Hello everyone. This is Fumihiko Yasuda, Development Producer/Director from Team Ninja , the creator of Rise of the Ronin, an open-world action RPG set during the end of 19 century Japan.

We are very pleased that so many players have been enjoying the game since its release on March 22, 2024. We have collected fun play data from all over the world. Here’s a sneak peek at choices players have made while playing Rise of the Ronin.

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Story Choices

The event after the battle with Gonzo is the first time players are faced with making a decision. Either choice have their own benefits, why don’t you explore both options?

I thought that the choices at Mibu-dera Temple would be dominated by the pro-Shogunate faction, due to the activities of the Shinsengumi, but it seems that many players chose anti-Shogunate faction. At the beginning of the story, players meet many characters from the anti-Shogunate faction, including Ryoma Sakamoto, so I think many of them have progressed to the anti-Shogunate faction from there.

If you are curious to explore different outcomes, you can re-visit past missions through the Testament of the Soul available in the Longhouse. 

Forging your fate

One of the important themes in this game is bonding. Strengthening a bond with a character will give you various benefits, such as acquiring new combat styles and opening new dialogue with characters, allowing you to get to know them on a deeper level.

Also, the Veiled Vow is a special relationship status that can only be built with certain characters. Some players may have formed a Veiled Vow with only one character, while others may have formed a Veiled Vow with multiple characters.

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With the new real-time strategy game Empire of the Ants set for release November 7 on PS5, players will be able to fully immerse themselves in the surprising world of insects, thanks to near-realistic graphics built in Unreal Engine 5. In this article, we will show you how Tower Five, a young studio based in La Rochelle in France, achieved such a naturalistic result!

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A meticulous inspirational work by Tower Five

An adaptation of Bernard Werber’s famous novel, which vividly portrays the daily life of these incredible insects, Empire of the Ants naturally opted for a realistic artistic direction. “While it’s sometimes necessary to bend reality a bit to better serve the narrative or gameplay, we generally aim for a very authentic rendering of the settings and characters,” explains Jean-Charles Schaeffert, lead artist at Tower Five.

To accomplish this ambitious goal, the 15-person team began with extensive research. Regarding environments, the studio spent a week in the Fontainebleau Forest, southeast of Paris, observing nature and taking photographs. The forest also inspired the developers in terms of level design, so much so that those familiar with the location will recognize certain levels. Finally, Tower Five even used a 3D scanner to capture real objects: roots, tree stumps, and even iconic elements of Fontainebleau like the Bilboquet rock!

Equally meticulous effort went into realistically representing the various characters—ants, termites, soldier beetles, scarabs, and many more. The team amassed a large photo library and frequently consulted encyclopedias like the Delachaux Guide to Insects of France and Europe. “We even have some real specimens preserved in resin blocks,” Jean-Charles adds, “allowing us to observe them under a magnifying glass from every angle.” The objective: to be as close to reality as possible.

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Gran Turismo players! This month’s Update 1.49* for Gran Turismo 7 will be available as of July 24 at 11:00pm PST / July 25 at 7:00am BST / 3:00pm JST.

Let’s dive into what’s new.

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Updated physics simulation model

A major update has been introduced for the car physics simulation model. This update mainly affects the suspension physics model and tire physical calculation model resulting in much more natural weight shifting during cornering. Tire response has also been improved, along with more realistic tire heating and wear. Look forward to more dynamic car movement and a further polished driving feel.

French tire maker Michelin has been added.

6 new cars added this month

BMW M3 ‘97

*Can be purchased from Used Cars

From race car to luxury grand tourer, the 3.2L second generation M3.

The 2nd generation M3 was introduced in 1992, 2 years after the introduction of its base model, the 3rd generation ‘E36’ 3-Series. The original ‘E30’ M3 was a racing homologation model made by heavily modifying the standard 3-Series, in a stark contrast, the E36 M3 took the line in the direction of a grand tourer. It featured a more mature look, with understated aero parts. Performance, however, was still very much at the forefront of the design. The 3L inline-6 engine produced 282.1 BHP with 32.7 kgfm torque. With this engine at its heart, the car was able to accelerate from a standing start to 62 mph in just 6 seconds and could continue to accelerate up to 155 mph before hitting the speed l

Thanks to feedback from our PlayStation community, we’ve introduced many new features and refinements over the past few years to enhance your gaming experiences on PS5. Starting tomorrow, we’re happy to roll out a new PS5 beta that introduces personalized 3D audio profiles for headphones and earbuds, as well as the ability to limit Remote Play access for individual users. Additionally, PS5 beta participants using the latest, slimmer PS5 model will be able to test adaptive charging for their controllers.*

While beta access is limited to invited participants in select countries**, we plan to release the update globally in the coming months. If you’re selected to participate in the beta, you’ll receive an email invitation tomorrow when it’s available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes.

