echochrome demo is coming out tomorrow.

Wow, PSN is on a roll with content. Brand new store with GT5:P last week, echochrome this week, a demo of Siren next week. Very nice.

I had a feeling it wasn’t going to fully ready by spring. I was thinking there was going to be a open beta at least. Now it’s pushed back until fall. I can see delaying it because it’s not ready. But at least let us look at it. We know it’s Beta, and everything isn’t 100% yet. Home has great potential but Sony sure is taking their time.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation tradition.”

Home gets delayed again, open beta scheduled for Fall

Back in 2004, just before the release of San Andreas, Dan Houser said this in an interview:

The danger is currently the storage medium (DVD), and one we thing we’re all praying for in the next round of hardware is that they don’t just go, ‘It’s DVD again’.

That would sound like blatant console-wars flame-bait if said today, but back in 2004, it was a little more innocent.

Suprisingly, the same Dan Houser recently made more comments along those lines in another interview:

When you only had a CD as opposed to DVD, you could put like 10 songs and eight lines of dialogue and that was your entire game. We were lovingly casting all our actors in “GTA 2” to be DJs on radio stations, but they probably said three things each. The big technological advance was when things moved to DVD, almost more than the power of Playstation 2. It was the storage unit. You could suddenly put on a lot of audio a lot more animation and a lot more content in a world. That then gave us the opportunity of making that content interesting.

Regardless of tech and platform issues, this game sounds absolutely amazing.

UPDATE: Rockstar Games founder, Sam Houser, was even more blunt in an interview with 1UP:

One of the problems with the 360, and it affects games like Grand Theft Auto if you think about how much content we put in the actual machine, is the fact that they don’t have a significantly larger storage medium than the previous systems. It’s a slightly bigger DVD disc.

What do most typicaly people use home PCs for?

• Web Browsing. This is the biggest and broadest use and covers many types of web applications.
• Messaging: Email and IM
• Word Processing + Spreadsheets
• Music + Photos + Movies
• Games

The PS3 is way ahead of home computers for games, and it’s better for movies (IMO) as well. But the PS3 still has a ways to go in several other areas. What if the PS3 made these improvements:

• Made a really good web browser. The current browser is great for occasional use when you don’t have a PC handy, but realistically, no one would use the existing browser for their main web browsing. But what if the PS3 really did make a great browser that was nearly as good as a PC: fast, standards compliant, tabs, improved support for USB mouse/keyboard, search box, cookie management, all the preferences and options that power users want, and something that overall could be used as a primary browser. I don’t know if this is possible given PS3’s hardware design, but if they did this, people could use web applications for regular email, word processing, and spreadsheet functionality.
• Impoved Music and Photo apps. PS3 has great music and photo features, but they still are missing many of the polish and features found in the better PC software such as iTunes, Windows Media, or Picasa.
• IM. There are web clients, but the native clients work better. Also, people want to use their existing IM networks (AIM, Jabber, etc), not just the PSN network.

Sure, all the programmers, 3D animators, CAD people, and other specialty users want general purpose computers with apps highly tailored to their specific needs, but why does the common user who basically wants a web terminal need a full-blown general purpose Windows/Linux/Mac computer?

If the PS3 did the above, would people really start using the PS3 as a genuine home computer replacement? Would you start seeing PS3’s on desks and in small offices in addition to living rooms?

Kind of a slow week. But not a terrible week by any means. Anything for you?

* The Orphanage (New Line Cinema)
* Six Degrees Could Change the World (National Geographic)
* One Missed Call (Warner Bros.)
* Sublime: Uncut (Warner Bros.)

Blu-ray.com

Commentary

- Above only includes US + Japan figures. I currently can’t get reliable Europe figures which would be very nice to include.

- The 360 managed to eek out a small lead over PS3 in the US NPD numbers this month. Of course, PS3 has a much larger lead in Japan and Europe, so globally, the PS3 is well ahead for the month. It would be nice to see PS3 keep the US lead over 360 in March, but given preliminary vgchartz numbers, it looks like PS3 will take the US lead back for April while keeping large leads in both Europe and Japan.

- First party PS3 titles such as MLB ‘08 The Show and Hot Shots Golf didn’t make a splash on the top 10 charts. They could be doing well outside the top 10, and they may sell over a longer stretch of time, but we can’t tell.

