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Sony Hints on PS3, PSP, and PS2 Plans

jaaron writes "The Register/GamesIndustry.biz reports on what Sony may have in store in terms of gaming hardware for E3, and according to remarks from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves: 'PSP games will probably be region-free, that PS3 will be intrinsically linked with PSX and may appear in home server and standalone gaming versions, and... Sony may announce a stripped down, PSone-style PlayStation 2 product.'" The interview also mentions: "Looking further ahead, Reeves spoke about Sony's 'ultimate goal' for PlayStation 3 - 'to get into electronic broadband distribution'."

230 comments

  1. Sega TV! by caffeineboy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    anyone remember this?

    This time maybe it could work!
    (for longer anyway)

    --
    +++ ATH0 +++
    1. Re:Sega TV! by MrRuslan · · Score: 1

      Perhaps Sony should make and expansion pack for the ps2 and make it 64 bit and ad a cartridge slot that way u can stick anything into it like sega did with 32X and segacd only the oppisite of sega cd...call it PS Cartridge :P P.S. I'm only joking

    2. Re:Sega TV! by DARKFORCE123 · · Score: 0

      I loved the Sega Channel. It was a great example of what cable broadband technology could do. And the box for it was a whole heck of a lot smaller than the cable boxes we have to put up with today.

    3. Re:Sega TV! by javaxman · · Score: 1

      My girlfriend once got me Sega Channel for Christmas.

      It was great. A little pricey, but I definitely played enough of the games that I probably came out way ahead had I been foolish enough to buy every game I played. Of course, I wouldn't have bought all those games, and I wish I had some of them which I never did buy ( specifically ToeJam&Earl ). I did by a few games I ran across on the service, though ( Earthworm Jim rocks! )...

      Also, of course, I married that girl...

  2. Electronic Distribution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ooh man, I don't think Sony would ever be able to compete with Infinium Labs....

    1. Re:Electronic Distribution? by DaHat · · Score: 1

      Shhh, mention not their name for fear of getting sued!

    2. Re:Electronic Distribution? by NeoTheOne · · Score: 0, Insightful

      I continue to find it amusing that no one is going to comment on whether you "own" these downloaded games or not. If the hard drive eats it, do I get all my games back? What about the time it takes to download a multi-gig game? The broadband industry is gonna shit itself having to deal with that kind of bandwidth usage. These entertainment companies either need to make MAJOR investments into fiber or they need to realize that no one is gonna spend all week downloading Final Fantasy XXX. And what about the HAL-9000 servers and rainbow-bridged-mega-channeled-OC-192s that they are gonna need on THEIR end? That's a nightmare waiting to happen. Thank you, I'll spend the time and gas to go to Walmart or BestBuy.

    3. Re:Electronic Distribution? by Rallion · · Score: 1

      ...no one is gonna spend all week downloading Final Fantasy XXX.

      I can think of plenty of people who would wait years to download a game with that title...

    4. Re:Electronic Distribution? by OmegaBlac · · Score: 1
      "Ooh man, I don't think Sony would ever be able to compete with Infinium Labs...."

      Of course not! Infinium Labs Phantom console will come bundled with Duke Nukem Forever! Beat that Sony!
  3. Thought on region free by onyxruby · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Thought here on the region free aspect. Could they be doing this to try and remove the most widely stated fair use reason for mod chips? Eliminate the need for a mod chip to play discs from other regions and you've just made a big impact on the perceived legitamacy of mod chips on the whole.

    1. Re:Thought on region free by Eu4ria · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Especially if they also allow any code to run on the system and maybe even make an SDK available. That way anybody could make homebrew stuff for the system and thus seel even more units.

    2. Re:Thought on region free by ponds · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If they allowed homebrew code then there would be no need for the modchip argument anyway. Software "modchips" would be freely available. Region free is a good bet. I think that mod chips will get away with the "legitimate backup" issue, be that a good thing or a bad thing.

    3. Re:Thought on region free by Maestro4k · · Score: 4, Insightful
      • Thought here on the region free aspect. Could they be doing this to try and remove the most widely stated fair use reason for mod chips? Eliminate the need for a mod chip to play discs from other regions and you've just made a big impact on the perceived legitamacy of mod chips on the whole.
      Probably not, they only talk about the PSP being region-free, and that's the Sony's new portable. Portables aren't as easy to mod as a console box. The article on The Register's site doesn't say anything about the PS3 being region-free.
    4. Re:Thought on region free by MrRuslan · · Score: 1

      An SDK Like the one that the NET YAROZE "http://www.absolute-playstation.com/api_faqs/faq1 3.htm" Only without the $800 Price tag?

    5. Re:Thought on region free by Echnin · · Score: 4, Informative

      Portables are usually region-free... GB is, at least.

      --
      Lalala
    6. Re:Thought on region free by PhotoBoy · · Score: 1

      The recent Linux kit for the PS2 was more reasonably priced at around 200 which included a USB keyboard, USB mouse, hard drive and network adaptor. (http://playstation2-linux.com/)

      While I don't think the Linux kit has inspired a home-brew market like the X-Box one, it does offer excellent learning value for someone wanting to get relevant experience programming the PS2.

      I would imagine an SDK for the PSP would allow someone to create a Gameboy Advance (and maybe DS) emulator, which I'm sure Sony would unofficially be pleased about.

    7. Re:Thought on region free by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Sony, like Microsoft and Nintendo, is in the business of selling games, accessories and getting royalties from those, not from selling consoles.

      I'm not sure if any of the parties make much money from the consoles themselves, I know supposedly Microsoft bleeds for every XBox sold, I really don't know how much that applies for Nintendo or Sony now.

    8. Re:Thought on region free by gl4ss · · Score: 2, Interesting

      a good bet is that they won't.

      they have not hinted at it, and it certainly isn't a general purpose device that would need such anyways to be succesful. they're probably going the nintendo(as with gameboy) route with it, meaning that they're the only ones who can make manufacture the games anyways(the physical medium).

      if you want offically accepted 'homebrew', buy a gp32 or n-gage(or some other series60 phone if you're geek fashion touchy, any bozo can even apply for official symbian application uid's! even I got few by just asking - and in my opinion it's the homebrew/independent game programmers current heaven if you want somebody to actually play your games as well).

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    9. Re:Thought on region free by ajservo · · Score: 1

      OR... It's because they know the GBA is already region free and they want a part of that market that caters to import gaming.

      As someone who bought a GBA (not SP) from Japan, this would get me to buying a PSP before it hits stateside, since I'm not fearful of Japanese racing/puzzle/platform games. A Japanese RPG... That's something I don't import. EVER.

      So long as they import DDR to the PSP, I'll be happy...

    10. Re:Thought on region free by Destoo · · Score: 3, Funny

      now.. DDR on the PSP.. That would be funny with a touchscreen.

      Put your psp on the floor and repeatedly jump on it.
      Works if your a 7 year old japanese girl.

      --
      Nouvelles de jeux et technologies en français. TC
    11. Re:Thought on region free by dave1g · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Actually the video game business is pretty undecided about whether your last point is good or not.

      Most of the revenue comes from game licenses, not from hardware sales, but huge hardware ssales (possibly spurred by GB emulation) would mean more developers wanting to sign up.

      Personally I think the emulation thing is a good idea. Assuming it requires a cart, and not that you can download the GB roms to the PSP from the internet...if that were the case sony would absolutely love it, they get more hardware out the dor, nintenedo loses money... it would be awsome for them.

      And on the other hand, some video game companies have been against legit emulators (sony vs DreamCast PS1 emulator...forgot the name of the product) for some unknown reasons...since they would only be making more money off of the licenses for the games...

      Complicated business this is.

    12. Re:Thought on region free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it required an actual cart how would Nintendo loose money off that deal, since most money is made off of game sales anyway.

    13. Re:Thought on region free by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'm pretty sure that Nintendo always makes a profit on their boxes and I think that at the current moment, with the latest rev of the PS2, Sony is making a profit on the PS2 hardware.

      --
      Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    14. Re:Thought on region free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bleem muthafucka!

    15. Re:Thought on region free by t_allardyce · · Score: 1

      Is backup not a legitimate use? Ok so cutting the bullshit, we all know what backup means but theres no way they can do anything to get rid of mod-chips simply because the chip itself is just an off-the-shelf blank PIC (usually) which is un-bannable and the code for it ammounts to about 1kb. Trying to stop that would be like trying to remove all references to goats.cx from the world.

      --
      This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
    16. Re:Thought on region free by dave1g · · Score: 1

      thank you for reminding me :-p

    17. Re:Thought on region free by Xaymot · · Score: 0

      Sony is simply removing the region code in order to encourage 3rd party development. This way companies will not have to make 15 versions of the same game (which costs a heap load of skrilla) in order to sell to all regions.

      Sony knows that the PSP is not a sure thing and so do developers. So, the less quality measures and region codes the faster, easier, and cheaper it will be to support the handheld.

      As for piracy and mod chips, Sony doesn't yet view piracy as a big enough deal to mess with their bottom line and they don't care yet. Their sales comes from the mass consumer and not niche audience or mod enthusiasts.

  4. Don't forget... by capz+loc · · Score: 4, Funny
    1. Re:Don't forget... by MBCook · · Score: 2, Funny

      Pfft. Gabe over at Penny Arcade already has one. He got it off eBay.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
  5. PS^3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Would it be neat if Gamecube and Playstation merged to become Playstation cubed (PS^3).

    1. Re:PS^3 by bigbaloney · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, I would like to see the handheld version, the PlayBoy. :-)

    2. Re:PS^3 by CompressedAir · · Score: 1

      I dunno, Alien^3 kinda sucked.

    3. Re:PS^3 by lcde · · Score: 1

      I've already got 2 of them. Although the one on the left doesn't work as good. :-)

      --
      :%s/teh/the/g
    4. Re:PS^3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I would like to see the handheld version, the PlayBoy. :-)

      Um, ... look down.

    5. Re:PS^3 by MagicDude · · Score: 1

      Last I checked, the playboy always involved a lot of hand held action.

    6. Re:PS^3 by TechniMyoko · · Score: 0

      No, no it wouldn't

    7. Re:PS^3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, it works just fine. Just think of it as a really in experienced chick.

    8. Re:PS^3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Post your fucking pictures, prick.

  6. At last! by SoTuA · · Score: 2, Insightful
    "probably [..] games will come out with no regional coding"

    Well, at least they'll get _SOMETHING_ right.

    Any PSP movies, however, will probably have to remain region protected, even if Hollywood decides to back the UMD format for distribution, although there may be other incentives to buying movies this way.

    Oh well :(

    1. Re:At last! by ajservo · · Score: 1

      I'm not worried about it... Sony's theorizing on PS2's dual use is a joke for me... My PS2 is for gaming. If I want to watch DVD's, I use my DVD players. I have a changer and a region free. When Sony introduces a region free DVD changer with an integrated PS2 in it, I'll look at it. So, on the PSP front, the PSP will play games for me. I won't watch TV on it. That's what my Apple video iPod will do... Games and watching TV are only connected by the tube, IMO.

