This is something that I’ve always wanted. When I downloaded Tekken (over 800 MB) from the PlayStation Store, I just had to go off and do other things until it finished. But it looks like those days are over with the 1.6 firmware update.

Here is part of a interview that Game Informer had with Harrison from D.I.C.E. 07:

GI: …You mentioned today, background downloads. Will that be part of it, and what are some of the other things that you have planned for that?

Harrison: The only thing I can talk about is that background downloading will be part of the 1.6 upgrade. There’s a bunch of other stuff, but Kawanishi-san would kill me if I was to reveal all of the details.

D.I.C.E. 07: Phil Harrison Speaks

IGN posted some impressions of the PS3 version of Oblivion. Most of you know, this game has been out for almost a year on the PC and the 360 and is considered to be the best game of 2006 by many.

Read the link at the bottom for full impressions, but it sounds very positive overall: Dramatically reduced load times, sharper graphics, smoother frame rates, better shading, reduced object pop-in. Wow!

The PS3 version also includes the Knights of the Nine content, which is an extra purchase on the PC and 360 versions. On the downside, the other purchaseable add-ons available for the PC and 360 versions won’t be initially available for the PS3. They may or may not become available in the future. Some of this content sounds pretty pointless (who cares about downloadable horse armor?) but other pieces might be more worthwhile.

Overall, great news. I’m very happy that we’re finally starting to see cross platform games that actually perform better on the PS3.

IGN Oblivion Impressions

Sony held a special event where they gave out customized PS3s to celebrities. Very nice.

Double Life Article with Full Image Gallery

Finally, the Manhunt sequel has been officially announced! It will come out for PS2, PSP, and Wii. PS3 owners will be able to use the PS2 version through emulation, but unfortunately, there will not be a PS3 specific version.

I wonder if Wii users will get to use gesture recognition to do executions? I would have rather seen a PS3 version, but this is still great news.

(screenshots are from Manhunt 1)

Sam Houser says

With Manhunt 2 we have tried to create a game that stays close to the original concept of chilling suspense and stealth, whilst pushing the game design and storytelling forward.

Sounds excellent!

I just received the PS3 Blu-ray Bluetooth remote for the PS3 for my Birthday, and I have to say that I like it a lot. It’s a lot nicer to use a remote to control a movie than to use a controller, I found. The remote works well, and the system is very responsive.

The ability to pause easily and advance frames forward and back works really well. I like that, because sometimes I want to see a certain frame of a movie because of something I thought I saw in the background, or whatever. So being able to advance frame by frame easily is a real boon.

I also like the eject button. Every DVD player, VCR, and gaming console’s remote should have an eject button. I am super-lazy, and I want to be able to hit eject from the couch, walk over to my machine, and pull the disc out immediately. That’s the only way to go, man.

So I’m very happy with this remote. Just a small note: Walmart was selling this remote for $20 more than other places like FutureShop and EBGames. Buyer beware!

With data showing that BD uptake is on the upswing, I thought it would be interesting to poll all you PS3 owners out there about your BD movie-viewing habits. So what are they?

1. I buy BD movies for my PS3.
2. I rent BD movies for my PS3.
3. I rent and buy BD.
4. I don’t watch BD movies on my PS3.
5. I don’t have a PS3.

Last Poll’s Results:

What do you think about the European 60GB-only PS3 release?

* Right way to go: 49% (82)
* Should have some 20GB too: 46% (76)
* Should have lots of 20GB: 5% (8)

Total Votes : 166

It’s almost a mantra that you hear from HD DVD proponents: just because the PS3 includes a BD drive doesn’t mean PS3 owners care about HD movies on BD. You hear it especially when people discuss the HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 and compare it to the BD drive in the PS3.

According to Sony’s research, 80% of PS3 owners plan to buy BD movies. Another 72% have said that they plan to rent BD movies in the near future. This is data Sony collected from 100,000 PS3 owners that they surveyed.

I have a bunch of titles on my Ziplist (Zip.ca is like Netflix). But Zip.ca don’t seem to have many BD’s in stock, because even though a bunch are near the top of my list, I’m not getting them. So while I’d like to rent some BD titles, Zip.ca is preventing me.

Sony: PS3 Drives Blu-ray Sales, Format Beating HD-DVD

Early last month our good old friend “blurry cameraphone shot” suggested that Virtua Fighter 5 on PS3 would offer a 1080p mode. Nothing else supported it, but now the game is actually on the shelves in some places and…

So there you have it. Virtua Fighter 5 PS3 is a 1080p game. As well as the standard 480p, 720p and 1080i sizes obviously!

Credit goes to nextwish at Gaming Age Forums