#sony

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Last Minute Talks Fail, Trial Looms Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are set to proceed to trial on the actress’s retaliation and defamation claims against the actor, despite a federal judge’s repeated efforts to facilitate a settlement. Lawyers for both parties were ordered to participate in a conference call with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave on Monday afternoon to disclose their updated settlement positions. However, both sides rejected any possibility of a deal, leaving the May 18 trial as the next step in the legal battle. The failed settlement talks come days after Judge Lewis Liman, who previously dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni and his associates, ruled that her sexual harassment allegations lacked jurisdictional and contractual grounds. Lively’s case, which centered on claims of a preemptive online smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni’s public relations team, now hinges on the remaining allegations of astroturfing—artificially manufactured public opinion. Lively has emphasized that this claim has always been the core of her case, framing it as a fight against systems that seek to silence victims. During Monday’s call, Judge Cave attempted to identify common ground between the parties to avoid the trial, but both sides remained firm. Lively’s legal team, represented by her former agent and manager, has consistently argued that Baldoni’s team engaged in coordinated efforts to damage her reputation before the premiere of It Ends With Us, a Sony-distributed film. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team has maintained that the allegations are unfounded and lack credible evidence. Lively’s recent social media posts further underscore her resolve.#sony #blake_lively #justin_baldoni #judge_sarah_l_cave #judge_lewis_liman

Naughty Dog Cancels Last Of Us Online Project The development of The Last of Us Online, a multiplayer spinoff of the critically acclaimed single-player game, was abruptly halted by Naughty Dog, the studio behind the franchise. The project, which had reached an estimated 80% completion, was canceled in late 2024, leaving its director, Vinit Agarwal, devastated. Agarwal, who spent seven years overseeing the game’s creation, revealed in an interview with podcaster Lance E. Lee that he learned of the cancellation just 24 hours before its public announcement. “It was soul-crushing,” he said, describing the moment as “a devastating moment” for him. The decision, he explained, was driven by Sony’s need to control messaging and reallocate resources to single-player projects. The roots of the project’s cancellation trace back to 2020, when the global pandemic forced people indoors and sparked a surge in demand for online multiplayer games. Agarwal noted that the gaming industry saw a “huge growth” during this period, with players turning to games to connect with friends. Sony, Naughty Dog’s parent company, capitalized on this trend by investing heavily in live-service titles, including The Last of Us Online. By late 2023, the game was “doing really, really well internally,” according to Agarwal, with progress so advanced that it was nearly complete. Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog’s president and creator of the Last of Us series, had even called the project the studio’s “most ambitious” endeavor in January 2023. However, as pandemic restrictions eased and players returned to in-person activities, the demand for online multiplayer experiences began to decline. The economic downturn in 2022 and 2023 further exacerbated the situation, leading Sony and other industry leaders to reassess their strategies.#sony #vinit_agarwal #the_last_of_us_online #naughty_dog #neil_druckmann

Last Of Us Online Was ‘80 Percent’ Done When It Was Canceled Naughty Dog’s decision to cancel its planned Last of Us multiplayer game, The Last of Us Online, came after years of development and a pivotal moment in the studio’s resource allocation strategy. The project, which had reached approximately 80 percent completion, was abruptly halted in favor of focusing on single-player narrative games, including the upcoming Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for the PS5. Vinit Agarwal, the project’s director who left Naughty Dog to found a new studio in Japan, shared insights into the cancellation during an interview with Lance E. Lee. He described the game as being in the late stages of development when the studio decided to pivot its priorities. Agarwal highlighted Sony’s broader shift toward live-service games, a strategy that began around 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, online gaming became a critical way for people to stay connected while quarantined. However, as restrictions eased, interest in live-service titles declined, leading Sony to reassess its investments. Agarwal noted that this shift, combined with Naughty Dog’s internal resource considerations, ultimately led to the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. The decision, he explained, was framed as a choice between completing the multiplayer game or advancing Neil Druckmann’s vision for the studio’s next major single-player project. The cancellation was a significant blow to Agarwal, who spent seven years working on the game. He revealed that he learned of the decision just 24 hours before the public announcement, describing the moment as “soul-crushing.” The abrupt nature of the cancellation, he said, was partly due to the need to control the messaging around the studio’s strategic direction.#sony #vinit_agarwal #naughty_dog #intergalactic_the_heretic_prophet #last_of_us_online