    2. Re:At last! by TechniMyoko · · Score: 0

      You are a minority. If I buy a console with dvd playback, Ill use it. I own an xbox and a dvd kit but no dvd player

    3. Re:At last! by MikeFM · · Score: 1

      I wouldn't buy two copies of movies. If they are of similar quality I'll buy whichever is easy to rip. Right now that is DVD.

      What I would like is a Tivo-like device that allows you to add [removable] storage by plugging it into your network and configuring which NFS servers to use. Also I'd like it to be able to autoscan new servers so that if I had something like those portable network drives we mentioned the other day I could just plug them into my hub and bam every ripped DVD, CD, or Tivo-copied television program on the drive is instantly available on my menu as something I could watch. It'd be damn near perfect if I could drop a DVD into the unit and it'd automaticly rip the movie for me.

      I'm thinking of trying to build this lil device. I've built set-top computers before and have written most the software required already. I'm thinking of using one of those nano-itx boards. Since no hard drive is needed inside the unit (if it can access network file servers) I think I could build it extremly small. Not sure if I should build in a slim DVD drive or just plug an external one in when I want to rip a DVD. Probably the later. Just need to design a remote control for the unit and I'm ready to roll. I'm thinking of just using a wireless mouse as the remote since my software is optimized for three button navigation.

      --
      At what price learning? At what cost wisdom? The price is a man's peace of mind, and the cost is his life.
    4. Re:At last! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hah, the only people I know who use the DVD capabilities of consoles are kids who don't have DVD players in their rooms.

      I seriously doubt he's in the minority. In fact, I'm willing to bet that you're in the minority.

  7. The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by Maestro4k · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the article and talking about it linking to the PSX, it doesn't really sound like they're considering the PS3 to be a next-gen console, but something else. Frankly it sounds strange linking it to the PSX which is based on PS2 technology gaming-wise. It should be quite interesting to hear what Sony has in mind for the PS3, but right now it's sounding like they might be about to screw up and give Microsoft and Nintendo a chance to grab more of the console market.

    1. Re:The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh please.

    2. Re:The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by l3pYr · · Score: 2, Informative

      They said they would release a regular version of the PS3 for around 200 Euros, which they said would be for people who just wanted a next-gen console. So obviously, if the stripped down version is a next gen console, so must be the version with all the bells and whistles (or dancing and singing as they called it!)

      --
      RTFA and cite your sources or prepare to get pwnd
    3. Re:The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by bp2179 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Found this article http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/03/31/news_60926 05.html referring to blue-laser disc technology on the PS3 "Currently, BD-ROMs can hold up to 25GB of data--about five times the volume of a standard DVD disc--and double-layered 50GB BD-ROMs will be appearing within the year"

    4. Re:The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by bhtooefr · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Microsoft Windows: A thirty-two bit extension and graphical shell to a sixteen-bit patch to an eight-bit operating syste

      If you're referring to Windows 9x/Me, you're right (up until you say patch - it's a 16-bit clone of CP/M, not a 16-bit patch to CP/M). However, NT/2K/XP/2K3 are thirty-two bit rewrites of a sixteen-bit operating system (OS/2), with a total rewrite (and full redesign in 4.0 and up - partial redesign in 3.x) to the GUI system.

    5. Re:The PS3 isn't sounding like a normal console... by bp2179 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      sorry, just screwed up my sig. had nothing to do with the post. Microsoft Windows: A thirty-two bit extension and graphical shell to a sixteen-bit patch to an eight-bit operating system originally coded for a four-bit microprocessor which was written by a two-bit company that can't stand one bit of competition just trying to be funny with my sig. n00b on the /.-er posting. Sorry for the confusion everyone

  8. Swiss army portable gaming device? by ryanwright · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Unsurprisingly, Reeves came out strongly in defence of the PSP as its own product and not a Game Boy replacement. "It's not, as people have said, a new Game Boy," he said. "There are so many other features that you can add onto it, whether it's GPS or GPRS even."

    I can't decide if this is cool or not. A GPS receiver and cellular phone attached to my portable gaming device? What for?

    Now, if it had a touchscreen, Palm OS, and a secure way to copy my games onto the device so I don't have to carry them around with me everywhere... then we're talking.

    --
    -Ryan, with the unoriginal sig
    1. Re:Swiss army portable gaming device? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I bet some one could come up with a fun game where you have to go some where in specific, maybe like a spy game, and you talk to other "agents" via your cell phone attachment, agree on a dead drop place and both use gps to get there. of course you won't wanna play with strangers ;P

    2. Re:Swiss army portable gaming device? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      if it can hook up to a gps reciever and a cellphone(smartphone even) theres all kinds of crap you can do(ie: extra final fantasy eleven expiernce points everytime you play inside bestbuy - how cool would that be, except for the bestbuy part)

      if you want a touch screen and palm os get a pda...?

    3. Re:Swiss army portable gaming device? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's very interesting. Who are you?

    4. Re:Swiss army portable gaming device? by Marble68 · · Score: 1

      Think I found this off Slashdot earlier, but since you asked...

      Check this out:
      Mogi: Second Generation Location-Based Gaming
      Quick Snipage:
      Mogi is a collecting game - "item hunt". The game provides a data-layer over the city of Tokyo. As you move through the city, if you check a map on your mobile phone screen, you'll see nearby items you can pick up and nearby players you can meet or trade with.

      Since my offhanded joke on Janus got tagged as trolling, I'm trying to get my karma back.

      This actually looks very interesting. Singles who play this game could put in a profile and the game could have them meet by telling them to seek "virtual" items.
      Blind dating in a cyber reality superimposed upon this one..
      Interesting... (I hope! I want my good karma back!!) >:)

      --
      /me sips his coffee and ponders a new sig...
  9. Next big thing.... by b12arr0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm already bored with the PS3 stuff. I like to look ahead. I'm interested in the PS4/Microwave/Can Opener/Satellite Radio Combo. Definately want the stand-alone on something like that.

    1. Re:Next big thing.... by SFBwian · · Score: 1

      But does it have orbiting brain lasers? I think not!

      --
      I'm looking to get rich. I've got steps #2 (????) and #3 (PROFIT!) planned out, but am having trouble coming up with #1.
  10. 30 MB = Any game I want? by chosen_my_foot · · Score: 1

    Can someone explain the last paragraph to me? It's supposedly talking about the PS3, but I'm at a loss as to how PS3 games are expected to be under 30MB. Or am I just a stupid monkey and I missed something?

    1. Re:30 MB = Any game I want? by SoTuA · · Score: 2, Informative

      I might have misread, but it seems like they were talking about BANDWIDTH NEEDED! :o

    2. Re:30 MB = Any game I want? by l3pYr · · Score: 1

      I believe that comment was referring to the size of PSP games, which would be electronically distrubted bia the PS3 home network edition or whatever they called it. That would make sense (asssuming the games are compressed) because the PSP is supposed to have 30MB of RAM per the same discussion.

      --
      RTFA and cite your sources or prepare to get pwnd
    3. Re:30 MB = Any game I want? by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 1

      The PSP has 30MB of RAM. PSP games are 1.8GB.

    4. Re:30 MB = Any game I want? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yah I read it as 2 - 3 mega bit per second links in most households by 2006, and maybe lots of people will have even faster connections pending breakthroughs in bandwidth technology. Then again he used MB so I could be way off

    5. Re:30 MB = Any game I want? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm pretty sure he means Internet connection bandwidth of 30 megabit, as it's right under the line "always online access and viable broadband distribution"

  11. What I'd like to see... by blcamp · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...are just lower prices for games, especially new releases.

    US $50 is simply too much for a new PS2 game.

    --
    The problem with socialism is that they always run out of other people's money. - Margaret Thatcher
    1. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > US $50 is simply too much for a new PS2 game.

      Really? How much time do you spend with a typical game?

      Considering going to a movie for 90 minutes is usually going to set you back at least $15 when you include admission and transportation, good video games are a bargain. I've logged hundreds of hours playing Ratchet and Clank, Socom II, and Dynasty Warriors alone.

    2. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      US $50 is simply too much for a new PS2 game

      But yet I bet you gleefully paid $50 for new NES titles years ago!

      Seriously, you're just being cheap because you like to buy
      a lot of shitty games rather than one or two good ones.

    3. Re:What I'd like to see... by badasscat · · Score: 1

      ...are just lower prices for games, especially new releases.

      US $50 is simply too much for a new PS2 game.


      Argh, how does a comment like this get modded "insightful"?

      First of all, N64 games listed at $69.99-$79.99 when the system was first released. Prior to that, Sega Genesis games sold for up to $80 (Phantasy Star IV being an example). The original Warcraft on PC had an MSRP over $50 (check this month's 10th Anniversary PC Gamer for confirmation). Going back further, most Atari 2600 titles retailed for $29.99 - in 1977. And that price went up over time with inflation, not down.

      Secondly, how many games need to be below $50 before people stop complaining about game prices? And that's not even counting brand new releases like Destruction Derby Arenas, which is selling for $20 on day one of release. There are quite a few games that fit that description these days.

      If you're complaining about game prices, you either a) know nothing about video game history and/or economics, or b) are shopping at all the wrong places.

    4. Re:What I'd like to see... by YetAnotherAnonymousC · · Score: 1

      While I pretty much agree with what you're saying, I think this says more about what a ripoff movies are than it says about the good pricing of video games.

    5. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL

    6. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My old Sears catalog had NES games at $40 but we all know they were $50 everywhere else. I got Mario 3 for $50.

      With PS2 games now costing $4 mil minimum to make, and taking longer than ever to make, how can you justify asking for cost under $50?

      You're already getting way more value than you deserve for your $50. Once upon a time in the SNES days only the best games ever reached $1 mil. Mind you I think SMB3 had more play value than most of today's games, but that's what you get when 70 million people think it's a good idea to buy a Sony hardware unit that lacks even basic amenities like *hardware clipping*. Reap what ye sew. Crap hardware -> huge budget & high development time -> crap game

      With PS3 sounding more like a supercomputer it will only demand more programming hassle, so you can expect Sony hardware to be even worse to developers in the future. (hint: buy middleware stock now) Or just stop buying Sony.

    7. Re:What I'd like to see... by WinDoze · · Score: 1

      know nothing about video game history and/or economics

      How many Atari 2600's were out there in 1977?

      How many PS2's are out there today>

      It's called Economies of Scale. According to Economic theory, shouldn't games be cheaper now? Or maybe not, since there's historical proof that people will pay these outrageous amounts.

    8. Re:What I'd like to see... by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      Modern games are quite a bit more complex than Atari 2600 games.

      Last I read, there is an installed base of 17 million PS2s, I think that was in the US.

