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The Controller
The PS3 controller
was originally designed as what many came to refer to as the “boomerang”.
Speculatively because of negative feedback, they completely
redesigned it to be much more like the classic PS2 Dual Shock
controller (without the “shock” part, though). At
E3 2006, Sony
announced that their controller will also have a “motion control”
feature, which will enable games to respond to physical movements of
the controller.
However, according to Sony this conflicted with any kind of rumble
feature they could have, so they threw out that trademark feature
from the PS2. Though, many say they did away with the rumble feature
to avoid further legal hassles over copyright issues that they faced
with the PS2 controllers. One big improvement over the PS2 is that
PS3 controllers will be wireless by default, via Bluetooth. You’ll
also be able to go wired if you want (if your battery dies or
something) with a USB connection. Up to 4 controllers can be used at
once.
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This is the 60GB Sony PS3; the one
you actually want to get. Look out for the silver finishings. |
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Backwards Compatibility
Sony prides itself with backwards compatibility when it comes to the
PlayStation family. So it’s no surprise that the PS3 will be
completely backwards compatible with the entire library of
officially licensed PS and PS2 games. Early reports surfaced that
only some back-system titles would be playable, but in more recent
statements Sony has confirmed that they are committed to providing
100% backwards compatibility, reportedly because the PS3 innards
will actually include a PS2 console. This probably is another large
reason why the controller will be virtually a duplicate of that of
the older system. This means you’ll be able to play your vintage
PlayStation library without re-orienting to a radically different
controller. To truly convert your PSX and PS2 library, you will need a special adapter to plug in your old memory cards. No word yet on whether or not the adapter will be bundled with the system.
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Yes, this is the Sony PS3
controller. Looks familiar does it not? |
Online Service
What we know for sure about Sony’s online plans for the PS3 is
shockingly little. Either they don’t have any great plans for an
online community or they’re just waiting for the right time to
unveil them. Anyway, what we do know is that, just like for the
PS2, connecting online to any of Sony’s games will be free. You
won’t even have to buy a network adapter, as the console will
have built-in Wi-Fi (if you buy the premium $599 version).
However, if you want to take full advantage of the PS3 online
features, you will have to whip out your credit card. Sony will
open the gateway for digital downloads via the console, which
will assumedly include things like game add-ons and demos. This
is a concept that was lacking with the PS2, and it’s something
that will make PS3 online a lot more financially viable for
other game publishers. More details of the
Playstation
Network has bee revealed just recently. The Sony Playstation
Network will be free of charge for the basic features offered.
Sony features the XMB™ (Xross Media Bar) user interface known
from the PSP also on the Playstation Network navigation.
The feature-set of the Playstation Network looks very
comprehensive featuring Web browser, voice chat, video chat,
download game content, store/view photos and videos, download
and listen to music and shop online.
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This is the watered down 20GB Sony
PS3. Looks dull and is actually missing features like WiFi and
memory stick slot.) |
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Connectivity
The PS3 will be able to connect with the
PlayStation Portable. This much we know for certain. However,
Sony has kept mum on revealing any specific details about what you
will be able to do between the devices, but we can get an idea on
what they’re planning thanks to details from an old U.S. patent from
Sony concerning this technology. The patent talks about the PS3 and
the PSP linking wirelessly for a myriad of possibilities. The
expected feature is the claim that the PSP will be able to be used
as a wireless controller of sorts for the PS3, or at least that it
will enhance the gameplay to some extent, much like the Gamecube/GBA
connectivity.
What’s also mentioned in the patent is the ability to share content
between the systems. Think of it as a wireless computer/portable
media player connection. So you could conceivably bring up your PSP
music and movies to your TV via the PS3. This could also mean
playing PSP games on the big screen. Additionally, there’s mention
of using the PS3 online capabilities to communicate with the PSP. So
you could have high-speed Internet browsing on your PSP, or download
something from the PS3 and then transfer it to your PSP.
Remember that these are all just things mentioned in an 18-month-old
patent, so we don’t know for sure which of these features will come
to light, especially right after the PS3 launch, or if there are new
connectivity features that Sony’s been working on.
Other Stuff
The big breakthrough that Sony is pioneering with the PS3 is the
ability to play Blu-ray discs. BDs can hold as much 25 gigabytes on
a single layer, versus about 4 gigabytes for a DVD. In addition to
providing more content-rich games, this also allows the PS3 to play
Blu-ray movies. You will also still be able to play your DVD and CD
collection on the PS3.
The PlayStation 3 is also the flagship consumer platform that will
make use of the much talked about
Cell processor.
