Latest PlayStation 4 update now ready for download

Early on Sony announced that a major update to the PlayStation would be forthcoming, which includes HDR output capabilities. This update is now live and ready for download.

The update, codenamed “Shingen,” is by far the biggest that Sony has put out for the PlayStation console. Apart from the promised HDR output, the update also tweaks the menu screens and adds folders, reports The Verge.

Streaming in 1080p on Twitch, YouTube and remote play has also been enabled as preparation for the soon-to-be available PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro.

The UI changes were done so that the quick menu screen will no longer cover up games, videos and apps, and occupy only a portion of the TV screen. Folders will also offer more organization options for users while a new LAN connection function helps in transferring data from one console to another.

Sony also streamlined info screens for games, DLCs, videos and trending images. Lastly, users can now play songs from Spotify without needing to launch the app.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

PlayStation 4 Pro unveiled, offers richer gaming experience

Once known only by its codename Neo, the new PlayStation 4 Pro has been officially unveiled by Sony and it comes with a bevy of upgrades that promise a richer gaming experience.

Unveiled by the console’s chief architect, Mark Cerny, the PS4 Pro is now able to support 4K resolution gaming. It is also equipped with a 1TB hard drive and an upgraded GPU for outputting HDR content, reports The Verge.

Cerny says, “PS4 Pro is not intended to blur the line between console generations. Instead, the vision is to take the PS4 experience to extraordinary new levels.” When it becomes available on Nov. 10 for $399, the PS4 is intended to be sold alongside the standard PS4. New games will also be playable on the older hardware.

Cerny also presented 4K game footage on stage from games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Spider-man to showcase the machine’s prowess. He noted that the PS4 Pro will be able to pull new detail from the games despite being developed for the base PS4. Cerny added that select PS4 titles will be able to maximize the new hardware inside the PS4 Pro and have noticeably improved graphics.

Improving the PlayStation VR experience is also one of the PS4 Pro’s goals. Developers will be able to up the frame rate and increase scene crispness, among other things. Apps specifically for the PS4 Pro is also being developed by YouTube and Netflix.

Over at the other camp, Microsoft is also working on its own beefed up Xbox One codenamed Project Scorpio. It will also have upgraded hardware to support 4k content and support for virtual reality games. However, it won’t be out until fall of 2017.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Sony unveils prototype virtual reality headset for Playstation

SAN FRANCISCO - Sony Corp unveiled a prototype for a new virtual reality headset accessory for its Playstation 4 games console on Tuesday at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, as it bids to further acceptance of the concept.

The headset, still in development under the name "Project Morpheus", is designed to provide an immersive experience for gamers by projecting a virtual reality image in front of their eyes that shifts as it tracks the movement of their head.

Sony has been eager to popularise virtual reality goggles, releasing its first "personal 3D viewer" for watching movies in August 2011, but the concept has been slow to catch on among users that rejected it as clunky and gimmicky.

However, Project Morpheus marks the first specialist gaming headset from Sony Computer Entertainment, which has been experimenting with the format since 2010. The president of the division, Shuhei Yoshida, said the company was "encouraged by the enthusiastic response" to similar products from start-ups like Oculus VR and Valve in recent months.

"This is the culmination of our work for three-plus years and realizes our vision of VR for games," said Yoshida at an event at the conference organised by Sony, as he showed off a prototype at a surprise announcement attended by over 350 developers, journalists and game enthusiasts.

The prototype is a black and white headset with a thin strip of blue light on the rim. The headset will be integrated with the PlayStation 4's camera, controller and Move motion sensors, and has stereoscopic sound to immerse users in the games they are playing.

Sony said it would make the headset available to game developers soon. It has not set a date for its release.

