PS3 Conceptual Design?

[bapenguin]

Joystiq (http://joystiq.com/2006/01/17/sony-playstation-3-is-a-conceptual-design/) brings words from last weeks CES2006 that there was a little placard below the PS3 that stated: "Conceptual Design."

If that's the case, then the Playstation maker has been behind schedule for a long time, or at least since September's TGS. Still, maybe this is another tell regarding rumors that Sony will delay the PS3, or simply the company reserving the right to change the final design before launch. Bloggers digging too deep? You tell us.
Would Sony change that design this late in the game? Maybe they've been fooling everyone and there's a "real" design ready to be unveiled very soon.

[fitbabits]

If it has been conceptual all along, Sony cannot afford to be playing these sort of silly games with a very hungry public.

Of course, it could also be that Sony are so busy scrambling for a 'good news' story that someone in their marketing dept. put the sign there without Kuturagi et al knowing about it, knowing that it would generate some amount of home amongst a very unimpressed public.

[Dr Quincy]

Slow news day?

[bapenguin]

Slow news day?

Yes. Please help. :)

[Felonous]

Or maybe their 'final design' and other announcements were only to try and keep people from buying the 360 by giving the false impression that the PS3 was just around the corner.

[Taco]

I guess I should join the ranks of those that annoy me to no end and say "I've been saying this for months".

[Atorak]

Isn't everything a conceptual design until they send the console to manufacturing and have their (lame) release party?

[Vandenh]

Don't read too much into this... that probably means they "might" change some small things like ports and size, nothing dramatic. I don't think this points in any way to a delay (other things do, but that is another story).

[Taco]

I always thought the PS3 design was to bad to be real and followed Felonous's line of thought.

[Raven_payne]

Oh no! this is awful news for Micorsoft fans.......wait nevermind

[Dirty Harry]

i dont really care, when its released is when its released. I live by 3drealms slogan, when its done.

[Achilles]

The system was hammered for its industrial design following E3 (George Foreman Grill, boomerang, etc.). I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed it.

[MaiXu]

Don't they always post the little note that it's a "conceptual design" until the hardware is actually released? I doubt Sony would drum up so much fanfare at E3 if they're going to radically change the system's look.

Not that I would be opposed to a change; I prefer my systems not look like George Foreman grills. But I think what we've seen of the PS3 is what we'll see at E3, and eventually at launch, until the inevitable redesign sometime before 2010.

[Dirty Harry]

Don't they always post the little note that it's a "conceptual design" until the hardware is actually released? I doubt Sony would drum up so much fanfare at E3 if they're going to radically change the system's look.

Not that I would be opposed to a change; I prefer my systems not look like George Foreman grills. But I think what we've seen of the PS3 is what we'll see at E3, and eventually at launch, until the inevitable redesign sometime before 2010.
Just so you know i own a foreman grill and i really dont see how its comparable. Not trying to ruin your guys fun but common.

[Salesmunn]

That's a pretty weak post, it doesn't deserve my reply.

......wait a minute.....

[51|RandoM]

If it has been conceptual all along, Sony cannot afford to be playing these sort of silly games with a very hungry public.


chuckle. if the case design isn't finalized, it isn't finalized, end of story. I'm not sure what sort of "silly game" that amounts to, but it means jack shit to John Q. Public.

Did you purchase new furniture to specifically match the PS3 or something? lol.

Are the dev kits out there? Yes! End of story.

[fitbabits]

chuckle. if the case design isn't finalized, it isn't finalized, end of story. I'm not sure what sort of "silly game" that amounts to, but it means jack shit to John Q. Public.

Did you purchase new furniture to specifically match the PS3 or something? lol.

Are the dev kits out there? Yes! End of story.
Very droll, sir.

And besides, there's no furniture that would match the abomination that is the design of the PS3 - unless the director's chair from Spider-Man happens to be on sale at your local furniture store.

