Following the revelation that "high-resolution dynamic video ads" had been implemented into the loading screens of Wipeout HD and could nearly double load times when they appeared, publisher Sony has pulled the most prevalent advertisement.

"The ad has been removed," Sony told Eurogamer, "and we are investigating the situation to ensure that any in-game advertising does not affect gameplay."

The load time increase was most noticeable when going into one of the nearly-year-old racer's Zone events, a mode that sports only one hovercraft and replaces many of the game's textures with simple colors that change depending on player... Read more

Update: Sony has now pulled the most common video ad, a commercial for State Farm, and vowed to "ensure that any in-game advertising does not affect gameplay."

Original: In-game advertisements recently added to Wipeout HD are nearly doubling the load times of some races, Shacknews can confirm.

The video ads, served by advertising firm Double Fusion, occasionally play in a window as a race loads. Video evidence suggested that load times can last around twice as long when the ads are incorporated, a ratio that Shacknews can corroborate after independent testing.

After selecting a ship, it took us approximately 12 seconds to enter... Read more

This week's PlayStation Store update features two anticipated DLC packs for Wipeout HD and Killzone 2. The Wipeout HD "Fury" DLC adds new ships, maps and game modes to the futuristic racer, as well as an additional single-player campaign. Killzone 2's "Napalm & Cordite" pack adds two multiplayer maps and two weapons to the shooter's roster.

For a look at the entire update, click through:... Read more

Sony has announced the first expansion for Wipeout HD will cost $10 when it is released next Thursday, July 23.

Wipeout HD Fury is set to include "three new race types--Eliminator, Zone Battle and Detonator--12 new tracks, 13 new ships, 6 new music tracks, a redesigned menu system, a new campaign to complete as well a host of new trophies to win."

"Eliminator mode was relatively easy to get in since it was taken from WipEout Pulse but we wanted to make it even better," said Sony producer Daimion Pinnock. "Someone came up with the idea of having the 180 degree flip, which allows you to flip your ship, fly backwards down the track and fire your weapons at on coming opponents, like the Quake, which I know some people missed being able to do like they could in Pulse."

Zone Battle is essentially an eight-player version of Zone mode, in which "every time you use your zone bar to boost you leave a zone barrier on the track to try and slow down your opponents."

Sony has today announced its PlayStation 3 racer Wipeout HD is to be expanded with Fury, a downloadable expansion pack adding new vehicles, tracks and game modes.

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Wipeout HD Fury will be released on the PlayStation Store this summer--no price yet announced--bringing bringing 8 new tracks, 13 ship models and 3 new game modes.

We humbly offer these screenshots and concept art to provide a stopgap fix of ocular pleasure, and information on the new game modes to feed your brain... Read more

Sony today announced that the free 1.30 update to the PSN downloadable racer Wipeout HD will launch tomorrow.

Additions include online rankings, badges, game invites, a spectator mode, and several different racing options.

Check out the full list of features below: ... Read more

It's Wipeout week on the PlayStation Store, as Wipeout HD finally makes its way to the Network today. For more on the game, check out our recent preview and interview. Other notable updates include a downloadable version of Burnout Paradise and Mega Man 9. Read through the details below.

Downloadable Games

WipEout HD ($19.99)
It was there back at the beginning and now it's taking the franchise into the future: WipEout HD is set to deliver 1080p High Definition visuals running at a breathtaking 60-frames-per-second. WipEout HD features a selection of the best... Read more

Following last week's $19.99 price point reveal, Sony Computer Entertainment today announced that Wipeout HD will be released September 25.

As noted before, the PlayStation Network release from SCE Liverpool will include five game modes, eight player online racing, two-player splitscreen support, eight tracks, 1080p visuals and Trophy support. Nick Breckon was recently able to play the game, check here for his impressions and an interview with producer Daimion Pinnock.

SCE Liverpool's downloadable hovercraft racer Wipeout HD will cost $19.99 when it arrives on PlayStation 3 later this year, producer Daimion Pinnock has confirmed.

"It's going to be $19.99," he told Shacknews in an interview published today. Essentially a "best-of," the game features 16 tracks culled from the franchise's various titles.

Pinnock also spoke on title's recent delay, rumored to be triggered by epilepsy concerns. While he did not address the supposed epilepsy issue, the producer stressed the importance of smooth online play and trophy support.

