If anyone has the November edition of Electronic Games Monthly -- big rumour is that LittleBigPlanet will be soon announcing DLC, and the content is "non-Sony" or, more specifically, Disney's IP. And, rampant speculation on who that might be in 3 ... 2 ...

Really though, is this true, and if so, is it a good idea? Part of LBP's appeal is that it managed to create iconic characters that have no other presence outside this particular world. To have Mickey, Minnie and or Goofy tromping all over creation seems more than a little inconsistent with that look. It sounds like Kingdom Hearts meets LBP.

EGM November 2008 Reviews and Rumors [NeoGAF via Joystiq]

Brace for it MotorStorm fans, today Sony released details about the 16 tracks you can expect to race come October 28th. We're happy to say there seems to be a lot more variety in the environments this time around. Just a word of caution though, if you want to surprised when you get your copy, you might want to skip this one. Full list of tracks and element screens after the jump.

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Part game journalist, part werewolf, MTV's Stephen Totilo got a chance to get a grip on the Playstation 3's keypad at a recent event. Totilo claims that the alternating pictures, some showing baby smooth hands and some showing hairy monsters, are actually of his hands and those of Home lead developer Jack Buser. But we know the truth.

The good news is that neither Totilo nor Were-Totilo had trouble typing with the thing snapped onto a PS3 controller.

See How The PS3 Keypad Fits In Real Hands [MTV Multiplayer]

Want a chance to get into the Resistance 2 public beta test? MyResistance.net has just launched the website where you can sign up to be a part of the testing of one of the PlayStation 3's most ambitious first-person shooters yet. Simply sign in with your PlayStation Network ID and password, fill out a brief survey, and you'll be entered for a chance to get your hands on the game early. You, and every other PS3 owner on the planet, barring those without internet. I believe a rousing Kotaku community wishing of good luck is in order here. We'll need it.

Welcome to the Resistance 2 Public Beta Application [MyResistance.net - Thanks Steve!]

Oh good, another platform to play Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords on, but why pick up the PlayStation 3 version when you've already played it on the PSP, PS2, Nintendo DS, or Wii? Why because you get to be a bard. D3 Publisher has revealed that the PS3 version of Puzzle Quest will be bundled with the Revenge of the Plague Lord expansion pack that hit the Xbox Live Arcade version back in July, which adds a whole new adventure to the game along with four new classes - Bard, Rogue, Ranger, and Warlock.

If you've not gotten a chance to play the update on the 360, I would highly suggest picking up the PS3 version and playing through again. The Bard in particular is an amazing class with some very interesting mechanics that ads a little more strategy to how you play the game.

Puzzle Quest plus expansion for PS3 [Eurogamer]

According to Sony's Jack Tretton, PS3 sales are 100% higher than they were this time last year. And 30% higher than Sony were expecting for this financial year, meaning that if "something" were to happen to PS3 sales - let's say, hypothetically, like a recession - the console should still hit its target of 10 million sold for the year. Tretton says PSP sales are also "20-30 percent ahead of plan", and goes on to warn that the PS3 may be in short supply this Christmas, with the company only "able to meet somewhere between 80-90 percent demand".

Sony says PlayStation 3 sales better than expected [Reuters]

While the PSP has been out for quite awhile now, developers are just beginning to scratch the surface of the handheld's true potential. First SOE boss John Smedley talks PSP MMOs, and now Media Molecule co-founder Mark Healy talks about the possibilities of bringing LittleBigPlanet to Sony's portable.

"There's definitely scope for a PSP version," said Healy in an exclusive interview with (GamesIndustry.biz) sister site Eurogamer TV, to be broadcast next week. "We've had discussions and talks, [but] nothing concrete at the moment."

So the idea has certainly been kicked around, which is lovely indeed. What could be sweeter than a portable version of LittleBigPlanet? How about portable LittleBigPlanet utilities?

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Xbox Live Arcade has him, the WiiWare service has him, and come this Winter the PlayStation Network will finally have a special flavor of Hudson's legendary Bomberman franchise all of their own. Called Bomberman Ultra, the title will include 8-person online multiplayer across 14 different arenas, 4-person local multiplayer, and more than 50 different character costumes to swap around and customise to create your own unique bomberguy.

Really there isn't much to explain here. It's Bomberman, it's online multiplayer, and it's on its way to the PSN this Winter. Roll screenshots!

Bomberman Ultra Gallery

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While Sony's been touting the PS3's ten year life-span, Hiroshige Goto from Japanese site PC Watch is already talking PLAYSTATION 4. According to Goto, Sony is apparently moving forward with the PS4 and considering using the Cell Broadband Engine that powers the PS3 as the next console's architectural base. Sony, Goto points out, has invested heavily in the Cell so that it can be updated with new iterations and used for a long period of time — a point that does give strength to the rumour he floats.

