Archive for March, 2007
Poll: How did the European Launch Go?
Posted by Blackstaffer in Poll on March 30th, 2007
Now that the European launch came and went, I’d like to hear your thoughts. What do you think of the launch?
How well did Sony do with the European launch?
- Great launch!
- Good launch.
- Okay, shoulda been better.
- Bad launch.
Previous poll results:
Do you have problems with the Bluetooth controller to PS3 connection?
* Often: 6% (18)
* Every once in a while: 13% (37)
* Just once: 9% (25)
* Never: 49% (136)
* Don’t have a PS3: 23% (64)
Total Votes : 280
It looks like that, out of those that actually do have a PS3, most (63%) are not affected by this problem.
What I’d like to see in MotorStorm 2
Posted by Gary in M, PS3 software on March 30th, 2007
I’ve now spent a good number of hours playing MotorStorm, both online and offline, and as much as I love the game, it’s by no means perfect. It’s pretty much guaranteed there will be a MotorStorm 2 so here’s a few things I’d like to see in the second game:
* Customisable music. The music in MotorStorm fits with the type of game it is, but apart from a couple of songs, the music is rubbish. I want to be able to play my own music that I’ve stored on my PS3.
* Global servers. It’s pretty rubbish I can’t race against Henning and other MotorStorm owners who aren’t based in Australia or the EU.
* Split screen multiplayer. It’s pretty shocking that MotorStorm doesn’t cater for offline multiplayer. It’s the perfect type of game that you would invite your friends round for some multiplayer mayhem.
* In-game messages. You should be able to send a message to your buddy who is playing the single player game and invite him to play you online.
* More tracks. 8 tracks isn’t enough, despite them being great fun to race around. Once you learn the best route to take it pretty much takes away some of the fun.
* I’d like headlights to be present in the next game. Seems a little odd not to have them in when you race at night.
* Dynamic weather. If the game is set in a different setting, I’d like to see different weather implemented into the game. Imagine how rain could effect the tracks and your vehicle!
I think that’s about it for now. The game is so much fun as it is but if they add those above points to the sequel it would be nigh on perfect. I also have to add, it looks stunning on my SDTV so I shudder to think what it would look like on a decent sized HDTV.
Anybody have any ideas they would like to add?
On a separate note, Sony really needs to enable you to access any messages you receive in the XMB, when you’re playing a game. You have to quit a game completely just to access your messages, so it makes setting up online play with your buddies more difficult than it should be. 
Nyko Guitar Hero Adaptor Cancelled
Well Guitar Hero fans, I hate to be the one to tell you this. But the PS3 Play Adaptor Nyko was working on is no more. So keep the PS2 out so it can hang with PS3 for now.
Citing “limitations in the PlayStation 3 hardware” the company says it has been “prevented from releasing this product with support for Guitar Hero.” Given this hardware roadblock, Nyko reps say that “the product has unfortunately been put on hold indefinitely.”
Earlier this month I got a PS2 to USB adapter so I can use my arcade stick with the PS3, and it works fine. But this adapter only works with PS3 games. Which is fine for me, because I got it for Tekken DR & the upcoming Tekken 6.
GTA 4 Trailer Anticipation
The first substantial trailer hits in a few hours and I can’t wait!
Here’s a summary of what everyone is suggesting or hoping for in GTA 4:
- Predictable Another city. Different vehicles (Skating, surfing, blimps). More interactivity. More mission types.
- Realism People should act more like real people rather than simply aimlessly walking around. It shouldn’t be so easy to steal cars and kill people. More realistic traffic and crash damage. Animals. Seasons. Snow + Ice.
- Technical Better graphics, animation, sound, physics, online support, episodic content, dlc, gesture control, achievements, and whatever other bullet-item buzzwords you can think of.
- New Game Mechanic Branching storylines and NPC dialog. Expanded RPG and character development and customization. Deathmatch, full storyline co-op. Persistent MMO elements. Strategic gang warfare.
- Bizzare GTA in outer space. Golf themed GTA. To be dead honest, an outer space themed GTA would probably be fun: In outer space, you could hijack spaceships, curse off aliens, and beat up space-hookers. I’d buy it.
