Sony PSP
E3 2007: Sony shows original thought with echochrome
A lot of people have asked me, "what was the best thing you saw at E3?" That's a hard question because every game is aimed at a different market, and will appeal to different people. One game that is going to appeal heavily to the geometric puzzle market is echochrome, a new game in development by Sony Studios. With the simplest graphics of any game seen at the show, it had one of the most unique ideas I've seen in gaming in a while.
The concept behind the game is a cross between Lemmings and M.C. Escher. A single modeling figurine walks the map, falling off ledges, into holes, and flying off launch pads. That is, until you rotate the level and change your perspective. That gap in the walkway? If you rotate the level it's hidden behind a vertical pillar. And when the character walks, he no longer falls in the gap. Ben Kenobi might say "there is no gap... from a certain point of view." And if you change your view again, the walkway will go to another part of the level, instead of off into nothingness.
Echochrome was definitely the most unique title I saw Sony present, and if they can get it done before the attack of the clones appear, they may have a hit on their hand.
For more pictures of echochrome, visit our Sony Keynote Press Conference Gallery
E3 2007: The sleeping giant appears to be waking up as Sony begins to kick things up a notch
Everyone knew what Microsoft and Nintendo's plans for the future were before the beginning of E3 this year. Microsoft had their Halo 3, while Nintendo was selling out their hardware worldwide on the broad based appeal of their system. Sony's future, however, wasn't so clear. A price cut within less than one year of the console's release, the loss of several key PlayStation 2 franchise exclusives to the Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation brand last year saw a big hit that caused "massive damage," leading to the ultimate departure of the father of the brand, Ken Kuratagi. Nevertheless, Sony pressed on and presented as much positive news they could muster.
New Slimmer PSP
First off Sony announced an updated design to the PlayStation Portable syem. The new system will be 19% thinner, 33% lighter, a faster UMD drive and feature better power consumption resulting in longer battery life. It can also output a high quality video signal via a component connection directly to TVs, bringing a much needed feature for the success of the UMD movie format, which unfortunately has been all but abandoned. The new PSPs will be released in September and also come in two new colors which are also part of two new entertainment packs. First is the Ice Silver, part of the $199.99 Entertainment Pack that comes with a 1GB Memory Stick, Daxter, and the Family Guy Frickin' Sweet Collection on UMD. The other color is a white Star Wars-themed PSP that will retail in October for $199.99, packed with Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron.
PlayStation 3 Platform Drivers
While many of the first-gen next-generation titles will be multi-platform due to development costs, Sony has a very healthy lineup to counteract the same releases on Xbox 360. Sony highlighted the following third-party games in a video montage: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Resident Evil 5, Burnout Paradise, Madden NFL 08, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Simpsons Game, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Medal of Honor: Airborne and Rock Band.
First-party Titles
Sony has quite the development deck when it comes to first party games. Looking to expand their IP catalog, Sony announced several new franchises. But first off was Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction from Insomniac Games. Next was an seasonable update of Sony's NBA franchise NBA 08. The new titles include Heavenly Sword, a hack and slash title with many nods to the God of War franchise. Folklore, a real-time action game with RPG elements similar to Devil May Cry. GDC hit Little Big Planet, a physics-based puzzle game. Infamous, from the creators of the Sly Cooper series, a MMO-style sandbox game similar to Crackdown. Finally, Gran Turismo 5 and 5: Prologue on the PlayStation Network.
PlayStation Network
Speaking of the PlayStation Network. Sony is pumping a lot of effort and money into making the PlayStation Network as unique of an experience as possible. Start off with the PlayStaion Home, Sony is bringing the essence of Second Life and The Sims to the base functionality of the PlayStation Network. While fundamentally similar to Xbox Live, Home is a much different experience with the ability to customize your space and your virtual avatar. Features to launch games from within Home and download and watch videos are in the works. While it may seem a bit much for the entire PlayStation 3 audience to embrace, it is definitely different than anything out there and may prove to be a great idea in the end.
