Commander Fury

Hello everyone! My name is Takaaki Kai and I am the producer for Star Ocean: The Last Hope 4K and HD Remaster. When The Last Hope originally released on the PS3, I was still a student, and it was the first game from the Star Ocean series I ever played. I was captivated by the beautifully scenic outer space, as well as the spectacular effects displayed in battle that were generated through the capabilities of the next-gen hardware. The battles were challenging, and I remember being late to class countless times back then. It must have been some kind of fate that I have now had the opportunity to take part in the development of Star Ocean -anamnesis-, a mobile game released in Japan. Some anamnesis players became interested in the series through the mobile game, and desired to play the previous console titles. We wanted these players to enjoy the beautiful experience and exhilarating battles from The Last Hope, and then began planning for its remaster. The game already had gorgeous graphics, so in order to really elevate the value of its beauty, we didn’t want to do a simple remake. Instead, we decided to support 4K resolution, even if it meant that the cost would increase drastically. I thought that the sense of awe I felt looking at the beautiful visuals would not translate appropriately in this day and age unless it was displayed in 4K. On the other hand, there is an established sense of enjoyment in the battles and the game itself, so we kept those intact, since we wanted people to experience those aspects as close to its original form, rather than having us inappropriately meddling in those areas. Thanks to this, the exhilarating actions (i.e., Sight Out, among others) that had been enjoyed since the original release feels better than ever with the beautiful 4K graphics. I’m sure those who played the game back in the day on the PS3 will also be satisfied with what we’ve accomplished. For this particular title, we focused on maintaining the gameplay experience from the original, while elevating the visual expression. Some of the more representative work done on this title include: Upconverting the textures, and upresing the UI textures to 4K Implementing graphical options, such as camera blur, self shadow, and shadow quality selection. tri-Ace’s proprietary engine, the Aska library, has also been overhauled since then, so it allowed for a more realistic lighting that also contributed to the overall quality. A big hurdle was realizing 60fps with a 4K resolution. Since a wider area needs to be rendered, the post-processing load was heavier, so when the tri-Ace programmers repeatedly worked to optimize the game, and reached the point where the frame rate was stabilized at 60fps, it was a true moment of relief for all of us. There were a few more hurdles we had to overcome to get the game where we wanted it to be for the fans. For example, the texture colors appeared different, areas that shouldn’t be transparent appeared transparent, the dynamic processing changed as well, so suddenly the sizes of the characters had changed. As a result of the cleaner textures, areas that were previously hidden became clearly visible, and as a result of the improved hardware, glimpses of scenes that weren’t dropped due to a slowdown are now visible. There were so many incidents needed to be dealt with until the final stages of development, it was truly a project in which we felt the progress in game development that occurred over the past 10 years. There were many hurdles, but the team also still had a lot of fun remastering the game as well! For example, there’s an important scene with Deputy Director Shimada that is only played once, but the voice played over the scene is randomized, or whenever the player opens the bathroom door, there’s a 1/16 chance that Bacchus would be sitting there. There are truly many instances that reflect the love and attention that was poured into such small, random moments throughout the game. For all the Star Ocean fans out there, thank you for waiting. This remake has finally been realized 7 years since its original release in 2010. Rest assured, the high-speed action battles that had been one of the joys of the original experience remain intact, and players can now enjoy their adventures through the cosmic sea with graphics supporting 4K resolution when played on a PS4 Pro. We hope those who experience The Last Hope for the first time, as well as those who played the original game, enjoy its drastically improved, beautiful, spectacular visuals. Lastly, we hope to continue various developments/activities for the overall seires in an effort to satisfy Star Ocean fans, so your continued support for the series is much appreciated. View the full article

Prepare to scream with horror and delight as gangs of saggy, pugnacious thugs from Beef City punch, kick and slapstick their way across your screen, hurling their foes into hazardous machinery or mercilessly head-butting them into flaming incinerator pits! That’s right folks, the long awaited Beef-em-up Gang Beasts is coming to PlayStation 4 on Dec 12th! Gang Beasts will launch with a whole glut of customization options, and with several new modes, including clumsy-yet-brutal 2 vs. 2 soccer matches, and a cooperative mode where up to 4 players battle against waves of thugs. Settle all your holiday arguments with a trip to Beef City, where harmless, brutal, violence is fun for all the family! Gang Beasts is heading to your neighborhood on December 12th, until then please enjoy the new trailer above and get ready to FIGHT! One more thing! If you are heading to PlayStation Experience, Gang Beasts brawls and a tournament await you at the Double Fine Booth! View the full article

First came Connor, then Markus. Finally, with Quantic Dream revealing the third of its Detroit leads, Kara, we thought it the best time to look back on the tech demo that sparked the android revolution. Five years after its creation, we asked David Cage to revisit Kara, offering his commentary to the demo, and in this exclusive story, offer his insight into the evolving technology that has defined Quantic Dream’s games. Quantic Dream is one of the few studios in the world to develop a new engine for each game. The objective of this ambitious endeavor is to push the envelope (and the hardware) as far as we can and give our fans the best looking game possible. We also try to improve the quality of acting performances game after game, which is strongly related to the quality of our technology. Our evolution from Kara to Detroit illustrates the progress we’ve made in these areas. Learning from Heavy Rain’s motion capture One of the objectives in making the Kara short was to complete our first shoot in Performance Capture. Heavy Rain was shot entirely in “Body” Motion Capture, with facial movements and voices shot separately. All our actors did an amazing job, but their performances were captured in two parts: first we filmed all body animations, then we recorded voice and facial animations in a sound booth, hoping everything would synch together. As a result, the performances were disjointed – the eyes could never look in the right direction and it was very challenging (for both us and the actors) to get the level of performance we were looking for. For the Kara short, we upgraded our Motion Capture system to be capable of recording body, face and voice all at once – what we call Performance Capture. We really wanted a setup that wasn’t intrusive. This meant no helmet, no face camera, no backpack and no wires. We wanted the setup to be as invisible and light as possible, so our actors could quickly forget it. So we installed a wireless mic for the actors to wear and developed a system for tracking markers without a helmet or a projector, a system precise enough to track eye movements simultaneously. Last but not least, we needed to capture data good enough to minimize the need for post-animations. We shoot massive volumes of dialogue, so we couldn’t afford a system that would provide data of a quality that would require a lot of work to look good in the game. In short, we wanted high quality data captured with a very light setup, which was a very interesting challenge… How Kara helped refine the capture system for Beyond and Detroit The Kara short is the result of this first iteration. When I saw the first captures, I realized that there was no going back. The gain in quality of acting performance was so high that we couldn’t understand how we were doing it before… After Kara, we kept improving the precision of our capture system. We also greatly increased the area in which we could capture: working on Kara, we were capable of shooting one actor in performance capture in an area of 2 meters square; on Beyond it was four actors in 9 meters square, and on Detroit we were able to shoot six actors in 16 meters square. The precision of the data we capture has improved dramatically. We now capture details on Detroit that we could only see on set before. We have also continued to improve all the technologies linked to the quality of acting performances. We have developed a muscle simulation system, a wrinkle simulation, a shot by shot lighting rig to have soft and detailed shadows, real time translucency (like how your ears become red when there is a light behind you — yes I know, it’s not a common situation) and many other technologies that you may not see but that play an important part in the impression you get playing the game. Since the engine we created for Kara in 2012 and the one we use for Detroit today, our rendering technology has also been through many iterations. The engine used for Kara was an evolution of Heavy Rain’s engine and the first version of Beyond: Two Souls’ engine. After Heavy Rain, we wanted to improve the rendering of skin and eyes, and we wanted to have more subtle light and shadow on faces. We also worked on some improvements regarding image rendering, especially depth of field (the blurry area in the background when the camera is focused on the character). We were quite satisfied with the progress compared to Heavy Rain, and I remember we all feared that the demo would over-promise compared to what we could deliver visually in our next game Beyond: Two Souls. Working on a short demo is always different to a full game, so we had many discussions about whether it would be fair to show this short. In the end, we decided to present it because we were confident that Beyond would look at least as good, if not better. The evolution of engines from Beyond to the Dark Sorcerer to Detroit Beyond used another iteration of the same engine, which improved every single aspect of the tech. To my mind, the game looks considerably better than the Kara short. Dark Sorcerer was a major step forward for the studio as it was our very first PS4 engine. It remains, for me, one of the best-looking demos we have created. For Detroit, we’re using a brand new engine again. We invested a lot of time in having optics that are physically correct, unlike some virtual cameras. In short, virtual cameras have no limitations and can emulate optics that cannot exist, resulting sometimes in visuals that are not very convincing. For Detroit, we worked on aligning all parameters on real optics so we can use the rules that are commonly accepted by our audience. This little change had a massive impact on the visual quality of the game. We added many new features, from bokeh, advanced lens flares, improved lighting, real-time motion blur, volumetric lights, higher resolution on PS4 Pro and many other features. This new engine combined with our progress in performance capture makes Detroit the most advanced title ever produced by my studio. From Heavy Rain to Detroit, Quantic continues to seek new ways and create new technologies to better capture and inspire emotion. Although technology will never create emotion, it opens new possibilities and gives creators access to nuances and subtleties that were impossible before. View the full article

