E3 2005: PlayStation 3 to launch in Spring 2006
Sony's new baby to hit stores early next year. First images, opinions, and details!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - While the staff at Ps2Fantasy.com is still working hard to build the new backend of the website, which will let us offer new and better services to our readers, we could not miss this news arrived today in the batch of pre-E3 press releases.
Sony Computer Entertainment announced the new PlayStation, the PlayStation 3, will hit the stores as early as Spring 2006, which means a few months after the Microsoft Xbox 360 launch. Prototypes of the PS3 will be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Meanwhile, SCEI gave the world a glimpse of the new console with a series of images you can see by yourself in our gallery. The new PlayStation remains loyal to the look of its predecessor, looking like a smoother, more futuristic, more stylish PlayStation 2. The new console will come in different colors - grey, white, and black. Curiously, the sleek font type used for the new logo resembles the one used for Sony Pictures' Spider-Man movie logos.
Key points of the PlayStation 3, as of today:
Theoretically, the PS3 should be twice as powerful as the Xbox 360 (according to Microsoft's press release, the console computing power is 1 teraflops), and definitely much more innovative than Microsoft's Windows-based system, but until SCEI will not show a playable demo running on an actual retail version of the PS3, it will be stupid to make a comparison between the two platforms. Even more difficult is a comparison with Nintendo's powerful, elegent and lightweigth new console, the Revolution - but seeing how the GameCube delivered some of the best visuals in this generation of consoles, it is not difficult to immagine the Revolution will hold its own against both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. If there is one thing we should have learnt from the current generation of consoles - and from history of videogames in general - is that pre-release specs are good only to generate hype.
Sony underlines that development of PS3 games has already begun. It is well known that many developers lamented the lack of support from SCEI in the launch phase of the PlayStation 2; to address this problem, from the early announcements about the PlayStation 3, SCEI aimed at showing the company's attention to the needs of publishers and developers, providing a good choice of relatively easy to use development tools for the PS3, developed with the support of some of the leading middleware companies.
Representatives of all the most important publishing companies commented on the PlayStation 3 in the official press release.
"With the new generation PlayStation platform, we can create "Gundam World" with the quality no one has ever imagined. The philosophy, connecting millions of Cell together, makes reality get closer to the world of SF films. We are delighted to share the vision of Ken, Architect, Kutaragi." Shin Unozawa, Managing Director, Leader, Game Software Group, President, Video Game Company, Bandai.
"The PlayStation 3 has us really excited! So much so in fact that we are already working our hardest to get Devil May Cry 4 out for this new platform. New hardware always yields more options for developers to create exciting and fresh gameplay experiences. I believe that the PS3 is one piece of hardware that will test the mettle of our development team and help us to create some of the most amazing games, limited only by our imagination." Keiji Inafune, Managing Executive Officer, Research & Development Division, Capcom.
"Each generation of PlayStation has made a dramatic improvement in how we create and play videogames. PlayStation 3 will be a breakthrough in how the world experiences entertainment. EA is fully aligned with Sony Computer Entertainment – we share their vision and applaud their success. " Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO, Electronic Arts
"President Kutaragi has thrown down a gauntlet. That gauntlet is called the PlayStation 3. We here at Koei have gladly taken up the challenge, and are striving day and night to take full advantage of all the PS3's new possibilities. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge technology with a full range of artistic expression to deliver the ultimate form of entertainment, and please people everywhere." Keiko Erikawa, Chairman and CEO, KOEI.
"With the arrival of the next generation computer entertainment system PlayStation 3, I believe it will be possible for graphic expressions, more beautiful than before, to coexist with more deep and evolved game play which utilize the Cell architecture. I also have high expectations for the evolution by the online features that will be enhanced. We will utilize the features of the new platform and will strive to create contents that will bring new excitement for our users world wide, so please have high hopes for Konami. " Kazumi Kitaue, CEO, Konami Digital Entertainment.
"Each time SCEI launches a console, the video games business moves to the next level. With PlayStation 3 it looks as if it might be time for interactive entertainment to become, finally, the world's dominant artistic medium. " Sam Houser, President, Rockstar Games .
"We at Namco have used and will continue to use the advancements in audio-visual technology to deliver games that are not only appealing to the eyes and ears, but that stir emotions, speak to the heart, and remain in players' minds for years to come. We are confident that the PlayStation 3 is an entertainment system that will enable us to do just that." Shigeru Yokoyama, CT Company President, Namco.
Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation "Next-generation hardware platforms will enable SEGA to create new game concepts that offer more immersive interactive experiences. SEGA continues to pursue the fusion of creativity and technology by publishing only the best, more innovative content to gamers around the world."
Yoichi Wada, President, Square Enix. "Square Enix is extremely honored to have had the chance to provide you with this technical demonstration of what the Cell processor can bring to the PlayStation 3 and the world of gaming. We are committed to fully backing SCEI's new computer entertainment system and plans to bring the Final Fantasy series to the PS3 are just beyond the horizon."
Yves Guillemot, President and CEO, Ubisoft "Ubisoft was one of the first major international developers to have its teams start focusing on next generation consoles. We are looking forward to developing outstanding games on Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s new system. Its powerful features will help take the industry to an even higher level in the very near future."
While our coverage of the E3 will be extremely limited - work on pspfantasy.com and ps3fantasy.com is taking all the time of our small staff, and we are already too late - we will be sure to update Ps2Fantasy.com with news about the PlayStation 3. All material gathered during the E3 and unpublished on Ps2Fantasy.com will be published soon after on our new websites.