    9. Re:What I'd like to see... by nomadic · · Score: 2, Funny

      Completely and utterly irrelevant.

      Him: Games are too expensive.
      You: No they're not, they've always been expensive.

      See? Doesn't make sense.

    10. Re:What I'd like to see... by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      Yeah and they should lower the developers pay rate too!

    11. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, you, americans, at least are lucky...

      But here in Spain we pay for new games between 60(Microsoft games)-69(EA games) and 29.95 for Platinum/Classic Hits. That's more than 75$ & 35$!!!

      And as you know, our salaries are smaller than yours, and we get the games later, etc...

      Then people wonder why piracy is so high here in Spain...

    12. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Funny, this sounds like the CD argument, with your defintion of an acceptable price starting at say $40.00, then $30.00, and an so on, until it hits what you feel is the acceptable price of $0.00.

    13. Re:What I'd like to see... by JupiterP5 · · Score: 1

      Not that I really disagree that going to the movies is a ripoff. But at a movie theater they do provide you with not only the movie, but the building, seating, parking(usually), lighting, and sound system. For a video game you have to provide all of that yourself.

    14. Re:What I'd like to see... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now compare that to the dollar-per-hour value of a good book.

  12. Games have been $50 USD since the days of Nintendo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    where've you been?

  13. is sony trying to be like valve? by enrico_suave · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Looking further ahead, Reeves spoke about Sony's "ultimate goal" for PlayStation 3 - "to get into electronic broadband distribution"."

    I hope to god Sony's attempt at online delivery is way better than Steam. *shudder*

    e.

    --
    Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &
    1. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by CriX · · Score: 1

      I'm a little concerned that their distribution plans and potentially that their "Grid" (formerly "Cell") technology won't work if it too heavily relies on high bandwith. It said at the end of the article that they are counting on 2-3 Mbs data transfer rates. And Ken Katsuragi (sp?) is banking on 30Mbs!

      The best average speed I get on my cable modem is about 120kbs. I think we're a ways of from actual >1Mbs download speeds on average.

      Still, I can't wait to get my hands on a PS3. : )

      --
      Moderation: +1 pwnage
    2. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by oGMo · · Score: 1
      "Looking further ahead, Reeves spoke about Sony's "ultimate goal" for PlayStation 3 - "to get into electronic broadband distribution"."
      I hope to god Sony's attempt at online delivery is way better than Steam. *shudder*

      Maybe they'll license some phantom technology from these guys instead!

      --

      Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage

    3. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by Kolgoth · · Score: 2, Informative

      A few corrections Crix:

      If you download at 120k/s then you're actually downloading at ROUGHLY 1200 kbps... Which is over the 1Mbps barried you refer to above. The part where you're getting confused is w/ Kilobit and Kilobyte, and likewise with Megabit and Megabyte...

      A 1.5mbps line on can download at roughtly 150k/s.

      And SnappyDSL *COFS.net* is releasing a 3Mbps DSL line *Yes - I did say DSL* in FL and w/in the next 3 months one in GA. So I don't think its that far away at all...

      Never know though...

      --
      "The Samurai who does not fear death becomes invincible."
    4. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      Try out that math again. It's actually 150 k/s is equal to 960 kbps. And, depending on which version of M they decide to go with (whether 1M = 1000k or 1024k) that is still below the 1 Mbps mark. 1 Mbps is equivalent (in most cases) to ~125 k/s (using the 1024 method it would be ~128 k/s).

      Remember: 1 kilobyte = 8 kilobits
      1 megabyte = 8 megabits
      1 megabyte = 1024 kilobytes (base 2 format)

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
    5. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by Kolgoth · · Score: 1

      Now I'm confused...

      At the beginning - you said 150 k/s is equal to 960 kbps - and then at the end - you said that 1Mbps is equal to ~125 k/s... Now - how is that so? If 150 k/s is only equal to 960 kbps, then how is 125 k/s approximately equal to 1Mbps?

      I'm not arguing my math might be wrong - but your logic seems to contradict itself within the same sentence...so please...by all means...explain that to me...heh

      Thanks in advance...

      --
      "The Samurai who does not fear death becomes invincible."
    6. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by jciber · · Score: 1

      The "cell", "grid", or "monkeys with keyboards", what ever it's called now, is a way of haveing mutiple CPU cores and ram on one chip. It's talking about the systems bandwith on the motherboard. Like the south and north bridge on your PC. Least thats how I understod there patant and diagrams.

    7. Re:is sony trying to be like valve? by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      I was insanely tired at the time. I still am insanely tired. I may try and fix my math once I've had more than 3 hours of sleep in any given 24-hour period. As far as I can tell it's right, but you're right that it doesn't make any sense either. When I can't make sense out of what I myself wrote, it's time to go to bed.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
  14. Playstation 3? That's nothing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You guys are so behind. I just bought myself a Samy Playstation 4 i Hong Kong!

    1. Re:Playstation 3? That's nothing! by Echnin · · Score: 1

      Huh? I bought a PolyStation 2000 second-hand for 10 bucks 2 years ago! You are soooooo 1996 generations behind, man...

      --
      Lalala
  15. Re:hmmm... by eyeye · · Score: 3, Funny

    To me it sounds like they are planning to distribute broadband electronically!

    Over Dial Up modems I hope, that would be excellent.

    --
    Bush and Blair ate my sig!
  16. 'broadband distribution' by zombiestomper · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hopping on the Infinium Labs bandwagon?

    IL didn't and doesn't have a Phantom console, they were selling this concept.

    I wouldn't be the least surprised if Sony acquires IL for 'intellectual capital' that they've already compiled from 'researching' this market strategy.

    My guess is that it was IL's plan all along, don't sell a product-- just an idea.

    1. Re:'broadband distribution' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      BASTARDS at IL and I was wondering why my Beta Demo never arrived!

    2. Re:'broadband distribution' by kisielk · · Score: 1

      Why in the world would they have to buy IL? It's not like this concept hasn't been thought of before by many many other companies. Think Pay-Per-View... Sega TV... Microsoft.. Valve.. etc. Sony has no reason to pay the scammers at IL anything.

    3. Re:'broadband distribution' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ooooooh, someone "badmouthed" IL -- and it wasn't anonymously. Guess who's getting sued next. :)

  17. When?! by macdaddy · · Score: 1

    I kept eye-balling PS2s on sale here there and yonder. I'm very tempted to buy one. Then I think about how long the PS2 has been on the street and I decide that maybe I should wait until the PS3 comes out. The only question is when?!

    1. Re:When?! by gabebear · · Score: 2, Informative
      It looks like mid 2006.

      the fabs Sony/IBM are building for the Cell-chips will not be ready until early 2006.

    2. Re:When?! by Maestro4k · · Score: 5, Informative
      • I kept eye-balling PS2s on sale here there and yonder. I'm very tempted to buy one. Then I think about how long the PS2 has been on the street and I decide that maybe I should wait until the PS3 comes out. The only question is when?!
      Honestly I'd get the PS2 now and not worry about the PS3. Estimates so far place the PS3 no earlier than 2006, and their are tons of great games for the PS2. You can also play most of the PS1 games (there's a list of ones that don't work quite right, but it's only about 20 or so, and most aren't very popular ones. Final Fantasy Origins is one of the popular ones that won't FYI.). You can also use it as a DVD player if you don't have one, or if you want one in your gaming room.

      The PS3 will be backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1 games, Sony's already announced that, so if you decide to get one in the future you can use it on all the games you already bought. The main reason I suggest buying the PS2 now is price. When the PS3 comes out, it'll probably cost at least $300. Right now you can get a brand new PS2 for $180, and if you get the network adaptor bundle (also comes with a copy an ATV racing game you can play online) it's just $200. The network adaptor alone is $40, so the bundles the best deal if you intend to play online.

      The only waiting I'd recommend is till after E3, there's a good chance Sony will lower the PS2's price to match or beat Xbox's new price of $150.

    3. Re:When?! by macdaddy · · Score: 1

      2006? Yikes! That's a long time to go without an update to their product line. The PS3 better be a billy badass when it comes out. It had better be *something* to account for this lengthy delay. I guess I'll go ahead and spring for a PS2. They are pretty cheap now.

    4. Re:When?! by MBCook · · Score: 1
      Game stop has some pre-owned bundles starting at $140 (although they don't have the network adaptor). I'd say get a PS2 and don't wait, because it's likely to be a LONG wait.

      I agree with my parrent post to wain untill after E3 because prices are likely to change. And if a new system becomes $150, a used one is likely to get even cheaper.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    5. Re:When?! by MakoStorm · · Score: 1

      Yup, I just bought a Ps2 to replace my old one. I had a 3001 from launch, and as everyone knows, they were riddled with problems, and finally mine died.

      It took a while, but not being able to finish Socom II, MegaMan x7, GT A-spec got to me and I broke down, I just couldnt wait until september. Now I have a 5001 model.

      The thing is, I am a big pro-sony person and love their products, but I wont buy another console system from them at launch, I will wait two years before I buy one again.

      But the PS2 was my first DVD Player, and worked great as one for a long time until I got my VHS/DVD combo thingy. I just wish they would release A PS2 LCD screen like they did with the PsOne. My wife got me the PsOneLCD screen combo unit and I love it!! Long Live MegaMan X5! and FF7!

    6. Re:When?! by SheepHead · · Score: 1
      The network adaptor alone is $40

      Sony's adapter is $40, but can't you just use a USB network adapter? You can get those for about $8 (or less) on eBay pretty frequently.

      I don't think there's any functional difference, except the USB one will hang off of the front of the PS2 in a stupid way, and the Sony one plugs into the back expansion port part. And doesn't the Sony one come with a (nearly useless) modem, too? Anyway, just some thoughts if you're going at this on the cheap.

      --
      7d9e63e9501751ff4bf9307989d5623d *SheepHead
    7. Re:When?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Sony's adapter is $40, but can't you just use a USB network adapter? You can get those for about $8 (or less) on eBay pretty frequently.

      NO NO NO!!! Stay away from the 3rd party USB and non Sony network adapters. Even though they are cheaper, there are huge compatability issues with various games games. In the past, it worked with a few games but as time passes more and more newer games are not compatiable with the adapter. Just buy the Sony one and be content with it. Trust me.

    8. Re:When?! by Wildfire+Darkstar · · Score: 1

      Ahh... I've never heard of any problem with Final Fantasy Origins and the PS2. Given that the game came out close to three years after the introduction of the PS2, it would seem that only the stupidest play testers wouldn't have caught something that problematic.

      Are you sure you're not thinking of the much-publicized problems with the PS2 and Square's earlier Final Fantasy ports (specifically, IIRC, Final Fantasy V). There were some problems there, but I'm not sure if they were universal (i.e., some people couldn't get it to work, while others could), and I think those problems have been ironed out in all but the very earliest PS2 models. Certainly, I've had no problem with any of these games (but, then again, I didn't get a PS2 at launch).

