DCEmu Featured News Articles

The Witcher 2 has now sold over one million legal copies, including a well publicised success on Good Old Games.com, and all without any form of DRM. However, developer CD Projekt RED estimates that over 4.5 million copies have been illegally pirated.
Speaking in an interview with PC Gamer, CEO and co-founder Marcin Iwinski spoke about that figure, revealing that it was probably a 'conservative' estimate, but that it would not change the company's position on DRM use.
"There are no stats available, but let's make a quick calculation," says Iwinski of the 4.5 million number.
"I was checking regularly the number of concurrent downloads on torrent aggregating sites, and for the first 6-8 weeks there was around 20-30 thousand people downloading it at the same time. Let's take 20 thousand as the average and let's take 6 weeks.
"The game is 14GB, so let's assume that on an average not-too-fast connection it will be 6 hours of download. 6 weeks is 56 days, which equals to 1344 hours; and with 6 hours of average download time to get the game it would give us 224 downloads, then let's multiply it by 20 thousand simultaneous downloaders.
"The result is roughly 4.5 million illegal downloads. This is only an estimation, and I would say that's rather on the optimistic side of things; as of today we have sold over 1 million legal copies, so having only 4.5-5 illegal copies for each legal one would be not a bad ratio. The reality is probably way worse."
But Iwinski is adamant about refusing to bring any DRM measures on board, largely because they are notoriously ineffective, but also because they tend to disadvantage legitimate players even more than they do pirates.
"From the very beginning our main competitors on the market were pirates. The question was really not if company x or y had better marketing or better releases, but more like 'How can we convince gamers to go and buy the legit version and not to go to a local street vendor and buy a pirated one?' We of course experimented with all available DRM/copy protection, but frankly nothing worked. Whatever we used was cracked within a day or two, massively copied and immediately available on the streets for a fraction of our price.
"We did not give up, but came up with new strategy: we started offering high value with the product - like enhancing the game with additional collectors' items like soundtracks, making-of DVDs, books, walkthroughs, etc. This, together with a long process of educating local gamers about why it makes sense to actually buy games legally, worked. And today, we have a reasonably healthy games market.
"In any case, I am not saying that we have eliminated piracy or there is not piracy in the case of TW2. There is, and TW2 was [illegally] downloaded by tens of thousands of people during the first two weeks after release. Still, DRM does not work and however you would protect it, it will be cracked in no time. Plus, the DRM itself is a pain for your legal gamers - this group of honest people, who decided that your game was worth the $50 or Euro and went and bought it. Why would you want to make their lives more difficult?"

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...at-4-5m-copies ...

PlayStation Europe boss Jim Ryan has revealed that Sony is planning to offer multiple price-points for Vita software to combat the growing threat of cheap smartphone games to its handheld business.
While the company has yet to confirm details ahead of the console's European launch next February, Ryan toldGamesIndustry.biz: "I think it would be safe to assume we will take a more tailored approach than perhaps we've done in the past."
Speaking in London last week following confirmation of the first-party launch titles in Europe, Ryan admitted it would be "foolish and naïve to ignore what's happening" in the smartphone sector.
"It's our challenge to ensure that the gaming experience that we provide is closer to that TV console experience than it is to your 69p thing that you've downloaded on your iPhone," he added.
If we provide great value on games like Uncharted, I think the possibility to sustain historic console price points is there

Jim Ryan, Sony Europe

"If we do that and we provide great value to the consumer on games like Uncharted, I think the possibility to sustain historic console type price points is there."
One launch title that may be priced lower than premium is the newly-announced MotorStorm RC from Evolution Studios, coming to Vita and PlayStation 3 as a digital download, with cross-platform functionality.
Evolution group game director Matt Southern said: "We've not announced the price yet, but we have announced that for one price you'll get both versions". Later last week, during a panel discussion at Develop Liverpool, Southern added that the studio was in dialogue with Sony over pricing, hinting that a lower-than-premium point was preferred.
Further seeking to differentiate Vita from its smartphone rivals, Ryan said: "Absolutely it does do other things, but it has been designed as a gaming device, and a perfectly logical consequence of that is that the gaming experiences you can have on Vita are superior to what is possible on a device that has other functionality at its heart."
Elsewhere, Ryan admitted that predicting the relative popularity of the 3G and wi-fi only models of Vita was something "we agonise over endlessly internally". However, he said Sony expected the wi-fi model would "just shave it" in numbers.
"But the truth be told, we just don't know," he continued. "This is one area where we're going to have to be very nimble internally and if consumer preference skews one way or another we will adjust very rapidly to meet what the true underlying consumer demand is."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ftware-pricing ...

