Splinter Cell HD Trilogy missing another feature: inverted aim

Look, we're not prejudiced, we just think people who play shooters with inverted aim turned on have backwards brains. Backwards -- broken -- brains.

But regardless of our feelings on the control setting, Ubisoft took things a step further with this week's release of the Splinter Cell HD Trilogy on PS3, entirely removing the option. That's not to say it's the most egregious omission, as both Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory are sadly missing their multiplayer modes, but it's a pretty major one no less. We've contacted Ubisoft to see if there's any chance that the option will get patched in at some point, but have yet to hear back. [Thanks, Merrick]

Fancy a piece of Resistance: Burning Skies?

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Download a free and exclusive Resistance: Burning Skies theme to your PS3 or PSP when you sign up to Inside PS Vita. PlayStation Vita is getting closer to its early 2012 launch in Europe - and you can keep up to date with all the latest PS Vita news by signing up to Inside PS Vita. Packed with regular information on the revolutionary portable everybody's talking about, Inside PS Vita also comes with a free and exclusive Resistance: Burning Skies theme to download to your PlayStation 3 or PSP from PlayStation Store. So this is the perfect way to get a feel for the latest in the thrilling first person shooter series before it arrives on PlayStation Vita. Sign up to Inside PS Vita by heading over to eu.playstation.com/psvita, and keep an eye on your inbox for a voucher code to download your Resistance: Burning Skies theme from PlayStation Store.

How ViviTouch could change rumble technology

Rumble technology is something that we often take for granted. The simple vibration technology has been built into most video game controllers for several years now and, for many, what was once a novelty in the N64 days is now a foregone conclusion that we often don't even notice.

Indeed, often the only moment I notice my controller rumbling is when I set it on the coffee table to grab a drink, only to hear it loudly clatter during a cutscene. By and large, rumble hasn't changed very much over the years, and generally relies on simple motors. Now, Artificial Muscle, a subsidiary of Bayer MaterialScience – no relation to Aperture Science, as far as we know – has created ViviTouch, and introduced a new wrinkle in rumble technology: Fidelity.

Journey floating to PSN in Spring 2012

After teasing us with gorgeous footage, press demos, and a beta, Flower dev thatgamecompany today announced intentions to launch its next game, Journey , in Spring 2012. As with previous TGC games, Journey will arrive exclusively on the PlayStation 3's digital store.

"While there is still a ton of care and polish needed, we can't wait to finally deliver Journey, TGC's take on an online adventure game," creative director Jenova Chen writes on the PlayStation blog. "Like all our games, Journey is an experiment. In the end, it's what you think that matters."

Gears of War 3, F1 2011 race to top of UK charts

Codemaster's annual F1 racing series would have taken the checkered flag for a second year in its debut week on the UK charts, but with competition like Gears of War 3 it'll have to settle for a respectable second place finish. According to Chart-Track, Epic's conclusion to the Gears trilogy sold nearly as many copies in its first week on sale as the first two combined during their launch weeks.

Gears 3 is the seventh largest Xbox 360 launch to date ( Call of Duty: Black Ops rules that roost). Zombie RPG Dead Island won't die. Having held the top spot for the past two weeks, the title finally shambles on down to third. It's poetic, really, since it's keeping Zumba Fitness company. The unholy fitness game, which danced into fourth last week, must be a death walker since it refuses to die, despite insane competition. Zumba Fitness keeps selling as Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Driver: San Francisco, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine and Resistance 3 slip down the charts. Check out the UK top ten after the break.

Demo Guide: EA SPORTS FIFA 12

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Ensure you have the silky skills to outplay your friends in the downloadable demo of EA SPORTS FIFA 12 from PlayStation Store. Strap your boots on - EA SPORTS FIFA 12 is ready for a big kick-off on PlayStation 3 and you can make sure you're pitch perfect for the new season with the free PlayStation Store demo. Here are some top tips to get you warmed up. Train to win When you start FIFA 12 you'll be introduced to the basics of defending. While experienced players should be able to do these drills in their sleep, it's worth paying attention if you're new or unfamiliar to the techniques at your disposal. You won't just learn how to tackle, you'll also pick up the ability to push and pull effectively. This is a tactic more important than ever before with FIFA 12's Player Impact Engine, which increases the variety of contact between players. Fighting for possession has never been so intense, so be aware of how to use this to your advantage. Slide away With the new Player Impact Engine it's even more tempting to lunge in with a sliding tackle instead of risking a weak physical challenge. Resist this urge unless you like to collect dreaded yellow or red cards. Use the ability to jockey and contain instead, to help keep your opponent away from dangerous positions. If you must commit yourself to a sliding tackle, make sure your timing is spot on - or some of your players will end up having an early bath. Mistime your sliding tackle and you may be punished by a rival goal because you've left your man out of position. Dare to dribble Another addition to FIFA 12's kitbag is Precision Dribbling. This gives you plenty of options to fend off opponents when you're on the ball, with the ability to make more room to run into tight areas and dictate your attacks with extra control. Make sure you get the ball to midfield maestros such as Lionel Messi for Barcelona or Manchester City's David Silva to give the opposition a footballing lesson they'll never forget. Attack, attack, attack Don't be afraid to attack the ball when your opponents have possession. Containing isn't just useful for defending, it's also great for pressing the opposition backwards and forcing them into making mistakes. The best players know how to keep pushing and applying the pressure until an opening emerges. Teamwork makes the dream work Even Brazilian football legend Pele needed his talented teammates alongside him to ensure victory - and you should be just as aware of the other ten men on your side. If a player is signalling for the ball by raising his hand, it indicates he'll run into space if you try a pass. It's always wise to assess the situation before you make that vital play, however. If your rivals read the pass, they can easily intercept it, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage. It's best not to wait too long to make the pass, either - the pace of the game is very quick and a promising attack can quickly break down and turn into a problem for an over-exposed defence. Stick the boot in early There are only around six minutes per match in the demo, so don't be shy to make your players sprint for every ball. There is no extra time and even if you go straight into a rematch they'll be fresh for the next game, so give it your all and push your team to the limit. If you're desperate to hold on to a hard-fought lead, use your substitutions wisely and play keep ball to frustrate your opponent. Download the EA SPORTS FIFA 12 demo from PlayStation Store now and prepare to pass your friends off the pitch.

