The latest PlayStation Portable update from Sony is likely to disappoint many. Considering the update labeled itself with the promising title of v6.00, nothing was revolutionary enough to warrant such a misleading firmware number. Alas, those at Sony felt that a splash of color was enough to make a few dreams come true. And hey, maybe for some it’s a bag of chips and more.

The full content update found in v6.00:

So there you go. For most of us, nothing to write home about. But those of you with PSPs might want to go ahead and update anyway. Why not.

Via | 1Up

Image: Sony

Post from: Play Girlz

Microsoft and Sony have been slashing prices left and right lately in an effort to draw more people to their consoles and protect their pocketbooks from the nasty side effects of a bad economy. Nintendo, on the other hand, doesn’t seem all that concerned about such things. Nintendo’s content to sit back in its gold-trimmed throne of uberness and watch as its competitors slap each other around and make a beeline for the reduced prices counter.

When asked if Nintendo had any plans to drop the price tag on its products, Denise Kaigler, a rep for Nintendo of America, essentially said, “Nope.” But more specifically stated that:

“Our focus has always been creating fun and engaging game-play experiences. Because of that focus, Wii has been the best-selling video game system in the United States for two years and counting.”

In other words, they’ve already won the war and have no need to resort to silly things like price cuts. Let the big boys with their next gen machines snip away at their profits.

But, of course, never say never. While Nintendo doesn’t seem to have any current plans to reduce prices, it’s entirely possible that they’ll change their minds in the near or distant future. But if you’ve been on the fence as to whether or not to get a Wii now or wait a bit for a potential cheaper version, might as well go for it now.

Via | QJ

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Post from: Play Girlz

There’s some pretty good news for PlayStation 3 owners and Rock Band fanatics regarding the upcoming Rock Band Network. As we know, aspiring artists that wish to share their tunes with the world will have a shot at doing so via the Rock Band Network, an online service that will give independent musicians a shot at fame and fortune.

News looked grim for PS3 owners, due to the fact that the tools provided for the user-created content would only be available through Microsoft’s XNA program. The bad news is that this hasn’t changed. If you’re an artist wishing to create some Rock Band content you will still need to go through the Xbox 360.

However, the good news is that the content itself (or at least some of it) will be made available to PS3 owners. The service will be patched into Rock Band 2 later on in the year – possibly November.

Still, most of the content will remain exclusive to the Xbox 360, as Harmonix will be handpicking what goes on to PS3 and what doesn’t. Also, the port to PS3 will require artists to fill out some extra paperwork. Harmonix is confident that artists won’t hesitate to do so, as having their songs available in more places is widely considered to be a Good Thing.

PS3 owners can look forward to sampling The Best of the Best of the Rock Band Network. Xbox 360 owners, you get to try it all out. Lucky devils. Perhaps it’s a good time to pick up an Xbox 360.

Via | VG247

Image: Harmonix

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If you’ve been anxiously awaiting Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for your PlayStation Portable, well, there’s good news and there’s bad news. The good news outweighs the bad news, so don’t worry. The bad news (just to get it out of the way) is that there’s very little in the way of details for the PSP version of the game. See? That’s not so bad. The good news is that while there’s few details, there’s something far more important: a release date.

If you’ve got your red permanent marker handy, draw a circle around August 20. Save the date.

We know that the PSP Go hits stores on October 1. So it makes sense that anticipated titles will be made available soon after. Thanks to the wealth of 140-character information that is Twitter, we know that Chinatown Wars will “be available as both digital download and retail UMD.”

Rockstar has also promised that screenshots “and more” will be available “soon.” So look for those … soon.

Excited yet?

Via | 1up

Image: Rockstar

Post from: Play Girlz

Do you hear that? It’s the rumor mill again, spinning away with some God of War trilogy news. Well, potential news. Take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt news. The rumor is that the God of War games (all two of them plus a demo of the third) might actually be headed to your PlayStation 3 in a single, all-purpose Blu-ray disc. Not only is this news really exciting for PS3 owners, it’s also much better for the environment than would be, say, three discs.

Now, some of us are still crying over the fact that God of War III won’t be available until March 2010 – bummer – but there’s still lots of stuff to look forward to between now and then. This rumor, for example, were it to prove true, would see a playable demo of the highly anticipated God of War III included in the disc. So you’d get a little preview of the action.

This rumor, by the way, originates from MarkPlayStation’s Twitter page. And who is MarkPlayStation? Well, he’s (supposedly) a manager over at Sony Mexico. According to him, this bundle would be headed our way come December.

