Official PS3 info.

[pointdablame]

Gamespot has an article that gives some of the first true info on the PS3.  For one, it's officially called Playstation 3 (big surprise)

Give it a read: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/16/news_6124681.html?q=1&tag=gs_hp_topslot_click

Highlights:
Backwards compatible to PS1
MemStick/SD/CF card slots
Hard drive bay
Blu-Ray
Bluetooth controllers...

just give it a read, its very interesting

[NeeBick]

Design-wise its kinda boring but the specs definitely seem reasonable.  Maybe sony can actually get the hardware right this time.

But take a deep breath before you see the controller...what is up with that?

[JODY]

But take a deep breath before you see the controller...what is up with that?

Looks like a boomerang, but with those long wings it looks like it would be better for people with larger hands.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

[This image] is rumored to be an "in-game" shot of the PS3 version of KillZone.

 


mrC

[Scott84]

Ingame FMV.....

[TalkingOctopus]

ewww....I don't like the boomerang controllers one bit.  I hope it will be compatible with ps2 controllers.   Other than that, the spec looks fine.  I hope more of playstation games have internet play in the next generation.

[GGKoul]

Since the console has two HD outputs, it is can be hooked up to two side-by-side HDTVs to projecting video in a 32:9 extra-widescreen
WOW!

[GGKoul]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/reddeadrevolver2/media.html?gcst=2stream_ps3sequels_e305.asx

[gprime]

^ haha

[pointdablame]

I'm a bit worried about the controller myself.  I personally think the DualShock2 is the best game controller ever, so I'm curious what these will feel and play like.

[shmokes]

I hope it will be compatible with ps2 controllers.

Compatibility with PS2 controllers is unlikely considering the lack of controller ports.  To my knowledge there are no bluetooth controllers (or even USB controllers) for PS2.

Personally I've never been a big fan of the PS1 or PS2 controllers.  I liked the N64 and especially the Gamecube controllers much more.  The biggest problem with the Dualshock is that it's got the D-pad and Left Analog stick positions mixed up.  Generally speaking the D-Pad is better for 2D games and the analog stick is better for 3D games.  90% or more games are 3D now.  Why does Sony insist on placing the D-Pad in the most natural, comfortable position.  The analog stick belongs there.  And I hate hate hate the naming convention used for the Playstation controller buttons.  They are far more difficult to commit to memory, not to mention say.  Triangle + circle + triangle + L1 = 10 syllables.  A + B + A + X = 4 syllables.  Frankly, I think this controller looks like an improvement ergonomically.  But it's the damned ugliest thing I've ever seen.  And it retains the qualities that I hate most about the PS1 & 2 controllers (though the analog stick does look like a more comfortable reach on this one.

Other than that the specs are considerably better, on paper at least, than Xbox360.  Supposedly it has a much more powerful processor.  It definitely has twice as much RAM, more powerful video card, support for 7 (rather than 4) gamepads, a disc drive capable of reading discs that actually have enough space on them to contain a feature length film in high definition (how Microsoft plans to usher in the era of high definition, without the ability to play movies in high definition is beyond me).  Lots of multimedia/media center capabilities as well.  And so far I think the list of games is much more attractive than Xbox's.  All-in-all I am not for a second convinced that MS has any chance in hell of beating Sony in this generation.  I suppose Sony could still kill themselves by pricing their console more than $60-100 more than the Xbox 

[Hoagie_one]

controller can be used to catch wallabys....boomerang action

[JCKnife]

Ingame FMV.....

No, looks playable. Check out the video here:

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748475/vids_1.html

Sick.

[dema]

Ingame FMV.....

No, looks playable. Check out the video here:

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748475/vids_1.html

Sick.

The game looks amazing! Easily one of the most gorgeous video games created to date (I can't wait to see what comes when these next-gen consoles mature). However, that looks to be just a trailer as opposed to in-game play because there are no crosshairs or HUD displays. Even still, it's beautiful FMV.

[Dire Radiant]

I'm with Shmokes, that pad looks horrible. It looks like an $6 PC Gamepad from some dodgy chinese company. If you ask me the N64 had the best controller ever. Comfortable, versatile and plenty of buttons. My Saitek P880 PC pad comes a close second.

[JCKnife]

Ingame FMV.....

No, looks playable. Check out the video here:

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748475/vids_1.html

Sick.

The game looks amazing! Easily one of the most gorgeous video games created to date (I can't wait to see what comes when these next-gen consoles mature). However, that looks to be just a trailer as opposed to in-game play because there are no crosshairs or HUD displays. Even still, it's beautiful FMV.

