If you're trying ??to access the store or go online on your PS4/PS5, there is bad news for you, as the PlayStation Network error continues to? cause trouble worldwide.

This is the latest instance of PSN going down in recent times, which will indeed cause a lot of frustration among users. This network-wide outage has been going on for at least a? few hours, affecting users all over the world. It's unclear what may have caused the issue, but there are specific steps you could take to alleviate the problems.

Is the PlayStation Network down?

As of writing, the services are still down globally. While PlayStation has officially acknowledged the problem and continues to work, a fix has yet to be rolled out. You can always check the updated status by going to this link. As of writing, it sh?ows up issues in three different areas:

• Account Management
• Gaming and Social
• PlayStation Store

How to fix PlayStation Network error?

The PlayStation network error is entirely caused by issues on the server end. Hence, there's not much that you can do to help your case. That said, here are ??a few steps you can take to ensure that such network issues aren't caused by problems on your end.

• Check the PSN service status website to know about the latest situation.
• If it says that the services are online, but you're still getting the error, restart your console.
• Always use a wired connection when possible.

Usually, the fix to the latest problem will take only a few more hours to complete, and users should soon be able? to access the online services.

The post PlayStation Network error explained – Possible causes and solutions appeared first on Destructoid.

God Of War Ragnarok's PC port followed Sony's largely disliked strategy of requiring players to already have or create a PSN account to link to Steam in order to run. Luckily, we just learned from VGC modder iArtorias came ??to the rescue by creating a mod called NoPSSDK. It adds a small library that strips the game of its unnecessary PSN requirement.

Sony's strategy could, on paper, make sense for multiplayer games. Still, this measure proved disastrous as it caused Helldivers 2 to lose a devastating amount of players who lived in areas not covered by the PSN's reach. Sony ended up reverting that decision, but a lot of damage had already been done to the confidence we all had in Sony. Concord ??might have sadly been doomed from the start, but it also had this feature whose innate cumbersomeness certainly didn't help it gain any favor among PC-only players.

This is an especially strange move since we're talking about a single-player experience. Ghost Of Tsushima, the other big PlayStation title recently released on PC, didn't feature this requirement and did just fine. At a time when even EA is starting to let its upcoming big releases roam free on Steam, Sony should totally be taking the hint.

The mod has only been out for a few hours, but it has alread?y been downloaded over two thousand times, in case you're?? wondering how much everyone dislikes this feature.

You can now play God Of War Ragnarok on PlayStation 5, and on PC via Steam, and you can download iArtorias' quality of life improvement mod right here at Nexusmods.

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A few days ago, Sony let God of War Ragnarök run free on Steam, nearly two years after its debut on PlayStation 5. However, there's been a bi?t of contention regarding the publisher's insistence that players need a PSN account, even if they don't have the console version. Or even the console itself.

Still, trust the modding community to come to the rescue. As spotted by DSO Gaming, Nexus Mods user iArtorias released an unofficial tool for the game that allows PC users to boot up Ragnarök without having to sign up ?for a PlayStation Network account.

The modder says the download is a "tiny library that fully strips the PlayStation PC SDK runtime requirement," after some players encountered problems with the port of the game. They do make it clear that the mod is not intended to encourage piracy,?? nor does it "touch or modify any original ??game code."

A quick look at the mod's history demonstrates that it may not be a guaranteed fix for everyone, or at least not a permanent one. A few comments raise issues around sudden curveballs to navigate from Sony, like getting stuck on account linking threads, but iArtoriasUA has since patched the issue. Regardless, as future pa??tches roll out, it's worth noting Sony may introduce or change requirements that could result in ??modded PC copies getting locked out.

Sony strikes again with its PSN demands

At the time of writing, God of War Ragnarök has a Steam review score of "mixed." Indeed, while a lot of people seem? pleased with the game, the??re have been a few comments regarding Sony's PSN account requirement.

This is also not the first time Sony has come under fire for this tactic. Earlier this year, it was announced that those who wanted to play Helldivers 2 on PC would also need to connect up a PlayStation Network account. There was quite the backlash from the community, and Sony eventually backpedaled on the idea.

As for God of War Ragnarök, developer Santa Monica recently published Patch 2, with the update intending to fix some issues with Nvidia Frame Generation and Reflex, as well as tweaks to the UI. You can see the full patch notes here. The developer also recently announced that Ragnarök has been verified on Steam Deck.

Whether Sony will change its mind about PC players having to link to PSN remains to be seen at this stage, but we saw what happened with Helldivers 2. For now, you may have to use iArtorias' mod.

The post God of War Ragnarök mod removes Sony’s PlayStation Network requirement appeared first on Destructoid.

Sony PayStation

A Californian court has granted the request of Sony Interactive Entertainment that it dismiss a class-action lawsuit, filed in 2021, that accused the publisher of maintaining a monopoly over the price and distribution of digital games via its popular onl?ine store, PlayStation Netw?ork (PSN).

The consumer-led lawsuit alleged that SIE held full control over the prices of all titles sold via the PSN store, arguing that the removal of digital game codes from high street retailers, (a practice that Sony halted three ago), meant that Sony now held a "price monopoly" in regards to the sales of all digital PlayStation video games, forcing consumers to exclusively use PSN and pa?y its respective prices.

However, as reported by Bloomberg Law, Judge Richard Seeborg of the Northern District of California dismissed the c??ase this past weekend, citing that there was no evidence that SIE removed digital codes from high street stores in order to acquire full control of PlayStation's digital game sales. The success or failure of the suit depended upon the plaintiff's ability to prove that SIE's primary goal in removing code sales was to eliminate sales competition. In the court's opinion, this was not achieved by the lawsuit.

"For all the foregoing reasons, the motion to dismiss is granted because Plaintiffs have failed to allege adequately anticompetitive conduct under the Sherman Act [the law by which corporate antitrust is defined], and the other claims are derivative of the Sherman Act claims," wrote Judge Seeborg. "Although it is unclear at this time if the deficiencies may be cured, Plaintiff is granted leave to amend.??"

The Sony PSN suit is one of a seemingly endless number of lawsuits brought against publishers in regard to the operation and legalities of digital storefronts. Recent years have seen a litany of varied cases brought against companies such as Epic Games, Apple, Valve, and others. While we are well into the third decade of digital games sales, it seems th?e rulebook is still far from closed in regards to pricing, distribution, regional changes, refunds, and other consumer laws long since established in street retail.

The post Sony PSN ‘price monopoly’ antitrust lawsuit dismissed by court appeared first on Destructoid.

The fine line between stupid and... and clever

In news spotted by GamesIndustry.biz, PlayStation will be removing certain purchased content from certain user accounts next month, citing "evolving licensing agreements?? with content providers."

The content in question belongs to movie publisher Studio Canal, whose titles will be removed from the German and Austrian versions of PSN on August 31. Not only will this render some 100 films unavailable for purchase, but users who have previously purchased the affected content will also be unable to access the films once this date passes. You can check out the full list of affected films here? �remember, this (currently) only affects German and Austrian PlayStati?on users.

