Sony Europe Announce License Deal With Target, Bringing Software Titles And Characters Alive in Apparel, Toys, Gifts and more - SCEE Press Release

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd (SCEE) is delighted to announce the appointment of Target Entertainment Ltd, a subsidiary of Target Entertainment Group Ltd, the leading international production and rights management business, as the Consumer Product Licensing Agent for PlayStation® software IPs (Intellectual Properties) with immediate effect.

Following the great success of Sony Computer Entertainment America’s licensing agreement with Dimensional Branding Group, Target Entertainment Ltd will operate across Europe & Australasia on all consumer products (excluding PlayStation peripherals and PlayStation specific accessories). Target will develop exciting ranges of PlayStation apparel and accessories, colourful toys and plush, , stationery and gifts, housewares and food, and plenty of fun-filled promotions.

Stephanie Freeman, Licensing & Peripherals Manager at SCEE commented, “Many of Sony Computer Entertainment’s ’s first party software titles and characters are now recognised by millions of people around the world – from the legendary Ratchet and Clank™ through to the iconic Sackboy from LittleBigPlanet™. We really want our consumers to have the ability to interact with our brands and characters in ways other than just on screen. We feel Target Entertainment Ltd has the vibrancy and experience to help us do this successfully.”

Helen Howells, Global Brand Director, Target Entertainment Group added, “To work with a brand like PlayStation, and its range of products, is a great opportunity for us. With a portfolio of fantastic games we will offer new and longer standing fans a range of products that will really add to their PlayStation experience.”

Singstar Update 3.01 - SCEE Press Release

Show off your SingStar® skills with cool new trophies, select tracks with your SingStar® microphone, and much more with the 3.01 Update

Calling all SingStars! Your SingStar® experience is about to get even better when the SingStar 3.01 Update for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) takes place across PAL territories on April 16th 2009. This automatic and free update from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will bring you cool new features, trophies and a new look for My SingStar Online.

Show the world what a star you are by winning brand-new SingStar Trophies. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro – there’s over 30 trophies up for grabs, including “Super Singer Gold”, “Keep it Cool”, and “All Eyes On You”. Next, put your controller down and get ready for the brand-new SingStar Voice Control function. Simply announce the track you want to perform next into your microphone, and watch it appear on your screen! This function will be available with SingStar® Pop Edition at launch and for all SingStar PS3™ users as a free download from SingStore Extras on 22nd April. Last but not least - your My SingStar Online profile page will be given a brand-new makeover.

Please note that SingStore™ and My SingStar Online will be unavailable for an estimated eight hours on 16th of April - so we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience. Once we’ve given SingStar its cool new makeover, you’ll be able to sing the night away in true style!

ENDS

Andrew House Named New President And Ceo Of SCEE - Sony Press Release

ANDREW HOUSE NAMED NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE
CMO of Sony Corporation Is Appointed President & CEO, SCEE

Tokyo, April 15, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that Andrew House, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Group Executive of Sony Corporation, has been named President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Chief Operating Officer (Co-COO) of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) as of May 1, 2009.

In his new role, House will be responsible for managing the PlayStation business across nearly 100 countries in the Europe/PAL territories, including the company’s PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and PLAYSTATION®3 platforms as well as PlayStation®Network.

House joined Sony Corporation in 1990, where he worked in corporate communications for Sony Corporation (Japan) for five years. In April 1995, he was assigned to the marketing and communications division of SCEI, contributing to the marketing and promotion of the original PlayStation® computer entertainment system as well as its game titles. In March 1996, House was promoted to Vice President, Marketing of Sony Computer Entertainment America, where he led SCEA’s marketing efforts to establish the North American market for the original PlayStation as well as formulating and executing the market strategies which led to the successful launch of the PlayStation 2 and PSP businesses. House was also instrumental in developing the PlayStation brand into a household name in North America. In addition to his marketing responsibilities, he also

led the Third Party Relations and Developer Support divisions from 2000, making sizeable contributions in establishing and maintaining firm relationships with third party game developers and publishers in North America as well as growing content alliances.

Acknowledged for his invaluable contribution to the expansion of the PlayStation business and to the company’s marketing and brand management efforts, House was appointed CMO of Sony Corporation in 2005, with global responsibility for corporate marketing across all of Sony’s businesses with primary emphasis in building value in the Sony brand.

“I’m very happy to welcome Andrew back to the PlayStation business and to work closely with him again” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment. “I’m confident that the skills and expertise Andy has gained over the years working as Sony’s CMO will contribute enormously in leading the PlayStation business in Europe/PAL countries and regions and to bring new initiatives in managing the business in the coming networked era.”

“I’m delighted to return to the PlayStation fold and excited to take on this new challenge,” said Andrew House, “I have strong ties to the interactive entertainment industry and I believe there is huge potential for further growth of our business in the Europe/PAL countries and regions, particularly in the area of networked entertainment. I’m looking forward to working with everyone at SCEE and with other groups in Sony to help achieve this potential.”

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 16.8 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 137.7 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 44.5 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 13 million people have registered to PlayStation Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and over 236 million items have been downloaded.

David Reeves To Retire From SCEE - Sony Press Release.

DAVID REEVES TO RETIRE FROM SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE

Tokyo, April 15, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that David Reeves, President, CEO and Co-Coo, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), and Deputy President, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., will retire from Sony Computer Entertainment Group as of April 30, 2009.

