PSP included in ps3 video service ?

Rumour has it that Sony is planning to integrate the Playstation Portable with its newly announced Playstation 3 video service. This would in theory allow the user to download a movie from the playstation store and then watch it on their ps3.

This apparently comes as part of an effort by Sony to make PS3's video service offer more than Xbox and Apple iTunes equivalents.

Talks of a similar direct-to-PSP function for Blu-ray films also resurfaced in the Variety report - a feature that still hasn't materialised despite previous reports

Sony has so far refused to comment on the service, however, with E3 less than a month away expect to hear some info on it soon.

Source: CVG

Castlevania wii fighter

The recently rumoured Castlevania game for the Nintendo Wii has been revealed, but not as fans may expect.

Going from the Side Scrolling platformer fans know and love, the game will be a 3D fighter of all things, including characters from the series.

According to the magazine, the Nunchuk controls character movement and the Wii Remote is used for motion attacks. We presume that means you shake to swing your weapon of choice.

Characters so far confirmed are Dracula, Simon, Alucard, Shanoa and Maria Renard. Classic weapons like holy water, magic spells, the dagger and the boomerang will be returning and a bunch of old Castlevania tunes will be remixed for the game.

Being such a classic and loved series, this rather drastic change in direction may worry and annoy fans, who would have been looking forward to a classic return to Castlevania with the wii's waggling abilities.

Source: CVG

COD5 screens

The first official screenshots from Activision's Call of Duty 5: World at War have arrived, note these aren't scans from a magazine.

Built using the Call of Duty 4 engine, the screens show mayhem everywhere, with a variety of locations, weapons and enemies. This is World War 2, but maybe not how we know it.

There are 14 screenshots in total, 3 of which can be found below with the rest over at CVG, you can find them by hitting the source link.

Source: CVG

Madden goes Gold

EA's Madden 09 has gone gold, meaning that its finished and ready to ship. The game has been dated for August 12th.

If you're not up to date on the improvements and additions of this latest installment, Madden 09 promises adaptive AI that will change depending on your skill level, the inclusion of online leagues, and improved presentation modeled after television broadcasts, with commentary by Cris Collinsworth and Todd Hammond (a greatly needed improvement, as the presentation and lack of any real commentary was one of Madden 08's biggest shortcomings).

Source: 1up

9.8 million psn accounts

Sony has revealed that there 9.8 million Playstation Network accounts have been made.

Overall, over 170 million downloads have been issued, from both Playstation 3 and Playstation portable store.

Sony didnt state whether these figures include multiple accounts made by one person, often done as a way to get around the region based store content restrictions.

Source: Gamesindustry

Top Spin 3 demo on live now

A demo for 2k sports Top Spin 3 is now on Xbox live according to Major Larry Nelson.

The demo is available in all territories and is looking rather nice, perfect timing what with Wimbledon going on at this point.

Source: EuroGamer

PSP Phone for 09 ?

According to rumour from both Korean and Japanese sources, Sony will release a PSP branded mobile phone in the next 2 years.

According to these sources, Sony is using the current PSP model and branding as the focus for the phone, however, a move like this could damage the relationship between Sony and Ericsson who have been working together in the mobile phone industry for several years. Another source has claimed that Sony would never allow Ericsson to be involved in a project for a PSP based phone, so if this is true the item could very possibly see the end of the Sony Ericsson brand as we know it.

Sounds more like rumour than anything else, Sony havent commented on the phone and with E3 just a month away it seems very unlikely that they would before the big event anyway.

Source: CVG

SF2 HD REMIX SCREENS

Some new screenshots of the highly anticipated Street Fighter 2 HD Remix, as you can see it looks rather nice.

What is effectively Street Fighter 2 with HD sprites, online combat and achievement points surely this game cant help but be a success.

The screens below are from the beta version of the game, which you can currently get your hands on by purchasing Capcom's top-down shooter, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3.

The game is expected in Autumn this year.

Source: CVG

New Killzone 2 shots

Some new screens from the upcoming Playstation 3 title Killzone 2 have emerged. Coming in several shades of grey and little more the screens are all based in the outdoor battlegrounds we have seen in previous videos of the game. Expect a lot more from Killzone 2 at E3 this year.

Source: CVG

Firmware 2.4 info

A supposed Sony employee has released a load of information on the upcoming and much anticipated Firmware 2.4 update for the Playstation 3 console.

As well as the already known in Game Cross media bar access (XMB) and the addition of Trophies (Sony's versions of achievement points), the update will also feature the ability to play your own music in-game, something that xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a long time.

The GameFAQS poster, going by the alias Knight613 (claiming to work in R&D at Sony's Foster City branch) also says that, although you'll only have access to a limited number of the XMB's features while a game is running, you will also be able to set up Bluetooth devices, so getting your wireless headset set up won't require you to quit out.

In addition, they say that it'll be released some time next week. A picture of the new trophy screen was also posted, and to prove he isn't just a spotted teenager with a taste for lies, Knight613 also posted a snap of his office pass. That settles it, then. You're fired!