Via a joint partnership between Toshiba, IBM, and Sony, a new
microprocessor was developed, known as the Cell microprocessor, for
applications to take full advantage of high-definition televisions
and also, in the case of the PS3, to be able to provide graphics
that are as lifelike as possible.
Additionally, there’s an impressive six USB slots, which will allow
you to totally pimp out your PS3 with accessories, peripherals, etc.
Two are in the front of the console, like the PS2, with an
additional 4 built into the back. There are memory card slots for
SD, CF, and Memory Stick, so you’ll assumedly be able to view
pictures and video from your digital memory directly through the
PS3. Finally, there’s the hard drive that comes with the PS3 unit.
Depending on which package you buy, it’ll have a capacity of either
20 GB or 60 GB.
Pricing
Get ready to start saving (or open a new credit card). The PS3 will
set you back a pretty penny. There are two different SKUs for the
PS3, much like the Xbox 360 “core” versus “complete” systems. The
cheaper PS3 will cost $499 and will come with the 20 GB HDD and the
$599 version gets you 60 GB. Also note that the $499 version will
not have an HDMI port (Sony got wise and
added a HDMI port to
the 20GB PS3), axes the built-in Wi-Fi, and does not include
a Memory Stick reader.
Sony PS3 games sell
for around $60.
What Sony Fanboys Say
The PS3 simply will be able to provide an unparalleled gaming
experience. In the current generation, everyone says that the
graphics look so lifelike, but you can definitely still distinguish
a video game from a live TV image. The PS3 is going to blur that
line with its amazing processing power. It will truly be like being
a part of a football game, or stepping into a scene from an action
movie. The PlayStation 2 was the unquestionable industry leader, and
it got there by providing solid, worthwhile games that don’t have an
obscure control scheme or expensive online service. That’s what
gamers want. The PS3 will be the only system in the next generation
to continue to deliver that kind of experience, so it’s sure to be
the one that gamers want.
Launch Titles
SCEA Launch Titles
Resistance: Fall of Man
NBA 07
Genji: Days of the Blade™
Third Party PS3 Games:
Blazing AngelsSquadrons of WWII Ubisoft
Call of Duty 3 Activision
EA Sports
Fight Night Round 3 Electronic Arts
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bethesda Softworks
F.E.A.R. Vivendi Universal Games
Full Auto 2: Battlelines Sega
Madden NFL 07 Electronic Arts
MARVEL:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE Activision
Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE NAMCO BANDAI Games
NBA 2K7 2K Sports
Need For Speed Carbon Electronic Arts
NHL 2K7 2K Sports
RIDGE RACER 7 NAMCO BANDAI Games (photo above)
Sonic the Hedgehog Sega
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 Electronic Arts
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Ubisoft
Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Activision
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom Sony Online Entertainment
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Formula One 06 on PS3 - Live TV or
Game? More screen shots on
IGN |
Launch Details
The PlayStation 3 will
launch in Japan on
November 11th and in Europe, Australia, and the US on November 17.
Sony canceled the European launch. Apparently Europe will see the
Sony PS3 in March 2007. You
can expect all the big-box retailers to be selling them, and some
will definitely have a midnight opening to sell the consoles, though
we don’t have any solid information on exactly who will at this
point.
Pre-Order Details
Gamestop and EB Games took pre-orders in their stores already.
Toys"R"Us started this weekend.
They might have stopped already. Online pre-order of the PS3 has not
happened yet.
Ebay already hosts several auctions of pre-ordered Sony PS3
consoles.
Technical Specs
Since they’re just so darn impressive, here’s a list of the
technical specs provided by Sony:
CPU Cell Processor 3.2GHz
AV Output HDMI, A/V, Digital (Optical)
GPU RSX "Reality Synthesizer"
Disc Media DVD, Blu-ray, Backward compatible PS2
Supported Resolution 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Communication Ethernet, WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
System Memory 256MB XDR
Internal Storage Detachable 2.5" HDD slot (60GB, 20GB)
Controller Bluetooth Wireless (up to 3 additional), Motion sensitive
I/O MemoryStick, SD Memory, CompactFlash, USB 2.0 (4 ports)
Dimensions: 325x98x274mm
Weight: 5KG
Links
Official PS3 Page (U.S.)
Official PS3 Page
(Global)
Cell
Processor Press Release
PS3/PSP Connectivity Patent
Original PS3 Press-release 2005
PS3
Launch Details Press Release
PlayStation 3 Merchandise
We will continue updating this report
as new information becomes available.
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