MLB 09 The Show - Hear Yourself Cheer In-Game

In case you didn't catch this early story on ESPN last Friday, MLB 09 The Show was officially announced today, ready to arrive this coming Spring on the PS3, PSP, and PS2. As the market leader in the baseball category, the team did not want to rest on their laurels and churn out a lackluster effort. For this year, the team is including a number of new features and visual detail to once again bring the best and most realistic sports gaming experience available. Last year we allowed players to import their own music from the PS3 hard drive so they could listen in game. Now, the team has gone a step further by creating the "My MLB Music" feature. This will allow players to use the in-game music editor to create snipits of music that can be saved and used as customized walk up music for their favorite players. Additionally, have you ever screamed at your TV at a bad (or good) play when engaged in a sports game? Well now your voice can be heard IN THE GAME by allowing users to record their own fan chants and yells and integrate them seamlessly into the ambient crowd noise. It'll sound like you're really there. Of course the team is all over the details and as the leading baseball game simulator out there, how could they not? Transitional lighting is now included so players will see the lighting and shadows change gradually from a late afternoon game into night. There are also many more details within each stadium including unique jumbotron animations, realistic fan reactions, and wear and tear on the field. Also for the New York fans out there - you're probably curious to know how your new stadiums will look like for the Yankees and the Mets? Well wonder no further as MLB 09 The Show will have them in the game, in full detailed glory. But back to the features. Our exclusive "Road to the Show" mode has been improved with an all-new practice mode, Franchise mode has been expanded to include 40 man rosters, and the new online season leagues are available, allowing friends to get together in a league and pool MLB players together for an in-game fantasy draft. We'll be talking much more about this game and showing the goods as we get closer to launch next Spring. In the meantime, enjoy some of these great screen grabs to get an early peek at what the team currently has going.

 

BUZZ! Quiz TV National Geographic: Undersea Quiz Pack Releases Tomorrow

Hey there BUZZ! fans! Ever since BUZZ! Quiz TV debuted in September, we've been bringing you downloadable packs on a monthly basis to help you keep the fun going. Now, just in time for the holidays, we're rolling out the latest all-new quiz pack: National Geographic: Undersea. Available on December 23, the National Geographic: Undersea quiz pack will challenge you to test your nautical knowledge with over 500 questions like these: WHICH FISH IS THE WORLD'S FASTEST SWIMMER? * SAILFISH * NORTH ATLANTIC COD * PUFFERFISH * SEA BASS WHAT DO SPONGES EAT? * NUTRIENTS DRAWN IN THROUGH THEIR PORES * FISH CAUGHT WITH THEIR SHARP TEETH * EELS KILLED BY EMITTING CHEMICALS * NOTHING, THEY DO NOT NEED FOOD WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING HAS THE MOST CONTROL OVER THE TIDES? * THE MOON * THE EARTH * THE SUN * MARS The National Geographic: Undersea pack isn't the only way to expand your catalog of BUZZ! questions. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the five other downloadable quiz packs that are already available, including National Geographic: Safari, Sci-Fi, Videogames, Horror and Comedy. And if that still doesn't satisfy your thirst for new questions, you can always visit mybuzzquiz.com to view the hundreds of new quizzes created by your fellow BUZZ! fans each day. We've had more than 20,000 user-created quizzes uploaded to the North American MyBUZZ site, and that has amounted to more than 600,000 plays of those quizzes. Consider adding to those numbers by creating your own personalized trivia to stump your friends and family at your holiday gatherings. Finally, if you're new to BUZZ! Quiz TV, and you're worried about getting pwnd by current BUZZ! masters, don't panic! We've created this handy video to help you become an expert BUZZ! player, guiding you through the technical ins and outs of gameplay. Watch the video, then impress your friends and family with your amazing skills. We are always looking for new ways to expand the BUZZ! fun and we have lots of surprises in store over the next few months…stay tuned! And happy holidays!

