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The PlayStation Portal remote player experience to evolve with new system update

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Just over a year ago, we launched our first dedicated remote play device, PlayStation Portal remote player, with an aspiration to deliver a console-quality gaming experience on a handheld device. PS Portal was an ambitious product for us, and we have been delighted by the positive response from our fans and to see that our vision has resonated with the community.

Today we’re pleased to announce a new system software update for PS Portal that will begin releasing starting later today (Europe release begins Wednesday), which will introduce refinements in the audio experience, including:

  • Speaker audio output adjustment to make the volume lower when the audio level is set to minimum
  • You will now be able to adjust settings of your PlayStation Link device from the PS Portal Settings menu, allowing you to optimize the volume and sidetone volume.

This update will also include a beta version of a new feature that many fans have been asking for – support for cloud streaming on PS Portal. When the update is live, PlayStation Plus Premium members will be able to participate in a beta for cloud streaming on PS Portal, allowing select PS5 games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog* to be streamed directly from our servers, even without a PS5 console.

Since Cloud Streaming (Beta) on PS Portal is still an experimental offering, the features available during the beta period may change over time and may not reflect the final experience. 

Let’s take a deeper look at what you can expect in this beta:

Features available during the Beta

  • Stream select PS5 games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog
    • Over 120 PS5 games from the PS Plus Game Catalog, including Dave the Diver, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Monster Hunter Rise, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, will be accessible on PS Portal via cloud streaming*
  • Streaming up to 1080p/60fps**
  • DualSense wireless controller features, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, speakers, touchpad (emulated on the touch screen for PS Portal), and motion sensor***
  • PlayStation Plus Cloud storage
    • Save data and game progress can be stored up to 100GB and will be automatically synced with your PS5 console, making it easy to switch seamlessly between local and streaming gameplay, and between multiple devices.

Cloud Streaming (Beta) for PS Portal will be available through the PlayStation Plus Premium plan, which is offered in the following locations: 

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

PS Portal UI screenshot showing the opt-in menu for cloud streaming beta

How to access Cloud Streaming (Beta)

To access the beta, you will need the following:

  • PlayStation Portal remote player
  • An account for PlayStation Network****
  • An active PlayStation Plus Premium membership
  • Access to broadband internet Wi-Fi
  • To establish a cloud streaming session: requires minimum 5Mbps of upload and download speeds

The Legacy of Kain series: retrospective with original developers

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Becoming the stuff of legend is no easy feat. But it’s entirely appropriate that a compelling and complex tale about vengeful vampires has not only lasted as long as it has, but triumphantly arisen from its resting place.

From its popular 1996 debut, The Legacy of Kain series has a long-standing history across PlayStation, from introducing memorable characters to pioneering in 3D game design. So, with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered on its way to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Blood Omen 2 coming to PlayStation Plus Classics, it’s the perfect time to dig up the details on why The Legacy of Kain series has endured. As a bonus, the original developers join us to recall some relevant anecdotes on the way…

The Legacy of Kain series: retrospective with original developers

A new gameplay video showcases Raziel’s otherwordly abilities in The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.


“I’m super proud of the way we wove our time travel plot throughout the games – writing time travel stories is hard!”

– Amy Hennig, Design Manager (Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain), Director and Lead Writer (Soul Reaver, Soul Reaver 2, Legacy of Kain: Defiance)

1996 – Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain – PlayStation – Silicon Knights/Crystal Dynamics

Action-adventures took a turn for the macabre as The Legacy of Kain series introduced us to the shadowy world of Nosgoth. Blood Omen set the tone with Kain seeking a cure for his vampiric curse, only to slip deeper into a moral abyss.

Engaging hack-and-slash gameplay mixed with magic, shapeshifting, and puzzle-layered exploration cast an intoxicating spell encased by a smart and gripping story that laid the groundwork for all that followed. So it was no surprise tha

How NetherRealm makes Ghostface work in the world of Mortal Kombat 1

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Ghostface is coming to Mortal Kombat 1 starting November 19, and for as long as guest characters from other worlds have been a feature in our games, Woodsboro’s own serial killer has been in the mix as a dream inclusion. Horror villains have always been great fits for the severe, macabre, over-the-top universe of Mortal Kombat, and it was just a matter of time for Scream’s anonymous assailant, Ghostface.

That time is here, and in the process of designing Ghostface for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns, we had to answer a bunch of questions. How does this horror-movie villain translate into a fighting game? And how will Ghostface look, sound, and play like?