Are the dev kits out there? Yes, but hardly end of story. How about some proper gameplay footage? Or some concrete news from Sony about their launch plans? Or, even better, how about some news in general from Sony? Or are you happy to roll along supporting Sony based on past achievments while being blind to the obvious. That is, Sony are struggling. If everything in the PS3 camp was humming along nicely, you can bet that Kuturagi and clan would be all over the place claiming that they'd played near-finished versions of launch titles and that they piss all over the competition.

Wise up. LOL!

[MaiXu]

Just so you know i own a foreman grill and i really dont see how its comparable. Not trying to ruin your guys fun but common.

As do I, my friend; specifically, one of the fun-color ones, or whatever they are called. Smooth, round, plastic shell on the top. Behold!

http://www.highdefforum.com/gallery/data/511/medium/PS3GrillTease.JPG

If the image bandwidth runs out, just Google Image Search for "ps3 grill". (http://images.google.com/images?q=ps3%20grill&sourceid=mozilla-search&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&tab=wi)

[buckfutter]

That was a joke post, right, fitbabits?

[Taco]

That was a joke post, right, fitbabits?

Correct, I don't think you will be able to open the PS3 and grill a tasty burger.

Edit: Missed the Fitbabits part, to early for me :(

[fitbabits]

That was a joke post, right, fitbabits?
Which one?

[bapenguin]

I think the only reason this isn't news is the placard wasn't there during TGS as far as I know.

[MaiXu]

Very droll, sir.

And besides, there's no furniture that would match the abomination that is the design of the PS3 - unless the director's chair from Spider-Man happens to be on sale at your local furniture store.

I got a good laugh outta that one. Touché.

Are the dev kits out there? Yes, but hardly end of story. How about some proper gameplay footage? Or some concrete news from Sony about their launch plans? Or, even better, how about some news in general from Sony? Or are you happy to roll along supporting Sony based on past achievments while being blind to the obvious. That is, Sony are struggling. If everything in the PS3 camp was humming along nicely, you can bet that Kuturagi and clan would be all over the place claiming that they'd played near-finished versions of launch titles and that they piss all over the competition.

Wise up. LOL!

To be fair, did MS have a lot of their 360 stuff concrete in January 2005? I don't recall, but I'd bet not. IMO, Sony isn't exactly on easy street, but their lack of info is not exactly ruinous. It could easily be argued that they decided to focus on the PSP and PS2 this Christmas (not that focusing on the PSP was a smart move ... no games on expensive hardware make Homer go something something ...), and are simply waiting to drop some PS3 bombshells in 2006.

[phantomhitman]

you guys are missing the point, there is no spoon!

[buckfutter]

Taco: Hah! And now to edit the post yet again, to make it look like you were talking to a figment of your imagination!

fitbabits: The one above Taco's grill image. About Sony's struggling behind the scenes being obvious. I mean, this is exactly how they developed hype for the PS2. They just clam up and watch talk spread itself. Why else do you think blogs start pointing to a simply explained "Conceptual Design" placard as if this is somehow a grave and portentous sign of things to come? They use people's curiosity to fuel talk, and just because it can be interpreted in a bad way doesn't mean there's not a million other people out there slavering for another exactingly portioned crumb of information.

At any rate we should find out soon enough. A bunch of PS3 specific NDAs are supposedly ending soon, and the February Playstation Event is still planned (although once again, it's date is totally up to our imaginations, and a Sony rep has repeatedly referred to a "big surprise" in how the event will go down. That bought them another 10 pages in a GAF thread). Oh, and we actually have seen a few snippets of gameplay footage on devkits. There's a handycam capture of Warhawk gameplay, for example. All very ethereal, of course, so I guess it can be argued that it's far from a proper showing.

EDIT: Just adding that outside of the extremely early playable GT2000 demo, the PS2 followed a fairly similar schedule. There's no way the PS3 is launching in Spring in the states, but the first major publically playable showing of PS2 software in Japan was at that year's February event... and they launched the next month. Don't expect the PS3 to hit Japan in March, though. We're probably going to see it in May.