Weekend Essentials 93

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Experience a survival horror classic, take pole position in F1 2011 and go wild in Burnout Crash this weekend with PlayStation. Be the driver and live the life in F1 2011 Rev your engines this weekend for the arrival of F1 2011 on PlayStation 3, the latest entry in the chart-topping series. Experience breathtaking new courses including the Buddh International Circuit, and join forces with a friend in the new online co-operative Championship mode to lead your favourite FORMULA ONE team to glory. Head to your nearest store and pick up a copy on Blu-ray Disc today. Download the Resistance 3 demo Have you yet to experience Resistance 3, the thrilling third chapter in the blockbuster series from Insomniac Games? Then get yourself to PlayStation Store right now and download this free action packed demo to your PlayStation 3 and get a taste of the full game available to buy in stores. You won't be disappointed. Feel the fear in Resident Evil 4 HD In celebration of the series' 15th anniversary, Capcom's groundbreaking survival horror opus comes to PlayStation 3 this week complete with a High Definition makeover. Alongside the original PlayStation 2 game, Resident Evil 4 HD also includes a number of extras including bonus missions, Assignment Ada and Separate Ways as well as the Mercenaries game mode. Download it from PlayStation Store today for a taste of pure terror. Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection is here Lift the lid off the latest zombie epic with Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection this weekend on PlayStation 3. This latest addition to Call of Duty: Black Ops includes the frantic map, Moon, where you must battle undead astronauts and fluctuating gravity using an array of space-age weaponry. Moonwalk to PlayStation Store today and download your copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection. Get wrecked with Burnout CRASH! Grab your wireless controller and go on the wildest road trip of your life in Burnout CRASH! on PlayStation 3. Inspired by the thrill and excitement of pinball and game shows Burnout CRASH! features three explosive modes, six unique locations and the ability to compare high scores with your friends via PlayStation Network, so download it today from PlayStation Store and start having fun. Movie magic Let go of that wireless controller and settle down in front of laser sharp High Definition movies on Blu-ray Disc including George Lucas's Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) and Insidious, the terrifying new film from the creators of Saw and Paranormal Activity. Stay abreast of the latest, greatest movies releasing on Blu-ray Disc for PS3 at eu.playstation.com/ps3/movies. Keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news. Visit eu.playstation.com/competitions for your chance to win great prizes. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/PlayStationEU. Join in with a variety of activities on the Official PlayStation Facebook page at facebook.com/SonyPlayStation. Have your say in the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com.

The Joystiq Show - Suda 51, TGS 2011 Wrap-up

It's time to say goodbye to the Tokyo Game Show. TGS 2011 proved to be the biggest and most attended yet, and while the guys spilled the details of what they saw at the show in the two previous specials, this one is all about the Japan experience.

You love hearing about Japan craziness, right? Richard, JC and Ben share a few stories about their time spent wandering the concrete jungle of Tokyo, and then it's on to an interview with Suda 51. And with that, we set our sights on TGS 2012. Part 1 (12:00) - TGS/Japan reflections Part 2 (23:06) - Interview: Suda 51 - Grasshopper Manufacture Inc Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast in iTunes [Zune] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: Richard Mitchell (@S enseiRAM), Ben Gilbert (@BigBossBGilbert) and JC Fletcher (@jcfletcher) Guest: Goichi Suda (@suda_51 - Grasshopper Manufature Inc) Producer: Jonathan Downin (@jonathandownin - Game Thing Daily) Music: Bust This Bust That by Professor Kliq Stream the show after the break.

PSA: PSN is down, Sony's 'working to resolve the issue' [update: it's back]

Nope, that guy didn't just rage quit on your Super Street Fighter IV match ... it's worse.

