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E3 - Sony Drops PS2 To $149, Shows PSP, Hints At PS3
JSDopefish writes "Not much of a surprise, but Sony announced today at their E3 press conference that they're lowering the price of the PlayStation 2 console to $149, including the network adapter. That matches the already in-place $149 price of the Xbox system. The GameCube remains at $99." Elsewhere, jasoncart writes "Sony has just unveiled their Playstation Portable specs to the enthralled masses at their pre-E3 conference in LA. The result is the first photographs of the new device (alt. link), confirmation of the impressive specifications (Wi-Fi ahoy!) and hints on the games we'll be playing on the PSP, including 'clips of Gran Turismo... Wipeout [and] Metal Gear Solid'." 1UP also discusses mentions of the PlayStation 3 in the press conference, including "some rather grand predictions for the future of Sony's game console efforts."
Yep
But it'll cost you a few hundred bucks, and its severely crippled.
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
Pretty soon? They were selling it at a loss on launch day, it's just been getting worse since then.
Yes, the PS2 runs linux:
http://playstation2-linux.com/
Quite well-established, actually.
Globe199
Reminds me of the Sega Game Gear of so long ago.
Ah, so it runs the licensed version of SCO/Gentoo ?
For more info on the PSP, including a look at the specs in depth, we've done an article over at GE.
Sony PSP Specs Information
Close examination of the specs seems to suggest some odd things - most importantly, it looks like Sony will be implementing region codes after all.
(I had submitted this article, but it looks like with this one FPed, my one will get lost)
Gamers Europe - Gaming News. Reviews.
And Nintendo finished their thing where they introduced the DS.
It's got both bluetooth local play for up to 16 players but also supports WiFi for internet play. Two slots for DS carts and GB/GBA carts, touch screen, 3D support (with Super Mario 64 and a 3D Metroid game on the way for it.)
To be honest, watching the demonstrations of it give me high hopes for the DS.
I know the financial reasons for it, but why must every damn portable system have so many ports from their non-portable cousins?
Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo... make some new games for launch! Don't just sell the system with "play your console games that you've already paid for on your portable!".
I don't mind a few ports, but if you look at the GBA it seems like a majority of the games are ports/remakes/pokemon. If the PSP will be the same I will great it less then enthusiastically. At least the GBA is $100
What precisely would place wi-fi into the sea-faring realm?
Shouldn't that read, Server Error in '/.' Application.?
You're special forces then? That's great! I just love your olympics!
Hello, earth to guy with no clue how the market for game systems works. Can you hear me?
Microsoft NEVER made any money on the Xbox. The console is sold at a loss, and the profits come from the games. I believe it took 3 titles purchased for Microsoft to break even when the XBox was launched. With the reduction in component prices and the increases in manufacturing efficiency, they probably aren't losing much, if any, more than they were when the console was launched.
Where's my lobbyist? Right here.
it does, and you don't even have to Hack the PS2 to get it to run Linux, you just have to Buy the Linux Kit from Sony
/. is overrun by bed-wetting elitist nerds
let it be known, for anything other than servers, a *nix OS sucks
I wouldnt be so quick to judge.
This will be an interesting competition. MANY technologically superior handhelds have gone up against nintendo, only to be defeated soundly.
Also realize that, if properly utilized, this touch screen could adapt the handheld to any control scheme necessary. Heck, Maybe in the future all controllers will be touch screen, and the button configurations will depend on the game programmers themselves.
We shall see.
Now. Gimme some ubisoft news. (play "beyong good and evil.)
no
The one that's changing everything. :-)
BLING BLING. Meet the architecture that's changing everything.
No, it's been improving, and ahead of schedule. Word is xbox will profitable sooner than originally expected, due to increased sales and drastically lower production costs. It makes me wonder how much of that includes boxes sold to dorks who think buying xboxes to mod and run linux on "screws microsoft over". It doesnt. An item sold is an item sold.
Xbox outsold PS2 this month. The list of third party titles and developers is snowballing.
