The New PS3 Slim

PSN is changing to the SEN this Tuesday

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:50 +0000

Sony confirmed in a press release, as well as in emails to PSN users, that this Tuesday, February 7th, the PSN name will be no more. The PSN will be changing into the SEN (Sony Entertainment Network). The email assures us that this is “a change in name only.” Your username and password will remain the same, and anything you purchased for your PSN account will now belong to your SEN account.

The email notes a software update will coincide with the name change, however, “this change will not be applied to the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system at this time,” probably because the new features will not be available on the PSP. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service will also be updated with this change, and, of coures, “you will be asked to agree to ‘them’ if you wish to continue using your Sony Entertainment Network account.”

So what do you think? Sad day for us long time PSN fans, or a step in the right direction for Home Entertainment?

If you haven’t read it yet, you can read the entire email after the jump.

On February 7, 2012, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (“SNEI”) will update its Terms of Service and User Agreement and its Privacy Policy. As a part of this update, your “PlayStation®Network account” will be renamed a “Sony Entertainment Network account”

The first time you sign in to your Sony Entertainment Network account on or after February 7, 2012, you will be asked to agree to the new Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy with SNEI if you wish to continue using your Sony Entertainment Network account. Please review all changes to the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy carefully before indicating your agreement.

In particular, these are some of the additions and changes we have to these agreements:

New terms for parents of minor, subaccount holders regarding the limitations of chat parental controls. Your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to the sharing of your child’s data that may occur if your child utilizes certain communication functionalities on PlayStation devices such as PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems.
New terms that explain the location-based services offered through the PlayStation Vita system. For parents of minor, subaccount holders your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to your subaccount holder’s user of these services on the PlayStation Vita system.
A description of our “What’s New” section, which provides topical information about our services and advertisements.
Information about pre-ordering content.
The name of your “PlayStation Network account” is changing to a “Sony Entertainment Network account.”
You may click here to review the changes to the Terms of Service and User Agreement and you may click here to review the changes to the Privacy Policy.

The rebranding of PlayStation Network accounts to Sony Entertainment Network accounts is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them. On Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems, this rebranding will occur in connection with software updates for these devices. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system at this time.)

This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation Network will be aligned with “Sony Entertainment Network.” This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.

The Sony Entertainment Network account also enables use of Sony’s compelling non-game services such as Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited and PlayMemories Online (currently called Personal Space) across a variety of network-connected devices. If you do not agree with the new Terms of Service and User Agreement or Privacy Policy, you may decline to accept them, and you will no longer be able to access your account.

If you wish to close your account or request a refund of your wallet balance, or have any questions, please contact Customer Service by clicking here. For more information, please click here.

Thank you very much for being a customer!

Twisted Metal EU Release Delayed

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:46 +0000

Many of us Europeans looked forward to a bloody good time on Valentine’s Day, and now, all of us will be disappointed. David Jaffe, the co-director and co-lead designer behind Twisted Metal, has recently made an announcement that the EU version’s release date will have to be pushed up to a date that he (at the time) was not even aware of, though he did speculate that it will be some time in March. The main reason for this delay is the stricter censorship laws in some of the EU countries, like for example Germany. These laws will force the team to cut some of it’s content, but as David Jaffe himself stated:

99% of the cuts were in the movies and the movies are still intact and I sat with the editor- who was the same editor of the American movies- and we went thru and addressed the notes from Europe and made sure the stories still worked.

I, for one, can rest easier knowing that not much actual game-content has been cut, but I suppose we will have to wait and see how much exactly has been changed.

You can read his entire statement here.

PSN is changing to the SEN this Tuesday

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:37 +0000

So what do you think? Sad day for us long time PSN fans, or a step in the right direction for Home Entertainment?

If you haven’t read it yet, you can read the entire email after the jump.

