PlayStation.Blog.Europe Weekly Content Recap

Another week down. I think I’m starting to get the hang of this. Hopefully you enjoyed this week’s content. We saw a huge surge in readers this week, thanks to the What’s New screen. So, if you’re one of them, hello! We hope you like what you see and stick around for a while. Here’s the rundown of the week’s content.
- Hustle Kings: The King Of Pool Games – Another gamescom video, showcasing the awesome looking PSN pool game, Hustle Kings
- Batman PS3 Exclusive Batman Arkham Asylum – Batman Arkham Asylum is a great game, but it’s made even better on the PS3 thanks to some exclusive, free content.
- This Week On The SingStore (Thursday 3rd September 2009) – The latest SingStore update. Was your favourite song added this week?
- Uncharted 2: gamescom’s Best Console Game! – Uncharted 2 won’t stop winning awards. The latest? “Best Console Game” at gamescom.
- Introducing Aino – The Mobile Phone With Remote Play – The first non-PSP device to feature Remote Play functionality: The Sony Ericsson Aino.
- Firmware 3.00 Now Available – Firmware 3.00 is now available – check out the new features in this walkthrough video.
- Just Add Water Presents Gravity Crash For PS3 And PSP – Just Add Water discusses the philosophy behind their upcoming PSP and PS3 game, Gravity Crash.
- A Closer Look At Loco Roco Midnight Carnival – Some new info on Loco Roco Midnight Carnival — including the first trailer.
- gamescom Interview: Ratchet And Clank: A Crack In Time – The last (for now, at least) of our gamescom video interviews, in which we discuss Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time.
- Fate/Unlimited Codes Coming To PSN Store Today – Fate/Unlimited Codes will now release next week, but you should still check out this post, if only for the trailer.
- Updated: ‘Heads-Up’ PlayStation Store Update (3rd September 2009) – This week’s PlayStation Store update.
- Holy Invasion Of Privacy Badman Demo Out Now – With a name like Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman, how can you not want to play it?
- Your Batman Knowledge Could Win You A Surround Sound System – Want to win a surround sound system? Simply answer a few Batman questions and one could be yours!
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2’s Lead Character Artist Speaks – The third Ninja Gaiden Sigma post takes a look at the game’s art style and how everything is designed to make you think “ninja”.
- Your MAG Trailer – Yes, this trailer is truly YOURS. The community clubbed together to provide quotes for the latest trailer for the upcoming 256 player FPS, MAG.














48 CommentsAdd Yours
1
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 12:09 pm by nulenvoid
Been an odd week to say the least.
2
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 12:17 pm by Syroc
Maybe the surge of readers was down to the new firmware and they just came to complain about it. (Rightfully so, if I may say so)
3
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 12:19 pm by Raider197
Not a great week for SCEE, what with God of War Collection not coming out over here in 2010 (why exactly? It’s easy to port the PS2 versions…), a lack-luster, to say the least, Store update and numourous other instances of falling behind SCEA. I thought you guys were pulling it back until this week.
4
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 12:20 pm by Raider197
Make that *2009
5
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 1:01 pm by EmpireNO
Man I was so excited about the God of War Collection. Then we are told it isn’t coming to the EU this year.
Man, talk about disappointment, this was such a kick in the dingedings.
I love a lot of the work you guys (Sony) are doing, also the effort you put into the PS3 FW, even though you messed up my friends list, but EU keeps getting the short end of the stick. PSN EU is like a year behind the US store, at least. HOME EU is lagging behind. Game releases are often lagging behind. To top it all of EU pays a lot more for the same content.
Well, enough with the complaining, it’s all about the games, and there are too many for me to play and enjoy, so you got that part covered (and many great titles are coming still in 2009). So thanks for delivering on the games.
Hope SCEE are doing something to be on par with SCEA sometime in the future.
6
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 1:02 pm by marcindpol
thanks for the update on 3.0 firmware!!!
lol
7
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 1:26 pm by HEADSTAR
hey that’s right “thanks for the update on 3.0 firmware!!!”
im luven it , the size for the xmb is great, now im
abel to see the xmb from my sofa, the screen keybord sized up too but the
psn dose have a screen keybord too but the smilyes in in the keybord
are to small to see and use from my sofa.
it looks like the browser have become faster?
by the way : J.A.M….i dont hate your game?