      --
      Sean Daugherty "I have walked in Eternity -- and Eternity weeps."
  18. PS3 home server? by mr.capaneus · · Score: 2, Informative

    I really hope Sony doesn't spend too much time screwing around with the home server. They just need to concentrate on making a solid console with some good games, especially at launch.

  19. I'd like to be the first to say by Monkelectric · · Score: 1, Interesting
    We're giving Sony wayyyyy too much credit. Who gives a crap about Sony's press releases and hype about future gaming systems? Wasn't it just last year they were saying the PS3 would have 1000 processors in it and would use spare computational cycles from your toaster and what not?

    My point is, Sony has a history of saying stupid things about their future consoles. Remember the hype about the ps2? Did the ps2 really ever live up to the hype? Is it just me or are colors on the PS2 dull?

    --

    Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

    1. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Maestro4k · · Score: 1
      • My point is, Sony has a history of saying stupid things about their future consoles. Remember the hype about the ps2? Did the ps2 really ever live up to the hype? Is it just me or are colors on the PS2 dull?
      It may be how your TV's adjusted, the colors on mine aren't dull at all.
    2. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by SmackCrackandPot · · Score: 1

      Wasn't it just last year they were saying the PS3 would have 1000 processors in it.

      Sony said it would have 1000 times the performance of the PS2, by using cell processors.

      Anyway I thought Ensor from Blakes Seven invented the Tarial Cell computer.

    3. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Ark42 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If by dull, you mean blurred, then yes, the PS2 is pretty dull. Its mostly because of the limited amount of memory, the games have to use such small textures, that become stretched and blurred. Xbox does look slightly better then the PS2 from what I've seen, but both suck greatly if you have ever played a modern 3D game using a GF4 or some other nice video card with 128M+ video memory.
      Plus playing 3D games on an *interlaced* TV set really sucks when you try to move around fast. PS2/xbox are only worth looking at if you happen to have a progressive scan TV and the console actually uses it.

      All I want in a future console is 3 things:
      * a LOT more memory then the current generation consoles.
      * progressive scan support.
      * joysticks with trackballs instead of stupid analog sticks, with support for optional mice you can buy separately.

    4. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Dissenter · · Score: 1

      Yes Yes!! Keyboard and mouse replacements so that PC gamers can transition better to play with console gamers. I was always a decent Counter Strike player on PC, but I stink on XBox. It's still fun, but I'd kill for a wireless KB/Mouse for a console. The Dreamcast had it, but you couldn't use if for any of the games. What a waste.

      --

      Dissenter
      "There is no knowledge that is not power."

    5. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      but both suck greatly if you have ever played a modern 3D game using a GF4 or some other nice video card with 128M+ video memory.

      Well, given that that just the video card costed more than the entire console at the time of release, I can imagine it to be that way. Even now, a video card like that still runs nearly $100.

      I really did wish that progressive scan was supported, better yet, 720p on all games.

    6. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by DeadScreenSky · · Score: 1

      * joysticks with trackballs instead of stupid analog sticks, with support for optional mice you can buy separately.

      Oh that would be great, so the consoles can become the home of more FPS and RTS games like the PC, and no other types of games because EVERY OTHER GAME GENRE PLAYS BETTER WITH ANALOG STICKS THAN A TRACKBALL/MOUSE.

      And the PS2 has supported an optional mice, using standard USB, practically since its creation - of course you can only use mice in a few games, because the vast majority of PS2 games would play terrible with them.

      And your comments on textures on Xbox (and especially how useful 128 megs of video RAM is nowadays - maybe four PC games can actually take serious advantage of that) is hilariously misinformed. Play some more Xbox games, please, and preferably not multiplatform ones. No argument on the PS2's terrible texture limitations, however.

      --
      There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. -- Francis Bacon
    7. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Ark42 · · Score: 1


      I'm not an expert on the PS2, but doesn't the whole thing share about 32M of RDRAM. Thats frame buffer, texture buffer, game code, etc, all in 32M? Doesn't leave room for a lot of 512x512 textures. I remember even when the PS2 first came out, my PC had sharper textures. I know there was still probably a price gab between my video card+system and the whole console though.

      As for 720p - it sure would be a lot nicer for those 4 player split-screens. 720p would give each player about 640x360 pixels. Thats a TON better then the current 480i which gives each player about 360x240 pixels, interlaced so it looks even worse then 360x120 when you move around fast.

      640x360 still doesn't compare to the 1280x1024 I play at right now though. Maybe they should start offering 4x video outputs just like they have 4x joystick inputs (on xbox at least). 4 progressive scan TVs is a lot though, hah, maybe 4x VGA outputs :)

    8. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Ark42 · · Score: 1


      Personally, for most console games, I prefer the d-pad to the analog stick, which is why I would like to see a d-pad and a trackball, since the trackball is really for the games that would normally be better with a mouse.
      I've tried plugging a optical USB mouse into a PS2 as well, sure it lights up, but I haven't found a game that supports it yet.
      For the xbox, I'm mainly comparing Halo to playing RTCW:ET on the PC, since that is the latest 3D game I play a lot. Halo is incredibly blurry, its no wonder you need those cheat-radars to find the other players. I always play with the split screen, with 4 players per xbox, and 2-3 xboxes at the "halo parties" I've gone to. You really have to sit close to the TV and concentrate on the blur to see anything.

    9. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by gabebear · · Score: 1
      actually I think it's 40MB total, check here
      1. 32 MB - Main Memory
      2. 2MB - Sound Card
      3. 2MB - IO/PSOne chip
      4. 4MB - Graphics

      I'm prett sure the Game Cube has 40MB of memory total, and the Xbox has 64MB total(all of which is shared).

    10. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by stephenisu · · Score: 1

      also buy a good component cable... Dear lord the difference is astounding...

      --
      Sigs? We don't need no stinking sigs!
    11. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by MMaestro · · Score: 1
      So in otherwords you want a PC, a Gamecube or Xbox, and games which require you to spend 30 minutes reconfiguring all the buttons for your own setup before you even start playing.

      More memory? PCs use 256 megs of RAM as the base standard now. Far more than the PS2's 32 megs.
      Progressive scan? Try a Gamecube. Or better yet, a Xbox which is HD compatible.
      Joysticks with trackballs? Yeah, good luck trying to convert millions of users who have accustomed themselves to analog sticks, which are miniature joysticks, controllers would have to be stationary on a table for stability and ruin the gameplay of almost every genre for video games.

      Xbox does look slightly better then the PS2 from what I've seen, but both suck greatly if you have ever played a modern 3D game using a GF4 or some other nice video card with 128M+ video memory.

      Hmm... simple $150~179 console system guaranteed to work vs a $300+ video card UPGRADE which might not even work well on your computer. Great logic there. I have yet to see a PC game, and gaming rig, let me play a great looking game such as Panzer Dragoon Orta, MGS2, or Final Fantasy X without a single framerate drop either.

    12. Re:I'd like to be the first to say by Monkelectric · · Score: 1

      Ehh, I'll give you blurred, but they also look dull to me, like someone dialed down the hue and contrast. You can always tell a PS2 screenshot because everything looks like its a shade of grey.

      --

      Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

  20. Beh by thebra · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Game consoles are supposed to be simple, turn on - insert disc - play game. Sounds like you might as well just buy a computer.

    1. Re:Beh by henele · · Score: 1
      Game consoles are supposed to be simple, turn on - insert disc - play game. Sounds like you might as well just buy a computer.
      Which is why Sony also make the Vaio range of AV computers, and have also been working with Apple, arguably the current masters of digital convergence.

      Personally I've taken the most complicated middle road and put a Mod Chip in my XBox, installed the GPL Xbox Media Centre and stuck it on my mixed system home network, so it can now play an crazy number of media formats.

    2. Re:Beh by Tim+Browse · · Score: 1

      It's interesting to note, and most people don't know this (to the extent that they'll tell me I'm dead wrong), but the Vaio series of computers were initially supposed to be Macintosh based systems.

      But Apple wouldn't let Sony license the tech (i.e. make 'clones'), so Sony shifted the work onto producing Intel machines instead.

      See, you learn something new every day :)

  21. Is there really a need for the broadband connect.. by Albert+Sandberg · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Ever since I heard XBox was coming with a broadband adaptor and ps2 likewise, I've been wondering what makes it so big buzz.

    I'm a programming dork myself mostly, I hardly play games at all, and I must confess I like singleplayer the best. When I'm finding myself playing, it's mostly because of relaxation. I don't want to communicate with other users. I don't want to play stressful FPS's against other computer/tv-games player. It just gets my nerves going in a spin I can't controll and that's actually exhausting, I can't play for more than an hour or I'll get all fuzzy in my head.

    I just want to sit down, drink some coffee and run a few laps around the course in GT3 or bash some cars in GTA3. If I want to play multiplayer, I'd much more prefer to do it together, like playing the "Pro Evolution Soccer" game at my friends house or batteling eachother in "dance dance revolution" or such similar game.

    I certanly see why people enjoy multiplayer, but I don't like the idea that I need to cough up with $50 more for the network adapter and god-know-how many hours of development which goes into the console for developing this.

    Maybe I'm just "old fashioned", after all, I'm closing 30 ;-) But what's bad with a choice?

    Albert
    Spellchecked by my cat Zelda.

  22. NO HARD DRIVE!! by NineNine · · Score: 0, Insightful

    I so wish that Sony won't put a hard drive in their boxes. A tiny part of the reason that the PS2 is so successful is because it's a slick, EASY TO USE everything box. Mine runs about 24/7 with either a game, movie, music, etc. A hard drive both complicates things, and leaves another point of failure.

    1. Re:NO HARD DRIVE!! by gabebear · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I imagine this is part of the reason for the speculation of 2 versions. A gaming system really has no use for a HD, but a "Home Server" ala TIVO basically has to have one. They have already done this with the PSX. This thing is still probably 2 years off, so maybe some new breakthough storage will come oout by then.

    2. Re:NO HARD DRIVE!! by Thundertje · · Score: 1

      Yes it is very difficult to not have memorycards you can lose/break and that everything gets saved to your console without any trouble at all. I always get confused by easy things. The only thing in your post that makes sense is the part about the slickness (And even that is probably caused by my bad English :P) a classical old fashioned 3,5" HD will probably bloat the design a bit yes. But there is more than the 3,5" option, look at the ipod, ain't exactly a huge device now is it? :) And still you've got a 40Gig HD inside.

    3. Re:NO HARD DRIVE!! by kmo · · Score: 1

      A gaming system really has no use for a HD, but a "Home Server" ala TIVO basically has to have one.

      A gaming system that plans to be used for online gaming will need to be able to download patches, levels, maps, and other information persistently. While such information could be stored in flash memory, USB keys, or other non-HD mechanism, hard disks offer the best bang for the buck and are easiest for novice consumers.

