Commander Fury

Earlier this week, Team Ninja set up a temporary dojo in San Francisco to share news and game time with <a href="http://teamninja-studio.com/ng3/us/top.html">Ninja Gaiden 3</a> and <a href="http://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/">Dead or Alive 5</a> on the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PlayStation 3</a>. Of particular note was the first hands-on demo of Ninja Gaiden 3’s multiplayer offering in the form of 4v4 Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale modes. It’s a bold move to add a competitive multiplayer mode to a melee-based action game, and I struggled to think of a comparable product out there; it definitely stands on its own in the action genre. My favorite touch: when struck by a deathblow, you can fight off your attacker by mashing the buttons, and then choose to “die with honor†via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku">seppuku</a>. After a lengthy playtest, we were granted some face-to-face time with the team’s Head Ninja, Yosuke Hayashi. Here we chat <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-move/">PlayStation Move</a> support in NG3, working on the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">Vita</a>, and how many actual ninja are on Team Ninja: More...

Okay, so, here we go... the first blog post on Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock. I’m looking forward to writing more of these blog posts over the next couple of months as we move towards launch. Developing anything for Doctor Who has to be done right. The show has such a following that we need to be certain that everything the game does fits with the expectations of the fans. So far, we've said very, very little about the game. This trailer just has the barest hints about the core of this story. What is The Eternity Clock? How is it related to the Doctor? How is River involved in this? More...

The Wolfpack is back and funnier than ever this week in New Releases! <strong>The Hangover Part II</strong> hits our service with Bradley Cooper (Limitless), Ed Helms (The Office) and Zach Galifianakis (The Muppets) retracing their steps once again, this time in Thailand. And if you buy the 1080p HD version to own, you’ll get over 14 minutes of bonus content to enjoy. Daniel Craig (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), Olivia Wilde (Tron: Legacy) and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones) star in the alien western blockbuster <strong>Cowboys & Aliens</strong> this week in Movies. Follow as a band of cowboys and outlaws must stop a full on alien invasion. Plus, check out the Epic Adventures in Collections & Sales for a free 10 minute preview of the film. More...

So with all of the craziness of Multiplayer releases in 2011 over, now it’s time to look ahead to 2012. And a new entry into the realm of multiplayer is Mass Effect 3 by Bioware based in Edmonton Canada. In a press release from October, the award-winning developer, a label of Electronic Arts Inc., announced hat multiplayer will be coming to the critically-acclaimed Mass Effectâ„¢ series for the very first time as part of the new Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system. With the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, players will fight for the survival of the galaxy against an ancient alien race known only as, Reapers, in both the single player campaign and through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications. Progress made in each of the components of the system, including the new multiplayer mode, will directly link back to the player’s main campaign, helping Commander Shepard rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3. The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. “The theme of galactic war in Mass Effect 3 presents us with the perfect opportunity to introduce multiplayer into the Mass Effect series,†said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “Multiplayer not only features amazing combat and deep customization options, but it will give players another way to help the war effort against the Reapers in the main event — the single player campaign.†Featuring four-player cooperative gameplay, multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 puts players in the role of a team of elite Special Forces soldiers sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers. Players will have the option of playing as one of six classes and from six different races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian. Multiplayer and other components of the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system provide alternative ways for players to wage the final war against the Reapers. The new system will also connect players to their BioWare Social Network accounts to stay up to date on the latest Mass Effect 3 news and access downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons. Now if you read around the net, the avid Mass Effect Fans are not that keen on addition of the Multiplayer, but as stated by Shane Bell in his editorial about Multiplayer not extending the life of games, maybe this developer is seeing an opportunity to add a longer playability to their title after all. Only time will tell if this is successful or not and there are rumors of a beta soon, the game is scheduled to launch March 6th, 2012. About BioWare The BioWare Label is a division of EA which crafts high quality multiplatform role-playing, MMO and strategy games, focused on emotionally engaging, rich stories with unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world’s most critically acclaimed titles and franchises, including Baldur’s Gateâ„¢, Neverwinter Nightsâ„¢, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢, Jade Empireâ„¢, Mass Effectâ„¢ and Dragon Ageâ„¢.* BioWare currently operates in seven locations across the world, including Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec, Canada), Austin (Texas), Fairfax (Virginia), San Francisco (California), Los Angeles (California) and Galway (Ireland). In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. In 2011 EA created the BioWare Label, alongside EA Games, EA SPORTSâ„¢ and EA Play. *To join the millions of fans already registered with the BioWare community, go to http://social.bioware.com. More...