 

Exclusive WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Downloadable Content Coming to PSN in January

We at THQ have some great news for all of the PlayStation Blog readers out there. For the first time, the world's leading fighting franchise will offer downloadable content starting in January 2009. Owners of SmackDown vs Raw 2009 will be able to download updated costumes and even new playable Superstars on their PS3 through PlayStation Network. SVR09 is already chalk full of new features such as the all-new Tag-Team Gameplay, the Create-A-Finisher mode, an all-new Highlight Reel mode and the first ever tag-team storyline. Not to mention, the 100+ match types and updated roster of over 60 playable characters. However, we didn't feel that was enough. We are proud to announce the first roster update pack for the SmackDown vs Raw franchise. Check out the details for the first download pack below: Roster Update Pack 1 Available for PS3 Price: $4.99 Evan Bourne - playable Superstar Ted DiBiase - playable Superstar Charlie Haas - playable Superstar Chris Jericho - alternate attire Kelly Kelly - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Maria Santa - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Masked Kane - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) MVP - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Edge - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) For more information and images, please visit http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/sdvsraw09/dlc/ You can also view updated trailers, screens, rosters, features and more for SVR09 by going to www.smackdownvsraw.com

 

How Not to get your @$$ Kicked Online in MotorStorm Pacific Rift

For those of you not used to playing online, it can be a scary place, with reputedly full gaming automatons waiting to humiliate 'noobs' and trash talk while they are at it. Well you're wrong. For every game god and trash-talking idiot, there are dozens of fine, upstanding specimens of humanity just like you or I; keen but fallible, competitive yet polite. This blog post should arm you with a bit of knowledge and enthusiasm to get you off your butt and get racing MotorStorm: Pacific Rift online, where the real challenge is. First off, I recommend that you use ranked matchmaking. This is going to put you into a race with opponents of the same online ranking as you. If it's your first time, then that means you'll be playing along with other online virgins. Second thing is to use your favourite vehicle for the track that is chosen. Thirdly, don't be afraid to veto tracks that you just don't like racing on. Practice a little. Spend some time in time trial mode, download some of the ghosts of people who excel on particular tracks, and watch what they do and where they drive. You'll pick up some invaluable tips on getting the best out of each vehicle and each track. Be aggressive! Don't let the other racers kick sand in your face. Get into the pack and mix it up a little, especially if you're driving one of the larger vehicles. Of course, if you're on a bike and everyone else is in a monster truck, stay clear. Nurse your boost. Don't be boost crazy. It's most effective when you boost for long periods of time, so don't throw it away on a few little squirts. Pick your moment to overtake. Don't just ram the guy in front, as it will probably end in tears for both of you. Follow them and watch what they do — they are bound to make a mistake — then hit the boost and go for it. Of course, if you're in a monster truck and they're in a buggy, just roll over them like a fat girl playing twister with Oompa-Loompas. Most of all enjoy yourself. There is nothing like racing against real people. Sure your not going to win all the time, but that's the fun of it. Til next time, Nigel

 