The overall look is familiar of course: classic mask, robe, and knife. Although, this presented surprising challenges in a fast-paced videogame. Most costumes have physics-based cloth portions, but no other costume is entirely cloth. And aside from the robe being soft material from head to toe, there are long strings of ghostly cloth fringe trailing off it. These are just the kinds of things that can easily perform unexpectedly and get twisted up upon themselves in the heat of kombat, unless proper care is taken. Our technical artists and animators worked back and forth to iron everything out, so to speak, ensuring Ghostface’s iconic duds look their best.

Although Mortal Kombat is famous for masked ninjas, our kombatants have elaborate facial animations that accentuate the action. Even among our masked characters, there are usually skin or gear options to reveal the full-face during gameplay, if you desire. But not so here, since the rigid, unfeeling mask is the outfit’s signature detail. In the absence of facial expressions, we took care to capture extra character movements during the motion capture performance and in-game animating so that, just like in the films, a lot can come across with the slightest head tilt or gesture—malice or humor, frustration or elation, rage or reservation.

And the sound is just as important as the movement. Roger L. Jackson returns to reprise his recurring role as Ghostface’s voice from the films, arguably the most memorable recurring thread through the franchise. Thanks to the easily accessible voice mod devices in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, many different psychos over the years have disguised their own voices using Roger’s modulated one, and our killers are no different.

And we do know who’s under there. Scream franchise fans know that Ghostface is an identity assumed by different unhinged people in every movie, so there are many surprising and iconic portrayals to choose from. While the character’s face is covered up by the mask during fights, the killer underneath is revealed occasionally during climactic moments. For the films, this usually occurs with a dramatic flourish as the identities of the killers are finally exposed. For Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns, it’s during high-resolution cinematic Fatal Blows and finishing moves. And our ‘canon’ Ghostface for these moments is none other than Billy Loomis, one of the Ghostface killers from the original Scream film.

And he’s not the only blast from the past lurking under that mask, behind that voice, in the shadows. In the films, there usually isn’t just one Ghostface, and that’s true here too. There are a few surprises for long-time fans of Mortal Kombat with a keen eye to discover, including who’s joined in to assist an

Dynasty Warriors: Origins demo launches Nov 22

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The Dynasty Warriors franchise recently celebrated its 27 year anniversary, and I have to say, Dynasty Warriors: Origins showcases the series like never before, delivering the most intense combat of any game in DW history. Don’t believe me? Time to put my words to the test as I’m here to announce that the Dynasty Warriors: Origins Demo will be released on November 22!

Dynasty Warriors: Origins demo launches Nov 22

In the demo, you will be able to play the Battle of Sishui Gate, the same battle as the Tokyo Game Show demo. However, we have enhanced the experience with additional elements that were not included at the Tokyo Game Show, providing a more substantial and challenging battle. Additionally, there is no time limit this time, so feel free to enjoy it to your heart’s content!

Throughout the demo, players will be able to choose from four types of weapons: Sword, Guandao, Pudao, and Wheels; as well as having options to customize arts, gems, and accessories. But don’t take the fight lightly as the franchise’s strongest officer, Lu Bu, definitely makes his presence known on the battlefield Unlike the demo at the Tokyo Game Show, however, you will be able to choose the difficulty level, so whether you’re skilled at action games or not, we encourage you to give it a try.

We are so excited to finally be able to provide everyone with the opportunity to experience the unique tactical action of Dynasty Warriors and we hope you enjoy the exhilarating battles against the massive armies we created!

 

 

Furthermore, we are happy to announce that Dynasty Warriors: Origins and the demo will be PS5 Pro enhanced. Along with the demo release, pre-orders will also begin on November 22. Pre-order the game to receive the bonus collaboration co

PS VR2 updates – new Alien: Rogue Incursion details, Mare out today, release dates for Hitman World of Assassination and more

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The holidays are looking virtual, with more titles heading to PS VR2 before the end of 2024. We introduced four titles you can enjoy soon, with one you can play today. Whether you’re an early adopter or curious about what PS VR2 offers, here are some titles that will shift your perspective.

Mare | Out now

PS VR2 updates – new Alien: Rogue Incursion details, Mare out today, release dates for Hitman World of Assassination and more

Lonekite Games had a treat for players as puzzle adventure Mare releases today. Use lighting-like powers to help guide your AI companion through a mysterious archipelago. The PS VR2 version includes two modes. Use eye tracking to solve puzzles with a glance in Classic, or tackle expanded challenges with your Sense controllers in Enhanced mode. Whether searching for the next solution or taking a moment to take it all in, it’s a worthwhile adventure for puzzle fans.

