Tag: ps5

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Dbrand resurrects Darkplates with new design, baits Sony to sue again

Toronto-based Dbrand, a company that makes vinyl skins for smartphones and other tech, announced that it’s bringing back its PlayStation 5 replacement panels called ‘Darkplates.’

If you haven’t followed along with the drama, Dbrand announced over the weekend that Sony had threatened legal action over Darkplates. Considering Dbrand boldly baited Sony to sue when it launched the Darkplates, the threatened legal action wasn’t a total surprise.

While the whole “company dares another company to sue them, then gets threatened with a lawsuit” bit is rather funny, Dbrand’s bait wasn’t why Sony threatened legal action. As Dbrand pointed out in a new Reddit post, the entire basis of the lawsuit is that Sony registered a patent for the design of the PlayStation 5 side plates. Dbrand said that Sony didn’t have a registered design patent for the PS5’s side panels when it launched Darkplates.

“We didn’t think they’d ever get one,” Dbrand wrote in the Reddit post. “They did.”

Dbrand Darkplate

The original Darkplate design

It’s also worth noting that in the company’s previous Reddit post, Dbrand said that it received a cease and desist letter from Sony’s attorneys months ago but only complied after learning that Sony had gotten a patent in Canada.

Not to be deterred, Dbrand also announced a new version of Darkplates in its Reddit post. This time, the side panels sport a different design (primarily by ‘cutting corners’) and new air intake vents. Dbrand cited a video from Gamers Nexus that analyzes the thermal design of the PS5 — if you don’t have time to watch the full 37-minutes, the relevant information is basically that removing the side panels makes the PS5 run about five degrees cooler.

The new Darkplates come with optional mesh grills to help prevent dust from getting into the console for those worried about dust.

Dbrand unveiled new colour options for its revamped Darkplates as well, including white for those who like how the PS5 currently looks and ‘Retro Gray’ that’s “colour-matched to a retro console which shall remain nameless.”

Finally, Dbrand announced ‘Lightstrips,’ which are strips of semi-translucent coloured vinyl that are “designed to precisely cover the diffused LED light strips flanking the sides of your PS5, tinting them with one of eight high-saturation hues.”

To wrap it all up, the company notes that Sony will “probably” sue them, but notes that this time, Dbrand has created an original design “for which [Sony has] no basis to allege infringement.” Confident as ever, Dbrand also said that if Sony wants to try, “they’d better be ready to pay our legal fees.”

You can learn more about the new Darkplates here.

Images credit: Dbrand

Source: Dbrand (Reddit)

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Warner Bros. reveals first story trailer for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Warner Bros. has released the first story trailer for its Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game at the virtual DC FanDome event.

Developed by Rocksteady, the studio behind the Batman: Arkham trilogy, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League follows the titular team of supervillains as it’s assigned to, as the title suggests, take out the Brainiac-controlled Justice League.

The game was first revealed in a cinematic trailer at last year’s DC FanDome with a 2022 release window, although no gameplay was revealed. The new trailer similarly doesn’t feature gameplay, so it’s unclear exactly how it will play. Rocksteady has previously confirmed it will support one to four players via co-op.

That said, we did get three minutes of in-game footage in the new “Ticking” trailer. In the footage, we see more of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark from the first trailer, as well as first looks at Amanda Waller, the Suicide Squad’s boss, as well as Justice League members like The Flash, Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman.

Interestingly, we only get a look at the Batmobile instead of Batman himself, which is especially notable considering Kill the Justice League is set in the Batman: Arkham universe. It’s unclear what role Batman may play or whether he’ll be voiced by veteran actor Kevin Conroy as he was in the Arkham trilogy.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in 2022.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

PlayStation confirms acquisition of Demon’s Souls remake developer Bluepoint

PlayStation has confirmed that it has acquired the Austin, Texas-based studio Bluepoint Games.

Notably, the Japanese gaming giant leaked this news last year in a since-deleted tweet from its official PlayStation Japan Twitter account and is only now formally talking about it.

Specific terms of the acquisition, such as financial details, were not disclosed. However, Bluepoint is a natural fit for the PlayStation Studios family, given their long-running partnership. In fact, nearly every game that Bluepoint has made has been exclusive to PlayStation platforms, including 2009’s God of War Collection, 2011’s The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection, 2015’s The Nathan Drake Collection, 2018’s Shadow of the Colossus remake and, most recently, last year’s Demon’s Souls remake.

