Speculation mounts over PS3 event

From BBC news website....

"Sony is expected to reveal more details about its eagerly awaited Playstation 3 console in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Reporters and analysts have been invited to an event, which was originally only intended for PlayStation game developers.

This has led to speculation that Sony may be gearing up to give more details about the launch of its new console."

~~~~

"These events typically address platform strategy, loyalty structures, development-related plans and other details that aren't as interesting to us, but the fact that they opened the meeting up raises the possibility that there might be more,"


The full item is here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4805788.stm


To me it seems that Sony are panicking.
See what they have say tomorrow.

Yep I believe they will set a Q4 release date for Uk and then the console wont be near as complete as it should be. It wll sure be interesting but I cant wait till E3

Will be interesting to hear what the competition has in store for gamers. No doubt the Sony Fan Boys will be massaging their groins in anticipation.

i heard this a couple of months back and it might not be true.
A man who workrd at sony let out some information about the ps3 saying that the xbox 360 was by far better then the ps3 then he got fired.

Dont know, dont care.......

Sony today confirms delay for next-gen console; says it will support an Xbox Live-like online gaming service--and use a 60GB Linux hard drive.

TOKYO--Today at the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing in Tokyo, Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutagari made it official--the PlayStation 3 has been delayed. The news confirmed widely circulated Japanese newspaper reports, which said that the delay was due to copyright-protection problems with the next-generation console's Blu-ray drive. For his part, Kutaragi would only say the delay was due to "Blu-ray spec finalization."

Kutaragi told the crowd at the event that the PS3 would now launch in November 2006 worldwide. That dispelled fears that the console would make it to Japan in time by the fall, but would miss the all-important holiday shopping season in the US and Europe. In fact, Kutaragi explicitly told the crowd of game retailers and journalists present that the PS3 would arrive before Thanksgiving in all territories.

Besides the delay, Kutaragi also made official another widely reported aspect of the PS3. He said that Sony is indeed preparing an Xbox Live-like online gaming service for the console, which would be called the "PlayStation Network Platform." Though he was short on specifics, the executive did say that currently Sony planned the service to be "free."

While the simultaneous tri-territory PS3 scheme may sound much like Microsoft's international launch of the Xbox 360, Sony plans to avoid the shortages that befell its competitor. Kutaragi said that the company plans on producing at least one million units of the console each month in order to keep the supply channel full. He said the goal was to ship 6 million PS3s worldwide by March 2007.

The SCE president also told the crowd that the PS3 would use a 60GB 2.5" hard drive. Unsurprisingly, the hard drive will be loaded with the Linux operating system versus Microsoft's Windows OS. As of press time, it was unclear whether or not the HD would be boxed with the system or be sold separately.

Last month, a Merrill Lynch report predicted a six- to 12-month delay for the PS3. Earlier this month, a note from Friedman Billings Ramsey said that the system may not come out in the US until 2007. The Merrill Lynch report cited the company's decision to go with new technologies in the Cell processor and its Blu-ray drive as main reasons for the delay, with heat issues and a lack of software that would be ready for a spring launch sealing the deal. The FBR note didn't cite a reason, but readers could infer it from its sources: supply chain data combined with news from the firm's semiconductor research team.

Investor anticipation of a PS3 delay had shares of Sony trading down as much as 2 percent in Japan before the press conference, according to a New York Times report.

On a seperate note: there's rumours that Sony are going to offer back catalogue downloads (as the Rev will) for PS3. I'm starting to find Sony really annoying as they're just stealing idea's from competitiors....where's the innovation? It was lack of anything innovative that stopped me getting a PS2...unless they sort it it could keep me off PS3 aswell!

some updates

IGN further reports that Sony will "continue selling [the PS2] at its current price of $149 for some time," killing any chances for a current-gen price drop in the near future.

1UP is reporting on "a major new PSP update this spring," including "the ability to hook up a camera to the PSP" and "use the system for GPS location." Also listed at 10:42 PST: "There will be a web browser upgrade shortly, but it still won't have Flash support."

IGN fills us in on the PSP's "E-Distribution" features, which mean that portable owners will be able to boot directly from Memory Sticks without the use of hacks and "download classic PlayStation titles and play them on your PSP."

IGN reports that the PS3 will be "100% backwards compatible," and that "all legacy titles played on the system will be displayed at high-definition resolutions," similar to the Xbox 360's BC upscaling (but hopefully without the profile downloading). "[F]ull Blu-ray support" and "the latest HDMI connection" were also touted.

IGN says a $199 PSP "base unit" to mirror the original Japanese release will hit U.S. shelves by the end of March. Europe will be similarly fitted with a 199 Euro package on March 22nd, while Japan will get "a new white PSP SKU... starting April 15th... for 19800 Yen (~$168 US)."

Ken says that "all PlayStation 3 games will ship on Blu-ray [only!] to help prevent piracy," and that "initial BD-ROM production [is expected] to reach 2.5 million in Japan and Europe and 5 million in the US.

The wild statements continue with a new set from Ken regarding the PS3. He says that the "games are 'live' and that the PS3 concept is '4D,'" with titles going "from 8-bit to 16-bit planes, to the 'space' that you saw on the PS1/PS2, and now PS3 will be 'live.'"

Final PS3 dev kits "will be shipping out to production houses in June." 15 different companies will be making SDK tools and middleware for the PS3, including the company we've sourced with this news, IGN/GameSpy.

While an exact price was not released, GamersReports claims that a minimum price range was announced, which was nothing "less than 50,000.00 JP YEN" (or "$425.607 USD"). Perform your own up-to-the-minute currency conversion here. Unless the PS3's cheaper in the U.S., that means that the HDD-bundled Xbox 360 will remain cheaper than the PS3 in the States even without a price drop.

