GTA IV Multiplayer Gameplay

BACKLASH STREAM 2008

STREAM BACKLASH 2008

Watch live video from xtreme wwe channel on Justin.tv

Watch live video from xtreme wwe channel on Justin.tv

A week ago we posted news that the Lite-On DH-401S can read Sony PS3 game discs!, and today I am adding a brief follow-up to that article.

I grabbed one of the drives last week and it arrived a few days ago, installed it into the PC, and can confirm Jan70's findings- that it indeed reads PS3 Game Discs flawlessly!

Below are a few screencaptures illustrating the drive, dumping Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom for PS3 via DVD Decrypter which took 00:14:10 to copy 8.27 GB (8,880,652,288 bytes) of data. As you can see, the resulting .ISO image file is viewable in iSOBuster and as suspected the disc-based encryption layer is still present as is on dumps done via PS3 Linux/SAK... as illustrated in WinHex below.

In summary, for the low price (under $130) the Lite-On DH-401S drive is very handy for renting and ripping PS3 discs (or backing up your own :p)... however, once again until there is a way to actually run them on retail PS3 consoles the resulting images are only good for examination and archival purposes.

MGO Beta

According to their Web site, Konami has now postponed their Metal Gear Online Public BETA for gamers outside of Japan. To quote: IMPORTANT NOTICE for all METAL GEAR ONLINE PREMIERE BETA players We would like to thank all players for their keen interest in taking part in the beta test. However, we regret to inform you that due to extraordinary levels of traffic from all around the globe, we have been unable to run the service to the level we expected. As a temporary measure, we will be deferring the start of the US public beta test until we are able to stabilize our server. We would like to apologize for all inconveniences as well as confusion caused. We would like to add that due to the above reasons, we will be making the following changes to the schedule: 1) Starting date: TBA. We will be making another announcement on 22/4/2008 23:00(PDT) 2) Beta Test closure: This will now be on 11/05/2008 at 24:00(PDT) rather than 06/05/2008 at 24:00(PDT) IMPORTANT: Please note that your voucher code will only be valid up until 05/06/2008, so please make sure to register them by then

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, MGO Beta and more

Hi all! Since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is such a huge release, with so many different promotions and packages, we thought we’d take some time to clarify the rumors and speculation going on out there, as well as break some news about what we’ll be offering.

In case you have not heard, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots hits stores June 12th, 2008 and is rated “M” by the ESRB. This is for all the different configurations of the product, detailed below, which includes: the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle, and the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle. We’ll get to details on each of these below.

First, the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” free pre-order bonus offer DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert…

This is a special offer, made through participating retailers and store locations, for customers that pre-order either the MGS4 Standard Edition or the MGS4 Limited Edition. We’ve been receiving reports over the last couple of weeks that store locations have been making the item available as soon as they’ve gotten the shipments in. As of this writing, participating retailers and their respective store locations should be getting their shipments and making them available. Unfortunately, we don’t have any more granular information beyond that, so you really have to check with your retailer/store location of choice, see if they are participating, and find out when and if they will have stock available. Also, please bear in mind, quantities are very limited, so you will have to do a bit of “legwork” to secure your copy while supplies last.

The “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD contains extensive original video content, which primarily focuses on the interconnected history of the “Snakes”: Big Boss (Naked Snake), Liquid Snake, Solidus Snake, and of course, Solid Snake. Additionally, the DVD contains a compilation of the MGS4 trailers to date and a special Prologue video to MGS4.

An insert in the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD case is your ticket to the Metal Gear Online Beta, containing the Unique Product Voucher Code (UPVC) and instructions on redeeming the UPVC to download the Beta client via the PlayStation Store when the download becomes available. The download of the MGO Beta will be available from April 17th 2008 to May 5th 2008 and the game play will be available from April 21st 2008 to May 5th 2008.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard a lot of questions from customers who have attained the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD, particularly about redeeming their UPVC via the PlayStation Store right now. Let’s make this clear: you CAN NOT redeem the UPVC for the MGO Beta download until April 17th, you will get an error until then. Do not attempt to redeem your UPVC for the MGO Beta right now, it won’t work! You will be able to do so April 17th!

