CONSOLE NEWS: Sony PS3 News

[TechZ]

Sony has apparently decided not to take on Xbox Live with an umbrella online service for the PlayStation 3:

The Official Playstation Magazine reported that Sony has elected not to use a central online gaming service for its upcoming PS3 console. Instead of using a unified system like Microsoft's Xbox Live or Nintendo's soon-to-be-launched Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Sony is taking the same path as it did with the PS2. This means that it will be up to publishers themselves to provide players with online features and, likewise, for the players to have a separate account for each publisher in order to play online.

While this means that Sony's publishers will have more freedom to do what they want in terms of their online content, it also means Sony will have a more difficult time controlling the quality of the online experience.

Source: TechReport

[TechZ]

- Rumours that PS3 games will not be able to be rented can now be put to rest as Sony officially states that PS3 software will not be copy protected to a single machine.

Source: PS3Focus

[TechZ]

Sony spokesperson said that their Playstation 3 game console is still due to launch this spring, although there is no word on whether it will launch worldwide in that time frame or just in Japan:

Sony on Thursday said it remained on track to roll out its PlayStation 3 game console by spring 2006 despite industry speculation that the scheduled launch could face delays.

The timing of the release of Sony's updated PlayStation console has become a matter of speculation in the $25 billion video game industry and among the studios, hardware makers and other companies looking to handicap the battle over next-generation DVD technology.

A spokesman for Sony, the No. 1 provider of game consoles, said it was still targeting a spring 2006 launch for the PS3, which is key to maintaining its lead in the game console market against Microsoft, which recently launched its competing Xbox 360 console.

[confus-ed]

- Rumours that PS3 games will not be able to be rented can now be put to rest as Sony officially states that PS3 software will not be copy protected to a single machine.

.. now why doesn't this surprise me ?

But I'll give Sony a clap for doing the right thing with DRM & saying that enough is enough on trying to 'over enforce copyright' ..

Saying that stuff should be 'uncopyable' is one thing (or at least making it difficult, as if you can code it out, you can code it back in ) but then attempting to say that one peice of software is tied to a specific bit of kit, will bring software makers into a 'war' with the EU legislators over here (& their own domestic legislation as the Japanese think like the EU on this), who know what Free Trade is, perverserly unlike the US who seem to have forgotten, unless it suits them !

(& besides which I know they haven't worked out how to do it ! - this was their own patent version of EFI )

[TechZ]

According to NextGen, Sony's unified online service for the PS3 is going to be called the HUB. Developer sources are also suggesting that PlayStation 3 is currently scheduled to launch in September.

According to well-placed industry sources, PlayStation HUB will offer PlayStation 3 owners much the same services as Xbox Live, including chat, downloadable demos, independent games and online play. The service is also designed to support PSP online play as well as PS3. It's a departure from PlayStation 2's online strategy, widely regarded as vastly inferior to Microsoft's.

PlayStation HUB is being described to developers as a 'subscriber service' suggesting a monthly charge. We understand the service is being created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, although this is unconfirmed. Sony boss Howard Stringer is pushing for all media content to be available for distribution over PlayStation HUB, such as music and movies, thus opening up a powerful iTunes-like distribution network for Sony.

[TechZ]

Sony Corp.'s next-generation PlayStation 3 video game console might not appear in key markets this year and could cost the company $900 per unit to produce initially, according to Merrill Lynch analysts quoted in the Financial Times on Sunday. Sony has indicated a spring launch for its console in Japan and the industry is not expecting a North American launch until November, the FT said.

But Hitoshi Kuriyama of Merrill Lynch in Japan said there are reports that the PS3 could be delayed by between six and 12 months, meaning an autumn launch in Japan and a late 2006 or early 2007 launch in the US, the FT said. Merrill Lynch analysts in San Francisco have estimated that the initial bill of materials for PS3 could approach $900, falling to $320 by three years after launch, the FT said.

