Commander Fury

What’s it like bringing a K-Pop hit from Barbie the Album into a VR Rhythm game? It’s kinda like opening the doors and walking into a party — with a lot of pink all around you. Hi, I’m Falcon from Kluge Interactive and this is the new Synth Riders Experience – Barbie Dance ‘n Dream. It’s a Barbie-fueled ride to Fifty Fifty’s “Barbie Dreams (feat. Kaliii).” In fact, this is the first time Barbie joins a VR rhythm game — and it’s available right now! Here’s a small taste of what you can experience yourself right now in Synth Riders with this new DLC. Play Video You’ll soak in some rays at the beach, groove at the roller disco, and dance through Barbie dreams in Synth Riders’ latest musical journey. It’s a whole new audio-visual Experience, from the team that delivered the one-of-a-kind immersive tracks collaborating with Muse, The Offspring, and Lindsay Stirling – to name a few. Associate Creative Director Jaime Nunez-Lopez told me “The idea of Barbie dreaming that she´s on a journey through different dream worlds really fit the Synth Riders game mechanics and perfectly matched the theme of the song itself.” And, really, we needed an excuse to have pink dolphins in a game! Jaime adds, “It’s really all about bringing a huge smile to your face by the time the song’s done.” So pull out that power pink wardrobe and get yourself ready for the Synth Riders Experience — Barbie Dance ‘n Dream! We can’t wait to see all of you dressing up in pink for the occasion! The Synth Riders Experience – Barbie Dance’n Dream DLC is available now on PlayStation VR2 for $2.99. View the full article

In our upcoming release of Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, which launches January 23 on PS5 and PS4, we’re excited to introduce the new Lightsaber Color Toggle. This update gives you the power to switch between the classic lightsaber colors from the original game or adjust to colors that align with what you have seen throughout the expanded Star Wars galaxy — in books, movies, and TV series. Play Video For the first time, Mace Windu can wield his iconic purple lightsaber in Jedi Power Battles, a nod to his weapon seen throughout the Star Wars films and beyond. In a galaxy full of challenges, every color change adds a unique flair to your lightsaber combat. The new toggle feature gives you even more ways to personalize your gameplay experience with characters like Adi Gallia, Plo Koon, and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Get ready for the fight by picking your character and now your lightsaber color too! Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is packed with memorable locations and action, from the Theed Palace on Naboo to the Trade Federation Battleship. Along the way, players will face off against droids and the merciless Darth Maul himself. Lightsaber colors: original vs. new Mace Windu: Original – Blue | New – Purple Adi Gallia: Original – Red | New – Blue Plo Koon: Original – Yellow | New – Blue Ki-Adi-Mundi: Original – Purple | New – Blue Each lightsaber color comes with its own sense of history and purpose. Mace Windu’s famous purple blade, for instance, signifies both his mastery of the Force and his unique combat style. Meanwhile, Plo Koon’s transformation to blue reflects his role as a respected member of the Jedi Council, upholding peace and justice across the galaxy. With this new feature, battles feel more immersive than ever. How to access the Lightsaber Toggle Switching your lightsaber color is as easy as igniting your blade! On the character selection screen, tap the Square button. Choose the lightsaber color that best fits your vision of your favorite Jedi and prepare for the fight! Don’t miss the battle Pre-order Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles today. Join the galaxy’s heroes when the game officially launches on January 23 on PS5 and PS4. From fighting waves of battle droids to mastering the Force, there’s never been a better time to jump back into the adventure or switch up your lightsaber color. View the full article

Hello everyone! I’m Nobuo Uematsu, the composer of Fantasian Neo Dimension. When Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi first contacted me about Fantasian, I had decided that this would be the last video game title which I’d produce the full soundtrack for, solely on my own. Because this was going to be my final full soundtrack project, I wanted to give it everything I had. I rearranged my office—cluttered with non-work-related things that were there for fun—into something I call the “Fantasian mode,” so that I could corner myself creatively. In the end, I spent several months dedicating myself to composing, and I have no regrets. Please enjoy Fantasian Neo Dimension, the culminating work that tops off my 30-plus years long career of composing full video game soundtracks! Play Video Today, I’ll be introducing five of my favorite tracks from Fantasian Neo Dimension’s soundtrack. 1. Main Theme of Fantasian Composing the main theme for a game is always a headache. I try to approach it with the mindset of “creating a track that’s better than anything I’ve ever made,” but progress tends to be slow when I take things too seriously. Sometimes, my creativity flows once I let go and realize “this is what I know how to do best.” This was the case for the Main Theme of Fantasian. 2. Prickle and Clicker’s Theme A clumsy, outdated robot that’s certainly not the latest model – an incomplete being with fragmented speech, but is endearing precisely because of these qualities. These were the kind of things I thought about while I was making this track. It has an awkward, bumpy feel to the tune, right? 3. Shangri-La This one is a track that I personally really like. This track features scat vocalization which goes like “lan lan~♪,” but it would be nice to do a live performance of a version that includes lyrics someday. 4. God Realm Is music considered “proper” only when it has a beautiful melody on top of beautiful chords, played with a beautiful tone? If so, is it an “improper” piece of music when it has a graceless melody layered on top of eerily sounding chords, performed haphazardly? Being in this field for so long, there are times when I question myself about what exactly defines “proper music.” 5. Kina (Destiny) [featuring Yuria Miyazono] The time Sakaguchi needs to write song lyrics is astonishingly short. In the past, whenever I’d send over a completed melody his way, usually his first draft would be ready by the next day, or the day after that. I wish I could say that this track followed suit, but in this particular case, I believe his lyrics were written first, and I created a melody to go along with them. Regardless, I recall that I was able to complete this track very quickly and smoothly, with no bumps on the road. Speaking of which, Yuria Miyazono’s vocals are so beautiful… Discover these tracks for yourself in-game when Fantasian Neo Dimension launches on PlayStation Store December 5, 2024. View the full article

As we eagerly await the arrival of Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, we are thrilled to unveil a treasure trove of details focusing on the Bonus Materials menu we’ve hinted at previously. In addition to the new materials that have been added, we’ve also restored and recreated (where possible) the Soul Reaver 2 Bonus Materials to HD and made them all accessible from the menu! This release is not just a remaster, it’s also a reminder of the collaboration between Crystal Dynamics, Aspyr, and the Legacy of Kain community. Play Video The Bonus Content honors the legacy of this iconic franchise and resurrects the haunting beauty that players have come to expect from the world of Nosgoth. Lore Reader: Maps and mysteries unveiled Dive into the “Lore of Nosgoth,” where brand-new maps are adorned with poetic descriptions of places and events. Created in collaboration with the Legacy of Kain Fandom leaders, key community members, and Crystal Dynamics artists, these maps offer an integrated perspective on the familiar, but previously disconnected, landscapes of Nosgoth. Toggle between the pure and corrupted versions of the map to see the transformation of the land over time and uncover secrets scattered throughout the map. Artwork and renders: A visual delight The “Galleries” section is a visual feast, featuring a collection of both classic and newly crafted HD renders. Relive the epic narrative through FMV cinematics from Soul Reaver 1 & 2, now presented with even more detail. This section also preserves the original credits, demo videos, and outtakes, celebrating the artistic achievements and behind-the-scenes efforts that brought Nosgoth to life. We’ve shared some unique pieces of concept art from the Crystal Dynamic’s archives that are sure to excite the imagination. Dark Chronicle: Relive the epic saga For those who cherish the narrative of the Legacy of Kain series, the “Dark Chronicle” section offers a concise, text-based version of both games’ scripts in their entirety. This feature is perfect for fans who want to relive their favorite moments or share iconic lines with friends. The Soul Reaver Lost Levels: A journey through what might have been Discover the “Soul Reaver Lost Levels” section, a unique addition to our Bonus Materials that showcases several areas that didn’t make the original game. Through the preservation efforts of Crystal Dynamics, Aspyr, and key community members like Ben Lincoln (who also created the fantastic fan-driven website https://thelostworlds.net/), you can explore four distinct areas: Undercity, Smokestack, Retreat, and Forges. Each provides a glimpse into alternative visions of the original Soul Reaver. You can explore the Lost Levels as Raziel, although you may find missing textures or areas that feel under construction. Think of the Lost Levels as an interactive museum, an accessible copy of historic artifacts, preserved in their original state. Undercity: The human citadel features an extensive subterranean area that would have become accessible after Raziel’s second battle with Kain. The Undercity was the home of a vampire-worshipping human priestess and her followers. Defeating her would have granted Raziel the ability to possess the minds of most humans and vampires. Smokestack: After exiting the Undercity, Raziel could have traveled to the massive fortress of his final remaining brother, Turel. In Turel’s lair, Raziel would have earned an enhanced telekinetic ability that would allow him to traverse the giant Smokestack and use the giant turbine in the middle of the room to create an updraft, allowing him to fly to the top to reach Kain’s mountain retreat, high above Nosgoth’s landscape. Retreat: Kain’s personal lair, perched on the mountaintops between Turel’s fortress and the Silenced Cathedral. With the Reaver’s power amplified by Kain’s soul, Raziel would then discover a bridge connected directly to the top of the Silenced Cathedral and use its titanic pipe organ to destroy every remaining vampire in Nosgoth. Forges: Soul Reaver was originally designed with six elemental enhancements for the Reaver. In addition to fire, Raziel would have discovered forges allowing him to imbue the weapon with sunlight, water, stone, sound, and spirit energy, using environmental sources scattered throughout the game world. Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Soundtracks: An auditory legacy Lastly, immerse yourself in the haunting melodies of Nosgoth with the extended playlists of the soundtracks from both Soul Reaver 1 & 2. Enjoy beloved tracks and discover new compositions, including the eerie “Priestess Encounter” and the mystical “Spirit Forge.” Join us on December 10 to explore the bonus materials and more in Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered! Pre-order now to ensure you’re one of the first to uncover the hidden depths of Nosgoth and experience the games like never before! View the full article

