UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Celebrates Halloween with a Title Update and a Double Cash Weekend

The next time you start up UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves you will be required to download an update to the game (Japan and Asia regions — your update will be available next week).

Here’s the list of (most of) the changes we made. Some changes have been withheld to protect the innocent.

• Addressed respawn points when the artifact goes out of bounds in the Plunder gametype
• Dynamically adjust the win condition for fewer players during the course of a match
• Added features to deter players from voluntarily leaving during a match
• Added rate limit to “When a Chapter is Completed” Twitter event
• Fixed a display issue during letterboxing
• Fixed Danish Trophy description
• Fixed screenshot utility in standard definition resolutions
• Fixed the “Players Met” list not displaying recent players
• Addressed a variety of Multiplayer connectivity issues

BUT, that’s not all…

With Halloween on the horizon, we wanted to take this spooky occasion to announce that this weekend is also our first ever Double Cash Weekend in UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves. The Double Cash Weekend starts on Friday, October 30, 2009, at 11:00 AM PST and continues until Monday, November 2, 2009, at 11:00 AM PST.

In every match during Double Cash Weekend, you’ll be getting twice the Cash award you normally would for completing typical game actions – not medal-related currency awards – giving everyone a leg up in increasing their Rank for a limited time. That means this weekend is the perfect time to hop on to our Competitive and Co-op Multiplayer modes – whether you’re just a few levels away from the vaunted ‘X’ or this is just your first time online.

A bunch of Naughty Dogs will also be playing this weekend, so be on the lookout for the red Naughty Dog paw next to our PSN ID in the game and feel free to say hi, ask any questions or shoot at our characters. Stay sharp! There might be something spooky around the next corner…

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

Want to Win UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition? Start Playing Tonight!

Recently, we told you about the huge numbers the UNCHARTED 2 Multiplayer Demo is posting. So, we know the majority of you are in there having fun. Now, we’re giving you even more of a reason to be a part of the Demo. We’re finally releasing details on how you can win the highly coveted Fortune Hunter Edition!

Log on and play the UNCHARTED 2 online Multiplayer Demo from Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 12:01 AM PST through Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:59 PM PST. We will be giving away 10 Fortune Hunter Editions randomly (not based on stats) each day. That’s 30 total FHEs being given away over three days. Just launch the Demo, go to the online lobby, select the Matchmaking icon and join any open match. Once joining a match, you will be entered into the promotion for that day.

We’ll be randomly drawing 10 entrants each day. We’ll post winners’ PSN IDs onwww.naughtydog.com and the PlayStation.Blog on October 19, 2009. We’ll also notify winners via the email address associated with each entrant’s PSN account between October 15, 2009 and October 30, 2009. Must be 18+ to be eligible. Full details and legalese below. Good luck this weekend!

And don’t forget UNCHARTED 2 is only four days out from launch! And on launch day we’ll be hosting a couple of the Naughty Dogs on the PS.Blog for a live chat, so be sure to tune in…

The following promotion is intended for viewing in the 50 United States and D.C. only and will be construed and evaluated according to United States law. Do not proceed to register in this contest if you are not a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. at the time of entry.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition Giveaway

Void outside the 50 United States and D.C. and where prohibited.

1. Eligibility. The Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition Giveaway (“Promotion”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, who are at least 18 or older at the time of entry. Employees of Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in this Promotion.

2. Sponsor. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404 (“Sponsor”).

3. Timing. The Promotion begins on October 10, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on October 12, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. PST (“Promotion Period”).

4. How to Enter. Internet access, a PlayStation Network account, a PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and a download of the free Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Demo (“Demo”) from the PlayStation Network are required to play in the Promotion. Entrants may use an existing PlayStation Network account or create a new account. To create an account go to the PlayStation Network menu from a PS3 XMB and choose “Sign up for PlayStation Network.” Create an account by entering the required information. Once an account has been created, Entrants should log on to the PlayStation Network then download and install the Demo to their PlayStation 3 system. To enter the Promotion and have a chance to win, Entrants launch the Demo, go to the online lobby, select the Matchmaking icon and join any open match. Once joining a match, Entrant is entered into the Promotion for that day.

