Sony Displays New PSP, Polished Games At E3

Sony had a lot to prove coming into this event, and kicked off on a high note. The PlayStation 2 is still selling units, and the PSP's numbers are apparently up as well. They followed that with the news of a new version of the PlayStation Portable. It's slimmer, lighter, has a longer battery life, and the ability to connect directly to your television to display video and games. There was a good deal of discussion about upcoming PSP titles, some of which are connected to a PSP bundle. Pushing out the PS3, they show several PlayStation Store titles, included the fascinating-looking Echochrome . Moving onto the Home service they discussed cellphone and website tie-ins to the Home service, as well as the ability to launch games from directly within the Home environment. Referencing the price cut, they reveal sales have already gone up. NCSoft, Epic, and Ubisoft are all referenced as heavy backers of the PlayStation, with a tantalizing statement suggesting that user-created mods for Unreal Tournament will be coming to the console via the Playstation Network. A lengthy Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer and a statement that the game is only for the PS3 (still to be determined), due early in 2008, cap off the third-party section. First-party titles show all of the highlights of Sony's portfolio with the LittleBigPlanet trailer emphasizing creation rather than play, and their Heavenly Sword highlight showcasing the game's story for the first time. A new sandbox title with a morality component was announced, InFamous, as was a new chapter in the Gran Turismo series. The press conference wrapped with a gripping trailer for Killzone 2, completely running in real-time.

Comments

Crush

[Conspiracy_Of_Doves]

I am highly pissed that Crush is only available for the PSP. We finally get an imaginative, mind stretching game, and it's for that thing.

My Thoughts from E3

[Dr Kool, PhD]

The new slim PSP is awesome. The bundle with the new PSP + 1 GB memory stick + a game + several UMD movies in an extraordinary value. Additional features on PSP are cool, basically TV out on your PSP. They said the new PSP is something like 33% lighter and 25% thinner, unfortunately it will be 100% less hackable too. Not too excited about the 80GB PS3, I think the 60 GB PS3 priced at $499 is a better value.

Home looks great, everything I hoped it would be. It's a full-featured virtual MMO world with tons of new social networking features. I predict home will replace the normal "launch game" interface of the PS3, launching your games in a 3D virtual world is so much cooler than just using a menu.

PS3 -- GAMES, GAMES and MORE GAMES. That phrase was repeated twice, and it's true. FIFTEEN first-party exclusives coming out for PS3 before the end of the fiscal year and more third party exclusives. 150 Blu-Ray games out for PS3 by the end of the year in North America. Obviously we're going to see a large number of titles launch in the next five months. All the games presented looked good, some looked AMAZING. Gran Turismo - WOW. It was like watching a real car race. MGS4 - the LAST game of the Metal Gear series. Also looks awesome. Little Big Planet is something we've never seen from a video game before. And don't forget KILLZONE 2. Just AMAZING. Graphics were off the chart. I can't describe how awesome Killzone 2 looked, you have to see for yourself. Wow just wow.

Overall it was an awesome presentation by Sony. They presented what I wanted to see which was GAMES. Way better than the boring Nintendo presentation with spreadsheets and graphs and NO GAMES. I especially liked the Kaz "Riiiiidge Racer" joke, shows these guys have a sense of humor. Congrats on a great E3 Sony.

Re:My Thoughts from E3

[John Fulmer]

Somebody must have bought some Sony stock.... 'investorelite' indeed.

*Sigh* The astroturf is getting mighty tall these days.

Re:My Thoughts from E3

[crabpeople]

"Air travel + PSP + movies (on a memory stick) = Heaven."

Well except for your stated 3 hour battery life (my laptop has 5-6 when watching movies), and the small ass screen you have to watch it on. But yeah i guess you found the one use for a psp. Too bad more people don't take long flights and enjoy squinting or it would really take off!

"I just kick myself for waiting a year to get one."

I dont see why. Craigslist has tonnes of them fully loaded for 150-200. Didnt it retail for double that a year ago?

"Sony has marketed it INCREDIBLY poorly."

I can see the ad now, something to do with mr magoo, living in an airport, with a sac of double A batteries.

Re:Oh My Fucking God Sony

[LWATCDR]

If you have a PS3 this is great news well except for that nasty price drop. Ouch.
Last I heard MGS may not be exclusive to the PS3.
Until the games are on the market it is all just hype.
It is still an improvement for Sony.