What's more, using an upgraded Cell in the PS4 would obviously lower the cost of production with a smaller chip, too. That right there could be a key factor in why Sony could very well be investigating this possibility. What's more, it seems more in line with what Nintendo has successfully done with the GameCube and the Wii. Goto goes on to theorize if the next PlayStation will have 32 cores (compared to the current 8), but Goto doesn't have any concrete information about Sony's plans.

While the original Xbox had trouble trailing the PS2 (and all the PS2 developer kits that were sent out), Sony has been playing catch up against the Xbox 360. So, for example, if Sony wants to get the PS4 out in 2011 before the next Xbox, it will need a shortcut because actual chip development, Goto writes, takes 3 or 4 years.

PLAYSTATION 4は拡張版Cell搭載へ向かう [PC Watch]

Criminal masterminds in the UK have stolen over a million dollars worth of PlayStation 3 games. Twice. After snatching some 16,000 copies of Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway and an unspecified number of Grand Theft Auto IV discs, thieves were picked up by police, their pirated booty confiscated, their truck impounded.

Thieves, whom we suspect to be in "cahoots," later stole the PlayStation goods a second time, yanking the lorry, as they call it, from the police depot. Police report they have already made arrests and are monitoring eBay auctions for stolen goods.

We've heard talk that they've also issued a triple dog dare to the UK criminal underworld that the games could definitely not be stolen a third time. Crime lords have been unreachable as of press time.

Stolen Playstation games taken again from police depot [Telegraph via Shacknews]

Probably thinking it would be a shame to let those lovely rock textures go to waste, not to mention that half-tuck, it appears that Naughty Dog is hard at work on an Uncharted sequel. According to a quote from the latest PSM3, there's more fortune in Nathan Drake's future with still more things to chart and pirates to shoot in the face.

The news allegedly comes straight from the mouth of Naughty Dog co-prez Christophe Balestra. We're not calling Mr. Balestra a liar or anything, but we're going to check in with the developer to make sure this is all on the up and up, considering PSM3 cites a "French news channel" interview.

Ah, Valkyria Chronicles, that beautiful, beautiful game. While the CANVAS graphics engine has long held me in it's rippling, sketchy grasp, I've yet to actually get my hands on Sega's upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive tactical strategy RPG, and my hands do crave it so. Relief could very well be in sight for me, however, as Sega of Europe has announced a demo of the game available on the PlayStation Network next Thursday, October 9th, and where Sega of Europe leads, Sega of America will likely follow. Unfortunately I'll be travelling to BlizzCon and will miss it's sweet release, but the knowledge of it's presence will sooth my soul amidst the murloc-filled mayhem.

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Alternate history alert: seems LittleBigPlanet devs Media Molecule were, at one stage before starting on LBP, working on a game very similar to Portal. Indeed, it was so similar to Portal it was "more Portally than Portal". While pitching the game, they met with the guys who published Media Molecule founder Mark Healey's Rag Doll Kung Fu on the PC: Valve. Valve brought up the idea of MM and the PC gaming overlords doing something together with the project, but nothing ever came of it. Imagine, though, if it had. We'd have Portal, but no LittleBigPlanet. Or...we'd have both, but with Sackboys tearing open the fabric of time and space, while PS3 owners built platform games made of...cake. The mind boggles.

LittleBigPlanet: The Very Big Interview [Kikizo]

Over the past, oh, week or so, Sony have been handing out keys to the LittleBigPlanet beta. They've been limited, yeah, but if you hang around long enough (or keep an eye on your RSS feeds) it shouldn't be too hard to get your hands on one. But, hey, why go to all the hard work when you can buy your way in? Yes, continuing in the fine tradition of half-witted internet capitalism, people are selling their LBP beta keys online, and other people are buying them. For up to USD$90 a pop. With the full retail game out in just a few weeks.

[via 1UP]

Of course we couldn't reasonably compare Guitar Hero: World Tour's PS3 graphics against the Wii version. However, you do have a choice of which version you pick up. For that very reason feel free to take a look at these new screenshots for both. Sorry Xbox 360 owners, we don't have any screens for you guys today, but we'll make it up to you later, I promise. Lots of screens in the galleries.

Guitar Hero: World Tour PS3 Screens

Guitar Hero: World Tour Wii Screens

No, Pangea is not reforming, things aren't that bad. Take this one with a hippo sized grain of salt for now, my European friends, but CVG is reporting that hope for a European Afrika release sounds like it might actually, despite reports to the contrary. According to other sources, the title was on display at the Photokina trade fair in Cologne, Germany, with Sony reps there saying that the title will be Euro-bound in the Spring.

Will it arrive with the much goofier, but potentially more marketable title of Hakuna Matata? Oh, we can hardly wait to find out!

Afrika coming to Europe? [CVG]

The life cycle of abuses of a popular game: 1) Cracked. 2) Torrented. 3) Used to make penises. Since Little Big Planet is still in public-beta stage, looks like we've skipped one and two and gotten a head start on making wiener.

