Weekend Essentials 45

Get taken on a journey to the next level this weekend with the launch of PlayStation Move.

Move it!

PlayStation Move is here, and there's no easier way to get in on the action than with the PlayStation Move Starter Pack. In it you'll find a treasure trove of motion control goodies including the PlayStation Eye camera, the PlayStation Move motion controller and the demo-packed Starter Disc. On it, you will find tasters for Beat Sketcher, EyePet Move Edition, Sports Champions, TV Superstars, The Shoot, Tumble plus a whole lot more.

Visit your nearest store to get your hands on PlayStation Move.

A new dawn of PlayStation

So, you have your PlayStation Move Starter Pack, you've played through the Starter Disc. What's next? Take a look at the awesome line-up of PlayStation Move titles you can pick up this weekend:

Sports Champions

Choose from 10 athletes and compete around the world in a series of cool sports including volleyball, disc golf and table tennis.

Start the Party!

It's interactive fun all-round for the whole family as you take part in 20 addictive and whacky mini-games.

Kung Fu Rider

Speed through the streets of Hong Kong on an office chair. It's mad, it's fast and it's a whole lot of PlayStation Move fun.

EyePet Move Edition

The cheeky EyePet gets a PlayStation Move update and a Blu-ray Disc release because you love it! If you already own it, simply sign into PlayStation Network and download the update today.

Tumble

Use you PlayStation Move motion controller to stack up and knock down blocks in 50 palm-sweating challenges in Tumble, which is available to download from PlayStation Store today.

Don't forget there are also a whole bunch of games that will support PlayStation Move at launch including Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, Toy Story 3, R.U.S.E, EyePet Move Edition and Resident Evil: Gold Edition.

Move a little more?

There are a huge range of PlayStation Move demos on offer this weekend including trials for echochrome II, Beat Sketcher, Sports Champions, Kung Fu Rider, Start the Party! The Shoot, TV Superstars, Racket Sports and a demo for Heavy Rain Move Edition.

What are you waiting for? Get moving and visit PlayStation Store now.

Sports fans rejoice!

It's a jam-packed weekend on PlayStation Store for football fans. Why? There are demos for PES 2011 - Pro Evolution Soccer, EA SPORTS FIFA 11 and NBA 2K 11 all up for grabs. The question is: where do you start?

Get in on the sports action and download all three today.

Monkey Madness

The developers of Heavenly Sword are almost ready to unleash their latest creation on PlayStation 3, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. Featuring a story by The Beach writer, Alex Garland, and based on the classic Chinese tale, Odyssey to the West. Try it out now. You won't be disappointed.

Enslave yourself and download the demo now.

Controller evolution

Check the PlayStation Blog this weekend at blog.eu.playstation.com for a cool feature charting the history of the PlayStation controller. From the dawn of PS one, through to PlayStation 2 and beyond, the iconic PlayStation controller's origins are explored in detail.

Win stuff!

There are loads of amazing competitions on eu.playstation.com this weekend. Up for grabs is a Sony 3D TV, plus some great Resident Evil prizes in the Resident Evil: Afterlife competition. You can also get your hands on SingStar prizes in association with Locnville, plus put your Mafia knowledge to the test with Mafia II and win a PlayStation 3 system.

Oh, and to celebrate the launch, there are more PlayStation Move previews, news and videos than you can shake a motion controller at!

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMBTM (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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15 years of PlayStation – the defining moments

Take a journey with eu.playstation.com through 15 years of PlayStation innovations.

PlayStation has helped define an industry since its explosive arrival on the videogames scene 15 years ago. From the birth of the revolutionary PlayStation games console to the advanced technology of PlayStation 3, there’s always been something that has moved your entertainment experiences to the next level…

The PlayStation revolution

1995 saw the European arrival of a fresh-faced machine called PlayStation. The games console sported an attractive design and the ability to play audio CDs. This merging of entertainment – music and videogames – in one system was a baton passed down to PlayStation 2 in 2000, which was the first home games console to offer in-built DVD playback, USB support for a range of handy peripherals and full backwards compatibility with its predecessor. PS2 went on to be one of the most popular videogame consoles ever created, shipping over 145 million units worldwide to date – and still going strong.

