PS3 Officially Gets DivX Support

DivX Logo

Holy dog shit people. This is a feature begged for by the internet savvy crowd for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 since launch. Today, Sony has delivered in an announcement directly from the CEO of DivX.

Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX commented, “We are excited to work with Sony Computer Entertainment to bring DivX to PS3. Our technology will expand the multimedia functionality of PS3 by enabling users to enjoy access to the broad library of content in the DivX digital media format.”

Sounds great to me. Nothing like streaming DivX movies from my PC to my PS3. Gamers will be able to take advantage of the new features in an upcoming software update.

Penny Arcade Game Headed to XBLA

Gabe and Tycho

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness will make it’s way onto the Xbox Live Arcade in early 2008. No longer will you be restricted to the PC.

This isn’t really surprising, as there are tons of Penny Arcade gamerpics on the Xbox 360 Marketplace. There’s been no announcements of the game coming to the PlayStation Store, but I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one either.

Hopefully the game shapes up better than what we’ve all seen so far.

New Features Announced for PS3 and PSP at Leipzig Conference

psp2.jpgSCEA has made some big announcements concerning new features to hit both the PS3 and the PSP.

Here is the PS3 announcement:

Sony has announced PlayTV for the PlayStation 3, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV, with the software set to launch in Europe early next year.

“The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family,” commented David Reeves, president of SCEE.

“With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family.”

Here is the PSP announcement:

Hit the jump for more »

Metal Gear Solid 4 New Bosses Revealed

MGS4 Bosses

Hideo Kojima revealed some new information for Metal Gear Solid 4 at Leipzig and showed off the new bosses in the game. All of them are metal, war-hardened beasts. Kojima has what he likes to call a “Beauty and the Beast” theme to the game.

You’ve got Howling Wolf, a dog/wolf kind of thing that howls a lot, Raging Raven, a flying woman with wings and a jet pack that screams “RAGE!”, Screaming Mantis, a puppeteer woman with marionettes hanging from her extra arms, and Laughing Octopus, a woman with metal arms coming out of her head like Doc Oc from Spiderman.

I love the visual style in this game.

GameSpy Brings Cross Platform Multiplayer to Unreal Engine 3

GameSpy LogoEpic and GameSpy (owned by IGN) today announced a deal where GameSpy’s multiplayer technology will be incorporated into Unreal Engine 3. The deal affects PS3 to PC cross-platform play. Other features being included in the engine are communication tools, competition apps, matchmaking, stat tools, community features, leaderboards, and unannounced new features that may turn up down the line.

The kicker is that GameSpy says this could work for brining cross platform play in a single game to the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. How cool would that be?

GameSpy has the technology to actually connect gamers across virtually any platform for multiplayer play, even Xbox 360 to PS3 to PC. “We’re huge believers in cross-platform play,” said [Todd] Northcutt [GameSpy Technologies Director]. But he said it’s ultimately up to Microsoft and other game companies to realize the dream of total cross-platform gameplay.

I have a tingling feeling that Microsoft will want no part of this. They have their own Games for Windows Live stuff for cross platform play. Hang this one up there with your dream of the next Duke Nukem game dropping this decade.

Assassin’s Creed Limited Edition Pack Shots

Assassin’s Creed Limited Edition Tin

Here’s the latest news on the Assassin’s Creed front. The limited edition version was previously announced, but now we know what you’ll get to look at for your hard earned $69.99.

Along with the nice tin box, you’ll get a few Penny Arcade comics, a figure of Altair (the main character for those keeping score), a mini strategy guide, and loads of making-of documentaries.

Sounds like a fairly decent limited edition, but nothing spectacular. I like the little toy figures, so we’ll see what happens when I pick this title up.

Hit the jump for more »

David Jaffe Working on Three New PS3 Titles

David Jaffe ImageDavid Jaffe recently broke off from Sony to form his own studio, Eat Sleep Play, in Salt Lake City. It was previously revealed their first title would be a port of Twisted Metal: Head On for the PS2.

Now, Jaffe has spilled the beans that Eat Sleep Play is working on 3 new titles that will be exclusive to the PS3.

“I can’t disclose themes,” Jaffe said, “but the new game is medium to hardcore in terms of game play and will focus heavily on multiplayer.”

“I am more excited about this game than anything I have ever worked on. I cannot wait to unveil it,” Jaffed added from Eat Sleep Play headquarters in Salt Lake City.

Giving Jaffe’s track record (read: God of War), I’d say these games might be pretty good. The first title is expected to ship in mid 2008, so I’m gonna guess we’ll hear something pretty soon about the game.

Xbox Live Arcade Summer Schedule Revealed

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Screenshot

Microsoft dropped a press release today to let us know of their summer schedule for the Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360. There’s a decent mix of old and new, so get ready to throw away some money while you wait for the blockbuster titles to hit this Holiday Season.

For August, we’ll see Track & Field this Wednesday, followed up by Ecco the Dolphin, Hexic 2, and War World. Other games said to be released in the “coming weeks” include Geon: Emotions, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Space Giraffe, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.

Save up your money because it looks like everyone will be giving a lot of it to Microsoft with these titles.

Hit the jump for more »

80GB PS3 Now Available

80GB PS3 PackShot

Sony sent out a press release to let us know the 80GB PS3 is now available at retailers nationwide in the US. So if you’ve been waiting for that extra 20GB and a bundled copy of Motorstorm, head on down to your gaming retailer of choice and pick one of these bad boys up.

The 60GB model is available until stock runs out, which Sony expects will be later this year. Remember, the 60GB version in the US has the Emotion Engine built in for backwards compatibility, where the 80GB version will use software for playing your PS1 and PS2 games.

Hit the jump for more »

Warhawk Goes Gold, Pricing Set

Warhawk Image

Sony sent out word that Warhawk for the PS3 has gone gold via PlayStation.Blog. The game will be available on August 28th.

Pricing for the title was also announced. The retail version will run you $60 and include a Jabra Bluetooth headset as well as some behind the scenes footage from the game. The PlayStation Store download will be $39.99.

I’m thinking it’s a pretty fair price for the downloadable title. I know some critics have said $30 is the maximum they should charge, but I think $40 is a good value. The game is online only and will include a multitude of maps and game types to provide hours of fun.

After played the beta extensively, Warhawk is one of my favorite online titles of late. There’s a lot of ways to play, whether in flight, in ground vehicles, or just running around shooting. I would highly suggest picking this one up if you can.