Trombone Champ: Unflattened | Coming November 26

PS VR2 updates – new Alien: Rogue Incursion details, Mare out today, release dates for Hitman World of Assassination and more

The rhythm game that took the genre by storm comes to PS VR2 later this month as Trombone Champ: Unflattened. When the team at Flat2VR decided to bring the game to the next dimension, they added new features that take advantage of adaptive triggers to provide a more realistic trombone feel. With over 20 trombones to unlock, 50 cards to collect, and a s

Mare is out now on PS VR2

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We are thrilled to finally announce that Mare, our captivating VR puzzle adventure, launches on PS VR2 today. Our team is excited to share our labor of love and all the unique features of this enhanced PS VR2 version. First, please enjoy our launch trailer: 

Mare is out now on PS VR2

As you can see from the video as well as the gameplay clips below, Mare features a beautiful, easy-on-the-eye art style, which combined with a minimalist storytelling approach, creates a unique world that players will lose themselves in as they journey through it. In Mare, you’ll play a benevolent force, embodied in-world as a mechanical bird. Early on, you’ll encounter a young girl, and you’ll navigate through this adventure together, helping each other on the way and ultimately uncovering their fate. 

You will use lightning-like powers to aid your NPC companion’s path by interacting and activating objects that will shape new pathways for her to traverse. You’ll need to keep a close eye on her at all times to keep her safe, as malevolent foes will unexpectedly surface and attack her when unwatched. Risking her safety to unlock a new path could put your friendship on the line. When this moment comes, what will you do?

Masters of Light unleashes its spell-casting power on PS VR2 next month

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My name is Celine Tricart, creator of Masters of Light—an XR Game of the Year nominee—and co-founder of the game studio Coven. I’m incredibly excited to bring our thrilling new action-adventure game to PlayStation VR2. As a longtime PlayStation fan—since the original Silent Hill!—I want to bring PS VR2 players an experience that feels unique and spectacular: a game where every move, every battle, and every victory is something you truly feel. With the immersive power and unique features of PS VR2, Masters of Light delivers an experience as intense and breathtaking as the story behind it.

Masters of Light unleashes its spell-casting power on PS VR2 next month

What is Masters of Light?

Masters of Light thrusts players into a galaxy on the brink of destruction. A black hole at the center of the galaxy has unleashed an army of Shadows, spreading chaos and darkness. You are The Wanderer, a powerful being of light and the galaxy’s last defense. Armed with magical powers, your mission is to crush the darkness, rescue the Sisters of Light, and restore hope. Each battle will test your strength, courage, and skill as you journey deeper toward the black hole’s core, where the ultimate challenge awaits.

Masters of Light features high-energy 1st person combat where focus, timing, and strategy are keys to victory. For example, some enemies (shown above) are protected by unbreakable armor. The player must wait for it to attack, then block and parry right after for a chance to defeat it.

Combat like never before

Masters of Light takes first-person spell-casting combat to a new level of intensity. Wield raw energy to unleash explosive attacks, conjure powerful shields, and send waves of Shadows scattering with devastating blasts. Each battle demands sharp focus, strategic timing, and unrelenting force. With every strike, you’ll feel the power of your spells reverberate, leaving you exhilarated as you push back the darkness and fight to bring balance to the galaxy.

For those intrigued by the game’s lore, hidden ruins across the galaxy hold echoes of a forgotten past. Reactivate these ancient sites to uncover secrets about your origins and the cosmic forces that shaped the universe. Whether you’re drawn to high-stakes combat or delving into mysteries, Masters of Light offers a deeply immersive experience that rewards both skill and curiosity.

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Trombone Champ: Unflattened arrives on PS VR2 on November 26

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Hey, PlayStation fans. The team at Flat2VR Studios is beyond excited to bring you a totally unhinged, one-of-a-kind musical experience with Trombone Champ: Unflattened—arriving November 26 on PS VR2. This release marks a huge milestone for us at Flat2VR Studios—it’s our first official PS VR2 adaptation, and we’re thrilled to be bringing our take on this unique, BAFTA-nominated gem to the PlayStation community.

Trombone Champ: Unflattened arrives on PS VR2 on November 26

A new take on VR rhythm 

Trombone Champ: Unflattened is not your dad’s rhythm game. There are no blocks to slice or balls to smash, and you don’t need to flail your arms like an octopus in a mosh pit. While other games ask you to zone out and follow along to a pre-set beat, Trombone Champ: Unflattened lets you wield the most majestic of brass instruments—the trombone, and lets you take control of the music itself. You’re not just reacting to a song like a musical lemming—you’re performing it. Every note, slide, and toot is yours to control, letting you decide whether to stick with the melody or go rogue in Improv Mode with a jazz solo wild enough to have your music teacher reaching for the tissues.

