Commander Fury

Whew! We’re still recovering from last night’s densely packed Media Showcase, featuring our closest look yet at Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, Days Gone and more, plus a few surprise announcements (Shadow of the Colossus!!) and some rather excellent music to open the event. Of course, E3 isn’t just about what happens on stage. We’ve worked with dozens of creators to assemble this mega-list of updates on games on deck for release on PlayStation platforms — with a few new announcements sprinkled in for good measure. Finally, don’t forget that we’ll have ongoing coverage from the E3 show floor all week long! Tune into PlayStation Live from E3 2017 Tuesday through Thursday, and keep an eye out for even more new updates throughout the week. Enjoy! God of War Santa Monica Studio PS4 God of War’s new E3 trailer gave us a super-sized look at new creatures, new weapons, and new locations populating Santa Monica Studios’ bold take on Norse mythology. Can’t wait to learn more about this ambitious PS4 epic – now confirmed for release in early 2018. — Sid Shuman // PlayStation.Blog Everybody’s Golf Clap Hanz and JAPAN Studio PS4 20 years since its first release, the beloved franchise returns with Everybody’s Golf. Clap Hanz and JAPAN Studio worked together to create a variety of unique online and offline game modes that will be enjoyable for anyone who likes games. — Tomoyo Kimura // Associate ISD Producer, Sony Interactive Entertainment Indivisible 505 Games, Lab Zero Games PS4 Indivisible is a new, action-packed RPG from Lab Zero, creators of the critically acclaimed Skullgirls! Set in an immersive fantasy world, Indivisible tells the story of Ajna, a good-natured tomboy with a rebellious streak who sets out on a quest to save everything she knows from being destroyed. — Erik Heiberg // Brand Manager, 505 Games Last Day of June 505 Games, Ovosonico PS4 Join Carl and June on what begins as a magical outing to their favorite spot, and try to unlock the sequence of events that could save the day – and June’s life – in this cinematic experience that will compel you to ask yourself: “What would I do to save the one I love?†Last Day of June is an interactive tale about love and loss, from an all-star team of creators – including critically acclaimed director Massimo Guarini (Murasaki Baby, Shadows of the Damned) and award-winning musician and record producer Steven Wilson, and featuring a collaboration with writer/director/animator Jess Cope (animator on “Frankenweenie,†director for Metallica’s “Here Comes Revenge†music video). — Rodolfo Rolando // Brand Manager, 505 Games Portal Knights 505 Games, Keen Games PS4 Leave the familiar world behind and step into the fantastic unknown with Portal Knights, our cooperative 3D sandbox action-RPG title! The aim of Portal Knights has always been simple: to develop an RPG action title with our community, for our community. Pick a character class, defeat your enemies using weapons you’ve crafted along the way, and level up your hero on your adventure. Featuring tactical combat, this game allows you to explore a whole range of randomly generated islands and restore peace to a world torn apart by The Fracture. Craft your adventure. Level up your hero. Defeat the Portal Guardians. Become the ultimate Portal Knight! — Antonela Pounder // Community Manager, 505 Games MXGP3 – The Official Motocross Videogame Milestone PS4 The new MXGP3 will offer you a dynamic, ever-more enjoyable gaming experience thanks to a series of innovative graphics and techniques introduced by the new Unreal Engine 4 graphics engine, which will take the game experience to a surprising new level. Hit the gas and get ready to tackle unpredictable, dynamic weather conditions in a competition which is unique in its genre. From sun to heavy rain, every change will decisively influence the rider’s visibility and the highly-deformable ground, putting even the most expert player to the test. And it is the ground which provides the greatest challenge: mud, dust and dynamic deformations will be the master of all, while the sounds of engines running at full throttle, souped up with a brand new audio engine, merge with the ambient noise. — Andrea Loiudice // Marketing Manager, Milestone Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Natsume Inc. PS4 In Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, players begin the game as they set out looking for a fresh start and new surroundings. During their voyage, their ship is hit by a monsoon and goes down. As they drift into a small harbor town, now in a shambles from the storm, it will be up to the player to help rebuild the town and save the lighthouse…but it won’t be easy! Nevertheless, with some hard work growing crops, tending livestock, and gathering materials for repairs, players will be able to make new friends, start a family, revive the lighthouse, and save the town! — Taka Maekawa // Producer, Natsume Inc. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Bandai Namco PS4 Welcome to Ding Dong Dell, a kingdom where all manner of creatures once lived in harmony. That was before a ruthless coup occurred and now Evan, the boy king is forced to flee his home. This is where Evan’s journey to build his own realm and unite the world of Ni No Kuni begins! Today during the PlayStation E3 2017 Media Showcase, we debuted the “Forge a Kingsbond†trailer for Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. At its core, Ni No Kuni II is a coming of age story that blends unique characters with a highly in-depth action RPG battle system and gorgeous visuals that blur the line between theatrical animations and video games. We’ re honored to bring you this grand adventure and can’t wait for everyone to start his or her own journey, when Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom launches on PS4 on November 10, 2017. — Dmitryi Khlynin // Community Specialist, Bandai Namco Pool Elite Mastiff LLC, Elite Game Studio, Lokum Games. PS4 Eight ball corner pocket! Mastiff, in partnership with Elite Game Studio and Lokum Games are gearing up to bring Pool Elite to the PlayStation 4. With ultra-realistic physics that have been scrutinized, reviewed, and perfected by pool professionals, Pool Elite is shaping up to be the most realistic, high-stakes multiplayer pool experience ever! And with online cross-platform matchmaking, Pool Elite looks to raise the bar on multiplayer billiard games, so keep that cue stick and chalk handy because we’ll have more news for you to pocket soon! — David Bruno // Public Relations, Mastiff The Inpatient Supermassive Games PlayStation VR The Inpatient is a brand new horror VR game set in the Blackwood Sanatorium, over 60 years prior to Until Dawn. With deep immersion that places YOU in the game, you take on the role of an amnesiac inpatient. Over the course of the game you must find out who you are and why you are in the Sanatorium. With a branching narrative, and different endings; every choice you make can drastically affect the way the game plays out. — Nik Bowen // Game Director, Supermassive Games Bravo Team Supermassive Games PlayStation VR Bravo Team is a modern-day, first-person cover shooter made exclusively for PlayStation VR. With teamwork at the core of the game, Bravo Team allows for both single player and online 2 player co-op. Developed to be compatible with both DualShock 4 and the PS VR Aim Controller. Bravo Team drops two players into a fictional modern day Eastern European city. When a high profile escort mission goes wrong, the country threatens to tear itself apart… and the players along with it. They’ll need to lean round corners to take out targets, duck for cover if under fire, raise the PS VR Aim Controller to view through the iron sight, or hold above their heads to blind fire. — Keith Linares // Lead Designer, Supermassive Games Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV Square Enix PlayStation VR Come check out Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV — a completely new Final Fantasy XV experience, now in PlayStation VR! You are now the hero! Grab your rod and head back to the waters of Eos.In Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV, test yourself with a wide variety of fishing challenges, witness stunning details only in PlayStation VR, and revisit familiar faces like Noctis, Prompto, Ignis, Gladiolus, and many more! Look out for the Monster of the Deep that lurks in the seemingly safe waters. — Mat Kishimoto // Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Square Enix, Inc. ROM: Extraction First Contact Entertainment PlayStation VR (Aim Controller support) First Contact Entertainment is a virtual reality studio made up of game industry veterans from world-class franchises like Call of Duty, Overwatch, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Adrift, and Overkill’s The Walking Dead VR. As a studio we’re focused on raising and setting the bar for immersive VR gaming: creating high-quality visuals, game mechanics, characters and narrative with a focus on fun and replayability. Our debut VR game ROM: Extraction released in 2016, and we’re excited to announce that ROM is now coming to PS VR! After exploring the enhanced mechanics made possible by the PS Aim Controller, we’re inspired to develop additional ROM content exclusively for PlayStation VR and PS VR aim controller. Players can expect multiple new weapons, new types of enemies, new levels and an entirely new game mode. ROM itself is a twist on the classic arcade shooter–and with the addition of this new exclusive PS VR content, we are taking it even further! Set in the year 2076, you’ll take on the role of an Extractor, on a mission to obtain alien resources to bring back to Earth. Unfortunately, your ship has been overrun by extraterrestrial AI, laser-focused on protecting these vital resources. By combining your futuristic weapons with your ability to slow down time, you’ll eliminate enemies like never before in this high-intensity arcade experience. ROM: Extraction is VR gaming with a twist, and we’re thrilled to develop that further with PlayStation VR and the PS VR Aim Controller, coming Fall 2017. — Adam Orth // Creative Strategist, First Contact Entertainment The Persistence Firesprite Ltd. PlayStation VR With E3 approaching, we are excited to reveal some of the terrifying cast you will encounter on board The Persistence! During a scientific experiment, hundreds of the ship’s crew were accidentally teleported in to space. ‘IRIS’, the ships computer, tried to bring them all back but the DNA of The Persistence’s crew was merged and began to mutate. This is how The Berserker was born. He’s 9ft tall, over 4ft wide, and has serious anger issues! It’s much safer to run and hide when you see a Berserker but if you’re ready to take a big risk, you can use his rage to your advantage. If you can somehow cause him damage, then the red mist descends and he’ll smash anything and anybody, including other mutants! Of course, if he sees you then his snarling face is going to be the last thing you ever see! The only mutant onboard that he’s unable to kill is The Weeper, who will paralyse anyone that comes too close to her. She’s truly terrifying! — Stuart Tilley // Game Director, Firesprite Ltd Tiny Trax FuturLab PlayStation VR Hi all! Dave Gabriel from FuturLab here, thrilled to announce that Tiny Trax, our spectacular VR racer, is heading to PS VR in July!If you remember playing with classic slot-car racing toys, you’ll love Tiny Trax! Steer your car as if it were radio controlled, zipping along walls, dunking underwater, flying overhead, and looping upside-down through ice-caves, all happening just inches from your face! Choose from six vehicles to race against AI, or up to four friends online in single races and tournaments spanning twelve imaginative tracks over three beautiful environments! — Dave Gabriel // Design, FuturLab View the full article

