While it was a feature touted when it originally debuted, it became increasingly clear that The Agency would unlikely have cross-platform play between the PS3 and PC versions. Now, it's official: the spy-themed SOE-developed MMO will definitely not have cross-platform play. The two worlds of the PS3 and PC versions will be kept separate. The reason? According to the developers, the imbalance between keyboard and mouse versus controller play.
"PC guys say, 'PS3 guys have aim assist and the controls nerfed for them'. And PS3 guys say, 'PC guys have a mouse and keyboard - it's all easier for them'. Even if it's not true," Hal Milton said. He also added, "a couple of members of our team gained a lot of experience working on Shadowrun, and no matter how well you fine-tune it, you end up with a player-base that's polarized." [Ed's note: Shadowrun is one of the few games that features cross-platform play between Windows and Xbox 360 systems.]
PS3Fanboy
8/18/2008
There are a number of MMO titles coming to PS3 via Sony Online Entertainment. This ten minute video from the developers tries to explain how the upcoming casual MMO will work, starting from its Facebook-like social networking website, moving on to the four styles of gameplay Free Realms features. Burning questions like "can I be a ninja?" are answered (the answer is yes). Unlike other MMO games, Free Realms is more about various mini-games -- there is combat, but it's optional.
PS3FANBOY
The closed beta for Resistance 2 is currently going on, and while you're here reading, someone else out there is saving America from a Chimera invasion. Luckily, you don't have to miss out on all the fun. While you wait for the public beta coming this September, you can check out eight minutes of gameplay footage right now; albeit, extremely blurry and unflattering footage.
The level in the vid looks like the same outdoor woodland area you've seen in screenshots before. It may be difficult to see the little details due to the low quality, but one thing is for certain: Resistance 2's mulitplayer mode, overall, looks like pure carnage.
PS3FANBOY
Leipzig Games Convention starts this week, and we're proud to say that Jem will be covering all the Sony goodness from the show floor. We'll be getting some intimate time with Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet and Heavy Rain -- and who knows what other surprises are in store? Get ready for the excitement by checking out Gamekyo's pictures of the show floor being set up. There are a lot of familiar E3-esque booths in the works. We're getting pumped -- are you?
PS3FANBOY
Just like your friends across the Atlantic, European gamers will be able to enjoy the SOCOM Confrontation beta on September 1st. In fact, the beta will be global so players from Asia, America, Europe and Oceania will be able to play each other all on the same day (unlike some other beta programs). Each region will have different methods of acquiring access to the beta, so keep a sharp eye out at your local retailer for any pre-order incentives they may have.
PS3FANBOY
Remember back around Christmas, when we were promised a Rock Band patch which would allow people to use Guitar Hero III controllers? You know, the patch which was going to allow PS3 owners the same features as the Xbox 360 version? Sure, it never appeared, but it seems that Sony is making sure that such a thing never happens again. Michael Shorrock, director of 3rd party relations, has posted up some info on the PlayStation.Blog stating that Rock Revolution, Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour's instruments will all be compatible with each other.
Not only that, but Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 will support SingStar microphones. This is great for those of us who are interested in picking up all of these games, but are a little less interested in having our living rooms full of plastic drum sets and guitars. The good news doesn't end there, though. That patch we mentioned at the beginning of this post may still see the light of day. Shorrock says they're "still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."
Thanks to Sony for pre-emptively solving what could have been a very messy Christmas. Universal peripheral compatability just makes so much sense. Now comes the hard decision. Which game's instruments look best?
PS3FANBOY
Despite the golden word of SCEE boss David Reeves, European online retailers are listing release dates for the new 80GB PS3s a week ahead of schedule. That means -- while the SKU was previously announced for an August 27 launch date -- online retailers such as Amazon UK and GAME suggest, nay confirm, that the new units will arrive this Friday, August 22. With Games Convention 2008 happening in Leipzig this week, an announcement regarding the early release is expected.
PS3FANBOY
Sony has announced details on when we can expect to see Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty released in Europe, along with a price for the game. The Ratchet & Clank mini-sequel will be on the European PlayStation Network on the same day as it hits the US Store. That's this coming Thursday, August 21st. You'll need to part with £9.99 (no confirmed Euro price yet, but we expect somewhere in the region of €15 to €18) in order to grab it, but considering the game will be between 3 to 5 hours and continues the story from Tools of Destruction, that's not so much to ask.
A Blu-ray version will also be made available on September 12th and will also retail for only £9.99. Even better value, considering you get a box and a manual. We're looking forward to getting back in touch with Ratchet in a few days. We may be in the midst of a Blu-ray game drought, but with all the excellent recent PSN content, like Bionic Commando Rearmed, Siren and PixelJunk Monsters, we're swamped with stuff to play.
PS3FANBOY
Portuguese developer Seed Studios announced on the popular gaming forum NeoGAF their next project: a PS3 game to be revealed at Leipzig Games Convention. The developer has previously worked on three DS games -- this would be their first foray into a current generation home console game. Considering their history, it seems likely that their new project will be a PSN game. But who knows? Maybe we'll be quite surprised.
While nothing else is known about the game, we're glad to see more developers announcing new content for the PS3. At E3, surprise PSN games like Fat Princess caught the attention of gamers everywhere. We're hoping to unearth new gems at Leipzig as well.
PS3FANBOY
Tween pop-stars, superheroes, Oscar winners and killer cyborgs from the future are just some of what's on the Blu-ray menu this week. The rest of the releases are as follows:
Camp Rock: Extended Rock Star Edition
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
Justice League: Season One
The Life Before Her Eyes
Monster
Nixon
Prom Night (Unrated)
The Proposition
The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior
Street Kings
Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete First Season
Fans of the Jonas Brothers will enjoy Camp Rock. They also appear in Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert as guest performers. Charlize Theron lands an Oscar for her role as the serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. We highly recommend The Proposition, especially at $13.95, a powerfully directed and extremely violent Western about a man who must kill his older brother and save his younger one. Fans of the Terminator movies but hated the story direction Terminator 3took should check out The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Rest of the releases above.
PS3FANBOY
