Breaking down Capcom's Dragon's Dogma press demo

Capcom's upcoming fantasy role-playing game Dragon's Dogma isn't interesting at all. It might not even be good.

Writers in the gaming press have a tendency to go easy on in-development games. Readers love jumping to conspiracy-theory conclusions about our positivity but, the truth is, we want games to be good and interesting just as much as you do. And so we give them the benefit of the doubt when we write our previews. So what's different with Dragon's Dogma? Dragon's Dogma 10/31/2011

Deja Review: MDK2 HD

Murder Death Kill? Mystical Door Knobs?

Malevolent Didgeridoo King? The true decomposition of codename "MDK" used to be a legend of sorts in the game industry. Now, there's not so much as a hint of enigma around the latest letters appended to the game: MDK2 HD does indeed run in haughty definition. Even if you're joining us from 2000's PC version of MDK2 (released alongside a Dreamcast version, and preceding a PlayStation 2 port), you'll be treated to a significant visual upgrade in MDK2 HD, care of Overhaul Games. What hasn't changed in the last eleven years, of course, is the incredulity that results upon playing a funny, frivolous and uncluttered action game from BioWare. Yes, that BioWare. MDK2 HD (10/11/11)

Prelude to punches: 11 gameplay videos for Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

First Soulcalibur 5 , and now Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3?

We don't know what the French have done to get into such good graces with Japan's fighting game developers, but we're going to start taking notes. We want in on some of this pre-release expo-match lovin'. While we're out buying cigarettes and complicated foods to up our Frenchness, take a long gander at these 11 UMvC3 videos from a recent expo-match event at Paris' Manga Cafe, lovingly captured and uploaded by YouTube user Pharaon92i (with permission from Capcom France). Most of the new characters are represented, including the very best new character, so head on through for a look at the many punches you'll be receiving come November 15.

EA suffers Q2 loss, revenue propped up by FIFA and Madden

EA's net performance during its second fiscal quarter, ended September 30, 2011, was either good or bad, depending on which net you're referring to. EA reported a net loss of $340 million, but scored a significant goal in shipping "nearly" 8 million copies of FIFA 12 -- half of the 16 million shipped in the game's lifetime.

Overall sales of the footie franchise improved 25 percent year-over-year. Madden NFL 12 was another standout performer during the quarter, shipping more than 3 million units. EA also pointed out continued strong performance of 2010's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (with shipments at 11 million so far). In a follow-up investor call last night, EA predicted similar fortunes from this quarter's Battlefield 3 launch, with store shipments already hitting 10 million. Though EA's bottom line certainly didn't improve for the quarter (net loss for Q2 2010 was $201 million), revenue was up overall to $715 million. The biggest increase was in net digital revenue -- the realm of add-ons and online passes -- which rose over 40 percent to $234 million compared to the same period last year. EA's next Q3 will provide a crucial look at the company's future, as it'll divulge Battlefield 3 sales and an early performance indication for BioWare's big-huge investment in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Obsession Confessions: Fright Night

