PS3 backwards compatibility on the cards?

AS ONE of the lucky few(!)who have a PS3 that can play PS2 games, it could be that the rest of you PS3 owners could also soon be playing PS2 games soon

A patent filed on the Emotion Engine technology for Cell Processors by Sony Computer Entertainment in the US, could mean that Sony is gearing up for the release of a potential firmware update that will allow all PS3 users the ability to play PS2 games.

PS3s without PS2 backwards compatibility are missing the Emotion Engine, a chip Sony designed as the PS2’s CPU. What if the PS3’s cell processor could emulate the Emotion Engine, then in theory, all PS3s would be able to play PS2 games even if a console didn’t have the proper hardware.


There aren’t too many reasons why Sony would want the PS3’s Cell processor to emulate the PS2’s Emotion Engine and the key one is backwards compatibility.

Doesn't look like PS1 is catered for, though.

A cool - and chilling -trailer.....

OKAY, I know this isn't strictly (at all) about gaming - but this movie trailer really has to be seen to be believed....

PlayStation Network store update

HERE is this week's PlayStation Network store update for June 18 - and this time I've let you see the US version, so you see what us Euro gamers are missing out on!

Just remember, you can gain access to the US store by creating a new profile with a US address - trawl the net and you should find out how to do this quite easily! Here goes:

Qore

Qore Annual Subscription - June 2009 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to developers and their games, from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and the third-party community, where the audience member can freely navigate through the content.
File size: 1.12 GB

Qore Episode 13 - June 2009 ($2.99)
Episode 13 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network showcases a hero’s evolution in inFAMOUS and enters the ring for Fight Night Round 4. Veronica Belmont auditions for the Frag Dolls, and the PSPgo is revealed at last! An exclusive inFAMOUS theme and Qore T-shirts for Home are available to all purchasers. In addition, all purchasers will receive the PSone classic Spyro the Dragon (Limited time offer, expires July 31, 2009). Annual subscribers will also receive the full game of High Velocity Bowling.
File size: 1.12 GB

PSone Classics PS3 / PSP

Metal Gear Solid ($9.99)
The game that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history has been re-born! Experience the first Metal Gear to appear on the PlayStation platform, Metal Gear Solid, marks the series’ jump into 3D graphics and true stealth action gaming.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 780 MB

Game Demos (free)

NCAA Football 10 Demo
Now you can settle who has the most school pride once and for all with NCAA Football 10. The all-new Season Showdown ensures that everything you do counts toward your goal of helping your school become the best in the nation. From all-new risk-reward strategic gameplay options to the revolutionary online create-a-school feature TeamBuilder, make a historic run for the national championship with NCAA Football 10.
File size: 1.90 GB

Add-on Game Content

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Jester Signature Livery Pack (free)
Make your vehicle stand out from the crowd with this exclusive MotorStorm Pacific Rift livery pack, available for a limited time only from PlayStation Store.
Reminder: to use this download, you must own MotorStorm Pacific Rift.
File size: 100 KB

Cross Edge Wanderer Pack (free)
In need of some stronger healing items? We’ve got you covered!
File size: 111 KB

Cross Edge Power-Up Pack (free)
Scale up your skills with these ability-enhancing items.
File size: 111 KB

Cross Edge Departure Pack (free)
Did you bring your handkerchief, tissues, and a few extra cure items? If not, look no further!
File size: 111 KB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com

• “Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits Theme” - S.U.P.R.A.H.U.M.A.N (free)
• “Fly One Time” by Ben Harper and Relentless7 ($1.99)
• “Number With No Name” by Ben Harper and Relentless7 ($1.99)
• “Shimmer & Shine” by Ben Harper and Relentless7 ($1.99)
• Ben Harper and Relentless7 Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “Fly One Time,” “Number With No Name,” and “Shimmer & Shine” by Ben Harper and Relentless7.

