Commander Fury

Today’s <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/twisted-metal-university/">lesson</a> focuses on risk vs. reward in the high-stakes world of vehicular combat. Experienced <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/twisted-metal/">Twisted Metal</a> players have long known that the highest-damage attacks require quite a bit of risk, and this 2012 revival is no exception. Whether you’re swooping in close to deliver a point-blank Shotgun blast or charging up the devastating Swarmer missile, <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/twisted-metal-ps3.html">Twisted Metal</a>’s sprawling arsenal requires a firm, steady hand. Watch today’s new video to learn how to best manage high-risk special attacks such as Roadkill’s devastating Blood Missile Barrage and Reaper’s Flamesaw -- two of the most lethal weapons in the game. Then use this knowledge to give you a headstart on multiplayer combat this February 14th when Twisted Metal finally lands on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a>! More...

When we launched <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-blogcast/">PlayStation Blogcast</a> just a few months ago, we promised that we’d deliver big PlayStation personalities. And there may be no bigger personality than <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/author/djaffe/">David Jaffe</a>, the outspoken co-director for next week’s PS3 revival of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/twisted-metal/">Twisted Metal</a>. Jaffe is a fixture in the often-tumultuous world of videogame development, playing a key role in 1995’s Twisted Metal as well as serving as director of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/god-of-war/">God of War</a> and creative director for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/god-of-war-ii/">God of War II</a>. In our lengthy discussion, Jaffe sounds off on a host of topics: his development plans after Twisted Metal, the game’s 90s-licious soundtrack, incorporating fan requests, finding the game’s unique visual identity...and why he loves Oprah and Doctor Phil (seriously). As always, we reveal next week’s <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> game lineup, answer a slew of user questions, and share a user tip (actually, two tips). This week also sees us discussing our favorite PSone games, sharing our favored strategies for Twisted Metal combat, and providing some details on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> memory cards. Not a bad show, all in all...but as always, we insist on hearing your thoughts and feedback! More...

Hi everyone! As you all know by now, it is <a href="http://www.zenstudios.com/">Zen Studios’</a> quest to deliver the most entertaining and original pinball tables. Epic Quest represents a major step forward in the evolution of videogame pinball, blending RPG elements such as loot, leveling and XP with pinball. This is something we have been dreaming about and working on for a long time. I’m excited to share a little bit about how we have blended two different gaming genres to create a totally new experience! <h4>Zen’s Epic Quest</h4> It is the sworn duty of every knight to seek out evil, defeat it, and take its stuff. One such knight is Max, whose enthusiasm for combat is surpassed only by his love of rare and valuable loot. Join Max as he battles hordes of evil (or just evil-looking) monsters, rescues a wealthy princess, and accumulates the loot and XP that make good deeds worth doing. If Max suffers a defeat, never fear! He will return in the next game with all of his hard-won loot and experience levels intact. More...

<a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> will begin making its way into gamers’ hands in just a few short days! Day one Vita owners will have many, many games to choose from, with 25 titles announced for launch on February 22nd. Actually, make that 26 -- Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is now a confirmed <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/02/06/ninja-gaiden-sigma-plus-confirmed-for-vita-launch-details-here/">launch title</a> as well. If you’re being thorough, however, that number is off by a bit... like by 90%. Hundreds of classic <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psp/">PSP</a> titles and minis will also be available to play on <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psvita/">PS Vita</a> on day one via the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-store/">PlayStation Store</a>. Even better, if you’ve already downloaded a compatible PSP title, you can download it directly onto your PS Vita at no extra cost (please note that <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/04/upcoming-change-to-playstation-3-and-psp-game-content-on-playstation-network/">some limitations</a> do apply). More...