The throughline between all of these games is that Bluepoint was either remastering or remaking existing titles. However, Bluepoint teased in an interview with IGN that its next game would be an “original” title. No further details were revealed. That said, it’s important to note that an original game simply means it won’t be a remaster or remake; it doesn’t rule out Bluepoint working on a new game based on an existing property.

PlayStation has been on a bit of a buying spree as of late. Over the past year, the company has purchased Helsinki, Finland-based Housemarque (Returnal), Liverpool, England-based Firesprite (The Playroom) and Utrecht, Netherlands-based technical support studio Nixxes.

Image credit: PlayStation

Source: PlayStation

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Here are the best PS5 accessories

We’re nearing the one-year anniversary of the PlayStation 5 hitting store shelves worldwide. With close to a year under its belt, Sony and third-party partners have been steadily supplying players with accessories and peripherals that enhance the next-gen experience.

There are numerous devices that PlayStation 5 owners can invest in, but some are more useful than others. Let’s take a look at the best PS5 accessories that are currently on the market.

Midnight Black DualSense controller

Midnight black dualsense controller

Having a second controller makes sense. Whether you’re someone who plays a lot of local co-op games like Overcooked!, or you simply want a backup when you’re in the middle of an intense session of Deathloop, a second DualSense controller can come in handy.

While PS5 players continue to wait for the announcement of an official black console—or at the very least replacement plates—players can purchase the Midnight Black DualSense controller. It’s a sharp contrast to the standard white DualSense controller, and it may fit your aesthetic better than the Cosmic Red model.

PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller – Midnight Black – Midnight Black Controller Edition – $89 CAD

DualSense Charging Station

Dualsense charging station

While we’re on the topic of DualSense controllers, Sony’s official DualSense Charging Station is an easy-to-use accessory for charging multiple DualSense controllers when they’re not in use. The charging station can charge two controllers at once, which frees up the USB ports of the console if you run out of juice on both controllers.

The station is compact and fits with the PS5’s white design. It also has a simple click-in design where you feel a tactile response when correctly inserting the DualSense on the charging station.

DualSense Charging Station – DualSense Charging Station Edition – $39

Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

Playstation Pulse wireless headset

Sony and third-party developers are supporting 3D audio on the PS5. To take advantage of this feature and other essential additions, Sony’s Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is a worthy investment.

The headset supports voice chat through a hidden noise-cancelling microphone and has on-ear controls for volume and muting. It also promises up to 12 hours of battery life. Based on personal experience, the ear cushions are pretty comfortable, even with glasses. Additionally, Sony recently announced a Midnight Black edition is releasing on October 22.

PULSE 3D Wireless Headset – White Edition – $129

PlayStation HD Camera

Playstation HD camera

If you’re someone who prefers to stream or create content straight from your console, the PlayStation HD Camera is an essential purchase. It’s able to capture 1080p video thanks to the camera’s dual wide-angle lens setup. The PlayStation HD Camera also includes a built-in adjustable stand and can be placed above or below a TV.

When using the camera, players can begin broadcasting or recording themselves as they play through their favourite game. Thanks to the camera’s software, you can even add yourself to your gameplay video with a picture-in-picture mode and crop the background.

HD Camera – PlayStation 5 – HD Camera Edition – $79

PS5 Media Remote

Playstation 5 Media Remote

If you’re scrolling through the latest releases on Netflix or looking for a video to watch on YouTube, a remote can be easier to use than the DualSense. The navigation tools of the PS5 Media Remote certainly deliver on that front. Its design is simple, focusing on the essential playback controls for watching media.

The PS5 Media Remote offers four quick-access buttons to Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, so you can quickly launch them without any hassle.

Media Remote – PlayStation 5 – Remote Edition – $39

WD Black SN850 SSD

Western Digital Black SN850 SSD

Recently, Sony enabled all PlayStation 5 owners to expand the storage of their console. Sony held a beta period for those enrolled, and many took the opportunity to test various M.2 SSD devices. There are a few requirements when it comes to compatible SSDs, though the WD Black SN850 has quickly become a favourite of the community.