On February 7, 2012, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (“SNEI”) will update its Terms of Service and User Agreement and its Privacy Policy. As a part of this update, your “PlayStation®Network account” will be renamed a “Sony Entertainment Network account”

The first time you sign in to your Sony Entertainment Network account on or after February 7, 2012, you will be asked to agree to the new Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy with SNEI if you wish to continue using your Sony Entertainment Network account. Please review all changes to the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy carefully before indicating your agreement.

In particular, these are some of the additions and changes we have to these agreements:

New terms for parents of minor, subaccount holders regarding the limitations of chat parental controls. Your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to the sharing of your child’s data that may occur if your child utilizes certain communication functionalities on PlayStation devices such as PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems.
New terms that explain the location-based services offered through the PlayStation Vita system. For parents of minor, subaccount holders your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to your subaccount holder’s user of these services on the PlayStation Vita system.
A description of our “What’s New” section, which provides topical information about our services and advertisements.
Information about pre-ordering content.
The name of your “PlayStation Network account” is changing to a “Sony Entertainment Network account.”
You may click here to review the changes to the Terms of Service and User Agreement and you may click here to review the changes to the Privacy Policy.

The rebranding of PlayStation Network accounts to Sony Entertainment Network accounts is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them. On Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems, this rebranding will occur in connection with software updates for these devices. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system at this time.)

This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation Network will be aligned with “Sony Entertainment Network.” This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.

The Sony Entertainment Network account also enables use of Sony’s compelling non-game services such as Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited and PlayMemories Online (currently called Personal Space) across a variety of network-connected devices. If you do not agree with the new Terms of Service and User Agreement or Privacy Policy, you may decline to accept them, and you will no longer be able to access your account.

If you wish to close your account or request a refund of your wallet balance, or have any questions, please contact Customer Service by clicking here. For more information, please click here.

Thank you very much for being a customer!

Twisted Metal EU Release Delayed

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:32 +0000

99% of the cuts were in the movies and the movies are still intact and I sat with the editor- who was the same editor of the American movies- and we went thru and addressed the notes from Europe and made sure the stories still worked.

I, for one, can rest easier knowing that not much actual game-content has been cut, but I suppose we will have to wait and see how much exactly has been changed.

You can read his entire statement here.

Get More Twisted this Valentine’s Day

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:31:09 +0000

Valentine’s Day is coming, and with it, all of the gory goodness you can expect from Twisted Metal. You may be asking yourself, what’s missing from my Twisted Metal experience? A vehicle with gore dripping out of infected wounds? An ice-cream truck that showcases Sweet Tooth’s sensitive side? You’re in luck.

Specially marked NOS Energy Drinks will have a special code under the cap redeemable for exclusive vehicle skins from the twisted mind of game creator David Jaffe. Just enter the code under the tab at drinknos.com, and you’ll be playing through the night with badass new versions of your favorite Twisted rides.

As you play as Dollface and gun down all those who oppose you in your machine gun-equipped mac truck, spare a moment for those you love. Pre-order your copy from GameStop and 1800Flowers.com will hook you up with $10 off of any purchase of $39.99 and up. If you pre-order at GameStop.com, they will email the code; in person, it will print on your receipt. As much carnage as Twisted Metal’s launch day is sure to serve up, remember: it *is* still Valentine’s Day.

Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time in PlayStation Home

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:35:09 +0000

PlayStation Home gets yet another new game this week. The appropriately-named Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time personal space boasts addictive gameplay and comes complete with awesome rewards. Check out the trailer and then get ready for Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time, coming this Wednesday, February 8th to the VEEMEE and Estates stores in the PlayStation Home Mall.

Enter the Lockwood’s ShowOff: First Date Valentine’s Day photo competition where first place wins one of two pre-release Iron Fusion content packs. All entrants are also submitted into a prize draw for a chance to win the Lockwood Team Choice Award (five runner-ups will get special Lockwood Picnic Packs). Be as creative as you can in interpreting the Valentine’s Day theme. Visit www.lockwoodpublishing.com for more information.

