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E3 2006: Sony's Press Conference, PlayStation 3 Pricing and Date

Written by Matt Paprocki
Published May 09, 2006
Part of E3 2006
page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

They begin play on a second track and point out that loading times are non-existent. From the menu to game takes about three seconds. They begin a brief comparison between the previous games in the series for the audience. They continue onto a third track with an incredible gallery of fans who move away from swerving cars. The game is set for a release date "not too far from the release of PS3."

Harrison comes back on stage with praises for the Turismo team, especially in the short amount of time they had to work on the demo. Richard Marx, the EyeToy creator, is next. He shows off an Eye of Judgment demo. This new card based game used the Eye Toy to recognize cards placed on a surface. The camera reacts perfectly to his movement, and all actions are controlled in this manner. Harrison walks over to put down a rubber duck card that demolishes the others.

Kaz Hirai comes back onto the stage. His focus now leans to Sony's online strategy for the PS3, which will become standard. "Online to the PS3 is essential." Friends list, account management, rankings, video chat, and text messaging will be part of their basic service. Most importantly, all of this will be free.

He discusses offering a variety of content to the PS3 and PSP through e-distribution. He pulls out a PSP with a PS1 title running, Ridge Racer. It run smoothly even with a screen stretch to fit the widescreen format. Pre-paid cards will be sold at retailers to purchase classic PlayStation games, credit cards can also be used.

Phil Harrision comes back up. He shows off the PS3 online interface including a shop to purchase various items, game related or not. These features can be built into games, and he shows this off using SingStar, a popular European karaoke game. A demonstrator browses a list of songs to buy and play in the Sing Store, though no price is announced. Spending limits will be part of the parental controls. He demonstrates SingStar's ability to develop a person's profile, see what friends are online, and talks about the ability to record and upload performances with the camera.

Genji 2, sequel to a PS2 game, is played. Hundreds of enemies on screen and sea battles are talked about. A unnamed Formula 1 game makes an appearance, running with a PSP in sync. The handheld is used to display a rearview mirror to the on-screen action.

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Matt Paprocki is the former reviews editor for Digital Press, a video game website with an appreciation for the retro side of the industry. The deep game collection which spans nearly 30 systems and 2,000 games line his walls for research purposes. Matt strives to bring credibility to video game journalism, and take it in a new direction to aid the industry in becoming respected with all forms entertainment media. He currently freelances for GameArgus.com and MultiPlayerGames.com.
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E3 2006: Sony's Press Conference, PlayStation 3 Pricing and Date
Published: May 09, 2006
Type: News
Section: Gaming
Filed Under: Gaming: News
Part of a feature: E3 2006
Writer: Matt Paprocki
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#1 — May 9, 2006 @ 00:35AM — Ken Edwards [URL]

That "fantastic innovation" quote is priceless. Can you say "Wii-mote?"

The $500 model isn't even worth buying, "the $499 model does not include wi-fi, memory stick support, or HDMI output."

That makes that $400 Xbox 360 purchase in November look pretty good, an entire $200 less that a properly equipped PS3.

And Nintendo is going to be sitting pretty with a $250 price tag for the Wii. I am sure we will get that confirmation tomorrow afternoon.

I was underwhelmed by the games, shocked by the blatant rip off, and quite frankly Sony did a better job at building PS3 hype at the 2005 E3.

#2 — May 9, 2006 @ 01:15AM — Senor Hurt

Hate to sound Cliche: Been there done that!
Wii looks awesome. Nintendo brings innovation. Microsoft brings Xbox live 2.0. What does Sony bring to gamers? Blueray...HUH? And I used to love Sony as a brand for gamers because they brought entertainment to gaming. Now they're doing what I was afraid they would do. Instead of bringing value to gamers they're trying to fool gamers into buying some of their product (blueray) that gamers don't need or want. What does PS3 bring to us gamers that the others aren't? Seriously, I'm asking I'm desperate for Sony's answer. They didn't give it to my today.

#3 — May 9, 2006 @ 08:34AM — Armin Siljkovic [URL]

I think Nintendo will price the Wii at $250 or less. It might not become the first choice of hard core gamers, but it will definetly be the 2nd console in my living room.

Also, $250 will appeal a lot more to parrents buyng a console for their kids and non-gamers in general.

#4 — May 9, 2006 @ 11:51AM — Dynamo of Eternia

PS3 is just seeming very unimpressive.

They are copying Microsoft's idea of releasing 2 versions of the system, which I didn't think was a great idea to start with. But, at least with Xbox 360, even if you buy the less expensive, bare-bones unit, you can still buy the hard drive and other options at your leasure, and eventually build up to everything that you would have gotten in the more expensive unit.

However, with PS3, you don't have that option. If you get the cheaper system with the reduced features, you're stuck. You can't upgrade it or add things on to eventually have what you would get with the more expensive system. I think this is going to upset a lot of people. You know that when this launches, everyone will want it, the more expensive units will be the ones to go first, and people will be mad that they have to choose between the cheaper unit with less features or nothing.

Then there is the controller, which now has the same essential feature as that of Nintendo. Can we say rip off? Now, I know it is common practice for one company to use a good idea that another one came up with. But usually there is a period of time between the two. In this case, they come out and say the controller has this motion feature, acting like its something completely new, original, and innovative, and trying not to bring up the issue that its essentially the same thing that Nintendo announced quite a while ago.
Even if Sony had been planning this for some time and didn't actually copy Nintendo's idea (Which I highly doubt), it really doesn't look good on their part to only just now announce it and try to make it seem like its original, after another company has been saying for some time that they are doing this.

At any rate, I have Xbox 360 now, I plan to get Wii. I doubt I will get PS3 at launch. I may get it eventually if the price goes down. The one thing that I may consider doing is buying a PS3, selling it on ebay while they are in high demand, doubling my money, then putting the profit cash I get off of it aside to eventually get a PS3 of my own when they are readily available. It all depends though. I really don't want to support Sony because they burned me and many others too many times.

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