[fitbabits]

To be fair, did MS have a lot of their 360 stuff concrete in January 2005? I don't recall, but I'd bet not. IMO, Sony isn't exactly on easy street, but their lack of info is not exactly ruinous. It could easily be argued that they decided to focus on the PSP and PS2 this Christmas (not that focusing on the PSP was a smart move ... no games on expensive hardware make Homer go something something ...), and are simply waiting to drop some PS3 bombshells in 2006.
Well, Sony are still claiming that a Spring 2006 lauch is happening. Spring. 2006. Which is three short months away. Microsoft farcically unvelied the 360 in May 2005 with a street release of Novemeber 2005 - a six month gap. My point is (and I may not be making it clearly enough) - where is the news? The hype? The fanfare? The PS3? From May 2006 (and beforehand) right up till the launch of the 360, news of it was everywhere - USA Today, Newsweek, Popular Science magazine, OXM, etc. Compare that to what's happening right now (or not, as the case may be) with PS3-related news.

[fitbabits]

you guys are missing the point, there is no spoon!
If by spoon you mean PS3, then you well be on to something - the biggest smoke-and-mirrors trick ever. :rolleyes:

[MaiXu]

Well, Sony are still claiming that a Spring 2006 lauch is happening. Spring. 2006. Which is three short months away. Microsoft farcically unvelied the 360 in May 2005 with a street release of Novemeber 2005 - a six month gap. My point is (and I may not be making it clearly enough) - where is the news? The hype? The fanfare? The PS3? From May 2006 (and beforehand) right up till the launch of the 360, news of it was everywhere - USA Today, Newsweek, Popular Science magazine, OXM, etc. Compare that to what's happening right now (or not, as the case may be) with PS3-related news.

OK, I'll give you that. *IF* Sony were to launch the PS3 in Spring 2006, then yes, they are setting themselves up for a disaster. But I guess the gamer in me inured itself to anything as hopeful as a spring console launch long ago. I really haven't paid much attention to any release dates Sony has given; I just assumed the launch would slip to November/Holiday 2006. Call it cynicism, or grim realism, but I didn't think anyone really took that Spring launch to heart, *especially* with no information out there mere months before the nebulous launch window. When I read this article (and your response), I truly was thinking in my head, "But they've got over 10 months before launch!"

[fitbabits]

OK, I'll give you that. *IF* Sony were to launch the PS3 in Spring 2006, then yes, they are setting themselves up for a disaster. But I guess the gamer in me inured itself to anything as hopeful as a spring console launch long ago. I really haven't paid much attention to any release dates Sony has given; I just assumed the launch would slip to November/Holiday 2006. Call it cynicism, or grim realism, but I didn't think anyone really took that Spring launch to heart, *especially* with no information out there mere months before the nebulous launch window. When I read this article (and your response), I truly was thinking in my head, "But they've got over 10 months before launch!"
See, and that's why I'm so pissed off at Sony right now - they still say Spring 2006 when we all know it's very unlikely. Therefore, they either think we're too dumb to care, or they simply couldn't care less. I want the PS3 to be everything promised and more, I really do, but I am worried. Is all.

[MaiXu]

If by spoon you mean PS3, then you well be on to something - the biggest smoke-and-mirrors trick ever. :rolleyes:

I'll agree with you on that one. Those "demos" from last E3, as well as vaporous shells of "future-proofed" plastic, lead me to believe that Sony is behind schedule on the PS3. But I honestly believe they'll have it out the door come November; the PlayStation brand, and to a lesser extent, Sony's future, very much depend on it.

[phantomhitman]

im all for the ps3 and gaming, but sony is ignoring the big fucking pink elephant in the background with PROOF stamped on it's ass. I cannot afford it at launch, but the ps3 will end up in my home eventually.

[fitbabits]

I'll agree with you on that one. Those "demos" from last E3, as well as vaporous shells of "future-proofed" plastic, lead me to believe that Sony is behind schedule on the PS3. But I honestly believe they'll have it out the door come November; the PlayStation brand, and to a lesser extent, Sony's future, very much depend on it.
Yeah, they'll release it when it's ready, and not before (*cough*). I just wish they would be more forthcoming with something.