Comet has partnered with eBay to create an online store, making its full portfolio available to eBay customers.
According to ERT, Comet claims to be the first High Street retailer to do such a thing, and has pledged that eBay customers will get the same level of support and services as someone who had bought in-store.
As well as the online collaboration, Comet products will also be offered at eBay’s Christmas boutique which will open in London in early December.
“This is the first time a well-known high-street brand has made its full inventory available through the site,” said eBay’s UK retail director, Angus McCarey.
“It will give our customers access to a huge range of electrical products at competitive prices and will enable Comet to benefit from access to millions of potential new customers, so they can sell stock quickly and cost-effectively. Our huge customer base and mobile shopping expertise are key reasons why so many high street brands are opting to sell with us.”

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...th-ebay/027595 ...

Presumably launched to snatch users from rivals.
Microsoft's partnership with Nokia has seen the birth of a new line in Windows Phones, which both companies hope will succeed in the crowded smartphone market.
In a bid to attract new customers, Microsoft has developed a mobile browser-based emulator for the WinPho OS, which is available for use on Apple and Android devices.
The aim behind the new platform – with its tiles, big typeface and horizontal scrolling – is to showcase the OS to smartphone users demonstrating its capabilities.
It's likely the secondary aim is to reel in customers from rival operating systems to strengthen its ranks in the battle for domination.
Microsoft will have the most difficulty persuading Apple lovers to climb aboard of course as we recently reported that iPhone owners are the most loyal.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...and-ios/016334 ...

True Blue JB2 USB Dongle for PS3
Manufacturer: True Blue
Site: Buy from LighTake
Price: $59.99


Overview : Unlock the true potential of your PS3 with True Blue – keep your PS3 on a homebrew enabled custom firmware, while at the same time enjoying the newest and most popular PS3 games.

Features :

• Booting of games designed for PS3 system software v3.6 and above
• Runs your existing games and new v3.6+ games from HDD in conjunction with standard backup managers
• Does not require the power/eject trick
• Custom v3.55 Dongle firmware behaves like OFW when True Blue is not inserted
• Manufactured from highest grade components and Actel based
• Durable and high quality metal case design
• Tough and durable plastic packaging
• Further features to be added as they are developed
• On board 2 MBytes SPI flash
• Supports Fat and Slim PS3 consoles currently running any firmware up to v3.55 and any PS3 which can be downgraded successfully from v3.6+ to v3.55 (NOTE: requires other tools, True Blue cannot downgrade a console)
• Supports all regions of consoles
• Supports all regions of v3.6+ games
• Rock solid crystal oscillator on board for flawless timing

Quality/Usability : AS A REMINDER, WE DO NOT CONDONE PIRACY. THIS REVIEW IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

The jailbreak scene has been slow ever since Sony blocked any jailbreak dongle devices with new firmware updates. There have been custom firmwares and updates to them but nothing allowing newer games to be played on your console unless you have the official firmware installed but you lose all homebrew capabilities. But out of no where, True Blue is dubbed the new PS Jailbreak 2. No one really know who is behind it but all that matters is whether or not it works, how much support it will get and how long before Sony does something about it. We've all purchased the various dongles when the original PS Jailbreak was released as well as open source versions. Now, lets see what True Blue has to offer...