It’s hard to believe we launched Let It Die during a surprise announcement at PSX just a year ago! Now the time has come to celebrate our first anniversary with a bang—really more of a thunderous “BOOM!” since our anniversary event includes an explosive collaboration with Wargaming’s World of Tanks. From November 30 to January 11, Let It Die will feature a host of special events to excite both veteran “senpai” and brand-new Fighters alike. The World of Tanks collaboration event will feature 10 new and original Premium Skill Decals. Unlike other Skill Decal events, this one will eliminate the possibility for duplicate results unless a player decides to reset the event’s selection. Some of these unique decals may dramatically increase your defense or even turn your normal ammunition into explosive rounds! On top of that, we will have a special collab armor for direct sale on the PlayStation Store. This armor is based off the design of one of the most popular tanks in World of Tanks, the T-34/76. It can even be upgraded to the mighty “4th Tier.” In addition to these store elements, there will be special decorations available for your Waiting Room, limited themed quests, and special equipment that may be obtained by defeating WARDOGS in the Tower of Barbs. The WARDOGS will be equipped with special design variants of War Ensemble equipment inspired by themes found in World of Tanks (one of these WARDOGS is being punched in the above screenshot). Aside from the special collaboration, we are also giving out rare mushrooms for players who log in during a certain period. Closer toward the apex of the holiday season, we will have a very special bonus for players. We’ll be sending out a powerful pair of shades modeled after those belonging to everyone’s favorite mascot, Uncle Death! Extremely durable, these special specs will give a decent boost in defense and an incredible boost in stamina! We couldn’t be more excited to share this massive event with the millions of players who made this all possible. Hopefully, you’ve been having a goretastic time exploring the Tower of Barbs and raiding the pants off your enemies (literally). Let It Die has grown and changed a lot over the last year, and you can be sure more will be coming your way sooner than you can say “secret of my success” ten-times quickly. For more details on this and other events, you can check our official website! View the full article

2017 has been a busy year for us, after the release of the Death Tales beta, Plague Road and Mecho Tales, with the physical release of Mecho Tales still set for December. I’m here today to show off three of our upcoming games planned for 2018, two of which will be playable at PSX in Anaheim. SkullPirates In early development On the oceans, sailors tell stories of a ship crewed by the dead and flying the black flag of piracy. They say a skeletal army lives within its hold, waiting to assault unwary vessels and steal their treasure. In hushed tones, their name is uttered: “SkullPirates.” Their captain, the Skull Queen, has a fearsome reputation as a cutthroat hunter of the seas. She should; she spent a whole lot on marketing to cultivate that image. She also spent a lot on weapons, cannons, clothes, hats, boots, jewelry, couches, drapes. But most of all, she spent money on her prized ship, “The Coccyx Avenger”. In order to support this extravagant lifestyle, the Skull Queen borrowed money from unsavory characters, and now they’ve come to collect. A group of loan sharks, led by the cunning Sharktavia, have The Coccyx Avenger surrounded and are demanding repayment. To save her ship, her career in piracy, and her reputation, the Skull Queen must send her crew to infiltrate the nearby isle of Catannia, locate its treasury vault, and steal anything that isn’t nailed down. It’s a good thing she has a lot of SkullPirates. By successfully stealing the island’s more valuable treasures, you’ll be rewarded with new abilities and open new areas to explore. Numerous treasures are tucked away throughout Catannia, just waiting for an enterprising SkullPirate to snatch them. But it’s one thing to take something and another to get away with it. Stealing from the locals will attract unwanted attention and authorities might be called to hunt you down. When things get a little too hot, you’ll have to start running! Persistent enemies will give chase to retrieve their property and the only option is to flee with your ill-gotten gains and escape by boat from one several ports dotting the island. Escaping Catannia with precious booty doesn’t mean you’re home free either. The waters between you and The Coccyx Avenger are sailed by rival pirates eager to claim the Skull Queen’s spoils for themselves. SkullPirates will be even more fun with a friend in local or online cooperative multiplayer! The game will feature a drop-in/drop-out system, allowing two players to team up while raiding Catannia.The game will also feature cross-play multiplayer across PS4 and PS Vita. War Theatre Targeting Q1 2018 for release on PS4 and PS Vita War Theatre is a strategy RPG for PS Vita and PS4. I took the feedback from Plague Road and the progression system people wanted, so in War Theatre you can upgrade your party with gold you’ll collect after levels which will allow you to unlock new perks etc… and customize your army and playstyle. This game is closer to my past turn-based strategies like Desert Ashes on PS Vita, but this time you will have hero units, as you can see in the screenshot above. Those who have played Plague Road might remember the look of this nurse — it’s set in the same world as Plague Road, but hundreds of years later. You will be able to lead your armies with a hero unit, which has special abilities that the rest of your army does not. For example: the Nurse can heal, and the Rat Mother can send her children to poison enemies. There will also be cross-play online multiplayer across PS Vita and PS4, but unlike SkullPirates which focuses on co-op, War Theatre’s focus is on PvP. Your army’s progression is the same across single player and multiplayer, so no matter what you do you’ll always be upgrading and making your army better. Manufactured Beauty Manufactured Beauty will not be shown at PSX this year, but we wanted to announce it ahead of time since it connects to all the games on this list. We’re aiming for this to be be the western game that really pushes the limits of PS Vita. You play as Mr Cuddles, a mechanical rabbit who awakens in this mysterious city made out of leftovers of the world. The game is a 3D platformer with adventure game elements. You will find other mechanical animals that also have no recollection of their life before and that have created their own society within the ruins. It will be up to you to discover the purpose of all these leftover animals. One of the areas of the game is an old theme park, which is based on the old times of the Pirates in that world. If you play SkullPirates, you’ll be familiar with the history of this area. A Connected Universe Death Tales, Plague Road, SkullPirates, War Theatre and Manufactured Beauty are all part of the same world, set during different times. Some characters may appear in different games, like War appearing in War Theatre as well as Death Tales. And the nurses order from Plague Road will be also in War Theatre. The graphic above shows how each game is connected, and what to look out for. View the full article