The Last of Us Online Was "Almost 80% Complete" When it Got Cancelled, Says Former Director Vinit Agarwal, the former director of The Last of Us Online, revealed that the project was nearly 80% finished before its cancellation, shedding light on the challenges faced by Naughty Dog as it navigated Sony’s push for live service games. Agarwal shared his insights during an interview on the Lance E. Lee Podcast, discussing the development of the game, its cancellation, and the broader context of Sony’s strategic shift toward multiplayer titles. The project, known internally as Factions, was one of several initiatives aimed at creating sustainable revenue streams for the PlayStation platform, a move that saw the studio prioritize multiplayer games over traditional single-player experiences. Agarwal described how the game industry experienced a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with online multiplayer titles gaining traction as players sought ways to connect with friends remotely. This trend prompted Sony to invest heavily in live service games, a strategy that ultimately led to the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. According to Agarwal, work on the title began in 2016, but it wasn’t until the completion of The Last of Us Part II that the project received the necessary attention and financial backing. The timing coincided with Sony’s broader push to expand its portfolio of multiplayer games, which created a dilemma for the studio: allocate resources to the experimental Factions project or focus on the more commercially viable single-player game. The decision to prioritize The Last of Us Part II over Factions was a significant blow for Agarwal, who believed the multiplayer project had the potential to be a major success.#sony #vinit_agarwal #the_last_of_us_online #naughty_dog #factions

Director of The Last of Us Online Confronts Devastating Cancellation Just Hours Before Public Announcement Vinit Agarwal, the game director of The Last of Us Online, described the cancellation of the multiplayer spinoff as a “devastating” and “soul crushing” event, revealing he only learned of the decision 24 hours before Sony officially announced it to the public. The project, which had reached 80% completion, was abruptly halted in December 2023, forcing Agarwal to leave Naughty Dog and launch his own game development studio in Japan. Agarwal, who joined Naughty Dog in 2014, worked on the game for nearly seven years, from 2016 to 2023, before production was shut down. He explained that the decision to cancel The Last of Us Online was tied to Sony’s strategic shift in focus, which prioritized the development of the single-player adventure Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet over the multiplayer title. “They had to pick the game that was kind of the soul, bread and butter of the studio,” he said, emphasizing that the multiplayer project was seen as an experimental risk compared to the more traditional single-player narrative. The cancellation followed a broader industry trend of declining investment in live-service games, which Agarwal attributed to the post-pandemic shift in consumer behavior. He described how the gaming industry experienced a surge in 2020 due to lockdowns, with players spending more time at home and engaging with online multiplayer experiences. “People couldn’t see their friends, so they had to play online with their friends,” he noted. However, as restrictions eased and people returned to work, gaming habits declined, leading to a financial strain on studios.#sony #vinit_agarwal #the_last_of_us_online #naughty_dog #intergalactic_the_heretic_prophet

Lords of the Fallen, Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, and More Coming to PS Plus Essential on April 7 Sony’s PlayStation Plus Essential service will add three new titles to its lineup on April 7, 2026, including the action RPG Lords of the Fallen, the remastered Tomb Raider 1-3 trilogy, and Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream. The titles will remain available until May 5, offering players a curated selection of games for free during this period. Lords of the Fallen is a reimagined version of the 2014 Souls-like game of the same name, introducing significant changes to its core mechanics. Players will now be able to traverse Umbral, the land of the dead, and face the return of Adyr, a character who resurrects to cause chaos in the world of Axiom. The game has been refined through numerous patches, enhancing its depth and complexity for fans of the Souls series. While a sequel, Lords of the Fallen 2, is expected to launch in August 2026, this version serves as a strong entry point for newcomers and longtime fans alike. The Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered collection brings together the original three entries in the Tomb Raider series—Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider 2, and Tomb Raider 3—into a single package. The remaster includes updated visuals, though players can toggle back to the original art style if preferred. A new Challenge Mode has been added, featuring ten unlockable outfits for Lara Croft, allowing players to customize her appearance and test their skills in more demanding scenarios. This collection is a nostalgic offering for fans of the franchise, providing a seamless experience across all three games. Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream is the latest entry in the Sword Art Online series, offering a familiar yet expanded experience for fans of the franchise.#sony #playstation_plus_essential #lords_of_the_fallen #sword_art_online_fractured_daydream #tomb_raider_1_3_remastered

