PSN down for the first time in 2016

If you’re trying to login to PSN and are unable to, it’s not just you.

It appears that Sony is suffering its first PSN outage of 2016 on Monday. Currently the service appears down around most of the world and the company isn’t releasing detailed information at this time other than they are working on it.

A quick check of the Network Service Status page shows all aspects of PSN to currently be experiencing issues.

Unlike with several previous outages, there doesn’t appear to be any hacker group currently taking credit for the outage.

For the time being it looks like it’s just a waiting game to see how long it takes Sony to get the services up and running again.

source: technobuffalo

Clash of Clans creators release Clash Royale

Clash of Clans has been one of the largest mobile games to date, but it wasn’t enough for the crack development team Supercell to rest on the laurels of their previous success.  Supercell launched a soft release of their new card-based, direct competition game Clash Royale.

Clash of Clans allured players with a number of effective gameplay components. First, there’s a sense of creativity that goes into designing a base. Strategy also plays a role, as it’s important to be able to assess and attack bases intelligently. Group dynamics got into the mix with the titular clans pitting themselves against each other, and the set-it-and-forget-it nature of much of the gameplay let even players with a busy schedule get in on the action.

What are your thoughts on Clash Royale? The primary complaint leveled at Clash of Clans is that some claim it falls in the “pay to win” camp of mobile gaming. Will the same criticisms be leveled at Clash Royale? Let us know in the comments below!

Game: clashroyale

source: androidauthority

VR will push “a resurgence of high-end PCs in the home,” says Valve writer

Virtual Reality, at least the good kind, will be expensive. It will also require a quality gaming rig.

Valve writer Chet Faliszek thinks the introduction of this demanding new take on the gaming medium will push a lot of consumers to go bigger and better when it comes to PC hardware.

Here he is on Twitter, and he poses some interesting questions.

If, and that’s a big if, VR takes off like companies are hoping it will, we will absolutely see a flood of high-end PC users as they try and embrace the products fully. Faliszek is right on that point, but his perspective requires that VR succeeds.

As for the side-effects and opportunities? That’s really tough to consider, and I’m sure gaming companies are thinking both things over now as well. Will gamers demand more graphically intense experiences thanks to the new domination of high-end hardware? Will they be less willing to except bad ports and aging engines? I’m not so sure.

Whatever the case may be, if VR is a success, it’ll impact a huge chunk of the gaming world.

Pic credit: technobuffalo

source: technobuffalo

The Force is with this amazing Star Destroyer PC chassis

Ever looked at your PC and thought: “Man, I wish this thing looked like a Star Destroyer, with integrated fiber optic lighting, a water-cooled GPU, and 3D printed detailing?” 

Enterprising custom PC builder Sander van der Velden, aka Asphiax, evidently did — and his new Venator-class Star Destroyer (dubbed the Yazi) is truly something to see.

The Yazi will be shown at CES this year. The frame and body are made from aluminum, while the greebles (the fine detail patterns added to the exterior to make the shape more visually interesting) are 3D printed. The ship contains more than 50 meters of fiber optic cabling, and the sides and bridges are wired to give the appearance of a functional spacecraft.

source: extremetech

Pebble PowerShare-Z

Power Share-Z allows you to transfer battery charge from one phone to another. Now you can simply borrow some charge from a friend when your phone’s running out of battery. It’s so tiny that you can easily carry it in your pocket, wallet or use it as your keyring. The input and output current are automatically adjusted as per the smartphone/tablet. The phone/tablet providing the charge must have OTG functionality. The phone receiving the charge can be ANY smartphone.

Specifications:

• Size: : 5.5cm x 2.5cm x 0.5cm
• Connectors: MicroUSB Input & Output, iPhone Output
• Input/Output Voltage and Current: Same as that of the phones connected.

source: amazon.in

Final Fantasy 15 Confirmed to Launch in 2016

Final Fantasy XV will launch in 2016, game director Hajime Tabata confirmed 

"We will finally release FFXV this year, in 2016!" Tabata said. "In development, previous phases required wisdom and strength. However, moving forward the final phase will focus on effort and willpower."

