Tagged: playstation network

Journey creator and Sony: PSN users are more ‘adult-minded’

tgc-jenova-chenSpeaking to VentureBeat, Journey creator Jenova Chen commented that he believed the PlayStation Network has more adult-minded users, pointing out that Sony has a “more artistic and adult-focused taste. They care about how grown-ups feel toward their games.”

Jack Buser, senior director of PlayStation digital platforms agrees, too. “Our primary PSN audience is indeed more adult, and many of our best-selling titles appeal to this demographic,” he stated.

He pointed out the success of games like Heavy Rain, Flower and Journey, noting that “users enjoy the emotional and thematic sophistication of their games, especially with our digital offerings.”

While it’s true that Sony does have more ‘artistic’ games, it is difficult to define what “adult-minded” exactly means. If we take on the basic meaning, then games such as Braid and Limbo are definitely targeted towards the more cerebral users. I Am Alive and Alan Wake’s American Nightmare also, quite rightfully, fall within such a broad category.

Head of PlayStation Network leaves Sony

Sony’s Playstation Network has faced a lot of hurdles since its inception. But that hasn’t stopped the online service from gaining 77 million registered users worldwide. Susan Panico, the woman behind it all, has now left the company, hopefully for even greener pastures.

Panico was the head of PSN in North America. Sony has yet to comment on who is going to replace her. It was during her time that PSN grew to its massive userbase; the service was also hacked during her tenure.

PSN suffered an unprecedented six-week outage last year. Lots of gamers were angered at being unable to login. Sony has since then put up special offers and free games to bring users back on to the platform.

Puddle out today on Xbox Live, PSN on Tuesday

Aching for a physics-based puzzle game? Konami has a treat for you. They have released Puddle, a winner in the 2010 GDC Indie Games Festival, on Xbox Live Arcade. You can grab it for 800 Microsoft points.

The project was initially a project from six students from ENJMIN, a French game development school. It was eventually picked up by Neko Entertainment and was developed further. The game highlights the various basics of physics – momentum, friction, etc. You’ll need to work your way through fires, rifts, spells, and more without evaporating away.

Puddle is expected to be released on PlayStation Network on January 31 for $9.99.

Ridge Racer gets PSN re-release

Get your racing cars ready, because Ridge Racer Type 4 is coming to town! The PS1 classic is hitting PlayStation Network next month for both PS3 and PSP.

It was originally released in 1999 to raving reviews. The game offers arcade-style drift racing that is synonymous with the series. The re-release features 48 cars, over 300 variations, eight tracks, two-player split-screen and enhanced graphics. No price was given.

A new Ridge Racer game is also in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. They are also making a Nintendo 3DS version.

Smash Cars Announced for PS3

TikGames and Creat Studios today announced that Smash Cars will be released for the PS3. A sequel to the original 2003 ‘no rules’ RC racing game, the upcoming title will be offered solely through PlayStation Network starting Q2 2009.

Real-time physics, innovative stunts and next-generation graphics combine into a dynamic, tricked-out single and multiplayer RC car racing experience where players twist and turn, grind and gear up, performing aerial tricks and stunts while racking up trophies and points as they race to the finish, all in an unlikely location. Set on a beautiful and tranquil Mediterranean island, the fast-moving, bumper car gameplay style transforms this calm and relaxing setting into a dynamically frenzied raceway. A high-speed mini car racing game with a distinct arcade flavor, gameplay is presented from the unique perspective of a small RC vehicle, setting out to conquer the big world. Players will enjoy realistic driving physics and suspension as the tiny vehicles interact with full-size people and other beach dwellers along their path to victory.

To win the race, RC vehicles must achieve nitro-fueled rocket boosts for accelerated speed bursts by grabbing big air and pulling off gnarly tricks and jumps. Points are earned by performing the best jumps and aerial tricks, hitting dynamic obstacles, colliding with other cars, skidding and “drifting” along sharp turns, and finishing first. Players can choose from the default Monster Truck style chassis, Buggy or Sports Car configurations, and a visit to the Workshop offers players the opportunity to personalize their vehicle by selecting paint color, glass styles, and decals. Additional body styles are unlocked as players advance.

The game will include Trophy support. It will be demoed at the GDC later this week.

Wanted Demo Next Month

Word has popped up online that a playable demo for Wanted: Weapons of Fate is scheduled to hit the PlayStation Network on March 5.

This comes from PSU, who cites a little advertising slip slipped in with their review copy of F.E.A.R. 2.

The full Wanted game is due out on March 24 and continues on after the events of the movie.

Season of Street Fighter Starts This Month

With the release of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix looming, Capcom today announced the “Season of Street fighter”, noting that it will feature an assortment of Street Fighter-themed downloadable content packs, music inspired by the series, and newly designed digital destination points for both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

PINBALL_KeyArt_Arcader_Template_584x800 SFUNO_KeyArt_Arcade_Template_584x800

First off is the release of the Super Street Fighter Pinball FX downloadable packs, which adds a SF pinball table to the popular XBLA game. A DLC pack for Uno, offering new Street Fighter Command Cards with signature Street Fighter power moves, as well as backgrounds and music.

SFHD_Music_thumbnail5Capcom additionally stated that it has another “little” surprise coming to the PlayStation Network later this year.

Finally, the publisher will release a direct-to-download music album of hip-hop tracks inspired by the legendary fighting series. It will feature the musical talents of artists such as DJ Qbert, Redman, Oh No, DJ Toure and more. These songs will be free of charge and exclusive to the PlayStation Network.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix launches on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on November 25 and 26, respectively.

Linkin Park, Mastodon Rocks Guitar Hero 3

Quite a few new songs have been available on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for Guitar Hero 3 since last week. The first batch of new songs is “No More Sorrow” by Linkin Park, “Pretty Handsome Awkward” by The Used and “Sleeping Giant” by Mastodon. The songs are available as a track pack for 500 Microsoft points ($6.25); there is also a free track – a cover of “We Three Kings” by Steve Ouimette.

There are also three individually released tracks – Extremoduro’s “So Payaso”, Trust’s “Antisocial” and Die Fantastischen Vier’s “Ernten Was Wir S?en” – that are selling for 200 points ($2.5) each.

Sony Expanding PSN, PS3-Mobile Phone Connectivity in the Works

Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer is planning a major expansion for the PlayStation Network. He also talked about the company’s plans to link up the PS3 to mobile phones and a range of other unspecified products. The drive for mobile phone-PS3 connectivity will be part of the company’s next three-year business plan, he revealed.

Stringer also plans on building up the PlayStation Network with content from other Sony divisions. “On Friday, we had a dinner where the heads of Sony Electronics, [Sony] Pictures, Sony BMG, and Sony PlayStation were all at the same dinner table intermingled and actually communicating,” he said.

Punk Tracks Hit Rock Band

New tracks for Rock Band are now available for the game via Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network for their specific platforms. The three new tracks are The Clash’s “I Fought the Law,” “Rockaway Beach” by Ramones, and a cover of Buzzcocks’ “Ever Fallen in Love”.

They are bundled together for 400 MS points ($5.50), while each song can be purchased separately for 160 MS points ($2).