The day is approaching for you to finally get your hands on PlayStation Vita. As we’ve discussed in several previous Blog posts, the connection between PS Vita and PS3 is one of the most compelling features that sets gaming on PS Vita apart. Because we want all of you early PS Vita owners to check out the cross-platform gameplay experience, we’re offering content on both platforms for one price with the following launch titles: MotorStorm RC, Hustle Kings, Top Darts and DLC for WipEout 2048. Our friends at Capcom are also allowing you to share DLC across platforms for no additional cost with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

Here’s how it works:

• When you buy MotorStorm RC you will be able to play it on PS3 and PS Vita at no additional cost.
• When you buy Hustle Kings and/or Top Darts for PS Vita, you will get the PS3 versions for free. If you already own these games on PS3, you’ll be able to download the PS Vita version for free.
• If you purchase WipEout 2048 and you already own WipEout HD and the HD Fury DLC on PS3, you will be able to download them for free when they launch on PS Vita later this spring.
• DLC purchased for the PS3 version of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 can be used on the PS Vita version for free (and vice versa).

As we’ve noted previously, WipEout 2048 owners on PS Vita will be able to race against WipEout HD owners on PS3 across four tracks beginning at launch, which is separate from this promotional pricing. Hustle Kings also offers turn-based multiplayer pool between PS Vita and PS3 at launch. And Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 offers the “Ultimate Controller,” an exclusive configuration in which you can use PS Vita as a controller to play the PS3 version of the game, complete with touchscreen special move selection. All of this cross-play functionality is among the unique, new ways to play that we are ushering in with PS Vita.

Let us know which games you are most excited about in the comments.

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Hey there, sports fans!

My name’s Ray Khalastchi, and I’m the Associate Producer on Top Darts.

This is just a short message to let you all know that, as of right now, your copies of Top Darts have been automagically patched to display the game in glorious 3D.

The patch also fixes a couple of small bugs, and all of this goodness is coming to your PS3s for absolutely free.

For those of you that haven’t yet bought Top Darts, don’t forget it includes 14 game types – including some explosive ones that would get you thrown out of your local pub for playing – as well as cups, leagues, local multiplayer and total customisation of the game; from your darts and avatars to the dartboards themselves.

So go grab your Move controller, put on your 3D glasses and get your mates round for a great game of Top Darts…

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We’ve had some cracking feedback about Top Darts since it was launched in late December, everybody appears to be really enjoying the game. One clever chap (Todd Parsons, take a bow) asked if we had a template available which would allow him to see how the picture board is mapped so he could create custom board art. We hadn’t, but it wasn’t difficult to create and it’s such a good idea we’ve decided to share it with everybody – simply download the template files from [Link 1] and [Link 2].

1. To position your custom artwork using the template provided, you will need an image editing program such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop and a basic knowledge of the program
2. Download the template file to your computer
3. Open the template png in your image editing program
4. Create a new layer for your artwork under the template layer
5. Use the template layer to align your artwork as you want it displayed on the dartboard in-game
6. For best results, do not resize the canvas – keep the image size set to 640 x 480 pixels
7. Hide the template layer and then save the file in png or jpeg format onto your computer
8. Create a folder on your USB drive called “picture” and copy the new file into it
9. Eject the USB drive and plug it into a spare USB port on your PS3
10. In the PS3 XMB menu, open the USB drive in the “Photo” menu
11. Your artwork should be displayed as a thumbnail in the menu. Scroll to the correct image if there are multiple images in the folder
12. Copy the image to the PS3 by bringing up the options using the Triangle button and selecting “copy” from the list
13. Now start Top Darts
14. In the main menu, select “Games” and in the Game Setup Screen switch to the “Load Photo” board type
15. When prompted, select the dated folder with the image in and then select the image
16. The image will load under a preview board template
17. Select “Tick” to continue and configure your game type. (Select “Cross” to return to the folder and load another)
18. Complete the “Game Setup” and the “Player Setup” screens to see your image loaded onto the dartboard in-game
19. Invite friends and family round for some top quality fun and to admire your artistic skills

If you make a piece of art that you’re particularly proud of, why not share it on the Official PlayStation Forums so other people can take a look?

Thanks for all your feedback emails we really do appreciate them; please keep them rolling in.

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Hello Darts fans from all over Europe,

It’s time to roll up your sleeves, grab a PlayStation Move motion controller and step up to the oche: Top Darts will be available on PlayStation Store from tomorrow, 22 December, at €7.99/£6.29.

Today, we’d like you to meet a true darts legend and a very good friend of ours: the one, the only…SID WADDELL!

On 30 November, Mark McGinley (Senior Producer at SCEE), the film crew and I braved the arctic winds, minus temperatures and fought through the snow in order to make our appointment in snow-covered Leeds with Sid.

Armed with a box of chocolates, two pints of milk and a box of PlayStation goodies for Sid and his family, we were somewhat cold but more than ready for a fun filled interview with the man himself, and also may I add made extremely welcome by Sid’s lovely wife Irene – thank you for the tea and coffee, Irene.

As you may or may not yet know, Sid weaved his magic and provided all the in-game commentary for Top Darts. The in-game script was specifically written for him and Sid brought the VO to life in a way only he can.

Sid is fondly known and well respected in the world of top flight (excuse the pun) Darts and we couldn’t wait to sit down and question the silver-tongued cavalier about his love of Darts and ask him a load of questions about the game and his experience working with the Dev team.

For an insight into the man behind the mic and to get all the inside track from the great man himself, take a look at the full interview above.

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Hello everybody, I’m Mark McGinley and I’m the Senior Producer on what we believe will be the ultimate darts experience on any games console, Top Darts. The development team at Devils Details have been fully immersing themselves in both the sport and the Move Controller for several months now. We believe they’ve come up with something that’s not only true to the real game thanks to the precision of the Move Controller, but which is also a great deal of fun.

The game’s controls have been specially designed to take advantage of the three dimensional depth and precision of the PlayStation Move and the interaction between player and dart is better than any darts game you’ve ever played before.

When bringing the sport to the PlayStation 3 we wanted to ensure that the game was not only a challenge that rewards practice, but also a great game to play with friends. Top Darts combines a mix of classic Dart games, like 501, Around The Clock and Cricket, with extensive League & Cup competition modes, as well as a large selection of varied game modes. If competing against your friends is more your thing Top Darts allows up to 8 players to battle it out across a range of competitive games and events specifically tailored to enhance the multiplayer experience.

(more…)

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