PS3 Predicted as Next-Gen Victor
May 7, 2007
In his latest Entertainment Software Publishing and Retail industry report, video game analyst Michael Pachter says that the “quality and quantity of the underlying available content” will be the key decider over the next-gen, giving the slight edge to the PS3.
“We believe that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are far more similar than their predecessors were and believe that the economics of game development will serve as a disincentive to third party publishers to offer exclusive content for either console,” Pachter explains. “In a perverse way, the similarity between the two platforms will likely serve to lower the costs of porting software from one platform to the other, and we anticipate that virtually every third-party title produced for one will be produced for the other.”
That lack of differentiation, Pachter concludes, will give the Wii an initial competitive advantage, as by nature of its control mechanisms, publishers are far more inclined to create separate SKUs. Scoring that content exclusivity is the “wildcard” in next generation console sales, and Nintendo’s particular advantage, he says, is its “deep library of internally developed games/brands,” concluding, “we think that Nintendo’s Wii will gain the greatest share of the hardware market in 2007.”
However, while the analyst says Sony may struggle to secure third party exclusivity, he does expect that a combination of blockbuster internally-produced games, the growing installed base for the PSP and continued robust PS2 software sales will make up for the third party shortfall.
On top of that, Pachter also says that aside from game content, “we expect the ultimate outcome of the console wars to be decided by the motion picture studios. Should the studios embrace Sony’s Blu-ray standard for high definition DVDs, we think Sony will gain an insurmountable advantage over Microsoft; should the studios embrace Sony rival Toshiba’s HD-DVD format, we think that Microsoft can maintain its first mover advantage and will dominate software sales for years to come.”
By the end of the cycle, though, Pachter predicts, “we see Sony ‘winning’ the console war with 36% of the market, with Nintendo ‘capturing’ second place at 34% and Microsoft finishing third at 30%” — a virtual “dead heat,” with all three generating “significant profits.”
PSP Price Cuts for Europe
April 23, 2007
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced price cuts for the PSP in Europe.
The price of the PSP Core bundle will fall from €199.99/£149.99 ($271) to €169.99/£129.99 ($230). Earlier in the month, a price drop in the U.S. was announced (from $199.99 to $169.99), although the effect of this change on sales has not yet become clear in the latest NPD data.
Sony officials have also announced that the registered retail price of budget priced Platinum re-release titles will fall from £19.99 to £14.99 ($40 to $30). Five new titles will also be added to the range, in the form of Ridge Racer 2, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Killzone: Liberation, LocoRoco and Moto GP.
“PSP is unique and is constantly evolving. It offers the widest palette of mobile entertainment, from gaming to video, music, photos and internet,” said SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire. “But now the exciting possibility of connecting remotely to PS3 makes PSP more relevant than ever. So what better time to offer a brand new price point, and the launch of five new Platinum titles?”
Sony Reveals 2Q Line-up
April 20, 2007
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the key titles of their lineup for the second quarter of 2007 today, adding that “more than 100 first- and third-party PS3, PSP and PlayStation 2 titles will launch during the next few months of 2007.” The list so far contains mostly third-party titles, but Sony is still confident that their first-party studios will soon release content that will add depth to their library.
“Our second-quarter line-up […] demonstrates a continued commitment from both SCEA and third-party developers to the PlayStation family of products,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. “We are excited by the content being developed by our partners, but are also looking forward to launching PlayStation-branded exclusive games created by our own worldwide studios this quarter and throughout the rest of 2007.”
Sony has also presented a total of eight new titles consisting of both original and retro games that can be purchased directly from the PlayStation Store.
Sony’s list of key titles is as follows:
PS3
F.E.A.R.
Spider-Man 3
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
MLB 07: The Show
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
The Darkness
The Bigs
Transformers: The Game
PlayStation Store
Calling All Cars
Championship Sprint
Gauntlet II
Joust
Mortal Kombat II
Rampage World Tour
Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix
Rampart
PSP
Alien Syndrome
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars
Crush
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy II
Harvest Moon Boy & Girl
Ridge Racer 2
Test Drive Unlimited
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
Valhalla Knights
PS2
Dawn of Mana
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Manhunt 2
NCAA Football 08
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
Odin Sphere
Ratatouille
Shrek The Third
Spider-Man 3
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
Overhauled ‘Final Fantasy’ Anniversary Titles
April 19, 2007
In early February, Square Enix made an announcement regarding the chosen release date for the anniversary editions of Final Fantasy I (April 19) and II (June 7), and since then, there has been no news regarding definitive release dates for other regions.
Square Enix, however, has recently made an announcement informing American gamers that localized editions of Final Fantasy I and II would be available this summer. Final Fantasy will be available in North American stores starting June 26, while Final Fantasy II will ship out on July 24.
