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Friday, May 26, 2006

Sony: PS3 2nd Hand Clampdown Is "False Speculation".

Sony have rubbished rumors started by GamesRadar yesterday that it would be impossible to sell or play used software for the PS3, telling Games Industry.Biz that it is "false speculation."

Yesterday, GamesRadar reported that Sony was warning high street retailers that the sale of pre-owned games would be illegal due to the licensing terms of PS3 software, which technically would still belong to Sony.

This rumor quickly spread across the internet, and was reported on numerous gaming news websites.

UK Sony spokesperson Jennie Kong confirmed: "We have definitely not been communicating that. It's false speculation. We don't have any further knowledge about this topic - either officially or unofficially, to be frank. There has been no official comment on this since the story that came up a few months ago - it hasn't changed since then, and we're quite surprised by why this has popped up again, to be honest."

This isn't the first PS3 rumor started up by GamesRadar which turned out to be false. Earlier this month GamesRadar claimed that the 20GB version of the PS3 would not feature bluetooth support for wireless controllers, a rumour which Sony smashed a few days later.

PS3 Most Wanted Next-Gen Console In The UK.

According to a poll by gadget magazine T3, the PS3 is officially the most wanted next-generation console. This is pretty surprising, since Sony's next Playstation console is still a whole 6 months away from launch. It just shows that the price of the PS3 is not putting off potential buyers.

Although no official figures were released, Sony's console triumphed over Nintendo's Wii, which took a close second place by a small fraction of the voting. Microsoft's Xbox360 didn't look so good, slipping in the popularity stakes by taking third place.

The Xbox360, which launched before christmas last year, scored less than half of the votes of it's rivals.

Its quite interesting to see the popularity growth of the Nintendo Wii. Ever since the launch of the original Sony Playstation, Nintendo hasn't fared that well in the console stakes. This polls suggests that the Wii is making a comeback, besting Microsoft by staying ahead it, and coming pretty close to current console top dog Sony. Could the Wii mark a rebirth for Nintendo? Only time will tell.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Why The PS3 Will Rock.

Ok, enough with all the doom and gloom, right now the PS3 is reeling from a somewhat lackluster E3 showing and the negative publicity that comes with announcing a high priced piece of hardware. It's time to put put some things in perspective.

The real reason behind all the hubbub is that for the first time in ten years of being on top Sony appears vulnerable, and Microsoft and Nintendo fanboys are relishing every second. Appearances can be deceiving.

1) The PS3 games at E3 may not have looked leaps and bounds above what's on the 360, but there are months of development time left, titles like Heavenly Sword,Warhawk, and Resistance:Fall Of Man already look fantastic.

2) The only 360 game I saw on the show floor that really impressed me and that made me want a 360 was Gears Of War. At the Sony booth I had fun with Motorstorm, Warhawk, Heavenly Sword and Resistance: Fall of Man, heck just days after E3 I found myself wishing I could get my hands on them again. I felt no such pining for most of the 360 games, Crackdown? Shadow Run? Saints Row? Please.

3) Nintendo isn't a threat (no offense), they've successfully targeted a different demographic and aim to coexist with Sony and Microsoft, that's why the "PSWii" and "Wii60" avatars are so popular all of a sudden. While the Wii is going to be fun, there are certain epic experiences you just won't be able to get on it.

4) The controller will be a hit, I know because I've held it. For all this talk of innovation the fact is most of us still play games the same way, with a standard controller (why do you think Ninty's releasing a "shell" for the WiiMote?) Many would agree that the Dual Shock design is perfect, which is why there was such a big ruckus when the boomerang pad was shown, why break what 'aint broke right? Sony's new controller keeps all the best bits of the old Dual Shock while infusing added functionality and control via the L2, R2 trigger buttons and tilt sensitivity. And all this noise about Sony copying Nintendo? Who really cares, Sony "copied" the analog stick and rumble feature from the N64 controller and implemented a better solution, who's to say the same won't be the case here?

5) Sony has the most powerful hardware. Sorry Microsoft fanboys but it's true, and even you know it, right now you're going through the same denial Sony fanboys went through when the original Xbox specs were announced. The evidence might not be so apparent just now, but it will become so in the future, this first generation of launch titles is looking just as good, if not a little better than the second generation of 360 titles. That says something.