5. Entry Conditions and Release. Entrants may participate in as many matches as they wish but are entered in the Promotion only once per Promotion Period day and may win only once. Entries are good only for the day of entry and will not carry over to any remaining days. Sponsor is not responsible for technical, hardware or software failures, malfunctions, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions or unforeseen schedule changes that may limit an Entrant’s ability to participate in the Promotion, even if caused by Sponsor’s negligence. Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to modify, cancel or suspend this Promotion should virus, bugs unauthorized human intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control affect the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion or Sponsor otherwise becomes incapable of running the Promotion as planned. Sponsor is not responsible for changes to Entrant’s contact information. Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to disqualify any entry not satisfying these Official Rules. Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to disqualify Entrants who violate these Official Rules, tamper with the operation of the Promotion or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Sponsor, the Promotion or any other Entrant.

6. Winner Selection. Sponsor will award ten (10) prizes every day during the Promotion Period for a combined total of thirty (30) prizes. Five winning Entrants will be selected in daily random drawings from among all eligible entries received for each day during the Promotion Period. Drawings will be held at approximately 11:50 p.m. PST each day of the Promotion Period. Winning Entrants’ PlayStation Network online IDs will be posted on www.naughtydog.com andwww.blog.us.playstation.com between October 15, 2009 and October 30, 2009. Sponsor will notify winning Entrants via the email address associated with each Entrant’s PlayStation Network account between October 15, 2009 and October 30, 2009. All potential winning Entrants selected must respond to Sponsor’s notification within 120 hours to claim their prize. If a potential winning Entrant does not respond within this time, Sponsor may select an alternate winning Entrant and notify that Entrant per the process described above. This method will continue until all prizes have been claimed.

7. General Conditions and Releases. Potential winner is subject to Sponsor’s verification. Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Potential winner must comply with the Official Rules’ terms and conditions, and receipt of the prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the PlayStation Network account used to enter will be deemed to be the Entrant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person owning, controlling or assigned the email address associated with the PlayStation Network used to enter the Promotion. Sponsor may require the potential winner to prove he or she is the authorized account holder, and Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion in determining who is the authorized account holder for the purposes of awarding Promotion prizes.

8. Prizes. Thirty (30) prizes total for the Promotion Period. Each prize consists of one copy of the Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition video game. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the prize is $300.00. Prize fulfillment is based on availability. Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if a prize is unavailable. If a prize is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable, Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to disqualify a winning Entrant and select an alternate winner. If a winning Entrant is a minor, then Sponsor will award the prize to that Entrant’s parent or legal guardian. Prizes are non-transferable, and Sponsor need not substitute a prize based on winner’s request. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of the prize.

9. Odds of Winning. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

10. Publicity. By accepting a prize, a winning Entrant agrees to the use of his or her name and likeness for purposes of advertising, trade or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law, and agrees, if required, to sign and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and Release of Liability (the “Affidavit”) within a period that Sponsor specifies.

11. Limitations of Liability. By attempting to enter, entering or accepting a Promotion prize, an Entrant agrees to release Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries, agencies, divisions and affiliates from liability, claims or actions or any kind for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property that may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the prize or while preparing for, participating in or traveling to or from the Promotion or any Promotion or prize-related activity. Neither Sponsor nor its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies, divisions or related companies are responsible for any damages, taxes or expenses that winners might incur or inflict as a result of this Promotion or receipt of prize.

12. Promotion Results. Sponsor will post a list of winning Entrants’ PlayStation Network IDs onwww.blog.us.playstation.com and www.naughtydog.com beginning on or about October 15, 2009. The list will remain on those sites until approximately October 30, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. PST. To obtain a winner’s list by mail, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition Giveaway Winner’s List, Attn: Promotions, 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor, Foster City, CA 94404. Sponsor will fulfill a winner’s list request within 4-6 weeks after it awards prizes. Requests for the winner’s list must be received by November 15, 2009.