[Borys]

I just hope they redesign the controller that's all.

[fitbabits]

I just hope they redesign the controller that's all.
Yeah, me too. Less handle, more functionality.

[EternalGamer]

I think Sony is trying to avoid what Microsoft did a week before the E3 with the MTV thing. They don't want to spill all the surprises, they are waiting for E3 to make a splash. However, fitbabits and others are right, if they are waiting for E3 that necessitates that PS3 is NOT going to be released in Spring of this year. I fully expect both it and the Revolution to launch this Fall. However I would be incredibly happy to see the Revolution meet it's launch window and launch in late Spring or early summer instead. I want a PS3, but uh... I already have a very similar device called a 360. While I don't think Sony will lose many first console purchases to Nintendo, I think they might lose their shot at being the second console in 360 homes with this delay.

Dan

[Yeti2005]

See, and that's why I'm so pissed off at Sony right now - they still say Spring 2006 when we all know it's very unlikely. Therefore, they either think we're too dumb to care, or they simply couldn't care less. I want the PS3 to be everything promised and more, I really do, but I am worried. Is all.

If you're Sony and you're falling behind then you sure as hell aren't going to tell the public. You probably want every single person thinking "I'll hold off on the 360 until the PS3 comes out in few months". By May you can then show off some gameplay videos and say "The PS3 isn't coming out in the US until Nov but look at the cool games....you should wait a little longer".

[thecrazyd]

See, and that's why I'm so pissed off at Sony right now - they still say Spring 2006 when we all know it's very unlikely. Therefore, they either think we're too dumb to care, or they simply couldn't care less. I want the PS3 to be everything promised and more, I really do, but I am worried. Is all.
They never said a worldwide ship in Spring. I could see this being released in Japan in Spring.

[Citizen Philip]

Are you going to buy a PS3? Do you really care what it looks like? If the answer is "No" to either of these questions, why are you posting here?

It's a box for hardware, preferably a box you can put anywhere and not have to worry about it overheating, ideally. Durable would be good too, and blinky LEDs. I don't think grilling burgers would be a negative, assuming it was easy to clean. A fridge would be awesome too.

[fitbabits]

They never said a worldwide ship in Spring. I could see this being released in Japan in Spring.
If you think the PS3 will release anywhere in Spring, then I can see why you're called 'thecrazyd'! :rolleyes:

I could easily see the PS3 going the way of the PSX if they released it in Japan without all the expected hoopla.

[fitbabits]

Are you going to buy a PS3? Do you really care what it looks like? If the answer is "No" to either of these questions, why are you posting here?
Before I compose my reply, was your post directed at me?

[Reanimated]

Judging by the size of the development kits, I'd say the "real" PS3 is going to be a fucking bus.

[fitbabits]

Judging by the size of the development kits, I'd say the "real" PS3 is going to be a fucking bus.
I heard that Al Michaels is borrowing John Madden's horse trailer to get his home. :)

[Citizen Philip]

Before I compose my reply, was your post directed at me?

Anyone who feels a need to turn a "concept box" thread into anything more than speculating about boxes, good or bad; The comment was directed at them, the "my console and nothing else" stance gets stale very quickly.

Until console boxes act like little transformers, running around my living room stackinng my cds/dvds, coiling cable, gently reminding me of the time or my favorite shows that are about to come on TV, and transforming back into a small little box: I don't care what they look like, as long as they work.

[AntB]

Is the PS3 having a WorldWide simultanious launch?

If not, then they are going to launch this spring, april/may. In JAPAN. Not in U.S.
Japan boys are clamoring for the PS3. Look how many people bought a 360 there. They will release the PS3 here, later.

Unless, I'm uninformed and they specifically said they are launching stateside in Spring. Then nevermind.