6) You'll get used to the price, and realise it's probably worth it. Considering what you get in the package, a blu-ray player, 60GB hard drive, the ability to run Linux and homebrew, wifi, memory card slots, a fully fledged media centre and the most powerful gaming machine ever to grace God's green earth, $600 really isn't that steep.

7) Sony still has the biggest guns. There's just no challenging Sony's lineup, let's quickly run though a list of titles that traditionally debut on Sony hardware.

Onimusha:We haven't heard a peep yet, but you can bet it's in development and if it's predecessors are anything to go by, it'll blow us away.

Devil Mary Cry: Personally, I say to hell with all the rumors, this one's coming to the PS3 first and it'll most likely stay there. DMC was notably absent at E3, and now we know why. Come the Tokyo Game Show we'll get our hands on a playable build of this delightfully devilish dish.

Ratchet and Clank: The short clip we've seen looks amazing, Insomniac are witches, and they've cast a spell on us.

Jak and Daxter: Naughty Dog are capable of doing things with Sony hardware that would make you swear the team thinks in binary. Rumors abound of an MMO set in the Jak universe, the idea of a Massively Multiplayer Online Adventure Platformer has me bouncing off the walls.

Gran Turismo: It has to be emphasised that you haven't seen a single frame of GT5. What was shown at E3 was GT4 running in 1080p. PGR what?

God of War: It's coming, it has to be... and it will make you its manslave. Can you even fathom how amazing it'll be fighting a giant kracken in high resolution, blood spurting and scales glistening as twin blades cut arcs of death through the frigid air? Can you?

Silent Hill: Think back to the first time Silent Hill mentally scarred you.

Final Fantasy: You will be ownt.

Kingdom Hearts: Considering how good these games looked on the PS2 hardware.

Shadow of the Colossus: You didn't play Shadow, you experienced it.

Metal Gear Solid: Kojima's MGS games have always resonated with emotional and philosophical depth, the technical and visual artistry on display knows no peer. Plus they' re damn cool.

Castlevania: Symphony of The Night, but real this time. Let's see it Konami.

SOCOM: With the power of the PS3 behind them, Zipper will finally be able to deliver a SOCOM experience that runs smoothly, looks great and delivers depth of gameplay we all know and love.

Wipeout: I'd be surprised if we didn't hear something about a Wipeout game coming to PS3 very soon and considering how much fun Wipeout pure was, a next gen Wipeout is a civic responsibility.

Lair: Have you seen this game!? No one knows exactly what it's about, but holy aunt Jemima does it looks tasty!

Soul Reaver: Probably the most intricate and detailed story ever written for a videogame, the Soul Reaver series needs a PS3 entry. There's no evidence of a new game in the works but it would kick much buttock to wander the landscape of Nosgoth powered by the PS3...oh, oh, Nosgoth Online!

Killzone: Conspicuously absent at E3, rumor has it Sony didn't want to take the focus off Resistance: Fall of Man. When next we see Killzone, it'll be big, very bigBottom line is that E3 was only the tip of the PlayStation iceberg and it focused mainly on launch window titles and new IP's, Sony's saving the big guns, and it won't be long before we start seeing and hearing more from them.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

SNK Favours Wii Over Xbox 360 And PS3.

The president of SNK USA has confirmed the company's support for the Nintendo Wii - adding that while both the PS3 and Xbox360 will do well, Microsoft will struggle to secure a market share in Japan.

In an interview with Advanced Media Network, Ben Herman said: "We have a game for Wii and... The first child is usually closest to your heart. But we do have some strong expectations that Sony will do very well. I'm sure Xbox 360 will continue to do well."

However, Herman continued, "Xbox 360 is doing great here in the States, but it's not only about the US... It's the world right now.

"The 360 has not taken a foothold [in Japan]... PS3 is coming, and certainly, even though it is very expensive, the reality is that the Japanese market will support Sony."

Herman also declared that the original Xbox "done", stating: "They haven't announced that it's over but believe me, it's over. That category is gone. There will be nothing new from us for Xbox."

SNK has previously announced Metal Slug Anthology, a Wii game which will make use of the unique remote controller. There are also plans to develop a sixth instalment in the Metal Slug series - but it won't necessarily appear on all next-gen consoles.

"It's a 2D game so we can't bring it to PS3 or Xbox 360 as is," Herman said.

"Quite possibly it will come to a Nintendo system because Nintendo is certainly does not have a high-definition requirement, but we're still analysing our plans for that."

