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[Striek]

I still think it would be a pretty shallow launch, given the potential timeframe these games were worked on. I mean I guess I'm assuming a lot (since Jan 2005, maybe?), but we haven't seen anything playable and this is targeted for Spring 2006. I just don't think that bodes well for quality re: forcing stuff out for deadline.

Well Teddman leaked that work on an Insomniac PS3 launch FPS was happening late last year. Who knows how long it was in planning before?
And if Heavenly Sword is at launch, that would be no surprise. They had been working on design concept by 2003 and had a demo running by Summer '03 (targetting next-gen platforms)).
Warhawk has a heritage to live up to, shoud be good at least. Lair, well all I'm expecting is lotsa eyecandy with some solid but unspectacular gameplay, ala all of F5's titles.

Also, these developers know more about the launch they we do. They'll have their games ready if it is indeed Spring 2006.

 

[Amir0x]

i hope you're right, Striek. I'm just saying there's no reason for me to have faith that the end result will be good, given that the track record for launches is terrible. ESPECIALLY with Sony, and especially since we haven't seen a single game playable. That's all.

 

[Speevy]

Buying solid state cards upto 4GB that work on your digital camera, cellphone, audio player, digital camcorder, PSP etc actually makes a lot more sense than buying 64MB X360 mem cards that only work on...X360.

FYI I have 10 game saves, 20 Genesis games, 3 Family Guy episodes, 1 lost episode, 30 photos and about 50 songs on my memory stick

I could probably fit a few PSP games on there too

I wasn't arguing that the Xbox 360's memory card is better than anything. The hard drive is freakin' awesome, though.

 

[AssMan]

Was the $399 360 deal a success, because if not, then Sony would be wise not to release the console at that price. If they do, then they should follow what MS did with two different versions.

 

[Amir0x]

Was the $399 360 deal a success, because if not, then Sony would be wise not to release the console at that price. If they do, then they should follow what MS did with two different versions.

I don't think the viability of a 399 price point was proven either way because Microsoft so dramatically undershipped units. So demand was certainly there, though. SOME people are quite obviously willing to buy at that point if the value is perceived as good enough.

 

[Ponn]

Truthfully at this point if the PS3 comes out at 400 to 500 bucks I will consider that a sale since it's more then half the cost of a BRD player. The games are just a bonus.

 

[Lo-Volt]

Oh. Thank you.

Sony: please keep it where it is.

 

[Speevy]

Truthfully at this point if the PS3 comes out at 400 to 500 bucks I will consider that a sale since it's more then half the cost of a BRD player. The games are just a bonus.

The games are the whole point. Without games, it's a doorstop to 100 million PS2 owners.

 

[Ponn]

The games are the whole point. Without games, it's a doorstop to 100 million PS2 owners.

I'm talking about launch, don't be melodramatic.

 

[Amir0x]

yeah i don't think games are a problem what with over 100 games just from Japanese devs alone confirmed at TGS.

 

[CamHostage]

So what would the launch look like? I-8, Warhawk, Lair - and then obligatory EA games (Fight Night, if it releases in Fall for US - Madden 2007, etc)? Seems a pretty weak launch.

Plus, everything on or coming to Xbox 360 that's not nailed down.

I wasn't arguing that the Xbox 360's memory card is better than anything. The hard drive is freakin' awesome, though.

It's nice, but I still don't see much on Xbox that was worth anything more than bragging rights (no MMOs, custom soundtracks are bonus fluff, downloadable content isn't nearly as common as it sounds), and much of that could be handled with a memory stick. An expensive memory stick, sure, but prices are dropping rapidly (plus, PS3 can use whatever that memory card slot is or a USB flash drive), and it'd be useful on PSP and everything else you've got with a Sony label on it. That's not to say that a HDD isn't valuable, but I would not say that it's invaluable.

yeah i don't think games are a problem what with over 100 games just from Japanese devs alone confirmed at TGS.

Well, the PSP boasted a similarly-sized list, but so far, we're starving out here this Christmas.

 

[Striek]

i hope you're right, Striek. I'm just saying there's no reason for me to have faith that the end result will be good, given that the track record for launches is terrible. ESPECIALLY with Sony, and especially since we haven't seen a single game playable. That's all.

Well, the underlined is hardly correct in NA at least. Original PSOne launch? Toshinden, Twisted Metal, Warhawk, Ridge Racer and many others. PSP launch? Lots of quality there. Even the PS2 launch had 24 games average 70+% on gamerankings.

