SAN JOSE, Calif.--Sony Computer Entertainment's president on Wednesday confirmed a November release for the PlayStation 3 and said the company is also committed to a simultaneous worldwide launch of the PS3 in Japan, the rest of Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.
The question Sony will have to face until November, and for at least a year afterward, is whether the head start Microsoft got with its November 2005 launch of the Xbox 360 console will be too much for Sony to overcome.
Sony says no, and that the company measures its console successes or failures in 10-year life cycles--and therefore it has plenty of time to catch up.
"It doesn't put us at a competitive disadvantage at all," Harrison told a group of journalists after his keynote address. "Throughout our history, we have never been the first console (of each generation) to launch."
Indeed, while it competed during the current and previous generations with Microsoft, Nintendo and Sega, Sony has become the market leader with PlayStation 2 sales of more than 100 million units and sales of more than a billion games, Harrison said in the keynote.
Still, by the end of November, Microsoft will likely have sold 10 million Xbox 360s worldwide compared to about 1.5 million PlayStation 3s, said P.J. McNealy, a research principal at American Technology Research.
And while Sony sticks to its contention that it doesn't matter what happens in the first year or two of a new console generation, McNealy said the story's more complex than that.
Industry converges on San Jose for Game Developers Conference.
On the one hand, he said, the next-generation console wars between Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo (which is expected to release its Revolution console sometime this year) will not truly heat up until 2007's holiday season, despite many observers' assertions that the measurement of success for each company will be performance during this year's holidays.
On the other hand, McNealy said, Microsoft's lead over Sony will be formidable and should not be underestimated just because Sony prefers to look at things over the long haul.
"You never like to be in a position where you're playing catch-up," he said.
Meanwhile, the other big question sure to dog Sony this year is what lessons it learned after watching the problems Microsoft had getting enough Xboxes onto store shelves last holiday season.
Harrison said he doesn't anticipate its November launch and somewhat slow initial production pace being major problems.
"I think that you can see from our history that (Sony Computer Entertainment) has been very effective at matching consumer demand with supply," Harrison told journalists. "I know that some consumers will be disappointed, but that's inevitable at launch."
Nobody wants to purchase it if BlueRay becomes another failed format.
I see no reason why Sony thinks they had to include BlueRay with the PS3. IMO, they would have been able to ship this thing way sooner if it weren't for BlueRay.
Microsoft is ramping up production of Xbox360 and that will hurt Sony, no matter how they try and put on a good face.
Microsoft will later release Halo 3, and next gen games will become available just as PS3 hits the maarkets and I suspect it will be difficult to purchase one due to demand. Unlike the orginal Xbox, Microsoft is fight much harder this time.
Picture this, the day PS3 is annouced Microsoft announces an Xbox 360 price cut, due to a full channel of them, and Halo 3. That would be a pretty good kidney punch to Sony.
because all that horse-power for graphics, physics, ect doesnt mean a damn thing IF you dont have the media space to put photorealistic textures. HD-DVD would at best let you have current length games with photorealistic textures - BluRay on the other hand, will have enough space on a disc to have photorealistic textures/graphics AND lenghten story lines/have more missions
have you noticed that in each of the newer FPS the graphics improve over the previous line in the series of games but there are less missions/levels? as I was saying, with BDs, they wont have to cut back on levels
"Members of the network would be able to chat, create friends lists and do other social networking activities."
What the hell else is there you can do? What is "other social networking activities"? All you can do is chat....and nobody really wants to talk in their real voice.
Plus what will Sony do to kick out the morons from games? The turds that only want to try and create havoc? Microsoft has had a lot of time dealing with this from Xbox live. Sony is starting from scratch.
Sony has stated that the PS3 will be fully backwards compatible with the PS2. I see this as an important part of their release strategy since a limited number of native PS3 games will be available at that time. The problem is that they still have the Immersion patent lawsuit hanging over their heads.
Immersion won an injunction against the PS2 and all games that used the dual shock technology. The injunction is on hold for appeals. Sony recently lost an important appeal in the case and may be forced to pull the PS2 off the market. If the PS3 has similar dual shock technology, it will be covered under the same injunction. This explains why Sony has not shown its controller in public except in a glass case.
The problem, of course, with all these annalyses and comments is that the PS3 hasn't hit the market yet. On one hand, Microsoft has a huge start. On the other hand, Sony has a larger established fan base and, quite frankly, Microsoft didn't take advantage of their head start as much as they could have.