 Here's more from Tabata's statement:

"I vow to you all that every member in the team will do their best to the very last possible moment taking responsibility and pride in their craft. We will do everything we can do to finish FFXV to create an experience we are incredibly proud of and one that you will enjoy and treasure."

"The whole FFXV team appreciates all of the support from each and everyone one of you this past year. I cannot tell you how much it means to all of us.

source: gamespot

PlayStation Developers on 2016’s Most Anticipated Games – PlayStation.Blog

Earlier this week we found out what the stand-out gaming moments for PlayStation developers were in 2015. As promised, today we’re going to find out which games the same group of razor-sharp creative minds are most looking forward to getting their hands on in 2016. Read on to find out, and then chime in with your own picks in the comments below.

Oh, and a pre-emptive Happy New Year from everyone here at PlayStation. Whatever you have planned, have a great evening. See you in ’16!

Paul Rustchynsky, Game Director (Driveclub), Evolution Studios

“As much as I’m excited to play the latest entry in the Uncharted series or try something as intriguing as The Witness, my inner Souls fan is getting more and more hyped for Dark Souls III by the day. I’m already preparing myself to die over and over again!”

Aki Raula, Lead Designer (Matterfall); Housemarque

“One more romp from Naughty Dog in the adventure lands with Nathan Drake. Just a one of a kind experience and now I can’t wait to get sucked in again with Uncharted 4.”

Adrian Chmielarz, Creative Director (The Vanishing of Ethan Carter), The Astronauts
“If I had to choose just one, it’d be Mass Effect: Andromeda. The first trilogy was incredible, and the mind boggles when I imagine what’s in store for us in this new installment of the series.”

Mare Sheppard, Co-founder, Metanet Software (N++)

“Rain World. Absolutely everything about how the game looks and feels is fresh and inspiring. We love how it’s a bold vision that stands apart from every other game, on many levels. We really can’t wait to play it :)”

Mike Bithell, Founder, Mike Bithell Games (Volume)

“2016 looks like a bumper year for fantastic games. Like everyone else I’m eagerly awaiting No Man’s Sky, but games like Adr1ft, Overland and Firewatch have me seriously excited. A new generation of teams are creating some fantastic experiences. I suspect I’d be very hyped for PlayStation VR too… if I hadn’t already fallen in love with my devkit.”

Tom Jones, Principal Artist (RIGS Mechanized Combat League), Guerrilla Cambridge

“There are loads. Aside from RIGS and Horizon Zero Dawn (excuse the obvious plug!) I’m really keen to play The Last Guardian. Team Ico has a stellar history with games like Shadow of the Colossus and Ico, so I’m expecting big things from its latest offering!”

Shahid Ahmad, Developer

“The title I’m most looking forward to in 2016 is No Man’s Sky. How could it be anything else? It’s the game I’ve been looking forward to all my life.”

Peter Field, Game Designer (Dreams), Media Molecule

“Oh man, there are so many! It’s probably a close call between The Witness and No Man’s Sky. I think The Witness is currently more intriguing so if I had to choose one I’d go with that.”

Simon Harris, Executive Producer (Until Dawn: Rush of Blood), Supermassive Games

“At the risk of sounding slightly ‘on message’, I have to say Uncharted 4. I love the genre of action storytelling titles and the Uncharted series has delivered through the previous three titles, each time getting bigger and more bombastic. I can’t wait to see what Nathan Drake gets up to in the fourth episode.”

Thomas Grip, Co-founder, Frictional Games (SOMA)

“As a massive fan of Shadow of The Colossus, The Last Guardian is the one I am the most excited about.”

Jun Yoshino, Producer (Bloodborne), SCEE

“So many to choose from! Street Fighter V, Uncharted 4, Doom, Dark Souls 3, Final Fantasy XV… but the standout one for me is Persona 5.”

Source:playstation blog