Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has touted their leadership in the hardware and software sales within Australia for the year of 2012.
SCE Australia have cited official retail scan data from NPD Group Australia and the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) 2012 market overview in reporting their dominance. Sony have contributed a great deal to the $1.161 billion dollar industry in Australia this year, with a trifecta of successes in the platform, hardware and software sales categories.
Here is a breakdown of the official numbers:
PlayStation 3 total platform performance – whichaggregates platform hardware, software and peripherals – led the interactive entertainment market in Australia by achieving the number 1 industry platform position across both unit sales (25.3%) and driving the highest dollar value share (31.3%) for the industry.
PlayStation 3 hardware performed impressively, with PS3 ranking number 1 for both hardware unit sales (27% share), and again driving the greatest value share for the industry (32% share). Sales were buoyed by the release of a new form factor in 2012.
PlayStation 3 platform software also achieved the number 1 unit sales position for the year (28.9% share).
Managing Director of SCE Australia, Michael Ephraim has stated, “PlayStation 3 continues to power in Australia. Our sales leadership strength continues despite factors such as economic downturn, aggressive industry pricing and new competitor consoles being launched. PlayStation 3 sales continue to perform because it remains a great value, high definition entertainment solution for all Australian families that offers exceptional games, movies, TV and music experiences.”
He also believes that 2013 will be just as positive; “Moving into 2013, with AAA blockbusters on the horizon such as God of War®: Ascension, the critically acclaimed The Last of Us™,BEYOND: Two Souls™, plus more for the family with new titles for Wonderbook™, we plan to continue the PlayStation momentum and magic for our Australian customers.”
In conclusion, Ephraim touched on online sales; “We are also seeing accelerated growth in our online sales driven by an increased range of digital content and subscription products such as the PlayStation®Plus program in Australia.”
The sequel to Glu’s Stardom: The A-List is launching this week for the iOS and will arrive just in time for the Oscars! Stardom: Hollywood will continue the tradition of the franchise, being a freemium title, with an Android release coming not far down the line.
You will get to live the life of an aspiring actor/actress, experiencing both the ups and the downs (yes, there are just a few downs). The Hollywood lifestyle is almost all fun and gravitas, but you will also have to avoid those pesky paparazzi as you exit the trendiest clubs and are spotted hanging with your even more famous friends.
Here is a list of the game’s features:
Riveting New Storyline – The road to becoming a star in Hollywood includes new venues to visit, people to meet, and auditions to book.
Power Couples – Being an A-Lister means you need a significant other that can keep up with your lifestyle. Become a celebrity couple and watch your stardom soar.
Make Your Own Fame – In Hollywood, it’s all about who you know. Network with the right professionals to get the best roles.
Hollywood Glamour – Stardom: Hollywood lets players design a home worthy of their status – complete with a variety of new furniture customizations and design elements.
Sparkling HD Graphics – Impressive visuals, with more detailed characters and emotion animations, lets the stars shine bright in all of their beauty!
Check out the official trailer for game below the following gallery, with includes some screens/promo shots.
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories Developer:Nippon Ichi Software Publisher: NIS America Platform:Playstation 3 (Download) Release Date: 22nd January, 2013 Price:$9.99 – Available Here
Overview:
So you’re interested in Disgaea but don’t know where to start dood? Well whether you’re a seasoned Disgaea pro wanting to relive old memories or a Prinny in training looking for an entry point to the series, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories on the PlayStation Network won’t disappoint.
It’s just as it was on PlayStation 2 and there isn’t anything wrong with that. Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories seems to have hardly aged a day since it was originally released and despite being a simple direct port, it is well worth the price tag for both Disgaea veterans and the uninitiated.
Story:
Straight from the get-go, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories sets the stage for one of the franchise best and most beloved story-telling outings. It starts hard and fast, laying it on thick with the dark humour of Disgaea, detailing the demon-filled world and its plight of Overlord Zenon’s curse.
It is easy to see why Disgaea is such a popular series, with its biting humour, rich world and well-defined cast of characters. There is certainly a lot to sink your teeth into, especially with Disgaea 2 which is widely considered to be one of the highlights of the franchise.
Perhaps the thing that makes Disgaea 2 so special is that underneath all of its silly dark humour, there is a genuine warmth that goes hand in hand with its more wackier elements. Combining comedy with honest emotion is what makes Disgaea such an endearing franchise and Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a great example of that.
Resonance is an important part of story-telling and resonate is something Disgaea 2 does. It’s like a memory etched in your mind that you look back on with a nostalgic grin etched across your face. That very warmth will have you smiling from start to finish.
Gameplay:
Disgaea 2 much like the rest of the franchise employs a strategy RPG format that is every bit addictive as it is challenging. You could easily lose yourself in this game for hours upon hours. There is over a 100 hours of game to be played here no doubt about that.
When placed alongside it’s sequels it is plain to see that the game’s basic formula has naturally been updated since Disgaea 2. The combat has been tightened and polished since the original release of this game and as such it isn’t exactly a fair comparison to make with the other Disgaea titles on the market. Standing on its own however, Disgaea 2 plays very well despite its age.
If you played Disgaea 2 back on the PS2 then you will know what to expect as this is nothing but a direct port of that version of the game. For those looking for a place to begin with the franchise this is one of the more simpler entries of the series in terms of gameplay, with a lot less of a learning curve to it. The combat is simple yet deep, with an immense level of strategy that goes into it, really earning the title of strategy RPG.
The battles are the true highlight of Disgaea 2, as it is where all the addictive elements of the game reside. Turn-based combat requiring you to command a team of characters is what is on the menu for Disgaea 2. With the variety of abilities and types of battle that can arise there is many strategic possibilities with more potential strategies coming into play the further you dive into the game. It can get to the point where you become embroiled in such intense combat that you could be in combat for great lengths of time.
