Commander Fury

Greetings, everyone! Matt “Bayohne” Hilton from the Final Fantasy XIV community team here as we kick off Final Fantasy XIV Digital Fan Festival 2021 today! We will be live today and tomorrow on our official Twitch and YouTube channels with a ton of great content on all things FFXIV: developer panels, special guests, musical performances, and a lot more. We kicked things off with a bang as Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida delivered the keynote address—sharing many new details for the upcoming Endwalker expansion, including the release date: November 23, 2021. Yoshida shared many updates for Endwalker during the keynote. As you may remember if you saw our February Announcement Showcase, we’re headed towards the climax of the long-running Hydaelyn and Zodiark story arc, and with that new story comes new areas and cities to explore, multiple new jobs to play, an increased level cap, and new foes to face during our adventures. You may also remember the hint that Yoshida dropped regarding the second new job for Endwalker—how many of you guessed right? The reaper job is coming to FFXIV with Endwalker as the latest melee DPS job. Reapers wield scythes as their weapon of choice and can deal devastating damage at close range as they summon avatars to fight alongside them. I’m certainly excited to try out both the reaper and sage (Endwalker’s new healer job)—which do you plan to try out first? We were also treated to another special reveal, and something I know many have been requesting since the initial reveal of Viera during the Fan Festival 2019 in Paris. That’s right, male Viera will join their female counterparts with the release of Endwalker. The development team worked hard to bring the highly requested male Viera to the world of Final Fantasy XIV so we hope you’re all excited. There was a lot more announced, which means a lot to look forward to. Check out everything announced so far for Endwalker below—new information from today is in bold. Journey to Thavnair, the imperial capital of Garlemald, and even the moon! New Jobs: Reaper and Sage A New Playable Race: Male Viera Level Cap Increase from 80 to 90 New Cities: Old Sharlayan and Radz-at-Han Travel to expansive new areas, including Labyrinthose, Mare Lamentorum, Thavnair, and Garlemald. New Tribes to Encounter: Loporrits and the Arkasodara New Threats to Overcome: The Magus Sisters and Anima Many New Dungeons to Explore New High-Difficulty Raid: Pandæmonium A New Alliance Raid Series: Myths of the Realm A New Small-scale PvP Mode Estinien Wyrmblood joins the lineup of Trust NPCs A New Residential District: Ishgard Updates to the Gold Saucer Relaxing Fun in Island Sanctuary New Gear to Collect and Recipes to Craft A New Data Center: Oceania Expanded Horizons via the Data Center Travel System Introducing the Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker Pre-Order Bonuses Yoshida also announced the start of pre-orders for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, and you can now pre-order the game for PS5 and PS4. There are some amazing in-game bonuses that you will receive instantly when you pre-order from PlayStation Store that will help you prepare for the upcoming expansion: In-game Item: Menphina Earring – A gorgeous earring with a design that draws inspiration from the moon. This useful earring features attributes that will vary according to the user’s class/job and current level when equipped and grants a 30% increase in EXP up to level 80 when worn. In-game Item: Wind-up Palom Minion – Palom, one of the young twins who joins your party in Final Fantasy IV, arrives as a minion you can share new adventures with. Early Access – Early access is tentatively scheduled to begin on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 1:00 am Pacific Time and will allow players the ability to play Endwalker before the official release. Whether you’re planning to jump into FFXIV for the first time, or just looking to level up some new jobs ahead of Endwalker, the Menphina Earring is an amazing accessory we’re sure you’ll get a lot of use out of. You can preorder the Endwalker expansion for PS4 and PS5 from PlayStation Store: (Note: preorder links may not be live immediately when this article is published) Endwalker Standard Edition Endwalker Digital Collector’s Edition – Includes the following in-game bonus items: In-game Item: Arion Mount – A new mount designed to complement paladin, the signature job of Endwalker. In–game Item: Wind-up Porom Minion – Mentioned above. In-game Item: Death Scythe: Reaper Weapon – The Death Scythe from Final Fantasy XI makes its appearance in Final Fantasy XIV as a reaper-exclusive weapon. Lastly, don’t forget that we are still running our PS5 open beta test. Featuring frame rate improvements, shorter load times, 4K support and more, you can try out the PS5 version by upgrading your PS4 version to the PS5 version at no additional cost, or via the downloadable PS5 Free Trial, which lets you play all of A Realm Reborn and Heavensward up through Patch 3.56. All of this was contained in just the first few hours of the Digital Fan Festival 2021, and we have a lot more coming throughout the weekend—be sure to stay tuned for more FFXIV information and fun! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/X5OBtKF3FmIView the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google or RSS, or download here This week, we interview Mac Walters, Crystal McCord, and Kevin Meek from BioWare on the creative process behind Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Plus, the team shares games that make them laugh. Stuff We Talked About Manifold Garden Returnal Mass Effect Legendary Edition (interview begins at 17 minutes) The Simpsons: Hit & Run Jackbox Party Packs The Outer Worlds Night In The Woods Portal OverBlood Tales From The Borderlands Resident Evil Village Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Wrath of the Druids DLC The Cast Tim Turi – Manager, Content Communications, SIE Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE Brett Elston – Manager, Content Communications, SIE Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and 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.] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/T9KBY0pR5iYView the full article

Last week, we asked you to showcase some ferocious and terrifying monsters from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog. From fearsome creatures to haunting humanoids, here are this week’s monstrous shares: Skeleify faces down a batty foe in Batman: Arkham Knight. Amianan_NiRaGuB tries to avoid the gaze of this Gorgon from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. FloPop10 shares a chilling shot of Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village. justinphotomode went face to face with a Freaker from Days Gone. undine2880 looks up at some deadly Glinthawks from Horizon Zero Dawn. TiltingWindmil shared a mysterious monster from Returnal. 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: Unforgettable SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on May 19 Next week will be a week to remember. Celebrate Days of Play by sharing a moment that you’ll never forget from the game of your choice using #PSShare #PSblog for a chance to be featured! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/SSqMg1nsLoAView the full article

Hi all – Play At Home is back with one more batch of new free content to help make the next few weeks a little more fun! This time, we’re offering a selection of free in-game content and virtual currency for some popular PlayStation games, including Call of Duty: Warzone, Destruction AllStars, NBA 2K21, Rocket League, and more. And don’t forget, this is your last chance to download Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition for free as part of Play At Home – the offer ends May 14 8:00pm Pacific Time / May 15 04:00 BST / 05:00 CEST. Read on below for details! To learn more, please visit the Play At Home page on PlayStation.com.‡ Starting May 17, 2021 The following in-game content and virtual currency is available for free via PlayStation Store from Monday May 17 08:00pm PDT (18 May 04:00 BST, 12:00 JST) until June 6 11:59pm PDT (June 7 07:59 BST, 15:59 JST).† Game Content Rocket League * PlayStation Plus Pack – includes four unique customization items including Blue Notch Wheels, Blue Smoke Boost, Blue Rocks Trail, and the Trimpact BL Player Banner. Brawlhalla * Brawlhalla: Play at Home Pack – includes the Rayman Legend Unlock, Sir Rayelot Skin with Axe and Gauntlet Weapon Skins, Shrug Emote and Grimm Sidekick. Destruction AllStars ** 1100 Destruction Points MLB The Show 21 ** MLB The Show 21 10 The Show Packs NBA 2K21 ** The Play at Home Pack – includes MyTEAM Series 2 Amethyst Damian Lillard, 5,000 MyTEAM Points and more. Rogue Company * Rogue Company: Play at Home Pack – includes the Kyoto Undercover Ronin Outfit and 200 Rogue Bucks. World of Tanks/World of Warships * Twice the Courage Pack For World of Tanks: Modern Armor, this bundle includes five x1.5 Silver Boosters, five x2 XP Boosters, 7 days of Premium Account and more. For World of Warships: Legends, this bundle includes Tier III battleship Arkansas, 7 days of Premium Account and 5x Rare Boosters of all five types. Warframe * Warframe: Starter Bundle – includes 100 Platinum, 100,000 Credits, 7 Day Affinity Booster, Essential Base Damage Mod Bundle and more. Starting May 20, 2021 As part of the Play at Home campaign, you can get five 60-minute Double XP tokens for Call of Duty: Warzone to accelerate your levelling in Season Three. The Double XP tokens can be accessed exclusively in-game through the Message of The Day beginning May 20 at 10:00am PDT (18:00 BST, May 21 02:00 JST) through June 6 at 11:59pm PDT (June 7 07:59 BST, 15:59 JST). Game Content Call of Duty: Warzone * 5 Double XP Tokens [Available from May 20 at 10am PDT, 18:00 BST, May 21 02:00 JST] We appreciate the support from the PlayStation community, and hope you enjoy the final Play At Home content drop! Please stay safe, and thanks for playing. ‡ These offers will not be available in China. Brawlhalla, MLB The Show 21, NBA 2K21 and World of Tanks/World of Warships offers are not available in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. The World of Tanks/World of Warships and Destruction AllStars offers are not available in Japan. * Virtual currency and in-game items require access to the full game. Game available to download at no extra cost. Participating products available for free via PlayStation Store until before June 6 23:59 PDT. Your items will be awarded in-game when you next log in to the game with an active Internet connection.  ** Virtual currency and in-game items require access to the full game. Full game is available as a separate paid-for to purchase. Participating products available for free via PlayStation Store until before June 6 23:59 PDT. Your items will be awarded in-game when you next log in to the game with an active Internet connection. Paid PlayStation®Plus membership required for online play. PlayStation Plus membership is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: play.st/PSPlusTerms. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/Ur0FfYjh-fEView the full article

Earlier today we revealed two striking new colors for the DualSense wireless controller: Cosmic Red and Midnight Black, both available starting in June. This update was paired with an insightful Returnal deep dive that highlighted Housemarque’s amazing implementation of the DualSense controller’s many features. To round out today’s news, we’ve also gathered a few updates from upcoming games that take advantage of adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and more. If you’ve played titles like Returnal and Astro’s Playroom, you know how integral the DualSense controller can be to the full experience. We’re excited to see (and feel!) how developers use the controller to further pull players into the game.* Play Video Here’s what they had to say: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Insomniac Games: We love how the fidelity of the controller’s haptics allow us to give so many things in the world a distinct feel and the range allows us to support bombastic responses like explosions all the way down to footsteps without the sensation getting old. Although firing weapons and striking different surfaces with your wrench were no-brainers for haptics, we found that we could also use many more subtle cues that make the haptic canvas feel full. For example, the simple act of picking up bolts from a defeated enemy is that much more satisfying when you feel a tiny impulse from each on in your hands, complemented by a subtle controller sound. Simply using the weapon wheel or scanning the map become more enjoyable when you feel a faint click as you highlight objects. Subnautica: Below Zero Unknown Worlds: When we first held a DualSense controller in our hands, we knew we had to take advantage of its awesome features in Subnautica: Below Zero (launching on PS4 and PS5… tomorrow!). We’ve taken advantage of haptic feedback by connecting players to certain powered tools. You’ll feel like you’re actually turning on the Flashlight’s switch, or feel the coil of the cable in your PrawnSuit as it launches from your Grappling Arm. The drilling sensation as you drill for resources with your Drill Arm also adds to the immersion. When players use the new Metal Detector tool and select a target resource, we use rumble and vibration to help players actually feel where their target is through the controller. Varying levels and speeds of vibration rumble in the correct direction of the resource helps let players know if things are on their left, to their right, or right in front of them, simply by holding their controller. To help emphasize how close players are to their target, we also use the new RGB Strip of the DualSense controller to pulse faster as players get closer to their resource objective. Driving both the directional vibration and the RGB pulse is the actual data that the in-game tool is receiving in real-time, so it’s always dynamic and accurate to what the player is seeing and feeling while playing. With these great features combined, it really feels like you have a working Metal Detector tool in your hands. Ghostwire: Tokyo Tango Gameworks: The opportunities that DualSense controller technology presents for Ghostwire: Tokyo couldn’t excite us more. The combination of haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and built-in audio lets players further immerse themselves in the supernatural world of the game. With haptic feedback, players attune themselves to their surroundings, aided by otherworldly voices emanating from the controller’s speakers. This lets you use your “sixth sense,” perceiving things normal humans cannot and using that insight to help solve the many mysteries enveloping the city of Tokyo. In combat, players weave elemental powers with their hands to take on malicious spirits, and the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers bring these powers to life by offering each their own distinct, tangible feeling. Even with your eyes closed, you can tell the difference between wielding snappy, precise bursts of wind; the destructive rush of water; and the raw devastation of fire. Attempting risky exorcisms at close range is even more intense, as the triggers help simulate the act of pulling a spectral enemy’s core out with your own hands. As players hone their supernatural prowess, the controller’s capabilities will also “power up.” The stronger their abilities become, the stronger the feedback from the controller will be, creating a noticeable sensation of real progress that we cannot wait for Ghostwire players to experience themselves. Life is Strange: True Colors Deck Nine: At its core, Life is Strange: True Colors is about connecting with people through Alex Chen’s psychic power of Empathy. Alex’s supernatural ability allows her to view and experience the strong emotions of others through their brightly colored auras – and so the burning red of Anger, sharp purple of Fear, deep blue of Sadness, and shining gold of Joy will all blaze into life through the new light bar as you connect with each of them. As you explore the streets and spaces of Haven Springs, reaching out with Alex’s growing power using the left trigger, you’ll find the trigger feedback strength ramps up as the power builds in intensity, haptically hinting at the volatile, supernatural sense that’s just barely under Alex’s control. Even as Alex becomes more confident in her power across the arc of the game, it’s never something she taps into lightly. Scarlet Nexus Bandai Namco: In Scarlet Nexus, players will wield psychokinetic abilities to lift and hurl objects at enemies. The DualSense controller is a great match for this power, as both the haptics and adaptive triggers enhance the sensation of smashing pieces of the environment into foes. When you lift and toss objects, you will feel the flow of the hero’s power, no matter if it’s from left to right, or front to back. When the object moves from left to right on-screen, the sensation is achieved by having the left motor vibrate then move along to the right motor. Moreover, adaptive triggers provide players with a more realistic game experience. Just like you sense weight and resistance while picking up objects in real life, you’ll feel like you’re lifting an in-game object with your own strength. Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 Bandai Namco: The PS5 version of GBO2 utilizes the DualSense controller to better imitate the feeling of firing various weapons, from resistance when pulling the trigger to feedback that indicates your projectile hit its target. When using L2 or R2 for attack, pilots will notice a resistance to simulate the pulling of an actual trigger. For example, with the bazooka the resistance will cause the trigger to catch at the input position just before the bullet is fired, and as you continue to pull the trigger, the bullet will fire and release the tension. We have also created a stronger rumble at the time of discharge, and a longer trail (the rumbling will last longer) to recreate the discharge of a larger caliber bullet. We also made modifications to the vibration patterns of different weapons – you’ll have a unique sensation whether you are using a machine gun or beam rifle. For melee attacks, we’ve recreated the effect of your hands feeling tingly after you hit something. When your attack lands on an opponent, the effect is meant to feel like you’ve dealt a heavy blow to them. This new tactile experience is based on the sound file for each weapon to provide both the audio and haptic feedback, while the weapon fire and weapon switch audio will output from the DualSense controller’s built-in speaker, making your experience as immersive as possible. Kena: Bridge of Spirits Ember Lab: Development with the DualSense controller has allowed us to add a deeper level of immersion to the experience in Kena. As a Spirit Guide, Kena can transform her staff into a bow and this mechanic takes full advantage of the DualSense adaptive triggers. When Kena draws her bow, players can feel the resistance in the triggers as the wood bends and strains under pressure. In combination with the haptic feedback, the player has the sensation of drawing a bow. Returnal Housemarque: The immediate new potential DualSense brought to the table is the ability to fully convince and immerse with haptic feedback detail that simply was not possible before. We can now provide subtle details that cross the threshold for what the hands and brain believe to be real and truly bring the players consciousness into the world on screen. As an example, the rain in Returnal is complemented by subtle raindrop haptic pulses, that are procedurally synthesised at runtime, which allowed us to refine and tweak the feel of them on the fly whilst playing in-game. The end result of that approach is that along with the visuals and audio, the haptic sensations produced by the DualSense controller give your subconscious brain yet another indication that it really is in the world of Atropos, standing in the rain. (Check out the full article for more details!) *Available in games that support these features. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/pWt8dV0meIYView the full article

