Technabob » ps3

PS3 Hack Streams Games to PS Vita: Please Sony, Just Make This Official

Lambert Varias — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:30:19 +0000

Remote Play – a feature that allows wireless access to the PS3 via a PSP or PS Vita – has yet to take off and is only compatible with a handful of PS3 games. We’ve already seen one man make a custom device that does just that with any PS3 game. Now a YouTuber has uploaded video showing a PS Vita streaming PS3 games from a jailbroken PS3.

The videos were uploaded by YouTuber homer49. In the video below he demos the hack using Battlefield 3. One neat feature of the hack is that lets the user map the L2, R2, L3 and R3 buttons to the rear touch panels. That’s great news because it means all controls are accounted for – something that wasn’t possible with the PSP – making an official version of this feature much more possible.

That said, homer49 says that you can’t access a PS3 game’s online features when streaming to the PS Vita. There is also a very noticeable lag between button presses. Combine the two and this hack is all but pointless for a huge number of games. Then again, this is an unofficial implementation. Who knows what Sony and video game developers could come up with if they set their minds to it.

In the video below, homer49 explains how the hack works. Unfortunately it’s in Spanish so I can’t tell you exactly what he said – and that annoying creaking sound in the background doesn’t help – but he did say in the description that it requires the custom firmware version 3.55 or 3.41 for the PS3 and a jailbreak program called Multiman. You’ll then have to register the PS Vita on the PS3 as a mobile phone in order to connect it.

I am really hoping that Sony would release an official version of this hack, but there are a number of reasons why they might not do it. Aside from the lag, functionality and power management issues, there’s the issue of cannibalization. If this feature was made official some gamers might opt not to buy PS Vita games and use the handheld primarily to stream from the PS3 instead. Why buy NBA 2K13 for the PS Vita if you can stream the console version?

On the other hand, if the PS Vita had a feature like this when it launched, I’m sure it would be flying off the shelves for years. Skyrim on the toilet? Shut up and take my money! Then when the PS Vita games arrive some of those who bought the handheld for streaming will still end up buying those games. Assuming they’re worth buying of course. I also doubt this feature would work via 3G – homer49 was streaming via Wi-Fi and the lag was still there – so it’s not like gamers can stream games all the time. That’s another reason to buy PS Vita games.

You can speculate with me in the comments, or head to homer49′s channel for more videos of the hack in action.

[via The Verge]

Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Controller Has Swappable Parts for the Unbiased Gamer

Lambert Varias — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:00:28 +0000

Here’s a neat gamepad for people who play games on both a PS3 and Xbox 360. Developed in collaboration with Major League Gaming, the Pro Circuit Controller by Mad Catz lets you swap out the position of the d-pad and the analog sticks, bypassing one of the main differences between the gamepads of the two consoles.

Available for both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, the controllers even come with two sets of D-Pads – one PS3-style and one Xbox 360-style – for further customization. Aside from the removable analog sticks and d-pads, the controller also has removable face plates on the top and the sides – expect a barrage of face plates with various themes and designs – and a detachable cord. Yep, it’s wireless, but MLG probably insisted on that to reduce input lag. At least it’s detachable so it’s easy to transport.

The PS3 version of the Pro Circuit Controller also has a “Reverse Trigger Mode”, letting users swap the L1/R1 and L2/R2 buttons on the hardware itself. What I like most about this idea is that if one of the removable parts break, you don’t have to buy a brand new controller because Mad Catz will sell spare parts separately. I’m also intrigued by the possibility of having a right D-Pad instead of a right analog stick.

Head to Amazon or GameShark to order the Pro Circuit Controller for $99 (USD). No Wiimote included.

[Mad Catz via Dvice]

GameStop Mass Effect 3 Pre-orders Kick Off with Exclusive Content

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:07 +0000

Of all the games I have played the last few years, some of my favorite titles have been in the Mass Effect series. I really enjoy the way the franchise wraps shooting, adventuring, and RPG elements together to make a seriously slick and entertaining game.

The next installment in the series is coming before you know it and if you want the game, you can now pre-order Mass Effect 3 game from GameStop and get some cool extras. If you pre-order the game now you will get a special weapon called the N7 Valkyrie rifle and a special set of Defender Armor.

When you purchase the pre-order you will get a card with unlock codes for the hardware in the game. Buyers will also get the M55 Argus Assault Rifle. The game is up for pre-order on all platforms with pricing ranging from $59.99 to $79.99 depending on the edition of the game and platform. Mass Effect 3 hits stores on March 6th.

