Due to the exclusivity deal between Microsoft and Activision for Call of Duty, Xbox 360 Elite members having been enjoying two brand new maps for Modern Warfare 3 for full week. Today we have learned that PlayStation 3 Call of Duty Elite members can expect the two brand new maps to hit on February 28. The two new maps are Liberation and Piazza.

This delay will likely set the tone for the rest of the "content drops" coming for Call of Duty Elite members over the next year. We can expect about a one month delay for PlayStation 3 players to get the maps after Xbox 360. Of course there's still no word on when non-elite members and PC owners will be able to get their hands on some new content.

Despite statements to the contrary by creator David Jaffe, it seems like Twisted Metal may indeed receive the controversial PlayStation Network Pass after all. Sony's brand of the online pass has already been witnessed in games like Resistance 3 and Uncharted 3 so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that the latest PlayStation 3 exclusive will also fall in line.

The Gamers Hub broke the story when they spoke with QA Lead Justin Trease about the subject at CES. He answered "yes," when asked about the inclusion of the PSN Pass. Previously Jaffe had spoke up saying that he ideally didn't want the PSN Pass inside Twisted Metal, which he feels still has "a mountain to climb in terms of gaining people’s good faith." If the PSN Pass takes the same form as previous Sony games it will block access to multiplayer modes unless players input a code that came with their brand new game or pay $10 to purchase one if they either rented or bought the game used.

Twisted Metal is set to release on February 14 exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

With the Japanese launch of the Playstation Vita less than a month away, Sony has released a software update in preparation.

Firmware 4.00 was described by Eric Lempel, VP Sony Network Entertainment, as an update "that will prepare PlayStation 3 to serve as a content management device."

It will allow users to copy their digital content such as games, music, photos, and videos between PS Vita and PS3, back up PS Vita game games including save data to your PS3 hard drive, and update the system software for your PS Vita system using the network features of your PS3.

Other changes were also included in the update for Playstation Plus subscribers. Members can now enable and disable the following individual automatic updates:

• Game patches
• System software
• Recommended games and videos
• Sync trophy information

Time to take a little break from Modern Warfare 3.

The Playstation Blog is reporting that the PlayStation Network will be offline for routine scheduled maintenance on Thursday, November 17th from approximately 8am until 10pm PST. During that time, users will be unable to access the following services:

• PlayStation Store on PS3 and PSP.
• PlayStation Network Account Management.
• PlayStation Network Account Registration.

Users will be able to collect trophies during that time and they will appear on their profile once the Playstation Network is back up and running. The articles also states that some users may actually be able to play online during the maintenance. Just don't hold your breath on that one.

Seems like the perfect time to get in some questing in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. What will you be playing during the downtime?

Back at E3 one of the quick announcements made by Sony focused on another Electronic Arts title giving exclusive content to a PlayStation 3 game. Past games like Medal of Honor and Dead Space 2 had already paved the way and EA's biggest game of the year, Battlefield 3, would follow suit. The exclusive item was a full copy of the downloadable game Battlefield 1943 included right on the Blu-Ray.

Imagine many PS3 owners surprise when they tore open their brand new copies of Battlefield 3 yesterday only to find that the promised exclusive was nowhere to be found. It's unclear why the downloadable title is missing but EA was quick to jump in, saying that all Battlefield 3 DLC will be available one week earlier on the PlayStation 3 instead. In other words EA is going to let you give them money sooner instead of giving you something free. Nice deal huh?

Whether you thought that the idea of getting Battlefield 1943 for free was important or not, it's not a good sign that we never heard about this change until the game was already out.

Do you love foot-long sandwiches? Do you love Uncharted? Well then my friend, today is your lucky day. If you go into your local Subway and purchase a specially marked 30 ounce drink, you'll also gain access to the multiplayer portion of Uncharted 3.

Customers will receive a PSN code that unlocks the "full competitive multiplayer experience" for the rest of October. You'll also get exclusive Subway in-game items and a special foot-long taunt. Any progress you make will also carry over to the full retail release of Uncharted 3 which is scheduled for November 1. Check out the video below for more information.

Just a little public service announcement of sorts today. If you're looking into finally getting a PS3 or need to replace a unit, Sony has a great bundle coming up.

An Uncharted 3 PS3 Bundle will be available on November 1 for $299. It will include a slim 320 GB system, a copy of Uncharted 3 and a one-month subscription to Playstation Plus.That is the same price that a stand-alone 320 GB system sells for normally.

Looks like Sony is trying to get Uncharted 3 in as many hands as possible. Uncharted 2 is still the best piece of software for the system in my opinion. Here's to hoping that Uncharted 3 can surpass its predecessor in every way possible.

If you remember back to earlier this year at E3, Sony announced an odd cross promotion between Uncharted 3 and Subway that offered early access to the full multiplayer for Sony's biggest title of the fall. Today Subway announced the full details for their "Taste for Adventure" promotion. The event runs from September 29 to November 31 and can get you early multiplayer access, other Uncharted 3 goodies and perhaps even a a free week of DC Universe Online.

Voucher codes will be found on Subway cups, sandwiches and chips and entering these codes before Uncharted 3 releases will grant you early access to the full Uncharted 3 multiplayer. If you redeem the code after Uncharted 3 is out you will instead receive a free week of premium time for DC Universe Online. These voucher codes also allow you to win other various Uncharted virtual goodies:

• Uncharted 3 dynamic theme
• Uncharted 3 Fortune Hunter Bounty
• Uncharted 3 Multiplayer Drake Character Skin
• Uncharted 3 Multiplayer Weapon Skin
• Subway Taste for Adventure cup and virtual costumes for PlayStation Home

Uncharted 3 comes out on November 1 exclusively for the PlayStation 3 but if you visit your local Subway you can play it, at least the multiplayer, even earlier.