8
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 1:51 pm by The_Snowstone
Anyone know when games like Tomb Raider 1 and Tomb Raider 2 will be on the European PSN store?
9
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 1:52 pm by zonaw
It’s not been the most glorious week.
First of all, FW3 was a bit disappoinment. Then Bomberman, PlayTv, Vidzone, GoW-collection all delayed or nonexisting here. With my luck the Willianms Pinball-game won’t be released at all.
Btw, what happened to EyePet? I didn’t see no post of it here.
10
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 2:07 pm by VISUALSTORM
Uhm, could we expect any info on Uncharted 2:Among Thieves for the next week as well?
Expecially if there will be a chance to receive the Special Edition they shown in the US blog,
I understand there will be a very limited amout of them, but PAL territories deserve some love as well <3
11
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 2:53 pm by wbrinkman
“Hopefully you enjoyed this week’s content.”
No, not really. At least not the content provided by the new firmware or this week’s PSN store update. I’m sure you’ve noticed. SCEE hasn’t been on top of things lately, half of the content it pushed back or not coming to Europe at all.
12
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 3:03 pm by Raider197
Also, why hasn’t the “What’s New” section been updated (from what I can tell) since launch? It would make sense to update the last two rows on it every time an article is put on here and the Store row everytime we get a Store update…
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 6:29 pm by Jem Alexander
We’re working hard on getting the What’s New screen updated and improving the update process so that we can get new content on there as often as possible. Be patient — it’s only been around for a few days!
13
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 3:07 pm by Dante_Zero
LMAO at ” we hoped you enjoyed the new content” you were being sarcatic right??? oh you really meant it. oh i feel embarased think i know what its like to SCEE.
14
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 3:30 pm by SmoggyPhil
SCEE, you guys know nothing about keeping consumers happy.
I hope the PSPGo and PS3 Slim have sales which nosedive, so maybe you could all actually focus on current consumers who write your inflated, undeserved cheques while we get nigh-on nothing in return.
15
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 3:31 pm by fub4r1979
new readers due to the whats new section? you are joking right it’s just going to be the same as the previous thing that was there before old out dated content where the area is never updated, no i didntenjoy the psn update since we didnt get what you lazy sods promised, aka new themes and avatars should have kept your ouths shut tbh regarding that, the ps3 firmware was a joke and a half and has probably dmamaged your reputation quite a lot considering all you have to do is google f.w 3.0 and you will says tonns up on tonns of complaints.
Funny hwo you lot have time to constantly update this blog yet cant find the time to reply to the mass complaints regarding the firmware also amazes me you lot tend to think we wanted what you gave is in the firmware how out of touch can you lot be? i dont like complaining but this week has left me no choice you lot have failed to deliver yet again and to be quite frank you have made yourselfs look like amatures which is sad, lets hope people get a swift kick up the arse and get your stuff back on track and listen to the complaints that have been stated over the last week
16
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 3:57 pm by Dante_Zero
800 + comment on the firmware blog post.
500 on the store update
imagine another couple hundred on here at some point
and thats not including thing like numerous forums through both SCEE websites and others. I think of the 10 million or so PS3′s in Europe you probably managed to annoy and agrivate about 70% of people. congratulation on a world record for most amount of annoyed consumers record stand at 7 million held by SCEE. lol
but seriously the lack of response across the board is poor and im guessing its cause some people are scared of tackling the issues raised heads on or an explanation of the truth as to why SCEE fails time and time again might actually cost someone their job.
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 6:40 pm by Jem Alexander
Actually I commented twice on the Firmware 3.00 post myself to let you all know that we’d be making an official response on the blog soon. You can expect this on Monday or Tuesday and it should answer some of your more burning questions.
But really, please don’t think that we’ve been ignoring you all. I’ve already said that we read as many comments as we can. While we didn’t have time to note down the individual feedback from all 700+ comments on that page, we definitely got a good impression of what you guys did and didn’t like in 3.00 (and the store update).
More soon.
