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INTRODUCTION
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LAUNCH DATES:
JAPAN - Saturday, November 11, 2006
USA - Friday, November 17th, 2006
Well, as is custom I've whipped up another one of these threads (exactly one month in advance, like the other launch threads)... to be updated, periodically, with new information as it comes. If you feel something needs to be added, any images that will fit into this format, any information you've got shuffled... say so, I'll do my best to implement it.
The behemoth of next-gen systems, the successor to the throne, Sony's PLAYSTATION 3 looms high on the horizon of the gaming world. There have been a lot of ups, and a lot of downs (a lot of downs) on the road to launch, but there's finally nothing gonna stop this bitch from landing in stores at the above specified date. There will be riots, there will be shenanigans... and there will be GAF, here to suck it all up.
As I indicated in the 360 launch thread, let's keep the KIOSK impressions here. I don't want fifty billion people making "I played a PS3 and made a thread to tell the tale", which happened then. Let's keep it clean, troll-free and a good experience for everyone as we anticipate the PS3.
Let the festitivies begin. And as always, thanks for everyone who contributed to the information gathered here.
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BASICS I: SYSTEM/SKU DETAILS
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PlayStation 3 Core Pack:
Price - JP¥49,980/$499.99
Includes -
(1) Wireless PS3 SixAxis Controller
(1) PlayStation 3 Console
(1) 20GB HDD
Wires/Instructions, etc
HDMI
PlayStation 3 Premium Pack:
Price - JP¥ Open Price/$599.99
Includes -
(1) Wireless PS3 SixAxis Controller
(1) PlayStation 3 Console
(1) 60GB HDD
IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
MemoryStick/SD/CompactFlash Slots
HDMI
Accessories:
Note: Due to limited information at the moment, this will be updated more at a later date.
● SixAxis Controller - JP¥5000/$???
● PS3 Blu-Ray Remote Control - JP¥3,600/$???
● PS3 Memory Card Reader - JP¥1,500/$???
Press Release
Images
PS3 Blu-Ray Remote
PS3 Memory Card Reader
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BASICS II: SPECIFICATIONS
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HARDWARE:
Physically, the PLAYSTATION 3 is approximately 5 kg (11 lb), 9.8 cm × 32.5 cm × 27.4 cm (3.9 in. × 12.8 in. × 10.8 in.)
CPU: Cell Processor
● PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
● 1 VMX vector unit per core
● 512KB L2 cache
● 7 x SPE @3.2GHz
● 7 x 128b 128 SIMD GPRs
● 7 x 256KB SRAM for SPE
● * 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for redundancy total floating point performance: 218 GFLOPS
GPU: RSX @500MHz
● 1.8 TFLOPS floating point performance
● Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2 channels
● Multi-way programmable parallel floating point shader pipelines
Sound: Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-base processing)
Memory:
● 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz
● 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz
System Bandwidth:
● Main RAM: 25.6GB/s
● VRAM: 22.4GB/s
● RSX: 20GB/s (write) + 15GB/s (read)
● SB: 2.5GB/s (write) + 2.5GB/s (read)
System Floating Point Performance: 2 TFLOPS
Storage:
● HDD (20/60GB included)
● Detachable 2.5 HDD slot x 1
I/O:
● USB: USB 2.0 x 4
● Memory Stick: standard/Duo, PRO x 1
● SD: standard/mini x 1
● CompactFlash: (Type I, II) x 1
Communication: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x3 (input x 1 + output x 1)
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
Controller:
● Bluetooth (up to 7)
● USB2.0 (wired)
● Wi-Fi (PSP®)
● Network (over IP)
AV Output:
● Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
● HDMI: HDMI out x 1
● Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1
● Digital audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1
CD Disc media (read only):
● PlayStation CD-ROM
● PlayStation 2 CD-ROM
● CD-DA (ROM), CD-R, CD-RW
● SACD Hybrid (CD layer), SACD HD
● DualDisc (audio side), DualDisc (DVD side)
DVD Disc media (read only):
● PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM
● PLAYSTATION 3 DVD-ROM
● DVD-Video: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
Blu-ray Disc media (read only):
● PLAYSTATION 3 BD-ROM
● BD-Video: BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE
Source, 1, 2
CONTROLLER:
It is important to note that the SIXAXIS PS3 controller has two noteworthy new additions, outside of the 'home' central PS button, wireless and controller # indicators. For one, it can detect 'six degrees of motion' - thus, the name - and it has no rumble functionality. The controller motion control is utilized in such titles as Warhawk, LAIR and Resistance and offers a new layer of interactivity for those interested. For more in-depth information, read the Press Release.
