Folding@home Software To Be Released This Month
March 15, 2007
The Folding@home software is expected to be added to the PS3’s XMB via the 1.6 firmware update being released at the end of March. As on the PC, users will be able to either set the application running manually or have it run automatically whenever the PS3 is idle.
Sony Computer Entertainment’s Folding@home distributed computing project on PS3, first announced by Leland Stanford Junior University last August, is used to aid in calculations relating to the study of protein folding and protein folding diseases.
The project is already being run by joining thousands of PCs throughout the world, which analyzes radio-telescope data to find evidence of intelligent signals from space. The Folding@home project involves simulations to help study protein folding and related diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, cystic fibrosis, and certain forms of cancer. Once the data is processed by PCs and PS3s running the software, the information is then sent back via the Internet to the project’s central computer.
“Millions of users have experienced the power of PS3 entertainment. Now they can utilize that exceptional computing power to help fight diseases,” said Masayuki Chatani, CEO and CTO Computer, SCEI. “In order to study protein folding, researchers need more than just one super computer, but the massive processing power of thousands of networked computers. Previously, PCs have been the only option for scientists, but now, they have a new, more powerful tool - PS3.”
“We’re thrilled to have SCE be part of Stanford University’s Folding@home project,” said Vijay Pande, associate professor of chemistry at Stanford University and Folding@home project lead. “With PS3 now part of our network, we will be able to address questions previously considered impossible to tackle computationally, with the goal of finding cures to some of the world’s most life-threatening diseases.”
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.
Sony’s Harrison Unveils PS Home and Little Big Planet at GDC
March 8, 2007
The PlayStation Home, referred to simply as Home, is a free downloadable program that upgrades social networking as we know it.
Users can create a customizable polygonal avatar to suit their tastes, decorate their “apartments” with all types of furniture and accessories (tv, decorations, and music players, explore the insides of their apartments, invite their friends into their virtual room and play pool, watch movies or listen to music (streamed off the PS3 hard disc), or launch straight into online multiplayer games. The interface looked clean and simple, and the graphics were highly detailed.
Little Big Planet, Sony’s new virtual playground, really fired everyone up and was definitely the star of the show. Little Big Planet is a unique combination of side-scrolling, puzzle-solving, and create-your-own-game sandbox play in which players can quickly and easily create levels with the game’s powerful internal physics engine. After building a level, you will be able to upload your project online so that others can try out what you’ve created.
Overall, the graphics were high-end, the physics seemed realistic, the interface looked clean, and the simple gameplay was a hit; speaking of which, the Sixaxis plays an important role in gameplay. Little Big Planet will be available on Blu-ray disc as the key example of Sony’s new “Game 3.0″ initiative.
Harrison also hyped up the European sensation SingStar, which he claimed has sold over 7 million copies on the PS2 worldwide, and the upcoming PS3 version will greatly expand the game’s scope, thanks to the PlayStation Network. Users will be able to download new tracks at the SingStore, but will also have the option of posting videos of themselves singing their favorite songs. All you’ll need is either an EyeToy or a standard USB camera, and every single SingStar owner across the world will be able to download your handiwork. Oh Jeez.
Harrison also noted that users can also customize their games with in-game wallpapers and other optional items. SingStar for the PS3 will be available first in European markets in June and will debut in North American this fall.
In addition, Sony showed a brief video of in-game footage from the new PS3 Killzone title, which appears to be set on a far larger scale than the PS2 original and featured driveable tanks. The physics and particle system looked top-notch. Sony promised more Killzone details at E3 in July.
DVD upscaling, Warhawk Conformed for PS3
March 5, 2007
In the finall installement of a Newsweek interview, Sony’s Phil Harrison discussed the company’s plans to deliver DVD upscaling to the PS3.
When asked about what needs to change in regards to the flow of information within Sony Computer Entertainment, Harrison said, “There is a cultural thing about our approach in Japan that has to change. Our approach in Japan is ‘Once it’s perfect, we’ll share it with everybody else.’ Whereas I think in order to engender trust in our users, we have to share some things that might be not quite perfect, but are ready to give you an indication of what’s coming. So we could say, ‘You know, we’re not sure when it’s coming, but we’re going to have DVD upscaling on Playstation 3.’ There you go. There’s a scoop for you.” And there it is, folks!!!
Harrison also implied that other goodies might be in store for PS3 users, suggesting that PlayStation head of platform development Izumi Kawanishi should write his own blog containing Sony’s latest developments. Harrison jokes that it would soon become the “biggest blog in the world,” which is probably not too far from the truth.
After plenty of speculation, Incognito Entertainment has confirmed that PS3 title Warhawk will be sold only as a downloadable title via the PlayStation Network.
Incognito’s Dylan Jobe indicated that the single player component for the game had been “phased out” in favor of an entirely online game supporting up to 32 players at a once. “The single player just really wasn’t up to par and we owe it to the players to not force them to buy something that’s not good enough. They deserve better,” Jobe stated.
At E3 last May, Warhawk was one of the first PS3 games to demonstrate the tilt controls of the Sixaxis controller. Warhawk was also used as a prominent example of downloadable content for PS3 games. Incognito has discusses new Warhawk maps, features, and weapons being available online at a later date.
