PS4 Firmware 2.50 to bring Suspend/Resume and more

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 25, 2015

The next PlayStation 4 firmware 2.50, codenamed Yukimura, is due for release tomorrow (26th March).

Firmware update 2.50 for PlayStation 4 brings quite a few long awaited features such as the ability to suspend/resume games. It’ll also bring trophy sync improvements; new accessibility options and the ability to backup and restore installed games, save files, screenshots, videos and downloaded games to a USB device.

Jump Back Into Games Faster with Suspend/Resume*

Suspend/Resume, which will be supported by nearly all PS4 titles, will allow PS4 owners to spend less time waiting for games to load and more time playing. Gamers will be able to suspend their game by putting their PS4 into Rest Mode, and then quickly resume the game where they left off by pressing the PlayStation button on the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller, which wakes their system.

Back-Up and Restore Hard Disc Drive to External USB Drive

“Yukimura” allows PS4 owners to back-up and restore the hard disc to and from an external USB drive. Hard disc drive data includes settings, saved data, screenshots and video clips as well as games, patches and download data.

Find and Connect with Friends

PS4 owners will now be able to search for Facebook Friends with their linked account. Friend requests and Real Name requests can be sent together in one step when adding a friend on PS4. The update will allow users to easily view what their friends are playing by adding a “Friends Who Play This” section on each game detail page, while also highlighting which friends are currently online and playing it. The process to create a Party has also been streamlined with a reduction in the number of steps required. Additionally, the What’s New section will now feature a section where users can see what their friends are currently playing enabling them to join in the game if they own it or find out more on PlayStation(R)Store.

Share Your Earned Trophies and Trophy List Enhancements

PS4 owners have been sharing their most impressive gaming moments since the launch of the system, and with “Yukimura,” a screenshot will automatically be captured when a Trophy is earned, making it easy for users to share their favorite gaming moments with their friends. The update will also make it easy for players to share Trophy information to Facebook, Twitter or via Message by pressing the SHARE button. Additionally, users will now be able to sort their Trophy list by “Earned Date,” “Not Earned,” and “Grade,” as well as the option to remove games from the Trophy list that have zero percent completion.

Improved and Expanded Accessibility Options

“Yukimura” introduces new options to customize the user experience with PS4, making it easier for gamers with impaired vision and limited manual dexterity to play. Customized button assignments for DUALSHOCK 4 and a zoom feature for displayed pictures and inverted colors will be available for all system functions, apps and games. Enlarged text will be available across the graphical user interface, including Message and Party, and enlarged text will also be enabled for use in the system’s browser. Bolder fonts and higher contrast UI will be available for all system applications but will not apply to games or third-party applications.

Additional features and updates introduced with “Yukimura” include:

Remote Play and Share Play: For games that support 60 fps, users will be able to automatically enjoy those games with 60fps for both Remote Play and Share Play on supported devices.
Automatic Installation for System Software Updates: Users will be able to automatically install future system software updates.
Sub-Account Upgrade: Users 18 years of age or older with sub-accounts will be able to upgrade to a master account directly on PS4, removing restrictions on chat and enabling users add funds to their Wallet, purchase content and more.
Verified Accounts: Verified accounts for game industry professionals, including developers, producers, designers and community managers will appear with a badge.
Dailymotion.com: Players will have the ability to upload video clips directly to Dailymotion via the SHARE button.

The PlayStation Vita and PlayStation App for smartphones and tablets will also receive system software updates with the same timing as “Yukimura,” adding complementary features to those added to PS4 with the update.

PS Vita update version 3.50 and PlayStation App update version 2.50 will add new accessibility options, including enlarge text, increase contrast and more. This update also enables PS Vita to support 60fps streaming for Remote Play.

Win Silicon Valley The Complete First Series on Blu-ray

Andrew Edney

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Mar 24, 2015

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To celebrate the release of Silicon Valley The Complete First Series on Blu-ray and DVD, we are giving three lucky winners the chance to win it on Blu-ray.

The socially challenged underdogs of the lucrative world of tech start-ups are finally uncovered in the painfully funny SILICON VALLEY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES released on Blu-ray and DVD from the 23^rd March 2015, courtesy of HBO.

From the offbeat mind of Mike Judge (Office Space, Idiocracy), this critically-acclaimed HBO comedy takes viewers inside the high-tech gold rush of modern Silicon Valley. Inspired by Judge’s own experiences as a Silicon Valley engineer in the 80’s, the show follows the trials and tribulations of awkward computer programmer Richard (Thomas Middleditch – The Wolf of Wall Street), who lives in a “Hacker Hostel” along with his friends Big Head (Josh Brener – The Big Bang Theory), Gilfoyle (Martin Starr – This Is The End), and Dinesh (Kumail Nanjiani – Sex Tape).

