PS3 news and tidbits thread

[AlexJ]

The greatest motoring TV show in the world has linked up with the world's greatest driving game.

The BBC and Polyphony have done a deal which will see Top Gear episodes appear in Gran Turismo 5, and make the Top Gear test track a playable circuit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7059887.stm

[Harrison]

That's a cool idea. Must more sensible than someone trying to just make another game based on the series itself.

Although do people in the US and Japan watch Topgear?

I wonder if they will have you trying to beat the Stig's actual lap times around their test track! That would be both cool and probably bloody hard to actually beat them. Also if they have the test track they have to include the times and car from "star in a reasonably prices car" so you can see how you do against the real stars that drove it.

[AlexJ]

Although do people in the US and Japan watch Topgear?

The producer of Top Gear said that it was the most pirated TV show in the world, and that an episode's total worldwide audience taking this into account was larger than a Formula One race. Although not mainstream in the USA, it certainly has quite a following through torrents and the like.

[Oz2]

The BBC and Polyphony have done a deal which will see Top Gear episodes appear in Gran Turismo 5, and make the Top Gear test track a playable circuit.

A Dream come true

I just noticed GT5 Prologue has been released for a limited time, gotta check it out straight away.

Can't wait to step into the Stig's footsteps.

[Sharingan]

So the new Ratchet & Clank has been released early in the U.S. ... maybe Europe will get some love soon as well?

The game's received some pretty glowing reviews so far (except for Lamespot, which gave it a 7.5 - asshats), most sites praising it for its amazing visuals and rock solid framerate. Sony would do well to keep on good terms with the guys at Insomniac - they're doing some amazing stuff with the PS3 hardware. Barely a year into the console's lifespan, and they've already churned out two brilliant games.

[Demon Cleaner]

The Ratchet & Clank demo is quite short, but it's a pure enjoyment to play through, even several times. Don't know why the demo isn't available at the EU shop yet?

[Sharingan]

The Ratchet demo was added to the EU store in the 25 october update

Along with some trailers, including a trailer for Metal Gear Online (which looks pretty sexy, to be honest).

The Folklore content costs money to download, however, which is crap considering Japan got it for free. Not that 2 bucks is a whole lot, but still ...

By the way, anyone looking to buy Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, you're advised to hold out for the time being. Apparently, the game has some issues, such as occasional framerate skips (especially during replays) and a very laggy online service. Konami has already announced that they are working on a fix, likely through a patch. Sounds weird, doesn't it ... patches for console games.

[Harrison]

Some nice news I thought you would all like to know is that something missing from the PS3 is making a return next year...

DUALSHOCK 3

That's right, due to popular demand Sony are going to be adding the rumble feature back into the PS3 gamepads and calling it the Dualshock 3.

Only annoying thing is, they removed it, so all PS2 games played on the PS3 were missing their rumble feature, then Sony remove PS2 game support, but then add the rumble feature back in. How annoying.

It was shown working at the Tokyo Games Show working with GT5 Prologue and MGS4.

Here is some more information:

Tokyo Game Show, the DualShock 3 is a controller for the PlayStation 3 that incorporates the features and design of the SIXAXIS wireless controller with vibration capabilities. It is scheduled for release in Japan on November 11, 2007 at a retail price of JP¥5,500, in both black and "Ceramic White" colours.[3] The controller is expected to debut in North America and Europe in Spring 2008.[4] Hands-on accounts at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show describe the controller as being heavier than the standard Sixaxis controller, and capable of vibration forces comparable to the DualShock 2. According to GameSpot, DualShock 3's "rumble was a touch weak";[5] while various others reported more refined vibration effects than the DualShock 2, particularly with the Metal Gear Solid 4 demonstration.[6] The first release supporting the DualShock 3 was the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue free demo made available in the Japanese PlayStation Store on October 20, 2007.

Rumble patches

A list of rumble patches (downloadable add-ons from the PlayStation Store, to add rumble to software released before September 2007), has been announced by SCEI at the TGS 2007[7]. It is currently unknown if the DualShock 3 will support the rumble function of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software.

[Oz2]

Sounds weird, doesn't it ... patches for console games.

Well apparently we'll have to get used to that idea. Most Games already got Online Game patches, and with the loads of code a blu-ray can hold there should be enough cases of patching games in the future.

I am pretty astonished what the PS3 is capable of, i already stream videos, pictures and my iTunes Library to the PS3 and was able to connect my bluetooth headset HBH-35 i bought years ago for my mobile phone. These weren't exactly things i expected from this console, but it's nice it all works

I can't wait for Assassin's Creed to finally hit the shops. My only concern is where should i buy it? I can't buy it in german stores because they cut some stuff out and like always i guess there will be no blood. I also checked UK stores but the prices are even higher there. So to be on the safe side i could order in the U.S. ... or i could still check stores in France.... i'm so confused.

[Harrison]

I used to use a Canadian store http://www.dvdboxoffice.com a lot for DVD's and PS1 and 2 games. Maybe have a look on there. The only issue is that Sony are now being very strict about export/import of Playstation games so it might be harder than before to import them.