I think we're fuzzy on some terminology here. By FMV are you suggesting that's pre-rendered? I believe it is real-time rendering on the PS3. No HUD because the game is early. I don't think it's prerendered, though--looks interactive. Damn great, too.

[skim36]

I agree...looks damned good....also remember...it could be real time...they said it has dual HD connections so it could be like a giant DS......gameplay on one screen...maps and menus and such on the other....too cool....the one thing I love is they played the new unreal engine on it...just to one up Microsoft.....I have nothing against the xbox....I think it's a great system....but it did seem like they were gunning for them.....of course it's their competitor.....who wouldn't?  Hands down....Sony has another winner on their hands....as for the controllers....I did see some PS2 clone controllers for a computer in Wal-Mart.  Exactly the same except for the triangle, square, circle, and x buttons are marked 1,2,3,4.....they were usb....and cheap....could try those on it.....

[pointdablame]

One thing I have thought of for those who like the DualShock.... they have USB adapters for PSX pads... and the PS3 has USB ports...


I'm really hoping we can use the older controllers.  I'll of course give the new ones a try, but they don't look particularly comfortable to me.

[dema]

I think we're fuzzy on some terminology here. By FMV are you suggesting that's pre-rendered? I believe it is real-time rendering on the PS3. No HUD because the game is early. I don't think it's prerendered, though--looks interactive. Damn great, too.

I mean it's a video sequence rather than recorded footage of a person playing. It's definitely not pre-rendered backgrounds. It's impressive no matter what it is, but it seems more like an opening sequence to the game.

[Hoagie_one]

best part of PS3 is the dual monitor support.  Serious multiplayer

[Dire Radiant]

I did see some PS2 clone controllers for a computer in Wal-Mart. Exactly the same except for the triangle, square, circle, and x buttons are marked 1,2,3,4.....they were usb....and cheap....could try those on it.....

I wouldn't. I've used the controller you're talking about and it's absolute garbage. Run fast, run far.

[dema]

The unit looks really nice, but the controller is complete garbage. I also agree with the earlier comment about needing the analog controller where the digital pad is. I prefer the XBox controller to the Dual Shock.

[skim36]

Did anyone notice.....during the sony press conference....they said they were doing things in "real time"...but they were using a wired dual shock II controller.....was it just me who caught that?  Also, seeing the cell processor demos was really impressive.  That's why sony has the edge on this one.....check out the leaves demo or the building explosion demo....but with all the horsepower under the hood, I'm guessing a $499 price tag....at least....but it's still on my list

[Hoagie_one]

Forget that $500 crap


http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/18/news_6125423.html

Japanese newspaper quotes Sony officials as saying they are aiming for a mid-level price point for the next-generation console.
After the impact of Monday's PlayStation 3 unveiling wore off, gamers began to start asking questions. Besides lingering doubts about whether or not many of the tech demos were actually of in-game footage, the biggest point of debate was the next-generation console's price.

Given that the console's Nvidia-tech-based RSX "Reality Synthesizer" graphics chip is more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultra video cards, which retail for around $1,000 by themselves, many suspected the console cost as least as much as a medium-end gaming PC. However, Sony will have to be competitively priced or risk being undercut by the Microsoft Xbox 360 or Nintendo Revolution.

It now appears that Sony may opt for a compromise price-wise, according to the Mainichi Daily News. An article which ran on the Japanese newspaper's Web site the PlayStation 3 could potentially sell for under $500. "The new machine, which will have a higher performance capacity than personal computers and provide sophisticated movie-quality images, will be priced at less than 50,000 yen each, according to [Sony] officials," said the paper.

At today's exchange rate, 50,000 yen is $465.58--more than the $299 many expect the Xbox 360 to sell for, but less than the $699 to $799 PS3 price tag many had feared. If Sony follows the pattern it set which the PSP, which sells for around $190 in Japan and $249 in the US, the console will likely be slightly costlier stateside.

As of press time, Sony officials were unavailable for comment on the Mainichi Daily News article.

[pointdablame]

A $500 or over price tag on the PS3 will shoot Sony in the foot.  Xbox360 will have had a quarter or more out of the gate, and a (proposed) lower price point, and then Sony would have to come out as an unproven, more expensive, product.

It will NOT be $500... or if it is... I think Sony is making a big mistake.

[shmokes]

Yeah....I just don't see this thing reaching critical mass if it's priced over $400 to begin with.  I mean, I'll be the first to say that the average gamer is an adult, but there are A LOT of teenagers and little kids who still get a Playstation only if their parents buy them one.  That pretty much cuts out 90% of that market right there.  Parents don't buy their kids $400 presents unless they are pretty well off, and most people aren't.