Sony had sold 6 million units of its Playstation 4 as of March 2, speeding ahead of its target of 5 million for the fiscal year to the end of this month. The console went on sale on Nov. 29 in the United States, Western Europe and Latin America, around the same time that rival Microsoft Corp 's Xbox One was released. That console topped 3 million units at the end of last year. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Amazon acquires video game studio Double Helix Games

Retailer giant Amazon has acquired the video gaming studio behind the popular "Killer Instinct" though it has remained silent on speculations regarding the launching of its own gaming console, a tech site reported Thursday.

TechCrunch said Amazon confirmed acquiring gaming studio Double Helix Games, and will absorb its talent and intellectual property.

“Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers,” TechCrunch quoted Amazon as saying in a statement.

It also quoted Amazon as saying Double Helix’s current lineup of games and future developments will be supported after the acquisition.

But TechCrunch also noted Amazon did not comment on rumors it will launch its own gaming console.

It cited an entry on video game industry blog VG247.com saying Amazon is planning to launch an Android-powered “dedicated games and entertainment device this year priced below $300… [that] will compete directly with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.”

"Amazon declined to comment on the console speculation when reached today," it said.

Double Helix, based in Irvine in California, was founded in 2007 with the merger of game development shops The Collective, Inc. and Shiny Entertainment.

It presently employs 75 people who TechCrunch said "will now become Amazon employees and will continue to operate out of their Orange County home."

"Of course, Amazon Game Studios also has a presence in Irvine, following the launch of its social game development arm back in 2012. Amazon’s efforts on the gaming front have been fairly quiet since then," the tech site added.

Double Helix

TechCrunch said Double Helix has created popular games for nearly 20 years, including those developed independently by Shiny and The Collective.

It said Shiny created classics like “Earthworm Jim,” “Sacrifice, MDK” and “Enter the Matrix,” while The Collective released “Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb,” “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

As Double Helix, the firm also created PC and console games including “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” “Green Latern: Rise of the Manhunters,” “Silent Hill: Homecoming,” and “Front Mission Evolved.”

TechCrunch said a forthcoming game is titled “Strider,” and is scheduled to launch this month on PS3. — VC, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

XBox One update coming in March

Microsoft is rolling out this March the first major update for its Xbox One game console to address issues with the Xbox Live service, a tech site reported Thursday.

The Verge cited sources familiar with Microsoft's plans as saying the major update will also include "other system fixes."

"Party-chat problems and issues with the usability and placement of social features of Xbox Live will be improved with the update," it said.

It added a forum poster at NeoGAF first disclosed the update, and claimed Microsoft will release a white version of the Xbox One console in October.

Other rumored plans include a 1TB version of the Xbox One to be released in November, it added.

Still other rumors include an Xbox One without a Blu-ray drive, a Bluetooth adapter, and launch dates for the console worldwide, it added.

Blu-ray drive

Also, The Verge confirmed Microsoft "has been testing versions of its console without a Blu-ray drive." — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

PS4 to support voice command, says gaming site

A camera accessory for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 console will support navigational voice command capabilities, a gaming site reported.

The Eye camera peripheral will be sold separately from the console, Polygon.com quoted a Sony Computer Entertainment spokesperson as saying.

"Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that PlayStation Camera allows for voice recognition and we will look forward to sharing more details in the lead up to the launch of PlayStation 4 on November 29," the spokesperson said.

Polygon also cited a YouTube video indicating the camera's capabilities range "(f)rom navigational voice commands to facial recognition."



It also said the PlayStation Camera promises to add "incredible innovation to your gaming."

During Sony's presentation at the GameStop Expo 2013 in Las vegas, SCEA group manager of retail training and advocacy Sean Coleman said the camera will enhance the PS4 experience.

"The new stereoscopic lenses track your body movements in games or even recognize your face easier system navigation," Coleman said.

PlayStation 4 is to launch on Nov. 15 in North America for $399 and Nov. 29 in Europe for €399, Polygon said.

The PlayStation Eye camera will be sold separately and will retail for $59 in North America and €49 in Europe, it added. — VC, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com