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[gofreak]

"Masatsuka Saeki Talks PS3"

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/654/654390p1.html

Not a whole lot in there. Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

He also says price won't be revealed until close to launch - and that it'll be a matter of internal debate until that point.

Also says that Sony could have had a playable presence at TGS, but they wanted to show trailers-only to the public first, to elicit a similar reaction as at E3. i.e. they know how to tease and maintain the "i want what i can't have" buzz

Wonder what the Feb event-replacement might be? Roadshow? Retail demo presence?

 

[human5892]

Not a whole lot in there. Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

FEBUTON?!

And I'm sure the price will be a hotly debated item until the absolute last possible second. Hopefully, for our sakes, it falls on the "take more losses" side.

 

[kaching]

the secret event is...a massive batarang throwing contest!

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Not a whole lot in there. Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

That doesn't make sense. Are they planning to launch in Feb?

 

[littlewig]

They'll announce the price of the system and everyone will be left in awe.

If this is a good thing, don't ask me.

 

[trmas]

What the hell? Are they not going to be at CES either?

 

[Vennt]

That doesn't make sense. Are they planning to launch in Feb?

That has already been doing the rounds as a rumor, this is sure to fuel that.

I can't see it myself, far too little exposure going on for a Feb release IMO, I've got my money on a March release.

 

[neptunes]

CES is in Janurary

 

[Neex]

Not announcing the price before the launch of the 360 leads me to believe that the price is going to help 360 sales, rather than spur people to wait.

 

[Pimpwerx]

"Masatsuka Saeki Talks PS3"

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/654/654390p1.html

Not a whole lot in there. Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

He also says price won't be revealed until close to launch - and that it'll be a matter of internal debate until that point.

Also says that Sony could have had a playable presence at TGS, but they wanted to show trailers-only to the public first, to elicit a similar reaction as at E3. i.e. they know how to tease and maintain the "i want what i can't have" buzz

Wonder what the Feb event-replacement might be? Roadshow? Retail demo presence?

My pessimistic view is that this means there is most certainly a delay. I don't buy that they're cancelling the February event o replace it with anything other than something much less impressive. "Suprises" aren't a good thing IMO. I'd guess some sort of delay to Summer or Fall, with the February event being replaced by some tv special similar to what MS had on MTV...minus the suck, of course.

My optimistic dream is that the February event is replaced by some global event that precedes a massive global launch in March/April. They announce price, launch lineups and other info in an *attempt( to shut down 360 sales, since there is ultimately no point is trying to stop anything during the holidays. Let's face it, the 360 will sell what it ships this Winter. That is almost a forgone conclusion IMO. So the best way to stem the tide is in early-Spring when sales will be slow regardless. PEACE.

 

[teiresias]

Not announcing the price before the launch of the 360 leads me to believe that the price is going to help 360 sales, rather than spur people to wait.

Eh? There's no need to release a price right now at a point so far out from release. May as well have said that MS not releasing a price for X360 at E3 was a sign that its price was going to help PSP.

 

[Amir0x]

Sony never reveals the price this far in advance anyway.

 

[Gremmie4]

Anyone else think that they might be moving their big event up to December right before the Japanese Xbox 360 launch, or am I just being wildly optomistic? This would seem like an ideal time to fully unveil the system to take away any of the momentum of the Japanese Xbox 360 launch.

 

[TheInkyVoid]

take away any of the momentum of the Japanese Xbox 360 launch.

Heh.

 

[Gremmie4]

Heh.

Yea, I know it would be like killing a fly with a shotgun, but why not try to stop any momentum from building in the first place?

 

[Johnas]

Nintendo: "Gamers walk into the store to buy a PS3, and they run right into Zelda!"

:\

If the PS3 comes out before Fall '06 in the U.S. I'll eat my kid's Pumas. Yeah.

 

[goomba]

Im starting to think Zelda's delay is an intentional ploy to distract from the PS3.

