PlayStation 3 in Tokyo tomorrow, Sony confirms
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Mar 14th 2006 at 11:15AM }
Sony poked its head out
from behind the curtain long enough to confirm rumors
that new PlayStation 3 details will be announced tomorrow at a conference in Tokyo. Ken Kutaragi will address the
media, analysts, and publishing partners, in what looks to be Sony's last opportunity to discuss the PS3 before Phil Harrison's GDC
keynote. GameIndustry.biz speculates that the event will include information about the pricing, launch date and
initial software line-up. Plans to officially unveil screenshots for a PS3 version of Untold Legends have
already been revealed (note: the images were leaked last week).[Thanks, Lesley]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Powda_P @ Mar 14th 2006 11:23AM
Finally, some answers.
Optimus Mind @ Mar 14th 2006 11:24AM
*sigh*
The PS3 is turning into a giant joke. I can't believe anyone cares any more. Call me when they announce you can side-talk on it like the N-Gage.
Optimus Mind @ Mar 14th 2006 11:26AM
I like how it looks like Ken is giving all of the consumers the finger with the PS3.
PS3 - It's like a big F-U to everyone!
Optimus Mind @ Mar 14th 2006 11:28AM
Oh, and I found the Untold Legend screen shots, if you wanna see the AWESOME POWER OF THE PS3!
Clicky click!
http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showpost.php?p=220675&postcount=60
Boy oh boy. If that isn't the biggest letdown...
Antec @ Mar 14th 2006 11:30AM
spring's almost here, its about time for some information.
Antec @ Mar 14th 2006 11:33AM
to #4, its untold legends, how much better can the graphics get? and its funny that you dont even consider that this is a first generation PS3 game. remember Sky Oddessy for the ps2? it look like a psone game compared to the ps2 games out now. the more time the developers have with the system the better the graphics will be. sheesh.
PsyClerk @ Mar 14th 2006 11:34AM
First we get a port of the PSP's GTA coming to the PS2. Now we have another PSP game getting ported to the PS3. Did Sony hire a bunch of Nintendo guys or what? Should I look forward to Crash Bandicoot and Kileak rehashes at the PS3 launch?
Willie @ Mar 14th 2006 11:37AM
About time!
Fenris @ Mar 14th 2006 11:37AM
I am disappointed that Ken will be saying anything. Having that goof talk will cause more internet flaming. The whole problem is that we will probably see concept gameplay being touted as real, again. That kind of garbage creates so many problems on all sides of the console debates. I still doubt that a release date will be given with specific markets being listed. Keeping it vague will keep the internet alive with strife and debate, creating even more hype.
nizzy1115 @ Mar 14th 2006 11:39AM
....cool....
who cares about the ps3 anymore. Ge an xbox 360 now and be a happy camper.
Jeremy Wright @ Mar 14th 2006 11:39AM
Cool :)
D @ Mar 14th 2006 11:46AM
Why all the hate with the PS3? It will probable have a larger selection of games than the 360, and it will have all the Japanese games. If it has decent online play as well, why is it so inferior to the 360?
Chineyz @ Mar 14th 2006 11:49AM
You have got to be kidding with those untold legends pix.Those look like xbox screen shots if those are real.Ill be laughing my a@* off all the way to the sony chapter 11 filing.
dvddesign @ Mar 14th 2006 11:54AM
Like I'm going to trust 640X480 screen shots of a game in development of a game I have no interest playing to completely determine my purchase of a PS3.
2 things going against any people wanting to knock the PS3.
1. Lots of people like me are buying it as a subsidized BluRay player. The fact that it plays games as well is a bonus, and it's Sony's loss leader, not mine.
2. This console will be released to more than one country, and as such, will be recieved differently in different places. I think the Japanese will take to this quite well, and as a result we'll see this console succeed, whether you like it or not. Especially since Nintendo has taken their 2nd place stance.
