Weekend Essentials - Issue 39

Gran Turismo 5 special editions, exclusive Assassin's Creed beta access, plus classic PlayStation titles including a seminal PSP racer, the return of a PlayStation favourite and the chance to make Sackboy yours.

Get in pole position

Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital announced this week there will be three different editions of Gran Turismo 5 for PS3, including a fully-loaded Collector's Edition and a luxury, accessory-packed Signature Edition, offering racing fans more options than ever for immersing themselves in the drive of a lifetime when the Real Driving Simulator roars onto PS3 later in 2010.

August Events Calendar

Check out what online gaming and community events are happening in August 2010 with the newly updated Events Calendar. Saddle up for an epic Western adventure in our Red Dead Redemption event nights, become the ultimate weapon and join the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers: War For Cybertron and more!

It's time to join the Brotherhood

Our mates at Ubisoft are giving 200 lucky PlayStation members the opportunity to be part of the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Multiplayer Beta Trial in September 2010, exclusively on PS3. Don't miss your chance to get an exclusive first look at the game with the introduction of a never-before-seen multiplayer layer to the franchise.

Download treats in PlayStation Store

Cliffhanger, the breathtaking and epic mission from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, is now available as a single player demo. One of the most recognised levels in Modern Warfare 2, Cliffhanger thrusts you into an epic fight of a lifetime amid near-blinding snowstorm conditions high in the frigid mountains of Kazakhstan.

Ridge Racer, one of the launch titles at the release of PSP in September 2005, races onto PlayStation Store this week. Head over there now on your PSP or via Media Go to experience drift racing on the go.

While you're there, why not snap up Tekken 2, one of the highest rated games in the popular and long-running Tekken series? Released on the original PlayStation in 1996, the game is now available to download from PlayStation Store.

Rounding off a fantastic trio of full game downloads this week, LittleBigPlanet for PS3 can now be downloaded by all, having previously been available to PlayStation Plus subscribers only.

Swot up on your classics with minis title Solitaire. Take the first and most popular of all card games with you wherever you go, whether you're on public transport or in a waiting room, with a spare 5 minutes or an hour to kill.

Also new in PlayStation Store, pick up the latest Marvel Costume Kit for LittleBigPlanet on PS3, download the Robin Hood Costume Kit for LittleBigPlanet on PSP, grab the ModNation Racers Nukular Pack for PS3 and bring music to your ears at no extra cost with the Super Stardust HD soundtrack.

For all you bargain hunters, check out the latest PlayStation Store special offers on a range of best-loved PlayStation games including 1942: Joint Strike, Section 8, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 and more, available now until 19th August 2010.

There's also a new batch of free content available to all PlayStation Plus subscribers. Zen Pinball, free game trials for inFamous and Mushroom Wars, PS one classic MediEvil, the MotorStorm: Pacific Rift - Expansion: Adrenaline Pack and more, plus huge discounts on titles such as WipEout HD Fury, GTI Club+ Rally Cote d'Azur and the Warhawk Triple Combo Pack.

Joining PlayStation Plus opens the door to a whole of premium and exclusive features, and is your gateway to over AUD$340 worth of cool content a year. Plus, you'll also receive the latest PS3 system software updates, game updates and game demos without lifting a finger!

Become a PlayStation Plus member today.

Score big time!

Don't forget you've got until 14th August 2010 to register a Master Account on PlayStation Network to be in the running to win one of fifty PlayStation Network Cards. PlayStation Network cards are a great way to add funds to your PSN wallet without needing a credit card.

There's also our VAIO Notebook giveaway with 1 of 2 E Series VAIO Notebooks up for grabs, valued at AUD$1,399 RRP each. The new E Series VAIO Notebooks offer great new features for PS3 including VAIO Remote Play, allowing you to remotely access and playback content on your PS3 from virtually anywhere in the world.

New to VidZone

Check out the latest VidZone chart, hot new videos by Amy Meredith and Hayley Warner, this week's Artist of the Week is Justin Bieber, an exclusive interview with Kate Nash and heaps more. VidZone gives you a choice of more than 100 free pre-programmed music channels, specially selected and created to suit your mood and music taste.


Keep an eye on PlayStation Blog at blog.au.playstation.com for the latest PlayStation news as it happens.

Be sure to opt in to receive PlayStation emails when you sign up for a PlayStation Network account. If you already have an account, sign in to your PlayStation Network account settings at au.playstation.com/registration or via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) and opt in. That way, you can keep bang up to date and receive the latest PlayStation news direct to your inbox.

PlayStation Australia has arrived on Facebook. Post comments and share all the latest PlayStation happenings along with the rest of the PlayStation community at the Official Australian Facebook Fan Page.