Hi everyone! With only a few weeks to go until launch, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PlayStation Vita</a> is the hot topic on everyone’s mind here at <a href="http://us.playstation.com/">SCEA</a>. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably counting down the minutes until <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psvita/">Vita</a> arrives, anxiously awaiting the availability of what’s sure to be an industry game changer. Today, I’m here to give you your very own first look the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/27/get-your-hands-on-ps-vita-early-with-the-first-edition-bundle/">PS Vita First Edition Bundle</a>. Early birds who pre-ordered the First Edition Bundle will their PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi system on February 15, a FULL WEEK ahead of its official launch on February 22nd! You’ll also get a 4GB PS Vita memory card, a limited-edition PS Vita case, a copy of Little Deviants on PS Vita game card, and a set of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/02/08/dive-into-ps-vitas-augmented-reality-suite/">AR Play game cards</a> to enable <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/02/08/dive-into-ps-vitas-augmented-reality-suite/">augmented reality play</a> with a host of free downloadable mini games. There's more: The PS Vita First Edition Bundle also includes an AT&T DataConnect Session Pass, which is good for one free 250MB data session (a $14.99 value) upon purchase of one 250 MB data session, as well as a free PlayStation Network game that you can redeem upon 3G activation on the AT&T mobile broadband network. More...

The simulation industry has long been closely associated with game technologies and history seems to be repeating itself: India’s number one simulation development company, <a href="http://www.zentechnologies.com/">Zen Technologies Limited</a>, has decided to venture into game development and digital publishing with <a href="http://www.version2games.com/">Version2Games Limited</a>, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zen Technologies Limited. Our vision is to put India on the console gaming map. I am thrilled to announce Version2Games’ first title Smash ‘N’ Survive, coming to <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/">PlayStation Network</a> for $14.99. The core gameplay of Smash ‘N’ Survive revolves around vehicle combat -- it seems we’re in the midst of quite a vehicle-combat revival! But Smash ‘N’ Survive features several innovations such as a physics-based tornado into which you can push your enemies. This tornado is not the only environmental weapon: You’ll find catapults, crushers and other hazards scattered around the maps, and you can use them to annihilate your opponents. More...

Hi folks! I’m here today to show you our awesome new teleportation shoot ‘em-up that is packed with innovative features – and it’s a game that <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/06/mystery-teaser-puzzle-reveal-name-futurlabs-new-game/">YOU named</a>! We had hundreds of entries, which we were very grateful for, and settled on ‘VELOCITY’, as it described the concept and gameplay very well - and is a cool word! Here at <a href="http://www.futurlab.co.uk/">FuturLab</a> we don’t think it is good enough to churn out cloned games. We wanted to do justice to the nostalgia of early games in the shoot ‘em-up genre, so that people can pick up Velocity and feel right at home, but also feel the excitement of playing something completely new! After many months prototyping, we knew we had something special with Velocity – the teleporting mechanics had never been done before - so we wanted a big sound to complement the gameplay experience. More...

Starting today, we're introducing a video series we call "Twisted Metal University." The goal: Get you up to speed in time for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/twisted-metal/">Twisted Metal's</a> February 14th release. That's less than a week away, so we'll have to move fast! In today's chaotic episode, you’ll be (re)introduced you to some of Twisted Metal's fiendish firepower, starting with the EMP Blast, Absorption Shield, Mines, and more. This video also gives you a primer on choosing the right sidearm, whether it’s the flesh-shredding shotgun, the devastating magnum revolver, the heat-seeking Swarmer rocket launcher, or the all-powerful Mega Gun. More...

Thank you to the thousands of gamers who have stopped by one of the eight <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/events/vitahillsocialclub.html">Vita Hill Social Clubs</a> across the United States over the past few weeks. For those of you who don't know, Vita Hill Social Club is the only place where you can walk in and pick up a <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> to play with for as long as you want (well, until closing time). The social clubs will be open through PS Vita's official launch day on February 22nd. You can arrive by yourself or with friends, get a (free) club membership on the spot, grab a drink and a snack, choose your gaming experience off a menu, and get a PS Vita for an extended test drive with a wide variety of games. Feeling competitive? Sign up for a tournament at the social club and play against other members. You can even sign up a bunch of friends and create your own tournament -- just ask the club staff for details! More...