As for how much the Wii is likely to cost - according to Herman, "We all expect something in the $200-$250 range."

Drop The Appeal And We'll Help With PS3 rumble - Immersion President.

Sony has been offered help introducing "rumble" technology to its PlayStation 3 controller by a very unusual source - the president of the company that sued it for using the technology in the first place.

In a press release shortly after its pre-E3 conference, the platform holder said the addition of tilt sensors to the PS3 controller meant it was impossible to implement rumble technology - something balked at by a number of commentators, and widely criticised following the show.

Speaking to Gamasutra, Immersion president Victor Viegas said he'd "offered them numerous solutions to the problem". "I don't believe it's a very difficult problem to solve, and Immersion has experts that would be happy to solve that problem for them."

For this to happen, however, Sony would have to drop its current appeal against the 2004 lawsuit that saw it told to pay approximately USD 90 million in damages to Immersion, which had alleged it made illegal use of its "haptic" (rumble) technologies.

Sony is currently appealing against an injunction that would prohibit it from making or selling PlayStation controllers featuring rumble technology. Microsoft, originally named in the same lawsuit, settled with Immersion for $26 million, also taking a 10 per cent stake in the company and becoming a licensee of its technology. Immersion has taken no action against Nintendo at this time.

"[Sony has] taken aggressive positions with the use of patents to try to invalidate our claims, and have argued that Immersion committed fraud," Viegas told Gamasutra. "There's been quite a lot of legal activity and a lot of unnecessary energy expended over this."

Viegas feels that the removal of rumble from PlayStation 3 is a backwards step for Sony, telling Gamasutra, "to take vibration out of a driving game or a first person shooting game, I can't imagine how people will be able to view that as an advancement in gaming".

Eye Of Judgment Update.

One of Sony's biggest PS3 titles at E3 was The Eye Of Judgement, an EyeToy game that uses real life cards to create a virtual battle field outside the screen. Following up on the show, Japan's IT Media has posted an update on the intriguing new title, complete with an interview with producer Yusuke Watanabe.



The Eye of Judgment is a simple game, according to Watanabe. Battles take place on a 3x3 play field. Players take turns moving cards between spaces, and the first to capture 5 of the 9 spaces wins. Watanabe believes the game resembles chess in some ways.

SCE is preparing over 100 card types for the game. The cards are divided into two main classes: creature cards, which give you control over one of the spaces, and spell cards, which cause some effect on a space.

On each turn, in addition to deciding your card's next position, you have to also decide which direction it will face. The creature represented by a Creature Card is weak to attacks coming from behind or to the side.

In addition to single player versus CPU play, the game will include a number of multiplayer options. Players will be able to challenge one another or work together against the CPU, both Offline and Online. On top of these modes, the game will include a profile mode that lets players scan cards and view their contents, and a simple paper-rock-scissors style mode for younger players.

Watanabe explained some of the technology behind the game to IT Media. The title makes use of a technology the development staff refers to as "Cyber Codes," basically 2D bar codes that are read by the Eye Toy peripheral. Watanabe believes the next generation camera being planned for the PS3 is important for the title. The new EyeToy can read VGA-resolution images at 60 frames per second, a big improvement over the PS2 version of the camera.

The game isn't all technology, of course. While development started off with technological tests, and getting the game to properly recognize cards placed on the battle field is one of the main areas of development right now, the staff spent 2 years designing the gameplay systems on paper. This was followed by another year on graphics development.

The Eye of Judgment will ship with a pack of 30 cards, which Watanabe states is the minimum number of cards required for versus mode play. The release of other cards may take the form of of booster packs containing 5 cards per pack.

Despite all the technology and planning going into The Eye of Judgment, Watanabe expects to have the title ready for release simultaneously with the PS3 launch in Japan. Let's hope this means SCE is getting set to give out specific details on the PS3 version of EyeToy.

Sony Takes PS3 Overseas.

Sony will be doing something it's never done for one of its game consoles. According to the news service, the company will rely in part on production facilities outside of Japan for the manufacturing of the initial batch of PlayStation 3 hardware.

Specific plans call for Chinese manufacturing facilities to begin PS3 production this Summer. The news service did not specify what parts of the system would be manufactured by the plants.

In previous generations, Sony has produced its consoles initially in Japan, moving production to overseas facilities later in the systems' lifecycle.