    4. Re:NO HARD DRIVE!! by aonaran · · Score: 1

      You have to check out FFXI
      I thought that the hard drive would make things a lot more complicated, but really it doesn't. you get the same browser menu for the hard drive as you do for your memory cards... if you can launch a program off a CD/DVD from the browser you can do it from the HDD. There's really not much of a difference.

    5. Re:NO HARD DRIVE!! by gabebear · · Score: 1
      A gaming system that plans to be used for online gaming will need to be able to download patches, levels, maps, and other information persistently

      That sounds more like a PC to me, I don't want my console having to download the latest security patch.

      I see security as a big issue with getting online playmodes for console games, especially ports from PCs where you want network compatablility with the PC game. Who is be responable for creating console patches?

      It's pretty certain that the Xbox2 will not have a HD either. There are quite a few reasons NOT to put a HD in a console.

      1. makes the console more expensive
      2. make money off selling proprietary flash
      3. people like being able to move save-game data
      4. the HD in the Xbox is great for storing pirated games.
      5. a system without persistant memory is harder to screw up(errors/hackers/viruses)
      6. they put off extra heat you have to deal with
  23. Maybe, maybe not... by MickyJ · · Score: 5, Funny
    PSP games will probably be region-free... may appear in home server and standalone gaming versions...Sony may announce a stripped down, PSone-style PlayStation 2 product...

    So things are definetely decided then?
  24. Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by *weasel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This sounds more like Sony marketing to me. Remember all the promises they made regarding the PS2, during the run-up to, and launch of, the Dreamcast?

    This is likely just Sony throwing smoke to steal the thunder from Microsoft, and snow the existing Sony userbase into thinking the PS3 will be much better than it really will be (just like PS2 v DC).

    Either way, two versions of the same console would be gimmicky at best. It'd have the same problem all add-on hardware does: developers can't count on possibly expanded functionality being there on every box, so they don't spend time/money to leverage it in a meaningful way.

    So there would be no reason for the average consumer to buy a psx+ps3 instead of just buying a ps3 and a tivo.

    Perhaps they're trying to push microsoft and nintendo into budling expensive multifunction bits into their boxes -- allowing sony to punish them on unit price and take the 'high-road' of selling a box that 'just does games'.

    Likely the only way Sony will 'screw up' the PS3 and allow Nintendo/MS to reclaim some of the market due their own bad decisions - is if the Cell continues to be behind, and they show up late to market with an outmatched product.

    It's much more likely that any market share reclaimed by Nintendo/MS will be due /their/ own maneuvering - as opposed to Sony screwups.

    --
    // "Can't clowns and pirates just -try- to get along?"
    1. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Either way, two versions of the same console would be gimmicky at best. It'd have the same problem all add-on hardware does: developers can't count on possibly expanded functionality being there on every box, so they don't spend time/money to leverage it in a meaningful way.

      You mean like the PS2 and PSX? Developers aren't supposed to use the expanded functionality in the PSX, so your argument is moot.

      So there would be no reason for the average consumer to buy a psx+ps3 instead of just buying a ps3 and a tivo.

      Yeah, but the PS3X* will probably be cheaper than a PS3 + TiVo, because the PS3X is all in one box.

      *The version of the PS3 with a built-in PVR and Blu-Ray-RW drive.

    2. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by chosen_my_foot · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but the PS3X* will probably be cheaper than a PS3 + TiVo, because the PS3X is all in one box.

      "All in one" does not make a device cheaper. Look at the N-gage at launch. at $300 it cost more than a mid-range cell phone and a GBA SP, but my $90 phone is (to me at least) a better phone, and the GBA is a better gaming system. The only advantage Sony has is they can produce and manufacture the PS3 in-house, as opposed to paying companies to produce their chips and parts. Sony does not leverage this very well, though. IIRC, PS2 was the last to perform a price drop.

    3. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sony was the last to perform a price drop because the PS2 is selling well enough that they don't *need* to drop its price yet.

    4. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by evilned · · Score: 1

      Uh, you havent bought an unlocked cel phone lately, have you. Dont get me wrong, the N-Gage is a piece of crap, but try buying an unlocked cell phone, GBA and mp3 player for that.

      --

      "My head hurts, My feet stink, and I dont love Jesus." -Jimmy Buffett

    5. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by Destoo · · Score: 1

      300$ is the regular cost of a phone. Companies bring that down with strict (faustian?) contracts. They used to recuperate the cost over 1-2 years of subscription.
      The NGage sold without a contract, right? Or was that 300$ with contract from a telco?

      --
      Nouvelles de jeux et technologies en français. TC
    6. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by gabebear · · Score: 1
      "All in One" devices are usually cheaper, and in the N-gage case you are also paying extra so you don't have ro carry around an extra thing to play games. The N-Gage is now comparable to a GB SP and a cell-phone, EB is selling a N-Gage bundle for $200. Plus, you get to play online games.

      Game console features overlap with a DVR's features enough to say you will probably get a PS3 w/DVR cheaper than a PS3 + TIVO. TIVO's are selling for $150 and up with a $300 activation fee right now. The artical says the PS3 w/DVR will probably be $600 more than the PS3 which is about the cost of a middle of the line TIVO and far less than a TIVO w/ DVD-burner.

    7. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by Yakko · · Score: 1
      This sounds more like Sony marketing to me. Remember all the promises they made regarding the PS2, during the run-up to, and launch of, the Dreamcast?

      I think it's a case of "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" here. Two wrongs rarely make a right, but in this case, more power to Sony. Because I know MICROS~1 would pull the same shit if they were on top. Hell, they'd probably do that in any event.

      Personally, I think there should be more games for the GameCube. Every time I look at the (lack of) games for that platform, it saddens me. No problem; I can play GB(A) games on it if all else fails.

      I'll never buy an xbox new, though. I may buy one... for a song... off ebay... with the express intent of modding it so it's a $50 x86 shitbox... and then buy that DOA volleyball game used since that's the only xbox game I'm interested in. When I'm not saving video off the ReplayTV onto that hard drive, I can watch rendered T&A! :o)

      --

      --
      Me spell chucker work grate. Need grandma chicken.
    8. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by Phil+Wilkins · · Score: 1

      This is likely just Sony throwing smoke to steal the thunder from Microsoft,

      Which would be fair enough, if Microsoft had any thunder to steal.

    9. Re:Yeah, its sounds like standard Sony marketing by bugbread · · Score: 1

      So there would be no reason for the average consumer to buy a psx+ps3 instead of just buying a ps3 and a tivo.

      In the American market, true. In the Japanese market, the average price of a PVR is $550. Sony is probably hoping to take the same approach as it did with the PS2 launch, which provided games and DVD playback for less than the cost of the cheapest DVD player in Japan.

  25. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Maestro4k · · Score: 4, Insightful
    • I'm a programming dork myself mostly, I hardly play games at all, and I must confess I like singleplayer the best. When I'm finding myself playing, it's mostly because of relaxation. I don't want to communicate with other users. I don't want to play stressful FPS's against other computer/tv-games player. It just gets my nerves going in a spin I can't controll and that's actually exhausting, I can't play for more than an hour or I'll get all fuzzy in my head.

      I just want to sit down, drink some coffee and run a few laps around the course in GT3 or bash some cars in GTA3. If I want to play multiplayer, I'd much more prefer to do it together, like playing the "Pro Evolution Soccer" game at my friends house or batteling eachother in "dance dance revolution" or such similar game.

      I certanly see why people enjoy multiplayer, but I don't like the idea that I need to cough up with $50 more for the network adapter and god-know-how many hours of development which goes into the console for developing this.

      Maybe I'm just "old fashioned", after all, I'm closing 30 ;-) But what's bad with a choice?

    You're not alone or old fashioned, nor old (I'm 32, so don't even say you're old. :) I too prefer playing single player, or co-op multiplayer with friends I know (generally at one of our places, not online). However, a few of the online games out now are tempting me. FFXI is supposed to have a story that each player can experience on their own. I want to see the story of FFXI, and I can see joining up with others for leveling between "episodes" (for lack of a better word) as useful. I don't see my playing it after I've finished it story-wise though.

    Still, the focus on multi-player and online gaming worries me too. I'm afraid game companies are going to forget that there are still plenty of people happy playing single-player, offline games.

  26. the part that interests me.. by The+Other+White+Boy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    the PSone-style PS2. i used to have a PS2 (sold it a while back), and recently got a new car and was considering throwing a PSone/screen combo in there since its only like $90...but a PS2 version would be ever so nice, especially if it keeps the PSone backwards compatibility.

    1. Re:the part that interests me.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would kinda have to - in order to put in PS1 functionality, extremely poorly suited PS1 components were integrated into the PS2 design (such as the PS1 CPU acting as a sound chip in the PS2), with overly complex switching in the tasks assigned to the chips when an older disc was used.

    2. Re:the part that interests me.. by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 1

      the PSone-style PS2. i used to have a PS2 (sold it a while back), and recently got a new car and was considering throwing a PSone/screen combo in there since its only like $90...

      As a sort of "onboard entertainment" for my kids on longer routes, I use a combo of an iBook 466 (used to be my workhorse, now it's our family "hand-me-down" laptop) + car charger + Virtual Gamestation (a PSX emulator for MacOS 9.x) + MacAlly iShock II (USB clone of the Sony's iShock). It's better than PSOne + screen, as it can also play DVD's. This emulator has excellent compatibility with the PSX games, and with iShock, it's actually almost like a genuine PSOne laptop that plays DVD's. A similar x86-based combo could be probably assembled much cheaper from the stuff available on eBay (I used things I already had).

  27. Cost is small by JMZero · · Score: 2

    An integrated network adapter should cost essentially nothing. A modular one is more expensive to make, and most of their cost was markup anyway. At most, this is a $5/console difference.

    The decision on including a hard disk is a little different, as hard disks actually cost something to produce. Network adapter is pretty much about "can we make them pay for one more accessory?" vs. "can we sell more consoles by including this".

    I'd like an adapter for my GameCube. I wouldn't use it to game online, but because 4 people just isn't enough with Mario Kart.

    --
    Let's not stir that bag of worms...
    1. Re:Cost is small by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd like an adapter for my GameCube. I wouldn't use it to game online, but because 4 people just isn't enough with Mario Kart.

      So what's stopping you?

    2. Re:Cost is small by gabebear · · Score: 1

      actually, I doubt that throwing in an ethernet controller/plug would cost them a couple pennies per console, as long as they designed it into the mainboard.

  28. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by DR+SoB · · Score: 1

    I'm the same way for the most part, but one FPS game I love to play is named "Day Of Defeat" (Half-life mod) and although it is a fast paced game and takes some time to get used to, once you have it's so addictive, well, I've been playing it exclusively now for 3 years (I don't own, or want a PS/2.). You can buy DOD retail alone in stores (without halflife) although it does come with the engine for halflife, so you can get the other mods if you want. Retail price is about $15..

