SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed that several of the company's internal studios have been helping out with Team Ico's beleagured PS3 debut The Last Guardian, including God of War developer Sony Santa Monica.

When asked to confirm reports that Sony Santa Monica staff had travelled to Japan to aid in development, Yoshida told Wired that multiple teams have been lending support to the project.

"Well, you know, it’s not just Santa Monica. We have great tech people in Worldwide Studios. We have a central tech group in the U.S. and the U.K. so we are giving them whatever help they need. Technically, we have the best engineers in the U.S. and Europe, so these teams are helping them, giving advice."

Sony Santa Monica has a long history of collaborating with other PS3 developers to help get the most out of the system. In the past, they've worked closely with thatgamecompany, Eat Sleep Play, and Lightbox interactive, so it's hardly surprising to hear they're chipping in on The Last Guardian

So, with more hands on deck, will The Last Guardian finally see release in 2012? Yoshida says progress is promising, but still too slow to commit to a firm release date.

"There’s a vision that we want to realize but it’s very very tough and technical issue that the team is tackling and some plans have to be made to evaluate and go through the process. At one point the progress was great, so we talked about the timing of the launch in the past. But now it’s making progress, but still not to the level — it’s playable, but not to the point that we can talk about the timing of launch."

The Last Guardian is still tentatively slated for release sometime this year.

Sony's internal figures indicate that the PlayStation Vita is on track for a strong US launch, the company has revealed.

Speaking with IGN, Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton said that the "initial read" on hardware and peripheral sales was "very, very positive." 

What does that mean in terms of raw numbers? Tretton wasn't ready to nail down any firm estimates, though he did note that he views the Japanese launch as a good benchmark, despite media perception that the new handheld has been struggling in that market.

"Quite frankly, it scares me if people think that the Japanese launch is struggling," he stated. "The fact is they sold 500,000 units in three weeks… I would be pleased if we did 500,000 units in the first three weeks here in the United States. I think that's a real healthy number for a new platform launch."

But Tretton was also quick to note that sales figures aren't the only thing Sony cares about when it comes to the Vita's long term success.

“For us, success is defined by mass market penetration, meaning not just the core gamer but young, old, male, female, casual and core, and being relevant on a worldwide basis, not being incredibly strong in one market but non-existent in another. Our definition of success is a 10-year product lifecycle, relevant on a worldwide basis with a very dedicated, happy consumer base that is loyal to the brand.”

The PlayStation Vita officially launches in North America and Europe today.

The PSP rather notoriously suffered from a serious piracy problem, but Sony says their newly launched handheld, the PlayStation Vita, won't face a similar fate, as its propietary media formats will help to provide "long-term" protection against pirates.

"That was front and center in the early specs of this machine,"  the company's Scott Rohde told Gamasutra. "We needed to have something that would combat piracy from day one, and that's why the cards that you can purchase for the games are in their own proprietary format."

Whereas the PSP supported the widely-used Memory Stick Duo, the Vita utilizes a proprietary format for both game cartidges and its removable storage. While that makes them a bit pricier than more open alternatives, the move means Sony will have an easier time keeping pirated software and firmware hacks off of the system.

"It's something that we felt was completely necessary to make sure that people could not pirate these games. I mean, it's a custom security solution on each one of these cartridges. That is something that we are confident will protect us from piracy for the long term."

The PlayStation Vita launches today in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Evolution Studios has announced via the Official PlayStation Blog that MotorStorm RC will launch in North America on March 6.

Motorstorm RC is something of a bite-sized greatest hits compilation, featuring 8 miniaturized vehicles and 16 levels inspired by the four main entries in the franchise.

In addition, MotorStorm RC will be the first title to make full use of the Vita and PS3's cross-platform compatibility. If you pick it up for one platform, you'll automatically be able to download it for the other at no additional cost. All of your save data, including unlocks, medals, and trophies, will automatically sync up between the two versions, meaning you can move seamlessly from TV to handheld and back.

The game is already out in Europe, where it launched alongside the Vita. Reviews have been mixed so far, with some praising the retro gameplay and budget price tag and others lamenting the absence of online play and overly simplified tracks.

We now have a Launch Date for Borderlands 2! Check it out in the video above.

It looks like we will see the sequel hit retail shelves for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms on September 18 for North Americans and September 21 international folks.

Returning gameplay features from the 2009 title include its unique cel-shading graphics, 3-branch skill trees, class-mods, and four-player online cooperative modes. Some of the new features you can expect to see include a more diverse and customizable weapons system, reworked four-seat drift-able vehicles and vehicle physics elements, and dynamic quest systems. Local split-screen, multiplayer will also be available in the sequel.

Oh, and in case you missed it (I highly doubt you did, though):

You are welcome!

Justin Rose in the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 Mocap Suit

Edoardo Molinari in the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13 Mocap Suit

FIFA Street Tips & Tricks | Juggling

FIFA Street | Venues

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1 is now available for download and includes all-new online experiences with a new playable character, pop-idol Nikki Summerfield, three additional challenges within the expanded Asylum level, and two new online costumes for the main character, Bryce Boltzmann.

In addition to Volume 1 comes NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 2, available for download on February 28, 2012. In Volume 2, fans can enhance their online playing experience with new playable character, NADA Chief Sullivan, three new challenges within the expanded Sewers level, and two additional online costumes for Bryce Boltzmann.

Highlights of the NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 2 include:

• New Character: There is a new character available for the online mode, Chief Sullivan of NADA. Utilize his leadership and level-headed nature while trying to keep his body from being torn limb-from-limb

• Three New Gameplay Challenges – Revisit an expanded Sewers level with 3 all-new challenges:

o Egg Hunt: Scour the expanded Sewers level for collectables by delivering them to designated “Score Zones.” Make sure to hold on tight to your collectibles as opponents can snatch any that you drop along the way. With enemy ambush points and environmental hazards at every turn, this challenge is tricky!

o Fragile Alliance: A competitive race through a number of checkpoints spread across the map. You can interrupt other players’ progress by attacking each other. The increase of environmental hazards and enemy spawn points will keep you on your toes.

o Onslaught: In this challenge, unlock the entire Sewers level by defeating all the enemies. Demon seals that block off areas will dissipate as you defeat enemies from the previous area, providing more controlled player movement and encounters.

• Two Additional Character Costumes: Dress Bryce up in these new costumes before going back into the online fray.

In NeverDead, players become the immortal Bryce Boltzmann, a tragic hero who has endured a suffering existence due to the murder of his wife at the hands of Astaroth, the Demon King. Moving through life without aspirations other than where he will find his next drink, he fights alongside his partner Arcadia for the National Anti-Demon Agency (NADA), exterminating modern day demonic forces.

NeverDead is available now for PlayStation3 computer entertainment system.

Screenshots for Your Viewing Pleasure

Wheels of Destruction – Scout Trailer

In a lawless, post-apocalyptic world, Wheels of Destruction: World Tour is a demolish-or-be-demolished competition of extreme four-wheel wreckage. Just make sure you’re ready for chaos and carnage!