Chris @ Mar 14th 2006 11:59AM
Save yourselves. Go get a 360 and buy GRAW. You will not be disappointed.
BlueAlloy @ Mar 14th 2006 12:03PM
"Boy oh boy. If that isn't the biggest letdown..."
Looks fine to me and on par with what Kameo looks like. I see Parallax Mapping, soft shadows, and high res models.
Just because you have great hardware doesn't mean that all titles are going to look like MGS4 or Gears of War.
This is what bugs me most about so called "next-gen" systems. All you are really getting is the equivalent of a high end PC set-up. This isn't a bad thing, it's a great thing, but all development teams are different and can have drastically different budgets. You better believe that Microsoft and Sony's flagship titles are going to have millions upon millions of dollars thrown at them to show off the amazing power, but don't expect that to be the norm. Look at PC games for an example, sure there are amazing games that push the limit and make you want to buy a new graphics card, but the majority of them don't look that amazing. It is true that developers scales things down in the PC world to make games playable for a wider audience, but the size of the budget really determines how polished a game can look more then we think.
I am a graphics-whore at heart, but just because all next-gen games don't look like Doc. Brown brought them back from the future doesn't mean they won't be fun.
Oh, one other rant. Most of the time, the next-gen things that we see aren't coming out for a few years. I've found in my experience that the graphics we see in these games are usually pretty standard when the games finally arrives, so just take the screen shots as a little glimpse into what will be coming out in 1-2 years.
Just because I know I'm going to be called a Sonyfanboy, I only own an Xbox and Xbox360. I say bring on the competition. I really hope both companies have to fight hard for dominance as that will bring more benefits to me the consumer. Who knows, maybe Sony will do what Microsoft did to Internet Browsers and offer a free solution that is just as good as Live. That way I wouldn't have to pay for it anymore!
Jo @ Mar 14th 2006 12:05PM
Please, please don't let the PS3 be as much of a disappointment as the 360.
Please.
akira @ Mar 14th 2006 12:13PM
He's gonna announce that their is no ps3 and then he's gonna put down that foreman grill he's holding up and pull out a freshly made panini. Mmmmmm. Panini
darryl @ Mar 14th 2006 12:13PM
Can't wait... about 13 hours to go.
akira @ Mar 14th 2006 12:23PM
I have the feeling that the ps3 won't live up to the hype. Why? The ps2 did not live up to the hype either. Remember how they used to show us those in game movies and say that they were actual in game footage. Technically yes, but actually unplayable. That's the feeling I get form ps3; I feel that it is being hyped by the huge hype machine of sony, and once you get it in your house, it's just no going to live up to expectations. No doubt it will be a kick ass machine, but it just won't be as good as they say it will. Plus, in the end, it could be as powerful as a million supercomputers, but if the games don't take advantage of that power, it's really just a waste.
bv @ Mar 14th 2006 12:30PM
Man there are alot of xbox fanboys that love to talk !@#$ about the PS3 when these kind of articles show up. It's ok, i do the same thing when joystiq mentions the xbox 1.5.
All seriousness aside, this announcement is going to be great no matter what. It's like finally hearing from your girlfriend if shes going to dump you or not...In the end, you can start going about your normal life without that crap in the back of your mind.
Oh and Sony's stock has been rising all morning, 2.39% so far. Should be good :).
VIVA the panini press 3!
Optimus Mind @ Mar 14th 2006 12:32PM
Those Untold Legend screen shots look nothing like Kameo. They are sparce and objects aren't even casting shadows.
They are weak beyond compare.
PS3 isn't going to match Xbox 360 on anything but hype. Online is going to suck. Controller is going to suck. Interface is going to suck. Freidns management is going to suck. Load times are going to suck. Build quality is going to suck.
PS3 is a huge dissapointment already.
If I have learned anything from Sony recently, I learned form the PSP. Sony isn't interested in making a good video game system, they are more interested in selling you your movies all over again, for more monry this time.