Bleach Rebirth of Souls is the latest console game from the legendary Bleach franchise, where fan favorite characters can unlock powers, engage in combat, and turn the tide of the battle with one strike of their sword. Play Video To get fans and players excited for Bleach Rebirth of Souls, we’ll be showing some exclusive content of Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto, as well as an introduction to the game’s unique battle system. New character reveals The new characters, Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto have been revealed in the release date announcement trailer. Their character trailers will drop soon, but below is a tease of the two iconic characters. As the Captain of Squad 5, Sosuke Aizen is infamous for his crime of high treason against the Soul Society. He has a Spiritual Pressure unlike any other, far surpassing that of other Soul Reapers. His immense strength is amplified by his unique ability to manipulate his attacks and shift the tide of the fight to his advantage. As the Head Captain, Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto stands at the pinnacle of all Soul Reapers, wielding the most powerful fire-based Zanpakuto capable of incinerating everything in its path. With unmatched firepower and mastery over his abilities, Yamamoto is a formidable force, ready to face any opponent who dares to challenge him. Combat system basics At its core, the basic strategy is reading the opponent’s moves, attack, guard, counter, and decreasing Reishi. Winning a battle involves cutting down an opponent’s Reishi (HP) and destroying their Konpaku (lives). All playable characters have unique abilities to accomplish this goal through various mechanics so using movement abilities for positioning becomes key to finding opportunities to strike. Before diving into the combat overview, let’s introduce some important game terms: Reishi Gauge: A player’s health gauge. Every time a Reishi gauge is cut down, the player’s Konpaku takes damage. Konpaku: A player’s remaining health. Destroy all of the opponent’s Konpaku to win the fight. Fighting Spirit Gauge: Accumulated over time and by taking damage. When enough of this gauge has accumulated, a player can activate the Awakening. If a player has a full gauge when using Awakening, they will move into a Kikon channel state, which increases the power of the Kikon Move. Awakening: Elevates a player to an empowered state with enhanced abilities and increased Konpaku destruction power. Kikon Move: An ability that directly destroys an opponent’s Konpaku. Guard Gauge: Decreases when a player guards an opponent’s attacks. If the gauge is fully depleted, a player will not be able to guard temporarily (Guard Break). Spiritual Power Gauge: Accumulated when attacking an opponent. The gauge is consumed to activate a Spiritual Pressure Move. Spiritual Pressure Move: Special actions that differ per character that includes empowered abilities, counter skills, etc. Hohô: Movement ability to quickly close the distance and get behind an opponent. Reverse Action: There are three types of Reverse Actions; Soul Reverse (increase Spiritual Power and recover Reishi), Chain Reverse (continue a combo and increase Spiritual Power), and Burst Reverse (cancel an opponent’s combo and recover Guard Gauge). Turn the tide of the battle To destroy the opponent’s Konpaku, players must either damage the Reishi gauge or, when the opponent’s remaining Reishi falls below 30%, activate a Kikon Move. Additionally, a Kikon Move can be triggered when the opponent is under Guard Break. However, if a player uses a Kikon Move in an ancillary manner, the number of Konpaku destroyed will be reduced. Players can damage an opponent’s Reishi Gauge in two ways, Quick Attack and Flash Attack. While both attacks can decrease an opponent’s Guard Gauge, Quick Attacks can be unleashed quicker and are used to easily accumulate Spiritual Power,while Flash Attacks inflict greater damage to Reishi. These attacks can also be used in succession as a combo, and using Hohô will extend the combo attacks. There are also other abilities like the Signature Move, a unique action which can be activated without consuming gauge, as well as a Spiritual Pressure Move, which can be activated with accumulated Spiritual Power. Strategically timing these skills will give a player the upper hand on their opponent. Along with basic abilities, players can activate the Awakening state in the form of signature Bleach skills like Shikai, Bankai, and Resurrección. Awakening can be activated when a player accumulates a certain amount of Fighting Spirit, enhancing a character’s abilities and Konpaku destruction power. Activating Awakening can be crucial in overturning the tide of the battle, bringing victory from the edge of defeat! Bleach Rebirth of Souls is coming to PS5 and PS4 on March 21, 2025. Pre-order the game today and receive the Toshiro Histugaya and Yoruichi Shihoin Thousand-Year Blood War costume set! View the full article

As we celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, I’m thrilled to introduce My First Gran Turismo, a special free-to-play invitation to dive into the exhilarating world of motorsports. This experience holds a special place in my heart, as it pays tribute to the origins of the first Gran Turismo, where players of all generations discovered the joys of driving. Whether it’s introducing kids to the joy of racing for the first time or reigniting a forgotten passion for driving, My First Gran Turismo was designed to be both approachable and immersive, created for everyone, with no limits on age or driving skill level. My First Gran Turismo will be available through PlayStation Store December 6 at 12:00am local time. Play Video This isn’t just about playing a game; it’s about embarking on a personal driving journey. We’ve made sure the experience is intuitive, allowing anyone to get behind the wheel and master the essentials, such as cornering, braking, and acceleration. By playing it, users will build confidence one lap at a time, tackling new challenges that’ll steadily refine their driving skills. Find the perfect line Set records, chase achievements, and take on a range of challenges. There are three Race Events, three Time Trials, three Music Rally stages, as well as a full suite of License Tests, all of which allow users to simply experience the thrill of driving. Embrace the diversity of the drive Included are 18 unique cars, each with its own personality. Players will drive them on iconic tracks that some Gran Turismo veterans may find nostalgic, namely the Kyoto Driving Park, Deep Forest Raceway, and Trial Mountain Circuit.  Full PlayStation VR2 Support (PS5 only) My First Gran Turismo also has full PlayStation VR2 support, allowing you to experience a whole new level of driving realism and highly immersive gameplay. Whether you’re here for the sheer joy of driving or on a quest to master your craft, My First Gran Turismo offers everything you need to elevate your skills while reveling in the thrill of motorsports. We can’t wait for everyone to experience My First Gran Turismo when it launches on December 6 on PS5 and PS4. View the full article

Hey Civ fans! On February 11, 2025, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, empowering you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known! Today, I’m delighted to give you a first look at Civilization VII on PS5, with a UI designed for your controller and features specially made for PlayStation platforms. Play Video This revolutionary new entry in the critically acclaimed turn-based strategy series lets you embody an illustrious leader as you endeavor to build an empire that can stand the test of time. As you construct cities to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations, you’ll progress through three Ages: distinct chapters of human history with their own civs and gameplay mechanics. In a first for the series, you’ll choose your leader and civilization separately, letting you mix-and-match their unique strengths to devise new strategies. Here’s another franchise first: Civilization VII is coming to PlayStation consoles on the same day as its PC launch, with all the same content available on day one, and is cross-play compatible with other platforms in multiplayer. With Civilization VII, we’re planning to deliver new content simultaneously across PC and consoles, and this unified launch date is the first step in that commitment. Let’s take a closer look at how Civilization VII plays on PS5, and some of the new features we’ve developed specifically for PlayStation players. Admire every aspect of your civilization When we’re designing the graphical style of a new Civilization game, we strive to make the game world feel like a playable museum diorama, or a tabletop strategy game come to life. Instead of simple hexes on a map, we want you to feel like your empire is evolving with every turn you take and every decision you make, and the visual representation of your territory is a huge part of that. For Civilization VII, a guiding principle for our art team was the idea of ‘readable realism’—pushing the visual fidelity even further to make every tile, building, and unit feel that much more lifelike. As you continue to expand your borders and construct additional buildings and historic Wonders, you’ll notice the layout of the tiles seamlessly connecting to form believable vistas with more detail than ever before. We’ve also taken the extra step of creating graphics renderers for each platform in-house, so the graphics engine is fully optimized on both PS5 or PS4. Your empire will be gorgeously detailed as it grows and evolves across the Ages, whether you’re admiring it from the map’s aerial view or zoomed in for a closer look at a particular unit or building. Take control of your empire with ease We’ve completely overhauled the UI for Civilization VII on consoles, incorporating a radial menu that allows for quicker navigation between the most frequently used systems on the HUD. This change has done wonders for making the experience feel more streamlined. We want to put all the focus on the decisions that matter most, and the radial menu helps put those choices at the forefront. Our developers also had a lot of fun coming up with unique and playful ways to utilize the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, so you can really feel key moments in your empire’s history. Along with simple, click-like vibrations to emphasize actions like the completion of a new civic or the start of your next turn, combat takes on a new dimension as the controller rumbles to indicate damage taken and units defeated. When you declare war, you’ll feel a pulsing pattern akin to a war horn’s call; when you found a new city, hammer-like thuds mimic the classic building sound effect. There are more effects to discover on your own, and we hope they add that little bit of extra immersion to each turn. If you’d prefer to play without the haptic feedback, they’re easily disabled via the game settings! Make friends (and enemies) in cross-play multiplayer If you’re looking to test your strategic mettle against human opponents, Civilization VII’s online multiplayer is the perfect proving ground. Multiplayer matches can be epic campaigns that unfold across all three Ages—the Antiquity Age, Exploration Age, and Modern Age—or you can opt for a shorter match covering one specific Age, skipping straight to the endgame with a Modern Age match for example. Civilization VII supports up to five players in the Antiquity Age and Exploration Age, and up to eight players in the Modern Age. More players means even more opportunities to form alliances, instigate conflict, or even backstab your friends (hopefully they’ll forgive any in-game betrayals)! Best of all, cross-play is supported between PC and consoles at launch, so you can play together with friends wherever they are. We can’t wait for you to take one more turn with Civilization VII on February 11, 2025! You can also play the game up to five days early starting February 6, 2025 if you purchase the Deluxe or Founders Editions! *Online play and features (including progression bonuses) require an Internet connection and 2K Account (minimum age varies). Up to five players supported in the Antiquity & Exploration Ages. Up to eight players supported in the Modern Age. Map size restrictions may apply to certain cross-play multiplayer games. Console online play requires PlayStation Plus subscription. View the full article