Worldwide PSP-PS3 Connectivity
February 28, 2007
A few years ago, Sony’s then-head honcho Ken Kutaragi claimed that the PSP would become “the Walkman for the 21st Century.” Sure, PSP has shown a healthy sales total of 24.7 million units shipped worldwide at the end of 2006, but there’s still a lot of catching up to do to the Nintendo DS, which has already shipped 35 million units within roughly the same time frame. Although PSP sales have begun to gain momentum in closing the gap in recent months, a difference of 10 million units is still a formitable challenge.
Margaret Robertson of Edge (magazine) believes that the PSP’s numerous functions - the ability to play music, videos, films, and games - may have ironically had an adverse effect on sales: “[C]onsumers either fell into a category where they didn’t really want all of that or they were technologically savvy enough to have commitments to other mediums, particularly memory formats.”
Still, the Sony PSP has a few tricks up its sleeve in closing the handheld gap or even overtaking it, such as the impending release of a PSP camera and even GPS software. Jonathan Fargher of Sony Europe says next big project for the PSP will require the services of its big brother, as Sony intends to improve connectivity and integration with the PS3. Currently, users can access media on the PS3 with their PSPs from a range of up to 100 feet, but Sony is hoping to allow users the same access from any point in the world, provided that they’re within range of a wireless hotspot.
“If I have my MP3 Walkman or my iPod, or digital camera connected to PS3 then I can access those devices too,” Fargher stated. (I’m still not clear why you’d leave your iPod connected to your PS3.) Fargher also added that this feature may be available sometime within the next six months.
Modified PS3 Offers Less Backward Compatability
February 26, 2007
For Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia, recent changes in the PS3’s internal design means that the console’s backward compatability for PS1 and PS2 games “is not going to be as good as in the U.S. and Japanese models,” a Sony spokesperson said.
“Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3,” Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves explained.
A Sony press release confirmed, explaining that the PS3 to be launched in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia on March 23 would utilize brand new hardware, the specifications of which include the Cell Broadband Engine, a 60 GB HD drive, a Blu-ray disc player, built-in Wi-Fi, and a SIXAXIS wireless controller. Most important, the press release stated that the built-in emulation would support only a “broad range of original PlayStation titles and a limited range of PS2 titles.”
The reliability of backwards compatibility on the PS3 won’t be as good in the European market to start off, but Sony will be releasing regular downloads through the PlayStation Network to increase the number of compatible games over time. An official list of working titles will be published on March 23.
EA Beats Sega to the Punch with 1080p Title for Xbox 360
February 8, 2007
Following yesterday’s news that Sega’s March 20 release of Virtua Tennis 3 would be the first Xbox 360 game to feature native 1080p support, an EA representative revealed that its upcoming NBA Street Homecourt will also support the high-end 1080p resolution on Xbox 360. NBA Street Homecourt is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360 February 20, and a PS3 version is expected to arrive at retail on March 6.
Microsoft first announced support for native 1080p games and movies in its October 2006 Xbox Live update, and it announced a number of titles competing to be the first to offer the highest-end HD resolution; it now appears that NBA Street Homecourt will beat Sega’s Virtua Tennis 3 to retail with the 1080p resolution included.
NBA Street Homecourt is the fourth game in EA’s basketball series and the first for a next-gen console, and it will support multiple resolutions, including 16:9 1080p at 30fps, according to further information from EA representatives. Other features confirmed for the upcoming 3-on-3 basketball title include a new animation engine and control system, as well as the ability to create a player and play online via Xbox Live. A demo for the game, which lets players compete as either Denver Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony or Detroit Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton, is currently available for download over Xbox Live.
Konami Announces New Projects
February 2, 2007
Konami, at its recent Gamer’s Day, revealed two major new releases for the upcoming year: an original Wii and a remake of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood for PSP. Both games were announced without release dates but are expected in 2007.
Konami’s new Wii game, from Elebits producer Shingo Mukaitoge, was revealed to be Dewy’s Adventure, marking the second original IP from Konami for Nintendo’s Wii console.
Players are to use the Wii controller for nearly all of the in-game puzzle-solving and platforming interactions, such as tilting it to roll the titular Dewy character, a living water droplet, around his environment, using the d-pad to heat or cool Dewy to steam or ice, or fanning the controller to create gusts of wind.
The game will also include an edit mode in the same manner as Elebits, and will also make use of the Wii’s internet connectivity in a yet-unannounced way.
Konami also announced the long-anticipated official debut of its classic Castlevania franchise for the PSP with Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Unlike recent DS adventure originals, the first Castlevania PSP outing will be a remake of the PC Engine Super CD cult hit Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, also known as Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. The PSP remake of Rondo is being done with fully 3D assets, but maintains the 2D perspective.
Also included in The Dracula X Chronicles will be a portable version of PlayStation classic Symphony of the Night, featuring a reworked localization and slightly reworked graphics, making it the second forthcoming release of the game, alongside the Xbox Live Arcade Version, which is also due soon.
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