Gamers Evolved

We were checking out the Mafia II official website and we happy to see some details of the new game. On the website they stated that the game will be released on the Xbox 360, PC, and PS3 with the gameplay being “virtually identical across all platforms”.

We were also given some story line information, “… a dark and seductive story about one man’s journey through the unforgiving world of the Mob. Set in an open-world environment, Mafia II ushers you into Empire City during the 1940s and 1950s.” Mafia II is one of the few games (at this time) that we are looking forward to later this year. It is set to be released November 2008.

The Gran Turismo 5 prologue is becoming more popular than anyone would have thought. It has shot up into the UK game charts and its launch has actually increased the sales for PS3 hardware. The first week that it was released it helped the PS3 to outsell both the DS and the Wii by a large number. This is something that they have not accomplished in a long time.

PS3 has finally made the leap to add the now reigning champion – Blu-ray to their consoles. The new firmware version 2.20 is now available and will allow the PS3 to support BD-Live (Blu-ray Profile 2.20) discs. These discs will allow gamers to access some online features and online games.

The new 2.20 firmware adds a few other new features to the PS3, too, mostly in the multimedia department:

- The ability to copy PS3 Music and Photo playlists to a PSP system. We introduced the ability to create Music and Photo playlists on the PS3 in firmware update v2.0. Now you can easily export your playlists to your PSP.

This week Sony has released a new version of its firmware for the PS3. Those of you who have been away from their console can turn it on and will receive a message telling them that they need to download the new 2.17 version. If you haven’t already you need to sign up with the PS Network – which is free to those who were wondering.

Sony says that the only real changes in the latest firmware is that the “the operating stability of some online PS3 titles has been improved”. Nothing to get to excited about.

We have just received word that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be released in the U.S. and Europe on June 12th of this year. It will be released exclusively for the PS3. After much delay we are happy to see that it has been given a confirmed date and it seems that it might be more popular than what we previously thought.

Konami also announced that all who pre-order MGS 4 will have guaranteed access to the online beta test for the game in April. Between Grand Theft Auto IV coming out in April and Metal Gear Solid 4 being released in June – it seems that PS3 gamers will have plenty to keep themselves busy until the holiday season rolls around.