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout’s Season 4 beamed players into a neon-drenched Blunderdome of the future, full of fluorescent treats and techno beats. Today’s major mid-season update brings heaps of new content including two new Rounds, the roll out of Custom Lobbies, plus plenty of fixes, features and improvements for stumbling enthusiasts worldwide! Here’s what you need to know, with top tricks and tactics straight from the team to help you tackle our latest Rounds and grab those EZ quals! Play Video Fall Guys Season 4.5 brings two fresh (and deliciously different!) Rounds to conquer on your quest for the Crown… Button Bashers – It’s cool to duel! For the first time ever, Fall Guys players will face off 1v1 in a quick-fire mini arena bout! Button Bashers separates brave beans into pairs for a rapid reaction face-off, with the goal of reaching lit buttons first to earn points while navigating fiendish obstacle effects. Most points when the clock runs out claims victory, with nerve-wracking overtime in the case of a draw… “My main advice for players would be to keep calm and rethink how you approach obstacles!” says Harry Prebble, game designer and Button Bashers creator. “When you grab that first point, it can be a shock seeing an obstacle activate, so your instinct may be to back away as quickly. However, think of these as an opportunity to up your game—Low Gravity Zones and Fans can also propel you way faster than walking, so if you get your angles right, these can become short-cuts to the next button and another vital point.” As a timed round, you’ll be eager to wrack up those points as quickly as possible, but knowing when to let points go can be just as important for sealing qualification. Community Manager Bianca Sarafian explains… “When I first dived into Button Bashers, my approach was very much ‘gimme the points!’; a button would light up and I’d zoom towards it, no matter what. Spoilers: it didn’t end well. The more I played, the more I started to try and control the center ground. Running after a lit button your opponent is closer to can leave you in a worse place for the next one. So pick your battles and don’t go after those lost causes!” The Slimescraper – Tumble to the top This spiritual successor to Slime Climb sows chaos across multiple floors in a dash to the summit! On your trip to the top, you’ll encounter a dizzying array of obstacles, from Conveyer Belts to Laser Swings, to Bounce Cubes and Turntables. Plus, Pinball Flippers galore await beans as a final challenge to outrun the slime. So, what’s the deal? “It’s easier said than done when the slime’s hot on your heels, but a lot of the obstacles can be overcome with a bit of patience,” muses Max Boyle (Game Designer). “When it comes to sections with Force Fields and Punching Gloves, keep an eye out for when they activate and how they cycle. Taking a moment to time your dash for the maximum window of opportunity is way safer than rushing!” Taking your time is all well and good, but what about when you’re teetering on the edge? Abbie Williams, junior community manager, had this to say… “Sticking to the walls is always the safest strategy, but it’s not the quickest. And while running headlong into obstacles rarely ends well, some of the trickier ones can actually end up being more friend than foe! Pinball Flippers can catapult you away from the rising slime in a real pinch. Plus, the end isn’t always the end – Bounce Poles on the walls below can help you clutch safety, so if you find yourself stumbling off, aim for a Round-saving upwards bounce!” Custom Lobbies – The host with the most Fall Guys Season 4.5 also sees the release of Custom Lobbies, enabling any player to host their own invitation-only Fall Guys match-up! Unique codes can be shared with the beans of your choice, with a wide array of Shows to dive into. Custom Lobbies with as few as four participants can now take on bountiful Shows from the main roster, right up to a full 60 players if you happen to be particularly popular (lucky you!) We’re super excited about Custom Lobbies and will be keeping a keen eye on community feedback to help with improvements and making this as fun as absolutely possible. Smoother stumbles – new variations, features and improvements The Blunderdome Construction Crew have been working hard to bring players all sorts of other exciting content, with today’s update bringing spicy additional features and fixes a plenty. Including… Dozens of Round variations – unexpected shenanigans have been added to your favourites, with fresh twists on classic Rounds and some devious Thicc Bonkus appearances Player reporting – Spot someone being a bad bean? You can now let us know immediately, in-game. Latency Improvements – Mantling and grabbing objects should now feel far more responsive. Connection quality indicator – Check your connection quality to troubleshoot with ease. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Season 4.5 is available to play right now on PlayStation! We absolutely cannot wait to hear what you think of Season 4.5 – see you in the Blunderdome. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/RBzWvcoMDTMView the full article

Hello everyone! We at Housemarque hope you are all enjoying Returnal. We’re so amazed by and grateful for the responses so far. I want to thank you on behalf of the entire team. In Returnal our goal was to use the DualSense wireless controller to provide a physical experience of feeling, fighting and exploring Atropos. We wanted to add texture and feedback both in terms of gameplay but also bring a new level of immersion and atmosphere. For the technical side and implementation, we have Harvey Scott, one of our amazing sound designers from PlayStation Studios’ Creative Services Group in London contributing to this post. Harvey was a key sound designer for the haptic feedback in Returnal, and a lot of what you feel in the game is Harvey’s amazing work. More from him later in the article. During production, our teams were some of the first in the world to experience and learn about PlayStation 5 at Housemarque. I remember clearly our XDEV Producer Pedro Sousa showed us some technical demos from teams in Japan, and he inspired us and drove us to make the most of this technology. We were all struck by the DualSense controller prototype and the potential presented by haptics and adaptive triggers. With the adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller, our Player Team at Housemarque performed lots of tests and research into how we could use this new functionality in Returnal. We knew we had amazing weaponry on Atropos and using the adaptive triggers for this firepower was a natural fit. Henri Markus, game designer, researched and spent a lot of time with the adaptive triggers, and eventually Henri and Harri Tikkanen, co-founder of Housemarque, came up with the alt-fire trigger functionality – pull half-way to focus aim, feel the satisfying click and then all the way down to enter the alt-fire mode. Less than a week after receiving the PS5 development kit and our own prototype of the controller, the feature was in the game. At first, implementation didn’t click for us. However, as we tested, refined, and polished, it all came together. We also started to envision our use of haptic feedback with the DualSense controller for Immersion, Communication and Power. Harvey will now provide more of a deep dive into how we wanted you to feel the journey, the texture and actions as you fight through Atropos with Selene to “White Shadow.” Next up, Housemarque Sound Designer, Harvey Scott, explains how Returnal’s soundscape ties together with the DualSense controller to make a truly immersive experience: The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback is powered by technology that makes it similar to that of a loudspeaker or headphones. Which means that as a sound designer, I can take the same principles and techniques used for designing sound and apply them to creating interesting haptic feedback experiences. When we first began working on Returnal we knew we had to realise the full potential of the DualSense controller, whilst also staying true to the other design pillars of the game, and above all, creating the best possible experience for the players exploring Atropos with Selene. Immersion The immediate new potential the DualSense controller brought to the table is the ability to fully convince and immerse players with haptic feedback detail that simply was not possible before. We can now provide subtle details that cross the threshold for what the hands and brain believe to be real and truly bring the players consciousness into the world on screen. As an example, the rain in Returnal is complemented by subtle raindrop haptic pulses, that are procedurally synthesised at runtime, which allowed us to refine and tweak the feel of them on the fly whilst playing in-game. The end result of that approach is that along with the visuals and audio, the haptic sensations produced by the DualSense controller give your subconscious brain yet another indication that it really is in the world of Atropos, standing in the rain. Something else that we were able to now do with more immersion than ever before are cinematics. They are an important backbone of the narrative experience and often a memorable and dramatic part of any game. Often, cinematics can be a somewhat passive experience compared to gameplay, but the ability to now provide haptic sensations to complement and reinforce the visual-audio experience with greater detail than ever before, means that we can really go all out in terms of making sure the player is fully engaged and literally feels each moment of the cinematic action on screen via the DualSense controller. Another key element of the haptic experience in Returnal is making sure the player can really feel their control over Selene’s movement during gameplay. For example, Selene dashing in a particular direction will weight the haptic feedback to the corresponding side of the controller, or the harder you land after jumping will dictate how hard you feel Selene’s feet hit the ground and her suit absorbing the shock. Collecting Obolites produce individual granular taps as each one is deposited into Selene’s suit, partly for the satisfaction of knowing you are racking up your Obolite balance piece by piece, but also to give the items a tangible physicality, with a level of detail that is only now possible with the DualSense controller. Communication Along with immersion, communication via haptics is yet another key game design tool unlocked by the DualSense controller, allowing us to telegraph critical cues during combat in new and attention-grabbing ways. For example, weapons in Returnal have an alt-fire ability that requires recharging between shots. During combat, knowing when that alt-fire ability is primed and ready to go can be the difference between life and death, so it is absolutely essential that the player is made aware of its readiness status. Part of the equation on how to communicate this, is via on-screen cues and with audio feedback, but now that we can provide a distinctive haptic pulse via the DualSense controller, we can really grab a player’s attention in the heat of combat and alert them to the one thing that could save Selene’s life, allowing them to continue their run. By using a unique haptic pulse for something like this, along with audio and visual cues, we hoped that players would develop a kind of Pavlovian response to hearing, seeing and now feeling the cue that their power weapon has just become available again. An interesting concept in Returnal that we wanted to communicate to players are parasites, which can grant beneficial traits to a player, but also ones that will actively damage you. We needed to differentiate damage caused by parasites to other sources in the game, the haptic sensation of the parasite’s tentacles gripping and tightening around your suit provided an interesting way to help make that differentiation, again communicating to the player and telegraphing critical information via the DualSense controller in new ways, rather than fully relying on traditional means to do so. Power When talking about what we wanted to convey via the DualSense controller in Returnal, we tried to use the full dynamic range of the haptic feedback capabilities and in doing so reserved power for when it was needed. Whilst the DualSense controller is capable of producing delicate raindrops, it’s often surprising that it is also able to produce jolts of power. We tried to preserve the most intense and heavy feeling haptic moments for the greatest threats in the game alongside the most powerful weapons and tools available to Selene. By using this restraint, we can generate a middle-ground baseline for where most haptics will sit on the power spectrum, but when the time comes to deliver a sense of weight and power we can really ramp up the intensity and take the player by surprise. For example, Returnal’s alt-fire ability known as Killsight produces an immensely powerful single shot projectile that devastates enemies as it travels through them at high velocity. To convey that level of focused power, we maximise the intensity of that haptic pulse so it stands out from all other haptic feedback, giving your hands a real sense of kickback and selling the power behind that ability’s potential for damage. So, although it may be tempting to give every aspect of the game haptic feedback that turns the DualSense controller’s power up to 11, by reserving it only for the right moment we can help ensure that Returnal provides a huge range of different tactile sensations from individual raindrops, to the sensation of releasing arcing bolts of electricity that shatter Selene’s foes with immense power. Cheers, Harvey. So here’s our origins with the DualSense controller, our philosophy and how we brought it to life in Returnal. It was a big team effort to pull this off. Enjoy Returnal if you haven’t already, too. Thanks for reading and stay well all! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/bFYpfEYBeiQView the full article