They are listed in order by Units Sold… 1. The Green Ticket by Mass Media, Inc. 2. 100 Items Super Bundle by SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) 3. Lockwood Token Pack – 80 by Lockwood Publishing 4. Spider Web Tank Top (Female) by SCEA 5. Long-Wavy Hairstyle (Female) by SCEA 6. Phantom 5000 Beat Machine by SCEA 7. Cutteridge Mansion by Juggernaut Games, LLC 8. Official Scre4m Movie Costume (Male) by Codeglue 9. Hollywood Hills House (with Home Theater) by Sony Pictures Entertainment 10. Lockwood Token Pack – 480 by Lockwood Publishing The Green Ticket takes the #1 spot again, will anything ever take down this item? Come on guys, there has to be something!!! If you have not taken the time to check out PlayStation®Home Lately, you have got to check it out. The new look is more than amazing and with the release of 1.60 this week there is a slew of improvements and so much more… From the Blog Announcement This Thursday, December 8th, we will release the latest update to the PlayStation Home client. PlayStation Home version 1.60 delivers a wealth of improvements and updates to the core client, not the least of which is a doubling of the item placement limit in personal spaces! NEW FEATURES Furniture Placement Limit We have doubled the furniture placement limit in personal spaces and clubhouses from 50 to 100 items. Standard and active furniture limits have been merged into the same system. Currently all actives take up 22 furniture slots in the new system. Thus you can now place a variety of different combinations: 100 standard furniture items or… 78 standard furniture items and 1 active or… 56 standard furniture items and 2 actives or… 34 standard furniture items and 3 actives or… 12 standard furniture items and 4 actives. GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS Targeting in Personal Spaces Targeting in personal spaces has been improved. This means you shouldn’t accidentally target furniture items through floors or ceilings any more. Although we have made exceptions for wall hangings and lights as these tend to be placed quite high up. If you find any items of furniture in places you can’t reach then you can always remove them through the furniture browser and place them somewhere else. Portable Items and Companions We have changed the way that companion portables work so they will now automatically re-activate after you enter and leave a game or relocate between spaces. No more having to put your companion away and take them out again when you do this! Help System There is a new help system to aid new users as they explore PlayStation Home for the first time. Arcade Games Arcade games are no longer subject to the 3 minute inactivity timeout when placed as furniture in Personal Spaces or Clubhouses. CHANGES Menu Pad We have removed the “Community†section of the Menu Pad. The information that used to be contained in here is now communicated via the Message of the Day pop-up at login and the new loading screens. There are so many different new areas to explore, quests to attempt and overall fun added in Home’s new version it is like starting all over for those Home Veterans out there. We are extremely happy with how the new look came out. The theater looks*awesome, the poker tables are busy and the sports bar is serving up the drinks. More...

Despite my bulging pectorals, rippling six-pack abs, and chiseled physique, I’m honestly not much of an athlete. But I don’t need to be a sports expert to see the appeal behind <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/mlb-12-the-show/">MLB 12 The Show</a>, the slavishly faithful baseball simulation that consistently ranks as the sport’s most respected gaming franchise. At a holiday showcase event in New York City last night, I took a few swings with an early build of MLB 12 The Show, including the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-move/">PlayStation Move</a>-enhanced PS3 edition and the all-new <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> iteration. The game’s community manager, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/author/rrussell/">Ramone Russell</a>, described how the San Diego team began development with a gruelingly in-depth focus test. The goal: to suss out what core players <em>didn’t</em> like about last year’s edition. “The key feedback we heard involved our presentation and commentary, so that’s our number one focus this year.†Russell described a new feature called True Broadcast Presentation, which accurately recreates broadcast camera cuts and other presentation signatures you’d see in a televised MLB broadcast. “We’re trying to blur the lines between baseball simulation on your PS3 and what you’d see on MLB.TV sitting on your couch,†Russell explained. “When a batter strikes out, the camera will cut and you will see his face, his anger.†More...