13. Collection of Information. Information collected in connection with the Promotion will be collected in accordance with Sponsor’s privacy policy, available athttp://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PrivacyPolicy. By agreeing to these Official Rules, you are also agreeing to the terms of Sponsor’s privacy policy.

14. Restrictions. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves By the Numbers

We’re just over a week since the UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves demo became available to everyone with access to the PlayStation Network, and the numbers are staggering:

• Total Number of games played – 1,217,424
• Total Number of Kills – 92,110,787
• Total Number of Treasures Captured – 1,860,645
• Total Amount of Money Earned – $38,841,367,350
• Total Time Played – 9,905 days (or 27+ years!)

The demo is currently #1 out of the top 5 demo first-week downloads to date, and is on a trajectory to become the most downloaded demo on PSN, ever. You can add to that number right now by visiting the PlayStation Store.

If you’ve been keeping score at home, UNCHARTED 2 has racked up 17 perfect review scores so far, out of 34 on Metacritic – with none coming in at less than a 90. And there are a still a few biggies about to hit!

In other news, UNCHARTED 2 is teaming up with Pepsi! Launching in November 2009, consumers in the West and Midwest regions will have a chance to win PS3 consoles, copies of UNCHARTED 2and UNCHARTED motion comics through Pepsi promotions. More details to follow soon.

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Demo open to all today

All of us at Naughty Dog are thrilled to announce that the Multiplayer Demo for UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves will be available for everyone to download on the PlayStation Store today at 11:00 AM.

If you haven’t had the chance to experience the Multiplayer Demo over the past few weeks, or read much about it, IGN has a great overview they posted of just how much we packed into just under 1.3 GB. In short, the Multiplayer Demo includes four maps, four competitive modes and two co-op modes. That’s two new maps, two new competitive modes and one more co-op mode than our June Multiplayer Beta.

 Video

However, throwing in Cinema, the Machinima mode and the special Stage map was one of the things were most looking forward to putting in your hands. UNCHARTED 2 automatically records the gameplay data for your competitive multiplayer matches in any map and gametype. You can then head into Cinema to watch your recorded matches and that’s where the good stuff is – from watching your own replays, taking your own screenshots, making your own videos or even using the Machinima game mode and Stage map to create your own videos.

We invited Machinima.com to come by Naughty Dog a little while back and they walked away with a pretty good overview of our Cinema and Machinima tools in this video.

We look forward to seeing all of your screenshots and video creations throughout the course of this Demo, and of course, when UNCHARTED 2 launches on October 13.

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

UNCHARTED 2 First Online Reviews

Things are picking up steam for us as we head into the final weeks before UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves releases worldwide in October. It’s hard to believe that just nine months ago, we announced UNCHARTED 2 with our “Cliffhanger” trailer at the 2008 SPIKE Video Game Awards. We took the next few months to slowly tease out more information on our single-player campaign until we dropped the bomb in late April that we were including multiplayer gameplay modes in UNCHARTED 2. Everyone at Naughty Dog worked exceptionally hard to get those modes ready to provide everyone with a small preview of what we were up to when we launched our Multiplayer Beta during E3 2009. Not only did we feel great that everyone was finally getting some hands-on time with UNCHARTED 2 multiplayer, but we were equally stoked to end E3 2009 with over 20 awards, including 6 “Best in Show” awards.

Video

Since then, we’ve spent all our time putting the finishing touches on the game and we were able to recently announce that UNCHARTED 2 had gone gold. Since then, we’ve been eagerly waiting to see what game critics have thought about our game and we’re just now starting to see the reviews come in. Earlier this week, we were absolutely thrilled to see our first review garnering a 5 out of 5 and Editors’ Choice Award in the November 2009 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine. Then, today, we received two more reviews – IGN had the exclusive review and gave UNCHARTED 2 a 9.5 out of 10 and GamesRadar UK chimed in with another perfect 10 out of 10. Needless to say, we can’t wait to read the rest of the reviews over the next few weeks!

