Free games aren’t the only benefit to Plus. Last month saw the exclusive early access to the much-anticipated PSN game Journey. This month, you’ll be the first to try out Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier Beta!

Hefty discounts on the games you care about are always a part of Plus, and April will bring more discounts on content you love. New releases Wheels of Destruction, House of the Dead 4, and the debut of the standalone Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City will all have discounts the day they’re available to download from PlayStation Store!

You’ll also want to check out sweet free Avatars from the PS Vita hit Escape Plan, as well as PlayStation Plus exclusive avatars and themes for The House of the Dead and Devil May Cry.

There’s more to come in April that we can’t quite talk about yet, but rest assured we’ll bring you more news throughout the month on more great Plus content. If you haven’t seen all that Plus has to offer for yourself, you can go to the PlayStation Store on your PS3 and head to the PlayStation Plus section, or click here to purchase a voucher code online that will be emailed instantly to you to redeem in the PlayStation Store.

Some content and/or release dates outlined may change including the addition or removal of content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or continue the discussion on the PlayStation Community forums in the Official PlayStation Plus Update thread.

As you have probably guessed – it is a table football (“foosball”) game. The very first one for PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, so we made sure that we packed it up with lots of features and game modes, like various kinds of tables (American style, European style), customizations, ball types and trick shots to keep you entertained and experimenting for hours.

The World Tour single-player mode will let you travel across the globe and challenge AI opponents in nearly 30 locations. More social players can look forward to a local multiplayer for up to four and online multiplayer, where you can match against the rest of the world and rank up to become the table football champion.

PlayStation Move is also supported on PS3. If you own this magic wand, you can control Foosball 2012 exactly like you would control a real table football, with 1:1 movement precision. If you don’t own PS Move, DualShock 3 is also supported and, if you have ever played a football game before, the controls will feel immediately familiar. The PS Vita controls are the same as on the PS3 controller, thanks to the dual analog sticks and touch controls are also supported, if that is your thing.

Foosball 2012 is going to be a lot of fun for everyone – not just fans of table football. It is easy to jump into and enjoy instantaneously, but it also provides a lot of space to truly master your skills and rule the online leaderboards. If you are looking for a game that you won’t put away after a few hours, but a game that will motivate you to keep playing and get better, look no further. And I think that I even don’t have to mention just how fun this game can be when you have a few friends available for a local multiplayer. ;-)

Foosball 2012 will be released for both the PS3 and PS Vita as a downloadable game via the PlayStation Store, and will offer every single Cross Play feature between PS3 and PS Vita that you can think of.
First of all, the game supports cross-platform multiplayer – PS3 players can play against PS Vita players online, and vice versa.

Secondly, if you own PS3 and PS Vita, the game automatically synchronizes your save data between both versions. You can start playing the game on your PS3 and then take it on the road with your PS Vita, and start exactly from where you left off.

And the best news of them all: if you buy the PS3 version of Foosball 2012 on either platform then you will be able to play on both platforms at no extra charge. The same applies for any additional purchasable content.

The release is planned for the end of this spring. In the meantime, you can follow the game on Twitter or visit the official website to get all the latest news and also keep checking back on the PlayStation.Blog. I hope to see you all soon online, playing Foosball 2012!

Thank you so much for your continued support of LittleBigPlanet! Lots of love!

James Grieve, Sr. Producer, United Front Games

Thank you to everyone at Media Molecule, we greatly appreciate the warm welcome into the LittleBigPlanet family. The team here at United Front Games has long been huge fans of LBP and all of the exceptional work done by everyone at Mm. Sackboy has become one of the iconic gaming characters of this generation and to have the opportunity to make a LittleBigPlanet game ourselves is truly an honor.

It has been a joy to collaborate with all of the folks at Mm. Since the project’s inception, they have been great partners in getting to where we are today. Looking ahead, we can’t wait for all of the LBP fans out there to get their hands on LittleBigPlanet Karting. The LBP community is unparalleled in the gaming world for the passion and creativity they bring and it’s going to be exciting to see where they’re able to take this new journey for Sackboy.