Re: Issue of playable titles - I read it article from either biz.gamedaily.com or Next-gen.biz that outlined the balancing act Microsoft has forced Sony into. Basically Sony are managing an old established platform (almost single-handedly keeping this generation and thus the market alive), trying to establish a new portable platform whilst at the same time maintaining consumer interest in the PS3.
And that first point was really important. Sony can't abandon their current-gen platform like MS has, so their moves in next-gen are affected by their decisions in the interests of this-gen, as well as keeping focus on PSP.

I don't think there is much to worry about. Theres alot of talent at Insomniac, Incognito and Factor 5.

 

[Amir0x]

Well, the PSP boasted a similarly-sized list, but so far, we're starving out here this Christmas.

I think the situation between PSP and PS3 is pretty dramatically different in a lot of ways, because handhelds usually don't require console-like attention and budgets. PSP has plenty of good games, but they're all ports (<<hyperbole). Do you think PS3 is gonna get ports from PS2 and 360 only? They have already exclusives confirmed. Lair, Warhawk, I-8 and Heavenly Sword would all be 'exclusive.'

Well, the underlined is hardly correct in NA at least. Original PSOne launch? Toshinden, Twisted Metal, Warhawk, Ridge Racer and many others. PSP launch? Lots of quality there. Even the PS2 launch had 24 games average 70+% on gamerankings.

I was there for the PSOne launch, I remember it. And I know gamerankings would have you feel 'one' way, but my personal opinion is that every single PlayStation launch has been garbage. But to be fair, my opinion is every single launch ever since gaming began was trash.

 

[CamHostage]

I think the situation between PSP and PS3 is pretty dramatically different in a lot of ways, because handhelds usually don't require console-like attention and budgets.

True. The priority scale is way different. Then again, the 0-60mph scale on PSP is much faster -- two years or more looks to be the standard for next-gen games. It's hard to say exactly how much software will be ready in time in any territory for launch or even the first year, but unlike a handheld, you know that everybody involved would kill to be there.

 

[DJ Sl4m]

Just a random thought really, I'm just at the point where I rarely game anymore.
I turned 35 last August and the only game or series that really keeps me playing now is Halo, and simply the PS3 isn't getting it.

But to expand on that thought, I have much more interest in seeing tech advance in the living room and by way of network and features than game play time, meaning I'm very interested in he PS3 at this point, but for reasons I never thought I'd have my tastes change to.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[sonycowboy]

Well Teddman leaked that work on an Insomniac PS3 launch FPS was happening late last year. Who knows how long it was in planning before?
And if Heavenly Sword is at launch, that would be no surprise. They had been working on design concept by 2003 and had a demo running by Summer '03 (targetting next-gen platforms)).
Warhawk has a heritage to live up to, shoud be good at least. Lair, well all I'm expecting is lotsa eyecandy with some solid but unspectacular gameplay, ala all of F5's titles.

Also, these developers know more about the launch they we do. They'll have their games ready if it is indeed Spring 2006.

That was a ton of good information.

1) Spring 2006 is looking like a lock (probably in Japan). That or they're going to have to explain why 6 months (or less) beforehand they're still calling it. And that's with CES just around the corner

2) 3 SCEA games and there's still SCEE & SCEI to go But, for those jumping the gun, I don't see that they stated that the games will be launch games.

3) The minimum requirements sound like they're there for online. It won't be Xbox live, but it'll be a far damn sight better than PS2 online and it will still be free, apparently.

4) They're clearly stating that graphically everything we've seen will be validated soon.

They might be blowing some smoke, but if they deliver...

 

[Amir0x]

Also, for the love of all that is holy, they MUST have an equal kiosk showing [as 360]. One of the main reasons I believe PSP underperformed compared to GAF expectations (perhaps) was because they had no kiosks for the thing. At all. There are some valid reasons for it (PSP is far more easily to damage than most kiosk units), but that cannot pass for PS3. They need a demo that BLOWS AWAY competition visually, that you can play... and then a video reel of some of the big things in the pipeline. I doubt they'd do it, but MGS4 playing on reel in Wal-Mart.

 

[Rhindle]

I'd like to give every poster in this thread still saying the word "Spring" a good hard kick in the nuts, because boy do you need it.

 

[Amir0x]

I'd like to give every poster in this thread still saying the word "Spring" a good hard kick in the nuts, because boy do you need it.

So you're confirming no Spring 2006 launch for PS3 (in any territory)?

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

Spring 2006.

^

Ah shit!