Since the launch of the PS5 console last November, we’ve been delighted to hear all the amazing feedback and experiences about the DualSense wireless controller from the PlayStation community. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce two new colors that will be joining the DualSense controller lineup starting next month: Midnight Black and Cosmic Red. Midnight Black features two subtly different shades of black with light grey detailing to reflect how we view space through the night sky, and Cosmic Red offers a striking black and red design inspired by the unique vivid shades of red found throughout the cosmos. Play Video This new lineup of colors will be available at participating retailers globally starting next month. The exact date will vary by location, so check your local retailers for availability. Click here for more information about the new colors. The DualSense controller marked a radical departure from our previous controllers by delivering innovative features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers*. The features weren’t the only noticeable transformation – the bold, two-toned color choice was also a significant pivot from our previous controllers. As this marks the first release of new colors for the DualSense controller, we asked Leo Cardoso and Satoshi Aoyagi from our design team to share some additional insights about the color choice and selection process: “Our goal is to always find designs that will surprise and entice our fans, and these new colors are the result of an extensive selection process. We wanted the new controller colors to complement each other, as well as the original DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console, so we designed the colors around the theme of ‘galaxy’ as it felt like a natural progression from the original PS5 and accessories designs.” – Leo Cardoso “Both Midnight Black and Cosmic Red feature a subtle blue hue, that produces unique shades of red and black. A blue hue is also present in the original DualSense wireless controller colors, so all three colors complement each other nicely. The controller’s button colors and detailing has been tailored to complement the new colors as well. We hope these new additions will bring further joy and excitement to our fans’ gaming experience.” – Satoshi Aoyagi Lastly, in celebration of today’s DualSense controller announcement, we’re excited to share some insight on how developers are taking advantage of the controller’s unique features. Keep your eyes peeled on PlayStation.Blog today for a deep dive into Returnal’s robust haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support, as well as insights from other teams hard at work on new PS5 titles. Let us know in the comments what you think of the new colors and head to playstation.com to find out more! *Available in games that support these features http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/Ca7DXIjw770View the full article

Hello again, PlayStation! Today we’re thrilled to announce that we’re releasing a native PlayStation 5 version of Manifold Garden next week on May 20. Even better, if you own the PS4 version or the PS4 Deluxe Edition, you will be able to upgrade for free! Here is our launch trailer for Manifold Garden on PS5: Play Video The PS5 version of the game runs at native 4K at 60 FPS and loads very fast. If you want to load the game even faster, you can “Resume” from an activity card and begin playing the game within five seconds. We’ve also taken full advantage of the haptics made possible by the DualSense wireless controller. Additionally, the entire title supports the Official Game Help feature for eligible PlayStation Plus subscribers. Every puzzle in the main progression of the game is fully documented in solution videos without showing you puzzles you haven’t already seen. So what does the extra fidelity of the PS5 version look like in practice for Manifold Garden? A core part of the game is traversing through beautiful and impossible architecture, so we’re thrilled that players can experience the world as it was meant to be viewed – in full 4K. It also means higher levels of details and more objects on screen for some of our more complicated visual effects: And finally, the significantly improved draw distance of the PS5 version really helps build the unsettling and beautiful atmosphere, surrounding the player in an endlessly recurring sequence of geometry. One of our favorite enhancements for the PlayStation 5 version is the haptic feedback on the DualSense wireless controller. This technology has allowed us to make the game even more immersive. When you open a door that’s far away, you’ll experience a faint pulse. Likewise, when a laser moves from one side of the screen to the other, you’ll feel that same direction mirrored in the controller. There’s even a particular moment in the game when the geometry appears to be corrupted, and the haptic feedback that accompanies this really captures the feeling of a world being torn apart. We’re also announcing a collaboration with iam8bit today to bring the PS5 version of the game to retail, with brand new cover art and an exclusive pop-up card if you buy directly from iam8bit’s store. The soundtrack is also being released in a beautiful 2xLP Vinyl set with its own gatefold pop-up. A lot of love and care went into making sure these are stunning and works of art in their own right, and we can’t wait for them to get into your hands. The soundtrack also features two exclusive tracks not found on any digital version of the soundtrack that accompany the alternate endings found in Manifold Garden. Pre-orders for the physical PlayStation 5 version of the game as well as the 2xLP Vinyl set begin today. Thank you for all of your support. At eight and a half years of development and counting, we truly couldn’t have gotten here without you. We are absolutely thrilled with the critical and player reception, and we hope you enjoy the PS5 version of Manifold Garden as much as we do. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/Wxnq1qpp2kQView the full article