Our goal with LBP Karting has been fairly simple – provide a fast-paced experience that captures the best of classic karting gameplay, married with the unbridled creativity of LBP. This new adventure will be accessible to players of all ages and have all of the variety necessary to satisfy both the hardcore and more casual players.

This is an LBP game, so we could never talk about it without mentioning the Create tools. LBP Karting is set in an entirely 3D world that will enable players to create rich and varied gameplay experiences. Tons of familiar LBP gadgets will be present, along with a new toolbox specifically tailored to allow for building in LBP Karting’s 3D world. Along with fan-favorite racing and battle modes, players will be able to modify the rules of the game itself to create completely new modes and challenges. All of this is wrapped up in a community experience that should have LBP fans feeling right at home.

Well, that’s all for now, but we’re looking forward to sharing more news on this exciting new game in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more info and get ready for the new world of LittleBigPlanet Karting in 2012!

In Warhawk, you could play with some friends in the same room and have a proper night of gaming: Face to face and frag to frag while sharing nachos, smack talk, and profanity. Good times! So we’re happy to let you know that Starhawk has the exact same feature! OK…not the EXACT same feature. We’ve spent some time making it better, we think.

Two-Player Split Screen:
Yes, we’ve got splitscreen play. You can play with another friend on the same PS3 on the same TV. We are very aware that some of you wanted four-player splitscreen like Warhawk. We thought about it a lot and decided not to go this route; based on our data, not enough people ever used four-player splitscreen in Warhawk so we concentrated our efforts in other areas, such as making two-player just plain better. For the people that played four-player splitscreen…we’re sorry about that. For everyone else, we think you’ll like the aspect ratio change and the bigger radar map.

Dual Log-In:
Yes, two players can sign into on one PS3. You can sign in using your PSN ID on the same machine and retain the XP you earn at your friend’s house. And you can still take that hard-earned XP home with you and apply it to your character there. Although, if you’re Player Two, you can’t earn Trophies or character customizations (outfits, paint jobs, decals) as these are saved directly to the PS3. It’s not perfect, but it’s way better than Warhawk where Player Two couldn’t level up at all. You can play Co-op off-line as well, but no stats get recorded.

You can always go online by yourself and play with (and against) 31 other players if you’re not into couch gaming. Either way, Starhawk will give you plenty of choices and it’s up to you how you want to take advantage of them. So get your urban dictionary skillz on: It’s Fraggin’ Time.

PSN is ready for massive battle this week as well with the releases of Warriors Orochi 3 and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. In PSN Game Warriors Orochi 3, explore the new bonds system, online play, and an intuitive battleground editing feature and tackle legions of armies with customizable characters. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine marks the PS3 Full Game debut which takes place in Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe and features the Ultramarines chapter. With an unprecedented blend of shooting and melee combat, Space Marine’s visceral combat will leave you breathless; as well as a trail of Orks behind you.

If that wasn’t enough, Sumioni: Demon Arts inks its way to PS Vita today. Sumioni: Demon Arts is an exclusive PS Vita action platformer that taps into PS Vita’s powerful touchscreen. Using your finger, you’ll be able to draw bridges to cross dangerous obstacles, summon thunderclouds or sacred lions to attack enemies, and much, much more.

Amazing DLC is hitting the PlayStation Store as well with new content in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Motorstorm RC and more; so make sure you check out all the details below. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on the PlayStation Community forums in the Official PlayStation Store Update thread.

Here is the weekly PlayStation Store update:

PlayStation Plus

Free Dynamic Theme

Journey Dynamic Theme

Spring Fever Discounted Games

Rayman 3 HD (20% off)
Final Fantasy Ix (50% off)
Final Fantasy Origins (50% off)
Final Fantasy Tactics (50% off)
Final Fantasy V (50% off)
Final Fantasy VI (50% off)
Final Fantasy VII (50% off)
Final Fantasy VIII (50% off)
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY (50% off)
Final Fantasy Iv: The Complete Collection (50% off)
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions (50% off)

PS Vita Games

Sumioni: Demon Arts ($19.99)
Take control of Agura, a Sumioni, or “Inkdemon”, who’s been called upon to white out a blot of evil upon feudal Japan. Guide him through 2D side-scrolling levels and unleash his powers by drawing brush strokes on the touchscreen.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 288 MB