Exclusive Titles for PlayStation 3
Aside from the PSP slimdown, the other big news at Sony's press conference was the reiteration of the exclusivities that PlayStation 3 will feature. First off, Korean publisher and online game developer NCSoft announced that they were going to bring their online games to the PlayStation 3 exclusively, along with a new game based on entirely new IP. Ubisoft then announced a new sci-fi shooter Haze would be a time-based exclusive title.
Help us Kojima-san! You're our only hope!
Lastly, Sony introduced Hideo Kojima, noted creator of the Metal Gear Solid series. Sony made it absolutely clear that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots [View the E3 07 Trailer Now!] was a PlayStation 3 exclusive right before Kojima took the stage. While everyone anticipated a new trailer, many were shocked when Kojima revealed that a playable version was unable to be completed in time for E3. While Kojima joked that those who were in Japan next week were invited to come play it, many left disappointed that Metal Gear 4 was once again unplayable, three E3s in a row. But what was the biggest shock of the entire conference was the end of the trailer declaring a simultaneous worldwide launch of Metal Gear Solid 4 in Early 2008, missing the crucial holiday season for Sony.
Just getting warmed up
It appears that 2007 will be looked at as the year that Sony started to get their act together. The company is definitely not hitting on all cylinders, it is making its case that they will return to the juggernaut status they so enjoyed with the PlayStation 2. The loss of several exclusive big-hit franchises has clearly hurt Sony, as evident of the complete snubbing of Grand Theft Auto IV throughout the entire press conference. With the price drop of the 60GB model, Sony has a better shot at correcting their initial false start this year. It will take a few more big-named games the beginning of next year for Sony to ride the wave of momentum it will see when Metal Gear Solid 4 is released in Early 2008. Once Sony figures things out, these early years will be easily forgotten. But if they don't seize this opportunity soon, it could be all she wrote for the once king of the video game industry.
Sony reaches out to the community with PlayStation.Blog
Sony has never been known as a very personal company, especially in their entertainment division. Since the launch of the Playstation 3, there has been backlash from the gaming community saying that Sony doesn't care and about its customers, ignores reality, and refuses to address the community directly. Sony has countered this concern by launching a new blog that will speak directly to the Sony community.
It’s with enthusiasm, eagerness and, honestly, a little bit of relief that we lift the cover on our first official Sony Computer Entertainment America company blog - welcome and sorry for the wait.
PlayStation.Blog is a bit of work in progress, we see it as a place where we can share with you our company’s collective insights, opinions and perspectives on all things related to SCEA, PlayStation and the industry we play in.
Microsoft has had an ongoing relationship with the community through Major Nelson (Larry Hryb), the Xbox Live Director of Programming. Nintendo has no direct outlet like this, but is considered more in touch with the community than Sony. There is the potential to really turn around the perception of Sony in the eyes of the gaming community with this blog. Hopefully it will become more than a simple outlet for plain-language press releases and screenshots.
Genesis games coming to Playstation 2, PSP
As re-releases and updates to classic games are released almost weekly, we can see that nostalgia gaming is becoming a big part of the gaming market. Like old TV shows being put out on DVD, releasing old games can be a way for a company to take advantage of existing Intellectual Property. Sega, now only a software producer, is probably the largest player in this market currently, and will be releasing a collection for the PlayStation 2 and PSP this November entitled the Genesis Collection. Joystiq's Robert Summa has seen an early copy and gives some of the details.
Not all of the 28 games included -- there will also be an additional three to unlock -- have been officially announced, but here are a few that were on the version I saw: Shinobi II; Sonic the Hedgehog; Golden Axe I, II, and III; Virtua Fighter 2; Altered Beast; Ecco the Dolphin; Phantasy Star
Nintendo has already announced that Genesis games will be playable on the Wii this fall through the virtual console, but they haven't given any pricing or title lists. This reporter played Sonic the Hedgehog, and was quite impressed with the feel and look. If Sega is releasing this collection for less than $1 a game (on average), this might start to give us an indication of the price range on the Wii.
