex™-A9 core (4 core)
GPU: SGX543MP4+
External Dimensions: Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
Screens (Touch Screen): 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, approx. 16 million colours, OLED multi touch screen, capacitive type
Rear touch pad: Multi touch pad, capacitive type
Cameras: Front camera, rear camera
Sound: Built-in stereo speakers, built-in microphone
Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), three-axis electronic compass
Location: Built-in GPS, Wireless location service support
Keys / Switches: PS button, Power button, Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left), Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), Shoulder buttons (Right/Left), Right stick, Left stick, START button, SELECT button, Volume buttons (+/-)
Wireless communications: Mobile network connectivity (3G), IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1x1) (Wireless), (Infrastructure Mode/Ad Hoc Mode), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (A2DP/AVRCP/HSP）

Visit www.playstation.com/psmeeting2011 (website available in English only) for more information and keep an eye on eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for more news on this exciting new addition to the PlayStation family.

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First Look: PlayStation Move Heroes

Join Jak, Ratchet, Sly Raccoon and friends in an all-star blast on PlayStation 3.

PlayStation Move has already shown us a new way to play via PlayStation 3, the PS Move motion controller letting players experience a whole raft of games with unparalleled precision. Now, a new wave of PS Move games is set to ramp that interaction up even further. Joining Killzone 3 at the forefront of that charge is PlayStation Move Heroes, the mascot mash up featuring some of the most iconic characters from the history of PlayStation.

Robert Huebner, studio director at developer Nihilistic Software, agrees. "PlayStation Move Heroes is definitely part of a second wave of PS Move titles, it's a lot more involved," he tells eu.playstation.com. "The controls are more advanced than some of the initial stuff so we're hoping that players, by the time they get PlayStation Move Heroes, will be ready for a pretty challenging way of controlling the characters."

The ambition of Huebner and his team has ensured PlayStation legends Jak, Daxter, Ratchet, Clank, Sly Raccoon and Bentley are given a game befitting their status, as you storm through their respective worlds in a variety of action-packed mini-games.

With the motion controller in your hands, you can attack each challenge with unprecedented control. Take one mini-game featuring Sly's portly sidekick Bentley, from the Sly Raccoon series. A flying disc packing an explosive payload must be guided through impossible gaps in order to explode crates to reveal imprisoned aliens called Whibblets. Cat-like reflexes help, but "it's really a combination of being observant and looking for the clues," Huebner says. "Then you really have to pull off some crazy moves to find all of the targets."

Jak Attack!

Another mini-game showcases Jak, star of the Jak & Daxter adventures, and his deadly bowling skills. By performing the same action you'd use to bowl a real ball with the motion controller, Jak sends rumbling destruction towards a series of targets and pick-ups, including power boosts, time extensions and the crystals that enable our heroes' super attacks – in Jack's case, Dark Jak himself.

It's quick-fire stuff, packing intense gameplay into bite-sized levels designed around our heroes' stomping grounds and providing adrenaline jolts for players of all abilities. "The cool thing is even if you're not hardcore enough to get a gold medal by collecting every last crystal, you can still go to the next mission and earn points with a bronze or a silver medal," Huebner points out.

Add a friend to the mix, and those elusive gold medals become a more real prospect. Each level is designed to be played solo or with a co-operative partner. That might see plucky tin man Clank reuniting with the ever resourceful Ratchet, or rascally raccoon Sly teamed up with Bentley once more. Whoever you choose, it won't take long to settle into a PS Move-inspired groove of intuitive, immensely satisfying action.

Don't forget to keep an eye on eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for more news of PlayStation Move Heroes and its all-star adventure.

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FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First. Episode 43

Dirt 3, Bodycount, The Other Guys, Medal of Honor, Alien Breed 2: Assulat, Homefront, Tomb Raider Silent Hill: Downpour

We're giving away another pair of Swords & Soldiers avatars this week in episode 43 of FirstPlay, on the Store this Wednesday, alongside another packed slate of high-definition gaming videos. First we bring you direct capture of our hands-on session with the very tasty-looking Dirt 3. Then we go behind the scenes of upcoming shooter Bodycount for a brand new studio tour, and get our itchy trigger fingers on pepped-up war sim Operation Flashpoint: Red River.

Of course that's not all. We've also got a review of cop comedy The Other Guys on Blu-ray, a look at the making of Medal Of Honor's online mode with the boys from EA DICE, a round-up of the latest comics on the PSP Store and a sit-down with one of the nicest, chattiest industry guys we've had the pleasure of meeting, Jim Boone from Red Faction: Armageddon developer Volition. Plus there's a review of PSN blaster Alien Breed 2: Assault, and screenshot galleries featuring Brink, Homefront, the rebooted Tomb Raider and Silent Hill: Downpour.

As ever, all of this is just 99p, or 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.

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