Ridge Racers 2 seems to be the talk of the summer and everyone wants it, and even more information on the game has been uncovered. The Japanese seem get all of Namco's "good" games before us it seems, and with this upcoming release of Ridge Racers 2, a "Limited Edition" version will be available if you pre-order the game in Japan.

Now, as of right now this limited edition copy is only available to those who pre-order the Japanese copy, and no news has been given on other countries. This limited edition release will feature an audio CD entitled "Ridge Racers 2 - Special Megamix". To the left you will see an exclusive poster advertising this game and the Limited Edition copy.

Even more information has been given to me about some new tracks that will be featured. There will be a total of 9 courses in this release and will feature an entirely unique Ridge Racers 2 post. Of these new tracks are "Ex Revolution Road" from Ridge Racers Revolution, "Mystical Coast" from Rage Racer and "Extreme Oval" from Rage Racer. Now, you will no longer need a PSOne emulator to play some of those great tracks, just buy a copy of the upcoming Ridge Racer 2!

Thanks Fluff for the information!

UPDATE 1: Just a quick note to let you guys know that the images in question have apparently been taken off the Dutch PSP homepage and replaced with the following:

      

So is this an admission by Sony that the initial images were in bad taste? Not necessarily, as we learned this morning the ad consists of over 100 diiferent photos and these images might well be the next step in the the ad campaign. Still, it is pretty coincidental timing.

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Well that was quick, you'd almost think they had a statement ready... almost like they expected to have to use it. Before I get into posting Sony's reply to yesterday's controversial ad, let me state something plainly. I never once in the original news story called the ad in question, or Sony, racist. It's a silly notion that such a huge multinational corporation might be racist and I don't believe for a second that that is the case, however, I do think that Sony approved the ads knowing full well the sort of controversy it would pull and banked on just that to make the campaign a "success". I expect the ads then, are a success, if the barometer by which you measure the success of an ad rests solely on how many feathers it ruffles (sigh, and yet here we are talking about it, ruffling feathers). Anyway, let's move on to Sony's response, which reads:

"The marketing campaign for the launch of the White PSP in the Benelux focuses on the contrast between the Black PSP model and the new Ceramic white PSP model. A variety of different treatments have been created as a campaign to either highlight the whiteness of the new model or contrast the black and the white models. Central to this campaign has been the creation of some stunningly photographed imagery, that has been used on large billboards throughout Holland."

The spokesperson also goes on to say:

"All of the 100 or so images created for the campaign have been designed to show this contrast in colours of the PSPs , and have no other message or purpose."

If the idea was to merely show a contrast in colors then why not have both models standing side by side, or playing a game of chess with some black and white pieces, or heck even arm-wrestling? Why show them in direct conflict and in a position of domination and submission? Does the metaphor for "people as PSP's" even carry over to this state of conflict? Are the white and black PSP's fighting for market share and superiority now?

It's not the fact that image is racist (because really it is not) it's the fact that it's so easily interpreted as such, and that it lends itself to that reading and that Sony would disrespect its customers to such a degree as to use this tactic against them.

Perhaps most telling is a statement from a representative at Sony's UK office concerning the ads chances of leaving Holland:

"I would like to confirm that we categorically are not running this advert creative in the UK."

Now you have to ask yourself why it seems the UK office is so quick to distance itself from this bold new advertising campaign, after all what's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

As always you're invited to share your thoughts and comments in the form below, please try to keep the discussion civil and clean, thanks guys!

The fourth of July is an special holiday instated that Americans might never forget the struggle for independence and freedom, as such it's somewhat ironic that this little beauty should come to our attention this morning. Behold, and bask in the glory of the most recent in Sony's spate of horrifically ill-advised ads.

Just to be sure I wasn't being hypersensitive, I showed the picture to my girlfriend, her reaction, "Oh my God!' Then I showed it to my brother, who looked at it for a second, and then his eyes widened, "What the...!?!" So what do you guys think, is Sony just naively innocent, or are they just looking for attention any way they can get it?

UPDATE 1: Some new images have been found on the Dutch PSP homepage, which would seem to lay out the rest of the ad:

     

So they both get to have a go at each other, that makes it ok right? Not really, personally I still think the ad smacks of irresponsibility, and it's an underhanded and a sneaky attempt to cash in on public sentiment. Is it bold advertising? Yes, but as an artist who has done a lot of work in the advertising field, I have to say it's a very cheap move. Thumbs down on this campaign Sony.

For clarification, I feel that I should point out that while the ad itself is not necessarily racist, or promoting racism, its implications are of a questionable and tasteless nature.

The PSP Show #14 is loaded with news that hogged the PSP headlines this week. Of course, you'll get a dose of features that just might pique your interest: the Missing Sync for PSP, Advertising Standards, Undiluted Platinum pics, software and circuit board compatibility, The Pod Lounge, and clearing up those extra demo games.

Take a trip down memory lane with a review of the classic jump and shoot game Megaman X: Maverick Hunter. Plus if you're in the mood for some do-it-yourself action, then unleash the MacGyver in you by following the PSP Show's tips and tricks, from making your own screen protectors to making faster bookmarks, and even a UMD case holder made out of Minidiscs, gaffa tape and an elastic band. Can you hear the MacGyver theme playing?

On with the (PSP) Show!

Listen: [The PSP Show #14] [PSP Feed]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and its ad agency TBWA/London heaved a collective sigh of relief when the Advertising Standards Authority decided not to ban their controversial PSP advertising campaign.

If our English friends would recall, Sony used a series of suggestive and naughty straplines in their campaign - "Strong language and scenes of a sexual nature here", "Your girlfriend's white bits here", and "Saucy emails won't get you fired here". Add to that the posters bearing the line "Take a running jump here". They're harmless when plastered all over retail shops, but when they're on Manchester's Piccadilly Train Station, there's no telling what the ad can do. Worst case scenario, commuters might just have the sudden urge to throw themselves in front of oncoming trains. No need to worry though as the ads were already pulled out from the station.

Despite the suggestive ads, Sony only received 45 complaints that the ads encouraged violent and anti-social behavior among young people and that references to sex were offensive.

The Advertising Standards Authority decided not to impose a ban on Sony ads, claiming that even though some of the locations of the ads were unacceptable, they contained no explicit language or images likely to cause widespread offence or harm to children.