No PlayStation Home update would be complete without new items hitting the shelves of the PlayStation Home Mall. In addition to new collectibles, we’re also releasing two 100-Item Super Bundles for the low price of $4.99 each (owners of select Exclusives content will be able to pick these packs up for $1.00) and putting our line of animated weapons on sale (available in the Costumes store). Here’s a look at some of the hottest items coming your way this week!

The PlayStation Home Community Theater will be updated on Wednesday with new episodes of the Hip Hop Gamer Show and Luge Control. Bonus: We’ll be airing a special Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance video in the Playstation Home Theater this week. All visitors will get a free Ghost Rider Flaming Head virtual item, so be sure to come out!

Finally, be sure to go to the Activity Board for new quests – one of which will help you prep for the big Valentine’s Day bash that will occur in Pier Park on Tuesday, February 14th!

See you in Home!

Festival of Hearts Comes to Free Realms Tomorrow

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:52:47 +0000

Nothing says love more than the Stone Abomination right? No? Oh… well… that’s probably because you have yet to hear the tale behind the Festival of Hearts in Free Realms. Sure, everyone knows that Festival of Hearts celebrates love, but not many know the tale of how the festival originated. This is a tale of love that transcends time, and has been retold from generation to generation all around the land.

Long ago, two young pixies – Rylan and Arianna – met while adventuring in the place we now call Merry Vale. Upon first glance, they were smitten with each other and planted a flower together at the spot where they first met. The two young pixies vowed to see each other every day, meeting near their flower in Merry Vale. Every time they met, Rylan would bring a present to his sweetheart; sometimes flowers or chocolates, other times balloons or hand-printed poems. Their romance was the stuff of legend, until…

But I’d better not spoil the fun. I’ll let you guys find out for yourselves starting February 7th! Log into Free Realms and find out what happens to these two lovebirds. And of course, don’t forget to check out the new Valentine’s goodies in the PlayStation Store; there are surprises for everyone.

For those of you who are new to Free Realms, you can jump into the game for free. We are a Free-To-Play MMORPG and you can find us in the PlayStation Store under the PS3 Games category, under the letter F. Get the game and you can play and make new friends online in Free Realms, or you can play with your current PSN friends who have also downloaded the game for free!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone and be sure to share your Festival of Hearts adventures with the team on our Facebook page and Twitter handle @FreeRealms!

Free Points Saturday | February 4th

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:00:48 +0000

Well, I was almost late with this one, but to my credit, it is still technically Saturday in the states! Anyway, did a little bit of a hunt for you guys to find this one (it should actually be a quick one, but I’ve been wrong before). I wouldn’t say that it’s hard, but you might have to do some thinking on this one. First clue:

“I want to keep things private.”
Clue 2: “There should be a policy against that.”

Free Points Saturday | February 4th

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:00:36 +0000

“I want to keep things private.”
Clue 2: “There should be a policy against that.”

PlayStation Around The Web: What We Read

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:00:03 +0000

Most people have their Super Bowl plans locked up by now (I’ve got a rack of ribs with my name on it), but what about tomorrow? If you’re in the SoCal area, why not head on down to the Santa Monica Vita Hill Social Club for our (free) Tester Season 3 launch party. You can compete with Tester participants, meet host Meredith Molinari (she’s sweet!) and the judges, as well as my coworker Will “68 Platinum Trophies” Powers. And, you know, play some PS Vita. Click here for details.

Oh, and: Giants or Patriots? As an Eagles fan, I find the whole thing very depressing. Pass me another rib.

The New PS3 Slim

PSN is changing to the SEN this Tuesday

Twisted Metal EU Release Delayed

PSN is changing to the SEN this Tuesday

Twisted Metal EU Release Delayed

Get More Twisted this Valentine’s Day

Supa-Fun-Robo-Goalie-Beach-Time in PlayStation Home

Festival of Hearts Comes to Free Realms Tomorrow

Free Points Saturday | February 4th

Free Points Saturday | February 4th

PlayStation Around The Web: What We Read

The PS.Blog weekly reading list (Week of January 30, 2012)