PS Vita Add-Ons

MotorStorm RC MISCHIEF Vehicle Pack 1 & Singles (Vita DLC cross entitled with PS3) ($0.49-$0.99)
Ready for some Mischief? Get your hands on the Mischief off-road vehicles in one place. Containing the Arizona, Jackhammer, Tombestone and Beachmaster, each having 4 paint jobs with 4 colour schemes too. To use this download, you will need MotorStorm RC on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita.
File size: 100 KB – 400 KB

MotorStorm RC SPECIAL Super Car – Wasabi Lightning (Vita DLC cross entitled with PS3) ($0.25)
Break the sound barrier! Driving the Lightning lets everyone know you’ve only one thing on your mind: Speed! Drive the Super Car model that will leave your opponents envious of the blur that keeps lapping them. To use this download, you will need MotorStorm RC on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita.
File size: 100 KB

Blazblue: Cse – System Voice Arrange Makoto Type-A, Type-B (Vita DLC cross entitle with PS3) ($5.99)
This is a system voice by Tomomi Isomura, the voice of Makoto Nanaya. Two versions are included. Purchasing this BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND content entitles you to both the PS3 and PS Vita versions!
File size 100 KB

Ridge Racer Add-On Car 04 Fatalita (Free For Gold Pass) ($1.49)
Add a new machine to your game with the manufacturer ASSOLUTO’s FATALITA!
File size 3.3 MB

Ridge Racer Music Pack 14 Remix #2 (Free)
Add new tracks to your game with the fourteenth downloadable Music Pack, containing classic songs from past RIDGE RACER titles! Enjoy 4 remixed songs from RAVE RACER!
File size 34.5 MB

PS Vita Apps

Music Unlimited 30-day trial (Free)

PS Vita Videos

The Tester Season 3 Episode 7

PSN Games

Warriors Orochi 3 ($49.99)
Years after the battle against Orochi, the Serpent King, the heroes of the Three Kingdoms and Warring States face a new threat. A terrible and colossal monster casts its shadow across the land and defeats most of the brave warriors.
ESRB rated T
File size 11 GB

Rayman 3 HD ($9.99)
Embark on a fantastic and humorous journey with Rayman and Globox to save the Crossroad of Dreams.
ESRB rated E10+
File size 1.65 GB

PS3 Full Games

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Ps3 Full Game + Elite Pass (GWP) ($39.99)
Step fearlessly into the heart of combat as Captain Titus of the Ultramarines, unleashing visible violent death against the enemies of mankind in the first 3rd person action shooter set in the dark future of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
ESRB rated M
File size 6 GB

Game Demos (free)

Birds Of Steel Demo
Grab the stick in Birds of Steel. The demo gives combatants a chance to sample the game by thrusting them into 3 of the most prolific battles from WWII. Lift off in the Grumman F4F and battle your way through Wake Island, pilot the nimble Japanese Zero in the attack on the Lexington or hold on in the Spitfire Mk. V through the Siege of Malta. Birds of Steel gives aerial enthusiasts the ability to pilot planes from all WWII combatants.
ESRB rated T
File size: 1.84 GB

Under Siege Demo
Under Siege is an action real time strategy game. Fight through 21 levels in the main campaign and battle against great armies. Play a single player campaign, go online with or against your friends, even versus the world, in competitive and cooperative levels. Create and share your own levels with the powerful built-in editor. Try the Demo today and purchase the full experience here on the PlayStation Store.
ESRB rated: E10+
File size: 894 MB

Rayman 3 HD Demo
Embark on a fantastic and humorous journey with Rayman and Globox to save the Crossroad of Dreams. Masterfully enhanced with eye-popping high definition visuals and sounds, Rayman 3 HD is the definitive version of the Rayman classic “Rayman 3 Hoodlum’s Havoc” and a must-play for all platform adventure game enthusiasts. Run, jump and punch your way through the 2 first levels of the game battling the mysterious Hoodlums and their minions.
ESRB rated: E10+
File size: 1.65 GB

Add-on Game Content

PlayStation Home Hellfire Games’ Novus Prime Starter Pack ($4.99)
Gear up in Novus Prime for PlayStation Home with everything you need to join the fight! The Novus Prime Starter Pack includes the fearsome Kunai ship with matching helmet, the Radiant Storm and Ion Beam weapons with Ion Cannon avatar accessories, and the challenging Escalation Mission Pack. Save 50% off the standard price with this bundle for only $4.99!

