Sony Corporation has announced that life-to-date sales figures for the PlayStation 3 now stand at 38.1 million units worldwide, putting the system approximately 3.6 million units behind global sales of Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

The news comes following the release of Sony’s latest financial results, which reveals that the platform holder shifted 2.4 million PS3’s during its first quarter, resulting in a whopping 118 percent increase over the same period last year.

On the flip side, PSP sales declined from the previous year, shifting 1.2 million units during the first quarter compared to 1.3 million back in 2009. Elsewhere, PS2 continued to show there’s life in the old dog yet, moving 1.6 million units.

http://www.psu.com/news/9465

The PlayStation 3 is the first console to get the latest version of the Netflix application. In addition, the PS3 is the only system to get a full title search feature. The search function is now available to all those who subscribe to Netflix and own a PS3.

Sony boasts that its system is the only console to allow this search feature. It says that other consoles require Netflix subscribers to boot up their PCs or laptops, go to the Netflix web site, search, add the desired movie or TV show to their queue, and then go back to their console to choose and play the content. Sony will also add access via a native application in the coming months.

“The key to the PS3 system's early access is support for our Continuous Improvement Architecture,” said Bill Holmes, vice president of business development for Netflix. “The Netflix application on the PS3 system gets updated by Netflix so easily that we can deliver frequent upgrades with the latest improvements to PS3 owners.”

Phil Rosenberg, SCEA senior vice president said, “We are thrilled to be the first in the marketplace to have Netflix search capability. Search is fundamental to choosing movies and TV shows and we’re proud to be the only gaming system supporting the Netflix Continuous Improvement Architecture, which makes Netflix application improvements instantly available to the installed base of Netflix users on the PS3 system.”

Sony is clearly gloating about its awesome Netflix partnership, but the search function is a great feature and one we will use quite frequently.

http://www.psu.com/news/9461

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is getting an update today. Title update 1.09 includes changes to the multiplayer components of the game, in addition to some changes to the money system. Naughty Dog has posted information at its blog regarding the change.

The company says we can expect the following changes:

* Changes made to multiplayer character skin system to allow for voices to be included with future skins
* Made changes to character game mechanics to prevent players from using exploits
* Fixed ability for players to “super throw” the treasure in Plunder matches
* Cash awarded per kill in Elimination has been increased to $750 per kill
* Enabled the ability for Naughty Dog to easily alter the amount of cash earned for individual Medals on a playlist or gametype basis and per-kill

Naughty Dog has also updated cash rewards in objective-based games. For matches which fall under the Objective modes, cash for individual and kill-based medals have been decreased in value, while cash for Objective based medals have been increased as follows:

* Tip Off – $1,000
* Captured – $4,000
* That’s Embarrassing – $10,000
* Protectorate – $2,000
* No Cigar – $2,000
* Drop It – $1,000
* None Shall Pass – $5,000
* Expansionist – $5,000

Look for the update around 10 a.m. PDT.

http://www.psu.com/news/9460

Sony will hold its press conference at gamescom on Tuesday, August 17 in Cologne, Germany, SCEA announced today. The press conference will start at 6 p.m. CET. The game conference runs from August 18-22.

You can expect to hear and see more about the following games:

Killzone 3
Gran Turismo 5
inFamous 2
LittleBigPlanet 2
DC Universe Online
Journey
Motorstorm: Apocalypse
Sorcery

http://www.psu.com/news/9459

Insomniac Games has announced that it will be unveiling its next PlayStation 3 project anytime between now and PAX, which kicks off in early September.

Confirmation comes via the company’s latest newsletter, which reads: “We’re happy to reveal that we’ll be announcing our newest game sometime between now and the Penny-Arcade Expo over Labor Day weekend. We’re really excited to finally reveal this project, and we couldn’t resist being the first to share the news with you.”

“Want to be the first members of the public to see our new game being played with your own eyes? We’re bringing our new game to a very special Penny-Arcade Expo panel on Saturday evening (September 4th), at 6:30pm in the Serpent Theatre. G4TV’s Adam Sessler will moderate a panel with key creative talent from Insomniac Games as we discuss (and demo!) our upcoming PlayStation 3 project.”

Given the announcement makes no mention of any other console, it’s fair to assume the company isn’t talking about its upcoming mulitplatform outing and therefore suggests we can expect a first-party SCE game, the most obvious choice being Resistance 3.

With GamesCom taking place in late August, it is looking extremely likely we can expect the first details on the mystery project at the Cologne-based event. Stay tuned for more info as we get it

http://www.psu.com/news/9475

Ubisoft has revealed it is looking in to the possibility of incorporating 3D technology in to the majority of its forthcoming triple-A software line-up.

Speaking during a recent interview, the company’s UK managing director, Rob Cooper, commented, "We are working to offer the possibility of 3D on most of our upcoming triple-A titles," adding, "as we'd like to ensure that we are there for those consumers that begin putting new 3D enabled televisions in their homes."

"I do believe that Avatar allowed us just a little bit of advantage in terms of experience with how this market will work,” said Cooper.

Taking Ubisoft’s triple-A portfolio in to consideration, this could potentially mean the likes of the Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Prince of Persia franchises could see 3D compatibility at some point in the future if all goes to plan.

Stay tuned.

http://www.psu.com/news/9473