PSN’s first Humble Bundle gives you Capcom games at a discount
Humble Bundle is best-known for its PC game offers, but it’s branching out in a big way. It’s partnering with Capcom and Sony to launch PSN’s first-ever Humble Bundle, the appropriately titled Humble Capcom PlayStation Bundle. Pay at least $1 and you’ll both get a handful of Capcom titles as well as donate some of your purchase toward the American Red Cross, Rettsyndrome.org and Save the Children. You can choose how much goes to charity versus the developer, so there’s an incentive to splurge in the name of a good cause.
As always, what you get depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Everyone who chips in will get Strider, Final Fight: Double Impact, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 and a 45 percent discount for Street Fighter V. They’re nothing to write home about (Strider is the only PS4 title at this tier if you’re not buying SFV), but it’s still a good value. Naturally, things get more interesting the more you’re willing to pay. Pay above the average and you’ll snag the HD remasters of Okami and Resident Evil alongside four other games. Spend at least $15, meanwhile, and you’ll score Devil May Cry HD, Resident Evil 0 Remastered and a half-off coupon for Mega Man Legacy Collection.
If you like what you see, you’ll have until September 5th at 2PM Eastern to take advantage of the Humble Bundle. It’s not a killer deal, but it could be a good way to catch up on games that you missed the first time around. And look at it this way: if this offer proves to be a hit, you might just see other developers offering PSN bundles of their own.
Source: Humble Bundle, PlayStation Blog
PlayStation Now will soon let you play anywhere you have a PC
Analysts have been predicted the death of game consoles for years — and while they’re usually wrong, PlayStation Now is the strongest living argument for a gaming industry without iterative hardware. Sony’s internet-streaming games service puts PlayStation games on micro-consoles, full-sized PlayStation 4 machines and even standalone televisions. Today, Sony announced that the service is coming to an even wider platform: Windows.
Sony says PlayStation Now for Windows will launch in Europe soon, and will be followed by a timely North American rollout — but the exact details are still in the air. Sony has announced that it will sell a $25 DualShock 4 controller adapter for use with the service, for instance, but neglected to say if PlayStation Now for Windows will play nice with other PC gamepads. It might not: PS4 Remote Play on PC and Mac requires Sony’s own controller. It wouldn’t be too shocking if PlayStation Now kept tradition.
Even so, controller compatibility isn’t the only barrier to entry. PlayStation Now is pretty neat, but it requires a hearty internet connection to function properly — at least 5Mbps and a reasonable proximity to PlayStation Now server. The service also requires a PC running Windows 7 or higher, a 3.5Ghz Intel Core i3 or better CPU and 2GB of RAM. If you meet all those requirements, though, you can do something mildly historic: Play PlayStation 3 games on your PC for the first time ever. Neat.
Source: PlayStation
Video claims to show a redesigned PS4 slim controller
Earlier today Eurogamer took pictures and video of what appears to be a redesigned slim PlayStation 4, and now YouTube channel ZRZ is showing off what it says is the console’s new controller. The only immediately noticeable tweak is up top, where there’s either a second light bar or the DualShock 4’s touchpad is allowing the light to shine through. That could be useful for syncing up with the PlayStation VR headset or just taking advantage of games that use the light indicator to give the player feedback. Lat year when we asked Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida about his favorite use for the feature, he called out Bloodborne’s blood-red indicator.
New PS4 Slim Dualshock 4 with Light bar on touchpad pad VIDEO #PS4Slim #PS4 #DS4 #Leaked pic.twitter.com/mxscX7eWpH
— ZRZ (@ZRZtweet) August 22, 2016
Supporting the video’s legitimacy is that the same person who bought the redesigned PS4 that we’ve seen pictures and video of has confirmed it According to @shortman82, it seems to be a see through section on the touchpad, which should also mean it won’t impact the DS4’s battery life (which is notoriously short, and the reason Sony added the ability to dim the lightbar in 2014 via a software update). Of course, until something’s announced we won’t know for sure what is or is not on the way, but take a look for yourself.