Second, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition …

Yes, the image above represents the final box art for the MGS4 SE. Mr. Kojima and his team specifically designed the packaging art to convey his artistic vision for MGS4 – for all you MGS fans, this has been the status quo since the beginning of the franchise. If you have put in the extra effort to pre-order with a participating retailer/store location, while supplies last, you can also obtain the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert (detailed above). This product, of course, includes the full game of MGS4 as well as the Metal Gear Online “Starter Pack”. What is an MGO “Starter Pack”? We’ll get to that in just a little bit below, suffice to say, it is a full and complete multiplayer component of MGS4. Additionally, exclusively available through GameStop, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition is $59.99 USD.

Third, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition…

Yes, we just revealed another never before seen final box in this article, this time for the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, which will be available exclusively through GameStop. The MGS4 LE contains everything the SE offers (above, yes, with the potential to get the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert), as well as a collectible box with exclusive artwork by famed Kojima Productions illustrator Yoji Shinkawa, an additional Blu-ray disc containing two unique and never-before-seen Metal Gear Solid “Making of…” documentaries, and the MGS4 Soundtrack. Additionally, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition is $84.99 USD.

Fourth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle…

Again, hot off the presses, a never before seen box! Of note, for the first time ever, the PS3 will be packaged in a white box as opposed to the typical black one, and of course, is also branded with MGS4 goodness! Inside you will find the 80GB PLAYSTATION 3 package (yes, the 80GB PS3 has been resurrected for this bundle), and will include a PS3 DualShock 3 controller - yes, the PS3 controller that rumbles, and the MGS4 SE (detailed above).

Fifth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle …

Sorry, no box reveal this time (we have to keep some surprises )! We are confirming that there will be a North America offering of this VERY, VERY Limited Edition bundle! This is the “gunmetal grey” PS3 – the one seen selling out in a matter of moments in Japan at the KonamiStyle web store. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting product!

Lastly, sixth, we’d like to shed some light on “Metal Gear Online” and the MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 …

From what we’ve seen here at Konami, there has been some confusion as to what exactly a “Starter Pack” is, so let’s put that to rest right now.

The MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 (all configurations, detailed above) is a full-fledged, fully-featured multiplayer component of MGS4. It is not a “demo” or “teaser” in any way, as some have speculated. It comes packed with maps, weapons/items, an in-depth character creator – where your character can be personalized, and most importantly, customized – with special abilities that can be “leveled” and improved through experience, the SOP system, and much more. There will also be an extremely deep community experience through a specialized portal that will feature stats, communication, and other never before seen features - which we’ll dig into at a later date…

So, you may be wondering why we call it a “Starter Pack”, well, the answer is very simple: because it’s just the beginning. We have a huge slate of downloadable content planned for the game which encompasses new maps, weapons/items, and much more. Eurogamer has a fantastic preview up, which is a great primer on MGO, and details some of the unique features that show why it’s not just another shooter…

But, of course, if you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll be able to get your hands on the MGO Beta in just a couple of weeks (April 21st 2008 – May 5th 2008), and see for yourself!

Also, please don’t forget to check out the latest KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS REPORT from Ryan Payton at Kojima Productions in Japan!

And with that, we end this particular article. We’ll be watching the comments, so please let us know your thoughts, and specifically what you’d like to hear (we’ll do our best to address your burning questions, but please bear in mind, we’re really busy working on MGS4 among a lot of other great Konami games, so please understand we will not be able to get to everyone’s questions)!

Check back here on the PS Blog next Monday, April 14th 2008, as we have a very special surprise in store for you! See you next Monday!

PlayStation@Home

Update: CJPC has now publically posted the FULL PS3 Home Links for those who wish to further experiment.

Shortly following the earlier Site News from xtianoPL detailing PlayStation@Home working, but you can't play! we have a follow-up courtesy of rda990... According to THIS post (and also the pics/video below) he can play in PS3 Home now without being invited into the BETA program, however, there are no other users active he states as follows: I am the only one there. I can't see anyone there, it's like me being the last man on earth. I haven't seen anyone yet, so far I have been in the (I think its) something Squar- the theather, and right now I'm in the bowling alley.

How to Metal Gear Solid 4 Beta

1) Go to this page
https://id.konami.net/login.do


2) Click on the top left corner blue link



3) On the new page that comes, don't do anything. Just click on the bottom left link.



