iT Rumors: PS3

Sony has decided its PlayStation Network (PSN) Store isn't going to be the only place you can purchase digital PlayStation games. Utilizing a model similar to Valve's PC game marketplace Steam, the company will allow online retailers to launch their own storefronts for Playstation 3, Playstation 4, and Playstation Vita titles (although PS4 titles aren't listed right now). As spotted by Kotaku, Amazon launched its US PlayStation Network store today and is offering $5 PSN credit on digital orders -- credit which can be redeemed in its buy two get one free promotion starting at noon ET today. Digital PlayStation 4 games will launch alongside physical titles, making an all-digital game library a reality, but a Sony monopoly over pricing may have affected their overall success in the past. With Amazon's PlayStation Store, and other potential partnerships, Sony will let gamers shop around for the best game deals, just like they did with boxed copies.

Activision has released first person shooter Call of Duty:Ghosts for PC and consoles, so if there are any empty desks at work you know why.
The console game is out around a month before the next generation Microsoft Xbox One and Sony Playstation 4 (PS4) hardware will appear. It went on sale with a splash at midnight at stores across the UK.
UK supermarket chain Asda has lined up a few options for people that want to get their hands on a virtual gun, a virtual dog, and a range of virtual missions.
There you can pick up the game for £39.97, plus a range of other things that you might want to improve your gaming experience. For example, a Turtle Beach headset might help your game playing experience, and Asda will sell you one for just shy of £80.
It doesn't end there. T-shirts and iPhone cases are also on shelves, as are high powered energy drinks. These cost £3, and depending on how long you are preparing to spend on your sofa they might be worth the investment. As an additional kicker, the promotional cans also include codes for downloadable content.
Asda, which has the exclusive rights on a lot of this merchandise, opened at midnight to start selling it.
For the same money, £39.97, you can pick up the game on Amazon, but you'll have to wait for it. High street store Game has its own range of options including a bundle pack called Freefall where the action takes place in a skyscraper. That's going to set you back £44.99 regardless of what hardware you buy it for.
The Prestige Edition, a Game exclusive, is available only for the Playstation 3 (PS3) and Xbox 360, and that will relieve punters of £149.99. For that you will get a big hole in your wallet, an HD 1080p head cam, and some other gear.
Tesco, which is another option, is selling the game for £40.
Source : The Inquirer

GAMES CONSOLE MAKER Sony has pulled a Playstation 3 (PS3) firmware update after users complained that it locked them out of their systems, leaving them on a frozen load-up screen.
The software patch named version 4.45 was meant to improve PS3 system stability but instead did quite the opposite. It left a number of users unable to reboot their systems by causing the XMB to not display on their consoles.
"We have temporarily taken 4.45 offline and are investigating the cause of the problem. We will announce when the system update is available for download as soon as possible," Sony said in a statement, adding, "We apologise for the inconvenience".
Sony claimed the fault only affected a "small number" of its PS3 consoles, though that didn't stop a troop of gamers from taking to the PS3 Support forum to report the issue, claiming that they were unable to reboot after installing the 4.45 update.
"When I start up the PS3 Slim today, it reported that it required to update to 4.45," forum member JadeTreeInWind said. "After the download and installation, the system reboot. But after it display the PS3 logo, it went to the second screen. It [was] supposed to display XB next but it never goes there. Just the flowing ribbon."
That user along with many others complained that they couldn't even shutdown their PS3 systems by pressing the power button.
"It bleeps, but the system didn't shut down, so I tried unplug the power cord, and plugin again. Still same problem," one member wrote.
The latest update available on the Sony PlayStation website is version 4.41, released in April. Version 4.45 was supposed to let users choose whether they wanted in-game notifications when they earned trophies.
In another forum post, Sony advised users not to do a system restore and to wait for the release of a fix.
Update
Sony issued a tweet today to say it has identified the bug and added, "a new system software update is planned to be released on June 27 that resolves the issue". µ

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