PlayStation Plus April 2026 Free Games Leaked: Lords of the Fallen and Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream Among Reported Titles Sony’s PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for April 2026 has reportedly been leaked, with titles such as Lords of the Fallen and Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream confirmed as part of the monthly free games. The leak, shared by Forbes, suggests the official announcement will occur on April 1, with the games becoming available to subscribers on April 7. This follows Sony’s established pattern of releasing free games on the first Tuesday of the following month after the reveal date, which typically falls on the last Wednesday of the month. The leaked list includes Lords of the Fallen, a highly anticipated action RPG developed by Cavia, and Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, a spin-off of the popular Sword Art Online series. These titles are expected to be available for free to PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers, though no official confirmation has been made by Sony. The leak also hints at additional games, though their identities remain unclear. Speculation has also emerged regarding Bethesda’s Starfield, which is rumored to be part of the April lineup. However, sources indicate that Starfield is unlikely to appear in the PlayStation Plus Essential tier, as the game is primarily associated with PC and Xbox platforms. While no official link has been established between Starfield and PlayStation Plus, its inclusion in the leaked list has sparked debate among fans. Sony’s PlayStation Plus Essential tier remains the primary avenue for monthly free games, with the service offering a rotating selection of titles across various genres.#sony #forbes #playstation_plus_essential #lords_of_the_fallen #sword_art_online_fractured_daydream

PlayStation 5 Consoles Face Another Price Hike, Standard Model Now Costs $649.99 Sony has announced another global price increase for its PlayStation 5 consoles, with the standard model now priced at $649.99. This follows previous hikes and reflects broader industry trends influenced by economic pressures and supply chain challenges. While India has not yet seen a new price adjustment, the PS5 Pro’s launch appears imminent due to recent regulatory changes. Starting April 2, the PlayStation 5 standard disc edition will cost $649.99, up from $549.99. The Digital Edition will rise to $599.99 from $499.99, and the PS5 Pro will climb to $899.99 from $749.99. The PlayStation Portal remote player will also increase by $50, reaching $249.99. Sony cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” as the reason for the hikes. This marks the second price increase for the PS5 in under a year. In August, Sony raised US prices by $50 across the board, making the standard PS5 $100 more expensive than it was eight months ago and $150 higher than its November 2020 launch price of $500. The PS5 Pro, which debuted at $699.99 in late 2024, has now surpassed $900 within 18 months. The trend of rising console prices is not limited to Sony. Microsoft raised Xbox console and controller prices in May, while Nintendo increased the original Switch’s price from $299 to $339. These hikes are driven by factors beyond individual companies, including U.S. tariffs, conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, and surging RAM costs. AI data centers have intensified demand for memory, pushing prices higher and affecting consumer hardware. Bloomberg reported that Sony may delay the next-generation PlayStation to 2028 or 2029, signaling the severity of supply chain and economic challenges.#india #playstation_5 #sony #playstation_portal #ps5_pro

Sony Announces PlayStation 5 Price Increases Amid Rising Costs Sony has announced it will raise prices for its PlayStation 5 consoles starting April 2, marking the second price hike for the console in less than a year. The decision comes as the company faces mounting pressures from the global economic environment and a surge in memory chip costs. In the U.S., the PS5 disc edition will increase by $100 to $649.99, while the digital version will also rise by $100 to $599.99. The PS5 Pro, the most powerful variant of the console, will see a $150 increase, bringing its price to $899.99. Similar adjustments will apply in Japan, the U.K., and Europe, with the U.K. models seeing a £90 (approximately $120) increase. The price changes are attributed to ongoing challenges in the global economy, including inflation and supply chain disruptions. Sony cited "pressures in the global economic landscape" as the primary reason for the hikes. The company also highlighted the impact of rising memory chip prices, a critical component for the PS5. Memory costs have surged due to high demand from AI data centers and limited supply, forcing Sony to adjust pricing to maintain profitability. This marks the second time Sony has raised PS5 prices in 2024. Last year’s increase occurred amid high inflation and uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs. The current move is seen as a necessary step to offset rising production costs and ensure continued investment in gaming technology. Sony emphasized in a blog post that the price adjustments are intended to sustain its ability to deliver "innovative, high-quality gaming experiences" to players worldwide. Industry analysts have noted that the price hikes are likely inevitable given the current market conditions.#playstation_5 #sony #ampere_analysis #memory_chips #piers_harding_rolls