Via: Destructoid
Source: ZRZ (YouTube)
Sony receiver lowers the costs of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
It’s not easy to add smartphone-based infotainment to your existing car, especially if you prefer Android Auto. Many aftermarket head units are either devoted solely to Apple CarPlay (like Pioneer’s AppRadio 4) or mind-numbingly expensive (such as the $1,400 AVIC-8200NEX). Sony is aiming to fix that. It just unveiled the XAV-AX100, a receiver that offers both Android Auto and CarPlay for a reasonable $500 — even the relatively frugal AppRadio 4 costs $600.
This isn’t the most elaborate receiver (it handles 55W x 4 channels and produces virtual sound stages). However, it does have its own device-independent interface with Bluetooth and USB audio, as well as rear camera support. The biggest obstacle may simply be the wait. You won’t see the AX100 until late November, so it won’t help you navigate your end-of-summer vacation.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Sony
The slim PS4 is looking realer every day
When photos of a purported slim PS4 redesign emerged, you could hear the skeptics’ cries from a mile away: fake! Photoshopped! However, it looks like this new console is very much real. Eurogamer visited the person who bought the unreleased console from a Gumtree listing, and has posted video (below) proving that this is a real, working game system. You’ll have to wait until later for more details, but what you saw before holds true: it’s smaller, rounder and more utilitarian than the original.
Also, there’s further support for beliefs that this is a new basic model, not the 4K-ready Neo. Wall Street Journal sources understand that there will be a “new PlayStation 4 standard model” alongside the Neo at Sony’s September 7th event. While the tip is shy on details (there’s no price or ship date), analysts suspect that it’ll be less expensive than the $350 system you can buy today. Frankly, that’s only logical. The slim PS4 certainly looks like it was subject to some cost-cutting, and Sony likely wants to close the price gap with the $300 Xbox One S as quickly as possible.
Source: Eurogamer (YouTube), Wall Street Journal
PlayStation Plus membership prices rise in September
PlayStation Plus memberships will cost more starting on September 22nd. On that date, a one-year membership in the US will rise from $50 to $60, while three-month memberships will rise from $18 to $25. The price of a monthly plan will remain the same in the US ($10). Existing members will not have to pay the increased amount until their plans renew on or after September 22nd.
Sony announced the change in an update to its July 27th PlayStation Plus blog post, where the company notes that this is the first time it’s raised Plus prices since launching the service in 2010.
“The new pricing reflects the current market conditions while enabling us to continue providing exceptional value to our members,” Sony writes. “As a member, you will continue to enjoy the benefits and features that enable shared experiences, such as online multiplayer, free games and exclusive discounts. You will also continue to get exclusive benefits such as online game save storage and discounts across the PlayStation digital services.”
Any current subscribers who want to ditch Plus before the new prices take effect, turn off auto-renewal in your account settings before September 22nd.
An important update for all our PlayStation Plus members: https://t.co/iEd4L49och pic.twitter.com/Ni7jL29ADI
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) August 22, 2016
Source: PlayStation Blog
PS4 redesign supposedly pops up at an auction
Wondering what Sony might have in store at its September 7th PlayStation event? You might be getting a sneak peek. An auction purports to be selling an as yet unreleased “slim line” PS4 that would be thinner, rounder and (let’s be honest) decidedly plainer than the original. There’s no mention of whether or not this would be the vaunted 4K-capable Neo, but that seems unlikely when Sony said that Neo would be a more expensive complement to the base system — 500GB looks pretty basic to us.
We’d take this apparent leak with a big grain of salt, although there are things in the photos that check out. The packaging is decidedly different than what you get with the current, standard edition PS4 including a different model number (CUH-2016A) and a plug for PlayStation VR. And the system itself? As long-time PlayStation fans will attest, Sony has a habit of introducing refreshed consoles that aren’t as ornate as the first-run systems. You’ll likely get the full story in a couple of weeks.