Don’t forget that just because we release on October 13, 2009, doesn’t mean you can’t get some hands on time with UNCHARTED 2 before we launch – our Multiplayer Demo will be available to everyone via PlayStation Network on September 29 or, if you pre-order a copy at GameStop now, you can jump in today!

If you do play the Multiplayer Demo, keep a sharp eye out as you’re playing anytime over the next four weeks – a bunch of Naughty Dogs will be playing with you! You can spot us by the red paw next to our PlayStation Network ID in Multiplayer matches and some of us will also be using unique Naughty Dog character skins – Nathan Drake and a pirate from UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune, both wearing a Naughty Dog shirt.

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition

Fresh out of the Spike Sneak Peeks PAX panel comes a very special announcement from Naughty Dog’s Creative Director Amy Hennig — the UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition!

Included in this special package is the game, exact in-game replica of the Phurba Dagger Artifact and stand, Collectible Art Book and Collector case autographed by Naughty Dog, plus a host of downloads.

And part of what makes the Fortune Hunter Edition a real fan collectible is that you can’t buy it — you can only win it! There will be several ways to win including right here on the Blog. Stay tuned as we’ll have more details on that in the very near future!

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

Uncharted 2: gamescom’s Best Console Game!

Just last week, one of our Senior Character Artists, Hanno, and I hopped on a plane to head over toCologne, Germany, to work at Europe’s biggest videogames show, gamescom. It turns out that we absolutely had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

This was the first European show for Hanno and myself, as we had never been to the Leipzig Games Convention in the previous years. We weren’t prepared at all on how huge gamescom was – not only in importance, but in sheer physical size. There were four different halls at the Koelnmesse where games were being shown and EACH hall was about the same size of an airplane hangar. The PlayStation booth was probably one of the biggest booths we’ve ever seen and was split into four main sections representing racing games, family games, social entertainment and an 18+ area.

We were looking forward to going to Germany since we were hand-carrying over something really special with us – a fresh set of Blu-ray disks that would allow anyone at gamescom to have the first hands-on gameplay ever with the single player campaign of UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves! After we got all of our stations setup, we took some photos of the booth and over the next two days had the chance to take even more photos and video to give you an idea of what it was like for us down on the show floor.

We kicked off the week attending the PlayStation press conference, which was filled to capacity and then some, where SCEE President Andrew House introduced a brand new trailer for UNCHARTED 2 which we put together just for gamescom. Then, Hanno and I spent the first two days of the show with a very full slate of back to back interviews with European press and some US press. You can read some of the interviews here.

We also set aside some time for behind-closed-doors meetings with press, which we used to demo a brand new area of the game where Nathan Drake and a Tibetan companion, Tenzin, must work together to explore and overcome a variety of obstacles inside a frozen cave deep in the Himalayan mountains. We caught a few articles about these demos here.

The rest of the days, gamescom was open to the public and hundreds of thousands of people attended to check out all the games being shown. As you can see from the gamescom Flickr page, there were TONS of attendees throughout the public days.

Over the weekend, we were extremely proud to learn that we were awarded the gamescom 2009 Award for Best Console Game! There was some tough competition at the show by some excellent games coming out this year and early next year, so winning this award means a lot to us at Naughty Dog.

Of course, this won’t be the only time we’ll be giving our fans a chance to get hands-on time with our single-player campaign. First, PlayStation Canada is bringing UNCHARTED 2 to the Fan Expo in Toronto, Canada, this weekend and those in attendance will get the chance to get some hands-on time with our game. Then, the following weekend, PlayStation and Naughty Dog will be at the Penny Arcade Expo 2009 in Seattle and we’ll be bringing the single-player campaign code with us as well!

We hope to see you at either show!

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com