Source: CVG

God of War 3 to appear at E3

It has been revealed by none other than a careless sony employee that God of War 3 will appear at E3. Its been reported that a Sony rep at GDC Paris has let slip that GoW 3 will be appearing at the even in Los Angeles next month.

Whilst the appearance of God of War at E3 08 has been speculated amongst gamers nothing had been said before this, apart from a very brief message on the back of the manual of God of War: Chains of Olympus reading "Coming Soon".

Source: CVG

Banjo Boxart

Microsoft have released the official Box art to Rare's next title, Banjo and Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.

Banjo seems to have a rather un-nerving stare going on. As you should already know, the game is being made by Rare and published by Microsoft Game studios.

Source: CVG

Gears 2 info

With E3 fast approaching and Gears of War 2 easily being one of the most highly anticipated games of the year for Xbox owners, Cliff Bleszinksi has been adding fuel to the hype train in the form of a few more snippets of information.

He has revealed that Gears of War 2 will not incorporate upgradable weapons, saying:

"We're not really that kind of game. We're not going to allow you to bling out your gun. The Lancer's a Lancer, Gus is Gus, and Marcus is Marcus. Those are the identities we're sticking with."

Bleszinksi is also clearly happy with what he is playing, describing GoW2 as better game to GoW1 (as you would expect).

"Just the other day I was driving in this icy level with a tank and power-sliding through Locusts and Gus goes, 'Locust roadkill, baby. Squish. Squish. Squash. Squash.' It was just freakin' great. And then when you shoot you're knocking over trees because we have more destroyable objects and you shoot your Boomshot and everything shatters apart.

"Gears was heavy and Gears was chunky and Gears felt satisfying. And Gears 2 is just really taking that to the next level. It's just cooler and more visceral."

No word on a release date yet but rumour is stating a November 08 release.

Source: CVG

Tomb raider underworld screens

Eidos have been busy over the weekend, releasing the official Tomb Raider: Underworld website along with a couple of new screenshots.

A description of the plot of the new game has been released on the site:

"For generations, stories have been told of the fearsome weapon of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Legend holds that Thor’s hammer had the power to smash mountains into valleys and to destroy even the gods. For more than a thousand years it has existed only as a myth ... until now.

In an ancient ruin on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea, Lara Croft uncovers proof of the Norse underworld and the mythical hammer. As she attempts to unravel the secrets behind these myths, Lara’s perilous journey leads her toward a forgotten power that, if unleashed, could lay waste to all civilization."

The official site hosts a selection of news, screenshots and podcasts from Crystal dynamics who are making the game.

Eidos also confirmed that Tomb Raider: Underworld is set to launch this November on Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, DS, Wii and PC.

Source: Kotaku

Four new ps3 bundles set to head to europe

After recently announcing the withdrawal of the European Motorstorm Bundle and the imminent release of the Metal Gear Solid 4 ps3 bundle, Sony Europe (SCEE) has announced another four brand new Playstation 3 bundles.

The four bundles will are set to be: Folklore, Formula one: Championship Edition, Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and strangely Motorstorm (again). All of which will come with a sparkly new Six Axis controller.....excellent.

Source: Videogaming247

UT360 screens

Epic has released another batch of screens from the Xbox 360 version of Unreal Tournament 3, however they still haven't mentioned a release date for the game.

Epic have released seven new screenshots of the game, which released on the ps3 way back in November 2007.

CVG contacted publisher Midway today, but was again told that Epic is yet to confirm a date.

The Xbox 360 version will host extra features not available in the PC and PS3 versions, including Split Screen CO-OP play, 5 exclusive levels, all the previous DLC and two new characters. However, at this rate Gears of War 2 will launch before UT3.

Hit the source link to check out the new screens.

Source: CVG

Viva Pinata DS screens

Rare and publishers THQ have released new screenshots and video for there upcoming title "Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise for the Nintendo DS.

Rare has said that this will be the full version of Viva piñata (xbox 360) in pocket form, not only including all of the piñata from the xbox 360 version but also featuring a few new ones.

Viva Piñata is the kind of title that was built to be played on the DS, a touch screen system could work very well with what is already a very deep and rewarding game, one that was very much overlooked on the Xbox 360.

Hit the source for the screenshots and video clip.

Source: CVG

Resi 5 plot details

Resident Evil 5 producer Jun Takeuchi has revealed the first plot information for the Africa based Survival Horror epic.

He revealed that when they decided to focus on the Virus' origins for the fifth game, Africa had to be the destination for the game to be set in.

"The main reason that we chose Africa as the setting for Resident Evil 5 is actually from a clue that came up in Resident Evil: Code Veronica, where it was revealed that Africa was the original of the Progenitor Virus, which is the origin of all the viruses that appear in the series," .

"It's been ten years since the events of Resident Evil 1. One little hint we can give you is that Chris is no longer a member of S.T.A.R.S. and S.T.A.R.S. itself as an organisation is defunct. You might see a little mark on his arm that talks about the new organisation that he's a member of. Who that organisation is and what they're up to, that's going to be another important element of the story."