PlayStation Network's down, we're sorry to say. It seems that Sony wasn't planning the outage, as a Twitter message from the company states that its "working to resolve the issue," without acknowledging what led to the sudden loss of service. Interestingly, the message is only directed at "some of you," rather than "everyone," so let us know if your service isn't experiencing any hiccups -- two of our US-based staff members were unable to connect as of this writing. Sony also notes that it'll keep folks updated via Twitter, so keep an eye out. Update: It appears to be back in operation, for us at least. Is PSN down for you right now? Yup, it's down for me in North America! Yup, it's down for me in Europe! Yup, it's down for me somewhere else! Nope, all clear here. I can't check because I have a real job, you lazy monsters. I just wanted to mention that I think PSN is junk and that's why it's down. Also, I'm a troll. Vote

PS Vita introduces... a social gaming revolution

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Stay constantly connected to your games and friends with amazing apps on PS Vita. LiveArea Screens Each game on PS Vita will have its own LiveArea Screen, which is split into two zones. In the Info Zone you can find out about the latest downloadable content for the game you're playing, and see tournament events that are taking place. In the Communication Zone, see how your PlayStation Network friends are getting on through automatic status updates. You'll be able to see if they've earned a new trophy and leave comments for them, too. The LiveArea Screen is the best way to see what your friends are up to and let them know how well you're doing in your favourite PS Vita game. Near Stay connected to all of your PlayStation Network friends and make new ones by sharing information about your location using Near. Press the Update button and find new people based on where you are, challenge them to games or play cooperatively and enjoy a completely unique gaming experience on PS Vita. You can even send and receive new levels, unlocks and in-game items to enhance the way you play - everywhere you go will hold new surprises. You can view your friends' game preferences, see how many trophies they've earned and compare your stats to see who the better player is. Near will be pre-installed on your PS Vita. Party Fancy a chat while you're gaming? Speak with your friends anytime you like with Party. The voice and text chat application will also be pre-installed and allows you to talk to up to eight party members, no matter what you're doing. Tell them about the game you're playing, what you're looking at online or hatch plans in multiplayer matches. Your friends can even invite their own friends to join in the fun, so you'll meet more new people who love PS Vita as much as you do. Join an existing Party and see what everyone else is up to, or create your own and see who fancies a chat. Make sure you save your favourite Parties so you can head back there at any time. Friends List and Profile In your profile you can share information about yourself. Choose an avatar that represents you best, add your friends and let the world see your gaming and trophy stats. Your Friends List will allow you to search for and add new friends, and accept requests sent to you. Click on a friend's profile to see what game they are playing on either PS Vita or PlayStation 3. You can join their game, take a look at what you've played together recently or compare your trophy collections. You can also see your friend's recent activity, check out if they've been to any Parties and view their Near profile. Trophies PS Vita games will support trophies so you can show your friends what you've achieved in all of the great games on PS Vita and on PS3. Click on one of your friends' profiles to see how they've been getting on, and compare all of your trophies to see who the better player is. Has your friend got more trophies than you? Keep playing until you have the most. PSN Message Another great way to contact your PlayStation Network friends is through PSN Message. Send them an update or even a picture you've taken with your PS Vita to let them know what's going on. Keep up to date with all of the latest PlayStation Vita info and sign up to the latest news via email with Inside PS Vita. Head over to eu.playstation.com/psvita and become part of a gaming revolution.

Kirby: Mass Attack review: Pink, puffy and preposterous

The core conceit of Kirby: Mass Attack was dreamed up by a complete lunatic. That's the only thing I can say about the game with absolute certainty.

What sane human being would choose to eschew the time-tested formula of floaty-platforming and adorable mimicry that serves as the keystone for the franchise? Who, in their right mind, would swap that formula out for a bizarre, chimeric blend of the platforming, real-time strategy and mini-game collection genres? That's not a condemnation of Kirby: Mass Attack, of course -- that sort of outside-the-sanity-box thinking also led to the creation of the magnificent Kirby: Canvas Curse. This latest aberration of the powderpuff series doesn't quite reach the heights established by that predecessor; but during those moments where its preternatural ideas work in tandem, it comes awfully darn close. Kirby: Mass Attack (E3 2011)

Top Tips: Dead Island

Stay alive on the island of the dead with these horrifying hints from the game's developer, Techland. Fight smart, fight zombie smart Whenever you can, aim your attacks. A hit to the head deals much more damage than a hit to a zombie's leg. Aiming is the best way to take down Thug Zombies - their long reach and hitting power can be stopped as soon as you can cut off or break their arms. It's a good idea to start a sequence of attacks with a kick. It will break the zombie's counter-attack by throwing it off balance, giving you that extra second to land your own blow. A well aimed jump-kick combo knocks out enemies but the stamina cost is very high. Know your weapons, respect your weapons The hammer may be your best friend on this island. You should always have at least one or two really good melee weapons in your inventory. Keep an eye on their durability indicator and repair them whenever you can. It's much more expensive to restore a completely broken weapon than it is to keep it in shape. You can also maintain a number of expendable weapons that you won't miss that much if you need to throw them quickly, or drop them on the battlefield. Be sure to favour weapons that benefit your character's skill bonuses because they make a big difference. Collect, upgrade, modify The better your base weapon is, the more effective modifications will be. Save the most expensive modifications for really good weapons such as the ones marked in green. They will serve you for a long time when fully upgraded and modified. Parts for modifications can be bought from merchants. Tour their shops once in a while to check for missing components. It's also a good idea to invest in diamonds because you won't lose them when you die. Be prepared The resort area is only the beginning. In the city slums and further into the island's interior, you'll have to be alert and plan ahead for some really tough fights. Always carry at least one or two Molotov cocktails. They go great with meat bait if you can get it (by killing the infected with blunt instruments). Save the Molotov cocktails for situations where there's more at stake than just your life, like characters you may be escorting to safety. Hit them when they're down Save your weapons for worthy opponents. When the zombies are down, kick or stomp on them to finish the fight. If you have to use something other than your boots, remember that a downward swing damages your weapon, but is also extremely powerful. Don't forget to use your fury skills for large groups of enemies by pressing the Circle button on your wireless controller. Embrace analog In the options menu you can switch combat controls to analog on your wireless controller. This is a cool mode designed for better control and immersion. Push the right stick to precisely launch your melee attacks and enable some new tricks. An upward swing is the ultimate weapon against charging infected. Give it a try, you won't regret it. Pick up a copy of Dead Island on PlayStation 3 today and see if you can survive the night at the world's most terrifying holiday resort.

