E3 2011: VGF is "socially there"

In previous years, VGF took you "virtually there" to the biggest video game event of the year.

In 2011, VGF will take you "socially there" to the Electronic Entertainment Expo from June 6 through June 10 - cool graphic forthcoming.

You experience all of the news, reactions, and insights from this year's E3 on Facebook and Twitter.

So "like" us at http://www.facebook.com/VideoGameFreedom and follow us at twitter.com/vgfreedom.

So get ready and join the conversation as we take you "visually there."

Sony reveals the PSP2...Next Generation Portable

It's been a while VGF fans, but the announcement of something codenamed the "Next Generation Portable" warrants a quick post.

That's right, word is officially out on the Sony PSP2 - again codenamed Next Generation Portable or NGP for short.

This PSP brethren packs an impressive list of features:

• Multi-touch 5-inch organic light emitting display (OLED) as the front display
• Multi-touch pad on the rear of the device
• Dual analog sticks
• Two cameras (front and rear)
• Software titles on small, dedicated flash memory-based cards
• Three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass
• Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity
• PlayStation Network access, including ““LiveArea™”, “Near” and “Activity” log features Trophy Support
• NGP will be able to play PSP titles, minis, PS one classics, video and comics from the PlayStation Store.

The new handled is supposed to perform at the same level of the PlayStation 3 according to Sony representative at the Tokyo press event thanks to the quad core ARM Cortex A9. That's right - the NGP is more powerful than your desktop. No word on price, but analysts are projecting somewhere in the $300 to $350 range, a full $50 to $100 more than the upcoming Nintendo 3DS. No word on 3D functionality at this time.

Presumably, Sony has distributed development software to publishers which can easily port PlayStation 3 titles on NGP or perhaps allow for PS3 downloads on the PSN.

The NGP is certainly an intriguing new handheld, but can it beat the innovation of the Nintendo 3DS? The PSP's pitfall is its lack of a robust software library, can the NGP succeed with its predecessor faltered?

E3 2010: Sony Press Conference Reactions

It's round three and Sony's last on the list. Lets find out with the home of the PS3 and PSP has in store with the new PlayStation Move. Checkout all of the happenings and reaction below.

Of course Jack Tretton is eager to boost how great the Playstation 3 and PSP are, blah, blah.

3D's the thing for Sony as well. A few downloadable titles are available now in 3D using everyone's "3D capable" PS3's and Sony's ridiculously overpriced 3D Bravia TVs. Again, Sony's priced themselves out of the fun. 20 more 3D titles are set to hit the PS3 by March 2011.

Killzone 3 in 3D. The effect is lost when you're not in the audience with 3D glasses. It begs the questions though, can you play these games without a 3D tv? Nevertheless, Killzone 3 looks just as intense and just as beautiful as it's predecessor and the new jet pack is awesome. Coming February 2011 and will be compatible with the PlayStation Move.

Other 3D games will come from the Motorstorm and Sly Cooper franchises as well as Gran Turismo 5 3D. Also on-board is Crysis 2, Mortal Kombat, Shaun White Snowboarding, Ghost Recon Future Solider, Tron Evolution and NBA 2K11. Games like The Fight, the new Eyetoy game and MLB 11 The Show will utilize both the Move and 3D technology.

I find it hard to believe they sold 7.2 million PS2's last year.

Next is the PlayStation Move. As well as know the Playstation Eye and new PlayStation Move controller work together to give one-to-one precession movement. However, Sony - like Nintendo - felt compelled to have game developers tell us why this thing is so great. I love how Sony's big advantage over the Kinect are its buttons.

Sorcery is a Move-exclusive. Casting spells are as easy as flicking your wrist in the direction you want to attack. It appears to work fluidly with the actions of the player and looks incredibly responsive. Using the different magical abilities together and seamlessly with the Move actually made an otherwise mediocre game look like a lot of fun. It should be one to keep an eye on until it hits store shelves in Spring 2011.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, I don't care to comment.
Heroes on the Move looks to be a plateformer featuring six of Sony's franchise characters such as Jax, Daxter, Sly and Ratchet.

Sony also announced a massive cross-promotional deal with Coca-Cola to feature Move titles on Coke products which I'm sure cost a pretty penny.

Kevin Butler of commercial fan presented what was seemingly a stand-up routine poking shots at Microsoft and Sony. Also known as a bit of a waste of time.

The Move will move out in North American on September 19. The Playstation Move controller will sell for $49.99 and the navigation controller will cost $29.99. PS3 owners without a Playstation Eye can purchase a bundle featuring the Playstation Eye, Move controller and Sports Champions game for $99.99. Those who want to start from scratch can own a PS3 and the bundle for $399.99. Sony will launch with 15 to 20 titles on day one and 4o more during the holiday season. Some pre-existing titles will incorporate a software update for Move compatibility.

Sony's montage for the Move doesn't show too many launch titles to be excited about.

