PlayStation 2’s 9th “Birthday”

On this day, nine years ago, the PlayStation 2 was “born”. Therefore, it is appropriate to say “Happy Birthday PS2!” This console, which was the champion of the previous console war is ancient in the video game world.

Sony reports that for every three households in the United States, there is one household that owns a PlayStation 2. There is a total of nearly 140 million people who own the system around the world. This makes it among the most successful game systems ever created. Games are even still being made for it. In case you missed this console in the last decade, you can pick up a PS2 SLim for the low price of $99. A great money saver is that you can get the PS2 games, which consists of more than 10,000 titles, for a very low price at used game retailers across the globe.

For many people, their PS2 is most likely out of use collecting dust and has been ever since they moved on to the PS3, Wii or Xbox 360. Maybe there is a few people who use their PS2 on rare occasions. Where is your PlayStation 2? When was the last time you used it?

No UMD Transfer for PSP Go

The long wait of not know is over. Sony has revealed its plans to allow for PSP owners to digitally transfer all of the UMD games onto the new PSP Go. Sony’s big plan is this: Sony does not plan to ever support this kind of service. Sony said to Kotaku, “We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time.” Since Sony is so serious about this plan at the current time, I believe tha a couple of PSP owners may have a couple words to say to Sony about this.

In hopes to maybe put some angry people at ease, Sony has announces that in the UK an offer will be available to all PSP owners looking to upgrade to the PSP Go. This offer would be that they could have three digitally transferred gamers of their choosing.

Reports from Eurogamer say that PSP owners can sign on to the PlayStation Network making them eligible to earn a voucher over email. This will enable them to have any three of the following games:

Buzz!: Brain Bender

Buzz!: Master Quiz

Daxter

Echochrome

Everybody’s Golf PSP

Killzone: Liberation

Lemmings PSP

LocoRoco

MediEvil

Patapon

Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Resistance: Retribution

SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow

WipEout

Even though right now this deal is only supposed to be for the UK, I think that it will end up in the US very soon.

PS3 making no profit?

Word on the street is that Sony will be losing money with every PlayStation 3 that is sold. This inside information became known when London’s The Times interviewed the head of Sony, Kaz Hirai. This intriguing interview took place at GamesCon 2009.

After Kaz Hirai was asked the question on whether or not Sony will lose cash on every PlayStation 3 Slim that is sold, Kaz responded by saying, “If you’re just talking about the hardware alone, the quick answer is yes.”

Sony does not seem to be worrying to much about this problem though. Kaz said, “[Losses per console sold] makes good headlines, but I don’t actually know that that’s the true nature of the business that we’re all in, whether it’s PlayStation, Xbox or the Wii. I think the better indicator is to look at the business as a whole platform, to ask: Are you profitable in terms of the hardware, software and peripherals. And the answer to that question is yes on a gross profit level since the last fiscal year.”

 All in all, Sony is going to be taking a small money loss on each console that is sold. However, they are overall going to be making a profit. Confusing? Yes. It was never made clear just how much Sony would be losing on each console sold.

Playstation 3 Price Reduction Confirmed

One thing that people will be glad to hear is that the price of the PlayStation 3 has been reduced to $299. This is a pretty good deal considering what you will be getting. Although the PlayStation 3 will not be able to use the PlayStation 2 games, there are many new things that will make up for this fact.

A few new features and changes regarding the new PlayStation 3 have been released.

The “Information Board” will now be replaced with a section called “What’s New”. This will enable you to take notice in PlayStation news each and every time you start the PlayStation 3 system. This section will display the latest and greatest news and releases, as well as your own recently played games.

On your screen in the top right corner there is now an added indicator bar. This displays your user icon, friend icon, the amount of friends you have online and also a message icon to inform you whether or not you have a new message.

 Your PlayStation Network friends will now appear in a different format on your friends list.

There is now a handy shortcut icon under both the Game and Video categories. This will allow you to access the latest and greatest content more easily.

New themes and avatars are available for your own custom designs. Some free and premium avatars will be available in the PlayStation Store. The new and exciting themes brings your screen into a whole new view as it includes animated objects in the background. Both of these things create for a gaming experience that is a little bit more fun.

 With there new a different features the PlayStation 3 will be worth the payment in September.

Playstation 3 Price Cuts Ahead

Sony has been denying price cuts for months now and they’ve even gone as far as pissing off certain publishing companies by refusing to cut their prices. Well it seems as though they have finally come to their senses and decided it’s time to cut prices again. Rumor has it that the price of the 160GB Playstation 3 will be priced at only $400 now, that’s a $100 price cut making this a much more affordable option for a Blue Ray player and gaming system combination.