These games celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy, which was released in the Japanese market towards the end of 1987. A translated American version was released for NES systems in 1990, and the cartridge is still considered to be a rare collector’s item.
Despite initial plans to release an English version of Final Fantasy II in the states, that plan was eventually scrapped so that translators could work on Final Fantasy IV for the Super NES (which was subsequently renamed Final Fantasy II to avoid confusing American audiences). For a while, America had not seen an official translated version of Final Fantasy II until the release of Final Fantasy Origins for the original PlayStation.
Both Final Fantasy Anniversary titles will undergo complete overhauls in graphics and sound. They will also contain new FMV sequences to bring the games into the modern era of RPGs.
Capcom Reveals New Titles
April 16, 2007
As part of its Gamer’s Day event, Capcom revealed a number of new titles for multiple devices.
Capcom dabbled in PC gaming but never made a strong commitment to PC games, so releasing Lost Planet for PC is cool. Lost Planet will feature DirectX 10 and Shader Model 3.0 support as well, making one of the best looking console games one of the best looking PC games ever made. Lost Planet is a good sign that we will be seeing more Capcom titles coming to PCs in the near future. Also coming to PC (and PSN and Xbox Live) is Talisman, Games Workshop’s hybrid board and RPG.
For many, Wii is making out the best with the new Capcom titles. Lets’s start with Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Using the Wii Remote as your boomstick, players will gun down zombies and other monstrosities. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition might be the best Resident Evil of all time! It includes everything from the previous versions, utilizing the Wii Remote to point and blow apart the armies of the undead. Also coming to Wii is Project Treasure Island Z, a series of puzzles and mini-games centered around the antics of a pirate in training, Zack, and his magical monkey, Wiki. Younger gamers will be entertained.
Newly announced titles for Nintendo’s handheld DS system include the third chapter in Capcom’s cult Phoenix Wright legal adventures, with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations. Set for release in September 2007, Trials and Tribulations will continue the tradition of the first two chapters of the series, with a new “mysterious hard-boiled” prosecutor named Godot, and a return of the second game’s “pysche-lock” interrogation tool. Also coming to Nintendo DS, in October, is the latest in the decades-long running Mega Man franchise, Mega Man ZX Advent, which includes a new “biometal” system that allows players to change into different forms and utilizes the DS touchscreen to switch between ‘Biometal’ and map navigation screens. Not a bad way to celebrate 20 years of Mega Man, I’d say.
Capcom also revealed that it was working with Cartoon Network to deliver a game based on the Adult Swim original cartoon Harvey Birdman to both the PSP and PS2 by developer High Voltage (Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude), though no further details were yet revealed.
As for PS2, Capcom has announced that the company as acquired PlayStation rights to the motor sport MotoGP, and will be publishing its first PlayStation 2 game based on the sport this year, tentatively titled MotoGP 07.
Capcom also revealed a number of digitally distributed titles coming throughout the year for PC, Xbox Live, and the PlayStation network. Foremost amongst these is the return of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix coming to all three digital platforms this fall, including newly redrawn 1080p HD graphics from the backgrounds and blocks, handled by developer Backbone and all new character portraits, done by Udon Entertainment (the company responsible for the official US Street Fighter series of comics). The game will also see “improved game balance,” and, most importantly, online play — a feature fans of the cult puzzler have been asking for since it first appeared. The game will also be including the X, Y, and Z-’ism’ modes from the Dreamcast’s “For Matching Service” version.
Also coming are two more original titles, with WizKids’ Rocketmen: Axis of Evil arriving on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network as an arcade shooter as up to four players battle cooperatively through multiple levels in a struggle to ‘free the Solar System.’
‘WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw’ Confirmed by THQ For Multiple Platforms
April 2, 2007
Officials from THQ and toy maker Jakks Pacific have confirmed that WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008, the latest in the company’s long running pro wrestling franchise, is currently in development for multiple platforms.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 is being created for the Wii, Nintendo DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, and wireless devices. The game is expected to ship across all platforms simultaneously this fall.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2007, currently available for the Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP, was originally planned to debut also on the PS3 as well, but the game was later pushed back to “late 2007.” This latest announcement would seem to confirm 2007’s cancellation for Sony’s console, making 2008 the series’ first appearance on the PS3.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 will build upon the best selling wrestling franchise with a number of new features, headlined by superstar fighting styles. The game will include eight different fighting styles and a new struggle submission system, as well as updated rosters, more environmental hotspots, and a combined season and general manager mode experience.
“We are extremely pleased with the success of the SmackDown! vs. Raw franchise and its continued growth to a widespread audience, particularly in our European markets,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With the addition of fresh, innovative game play on the Wii, the tremendous capabilities of the PlayStation 3 system and unique handheld experiences for Nintendo DS and wireless devices, gamers can now truly live the life of a WWE Superstar and choose from numerous ways to play.”