    If DOD was released for the PS/2 or DOD2 (Halflife 2 engine) was released for the PS/3, I would might actually be interested in purchasing it, for the sole reason that it is smooth online, I find current game consoles played online wayyy to cumbersome...

    --
    Mod +5 Drunk
  29. GameBoy is region-free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PSP aims to be a GameBoy killer.

    End of story.

    They're just trying to be competitive.

  30. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by H8X55 · · Score: 1

    agreed. and more. i think i paid $69.99 for my copy of SF2 Turbo. i played that for thousands of hours.

  31. Price Drop? by stealthmidget · · Score: 1

    Since Microsoft dropped the price of the Xbox, I've been waiting for the PS2 to follow. I would honestly run out and buy one this afternoon if they matched the $149 price, or even better, $129. Any speculation on if/when this will happen? If not soon, I'm just gonna get an Xbox.

    1. Re:Price Drop? by thebra · · Score: 1, Troll

      Frys is having a sale on XBOXs for 89.00 (refurbished). LIMITED QUANITY!!!

    2. Re:Price Drop? by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 1

      When Sony starts making EE+GS chips on their 90nm fab, they can drop the PS2 price. It shouldn't be long now.

    3. Re:Price Drop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Get an Xbox. Almost all Sony good games are available on Xbox:

      - GTA
      - Silent Hill
      - Metal Gear Solid
      - Pro Evolution Soccer

      and you get a very-easy to hack console with HD and Network Adapter.

      Remember that you will also have to spend at least 30$ on a memory card, but you don't need them on Xbox.

    4. Re:Price Drop? by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      Don't expect Sony to ever dip the price BELOW Microsoft though.

      I think this console war is pretty much close to end, and Sony destroyed their competitors.

      Next Round ->

    5. Re:Price Drop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is this a troll, the person responded to the post. a$$hat

    6. Re:Price Drop? by mh101 · · Score: 1

      But I still need my PS2 for anything made by Square! And the PS2 version of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 (Developed by EA Burnaby) is a lot better than the PC/XBOX/GC version made by EA Seattle... I have both and haven't touched the PC version since getting my PS2!

      And don't forget Gran Turismo, one of the reasons I bought my PS2, the other being Final Fantasy X =)

      --
      Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
  32. The biggest improvement.. by prell · · Score: 1

    The biggest potential improvement is the removal of the screaming, shrieking synth noise when you start the PS2.

  33. Stripped down PS2 by Lewis+Daggart · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe they'll remove all the breakable parts...

    1. Re:Stripped down PS2 by damien_kane · · Score: 1

      Maybe they'll remove all the breakable parts...

      What, like the cheap POS DVD-ROM drive that starts getting the infamous 'Disc Read Error'?
      I've already had two systems get that.

  34. Re:Electronic Distribution? Of course Sony can't by KRzBZ · · Score: 2, Funny

    compete with Infinium.

    Sony wastes all that money in "production", "advertising", and "sales networks" of actual systems...

  35. PS5? Hah! PS9! by Crash+Culligan · · Score: 3, Informative

    Who remembers Sony's television commercial for the PS9, the entertainment system you inhale so it can access your brain directly?

    (If someone has a link to the commercial itself, please share!

    --
    You cannot truly appreciate Dilbert until you read it in the original Klingon.
    1. Re:PS5? Hah! PS9! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Entertainment system you can inhale? You mean cocaine?

  36. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by VividU · · Score: 2

    You have no idea what your missing.

    Background: I'm 34, make my living in creative tech, been addicted video games since Asteriods.

    Simply put, after Xbox Live, there is no going back. Everynight, I get to play with the best players in the game regardless of where they are. I'm in Los Angeles, they could be in Miami or even the UK. But in reality, it makes no difference. They might as well be sitting right next to me. Their player is right there on my widescreen, in my living room! We're competing in real time with no lag and no cheats. We're sharing stories, having a laugh or maybe cussing each other out.

    It's a revolution in gaming and there's no turning back.

    P.S. Xbox Live will someday get its due. Partisan Slashdotters will never praise it and PS2 gamers shun it for a variety of reasons most of them having little to do with gaming itself.

    Microsoft did Xbox Live right out of the gate.

  37. Some have been cheaper by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Some games (can't remember which ones, but a few) have released at around $40.

    One new game (Beyond Good And Evil) released at $40, then just a few months later (after Christmas) was down to $10-$20.

    At $10 for such a great game, who could resist? I bought one, and I'm sure they made a killing.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  38. mod chips! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    how long before we see PSP and PS3 mod chips?!?

  39. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by davez0r · · Score: 1

    i think one of the serious pros of multiplayer is that what you really get is cheap AI. developing AI gets extremely complicated as the complication of the game increases, and you may have noticed that games are really complicated these days! AI for pong was easy.

    as broadband becomes more common, this becomes a more viable strategy. it may be easier to develop good multiplayer code than to develop a complex AI.

    pathing issues are common with many game AIs, but if a real opponent gets stuck in a corner, you can just shoot him/her, type in "n00b" and get on with your life. i find this infinitely preferable to playing against a computer that sometimes has to cheat in order to present a sufficient difficulty level.

  40. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Albert+Sandberg · · Score: 1

    Sure, no cheating.. that's a big bonus in online gaming, but I hope noone can hack the box then :)

    Of course, I can find it amusing to play against other players, but you have to put in mind that I'm a sucky player and get my boot kicked easily, so I don't really like being asskicked all the time either ;-)

    A game becomes boring then you use the most optimal setting, know every map/level/quest to its limit and all your gaming depends on luck, framerate or lag.

    (happend to me in Tribes, Quake II, Unreal Tournament and Magic the gathering (yeah, the real-world cardgame)

    Thus, playing with yourself (or just playing with yourself ;-) against computer can really be more fun for me. Yeah, for me.

    Albert

  41. Enter: Modchips by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now games are cost of a blank DVD and/or rental fees (unless you download from usenet).

  42. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by DroopyStonx · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Games these days are insanely short and are also rampant with sequels based on engines that have had very little to no core updates since the first.

    Tony Hawk 4/5, GTA: Vice City are prime examples. Sorry, but if you're gonna charge $50, give me a reason. I don't think much R&D was invested into the engines for Vice City or the THPS sequels. It's pretty much "take the old engine, tweak the graphics a bit.. add some new scenarios.. RELEASE!" aka Expansion Packs. I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay $50 for an expansion pack.

    That is why I love my modchip :)

    --
    We have secretly replaced these Slashdot mods' sense of humor with a rusty nail. Let's see if they notice!!
  43. This blows. by mac+os+ken · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pulling out an internal hard drive and blowing on it to get it to work just isn't the same. ::sigh::

    --
    .deviatefromtheabsolute.
  44. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    FFXI is supposed to have a story that each player can experience on their own. I want to see the story of FFXI, and I can see joining up with others for leveling between "episodes" (for lack of a better word) as useful. I don't see my playing it after I've finished it story-wise though.


    FFXI has the best balance of any MMORPG I've seen. By balance I mean cheating is very difficult, the economy in the game is deep, and everything in the game has it's place (ie few useless items). The economy runs quite smoothly and resists tampering. Missions and quests add even more depth and are seriously open-ended.

    Besides extolling the virtues of the game, I mostly wanted to note: story-wise it will take you hundreds of hours to see the game all the way through. Actually, AFAIK doesn't have a distinct "endpoint". I've been playing for 3 months and still feel like a "n00b" some days.
  45. I support the product and/or service by HarveyBirdman · · Score: 1

    I was really getting turned of by the PS3=jack of all trades (master of none) talk out of Sony. I hate "all in one" stuff. The idea that there will be a PS3 that just plays the damn games is good news.

    --
    --- Ban humanity.
  46. When will PC gaming come to an end? by amichalo · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Will the PS3 and other next-generation offerings from console makes finally spell an end to PC Gaming?

    I could never understand why people spent upwards of $3,000-$4,000 on a PC when they could buy a $200 console, all the acessories, and a big screen for far less.

    Am I missing something that makes a PC more atractive than a PS3 with a fast graphics card, HD, and braodband connection?

    --
    I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.
    1. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by Steve525 · · Score: 1

      two points:

      1 - Although some crazy, obsessive people pay $3000-$4000 for a gaming PC, for most people the difference between a gaming PC and the PC they would of bought anyway is the price of the video card.

      2 - The games are different. This is mostly due to the controllers and the interface. A keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor a few inches from your face makes for the best experience when playing simulation, RTS, and FPS games. Lounging in the living room several feet from a TV with a gamepad is better for just about everything else. (Particularly if you are interested in playing games with the other people in the room).

      But, yes, I think that PC gaming is dying and will end up like Apple is. That is, PC gaming isn't going away, but it will turn into a fairly small niche of the market.

    2. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by BaronAaron · · Score: 1

      $3000-$4000 is a WAY over exagerated price for a gaming PC, but you do make some good points.

      I always liked computer games for a few reasons.

      1. Lock-out chips. I like homebrew games and I like that fact that I can program my own games for the PC (without a mod chip). Lack of license fees will, IMHO, make the PC platform a very popular choice for companies in the forseeable future.

      2. Screen resolution. With a TV your basically stuck at a 560 x 420ish very blurry looking resolution. Sucks for RTS games or any game that wants to display a lot of information on the screen at once. I suppose once consoles embrace HDTV this will change, but until then ...

      3. I have a computer anyway. The consoles are never going to fully replace a PC. So since I have a PC anyway, I might as well play games on it.

    3. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by aonaran · · Score: 1

      I've always thought of the PC's advantages as being keyboard and mouse, and high resolution progressive scan monitor.

      My PS2 has a keyboard and mouse (and even a hard drive) now, and by the time PS3 rolls out I will likely be able to get a nice high res monitor (HDTV) for it.

      That said, I think today's PC vs. PS2/3 arguement is PC beats PS2 in graphics (but so does the Xbox, but Sony still sells more units than MS) and PC beats PS3 by virtue of being here now rather than just rumoured to be coming in 2006.

      However, PS2/3 beats PC in ease of use. I'm a Linux guy, and gaming on Linux is still in it's infancy, and I can't stand having to maintain 2 different operating systems, so a box I can just switch on and play a game beats any PC any day of the week.

    4. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What kind of jackass actually pays 3,000-4,000$ for a pc?? I have never actually met anybody who buys one of those overpriced pieces of shit, yet the companies remain in business. When you can put the exact same computer together for 1200$ in parts and an hour or two of your time, what exactly are you paying that extra 1800-2800$?? For tech support??

    5. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by master_p · · Score: 1

      Come on, you must be joking. There are numerous free games around, you can surf the internet, write letters, do the home accounting...And play those commercial big-shot games like Doom III and Half-Life II and a whole lot of others that are impossible on a console (due to consoles having no keyboard and mouse, basically).