"Sack it to me" - The Holiday Edition

Well, lots of big news this week - Spike videogame awards, the official LBP YouTube channel, this awesomely crazy tank, a few small announcements last night, and now something you've all been waiting for…the Holiday Edition of "Sack it to me". Some of you may have noticed, but the patches over the past few days address a lot of the feedback we've been discussing on our weekly post. So without further adeu…'the patch details' for your convenience. Patch 1.06 Moderation Good news on this front - The latest update (1.06) brings in some much requested changes to LBP's moderation system. While the rules of what is and is not acceptable content for people to share have not changed, we have listened to your feedback and have made the following changes : Moderated levels will now receive more better information about the reason regarding this action having happened. The notification message will remain in place on screen, removing the chance that affected users miss the message. Any moderated level can now be accessed for editing by the creator, whether on or offline. Additional information is now displayed on the Good Grief screen advising users on how the grief reporting functions, and warns against making spurious reports These changes, coupled with additional work behind the scenes should alleviate most of the issues that creators have experienced with the moderation system, and there is more to come in the new year. While the number of levels that have been moderated is less than 0.1% of the number that have been created and shared overall, we recognize that better communication is essential and we'll continue to improve the system in response to your feedback. An explanation of what constitutes unacceptable content to be shared can be found in the game's End User License Agreement (EULA) which may be read at any time via the Settings menu in the game, however we recommend you follow these general guidelines : Ensure that the content you share with other users is suitable for all ages - everybody has access to your level if you publish it. Please respect other people's intellectual property rights. For example, don't use images, brands or logos that you're not entitled to use. If you come across any content that you feel the need to report, then please do it responsibly. Hoax reports will be considered inappropriate behavior. Patch 1.07 New Search Modes: Huge update on this end. We're introducing more ways to find interesting levels! Not only can you search by the 'most hearted', but with the new ratings, you can also find the 'highest rated' as well as the 'busiest' levels online. So your input when playing other peoples levels will be even more important, so help us, make these search categories a great destination for the community. So "heart" away to those who deserve them, keep awarding those stars and keep commenting to help make peoples levels better. Also, keep in mind that this is just one update to improve the SHARE experience, and there will be more in the future. "Wheel of Death" bug = FIXED: The dreadful issue with speeding motorbolts and flinging Sackboys has been looked at, analyzed and corrected. So fling away!!! In-game store: Now you can browse and download costumes, level packs, etc, directly from the Pod. Check out the latest costumes and packs on the store and revisit all of your purchases. Improved peripheral support: USB keyboards now work and there is broader support for 3rd party controls. Details, details, details: Fixed stretchy Sackboy arms animation Improved the corner editing tool Tweaked some Sackboy animations Adjusted Sackboy Slap sensitivities - so less accidental slaps Fixed lights (object) to permanently remember color change Improved online multiplayer level selection Ability to save you level to a different slot on the moon while mid-edit General server improvements Misc visual fixes —————- That's it for this week (sorry, the holiday crunch and all the other big LBP announcements this week kept us busy), but keep chiming in and we'll try to get more answers to you.

 

PS3 costs 53% less to make now than at launch

It's well known that Sony's latest console is a powerful, expensive piece of tech. When Sony launched the PS3, it lost over $200 on every unit sold -- in spite of its $600 price point. However, over time Sony has been able to reduce the costs of manufacturing the system, by removing PS2 compatibility and switching over to a more efficient 65-nanometer chips. iSuppli, the company which broke down the PS3 at launch, estimated the cost of making a PS3 was more than $840. Now, they say the PS3 costs 53% less to make -- at around $445, for a system which sells at $400. Sony is still losing money on each system sold, but in a much less extraordinary way. Not only are the individual components cheaper to make, there are simply less things inside a modern PS3. According to iSuppli, the number of parts inside a PS3 has fallen from 4,048 to only 2,820. Since launch, Sony has reworked the innards of the PS3 to include combined chips. The falling price of components also helps Sony a lot: the Cell processor cost $89 at launch, but now only costs $46 to make. Sony should be able to break even with the PS3 starting in 2009, which makes us wonder if they'll start adopting a more aggressive price strategy late next year. We hope so -- they need a way to make themselves attractive to customers, without breaking the bank. [Via PlayStation Forums]

 

Buzz! 'Underwater Life' question pack arrives tomorrow

Okay, we got it wrong. We knew there was some amazing downloadable content arriving tomorrow, but we mistakenly thought it was that (now mediocre seeming) Metal Gear Solid LittleBigPlanet stuff. It's only now we realize that the true megaton of tomorrow's pre-Christmas PSN update is the new Buzz! Quiz TV question pack. The National Geographic: Undersea pack adds 500 questions based solely on underwater wildlife and the oceans of the world. At the moment it's only confirmed for release on the US store. Perfect for the holidays, right? What's more festive than fish?