Explore a wild and unrelenting new frontier when Monster Hunter Wilds releases on February 28 on PS5. We recently got to play through the main missions of Chapter 1, going up against colossal enemies including the new monster Quematrice and exploring the Scarlet Forest. Weapons now come with built-in Equipment Skills In previous series’ entries, various hunt-aiding skills were primarily granted through armor, talismans, and decorations, which you combined to create your build. However, in Monster Hunter Wilds, even weapons available early in the game come with built-in Equipment Skills tailored to the weapon type. For example, the Great Sword Buster Sword I features Critical Draw, while Bone Blade II offers Focus and Attack Boost. Since this game allows you to switch between two weapons during a hunt, it’s easier to leverage different skill combinations if you bring both a melee and a ranged weapon. Face off against the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice, and its fiery attacks The hunter, after escorting the siblings, encounters the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice. This monster is a new addition to Monster Hunter Wilds. They take bites at the hunter once provoked, and also spread a flammable substance ignited by dragging their long tail along the ground. Getting hit by this attack leaves the hunter in a Fireblight state, which causes health to gradually deplete over time. As part of the first main mission, the huntert learns to deal with this ailment by utilizing Nulberries or evading tactfully. Seamlessly transition from the Windward Plains to the Scarlet Forest Later in the quest, the hunters head to the Scarlet Forest to investigate Doshagumas. I was amazed that I could ride my Seikret all the way from the plains to the forest without traveling back to base. The area transition was seamless with no loading screens, and it shows you how truly vast and connected the ecosystems are in this game. The Scarlet Forest is characterized by its towering trees and peculiar red-colored water. Its landscape is entirely different from the sandy deserts and rocky formations of the Windward Plains, offering a refreshing change of scenery. Along the way, I came across creatures not found in the Windward Plains, as well as a hideout inhabited by a Lynian tribe called Wudwuds. I’m particularly excited to explore more of the Scarlet Forest when the game launches. Beware of the Lala Barina with its scarlet silk and dominating attacks The first large monster you’ll encounter in the Scarlet Forest is the Temnoceran, Lala Barina. This monster strikes from anywhere – from the trees while hanging by its thread, or from the air ready to ambush. When it shoots out red spores to attack, it opens its thorax to reveal tufts of scarlet hair that resemble a blooming rose. I managed to evade all the spore attacks but getting hit carries the risk of inflicting Paralysis. A thrilling hunt with the Congalala The next monster I encountered in the Scarlet Forest was the Pink Fur Beast, Congalala. While absent from Monster Hunter World, this fanged beast appeared in several past entries in the series. Its defining traits include its pink fur and of course, the foul fart attacks that can inflict Stench status. In addition to its flatulence, Congalala unleashes powerful belches, making its arsenal of Stench-inflicting moves particularly troublesome. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of Deodorants with you to remove the Stench during battle. Its swift arm strikes, delivered with surprising agility for such a large creature, also pack a punch. On top of that, it sometimes retreats into a group of smaller Congas and attacks as a pack. A deadly struggle against Scarlet Forest’s apex predator, Uth Duna Chapter 1 concludes with the hunt for the Uth Duna, a Leviathan that rules the Scarlet Forest as the apex predator. This monster frequently employs water-based attacks that inflict Waterblight, making stamina recovery more difficult. Its most spectacular move is a devastating body slam after soaring into the air, not only dealing massive damage but also toppling large trees in its path. When the Uth Duna unleashes this attack, it’s best to focus entirely on evasion. Uth Duna is a formidable foe, but thankfully, Olivia, a member of the Forbidden Lands Expedition Team, provides support during this mission. With Uth Duna’s attention divided, it becomes easier to launch attacks from the sides or rear. However, Uth Duna also exhibits a unique behavior: it secretes bodily fluids that mix with water to form a protective veil around itself and alters its appearance. While in this state, the veil reduces the damage from the hunter’s attacks, so focus on targeting areas without the veil protection. Utilizing Focus Mode to target vulnerable spots will be the key to success. My playthrough this time focused on the main missions in Chapter 1, but I cannot wait to gather materials through optional quests and explore the vast beautiful world of Monster Hunter Wilds when it launches on February 28 on PS5 *The video and images were captured from a version under development and may differ from the final product. View the full article

Today, December 3, marks PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. To celebrate, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hosted the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan Asia (hereafter PlayStation Partner Awards), honoring all the incredible games and talented developers who released their games on PlayStation within the Japan/Asia region. In addition to celebrating the success of the 2024 PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles (October 2023 through September 2024), this year’s awards also recognized exceptional games created by Japanese and other Asian developers released on legacy PlayStation platforms over the past 30 years – the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. Read on for a rundown of all the games that received awards at this event. Games are listed in alphabetical order. Excellence Award Awarded to the title developed in the Japan/Asia region that have had a consistent and significant impact along with commercial success over the past three years*. Genshin Impact (HoYoverse) Grand Award Awarded to the top three titles developed in the Japan and Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*. Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology) Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd) Partner Award Awarded to titles developed in the Japan/Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*, with particularly noteworthy accomplishments. Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom Co., Ltd.) Honkai: Star Rail (HoYoverse) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega) Persona 3 Reload (Atlus Co., Ltd) Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) The First Descendant（Nexon） Zenless Zone Zero（HoYoverse） Special Award Awarded to PS5 titles developed in collaboration with SIE outside the Japan/Asia region that achieved outstanding success within Japan/Asia between October 2023 and September 2024*. Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo) Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up) Users’ Choice Award Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2023 and September 2024, selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time. Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega) Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo) Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up) PlayStation Generations Awards Awarded to titles chosen by users in the Japan and Asia regions from each PlayStation generation – the original PlayStation, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4. All games are previous “PlayStation Partner Award” winners. PlayStation Generations (1994 and beyond) Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix Co. Ltd.) PlayStation 2 Generations (2000 and beyond) Final Fantasy X (Square Enix Co. Ltd.) PlayStation Portable Generations (2004 and beyond) Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (Capcom Co., Ltd.) PlayStation 3 Generations (2006 and beyond) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.) PlayStation Vita Generations (2011 and beyond) Persona 4 Golden (Atlus Co., Ltd) PlayStation 4 Generations (2013 and beyond) Elden Ring (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) * SIE’s indicators, such as player numbers, are also factored into the selection of nominees. Listed publishers are those of the Japanese PlayStation Store. Here are messages from the recipients of the “Excellence Award” and “Grand Award” to all the players. Genshin Impact (Hoyoverse) * Photo of the HoYoverse team’s resident cat. “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our players and PlayStation! This new award marks a significant milestone in our journey over the past four years, reflecting the precious memories and moments of companionship shared with our players, as well as the long-lasting, stable, and trusting partnership we’ve built with PlayStation. The world of Genshin Impact is filled with endless possibilities, and our adventure is far from over. This year, we’ve arrived at Teyvat’s sixth nation — Natlan. Here, Travelers can join forces with Natlan’s warriors and Saurian companions, soaring through the skies and delving into the earth, exploring the vast world to their hearts’ content. And moving forward, we will continue to create exciting and fresh content to show our appreciation for your continued attention and support.” – Dai Wei Game Designer HoYoverse Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.) “Thank you to all the gamers who have spent their time playing Elden Ring. We will continue to strive to deliver exciting and meaningful games to our fans.” – FromSoftware, Inc Elden Ring development team “Thank you so much for this very prestigious award. Although there was a longer wait for the Shadow of the Erdtree compared to our previous DLCs, we’re delighted that so many players picked up the expansion to explore the all-new story in the Realm of Shadow. We’re only able to continue receiving such awards nearly three years after the main game’s release, thanks to our loyal players continuing their journey in the Lands Between and keeping the game and community thriving. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played the main game and DLC. Thank you very much.” – Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. Elden Ring development team Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology） “It is an incredible honor to receive the Grand Award. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of everyone at Game Science Interactive Technology and the support of our valued partners, as well as the enthusiastic response from all Black Myth: Wukong players. The inspiration for Black Myth: Wukong comes from Journey to the West, one of China’s ‘Four Great Classical Novels.’ Thanks to this masterpiece written over 400 years ago, and the fusion of China’s rich cultural heritage with the latest advancements in game development technology, we were able to create an action RPG that brings the grandeur and beauty of Chinese mythology to life. Moving forward, we will continue listening to player feedback, exploring cutting-edge technology, and creating more exciting gameplay and thought-provoking stories. Thanks to our distribution platforms and to every Destined One who has joined us on this westward journey!” – Feng Ji Founder & CEO, Game Director Game Science Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd) “I am thrilled that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was chosen for the Grand Award – which is only awarded to the top three Japanese/Asian titles with the highest worldwide sales – especially since Final Fantasy VII Remake received the same honor. I am truly grateful to the many fans who have supported this game and made it possible for us to receive this esteemed award. The Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy will finally conclude with the next installment. The team is working incredibly hard to make it a rewarding finale, so we hope that you will continue to support us.” – Naoki Hamaguchi Director Square Enix Co. Ltd View the full article