17
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 4:11 pm by sparced
@13 “I just saw the Uncharted 2 limited edition from SCEA….”
It’s limited to 200 copies! Teasing us with a competition prize and only open to U.S residents. I think it’s a prototype batch and then they changed their minds at the last minute not to offer it for sale.
You’re right though they’re idiots. The most anticipated game of the year and no special edition. Ubisoft, Take Two and Capcom give Assassins Creed, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto, Fallout 3 fans want they want.
Judging by the reaction and I’m not sure what they expected other than another backlash, it looks like a lot of people including myself would have bought this whatever the cost. How can they claim to listen when they’re are consistently out of touch with the userbase.
The only good news of the week and it should have been included here was that TedTheDog, Home’s Community Manger has either walked or been given the boot. I don’t see how we can do any worse than him. It’s a right shambles.
Oh yeah I’ll be importing GOW Collection, I’m not waiting for SCEE. Trust them they’ll release it after the third game comes out!
18
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 6:56 pm by Dante_Zero
im sorry Jem while its great we have some kind of response you must understand that the last week has alienated alot of people. as i see it myself at this moment i want to trust that there will be a fix for firmware/store/game publishing etc SCEE have given me no reason to trust them. If you are really working on a solution to alot and i mean alot of the complaints then be open and honest about where you are in the process instead of the answer that we expect from SCEE which is more soon which alot of people think is SCEE response to a problem in the hope it will go away.
19
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 6:58 pm by Cjdamon042
“With a name like Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman, how can you not want to play it?”
Sorry, but that made me laugh haha. How about because we don’t have the right firmware to play it? :p
20
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 7:10 pm by dose_uk
Talking of the ‘What’s New’ section, why is it still an option when you are signed out? Nothing appears in it when you are, so it’s a dead option. Same with the Store option I guess.
21
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 7:56 pm by Lucreto
Any word on when the Ratchet and Cland special edition will be announced here?
22
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 8:43 pm by onlineatron
Still no apology from SCEE for being incompetent morons.
23
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 9:34 pm by androvsky
Any chance of bringing OtherOS to the Slim? I know it’s not a cost issue, since the hypervisor has to updated for GameOS anyway, and the Linux community can take care of any higher-level drivers that might be different from the original models.
It’s just a bit disturbing to see most of the brightest minds in the PS3 Linux community drop all their Linux PS3 projects in favor of hacking the hypervisor so that more programmers can join in with the new, cheaper models. And if the hypervisor gets hacked… well, that’s not going to be pretty. All that for what benefit to Sony?
24
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 9:34 pm by ripmap
The mainpoints in 3.00
1) Games and freezing!
2) O V E R S I Z E D L A R G E F O N T
3) Friends list and those ever so ugly gray box’s
4) Content information fading
5) Sony Computer Entertainment logo change at boot screen/tune to PS3
6) Playstation3 removal at game start
7) People who have had broken PS3 in the past do not have iPlayer icon in UK
7) Some gamepads not working with 3.00
PS Why don’t do self’s a favor and give us XMB config section within settings and get rid of Themes settings and put inside XMB config.
25
Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 10:45 pm by Carl-G
I have had no problems with the 3.0 update.
Shame about no LBP moving Theme in Euro store this week when the other stores got them? I got it off the Japanese store in the end.
26
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 12:46 am by Smegzilla
This week has been a bit of a shambles, really.
Roll on next week’s inevitable shambles!
27
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 12:51 am by Pinto55
Thanks for listening us Jem!
28
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 1:06 am by onlineatron
@24
1) Fix Sony
Fix this as well as the fact that some people’s steering wheels don’t work anymore.
2) Don’t revert to old font. I, like many, prefer the larger font. Add option to alter font size
3) Keep grey boxes if you plan to add trophy information to them. Otherwise get rid of them
4) I believe that’s always been there. If not, it’s annoying anyway… only fade info after being on it for more than 3 or so minutes.
5) Nothing wrong with new PS3 logo. It’s rebranding and it works.
6) ADD THIS BACK WITH NEW FONT!!