It’s been a whole year since we launched PS4 Pro – how times flies! If you’ve just picked up a PS4 Pro and a 4K TV, or maybe you’re thinking about taking the plunge over the holidays, you’re probably on the hunt for as much 4KTV-friendly content as possible. So the PlayStation.Blog team put together this guide to help readers new to the PS4 Pro scene. We’ve collected some of the top picks that show off PS4 Pro’s numerous benefits. And with more than 225 available games that deliver an enhanced experience on PS4 Pro, there’s no shortage of content to choose from. First, a quick overview on 4K and HDR. 4K content (games or video programming) displayed on a 4K TV will result in a clearer and more detailed image, giving you four times the pixels you see in full HD content. This greatly enhances the experience in games like Gran Turismo Sport, giving you a stunning view from the driver’s seat as the impressive visuals of the track environment race by. I often describe the feeling of watching 4K as “looking through a window” into the world shown on screen. Getting the best 4K out of your PS4 Pro HDMI: If you’re the kind who moves your PlayStation between rooms or homes regularly, make sure that the pack-in Premium High Speed HDMI Cable makes the trip too, as it’s the key to getting 4K resolution out of your Pro-4K TV pairing. Need a second cable? Don’t worry: Premium High-Speed 4K-compatible HDMI cables can be found at prices comparable to standard HDMI! Calibration: When you boot up your PlayStation 4 Pro for the first time, head over to the Video Output section of the console settings. There, you can tweak the resolution, RGB Range, HDR, and Deep Color Output. If you have a 4K TV and get a message about an application supporting 4K and the output displaying in 2K, the fix may be available in your TV’s visual settings. HDR is another recent display technology that can bring striking benefits, generally in the form of more vivid, dynamic colors, deeper blacks, and brilliant highlights when watched on a compatible TV. You’ll notice how HDR enhances the colors in Horizon Zero Dawn’s lush and vibrant environment, bringing Guerrilla’s vision to life in vivid detail. Ideally, you’ll have 4K and HDR working together, which is showcased beautifully in the dynamic weather and lighting effects of Days Gone using dynamic 4K and HDR. More games will start to support both 4K and HDR as developers spend more time on PS4 Pro. Even more ideally, you’ll be watching all this content on an OLED-based TV… but that’s a topic for another post. All these enhancements add up to a superior gaming or viewing experience. Read on to see our top picks for the new PS4 Pro and 4K TV owner. Got a recommendation to add? Leave it in the comments below! Games for PS4 Pro Developers tap into PS4 Pro’s increased power in different ways, with the ability to choose various features and enhancements depending on the experience they want to achieve for the gamer. Examples include giving frames per second (FPS) a boost, which produces smoother locked framerates or faster targeted framerates; graphics enhanced with anti-aliasing technique – for example, you can see images with soft features such as rounded corners and faces appear smoother and more visually realistic; displaying imagery that is more intricate, increasing the amount of images on screen at once. Here are a few games we recommend for a PS4 Pro newcomer. Horizon Zero Dawn Horizon Zero Dawn and its new expansion The Frozen Wilds boasts a beautiful dynamic 4K implementation on PS4 Pro, which means crisp, clear vistas bristling with dangerous machines. The HDR implementation is a stunner too, especially with light sources: sunsets radiate rich reds and oranges, while staring at the sun is almost blindingly bright. Additionally, a recent free update enables players to favor resolution or framerate performance via an in-game setting — the choice is yours! Titanfall 2 What’s already an all-out beautiful game with gorgeous use of color and high frame rate on PS4 gets a significant boost on PS4 Pro, offering up a more consistent framerate and higher resolutions. A good excuse to revisit one of 2016’s best games. The Witcher 3 Missed one of this generation’s greatest RPGs? Here’s your chance to catch up. Two-and-a-half years later, The Witcher 3 gets a new layer of visual luster thanks to a new PS4 Pro update that adds 4K support and a slight boost to performance. Injustice 2 Short of sneaking onto a comic book movie set, Injustice 2 on PS4 Pro gives you the best-looking superheroes possible. Already outputting combat at 60FPS during battles, Injustice 2 on PS4 Pro in 4K comes runs at higher resolution with enhanced motion blur, depth of field and overall higher quality post-processing. The HDR support also lends the characters and special effects more pop. Gran Turismo Sport Gran Turismo has spent the last two decades pumping out legendarily impressive visuals, while ensuring its place as the real driving simulator. Now, GT Sport hits a new top speed on PS4 Pro. On top of the 4K resolution and the multitude of HDR options (including a setup process that lets you test out how you want colors to display before hitting the track), you can also have an option to choose between a more consistent framerate or a higher resolution. Rise of the Tomb Raider Lara Croft’s latest adventure brings some tantalizing graphics options for PS4 Pro owners. The 4K Visuals setting is a great choice for 4K TV owners with its high resolution, while the High Frame Rate and Enriched Visuals settings lock the resolution at 1080p but offer enhanced performance or visual detail, respectively. One of the more impressive examples of what PS4 Pro can do — it’s a feast for the eyes. NBA 2K18 NBA 2K18’s PS4 visuals are already sensational, but PS4 Pro amps up the all-star visuals to Hall of Fame territory. The already courtside-quality visuals (which run at 60FPS during gameplay) get a 4K upgrade with PS4 Pro, making every player including those created by users for MyCareer mode crystal-clear on a 4K HDR TV. Destiny 2 Destiny 2 includes dynamic 4K visuals to make your raids look suitably eye-popping. Definitely a visual standout on PS4 Pro, and we are beyond excited for the HDR update coming on December 5. Star Wars Battlefront II Featuring an increased dynamic resolution for gameplay on 4K displays and a more consistent framerate, Battlefront II on PS4 Pro is the premiere console to experience the all-new campaign and a multiplayer experience that spans all three cinematic eras. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice: This atmospheric journey really shows what PS4 Pro can do. It looks razor sharp, but you can also choose to emphasize framerate instead. A standout PS4 Pro implementation for Ninja Theory’s inspired game. In addition to all of these gorgeous titles you can pick up today, there are several titles we’re looking forward to on the horizon that showcase the power of PS4 Pro, including Marvel’s Spider-man, Far Cry 5, and Days Gone. 4K Videos With a subscription, Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube support 4K streaming on select content, and Netflix recently added an update adding HDR for PS4 Pro users. Here are a few shows that show off what’s possible. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Netflix) The combination of 4K streaming and HDR adds grit and atmosphere, with the show’s deep black levels and super saturated colors practically popping off the screen. Stranger Things (Netflix) Season 2 is out now! Stranger Things’ 4K streaming and HDR adds depth and nuance to the hit show’s mysterious tone. Futureman (Hulu) Watch Future Man, Hulu’s latest Original Series, in 4K on PS4 Pro when it premieres. This new comedy series from Executive Producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg stars Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), a janitor-by-day/gamer-by-night tasked with saving the fate of humanity. All episodes now streaming only on Hulu. PlayStation Trailers (YouTube) This feature only scratches the surface of 4K content, but if you want to whet your appetite for more, check out PlayStation’s YouTube channel, which includes 4K videos and trailers of top current 4K games like For Honor and Watch Dogs 2 as well as upcoming games like Days Gone! View the full article

Hello all Street Fighter V fans! We’re winding down the Capcom Pro Tour, getting closer and closer to Capcom Cup 2017. For a second straight year, we offered Capcom Pro Tour DLC, which helped generate a bonus for Capcom Cup’s prize pool. This year’s bonus contribution to Capcom Cup’s prize pool will exceed over $120,000. That means with a base prize pool of $250,000, the Top 8 finalists will compete for a prize pool worth more than $370,000 and rising at Capcom Cup 2017. We want to thank all of our fans for the support they’ve shown in the CPT DLC initiative. The CPT 2017 DLC is still available and because many of you asked for it, we brought the CPT 2016 DLC back at a reduced price. The offer lasts until November 29 so you still have time to purchase the DLC and contribute to Capcom Cup’s prize pool! Here’s what comes in the CPT 2016 DLC bundle: Capcom Pro Tour 2016 Pack – $9.99 Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Chun-Li Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Cammy Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Necalli Capcom Pro Tour 2016 Stage: “Ring of Destiny” 1 exclusive CPT themed color option for all 22 characters (PS4 only) 2 Exclusive Titles: “Capcom Cup 2016” and “Capcom Pro Tour 2016” (PS4 only) Below is the full pricing breakdown for the 2017 Capcom Pro Tour content: Capcom Pro Tour 2017 Pass — $24.99 Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Ryu Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Ken Additional Costume (“Capcom Pro Tour”): Champion’s Choice Costume – Guile Capcom Pro Tour Stage: “Ring of Pride” 1 exclusive CPT-themed color option for all 28 characters 2 Titles: “Capcom Cup 2017” and “Capcom Pro Tour 2017” Thank you all again for contributing to another amazing year for the Capcom Pro Tour. Capcom Cup 2017 takes place December 8-10. The first two days of the event take place at the Hilton Anaheim and will feature the Capcom Cup Last Chance Qualifier and Top 32 action. You still have time to register for the Last Chance Qualifier. Online entry is $20 and some of the best players in the world, including GRPT|Infiltration, GRPT|MOV, and Splyce FChamp have already signed up to compete for that final spot in Capcom Cup 2017. Visit the official registration page for more info. Capcom Cup 2017 Finals day will once again take place in the PlayStation Experience arena. If you can’t be there in person, you can catch the live stream on the CapcomFighters Twitch channel. View the full article

Hey all, Trevor from Vertigo Games and Vincent from Jaywalkers here. We are excited to let you know that next Tuesday Arizona Sunshine’s free DLZ update will be available to all PS VR players, including not one, but two additional maps for its survival-style endless Horde mode! Each of these new maps is bigger and allows for a more dynamic play style than the Horde map you’ve been enjoying up until now. Both are playable solo and for up to four players in co-op multiplayer. Setting out to create more Horde mode maps, initially we really wanted to play with the element of darkness. That’s why the campaign’s dark Old Mine was a natural fit for the first new map. Only this time, there are way, waaaayyy more Freddies jumping at you from its dark pits and corners. Old Mine is built in such a way that it requires you to think tactically, promoting team play more than before. In a larger play area compared to the first Horde map, it’s wise to have some players stay on the lookout while others go on supply runs. We manipulated item and zombie spawning so that most ammo and weapons spawn outside of the more comfortable areas, forcing you to take chances. A unique twist on the Horde mode gameplay is the need of a flashlight – a much needed source of light in this map. Teams start out with only one though; you will need to overcome some waves before you have enough for all players. Good thing you’re not afraid of the dark. The second new map, Undead Valley, is set in an entirely new location: An old, zombie-infested warehouse-turned-underground casino close to Las Vegas, Nevada. Yep, Freds have jumped the border and we’re not about to let that go unnoticed. In contrast to the Old Mine, which encourages you to find a tactical position to fight from, Undead Valley encourages exploration in an ever-expanding play area. Weapons, ammo and tactical spots are much more scattered, forcing you to keep moving to stay ahead of the horde. You will need to unlock new areas, both in- and outdoors, by blowing up obstacles with grenades or opening doors with keys found throughout the level, making this map feel somewhat like a mini adventure. In this second map we’ve also replaced the familiar zombie waves with an intense, ongoing influx of zombies for the ultimate survival challenge. We hope to see you in the new Horde mode maps soon. And remember, if you’re joining forces with your friends you’d better watch each other’s backs, because more reinforcements means more zombies looking for a warm serving of your fresh brains. Arizona Sunshine’s free DLZ update is available next Tuesday and free of charge to all Arizona Sunshine PS VR players on PS4 and PS4 Pro. See you on the leaderboards! View the full article

