1P Start

Man it’s been damned hot here. So hot that I could barely make myself sit in front of the computer and write updates instead of looking at porn. Anyway… this week’s Rock Band DLC brings us more Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rush. The tracks will be available for As usual, the tracks will cost $1.99 (160 Microsoft points) each and are not available in a discounted pack.

The songs included in this batch are:

* “Snow” (Hey Oh) Red Hot Chili Peppers

* “Tell Me Baby” Red Hot Chili Peppers

* “Closer to the Heart” Rush

* “Working Man” (Vault Edition) Rush

You might have noticed that Working Man was already available before, well this version is a master recording with an all new special solo only found (currently) in Rock Band. So I guess that’s a big screw you to people who already purchased the song. Yeah it’s nice that they’ve finally got Rush Masters as a cover artist could never truly capture the annoyingly high squeal of Geddy Lee, but it sucks donkey balls that they’ve already released the song.

Videos after the break!

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While playing GTA IV (I’m so close to the end I can taste it), I thought that it was a shame that I wouldn’t get any “trophies” (aka Achievements on the PS3) for my hard work. I wondered what kind of trophies I was missing as I was doing all kinds off crazy stuff in the game. Then I was comforted by the thought that when Sony rolled out the trophies in update v2.40, I’d probably get all the trophies I had earned retroactively.

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If you’re dying for more Weezer songs in Rock Band, then this week should give you the fix you’ve been looking for. This week’s Rock Band DLC brings us three new Weezer songs from their newest CD (do they even make CDs anymore?). While this isn’t something that isn’t going to make me squeal like a pig, I realize that there’s more than a few Weezer die-hards that have probably pooped their pants by now. The three songs cost $1.99 (160 Microsoft points) individually, or $5.50 (440 Microsoft points) for the slightly discounted bundle.

The songs are:

* “Dreamin”

* “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”

* “Troublemaker”

Videos and bonus thoughts after the break!

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This Tuesday Sony announced that the firmware update version v2.36 would be coming and it finally hit the Playstation 3. This PS3 update is supposed to help system stability for select titles. While that’s fine and dandy, that still means we have to wait for the version that’s really worth waiting around for: version 2.4. If you aren’t familiar with that particular software version number (and I don’t blame you if you don’t) 2.4 will finally makes the XMB, a.k.a. the Xross Media Bar, a.k.a. the menu that’s spelled like it’s Xtreme to the max, available in PS3 titles themselves. 2.4 will also bring PS3 owners Trophies, which is Sony’s answer to the Xbox Live Achievements and will also make it slightly less sucky than Microsoft’s Live service. The PS3 2.4 upgrade is something that Live users have had for years and Sony should have had on day one of the PS3 launch. I also wonder if not every PS3 game supporting Trophies will make them less meaningful as much as Achievements and more as an afterthought. The fact that Trophies are coming is a nice touch though, because right now I own both systems and those little points you get for accomplishments in games are incredibly addicting and will often sway me to play the 360 version of a game over the PS3 version.

So exactly when is update v2.4 coming? Well it’s next in the queue, but Sony isn’t saying when that will be. This is perhaps the best move on Sony’s part. It’s better to remain incredibly vague than to disappoint Sony fanboys if there happens to be a delay of some sort. Why nail yourself to a deadline if something goes wrong in testing? So everyone be patient and wait just a little while longer for better features on Home. May I suggest earning some Achievements on Live in the meantime?

This week brings another round of Rock Band DLC and Harmonix is really bringing the heat. First full albums and now this week there’s six songs from two artists. Too bad both of them pretty much suck, although corporate drones that like to get “crazy” on the weekends and angry kids not angry enough to listen to metal will certainly be happy. That’s right both Jimmy Buffet and Disturbed will be available for purchase this week by Xbox 360 and PS3 owners.

The offerings are:

* “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett

* “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffett

* “Volcano” by Jimmy Buffett

* “Indestructible” by Disturbed

* “Inside the Fire” by Disturbed

* “Perfect Insanity” by Disturbed

The Jimmy Buffet songs are master recordings, but with a twist. They’re newly recorded songs specifically for Rock Band. It’s pretty cool that he digs the game so much, but really what else does he have to do besides rake in a lot of cash? If you have no taste you can purchase the Buffet songs for $1.99 each (160 Microsoft Pretend Points) or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Imaginarium Points) for the pack.

The Disturbed songs are also master recordings, but not super special for Rock Band. What’s nice about their songs is that they will be available for a limited time at a discounted price. They will be $.99 per track (80 Microsoft Points) for the limited time, or $2.99 (240 Microsoft Points) for the three pack.

More thoughts and videos of the songs after the break!

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When the Devil May Cry 4 news rains, it pours. While doing my usual gaming news surfing, I found this great news off Digg.com which got me searching to find the official post over on the Capcom blogs. There, they make up multiple reasons why the demo really just doesn’t do the game justice, but I am sure they are just trying to make sure you don’t get your hopes up, thus it becoming a positive because you went in thinking it would suck (I see through their reverse psychology). Either way, can’t wait till tomorrow for Undertow and now Thursday for some DMC4 action.
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Devil May Cry 4, DMC4, Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation 3, Demo, Capcom

Ladies and Gents it pains me to say my farewells to 1PStart. I’ve been here only a short time, though I’ve been at Xbox 360 Rally (another 451 site) for just under a year. I will miss you guys, though you’re probably throwing a party, chanting “he’s leaving! Huzzah! Huzzah!”. If you do miss me, though, you can find me at my new home BingeGamer.net.

It’s been fun, and I hope to see y’all around.

P.S.: Qbix — E-mail me, dude. I’m still gonna get your GTA IV to ya.