Sony raises PS5 price by £90 in the UK Sony has increased the price of the PlayStation 5 console by £90 in the United Kingdom and by $100 in the United States, citing "continued pressures in the global economic landscape" as the reason for the significant hike. This marks the second major price adjustment for the console within less than a year, following a previous £40 increase for the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition earlier in 2025. The company emphasized that the price changes are necessary to sustain its ability to deliver "innovative, high-quality gaming experiences" to players worldwide. The PS5 Digital Edition will now cost £519.99, representing a 21% increase from its previous price, while the PS5 Pro model will be priced at £789.99, a 13% rise. The PlayStation Portal, a peripheral device for the console, will also see a £20 increase, bringing its price to £219.99. The price adjustments apply to all regions, with the PS5 console now costing $649.99 in the U.S. (equivalent to £488) and €649.99 in Europe (approximately £563) starting from 2 April. Gaming industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis explained that the price hikes are driven by broader supply chain challenges, particularly the rising costs of random access memory (RAM) and storage components, which are essential for console manufacturing. These components are in high demand due to the global expansion of data centers that power artificial intelligence systems. Harding-Rolls noted that with no signs of easing prices for these critical parts, Sony’s decision to raise prices is a strategic move to protect its hardware margins. He also suggested that competitors like Microsoft and Nintendo may follow similar steps in the near future.#playstation_5 #sony #playstation_portal #ampere_analysis #piers_hardingrolls

Sony Announces Price Increases for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal Sony has confirmed price hikes for its PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal devices, citing ongoing challenges in the global economic environment. The changes, effective April 2, 2026, were described as a necessary measure to sustain the delivery of high-quality gaming experiences. Isabelle Tomatis, Vice President of Global Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, stated in a PlayStation Blog post that the decision was driven by “continued pressures in the global economic landscape.” She emphasized that the adjustments were made after careful evaluation to ensure the company could continue innovating and providing value to players worldwide. The price increases apply to all versions of the PS5, including the standard model with a disc drive, the PS5 Digital Edition, and the PS5 Pro. The PlayStation Portal remote player also saw a rise. Specific pricing details include the PS5 Digital Edition at $599.99, £519.99, €599.99, and ¥89,980. The PS5 Pro is priced at ¥137,980. These adjustments mark the second price increase for the PS5 in the U.S. since its launch in November 2020. The standard PS5 now costs $100 more than its original price of $500, while the PS5 Digital Edition has risen by the same amount. The PS5 Pro, which previously cost $900, has increased by $150, and the PlayStation Portal has gone up by $50. The decision comes amid a period of economic uncertainty, including U.S. tariffs, conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, and a global shortage of RAM driven by surging demand for AI technology. Rising costs for components have put pressure on console manufacturers, with Sony joining Nintendo and Microsoft in adjusting prices.#sony #grand_theft_auto_6 #rockstar_games #isabelle_tomatis #playstation_blog