"We wanted to make sure that this one kind of made a statement, and was something that we could be really proud of, and we absolutely are," said Pinnock. "Having eight players in there, and make sure they're running at 60 frames with no lag, is really important."

Wipeout HD is essentially a "best of" version of the futuristic racing series, containing sixteen of the better tracks from past games remastered in 1080p, all running at a rapid 60 frames per second on the PlayStation 3. And in person, it does look stunning.

For those unaccustomed to Wipeout gameplay, picture a combination of Mario Kart weapons and F-Zero speed, with floaty racing physics. You pick up limited-use weapons, you hit boosts, and you jockey for position with other racers--hopefully keeping your ship intact in the process.

Graphically speaking, Wipeout HD is absolutely gorgeous in motion, with a strikingly rich color palette and sharp, high-resolution backgrounds. Over the course of several races, the frame rate never dipped, and the controls felt similarly smooth. Eight-racer online play was nearly lag-free, and as fun as any other Wipeout title.

After playing the game extensively at a recent event and confirming that it was as advertised, I spoke with producer Daimion Pinnock for an overview of where the project stands, and when we can expect a release.... Read more

The recently revealed delay of Studio Liverpool's Wipeout HD (PS3) may have been prompted by the game's failure to successfully pass epilepsy risk testing.

According to CVG, a source revealed that the downloadable series update "fails the epilepsy tests so much that it has to be re-engineered."

The game was previously slated to debut this summer, but was delayed due to unspecified technical issues. Sony Entertainment Europe CEO David Reeves described them as "tricky technical problem" which none of Sony's studios have yet been able to resolve.

People afflicted by photosensitive epilepsy can experience seizures triggered by rapid visual stimuli such as flashing lights or moving patterns. Many games including elements which could possibly prompt such seizures often include... Read more

Previously slated to arrive this summer, Wipeout HD, Studio Liverpool's downloadable PlayStation 3 update of the classic hovercraft racing series, has been delayed.

"There is a specific technical problem with Wipeout that we have to solve," Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO David Reeves revealed to Eurogamer. "I can't go into details but it is a really, really tricky technical problem that no region has been able to solve at the moment."

Reeves further noted that "it is something that was just very difficult to get to grips with," but that he thinks the game "will come out before the end of the year."

Sony Computer Entertainment America just sent over a timeline for the next nine months of SCE-published games on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PSP.

The schedule confirms that many of the dates provided by SCE Europe apply to North America, such as LittleBigPlanet (PS3) in October and Killzone 2 (PS3) next February.

Here's a summary of the notable PlayStation 3 releases:

• PlayStation Store Downloads:
  • wipEout HD - Summer 2008
  • Elefunk - Summer 2008
  • PixelJunk Eden - Summer 2008
  • SIREN: Blood Curse - Summer 2008
• SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation - September 16, 2008
• LittleBigPlanet - October 2008
• MotorStorm: Pacific Rift - Fall 2008
• Resistance 2 - Fall 2008
• Killzone 2 - February 2009

Read on for more dates, as well as official descriptions.... Read more

An assortment of fresh screenshots from Sony Liverpool's upcoming PlayStation 3 racer Wipeout HD were doled out today.

Wipeout HD is set to feature online multiplayer racing for up to eight players, 1080p presentation, and the same hovercraft mechanics that fans of the series are accustomed to.

No release date has been announced yet for the game, but it is still expected to hit the PlayStation Store sometime later this year.

Boasting online multiplayer for up to eight players and a shiny 1080p presentation, Sony Liverpool's Wipeout HD is looking like a nice treat for PS3-owning fans of the long-running racing series.

Sony today released a new trailer for the game, which you can enjoy below in streaming format. No release date has been announced yet for the project, but it is still expected to hit the PlayStation Store sometime later this year.

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SCEA just sent along the first batch of official screenshots from SCE Studio Liverpool's futuristic PlayStation 3 hoverboard racer. Offering a "best of" selection of tracks that that spans the whole WipEout Wipeout franchise, Wipeout HD will be available as a download from the PlayStation Store later this year.

Aside from running at the delightful combination of 1080p and 60 frames per second, the game features eight-craft online multiplayer, tilt-sensitive Sixaxis functionality, and rumble support when combined with the upcoming DualShock 3 controller.