It has been a few weeks since we launched GT Sport, and it’s been really exciting to see so many people take to the track. In fact, we’ve already seen over 26 million hours of gameplay around the world, so now we want to share with you our plan for what’s next with the game, including new cars and game features through Patch 1.06 in November, and the introduction of the “GT League” in December. Patch 1.06 (Coming November 27th, 2017) From November 27th we’ll begin rolling out new cars, and kicking off with these three free new cars. In addition to the new cars, when the patch drops on November 27 you can also look forward to the Livery Editor, Scapes and Campaign modes becoming available to play offline (you will still require internet access to save your progress). There will also be various tweaks and adjustments to balance the gameplay. GT League (Coming December 2017) Launching as part of our free December update, we’ll be introducing a brand new single player mode called “GT League”. Based on the old “GT mode” of previous titles, players can now look forward to racing through a series of cup competitions from beginner to pro levels, and and even partake in endurance races! Check out the screenshots below to get a sneak peek of what you can expect in December. We’ll be adding more races to these leagues in 2018. New Cars: (Coming December 2017) In addition, the following 12 cars will be added to the game in the free update of December 2017: Mazda — RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) Nissan — Skyline GT-R V・spec II (R32) Nissan — Skyline GT-R V・spec II Nür (R34) Ford — F-150 SVT Raptor Lamborghini — Countach LP400 Ferrari — F40 Ferrari — Enzo Ferrari KTM — X-BOW R Suzuki — Swift Sport Volkswagen — Samba Bus Type 2 (T1) Chris Holstrom Concepts — 1967 Chevy Nova Chevrolet — Corvette Stingray Convertible (C3) From now to March 2018, a total of approximately 50 cars are already planned for addition to the game. And the updates will continue beyond March! You can of course look forward to the addition of new tracks as well, so stay tuned! Be sure to stay tuned to official GT and PlayStation channels as there are plenty more updates to come from the team. Until then, happy racing! View the full article

Hello from Versus Evil! We are excited to return to this year’s PlayStation Experience in Anaheim with At Sundown! We want to encourage all of you to stop by the Versus Evil booth (#2 in Hall B), and go hands on with the game. We’re also giving away four free At Sundown PS4 Avatars for playing the game — be sure to collect all 4! At Sundown is a unique stealth-driven top-down multiplayer shooter with dynamic twists and turns, where the maps are covered in darkness and light is your enemy. Compete with up to four friends in online or local multiplayer to see who will dominate! Challenge your opponents across multiple maps, each with different light mechanics, unlocking new zones and new weapons as you progress. Depending on the map and your play style, special power-ups and rewards will spawn to give you that extra boost, like spotlights on your enemies or an incredible new weapon sure to melt all in its path. We’re also excited to announce that Let Them Come is coming to PS4 on December 5 for only $7.99! Let Them Come is a fast-paced pixel art shoot ‘em up. Twitchy trigger fingers and focused battle tactics are the order of the day as wave after wave of alien-like creatures try to take you down. Gameplay is simple to pick up but hard to master – only the best of the best will survive to fight another day. With a variety of alien creatures to mow down and cool weapons to do it with, stylish retro backdrops and a hard rockin’ soundtrack, Let Them Come is a fast and furious pixel style shooter on steroids. We’re looking forward to seeing you folks in Anaheim this year. If you have any questions please feel free to ask below as I’ll be checking back to reply to comments. Thanks! View the full article

Discover The Creators is a new PlayStation Store curation program in which we’ve asked some of the biggest names in the biz to pick their favorite PS4 games in order to help your find your next game to play. Browse Adam’s Full List at PlayStation Store Hey! My name is Adam and I became a dad not that long ago, so this one is dedicated to those of you who love to play games, but suddenly have a lot less time to do so. Here’s my ‘quick fix’ playlist for everyone who’s in the mood for some instant action. Additionally, since good storytelling has always been at the heart of what we do at CD Projekt Red, the list below also contains a selection of games appreciated by many of the devs here at the studio. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain I really enjoy how The Phantom Pain allows players to approach missions the way you like — from being super stealthy, to run and gun, it’s all up to you how you choose to complete the objective. It’s a giant sandbox with some pretty cool toys at your disposal, which makes things really flexible in terms of managing time. Until Dawn If you like intense experiences and fear is your thing, I think you should give Until Dawn a shot. The way the game plays with familiar tropes from your typical ‘cabin in the woods’ genre of horror, and makes them interactive, is worthy of high praise. War Thunder Since the game’s release on PlayStation 4, I’ve been very fond of aerial combat in War Thunder. The game’s arcade flight modes are ideal for some instant fun, while simulation modes allow you to feel full control (if you have the time and patience to master them!). Darkest Dungeon Darkest Dungeon is intense from the get go. It doesn’t take long before things become serious and you find yourself really invested in both the sanity of the characters you control, and their fate. Plus, it’s just a great RPG. Ratchet & Clank (2016) I like to reminisce and R&C is something that brings very fond memories of classic systems like PlayStation 2. It’s a treat for the eyes, and something you can enjoy with younger gamers in your family. Rayman Legends Rayman Legends is hands down one of my favourite platformers on PS4. Despite it’s not the easiest of games, it never frustrates, and always offers a great sense of satisfaction when you complete a level. Plus, I just love to lose myself in this kaleidoscope of color and sound — the way everything’s combined with gameplay is a real work of art. Bloodborne Since we’re talking about challenges, Bloodborne, despite being an entirely different game than Rayman, also comes to mind. If skill-honing in games is something that you’re looking for, you’ll get a lot of bang for the buck. Plus, I totally fell for the Lovecraftian themes. The Last of Us & Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection Definite favourites here at the studio, TLoU and Uncharted’s story, pacing and superbly fleshed out characters make these games real must haves. I personally believe that the way these games run, look and feel will remain a reference for many future story-driven titles in the industry. Grand Theft Auto V Another studio favourite, GTA V manages to blend really good storytelling with a world you can freely roam for hours on end. I mean, there’s not that many games that allow you to parachute down to the course for a quick game of golf. Head over to PlayStation Store now to browse Adam’s list, as well as picks curated by Cliff Bleszinski, YOKO TARO, the team behind INSIDE, and more. View the full article

Alert, PlayStation Nation! We just received intelligence that a soldier, a spy, and a symbiote have set their eyes on Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite. Your mission is to watch this action-packed gameplay trailer to prepare for the upcoming DLC characters Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and Venom, all available on December 5! Young soldier Bucky Barnes fought alongside his best friend Captain America during World War II. Presumed dead after a dangerous mission ended in tragedy, he was captured by enemy forces and secretly brainwashed into becoming a deadly assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Bucky, now free from his captors, is once again ready to fight for the good of humanity. Winter Soldier excels at ground combat using special moves that send the opponent flying across the screen and projectiles that bounce off the walls and floor. Bucky can activate metal shield, which utilizes his cybernetic arm to turn him into an anchor, allowing him to ignore attacks without taking any damage! Trained extensively in the art of combat and espionage and outfitted with state-of-the-art tech, Natasha Romanova is the super spy known as Black Widow. Dutiful and fearless, she is a master assassin who found her true calling as an Avenger. She now fights to protect the world from Ultron Sigma’s influence. As a deadly spy, Black Widow has tools for every situation. Her unique acrobatic jump can be performed in mid-air and followed up with one of her many tricky projectiles with the press of a button. Natasha also showcases her skills in hand-to-hand combat with her trusty electric batons. Blaming Peter Parker for the failure of his journalism career, former Daily Bugle reporter Eddie Brock bonded with a malevolent, symbiotic alien creature who had previously attempted to bond with Peter. United by the goal to destroy Spider-Man, they are the fearsome force known only as Venom! Prepare for the unexpected with Venom’s shapeshifting abilities. As a frightening force on the battlefield, Venom can launch himself across all angles of the screen and has no issue manipulating the opponent’s options to favor his own. Everyone who has the 2017 Character Pass will unlock access to Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and Venom on December 5 — along with the previously released Black Panther, Sigma, and Monster Hunter. Each character is also available for purchase individually. Free Demo Weekend: 11/24 to 11/27 For those wanting to try Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite or want to get your friends on board, we have some great news for you! We’re hosting a free demo weekend from November 24 at 8:00 AM Pacific to November 27 at 8:00 AM Pacific, exclusively on PS4! All 30 launch characters will be available to play, meaning you’ll be able to witness Captain Marvel’s strength, Dante’s style, and much more. There’s plenty of time to see which characters and teams speak to you along with which Infinity Stone you’ll choose to bring into battle. Be a hero and tell your friends and family to check out Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite! We’ll see you — and them — in the epic clash! View the full article