Honestly not sure if this is NSFW or not --it's Sunday after all, who the hell is working? -- but I'll flag it anyway. Especially if you have a 4-year-old running around who points at the screen and wants things explained. This here's "Sac-boy" (intentional) playing with a pee-pee and what looks to be like a condom with reservoir tip. Fair warning, whomever built this included a money-shot mechanism. LBP's release is not for another three weeks; does this count as a day-zero penis exploit?

Had to happen. Sooner or later, somebody was going to be the winner of the race to be the first to recreate a Mario level in LittleBigPlanet. Looks like we found them. Sure, others will come along once the full game's out and do a better job, but by then, we'll have been subjected to so many Mario levels, so many Sonic levels, so many Mega Man levels that we'll just be numb to it all, and won't give a toss.

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If you're kicking yourself over having missed the "limited edition" Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 bundle, the one with fancy matte grey finish, we'd advise you rest your kicking leg. You can still snatch one up, now at clearance prices. Importer Play-Asia is having a sale on stock of the "hagane" version, the Japanese release of the "gun metal" PS3, which includes a matching DualShock 3 and a copy of MGS4.

At $579.90 US, it's cheaper than the Konami.com-exclusive domestic release of the "gun metal" edition of the PlayStation 3. But don't gloss over the fact that it's a Japanese game disc and console. Sure, the thing is region-free, but buyer beware.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots [Premium Pack] [Play-Asia via NineOverTen]

Well, that took 'em long enough. According to D3Publisher's list of upcoming Tokyo Game Show wares, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords appears to officially be due for a bow on the PlayStation 3. We knew it was coming, but D3 has been unusually quiet on the game, especially considering its been whored around to just about every platform under the sun. The game's release date is still listed as "TBA," a condition we hope is cured by the time TGS rolls around.

Now about Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, D3....

Tokyo Game Show 2008 [D3P via PS3Fanboy

Ho Ho Ho, it looks like Christmas is coming early for fans of the Playstation 3 system.

According to a Blockbusters' memo leaked to us today Sony is permanently dropping the price of the discontinued 40GB model of the Playstation 3 starting Sunday.

The price drop, which was verified by calls to a number of Blockbuster stores, will drop the 40GB model to $360 and an PS3 40GB bundle with an HDMI cable, Spiderman the movie and Transformers the game to $400. Stores that have trade-ins of the PS3 40GB will be selling it for $360 as well.

While the $40 or so price drop isn't much, maybe it signals other drops in line for the other versions of the console in the near future. Or perhaps Sony is clearing stock to make room for a Tokyo Game Show announced new SKU for the Playstation 3.

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Some people didn't like BioShock's ending. It was constricting, people complained. Maybe you didn't, maybe you did. But for better or worse, rest assured the Xbox 360's ending will be the same as the PS3's. According to PS3 version's senior producer, Melissa Miller:

When you get a chance to work on something that was really creative you get the temptation to re-do things...We chose not to.

That means that the PS3 version will have the same final hours that the Xbox 360 does. Of course, developer 2K Marin is adding extra features to BioShock PS3, but the grist of the game is still the same. Mmmm grist.

'BioShock' PS3 Developers Chose Not To Improve Game's Faulty Ending [Multiplayer]

Sony exec Scott Steinberg has a blog over at game site EDGE which he can use to tell us why the PS3 is so darn great. And he does just that. So far, the Sony exec has written one post at EDGE called "My Belief in the PlayStation 3 Advantage" (wow! he believes in his product), and it reads pretty much like a press release. In his post, Steinberg sings the praises of things like Blu-ray ("The entire industry is supporting Blu-ray"). He goes on to talk about stuff like the PSN — hey, did you hear? services are free! — and even does a short product pitch for the 80GB PLAYSTATION 3. There's more as well, including some grandstanding:

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I can't remember the last time I placed a pre-order. The idea generally brings bile to my throat. But here's a pre-order bonus that's sure to ring a few EB tills. "While stocks last" (how do virtual costume stocks run out?) EB Games is offering an exclusive Kratos costume for Sackboy when you pre-order LittleBigPlanet.

After some poking around online, there is talk that these codes can be shared. But blog entries that say that's the case in their title don't seem to make it clear how that is actually the case? So if you REALLY want this, don't assume you can snag it off a friend who placed a pre-order. Be that friend, and secretly hope it stays as exclusive as they claim.

LittleBigPlanet [EB Games] (Thanks clawster!)

Want to get your hands on LittleBigPlanet early? 25,000 of you will, as SCEA and developer Media Molecule are readying beta code giveaways this week across various sites. You may remember that Eurogamer blew through a few thousand yesterday, but both GameSpot and Gamepro are currently in the throes of giving away gobs of keys. Even some smaller sites that might not be on your rotation, like 2old2play, are giving away the goods. Go on, get some!

The BETA thread [PlayStation Forums - thanks, James!]