Full story: Reuters

[TechZ]

Sony Computer Entertainment just announced that it would launch Playstation 3 in early November 2006 in Japan, North America and Europe simultaneously. With a monthly production capacity of one million units, SCEI will push forward a powerful product launch to spread the platform rapidly throughout the world, together with a strong and attractive lineup of PS3 game titles.

All software will be released on the Blu-Ray format for the purpose of preventing piracy. Apparently the HDD is not necessarily standard, Sony is telling developers "develop for it (or it will not succeed)", and encouraging them to use it. The drive itself will be 60GB, upgradeable, and it will support Linux. The HDD will also act as a home media center and allow users to store various forms of media to be viewed elsewhere (similar to the Xbox360). The final development kits will ship sometime in June, Sony said.

As for backwards compatability, Sony announced that the PS3 will be 100% backwards compatible, and all PS2 titles will be displayed at high-definition resolutions (like the XBox360). Sony will also launch the PS online network with the Playstation 3. The basic service will be free, more details coming. We can assume for now that "basic service" is equivalent to the Xbox Live Silver service. The service will be run by Sony Online Entertainment. That is all the info Sony has revealed on this subject. As for price, Sony has said the unit will not cost less than 50,000.00 JP YEN. This equates to $425.607 USD.

[TechZ]

Sony President Ken Kutaragi confirmed that the Playstation 3 (PS3) has been delayed, at a press conference in Tokyo earlier this week. Kutaragi additionally confirmed that the gaming console will ship with an upgradable 60GB hard drive pre-installed with Linux, according to in-depth coverage at 1up.com. Additionally, the PS3 will have network interfaces, and will avail users of network-based services such as "matchmaking, messaging, rankings, friends lists, voice/video chat, in-game shopping, and game downloads," according to 1up.

[TechZ]

Sony Computer Entertainment UK MD Ray Maguire has revealed that PlayStation 3 will retail for GBP 425 when it launches in the UK on November 17th, but has defended the price point as "a bargain" for consumers.

I don't think it's an expensive machine; I think actually, it's probably a cheap machine," he commented. "If you think a Blu-Ray player by itself might be GBP 600-700, and we're coming in at just GBP 425 - it's a bargain."

"The point is that most people don't realise what they're actually getting with PlayStation 3," he said. "Number one, it's a games machine and we all know that. But also it's a high definition video playback device through Blu-Ray, and a lot of people don't really understand that part of the functionality either. There's a big story to tell people and a lot of information to be taken on board."

[TechZ]

In the latest public blow against Sony's upcoming Playstation 3 console, the editor of the US Official Playstation Magazine, Dana Jongewaard, has admitted in her official blog that she won't be buying a PS3 on launch day thanks to the $600 price:

$600 might be worth it if there were several huge titles on the near horizon that were PS3-exclusive. But for the first year at least, there are very few big titles that are PS3 exclusive. GTA4 and Assassins will be available for the 360 at the same time. And most of the big guns--FFXIII, MGS4--won't be hitting for quite some time after the launch.

The other big reason for people to shell out $600, BluRay, is frankly something I don't care about. I have a crummy 12-year-old 21-inch very-non-hi-def TV sitting on my stand at home, and while we've been talking about upgrading it for the past three years, we always end up walking out of stores TV-less. And I don't buy movies; I rent non-BR discs from Netflix. Much like I've never been an audiophile--as long as I can hear it, I don't care if it's mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1--I really don't care how high-res the picture is. My bottom line is that as long as it has color and is free from static, I'm good to go.

So ultimately, I can't justify it. $600 is a lot of money, especially when I can get what--for me at least--will be a very similar experience for $400. I would like to own a PS3, and I hope that the price drops soon so I can consider it. But until then, this Official PlayStation Magazine editor will have to join the dark side.

[Sporkren]

Sony just announced the price of PS5, I wasn't planning on buying one since I expected it to around 500$ but now with its price at $399, I'm definitely buying one.

[Selkop]

Sony just announced the price of PS5, I wasn't planning on buying one since I expected it to around 500$ but now with its price at $399, I'm definitely buying one.

I also plan to buy PS5 this month, part of this amount will be covered by the sale of PS4.