In case you missed it, the beloved Valkyria Chronicles series is making a grand return to the west with Valkyria Chronicles 4! Revisit a WWII inspired world with a refined tactical RPG battle system, rich painterly aesthetic, new ensemble cast of characters, and a captivating story about growing up on the battlefield. Although the Valkyria Chronicles 4 team has been super busy, we were able to ask producer Kei Mikami a few questions about his experience working on the newest mainline entry of the Valkyria Chronicles series. When did Valkyria Chronicles 4 begin development? Kei Mikami: It’s been about two years since the project officially started. It might be a little longer if you include the time our director, Mr. Yamashita, spent in the planning phase. What brought you back to the world of Valkyria Chronicles 4? Kei Mikami: The aim of this Valkyria Project is to expand the series on a global scale. We haven’t released a mainline title since Valkyria Chronicles 3 in 2011, so our goal from the beginning was to attract new audiences worldwide. Our overarching vision is to return to the original Valkyria Chronicles’ roots, while building on improvements from the rest of the series. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the culmination of everything we’ve learned up to this point. We began setting the groundwork for this project with Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for PS4. Our intent was to let fans experience Valkyria Chronicles’ origins and core gameplay on a next-gen console before moving forward with a brand-new numbered entry to the main series. What inspired the story, characters, and setting? Kei Mikami: Valkyria Chronicles 2 and 3 were both released exclusively on PSP, which was a very prolific console in Japan. Their themes, therefore, catered to our Japanese audience, such as a schoolyard environment or a fantastical special ops team. This time we decided to return to the first game’s grounded military setting. As such, we moved away from super soldiers with extraordinary powers. Instead you’ll find characters who are more like people you could see yourself meeting in everyday life. We gathered reference material by studying countless records of the troops who participated in World War II. In doing so, we learned about soldiers who never lost hope, even in dire straits. Perhaps it was their youthfulness that allowed them to hold onto that positivity. These tales of soldiers whose dreams were crushed by the stark realities of war, only for them to stand back up and face that reality head-on, affected our team on a deeply emotional level. What makes Valkyria Chronicles 4 different than the rest of the mainline series? Kei Mikami: The first Valkyria Chronicles games focused on the small country of Gallia. This time around, the world itself is expanding to reveal an epic story that covers the full scope of the Second Europan War. We recreated a world history loosely based on the frontlines of the Eastern Theatre and want you to experience a different side of the Europan conflict. How did the war impact other continents? What lies beyond the Gallian front? Discover the global impact of EWII through the mechanical improvements and narrative innovations of our latest creation. What’s new about the Canvas system? Kei Mikami: New hardware allowed us to repaint the gorgeous visuals you know and love in a whole new light. In order to amplify Canvas’ hand-drawn, watercolor aesthetic, we deepened the shadows to make its colors pop. We also added real-time environmental effects — like footprints left in the snow, or heatwaves warping the air around you — to give the sense that you’re actually there in person. Valkyria Chronicles 4 will be available on PS4 and will come out in the Americas and Europe in 2018. View the full article

We have been so thrilled to see the excitement and reception from the community around the launch of Skyrim on PlayStation VR. From the first time we tried virtual reality, we immediately dreamt about how our worlds would feel on this amazing technology. We couldn’t wait for you to experience The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — in its entirety — in VR. Once you step inside the world of Skyrim and take in the breathtaking scale and scope of the world and creatures, you’ll see why we’re so excited. In VR, you’re finally there. The scale feels real. The approach wasn’t a nerfed-down experience, but the whole game. From battling ancient dragons to exploring the towering rugged mountains, to crafting weapons and armor, even building homes and interacting with the many memorable characters you encounter in the world, it’s all in VR. And while Skyrim is a game so many of us know, it feels new again. Finding the perfect balance between player comfort and immersion was one of our biggest goals for Skyrim VR. To accomplish that, we’ve given you a suite of options and settings that can be adjusted to whatever you prefer including different movement methods like direct movement, optional FOV filters, and more. Simply go into the game’s main menu and go to settings, then VR, to adjust as you like. Ways to Play We wanted to provide a few tips for those jumping into Skyrim VR on how you can make it customizable to your play style and comfort. Skyrim VR can be played with either the PlayStation Move controllers or with the DualShock 4. The game includes both teleportation and direct movement options and various settings to cater to your comfort level. The game will default to Teleportation movement but simply go into main menu > gameplay settings > VR > movement and switch to your preferred option. There are other settings as well in the VR menu that can be adjusted to whatever you prefer, including comfort options, dominant hand selection, and more. Move Controllers: Free movement happens when pressing the Move button (the large button on the Left Motion Controller) and pointing in a direction. Turning is the right Motion Controller X or O buttons. DualShock 4: The DualShock will work just like it does in the original PS4 version with one exception — camera movement isn’t allowed with the right stick, instead it’s done via the VR headset and the right stick controls turning. Your First Steps Through Skyrim Watch our new PlayStation VR demonstration video above featuring Skyrim VR Lead Producer Andrew Scharf and Bethesda Assistant Director Matt Grandstaff showcasing how to prepare for the award-winning game’s move to PlayStation VR. We’ve also reimagined a number of gameplay systems for VR. Of course, there’s our updates to combat. Melee and ranged combat like firing a bow and arrow, using sword and shield to bash your enemies, feel even more real thanks to motion controls. With the Move controllers, you can now attack multiple targets simultaneously using spells. Each hand has 360 degree full range of motion, and can operate independently of the other hand – a first for Skyrim. The skills and map menus are also now a 360 degree experience. You can be in the center of the heavens with these constellations orbiting around you as you level up or get a true bird’s eye view of the Skyrim map and fast travel to your favorite locations. Huge thanks to all our developers, external partners, the great people at PlayStation, and you for the support and praise. We’re incredibly excited that Skyrim VR will be one of the first open-world games for virtual reality. It’s the first time that anything like this has been done and we can’t wait to hear about your new adventures in Skyrim VR. Now get out there and play with the PlayStation VR Skyrim VR bundle! View the full article

Saving your love, your kingdom, and your world are all important tasks. But don’t forget fishing! Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV comes to PS VR on November 21. Join Noctis and his loyal band of companions in a revitalized fishing system found in the original Final Fantasy XV. Fish in a variety of gorgeous locations and hone your skills as you prepare for an encounter with a menacing terror that lurks beneath the waters. For a full list of new games coming to PlayStation next week, read on. And enjoy the Drop! New Releases: Week of November 21, 2017 Axiom Verge PS4, PS Vita — Retail In Axiom Verge , you play as Trace, a scientist who awakens in an alien world after a lab explosion. A voice calls to Trace telepathically for help, his only clue to the strange world in which he finds himself. Battle of the Bulge PS4 — Digital (Out 11/22) Battle of the Bulge is a fast-paced, turn-based WW2 strategy game where precise movement and detailed planning make the difference between a vain attempt and a brave operation. Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV PS VR — Digital The acclaimed fishing feature of Final Fantasy XV has been revamped and revitalized for PS VR. Join Noctis, Ignis, Prompto, Gladio, and other familiar faces in a picturesque virtual reality backdrop en route to a thrilling encounter with the menace that lurks in the depths. Planet of the Apes: Lost Frontier PS4 — Digital Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier is a narrative adventure game of conquest, betrayal, and survival. When the fates of a tribe of apes and a band of human survivors intertwine, two worlds collide as their precarious existence hangs in the balance. Rec Room PS VR — Digital Rec Room is a vibrant and growing virtual community where you play with friends from all around the world! Create your avatar then head to the Rec Center for endless fun and games! Green Day – Greatest Hits: God’s Favorite Band PnB Rock – Catch These Vibes Diggin in the Carts: Rare Japanese Video Game Music American Assassin Despicable Me 3 Home Again Big Hero 6 Baymax Returns- November 20 at 8/7c (Disney XD) Inside the NFL- November 21 at 9/8c (Showtime) The Profit- November 21 at 10/9c (CNBC) The information above is subject to change without notice. View the full article

