Kojima Studios' Ryan Payton dropped by the NeoGAF Forums to make some clarifications regarding the PlayStation Underground e-newsletter and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops+.

If you missed our report on this, a certain MGS Portable Ops: Infinite War announcement came in with the said newsletter. Ryan Payton clarified that this is not a new title and definitely not the name of the North American version for Portable Ops+.

"What the hell? 'Infinite War' was the codename I gave to the project before 'MPO+' was decided on. Funny how things find their ways to retailers," explained Payton.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops+ is expected to be released in North America on November 13.

If you've received a recent copy of PlayStation Underground's e-newsletter, you might have skimmed over the list pictured above. Speculation or fluke - call it as you may, the newsletter listed four upcoming hotspot-compatible Sony PlayStation Portable games. The list included two SOCOM installments, NBA 09, and something new in the Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops scene: Infinite War.

Seeing as rumors over a new Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops sequel under development was overturned by Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton, there could only be one other viable option to what Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops: Infinite War is. It's probably the North American version of Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops+, of which the original was released less than a month ago in Japan.

Anyway, one would love to think that the use of "Infinite War" for a title with the "Infinity Mission" campaign is more than just a coincidence, but let's wait the details that was promised to confirm MGS fans' hopes. More on this as we get them.

Truckloads of kudos goes to NarooN for showing us the light and pointing us to the PSU e-newsletter.

We are all already aware about Sony's official stance on the homebrew scene for the PlayStation Portable. The company's actions suggest that they don't want the community to continually mess up with their creation.

Today, we learned that Sony has just brought the battle to the PlayStation Underground Community by officially banning all homebrew-related talks on the said board. QJ.NET reader Miley_424 tipped us off on this development and explained that this did not surprise most members of the community.

What happened was a forum moderator (who represents SCEA as his/her username suggests) reiterated that homebrew applications void the warranty of PSPs. The moderator went on and provided the following topics that are not allowed to be discussed over at the PlayStation Board:

• Custom firmware
• Themes, applications, custom bootup animations/sounds, and other materials made available only with use of homebrew programs that may be used to aid or facilitate copyright violations (such as Eboots, ripping software, decryption software)
• Debugging software
• Programs designed to emulate firmware
• TIFF applications
• Programs designed to provide for modification of the PSP code or firmware, or that would allow for any exploitation of the PSP® system firmware flashing software
• Applications designed to bypass PSP system and game security features
• Emulators, ROMs, CSO, ISOs, or any other unauthorized copies of copyrighted material
• Software or hardware designed to aid or facilitate in cheating

We know you guys have a lot to say about this but it seems that the comment section of the said thread was disabled. However, you can freely speak your mind and discuss this through our own comment section below.

Just when you thought the characters from PaRappa the Rapper couldn't get any zanier, their official website has announced a new contest entitled, "Cheap Cheap's Cook Up a Character Contest." Now you could be responsible for the next video game rapping sensation to grace the Parappa the Rapper series... well, not really, but you WILL get yourself your very own character immortalized in art.

The contest is open to all U.S. residents of 18 years and above who are currently registered PlayStation Underground members and have up until September 30 to submit their character entries. No, you don't have to be a rapper or even know how to rap to join this contest either. They do require that you send your character ideas in a .jpg or .pdf format to their email at community_support@playstation.sony.com.

The top ten finalists from the contest will automatically receive a PaRappa PSP Skin, a charm and a beanie, while one lucky winner will be chosen by Rodney Greenblatt (the game's creator) and have his or her winning entry redrawn and framed, as well as winning a copy of the Parappa the Rapper game for the PSP.

Interested in knowing more? We thought so. Feel free to click on the source link for additional information and contest details.

Heads up, Gabe Logan fans. QJ.NET reader ManiacX has informed us that PlayStation Underground members are being given the chance to grab a free game demo of Gabe Logan's latest adventure, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow.

It's pretty easy to get one, too. All you need to do is click here to get to the Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow registration page and log in with your PlayStation Underground account. If you're not a member yet, you can also register on the same page.

