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Play Demos for Mass Effect 3 and Reckoning, Get In Game Items

Justin Carter — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:29:38 +0000

What’s a little cross-game promotion between fellow EA developers? If you download the demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning next Tuesday the 17th, you unlock two items for Mass Effect 3 when it rolls out in a few months. Said unlocks are the Reckoner Knight armor for close combat enthusiasts, and the Chakram Launcher, which features explosive discs. Like shotput, but with explosions.

Download the Mass Effect 3 demo, also due this month, and you unlock an armor set and weapon for Amalur. The armor will be a more fantasy version of Shepard’s N7 armor, but with trimmings–greaves, chausses, gauntlets, helm, and cuirass–and omniblade daggers for some good old omni-shanking.

Check out the new armor items in the screenshots below.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning arrives February 7 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Mass Effect 3 comes a month later on March 6 for the same platforms.

via Joystiq

US PlayStation Store Update 2-22-11

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:48:07 +0000

It’s Tuesday night, once again time for another PlayStation Store Update. This week’s update is a little larger than usual with all sorts of goodies for the PlayStation family. Demos, Deals and New Games await your prying eyes below.

Courtesy of the US PlayStation Blog.

PlayStation Plus

Discounted Games & DLC
Sky Fighter (PS3) (PlayStation Plus price $2.50, regular price $9.99)

Updates

Resident Evil 2 – Psone Classic – Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Sky Fighters – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars Digital – Sale (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Capcom Puzzle World Umd Legacy – Price Change (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X – Price Change (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Ultimate Ghosts N Goblins – Price Change (PSP) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Caterpillar – Minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $3.99, original price $4.99)
Gold Fever – Minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $3.99, original price $4.99)
Panda Craze – Minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $3.99, original price $4.99)
Rocks N’ Rockets – Minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $3.99, original price $4.99)
Shapo – Minis – Price Change (PS3/PSP) (now $3.99, original price $4.99)

Downloadable Games

Space Ace ($9.99)
Space Ace, the followup to Don Bluth’s legendary Dragon’s Lair, can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your couch. This fully arcade authentic version includes all of the original scenes you’ve come to enjoy, and even an all-new global high scores list so you can show how well you handle Ace’s laser gun. Other bonuses include a full watch feature to sit back and enjoy Don Bluth’s stunning animation.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 1.03 GB

Days Of Thunder – Nascar Edition ($9.99)
Days of Thunder NASCAR Edition gives you the opportunity to go against NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, including Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, and the drivers from the iconic film. Featuring single-player and online modes, take to the wheel as one of the hottest drivers on the circuit to prove that you can’t stop the thunder!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 901 MB

Alien Breed 3: Descent ($9.99)
Alien Breed 3: Descent is the final explosive chapter in the Alien Breed series, and is a science fiction arcade-shooter with an epic story, swarms of alien enemies, high-impact weapons, and stunning environments. In addition to the thrilling conclusion to the single-player campaign and the relentless Survivor modes, the game offers action-packed, online or local two-player co-operative modes.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.64 GB

Game Demos (free)

Dragon Age 2 – Demo
Download the highly anticipated Action RPG Dragon Age II right now! Engage in action-packed and immersive gameplay with dynamic new combat mechanics that allow you to think like a general and fight like a Spartan! With the entire world on the brink of war, only you can hold it all together. The legend of your rise to power begins now.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.76 GB

Dragon Age 2 French Version – Demo (Canada only)
Download the highly anticipated Action RPG Dragon Age II right now! Engage in action-packed and immersive gameplay with dynamic new combat mechanics that allow you to think like a general and fight like a Spartan! With the entire world on the brink of war, only you can hold it all together. The legend of your rise to power begins now.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.76 GB

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars – Demo
Laugh your way through an all-new story with this demo, including both space and ground levels from the most action-packed LEGO Star Wars ever.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 844 MB

Yakuza 4 Demo
Do something terrible today and experience a taste for the Japanese underworld in this exclusive demo for Yakuza 4.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 621 MB