There are pictures of True Blues coming with plastic cases. However, the unit I received from LighTake came in a anti-static bag. It's still the same thing, just not fancy case. The True Blue JB2 dongle isn't something we're use to normally seeing when it comes to jailbreak dongles. Yes, its a USB device but what makes it different is that it doesn't come in a plastic housing. The black housing is actually metal with the True Blue logo printed on it. Even the cap is metal as well. The back end of the dongle has a small window to display LED status. Other than that, there is really not much about the dongle itself.

To use the True Blue, you must make sure your PS3 has a firmware of 3.55 It can either be OFW (official firmware) or CFW (custom firmware). So if you're still using firmware 3.41, upgrade to 3.55. Anything higher than 3.55, you will need to downgraded. If you have other jailbreak dongles, you can use that to downgrade but True Blue can not downgrade firmwares.

Setting up your PS3
Before you use True Blue, you must first install the 3.55-Dongle custom firmware onto your PS3. This is similar in function to the well known kmeaw CFW; however it also includes modifications which allow True Blue to operate correctly. The 3.55-Dongle firmware updater is distributed in a file labelled "TrueBlue-3.55-CFW.ZIP", and may be obtained through an internet search - once you have obtained it, please confirm the validity of the PS3UPDAT.PUP file contained within the ZIP archive by matching with one of the following hashes:

MD5: 43C522F8897D77B6165F95BCF3409090
SHA1: A64B010DB98996C7E53768D37D4D346F271D5950

Once you have confirmed that you have obtained the correct updater file, proceed with the update as follows:

• Obtain a USB storage device such as a USB HDD or USB flash memory stick
• Create a folder on the storage device in which to save the update file. Using a PC, create a folder named "PS3" on the storage device. Within the PS3 folder, create a folder named "UPDATE"
• Extract "TrueBlue-3.55-CFW.ZIP" and you will get a folder. In that folder will be "PS3UPDAT.PUP"
• Copy the "PS3UPDAT.PUP" file to the "UPDATE" folder created in step 2. Thus, you will have this path structure on your USB storage device: \PS3\UPDATE\PS3UPDAT.PUP
• Insert the USB storage device into the PS3 and boot your PS3
• From the home menu, select (Settings) -> (System Update) -> (Update via Storage Media)
• The PS3 will notify you that the "3.55-Dongle" update was found. Select OK then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update
• After the update has completed, your PS3 will restart and you'll now be running the 3.55-Dongle custom firmware. This will also be visible under the System Software information screen. You may now enjoy the use of the True Blue dongle
  (NOTE: The above procedure is only applicable to PS3’s on or below system software v3.55)

Updating True Blue
From time to time, Team True Blue will release firmware updates for True Blue which will add new features. During my testing, Team True Blue released ...