Its a fine looking game and its scope will most likely be beyond any Ps3 launch titles.

 

[byproduct]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/28/news_6134592.html

When asked if there would be any changes to the February PS3 event where playable demos will be on hand, Saeki did not respond directly. However, he did say that SCE is planning something for the event that is sure to be a "major" surprise.

Doesn't sound negative (like a launch delay announcement) to me. I'm betting it's a "proper" controller or an Xbox Live-style online service.

 

[DCharlie]

"Not a whole lot in there. Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

He also says price won't be revealed until close to launch - and that it'll be a matter of internal debate until that point.

Also says that Sony could have had a playable presence at TGS, but they wanted to show trailers-only to the public first, to elicit a similar reaction as at E3. i.e. they know how to tease and maintain the "i want what i can't have" buzz "

... is this a parody post?

"i want what i can't have" buzz?

Nothing says "fuck the X360" than showing the playable PS3 at the last game show before X360 launch, surely?

 

[kaching]

because 1 MGS4 Trailer > a handful of early playable game demos

 

[Amir0x]

Im starting to think Zelda's delay is an intentional ploy to distract from the PS3.

Its a fine looking game and its scope will most likely be beyond any Ps3 launch titles.

It's not going to stop even a single person who was seriously considering getting the PS3 from getting one. So what's the point? Nobody is taking the Gamecube seriously as a threat to the PlayStation brand anyway, so it's even doubly pointless. It's not even a Halo-level threat for them.

 

[DCharlie]

"because 1 MGS4 Trailer > a handful of early playable game demos "

Well there is absolutely no doubting the effect it has had, and i'm sure both Konami and Sony are pleased.

 

[Amir0x]

I'm with DCharlie here, I don't buy that excuse for one second.

 

[kaching]

What's not to buy? The Gundam game was in an early interactive state back at the July Playstation conference, Koei demo'd that new hover/flying racer in interactive form at TGS, MGS4 footage was manipulated in realtime and that TGS trailer of Warhawk certainly looked like it came from a playable build. I'm sure if Sony had decided to crack the whip (or greased the palms) they could have gotten a few PS3 projects to a playable state for the show.

 

[TheDuce22]

So has there been a single playable game yet?

 

[Amir0x]

What's not to buy? The Gundam game was in an early interactive state back at the July Playstation conference, Koei demo'd that new hover/flying racer in interactive form at TGS, MGS4 footage was manipulated in realtime and that TGS trailer of Warhawk certainly looked like it came from a playable build. I'm sure if Sony had decided to crack the whip (or greased the palms) they could have gotten a few PS3 projects to a playable state for the show.

I think whatever reason they didn't have playable games has very little to do with hype building, and very much to do with issues with presenting any decent playable presence. Builds with decent framerates, real time vs. cinematic, "controller prototype", etc...etc...

I guess you could just fit in a typical DualShock 2 if the controller wasn't finished, but just about the only excuse I can't believe is that they were holding out for hype.

 

[Robobandit]

Sony doesn't need the hype.. they have the most recognizable brand name in the industry at the moment, and far and away the largest userbase. I smell problems, not pleasant surprises.

 

[gamergirly]

Sony doesn't need the hype.. they have the most recognizable brand name in the industry at the moment, and far and away the largest userbase. I smell problems, not pleasant surprises.

True. The only force that will make them fail are themselves.

 

[----]

According to Phil Harrison in the TGS special on G4 they are planning to reveal a major surprise about the PS3 controller.

 

[Amir0x]

According to Phil Harrison in the TGS special on G4 they are planning to reveal a major surprise about the PS3 controller.

Can you get the exact quote without paraphrasing, because that seems fairly significant.

I'd LOL so hard if they did something like Nintendo did. Best thread ever.

 

[MarkMacD]

Also says that Sony could have had a playable presence at TGS, but they wanted to show trailers-only to the public first

:lol :lol :lol

Riiiiiiiiiiiight

 

[kaching]

I think whatever reason they didn't have playable games has very little to do with hype building, and very much to do with issues with presenting any decent playable presence. Builds with decent framerates, real time vs. cinematic, "controller prototype", etc...etc...