MLB 11 The Show Demo
Play four innings in beautiful AT&T Park in this World Series rematch as the San Francisco Giants take on the Texas Rangers. Experience the ALL NEW Pure Analog Control system to hit, pitch and field with unparalleled precision.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 2.92 GB

PSone Classics

Xenogears ($9.99)
Take up arms using powerful “”gears”” and help Fei Fong Wong regain his lost memories in this RPG classic.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 724 MB

Add-on Game Content

Killzone 3 Retro Pack: Reclaimed Territory ($4.99)
Retro Pack: Reclaimed Territory, featuring two of the most popular maps from Killzone 2, Salamun Market and Blood Gracht.
File Size: 349 MB

Fallout: New Vegas : Dead Money ($9.99)
Welcome to the Sierra Madre Casino! The casino’s mythical contents are lusted after by desperate wasteland scavengers, who tell stories of intact treasure of the old world buried deep within its vault. Lured here by a mysterious radio signal advertising the long-awaited grand opening of the casino, you are thrown into a high stakes game where you’ll have to work with three other lost souls if you want to survive. To use this download, you will need product code BLUS-30500.
File size: 729 MB

Fallout: New Vegas French: Dead Money ($9.99)
Afin d’utiliser ce téléchargement, il vous faudra le code produit BLUS-30626.
File size: 1.42 GB

Fallout: New Vegas Spanish: Dead Money ($9.99)
Para usar esta descarga, necesitará el código de producto BLUS-30627.
File size: 729 MB

Bulletstorm Standard Edition Online Pass – Public Release ($9.99)
Thanks for downloading your Bulletstorm Online Pass content, this download entitles you to six additional ‘Echoes’ mode maps. Enjoy!
File size: 115 KB

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Armed And Dangerous Pack ($6.99)
Introducing Most Wanted and Arms Race. Two all-new online game modes that let you take on other players in high speed and highly dangerous competition.
File size: 103 KB

The Sims 3 – Bahhaus ($9.99)
Sneer at the rest of the design world and build cutting edge structures that embody light, strength, and flexibility. BahHaus, so cutting edge it hurts. Make sure to have band aids on hand.
File size: 1.89 MB

The Sims 3 – Castle Interior Pack ($5.99)
Now your Sim’s desire to live the part of royalty has finally come true. Everyone knows that a Sim’s home is their castle. The Lord and Lady can live happily in the castle of their dreams surrounded by the gothic furniture.
File size: 1.58 MB

Fight Night Champion Online Pass ($9.99)
File size: 100 KB

Deadliest Warrior – DLC Expansion Pack 1 ($4.99)
Introducing the Shaolin Monk, Zande and Rajput warriors. The DLC pack also features a new Skirmish game mode, taunts for medium range weapons, replays and new Titles you can earn for your profile!
File size: 2.42 MB

Hyperdimension Neptunia: Booster (x6) ($0.99)
Neptune’s stat booster. Increase stats related to melee & ranged attacks.
File size: 100 KB

EyePet Hospital Pack ($2.99)
Did somebody call for a doctor? Now you and your EyePet can help find the cure with the Hospital Pack! You’ve never seen a virtual pet quite like this – EyePet!
File size: 100 KB

The Fight Lights Out – Timesaver’s Pack ($1.99)
Download this pack for The Fight: Lights Out and gain instant access to all the features that are unlockable by playing through the game, including new fighters, dirty moves, accessories, and more.
File size: 100 KB

The Fight Lights Out – Fitness Pack ($4.99)
Get fit with The Fight: Lights Out! This pack gives you a workout with new variations of current exercises in the game, plus additional activities such as squat thrusts, shadow boxing, lunges, circuit training, and more.
File size: 100 KB

Def Jam Rapstar
(Music Downloads Not Rated by the ESRB) Expand your DEF JAM RAPSTAR library with these songs. DEF JAM RAPSTAR game disc is required to play this downloadable content:

“Shut This Down” – Ill Blu ($1.99)
“Stallin (Freestyle)” – Ill Blu ($1.99)
“Power (Freestyle)” – Sx Beats ($1.99)
“Take Over (Freestyle)” – Sx Beats ($1.99)

File size: 4.08 – 5.91 MB (singles)

