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Playstation 3 In the Works
Kredal writes "The Independent is running a story about Sony's work on a new console, being built around online games, such as Everquest Adventures and Final Fantasy 11. No word on backwards compatability, but expect it to be the X-Box killer if it is."
FF11 already has me lusting.
During the release of the Playstation 2, Sony badass Ken Kutaragi announced that the Playstation 3 would be released in 2005. If you want to get the details, check out these google results.
More interesting is the news today that Sony and Real have announced a tie-up. They'd already announced an alliance to use Real software in the PS2 - this is a further development, with Sony buying a stake in Real with the aim of using its software in other consumer devices.
Real has put out a press release here, which says: "Sony plans to adopt these combined digital distribution solutions in a variety of networked CE products such as Sony's networked audio products and Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation2 computer entertainment system."
The Wall Street Journal notes that the deal brings together two Microsoft rivals - the WSJ story requires $$$+registration, but the basics are:
The companies didn't announce specific product agreements, but said their research and development groups will regularly collaborate on developing new technologies. Sony said it would adopt RealNetworks' media technologies broadly in a variety of consumer electronics devices with network connections to personal computers and the Internet, and RealNetworks will consider using a Sony antipiracy format in its software.
While the financial side of the deal is small and RealNetworks is in no immediate need of cash, the investment gives Sony at least a symbolic stake in the future of RealNetworks. RealNetworks competes fiercely with Microsoft in the market for Internet audio and video software, and it has joined other companies in accusing Microsoft of anticompetitive practices that threaten their businesses. Sony and Microsoft, meanwhile, became archcompetitors in the videogame market with Microsoft's introduction late last year of the Xbox, a heavily promoted rival to Sony's market-leading PlayStation 2.
Dave Fester, a Microsoft general manager, said the alliance with Sony wouldn't affect the appeal of Microsoft's own media software to electronics companies, but adding that it could "drive a wedge between Real and other consumer electronics manufacturers."
Heh. Microsoft pulls this stunt all the time, except doing it against their competitors. Remember all the hype about waiting for the Xbox as it would clean the PS2's clock? How many fewer PS2s do you think Sony sold as a result of this? Sony is just using MSFT's playbook against them. And I say "go for it". But then again, I still have my original PS and have little intention to upgrade. Unless GTA3 doesn't come out for the PC soon *grumble*.
No word on backwards compatability, but expect it to be the Playstation 3 killer if it is.
(Of course it will be compatible - the Xbox is basically a PC.)
Remember how ridiculously overhyped PS2 was?
I expect the same with PS3. But why does it have to start now??
As for me, I don't own a console. The only reason I'd get one would be the games, not the technical superiority of a particular console when compared to another or when compared to PCs (which is simply not happenning anyway).
For example, there are no fighting games on the PC (Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive, Soul Calibur etc.).
But that's about it - I couldn't care less for the RPGs and the racing sims are comparable to what I get on the PC.
The FPS genre is pretty much nonexistent on the consoles (it may be starting to change).
Maybe I just don't get the console culture.
-jfedor
(And yes, I own the cartridges. heh.)
This has been blown out of proportion. For the facts, please have a look at: http://www.sonyweb.com/features/insidethecell.html