This thing is officially a trilogy! On this week’s Official <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-blogcast/">PlayStation Blogcast</a>, we’ve declared a Skyrim moratorium as we share the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> releases for December 13th and go over some huge <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-plus/">PlayStation Plus</a> discounts for the month, describe <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PlayStation Vita's</a> “Welcome Park,†and launch a new segment we’re calling “Origin Story.†We’re often asked how we got jobs in the game industry, so this week I share my journey from cleaning shelves at a videogame store in the mall to working at <a href="http://us.playstation.com/">PlayStation</a>. Prepare your sound holes! <strong>Subscription Links:</strong> <ul> <li>Download the <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/playstation/03_Episode_003__Where_Is_My_Skyrim_.mp3">MP3 here</a> </li> <li>Subscribe via <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheOfficialPlaystationBlogcast">RSS here</a></li> <li>Subscribe <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=483223024">iTunes</a></li></ul> More...

The handheld weapons are a key part of any MMOFPS and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/dust-514/">DUST 514</a> is no exception. There were a few things that were very important to us. Firstly, we wanted to avoid the feeling of “Vietnam in space†that you sometimes see in sci-fi games. The goal was to create weapons that had recognizable roles but used more advanced technologies than the equivalent weapons of today. The power of these guns would tear apart a modern day battlefield. In <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/dust-514-ps3.html">DUST 514</a> the only way your mercenary can survive the power of these weapons is due to the advanced shielding and armor of the dropsuits they wear. Without them, simply firing these weapons would severely injure or even kill you! Secondly, it was important to us that the weapons felt like a natural part of the EVE universe. In the same way that the ships in EVE have distinct racial designs and specialties, the weapons of DUST 514 had to encapsulate the values and technology of the race that created them. The ruthless efficiency of the Caldari, the progressive aesthetics of the Gallente, the resilience and resourcefulness of the Minmatar as well as the proud arrogance of the Amarr Empire. All of this had to be communicated through the design of the weaponry; the different styles should be evident when you look at the three examples below. More...

After a year of major game releases, the game industry & gamers from all over the world, are set to pick the best of the best for the 2011 Video Game Awards. Shane Bell (Urgent Fury CIO) & Doc (The Tester (Season 1) & Replay w/ Doc) join Commander Fury to preview a few of the categories & make their 2011 VGA picks. More...

The numbers are in! Starting this month we’re expanding the PSN sales charts to include not only the 20 top-selling PSN and PS3 Full Games, but also the top five PS one Classics, PSP games, and Add-Ons. You may not be surprised to see inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood at the top of the PS3 list…but [...] More...

First off, welcome to the 400,000+ new <a href="http://www.littlebigplanet.com/">LittleBigPlanet</a> fans we've gained since Black Friday (for some of you, expect a big surprise from Santa in a few weeks) <h4>New on the PlayStation Store</h4> We hope you all saw Disney's The Muppets Movie! We loved it so much we wanted you to continue with your own Muppets adventure with our new costumes, newly available on the PS Store refresh. Check these out! ...and be on the lookout for more costumes from The Muppets in upcoming weeks. Also... For all you Oddworld fans, be sure to check out the latest Munch costume on the PlayStation Store, now! More...

This Holiday season, <a href="http://www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/main">Sony Entertainment Network</a> is offering the gift of a special 60 day free trial of the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/music-unlimited/">Music Unlimited</a> Premium service for a limited time, just for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PlayStation 3</a> users! The <a href="https://music.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/">Music Unlimited</a> Premium plan includes offers unlimited access to a catalog of millions songs featuring classic favorites and the latest hits. You can find personalized channels categorized by Genre, Era, Mood or your favorite artist. No ads and unlimited skips. You can even set up a cloud library of your favorite songs, playlists and channels accessible from a range of home, mobile and gaming devices including PSP, Android phone, Sony Tablet, network enabled Blu-Ray Disc player and Bravia TV, and any PC. More...

This Thursday, December 8th, we will release the latest update to the PlayStation Home client. PlayStation Home version 1.60 delivers a wealth of improvements and updates to the core client, not the least of which is a doubling of the item placement limit in personal spaces! Here’s a look at what’s coming to you as part of PlayStation Home v1.60: <strong>How to Apply the v1.60 Patch</strong> If you are upgrading from an old version of Home (v1.40 or earlier) then when you attempt to apply the v1.60 patch please wait for the orange “hard drive activity†light to stop flashing on your PS3 before commencing the patching process. <strong>NEW FEATURES</strong> <ul> <strong>Furniture Placement Limit</strong> We have doubled the furniture placement limit in personal spaces and clubhouses from 50 to 100 items. Standard and active furniture limits have been merged into the same system. Currently all actives take up 22 furniture slots in the new system. Thus you can now place a variety of different combinations: </ul> More...