Sony plans to use its mass production capabilities as a tool to quickly take the lead in the next generation console race with Microsoft and Nintendo. Sony has announced plans to ship six PS3 million units worldwide by March of 2007, a number that its competitors have questioned.

Next-Gen DVD Battle Will Decide Console War - Pachter.

Whether or not Microsoft can mount a serious challenge to Sony's market share in the console market may be almost entirely down to the outcome of the battle between the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD next-generation DVD formats.

That's according to leading industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities, who has pinpointed the struggle between Toshiba and Sony in the high definition movie space as crucial to how the games market will move in the coming years.

"Notwithstanding the efforts of all three console manufacturers to deliver compelling exclusive content, we believe that the ultimate outcome of the console wars will be decided by the motion picture studios," Pachter commented."

Should the studios embrace Sony's Blu-ray standard for high definition DVDs, we think Sony will gain an insurmountable advantage over Microsoft; should the studios embrace Sony rival Toshiba's HD-DVD format, we think that Microsoft can maintain its first mover advantage and will dominate software sales for years to come.

"Pachter believes that Sony has allowed Microsoft to gain that first year advantage because of its desire to hold off on releasing the PS3 until such time as the Blu-Ray technology was ready - a risky strategy, but one which could yet pay off for the firm."

Should Sony win the high definition DVD format war, we expect a more rapid adoption rate for the PS3,should Sony lose the DVD war, we expect sales of the PS3 to approximate annual sales of the Xbox360, and believe that Microsoft can retain its first mover advantage," Pachter explained.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 utilises a standard definition DVD drive, but the firm has announced its intention to launch an add-on unit which can play HD-DVD content.

However, uptake of such devices for consoles has traditionally been slow, and while the peripheral will answer critics of the Xbox 360 who point out that the device for which Microsoft coined the phrase "HD Era" doesn't actually play back any HD physical media, it is unlikely to make a major impact on the fortunes of the device - or the HD-DVD format.

Pachter's estimation, which is supported by comments from other analysts covering the movie industry, is that Blu-Ray will win the format battle against HD-DVD, despite its apparent disadvantages - including being later to market, and being more expensive.

"We expect the dominant console at the end of the next cycle to be the Sony PlayStation 3," he explained, "primarily due to our assessment that Sony will win the high definition DVD format war."

It's not all bad news for Microsoft, though, with Pachter anticipating that Xbox 360 will "enjoy a first mover advantage for the next two years, capturing approximately 42% of U.S. and European combined next generation hardware unit sales through 2007."

Looking past 2007, however, the market seems likely to settle down to a more familiar pattern - "with Sony capturing around 45% of the total market, Microsoft capturing 35%, and Nintendo capturing 20%. These estimates do not include market shares in Japan, which we expect to be dominated by Sony (65% through 2010) and Nintendo (25%)."

Pachter is also upbeat on the fortunes of Nintendo's Wii, which he expects to capitalise strongly on its positioning as a second console and a mass-market proposition - not least because customers will not feel compelled to buy a HD monitor to enjoy the system.

He believes that the uptake of Xbox 360 and PS3 will both be slowed by the need for consumers to upgrade their screens in order to enjoy the full advantages of each console, with Nintendo being "well positioned to exploit the slower adoption of next generation technology, as its Wii console does not require an HD monitor."

Pachter also claims that Wii will benefit from having more software exclusivity than Xbox 360 and PS3 - as the latter two consoles are likely to be very similar in hardware terms, and the economics of software development increasingly militate against creating titles exclusively for these platforms.

Confusion Reigns Over Whether UK Will Get 20Gb PS3.

Following the announcement that Sony plans to launch two versions of the PlayStation 3, confusion is growing over whether UK consumers will have the option to purchase either model.

Both 20Gb and 60Gb versions are set to go on sale this November, priced at EURO 499 / 599 respectively. UK retailer Gamestation is already taking pre-orders for the 60GB model, which it has priced at GBP 424.99 - but there's no option to order the lower spec version.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz today, a Gamestation customer services representative from said: "It's our understanding that the 20GB version won't be released in the UK - at least not at the same time as the 60GB one."

A customer services representative from GAME told a slightly different story, stating: "I believe we'll be offering both."

However, the representative went on, "Nothing is set in stone."

A spokesperson from Sony declined to offer full clarification, stating: "We are still in planning and no further announcements have been made."
In an official statement, Sony said: "Following our announcements at E3, all sales teams are currently liasing with retailers/buyers to discuss projections and consumer demands for both the 20Gb/60Gb configurations of the PlayStation 3."