File sizes: 32 MB - 44 MB (singles), 110 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “Back From the Dead” — Spinal Tap ($1.99)
• “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare” — Spinal Tap ($1.99)
• “Saucy Jack” — Spinal Tap ($1.99)
• “Warmer Than Hell” — Spinal Tap ($1.99)
• Spinal Tap Pack 1 ($6.99) - Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack featuring “Back From the Dead,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare,” “Saucy Jack,” and “Warmer Than Hell” by Spinal Tap.
• “Bring Me to Life” — Evanescence ($1.99)
• “Call Me When You’re Sober” — Evanescence ($1.99)
• “Weight of the World” — Evanescence ($1.99)
• Evanescence Pack 1 ($5.49) - Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack featuring “Bring Me to Life,” “Call Me When You’re Sober,” and “Weight of the World” by Evanescence.

File sizes: 14 MB - 33 MB (singles), 86 MB - 98 MB (track pack)

Game Videos (free)

Mini Ninjas E3 Trailer
File size: 75 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

American Pride Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.71 MB

Jungle Jane Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.69 MB

Warrior Girls Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 6.32 MB

Azmodeus Dark Angels Theme 3 ($1.49)
File sizes: 4.35 MB

4th of July Pinups Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 3.15 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 ($19.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
Scott Mitchell, the leader of the ghosts, is sent south of the Panama border to eliminate guerrilla forces believed to be trafficking high-tech weapons to rebel forces.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 665 MB

PSP Themes

American Pride PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 595 KB

Jungle Jane PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 425 KB

Warrior Girls PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 540 KB

Azmodeus Dark Angels PSP Theme 5 ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 571 KB

Azmodeus Dark Angels PSP Theme 6 ($0.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 551 KB

PS3 exclusive from Rockstar emerges

YET another PS3 exclusive game is on its way - and this one should definitely be one to watch, as it comes from Rockstar.
Sony made the announcement at E3 of its latest Rockstar exclusive, AGENT. The team that has brought us the Grand Theft Auto franchise will be looking to make the most of the PS3 processing power, that's for sure.Unfortunately no gameplay footage or images were present.
Of course no leaks have yet surfaced on AGENT and as we have seen from the current and upcoming PS3 exclusives you can definitely expect a high level of production value.
Rockstar and exclusive PS3 usage definitely sounds like a perfect combination, and we are finally starting to see the Xbox 360 get left behind in the PS3's wake - this could possibly become an Xbox-killer.

New motion controller for the PS3

NOT one to be left behind, Sony has given the public the first view of its new game controller for the Sony PlayStation 3.

The Motion Controller for PS3 uses two controllers that work in conjunction with the Sony PlayStation Eye.

The firm said it was a technology demo, but then said the new system would be available early next year.

The news follows Microsoft's announcement on Monday of a controller-free control system it is calling Project Natal.

The Motion Controller for PS3 works in a similar way to Nintendo's Wii controller. A sensor sits on top of the TV and detects the position, distance and movement of two controllers held in a user's hand.

The device can not only measure where the controllers are in relation to each other, but also how close they are to the sensor, meaning you can create true 3D movement within a game.

The tech demo looks impressive (view it at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8080511.stm ) but we will have to wait and see if the games developers can make full use of the potential it offers.

Sony PSP Go! handheld to be revealed

THERE has been plenty of speculation that Sony could be unveiling its new slide enabled handheld all-in-one device, code named PSP G0! - and that could happen this week.
Leaked footage of Sony’s new PSP has surfaced, as these photos show. Sony are expected to announce its new PSP Go! handheld on Tuesday during the E3 conference held in Los Angeles, California.

Sony’s new PSP Go! is believed to come equipped with 16gb of memory, bluetooth ready and the ability to link it to your mobile phone.
The remote play function of operating your PS3 from any wi-fi hot spot is also included with the new PSP Go!
No UMD functions were mentioned, so it will be interesting to see if this has been ditched, more likely in favour of flash cards.