Gaming News
Global PlayStation 3 Glitch [UPDATED]
Mar 1st
PS3 Glitch Hits “Fatty” PS3 Worldwide: What Do We Know?
Sony’s PlayStation 3 appears to be in the throes of an inadvertent global gaming lock-down, suffering from an unidentified glitch that prevents gamers from playing specific games whether online or offline. The issue appears to be related to the month change between February and March, and occurs whether you’re connected to the Internet or not. The company isn’t responding to press emails at this time or detailing what the problem is, only that it’s working on an “issue” and attempting “to restore service to all.”
Are you affected? Here’s what we’ve learned so far:
-This glitch seems to only affect “fat” PS3s. No reports of a slim-line PS3 with a glitch have been reported.
-It really is GLOBAL, affecting Japan, Europe, and North America.
-This glitch prevents you from conencting to the PlayStation Network.
-Only games prevented from starting are trophy-enabled ones. Older PS3 games without trophies should work fine.
-The error codes vary from game to game, but all appear to be trophy related.
-This glitch occurs initially when powering on your PS3. This does not matter whether you are connected to the Internet or not.
-Manually resetting your PS3s time and date will not resolve the issue.
-Some report re-seating the internal battery will resolve this problem. These claims are NOT verified, but even if they were, I wouldn’t attempt this even with a no-fault insurance policy. Aside from voiding your warranty, this would require full disassembly of you PS3 system and meddling with the core components.
As of 9:55 PST, according to Sony’s Twitter page, this glitch should be fixed by 1 PM EST March 2nd, 2010:
“@JeffRubenstein: Summary: PS3 slim is good to go, older models should be fine within 24 hrs. Leave em off until then.”
[UPDATE]
It seems that as of 00:00 GMT, all PS3s seemed to have fixed themselves. Since then, I’ve booted mine and have had no problems throughout use. It seems this “nightmare” to some has ended, and it was just a small, technical glitch by Sony. But no hatin’, we’re all human, we all make mistakes. Everything’s back up and running: PSN is good, Netflix, trophy-enabled games… all good. So relax, release your paranoia, and feel free to power up and play! Kick back, and turn on your PS3!
Games Inbound – March 2010
Feb 26th
Here are the games that you should keep an eye out for this March.
This will be a new monthly thing.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Xbox 360, PS3, and PC
Dragon Age Origins Awakening – Xbox 360, PS3, and PC
Final Fantasy XIII – Xbox 360 and PS3
God of War III – PS3
Just Cause 2 – Xbox 360, PS3, and PC
Metro 2033 – Xbox 360 and PC
Red Steel 2 – Wii
Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition – Xbox 360 and PS3
Resonance of Fate – Xbox 360 and PS3
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey – Nintendo DS
Yakuza 3 – PS3
Resident Evil 5 – Lost in Nightmares
Feb 17th
Part of the new expansion of Resident Evil 5, Lost in Nightmares, has been released today on the XBL Marketplace. I’m going to assume that the content will be released late tomorrow for you PS3 users as well. You will be at Spencer’s Estate, where you team up with Jill to fight a new evil. This is just one part of the DLC that is coming out, and the full version (Resident Evil 5 GOLD) will be released March 9th, 2010. Along with the DLC today, there is also a download for two costume. One costume is a fairy tale outfit for Sheva, and the other is a Warrior outfit for Chris. Download them today!
Lost in Nightmare – 400MSP aka $4.99
Costume Pack 1 – 160MSP aka $1.99
L4D2 DLC: The Passing – Coming Late March
Feb 12th
Left4Dead 2 with be releasing new DLC called ‘The Passing’ for Xbox 360 and PC to be release late March. The Passing takes place between Dead Center and Dark Carnival. In the beginning and end of campaign, you will encounter the survivors from the first L4D (Bill, Louis, Francis, and Zoey). At the end of the campaign, they will help you fend off the horde while you try to escape.
In the campaign you will find a new weapon that looks like an LMG, as well as a golf club to bash in the heads of zombies. There will be a new kind of uncommon common infected known as ‘Fallen Survivors.’ They carry weapons, health, and all other equipment. You may see one of the running from you, but that’s when you should chase after them and kill them so you can get an item from their corpse. There will be interaction between the new and old survivors, as well as more dialog for all the characters (hurray for more stories about Ellis and his buddy Keith!)
The first Left4Dead will also be receiving DLC that explains how the original survivors get to the point where the new survivors are. Thus linking their stories together.
Xbox LIVE Discontinuing Original Xbox Support
Feb 5th
We can’t play Halo 2 online anymore? NOOOOOOOOO!
As of 12:00AM on February 5, 2010, it has been announced that Xbox LIVE will no longer support the Original Xbox or it’s games (even the ones playable on the Xbox 360). Their excuse is that this will make way for bigger and better things for the Xbox LIVE experience. The date of discontinuation is April 15, 2010. It is also rumored that the 100 friends list cap is due to the support of the Original Xbox, so we may see an increase on that in the near future. Major Nelson says, “We did not make this decision lightly, but after careful consideration and review we realize that this decision will allow us unprecedented flexibility for future features.” In all honesty, I assume that he didn’t have much of a part in the decision and that it wasn’t a tough one to make for that matter.