Hey everyone! My name is Bryan Intihar and I’m the Creative Director at Insomniac Games working on Spider-Man. It’s been a while since we last showed the game, but today at the PlayStation Media Showcase we unveiled our first gameplay demo, and revealed that the game will arrive on PlayStation 4 consoles in 2018. Working with Marvel has been a lifelong dream come true for me. You may remember this story from my blog last year, about the time when I first heard we had the opportunity to make this game, and I rushed into Insomniac CEO Ted Price’s office and told him “we have to do this!†It’s been an amazing ride ever since, working with our longtime partners at Sony Interactive Entertainment and our new collaborators at Marvel. What we’ve created is our own new contribution to the Spider-Man universe that mixes the familiar with the unexpected. We are super passionate about creating a compelling, completely original Spider-Man that fans have never experienced before. This isn’t a retelling of his origin story; our Spider-Man features a 23-year-old Peter Parker who has become a masterful Spider-Man. While he may be more experienced, Peter and Spider-Man’s worlds continue to collide as he tries to juggle them. In the real-time gameplay demo we released (and will be playing live in a theater in the PlayStation Booth at E3), Spider-Man has arrived at a construction site owned by Wilson Fisk (a.k.a. the Kingpin). Fisk’s men are under assault by a gang known as the Inner Demons, and Spider-Man has to stop the bloodshed. In the process, he learns that Martin Li, one of the city’s most prominent philanthropists, secretly leads the Inner Demons via his alter-ego, Mr. Negative. Martin Li runs the F.E.A.S.T. shelters all across town which only further complicates things for Peter Parker’s personal life, as his beloved Aunt May works at F.E.A.S.T. During the demo, you’ll see a sampling of Spider-Man’s more powerful improvisational and acrobatic combat style. He’s honed his skills and he’s stronger and more confident in combat. Dodging, using webs, and aerial combat are all second nature. You may also notice the usage of Web Trip Wire and impact webs. After spending eight years fighting crime in the city, Parker’s genius in the lab and workshop has led to the creation of many new gadgets and devices that he can use as Spider-Man during the course of the game. We’ve taken great care when developing a beautiful Manhattan for players to explore. Getting the web swinging right was absolutely imperative to us, and we’ve spent a lot of time on that (yes, webs do attach to buildings). But you’ll also notice Spider-Man has a whole other suite of traversal moves, including using parkour-style moves to overcome any part of the environment with effortless skill. Our Spider-Man is also about those BIG moments that punctuate the story, and you’ll see one of those in the demo as Spider-Man tackles the challenge of chasing Mr. Negative while also protecting the citizens of New York. We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing Spider-Man to life on PlayStation 4 in 2018. To keep up with all the latest, be sure to follow Insomniac Games on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Or join the conversation on our sub-Reddit or Discord channels! – Bryan View the full article

Hey everyone, It has been a lifelong dream of mine to collaborate with creative minds and make cool games. It’s my pleasure to share that dream with you all by introducing you to the world of Moss on behalf of all of us here at Polyarc. I am grateful for the privilege to share the first look at the world we are building at Sony’s E3 2017 press conference. We’ve worked hard to make something great, and while there is much more work ahead we are excited to give you a look. If you missed the live show please see the link to our trailer included at the top of this post. For those attending E3 in person, we’d love to meet you and show you our game. We’ll have a playable demo of Moss for you at the Sony booth so please come on by and say hello. After you watch the video and/or play the demo please tell us what you think. We are making this game to share with all of you, and it is very important to us to hear your reactions and thoughts. Polyarc was founded to pursue the opportunity to express our craft in the new and exciting medium of VR. Our goal is to make the most of the possibilities VR offers to build new worlds and tell new stories. It is our belief that the fundamentals of what make a game great apply to VR and that with those fundamentals in place, we can make something truly special. We are excited to bring you physically into the world of Moss where you are both guiding the hero Quill with the gamepad and at the same time reaching in and interacting with the environment directly. Our hope is that Moss offers a rich and entertaining game that appeals to those of us that are already fans of VR while offering something compelling to those that have not yet discovered the magic. Moss tells the tale of the first adventure of an unlikely hero named Quill—a small mouse from a remote forest settlement who is fated to be the key in a much larger story. One day while exploring the woods she finds a mysterious stone and an ancient magic is awakened, linking you together in an extraordinary alliance. In gameplay, her skills are complementary to yours. You’ll guide her actions through familiar action-adventure controls, while also directly manipulating the field of play as your own character. Mutual communication and shared victories will only strengthen your connection to each other and further your joint resolve. We’re so proud of this trailer, our demo, and the world that we’re creating. We believe this is a game for everyone—early VR adopters, casual gamers, or really, anyone looking for an exciting new experience. And being able to share it with you this E3 is honestly, a dream. But there’s still a lot of work ahead of us to get Moss to its full potential. And much like Quill, we need you by our side on this journey. So please, let us know what you think and stay connected! View the full article

During the Sony PlayStation E3 2017 Press Conference tonight, Activision debuted the first look at the Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer, complete with the pounding sounds of war and actual flames while providing a scorching look at this highly anticipated game. However, the real heat came from the trailer itself, which you can watch above. Warning: have some ice nearby for your retinas. As you can see, Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer marks an exciting return to the franchise’s World War II roots and combat that defined the franchise. Prepare for fast-paced, grounded action with an arsenal of iconic weapons and equipment in the fight to liberate a continent in the throes of tyranny. Call of Duty: WWII immerses players in the brutal gameplay of history’s largest conflict. Private BetaIn addition to dropping the Multiplayer trailer, Sony also announced during their press conference the start date for the Call of Duty: WWII Private Beta, which will be launching first on the PlayStation 4 on August 25. Pre-order now at participating retailers and get access to the Private Beta. MultiplayerCall of Duty: WWII Multiplayer offers players true franchise innovations across the entire experience with brand new ways to connect, compete and engage as a community. Divisions redefines how players develop their WWII Multiplayer Careers by enlisting in five iconic WWII-era divisions. War Mode lets players compete against each other in team-driven, objective gameplay. And Headquarters is a transformational new experience that will connect players like never before. War ModeWar Mode is an all-new game mode where players must work as a team to defeat the enemy. This narrative-driven Multiplayer experience immerses players in iconic World War II locations. Allied and Axis forces clash in team-driven assault and defend missions for key strategic objectives. DivisionsDivisions fundamentally redefines how players invest in their Multiplayer career. The is a reimagining of the create-a-class system, and players will choose from five iconic World War II divisions each with specific division training and division weapon skills. Airborne: First to the fight, where you move fast and stay quiet Mountain: Focusing on precise and deadly sharpshooting Infantry: Be the tip of the spear Armored: Bringing the heaviest firepower Expeditionary Force: Packing heat with incendiary shells This streamlined approach to Multiplayer gives players the ability to reinforce their individual play styles while dominating the enemy players in the world’s largest conflict. HeadquartersHeadquarters is an all new off-the-frontlines experience for Call of Duty players. Players will compete, earn rewards, show off their accomplishments, and connect with fans and friends. Unlike anything experienced in Call of Duty to date, Headquarters transforms the Multiplayer experience by redefining how players engage with the game and with each other. E3 Hands-OnIf you’re at E3, make sure you stop by the Sony Booth (West Hall #4322) or the Activision Booth (South Hall #1001) to get hands-on time with the Multiplayer on a PlayStation 4 Pro. We’ll see you on the field! View the full article

