Playstation 3 version of Skyrim having framerate drops, leaving it unplayable
Skyrim is such an amazing game that we forget who made it. Bethesda has always been known for a game developer to have tons of glitches and issues that leaves the game close to unplayable on a day one release. It's inevitable with Bethesda games. Remember when you first played Fallout 3? or even Fallout: New Vegas?! Not the smoothest I bet. Well as much as everybody loving the latest Elder Scrolls, the Playstation 3 version of Skyrim is showing some unplayable framerate drops and freezes after the 25 hour mark.
I'm currently playing Skyrim on my Xbox 360 and while I do experience some framerate drops and crashes, the Playstation 3 is experiencing it to a point where it can be unbearable. Arlie is playing the game on the Playstation 3 and is experiencing these broken issues first hand, and we are both midway into the game.
Why only now?
Why was this not addressed on release? well because it only occurs when you're somewhat midway into the game. The problem could be coming from two sources: The size of each save file or The required installation in your Playstation system. In regards to the save files, we noticed that as you progress into the game, your file size get's bigger and bigger. This is seen in both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
The starting save file during the start of the game starts at a whopping 2mb, that's already big for a save file. Both Arlie and I are past the 60 hour mark and our latest save files are currently at 9mb each save. NINE. I usually have around 5 saves in a game like this, so with all the autosaves and manuals save I have, my saves in total is around 81mb. This could be the source of the frame rate drops, especially the horrible ones experienced on the Playstation 3. Here's an example of what Playstation 3 owners are experiencing.
That's unplayable for me. Another possible reason for these frame drops is the installation done on your PS3. Arlie tried re-installing and noticed improvements by doing this, but after a few hours of playing the issue starts to surface yet again. Another remedy that might help is deactivating the auto saves in the game. By default, the game auto saves each time you travel, rest, and hit the menu screen after 30 minutes(can be specified). Turning it off and reducing the file size might help with the frame drop issues.
Here's another example of the horrible lag in the Playstation 3. Arlie recorded the video himself.
Playstation 3 isn't the way to go when thinking about playing Skyrim... for now. Your best bet will be on the PC if your PC can handle it. The 360 is the next best thing but still has those Frame rate drops and freezes, but is rare not compared to the PS3. The Xbox 360 version also has that installation bug that gives low resolution textures if you install the game in your HDD. Best way around that one is to not install it at all(thank god it's an option).
Is there a patch coming? yes. Bethesda has announced that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 1.2 patch have been submitted for certification and will be up a week after thanksgiving, meaning the patch is still a week away. Hopefully this patch covers all this issues that prevent us from enjoying this awesome game. Any PS3 owners experiencing this too?
Max Payne 3 Special Edition announced
Rockstar Games just announced the contents of their Special Edition for Max Payne 3. It will be priced at $99.99 in the US and can be pre-purchased only from November 21 to January 15.
No word yet if this Special Edition will be accessible outside the US, but since the Special Edition is only for pre-purchase, chances are slim. Sad I know, contents are pretty sweet too if you're into the whole collecting video game statues and all.
The Special Edition will include:
- A Copy of Max Payne 3
- 10" tall Collectible Max Payne Statue created in a collaboration between TriForce and Rockstar Games.
- Series of game-inspired Original Still Life Art Prints that depict some of Max Payne's inner demons and vices.
- Copper and brass-plated iron, bullet-shaped Bullet Keychain featuring a screw-off back.
- Classic Multiplayer Character Pack of eight playable multiplayer characters for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer, including fan favorites  from the original Max Payne and Max Payne 2 like Max Payne from Max Payne 2, Mona Sax and Vladimir Lem.
- Disorderly Conduct Multiplayer Weapons Pack for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer that includes the Hammerhead Auto Shotgun, 69 Grenade Launcher and Molotov Cocktail.
- Max Payne 3 Official Soundtrack featuring the game's instrumental score.
A decent package for those hardcore fans. Max Payne 3 will be out next year on March for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
[Source: Gematsu]
Hideo Kojima Working on Metal Gear Solid 5
Hideo Kojima, creator of the famous Metal Gear Solid series can't seem to walk away from the series. We all thought Metal Gear Solid 4 was supposed to be the end; that's what Kojima thought too but 5 is in development and he's going to be in charge of it all once again.
The announcement and first details of the project will be in the next issue of the Official Playstation Magazine UK,where he talks about Metal Gear Solid 5, his thoughts on the upcoming spin-off Metal Gear: Rising, and his other project in the works, Project Ogre.
I'm satisfied with how the 4th game ended so I never was itching and praying for another sequel, but I'm fine with it since Hideo Kojima is still on board. Besides, more Metal gear games is never a bad thing right?
The issue will be out on November 29 with Hideo Kojima in the front cover seen above.
[Source: OPM UK, Gameinformer]
Saints Row 2 free for PS3 owners who bought Saints Row: The Third
Kevin Butler's sidekick jack Tretton (President and CEO of SCEA) and THQ promised that the PS3 version of Saints Row: The Third would get an exclusive multiplayer game mode and a special weapon. No such mode or weapon exists in the game.
False promises aside, THQ will be making up for this with something that I think is a much better deal.
THQ's Jon Miller said this,
"For all players that purchase Saints Row: The Third on PlayStation 3 and redeem their online pass codes within the next 90 days, they will receive a digital copy of Saints Row 2 (a $19.99 value)... absolutely free!"
Don't think that this offer is a permanent thing. The promo expires on February 13, 2012 so if I were you, go grab a copy of "GTA on crack" cause you a another game (GTA on not as much crack) for free.
Source [IGN]
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 DLC Costumes
Aside from the new added color palettes to Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Capcom will be releasing full on costume changes as DLC. The 1st 12 on the left were revealed earlier this year while some appeared in gameplay videos. Since this is the internet, people have pieced together all the other DLC costumes into one big picture.
I totally geeked out for some of these costumes. X may not be in the game but Zero gets a full on X costume and I think that should calm Mega Man fans down a bit for the lack of Blue Bomber in the game. Frank West also gets an X costume of sorts, looks more like a grunt from some 80s scifi flick though.
I'm not going to name all since I barely know half of the references for these costumes.
But to name a few you got Ryu's Fighting Street red hair and red shoes. Chris and Wesker's Resident Evil outfits as well as Jill's Resident Evil 3 clevage top. Morrigan's casual friday clothes. Amaterasu stole the skin of that wolf dude from Dark Stalkers. C. Viper in.... something. Viewtiful Joe in "Joe" mode (Pre-Henshin a Go Go Baby). Chun-Li's sexy Street Fighter Alpha tights and Phoenix Wright totally sporting his "I heart Feenie" shirt that he wears during a flash back in Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations.
On the marvel side we have a mohawk Storm, X-23 in her (I would like to say) X-Men Evolution look. Scarlet Spider for Spidey-man (woot). World War Hulk is in there, A more classic Sentinel. Doom in his swim gear. Phoenix in her 90's Jean Grey outfit (nice). Deadpool wearing Cable's belts... and hair. To top it all off we got an Elvis M.O.D.O.K.
"Click the image to get a better look"
Thanks to @estimater for showing me the pic