TRON Siren PS3 and Xbox 360 Controllers: A Little Late, But Still Awesome

Conner Flynn — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:43 +0000

These TRON inspired controllers look pretty sweet. They come in both PS3 or Xbox 360 versions, from PDP. If you are familiar with the films, you might notice that they are designed after Gem, a sexy Siren program from TRON: Legacy.

With each controller, you get a pearl color finish with mist grey handles and crystal white glowing accents. The Xbox 360 version has vibration support, with “performance enhancing contours and design,” whatever that means. It also has rubber-grips with a soft-touch finish for that extra grip while using it.

Each will be sold in a limited edition of just 800 pieces, so if you want one, you can pre-order the TRON Siren controllers through PDP’s website, for $50(USD) each.

[via Ubergizmo]

Doctor Who: the Eternity Clock Game Coming to PS3 and PS Vita

Conner Flynn — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:00:42 +0000

The BBC has unveiled a short teaser trailer for the new game Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock. This news makes me nervous, since I can’t recall ever playing a good Doctor Who game. I know they have tried before, but it’s one of those properties that just never quite comes together right in game form. I’m thinking Star Trek too.

The game will arrive in early 2012 for Playstation 3, PS Vita and PC. Supermassive Games is the developer and all we really know is that the you can take on the role of Doctor and River Song as they explore the universe over multiple time periods.

I hold out some hope that this will be a great Doctor Who game, but I’m not holding my breath. However it turns out, you can be sure that it will have Daleks, a fez, several uses of the sonic screwdriver and River saying “Spoilers!” a few times.

[via Kotaku]

Xbox 360 and PS3 Controller Rings for Geeky Fingers

Conner Flynn — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:38:51 +0000

Show your allegiance to your favorite game console with these PS3 and XBox 360 rings. They will deck your digits in tiny replica controllers, upping your geek gaming cred and proclaiming your side in the console wars.

They come from Etsy seller egyptianruin and the XBox 360 version comes in Pink, Blue, Red (as in “Red Ring”), Green and Halo Green. The PS3 version comes in White, Black, Pink, Blue, Red and Green. They are made from polymer clay and are hand-sculpted.

They are just $10(USD) plus shipping each. Outfit one hand in PS3 controllers and one hand in XBox controllers if you can’t decide. They would make cute little gifts for your geek friends this Christmas too if you don’t want one for yourself.

[via Geek Crafts via Slashgear]

Sony Cuts Playstation Game Sharing

Conner Flynn — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:00:48 +0000

You know the old saying, “Sharing is caring”? Apparently, Sony doesn’t see it that way. Even though many of you like sharing your PlayStation games with friends. Sadly, those in the UK will now be limited to sharing games and content with no more than two PS3 consoles and two handheld consoles.

The change only applies to games and content bought on the PlayStation Store after November 18th and right now only affects gamers based in the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the Middle East. It’s a good bet that these limits will show up elsewhere very soon too.

Under these limits, a single PSN account will be able to support two consoles and two handhelds. Prior to this change, up to five different PlayStation consoles could be connected to a PSN account and used to play the same games.

[via BBC]

Skyrim + PS3 Save Bug = Lots of Lag

Conner Flynn — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:00:55 +0000

If you just got Skyrim for the PS3, you might want to hold off on playing the game until Bethesda releases a patch. This is because players are reporting that not only are they losing saved games, but as you progress through the game, you get more and more lag.

It apparently lags so badly at times that you have to stop playing. One temporary fix is to restart your PS3. Once you do, it will give you about an hour of play before the lag returns. The culprit may be the size of the saved game on the PS3′s hard drive. When it gets bigger than 5MB, the lag kicks in.

Hopefully Bethesda will be able to fix this and still have peoples saved games be just fine. Still, it may be better to wait for a fix before playing, just in case.

[via Geek]

Sony PSN to Shutdown for Six Hours at Night in South Korea, for the Kids

Conner Flynn — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:00:39 +0000

Sony Computer Entertainment Korea has announced that they will be taking PSN offline for underage players in South Korea. This is due to a Shutdown Law in South Korea that prevents underage players from gaming for a six hour period at night. It’s news like this that makes me happy that I live in America, despite the fact that authorities occasionally like to beat those who exercise their First Amendment rights. Hey, at least we have PSN at night. Win?

This South Korean law was originally meant for online PC games, but it includes consoles as well. Who knows, maybe board games will be next. These poor kids might actually have to sleep. The idea is that it will help kids avoid getting addicted to gaming. From midnight until 6 in the morning there will be no gaming.

