PlayStation’s annual Black Friday sale is back. This year, they are offering a plethora of discounts and offerings across their game library and membership plans. From 17 November till 27 November, players can head over to the PlayStation Store to enjoy discounts up to 80% for games.
New PlayStation Plus members will be able to save up to 30% on 12-month membership plans during the Black Friday promotion. Existing members can also enjoy significant savings when upgrading to PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe. The upgrade will also give you access to PS4 and PS5 titles through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including games like Horizon Forbidden West, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Sea of Stars, and many more.
For those wanting to snag games from the store, here’s a few popular titles for PS4/PS5 on discount now:
Sony has announced quite an interesting PlayStation Plus lineup for November 2023. While last month’s games celebrated the Spooky Season, it looks like Playstation is focusing on thrillers and co-op survival shooters this time round. PlayStation Plus subscribers can add three new games on November 7. The games will be available for download until Monday, December 4 for PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Mafia II: Definitive Edition
Imagine becoming a gangster in post-WWII Empire Bay, New York. Mafia II: Definitive Edition is a beautiful HD remaster of the criminal drama. Follow military hero Vito Scaletta as he joins the mob to repay his father’s debts. Discover a city full of opportunity and succeed in post-war American businesses in this Golden Age of organised crime. Join your pal, Joe, as you rise in the family hierarchy, committing harder crimes with bigger rewards and repercussions.
Dragon Ball: The Breakers
Experience Dragon Ball in an online asymmetrical action game. Seven average folks must fight the Raider to survive. This terrifying enemy, reminiscent of Cell, Frieza, and Buu, evolves throughout the game becoming more challenging as the game progresses. Escaping will be difficult without cooperation. However, Raider or Survivor decisions may compel you to fight alone. Raiders have powerful abilities to hunt and kill Survivors. Learn each Raider’s special skills to locate and catch prey and become a stronger opponent. Choose your progression route as a Raider or Survivor to gain skills, skins, and stuff to suit your survival or dominance strategy.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
You and up to two other players or AI if you choose will explore LV-895, a mysterious planet with secrets hidden in its ruins and caves. Choose from six classes and a variety of weaponry, including magnums, SMGs, and rocket launchers, to customise your Marine. You can customise your loadout with 130+ perks. Fulfilled your dream to obliterate Xenomorphs, build your fireteam using class makeup, consumables, and weapons. Combat Prowlers, and Spitters, and set up defences to protect your fireteam long enough to stay alive and get to safety.
Besides those exciting games, PlayStation Plus members have also a special plus advantage. Sony has recently launched Pictures Core for PS5 and PS4 which offers a huge variety of recent and classic Sony Pictures films in select markets. PlayStation Plus members will receive a 15% discount on any Sony Pictures Core content purchased and rented in November starting November 1.
Spooky season is upon us! With Halloween around the corner, it looks like PlayStation has some games for the occasion. These games will be available exclusively to PlayStation Plus users. The 3 games that are currently available are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, scare you or hug you like a warm cup of Pumpkin Spice.
The highlight of this month’s games is none other than the spiritual successor of the famed “Dead Space” franchise – Callisto Protocol. The game takes place 300 years in the future where you play as Jacob Lee, a man imprisoned on Jupiter’s moon: Callisto. Things couldn’t get worse, right? Wrong. Besides being an inmate, you must now survive as other inmates are transformed into gruesome abominations and find a way off the moon. But that’s not all, Callisto’s Walls hold sinister secrets that may just come to end you.
Callisto’s Protocol is definitely perfect for the spooky season with terrors at every corner. It’s even got an ambience that will leave your hair standing and jump scares that may just jolt you out of your seat. Are you ready to escape?
Weird West is a twist on the Western Cowboy era where instead of just bandits and mercenaries you share the wild frontier with dark fantasy creatures such as werewolves, curse creatures, cults and other members of the underworld.
The game offers unique gameplay with choices that will affect the players and even the world. It’s an immersive experience where your actions will affect how the characters, factions and places will react to you. Play as multiple characters throughout the gameplay and learn their origins; all while waiting for them to culminate and climax!
A little less scary than Callisto Protocol, the game still brings the spooky vibe this October. It’s got interesting graphics, creepy creatures and heart-pumping choices that will shape how it will all end.
