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[xexex]

the week of GDC, there were reports that Sony would hold an internal PS3 briefing the following week. well, that week as come and gone now, especially in Japan. since it is now something like Sunday afternoon over there. Any leaks from the briefing? I suppose not, since otherwise something would've been said by now, and whatever might have been said, would have almost certainly been posted on GAF....... Oh and, there was supposed to be a Cell demo or Cell discussion, or some sort of Cell unvieling on March 28. just over a week from now. is that still on ? And also, that PS3 Premier event is supposed to take place sometime before E3.



........the wait continues, but is rapidly coming towards an end, can ya feel it Panajev ?

 

[Mejilan]

And also...

 

[Elios83]

That would be a major leak.
But it won't happen,if not even developers were there but only Sony internals,chances of leaks are none.

 

[gofreak]

Yeah, if it was an executive briefing, you won't hear a word.

That said, it's coming up to the end of Sony's fiscal year...if anything's gonna happen before E3, you'd think it would happen in the next week and a half or so. Wasn't there rumoured to be a public/press "Cell" presentation?

 

[Elios83]

Yeah, if it was an executive briefing, you won't hear a word.

That said, it's coming up to the end of Sony's fiscal year...if anything's gonna happen before E3, you'd think it would happen in the next week and a half or so. Wasn't there rumoured to be a public/press "Cell" presentation?

Yes a 'Cell vision' conference was rumored on the 28th March.

 

[TTP]

Yeah, still on schedule for that date. No foreing press allowed. Just japanese media.

 

[gofreak]

Yeah, still on schedule for that date. No foreing press allowed. Just japanese media.

Hmmm? Wonder why? The babelfishing will be fast and furious that day...

Do you have any other details? Location, time, duration? Did invites go out?

It's possible they'll just share everything we already know with local media...but I think it's more likely we'll see at least some new info, even if it's all still non-PS3-specific (or officially so, anyway).

 

[ThirdEye]

Yes a 'Cell vision' conference was rumored on the 28th March.

Is that rumor Sp0nged? :lol

 

[Elios83]

Is that rumor Sp0nged? :lol

Nope hopefully there's more substance and sources behind it.

 

[gofreak]

Here's a nice recap of pretty much everything SCE has said about a March announcement:

EGM: Sony announced last July that it would unveil the "next-generation PlayStation" by the end of March 2005. Is that still the plan?

Kaz Hirai: As far as I know, yes. I spoke to [Sony Computer Entertainment Interactive President and CEO] Ken [Kutaragi] a few weeks ago, and that's what he told me.

EGM: What will we see at this debut?

KH: If I told you, I think Kutaragi would take me and you out to the parking lot and shoot us. [Laughs] But, no - joking aside, we've not really talked that much in detail about [the debut], both internally and externally. I can promise that it'll be a huge event.

Time is ticking! Seriously, though, I wonder what changed so quickly for this to go from a "huge event", a PS3 event to a "general" Cell event. Maybe they're just calling it a Cell event because they are still unsure as to what exactly they'll show - if they aren't in a position to show anything PS3 related, at least they can fall back on Cell that way, and no one is disappointed at what was shown. Cell's the backup, in case PS3 gets stage fright?

Also interesting to consider that PS2's premiere was previously characterised as just "a glimpse of the future" - were people absolutely sure PS2 would be shown off there for the first time, or were things a little shakey like they seem to be now?

I dunno...it's just funny to think that we may get PS3 details within a week. Would Sony really announce things before MS have announced Xenon specifics? Do they care what MS is doing?

 

[Elios83]

As far as I know Sony's plans have changed just recently.
Initially they wanted to have the public premiere in March,now it seems highly unprobable that PS3 will be introduced before the E3.
I also suppose the internal meeting with top executives has been used to discuss possibile PS3 configurations and not to show a definitive model.
Also it's clear that they don't want Microsoft to know everything about their plans,if they keep the secret until May it will be really difficult for MS to adjust specs considering they're going to launch a few months later.

 

[xexex]

Nice recap, Gofreak. hopefully we will hear something in the next 8-9 days.

 

[gofreak]

As far as I know Sony's plans have changed just recently.
Initially they wanted to have the public premiere in March,now it seems highly unprobable that PS3 will be introduced before the E3.
I also suppose the internal meeting with top executives has been used to discuss possibile PS3 configurations and not to show a definitive model.
Also it's clear that they don't want Microsoft to know everything about their plans,if they keep the secret until May it will be really difficult for MS to adjust specs considering they're going to launch a few months later.

This all makes sense, unfortunately I hope that if we're not going to get full information, full specs, that they at least might talk about specific components in isolation, that are less "sensitive", so to speak. They could show us what the final PS3 CPU looks like, for example, and what kind of workloads it'll accomodate in there (e.g. if it'll handle vertex processing or not) - MS would have little come back on that. Similarly they could tell us a bit about the GPU - again, I doubt MS has much room for change on that side. Perhaps it's hoping for too much - I just hope there's something new for those of us who've already been following Cell closely.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Can somebody tell me what’s the point of announcing specs? Wouldn't it be wise to keep it secret before the system launch? Right?

