So yeah.
Back in August last year I started chatting to some people who became Ripstone, a publishing outfit ran by two ex-Sony veterans (now 3 ex-Sony veterans). Now we’re making (with VooFoo Studios) a sequel to Really Big Sky for home consoles- Big Sky Infinity!
FOR THE PLAYSTATION 3 AND VITA.
That’s all you’re getting.
Ta ra!
I picked up a PS3 back in October, I think, and it’s a nice machine. Infact before reading further go out and buy one. Back? Good.
I bought a few second hand games because they’re cheap and I don’t know if I’m going to like them, or if I used to have the Xbox version and wanted the PS3 version. Other people aren’t as good as me with discs. So here’s a little mini pointless guide!
STEP ONE) Buy a rubbishly looked after second hand game
STEP TWO) Go to www.shopto.net and buy PSN cards. £35 card is £33, £25 is £23. So you’re already quids in.
STEP THREE) Swap everything over
!
Magic! You’ve made your second hand games look a bit newer for the price of NOTHING.
Look at my awesome collection of games.
I only just bought the bugger a month or so ago but I’m really enjoying this. I keep bumping into little things that make me smile. So in a non-fanboy way, here’s a fanboy list-
I like how there’s a nice little warning before the battery goes, I don’t get that on other systems. My Xbox controller just dies when the battery is low, and the Wii has a nice indicator on the controller itself – but nothing on screen.
Being able to just plug it in via USB and charge is great. The Xbox has a kit to do this, sold separately.
The rumble also feels nice and sharp and the Dpad is great, if a little spongy. But the most usable stock Dpad on any controller this generation. If only those analogue sticks weren’t so loose.
The Wii’s is quick and functional. All the things you own are displayed on boot.
The Xbox would rather you look at adverts and things you don’t own on boot.
The PS3 lets you decide for yourself.
It’s just elegant, and really very nice in 1080p. Everything is quickly within reach yet it doesn’t feel at all cluttered or messy. Who designed this? Q-Games or someone? Hats off to you Q.
My 27” iMac purchase earlier in the year came with a BT keyboard, one I didn’t need since I love wires to death. I’ve been using it with my iPod touch, but it’s also fully functional on a PS3. Also: the PS3 supports wired keyboards too. And being able to use printers and any bluetooth headset? Icing is well and truly… on the cake.
HDD as standard= jolly good idea. More A/V options, blu-ray and backwards compatible with PS1 games? Top.
Play with multiple profiles in multiplayer games, and have those accounts get trophies too. PS2 compatibility (I’d buy sooo many games). BETTER ANALOGUE TRIGGERS.
I’ve avoided the games side of things because that goes without saying. The infrastructure and platform are pretty cool yeah.
This has been me, over and out, from 2006.
(have an indev pic of snow in Really Big Sky, something I was testing and won’t be implementing)
So then for the longest time I put off buying a PS3. I believe it had a god awful launch, it was supposed to be up against the Xbox but lacked achievements, centralised online play, no vibration motor in the controller, massive lack of killer title… rather like the PSP of yonder years gone by. And the PSP has grown into my fave current gen system.
But the PS3 man – it’s rather splendid. I love the interface, the Adhoc Party app, the quietness, how it integrates perfectly (technically and visually) with the rest of my Sony home cinema equipment, the free online play, use of REAL MONEY in the shop, cross compatibility with PSP games for PS1+Minis.
I’ve no idea why I bought an Xbox a couple of years ago! Oh yeah I do…
The Xbox was half the price!
Phil-OS-ophy thought of the moment – spend a bit more. Always.
Game stuff- Really Big Sky 3.0 will be out soon. It’s a monster update and one we’re calling the final (for now). It jumps the game modes up to 12 (I KNOW!), massive usability updates, some bug fixes. Should be out very very soon since it’s now feature complete.