Rock Band 3
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

“Fire and Ice” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
“Love is a Battlefield” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
“Shadows of the Night” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
“We Belong” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
“Invincible” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
“Promises in the Dark” – Pat Benatar ($1.99)
Pat Benatar ($9.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game album: Pat Benatar Pack 01. This pack includes “Fire and Ice”, “Love is a Battlefield”, “Shadows of the Night”, “We Belong”, “Invincible” and “Promises in the Dark”. By Pat Benatar

File size: 22 – 46 MB (singles), 186 MB (track pack)

Rock Band Network

“Genocide” – Evile ($1.99)
“Serial Killer” – Damone ($0.99)
“The Hounds of Anubis” – The Word Alive ($1.99)
“Numb and Intoxicated” – Kataklysm ($1.99)
“The One You Want” – The Get Up Kids ($1.99)

File size: 21 – 50 MB (singles)

Bundles

Midnight Club L.A. Remix & Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Bundle ($19.99)
Midnight Club L.A. Remix & Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Bundled for the PSP at a discount price for this limited promotional period! The series that took tacing from the tracks to the open urban streets is raiding the stakes even higher. Experience the fastest ride ever in the palm of your hand.
File Size: 1.49 GB

Grand Theft Auto Iv: The Lost And Damned & The Ballad Of Gay Tony Bundle ($14.99)
The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony bundled together at a discount price for this limited promotional period!
File size: 4.0 GB

Avatars

Mega Man Legends 2 – Servbot (Sweeping) Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Joe (Face) Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Joe Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Silvia (Face) Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Silvia Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Viewtiful Joe (Face) Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Viewtiful Joe – Viewtiful Joe Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Game Videos (free)

Q Music Unlimited Walkthrough
File size: 156 MB (HD); 262 MB (1080)

Pulse 2/22 Edition
File size: 263 MB (HD); 441 MB (1080)

MLB 11 The Show – In a Jam Trailer
File size: 82 MB (HD)

MLB 11 The Show – Yankee Killer Trailer
File size: 87 MB (HD)

Duke Nukem Forever – Reveal Trailer
File size: 99 MB (HD)

Top Spin 4 – Legends Trailer
File size: 55 MB (HD)

Prototype 2 Announce Trailer
File size: 68 MB (HD)

Space Ace Trailer
File size: 34 MB (HD)

Dragon Age II – Champion Trailer
File size: 46 MB (HD)

Yakuza 4: The Ladies Of Yakuza 4 Trailer
File size: 93 MB (HD)

Two Worlds II – Accolades Trailer
File size: 90 MB (HD)

Two Worlds II – Announcement Trailer
File size: 53 MB (HD)

Two Worlds II – Return To Antaloor Trailer
File size: 66 MB (HD)

Stacking Trailer
File size: 49 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

PSN Award Best PS3 Downloadable Theme (x5) (Free)
File size: 441 KB

PSN Award Best PSP Downloadable Theme (x5) (Free)
File size: 432 KB

PSN Award Best PS3/PSP Mini Theme (x5) (Free)
File size: 525 KB

PSN Award Best PSN Exclusive Game Theme (x5) (Free)
File size: 431 KB

FIFA Soccer 11 – Ultimate Team Theme (Free)
File size: 1.34 KB

Top Darts Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 2.25 MB

DP Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 Theme ($1.49)
File size: 4.10 MB

PS3 Wallpapers (free)

Tales From Space: About A Blob – Wallpaper #2
File size: 96 KB (SD); 387 KB (HD)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

YS: I & II Chronicles ($24.99)
Play the first two games of the critically-acclaimed Ys series in one great package. The graphics have been reimagined in highly-detailed hand-drawn 2D and the soundtrack newly rearranged, while returning fans have the option of playing with the original music or using alternative character art. Four difficulty levels and a time trial mode have also been added.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 930 MB

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Bloons TD – Minis ($4.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size:7.2 MB

Paper Wars: Cannon Fodder – Minis ($4.99)
ESRB Rated T
File size: 9.75 MB

Twin Blades – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated M
File size: 39 MB

Denki Blocks! – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 6.52 MB

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 2/22 Edition
File size: 43 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Summer Beach PSP Theme (x2) ($1.49)
File size: 621 KB – 640 KB