For all its addictive elements, Disgaea 2 is a simple yet complex strategy RPG that just gets bigger the more deeper you delve into the game. You’ll no doubt spend a lot of time in the world of Disgaea 2 as you get swept up in its sway.
Visuals and Audio:
Aesthetically Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is very much Japanese. Implementing the art-style that we have come to know and love Disgaea for, featuring chibi anime character designs that have a definite cute-factor (the Prinnies define the Disgaea art). While sprite-based art feels odd to see on a home console in this day and age, it is this style that really proves to stand the test of time. It still looks as gorgeous as it always did and the animation sequences are jaw-dropping beautiful.
The soundtrack that Nippon Ichi used for Disgaea 2 is best described as an absolute classic. It is composed with finesse by Tenpei Sato and is a credit to him as a musician. There are many tracks here that will ingrain themselves into your head, set up camp and stick with you long after you put down the controller. Beautifully composed, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories soundtrack is unforgettable.
Overall:
A truly great game is one that can stand the test of time, a game that is great in any era. Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is one of those games. It is just as good today as it ever was and that is truly a testament to not only the Disgaea franchise but also the brilliance of Nippon Ichi Software. They have created a perfect formula that is nothing short of timeless.
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a highlight of the series, it features one of the most engaging stories and characters seen in the franchise and the gameplay is utterly addictive, beckoning you to sink hours upon hours into strategic demon battles. If there was any strategy RPG game on the PSN that you could really sink your teeth into, it is Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories. It is just as good as it always was and for the price tag, this isn’t a game that should be passed up whether you’re a fan of the series or this is your first time making memories in the world of Disgaea. This is an offer you can’t refuse, so do yourself a favour and dive into Disgaea 2 dood!
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
If you’ve been hesitant to pick up Persona 4 Arena for whatever reason, then you pretty much have no excuse not to now, unless you just happen to dislike fighting games or the Persona series as a whole. Why you ask? Well because Persona 4 Arena is now available as a digital download on the PlayStation 3 for only $29.99, a far cry from the game’s current physical price of $59.99.
To honor the game’s availability as a digital download title, you can find a few new screenshots below and in case you’re unsure about the quality of the title you can check out our review for the Xbox 360 version of the game here.
If you’ve been on the fence about Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires then you will have an opportunity to at least test the title out before it’s release now that Tecmo Koei has released a demo for the PlayStation 3 exclusive onto the PlayStation Network.
This demo is currently available for download and in it players will be able to experience the newly improved Edit Mode which allows players to customize their character more than ever before, including the ability to pick their character’s facial features, personality, weapon animation, abilities, outfits and more.
As for the full game, Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires will be unfortunately only be released as a digital download in the United States on February 26 while Europe will see a full physical release on February 22nd.
Today Tecmo Koei chose to release a brand new trailer for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus that shows off plenty of in-game gameplay footage and to go along with this trailer the company also released a slew of screenshots which you can check out below.
In these screenshots we see Ryu Hayabusa and the other characters in the game take down a number of enemies with a number of different weapons alongside a number of images focused around the game’s cut-scenes. Currently Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is set to be released exclusively for the PlayStation Vita on February 26th.
Just last week, we showed you the new and improved Toki Tori 2, which is heading to the Wii U’s eShop. Yes, the game looks great, but today – Two Tribes have decided to let us know about new features this sequel will boast in a new blog post.
Of course the game will feature full gameplay support from the Gamepad, where players will be able to put the full experience onto their small-screened controller. Also at work is the Tokidex, which will let players take their Gamepad and use it as a virtual camera. One an item or creature is scanned, it is then added to the Tokidex – adding in a whole new element to the experience with 40 different pictures to snap.
Other than the Tokidex, Two Tribes spoke about the game’s post launch life, with hopes of adding in a level editor, as well as extended Miiverse support. It all sounds pretty good, and again, this is one upcoming Wii U title that many should keep their eye on.
While not exactly wowing reviewers and fans so far with a number of glitches and story issues, Aliens: Colonial Marines launch trailer looks (by itself) pretty impressive. Placing players right in the boots of gung-ho Marines made famous by the blockbuster movie Aliens, this latest iteration in the series is set as a direct sequel to the story of the movie, with investigations into a ruined Hadley’s Hope and of course the now infamous Sulaco. Although breaking street date by several days in Australia the launch trailer was released alongside the official embargo.
Aliens: Colonial Marines is out now for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Check out the sweet video down below.
Recoil Games has dropped a major bombshell that they will be soon releasing the first downloadable content for their insanely popular mind bending thrill ride of a puzzle game Rochard.
The first DLC for Rochard is to be titled ‘Hard Times’ and will release soon on the PC, Mac and Linux platforms. ‘Hard Times’ will introduce some truly challenging puzzles to the mix called ‘Container Chaos’, ‘Shaft Shuffle’, ‘Brainyard’ and ‘Assembly Line’. All of these levels have been based upon fan feedback.
What do you think of Rochard getting a DLC pack called ‘Hard Times’? Let us know what you think of this in the comments section below.
Today XSEED Games announced that Ys I & II Chronicles+ will be released for the PC via Steam on Valentine’s Day, also known as February 14th. In case you may have missed it, this release contains both Ys I and Ys II with enhanced features such as wide-screen support for modern-day monitors, art style selection, achievements, a boss rush mode, four difficulty options to choose from and of course leaderboards and support for the Steam Cloud.
To go along with this release date announcement the company also released a trailer highlighting the features of Ys I & II Chronicles+ which you can check out below. When the title is released it will cost $14.99 but if you choose to pre-order it now you will receive a 15% discount.