With the seeds of multimedia planted, the stage was set for PSP (PlayStation Portable) to dazzle in 2005, thanks to a combination of powerful portable hardware and the ability to play Universal Media Disc movies, as well as MP3 music, photos and games. PSP also boasted a built-in Wireless Internet connection for web browsing and continued to broaden the creative diversity that PlayStation had become famous for.

Further evolution came in the shapely form of PlayStation 3 during 2007. The world’s most powerful entertainment system brought with it a host of new hardware features to once more alter the videogames landscape. PS3 offered things no other system could, with a built-in Blu-ray Disc player for incredible full High Definition picture quality, connectivity with PSP through Remote Play and a unified online platform – PlayStation Network. This paved the way for downloadable games across PS3 and PSP (something especially significant for the pocket sized PSPgo, which features a large amount of internal memory for downloadable content), along with a number of other advantages for music, films and television.

Put the power in your hands

Revolutionary hardware is nothing without precise control, and the history of PlayStation is rife with ergonomically-designed controllers that made sure all your entertainment needs were in hand. The roots for the famous DUALSHOCK controller were established by the original PlayStation controller which boasted four buttons on top of the controller instead of the standard two, giving developers the scope to explore more gameplay possibilities in their titles. This was soon followed by the twin analog stick wielding Dual Analog Controller, and then the original Analog Controller (DUALSHOCK). In 2000 the DUALSHOCK 2 for PS2retained the vibration features and introduced pressure sensitive buttons which transformed gaming from a visual and aural experience into a tactile one as well.

In 2007, PS3 signalled the arrival of motion control on PlayStation with the SIXAXIS Wireless Controller and later the DUALSHOCK 3. Tilt sensors, Wireless connectivity and the PS button for accessing the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) user interface became standard, along with all the other advantages of the previous DUALSHOCK controllers.

The simple to use Buzz! Buzzers introduced a brilliantly fun way to play the accompanying quiz series, Buzz!, on PS2 and PS3 in 2005. Featuring big coloured buttons, the controllers make answering quick-fire quiz questions a blast!

In 2010 the latest addition to the PlayStation controller family, the PlayStation Move motion controller, was launched. Placing incredibly accurate motion control technology in the palm of your hand, PS Move changes the way you play games. Working in tandem with the PlayStation Eye camera, PS Move replicates your movements on-screen and puts you right in the action. Suddenly you don’t just have a controller in your hand – you have a mighty sword, a powerful ray gun, a trusty bow and arrow… you have whatever you need for the game you’re playing. Light and Wireless, PlayStation Move represents the epitome of how far PlayStation has progressed when it comes to videogame control.

The birthplace of gaming classics

Many blockbuster franchises started life on PlayStation and have since become household names. Tomb Raider became synonymous with PlayStation thanks to its impressive debut in 1996 which made Lara Croft a lasting and popular videogames figure across the globe. Solid Snake was reborn in the Metal Gear Solid franchise during that same generation, providing a new look for the rugged hero as well as helping popularise stealth based gameplay. And who can forget the birth of the survival horror genre through Resident Evil and Silent Hill, both PlayStation titles originally.

Tried and tested genres also got a welcome shot in the arm with PlayStation systems. Role-playing games found a new way to portray cinematic storytelling thanks to the epic Final Fantasy VII, using the console’s technology to realise narrative techniques which are still used today. Futuristic racing games flew out of the home and into nightclubs with WipEout offering blistering visuals and a dance floor filling soundtrack.

The world-beating likes of Tekken, Ridge Racer, God of War, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Killzone, Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet, Kingdom Hearts, MotorStorm, Resistance and so many more all became popular series that took off on PlayStation. And the fresh breath of innovation drifted into videogames through titles such as EyeToy: Play, EyePet, Grand Theft Auto 3 and the emotion driven storytelling of Heavy Rain, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus.

Fans of realistic racing games were put into the driver’s seat with the emergence of Gran Turismo. In 1998, the Real Driving Simulator took Europe by storm by delivering the most stunningly realistic portrayal of racing ever seen in a videogame. Gran Turismo’s sequels on PS2 set the bar even higher, leaving rivals in the dust thanks to a perfect combination of well observed physics, a massive range of selectable cars and a comprehensive career mode.