Gassed PSP Theme (x2) ($1.49)
File size: 487 KB – 544 KB

Augbar Red Urban Camo PSP Theme ($1.99)
File size: 462 KB

Blue Urban Camo Spectre PSP Theme ($1.99)
File size: 480 KB

Commando Tiger Camo PSP Theme ($1.99)
File size: 453 KB

Peter Molyneux: Demos Are “Never a Good Idea”

Dylan Duarte — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:25:56 +0000

Peter Molyneux, gamer creator and Lord of Over-hyping, has lashed out at the concept of game demos.

In a recent interview with Games Industry, Molyneux expressed his displeasure in game demos, saying the following:

“Anyone out there who thinks a demo is a good idea is crazy. It’s never a good idea, because demos are usually done at the end of a game and they require an enormous amount of design talent to make a demo. The other thing is you’re more likely to satisfying the curiosity of a user rather than entice them to play more.”

I completely disagree. I had zero interest in games like Crackdown 2 and Transformers: War for Cybertron until I played the demos and now I plan to pick them up. In fact, I wasn’t even sold on Crackdown 2 until I disabled the timer and was able to experience the game at my leisure. Let me rephrase: the more of the game I was able to play, the more I wanted to purchase it.

I’m sure Molyneux’s idea of demos satisfying gamers rather than enticing them to buy is true for some people. My point is that it’s not true for all and so making a blanket statement like “Anyone out there who thinks a demo is a good idea is crazy” is, in fact, the statement of a crazy person.

And as a commenter on Go Nintendo pointed out, Fable III is being split into episodes, with the first episode being free.

“We give away the first chapter entirely free, the first hour. When you reach a certain point in the game it says ‘thank you for playing the pilot of Fable 3, do you want to spend an extra 2-5 or whatever dollars to buy the next episode, or buy the whole lot?’ Press ‘yes’ and you will immediately continue playing.”

Molyneux claims this will work better than a demo, but doesn’t explain how it’s any different from a consumer standpoint. Am I totally missing something here? I invite readers (and my colleauges) to chime in with their opinions.

Madden NFL 09 and Facebreaker Demos Now Available On PSN and XBL

Rangebar Merani — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:40:42 +0000

Playable demos for Madden NFL 09 and Facebreaker have hit Xbox Live and the Playstation Network today.

Madden NFL 09 is due to hit stores on August 12 and Facebreaker just a few weeks later on September 5.

Check out our hands-on previews of Madden NFL 09 and Facebreaker from E3 to see how impressed we were by both EA Sport Titles.

Source: Majornelson.com and Playstation.Blog

Four Demos For US PlayStation Store – 07/10/08

Patrick Steen — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:36:47 +0000

Though the drought continues on the European PlayStation Store (the late arrival of echochrome is certainly cherishable) the US PlayStation Store is painted with four PS3 demos.

Of course, it’s quality not quantity and I’d hate to impose my opinion on whether all the following games are of the former. Siren: Blood Curse, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Wall-E, and Monster Madness: Grave Dangers will have demos available for download today.

The episodic title Siren: Blood Curse (four downloadable episodes at $9.99 each, or $39,99 for all) tops the billings this week and if Eurogamer’s review is to be believed, it could be a sleeper hit.

This weeks US PlayStation Store Update is as follows:

Demos:
- Siren: Blood Curse
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
- Monster Madness: Grave Danger
- Wall-E

Downloadable Content
- Rock Band ($1.99 each)
“Snow (Hey Oh)” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Tell Me Baby” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Closer to the Heart” – Rush
“Working Man (Vault Edition)” – Rush

-Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Gift Pack (3 multiplayer maps) (free)

- Burnout Paradise Cagney Update (Available in-game) – includes three new game modes, 70 new challenges, new vehicles, and adds custom soundtrack support.