PS3 will win the Japanese market easily. Xbox 360 might actually claim the European market. The American market, however, is far more complex than either of those (Japan loves the home team and Europe is known for it's early adoption).
After this holiday season, we'll be able to truly judge the console war. For now, just enjoy your 360 (if you can find one).
And either way - I'm going to own and play all 3 next gen consoles. After all, it's about the games, isn't it?
Dreamcast anyone? They had to show their hand too soon. The XBOX360 and PS3 are similar in architecture in many ways. It's too soon to tell. But if you look at the hardware sales numbers in Japan, Microsoft are performing really bad. When you have a weekly sales report where the Nintendo GameCube is selling more than the XBOX and XBOX360 combined you know you're in trouble!
Who are they kidding? Not everyone jumped on that Xbox 360 wagon. I've been patiently waiting on what I firmly believe will be the top performing and best value machine--the PS3. Can't wait until it gets here.
I don't believe Sony will be playing catchup at all, in fact, I believe they will blow the doors of Xbox.
While you do have a point that the PS3 will be the top performing, it is far from being declared the best value. IF Sony puts a price on it that is close to the X-box 360, IF Blue-ray become the next standard, AND IF game developers utilize the space of the disks then could be equal in value economically. But if any of those aren't met, then the 360 is the bigger bargin.
On a personal level though, the value of the machines are different. What I look for in a game is a challenge. A game like Wind Waker was extremely enjoyable for me, because I enjoyed the puzzles in all the dungeons. I didn't care that it was cartoony because the graphics isn't what gets my attention. And personally, I can do without seeing every decal on a sports car and over-paid, zombie-like sports jocks covered with sweat.
P.S. I have only requested one of the sports games I own, and that was NBA Jam for my Sega Genesis. The other 3 my parents bought on a whim, and those too are just as old. Although World Cup Soccer for the NES is still quite enjoyable just to KO the opposing teams.
I think that the only thing that's going to hold the PS3 back is that there won't be enough to go around. Only 1 million a month? how are they going to get it in every household like that?! 10 million a month might do it.
Next-Generation does not nessicarily mean prettier pictures. All it means is that the product is one of the next steps in gaming. Remember, Microsoft is pushing for an online centric system. They already had a lot of success and experience in this area, whereas Sony has always been lacking and it is unclear whether they will be able tp pull their's off.
The Xbox 360 is far better than the Xbox for graphics, but that doesn't make or break a system. OTherwise the DS wouldn't be pummeling the PSP. If you're that much of a graphics lover, then the Revolution is your Xbox 1.5 (Nintendo claimed this)
Sony is Intel & Microsoft is amd. Microsoft come's out first with with next generation game console then 1 year or less Sony come's out with their game console resulting in Sony anihilating Microsoft next gen console sales in less than 2 - 4 months.
Alas, Sony , have a number of insoluble problems to solve first,and as always will fail to defeat it's perceived rivals! Further it has a long way to go, to win back customer trust, since under Howard's control, they have a total absolute whorship of the DRM god, which tramples on all fairuse!
Sony's total reliance on cheap ways, at the expense of all, mean they lack the ability to deliver reliable cutting edge technology!
But alas, as time marches on and the power, of home computer/entertainment systems rapidly increases, the age of seperate game boxes has now past it's zenith, and those that seek to interfere with the way the customer uses them, will follow the dinosaurs demise rapidly, irrespective of creating laws, to extend their domain RIAA/DMCA style!
Choices can be very cruel in real life, such is life!
Let the fun and propaganda begin, but as with anything SONY, always read the fine print, before you part with the hard earned dollars!!!!!!!
One of the things that will be interesting is what does the "Cell" processor bring to gaming - what titles can use it and would it make the difference in whether the PS3 version of a game was better than the Xbox version? I mean forget graphic capability because the Xbox 360 and PS3 will use high-end "off the shelf" PC graphics chipsets, it's possible that they will be equal in performance; the real question is whether or not Cell will be able to better utilize its graphic chipset than Xbox360. Cell has seven internal processors compared to 360's three processors - is this just overkill? - Maybe, but it does offer some advantages if there is going to be some form of online content that would be very processor intensive, regarding real-time eventing and keeping track of the local user's statistics in an online event. What also has my curiosity is the use of Blue-Ray tech. It definately helps in the promotion of the new media for DVD movies and content but what about its use for gaming. Besides security encryption and copyright protection, I've heard that the Blue-ray DVDs is the reason why Sony decided to drop the region restrictions for games - in other words, games in Japan can be played in the US and visa versa - but is that it? Can it help in minimizing load time for a game? Does the one year headstart help Xbox360 - No, the titles that Xbox 360 has out right now, I believe PS3 will have equivalent or the same titles on it as well in November; unless these same games on the PS3 prove to be of lesser quality on the PS3 than 360, in terms of either gameplay, control, or graphics than there is nothing here that can hurt Sony. Xbox 360 needs to have a "killer" big-name title now to take advantage of the year long absence of the PS3 and it doesn't have one yet and it would be foolish to gamble head-to-head with PS3, without an ace in the sleeve, despite the doubt. Thyat's my two-cents.
