Category: PlayStation

Here at Supermassive Games, we are hugely excited to reveal The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR’s new fast-paced, arcade-style survival challenge. How many rooms can you complete as you descend into hell with just your guns and reflexes for protection? Our focus on Horde Mode was to deliver fast-paced, intense action combat with additional rollercoaster thrills where facing your fears are taken to a whole new level.

We’ve included all the features from the standard game and elevated them for horde mode. Try not to blink as eye tracking will definitely make the combat harder! Maybe focus your other senses to track an enemy’s presence around you such as 3D audio, you’ll hear their screams and whispers just in time to know where to unload your bullets. Feel the kick of your weapons with PS VR2 Sense controllers adaptive triggers – they are your only protection against the swarms and feel the rush of your cart as it speeds down steep declines as you descend straight into hell. This is an experience that will live long in your nightmares!

So how far you can make it? –  Do you possess the skills to enter horde mode? No pressure but the studio record is 21 floors – anyone out there able to survive longer?

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And even better, this new addition to the game is free with Switchback VR’s base game – a game that puts you through your own personal nightmare, where each track has multiple terrifying paths, all designed to make you feel the fear on PS VR2.

In the main game, each track is uniquely based on the spine-chilling monsters and environments from The Dark Pictures Anthology and features easter eggs from Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes and The Devil in Me. We’ve taken some truly fearful enemies from these games and recreated them in VR.

Intense rooms of hell

On this sinister horror horde mode, you are being dragged right back down to hell – you’ll be confronted by swarms of enemies in this new nightmarish mode, complete each room to get increasingly harder enemies and survive attacks from all manner of hideous apparitions straight from the depths of the hell.

Extreme G rollercoaster drops

We get it, you’re all adrenaline junkies and loved the drops in Rush of Blood! So, for our new horde mode we have really pushed this to extreme levels – we have certainly tested the boundaries on how big we could make these drops and how much speed we could add to the cart. So, hold on tight as your journey between each room is about to be G fueled.

Don’t blink

A new challenge has been introduced in horde mode… where blinking has become even more deadly. Fight off swarms of horrific sailors, demon dogs and masked mannequins, with new enemies appearing as you blink. Keep your eyes open, or your death will be quick.

Power up

Be rewarded for your headshot streaks and gain the opportunity to unlock the most powerful gun from Switchback VR. 

Thank you to all the Switchback VR fans who have joined us on this wild ride so far! We are beyond excited to see your reactions as you attempt to take on the rooms of doom in Horde Mode! The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR Horde Mode is out now. Download Switchback VR for PlayStation VR2 to experience the downward spiral of terror that is Horde Mode.

Welcome to the heartwarming world of Mail Time, a cozy adventure that brings the serenity of Grumblewood Grove to your PS5 and PS4. This charming cottagecore experience invites you to embrace the soothing, slow-paced joys of life in a tranquil forest far, far away. As a newly minted Mail Scout, you’re equipped with a mushroom hat, a sack of heartfelt letters, and boundless enthusiasm.

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A whimsical world awaits

Grumblewood Grove is a paradise for those who long to escape into the pages of a storybook and is fitting to play this fall. Developer Kela van der Deijl has created a dynamic world where every day feels like a fairy tale. Immerse yourself in the stunning storybook art style of this whimsical forest, hop among mushrooms, and soar above vibrant flower fields. The environments are alive with color and wonder, inviting you to explore every nook and cranny.

Deliver mail, discover stories

Your mission, as a Mail Scout, is to bring happiness and connections to the charming forest inhabitants. You’ll meet 15 heartwarming characters, each with their own stories and unique charms. From poetic frogs to punk-rock woodpeckers, the forest’s eclectic denizens aim to steal your heart. Grumblewood Grove boasts eight distinct areas, each with its own charm and intrigue. Explore the lively woodland village, navigate a murky swamp, and enjoy the serenity of a peaceful farm.

Customization to express yourself

Mail Time offers over 46,000 customization variations, allowing you to personalize your Mail Scout to match your style and preferences. With six different skin tones and pronoun choices, Mail Time offers players a chance to express themselves and create characters that resonate with their individuality. From skin tone to backpack type, you can ensure that your journey through Grumblewood Grove is truly your own.

