PlayStation News Message Board older than one year ago
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Announced last month, Tales of Zestiria is the latest entry in Namco Bandai's long-running "Tales of" RPG series, which saw recent North American releases in Tales of Xiliia and Tales of Graces f for the PlayStation 3. Namco Bandai recently detailed Zestiria's combat mechanics, revealing that enemy encounters will feature "an evolved form of the current linear-motion battle system."
A North American release for Tales of Zestiria has not been announced, but series fans can look forward to localized versions of Tales of Symphonia Chronicles and Tales of Xillia 2 arriving stateside this year.
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Don’t Starve: Console Edition is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. You play as Wilson, an intrepid Gentleman Scientist who has been trapped by a demon and transported to a mysterious wilderness world. Wilson must learn to exploit his environment and its inhabitants if he ever hopes to escape and find his way back home.
PS3 Games
Tiny Brains ($19.99, Cross-Buy)
‘Tiny Brains’ is a cooperative puzzle that follows four super-powered lab animals in their attempt to escape a mad scientist’s experiments. In this joyously chaotic multiplayer game, the four ‘Tiny Brains’ must combine their unique physics-based powers to navigate through a trick-ridden maze. All of the puzzles in ‘Tiny Brains’ can be solved multiple ways depending on how groups combine their powers. Attractive to both hardcore and casual fans, the game has competitive leaderboards and challenging fast paced communicative play along with simple controls so players of any level can jump right in.
Twisted Lands: Shadow Town ($11.99)
One of the best Hidden Object Games now on PlayStation®3 system! Muster up all your courage to walk through the gloomy streets of a mysterious city where ghosts, magical fantasies, and chilling adventures lurk at every turn. Help Mark and Angel find each other in a dense fog of puzzling secrets where the ghosts of people long gone are crying out for help. Their secrets are directly related to the story of our heroes – help these restless souls to find eternal peace so that two young people can meet again…
PSP Games
StreetKix: Freestyle ($11.99)
Join up to compete head to head with some of the toughest Freestyle competition in the game or take on the journey to travel the three cities and master their unique tricks and trials of STREETKIX:FREESTYLE! Win shirts, gain soccer tricks, pick up special soccer balls with unique powers! All of this and more await you in the world of STREETKIX:FREESTYLE!
PS Vita Bundle
Furmins + Bonus World ($6.49)
Lead the Furmins through over 100 ingeniously designed and visually stunning levels. Furmins provides hours of brain-twisting fun for fans of physics-based puzzle games.Guide all the Furmins to the basket (level exit) by re-arranging a variety of items and using bumpers with well-timed precision. Wisely place items to create pathways and physical chain reactions which help the Furmins reach their goal while earning Star points to unlock new Levels. PlayStation Plus
Become a PlayStation Plus member
Learn more and purchase online, or activate instantly on PlayStation Store. To learn more about this week’s Plus offerings, check out this week’s PS Plus post.
Don’t Starve (PS4)
DmC Devil May Cry (PS3)
Streetkix: Freestyle
$10.79
$11.99
Demos Twisted Lands: Shadow Town (PS3) Price Changes Game Title New Price Original PriceArmored Core: Verdict Day
$29.99
$49.99
Dark Souls: Dark Souls: Artorias Of The Abyss Add-On
$9.99
$14.99
Dirt Showdown
$24.99
$49.99
F1 2012
$29.99
$59.99
Lego Lord Of The Rings
$19.99
$39.99
Need For Speed: Most Wanted
$19.99
$29.99
Saints Row IV
$39.99
$59.99
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
$39.99
$59.99
Dokuro
$2.99
$13.99
F1 2011 Vita
$14.99
$39.99
LEGO Lord Of The Rings Vita
$19.99
$29.99
Sales Game Title Sale Price Original PriceEarth Defense Force 2017 Portable
$14.99
$39.99
PS4 Add-ons Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag- Illustrious Pirates Pack ($9.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Illustrious Pirates Pack ($9.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Gunter ($1.99)
- King of Mars ($1.99)
- Peppermint Butler ($1.99)
- Raspberyl (Free)
- Batgirl Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Batman Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- DC Comics Costume Pack 2 ($5.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Harley Quinn Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Joker Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Poison Ivy Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Batgirl Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Batman Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- DC Comics Costume Pack 2 ($5.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Harley Quinn Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Joker Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Poison Ivy Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Deck Pack 3 ($2.99)
- Sweet Tooth Mask (Free)
- Stadium Pack (Free)
- Aerosmith Song Pack ($11.99)
- Aerosmith – Dream On ($2.99)
- Aerosmith – Legendary Child ($2.99)
- Aerosmith – Oh Yeah ($2.99)
- Aerosmith – Same Old Song And Dance ($2.99)
- Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion ($2.99)
- Muse Song Pack – ($11.99)
- Anime Pack ($1.99)
- Blaze Helmet ($1.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Camo Dirtbike Helmet ($1.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Desert Mask ($0.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Dirtbike Helmet ($0.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Dive Goggles ($0.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Glossy Helmet ($0.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Havoc Helmet ($1.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Motorcycle Helmet ($0.99, Free for Season Pass)
- Rally Bundle ($8.99, Free for Season Pass, includes exclusive Flame Motorcycle Helmet)
- Virgil (Free)
- Legends and Creations Pack ($8.99)
- Ultimate Warrior ($1.99)
- Undertaker – Exclusive Character ($1.99)
