During the downtime, users will be unable to access the following services:

• PlayStation Store on PS3, PSP, and Media Go.
• PlayStation Network Account Management.
• PlayStation Network Account Registration.
• PlayStation Home
• Music Unlimited & Video Unlimited services

Users already signed in on PSN before maintenance starts will still be able to continue gaming online although access to the features listed above will be restricted. Users already signed in before maintenance starts will have any unlocked Trophies updated unto their profiles once the scheduled maintenance is over.

[Playstation Blog]

The Madden NFL 12 Demo has gone live. You can download it from Xbox Live from Playstation Network today.

The demo pits the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers, a rematch of the 2011 NFC Championship game, and includes five minute quarters, four difficulty levels and the option of using Conventional or GameFlow play calling.

The rosters in the demo will represent those prior to the free agency period, but a full updated roster will be available to download when the retail game launches on August 30.

[via IGN]

As with all of my short posts, the title says it all. The two teams featured in the demo are the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets.

The full game is due to be released on the 10th of August

It seems as though Rockstar has followed in Treyach’s footsteps and will be introducing a new zombie mode (as well as others) into Red Dead Redemption as Downloadable Contents for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Hopefully this will prove as successful for Rockstar as it did for Treyach. A total of four DLCs have been announced however, these new game modes will not free. The first in the series DLCs, the ‘Legends and Killers Pack’ will be released in August.

All four of the download packs will be 800 Microsoft points (Xbox 360) and $10 (Playstaion Network) each.

Legends and Killers Pack

New active map locations, characters and more:
- Release date: beginning of August 2010;
- 9 new multiplayer map locations — more than doubling the amount of territories in the multiplayer competitive modes;
- 8 new multiplayer characters — play as characters from Red Dead Revolver;
- Introducing a new projectile weapon: the Tomahawk, with corresponding challenges for single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
- New achievements and trophies;
- Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Liars and Cheats Pack

New competitive modes, multiplayer mini-games in Free Roam, and more:
- Release date: TBC;
- Attack and Defend multiplayer competitive mode and challenges;
- New multiplayer horse races, complete with mounted combat;
- Play as the heroes and villains of Red Dead Redemption, as well as 8 additional multiplayer characters;
- Multiplayer versions of Liars Dice and Poker from the single-player game;
- Introducing a new weapon: the Explosive Rifle, with associated challenges available in single-player and multiplayer gameplay;
- New achievements and trophies;
- Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Free Roam Pack

Delve deeper into the world of Red Dead Redemption with new modes, challenges and gang hideouts to discover:
- Release date: TBC;
- Additional Free Roam challenges;
- New action areas and defensive placements;
- Posse scoring and leaderboards;
- New anti-griefing measures in Free Roam;
- Pricing: TBC.

Undead Nightmare Pack

Ghost towns and cemeteries come alive in a West gone horribly wrong:
- Release date: TBC;
- Brand new single-player adventure, challenges and quests;
- 8 new multiplayer zombie characters;
- Additional animals unleashed in the world;
- New dynamic events and more;
- Pricing: $9.99 (PlayStation Network), 800 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE).

Source: IGN