A look at E3 2011 Press Conferences

Tonight we look at Day 1 of the E3 Press Conferences which includes: Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and Sony. We talk about what each group announced, pros and cons and why you should or shouldn’t be excited. We don’t always agree, but in the end we had a blast. And now we go to bed to bring you a full day of E3 2011 coverage today on GamingAngels.com.

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Liveblogging Sony at E3

It’s time for Sony’s E3 2011 press conference. They’ve got a lot to talk about, so let’s get started. Sony @ E3 2011

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PSP titles migrating to PS3 with HD upgrades

Sony announced this weekend that some PSP titles will be redeveloped specifically for the PS3, and released on Blu-Ray Discs. As these things usually go, it’s starting in Japan. This new category of “PSP Remaster” titles will not only get a visual upgrade, but they’ll also add some new features, like SIXAXIS support and 3D. You’ll also be able to use your PSP filesaves on your PS3, then continue the game while you’re on the road. The PS3 will be adding an “ad hoc for PlayStation Portable” application. Since Japan’s getting the new titles first, it makes sense that the first release will be a very Japanese one — Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD. (They could bring that to other shores, but I’m doubting it, personally — Monster Hunter hasn’t really taken off here.) What PSP titles would you like to see make the jump to the console big brother?

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PSP Go production halts in Japan

The PSP Go is one of those devices where you either love it or you hate it. The smaller form factor combined with a lack of UMD media makes it an instant win for people who tend to stay on the road and don’t need any extra “stuff” holding them down. However, a lot of people prefer their games to come in a box so they don’t have to wait for the download to hit the PlayStation Store. Not only that, but the original PSP’s larger size and screen make it more appealing to some. You may have already chosen your side in this battle, but in Japan, it won’t matter soon enough. Gamasutra recently reported that PSP Go production is going to be ended in Japan completely, with all focus shifting to the more traditional PSP-3000 handheld. This is a move that makes sense given that Sony’s NGP is

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Original PSP gets a price drop

The PSP-3000, AKA the most recent model that isn’t a flash-memory-only failboat (I believe this is probably a published fact, so don’t get onto me about editorializing), is getting a nice little price drop starting February 27. This also affects the pricing of entertainment packs, which will now go for $159.99. Maybe they’re trying to clear out stock. Or they’re just trying to get people to buy PSPs, even with the NGP on the way at some point in the not-so-distant future. In any case, it gets a new commercial – and Marcus, our favorite little PSP spokesguy, isn’t anywhere to be seen. He is heard, though – at the very end. I guess that ad campaign’s over, then? PlayStation also announced a new crop of games for their PSP Greatest Hits collection: New PSP “Greatest Hits” Titles ($19.99) Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines (Ubisoft) DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY (Square Enix, Inc.) LittleBigPlanet

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Sony’s Deadfall Fruit

When a tree has a fatal disease and it is about to die, it produces the most flowers and the most abundant fruit. And then it dies. This year Sony is putting out several smart products and now a tablet is expected to drop in the fall. In 2009 and 2010 Sony lost money, and fired executives: Sony Online Entertainment, publisher and developer behind DC Universe Online and The failed (or postponed?) ‘The Agency, laid off 35 employees. For Sony, a cloud based delivery of music, videos, games and eBooks means that you need not own anything ever again. Good for them, not for you. Does the world need another device that picks and chooses what it will do online like a vegan at a buffet? Apparently, instead of releasing a product that helps you to digest existing content that you are interested in, they want to recreate the content,

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PlayStation Network Gamers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in PSN downloads

Sony announced the PlayStation Network Gamers’ Choice Awards today. They’re designed to pick the cream of the crop in 2010 games on PlayStation Network in four categories. Here’s a list of those categories, followed by the nominated games. Best PS3 Downloadable Game: Castle Crashers, Costume Quest, Death Spank, PAC-MAN Championship Edition DX, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Best PSP Downloadable Game: God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Lunar Silver Star Harmony, Phantasy Star Portable 2, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable, Valkyria Chronicles II Best PS3/PSP MINI: A Space Shooter for Two Bucks, Age of Zombies, Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess, Vector TD, Young Thor Best PlayStation Network Exclusive Game: Dead Nation, Hustle Kings, Joe Danger, Sam & Max Ep. 1, Soldner-X2 How do you vote? From your console, on the Store! Each game has a free XMB theme associated with it. Every download of that item counts

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“Dissisia 012[duodecim]” hits PSPs this March

The Dissidia follow-up with the funny name, Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy is out for PSP in North America on March 22 with a suggested price of $29.99. The game adds Lightning, Kain and Tifa to the mix, which, much like the original, comprises fighting and RPG elements. Square Enix also revealed some members of the voice cast – Ali Hillis returns as Lightning, Rachael Leigh Cook is reprising her role as Tifa, and George Newbern plays Sephiroth. In addition, Keith David and Steve Burton play Chaos and Cloud, respectively. Other voice actors are also returning to their previous roles. To preorder or learn more about the game, visit http://na.square-enix.com/dissidia_012. Here’s short summary from Square Enix: Story The divine conflict between harmony and discord rages on, the fate of the world its promised prize. Fighting to secure it are brave souls summoned for that solitary purpose. These warriors, relying on what

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Final Fantasy XIII-2 announced and more from Square Enix’s press conference

This is going to be a bullet point list, but thanks to @rpgsite‘s livetweeting the Square Enix press conference today (as culled from a number of Japanese gaming blogs, but I’m going with them because my Japanese is rusty and practically nonexistent), we’ve got a ton of information on Square Enix titles for the very near future. Thanks so much to them for getting the information up quickly. This post will be updated as new information comes, so hold on to your JRPG-lovin’ hats. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a real thing. It is happening. For PS3 and 360. In 2011. (In Japan. The English-speaking world will have to wait, as usual. Probably.) I’m already hoping for Dresspheres, but I won’t hold my breath. There will be a new character hanging out with Lightning (and the gang). This game will be directed by Motomu Toriyama, who was responsible for FFXIII and

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Playstation Phone for Real

Various blogs around the net and G4TV are reporting that the Sony Android Playstation phone will be released in early Spring 2011. Now confirmed by Japanese news papers, the new gadget is no longer a rumor. Information from last week mentioned that the device will not be making an appearance at CES 2011. Sony Ericsson will be showing it at the Mobile World Conference 2011 in February. The early Spring 2011 release is said to be for both for North American and European consumer markets. Sony Ericsson has apparently registered for trademarks on Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Arc. One of Sony Ericsson PR firms has registered the XperiaPlay.com, XperiaPlay.net, and XperiaPlay.org domain names.

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