 

[SolidSnakex]

2) 3 SCEA games and there's still SCEE & SCEI to go But, for those jumping the gun, I don't see that they stated that the games will be launch games.

As of now we have

SCEA:
I-8
Lair
Warhawk

SCEE:
The Getaway
Motorstorm
Killzone
Heavenly Sword
Formula One

SCEI:
Gran Turismo 5
Minna no Golf 5
Genji 2
Angel Rings
The Eye of Judgement
Monster Canival

Not sure:
Eyedentify (most Eyetoy games were developed by SCEE this gen so its possibly them)

SCEE is looking like they're going to be awesome like they were in the PSone generation. And 2 first party RPG's in development from the start at SCEI is great. Possibly one of them by L5?

 

[sonycowboy]

I'd like to give every poster in this thread still saying the word "Spring" a good hard kick in the nuts, because boy do you need it.

We're just repeating it. Sony's the ones saying it.

BTW,

The vernal equinox in 2006 is March 20th next year, the official start of spring

So, they've got from March 20th to June 20th, 2006 to launch it somewhere and have it be a spring launch

 

[Amir0x]

Hey, also Solidsnakex... there's another game from them. It's tentatively titled "Gas Station Explosion", since that's the only thing we saw from it... but Phil Harrison confirmed it was from a untitled game in development.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Hey, also Solidsnakex... there's another game from them. It's tentatively titled "Gas Station Explosion", since that's the only thing we saw from it... but Phil Harrison confirmed it was from a untitled game in development.

That was meant to be a game? Heh I just thought it was a demo like the ducks.

 

[Amir0x]

That was meant to be a game? Heh I just thought it was a demo like the ducks.

No, he made sure to specifically mention it's from an untitled game in development. And it looked pretty impressive too AND was real-time, so it's neat.

 

[sonycowboy]

Hey, also Solidsnakex... there's another game from them. It's tentatively titled "Gas Station Explosion", since that's the only thing we saw from it... but Phil Harrison confirmed it was from a untitled game in development.

:|

You forgot "Vortex of leaves, each with individual sounds" , "LOD - Lots of ducks", & "xxx - the radious babe"

 

[Amir0x]

:|

You forgot "Vortex of leaves, each with individual sounds" , "LOD - Lots of ducks", & "xxx - the radious babe"

Except none of those are from games in development, UNLIKE "Gas Station Explosion." There's a distinct difference.

EXACT QUOTE WHEN INTRODUCING CLIP:

"This next clip is from a game in development which has yet to be announced, but, uhm, obviously being a gas station in the middle of the desert and being a digital set...surely, we should be able to blow it up. So let's blow it up. *clip runs.*"

 

[TAJ]

>>>DVD18s are expensive and difficult to make
Cheaper to go with 2 DVD9s<<<

Why does Universal use them extensively in their bargain-basement Franchise Collection sets, then?

 

[sonycowboy]

Except none of those are from games in development, UNLIKE "Gas Station Explosion." There's a distinct difference.

I really, really, don't think it's a game in development. I certainly haven't seen a comment mentioning it. It was a demo to show the power of the CELL. EVERYTHING was done on the CELL; the graphics, 8 levels of physics, dynamic sound.

Of course, that was true of the Getaway "demo" as well...

Oh well.

 

[Wollan]

Why argue(regarding DVD 18)? You still will have to get up and change sides/disc and listen to a 16x drive.

 

[Amir0x]

I really, really, don't think it's a game in development. I certainly haven't seen a comment mentioning it. It was a demo to show the power of the CELL. EVERYTHING was done on the CELL; the graphics, 8 levels of physics, dynamic sound.

Of course, that was true of the Getaway "demo" as well...

Oh well.

EXACT QUOTE WHEN INTRODUCING GAS STATION TECH DEMO:

"This next clip is from a game in development which has yet to be announced, but, uhm, obviously being a gas station in the middle of the desert and being a digital set...surely, we should be able to blow it up. So let's blow it up. *clip runs.*"

I'm pretty sure that's as clear as it can possibly be. What the heck else would he have meant by that?

 

[sonycowboy]

>>>DVD18s are expensive and difficult to make
Cheaper to go with 2 DVD9s<<<

Why does Universal use them extensively in their bargain-basement Franchise Collection sets, then?

There seems to be a bit of a backlash against them lately.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6288658.html

Two-sided discs prompt complaints
DVD 18 problems include skipping, failure to play
By Susanne Ault 12/2/2005

....