    6. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by Rallion · · Score: 1

      Just some specs on price, for you. I have a computer that can run games pretty well. I'm poor, so it's not great. It can't run DX2 (heh...for the best?) Price of Persia, or Splinter Cell 2 (sob) because I have cheap-ass GeForce4 MX video card. I can get a much better one for about $100, though, and that's not too bad.

      However, barring that, I can run anything I've tried. Far Cry works great on my system. So does the Painkiller demo, though that's supposedly crap on an MX card.

      So, now, how much did I pay for this? Not $3000. Original system came pre-made, with one blank hard drive, no CD drives, no monitor, but otherwise fully equipped. $450. Monitor is a simple CRT, about $150. RAM tripling a few months ago, $80. CD drive cost is pretty much negligible, isn't it? I only got it without one because I have piles of them lying around.

      Current vital specs are AthlonXP 2100+, 768MB DDR400 RAM, and that damn GeForce4 MX.

      So now, I have a system that cost me a total of $680, barring the extra stuff that you don't need for games, like the DVD burner. Using this, I can play more games than any console, a great many of them free. And the extra power I need to play all these games, in itself, added only about $150-$200 to the cost of a basic work machine, though a lot of that money helps me do everything better, not just gaming.

      Is that really such a bad deal, compared to $200 for a console, whatever the cost is of your big screen, and your many overpriced accessories?

      By the way, as far as consoles go, I'm a huge Nintendo fan. Like I said, the wallet's light.

    7. Re:When will PC gaming come to an end? by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Playstation 2 Linux kit lets you surf the internet, write letters, etc.

      The Playstation 2 has USB ports for a reason. Gee the thing has been out for over 3 years and people still don't know about the USB ports?

      And EVERY console since the Genesis has had a mouse available for it.

  47. Huh?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If the network connection is sold as a separate option, what do you care? Just don't buy that option. If it's sold as part of the system, it probably costs little extra and is there because the majority of the buyers want it. What's next? Should I complain that, because I like to play games with the sound turned off, they should shave a few dollars off the price and not have support for sound?

  48. More control by Amigori · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Control, Control, Control! That seems to be the message from most media companies lately. Sony wants to control the whole chain, from production to playback, right now, the only thing Sony doesn't have is an ISP. Who knows, maybe they'll buy Earthlink or ATT Worldnet. Guess what Sony? This complete control scheme didn't work for Beta or MiniDisc or MemoryStick or MagicGate or whatever else you can think of. Why do you seem to think that its going to work with this new generation of products? Because you're pitching it to Hollywood as a "secure" solution? One that has all of the known pitfalls worked out of it? Somehow I don't think its going to work. Why? Because I'm not going to buy your crappy overpriced box. I don't like your PS2 so why should I buy a PSP or PS3? So I can have yet another monthly service bill for a service that I don't need or want? I don't think so. and I don't want to spend $300 on a system that's going to be stripped down and probably act like the games in the hotels that are at least $5/hr to play.

    If it ever gets to the point that I can't purchase a system and a game and outright play them at no cost beyond the initial costs, then I'm going back to books and media that do not have recurring costs and subscription fees. Otherwise, I already have enough monthly bills to deal with, telephone, insurance, rent, utilities, etc., I certainly don't need one dealing with entertainment. The only reason I have a cable bill is for my broadband connection. My cable tv is the most basic package that I can get because I don't want a $120/mo cable bill. What are those theories that competition brings prices down? I certainly haven't seen it with the 500 channels competing against one another, target markets and demographics be damned, my cable bill has only gone up, so it was time to get rid of it. Sorry for the rant....
    Amigori

    --
    "The quality of life is determined by its activites."--Aristotle
    1. Re:More control by sammaffei · · Score: 1
      What are those theories that competition brings prices down?

      Actually, Clinton signing cable out of deregulation in 1996 is what caused these outrageous cable prices. He claimed that cable companies would compete to bring lower prices. How is there competition when there is only one provider in the area?

      --

      Political correctness is the newest form of slavery.

    2. Re:More control by Dhalka226 · · Score: 1

      I think you made your "case" in one line:

      I don't like your PS2 so why should I buy a PSP or PS3?

      You don't like their products so you decided to rant about how you're not going to buy it and try to hide the rant amidst gripes about monthly service bills. The line above made it painfully clear to me that you wouldn't have bought it even if it had nothing to do with subscriptions.

      Could have at least announced your bias in advance so I wouldn't have had to waste my time reading it.

    3. Re:More control by Amigori · · Score: 1
      I did apologize for the subscription/cable rant at the end of the comment, but you probably couldn't waste another 5 seconds to finish reading my comment.

      As far as any bias is concerned, I give every system a fair chance at my hard earned dollars. And since returning to school, I have far fewer dollars to spend on entertainment than when I was in the working world. I've owned several PSXs, including the original with all the A/V jacks and the newest PSOne and logged many hours of enjoyable game time. PS2 games just have not attracted my attention enough to qualify me spending cash on the system. I have an Xbox for Halo and a Gamecube for several games. I may buy a PS3 or PSP yet, its way too early to tell.

      As for the rant, it might have been slightly off the main topic, but I feel is relevant because of the push towards online gaming with the next generation of systems, whether from Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony. And with that push comes online and subscription fees which are a good way for game companies to increase revenue, but are too much for my wallet. I bought Xbox Live last year, but I'm not going to renew when it expires. I used to play Asheron's Call, but decided to drop it when I felt that I wasn't getting my gaming dollar out of it any longer. Plus it feels good to not stare at a tv/monitor for a while and do something else like read or cook or, gasp!, leave the house and do something physical. Maybe I'm just realizing there's more to life than video games. A shocking thought coming from a gamer who has owned and/or played every system you can think of since 1985.

      --
      "The quality of life is determined by its activites."--Aristotle
  49. PS3 to use blu-ray discs by TerraFrost · · Score: 4, Interesting

    according to a gamespot article, Sony is also considering using Blu-Ray drives in the PS3...

  50. What are you talking about? by dR.fuZZo · · Score: 1

    I recently got an Xbox (evil empire, blah blah) so now I have all three gaming consoles. Let me tell you something, the Xbox's hard drive makes things simpler. Once you get a decent number of games on a console, you'll find yourself swapping around memory cards trying to figure out where your info is for the game you want to play. (Nevermind the extra expense. The occasional game will even require you to basically use an entire memory card just for it.) With the Xbox's hard drive, that all just goes away. Put in the game, and it remembers where you were in the game. You don't even have to think about it.

    --
    -- dR.fuZZo
  51. Broadband distribution? by KeeperS · · Score: 1
    Looking further ahead, Reeves spoke about Sony's "ultimate goal" for PlayStation 3 - "to get into electronic broadband distribution".

    Maybe it's just me, but I actually want a physical copy of whatever I'm buying. If I want a game now, I can go into a store, buy something on a whim, and play as soon as I get home. In 10 years will I have to sit and wait for my game to download? Games are getting bigger and bigger, and even on a broadband connection, they'll take a while.

    I'm not sure there's much of a cost savings for broadband distribution either. Sure, there's less money wasted on packaging and inventory, but now there's server problems, bandwidth problems, security problems, and all those other issues that the internet brings. Even if Sony does manage to save some money, I somehow doubt they'll lower their game prices.

    1. Re:Broadband distribution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Could just be you. :) For me, I'd love to know I can just download the game when it is released rather than visit store after store to see if they've put them on the shelves yet.

      For my computer games, the advantage would be that I wouldn't have a huge stack of disks that I have to root through to find the one that will allow me to play. Just lock it to the computer with a serial number and let me start it like any other program.

      I've recently put all my cd's in the same box as my old LP's and tapes because I find it easier to put all my music on my Rio Karma. I don't buy dead-tree books anymore because it is easier to carry them and read them electronically on my Palm.
      Physical media is just annoying (until you need a backup). 'Course, it could just be me.

    2. Re:Broadband distribution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey, if it works for Infinium...

      Oh wait.

  52. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by aliens · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Oh lord, cry me a river.

    You think that the art/game design for zelda took more R&D to create than for Splinter Cell?

    Vice City stands on its own as a completely new game.

    And here's the biggest thrill of them all, you are permitted to wait for the prices to drop, which they will.

    No one is forcing you to buy them when they first come out at $50. Stop being cheap, if you want it first you'll have to pay for it. If you can wait you'll be able to pick it up at $20-30 relatively soon.

    --
    -- taking over the world, we are.
  53. Original interview here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Register added nothing new to the two-week old interview.
    link to original article dated March 17 2004:
    http://ie.playstation.com/features/featureS tory.jh tml?storyId=105294_en_IE_FEAT

  54. Onion had the story first - by nightsweat · · Score: 0, Redundant
    --

    the major advances in civilization are processes which all but wreck the societies in which they occur - A.N. White
  55. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by EulerX07 · · Score: 1

    Back in those days we were led to believe that it was because ROM was really expensive though.

    I'm not sure how they justify it now, the cost of owning a lexus (some Ubisoft programmers made 140+ k last year), or a stable of Porsche and Ferraris (Romero, probably a couple of EA executives).

  56. Re:What I'd like to see...THAT's why $$$$$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    People like you making comments like that is why games are $50-$60+.

  57. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Xugumad · · Score: 2, Insightful

    > Everynight, I get to play with the best players in the game

    Y'see, that's the problem. People who play online tend to be a lot more skilled than me. There are a few reasons for this, but it boils down to the fact that my game playing time is extremely limited (I consider 5-6 hours over a week to be a lot), because I'm too busy doing other stuff. The people that play online tend to both put more time in, and just care more about how good they are.

    So, while I think on-line gaming will continue to be really popular, it's also important for people to realise it's not going to appeal to everyone. I tend to play games vs my flatmates, when I do play multiplayer, and that works well for me...

  58. Forcing features onto players by hellfire · · Score: 1

    I think this simply the same idea as trying to force people to buy cell phones with cameras. They are more expensive, and not everyone uses cameras, but hey, if it you can force the people to buy it, then great! You can't really do that with cell phones yet, but with consoles I can see them getting away with it, especially since most consoles are sold as loss-leaders, with the money made up via game licensing.

    It's also feature upselling. Maybe you didn't know about online games but now its a feature on ALL consoles, so now you have to just plug it in right (I didn't even know there was an adapter for game cube until a few months ago, not that I'll buy it, but still). Maybe you might decide to use it since you have it already, and that generates game sales. Also, think if you are a teenager who got the game for christmas. Last year you convinced your parents to buy the game cube, but couldn't convince them to buy the extra expense adapter. Now, you get a new one next year, and it has the adapter already built in! Mom will never know! ;)

    I don't agree with this philosophy, as I'd rather have a cheaper version with no connection, but this is a small list of what they are thinking.

    --

    "All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

    1. Re:Forcing features onto players by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 1

      I think this simply the same idea as trying to force people to buy cell phones with cameras

      Seems like you don't know The Real Reasons Mobile Phones Have Cameras?

  59. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by DroopyStonx · · Score: 1

    Who are you trying to convince, me or you?

