For those people that are still hitting up the Bioshock 2 multiplayer component, the new Sinclair Solutions DLC pack is now available on the Playstation Network, Xbox Live Marketplace and Games for Windows LIVE marketplace.  Adding some new maps, powers and missions, the Sinclair Solution Test Pack raises up the level cap to 50 and mixes in 20 new trials for players to complete.  The map pack runs for 400 points on the Xbox Live and Games for Windows marketlaces, while the PS3 pack runs for $4.99.

2K Games also lets us know that this is the first of several planned DLC releases for Bioshock 2, including some new single player content that will be coming shortly.

I first heard about it from Game Informer, but the news is everywhere. Somehow, somebody, something done broke the PlayStation Network. Which, obviously, means network-enabled games are not going to run at the moment… but not-so-obviously means some you-thought-they-were-offline games like Heavy Rain will not boot. Duh-whoops!

While it’s back to Animal Crossing for me, I thought I’d pose the question… What awful, unloved, ancient PSN game will we all get for free for having lived through Sonypocalypse 2010? Calling All Cars? Super Rub-a-Dub? Post your picks in comments and give us a good reason why.

The move is designed to take a big bite out of piracy, and I imagine it will, but it will also mean that anyone who rents it or buys it used will be dead in the water. There is a way to fix it: pay Sony a $20 fee to get a new code. Or, if you have a PS3, you can use Adhoc Party.

Last time I mentioned a scheme like this it was about Sega’s plans for Phantasy Star Portable 2 to have a similar online activation code here.

Do I like this plan? No, but I do think the only way to fight piracy is to have software that phones home in some way, be it one-time PSN authentication and so on. It works well for the handful of digital delivery platforms and PC gaming, after all.

The slow drip of “Project Needlemouse” info reached a culmination yesterday with the announcement of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. The downloadable game is coming to all three online store services this summer… PSN, XBLA and WiiWare. It promises a return to the classic 2D fast-paced gameplay of Sonic’s heyday.

Which, of course, is the same promise that a dozen other Sonic games have made. So SEGA will pardon our furrowed brows as we analyze the trailer and hope against hope that they don’t release a stunner that half the game will feature Sonic-in-Jetpack or Choose-Your-Gender-Sonic or Stealth-Action-Mode or any of a hundred gaming buzzphrases that could ruin the game yet again.

If the early reviews display a Sonic as good as the originals (or the oft-forgotten 2D DS games), I’m there. But my eyes have seen too much to grant SEGA a free pass after less than 5 seconds of gameplay footage.

SEGA have released an 11th hour demo to showcase what Aliens Vs. Predators has to offer those of us hankering for a genuinely terrifying multiplayer experience but can’t wait until next week’s release (16 February in the US, 19 February in Europe).

The demo – set for simultaneous release across PSN, XBL and Steam – will be available in both America and Europe from tomorrow (4 February) and allows players to experience Deathmatch mode as the Colonial Marine, the Alien or the Predator.

“The team at Rebellion has created a truly immersive multiplayer experience with three completely different and compelling playable species,” says Gary Knight, European Marketing Director of SEGA Europe. “We believe that Aliens vs Predator offers gamers a unique alternative to the current FPS multiplayer games on the market, and sets a precedent for the evolution of multiplayer gaming in the genre.”

Rebellion CEO/Creative Director Jason Knightly adds: “Multiplayer was a huge part of our original AVP game back in 1999, and we’ve kept the spirit of that classic experience in creating the multiplayer for our new Aliens vs Predator. With the demo now gamers can get to grips with each of the three iconic species so they can hone their skills and be ready for when the game launches and battle commences.”

Today’s press release reminded us that Aliens vs Predator also features “unique 3-way online multiplayer”, which gives players the opportunity to “pit the three species against each other in the ultimate battle for survival and for the right to be crowned the deadliest species”. There are seven multiplayer modes altogether: Survivor, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Domination, Deathmatch, Species Deathmatch and Mix Species Deathmatch.

Hmmm . . . Deathmatch. Whoops. Just drooled on my keyboard.

Following a recruitment campaign last September that attracted thousands of applications, SCEA is now ready to roll with it’s brand new reality TV show, The Tester.

Exclusive to PSN, the series follows the fortunes of the contestants battling it out for their ‘dream job’ as an official games tester with Sony in San Diego.

“Connecting PS3 and PSP owners to great entertainment options and original digital content experiences such as Flower(TM), flOw and Fat Princess has always been a cornerstone of our vision for PlayStation Network,” says Senior vice president of marketing at PlayStation Network Peter Dille. “With the addition of the original series, The Tester, we further establish PlayStation Network as the preeminent destination for digital entertainment in the living room or in the palm of your hand.”