Sony and Microsoft have both said that it will be difficult to put the system in place in a short period of time, but as of the 18th of November, we know that Sony will be blocking access to PSN for those under 16, and will not allow new accounts to be made for underaged players.

Microsoft is a different story. They don’t collect age data for all of their players, so will have a hard time sorting out the underaged from the rest of their players. Microsoft may just completely shut down Xbox Live in South Korea during the shutdown time frame, in order to comply.

[via Kotaku via Ubergizmo]

KontrolFreek Clip-on Mods for PS3 and Xbox 360 Thumbsteeks

Lambert Varias — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:00:48 +0000

Ever wished that the thumbsticks on your PS3 or Xbox 360 controllers were a tad taller or had more grip? Aside from taping a stick or duct taping your hands to your controllers, here are cheap ways that address those complaints, courtesy of KontrolFreek. They have two kinds of clip-on mods, one that lengthens thumbsticks and one that grips your thumbs. Or whatever you use to move the sticks. I don’t want to know.

While not as drastic or complex as the Cthulhutastic N-Control Avenger mod, KontrolFreek swears that their clip-on kits do have significant benefits. The one that increases length is called the FPS Freek. I don’t have exact measurements but judging from the pictures I think it almost doubles the length of the thumbsticks. The increased length offers a greater range of motion – and in effect a slight increase in sensitivity. The SpeedFreek, on the other hand ensures that your thumb won’t slip off of the stick, even if you have sweaty thumbs or if you quickly nudge or hold the sticks towards the edges.

KontrolFreek has variations of these two mods, but they all work the same. The notable exception is the SpeedFreak Apex (the black SpeedFreak below) although the normal SpeedFreak shown here in white also comes in black). It’s the combination of both mods, adding both height and horns.

You can order the KontrolFreek clip-on mods from Firebox for £12 (~$19 USD) each or directly from KontrolFreek, where you can browse all of the models. Prices range from $10 to $14 on the official store, but only because they’re on sale as of this writing, so now’s the time to get hats for your thumbsticks if you’re interested.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Sony Grab the Ring Contest: Win $10,000, Lose All Feeling in Your Arm

Conner Flynn — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:15:47 +0000

Think you have what it takes to hold your arm up longer than everyone else? If so, you can win $10,000(USD). This is for real. Kevin Butler said so.

Sony has put up a website called Grab the Ring, which is part of a promotional contest for Uncharted 3.

Though it sounds like a website where gold-diggers can meet up and exchange stories about how they separated an old guy from his money, and got a pay-off when he took a dirt nap, that’s not it at all. Though I’m sure that also exists. On this website, you can activate your webcam and then hold up your arm as if holding the game’s thematic ring floating in the air. If you can outlast everyone else, you can get $10,000. If you don’t quite have what it takes to beat everyone else, you’ll still get some neat weapons and clothes for your in-game persona in multiplayer mode.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The first prize comes after just 15 seconds. After 4 minutes, players get the Treasure Hunter Starter’s Pack. If you are in it for hours, you can unlock some weapons. You’ll see trailers for the game in the background and Kevin Butler will occasionally taunt you too.

For the ten grand, 8:45 is the current time to beat. 8 long hours, 45 minutes. Seems crazy, but then again we are talking $10,000(USD) here. Too bad geeks have weak girl arms.

[via Geek]

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations: Editions: Confusions

Lambert Varias — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:00:43 +0000

I’d like to think that I’m not as cynical or heavily nostalgic when it comes to video games, but sometimes I do miss the simpler times of gaming. Back in those days I didn’t have to download a patch every week, and then after downloading that I have to download another patch for the game I’m about to play, even if it was released just a week ago (I’m looking at you, NBA 2K12!). But Redditor p4warrior also reminded me of another thing that’s getting out of hand with video games:

The table above is from Wikipedia, and it tracks all six retail editions of the soon to be released Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. There’s the Standard Edition, the Animus Edition, the Collector’s Edition, the Special Edition, the Signature Edition and the Ultimate Bundle. But no single bundle has all of the bonus items. For clarity’s sake I’ve revised this post and am only now showing the two most complete editions.

If you want to get all of the physical bonuses, you get the Ultimate Bundle. If you want the in-game bonuses you spring for the limited Animus Edition. If you want both right away? Buy both.

