Commander Fury

<strong>Surfer Blood </strong> is offering an exclusive version of their new EP, <a href="https://music.qriocity.com/#album~ed5c233a84de4fe5a044f2c10d2af766/Surfer_Blood/Tarot_Classics_Commentary_Version_">Tarot Classics</a>, just for premium subscribers of the Music Unlimited service! Listen as the track-by-track commentary guides you through the songs of this much-anticipated follow up their 2010’s critically-acclaimed full-length, <a href="https://music.qriocity.com/#album~7a49f8d699c24326983a64d6732b6d23/Surfer_Blood/Astro_Coast">Astro Coast</a>. Surfer Blood heads out on the road with <a href="https://music.qriocity.com/#artist~046d726110fb405db02b7bdd28cfdaef/Pixies">Pixies</a> this week! Listen to the <a href="https://music.qriocity.com/#album~ed5c233a84de4fe5a044f2c10d2af766/Surfer_Blood/Tarot_Classics_Commentary_Version_">exclusive album </a>to prepare yourself for an amazing show! More...

We hope that you’ve been enjoying <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/everybody-dance/">Everybody Dance</a> since the game’s launch last Tuesday! Now that you’ve had a chance to start working up a sweat on the dance floor, we wanted to share our newest Dancer Diary video—Dance Workout. Following up on last week’s <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/18/everybody-dance-launches-today-check-out-party-play-with-the-49ers-cheerleaders/">Party Play video</a> featuring the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders and the previous week’s <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/14/everybody-dance-video-series-creating-choreography-with-the-dance-creator/">Dance Creator tutorial</a>, the Dance Workout Dancer Diary takes us back to the studio with Glenn Douglas Packard and his group of professional dancers. Check out the video above for a Dance Workout walkthrough. <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/everybody-dance-ps3.html">Everybody Dance’s</a> workout mode is a great way to stay fit while having fun! The interface is simple. It lets you to pick various song sets, all of which are set at different paces and difficulty levels, so you’ll be able to find the perfect workout routine to fit your personal style. As you play through a set, a display in the top corner of the screen keeps track of the calories that you’re burning. Finally, the Dance Workout mode records your progress over time in an easy to read chart. Pick up a copy today so you can stay fit and monitor your progress throughout the party-filled holiday season! More...

Greetings PlayStation Nation! Your dedication to the PlayStation experience is something we take seriously. To date, close to 10 million of you have already seen our recent “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdWkKKSckNk">To Michael</a>†short film on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/PlayStation">YouTube</a>; and shared in the excitement of PlayStation’s greatest game characters celebrating and recognizing the players who make it all possible – YOU! “<a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/30/long-live-play/">Long Live Play</a>†hit the airwaves with our stalwart executive Kevin Butler returning to the gaming helm and word (or rather views) has spread like wildfire. In addition to the nearly 10M YouTube views, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PlayStation">Facebook</a> has seen a similar number of Likes and over 1300+ comments! More...

This is <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/ccp-games/">CCP</a> Lin, and I am a Server Architect on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/dust-514/">DUST 514</a>. In this devblog, I would like to cover at a high level some of the online technical aspects of <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/dust-514-ps3.html">DUST 514</a>, including the challenges we have met, and the approaches we take to handle them. As a Server Architect on the project, I am responsible for integrating the DUST FPS multiplayer battles into the EVE universe, as well as optimizing the DUST battle servers to perform even better. Unlike normal FPS multiplayer games, <a href="http://www.dust514.com/en/home/">DUST 514</a> has heavy MMO elements. And unlike normal MMO FPS games, DUST has heavy interaction with one of the most successful MMO space games – EVE Online! This imposes challenges on what technologies we should use in order to have this level of interaction with EVE, while keeping FPS gameplay as smooth as possible. More...

Yesterday, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/ubisoft/">Ubisoft</a> hosted its second annual Digital Day where we showed off a handful of our upcoming digital products, including new <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PlayStation Network</a> titles. Last year, Ubisoft released some great PSN titles, such as <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/from-dust/">From Dust</a>, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/outland/">Outland</a>, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/might-magic-clash-of-heroes/">Clash of Heroes</a> and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/beyond-good-evil-hd/">Beyond Good & Evil HD</a>. We’re looking to build on that momentum with a diverse portfolio of digital games. <ul> <li>I Am Alive</li> <li>Shoot Many Robots</li> <li>Babel Rising</li> <li>Project Hate</li></ul> More...