- Chance For Gold Deck ($2.99)
- Pieces Of Exodia Deck ($2.99)
- Reflection Destruction Deck ($2.99)
- Release The Iron Core Deck ($2.99)
- Returning To Mist Valley Deck ($2.99)
- Ritual Victory Deck ($2.99)
- Silent Levels Deck ($2.99)
- Syncing Dragon Deck ($2.99)
- Weapons Of Power Deck ($2.99)
- Worm Unity Deck ($2.99)
- Batgirl Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Batman Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- DC Comics Costume Pack 2 ($5.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Harley Quinn Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Joker Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- Poison Ivy Costume ($1.99, Cross-Buy, Free for DC Season Pass)
- 20 Item Value Pack ($6.99)
- 9 Item Value Pack 2 ($3.99)
- 6 Bundle Value Pack 2 ($2.99)
- Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag – Aveline ($0.49)
- Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag – Blackbeard Scream ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Battlesuit ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Desco 4 ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Hugo ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Masked Hero ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Mothman ($0.49)
- Disgaea 4: Nekomata ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Asagi ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Barbara ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Etna ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Flonne ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Girl Laharl ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Laharl ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Sicily ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Valkyrie ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Warrior ($0.49)
- Disgaea D2: Xenolith ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Hope ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Icon ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Lightning ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Lumina ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Noel ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Snow ($0.49)
- Lightning Returns FF XIII – Vanille ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Boston Celtics ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Brooklyn Nets ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Golden State Warriors ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Los Angeles Clippers ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Los Angeles Lakers ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – New York Knicks ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Philadelphia 76ers ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Phoenix Suns ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Sacramento Kings ($0.49)
- NBA 2K14 – Toronto Raptors ($0.49)
- Omg Wtf ($0.99)
- Pirate ($0.99)
- Reggae Lion ($0.99)
- Spray And Pray ($0.99)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Cheriel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Frunetti ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Galtion ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Kuroiel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Lanael ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Lilliel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Minamo ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Misery ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Mysiel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Neliel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Rakiel ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Renya ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Satanael ($0.49)
- The Guided Fate Paradox – Varael ($0.49)
- Usa Skull Flag ($0.99)
- Zombie War ($0.99)
- Bling Skull ($3.99)
- Born To Kill ($0.99)
- Canada Skull Flag ($0.99)
- Cartoon Eyes ($0.99)
- Caution Zombies ($0.99)
- Diamond ($0.99)
- Game Over ($0.99)
- Hacker ($0.99)
- Hasta La Vista ($0.99)
- I Love Girl Gamers ($0.99)
- I Love Guns ($0.99)
- Kill Or Be Killed ($0.99)
- A Dynamic New Years Pinup Theme ($2.99)
- Amira Cyberpunk Dynamic Scifi Theme ($2.99)
- Angel of Death Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- Anne Stokes Static Theme Series 4 ($1.99)
- Big Foot Gaze Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- Bigfoot Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- Digital Blasphemy Series 6 Static Theme ($1.99)
- Fantasy Idols Volume 2 Static Theme ($1.99)
- Fantasy Idols Volume 3 Static Theme ($1.99)
- Forest Elf Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- NHL Canucks Grinder Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- NHL: Blackhawks Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Blues Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Bruins Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Canadiens Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Canucks Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Flames Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Flyers Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Jets Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Kings Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Maple Leafs Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Oilers Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Penguins Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Rangers Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- NHL: Red Wings Grinder Static Theme ($1.99)
- Rage Bundle IV ($4.99)
- Skyshot Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- The Reaper Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
- Werewolf Battlecry Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
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Today, at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, we announced that PlayStation Now (PS Now), our new streaming game service, will be available in the US this summer. With PlayStation Now, you will be able to stream popular hits and classic games from the PS3 library, first on PS4 and PS3 systems, followed by PS Vita.