Hey everyone, it’s that time AT LAST! I wanted to first thank you all for your patience, it’s been a long wait, but at the same time it’s been even longer for us. We’ve been working on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/oddworldstrangers-wrath/">Stranger’s Wrath</a>, one way or another for around 15 months now. From the initial discussions, to actually starting work on the project true, to then getting it done! As most of you may know we originally planned to release the game around Easter, to be able to do that we were to have started full development in September last year, but as it transpired, we didn’t actually start until April 2011, which gave us our hoped late Summer release; but we ended up spending another couple of months on it, so here we are DONE AND DUSTED for release. As such I’m extremely pleased to announce that <a href="http://www.oddworld.com/?p=88">Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath</a> HD will release on December 27th in North America for $14.99. And we will be releasing worldwide! (all stores, except for the Far East/Russia/Ukraine and Portugal at this time). More...

It’s a week of amazing DLC with the release of Add-ons for Battlefield 3 and Resistance 3 hitting PlayStation Network in a big way. Battlefield 3 multiplayer expands with <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/12/01/battlefield-3-back-to-karkand-hits-psn-tuesday-with-new-guns-vehicles-assignments/">Back to Karkand</a>, available first and exclusively on PSN. Featuring four of the most loved Battlefield maps ever reimagined with the power of the Frostbite 2 engine, this DLC gives you new weapons, vehicles, dog tags, and persistence in the form of all-new “assignments†to carry out on the battlefield. <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/resistance-3/">Resistance 3</a> sees also sees new content with the Brutality Pack. Team up with a friend to fight off endless waves of Grims, Leapers, and Leeches in the all-new Survival Mode. The Brutality pack also unlocks the Sledgehammer in multiplayer, the Mick Cutler Skin, and Warden XMB Theme. Despite all the DLC love, don’t forget about the new games hitting PlayStation Store. Wanted Corp, Final Fantasy VI, and PS3 Full Games Dragon Age II and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit all release today. Wanted Corp brings the fun as you play as a pair of intergalactic bounty hunters in this cooperative action-shooter to capture escaped intergalactic convicts. RPG fans young and old will want to download Final Fantasy VI as this PS one Classic caps of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/03/announcing-square-enixs-winter-of-rpgs-campaign/">Square Enix’s Winter of RPGs</a>. More...

While most of us are using December to catch up on all the huge game releases this holiday season, the December episode of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/qore/">Qore</a> is looking forward to 2012. And, in anticipation of the new year, we’re very excited to kick off a new era for Qore with both a new host and new correspondent. Please welcome Qore’s new host <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/tweetjesse">Jesse Blaze Snider</a> and new field correspondent Tiffany Smith. Jesse jumps right into the giant sequel Final Fantasy XIII-2. With time travel, new fight mechanics, and new characters joining the old cast, XIII-2 expands an already epic storyline. If you’re into weapon-based fighting (who isn’t?), then you’ll definitely want to check out the Qore preview of <a href="http://www.soulcalibur.com/en_US">Soul Calibur V</a>. Meet old and new characters such as Assassin's Creed’s very own Ezio Auditore making his fighting game debut. And, check out the ‘create-a-fighter’ tools. More...

Hope you are excited to go Back to Karkand! With the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-store/">PlayStation Store</a> update later today, you will be able to buy, download and play Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a>. To celebrate launch day, here is an all-new gameplay trailer showcasing Wake Island running on PlayStation 3 hardware. I hope you like what we have done to this classic Battlefield map, and that you enjoy your one-week PS3 exclusive head start on this expansion pack. Once you have downloaded Back to Karkand, the four new maps (Wake Island, Strike at Karkand, Gulf of Oman, and Sharqi Peninsula) will be available in the server browser and in the Quick Match filter settings just like the nine maps from the base game. There will be servers that mix and match maps from the base game and Back to Karkand, so you will never have to commit to playing either base game or Back to Karkand maps in your gaming session. More...

