We had to double check this to make sure we weren't reading it wrong. Newspaper The Guardian has published a piece defending video games, stating that children denied access to games are "deprived" of a "rich and magical experience". It's all gone a bit hippy-ish over here. The opinion piece, penned by writer Naomi Alderman, calls the recent government report by Tanya Byron "eminently sensible", and even defends Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto. ... » Read More

10 Apr 2008

Sony: Why do you hack your PSP?

PSP News | PSP

Sony has launched a questionnaire asking why gamers hack there PSP consoles with custom firmware.The poll, sent to select gamers, is apparently part of Sony's "ongoing PSP consumer research", looking into understanding more about the huge hacking community that has thrived on the PSP.Sony has been embroiled in a heated battle with hackers since they cracked open the portable's software protection months after its ... » Read More

8 Apr 2008

New PSone options in PSP firmware update

PSP News | PSP

PSP firmware version 3.95, released today, bringing with it tweaks to the console's Remote Play and PSone gameplay functionality. Once updated, you will find the option to fully customise the controls when playing PSone games on your portable. "You can now customise how the buttons are assigned by going to [Controller Settings] > [Assign Buttons] and select [Custom]," details PSN operations ... » Read More

8 Apr 2008

LittleBigPlanet coming to PSP

PSP News | PSP

LittleBigPlanet is currently in development for PSP at Sony Studio Liverpool, a source has revealed.No further details were offered as to how the game will work on the PSP, but if true, we'd expect the portable edition to feature link up options with the PS3 version, set for release in September.We could see scope for transferable levels, or a level editor on the PSP that would allow you to keep working on your creations even ... » Read More

7 Apr 2008

Hackers attack PSN DRM

PSP News | PSP

Hackers have cracked the DRM (Digital Rights Management) on select PlayStation Network games for PSP, exposing PSN downloads to rampant piracy.The PC program created by hackers breaks open the DRM lock that usually stops downloaded PSN games from playing on any PSP other than that of the original buyer.The games are modified to run on PSPs with equally dodgy custom firmware installed, opening the door to rampant ... » Read More

7 Apr 2008

Japan: PSP outsells all consoles combined

PSP News | PSP

The PSP last week sold more units than 360, PS3, Wii and DS combined in Japan.The Japanese, who were last year snapping up DS units like they were essential life support machines, grabbed an astonishing 129,986 PSPs off shelves in the week ending March 30.That's more than double that of the previous week, and more than the total sales of all the other current-gen consoles, including DS, which only managed 58,916.Next ... » Read More

7 Apr 2008

Say games made you evil and get paid

PSP News | PSP

A newspaper is offering cash for your stories on how videogames made you "turn to a life of crime."A listing on recruitment site StarNow, a hub for actors and musicians looking for jobs, has appeared reading, "a national newspaper wants your story and will pay hundreds of pounds to the right person."The listing comes in the wake of last week's Byron report, which made newspapers all across the UK, some with questionable ... » Read More

3 Apr 2008

72% of the US plays games

PSP News | PSP

A new study from the NPD Group has found that 72 percent of Americans play videogames, but the research firm says online gaming is still not fully addressed. The number of gamers in the US rose from 64 percent of the population in 2006 to an all-time high of 72 percent in 2007, according to NPD's latest study, Online Gaming 2008. Of the total amount of gamers in the US, over half play games online, according to the ... » Read More

31 Mar 2008

Port Blu-ray movies to PSP later this year

PSP News | PSP

In 2008 we'll be able to download Blu-ray movies from PS3 to PSP for watching on the move, if Sony has its way. Reported by Kotaku, the Japanese company is looking to launch what is called Portable Copy later this year, although there's no confirmed date as yet. The site says, however, it's been told by Sony that the technology for this to happen is still in development, so in that case don't hold your breath. ... » Read More

28 Mar 2008

Sony: Devs now seeing key to PSP success

PSP News | PSP

The PSP has been out since 2005, but developers are only now beginning to realise what makes a good game for PSP, admits the PSP marketing boss. Talking of the recent good fortunes for PSP, Sony's John Koller said: "developers and publishers are now just starting to see what the keys to success are on the PSP. It's not like the console world at all, and it's something we've been preaching for a while," he added, pointing to key franchises such ... » Read More

26 Mar 2008

'It's time for gamers to grow up'