The Studio Canal situation is an inevitable part of PlayStation's shuttering of PSN's movie rental/purchase market. While the discontinuation of film purchases came into effect in the spring of 2021, the continuing "rolling over" of licenses suggests that Sony will be forced to come to terms of closure with each and every studio that has offered its film and TV properties for purchase. Cl??early the agreement between PlayStation and Studio Canal has come to an end.

Of course, there are a lot of specificities here. We are, for now, only ta?lking about purchased content involving one particular studio in two particular territories. But the prevailing concern is obviously focused more on the fact that publishers of any digital content �music, film, gaming, TV �have the essential right to remove and/or withhold access to any and all paid content at the drop of a hat. This may not be the last time such a story crops up in our headlines.

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Share what you're playing right from your PlayStation

Back in May of last year, Sony and Discord announced they were partnering to bring their?? services closer together. Today, we're seeing the fruits of their labor, as PlaySta??tion players can link their PSN accounts to Discord.

Discord confirms that starting today, PlayStati?on Network users will be able to link to their account from Discord, in order to display their PS4 and PS5 activity in their profile. Much like other opt-in services, this will sho??w your PlayStation activity, and also allow you to share your PSN ID in Discord profiles.

To be clear, this isn't necessarily the full Discord on PlayStation. As the ??Discord blog highlights, this opens up visibility for what you're playing and other profile options. The connection option will gradually roll out today across currently available Discord platforms on Windows, macOS and iOS, Linux, Android, and web.

//twitter.com/discord/status/1488240777549402112

Discord says it is "excited to continue" its partnership with PlayStation, though no news on an official Discord app for PlayStation just yet. It at least brings the feature up to parity with a similar account integration for Xbox.

What it does seem useful for is looking at cross-platform games. So, say, a friend is playing Destiny or Final Fantasy XIV, I'll be able to spy that on Discord and ??hit them up. Or honestly, just easy friend-adding for platforms. Cutting down on the times you have to type out tags or read them out over voice should be nic??e.

You can find more about the PSN Discord integration, as well as some nice features to toggle if you want some more privacy, in Sony's support blog here.

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Because Q1 isn't stacked enough

While Tango Gameworks' Ghostwire: Tokyo has been highly anticipated for some time, publisher Bethesda has yet to offer a release date for the neon-stained cyberpunk adventure. Having been in development for several years, eager street ninjas have been offered little more than a general release window of "2022". However??, a recent leak on the ??PlayStation Network has set the rumor mill turning.

Just yesterday, the official Ghostwire: Tokyo PSN page updated, announcing a release date of March 24, 2022. This was hastily removed, but not before savvy folks over at MP1st snapped a quick screengrab. While this (surprising??ly close) date represents the first possible "lock-in" for Ghostwire: Tokyo's release, fans would do well to take the leak with a grain of salt until the ti??tle has been officially confirmed by its publisher. Still, it's tough not to be excited at the prospect of slicing 'n' dicing through Neo Tokyo so soon.

If the March date is to be believed, then Ghostwire: Tokyo will launch amidst an absolute slew of hyped video games. The first quarter of this year is absolutely stacked, �a victim of 2021's many delays �and February/March sees the coming of Elden Ring, Sifu, Horizon Forbidden West, Shadow Warrior 3, The King of Fighters XV, Dying Light 2, and many others. I feel your pain. I want to play them all too and, as we know,?? they must all be played on ??release week.

Either way, we'll be sure to let you know should Bethesda or Tango Gameworks be forthcoming with an official launch date. Ghostwire: Tokyo is currently scheduled to launch this year on PS5? and PC.

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Is it a glitch, or a portent?

Over the past weekend, a small selection of PS3 games appeared, complete with price, on the PS5 version of the PlayStation Network. The appearance of these PS3 titles, as spotted by Jordan Middler for VGC, has sparked hopes in fans that backward compatibility co?uld be headed to Sony's shiny new console.

Currently, PS5 users are unable to actually purchase any of the games in question �including titles in the Dead or Alive and Prince of Persia franchises �but while these games are available on the PlayStation Now service, they should not be appeared as priced, purchasable titles within PSN. Dead or Alive 5, in fact, shouldn't even be available as part of the European PlayStation Now service.

Of course, glitches gonna glitch, and this could simply be a coding error providing false listings. After all, there is testimony of similar store slip-ups happening before. Regardless, it's difficult not to find this intriguing, given not only PlayStation architect Mark Cerny's recent backward compatibility patent, but also the rumor that Sony is getting set to launch its own Xbox Game Pass-style subscription service. We're unlikely to hear ?official confirmation either way. So, for now, this is something of a wait-and-see situation. Whether this is smoke or fire, clearly PlayStation has the concept on its desk either way.

Would be great to have that huge PS3 catalog back in action though... Let's go, WWE All-Stars.

The post PS3 games popped up on PlayStation Network’s PS5 store appeared first on Destructoid.

Sports, shooters, and Grand Theft Auto

It's a new year, and Sony has released a look back at its previous year in digital sales. Today, a new PlayStation blog br?oke down which games were most-downloaded on the PlaySta??tion Store in 2021.

The top of the list may not surprise you; the usual suspects, like annual sports entries and Call of Duty, are all here. But in a few cases, some smaller entries rose to the top. Kena: Bridge of Spirits secured a Top 20 finish on PlayStation 5 across both North America and Europe, and others like It Takes Two and Among Us land in high spots as well.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQT-O1nMSBU

Of course, Call of Duty did well, though notably better on newer consoles than old. While Vanguard secured the second-highest slot for PlayStation Store ?downloads on PS5 in both US/Canada and th?e EU, it came in at fifth and ninth respectively on the PlayStation Store.

What was popular on the PlayStation 4 was Grand Theft Auto V, which bodes well for GTAV's eventual next-gen debut. Other heavy-hitters from the PS4 generation, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Red Dead Redemption, are also there. And of course, Minecraft.

Here's a quick look at the top games for US and Canada on the PlayStation Store for PS??5.

PlayStation 5 games - US/Canada

1. NBA 2K22
2. Call of Duty: Vanguard
3. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
4. Madden NFL 22
5. Battlefield 2042
6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
8. MLB The Show 21
9. Resident Evil Village
10. Far Cry 6
11. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
12. FIFA 22
13. Among Us
14. Mortal Kombat 11
15. NBA 2K21 Next Generation
16. It Takes Two
17. FIFA 21
18. Deathloop
19. Returnal
20. Kena: Bridge of Spirits

You can find the full breakdown of Top 20's, for PS4 and PS5 in both US/Canada and EU, on the PlayStation Blog here.

The post PlayStation lists the most do?wnlo?aded games from its Store in 2021 appeared first on Destructoid.