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. Find out which games have had the official PlayStation community quaking in their boots. We asked the members of the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com to tell us their favourite spine-tingling game on PlayStation. Check out the ghoulish top ten below. 1. Silent Hill (PS one) "Hearing the static of the radio that tells you that there are hostile beings nearby that you can't see but feel is priceless." (blucerkiato, Italy) "I'd hear that radio everywhere for weeks after playing – a top class game!" (T-e-X, United Kingdom) 2. Dead Space (PlayStation 3) "The surroundings, the sound, each step I take in this game makes me fear what's around the next corner." (davidsantos, Portugal) "What an adrenaline shot! That spaceship, alone in the dark and so many frights coming from those aliens! There were some moments when you could take my sofa away and I'd have remained in the same position." (kragny, Spain) "Dead Space was pretty jumpy in parts and I always felt pretty tense about what was going to come around the next corner. Standing in the lifts always gave me the jitters as well." (Rooney53, United Kingdom) 3. Project Zero (PlayStation 2) "If a haunted house is scary, imagine being able to see dead people through a camera... that is even worse." (Panquecas, Portugal) "You cannot hide from your enemies since they are ghosts who can go through walls. The only way to defend yourself is using your picture camera, changing to first person mode and not being able to see who is coming from behind." (Vis_T, Spain) "I remember all these ghosts that suddenly appear out of the blue and you have to try to capture them with the camera." (Jackfriz, Italy) 4. Resident Evil 2 (PS one) "One of the worst experiences with survival horror videogames, not just because I was really young but for the way that one moment things are calm and quiet and then suddenly change for the worse." (OuterHeaven__, Spain) "I remember that playing this game, the biggest fright was when the zombie's hands reached through the window in the police station and grabbed me." (Rympal, Poland) "For me it is without a doubt the moment when Leon stops in front of a pool of blood, examines it and then raises his head before you see a Licker. I remember quickly putting the disc away in its box." (Mauno, France 5. Clock Tower 3 (PS2) "The idea of being an innocent little girl chased by evil murderers without the chance to escape grabbed my attention." (Lost_rider, Italy) "That doll still gives me the heebie-jeebies to this day." (penguin_on_speed, United Kingdom) 6. Silent Hill 3 (PS2) "Definitely the scariest game I've ever played mostly because of the oppressive atmosphere of the whole game." (Remy2405, Germany) "Silent Hill 3 scared the living hell out of me... that bit with the bleeding mirror... not nice at all at three o'clock in the morning in darkness with loud headphones on!" (FatBoyJack, United Kingdom) 7. Resident Evil (PS one) "When everything was quiet, the dog zombies would smash throug the windows from outside and jump at you in the corridor of the mansion when you were least expecting it." (rialivo, Italy) "The original Resident Evil for the fact I nearly got the fright of my life the first time the monster came smashing through the window at the start of the game." (McNeilio, United Kingdom) "Like many, I jumped when the dogs shattered the windows of the corridor. I dreaded opening a door and falling on two or three hungry zombies while my charger was almost empty." (bobby526, France) 8. Siren Blood Curse (PS3) "Claustrophobic locations, killer nurses, mad doctors and the decline of a broken family..." (TheQueenC, Italy) "Typical Japanese horror stories with graphics done so well that make you feel like you're really there..." (Sand_Snake, France) 9. Fallout 3 (PS3) "Fallout 3 was pretty scary because you didn't expect to be scared by it. You could just be walking around the wasteland, and then you'd notice a deathclaw in the distance. You know it's going to try to attack you, so you have to quickly think about what you're going to do before it kills you. That's the kind of horror that I see a lot in the game: you're presented with a sudden task and you need to resolve it quickly, and it makes you panic – lovely!" (Mattiebo123, United Kingdom) 10 BioShock (PS3) "There are scenes in this game when you really want to hide underneath your bed." (kokinhas4, Portugal) Thanks to all those who got involved and contributed via the official PlayStation Forums. Head over to community.eu.playstation.com and keep the conversation flowing about your most chilling game experiences and all things PlayStation.