 

MLB The Show returns in March 2009

Another year, another year of sports games. MLB The Show returns to PS3 next year with a slew of new features. MLB 09 The Show will look even better than last year, thanks to added detail. Stadium crowds will be more interactive and varied than ever, and you'll see transitional lighting on the field as the day turns to dusk. An expanded Road to the Show and Franchise mode can also be enjoyed. 09 will also add online season leagues, training/practice drills, and a new ability to store replays onto the hard drive. The most important addition of all, however, are the mascots. Each team's mascot will be represented in the game. Check out the first screenshots of MLB 09 for the PS3 here. Gallery: MLB 09: The Show

 

SOCOM Confrontation 1.30 patch ready to go live ... in January

SOCOM fans looking forward to playing Confrontation over the holiday break won't be able to enjoy patch 1.30. Those expecting all the features of 1.30 will be disappointed to hear that the patch won't be available to download until the new year. "Unfortunately, due to the Holidays the update will not be approved by SCE Format QA until early next year. Our QA staff will be here, testing the game over vacation, but the SCE QA teams which must approve the update before release will not." As of now, it appears the patch will be available during the week of January 5th or January 12th. While it's disappointing to have to wait so long, SOCOM fans have proven to be some of the most patient gamers out there. [Thanks, Devin93!]

 

PlayStation Network gets exclusive DLC for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw

Who doesn't like the word "exclusive"? While this may not be the biggest news ever, WWE fans will certainly appreciate knowing PlayStation Network will be home to a few exclusive costumes when DLC is made available in January. The first Roster Pack will be available for $4.99 and will include the following: Evan Bourne - playable Superstar Ted DiBiase - playable Superstar Charlie Haas - playable Superstar Chris Jericho - alternate attire Kelly Kelly - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Maria Santa - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Masked Kane - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) MVP - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) Edge - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3) [Via PlayStation.Blog]

 

Watch Sackboy Snake face off against Metal Gear Rex

If you're anything like us then you're counting down the hours to the release of the Metal Gear Solid LittleBigPlanet downloadable content, which arrives tomorrow. The gameplay video you're about to watch (which is after the break) will either tide you over until the expansion's release, or have you chomping even more furiously at the bit. It shows a Solid Snake Sackboy facing off against Metal Gear Rex. Thankfully, it looks as much fun as we'd have hoped. Just fewer than twenty-four hours to go ...

 

Engadget reviews the PS3 wireless chatpad

Engadget got their hands on the recently released PS3 wireless chatpad peripheral and they seem to have mixed feelings about it. They were generally happy with typing aspects of the keypad, although they felt the buttons were a bit small and they didn't provide enough tactile feedback. On the other hand, the touchpad functionality was said to be lacking precision and "just doesn't work very well." In summary, the peripheral is perfect for those of you who are typing away all day on your PS3, but the $50 price tag is simply too expensive in their opinion. Take a look their full review here. Oh, and the best part of the review? Their picture gallery which includes a comparison picture (as seen above) with the infamously complex Atari Jaguar controller. Update: A tip from the PS Nation about calibration: 1. Go to Internet Browser 2. Activate Touch pad (the hand with index finger pointing) 3. Hold blue and orange shoulder buttons for 2 seconds until the light flashes Now your touch pad should be calibrated. ENJOY!

 

Hybrid DVD/Blu-ray disc released in Japan

Don't you wish your favorite Blu-ray movie could work at grandma's place? But drats, for some reason she just doesn't have a Blu-ray player. Thankfully, you own a hybrid DVD/Blu-ray disc, so you'll be able to watch your Blu-ray movie on a standard DVD player. It won't be in HD, but SD movie better than no movie, right? This tech isn't far off. In fact, it's available now. Infinity Storage Media has released the first hybrid disc, which allows just that. By using a clever dual-layer process, DVD drives will be able to read a DVD layer, while Blu-ray drives will be able to read a Blu-ray layer. The image above shows the process in a rather simple way. We're not sure how far this technology will reach, or if it will be adopted by other companies. For now, this is a strictly Japan-only product. We can see tons of studios capitalizing on the HD transition by releasing their movies on a hybrid disc like this. [Via digg]

 

Voice chat returns on PlayStation Home

PlayStation Home has been patched (yet again!), this time restoring voice chat. Update 1.05, available now, adds voice chat to personal spaces and clubhouses. This means you foul-mouthed pirates can chat with each other in the privacy of your own virtual-homes. However, expect public spaces to be as quiet as Sunday mass. [Thanks, heavenssniper!]

