PS3 Weekend Warrior: Of closing store, updating Stores, Lifetime Awards, and the run-up week to Killzone 2

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. The Weekend Warriors really have returned, and we’ve made this “second debut” extra special for you, PS3 fans. It’s been quite a week, with all the big news that’s come out from Sony, as well as a hefty serving of updates for all your gaming needs. We’ve got it all right here, so what are you waiting for? Let’s get the party started!

Originally posted 21 February 2009 at 10:27PM

 

Originally posted 21 February 2009 at 10:27PM

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. The Weekend Warriors really have returned, and we’ve made this “second debut” extra special for you, PS3 fans. It’s been quite a week, with all the big news that’s come out from Sony, as well as a hefty serving of updates for all your gaming needs.

We’ve got it all right here, so what are you waiting for? Let’s get the party started!

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News from Sony’s yard

There’s been a flurry of activity once more within the walls of they who are responsible for every PS3 fanboy’s pride and joy. Unfortunately, not all times are good. Earlier this week, we received word that the classic Metreon PlayStation store is finally closing this summer. That area in San Fran is gonna look so much different without it.

Link: Sony has left the building: Metreon PlayStation Store closing this Summer

But when there’s sad news, there’s good news, too! Sony has made their official announcementfor their 2009 PS3 games line-up. Oh it’s nothing, really. Just God of War 3, Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2, and many more. No biggie. and then, we picked up on a rumor on the supposed “leaked” details of the PS3 FW 2.7, that’s said to come out on Q2 of 2009. Now, we’ve heard nothing official so far. Somebody just got it from a friend, who works for Sony… you know how that goes.

Anyhow, a lot are definitely excited over this prospect, though some donned their doubting hats, saying that it looks more like a fanboy wish list than an actual changelog from Sony. No matter, am sure the doubters would be just fine being proven wrong if and when the said update comes out carrying all the “leaked” details with it.

Link: SCEA reveals 2009 PS3 line-up: GoW3, Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2, more
Link: PS3 FW 2.7 details leaked, to be out on Q2 of ’09

Moving on to the Homefront.

A new batch of PS3 goodies landed our way via the very prompt PlayStation Store Updates for both North America and Europe. Noby Noby Boy stealthily hopped in for the ride, and hopefully now that we’ve got our hands on him, we can have further insight as to what this game really is about. Cos so far, even its own creator is having a hard, frikkin’ time trying to describe it in words.

Link: PSN EU – PlayStation Store Update 2/19/09
Link: PSN US – PlayStation Store Update 2/19/09

Meanwhile, Street Fighter II Turbo HD finally – and I mean FINALLY – arrives on the European PSN. Hopefully the guys over there aren’t holding too much of a grudge against Capcom and Sony for bringing it a tad too late for the gamers’ taste. But hey, it’ll make a good pair with Street Fighter IV, don’t you think?

And finally, PlayStation Home plays host to the Watchmen. At least for the interview with Zack Snyder, movie director, and Dave Gibbons, graphic novel. I’d have to agree with what Isaac said in his post. It certainly does look like Home is finally starting to fulfill its potential.

Link: Europe finally getting Street Fighter II Turbo HD on PSN
Link: PlayStation Home plays host to the Watchmen

Out into the PS3 neighborhood

If you dream of becoming a legendary game developer one day, Hideo Kojima would undoubtedly make for a pretty darned good inspiration. And none of us mere mortals are in the position to question that Heaven-mandated fact. Want proof? How about him getting his second Lifetime Achievement Award — within the same lifetime? Beat that.

Meanwhile, Capcom seems to be looking for a different kind of inspiration. They want to see how badly you guys want to have Dee Jay and T.Hawk join the club in SFIV before they actually fulfill it. Will you give them what they’re asking for so you’ll get what you’re asking for? (huh?)

Link: Coz he’s twice the awesome: Kojima getting Lifetime Achievement Award at GDC
Link: Capcom: waiting to see how much you’d want Dee Jay and T. Hawk in SFIV

And on to the Gaming playground

More gaming news were had the past week. There’s the announcement of UTIII‘s Titan Pack DLC and its oh-some features, God of War III‘s grand ideas that were apparently “too ambitious” for the previous iterations (their words, not ours), more Final Fantasy news in the form of the meet and greet of the Team Nora new members, as well as the debut trailer for Advent Children Complete.

What else? Oh, there was this rumor about Syphon Filter 5 being in the works, and the great news that MGS4 is on its way to going Platinum next month. You do know that platinum is worth more than gold, yes?

Link: Unreal Tournament III: Titan Pack DLC comes with Trophy support, split-screen
          support, more
Link: God of War III full of ideas “too ambitious” for previous games
Link: Final Fantasy XIII: Team Nora’s three new members introduced
Link: FFVII: Advent Children Complete English debut trailer
Link: Syphon Filter 5 in the works?
Link: Metal Gear Solid 4 going Platinum next month

Elsewhere

In other news, Kratos is said to be heaving well-deep breaths of relief upon hearing the news that Brett Ratner (he of X-Men: The Last Stand and Rush Hour “trilogy” fame) has left the God of War movie building. Yep, he’s no longer involved in the movie, so I guess we’ll all be feeling an increase in the chill, thanks to your collective  sighs of relief. Hold that garlic and onion, please.

Oh, and if you’d want to go for another one of those studies that are a sure-fire way to lure in fanboys and get your wall all dirtied up with rants that can beat Alec Baldwin’s phone rant into submission, then you might want to check out the “PS3 has oldest gamers, Wii has youngest.” Just in case you’re up for an adrenalin kicker.

Link: God of War movie shelved, director Ratner moves on
Link: PS3 has oldest gamers, Wii has youngest

The Round Run-up

And that’s about it for our “second” pilot issue for the PS3’s Weekend Wa– *voice in my head whispers to my ear* — Oh… yeah… that’s not it!

I kid, I kid. How can I possibly forget? Ladies and gentlemen, the week in Killzone 2.

Raising hopes up in getting co-op as DLC: check. Same control speed, but improvement in multiplayer speed: check. Demo codes from Sony with love via Twitter: check. Live Chat on PS Blog about Killzone.com: check.

That’s quite a handful, right? And there will be more, cos this is not it for Killzone 2. In fact, we’ve only just truly begun in our wait for its release next week. It’s a mere six days away from now; can you feel it?

We sure can, and we hope you’ll be right along with us when we finally do celebrate its arrival. Let the war begin!

Link: Killzone 2 might get co-op as DLC
Link: Killzone 2: no changes to control speed, but multiplayer is faster
Link: Sony giving out more Killzone 2 demo codes via Twitter
Link: Guerrilla Games to have Killzone.com Live Chat on PS Blog tomorrow

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Well, that definitely was quite a week, huh? I’ll try not to ramble any more than I already have. But all in all, I’d have to say the news were generally exciting this week. I hope the PS3 FW “leaked” details would have even the slightest bit of truth to it. Okay, having it all would be great, though, the others are right: it’s too good to be true.

Am personally looking forward to the voice message/ chat function. I know a lot got excited over the in-game web browser feature. Not that I have anything against it, really, but I just want my game to be clear of all debris, so to speak. But that’s just my personal preference. If they do put it in, though, then that won’t be a problem for me anyway, so yeah. It’s still a win-win sitch, I guess.

In closing, to those who are crossing their fingers real tight for this changelog, good luck and have faith. But also be open to the probability that it won’t be what we all want it to be. After all, i do believe that you can have it all — just not all at one time.

Do come back next week for another Weekend Warrior issue, guys! This time we’re back for good.