One of the things that will be interesting is what does the "Cell" processor bring to gaming - what titles can use it and would it make the difference in whether the PS3 version of a game was better than the Xbox version? I mean forget graphic capability because the Xbox 360 and PS3 will use high-end "off the shelf" PC graphics chipsets, it's possible that they will be equal in performance; the real question is whether or not Cell will be able to better utilize its graphic chipset than Xbox360. Cell has seven internal processors compared to 360's three processors - is this just overkill? - Maybe, but it does offer some advantages if there is going to be some form of online content that would be very processor intensive, regarding real-time eventing and keeping track of the local user's statistics in an online event. What also has my curiosity is the use of Blue-Ray tech. It definately helps in the promotion of the new media for DVD movies and content but what about its use for gaming. Besides security encryption and copyright protection, I've heard that the Blue-ray DVDs is the reason why Sony decided to drop the region restrictions for games - in other words, games in Japan can be played in the US and visa versa - but is that it? Can it help in minimizing load time for a game? Does the one year headstart help Xbox360 - No, the titles that Xbox 360 has out right now, I believe PS3 will have equivalent or the same titles on it as well in November; unless these same games on the PS3 prove to be of lesser quality on the PS3 than 360, in terms of either gameplay, control, or graphics than there is nothing here that can hurt Sony. Xbox 360 needs to have a "killer" big-name title now to take advantage of the year long absence of the PS3 and it doesn't have one yet and it would be foolish to gamble head-to-head with PS3, without an ace in the sleeve, despite the doubt. That's my two-cents.
The game and Hollywood movie industries are only a small portion of who desides the next generation of video. The PS3 will become nothing more than a over-priced gaming system if Toshiba gets the backing of the pornagraphy industry. After all, it was what really pushed forward DVDs. And they are the ones who would benefit the most from HD video. If Microsoft really wants to "screw" Sony, then they should get "sleep" with the pornagraphy executives. (Puns intended obvisously)
Releasing the PS3 one year after the XBox 360 is a good thing in my opinion. I almost think it was planned that way. The hardcore gamers that got the 360 last year will most definitely get the PS3 this year. Also, those who would have had to chose between the platforms if launched at the same time, will have had a year to save up for the new console. Just think of the tech advantage the PS3 has over the XBox 360 now. If Sony launched last year, then we would have gotten less of a jump in technology from the PS2. We would not get the Blu-Ray to say the least. We would have most likely missed out on the dual HDMI outputs and possible the 7 controler bluetooth as well.
To answer a couple questions from some people. The PS3 has been said to be under $500 and WILL have Blu-Ray. Many new titles will require the new format to store the game data. Just as PS2 games came out on both CD and DVD formats through it's lifetime. This, however, may increase the price of some of the more sought after games in the future. I predict, in my opinion, that games will range from $60-$100+ for the first year. It's a good thing that there are still a bunch of PS2 games I haven't beaten yet.
Get the new console. I need people to play online.
Releasing the PS3 one year after the XBox 360 is a good thing in my opinion. I almost think it was planned that way. The hardcore gamers that got the 360 last year will most definitely get the PS3 this year. Also, those who would have had to chose between the platforms if launched at the same time, will have had a year to save up for the new console. Just think of the tech advantage the PS3 has over the XBox 360 now. If Sony launched last year, then we would have gotten less of a jump in technology from the PS2. We would not get the Blu-Ray to say the least. We would have most likely missed out on the dual HDMI outputs and possible the 7 controler bluetooth as well.
To answer a couple questions from some people. The PS3 has been said to be under $500 and WILL have Blu-Ray. Many new titles will require the new format to store the game data. Just as PS2 games came out on both CD and DVD formats through it's lifetime. This, however, may increase the price of some of the more sought after games in the future. I predict, in my opinion, that games will range from $60-$100+ for the first year. It's a good thing that there are still a bunch of PS2 games I haven't beaten yet.
Get the new console. I need people to play online.
