LG sues Sony over PlayStation 3 Blu-ray drive

By Geoff Duncan February 8, 2011

South Korea’s LG Electronics has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission to bar all imports of Sony’s PlayStation 3 console into the United States. According to the complaint, LG alleges the Blu-ray drives in Sony’s top-flight gaming console infringe on three LG patents—two related to how the drive pulls data off the disc, and another related to production of “multiple data streams” to handle several camera angles. LG is calling for an “immediate” investigation into the Blu-ray players.

The suit was first reported by Bloomberg; a copy of the complaint is available (PDF) from the ITC 337 Law Blog.

Industry watchers are largely viewing the suit as a tit-for-tat in an escalating patent battle between Sony and LG; late last year, Sony filed suit against LG, alleging that LG mobile phones infringe on several Sony patents. LG’s move raises the stakes for Sony by threatening a core market for its PlayStation 3 business—which, after years of struggling, is finally starting to gain ground over its console rivals, the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360.

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Gaming

Over 100 PlayStation VR2 games are in development, Sony says

Playstation VR2 headset on a PlayStation-themed wallpaper.

Sony has released a massive FAQ about the PlayStation VR2 on the PlayStation Blog ahead of the headset's February 22 launch. It reveals some key new details about games for the platform, namely that over 100 PS VR2 titles are in development, and that Sony doesn't plan on giving its games physical releases for now.
For the most part, the FAQ is full of basic information about the PlayStation VR2's specs, how to set it up, and what's required to use it. But the Games section of this FAQ reveals quite a few illuminating details about the future of the system. It reiterates that there will be around 30 launch titles for the system, but also reveals just how much is in the works for the headset. In response to the question, "How many games are in development for PS VR 2?" Sony writes, "There are currently more than 100 titles in development for PS VR2."

That's a good sign, as a new, expensive VR headset like this lives or dies on its game lineup. PSVR2's early days might be a bit odd as Horizon Call of the Mountain is one of its only true exclusives -- and it's not backward compatible with PlayStation VR titles (something this FAQ reiterates. However, those picking one up can still know that lots of games are in the works for it.
Another FAQ question asks, "Will PS VR2 games be digital only or will there be physical disc releases?" -- which is sensible to clarify as this headset's predecessor had physical games. "Initially at launch, PS VR2 games will be digital," Sony says. "Physical disc releases for select titles may be available at a future date." So don't hold on to the idea of picking up a physical copy of Horizon Call of the Mountain; you'll be getting PS VR2 games through the PlayStation Store for the time being.
Check out the full FAQ if you have any technical questions about PS VR2's setup and which games it supports. PlayStation VR will be released on February 22.

Gaming

CES 2023: Project Leonardo is PlayStation’s new accessibility-focused controller

Sony's Project Leonardo controller sits on a table.

Sony is creating a new PlayStation controller built with accessibility in mind, dubbed Project Leonardo. The "highly customizable" controller aims to allow more players to experience PlayStation games.

The new comes from Sony's CES 2023 keynote, which featured several gaming announcements. The company put an emphasis on innovation at the show, revealing additional details about the PlayStation VR2 and more. Project Leonardo came as an unexpected surprise, though.

Gaming

Sony revives a PlayStation 2 deep cut as a PS VR2 launch title

Fireworks explode in Fantavision 202X.

Sony announced a new batch of games coming to the PlayStation VR2, including a handful of titles that'll launch with the hardware on February 22. The most notable game on that list is Fantavision 202X, a left-field revival of one of the PlayStation 2's most peculiar launch games.

The announcement comes from a new Sony blog post focused on Japanese-developed games coming to PS VR2. The post includes five games, four of which are newly announced launch titles for the tech. Fantavision, which launches February 22, especially stands out as it has some historical significance for PlayStation fans.