Since the very first Monster Hunter game on PlayStation 2, our development team has been creating engaging, memorable gameplay experiences that capture the thrill of the hunt. Now, with Monster Hunter: World — just announced at the PlayStation E3 Press Conference! — we have something truly special we’re excited to share with the PlayStation community. This newest game in the Monster Hunter series will transport you to a new world built with stunning visuals and a living, breathing ecosystem of interactive flora and fauna. And for the first time in series history, Monster Hunter: World will have a simultaneous global launch window and cross-region online multiplayer so that all PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro users around the world can enjoy hunting together. A New WorldIn Monster Hunter: World you take on the role of a hunter venturing to a new continent where you track down and slay ferocious beasts in heart-pounding battles. This new land and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role in each quest as you strategically use the surrounding environment including terrain, vegetation and wildlife to your advantage in battle or become hindered by the hazards they present. As a hunter, you must use your cunning and expertise to track and maneuver your targets throughout the intense, evolving battles. Cooperative MultiplayerHunting monsters is no small feat. To even the odds against the formidable opponents you’ll face, you can team up with up to three other hunters and cooperate to take down colossal threats. With flexible online drop-in functionality, you can start your quests solo, and, if your target is too daunting to take on single-handedly, simply hail for assistance from the global online community. Refined GameplayOur development team at Capcom Japan has spent more than 10 years honing a very satisfying set of gameplay systems, ranging from the purposeful combat mechanics of the flexible weapon options to the strategic crafting process that fuels you to tackle hunt after hunt. Weapons and armor are created using loot collected from fallen foes, which then motivate and prepare you for even bigger challenges. In Monster Hunter: World, we’ve built upon that legacy even further and are very excited to bring that experience to PlayStation 4 players and see all the different ways you come up with to hunt the monsters in the new game early next year. View the full article

From the start, GT Sport has been Polyphony Digital’s most ambitious undertaking as we recognized the need for change in the racing games category. In racing, human emotion is what drives the need for competition — to be the best of the best. GT Sport is set to deliver a true-to-life racing experience where each driver will face real risks, rewards, and consequences through competition, and not just a single race to 1st place. Regardless of your experience in racing, each driver is able to develop and compete against others with similar achievements and driving behavior, ensuring that every race is as fair and competitive as possible. Unveiled earlier tonight during PlayStation Live From E3, the GT Sport Theme Music Trailer trailer showed off the variety of its lighting conditions, including night circuits in Tokyo Expressway and Nurburgring. The sense of adrenaline and harsh racing conditions are immediate as the team has been hard at work in delivering its most visually compelling and realistic racing game to date, showcasing dynamic 4K*, targeting 60FPS, and true HDR* effects. *Compatible 4K HDR display required. The entire team at Polyphony Digital has been extremely busy for the past few months with the GT Sport Closed Beta. We are excited and also humbled by PlayStation players who took the time to participate, and provide both support and feedback which will be instrumental in helping us deliver the most competitive and true-to-life racing experience possible this fall. Stay tuned for more information for GT Sport at E3 this week. View the full article

The team here at CCP Games’ Atlanta studio is thrilled to be a part of the PlayStation VR story at this year’s E3. We consider ourselves lucky to have the opportunity to build games for this new medium, and we’re excited to confirm that our upcoming competitive VR game Sparc will be coming to PlayStation VR later this year. The Origin of SparcEarly on in our experimentation with standing VR gameplay, we began pushing on the physicality of the experience. We knew that virtual reality could transport players to completely new and unique locations. Could we use VR to transform the space in front of your TV or monitor into a virtual court where you could actually meet and compete with other players? What if it’s meant to be “you†playing the sport and building your own physical skill instead of a fictional character? Can I read my opponent’s movement during play and use that to my advantage? And just how fun is it to throw stuff at your friends? The Core of the vSportOur design philosophy is that Sparc is a virtual sport, or vSport – a unique full-body experience only possible in virtual reality where your VR hardware is your sporting equipment. The game play is physical and energetic. Players use their PlayStation Move motion controllers to throw projectiles across the court at their opponent, while at the same time dodging, blocking or deflecting what’s incoming. The speed and pacing of a match is dictated by the players’ direct actions and reactions. Similar to a real-world sport, we’re establishing a “regulation†court size and shape so that players can build their skill against fixed standards. The team is focused on Sparc’s 1 vs 1 gameplay for launch. With that said, the most common gameplay question has been “Can we play doubles?â€, so it’s on the radar. Beyond the game’s 1 vs 1 core gameplay, Sparc includes challenges for players to engage in on their own, designed to improve their skill through practice of the fundamental physical actions like throwing and deflecting. Working on the basics solo will help against real, human opponents. We think of them like batting cages for baseball or automatic ball launchers for tennis. In addition to expressing themselves through their playstyle, Sparc also includes a range of visual customization options that allow players to inject personality into their avatar. Virtual sport. Real Competition.We’ve built Sparc to encourage connection and competition in an online community. Players can join one-on-one matches with friends online, or find opponents via matchmaking. Once connected, players can watch neon-lit matches unfold in person and queue for their next match in VR through Courtside, a freeform social area for spectating in VR. It’s the virtual equivalent of meeting your friends at a local tennis court and watching another game taking place (or for the old-timers among us, when we used to line up to take on the local Street Fighter champ at the arcade). We’re making Sparc to deliver fast-paced fun, physical competition. We want to create plasma-clad sporting champions in living rooms via the virtual court, where challengers will meet and compete with other players from around the world. We look forward to seeing you Courtside! View the full article

The unexpected reveal of Shadow of the Colossus during PlayStation’s E3 2017 Media Showcase was a rare moment of true surprise and delight. Developed by Bluepoint Games and JAPAN Studio, Shadow of the Colossus looks to be lovingly rebuilt for PS4, making one of the most artistic, emotional, and celebrated games ever made available for a new audience. Though specifics are scarce at present, we did get a first look at some impressive in-game footage from the announce trailer. Watch it at the top of this post. The fact that Shadow of the Colossus remains so entrenched in the modern gaming discourse is a lasting monument to the game’s singular vision. If this reintroduction can introduce that wonder to a new generation of gamers, it’s a win for the medium as a whole. What did you think? I’m hoping we’ll have more details on Shadow of the Colossus in the months ahead. Stay tuned! View the full article

Last year we debuted our brand new original franchise Days Gone by playing a live on-stage demo where Deacon St. John encounters a Horde – resulting in a desperate battle for his life. Since then we’ve continued to work hard on the game and are excited to give everyone an update. As you know, Days Gone is an open-world action game set in the beautiful high desert of the Pacific Northwest two years after a pandemic has transformed the world. At this year’s media showcase we unveiled a new gameplay demo that offers a more intimate glimpse into Deacon’s life as a mercenary in a world where almost everything wants to kill him. In case you missed the demo, you can watch it at the top of this post. The demo opens in one of the encampments where “law-abiding†survivors have banded together for safety. We get a sense of Deacon’s mercenary outlook on life when he responds to an attack on a camp supply run by telling their leader, “It’s not my problem.†Harsh. But that’s not the whole story. When Deacon learns that a friend has been taken, he doesn’t hesitate and rides out. Deacon’s loyalty to those he cares about – his willingness to risk his own life for a friend – illustrates one of the central themes in Days Gone: If surviving isn’t living, what does it mean to truly “live� What’s worth fighting for? Why do we keep fighting when the world looks so bleak? If hope never dies, what gives us hope? Over the course of the game we explore questions like these, even if we don’t always have the answers. Deacon’s decision to find and save his friend begins a harrowing journey that demonstrates the core of the Days Gone experience: if something moves, it probably wants to kill you. And the Horde is just one of your problems. Last year we introduced three types of Freakers: Swarmers were adults when infected and are dangerous whether alone or moving in packs; Newts were children when infected and tend to use hit-and-run tactics from above; Hordes are large groups of Swarmers – and by large we mean hundreds – that move and react as if a single entity. This year we’re introducing three new types: Runners are infected wolves that can outrun and attack a Drifter bike, sending the rider sprawling; Ragers – infected bears – are powerful and almost impossible to kill; and Swarms, smaller than Hordes but more common and almost as deadly. But the biggest threat in Days Gone isn’t Freakers – it’s other people. Bad people. Marauders, Squatters, Drifters, Raiders – call them what you will, if you step outside the relative safety of the encampments, they will try to kill you. This is one of the things that makes Days Gone unique: you don’t have to seek out danger. Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re doing – the world comes for you. In the media showcase demo Deacon is attacked by a Runner and deals with it, but while he’s distracted — WHAM. He rides into a rope strung across the road, throwing him from his bike. In Days Gone, ambushes are almost never scripted events but are part of a dynamic open-world system – Marauders can attempt to ambush you almost anytime and anyplace. Taking out their camps can make the broken road safer, but that isn’t always easy. Thankfully, Deacon has access to an arsenal of skills, weapons, crafted items, traps and most importantly, the various dynamic systems we have in place. The bad news with Freakers is that Runners, Ragers, Swarms and Hordes want to kill you and eat you. The good news: they also want to kill and eat Marauders. Last year you saw Deacon running for his life from a Horde; this year, you see him using a Swarm as a weapon against a Marauder camp. The possibilities are almost endless and are an important part of our strategic sandbox combat. If you’re at E3, stop by the PlayStation booth to get a look at an alternate version of our gameplay demo. We changed up the time of day, the weather, and the dynamic events, and Deacon uses a completely different strategy to take on the Marauder camp, this time going in with guns blazing. For those of you who can’t make it to E3, don’t worry: in the next few weeks we’ll be uploading that gameplay video as well. Be sure to compare the two demos to see how different the experience can be — based on choices you make and the dynamic, open-world threats you might encounter in Days Gone. When the world comes for you — will you be ready to fight back? View the full article

