New PlayStation 2 Chip

Iron Chef Japan writes "Sony has announced that they have fit the PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine, and the Graphics Synthesizer on to a single chip using a 0.13-micron process. This will allow Sony to make three times more PlayStation 2's annually, so it's all for the better."

Comments

Performance boost?

[lxmeister]

Will this enhance the performance of the PS2 in a ny way?

PS/2

[veeoh]

PS/2 - So last year darling - who cares how many they make - they have lost it to the XBox

Re:Allowing for a drop in price perhaps?

[Dark Paladin]

Hm...

Considering that the Xbox launch in Japan, while not a total failure, isn't anywhere close to "good", there's rumors that MS may be dropping the price of the Xbox (at least in Japan, maybe perhaps but don't bet on it in Europe).

The PS2 in Japan is around $200, the Xbox around $263, if I remember right. So if MS brings Xbox down $200 (in Japan - no way in hell they'll drop it that low in the US - well, maybe, this is MS (free browser, anyone?)), then Sony can fight back with another drop to around $150 with their new technology. (Figure they'd take a hit on "old" PS2 units, and hope they make it up later.)

Either way, I'm actually glad that we've got 3 console makers in the market. Because it encourages competition (well, if you call all 2 good games for the Xbox compitition (and I'm not including PS2 remakes, thank you)), and competition is always good. (Except when I'm at a party trying to seduce a girl. Then I want monopoly power.)