Sony Offers Peek At PS3

[NightStorm]

Up until this point, Sony has let the public formulate speculation and rumours about the PlayStation 3 to make up for the lack of hard information about the system. But for the first time since last year's E3 in May, Ken Kataragi has taken the stage and shed more light on the much-anticipated system. Speaking recently at the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing in Tokyo, Kataragi confirmed what many of us have believed all along - the PlayStation 3 will come out worldwide in early November. But Kataragi wasn't just on hand to deliver some bad news about the PS3's delayed launch, as he also fleshed out some concrete details about the system. Sony says that one million units will be available each month, with the goal being to ship six million worldwide by March 7. Kataragi didn't specify if the first million PS3's would be allocated across all territories, but the company's worldwide goal of Spring 2007 seems to be an indication that U.S. gamers will have to split each monthly shipment with the Japanese and European markets. Because of this and the likely high demand, it seems clear we can expect shortages similar to those that befell Microsoft Xbox 360. Kataragi explained that the reason behind the launch delay was that Sony was waiting for the finalization of the specs for Blu-ray - the next-gen DVD format discs contain enough space (50GB dual layered) to hold high-definition content. Games for the PlayStation 3 will only use Blu-ray discs (and will be free from region encoding), because DVDs are too easy to copy. However, the PS3 will still play all DVDs, CDs, and be backwards compatible with PS2 and PSone games. In fact, games for Sony's old consoles played on the PS3 will actually be upscaled into HD-video formats. Sony also laid other incompatibility rumours to rest by saying that the platform would work on all regular and HDTV's, and would support the current and "next generation" of HDMI. The PlayStation 3 will debut with online functionality out of the box through it's online service dubbed the PlayStation Network Platform. Sony says that a basic, free version of the service will be available to all, and every game will offer player matching, voice/video chat, messaging, ranking, commerce opportunities, and game uploads/downloads. A Sony spokesman told us that it has not been decided yet if gamers will be able to play games online with the free basic service, although they did point out the company's history of not charging for online play. Once again, Sony putting most of the control for the game content and management into the hands of it's third parties. Rumour is that Sony will offer downloads of PSone and PS3 games, and GamesIndusty.biz has reported that Sony is already in talks with companies such as EA for the rights to digitally distribute the publisher's back catalogue. The PS3 is supporting a 60GB hard drive (HDD) to handle such possibly large downloads. Sony says that all games will require the hard drive. A Sony spokesperson confirmed with us that the PS3 will ship with the 60GB hard drive included, so the public will not have to purchase one separately. The HDD will come with the Linux operating system pre-installed and be able to connect to the Internet. PS3 owners will also be able to swap it out for a larger drive. It could also service as a home server that would store MP3s or pictures for access from other devices such as the PSP. Although those who were banking on a spring PS3 release may be disappointed by the system's fall date, developers are already saying that they welcome the delay in order to put more work into their games. At the Game Developer's Conference, Sony showed off gameplay clips of MotorStorm, WarHawk, and Insomniac's Resistance: Fall Of Man to mixed reviews. However, a video of a new PS3 Ratchet & Clank excited the audience. It will be interesting to see how much progress developers have made at E3, and also when the final dev kits go out this summer. [attachment=2723:attachment] [size=1][i]Credit: GameInformer Magazine Issue 157 - May 2006[/i][/size]

[Super Mario]

[color=\"#FF0000\"][b]The PS3 Is actually going to come in 2 prices. The 20 GB hard drive will be $499 and the 60 GB hard drive will cost $599. The reason for the steep prices is to cover the upgrade to blu-ray. I've also heard a rumor that because of blu-ray, video game rentals will nto be able to happen for the PS3, but I can neither confirm nor deny that claim. Sony has also done away with the banana controller in favor of one that looks exactly like the PS2 controller. The difference? Sony decided to steal ideas from Nintendo as the controller will also be motion sensative.