One question that still remains for fans of the series is, what exactly has happened to the Umbrella coporation. Takeuchi has revealed that this question will be very important in the game and will answer a number of questions the series has so far raised.

"In terms of timeline the game does take place shortly after Resident Evil 4 and over the course of the game you will find out exactly what happened to Umbrella and certainly where the story is going to go from here for the continuation of the series."

So, does this mean that Resident Evil 5 wont be the last in the series ? Judging by the massive success of Resident Evil 4 and the hype surrounding Resi 5 it seems hard to believe that Capcom would finish one of its most popular and successful current series.

Source: CVG

Dead island shots

Dead island developer Techland has revealed three screenshots from its latest title, set to appear on the Xbox 360 and PC.

The three shots show a selection of the un-dead you as the protagonist will be presumably killing.

The shooter has previously been described as Far Cry meets Lost meets Resident Evil meets Dead Rising, with plenty of gore and yes, zombies. Apparently there's a whole army of them on the island, all acting and reacting to each other in groups thanks to the Polish dev's fancy advanced AI system. It sounds like they've read the Zombie Survival Guide and made a game out it, basically.

Could be a hit, with Left 4 Dead also appearing on both the Xbox 360 and PC, gamers on those two formats will be spilt for choice for Zombie based mayhem.

Source: CVG

New Spider man revealed

Activision has revealed its latest game in the Spider Man series, Spider-Man game: Web of Shadows.

It's being developed by extreme sports dev Shaba, and according to our US chums on Games Radar its experience in skateboarding games shows in Spidey's combo attacks and chained-up web swings.

The main theme of Web of Shadows is Spidey's two suits; the regular red and blue one and the goo-blasting, angsty black one.

Apparently you can switch between the two at any given time to chain up moves, and earn extra abilities depending on which one you use the most.

Hit the source link to see several screenshots from the new title.

Source: CVG

Viva Pinata 2 trailer

Microsoft has released a new trailer for Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise

The trailer shows off some new environments, several new piñata and a new feature called "Piñata Vision", which apparently allows players to pick up trading cards from shops and unlock items in game via the Xbox Vision camera.

Hit the source link to check out the new trailer as well as some already released gameplay footage.

Source: CVG

Incredible hulk screens

Sega has released 11 new screenshots from its upcoming title The Incredible Hulk, this time from the Xbox 360 version.

The city is an open-world, the environment is destructible and you can pick almost anything up and batter things to death with it.

The game is set to release this Friday, alongside the movie which shares the same name.

Source: CVG

Monster Madness ps3 delayed

Southpeak has announced that the Playstation 3 version of Monster Madness: Grave danger has been delayed, with the new expected release date to be September 2008.

Grave Danger was expected as early as April, but has hit numerous zombie-shaped bumps along the road to release.

Monster Hunter launched on the Xbox 360 last summer and was met with a mixed reception, the lack of co-op play didnt help the top down shooter at all.

The ps3 version is be rethought though and will feature online co-op play as well as 25 player multiplayer modes.

Source: Eurogamer

GTA4 hits 8.5 million

Take Two have revealed that Grand Theft Auto 4 has sold over 8.5 million copies already.

Released little over a month ago, GTA4 has been running rampant in sales charts around the world, selling 2 million units in its first week. Having shipped 11 million units and sold 8.5 million, GTA4 looks certain to hit the 10 million milestone mark soon, an achievement that less than 10 games have achieved this millennium, the last one to achieve it being Call of Duty 4 which we reported on earlier this week.

As well as this, Take-Two have announce that Bioshock has shipped 2.2 million units, with a ps3 version hitting shelves this year that figure is set to increase.

Source: MCVUK

Resident Evil 5 screens

10 new screenshots from Capcom's title Resident Evil 5 have appeared on Eurogamer. There isnt any new information with the screenshots but this wouldn't really make a difference seeing as this is the Spanish/Portuguese version of the site.

There are 10 screenshots in total, 6 are below and you can see the rest over at Eurogamer via the source link.

Source: Eurogamer

KOTOR 3 being made by bioware

An ex Lucas Arts employee has spilled the beans on details on a number of titles in development, including Knights of the old republic, which is being developed by Bioware.

The source has told Kotaku that he is one of 75-100 employees laid off in a massive shake-up yesterday, including the producer of the Lego Star Wars and Indy titles.

As well as the KotOR 3, the ex-staffer spilled the beans on production going ahead with Battlefront 3, a new (non-Lego) Indy game (although we knew about that) and a Wii lightsaber game.

As this is an EX member of Lucas Arts dont expect to see any official conformation of this any time soon, however, fans will be very happy to know its happening.

Source: CVG

Hulk DS screens

42 new Hulk screens have emerged today, showing off a variety of different settings and levels from the upcoming game.

Levels in the game range from backyards in the US to snowy Alaska, to the city streets and even underwater, apparently being big and green allows Hulk to breath underwater.

The game will feature parts from the upcoming film as well as several added plot lines and extra characters from the comics.

Hit the Source link for the rest of the screenshots.

Source: CVG