Sony expands 'Official Licensing Program' for PlayStation peripherals, accessories

Sony Computer Entertainment is expanding its licensing program for PlayStation peripherals and accessories. It basically means that if a peripheral manufacturer conforms to "qualifying SCE standard and requirements," it can make gadgets and gizmos aplenty, whosits and whatsits galore! You want thingamabobs? They'll make plenty! But, who cares? No big deal. We want mooooooooooore.

Entering into a licensing agreement with SCE will give manufacturers the "technical documentations" needed to make products for PSP, PS3 and the PS2. Plus, when the product goes to market, it'll even get the spiffy "Official Licensed Product logo." We can't wait to see what third-party manufacturers come up with over the next few months.

Sony expands 'Official Licensing Program' for PlayStation peripherals, accessories originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analysis: GameSetWatch looks at the strength of SCEA IP

It's no surprise that the PS3 is seeing a great amount of support with a strong lineup of original first-party titles, but some see this strategy as a problem that might actually be hurting the PS3, not helping it. According to an in-depth piece over at GameSetWatch, Sony's strategy for the PS3 over-emphasizes new properties and its first-party titles as system sellers, but is ultimately not doing enough to pull in consumers when compared to the other consoles.

Look at the chart above and compare SCEA-published titles to the exclusives for other consoles like Halo 3 (which sold more than 4.8 million copies in its first year) and Mario Kart Wii (which has sold over 6 million units). Cleary, SCEA isn't anywhere near Nintendo's or Microsoft's numbers (all figures excluding bundle sales), but why can't SCEA games achieve that sort of level of sales? GSW points out it's mainly because of Sony's focus on risky new IP instead of safe bets (like sequels), noting third-party franchises like Call of Duty: World at War (1.1 million), Grand Theft Auto IV (1.7 million) and Metal Gear Solid 4 (1.1 million) have all sold better.

It's all a rather interesting interpretation of the NPD sales data, and there's even further analysis to be read over at GameSetWatch. Head over there for the full read.

Analysis: GameSetWatch looks at the strength of SCEA IP originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Overlord II DLC to be announced 'soon'

If you've sunk your teeth deeply into Codemasters' manipulative jerk simulator, Overlord II, you'll be pleased to know new opportunities to bully and plunder are just around the corner. In a recent interview with Strategy Informer, the game's creative director, Lennart Sas, confirmed the developer is working on Overlord II DLC, and that "it'll be announced soon."

When pressed for details, Sas retreated into a thick, scaly carapace attached firmly to his back. Our guess? This new content will allow the game's traditionally evil antihero to make difficult moral decisions. For instance, should you punch a six-year old girl in the face -- or should you punch her in the stomach? Hmm, that's a toughie.

[Via VG247]

Overlord II DLC to be announced 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Buy Metal Gear Solid 4 for a bargain price of $1,000

We get pretty nervous when publishers start testing the waters with higher price points, so we like to think our sticker shock at seeing this $1,000 listing for Metal Gear Solid 4 is forgivable. But it is a pretty good game and we would like to have a second copy, just in case. Plus, there's only one left in stock!

But just as we were about the make the purchase, we noticed that shipping price. $7.99?! What, are we made of money?

[Thanks, Christopher]

Buy Metal Gear Solid 4 for a bargain price of $1,000 originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hulu to PS3 users: 'Naw, son!'

Yesterday morning, PlayStation 3 owners discovered access to Hulu was no longer functioning through the console's Internet browser. According to Engadget, PS3 users of the video content provider were treated with an apologetic error message, citing the desired content was not available on their "platform" of choice. Engadget is quick to point out that, while Hulu's recent Terms of Service changes make no mention of the console, changing an Internet browser's user-string to match the console reveals it is specifically being targeted. Conspiracy theories? Throw them in the comments below while we try to clear up this cloudy situation.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Image Credit: FormatWarCentral.com]

Hulu to PS3 users: 'Naw, son!' originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.