The ad that the price cut is rumored to have started in was for September 8th. This probably means that Sony is going to officially announce the price cut at GamesCom. This is probably as close to a confirmation as you’ll get before GamesCom. At the very least, I’d avoid purchasing a Playstation 3 or Blue Ray player until September 8th at least. Give the price cut a chance to happen and you might just end up saving a bunch of money. If worse comes to worse, you can always make your purchases after a disproved rumor becomes exposed. Personally, I think the price cut is happening and it was well needed.

Playstation Home Additions

The Playstation Home is making some interesting new additions to your experience. The biggest of which is going to be a ten screen movie theater for you to watch. Is this suggesting that there is going to be some sort of addition where you are allowed to watch movies similar to netflix, possibly watch tv shows, or is it something else all together? It would be pretty cool to have semi-recent full feature movies in there, or even popular series re-runs such as Lost. This is Sonys official statement about the new additions, particularly the movie theater screens.

“The Movie Theater brings you ten times as much exciting content [including from the PS.Blog! -Jeff] with a brand-new 10-screen layout, a new lobby, and the ability to unlock rewards in select screening rooms. Be sure to check out the screening rooms often – you never know when one of them will be giving something away. Stay tuned for lots of exclusive new videos over the coming months, including the future possibility of full-length TV shows or movies, with new features debuting on a regular basis.”

What do you think? Are you at all interested in watching movies or television shows from your Playstaion Home? If it’s anything like Netflix, I sure wouldn’t use it. It’s a lot harder than simply watching them on your computer or just putting it in your list and receiving it within a few days. I think Sony should have tried something new or beat Microsoft to the radio idea.

Sony Testing New Download Payment System

Sony is trying a new system for taking payments for games on the Playstation Network on a single game in Japan. You can download the game Trash Panic for only $1.00. There is a catch though. You only get to play the game three times before it prompts you for another $1.00. It’s kind of like mix between a demo and the full version of the game. If you don’t like it, you got to play the full game three times with all the features, but you don’t have to play anymore, nor feel obligated to play it because it only cost $1.00.

It reminds me a bit of the traditional arcade style game play. When you lose you have to insert more money. In this case, you can play all you want, but after you quit the game and go to the dashboard or turn off your Playstation 3 then you essentially “lost the game”. After doing this three times you need to insert more money to play again.

This is only a trial ordeal. It’s a system that’s been placed on one single game in a single country. It’s barely worth mentioning. If we see it being tried on several games or expanding past Japan we might have something to talk about. I personally, wouldn’t mind something like this if it was a mixed system. If you could either buy the full game, or continuing paying $1.00 every three times. I would simply try the game for $1.00 and if I liked it, buy the full game.

God of War 3: Gameplay

Have you guys seen the new gameplay for God of War 3? It’s looking pretty intense. I would generally tell you that the game is worth buying, but this game is basically the Playstation 3. This is arguably the greatest exclusive game they have. I’d be surprised to see this game anything but game of the year for Sony exclusives at least.

Having never played a God of War game, nor ever seeing the others in action it may seem like I’m a bit overreacting to the game. You tell me. Take a look at this trailer (sorry for the poor quality) and tell me your reactions to the game.

Activision May Stop Supporting the Playstation Systems

Activision is the largest third party gaming company out there. They pretty much dominate the gaming world with the exception of Sony, Nintendo, and Microsofts exclusive titles, they have the control of the market. If Activision stopped supporting all of the Playstation systems then Sony will be suffering, whether or not they admit it.

Could Sony even expect to survive when titles like Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Band Hero, Tony Hawk, Call of Duty (even numbers 2, 4, 6 ect), and the many other games they bring out each year? It could seriously damage Sony in the area of console sales. With gamers knowing these great titles will not be available on a Playstation system they would turn to the competitors, probably the Xbox 360.

Why is Activision threatening Sony? They want a price cut on the Playstation system. Why they are so blunt as to demand the price cut is beyond me. I think both companies would be missing out if this goes south. The potential profits lost because Sony gamers are no longer able to buy the games, and of course Sony won’t be making money on the games sale either. Microsoft would be ecstatic as this would essentially make these games exclusive for the Xbox 360 because of Nintendo’s failure at graphics and an online gaming system.

Valve Won’t Publish on PS3

Remember my post about how Valve said they will not br bringing Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 to the PS3? Based on previous press confrences and interviews the conclusion was made it was because of the difficulty of making games for it. Valve has now made a straight up message for Sony. Valve will not publish anything on the PS3 until they are ‘able to do it right’.

The Orange Box was a fail on the PS3 and ever since then they have been very hesitent to publish any of the PS3 because they don’t want to mess it up agian. It’s too difficult for them for some reason. Hire different people and quit making excuses. There are plenty of companies capable of creating amazing games and Valve can’t seem to find programmers capable of doing it? This is a terrible excuse.