Game Trailers:
- Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Destructible Cover Gameplay Video
- Dead Space Dev Diary #1
- Elefunk Official Trailer
- Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution Launch Trailer
- Siren: Blood Curse Story Trailer
- SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Assault Trailer
- Super Stardust HD Add-On Intro
- AST Dew Tour – PlayStation Pro Moments, Behind the Scenes with Spinner, Bilko’s Road to Finals, Burnquist Talks

Movie Trailers:
- Quarantine

Europe’s Store is graced with the following:

Games:
- echochrome (€9,99/£6.99)
- echochrome micro (PSP) (€7,99/£4.99)

Demos:
- Top Spin 3

Downloadable Content:
- High Velocity Bowling Character: Amber Vorhees (€0,99/£0.69)

Game Trailers:
- echochrome

Movie Trailers:
- Kung Fu Panda

Music Videos:
- Movement: Paris
○ In The Bag (395 MB)
○ The First No-Show (501 MB)
○ Sna-Fu Interview (285 MB)
○ Sna Fu: Transcending Reality (379 MB)
○ Sna-Fu: Dorian (336 MB)
○ Gush Interview (393 MB)
○ Gush: I Just (268 MB)
○ Gush: Blow Frankie (341 MB)

This week’s Japan PlayStation Store Update is as follows:

Games:
- Elefunk (¥800)

PSone Games: (¥600 each)
- Wizard’s Harmony R
- Brave Fencer Musashi (PSP only)
- Ehrgheiz
- Raycrisis
- Aquanaut’s Holiday Memories of Summer 1996
- b.l.u.e. Legend of Water

Demos:
- Gundam Battle Universe (PSP)

Game Trailers:
- NBA 2K8

Music:
- PixelJunk Monsters Soundtrack (¥300)

Kill Hapless Heroes In “Yuusha” Demo For The Sony PSP

Cavin Smith — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:56:11 +0000

“Heroes?! In MY Labyrinth?!”

Have you ever gotten lost in a dungeon? Frustrated, confused, swamped by enemies with not a single health potion left in your inventory? Well, have you ever wanted to be the jerkface that designs those soul-killing labyrinths you loathe so much? If so, then you clearly need to play “Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaiki da,” or “Brazen In Spite of Heroes.”

In this puzzle-RPG hybrid from Japanese developer Acquire, you play the role of a quite-possibly-evil dungeon master trying to build the ultimate hero-killing maze. Laid out in Dug Dug-styled strata, you carve out all the tunnels yourself, culling slimes from moss-covered rock. These most-basic-of-basic RPG baddies will then proceed to ooze around and fertilize other tiles or feed on them and multiply. When rocks start to turn white from this process, you can break them to release nasty bugs or even more effective lizardmen. Figuring out how to structure your dungeon and cultivate more powerful creatures is the key to success. It’s a delicate ecosystem so think of it as a kind of “monster ant farm.”

Soon enough, the surface’s mightiest champions will descend into your lair in an attempt to abduct you and drag you topside for some buff rewards from the locals. Yeah, now you know how all those bosses you’ve killed over the years feel. Anyway, once they enter, you’re asked to place yourself somewhere in the dungeon, and though the grace period has ended, you can continue to create new tunnels and unleash new monsters as the adventurers hack their way through your minions. Each hero type has different attributes and weaknesses, as well as the ability to level up, increasing their strength and restoring their health. Striking a good balance between having monsters powerful enough to pose a challenge and not littering your dungeon with experience point fodder takes some getting used to.

Though it may sound somewhat complex, it actually plays out quickly. This is an arcade game through and through, which means it’s hard to tell exactly how deep it gets from the three-level demo. But, hey, it’s got great aesthetic appeal (original Dragon Quest era sprites and pipey music) and hallowed review house Famitsu gave it an impressive score (36/40). Try it for yourself in Japanese (it has a low language barrier) and hope that someone plans to publish the full game in the West at some point. Below you can find the promotional trailer and instructions on how to obtain the demo yourself.

[youtube width="425" height="335"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwkBaDqjLKY[/youtube]

As getting demos, especially foreign ones, on to your PSP can be a trial of patience, you can try following these instructions:

Download this file to your PC. That’s the EBOOT file you’ll need to run the game.
Stick your PSP-formatted Memory Stick Duo into your computer if you have an appropriate reader OR use a mini-USB->USB cable to connect your PSP (with Duo inserted) to your computer.
Either way, the Memory Stick should show up on your list of drives. Open it and go to the /PSP/GAME directory.
Create a new folder with the title “NPJG90009″
Place the EBOOT file in that folder.
On your PSP, go to “Game” on your XMB and scroll down to “Memory Stick.” You should now see an icon for the game.
Click it and play!