Like JRPGs, action, or fighting games? This is your sale �and there's a few more running right now

As someone who tries to keep up with new games (due to the nature of this lucky job), it's stuff like the Big in Japan sale on the PlayStation Store that makes me long for a chance to set eve??rything else aside and hibernate for several months with big, comfy JRPGs and action-RPGs by my side. They're great! T??hey just don't always fit into my gaming life.

Two examples that immediately come to mind, just scrolling by these deals: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade ($49.69) and NieR Replicant ($38.99). I started going through FFVII Remake again on my PS5 �in part to refamiliarize before Yuffie's Intermission DLC, but also because it's so fun �and I dropped off after besting the Air Buster. As for NieR Replicant, I owe it to myself to g??et to this game when I can fully immerse myself in it, and that opportunity hasn't really presented itself yet. It's looking like?? a "winter game."

You might've made it through those games, but what about Persona 5 Royal ($23.99), Yakuza: Like a Dragon ($35.99), Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection ($29.99), NEO: The World Ends with You ($41.99), 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim ($29.99), Legend of Mana ($22.49), Trails of Cold Steel IV ($38.99), Dragon Quest XI S ($25.99), or Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Digital Deluxe Edition featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry series ($45.49)?

Another one: Final Fantasy XIV Online - Complete Edition ($23.99).

There are around 230 "full games" in the sale, along with DLC and season passes you might've been avoiding at full price. Naturally, there's a lot more than just JRPGs �fans of fighting games and action games will want to turn up too. Remember when I gave PixelJunk Monsters 2 a shout-out? Well, I replayed it, I loved it, and hey, it's only $2.24!

The Big in Japan sale will be active until October 6, 2021. The UK sale is right here.

A few other sales worth noting today: the current deal of the week is Mass Effect: Legendary Edition ($39.59), which I really wish I would've waited for given how small of a dent I've made in my w?ell-meaning but destined-to-fizzle "full trilogy replay" goal.

The PlayStation Store also has a Games Under $20 sale and a PS Plus-centric Double Discounts sale, both of which are up and running until September 29, 2021??.

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Everybody's headed back to Night City

Following its return to PlayStation Store last month, CD Projekt RED's troubled RPG Cyberpunk 2077 is back on its golden road, immediately becoming the best-selling digital PS4 title in Europe, Canada, and North America. Cyberpunk 2077 was re-released on PSN, (albeit accompanied by a brand new warning), on June 21 following a six-month hiatus.

CDPR continues to roll out patches and hotfixes in an effort to get the console editions of Cyberpunk 2077 into a far superior shape than it was on its December 2020 release �a launch so notoriously botched that it led to a slew of bad press, internet memes, lawsuits, and publishers such as Sony washing its hands of the game entirely. It should be noted that none of the above controversies hit CDPR in the wallet too hard, with Cyberpunk 2077 hitting over 13 million sales across PS4, PC, and Xbox One, recouping its costs in a matter of days and becoming the publisher's biggest release ever �even with refunds taken into acco??unt.

It seems that, despite the PSN in-store disclaimer, Cyberpunk 2077 has picked up right from where it left off: raking in sales. CD Projekt RED has stated that it believes the last-gen console editions of the hi-tech adventure are now in a "satisfactory" condition, and so one would assume that work is set to continue on the PS5 and Xbox Series X ports of the game, which are scheduled for release at a later date. Clearly, the Cyberpunk 2077 story is not only far from over, but the fr?anchise will conti??nue to print money well into the gaming's ninth generation.

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Within Sales Interlinked

[Update: Cyberpunk 2077 is now officially back on PlayStation Store. "Users may continue to experience some performance issues with the PS4 edition while we continue to improve stability across all platforms," reads a statement on the official Cyberpunk 2077 site. "The PS4 Pro and PS5 versions of the game will provide the b??????????????????????????est experience on PlayStation."]

Many months have passed since its initial removal, but the PS4 edition of CD Projekt RED's beleaguered RPG Cyberpunk 2077 returns ??to PSN next week, accompanied by a brand new caveat warning potential buyers of its ongoing technical woes.

Speaking with IGN, a Sony Interactive Entertainment rep said "Users will continue t?o experience performance issues with the PS4 edition while CD Projekt Red continues to improve stability across all platforms. ??SIE recommends playing the title on PS4 Pro or PS5 for the best experience."

Released in December 2020 following a major delay, the heavily hyped Cyberpunk 2077 faced a cataclysm of problems at launch, with its PS4 and Xbox One ports proving to be awash with bugs and game-breaking glitches. Developer CDPR issued a video apology and was quick to begin its own in-house refund service. Sony, fea?ring the inevitable backlash, pulled the product from its ?store entirely.

Since that fateful launch period, CDPR has worked on a series of updates and hotfixes to get Cyberpunk 2077 into reasonable shape, pushing back DLC plans in order to do so. The wildly spiraling controversy surrounding the game's launch severely tarnished what had been considered by fans to be crowned the first, true "next-gen" brand. Once Cyberpunk 2077 returns to PSN, CDPR will then lo?ok to clawing back the franchise's reputation with its upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X ports.

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Over a thousand PlayStation indies for PS4 and PS5 are on sale through June 18

We've seen the PlayStation Indies sale before, and we'll see it again �but unlike a lot of the cookie-cutter promos that pop up, I like the frequency of these recurring deals. In my book, there's never a bad time to play indie games, especially when we're talking about some fantastic PS4 titles that are sti??ll very enjoyable on PS5, upgrade or no upgrade.

You can start browsing the PS4 and PS5 indie game sale over here.

This particular PlayStation Store selectio?n covers over 1,300 entries, which means we'll want to use some of those filtering options to cut through the fluff.

Recommendations

• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut ($27.99)
• Curse of the Dead Gods ($13.99)
• Risk of Rain 2 ($9.99)
• Untitled Goose Game ($11.99)
• Spelunky ($3.74)
• Spelunky 2 ($11.99)
• Visage ($24.49)
• The Pathless ($27.99)
• CrossCode ($10.99)
• Outward ($13.99)
• Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun ($4.99)
• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling ($16.24)
• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners ($25.99)
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night ($19.99)
• Shantae and the Seven Sirens ($20.99)
• Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79)
• Limbo + Inside ($6.99)
• Ashen ($15.99)
• Soma ($2.99)
• Manifold Garden ($13.99)
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter ($2.99)
• Gris ($6.79)
• Oxenfree ($2.99)
• Donut County ($3.89)
• Nex Machina ($4.99)

I always find it tricky to navigate which discounted games are cheaper (and perhaps better-played) on, say, PC, as well as the potential "most of us already got that game from PS Plus" caveat. One example: Frostpunk is free right now on the Epic Store. As always, take my picks with that in mind and see what everyone else is hollering about, t?oo.

To see the entire list of games on a single page with all of the items written out, you can cross-reference this PlayStation Blog post and c??trl+f as you p??lease.

The PlayStation Indies sale is also running in the UK and Australia.