Not up for all the scares and hair-rousing spooky time that Callisto Protocol & Weird West bring? Then PlayStation is going to give you a warm hug while you plant your own pumpkins in Farming Simulator 22. Put on your farmer’s hat as you get into the mood to simply relax, get cosy and build your farm in a real-life experience simulation.
These games are available for the month of October with any tier subscription of PS Plus so don’t miss your chance to enjoy some spooky feel for the spooky month.
PlayStation Plus Premium is starting to make sense. Sony introduced the all-new PlayStation Plus more than a year ago, however, the service and its tiers have had a hard time enticing users to subscribe. As it stands now, PS Plus now has three tiers: essential, extra and premium (or deluxe in markets without streaming). At the very bottom is essential which offers little more than online multiplayer and free monthly games. The extra tier gives access to the Games Catalogue while Premium adds on the classics catalogue and game trials. However, that’s about to change with the introduction of game streaming to the service at its premium tier. While the service was announced a little over 12 months ago, it’s finally making its debut.
Source: PlayStation
Starting this month, gamers will be able to start accessing PS5 cloud streaming. With the service kicking off, you’ll be able to play PS5 games without the need for lengthy downloads. Instead, the games will be instantly streamed from Sony’s servers. This will help in eliminating the waiting time and ensuring that you can dive into your chosen game at a moment’s notice.
Sony isn’t looking to stream games in low quality with the service. Instead, when streaming PS5 games, you can enjoy high-quality resolution options, including 4K, 1440p, 1080p, and 720p, all at up to 60 frames per second. This also includes HDR support. Sony is also bringing support for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound and Tempest 3D Audiotech which is supposed to make game audio even more immersive.
Sony’s approach to cloud gaming is refreshingly flexible. PlayStation Plus Premium members can stream the games they own or wish to try out. While some games can be directly streamed, others can be downloaded, providing you with the choice that best suits your gaming preferences. You’ll also be able to capture up to 3 minutes of gameplay while streaming.
Source: PlayStation
Here are some notable titles you’ll be able to stream or download as a PlayStation Plus Premium member: Resident Evil 4, Dead Island 2, Genshin Impact, Fall Guys, and Fortnite. Additionally, you can access game trials for various titles, such as Hogwarts Legacy, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and The Calisto Protocol. These game trials enable you to test these titles before deciding to purchase them.
While not all games will be available at launch, Sony promises to support hundreds of PS5 titles. Some of the top PS5 hits are already in the lineup, including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima, Mortal Kombat 11, and Saints Row IV. This is just the beginning, with the game catalogue set to expand significantly in the future.
Pricing & Availability: Unlocking the Future of Gaming
As mentioned earlier in the article, you have to be subscribed to PlayStation Plus Premium in supported countries to access the service. At the time of the announcement, PS Plus Premium is priced at USD$159.99 (MYR755.11) a year or USD$17.99 (MYR84.91) a month. There is also a 3-month subscription for USD$49.99 (MYR235.94).
Availability will be rolled out in phases in select markets. As of now, the service is scheduled to live in Japan on October 17, 2023, followed by Europe on October 23, 2023 and North America on October 30, 2023.
At the moment, cloud gaming through PlayStation Plus Premium will be available in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United State.
Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH stole the show during Sony’s recent PlayStation’s State of Play. The new trailer opens with all our beloved characters, Tifa, Cloud, Sephiroth and more continuing their adventures after the events of Final Fantasy VII remake.
The heart-pounding trailer gives us a glimpse of the open world that awaits us in the game with iconic characters like Cloud, Aerith, Barret, and Tifa. These unlikely heroes unite with new playable companions, including Yuffie, a nimble ninja from Wutai, Red XIII, a fiery-tailed beast offering sage advice, and Cait Sith, a witty feline-shaped robot perched atop a giant Moogle.
Source: Square
We continue the pursuit of Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH. We’re going to get to explore Midgar like never before while we track down the fallen SOLDIER before he creates more havoc. In Rebirth, we’ll guide these characters in thrilling battles, utilizing powerful synergy abilities that strengthen their bonds. As we traverse a vast, vibrant world brimming with opportunities for exploration, classic locales reimagined in stunning detail await. From what Square has teased in its press release, we can expect hours of side content, engaging mini-games, and captivating side stories that delve into the rich tapestry of this world’s inhabitants.
