playstation

Naughty Dog's series of developer diaries for The Last of Us aren't exactly coming thick and fast (the last one appeared a bit over a month ago), but they certainly are worth the wait.

This video deals with the environments of The Last of Us. The game envisions a setting in which the near-demise of humanity has given nature time to reclaim the world around it. Verdant, lush plant life contrasts with decayed, fallen cities.

The video provides an interesting look at the transition from concept art to gameplay, as well as how the correct use of lighting can help a game seem more real. … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Microsoft may announce the next generation of Xbox on May 21.

- Chinese people burn Apple products to pay respect to the dead; Americans do it just because.

- Here's a list of porn currently being watched in the Vatican.

- The season finale of "Alf": could it have been done differently?… Read more

The premium cable channel Epix can now be found on the PlayStation 3.

Epix today launched an app on Sony's video game console, allowing viewers to access more than 3,000 movie titles, including "The Avengers" and "Skyfall." Epix's library of comedy, music, and sports events will also be available. The premium cable channel also plans to launch a separate app for the PlayStation Vita in the coming weeks.

The app will require an authentication code from a cable, telecom, or satellite-television provider, so consumers who don't already subscribe to Epix won't … Read more

The annual Game Developers Conference, which attracts tens of thousands from the gaming industry, had all of the usual players this year: Nintendo, Sony, EA, Activision, etc. But they weren't the only players in town this week at GDC.

There was plenty of buzz about Ouya, the new $99, Android-based gaming console that broke Kickstarter records like Adrian Peterson breaks tackles.

Now, before the serious gamers out there savage me, let me be clear: The Ouya isn't going to be displacing the role of traditional consoles like the PlayStation or the Wii (although the Wii U has gone nowhere). … Read more

Sony gave the press a peek at its upcoming next-generation console last month, and today did the same with developers.

The company was in San Francisco earlier today as part of the Games Developers Conference, and showed off some of the only hardware of the PlayStation 4: the new DualShock 4 controller and PlayStation 4 Eye camera peripheral. Both were behind an enclosed display case and marked as mock-ups on GDC's expo floor.

High-resolution photos of both pieces of hardware were released by Sony late last month.

Key among the new features in Sony's new DualShock 4 controller is a built-in touch pad that can be used to interact with games and on-screen menus. There's also a built-in microphone jack, and a share button nestled next to the trigger buttons that lets gamers stream their gameplay live to friends in real time. … Read more

Sony's PlayStation Vita portable has price tags that can't quite get in line.

The 3G-connected model, which originally launched for $299.99, is currently on sale at several Sony retail stores around the country for $199.97, gaming blog Joystiq reported last night. The blog called a host of Sony stores around the country, and a large majority were selling them at that discounted rate.

But there's perhaps more to this than meets the eye. Although some Sony stores are selling the device for less, Sony's own online marketplace is selling the portable for $249.99. … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Satire site The Onion apologizes for offensive Oscar tweet.

- Daniel Tosh apologizes on Twitter for rape joke during stand-up routine.

- The most terrifying button on Facebook.

- Billboard starts counting YouTube Hits on its Hot 100 lists, Harlem Shake gets first place.

- Video: Harlem residents respond to Harlem Shake.… Read more

The PlayStation 4 is Sony's last great hope in keeping control of the gaming industry. It's also the best chance at turning the PlayStation Vita into a more relevant piece of gaming hardware.

At last night's PlayStation 4 event in New York, many hew tidbits of hardware magic were discussed, and a good handful of them involved the Vita: as a remote-play device and additional controller like the Wii U's GamePad, and maybe even as a functional second screen. It's encouraging, but not surprising. I bet it would happen long before last night's event … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Sony PS4 is official: Coming in 2013, but design and price remain a mystery.

- Five unanswered questions about PlayStation 4.

- Sony: Fear not, the PlayStation 4 will play used games.

- Making sense of the PS4 game lineup.

- Sony plans second-screen app for PlayStation 4.

- Sony mum on PlayStation Vita price drops for U.S., Europe.

- Microsoft spokesman takes potshot at PS4 event.

- Sony PS4 event skewered in animated parody.… Read more