I really dont get being a fanboy for any console based on the "company x is evil!" philosophy. Both are big companies with histories of Evil(tm), hell add Nintendo and their emulator witchhunts and censorship of games to the list, oh and their illegal developer lockin contracts of days-gone-by. Hell, if they had their way, Capcom, EA, et al would be contractually obliged to only develop for them.
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
So here's the article:
With Sony's pre-show conference now in full swing the Playstation Portable has been fully unveiled to the awed masses. As well as the first images of the wee beast in action, we've news herein on the specifications and other such details, including clues to the titles that we'll be playing on this device Sony claim can produce full-motion "3D-CG" visuals similar to the PS2.
The PSP will initially be available in black, and will include a 16:9 ratio TFT LCD wide screen, centred on a sleek, ergonomically designed controller that Sony hope will fit snugly in the hand. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm and it will reportedly weigh 260g. The screen will support the full sixteen-million or so colours of the spectrum, in a resolution of 480 x 272. The positioning of the PSP's D-Pad and buttons are apparently based on the Playstation's - for convenience - and the device will incorporate stereo speakers, a headphone jack and volume/brightness controls.
Connectors offered include a full 802.11b wireless LAN option (for connection in the home and to the wider network), as well as USB 2.0. The wireless functionality will allow several PSPs to connect and enjoy multiplayer gaming or take the player online. Data will be downloadable wirelessly, via USB, or using the Sony Memory Stick compatibility offered.
PSP software will come in Universal Media Disc format, which supports 1.8gb of data, despite being only 60mm in diameter. This format will offer support for movie and music files as well as games and other software, and a robust anti-piracy encryption system is touted.
Here's the cold hard technical truths of this prodigious new handheld:
Product Name: PlayStationPortable (PSP)
Color: Black
Dimensions: Approx. 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
Weight: Approx. 260 g (including battery)
CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
Main Memory: 32MB
Embedded DRAM: 4MB
Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)
Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
Main Input/Output: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
USB 2.0 (Target)
Memory StickTM PRO Duo
IrDA
IR Remote (SIRCS)
Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)
Profile: PSP Game
UMD Audio
UMD Video
Main Connectors: DC IN 5V
Terminals for charging built-in battery
Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
Keys/Switches: Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
Analog pad
Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
Left, Right keys
START, SELECT, HOME
POWER On/Hold/Off switch
Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
Wireless LAN On/Off switch
UMD Eject
Power: Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control
Accessories:
Stand
Headphone with remote commander
Headphone with remote commander and microphone
External battery pack
Case
Strap
E3 Prototype Exhibition: USB Camera for PSP
USB GPS for PSP
USB Keyboard for PSP
UMD Specifications
Dimensions: Approx. 65 mm (W) x 64 mm (D) x 4.2 mm (H)
Weight: Approx. 10g
Disc Diameter: 60 mm
Maximum Capacity: 1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer)
Laser wavelength: 660nm (Red laser)
Encryption: AES 128bit
Profile: PSP Game (full function)
UMD Audio (codec ATRAC3plus, PCM, (MPEG4 AVC))
UMD Video (codec MPEG4 AVC, ATRAC3plus, Caption PNG)
The lucky blighters in Japan will be getting their paws on the PSP at the end of 2004, whilst North American and European gamers will have to wait until the Spring of 2005 for local launches. The following 99 firms have also pledged their support of the new device:
Sorry to pimp ourselves out yet again, but over at Gamers Europe News, we're working flat out to bring you the digest of all the latest news coming out of LA. Seriously, my keyboard is taking a major beating at the moment :)
Such is the life of a games journalist. It's harder than you think.
Gamers Europe - Gaming News. Reviews.
The web site is already toast. Looks like someone is running ASP.NET
My N-Gage just scuttled back into the comforting environment of my pocket. I think it's crying.
~Someday, I hope to be an aspiring author.
How many Slashdotters does it take to screw in a light bulb?
One to screw in the light bulb, one to suggest porting Linux to the lightbulb, one to suggest porting NetBSD instead, one to remind the others that *BSD is dead, one to post an unnecessary "Micro$oft" comment, one to mod said "Micro$oft" comment to +5 Funny, one to submit it as an article even though it was "mentioned yesterday," and one to link to the Google cache of the link.