Supplies are limited, so act fast. The full version of Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow for the Sony PSP handheld system is reportedly slated for a fall release.

Over at online forums site PS3Forums, user sqrtlsqd7 claims that a recent PlayStation Underground survey is hinting at a possible new connectivity between Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. Among the many questions found on the said survey, the following are the most interesting ones:

• Use the device to complete side missions for console games (unlockables, etc.)
• Transfer media (music/pictures/videos) wirelessly from the console to the device (broadcast television, new levels for games)
• Use the device while playing the console game as an additional weapon/utility to help the gameplay (2nd player option, radar for incoming enemies, etc.)
• Record gameplay console video

Those old enough to remember know that a similar move was done by Nintendo with the GameCube (GC) and GameBoy Advance (GBA) consoles - especially with the Fire Emblem franchise - so these things are really possible.

It should also be remembered that a member of the homebrew community recently unearthed a hidden code in FW 3.50 referring to a video and audio output functionality to the PSP. Until such time that Sony gives an official statement, we're taking this one with a grain of salt.

Well, everybody and their brother probably figured out that God of War: Chains of Olymp-something was going to be called God of War: Chains of Olympus. Not everybody, however, knows that Sony's official site for the game is already up, with a special treat for PlayStation Underground fans.

According to their website, folks can get a free UMD, basically a demo for the game, by signing up for it using their PlayStation Underground account. There's no word on when the demo will be sent to people, but if this is a new adventure for Kratos to star in, then we'd definitely like it to be sooner rather than later.

In any case, we've already signed up. How about you? To do the same, head on over to the official site by clicking on the Read link below.

Thanks to Alexander for the tip!

Good news, PSP fans. Sony's been sending out more Killzone multiplayer beta invites to the much-awaited online multiplayer feature for Killzone: Liberation. If you're a member of PlayStation Underground or GAP, check your inbox. Who knows, you might have gotten an invite.

Those who want to join in testing the Killzone multiplayer beta can head over to http://pspbeta.us.playstation.com via their PSP's browser. You have to use your PSP's browser since the site is configured to work only through a PSP browser. Reports say that the beta requires your PSP to have firmware 3.11 and, of course, a copy of the game.

Kudos to readers TwistyValhalla and Anon1mous for the heads up.

The question for every Ratchet and Clank fan on the PSP is if the duo is in good hands with High Impact Games. The final answer must wait until the final retail version hits stores and everyone offers his or her two cents on Size Matters.

However, we can get a clue from this video recently up on GameTrailers of PlayStation Underground (PSU) opening up the minds of High Impact Games and rattling around to see what's inside. Aside from people stapling priority memos to Roberto's shirt, of course.

This is the same video featured on the official website, if you happened to read our article about it a couple of weeks back. Still, doesn't hurt to see more of the fur and the ferrous in action. The devs of High Impact Games range from weapons to gameplay to characters to art, and their respect for the Insomniac series. Oh, and you get a quick shot of someone playing the game on the PSP, too. No fingers looked like they were twisted in the playing of this game. That's definitely a plus for control.

I ended up picking up the original Killzone for the PS2 (owing largely to the phenomenal PS3 trailer at E3 '05) in November last year and was surprised at just how cool the story, art direction, weapons and atmosphere were. It struck me that had the game been given say... six more months of development time to allow the team get the game running smoothly on PS2 hardware, the "Halo-Killer" moniker slapped onto it by various press outlets would have been better deserved. All in all it was a solid experience that was let down by sub-par technology, whether that's on the software or hardware side is not for me to judge, bottom line is the game had potential.

When I head a Killzone game was in the works for PSP I had mixed feelings, more so when it was confirmed the game wasn't going to be a first person shooter, I wasn't certain that Guerrilla had the chops to switch genres fluidly. I needn't have worried though, because if the demo disc that arrived in my mailbox on Saturday afternoon is any indication, the guys in Amersdam know exactly what they're doing.

Just to be clear, this is the same demo that was sent out to many members of the PlayStation Underground the Sony's Gamers Advisory Panel, so I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts on the demo in the comments below, but here's my two cents.

Read the entire article after the jump!