Critical and commercial acclaim has followed Gran Turismo on the track to success, which looks set to be repeated with the late 2010 arrival of Gran Turismo 5 on PlayStation 3. Over 950 stunningly recreated cars, more than 70 track variations and unparalleled realism await, along with compatibility with another innovation – stereoscopic 3D. With a 3D compatible TV, compatible glasses and the PlayStation Eye camera, you can change your field of view as if you’re actually inside your car by moving your head left or right while driving. No other driving game can offer this sort of realism.

With the arrival of the PlayStation Move motion controller and experiences offered by related titles such as Sports Champions, Heavy Rain Move Edition, The Fight and SingStar Dance, PlayStation continues to be the home of memorable and genre changing fun for all ages.

Step into a wider world online

No glimpse through the defining moments in PlayStation history would be complete without a mention of PlayStation Network (PSN). Released in Europe in 2007, the online service took PSP and PlayStation 3 into the wonderful world of free Internet access, where over 50 million users to date now regularly create their own colourful online IDs, play online at no extra cost, browse their favourite sites and use features such as the ever growing PlayStation Store. Offering a colossal range of downloadable content, PlayStation Store is open 24/7 for you to stock up on games, playable demos, themes, trailers, avatars and game add-ons.

PSN took another defining step with the arrival of premium subscription service PlayStation Plus, in 2010, which introduced exclusive discounts, services and content such as early access to beta trials and demos, and free games and downloads.

Snackable titles on both PS3 and PSP became all the rage with minis on PlayStation Store in 2009. Their bite-sized blast of addictive gameplay meant the range of game types and genres instantly increased on PlayStation.

Demand more from your machine

When it comes to entertainment services, PlayStation is ahead of the game. PlayTV unlocks the potential of your television by letting you watch, pause and record live TV. Planning television programmes around your life is easy with PlayTV and you can even use Remote Play to organise your viewing schedule on PSP, VAIO laptops or compatible Sony Ericsson phones, meaning you also have access to previously recorded programmes wherever you go. And with an increasing range of TV on-demand services, such as BBC iPlayer also at your command, you don’t have an excuse to miss your favourite shows ever again.

If movie madness is your thing, then you’ll find plenty of opportunities for popcorn viewing on PlayStation with MUBI and the PlayStation Store Video Store. MUBI reels in some of the most treasured film masterpieces and puts them on demand for your PlayStation 3 viewing pleasure, while the Video Store is all about the biggest films and newest releases at the touch of a button.

Music maestros aren’t left out either with VidZone pumping thousands of music videos to your PS3 absolutely free. Redefining your music experiences on PlayStation, VidZone lets you create your own playlists from hundreds of artists, with regular updates to keep your tunes fresh. You can even access the service on the move using Remote Play for PSP.

The world of comic books was also unleashed on PlayStation through Digital Comics on PSP, a service which lets you download some of your favourite comics and take them anywhere you go in the comfort of your own pocket.

Be social

Fostering communities is something which has helped define PlayStation throughout the years and PlayStation Home is a large social environment which no home console can compete with. Accessed through the PlayStation 3 XMB, this free to explore world has you creating a custom avatar before decorating your own personal apartment. Then you can venture out into PlayStation Home and interact with other users enjoying the constantly growing environments. Want to watch a trailer? Make new friends? Play games and take part in special events? PlayStation Home brings all these elements together for the perfect blend of videogaming and social fun – and it’s only on PlayStation.

3D: A new dimension to home entertainment

It may be relatively new technology, but stereoscopic 3D is already making waves with PlayStation. Both 3D compatible games and movies are available to change your experience. Arm yourself with a 3D TV, compatible glasses and the 3D game or Blu-ray 3D disc movie of your choice and see the future of home entertainment pop out of the screen. If you already have the equipment you can dive into new depths with titles such as PAIN, MotorStorm 3D Rift and WipEout HD, and 3D movies including Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Monster House.

Putting you at the forefront of PlayStation

Even before the arrival of stereoscopic 3D, PlayStation has looked at new and inventive ways of playing games. Augmented reality is one such area, showing a live version of the world around you on the screen and overlaying it with computer generated images which you can interact with. You become part of the virtual world and use your body and surroundings to alter the game.