Gather round, Rivals, and get ready to unleash the thunderous might of Thor, sling around the battlefield as Spider-Man, shoot down your foes with the Punisher and so much more. With 33 heroes and villains to choose from, picking your favorite might prove to be a challenge but fret not as all heroes in Marvel Rivals will be free when it launches on December 6! Explore the many superpowers of this iconic cast and elevate your fighting tactics with their unique team-up abilities. There is precious little time left for you to wishlist Marvel Rivals and get notified when the game launches as it brings its bold cast of heroes and villains to PS5! Feeling the power of your every battle with the DualSense Wireless Controller Marvel Rivals brings an immersive superhero combat experience to players, by utilizing the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback technology of the PS5 DualSense wireless controller to deliver immersive sensations. Players will feel the changes in trigger tension and dynamic vibration when different heroes release skills, like the satisfying gunfire of the Punisher’s machine gun, the tension of Hawkeye’s bowstring, and the powerful punches of Hulk. Maximized visuals and performance with PS5, and elevated more with PS5 Pro As a high-intensity multiplayer competitive game, smoothest performance has always been a top priority during development. Marvel Rivals maintains a stable 60 FPS at 1440p resolutions by utilizing Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen Global Illumination and Chaos Destruction technology. The combination of visuals and performance in Marvel Rivals is sure to deliver dynamic visual effects while you engage in epic superhero battles. For players with higher demands for a competitive experience, Marvel Rivals provides High Frame Rate Mode running at up to 120 FPS. It delivers an ultra-smooth gameplay experience with reduced input latency, enhancing responsiveness and control precision. Thanks to the powerful GPU capabilities and the new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, Marvel Rivals introduces a new Pro Mode on the PS5 Pro. This mode targets a stable 60 FPS and deliver higher 4K resolutions. In addition to Lumen Global Illumination, it also features support Lumen Reflections, offering more immersive and dynamic lighting effects for an enhanced visual experience. PS5 Pro also offers higher resolutions in 120 FPS High Frame Rate Mode. PlayStation Plus players, we’ve got something special for you There’s even more in store for PlayStation Plus users. Ever dreamed of rocking the symbiote’s style on a massive mech? Now you can with a full pack of Venom inspired cosmetics for Peni Parker in her VEN#M suit straight from the comics! Don a menacing mech suit complete with your name card that is sure to make your enemies tremble, shake up your spray can to mark your victories and embody the essence of Venom throughout your gameplay and don’t forget to strike a pose with when inevitably getting the MVP with your dedicated animation! As if it couldn’t possibly get any better, you’ll also get Season Pass tokens when you claim the pack! Not a PlayStation Plus member? No worries! All players will have the opportunity to purchase these items in-game as well. An exclusive skin, only on PS5 to boot! Peni is not the only Parker to receive an exclusive cosmetic upgrade. PS5 players can enjoy the exclusive Scarlet Spider skin for Spider-Man which is marked by its intricate noir threading and scarlet mask. This refreshed look for everyone’s favorite webslinger is sure to delight heroes and villains alike across the Multiverse. After all, who says you can’t fight crime while looking your best? So don’t delay, wishlist Marvel Rivals and get in on the action on the first day! View the full article

It’s been a big year for new releases, and today we’re celebrating the best of PlayStation gaming by asking you to cast your vote for your favorites of the year: the PS Blog Game of the Year Awards 2024 polls are now open! We’re highlighting the exemplary work from studio powerhouses the world over across 19 categories. All help shine a light on the creatives whose hard work and exceptional craft has made this year’s gaming experiences so vibrant: amazing gameplay, memorable characters, exceptional art direction, unforgettable soundtracks, and much more. The selections in each category are extensive, and you’ve further choice via the write-in option in each to add a title that, for you, best represents that category this year. As ever, the only votes counted in these awards are those cast by you, the players. Those games earning the majority votes by polls close will be recognised with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum PS Blog trophies when we reveal the results in a few weeks. As ever, there are some guidelines regards the categories and their nominees: Best PS5 Game category is defined as games that have been newly released this calendar year, rather than previously released titles with new updates. As with the majority of the other categories, Best Multiplayer Experience focuses on titles released in 2024. Best Ongoing Game focuses on titles that have seen new, large-scale content or game-changing updates launch over this past year. Best Rerelease refers to games that have been upgraded, ported, or remastered but are otherwise similar to their original game. This category does not include full-scale remakes of older titles, which are eligible in other categories. Cut off for inclusion in this year’s nominees list was November 30. Titles releasing after this date aren’t eligible for inclusion, but will be eligible for nomination and voting in next year’s Awards. If a title won a Platinum Trophy in the Most Anticipated category any previous year, it won’t be eligible for inclusion this year to allow other titles a chance to shine. As such, Grand Theft Auto VI in The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond category – as it earned a Platinum in that category in the 2023’s Awards. So, cast your vote in the polls below to support your favorite games and developers. Don’t delay though: voting closes next Friday, December 13 at 23.59pm PT. So scroll below and get clicking. Good luck to all the nominees! Best New Character Best Story Best Graphical Showcase Best Art Direction Best Audio Design Best Soundtrack Best Accessibility Features Best Use of DualSense Best Rerelease (Remaster) Best Multiplayer Experience Best Ongoing Game Best Expansion Best Sports Game Best Independent Game Best PS VR2 Game Best PS4 Game Best PS5 Game Studio of the Year Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond View the full article

Hi everyone! We are happy to announce the Holiday Sale in the Philippines and it will feature discounts on PlayStation 5 (save PHP 4,400), PS VR2 (save PHP 11,800), DualSense wireless controllers (save PHP 800) and select PS5 titles (save up to PHP 2,000). Holiday Sale 2024 promotion starts from December 6th till December 19th, just in time for holiday gifting season, in participating retailers in the Philippines: https://www.playstation.com/en-ph/local/retailers/. Please see below for full details of Holiday Sale 2024 in the Philippines. PlayStation 5 ConsolesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation®5PHP 30,790PHP 26,390PlayStation®5 console – Two DualSense™ Wireless Controllers BundlePHP 33,990PHP 29,590 PeripheralsOriginal SRPPromotion SRPPlayStation VR2PHP 34,790 PHP 22,990 DualSense® wireless controller (White, Midnight Black, Cosmic Red, Nova Pink, Galactic Purple, Starlight Blue, Gray Camouflage)PHP 4,290 PHP 3,490 DualSense® wireless controller (Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, Sterling Silver, Chroma Pearl, Chroma Indigo)PHP 4,590 PHP 3,790 Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetPHP 8,390 PHP 7,290 Pulse Explore Wireless EarbudsPHP 12,490 PHP 10,790 Game TitlesOriginal SRPPromotion SRPASTRO BOTPHP 2,990PHP 2,490Gran Turismo® 7PHP 3,490PHP 1,490God of War™ RagnarökPHP 3,490PHP 1,490Marvel’s Spider-Man 2PHP 3,490PHP 1,990Rise of the Ronin™PHP 3,490PHP 1,990The Last of Us™ Part II RemasteredPHP 2,490PHP 1,990Stellar BladePHP 3,490PHP 2,490Ghost of Tsushima Director’s CutPHP 3,490PHP 1,490 View the full article