Let’s hope this rumor proves true, as I’m sure this would be a pretty hot sell for Sony. While it’s somewhat bizarre that Sony wouldn’t have yet announced the existence of this trilogy bundle, that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Never doubt the powers of positive thinking. Would you buy it?

Via | PSXtreme

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Post from: Play Girlz

Despite what you may have read about the possibility of a SingStar “port” of The Beatles Rock Band for your PlayStation 3, it seems like Harmonix is trying hard to deny the possibility. UK’s own MCV posted about a deal signed by Sony and EA for the exclusive rights to release SingStar: Beatles for the PS3. A title that no doubt would have most of us SingStar fans rushing for the retail shelves.

However, after the news broke, Harmonix issued the following statement, “This isn’t true, just a misheard rumor. I’ll have more details later in the day about whatever it is they misheard.”

MCV stated in their article that:

“The title, which will come bundled with SingStar microphones, will be released ‘within days’ of The Beatles: Rock Band’s arrival on September 9th, MCV understands. The title will join SingStar Abba and SingStar Take That at retail this Q4.”

That’s a lot to mishear. But if Harmonix is dismissing the news, then it’s likely that this deal is not going through, if there was ever a deal on the table to begin with. Disappointing news for SingStar/Beatles fans.

Via | Kotaku

Image: Sony

Post from: Play Girlz

Even MMORPGs eventually come to an end, a fact that The Matrix Online is in the process of reminding us. The game is still active, though within the realms players will find the world around them disintegrating before their very eyes. Ashes are now raining down from the sky, while characters will find themselves battling the likes of angels, demons, agents and zombies.

For those players that have stuck with the game since the beginning, it’s likely a bittersweet parting. For those that gave up on it long ago, it’s probably a good time to head back, just to see what the developers are doing to bring the game to its final end.

Today is the last day for The Matrix Online so if you haven’t already logged in, you should hurry to do so!

Via | Massively

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Surprise! Yet another popular video game is going to be made into the movie. This time, Sony has set its sights on inFamous and picked up a pitch for the film version of the game. Already onboard is screenwriter Sheldon Turner (X-men Origins: Magneto) and producers Avi Arad and Ari Arad. The film will revolve around game protagonist Cole McGrath, explosion surviver turned electrical superhero.

“What excited me most about the game was it was the first of which I’ve come across that had a big idea and a character arc,” Turner said. “It is, I believe, the future of gaming. The game, while big and fun, is at its core a love ballad to the underachiever, which is what our hero, Cole McGrath, is.”

We’ll likely be hearing a lot more about this project in the incoming months, if things continue smoothly toward a finish project. For those of you that are fans of the inFamous game, are you excited at the prospect of seeing it come alive on the screen or do you wish Hollywood would leave video games alone?

Via | Hollywood Reporter

Image: Sony/Sucker Punch

Post from: Play Girlz

Rumors were circulating earlier that Sony was working on a PSN application store in order to compete with Apple’s super popular iPhone/iPod touch app store. It’s no secret that the iPhone is posing some serious competition to the current portable gaming platforms. But up until now, Sony had denied the claims that they were working on any such thing.

Well, now they’ve backpedaled in that impressive way that companies have of doing so when it’s finally convenient to them, and admitted that yes, actually, they are workin on something like an app store. Not that they’d call it that, no. Instead, they’ve confirmed that the PlayStation Store will feature a new section focusing on “snackable” games and applications for the PSP. Nom nom.

SCEE’s Zeno Colaço, head of developer relations, stated the following:

“We’re introducing new initiatives for the PSP which take it beyond traditional gaming, but still includes elements from gaming, and also includes new developers,” said Colaço, confirming Sony has over 50 studios already working on games and apps for the new initiative.

These are to be sold via a new, “specially branded” area of the PS Store for the PSP and PSP Go, according to Develop.

This should undoubtedly make PSP owners very happy and is definitely a smart move for Sony.

Via | CVG

Image: Sony

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The folks over at Joystiq did some investigative work and can confirm that the upcoming game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is coming on July 22. Unfortunately for us PS3 owners, the release is going to be exclusive to those lucky Xbox 360 owners.

The exclusivity period, however, is timed and will not last forever. So if you’re a PS3 owner and have been looking forward to some turtle power, don’t dismay: your time will come.

Via | Joystiq

Image: Ubisoft

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