By the way, you’ll need Firmware 3.72 to run it!

Ratchet and Clank HD Pixelation Issue? Insomniac Responds

Patrick Steen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:53:14 +0000

There has been some discussion about the recently released demo of Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction for the Playstation 3 on the well known gaming forum Neogaf. A very select few have been having some visual troubles with the game, resulting in a pixelated mess on their HDTVs. This is surprising, since most who have experienced the beauty of Insomniac’s game can see that it is very sharp and pretty damn special to say the least. So what is going on here?

On some 1080p HDTV’s Ratchet and Clank appears to be pixelated, or in the best possible words – a garbled mess. Now reports of this have been few and far between, but it seems that although being a 720p game, when 720p is selected on the display options for the Playstation 3 the game does not appear as it should on some HDTV’s (a 52inch 1080p Sony Bravia is one of the mentioned televisions). When 720p is unchecked, leaving only 1080i and 1080p the picture in fact clears up but at the bottom-right of the screen is a block of broken up, fuzziness.

What could be the problem? Well some research has been done at the Beyond3d forums, suggesting that Ratchet and Clank is 704p or 704by1280 pixels instead of the regular 720by1280. This is unlike the Halo 3 problem of being a 640p image (or even Conan at 576p) being upscaled to 720p (and higher) since Ratchet and Clank is not upscaled by the Playstation3.

Upscaling from 640p to 720p would cause some strange exaggeration of aliasing, and other minor problems with picture quality. Instead, Ratchet and Clank cuts off 8pixels above and below, meaning the remaining image will still be rendered at 720p but with small black bars above and below, such as you would see when you watch an HD film on your television. A 1080p film will have black borders above and below, thus not using all the pixels, but the quality that is displayed still means it is 1080p. Ratchet and Clank is even less extreme than this, since the black borders would be almost unnoticeable if your HDTV didn’t use overscan to remove them completely. This image is sent from the Playstation to your television, and then the overscan of your television will make the final picture fit the screen, thus not showing the black bars.

Ratchet and Clank being 704p is thus a clever way to save some pixels without impacting visual quality, for Ratchet and Clank is so gorgeous to experience, especially at 60fps, that you will double check to make sure you are not playing through a Pixar film. But could this be a problem for some 1080i/p HDTV’s? It’s not clear if it is, but it could be due to these televisions upscaling from 704p without overscan.

Whatever the problem is, Insomniac seems to be keen to get it fixed for every HDTV out there. ~~While we have yet to confirm that the following is indeed from an employee of Insomniac, it appears that one~~ One of the Insomniac team members has personally posted on the Neogaf forum asking exactly what the trouble is. ~~If it is a member of Insomniac, it would be~~ This is proof of just how down to earth the developer is.

“Hey guys,

Can you send me any brand/model numbers of TVs you have if you are having issues and what the issue is, plus what settings you are running (screen caps are helpful too).

We believe the lower right corner garbling issue appears to only be happening with 1080i/p output forced and with no-overscan. The vast majority of people shouldn’t experience it, and we highly recommend ensuring your PS3 has 720p output enabled as RCF will look best at that resolution and it should correct the issue.

If you’re having the strange pixelation issues, we want to try to replicate that here. We’ve never seen it in-house on all of our various HD sets, and knowing what TVs we need to track down would be helpful.

Appreciate your help
JS”

So let’s hope Insomniac gets this fixed for those that have the problem, otherwise some sorry sods will be missing out on one of the best looking games the Playstation 3 has to offer.

(Note: Insomniac has not confirmed that the game is rendered at 704p.)

Sources: Neogaf, Beyond3d

Update – 10/16 7:36 PM EST
The poster on the Neogaf board has been confirmed as an actual employee of Insomniac. Well known to the board, and featured in several of Insomniac’s Podcasts.