Celebrate three decades of play with PlayStation Store’s 30th Anniversary Sale starting December 2! Race for first place in Gran Turismo 7, endure and survive in The Last of Us Part II, and join everybody’s favorite marsupial in Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. These must-play games join many more, as well as add-ons, in this huge sale*. We can’t fit every offering in the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Sale here, so browse a selection of titles below, then head to PlayStation Store starting December 2 to find out your regional discount. 30th Anniversary promotions direct from PlayStation The PlayStation 30th Anniversary promotion extends to hardware and peripherals discounts direct from PlayStation! Be sure to check direct.playstation.com (available in select markets) as offers and promotion dates may vary by region**. #BLUD A Hat in Time A Little to the Left A Plague Tale Bundle A Way Out ABZÛ ACE COMBAT™7: SKIES UNKNOWN – TOP GUN: Maverick Edition Alaskan Road Truckers: Highway Edition Alien: Isolation Among The Sleep – Enhanced Edition Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey ANIMAL WELL Anno 1800™ Console Edition – Deluxe Anthem™: Legion of Dawn Edition Ape Escape Arcade Paradise VR Assassin’s Creed III: Remastered Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Deluxe Assassin’s Creed® Freedom Cry Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™ Assassin’s Creed® Mirage Deluxe Edition Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey Assassin’s Creed® Origins Deluxe Edition Assassin’s Creed® Syndicate – Season Pass Assassin’s Creed® Unity Assetto Corsa Assetto Corsa Competizione – 2024 Pack Asterix & Obelix XXL3: The Crystal Menhir ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack ATOM RPG Attack on Titan Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ Gold Edition Back 4 Blood: Deluxe Edition Batman: The Enemy Within – Season Pass Batman: The Telltale Series – Season Pass Battlefield 4™ Battlefield™ 1 Revolution Battlefield™ Hardline Standard Edition Bayonetta Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions BioShock 2 Remastered BioShock Remastered Black Desert: Traveler Edition Blair Witch Deluxe Edition Blair Witch VR Deluxe Edition Blasphemous 2 Bloodborne™: Game of the Year Edition Bloons TD 5 BLUE REFLECTION Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Borderlands Legendary Collection Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged Broken Sword 5 – the Serpent’s Curse Bugsnax Builder Simulator Bulletstorm VR Bum Simulator Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop C-Smash VRS New Dimension Call of Cthulhu® Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4 Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War – Cross-Gen Bundle Call of Duty®: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Edition Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Cross-Gen Bundle Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III – Cross-Gen Bundle Call of the Wild: The Angler™ Car Mechanic Simulator Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 Carnival Games® Cars 3: Driven to Win Cartel Tycoon Castlevania Anniversary Collection Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood Cat Quest Chained Climb Together Chained Echoes Chants of Sennaar Cities: Skylines – Mayor’s Edition ClusterTruck Commandos 3 – HD Remaster Company of Heroes 3 Control: Ultimate Edition Crash Bandicoot™ Bundle – N. Sane Trilogy + CTR Nitro-Fueled Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition™ Crown Wars: The Black Prince Crysis Remastered Trilogy Cult of the Lamb: Cultist Edition Dark Light Darkest Dungeon® Darksiders Genesis Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Darksiders III Darksiders Warmastered Edition Darksiders: Fury’s Collection – War and Death Darkwood – Special Edition Days Gone Dead Cells Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Last Round Dead Space Digital Deluxe Edition DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT Death’s Gambit: Afterlife Deathbound Demon’s Souls Digital Deluxe Edition Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed: Single Player Detroit: Become Human Digital Deluxe Edition Diablo III: Eternal Collection Diablo® Prime Evil Collection DIRT 5 DISSIDIA® FINAL FANTASY® NT Digital Deluxe Edition DMC4SE Demon Hunter Bundle Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! DOOM DOOM + DOOM II DOOM 64 DRAGON BALL FighterZ – FighterZ Edition DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 Special Edition DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Deluxe Edition DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition Dragon’s Crown Pro Dreams™ DREDGE DRIFTCE Drums Rock Dying Light EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Ultimate Edition EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 – Deluxe Edition EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition EA SPORTS™ PGA TOUR™ Deluxe Edition ELEX Elite Dangerous Enotria: The Last Song Standard Edition Espresso Tycoon Expeditions: A MudRunner Game – Year 1 Edition () F1® 24 Champions Edition F1® Manager 2024 Far Cry® 4 Gold Edition Far Cry® 6 Deluxe Edition Far Cry® Primal Farmer’s Dynasty FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0™ HD FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered FINAL FANTASY® IX Digital Edition FINAL FANTASY® VII Firefighting Simulator – The Squad Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach Flintlock – Deluxe Edition FOR HONOR – Gold Edition Freddi Fish Collection Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator Frontier hunter – Deluxe Edition Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune Funko Fusion + Bob Ross Bundle Fusion Bundle Gangs of Sherwood – Lionheart Edition Garten of Banban 4 Gauntlet: Slayer Edition Generation Zero® Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT Ghostrunner 2 Deluxe Edition Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection GOD EATER 2: Rage Burst God of War Gone Home: Console Edition Gotham Knights: Deluxe Gran Turismo® 7 Grand Theft Auto V Graveyard Keeper Gravity Rush™ 2 Grow: Song of the Evertree Hairdresser Simulator Handball 21 Hardspace: Shipbreaker Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Heavy Rain Hello Neighbor Hello Neighbor 2 HITMAN World of Assassination Hogwarts Legacy: Digital Deluxe Edition Homefront®: The Revolution ‘Freedom Fighter’ Bundle Horizon Call of the Mountain™ Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ House Flipper House Flipper 2 House of Golf 2 Humongous Classic Collection Hunt: Showdown 1896 Hunting Simulator 2 IMMORTALS FENYX RISING INDIGO PROPHECY inFAMOUS First Light Injustice™ 2 – Legendary Edition Jak and Daxter Bundle Judgment Jurassic World Evolution Jurassic World Evolution 2: Deluxe Edition Just Cause 3: XXL Edition Just Cause 4 – Gold Edition Just Die Already Kao the Kangaroo Kayak VR: Mirage Kayak VR: Mirage + Soča Valley Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Kill It With Fire Killing Floor 2 Killing Floor: Double Feature KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL King Arthur: Knight’s Tale Kingdom Come: Deliverance Royal Edition KINGDOM HEARTS III Kingdom Two Crowns Knack 2 Lawn Mowing Simulator Legendary Tales LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham Deluxe Edition LEGO® DC Super-Villains Deluxe Edition LEGO® Harry Potter™ Collection LEGO® Marvel Collection LEGO® Marvel’s Avengers LEGO® Star Wars™:The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition LEGO® Worlds Liftoff: Drone Racing Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Ultimate Edition Like a Dragon: Ishin! Little Goody Two Shoes Little Nightmares Complete Edition Little Nightmares I & II Bundle LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP Lords of the Fallen Lovecraftian Bundle Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Standard Edition Marvel’s Midnight Suns Digital+ Edition Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Mass Effect™: Andromeda – Standard Recruit Edition Max Mustard METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN Metro 2033 Redux Metro: Last Light Redux Miasma Chronicles Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™ Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ Monopoly Family Fun Pack Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Master Edition Digital Deluxe Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate + Injustice 2 Leg. Edition Bundle Mortal Kombat XL MotoGP™22 MudRunner MX vs ATV Legends MY HERO ONE’S JUSTICE 2 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja® STORM 4 ROAD TO BORUTO NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 Need for Speed™ Need for Speed™ Heat Deluxe Edition Need for Speed™ Payback – Deluxe Edition Need for Speed™ Rivals Need for Speed™ Unbound Palace Edition NEO: The World Ends with You Nexomon + Nexomon: Extinction – Complete Collection Nexomon: Extinction NHL® 25 Deluxe Edition Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition Octodad: Dadliest Catch Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (PS1 Emulation) Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD Offroad Mechanic Simulator Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game™ ONE PIECE BURNING BLOOD – Gold Edition One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 Ultimate Edition ONE PIECE: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition ONE PUNCH MAN: A HERO NOBODY KNOWS Deluxe Edition Onimusha: Warlords Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission VR Outlast Whistleblower Outlast: Bundle of Terror Outlast: Trinity Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2 Overpass Overpass 2 – Deluxe Edition Paint the Town Red Paint the Town Red VR PAYDAY 2: CRIMEWAVE EDITION Payday 3: Chapter 1 – Syntax Error PAYDAY 3: Chapter 3 – Houston Breakout PBA Pro Bowling 2023 Penny’s Big Breakaway Persona 4 Golden Persona 5 Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection Persona®5 Strikers PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition Planet Coaster: Premium Edition Planet Zoo Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid Prey: Digital Deluxe Edition Prison Simulator QUANTUM ERROR Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Digital Deluxe Edition Red Dead Redemption & Red Dead Redemption 2 Bundle Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition Returnal RIDE 3 Riders Republic™ 360 Edition Road 96 Rust Console Edition – Ultimate Sackboy: A Big Adventure Saints Row Gold Edition Saints Row IV Re-Elected Sakura Wars Digital Deluxe Edition Salt and Sanctuary SAMURAI WARRIORS 4 SAMURAI WARRIORS 4 Empires SAND LAND SCHiM Secret Neighbor Secret of Mana Session: Skate Sim Year One Complete Edition Shadow Man Remastered SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS Sherlock Holmes Essential Bundle Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Ship of Fools Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI Platinum Edition Sleeping Dogs™ Definitive Edition SMITE Deluxe Legacy Pass Sniper Elite 4 Sniper Elite 5 Complete Edition Sniper Elite V2 Remastered Sniper Elite VR SnowRunner – 1-Year Anniversary Edition Sonic Colors: Ultimate – Digital Deluxe Sonic Origins South Park: The Video Game Collection South Park™: The Fractured but Whole™ Space Engineers SpeedRunners Spelunky 2 Spike Volleyball Spiritfarer®: Farewell Edition Star Ocean®: The Last Hope – 4K and Full HD Remaster Star Trek: Resurgence STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™ Deluxe Edition STAR WARS™ Jedi Cross-Gen Bundle Edition Steelrising – Bastille Edition Stellaris: Console Edition – Deluxe Edition Still Wakes the Deep Stilt Stranded: Alien Dawn SUCCUBUS Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – Digital Deluxe Edition Supermarket Simulation Grocery Empire 3D SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET Tales from the Borderlands Tales of Arise Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator TCG Empire: Card Shop Simulator TEKKEN 7 – Originals Edition TEKKEN 8 Deluxe Edition Terraria The Chant The Crew Motorfest Deluxe Edition The Dark Pictures Anthology : Season One The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan The Disney Afternoon Collection The Escapists The Escapists + The Escapists: The Walking Dead Collection The Escapists 2 The Evil Within The Game of Life 2 The Inquisitor The Jackbox Party Pack 10 The Jackbox Party Pack Trilogy The Jackbox Party Quintpack The Jackbox Quintpack 2.0 THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’98 ULTIMATE MATCH FINAL EDITION THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII GLOBAL MATCH THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV Deluxe Edition The Last of Us Part II The Last of Us™ Part I The Last Of Us™ Remastered The Legend of Dragoon The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame The Outer Worlds: Board-Approved Bundle The Persona Collection The Quarry – Deluxe Edition The Settlers: New Allies Deluxe Edition The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe The Testament of Sherlock Holmes The Ultimate Sonic Bundle The Walking Dead Onslaught The Walking Dead: The Final Season – Season Pass The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt theHunter: Call of the Wild™ Thief Thief Simulator Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street Thymesia Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-shot Adventure Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Next-Level Edition Titan Quest Titanfall® 2: Ultimate Edition Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Breakpoint Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands Standard Edition Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege Deluxe Edition Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 Tomb Raider: Legend Tombi! Special Edition Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2 – Cross-Gen Deluxe Bundle Tour de France 2024 Train Sim World® 5: Special Edition Trepang2 – Digital Deluxe Edition Tropico 6 El Prez Edition Truck Driver TT Isle Of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 TUNIC Twisted Metal: Black™ Two Point Hospital: JUMBO Edition UFC® 5 Deluxe Edition Ultrawings 2 UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection UNCHARTED™ The Nathan Drake Collection Undisputed WBC Edition Unicorn Overlord Unravel Unravel Two V Rising V-Rally 4 Valiant Hearts: Coming Home Valiant Hearts: The Collection Vampyr Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr | Imperium edition Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Gold Edition Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin Warhammer: Vermintide 2 WARRIORS OROCHI 3 Ultimate Wasteland 3 Colorado Collection Watch Dogs 2 Way of the Hunter Wild Bastards WILD HEARTS™ Standard Edition WipEout Omega Collection Wired VR Bundle WitchSpring R Wizard of Legend Wizard with a Gun Wobbledogs Console Edition Wolfenstein: Alt History Collection Wolfenstein: The New Order Wolfenstein: The Old Blood Wolfenstein: Youngblood World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 WRC 10 – Deluxe Edition WRC Generations – Fully Loaded Edition Wreckfest – Complete Edition WW2 Rebuilder WWE 2K Battlegrounds WWE 2K24 Deluxe Edition XCOM® 2 Collection Yakuza 3 Remastered Yakuza 4 Remastered Yakuza 5 Remastered Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami 2 Yakuza Zero Yooka-Laylee Zombie Army Trilogy *Title list and discounts may differ per region. For more details, please check your dedicated Deals page on PlayStation Store. **PlayStation Store’s 30th Anniversary Sale runs from 00.00am PDT/BST/JST Monday, December 2, until 23.59pm PDT/BST/JST on Friday, December 20. Some games will be removed from the promotion early. Check a game’s PlayStation Store page for its end date. View the full article