Austin @ Mar 14th 2006 12:32PM
I'm still throwing the bullshit flag early on this one. I'm betting we get a confirmation on some of the same game developers and a bunch of innuendo. It's marketing they'll just let us keep asking questions that way they dont have to pay for advertising this early.
SilverSurfer @ Mar 14th 2006 12:34PM
I just have an urge to slap that grin off of Kutaragis face. Its just begging to be slapped.
Jeremy Wright @ Mar 14th 2006 12:37PM
bv: there are very few fanboys in here... Well, to be fair, I'm one and I see another one, but both of our comments were "cool", which it is. Personally I can't wait to see the real PS3 because competition is good for all consumers :)
Fan @ Mar 14th 2006 12:43PM
Yes finally.. some info.
And #11 the hating is coming from xbox fans who are scared that the PS3 will be better than the 360 thus making them look stupid for buying an inferior product.
Personally i could care less what xbox nerds think, i want the most for my money and the PS3 will deliver it.
Lets look at speculated features:
(that will most likely be in)
HD player - blu-ray
DVR functionality
TV tuner(allowing for lots of tv channels on screen at one time, btf2 anyone)
1080p support
Online service - It will maybe be called PS HUB
Connect store(directly dl movies, games, old games, music, music vids and so on)
Tons of games(over 100 in production and the entire backcatalouge of ps2 and ps1)
DIVX streaming(yes it will be in, just like Sony produces DIVX dvd players)
VOIP - Like Skype
videoVOIP - Like skype with webcam
Linux OS - Making it easy for the soft mods.
Memory Card, SD card and some other format readers.
Bluetooth connection - allowing for all of your bluetooth hardware to connect, like your headset, mic, keyboard, mouse and all that. NOTE: keyboard and mouse support..
Fan @ Mar 14th 2006 12:46PM
My post got cut in half =/
-----------------------------------
A webbrowser - wow ms who would have thought..
A decent sized HDD 80-120 gb presumably for 100$
Hell yes... 360 eat your heart out plz. please go play in traffic MS you could never make decent hardware noobs.
Oh and before you nit pick on my grammar again(....) its my second language and someone took away the spellcheck button, yes im looking at you joystiq
Eric @ Mar 14th 2006 12:54PM
I still don't see much being revealed here. I see a lot of excited PS3 fanboys and gamers alike right now, but I expect a lot of tucked tails and disappointment when Ken shuts his face at the end of tomorrow.
Sony has a lot of bad press they need to address---biggest of all the huge lawsuit they just lost that will either have them stop selling their flagship PS2, the coveted DualShock, and a handfull of killer aps OR pay out the nose to keep selling them.
Also the finalized hardware issues....The keeping of fans and developers in the dark...the list goes on by far, but I'm at work-- those that have been paying attention lately know what I'm talking about and what I haven't touched on.
I'm excited about the PS3 and the competition it will bring to the gaming market...but don't get too excited about tomorrow or GDC. And don't get TOO excited about the PS3 either...it will not be god in a box people.
gmrc @ Mar 14th 2006 12:56PM
Wow Fan ... that's A LOT of assumptions you're making there.
VideoVOIP? The Connect Store? Linux OS? TV Tuner?! Huh?
Good luck with that .... we'll see what's in the final hardware soon enough I guess.
But man .. seriously .. chill out on the assumptions. You're only going to let yourself down in the end.
Jo @ Mar 14th 2006 1:01PM
Yes, I think it's obvious that 360 fans are feeling a little defensive at the moment.
Once again PS2 outsold 360 in USA this past month:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6145806.html
"According to industry sources, more than 160,000 Xbox 360s were sold in February. That compares to more than 300,000 PlayStation 2's, more than 170,000 PlayStation Portables, and over 150,000 Nintendo DS units sold during the month of February."
