VIDEO: VGF's Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide

Thanksgiving is just about here and many gamers are looking for the best deals of the season during Black Friday.

Take a look at the first-ever VGF video which is the VGF Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide to review some of the best games this season and where you can go to find the best prices.

Motion Controlled Madness: PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect impressions

Yesterday, I finally had the chance to play both the PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect one right after the other.

It was my second bout with Sony's entry into the motion controlled world with the PlayStation Move and it was first experience with public humiliation while trying my hand (feet, head, etc.) at Microsoft's Kinect.

Lets start with the Move.

Just as I thought, it looks, feels and plays just like the Nintendo Wii. Sure, it's a little more sensitive and responsive than the Wii, but it certainly does not track motion 1:1 in real time.

I've only gotten to test drive the Move in a demo version of Sports Champions, which comes bundled with the PlayStation Eye and Move controller bundle for $100.

In the demo, my options were limited to disc golf and table tennis. Both were fairly responsive and looked beautiful in the process, but the PlayStation Move controls felt a bit stale, almost like it's copying something that was released four years ago...

Nevertheless, the Move was responsive, although not exact and sometime sluggish. Force feedback with the Move wand is a nice addition especially in the table tennis demo.

Sony took another page for Nintendo's book and charges an extra $30 for a PlayStation Move Navigation Controller (a nearly identical concept to the Wii's Nunchuk) or $20 for the PlayStation Move Shooting attachment, a glorified piece of red plastic similar to the Wii Zapper.

If nothing else, the Microsoft Kinect does away with pricey accessories which justifies its $150 price tag.

The Kinect certainly receives some style points for innovation although the camera doesn't appear all that clear when you see your staticy face on the screen during calibration.

The Kinect seems less responsive than the Move although it's hard to judge either in a traffic-heavy electronics store, especially the Kinect which relies solely on its camera.

Kinect Sports seemed to have a wider variety of interesting games that display the capabilities of the Kinect. Some carefully timed mini games are a bit challenging though given the lag time I experienced with the Kinect. I had a hard time properly (and foolishly) positioning my hands, feet and body for a goalkeeper mini game for example. Not to brag, but it seems that the Kinect's reaction time wasn't as fast as mine which resulted in a disconnect in the experience.

The Kinect seems like the more innovative and versatile peripheral between the two although you look pretty silly when you have to hold your arms over your head to begin a game.

The problem facing both the PlayStation Move and Xbox 360's Kinect is the lack of enticing software. Both Sony and Microsoft have yet to release a game to really convince PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 owners to take the plunge, let alone Wii owners.

In the end, both motion controllers add a new level of gameplay to its respective console and is a surefire holiday gift for families.

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

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:

PlayStation Move coming to PS3 consoles holiday 2010 priced under $100

Yesterday, Sony finally announced the name and gave a little more insight into its newest motion controller, the PlayStation Move.

Sony made the announcement yesterday at a press conference at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. You can watch the entire presentation below:

The PlayStation Move is a combination of a the Playstation 3 iteration of the Playstation Eye camera; a wand controller which features a multicolor, light-emitting diode sphere and a secondary controller for character movement similar to the nunchuk on the Nintendo Wii. This combination is Sony's answer to the Nintendo Wii and its motion controller - just four years late - and Microsoft's up-coming Natal for the Xbox 360.

Sony has released the most information on the Playstation Move on it's European blog filled with photos and a trailer:

The new Move is slated for release Holiday 2010 and is reported to cost less than $100. Sony is also suggesting that Move features can be added to existing games since integration of the new controller poses low technical demands on PS3.

Be on the look out for more information relating to the Playstation Move and Xbox 360 Natal on VGF.

Playstation 3 Glitch Resolved?

A new update on the official Playstation blog states that Sony's PS3 glitch blunder may be over for millions of upset PS3 owners.

The post in its entirety is below:

We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model, recognized the year 2010 as a leap year. Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 (both GMT), we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally.

If the time displayed on the XMB is still incorrect, users are able to adjust time settings manually or via the internet. If we have new information, we will update you through the PlayStation.Blog or PlayStation.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

No firmware update? It was just some stupid error with PS3 consoles thinking this is a leap year? How does that affect trophies or other game content?

It seems that Sony needs to release more of an explanation for it's blunder.

Playstationary: Millions of Older PS3 Models Suffering from Playstation 3 Calendar Glitch

Millions of Playstation 3 owners - myself included - were met with a peculiar and annoying "glitch" yesterday that has Sony panicking.

Owners of the non-slim versions of the Playstation 3 failed to connect to the Playstation Network preventing access to online content via the PS3 and also seems to affect games for off-line play.

Media outlets are suggesting that the glitch is somehow related to the date turnover from February to March and is affecting trophy information and possibly corrupting system information.

The console's date and time have reportedly been reset on many systems and the bug seems hit console regardless of connectivity to the internet or not suggesting an internal software error and not an external attack.

Jeff Rubenstein, social media manager with the Playstation Network, wrote on the official Playstation blog that Sony has identified the issue and are working to resolve it:

"Know that we have narrowed down the issue and have engineers working to restore service even as you read this. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and genuinely appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this."

You can follow the status of Sony's resolution on their Twitter page.

PC World has pieced together a pretty concise list of what is known about the glitch thus far.

Playstation 3 owners should be mindful of their usage for the time being because I attempted to play "Bionic Commando: Rearmed" last evening and my full version was somehow reset to a demo mode and I later received a message saying the game was corrupted after I tried to relaunch the title.

Furthermore, I was unable to play "Assassin's Creed II" and re-directed to the XMB because of a trophy malfunction. 

UPDATE: Sony has confirmed that the malfunctions on older PS3 units are due to a "bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system." They hope to resolve the issue within 24-hours according to Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications and social media for Playstation wrote: 

"In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data."

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

Hulu.com Malfunctions for PS3 Owners

It is no secret that the built-in internet browser on the Playstation 3 is unstable causing frequent crashes, even on tame sites like YouTube.

1up.com reported yesterday that PS3 users are being frustrated again when the popular TV, movie, and video media site Hulu.com met PS3 owners with a nasty message reading:

"Unfortunately, this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience."

This comes despite the fact that PS3 owners have enjoyed the video service ever since its launch in 2007.

Engadet.com has determined that it is likely that the change has been made specifically to block video streaming to the Playstation 3.

This could possibly be a devastating move for Hulu.com since its revenue is generated by advertisements coupled with video streams.

By eliminating the PS3 user base, they would limit the number of hits the site will receive and reduce their advertising revenue.

However, it is likely that Hulu is simply updating its service to better accommodate the PS3 browser since videos will occasionally malfunction on the PS3 brower which not only affected the site's videos, but advertisements as well.

If the advertisements don't play, Hulu doesn't get paid.

This all comes days after Sony releases update 2.80 for the PS3 which allows users to text chat with friends in-game among other minor updates.

It is possible that Sony made its own browser incompatible with Hulu, but that would be unwise as well since the beauty of the PS3's browser is that it makes the PS3 a more multimedia based plateform.

Nevertheless, I suggest a full boycott on Hulu.com until the matter is resolved.

Podcast Demo Review: inFamous

Key Points:

Cool open-world environment
Good controls with awesome abilities
Feels a little like "The Force Unleashed"

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