The action heats up in the PlayStation Community

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. Resistance 3 takes top billing as the PlayStation Community gears up for intense action, great tournaments and a host of fun activities. Battle stations The war against the deadly Chimera in Resistance 3 has been intense on the official PlayStation Forums and in the Resistance 3 space of PlayStation Home, the community winning the battle against the Chimera by sharing tips and comments about the best strategies to unlock trophies. Polish user Psychopath-PL might have gone a bit too far but he sure knew how to show his dark side to win an exclusive Resistance 3 T-shirt on the Forums. Balls and bullets The season kicked off for football fans on PlayStation 3 as EA SPORTS FIFA 12 and PES 2012 took to the pitch. Fancy showing us your virtual skills using nothing more than a wireless controller and some fantastic new features? Then head over to community.eu.playstation.com to get involved. If you were more into firing guns than shooting balls, the Battlefield 3 Open Beta, playable with up to 23 other players via PlayStation Network, gave you the chance to jump into the Operation Métro map to get an early taste of the thrilling gameplay coming your way. Tell us what you thought of it over at community.eu.playstation.com. Home for talents Kasabian came to PlayStation Home to answer questions submitted by the PlayStation Community in September 2011. Fans were also treated to a live performance from the band, and this was subsequently made available to stream exclusively from Music Unlimited. A special PS Home contest inviting users to post a screenshot of their favourite place or activity in PS Home gave members of the PlayStation Community the chance to see their creations displayed in Home Square too. Check out these awesome images from Russian member annkoko and Italian member kiwi70! Finally, in preparation for the release of DanceStar Party, take a look at a video clip entirely directed in PS Home by French member Alinea3. Video games for all September and October are typically the months when the video games come to town in the form of various trade fairs around Europe, including GAMEFest in Spain, the UK's Eurogamer Expo, IGROMIR in Russia and Paris Games Week. Each one is a perfect occasions for PlayStation Community members to meet up and take part in exclusive competitions to win great prizes. The zombies are coming out to play If you fancy a fright fest this Halloween, head over to the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com, where you'll be scared and entertained in equal measure, including the chance to carve your very own Halloween pumpkin and pick up some cool prizes. You'll find details on all the online fun nights, tournaments and competitions in the PlayStation Network Events Calendar at eu.playstation.com/psn/events; alternatively, visit community.eu.playstation.com and sign in using your PlayStation Sign-In ID and password.

FIFA 12 and Cars 2 in PSP hardware bundle this November

The arrival of a new PSP hardware bundle may seem ill-timed with the impending launch of the Vita, but Sony isn't about to stop catering to the gift-craving siblings, cousins and nephews of the world this holiday. And we don't know about you, but we don't have any nephews that are worth spending two hundred and fifty dollars on.

Instead, for $160 you can pick up the new PSP Entertainment Pack, which includes a PSP-3000, 2GB Memory Stick Pro DUO, a UMD copy of soccer smash FIFA 12 and a download voucher for Cars 2 (a racing game, we'd venture). The bundle should be available on November 15th. If you're jumping into PlayStation Portable gaming now (and feel free to use the "nephew" excuse we fabricated above), you should keep an eye out for the Mega Man and Monster Hunter packs at Gamestop. That is, if you're willing to add UMD clutter to your life -- with an uncertain shot at backwards compatibility.

Holodesk: More Kinect magic from Microsoft Research

There are a lot of conspiracy theorists at Joystiq that attribute the human race's breathtakingly rapid technological advancement to ancient aliens, claiming that world-changing inventions like polymers, optical media and the Internet have all been reverse engineered from downed extraterrestrial spacecraft. In actuality, very few modern conveniences can trace their roots back to ancient aliens; most mind-bending breakthroughs come from abstract corporate think-tanks like Microsoft Research.

The lab that previously utilized a Kinect to create real-time 3D models has now developed an interactive, holographic 3D environment called Holodesk. As is demonstrated in the (strangely silent) proof of concept video above, Holodesk uses a Kinect, projector and beam splitter to create interactive holograms. In a nutshell, the Kinect watches your hands and face, tracking their movements and projecting 3D shapes onto a semi-transparent surface above your hands, tricking the eye into thinking the shapes and your hand exist on the same plane. The interface is still fairly rough, graphically speaking, but the technology itself is so solid, we're hoping it'll eventually lead to a Kinect sequel to Time Traveler .

Funcom wants to tell you about the Dragon's Secret World

Playing telephone with sensitive information is never a wise decision, which is why Funcom is hosting a Q&A session on Facebook today to answer fan questions about the mysterious Dragon society in The Secret World. The session starts at 2 p.m.

EST, but if you have a burning question go ahead and submit it now for the devs to answer later -- keep in mind, they're only answering questions about the Dragon secret society. If you don't know anything about the Dragon yet -- as is the case with any good secret society, especially one in an already secret world -- check out the backstory, the above teaser and the gallery below. The quest to gather this content claimed the lives of dozens (of potato chips while we watched it download), so take it seriously, you fools. The Secret World (The Dragon)

Blizzard talks console controls for Diablo 3

Blizzard's Diablo 3 developers are on the main stage at BlizzCon 2011 right now, and game director Jay Wilson spoke a little bit about the potential console version of the game. Nothing has changed -- there is no officially announced console version.