Greetings, PlayStation fans! The team here at XDev Studio Europe are excited to finally show you the first glimpse of Matterfall, from Housemarque, the masters of arcade action. And we also have a launch date for you: Matterfall is releasing on August 15th on the PlayStation Store! If you’ve played Super Stardust, Resogun or Alienation, you can guess at a few of the things Matterfall has in store: lightning-fast twin stick action, nerve-racking challenges and explosions. Epic explosions, to be more precise. But Matterfall also throws a few new ingredients into the mix… With a combination of shooting and platforming, the gameplay relies on your control over Smart Matter, a mysterious alien resource that infected the world and threatens to wipe out mankind. Using your Matter Jet to generate Blue Matter, you will be able to create platforms to further explore the environment, or form shields to protect yourself while fighting off hordes of enemies in a frenetic bullet hell. It wouldn’t be a Housemarque game if the challenge wasn’t turned up to 11, but it is always a fair fight. Avalon Darrow, the hero in charge of saving humanity, has at her disposal a great variety of weapons and powerful abilities, allowing you to choose your loadout and customise your style of play. Whether it’s the short range of a powerful shotgun or the calculated bounce of a grenade launcher, anything goes! Pre-order Matterfall today and receive a theme for your PS4 and a kick-ass soundtrack when the game launches. You’ll also receive a voucher for an avatar pack after check out. And if you happen to be at E3, swing by the PlayStation booth where you can get your hands on the game and fight for the best score of the event. Keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog for more details on Matterfall soon. View the full article

After reintroducing the character of Kara at Paris Games Week two years ago, and revealing Connor in our first gameplay footage at E3 2016, we are thrilled to return to E3 for the unveiling of our third and final playable character: Markus. If you’re not familiar with the game yet, Detroit: Become Human is Quantic Dream’s next title, for PS4 and PS4 Pro. It is a neo-noir existential thriller, set in a near future where androids look, speak, and move like human beings, and operate in society at every level from manufacturers to teachers. Until now, humans have never considered these machines as anything more than tools designed to obey orders. But some of them are starting to exhibit strange behavior, as if they were experiencing emotions. The story of Detroit follows three of these so-called “deviants†as they begin to question their place in society, and desire freedom. Markus (played by Jesse Williams) is an android who escaped his master and joined a small group of deviants hiding underground in Detroit. Lost and disparaged, they will try to find ways of convincing humanity that they are more than just defective machines – that they are alive. In the new scene we’ve revealed at E3, Markus executes a covert operation during a cold Detroit night, with the aim of freeing androids that are for sale in a store. If he succeeds, Markus will have the opportunity to send a strong message to humans. Will you manage to liberate your android brethren, or will you refuse to risk the life of their revolutionary leader? Will you send a message of pacifist disruption, or exercise revolutionary defiance? How will you navigate the dilemmas of leadership and wield your power? In Detroit, you tell your own story through your choices. In each scene, every decision will have profound consequences – including whether each character lives or dies – but also a significant impact on the fuller story and the wider world: your attitude will shape media and public opinion, which will react in real time to your actions, altering the fate of your character. In addition to Connor’s “Hostage†scene shown last year (playable at E3 this year on the show floor for the first time), we wanted to demonstrate again how branching Detroit really is. We also introduce for the first time a selection of new gameplay mechanics, which will allow players to experience the unique capabilities of androids as they create their story. Both scenes also display the latest iteration of Detroit’s powerful engine and impressive technology. Each scene runs in dynamic 4K HDR on PS4 Pro* and includes crowd management, special FX, full performance capture, and many other features that will make the world of Detroit more vivid and immersive for the players. Kara, Connor, Markus – three androids discovering what it means to feel emotion – will take you on a moving journey of doubts, fear, hope and redemption. You will follow them as they struggle for freedom, you will join them in the fight to survive as the world collapses around them, and you will guide them through heart-wrenching dilemmas that put their lives – and the lives of those they care about – on the line. With Detroit: Become Human, Quantic Dream presents the most ambitious interactive drama ever created by the studio. We hope to make it a unique experience that will resonate with our players and make us think about what it really means to be human. *Dynamic 4K and HDR requires PS4 Pro and compatible 4K HDR display View the full article

At PlayStation we’ve got a proud history of bringing new players to video games, and we’re constantly looking at new ways to keep that trend going. So, it’s with great pleasure that I introduce you to PlayLink for PS4 – an exciting new way to play games with family and friends. PlayLink combines your smartphone or tablet device, TV and PS4 console, with a collection of brand new games that take advantage of the smartphone or tablet device’s touchscreen and camera capabilities. PlayLink titles are designed to be played in a group setting, allowing for a truly fun and dynamic experience. The collection of PlayLink games vary from gritty crime thrillers to quick-fire quizzes. If you have a smartphone or tablet with the free companion app installed and your PS4 hooked up to a TV, you’re already set. PlayLink games turn your smartphone or tablet into a versatile controller – you can swipe, pinch, drag, tilt, rotate or even snap selfies and draw crafty doodles, depending on the game. No matter which title you choose from our PlayLink collection, it’s guaranteed to be a slick pick-up-and-play experience. Take a behind-the-scenes look at one of our upcoming PlayLink titles: We’re kicking off the PlayLink range with a fun title called That’s You! It’s an audacious comedy quiz which challenges you and up to five friends to get personal and find out what you really think about each other. Featuring over 1,000 varied questions, reveal your daring side by taking part in doodle challenges and snapping selfies. In celebration of PlayLink’s launch, PlayStation Plus members will be able to access the full version of That’s You! at no additional cost starting on July 4th. Want to see the game in action? Check out the video below, to see President of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, joined by Tom Bennett from developer Wish Studios, Pete Smith and Claire Bromley from Sony XDev, and Nic Doucet from SIE JAPAN Studio for a few rounds. Other PlayLink titles coming later this year include: Hidden AgendaThis narrative-driven adventure drops you into a detective thriller rife with chilling moral dilemmas that may determine life or death. Up to six of you can join in to make tough decisions about how the story unfolds, but not all of you will be working towards the same objective… Knowledge is PowerAnswer a variety of trivia questions and outsmart up to five opponents, with power plays and challenges thrown in to keep you on your toes. This game is all about speed and accuracy in the face of some wickedly crafted distractions from your opponents – are you up to the task? FranticsArcade-style fun and manic mini-games are all the rage in Frantics, where you and up to three friends have to face off in a variety of challenges. Bluff, battle, negotiate and co-operate your way to victory, but beware – mischievous host The Fox is also on hand to stir things up. SingStar CelebrationHit the high notes with upbeat tracks, massive hits and your favorite party classics. Whether it’s your birthday, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or even just a Saturday night – SingStar Celebration is the perfect playlist to any party, with up to eight players able to join in the fun. Use your SingStar mic or combine your smartphone with the SingStar Mic App, and get ready for your big moment. These are just a small selection of PlayLink titles to come from our talented studios, with even more in the works from the global developer community. View the full article

It was great yesterday to announce September 5 as the launch date for Knack 2! We also got to show off a brand new trailer, so please take a look if you haven’t seen it already. You may have seen from the trailers that Knack 2 is an evolution from the first game. The team has been focusing on variety of gameplay, so in addition to combat, there is quite a bit of platforming, some puzzle gameplay, and a few special modes of play such as driving a tank. Similar to the first game, Knack grows in size as he picks up parts, he can be anything from human sized to many times larger than that – but now the player has some control over Knack’s size, just tap R1 and he shrinks down to two feet tall! This leads to gameplay with a rather different feel, whether it be squeezing through tight gaps in a platforming section, or scaling a cliff using narrow ledges, or even using Knack’s discarded parts as a counterweight in a puzzle. As part of the overall evolution, Knack has a greatly expanded move set and as a result, combat has become much deeper. He can transform a number of his parts into a shield, which is helpful when facing a half-dozen opponents at once – and if Knack puts up the shield with the right timing, he can parry arrows and other attacks right back at whoever fired them! Knack can also throw parts like a boomerang and stun enemies… and he can stretch out an arm twenty feet, grab his foes and pull them into range, at which point he can use a variety of kicks and punches, or a body slam to take them out. Couch co-op gameplay is an integral part of Knack 2 as well. There isn’t the concept of a “one player game†or a “two player game,†if you are playing by yourself and someone picks up a second DualShock 4 controller, they can join right in or leave just as easily. There are also special co-op attacks – for example: unleashing a flurry of punches on the other Knack will spray his parts like a machine gun at the enemies, damaging them. Gamers will have the chance to go hands-on this entire week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, and pre-orders will be live soon at PlayStation Store. If you’re in town for the show, come check it out! View the full article

