Sony unveiled three versions of its new Playstation 3 console and confirmed that it will be released in Spring 2006 The new console will feature the Cell processor and will be of similar size to the PS2 but with a more rounded look and will be available in black, silver and white.
For the full set of images of the PS3 hardware and for PS3 in-game images follow the Screens tab above. If you are just interested in what games Sony used to showcase its new console follow the link at the bottom right of this story.
At a press conference held in Los Angeles, California, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) revealed the outline of its Playstation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system, incorporating the Cell processor. Prototypes of PS3 will also be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), from May 18th to 20th.
PS3 will combine Cell, a processor jointly developed by IBM, Sony Group and Toshiba Corporation, graphics processor (RSX) co-developed by NVIDIA Corporation and SCEI, and XDR memory developed by Rambus Inc. It will also adopt BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc ROM) with maximum storage capacity of 54 GB (dual layer), enabling delivery of entertainment content in full high-definition (HD) quality, under a secure environment made possible through Sony's copyright protection technology. PS3 will support high quality display in resolution of 1080p as standard, which is far superior to 720p/1080i. The console will also feature slots for memory cards, a detachable hard drive and Bluetooth wireless for up to seven wireless controllers.
With 2 teraflops of computing power, entirely new graphical expressions that have never been seen before will become possible. In games, not only will movement of characters and objects be far more refined and realistic, but landscapes and virtual worlds can also be rendered in real-time, thereby elevating the freedom of graphics expression to levels not experienced in the past.
According to Sony PS3 will be 35 times more powerful than PS2, in contrast Microsoft has suggested that 360 will be 13-15 times more powerful than the original XBox while Nintendo's Revolution will be two-to-three times more powerful than GameCube.
Over 13,000 titles have been developed by now for the Playstation series of consoles, creating a software market that sells more than 250 million copies annually. PS3 wil offer backward compatibility enabling gamers to enjoy these enormous assets from the PS and PS2 platforms.
With the delivery of Cell based development tools that has already begun, development of game titles as well as tools and middleware are in progress.
Preparations are under way for launch of PS3 and new generation software in the spring of 2006.
Although the presentation was very impressive, you can find out more below, analysts are predicting that this time round Microsoft may gain the upper hand in the console market.
In 2004, Sony's PlayStation 2 had a staggering 43 per cent of the U.S. console market, according to Jupiter Research. The first Xbox was at No. 2 with just 19 per cent, followed by Nintendo's GameCube with 14 per cent.
But by 2010 it is predicted that Xbox 360 will lead the market with a 38 per cent share, followed by Sony with 32 per cent and Nintendo with 22 per cent, according to Jupiter.
Sony used a variety of games to demonstrate the capabilities of its new console and in most cases the result was jaw-dropping. Possibly the most impressive sequence was an in-game movie from Killzone 2 which really hammered Sony's Cinematic Gaming message home.
The sequence involves a military landing and all the chaos and violence involved in such military operations. Once on the ground, troops begin their operations and you witness a few comrades killed and the expressions on each of their faces are enough to get you into the mood foR revenge.
Although the new Killzone 2 engine was probably the most impressive visual offering, other games also provided evidence confirming Sony's claim that PS3 will be 35 times faster than the PS2.
Images released by Sony following the event include:
Killzone 2
Devil May Cry 4
Formula 1
I-8
Eyedentify
Killing Day
Vision Gran Turismo
Motorstorm
For more full-sized in-game PS3 images follow the screens tab above.
The full list of games Sony demonstrated during the PS3 presentation is:
- Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom)
- Eyedentify (SCEJ)
- Fifth Phantom Saga (SEGA)
- Fight Night Round 3 (EA Sports)
- Final Fantasy (Square Enix)
- Formula 1 (Liverpool Studio)
- The Getaway "Screen Test" (Team Soho)
- Heavenly Sword (Ninja Theory)
- I-8 (Insomniac)
- Killing Day (Ubisoft)
- KillZone (Guerrilla)
- Metal Gear Solid 4 (Konami)
- Mobile Suit Gundam (Bandai)
- MotorStorm (Evolution Studio)
- NioH (KOEI)
- Oni (KOEI)
- Tekken (Namco)
- Vision Gran Turismo (Polyphony Digital)
- WarHawk (Incognito)