On behalf of everyone at <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/insomniac-games/">Insomniac Games</a> and Sony I’m very excited to announce <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/resistance-3/">Resistance 3</a>’s Brutality Pack, available today for download from the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-store/">PlayStation Store</a>! This new DLC, priced at $3.99, features a vicious survival mode where you face off against an army of ravenous Grims as they try to take you and your friends down. And yup, it’s co-op – both online and offline. Plus, you get a special Mick Cutler skin AND the sledgehammer unlocked for all of the game’s modes, as well as a special Warden Static <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a> Theme. But what has me most stoked personally is that the Brutality Pack fittingly features the music of the incomparable, Grammy nominated, Mastodon. We’re featuring seven tracks, including three songs from their just-released album <em>The Hunter</em>, two instrumental versions of <em>Blood Mountain</em> tracks and two special bonus songs from the deluxe version of <em>The Hunter</em>. Check out the brand new trailer that we’re releasing today to see the new gameplay mode in action set to one of Mastodon’s latest singles, “Spectrelightâ€. More...

Here we are, back again to talk about even more exciting things happening with <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/dc-universe-online/">DC Universe Online</a>. Today we’re celebrating not only the launch of our second DLC Pack, Lightning Strikes, but also the amazing success that we’ve had since making the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/02/dc-online-universe-free-to-play-your-way-on-ps3/">Free-to-Play transition</a> just over a month ago. Bottom line, there are a whole lot more of you out there playing <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/dc-universe-online-ps3.html">DCUO</a>. And apparently you’re having a good time, because most of you -- more than 85%, in fact -- are returning again and again for adventures in Gotham City and Metropolis. You may have seen a few weeks ago when we announced that more than one million new players had jumped in to DCUO since the launch of Free-to-Play. That number is definitely larger now, and growing by roughly 6% each day. We love seeing all of the new heroes and villains in game, and hope you and your friends keep coming back to experience the great new adventures we have planned for the coming year. More...

With the holiday shopping season counting down, Christina Lee takes a look at some of the must-have custom <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PlayStation 3</a> peripherals perfect for gift giving (to yourself). From the new official <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/sony-blu-ray-disc-remote-control-ps3.html'>http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/sony-blu-ray-disc-remote-control-ps3.html">Media/ Blu-ray Disc Remote Control</a> to the much talked about <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/sony-playstation-3d-display-ps3/index.html'>http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/sony-playstation-3d-display-ps3/index.html">PlayStation 3D Display</a>, use today's show to pass along any last minute shopping hints to the ones you love. This edition also takes a look at two new full game downloads available from the PlayStation Store with <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/need-for-speed-hot-pursuit/">Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit</a> and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/dragon-age-2/">Dragon Age II</a>. Both, now part of the growing line up of full games on the store. Also covered, for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/battlefield-3/">Battlefield 3</a> fans, don't miss the Return to Karkand Expansion Pack coming later today (first on <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/">PS3</a>) and a preview of action/puzzle/platformer fairytale of Trine 2. More...

With the holiday season in full effect, we’re giving <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-plus/">PlayStation Plus</a> subscribers extra discounts and free games. The total value of all this month’s offers total over $250 with about $50 being free games. This month’s free content includes the <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/">PS3</a> full game <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/tomb-raider-underworld-ps3.html">Tomb Raider: Underworld</a> and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> game <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/marvel-pinball-ps3.html">Marvel Pinball</a>. The free PSone Classic of the month will be <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/spyro-year-of-the-dragon-ps3-psp.html">Spyro Year of the Dragon</a>. If anyone is keeping track this is the third PSone Classic from the Spyro franchise offered in <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-plus/">Plus</a> and since it’s the holiday, we’ll bring back the first two again to offer the full collection in December. To finish out the free games, take your pick from free early access to minis like Orbit, or mini favorites like A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks! or Mad Blocker Alpha. We always look to give Plus subscribers extra discounts on top of existing PlayStation Store sales and promotions and this month is no exception. The Holiday Collection Sale will feature some great deals on PS3 full game bundles, with Plus subscribers getting an extra discount on top of these deals. With <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/playstation-store/">PlayStation Store</a> promotions happening throughout the year, a Plus subscription always comes in handy. Check out the full list of discounts on titles like <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/assassins-creed-brotherhood-ps3.html">Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood</a>, <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/renegade-ops-ps3.html">Renegade Ops</a>, <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/darksiders-ps3.html">Darksiders</a> and more; and watch for more details on the Holiday Collection sale soon. More...