The Extended Play promotion launches on PlayStation Store on Wednesday, May 12. For two weeks*, you can enjoy deep discounts on a variety of deluxe editions, which include not just the base game, but extra content such as campaign expansions, season passes and more. Check out the full list of games below, then head to PlayStation Store’s dedicated page when the promotion goes live to find out your regional discount. Check out the full list of games below, then head to PlayStation Store’s dedicated page when the promotion goes live to find out your regional discount. 1 Blue Orb 100,000 Red Orbs 2 Blue Orbs 5 Blue Orbs 5-Coin Set & Madhouse Mode Unlock Age of Wonders: Planetfall – Star Kings Alienation – Season Pass Alt Hero Colors Alt Heroine Colors Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla + Immortals Fenyx Rising™ Bundle Assassin’s Creed Antiquity Pack Assassin’s Creed Legendary Collection Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Gold Edition Assassin’s Creed Origins – Gold Edition Assassin’s Creed Origins – Season Pass Asstto Corsa – Ultimate Edition Attack Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Azur Lane: Crosswave – Deluxe Bundle Batman: Return to Arkham Battlefield 1 – Revolution Bee Simulator Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Gold Edition Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – Digital Deluxe Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Deluxe Call of Duty: Ghosts – Gold Edition Call of Duty: WWII – Digital Deluxe Castlevania Anniversary Collection Classic Costume Pack Cold Sun cosmetic pack Contra Anniversary Collection Control – Expansion Pack 1 ‘The Foundation’ Control – Season Pass Control Expansion 2 “AWE” Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled + Spyro Game Bundle Crossout – Arachnida Crossout – Born Free Pack Crossout – ‘Corrida’ Pack Crossout – ‘Drive’ Pack Crossout – Polymorph Pack CRSED – Age of Nagual Pack CRSED – Biker Queen Pack CRSED – Holy Beast Pack Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition Dead Rising: Triple Bundle Pack Deal of the Day Unlock Death end re;Quest 2 – Deluxe Pack Defense Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Deluxe Kit Destiny 2: Beyond Light Destiny 2: Beyond Light + 1 Season Destiny 2: Beyond Light Deluxe Edition Destiny 2: Forsaken Destiny 2: Legendary Edition Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Detroit: Become Human – Digital Deluxe Edition Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition – Demon Hunter Bundle Devil May Cry 5 – Deluxe Upgrade Devil May Cry HD Collection Devil May Cry HD Collection & 4SE Bundle Dishonored & Prey: The Arkane Collection DMC5SE – 1 Blue Orb DMC5SE – 3 Blue Orbs DMC5SE – 5 Blue Orbs DMC5SE – V & Vergil Alt Colors DOOM + Wolfenstein II Bundle Dragon Ball FighterZ – Android 17 Dragon Ball FighterZ – Bardock Dragon Ball FighterZ – Broly Dragon Ball FighterZ – Broly (Dragon Ball Super) Dragon Ball FighterZ – FighterZ Pass Dragon Ball FighterZ – FighterZ Pass 2 Dragon Ball FighterZ – Gogeta (SSGSS) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Goku Dragon Ball FighterZ – Goku (GT) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Janemba Dragon Ball FighterZ – Jiren Dragon Ball FighterZ – Kefla Dragon Ball FighterZ – SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta Unlock Dragon Ball FighterZ – Vegeta Dragon Ball FighterZ – Vegito (SSGSS) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Videl Dragon Ball FighterZ – Zamasu (Fused) Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 – Ultra Pack Set Elite Forces cosmetic pack Empire of Sin – Deluxe Edition Empire of Sin – Premium Edition Euro Fishing: Season Pass US Edition Euro Fishing: Urban Edition Farmer’s Dynasty Farming Simulator 19 – Alpine Expansion Farming Simulator 19 – Anderson Group Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – Bourgault DLC Farming Simulator 19 – CLAAS Dominator 108 SL Maxi DLC Farming Simulator 19 – CLAAS Torion 1914 Dev Mule DLC Farming Simulator 19 – GRIMME Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – John Deere Cotton DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Kverneland & Vicon Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – Mahindra Retriever DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Platinum Expansion Farming Simulator 19 – Rottne DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Season Pass FAST & FURIOUS CROSSROADS: Deluxe Edition FIA European Truck Racing Championship FIFA 21 Champions Edition PS4™ & PS5™ Final Fantasy XV – Episode Ardyn Final Fantasy XV – Episode Gladiolus Final Fantasy XV – Episode Ignis Final Fantasy XV – Episode Prompto Final Fantasy XV – Royal Edition Final Fantasy XV – Royal Pack Final Fantasy XV – Season Pass Final Fantasy XV Multiplayer: Comrades Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Bass Pro Shops Equipment Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Big Fish Lure Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Collector’s Edition Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Giant Carp Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Lake Nelson Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Lough Kerr + Talon Fishery Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Tackle Box Equipment Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Tournament Bass Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Trophy Hunter’s Equipment Pack Goat MMO Simulator Goat Simulator Goat Simulator DLC Bundle Goat Simulator: GoatZ Goat Simulator: Payday Goat Simulator: The GOATY Goat Simulator: Waste of Space Greedfall – Adventurer’s Gear DLC Handball 21 Helldivers: Super-Earth Ultimate Edition How to Survive: Storm Warning Edition Hunt: Showdown – Blood and Bone Bundle Hunt: Showdown – The Uncanny Bundle Hunting Simulator Hunting Simulator 2 Bear Hunter Edition In-game Unlock Bundle Instinct Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Journey: Collector’s Edition Jump Force – Character Pass 2 Jump Force – Deluxe Edition Just Cause 3: XXL Edition Just Cause 4 – Black Market Pack Just Dance 2021 Just Dance® 2021 Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Complete Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Klassic MK Movie Skin Pack Labyrinth Life: Deluxe Edition Lady & Trish Costume Pack LEGO DC Super-Villains LEGO DC Super-Villains – Season Pass LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – Deluxe Edition LEGO Marvel’s Avengers Deluxe Edition Let’s Sing Country Masquerade Skin Pack Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 & 2 Combo Pack Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2 MHW:I – Capcom Collection Value Pack MHW:I – Seliana Room Value Pack MHW:I – Complete BGM Pack MHW:I – Complete Gesture & Pose Pack MHW:I – Complete Hairstyle Pack MHW:I – Complete Handler Costume Pack MHW:I – Complete Pendant Pack MHW:I – Complete Room Decor Pack MHW:I – Complete Sticker Pack MHW:I – Trendsetter Value Pack Monster Energy Supercross 4 – Special Edition Monster Hunter: World – Complete Gesture Pack Monster Hunter: World – Complete Handler Costume Pack Monster Hunter: World – Complete Sticker Pack Monster Hunter: World – DLC Collection Monster Hunter: World – Iceborne – Deluxe Kit Monster Hunter: World – Iceborne Master Edition Digital Deluxe Monster Hunter: World: – Iceborne Digital Deluxe Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV Mortal Kombat 11 Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack 2 Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Expansion Mosaic – Original Soundtrack Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker – Season Pass Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker – Season Pass 2 NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER Season Pass 3 Necromunda: Underhive Wars – Cawdor Gang Necromunda: Underhive Wars – Van Saar Gang Need for Speed Heat: Deluxe Edition Neptunia Virtual Stars – Deluxe Set NHL™ 21 Deluxe Edition NHL™ 21 Great Eight Edition Nightmare Pack Nioh Season Pass One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 – Deluxe Edition One Piece: World Seeker – Deluxe Edition One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows – Character Pass One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows – Digital Deluxe Edition Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2 Overcooked! 2 – Gourmet Edition Paladins Deluxe Edition Paladins Gold Edition Paladins Season Pass 2021 Paladins Starter Edition Persona 5 Royal – Battle Bundle Persona 5 Royal – Kasumi Costume Pack Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight – Costume and BGM Special Set Persona 5: Ultimate Edition Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville: Deluxe Edition Prey – Mooncrash Prey + Dishonored 2 Bundle Prison Architect – DLC Bundle Prison Architect – Going Green Prison Architect – Island Bound Prison Architect: All Day and a Night DLC Prison Architect: Escape Mode DLC Prison Architect: PlayStation 4 Edition Prison Architect: Psych Ward DLC Project CARS 2 Deluxe Edition Project CARS 3 Deluxe Edition Proud Souls (200,000) Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin Rad Rodgers Raid Mode: Assault Rifle NSR47 & Parts Raid Mode: Chicago Typewriter & Parts Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 12 Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 25 Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 5 Raid Mode: Python & Parts Raid Mode: Samurai Edge & Parts Raid Mode: Shotgun TAP194 & Parts Raid Mode: Sniper Rifle SVD & Parts Rebecca – Shadow of Fear T-shirt Red Orbs (300,000) Reload Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Remnant: From the Ashes – Subject 2923 Remnant: From the Ashes – Swamps of Corsus Resident Evil 0 – Complete Costume Pack Resident Evil 0 – Costume Pack 1 Resident Evil 0 – Costume Pack 2 Resident Evil 0 – Costume Pack 3 Resident Evil 0 – Costume Pack 4 Resident Evil 2 – Claire Costume: ‘Elza Walker’ Resident Evil 2 – Claire Costume: ‘Military’ Resident Evil 2 – Claire Costume: ‘Noir’ Resident Evil 2 – Deluxe Weapon ‘Samurai Edge – Albert Model’ Resident Evil 2 – Deluxe Weapon ‘Samurai Edge – Chris Model’ Resident Evil 2 – Deluxe Weapon ‘Samurai Edge – Jill Model’ Resident Evil 2 – Leon Costume: ‘Arklay Sheriff’ Resident Evil 2 – Leon Costume: ‘Noir’ Resident Evil 2 – Original Ver. Soundtrack Swap Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode Four: Metamorphosis Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode Three: Judgment Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode Two: Contemplation Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Extra Episode: Little Miss Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Extra Episode: The Struggle Ride 3 – Gold Edition Rogue Company: Rogue Edition Rogue Company: Ultimate Edition Rogue Company: Year 1 Pass Rugby 20 Sakura Wars: Digital Deluxe Edition Season 1 cosmetic pack Shadow Warrior Shadow Warrior 2 Shalnor Legends: Sacred Lands Shao Kahn Skyforge: Pioneer Pack Skyforge: Revenant Quickplay Pack Skyforge: Slayer Quickplay Pack Skyforge: Soundweaver Quickplay Pack Skyforge: Wardens of the Wasteland – Collector’s Pack Smite – Ultimate God Pack SMITE Digital Deluxe Edition 2021 SMITE Season Pass 2021 Sonic Mania – Encore DLC Star Wars Battlefront – Ultimate Edition Stellaris: Apocalypse Stellaris: Console Edition – Deluxe Edition Stellaris: Console Edition – Deluxe Upgrade Pack Stellaris: Console Edition – Expansion Pass Three Stellaris: Console Edition – Expansion Pass Two Stellaris: Console Edition – Leviathans Story Pack Stellaris: Console Edition – Plantoids Species Pack Stellaris: Console Edition – Utopia Stellaris: Distant Stars Story Pack Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack Stellaris: MegaCorp Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn Story Pack Super Character 3-Pack Super Neptunia RPG – Deluxe Bundle Super Nero/Super Dante/Super Vergil Surviving Mars – Digital Deluxe Edition Surviving Mars – First Colony Edition Surviving Mars – Green Planet Surviving Mars – Green Planet Plus Surviving Mars – Project Laika Surviving Mars – Season Pass Surviving Mars – Space Race Surviving Mars – Space Race Plus Surviving Mars – Stellaris Dome Set SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris Deluxe Edition Team Sonic Racing & Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD Tennis World Tour Tennis World Tour – Legends Edition Tennis World Tour 2 Tennis World Tour: Roland-Garros Edition TERA Coin 1,000 TERA Coin 10,000 (+1,000 Bonus) TERA Coin 2,000 (+100 Bonus) TERA Coin 5,000 (+300 Bonus) The Catch: Carp & Coarse – Jezioro Bestii The Catch: Carp & Coarse Fishing The Escapists + The Escapists: The Walking Dead Collection The Escapists 2 – Big Top Breakout The Escapists 2 – Dungeons and Duct Tape The Escapists 2 – The Glorious Regime The Escapists 2 – Wicked Ward The Escapists: Supermax Edition The Last of Us: Left Behind The LEGO Games Bundle The Outer Worlds: Board-Approved Bundle The Sinking City The Sinking City: Necronomicon Edition The Surge – A Walk in the Park The Surge – CREO Special Employee Kit The Surge – The Good, the Bad and the Augmented The Surge 2 The Surge 2 – Jericho’s Legacy Gear Pack The Surge 2 – Premium Edition The Surge 2 – Public Enemy Weapon Pack The Surge 2 – Season Pass The Surge 2 – The Kraken Expansion The Surge 2 – URBN Gear Pack The Survivalists – Deluxe Edition The Unicorn Princess The Yakuza Origins Digital Bundle The Yakuza Remastered Collection Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands – Ultimate Edition Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2 Tour de France 2018 Tour de France 2019 Train Sim World – Amtrak SW1000R Loco Add-on Train Sim World – Caltrain MP15DC Diesel Switcher Train Sim World – Caltrain MP36PH-3C ‘Baby Bullet’ Train Sim World – Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr: Duisburg – Bochum Train Sim World – Main Spessart Bahn: Aschaffenburg – Gemünden Train Sim World – Northern Trans-Pennine Train Sim World – Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose Route Train Sim World – Tees Valley Line: Darlington – Saltburn Train Sim World 2020 – Rhein-Ruhr Osten: Wuppertal – Hagen Train Sim World 2020: Collector’s Edition Train Sim World® 2: Arosalinie: Chur – Arosa Train Sim World® 2: Caltrain MP15DC Diesel Switcher Train Sim World® 2: Caltrain MP36PH-3C ‘Baby Bullet’ Train Sim World® 2: Clinchfield Railroad: Elkhorn – Dante Train Sim World® 2: Collector’s Edition Train Sim World® 2: Deluxe Edition Train Sim World® 2: Great Western Express Train Sim World® 2: Haupststrecke München – Augsburg Train Sim World® 2: Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr Train Sim World® 2: Isle Of Wight: Ryde – Shanklin Train Sim World® 2: LGV Méditerranée: Marseille – Avignon Train Sim World® 2: Main Spessart Bahn: Aschaffenburg – Gemünden Train Sim World® 2: Northern Trans-Pennine Train Sim World® 2: Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose Train Sim World® 2: Rhein-Ruhr Osten: Wuppertal – Hagen Train Sim World® 2: Ruhr-Sieg Nord Train Sim World® 2: Southeastern BR Class 465 EMU Train Sim World® 2: Tees Valley Line: Darlington – Saltburn-By-The-Sea Two Point Hospital: Close Encounters Two Point Hospital: Exhibition Items Pack Two Point Hospital: JUMBO Edition Two Point Hospital: JUMBO Edition Upgrade Two Point Hospital: Off the Grid Two Point Hospital: Retro Items Pack UFC® 4 Deluxe Edition Umbrella Corps – Fashion Victim Pack Umbrella Corps – Upgrade Pack Underground Cosmetic Pack Universal Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Unlock All Modes Vosaria: Lair of the Forgotten V-Rally 4 – Ultimate Edition War Thunder – Fiat G.91 R/4 War Thunder – M4A1 FL10 War Thunder – M4A4 Sherman War Thunder – Mangusta War Thunder – Scout War Thunder – Sea Hawk War Thunder – Strv 103-0 Warface – Essential Pack Warface – Heroic Edition Warface – Legendary Edition Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr: Imperium Edition Warhammer Pack: Hack and Slash Warhammer: Chaosbane Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – Premium Edition Watch Dogs 2 – Gold Edition Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood Champion of Gaia Pack WRC 5 eSports Edition WRC 6 FIA World Rally Championship WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship: Deluxe Edition WRC 9 Deluxe Edition FIA World Rally Championship PS4 & PS5 WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship PS4 & PS5 WRC Collection WWE 2K20: Deluxe Edition Yakuza: Like a Dragon Crafting Mat Set Yakuza: Like a Dragon Job Set Yakuza: Like a Dragon Karaoke Set Yakuza: Like a Dragon Management Mode Set Yakuza: Like a Dragon Stat Boost Set Yakuza: Like a Dragon Ultimate Costume Set Yooka-Laylee – Buddy Duo Bundle 1 Blue Orb 100,000 Red Orbs 2 Blue Orbs 5 Blue Orbs 5-Coin Set & Madhouse Mode Unlock Abyss Odyssey: Extended Dream Edition Age of Wonders: Planetfall – Star Kings Alienation – Season Pass Alt Hero Colors Alt Heroine Colors Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Ultimate Edition Assassin’s Creed Origins – Deluxe Edition Assassin’s Creed Origins – Season Pass Asstto Corsa – Ultimate Edition Attack Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Batman: Return to Arkham Battlefield 1 – Revolution Bee Simulator Bloodborne: The Old Hunters Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Gold Edition Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – Digital Deluxe Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Deluxe Call of Duty: Ghosts – Gold Edition Call of Duty: WWII – Digital Deluxe Castlevania Anniversary Collection Citizens of Earth Citizens of Space Classic Costume Pack Cold Sun cosmetic pack Contra Anniversary Collection Control – Expansion Pack 1 ‘The Foundation’ Control – Season Pass Control Expansion 2 “AWE” Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled + Spyro Game Bundle Crossout – Arachnida Crossout – Born Free Pack Crossout – ‘Corrida’ Pack Crossout – ‘Drive’ Pack Crossout – Polymorph Pack CRSED – Age of Nagual Pack CRSED – Biker Queen Pack CRSED – Holy Beast Pack Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition Dead Rising – Triple Bundle Pack Deal of the Day Unlock Defense Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Deluxe Kit Destiny 2: Beyond Light Destiny 2: Beyond Light + 1 Season Destiny 2: Beyond Light Deluxe Edition Destiny 2: Forsaken Destiny 2: Legendary Edition Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Detroit: Become Human – Digital Deluxe Edition Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition – Demon Hunter Bundle Devil May Cry 5 – Deluxe Upgrade Devil May Cry HD Collection Devil May Cry HD Collection & 4SE Bundle Dishonored & Prey: The Arkane Collection DMC5SE – 1 Blue Orb DMC5SE – 3 Blue Orbs DMC5SE – 5 Blue Orbs DMC5SE – V & Vergil Alt Colors DOOM + Wolfenstein II Bundle Dragon Ball FighterZ – Android 17 Dragon Ball FighterZ – Bardock Dragon Ball FighterZ – Broly Dragon Ball FighterZ – Broly (Dragon Ball Super) Dragon Ball FighterZ – FighterZ Pass 2 Dragon Ball FighterZ – Gogeta (SSGSS) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Goku Dragon Ball FighterZ – Goku (GT) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Goku (Ultra Instinct) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Janemba Dragon Ball FighterZ – Jiren Dragon Ball FighterZ – Kefla Dragon Ball FighterZ – SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta Unlock Dragon Ball FighterZ – Vegeta Dragon Ball FighterZ – Vegito (SSGSS) Dragon Ball FighterZ – Videl Dragon Ball FighterZ – Zamasu (Fused) Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 – Ultra Pack Set Elite Forces cosmetic pack Empire of Sin – Deluxe Edition Empire of Sin – Premium Edition Euro Fishing: Season Pass Euro Fishing: Urban Edition Farmer’s Dynasty Farming Simulator 19 – Alpine Expansion Farming Simulator 19 – Anderson Group Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – Bourgault DLC Farming Simulator 19 – CLAAS Dominator 108 SL Maxi DLC Farming Simulator 19 – CLAAS Torion 1914 Dev Mule DLC Farming Simulator 19 – GRIMME Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – John Deere Cotton DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Kverneland & Vicon Equipment Pack Farming Simulator 19 – Mahindra Retriever DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Platinum Expansion Farming Simulator 19 – Rottne DLC Farming Simulator 19 – Season Pass FAST & FURIOUS CROSSROADS: Deluxe Edition FIA European Truck Racing Championship FIFA 21 Champions Edition PS4™ & PS5™ Final Fantasy XV – Episode Ardyn Final Fantasy XV – Episode Gladiolus Final Fantasy XV – Episode Ignis Final Fantasy XV – Episode Prompto Final Fantasy XV – Royal Edition Final Fantasy XV – Royal Pack Final Fantasy XV – Season Pass Final Fantasy XV Multiplayer: Comrades Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Bass Pro Shops Equipment Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Big Fish Lure Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Collector’s Edition Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Giant Carp Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Lake Nelson Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Lough Kerr + Talon Fishery Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Tackle Box Equipment Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Tournament Bass Pack Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour – Trophy Hunter’s Equipment Pack FlatOut 4 – Total Insanity Greedfall – Adventurer’s Gear DLC Handball 21 Helldivers: Super-Earth Ultimate Edition How to Survive: Storm Warning Edition Hunt: Showdown – Blood and Bone Bundle Hunt: Showdown – The Uncanny Bundle Hunting Simulator Hunting Simulator 2 Bear Hunter Edition In-game Unlock Bundle Instinct Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Journey: Collector’s Edition Jump Force – Character Pass 2 Jump Force – Deluxe Edition Just Cause 3: XXL Edition Just Cause 4 – Black Market Pack Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Complete Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Klassic MK Movie Skin Pack Labyrinth Life: Deluxe Edition Lady & Trish Costume Pack LEGO DC Super-Villains LEGO DC Super-Villains – Season Pass LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – Deluxe Edition LEGO Marvel’s Avengers Deluxe Edition Let’s Sing 2020 Let’s Sing 2021 Masquerade Skin Pack Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 & 2 Combo Pack Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2 MHW:I – Capcom Collection Value Pack MHW:I – Seliana Room Value Pack MHW:I – Complete BGM Pack MHW:I – Complete Gesture & Pose Pack MHW:I – Complete Hairstyle Pack MHW:I – Complete Handler Costume Pack MHW:I – Complete Pendant Pack MHW:I – Complete Room Decor Pack MHW:I – Complete Sticker Pack MHW:I – Trendsetter Value Pack Monster Energy Supercross 4 – Special Edition Monster Hunter: World – Complete Gesture Pack Monster Hunter: World – Complete Handler Costume Pack Monster Hunter: World – Complete Sticker Pack Monster Hunter: World – DLC Collection Monster Hunter: World – Iceborne – Deluxe Kit Monster Hunter: World – Iceborne Master Edition Digital Deluxe Monster Hunter: World: – Iceborne Digital Deluxe Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack 2 Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Expansion Mosaic – Original Soundtrack MXGP2 – Special Edition Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker – Season Pass Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker – Season Pass 2 NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER Season Pass 3 Necromunda: Underhive Wars – Cawdor Gang Necromunda: Underhive Wars – Van Saar Gang NHL™ 21 Deluxe Edition NHL™ 21 Great Eight Edition Nightmare Pack Nioh 2 Season Pass Nioh Season Pass One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 – Deluxe Edition One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows – Character Pass One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows – Digital Deluxe Edition Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2 Overcooked! 2 – Gourmet Edition Paladins Deluxe Edition Paladins Gold Edition Paladins Season Pass 2021 Paladins Starter Edition Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight Persona 5 Royal – Battle Bundle Persona 5 Royal – Kasumi Costume Pack Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight – Costume and BGM Special Set Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville: Deluxe Edition Prey – Mooncrash Prey + Dishonored 2 Bundle Prison Architect – DLC Bundle Prison Architect – Going Green Prison Architect – Island Bound Prison Architect: All Day and a Night DLC Prison Architect: Escape Mode DLC Prison Architect: PlayStation 4 Edition Prison Architect: Psych Ward DLC Project CARS 2 Deluxe Edition Project CARS 3 Deluxe Edition Proud Souls (200,000) Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin Rad Rodgers Raid Mode: Assault Rifle NSR47 & Parts Raid Mode: Chicago Typewriter & Parts Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 12 Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 25 Raid Mode: Life Crystals X 5 Raid Mode: Python & Parts Raid Mode: Samurai Edge & Parts Raid Mode: Shotgun TAP194 & Parts Raid Mode: Sniper Rifle SVD & Parts Rebecca – Shadow of Fear T-shirt Red Orbs (300,000) Reload Coin & Madhouse Mode Unlock Remnant: From the Ashes – Subject 2923 Remnant: From 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My name is Johannes Koski and I’m the UI/UX Director of Returnal here at Housemarque. My role in the project has been both taking part in the design and overseeing and supporting the work done by the team. I’ve had the privilege to work with a diverse multi-disciplinary group of amazing designers, artists, programmers, and audio specialists. We’ve just launched a game that has been my ultimate dream project since I was a little kid, so I’m super excited to be able to share something about our game’s UX! Gameplay first The goal of a game’s UI is pretty straightforward: it guides the player and supports the game. In other words it gives the player all the necessary information and tools they need to understand and enjoy the game’s mechanics and at the same time it supports the game’s artistic core and storytelling with aesthetic means. In practice this unravels to hundreds of hours of planning, user interface design, concepting, usability studies, artistic choices, motion design, audio development, optimization, programming, player onboarding, and tutorial design to name a few areas. Our core design principle is “gameplay first”. When designing the overall UX, one of our main goals was to remove all possible distractions from the second-to-second gameplay. We wanted to keep all the menus as clean and as minimal as possible. We even made the decision to not have a title screen or main menu at all and take the player always directly to the action. We spent a considerable amount of time finessing all the HUD communications so that the player is always aware of critical gameplay information during intense bullet hell combat. We iterated a lot to find the perfect animation timings, intuitive color coding systems, and optimal information hierarchy to support various gameplay scenarios, etc. The most crucial information needs to be communicated at the player’s immediate visual focus point — in and near the reticle. Some critical guidance can be shown diegetically in and around the player character model and the actual game world. The content that is not essential for second-to-second survival can be shown in the periphery of the HUD. Then we have the most important scenarios like near-death, low-health situations, where we throw everything we have at the player’s senses: HUD visor glass cracks and digital glitch animations, threatening vignettes, flashing warning icons, diegetic warning lights in player’s space suit, game world post-processing, health gauge color coding, player character animation, voice-over, VFX, emergency audio signals, and engaging haptic feedback. The 3D map We’re especially happy how our unique 3D map and HUD minimap turned out. There’s a lot of verticality in our levels so a compass or a traditional 2D map wasn’t enough. It was challenging to create a map system for randomly generated levels that was precise, looked good stylistically and wouldn’t cause a performance hit. The map will be very helpful for both player guidance and planning combat flow. Audio and haptics We’re using a wide variety of 3D Audio, DualSense wireless controller audio, and haptics to keep the player aware of their situation and surroundings even though their visual focus would be in combat and player survival. For example we implemented a rising charge-up UI sound that telegraphs the charge level of the alternative weapon fire, resolving in a distinct UI audio cue and haptics pulse once it’s fully charged. The haptics for this feature get prioritized in gameplay to give the player feedback on the most important combat cues. Malignant items emit a heartbeat-like haptics pulse when nearby the player. This heightens the sense of risk and reward associated with these special items and helps in differentiating them from other pickups. Parasites are another feature that received bespoke audio and haptics. Once you pick one of these up and it becomes attached to your suit, distinct haptic textures and audio cues of the parasite are used to remind the player they picked one up and that it’s active on the suit, potentially causing damage. The hologram projections appearing while scanning a new item have been complimented by both haptics and sound effects, providing a granular sense of the scanner sweeping through the object as well as adding tactile weight to the interaction experience. Sending these sounds through the controller speaker as well made the whole scanning experience a lot more physical and real for the player. Haunting industrial nostalgia For Returnal’s UI art direction, the main direction came from who Selene was, the company she worked for, and the technology she would have available to her. Strictly industrial and functional. This technology is also susceptible to damage and glitch errors because of the devices it’s displayed on: CRT monitors, tactile wrist computer displays, etc. There’s a great correlation between the dated ‘70s aesthetic and good sci-fi horror. This could be because many of us grew up watching these movies and so they stay with us because of that sense of nostalgia. Our primary UI/HUD color is a haunting shade of teal that partly originates from the early monochrome cathode-ray tube computer monitors and tactical night-vision gear. The usage of this particular ghostly color also creates an eerie sense of looming horror. (Concept art from Returnal, Mighty Canvas) Looking at old consoles used in traditional industries, there is dedicated space for each component, most of the options are binary and there are no fancy gradients, transitions or effects. It’s chunky and clunky, with little attention to visual flourishes. We took this idea and limited the effects that we would use. So there is little to no directional motion. Everything flickers on and off. We chose to not create any layers. So no pop-ups over the screen UIs, as this felt too technically developed. The color palette was strict and the only effects and ambient animations are the ones we use to replicate the CRT aesthetic. Accessibility and customization For the controls customization we wanted to make it as intuitive as possible and designed it so that the controller map is the very first thing you see when entering the options menu. From there we wanted to draw you in to trying out a different controller preset or create your own to fit your play style. We put a lot of focus on making the remapping process easy to understand and use. Allowing you to quickly get an overview of where the actions are mapped, using a dynamic graphic on the right, we show where on the controller the action is currently mapped and if deciding to swap, showing which input you swap with. While moving around actions and changing the layout of the DualSense wireless controller, we made sure you could easily see an overview of all of your changes directly from the remapping. A simple button press will bring up the full controller map so you can view your custom setup at any time. This approach to previewing your changes was carried forward to use for other settings to make it easy to see your changes without having to return to gameplay for each change. When using a custom preset and you have rotated the whole controller for example, the preview on the right hand column will dynamically update to reflect that.If you are changing the deadzone on the right stick, we highlight the stick in the preview to make it clear which one you are changing. Returnal has many different settings for controls, gameplay, audio, and video, and within these categories are features developed for accessibility. We worked from the ethos of these not being separated out to an “accessibility” category because there is such a wide range of players with different needs and these features can be used by everyone who wants them ensuring that we include rather than exclude players. We also gave the player a larger range of choices for color blind mode. We added a slider for intensity so you can try it out and select what works for you. In addition we created three alternative color palettes for certain colors in the UI. The colors were selected based on their visibility and clarity for the three main color blind types: Deuteranopia, Protanopia, and Tritanopia. These options were added for players to try them out and use them if they found they helped increase clarity and visibility of HUD elements and text. We did the same for the collectible item beam colors, offering alternative options for players that wanted them. We wanted to give you multiple options to play with when customizing the text. Adjusting the size, color, language, adding speaker names and background opacity were all added to make subtitles easier to read. All the changes can be previewed in the options menu, making their choice instantly clear to the player in the menu negating the need to exit and see the changes in-game. Thanks for taking the time to learn about Returnal’s UI/UX art direction, and to all the players who have joined us on this journey. Returnal is out now on PS5. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/KXd0z5OkGCAView the full article