[cjrizzo]

My guess is that the *true* design will end up looking more like a DVD player and less like a game system. Sony has to find a way to legitimize a high equipment price to get Blu-Ray out the door. By making it look like typical home electronics in size and form factor yet allowing it to play PS1/PS2/PS3 games, they will have a very professional device that can be a great Blu-Ray player and a great game system.

[antoniogaud]

IF (and that is a big IF) Sony were to launch in the US this spring it would be a disaster for obvious reason: nobody has saved up for it. To purchase any item that is in the $500-$600+ price range (when software is included) it takes MOST consumers time to get the funds together. That is the reason that Microsoft announced that the 360 would come out in November a full 6 months ahead of time (the exact date wasn't important) - that is an awful lot of money to fork up without a lot of notice.

Unfortunately, a fall launch puts Sony squarely between the launch of the much cheaper (and kid friendly) Revolution and the expected lower holiday price of the X360. That spells certain disaster from a marketing point of view.

Additionally, if the PS3 games dont look any better than X360 games, it will be an ever harder sell. With EA (the largest game publisher) admitting recently that they will use the same code sets on all of their sports games between the 360 and the PS3, nobody, not even EA themselves, expect much differentiation.

My question is: What will motivate the masses (not hardcore gamers) to buy a PS3 over a Revolution or X360?

Prediction: I expect that the PS3 will go on sale late this summer or in early fall BEFORE the holiday season (September). It is the only way for them to avoid the holiday squeeze and get some shelf time to themselves.

[Citizen Philip]

My question is: What will motivate the masses (not hardcore gamers) to buy a PS3 over a Revolution or X360?

Prediction: I expect that the PS3 will go on sale late this summer or in early fall BEFORE the holiday season (September). It is the only way for them to avoid the holiday squeeze and get some shelf time to themselves.

My chicken bones were not specific about the future of MS or Sony. However, your lucky number is 27 and you will meet someone of importance in the near future.

[rein]

This thread hurt my brain.

[Dracula-X]

The conceptual design placard was present at the E3 2005 as well.

Sony never said they'd tackle a worldwide simultaneous launch. We now know how much fun that can turn out to be.

They can launch anytime during the spring, which by my recollection extends into June, right? Did they give a specific day? So they have a nearly 6 month window.

If they delay, I don't quite see the gloom and doom. If it means more time to get things right, that's fine with me. *** isn't doing a thing in Japan it seems so rushing is pointless. Nov/Dec in the US would be fine, going by precedents.

[thecrazyd]

If you think the PS3 will release anywhere in Spring, then I can see why you're called 'thecrazyd'! :rolleyes:
Oh, I am sorry. I was unaware that you had insider information. I am now convinced.

I could easily see this coming out then in Japan. It won't have hardly any games, but that didn't hurt the PS2 any.

[fitbabits]

Oh, I am sorry. I was unaware that you had insider information. I am now convinced.

I could easily see this coming out then in Japan. It won't have hardly any games, but that didn't hurt the PS2 any.
Joke (noun) - Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement.

As for insider information, not even Sony have that! :)

[Achilles]

If they delay, I don't quite see the gloom and doom. If it means more time to get things right, that's fine with me. *** isn't doing a thing in Japan it seems so rushing is pointless. Nov/Dec in the US would be fine, going by precedents.Gar, the M-dollarsign. I agree though, Spring seems impossible at this point, but there's no reason that this winter would be out of reach. In fact at that point the PS3 would probably have final hardware for longer than the 360 did before its launch.

[thecrazyd]

Joke (noun) - Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement.

As for insider information, not even Sony have that! :)
Don't get me wrong, Boots my good man, I get that you are joking. I also get that you are joking about something that you know absolutly nothing about. Just because they were focusing their advertising on something that you can buy immediately during a season when people are known to buy things doesn't mean that they don't have anything to show. Keep in mind that I am not really a Sony fan, and not one to defend their actions unjustified. I am also not likely to condemn them unjustified. We will see what happens, and I will hold off my judgement until then.

