Android based Ouya gets updated again, fixes many bugs

Ouya the bestseller Android based gaming console has gone for update again bumping up the version number to  1.0.346.  Remeber the Ouya was launched only weeks earlier and there are many bugs which are yet to be reported to the makers.  

The new update fixes many bugs and gives a whole new game details page.  The changelog for version 1.0.346 is as under :

1. Game Details page has been re-designed:

2. Images and buttons now easier to navigate

3. Selecting (Pressing the (O) button on) an image will show it full screen

4. Description text no longer flows off screen.

5. “More Info” button allows user to read full description text

6. Longer titles now accommodated better

7. Queued downloads now display as “In Queue…”

8. Ratings system has been updated to use a more intuitive system of age ranges

9. Founders Icon for games now appears on the Game Details page. 

10. Game downloads can now be cancelled!

11. Downloads have been limited to 1 to increase performance while navigating during a download

12. Downloads are paused when a game is running to maintain best performance while playing. They resume automatically when exiting the game

13. Downloads now start in the order they were queued

14. Downloads give a clear indication when there is not enough space left to accommodate them

15. Added the ability to set a PIN code for purchases. Parents rejoice! This can be found in under MANAGE -> ACCOUNT -> PARENTAL CONTROLS

16. Added support for redeeming pre-paid cards. They can be redeemed when creating a new user, or from the MANAGE -> ACCOUNT -> PAYMENTS screen

17. Re-flowed in-game purchases to accommodate pre-paid cards. 18. Allows the user to fix purchase errors without leaving the game.

19. Logging out now allows users to log in or create a new user

20. PLAY category now sorts by most recently played or downloaded

21. Changed background image. Style points +1

22. Changed layout of Network screen to match the new user experience.

23. Changed the look of more dialogs to have the OUYA theme

24. Fixed bug that could cause the account screen to appear to not respond to user input

25. Fixed a bug that could occur when getting a system update while out of space

26. New repository with 3rd party game engine

27. Fixed changing passwords through Gamers Portal blocking users 

28. Fixed purchases not working when changing to a Dev account 

29. Fixed simultaneous button presses not registering in some MP games.

A long list from the makers but is a necessity considering it is a newly launched hardware.  

PlayStation 3 (PS3) step by step guide for the bricking caused by the updated firmware 4.45

If you own a PS3 you may have bricked your console when you updated to the PlayStation 3 firmware update released by Sony last week.  Though the bricking only occurred only if you were using a modified HDD but still there are many a hard core gamers who use their own modified HDD and may have been affected by this firmware.  

Sony has finally released a patch which involves manually doing the things which I am putting down below :  

Step 1: Manually Download System Software

You will need a USB Mass Storage device such as a USB flash drive with at least 168 MB of free space. If your PS3 is either CECHA00/CECHB00 series model, you can also use Memory Stick™, SD Memory Card, and CompactFlash®.

Create a folder named “PS3” on the storage media or USB device.

Within the PS3 folder, create a folder named "UPDATE".

Using your computer, click the following hyperlink to begin downloading system software 4.46

Download the update data from the webpage and save it in the "UPDATE" folder.

Location: Save in the “PS3” folder > “UPDATE” folder

File name: Save as file name “PS3UPDAT.PUP”

Note: If the data is not saved in the correct way, the PS3 will not recognize the update data. The folder name must be in all uppercase letters.

Step 2: Activate Safe Mode

With the PS3 off (power light should be red), touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the 1st beep indicating that the PS3 is powering on.

Continue to hold the power button, and after approximately 5 seconds you will hear a 2nd beep.

Continue to hold the power button and after 5 more seconds you'll hear a 3rd beep, and system will power off (Power light goes red).

Release power button.

Touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the 1st beep, again for PS3 power on.

Continue to hold and after approximately 5 seconds you will hear the 2nd beep for video reset.

Continue to hold and after 5 seconds you will hear a quick double beep.  At that point release power button. 

If you succeeded in activating Safe Mode, you will see a message on screen saying, "Connect the controller using a USB cable and then press the PS button". 

Connect a controller to the PS3 with a USB cable.

If you were not able to get into Safe Mode, your system may need service for which please contact the authorised service centre of Sony.

Step 3: Manually Update PS3 Software

Connect the storage media to PS3 system.

Select [6 - System Update] and Press X.

Please note: Data and settings may be deleted if you choose any of the first (5) options. Please make sure to only choose option [6 - System Update].

Press Start and Select at the same time.

The PS3 system will restart and recognizes the update file in the storage media.

Press right on the d-pad to scroll through the update description and user agreement.

Press X to confirm the update.

The system will now install the new system software and restart automatically upon completion.

