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 ...

via Gamasutra


In the wake of PlayStation 3 piracy battles, recent job postings on Sony Computer Entertainment America's website show that the company is hiring key staff to develop and implement an anti-piracy program.

SCEA is hiring a senior corporate counsel and senior paralegal for a new "anti-piracy and brand protection program," the job postings stated.

The anti-piracy staff would collaborate with Sony Computer Entertainment companies, Sony Corporation and industry trade body the Entertainment Software Association on anti-piracy issues.

The senior corporate counsel for anti-piracy at SCEA is to have "deep knowledge" of trademark and copyright law and litigation. Responsibilities include establishing a "process for developing [an] anti-piracy program."

"The program to be developed will require a strong strategic online component" that will take input from marketing and product development branches within SCEA, the description added.

The job postings come while Sony is embroiled in a case against PlayStation 3 hackers that the company accused of breaking through "a critical level of the PS3 System" protection measures in December, and distributing the means for others to do so.

In January, a U.S. District Court judge granted Sony a temporary restraining order against hacker George "Geohot" Hotz. The court said Sony submitted substantial evidence to show that Hotz violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Hotz maintains that his "jailbreak" is not meant to open the door for piracy on the console, although the hack does allow users to use unlicensed software on the console.

Last week, Sony vowed to ban pirates from PlayStation Network following early piracy of internally-developed first-person shooter, Killzone 3. ...

via EverythingHQ


With all the recent price drops circulating Sony’s PlayStation 3 console and even reports suggesting the company may even introduce an official price drop, you can’t help wonder why Sony are really doing this for. If they really wanted to drop the price of their machine the best opportunity would have been at E3 last year. So, there must be a motive behind the recent price drops from major retailers – Sony are reportedly looking into a hack-proof PS3 SKU.

According to what I have been told by an anonymous source Sony are already deep into plans of developing a hack-proof PS3 system. This is mainly due to the recent leaks of Killzone 3 which has worried Sony of their console becoming a mainstream threat to piracy.

The hack-proof SKU will be a slim PlayStation 3 model and will contain a 300GB hard drive as an incentive to purchase the hack-proof system – the price of the SKU will be £186.99, my source informs me. The scheduled launch is unsure at this time due to Sony seeing if they can win the battle in the courts against the root of all the PS3 hacks – George Hotz.

Sony is essentially trying to get rid of all the old SKUs with these price drops – and even their own price drop incoming possibly – so it makes way for their new hack-proof model. ...

via Eurogamer


Any PlayStation 3 user found to be running "unauthorised or pirated software" will be barred from accessing PlayStation Network or Qriocity, Sony has warned.

A statement published today on the PlayStation Blog advised anyone using the recent GeoHot hack to immediately stop doing so, remove any relevant devices from their system and delete all pirated software.

The full statement read:
Blog manager James Gallagher then jumped in to temper the chilly legal speak.
...

It appears that Sony has taken PSN offline as of now at around 7pm GMT for maintenance. Most likely this is work to increase the security of the network in the effort to stop folks using PS3 consoles with custom firmware logging on. We'll see what happens next when it comes back up again soon.


EDIT: It seems it's online at the moment now....
EDIT 2: As of 11pm GMT it's now back up. Actually it seemed it was up before, perhaps it was certain sections of PSN that went down, I don't know. ...

Sony Computer Entertainment America's been pretty mad lately with the likes of Geroge Hotz and Fail0verflow for hacking their PS3 last month. Recently they've made moves to subpoena the likes of Google, Twitter, Youtube, Paypal and other sites for information to find and sue the hackers. Unfortunately, PSX-Scene reports that Honorable Susan Illston has denied the company's request for expedited discovery, meaning they can't serve mentioned sites the notice. In addition, a hearing for the motion that was scheduled today has been moved to March 11th 2011. ...

via IGN


Were you aware that Japanese Harvest Moon publisher and developer Marvelous Entertainment was making a large scale multiplatform RPG for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360?

Don't feel to bad if the answer is no, as such a game was never formally announced. However, in an earnings briefing today, Marvelous said that it was developing a large scale multiplatform RPG for the two platforms, but it decided to cancel the project after considering the future game market environment.

It looks like this project might have been pretty far along, as the company listed 245 million yen as losses attributed to the cancelation.

There will still be an HD RPG from Marvelous, though. PS3 will be getting Rune Factory Oceans, which is due for Japanese release on February 24. This is also multiplatform, but with Wii instead of Xbox 360. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Konami has released a patch for Metal Gear Online enabling the game to detect fraudulent network connections, which usually slow down gameplay during the sessions.

The update also makes a few changes to the game's Drebin Points system, while weapon and skill parameters have been adjusted and skills for unique characters have been tweaked.

The update also introduces an overall increase to character movements as well as idle kicking for auto matching.

Additionally, players can look forward to regular background music updates which will include tracks from throughout the MGS series.

Finally, the Gene, Meme and Scene expansion packs are also now available for purchase via the in-game shop and Konami's shop.

Hideo Kojima has shown off Metal Gear Solid 4 running on Sony's NGP. ...