Quick Prediction: Obviously, technical improvements, realism improvements, and more of everything. They will develop multiple new gameplay mechanics of the ones mentioned above. Everyone expects something really different and the developers know that.
I’m guessing they will successfully pull off a completely new twist to the series so it will excite gamers who are jaded by the series so far. I’m also guessing that with the huge amount of budget and talent going into this, that the high quality of the series will continue, and it will be worth every penny. But I’m also guessing that this won’t be a major milestone and breakthrough in game design like GTA 3 was. Those breakthroughs occur through serendipity and we won’t see them coming from a predictable source.
Anyone care to add their wishes or predictions?
Datel Unveils New PS3 Range
Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 on March 29th, 2007
Datel is unveiling some cool new accessories for the PS3. They include:
- A Bluetooth wireless headset for £24.99/$49.99.
- A wired headset for £14.99/$19.99.
- DataMAX for transferring PS2 savegames to PS3 for £14.99/$24.99.
- Component video cables for £14.99/$19.99.
- MAX Drive 160, an external 160GB (USB) hard drive for £99.99/$169.99. (Isn’t that price a bit much?)
- WiFi MAX for adding WiFi to your PS3, for £29.99/$39.99.
- PowerBoard black corded keyboard for £14.99/$19.99.
Coming soon. Hmm. You know what would be cool? If I could get a Bluetooth headset with a switch on it to switch it between pairing-for-PS3 mode and pairing-for-something-else mode.
Ninja Gaiden Demo Coming to PSN
Posted by Blackstaffer in N, PS3 software on March 29th, 2007
According to IGN, a demo of Ninja Gaiden is coming to the PSN near the end of April:
In the latest issue of Japan’s Famitsu Weekly, Ninja Gaiden Sigma director Yosuke Hayashi revealed plans to make a playable demo of the game available on the PlayStation Network starting 4/27. The demo will include one specially created chapter that won’t be in the final version and will allow players to use a large number of weapons from the start.
Normally I wouldn’t get this kind of game, but I’ll definitely check out the demo to see what all the fuss is about. I just hope that it comes to the North American PSN as well…
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 ?
Posted by Blackstaffer in Software on March 28th, 2007
I know this isn’t PS3 related, but what’s the fun in having a forum like this if I can’t abuse it every once in a while?
I’m looking for Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 for the PS2, and I can’t find it anywhere for a reasonable price. Does anyone know where I can find this game without me having to spend a fortune to get it?
Resistance Online
I tried Resistance’s online multiplayer modes last night and before I continue, I’d better explain something first. I’ve never played any game online before. In fact, I’ve been opposed to online multiplayers for a good few years. I’d associate online gaming with PC geeks and weirdos with super PCs who spend 20hrs a day mastering their skills and screaming abuse at noObs (or whatever else newbies are called) down their headsets. It just wasn’t a side of gaming I wanted to experience.
That all changed when I got my PS3 and free access to online play. I thought I’d give it a shot saying as it’s part of the PS3 experience now. So I clicked on multiplayer on Resistance and downloaded an update which took 8mins. Once that was done I wasn’t sure what each mode involved so just chose a free for all death match with 15 players on the Rooftops map. I promptly got my arse kicked and finished 15th 
but man, it was a lot of fun!! I killed 3 people and died 9 times with 4 assists but it was mad hectic fun!
I then got invited into a 20 man team battle (40 players) with someone on my buddies list. This took a while to set up as you can’t access the messages you receive in the XMB while you’re playing a game so you have to quit the game to find out if your buddy wants to play or not. 
Once it was set up I had a great time. The highest I ranked was 13th out of 20, and my average kills and deaths was 4 and 9 for most of the time I played, which was over 30mins. Yeah I suck but FPS aren’t my favourite genre and I’ve never played online before so 
I haven’t tried MotorStorm online play yet but people have said it’s easier to organise arranged play with people on your buddies list.
I can imagine it being a lot of fun if your buddies have headsets on and you taunt each other during play. I doubt I would wear a headset with strangers though. I’ll probably buy one at some point.
I’m sure Insomniac said Resistance would be using global servers soon. Let’s hope so. It would be great to arrange a PS3Blog meet up on Resistance, with our readers and writers doing battle!
Follow Us
Last 5 Comments