So.. console just launched and it's being outsold 2:1 by 5-year old PS2. Oh, what's that? Not enough stock? Interesting because my local Zellers (like a Walmart) and EBGames have had them for many weeks.
And in Japan the story is even worse. (See http://www.next-gen.biz/ weekly for sales). Basically 360 is being outsold 20:1 by PS2 and PSP. I'm not kidding.
And 360 fans can't even look to Europe for good news. (Links to follow!)
lunatech @ Mar 14th 2006 1:05PM
@ #16 Paninis are little bundles of joy!
Yeti @ Mar 14th 2006 1:05PM
I'll eat my shorts if they announce the price and launch date tomorrow. More likely we'll just get screenshots and game announcements.
embassy @ Mar 14th 2006 1:09PM
LMAO @ " fan" ...
and all that stuff u mentioned is definately in the console cuz...u played with it...no..??..ok...well u read a in-depth review of someone who has played and tested it..no..??..hmm well...u saw a tech demo of the system utilizing these functions...no again..??...so u just heard sony say it will have all this stuff in a press release...hmmm...just wat i thought...
and no im not a " sony hater" or " xbox fanboy"
its called common sense...
Darth Pixel @ Mar 14th 2006 1:10PM
Operation Dark Cloud is about to start.
When E3 starts, PlayStation 3 and Revolution will be 99.99% of the buzz. Xbox 360 is last year's toy, a thing of the past.
don_sf @ Mar 14th 2006 1:10PM
however good it is, its still gonna win this so called 'war'. ps2 mopped the floor with its competition because people want playstation.
xbox house, i mean one, was a better machine than ps2 with better graphics and online, but you cant change the trend.
its like the ipod man, its hot so is ps. n ders nutn u xbox fans can do about it ha ha ha
alex @ Mar 14th 2006 1:32PM
come on guys let just til tomorrow we'll see what's up with the ps3 I know people like sony just for the heck, but if u are in to the good stuff you'll know where to go.........and I am not a fanboy I am getting the ps 3 and thr revolution cuz i am not gonna be abile to play all the good games on one single sistem
J B Cougar @ Mar 14th 2006 1:32PM
When they figure out a way to allow me to play a game using a series of screenshots, then I'll care about them.
don_sf, I'm having a hard time understanding your sense of humor. Mabe provide an answer key or something next time.
James Spiers @ Mar 14th 2006 1:34PM
Sorry to say it, but it is all over the news wires that the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun is reporting in tomorrow morning's paper that Sony will delay the PS3 launch until November due to issues with Blu-Ray copy protection. Presume this means a Nov launch in Japan, which calls into question the scale, or even possibility of a US launch before Xmas '06. I guess we'll know tomorrow.
Heatsink @ Mar 14th 2006 1:34PM
Wait a minute...it's 3:35 am March 15th in Japan Now...Doesn't that mean that the show is in 2 1/2 hours?!
The Mole @ Mar 14th 2006 1:35PM
I'm sure the PS3 is going to be a smash hit, but the 360 is going to be a great system for Microsoft for one reason and one reason only: white plastic. That's right, the secret sauce that Apple has made a killing on. It's shiny, smooth, and very sexy. Sure, the PS3 is going to have shiny white plastic too, but it's going to be uglified by the Spiderman font. Also, aren't set-top boxes supposed to be stackable? The 360 isn't very stackable, but it could work. The PS3 forces itself to be at the top of the pile. I think the Gamecube Nano errr Revolution probably has it the closest to right as far as asthetics go, except for the wierd placement of the controller ports(On the side). Let's home all the revolution controllers are wireless. Otherwise, it will lose in asthetics just like the purple cube did. In conclusion, sexy white plastic and wireless will determine the victor in the console war.
Kye @ Mar 14th 2006 1:35PM
lmao @ fan
Thats ryt, just keeping building your hopes up.
This is gona be like watching an accident involving someone you don't like.