You can follow the series via the PlayStation Home Theatre from 18 February. For more information, check out the website at www.thetester.com.

There’s a lot of guitar controllers out there, so why haven’t we found something else to do with them besides Rock Band? Enter Fret Nice, a platformer with a musical hook. You can’t tell from the embedded video above, but Fret Nice uses a guitar controller to run, jump and attack. You can also use a regular controller, but that seems sort of dorky.

Without actually playing it (demo please?) it’s exceptionally impossible to guess how Fret Nice will turn out. I will say that the 2D cut-out art style looks great, although we’re swiftly approaching the point where EVERY downloadable game has a cute, art-driven look. Fret Nice will be available this Thursday on the PlayStation Store. The PlayStation Blog article does not mention a price, not does it mention the XBLA version (duh.)

Source: PlayStation Blog

A chart of proposed plans suggests four different subscription rates: $4.99 or $9.99 per month, or $29.99 or $69.99 per year. There’s a multitude of different options and benefits (see after the cut), but headlines include cross-game chat, loyalty programs, cloud storage of PSN info and unlimited free access to PSOne classics.

Sony state: “Sony is considering offering a premium PlayStation Network subscription in the future. The subscription offering would provide new premium features you could choose to pay for and are in addition to the features currently available for free such as access to online multiplayer gaming (current features would remain free).”

At this time there’s no evidence that these plans are firm, but more likely to be markers to gauge gamer opinion before they’re finalised and rolled out. So what do you think?

Via & Picture Credit: Kotaku

Following the 6.20 firmware update for the PSP, PSN have launched their new digital comic service and from today, PSPers in the US can use it to access hundreds of digital comics at the PSN store, with plans to add new titles every week.

In addition to the variety of titles from Marvel, Disney and IDW – which seem to range from $0.99 to $1.99 – the store also provides a sizeable collection of free comics to sample.

The PSN Blog say that the Digital Comics reader is “unique to the PSP system” and that its Autoflow feature – the facility that enables you to zoom in and out – is “so intuitive, you feel as if you are holding and reading the actual book”.

To get reading, download the Digital Comics Reader onto your PSP.

Hit the jump for the full digital comic launch list.

2000AD Prog
Aleister Arcane
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963)
The Amazing Spider-Man (2003)
Annihilation (2006)
Archie & Friends
Astonishing X-Men (2004)
Astro Boy: Movie Adaptation
Astro Boy: Underground: Movie Prequel
Atomic Robo
The Beagle Boys
Burke & Hare
Cages
Captain America (2004)
Captain America Comics (1941)
Clive Barker’s The Thief Of Always
Daisy Duck
Daredevil: Yellow (2001)
Donald Duck
Donald Duck Agent Qu-Qu 7
Durham Red: Empty Suns
Durham Red: Scarlet Cantos
Durham Red: Vermin Stars
Dynamo 5
Eternals (2006)
Fantastic Four (2003)
FX
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe: Classics
G.I. Joe: Official Movie Prequel
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra: Official Movie Adaptation
Gladstone Gander
Gyro Gearloose
House of M (2005)
The Immortal Iron Fist (2006)
The Invincible Iron Man (1996)
The Invincible Iron Man (1998)
Invincible Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man (2004)
Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2004)
Judge Dredd: Mandroid
Judge Dredd: Total War
Kingdom
Leviathan
Magica De Spell
Marvel Knights (2000)
Marvels (1994)
Mickey Mouse
Neozoic
New X-Men: Academy X (2004)
Rogue Trooper: The Future Of War
Runaways (2003)
Scrooge McDuck
Shakara
Sláine: Book of Invasions
Star Trek: Alien Spotlight
Star Trek: Archives – The Best of Peter David
Star Trek: Assignment Earth
Star Trek: Mirror Images
Star Trek: Year Four: The Enterprise Experiment
Super Human Resources
Superduck
Transformers: All Hail Megatron
Transformers: Classics
Transformers Official Movie Adaptation
Transformers Movie Prequel
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Movie Adaptation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Prequel Alliance
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Prequel Defiance
Transformers Spotlight
Wallace & Gromit
The Warriors
White Picket Fences
Wizards of Mickey
World War Hulk (2007)
X-23 (2005)
X-Men: Age of Apocalypse (2005)
X-Mickey
Young Salem
Zombies vs Robots

Via PSN Blog

The eagerly-anticipated MGS: Peace Walker demo has finally been given the release date of 17 December.

Essentially offering what players could experience at TGS this year, the PSN demo is to sport four missions and ad-hoc connectivity so you can pair up with friends. Only unlike the TGS and Japanese PSN demo, this one’s in English. Which means you can put down your Japanese for Beginners book now and enjoy the action without needing to read complex Hiragana.

Via Silconera