But Wilson did confirm that Blizzard has hired a team to work on it, and that the company has been iterating on console controls. "The movement actually feels better on the controller," Wilson said, in response to a fan's question. "Targeting is the issue." Most of the schemes the team has come up for choosing what to attack and loot require a reticule, "which we really don't want to do," Wilson said. "Monster distribution and AI also feels a little bit different than it does on the PC version." And Blizzard won't even say that there's a console version coming "because we don't want to announce something until we're sure." Obviously the team is working on it, and obviously Diablo 3 on a console would be extremely popular -- the first game did officially come to the original PlayStation all those years ago. But as Wilson says, the team wants to assure that "if it goes on a console, it doesn't compromise the PC game in any way, and it feels like it was built for the console."

Get a taste of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 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. Prepare yourself for one of 2011's biggest releases with Uncharted Fortune Hunter. Excited about the release of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception on PlayStation 3 later this year? Then head to PlayStation Home and get stuck into Uncharted Fortune Hunter - an action-packed space dedicated to the upcoming blockbuster. Set in the sun-baked streets of Yemen, Uncharted Fortune Hunter challenges you to step into the shoes of adventurer Nathan Drake and explore your surroundings while collecting hidden treasure. But wave upon wave of ruthless gunmen stand between you and your loot, so hunt down hidden weapons to help you on your quest - there's a pistol, a machine gun and even grenades to get your hands on if you're wily enough to spot them. Use your weapons wisely to take down enemies and complete objectives, hunt out all of the treasure and battle fierce bosses. With three waves of Uncharted Fortune Hunter to battle your way through, once you complete one of the waves, you will unlock the next one when it's released. Complete all three mini-games and you'll unlock the Kickback Endurance Booster to customise your character's skills in the Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception multiplayer mode when the game launches in November 2011. Please note that PlayStation Home is only available in the following languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Warner solving Arkham City DLC issue with a simple 5 step process

According to a tipster, it looks like Warner Bros. is taking steps to resolve the various downloadable content issues faced by purchasers of Batman: Arkham City.

Or, more precisely, Warner is asking customers to take steps -- five of them, actually. Alright, six if you include having to contact customer service in the first place. A Joystiq tipster by the name of Michel contacted customer service, and was told to provide the following: A dated proof of purchase (receipt, invoice) showing the purchase of a NEW copy of the game (not a rented or used copy, nor a copy purchased from eBay) Your gamertag for Xbox Live, or your profile for the PSN Your email address A scan or digital picture of the package and game disc(s) A scan or digital picture of the code sheet (both sides). Upon receipt of the information, customer service promised it would "escalate" Michel's issue "so a code can be produced." Obviously, the whole ordeal once again raises concern for the concept of "Online Pass" or "Project Ten Dollar," which is ostensibly aimed at reducing used game sales and thus increasing publisher revenue. Then again, it's supposed to reward customer loyalty, offering new purchasers something extra for supporting the developer and publisher.

XBLA in Brief: Bejeweled 3

We've reviewed the multiplatform release Dungeon Defenders (which is excellent, by the way), and that only leaves Bejeweled 3 for XBLA in Brief this week. It's ...

well, it's Bejeweled. There are new Xbox Live Arcade games released every week. We realize that our readers are busy, attractive people, and may not have time to download and examine each and every new XBLA game. You've got busy, attractive person stuff to do, after all. Not to worry though, because we've done the work for you, downloading every single trial game and giving you a taste of what to expect. Watch XBLA in Brief every week to see which games deserve a closer look. When you have the time, of course.