Here are the key highlights from this beta:

Personalized 3D audio profiles for headphones and earbuds (available for all PS5 models)

In this generation, 3D audio is one of the key ways that creators have enhanced the immersive quality of games. As individuals, we all hear sounds differently based on the size and shape of our head, ears, and ear canals.

We’re pleased to introduce a feature that lets your PS5 console create a personalized 3D audio profile just for you. With a set of headphones or earbuds like the Pulse Elite wireless headset or Pulse Explore wireless earbuds,  you can run through a set of sound quality tests to analyze a vast number of factors to create an audio profile that best fits your hearing characteristics. For example, your personalized 3D audio profile may enable you to better sense the positions of characters and objects in a game world more clearly than before, making the experience more immersive.***

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To create a personalized 3D audio profile for your headphones or earbuds, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [3D Audio (Headphones)] on your PS5 console, and follow the steps displayed on the screen. Your audio profile will be saved on your PS5 per user, and you can also still select from 3D audio presets like before.

This feature builds on the 3D audio enhancements we’ve introduced to PS5 since launch, including 3D audio support for built-in TV speakers and support for compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled audio devices.

Welcome to the Escalation of Freedom, Helldivers. We’ve taken the time to gather feedback from our players on the front lines, and we’re bringing greater variety to our content. From missions and objectives to enemies and planets, we’re delivering lots of new content for both our veteran players and brand-new Helldivers on the battlefield. Get ready for our biggest update yet!

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Our community continues to show us how strong we all are when united against the mindless Automatons and the scourge of the Terminid. As we stand here, on the eve of the Escalation of Freedom, we reflect on the 6 months since launch. We could never have predicted how far this game would go and how many Citizens would answer Super Earth’s call to arms!

We’ve watched our forces expertly handle every conflict and challenge we’ve thrown their way, from flying enemies to the Terminid Control System, to saving the children of Super Citizen Anne’s Hospital. Now for this major update, it’s time for us to give back something big to the community and welcome in even more players to the Helldivers universe.

Helldivers, this is escalating quickly.

Go on a Super Helldive

Go up against the new supersized bot fortresses.

Something that continues to amaze us is our players’ insatiable desire for more bugs, more bots, more liberation, and more destruction. We thought nine levels of Helldiving difficulties would be enough, but in the Escalation of Freedom we’re turning it up to 10… Combat Rating 10 that is.

CR 10: Super Helldive is our most challenging, most relentless dive difficulty level yet, and we hope that this is going to give players the intensity they’re looking for on the battlefield. And with a great challenge comes greater rewards.

The larva retrieval mission has the Helldivers babysitting a bug.

But a new difficulty level isn’t the only thing the community wanted. We’ve also heard your desire for mission variation, which is why we’re bringing you new mission objectives and bigger enemy outposts for both bots and bugs that offer brand new Super Sample rewards. These outpos

Hello, everyone. I’m Sky, the lead designer from Perfect World Games’ Hotta Studio. It’s hard to believe that Tower of Fantasy launched on PlayStation nearly a year ago. We are immensely grateful for your support and love for the game.

To celebrate this significant milestone, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Version 4.2 update, packed with exciting new content. And, of course, we have special anniversary rewards! By participating in in-game events, you can earn up to 299 draws, 1,000 Dark Crystals, free vehicles, Shirli’s Haute Couture, and more. We can’t wait for you to join in the festivities.

Seaside summer bash

Summer is here, and we’ve got exclusive summer events just for you, set to launch soon. 

Cheers! Summer Dance Off!: Join the yacht party where DJ Miss Anka will keep the energy high with her electrifying music. Stay long enough, and you’ll be treated to random gifts as a special guest!

Fruit Attack: The scorching sun has driven the fruits mad, and they’ve started diving into the sea, terrifying the nearby beachgoers! Head to the beach, hunt down these crazy fruits, and save the day while collecting refreshing fruit slices.

A Song of Water: Engage in a thrilling survival battle, dodging water balloons and showcasing your strategic skills.

Aesperia Volleyball Match: Get ready for intense volleyball matches that will rival the blazing sun and crashing waves.

We’ve also prepared plenty of event rewards. Authorizers can earn the Rocktooth Shark Vehicle, accessories, name cards, and more by participating in these events.

Brand new simulacrum: Nola

In the previous plot, Authorizers encountered the phantom thief group, Wednesday. In Version 4.2, you’ll dive deeper into Nola’s story.

Nicknamed Fang, Nola has swiftly dismantled various underground gangs in Aesperia, causing surrounding forces to be on high alert. Her sharp judgment has been crucial to the success of the “Wednesday”

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here

Hey y’all! This week the PlayStation Podcast crew sits down with Firewalk Studios Lead Gameplay Designer Claude Jerome and Lead Character Designer Jon Weisnewski to talk all things Concord. Plus, the team dives into their experiences with the Concord Early Access Beta and discusses Tekken’s 30th anniversary.