I am only suprised that they will shipp PS3s with HDD. At least thats what Kutaragi said.

"When we initially announced our plans to launch this spring, we had expected the standardisation work on all of the technologies to be completed by last August, but there were improvements that were decided on since then," said Kutaragi.

Excellent news. Gives me 6 months to save up, sounds awesome. I know being an x-box fansite, 1/30 of you will agree, but i'm looking forward to this

Thats true mez, we are a 360 site but we are gamers as well. I don't mind what console it is on just as long as the game is fun to play!

if u can load linux on it like they said then id beable to play my pc games and it would be hard for me to say no to it

Well, according to specs, the PS3 is using a Linux OS so that should be interesting. Dont expect the PS3 to let people play PC stuff on it...well...not right away. It will be hacked to bits!

Cool news.

Now for the games.

Who was right again?!? ...ME

This will damage Sonys chance at this console war. But fair play to SONY for accepting but I could have told them this when they announced SPRING 06 at MAY 05 E3. But only good news for NINTY and MS

How does this ruin Sony's chance in the console war. There's already been folk on this board talking of friends who are waiting to get the PS3 no matter what the release date. Sony already have a massive 'fanbase' as such, there's no way in hell they're gonna struggle to compete here. For all we know, games are already deep into development for the PS3, so although the xbox has had a years headstart, the games may well be on par with one another come the release of the PS3.

Gamespy? yeah..............xbox live killer.......riggggght.

Originally Posted by Mez How does this ruin Sony's chance in the console war. There's already been folk on this board talking of friends who are waiting to get the PS3 no matter what the release date. Sony already have a massive 'fanbase' as such, there's no way in hell they're gonna struggle to compete here. For all we know, games are already deep into development for the PS3, so although the xbox has had a years headstart, the games may well be on par with one another come the release of the PS3.

Well I was saying if your product is on the market a year and possibly more than your rivals obviously you will have an advantage.

And if the release date is constantly getting delayed it is going to put people off.

Yeah the ps3 is dead already mid-07 release here? No chance! lol idiots! No-one is gonna wait for more than a year before going next-gen which means Ninty and Ms will be the winners!

Originally Posted by Jam Man UK Yeah the ps3 is dead already mid-07 release here? No chance! lol idiots! No-one is gonna wait for more than a year before going next-gen which means Ninty and Ms will be the winners!

Why are people so loyal to a games hardware platform anyway, after all its just a game isn't it ! But I agree with Jam Man, you would have to be a real hardcore Sony fan to wait a year and then pay more the privilege. However, stranger things have happened although I can't think of any right now.

SONY's PS system is big, still lots of retailers that dont sell XBOX at all, like toy'r us here in norway!!!!!!

... no GRAW for me today!

Originally Posted by backin-strachan Well I was saying if your product is on the market a year and possibly more than your rivals obviously you will have an advantage. And if the release date is constantly getting delayed it is going to put people off.

There was what, 9 months between the xbox and PS2? Now the xbox did bloody well to establish the fan base it did considering Sony had already established themselves in the console market.

But what i'm saying, is Sony have already got a massive fanbase, people who would probably be willing to wait 2 years for the PS3. Now, I reckon this will work to Microsofts advantage, as people will buy the 360 in the meantime when they normally wouldn't have to get a feel of the next-gen, but the PS3 will not die, of that I am 99% positive.

Didnt say it would die. I said that an opponent having at least a years advantage in the market will have a better chance of selling more products. And also by constantly delaying the release date wont help matters.

Sure you will get your fanbase but if some see what the 360 can do they might just opp for MS. Just saying

Ugh Backin Strackin you are one of the most ignorant Xbox Fanboys I have seen on this source of communication we call the internet. You obviously show you have know knowledge of what your talking about nor do you have a fair opinion. SONY SUCKS! Blah Blah Blah...

When a system shows better specs, more features and a better price (425 for Blu-Ray...Hellz Yeah) common sense tells you where to go. I love the 360, and I will continue to support it but Im not going to be biased because it came out first.

And a worldwide launch in november isnt mid 2007 for the UK. And to a gaming industry they put UK last usually for good reason (less market). I just dont understand your ignorance and stupidity, it shocks me. How do you consider yourself a gamer?

Yeh but steve you have been known to stir things up by being a bit too loyal to sony! JOKES everythings cool start confronting

"Ugh Backin Strackin you are one of the most ignorant Xbox Fanboys I have seen on this source of communication we call the internet."

Ugh who is "we", have you been watching too much invasion ?

"You obviously show you have know knowledge of what your talking about nor do you have a fair opinion. SONY SUCKS! Blah Blah Blah..."

What do you base this statement on ? I haven't seen that at least in this thread.


"When a system shows better specs, more features and a better price (425 for Blu-Ray...Hellz Yeah) common sense tells you where to go."

What specs, what price, where is the common sense ?


"I love the 360, and I will continue to support it but Im not going to be biased because it came out first."

So you would continue to support 360 even if the PS3 is far superior in every respect, ie Blu-Ray for 425 ?

"And a worldwide launch in november isnt mid 2007 for the UK."

granted.

"And to a gaming industry they put UK last usually for good reason (less market)."

I have no figures but I don't think the UK market would be lower than say Luxembourg. (Look it up on a map).

"I just dont understand your ignorance and stupidity,"

Really ?

"it shocks me. How do you consider yourself a gamer?"

since when is ignorance and stupidity not a trait of some gamers ?

This thread was created for serious consideration not baiting.