I'm going to buy an Xbox every week and throw it away just to hurt microsoft!
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
Not playing games, I was still interested in the workstation. As it seems the Cell processor is some variant of PowerPC, and given the current state of GNU/Linux in both Sony entertainment and IBM, it seems like a sure bet that this workstation will mark one more step by IBM in trying to validate GNU/Linux on the PowerPC as a general purpose platform rivalling Wintel.
Were I still in Europe I would hopefully already have an IBM POP-based Pegaso or A1 system running Debian GNU/Linux on the PowerPC. Sony seems to base their PS2 port of GNU/Linux on Red Hat. Perhaps the Sony Cell workstation will reach my country before the POP systems do.
While a port rivalling Wintel can only be a good thing, and perhaps may help validate GNU/Linux as a platform and give it a better competitive advantage agains MS, it still remains to be seen how much freedom will benefit, given the doubtful records of Sony (DRM, crippled PS2 GNU/Linux) and IBM (soft patents).
Leandro Guimarães Faria Corcete DUTRA
DA, DBA, SysAdmin, Data Modeller
GNU Project, Debian GNU/Lin
I realize how deep my geekiness really runs when I see things like the PSP. Were there cave men at the other end of history that couldn't wait to get their hands on the latest in sharp sticks?
The meek shall inherit the earth, in 3 by 6 plots. - Lazerus Long
Wrong. All consoles(except the Dreamcast and XBox) have sold at at worst a break even point upon launch.
If you count R&D sunk costs, they yea, they all sell at a loss, but that's not how you calculate such things.
The key to the enjoyment of pop music is to replace any instance of "love" with "C.H.U.D."
Blue's News always has more gaming news than you can read in a day (but you should still try!), including slashdot-friendly summarizations of the proceedings. E3 Insider is the "official virtual gateway" to E3 that started I believe last year. I don't know to what extent the coverage will be, but its got more of a marketing feel to it so take that for what its worth.
Battery life must drain pretty quickly out of that. WiFi is a power hog. Or else they're sporting some new fangled battery pack. That, or you're getting some major suckage on range.
-- Friends don't let friends buy Nokia.
Overdid it on the herbal Viagra, eh?
In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
Here are some additional links with pictures in case of /. effect:
Gamespot
GameAsylum
IGN PSP
Reuters
and info about Movies and Music on the PSP
Isn't that Sony's motto these days?
"I'm going to be in line on day one. It almost makes you feel sorry for Nintendo with that dual-screen monstrousity of theirs. "
Monstrosity? Sorry, I don't feel sorry for Nintendo here. The system has wireless capability built in. This means both head to head play AND net play. It's got the touch screen interface like a Palm Pilot, that means you can play multiplayer + chat. Forget doing that on the PSP. It plays GBA games. Sorry, no backwards compatiblity for PSP. It has a built-in microphone. Sorry Sony, no voice recognition for you. Undoubtedly, the Nintendo system will be a lot cheaper than the PSP as well.
Who should feel sorry for who?
"Derp de derp."
How many Slashdotters does it take to screw in a light bulb?
You forgot one saying that in soviet russia, light bulbs screw you, one saying imagine a beowulf cluster of bulbs and one welcoming their new light bulb overlords
Open Source Java Web Forum with LDAP authentication
Mirror of Images
Just incase you get that nasty "Server Error in '/' Application."
Im dreaming ofa big bndwdth, That can resist the
I'd like to point out that SCE is really good at promoting vaporware. They *always* announce incredible specs and features with their products, but then change over time.
;)
These are just fresh on my mind... I'm sure there are older examples:
Remember how the PS2 was going to ship with a hard drive?
How about the LCD panel or AOL?
All the cool features that were going to be included in America's version of the HDD... web browser, music jukebox, etc... nope.
The PSX with all its great features... scaled back at the last minute.
I'd love to believe that the PS3 and PSP will come out with the features and specs promised, but I just don't think it'll happen.
I guess we'll see what happens. Of course, despite my negativity, I'm sure I'll end up buying a PSP to go with my PS2...