Although there are many options, WD Black’s SN850 is leading as a PCIe Gen4 SSD for its memory options and fast read speeds. Additionally, since Sony requires a compatible M.2 SSD to be installed with a heatsink, the WB Black SN850 makes for a great option as each model can be purchased with a heatsink.

Western Digital 1TB WD_Black SN850 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD – Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7000 MB/s — $249

SteelSeries Arctis 7P

SteelSeries Arctis 7P headset

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P is touted as a leading headset for PlayStation 5 owners. It’s a higher-end option for those who want a few more features than Sony’s first-party offering. The wireless headset features lossless 2.4 GHz audio, equating to low latency while playing.

SteelSeries claims the battery life can last up to 24-hours on a single charge. The bidirectional noise-cancelling microphone retracts into the headset when not in use, which makes for a clean design. You’ll also find on-ear controls, and it’s even compatible with mobile devices.

SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless – Lossless 2.4 GHz Wireless Gaming Headset – For PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 – White – $189

Insignia PS5 DualSense Controller Phone Mount Controller Clip

Insignia Dualsense controller phone mount

Like the PlayStation 4, the PS5 offers a remote-play function to take your favourite games from the console and play them on smartphones and other devices. If you’re looking to play on your iOS or Android device with a DualSense, Insignia offers a phone mount to make things easier.

It’s built specifically for the DualSense controller and is compatible with standard-sized smartphones. The clip features an adjustable mount for shifting the smartphone’s display. You’ll also find a locking mechanism to hold the smartphone in place while you play.

Insignia PS5 DualSense Controller Phone Mount Controller Clip – Black – $19

In only a handful of months, the PlayStation 5 has amassed quite a few useful accessories to make your gaming sessions better. Let us know what you’re playing on PS5 this week—assuming you’ve been able to find one.

Check out SyrupArcade for PlayStation 5 stock updates to get your hands on the console.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships and publishes sponsored posts. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

PlayStation reveals ‘Midnight Black’ Pulse 3D headset for PS5

PlayStation has revealed a new ‘Midnight Black’ colour option for the PlayStation 5’s Pulse 3D headset.

The wireless headset launched alongside the PS5 in November in white only to match the console and DualSense controller. The new Midnight Black option, meanwhile, matches the recently released black DualSense.

The Midnight Black Pulse 3D headset will launch in “late October” at a cost of $129 CAD.

It’s been a busy month for PlayStation. The company held a big showcase on September 9th and, more recently, began rolling out the PS5’s second major system update.

Source: PlayStation

Categories
Mobile Syrup

PlayStation 5 SSD support rolls out to everyone on September 15

September’s major PS5 firmware update will bring support for M.2 SSD storage expansion to all users.

This feature has only been available to PlayStation beta testers since late July.

Launching September 15th, the software update will allow PS5 owners to use a compatible SSD to increase their console’s storage capacity. However, keep in mind that the process is rather convoluted and, therefore, you’ll need to do a bit of research to find out which ones will actually work with the PS5.

PlayStation has also put together this video to show you how to install an SSD:

While M.2 SSD support is the highlight of the new PS5 system update, it does include several other notable features.

In particular, the update introduces 3D Audio support for built-in TV speakers. The feature, which produces more immersive spatial sounds, was previously only available via supported headphones like PlayStation’s Pulse Headset. To enable the setting, you’ll first have to measure the acoustics of your room using the DualSense controller’s microphone.

Additionally, the September update introduces several new UX enhancements:

  • Control Center customization — specific controls can be hidden or unhidden at the bottom of the screen
  • Enhanced Game Base — view and write messages to friends and Parties directly from Game Base in the Control Center
  • Game Library and Home Screen updates — PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game will be clearly indicated and separated on the Home screen and in the ‘Installed’ tab of the Game Library
  • Screen Reader controls — Pause or resume Screen Reader (Press ‘PS + Triangle buttons’) and have it repeat anything it reads (Press ‘PS  + R1 buttons’)

Other miscellaneous changes to the general PS5 experience include a resolution selector (between 720p and 1080p) and connection test tool for PlayStation Now, automatic recording of “personal best” videos (setting a new record in certain in-game challenges), and a Trophy Tracker to quickly access up to five trophies per game from the Control Center.

This is the PlayStation 5’s second major firmware update following one in April that added external USB support, cross-gen Share Play and more.