We’re excited to announce that Days of Play is back for 2021 to celebrate the passionate PlayStation community around the globe! Play Video We wanted to make this year’s event even more special and engaging for our gamers. That’s why this year’s Days of Play will feature various activities across a few weeks to celebrate the power of play and the vibrancy of our community by connecting gamers together. PlayStation Player Celebration* PlayStation Player Celebration is back! This special event calls on our player community to join together to achieve a shared set of goals and earn exclusive PSN avatars and PS4 themes in the process.** Registration starts today and will remain open until May 31. Stage One kicks off on May 18 – here are steps to participate: Play Video 1. Sign Up Register with your PSN Sign-In ID here. Once you sign up, you’re automatically entered into all future Stages of the program. The event is open to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 users in the following locations: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, and the United States. 2. Start playing on May 18 There are three Stages throughout the event, with the first Stage kicking off on May 18. Each Stage will have the following Community Goals: Games Goal ● Play PS4/PS5 games — the Community must play a target number of games each week. Every PS4/PS5 game that each entrant plays for at least an hour (across as many sessions as you’d like during the week) will count towards the Games Goal. You’ll earn double points towards the goal if you play games with users on your Friends List (who have also signed up to participate). Trophies Goal ● Earn Trophies — the Community must earn a target number of Trophies each week. Each entrant can have a maximum of six PS4/PS5 Trophies count towards the Trophies Goal. Bonus Goal ● If the first set of goals are reached before the end of each Stage, there will be a new set of Bonus Goals the Community can work towards. 3. Earn exclusive PSN Avatars and PS4 Themes Everyone who signs up before a Stage begins can earn exclusive PSN avatars as well as PS4 dynamic themes (with custom music and icons) when the Community achieves the Games and Trophies Goals for that Stage. If the Community also achieves the Stage’s Bonus goals, players who signed up prior to the start of that Stage will receive additional PSN avatars. Finally, if the Community Goals for all Stages are met (excluding the Bonus goals), players who signed up and participated in all three Stages will receive a cumulative prize featuring an exclusive PSN avatar and PS4 theme set! The rewards will be delivered directly to your PS4 or PS5 via Notifications approximately 1-2 days after each Stage ends. Please note that the PS4 themes will only be downloadable on PS4, and not PS5. Check out the chart below to see the goals for each Stage. The goals reset at each Stage. Stage OneMay 18, 12:00am PDT – May 24, 11:59pm PDT May 18, 8:00am BST – May 25, 7:59am BST Community Goal: 2.4M Games played 7.2M Trophies earned Bonus Goal: 3.0M Games played 8.8M Trophies earned Prize: An exclusive PS4 dynamic theme An exclusive PSN avatar Bonus Prize: 3 exclusive PSN avatars Stage TwoMay 25, 12:00am PDT – May 31, 11:59pm PDT May 25, 8:00am BST – June 1, 7:59am BST Community Goal: 2.9M Games played 8.5M Trophies earned Bonus Goal: 3.6M Games played 10.4M Trophies earned Prize: Five exclusive PSN avatars Bonus Prize: 3 exclusive PSN avatars Stage ThreeJune 1, 12:00am PDT – June 7, 11:59pm PDT June 1, 8:00am BST – June 8, 7:59am BST Community Goal: 3.0M Games played 9.0M Trophies earned Bonus Goal: 3.7M Games played 11.0M Trophies earned Prize: An exclusive PS4 dynamic theme An exclusive PSN avatar Bonus Prize: 3 exclusive PSN avatars Cumulative Prize: If all goals (excluding bonus goals) are reached, entrants who participated every week will receive an additional PSN avatar and PS4 dynamic theme. Click here to learn more about the PlayStation Player Celebration and track the latest progress on goals and see Official Rules here. Make sure to check back often to see how the Community is doing, when each goal has been met, and when the next Stage begins. Days of Play Celebration Sale A Days of Play sale will kick off later this month, and the sale will feature PS4 and PS5 software titles, other select products, and more. Products on offer and prices will vary by region. We’ll have more details to share soon, so stay tuned! Free Online Multiplayer Weekend If you haven’t tried the online multiplayer benefit for PlayStation Plus yet, later this month, we’re hosting a free online multiplayer weekend where you’ll be able to access the online multiplayer modes in PS4 and PS5 games that you own. (Online multiplayer game sold separately. Requires internet connection and PlayStation Network account.) Play Video Share of the Week In celebration of Days of Play, PlayStation Blog will also host a specially themed Share of the Week. The first theme will be announced on May 14, so make sure to keep an eye out for that. We hope you’ll enjoy this year’s Days of Play and we’re looking forward to playing together. Happy Gaming! *Sign-ups May 11 – May 31. Competition ends June 7. The PlayStation player community may earn rewards by contributing to and meeting the Community Goals set each week. If you play with PSN friends, your contribution counts twice towards Games Goal. PlayStation Plus membership not required to enter or earn rewards. See Official Rules: playstation.com/days-of-play-celebration-rules. Participants must be 18+. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. **Entrants who are PS5 users will not be able to download the dynamic PS4 themes. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/O1tKMW9ybNQView the full article