In addition to PlayStation platforms, most 2014 US models of Sony’s BRAVIA TV lineup will support PS Now. Eventually the service will expand beyond PlayStation platforms and Sony devices, allowing you to stream PlayStation games across a broad range of Internet-connected devices.
Leveraging Gaikai’s advanced cloud-based technology, PlayStation Now will allow you to:
- Play video games instantly across multiple devices, similar to the way you might stream TV, movies, and music.
- Stream full games to all of your compatible PlayStation devices including PS4, PS3, and PlayStation Vita as well as non-PlayStation devices, beginning with 2014 BRAVIA TV models and expanding to numerous other Internet-connected devices.
- Always play the most updated version of your game. With games hosted in the cloud, you can take your game with you – just log in with your Sony Entertainment Network account on a compatible device and your games and saved progress will be easily available.
We want to offer you choice when it comes to how you want to access content on PS Now, so you will be able to rent by title for specific games you are interested in. We’ll also offer a subscription that will enable you to explore a range of titles.
PS Now will begin a Beta program in the US at the end of January with an expected full roll-out in the US this summer. Be sure to check the PlayStation.Blog regularly for more updates on the PS Now service.
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Hey everyone! I’m Corey Rollins from Klei Entertainment, and I’m here to talk about our newest PS4 downloadable game: Don’t Starve. It’s available today on PlayStation Store for $14.99 and it’s free for PlayStation Plus.
If you’re new to the game, Don’t Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. While there are many unique characters to discover and unlock along the way, you’ll start as the gentleman scientist, Wilson. After being lured with infinite knowledge by a demon named Maxwell, Wilson finds himself trapped in a mysterious and unforgiving world. Wilson must learn to exploit his environment and its inhabitants if he ever hopes to escape and find his way back home.
Don’t Starve is a game that gives no instruction, and forces players to adapt or die in the process. And oh my, die you will! After every death, a new world is procedurally generated, and you’ll find yourself scrambling to gather resources, explore the world, encounter bizarre creatures, and play your own way to unravel the mysteries around you.
One of the biggest features of the console edition is the inclusion of every single update since the game’s PC launch. After Don’t Starve’s original release, we committed to releasing regular content updates every 3 weeks for 6 months. In the PS4 version you’ll have them all right from day one, including the massive Caves update and the discoverable “Adventure Mode” which will let you embark on a journey through multiple randomly generated unique worlds in an effort to escape.
Alright folks! You’re ready to begin your quest as esteemed intrepid explorers and champions of science! We’ve poured a ton of love into this game and developed it alongside a vibrant community throughout the beta and post release content updates.
If you’ve got any questions or want further tips, come say hello on Twitter. We’re always around and happy to chat. After all, this game wouldn’t be what it is today without the amazing discussions and feedback from our friends in the community.
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I’d like to introduce myself: My name is Mike Fasulo and I am the new President at Sony Electronics US. The Sony team is kicking off the new year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), when the technology world takes over Sin City to showcase 2014’s greatest tech.
I invite you to join me and Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai at 5:00pm Pacific Time tonight for the Sony Press Conference, right here on PlayStation.Blog, where we’ll be talking about what’s to come in the new year. And check back tomorrow, January 7th at 9:00am PST, when Kazuo Hirai gives the CES keynote speech. I’ll be tweeting live from the keynote from @SonyElectronics and taking your questions, so join the conversation at #SonyCES!
You can also watch the Sony Press Conference and CES Keynote from your PS3 using the Live Events Viewer (US users only).
I’m looking forward to a great 2014. See you from Vegas!
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She's described as being a bit on the serious side, which will offset the more upbeat, optimistic attitude of her traveling partner, Slay. Baba also said that Zestiria's combat will use "an evolved form of the current linear-motion battle system."
As we learned from Zestiria's debut trailer, a series-first focus on dragons will be present, but it's still unknown to what extent that theme will be covered.
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Some days, you wake up in a warm bed — perhaps next to a loved one — and you start the day fresh, with the sweetness of a half-remembered dream lingering behind your eyes. Other times, you wake up on a twisted island of dark horrors with a fast-depleting hunger meter and a growing beard. On those days, you’re likely playing Don’t Starve, which launches on PS4 this week!