Vincent D'Onofrio's Comments Spark Debate on Spider-Man Crossover Since Andrew Garfield’s controversial denial about appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans have grown skeptical of Marvel actors’ statements regarding future projects. Even recent jokes, like Jimmy Kimmel’s roast of James Marsden for lying about Avengers: Doomsday, have reinforced this distrust. However, Vincent D’Onofrio’s recent remarks about a potential crossover between his Kingpin and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man have reignited speculation, despite Marvel’s efforts to keep such details secret. D’Onofrio, whose Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is currently airing, has become a focal point for fans eager to see his character clash with Holland’s Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Despite Marvel’s insistence that the Disney+ series is separate from the broader MCU, fans believe the show could set up a major crossover. D’Onofrio’s comments, however, have only added to the confusion. When asked about a potential matchup, he responded, “If Sony and Marvel ever get their sh*t together maybe. It’s a complicated rights issue. Hope so.” This line, which D’Onofrio has used before, has raised eyebrows. The actor claims he’s limited to streaming series, a claim that doesn’t align with the current state of Marvel’s rights. When Disney acquired Fox in 2018, Kevin Feige confirmed that Kingpin would either be part of the MCU or shared with Sony. Since Sony produces the Spider-Man films, this suggests a potential collaboration. Yet D’Onofrio’s ambiguity has left fans questioning his motives. The situation is further complicated by other actors’ appearances. Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock made a cameo in No Way Home, and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is set to appear in Brand New Day.#sony #tom_holland #marvel #vincent_donofrio #spider_man

Daredevil: Born Again Star Pushes for Kingpin vs. Spider-Man Showdown Despite Challenges Vincent D'Onofrio, who portrayed Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin in Daredevil: Born Again, is advocating for a cinematic showdown between his character and Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor highlighted this desire during a recent social media interaction, though he acknowledged the significant challenges posed by rights issues between Marvel and Sony. The proposed crossover would bring together two fan-favorite characters, with D'Onofrio expressing hope that the collaboration could eventually materialize if the two studios resolve their complicated ownership disputes. In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Fisk, now mayor of New York City, leads an Anti-Vigilante Task Force to hunt down masked heroes, setting the stage for potential conflicts with Spider-Man. The actor emphasized that while the character of Kingpin has historically clashed with Spider-Man in comic book lore, the live-action adaptation faces hurdles due to the shared ownership of Spider-Man rights. Sony holds the film rights to the character, while Disney controls television rights, creating a legal and logistical barrier to a crossover. D'Onofrio humorously referred to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man as “that insect” in response to fan requests for the matchup, but he did not rule out the possibility of a future face-off. The Spider-Man: Brand New Day film, which is set to release in 2026, features a mix of returning MCU icons and new characters, including Frank Castle, portrayed by Jon Bernthal. Bernthal’s Punisher is absent from Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, which surprised some fans who expected him to join the resistance against Fisk.#sony #marvel_cinematic_universe #vincent_donofrio #wilson_fisk #spider_man

Sony's Lost Breaking Bad PSVR Project Unearthed in New Report Sony has long been a dominant force in television, but its collaboration with Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan on a PlayStation VR game remains one of its most notable unrealized ventures. The project, first announced in 2017, aimed to bring the critically acclaimed series to the PSVR platform through an interactive experience. A recent report from MP1st has revealed that the initiative was entrusted to Sony’s first-party studio FireSprite, though it ultimately never materialized. The proposed game would have allowed players to explore key locations from the show, including Walter White’s infamous backyard. Gilligan last publicly addressed the project in 2022, acknowledging the challenges of game development and stating that the project “never came to fruition.” This cancellation adds to a list of abandoned projects at Sony’s Liverpool studio, which was also working on a new Twisted Metal title at the time. Sony acquired the Liverpool-based studio in 2021, but its output since then has been limited to the PSVR2 launch title Horizon Call of the Mountain. Rumors suggest the team is still working on a successor to Until Dawn, codenamed Project Heartbreak, though no official details or footage have been released. The studio’s struggles highlight the challenges of transitioning TV content to interactive formats, a task that requires balancing narrative depth with gameplay mechanics. While Sony’s first-party division has seen mixed results in recent years, the potential for immersive experiences tied to beloved franchises like Breaking Bad continues to intrigue fans. Whether these projects will eventually see completion remains uncertain, but the persistence of such initiatives underscores the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment.#breaking_bad #sony #vince_gilligan #firesprite #liverpool_studio