PlayStation explored this exciting concept as early as 1999 with the announcement of the EyeToy USB Camera for PlayStation 2, pushing augmented reality gaming into the mainstream. Games such as EyeToy: Play thrust you on to your TV screen, while other titles like EyeToy: Kinetic Combat offer the opportunity to keep fit or jump into other activities.

With the clear success of these titles, PlayStation took the concept even further with the PSP camera. Games such as Invizimals give you a taste of what it’s like to find and collect hidden creatures around your home, while EyePet lets you rediscover the world around you with an adorable new friend.

On PlayStation 3, augmented reality is in full flow thanks to a combination of the PlayStation Eye camera, PlayStation Move and stereoscopic 3D. Titles that use PS Move and the PlayStation Eye camera give you the chance to be on-screen and in the spotlight – Start the Party! and The Shoot are perfect examples of this magical way to play, while EyePet Move Edition adds stereoscopic 3D to really bring it all to life. Augmented reality is a defining moment happening right now – and you can be a part of it with PlayStation.


During its first 15 years, PlayStation has helped the videogames industry move into the mainstream and brought memorable and engaging entertainment into your homes. Where will the next 15 years take you? The journey starts here…

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FirstPlay: See the future of PS3. First.Episode 24

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, KickAss, FIFA 11, Shank, ModNation Racers, The Forced Unleashed II, Ace Combat: Assult Horizons

Episode 24 of FirstPlay will be on the Store this Wednesday, and comes with an exclusive Top Gun theme as well as a review of genre-twisting RPG sequel Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep for PSP. We also have not one but two huge studio visits this week, the first to EA Sports’ Vancouver lair to check up on FIFA 11, and the second to see Enslaved: Odyssey To The West at Ninja Theory, and a review of superhero hit Kick-Ass on Blu-ray.

We’ve also got a packed Network Highlights section this week, including a review of side-scrolling slasher Shank, a look at the latest minis and a round-up of the best user-created ModNation Racers, and plenty more games in our screenshot galleries, including sandy shooter Spec Ops: The Line, robo-suited blockbuster Vanquish, The Force Unleashed II and ‘The Modern Warfare Of The Skies’ (their words not ours) Ace Combat: Assault Horizons.

Which, for just 99p, gets you over half an hour’s HD game coverage and a pretty picture of a plane for your XMB. And if you subscribe it’s even cheaper – around 75p an episode if you take out a 90-day subscription for 8.99.

We’d also like to remind you that you can stay in touch with all things FirstPlay by following us on Twitter at @firstplay_uk and on our Facebook page. We also have a YouTube channel up and running.And don’t forget you can sign up for the FirstPlay newsletter here to have regular news and content updates delivered directly to your inbox.

The FirstPlay team would love to hear from the PS3 community so if you’ve got anything to share, from videos and grabs to suggestions for content feel free to get in touch.

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Weekend Essentials 46

Get into pole position for a whole host of great releases this weekend.

Start your engines

Fasten your seat belt and pick up the hugely anticipated release of F1 2010 this weekend on PlayStation 3. Get into the driving seat and tear up the tracks alongside iconic drivers such as Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Begin your career, live the fast life and take to the wheel as an aspiring champion racing driver in the full 2010 circuit line-up, featuring the new Canadian Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi and Singapore's dramatic night races.

Get in the fast lane now.

Get zombified

Take on a swarm of bloodsucking zombies this weekend as Dead Rising 2 releases on PlayStation 3. Assume the role of Chuck Greene and wipe out the gory undead beings with a host of extraordinary weapons from fire extinguishers to lawn mowers as you explore the gambling paradise that is Fortune City. Awash with frights Dead Rising 2 will keep your zombie-bashing needs satisfied all weekend.

Begin your zombie-fest now with Dead Rising 2.

A supersonic mission

This weekend you'll be able to relive some retro memories as Sonic Adventure speeds onto PlayStation Store, over 10 years after its original release. Play Sonic, Knuckles and Tails as you battle the evil Dr Eggman in this classic adventure.

Start your adventure now at PlayStation Store.

Dispense some more justice...

DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue is now available to download from PlayStation Store. Created by Ron Gilbert, the man behind the Monkey Island series, DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue is packed with outrageous humour that will keep you entertained all weekend. Explore a huge world filled with hundreds of pieces of armour, plenty of weapons and challenging villains as you try and discover the secret behind the Thongs of Virtue.