"SCE is looking to ship 2 million in the first 3 weeks of launch (and up to 6 million by end of FY07) and there is no official statements on shipments at a territory level as of yet."

Gamestation's official spokesperson has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Related Articles

Virtua Fighter 5 To Be PS3 Exclusive.

Sega has announced that Virtua Fighter 5 is going to be hitting the next-gen console in spring of 2007. It has signed a deal with Sony that will make it an exclusive to Sony’s Playstation 3.

Sega has promised that they will take “true advantage” of the Playstation 3’s hardware capabilities. The next installment of Virtua Fighter will includes 2 new fighters and 17 fighters that fans of the series will be familiar with.

New features fans can expect include comprehensive character customization options that will give players the ability to attach a wide range of in-game items to body parts, a new “offensive move” that allows gamers to attack there opponent from the side, and a reward system that offers prizes and money."Virtua Fighter 5 will offer fans the ultimate next-generation fighting game experience. For years, the industry has talked about bringing the arcade experience to the living room. Virtua Fighter 5 fulfils this promise, and then some." Stated Scott Steinberg, VP Marketing of Sega of America.

Virtua Fighter 5 will fully support 720p resolution and a promising arcade experience on the Playstation 3.

Sony: Free Online Means Free Online.

Since Sony's Pre-E3 press conference rumors have been making the rounds on forums, fueled by the speculation of Microsoft pundit "Major Nelson" and fans of his show, that Sony would not be including online gaming as part of their "Basic Community Services", which would be free to any PS3 owner.

The basis of this statement was that Kaz Hirai, during the press conference, ran a slide that did not include online gaming as part of the "Basic Community Services". Although he did list the features on the slide as features "beyond just gaming", confusion still arose and Sony's plans were called into question.

Today however, a PR Manager from Sony Computer Entertainment America reportedly stated that gaming would be free, stating: "Please note that online gaming will be free right out of the box.

Whether or not this statement was actually made by SCEA has come into question however.
After contacting SCEA PR to inquire as to the nature of their statement, PS3Portal was told that they did "not want to comment at this time" on whether or not the statement is an accurate representation of their online stance.

Sony has touted free online as an advantage over Microsoft's free XBox LIVE account, called a "Silver" account, which does not include online gaming as one of its services. The pricing structure for premium and downloadable content has still not been outlined.

It is also important to note that Sony is not stopping developers from charging a fee for online play, and that many MMO's will likely still require a subscription fee to play.

Homebrew Linux PS3 Development.


In an intriguing turn of events, Sony executive Izumi Kawanishi has illuminated some of his company's PlayStation 3 Linux plans, indicating that it will be possible for individual 'homebrew' coders to create playable content for PS3, something actively blocked for Sony's PSP handheld.

In comments made to Japanese game website Impress Watch, and translated by GameSetWatch contributor Shou Suzuki, Kawanishi noted: "Because we have plans for having Linux on board [the PS3], we also recognize Linux programming activities... Other than game studios tied to official developer licenses, we'd like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3."

It seems that Sony is happy to let basic application and game construction take place without access to the extremely sophisticated rendering and physics libraries available to licensors - Kawanishi further commented: "When a game studio enacts development on a PS3 by entering a license contract, SDK libraries... will be presented, and various technical support given. In contrast, when using Linux World on the PS3... support will fall to the lowest level required, and you must solve and work on things by yourselves."

Sony has previously made a Linux kit available with the PlayStation 2, but it is unclear whether any code created using PlayStation 3 and Linux will be freely spreadable and runnable via memory cards. Additionally, Sony has not yet commented on whether it will only be possible to distribute this content via some kind of Sony-regulated online server, or only to fellow Linux coders, as was the case for PlayStation 2 Linux, which spawned a number of homebrew games.

More information on the Linux coding opportunities for PS3 are likely to surface over the next few months, however.

Cheaper PS3 To Have Upgrades.

20Gb PlayStation 3 will be upgradeable, says Sony.Wi-Fi and memory card adaptors on the way.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony has dismissed rumours that the 20Gb PS3 will not be compatible with wireless controllers, and that consumers will not have the option to upgrade the hard drive.

"Both queries to my knowledge are completely false," a spokesperson told GI.biz.

"Both configurations will support bluetooth PS3 controllers.