November brought cool weather and cool new games. What did you enjoy most about last month’s title lineup? How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog. What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. View the full article

Last week, we asked you to gather together your favorite characters and share them bonding using #PSshare #PSblog. Here are this week’s highlights: SlashingShadow shares a gaggle of bots gathering at the Crash Site in Astro Bot. call_me_xavii shares the characters of God of War Ragnarök gathering for a meal. secondcapture shares three masked figures gathering to dance in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. jdbolzan shares the characters of Dave the Diver gathering for a toast. GabeGSalvatore shares the characters of Death Stranding gathering for a huddle. Beat_Minerz shares the characters of Red Dead Redemption 2 gathering around a fire. Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Stellar Blade x Nier: Automata SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 4, 2024 Next week, we’re headed back to the world of Stellar Blade to celebrate the newly released Nier: Automata DLC and photo mode! Share moments with Eve donning 2B’s outfit using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all of the brilliant reactions to LEGO Horizon Adventures’ launch this past week. We’ve been enjoying all of your comments and content, and on behalf of Guerrilla and Studio Gobo: we really appreciate you! Of course, we’ve also seen the plethora of comments since the game’s announce back in June asking for a new LEGO set… and some of our eagle-eyed fans already spotted a tease in our recent Building Aloy’s World – Brick by Brick behind-the-scenes video. Surely we couldn’t create a LEGO game without also working together with our friends over at the LEGO Group on something extra special: Play Video We’re excited to announce the new LEGO Horizon Adventures Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth playset. This 768-piece set allows LEGO fans to recreate the iconic adventures of Aloy and her loyal ally Varl. Armed with their trusty bow and spear capable of producing fire, shock or chill attacks, join the duo’s battle in jungle surroundings against two fully jointed machines, Shell-Walker and Sawtooth. The Shell-Walker has posable legs and arms, opening claws and a detachable cargo pod and energy shield, while the fully articulated Sawtooth has opening jaws, a swivelling torso and a posable neck, head and legs. The set will be available from March 1, 2025, but you can already pre-order from today via LEGO.com and selected retailers in Singapore and Malaysia. In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy LEGO Horizon Adventures — out now across PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. View the full article

Learn to work together in a hilarious co-op adventure, think tactically to survive and outsmart the perfect organism, then discover and tame new species with the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for December. It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent and Temtem launch December 3 for PlayStation Plus members1. But before we take a closer look at each game in turn, we want to share some PlayStation Plus activities taking place this December as part of the wider PlayStation 30th anniversary celebrations (which you may have had a glimpse of earlier this year). Activities include Tournaments, free Online Multiplayer Weekend, PlayStation Plus Premium Game Trial, an early look at Classic Games and more. You can find out more information further into this post. Now, back to the games! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image It Takes Two | PS4, PS5 It Takes Two is a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Choose from couch or online co-op with split-screen play, invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass2 and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges. Play as the clashing couple Cody and May, two humans turned into dolls by a magic spell. Together, trapped in a fantastical world where the unpredictable hides around every corner, they are reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship. Master unique and connected character abilities in every new level. Help each other across an abundance of unexpected obstacles and laugh-out-loud moments. Kick gangster squirrels’ furry tails, pilot a pair of underpants, DJ a buzzing night club, and bobsleigh through a magical snow globe. Embrace a heartfelt and hilarious story, where narrative and gameplay are interwoven in a uniquely metaphorical experience. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Aliens: Dark Descent | PS4, PS5 Battle to keep your squad alive against the deadliest foe mankind has ever faced. Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time combat strategy game where you’ll command a squad of hardened colonial marines to stop a terrifying Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe. Lead your soldiers against iconic Xenomorphs, rogue operatives from the insatiable Weyland-Yutani Corporation and a host of horrifying creatures new to the Alien franchise. Infiltrate large open levels and annihilate enemies with your squad, dispatching orders strategically and intuitively. Tread carefully, as your foes will adapt their tactics to your actions while hunting you down because death is permanent. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Temtem | PS5 Every kid dreams about becoming a Temtem tamer; exploring the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering new species, and making good friends along the way. Now it’s your turn to embark on an epic adventure and make those dreams come true. Catch new Temtem on Omninesia’s floating islands, battle other tamers on the sandy beaches of Deniz or trade with your friends in Tucma’s ash-covered fields. Defeat the ever-annoying Clan Belsoto and end its plot to rule over the Archipelago, beat all eight DojoLeaders, and become the ultimate Temtem tamer. All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on December 3 until January 6. 1Availability of Classics, Game Trials and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PS Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms. 2Find out more about Friends Pass here. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Last chance to download November’s games PlayStation Plus members have until December 2 to add Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, Ghostwire: Tokyo and Death Note Killer Within to their game libraries. PlayStation 30th Anniversary celebrations View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image PlayStation Plus Premium Game Trial PlayStation Plus Premium members can enjoy a game trial of thrilling sci-fi action-adventure Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 when it joins the service on December 3. But that’s not the only PlayStation Plus Premium news we have to share1… View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image PlayStation Plus Premium Classics for December Today we’re happy to share the first reveal of a trio of PlayStation classic titles joining PlayStation Plus Premium’s lineup in December, all of which help celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. Starting December 10, members will be able to complete the PS2 Sly trilogy with the release of Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves and also enjoy Naughty Dog’s PS2 adventure Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. We’ll have more news on the full PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Premium lineups1, later. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Free online multiplayer weekend | December 6-8 To keep celebrating the fantastic online games and communities on PlayStation, we’re hosting an extended free online multiplayer weekend on Dec 6 – 8. During those days, you can enjoy online multiplayer for games you own without having a PlayStation Plus membership, on PS5 and PS4 consoles3. 3Available for PS5 and PS4 games with online mode. Internet connection and account for PlayStation Network required. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image esports Tournament | December 6-8 During the same weekend, we’ll host a series of PS5 esports tournaments, featuring titles like EA Sports FC 25, NBA 2K25, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, Madden NFL 25, College Football 25, UFC 5, MLB The Show 24 and Guilty Gear Strive. If you own any of these games and qualify, you can compete on December 6-8 to win avatars and other game-specific prizes. Players on PS5 can sign up via the Game Hub or the in-game PlayStation Tournaments button. Keep an eye on compete.playstation.com for all the upcoming tournament details. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sweepstakes | December 10 – 23 To celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, we’re giving away a 30-month PlayStation Plus Premium membership to 30 winners in each participating country! We’ll be honoring the legendary games in our Classics Catalogue for this 30th anniversary-themed sweepstakes starting December 10 to 23. To enter, purchase any PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe membership and play any game from the Classics Catalog. If you’re already a PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe member, just dive into any game from the Classics Catalog to qualify. The participating countries are Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia. Restrictions apply, see Official Rules here. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sony Pictures Core Offer | December 3-9 To celebrate 30 years of PlayStation, PlayStation Plus members get 30% off 100 top movies on Sony Pictures Core starting December 3 through December 94. Explore a collection of fan-favorite films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Uncharted, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire5. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sony Pictures Core Movie Credit Promo | December 10 – January 106 Purchase any 12-month PlayStation Plus membership and get movie credit(s) to use on the Sony Pictures Core app. Dive into epic blockbusters like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and more7—your next movie marathon starts here8! 4Regions: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Japan, France. 5Access requires a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 console, and a SONY PICTURES CORE account subject to SONY PICTURES CORE Terms of Service. Availability of movie/TV content varies over time, region, format, and plan. Must be age 18+. Movie credit, if available, may be applied instead of discount 6Offer valid between December 10, 2024 to January 10, 2025. Offer available only where no other discount applies. Cannot combine or stack offers. Number of movie credits varies based on plan and membership status. Offer only available when purchased on PS5, Web browser and Mobile (PS App). PS Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms. Separate download of the Sony Pictures Core App is required to redeem Movie Credits. Must be 18+ to register for a Sony Pictures Core account. Movie Credits must be claimed and redeemed in App by January 10, 2026. Sony Pictures Core terms apply: https://www.sonypicturescore.com/termsofservice 7Titles and availability vary by market. 8Regions: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, France. View the full article