- Sony is putting out some really strong software content and firmware updates. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Some of this was out earlier this week. But this is the full list. Quite a update after the 2 weeks off. If you’ve been wanted to trying our Lair, jump onto the Hong Kong PlayStation store to grab the Lair demo, it’s even in English from what I hear.

Games/Demos:

- Gran Turismo 5 Prologue ($39.99)
- Metal Gear Online beta (if you have a beta code)
- UEFA EURO 2008 Demo

DLC:

- Warhawk Broken Mirror Pack ($7.99)
- Warhawk Booster Combo ($11.99)
- LAIR - Dragons and Control Pack - free
- Super Stardust HD - Solo Add-on Pack - $4.99

Rock Band tracks:
- GlaDos from Portal - “Still Alive” (master) - free
- Motley Crüe - “Saints of Los Angeles” (master) - $0.99

Pack - $5.49
- Blondie - “Call Me” (master) - $1.99
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Simple Man” (master) - $1.99
- The Police - “Message in Bottle” (master) - $1.99

Pack - $2.99
- Bang Camaro - “Rock Rebellion” (master) - $0.99
- Count Zero - “Shake” (master) - $0.99
- Freezepop - “Super Sprode” (master) - $0.99

Trailers:

- Warhawk Broken Mirror Trailer
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot Making Of The TV Spot
- HAZE Mantel Corporate Vision
- This is Vegas Annoucement Trailer
-Gran Turismo 5: Prologue - “Beyond the Apex”
-Gran Turismo 5: Prologue - “Friendly Fires”

Themes:

- Warhawk Theme (x2)
- Lair Mokai Theme

Games/Demos:
- Metal Gear Online beta (open to all of Europe/PAL, won’t work for non-PAL users due to IP restrictions)
- SEGA Superstars Tennis demo

DLC:
- Super Stardust HD - Solo Add-on Pack - £2.99
- Guitar Hero III - Dropkick Murphys pack - free
- WarHawk - Operation: Broken Mirror Add-on - €7.99

Trailers:
- Bionic Commando Rearmed
- GTA IV - “Trailer 4″
- Lost Planet - “2″
- SEGA Superstars Tennis

NeoGAF

[Update]

Also there is a update for TEKKEN® 5: DARK RESURRECTON™ ONLINE

· Pickup Match Mode - For those who want to skip the waiting room, players can now continuously face off in one-on-one matches
· DUALSHOCK 3 rumble support – Feel the impact of each blow and attack
· Room name display – Allows users to input and display names for online rooms
· “Flag” search - A network filter that enables users to better select opponents with optimal connection speeds
· New notifications – Let’s waiting players know when it’s their turn to fight or inform them when others have entered or left the room
· More casual matches – When Rank Match is set to Off, match results no longer affect Win/Loss record.
· Multiple bug issues have also been resolved

Is it just me?

I’m finding that I’m not posting much here these days. Partly because I’m a little bummed about finding a software development job that I actually enjoy. (I’m looking for a job doing Mac development, but there’s precious little of that going on in Ottawa. Anybody know of any jobs like this in Ottawa? Or that would allow me to telecommute?) But mostly I’m bummed because there just isn’t much PS3 stuff out there that interests me right now.

We seem to be in a perpetual waiting game. The good stuff is coming, really it is. Just wait for it, and wait some more.

While the new PSN store is nice, it doesn’t impact my gaming life in any substantial way. I never spent a lot of time in the store before, and the redesign won’t change things. I get in there, get what I want, and get out.

This week we finally see GT5 Prologue, which I can’t buy because I’m looking for a job. So that’s something at least.

But all the really good stuff seems to be perpetually out of reach. We’ve been waiting a long long time for the likes of Home, Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet, MGS4, and in-game XMB. Are they ever going to get here? At least we know MGS4 is coming in June, but the others are all too far in the distance to have any concrete meaning. Except to tease us, and then to move even further into the distance.

So while I’m glad that the PS3 is selling well, I’m also in the doldrums. There’s not much new or exciting to talk about, and therefore I’m stuck. Ah well.