These deals last until June 18, 2021,? at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

The post PlaySt??ation Store indie games banded together f??or a big sale appeared first on Destructoid.

Repair work continues on beleagured RPG

CD Projekt RED cannot offer a date for when its troubled RPG Cyberpunk 2077 will return to the PlayStation Store. The hi-tech, hi-issues title was pulled from the PSN platform by Sony following the game's incendiary launch, which saw the PS4 edition plagued with problems and subject to thousands of re?funds from disappointed player?s.

"We are still in discussions and with every patch the game gets better and there is a visible progress," said CDPR Co-CEO ??Adam?? Kicinski in a shareholders' meeting. "As we said, the decision is an exclusive decision of Sony. We are waiting for the informati??on about the fact that they took the decision to bring back this game. Until then I am not able to tell you anything more."

Work continues at CDPR to improve the state of Cyberpunk 2077 on both PS4 and Xbox One, with numerous patches and hotfixes applied since the game's notoriously rough release in December of last year. The publisher has previously stated that abandoning the port is "not an option". Cyberpunk 2077 is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X this year, but these releases a??re obviously now mired in a queue of damage control and after-market repair on its platform predecessors.

Despite all of the above, Cyberpunk 2077 was — at least from a strictly sales standpoint — hugely successful for CDPR. The controversial title sold over 13.7 million copies in 2020 alone, with over half of all sales taking place on PC, where the title is far more stable. This huge number led to a revenue growth of over 550% for CDPR, year-on-year. In regards to refunds, only 30,000 copies of Cyberpunk 2077 were returned via CDPR's own refund program, though the numbers pertaining to PlayStation and Microsoft S?tore refunds remains unknown.

CDPR still waiting?? f?or Sony's approval to bring Cyberpunk 2077 back to PSN [VGC]

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Captive Audience

It's been at least a few hours since the last one started, so it's time for another industry lawsuit. In the dock this time is Sony? Interactive Entertainment, which is facing a class-action lawsuit over the exclusivity of digital software as it pertains to its online st?orefront, PlayStation Store.

As reported by Bloomberg, the consumer-led lawsuit accuses SIE own maintaining a monopoly over the price of digital games, given that the PlayStation Store is the only place said titles are available. While Sony previously allowed digital game codes to be sold over-the-counter in high street stores — as well as other third-party retailers &mda?sh; this practice was halted two years ago, making the PS Store the only place in town to officially acquire digital games for PlayStation platforms?.

"Sony's monopoly allows it to charge supracompetitive prices for digital PlayStation games," reads a section of the suit filing. "[the digital games] are significantly higher than their physical counterparts sol??d in a competitive retail ??market, and significantly higher than they would be in a competitive retail market for digital games."

The suit references examples of online customers being charged up to 1??75% more for purchasing a game via PlayStation Store than it would purchasing the same title in a hypothetical third-party-retailer environment. The case is set to be heard presently at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, California.

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Next-gen console beats out PS4 launch

Sony has released its latest financial earnings report for the latest fiscal year — and it's a real doozy. The industry giant's l?atest hardware, PlayStation 5, has shipped a staggering ?7.8 million units since its launch back in November 2020, exceeding its sales forecast and leading to record profits for Sony's Game & Network division.

Despite distribution issues and ongoing component shortages, PlayStation 5's launch was an incredible success for Sony, shifting more consoles in its release period than last generation's PlayStation 4 — though it should be noted that PS4 was made available in fewer territories at launch than PS5, which enjoyed a relatively global release. Combined sales of hardware, software, DLC, and PlayStation Plus subscribers led to overall record-breaking revenue of $24.4 billion?? USD for the fiscal year

Speaking of P??S4, sales and shipments continue to slow on Sony's trusty black box, which now stands at a very impressive 115.9 lifetime shipments. One million PS4 consoles have still moved from store shelves since the start of 2021, showing that there is life in the old dog yet. In regards to software, PS4 and PS5 sold a combined 61.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2020, down a hefty 3.9 million units on the previous year, but still driving some $6.22 b?illion in revenue. Digital sales continue to dominate, with 79% of all software sales purchased as downloadable titles.

Paid subscription service PlayStation Plus continues to grow each year, currentl??y standing at 47.6 million users, an increase of over six million users from the previous fiscal year. While the ninth generation of gaming has gotten off to a slow and troubled start — with issues concerning manufacturing, global distribution, scalpers, and a lack of first-party software — it seems that PlayStation remains firmly in the black, heading into gaming's new dawn in as strong a position as it has ever been.

FY2020 Consolidated Financial Results [Official]

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Time to dust off that Karategi...

Following on from a recent listing by the Game Ratings Board of Korea, an unannounced Virtua Fighter title for PS4 has appeared on the database on the Japanese PSN store. The title was spotted by database hunters and store spoilers PSN Releases.

No detailed information is available at press time, but the listing (which is not publicly viewable) is for a "Virtua Fighter eSports" and features brand new artwork of the Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown cast. All of the characters appear stylized in their VF 5 iterations, implying that this will be a re-release of the 2010 PS3 and Xbox 360 fighter. It should also be noted that the Korean listing was actually titled Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown.

We will keep you informed as and when more information is forthcoming. I'm very giddy right now. It doesn't appear to be the long-wishlisted Virtua Fighter 6, of course, but releasing an updated edition of VF5: FS, readily available on modern platforms, complete with competent online play, and a revived t??ournament scene, is excit??ing stuff all the same.

And so soon after this modder found the full game hidden in Yakuza: Like a Dragon! ORA!

Via Upcomer Esports

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A new level of coaster enforcement

[Update: The PS3 community is starting to discover that some ga??mes are ??getting patches back, mysteriously, as of this week. Alien: Isolation, Battlefield 4, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Dante's Inferno, Dark Void, Dead Nation, Dungeon Siege III, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Gran Turismo 5, Jet Set Radio HD, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle, Just Cause 2, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, LEGO Lord of the Rings, LittleBigPlanet: GOTY, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, Mortal Kombat, Need for Speed Shift/The Run, Resogun, SoulCalibur IV, Sports Champions 2, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike Online Edition, Tekken Tag 2, Twisted Metal, WRC FIA World Rally Championship, and Zombie Tycoon 2 have been patched.

However, since our first report, a ton of games have also been added to the list and do not have patches. 48 games (that we know about) are still impacted to some degree, including some bigger games or exclusives like White Knight Chronicles and LittleBigPlanet 2.]

Just recently, we were talking ?about how great it was that Microsoft actually valued game preservation.

The ripples of their efforts to actually allow people to play their old games have been felt for some time, especially when it comes to preserving games as old as the original Xbox platform. But on the flipside, Sony is shutting down entire marketplaces fo??r ?multiple devices, and now it seems like the PSN's b??ackend is shoddier than we thought.