The Holiday season is upon us! Here at Playstation Store we’re making it easy to avoid the crowds and retain your sanity by bringing Black Friday discounts directly to you. No lines, no pushing and shoving, just pure gaming bliss from the comfort of the only place where shopping in your pajamas is actually acceptable. Even better, Black Friday Early Access starts now for PS Plus members with savings up to 40 percent on titles like Call of Duty: WWII – Digital Deluxe, Destiny 2, NBA2K18, FIFA 18, Madden NFL 18 and more! Head on over to Playstation Store through the weekend, the full lineup is listed below. Sleep in, but don’t hibernate, early access ends November 21 at 8 a.m. PT. And don’t forget to check back on Tuesday, when our Black Friday Sale opens to the public with even more titles. Games Platform Title Original Price PS Plus Price PS4 ASASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS – GOLD EDITION $99.99 $69.99 PS4 ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS $59.99 $41.99 PS4 ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS – DELUXE EDITION $69.99 $48.99 PS4 CALL OF DUTY: WWII – DIGITAL DELUXE $99.99 $89.99 PS4 DESTINY 2 $41.99 $38.99 PS4 DESTINY 2 – DIGITAL DELUXE $99.99 $74.99 PS4 DESTINY 2 – GAME + EXPANSION PASS BUNDLE $89.99 $67.49 PS4 FIFA 18 $59.99 $35.99 PS4 FIFA 18 ICON EDITION $99.99 $59.99 PS4 FIFA 18 RONALDO EDITION $79.99 $47.99 PS4 MADDEN NFL 18 $59.99 $30.00 PS4 MADDEN NFL 18: G.O.A.T. HOLIDAY EDITION $79.99 $40.00 PS4 MARVEL VS CAPCOM INFINITE DELUXE EDITION $89.99 $67.49 PS4 MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE – STANDARD EDITION $59.99 $41.99 PS4 NBA 2K18 $59.99 $41.99 PS4 NBA 2K18 LEGEND EDITION $99.99 $59.99 PS4 NBA 2K18 LEGEND EDITION GOLD $149.99 $119.99 PS4 NEED FOR SPEED PAYBACK – DELUXE EDITION $79.99 $47.99 PS4 NEED FOR SPEED PAYBACK $59.99 $35.99 PS4 NHL 18 $59.99 $30.00 PS4 NHL 18 – DELUXE EDITION $79.99 $40.00 PS4 NHL 18 – SUPER DELUXE EDITION $99.99 $50.00 PS4 OVERWATCH – GAME OF THE YEAR BUNDLE $59.99 $30.00 PS4 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2018 $59.99 $30.00 PS4 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2018 FC BARCELONA EDITION $69.99 $35.00 PS4 PROJECT CARS 2 $59.99 $41.99 PS4 SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE $59.99 $41.99 PS4 SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE GOLD EDITION $89.99 $62.99 PS4 WWE 2K18 $59.99 $35.99 PS4 WWE 2K18 DIGITAL DELUXE BUNDLE $89.99 $53.99 Note: All pricing is for U.S. only and subject to change. View the full article

This Sunday, November 19, marks the 10th anniversary of the Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune launch in North America. At the time, we knew it was the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the studio’s history, but never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that it would be the first step in an adventure that would span five games across two console generations during the last decade. We’re truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to build the world of Uncharted and tell unbelievable stories with Nate, Elena, Sully, Sam, Chloe, Nadine, and the rest of the cast; all while you, our biggest fans, were along for the ride. We’re commemorating the Uncharted 10th Anniversary with a month long celebration, beginning Sunday and culminating at PlayStation Experience 2017. Join us as we take a look back with a new video above that revisits some of the most beloved moments from Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune through Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. We’ve also teamed up with PlayStation to create and release a new Uncharted 10th Anniversary PS4 system theme and profile avatar, which will be available for free for 48 hours — from Sunday, November 19 at 8:00 AM Pacific until 8:00 AM Pacific, Tuesday, November 21. During this period, other select Uncharted PS4 system themes and avatars will also be free. Visit the PlayStation Store and look for an “Uncharted 10th Anniversary Bundle.” Don’t miss it. For our multiplayer fans, from today until December 19, we’re giving away an Uncharted 10th Anniversary character skin bundle in Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy multiplayer, which includes some classic skins for Nate, Elena, and Sully. We’re also hosting a 50% off sale on all Uncharted Point and Relic items until December 19. We’ll wrap up the Uncharted 10th Anniversary celebrations at PlayStation Experience with event activities, including a special retrospective panel featuring members of the cast of Uncharted and a show floor puzzle room experience set in a life-sized recreation of Nate’s Attic. We’ll also have new Uncharted 10th Anniversary merchandise available at the PlayStation Gear Store booth. Be sure to tune-in for the panel on Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 PM Pacific on live.playstation.com and follow Naughty Dog and PlayStation social channels all weekend long to see updates from the event. On behalf of everyone at the studio, thank you for 10 incredible years of Uncharted. View the full article

We’re less than a month away from PlayStation Experience and it’s finally time to reveal some of the developers and publishers who will be joining us on the show floor. Below is a near-final list of the exhibitors who are set to grace the halls of PlayStation Experience this year in Anaheim, California on December 9 and 10. As with all things, this list is subject to change — plus, we don’t want to give everything away just yet! In addition to tons of playable PS4 and PS VR games on the show floor, we’ll also be showcasing an array of immersive, interactive displays that will blend the world of game and reality — perfect fodder for your Instagram or Twitter feed! As the show approaches we’ll be sharing information on our panel lineup, programming, and more. Don’t miss your chance to join us in Anaheim on December 9 and 10 — get your tickets here. Show Hours Saturday, December 9 10:00am to 10:00pm Sunday, December 10 10:00am to 6:00pm 11 bit studios Ackk Studios Activision Publishing, Inc. Adult Swim Games Aksys Games AOne Games Aquiris Arcade Distillery Arika CO.,LTD. Armor Games Studios Artifact 5 Ask an Enemy Studios Atlus/Sega Batterystaple Games and Fire Hose Games Bend Studio Bit Kid, Inc. Blue Mammoth Games Bungie & Activision Capcom Cleaversoft Cococucumber Crows Crows Crows Dan & Gary Games Dangen Entertainment Deep Silver Devolver Digital Double Fine Productions Drinkbox Studios Electronic Arts En Masse Entertainment / Bluehole, Inc. Endnight Games Epic Games Finji + Infinite Fall Firesprite Friend & Foe AB Grab Games Grip Digital Highwire Games Hopoo Games, LLC Household Games Humble Bundle iam8bit Iggymob Impulse Gear Insomniac Games ISVR Japan Studio Lienzo Limited Run Games London Studio Mad Mimic Media Molecule Mommy’s Best Games MunkyFun Muse Games NapNok Games Naughty Dog nDreams Neowiz Paranoid Productions Playdius Playism Polyarc Polyphony Digital Quantic Dream Rebellion RocketPunch Games Samurai Punk San Diego Studio Santa Monica Studio Sirlin Games Spooky Squid Games Starbreeze Studio Surgical Scalpels Sunsoft Supermassive Games Survios Team Meat The Voxel Agents Toadman Interactive Tribetoy Trion Worlds Ubisoft Entertainment Ultizero Games USC Games Versus Evil LLC White Lotus Interactive Wish Studios Zoink Games But wait — there’s more. We’ll have more than 100 playable titles this year and here are some of the ones we’re most excited for. List is subject to change. 20XX A Duel Hand Disaster: Trackher Aegis Defenders At Sundown Boundary Brawlhalla Call of Duty: WWII Chasm Children of Morta Code :Hardcore Crossing Souls Dead by Daylight Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package Deadbolt Destiny 2 – Expansion I: Curse of Osiris Detroit: Become Human DJ Max Respect EarthNight Fantasy Strike Far Cry 5 fault milestone one Fight Knight Fighting EX Layer Flipping Death Fortnite Battle Royale Frantics Gang Beasts Gran Turismo Sport Guacamelee! 2 Guns of Icarus Alliance: PS4 Edition Hidden Agenda Horizon Chase Turbo Hover Iconoclasts Immortal: Unchained Kingdom Come: Deliverance Knights and Bikes Knowledge Is Power Lost Soul Aside (PSX 2017 Special Version) Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite MLB The Show 17 Monster Hunter: World Moonlighter Mothergunship Mulaka Night in the Woods No Heroes Here Omen of Sorrow Pig Eat Ball Pinstripe Riverbond Russian Subway Dogs School Girl/Zombie Hunter Shadow of the Colossus Shape of the World SkullPirates Sonic Forces Sonic Mania Strange Brigade Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition Super Daryl Deluxe Super Meat Boy Forever Tera That’s You! The Adventure Pals The Cat and the Coup The Church in the Darkness The Forest The Gardens Between The Night Journey The Swords of Ditto Tokyo Xanadu EX+ Tower 57 Trove Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Under Night In-Birth EXE:Late[ST] Vane Walden, a game War Theatre Way of the Passive Fist World End Economica Yakuza 6: The Song of Life YIIK: A Postmodern RPG PlayStation VR Anamorphine Bow to Blood Bravo Team Dark Eclipse Farpoint Golem Gungrave Knockout League League of War: VR Arena Medusa and Man Moss Resident Evil 7 biohazard Shooty Fruity Sprint Vector The American Dream The Inpatient The Persistence X Animal Xing: The Land Beyond View the full article

