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.

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WipEout HD has Platinum Trophy, should be over $30

Although WipEout HD is a PSN download-exclusive game, it looks like it may be priced like a standard retail game. A snapshot of the game's Trophy screen shows a Platinum Trophy for the game -- one that's reserved for full retail games. Shorter, cheaper games on PSN, such as PixelJunk Eden, Super Stardust HD and PAIN, do not feature a Platinum Medal. However, full-priced retail games, such as Uncharted, do grant Platinum Trophies.

With this evidence, we can postulate that WipEout HD will be available for download for at least $30 (the cost of Warhawk, downloaded from the PLAYSTATION Store). SCEA still hasn't announced an official release date or price for the game, but rest assured that the news is forthcoming.

[Via NeoGAF]

Don't blink! Check out our WipEout HD page to catch up on all the game's news and previews.



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Heavy Rain

An emotionally driven experience is unveiled for PLAYSTATION 3, where your actions and choices truly define the story.

Heavy Rain, being developed by Quantic Dream exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3, was unveiled today at Games Convention 08 in Leipzig. Alongside the announcement, a trailer of gameplay footage demonstrated Quantic Dream's use of stunning animation and motion-capture technology to create an atmospheric and emotional experience.

"Heavy Rain typifies how PLAYSTATION 3 games will develop", said David Reeves.  "I hope it will be the first title that will make you cry in the same way you might watch a movie and feel an emotional connection. That is what the development team is working towards."

Founded in 1997 by David Cage, French developer Quantic Dream has achieved international renown for its innovation within the games industry, particularly in the areas of interactive narrative and emotional content. Quantic Dream was responsible for 2005's award winning Fahrenheit, a paranormal, interactive blend of film and gaming that was widely praised for re-imagining the adventure game genre.

Using the innovative ideas of Fahrenheit as a starting-point, Heavy Rain will create an experience that is dark, immersive and emotionally-engaging; a redefined vision of the adventure game genre where decisions are charged with importance and actions can have drastic and unforeseen consequences.

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Brain Buzz!

Fire up your little grey cells as Buzz! gets brainy with Buzz!: Brain Bender on PSP.

Buzz!: Brain Bender sees Buzz! step out of the studio and into the laboratory for a mental workout featuring 16 mini-games that test your skills of analysis, observation, memory and calculation including:

Path Finder: A maze game where you have to decide quickly which path leads to the centrePower Struggle: A decision game based on who can win tug of war battles between different vehiclesMatch Up: Can you tell how many pairs of contestants there are in a puzzle?Pattern Match: A puzzle style game where you need to identify the correct shapes to fit into a missing grid Take Away: A card game where participants need to identify the missing cards from a seriesSound Bites: A game based on sounds made by animals or objects in which you have to recall correctly the order they were played Blot Swot: Can you still solve maths puzzles when they're full of missing numbers?Sliced Up: A game where you must decide what portion of the food on display hasn't been eaten

Buzz!: Brain Bender is designed for both solo and multiplayer fun, with all of the above and more to test yourself, your friends and family. The extensive single player mode has three different ways to enjoy the mini-games - Training Mode lets you warm up your brain with a variety of mini-games, Challenge Mode gives you all sorts of different objectives to achieve in each category of game, while Test Mode allows you to track your progress over time.

Up to six people can take each other on in the Brain Battle Multiplayer Mode by passing around a single PSP, giving you a sociable gaming experience where the winner can claim victory over his or her opponents.

A completely new and different Buzz! experience, Buzz!: Brain Bender reaches parts of the brain that previous Buzz! titles never have before. Let Buzz! test your brain and tickle your funny bone when Buzz!: Brain Bender is released later this year.

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VidZones brings unlimited streaming music videos ... for free

Europe is getting a wicked cool service to use early next year. Entitled VidZones, this new service, available in 23 European countries, including Australia and New Zealand, will allow PS3 fans to access an unlimited amount of streaming music videos on their PS3 for the incredible price of: free. You'll be able to create custom playlists and yes, you'll be able to stream it on your PSP via Remote Play. This will operate separately from the current PS3 Video Store.

In addition, users of VidZones will be able to download music videos and ringtones directly to their cell phones ... all for a nominal charge, of course. With this and PlayTV, the multimedia features of the European PS3 is far outclassing those of their (now jealous) neighbors.