Outside of the PS5 system update, the PS Remote Play app on Android and iOS is also getting a couple of new features. Now, users can stream and play PS4 and PS5 games over mobile data as well as Wi-Fi, with PlayStation recommending a connection of 15Mbps for “the best experience.”

Additionally, a September 23rd app update will roll out the ability to view friends’ Share Screen broadcasts together. PlayStation says the Android version of this update is “a phased release and may take one week” to appear on your mobile device.

Source: PlayStation

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Insomniac reveals Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, coming to PS5 in 2023

Insomniac Games has officially unveiled Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the PS5 sequel to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man and last year’s Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

In a brief trailer, Peter Parker and Miles Morales’ Spider-Men can be seen fighting a few goons, while a Russian narrator talks about hunting them. Given the accent and what he’s saying, it’s safe to say that it’s classic Spider-Man villain Kraven the Hunter.

However, the trailer ends with a tease for Venom, another iconic Spider-Man villain who was set up in the previous games.

Spider-Man 2 is set to release sometime in 2023.

More to come…

Categories
Mobile Syrup

PlayStation developing new Twisted Metal as part of larger multimedia strategy: report

PlayStation is working on a revival of its Twisted Metal franchise, according to separate reports from VentureBeat‘s Jeff Grubb and VideoGamesChronicle.

First mentioned on Grubb’s Giant Bomb show and later corroborated by VGC, the new Twisted Metal is said to be in early development. The last entry in the vehicular combat series, simply titled Twisted Metal, was released on the PlayStation 3 in 2012.

Last month, Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe also said he heard a new Twisted Metal was in the works, although he isn’t involved with it.

Otherwise, no further details on the new Twisted Metal have been provided, but Grubb said the game is part of a larger multimedia push from Sony. “I think Twisted Metal is in the works but it may still be a ways off, so I think we’re early,” Grubb said. “That speaks to a larger strategy shift from Sony – well, it’s not even a shift, it’s a ‘broadening’ of their strategy.”

He goes on to say that “it does seem like [Sony] is potentially greenlighting games to coincide with their attempts to release movies and television shows based on these properties.”

Grubb is referring to the ‘PlayStation Productions’ division that Sony has created to develop film and TV projects based on its video games. The Twisted Metal revival would coincide with the eponymous live-action series that was confirmed earlier this year. Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are producing the series alongside Toronto’s own Will Arnett.

“It seems that they are going to try to line these things up with games at the same time, and the thinking there is one, they looked at [the Marvel Cinematic Universe] and they want to have MCU-like success, and I think there’s a thought inside of Sony that, ‘hey, we make movies, why aren’t we capitalising on that?’” said Grubb.

It’s worth noting that Sony is actually an active part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the company has partnered with Marvel Studios on two Tom Holland-led Spider-Man films (with a third, No Way Home, coming in December) and three ensemble films.

This would also explain why Sony is reportedly working on a PS5 remake of The Last of Us. While many people were surprised that a game that’s not even 10 years old was getting remade, Grubb’s comments suggest that Sony is doing so, at least in part, to capitalize on its The Last of Us HBO series. It should be noted that the show is still filming in Calgary and does not have a premiere date. Nonetheless, the idea of releasing a souped-up version of the original The Last of Us around the same time as the show would, in theory, bring in even more players.

“There is a prestige attached to Hollywood and prestige television that I think Sony is craving a bit, but also it’s good business,” said Grubb. To that point, he mentioned how CD Projekt’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt reached record player counts following the premiere of Netflix’s The Witcher series. Even though the two aren’t connected outside of their shared source material, the series clearly led scores of people to dive into the fantasy-RPG — four years after it was originally released, no less.

This begs the question, then, of what other games PlayStation might be working on as part of this cross-media synergy. The most logical answer is a new Uncharted. After years of development hell, a live-action Uncharted film starring Tom Holland is set to finally hit theatres in February 2022. At the same time, it’s been rumoured that MLB The Show developer Sony San Diego is working on a new Uncharted now that Naughty Dog has seemingly moved on from the series. John Wick director Chad Stahelski is also set to helm a Ghost of Tsushima movie, which, alongside the success of last year’s eponymous game, could indicate a sequel is on the way.

In any event, we’ll have to wait until Sony is ready to show any of these games.

Image credit: PlayStation

Source: Jeff Grubb, VideoGamesChronicle