Badge of the Mail Scout: unlock new heights

As you traverse the forest, you’ll deliver letters and packages, earning your Mail Scout badges along the way. These badges enhance your gliding ability, adding depth to your adventure. So, explore every corner of this illustrious world, and take your Mail Scout to new heights. Embrace the thrill of a treasure hunt as you seek hidden trinkets to complete your collection and earn all the coveted Mail Scout badges. These collectibles add an extra layer of intrigue to your adventure, encouraging you to explore with a curious eye.

No pressure, just exploration

In a world where fast-paced action and high-intensity challenges often dominate the gaming landscape, Mail Time offers a refreshing alternative.  In Mail Time, there are no time limits, no pressure, and no risk of harm. You’re free to relax and explore the forest at your own pace and leisure. After all, it’s your first day on the job, and there’s no rush to complete your heartwarming mission. The story progresses at your speed, and there’s no need to worry about fall damage. It’s an invitation to slow down, enjoy the whimsical world of Grumblewood Grove, and build friendships with the forest’s lovable inhabitants. Designed with accessibility in mind, everyone deserves to enjoy the cozy, tranquil world of Grumblewood Grove.

Mail Time is your warm escape, a testament to the enduring appeal of tranquil adventures–available October 19 on PS5 and PS4.

As the holiday season approaches, we are excited to share that we have a new PS5 model launching. To address the evolving needs of players, our engineering and design teams collaborated on a new form factor that provides greater choice and flexibility. The same technology features that make PS5 the best to play are packed into a smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.

The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, as it will also be sold separately for SGD 159 / MYR 529 / IDR 1,839,000 / THB 3,790.

The new PS5 model will be available starting this November in the U.S. at select local retailers and direct.playstation.com where available. It will continue to roll out globally in the following months. Once inventory of the current PS5 model has sold out, the new PS5 will become the only model available.

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The recommended retail prices for the new PS5 model are as follows beginning with the rollout in November at participating retailers.

• Singapore
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – SGD 799
  • PS5 Digital Edition – SGD 669
• Malaysia
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MYR 2,499
  • PS5 Digital Edition – MYR 2,069
• Indonesia
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – IDR 9,699,000
  • PS5 Digital Edition – IDR 8,199,000
• Thailand
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 6THB 18,690
  • PS5 Digital Edition – THB 15,690
• Philippines
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – PHP 30,790
• Vietnam
  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – PHP 15,990,000

A horizontal stand will be included with the new PS5 model. Also a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at SGD 44.90 / MYR 149 / 499,000 / THB 1,090 / PHP 1,690 / 799,000.

A variety of PS5 Console Cover colors for the new model will be available starting in early 2024, including an all-matte Black colorway and the Deep Earth Collection colors in Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. Prices for the PS5 Console Covers will start at 54.99 USD | 54.99 EURO | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY. Additional colors will be released in the future.

We are ten days away from the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, with additional games including Alan Wake 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launching shortly after. With these fantastic games coming, in addition to recent releases such as EA Sports FC 24, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, and Baldur’s Gate 3, there’s plenty for gamers to play on PS5 this holiday season.

I want to thank all of you for your continued passion and support.

PlayStation 5 specifications

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Specifications

Starting today, we’re taking a step forward in cloud gaming by rolling out our PS5 cloud streaming feature for PlayStation Plus Premium members. This includes supported PS5-native games available through the PlayStation Plus Games Catalog* and Game Trials, as well as supported digital PS5 titles you own. 

We know you have questions, so let’s dive right in!

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What plan option do I need to access the cloud streaming benefit from PlayStation Plus?

The cloud streaming benefit for PlayStation Plus is available through the PlayStation Plus Premium plan, which is offered in the following locations: 

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

We’re tracking the following launch dates for this new feature in local times:

• Japan – starting today, October 17
• Europe – targeting October 23 
• North America – targeting October 30 

Where will the option to stream a game appear? 