[Grifter]

Damn!! I thought you guys got the memo or I would have said somthing sooner.

You see Microsoft assimilated Katarugi and his team during the 360 launch in Japan
(the borg is just another name for Microsoft in the future) Unfortunately in the panic and confusion E A went and kidnapped all of sonys game developers (hence no PS3 game footage).Where do you all think EA got the tech to make Fight Night 3. Seriously you think microsoft thought they had a chance in hell selling any systems in Japan, Hell no it was all just a diversion for gates master plan (the EA thing was just an unfortunate accident) Now "sony" will have a worlwide launch in spring and everyone on the planet will buy a PS3 (mainly because of Sonys super brainwashing technology that they secretly released last year but thats another story) but The Gatesmaster (Bill) will put a 360 in everyone of the PS3 boxes and be the number one set top Living room entertainment system maker in the world And Nintendo will be the number one Video game console maker in the world.
At this point we are sure Nintendo helped Microsoft in this dasterdly plan for world domination but they are much better at keeping secrets so we have no info on what their role was at this time.

[antoniogaud]

Which precedent are you referring to? There is NO PRECEDENT for a machine launching competitively against one released a full-year previous(360) and another simultaneously (Revolution). This is not a 'slam-dunk' by any means.

[fitbabits]

Don't get me wrong, Boots my good man, I get that you are joking. I also get that you are joking about something that you know absolutly nothing about. Just because they were focusing their advertising on something that you can buy immediately during a season when people are known to buy things doesn't mean that they don't have anything to show. Keep in mind that I am not really a Sony fan, and not one to defend their actions unjustified. I am also not likely to condemn them unjustified. We will see what happens, and I will hold off my judgement until then.
Sage words. Sage words, indeed.

Let's see, I haven't joked about the Revolution yet and I know more about that than the PS3 - I guess I need to redress the balance... That said, I'm almost afraid to joke about it, given the rabidity of the Nintendo lovers around here. :)

[thecrazyd]

That said, I'm almost afraid to joke about it, given the rabidity of the Nintendo lovers around here. :)
I will fucking KNIFE you if you say anything bad about my precious Revolution.

[Achilles]

I will fucking KNIFE you if you say anything bad about my precious Revolution.It's true, he knifed me in a previous thread!

[fitbabits]

I will fucking KNIFE you if you say anything bad about my precious Revolution.
See? :)
..........

[buckfutter]

I could easily see the PS3 going the way of the PSX if they released it in Japan without all the expected hoopla.

As I pointed out earlier:

"... outside of the extremely early playable GT2000 demo, the PS2 followed a fairly similar schedule. There's no way the PS3 is launching in Spring in the states, but the first major publically playable showing of PS2 software in Japan was at that year's February event... and they launched the next month. Don't expect the PS3 to hit Japan in March, though. We're probably going to see it in May."

If it's hoopla you want to see, then we're probably going to have to wait till late Feb.

[Cha-Ka]

Man, you people will even cry "DOOOOOM" when there isn't any news.

/Stab away

[EternalGamer]

Which precedent are you referring to? There is NO PRECEDENT for a machine launching competitively against one released a full-year previous(360) and another simultaneously (Revolution). This is not a 'slam-dunk' by any means.


Uh.. both the Xbox and the Gamecube were in this position. The PS2 had launched a year earlier and they both launched at the same time. Unless of course you are assuming that the Xbox and Gamecube were not "competitive" against the PS2, then you may have a point.

More and more, though I am seeing how Sony's name brand advantage could quickly fade. Nintendo has a unique device and the DS market which they could easily "tie" to the Revolution market. Xbox360 has the advantage of being first "shiny bauble" to the market. Unless Sony can adequately convince people that their (probably more expensive) bauble is shinier they may have a serious problem. And the "average consumer" doesn't care about MGS4 (although I do) or the latest Socom sequel and I have serious doubts at this point that Sony is going to deliver something to really undermine Microsoft's advantages.