I for one I am quite disappointed in this. I already shared my disgust for this change. I loved playing Greg Hastings’ Tournament Paintball online. Shockingly, that was one of my favorite online games ever. The population died somewhat and only has glitchers now, but it was fun for it’s time. I can only hope that they make something good out of this painful change. Please leave a comment below expressing your opinion on this big change that Microsoft has issued.
Total Kickass Game Awards of 2009
Dec 31st
Game of the Year – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Best 360 Game – Halo 3: ODST
Best PS3 Game – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Best Wii Game – New Super Bros. Wii
Best PC Game – Killing Floor
Best PSP Game – Final Fantasy: Dissidia
Best DS Game – Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Best DLC – Fallout 3: Broken Steel Expansion
Best XBLA Game – Banjo-Tooie
Best PSN Game – Resident Evil: Director’s Cut
Best Downloadable Game – Battlefield 1943
Best Beta – ModNation Racers
Best Soundtrack – DJ Hero
Best Cast – Batman: Arkham Asylum
Best Male Lead – Mark Hamill as the Joker
Best Female Lead – Claudia Black as Chloe Frazer
Best Developer – Bioware
Biggest Disappointment – Resident Evil 5
Best Sequel – Assassin’s Creed II
Strongest Story – inFamous
Best RPG – Dragon Age: Origins
Best FPS – Modern Warfare 2
Best Singleplayer Game – Batman: Arkham Asylum
Best Multiplayer Game – Borderlands
Best Multiplatform Game – Modern Warfare 2
Best Protagonist – Cole MacGrath from inFamous
Best Antagonist – The Joker
Best Remake – Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
Best Simulation Game – Forza Motorsport 3
Best Rhythm Game – The Beatles: Rock Band
Best MMO – WoW: Wrath of the Lich King
Best Horror Game – Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Best Sleeper Hit – Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Best Racing Game – Pure
Best Fighter – Marvel vs Capcom 2 (XBLA and PSN)
The above list was compiled by Dusty and Manorly and is based on their own opinions.
XBL Holiday Rush
Dec 18th
Major Nelson announced earlier this week that MS would be holding XBL deals starting Dec. 18 – 21. Keep an eye on your dashboard every day for the next week to see if you can snatch anything worthwhile. Today’s holiday deal is the 2010 glasses for your avatar, and can be obtained here: http://bit.ly/6I3s6t
The Army of Two: TFD Demo dropped yesterday, and my friends list is lighting up with potential buyers. Check the review section later this week to see my review of the demo itself, and my speculations for the outcome of the game.
Next week is going to be a big week for XBL Games on Demand, they’re dropping some big titles onto the marketplace including Lost Planet: Colonies Edition, and Devil May Cry 4. Gears of War will join the lineup December 29, just in time for the new year.
Kiddies Get Access to Social Networking on the 360.
Dec 15th
The patch to set up parental controls on the 360 Dashboard has gone live in all countries but the US, which is set to receive the update on December 15. This update allows parents to allow or deny the use of certain applications on the 360, meaning that the minors on LIVE will be able to access Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM, etc. if their parents allow it. Granted, most children don’t have parents incorporating any censorship over their game titles and activities online. I’m sure that a large population of this community of young gamers more than likely have these options available to them.
More as the update drops on Tuesday.
While you were out: Spike’s 2009 VGAs
Dec 12th
Here’s what you missed on Spike’s 2009 Video Game Awards (in order from beginning to end):
Awards:
Best Voice Actor: Jack Black as Eddie Riggs – Brutal Legend
Best Action/Adventure Game: Assassin’s Creed II
Studio of the Year: Rocksteady Studios
Best Team Sports Game: NHL 10
Best Performance by a Human Male: Hugh Jackman as Wolverine – X-Men Origins: UE
Best Cast: X-Men Origins: Uncaged Edition
Best Independent Game Award: Flower
Best Individual Sports Game: UFC 2009 Undisputed
Best RPG: Dragon Age: Origins
Best PC Game: Dragon Age: Origins
Best Preformance by a Human Female: Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes – Transformers: RotF
Best Downloadable Game: Shadow Complex
Best Wii Game: New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Best DLC: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Most Anticipated Game: God of War III
Best Shooter: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Best Multiplayer Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Best Fighting Game: Street Fighter IV
Best Handheld Game: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsport 3
Best Soundtrack: DJ Hero
Best Xbox 360 Game: Left4Dead 2
Best Original Score: Halo 3: ODST
Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show: South Park: Let’s Go Tower Defense Play
Best Music Game: The Beatles Rock Band
Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
World Premieres:
Batman (Working Title)
True Crime
TRON Evolution: The Video Game
Deadliest Warrior: The Game
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Movie
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Spec Ops: The Line
Crackdown 2
Green Day Rock Band
Medal of Honor
Halo Reach
More Borderlands DLC already!
Dec 10th
The guys over at 2K Games and Gearbox have already announced their next DLC going out for Borderlands on the Xbox 360 and PS3. It’s called “Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot.” It will be available December 29 on Xbox LIVE and January 7 on PSN for 800 MS Points and $9.99.
Post in the comments below as to what your opinion on the DLC is and if you’re going to buy it.