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is missing out

You know, in this modern day and age, it seems like most cultural boundaries have been torn down, and that the majority of the games that get released here in the states also get released in Japan, and vice versa. Sure, in the eighties and nineties most people were unfamiliar with a lot of Japanese concepts and storytelling archetypes, but things are different now, right?

Right? Wrong. Nothing says "We don't think you're ready for this jelly, America" more than the Tokyo Game Show, which has completely enveloped our site, as well as the rest of the gaming blogosphere. Over the last couple of days, our intrepid away team has documented huge piles of awesome stuff you'll never, ever have the opportunity to buy, as well as joys you'll never be able to experience. Let's face it: We're missing out. Big time. As you scour your heart for meaning, join our childish pout-fest by reading our seven favorite comics from last week, and don't forget to vote after the break! The New Girl (Mud County Rodeo) Sun's Song (Part 2) (Brawl in the Family) Work Ethics (Penny Arcade) Game Stars (Virtual Shackles) Of Trees and Fantasies (Nerf Now!!) Dime Heals All Wounds (Awkward Zombie) The Latest Fashion (Life in Aggro)

Weekend Essentials 90

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Head to San Francisco, grab a bargain on PSP and unleash the Weapons of Justice on PlayStation this weekend. Put the pedal to the metal in San Francisco Get behind the wheel of a full throttle racing title this weekend with Driver San Francisco on PlayStation 3. Explore a vast road network, tackle tons of missions and instantly change cars to help you complete tasks. Pick up your copy and enjoy the thrill of the chase. Carve a path of destruction in Bodycount Blast your way through action-packed firefights this weekend in Bodycount. Use explosive weapons, grenades and mines to take down a relentless and mysterious enemy known as the Target. You don't have to head into the darkness alone - join up to 15 other players via PlayStation Network and back each other up in co-op mode or battle it out and leave no man standing in competitive mode on PS3.  DeathSpank returns in The Baconing That's right, the quirky hero is back in a tasty adventure where he must restore peace to Spanktopia. Explore unique locations, embark on over 100 quests and unleash devastating attacks on the enemy with the all-powerful Weapons of Justice in The Baconing on PS3. Download it now from PlayStation Store. Welcome back Kratos Prepare to relive incredible battles as the God of War Collection Volume 2 demo launches on PlayStation Store for PS3. Download it now and get a taste for the chaos that only a mad god can deliver. Power up with the PSP sale Get your hands on loads of fantastic portable titles in the PSP Power Sale. Download everything from Michael Jackson The Experience to Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines from PlayStation Store at discounted prices and keep playing, wherever you are. Win a copy of Section 8: Prejudice Feeling creative? Head over to the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com and enter our competition to win a voucher code to download Section 8: Prejudice to your PS3 from PlayStation Store. All you need to do is add a caption to one of the screenshots from the game - make it as creative and quirky as you like. Want to ask Kasabian a question? To celebrate the release of their new album, English rock band Kasabian will be answering questions from the PlayStation Community. Head over to community.eu.playstation.com to leave your questions for the guys, then be sure to check out the Q&A session in Backstage Pass - a brand new area of PlayStation Home that will screen the interview every day for one week, starting on 19 September 2011. Changes for SNE at IFA This weekend plays host to one of the world's biggest electronics tradeshows - IFA. Kaz Hirai, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, has announced some changes for Sony Network Entertainment, which has been renamed Sony Entertainment Network. Find out what other changes are going on and how it will affect you at sonyentertainmentnetwork.com. Mad for minis? Check out all of the latest minis releases with minis monthly 9. Loads of wacky, weird and wonderful titles have joined the range, available to download from PlayStation Store. Take a look this weekend. Ezio wants you From 4 September PlayStation Plus members can take part in the Assassin's Creed Revelations multiplayer beta. Head to PlayStation Store to download your beta access and take a trip back in time with Ezio. And if you want to join PlayStation Plus to take advantage of this exciting opportunity, head to eu.playstation.com/playstationplus to find out how you could get a huge 20 per cent off a year's subscription. Keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news. Visit eu.playstation.com/competitions for your chance to win great prizes. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/PlayStationEU. Join in with a variety of activities on the Official PlayStation Facebook page at facebook.com/SonyPlayStation. Have your say in the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com. Visit https://store.playstation.com/login.gvm on PC to create a PSN account and opt in for email updates on PlayStation products and services.

