Earlier today we posted about a bug that is currently affecting millions of PS3 owners around the world. In an attempt to alleviate any further damage to consumers Sony has issued a warning.

“We would also recommend not connecting any consumer units to the PSN to the network for the remainder of today.”

Sony have also sent out an official statement on the matter, saying that speculation the consoles internal clock caused the bug is indeed correct. Sony hope to have the problem fixed within the next 24 hours, so you’ll just have to hold your horses until then. Also bear in mind that PS3 Silm’s are unaffected.

The full statement is below:

As you may be aware, some customers have been unable to connect to the PlayStation Network today. This problem affects the models other than the new slim PS3.

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors include:
* The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.
* When the user tries to sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; “An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)”.
* When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; “Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game.”
* When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; “The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)”
* Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

As mentioned above, Please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For the latest status on this situation please check either the PlayStation blog (for SCEE: www.blog.eu.playstation.com/for SCEA: www.blog.us.playstation.com) or PlayStation.com.

UPDATE: Sony has said that the problem is now fixed and you can connect to PSN again.

Sony has unveiled the European Collector’s Edition of Heavy Rain through their EU Playstation Blog. Thankfully it doesn’t include useless tat, so even those who don’t have deep enough pockets to spend on night-vision goggles may want to read on.

As well as the snazzy box – that apparently gives the impression of 3D rain-drops due to a ‘special embossing’ on the slipcase – you will also get a voucher that entitles you to extras that us lowly peasants won’t get (at least some of it anyway).

• Heavy Rain: Chronicle One – The Taxidermist. This is going to be the first piece of downloadable content for the game, and expands upon the original ‘Taxidermist’ demo that was shown at E3 last year. This will eventually be available for anyone to buy through PSN, but those that buy the Collector’s Edition will get it early.
• The Heavy Rain Official Soundtrack – Recorded at The Abbey Road Studios (where acts like The Beatles and Pink Flyod recorded tracks) and features ‘powerful orchestral themes’.
• Dynamic XMB theme

Details of pricing and avenues of release are yet to be announced, so in the meantime you can check out the full image of the Collector’s Edition box and read a few more details here.

A demo of upcoming Army of Two: The 40th Day will be hitting PSN and Xbox Live this week, 17th December to be exact.

The demo will contain the majority of the game’s first level, with Salem and Rios shooting their way through Shanghai. Explosions, badda-boom and all that crap.

I’m looking forward to checking this one out, even though I haven’t got around to completing the first game yet (I blame my brother for never having the time for it). The trailer here certainly makes it look like more of the same fun that made the first one such a joy to play in co-op.

It is the year of classics and nothing makes me happier than to reveal that the smooth-talking, wind-breaking, cheeky little Mudokon known to the world as Abe, is making an appearance on the Playstation 3 store this Autumn.

That’s right folks! The two games that made Abe the protagonist you love to play, are heading they way to PSN on October 21st 2009 – So spread the word and get yourself ready!

Originally released in 1997, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is a game about slavery, homocide and fart jokes. You play Abe, a poor little Mudokon who has been enslaved and forced to work at Rupture Farms (the biggest meat processing plant on Oddworld) for a mean ol’ Glukkon. Upon chance you discover that your life is in danger, along with those of your Mudokon brethren, and it is up to you to escape the clutches of evil while ensuring you rescue as many of your fellow Mudokon slaves as you do so.

The sequel to the multi-award winning game Abe’s Oddysee is another multi-award winning game, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus. Released in 1998, Exoddus sees our lovable hero Abe heading off on another mission to stop those evil Glukkons once again. More enslaving has been had, but this time the Glukkons are intent on using Mudokon bones and tears to create their top-selling product, Soulstorm Brew.

For those gamers who just can’t wait that long to pick up and play Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee and Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, they are both available now on Steam for download. They are priced 4.99 GBP individually, or you can pick up the Oddworld package for 7.99 GBP.

And if THAT hasn’t tickled your Oddworld-bone, than I know what will. A little birdy told me today that, “Rupture Farms is turning on the lights again!”. Take it how you want, but after last year’s announcement of a new President taking on Oddworld Inhabitants, we here at VGR Network are definitely getting our hopes up of seeing Abe gracing our gaming world once again.

Keep your eyes peeled and your hands off of my Soulstorm Brew!

Eidos has just announced that they will be releasing a Mini Ninja’s demo this Wednesday (19th August) onto Xbox Live and PC and also onto PSN on Thursday.  The official release will hit shelve in the US on 9th September and the UK/EU on 11th September.