 

[Mrbob]

It's nice, but I still don't see much on Xbox that was worth anything more than bragging rights (no MMOs, custom soundtracks are bonus fluff, downloadable content isn't nearly as common as it sounds), and much of that could be handled with a memory stick. An expensive memory stick, sure, but prices are dropping rapidly (plus, PS3 can use whatever that memory card slot is or a USB flash drive), and it'd be useful on PSP and everything else you've got with a Sony label on it. That's not to say that a HDD isn't valuable, but I would not say that it's invaluable.

I agree about Xbox, but on 360 the hdd is great. Even though the 360 HDD is optional, I've have more use in it in the first couple days of owning the system than the entire time I used the functionality of the hdd in Xbox.

It helps with laod times which is nice, but I have a ton of downloadable content from Xbox Live Marketplace. I have 15 Live Arcade games (Which offer free demos) at an average of 25 megs a piece. Beyond this, I Have 5 playable demos downloaded on my hdd at around 2.5 gigs between them all. I'm already pushing more storage space then you would typcally get in a gig flash card. I'm hoping the 20 gig hdd I have for 360 will be big enough!

 

[sonycowboy]

EXACT QUOTE WHEN INTRODUCING GAS STATION TECH DEMO:

"This next clip is from a game in development which has yet to be announced, but, uhm, obviously being a gas station in the middle of the desert and being a digital set...surely, we should be able to blow it up. So let's blow it up. *clip runs.*"

I'm pretty sure that's as clear as it can possibly be. What the heck else would he have meant by that?

Fair enough, but I honestly think it's a bit of a stretch to call that demo the basis for any game. I'd personally chalk it up to devs testing the boundries of what the CELL can do as that specific clip was 99% a combustion physics demo, which of itself it very applicable, but the actual scenery and graphics were horribly plain.

 

[sonycowboy]

I agree about Xbox, but on 360 the hdd is great. Even though the 360 HDD is optional, I've have more use in it in the first couple days of owning the system than the entire time I used the functionality of the hdd in Xbox.

It helps with laod times which is nice, but I have a ton of downloadable content from Xbox Live Marketplace. I have 15 Live Arcade games (Which offer free demos) at an average of 25 megs a piece. Beyond this, I Have 5 playable demos downloaded on my hdd at around 2.5 gigs between them all. I'm already pushing more storage space then you would typcally get in a gig flash card. I'm hoping the 20 gig hdd I have for 360 will be big enough!

Don't count on it. They will get bigger and interestingly enough, those folks who swore by the premium pack will be stuck with that 20GB, when there should be 100GB drives available late next year (or the year after).

Not that folks won't get they're money's worth out of the drive by then, but for everything it can do it seems quite a bit undersized.

 

[Amir0x]

Fair enough, but I honestly think it's a bit of a stretch to call that demo the basis for any game. I'd personally chalk it up to devs testing the boundries of what the CELL can do as that specific clip was 99% a combustion physics demo, which of itself it very applicable, but the actual scenery and graphics were horribly plain.

I agree whatever it is screamed "SUPER EARLY", but if Phil Harrison felt the need to say it was from a game in development, then I don't see how it can be interpreted another way. Obviously if this was just for Cell-testing reasons they're using assets from their game to show it. Otherwise it's pretty pointless to mention it. They could just say "One of our good teams at SCEE whipped this together for us, and we're pretty pleased with the results." But, unlike all the other demos, he made sure to say it's from a game in development. That sort of thing doesn't just slip out at a speech like this. Pretty sure scripting was pre-planned

I mean basically all it is is [Untitled] Sony game, which isn't much at all, except confirmation of its existence.

 

[Willy Wanka]

If the region free rumours are true then I hope the Spring launch happens because I'll just import. Knowing my luck it won't and I'll have to wait till November or something Come on Sony. Show Europe some love!!! DO IT!

 

[Mrbob]

Don't count on it. They will get bigger and interestingly enough, those folks who swore by the premium pack will be stuck with that 20GB, when there should be 100GB drives available late next year (or the year after).

Not that folks won't get they're money's worth out of the drive by then, but for everything it can do it seems quite a bit undersized.

I think 20 gigs will be big enough. Should be. Who knows though. I can always delete the demos I don't play. If anything you can always buy a bigger one as they are detachable.

 

[Amir0x]

20gigs is big enough for...

...56k! *sobs*

 

[sonycowboy]

I think 20 gigs will be big enough. Should be. Who knows though. I can always delete the demos I don't play. If anything you can always buy a bigger one as they are detachable.