Demo Guide: DanceStar Party

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 down with this free demo from PlayStation Store as we count down to the release of DanceStar Party on PS3. Make sure your fancy footwork is up to scratch ahead of the release of DanceStar Party on PlayStation 3 with the free demo. Here are some tips to get your party started and make sure you're in the mood to groove. Remember, you'll need a PlayStation Eye camera and a PlayStation Move motion controller to interact with this energetic DanceStar Party demo. It's time to party Ease yourself into the dancing spirit with four great routines from the game's perfect party playlist. Pick up your PlayStation Move motion controller and mirror the actions of the on-screen dancers as they bust some funky moves. You can hit the dance floor solo, or get a friend involved and move your feet to the beat in battle mode. If you've got some extra voices on board, plug in some mics and let everyone join the DanceStar Party. You wanna get down? If you're not used to performing, need a bit of practice or just love a retro boogie, start your party with Kool And The Gang's 1982 hit Get Down On It. It's packed with funky moves to get you started, and, like the other three, is a beginner routine, so don't worry if you're not as smooth as J.T. Taylor – as along with the rest of the gang , he'll get you warmed up for the party. Step it up Take your DanceStar Party to the next level with Nicole Scherzinger's hit single Don't Hold Your Breath. While you're dancing, be sure to press the Square button on your motion controller to take some snapshots of your performance. Pump up the volume Next up is Rude Boy by Rihanna – an R & B tune with plenty of attitude – and the routine is no different. You should be in full swing by now, so why not check out what you look like in action? Press the Triangle button to see the live feed from your PlayStation Eye camera. Rock the party Finish off the demo with the ultimate feel-good track – Party Rock Anthem from LMFAO. This routine requires a higher energy level, so pull out all the stops and rack up loads of points as you throw some crazy shapes. Be sure to view your highlights at the end and show the whole party what a smooth mover you are. Download the DanceStar Party demo now – completely free from PlayStation Store.

PlayStation Access TV Episode 4

Available to download from PlayStation Store now Episode 4 of Access is now ready to download for all UK PS3 users, with the headline act this week being Ezio Auditore's swooping farewell in Assassin's Creed Revelations. Get an in-depth look at the old-timer's cracking new moves, plus the ace new bomb-making mechanic. As always, there's a rummage through the ripest content on the PlayStation Store, which this week includes a look at gothic multiplayer romp, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, plus Helen Mirren wearing a Darth Vader mask. No, really. There's loads more to enjoy, including a jaunt around the recent Eurogamer Expo that takes a look at the hot line-up of upcoming PS3 blockbusters, as well as a visit to the London Philharmonic Orchestra where conductor Andrew Skeet talks videogame music. If you want more from Access, then you can join the ever-growing community over on the Facebook page at facebook.com/playstationaccess, where you'll find exclusive video content and the chance to sign up for future events. PlayStation Access is available to download every Wednesday from the PlayStation Store, free for all UK users. It's also available every Friday on YouTube, so no-one misses out on PS3's HD excitement. 

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is extremely contagious

We're sick, Internet. The kind of sick that keeps you in bed all day, buried under every blanket in the house with one of those comical red heating bladders on your forehead.

We barely have the strength to type, but you depend on the Weekly Webcomic Wrapup for culturally salient webcomics, and dammit we're not going to let you down now. As we use the very last of our strength to hit the big red "PUBLISH" button on our blogging software, take a look at this week's webcomics, and vote for your favorites after the break. Just, you know, wash your hands afterwards. You don't want this, trust us. King's Flowchart (Brawl in the Family) My First Programming Class (Virtual Shackles) Hacker Attack (Nerf Now!!) Return To Sender (Awkward Zombie) Frog In Need, Frog Indeed (Life In Aggro) Belay That Order (Brentalfloss: The Comic) Tetromicide (Hejibits)

Naughty Dog says no to single-player DLC for Uncharted 3

DLC is all the rage this season (along with dead raccoon headpieces), and publishers are charging the inflated prices expected with such a widespread trend. But trends don't appear out of nowhere -- they come from someone doing it differently, turning left at the fork, zigging where others zag and other motivational business terms.

Naughty Dog is doing just that -- those trailblazers -- announcing that there will be no single-player DLC for Uncharted 3. Naughty Dog said it would rather build a new game than release episodic content, mainly because its DLC ideas are just too awesome. "Dialing back our ambition is difficult," community strategist Arne Meyer said. Justin Richmond, game director, explained in more detail the trials of having such an abundance of amazing ideas: "Whenever we sit down and think we should do some single-player DLC, someone pitches something and we realize -- that's a five hour level," he said. "We'd rather build out another game than we would do episodic content. We're so small that we can't afford to have a whole team working on DLC." We're going to add this approach to DLC to the extensive list of Naughty Dog's fantastic ideas.