Last year the multiplayer component of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood went from being a silly, tacked on feature to becoming one of the hottest new multiplayer ideas around. After having basked in the success of Brotherhood Ubisoft is more than ready to impress gamers again with it's sophomore effort in Assassin's Creed Revelations.

Now many people have already been able to try out this multiplayer in the PlayStation 3 exclusive beta that's been running for awhile but starting tomorrow all PlayStation Network users will be able access the beta. This gives everyone a nice chance to stab their friends at hide crowds in a weekend that otherwise would have been quite devoid of both. However you better get your playing in quickly because your window to try out the multiplayer will close on September 11.

Assassin's Creed Revelations is set to launch on November 15 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Did you know that Playstation Home offers roughly 230 games spread throughout its virtual world? Games like Slap Happy Sam, Conspiracy and Sodium 2? Neither did I. Sony wants to change that complete oversight. Let's be honest; they need to change it.

Playstation Home Director Jack Buser spoke with Gamasutra on plans to redesign the world's central hub as well as a larger strategy to reposition Home as a "social game platform".

The new hub, launching this fall, will replace the central plaze. It will serve as a gateway to specific districts made up of specific games and genres.

"When we originally launched Home as a social network, we quickly realized that games were the killer app for bringing gamers together in a social context," said Buser. "When you first 'rez' into the new central hub, the first thing you'll see is a game, and that game will be [Lazy 8's] Cogs. The hub really up-levels this game content and puts it front and center on the service."

Home itself will be turning more into a game with the addition of a quest system. Users will be able to complete goals pertaining to various games and services.

Buser noted that these additions are only the beginning as "fundamental changes" will be coming to other areas of the service in the coming months.

Last year Sony touted exclusive content for many multiplatform games. A primary publisher that offered exclusive content for the PlayStation 3 was Electronic Arts and they're back again this year. New EA titles that will offer PS3 exclusive content are SSX, Need For Speed The Run and Battlefield 3.

For SSX gamers will receive a special Mount Fuji level. Need For Speed The Run will include seven exclusive supercars . Battlefield 3 will include a copy of the downloadable Battlefield 1943 on the disc. With PlayStation 3 multiplatform titles usually falling behind Xbox 360 sales, Sony is trying to do everything they can to make gamers want to buy for PS3 over Xbox. We'll see how it pans out.

The mastermind behind Bioshock Infinite, Ken Levine recently spoke ill of the PlayStation Move in an interview. In what's becoming a trend, Sony had Levine show up at their E3 Press Conference to talk about his misconceptions about the Move and make an announcement. Bioshock Infinite will indeed work with PlayStation Move although in what capacity has yet to be seen. Levine seemed very against the idea of crazy motions like golf swings but praised how much it felt similar to holding a DualShock controller. He also said he sees it as a way to remove the barrier from certain people enjoying a game like Bioshock Infinite. It was also announced that the PlayStation 3 version of Bioshock would include a version of the original Bioshock on the disc.

First Valve's Gabe Newell finds the light last year and now Ken Levine shows up to say he was wrong about PlayStation Move. It seems either Sony is throwing around a lot of money or is doing a good job working with developers to get good products. Let's hope it works as well with Bioshock Infinite as it did for Portal 2.

Sly Cooper is one of the most beloved series from PlayStation's history and fans have been craving a return to the franchise on PlayStation 3 for some time. During Sony's Press Conference tonight they finally revealed the return Sly with Sly Cooper Thieves in Time.

The only thing shown for Sly Cooper was a slick CG trailer that ended with a reveal that the character Dimitri Lousteau was posing as Sly. The trailer follows with a short voice over by Sly and Bentley. Sly Cooper Thieves in Time is currently aiming for a 2012 release.

The first phase of PlayStation Network's return has already hit with online gameplay, friends lists and Home returning over the past couple weeks. Among other missing parts like Qriocity, the PlayStation Store has been sorely missed. Sony has just announced on their official blog when we can expect the Store and other features to be restored.

The full services of PlayStation Network are scheduled to come back by the end of this week in the Americas, Europe/PAL territories and Asia, excluding Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Features that are returning include:

• Full functionality on PlayStation®Store
• In-game commerce
• Ability to redeem vouchers and codes
• Full functionality on Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3, PSP, VAIO and other PCs
• Full functionality on Media Go

While Sony may have missed the rumored May 31 return date at least they made the effort to get PlayStation Network fully running by their E3 press conference, saving a potentially very awkward situation.

Sony has just announced that they will be selling PS3s bundled with of Call of Duty: Black Ops and a code for the First Stirke DLC Pack starting on May 31. These 'limited edition' bundles will cost $299.99. That is the same price that regular ol' PS3s sell for now.

"The choice to bundle Call of Duty: Black Ops and the First Strike Content Pack with the PlayStation 3 is perfect for anyone looking to bring home an incredible entertainment experience, that delivers endless hours of excitement through the games epic single player campaign, hugely popular multiplayer on PlayStation Network, or our fan favorite co-op Zombies mode," said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of Treyarch. "And for those with 3D enabled televisions, the game's Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies experiences are seamlessly set up for stereoscopic 3D on the PS3 right out of the box."

This seems like a really good deal if you're one of the five people left on the planet that doesn't already own the best-selling game of all time. I think a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 bundle would have made more sense but all-in-all, not a bad deal. Now hopefully the Playstation Store will be up by then so buyers can redeem that DLC code.