PS3 Impressions Yes Another One....

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:23 am

Leebo33 wrote:The price cut is official:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6173806.ht ... ws;title;0

According to SCEE, the only SKU heading into the holiday season will be the 80GB PS3. At current price points, this leaves the console available at only the $599 price into the holidays

According to the a SCEE rep, the $499 SKU is, essentially, 'while supplies last'.

It's possible that the 80GB SKU could see an unrelated price adjustment before the holidays, but isn't the likelihood of that somewhat remote?

While the option to grab the last PS3 SKU with hardware-BC at the 'reduced' price point has some attraction, what is the incentive that will sustain sales after the 80GB is the only option on the market? I'd think that if Sony is committed to turning PS2 stalwarts into PS3 owners, they'll need to address this in addition to realizing the promise on the 2008 titles previewed this week at E3.

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 1&Itemid=2

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:45 am

So like Peter Moore said there never really was a price drop, just Sony playing a smoke and mirrors game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:57 am

Well, that's a bunch of crap, Sony!

They probably have a boatload of the 60gb units to sell however. Why anyone at this point would buy the 80gb with Motorstorm is beyond me.

They're pissing me off.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:11 am

sportdan30 wrote:Well, that's a bunch of crap, Sony!

They probably have a boatload of the 60gb units to sell however. Why anyone at this point would buy the 80gb with Motorstorm is beyond me.

They're pissing me off.

Yah, I rather get the 60 gig with the emotion chip to guarantee 100% BC for PS2 games (still got alot of RPGs to play). All the new PS3s are BC thru emulation, and like 360, it is really hit and miss.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:16 am

There's a lot of speculation that Sony wants to get rid of the 60gb sku @ $500, and then when they run out, sell the 80gb minus Motorstorm and the EE for $500 along with the new controller. Thus, only having one sku that competes more competively against the Elite.

Who the frick knows. It used to be you could go in the store and have a pick of a playstation, xbox, or nintendo.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:27 am

wco81 wrote:How was the game selection on the X360 only 8 months after launch?

Trying to limit the list to those titles that were more than just graphical updates of existing IPs and somewhat 'unique' experiences, the following come to mind. Just one opinion, mind you, but the key here is uniqueness. At the time, most of these titles were more or less unmatched by all but the best of the Sony and Nintendo lineups. God of War(s), RE4 and Zelda come to mind. The challenge for Sony to get 'me' as a gamer to invest in the console is to come up with some significant titles the likes of which I can't play anywhere else (duh). For PS1, that title was Resident Evil.

The other obstacles, to me, are the infrastructure issues. I'm not yet convinced that PSN will equal or exceed XBL. Also, litigation aside, I am a big fan of Immersion and force feedback controls. If things get sorted out and Sony begins to bundle a FF controller (particularly with Immersion's newest API), it would remove a siginificant obstacle, but that seems a long way off.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Here's the list... *dons flameproof suit*

Amped 3
Battlefield 2
Blazing Angels
Call of Duty 2
Condemned
Dead Or Alive 4
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Fight Night Round 3
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Kameo
NBA 2K6
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
The Outfit
Perfect Dark
Project Gotham Racing 3
Quake 4
Table Tennis
Top Spin 2

Fshguy · Post by **Fshguy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:40 pm

I think just outside the 8 month window was Dead Rising... And Test Drive Unlimited...

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:58 pm

WillHunting wrote:Yah, I rather get the 60 gig with the emotion chip to guarantee 100% BC for PS2 games (still got alot of RPGs to play). All the new PS3s are BC thru emulation, and like 360, it is really hit and miss.

The European websites I visit seem to think the PS3 BC is way better than what you get on the 360.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:47 pm

GameSeven wrote:According to SCEE, the only SKU heading into the holiday season will be the 80GB PS3. At current price points, this leaves the console available at only the $599 price into the holidays

SCEA says... wait for it... the information is inaccurate.

What else is new?

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 7&Itemid=2

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:54 pm

GameSeven wrote:
GameSeven wrote:According to SCEE, the only SKU heading into the holiday season will be the 80GB PS3. At current price points, this leaves the console available at only the $599 price into the holidays
SCEA says... wait for it... the information is inaccurate.

What else is new?

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 7&Itemid=2

Enough to make your head spin.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:19 pm

This has to be the most confusing price drop in console history. $500, $600, 60g, 80g, discontinued, 20b, phase-out, hardware changes, huh??

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:01 pm

GameSeven wrote:
GameSeven wrote:According to SCEE, the only SKU heading into the holiday season will be the 80GB PS3. At current price points, this leaves the console available at only the $599 price into the holidays
SCEA says... wait for it... the information is inaccurate.

What else is new?

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 7&Itemid=2

Um they don't come right out and deny it. They say it is not accurate then they dance around the response.

I don't even think Sony could be this arrogant though

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:04 pm

Didn't they pretty much do the same thing a couple of days before the price drop was announced? It's not like Sony is the only company that denies rumors until they are set to announce them.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:17 pm

Feanor wrote:
WillHunting wrote:Yah, I rather get the 60 gig with the emotion chip to guarantee 100% BC for PS2 games (still got alot of RPGs to play). All the new PS3s are BC thru emulation, and like 360, it is really hit and miss.
The European websites I visit seem to think the PS3 BC is way better than what you get on the 360.

