via MCV UK


The US arm of online retailer Amazon has lifted its temporary block on 3DS sales.

And no doubt much to the disappointment of the legions of conspiracy theorists and headline hunters, it transpires that the cause was nothing more sinister than a shipping complication. ...

via Eurogamer


The Welcome Back extras promised to PlayStation Network users in the wake of April's massive security breach are available now, Sony has announced.

As explained last month, PlayStation 3 owners can claim any two of Dead Nation, inFAMOUS, LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty and Wipeout HD + Fury.

PSP users can choose two from LittleBigPlanet (PSP), ModNation Racers, Pursuit Force and Killzone Liberation.

To claim your freebies, access the PlayStation Store from your XMB, click on the Welcome Back banner, select "PlayStation 3 free games", hit "Get now" and then make your choices.

If you own both systems, yes, you can claim four games in total.

You'll also be able to activate your 30 days free PlayStation Plus membership from the same menu.

Current PS Plus subscribers don't need to do anything to claim their 60 days free membership – it's been automatically credited to your account, with a further 10 days to be added in a few days time.

A number of free virtual items are available in PlayStation Home, and a selection of "on us" movies are available for rental free of charge this weekend where Video Service is available.

Finally, Music Unlimited Premium subscribers receive an additional 60 days of free premium membership. Any Music Unlimited free trial users affected by the outage get 30 days of service. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Sony has moved to debunk reports that a list of millions of credit card numbers acquired via last week's PSN breach was offered for sale.
He also clears speculation that PSN passwords were stored completely unprotected on Sony's servers. "While the passwords that were stored were not 'encrypted,' they were transformed using a cryptographic hash function," said Seybold.
He reiterates previous advice for users not to respond to any requests for personal information or PSN details as Sony will not request them, and advises you change any passwords for unrelated services that are the same or similar to the password you used for PSN.

DC Universe Online developer, Sony Online Entertainment, has today shut down its servers over concerns of a possible intrusion.

Sony says PSN will go live "this week". ...

via Reuters


Nintendo said on Tuesday that alliances with other companies may be necessary, a day after the game maker reported its second straight fall in annual profit and said it would launch a successor to its aging Wii console.
...

via PCR Online


Security researchers unveiled the scandalous discovery that Apple's iPhone and iPad are recording the user's geographic location to a secret file.

Revealing the discovery at the O'Reilly Where 2.0 Conference in Santa Clara, researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden said that iPhone and iPad have been "storing a long list of locations and time stamps" ever since the iOS 4 update.

"We're not sure why Apple is gathering this data, but it's clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations," they wrote on the O'Reilly Radar blog.

The researchers also showed that the data file was "unencrypted and unprotected" and is transferred to any computer that has been synched with an iOS device. The file can be accessed on the iPhone or iPad.

Allen and Warden published an OS X application which, when run on a system that syncs with the iPhone or iPad, it will extract the hidden file from automatic backups and visualises the data on a map. The Mac iPhoneTracker application can be found here.

Thankfully the pair also pointed out that the file did not appear to be sent anywhere without the users knowledge. However Allen's phone was also shown to have stored "hundreds of thousands of wireless access points" which the phone had been in range of over the past year.

The astounding ramifications of the discovery include the fact that any lost or stolen iPad 3G or iPhone can reveal the entire movement patterns of the owner, so too a lost or stolen laptop which had synced to an iPad or iPhone.

A Guardian report suggested that Apple will be legally in the clear due to a section of Apple's massive iTunes terms and conditions which says: "Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device."

At the Where 2.0 conference, Allen and Warden speculating on why Apple might record the data, suggested it might be something to do with Apple's new Geofencing functionality.

"I love the company, I was just pretty sad to discover this was how they were handling my location data. It just bummed me out really," said Warden.

...

via Joystiq


Japan and Europe may be finished with the PSP Go, but SCEA says it's not done with the downloadable-only handheld device.

Following up with Sony of America for clarification after recent events, we wanted to know if the company was still manufacturing and shipping the handheld. Today we were told: "We are continuing production of PSP Go for North America."

Several weeks ago, Sony informed Joystiq, "We are going to continue to make shipments of PSP Go," after Amazon updated the PSP Go's product page to note the device was "discontinued by manufacturer." ...

The Game store is now currently listing the Nintendo 3DS on their website for £180 - a £50 cut from the recommended retail price of £230. This applies to both the Cosmos Black and Aqua Blue colours. Also it have been noted that Amazon UK is also selling them at £180. Whichever retailer you pick, this is most likely a limited time offer so if anyone has thought about getting one, now might be a good time. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft has restricted the rating of Xbox Live Indie Games via Xbox.com to Gold members in a bid to combat the abuse of the system.

Last month complaints emerged over the way game ratings were handled, with some accused of manipulating the system to boost rankings.

Now, Microsoft has taken action.
Microsoft pledged to investigate those who may have "violated" their user agreement. It warned those found guilt may be banned from Xbox Live and see their currently posted games removed.
Microsoft launched its investigation last month after the developer of College Lacrosse: The Video Game encouraged fans to award generous five-star ratings to its game.

But fans took proceedings a step further, dishing out harsh one-star ratings to many other popular Xbox Live Indie Games titles as well.

Fellow XBLIG developer Robert Boyd of Zeboyd Games brought the matter to Microsoft's attention. "I have no idea how this sort of thing could be prevented, but I'm really upset," he said. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Naughty Dog's released official details on Uncharted 3's multiplayer mode, as well as confirming a PSN beta for late June.

The Multiplayer Beta for Uncharted 3 begins worldwide on June 28, with early access going to PlayStation Plus members or by purchasing specially marked copies of Infamous 2, the developer's confirmed.

As for what's included in the online mode, Naughty Dog calls the leap forward in gameplay, technology and depth since Uncharted 2 "astounding" - and you can see it in action via the debut trailer below.

Two new modes have been revealed so far; Three Team Deathmatch, which is a small-team 2 vs. 2 vs. 2 variation on Team Deathmatch, and Free For All, which explains itself.

It sounds like the biggest new additions however are the Buddy Mode and character customization. Both heroes and villains skins will have hundreds of customizable parts, says Naughty Dog, from accessories to shirts to a deep weapon customization feature - and the latter's not just cosmetic either; you can add precise scopes, bigger clips and more.

Uncharted 3's also introducing an emblem editor and the Buddy system, which allows you to pair up with a friend and spawn together, easily find eachother on the battlefield and collectively share your successes throughout the match with each other.

The Buddy System also adds special Buddy Boosters, says Naughty Dog, unique perks that help players work together to earn extra cash, ammo and medals. Uncharted 3 players will also be able to purchase Paid Boosters using in-game cash, for short-time skills that aren't available via unlocks.

Naughty Dog has also confirmed Split-screen support and a co-op mode for Uncharted 3, promising that it's been "vastly expanded upon". More details will be revealed further down the line, it's said.

Good stuff. For more details hit the source link here.


Screenshots and trailers at CVG ...