Sly Cooper fans will be ready to splurge some digital money this week as the Sly Collection arrives, as promised, on the PlayStation Store.
Aside from those there PS2 classics, PS3 owners also have Voltron and de Blob 2 to consider, and PSone fighter Darkstalkers.Here's the full official list:
PlayStation Plus
Full Game Trials:
De Blob: 2
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves
Exclusive Discounts:
De Blob: 2 - 50% off ($10.00; Regular price: $19.99)
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team - 50% off ($5.00; Regular price: $9.99)
Free Mini:
Revoltin' Youth
PSN Games
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus ($9.99)
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is a remastered HD version of the original Sly Cooper game on PS2 system! Now you can play the classic thieving adventure all over again on the PS3 system. Guide Sly through rooftop chases and evade security guards,d odge spotlights, alarms and infrared lasers.
ESRB rated E
File size 5.15 GB
Sly 2: Band of Thieves ($9.99)
Sly and the Gang are back! And they're ready to pull off the biggest job of their lives yet! Journey around the world and beat the Klaw gang at their own game. Sly 2: Band of Thieves has been remastered in HD for a brand new experience on the PS3 system!
ESRB rated E
File size 6.24 GB
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves ($9.99)
The Thieving Gang Returns for their Greatest Heist Ever! Now Remastered in HD for the PS3 system! Your favorite characters return from Sly 2 as well as new playable specialists like Carmelita Fox and the Guru.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 9.31 GB
Voltron: Defender Of The Universe ($9.99)
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The Legend of Voltron. Defender of the Universe. A mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil. Take control of your favorite Lion and join forces on PlayStation Network with up to four of your friends to defend the Far Universe.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 974 MB
Scene It? Movie Night ($9.99)
Scene It? Movie Night is your ticket to an exciting movie trivia showdown! Show off your cinematic know-how with friends and family through 14 brain-twisting puzzles, and prove you've got what it takes in a fast-and-furious multiplayer climax.
ESRB rated T
File size 1.28 GB
PS3 Full Games
The Sly Collection Bundle ($29.99)
The Sly Collection contains all 3 remastered Sly Cooper games from the PS2 system in HD! Relive the adventures of Sly and the Gang - all 3 games can also be played in 3D.
ESRB rated E - E10+
File size: 20.67 GB
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 ($39.99)
Download and play the multiple Game of the Year award-winner Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Experience gripping and heart-racing action as you face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse.
ESRB rated M
File size 7.26 GB
de Blob 2 ($19.99)
In de Blob 2 Comrade Black and the Inkies are back with a whole new plot to rid the world of color. With all new help from Papa Blanc and his flock of followers the Blancs, Blob and his friends will have their work cut out for them bringing color back to the citizens of Prisma City.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 6.1 GB
Game Demos (free)
Voltron: Defender Of The Universe Demo
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The Legend of Voltron. Defender of the Universe. A mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil. Take control of your favorite Lion and join forces on PlayStation Network with up to four of your friends to defend the Far Universe. Visit iconic locales from the classic series. Form Voltron to battle gigantic Robeasts and put an end to the threat from King Zarkon.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 974 MB
Add-on Game Content
LittleBigPlanet 2 Oddworld Munch Costume ($1.99)
The best thing about Sackboy is that you can make him look and act exactly how you want. Download this additional costume to really stand out from the crowd! To download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet 2.
File size 110 KB
NBA 2K12: Legends Showcase ($9.99)
Enhance your NBA 2K12 experience with the all-new "Legends Showcase" add-on content pack. Legends Showcase delivers hours of additional gameplay, allowing users to END THE DEBATE as to who is the best player ever. Set in a stylized version of Times Square, Legends Showcase allows players to select from over 150 legends to compete in 2v2 and 3v3 Challenges, H-O-R-S-E, Pick-Up games, and more.
File size 324 MB
Mercury Hg: Rare Earth Elements ($2.99)
Don't drop the Mercury! Get an additional 30 discovery mode levels, 10 bonus levels and five challenges.
File size 13 MB
Zombie Apocalypse: Never Die Alone Pure Pwnage Pack ($4.99)
Why of course there is an underground military base on the island! Unfortunately the zombies found it first. Fortunately, the military left test weapons, toxic waste, and lots of other nasty stuff laying around when they abandoned it.
File size 66 MB
Ace Combat Assault Horizon (x9) ($2.99 - $5.99 each)
Various add on content.
File size 13 - 40 MB
Elevator Action HD - Additional Character 2 - Time Gal (free)
Free character for ELEVATOR ACTION DELUXE owners! Reika from TIME GAL. Use her cute outfits to distract and defeat your enemies!
File size 12 MB
Dynasty Warriors 7 Xtreme Legends - Costume Pack ...

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Sony will give fans the opportunity to check out the PlayStation Vita well in advance of launch, with events it's calling "Vita Social Clubs." The first, "Vita Hill Social Club," will be held in San Francisco this Thursday, December 1, offering "dozens and dozens" of Vita systems with demos of Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet,Little Deviants, WipEout 2048, ModNation Racers: Road Trip, Reality Fighters, and Hot Shots Golf. Defending your spot in line for a demo is kind of a social activity!

Refreshments will be provided, and Sony also plans to raffle a Vita system and other prizes. RSVP here if you want to go. Following this inaugural Social Club get-together, Sony is planning additional events at unspecified locations throughout the country in January. Barring that, you can see a Vita at one of the locations in Sony's five-mall "tour."

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/vi...in-sf-this-th/ ...