Producer Yoshinori Kitase emphasized, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH can be enjoyed on its own as a standalone adventure.” This means players new to the series can dive right in without feeling lost. For those eager to deepen their understanding of the narrative, a recap of the previous game will be available to provide context and backstory.
From what we can gather, it looks like the second instalment will take players all the way to the middle of the original’s plot. Naoki Hamaguchi, the director, enthusiastically shares, “Cloud and his friends, who have fled Midgar, will be setting out on an adventure across an expansive world of untold adventure in pursuit of Sephiroth, the legendary SOLDIER.” He underlines the game’s emphasis on “free exploration” with compelling stories, delightful mini-games, formidable monsters, and much more across the world map, promising nearly 100 hours of captivating adventure.
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are now open on the PlayStation Store. The game will be available in a number of editions both physical and digital. The game will officially be released on February 29, 2023 on PlayStation 5.
Physical Editions
These come on two game discs and include a reversible cover along with the digital Midgar Bangle Mk. II armour as a pre-order bonus at select retailers. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99. The Deluxe edition will be retailing for USD$99.99 and come with a mini-soundtrack CD, an artbook and a steel book case.
The Collector’s Edition will come with a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth, in-game items: the Reclaimant Choker accessory, the Orchid Bracelet and Summoning Materia which allows you to summon the Moogle Trio and the Magic Pot. This comes in addition to all the freebies from the Deluxe Edition. It will retail for USD$349.99.
Digital Editions
Digital Editions of the game come with the Moogle Trio summoning Materia. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99.
The digital deluxe edition comes with the digital Mini-soundtrack, digital artbook, and DLC items like the Magic Pot Summoning Materia, Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet armour. This content can be purchased separately for USD$20.00 to upgrade your standard edition.
Twin Packs
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will also be available in a physical twin pack with Final Fantasy VII REMAKE INTERGRADE for USD$99.99. The full game of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be available for download upon preorder.
The Digital Deluxe Twin Pack will include both games and all the content for the Digital Deluxe Edition. This will retail for USD$119.99.
Sony has just announced a new collection of Plates for the PlayStation 5 they’re calling the “Deep Earth Collection”. This premium range of accessories features a smooth metallic finish and introduces three captivating colours to customise your PlayStation 5 – Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. The new plates draw inspiration from the breathtaking and powerful hues found deep within our planet, the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ adds a touch of sophistication to your gaming setup.
Source: PlayStation
Volcanic Red, with its rich and blazing red tone, promises to be a vibrant and captivating change to your DualSense controllers or console. Cobalt Blue, on the other hand, offers a deep shade of blue with intriguing hints of purple, creating a truly mesmerizing aesthetic. Lastly, Sterling Silver showcases a classic aesthetic with a subtle blue undertone, adding a touch of elegance to your gaming setup.
Source: PlayStation
Source: PlayStation
Source: PlayStation
Together with the plates, Sony is also launching a series of controllers that come with the same finish as the plates. The new “Deep Earth” DualSense Controllers will be complementing your “Deep Earth” plates or simply inject some character into your most used controllers. It’ll definitely be turning heads with the pop of colour.
Source: PlayStation
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ begin on October 4, with the Volcanic Red and Cobalt Blue colourways launching on November 3. Sterling Silver accessories will arrive on January 26, allowing you to start the new year in style.
The ‘Deep Earth DualSense controllers’ will be available for a recommended retail price (RRP) of USD$74.99/JPY¥9,980/EUR€74.99/GBP£64.99. Meanwhile, the Deep Earth PS5 console covers will be priced at USD$59.99/JPY¥7,980/EUR€59.99/GBP£49.99. Keep in mind that the exact launch date and availability of these accessories may vary by region.
PlayStation Plus has announced its games lineup for the month of September, and it’s looking good for open-world and MMORPG fans. If you subscribed to PlayStation Plus, be sure to grab these before they are taken off the store!
Saints Row (PS4 and PS5)
Source: PlayStation
This one’s for the die-hard Saints Row fans. Released early last year, this game features the expansive map of Santo Ileso. You can expect a world that’s a larger-than-life sandbox, plenty of exhilarating side gigs, illicit enterprises, and epic missions.