That’s right friends, the fan-favorite survival game finds a new home on PS4. Don’t Starve is an uncompromising, randomly-generated survival game where you must help the Gentleman Scientist Wilson endure the harsh (likely demonic) environment for as long as possible. Gather food, craft tools, construct shelter, and hunt unlikely foes with a brutal challenge at every footfall.
If vigorous survival isn’t your cup of tea, there’s more coming to the world of PlayStation! But since we’re emerging from our light holiday lineup, we took a “Drop Lite” approach today. See below for a complete list of games hitting PlayStation this week, and enjoy!
- Don’t Starve: Console Edition: PS4 — Digital
- Streetkix: Freestyle: PSP — Digital
- Tiny Brains: PS3 — Digital (Also Available on PS4), Cross Buy
- Twisted Lands: Shadow Town + Demo: PS3 — Digital
We’ll see you next week for a regularly-formatted Drop. Hope your New Year is starting off great!
The information above is subject to change without notice.
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There’s a whole new year of amazing music on the horizon, and VidZone is here to help you decide whom to keep your eye on in 2014 with our Ones To Watch of the year. Plus we’ve also been hard at work crunching the numbers and tallying the scores to see who has topped the chart in our Most Watched Videos of 2013 countdown and who has been crowned our Artist of the Year.
Artist of the Year: Justin Timberlake
That’s right. The one and only Mr JT has been named VidZone’s Artist of the Year! Big congratulations are in order to the global pop megastar who well and truly owned 2013 with not only one but TWO fantastic new albums. Celebrate with us and watch the singer’s complete music video catalogue now with just the click of a button!
Most Watched 2013
You knew it was coming…The unstoppable Miley Cyrus has unsurprisingly hit the top spot of the Most Watched Videos 2013 on VidZone. Check out who else made the Top 10:
- Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
- Drake – Started From The Bottom
- Juicy J – Bounce It
- Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
- Florida Georgia Line – Cruise
- J. Cole – Power Trip
- Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
- A$AP Ferg – Shabba
- David Guetta – Play Hard
- Mike Will Made-It – 23
One’s To Watch 2014
2014 is looking to be a great year already with a whole heap of new Hip-Hop talent breaking out as well as some great alternative acts. Here’s just a few that you will find in the Featured Zone in our Ones To Watch 2014 list.
- Travi$ Scott
- Foxes
- Mikky Ekko
- Kid Ink
- A$AP Mob
- A Great Big World
VidZone brings you a world of music videos tailored completely for you. Download it now for free from PlayStation Store under the Apps category. As always, keep in touch on Twitter and Facebook. We read everything and love your comments, so don’t be shy! Got any requests for VidZone? Let us know!
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Season’s greetings from Japan.
2013 has been a very busy year for Japan Studio. We launched four titles this year, including my own Puppeteer. So we’ve all been looking forward to a few well-deserved days off. Although you might be surprised to hear that, here in Japan, we don’t get Christmas off. The 25th of December is just a normal working day.
Since I moved here 10 years ago, Christmas has become more popular but it’s celebrated in a rather strange way. Christmas Eve is actually more important than Christmas itself, where young couple go on dates, families tuck into Kentucky fried chicken, and Santa-san seems to skip past Japan on his whirlwind present delivery world tour.
So we’ve all beem in the office hard at work on new creations for you all to enjoy. Much like Santa’s little helpers at the North Pole.
The New Year is where it’s at in Japan. It’s not a New Year that most of you will celebrate, with fireworks and champagne. Actually, everything closes down and everyone returns to the far-flung corners of Japan to their family homes. New Year’s Eve starts with an old tradition of eating soba noodles late at night. This is followed by a trip to the local shrine at midnight to thank the gods for the previous year, and also wish for a prosperous and healthy New Year. This is called Hatsumode, literally the first visit to a shrine.
Then, as the Temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times for each sin of humankind, everyone heads home for a cup or two of hot sake and bed. Why to bed? Because it’s up early to watch the sun rise on the first day of the New Year. This is called Hatsuhinode, and is meant to bring you good luck.
Then, on New Year’s Day, the celebrations begin. Normally, New Year’s Day is full of drinking and eating traditional foods such as osechi ryori, a three-layered wooden box full of delicious delights. And ozoni, a clear broth soup with mochi (pounded rice) is slurped down and then usually sashimi or sushi. In fact, so much is eaten and drunk that there’s a special soup that’s consumed on the 7th of January called nanakusa-gayu, seven herb soup. This is meant to calm your poor overworked stomach.
