More, more, more

New 160GB PLAYSTATION 3 will let you download more games, store more music, share more pictures and record more of your favourite TV and movies.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced at Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig that the 160GB PLAYSTATION 3 will launch in October 2008 in the PAL markets as part of a bundle box including additional PLAYSTATION Network content.

This new model has more than twice the storage capacity of the current models and can store and deliver more entertainment than ever before – perfect for people with an insatiable thirst for downloading and storing content.

The vast increase in storage space allows for even more video, music, and photo downloads as well as games, game extras, playable demos, and trailers from PLAYSTATION Network – making PS3 an even more attractive buy for those looking for an all-in-one entertainment system. With the new 160GB PS3, owners will have all of their media right where they need it.

Downloading content via PLAYSTATION Network is one of the core experiences of PS3. PLAYSTATION Store is the online destination for downloading games, extra content for games and more – all of which require hard drive space.

In addition, SingStar allows owners to download track after track from SingStore, while Buzz!: Quiz TV is supported by downloadable quiz packs direct from the developers. LittleBigPlanet encourages players to download and share levels that other gamers have created, while the forthcoming PlayTV allows people to record free-to-air digital TV.

Besides the extra hard drive space, owners can look forward to all of the other features of PS3: the High Definition Blu-ray Disc player allowing for amazing sound and images, Internet access, DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controllers, video chat, online play with other gamers across PLAYSTATION Network – and a stunning and ever-growing range of next generation games including the eagerly anticipated Resistance 2, LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm Pacific Rift, inFamous and more.

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How will you play it?

PixelJunk Eden is the third in the inventive series of PLAYSTATION Network titles from Q-Games - find out more from the people behind it here.

Game Director Tominaga "Tomi" Shouichi and Baiyon, the multimedia artist with whom Q-Games collaborated, provide an insight into the unique PLAYSTATION Network title that is PixelJunk Eden.

What was the inspiration behind the art and music for PixelJunk Eden?
Tomi: Baiyon's creations were the biggest inspirations. I wanted to bring across the liveliness of his live performances.
Baiyon: My main interests are multimedia, and everything I have been touched by in the medium until now is reflected in the work I did for Eden. Artworks, music, videogames that I have played, memories, experience and my past self, and also RGB and CMYK!

How old were you when you attended your first concert, and who played?
Tomi: It wasn't a concert, but when I was about 18 I visited a visual audio exhibit created by Brian Eno and it left a lasting impression on me.

If you could play Eden co-op with two other people, who would they be and why?
Tomi: I'd like to play Eden co-op with children and adults who normally don't play videogames. I want to see how they would play the game.
Baiyon: I'd like to play Eden co-op with my past self.

If you could have any famous piece of art hanging in your home, what would it be and why?
Tomi: The smallest Paul Klee illustration I can find perhaps, but I try to keep my house as neutral as possible so rather than place famous pieces of art I try to live modestly.
Baiyon: I have never really thought about it before because I have too much of my own art, music and works by friends of mine, and favourite records. If I was forced to choose though I would have Marcel Duchamp's The Large Glass (joke).

What is your favorite garden in Eden and why?
Tomi: Garden 10. The imagery and music along with the overall atmosphere of that stage feels very impressive.
Baiyon: Garden 9, because it has a deep feeling like a club dance floor. The background's motion and colors, mixed with the sound is an especially feel-good combination.

Who were your biggest influences in art and music?
Tomi: The media artist Katsuhiro Yamaguchi who was also one of my professors at University. He taught me that art is constantly new; in other words, art can get old. If you want to create art you always have to search for something new.
Baiyon: I have been influenced by too many people in both art and music to answer this properly. However, Shigesato Itoi taught me how to communicate via creating and selling my work, and also the beauty of drawing further even after you have finished the journey.

Will there be Eden merchandise available for sale and where can we get it?
Tomi: We are planning to release the PixelJunk Eden soundtrack soon on the PSN Store, so stay tuned for more info. 

How did this collaboration between Q-Games and Baiyon start?
Tomi: I first met Baiyon at a party held by a common acquaintance. I found Baiyon to be a very interesting person and we started talking about how it might be interesting for him to take part in the PixelJunk series we were just beginning to think about back then. Eden was different than other games in the series because it didn't start out with a solid idea for the actual gameplay.

Learn to play PixelJunk Eden at the PlayStation Blog
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Deal of the Day: Blu-ray movies at 50% off MSRP

Blu-ray sales aren't what they used to be before the format war ended. so we'll take what we can get. Amazon is having their Blu-ray 50% sale -- a selection of Blu-ray videos are 50% or more off MSRP. This might sound an awesome deal, but keep in mind Blu-ray prices on Amazon are usually already reduced around 20%. The above is an example of a decent deal: recent release Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is less than $20. Another good aspect of the deal is that it allows you to be more flexible, as it isn't a Buy 2 Get 1 Sale where you must purchase discs in multiples. Check out the rest of the selections here.