I guess you could just fit in a typical DualShock 2 if the controller wasn't finished, but just about the only excuse I can't believe is that they were holding out for hype.

In other words, if they wanted to continue to build hype it was easier to do so by showing games in video/nonplayable form than to push devs for very early playable builds that would have far less impact.

 

[Amir0x]

In other words, if they wanted to continue to build hype it was easier to do so by showing games in video/nonplayable form than to push devs for very early playable builds that would have far less impact.

Your interpretation seems to allow them far too many concessions for Sony. Games are always going to be a bit early when you reveal them. If you get things rolling, it's going to build hype. Even if the playable games weren't dazzling, MGS4 still had that impact as did some of the other videos that would inevitably have been there.

 

[DCharlie]

"if they wanted to continue to build hype it was easier to do so by showing games in video/nonplayable form than to push devs for very early playable builds that would have far less impact."

"What's not to buy? The Gundam game was in an early interactive state back at the July Playstation conference, Koei demo'd that new hover/flying racer in interactive form at TGS, MGS4 footage was manipulated in realtime and that TGS trailer of Warhawk certainly looked like it came from a playable build. I'm sure if Sony had decided to crack the whip (or greased the palms) they could have gotten a few PS3 projects to a playable state for the show."

.... but if these early builds are anything to go by then they had nothing to fear what so ever.

I think it boils down to the fact that they just aren't ready yet, i don't know why they have to try and spin every single bit of info. "we aren't ready yet, because we want to make sure the unveiling is mindblowing"... there? hows that?

 

[Rhindle]

I wouldn't expect Sony to show anything playable until maybe E3 '06.

The trailer parade is far more effective at building hype than any playable showing could ever be. They will certainly want to keep it going until past the X360 launch, and for as long thereafter as they can get away with it.

 

[Odysseus]

Probably the biggest new bit of info is that the previously scheduled February event is now off and SCE "has something else planned in place of this event -- something that will surprise gamers but is currently being kept a secret."

"We never intended to launch in the spring. SURPRISE!"

 

[kaching]

What do concessions have to do with the fact that I simply pointed out that the desire to build hype and the decision to not show playable game demos are not necessarily so disassociated from each other as you two are claiming? At the crux of this is whether or not you think they could have had playable demos ready. If you think that was absolutely out of the question then, yes, it would have been an excuse on Sony's part to claim it was merely to build excitement in a more focused fashion that they chose to forego playable demos. But, honestly, on what grounds could they not have possibly had playable demos ready? So, if you accept that they could have had playable demos at TGS, then it boils down to a question of why they didn't on the basis of balancing the level of effort required vs. the potential rewards to be reaped. I don't see how the management of hype/excitement levels could possibly be anything other than a significant factor in that decision-making process.

 

[DCharlie]

"At the crux of this is whether or not you think they could have had playable demos ready. If you think that was absolutely out of the question then, yes, it would have been an excuse on Sony's part to claim it was merely to build excitement in a more focused fashion that they chose to forego playable demos. "

i think it's like this - they were never thinking about playable demos at TGS, but for some reason one of their spokesman dropped it in with some justification as why they didn't do it.

 

[kaching]

But Kutaragi himself had talked about having playable demos at TGS and the "for some reason" why the rep explains why they didn't is because that rep was interviewed by Famitsu and asked exactly that question.

 

[teiresias]

Can you get the exact quote without paraphrasing, because that seems fairly significant.

I'd LOL so hard if they did something like Nintendo did. Best thread ever.

Well, quite frankly, there was really no need for Nintendo to develop the controller in the manner they did - meaning the form factor. There are perfectly functional ways to build that kind of functionality into the controller, and still allow for the same major kind of innovations, without alienating the controller from the rest of the "traditional" space (mainly talking about ports here).

