PS3 firmware Update 3.15 is now live

Ah, so you've been waiting to try out the PSP mnis on your 40" Bravia HDTV? Well now you can. Sony just launched firmware Update 3.15 which allows you to play PSP Minis on you Slim or Fat console.

In addition, the patch makes it easier to transfer files between PS3s using only a LAN cable. To learn more, simply go to the System Update option on the XMB to get the patch.

Now all we want for Christmas is our cross-game-chat.

12/10/09 Ernice Gilbert

PS3 firmware 3.15 update will include PSP Mini support

Over at the US PS Blog, Sony has announced a minor firmware update that will make syncing Bluetooth-Enabled devices such as headsets, keyboards and Dual Shock 3 a smoother experience. But that's not all.

Firmware update 3.15 will also render PSP Minis playable on PS3, yes that's right all the minis you've purchased to date will be playable on PS3, just go into your download list and re-download the titles and you're set to go.

The update was not given a firm release date, however rumors have it that the patch will be implemented on December 10th, 2010.

12/09/09 Ernice Gilbert

PSP Minis will soon be playable on PS3?

I would not be too surprised if most other PSP gamers found the 'PSP Minis' on the PSN to be a bit pricey just like I do and considering they are only playable on the PSP, does not make them top priority among PSN shoppers especially when you could just buy a PSone Classic or UMD Legacy title in their place. But what if they could also be played on your Playstation 3?

According to various sources that spoke with Joystiq, Sony may be in the process of exploring ways to expand the number of players who buy and play the 'Minis' by making them also available on the PS3. This change (according to the sources) will also be taking place very soon, even possibly before Christmas.

Furthermore, you will be able to play all existing and presumably all future releases as well in a higher resolution on the PS3 giving you a little more added incentive to purchase them.

However, it is unknown at this point whether the 'Minis' can be bought once and played on both systems like the PSone Classics are, or if you would need to purchase them individually for each platform.

It would be a really terrible idea on Sony's part if they decided to do this and charge us more, but I suppose only time will tell.

12/05/09 Colton West

PSPgo will die unless games get cheaper, this according to Traveler's Tale founder

Jon Burton, founder of Traveler's Tale has echoed what many have been saying ever since the PSPgo was launched. He said Sony's digital games service needs to support cheaper prices or the PSPgo will go the way of the Dinosaurs.

"I own a PSPgo but I don't want to buy LittleBigPlanet, for instance, as I can get it 20 percent cheaper on UMD from Amazon and could resell it once I'm finished with it," Burton told attendees at the Developer Jury Service.

"But if I download it, I get no discount and no chance to resell - how annoying is that? I'm betting on Sony making PSPgo games much cheaper than the UMD versions, or the PSPgo will die."

The man has a point.

12/04/09 Ernice Gilbert

PSP Firmware update 6.20 is now live, comics coming Dec.

Remember all the new PSP capabilites Sony showed off at GamesCom earlier this year? Well now through firmware update 6.20, you can have them all... almost.

The portable system now supports playlists for video and photos, and those you already have can be transfered over from your PS3 or PC unto your PSP. The comics system detailed at GamesCom is included in the software but won't be available until December.

Maybe now that all the added features are included, you could finally get yourself a go?

Get the full thing at the EU PS Blog.

11/19/09 Ernice Gilbert

SCEA: Deveoplers responsible to for keeping PSP minis at a competitive price

Why purchase Hero of Sparta for $5.99 when I could get the same game on my iPhone for $1.99? Or would you buy Fieldrunners for $6.99 if you had the option to get it for $2.99? I didn't think so either, however that's exactly what's been happening with the PSP minis. It's the new service launched simultaneously with the PSPgo that allow developers to make bit-sized games that competes with the iPhone's offerings.

Joystiq had a chat with SCEA's Eric Lampell about the apparent lack of value in the minis program. Lampell explained that Sony did not dictate what price developer sell the minis. "As far as pricing goes, the publishers of the titles set the pricing," he explained.

Lampell sees a problem if publishers are not aggressive at pricing the minis, especially if the content does not offer the same value as other PSP titles. "I think they have to carefully look at that, carefully price their content. Minis were intended to be something a little different and we wanted to see a lot of different types of content through minis. If it's not priced correctly, consumers may be turned off at the proposition and say I'd rather just go for this kind of stuff instead of minis."

I see a potential for the minis, but as Lampell stated they must be priced right, I don't mine buying cheap games on the fly to keep occupied, it's what I've been doing for about a year with my iPhone, however I'd rather the PSP version of the games being that the PSP is a full gaming device and the iPhone is not. The key here however is price, and although an argument can be made for the PSP versions being better than the iPhone's, at the end all people care about is their money and what they perceive to be of better value.

10/08/09 Ernice Gilbert