Dan

[thecrazyd]

And the "average consumer" doesn't care about MGS4 (although I do) or the latest Socom sequel and I have serious doubts at this point that Sony is going to deliver something to really undermine Microsoft's advantages.
Well, I don't see how the "average gamer" would be particularly clammoring for what MS has up at bat either.

[EternalGamer]

That's the thing. We are not talking about gamers, we are talking about people that buy games and game systems. Unfortunately in our consumer society the two are not necessarily one in the game. What gives MS the advantage is that a) its "shiny"s are available first b) it's "shiny"s are cheaper and c) it's "shiny"s are just as shiny.

Dan

[thecrazyd]

a) its "shiny"s are available first b) it's "shiny"s are cheaper and c) it's "shiny"s are just as shiny.
a) True.
b) Speculation.
c) Somewhat reasonable speculation.

[antoniogaud]

I have to agree. I dont see what advantage the PS3 has over the X360. Don't get me wrong, I will be getting both (I have had EVERY game system since System-F) but for the average gamer, what will PS3 have that X360 doesnt? The combined sales of all the Metal Gear games (Metal Gear 1-3) have sold 4.2 million copies (according to the Konami's annual report). Meanwhile, Halo 2 (not including Halo 1) sold 2.38 million units ON ITS FIRST DAY ALONE. Anyone who doesn't think that people want what MS has at 'bat' clearly aren't seeing the sales figures.

Clearly, there is a serious issue here that Sony needs to deal with by creating new IP or securing games like GTA. EGM is reporting that GTA will release simultaneously on PS3 and X360, so Sony needs to do... something!

KONAMI ANNUAL REPORT : http://www.konami.co.jp/en/ir/financialinfo/annualreport/report2005/pdf/06.pdf

[EternalGamer]

I'm basing number two on the hardware as we know it today, especially considering the inclusion of the Blueray player. But I will certainly admit that the latter two points are still just speculation. I did not say I was ceratian of these facts, I merely said I am beginning to see how Sony could potentially be in a rather tougher position than previously thought. I don't think their brand recognition is just going to give them a free ride this time. They now have competition from someone else who also knows how to play the same marketing game.

Dan

[Jacob Singer]

I would just like to see some freakin' screenshots or in-game footage from a single PS3 game, period. I don't need a playable demo or anything, I JUST WANT TO SEE AN ACTUAL GAME SCREEN. Not mock-ups, not 'target visuals'. If this thing is launching in the spring in Japan there ought to be some game screens or footage available.

[sTubbs]

I would just like to see some freakin' screenshots or in-game footage from a single PS3 game, period. I don't need a playable demo or anything, I JUST WANT TO SEE AN ACTUAL GAME SCREEN. Not mock-ups, not 'target visuals'. If this thing is launching in the spring in Japan there ought to be some game screens or footage available.

Actually, I need more than that at this point - not just with the PS3 but with any console. For me to be convinced that something is genuinely running on a console, I need rock hard proof that it is genuinely running on a console. I need to see people picking up a controller and actually playing the game without any possibility that it is a mock up. I need multiple unbiased, unaffiliated civilians saying that they have played the game. I require hands on previews in which the gaming press has been allowed to play a copy of the game without any company representative controlling the situation.

Call me a cynic or skeptical or whatever, but I think this is a perfectly reasonable stance to take after all of the target video and other bullshit claims that have been tossed around over the last generation and now this one.

[51|RandoM]

Are the dev kits out there? Yes, but hardly end of story. How about some proper gameplay footage? Or some concrete news from Sony about their launch plans? Or, even better, how about some news in general from Sony? Or are you happy to roll along supporting Sony based on past achievments while being blind to the obvious. That is, Sony are struggling. If everything in the PS3 camp was humming along nicely, you can bet that Kuturagi and clan would be all over the place claiming that they'd played near-finished versions of launch titles and that they piss all over the competition.

What does that have to do with the case design being non-finalized? I guess if you want to string a bunch of miscellaneous facts into a chain that leads to something disastrous going on in the ps3 camp, go for it, but to what point?