Welcome to ModNation Monday! In response to questions from loyal ModNation Racers fans, let's investigate a few features from the Kart Studio in the upcoming <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/modnation-racers-road-trip/">ModNation Racers: Road Trip</a> for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a>. <strong> 1. Kart Parts - Explode View </strong> Yep, it’s as fun as it looks! <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/modnation-racers-road-trip/">ModNation Racers: Road Trip</a> for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">Vita</a> brings you even closer to a true Kart modeling experience (without the sticky toxic smelling glue) with the rotatable “exploded†view of your Kart and it’s customizable components. It’s as simple spreading your thumb and finger on the screen to open and then a pinch to close the view. We can’t say it enough but there is just something intrinsically fun with the tactile feel of using your fingers to “explode†you kart open, spin it around, rinse and repeat! strong> 2. Drag and Drop </strong> As with the Mod Studio Edit feature, you simply drag and drop your parts and props right onto your Kart. You’ll feel like a real mechanic as you drag a new set of wheels onto your kart or simply touch the color selector and add that “new coat of paint to items like your shocks, engine, seat, etc. More...

Story by: CritiKiL Modded clan tags in Modern Warfare 3 are tags which have button icons in it, that make them considerably longer compared to what is permitted. A minor issue, yes, however Infinity Ward does not like any*kind of exploit whatsoever, in their games. If you have got a modded clan tag, be sure to change it back to something suitable or risk a ban. Here is the official response on the*Activison support forum*regarding the MW3 clan tags: “Using any kind of hack or exploit to put characters or graphics into your clan tag can result in a suspension or full ban. You may only use the default set of characters included in the user interface†This is true for tags that are colored anything beyond the default colors, which also have been confirmed to be an exploit as well.*Infinity Ward has stated that they will be evaluating the problem and that gamers who have got modded clan tags ought to be reported on sight. Guy Beahm of Sledgehammer games was asked if there would be an ETA for the fix, however due to this being so low-priority and undamaging to gameplay, there isn’t one.* So if you’re using these types of clan tags, remove them or run the risk of getting banned from the game. More...

Our grand opening of our first <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/28/san-francisco-ps-vita-meet-ups-kick-off-this-week/">Vita Hill Social Club</a> was an overwhemling success! It was a pleasure to meet the PlayStation community in the Bay Area, and give you a personal introduction to <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a>. Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PlayStation">PlayStation facebook</a> for photos! Stay tuned, we'll be opening more Social Clubs in more cities soon. Listen to the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-official-playstation-blogcast/id483223024">PlayStation.Blogcast</a> for a hint! <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/the-drop/">The Drop</a> this week brings Dragon Age II, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Final Fantasy VI to PSN. More...

Forget the Grammys, Tonys, and Oscars - videogames have their own award season, and we're in it. We'll be attending both the <a href="http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2011/11/28/machinima-com-announces-nominees-for-inside-gaming-awards-2011/">Inside Gaming Awards</a> and the <a href="http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011">VGAs</a> this week (vote for your Most Anticipated Game <a href="http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-voting/voting/most-anticipated-game">here</a>), and you should find both worth watching. Also, I wanted to take the chance to thank all of you who have listened to <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/12/01/official-playstation-blogcast-episode-002-that%E2%80%99s-a-lot-of-blood/">our new podcast</a> (or better yet, <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=483223024">subscribed</a>). Thanks! <h3>The PS.Blog weekly reading list (Week of November 28, 2011)</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/3d-dot-game-heroes-dev-adds-vita-support-to-its-orochi-engine/">3D Dot Game Heroes dev adds Vita support to its Orochi engine - Joystiq</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/urinal-games-make-a-splash-in-a-british-pub/">Urinal games make a splash in a British pub - Joystiq</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-shows-off-combat-system-improvement/">Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailer shows off combat system improvements - Joystiq</a></li> <li><a href="http://ps3.ign.com/articles/121/1213892p1.html?RSSwhen2011-12-02_173900&RSSid=1213892&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ignfeeds%2Fps3+%28IGN+PS3%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Heavy Rain: By the Numbers - PlayStation 3 Feature at IGN</a></li> <li><a href="http://kotaku.com/5864735/four-more-ssx-screens-to-keep-you-warm-until-valentines-day/gallery/1">Four More SSX Screens to Keep You Warm Until Valentine's Day - Kotaku</a></li> More...