Yeah, I didn't mean "stuck with" as in no replacement ever, but as in "somewhat useless and of little monetary value" once the new ones come out. I've got friends who are downloading demos and arcade games like crazy, soundtracks, HD trailers, etc and are probably at leat 80% full. Certainly, they can delete stuff, but who does that?

Of course, the PSP has exactly the same issue, only much less space

 

[Teddman]

Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah

 

[Amir0x]

Teddman, you're pretty lame lately!

You don't even provide any compelling commentary about anything like you used to!

 

[Teddman]

Well, you know a lot of my most thought-provoking and electrifying commentary on the state of the gaming industry can also be found over at OA.

OK, I will say that Kaz Hirai is probably the most boring and bland exec/spokesman of any at the three big hardware players, does this guy ever say anything interesting? His entire act at the press conferences is to brag about sales figures and show powerpoint charts about how much the Playstation brand is kicking ass. You won't see him getting down with beats like Reggie did in the Electroplankton or coming up with snappy one-liners. Zero charisma.

In interviews, he's even worse. Plays both sides of every question. For example:

PSM: Can we expect more totally original titles on PSP in 2006?

Kaz Hirai: Yes. We certainly want to bring a lot of franchises to the PSP that are originally developed for that platform, but, at the same time, one of the things we want to accomplish with the Playstation Portable is to really expand the Playstation experience to the handheld enviroment. So both in terms of variations of existing franchises-Which, as you know, aren't just simple ports; they're using the same name but have completely different gameplay- we want to take advantage of the franchises we've built, but also being cognizant that you don't establish a new platform by just relying on existing franchises and you do need to push the envelope with great original content, like, for example Pursuit Force.

Great... Real encouraging for folks looking for something hot to play on their PSP. He could've cited some examples of exciting original games coming to PSP. And the one he does mention isn't even available in the U.S.!

 

[Amir0x]

Well, you know a lot of my most thought-provoking and electrifying commentary on the state of the gaming industry can also be found over at OA.

OK, I will say that Kaz Hirai is probably the most boring and bland exec/spokesman of any at the three big hardware players, does this guy ever say anything interesting? His entire act at the press conferences is to brag about sales figures and show powerpoint charts about how much the Playstation brand is kicking ass. You won't see him getting down with beats like Reggie did in the Electroplankton or coming up with snappy one-liners. Zero charisma.

In interviews, he's even worse. Plays both sides of every question. For example:Great... Real encouraging for folks looking for something hot to play on their PSP. He could've cited some examples of exciting original games coming to PSP. And the one he does mention isn't even available in the U.S.!

I admit, he's pretty boring! But I was basically just alluding to how I just want information, not entertainment!

But i guess he doesn't give much info either.

Re: Reggie -

I still maintain he's embarrasing and not someone I want leading the charge for Nintendo. When i saw him dancing and shit to ElectroPlankton a little Nintendo part of me died.

 

[SolidSnakex]

You won't see him getting down with beats like Reggie did in the Electroplankton or coming up with snappy one-liners. Zero charisma.

Which is great. Kaz might be boring, but he's not embarrasing like Reggie.

 

[Amir0x]

Which is great. Kaz might be boring, but he's not embarrasing like Reggie.

I think Kaz could stand to be a little more charismatic. I mean, he doesn't have to dance around the stage like a dumbass (thank God), but he could be a little more energetic and into the future of PlayStation. And he COULD reveal a bit more, and not be so Kaplan-esque.

 

[Teddman]

Reggie is entertaining and has stage presence, of no little importance during an E3 press conference. Eyes tend to glaze over at Sony's pressers, that's why they held people hostage with the PS3 footage until the very last minutes.

You want to talk embarassing, let's think back to Kaz's 2003 onstage Eyetoy demo. A mannequin would have looked less stiff.

 

[Mrbob]

I think Kaz could stand to be a little more charismatic. I mean, he doesn't have to dance around the stage like a dumbass (thank God), but he could be a little more energetic and into the future of PlayStation. And he COULD reveal a bit more, and not be so Kaplan-esque.

Kaz needs to come out at E3 2006 in a banana suit and sing this:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/peanutbutter.html

 

[Pimpbaa]

Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah Blah blah blah "the proof is in the pudding" blah blah blah

Puddin!

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Kaz needs to come out at E3 2006 in a banana suit and sing this:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/peanutbutter.html

I could dig that. I like lively and humorous, it's just more interesting.