You can pre-order the Standard Edition of Assassin’s Creed at Amazon, the Collector’s Edition from Amazon UK, the Special Edition from Gamestation and the Signature Edition and Ultimate Bundle from Gamestop US. I also saw a PS3 version of the Animus Edition at eCrater for $500 (USD), an Xbox 360 version at the UK Ubi Shop going for £68 (approx. $109 (USD)) and a PC version at Gamestop UK going for £60 (approx. $60). Whew.

But if I were you guys I’d choose between the standard edition and the Ultimate Bundle. We have to put a stop to in-game pre-order exclusives.

[via Wikipedia via Reddit]

PS3 Sales Could Overtake the Xbox 360 Soon

Conner Flynn — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:15:52 +0000

PS3 fans will be happy to know that PS3 sales are finally catching up to Microsoft’s XBox 360. Neither come close to Nintendo’s sales of 88.3 million Wiis, but hey, that console is for kids, so in my mind that doesn’t count.

Microsoft announced last month that it has sold 57.3 million Xbox 360s worldwide. While Sony just revealed that it’s sold 56 million PS3s, so just 1.3 million consoles separate them. And while that number by itself is pretty huge, keep in mind that last quarter, Sony sold slightly more consoles compared to the year before: 3.7 million compared to 3.5 million PS3s in the same quarter in 2010.

I can easily see Sony taking the lead thanks to strong titles like Uncharted 3, and free online play alone. They have some great momentum going. I think they have it made as long as they don’t do something to screw it up.

[MCV via Kotaku]

Batarang Controllers for Arkham City: Holy Controller, Batman!

Conner Flynn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:00:37 +0000

Your Batman: Arkham City Experience just got a lot neater. Power A has a new Batarang controller for you would-be caped crusaders who own either a Sony PS3 or an Xbox 360. They look pretty sweet and are perfect for your Bat-cave.

Of course, it’s all fun and games (and neat controllers) until your back gets broken by Bane. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. These wireless controllers sport LED lights in seven interchangeable colors. Other than the soft hand-grips, you get the same functionality as the standard controllers, so nothing fancy as far as use. They just look really neat.

The Batman: Arkham City game was just released on Oct. 18th, so the time is right to pick up one of these babies and talk in Christian Bale’s gravelly voice while you play. What, I’m the only one planning on doing that?

Grab either the Xbox 360 or PS3 version for $49.99 (USD) each.

[via Devicemag]

Fully Remappable PS3 Controller: It Only Does Every Button.

Lambert Varias — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:00:18 +0000

Disabled gamers still have limited options when it comes to customizing controllers to better suit their condition. Fortunately, there are kind hearted souls who are working on a solution, like the folks at Evil Controllers and the Able Gamers Foundation, who have released a controller made specially for the disabled. Here’s another potential alternative from one of the masters at Acid Mods, a modder going by the name of Hazer. He modified a PS3 controller so that all of its buttons can be remapped to any of the other buttons.

As I mentioned above, Hazer’s PS3 controller is fully remappable, save for the select and start buttons and the analog sticks (the L3 and R3 buttons can be remapped, but not the directional functions of the sticks). You can even configure multiple buttons to act as the same button, e.g. you can set all of the buttons to Circle if you wished.

I’m not even going to attempt to discuss the hardware wizardry that Hazer pulled off in order to make the controller remappable, because frankly I can’t understand a thing about the process, only that the final product can easily be configured via a complementary Windows program, the one shown in the screenshot above. Here’s a brief video by Hazer (you might want to turn the volume down for this one):

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Hazer made the controller for Chuck Bittner, a quadriplegic who has petitioned major video game companies to incorporate fully modifiable button configurations in video game hardware and software so that disabled or injured people can still play. Below is a video showing Chuck using the modded controller (now you can turn the volume back up so you can hear Chuck better):

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you’re a tinkerer yourself, you can check out the details of the mod on Hazer’s thread at the Acid Mods forum. Links to the necessary files are also there. I’d just like to point out that Hazer is getting frustrated with other people stealing his work, so it’s quite generous of him to even bother sharing the details of this particular build. Given his past experience he could have just given the controller to Chuck without telling anyone how he made it. If you’d like to have your own remappable PS3 controller but don’t know have the modding skills, Hack A Day suggests that you visit the Mods for Hire section of Acid Mods and see if you can make a deal with one of the guys there.

[via Hack A Day and Acid Forums]

Calibur 11 Battlefield 3 Console Vaults Are Ready for Action

Conner Flynn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:28 +0000

You probably already know Calibur11 for their elaborate and over-the-top gaming console cases. Now they are unleashing a brand new design for the highly anticipated Battlefield 3 game. The BF3 Vault looks rugged, bad-ass and ready to go to war. I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing threw a grenade at you.