7) Fix this
29
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 1:18 am by flyingsupernerds
I’m pretty sure the last firmware update killed my PlayStation 3. It randomly shuts itself off, whether in-game, trying to launch a game or even switching the console on for the first time in a day. I’ve tried giving my hard drive a full and quick format, with no success. Swapping to a older hard drive doesn’t do any good, either.
Now, my console is almost 3 years old and it has never crashed on me before so this is either a coincidence or, indeed, the firmware’s fault. Being out of warranty, I’m not going to pay to get it repaired. If i’m going to be paying for anything, I might as well just pay for a slim version. Can anyone help? Thanks.
30
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 6:42 am by SiRobertson
I actually gave in to curiosity and, despite my better judgement, updated to FW3. After spending a couple of days getting used to it I have to admit that it doesn’t seem as bad as some people are making it out to be, or as bad as I thought it would be. I don’t mind the new logo, I don’t mind the sparkles, and the new jingle isn’t a problem because I only hear it a few times a day… and the font size isn’t a problem for me because I don’t run the XMB in HD mode.
The Store icon needs to be in one place though, not spammed throughout the XMB. I should be able to turn off the clock thing at the top-right of the screen (I don’t see the point of it being there) and some more general customisation options would be greatly appreciated.
Overall I don’t actually mind FW3, I guess I just got caught up in the OMGFW3WTF frenzy.
31
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 6:48 am by zonaw
Jem: I’d like to make make a note that my comments aren’t against you in person .. It’s just somedays it’s hard to aim them properly.. Living in Nordic region has left us paying the Most and usually being way late of ‘big 5′ of european countries.
And.. At the same time I know there are regions of EU (and rest of europe) what haven’t even got the service and releases we have.
32
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 7:25 am by Bahamut44-4
Terrbile week is terrible.
*Uglification firmware 3.0
*Terrible store update
*No GoW in 2009 (if at all)
Does that about sum it up?
33
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 8:55 am by ripmap
Ref 24, 28
3) Let user decide, put option within XMB settings. Some like gray boxes myself others do not.
4) Let user decide, put option within XMB settings. Say 3,5,10,30,Never (Sec) to fade out.
5) Let user decide, put option within XMB settings which logo’s it shows. If only in Fat boy PS3!
6) Let user decide, put option within XMB settings to if this shows. (Read comment 469)
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/09/01/firmware-3-00-now-avai lable/comment-page-10/#comment
7) Realy it is rather sad that iPlayer thing isn’t work right in UK.
On the good side of things well done SCEE for keeping the 3.00 blog post open to new comment. At least you (SCEE) are not putting you head in sand like a Ostrich or SCEA.
PS I know Ostrich do not really put there heads in sand, well that what Wikipedia says so it must be true
Peace!
34
Posted on 6 September, 2009 at 8:59 pm by Dante_Zero
well that not actually true about SCEA they have commented that they are looking to fix 3.0 shortly which is more that i can say about what SCEE are doing.
35
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 8:12 am by MrLopes
Yeah Dante_Zero is right a saw the comment to about SCEA sorting things out.. Come one SCEE don’t leave us standing in de cold your consumers need you…
36
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 2:01 pm by Pillsy
I feel the need to say that some people commenting on here are been extremely pathetic and imature.
Firstly can I just say as a fellow PS3 user that the new firemware update does not contain any major changes if you use it for playing on games or watching movies. I never spend alot of time in the menu, at least not enough to take these changes personally like some people.
Secondly, before this blog was launched on 28th May this year, what did you all do when you wanted to complain? At least now you have a voice to go to Sony so instead of saying things like you hope sales nosedive because of one change how about you leave constructive critisim like alot of people have on these comments. That way you have a better chance of getting your voice heard.
I expect the usual barrage of abuse that people fling around when someone critisies them back but seriously guys, there is no need for it.
37
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 2:16 pm by MrLopes
@ Pillsy
I agree completely the only thing I want to do is try to get the points I am making through to SCEE.. To all other fellow PS3 users let’s try to give them the feedback they need. Something they can build on and hope they fix things for us.
38
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 3:28 pm by Apnomis
“Posted on 5 September, 2009 at 6:29 pm by Jem Alexander
We’re working hard on getting the What’s New screen updated and improving the update process so that we can get new content on there as often as possible. Be patient — it’s only been around for a few days!”