3D audio has been one of PlayStation 5’s headline features ever since the console’s announce last year. Much like the system’s lightning-fast SSD and the DualSense wireless controller, the custom-built Tempest 3D audioTech was conceived to make your video game experience as immersive as possible in games that support it. On PS5, gamers can experience 3D audio with the stereo headphones that many already own, either through a USB dongle, USB wired headset, or wired headphones connected into the DualSense wireless controller’s 3.5mm jack. But you can fine tune the experience further: navigate to the 3D audio section within the Sound menu of your PS5 settings and pick which one of the five 3D audio profiles that sounds best to you. Play Video “We spent a long time deciding on the five audio profile settings for PS5,” explains Kenichi Imai, Deputy Head of the SIE Software Engineering Group, who helped build the Tempest engine. “Each person hears 3D audio differently, so these settings allow players to adjust sound to a level that’s closest to their ear level.” 3D audio has tantalizing applications for every genre. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen how it benefits action and horror with Returnal and Resident Evil Village. To learn more of how the tech is pushing the boundaries of immersion for those two titles, we went directly to the source: Housemarque and Capcom’s sound teams. Wataru Hachisako, Resident Evil Village’s Audio Director, believes 3D audio can bring something new to the iconic survival horror series. “It’s very important in the horror genre to apply fear to the player’s imagination through elements they cannot see,” he explains. “I want players to be able to enjoy the experience of encountering a new enemy, even before they’ve visually chanced upon it. I believe 3D audio has the specs to really amplify what we’re aiming for, not only before players get a chance to see an adversary, but also when coming directly in contact with it as well. The sounds that an adversary makes are more fleshed out and fill the space in a 3D environment, which helps to amplify the immersion a player may feel.” An extra level of cognizance that’ll only add to the tension as you are hunted by growling Lycans or stalked by Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters. That perception is equally crucial if you favour fight over flight. In Housemarque’s Returnal, you’re battling your way across a hostile alien planet. Atropos’ aggressive wildlife is diverse and weaponised. You’re always outnumbered and surrounded. In such dire circumstances, 3D audio is an important component to help you stay alive. “[It] gives you a real-time, total awareness of the battlefield,” explains Loic Couthier. Returnal’s Audio Lead outlines how the Tempest tech communicates essential info to the player. Be it dictating enemy positions (“it tells you what is above, below, behind you”) or where sounds are layered in the audio mix (“enemies you cannot see are given a higher priority than the ones you can”). One aspect of 3D audio is the ability to emphasize depth in a 3D space through noise. Returnal’s a great showcase for it, with every weapon discharge sounding distinct, based as it is on your position and the 3D space around you. Couthier details the technical science behind the wizardry. When you pull the R2 trigger on the DualSense controller, the game fires three dimensional sound rays from your weapon. When those rays hit an obstacle, be it a wall or other physical shape, a unique reflection sound is played back at you. As an example, blast off in a tunnel that opens up into a larger chamber, and you’ll hear that echo continue to cascade around that larger space. Those positional sounds are generated in real time, all in the split second it takes you to fire. It’s a lot of work, and all because of 3D audio. “It would not be worth the effort without it,” he concludes. Returnal’s audio mix smartly resequences that ‘ear-candy’ (as Couthier calls it), depending on the situation. In combat, they’re consigned to the background to allow you to focus ears (as well as eyes) on the immediate threat: the enemies that surround you. “Obviously, there is a visual UI that helps you figure out the direction from where an attack or enemy comes from. But 3D audio tells you the exact position to get to. It’s an instant, muscle memory action to turn and aim at the enemy. Without 3D audio you would have to navigate the camera until you see where the enemy is, you will probably get some damage due to the time spent searching. The tactical advantage is huge because you gain on reaction time and can plan a strategy according to your awareness of the battlefield.” He illustrates with a gameplay example. “Some of the most dangerous attacks can be melee from closest enemies. Even with those off screen, with 3D audio you can time and dodge their attacks in the right direction, while still shooting at another. Or decide to dodge and melee kill that close enemy before you resume your shooting. “This is all subconscious and intuitive. Sometimes you will notice 3D audio in some cool moments, but most of the time you use it without knowing. That is the real strength of it.” And it’s in the intertwining of 3D audio with other sensory inputs that helps elevate the entire gameplay experience on PS5. “By adding 3D audio to the presentation, greater detail and depth is added to the graphics, and players will also sense more minor differences in the depth and feel of all the different areas they encounter,” answers Hachisako when asked what 3D audio adds to Resident Evil’s horror vibes. “Whether it’s a cold winter breeze rattling a rooftop, the absence of sound that hides the presence of something hiding in the darkness, an adversary that jumps in front of the player, or the peaceful melody of the safe room, all of these elements are distinct and more profound with the addition of proper audio and music… 3D audio is really able to provide the player with a more impactful experience.” http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/qToM-Rhk_XwView the full article

Hey survivors! I’m Evan Wolbach, founder of Dead Drop Studios, and a solo indie developer working tirelessly to drag you kicking and screaming back into the world of survival horror. I’m here to tell you all the grisly details about Outbreak: Endless Nightmares and explain how PlayStation, especially PS5, has allowed the series to take a generational leap. Get ready to lose yourself in this new nightmare. Apocalyptic levels of player feedback led to this nightmare For almost six years players have been blasting away the undead in the Outbreak series, covering the events of an undead apocalypse. Each title has slowly iterated based on player feedback but now it’s time for a generational leap. High quality mo-cap animations, a persistent gameplay experience to level up your survivor over a 10+ hour adventure, semi-procedurally generated levels, access to multiple camera views, improved co-op split screen experience with a streamlined interface, a deep crafting and loot system, and much more are waiting for you. Outbreak: Endless Nightmares is a love letter to retro survival horror. Face the undead any way you choose You now have the opportunity to choose how you want to play this nightmare. The entire game was built from the ground up to play great in a classic survival horror fixed camera, over-the-shoulder or first-person view, with intentional focus on designing environments so enemies, traps and loot is visible in all views. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t secrets hidden around, and you might find that a useful item obscured in the fixed camera view is revealed when you swap to over-the-shoulder. With user-configurable options like FOV, inverse look, left-or-right player placement in OTS view and much more, you can configure the camera exactly as you’d like. You also now have access to a free-look tactical camera that you can use to survey the environment for danger. When using the tactical camera, the entire game freezes, including all physics and visual effects, so you can line up the perfect screenshot too. Next generation survival horror is coming for you… Choose from six survivors, each with their own unique backstories, abilities and equipment. As you accumulate XP, your stats will continue to improve and you will be able to select from 15 different perks unique to your survivor. Over time you’ll find that the hub area, where you’re safe to restock on supplies and upgrade your character continues to expand as you gain access to more rooms in the hospital. These rooms will have essential supplies, as well as access to numerous NPCs – some offering shops, alternate costumes, new dungeons (called Anomalies) and more. Every time you enter an Anomaly, you’ll find a semi-procedurally generated terror-filled obstacle course in front of you. You’ll explore many different locations, encounter new and horrific traps, battle grotesque creatures and hopefully find powerful supplies like new weapons, healing items, gun powder to craft ammo, upgrade parts and more. And you may even randomly stumble across NPCs in these anomalies, which may help… or hurt you! If you’re especially lucky, you may even find access to your linked storage cache which will allow you to manage your greater inventory. The undead indie journey with PS5 Being a solo indie developer is about doing more with less. But now I’m now able to develop for platforms like PlayStation 5 with no compromises. As a PS4 developer, it was a delight to find that all my experience transitioned seamlessly to this new console – but now with virtually every bottleneck removed. Semi-procedurally generated levels keep the scares unpredictable while the PS5’s high-end CPU and SSD loads them in seconds (or less!). The incredibly powerful GPU, alongside loads of RAM, allows me to boost texture quality to maximum levels while ensuring all lighting and shadows are real-time with multi-layered VFX for gore, explosions, and more. Particles from these effects feature full collision detection to interact with the environment. All of this culminates to create terrifying environments with shadows leaping across the walls, while every bit of gore is disgustingly detailed to perfection. And that’s not all, every action your character takes is affected by real-time physics, such as your magazine dropping during a reload, shell casings ejecting from your weapon and many more subtle details never before seen in the series. You’ll feel each trigger pull thanks to the high-end haptic feedback available in the DualSense wireless controller, with additional enhancements coming in a future update to support trigger resistance, as well as additional DualSense functionality while in combat or exploring. We’re not finished with you Outbreak: Endless Nightmares is coming to PlayStation on May 19. Experience it in native 4K on PS5 and prepare to get lost in these endless nightmares. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/oPad8ZpxsjYView the full article

Hello! We are Out of the Blue Games, an indie game studio from Madrid, Spain. On December 8, we launched our debut title Call of the Sea, a personal and emotional first-person puzzle adventure where you take the role of Norah Everhart, a woman who has crossed an ocean in the search of her husband’s missing expedition. Everything has been awesome since then, reviews, critics, awards… We are really happy with the way things are going with Call of the Sea, so we wanted to make sure it reached as many players as possible. Play Video So we definitely had to bring Call of the Sea to PlayStation! The game will be available on PS4 and PS5 tomorrow, May 11. And what will PlayStation players find in Call of the Sea? To sum up, it’s a love letter to puzzle games and Lovecraftian stories set in the Pacific in the 1930s. Exploration of the lush island Nora finds herself on is driven by the game’s narrative and its puzzles. Those are hidden throughout the environment and need to be solved to uncover more of the game’s world and its story. Your journey will take you across and below the island, getting to know both it and Norah’s needs as a character. All backed by a magnificent instrumental soundtrack composed by Eduardo de la Iglesia. But Call of the Sea is not an ordinary puzzle game. We wanted to intertwine every puzzle to every emotion Norah feels and experiences while keeping it tightly tied to the narrative. This way, the player experiments the initial fascination of Norah on the island, and the fear for the wellbeing of her husband as she progresses, as well as the bewilderment at the strange events and landscapes she discovers in the most secluded places of the island (and that are beautifully rendered by Unreal Engine 4). Call of the Sea is not only a thrilling 30’s pulp adventure but also a woman’s journey of self-discovery. Call of the Sea is a Lovecraftian, but not a conventional Lovecraftian game either. While most of the H.P. Lovecraft stories are about a passive subject that descends into madness, Call of the Sea tells the story of a resolute woman’s rise to sanity, in a story that revolves around the acceptance of one’s true nature. While you play through Call of the Sea, you’ll have the delight of listening to talented actress Cissy Jones (Firewatch, The Walking Dead) developing a stunning and jaw-dropping performance of Norah Everhart. We hope you embark on an emotional journey and submerge yourself into a vivid mystery to unravel what strange secrets of the past the island holds, and what might you unearth in your quest for your true self. We hope you enjoy Call of the Sea. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/tt1MovRnNZgView the full article