Hi everyone, my name is Keith Linares and I’m a lead designer at Supermassive Games. Bravo Team is a first person PlayStation VR cover shooter set in a fictional, modern day city in Eastern Europe. When an escort mission goes wrong it’s up to you and a teammate to survive as the city is thrown into turmoil. You’ll need to think on your feet, work together and battle through an intense journey of close calls and chaotic firefights. Teamwork is vital to survive and Bravo Team has been developed for both single player and online two player co-op with an active PS Plus membership. Our levels and enemy situations are designed to test your ability to work as a team. Calling targets, covering fire and constant communication are the difference between success and failure. With Bravo Team, we’ve gone to tremendous lengths to put you inside the battle. At any one time there may be just a shred of cover between you and certain death, RPGs fly overhead and bullets impact just inches from your face – putting you right in the middle of a warzone. Our arsenal of lethal weaponry gives you the tools you need to tackle these threats with a variety of powerful, tactile firearms. Playing Bravo Team with the PS VR Aim Controller offers an even more enhanced experience. The super sharp accuracy and intuitive controls will make you feel as though you are actually holding the weapons in the game. As you play, you interact with your environment intuitively. To get around cover simply lean left or right. To aim your weapon, just raise the controller and line up the iron sights. Pinned down by enemy fire? Lift the controller above your head and blind fire away. This sense of ‘being there’ is an enormous focus for us. Not only is the feel of battle key, we believe the sense of place and presence that comes from a seamless in-game experience is incredibly important. From beginning to end, you will fight through the streets and buildings without any loading or level select screens interrupting your immersive PS VR experience. Bravo Team will thrust you into the chaos of an action movie firefight. Armed with the PS VR Aim Controller in your hands and with a trusted teammate watching your back, you’ll make split-second decisions in a fight for survival that spans the length and breadth of a city in turmoil. I hope you’re just as excited to play it as we are to show it to you. We can’t wait. View the full article

All the hard-hitting action, heavy drama, and alluring vices of the Japanese criminal underworld are coming to E3 this year because Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life will be playable at the SEGA booth (West Hall #4312)! Yakuza Kiwami is the rebuilt-from-scratch HD remake of the original Yakuza released on PlayStation 2 in 2005. “Kiwami†translates to “Extreme†and we’ve pulled out all the stops to make Yakuza Kiwami the definitive standard of what a remake should be. It’s not just a simple graphical upgrade — Kiwami adds nearly 30 minutes of cutscenes alone, providing all-new insight into the game’s plot and creating common threads with series prequel Yakuza 0. There are also added distractions (such as Pocket Circuit car racing, MesuKing: Battle Bug Beauties, and two new hostesses), side quests, combat updates, fully re-recorded Japanese dialogue, and more to bring the original Yakuza game into the latest console generation. Oh, and a totally new feature is the “Majima Everywhere†system, where the series’ deranged, one-eyed maniac will constantly surprise and challenge Kiryu to combat when he least expects it. For example: Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is the latest entry in the long-running franchise and will take place in the latest evolution of Kamurocho, the infamous red-light district in Tokyo, and the new city of Onomichi, a beautiful, sleepy port town in Hiroshima Prefecture. Powered by the new “Dragon Engine,†the game will bring the two locales to life with unparalleled realism. The stakes have never been higher for Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima with a heart of gold, because someone has unwisely decided to hurt his surrogate daughter Haruka. To make matters worse, Kiryu finds out that Haruka now has an infant son that he must look after. With a baby in tow, Kiryu must do whatever it takes to protect the people he calls family. Even if it means mercilessly bashing thugs with various street signs. The E3 demo will give players a chance to experience the most visually advanced game in the series for the first time! Expect a harder-hitting fighting system, a selection of wacky side quests that only exist in the world of Yakuza, totally revamped mini-games, and a taste of the gritty human drama that will consume the weathered Dragon of Dojima. Be sure to come by the SEGA booth and get a first-hand look at not one but two Yakuza games coming soon to PS4! View the full article

Hi everyone. I’m Nik Bowen, one of the Game Directors at Supermassive Games. I’m excited to talk to you today about The Inpatient, one of our two new exclusive titles for PlayStation VR. The Inpatient is a horror game with psychological elements. It places you in the role of a patient with amnesia and is set in the Blackwood Sanatorium, over 60 years prior to the award-winning Until Dawn. Anyone familiar with Until Dawn will recognize the imposing sanatorium but this time you’ll see everything as it was during its 1950s heyday. For newcomers to the story, don’t worry – you don’t need to have played Until Dawn to be able to enjoy The Inpatient; it’s an entirely standalone title with a brand new story and cast of characters to meet. The Inpatient begins with you being questioned by Jefferson Bragg, the mysterious owner of the sanatorium. He claims he’s trying to help you, but should you believe him? This is the beginning of your disturbing journey, as you discover who you are and piece together why you are in the Blackwood Sanatorium. Over the course of the game you’ll meet a variety of interesting patients and staff, each with their own motivations and agendas. How you react to these characters and the choices you make will have profound and dramatic consequences for how the story unfolds. We’ve designed everything so that it really feels like you are in the game. If you look down you’ll see your body, hands and feet. You can also speak out loud to engage with the characters. With The Inpatient, we used psychological horror themes to infiltrate the player’s subconscious and draw them further into the story. Our team spent a lot of time working to create a sense of isolation and fear, making extensive use of immersive 3D binaural audio to complement the amazing visuals and further transport them into their unfamiliar new home. We also worked closely with Until Dawn scriptwriters Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick to create a truly absorbing script that really brings the story to life. The result is an incredibly immersive experience. Returning to the Until Dawn universe was exciting for us. The Sanatorium is an iconic location and it has been amazing to revisit this imposing space. Experiencing this in PlayStation VR is incredible – it really feels like you’re there. We can’t wait to see how players react to the The Inpatient, and look forward to welcoming you into the sanatorium soon… View the full article

The pitch for Star Wars Battlefront II is mind-boggling. Three major development studios are teaming up to create a deep and nuanced multiplayer competitive shooter set across all three Star Wars film eras. Simultaneously, they are developing a new storyline set from the Empire’s perspective that reveals the events between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. “Ambitious†may be an understatement. But based on what I’ve seen and played at EA Play this weekend, I think Motive, Criterion, and DICE are going to pull this thing off. Let’s start with the campaign, which looked gorgeous running on PS4 Pro. In my 10 minute demo, I watched Imperial commander Iden Versio, leader of the elite Inferno Squad, fend off a Rebel attack with lethal grace. In terms of pacing, action, and overall technical proficiency, this demo was a white-knuckle experience. Caught aboard a Star Destroyer amidst the Rebel attack, Iden hopped into a TIE Fighter and the gameplay seamlessly shifted to an intense outer space dogfight sequence. After mopping up enemy fighters, the demoer piloted Iden’s TIE Fighter straight at the Rebel cruiser — right into its docking bay! — and melted half the ship’s innards in a hail of blaster fire. Then Iden hopped out to finish the fight on foot in a tense shootout set inside the twisted corridors of the ship. Important note: amidst all these perspective switches, there was nary a loading screen to be seen. Inside the Rebel cruiser, I got a closer look at Iden’s combat repertoire. Her combat droid is already shaping up to be a deadly asset: I saw it zap Rebel troopers with electricity that could arc between multiple nearby combatants. Other combat droid abilities will be available too, depending on your play style. Later, I spoke with Mark Thompson, the director of Battlefront II’s campaign, to learn more about how EA Motive tapped into the spirit and energy of the films. “It was this fantastic exercise of analyzing how Battlefront works, and how the Star Wars movie storytelling works, taking those two ideas together and seeing where the crossover is,†Thompson said. “It was one of the most interesting and engaging pre-productions on a project I’ve ever done.†Campaign demo down, I was ready to go hands-on with the competitive multiplayer mode, which has seen an enormous upgrade over the 2014 game. The large-scale matches — up to 40 players — are a whirlwind of carnage and destruction, and subtly evoke elements found in developer DICE’s Battlefield series. During my PS4 Pro play time, I played a mode called Assault on Theed, set on Naboo during the prequel era. On the Republic side, the goal was to stop an incoming Droid transport by launching ion cannon blasts, while the Droids were tasked with pushing into the palace throne room to end the match. A few key observations from my multiplayer session: There are four classes to choose from, each with a distinct role in the fight. Officers lurk in the background, boosting nearby teammates and dropping turrets to lay down cover fire. Heavy troopers rely on a tough shield, high hit points, and withering firepower. Specialists snipe and lay traps, while Assault troopers push the frontline and clear rooms with a deadly shotgun-like special weapon. Abilities are currently mapped to L1, R1, and a special ability triggered by pressing L1 + R1. Star Cards return, but work more like character modifiers, amping or altering a class’s base abilities. Rarer Star Cards will grant larger bonuses. The current build was limited to just two weapons per class, but the final game will include further firepower, as well as the ability to install weapon add-ons. Summoning Heroes works a bit differently; rather than grabbing a pickup item, you’ll earn Battle Points for inflicting damage on enemies and achieving objectives. Stockpile enough and you’ll be able to spend them on vehicles, elite troopers such as the B2 Super Battle Droid or Clone Jumptrooper, or at the high end Heroes like Darth Maul and Rey, all of which are blessed with unique tactical advantages. The Clone Jumptrooper is an early favorite, capable of extreme mobility and devastating rocket strikes. All in all, certainly a promising start for Star Wars Battlefront II — it’s definitely a shooter to watch this year. Have questions? Let me know in the comments! View the full article