PS3 Firmware Update Details
March 20, 2007
Sony has confirmed in a press release today the impending release of PS3 firmware update version 1.60. The update, set to be released in Japan this Thursday, March 22, will allow the following options:
Pinpoint zoom and resolution settings for the internal PS3 internet browser: Sony has now made it easier for those wiht larger displays to zoom in on website fonts or display text in resolutions better suited for whichever television you happen to be using.
Folding@home: PS3 owners will be able to use their consoles to participate in the genetic study currently being conducted by Stanford University. The research will be used towards fighting such diseases as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and cystic fibrosis.
Remote Play through wireless access point: PSP owners who also happen to own 20GB PS3s can now increase connectivity between both machines through any wireless access point.
Background downloading: Users now have the freedom to download files and games without having to stare at the download screen the entire time.
Full size on-screen keyboard: This makes it easier to type text within the PlayStation browser without the aid of a USB keyboard.
This firmware update will not be pre-loaded onto PAL systems, as most of those consoles have already been packed and shipped to retailers. Reportedly, this update will also contain the data meant to improve backwards compatibility in PAL PS3 machines.
My most heart-felt condolences go out to all of you who were expecting DVD/PS2/PS1upscaling or other features not having to do with the internet browser.
God of War II Coming to PSP and (PS3)
March 14, 2007
God of War director Cory Barlog has officially announced that the God or War series will be finding it’s way onto the PSP this year and to the PS3 some time.
Barlog is very assertive of the fact that the game will not be a port, a common practice on the PSP, but will be an entirely new game: “We’re not gonna do a port. This isn’t gonna be God of War I on the PSP, this is gonna be an all new adventure that ties into the overarching story. So if we go on to make a God of War III, the PSP [version] will tie directly into what we’re doing in the overall story.”
Although the game will not be a port of any of the existing titles, there is a chance that Kratos will revisit some familiar locations from the last two games, but only superficially speaking; “We’re not reusing any levels. We’re not doing any of that stuff. It’s all original content,” Barlog said.
There will be a possibility of the control system being altered slightly for the PSP version, due to the handheld’s lack of a second control nub. “There are pluses and minuses to all of it,” says Barlog. The overall control system is still being debated amongst the internal development staff.
There hasn’t exactly been an official statement concerning the release of a God of War game on the PS3, but an unofficial announcement was made at the God of War 2 launch party. Barlog said that the future of the series “will be in 1080p with SixAxis and vibration functions” - despite the lack of rumble functionality in the PS3’s controller.
No PSP Redesign Announcement from Sony
In regards to recent online reports/rumors of a “smaller, lighter” PSP being confirmed at Sony’s PSP in Education conference, SCEA’s Dave Karraker has said that the comments made by Sony’s UK managing director Ray Maguire were simply “general context” regarding the nature of consumer electronics, and no PSP redesign has been announced.
“We have not made any announcement regarding any new PSP hardware changes,” Karraker says.
Sony’s PSP in Education conference focused on using PSPs in mainstream education. Maguire told the education specialists that the PSP in its current form is merely the “first iteration,” and that, as with its previous consoles, a “smaller, lighter” system would be introduced in the future.
When questioned on the redesign, Maguire reportedly added that while the rest of the design might be altered, the PSP’s current screen size was “fixed,” but had no additional information regarding a date on which redesign might be released.
PlayStation Home Details
March 12, 2007
Sony Computer Entertainment posted a shnazzy little PDF with some Q and A’s that I came across today. I’m not sure who exactly was asking the questions, but here are some more details about Home, which sounds pretty cool:
- Home online service will be released on PS3 in October, 2007.
- Home will initially be accessible only via PS3. Over time, though, SCE will enable users to access Home features and services via “other networked mobile devices” like PSP and mobile phones.
- SCE is aiming for the initial download “to be under 500MB.”
- Publishers will see profit from content purchases (clothing, accessories), content auctions, and advertising.
- Home is targeting “everybody” in hopes of creating “a broad and diverse community of users.”
- Closed and open Beta will roll out between Apr.-Aug. and Aug.-Oct, respectively.
- Hall of Fame is a “Home Space” trophy room in which users “display their gaming accomplishments.” Trophies are only won through games that support the Home Trophy system; publishers and developers build trophies into the game’s structure.
- Home transactions will use the Sony Wallet system within the PSN Store.
- Each user will have an aprtment space that is private and can be modified over time. The basic apartment is free and will offer plenty of personalization options.
- Home content will be updated weekly and is being developed continually. Special content for things like Halloween will be available for a limited time.
- Users can have as many friends as PSN firneds list allows, which is currently 50.
- Parental controls will be available through PS3 and PSN; Home also employs the same age restriction policies as PSP and PSN.
- Home usernames will be the same as PSN account IDs.
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