PSN Thursday: Were you waiting for the Uncharted 2 demo?

Folks who couldn't bring themselves to buy Uncharted 2 until they played the demo, well, now's their chance. This week's PSN update adds a single-player demo for Joystiq's Game of the Year for 2009. For those who already have Nathan Drake's latest adventure, the update also includes the $5 "PlayStation Heroes" pack, which allows you to reskin the Uncharted 2 crew with Resistance, inFamous and Killzone bodies. Check out the full PSN update after the break, along with the PSP comics update.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Thursday: Were you waiting for the Uncharted 2 demo?

PSN Thursday: Were you waiting for the Uncharted 2 demo? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pachter: Netflix on PS3 provided 'significant' membership growth

Netflix may not have a home on the PS3's XMB, but that hasn't hindered Netflix's success on Sony's console. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter told Industry Gamers that "the recent PS3 partnership is driving significant subscriber growth" to Netflix's subscription services. Netflix will likely benefit even further when the service becomes a standalone app on the OS. Pachter reiterated that the Netflix disc will no longer be necessary by the end of this year. "Netflix's exclusive relationship with Microsoft on the Xbox 360 will end in November (after two years), allowing the service to be accessed via the PS3 dashboard later this year."

Twelve million members currently use Netflix, and the service is likely to expand even more once it transitions to the Wii. Sure, a smaller percentage of Wii owners are likely to be interested in the service, but with Wii's billion-strong user base, there's bound to be some traction.

Pachter: Netflix on PS3 provided 'significant' membership growth originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Heavy Rain demo lands worldwide February 11

Want to get an early taste of Heavy Rain? Understandably, many readers are still on the fence about Quantic Dream's latest adventure game. "Is it just a long QTE?" "Is it actually a game?" Hopefully, the demo will be able to answer your questions. A free demo will be available on the PlayStation Network on February 11th, in both Europe and North America.

The demo will include two chapters: one featuring FBI agent Norman Jayden attempting to track down the Origami Killer, the other on Joystiq-favorite Scott Shelby, PI.

Just in case news of a demo isn't enough, there's also a new trailer we've tucked away after the break. We do warn you though, it contains some potential spoilers that you may want to save for the final game.

Continue reading Heavy Rain demo lands worldwide February 11

Heavy Rain demo lands worldwide February 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time to get toy'ed up too

For the lovers of toys and Jake Gyllenhaal, the Prince of Persia: Sands of time movie will be accompanied by plaything merchandise.

PSP homebrew - PSPInstaller v3.1

A quick bug fix release of spike_132000's handy homebrew application, PSPInstaller, is now available for download. The latest update of the file downloader for the PSP that allows you download files uploaded in a repository and install

Harvest Moon: Hero of New Leaf coming to PSP this April

Natsume continues milking the Harvest Moon franchise, with a new game coming to the PSP later this year. Hero of New Leaf promises to be "the biggest PSP Harvest Moon adventure yet." This time around, players must farm their hearts out in order to save Leaf Valley from the evil Funland Corporation. Multiple endings are promised -- we hope one of them involves your vegetables combining to form a mech that destroys Funland Corp. (That might be unlikely, though.)

Harvest Moon: Hero of New Leaf will be available in April for $29.99.

Harvest Moon: Hero of New Leaf coming to PSP this April originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

European PSN releases for January 28

After two relatively dry weeks, the PSN update has finally delivered a few savory morsels. There's Thexder Neo (joined by a free trial version of the game), a demo for Uncharted 2, some new DLC for the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, and a Creedence Clearwater Revival track pack on Guitar Hero 5. We know! Finally.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading European PSN releases for January 28

European PSN releases for January 28 originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Metal Gear Solid's 'Piece Walker' is a web game

Konami has revealed the solution to the puzzle that is "Piece Walker," and it's ... more puzzles. The "Piece Walker" teased last month on the Kojima Productions page is an "online jigsaw puzzle battle" game. Of course, being Kojima Productions, there's still more counting down to be done even after the reveal of the game. It'll be available tomorrow at 3PM "Japan Time" (1AM EST).

The "online battle" part makes it sound like it'll be a competitive multiplayer ... jigsaw puzzle game, and we're sure you'll get some kind of bonus for successful play, like wallpapers or something. At the very least, it's a way to stare at Snake's steely visage before Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker's March release.

[Thanks, Matthew Floratos!]

Metal Gear Solid's 'Piece Walker' is a web game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Watch: Dead or Alive: Paradise Japanese commercial

We've seen the scans, so now it's time to check out how all those beach scenes look like in motion. Here's the first Japanese commercial for Dead or Alive: Paradise, which you will notice borrows scenes

Marvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses

Marvelous Interactive executives have taken a pay cut in response to a bad earnings forecast due to the publisher's low sales figures. Executives will take a 15-17 percent cut in pay, directors will be hit 25-43 percent, while the CEO will take a 77 percent reduction.

What's unclear is if this is a sign that executives are taking responsibility for what happened, or if there simply isn't enough money in the coffers to pay them.

[Via Siliconera]

Marvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Free PSP navigation app finds its way to Japan

Here's a nifty app that's almost guaranteed not to make its way to America. x-Radar Portable released stealthily on the Japanese PlayStation Store yesterday for free. The app can detect a user's location and display a map with nearby points of interest. Users can take advantage of the PSP GPS accessory for the most accurate results, but PSPs only equipped with wi-fi access will still be able to use the service. PlaceEngine can determine your location via wi-fi, or you can manually input a train station to see what's nearby.

While most cell phones are equipped with similar services, x-Radar adds a few game-like attributes to make it distinctly PlayStation. For example, users will be able collect spots throughout the country and build a collection to share with friends. Like foursquare, the service will reward you as you discover new places, and you'll even be able to level up an avatar. It's certainly worth a look, provided you live in the land of the rising sun.

Free PSP navigation app finds its way to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Tester: PSN's very own reality series

Just when you thought that reality shows are dying out and producers are going back to convoluted storylines and outrageous coincidences, the PlayStation Network launches their very own reality series. Aptly called "The Tester", this show will

Capcom to continue 2.5D for fighting games

The detail of 3D graphics with the mechanics of a 2D game when Capcom tried the formula out with Street Fighter IV, developers found themselves itching to try it out again. They did so with Tatsunoko

Konami details MGS: Peace Walker base, AI weapons, online modes

Here's some more Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker news. Konami today sent out a press release detailing some of the game's features, including those weird singing weapons we heard about a while back.

Dead or Alive Paradise bounces to America this March

Finally! A Dead or Alive game that gets rid of that annoying "fighting" and "volleyball" nonsense. Dead or Alive Paradise is making its way to America on UMD and PSN this March. The game takes place on a two-week vacation on New Zack Island. You'll be able to play with nine Tecmo girls in an assortment of mini-games found throughout the island. As you befriend the girls, you'll be able to choose from over 100 bathing suit designs, ranging from scantily-clad to barely anything at all.

The press release seems to know exactly what players of Paradise will do when they pick up a copy. "You are in full control to create your own private paradise, in the palm of your hand ... Take your girls anywhere, and play with them anytime." Um ... are we done with this post yet?

Continue reading Dead or Alive Paradise bounces to America this March

Dead or Alive Paradise bounces to America this March originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Check out Japan's MGS: Peace Walker PSP bundles

Some images of those Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP bundles that Konami and Sony are releasing in Japan have finally made their way online. Hit the jump to check them out.