According to myriad users on the forum PSN Profiles, a handful of games no longer patch at all. The games range from Dante's Inferno to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow to Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, all of which currently cannot obtain patches from the PSN. There's 35 known games in all, with a li??ving list that grows by the day. In a few cases this process can lock folks out of DLC they've purchased without the new version to authenticate.

It all falls back to the warning signs of digital many years ago. Some companies were tying a lot of content solely to digital releases, and folks were asking constantly "physical edition when?" You've probably seen the chant before and rolled your eyes at it, but if this is the fate of the legacy PSN, it just goes to show you how important preservation really is. This is partly why people praised the idea of putting Witcher III, and all of its DLC, on one self-contained Switch cart.

You can find the full list below, compliments of DeidaraTV on PSN Profiles. We've reached out? to Sony for clarification on why this ??may have happened.

No Patches for some PS3 games [PSN Profiles] Thanks John!

List of PS3 Games that are currently unable to get Patches:

• 007 Legends - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Battlefield 4 - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - (USA, Disc) [*Some players are having trouble downloading the Patch regardless of Region*]
• Colin McRae: Dirt 2 - (JPN, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Dante's Inferno - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Dark Void - (EU, Disc) [*Some players are having trouble downloading the Patch regardless of Region. The problem can be fixed: "boot-up the game then let it sit on the patch notification screen until the Hard Drive light stops flashing. Once the light stops flashing, press X to start the download"*]
• Dead Nation - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Fuel - (JPN, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Dungeon Siege III - (EU, Disc) [*If you install the DLC before installing the game data, a Data error will occur. The problem can be fixed: deleting the DLC Data and later it will be possible to start and install the Patch and re-download the DLC correctly.*]
• flOw - (USA, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Ghostbusters: The Video Game - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Gran Turismo 5 - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle - (EU, Disc) [*Campaign+Characters DLC no more available in PS Store* - Platinum/100% OBTAINABLE]
• Journey - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Just Cause 2 - () [*Some players are having trouble downloading the Patch regardless of Region. The problem can be fixed: "boot-up the game then let it sit on the patch notification screen until the Hard Drive light stops flashing. Once the light stops flashing, press X to start the download"*]
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• LittleBigPlanet Game of the Year Edition - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Need for Speed: Shift - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Need for Speed: The Run - (USA, Digital) [*N/A*]
• NHL 10 - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• NHL 15 - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - (JPN, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Payday 2 - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Savage Moon - (USA, Digital) [*N/A*]
• Smash Cars! - (EU, Digital) [*N/A*]
• SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• SOCOM: Special Forces - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• SoulCalibur IV - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Street Fighter III 3rd Strike Online Edition - (USA, Digital) [*Some players are having trouble downloading the Patch regardless of Region*]
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - (USA, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Top Spin 3 - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• Twisted Metal - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]
• White Knight Chronicles International Edition - (EU, Disc) [*N/A*]

The post (Update) Not only does t??he PS5 not favor game preservation, but certain PS3 games are unable to get patches now appeared first on Destructoid.

I added probably too many PS1 Classics to my digital PS3 library ahead of the shutdown, and now my backlog is in shambles

With Sony cutting off access to the PlayStation Store on PSP, Vita, and PS3 later this year, some of us have been exhaustively combing through recommendation lists to whittle down which digital games we want to grab before we're no longer able to purchase them. As I've covered before on Destructoid, it's a needlessly drawn-out process. I'm nearing the end of this arguably ill-advised pro?ject — I hope!

For me, half the battle was just going through my Download List and getting everything I already owned situated on my PS3 and PlayStation TV. That step wasn't strictly necessary (the store cutoff date is for making new pu??rchases, not the ability to download your stuff), but it helped me organize m?y thoughts.

Along the way, I've dabbled with PS1 Classics I always intended to play, I've messed with a few out-on-a-limb titles, and, to be honest, I've fallen head over heels with PixelJunk Monsters again. If you're in the tower defense mood and the 2018 sequel didn't cut it??, my goodness does the o?riginal still hold up.

???I'll likely continue down this "play everything and nothing" path for the near future.

I've got screw-around saves started in the first three Resident Evils, which I'm justifying as a ramp-up to Village, as well as the original Silent Hill and Dino Crisis, which I've seen but never touched. For me, PlayStation was the peak "hang with frie??????????????????????????nds and watch someone else play freaky games" era.

Quick impressions: I died in the diner, and I kind of love that. It felt appropriate. As for Dino Crisis, I said "whoa" out loud when I saw a (surprisingly detailed) dude torn in half, and I'm already more invested than I thought I'd be. If Capcom ?? won't do a modern remake, it's about time I checked this one out.

These games are pretty?? much locked in — I genuinely intend ??to finish them soon(ish).

_{[Image credit: World of Longplays]}

Things get much more convoluted when I consider everything after this survival-horror kick, and that's where you all come in with feedback. Here's a list of my recent PlayStation Store purchases, as well a?s some pick-ups I somehow already had but never got very far in, vaguely sorted with notes:

• Yakuza: Dead Souls — this was my last buy, and it might skip the line. I wasn't Yakuza-ready when this launched in 2012; now I am. I'm ready for some nonsense.
• Parasite Eve and Parasite Eve II — these missed my initial survival horror list for whatever reason. I'll also need to circle back on Dino Crisis 2 when the time comes.
• Xenogears, Final Fantasy Tactics, The Legend of Dragoon, Suikoden, Suikoden II, and Vagrant Story — big RPG mood. I consider all of these to be substantial commitments.
• Tomba, Tomba 2, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, and Pac-Man World — I feel like someone's going to take offense to having Pac-Man World lumped in here, but I'm into it.
• Mega Man Legends, Mega Man Legends 2, and The Misadventures of Tron Bonne — I'm convinced I'm going to dig this series. Fun fact: as a kid, I could've gotten Mega Man Legends for my birthday, but I ended up getting Rampage World Tour instead, and that was that. It was an either/or situation! I remember being perfectly happy with it too.
• Bomberman '94 — this gets its own bullet point because it's freaking Bomberman.
• Strider 2 — I messed around a bit and had fun, but I was initially thrown off by being forced into the first Strider. Oh, right, that's how you swap discs for PS1 Classics.
• Mega Man 8 — I couldn't resist buying this before the closure, but I'm also not in a rush.
• Tokyo Jungle — do I... do I drop everything and replay this can't-miss PSN exclusive? I'm still missing two trophies ("finish all challenges in a single playthrough" and "survive 100 years in Survival"), which doesn't sit well with me. My cheetah is calling.

I'm not comfortabl??e making a full-on "buy these PSN games!" list yet, but I'm happy to share my recent buys for fun and also for the possibility that it helps someone else in the mad dash to J??uly.

While there are potentially more PS3 games for me to get before the July 2 deadline — I'm eying various missing entries in the Metal Gear Solid, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper series — I'??m stepping back for now. The question is, beyond surface-level check-ins, what should ?I strive to finish first?

The post My PS3 backlog just spiraled out of control and I need to prioritize wh??at to play appeared first on Destructoid.