Campaign promises 

Our all-new Campaign Mode offers an epic journey packed with surprises for beginners and Trombone Champ veterans alike. It eases you in, letting you get comfortable with the instrument’s quirks and rhythm. But don’t get too cozy. The campaign ramps up faster than a trombone glissando, introducing complex tracks and challenges that push your rhythm, timing, and ability to adapt. Every milestone you reach unlocks new tracks, and you’ll leave your mark on the leaderboards as you compete for the illustrious title of the one true Trombone Champ.

Hitman World of Assassination launches on PS VR2 March 27, 2025

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We are thrilled to share an update regarding Hitman World of Assassination‘s upcoming launch on PS VR2, and what you can expect when you take on your assignments as Agent 47.  With brand new features such as dual-wielding, full ambidexterity, room-scale implementation, as well as general improved VR experience through new intuitive controls and gameplay mechanics, you will have all the tools you need to complete your mission as a Silent Assassin.

New release date

First of all, we would like to address the change in the release date. Initially slated for December 2024, the launch of Hitman World of Assassination on PS VR2 has been rescheduled to March 27, 2025. This decision to move the release date was not made lightly; we know there was a lot of demand to bring Hitman on PS VR2, and we were excited to see the great reception following the announcement. As such, our priority will always remain to deliver an amazing experience that meets the high standards our players expect. The additional time will not only allow our team to polish the game, ensuring that every aspect is refined, immersive, and seamless, but also to add a few extras that we really wanted to include in this PS VR2 version, such as active reloading.

The complete Hitman WOA experience on PS VR2

The whole main campaign of Hitman World of Assassination will be playable on PS VR2, meaning that you will be free to explore 20 unique locations, each with their own living and breathing world. From the glamorous runways of a fashion show in Paris, to the dizzying heights of Dubai’s skyscrapers, or the rapturous crowd of a high-speed race in Miami, you will travel all around the world to find your next target. Careful consideration will be required to evaluate every available opportunity to complete your mission, and with over 100 weapons and items at your disposal, you can replay each location as many times as you want, to complete your objectives in as many ways as you wish. 

Enhancing the Hitman VR experience

Dual-wielding and full ambidexterity were two of the most asked features to be brought to Hitman World of Assassination in VR, so we are happy to share that they will be available on PS VR2. You will now be able to execute different tasks at the same time, whether it be picking up an item crucial to your mission, whilst holding a weapon to deal with a bothersome guard, or simply equipping two Silverballers for more… efficiency. 

Alien: Rogue Incursion new story trailer, gameplay details

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We’re excited to say that Alien: Rogue Incursion is ready for your PS VR2 – we’ve gone gold and are putting the finishing touches on the game, which is releasing on December 19. To celebrate, we have a brand-new trailer that delves deeper into Zula’s story on LV-354, also known as Purdan. 

Alien: Rogue Incursion new story trailer, gameplay details

How did we go about making this trailer? Trailers are tricky things. You need to quickly break through the noise of everyday life, grab the audience’s attention, and get them excited to see more. It seems logical that you’d show the most fantastic, and exciting content. But that approach doesn’t entirely work – fans often complain that trailers give away too much detail about the film or game. 

Trailers need to curate the key components that fans expect, showcasing critical features in a compelling way and teasing elements that will blow players away, all while telling a self-contained story that begins and ends in roughly two minutes or less. VR games need to both establish the world that you’ll be immersed in and to communicate how you will operate in that environment. We have 2 minutes to make you feel that sense of presence and wonder. 

Trailers often focus on a particular theme or feature of the game that the team wants to showcase. So far, for Alien: Rogue Incursion, we’ve released trailers for our Hero Reveal, Enemies, Weapons & Gear, etc. Fans of the Alien franchise are also hugely invested in the story, so this trailer introduces the audience to the larger narrative, providing the set-up of why Zula Hendricks is on LV-354, Purdan. What happened to Zula’s friend and former squad mate there? What deadly experiments have the researchers at this facility been messing with? 

Here is a breakdown of how we approached this trailer and told the “story of the story.” 

One of our early creative decisions was that whatever happened on Purdan had already happened. Zula is stepping into the aftermath of some event that has left Castor’s Cradle – the research facility – infested with horrifying Xenomorphs. Picking up the story after the facility has been compromised allows us to jump right into the suspense and action. 

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