A few weeks ago I gave you a run-down on our new 2D fighter, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/09/02/meet-the-skullgirls-the-next-generation-of-psn-fighters/">Skullgirls</a>. Last time I discussed the game’s story and its characters, and exclusively revealed Ms. Fortune. This week we’ll be talking about the really important part: the gameplay. As I noted last time, Skullgirls’ lead designer and programmer is Mike “Mike Z†Zaimont, a noted tournament fighter and (regretful) creator of the <a href=" ">“real soviet damage†internet meme</a>. While our art team strives to make the game look amazing, gameplay always comes first. Mike’s impetus to create <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/skullgirls/">Skullgirls</a> was to make a game that was as fun to play as Marvel vs. Capcom 2, but addressed the system and balance problems that kept that game from being competitively viable. More...

Yes, Virginia, there is a multiplayer mode in <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/mass-effect-3/">Mass Effect 3</a>. And it’s in the form of a galaxy-spanning <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> cooperative campaign that pits two to four players against wave after wave of relentless Reaper forces. In this way, the basic premise of Mass Effect 3’s Galaxy at War co-op mode is not unlike <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/09/21/call-of-duty-black-ops-rezurrection-dlc-brings-5-new-zombie-maps-tonight/">Call of Duty’s Nazi Zombies</a> or Modern Warfare 2’s Spec Ops, only with the series’ robust RPG progression system making the jump in full force. In my demonstration of Galaxy at War, Bioware’s team first teased what looked to be a large, interactive map that will enable teams to hop into different theaters of war spread around the galaxy. You won’t be able to port your Commander Shepard into the co-op Galaxy at War mode; instead, you’ll create a new character from scratch, earning XP by slaying enemies and completing objectives. The co-op scenarios are heavily combat focused, though simple objectives -- such uploading computer files or disarming bombs -- creep in from time to time. The pace is fast-paced and grueling, and your goal is simple: outlast your Reaper attackers. More...

Hey PlayStation Vita fans! How would you like to get your hands on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> one week before the official release date of February 22nd? After last Tuesday’s announcement of the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/18/get-ready-ps-vita-is-coming-february-22nd/">PS Vita launch date</a>, we are excited to bring more PS Vita news your way with the introduction of the PS Vita First Edition bundle. We’ve decided to give our most loyal fans an opportunity to own a PS Vita before everyone else. For a limited time in the U.S. and Canada, the PS Vita First Edition bundle will be <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psvita/systems/first-edition-bundle.html">pre-sold at select retail locations</a>, starting today. The U.S. bundle includes a PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi model, a limited edition case, 4GB PS Vita Memory Card, and <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/little-deviants/">Little Deviants</a> game for $349.99 (MSRP). The Canadian bundle includes a Wi-Fi model, a limited edition case, 4GB PS Vita Memory Card, and Little Deviants game for $299.99 (MSRP). Best of all, you can pick up the PS Vita First Edition Bundle on February 15, 2012, so this is your chance to play before everyone else. More...

The whole <a href="http://www.snowblindstudios.com/">Snowblind Studios</a> team here in Seattle is in the final stretch of development for The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. We cannot wait for the PlayStation community to get their hands on the game, which ships on November 1st. This has been a great year for The Lord of the Rings. The extended <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/blu-ray/">BDs</a> came out this summer, timed with special theatre showings of the films across the nation. It really gave fans the chance to reconnect with these amazing stories, as well as see new content. With The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, players will be able to experience the iconic Middle-earth universe even more deeply with completely new adventures and story, all based on The Lord of the Rings canon and approved by the license holders. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North brings a new story to the table, and we’ve also created a video game experience that I believe is truer to The Lord of the Rings than has been achieved before. We developed the game as an Action RPG, rather than purely Action or Action Adventure, and this hybrid genre really allows us to spotlight some of the central themes of the books and films – combat and exploration of course, but also character growth and progression, and the theme of Fellowship. More...