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but your friendly neighborhood PlayStation.Blog officially hits the big 1-0 today. Before moving onto tomorrow’s PlayStation Live From E3 2017 programming, I wanted to write you a personal thank-you note — and take a quick stroll down memory lane. I’ve been lucky enough to work on the Blog for seven of these past 10 years, thanks in large part to our readers, many of whom I’ve been able to meet at events like E3 and PSX. Folks, it has truly been an honor being a part of your lives. Naturally, we got a custom PlayStation cake… it was delicious. Hitting the 10-year milestone is a major accomplishment for any publication, particularly a blog adrift in a crowded digital sea. Over the years, PlayStation.Blog has expanded on a global scale, now encompassing 22 (?!) regional PlayStation.Blog sites across North America, Latin America and Brazil, Europe, and Asia. It’s read by literally millions of gamers each month, all around the world. (Protip: just type playstation.blog in your browser and it will take you to your local chapter of our site.) The team continues to grow, too. It’s been a great honor to add the highly skilled and impeccably dressed Zac Minor to our talented editorial team, working alongside Blog veterans Justin Massongill and Ryan Clements — as well as Leah Sanchez and Richard Imperial, who help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. The gang is busy working on exciting new ideas that will, I believe, shape the next 10 years of PlayStation.Blog and beyond. I’ve got a lot of fond memories working on PlayStation.Blog over the years. Here’s a quick look back at 10 of our very biggest stories over the years, with a few notes from yours truly: PS4: The Ultimate FAQ1.7M pageviews Editor’s note: Our biggest original story to date by far, and one of the toughest assignments I’ve ever worked on. Props to Justin for the slick-looking layout. PlayStation Meeting 2013: The Future of Gaming is Here with PlayStation 41.6M pageviews Editor’s note: A landmark day. I was afraid the Blog servers wouldn’t hold! DualShock 4 Revealed: Pushing the Boundaries of Play750k pageviews Editor’s note: We saw incredible interest in DualShock 4 before PS4 shipped — readers were dying to learn more about its capabilities. PS4 Pro: The Ultimate FAQ685k pageviews Editor’s note: 4K gaming and HDR are new concepts that require a lot of explanation, so I was glad we could publish this so quickly after the PS4 Pro’s reveal in NYC. Darth Vader-Inspired PS4 System Revealed, Two Star Wars Bundles Out This November528k pageviews Editor’s note: One of the more creative designs I’ve seen for a limited edition console. Still a head turner! PlayStation Turns 20: 20th Anniversary Edition Revealed497k pageviews Editor’s note: If I recall correctly, the Blog’s servers briefly melted down when we announced this bad boy during our very first PlayStation Experience in Las Vegas! Introducing Project Morpheus490k pageviews Editor’s note: Hard to believe it’s been more than three years since we unveiled what would come to be known as PlayStation VR. PlayStation Meeting 2016: Introducing PS4 Pro and the Slimmer, Lighter PS4425k pageviews Editor’s note: Vivid memories of this event! PlayStation VR: The Ultimate FAQ344k pageviews Editor’s note: These Ultimate FAQs take approximately a full month and the work of dozens of employees to build. But they’re worth the fuss! PlayStation 3 Now 299, Slimmer Version Coming September 1st278k pageviews Editor’s note: Ah, memories :-) After all these years, I like to think that we’ve stayed true to the guiding principles outlined in our inaugural post. We want PlayStation.Blog to be about you; we will continue covering the biggest news in gaming, and finding ways to get you even closer to the creative minds that inspire us every day. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading PlayStation.Blog as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. We’ve shared some of our favorite Blog memories… what are yours? Enough reminiscing. See you tomorrow when PlayStation Live From E3 kicks off at 5:00pm Pacific Time! View the full article

Hey PlayStation Nation — we’ve been waiting a long time to share this. The Star Wars Battlefront II multiplayer gameplay trailer has arrived! Watch Battle Droids march into action behind a colossal Multi-Troop Transport. See legions of the Separatist confederacy descend on Theed. Witness Rey and Kylo Ren square off, blue blade against red. Prepare yourself to join huge battles for the fate of the galaxy across landscapes from the Star Wars prequels, original trilogy, and the new trilogy era. There’s still so much more to see… keep your eyes on the EA Star Wars Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for the latest news, character reveals, and more leading up to the game’s launch. Preview the heroes and villains you’ll be leading into battle, the vehicles you’ll pilot, and some of the extraordinary moments you’ll discover as a soldier in a galaxy at war. Wanna go hands-on with Star Wars Battlefront II multiplayer on PS4 Pro? If you’re in the LA area, hit up EA Play, which is located at the Palladium in West Hollywood and runs from June 10-12. You might even bump into some members of the PlayStation.Blog crew while you’re there! For those unable to make it to EA Play, we’ve got some good news! Pre-order and you’ll get early access to the multiplayer beta coming this fall. Star Wars Battlefront II is available on November 14 if you pre-order the Star Wars Battlefront II: Elite Trooper Deluxe Edition release, or on November 17 in the worldwide release. View the full article

Subscribe via iTunes, Google or RSS, or download here Here we go! We’re mere days away from PlayStation Live From E3 2017. The festivities kick off at 5pm Pacific Monday evening, but the Blogcast crew just had to get one last episode in before we go into full E3-prep mode. Enjoy the show, then enjoy the other show! Stuff We Talked About Dissidia Final Fantasy NT coming to PS4 FFXIV Stormblood launch trailer Massive Final Fantasy XII retrospective from Square Enix A surprise Dreadnought interview! E3… it’s almost time! May’s most-downloaded PS4 & PS VR games Days of Play and that sleek gold PS4 Recent Episodes 250: Eye of the Storm Bonus Episode: It Takes 2 249: Tekken’ It to the Streets The Cast Sid Shuman – Director of Social Media, SIEA Justin Massongill – Social Media Manager, SIEA Ryan Clements – Sr. Social Media Specialist, SIEA Zac Minor – Sr. Social Media Manager, SIEA Send us questions and tips! blogcast@sony.com Leave us a voicemail! (650) 288-6706 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.] View the full article

Cars, start your engines! Based on the hit Pixar series, Cars 3: Driven to Win races onto PS4 and PS3 next week, bringing a blend of colorful characters and fast-paced action to PlayStation. Cars 3: Driven to Win features the recognizable chassis of Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, and Cruz Ramirez in a multi-mode racer. Takedown and Battle Race give the cars some punch-packed power-ups to spar with, while traditional Races and Best Lap Challenges will push your skills to the limit. You can also aim for high scores with the Stunt Showcase, or enjoy a casual drive with a playground mode. It’s a short list of new releases next week due to a little show called E3, but stay tuned for more later this month — and enjoy The Drop! New Releases: Week of June 13, 2017 Cars 3: Driven to Win PS4, PS3 — Digital, Retail Get ready for the ultimate racing experience in Cars 3: Driven to Win. Play with more than 20 characters including Lightning McQueen and cruise through 20+ tracks. Advance your abilities in six game modes to become the Hall of Fame Driver. Iron Sea Defenders PS4 — Digital Immerse yourself in a unique historical battle setting, where the enemy never sleeps and the combat is brutal and uncompromising! Defend your fort from impending enemy attacks by saving money, stockpiling secret weaponry, building cannons, and driving the enemy to despair! Embrace your tactical and strategic prowess and victory will be yours! Le Tour de France 2017 PS4 — Digital (Out 6/15) With Tour de France 2017, experience all the passion of Le Tour de France and conquer the coveted yellow jersey! Play as the greatest riders on the gorgeous roads of La Grande Boucle — attack, give orders to your teammates, choose the best trajectory, manage your stamina, and make the decisions that will lead your team all the way to the top! Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic PS4 — Digital (Out 6/15) Enter the world of Pixel Heroes and prepare yourself for a thrilling RPG/roguelike experience like you have never seen before! Explore a randomized world full of hilarious events, deadly dungeons, and the weirdest NPCs you will ever meet in a game. Phoenix – Ti Amo Rise Against – Wolves Rancid – Trouble Maker Power Rangers (2017) The Putin Interviews- June 12 at 9/8c (Showtime) Blood Drive- June 14 at 10/9c (SyFy) Fargo- June 14 at 10/9c (FX) The information above is subject to change without notice. View the full article