Honestly, who cares whether or not they're struggling anyways? Maybe if you're a stockholder or something. Just buy the console when it arrives, or don't, seems pretty simple to me. I could almost understand concern if you were somebody who could only have one next gen console, AND 360 currently had a great library.

They could not say another word before launch day and they'd still sell out in Japan. Grab the good titles launched in Japan for the US release, add a few US-centric titles and they'll sell out again.

Two choices, patiently wait, and enjoy the console and games when they arrive, or get your panties in a wad and start spouting spurious speculation from faulty, few, and far between facts. :-)

[fitbabits]

Two choices, patiently wait, and enjoy the console and games when they arrive, or get your panties in a wad and start spouting spurious speculation from faulty, few, and far between facts. :-)
I choose the latter. :)

[antoniogaud]

Well, we prefer to get our panties in a wad because, after all, that is what these forums are for. Thanks for the advice, but most of us knew our options beforehand and didn't really need such deep insight into what options we have available.

(I'm being sarcastic!!)

[Zanzibar]

Which precedent are you referring to? There is NO PRECEDENT for a machine launching competitively against one released a full-year previous(360) and another simultaneously (Revolution). This is not a 'slam-dunk' by any means.

Huh? PS2 US launch Nov. 2000, Xbox and Gamecube November 2001.

[DoubleUranium]

I just hope they redesign the controller that's all.

For the love of god put some analog triggers on it! Using the analog stick to do both gas and brake so that you can't do both at the same time just sucks. And let's stop pretending the buttons are usefully analog while we're at it.

[antoniogaud]

I was wrong in phrasing my point and you are right to call me on it! 235 kudos to you, Zanzibar! I posted in haste and I am shamed.

However, the situation is slightly different this time around because:

1) The prices are higher. The 360 is $100 higher and the PS3 could be $200 higher than PS2 launch point. This is very significant because it relates to how many people outside of early adopters will buy a PS3 at $500. Games are also $10 higher, taking away more money from the budgets of possible early adopters. Next-Gen Gaming has become an expensive pastime all of a sudden.

2) The lower priced Revolution is a major wild-card. How the new control mechanism will affect sales is anyone's guess, but its a safe bet that they will steal many of the younger buyers (and their parents) from PS3's potential audience - a major component of the PS2 audience (especially in the last 3 years)

3) Many of the people who bought a PS2 bought it for the games AND the DVD playback function - making it a must-buy! There is no comparable 'must-buy' feature with the PS3. The blue-ray functionality that is unique can only be used with a Hi-Def TV which most people do not have.

[holysin]

Conceptual design because there isn't an actual ps3 inside that gray box :)

[mister_slim]

I have to agree. I dont see what advantage the PS3 has over the X360. Don't get me wrong, I will be getting both (I have had EVERY game system since System-F) but for the average gamer, what will PS3 have that X360 doesnt? The combined sales of all the Metal Gear games (Metal Gear 1-3) have sold 4.2 million copies (according to the Konami's annual report). Meanwhile, Halo 2 (not including Halo 1) sold 2.38 million units ON ITS FIRST DAY ALONE. Anyone who doesn't think that people want what MS has at 'bat' clearly aren't seeing the sales figures.

Those Metal Gear numbers are for the year 2005 only. Metal Gear Solid 2 alone shipped over 4.5 million copies it's first year on the market.

[antoniogaud]

From the annual report: "These new titles, in conjunction with repeat sales of existing products, helped ship a total of 4.2 million copies for the entire
METAL GEAR SOLID series."

[mister_slim]

From the annual report: "These new titles, in conjunction with repeat sales of existing products, helped ship a total of 4.2 million copies for the entire
METAL GEAR SOLID series."
So it's badly translated? It's still wrong.

Building on the precedent set by the top-selling original title, Metal Gear Solid®2: Sons of LibertyTM was released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation®2 with overwhelming praise from gamers and industry pundits worldwide, selling over 2 million units in the U.S. and over 5 million units worldwide.