Imagine the following scenario: You are tasked with translating an epic, 50-hour adventure from one language to another — including visual cues and UI elements — with a massive story, while maintaining cultural relevance, jokes, and idioms for your new audience. All without compromising the intent, message, and drama of any given scene. This was essentially our task for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, and we wanted to share some of the hurdles (And joys!) of this process. No Single Challenge I wouldn’t classify any of Yakuza 6 as having a “single tough challenge” so much as having lots of little challenges that needed to be recognized early on, many of which stem from the fact that we very intentionally leave the Yakuza series in its native Japanese. For example: when baby Haruto is upset, as Kiryu, it’s your job to console him. The hints he gives you about how to do that are delivered via voice in the middle of a baby-comforting mini-game where the UI takes up the subtitle space, so we had to be creative about ensuring those hints were subtitled and displayed somewhere else on screen without conflicting with the UI. Another huge challenge for us was the “Bar Conversation” minigame, in which Kiryu engages with a lively group of regulars at a bar and has to select from multiple dialog options to keep the conversation flowing naturally. We did a straight translation and edit on our first pass, but in this case, the unstructured nature of English makes canned responses like “Wow” “Oh really?” and “You don’t say!” all perfectly viable responses to any topic of conversation, while in Japanese, you would know exactly which one of those would carry the conversation forward. We ended up going back through this text to clarify which options were wrong, and as a result, due to the localization, this minigame will have a different feel in English than perhaps it did in Japanese. The Balance Between Comedy and Drama The developers and script writers have found this balance for us, and it’s really up to the localization team to ensure we maintain it in a way that Western players can appreciate. While the main story’s dramatic twists and turns usually lean toward the serious side of things, the next moment you might find yourself rocking out at a karaoke bar or jumping off a fishing boat and punching a shark. I think our localization team really gets the dev team’s adult-oriented humor, and the substories in Yakuza 6 have some great social commentary about technology and the way people use it (or fail to use it) that’s universal around the world. There’s one substory called, “Like, Comment, Subscribe” that has a little fun with the concept of social media influencers, and another finds Kiryu installing a digital “personal assistant” onto his phone, with hilarious results. Want to Learn More? If you’d like to learn more of these behind-the-scene tidbits, we do a weekly stream across our channels (we we will be making some special announcements you won’t see elsewhere), which you can find out more about on Facebook or following us on Twitter at @YakuzaGame. Or if you need to catch up on the series, I highly recommend: 1.) you visit our Yakuza Experience site (featuring character maps, timelines, and a whole comic series dedicated to filling in the backstory between Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 6). And 2.) just today, we released a video you can watch on our channels that will help newcomers better understand the relationship between Kiryu and Haruka. It’s also a great refresher for those who might not have played the games for a while. Special Surprise! Before signing off, I’ve been given the honor of revealing our cover art for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life! As Kiryu’s journey comes full circle, we wanted a throwback to the original Yakuza cover here, but with the additions of Haruka and Haruto, who are now the driving forces in Kiryu’s life. We hope you like it! One more thing: For those of you wondering about the winners of our art contest, it has been a delightful challenge selecting the winners. We asked, ”How far will you go for family” and have seen some incredible submissions we can’t wait to show them off as part of our (very) limited Launch Edition. As part of our first run, everyone who purchases the Launch Edition will receive a 24-page artbook, filled with art celebrating Yakuza fandom. We will begin contacting winners soon and will reveal the winning pieces through launch, so make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see this awesome art. View the full article

The Doom VFR release date is closing in and we’re excited to announce a new bundle that will vault you into the fast-paced, thrilling gameplay you love but as a totally new experience built for VR. The PlayStation VR Doom VFR Bundle includes* the PlayStation VR system, PlayStation Camera, the updated PS VR Demo Disc and Doom VFR Blu-ray Disc. Doom VFR transports you to the UAC facility on Mars and the depths of Hell, as your skills are put to the test through intense combat. Set shortly after the demonic invasion on the UAC’s Martian research facility, you are the last known human survivor – until your death. Under a top-secret UAC operational contingency protocol, your consciousness is transferred to an artificial brain matrix. Your designated purpose: restore operational stability and use any means necessary to stop the onslaught of demons. The game can be played with either a DualShock 4 wirelress controller, PlayStation Move controllers, or the PlayStation VR Aim Controller to heighten your experience. The PlayStation VR Doom VFR Bundle will start to hit shelves alongside the game on December 1 across the U.S. and Canada for $399.99 USD (MSRP) / $499.99 CAD (MSRP). If you want to make sure you get your hands on one, pre-order your bundle starting today. Are you ready for Doom VFR? Will this be your first FPS in VR? Let us know! *Update: An earlier version of this post stated that this bundle includes two PS Move controllers. The bundle includes the PlayStation VR system, PlayStation Camera, the updated PS VR Demo Disc, and a Blu-ray copy of Doom VFR. View the full article

Hello! This is Akira Nishitani from Arika, but you might know me as NIN. Currently I’m hard at work on creating our “Mysterious Fighting Game.” It’s been awhile since we’ve made some announcements, so today I’d like to share two new pieces of news with you all. Up until now, we’ve been referring to our project as “The Mysterious Fighting Game,” but we’re happy to announce that it finally has an official name: it’s Fighting EX Layer! There were some troubles during the naming process that caused some delays, but it’s finally settled! (Although there were a lot of people already calling it this whenever we streamed…) The next piece of news is that the dates for the beta test have been decided! Immediately following the conclusion of Playstation Experience on December 11, we will be holding the beta test for a two week period! There will be six characters playable in total: Kairi, Garuda, Skullomania, Darun Mister, Allen Snider, and Shirase. This time we really want to focus on testing the network match function around the world, so everyone please participate and don’t hesitate to give us your honest feedback. But that’s not all! We will also be bringing a demo version to Playstation Experience! If you want to get a headstart before the beta test, please come out and try our game. About the Gougi system that everyone is curious about: it’s grown into a very deep and exciting addition to the game. When the idea first came about, I brainstormed various Gougi, which combinations would work well, and what the matches would be like. Trying to imagine all of the possibilities, I got a feeling that “This game is going to be interesting!” But after experimenting with my Gougi ideas, I often ended up saying “This is not what I imagined.” But that’s where the fun lies! Coming up with new ideas and experimenting in game was awesome. I believe not many games allow you to so easily brainstorm ideas and then test them out in-game; please try it! There a few things I wanted to accomplish with the Gougi system: “I want to change the flow of matches.” For example, in most other fighting games, aside from times where you think, “I can win in one more combo,” “I can win if I chip him out,” and “I’m in the corner,” your battle strategy doesn’t really change that much, right? I wanted to change this on a system level and make a game where matches get crazier and more exciting as they go on. “I want players to have different ways to play depending on their Gougi.” This goes without saying! I’m sure there will be some Gougi that work well with other Gougi, and some that suit certain characters better than others. “I want to continue adding Gougi and change the game environment.” This is still just an idea, but I’d like to add new Gougi at certain fixed intervals, which would in turn create the feeling of a new game. Even by adding just a single Gougi, I think you would be surprised by how much the characters can change. Although as a developer, I’m quite worried about whether or not something crazy will occur! Frankly speaking, the Gougi system is extreme! Please enjoy it, and go into battle thinking “What kind of crazy thing can I do to my opponent this time?” Well then, I also will be going to Anaheim for Playstation Experience, so let’s meet at the venue! View the full article