Game Talk: Resistance 3

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Get into the firing line of the epic PS3 shooter, thanks to an exclusive interview with Insomniac Games' Ryan Schneider and Jon Paquette. The war against the Chimera rages on, with you right in the thick of it. Resistance 3 is a blistering blockbuster with a heart-rending tale of humanity's survival at the story's core. Check out this exclusive video interview with the game's writer, Jon Paquette, and community director Ryan Schneider, to discover the deadly mission that awaits you - and the weapons you'll be using to blow away the vicious Chimera. Take a look, and when you're done why not prepare for the furious fight ahead by discussing Resistance 3 with other fans at community.eu.playstation.com?

Developer spotlight: Ready at Dawn

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. How much do you know about God of War Collection Volume II developer Ready at Dawn? Ready at Dawn is the talented developer behind God of War Collection Volume II on PlayStation 3. Discover how the acclaimed company paved its way to create classic after classic... Daxter (PSP, 2006) Ready at Dawn's mission statement is deceptively straightforward: "making fun games a lot of people want to play". And the California based developer got off to a fine start with Daxter on PSP. Spinning off the successful PlayStation 2 series Jak and Daxter, Ready at Dawn's first PlayStation title was a fresh-faced platform game starring everyone's favourite ottsel sidekick, Daxter. Filled with bug bashing fun, mini-games and imaginative levels, Daxter swiftly became a fan favourite - and the perfect introduction to Ready at Dawn's talent. Daxter was just the beginning for Ready at Dawn, which was far from finished with impressing players and critics... God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP, 2008) Not intimidated by the high bar set by Daxter, Ready at Dawn smashed expectations with its entry into the God of War series. Chains of Olympus was the first God of War game developed outside of Sony Santa Monica Studios - and all eyes were on Ready at Dawn. "It was an honour to work on the series," says Marc Turndorf, Ready at Dawn's director of production. "We had never made a God of War title before and the learning curve was quite high to make one on a par with the original God of War team's wonderful games." The pressure didn't faze the team, who went on to create a massive PSP action adventure that did Kratos - and Sony Santa Monica Studios - proud. "From an early build they acknowledged that not only were we on the right track, we were far exceeding what they expected from a God of War game on PSP," smiles Turndorf. The question wasn't so much of how can we make a God of War game on PSP - it was more that we just wanted to make the best God of War game possible. Our biggest early challenge became a source of great triumph when we gained the trust and respect of the original God of War team." God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP, 2010) With another successful feather in its cap, Ready at Dawn turned its hands to a follow-up which helped cement its reputation as a quality developer. God of War: Ghost of Sparta was even bigger and bolder than Chains of Olympus. Staggering set pieces and a storyline which revealed some of Kratos's most emotional battles made Ghost of Sparta an essential PSP game. Raising the stakes on both a gameplay and story level is something Turndorf is particularly proud of in both God of War titles on PSP. "My highlights usually come from our designers coming up with an incredible idea or set piece that seems almost impossible to pull off - then our team work together to figure out a way to make it happen in spectacular fashion." God of War Collection Volume II (PlayStation 3, 2011) With two classic PSP titles under its belt, Ready at Dawn felt it was only fair to give PlayStation 3 owners the chance to check out what they may have missed. So both God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta were re-mastered into God of War Collection Volume II, a PS3 game available on Blu-ray Disc and to download from PlayStation Store. "We wanted to make sure we put our best effort forward when creating God of War Collection Volume II", says Turndorf. "This meant adding trophy and wireless controller support, as well as a massive range of visual and audio improvements. On top of all this we added stereoscopic 3D, all the bonus costumes found in the PSP versions and the Director's Live Video." The result is a must-have package which feels right at home on PS3. The explosive combination of well designed gameplay and all the advantages of PS3 make it an unmissable experience. "We had worked so hard on the PSP God of War games that it was a labour of love re-mastering them for PS3," says Turndorf. "The game really shines in High Definition, and stereoscopic 3D adds a whole new level of immersion to the game." You can enjoy Ready at Dawn's latest Greek epic, the incredible God of War Collection Volume II, by downloading these amazing adventures of magic, monsters and mayhem from PlayStation Store now.

Top Tips – Deus Ex: Human Revolution

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Master the stunning futuristic thriller with these handy hints from the game's developer, Eidos Montreal. Take cover Use cover in Deus Ex: Human Revolution as often as possible. Enemy detection in the game is defined by line of sight, so be sure to stay hidden if you want to remain a ghost. Take aim Always be aware of iron sights when using weapons in the game, especially before you get into a firefight. It's definitely worth experimenting with the sights of each new weapon as you get them. Cover to cover Whenever you find yourself in cover, you're always prompted when the cover to cover or cornering action is available to you. Check your surroundings before shifting between crates, barriers and walls because you can be detected when shifting cover. Upgrade Upgrading is a pivotal part of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, so don't forget to do it every chance you have. You can upgrade both Adam's augmentations and his weapons, so be sure to do both over the course of the campaign. Blindfire It's unlikely that you'll hit a target when using blindfire in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. However, it's still worth employing this tactic because it's a great way to scare an enemy off and stop them from advancing on your position. Loot It may feel a little unscrupulous, but always take the time to look in drawers, lockers, bins and even downed enemies. You never know what a quick peek might yield. Save Never hesitate to manually save your game in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. You can do this any time you want in the game by pressing START on your wireless controller and choosing the Save option from the menu screen. Explore Don't be afraid to take the time and explore your surroundings in the game. Chances are there are several ways to approach a situation, some of which are not so obvious at first glance. Analyse the situation Whenever you have a slow paced weapon like the tranquillizer gun or the sniper rifle, try to avoid close combat. It's too risky and chances are you'll do more harm than good to yourself. Whenever you have the sniper rifle in your weapon inventory, use the scope view for the best possible accuracy. Code hunter Spend the time to search an area for pocket secretaries. These often have codes or passwords that can be really useful for unlocking rooms, computers and security systems. Finding codes means you don't have to spend the time hacking, which leaves you less vulnerable to being spotted by an enemy. Pick up a copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution today and delve into a thrilling action adventure on PlayStation 3.