Show's over

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that, as of August 31, 2021, PlayStation users?? will no longer be able to purchase or rent movies and TV shows from the PlayStation Store.

Speaking on the official PlayStation blog this morning, SIE noted that all previously purchased films and shows will still be readily available, on-demand, via PlayStation con?soles and mobile devices, but said content will n?o longer be purchasable as of the aforementioned date. You can check out SIE's full statement below.

"?At SIE, we strive to provide the best entertainment experience for PlayStation fans, and that means evolving our offerings as customer needs change. We’ve seen tremendous growth from PlayStation fans using subscription-based and ad-based entertainment streaming services on our consoles. With this shift in customer behavior, we have decided to no longer offer movie and TV purchases and rentals through PlayStation Sto??re as of August 31, 2021."

"When this chang??e takes effect, users can still access movie and TV content they have purchased through PlayStation Store for on-demand playback on their PS4, PS5 and mobile devices. We thank our fans for their continued support, and we look forward to further enhancing the entertainment experience on PlayStation."

The post PlayStation ?Store will discontinue movie and TV purchase and rental services on August 31 appeared first on Destructoid.

Pick your poison from now until March 10

PlayStation Indies is my kinda sale, especially knowing how weirdly all-encompassing the "ind?ie" label can be in 2021. You never know what you're going to find in between higher-profile games, and to that end, there are a lot of names to sort through. The P??S4-focused sale ends in two weeks on March 10.

On the better-known front, there's Fall Guys ($14.99), Little Nightmares: Complete Edition ($7.49), Overcooked 2 ($12.49), Untitled Goose Game ($13.99), Slime Rancher ($5.99), Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition ($5.99), Slay the Spire ($13.74), Moving Out ($14.99), and The Witness ($9.99).

Some other names that stood out to me: Visage ($26.24), CrossCode ($13.99), Planet Coaster: Deluxe Edition ($41.99), Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom ($15.99), Fight'N Rage ($11.99), Beyond Blue ($13.99), Children of Morta ($10.99), Aggelos ($7.49), The Long Dark ($14.99), and Nex Machina ($5.99).

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners ($27.99), Job Simulator ($12.99), and Superhot VR ($9.99) are among the many PlayStation VR titles on sale. Reminder: a new PSVR model is coming but not for a while.

As for budget picks, I'd point to Soma ($2.99), Spelunky ($4.49), The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition ($4.49), Guacamelee ($2.99), Guacamelee 2 ($3.99), Donut County ($3.89), Hidden Through Time ($3.99), Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom ($2.99), SteamWorld Dig ($2.49), Machinarium ($3.74), Crypt of the NecroDancer ($2.99), and Super Time Force Ultra ($2.??99). Mostly well-worn, I know, but just in case.

For a full alphabetized list of every game featured in the sale – it's a long one! – consult the PlayStation Blog. Otherwise, if you're browsing on a computer, there are over 20 store pages to f?lip through.

The post The PlayStation Indies sale has s?ome budget-frien??dly gems appeared first on Destructoid.

I'm loving these cross-gen deals

It's once again sale time on the PlayStation Store, and thankfully, there's now a much-needed Deals tab when browsing the shop on a PS5. The Critics' Choice sale lasts until February 17, 2021.

I have quite a few highlights before I get to the full list further down in this post: Spelunky 2 ($13.99), Assassin's Creed Valhalla ($40.19), Doom Eternal ($19.79), Sekiro ($38.99), The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope ($20.09), Warhammer: Vermintide 2 ($11.99), World War Z ($8.99), The Sinking City ($17.99), Civilization VI ($14.99), and Dishonored: The Complete Collection ($17.99).

I'll also give a shout-out to Borderlands 3 ($19.79), which includes the PS4 and PS5 editions, the latter of which was excellent in co-op. It looked sharp, ran well, and the DualSense shooting kickback was wild without annoying me. If you're more into Destiny 2 these days, I get it. Beyond Light is down to $26.79

Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 at $29.99 – it's a feel-good gem. And while Resident Evil 3 took a wallop for being too light, it's a br?eezy, highly replayable romp at $19.79.

I'm considering Immortals Fenyx Rising at $35.99, but I think the price will dip before long – and I think I can hold off. I'm at a point with Ubisoft open-worlders where it's best that I just wait until they've gotten their last major updates, however long that takes. Otherwise, I get in these situations where I marathon them once and never touch them again no matter?? what DLC inevitably comes later.

