After quite some time, PS3News as well as PS3Videos is back up and running. We know..we know…you missed us but it was for the better. Anyways, enough about that. Let’s talk about the new ladders and features added to PS3Leaderboards shall we?

Starting with the ladders… Resident Evil 5, Rock Band 2, and Guitar Hero: World Tour were recently added to the lineup so go show off your skills.

Also, PS3Leaderboards now has an improved Forum section. So whether you’re looking for a match, looking for advice, or just want to kick back and make new friends, then go check it out! Another feature added to the Forum section was the Special Tournaments. In this part you will find member influenced Tournaments for some of your favorite games like Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty: World at War, etc. There are more Tournaments still to come so keep an eye out! Keep in mind we are a gaming COMMUNITY, so EVERY idea our members have are heard and considered. With a rise in online competition, PS3media still stands strong with exclusive ladders and our 1-on-1 relationships between staff and site members. With Playstation increasing in popularity and consoles sold, PSLeaderboards will reign supreme when it comes to its Playstation dedicated gamers.

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Recently I sat down with Adrian after he agreed to do a Q&A session with me. If you recalled I asked your help in thinking of some questions to ask the owner of sites like ps3leaderboards.com and ps3multiplayer.com, just to name a few. Well here it is and I’m sure you’ll be excited to hear what’s to come!….

Q1) Ok, let’s start off by finding out how you and video games came together. What was your first gaming system and what was the first game AND online game you played?

A1) I can recall my excitement when my father brought home an early Console. It had Tennis, soccer and squash. It plugged into the back of our ‘Color’ television. The games on the screen were just light green and black, just made a beep and had a paddle controller which was rotated to move the little bar move up and down to hit the ‘ball’ back.. Actually it was a tiny square! Back then, there was not the pixel capacity to have circles!

I moved on the the ZX81, ZX Spectrum (Jet Set Willy, Manic Miner… great stuff) and eventually got a PC where I first got into serious gaming. I recall with some fondness games like Wing Commander, then I got the original Tomb Raider, Colin Mcrae Rally and a couple of Tom Clancy games though I can’t recall the names of them.

I then got a Playstation and particularly enjoyed Resident Evil, Point Blank, and Time Crisis with the Namco light guns. I then got an original Xbox and the magnificent Halo really opened my eyes to FPS games. To this day, I believe that was a breakthrough in gaming with its emphasis on chunky graphics and gameplay and certainly helped bring about the vast improvement in the games we now know and love.

Q2) What gave you the idea to start a gaming site and what did the site start out as?

A2) I own a limited company and video gaming was never actually part of it. However, I acquired a great domain name about 4 years ago called Playstation3.net. This was a year or so before the console would come out and I bought it as part of a huge domain name collection with a view to selling it on at a profit. One day I happened to notice it was getting good daily traffic from people looking for information on the console and at the time of its launch it really begged to be developed properly and I decided (typically of me) to not be content to do things small time and instead went about acquiring a dozen decent PS3 related domain names and building up a network. PS3 Multiplayer , PS3news.eu and PS3 Leaderboard came at first and they were joined by a few others including PS3videos.com. I still have about half a dozen PS3 domain names which I have never had time to develop. (Anybody interested in developing them, then please contact me for a partnership agreement!)

Q3) Did you ever expect to see that your sites would grow to be this big and to be this popular? I mean, well over 13 thousand members since the re-launch is pretty impressive.

A3) To be honest, the success of the sites really only came about by pure chance. It was really down to the fact that Gamebattles did not do a Call of Duty 3 ladder for whatever reason.Most of the COD3 players and clans from around the world came to the sites here in order to satisfy their need for battles. It was a great success and I was glad to help in an instrumental way. Things have moved on with COD4 and COD5 and of course Gamebattles has taken back over the whole show but I look back on those early days with a lot of fondness and pride.
Manually updating the early PS3 Leaderboard site was a nightmare though!!
I have never marketed the sites but relied on word of mouth. All this is really a hobby for me and on hindsight if I had thrown several thousand bucks at the network it would most likely me a lot bigger but also a lot less personal. As it is, the Multiplayer site simply cruises along and the Leaderboard site is going ballistic.

Q4) Favorite food, color, animal. GO!

A4) Crispy aromatic Duck, Blue, Tiger.

Q5) Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: World at War?

A5) COD3…. All the way. Then other two are tied.

Q6) Ok, one of the most IMPORTANT questions. With the sites growing daily and with ps3leaderboards.com starting tournaments this month, is there anything new or interesting in store for us in the near or distant future?