The back half of April saw titles like MLB The Show 21, NieR Replicant, and Returnal all launch within days of each other – a busy two weeks! Glad to see these newcomers alongside chart-topping regulars like FIFA 21, Black Ops Cold War, and Grand Theft Auto V. Read on for PlayStation Store’s top PS5, PS4 and PS VR downloads for the month of April: PS5 Games US / Canada Europe 1 MLB The Show 21 FIFA 21 2 Outriders Outriders 3 Returnal It Takes Two 4 Mortal Kombat 11 Returnal 5 It Takes Two Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 6 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 7 FIFA 21 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales 8 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Mortal Kombat 11 9 NBA 2K21 Marvel’s Avengers 10 Madden NFL 21 Disco Elysium – The Final Cut 11 Marvel’s Avengers Hitman 3 12 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla NBA 2K21 13 Disco Elysium – The Final Cut Dirt 5 14 Hitman 3 Demon’s Souls 15 Demon’s Souls Watch Dogs: Legion 16 Borderlands 3 Borderlands 3 17 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 No Man’s Sky 18 Godfall Immortals Fenyx Rising 19 No Man’s Sky Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 20 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege MLB The Show 21 *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games Product Name Product Name 1 MLB The Show 21 Grand Theft Auto V 2 Grand Theft Auto V FIFA 21 3 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War F1 2020 4 Outriders Minecraft 5 Mortal Kombat 11 ARK: Survival Evolved 6 Minecraft The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition 7 NBA 2K21 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 8 ARK: Survival Evolved Gran Turismo Sport 9 Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker eFootball PES 2021 Season Update 10 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Ghost of Tsushima 11 Injustice 2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 12 PGA Tour 2K21 The Last of Us Part II 13 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition The Crew 2 14 It Takes Two Tekken 7 15 NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… Outriders 16 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout 17 Red Dead Redemption 2 It Takes Two 18 UFC 4 NBA 2K21 19 Mortal Kombat XL Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker 20 Gang Beasts Jump Force *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR Games Product Name Product Name 1 Beat Saber Beat Saber 2 Superhot VR Job Simulator 3 Job Simulator Superhot VR 4 Creed Rise to Glory Creed: Rise to Glory 5 The Walking Dead Onslaught Alvo VR 6 Gorn The Walking Dead Onslaught 7 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR Doom 3: VR Edition 8 Doom 3: VR Edition Swordsman VR 9 Arizona Sunshine Arizona Sunshine 10 Alvo VR Gorn Free-to-play (PS5 + PS4) Product Name Product Name 1 Call of Duty: Warzone Call of Duty: Warzone 2 Fortnite Rocket League 3 Rocket League Fortnite 4 Apex Legends Brawlhalla 5 Destiny 2 Apex Legends 6 Brawlhalla Genshin Impact 7 Genshin Impact Destiny 2 8 Rogue Company Rogue Company 9 Vigor World of Tanks 10 Enlisted Enlisted http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/NIF6IhIVihMView the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google or RSS, or download here Welcome back! This week the team dives deeper into their thoughts on Resident Evil Village and Returnal. Stuff We Talked About Resident Evil Village Returnal Mass Effect Legendary Edition Subnautica: Below Zero Destruction AllStars Hood: Outlaws & Legends The Cast Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE Tim Turi – Manager, Content Communications, SIE Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and 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.] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/GfS_kNfANeMView the full article

Last week, we asked you to revisit the beginning of Aloy’s journey in Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition. While tuning Aloy’s Focus and fighting off feral machines, you shared your best moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: AscensionDawn shares a warm portrait of Aloy. SP_Al3xis01 found a well shaped place to take a rest. FloPop10 shares a bombastic encounter. coalabr14 shared a mesmerizing portrait. Gamingbyframe takes in the beautiful scenery. ameeba37 shares this fierce image of a Stormbird about to take flight. 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: Monsters SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on May 12 Next week, we’re feeling dangerous. Share ferocious creatures and monsters from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/rS0u8sKly5QView the full article

Get ready, Hunters! This is Mantisco and we are excited to announce our closed beta for Hunter’s Arena on PS5 and PS4 on May 14. Hunter’s Arena, a new era of Battle Royale For those of you joining us for the first time, Hunter’s Arena is a 30 player PvP & PvE combat based Battle Royale set in the ancient age of Demon Hunters. In this dangerous world, you will become a Hunter who must fight forbidden demons that started to appear as a long forgotten seal broke loose. Beware of other Hunters as well as it is no secret that the seal was broken free by no one other but one of your own, a Hunter. With no one to trust, you must defeat everything that crosses your path and bring an end to chaos in Hunter’s Arena. PvP & PvE We are most excited about bringing you a fresh style of Battle Royale experience in our game. We focused on providing an experience that is enjoyable to both players who prefer engaging in PvP and to players who lean towards exploring in a PvE environment. In Hunter’s Arena, you are not restricted to only fighting each other but you can also choose to enter high-risk, high-reward dungeons. You may encounter Boss demons and slay them to collect powerful items and level up faster than others in dungeons. We suggest that you choose your strategy wisely to gain the upper hand on your road to victory. Characters In the upcoming closed beta, you will be able to choose from 12 different Hunters each with unique and powerful skills and swordplay. We are excited to finally be able to show you our unique Hunters. A few of our team’s favorite Hunters include Tau and Samjang. Tau is a Demi-Beast Hunter who can inflict massive amounts of heavy damage despite his cute furry look. Samjang is another favorite Hunter ours who is essentially a monk with an afro. He came to Hunter’s Arena to bring peace to his people but look out, as his way of restoring the world includes summoning a giant Buddha’s hand upon his enemies! Combat that’s easy to learn, hard to master In Hunter’s Arena, even players new to the game can easily engage in dynamic fights. However, as you face stronger and smarter foes, be prepared against strategic mind games and various tricks up your enemy’s sleeve. Wait patiently with your Super Ability charged up and pounce on your foes to deal substantial surprise damage. Choose your Hunter based on your style of combat. Will you choose Ara’s deadly long range sonic waves or Tau’s furry but sharp claws? Deadly Hunters, dangerous demons, and shrinking Blood Barrier will constantly push your limits and test your skills of survival. During your journey, you can also choose to temporarily cooperate with other Hunters to hunt down Boss demons for rare loot. However, beware as other Hunters can suddenly turn against you and claim all the prize to themselves. A merciless battle towards last Hunter standing On May 14, discover and survive the lost period of mystical East Asia where ancient demons roam free in the world of Hunter’s Arena! Apply for our Closed Beta on our website. This Closed Beta will be conducted as a limited beta test. Codes will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis and applying does not guarantee access to the beta test. The game is still in development and the CBT does not reflect the final look of the game at launch. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/pSRyVegjFfwView the full article

We are excited to finally announce the release date of Astalon: Tears of the Earth, coming to PS4 on June 3! We also have a brand new trailer that reveals a closer glimpse into the world of Astalon and a snippet from the upcoming arrange album. Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a 2D action-platformer that follows three unique warriors on a perilous mission to save their town in a post-apocalyptic world. Having made a pact with the Titan of Death, Epimetheus, the characters are granted the power to grow stronger each time they die and must surmount the mysterious Tower of Serpents in search of answers. Players can switch between the three heroes and must use their unique skills to take down monsters, solve puzzles, find artifacts, and progress through the game, all while uncovering the intriguing backstory behind the Titan, the tower and the heroes. As the first foray into the Astalon universe, Tears of the Earth is the long-awaited new title by Matt Kap (Castle in the Darkness, Binding of Isaac) and Jon Lepage at LABS Works, featuring character design by famed manga artist, Ryusuke Mita (Dragon Half). Play Video Meet the Heroes Switching characters and utilizing their special abilities is key to progressing in Astalon. Players will have to decide which character works the best for each predicament, whether it be a puzzle, platforming situation, swarm of enemies, or boss. Arias, the Fighter Arias is a quick, short-range character who slashes with his sword. He starts the game with greater defense than his allies, and can use his sword to cut through vein doors in the tower. He is a young fighter who is willing to jump head-first into anything that stands in his way. As the son of the warrior named Silas, the wielder of the powerful Crystal Sword, he tries his hardest to live up to his father’s legacy. Algus, the Wizard Algus is a wizard who can use his magic to shoot magic bolts through walls and activate magic switches strewn about the tower. He made a pact with Epimetheus, the Titan of Death, to receive the power of reincarnation. He can use Epimetheus’ power to return again after dying, much to Epimetheus’s growing annoyance. What other powers does he possess? Kyuli, the Rogue Kyuli fights using a long-range bow, and her light weight allows her to jump off of walls to reach greater heights. She is a childhood friend of Arias, who once depended on tricks and thievery to survive. She was taken in by Arias’ village as a young orphan, and over time, has changed her outlook and ways. Death is only the beginning One of the unique aspects of Astalon is that it rewards players in defeat by allowing them to exchange collected orbs for various skills and upgrades when they reincarnate. Power up your heroes’ defense or attack stats. Purchase a relic that grants the power to gather fallen orbs, reveals secret locations, or prolongs invincibility. Players can play at their own pace by exploring thoroughly and bolstering their characters’ strengths, or use risky methods to slice their way up the tower furiously. In addition to power-up pacts with Epimetheus, players must explore and collect a variety of artifacts to progress through the game, such as the Sword of Mirrors, that will bestow their characters with new abilities to explore further into the tower. Use campfires to save progress, change characters, and discover details about the heroes’ pasts. Astalon features hundreds of rooms to discover, hours of challenging exploration with a plethora of unlockables and secrets to reward the most inquisitive players. The Lore of Astalon Astalon takes a lot of inspiration from specific 80s and 90s games, reminiscent of the days when you might have exchanged tips and secrets with your friends in the hallway at school. But it manages to be totally different in terms of feel — the sum of all the underlying gameplay systems, both old school and modern. “Despite looking like a normal fantasy setting, it’s actually a deep, post-apocalyptic world, with a lot of inspiration taken from things like Mad Max and Fist of the North Star. There are also things loosely-based on Greek Mythological gods and creatures, something that has interested me since childhood,” says lead developer Matt Kap. On a cosmetic level, Astalon reflects the 8-bit era both in terms of visual and sound. “I play in two touring bands: Mute (melodic punk rock) and Zapovid (Ukrainian party rock), so composing the music for Astalon was something very important to me. Although the in-game music is done in an 8-bit style, the arrangements were always planned out as fully orchestrated or rock pieces. We will be releasing an arranged album featuring a selection of music from the game, but done in higher-fidelity. It feels good to be able to release something musical while my bands’ touring is put on pause because of the pandemic.” Astalon: Tears of the Earth launches on PS4 on June 3. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/kKNLwEHCOAIView the full article

When Alcina Dimitrescu (a.k.a. “Tall Vampire Lady”) was introduced to the world ahead of the first Resident Evil Showcase, many people fell head over heels for the nine-and-a-half foot tall femme fatale who’s brought excitement for Resident Evil Village to new heights (couldn’t resist that one). However, she’s not the only resident of Castle Dimitrescu. Not much is known about Alcina’s trio of deadly daughters who also call the castle home, so we figured it was high time to bring things back to ground level and shed just a little light on Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela. (But not too much light, though. They seem to prefer the dark.) To find out more, we asked Resident Evil Village Director Morimasa Sato and Art Director Tomonori Takano about how the design of these three came together, including what inspired their creation, the initial concepts for their design, their obsession with “man blood”, and the fate of those who enter – but never leave – the foreboding Castle Dimitrescu. Lady Dimitrescu has gotten a lot of attention on the road to launch. What has the dev team’s reaction been to this outpouring of support? Sato: She was born from the desire to create a character with a lot of charisma, but we most definitely didn’t anticipate the outpour of positive reception towards her. The development team as a whole has been really surprised with everyone’s reaction. Concept art for Alcina Dimitrescu, including color palette Lady D’s wardrobe is inspired by styles from the 1960’s. What inspired the daughters’ fashion? Takano: Their dresses and shoes also reference the style of the 1960s. However, when we designed the family standing amongst each other, we wanted to make sure that Dimitrescu herself stood out amongst the crowd. As a result, we fitted the daughters with more orthodox black garb that is reminiscent of what you might imagine traditional witches wearing. If you look closely at the pattern of their dresses, you can see that it is finely embroidered with floral patterns of the Dimitrescu family crest. Concept art for the Dimitrescu daughters Was there a design reason the team settled on three daughters? Sato: We had a central theme or focus when designing each location of the village. For the castle section, the central theme was creating “beautiful horror”. That gave birth to the idea of having multiple daughters appear, all wearing expressions of complete madness. From there, we created the setting that they inhabited different parts of the castle. After doing multiple simulations to determine the number and frequency in which Ethan encounters them, we ultimately concluded that having three of them would be the best game balance, and Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela were born. How did each daughter’s backstory come about? Sato: The general theme that we asked ourselves was what a beautiful, yet horrifying female antagonist would be like. That was the overall picture we were striving for. We wanted players to also easily differentiate exactly which daughter is chasing after Ethan at any given time, which is why we added variation with both their appearances as well as their personalities. Which daughter poses the greatest danger to Ethan? Sato: Each daughter is just as much of a threat as the other. Each daughters’ personality conveys a different sense of danger and horror. We’ve made each daughter her own blend of beauty and horror, so I’ll leave it up to the player to decide which one fits their own preference in survival horror. Do any of the sisters suffer from jealousy from each other? Sato: Every daughter looks up to their mother, Alcina Dimitrescu, and loves her wholeheartedly, so in some sense, you could say that their constant fighting amongst themselves to see who is worthy of receiving their mother’s love. What about the daughters makes them fit into the Resident Evil universe? Sato: They present psychological horror with their maniacal personalities, and also present physical horror through their unnatural bodies comprised of many different insects merging together. I think an antagonist has to have both of those scare factors, both mental and physical, in order to be a fitting villain in the Resident Evil universe. Why do the daughters perfectly embody the survival horror aspect of Resident Evil Village? Sato: Since they’re composed of a multitude of insects, normal attacks won’t faze them. It forces the player to strategize and figure out how to defeat them. That strategic, puzzle element of combat, along with the desperate need to survive, is why I believe they are a perfect fit for the world of Resident Evil Village. The daughters are reminiscent of classic gothic horror vampires. What was it like walking the line of gothic and modern horror? Sato: You’ll find that many of the enemies that appear in Resident Evil Village are inspired by many figures you might find in classic or gothic horror. However, in order for them to make sense in the Resident Evil universe, it was imperative that the daughters be “living beings”. No matter how supernatural something may appear, there’s always some kind of scientific explanation as to why things are happening. This approach isn’t just specific to Resident Evil Village, but the franchise as a whole, and was something we were sure to address. When we were constructing the narrative and the full scope of the game, it was an aspect that we were very conscious of. How did the early design concepts for the daughters differ from how they appear and act in the final game? Takano: Since we had utilized vampires as the original motif, the original drafts had enemies who would gain strength by drinking blood. There were also ideas of the daughters mummifying without a constant supply of blood. The concept was fun, but at the same time, there was a strangely comical nature to the expression, so it was ultimately axed. From there, we had the idea of having them fly by having wings spread out from their heads. It’s the basis for some other enemies you may find in the game. However, one of the orders that we had to deliver on was making sure that the daughters came across as “bosses.” As such, this concept was also scrapped since we needed a stronger differentiation between them and the more common foe. One of the first concepts regarding the daughters that stuck around till the very end was that they wouldn’t be able to be defeated through normal means, so we ultimately finalized their design as being a swarm of insects. What mix of emotions do you want the daughters to evoke from players when they encounter them? Sato: I want players to think, “I hope they don’t show up” while investigating the castle. On top of that, I hope players feel a range of conflicting emotions. If some players think, “They’re strong and scary… yet they’re beautiful,” then we accomplished what we set out for. Can you share any specific insights to the various pieces of concept art or in-development versions of the daughters provided? Takano: We had experimented with a lot of different variations during the initial development stage. At one point they had giant scissors. Another design had them with leech-like long tongues. Yet another time, they wielded whips. Early development concept for the daughters There was also a point in time where it wasn’t a trio of sisters, but dozens upon dozens of sisters inhabiting the castle, all ready to feast on Ethan’s blood. However, after trial and error and testing the game’s tempo, the Dimitrescu family was ultimately decided to be Alcina Dimitrescu and her three daughters. Fun fact, the Dimitrescu family feeds off male blood to stay alive, so those poor males who fell victim to them can be found crucified outside Castle Dimitrescu. A huge thank you to Mr. Sato and Mr. Takano for taking the time to provide valuable insight into the world of Resident Evil Village! If you want to get to know the Dimitrescu family a bit better, why not take a trip to Castle Dimitrescu yourself? Resident Evil Village is available tomorrow for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/gZUJnEjMT8EView the full article