Hi everyone! My name is Juan Martinez, executive producer at Fatshark and part of the Warhammer 40,000: Darktide team. I’d like to welcome all PlayStation players to the four-player co-operative grimdark experience we have created. Today we opened access to Warhammer 40,000: Darktide for PS5 players who pre-ordered the Imperial Edition. We are super excited to announce that the game will be available for all PS5 players on December 3. Darktide originally launched on PC in November 2022 and since then we have been working nonstop to expand the game, including nine major additions and 25+ updates worth of content and improvements. The release on PS5 coincides with the release of our 10th major free update: Grim Protocols. And we have even more in store for you in the years ahead! Fast paced-combat, Fatshark style We have dreamt of making a game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe for years and with Darktide we’ve turned this dream into reality. Darktide is a four-player co-op action game in which you play as a conscripted convict – a Reject – serving the Inquisition in reclaiming the city of Tertium, which has fallen to hordes of Chaos. To survive, you’ll switch between melee and ranged combat, a hybrid system we’ve worked hard to perfect. Bringing Warhammer 40,000: Darktide to PS5 and PS5 Pro While developing Darktide for PlS5, we focused on delivering the best possible experience to players. We spent a great deal of time and effort in adapting the game to the PS5 hardware. PS5 users have the freedom to choose between Performance mode (running at 60FPS on a 1440p resolution) and Quality mode (running at 30FPS on a 4K resolution). For those of you with a PS5 Pro, we harnessed PSSR technology to get Warhammer 40,000: Darktide running at a steady 60FPS at 4K resolution. We also spent quite a bit of time with the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback features of the DualSense wireless controller. Our team wants the DualSense controller to feel like a natural extension of the Warhammer 40,000: Darktide experience. From the iconic Boltgun firing explosive rounds, to the point accuracy of the energy-based Lasgun or a Force Staff channeling psyker powers, each weapon provides a unique experience whenever you swap gear. Automatic weapons have never felt as good as they do with the DualSense controller’s haptic rumble and trigger effects. Feel the triggers shaking with every shot, while the rumble is punching away inside the DualSense controller. When your ammo count is getting lower, the triggers feel more intense, so you always know when you are about to run dry. Feeling the blades of the Chainsword spinning and the haptic feedback of your blade cutting through the flesh of heretics and demons is pure, grisly enjoyment. We can’t wait to see your reactions to these features once they launch on December 3. Unlock your potential To make you feel at home on Tertium, we included a huge amount of options in the character creator so that you can fine-tune the appearance of your Reject in the game including their class, looks, background history, and voice. We want to empower players to become part of this world, and its conflict, in more personal ways. Each class has its own complex talent tree, allowing you to further customize your play style among three main domains (or sub-classes) and anything in between. We also expanded freedom of choice with our Itemization overhaul, which allows you to gain experience within each of the 40+ weapon families you want to become proficient in. An ever-evolving game December 3 is both the launch of the game on PlayStation and sees the release of our 10th major update: Grim Protocols which brings a slew of new content. Here is a glimpse at what we have in store! We will be introducing a new endgame mode called Havoc where the most seasoned operatives test their mettle. Be ready to face daunting challenges! But first, you have to master Tertium. A new mission will enter our 20+ mission roster, challenging Rejects to explore the Carnival, a notorious area for entertainment, the sort of place you go for a little relaxation and lots of illicit diversions. Three new weapon families will be added, allowing you to tear through waves of enemies with the destructive might of the Two-Handed Force and Power Swords, and the Ogryn Heavy Stubber. Keep an eye out for our official PS5 news to keep up to date with all the content coming in 2025. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide officially launches onto PS5 on December 3. Welcome to Tertium, Rejects, we hope you survive the challenges ahead. For the Emperor! View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Howdy folks! Friend of the podcast Shuhei Yoshida joins us to recap some of his biggest moments across 31 years of PlayStation, including his role as Head of Indies Initiative and his work with PlayStation Studios. Shu celebrates the highlights of his illustrious PlayStation career and discusses his favorite games of each PlayStation console generation. Plus, the team continues to feature listener and developer opinions on their favorite PlayStation memories. We’ll continue to feature listeners and developers (and name our favorite PS Vita, PS4, and PS VR games!) leading up to PlayStation’s 30th anniversary on December 3. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Warhammer 40,000: Darktide | PS5 Fantasian Neo Dimension | PS5 Infinity Nikki | PS5 Skydance’s Behemoth | PS5, PS VR2 Marvel Rivals | PS5 Path of Exile 2 (Early Access) | PS5 Interview w/ Shuhei Yoshida (begins at 4:27) Special listener/developer favorite PlayStation games segment The podcast crew highlights honorable mentions for their top games on PlayStation (discussion to be continued…) The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.] View the full article

If you’ve listened to PlayStation Podcast over the past 14 years, then you definitely know Shuhei Yoshida. Perhaps best known for his lengthy turn as the President of PlayStation Studios during part of the PS3 and PS4 years, Yoshida-san has spent the past few years evangelizing independent developers as Head of Indies Initiative at PlayStation. With PlayStation’s 30th anniversary arriving next week, I got some time to catch up with Yoshida-san to discuss his career, his plans for the future, and his top game picks across 30 years of PlayStation. Read on for some excerpts from our lengthy conversation. Note: Interview condensed for clarity and brevity. To hear the full conversation, click here. (Apple, Spotify, direct DL) SID: You were one of our first guests on the PlayStation Podcast, probably 14 years ago. But it’s been quite a while…. What have you been up to? SHU: I’ve been traveling a lot! I’ve been all over the place. I’ve been in Brazil, India, Australia, Sweden, visiting developers, game events, looking at the new games from developers, and tweeting about games that I like throughout the year. SID: Happy to have you, we’re going to do a lot of catching up. But I heard you had some news for us here today? SHU: Yes, I have an announcement to make. I’m leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment on January 15 2025… it’s like announcing the launch date of a new game, [something] I haven’t done for a long time [laughs]. SID: You’ve been with Sony Interactive for so long. What’s guiding the decision and the timing? SHU: I’ve been with PlayStation from the beginning, and this is my 31st year with PlayStation. And when I hit 30 years, I was thinking, hmm, it may be about time for me to move on. You know, the company’s been doing great. I love PS5, I love the games that are coming out on this platform. And we have new generations of management who I respect and admire. And I’m so excited for the future of PlayStation. So you know, PlayStation is in really good hands. I thought, okay, this is my time. SID: That makes a lot of sense. Well, let’s reflect on your career. I know you’ve been here for a long time, but how long exactly have you been with PlayStation? SHU: Yeah, I joined Ken Kutanagi’s team in February of 1993, when they were still developing the original PlayStation. Ken’s team had only engineers. Everyone was engineers. And I was the first non-technical person to join the team as the company, Sony Corporation at the time, started to plan to bring PlayStation to market. So it was 31 years ago. SID: Ken Kutaragi is often called the father of PlayStation. What was it like working at the company back in those days, before the original PlayStation came out? SHU: Yeah so when I joined [PlayStation], it was still just a department. Ken’s team was doing the development, and there was another team under Sony Music Entertainment Japan making games for Super Nintendo, and that was another small team preparing to make games for PlayStation. So the two teams merged, Ken’s team under Sony and Sato-san’s team under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, to create Sony Computer Entertainment in November 1993. When the company was established as a joint venture, we held a party and everybody was in one room at the hotel [laughs]. I remember we had about 80 people total. We were very small. SID: Very small, but it must’ve been very exciting! SHU: Oh yeah, we were so excited about the innovation that Ken’s team was bringing in, like 3D graphics, real-time technology, and CD-ROM with lots of data that we can put in with a low cost of manufacturing. And so we had really high hopes, high ambitions. However, we were not known in the video game industry. And there were other electronics companies, big companies that tried to enter the video game industry and, you know, didn’t do well. So at the beginning before the launch of PlayStation, I think we were not taken very seriously from the industry, to be honest. SID: Yeah, it’s funny how these things work. And you know here we are, it’s 31 years later, and it’s a very different story….tell me a little bit about your first job with PlayStation. SHU: When I joined Ken’s team, my assignment was to talk to publishers and developers in Japan. So as a lead in account management, I made a phone call to many companies in Japan, publishers and developers from Hokkaido to Kyushu and made an appointment and brought a group of people of executives including Ken Kutaragi himself, to visit the publisher and talk about PlayStation, hoping that they would make games on PlayStation. So that was a really fun time, but also a really challenging time because not many people in the industry believed in 3D graphics technology at that time. Listen to our full discussion on PlayStation Podcast to learn more about Shuhei Yoshida’s experience with PlayStation in its earliest days. … SID: Eventually you moved up to being president of PlayStation Studios. Is there a memory that particularly stands out for you in your time at PlayStation Studios? SHU: Throughout the time that I was involved in game development, there were so many great games and great teams I was fortunate to work with. And every year, going to events like DICE Summit was so much fun because some of our games got nominated for the Game of the Year many times. When you are in the industry, if you get involved in one Game of the Year game, you are so fortunate. But I got [nominated] almost every year…. However, among all of these times, one time stood out for me in my memory as something really, really special was when Journey got the Game of the Year Award. Journey was distributed through PlayStation Network. It was a digital-only, small game. You can finish playing the game within like three hours. But that game…[won] Game of the Year against all these AAA titles, I think for the first time in the industry….the creator Jenova Chen did a talk at the summit, and he talked about a letter he received from a girl who lost her father and she thought about her father and she was able to move on in her life. The whole audience stood up and the whole room was filled with happiness and an amazing feeling that this small game could have such a big impact on people’s lives. … SID: How did you get your way into your current role as Head of Indies Initiative at Sony Interactive? SHU: I love indie games. When the indie boom started in 2000, all digital distribution started on PC, on mobile, and on console. Small digital games could be made by pretty much anyone in the world, and be able to sell and distribute globally. That created an amazing opportunity for the industry to try new ideas. Small games, because they’re small, there’s not big capital involved. So you can try ideas that have never been done before, and that kickstarts a totally new channel for the whole industry. It was like treasure hunting for me. When I was managing [PlayStation Studios] working with big studios, making AAA games was great. However, when I went to events like E3 or Gamescom, I always went to the indie game area. And I found games that I liked, and oftentimes the developer was there showcasing it. So I’d take a photo with the developer, trying to help promote these games. That’s what I was doing almost as a hobby when I was managing PlayStation Studios. So when I got this job where I could spend 100% of my time helping indies, it was like a dream job. … View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Shu featured as a playable character in Super Time Force Ultra from Capybara Games. View the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here What’s up, gang! The festivities for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary continue this week as the crew hears from listeners and developers about their favorite PlayStation games of all time. Plus, the crew dives into their favorite games on PSP and PS3. We’ll continue to feature listeners and developers leading up to PlayStation’s 30th anniversary on December 3 and beyond. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Nine Sols | PS5, PS4 Trombone Champ: Unflattened | PS VR2 Snow Bros. Wonderland | PS5, PS4 PlayStation VR2 news on Mare, Trombone Champ: Unflattened, Masters of Light, Alien: Rogue Incursion, and Hitman World of Assassination Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns new kombatant Ghostface Legacy of Kain series retrospective Gran Turismo 7 – Update 1.54 adds five new cars, a new Cafe Menu, and more MLB The Show 25 revealed 30th Anniversary listener and developer favorite PlayStation games The podcast crew highlights personal top PSP and PS3 games (to be continued…) The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.] View the full article