How to get smart with PlayStation

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Give your brain a workout with five PlayStation titles that will test your perception, concentration and logic. Step 1: Build your foundations You may not have played with building blocks since your early years, but creating - and destroying - structures in Tumble on PlayStation 3 is the perfect way to test your sense of balance and accuracy. Using your PlayStation Move motion controller to lift, rotate and place different sized blocks may sound straightforward, but it gets tricky when the blocks come in different sizes, shapes and materials. Some levels will challenge you to place mismatching shapes onto a small platform, while others will see you blowing up towers with bombs to spread the blocks as far apart as possible. Tumble is accessible to players of all ages because it works so rationally. Glass bricks can be shattered if put under too much pressure, large ones make ideal foundations and pointed bricks work best on the top of a structure. How you complete the tasks is entirely up to you, there are no rules - just objectives. It's all about forward planning, logic and arrangement. Step 2: Think outside the box Thinking about the consequences of your actions is the best way to find the path to success - weigh up your options and make the decisions that will work best rather than rushing into something. This theory couldn't be more appropriate in SHIFT Extended, a unique minis title available for both PS3 and PSP. Playing as Test Subject 12378, your aim is simple: find the exit. Each level is split into two areas, which are either black or white, and you move from one to the other by shifting. As you pass between the two, the entire level is reversed. Up is down, left is right, the ceiling is the floor. This tricky puzzle is one that will really get you thinking, and you'll value options that aren't always visible at first glance. Step 3: See things in a new way Once your brain is working hard, why not put yourself into the mind-boggling world of echochrome? The game features a mannequin-like character called the Walker in a series of mazes, and you need to help him find the echoes that also roam these obscure levels. However, instead of guiding the Walker, you twist and turn the maze to manipulate the environment and change his path. The game is based around five simple laws of physics that allow the Walker to reach new areas of the maze that only become visible when viewed from a different angle. If two sections of the level appear connected, the Walker can stroll between them, and if something is blocked from sight, it doesn't exist.  Basically, if something looks possible, it probably is, and vice versa. echochrome on PS3 and PSP will not only work your brain but will also reward you for new ways of thinking. Step 4: Find out how you're getting on It's always good to assess your progress when you've been working hard, and TestYourself: Psychology is the perfect way to see how you're getting on. This PlayStation Store title, available for PS3, has been developed with psychological experts to give you a deeper understanding of how your brain works. Evaluate your nervous system and intelligence with fun, interactive tests that will challenge you to recognise patterns, colours, shapes and correlations. Make sure you've sharpened your skills in Training mode before taking a daily test to see how much you've improved. There are even more game add-ons to download from PlayStation Store - test your memory, attention and social skills and build up a full psychological profile. Step 5: Keep it up Whether you're getting fit, learning a new skill or keeping your mind active, the key is to stick at it. And what better way to exercise your mind than with small, snackable titles that you can play on the go? Denki Blocks is a bite-sized minis title and is the perfect way to give your brain a quick workout. Take on loads of addictive puzzles that challenge you to tactfully manoeuvre colourful blocks around levels to stick them together. All of the blocks move simultaneously, and the levels are packed with obstacles to overcome. Take on over 100 puzzles and keep your mind moving, wherever you are. Check out these great PlayStation titles to keep your mind active and in shape.

Hit Box stickless fight stick makes for malicious Mortal Kombat mayhem

Run of the mill controllers work just fine for hanging out with a group of scrubs friends and frantically beating the hell out of each other, but serious, tournament-ready fighters have to either invest the coin in a well constructed stick, or build one themselves. If your fighter of choice is Mortal Kombat , however, Hit Box says you're better off with no stick at all.

As we discovered last year, Hit Box manufactures custom controllers for fighting game enthusiasts which eschew traditional joysticks for more buttons. Thanks to Mortal Kombat's relatively simplistic input philosophy (all directions, no circle movements), the Hit Box is capable of some blindingly fast and accurate maneuvers. Be sure to teleport past the break for a second video showcasing the Hit Box's capabilities as a destroyer of worlds.