PlayStation Store Critics' Choice Sale

• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition ($28.04)
• Assassin's Creed Bundle: Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Assassin's Creed Origins ($63.99)
• Assassin's Creed Legendary Collection ($59.99)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla ($40.19)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla Gold ($66.99)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ultimate ($80.39)
• Assassin's Creed® Valhalla + Watch Dogs: Legion Bundle ($65.99)
• Batman: Arkham Collection ($17.99)
• Borderlands 3 ($19.79)
• Borderlands 3 Season Pass ($24.99)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare ($44.99)
• Chess Ultra ($6.49)
• Civilization VI Expansion Bundle ($19.99)
• Crossout - 'Iron Shield' Pack ($29.99)
• Crossout - 'Spectral Hunter' Pack ($24.99)
• Crossout - 'Wild Hunt' Pack ($19.99)
• CRSED - Biker Queen Pack ($9.99)
• CRSED - God Of Thunder Pack ($9.99)
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light ($26.79)
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light + Season ($33.49)
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light Deluxe Edition ($52.49)
• Destiny 2: Forsaken ($12.49)
• Destiny 2: Legendary Edition ($47.99)
• Destiny 2: Shadowkeep ($12.49)
• Dishonored & Prey: The Arkane Collection ($29.99)
• Dishonored 2 ($19.99)
• Dishonored The Complete Collection ($17.99)
• DOOM Eternal Deluxe Edition ($29.69)
• DOOM Eternal Standard Edition ($19.79)
• DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One ($15.99)
• Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Deluxe Edition ($42.49)
• Dying Light ($12.99)
• Fallout 76 ($15.99)
• Far Cry 4 + Far Cry Primal Bundle ($19.99)
• Far Cry 5 Season Pass ($14.99)
• Far Cry New Dawn Complete Edition ($24.99)
• Far Cry New Dawn Deluxe Edition ($14.99)
• FIFA 21 Champions Edition ($19.99)
• FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition ($24.99)
• Final Fantasy XIV Online - Complete Edition ($29.99)
• Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers ($19.99)
• Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers - Collector's Edition ($29.99)
• For Honor Marching Fire Edition ($14.99)
• God of War Digital Deluxe Edition ($20.09)
• Grand Theft Auto Online Megalodon Shark Cash Card ($84.99)
• Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition ($14.99)
• Hello Neighbor Bundle ($19.99)
• Hello Neighbor Hide and Seek ($11.99)
• Immortals Fenyx Rising ($35.99)
• Immortals Fenyx Rising Gold Edition ($59.99)
• LEGO Marvel's Avengers ($6.99)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($8.99)
• Madden NFL 21 ($29.99)
• Mafia: Definitive Edition ($29.99)
• Mafia: Trilogy ($38.99)
• Middle-earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition ($17.99)
• Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate ($35.99)
• MXGP 2020 - The Official Motocross Videogame ($34.99)
• Need for Speed Heat Deluxe Edition ($17.49)
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered ($23.99)
• NHL 21 ($29.39)
• NHL 21 Deluxe Edition ($30.09)
• NHL 21 Great Eight Edition ($35.99)
• Overwatch: Legendary Edition ($19.79)
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville ($9.99)
• Prey + Dishonored 2 Bundle ($19.49)
• Rainbow Six Siege & Ghost Recon Breakpoint Bundle ($22.49)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 ($29.99)
• Resident Evil 2 ($15.99)
• Resident Evil 3 ($19.79)
• Resident Evil 7 ($9.99)
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - Game of the Year Edition ($38.99)
• Shady Part of Me ($11.99)
• Sid Meier's Civilization VI ($14.99)
• Snooker 19 ($15.74)
• Snooker 19 Gold Edition ($17.99)
• Spelunky 2 ($13.99)
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order ($19.79)
• Tennis World Tour - Legends Edition ($14.99)
• Tennis World Tour: Roland-Garros Edition ($10.99)
• The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope & Man of Medan Bundle ($29.99)
• The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope ($20.09)
• The Elder Scrolls Online ($7.99)
• The Heavy Rain & Beyond Two Souls Collection ($12.79)
• The Outer Worlds: Board-Approved Bundle ($59.99)
• The Pathless ($31.99)
• The Sims 4 ($9.99)
• The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs Plus My First Pet Stuff Bundle ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 City Living ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Discover University ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Get Famous ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Get to Work ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Get Together ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Island Living ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Plus Cats & Dogs Bundle ($12.49)
• The Sims 4 Seasons ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Snowy Escape Expansion Pack ($19.99)
• The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu Game Pack ($14.99)
• The Sinking City ($17.99)
• The Sinking City: Necronomicon Edition ($22.49)
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition ($9.99)
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Deluxe Edition ($9.99)
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Gold Edition ($22.74)
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Ultimate Edition ($34.99)
• Tom Clancy's The Division Franchise Bundle ($16.49)
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 ($29.99)
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 - Digital Deluxe Edition ($34.99)
• Tropico 6 El Prez Edition ($31.19)
• UFC 4 ($29.99)
• Uncharted 4: A Thief's End ($9.99)
• Warface - Godfather Luxury Pack ($27.49)
• Warface - Heroic Edition ($8.24)
• Warface - Legendary Edition ($13.74)
• Warface: Breakout ($3.99)
• Warhammer Pack: Hack and Slash ($27.99)
• Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition ($23.99)
• Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition ($32.99)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 ($11.99)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 - Premium Edition ($17.99)
• Watch Dogs 1 + Watch Dogs 2 Gold Editions Bundle ($24.99)
• Watch Dogs 2 ($9.99)
• Watch Dogs: Legion ($29.99)
• Watch Dogs: Legion - Ultimate Edition ($59.99)
• Wolfenstein II: The Freedom Chronicles Season Pass ($16.99)
• Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Digital Deluxe Edition ($19.79)
• Wolfenstein: Alt History Collection ($39.99)
• World War Z ($8.99)
• World War Z - GOTY Edition ($19.99)
• WRC 8 Deluxe Edition FIA World Rally Championship ($17.99)

Critics' Choice Sale [PlayStation Store]

The post PlayStation Store has a Critics’ Choice sale on PS4 and PS5 games appeared first on Destructoid.

PlayStation says I played a lot of games in 2020 �checks out!

I can't say that 2020 is a year I'm eager to look back on, but when it comes to my game-playing habits, sure, I'll reflect. Sony has another year-in-review Wrap-Up for PlayStation fans to look through.

To participate, you'll need to have logg?ed 10 hours last year and, in certain regions, including Europe and Australia, you will have needed the Additional Data toggled on in the PS4 system settings. All set?

Your personalized PlayStation stats will cover the number of games you played in 2020, your favorite genre, your hour count, your top day of the week for gaming, your trophy un??locks, and, if you actually got a PlayStat??ion 5, some insight about your favorite PS5 game and total PS5 gameplay hours.

If you scroll to the bottom, you'll be able to claim a code for a PlayStation 2020 Wrap-Up dynamic PS4 theme – it's a minimalist gray theme with PlayStation shapes calmly floating across the backgro?und. Once you've redeemed it, you can download the Wrap-Up theme from the console's Settings menu.

Apparently, I spent the most time with Nioh 2 (141 hours), Fall Guys (81 hours), and Ghost of Tsushima (58 hours), with a total of 859 hours spent across everything on PS4, and 142 hours spent on PS5. It's also amusing to me to learn that Friday afternoons are my most game-packed day of the w?eek. Huh.

Celebrate ?your gaming year with PlayStation Wrap-Up 2020 [PlayStation Blog]

The post Yo?u can get a free PS4 theme while you check your 2020 PlayStation Wrap-??Up appeared first on Destructoid.

You might like it

[Update: And it's out! You can head to th?is massive landing page just for the demo, which features link?s to the PC, PS4??, PS5, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox platforms.

Here's the gist from the main site: "The Immortals Fenyx Rising demo sends Fenyx on a quest to discover the mysterious Secret of the Cyclops after Zeus wrests narration away from Prometheus. Set in a new archipelago inspired by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, the demo features a mix of combat, exploration, and puzzles designed to prime players for the full Immortals Fenyx Rising experience."

In other words, it's basically the Stadia Pro exclus??ive demo that debuted a few months back.]

Immortals Fenyx Rising came out over a month ago and I still see people on the fence, or stewing ab??out whether or not to pick it up. A demo would help!

Doubly so for Immortals, which for some has scratched an open world itch that has been lingering for a long while; or for same, fails to sate that? ?same need due to an over-reliance on standard Ubisoft open world tropes. The choice is yours! The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

So about that demo: the Twitter account PSN releases scrapped the PSN, and found that a demo (with a legit ID) was coming to the European?? digital marketplace via PS4. Now Ubisoft could easily roll this demo out to the PS5, or platforms outside of Sony's purview. If that's the ??case, there's going to be a lot of happy people pretty soon! This game practically begs for a demo run??.

PSN releases [Twitter]

The post (Update) Immortals Fenyx Rising is seemingly getting a demo, and it’s a perfect ‘try before you buy’ game appeared first on Destructoid.

If you want peace...

Cygames, in association with developer Arc System Works, has announced that Anre, the next DLC character headed to Granblue Fantasy: Versus, will be joining the roster of the gorgeous fighting title next week - January?? 26 to be exact.