As you may have heard the Metal Gear Online Beta is available to download if you have a valid 12 digit beta key. But it seems a lot of people have 9 or 11 digit keys. I got stuck with a 9 digit key. I’ve contacted Konami and this is there response.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for contacting Konami Support. If your code is appearing with only 9 or 11 digits, then this is incorrect.

Please copy your code exactly as it appears on your voucher in your reply to this email. We’re very sorry for this inconvenience and we will do our best to rectify the situation in time for the Beta start.

Regards,

Konami Customer Support
kdeussupport@konami.com

I’ve sent them my 9 digit key, I haven’t got my valid 12 digit key yet. But I should get it soon I’d assume. Also after you download the Beta you’ll need to download a patch for the Beta. Which can be done via BitTorrent or http. Not sure which is faster, because I can’t download it yet.

[Update]

Konami has made a faster signup page:
https://id.konami.net/mgo/selectCountry.jsp

I got bored of Burnout Paradise a long time ago so I’m not too bothered about this news but I know some people who still play Burnout Paradise who may be interested in the 3 new modes that will be part of the “Cagney Software Update”.

No date (or price for the new modes?) has yet been officially announced for the software update.

Online Stunt Run

• This is 8-player simultaneous online Stunt Run – everyone competes for the highest score within the 2 minute time limit and you can play anywhere in Paradise City.
• An on-screen display shows all player scores, so you can easily see how you’re doing.
• Earn multipliers for taking each other out but you lose your combo score, if you’re taken down.
• Eliminated players are greyed out of the scoring area but can exact brutal revenge by chasing after players that have managed to keep their combos alive beyond the time-out.
• For the first time, you can drive alongside someone as they complete a billion score in Stunt Run - you can absolutely use this mode to try and show off to your friends.

Online Road Rage

• This is an 8-player online team event.
• At the start, everyone chooses their team (red or blue).
• One team of “runners” has to drive to a checkpoint then the finish – they can only see one checkpoint ahead.
• The other team has to take them down. These guys can see the checkpoint and finish and choose whether to wait and ambush in key locations, shortcut to the action if they get left behind or just follow the pack and cause chaos.

Online Marked Man

• We randomly choose a “Marked Man”.
• There’s an intense few moments, while all players wait for the selection to be made – you want to stay close to other players, so you can hit the Marked Man, as soon as he’s selected but far enough away that that you can run like hell if it’s you that’s the Marked Man.
• The target is selected and a 90 second timer starts – you get 1 point if you survive and 1 point if you take down the Marked Man. After 90 seconds a new Marked Man is selected at random.
• If you’re the Marked Man, you can’t see the attacking players on the map, your car is a little slower and you don’t get boost.
• The session usually consists of around 10-12 minutes of intense gameplay depending on the number of players involved.

I’m very close to getting rid of Paradise but I may hold on to it to see if these new modes add so much needed variety to proceedings.

3 New Modes Heading to Burnout Paradise

This Naruto title is exclusive to the PS3 and it’s looking amazing graphics wise. Looks just like the anime. Now you can watch it in HD too! But if it has English voices and not a option for the original Japanese voices …. forget it! I can’t stand the American voices for Naruto.

I wish they’d bring the Bleach to the PS3, I’d buy that in a heart beat!

Just a friendly reminder that the Metal Gear Online Beta can be downloaded this Thursday. But you can’t start playing until April 21st , and will run until May 5th. I actually managed to get another Beta Key which I’ll give away again. Just leave a comment I’ll e-mail the winner the Beta Key tomorrow morning. Or you can take your chances and enter to win here!

After you download and install the MGO Beta you’ll need to register for a Konami ID . You’ll be taken to id.konami.net when you boot up the Beta. You can get a head start and register now if you want.

In the Beta you have one “character slot” which you can customize to your liking. Your character can have 4 skills and here are a few you can choose from:

Close Quarter Combat (CQC), knife fighting, quickness, alertness, heavy weaponry mastery, demolition, and sniper mastery are just some of the skills you can specialize in.

Again they’ll be two maps in the Beta. Blood Bath & Groznyj Grad but in the full version it’s five maps to start out.

Yay, they kept the Man Cannon, lol. It’s going to be funny to see a guy flying across the level at random during a heated gun battle. Check out the link below for full details of MGO.

ALERT! “Metal Gear Mondays” Begin NOW on the PlayStation.Blog with Metal Gear Online Beta Details!