So, what's my oppinion on all this although I doutb anyone cares? For Sony's sake, they need to keep that only service free and make their games pretty cheap or else they are sunk. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Sony, I just hate Microsoft, But at THAT price tag, only fanboys are gonna buy it, atleast the ones that can afford it. For that price, you're better off buying an X-box 360 AND a Wii. And you might even have enough change left over for an extra controller or game! I'm Supee MArio, and that's my 411.[/b][/color]

[David]

[font=\"Tahoma\"]Information released at E3 shows off Sony's new controller for the Playstation3 console. They ditched the critically frowned-upon 'boomerang/banana' style to go back to their Dual Shock-type controllers. Yes, they're wireless. Along with the fact that it has a tilt-based motion detection system to it (unlike the Nintendo Wii). While the Wii's controller is designed to allow the person to move (and do) anything they please with it (advanced motion detection), the Playstation 3's controller will only allow you to do certain (basic) actions [use it as a driving wheel, move it up and down, for example]. So far, I don't see much of a 'copy' yet. They tacked on an additional button in middle that will take you to the Interface - it's only logical to do something similar to that. Another bit of a dissapointment is that Sony has removed the rumble feature from the new Dual Shock (where's the shock then? lol). This was supposively due to the fact it would interfere with the tilt-system. The R2 and L2 buttons have been enlarged, probably to enhance control (woot). I wonder how sensitive the buttons will be.

Also revealed at E3 was the content interface. This allows people to purchase new content for games, or just mini-games to place onto their hard drive. We already knew Sony was going to do this though, it was announced more than a year ago that they were contemplating giving the Playstation 3 a Network Service to its players. Not too much was given in terms of information about the network itself. Sony hasn't released full details about its service yet; minus the fact that you will be able to download material to your HDD and how it can enchance gameplay. All systems should have a network service like this - it's what people want ;p [/font]

[Tami]

Photos of the PS3 System fro E3: [attachment=2724:attachment] [attachment=2725:attachment] [attachment=2726:attachment] More information about the controller: SCE Announces New Controller For PlayStation?3 Equipped with High-Precision, Highly Sensitive Six-Axis Sensing System Los Angeles, May 8, 2006 ? Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced the new controller for PLAYSTATION?3 (PS3), which will become available as standard with the system. The new controller can be experienced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) held from May 10 through 12, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. The controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world?s most popular PlayStation? controller that has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide, while inheriting its basic concept and design. The controller for PS3 employs breakthrough technology of high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that does not require any devices other than the controller itself for seamless interactive operation, thus eliminating additional settings to TVs. With this technology, ways to enjoy PS3 will be further enhanced by accessing PS3 through the network, while retaining the six-axis sensing capability. In addition to the ?3-posture-axis? of roll, pitch and yaw, ?3-dimension acceleration information (X, Y, and Z)? can be detected in high-precision and in real-time. In addition to standard key input available in existing controllers, more natural and more intuitive play will become possible as if the controller has become part of your body. Pursuant to the introduction of this new six-axis sensing system, the vibration feature that is currently available on DUALSHOCK? and DUALSHOCK?2 controllers for PlayStation and PlayStation?2, will be removed from the new PS3 controller as vibration itself interferes with information detected by the sensor. The shape of L2/R2 buttons located on the top of the controller has also been enlarged with increased depth in stroke for more subtle control in games. At the same time, the tilting angle of the analog joy sticks has been slightly broadened to enable more delicate and more dynamic manipulation. Along with these improvements, precision of above information detection (L2/R2, analog joy stick) has been increased from 8 bit to 10 bit. All input information will be immediately transferred to the PS3 system through the Bluetooth? wireless technology. By using a USB cable, the PS3 controller can be swapped seamlessly from wireless to wired, and can be charged automatically. The cable can be attached and detached at anytime. By integrating all these features into one standard PlayStation controller, SCEI, together with content creators, expects to further expand and accelerate the world of next generation computer entertainment.