Under the watchful eye of Erlich (T.J. Miller – Transformers: Age of Extinction), a dotcom millionaire who lets them stay in his house for free (as long as he gets a 10% stake in their projects), the friends struggle to break into the elusive and lucrative market. Richard is stuck in a part-time job at tech company Hooli, and his obscure website, Pied Piper, is going nowhere fast. But when a colleague realises just how valuable the site’s compression algorithm is, Richard finds himself caught in the middle of an extreme bidding war between Hooli founder Gavin Belson (Matt Ross – American Horror Story) and independent billionaire venture capitalist Peter Gregory (Christopher Evan Welch – The Master).

Combining brilliant observational comedy with a fantastic cast and razor-sharp dialogue, SILICON VALLEY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES taps into the zeitgeist in a completely unique way and shows, in the funniest way possible, how often the people most qualified to succeed are really the least capable of handling success.

How to enter to win

We have three copies of Silicon Valley The Complete First Series to give away on Blu-ray:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Usual contest rules apply, and the winner will be selected at random. This contest is open to the UK only – sorry!

The contest ends at 12.00AM on Wednesday 8th April, and Silicon Valley The Complete First Series is available on Blu-ray and DVD now.

Three buying O2 UK for £10.25 Billion

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

Today Telefonica has agreed to sell O2 to Hutchison Whampoa, who are the owner of Three UK, for £10.25 billion yes that is billion. We all heard of the negotiations back in January, but the is nearly done deal.

Just got to wait for the purchase is approved by regulators, this means that the four UK’s major networks will soon become three (Vodafone, EE and the combined might of Three and O2). The confirmation comes by way of O2 and Telefonica, although both are saying relatively little about the acquisition.

It’s still unclear if Hutchison Whampoa plans to maintain the O2 brand in the UK, or merge it entirely with Three.

Together, Three and O2 would boast the biggest mobile subscriber base in the UK.

What do this mean for the current Three member who get unlimited data via Three will there keep it if the deal for Three buying O2.

Source Telefonica

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Ascendance

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

Get a preview of Ascendance, the second DLC pack for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Ascendance includes four Multiplayer maps, the OHM Multiplayer hybrid weapon and weapon variant, a new Exo Grapple playlist, as well as Exo Zombies Infection, part two of the Exo Zombies co-op experience.

Ascendance releases 31st March on Xbox LIVE, with other platforms to follow.

‘Jaws of Hakkon’ DLC for Dragon Age: Inquistion Out now

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

‘Jaws of Hakkon’ DLC for Dragon Age: Inquistion Out now

BioWare, today announced brand new downloadable content (DLC) that expands the singleplayer experience for Dragon Age: Inquisition, winner of over 100 Game of the Year awards . Now available for digital download, the Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon DLC adds an exciting new story arc to the campaign and expands on its already vast world with a new region of Thedas to explore.

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon is available first on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC via Origin for £11.99.

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon will reveal the fate of the last Inquisitor and the powerful dragon he hunted. The new content expands the land of Thedas with a massive new playable area covered in mountains and lush forests, where danger lurks in the shadowy undergrowth. As players explore the vertical landscape and dense wilderness fighting off vicious enemies, they will collect legendary armour and weapons before unearthing an ancient secret that could destroy the world.

Mike Laidlaw, Creative Director, BioWare said: “We are humbled by the game’s reception so far but are not done with the world of Thedas just yet, we hope the new DLC speaks to our dedication of growing Inquisition with meaningful and exciting new content for our fans, new and old.”

Disney Infinity 2.0 Falcon & Loki

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

Falcon and Loki have made their way into Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes and join a variety of Marvel Super Heroes, Disney fan favourites, and hundreds of themed items, locations, props, vehicles and more to create all-new adventures.

Character highlights for Loki and Falcon include:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl4tjH60L9U

– Loki: The God of Mischief is at your command when you play as Loki, one of the most anticipated characters in Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes. From defeating his opponents with a powerful scepter to projecting decoy versions that bewilder even the cleverest of heroes, Loki is the villain you’ll love to hate. Creating mischief in Marvel’s Avengers Play Set and Toy Box 2.0 has never been so fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k0rrFXtFac

– Falcon: Pararescue veteran Sam Wilson, codename Falcon, soars into Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes. As Captain America’s closest ally, Falcon’s an indispensible addition to the Marvel’s Avengers Play Set and Toy Box 2.0.

LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin out this week

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

-

Mar 24, 2015

0

LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin out this week

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games and The LEGO Group today announced the release of LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin, available from Friday 27^th March in the UK for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system and the PlayStation Vita. The LEGO Ninjago game franchise brings the incredible story and world of the “LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu” TV series to life once again with LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin.