Darkness falls on Central Plaza this week, as ghosts and ghouls alike rise from their graves and converge upon PlayStation Home for an evil event full of unspeakable horrors beyond what the human mind can fathom. We have tons of spooktacular content coming just in time for this weekend’s Halloween festivities, so log in to <a href="blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-home/">PlayStation Home</a> this Thursday, October 27th and check out this monstrous update! The celebration begins with the launch of Aurora v1.3 and continues with some devilish community events courtesy of nDreams. Visit Aurora on Friday, October 28th to start the nDreams’ Halloween competition; visit the space on Monday, October 31st and join the nDreams team for their 19-hour “Around-the-World†Halloween party. Whizzing around the globe on their broomsticks, nDreams staff will be hosting the Truly Terrifying Quiz in Aurora and handing out some spellbinding prizes. The party starts in the dead hours of the morning on October 31st and ends shortly before the clock strikes midnight – so log in to PlayStation Home this Hallows Eve to take part in this special nDreams event! More...

If you’re like me, then you’ve already whipped out your fat red marker and circled February 22nd, 2012 on your calendar the minute our friends at Sony Computer Entertainment <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/18/get-ready-ps-vita-is-coming-february-22nd/">announced the launch date</a> of the PS Vita in North America. Last week we were able to reveal the name of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/20/namco-bandai-games-inviting-fans-to-touch-my-katamari-this-february/">Touch My Katamari</a>, which will be hitting on launch day. Today, we’re back with more on another launch title from <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/namcobandai/">Namco Bandai</a>. While they still won’t let ME have a PS Vita yet, I do know at least one other person that does have one. That would be Mr. Kazuhiro Watanabe at famed studio Acquire in Japan. Known around the world for being among the best developers in the stealth action genre with their work on the Tenchu series, Mr. Watanabe’s team has been working non-stop on a PS Vita title that will be slicing the life out of enemies before they can even see what’s coming. More...

<a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/pixeljunk-sidescroller/">PixelJunk SideScroller</a> is finally out in the world! This retro-styled side-scrolling shooter plays like a love note to the arcade games I grew up with in my youth, and serves as a quasi-epilogue to the PixelJunk Shooter series. Before you pick it up on the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-store/">PlayStation Store</a>, get a closer look with this handy new Q&A. Q-Games President and Executive Producer Dylan Cuthbert took to <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/dylancuthbert">Twitter</a> to answer your most burning questions. Read closely and you might learn a few helpful secrets! <blockquote><strong>Q: How many levels come with PixelJunk SideScroller? (via <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/wildbillhickock">@wildbillhickock</a>)</strong> A: There are 13 levels (called “Sectorsâ€) in total. This includes four absolutely amazing boss battles (Note: Expect an “old friend†from the Shooter-verse to make an appearance, but you’ll be seeing loads of new faces as well). One thing that’s so great about SideScroller is that it has four difficulty modes, and the experience will change depending on what difficulty mode you select. More...

It’s the final week of celebrating <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/onlyonpsn/">Only On PSN</a> with the release of 2 exclusive PSN titles: inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood and PixelJunk SideScroller! Don’t forget that this is also the last week that you can purchase these, or any other content from the Store to go towards the $60 threshold to receive $10 back in November. <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/infamous-festival-of-blood/">inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood</a> delivers a darker adventure for Cole; complete with new powers, (did we mention he flies?) a new look for the city of New Marais, and access to the complete suite of User Generated Content tools. This downloadable inFAMOUS adventure is standalone and doesn’t require you to have previous inFAMOUS titles to play it. Click <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/onlyonpsn/">here</a> to check out the entire Only On PSN lineup. More...

Hello Zombie aficionados! I wanted to let you know that <a href="http://www.konami.com/games/zombie2">Zombie Apocalypse: Never Die Alone</a> will be available on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PSN</a> later today! Now for those of you who played the first <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/zombie-apocalypse/">Zombie Apocalypse</a> (released in 2009) welcome back to Konami’s take on the world of the undead. For those of you who are new to this whole experience, I’m here to give you a few brief and yet thoroughly engrossing (emphasis on “grossâ€) tips about a world that’s near and dear to my heart. At its core, the game is an overhead twin stick shooter which places a focus on more of a fast-paced arcade type feel. You’ll deal with thousands of zombies throughout the game, all of which are trying their absolute hardest to eat your brain and steal your soul. That’s the bad news. Your job is to use every arsenal at your disposal to fend off the zombie wave and get the hell off this godforsaken Canadian island. More...