Stuff We Talked About

• Upcoming releases:
  • Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure | PS5
• Evo 2024 Blog
• Mortal Kombat 1 Takeda Brutality Blog
• Tekken’s 30th anniversary
• Interview w/ Firewalk Studios (begins at 20:13)
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess | PS5, PS4
• Elden Ring | PS5, PS4

The Cast

View and download image

Last week, we asked you to share moments sailing through your favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:

shimo_ps shares sailing on a schooner in Windbound

WarDaddyPlatine shares Nathan sailing through chaos in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Dario_OtherEyes shares an aerial view of Bayek and his skiff in Assassin’s Creed Origins

MrioMoreno5 sails through the skies in The Artful Escape

spec_arc shares Jin tossing a grappling hook from the deck of a ship in the rain of Ghost of Tsushima

RhodWulfLeon shares Kratos and Freya rowing in God of War Ragnarök

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME: Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 24, 2024

Next week, humanity makes their last stand. Share epic moments exploring Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

The New Era established in Mortal Kombat 1 has seen many classic characters from the series evolve in new and interesting ways. Resetting the Mortal Kombat Universe allowed us to experiment with their narratives to sharpen relationships, increase connections, and heighten conflicts. We’re taking characters in bold new directions while also honoring their pasts.

Before we dive into the backstory of Takeda joining the Mortal Kombat 1 roster, let’s take a first look at his Brutality finishing move.

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When the team decided that Takeda Takahashi should join the roster of Mortal Kombat 1, we were faced with an intriguing narrative challenge: How do we make a character, who was previously a second generation kombatant, a peer of his immediate ancestors? We chose to alter Takeda’s history to root him firmly in the New Era’s present day.

Mortal Kombat 1 introduces reimagined versions of iconic characters in a way that as they’ve never been seen before, and in this New Era created by Fire God Liu Kang, Takeda is Kenshi Takahashi’s cousin, not his son. As a fellow Takahashi, he has also served the Yakuza. As a fellow hero, he also eventually chooses to reject them. But that doesn’t mean that he and Kenshi are thick as thieves. As was the case in the prior Mortal Kombat era, the two men have different agendas which bring them into conflict. Where Kenshi’s sole focus is extracting his family from the Yakuza’s embrace, Takeda seeks its destruction as well as the destruction of Earthrealm’s entire underworld. Kenshi is no fan of Takeda’s larger and deadlier agenda.

Even with these changes, Takeda’s backstory still retains key narrative elements from its prior iteration. As before, Takeda spends significant time living among the Shirai Ryu. He trains with Scorpion, blending the latter’s Shirai Ryu technique with his own style of kombat. 

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Freegunners, Concord’s Open Beta launches today, granting you a weekend’s worth of galactic action on PS5 and PC. Jump aboard the spaceship Northstar, meet the Freegunners, then head planetside to take on rival crews across multiple different game modes. Open Beta gives you a chance to try out the 16-strong character roster, and get to grips with Crew Builder, the Job Board and more.

You’ll find additional gameplay details, tips and lore in the ‘How to Play’ section of the Open Beta’s main menu. To bolster that info and arm you with additional gameplay tips ahead of launch, we sat down with Firewalk Studios’ lead gameplay designer Claude Jerome and lead character designer Jon Weisnewski to dig into the intricacies of the multiplayer shooter’s gameplay mechanics and systems.

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A Freegunner for everyone

Concord’s 16-strong character roster offers a lot of variety from the off. But there are certain Freegunners in the lineup that are a good fit for certain players based on their experience in the multiplayer shooter genre.

“We actually have a number of characters that are designed specifically to be entry points for players who feel anxiety or stress that come into a game like this,” says Weisnewski. “For that player who’s never played a shooter before, I’d recommend Lark. Lark was designed from the ground up to be inviting [to those players]. Their weapon, the Razor Pod Launcher, blasts out this little sphere that floats in the air. When an enemy gets close to that sphere, it detonates and spawns little homing projectiles that will track down the enemy and do damage… so right out the gate, we have a gun that doesn’t require players to be precise with their aiming.

“One of Lark’s Abilities is to drop a Spore Seed. It creates an area that buffs your team and debuffs the enemy team – you’ll get faster mobility, a little bit of damage resistance. That Spore has a high uptime, so you can be constantly planting. You’ll help your team by running around the map and planting Spore Seeds in key locations. Their other Ability is the Transplant Pod. On first activation they create this little plant, and on second, they teleport back to it. There’s a ton of high level strategic play, but [for newcomers], they have a weapon they don’t have to aim, an Ability that always helps their team and if they get stressed during combat, they can teleport out.”

“Kyps is similar,” Jerome continues. “She’s a spy robot that can plant surveillance traps, she can go into stealth [on dodging]. She can be an effective help for the team in this low anxiety way. The traps can spot people behind walls.

“That feeds into a dynami