new*allusion

The video is real.

A few words on the PS3 Linux- the point of the PS3's Linux ability is to let advanced users mess around and hopefully create games in the future that Sony can distribute online. An idea which Microsoft are also using in their XNA Game Studio express software product.

It is also based on the PS2 Linux idea; in other words, this is nothing new.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ps2_linux
Whilst Sony won't be too pleased that people are using the PS3 to emulate things, they also won't be too alarmed. The Linux kit only has limited access to the RSX, so the rendering of 3D games isn't really achievable, so don't expect to see working downloadable Resistance ROMs anytime soon, or Gran Turismo ROMs. If you want new games with High Def 3D graphics for your PS3 you're still going to need to buy them.

My hope is that eventually this kind of Linux fiddling will allow PS3 users to create a full on home entertainment set-up with an improved media player and wider format support as well as leading to more user created content.

Sony execs didn't get PSPs for free either- they had to import them in Europe, infamously from Lik Sang. It'll be much the same with PS3.

The journos only have test/debug kits so far.

Oh dear... Look how Sony's wild statements have completely cast shadows over what will probably be a very good game (or an excellent launch title).

These are, afterall, the guys who delivered so well with Ratchet and Clank. I'm sure when the final version is playable it'll have plenty of tricks up its sleve.

I think the 22GB is uncompressed and pure PR speak, but the rest of the game sounds like its spot-on target.

Who'd have thought that the PS3 would be launching with so many FPSs though? I can only think of one PS2 launch FPS- TimeSplitters, the PS3 will have Resistance, F.E.A.R., Call of Duty 3, (sections of) Warhawk and Rainbow Six: Vegas. Not to mention Unreal Tournament 2007, Half-life 2 (and episodes), Battlefield: Bad Company and Brothers in Arms following soon afterwards. Doesn't say much for the industry as a whole does it?

I love the way these are now "dashboards" rather than "menus"...

Anyway, I think it looks quite good, it's quite obvious what everything does and navigation is so simple I reckon anybody could work it out. Clearly, as this is a developers system, and we've seen more finalised versions in E3 videos, there is more to come then is on here. The background can be user controlled if the PSP is anything to go by, in this case however its simply a transparent overlay on top of the "in development" multiplayer menu for Full Auto 2- if you look carfully you can see options for AI levels and opposition car numbers. Good to see you access the friends list (although they don't here) whilst in a game too.

To the "Sony stole it!" brigade - from who? Themselves? The PSP has exactly the same system as this and came out before the 360 was revealed. Just replace the "PlayStation logo" button with a "Home" button and then they'd be exactly the same. The only other difference is the friends list and user options both of which you pretty much need today in a home console.

Loving the way the controller uses a piece of widely available, cheap and simple tech (a mini-USB cable) for charging too. Play and Charge kits? Microsoft- you just got greedy there. Still I wish Sony had changed their pad a bit more then they have, good to know it finally has triggers though.

One of my major concerns is that on the PSP menu you have to stay on the Music section to listen to a song, hopefully they'll allow you to navigate away from that as you can on the 360. That's a great feature- loved having my own soundtrack to a game!

Firstly- PS2 Linux- If it was a solution for a European problem why bother to release it in the US and Japan?
Secondly- The loophole in the taxes has now been closed (neither "computers" nor "games consoles" attract import duty in Europe), and has been since 2004- so Sony clearly have some deeper plans for PS3 Linux other than cost-cutting.
Thirdly- Its ties in very closely with what Sony have said about their E-Distribution Initiative, and as a result will probably work with that. It is likely that whilst privately created titles can be shared amongst select users, impressive titles can be submitted to Sony through this system for further development and large scale exposure (if they are deemed suitable).

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9290
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9931

Sony's "response" has already been announced, months ago, you just need to look closely to see it- Linux in the PS3. Still it's good to see Microsoft implementing it. User created content is a great forwards step.

If Sony had bothered to explain it properly you'd all be aware that part of the reason PS3 has Linux built in is to drive user created content, the same way as Sony's own PS2 Linux kit worked. Except this time its as standard on every machine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ps2_linux

To be fair it seems like a wise decision.

*The PS3 is expensive to develop for.
*Most of SNK's games have low technical requirements and wouldn't use the extra power.
*The PS3 is backwards compatible so SNK can keep developing PS2 games and not exclude users.

As a news item though this hardly helps Sony, but you can't read too much into it. Historically SNK didn't start developing for the PS2 until a bit into its lifespan.

The 1up podcast from a few months back said that it was likely both the 360 and PS3 would have exclusive content in some form or another (whilst simultaneously debunking Peter Moore's "xbox360 users will get episodic content" comment- Rockstar had not decided at that time what they were going to do and told this to the 1up journalist who asked them right after in no uncertain terms).

In all likelihood the PS3 version will probably exploit Blu-ray or the controller in some form, whilst the 360 version will exploit Live usage.

"well those were positive questions"

As a plucky Brit myself, if I heard that uttered after an interview that I had given I'd have one thing in mind.

"I asked the wrong questions."

He's come to talk about the games and the machine, but everywhere he goes he gets the same thing:
"The other day I read on (insert any gaming website here) that Sony is (Overcharging for the PS3/crippling Blu-ray playback on the core model/offering only wired controllers for the core model/making games register to only one system/unable to produce enough units to meet its targets/copying other nintendo innovations/completely cloning xbox live/saying "Microsoft copies us"/acting arrogantly/eat babies). Do you not think that is the wrong strategy?"

I think like most of the rest of us Phil is bored out of his brains by having to issue continual denials and re-iterating things he has already said in response to the internet fuelled rumour mill. Why don't you ask "What can you tell us about the RSX, you're keeping details quiet from us!" or a question about the possibilty of Wipeout PS3, or whether there are any more interesting PSP/PS3 link-ups planned, or how the Eyetoy games are progressing, or if you have any more uses for the tilt controller yet.

Asking the head of a development studio group questions about how a company plays itself to the media though is like going to Disneyland and asking Mickey Mouse what his salary is. Whilst interesting (for about 5 seconds), nobody really cares. You want to go on the rides.

Phil's right though everyone seems to delve into what game executives say and search for deeper meaning before drawing out often bizarre conclusions in search on the next scoop. This isn't high-school English, this is videogaming and its meant to be about games. Leave the business stuff to business 2.0 and the PR stuff to PR week. They'll lambast Sony so we don't have to!

IGN has a list of 19 titles due on launch day (on their release date section):
Warhawk
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Tekken 6
FIFA 07
Madden 07
NBA: Live 07
Tiger Woods 07
Fight Night: Round 3
Fatal Inertia
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War
Sonic The Hedgehog
Full Auto 2
Tony Hawk's Project 8
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Alone in the Dark
Call of Duty 3
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
NHL 2K
John Woo's Stranglehold

I guess that some of those won't make Europe in time for launch, and some will just be delayed anyway. Not a particularly good lineup, better than the PS2's in 2000, but probably worse than the xbox360's last year, and nowhere near the Wii's this year (Zelda at launch? Hells yeah!).

There's also the question that probably shouldn't be asked, but I'll ask anyway...

"Where is Untold Legends in that list?"