The only non-upgradeable feature of the 20Gb configuration will be the HDMI output."

This confirms comments made by Sony's Phil Harrison in a recent interview with GI.biz, where he stated: "You can upgrade to whatever size of drive you like. You can put in any drive that you like - it is a computer, after all."

The spokesperson went on to reveal that Sony plans to release a Wi-Fi adaptor for the 20Gb PlayStation 3. Consumers will also have the option to purchase a separate adaptor that will allow the use of memory sticks, SD cards and compact flash cards with the machine.

However, there's still no word as to whether the 20Gb PlayStation 3 will make it to the UK at all.

Xbox 360 Fails To Take Off In Japan As DS Dominates.

The Nintendo DS is continuing to prove hugely popular with Japanese consumers, accounting for more than 70 per cent of sales - while the Xbox360 is struggling to break the 1 per cent barrier.

According to data provider Media Create, 138,000 Nintendo DS units and 690,000 DS Lites were sold during the month of April - accounting for 12.01 per cent and 60.19 per cent of sales respectively. Total DS sales rose by 206 per cent compared to figures for April 2005, which can be at least partly attributed to the launch of the DS Lite on March 2nd.

The PSP was the next best-selling piece of hardware last month, with just over 130,000 units sold and an 11.34 per cent share of the market. The PS2 is still going strong for a console at the end of its life cycle - 112,000 units were sold, making for a 9.77 per cent market share.

In fact, the PS2 far outsold Mircrosoft's next-gen console, which launched in Japan last December. The Xbox360 is also trailing behind the GBA SP and the Game Boy Micro(both of which have market shares of around 2.6 per cent) - 10,701 units were sold in April, accounting for just 0.93 per cent of hardware sales.

The original Xbox, which has never been able to secure a foothold in Japan, is also continuing to fair poorly. It lagged behind the GameCube (0.4 per cent) and GBA (0.02 per cent) with just 121 units sold last month and a 0.01 per cent market share.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Xbox Handheld Mock Up .

We’ve long suspected that Microsoft’s development team is working on bringing a PSP-killing handheld Xbox into the world – so much so that the new issue of T3 magazine (on sale today) has an exclusive picture of what we think it’ll look like.

Rumours suggest the handheld will have a webcam and 5-inch touchscreen - that’s half an inch more than the PSP’s panel. And it will certainly be multitalented, as much at ease with movies, music and photos as it is with games. Heck, it needs to be in order to make people want it: in the words of Microsoft’s games bigwig, Peter Moore, “it can’t just be our version of the iPod.”
Games bible Edge – T3’s sister publication – recently quizzed Moore about the project. Xbox main man J Allard, normally not given to shunning the public eye, hasn’t been seen for months – surely this is because he’s working on the handheld?
Moore responded with a chuckling “no comment” – hardly the outright “no” that might have been expected, suggesting that Allard may indeed be overseeing the early development of a new portable console.

Whatever the case, it’s likely to be some time before such a device hits the streets – so in the mean time you’ll have to satisfy yourselves by feasting your eyes on the Xbox handheld Mock up above.

Playstation 3 Mimics PSP Menu Interface.

Power-up your PS3 and you'll be greeted by a PSP-style menu interface.All the icons are identical to those of its handheld counterpart,with movies(Hi-Def ones of course),music and web options all available.But the PS3's interface packs a couple of new additions.




First,is the 'Users' button which enables you to flick between profiles,suggesting that Sony is expecting each machine to be fought over by more than one member of the family.The other intriguing icon is a ‘Friends’ button. However, Sony hasn't been willing to give out any more info on how these systems will actually function at this early stage.

Another interesting snippet was confirmation that you’ll be able to use a keyboard and mouse with PS3, enabling you to easily browse the web on your telly.

SCE Announces New Controller For PlayStation 3


Sony today announced the new controller for PS3, which will become available as standard with the system. 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 Dual Shock and Dual Shock2 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.

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.

PS3 Price And Launch Date Revealed.

Sony announced today that it would launch the PS3 in “Clear Black” in mainland Europe, US and Australia on November 17, 2006, as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.

The PS3 will be equipped with Blu-ray and Pre-Installed HDD and be available in two models (20GB HDD) and (60GB HDD) versions.The prices in the different countries are as follows.



20Gb PS3:

  • $499(US)
  • 499(Euros)
  • £340(UK)

60Gb PS3:

  • $599(US)
  • 599(Euros)
  • £410(UK)

PS3 Pre-Orders In The UK Have Begun.