There is one tradition that all children look forward to, and that’s Otoshidama. Here, children receive money from their relatives in small envelopes. Let’s hope they use it wisely and buy some games.
From everyone at Japan Studio, we wish you a Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!
Keep on playing.
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Let’s face it, you probably have some time to kill before New Year’s Eve. Starting tomorrow Urban Trial Freestyle is free for PlayStation Plus members, so download it on your PS Vita before heading out to celebrate. If you find yourself in a boring conversation, excuse yourself to the restroom and mess around with some bike trials where you’ll attempt to pull off tricks like backflips, ollies and 360s. For those with a more competitive streak, you can challenge other riders with Ghost Mode. As addictive as Urban Trial Freestyle is, try not to spend the entire party in the bathroom. That can give the wrong impression.
You can download Urban Trial Freestyle and take advantage of all these PS Plus discounts after the PlayStation Store updates tomorrow, 12/31.
Free for PS Plus members
Don’t miss the ultimate urban trial freestyle game for PS Vita system! The city is your playground! Nothing will stop you on your freestyle trials bike. Use the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks – backflips, 360s, wallrides, ollies, and more. Customize your bike to boost your performance in Time Attack or Stunt mode. Choose between speed and style, developing your own unique riding style.
Last Chance (Leaving on 1/7)
Instant Game Collection
Contrast (PS4)
GRID 2 (PS3)
Discounts
Bit.Trip Presents… Runner2: Future Legend Of Rhythm Alien
Bit.Trip Presents… Runner2: Future Legend Of Rhythm Alien: Good Friends Character Pack
Terraria
Ethan: Meteor Hunter
Zombie Driver HD
Zombie Driver HD + Soundtrack
Zombie Driver HD Soundtrack
Zombie Driver HD Apocalypse Pack
Zombie Driver HD Tropical Race Rage
Zombie Driver HD Avatar 10-Pack
Zombie Driver HD Avatar 10-Pack
Draw Slasher
What’s your favorite content from this week’s update?
If you’ve got feedback on today’s Plus update make sure vote in the poll and leave a comment below. To discuss all things PlayStation, including this update, you can also head over to the PlayStation Community Forums where you’ll find topics you can contribute your thoughts to, or start one for yourself.
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And so 2013 draws to a close. And what a year it’s been in the world of videogames. Of course, you couldn’t move for top drawer titles, no matter where your specific tastes lay. But beyond that, we also welcomed PS4 into the world, ushering in a thrilling new era of play.
As perhaps you can imagine, it’s been an incredibly busy year here at PlayStation. Duly, just before everyone signed off for a few days of well-earned festive respite, I spoke to a number of key figures from SCEE, Sony Worldwide Studios and our partners in the indie world, to find out what their highlights of the past 12 months were, and what they have planned for 2014.
Read on below, and please do chime in with your own picks in the comments below. And whatever your plans for New Year’s Eve are, have a great night and a prosperous 2014. Normal service will resume here on PlayStation Blog starting January 6th. See you all then!
Massimo Guarini, Director, Ovosonico (Murasaki Baby)
What game did you play more than any other in 2013?
I guess that would be Murasaki Baby. That’s the game I’m playing every day since we started prototyping. And you know what? I really dig that game!
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Besides Muramasa Rebirth for PlayStation Vita, I really wanted to spare some time to sit down and play Beyond: Two Souls. I guess I am naturally attracted by games that don’t shy away from trying something new.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
I think the single best thing I did this year was to turn off my phone, disconnect from the internet, take some time off from videogames and refresh my mind away from technology. That’s the kind of quality time when my mind and imagination actually work best. That’s when I usually come up with ideas.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
I inflated my neighbor’s noisy dog with helium and gave it to my daughter so she could play with it. Or at least I thought I would do so, that night at 3:00 AM.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
Undoubtedly myself.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
Once again I’ve been blown away by another Kim Ki-Duk masterpiece: Pieta.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Spend time with the ones you love, eat healthy, tasty food and, of course, run naked in the snow at 2:00 AM for at least 10 minutes without stopping.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
I very much look forward to releasing Murasaki Baby. I feel like I’m becoming a father again. And that’s just wonderful.