On top of that many adults can't afford $400 for a game system.  My wife would kill me if I tried to buy one, and we do pretty well for a couple of kids without any kids.

[NeeBick]

At today's exchange rate, 50,000 yen is $465.58--more than the $299 many expect the Xbox 360 to sell for, but less than the $699 to $799 PS3 price tag many had feared. If Sony follows the pattern it set which the PSP, which sells for around $190 in Japan and $249 in the US, the console will likely be slightly costlier stateside.

You know that is odd since games are usually more expensive in Japan.

Boy this is sad, I usually buy all the console at launch but I might have to skip playstation this time  .  Though it is funny if you consider that the Xbox 360 and the Revolution combined will probably cost $500.

Reminds me of 3DO...

[Hoagie_one]

or the neo geo console at $800, with $200 games

[pointdablame]

The more I read up on everything, the more I anticipate an interesting price range for systems.

I wouldn't be very surprised if we saw something like a $199 Revolution, a $299 Xbox 360, and a $399 PS3.

It'll definitely be interesting to watch sales numbers since only the "true" gamers will care about specs as much as possible.  Mom and dad will likely get the most "bang for the buck" system available.

[TalkingOctopus]

Sony said that the ps3 will be about $465 when it is launched in Japan.  I agree that this is way too expensive.

http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2223

[Snarbald]

At today's exchange rate, 50,000 yen is $465.58--more than the $299 many expect the Xbox 360 to sell for, but less than the $699 to $799 PS3 price tag many had feared. If Sony follows the pattern it set which the PSP, which sells for around $190 in Japan and $249 in the US, the console will likely be slightly costlier stateside.

Isn't the $190 japanese psp just a bare psp without all the memstick, case, and movie? I thought the US psp is the equivalent of the bundle pack which costs about $250 US dollars in japan?

[pointdablame]

yes, the "lower priced" Japanese PSP is just the system itself.

[skim36]

Yes the new graphics design is like having 2 g-force ultra's...costing 500 a piece....NOW...by next Spring...when the PS3 is actually released...they will be considerably cheaper.....life expectancy of video cards is 6 months...tops...if that....then something better comes along....I'm thinking now that  the PS3 will be cheaper than 500.....anyone remember the PSX?  The home video audio solution? 

[Otraotaku]

A $500 or over price tag on the PS3 will shoot Sony in the foot.  Xbox360 will have had a quarter or more out of the gate, and a (proposed) lower price point, and then Sony would have to come out as an unproven, more expensive, product.

It will NOT be $500... or if it is... I think Sony is making a big mistake.

yes but if it isnt sony would be caught in an unconfortable position, they lost alot of money already and would lose alot more if they went either way....

[Otraotaku]

Yes the new graphics design is like having 2 g-force ultra's...costing 500 a piece....NOW...by next Spring...when the PS3 is actually released...they will be considerably cheaper.....life expectancy of video cards is 6 months...tops...if that....then something better comes along....I'm thinking now that  the PS3 will be cheaper than 500.....anyone remember the PSX?  The home video audio solution? 

thats also true!... time will decrease as long as They invent better cards by then... and they also save on Volume! so it shouldnt be so much of a waste per console, but still a loss of money for the company..

[pointdablame]

Companies almost always lose money on consoles.  Xbox did, PS2 did, et al.  They make their money on software, but they can't sell software without a nice installed base.

[rohan]

Don't know if this has been posted yet....pretty impressive stuff.

[pointdablame]

The Killzone video is the only thing that has really truly WOW'd me thusfar... and that is only if it is truly game engine/PS3 spec video.

G4 interviewed the guy from SCEE who was at the Sony Press Conference and he promised it was video of game engine footage/PS3 spec.  He even said that when you get Killzone into your home, that is what you will be playing.

If that turns out to be true, I'm very impressed.

[TalkingOctopus]

The Killzone video is the only thing that has really truly WOW'd me thusfar... and that is only if it is truly game engine/PS3 spec video.

G4 interviewed the guy from SCEE who was at the Sony Press Conference and he promised it was video of game engine footage/PS3 spec.

[pointdablame]

yes its a video. that was clear in the presentation.  My point is in an interview on G4, teh SCEE guy (his name escapes me) said that the Killzone video was using the game engine and on a PS3 spec, ie not a high end workstation.  It was clearly not running real time, but if it was rendered with the engine, its quite an accomplishment, as opposed to a rendered CG intro or the like.

It was said that the game would look like that when released... whether that is marketing hype or not is not clear, but as I said... if it turns out to be true, I'm impressed.