[NightStorm]

Responding to the Ghost of "Super-With-A-Typing-Impediment", Nintendo is far from the first company to develop motion-sensors in their game systems, so claiming that another company using the technology is ripping them off merely makes one sound like they are speaking with biased ignorance. If Nintendo truly developed the concept and design of the motion-activated controller, don't you think there would have been a Patent filed on it prior to the announcement that they were utilizing that technology?
And on a side-note, if it was Nintendo's technology, I doubt you could find many motion-sensor games in Wal-Mart's kiddie section for $19.99. The Light-Sabre training game is especially entertaining, although I am also enjoying the Batman game...
I know what will be sure to be placed on the 2007 first-quarter budget for the Hall... /bigwink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\';)\' />

[Josh]

I don't like the actuall console's design... Just seems...ick. lol

[to@ds]

A quick comment on the controller and Nintendos claim. I remember when the PSone first came out and the release games like Ridge Racer and Wipeout, there was a joypad that was made by a 3rd party company that you could twist about a central axis which resulted in your car turning on screen. It was a good idea but it never really payed off.

As for Mario, sorry but I really have to do this cus I cant stand Nintendo fanboys sorry :s

You said you dont like Microsoft, can I ask why? The xbox has proven its self to be the superior console of the current generation, offering a high quality machine that plays high quality games that generaly are aimed at a more mature audience. You cant deny that the current Xbox is superior to both the PS2 and the Game Cube. Not only that, but out of the three machines, all of which came with online support, Xbox again has triumphed with its xbox live service. Ive been a happy member of the live community for 2 years and will continue to be, especialy when I make my move to 360.

Dont get me wrong, the PS2 and Game Cube are both pretty good consoles, I own both as well as an Xbox because I beleive that each system has something to offer that the others dont. For me the PS2 is all about Tekken and Final Fantasy which are great games, but I get annoyed by the fact that the PS2 has a huge, and I mean HUGE selection of game, but of which only a few are worth your hard earned cash because of their quantity of quality. They offer you alot of choice, but none of its any good.

In some ways, the Game Cube has the same problem, only this time, most of the games are aimed at a younger audeince. Ive completed Sunshine, Metroid 1 and 2, and Windwaker and felt that I was being treated like a child every step of the way. Nintendo also arent willing to let enough western developers make games for them, and the ones that do are usualy of a poor standard. The Cube has alot of power, and can do some great things but it rarely gets used to its full potential.

Microsoft how ever have done a great job with the Xbox considering its their first forey into the console world. Granted, the Xbox was slow to take off, you have to have a wall removed when you get it home from the shop, and its original joypads were really big (which I liked) and the console is somewhat ugly, but none of these things matter because the games you play are what counts. Look at games like Splinter Cell, play it on a PS2, then on an Xbox. Seethe differance? See how the levels havent been shortened on the Xbox? Ofcourse, there are some bad games on the xbox, I personaly think Halo 2 is the biggest pile of cleavland steamers you could ever see, but at the same time I cant get enough of Halo 1. I think the fact that the Xbox has been out selling both the Game Cube and the PS2 says alot. It may have been a slow uptake, but I know that the people who buy an xbox become die hard fans of the console because it is so good. The games are better, bigger, nicer looking, sound better and play better!.

I look forward to both the PS3 and the Wii (giggles uncontrolably("I said wee!")) because like I said before I beleive that all 3 consoles offer differant things and all have some great titles, but the superiorty of the xbox console and its games it what makes my xbox my console of choice, and the console I play most on, with my Game Cube coming out when I want to sail the high sea's in Windwaker (and I seriously cant wait much longer for Twilight Princess) and my PS2 makes a return when I want to pound my friends faces in on Tekken!

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention this cus of my ranting, Microsft have said that if Blu-Ray takes off, due to the simplicity of the 360's OS, they can easly develop a Blu-Ray drive for the 360 and keep up with the competition, not to mention that the 360 isnt realy an "xbox2", its more of an "Xbox 1.5" and a warm up for the real xbox2 which we should be hearing about by this time next year, even before the PS3 is out!