A6) EliteLadders.com are releasing their new gaming script and this will give us an even better site plus an ability to have pay-to-enter cash prize ladders and tournaments so look out for those.

www.ps3sales.com is going to be redeveloped substantially to offer a PS3 related store with skins for sale as well as games and accessories. We will provide coupons for discounts to members of the network who ‘perform’ well on our network ladders and tournaments.

Also, big news. PS3Multiplayer is getting it’s own integrated Ladder and Tournaments system and will eventually become a standalone site. This is because PS3Leaderboard is growing really fast and seems to be heading in a new direction and may well in fact join forces with other platform sites and try to become a rival to GameBattles. This will pave the way for PS3Multiplayer to grow by itself and focus on the community. So..PS3Leaderboard members may well be at the ground level for a future HUGE site. Keep an eye on this site and of course, business will continue as normal on PS3Leaderboards.

Once again, thanks a lot for taking the time to do this, it’s greatly appreciated. Also, I’d like to say thanks to giving us the most fair and most fast-growing gaming site out there.

Well, its certainly up there as the largest independently owned PS3 –ONLY- niche website in the world.. Still, costs me an arm and a leg though but never mind that!

Discuss this interview at www.ps3multiplayer.com

For the first time, you see two completely different worlds collide in this highly anticipated video game. Ever wonder what it would be like to fight Sub-Zero and Batman? Well now you can! Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe was released for the Playstation 3 on November 15, 2008 and it couldn’t have come any sooner. With the holidays here, it is safe to assume many people will be adding this to their “list”. The Rosters were chosen by popularity so more than likely your favorite character will be in this game.

Mortal Kombat Characters:
Baraka
Jax
Kano
Kitana
Liu Kang
Raiden
Scorpion
Shang Tsung
Shao Kahn
Sonya Blade
Sub-Zero

DC Comics Characters:

Batman
Captain Marvel
Catwoman
Darkseid
Deathstroke
The Flash
Green Lantern
The Joker
Lex Luthor
Superman
Wonder Woman

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe does not follow chronologically with the other games in the Mortal Kombat series, and was considered an “ultimate-Elseworlds” for DC Comics continuity by story co-writer Jimmy Palmiotti.

After Shao Kahn’s invasion of Earthrealm is defeated by Raiden’s forces of light, Raiden destroys Kahn by blasting him through a portal. At the same time on Earth, Superman is seen stopping an Apokoliptian invasion led by Darkseid by blasting the Apokoliptian god as he enters a Boom tube. These acts do not destroy either of them, but merges them into Dark Kahn, and causes the DC and Mortal Kombat universes to merge.

As the worlds merge, the characters’ abilities fluctuate, causing violent “rage” outbreaks that are actually the feelings of Dark Kahn being fused into the characters from afar. Because of this, certain characters either gain strength or vulnerability (allowing a character like Superman the possibility of being defeated due to his vulnerability to magic, and a character like the Joker the ability to fight Raiden). With each world thinking that the other is responsible for the merger (or a potential invasion), they fight each other in Mortal Kombat until only two remain: Raiden and Superman. In the final battle, Raiden and Superman fight while Dark Kahn feeds on their rage. Both realizing that the other isn’t working with Dark Kahn, they overcome their rage for each other and defeat their fused enemy, restoring the two worlds to their normal separation. While everyone else has been sent to their original universe, Darkseid and Shao Kahn have been switched and face eternal imprisonment in the others universe. Darkseid being restrained in the Netherrealm, while Shao Kahn is trapped in the Phantom Zone.

It is rumored that there will be downloadable content later on. Supposedly, the content though not confirmed may include alternate clothing and more chapters for “story mode”.

Discuss this game at http://www.ps3multiplayer.com

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According to a report done by the Natural Resources Defense Council, video game consoles consume a “staggeringly high” amount of energy. NRDC and Ecos Consulting performed the first ever comprehensive study on the energy use of video game consoles and found that they consumed an estimated 16 billion kilowatt-hours per year — roughly equal to the annual electricity use of the city of San Diego. We could save approximately 11 billion kWh of electricity per year, cut our nation’s electricity bill by more than $1 billion per year, and avoid emissions of more than 7 million tons of CO2 each year. Obviously, it depends on how often a user plays to determine how much of an effect he or she has on these numbers.

**Image from NRDC “Lowering the Cost of Play” report**

Apparently, if it is left on continuously the Playstation 3 or XBOX 360 will consume the same amount of energy as two new refrigerators over the course of a year. NRDC provided recommendations for users, video game console manufacturers, component suppliers and the software companies that design games for improving the efficiency of video game consoles already in homes as well as future generations of machines yet to hit the shelves.

If you recall, on a recent update for the Playstation 3, one of the new features added to this high-tech console was the option to enable “power-saving auto shutdown mode”. (I will include instructions on how to edit this option at the bottom of this article).