Head to PlayStation Store to begin your wacky adventure with.

Something to get your claws into

Take on the role of Kit Ballard, a feline bounty hunter on the planet of Hollow Wish in the action-packed Blade Kitten. Along with your extraterrestrial sidekick Skiffy, you must hunt down the rogues that inhabit Hollow Wish. Be careful, though, as you will discover a secret about this mysterious planet and its destiny will lie in your paws...

Download Blade Kitten now from PlayStation Store.

Ancient secrets come to PSP

Zuma has arrived on PSP, so you can take the classic puzzle anywhere and everywhere. Shoot coloured balls from your stone frog to break the chain before it's too late. Take aim, fire and rack up huge combos in this addictive challenge that will have you hooked all weekend.

Download Zuma from PlayStation Store now.

Are you a champion yet?

Those of you who have bought a PlayStation Move motion controller may have tried your hand at Sports Champions. Featuring competitive and exciting sports such as archery, table tennis and volleyball, Sports Champions is challenging, fun and energetic. There is now a Sports Champions theme available for your PS3 system's XMB™ (XrossMediaBar), along with some avatars to personalise your PlayStation Network experience.

Check them out at PlayStation Store, along with more great avatars and themes.

Plenty of prizes

This weekend, why not try your hand at one of our competitions and be in with a chance of winning some amazing prizes? We have loads to give away: PlayStation 3 systems, a 3D TV and even Mafia II toothpicks are up for grabs.

Check out the competitions at eu.playstation.com/competitions, celebrating Resident Evil, Mafia II and SingStar and see if you can get your hands on some terrific treats.

Update your viewing experience

Make sure you update your PlayStation 3 system's software to version 3.50 this weekend. Great features are available so that you can now watch films in amazing stereoscopic 3D through your PS3 if they are on a Blu-ray 3DTM disc. You will also be able to access information on Facebook from Facebook-supported games.

Update your PS3 now to start using these great new features.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

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DUNGEON SIEGE III developer interview

Ready for a new adventure? Prepare yourself for a dark and deadly journey on PS3 with DUNGEON SIEGE III's associate producer Nathan Davis.

Can you describe DUNGEON SIEGE III for those who aren't familiar with the game or the series?

DUNGEON SIEGE III is a fantasy action role-playing game [RPG] that puts the player in the role of a descendent of the once great, but now destroyed, 10th Legion. It is up to him to bring the Legion back to restore peace and order in the land. Along the way he's joined by unique companions with a wide variety of magic and martial abilities.

How have you used the feedback from previous DUNGEON SIEGE titles in the decisions you made when developing DSIII?

As we were developing this instalment, we looked at the first two games in addition to many other action RPG titles, Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs and even non-RPG action titles. Using all of these games as inspiration, we distilled down what would be the best skill and ability system, loot system and action mechanics for our game. A lot of that process involved making sure we understood what players liked most about the original games.

What sort of response have you encountered from the game's unveiling so far?

The team sees the game all the time and have gotten used to the look and feel of our engine, the characters, the animation and the environments. So each time we bring it outside of the developer circle and show new stuff to Square Enix, Chris Taylor at Gas Powered Games or to the press, we are often taken off guard by how positive the response has been. Not that we don't think we are making a good game that also looks visually great, it's just easy to forget what you have until you get an outsider's perspective.

What sort of enemies and characters will players face in the game?

You will find some of your standard fantasy enemies like skeletons and giant spiders to hack to pieces. But we've also developed a number of very unique enemies and computer-controlled characters thanks in large part to the creative vision of our art director, Justin Cherry. Many have a dark and exotic flavour that will stand out.

Will the game have multiple endings based on the decisions made by the players? How far-reaching will their decisions be in the game?

Like other Obsidian games, choice and consequence play an important role. So there will be multiple endings and decisions you make in the first region which will impact things that happen in the last region.

What sort of challenges did you come across creating the game?

Initially, getting the visceral feel of console based melee combat was a challenge and therefore a focus for us. We iterated a lot during pre production and now have a fun and rewarding action experience.

What's been your favourite moment developing DSIII?

I really enjoyed seeing rag doll physics get implemented in the Onyx engine. We've had endless fun launching dead enemies as we tweak the weighting of creatures in the game.

Is there anything else you want to add about DUNGEON SIEGE III?