You are the Resistance in PlayStation Home

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. The war against the Chimera rages on in the Resistance 3 space of PlayStation Home. You may have noticed a rather ominous-looking manhole cover in PlayStation Home on PlayStation 3 recently, being inspected by a father and his young son. The pair have heard that the Chimera lurking below are about to move on and are preparing to lower themselves into the Resistance 3 space to collect supplies. Little do they know, the enemy are still very much present, waiting for more hopeful survivors to try their luck. From 8 September 2011, the manhole cover will open and you can delve into the 18-rated Resistance 3 space to see if you can survive. You'll find yourself sheltering in a dishevelled diner which has been destroyed by a brutal battle, while outside the real danger awaits. Take to the streets and complete various timed challenges to earn rewards. Weapons, clothes and items for your PlayStation Home apartment are all up for grabs if you can avoid the wrath of the feral Chimera and the regimented Chimeran Death Squads that patrol the streets. Search buildings and rubble to find special items and avoid a sticky end at the hands of your enemy. Head to PlayStation Home and throw yourself into the war with the Chimera. Will you be the one to stop them? PlayStation Home is only available in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.  

Infinity Ward's day in court: May 7, 2012

Former Infinity Ward bossmen Jason West and Vincent Zampella have an official court date of May 7, 2012 to settle their dispute with Activision. West and Zampella seek $125 million in unpaid royalties from Modern Warfare 2 sales and wish to reclaim their contractual rights to the Modern Warfare brand.

Activision fired both developers in March 2010 for illegally consorting with EA, and has counter-sued West, Zampella and EA for $400 million, claiming EA hijacked its employees. Since The Firings, West and Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment and now have 40 former Infinity Ward employees working at the studio, which is creating an unannounced, blurry IP. Activision's suit is clear to proceed, but doesn't yet have a date -- considering how long this first case could drag on, we guess it'll go to court around January 2068.

Mystery Move game in development, courtesy of Plastic and Sony Santa Monica

Sony Santa Monica, makers of the God of War series, and Plastic, a Polish demoscene group, are collaborating on a mysterious Move title that features a floating hand getting touchy-feely with statues and trees in a fog-filled forest. The above video shows the hand reverently touching its surroundings, and at the 1:07 mark presents a Move controller in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

NeoGAF's Toppot pointed out the connection to Linger in Shadows developer Plastic, who responded with a teasing affirmative: "We all at Plastic admire the speed and style of NeoGAF member Toppot, who managed to combine the hints and classify us as a developer of next Santa Monica Studio production." The developer hinted that it was "planting the seeds now" for the title, and "encouraged" fans to discover it.

Take part in the Mercedes-Benz Driving Event on PS3

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Gran Turismo 5 on PS3 gives you the chance to test your driving skills against professional racing driver David Coulthard. On 5 September 2011, the worlds of virtual and real-life racing collide in Gran Turismo 5 on PlayStation 3. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with the game's developer Polyphony Digital and prestigious car maker Mercedes-Benz, is giving you the chance to go head-to-head with a man who won 13 Grand Prix in an illustrious career spanning 15 years in Formula 1. Starting at 15:20 BST at a secret UK location, Scotland's David Coulthard - twice a Formula 1 winner on the fabled Monaco Grand Prix circuit - will take the wheel of a real 6.3 litre V8 powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. His goal? To rack up the quickest possible lap within a 15-minute time period. At the same time, GT5 players the world over will be able to race the exact same car in-game over an identical track in a special Seasonal Event which is accessed via the main menu. Meanwhile, at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, England, 24 lucky prize draw winners will be battling to qualify for their chance to go head-to head in the same Seasonal Event on the renowned racing game for PlayStation 3. Those who set the top six qualifying times will then get back in the driving seat in GT5 on PS3 to compete against Coulthard in real time at the flagship venue where visitors are welcome to come and watch the action for themselves. At the end of the 15-minute challenge, the contestant from Mercedes-Benz World that sets the fastest lap will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2011 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix on 27 November 2011. Action footage of David Coulthard driving the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, combined with footage from his real-time PlayStation opponents at Mercedes-Benz World, can be viewed live online with live pre-race coverage from Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle. Live coverage on race day will begin at 15:00 BST at mercedesliverace.co.uk and you can check out highlights and additional material at gran-turismo.com once the event finishes. Leader board information for virtual racers brave enough to take on David Coulthard via the Mercedes-Benz Driving Event will be available on gran-turismo.com. With over 5.5 million copies of the game having been sold worldwide in its first two weeks on sale, the live event hopes to become the world's biggest ever race and racers can continue to tackle Coulthard's best time up until 26 September 2011 when the Seasonal Event closes. If you haven't tried out The Real Driving Simulator yet, Gran Turismo 5 is available as part of the great value Platinum range for PS3 from early September 2011.