Next we turn to the PSP.

InVisimals uses a camera attachment to the PSP, another God of War game finds its way with God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, an Ace of Combat game and others. More than 70 titles will hit the PSP by December.

Playstation Network is next. Sony's E3 booth is available on Playstation Home which is pretty cool.

Little Big Plant 2 where, as we know, you can create even more content and even game modes.

It seems that Sony didn't have much more to show aside from a few game trailers, an announcement that Portal 2 is coming to PS3, Dead Space: 2 will include a Move-optimized version of Dead Space: Extraction, Gran Turismo 5 races in November, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Final Fantasy XIV and a new Twisted Metal game for the PS3 (it's been a while since we've seen one of those).Overall, Sony's presentation was a little more exciting than Microsoft's, but Nintendo was the outright winner of the year. Sony's 3D strategy is a little suspect considering the outrageous cost by purchasing a 3D Bravia TV just to play game in 3D. That's not going to happen.

Keep your Bravia, I'd like a Nintendo 3DS please.

E3 2010: Sony's Press Conference

Haven't had enough motion controllers yet? Then take a look at Sony's press conference and what's in store with the PlayStation Move.

Free TV : Ustream

E3 2010: Microsoft hosts a pre-E3 Natal event

Although it's less than five days away, E3 just can't come fast enough for Microsoft.

The software giant will hold a special "Natal related" pre-E3 press conference this Sunday at L.A.'s Galen center. The event promises a live performance by Cirque du Soleil.

Microsoft will recap full coverage of the special event at xbox.com, the Inside Xbox channel and on Xbox LIVE.

Microsoft will hold its media event at E3 at 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Nintendo will follow at noon on Tuesday and Sony will raise the curtain at 3 p.m.

In the meantime, take a look at the what to expect at E3 2010 and stay tuned to VGF for all the highlights and reactions to the happenings at the greatest gaming expo in the world.

What to expect at E3 2010

It seems like just yesterday that Microsoft and Sony jumped on the Nintendo bandwagon and announced motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Turns out it was almost a year ago and the Electronic Entertainment Expo is returning in just under two weeks on June 15-17 at the L.A. Convention Center. Checkout the E3 Expo 2010 official website for more information.

In 2008, VGF had a list of 15 different expectations for E3 2008, many of which were either unfulfilled until 2009 when they were overshadowed by the Natal and PlayStation Move.

So this year, lets look at a few things we desperately hope to see and hear more about at the premier video game expo.

• Some details on the Nintendo 3DS.
• More Natal and PlayStation Move details, release dates, games, anything.
• Word on the mysterious new Zelda title for the Wii.
• More information on Gears of War 3 and Halo Reach.
• Let's see what Little Big Planet 2 can do.
• Rumors have circulated that there will be a pay option for a premier version of the PlayStation Network, is this true? What are the other guys up to?
• How epic is Epic Mickey?
• New Metal Gear Solid, Sonic, Half-Life, Portal, etc? Where's our favorite franchises?
• Whatever happened to the lame Wii Vitality Sensor?
• How painfully aggressive will Nintedo's Reggie Fils-Amie be?
• Still holding on from last year: Kingdom Hearts 3 please.
• Can Call of Duty dominate again or will the new Medal of Honor steal some thunder?
• What's Rockstar's Agent?
• Details on the next Beyond Good and Evil.

In the meantime, the editors from 1up.com pieced together a list of the "Top 50 Most Anticipated Games of E3 2010." Checkout the videos below:

Little Big Planet 2 launching later this year

In the video game industry, it seems all rumors are true.

The recent rumors swirling around a follow-up to the Playstation 3's 2008 award-winning, create-your-own blockbuster "Little Big Planet" were confirmed yesterday when a post on the official Playstation.blog announced "Little Big Planet 2" is coming our way later this year.

The next installment will expand the 2.2 million levels of user-generated content will all new tools to craft new masterpieces. These now include customizable characters in the environment.

Users can also create their own cinematic cut-scenes using the in-game directing interface.

However, the most notable change is the ability for users to create their own game. Examples include top-down racing games, multiplayer shooters, flying side-scrollers and even RPGs.

Find out more on the game's official website. The official trailer is below:

Attempted Drug Smugglers Hide Cocaine in a Playstation

Despite tightened international airline safety precautions, a pair Argentinians from Buenos Aires were recently taken into custody in an Italian airport for attempting to smuggle drugs.

The courier method: Sony Playstations.

There is little by way of official information on the incident, but authorities allegedly discovered 10 Kilograms of cocaine and hashish in five Sony consoles traveling with the duo.

No word on the generation of a Playstation console, but the illegal paraphernalia passed through airport security x-rays and the consoles were reportedly operational.

The two would have absconded with the drugs if drug-sniffing german shepard dogs hadn't caught them in-route.

It all begs the question, does that count as a breach of warranty for modifying a console?