I'm very excited about the story of DSIII. It's crafted by the skilled hand of our creative lead, George Ziets, who was behind Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer. I think when players can finally sink their teeth into this game they will see a story a cut above other action RPGs.

Weekend Essentials 46

Get into pole position for a whole host of great releases this weekend.

Start your engines

Fasten your seat belt and pick up the hugely anticipated release of F1 2010 this weekend on PlayStation 3. Get into the driving seat and tear up the tracks alongside iconic drivers such as Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Begin your career, live the fast life and take to the wheel as an aspiring champion racing driver in the full 2010 circuit line-up, featuring the new Canadian Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi and Singapore's dramatic night races.

Get in the fast lane now.

Get zombified

Take on a swarm of bloodsucking zombies this weekend as Dead Rising 2 releases on PlayStation 3. Assume the role of Chuck Greene and wipe out the gory undead beings with a host of extraordinary weapons from fire extinguishers to lawn mowers as you explore the gambling paradise that is Fortune City. Awash with frights Dead Rising 2 will keep your zombie-bashing needs satisfied all weekend.

Begin your zombie-fest now with Dead Rising 2.

A supersonic mission

This weekend you'll be able to relive some retro memories as Sonic Adventure speeds onto PlayStation Store, over 10 years after its original release. Play Sonic, Knuckles and Tails as you battle the evil Dr Eggman in this classic adventure.

Start your adventure now at PlayStation Store.

Dispense some more justice...

DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue is now available to download from PlayStation Store. Created by Ron Gilbert, the man behind the Monkey Island series, DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue is packed with outrageous humour that will keep you entertained all weekend. Explore a huge world filled with hundreds of pieces of armour, plenty of weapons and challenging villains as you try and discover the secret behind the Thongs of Virtue.

Head to PlayStation Store to begin your wacky adventure with.

Something to get your claws into

Take on the role of Kit Ballard, a feline bounty hunter on the planet of Hollow Wish in the action-packed Blade Kitten. Along with your extraterrestrial sidekick Skiffy, you must hunt down the rogues that inhabit Hollow Wish. Be careful, though, as you will discover a secret about this mysterious planet and its destiny will lie in your paws...

Download Blade Kitten now from PlayStation Store.

Ancient secrets come to PSP

Zuma has arrived on PSP, so you can take the classic puzzle anywhere and everywhere. Shoot coloured balls from your stone frog to break the chain before it's too late. Take aim, fire and rack up huge combos in this addictive challenge that will have you hooked all weekend.

Download Zuma from PlayStation Store now.

Are you a champion yet?

Those of you who have bought a PlayStation Move motion controller may have tried your hand at Sports Champions. Featuring competitive and exciting sports such as archery, table tennis and volleyball, Sports Champions is challenging, fun and energetic. There is now a Sports Champions theme available for your PS3 system's XMB™ (XrossMediaBar), along with some avatars to personalise your PlayStation Network experience.

Check them out at PlayStation Store, along with more great avatars and themes.

Plenty of prizes

This weekend, why not try your hand at one of our competitions and be in with a chance of winning some amazing prizes? We have loads to give away: PlayStation 3 systems, a 3D TV and even Mafia II toothpicks are up for grabs.

Check out the competitions at eu.playstation.com/competitions, celebrating Resident Evil, Mafia II and SingStar and see if you can get your hands on some terrific treats.

Update your viewing experience

Make sure you update your PlayStation 3 system's software to version 3.50 this weekend. Great features are available so that you can now watch films in amazing stereoscopic 3D through your PS3 if they are on a Blu-ray 3DTM disc. You will also be able to access information on Facebook from Facebook-supported games.

Update your PS3 now to start using these great new features.

Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at eu.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

The People vs: LittleBigPlanet 2

Members of the Media Molecule development team answer questions from the always inquisitive PlayStation community about the sequel to the hit PlayStation 3 game.

What kind of story and theme can we expect from LittleBigPlanet 2? (Perelie, UK)

In LittleBigPlanet, the different cultures of the world provided the diverse art styles for the game themes. This time you'll be travelling through history, to different worlds themed around a period of great human creativity, but with a LittleBigPlanet twist.