Via: Wario64 (Twitter)
Source: Gumtree, NeoGAF
Claymation puzzler ‘Armikrog’ comes to the PS4 on August 23
There’s no rule that game animations must be done in a computer. The creators of Armikrog elected to use claymation, the painstaking stop-motion process beloved in such movies as Wallace and Grommit. The title raised $974,000 on Kickstarter and was released for PC, Mac and Linux last September, following several delays. The PS4 version was further held up, but we finally have a release date and price on the console: August 23rd for $9.99.
The delays are understandable, considering the painstaking process of creating the animations. “Every single level, every single character, and all of the things you will see in Armikrog actually existed in our tiny studio where we had to basically run through the game frame by frame — it was a major production,” wrote publisher Lance James. There’s still no release date for the Wii U and a physical version of the game, though the company said on Facebook that it’s “working away” on them.
When it first launched on the PC, reviewers loved how the game looked, but gave it tepid marks for the basic gameplay and lowbrow humor — and the $25 launch price probably didn’t help. However, the company has since issued numerous updates and created extra functionality for the PS4’s DualShock controllers. “You can use it as a standard pointer if you wish, allowing for a free range of motion, and you can also use it to solve some of our puzzles rather than using the joysticks or the d-pad,” said James. That, plus the $10 price, should make Armikrog interesting for PS4 owners.
Source: Sony
‘Star Trek: Bridge Crew’ hits VR headsets November 29th
Ubisoft has dropped the dates for three of its incoming VR games, including Star Trek: Bridge Crew. That title, set in JJ Abrams Star Trek universe, is available for pre-order and arrives on all three major platforms, the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR on November 29th. It lets you take on the role of captain, engineer, tactical officer or helmsman on the Enterprise-style “Aegis” bridge. The aim is to work with your crew mates to help settle Vulcan’s remaining population after the planet was destroyed in the first Star Trek reboot.
Eagle Flight (above) is another intriguing title that we first saw (and fell for) at GDC 2016 in March. You pilot your very own eagle over the skies of a futuristic, overgrown Paris, playing either in teams or solo. The whimsical goal is to pick up a dead rabbit or other prey and bring it to your home nest ahead of rival birds. Engadget editor Nicole Lee called it ” immersive, fun and surprisingly social.” It’s now on pre-order and arrives October 18th to the Rift, November 8th on PlayStation VR, and to the HTC Vive on December 20th.
The last title is Werewolves Within, “a game of social deduction that brings the competitive fun of game night with friends to virtual reality,” according to Ubisoft’s PR. Every game is different — in one, you’re innocent, trying to convince others you’re a non-werewolf, in another, a legit half-lupus lying to avoid the villagers’ wrath. Also available on pre-order, it hits all three VR platforms December 6th. So, if you’re running out of activities for that pricey headset, you at least have something to look forward to.
‘Destiny: Rise of Iron’ PS4 exclusives include a new map
Sony has landed more than a few Destiny exclusives in hopes of selling more PlayStation 4 consoles, and it’s stopping as Bungie’s shooter/MMO hybrid celebrates its second birthday. When Rise of Iron arrives on September 20th, it’ll have a handful of PS4-only extras in a bid to help undecided console buyers. There’s a special Crucible map (Languid Sea, on Mercury) for multiplayer fans, a whole quest line (“Show of Strength,” a look into the Devil Splicers) and a ship (the appropriately blue Timeless Tereshkova). These perks probably won’t tip the balance if you’re only thinking about getting Destiny as one of your new console’s first games, but they’re worth considering if you’re dead set on the title and aren’t otherwise leaning toward a particular platform.
Bungie is also keeping up a more recent tradition: all-inclusive upgrades. Destiny — The Collection will launch with absolutely everything in the Destiny universe, including Rise of Iron, and will give you a consumable to accelerate progress if you’re not willing to reach Rise of Iron Light levels the hard way. The all-in-one pack will cost you $40 if you already have The Taken King (comparable to what TTK cost last year), so it’s not too great an outlay if you’re hooked on the franchise.
Source: PlayStation Blog
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