The Super Animals are migrating! After a cozy incubation period in early access on PC, where it’s received overwhelmingly positive reviews, Super Animal Royale is headed to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 later this year. Get ready to bite, claw, and shoot your way to the top of the food chain in the world’s most adorable fight to the death. Play Video Super Animal Royale is a 2D, top-down battle royale shooter, featuring 64-player brawls between critters wielding handguns, machine guns, hamster balls, and, um…bananas. There are more than 300 Super Animal breeds to create in the Research Lab and each can be personalized with more than 600 cosmetic items to collect. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a genetically fried Super Chicken wearing a banana suit and fighting with a fly swatter, you’re in luck. Once your animal is ready for battle, it’s time to leap off the back of a Giant Eagle and use your umbrella to parachute down to a massive island with over 10 unique biomes to explore including the slippery footholds of Thomas’s Tundra and the blistering heat of Super Saharaland. Between looting and shooting, you’ll explore the ruins of the abandoned Super Animal World theme park, where the genetically modified Super Animals once delighted park guests with songs, jokes, and fine cuisine, and where today they’ll delight you with the kind of frenetic carnage you’d expect from heavily armed wild beasts. Clues to how the park evolved from magical getaway to maniacal battlefield are scattered across the island for you to discover. But, an event the Super Animal World legal team cryptically refers to as “the incident” seems to have marked a turning point. Recently unearthed security footage, revealed for the first time in our trailer above, details the day a band of rebellious Super Animals took over the park, forever changing the island’s cheerful atmosphere, and with it Super Animal World’s business model. Not content to let a little labor dispute sink their bottom line, the Super Animal World corporation made the kind of lemons-to-lemonade pivot that will be taught in business schools for decades. As popular as their genetically modified attractions were as charming mascots, they’ve proved even more popular as fearsome fighters. Stay tuned for more Super Animal Royale news and join the fight for FUR-vival, when Super Animal Royale releases on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 later this year. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/POXe8Satwm0View the full article

The skills of a rebel outlaw aren’t mastered overnight. We have 14 handy tips to help players who have pre-ordered the game and unlocked early access to Hood: Outlaws & Legends starting May 7 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Someone needs to choose where the wealth ends up, and why shouldn’t it be you? Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. To set the mood, check out the new “We are Legends” trailer and prepare for your first heist. Play Video 1. Sneak, distract, assassinate Being stealthy has a lot of potential rewards. For one, if you approach a player or guard unseen from behind, you can silently assassinate them. If guards are patrolling in pairs, make sure to time a double takedown with a fellow outlaw. If you can’t see a way past them, throwing a stone is a handy way to distract guards. 2. Don’t alert the guards Being spotted by guards has several consequences. Firstly, you’ll be highlighted in red, revealing your position to the entire enemy team until you manage to regain stealth. Secondly, you’ll initiate lockdown, causing portcullises to close and limit your options, or even trap you. Remember that several characters can shake chasing guards using their thrown item, such as Marianne’s smoke bomb. 3. Have each others’ backs Your team is made up of four outlaws, and guards often use the buddy system, so in most situations it’s wise to stick together. Splitting into pairs can be an effective strategy to cover more ground, since you can still help out a spotted ally with a quick stealth takedown before things get out of hand. 4. Find effective character combos There are four Outlaws, each with several options for perks that can significantly change their playstyle. Consider how your abilities work together with those you’re playing with. For example, a Tooke player can look to stun the enemy, opening them up to an easy headshot from Robin. 5. Tag targets Teamwork is essential in Hood, so good use of tags makes all the difference. Once the enemy is spotted, tag them before engaging so you can converge on them with your team. Tagging can also help your outlaw allies know where guards are, as well as ammo boxes, climbable ropes, shortcuts, and more. They’ll thank you for it. 6. Study the map Every map is different, with its own shortcuts, chokepoints, sniper spots, etc. A good thief always scouts the target before going in, and when it becomes a fight to the death, there’s all the more reason to have the upper hand. 7. Master your Ultimate Ability Each character has a unique ultimate ability that is charged by taking down enemies and completing objectives. If used well, these abilities can be game-changers. Use Robin’s explosive arrow to instantly take down tanky players or even a cluster of enemies, or to control space and chokepoints at crucial moments. Tooke’s ability lets you heal those around you and grant them enhanced sight to spot enemies, even through walls. 8. Dodge and Parry Combat is all about timing and reading your opponent. Depending on the character you play, you’ll have either a dodge or a parry. Dodge lets you evade any melee attack, but leaves you open to ranged attacks. Parry can defend against both, and if timed perfectly, will even knock your opponent to the floor. 9. Pickpocket the Sheriff To steal the treasure from the state vault, players must pickpocket the Sheriff’s key. To find him, players need to scout his patrol route which is marked by a line on the map. He’s got a contingent of guards at all times but a daring player canl steal the key alone. Stealing the key reveals the location of the vault on the map to your team only, and gives you a faster respawn timer as a bonus. 10. Open the vault Only the person with the key in their possession can open the vault. Doing so takes a while, so make sure to defend the person doing it. Whichever team first picks the chest up first receives an experience bonus, and the enemy team might be lying in wait for an ambush if they’ve found the vault before you. 11. Use your unique throwable Every character has a unique item they can throw, such as a smoke bomb, flash bang, or gas grenade. These are found in gear boxes scattered throughout the maps. Perks further specialize these items, or lets you carry more of them. For example, Tooke gets a healing grenade, a very powerful ability when used at the right time. 12. Carry the chest Melee characters (John and Tooke) carry the chest faster than the ranged outlaws (Robin and Marianne). With the chest in your possession, it’s up to you to choose where to extract it. Make sure to pick a location that gives you an advantage, such as one close to your home spawn point. 13. Know how the winch works Whoever fully extracts the treasure wins the game. Two people can winch at a time, and you can expend stamina to winch faster for a short duration, but this leaves you unable to defend yourself if you must. 14. Defend your winchers Whoever is winching is vulnerable, so they must be protected. Consider the layout of the location and how to defend it; vantage points, lines of sight for sniping, directions from which the enemy team can approach unseen – all of these things have a big impact. Marianne’s smoke grenades are a great way to cover the point from any Robins fishing for a headshot, but it won’t help much against his explosive arrow. It’s important to know when to commit, and then defend the winchers at all costs. We hope these tips help you get started in your new career as an outlaw and potential legend. Hood: Outlaws & Legends’ early access starts on May 7. Pre-order now until May 10 to access the game earlier, and get the Forest Lords Pack. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/F_Xo1W9ENPEView the full article

Hey everyone, today’s the day – Season One Hotshots is now live in Destruction AllStars, exclusively on PS5! The team at Lucid are thrilled for you all to start getting your hands on what we’ve been working on these past few months and there’s still more to come. You’ll be seeing loads of new content making its way into the game over the coming months as part of Season One. We’ve got a brand new launch trailer to celebrate along with a road map detailing all the cool new stuff coming your way through the season. Play Video Let’s dive into what’s new today. Our brand new AllStar, Alba, is now available for Destruction AllStars players. This veteran of the competition has returned to whip the AllStars into shape and she’s well equipped for the challenge with her high-tech battle suit. We gave an overview of her character ability and Hero Vehicle in our last blog post if you fancy doing some homework, or you can dive right into the game and get to grips with our latest AllStar. Arriving alongside Alba is her Story Mode (formerly known as Challenge Series). Learn more about what motivates Alba as an AllStar and unlock exclusive cosmetic rewards as you compete in seven gameplay challenges. Some of these challenges are exclusive game modes that aren’t available in online multiplayer and can really test your skills in new ways. In an unexpected twist, Alba is facing off against all of the other AllStars. Be sure to complete the additional star challenges to unlock all the rewards. Also arriving today is the AllStar Pass. This is a brand new way to earn cosmetic rewards in Destruction AllStars through online multiplayer*, no matter how you choose to play. Be sure to check out the new daily and weekly seasonal and sponsor challenges to give your AllStar Pass a boost. Whilst today is bringing a lot to the arena, the fun doesn’t stop here. Photo Mode will be arriving very soon on May 19, offering you news ways to get up close and personal with the mayhem and destruction! Take it for a spin in single-player activities and look for that perfect angle on a wreck, evade or pose. After that, our brand new game mode Blitz will arrive on June 2. This game mode is all about team based coordination as four teams of three AllStars face off in the arena in intense round based car combat! AllStar lockouts will be in place meaning that you can’t play the same AllStar twice and your ability energy will carry over between rounds. All of this makes for a tactical environment where your team’s choice of AllStar really matters and can mean the difference between clutching a win or a devastating defeat. Alongside these brand new features, you can expect new Story Modes to be released throughout Season One. As well as Alba’s Story Mode which is available right now, we’ll be learning more about Ratu, Boxtop and Angelo Avello, alongside their Rivals. Each Story Mode comes with exclusive cosmetic rewards which can be earned through single player gameplay challenges. Check out the roadmap above for details on when each Story Mode will be releasing. As well as all of the content we’ve outlined above, we’ll also be introducing some brand new featured playlists to Destruction AllStars. We don’t want to pull back the curtain entirely just yet, but we’ll leave you with a thought: What if you could play Carnado and Mayhem on a Gridfall map…? Season One Hotshots starts today and there’s plenty more to look forward to on the horizon! If you’re diving into Destruction AllStars today, be sure to swing by the official Destruction AllStars Twitter account and say hello. We can’t wait to hear what you think of Alba and all the other fantastic additions coming to the game this season. *Online multiplayer requires internet connection and PS Plus subscription; fees recur until cancelled. Age restrictions apply. Full terms: www.playstation.com/legal/ps-plus-usage-terms. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/VFpp3Vf3asQView the full article

Creating sneaker collaborations with PlayStation and Nike Basketball has been one of my favorite pastimes in recent years, and I’m so thankful to this community for supporting me and sharing in my passion. Like many of you, I’ve been a die-hard PlayStation fan all my life, so it’s an honor to introduce my newest creative project with my favorite brands: the PG 5 PlayStation 5 colorway. Play Video Just like the PlayStation 5 console, the PG 5 is my platform to take my game to the next level, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring these two elements together in this new partnership with PlayStation. Nike and PlayStation designers, including Yujin Morisawa – the artist behind the PS5 console’s design – worked closely together to bring the spirit of my game and the look of PS5 to life in this unique collaboration. Here’s a peek at what you can expect to see in the design this time: As with all my PlayStation collaborations, the tongues of the shoe have the PG and PlayStation logos on them. The colors of the shoe are heavily inspired by the industrial design of the PS5 with references on the sock liner and outsoles. It wouldn’t be a true collaboration with PlayStation if we didn’t include the iconic PlayStation shapes, which are spotted along each shoe in the same pattern as on the DualSense wireless controller. Each pair also comes with a special hangtag celebrating my continued partnership with my favorite gaming brand. I hope everyone is as excited as I am for this one. The PG 5 PlayStation 5 colorway drops in select regions starting on May 14, 2021. For more information on the release and availability in your country, download the Nike SNKRS app (if available in your country) or keep an eye out on your local Nike website. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/-_KTLZquO-gView the full article