Amongst the new themes are: Victoria's Lab, a Victorian inspired steam punk playground, flourished with cakey decadence; Eve's Asylum, a lush garden world we describe as Designer Organic, which is very much inspired by the likes of Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright; and the Handmade Arcade of The Cosmos, a theme based around the creativity of videogame art.

Can people from the first LittleBigPlanet game join your pod or even play levels with you in LittleBigPlanet 2? And will the Popit size increase in LittleBigPlanet 2? (ISlayer3000, NZ)

You can't join each other to play online from the different games, but things you create in the first game can be played in the second game. In terms of Popit, you can now run it in full screen, and it also comes with some new rather nifty sorting and filtering options.

Will it be possible to make videos and to export them to the XMB? (Dragongaze13, France)

Nope, sorry.

Will we be able to shoot short movies with the new camera functions? (katil199X, Germany)

Oh yes! The new cameras, when combined with the Sequencer tool and other great tools like Sackbots allow you to create in-depth cinematic cutscenes for your games. If you combine these tools with the ability to level link, you can make a movie that lasts as long as you want it to!

Now that we know LittleBigPlanet 2 can be played with PlayStation Move, will there be PlayStation Move only trophies? If so, will there be PlayStation Move multiplayer trophies too? Will I have to buy PlayStation Move to be able to gain all the trophies or will they be achievable with both PlayStation Move and/or the Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller? (Tomyi, Germany)

The LittleBigPlanet 2 Blu-ray Disc will feature a bonus section of levels specifically created for PlayStation Move. The gameplay is an evolution of what was shown at the Tokyo Game Show in 2009, and the Game Developers Conference this year - fun co-op gameplay with one player playing as Sackboy, and another player using PlayStation Move to help him through the level.

As this is a separate bonus mode, there are no trophies tied in with it - so you won't need a PlayStation Move motion controller to gain all the trophies in LittleBigPlanet 2. And this is just an initial taster of what could be possible when Sackboy meets PlayStation Move. There will be plenty more exciting stuff to look out for in the future!

Will we be able to add custom music to LittleBigPlanet 2? (Deserteaglezx, AU)

Yessiree! You'll be able to use the Music Sequencer to easily remix songs or create your own from scratch. It's a very powerful - but really easy to use - new tool that works straight from Popit. If you can use Popit, you can make music.

The level editor in LittleBigPlanet was actually a bit hard to use, will the editor in LittleBigPlanet 2 be more user-friendly? (flaviusdigital, Poland)

Create mode is essentially still the same, but we've made a lot of alterations to the toolset to make it easier to use, and added loads of more tools that make it easier and faster to create things.

In lots of cases, the new tools allow you to build something in four minutes that used to take four hours, so the things that were harder to create are now within the reach of people with less time, or who maybe aren't quite as familiar with the existing tools as those super creators out there are. It also means those super creators can go even further than they've been able to.

It would be interesting to find out how you came up with the idea for Sackboy? The main characters of the game are rag dolls; does it have a hidden meaning? Seeing the game for the first time, I was pretty sure that this title was not created only for children, although, judging by the style of the title, you surely wanted to please this particular audience. Please tell us more about the origins of the lovely Sackboy! (WhiteMoj, Russia)

In the beginning, Sackboy was a little guy with a pink square with a yellow head, the costume you get for Ace-ing the final level. He was placeholder programmer art, and was soon replaced by the cute little guy we all know and love. He was designed by Kareem, Mark, Dave and Francis all jamming together until he was just right.

LittleBigPlanet is definitely for kids, but it's also definitely for adults too - we think some people see the game as being only for kids, because of the playful nature of the game, and the association with imagination and creativity - as we get older we stop imagining and playing so much. LittleBigPlanet allows you to go back to thinking like a kid, like when a washing up bottle was a perfectly good spaceship.

Will items bought in LittleBigPlanet work on LittleBigPlanet 2? (Luis_FFgamer, Portugal)

All downloaded DLC packs, all saved costumes, all created levels - everything on your profile essentially - will work with LittleBigPlanet 2.

Are you able to slap Sackbots? (If so, it would make great practice for when friends come over to my pod.) (NivekKom, AU)

Yes. But don't be too mean, or we'll call the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Sackbots - the RSPCS.

‘Step Up 3D’ Cast Reveals Their Signature Dance MovesWeekend Essentials – Issue 39