Project Hail Mary tops UK-Ireland box office with £4.6m; Dhurandhar: The Revenge breaks Indian film records in second place Sci-fi thriller Project Hail Mary led the UK-Ireland box office with a £4.6m opening weekend, marking a record debut for an Amazon MGM Studios-produced film. The film, distributed by Sony, earned £4.6m from 701 screens, averaging £6,601 per site. This surpassed the £2m opening of 2024’s Red One, becoming the highest-grossing Amazon MGM Studios title in the region. With a cumulative total of £7.4m, the film is on track to surpass Red One’s £8.2m to become the highest-grossing release from the studio in the territory by next weekend. Indian sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge secured the second spot, breaking records as the highest-grossing Indian film at the UK-Ireland box office. The film opened with £1.6m from Friday to Sunday, outperforming 2023’s Pathaan (£1.4m). With a £5,709 average per screen, it achieved £643,180 on Saturday, March 21, the largest single day for a Hindi-language film in the region. The film’s £2.1m total after four days makes it the fastest Indian film to reach £2m in the UK-Ireland market, with ambitions to surpass Pathaan’s £4.4m total. Directed by Aditya Dhar, The Revenge is the second and final installment of the Dhurandhar series, following an Indian intelligence agent’s quest to avenge the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. The first film opened to £306,678 in December 2024, ending with a £3m total, ranking third among the highest-grossing Indian films behind Pathaan and 2023’s Jawan (£3.3m). Other notable performances included Hoppers, which earned £1.2m on its third weekend for Disney, a 46% drop from its opening, bringing its total to £9.5m.#aditya_dhar #dhurandhar_the_revenge #sony #project_hail_mary #amazon_mgm_studios

PlayStation Network Outage Update: Users Report Mixed Status on March 21 On Saturday, March 21, 2026, PlayStation Network users began reporting service disruptions, with some still experiencing issues as of late evening. According to Downdetector, a platform tracking service outages, a portion of users continued to encounter problems, even though PlayStation’s official status page indicated all servers were operating normally. The situation remains unclear, as the company has not provided a specific timeline for full service restoration. While some gamers have reported returning to the platform without issues, others are still facing connectivity problems. The company has not issued further details on the cause of the outage or its resolution. Users who are still unable to access PlayStation Network are advised to monitor updates from the company. Despite the ongoing issues, the platform’s status page suggests that the majority of services are functioning as expected. The incident highlights the potential impact of technical disruptions on a large user base, with many relying on the service for gaming, social interactions, and content access. As of now, there is no official statement from Sony confirming the extent of the outage or the steps being taken to resolve it. The company has previously addressed similar issues in the past, often attributing them to routine maintenance or unexpected technical challenges. However, the current situation underscores the importance of reliable infrastructure for online gaming platforms, which serve millions of users worldwide. Until further information is released, users are encouraged to check PlayStation’s official channels for updates.#online_gaming #sony #downdetector #playstation_network #playstation_status_page

Sony Announces PlayStation 5 Pro Upgraded PSSR For Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Crimson Desert, And More Sony has revealed that the PlayStation 5 Pro will soon support an enhanced version of its Spectral Super Resolution technology, known as PSSR. This upgrade allows developers to leverage the console’s advanced processing power to deliver sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. The improved PSSR system, which was first introduced with Resident Evil Requiem last month, is now being integrated into eleven additional titles. According to a blog post by Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications’ senior director Sid Shuman, the updated PSSR technology offers more precise image reconstruction, enhanced motion stability, and greater flexibility for developers to balance performance and graphical fidelity on the PS5 Pro. The blog also includes a list of games adopting the feature, along with developer quotes and sample screenshots. The latest PSSR upgrade will be included in the next PS5 system software update, which began rolling out on March 16 at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Games confirmed to benefit from the enhancement include Silent Hill f, Silent Hill 2 (2024), Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Control, Alan Wake 2, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Rise of the Ronin, Nioh 3, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dragon’s Dogma 2. Additional titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will receive the upgrade through future patches, with release dates to be announced in the coming weeks. Crimson Desert, a new game in the Final Fantasy series, will launch with the upgraded PSSR technology on March 19. The update underscores Sony’s ongoing efforts to enhance the PS5 Pro’s capabilities, ensuring developers can push the boundaries of visual quality and performance.#sony #playstation_5_pro #spectral_super_resolution #final_fantasy_vii_rebirth #crimson_desert