You can either select the game from PlayStation Plus through your PS5 dashboard, or if you have the game in your PS5 game library, select ‘streaming’ from there.  

What titles can be streamed through the cloud streaming benefit from PlayStation Plus Premium?

Cloud streaming is available for the following platforms through PlayStation Plus Premium. Please note that cloud streaming availability may vary by title.

• Original PlayStation, PS2, PS3 and PSP games, though Classic Catalog
• PS4 and PS5 games through Game Catalog
• PS5 games available as Game Trial
• Supported digital PS5 games from your game library 

Can PS5 games also be streamed on PC (where available) or PS4 consoles?

Currently, the PS5 game streaming experience is only available on PS5 consoles via the PlayStation Plus Premium plan.

Can PS VR2 games be streamed? 

Cloud steaming access does not support PS VR2 games. 

Can disc-based PS5 games be streamed?

Cloud streaming is only available for digital PS5 titles.  

Are the Monthly Games streamable with a PlayStation Plus membership?

Supported PS5 games available through the Monthly Games benefit will be available for streaming by PlayStation Plus Premium members as long as you redeem the title during the month it is offered.

What’s the difference between cloud streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium and PlayStation’s Remote Play feature?

Remote Play requires the titles to be downloaded locally to a PS5 console prior to using the Remote Play app; cloud streaming does not. Please note that Remote Play is not compatible with cloud-streamed titles. 

Are titles from the PlayStation Plus Game and Classics Catalog compatible with the PlayStation Portal remote player?

The PlayStation Portal remote player is designed to use Remote Play functionality – allowing you to play titles already installed on your PS5 storage via a WiFi connection. 

Titles from the PlayStation Plus Game and Classic catalog that can be installed on your PS5 will be compatible with the PlayStation Portal remote player. However, the PlayStation Portal remote player will not support cloud streaming of these titles. 

What are the supported video resolutions?

High- quality resolution options in SDR or HDR at 60Hz will be available for PS5 titles when streamed. Below are our recommended available internet bandwidth (in mbps) mbps for each option. 

• 2160p (4K) – 52 mbps recommended
• 1440p – 38 mbps recommended
• 1080p (Full HD) – 23 mbps recommended
• 720p (HD) – 13 mbps recommended

Requires minimum internet speed of 5mbps, 15 mbps for 1080p and 38 mbps+ for 4K.

Will DLC and add-ons be available if I decide to stream a PS5 title?

Players can purchase and use add-on content for supported PS5 games with a streaming option. Content will be available immediately after it is purchased from PlayStation Store. 

How will my game progress be saved if I decide to stream a PS5 game instead of downloading it?

Save data and game progress is automatically synced between all devices via cloud storage, making it easy to switch seamlessly between local and streaming gameplay, and between multiple devices.

Can I transfer game progress from Game Trials to my full purchase if I choose the streaming option instead of downloading? 

Yes, similar to downloading Game Trials, you can still keep any Trophies or progress saved if you decide to purchase the full game. 

Additionally, Trophies you earn will remain on your PlayStation Network profile, even if you decide not to purchase the title. If you decide to purchase the title later, you can continue to earn Trophies where you left off. 

What is the difference between playing a downloaded PS5 game and streaming a PS5 game?

Playing a locally downloaded PS5 game and streaming a supported PS5 game is a similar experience (determined by internet speeds), except save files are stored via cloud storage instead of locally on the PS5 console.

*Availability of Game Library varies over time, region/country and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

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Howdy! This week we sat with Alvin Daniel, senior technical program manager for the Access controller to discuss how it all came together. Plus the team talks about the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 release, Sea of Stars, and more.

Stuff We Talked About

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – PS5
• Mail Time – PS5, PS4
• New PS5 Announce
• PS Plus October Games Catalog – Gotham Knights, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Making of Lizard Blog
• Interview w/ Alvin Daniel (starts at 8:25)
• Sea of Stars – PS5, PS4
• Cyberpunk 2077 – PS5, PS4

The Cast

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[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Last week, we asked you to share thrilling moments from Assassin’s Creed Mirage using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: 

Diaphragamer shares Basim standing against the setting sun

Avadakedvr2 shares Basim making a Leap of Faith into hay below

ValkyrieQ8 shares Basim holding a gray and white cat whose fur makes the Assassins symbol

_HypeDX shares a detailed portrait of Basim’s eagle Endiku

RoWolfvisual shares three people traveling across the desert sands on camels

TakaSanGames shares a portrait of Basim peeking between fabric.