Earlier this week we announced PlayStation Days of Play, where we unveiled a beautiful new limited-edition gold PS4 for $249.99 USD, along with discounts on DualShock 4, PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset, and major PS4-exclusive games at retailers across the country. Today, Days of Play officially kicks off — and PlayStation Store is in on the fun with deals on big games, PlayStation Plus memberships, and much more. On sale for the first time ever at PS Store, pick up Nioh, MLB The Show 17 and Horizon Zero Dawn for just $39.59 each. What’s more, you can save up to 50% on games such as Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Watch Dogs 2 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Check out the full lineup: PlatformTitleSale PriceOriginal Price PS4 BATTLEFIELD 1 $29.99 $59.99 PS4 BATTLEFIELD 1 PREMIUM PASS $44.99 $49.99 PS4 BATTLEFIELD 1 DELUXE EDITION $39.99 $79.99 PS4 BATTLEFIELD 1 ULTIMATE EDITION $77.99 $129.99 PS4 CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE $44.39 $59.99 PS4 CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE – DIGITAL DELUXE $89.99 $99.99 PS4 CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE – LEGACY EDITION $59.99 $79.99 PS4 CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE – SEASON PASS $44.99 $49.99 PS4 FINAL FANTASY XV $34.99 $49.99 PS4 FINAL FANTASY XV DIGITAL PREMIUM EDITION $52.49 $74.99 PS4 HORIZON $39.59 $59.99 PS4 HORIZON ZERO DAWN DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION $49.69 $69.99 PS4 MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA – DELUXE EDITION $34.99 $69.99 PS4 MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA $29.99 $59.99 PS4 MLB THE SHOW 17 $39.59 $59.99 PS4 NIOH – DIGITAL DELUXE $52.79 $79.99 PS4 NIOH LIVE $39.59 $59.99 PS4 PREY $39.59 $59.99 PS4 THE LAST GUARDIAN $26.39 $39.99 PS4 UNCHARTED 4: A THIEF’S END $19.99 $39.99 PS4 WATCH DOGS 2 $25.19 $59.99 PS4 WATCH DOGS 2 – DELUXE EDITION $31.49 $69.99 PS4 WATCH DOGS 2 – GOLD EDITION $49.99 $99.99 PS4 YAKUZA 0 $47.99 $59.99 PS4 YOOKA-LAYLEE $29.99 $39.99 Scooping up any multiplayer titles this week? Access the online multiplayer modes in any PS4 game you own without a PS Plus subscription, today through June 16. That’s right: Days of Play’s Free Multiplayer Week starts right now! But we’re just getting started. Throughout our Days of Play campaign, save on a full year of Plus membership — with free monthly games, exclusive discounts, online game saves and more. Whether you’re signing up for the first time or joining us for another year, you’ll get $10 off a 12-month subscription at PS Store now. If you’re already a PS Plus member and your subscription is up for renewal during the promotion window, be sure to turn off “auto-renew†in order to receive the discounted pricing. To top it all off, from now through June 20, get a $15 credit when you spend $100 or more at PS Store using your PSN Wallet. And here’s a protip: a PS Plus membership counts towards that $100. Look out for your redemption code on or before July 5 via email or console message. Full details here. Days of Play was designed as a thank you. So: thank you! Remember to get in on the action before June 16. Happy E3! View the full article

The origin of Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age begins with the original Final Fantasy XII which was released on PS2 in 2006. This game had the honor of receiving many awards with its unique game system that granted players great freedom and strategic ability, and by its graphical expressiveness that utilized the hardware’s capability to the fullest, in the world called Ivalice that inherited the genes of Final Fantasy Tactics. The core members from the original development team got together this time to develop Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age, but the first thing that we thought was “to not only improve visual and sound expression, but also to reconstruct the game design itself so that the players can experience a new Final Fantasy XII as a modern game.†We created this game as a new game for PS4 by devising multiple mechanics based on the Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System that was only released in Japan in 2007. It featured a more comfortable gameplay experience for our players, including changes to the growth system and the battle design where different strategies can be used compared to the original Final Fantasy XII. I’m sure that this experience will surpass the memories of those who played the original Final Fantasy XII. For those playing for the first time, this will be an experience like never before. In this blog I’ll focus on three points: World views and new key art. New and recreated visuals and sound. Reconstruction of the game design, and a new future. For the purposes of this article, I’ll write Final Fantasy XII as FFXII, Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System as FFXII IZJS, and Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age as FFXII TZA. World Views and New Key ArtIvalice… Where the Story Takes Place “A story of a time when magick commonly existed, and when soaring airships filled the skies.†Ivalice, where this story takes place, is a land of swords and magick that sprawls beneath skies where large airships fly. While large cities with skyscrapers flourish, these are still turbulent times and many countries have perished in war. This is a world where hope and ambition of swirls between those that fight for freedom and those that fight for duty. In this world of Ivalice where many races — such as Humes, Bangaa, and Viera — live, there are times when the differences between those races stirs war. There are also times when those who have the same thought work together hand in hand, crossing any national boundaries. These ways of life weave the grand history of Ivalice. Vaan, a boy whose family was taken by the devastation of war, and Ashe, a princess whose homeland was destroyed. The wishes and hopes of these two will change the fate of many people, and even entire countries. New Key Art We have asked Akihiko Yoshida, who was the main character designer for the original FFXII, and Isamu Kamikokuryo, who was in charge of the art direction for the original FFXII, to create new key art for us that will symbolize that world and story of Ivalice. The key art drawn by Akihiko Yoshida is a group illustration with the main characters of the story. The story revolves around the battles between the Resistance (the side that the player is on) and the Imperial Army during the time of war, and the layout of this artwork expresses the relationship between those characters. The key art drawn by Isamu Kamikokuryo is set in The Imperial City of Archades, the capital and base of the Archadian Empire. Isamu Kamikokuryo drew a piece of art set in the same location when we developed the original FFXII, so this illustration is an homage to his own past, thinking about the time that we were creating the original FFXII. I believe that thinking about the meaning behind these pieces of art while playing the game will add to your enjoyment of the world and story of Ivalice. We actually have another piece of newly drawn key art for this title that we have yet to reveal, so please look forward to it! New and Recreated Visuals and SoundImproved Visual Expressiveness When creating the HD version of the visuals, we were careful to preserve the unique graphical texture of Akihiko Yoshida’s character illustrations while enhancing the expressiveness with modern technology. And so, not only did we increase the resolution of the character models, but we have also strived to improve the textures such as the skin, hair, cloth, leather, metal, and any other material. We have also improved the expressiveness of light and shadow by implementing modern lighting technology. The world inside the game can now be enjoyed with a greater sense of atmosphere and depth as we have enhanced the natural blur (depth of field) and soft lighting (ambient occlusion). Oh yes, the resolution increases even more if you play this title on a 4K compatible TV with a PS4 Pro, so please try it out if you have the environment to do so. Improved Sound Expressiveness We have re-recorded all tracks (Approximately 100!) with live performances, at the hands of Hitoshi Sakimoto who was also the composer on the original FFXII. When we first started developing FFXII TZA, we thought that having two types of tracks — the PS2 internal sound source version and the Original Soundtrack version released as a CD — was enough. However, when I mentioned to Hitoshi Sakimoto about that, he said “re-recording with live performances would be more effective as a modern game,†and I was tricked into doing so by that too-good-to-be-true offer. As a result, it was definitely the right decision to re-record the tracks! I’m confident that the sustaining sounds and lingering emotion unique to live performance has further enhanced the sense of presence and immersion in FFXII TZA. We have even asked Hitoshi Sakimoto to compose new tracks (Eight!) for boss battles and maps, so I would love for his fans to look forward to that as well. We of course have included the original tracks from FFXII as well. You will be able to switch between the two versions anytime from the configuration menu. We have also devised the following improvement to sound expressiveness aside from the tracks: We have fully included both Japanese and English voices, and those can be switched anytime from the configuration menu. We have strived to playback the voices in high definition, which will make the characters’ lines sound clearer than ever. This should help you to feel the details and nuance of each cutscene even more. The sound for FFXII was compatible with Dolby Pro Logic II, but this title is now compatible with 7.1ch surround sound. Reconstruction of the Game Design, and a New FutureThe FFXII International Zodiac Job System — the base for this game — was reconstructed from the original FFXII by Hiroyuki Ito, who has been in charge of the battle design in the numbered FF titles. And so, in FFXII IZJS (and subsequently in FFXII TZA), the battle design is different from FFXII with a different strategy and has incorporated a new character growth system, in which you can enjoy an even more refined adventure. I had always thought “I want Western players to enjoy playing FFXII IZJS, one that has a different play experience from the original FFXII one day!†I’m now able to fulfill that dream with the release of FFXII The Zodiac Age. I realize that this was only made possible because of all of the fans that have loved the game called Final Fantasy XII. Thank you very much! And this game isn’t just a simple port of the FFXII IZJS, but we have also applied many improvements to it that will enhance the joy of character growth, battle, and exploration, the highlights of an RPG. New Character Development: The Zodiac Job System The greatest change in this title is the enhancement to the character growth system, the License Board, that we used in the original FFXII. The content of the License Board in the original FFXII is the same for all characters, but we have created 12 jobs (like Knight, Monk, and Black Mage) and corresponding License Boards for each. The player can now choose between two jobs per character and develop each character from there. Armor and weapons that can be equipped, and abilities such as magick and skills that can be used will be different per job, so you can enjoy the performances and strategies that differ per the combination of jobs that the player decides to use, such as compensating for the weakness of certain jobs, or specializing in magick attacks. Similarly, the strategy of the gambit system will deepen by combining two jobs. Improvements That Make a More Enjoyable Adventure We have greatly reduced the loading times, allowing for a more light-footed adventure. We have added an auto-save functionality aside from the ability to save at a save crystal, which was present in FFXII. We have incorporated a double speed functionality that will increase the speed of movement throughout the entire game. We have included a useful feature that overlays a location map on the screen with a push of the L3 button. This allows you to seamlessly check your current location and destination, even in a complex map. New Trial Mode The Trial mode is where players uses the characters they have raised to battle through a total of 100 stages. The strength and the group combination of the enemies differ from the main game, and at times you may see an unexpected character make an appearance, too. The remaining HP, MP, and status effects are carried over to the next stage; while you can power through the first part, you will notice as you progress that it’s not as straightforward even at maximum level, and you won’t be able to continue winning by just using the same gambit patterns. You’ll need to think about strategy with each stage, while managing your remaining HP and number of items, which will make for a very thrilling battle. This mode allows the player to thoroughly enjoy the intrigue of planning your strategy and the exhilaration of when that strategy is executed successfully as planned — which is what makes the gambit battle so appealing. I would totally recommend you take on the challenge! Approaching the End The content introduced here is just a little part of what you can experience. Final Fantasy XII has various adventures packed into the game, aside from the main scenario. Going on Mob Hunts to defeat “marks†(with a bounty on their heads) that threaten the daily lives of the people, battling legendary Espers, exploring dungeons like the Necrohol of Nabudis, and so on. The more you play, I’m sure you’ll be able to make new discoveries in the field, and the enjoyment of raising your party members and expanding the breadth of your battle strategies. I hope you spin your own tale of adventure by utilizing the new Zodiac Job System, improved and bolstered functions, and many other useful features. Return to Ivalice. View the full article