It’s an exciting time for Rainbow Six Siege. We’re close to the start of Season 4 and the release of Operation White Noise, the upcoming content drop set in Seoul, South Korea. Featuring two new Operators from South Korea’s 707th Special Mission Battalion and one new Operator from Poland’s GROM unit, Operation White Noise also comes with a new map set high above the city’s skyline, in the Mok Myeok observation tower where attackers and defenders will battle it out at higher altitudes than normal. “The objective for White Noise is to alter the meta and current tactics,” says Alexandre Remy, brand director on Rainbow Six Siege. “We want to have a season that’s about intel and communication.” Designing new Operators and gadgets that can disrupt prevalent strategies and counter popular Operator picks is a big part what the team of thinks about when planning new content for Rainbow Six Siege, but there are a number of other factors that come into play during the conceptualization phases of a new Operation. “The first criteria is that we want our players to travel, and that means going to a country, city, or location where we haven’t been before,” Remy explains. “The second criteria is that country should have a counter-terrorism unit.” “At the conception level, we separate art and fantasy versus gameplay. The gameplay and design teams look at the meta through stats, forums, the community, and playtests,” he adds. “The team has a pretty clear idea of either what is missing or what we need to improve, and what behaviors we want to encourage with each new Operator.” As an example, Remy says that Operation Blood Orchid was designed to shorten the time to engagement, with both attackers and defenders given gadgets to support more aggressive play styles. Since the original launch of Rainbow Six Siege in 2015, the team has made this process its primary focus. Every year, the team sets out to create four new maps and eight new Operators, which represent about 40% of the content that was found in the original release of Rainbow Six Siege. Additionally, the team made the game’s overall health a priority by introducing Operation Health earlier this year. “Operation Health was where the whole player experience, when it comes to services, is key,” says Remy. “If the base services – matchmaking, connectivity, or ping – for players don’t work properly, then the quality and the quantity of the content you bring doesn’t matter.” If you have yet to jump into Rainbow Six Siege to check out these improvements or the content that has been added since launch, we have some great news: Starting November 16 at 5:00am PST and running through November 20 at 5:00am PST, Rainbow Six Siege will be free to play for PS Plus subscribers. Additionally, the full editions of the game will be on sale for up to 60% off from November 16 through November 27, and if you purchase Rainbow Six Siege, your progress from the free weekend will carry over. Come see what nearly 25 million players have already experienced and get ready for the launch of Operation White Noise. View the full article

When PlayStation 4 launched on November 15, 2013 in the US and Canada, Warframe was the first downloadable free-to-play game available. If you thought space ninjas were cool then and you downloaded our game, you either know how much has changed since that launch, or are wondering why you’re still reading about Warframe four years later. Why, after nearly four years, is now a prime time to pick up Warframe? It’s simple: Plains of Eidolon is our biggest, most ambitious update ever. And we think you will love it. It’s also free… So, just what is Plains of Eidolon? Let’s do a little rewind first. At launch, Warframe was a small Beta game with just a few procedurally generated maps and a few Warframes. In the early days of Warframe, the developers would often describe it as the hyper sci-fi version of other established cooperative survival shooters. It was simple and modest, especially when compared to what it is now, but even so many were drawn to download it. In fact, after Netflix, it was the second most downloaded app on PS4. But it left a lot to be desired – both in content and direction. During the next four years, Warframe grew. It has become a massive game, packed with thousands of hours of gameplay with MMO and action-RPG aspects, but without ever falling distinctly into either genre. This cooperative action game for 1-4 players (and 8 players in Trial missions) now offers 34 Warframes, each with their own unique aesthetic and Abilities, two significant cinematic quests (The Second Dream and The War Within), the addition of a new Parkour movement system, a new Melee combat system, a new Focus and Operator system, a fully reworked interface and Star Chart, a flight system called Archwing, a fully Remastered Earth tileset, dozens of new story quests, and a lot more. If you have been playing Warframe over the years, either as a veteran or weekend warrior, you are familiar with traveling from your ship to planets and back to unlock and play missions. The procedurally-generated mission maps have a clear start and finish, with objectives that lead you through fixed and enclosed environments. Today, we’re launching an open-space Landscape called Plains of Eidolon on PlayStation, which enables you, faithful Tenno, the chance to explore an open territory like never before in Warframe. You can approach the environment any way you want. The Plains offer a continual asymmetrical day-night cycle with different activities in each timeframe. Want to hang out in the settlement town of Cetus with friends and visit the Ostron vendors? Craft your very own bone-crushing melee weapon (which we call a “Zaw”)? Burst straight into combat against new Grineer enemy types by raiding base camps and ambushing roaming squads? Or are you more the exploratory type? Would you prefer to adventure through the landscape, experiencing the verdant, rolling hills, lakes and rivers on your own time? This offers more relaxing activities, like mining for resources from rock deposits, or chilling with friends and fishing for, OK, we admit, otherworldly-looking fish in the lakes and rivers. Or are you a proud veteran player, with the experience to take on the ultimate battle against the titanic Teralyst Eidolon, a giant monstrosity that requires a calculated blend of combat skills and systems to beat it? Starting today, a new chapter begins with Plains of Eidolon on PS4. This massive, 2.5 X 2.5 kilometer territory is open, bristling with strange creatures, enemies, and surprises to explore, and it’s all free. Come check it out. We’ll see you in the Plains, Tenno! View the full article

You read that right! Super Daryl Deluxe, our parents’ favorite RPGvania with brawler-style combat set inside of a perfectly normal, sprawling, multi-dimensional high school, is coming to PS4. Like any other perfectly normal school, the students and faculty of Water Falls High are going missing, and the classrooms have been locked down for weeks. Daryl, the silent and mysterious new kid, is quickly sucked into these common adolescent mysteries and must make his way through the school’s enormous classroom worlds (based on fun academic subjects such as “History” and “Science”) to battle monstrous foes and possessed Honor Students. It all started way back in the before times when Gary studied game design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. You see, Gary used to like games and wanted to create his own, except he couldn’t do it by himself. He needed someone blessed with talent to make his dream come true. So, sitting in Gary’s childhood room one summer away from college, Gary finally suggested to me (blessed with talent) that we try making a game to get babes. He would program and I would learn how to draw and use a computer. Like all great games, Super Daryl Deluxe was inspired by our experiences from high school. I’m not entirely sure what the goal was at this stage, because neither of us could have imagined the sheer scale of the game nearly five years later. It must’ve been equal parts staving off boredom, a desire to rekindle the stupid crap we used to laugh at with our friends, delusion, and an ultimatum from the Saudi government. The project basically began as a half-baked RPG duct-taped together with a stupid collection of inside jokes told through the lens of a character named Daryl Whitelaw – the greasiest, most unsavory, mouth-breathing, business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back, bottlenecked new kid we could conjure. The working title of the project was I Survived, a nod to the statement on the front of the shirts Gary and I sold in high school that documented the harrowing events our class had to endure, like Swine Flu and the time the principal told us we couldn’t sell shirts. It wasn’t until two summers later did Gary and I begin to realize that Daryl was simply too greasy of a character and that I Survived made no sense as our game’s title, especially since the project had evolved beyond all those inside jokes into a world of its own. Daryl as a person was an easy issue to solve with some conceptual tweaking (we gave him a headband). The game’s name, however, had to be taken to the elementary school playground swingset where a good portion of the game’s tough questions were parsed out in great length. “Lmao what if we called it ‘Super Daryl Deluxe’, hahahaha” screamed Dan from the crest of his gliding swing. “Haw haw haw,” chortled Gary, “That’s worse than the current name.” So we called the game Super Daryl Deluxe. The gameplay of SDD revolves primarily around customizable combat. Whether it’s melee or poison or combo or utility skills, Daryl’s mysterious self-help book grants him dozens of neato tush-kicking options to cater to almost any playstyle (there are no golfing skills, I’m afraid). He can only equip five at a time, of course, so finding the right combination that works for you is key. And like any combat game worth its salt, every skill can be upgraded to unlock its full potential. We created a vast world inside Water Falls High with the help of that whole multidimensional thing. With over a hundred characters and probably twice as many maps (who’s counting?), Daryl can explore everything from ancient Egypt to Ebenezer Scrooge’s mansion. Anyway, Gary and I are pretty excited to show you more Super Daryl Deluxe in the next few months. Thanks for checking us out and we hope you stick with us for the last few months of development! Please feel free to post any comments or questions you have below. Gary will love reading them. View the full article

With the long awaited Star Wars Battlefront II launching in a matter of days, I’m excited to reveal our latest live action campaign: “Rivalry.” You’ll see this airing on TV over the next few weeks, but we wanted to show it here for our biggest fans. In this new spot, watch as our heroes take their rivalry to the next level. Star Wars fans will notice iconic motifs like the Death Star, the Battle of Hoth, and many more. Watch the spot, pre-order Star Wars Battlefront II for PlayStation 4, and prepare to settle the score with your greatest rivals. Whether you have yet to join the PS4 family, or simply want to add another Limited Edition console to your collection, we’ve got two new Star Wars Battlefront II bundles launching this month. Pre-order yours here. The Limited Edition bundle launching November 14 for $449.99 USD (MSRP) comes with a custom designed PS4 Pro, matching DualShock 4 wireless controller and the Deluxe Edition of the game. The Star Wars Battlefront II PS4 bundle launching on November 17 for $299.99 USD (MSRP) includes a Jet Black 1TB HDD standard PS4, DualShock 4 wireless controller and a copy of Star Wars Battlefront II Standard Edition. Enjoy our new video, and let us know in the comments which side you’ll be fighting for. May the Force be with you! View the full article