Over the next few months, Sackboy has plans to keep you busy with tons of activity including new friends, new costumes, and new ways to get started with LittleBigPlanet… <h4>LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition = LBP2 + Move + over $35 of bonus goodies</h4> If you're reading this, we know all/most of you already have <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/littlebigplanet-2/">LittleBigPlanet 2</a>, but for those of you who don't, or if you have friends who don't, this is the perfect time to get your hands on the latest Sackboy adventure. Not just because it's been one of the most popular games on PS3 in 2011, but because it includes tons and tons of bonus content. More...

It’s a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold. And on January 31st, 2012, that tale comes full circle on the <a href="http://us.playstation.com/ps3/">PS3</a> with <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/soulcalibur-v/">Soulcalibur V</a>. Set 17 years after the events of Soulcalibur IV, Soulcalibur V is a return to the fast, furious feel that marked earlier entries in the series. I was able to put a pre-release version of Soulcalibur V through its paces to get a feel for the new gameplay tweaks and refinements. I quickly noticed that Soulcalibur V moves at a slightly faster clip than SCIV, and that the Soul Gauge gem has evolved into a full-blown Edge meter that powers Brave Edge attack enhancers and the ultra-damaging Critical Edge finisher. I also spotted new defensive maneuvers, such as the new Quick Step evasion and a Just Guard parry. A core group of classic characters is joined by a large cast of mysterious new characters (read more <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/07/23/soulcalibur-v-at-comic-con-ivy-natsu-z-w-e-i-detailed/">here</a>), headlined by guest character Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed. More...

Got your <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps-vita/">PS Vita</a> ordered but need a mobile gaming fix right now in time for the holiday? Experience a unique mobile game that delivers a dose of addictive augmented reality, allowing you to explore and interact in a real-world environment. Grab your <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psp/">PSP</a> and get ready to hunt and collect secret creatures in the world around you. Available beginning today for $39.99, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/invizimals/">inviZimals: Shadow Zone</a> opens up a secret world around you that is full of hidden creatures that only your PSP can see. There are over 100 inviZimals to search for to build out your collection. Once you start collecting them, you can battle other opponents online or make trades with your friends to get those really hard-to-find creatures! More...

It’s been a long time since my last PlayStation.Blog post, and today’s entry is a little....different. I’ll start with the marketing facts (<a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/infamous-festival-of-blood/">inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood</a> available now!!!! $9.99!! Only $7.99 if you are a <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-plus/">PlayStation Plus</a> member!!!) but really, I thought I’d give you a little insight into why and how we ended up making a vampire based spin-off of inFAMOUS. For us, we’d been working for two projects and five-plus years on the main storyline of inFAMOUS. We wanted the DLC to be a chance to take all that art and technology and do something fun and different for players. We knew we couldn’t just release some more missions or a skin pack, so we took a bunch of pitches from all the departments here at the studio for what we might do. We wanted something that fit the world of inFAMOUS, would be fun to work on, and ideally would be unexpected, too. More...

Hey everyone! The team at <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/dice/">DICE</a> is super excited to get <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/battlefield-3/">Battlefield 3</a> into the hands of our <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a> fans. And, if initial reactions are anything to go by, you are equally excited.... Don’t forget: you will be able to purchase, download and play the upcoming expansion pack <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/09/22/battlefield-3-expansions-to-hit-ps3-first-open-beta-on-psn-929/">Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand</a> one week early exclusively on PS3. And hey, don’t miss your chance for everlasting fame and glory – or at least being included in the in-game credits for Back to Karkand. All you have to do to be in the running is to enter our <a href="http://www.battlefield.com/battlefield3/1/name-it-and-claim-it">Name it and Claim it! Challenge</a> and submit your suggestion for our new control point on the redesigned Gulf of Oman map. But don’t wait – the challenge closes on October 28th! More...

