Rock Band 2 PS3, PS2 on Mar 27 in UK, coming Apr 24 for Wii

UK Rock Band fans, you better bust out your plastic instrument polish, because you're going to want to have your gear in tip-top shape when Rock Band 2 releases. For PS3 and PS2 gamers, the sequel will be available on retail shelves March 27. For those that have subscribed to Nintendo's console, the game is coming a little later, as it has been set for a April 24 release on Wii. PS3 gamers will have to shell out a cool £49.99 for the title, whereas Wii gamers will only need to spend £39.99 on it. PS2 gamers catch the biggest break in the price department and will only have to spend £29.99 on the game, although one could argue it's barely Rock Band. Instruments will also receive a new price and will be set accordingly:

• Stand alone guitars will retail at £39.99
• Stand alone drums will retail for £49.99
• An "Instrument Edition" including drums, guitar and microphone will retail for £89.99

Also, consumers in the UK will now be able to purchase the "Instrument Edition" along with the Rock Band software together for £119.99 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and £109.99 on the PlayStation 2 and Wii. Are you ready to rawk?

Rock Band 2 PS3, PS2 on Mar 27 in UK, coming Apr 24 for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SOCOM, Siren game spaces planned for PlayStation Home release

Filed under: PlayStation Network, News

European PlayStation Home community manager TedTheDog recently clued in his fellow virtual inhabitants to some changes that would soon take effect within the game world. Most of them focused on improving some already integrated features -- for instance, he mentioned many PS3 developers are working on patches to their respective titles to allow them to be launched within Home, and that they're "investigating" methods of allowing players to listen to their own music in-game.

He also explained that a few high profile Game Spaces are nearing completion, and should see the light of day in the coming weeks. Among the mentioned game-themed rooms are lobbies modeled after SOCOM: Confrontation, Siren: Blood Curse (which is currently accessible in Japan), and Resident Evil 5. More importantly, he mentioned that a "slightly updated" Home Square could launch as early as March 5. We don't know what this update will entail, but we hope it'll provide further opportunities for us to carry out our more nefarious PlayStation Home enterprises.

SOCOM, Siren game spaces planned for PlayStation Home release originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Watch PS3 run Starcraft (with help from Linux & Windows)

With the PS3's ability to allow you to install your own OS, tech junkies have been tinkering with the console's potential since its launch a few Novembers back. There is one thing we haven't seen yet, though -- and that's a PS3 running Starcraft!

Accomplished through the use of Windows 95, with Qemu and Yellow Dog Linux, you too can can crush Zerg scum with the Protoss on your PS3. (Just don't think you're going to get Crysis to run on the thing.) Linux and Qemu really hog the Cell processor, so a low-end game like Starcraft is as stable as it gets. Zerg rush past the break to watch the video.

[Thanks, Evan!]

Continue reading Watch PS3 run Starcraft (with help from Linux & Windows)

Watch PS3 run Starcraft (with help from Linux & Windows) originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SEE Metal Gear Online SCENE in action

You ready to dance like Vamp? To get your ninja skills right as Raiden? Metal Gear Online's third expansion pack -- SCENE -- adds new playable characters and new maps. Of course, you knew that already. The upcoming DLC will be available in March, but you can take a first look at the new content in this Japanese trailer. Like most everything Kojima-related, it's filled with some truly zany moments.

SEE Metal Gear Online SCENE in action originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

World at War receives free 'Makin Day' DLC, gets patched

Available today, courtesy of developer Treyarch, is a new patch for Call of Duty: World at War as well as a free multiplayer map. The map isn't exactly new, but could be especially satisfying for soldiers who prefer battling without the cover of night.

The new "Makin Day" map is a remake of current World at War offering Makin, with a generous splash of the sun's daylight glow. The map is installed automatically with the PlayStation 3 version of the patch and Xbox 360 users can grab the free content via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Speaking of the patch, a list of platform-specific updates (Xbox 360 / PS3) can be viewed on the official World at War forums. We're sure "Rocket Jumpers" will be none too pleased to discover their special ability has been taken away.

[Via Major Nelson]

World at War receives free 'Makin Day' DLC, gets patched originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.