Demo Guide: Driver San Francisco

This website requires Flash Player 7 or higher. It looks like you do not have this installed. Visit the Adobe website to download the latest version of player.. JavaScript needs to be enabled on your PC in order for you to view this content. Please enable JavaScript and try again. Think you can handle some of the most powerful cars ever built? Then put your skill to the test with our guide to the demo available now from PlayStation Store. Freewheeling detective John Tanner screeches onto PlayStation 3 in September 2011, when Driver San Francisco arrives in a hazy roar of tyre smoke and throaty V8 engines. Set in the ultimate petrolhead's playground – made famous by iconic chase scenes in movies such as Bullitt and The Rock – Driver San Francisco lets you loose with cars like the famous Ford Mustang GT Fastback and Tanner's own Dodge Challenger. So, gun your motor, stamp that gas pedal down and prepare for the biggest sideways drifts outside of rallying with the Driver San Francisco single player demo. Here's what to look forward to. Mission 1: Prove it Your partner, Jones, is rightly sceptical of your ability to leave your own body and jump into that of any nearby driver. It's called Shift, and it's up to you to prove it by tailing a small-time crook known as The Jackass, then hitting the X button when prompted to assume control of the villain's car. Look out for a car transporter; your first task is to speed up and over its ramp, before switching back to your own driving seat. Next, you need to tag a police car to initiate a chase. Approach a squad car head on and try to graze its side. That way you're already speeding away from the police car when the heat falls on you. Swerving through oncoming traffic and down tight alleyways is the best way to shake your wailing pursuers, and once you've done that, a cheeky bet with Jones involving The Jackass's car and a tow truck settles the mission.  Mission 2: Team Colours Rapid Shift is a special move which allows you to zap between two cars without having to waste time locating them. It's especially useful in cop chases and races such as this one, involving the burgeoning Richmond Racing outfit. Use your mastery of the road to eat up your opponents' lead. Then, when you're in a good position, you can instantly flit into your partner's car and push it up the field. Guide your two cars to first and second places to win the mission and nail this crucial driving aid. Mission 3: The Escapist More heat from the police – and this time you're behind the wheel of one of the San Francisco Police Department's most wanted vehicles. A young informant stands to rocket up through the ranks of a powerful crime syndicate, and it's up to you to get him to a crucial meeting. Unfortunately, the boys in blue have other ideas. Taking the wheel, you need to do everything you can to shake off the cops. Handbrake turns, high speed jumps and braving busy highways should do the trick. Get out of the police heat zone, marked in red on your map, for more than ten seconds and you'll be in the clear. With such a tenacious force on your tail, that's easier said then done...   Buckle up for a thrillingly bumpy ride when Driver San Francisco launches on 2 September 2011. In the meantime, get to know the city streets by downloading the single player demo to your PS3 from PlayStation Store. For a taste of street racing with friends, you can also download the traffic-dodging multiplayer demo.

Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid

You know what? My friends and I are better thieves than George Clooney.

Well, we are if Monaco is any indication. Sure, George may have all the charm and handsomeness, but if there's any one trait I look for in my friends, it's the appreciation of a good heist. And Monaco is all about stealing some stuff. The premise of Monaco is simple: Take your team into a heavily guarded building to steal a trophy, and get out without getting caught or killed. A retro feel, a top-down camera angle, and a simplified control scheme comprise its approach to getting some co-op good times going. Rather than implement an overly complex control scheme that requires a specific set of controls for each class, Monaco designer Andy Schatz has culled the controls down to a two-button system. Every action, like hacking a computer, breaking into a safe or unlocking the door to the escape car is done by running into the object for a couple of seconds. Monaco

Meet Amy's shiny-eyed support characters, Father John and Prof. Raymond

We still don't have much solid information about Amy , the survival horror/adventure title due on PSN this fall and XBLA "eventually," but thanks to the videos posted up top and down below, we do know that the game's developer is taking the human face very seriously. Father John (above) is convinced that rampant global catastrophes and the viral outbreak affecting Silver City are sure-fire signs of the End of Days, and like any good man of the cloth he's taken it upon himself to train survivors from the safety of his "shelter-church." Professor Raymond (after the break) is shrouded in even more mystery, if you can believe it: all we know so far is that he's sometimes mentioned by the main character during phone calls, and that he looks completely unimpressed with floating through a featureless black void.

We can't help but be impressed with how much facial fidelity is being squeezed into a PSN title, but publisher Lexis Numerique claims that emotive non-verbal communication is of "critical importance" to the title's design philosophy. "If Amy sees a gruesome creature behind you, she won't have to yell: you will know."

Stringer: PSN bouncing back after this year's attack

PlayStation Network has had a hell of a time with public relations this year. After the well-publicized attack on the service (which potentially exposed the personal information of millions of users), Sony has done everything it can to regain the trust and goodwill of its customers.

It would seem those efforts appear are paying off, according to claims conveyed by CNET. The site reports that Sony CEO Howard Stringer recently addressed the subject at the IFA conference in Berlin, saying that PlayStation Network is "more secure and better than ever." He added that the company is working to expand the service, which has added 3 million new customers since the attack. Furthermore, Stringer noted that PSN sales have actually increased relative to pre-attack levels. According to Stringer, "the summer of our discontent is behind us."

Deus Ex website RSS reveals 'Missing Link' DLC details

While Square Enix left clues hinting at DLC for Deus Ex: Human Revolution , we doubt the publishers expected its plans to be revealed quite this easily. After following a convoluted breadcrumb trail of images and websites hinting at the truth, eager fans have uncovered the official details ...

right in the Deus Ex website's RSS. Opening up the DeusEx.com RSS XML reveals that the DLC will indeed be titled "Missing Link" and will take place during a three day-period in which protagonist Adam Jensen "vanishes," after which he must escape from a freighter. The clincher: His augmentations have been disabled. "Hey," you're undoubtedly thinking, "wouldn't that mean his cybernetic arms would just stop working?" You're right, of course, but we're talking about the same game that allows players to knock a guard unconscious without being noticed by the other guard standing two feet away. Some suspension of disbelief is probably in order. Assuming the RSS is correct, the DLC will be officially revealed on September 8. We've included the RSS description after the break. Be warned that it contains some minor spoilers.