At <a href="http://www.cesweb.org/">CES</a>, we scored a <a href="https://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/11/ces-2012-ps-vitas-augmented-reality-transforms-your-table-into-an-arena/">backstage demo of Table Soccer</a>, one of three augmented reality games that show off <a href="https://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita's</a> Wide Area Augmented Reality capability. Today, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/santa-monica-studios/">Sony Santa Monica</a> Sr. Manager Dave Thach returns with two new augmented reality games, Fireworks and Cliff Diving. Both are part of the Augmented Reality Suite coming exclusively to <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psvita/">PS Vita</a> on Feb 22nd on <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/">PSN</a> for free. Also, packaged with your PS Vita will be six AR cards which will also work with Reality Fighters, and other great AR experiences. More...

Sports fans – I’m psyched to give you a sneak peak at the new Miami Marlins ballpark in South Beach, courtesy of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/mlb-12-the-show/">MLB 12 The Show</a>. Have a look at where new acquisitions Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell will be calling home this year… After winning two World Series in less than 20 years since their inaugural 1993 season, 2012 ushers in a name change and a new ballpark for the Marlins. Before we could add this new ballpark to MLB 12 The Show, we had to gather as much information as possible in order to faithfully recreate every inch of this stadium exactly as it stands in Miami. Project Coordinator Jennifer Kacizak and Environment Artist Anton Napierala each started compiling blueprints, architectural concept models, and other data (thanks to our friends at MLB and the Marlins front office) of the ballpark which allowed us to get the shell or skeleton of the stadium in place. From there, more information was found via reference photos and even live online video streams. From all of this combined reference material, we’re able to bring the Marlins new home to life in MLB 12 The Show. Our goal is always to give our fans the most realistic sports experience possible, and I’m thrilled we were able to continue that proud tradition here. Check out the video to see the stadium in action… it’s as close as it gets to the real thing without dipping your toes in the surf at Miami Beach! More...

Hi, everyone. We are releasing a new system software update (v4.10) for PlayStation 3 today that will include a few minor changes that we want to make you all aware of. First off, once you download the new system software, you will be asked to accept a change to our Terms of Service. In an effort for more unity between PlayStation Network (PSN) and other Sony Entertainment Network services, your “PSN Account†will now be named “Sony Entertainment Network Account.†Please note that this change is one in name only and will not change the PSN that you know and love. You’ll still play games online, still have access to the latest downloadable games and add-ons, and still experience a wide variety of movies, sports and music across PSN. With this system software update (v4.10), we’ll also be updating the PS3 Internet Browser with improved display speed. More...

With great new PSN Games, the return of two PlayStation legends, great new PS3 Full Games and a stellar February kick-off for <a href="http://pscom-auth-ucm.playstation.sony.com/usplaystation/psn/playstation-plus/index.htm">PlayStation Plus</a> subscribers; there’s a lot to love with today’s update. New PSN Games hitting this week include <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/02/07/gotham-city-imposters-hits-psn-today-read-the-origin-story-here/">Gotham City Impostors</a>. Bringing a new style of multiplayer mayhem with a tongue-in-cheek Gotham City style, you’ll want to see what the players in the Beta have been raving about. In addition, side-scrolling action comes in two flavors this week. For brutal combat action, you’ll want to check out Shank 2. For classic four-player co-op beat em ‘ups, download <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/02/06/woo-hoo-the-simpsons-arcade-game-hits-psn-tomorrow/">The Simpsons Arcade Game</a>. More...

The time has finally come: it’s premiere day for The Tester 3! We hope you’ve enjoyed getting an inside look at this exciting season: we’ve introduced our diverse group of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/05/meet-the-complete-season-3-cast-of-the-tester/">contestants, panelists</a>, and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/10/meet-the-star-studded-guest-panelists-of-the-tester-3/">special guests</a>, provided a <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/31/the-tester-3-premiere-episode-sneak-peek/">sneak peek at the first episode</a>, and gone behind the scenes at <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/24/tour-the-tester-3-winners-future-workplace-santa-monica-studio/"> the future workplace</a> of the season 3 winner. Here’s a look at the first minutes of the season premiere of The Tester3 (above). More...