Angry Birds studio head claims $1.2B valuation too low, 'maybe' going public next year

Angry Birds is way, way popular -- sure -- but it is so popular as to elevate its progenitor's valuation beyond that of its already sky-high $1.2 billion estimate? CEO Peter Vesterbacka seems to think so, telling Bloomberg, "We're happy with our valuation but we think it's probably a bit north of that," referring to the aforementioned insanely high number.

Beyond astronomical sales of the hit fowl flinger, Vesterbacka's company has been pulling in additional revenue from merchandising. Millions of dollars every month, in fact, via the company's website -- apparently just the stuffed toys are selling "a million units a month," which doesn't account for Halloween costumes, movie licensing, clothing, and various other tchochkes. "We are very, very profitable. We're not a publicly traded company yet we can fund our own growth," Vesterbacka boasts in the interview, all the while attempting to bolster his company's value when it does go public. He doesn't offer an exact date, but says, "maybe a year from now" Rovio will be making its public stock offer. When we last asked market analysts back in March how Rovio would fare an IPO, we were answered with reservation. And despite another seven months of earnings under the company's belt, we'd wager Vesterbacka's valuation estimates are a bit more lofty than the reality of things. But hey, we're not running any multimillion dollar corporations.

Burnout Crash coming to iOS

EA has announced that it will bring Criterion's latest, tiniest iteration in the Burnout franchise, Burnout Crash , to the iOS platform this holiday season. The punishing puzzle game, which originally launched on the PSN and XBLA, seems like a perfect fit for handheld devices -- though we don't suggest playing it while driving in real life.

A post on EA's blog makes the upcoming version of the game sound true to the original, including "three game modes, 18 traffic junctions and six unique locations." As long as Dr. Beat and his nitroglycerin-infused ambulance make an appearance, we'll be satisfied. Burnout Crash (iOS)

Embrace your obsessive inner typefacer with 'KernType,' a game about kerning

It's rare that we separate ourselves from our readers when choosing pieces to post on Joystiq, but with Method of Action's "KernType," we had to make an exception. You see, folks, our love for games is important, but our distinctly less relatable love/obsession with visual design is just as strong, which is why we immediately fell head over heels for KernType.

Oh, we should probably explain what "kerning" is, eh? It's the space between letters in words. Yup, thrilling stuff, we know. But it's important! And in KernType, you're tasked with fixing the kerning of various typefaces (represented by words such as "wave" and "type"), which then compares your own skill with that of proportional computations. Call of Duty deathmatch it is not, but if you're of the very particular niche that is both obsessed with games and the written word, KernType is right up your alley. Also, hey, it's free right here!

