Another week another firmware update. On Tuesday they released v2.41 to resolve the problems created from v2.40 and allow the rest of the world to access in-game XMB goodness like I was enjoying. Of course we couldn't let it go with out it's complaints as some now whine that in-game XMB is too slow, or the PS3 freezes when using the web browser, or it just wasn't good enough and they wanted more yesterday.
So far I haven't had any bugs but I have noticed some of the slow downs with in-game XMB, and a few things I wish they would have done differently. Does take a while to load when in a game, it added an extra step to checking messages, but overall I'm very pleased with it.
But today's Thursday so that means PS Store update and not the kids whining about what they want again. To the links!!
IGN PS3
PlayStation.Blog
ThreeSpeech - European Store Update
QJNet
Add-Ons
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Gift Pack DLC is - as the name implies - free and adds multiplayer content. Packed with three new maps designed with multiplayer goodness in mind, expanding on existing game play modes.
Four new Rock Band songs today, but no bundle pack as usual. Pick up some Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rush goodness to rock out to. Seeing the Chili Pepper songs really make me wish I had this game.
Demos
Siren: Blood Curse Demo has been available at the Japanese PS Store for months. Today it finally makes an appearance at the North American PS Store and it's the same same one. As I recall at that point the demo was completely in English with Japanese subtitles, and this time it's in English with English subtitles. As far as survival horror games go, you can call me chicken. The only ones I play are Devil May Cry, and this one is a serious horror game. Very dark, everything can jump out at you from any angle and why in hell does every survival horror game equip you with the worst flash light in the history of portal light sources? I've seen pen lights that come on a woman's key chain collection produce more light than this flash light. As I'm chicken I didn't finish this demo either, but what you can see looks amazing. For those that enjoy games like this, this will may well blow you away. Or scare you to death, your pick.
Monster Madness: Grave Danger Demo a lot like the old Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game. Up to four player top down button masher and it's actually a lot of fun. I think I'm going to leave these demo on here and play it for a while. Friends can jump into the game at any time just need to hit the start button and join the carnage. 4 characters with two different stages and a host of crazy zombie killing weapons. (I really liked the cellphone tazer and the CD launcher.) Cut scenes feel like web comics, the script is funny, and the random stupid sayings from the characters are worth a chuckle. Might actually buy this game.
WALL-E was an enjoyable movie, and has recently gotten some flack because of the way people are portrayed in the movie along with perceived comment on consumerism, but as usual the tie-in game is junk. Looks like a sub-par Gamecube game no befitting a Pixar movie's quality. Controlls in the WALL-E Demo are annoying and informational blurbs disappear with any slight interference of enemies or puzzle obstacles. At some times I had to die and start all over to find out how to progress through the next part. The cut scene at the end of the demo looked even worse and this was the one part they could have used footage that was of the same quality of the movie. As far as demos go, only play this if you absolutely must.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Demo reminds me of the Lord of the Rings games. No real feel from the demo if this game will live up to such a comparison as the Lord of the Rings games were all quick good. Demo seems to be kinda dark but there is a pretty decent amount of attention paid to the details. Armour looks good, fur looks good, but game play is pretty light in this one. Maybe I should go back and re-read these books again.
Games
No games today at the PS3 Store or the PC Store, but there are plenty of demos to pick up. I thought we'd get PixelJunk Eden here soon with all the new info about it out there, but I guess we'll have to continue to wait.
Videos
Games
AST Dew Tour - PlayStation Pro Moments
AST Dew Tour - Behind the Scenes with Spinner
AST Dew Tour - Bilko’s Road to Finals
AST Dew Tour - Burnquist Talks
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Destructible Cover Gameplay Video
Civilization Revolution Launch Trailer
Dead Space Dev Diary #1: Greenlight
Elefunk Official Trailer
Siren: Blood Curse Story Trailer
Super Stardust HD Add-on Intro - Showing off all the gameplay modes and teasing me that I can't download the new Team expansion.
SOCOM Confrontation Trailer - Only addition available at the PC Store today. Here's hoping for a big PSP announcement at E3 to revitalize it.
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation - Assault Trailer
Movies
Quarantine
Themes
No Themes today, and on one hand I'm surprised and the other I'm not. With the addition of Firmware v2.40 and v2.41 I figured they would released new themes that now include the Trophy option. On one hand let's release them and show some ideas for the Trophy icon, and the other hand says "well we did just release this, give us some time to play with the new addition!" Hopefully next week we'll have something that will show us how to make themes for the new firmware as well as showing off what themes can do.
Now it's time to go update Burnout Paradise and start enjoying the new update! I'm going to play the hell out of that this weekend. Check out some details in the update and in updates to come.
PlayStation.Blog: Burnout Paradise Codename Cagney update is live
Also received some more news about our friend Mr. Thompson. In previous news posts I commented on how proceedings were going to "deal" with Thompson's behavior towards the court. Well we've been waiting for the Referee to pass down their suggestion and in the last proceeding Thompson wrote an extremely long winded objection to the whole proceeds. Based almost entirely on him feeling the Referee didn't hold the authority to preside over him. When I first heard that part I thought his religious ego was stepping in but he states that the Referee hadn't kept up with their requirements to be a judge or Referee in the state of Florida. Going into great lengths to discredit the and everybody tied to the proceeding. In the end I haven't heard anything come of his objection however the Referee continued to stay on the case and has passed down a recommendation. Permanent disbarment and fines of excess of $43,000. One part of the Referee's should be quoted verbatim:
This Referee has thought about this case on a virtual daily basis, since the appointment as referee was received, with complete appreciation for and understanding of the seriousness of the matters being addressed herein and the repercussions involved. Over a very extended period of time involving a number of totally unrelated cases and individuals, the Respondent has demonstrated a pattern of conduct to strike out harshly, extensively, repeatedly and willfully to simply try to bring as much difficulty, distraction and anguish to those he considers in opposition to his causes. He does not proceed within the guidelines of appropriate professional behavior, but rather uses other means available to intimidate, harass, or bring public disrepute to those whom he perceives oppose him.
Since half of Thompson's formal objection berated the Referee instead of addressing why Thompson was brought before the court I think the above statement speaks well of the Referee. We'll wait for Thompsons response, I wonder how "well" he'll take this one. Full story and more details can be found at QJ.Net.