Article states that IBM and Sony are collaborating to develop a workstation, which will be used to develop games for the PS3. IBM will supply the OS, Sony will supply the development tools, etc. Seems like the emphasis will be on game-development, but will have other uses like movie editing etc (and who will develop applications for that process remains unsaid--Adobe? Avid?)
Question is, why redevelop the wheel? Why not use G5s from Apple? Or, G5s from Apple with a "PS3" personality PCI card? Wouldn't that be a whole lot cheaper?
--
$tar -xvf
"Ok damn it.. maybe a stupid question, but where is the best place to get all the e3 news? thanks! "
I went to news.google.com, typed in the part I was curious about (Nintendo DS) and set it to "show stories from the last hour"... Not too shabby.
"Derp de derp."
have so many ports from their non-portable cousins?
Because games are too expensive to develop.
Business isn't willing to pay for products, innovation and careers, so we get brands, mortgage commercials and layoffs.
Yes, they slaughter the GBA and Gamepark but those were fairly underpowered on release. Compare it to something like the Zodiac it doesn't beat it on any field except the 1.8gig disk.
We all know it's going to be the games that make the system... so I'm sure this thing will be stunningly successful. As for the specs, it's almost exactly what I was expecting at the price-point, nothing more, nothing less.
LilMikey.com... I'll stop doing it when you sto
You're neglecting the one who says "I'm a slashdotter, I don't screw anywhere, you insensitive clod!", you insensitive clod!
I'd rather be lucky than good.
I wonder what the battery life will be like. That's been a major factor in Nintendo's dominance and if Sony doesn't get that right, they're going to be squashed in this area like everyone else.
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
I'm a little worried about the placement of the d-pad and the buttons. In the pictures they appear to be located right at the edge of the unit. It appears as though you'll have to hold it in your fingers rather than letting it rest in your palms to be able to operate the buttons.
Nintento right now is probably chortling with glee that SOny did not include bluetooth support for the PSP, which the DS has (as well as WiFi).
That should equate to better battery life for the DS, which Nintento has always been very careful about.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
WarioWare Inc. DS, & Super Mario 64x4 screens Metroid Prime: Hunters, & Pictochat screens
Other 1st party demos they will be showing includes Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS, NEW Super Mario Bros., Nintendogs
GCN:
Advance Wars: Under Fire screens
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes quicktime movie
MATURE ZELDA screens
Am I the only one who thought this looks just like the Atari Lynx?
Oh how I miss my Lynx.
I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it. I don't buy software, I grow it.
Given current touchscreen technology this isn't likely. Currently, touch screens (or even touch pad mice) register only a single touch at a time, and they wear out after a number of touches (usually like 100k). Given that you at least need two buttons at a time (direction and action), usually more, this probably won't happen.
Maybe someone will come along with cheaper better technology that makes this possible, but the tactility of mechanical buttons along with the cheaper manufacturing costs will keep them around for the foreseeable future.
Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage
Check out the following image!
Look at all those poor cross-eyed people! Who in their right mind would sacrifice their eyes for that little handheld?!
Navin Johnson is probably rolling in his grave!
Bryan R.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....
Smoke?
Who modded this interesting? Unlss this guy is completely talking out of his ass, he means the PSX, not the PS3. The PSX is a home entertainment version of the PS2 with a lot of additional bells and whistles (TV recording onto a hard disk, etc). At its gameplaying core, the PSX is nothing but a PS2.
The PS3 hasn't even been fully spec'd yet, let alone in production. Although it will likely be similar in architecture to the PS2, it is NOT the PS2 nor is it the PSX.
Also, if this guy is actually in Japan, how on earth does he believe Sony is the end all, be all of entertainment? They're still selling (and buying!) Dreamcast games over there, let alone the Gamecube, which is doing well in its homeland. My experience has been there has always been plenty of room for the dominant company and other secondary companies (PS2/Gamecube, Gameboy/Wonderswan.
All and all, I call shennigans. As for the mods, don't mod stuff up unless you know what's being discussed.