Deal of the Day: Uncharted for $40 at Amazon
80GB Metal Gear systems on amazon.com tomorrow at 10AM PST
Pirates of the Caribbean Online Privateering Launched

Nariko Sackgirl is Play.com's LittleBigPlanet preorder bonus

Europe, rejoice! You're not being left out in the cold. Those amazing LittleBigPlanet preorder bonuses will be available on both sides of the Atlantic. So far, we've spotted Nariko hanging out over at Play.com, but there's no sign of any of the others. At least, not yet. The Nariko Sackgirl (who is actually a Sackboy playing dress up, but don't let that put you off) is downloadable via the PlayStation Network. Instructions will be sent out during the week of release, according to Play.com, so don't expect to be playing with your new heavenly pal on launch day.

Now, where's that Kratos Sackboy got to? We're sure he's hiding around here somewhere.


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Unveiling the latest evolution of PlayStation

Games Convention in Leipzig was a showcase for a wide range of exciting new games and huge announcements on the hardware front.

David Reeves, President Sony Computer Entertainment Euorpe, took to the stage with the words of Bob Dylan on a screen behind him and explained how, in the world of PlayStation, "The Times They Are a Changin'."

His first announcement was that PSP-3000, the latest evolution of the hugely successful handheld, is to launch across Europe in October 2008. It features a brighter screen, allowing developers to access a wider range of colours, and a built-in microphone, which, Reeves pointed out, will allow users to make the most of the PSP system's communication applications, Go!Messenger and Skype.

He then announced that, as of August 22, 2008, an 80GB version of PLAYSTATION 3 will be available across Europe, and that a special edition 160GB version will launch later this year, which comes with a range of PLAYSTATION Network games, tailored for each region.

"If you're the kind of person that has an insatiable thirst for downloadable content and recording your favourite programmes using PlayTV, then this is the version for you," said Reeves.

Keeping with music, video and PLAYSTATION 3, Reeves also announced that a new service called VidZone will be available to PS3 owners in 23 European countries. It offers unlimited access to thousands of music videos from the world's most popular artists, the opportunity to create your own personal library and playlists, and the ability to enjoy your favourite tunes on the move, using Remote Play for PSP. He added that the service will be absolutely free of charge.

Yet another new addition to the PlayStation family is the Wireless Keypad; a mini keyboard attachment that plugs into the Wireless Controller and enables users to enter text more easily. It also features a touchpad mode that will benefit users of the PS3 system's Internet browser.

"The keypad is very compact, easy to use and fully compatible with both DUALSHOCK 3 and SIXAXIS Wireless Controllers," declared Reeves. "It will make services such as Home far more accessible."

PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP already offer access to an incredible range of multimedia entertainment, and after these announcements at the Games Convention, Leipzig, the ways in which PlayStation users can store and enjoy this content are set to become even more flexible and accessible.

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Movement - Tears before bedtime

Movement gets moving as Spencer and Martin's time in Barcelona draws to a close.

Spencer and Martin have a busy day ahead in Barcelona; first they have to meet their third band, Ovni, at the lofty Castell de Montjuïc, then they're back in the city centre for a chat with the final Spanish artists, Pecker. With feelings running high as the European jaunt draws to a close, Spencer can't keep the tears from falling. Will Martin be able to win him round in time for the journey to London?

If razor-sharp guitar riffs and soaring melodies are your thing, prepare to meet your new favourite band, Ovni. Two performances are now available for download from PLAYSTATION Store. Tu Necesidad combines the strong rock of The Killers with the punk-pop energy of Franz Ferdinand, while Flores Secas builds from a haunting instrumental intro into a searing rock piece.

In contrast imagine the sunlit avenues of Barcelona distilled into song form and you'll have some idea what Pecker's Tu Boca Es Espiral sounds like. Trills of spaced-out electronica, a bubbling bass line and gentle acoustic strumming are merged beautifully to form a trip-hop, classic-to-be. Souvenir, their second performance on PLAYSTATION Store, is a wondrous love song of upbeat disco rhythms and breezy synth swirls.

Download these exclusive band performances, interviews and road trip episodes by signing into PLAYSTATION Store on your PLAYSTATION 3 or, for PSP owners, by downloading the videos at PLAYSTATION Store (PC).

To access both the PS3 and PSP versions of PLAYSTATION Store you will need a PLAYSTATION Network account.

To find out more about Ovni and Pecker, or any of the bands featured in Movement, visit psmovement.com.

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Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars trailer

Download to PSP

When you have a title as long as Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, you don't really want to make an even-longer headline. This PSN-exclusive brings multiplayer arcade car-battling to the PS3, and we're in shock -- we were actually surprised at how fun this looks! With Trophy and YouTube support, we're going to pay closer attention to this potential gem in the PSN library.

Gallery: Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars

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