A new system software update (v4.00) will be released this week. In preparation for the launch of PS Vita in Japan, this update will prepare the PS3 to serve as a content management device. It will allow users to copy their media content such as games, music, photos, and videos between PS Vita and PS3, back up PS Vita save data to your PS3 hard drive, and update the system software for your PS Vita system using the network features of your PS3.

Other changes to take effect with this update include:

PlayStation Plus members can now choose to enable or disable each automatic update feature

• Game patches
• System software
• Recommended games and videos
• Sync trophy information

New PSN privacy settings for filtering friend requests and messages

You can find more details at eu.playstation.com

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Well we’re a few months into our new venture and we’ve put out a lot of gaming in that time. Dezaemon Plus! and Blockids will mark the fifth and sixth additions to the MonkeyPaw classic European game portfolio on the PlayStation Network. And we have a lot more surprises planned for our retro-gaming fans.

But we’d like to ask your assistance. We need you to tell your friends about what we’re doing and get the word out. We know our core fans are dedicated gamers and that you’ve picked up some titles already. But we need a bigger response so that we can influence more Japanese companies. We need to show them there is a viable market in Europe and that licensing is worth their effort. It is like voting with Euros. Spend more on the candidates of your choice!

Here’s a good choice for shooting fans. Dezaemon Plus! is a chance to play game god. You get to create a game using a robust game editor that allows you to form sprites, level designs, boss characters, music and more. Use parallax scrolling and other game design techniques to create a completely original game. Then play or trade with friends using a memory stick on the PlayStation 3 and PSP (PlayStation Portable) systems.

For puzzle fans, we have a new title as well. It is hard to put a premium on a game mechanic that keeps on giving but surely the Breakout mechanic (to give it a name) is one of the most enduring in all gaming. There is something so retro to sliding your paddle along that horizontal plane. Just about anyone could pick up a joystick and play.

So how can you improve on the mechanic? Gather some great game minds, throw in a little Japanese spice and you can actually pull it off. Japanese industry has a penchant for copying (does your Lexus look like a BMW?). But they manage to make improvements so that the copy becomes better than the original. So two games might look similar but the play of the new and improved version is quite remarkable when you sit down and play. And that is what you get when you play Blockids.

Dezaemon Plus! and Blockids are now both available for the low price of €4.99/£3.99 on the PlayStation Network under the Import banner. Pick them up today and support our efforts to bring you the best lost treasures from the Land of the Rising Yen.

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I’m delighted to be able to announce – and show a trailer for – MotorStorm RC, Evolution Studios‘ upcoming radio controlled off-road racing game for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Network. It was also announced literally moments ago, on stage at a PS Vita event in London – so it’s hot off the press!

I’m Paul Rustchynsky, and I’ve been Game Director to a small, elite team at Evolution Studios for most of the year, creating a simulation of high-speed radio-controlled car racing for PSN download. We’re extremely pleased with how the game is coming together; it’s a perfect combination of classic racing with really modern connectivity features and it’s already bigger than your average download game, with visually stunning renditions of all four MotorStorm worlds (and 8 of their vehicle classes). Every aspect of the game comes loaded with endless competition that you can share with friends and rivals worldwide – whether that’s on PS3 or PS Vita, or both – and we’re still packing it full of challenges, race types and features too!

Everyone who has played MotorStorm RC so far says it really gets you hooked, with an addictive, hypnotic core experience – just like the best arcade games. Also like the best arcade games, stages take just moments to load, giving it that ‘just one more go’ quality, especially when you can play at home on PS3 and then continue your progress on the go with PS Vita.

And it’s still early days! We’ve got a lot more lined up and we’ll share all of it with you as the game comes together, but for now please check out our trailer and some of the killer features in MotorStorm RC!

THIS IS OFF-ROAD RACING ON A WHOLE NEW SCALE

Conquer the most extreme racing environments in powerful radio-controlled vehicles, with hundreds of uniquely customised models to collect and performance based on 8 distinct racing categories: Buggies, Superminis, Rally Cars, Muscle Cars, Racing Trucks, Supercars, Big Rigs and Monster Trucks!

4 CLASSIC LOCATIONS, 16 UNIQUE TRACKS

Experience the simultaneous challenge and excitement of racing in the world’s most extreme environments, from the dusty desert mesa’s of Monument Valley, to the dangerous jungles of a Pacific island, to the icy tundra at the Arctic Edge, to the apocalyptic ruins of an urban city.

SETTLE RIVALRIES ANYTIME, ANYPLACE

Challenge friends and the rest of the world to compete for the fastest times in every event – whether that’s on PS3 or PS Vita, or both.

SHARE EVERY MOMENT

Share every moment with your friends and make new friends via the Pitwall. Keep tabs on their activity – so you always know when there’s a new challenge or a new leader – and you can always stay one step ahead of the competition.

4 PLAYER MULTIPLAYER ON PS3

Settle the score with your friends in person with 4 player split-screen races.

PAY ONCE, GET BOTH

It’s the same experience on both PS3 and PS Vita, and picking up the game on PS3 will give you full access to the game on PS Vita (and vice versa) – so if you own both you can carry your progress between the two, and always pick up where you left off.

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Locnville are the new electro hip hop duo that everyone is talking about, and they are now available on the SingStore. The band is made up of identical twin brothers Andrew and Brian Chaplin, who were born in New York and raised in Cape Town, South Africa.

After the success of their first album, which has now surpassed platinum status in South Africa, the pair have their first song available to download from the SingStore. Sun In My Pocket is available now!

Check out Locnville’s favourite artists and songs on the What’s Hot list and browse through My SingStar Online. You will find an uploaded video performance of them singing Sun In My Pocket just for you.

There are loads more great Locnville goodies to download from PlayStation Store, where you can learn more about the Locnville story in a free exclusive video and download a free XMB (XrossMediaBar) wallpaper. Head over to the SingStar section of PlayStation Store now to find out more about these future stars.

Keep and eye out for more exciting Locnville news coming soon.

Head over to eu.playstation.com/competitions now for the chance to win some great SingStar prizes with Locnville.

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We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model, recognized the year 2010 as a leap year. Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 (both GMT), we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally. If the time displayed on the XMB is still incorrect, users are able to adjust time settings manually or via the internet. If we have new information, we will update you through PlayStation.Blog or PlayStation.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

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