Sony Computer Entertainment announced the new PlayStation, the PlayStation 3, will hit the stores as early as Spring 2006, which means a few months after the Microsoft Xbox 360 launch. Prototypes of the PS3 will be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Meanwhile, SCEI gave the world a glimpse of the new console with a series of images you can see by yourself in our gallery. The new PlayStation remains loyal to the look of its predecessor, looking like a smoother, more futuristic, more stylish PlayStation 2. The new console will come in different colors - grey, white, and black. Curiously, the sleek font type used for the new logo resembles the one used for Sony Pictures' Spider-Man movie logos.
Key points of the PlayStation 3, as of today:
- Computing power of 2 teraflops
- Cell processor co-developed by IBM, Sony Group, and Toshiba Corporation.
- RSX graphics processor co-developed by NVIDIA and SCEI.
- XDR memory developed by Rambus Inx.
- BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc ROM) media, with maximum storage capacity of 54 GB (dual layer).
- Support for High-Definition 1080p standard - 1080p is the highest resolution within the HD standard.
- Backwards compatibility with both PlayStation 2 and PlayStation games.
- Advanced copyright and user security protection technology.
Theoretically, the PS3 should be twice as powerful as the Xbox 360 (according to Microsoft's press release, the console computing power is 1 teraflops), and definitely much more innovative than Microsoft's Windows-based system, but until SCEI will not show a playable demo running on an actual retail version of the PS3, it will be stupid to make a comparison between the two platforms. Even more difficult is a comparison with Nintendo's powerful, elegent and lightweigth new console, the Revolution - but seeing how the GameCube delivered some of the best visuals in this generation of consoles, it is not difficult to immagine the Revolution will hold its own against both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. If there is one thing we should have learnt from the current generation of consoles - and from history of videogames in general - is that pre-release specs are good only to generate hype.
Sony underlines that development of PS3 games has already begun. It is well known that many developers lamented the lack of support from SCEI in the launch phase of the PlayStation 2; to address this problem, from the early announcements about the PlayStation 3, SCEI aimed at showing the company's attention to the needs of publishers and developers, providing a good choice of relatively easy to use development tools for the PS3, developed with the support of some of the leading middleware companies.
Representatives of all the most important publishing companies commented on the PlayStation 3 in the official press release.
"With the new generation PlayStation platform, we can create "Gundam World" with the quality no one has ever imagined. The philosophy, connecting millions of Cell together, makes reality get closer to the world of SF films. We are delighted to share the vision of Ken, Architect, Kutaragi." Shin Unozawa, Managing Director, Leader, Game Software Group, President, Video Game Company, Bandai.
"The PlayStation 3 has us really excited! So much so in fact that we are already working our hardest to get Devil May Cry 4 out for this new platform. New hardware always yields more options for developers to create exciting and fresh gameplay experiences. I believe that the PS3 is one piece of hardware that will test the mettle of our development team and help us to create some of the most amazing games, limited only by our imagination." Keiji Inafune, Managing Executive Officer, Research & Development Division, Capcom.
"Each generation of PlayStation has made a dramatic improvement in how we create and play videogames. PlayStation 3 will be a breakthrough in how the world experiences entertainment. EA is fully aligned with Sony Computer Entertainment – we share their vision and applaud their success. " Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO, Electronic Arts
"President Kutaragi has thrown down a gauntlet. That gauntlet is called the PlayStation 3. We here at Koei have gladly taken up the challenge, and are striving day and night to take full advantage of all the PS3's new possibilities. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge technology with a full range of artistic expression to deliver the ultimate form of entertainment, and please people everywhere." Keiko Erikawa, Chairman and CEO, KOEI.
"With the arrival of the next generation computer entertainment system PlayStation 3, I believe it will be possible for graphic expressions, more beautiful than before, to coexist with more deep and evolved game play which utilize the Cell architecture. I also have high expectations for the evolution by the online features that will be enhanced. We will utilize the features of the new platform and will strive to create contents that will bring new excitement for our users world wide, so please have high hopes for Konami. " Kazumi Kitaue, CEO, Konami Digital Entertainment.
"Each time SCEI launches a console, the video games business moves to the next level. With PlayStation 3 it looks as if it might be time for interactive entertainment to become, finally, the world's dominant artistic medium. " Sam Houser, President, Rockstar Games .
"We at Namco have used and will continue to use the advancements in audio-visual technology to deliver games that are not only appealing to the eyes and ears, but that stir emotions, speak to the heart, and remain in players' minds for years to come. We are confident that the PlayStation 3 is an entertainment system that will enable us to do just that." Shigeru Yokoyama, CT Company President, Namco.
Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation "Next-generation hardware platforms will enable SEGA to create new game concepts that offer more immersive interactive experiences. SEGA continues to pursue the fusion of creativity and technology by publishing only the best, more innovative content to gamers around the world."
Yoichi Wada, President, Square Enix. "Square Enix is extremely honored to have had the chance to provide you with this technical demonstration of what the Cell processor can bring to the PlayStation 3 and the world of gaming. We are committed to fully backing SCEI's new computer entertainment system and plans to bring the Final Fantasy series to the PS3 are just beyond the horizon."
Yves Guillemot, President and CEO, Ubisoft "Ubisoft was one of the first major international developers to have its teams start focusing on next generation consoles. We are looking forward to developing outstanding games on Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s new system. Its powerful features will help take the industry to an even higher level in the very near future."
While our coverage of the E3 will be extremely limited - work on pspfantasy.com and ps3fantasy.com is taking all the time of our small staff, and we are already too late - we will be sure to update Ps2Fantasy.com with news about the PlayStation 3. All material gathered during the E3 and unpublished on Ps2Fantasy.com will be published soon after on our new websites.
(Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2005, 9:25AM GMT)
- Harry
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