It’s time to make a move! Today, we are releasing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Dead_III">The House of the Dead III</a> demo on PlayStation Network. This demo will be available on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PlayStation Network</a> for two weeks (until February 21st) exclusively to <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-plus/">PS Plus</a> members. For PS Plus members, we will be offering additional 30% off on the game for two weeks (until February 28th) to make your Valentine’s Day and the month of February even sweeter! We will also be giving away PS Plus exclusive free dynamic theme and avatars. More...

In case you didn’t know, our newest title, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/shank-2/">Shank 2</a>, launches today on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> for $9.99! This game is a huge improvement over the original Shank -- the controls are far tighter, we’ve added new moves and nuances to give you greater control and options to combat, and in general the experience is the best we’ve done so far. I really hope you’ll give the demo a shot and support a friendly developer! Today, I’m going to talk a bit about strategy in Shank 2’s new Survival Mode. In Survival Mode, you team up with a friend (local or online), earn cash, buy upgrades, defend your base, and survive for as long as you can. Trust me, you really have to pay attention and choose your strategy in this mode -- let’s just say that to this day, I have to be on my game in order to complete the entire 30 waves. But before you begin, you select one of three different maps, each with their own play styles. Then, select your costume: More...

We pitched the concept for Gotham City Impostors several times before it was greenlit. Each time, people laughed. The first time, they laughed appreciatively because they assumed we were joking. “A downloadable multiplayer shooter set in the Batman universe featuring guns, killing, and a distinct lack of Batman? Good one!†As they began to suspect we were serious, the laughter became strained. “You know there’s no way this will ever get approved, right!? Do you realize how many people would have to sign off on this crazy idea!? It’s impossible!†Once we were able to communicate the vision for the game with imagery and audio, everyone was back to laughing sincerely again because they finally got it. No, it wasn’t going to be a traditional Batman game, but it was absolutely going to be an unabashed love letter to Batman. More...

Today the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/jak-daxter/">Jak and Daxter</a> Collection launches exclusively on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a>. Now, over a decade since the Jak and Daxter series originally premiered on PS2, I’m so proud to see the legacy of<a href="http://naughtydog.com/"> Naughty Dog</a>’s work brought together for the first time ever on one Blu-ray Disc. The Jak and Daxter Collection brings some of your favorite J&D adventures -- Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II and Jak 3 -- to life like never before. Mass Media has re-mastered each installment of the collection to feature 720p high definition visuals and stereoscopic 3D support. The Jak and Daxter Collection also features over 100 trophies (including 3 platinum) for you to hunt down while you play through all three titles. More...

By now you’re hopefully well versed in the long gun nuances, co-op narrative and all the hanging-by-your-fingers-on-edge-of-a-cliff action found in <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/uncharted-3-drakes-deception/">Uncharted 3</a> multiplayer. Today we’re firing a heavy salvo of Uncharted 3 DLC information your way featuring new content to download individually, or as part of the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/18/uncharted-3-join-the-fortune-hunters-club/">Fortune Hunter’s Club program</a>. Downloading this fresh content will blow out the co-op storyline and expand the UNCHARTED series in ways that have never been done before. Coming in today’s <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/playstation-store/index.htm">PlayStation Store</a> update to <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/systems/ps3-uncharted3-bundle.html">Uncharted 3</a> is the Fort Co-Op adventure DLC. Did some of you guess that from our <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/01/17/new-year-new-uncharted-3-dlc-fortune-hunters-club-grows/">screenshot hint</a>? Fort Co-Op Adventure will mark the first time in the series you’ll be able to play co-op as the UNCHARTED villains with Zoran Lazarevi More...

