Coming from Sony’s legendary Santa Monica Studios and developed by Giant Sparrow, the game centers on a runaway swan who leads you through a kingdom filled with weird and wild creatures. As you move through the world, you discover your surroundings by splashing paint onto white surfaces – definitely an offbeat gameplay mechanism in my book. The game is expected to be loaded with puzzles and challenges as you make your way to the King who built the unusual world. Here’s a look at an early teaser for the game to whet your appetite.

Sony hasn’t announced a release date for The Unfinished Swan as of yet, but it definitely looks like the sort of thing that’ll show up on PlayStation Network versus being a high-priced disc title. You’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for this title as it gets closer to a release.

The game will have characters such as Sweet Tooth, Kratos, Parappa, Fat Princess, Colonel Radec, and Sly Cooper. The game will also feature characters from games published by third-party developers. Each of the characters will have special attacks and stages along with music smashed up from various game titles.

The game will feature four player head-to-head battles, and will have multiple game modes. Those game modes will include team battles, practice modes, and the ability to fight online against friends and other players. Online multiple player tournaments, special event battles, and custom matches are among the online features. Sony isn’t offering a launch date for the game at this time.

The game has a new launch date and I’m bummed to say it’s not for several more months – with the launch now slated for August 21. With the number of screenshots that have been turning up lately, it’s clear that the game will have very good graphics. It’s also clear that there will be lots of gray matter and blood blasting into the air.

The game uses the Crytek CryEngine 3 game engine so will be a top-notch graphically. It also promises a new AI system, more challenges, and other cool changes from the original. I hope that the developer doesn’t reschedule the launch again; I’m really looking forward to playing this game.

[via ShackNews]

During the downtime, gamers won’t be able to access the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home, account management, or play online games. The downtime will last roughly 13 hours. There seems to be no indication of exactly why the network will be down for so long.

Sony says keep an eye on the PlayStation Twitter feed for notification of when the PlayStation network will be back online. I wonder when the network comes back up if it will have new features or if this is simple maintenance.

The pins are all handmade and painted with enamel and gold finish. The featured controllers are from the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Dreamcast, Sega Genesis, SNES and of course the NES.

Supermandolini still sells these pins for €18 (~$24(USD)) each. Unfortunately, these pins are ultimately awarded to the quick shopper – they are limited edition products and as of this writing the NES, SNES and the PS3 pins are already out of stock, so claim your medal right away.

[via The Fancy]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]