4) On the new page, click again on the bottom left link:



5) On the new page, you will see this:
*Note that you only need to fill out the boxes where you see the red star*


First star: KONAMI ID: choose your personal MGO BETA ID
Be aware that you cannot use CAPS.

Second star: PASSWORD: You need to enter (and re-enter it in the box just under it) your password, which should include minimum 9 symbols, in these 9 symbols at least 2 digits.


6) Then continue scrolling down to find the following:


First star: Do not do anything
Second star: Select and copy the text on the right, and paste it into the box like i show it in the above picture


7) Continue scrolling down to find this:


First star: Enter (and re-enter it in the box just under it) your email address
Second star: Like previously, select the text on the right and copy-paste into the box

Third star: Select any of the 2 choices
Fourth star: Click on the button you see.
On the new page, you have to do the following:





1- Enter the numbers in the box (120 - 0013)
2- Click the button represented by the arrow (it's the one right under the number 120)
3- After doing so, you will see some writings showing at the bottom.
Like represented by the arrow, click on the blue bottom left link that you see to confirm.



8) Almost done, continue down the page and you will see is this:
Don't do anything, just click on the bottom left link.




9) On the new page, which summarize your infos, click on the bottom left link once again



10) Now click on the link like shown in the picture



You will now get an email, so log into your inbox and click on the confirmation link provided in the email to finalize registration. The link will send you to this page, so click on the bottom left link.



Now for the final time, click on the bottom left link




11) Go to this page:
https://id.konami.net/mgo_beta

Here enter your KONAMI ID and PASSWORD you created during the registration, then hit the below button:



Once that done, you will see a survey, just enter whatever you want at random, then confirm.
You will finally have your japanese MGS BETA code.

You will then receive an email with you code.
Now all you have to do is wait until the MGO open beta is available for download.

Note: To create a japanese account, follow the steps here:
www.japanesepsn.com

Download Third Person Cam

Enter the battle with an over the shoulder camera and see the Action from an all new perspective! Action Cam is designed to offer better visibility, depth, and feedback to the player than the normal first person view, and offers pixel-perfect accuracy.



Download

You heard it here first. Forget about GTA IV. Forget about Gears of War 2. Forget about Metal Gear Solid 4. All of those games are going to be awesome, yes. All of those games are going to sell millions.

But one game from Bethesda Softworks is going to rise to the top in 2008 and claim the crown for game of the year. That game is Fallout 3. As creators of the critically acclaimed Elder Scrolls series, Bethesda has firmly established itself as one of the leading RPG game designers on consoles.

Currently in development for the Xbox 360 and PS3, Fallout 3 is set in the United States after a nuclear war in the year 2077 kills almost everyone on the entire planet. After the nuclear fallout, only a handful of humans who took refuge in Vault 101 in Washington DC are thought to have survived.

For 200 years Vault 101 has remained closed... awaiting the day when it is safe to emerge into a world that is completely decimated, and where radiation has mutated those who survived outside the safety of Vault 101.

While very little has been released to the public on this game, the buzz from review editors and industry insider’s that have had the good fortune to see the game is incredibly positive. Early word on the game also indicates that there will be 200 different endings. Whether these are true endings or slight variations on few different ones remains to be seen.

The strength of the game will no doubt come from the huge impact your character has in the world, and how it affects not only the gameplay but the story as well. For example, you may be given the opportunity to nuke a town off the map. If so, it will be gone for the rest of the game. Or, you can save it. The choice will be up to you, and the consequences will play out differently depending on your actions.

I have little doubt that the next installment of Fallout 3 is in good hands with Bethesda. They have proven themselves with Morrowind and Oblivion and are working on a project that really excites them. When the nuclear winter ends, I think that Fallout 3 will be the last game left standing and claim the crown for Game of the Year in 2008. Now lets just hope it makes its scheduled 2008 release in late fall. Only time will tell.

Bonus video can be seen below:

GTA IV Screenshot

The lighting here is great. I love the little red and white lights all around, especially to the left of the shot.

Is that a one hole golf course under the back wheel of the helicopter?

Thanks to RockStar for this great screenshot..

Click to enlarge it, and enjoy!