An introspective and impossibly wise being, Anre? (or "Uno") actually dislikes war, combat a??nd the unhappiness and pain that it brings. To this end, Anre has entered the fray in the hopes of attaining such power that he will become a deterrent to those who wish harm on mankind. In battle Anre retains his stoic and peaceful demeanor, while fending off assault with expert use of his "Spear of the Eternals", a legendary artifact of devastating faculty.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus is available now on PS4 and PC.

The post Anre?? joins the fight in Granblue Fantasy: Versus January ??26 appeared first on Destructoid.

Sweet Dreams

[Update: The Little Nightmares II demo is now available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.??]

I know that you've probably only just woken up, but it might be time to go back to bed, as it appears that the demo for Bandai Namco's Little Nightmares II has started to roll out on PS4 and Xbox One.

The demo, which was made available on PC back in late-2020, offers fans ??a sneak peek at the haunting sequel, allowing them to guide hero Mono through the creepy foliage of the "Wilderness" stage. Pick your way through the hazards to discover the Hunt?er's cabin, but do try not to become the latest talking point of their trophy cabinet.

The demo quietly popped up on the Microsoft store overnight, though there has been no official announcement from either Bandai Namco nor developer Tarsier Studios. The demo has also been spotted on the PlayStation Network in selective territories, so if it is not currently accessible to you in your locale, be sure to check again later today. There is currently ??no sign of the Switch edition of the demo, but no doubt it is coming? soon.

In addition, it appears that Bandai Namco is currently offering free Steam keys for the original release of Little Nightmares. Interested parties should head on over to the Bandai Namco website and open an account on-site in order to claim a code. As of this writing, there's no word on how long this ?offer will remain valid, so move fast! Oh, and be aware that the site has been struggling a little under the influx of users, so expect a little pushback when applying.

Little Nightmares II will la?unch February 11 ??on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with PS5 and Xbox Series X editions to follow later in 2021.

The post (Update) Little Nightmares II demo? now on PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, original game being offer??ed for free on Steam appeared first on Destructoid.

You know you're a... sweet little heart-break-er...

Granblue Fantasy: Versus receives a brand new character today, one who seems sure to be popular with rushdown fans and DeviantArt supporters everywhere. Foxy franchise fan-favorite Yuel is now ready to join the battle, arriving as part of the gorgeous figh??ter's second season pass.

In Granblue Fantasy lore, Yuel is a daring adventurer, who is constantly distracted from her life quest to discover a thousand-years-old treasure by the people and places that she encounters on her journeys. A very popular character in the Granblue Fantasy universe, no doubt thanks to her teasing, femme-fatale nature, lavish design, and playful attitude, Yuel joins the GF:V roster as a spee??dy rushdown character, tackling her opponents on ground and in the air with her trademark "Foxfire" swords. Yuel is also equipped with her "Third Dance", a stance that slows mobility ?but allows for slick counterattacks.

You can check out Yuel in ac??tion in this feet-happy gameplay trailer.

In addition to Yuel's arrival, the trailer above offers the first look at the next DLC character in line for Granblue Fantasy: Versus. Anre may seem relatively short in stature but, as one? of the masterful deities known as "The Eternals" is actually a being of incredible knowledge and power, tasked with providing balance to the world's emotions, and ridding civilization of sadness. Damn, hope he succeeds in that task real soon. Anre will be made available in-game in early 2021.

Finally, Granblue Fantasy: Versus will be receiving a "Battle Pass" of sorts as part of its Version? 2.22 update later this month. The pass will challenge pl?ayers to complete time-limited challenges in order to unlock skins, colors, RPG Mode bonuses, in-game currency, and more.

The post Fox gal Yuel j??oins the Gran?blue Fantasy Versus roster today appeared first on Destructoid.

Dragon and on and on...

Inti Creates has released a huge update for its platform adventure Dragon Marked for Death. Available to download right now on all platforms, Version 3.1.3 brings a huge list of adjustments, bug fixes, and ba?lance tweaks to t??he multiplayer title on PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

First and foremost, 20 new quests have been added for Level 120 players, offering increased XP, rewards, and a higher percentage of rare loot for top-tier adventurers. All of the player characters have been tweaked across the board, with Empress, Warrior, Shinobi, Witch, and other class?es having gone through an intricate re-balance. For the most part, all characters have been left in a better position th??an they were before.

The huge catalog of weapons, gear, and accessories has also been re-balanced, with changes made to the stats and effects attached to both Dragon Marked for Death's arsenal of death-dealers and its sharp wardrobe. In addition, several nagging bugs and issues have finally been corrected. There are far too many individual changes to list here, but hardy adventurers can check out the full patch notes over on the official website.

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Version 2.11 now live

Granblue Fantasy: Versus has been updated to Version 2.11?,?? bringing a selection of bug fixes and mode tweaks to CyGames' attractive fighter, along with all-new DLC character Cagliostro.

Known as "The Prettiest Alchemist," Cagl??iostro is a young mistress of the arcane arts, arts that she utilizes in the pursuit of a state of? absolute cuteness. Despite her adorable demeanor, Cagliostro has quite a temper bubbling under her kawaii surface and is a force to be reckoned with in the thick of the fight.

Not only is Cagliostro capable of producing huge swords and spears from the environment with ease, but her tricky teleportation skills also keep her well out of harm's way. Sneaky gal. Cagliostro is avai??lable to purchase for around $7, which includes the requisite lobby avatar and a new RPG Mode chapter.

Alongside Cagliostro, the new update fixes several minor text and technical issues across the board, as well as tweaking an ongoing issue involving Throw Breaking. You can check out the full patch notes over on the official Granblue Fantasy: Versus blog.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus is available now on PS4 and PC.

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Cagliostro demonstrates her magical might

Publisher Arc System Works, in conjunction with developer CyGames, has revealed the third character headed to Granblue Fantasy: Versus ?as part of the g?orgeous fighter's second character pass. And this time around its none of than the daring adventurer, Yuel.

Yuel was announced in a brief teaser at the end of a new gameplay trailer, which gave us our first look at cheerful mage Cagliostro in action. Yuel is an extremely popular character among the Granblue Fantasy community, un??doubtedly thanks to her teasing, femme-fatale nature. A brave and steadfast warrior on an epic journey to find a thousand-year-old treasure, Yuel is very easily distracted by the worlds, characters, and events she experiences while en route to her goal. She also throws up a pretty mean nWo Wolfpac signal.

As for Cagliostro, the young alchemist will launch in Granblue Fantasy: Versus tomorrow, October 20, bringing her ancient arcane powers to the fight. A "mistress of blades," as it were, Cagliostro uses her magic skills to conjure up razor-sharp swords, spears, and whirring buzz saws on the battlefield, while staying out of her foe's grasp with her frustrating teleport abilities. Don't let her cute, who?lesome demeanor fool you, this angry gal will?????????????????????????? cut you down in seconds flat.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus is available now on PC and PS4.

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