 

DS Daily: Accidents

Today we're wondering about some of the more horrible things that could've happened to your DS. We've been known to drop ours every now and then, and we were the unfortunate recipients of some scratches on the touch-screen after we let our little cousin play with it a bit. How about you? Have you let a relative play your DS, only to find it scratched every which way? Have you dropped it down a flight of stairs or on the street? What's the worst thing that's happened to your DS*?

 

Enterbrain: DSi exceeds one million sales

It was just this month that Enterbrain reported that the DSi had sold over 500,000 units. Now, according to the publisher, Nintendo has almost doubled that feat before the month has even ended. Their weirdly specific estimate puts the DSi at 1,062,416 units sold since the device's launch at the beginning of November. The DSi is proving to be a worthy addition to the DS lineup for Nintendo, then. Those million sales contributed to a total of 24,859,874 DS systems sold in Japan since the launch of the original DS back in 2004. Gallery: Nintendo DSi

 

Nintendo sued over DS Lite charger

Back in January of 2007, a fire raged through a Kentucky home. The victims of the fire were compensated according to their insurance coverage. But, now that insurance company has filed a complaint (warning: pdf link) against Nintendo with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky yesterday, stating "The [DS] was defective in design, manufacture and/or because it failed to warn consumers as to dangers associated with it... due to defects existing within the Product which caused a risk of overheating and fire, the Product was recalled by Nintendo." The Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company is seeking the 263,000 they paid out to the family, as well as court costs and interest. Gallery: Accessories your DS can't live without

 

First look at the Echoes of Time DSi

Square Enix has finally revealed the special edition DSi for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time that was announced last month, and it's just as described: a cat in a bowtie. But the smaller detail really helps this design stand out; unlike the last round of limited edition handhelds from Square Enix, with their gray or black-on-white designs, the Echoes of Time system has a little color. Not a lot -- just a soft splash of blue here and there -- but the effect is simple and stunning. For those looking to buy the Wii version instead, or in addition to the DS version of Echoes of Time, the Wii title will include a trailer for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, the game that is, apparently, still going strong. Let's just hope it's a new trailer. Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time

 

DS releases for the week of December 22nd

Oh by golly, have a holly jolly something this week, because what you're not getting are DS games. Uh, unless they're gifts. But even if we had a bevy of releases, none would shine so brightly in this blogger's extraordinarily nerdy eyes as the lone title slated for Europe: 100 Classic Book Collection. Dear Reggie-Santa: I have been very, very good. Please bring me books on the DS for the new year. And in the meantime, hit the break to see what's out in Japan, where they're not taking the week off. Quite the opposite, in fact!

 

Gaming to Go: Sonic Rush

This is the other occasion where you're allowed to roll your eyes and say "Well, duh." A Sonic the Hedgehog game being featured for its emphasis on speed? Yeah, it's not a revolutionary concept, but it's still not quite the immediate conclusion one might have drawn some ten or fifteen years back. Where the much-maligned hedgehog used to be known for ultrafast platforming, recent entries in the series have introduced all kinds of kooky new gameplay elements, often stealing the spotlight from eye-melting rollercoasters and placing it firmly on beloved new characters like Big the Cat. Sonic Rush, however, is a throwback to the olden days, when a typical Sonic level had twists, turns, and strategically-placed spikes after every freaking loop. That's the precise formula the series built its name on, and it's this exact same formula that makes Sonic Rush such a thrill ride to play. It's pretty possible to blaze through some of these levels in under three minutes, especially early on in the game, making it a title pretty well-suited for this week's edition of Gaming to Go. Thinking of giving Sonic another chance? Click that big button down there and see for yourself if it's worth bringing this hedgehog along on your daily commute. NEXT >>   Gallery: Sonic Rush