“We’ve worked to make LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin the most expansive handheld adventure through the world of Ninjago yet,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “With the addition of such a dynamic new villain as Ronin, combined with well-known enemies, players will be able to embark on an exciting new journey.”

With the help of his army of dark samurai, Ronin is on a mission to steal the Ninjas’ memories using an ancient and powerful weapon called the Obsidian Glaive. Players will battle foes while exploring a mysterious new island, as well as iconic locations from the TV series, including the Ice Temple, the Toxic Bogs, Chen’s Island and the mountain village of Spinjago, where the Ninjas train in the art of Spinjitzu. Using their Spinjitzu abilities, players can unleash each Ninja’s unique elemental power to deal with bad guys and solve puzzles. The Ninjas can even team up to create the fabled multi-elemental Tornado of Creation.

2K and GAME partner for Vault Hunter Give-Away

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

2K and GAME partner for Vault Hunter Give-Away

2K today announced that it is partnering with UK retailer GAME to offer customers the chance of becoming a real life Vault Hunter. On 27th March, to celebrate the release of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, four GAME stores nationwide will take possession of a custom built loot lockers containing the much sought after Claptrap robot, plus other exceptionally rare Borderlands loot.

The first 20 customers to visit one of the four stores with proof of their Borderlands: The Handsome Collection pre-order will be allowed to pick from one of 20 special golden keys, only one of which will unlock the chest and reveal the loot.

The lucky person who picks the winning key will walk away with the now sold-out Claptrap robot, custom made Borderlands loot locker, Turtle Beach gaming headset (Xbox ONE or PS4), Borderlands Funko Dolls, Jakobs leather messenger bag, 12 exclusive lithographs, plus plenty more.

The following GAME stores will each have a loot locker:

· Westfield Stratford (London)

· Bullring (Birmingham)

· St David’s (Cardiff)

· Braehead (Glasgow)

Predator joins Mortal Kombat X Kombat Pack

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 24, 2015

0

Predator joins Mortal Kombat X Kombat Pack

After the information a few weeks ago about Mortal Kombat X, Kombat Pack playable character, Jason Voorhees, today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment confirmed the additional playable characters that will be included in the Kombat Pack: the ultimate hunter Predator from the films of the same name as well as Klassic Mortal Kombat Kombatants Tremor and Tanya.

Full Kombat Pack details are listed below:

● The Ultimate Horror Pack:

o Playable character Jason Voorhees

o Horror skins Vampiress Mileena, Kraken Reptile and Pharaoh Ermac

● The Klassic Pack #1:

o Playable character Tanya

o Klassic skins for Kano, Sonya and Liu Kang

● The Predator / Prey Pack:

o Playable character Predator

o Predator-themed skins Commando Johnny, Infrared Scorpion and Carl Weathers as Jax

● The Klassic Pack #2:

o Playable character, Tremor o Klassic skins for Quan Chi, Jax and Kung Lao
In the UK, the Kombat Pack is included in the Mortal Kombat X Premium Edition for £74.99 on PSN, £74.99 on XBL and £59.99 on Steam, with a pre-order discount available now. The Kombat Pack will also be available for purchase separately for £24.99 on PSN, XBL, Steam and with selected retailers. Starting 14^th April, when Mortal Kombat X launches worldwide, fans who purchase the Kombat Pack will receive the Samurai Pack containing three new character skins: Ronin Kenshi, Samurai Shinnok and Jingu Kitana, as well as an accompanying skin pack with each playable character. In addition, those who own the pack will gain early access to the above listed content before it is available for sale individually.

Game of Thrones Episode 3 out this week

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 23, 2015

0

Game of Thrones Epsiode 3 “The Sword in the Darkness” will be available starting tomorrow 24th March on PC/Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, as well as the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in North America (SCEA).

The episode will be available on Wednesday, 25th March on the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One and Xbox 360, as well as the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 (SCEE).

The episode will also be coming to compatible iOS devices via the App Store and to Android-based devices on 26th March.

Asher, the exile, heads to Mereen in search of an army to take on the Whitehills. Meanwhile, far across land and sea in Westeros, Mira must deal with the lethal politics of King’s Landing. Her family’s safety is paramount and she will do anything to protect them, but nothing is given freely, and her choice of allies may soon come to haunt her. To the north, in Ironrath, the Whitehill occupation continues. Gryff Whitehill, fourth-born son, is out to prove himself, and brutality and violence grows daily, pushing the Forresters to make far-reaching decisions. Finally, at the Wall, Gared learns that he must head north if he is to help his house survive. But fate is cruel, forcing choices that will change his path forever.