    --
    We have secretly replaced these Slashdot mods' sense of humor with a rusty nail. Let's see if they notice!!
  60. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Let alone "graphics-whoring" games. The ones which play slow (because you don't always have the be$t, hardware-wi$e), with a short plot.. and very short gameplay! They seem to be taking over the place...
    Last time I _REALLY_ enjoyed gaming was when I decided to pick up "Deus Ex" in 2002. Nowadays, most games are just.. "lacking" (not to mention boring..).

    Most "online games" are played out of frustration.
    Single-player all the way. :)

  61. Re:Have to do it.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    huh?

  62. Sounds like you need a better TV by Osty · · Score: 1

    Go out and buy yourself a larger (30+") TV that supports at least 480p (you can find many of these for under $1000, and quite a few for less than $700). Almost every single XBox game supports at least 480p (there are a few that don't, notably the Colin McRae rally series, Hitman 2, and Kung Fu Chaos), and you'll be very happy. No more blurring when you pan the screen, and the picture through the component cables is much better than even an S-video connection.


    Some newer PS2 games support 480p, as do many Gamecube games. Also, buying a modern TV will give you a more pleasurable DVD-viewing experience as well, with a progressive-scan DVD player. It used to be that progressive-scan players were prohibitively expensive, but now you can find them for $100 or less (though I'm not sure how good the quality is on the lower priced units). I remember paying $800 for a Sony DVD player a few years ago that didn't have progressive scan (back then, that would've set me back at least $1000, if not more). I upgraded that set not more than a year later to a better model that included progressive scan for only $500. And that's still 2-3 times what you would pay for a good player today.

  63. Some answers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    You can also play most of the PS1 games (there's a list of ones that don't work quite right, but it's only about 20 or so, and most aren't very popular ones. Final Fantasy Origins is one of the popular ones that won't FYI)


    Origins doesn't work on PS2? That's news to me, and i played through it on my PS2 without encountering any problems.

    I also agree with the above that the network adapter is a bit expensive especially considered that the 1st and 3rd parties do everything in their power to make their games incompatible with USB network adapters (as far as i know, using those only works with Tony Hawk 3 and the first SOCOM).

    I for one will do like i always do, wait until the new console has been around and everybody has one before buying mine. That way you get a later revision console that actually works (unlike the first revision PS2) and usually for a hundred bucks or so less (that's 2-3 extra games).
  64. $200 yeah right by supervillain · · Score: 1

    There is no way the gamers version of PS3 will be $200 when it comes out. It will be atleast $399 like the PS2 and PS1 where when they first came out. The new technology behind the cell processor and the blu-ray dvd rom will still cost too much in 2006.

    1. Re:$200 yeah right by gabebear · · Score: 1

      Thats 200 Euros which is about $250 US. The console is still 2 years off, price speculation is futile.

  65. Multiplayer Killing Off AI? by Maestro4k · · Score: 1
    • i think one of the serious pros of multiplayer is that what you really get is cheap AI. developing AI gets extremely complicated as the complication of the game increases, and you may have noticed that games are really complicated these days! AI for pong was easy.

      as broadband becomes more common, this becomes a more viable strategy. it may be easier to develop good multiplayer code than to develop a complex AI.

      pathing issues are common with many game AIs, but if a real opponent gets stuck in a corner, you can just shoot him/her, type in "n00b" and get on with your life. i find this infinitely preferable to playing against a computer that sometimes has to cheat in order to present a sufficient difficulty level.

    You bring up an excellent point, and this is very true. At least in games that have online multiplayer the developer has an excuse for the lousy AI. What's really disgusting is when it's a single-player game with no multiplayer and the computer AI has no intelligence -- it just cheats.

    I accept that the AI's gotta cheat a little, after all we still don't have human-intelligence level AI at all, so expecting my console or PC to pull that off would be pretty arrogant of me. I do expect the cheating to be kept to a minimum and not used as a way to just make my life miserable. Some examples: In the original Railroad Tycoon the computer had to cheat to build its rail routes. It would start at the middle and build out. Sometimes it would end up with a curve or something you couldn't have pulled off yourself. Still, this was minor and didn't make it impossible to win. While the computer had to use that method to build its routes and you had to start at a city and go towards the other, both you and the computer paid the same per mile, and your trains ran the same speeds (assuming the same engines of course). You might lose to the AI, but if you did, it wasn't because it cheated, it was because you hadn't really figured out how to get everything right yet. :)

    An example from the other side would be most of the Command & Conquer games. Don't get me wrong, I loved them, but if you put in the cheat to turn off the fog of war you'd get to see how the computer functioned. It would build things faster than you could, and its units would make a bee-line for you as soon as they were created. Considering that it took the same amount of time for the computer's units to find you when fog of war was on, it's a safe bet that the AI didn't have to deal with it. So the AI could build faster, didn't have to deal with fog of war, and also seemed to start out with a huge amount of resources already (even before mining any). Winning some of the missions was so incredibly frustrating that the game stopped being fun.

    Personally I'd rather have a single-player game with great AI than a multi-player game with lousy AI.

  66. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Maestro4k · · Score: 1
    • Let alone "graphics-whoring" games. The ones which play slow (because you don't always have the be$t, hardware-wi$e), with a short plot.. and very short gameplay! They seem to be taking over the place...
    Yep, I refer to them as playable graphics demos. They seem to exist only to show off your $500 video card, and that's it. I suppose if they came free with said card they'd be ok, but it's pathetic to see them on shelves selling for $50!
  67. Learn more about the Sega Channel by tepples · · Score: 2, Informative

    It was called "Sega Channel". This early application of push technology let subscribers select a game of up to 2 MiB and then wait until the repeating broadcast looped until that game "came on." Learn more about the Sega Channel

  68. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Maestro4k · · Score: 1
    • Besides extolling the virtues of the game, I mostly wanted to note: story-wise it will take you hundreds of hours to see the game all the way through. Actually, AFAIK doesn't have a distinct "endpoint". I've been playing for 3 months and still feel like a "n00b" some days.
    One of the articles I read recently about it said it does have an endpoint story-wise, but you can keep playing after you finish the story. The same article did mention it'd take hundreds of hours to get there as well. :) I don't remember what magazine it was definitely, but I think it was the April issue of The Official Playstation Magazine. FFXI was the cover story for that month. In any case, I figure I'll be a n00b forever since I won't get to play too much, but I will probably be picking up FFXI and a network adaptor by June. (Just started a new job, but since I'm in transition, and was basically unemployed for a year and half before I got this one, I'm fairly broke.) I hope the story's more engrossing than FFX-2's was. I enjoyed that game, but the story just didn't pull me in as much as FFX or Xenosaga did. :)
  69. Broadband distribution, huh? by payndz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Psht, no attraction for me, then. I buy all my games second-hand to stick it to The Man!

    --
    You must think in Russian.
  70. ROM costs go down and development budgets go up by tepples · · Score: 1

    Back in those days we were led to believe that it was because ROM was really expensive though.

    True. Back then, a 32 Mbit (4 MiB) Super NES game cost about $70 retail. Now a 32 Mbit GBA game costs about $20 retail.

    I'm not sure how they justify it now

    It costs a lot more to author 1000+ MiB of data for a DVD than to author 4 MiB of data for a cartridge.

  71. Expansion packs cost money by tepples · · Score: 1

    Most of the work on many 3D titles does not go into the engine or into the basic rules of the game. Much goes into the models, the textures, and the scripts for each map.

  72. Some games appreciate in price by tepples · · Score: 1

    If you can wait you'll be able to pick it up at $20-30 relatively soon.

    Most games go down in price over time, but some go up. Try finding a copy of Chrono Trigger (Super NES), Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (PS1), or Rez (PS2). You'll probably be able to find them only on auction sites, and most likely the price will be much greater than the retail price when each game was a new release.

    1. Re:Some games appreciate in price by aliens · · Score: 1

      True, makes me wish I never return Rez when I rented it :)

      But the majority of games, especially the most popular will find their way into the $20 range quick enough.

      I still haven't played most of PS1's greatest much less started on PS2

      --
      -- taking over the world, we are.
  73. Arcade by tepples · · Score: 1

    at a movie theater they do provide you with not only the movie, but the building, seating, parking(usually), lighting, and sound system. For a video game you have to provide all of that yourself.

    That's why when I want to play a video game and get a workout at the same time, I go to the local arcade and play Dance Dance Revolution Extreme. It costs $5 an hour on a machine set to 50c for 3 songs.

  74. Reply to AC: GC adapter by JMZero · · Score: 1

    I could justify paying $50 (Canadian) for a network adapter for giggles. But not the other $50 for the second network adapter for my friend's GC. $100 is too much more a once-in-a-while novelty.

    Too bad really, cause it sounds like a lot of fun. Perhaps it'll work in a year or so when GC network adapters are bargain-bin material.

    --
    Let's not stir that bag of worms...
  75. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by martissimo · · Score: 1

    XBL has a nice little feature called "optimatch" it pretty much lets you search for games with people of higher, lower, or similar skill levels as yourself. It's pretty handy for finding a game you would feel competitive in.

  76. Link to PS9 commercial by tanadeau · · Score: 1

    I found the QuickTime version of the commercial at http://www.defunctgames.com/media047.htm . I forgot just how awesome it was.

  77. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Vice City stands on its own as a completely new game

    Yeah, if you've never played GTA3 before.

    I played GTA3 for a while (probably a couple weeks) and then tried to play Vice City, and I become bored of it in around a day.

  78. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by stephenisu · · Score: 1

    Just wanna say, EVERY THPS game was drastically better than the one before it. Even if they only added one or two things per game. first you got manuals, then the reverts, then the spline transfers, and then the running combo to climb stuff...

    --
    Sigs? We don't need no stinking sigs!
  79. Re:Games have been $50 USD since the days of Ninte by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    apparently you know nothing about what you post. zelda did cost more to make than splinter cell because the company who did splinter cell had the engine ready to go from a previous game.

    your opinion about "Just wait, you dont have to buy" is just as valid as someone's opinion in wanting to copy them. get over yourself.

  80. Re:Is there really a need for the broadband connec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    plant plant plant

  81. Tim Roberts is a stupidhead by blaksaga · · Score: 0

    Looking further ahead, Reeves spoke about Sony's 'ultimate goal' for PlayStation 3 - 'to get into electronic broadband distribution'." When Tim Roberts was asked his opinions on Sony's future plans for the Playstation, he promptly replied, "Electronic broadband distribution? That will never work."

  82. Nintendo TV! by mixtape5 · · Score: 1

    Nintendo also released its NES system/tv in Japan. The unit sold for $800. It was featured in an issue of Popular Science in 1992.

    --
    WoW: Scheod 70 orc warlock on Shadowmoon
  83. That's funny. by Razzak · · Score: 1

    I find trying to jump from a box onto a moving crane and falling into the same pit for 45 minutes anything *but* relaxing.