E3 is just days away! Because you’re smart and sophisticated, you already know that we’re livestreaming four days and 15+ hours of PlayStation game updates, new trailers, and developer interviews — and the PlayStation Media Showcase — starting next Monday, June 12 at 5:00pm Pacific Time. Though the show will be available on Twitch.tv/PlayStation, YouTube.com/PlayStation, and Facebook, I advise you to watch at live.playstation.com. Why? One word: rewards. Completing Quests at live.playstation.com will give viewers a chance to unlock free goodies just for watching with us — here’s a sampling of what will be on-hand for PlayStation Live From E3 2017: 25% off apparel at the PlayStation Gear Store (excluding sale and pre-order items) New PS4 Themes, including Symbols in the Sky, Everybody’s Golf, and a fun Donut theme we cooked up for this event Dreadnought Hunter Pack (a $9.99 value) Unlock “MLB The Show 17 E3 2017 Exclusive Pack†for players and items Visit Supergiant’s Pyre Channel to unlock two great rewards (very limited quantities!) PS4 ‘Symbols in the Sky’ Theme Here’s how it’ll work (along with a few friendly tips to help you get the most out of this year’s festivities): Set a reminder: Go to live.playstation.com and click the countdown timer calendar. You won’t want to miss a minute. Log In to your PSN account: This one’s important! You’ll need to be logged into your PSN account in order to redeem rewards you earn by participating in Quests. Meet the Quest panel: The Quest panel is where you find all the tasks and rewards. This year we want to start quests early, so we’ve opened up the first step of the quest. Check it out now! Check back often: Remember — we’ll have new goods each day! Check the calendar below for an overview, and tune in each day of E3 to earn new rewards. Don’t wait: We’ve got a lot of rewards to give away this year — but supplies will be limited. So if you want to nab some, log on, tune in, and get crackin’. Quest and rewards are valid in North America, for ages 17 and up only. See you Monday! PlayStation Live From E3 2017 Programming Hours Monday, June 12 | PlayStation Live From E3 2017 featuring the PlayStation Media Showcase | 5:00 PM Pacific Time Tuesday, June 13 | PlayStation Live From E3 2017 programming | 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time Wednesday, June 14 | PlayStation Live From E3 2017 programming | 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time Thursday, June 15 | PlayStation Live From E3 2017 programming | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Pacific Time View the full article

Welcome back! This month, NetherRealm’s acclaimed superhero brawler Injustice 2 leads the charge on the PS4 top downloads list, with a bloodthirsty Jason Voorhees lurking behind it in Friday the 13th: The Game. Farpoint launched at number 1 on the PlayStation VR chart, but Star Trek Bridge Crew made an impressive debut considering its late-in-the-month release date. Read on for the full list of top downloads for May. If you missed out on any of these games, head on over to PlayStation Store to pick ’em up! Predictions for June? PS4 Games 1 Injustice 2 2 Friday the 13th: The Game 3 NBA Playgrounds 4 The Order: 1886 5 God of War III Remastered 6 TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SIEGE 7 Overwatch Game of the Year Edition 8 Rocket League 9 Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition 10 ARK: Survivor’s Pack 11 Prey 12 Grand Theft Auto V 13 NieR: Automata 14 Darksiders: Fury’s Collection – War and Death 15 Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands 16 Little Nightmares 17 Outlast 2 18 Bloodborne 19 MLB THE SHOW 17 20 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – Game of the Year Edition PS3 Games 1 God of War: Ascension 2 God of War Collection 3 Star Wars The Force Unleashed II 4 Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition 5 God of War: Origins Collection 6 Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix 7 SteinsGate 8 The Last Of Us 9 Grand Theft Auto V 10 Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 11 Catherine 12 Twisted Metal 13 EA SPORTS FIFA 17 14 Darksiders + Darksiders II Ultimate Edition 15 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale 16 Tomb Raider 17 Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 18 Call of Duty: Black Ops II 19 Need for Speed Most Wanted 20 The Bureau: XCOM Declassified PS4 Add-ons 1 Call of Duty Black Ops III: Zombies Chronicles 2 The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited – ESO Plus 3 Injustice 2 Darkseid 4 Black Ops III – The Giant Zombies Map 5 NieR: Automata 3C3C1D119440927 6 FOR HONOR SEASON PASS 7 Persona 5 Messiah & Messiah Picaro Set 8 Rocket League – The Fate of the Furious Ice Charger 9 Battlefield 1 Premium Pass 10 Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – DLC2 Continuum PS VR Games 1 Farpoint 2 Star Trek: Bridge Crew 3 Job Simulator 4 Statik 5 Dick Wilde 6 Battlezone 7 Mortal Blitz 8 Batman: Arkham VR 9 Fruit Ninja VR 10 Time Machine VR PS Vita Games 1 SteinsGate 2 God of War: Collection PS Vita 3 Persona 4 Golden 4 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale PS Vita 5 MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death 6 Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom 7 The Caligula Effect: Deluxe Digital Bundle 8 Salt and Sanctuary 9 Ys: Memories of Celceta 10 Steins;Gate 0 PS Classics 1 Twisted Metal: Black 2 Star Ocean Till The End Of Time 3 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 4 Destroy All Humans! 5 Resident Evil Code: Veronica X 6 Bully 7 Suikoden II 8 Mega Man Legends 9 War of the Monsters 10 METAL SLUG ANTHOLOGY View the full article