Sony challenges PS4 community, launches First to Greatness

Greatness awaits, or so those PlayStation 4 ads keep telling us. But apparently Greatness has had enough waiting, and it's time to see who can catch it first. Sony has posed 64 challenges to the PS4 community, asking them to capture and upload proof using the system's Share feature, the PlayStation Blog has revealed. Those who complete the challenges will have their name posted to the First to Greatness website, which Sony teases will offer a "cool new experience" once all 64 tasks have been completed. The PlayStation Blog also claims that a remake of the PS4's "Perfect Day" ad is on its way, and this one will feature "many" of the uploaded firsts. If you need any instructions on how to pursue Greatness - not that you would, we're putting it out there just in case - the PS Blog and First to Greatness site have additional details.

Final Fantasy 4: The After Years out now on iOS, Android

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, because Final Fantasy 4: The After Years is available now on the App Store and Google Play for $16. Oh hang on, this isn't the one with Fred Savage that isn't The Wizard - your ears are safe for now, then. Instead, we'll note this is a complete 3D remake of the Final Fantasy 4 sequel that came to the Wii, PSP and Japanese mobiles a few years back. It's set 17 years after the original, and sees returning heroes get by with a little help from some new friends. Also, if you like your smartphone 3D remakes in widescreen, it has fullscreen display on iPhone 5 models.

Apple buys developer of original Kinect tech

Apple of iProduct fame has acquired PrimeSense, the Israeli firm behind the 3D sensing tech in the original Kinect for Xbox 360. No official price tag was put on the purchase, but rumors of the acquisition last week speculate a cost of $345 million.

"Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," said Apple to the BBC.

PrimeSense noted the acquisition to Engadget in a brief statement, "We can confirm the deal with Apple. Further than that, we cannot comment at this stage."

The current Kinect bundled with Xbox One does not use PrimeSense's tech and was developed in-house at Microsoft.

Battlefield 4 PS4 Now Much More Stable After A Hotfix Update

A big update is still set for the coming week but in the meantime, developer DICE has worked to resolve the significant crashing issues facing Battlefield 4 on the PlayStation 4.
According to a post at the developer's website, they've produced a "hotfix" that has fixed three of the major crash problems affecting the PS4 version of the new shooter:
"We have recently identified and eliminated three of the most common crash issues on PS4 in a hotfix. We will continue to investigate and eliminate stability issues as we find them. We have a game update on PS4 in the works for the week of Nov. 25 and will be able to share details on it soon."
Shooter fans have complained of rampant crashing and freezing, the inability to play certain modes, and other issues since BF4 launched on the PS4 last week. However, DICE has been saying from the start that they'll pursue any and all problems, and this patch should at least get you playing again. We know it always sucks to have a borderline unplayable game but hey, that's the risk of online multiplayer.

Xbox One customers affected by hardware problems get a free game

 

Microsoft is compensating owners of defective Xbox Ones by providing them with a free downloadable game to play as they wait for a replacement console. The company told Polygon it's sending customers a download code for one of Dead Rising 3, Ryse: Son of Rome, Forza Motorsport 5, and Zoo Tycoon.

"While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game," reads a Microsoft statement provided to Polygon. "We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios."

The news follows confirmation from Microsoft that "a very small number of Xbox One customers" had procured consoles with broken disc drives. Microsoft is sending these customers replacement consoles, but since these defective consoles can still play games stored on their hard drives, users would be able to play downloadable games while they wait for their new systems to arrive.

#4ThePlayers since 1995 | PlayStation

Completely took me back inside my brain! What a brainstorm!
& as a youtube comment says William Marrs,

"I am literally shitting liquid nostalgia, this is marketing done right".

Sony Announces PS Vita TV: Stream PS4 Games to Another TV

In addition to announcing a Japanese release for the PS4 and a new, slimmer PS Vita model, Sony also announced something completely unexpected at their pre-Tokyo Game Show Conference. And, coincidentally, Sony‘s latest creation unites their two most recent consoles in some interesting ways.

So, what is this new device you ask? Well, it’s called the PS Vita TV and it may just be the hottest new gaming device this side of a next-gen console.

The PS Vita TV is, in the simplest of terms, a console for playing Vita games on your TV. It boasts an HDMI output port, a slot for Vita cartridges, and a slot for the Vita’s proprietary memory cards. In other words, it’s a Vita without the screen and controls.

Obviously, any TV will replicate the Vita’s screen, and as far as controls are concerned the PS Vita TV can sync with any DualShock 3 controller. Once everything is set-up (i.e. Vita TV plugged in and controller synced), gamers can play any Vita game, or any game a Vita can play (PS One Classic, PSP title) on their TV.

Moreover, the PS Vita TV serves as a decent substitute for an Apple TV or a Roku box in that it can handle a variety of streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Gamers likely have plenty of solutions for their streaming needs, so what’s one more?

But where the PS Vita TV will most impress gamers is with its Remote Playfeatures. Although it won’t be available at launch, the Vita TV can use Remote Play almost exactly like the handheld Vita will be able to, albeit with one key difference.

Instead of streaming PS4 games to the Vita’s OLED screen, however, the Vita TV will stream games to an additional TV and will use the DualShock 4 for control. That means gamers can stream their PS4 console gameplay to another TV through the PS Vita TV. With this feature, the PS Vita TV ostensibly becomes a Slingbox for your PS4 gaming.

Unfortunately, there are two downsides to this very exciting PS Vita TV announcement. First, the device has only been announced for the Japanese market (launch date: November 14th). There’s no reason to think Sony isn’t developing a version for North America and Europe, but the announcement was specifically geared towards Japanese gamers.

The second downside to the announcement is that the Remote Play functionality will be added at a later date through a system update. It’s unclear if that’s because the PS4 launches much later in Japan on February 22nd, or if the functionality is still in development, so that’s something to keep an eye on. We should know more about Remote Play’s timeline when the PS4 hits North American store shelveson November 15th.

Overall, the PS Vita TV sounds like just the thing for gamers who were interested in the Vita’s Remote Play features, but weren’t sold on the Vita as a handheld. With this much cheaper device (about $100), gamers can access their PS4 from nearly any room in their house, and if the mood strikes they can check out what the Vita has to offer in terms of its own experiences.

Does the PS Vita TV sound like something you would be interested in? What do you think the device is missing/needs, if anything?

The PS Vita TV launches November 14, 2013 in Japan. No North American or European release dates have been announced.