The Catch-Up: May 1st, 2014 - SCEA Trademarks Bloodborne

In non-PlayStation news, Zenimax is claiming that when John Carmack left id Software for Oculus, he stole proprietary technology. You can read the story here and here, with Carmack saying, “No work I have ever done has been patented. Zenimax owns the code that I wrote, but they don’t own VR.”

General News

After trademarking Entwined and Kill Strain last month, Sony Computer Entertainment America also trademarked ‘Bloodborne’ for use in game software. Could this be a new game we’ll hear about at E3? [Via, Source]
Adding to the long list of DriveClub news this week, Sony UK has confirmed that the DriveClub offer where you would have received 50% off a 12-month PlayStation Plus subscription by buying the game “is no longer part of the Blu-Ray Disc offering.” Sony explained, “When we initially launched PlayStation 4, we ran a number of promotions for PlayStation Plus to help build a vibrant community for players to join on day one, and fully appreciate the socially connected aspects of the console. The PS Plus voucher with DriveClub was one of those launch promotions. Now, seven months after the launch of PS4, we are naturally directing our focus and resource to other areas that will enhance the offering for the growing PS Plus community.” [Source]
In a move that took longer than I personally thought it would, Defiance will be going free-to-play on June 4th for PC and in mid-July for PS3 and Xbox 360, giving you access to the entire Bay Area storyline, original end-game content, and future missions completely for free. Existing owners of Defiance will get more character slots, loadouts, ark keycode capacity, and inventory slots than F2P accounts, while also receiving a one-time grant of 1,000 Arkforge, redeemable for resetting weapon mastery, upgrading your weapon’s power rating, or even bumping an uncommon weapon to epic rarity. In addition, veteran ark hunters will also enjoy 30 days of Paradise Patron status (includes boosts to skill, XP, scrip, salvage, and reputation gain rates that stack with boosts available in the store; 10% store-wide discount on boosts, costumes, lock boxes – all of it; A daily grab bag of two-hour boosts; Arkforge from Daily and Weekly Ark Hunter Bonus Lock Boxes) when Defiance begins its free-to-play service. [Full Details]
Shuhei Yoshida has a tip for you: “To watch YouTube videos on PS4, enter http://www.youtube.com/tv in the web browser URL. Bookmark it, then pair your smartphone or tablet.” [Twitter]
Reminder: Update your copy of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PS3 or PS4 to receive the previously Xbox-exclusive Jamais-Vu mission, allowing you take control of Raiden on a mission to investigate an alleged alien incursion at Camp Omega. [Press Release]
The PS3 digital version of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance has undergone a price drop on the European PlayStation Store and is now £19.99. As well, the Commando Armor, Inferno Armor, and White Armor DLC packs are now £1.19, with the Cyborg Ninja Custom Body at £1.99. [Press Release]
Featuring an overwhelming amount of bronzes, follow the link to see the full GRID: Autosport trophy/achievement list. [Vroom]
Today, Curve Studios announced that Stealth Inc 2 is being made… solely for the Wii U! When asked if Stealth Inc 2 would come to other platforms, the company said, “Right now, we’re focused on making the best Wii U game we can make, including working on some great hardware specific features for the game and aren’t looking at other formats.” [Source]
In the UK, both Sky Go and NOW TV will be available on the PS4 later this year. [Source]
Bandai Namco America said, “Retail pre-order codes for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure can now be redeemed. We’re still working to fix Campaign Updates. Stay tuned!” [Twitter]
As well, Bandai Namco announced through the SoulCalibur Facebook page that SoulCalibur: Lost Swords on PS3 is back up and running. [Via, Source]
When Bound By Flame releases on PS4 later this month, it will run between 30-60fps at 1080p. [Twitter]
Due to it not being up to Aksys’ standards while in manufacturing, the Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi Limited Edition won’t be shipping until May 20th in North America. The regular version on both the PlayStation Store and in retail stores will still be out on May 6th. [Press Release]
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1, a PS Vita version of the original Hyperdimension Neptunia on PS3, will be released late this summer in both North America and Europe. North America will get both a retail and digital version, while Europe will get it digitally. [Press Release]
Guerrilla Games showed off an image of the next Killzone: Shadow Fall free multiplayer map, The Canyon [Twitter]:

New Videos

Here’s a look at the May 2014 PlayStation Plus free games in Europe:

Access PlayStation revealed some brand new PS4 gameplay and details for Destiny, while also showing why collecting, managing and showing off loot is going to be huge in the game:

The Chainsaw Incident, coming to PS4 and PS Vita, gets a pre-alpha gameplay video [Via]:

It’s been announced that all content within the Star Wars Expanded Universe (including games like The Force Unleashed and Knights of the Old Republic) will not be treated as canon. What is treated as canon are the six Star Wars movies, the Clone Wars TV show, and all Star Wars storytelling going forward [Via, Source]: