As another fantastic year on PlayStation draws to a close, industry experts tell eu.playstation.com their video game highlights of 2011.

“The unveiling of PlayStation Vita in January all the way through to the launch in Japan on 17 December 2011 has been great. On PlayStation 3, the launch of Killzone 3, LittleBigPlanet 2 and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception stood out, along with the announcement of The Last of Us.” Shuhei Yoshida, president, SCE Worldwide Studios

“What a year it’s been: we started with three massive games in LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and MotorStorm Apocalypse, and rounded it off with Resistance 3 and the incomparable Uncharted 3. Add to that some great new PS Move experiences like DanceStar Party, Start the Party! Save the World and Medieval Moves, and there was truly something for everyone in 2011.” Michael Denny, senior vice president, SCE Worldwide Studios, Europe

“There was a ton of great stuff in 2011, and if you were to twist my arm, I’d have to say Uncharted 3. The game just looks amazing and continues a great narrative in a way that few titles have been able to accomplish. No other game gets closer to film quality cutscenes.” Dayne McClurg, community manager, Gotham City Impostors

“Showing off WipEout 2048 and Little Deviants on PS Vita for the first time in public at E3 2011 was a big highlight for me. And playing Uncharted 3 in stereoscopic 3D with my youngest son – it’s just such an awesome game, great story, brilliant pacing, Hollywood style action and all in superb, quality 3D. Hats off to the ‘Dogs’ for another truly amazing game.” Mick Hocking, vice president, SCE Worldwide Studios

“It’s got to be Uncharted 3. I’m a huge fan of the series and it’s a stunning title to experience.” Nick Craig, vice president, Codemasters

“For me it’s been inFAMOUS 2. I loved the first game and I think the second one is just so much better. I’m playing it through for the second time as the villain right now.” Simon Bursey, art director, BigBig Studios

“Killzone 3 showed clearly how far you can push the rendering power of PS3 – great look and feel, and a very well executed game. Batman: Arkham City was a fine successor to the beautiful Arkham Asylum and it’s fantastic to see a small studio like Rocksteady create such a strong new Batman series.” Tore Blystad, game director, Hitman: Absolution

“Not strictly this year, but it has to be Gran Turismo 5. It hasn’t been taken out of my PlayStation 3 since 2010, and it has basically helped me become an actual racing driver.” Jann Mardenborough, GT Academy winner 2011

“It’s been a stupendous year for the discerning gamer, hasn’t it? Call me biased, but seeing EA SPORTS FIFA 12′s online stats go through the roof this year stood out. Also, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Battlefield 3 and Batman: Arkham City – Deus Ex: Human Revolution too. That’s about three months of non-stop playing right there.” Matt Prior, associate producer, EA

“I always enjoy seeing how game series I used to work on go: Dead Space 2 and Need For Speed The Run are two of those, and both are great.” Glen Schofield, general manager, Sledgehammer Games

“I loved The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and I found Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Batman: Arkham City to be pretty epic.” Ara Demirjian, assistant producer, SCE Worldwide Studios

“Killzone 3 was a lot of fun. I’m about big guns: the bigger the shells the better, and that missile launcher in Killzone 3 [the WASP] was immense.” Randy Varnell, producer, Gearbox Software

Check out our video to view more PlayStation highlights from 2011, including the pick of the year as chosen by Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

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Acclaimed developer Naughty Dog brings a brand new title to PlayStation 3.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is happy to reveal that The Last of Us is being developed by Naughty Dog Inc., creators of such acclaimed game series as Uncharted, Jak and Daxter and Crash Bandicoot.

The Last of Us is a genre-defining experience that blends survival and action elements to tell a character driven story about a population decimated by a modern plague. Abandoned cities are being reclaimed by nature and the remaining survivors are killing each other for food, weapons and whatever they can get their hands on. Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a brave, young teenage girl who is wise beyond her years, must work together to survive their journey across what remains of the United States.

“We are excited to finally unveil The Last of Us, a project the team has been working hard on for some time,” said Evan Wells, co president of Naughty Dog Inc. “Naughty Dog’s mission is to change the way people experience videogames. We are confident The Last of Us will take a leap forward in cinematic gaming and storytelling, providing gamers with an experience unlike anything else in the industry.”

Keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com and eu.playstation.com for more news on The Last of Us as and when it becomes available.

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Download the explosive new game pack from PlayStation Store.

From 6 December to 13 December 2011 you can download the brand new Battlefield 3 – Back to Karkand game pack exclusively from PlayStation Store. Loaded with four reimagined multiplayer maps from the acclaimed Battlefield 2, as well as additional weapons, vehicles and assignments, Battlefield 3 – Back to Karkand is the ultimate add-on for developer DICE’s jaw-dropping first person shooter on PlayStation 3.

Feel the battle and immerse yourself in Battlefield 3 on PlayStation 3, one of 2011′s most physical shooters. Set in the year 2014, Battlefield 3 drops you into the combat boots of Sergeant Blackburn in a fast and furious experience that requires a quick trigger finger and nerves of steel.

Powered by Frostbite 2 the incredible technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting and audio to new heights, Battlefield 3 features intense online vehicle warfare and breathless firefights throughout iconic and unexpected places in the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

Grab your wireless controller, pick up a copy of Battlefield 3 on Blu-ray Disc and fight your way to PlayStation Store to download Battlefield 3 – Back to Karkand today.

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Is online gaming coming out of the bedroom and into the boozer? We went along to a pub in North London to investigate the new ‘Barcraft’ trend that began in Seattle and has spread throughout North America and Europe. Landlords are turning off the footy and streaming tournaments of strategy blockbuster Starcraft II instead.

Hundreds of fans packed out the Assembly House pub in Kentish Town last weekend for a marathon two-day viewing session. They watched pro players compete in the Major League Gaming Starcraft II tournament held in Providence, Rhode Island. At stake was a $50,000 first prize and a serious buff to their reputations.

Competition among elite Starcraft II players is fierce, with top-ranking gamers such as Huk, Idra and Leenock performing upwards of 300 in-game actions every minute. But putting in the hours to master the game can reap great rewards, with the best players earning hundreds of thousands of pounds in prize money and endorsements.

Barcraft London organisers say convincing pubs to show their sport wasn’t easy. They approached 40 establishments in the capital before they found one willing to put Starcraft II on their plasma screens. But the landlord who said yes is reaping the benefits — he says Starcraft fans are better behaved and stay longer than fans of other sports. Since Starcraft tournaments are screened free of charge, he can also avoid licensing fees.

But what is it about Starcraft II that makes it such a popular spectator sport? How do the pub’s regulars react when they stumble upon hundreds of fired-up fans screaming at a computer screen? And should traditional sports be worried about this new trend? Find out all this and more by watching the video. You can hear more on this week’s CNET UK podcast, where we’ll be discussing the future of digital sports.

And if you want to attend or set up a Barcraft event in your area, you can contact the organisers on Facebook or Twitter. Let us know what you think down in the comments, or over on our own Facebook page.

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Fancy a free trip to Germany for the UEFA Champions League Final Munich 2012? Inside PS Vita can get you there…

It’s the most prestigious tournament in European club football – and you can be there for its big showdown. The UEFA Champions League plays host to some of the biggest names in football, and you – with a lucky guest of your choosing – can watch the heart-stopping final at the Fußball Arena München in Munich during May 2012.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize is sign up to Inside PS Vita before 22 February 2012. By signing up you’ll receive exclusive updates on exciting developments ahead of the February 2012 launch of the next generation in portable gaming, PlayStation Vita, as well as the chance to win a pair of tickets for the UEFA Champions League Final Munich 2012. Your travel and accommodation are included, so all you will need to do is sit back and enjoy the match.

Fußball Arena München awaits the two best teams in Europe – and you. So what are you waiting for?

Please make sure you have read and understood the terms and conditions before entering this competition.

Good luck!

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Find out how you will become the Resistance in an entirely new way on PlayStation Vita.

Some fantastic PS Vita titles were announced at gamescom 2011, and one that has really got the crowds buzzing is Resistance: Burning Skies. The explosive first person shooter was announced during Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s press conference and has set a high bar for shooters on the upcoming handheld.

Frank Simon, senior producer at SCEA and Rob Huebner, CEO of Nihilistic Software, took eu.playstation.com through a level that begins in the Ellis Island research facility, where humans are investigating Chimera technology. Playing as a new protagonist – New York fireman turned hero Tom Riley – fans will blast their way through an original storyline while using an impressive set of the PS Vita system’s features.

Frank Simon told us how the title will bring new elements to the game while remaining true to the Resistance series. “We’re bringing back a lot of favourite enemies from the previous games, so you’ll see a lot of familiar faces if you’ve played past Resistance titles. We’re also introducing new enemies both big and small and are trying to include all of the weapons that are fan favourites, along with new ones. From a developer’s perspective, it’s like the platform was designed for first person action games and shooters. PS Vita has a big, rich screen, high resolution and dual analog sticks and I really don’t know what more we could ask for.”

Resistance: Burning Skies also takes advantage of the PS Vita system’s touch screen, on stage we saw how it was seamlessly used for the secondary fire of some of the weapons on show, to aim and fire grenades and to quickly switch attack with Riley’s trusty fire axe when you’re in trouble.

Rob Huebner explained how PS Vita is perfectly suited for first person shooter titles and expressed his excitement at how PS Vita enhances the gaming experience. “We’re keeping all of the hallmarks of a fast and frantic first person shooter, while taking full advantage of the of PS Vita system’s hardware. It’s the good analog sticks that make all the difference in the world for a first person shooter.”

Fans can look forward to a new story, levels and environments when the game launches exclusively on PS Vita.

Keep your eyes out for all of the latest news from gamescom at eu.playstation.com and PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com.

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Sony Computer Entertainment Europe brought the big guns of entertainment to gamescom 2011 for PS3 and PS Vita.

In its media briefing on 16 August 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe unleashed a world of innovation and entertainment at the lavish Gurzenich Köln, in the centre of Cologne, Germany.

Kicked off by a dynamic video showing off the exciting titles such as Batman: Arkham City, Resistance 3 and Journey, SCEE president Andrew House took to the stage to start our discovery on the now, the new and the next of PlayStation.

“Today PlayStation is stronger than ever, as an innovator and entertainment provider,” stated House. The PlayStation family is growing stronger thanks to the arrival of PlayStation Vita in 2012 and this innovative journey is only going to become even better.

With House soon to become President and Group CEO Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., it was appropriate that he handed over to the next president and chief executive officer of SCEE, Jim Ryan. And with all eyes on PS Vita, Ryan promised the constantly evolving system would deliver extraordinary gaming experiences thanks to its amazing array of features.

“PlayStation is about games and PS Vita is a state of the art portable device with games at its heart,” smiled the next president and chief executive officer of SCEE. The awaiting audience showed visible excitement as a demonstration of first person shooter Resistance: Burning Skies displayed the benefits of having dual analog sticks, with touch controls to use certain weapons. It’s a true portable shooter, with no compromises.

A presentation of creative platformer LittleBigPlanet on PS Vita also drew appreciation from the attendees thanks to its showcase of how easy it is to build levels and creatures in the game using the system’s front and rear camera to capture images of the world around us.

Sticking with the use of such brilliant features, beat ‘em up Reality Fighters demonstrated the PS Vita cameras in an hilariously different way – by capturing the images of both House and Ryan to have them duke it out to the backdrop of a fighting arena. The hammer wielding House took the Reality Fighters title, and the game proved another hit ready to step into the ring of gaming experiences found on PS Vita.

Surprising the showgoers was the unveiling of Escape Plan, a rather different type of PS Vita game. Controlling Laarg and Lil, Escape Plan challenges you to help this hapless duo find their way out of a fortress of deathtraps. Darkly humorous, Escape Plan was greeted with a very positive response by the gathered journalists seeing it for the first time.

Third party support for PS Vita wasn’t slacking either, with a large selection of titles in the pipeline, including a colossal six games to come from Ubisoft, such as a new Assassin’s Creed with a fresh storyline and characters.

Even with PS Vita shining, PSP wasn’t left out of the spotlight. Over 71 million units have found their way into homes worldwide, and Ryan revealed a new model, the PSP E-1000, to introduce even more people to its pocket sized delights. At a wallet friendly 99 euros and backed by the budget PSP Essentials range, this announcement gathered one of the biggest gasps and cheers from the audience. As Ryan said: “Portable gaming has never been so accessible – and our commitment to the handheld market has never been stronger.”

PlayStation 3 grabbed a piece of the action as well, with the PlayStation Move motion controller going from strength to strength. Over 8.8 millions units of PS Move have been sold worldwide, and that’s only set to continue as games such as EA SPORTS FIFA 13, Resistance 3 and the LittleBigPlanet 2 Move pack engage players everywhere.

A surprise for PS Move fans was also in store with the announcement of Move Fitness, offering exercise and fun personal training with the motion controller, and DanceStar Party, an arrival accompanied by British dance group Diversity. The dynamic crew tore up the stage with a fresh set that started with PS Move motion controllers in-hand before launching into an explosive routine.

With the breathless display of dancing over, it was left to Ryan to stun us with a few last announcements. Downloadable from PlayStation Store in late 2011, inFamous 2: Festival of Blood on PS3 brings you back to the tragic city of New Marais where vampires have taken over. The superpowered Cole McGrath only has one day to save his people and himself from the deadly vampires’ bite.

With all this great value excitement, it was fitting that Andrew House closed off the conference with the announcement that PS3 would receive a price drop to 249 euros. “The best quality entertainment experience, and an accessible price,” stated House – and it seemed after a staggering show of great entertainment, no one at the conference would fail to agree.

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Tecmo Koei has confirmed that Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends will be releasing November 15th in North America and on the 18th in Europe as a PS3 exclusive.

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Published by Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will take players all over the world; from across Europe to the United States. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 follows the path of great FPS games before it, and carries an especially difficult task: to be the successor to the award winning Modern Warfare 2, which was honored with numerous awards for best game of the genre in 2010. Slim-PS3 is updated frequently each day with the very latest Free PlayStation news.