Trophy Cabinet

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. Check out the most satisfying platinum trophy hunts on PlayStation 3, as voted for by you. We asked you, the PlayStation Community, to tell us which games provided you with the most enjoyable platinum trophy hunts, along with some helpful hints for your fellow gamers on the trail. In future issues of Trophy Cabinet, we'll focus on one game at a time, so you can tell us about the particular challenges you encountered in more detail. We want you to think about inFamous 2 – tell us how you battled to grab that elusive platinum trophy by heading to community.eu.playstation.com.     In the meantime, here's what you came up with for the inaugural Trophy Cabinet. Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds "All the trophies in this game were quite easy to obtain, except one which challenged you to complete 320 missions! And you have to master long, complex combos. The only tips that I can offer are: be very patient, and practise on as many fighting games as you can, to get used to them." (solid_sammy, France) Grand Theft Auto IV "This is a really long and difficult challenge. To finally win the platinum trophy, you must be prepared to scour every inch of Liberty City in a really long campaign. Just put your head down and plough through it." (Dieuneo, France) EA SPORTS FIFA 11 "The best advice I can give you when trying to win a platinum trophy is to focus on one match at a time, and enjoy playing it. For the recent FIFA games, it's a great idea to be involved with the community at easportsfootball.com, so your friends can help you obtain trophies." (NunoVale, Portugal) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 "The Mission mode is incredibly difficult. I'd recommend researching different approaches to completing it – and make sure your co-op partner is up to a high standard too. You need to be able to rely on each other." (Chrisdenimes, France) inFamous 2 "The best platinum trophy to obtain, for me, was the one awarded in inFamous 2. I think anyone can do it, thanks to some really imaginative, fun missions. You have to push yourself as Cole MacGrath." (InfiniteStates, United Kingdom) SingStar "Choose your favourite songs so that trying again and again remains fun. Play with your voice too – singing in other pitches can greatly improve your score!" (magmar126, Netherlands) The Saboteur "You just have to play this game right the way through and do one or two extra-curricular activities – side missions and exploration – and you get the platinum trophy. I'm of the opinion that more games should follow the lead of The Saboteur." (pl_splisbon, Portugal) Mirror's Edge "You need a lot of patience and perseverance with this one. Oh, and on YouTube you can find plenty of routes which give you quite a bit of extra time. This helps when you make a poor landing." (Lijpo, Netherlands) LittleBigPlanet 2 "Get some friends and have some fun in Create mode, then go and collect stickers together. All stickers have to be collected, so you sometimes need three players with you via PlayStation Network. Finally, you need to create a level that has been played 50 times by the LittleBigPlanet community, so you really want to go to town on your designs." (Twilight_Rico, Netherlands) Heavy Rain "Pay attention to how you play through the story, so you can get all the different endings after your second run-through. You need to be careful with the choices you make, otherwise it could cost you hours of effort." (MissSouthampton, United Kingdom) Need a little friendly advice about trophy hunting? Then put your questions to the experts of the official PlayStation Forums at community.eu.playstation.com – and come back next month to find out how to strike platinum in inFamous 2.

EA SPORTS FIFA 12 and PES 2012 arrive 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. Take to the pitch as the latest outings of two sporting juggernauts get ready to grace PlayStation 3. EA SPORTS FIFA 12 The popular football sim arrives on PlayStation 3 with a raft of new features, including - for the first time in several years - a completely overhauled presentation including new side-scrolling menus rather than the familiar vertical ones that have been a staple of the series on PS3 in recent editions. Developer EA SPORTS has also implemented what it's calling a trinity of major gameplay changes, including the use of the Impact Engine, Tactical Defending and Precision Dribbling. With Precision Dribbling, you now have much more control of the ball and can even shield it with your body while seeking out an unmarked teammate to pass it to. Tactical Defending allows for precise tackling, even letting you grab on to an opponent's shirt if they pass by you. However, the most notable change in EA SPORTS FIFA 12 is the implementation of the Impact Engine, which means that if another player barges into you at speed you'll tumble over or, if you have the ball, lose your momentum. Off the pitch, there's EA SPORTS Football Club, an online community that can be accessed via PlayStation Network that allows you to contribute to the success of your favourite club by earning experience points when competing against other players. EA SPORTS Football Club is a feature focused on the club you support in real life, which you'll be asked to select when you first access the feature. On top of all these great new features is the game's meaty Career Mode, where you can play through each season as a player, manager or both. When scouting for new talent and acting on information about a new player, other clubs will be alerted to your interest and may beat you to the punch by buying that player before you get the chance. The developer has spent the past 12 months refining and improving everything you know and love about one of your favourite sporting titles in a bid to bring you the ultimate gaming interpretation of life on and off the pitch, so ready yourself for the best FIFA yet on PlayStation 3. PES 2012 Next up on your sporting calendar for the year is Konami's PES 2012, the latest iteration from acclaimed producer, Shingo "Seabass" Takatsuka. Developed by Seabass and his team at Konami, PES 2012 features a lot of gameplay enhancements and is exclusively licensed by UEFA to feature the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. Among some of the new features that you'll experience in PES 2012 is the Teammate Control system, which enables you to take charge of a secondary player during play or during a throw-in, free kick or penalty. Having this new level of control allows you to place a player precisely on the pitch and guide them to a particular spot so you can pass to them and set them up for a shot on goal. Another new feature is Active Artificial Intelligence, which is what Seabass and his team have worked on as much as possible to recreate the flow of a real life football match. With the new Active AI system in PES 2012, computer-controlled players do not chase the ball every time it's free, instead making smarter decisions such as creating free space by grabbing the attention of a defender in a bid to move them out of position. The strength of a player and their fitness stats will also play a major role in the game. Depending on how a player on the pitch is tackled, their strength will determine whether or not they can stay on their feet and break free of the tackle, or fall to the ground. Referees have been overhauled too; now they will allow the match to flow more freely, pausing play only if it is absolutely necessary. Alongside these fantastic new features, numerous presentational elements have been tweaked in a bid to make matches as lifelike as possible, including lighting effects and facial expressions. Both the developer and Konami have worked tirelessly to make PES 2012 the best that it can possibly be, so get ready for one of the most in-depth football games on PlayStation 3 in 2011. Head to PlayStation Store now to download demos for both games and warm up for the new season on PS3. 