Sony's enhanced PSSR upscaling arrives on PS5 Pro today Sony's upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology is now available as part of the PlayStation 5 Pro system update, which launched today. The company had previously hinted at the development last month, emphasizing its significance for users seeking the highest possible image quality in gaming. These updates are positioned as a key reason to invest in the more powerful console, offering improved visual fidelity for players who prioritize graphical excellence. At its core, PSSR is Sony's proprietary upscaling technology designed to enhance the visual quality of games running at lower resolutions. By leveraging an AI-driven library, the system performs a pixel-by-pixel analysis to reconstruct images with greater clarity. Today’s update introduces refinements to the underlying algorithm and neural network, resulting in more accurate image reconstruction, smoother motion handling, and greater flexibility for developers to balance performance and visual quality on the PS5 Pro. According to Sony’s latest blog post, these changes represent a significant step forward in the console’s ability to deliver immersive, high-quality gaming experiences. For those interested in deeper technical insights, Digital Foundry has provided a detailed analysis comparing the old and new upscaling methods across four titles. The comparison highlights the tangible improvements in visual fidelity and performance optimization that the updated PSSR technology brings. The update is expected to benefit a range of games, including titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Monster Hunter Wilds.#sony #playstation_5_pro #pssr #digital_foundry #dragon_age_the_veilguard

PlayStation 5 Is Showing Players Different Prices For Same Game PlayStation users have discovered that Sony is testing a pricing strategy known as “A/B pricing,” which displays varying prices for the same game on the PlayStation Store. While this approach isn’t entirely new, as Sony has been implementing dynamic pricing for months, recent reports highlight its growing prevalence. A Reddit user shared a thread titled “PSN game price goes UP when signing in” on the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, illustrating the issue. The user noted that the game Assassin’s Creed Unity, which should be on sale for £3.74 in the UK, was priced at £9.99 after logging into their PlayStation Network account. Although this price remains below the standard £24.99, it’s significantly less than the promotional rate. According to PSPrices, A/B pricing appears to be publisher-specific. The platform reported that companies like 2K Games, Focus Entertainment, Deep Silver, Bethesda, Rockstar Games, and Sony have all participated in this “experiment.” However, some publishers, including Ubisoft, are now reportedly adopting similar strategies. Microsoft has long used dynamic pricing for games, with its method labeled as “Just For You” on the Xbox Store. While critics argue Sony’s approach is less transparent, legal experts suggest it may not violate EU regulations. The European Commission clarified in 2024 that dynamic pricing is “not illegal under EU consumer protection rules,” as long as it doesn’t involve discriminatory practices. The practice remains controversial, with users expressing frustration over perceived unfairness. However, Sony has not publicly addressed the issue, leaving players to navigate the shifting prices without clear explanations or safeguards.#sony #assassin_s_creed_unity #psn #2k_games #ubisoft

Sony Testing Dynamic PS5 Game Pricing - Some Players Pay More for the Same Game A new report suggests Sony PlayStation is experimenting with dynamic pricing for PS5 games, with some users paying more for the same titles in different regions. While the practice has sparked controversy among players, the company claims it is part of a controlled A/B test to study consumer behavior. The findings, shared by a price-tracking website called psprices, indicate that over 150 games are now subject to variable pricing across 68 regions. The practice was first noticed in November 2025 when a Reddit user discovered that their spouse was charged significantly less for Red Dead Redemption 2 than they were. At the time, the situation was unclear—whether it was a pricing error or a broader industry trend. Now, psprices claims to have confirmed the strategy is being expanded globally. According to their analysis, Sony has been testing different price points for games since November, starting with 50 titles in 30 regions and scaling up to over 150 games in 68 regions. The test includes Sony’s own first-party titles, such as God of War Ragnarök, Spider-Man 2, and Gran Turismo 7. The price differences vary, with some users paying up to 17.6% less than others for the same game. For example, WWE 2K25 is priced at €74.99 for some players but €61.82 for others, a 17.6% discount. Similarly, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available at €69.99 for some and €58.35 for others, a 16.6% reduction. The report highlights that these discounts are part of an A/B test, with users randomly assigned to different price groups. Sony has not confirmed the test’s long-term plans, but the data suggests the company is evaluating how price elasticity affects consumer demand.#sony #psprices #red_dead_redemption_2 #god_of_war_ragnark #spiderman_2