EyePet & Friends (x10) ($0.69 – $2.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 268 KB – 2.51 MB

MotorStorm RC MISCHIEF (x6) ($0.25 – $0.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 100 KB – 400 KB

Blazblue: Cse – System Voice Arrange Makoto Type-A, Type-B ($5.99)
This is a system voice by Tomomi Isomura, the voice of Makoto Nanaya. Two versions are included. Purchasing this BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND content entitles you to both the PS3 and PS Vita versions!
File size 2.63 MB

Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City – Uss Wolfpack Uniforms ($2.99)
Sweep through the mean streets of Raccoon City in style with these alternate costumes for each of the 6 members of the USS Wolfpack.
File size 2.08 MB

Disney Universe (x6) ($0.99 – $2.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 1.28 MB – 6.99 MB

Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning – The Legend Of Dead Kel ($9.99)
In an extensive new story and a host of new side quests, battle treacherous new enemies and face exciting new challenges on the mysterious island of Gallows End.
File size 1.25 GB

Ace Combat Assault Horizon (x5) (free – $4.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 33 MB – 45 GB

Tales Of Graces F (x14) (free – $3.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 100 KB – 672 KB

Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 DLC (x12) (free – $2.99)
Assorted add ons.
File size 100 KB – 49 MB

Ninja Gaiden 3 – Online Pass ($9.99)
Test your ninja skills online! Take on the Ninja Trials with a co-op partner. Compete against the best ninjas in the world in Clan Battles. Customize your own online ninja! The Online Pass for Ninja Gaiden 3 gives you access to all online gameplay modes in Shadows of the World!
File size 138 KB

Saints Row The Third – The Trouble With Clones (Free Entitlement For Season Pass) ($6.99)
Help the Saints’ biggest fan, Jimmy Torbitson, stop his Saints clone from terrorizing the city by using the new Bee Gun and unlocking the true power in Saints Flow. In the end, maybe even save a lost friend in the process.
File size 1.7 MB

UFC Undisputed 3 Ultimate Fights: Upsets Pack ($4.99)
If you own the UFC Undisputed 3 Season Pass, DO NOT purchase this content here as you will be charged again – Download the UFC 3 Upsets Pack to use Mir vs. Noguiera, Sonnen vs. Marquardt, Edgar vs. Penn, Leben vs. Akiyama, and Velasquez vs. Lesnar in Ultimate Fights mode! – UFC Undisputed 3 game required; sold separately.
File size 2.5 MB

Rocksmith – Born Under A Bad Sign By A. King W. S. Ray Vaughan ($2.99)
File size 2.69 MB

Rocksmith – Soul Man By The Blues Brothers ($2.99)
File size 2.27 MB

Rocksmith – The Thrill Is Gone By B.B. King ($2.99)
File size 2.70 MB

Rock Band 3
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “Down Under” – Men at Work ($1.99)
  
• “Overkill” – Men at Work ($1.99)
  
• “Smooth” – Santana ($1.99)

File size: 27 MB – 41 MB (singles)

Rock Band Network v2.0

• “Far Away From Heaven” – Free Spirit ($1.99)
  
• “Gravitational Lensing” – Solution .45 ($0.99)
  
• “The Cascade Effect” – Chaotrope ($0.99)
  
• “Preacher Man” – Free Spirit ($1.99)
  
• “Paced Energy” – Magnus ‘SoulEye’ Pålsson ($0.99)

File size: 13 MB – 40 MB (singles)