Chamtech's spray-on antenna uses a nano material to provide a low-power boost to antenna range. The wireless-in-a-can product may some day bring an end to unsightly cell towers.
Whether Apple will release a new iPad next month doesn't seem to be the question as much as what day it will happen. A new rumor has it down to the day.
Tommy Jordan, the man who shot his daughter's laptop for YouTube, gets a visit from police and child protection services. Oh, and Good Morning America.
Along with green-lighting Google's buy of Motorola, the Justice Department today OKs an Apple-Microsoft-RIM partnership deal to buy Nortel patents, and Apple's plan to acquire Novell patents.
EnerG2 opens a plant to make an engineered carbon that will improve performance of energy storage devices and make storage for start-stop hybrid cars less expensive.
"Never Stop Playing" campaign for upcoming portable marks Sony's largest platform launch marketing spend, with ads to reach YouTube, Facebook, TV, and billboards in major cities.
As UC Berkeley students, the co-founders of "Back to the Roots" discovered they could grow mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds. Now their mushroom kit sells at grocery stores across the country.
I see no reason why Sony thinks they had to include BlueRay with the PS3. IMO, they would have been able to ship this thing way sooner if it weren't for BlueRay.
Microsoft is ramping up production of Xbox360 and that will hurt Sony, no matter how they try and put on a good face.
Microsoft will later release Halo 3, and next gen games will become available just as PS3 hits the maarkets and I suspect it will be difficult to purchase one due to demand. Unlike the orginal Xbox, Microsoft is fight much harder this time.
Picture this, the day PS3 is annouced Microsoft announces an Xbox 360 price cut, due to a full channel of them, and Halo 3. That would be a pretty good kidney punch to Sony.
have you noticed that in each of the newer FPS the graphics improve over the previous line in the series of games but there are less missions/levels?
as I was saying, with BDs, they wont have to cut back on levels
"Members of the network would be able to chat, create friends lists and do other social networking activities."
What the hell else is there you can do? What is "other social networking activities"? All you can do is chat....and nobody really wants to talk in their real voice.
Plus what will Sony do to kick out the morons from games? The turds that only want to try and create havoc? Microsoft has had a lot of time dealing with this from Xbox live. Sony is starting from scratch.
And still no the PS3 .....
Who is evil?
Your average mum and dad are going to say "no Jimmy we will buy this one its $300 cheaper"
This race is a no brainer and Sony has already lost it...
I would say they would match the Xbox 360 price or go above by a measly 100. Though, with a 60GB HD, It could be higher.
One thing can be counted on: Since all PS3 games require the harddrive, not shipping the PS3 with one would cripple the PS3's chances.
Immersion won an injunction against the PS2 and all games that used the dual shock technology. The injunction is on hold for appeals. Sony recently lost an important appeal in the case and may be forced to pull the PS2 off the market. If the PS3 has similar dual shock technology, it will be covered under the same injunction. This explains why Sony has not shown its controller in public except in a glass case.
That's all there is to it. They won't and can't take the ps2 off market.
is that the PS3 hasn't hit the market yet. On one hand, Microsoft
has a huge start. On the other hand, Sony has a larger
established fan base and, quite frankly, Microsoft didn't take
advantage of their head start as much as they could have.
PS3 will win the Japanese market easily. Xbox 360 might actually
claim the European market. The American market, however, is
far more complex than either of those (Japan loves the home
team and Europe is known for it's early adoption).
After this holiday season, we'll be able to truly judge the console
war. For now, just enjoy your 360 (if you can find one).
And either way - I'm going to own and play all 3 next gen
consoles. After all, it's about the games, isn't it?
I don't believe Sony will be playing catchup at all, in fact, I believe they will blow the doors of Xbox.
On a personal level though, the value of the machines are different. What I look for in a game is a challenge. A game like Wind Waker was extremely enjoyable for me, because I enjoyed the puzzles in all the dungeons. I didn't care that it was cartoony because the graphics isn't what gets my attention. And personally, I can do without seeing every decal on a sports car and over-paid, zombie-like sports jocks covered with sweat.
P.S. I have only requested one of the sports games I own, and that was NBA Jam for my Sega Genesis. The other 3 my parents bought on a whim, and those too are just as old. Although World Cup Soccer for the NES is still quite enjoyable just to KO the opposing teams.
The Xbox 360 is far better than the Xbox for graphics, but that doesn't make or break a system. OTherwise the DS wouldn't be pummeling the PSP.