"There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter," Jeeves, (Jeeves and the Impending Doom)
Battery life has always been the killer on portable systems. The turboexpress had a color screen before any other portable and rivaled the systems of the time (basically a shrunk down tg16). but it was expensive and drained batteries quickly. The atari lynx had a color screen but ate batteries even worse than the game gear, and of course the game gear. all superior systems to the game boy of their respective eras and all dead within a few years.
Rumors have it that the PSP has 2-2.5 hours of game playing time. How much time with the audio turned up? How much less with 802.11b enabled? Also, it's not too portable considering its size. If the dpad and buttons areas would have folded up to protect the screen, well, it would be an improvement in portability. (I expect a check from you, sony).
The DS seems nice but looks horrible. What's up with the extremely rounded edges? The top screen that utilizes the ARM-9 chip should have used a larger screen. If I was a designing student, this would be something I would crank out the night before it was due. The buttons are tiny. Sizewise it looks to be about a little smaller than the PSP.
Overall, the DS will have backward compatibility, 100$ cheaper, no region encoding, graphics just slightly less than the PSP. No word on battery life or media type of the new format.
The PSP will be able to play movies, mp3, horrid battery life, region encoding, 100$ more expensive, and slightly better graphics.
Other portables have offered to do more than the game boys of their generations and they've all failed. I think that the outcome will really depend on the DS. If the DS has a strong start and really takes advantage of the 2 screens, then I don't think we will see the PSP last long.
"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"
Is there anything like EyeToy for anything but the PlayStation2? IMHO, this is the greatest entertainment device ever, and just might put most aerobics instructors out of business -- you play with your entire body and an hour or two provide quite a workout...
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Actually, at current prices, Xbox is selling at a loss to Microsoft. They are hoping this will encourage sales for the system, and that they'll make it up on the sale of games.
And you're right, no point in supporting one company over another for "evil corp" reasons. Frankly, the way I see it, each company has its own domain. Up until recently I would say PS2 was the best system; but I think Xbox has taken over, with an excellent selection of games. Not to say that PS2 or Gamecube aren't good. Crystal Chronicles alone makes that system amazing.
It is entirely possible to have analog sensitivity with a touchscreen.
Anyhow, they're not meant to replace all the buttons. They're meant to make in easier to perform selections based on variable options. Sure, it's pretty easy to select "Attack monster" with an analog stick, or to scroll through a list of weapons to find the one you like. But it's even EASIER to have a visual catalog of options that you can slide your thumb down and tap to select. It'll make for some GREAT controls, and for some INSANELY quick and intuitive gameplay.
Hey freaks: now you're ju
I've been burned with the failure of both my PS1 (the original that was released on 9/9/95) and PS2. And of course, they managed to fix the bugs with future product revisions. And this isn't limited with game systems, but it's rather more apparent with all of Sony's products I've encountered. As much as I want a PSP, I'll wait till a newer product revision (I don't mean model) is released before I crack open my wallet.
Life is not for the lazy.
I was able to pop in the toy story DVD and it rendered the video in real time. :-)
although i pretty much agree with you, there are touch screens now that use a technolgy called PulseTouch(TM), it uses vibrations to simulate the effect of pushing a real button. Here is a link to one model that incorporates the technology.
DankLogic - There is a system to everything.
Have you thought about the cost situation? The lowest estimate right now for PSP is $250. That is the lowest estimate. That is way too much for almost any gamer to spend on a portable. Also, the standard estimate for DS is $150. That is right in the sweet spot for launching a handheld.
On top of this, think of software. People expect their portable games to cost $30 bucks, but when you have a system that runs up with the PS2 it is going to see almost exclusively PS2 ports. This is going to make games cost $50 because you can't ask for GT4 on PS2 to cost $50 then GT4 (which has been announced) for PSP to cost only $30. It wont work. Even original games will have to follow suit because of the high cost of developing on such an advanced system. I am not saying that it couldn't be the same for DS, but at least it isn't set in stone at this time.
Just a final note, how much graphical power can you really appreciate on a 4 inch screen anyhow? I am really surprised there was no video out for TV support.