Traverse this wild landscape by shooting, driving, and soaring in a wingsuit to claim your spot at the top. Seize control of the city, engage in battles against rival factions, and establish your dominance over the urban streets. The game also features online and co-op multiplayer modes so you can choose to play alone or with a friend.
Black Desert – Traveler Edition (PS4)
Source: PlayStation
If you’re looking for an expansive MMORPG, Black Desert – Traveler Edition may be the drink you need to quench that thirst. The game features dynamic PvE battles, epic PvP siege wars, a diverse range of character classes, and specialized combat styles.
You can also opt to immerse yourself in a multitude of Life Skills including trading, fishing, horse training, alchemy, cooking, and more. The Traveler Edition combines the core game with additional expansions such as the Traveler Item Pack for an enhanced gaming experience.
Generation Zero (PS4)
Embark on an immersive first-person open-world journey set in the unforgiving landscapes of 1980s Sweden where robots have invaded the world. Face off against relentless mechanical adversaries while unraveling the mysteries that have befallen the region.
Navigate the perilous terrain with stealth and strategy as you engage in heart-pounding guerrilla warfare against these robotic foes. Salvage valuable components from your defeated adversaries to craft essential gear, armaments, and munitions. Establish and reinforce your personal strongholds throughout the island and fight to take your home back. The game also features co-op multiplayer mode, allowing you to play with up to three of your friends.
Excited to embark on ? Don’t wait too long as these games will only be available to PlayStation Plus members until 2 October!
Playstation Link Enables Immersive Audio for Remote Play on the Playstation Portal
Sony is known for pushing the boundaries of gaming, and their latest audio products – the Pulse Elite wireless headset and the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds – are no exception.
Pulse Elite Wireless Headset: Over-Ear Immersion for Remote Play
The Pulse Elite is Sony’s brand-new wireless headset designed to take your gaming audio to the next level. One of its standout features is lossless audio, ensuring that you’ll hear every detail with pristine clarity. But that’s not all; it comes equipped with a retractable boom mic enhanced with AI-powered noise rejection. This feature intelligently filters out background noise, keeping your communication crystal clear even in noisy environments.
To add to its convenience, Pulse Elite comes with a charging hanger for easy storage and quick charging, ensuring you’re always ready for your next gaming session. The premium design and comfortable over-ear fit make it perfect for long gaming sessions. The only downside? It requires a USB dongle for use with the PlayStation 5, so keep track of that small but essential piece of tech.
The Pulse Elite is built for audiophiles according to Sony, and that’s why they’ve equipped the Pulse Elite with custom-designed planar magnetic drivers. These drivers are usually found in premium headphones used by sound engineers, guaranteeing an audiophile-level listening experience.
For those who prefer a more portable audio experience, Sony unveiled the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds. These earbuds offer a unique blend of lossless audio quality and low-latency performance, making them perfect for gaming.
But what sets these earbuds apart is their ability to multitask. They can connect to the PlayStation 5 via a USB dongle and simultaneously link to a secondary device via Bluetooth. This means you can stay immersed in your game while taking a phone call or listening to your favourite podcast on the side.
Like the Pulse Elite, the Pulse Explore also features custom-designed planar magnetic drivers for an unmatched listening experience. Plus, their futuristic design complements the PlayStation 5’s aesthetics.
PlayStation Link: Revolutionizing Wireless Audio
Both Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore leverage PlayStation Link, Sony’s proprietary wireless audio technology. This technology offers low latency, lossless audio and seamless switching between multiple PlayStation Link hosts, such as the PS5 with the USB adapter and PlayStation Portal.
The USB adapter included with each headset and earbuds is required for PlayStation Link when using them with the PS5. This adapter will also be available for purchase separately and can be used on PC and Mac, ensuring that you can enjoy the same lossless, low-latency audio experience on your computer.
Pricing & Availability
These two audio devices are a new addition to Sony’s growing slate of PlayStation accessories. Together with the PlayStation Portal, Sony seems to be carving out an ecosystem that centres around the console.
Sony hasn’t revealed availability details just yet. However, the Pulse Explore will be priced at USD$199.99 (MYR932.42), EUR219.99 (MYR1,101.99), GBP199.99 (MYR1,171.15) and JPY29,980 (MYR949.36); while the Pulse Elite is priced at USD$149.99 (MYR699.29), EUR149.99 (MYR750.37), GBP129.99(MYR760.10) and JPY18,980 (MYR600.87).