It will outfit your Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 with a case that features a nice smoke body, an LED light-up claymore on the side, a DICE logo smoke grenade, and a headset/controller cradle. Basically, your console will kick every other console’s ass, then brag about it.

The Calibur Battlefield 3 Vaults will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360 on October 25, the same day that the game comes out. You can pre-order the PlayStation 3 Vault along with the game and the Back to Karkland and Physical Warfare Packs, for $99(USD) from GameStop. Sweet! The Xbox 360 version is going for $89.99, but doesn’t come with the bonuses.

[via IGN]

Sony PS3 Ad Thanks Michael, Features an All-star Cast

Conner Flynn — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:30:06 +0000

You have to admire Sony’s advertising department. They come up with sometimes bizarre and sometimes cool ads, but they are always innovative. This one is completely geek-tastic.

In this video, an all-star cast of PS3 game characters get together for a few drinks (or maybe it’s just their weekly meetup), shoot the breeze and raise a toast to “Michael”, the kid who controls them all on their adventures.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

To Michael? What about me? I’ve played so many hours of PS3 games I’m pretty sure they have a plaque somewhere with my name on it, where they gather and laugh while counting their money. I’m pretty sure I bought Kevin Butler a new Yacht last year. F Michael!

Still though, this is an awesome ad. I’d like to see more like this. But seriously, F Michael. I’d kick his ass in CoD or Killzone.

[via Escapistmagazine]

Original Crysis Hits Xbox 360 and PS3

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:30:05 +0000

Back in 2007, PC gamers were gifted with one of the coolest and most ground-breaking video games to ever come to the computer. The game was called Crysis, and PC gamers everywhere wept at the graphics and the way the game could crush even the most high-end gaming PCs. The game pushed a bunch of PC fans to upgrade their rigs.

The Original Crysis never landed on consoles like the PS3 or Xbox 360, but that has now changed. EA and Crytek have announced that the original Crysis is now available as a download title on the PSN and the Xbox Live stores. The PS3 game will cost $19.99 and the Xbox 360 version sells for 1600 MS points.

Those are bargain prices compared to the original PC price, and the game is a classic, so you should buy it if you never played it before. The console games use the new CryENGINE 3 visual optimization platform and the game is customized for consoles. They also added stereoscopic 3D support. If you download the game, let us know how well it plays on your console.

Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Elite Force-Feedback Wheel Coming Soon

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:47:37 +0000

If I buy or play a video game on a console, you can bet that it will be some sort of racing game. I save all other game types for my PC. The thing I like best about racing games like Gran Turismo 5 on the PS3 is that many of them work with force-feedback racing wheels. There is no closer thing to a real racing session on a track than a quality video game and a racing wheel with force-feedback.

The thing that has kept me away from the Forza franchise more than anything is that I wanted a good force-feedback racing wheel, and finally there is one. The Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Elite Wheel is licensed by both Microsoft and Turn 10. The wheel even has the Forza logo on it.

It will connect wirelessly to the Xbox 360 and will connect to the PS3 and PC with a USB cable. The wheel has the force feedback effects I want with a pair of 110w motors and vibration motors in the wheel rim. The wheel has a carbon fiber center and real Alcantra on the rim. It doesn’t come with a shifter or pedals, but you can them as accessories from Fanatec, or the pedals you might have for a Logitech G25 or G27 racing wheel with an adapter. Pricing and launch date is unknown.

Sony Says Agree to New PSN Terms or Face Being Banned

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:05:56 +0000

We all know that the Sony PlayStation Network was hacked into a while back and hoards of user data was stolen. That theft turned into a class-action suit and Sony wants to be sure that doesn’t happen again. Sony has apparently put a new Terms of Service update on when people log onto their PS3 or the PSN.

The new Terms of Service force two things significant new things on you. First, Sony wants you to agree that you will not be involved in a class-action suit against them. The lawsuit line is one at a time only in PSN-land. Sony also wants you to agree that it gets to pick the arbitrator of the suit if you were to sue them individually.

The wild part is that if you don’t agree to the terms you face being banned from entering PSN. Apparently, you can opt out of agreeing to the new TOS by snail-mailing Sony a letter stating as much. That little tidbit is reportedly hidden in the fine print though and most won’t see it. I wonder what they will do if a kid too young to make a binding decision agrees to the TOS. Do any of you actually read the full TOS before you accept terms?

[via BBC]