Not long ago Sony launched the PSP store on the PC. Through your USB cords and a program you had to download, you could download games straight to your PSP. While this feature was certainly cool, and a big ol’ boost for PSP owners, one question would constantly arise:

When the hell will we get this on our actual PSPs?!

Well, if you ask Eric Lempel, Playstation Network Operations Director, the PSP store is “definitely something we’re thinking about.” Gee, I would hope so considering it’s the freaking PSP store.

The reasons for the delay in the PSP launch and the launching of the service via PC first was so they could work out any security kinks and whatnot.

[PSPSPS]

Sony, PSP, PSP Store

Growing up I was a huge fan of the Wipeout series on the original PlayStation. By the time it came to the PS2, the Wipeout series had entered a period where it was down in the gutter a but. But, if any game can pull the long-standing futuristic racer out of the dumps, this one is looking to be it.

Unfortunately there isn’t any sound, so pictures will have to suffice. However, considering hot crisp and smooth those graphics are… that should be more than enough.

Sony, PlayStation 3, Wipeout HD

Earlier today, Konami held a small Metal Gear gathering for a select number of fans of the series as well as members of the games industry press and other various industry big wigs.

The event, which took place in Tokyo this morning, was a celebration of 20 years of Metal Gear. Among talk of the long awaited Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Kojima Productions used this event to reveal several new titles for the Metal Gear universe, including an online game.

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The boys over at PSU got their sweaty little mitts on the details for the upcoming PS3 Firmware 2.00 update. One huge notable upgrade is the fact that PS3 owners can now password protect their accounts.

Here’s the list of all of the upgrades I’m sure we’re all salivating over:

Users
- You can now password-protect user accounts.

Settings
- [Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as an option under [Sound Settings].
- [Energy Saver] has been added as an option.
- [Equalizer] has been added as a feature under [Music Settings].
- [Full] has been added as an option for [DVD Wide Display] under [BD / DVD Settings].
- [Photo Settings] has been added as an option.
- [PS / PS2 Settings] has been added as an option.
- [RSS Channel Settings] has been added as an option.
- [Sample Rate] has been added to Audio CD Import under [Music Settings].
- [Screen Saver] has been expanded under [Display Settings].
- The method of selecting an output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
- [Theme Settings] has been added as an option.
- [Zero Unused Disk Space] has been added as an option under [System Settings] > [Format Utility].

Photo
- Additional slideshow effects have been added.
- [Photo Effects] have been added as a feature.
- Wallpaper feature has been added.
- [Zoom] has been added as a feature.

Music
- Additional visualization effects have been added.
- CD information can now be entered.
- Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.

Video
- Files can now be played sequentially.
- Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.
- You can now select [Zoom] under [Screen Mode] when playing video files saved on the hard disk or storage media.*.
*An appropriate USB adapter (not included) is required to use storage media with some models.

Game
- Support for PlayStation 3 format software titles has been expanded.
- XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) is now accessible during gameplay.

Network
- [RSS Channel] has been added as a feature.

Friends
- You can now have multiple chat sessions.
- You can now select an image to use as your Avatar from [Photo].

Other
- Date and Time is now shown when the PS button is pressed.
- File sorting has been changed.
- [Help] has been added as a feature.
- Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 format titles.
- [Secure Delete] has been added as an option.
- Some PlayStation Network features have been revised

[Via PSU]

Sony, Playstation 3, PS3, firmware, 2.00

Sony updated their Playstation Store today with a bunch of new content. Here’s a rundown of what you could expect to show up for your downloading pleasure:

PlayStation titles for PS3 ($5.99)

• 2Xtreme
• Crash Bandicoot
• Destruction Derby
• Jet Moto
• Jumping Flash
• MediEvil
• Rally Cross
• Syphon Filter
• Tekken 2
• WipeOut

• Super Rub a Dub Starter Pack & Full Game (free/$6.99)
• Gauntlet II Full Game ($4.99)
• Super Stardust™ HD Trailer (free)
• Rampart Trailer (free)
• BlackSite Area 51® Trailer (free)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Movie Trailer

Aside from the mediocre list of PS1 games, the majority seems to be trailers. Well, I’m sure there’s something on that list that someone is looking forward to.

Sony, Playstation 3, PS3, PSNetwork, PS Store

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David Jaffe’s long awaited entry into the digital download world has finally reached the gold status and is set to be released on the PlaystationNetwork on May 3rd. If you have been following Calling All Cars, you’d know that this highly anticipated PSN game has suffered delays. But as you can see, no longer will we have to wait.

So save the date.. May 3rd… Calling All Cars.

[Via WorthPlaying]

Sony, Playstation 3, PS3, Calling All Cars, David Jaffe

The title pretty much sums it up folks. Basically if you’ve got a PS3 in the room, for the love of god turn it on and start downloading Ninja Gaiden Sigma and enjoy the 1080p / 60fps goodness. But don’t close your browser when you do it, you might miss some good stuff if you do.

Originally, we were led to believe that the demo was supposed to arrive on the 27th, so this is a pleasant surprise. And this isn’t your typical “plop down onto a level and fight” demo, expect to be able to unlock weapons and other additional content within the demo.

Sony, Playstation 3, PS3, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, PSNetwork

Sony released some new videos today showing what players can expect when they take to the skies in Warhawk. The videos show off some pretty slick moves you can do in the warhawk such as cloaking, hovering over enemies, and some good old fashioned dog fighting.

One thing I want you guys to notice in these videos is the speed the game runs at. I did not see any slowdown at all while the warhawk is speeding through the level, twisting and turning. And that’s always a good thing.

More videos follow after the break

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