According to the study, the Playstation 3 is the most power-hungry model. For the 2007 version, you’ll spend about $12 a year if you turn the console off when you’re not using it, compared to about $134 if you leave it on all the time. With all the hype about how much more of an “advanced” system it is, I’m not surprised. The XBOX 360 ranks a close second. If you shut it down when you’re not playing a game or watching a movie, it costs about $11 to operate annually. Leaving it on continuously will cost you $103. The cheaper and less technologically advanced Nintendo Wii uses significantly less energy than the others. It costs about $3 a year if you turn it off after use, compared to about $10 if you don’t.

The report also gave some tips for consumers to be more energy efficient. Some are pretty obvious ways to save. Always turn the system off when you are done playing a game or watching a movie. Don’t assume that just because you turn off the TV that your console shuts down too. It doesn’t. If you’re in the middle of the game, save it so that you can pick up where you left off. Enable the automatic power down feature, which will shut down your device if it’s left idle for a certain amount of time, which I will explain how to do at the bottom of the article. Last but not least, limit movie watching on gaming devices. Viewing movies on a stand-alone unit is a lot more efficient. The Playstation 3, for example, uses five times more power than the stand-alone Sony Blu-Ray player to play the same movie. I personally will probably play my Playstation 3 the same amount as before and use the Blu-Ray player just as often, since I only have one anyways. As far as the “auto shutdown” feature, I think it is a good idea. Not only will you be saving money by saving energy, but you might also be saving your console by not making it work as hard for a prolonged period of time which may lead to overheating and/or other issues.

Instructions For Power Save Settings:
1.Turn on the Sony Playstation. At the main menu screen scroll to the left to the System Settings tab, then scroll down to Power Save Settings and press select. 2.In the Power Save Settings select the System Auto-Off option. A column on the right side of the screen will appear showing five time options: After 1 hour, After 2 hours, After 3 hours, After 5 hours, Off. Scroll over to 1 hour and press select. (They recommend 1 hour for maximum energy savings.) 3.Once the time function is selected a new screen will pop up. In this screen the user is given the option to turn off the system automatically “even under special conditions.” Check this box and click OK. (Enabling the special conditions function will allow the auto-shutdown feature to work even if you have a game or movie inserted in the console and on its main menu page. Without it, the console will not turn off during video or game play, including idle menu page screens – making it rarely effective.) 4.Once the user has returned to the Power Save Settings screen, he or she can select the Auto-Off feature for the controller as well, further increasing energy savings.

In the wake of all the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” games, some people wanted a little bit more realism in their skateboarding games and in 2007, their prayers were answered. The skateboarding game developed by the popular Electronic Arts, simply known as Skate was released on 9/25/07 and now over a year later we can only wait on Skate 2, which has a release date of 1/9/09. Like most sequels, there is obviously going to be new features. The player will have the ability to step off the skateboard and walk about the city. Also, the player can push and pull certain objects in the environment in order to create their own skateboarding obstacles. Other notable new features include the ability to play as a female skater, double the number of tricks from the first game, improved graphics, improved framerate (60fps), increased ability to customize the characters skateboard and appearance.

Skate 2 will feature a new online mode called “Goofy vs. Regular” in which Gamers will lead a team of goofy foot or regular foot pros as they pit the best skateboarders against each other in the ultimate team competition. With the addition of on foot gameplay comes the ability to walk out of a bail, jump on and off your board while running, and throw your board.

According to an article by Eduardo Vasconcellos of GameSpy, the storyline of Skate 2 will focus primarily around making money and using it to “stick it to the man” in addition to building skate parks for fellow skaters to enjoy; much like the life of Rob Dyrdek. In order to do so, players will need to complete challenges to earn the required cash to succeed in the story mode.

Here is a list of skaters which are rumored to be in Skate 2.
* PJ Ladd
* Rob Dyrdek
* Dennis Busenitz
* Jerry Hsu
* Pat Duffy
* Colin McKay
* Danny Way
* Jason Dill
* Alex Chalmers
* Ryan Smith
* Chris Haslam
* Mike Carroll
* Chris Cole
* John Rattray
* Terry Kennedy
* Ryan Gallant
* Lucas Puig
* Mark Appleyard
* Braydon Szafranksi
* John Cardiel
* Eric Koston
* Jake Brown
* Darren Navarrette
* Ray Barbee
* Marc Johnson

Discuss this topic and more at http://www.ps3multiplayer.com

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NBA 2K9 is the next 2K sports developed basketball game coming to the Playstation 3. Recently, these NBA2K games capture every player’s unique style of game play, which they call “Signature Style”. Like Allen Iverson’s crossover, Shawn Marion’s shooting style, and Luther Head’s jump shot, just to name a few. It has a scheduled release date of October 7th, 2008 and Kevin Garnett will be appearing on the cover of this installment. Personally I can’t wait to get it, due to the fact that every year the 2K games get more detailed, more options become available, and the graphics seem to improve. So whether you want to do a three-point shootout with Dirk, a slam dunk contest with Dwight Howard, put Kobe and Shaq vs Yao Ming and Tracey McGrady in a game of street ball, or even test your skills online, I highly recommend this game.