Probably, since the 360 BC is abyssal (with glitches and everything). But I am not trying to compare the 360 BC with PS3 BC, I am trying to compare Emotion chip BC (100% BC) for PS2 games vs doing it in software.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:18 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Didn't they pretty much do the same thing a couple of days before the price drop was announced? It's not like Sony is the only company that denies rumors until they are set to announce them.

The most example being Microsoft saying there were no issue with the X360 failure rates and then shortly thereafter admitting to a $1B problem.

It does seem like Sony is trying to self-destruct though.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:18 pm

Fshguy wrote:I think just outside the 8 month window was Dead Rising... And Test Drive Unlimited...

What about Oblivion? I don't remember when that came out.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:28 pm

Hirai: 60GB PS3 'no longer in production'
SCEI CEO tells Norwegian television that Sony won't have a two-price strategy in the US market, SCEA says $499 model will be available "for months."

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6175011.ht ... op;title;1

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:41 pm

So he basically confirmed there never was a price drop after all...nice.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:07 pm

Sounds like a 'test run' for a real price drop at a later date...

Anyone know how much money they are losing per console? Just a $500 blu ray player would be selling at a big loss I'd imagine.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:54 pm

WillHunting wrote:
Feanor wrote:
WillHunting wrote:Yah, I rather get the 60 gig with the emotion chip to guarantee 100% BC for PS2 games (still got alot of RPGs to play). All the new PS3s are BC thru emulation, and like 360, it is really hit and miss.
The European websites I visit seem to think the PS3 BC is way better than what you get on the 360.
Probably, since the 360 BC is abyssal (with glitches and everything). But I am not trying to compare the 360 BC with PS3 BC, I am trying to compare Emotion chip BC (100% BC) for PS2 games vs doing it in software.

The problem for Microsoft is that they have to use some nVidia APIs or software calls in order to fully emulate some Xbox games. But since the companies parted ways under less than best of terms, they won't use the nVidia interfaces, which they'd have to pay for.

Sony presumably wouldn't have the IP obstacle and potentially, software BC will improve over time.

jcalvert · Post by **jcalvert** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:25 pm

grtwhtsk wrote:I downloaded Super Stardust HD last nite. My kids just stare at the tv astounded at their Dad blowing stuff up, and loving all the cool colors and sounds.

Wonderful game. I downloaded it last weekend, and have played it every day this week. Amazing what pretty graphics and great gameplay can do for a classic concept.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:25 am

There may yet be hope for the PS3 version of Madden running at 60 fps:

http://maddenwars.com/index.php?option= ... mitstart=3

So I talked to Kendall Boyd who is the producer of NCAA 08 on nex gen and I asked him the tough questions.

1. Is there a delay with the PS3 version of NCAA 08?

2. Does the PS3 version run at 30 fps unlike its rivalXBOX 360 that runs at 60 fps.

A1. Ther is no delay, he expects PS3 copies to be delivered in full. He did say earlier that the PS3 may not get to smaller retail stores, but then backed away from that statement and issuing that the PS3 will be sold on time.

A2. The PS3 version of NCAA 08 will be at 30 fps. Although this is a big blow, the Madden Version of PS3 will run at 60 fps.

jcalvert · Post by **jcalvert** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:53 am

wco81 wrote:There may yet be hope for the PS3 version of Madden running at 60 fps

I read this somewhere else. Honestly, I am not sure that I care that much about 30 fps vs 60 fps; not even sure I would notice.

I wonder which story is true - the original 360 will be 60 fps while PS3 will be 30 fps or this new story? Let's assume the original story was true. This begs a couple of questions. Why? If the PS3 version was 30 fps a few weeks ago, how did the frame rate get doubled in such short order?

If Sony stepped in to help, did they provide better tools or manpower (i.e. very senior developers)? Does this mean that it is actually fairly easy to improve 360 and PC ports? Is there some secret that Sony has that they are not sharing - and does EA now have that secret to improve frame rates for multi-platform games?

Lots of questions. Not sure if we will know the real answer(s) anytime soon. I would not be surprised if we see some sort of "PS3 is the lead platform for Madden, Live, FIFA, etc" starting in 2008. That would answer all the above questions - Sony put together buckets of cash.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:08 am

jcalvert wrote:I would not be surprised if we see some sort of "PS3 is the lead platform for Madden, Live, FIFA, etc" starting in 2008. That would answer all the above questions - Sony put together buckets of cash.

I would be surprised because it is most unlikely. EA has has more time to develop with the 360 tools than they have with the PS3 tools which according to sources indicate these tools were recently updated. Still, the 360 is reportedly much easier to program for because of the dev tools that MS provides. I would highly doubt EA would begin porting from a console that is harder to program for and is running at 50% fewer FPS as its lead platform no matter how much cash Sony might throw at them....

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:12 am

I was watching a little of E3 the other day on G4. Not sure if any of you caught the interview with the rep from EA. The interviewer said he had spoken to Jack Trenton, and Jack had said that starting next year the PS3 will be "the" main platform for NCAA and Madden. The EA rep basically said that I can't comment on what's discussed behind closed doors and kinda laughed.

Nothing would surprise me at this point.