If all above three steps fail to bring your PlayStation 3 back to life, you can visit this website for further assistance.

The new update fixes the issues with the 4.45 firmware update that caused any PS3 with a modified HDD to brick. So far, the update doesn’t seem to have affected any console with the default HDD. Sony has since pulled the 4.45 firmware from its official listing of the update page.

Sony's PlayStation 4 (PS4) available for pre-order in India, but read conditions carefully

The most awaited gaming console is now available for pre-order in India.  Yes, Game4u.com is taking pre-orders for the Playstation 4 at Rs.3000.00 deposit.  Before heading over to the portal please read the terms and conditions.  The Rs.3000.00 you pay now as deposit will be deducted from the final cost of console.  And the pre-ordered product will be available to you for a period of 7 days from the date of launch of PS4, if you dont pay the balance amount and claim your PS4 within this period, your Rs.3000.00 will be forfeited by Game4you.  

A little bit about PS4 :

Main Processor : Single-chip custom processorCPU: x86-64 AMD 'Jaguar' 8 coresGPU: 1.84 TFLOPS, AMD next-generation Radeon based graphics engine

Memory : GDDR5 8GB

Hard Disk Drive : Built-in 500GB

Size and weight : 305x53x275mm and 2.8kg

Optical Drive : Blueray Disc 6xCAVDVD 8xCAV

I/O and communication : Super-Speed USB (USB 3.0)AUXEthernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)IEEE 802.11 b/g/nBluetooth 2.1 (EDR)

AV output : HDMI Digital Output

Confirmed games to be available for PS4

- Final Fantasy XV (N/A)

- deep down (Working Title) (N/A)

- Mirror's Edge (Reboot) (N/A)

- Doki-Doki Universe (N/A)

- PlanetSide 2 (N/A)

- Don't Starve (N/A)

- Whore of the Orient (N/A)

- Final Fantasy (PS4) (N/A)

- Daylight (N/A)

- Blacklight: Retribution (N/A)

- Battlefield 4 (N/A)

- Carmageddon: Reincarnation (N/A)

- The Order: 1886 (N/A)

- DC Universe Online (N/A)

- Rocketbirds 2: Evolution (N/A)

- Diablo III (N/A)

- DriveClub (N/A)

- Primal Carnage: Genesis (N/A)

- Kingdom Hearts III (N/A)

- Cyberpunk 2077 (N/A)

- Human Element (N/A)

- The Evil Within (2014)

- Trials Fusion (2014)

- Secret Ponchos (2014)

- Hohokum (2014)

- Lords of the Fallen (2014)

- Galak-Z (2014)

- Thief (2014) (2014)

- Dying Light (2014)

- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2014)

- Destiny (2014)

- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2014)

- The Crew (2014)

- Tom Clancy's The Division (2014)

- The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)

- EA Sports UFC (2014)

- inFAMOUS: Second Son (2014)

- Transistor (2014)

- Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013)

- Wolfenstein: The New Order (2013)

- Mercenary Kings (2013)

- Knack (2013)

- Octodad: Dadliest Catch (2013)

- The Witness (2013)

- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)

- Ray's the Dead (2013)

- Warframe (2013)

- Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee New N' Tasty! (2013)

- Skylanders SWAP Force (2013)

- Outlast (2013)

- Madden NFL 25 (2013)

- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

- FIFA Soccer 14 (2013)

- Killzone: Shadow Fall (2013)

- Need for Speed Rivals (2013)

- Watch Dogs (2013)

- Just Dance 2014 (2013)

*Some of the titles may not be available in or for India

The price for PS4 in the international market is $399.00, so it should be available in India for about Rs.30000.00.  If you are a avid gamer and dont want to rest till the prices come down you may head over to Game4u.com and book your PS4 today.  Do remember the terms and conditions, I have listed above and put in your Pincode to see whether Games4you can deliver to your area.  A video of PS4 at work is given below :

Xbox Live banned users can access Xbox One says Microsoft' Major Nelson to RedditGames

RedditGames had organised a interview with Microsoft's Major Nelson to clarify the storm of criticism that came Xbox One's way after its announcement.  The questions posed by Chloe Dykstra were all picked up from the Reddit thread pertaining to Xbox One.  

The interview was rather a boring affair but for one thing when Dykstra asked Nelson 'whether gamers who have been banned from Xbox Live will also be denied access to their collection of games tied to that account,'  Microsoft's Major Nelson replied, "Absolutely not. You will always have access to the games that you purchased. Absolutely not."  You can watch the entire interview here courtesy RedditGames :

The Xbox One will be shipped starting November 2013 in 21 markets across the globe and no, India is not part of the 21 markets.  So Indians will have to make do with grey market or relatives based abroad to get their hands on the Xbox One till it is shipped in India.