Posted on 07/17/2008 10:43:40 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
LOS ANGELES - In a bid to regain lost ground in the fiercely competitive gaming business, Sony announced Tuesday that it will cut the price of its high-end PlayStation 3 console by $100. It also will introduce downloads of movies and TV shows to the game machine's online store and, with some software partners, roll out a number of exclusive games.
The moves suggested that Sony still views Microsoft as its chief rival rather than market leader Nintendo, which seems focused on extending its lead. But, of course, that's not how Sony brass portrayed its announcements at a press event here at the game industry's E3 conference.
Sony's PlayStation brand in general and the PS3 in particular are "just beginning to hit [their] stride," said Jack Tretton, CEO of the North American branch of Sony Computer Entertainment, which oversees the PlayStation products.
While Sony focused on Microsoft, Nintendo showed that its focus is still on attracting a broad audience. The company announced a sequel to its popular - and accessible - "Wii Sports" game, and introduced a new title in the same vein, dubbed "Wii Music."
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
They also dropped backwards compatibility and lost one of their top exclusive games to the 360, which is now going to be multi-platform. MS added Netflix exclusivity as well to their lineup. Frankly the only real the thing the PS3 has going for it now is the BD Player.
They switched to software emulation rather than adding the chips. Any game written to specs will play on it, except for things like Guitar Hero which require special PS2 controllers (only the Wii is controller compatible with the last generation). It does this a better than the XBox, which requires that emulation profiles be downloaded for each game.
MS added Netflix exclusivity as well to their lineup.
I do like that one. Can't wait to try it.
Frankly the only real the thing the PS3 has going for it now is the BD Player.
Well, that and being a better game machine than the 360 (I have both). And it comes with WiFi, not a cheap option for the 360. And there's enabling us PS3-owning FReepers to keep the Free Republic folding team in good standing.
Last week, they announced that there was not going to be a price drop within the next 12 mo. Good thing I didn’t snap one up last week.
If only EA Sports would make NCAA FOOTBALL for the PC again. I realize this comment has nothing to do with the thread in particular, I just felt like typing it.
I just don’t have the time to play video games enough anymore to warrant the purchase of the systems. I lean toward strategy games anyway, the only game I really *WANT* that I can’t get on PC is NCAA Football.
The new PS3 doesn’t even have software backwards compatibility.
ALso forgot to mention that when compared headsup on graphics and gameplay generally the 360 comes out on top, when it shouldn’t. You should hear the complaint out there on the PS3 version of NCAA ‘09.
Sony Bets on New Graphics Chip to Cut PlayStation 3 Costs.
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[ 06/27/2008 | 04:48 PM ]
The head of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said at a press conference that the PlayStation 3 video game console would start to use graphics processors that are made using thinner process technology this Fall. In addition, he said, Sony plans to continue working on the PS3 machine in order to make it cheaper to manufacture, which may also mean lower end-user price eventually.
“The Cell and RSX used in PS3s at launch were manufactured using a 90nm process technology. And now all PS3 Cells have shifted to 65nm process technology since last holiday season. […] As for RSX [at] 65nm process technology, [the development and manufacturing] has begun this year already, and will be ready for installment in autumn,” said Kazuo Hirai, chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., reports Next-Generation web-site.
Earlier Sony denied that certain models of PlayStation 3 got Cell processor made using 65nm process technology last Fall.
The Nvidia RSX graphics processor that is used inside the PlayStation 3 initially cost Sony $129 to make and was the most expensive component inside the system. Usually due to yield increases and other optimizations the cost may be lowered dramatically; still, another 33% drop in manufacturing costs due to switch from 90nm process technology to 65nm fabrication process would definitely play a substantial role for Sony PlayStation 3.
Mr. Hirai stressed that Sony Computer Entertainment is committed to continue reducing the number of components and decreasing the size of chips inside the PlayStation 3, which may ultimately result in smaller video game system at a much lower price.
I haven't heard about that, but then that probably goes by game and I don't have duplicate games between the 360 and PS3. A game that uses the PS3's power has to be architected quite differently than one for the 360, so it's possible whoever did the PS3 version screwed up. I can say the most visually impressive game I've played on either is Heavenly Sword, a PS3 exclusive.
Damn, I didn’t know that! Well, glad I got one of the original ones. OTOH, I’ve never played one of my PS2 games on the PS3 anyway.
I had heard that once they fixed the jagged edges problem that PS2 games looked better on a PS3 than the original system.
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