Mike Bithell, Creator, Volume & Thomas Was Alone
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag has taken over my life. I’ve always been a bit of a fanboy of the series, but this one… ahem… blew it out the water. That was a nautical pun. I’m rather proud of it.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
I’ve not played The Stanley Parable yet – it’s been glaring at me for a while. I’m dying to play, but just haven’t had time. Mainly because of Assassin’s Creed IV.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
This sounds like I’m lying because I’m being asked by PlayStation.Blog, but being at the Gamescom Sony press event, sat next to Shuhei Yoshida, as Volume was being shown on stage by Shahid Ahmad. That was sort of a big deal for someone who makes games in their living room.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
I got lost in the carpark of my local supermarket. I’d nipped off to buy myself and my girlfriend coffee, and came back, unable to find the car. I was lost for about 10 minutes. It was the worst thing that I did this year.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
Warren Spector. A childhood hero who turned out to be a lovely chap with lots of patience for dumb questions asked by fanboys who somehow managed to be talking at the same event as him.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
I’m a little embarrassed to say, but I loved Pacific Rim. I had a lot of fun seeing that on the big screen, and I’ve already watched the Blu-ray a fair few times.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Don’t be forced into fun, spend it with special people. The scale of the party, and the quality of the location, is irrelevant.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
Releasing Volume. PLUG!
Gavin Moore, Creative Director, Japan Studio (Puppeteer)
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
That would have to be the awesome Dragon’s Crown. Brilliant artwork and amazing setting and made by a great developer, VanillaWare. A real throw back to the games I used to play as a kid. I just can’t get enough of sprite based games when they are done this well. In fact thanks for reminding me, I’m off to download it now before I forget.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
I would have to say get Puppeteer out the door and sent into the big wide world. Although Puppeteer may have flown under some people’s radar, the response I’ve had from people around the world has been very heart-warming. It goes to show that people do want games that are not just shooters and that there is a place for imagination and creativity in the gaming industry.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
That would be travelling. Not the places I travelled to and the people I met, but the actual travelling. I managed to clock over 100,000 miles on planes this year. I don’t want to see the inside of an airport or a plane for quite some time. Surely someone somewhere in the world is making a teleporter. I shouldn’t complain but travelling sucks.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
That is a hard one, especially as I have met so many creative people this year. Not only great game developers but people outside the industry. If I was forced to pick one it would have to be the composer on Puppeteer, Patrick Doyle. Such a nice man who has real passion for what he does. A true genius in his field.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
Even though it wasn’t published in 2013, I finally got round to reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Actually, I only have time to read on planes, so at least there is one good thing about travelling!
I’m an avid movie fan and spend a lot of my spare time watching movies – any movies. This year I would have to say that I stumbled across a Japanese movie called Ju San Nin No Shikaku or “13 Assassins”. Actually, I’m cheating again because this movie came out in 2010. It’s about 13 samurai who are employed to kill an evil lord. You need to check it out just for the final battle sequence. Chanbarra at its best!
For 2013 I’m going to say The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I haven’t seen it yet but I just know it will be amazing.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
I always do the same thing every year – I visit the local shrine at midnight and pray to the gods for a happy new year, head back for soba and some hot sake. This is a tradition in Japan and I feel that it really marks the closing of the past year and the opening of a new one.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
Maybe taking a holiday and relaxing for a bit. Actually, what I’m most looking forward to is getting my teeth into the next project. I really want to muck around and see what I can do on the PS4.
Graham Smith, Co-Founder, Drinkbox (Guacamelee!)
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
GTA V on PS3 probably got the most hours from me this year. That game is enormous, and somehow I never got tired of exploring that game world. It was not my favorite game of the year though! That honor would probably have to go to Antichamber, which really blew my mind in a way that has not happened since Portal was released back in 2007.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
I recently picked up Tearaway on the PS Vita, but have not had a chance to seriously sit down with it yet. I’m only about 10 minutes in at this point, but the game absolutely oozes with charm. I can’t wait to see everything I can do as a “You”.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
I got engaged while travelling in Chile! I proposed to my fiancé while overlooking Glacier Grey at the start of a five-day trek in Torres Del Paine National Park. Trekking in Patagonia was one of most amazing experiences of our lives. It was also a really interesting (and slightly uncomfortable) feeling not having an internet connection or TV/cell phone for five whole days. The world could have been ending and we would have had no idea.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
Not calling my mother enough. I think that will be my New Year’s resolution for 2014.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
There was a Christmas party in the lobby of my building last week, where I started chatting with a random elderly lady. She’s 62 years old, retired, and absolutely fascinating. Having been married to successful BBC video producer (who has now passed away), she had a lot of amazing stories to tell about her life with him. She spent one New Year’s Eve on a ship with the Queen of England, and regularly rubbed elbows at parties with The Beatles and David Bowie in her younger years.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
My favorite movie this year was Gravity. The set-pieces, cinematography, and acting all really blew me away. Before seeing it, I never would have guessed that I would become a fan of Sandra Bullock in my life, but she really won me over with this performance!