Top Tips: Burnout CRASH!

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. Find out how to become a smash hit in Burnout CRASH! on PS3 with these top tips from Criterion and Electronic Arts. Want to crush the competition in addictive arcade smash 'em up, Burnout CRASH! on PlayStation 3? The game's producer, Dan McDonald, and creative director, Richard Franke, have the perfect tips to make sure you leave an impression on this downloadable PlayStation Store game. 1. General tips Know your cars All the vehicles have their advantages and disadvantages. Try using the lighter vehicles in Pile Up, the bigger vehicles in Rush Hour and the mid-sized ones for Road Trip. Shoot for skill Skillshots are when you use your Crashbreaker to fire traffic into other traffic, holes and water. You can stop traffic from escaping and earn a massive score - just make sure you time it well... Careful Crashbreaking Even though your Crashbreaker meter refills automatically, the secret to a really high score is to use it only when you really need to. Colour coding Use the yellow arrows at the edge of the screen to pinpoint which direction traffic will come from. Green arrows show where a special feature vehicle is approaching from. 2. Road Trip mode Don't become distracted Sit in the middle of the junction and work on blocking anything that tries to go past you. You may be tempted to smash up the surrounding environment, but stay focused until you have a nice roadblock built up that will let you take some risks. To get really big scores you need to survive until the Super Feature event occurs, so don't take too many gambles early on. Keep an eye on the weather Use your Crashbreaker to avoid any incoming Asteroids or you will have to drive into the scene again, giving traffic time to escape. Aim for the stars Get a star in all the Road Trip missions to unlock the Elite vehicles - their upgraded stats will help in the quest for destruction and more stars. 3. Pile Up mode Might doesn't equal right Try to crash all the traffic using the minimum amount of force possible. So when the Inferno multiplier kicks in you'll have plenty of fuel to keep the Inferno going, and all your scores will be much bigger. Similarly, damage as little as possible. Crash everything but don't touch any of the other destructible parts of the environment until Inferno comes into play. Then you can get a multiplier on everything and improve your score. Where there's smoke... Smoking cars are almost on fire, a useful clue when trying to keep the fires burning during Inferno. Light 'em up Use a lightweight vehicle with a small explosion radius as you need to be able to move around easily during Inferno. You also don't need a Crashbreaker which is too powerful as it will damage the vehicle too much. Get yourself into a hole When Inferno hits, jump down the road hole - it will allow you to take one of the alternative routes when you reappear on-screen to perform a Smash Chain.  4. Rush Hour mode In the middle of a chain reaction The last explosion in Rush Hour sets off a chain reaction, so make sure you are near plenty of unexploded vehicles and buildings when the timer hits zero. You can easily double your score this way. Weigh things up Use a heavy and more explosive vehicle as you get a much bigger blast radius to destroy other vehicles in the time limit. It's harder to move around due to its weight, but you can perform skillshots easily as you have a more powerful Crashbreaker. Are you ready to take the crash crown? Put these tips to good use and download Burnout CRASH! from PlayStation Store now.