*theres a ghostly whisper in the background -emotionengine- *
360 sales have indeed sucked, but I don't think PS3 is gona shatter recoreds either.
But at the end of the day, your all going to buy the system you prefer and play it forever and ever amen. So why rant?
Belzhadar @ Mar 14th 2006 1:36PM
In true power I think the PS3 and 360 will have a eaven match. Maby a little plus for the PS3 because of the superiour storage formate. The choice is more what kind of games you like. If you like PC style games you will want to buy a 360. If you on the other hand, like me, are more into the jap style of consol gaming, such as "Survival horror" and "jap RPGs", the consol of choice has to be the PS3.
I will buy a PS3 as soon as it is avalible and if the 360 would turn out to be 1.3% faster or somthing, I WILL NOT CARE, because there will never be any games I like realeased for the 360, the 360 is and will always be a total flopp in japan, and therefore the jap gamestudios won't care about it.
don_sf @ Mar 14th 2006 1:41PM
in reply in 2 u wantin a reply
wot i ment was ps3 will win dis 'war' jus like it won wid ps2. n xbox fans r like 'aaaaaaah wers ps3? and 'ooooh we gonna wip sony ass'
its like dey get a buzz out of takin the mik outa sony, but the xbox can take the mik outa it self without n e 1.
shadekh @ Mar 14th 2006 1:44PM
All i care about are the games. Rpg's and such hardlly exist on the xbox, and tonnes of games i like will never have their sequel on the 360. i could care less about blu-ray or hd-dvd or spout about graphics and power. the ps3 and the xbox would have roughly similar capabilities which will be leveraged by the game designers, a copule of screenshots dont prove anything. I could play "dave" in my top end comp...that dosent mean that is all its capable of.
There is a large contingent of gamers which the 360 simply ignores. There are plenty of games which would never make it to the 360, games which will be damn good. if you are satisfied with the 360, well and good, no need to mouth off everywhere with comparisons between the two. Many games will be similar, and both have exclusives, it all depends on what you favor.
i am glad that we may get some news tomm.
joystiqgavemeanegativestarlolz @ Mar 14th 2006 1:44PM
Please Panini machine Foreman Grill 3, don't let me down like the Oven 1.5 did!!
Why are there so many 360 fanboys in here anyway? Embassy, you are an Xbox fan, just look at all your joystiq posts.
Oh, and you're still getting more for your money if you buy a PS3. It's going to launch with 10,000 titles or something sick like that, Xbox 360 launched only with 250 titles, and most of them suck.
"Why wait for a PS3 when you can play 360 now? Buy GRAW, it is good"
LOL. Why rush for a rushed expensive with nothing new on it system when you can rather rush for some good games on PS2, Gamecube, or even Xbox 1? Oh wait, I won't be able to play them on a 360? Crap!
saboola @ Mar 14th 2006 1:50PM
"its like dey get a buzz out of takin the mik outa sony"
Whaaaa?
JusJus @ Mar 14th 2006 1:52PM
PS3 is delayed until Spring '07 in the US. You read it here first folks.
Grindstone @ Mar 14th 2006 1:58PM
I own an Xbox 360, and I hate to break it to the Sony fanboys, but I am not "scared" of anything. I've already bought the system that will offer the games I am interested in. Remember, at the end of the day, it is still about the games. All those extra (perhaps frivilous) functions raise the overall price for the PS3.
A couple of things I did note: 'fan' is delusional with nothing to back up his claims save for the spoon-fed Sony crap that we've all had to swallow the last 10 months without a secondary source of information. And don_sf is nearly illiterate. Does the "_sf" stand for 'stupid fanboy'? I could make a good case proving it considering other posts he's made.
rmcrys @ Mar 14th 2006 1:58PM
PS3, X360... wars...
Facts, facts, facts:
- X360 is here for 3-4 months now and games/firmware/hardware have that time in work being tunned to its maximum performance.