February’s <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/qore/">Qore</a> crosses over, jumps into the future, and flies into the past. Jesse Blaze Snider starts off with this month's lead feature by tagging into <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/street-fighter-x-tekken/">Street Fighter X Tekken</a>. Capcom’s Seth Killian sits down with Jesse to discover how this wild mashup was first conceived, how the tag team gameplay works, and what’s going on with those “gems.†He also follows <a href="http://www.konami.com/games/birdsofsteel">Birds of Steel</a>, a game that rolls back the clock to World War II-era dogfighting. Then, Tiffany Smith jumps into a future-day Tokyo populated by sophisticated robots that have pretty much tossed out Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics in <a href="http://www.sega.com/binarydomain/">Binary Domain</a>. While the premise might not be that original, the new 'consequence system' that judges your command of NPC's is interesting, as Tiffany discovered with Director Toshihiro Nagoshi. And don't miss Toshihiro's pick for his favorite weapon in the game! Tiffany also checks out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_%282012_video_game%29">Warp</a> to preview the plethora of puzzles and crazy teleportation techniques of a cute alien bent on busting out. More...

Greetings PlayStation Blogosphere! If you have been playing the <a href="http://starhawkthegame.com/publicbeta/">Public Beta</a> or have been tracking <a href="http://www.starhawkthegame.com/">Starhawk</a> online, you may have noticed that we've tacking on more and more reasons for you to pick up this Build & Battle epic on May 8th: a <a href=" ">badass hero</a>, transforming mechs, and outer space <a href=" ">dogfights</a> just to name a few. Well, here’s one more reason: The Starhawk Limited Edition! More...

Valentine’s Day is coming, and with it, all of the gory goodness you can expect from <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/twisted-metal/">Twisted Metal</a>. You may be asking yourself, what’s missing from my Twisted Metal experience? A vehicle with gore dripping out of infected wounds? An ice-cream truck that showcases Sweet Tooth’s sensitive side? You’re in luck. Specially marked NOS Energy Drinks will have a special code under the cap redeemable for exclusive vehicle skins from the twisted mind of game creator David Jaffe. Just enter the code under the tab at drinknos.com, and you’ll be playing through the night with badass new versions of your favorite Twisted rides. As you play as Dollface and gun down all those who oppose you in your machine gun-equipped mac truck, spare a moment for those you love. Pre-order your copy from <a href="http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/games/twisted-metal/78157">GameStop</a> and <a href="http://ww11.1800flowers.com/">1800Flowers.com</a> will hook you up with $10 off of any purchase of $39.99 and up. More...

<a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/playstation-home/">PlayStation Home</a> gets yet another new game this week. The appropriately-named Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time personal space boasts addictive gameplay and comes complete with awesome rewards. Check out the trailer and then get ready for Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time, coming this Wednesday, February 8th to the VEEMEE and Estates stores in the PlayStation Home Mall. Enter the Lockwood’s ShowOff: First Date Valentine’s Day photo competition where first place wins one of two pre-release Iron Fusion content packs. All entrants are also submitted into a prize draw for a chance to win the Lockwood Team Choice Award (five runner-ups will get special Lockwood Picnic Packs). Be as creative as you can in interpreting the Valentine’s Day theme. Visit <a href="http://www.lockwoodpublishing.com/">www.lockwoodpublishing.com</a> for more information. More...

Nothing says love more than the Stone Abomination right? No? Oh… well… that’s probably because you have yet to hear the tale behind the Festival of Hearts in <a href="https://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/free-realms/">Free Realms</a>. Sure, everyone knows that Festival of Hearts celebrates love, but not many know the tale of how the festival originated. This is a tale of love that transcends time, and has been retold from generation to generation all around the land. Long ago, two young pixies – Rylan and Arianna – met while adventuring in the place we now call Merry Vale. Upon first glance, they were smitten with each other and planted a flower together at the spot where they first met. The two young pixies vowed to see each other every day, meeting near their flower in Merry Vale. Every time they met, Rylan would bring a present to his sweetheart; sometimes flowers or chocolates, other times balloons or hand-printed poems. Their romance was the stuff of legend, until... More...

If you’re a fan of ninja games, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> won’t leave you wanting - or waiting. The system’s upcoming launch will be supported by two ninja-centric titles: <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen/">Shinobido 2</a> and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/ninja-gaiden-sigma-plus/">Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus</a>, and I spent some time with the latter this weekend. NGS+ is an updated version of an early <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a> title, which itself was an enhanced version of an original Xbox game that debuted back in 2004. Despite some control choices which have clearly evolved over the past 8 years, the source material holds up pretty well in 2012. More...