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Mix good friends with liberal amounts of alcohol.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
I’m really looking forward to travelling and seeing more of the world with my new wife :)
Shahid Ahmad, Senior Business Development Manager, SCEE
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
Hotline Miami.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Guacamelee!, but I’ll be catching up with my pile of shame over Christmas.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
Gamescom. In more detail, announcing 25 new PS Vita games from our tiny team, including PS4 versions of almost half of them, getting to announce several new titles at our press event, and the showfloor’s PS Vitas being packed with our games.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
Not sign even more games than we did!
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
Shuhei Yoshida.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
Book: The Authentic Swing by Steven Pressfield. Movie: I haven’t found the time to go to the cinema, but Skyfall on Blu-ray because I love Bond.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Every day can be as fun as New Year’s Eve. Once you realise that, the pressure is off and you can just relax and enjoy it.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
Working with my colleagues and our partners to create memorable games for our players.
Paul Rustchynsky, Design Director, Evolution Studios (DRIVECLUB)
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
This year I finally took the opportunity to play through The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I held off playing it when it first came out because I knew I’d need to find 100 or so hours to play it. I don’t like to chip away at big games over an extended period of time, so it wasn’t until this year that I found a clear window to get into the game.
I managed to rock through the entire main quest and still wanted more, so I played through all of the expansions straight after. The breadth and depth of the game is just astounding, and it’s made me very excited about what we might see from Bethesda on PlayStation 4!
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Similar in some ways to Skyrim, with Ni No Kuni I know that I will have to set time aside to get the most out of it, so I’ve put this on hold until next year. I love the sublime Studio Ghibili art style and the story intrigues me, plus I haven’t sunk my teeth into a JRPG for some time, so it’s right at the top of my playlist for 2014.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
With the amount of travelling I’ve done and incredible places I’ve seen it’s hard to choose one! I honeymooned in Thailand, went to E3 in LA, visited New York for the first time to showcase DRIVECLUB and went to Germany for Gamescom. In Germany I was driven around in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series which is most definitely one of my stand-out moments of 2013.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
I had a collection of over 2,000 games and 30 consoles, but to make room in the house for my newborn son I’ve had to sell my collection. It’s been a long, painful and nostalgic experience but my son’s worth the heartache and hopefully I’m passing on the joy of these games to others.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
I actually met one of my childhood heroes at E3 this year – creator of Earthworm Jim and MDK, David Perry. He was so enthusiastic about what he was working on and it was cool to see that he’s still as passionate about the industry that he helped to define as he was when he first set out making games all those years ago. It was inspiring and I hope that in 20 years I’ll still be as passionate as he is about making games.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
With all of the travelling this year I managed to read quite a few books, but by far the best was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I won’t spoil anything, but I will say it’s perfect for any child of the ‘80s, any videogame fans or anyone even remotely interested in sci-fi.
Choosing a favorite film is more difficult. I haven’t watched as many films this year as I normally would unfortunately, because I’ve spent more time watching TV series than anything else (Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Breaking Bad). Actually, I’m going to go with Star Trek: Into Darkness because it was great and I’m a bit of a Trekky.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Spend it with family and friends!
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
Releasing DRIVECLUB, obviously! :)
James Marsden, Managing Director, Futurlab (Velocity Ultra)
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
Hotline Miami on PS Vita.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Thomas Was Alone
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
Meeting you at Gamescom Fred ;)
Oh, and taking our team to Eurogamer Expo! Oh, and having Shuhei Yoshida and Michael Denny pay a visit to our little studio! Oh, and taking part in the launch of PS4 with Shahid Ahmad & Hollie B. Oh and… etc.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
Tried a gigantic food challenge whilst visiting family in Pembrokeshire. I failed miserably.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
Ben Andac, our producer at Sony who dazzled me with his knowledge of Street Fighter’s mechanics. We’ve yet to play each other but there will be blood…
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
Favorite book was Risk: The Science & Politics of Fear by Dan Gardner.
Favorite film was Gravity. No work of art or entertainment has made me value my life more than that film.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Stay in and play Jungle Speed with family and one or two best friends:
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
That’s easy, I absolutely can’t wait to release our two games, Surge Deluxe on PS Vita and Velocity 2X on PS Vita and PS4.
After that, continuing to work with PlayStation, as the last few years have been the most thrilling and creatively fulfilling I’ve had to date.