Sorry for the brief hideous with the holiday season and a few occupational changes have prevented me from paying as much attention to VGF as of late - for that, I am sorry. Be on the lookout in the coming week for the VGF picks for the top ten games of the decade!

15 Years of Playstation

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Japanese launch of the Sony Playstation.

Although the Sony console didn't make its way state-side until 1995, the CD-ROM based video game system quickly left an impression on the industry resulting in to subsequent console releases as well as a handheld.

Tackling the Sega Saturn and eventually winning-out against the Nintendo 64, the Sony Playstation introduced a new alternative in the gaming market and provided game developers a cheaper format for which to design games.

The release of the Playstation 2 in 2000 precluded a record-breaking sales figure of over 130 million units sold and was the first console to embark on Sony's 10-year life cycle which is barely holding on into 2010.

The console giant later released its first bout into the handheld gaming market with the Playstation Portable in Japan in 2004 and later the US in 2005. It was Sony's attempt to release Nintendo's stranglehold on the market although it has proven unsuccessful thus far playing second banana to the Nintendo DS.

Finally the 2006 release of the Playstation 3 was Sony's first misstep as the former console leader dropped to third falling behind the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the widely popular Nintendo Wii. Combating criticism of difficult development from game makers despite the consoles powerful "cell processor," Sony also priced itself out of reach from many gamers with an initial $599 price tag. Only until Sony's recent price drop has sales finally swung back in Sony's favor.

Nevertheless, with nearly every milestone video game title making its way to a Sony console in the last 15 years it is hard to ignore the importance of Playstation's impact on the industry.

To illustrate the point, below is a list of just a few popular franchises that were first launched on a Sony console:

• Resident Evil
• Tomb Raider
• Metal Gear Solid
• Gran Turismo
• Silent Hill
• Devil May Cry
• Kingdom Hearts
• Tekken
• Medal of Honor
• Ratchet and Clank
• Twisted Metal

Sony's "PSP Go" may be a "Costly" Move

In the coming days Sony will release yet another iteration of its Playstation Portable hand held console the "PSP Go."

The smaller (50% smaller in fact) and lighter (40% lighter) hand held console is attempting to capture the portable appeal of the Apple iPhone and the digital connectivity of the Nintendo DSi. However, at a $250 price tag Sony may be asking for too much.

For those of you who are new to the PSP Go here is an update on its features:

• 50% smaller and 40% lighter than PSP-3000
• 16 GB Storage
• M2 Memory Stick Slot
• Wireless and Bluetooth connection capibilities
• No UMD drive

That last bullet point is ironically the PSP Go's most unique quality and hardest selling point.

The PSP Go will only play digitally downloaded data for all its media content such as music, pictures, videos, and yes, games.

Without a Universal Media Disc (UMD) drive, the PSP Go will be unable to play any physically exisiting PSP games in UMD form. Meaning that current PSP owners will have to either repurchase games through the Playstation Network on the PSP Go/PS3 or through their Windows based PC using Sony's "Media Go" service.

Sony has announced that PSP game publishers will still release games on UMD, so there is little risk for current PSP owners who want to stand by their apparently "immobile" PSP.

At a retail price of $250 that may be a tough pill to swallow for PSP owners and non-PSP owners alike.

You could buy a Nintendo Wii and still save $50 thanks to Nintendo's recent price cut or you could purchase a Xbox 360 Pro for the same amount. Yeck, throw in $50 and you have a new Playstation 3.

The huge price tag for the PSP Go's slick functionality will at best attract tech savvy consumers who do not already own a PSP.

Henceforth, since the PSP Go delivers no graphical improvements, only slightly faster load times, games that only exist in a quasi-imaginary "digital" format, and cost $250, I don't foresee the PSP Go flying off the shelves and I cannot recommend it to anyone.

Sony Motion Controller to have pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback

Followers of Sony's Playstation Blog were treated today by a lengthy interview with Sony research and development guru Richard Marks.

Marks discloses new information about the origin of the new motion controller as well as pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback:

PS3 now $299, Slimmer Model Sept. 1, Firmware 3.0 Update Coming Soon

Once again, Sony is unable to keep any secrets.

Announced today at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany - and to no one's surprise - is an immediate price cut of the Playstation 3 down to $299.

Also, a nameless slimmer version of the Playstation 3 is due to hit retail shelves September 1 and will include a 120 GB hard drive.

Take a look at how the new "slim" model compares to the original PS3.

Check out the announcement from Sony's Playstation Blog:



Another new firmware update for the Playstation 3 is due for release very soon.

Update 3.0 will feature graphical changes to the XMB including a new "What's New" function that will automatically upload news updates and videos on your XMB - so your connection can be slowed even further - and icons linking to the Playstation Store under the "video" and "games" tab - so you can accidentally purchase things easier.

For a full look at the update, see below. Also note the date the PS3 displays. Do you think it may have any significance?