While Sony might not be making dedicated gaming handhelds anymore (RIP PS Vita), their commitment to delivering top-notch gaming experiences remains unwavering. Sony’s Remote Play feature, which allows gamers to stream their console games locally, has been available for over a decade. And now, Sony is taking it to the next level with the PlayStation Portal, a device designed to bring your PS5gaming experience wherever you go.
This handheld, teased earlier this year as Project Q, is designed to make your PS5 gaming experience portable without compromising on quality. Equipped with an impressive eight-inch 1080p LCD display, it can stream games at up to 60fps.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill handheld console; it’s a dedicated remote-play device that’s ready to extend your PS5 gaming experience. Sporting controllers that mirror the design and functionality of the PS5’s DualSense controllers, the PlayStation Portal ensures you get that familiar haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, making your gaming experience seamless and consistent.
One crucial aspect that gamers often worry about when it comes to remote play is latency. Will there be a lag that ruins the experience? According to IGN’s review, the PlayStation Portal does an excellent job in this department, offering minimal latency during gameplay.
However, there’s a catch. The PlayStation Portal isn’t a standalone gaming device. Instead, it’s your gateway to streaming games from your PS5 using Wi-Fi. You can only play games that are already installed on your PS5 console; it won’t support PS VR2 games or games streamed through PlayStation Plus Premium’s cloud streaming.
Sony has made an interesting move in the audio department. Instead of offering Bluetooth audio support, they’re introducing their proprietary PlayStation Link wireless technology. It promises lossless, lag-free audio, but it also means the PlayStation Portal won’t work with existing wireless headsets. You’ll need Sony’s new wireless headphones and earbuds, which are launching alongside the Portal.
As for battery life, Sony is aiming for a duration similar to its DualSense controller, which typically lasts around seven to nine hours. Sony hasn’t revealed all the details yet, but they’re targeting a release “later this year.”
Pricing & Availability
The PlayStation Portal will be priced at USD$199.99 (MYR932.42), EUR219.99 (MYR1,101.99), GBP199.99 (MYR1,171.15) and JPY29,980 (MYR949.36).
The handheld remote play device is now available for pre-order in select markets, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Availability in other regions will be announced as they become available.
KONAMI recently kicked off the excitement for their latest football gaming update, eFootball™ 2024 at an exclusive media event in Kuala Lumpur. For those unfamiliar with this game, it is a football simulation video game that allows players to control virtual football teams and compete in various game modes. Another game that is highly popular in this category is FIFA.
KONAMI stated that the eFootball™ will begin its transition to eFootball™ 2024 (v3.0.0) update. This update, scheduled for 4 September 2023 till 7 September 2023, aims to refresh emblems, strips, and player data for Authentic Teams in accordance with licensing agreements.
Alongside these updates, they will be conducting an in-game asset and data carryover process.
Certain In-game Assets Eligible For Carryover
The assets eligible for carryover encompass eFootball™ Coins, eFootball™ Points, GP, Base Team, Nominating Contracts, Chance Deals, Contract Renewals (60 Days), Contract Renewals (10 Days), Players, Managers, Training Programs, Skill Training Programs, Objectives, and various in-game settings. eFootball™ Coins and eFootball™ Points will carry over, but be mindful of expiration, especially if your account is linked to Japan.
GP and Base Team may see changes, and players can select new Base Teams if needed. Nominating Contracts, Chance Deals, and Contracts will be carried over, but remember potential expiration. Training and Skill Training Programs, Special Strips, and Standard Player Tickets will also carry over.
Regarding your Avatar and settings, they will carry over if available in v3.0.0; otherwise, they will be reset to default. Your username, country/region, date of birth, and login bonuses will carry over. Records in your Balance Sheet will be partially reset, with only the past year’s records available. Match History will be reset entirely.
Team Playstyle Level Will Be Removed
However, there will be changes in the gameplay mechanics. Team Playstyle Level will no longer be a factor, and Abilities will not be influenced by it. Players who invested Progression Points in Team Playstyle Proficiency will see these points returned. The status of Players and Managers depends on Live Updates, with Standard Players experiencing updates to affiliations and data changes.
So, gamers, if you would like to learn more about KONAMI’s large-scale maintenance to facilitate these updates, check out more details on eFootball™ official website.
