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PlayStation 3 unmasked
The new console was showcased a week after Microsoft revealed details of its forthcoming Xbox 360 in an MTV special. (Click here for photos of the Xbox 360.)
Sony's device will support games made for previous generations of PlayStation systems, company executives said.
Credit: Sony
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I pray to God that Sony's Online support gets to be as good, or better than XBL. Right now it just SUCKS on the PS2.
So, here's hoping to a new Metal Gear!
I hate slot loaders and prefer trays. Finally, the PS3 controller looks like a reject boomerang from Batman's utility belt.
What I do know is that that PS3 contoller is awful. If it vibrates like other systems, then it could double for a two pronged *****.
Gates is on the offensive for sure by releasing the console first and scheduling Halo3 release on the same day as the PS3. How would you like to work at Circuit City that day? Argue as much as you want about Halo's quality, but it is very popular.
What I don't know is: Is the GTA series for next gen consoles going to be on PS3 only? I've never played a GTA game, but I was considering getting the SanAndreas for xbox when the price dropped.
Forget Halo, I'm wanting ElderScrolls: Oblivion. What games should we expect for Sony that won't be on Xbox...and vice-versa.
I think they could have done a better design.
http://news.com.com/5208-1043-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=6734&messageID=44251&start=-1
Since it is most certain that I will be buying all of the next generation systems, I feel obligated to offer an unbiased viewpoint of how Sony's next console makes its first impression.
Much of what was good with the Xbox 360 is also good with Sony's new toy, the PlayStation 3. The PlayStation 2 was a very functional, almost industrial machine, with aesthetics taking a back seat to technology. With the PlayStation 3, we have a merge of the two in equal parts. As with the Xbox 360, the curves on this machine are gradual and stealthy. I have no criticisms about the appearances of either system. Sony's decision to include three different color choices is wise. To a gamer, this choice is more personal, but to a non-gamer, this makes the PS3 an easy addition to a home theater setup, given the versatility of the device.
Inclusion of wireless controllers is a good move for the next generation, and BlueTooth is as good a technology as any. Here again, included rechargeable batteries are a must. I'm not quite sure what purpose linking seven controllers to one game system is, but I'm keeping an open mind. The controller shape is very slick and very aggressive. The boomerang design choice will most likely be a controversial one, but I will have to hold it in my hands before I can make an adequate decision.
Backwards compatibility has been confirmed all the way to PlayStation 1 games. The importance of this inclusion is major. Backwards compatibility made the GameBoy the best-selling game machine on the planet and Sony is smart to take a page from Nintendo's book. For many people who still play PS1 games, not to mention those who aren't quite done with their PS2 games, I suspect this will be a major selling point. One concern worth bringing up, though, is that I do not see on any of the pictures where a memory card would insert, so that you could transfer your save games to the hard drive. I would suspect Sony would introduce a USB attachment to remedy this, but I have heard nothing to back this up.
I hate to say it, but high-definition and surround sound is now a moot point. All of the big players, thus far, have made it standard equipment (which means most of us have some upgrading to do).
Once again, I'm blown away by the power this system weilds. The Cell processor may very well be revolutionary, but it's important to keep in mind Sony's tendency to favor proprietary technologies that the industry is slow to adopt or entirely disinterested in. 2.8 teraflops is an impressive number and ought to allow developers the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want with the system, if used properly.
The power behind both of the next-generation systems introduced thus far is almost unbelievable, but we will have to see what they do with the power. The various tech demos I've seen for both systems are impressive, although there don't seem to be many differences. Could it be that we've actually hit a point where power is almost irrelevant? While I doubt that is or ever will be the case, I'm excited to see how developers harness all the power.
One fairly major concern I have, though, is the price of the PlayStation 3. With the launch of the PSP, Sony proved to the world that they could charge a premium for their products fairly easily and still move inventory. That's not to say that I don't love my PSP, but I'm concerned that Sony may be tempted to break the $300 barrier for the PS3. I haven't heard anything regarding the price, so I'm not holding my breath either way, but all that power and technology doesn't come cheap.
I haven't been this stoked about a next-generation console - or in this case, multiple consoles - release since the Dreamcast. The vast leaps of technology from the current generation to the next can only lead me to deduce that Microsoft, Sony, and possibly even Nintendo are in direct contact and/or collaboration with a multitude of alien governments. I think we're all in for a real treat.
So, besides the undeniable power differences, it seems to be "much of the same" between Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The battles of the next-generation's war will be fought with the games, though, not the hardware. That much we can always count on.
I was an early adopter for the launch of ps2 and my only regrets are the first gen issues with the controller ports and the DVD functionality, both consoles have finally crossed the threshold from gaming box top media center. Sony's heavy consumer electronics presence and Microsoft's ubiquity in the PC world are different approaches from slightly different angles, but, in general they seem to be converging to the point of "set top box" rather than "gaming console."
Looks to be a good fight. Given the specs and support from 3rd party publishers, any way you slice it, we the gamers are the winners.
- plastation 3
- by May 18, 2005 5:57 AM PDT
- psp more better u know and this one its too alen to be a gamw like its from space.
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