The PS3 controller has a built in USB port which, assuming it is USB On-the-Go capable (OTG allows a peripheral to act as a limited USB host), could accomodate controller attachments liks the Revolution controller. The only difference is that the DS3 wouldn't be in the "remote control" form factor if the sensors are built into that part of the controller.

I would LOL rather heartily if that happened, but I wouldn't expect it, I'm sure Nintendo's got that controller wrapped in patents extremely tight - unless patents don't apply because they've licensed most of the tech.

 

[TTP]

lol, yeah. There was supposed to be a tilt sensor for the PSP to be sold alongside Mercury, but it never happened. Imagine if that's because Sony decided to produce one on his own (the Mercury one wasnt), perhaps more sophisticated, compatible with both the PSP and the PS3 controller (same USB mini socket they share).

A tilt sensor is planned for Mercury 2...

 

[teiresias]

Imagine if that's because Sony decided to produce one on his own (the Mercury one wasnt), perhaps more sophisticated, compatible with both the PSP and the PS3 controller (same USB mini socket they share).

I'd forgotten that the PSP had the same USB socket, interesting. Still not going to be expecting anything like that though. In any case, I wouldn't expect any "dongle" like attachments to that USB connector anyway because there really is no locking mechanism on that miniB connector to secure the dongle to the controller like I'm assuming there is on the connector for the dongle on the Rev. controller. I'd certainly hope Nintendo took that into account, at least a way to provide some resistance so that you couldn't just yank the thing out while playing, but not enough resistance that it couldn't come out at all and rip the actual cord.

 

[TTP]

In any case, I wouldn't expect any "dongle" like attachments to that USB connector anyway because there really is no locking mechanism on that miniB connector to secure the dongle to the controller conceptual model

Fixed

 

[Guy LeDouche]

Well, they still have yet to detail the controller, the online system, PSP/PS3 connectivity (they hinted at some cool stuff, but nothing concrete), and Eyetoy 2 (which looked crazy cool at E3), so there is plenty of room for some surprises.


sony optimist +1

 

[gofreak]

Apparently IGN's translation is a bit off.

According to one at B3D, the February event has not been cancelled or postponed. Saeki said that they'd be doing something interesting/surprising in the event (not instead of the event). That could really mean anything or nothing at all. But I guess the most obvious "surprise" would be the controller, it probably will be at least a bit different from what they've shown sofar.

Also, relating to the Koei story, if it wasn't cleared up before: apparently Koei's president was only referring to the cost of the console itself for the consumer when she made her comments, not development cost.

 

[Amir0x]

Well we're back to the interesting stage

 

[TTP]

:lol That italian promotional poster wasnt met with enthusiasm by the Pope here

 

[DCharlie]

does any one have the original article so we can find out for ourselves instead of pissing in the wind?

 

[ThirdEye]

Apparently IGN's translation is a bit off.

According to one at B3D, the February event has not been cancelled or postponed. Saeki said that they'd be doing something interesting/surprising in the event (not instead of the event). That could really mean anything or nothing at all. But I guess the most obvious "surprise" would be the controller, it probably will be at least a bit different from what they've shown sofar.

Also, relating to the Koei story, if it wasn't cleared up before: apparently Koei's president was only referring to the cost of the console itself for the consumer when she made her comments, not development cost.

:lol

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/654/654390p1.html

With the system having missed out on its playable debut at TGS, you might be wondering when gamers will get a chance for a first hands-on test. Originally, SCE was scheduled to hold a Japanese event in February that would give players a chance to play PS3 games. Earlier, we mistakenly reported that this event had been cancelled. However, Saeki actually reveals to the magazine that SCE will be taking a somewhat different approach in holding the event. It's something that will surprise gamers, but it's being kept a secret for now.

 

[mrklaw]

Dare they do an apple?

Have a press conference, show the final machine, then tell everyone it'll be in the shops the next day?