PSP News | PSP

American Chronicle writer Dave Gibson has joined the long list of writers hopping on the 'gamers are destroying the world' bandwagon - blaming lazy, television watching Americans for divorce, out-of-wedlock births and cancer (we made the last one up). "A society whose grown men seem to be more interested in the latest video game, rather than the survival of their nation or even of their own family--is doomed to failure," says the angry ... » Read More

26 Mar 2008

Think you're good at online games? Prove it

PSP News | PSP

Think you've got the skills to school GamesRadar? Want a chance to hand us our asses online? Well now's your chance. Starting this Thursday (27 March) we're launching PlayRadar, a new fortnightly event that gives you the chance to show us your mettle in a multiplayer showdown.Every other Thursday at 4pm (GMT) two members of the GR team will take on all-comers in a series of online matches. All you have to do is send us a friend request from ... » Read More

25 Mar 2008

Miss Bimbo: Ironic fun, or girl gaming gone badly...

PSP News | PSP

Parents up in arms about a new online game which encourages the use of diet pills, breast enlargement and taking advantage of rich male types. ... » Read More

19 Mar 2008

Next week: it's the Week of Hate on GR!

PSP News | PSP

Gamers hate everything. Of all people, doing all sorts of hobbies, all over the world, gamers hate the most. Whether it's moaning about console prices or release dates, complaining that a game is too long, or too short, or too hard, or too easy, or too realistic, or too unrealistic. Or typing bile at each other on forums, or screaming it down the headset on LIVE. Gamers love to hate.So in celebration of this integral piece of gaming ... » Read More

18 Mar 2008

Metal Gear Solid PSOne headed for PSN

PSP News | PSP

As the PSOne games on PSN drought continues on this side of the planet, Japan's Famitsu magazine has revealed that the original Metal Gear Solid will be hitting the PSN in spring for play on PS3 and PSP. MGS was, in case you lived in the Himalayas at the time, one of the best games on the PSOne - a platform-defining title upon which the whole modern MGS craze was built. Its arrival on the PSN would be sweet. But there is, ... » Read More

13 Mar 2008

EA gets aggressive with Take-Two

PSP News | PSP

EA's conquest to buy GTA IV publisher Take-Two has stepped up a gear as it extends a tender offer directly to Take-Two shareholders, following the company's rejection of its original offer. EA has made a tender offer of $26 per share to Take-Two's shareholders, which is valued at approximately $2 Billion - the same sum Take-Two itself turned down last month. The offer is scheduled to expire at 5am GMT on Saturday, April 12. Take-Two is due to ... » Read More

10 Mar 2008

Official: Britain prefers games to sex

PSP News | PSP

In Britain gaming is better than sex. That's according to a poll of our favourite bedroom activities by Bedroom specialist Sharps, which brings the state of the country (and its sex lives) to a horrible light.The Daily Mirror quizzed over 2,000 Britons on what they like to get up to in the bedroom, and embarrassingly shagging ranked at the very bottom of the list, under net surfing, using the phone and work. Lazy gits.Sleep came top with the ... » Read More

7 Mar 2008

"Our first and last God of War game"

PSP News | PSP

God of War: Chains of Olympus developer, Ready At Dawn, has confirmed that the upcoming (at least it is in Europe) PSP game will be its "first and last" mark on the franchise.Speaking on its site, the developer discussed the studio's future plans, revealing that it'll be leaving Sony's franchise - and the PSP - behind in its next project."Moving forward, we can confirm that Chains of Olympus will be our last PSP game," the company said, adding: ... » Read More

7 Mar 2008

Japan: PSP slaps Wii/DS down to size

PSP News | PSP

It seems Sony's recent push to drive up PSP sales is working - last week, the console utterly owned both DS and Wii in the hardware charts. 73,702 PSP consoles were plucked from Japanese stores in the week ending March 2, according to Media Create figures - a massive 20,000 more than the previous week. This blew both of Nintendo's usually dominating consoles out of the ball park, with 51,922 DS units sold, and Wii selling 64,535 consoles. ... » Read More

5 Mar 2008

Ziff Davis files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

PSP News | PSP

Ziff Davis Media has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York City today in an attempt to restructure its operations and pay off its debts. "The restructuring, if approved by the court," says business publication BtoBonline, "would reduce Ziff Davis Media’s $225 million senior-note debt. That amount will be exchanged for a new $50 million (face amount) senior secured note and at least 88.8% of the common stock in the reorganized ... » Read More