I don’t think there will be any PS3 announcement this month, I mean GoW and PSP are about to launch soon.

 

[gofreak]

Can somebody tell me what’s the point of announcing specs? Wouldn't it be wise to keep it secret before the system launch? Right?

I can't see it hurting. It'd build hype, would give the impression that Sony was in the driving seat. And it might appease shareholders coming up to the end of their fiscal year..

It really wouldn't affect GoW or PSP at all..

 

[xexex]

Can somebody tell me what’s the point of announcing specs? Wouldn't it be wise to keep it secret before the system launch? Right?

I don’t think there will be any PS3 announcement this month, I mean GoW and PSP are about to launch soon.

I actually agree.


I think that Sony announced Playstation2 specs much too early when they did it in March 1999. well they felt they had to, with Dreamcast gaining momentum with devlopers.


If Sony waits until E3, then Microsoft has no chance to change anything, other than clockspeed and RAM allocation.. unless Microsoft decides to delay until spring 2006.

 

[TheQueen'sOwn]

Yes a 'Cell vision' conference was rumored on the 28th March.

Sweet! My birthday and Easter =).

 

[gofreak]

then Microsoft has no chance to change anything, other than clockspeed and RAM allocation..

I don't think they can really change anything but this right now..I'd say their specs, barring ram or clockspeed alterations, are pretty much fixed at this point.

 

[ThirdEye]

Yeah, still on schedule for that date. No foreing press allowed. Just japanese media.

Apparently it was cancelled

 

[CrimsonSkies]

The only thing I think we know is that it was mentioned to make everyone feel that Sony is orders of magnitues more powerful with the PS3 than the other consoles next gen. I don't know if the campaign is working though.

 

[soundwave05]

The only thing I think we know is that it was mentioned to make everyone feel that Sony is orders of magnitues more powerful with the PS3 than the other consoles next gen. I don't know if the campaign is working though.

It's not a campaign if the devs are saying the PS3 is indeed generously more powerful than XBox 2.

 

[MassiveAttack]

Something is happening this week but no information has been leaked as to exactly what it is.

 

[gofreak]

Something is happening this week but no information has been leaked as to exactly what it is.

I was tempted to post another thread enquiring about this, but thankfully you bumped this one :lol It's now Monday of the last week in March - surely some of our Japanese gaffers would have heard of something if it were happening this week? Our regular japanese community has been remarkably silent on this topic.. (Sorry, not sure if you're in Japan MassiveAttack?)

Someone on B3D mentioned that the PS3 debut was moved to early April? That still could be this week, I guess (1st or 2nd of April..but I kinda wonder if they'd do it on a Saturday?)...

 

[deadhorse32]

Our regular japanese community has been remarkably silent on this topic..

I'm not 100% sure but DCharlie (aka drunk source) wasn't in japan recently. Maybe that's why we aren't hearing anything.

 

[xexex]

so unless Sony shows something within the next few days, they will have gone back on what they said several times, about Cell / PS3 being demoed before the end of March.

but actually this is a good thing for them. the later they show PS3, the less time Microsoft has to react with any final changes to the final Xenon spec.

 

[Izzy]

Sony've got no reason to show their hand first. Of course, I could be horribly wrong, and they could demo it today....but I don't think so.

 

[gofreak]

but actually this is a good thing for them. the later they show PS3, the less time Microsoft has to react with any final changes to the final Xenon spec.

The window for such changes is closing. And Sony doesn't have to reveal EVERYTHING. They could keep a question mark over certain more sensitive specifics until MS has shown their hand (like RAM).

Of course, Sony could go back on what they said re. a March debut - plans change. Hopefully not though.

 

[Izzy]

It's 29th in the Tokyo already - another rumour has come to pass. (heh)

 

[gofreak]

It's 29th in the Tokyo already - another rumour has come to pass. (heh)

Hehe, true. I wonder where that "Cell event on the 28th" came out of. Still, 3 more days in the month..although surely some notice would need to be given to the press if an event was happening this week?

The possibility of an "early April" event has also now reared its head according to B3D posts. I have no idea where that's coming from though - it's annoying when people just put that out there without any kind of further explanation!

EGM can't be alone in knowing what's gonna happen..

JohnTV, you heard anything about anything?

 

[mrklaw]

It's 29th in the Tokyo already - another rumour has come to pass. (heh)

er, not for another hour and 15 minutes its not. But businesses will be closed, so I see your point [/pedant]

 

[Izzy]

er, not for another hour and 15 minutes its not. But businesses will be closed, so I see your point [/pedant]

Damn it, you have ruined my point! Edit your post and pretend... :lol


Anyway, I was fully aware of the local Tokyo time (sorry for slight cheating) - the point still stands. There'll be no announcement.