Updates

Ace Combat Assault Horizon A-10A Warthog (Sale) (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $3.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Aircraft Skin Pack 1 (Sale) (PS3) (now $5.99, original price $11.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Aircraft Skin Pack 2 (Sale) (PS3) (now $4.49, original price $8.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Aircraft Skin Pack: The Idolm@Ster (Sale) (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Asf-X Shinden II (Sale) (PS3) (now $3.99, original price $7.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon F-117A Stars And Stripes (Sale) (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $3.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon F-14D Halloween Pumpkin (Sale) (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $3.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon F-15S/Mtd (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon F-18F Red Devils (Sale) (PS3) (now $1.99, original price $3.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Online Map Pack (Sale) (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Skill Set 1 (Sale) (PS3) (now $3.49, original price $6.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Skill Set 2 (Sale) (PS3) (now $3.49, original price $6.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Skill Set 3 (Sale) (PS3) (now $3.49, original price $6.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Su-35 Tekken Skin Set (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $4.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Su-37 Terminator (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Ace Combat Assault Horizon Tornado Gr.4 (Sale) (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Final Fantasy Origins Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Final Fantasy Tactics Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Final Fantasy V – Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Final Fantasy VI – Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Final Fantasy VII – Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Final Fantasy VIII – Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Dissidia Final Fantasy Digital (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSP) (now $13.99, original price $39.99)
Final Fantasy Iv: The Complete Collection Digital (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSP) (now $20.99, original price $29.99)
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions Digital (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSP) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Coconut Dodge – Minis (Price Change) (PS3) (now $0.99, original price $3.99)
Final Fantasy IX– Psone (Sale – Spring Fever) (PSone) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)

Qore

Qore Episode 46: March 2012

Game Videos (free)

Journey Dev Diary 1 – A Walk With the Makers of Journey
Super Stardust Delta Launch Trailer
The Price Is Right: Decades Trailer
Yakuza: Dead Souls Mini Games Trailer
Assassin’s Creed Revelations Mediterranean Map Pack Trailer
The Tester Season 3 Episode 7

PS3 Themes

Last of Us Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Journey Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Marvel Dynamic Theme – Iron Man ($2.99)
Abstract Dancer 2.0 Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
DPro: Big Air ($2.99)
DPro: Extreme Elevation ($2.99)
Dynamic Dragon Theme 4 ($2.99)
Dynamic Gangsters Theme 2 ($2.99)
Dynamic Gangsters Theme 3 ($2.99)

Bundles

Resident Evil HD Bundle ($29.99)

PlayStation Store for PSP

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Sar – Search And Rescue – Minis ($2.99)

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Season 3 Episode 7

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Dragon 6 PSP Theme ($1.99)
Dragon 7 PSP Theme ($1.99)

Starhawk Fans! Recently, the PlayStation.Blog paid a visit to our good friends and partner LightBox Interactive in Austin, Texas during SXSW. While there, we unlocked the vault and loosened the chains on Mr. Dylan Jobe, LightBox President and CEO. That can be a very dangerous prospect as we never know what we’re going to get, it’s also fun to hear about all the details on the Starhawk front, including how the public beta affected the game’s development. The teams at LightBox and Santa Monica are working incredibly hard to make sure the Starhawk experience is everything the fans deserve. To give you some insight into that process, Dylan has some thoughts about “crunch time,” fans, and game-typy stuff. Starhawk is headed in for a landing and this is a cool look into the mind of a developer at the peak of his game. Check it out!

PS. While you’re at it, check out this blast-from-the-past Behind the Scenes vid about the team.

PPS. If you want to see trendy, big eared, creased-shirt-wearing Bulgarian Boxers … check it out — hilarity ensues!

At GDC, Sony officially unveiled Plastic Studios' Datura, a Move-based adventure game that puts you in control of a spooky floating hand in a richly detailed forest. I had the opportunity to move through the forest, touch trees, and crack ice, but you need this video from PlayStation Blog to help understand the oddity of Datura.

Datura seems to trade adventure game logic for dream logic, and gives you bizarre choices that result in unexpected effects. For example, picking up an icepick (in a hollowed out statue) transports you instantly to an ice field, where you must decide whether to get a trophy -- or a frantic person -- out of the ice. Seemed like an easy choice for me, but apparently not everybody does the same thing. Your actions result in alterations to the main forest environment, which may include ... different insects? Told you it was odd.