And as an aside, yes the system does actually have support for up to 7 controllers. Here's an image of the feature being utilized in NBA 2k7: Click
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BASICS III: PLAYSTATION OS/NETWORK
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Since some features are still being revealed, this is also going to receive updates as we learn the ins-and-outs.
FEATURES:
● Username (Multiple)/Account Creation
● Friends List
● Voice and Video chat
● PSP Connectivitity
● Online rankings
● PlayStation "Electronic" Game Downloads (fl0w, Criminal Crackdown, etc)
● PSOne, PS2 and PSP games downloadable
● PlayStation Store (items sold by real currency, not points)
● FREE Online Gaming (except for Massively multiplayer online titles/downloadable content)
● Web Browsing
● Keyboard/Mouse USB support
OS Key Features:
● CD Streaming/Ripping
● Photo Viewing
● Movie Viewing
● Yellowdog Linux Available (!!)
● Backward Compatibility with PS2/PSOne entire back catalog
I will analyze some of the most prominent features a little later.
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BASICS IV: PLAYSTATION ARCADE
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Some titles revealed so far include...
Blast Factor - Developed by Bluepoint Games, Blast Factor brings together old school and new school arcade action. Supporting true High Definition (HD) at full 1080p and taking advantage of the PS3 systems advanced processing power, Blast Factor delivers a visually stunning experience as gamers work their way through each specimen, cell by cell exploring an all-new world and gameplay experience. Includes self-adjusting difficulty, integrated use of SixAxis controller, and global online rankings.
flOw - flOw is the first game ever to come from the university to first-party publishing on a major console. Initially an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) thesis, flOw is a game about piloting an aquatic organism through a surreal biosphere where players consume other organisms, evolve, and advance their organisms down toward the abyss. The stunning graphics and power of PLAYSTATION®3 system set the stage for a truly unique gameplay experience. With an embedded design of DDA (dynamic difficulty adjustment), players with differing skill levels can intuitively customize their game experience and enjoy the game at their own pace. Players can also customize the appearance of their organisms based on gameplay. Includes integrated SixAxis controller use, global online creature sharing and more. Trailer.
Go Soduku - What needs to be said? Sudoku!
Lemmings 2 - Bitch, it's lemmings.
Swizzle Blocks - Uhm, not sure...
Criminal Crackdown - Reported to be David Jaffe's latest game, it's said to be a mix of Twisted Metal and Bomberman. This is what he dropped HL for, so it better be damn good!
Others include...
Gripshift - Includes new levels, enhanced graphics and music and more over the PSP version.
Crash Carnage Ciaos
Wheel of Fortune
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BASICS V: LAUNCH GAMES
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Launch Window is ever evolving, and I'm sure some shit won't make it and others aren't listed here and who knows! I sure as hell am too lazy to worry about it, so here's a tentative list of what to expect...
* November 9 - Call of Duty 3 - Activision - Shooter
* November 9 - Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Activision - Action RPG
* November 09 - Tony Hawk's Project 8 - Activision - Action Sports
* November 11 - Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - Sony Online Entertainment - Action RPG
* November 16 - Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII - Ubisoft - Flight
* November 16 - Full Auto 2: Battlelines - SEGA - Racing Combat
* November 17 - Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire - Bandai - Mecha Action
* November 17 - Madden NFL 07 - Electronic Arts - Sports
* November 17 - College Hoops 2K7 - 2K Sports - Sports
* November 17 - Sonic the Hedgehog - SEGA - Platformer
* November 17 - Need for Speed Carbon - Electronic Arts - Racing
* November 17 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Bethesda Softworks - RPG
* November 17 - Ridge Racer 7 - NAMCO BANDAI Group - Racing
* November 17 - F.E.A.R. - Vivendi Games - Tactical Shooter
* November 17 - Resistance: Fall of Man - Sony Computer Entertainment - Shooter
* November 17 - NBA Live 07 - Electronic Arts - Sports
* November 17 - NBA '07: The Life Volume 2 - Sony Computer Entertainment - Sports
* November 17 - Genji: Days of the Blade - Sony Computer Entertainment - Action
* November 17 - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 - Electronic Arts - Sports
* November 17 - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas - Ubisoft - Shooter
* November 17 - NHL 2K7 - 2K Sports - Sports
* November 17 - NBA 2K7 - 2K Sports - Sports
* December 12 - Fight Night Round 3 - Electronic Arts - Sports
Source
MORE IS COMING