Rami Ismail and Jan Willem Nijman, Vlambeer (LUFTRAUSERS)
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
The two of us don’t often agree about things here at Vlambeer, but this year the game we played most was Samurai Gunn. Even with games like Persona 4: Golden, which Rami definitely spent weeks of his life on, Samurai Gunn is the most fun we’ve had with friends and a videogame.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Jan Willem really regrets never having the time to play Kentucky Route Zero and Desktop Dungeons. Rami agrees that Jan should regret that.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
We finally finished Ridiculous Fishing, and the response to the launch was something that – no exaggeration – saved Vlambeer from just collapsing. Deciding to launch the Nuclear Throne project has been really rewarding, so maybe that? Maybe the best thing we did this year was finally understanding that we’re allowed to sometimes not work and take a break.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
We watched Prometheus.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
Rami met Tracy Fullerton at IndieCade this year, and even though it was for a really short moment, that had quite an impact. She is truly a large part of why the context of creating games is such a positive one.
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
Jan Willem has been reading the Dune novels, but also wanted to point out Old Man’s War by Scalzi. Rami has been reading a lot of terrible science fiction this year, and a bunch of agreeable ones. Karl Schroeders’ Lady of Mazes & Ventus were interesting reads. Computer Chess was a movie both of us quite liked.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Make all your days fun, then make New Year’s Eve like any other day.
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
Everything changes fast enough that we don’t like thinking ahead too far. For now, our focus lays with releasing LUFTRAUSERS for PS3 and PS Vita, and working on Nuclear Throne, which will also release on PS4 and PS Vita eventually. After that, we’ll see what happens.
Steven Ter Heide, Game Director, Guerrilla Games (Killzone: Shadow Fall)
Which game did you play more than any other in 2013?
In frequency, probably Bejeweled on my phone. In time spent, I’d say Minecraft, as I’ve been just wasting so much time doing absolutely pointless things there, and enjoying it immensely. Borderlands 2 has barely left my PS3, that was so enjoyable to just run around with some friends.
Which game did you really want to play in 2013, but never found the time?
Last of Us is a game that deserved my full attention, but simply didn’t have time for. I still have a huge backlog of games, but I wonder if I can go back, as the new offerings on PS4 are also very enticing. Nice dilemma to have, no shortage of entertainment over Christmas.
What was the single best thing you did in 2013?
Ship a PS4 launch title. This was an all-consuming event that eclipsed all other things I could do.
What was the single worst thing you did in 2013?
That’s a difficult question, I think I managed to disappoint myself by not having the discipline to go the gym, but haven’t done anything to be a terrible person. Some would say that the worst thing I did was not revive them in the midst of a crucial game, but that would be an over-exaggeration on their part and doesn’t make me a terrible person at all.
Who was the most interesting person you met in 2013?
It’s interesting to get to know some people a little better when you’re working so closely with them for a longer period. I say interesting, as some things you really didn’t want to know (Hi Poria!) ;)
What was your favorite book and/or movie of 2013?
I really enjoyed reading Neal Stephenson’s Reamde. Nicely blurred videogames, hacking and Canadian wildlife. The description of the online gameworld was really well done, so much so that I wanted to go and play that game.
What’s your top tip for a fun New Year’s Eve?
Enjoy it like there is no tomorrow! 2000 and 2012 both predicted extinction level events, which made the night so much more enjoyable ;)
What are you most looking forward to doing in 2014?
I am looking forward to new ideas and seeing where the community is going to be taking the game. Mostly looking forward to a quieter time, and find out 2013 was all about.
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Happy holidays! Here’s a festive yule log for you: Our very first clip show, complete with our favorite interviews, from Ken Levine and Ron Gilbert to Nate Fox on inFAMOUS Second Son and the first five minutes of our very first show. Enjoy!
Subscribe via iTunes or RSS, or download here
Stuff We Talked About- Our first Blogcast episode!
- Shuhei Yoshida on the PS4 announcement
- Nate Fox on inFAMOUS Second Son
- Ken Levine on Bioshock Infinite
- Ron Gilbert on The Cave, adventure gaming
- Non-denominational holiday cheer
- Episode 102: Dark and Stormy
- Episode 101: The Next Generation
- Episode 100: Not Like This
- Sid Shuman – PlayStation Social Media Manager
- Nick Suttner – PlayStation Account Support Manager
- Justin Massongill – PlayStation Social Media Specialist
- Ryan Clements – PlayStation Social Media Specialist
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
- Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
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