Relive your Genesis days this November [Joystiq]
PlayStation 3 officially to launch worldwide in November
At Sony's PlayStation Business Breifing 2006 held yesterday in Tokyo, Ken Kutaragi released a slew of details specific to the PlayStation 3 hardware and online strategy, along with the strategy for Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) throughout the end of the year. The biggest story of the day was that the PlayStation 3 will be launched worldwide in November 2006, most definately creating a scenario of extreme limited supplies upon launch and shortly thereafter if Sony cannot deliver the promised one million units per month projection. Here are the hightlights from the breifing.
PlayStation 3
- Simulataneous November 2006 launch in Japan, North America, and Europe. Manufacturing capacity estimated at 1 million units per month. Total number of units produced by end of March 2007 is 6 million, which might equate to 2 million available worldwide at launch.
- PlayStation 3 is 100% backwards compatible with PSone and PS2 games on day one and feature upscaling to High Definition resolutions. All new PS3 games will be on BD-Rom discs, no DVD PS3 games. Console will also feature full HDMI support, unlike Xbox 360's current analog only video outputs.
- A 60GB hard drive may or may not ship with the unit in the box; however, all PS3 games will require use of the hard drive. There are no hard driveless scenarios the developers will have to code to, unlike the 360. Initial capacity is 60GB and will feature the Linux OS on the drive acting as a media server. Larger capacities are possible. Sony will also allow games to boot off the hard drive, allowing downloadable games.
- "PlayStation Network Platform" is Sony's answer to Xbox Live. The service will feature matchmaking lobbies, video/voice chat, along with a marketplace. The platform will also feature a unified ID system like Microsoft's Gamertag and will provide basic access to the platform for free.
- Final hardware Development kits with production Blu-ray drives and controllers will be completed by the end of June and available for purchase in July.
- Price was not announced, but a minimum price point of 50,000 Yen (~$425) was rumored.
Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Sony will introduce the Sony PSP Basic Pack in the US at the end of this Month at the price of $199. This pack has only been offered in Japan with none of the accessories from the current $249 Value Pack.
- A spring update to the built-in web browser for the PSP will feature Macromedia Flash 6.0 support
- A major firmware update is planned for this fall will feature RSS support, video and voice-over-IP.
- A USB GPS receiver will be offered later in the fall that will interface with new games (Hot Shots Golf).
- A PSP EyeToy camera will be released in September and will feature a version of EyeToy Play and video chat.
- Also was mentioned was a electronic distribution system for the PSP is being developed and will allow the use of playing PSone emulated games off of Memory Sticks.
With the final PlayStation 3 development kits to be completed by the end of June, has Sony given it's game developers and publishers enough time to be prepared for launch? With such a narrow four month window, the launch title list may be fairly limited. Until then, the upcoming GDC and E3 2006 shows will hopefully begin to feature games running on the PlayStation 3, instead of approximation renderings.
PS3 worldwide in November [Joystiq]
Sony PSP finds success in secondary feature set
While the main function of Sony’s PSP is a portable video game player, the real success of the device is the unit's multimedia capabilities. Many DVD movies are also making simultaneous UMD releases for the device. Because of this studio support, the Sony PSP is on track to sell 6 million units in North America by year's end. "Sony Computer Entertainment America President and Chief Executive Kaz Hirai told Reuters in October the company's goal is to double its install base by selling between 2.5 million and 3 million additional PSPs in North America by year end."
In October, the PSP reached an estimated 2.5 million units sold in North America. Another 3.5 million is definately a tall order for Sony to sell this holiday season, especially since the price is still a staggering $250.
Nintendo Responds to PSP's Form Factor, Releases Game Boy Micro
Your clamshell Game Boy Advance SP just became a lot less cooler with Nintendo's announcement of the new Game Boy Micro. This new Game Boy is the exact same hardware as the Game Boy Advanced/SP but features a new PSP-killer form factor. Supposedly the only upgraded feature of the new Micro aside from the new form factor is the unit's dimmable screen, dubbed the best Game Boy screen ever! No new features or capabilities on this one, just a new sexy 4" x 2" package. We will definately have some hands-on impressions of the new Micro later on.
Nintendo E3 Game Boy Micro Media Section [Nintendo Japan]