Last week, we asked you to highlight favorite companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s heroic highlights: _xFenrir shares scout Lace Harding posing with her bow and arrows on her back. LadyCalzone shares a portrait of Mourn Watcher Emmerich bathed in the green glow of his staff. devilishbrycevp shares a portrait of Veil Jumper elf Bellara. esterinaska shares Shadow Dragon mage Neve in the middle of an incantation. jdbolzan shares a portrait of dragon hunter Taash looking sullen. xLightningWolfx shares Grey Warden elf Davrin in the heat of battle. Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Gathering SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on November 27, 2024 Next week, it’s time to come together. Share a moment that had characters gathering together in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. View the full article

Dear Trailblazers, greetings from the Honkai: Star Rail dev team! It’s been a while, but today we’re thrilled to bring you more information about version 2.7, A New Venture on the Eighth Dawn which launches on December 4, the last chapter before the Astral Express sets its sights on the mysterious realm of Amphoreus, known as the Eternal Land. This update closes our chapter in Penacony and paves the way for a new story in version 3.0. In the previous story arc, Black Swan suggested the Crew venture to Amphoreus — a realm so enigmatic that even the Aeon of the Trailblaze, Akivili, never managed to reach. Curious yet cautious, Miss Himeko the Navigator decides to gather any available intel about this destination. Meanwhile, the Crew makes a final stop in Penacony, reuniting with old friends and creating lasting memories in one last farewell before they set forth on their next daring journey. Old friends returning to the spotlight The memories of that performance at the Penacony Grand Theater feel as vivid as yesterday. It’s not just the Astral Express or Penacony that’s awakened from its dream — Sunday has, too. Reflecting on it, there’s something deeply stirring about sharing the stage with Mr. Sunday once more. Stepping down from his role as the head of the Oak Family, he’s chosen to “Descend to the mortal realm and walk their lands. See what this world is truly like.” Casting aside blessings from both Harmony and Order, Sunday is setting out to pursue his vision of a utopia as a mere mortal. This time, he returns to Penacony, thanks to the aid of a secretive Pepeshi called Wonweek, with one wish: to give a final, unforgettable performance before embarking on his new journey. Accordingly, his robe and hood serve not only to give him a fresh appearance but also to hide his true identity for his last dance in the Planet of Festivities. As a 5-star Imaginary character, Sunday has unique Support capacities, and his Skill causes an ally to immediately take action and increase their DMG dealt. If that ally has a Summon, then both the ally and the Summon can immediately take action and further improve the DMG Boost effect. When Sunday uses his Ultimate, he regenerates Energy for one ally, and makes that ally and its Summon – The Beatified. A halo is bestowed on the ally who becomes The Beatified and increases their CRIT DMG. Another character soon to arrive is Fugue, who we know as our old friend Tingyun. Once a tactful foxian girl, she now finds her name, appearance, and even identity stolen. Fate, however, has left her a slender thread of hope, though the mark of Destruction still stirs restlessly within her. Tingyun barely escaped death after her encounter with Phantylia during version 1.2’s main storyline and was saved only by the intervention of Madam Ruan Mei from the Genius Society, who granted her a second chance at life. Recently, Himeko and Welt visited Madam Ruan Mei and took it upon themselves to bring Miss Tingyun home, renewing her journey back to where she belongs. Fugue is a 5-star Fire character who is skilled at supporting one ally to reduce Toughness regardless of the enemy’s Type Weaknesses. While Fugue is on the field, enemy targets are afflicted with the Cloudflame Luster state. When Cloudflame Luster is reduced to zero, the target takes Break DMG once again. Moreover, when teammates attack Weakness Broken enemy targets, they deal Super Break DMG. And that’s not all — Fugue can use her Technique to increase ally characters’ Break Effect. When she uses her Ultimate, she deals Fire DMG to all enemies, and this instance of attack ignores Weakness Type to directly reduce all enemies’ Toughness. Additionally, the limited 5-star characters General Jing Yuan and Firefly, will return in the first and second halves of the version 2.7 warp event respectively. Their formidable support makes them invaluable allies for your future journeys. More gameplay features for version 2.7 and beyond Beyond new characters and storylines, version 2.7 also offers Trailblazers a truly immersive experience. Step aboard the Astral Express’ new Party Car — a place where elegance and nostalgia blend seamlessly. Guests are welcomed to a spacious reception area, set against a sleek marble bar and accompanied by a classic bartending robot. With the vast Cosmos as your view, you can savor a drink with the Express Crew or reflect quietly by the window, letting the scenery stir your thoughts. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ascend the stairs, and you’ll find the Trailblazer’s very own quarters. In the Cosmic Home Décor Guide event, transform a once-empty storage room into a personal haven, with areas like a cozy bedroom and bathroom. As you gather furniture using Express Funds earned from tasks, your space takes shape piece by piece, mirroring your journey through the stars. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image And there’s more exciting news: the Relic system will also be receiving an update in version 3.0. You’ll be able to choose a Relic’s Main Stat and Subsidiary Stats using specialized tools during synthesis! By using a certain amount of the new item, Wishful Resin, alongside Self-Modeling Resin, you can set both the Main and Sub Stats for a Relic simultaneously. Last but not least, before we take a bow, Pom-Pom discovered something special while tidying up the storage boxes for the Trailblazer! From the version 2.7 update until the end of version 3.2, Trailblazers can claim a Gift of the Express, allowing them to select one regular 5-star character of their choice. Our trailblazing expedition continues with old friends and new allies alike—let’s set off together and keep fighting side-by-side! That concludes our insights on version 2.7. Stay tuned, as there are still more surprises waiting in the wings. I hope you are excited, because our old ally Herta, the renowned master of the eponymous Herta Space Station, is clearly fully prepared for the adventures that lie ahead when version 2.7 launches on December 4. View the full article

Major League Baseball’s exciting 2024 season has wrapped and with MLB The Show 24’s Season 4 content arriving tomorrow*, we at San Diego Studio wanted to take a moment to share a sneak peek at the future of this franchise. MLB The Show 24 Season 4 Beginning tomorrow, all fans can enjoy every card in MLB The Show 24 as we move into Season 4 with the release of 2024 Finest with more content coming. Yes, this also means cards in your inventory from previous seasons in MLB The Show 24 can be enjoyed again! MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty We appreciate the feedback from our community and have also decided that Sets and Seasons will not be returning in MLB The Show 25, allowing every card to be used freely throughout the year. While we look forward to sharing more about our live content plans for MLB The Show 25 at a later date, our Season 4 approach gives you a sense of the direction of MLB The Show 25. We are also excited to share that you, our fans, will be able to earn rewards in MLB The Show 24 to jump-start your MLB The Show 25 experience! Beginning tomorrow, you can start earning Now & Later MLB The Show Packs in playable content all throughout Diamond Dynasty! Each Now & Later MLB The Show Pack earned in MLB The Show 24 will grant an MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25**. As we work to develop the most authentic and realistic Major League Baseball experience possible, we wanted to share a sneak peek of what is to come next year in MLB The Show 25. Road To The Show: Deepen the player’s journey before being drafted, and return control to how a player develops and grows in new and interesting ways. Diamond Dynasty*: With Sets and Seasons retiring, our fans can look forward to all-new elements of the Diamond Dynasty experience blended with what they love most about it. Franchise: Improved trade evaluation metrics are coming along with a new fun and engaging offseason experience. Gameplay: With the expansion of quick time events, defensive AI, and pathing updates, enjoy more engaging moment-to-moment gameplay. For all the latest MLB The Show information, head to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. *Internet connection required for online features and software updates. **An internet connection, MLB The Show account, and purchase of MLB The Show 25, once available, is required to receive your Now & Later MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25. View the full article

As we head into the holiday season, we’re excited to celebrate another year of amazing PlayStation experiences with our community with PlayStation’s Black Friday offers that begin this week. From November 22, players and gift givers can explore a range of amazing offers on games and more on PlayStation Store*. Visit the official PlayStation Black Friday site starting on November 22 for updates. PlayStation Plus Players who join PlayStation Plus from November 22 through December 5 can save up to 30% on a 12-month membership. Current PlayStation Plus Essential members can save 25% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading a current plan to PlayStation Plus Extra, or save 30% when upgrading from PlayStation Plus Extra to PlayStation Plus Deluxe. With PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe, get access to monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and hundreds of PS4 and PS5 titles through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including hit titles like The Last of Us Part I, Grand Theft Auto V, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and many more*. PlayStation Store From November 22 through December 2, offers on hundreds of PS5 and PS4 digital games are also coming to PlayStation Store, including popular titles like EA Sports FC 25, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more. Visit PlayStation Store when the promotion begins on November 22 to view the full selection and find out your local savings. *Products may have different sales periods. See specific offer details on product detail pages. **Availability of Classics and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms View the full article