Its been less than a week since the PS3's price tag was revealed and already over here in the UK Gamestation are taking pre-orders for the next-gen console. If you want a PS3 on release then you should most definetley pre-order it now as like the 360 the PS3 will no doubt be near impossible to get on the day of its release.


Now for the scary part. The pre-order totals in at a whopping £424.95, at least for £425 you're pretty much assured a PS3 on release and its also for the 60GB kit which will please many Sony fans. If you wish to pre-order the next-gen console then simply click the Gamestation banner Above.

SCEI President Is Confident Of Hitting PS3 Shipment Targets.

SCEI president Ken Kutaragi has defended the PlayStation 3's high price tag once again, declaring that not only will consumers be prepared to pay the cost but that the console is "probably too cheap."
In an interview with Japanese website IT Media, partially translated by IGN, Kutaragi said: "This is the PS3 price. Expensive, cheap - we don't want you to think of it in terms of game machines."
"For instance," Kutaragi continued, "Is it not nonsense to compare the charge for dinner at the company cafeteria with dinner at a fine restaurant? It's a question of what you can do with that game machine. If you can have an amazing experience, we believe price is not a problem."
Kutaragi reiterated comments he made earlier regarding the original PlayStation, which he says was also considered too expensive at launch.
"Same for the Playstation 2," Kutaragi said.
"However, when released, both had sales that were unthinkable for previous game machines. This is because both offered experiences that could not be had on previous machines."
Like its predecessors, PS3 will also offer brand new experiences, he continued: "Things like next-generation graphics and various services via the network. And, as with the PS and PS2, we believe people who like games will, without question, purchase it."

The PS3 is set for a global launch this November, priced at USD 499 / EURO 499 for the 20Gb version and USD 599 / EURO 599 for the 60Gb model. Kutaragi dismissed suggestions from the likes of Microsoft's Peter Moore that Sony will be unable to meet its shipment targets in time - the company has said that it plans to deliver 2 million PS3 units by the end of the year, with a further 2 million arriving by April.
"Of course, this is a number that we announced having made sure we can definitely prepare it,"
Kutaragi said.
"There is the possibility of unexpected problems like earthquake or theft, so I won't say it's absolute. But if this type of trouble does not occur, there's no problem with this number."

Grand Theft Auto IV Coming On PS3 & Xbox360.

Rockstar Games today announced the next chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series, titled Grand Theft Auto 4. The announcement offered little in terms of actual details regarding story and game mechanics. However, it did confirm that Rockstar North, developers of Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, are handling the latest iteration.

The only other piece of information concerns the release date. GTA 4 will ship simultaneously for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 16, 2007. In Europe, the game will ship on October 19, 2007.

Stay tuned for more details.

How Far Along Are PS3 Games? The Answer May Surprise You.

The PlayStation 3's big unveiling is the first chance developers have had to show off years and years of work. But how much work have they been able to get done? Here's a quick report of the PS3 games we have been able to take a glance at and their states of completion.

  • MotorStorm - 50%
  • Mobile Suit Gundam - 20%
  • Resistance:Fall Of Man - 70%
  • Warhawk - 30%
  • Gran Turismo HD - 20%
  • Heavenly Sword - 50%
  • Genji 2 - 60%
  • F1 - 60%
  • Virtua Tennis 3 - 20%
  • Sonic The Hedgehog - 40%
  • Madden 07 - 30%
  • Heavy Rain - 20%
  • WarDevil - Early Build
  • Assassin's Creed - *TBA
  • Indiana Jones - *TBA
  • Full Auto 2:Battlelines - *TBA
  • The Club - *TBA
  • Fatal Inertia - *TBA


For more number-hungry fiends, we have been able to confirm that two PS3 games are indeed running at 1080p -- Gran Turismo HD from SCE and WarDevil from indie developer Digi-Guys. Heavy Rain from Quantic Dream may be in 1080p or 1080i, but this is entirely unconfirmed (its presence in the SCE booth leads heavily to this, as we have heard that heavy hurdles were put up who could get their game on the floor.) Resistance: Fall of Man is also targetting higher resolutions (1080p or 1080i), but it does not yet hit those heights. The vast majority of PS3 games seen have been running at 720p.


We'll have more numbers for you to run through your abacus as soon as we've had a chance to see everything on the floor.