Discuss this topic with others at www.ps3multiplayer.com

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Call of Duty 5: World At War is probably going to be the most anticipated game of the year, which has a release date for November 13, 2008. Although the makers are taking it back to the second world war era, the fifth installment of the series is going to take place in the Eastern Front and Pacific theater.

For the first time in the Call of Duty series, you will have the ability to swim, but only at half speed. It will also have cooperative gameplay by either four player split-screen or with four players online. Flamethrowers will be reintroduced to the series as well. The makers claim that Call of Duty 5: World at War will be more open-minded than previous games due to the fact that there will be multiple ways to complete missions. For those of you who enjoyed using your perks in the previous game, it’s been confirmed that there will be perks available in Call of Duty 5: World at War. Also, the environment will be more destructible and can be set on fire with a flamethrower. Just when you think the realism stops there, bullets can also cut holes in thin wood to make a gap big enough for the player to climb through.

Seems to me like they are going all out for this game. As I continue to explain I have one name for you. Kiefer Sutherland. “What does he have to do with it?”, you may ask. Kiefer will be helping out by providing his vocals for the game. Not only that but they also constructed a full sized replica of a PBY Catalina (a flying boat) for motion picture use. For all you die hard fans, a toy company called McFarlane Toys will release four action figures to coincide with the games release. All I know is I will reserve my copy of Call of Duty 5: World At War as soon as I can. 

Discuss this topic and more at http://www.ps3multiplayer.com

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Swing batter, batter! The highly anticipated follow up to MLB 07: The Show, is finally here. You can’t help but appreciate the highly detailed graphics of this interactive game. MLB 08: The Show was released on March 4, 2008. It is the longest-running officially licensed Major League Baseball game on the Playstation systems. Also, in the Playstation 3 version of the game, personal music can be added from the hard drive called My MLB Music, which I thought was pretty spectacular. If you’re looking for an extremely fun game with great graphics then MLB 08: The Show is your game.

 

 

Even though you can add your own music, the artists currently on the game include The Ramones, A Tribe Called Quest, ZZ Top, Queens of the Stone Age, and many more!

With baseball season starting, now is your chance for you to try and take your team to the top. Whether you want to try and make it to the World Series in single player mode or put your skills to the test and play someone online in the multiplayer mode, the choice is yours. Batter up!

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 Ghostbusters? I’m sure most of you remember the four ghostbusting New Yorkers from the 80’s era movies. Venkman, Ray, Egon, Winston, and Slimer are back and comming straight to your Playstation 3. That’s right, later this year, Ghostbusters: The Video Game is due to release for the PS3 and I couldn’t help but smile when I heard this news.

 

 

As I dug deeper, I found out that none other than Dan Aykroyd, who played Ray, and Harold Ramis, who played Egon are writing the storyline for the game. They also were the writers of the Ghostbusters films as well. I can’t think of anyone else I would rather have writing the storyline for this realistic looking video game other than the original writers of what was called the most successful comedy of the 1980’s.

 

 

Not much is known about this game. However, you should recognize the voices in the game due to the fact that Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson will be making a vocal presence for the game. It doesn’t stop there. Annie Potts, who played “Janine” has also agreed to lend her voice for the game, along with other supporting cast members. This game has a scheduled release date of Fall 2008 and a rumored release date of October 16, 2008. All I can say is, “I ain’t afraid of no ghost.”

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 I’m sure most of you have noticed the new changes that have been taking place on the infamous http://www.ps3multiplayer.com/ site. With the site popularity not even at it’s peak, there has been an explosion of new events arriving and they couldn’t have come at a better time. The constant increase of new games is keeping the site staff busy, but for a good reason.

 Thanks to their hard work, we are able to play in frequent tournaments for games such as Call of Duty 4, Haze (Releasing soon), Unreal Tournament 3, and many more! On top of the extremely popular games, you can also play in tournaments for games such as Resistance: Fall of Man, Rainbow 6, Motorstorm, and the highly anticipated return of the game Call of Duty 3.

 

 

Feel left out? Go to www.ps3multiplayer.com to sign up if you haven’t already. Play in tournaments, win prizes, and see how you rank up in the Hall of Fame. You can also  discuss the upcoming games on the forums and in the newly designed chat rooms and is very helpful for finding recruits for your clan.

 

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