It’s time to get revved up with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_USA_%28video_game%29">DAYTONA USA</a>! The days of throwing quarters into an arcade machine to experience a high octane lap around the Daytona speedway may be gone, but starting tomorrow you can re-live all the excitement at home with the release of DAYTONA USA on <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PlayStation Network</a>. It’s all here. The cars, the courses, the original soundtrack and of course, the unforgettable Rooolliiiing staaaart! Race your AI opponents in classic Arcade Mode, beat the clock in Survival and Time Trial modes or sing along to your favorite DAYTONA songs in Karaoke mode! We are bringing back the original DAYTONA USA experience introduced back in 1993 with enhanced retro graphics, trophies, steering wheel controller support and a new online mode that supports up to 8 players. More...

<strong> “Big Ups†To Our Friends In Japan! </strong> This week we pay tribute to our <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/modnation-racers/">ModNation</a> family in Japan. You may not realize that many of your favorite creators and top racers are quite possibly half way across the globe in Japan and Asia. Don’t let a little time zone difference stop you from enjoying these amazing creating and racing gurus. <strong> ModNation Player Profile: big-village_920_ </strong> big-village_920_ is just one of many great tracks creators from Japan who have made a name for themselves in the ModNation community. Read his profile <a href=" http://community.eu.playstation.com/t5/ModNation-Racers-Player-Profiles/ModNation-Player-Profile-big-village-920/m-p/13886679#M327">HERE</a>. More...

As Ezio Auditore’s trilogy approaches its thrilling conclusion, <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/playstation-the-official-magazine/">PTOM’s</a> December issue offers previously unreleased plot details, hands-on impressions of new gameplay elements, and a breakdown on some of the Revelation’s new weaponry. But the most surprising reveal may be the nature of the link between Ezio and Altair. We’re busy sharpening our blades in anticipation for the franchise’s thrilling, bloody finale. Speaking of sharp, we also examine the most creative minds working on the next wave of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/ps3/">PS3</a> games in our “PlayStation’s Ten Smartest Developers†feature. Who are they? What are the games that built their legacy? And what are they working on next? Every one of our top ten is worthy of their slot, but we had to make some difficult cuts to trim the list. Will you agree with our picks or be outraged at the omissions? We’re certain you’ll let us know. More...

Believe it or not we’re now in the final week of the Subway Taste for Adventure, UNCHARTED 3’s full competitive Multiplayer experience! Not only are we in the single digits as we countdown the days until the release of <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/uncharted-3-drakes-deception/">UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception</a>, but we also recently revealed our <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/19/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-launch-trailer/">launch trailer</a> and the final UNCHARTED 3 <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/10/14/uncharted-3-new-tv-spot-with-never-before-seen-footage/">TV Spot</a>. If you haven’t watched those be sure to check them out! We hope you’ve found your time online playing the <a href="http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-ps3.html">Uncharted 3</a> full competitive multiplayer experience enjoyable and wanted to share a video that includes hints on how to effectively use melee, cover, evasion, aiming, and other skills while playing multiplayer. Moves like executing stealth kills and doing an edge grab are great ways to earn medals and achieve a medal kickback quickly. You’ll learn about this and much more as Robert Cogburn returns to talk about the Way of the Iron Fist (or how to use melee and other techniques to your advantage in multiplayer). Check out what he had to say to the PlayStation.Blog in this video: More...

Hey <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psp/">PSP</a> fans! Hope you are geared up for the exciting new releases coming out on PSP! Starting on November 8th you will be able to rev up your engine and join your favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s, Cars 2 in a high-speed race around the globe in <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/cars-2/">Cars: 2 The Video Game</a>. Also, the soccer season is just about coming to an end but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop here. We are excited to announce that we are bringing another great PSP Entertainment Pack your way on November 15th that features everyone’s favorite soccer franchise, <a href="http://www.ea.com/soccer/fifa">FIFA Soccer 12</a> and for the first time ever, Cars 2: The Video Game for PSP. This bundle features a black PSP-3000, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, a copy of FIFA 2012 on UMD and a <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psn/">PlayStation Network</a> voucher to download Cars 2: The Video Game. Another great value for <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/category/psp/">PSP</a> (PlayStationPortable) system fans to enjoy for only $159.99 (MSRP). More...