Do you have plans to include more video streams in the SCEE What’s New section? Over on the SCEA What’s New most of their links are to video previews of content which instantly stream and then direct you to the appropriate area or the Store etc.
By contrast most of our What’s New section are just dull links to the Sony websites – I suspect this is the usual problem that SCEE’s way of catering for everyone (languages, ratings, laws etc) is to just give everyone less across the board!
Is the What’s New section Country specific? I don’t see why UK users should be denied streaming video content just because it’s harder to localise than a website link…
39
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 3:36 pm by MrLopes
Well yeah I don’t see why we can’t have direct streaming in the Netherlands then and so on and so on.. it’s not only about the UK we are all in this together SCEE (Europe) and you are part of it. We all want a solution. I and many others want direct streaming and a link afterwords that points me to the item in the store.
40
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 5:13 pm by Apnomis
@ MrLopes, I’m not saying you don’t want a solution, but the plain fact is culturally the UK is closer to the US than the rest of Europe and of course both speak English as their main language.
It would be very easy for SCE-UK to post up the same English trailers they post on the US version, just like it would be very easy to give the UK some of the US Spaces in Home. But SCEE being SCEE have to make sure everything is localised into different countries and languages before they attempt to publish it, not to mention some of the legal ‘quirks’ of some Countries.
SCEE are increasingly showing that they are unable to cope with this new online world they find themselves in and there are two ways fix it – truly globalise their operation so there is just one SCE, one Store and one Home (highly unlikely to happen), or two break up the current SCEE empire into more manageable chunks – SCE-UK, SCE-Mainland Europe, SCE-Eastern Europe and SCE-Oceania for example. That way each area can play to their strengths and no one can complain of uneven treatment or being held back.
I’m not trying to offend the rest of Europe; I’m just stating that the logistics of running 140+ Countries is clearly proving too much for one team.
41
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 5:25 pm by Thorpheus
Thats a bit egocentric no? Basically your saying that since UK speaks the same language you should get the stuff the americans have and the rest can go dig a hole. Thats a very crappy solution and seriously if we had to chunk SCEE you would stay with us… FOREVER.
Seriously thats a very screw you feed me attitude why not stick with the fight and not hidding in that island of yours hey?
42
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 5:35 pm by MrLopes
@Apnomis
As I acknowledge the fact that it would be easy it does not solve things for us. So I stand by my point we need a solution for all!!
43
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 6:00 pm by Vaistrat
First of all I apologize if this sounds rude but, 5-8 languages ought to be enough for everybody, just have a look at the language we’re all using here.
Just don’t keep Northern countries, France, Germany, Uk, Italy & Spain releases indefinitely on hold because some guy in kirziguispitistania doesn’t know how to answer a phone.
If we are indeed youngsters, our mid age is 25-30, and we know how to properly configure our broadband connection, chances are we learnt some english in school.And I’m sorry to talk for others but I think some countries can pass with games like SSF2THDR or Shatter in english for example.
Besides,being devil’s advocate, has anyone thought that perhaps Sony encourages mild competitiveness amongst divisions, and being SCEE relatively weak compared to SCEA is getting the pointy edge of the stick without being their fault?
44
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 7:44 pm by Dante_Zero
@pillsey.
there have been well over 1500 comment with genuine complaint gripes etc and this is what the coment section on the blog is for.
why come on and moan about people moaning? not very productive. if you happy with everything then great post a positive comment instead of whinging about people complaining.
45
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 8:03 pm by Dante_Zero
looks like that statement or what ever is gonna come tomorrow then??
46
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 10:32 pm by DaveyJam
Hmmm….
Meh.
On the plus side… 3.01 announcement tomorrow
47
Posted on 7 September, 2009 at 11:13 pm by SD1979
I really can’t understand the problem with releasing the GoW Collection over here in time for Xmas. I would much prefer it was made available as a downloadable PSN title anyway.
Having to wait until some point on Tuesday now for some sort of response to the 3.0 woes is absolutely terrible customer service.
48
Posted on 8 September, 2009 at 9:28 am by Dante_Zero
@ 47 i really cant understand it either not just with the GoW collection but with LBP:GOTY edition too.
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