If you're that much of a graphics lover, then the Revolution is your Xbox 1.5 (Nintendo claimed this)
Sony is Intel & Microsoft is amd. Microsoft come's out first with with next generation game console then 1 year or less Sony come's out with their game console resulting in Sony anihilating Microsoft next gen console sales in less than 2 - 4 months.
Sony's total reliance on cheap ways, at the expense of all, mean they lack the ability to deliver reliable cutting edge technology!
But alas, as time marches on and the power, of home computer/entertainment systems rapidly increases, the age of seperate game boxes has now past it's zenith, and those that seek to interfere with the way the customer uses them, will follow the dinosaurs demise rapidly, irrespective of creating laws, to extend their domain RIAA/DMCA style!
Choices can be very cruel in real life, such is life!
Let the fun and propaganda begin, but as with anything SONY, always read the fine print, before you part with the hard earned dollars!!!!!!!
I mean forget graphic capability because the Xbox 360 and PS3 will use high-end "off the shelf" PC graphics chipsets, it's possible that they will be equal in performance; the real question is whether or not Cell will be able to better utilize its graphic chipset than Xbox360.
Cell has seven internal processors compared to 360's three processors - is this just overkill? - Maybe, but it does offer some advantages if there is going to be some form of online content that would be very processor intensive, regarding real-time eventing and keeping track of the local user's statistics in an online event.
What also has my curiosity is the use of Blue-Ray tech. It definately helps in the promotion of the new media for DVD movies and content but what about its use for gaming. Besides security encryption and copyright protection, I've heard that the Blue-ray DVDs is the reason why Sony decided to drop the region restrictions for games - in other words, games in Japan can be played in the US and visa versa - but is that it? Can it help in minimizing load time for a game?
Does the one year headstart help Xbox360 - No, the titles that Xbox 360 has out right now, I believe PS3 will have equivalent or the same titles on it as well in November; unless these same games on the PS3 prove to be of lesser quality on the PS3 than 360, in terms of either gameplay, control, or graphics than there is nothing here that can hurt Sony.
Xbox 360 needs to have a "killer" big-name title now to take advantage of the year long absence of the PS3 and it doesn't have one yet and it would be foolish to gamble head-to-head with PS3, without an ace in the sleeve, despite the doubt.
Thyat's my two-cents.
I mean forget graphic capability because the Xbox 360 and PS3 will use high-end "off the shelf" PC graphics chipsets, it's possible that they will be equal in performance; the real question is whether or not Cell will be able to better utilize its graphic chipset than Xbox360.
Cell has seven internal processors compared to 360's three processors - is this just overkill? - Maybe, but it does offer some advantages if there is going to be some form of online content that would be very processor intensive, regarding real-time eventing and keeping track of the local user's statistics in an online event.
What also has my curiosity is the use of Blue-Ray tech. It definately helps in the promotion of the new media for DVD movies and content but what about its use for gaming. Besides security encryption and copyright protection, I've heard that the Blue-ray DVDs is the reason why Sony decided to drop the region restrictions for games - in other words, games in Japan can be played in the US and visa versa - but is that it? Can it help in minimizing load time for a game?
Does the one year headstart help Xbox360 - No, the titles that Xbox 360 has out right now, I believe PS3 will have equivalent or the same titles on it as well in November; unless these same games on the PS3 prove to be of lesser quality on the PS3 than 360, in terms of either gameplay, control, or graphics than there is nothing here that can hurt Sony.
Xbox 360 needs to have a "killer" big-name title now to take advantage of the year long absence of the PS3 and it doesn't have one yet and it would be foolish to gamble head-to-head with PS3, without an ace in the sleeve, despite the doubt.
That's my two-cents.
To answer a couple questions from some people. The PS3 has been said to be under $500 and WILL have Blu-Ray. Many new titles will require the new format to store the game data. Just as PS2 games came out on both CD and DVD formats through it's lifetime. This, however, may increase the price of some of the more sought after games in the future. I predict, in my opinion, that games will range from $60-$100+ for the first year. It's a good thing that there are still a bunch of PS2 games I haven't beaten yet.
Get the new console. I need people to play online.
To answer a couple questions from some people. The PS3 has been said to be under $500 and WILL have Blu-Ray. Many new titles will require the new format to store the game data. Just as PS2 games came out on both CD and DVD formats through it's lifetime. This, however, may increase the price of some of the more sought after games in the future. I predict, in my opinion, that games will range from $60-$100+ for the first year. It's a good thing that there are still a bunch of PS2 games I haven't beaten yet.
Get the new console. I need people to play online.