 

[Izzy]

Hehe, true. I wonder where that "Cell event on the 28th" came out of. Still, 3 more days in the month..although surely some notice would need to be given to the press if an event was happening this week?

The possibility of an "early April" event has also now reared its head according to B3D posts. I have no idea where that's coming from though - it's annoying when people just put that out there without any kind of further explanation!

EGM can't be alone in knowing what's gonna happen..

JohnTV, you heard anything about anything?

It's because people want it to happen.. ASAP. Logically though, it won't happen before Xenon's unveiling.

 

[xexex]

aren't there 31 days in March ?

 

[Izzy]

It was supposed to happen on 28th. I'll try not to bump up those threads and embarrass the ones who predicted it. (those in the know)

 

[xexex]

It was supposed to happen on 28th. I'll try not to bump up those threads and embarrass the ones who predicted it. (those in the know)

ahh Ok. I was thinking of Sony's promise to show Cell / PS3 before the end of their fiscal year which would be at the latest March 31th. I wasn't thinking of the rumored 28th showing.

 

[gofreak]

It's because people want it to happen.. ASAP. Logically though, it won't happen before Xenon's unveiling.

I agree that a lot of this rumour is probably being generated by the desire to see it happen. However I would disagree that "logically" the PS3 debut won't, or shouldn't, happen before Xenon's EGM is the latest evidence/indicator that it will be announced before Xenon, and I think it probably will be. I think they want to show it in Japan before they show it in America (E3).

 

[Izzy]

I'd like to see it ASAP, too. The trouble is, Sony have no incentive to demo it before the public Xenon unveiling.

 

[gofreak]

The trouble is, Sony have no incentive to demo it before the public Xenon unveiling.

I'd disagree. I'm sure there's at least some internal pressure to see it announced in Japan first. Plus, either way you slice it, it's likely to be overshadowed by a widely playable Xenon at E3 (hey, DC overshadowed PS2 at its first E3 too - it'll happen). By having their own event before E3, they'll capture the limelight now, generate hype, and leave a lot of potentially damaging "context" for Xenon's unveiling (announcing a probably less powerful and probably less featured system after Sony may not be particularly ideal Taking to the stage first - with a bang - puts a lot of pressure on MS)

 

[xexex]

I don't remember seeing these Cell slides before. They're not BRANEW, they're from GDC a few weeks ago.

 

[xexex]

another tidbit

http://www.psinext.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5590&start=25

here is a very interesting info from the current issue of PSM:

quote:
about the Cell workstations, Movie studios and the like are going to get graphics workstations based on Cell technology before developers get game development systems, the idea being The cool visual FX tricks they come up with will end up being be used in games. we’ll see. unquote

If things work out, it could have great results for PS3 game development.

Will the excitement ever end?!

 

[Nightbringer]

If PS3 is better than Xenon they must show the console before Microsoft, the reason is that in this case the impact in the people will be more useless.

Sony with the Cell can do that Xenon seems an underpowered console.

 

[xexex]

If PS3 is better than Xenon they must show the console before Microsoft, the reason is that in this case the impact in the people will be more useless.

Sony with the Cell can do that Xenon seems an underpowered console.

say what ?

 

[gofreak]

another tidbit

http://www.psinext.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5590&start=25

Movie studios will be getting cell workstations (or they'll be available to them), but no doubt the focus is firstly on getting ps3 dev kits out there.

Also, all the slides from the GDC presentations are up on SCEA's research site.

 

[Nightbringer]

Oooops.

Sorry I was talking that Xenon presentation will be less impactant if Sony shows PS3 before Microsoft console is showned.

Don´t hit me for my bad english plase.

 

[Nostromo]

Alias guys are working on CELL workstations since the end of 2004. This is a fact, not a speculation.

 

[gofreak]

Alias guys are working on CELL workstations since the end of 2004. This is a fact, not a speculation.

An agreement was announced, so I guess that makes sense..it's good to hear of a specific company that got workstations at the end of last year after the very vague rollout that was announced.

 

[MassiveAttack]

Game Watch has suspended their reporting for March 29th and will be back on March 30th. Interesting that it is called out in red on their site.

 

[xexex]

Game Watch has suspended their reporting for March 29th and will be back on March 30th. Interesting that it is called out in red on their site.

whoa

 

[MassiveAttack]

whoa

Hehe. I know it isn't a lot to go on but it isn't a holiday in Japan and it is very unusual for a site like Watch Impress to suspend reporting for a day. The fact that nothing has been leaked in regard to a press conference leads me to believe this is probably nothing but it is curious nonetheless...

 

[gofreak]

I'm not sure how significant that is at all. Even if there was an event happening, why would the entire site shut down for the day it was happening?