David Reeves joined SCEE in 1995, where he was responsible for establishing and managing the regional offices of SCEE in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He moved back to the United Kingdom in 1999 and leveraging his talent and skills in the broad areas of sales, marketing and operations, Reeves contributed immensely in selling millions of the original PlayStation®, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and establishing the PlayStation name as the number one brand in the home digital entertainment industry in the countries and regions across the Europe/PAL territory. In 2003, Reeves was appointed President and COO of SCEE and CEO 2 years later, and while having nearly 100 countries in the Europe/PAL territories reporting to him and managing the vast market of diverse cultures and different business customs, he provided strong leadership in successfully launching PLAYSTATION®3 in the growing competitive landscape.

“David’s contribution in firmly establishing the PlayStation brand and expanding the business in Europe/PAL territories in his 14 year tenure at SCEE is immeasurable,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to David for the many accomplishments he made to the PlayStation business and wish him the best luck in his future endeavours.”

“It has been a wonderful ride with PlayStation,” said David Reeves. “I never got to visit all 106 countries but managed 66. I have just two things to say on leaving: I want to thank all of those people who have supported SCEE and me personally in the past 14 years; you have been magnificent! Secondly, I am going to spend my time now trying to repay society for all I have taken from it. If your children are having physics lessons at the local school or wondering why their ski instructor is very elderly, your car mechanic has a bad back, or the social worker keeps bringing you PSP games, then it could just be me! Good luck to everybody at SCEE and everybody who continues to support us.”

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 16.8 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 137.7 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 44.5 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 13 million people have registered to PlayStation Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and over 236 million items have been downloaded.

What Have You Played This Week?

So this week i was mainly kept busy with Killzone 2 and Dynasty Warriors:Gundam. both games i can waste away hours in. i also got some games in the PSN sale, but only managed to play Piyotama so far. i really like it and hope the sale gives it the attention it deserves.

Killzone 2 - PS3 - Now the single player is out of the way, i've been focusing on getting the multiplayer badges. i'm doiing the disguise one at the moment as no matter how hard i try i can't get the air support medal.

Peggle - 360 - Finally completed the game, well "story mode" anyway. some of those last levels are terrible.

Dynasty Warriors:Gundam - 360- we all know what to expect, giant robots killing loads of enemies. but it works and i'm loving it. simple, fast, fun, effective. can't wait to try the sequal.

Piyotama - PS3 - i bought this in the sale and i can't believe i didn't play it earlier. the game is addictive in it's simplicity. the single player mode is hard, but i enjoy the continious style mode, no pressure and you can go on for ages. definatly a hidden gem on the PSN

Feel free to comment on anything i've played and what you yourself has played over the last week.

UK PSN Update 09/04/09

Sony's got a sale on people so i've added it to the list this week. alot of things this week also, really makes up for last weeks poor one. remember, the sale is on until the 23rd of April.

Anniversary Specials
Wipeout HD [£11.99]
High Velocity Bowling [£4.79]
Crash Commando [£4.79]
Pain [£3.99]
Ratchet And Clank: Quest For Booty [£7.99]
Siren Blood Curse [£14.99]
Riff: Everyday Shooter [£3.99]
Dark Mist [£3.99]
Echochrome [£4.79]
Piyotama [£2.39]
Elefunk [£3.99]
Snakeball [£3.99]
Calling All Cars [£3.99]
Blast Factor Advance [£3.99]
Nucleus [£3.99]
PixleJunk Racers [£3.99]
Toy Home [£3.99]

PS3 Games
Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists Of Plastic [£7.99]
Flock [£11.99]
Worms [£7.99]
Hail To The Chimp [£11.99]
Little Big Planet – Rag Doll Kung Fu Costume Pack [£2.39]
Little Big Planet – Patapon Costume Pack [£1.59]
Quantum Of Solace – Map Pack [£3.99]

Demo's
The Chronicles Of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena

Guitar Hero - World Tour
Silversun Pickups Track Pack [£4.39]
“Its Nice to Know You Work Alone” by Silversun Pickups [£1.59]
“Panic Switch” by Silversun Pickups [£1.59]
“Well thought Out Twinkies” by Silversun Pickups [£1.59]

Rock Band
Toby Keith Pack 01 [£6.29]
“Beer For My Horses” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“How Do You Like Me Know?!” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“She's A Hottie” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“Should've Been A Cowboy” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“Who's Your daddy” by Toby Keith [£0.99]
“New Slang” By The Shins [£0.99]
“Waking The Demon” by Bullet For My Valentine [£0.99]
“Warriors Of Time” by Black Tide [£0.99]

Videos
Infamous – City Of Fear Trailer
Motorstorm Artic Edge Trailer
Pain – David Hasselhoff Trailer
Mirrors Edge – Pure Time Trails Trailer
PlayTv – Update Q&A Trailer
Resistance Retribution – Shattered Stone Trailer
Resistance Retribution – Connect for PSP trailer

Wallpaper
Rag Doll Kung Fu Fists Of Plastic – Master Wallpaper
Crash Commando – Fight Wallpaper

Theme
NONE

PS1 Classic
NONE

PSP
Ape Academy [£14.99]
Lemmings [£14.99]
Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice [£14.99]
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror [£14.99]

Wipeout HD - Tempory Fix

i sent out a tweet last night seeing if anyone had issues with Wipeout HD as i was having some issues.
turns out it's a fairly widespread problem. this is a temporary fix, which has been making the rounds on the net, for the game.

1. Sign out of PSN.
2. Launch the game.
3. Choose "Online" from the main menu, letting it sign you in to the PSN.
4. Acknowledge the release notes for the 1.30 patch.
5. Wait for the game to auto-save.

i tried this and it worked for me. once you get the game to save, you don't need to do the following steps again to get it to work