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? 

THEME:  Assassin’s Creed Mirage – Basim

SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on October 18, 2023

Next week, we’re staying in the world of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Share detailed portraits of Basim using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Who is Spider-Man without a devious rogue’s gallery of Super Villains to battle? Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is already bringing the heat with longtime fan favorites like Kraven and Venom. But they’re not the only familiar faces that protagonists Peter Parker and Miles Morales will encounter. Among the antagonists is a villain who has been an understated favorite of fans for decades: Lizard. And just like the other headliners in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, getting Lizard’s look and movements down right took a lot of effort.

“The first thing we always do when we look at a Marvel character is reference the comics,” says Jacinda Chew, senior art director at Insomniac Games. “And then from there, we collaborate with Marvel to put our own spin on it. It can come from the gameplay, or because of the narrative.”

In this case, players will notice that Lizard appears in two different forms. “There’s a more classic Lizard, which has the lab coat, the pants,” Chew continues. “He’s smaller and human-sized. He’s also able to communicate to Peter. But our version of Lizard–he’s leaner, meaner, bigger and greener, in all ways. He’s not wearing clothing, and he’s lost all humanity. So, we’re not able to communicate with him. That’s a really big difference.”

The graphical prowess of the PlayStation 5 console makes all of Spidey’s foes look more impressive–you’ve already seen the terrifying level of detail of Venom’s impossibly sharp fangs and slimy tongue. But what about Lizard’s reptilian skin?

“We looked at a lot of lizard skin for research,” replies Chew. “The thing about lizards in real life–their skin’s actually really dry. Most people who looked at our Lizard kept initially saying ‘he’s not slimy enough.’ But I think it’s a nod to what people expect a lizard to look like–he’s got that lizard skin, but it’s actually much shinier than what you’d see on a real lizard.

 “We gave him spikes, too. For design references, I tried to look at real-life lizards that looked a bit more prehistoric, because some lizards can look kind of soft and cute. I was looking at spikier, more snake-like, more aggressive references. We also wanted eyes that look more like animal eyes. If you look at cats, their pupils grow at night. We made those kinds of eyes for him–when light hits his eyes, they look smaller, his eyes are actually reacting to light. We did a lot of research on how to make that happen in real time on the PS5.”

Another use of the PS5 console’s powerful hardware comes in simulating realistic muscle movement. “We are also doing muscle simulations–looking at real animal or real human actors and seeing how those muscles deform and running simulations. I think it’s incredible that we’re able to do this at this point in developing video games, but it’s also somewhat subtle, because you may not always notice that difference until we disable all the muscle simulations.”

Insomniac’s unique take on Lizard also features a very slick technique where he sheds his own skin–an impressive visual to behold. “Again, we also looked at what that looks like in real life. Our artists used a program to simulate how the skin might move fluttering in the wind.”

It’s one thing to make a great-looking character model, but it’s another thing to make it move in a way that conveys unrelenting primal ferocity. Chew elaborated on the ideas used during the crucial animation process. “Lizards actually move very low to the ground–it’s not very intimidating. In the comics, Lizard is more bipedal and upright, so more human. We had to thread that needle–he’s bipedal but still has to maintain some of that lizard look, so he’s got that curved back. The idea behind his movement is that he moves at a speed that feels fast but heavy. The animation team deserves a lot of credit for conveying that strength and power and speed.”

Overall, Chew, Marvel, and the team are happy at the fan reaction to Lizard and other Super Villains. “We have a lot of people here who know the comics really well, so we cater reveals and teasers for that rabid fan base. We know that people want to see Lizard in his lab coat, and then they want to see what happens and how he gets big. We have fun dropping breadcrumbs for the players.”

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 hits PlayStation 5 consoles on October 20.