- X360 and PS3 are equivalent in power, the first on 3D the second and CPU power. Developers will mark the difference no matter you say.
- PS3 wont be released now, unless Sony pull a rabbit and left Blu-Ray (even with later release, due to cost I have serious doubts itll have blu-ray). That just means: more time to tune X360 in all aspects.
- When PS3 comes to life, X360 can "give" X360 at lower price and with games offer. Lower price, more games (at least for now).
Final Fact: PS3 have the PS2/PS advantage and Japanese games/fans but will that be enough to take THE advantage? PS3 wont be much diferent (what can have more? I only see Blu-Ray...) from X360 and will be released half year later with (whatever Sony says) few units and same amount of problems at first (whatever you say about that ;))
PS: I own a XBOX because I like the Media Center abilities. Im not a fan from XBOX or PS, I only see the facts.
Spartacus @ Mar 14th 2006 2:01PM
Well, it's about time. I look forward to whatever Sony has to say, which I'd bet my left testicle that it won't be much. At any rate, a few morsels of "fact" is infinitely better than all the rumors and speculation. While I think the PS3 will be a solid offering, contrary to some Sony fans' belief, it won't have every option under the sun. If it did, it would be extraordinarily expensive. If you take a look at Sony's pricing accross all of its electronics categories, you'd find that it is usually a good deal more expensive than its competition, so maybe the PS3 will be overpriced (compared to its competition) regardless...
I have nothing against Sony. I chose Xbox because I was a PC gamer and liked superior hardware. After playing Xbox for a while, I tried the PS2 and simply hated the dualshock. PS2 also seemed to have a plethora of titles but very few really worth buying. The ones that WERE quality titles didn't really appeal to me (MGS, Final Fantasy, GTA etc.). However Xbox had a good selection (though fewer overall titles) of games that interested me. But to tell you the truth, it wasn't until the 360 hit that I really got excited about consoles again (since my SNES/N64 days). I bought the 360 because I'm too impatient to wait for another next gen box and because I had a great experience with the Xbox. I probably won't be purchasing a PS3 for the same reasons I didn't get a PS2 (controller and games) even though it *MAY* be slightly superior in hardware. I have come to distrust just about everything that Sony says and have found their products (electronics in general) to be of lesser quality than their competitors. I also don't care for their attitude and add campaigns. And while I have no dilusions about Microsoft, they DO listen to the consumer about their game products.
Really, probably the single most annoying thing about Sony/PS2 that drove me away was their fans. PS fans are generally your average joe consumer who knows very little about hardware or software, he just knows a brand name. Xbox followers on the other hand tended to be the more hardcore audience (like myself) who knew PC gaming and specs. However the PS2 fans would always claim that the PS2 was sooooo much better than the Xbox (and there are a lot of PS2 fans). I quickly grew tired of the ignorance. The ONE saving grace that PS2 had over Xbox was the game library. YES, it was bigger, but oddly enough the attatch rates were lower for the PS2 than the Xbox. So I guess PS2 fans just like to rent games, not buy them. Either that or there simply weren't very many compelling titles on the platform to justify a $50 price tag. At any rate, I find it hilarious and ironic that the same Sony fans that argued the specs don't matter have done a 180 and now flaunt the PS3 as the second coming of Christ in hardware capabilities. Not only that, but they make their claims without ever laying eyes on a final model or spec sheet. They flagrantly bash a solid EXISTING platform from Microsoft and put blind faith in a company known for hype and unfulfilled promises. I find this amusing. I can't wait for the PS3 to come out. I could care less WHEN that happens, but I DO want it to come out just so people would shut up about specs and be able to compare games. Realistically, Sony can't deliver on every rumor that has emerged about the PS3. If they could, they'd have to price it over $1000 just to keep their heads above the water. I'm very curious to see what features ARE included with the grey box, but I'm very skeptical. Hopefully tomorrow makes me a little less skeptical and not a little more...