Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Motorstorm does look sick.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

TGS 06: Ken Kutaragi keynote--LIVE
Sony Computer Entertainment president kicks off Japanese gaming expo with PS3-centric address.
By Brad Shoemaker, GameSpot
Posted Sep 21, 2006 6:06 pm PT
TOKYO--After a relatively uneventful Microsoft press conference two days ago in Shibuya, Sony has an easy act to follow. But expectations are nevertheless high for the keynote opening the 2006 Tokyo Game Show, being led by Ken Kutaragi and beginning in just a few minutes. Given the tumult that's marked the PlayStation 3's launch cycle since E3 in May, the assembled industry members from here in Japan and around the world are understandably ready to hang on Kutaragi's every word.

The cramped conference hall is quickly filling to the brim, with every seat filled and aisles on both sides of the room packed shoulder-to-shoulder with eager press. Kutaragi is expected to take the stage in moments, so be sure to refresh this page often for our rolling, up-to-the-minute updates on Sony's announcements.

10:10 am: The keynote begins with thanks that we've taken time out of our busy schedules to attend. Right, like we'd miss this? Ken Kutaragi is immediately introduced, presenting the topic "PS3: Creating the Next Generation of Computer Entertainment." No video allowed, so you'll just have to read everything we've got to say.

10:14: Kutaragi references the impending launches of both the PS3 and Wii as marking the start of the next generation of gaming, and welcomes us to try the large lineup of games that are playable on the TGS show floor as of right now.

Next up is the demo reel running at Sony's booth, featuring impressive footage of Ridge Racer 7, Virtua Fighter 5, Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight, and Final Fantasy XIII (the same trailer shown at E3). With visuals like these, it's easy to believe the next generation is indeed upon us.

10:20: Following the video, Kutaragi espouses the virtues of the PS3's processing power and controller, the latter of which is said to continually be making progress in terms of precision. More general commentary on the evolving state of the industry, including the statement that "computers" and "entertainment" are no longer separate concepts but now a single unified entity.

10:27: Yet more comments on the rapid acceleration of network speeds and the ability to deliver and store content between large servers and smaller end-user terminals. Okay Ken, we know technology's kinda cool, but what's going on with that PlayStation 3 lately?

[SLAYER]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

LOL, a Sony exec rambling or devolving into technobabble is almost as common as the sun rising.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

10 More talk of global positioning systems allowing fly-overs of actual terrain, or super-agent-powered future search engines providing personalized data. Ken says it's not a reality just yet, but you can bet he wants you to believe the PS3 will make it happen.

Is this thing still supposed to play games?

10:36: Hey, he just said the words "Gran Turismo." Guess there will be some games after all. But he's still only talking about the realistic modeling of terrain and the cars' suspensions and so on made possible by the PS3's hardware. C'mon, we figured it was going to be a decent system already.

10:42: Shopping, banking, online security--the PS3 will apparently do it all, maybe, sometime in the future. Kutaragi also says the barrier between broadcasting and communication has been lowered with the advent of user-uploaded photo and video content. There's much more potential in this space, he says, which will of course be realized by the PS3.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Thanks, keep 'em coming Genecyst.

[Scottdau]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

10 More talk of global positioning systems allowing fly-overs of actual terrain, or super-agent-powered future search engines providing personalized data. Ken says it's not a reality just yet, but you can bet he wants you to believe the PS3 will make it happen.

Is this thing still supposed to play games?

10:36: Hey, he just said the words "Gran Turismo." Guess there will be some games after all. But he's still only talking about the realistic modeling of terrain and the cars' suspensions and so on made possible by the PS3's hardware. C'mon, we figured it was going to be a decent system already.

10:42: Shopping, banking, online security--the PS3 will apparently do it all, maybe, sometime in the future. Kutaragi also says the barrier between broadcasting and communication has been lowered with the advent of user-uploaded photo and video content. There's much more potential in this space, he says, which will of course be realized by the PS3.

That did look cool, but I don't think it looked $700 cool!

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

10:46: Now, a little history lesson on the inception and wildly successful launch of the original PlayStation. Kutaragi cites ease of manufacturing and the use of the cheapest storage medium at the time as reasons for that success. Now moving on to the PlayStation 2's similar formula for success, which has led both systems to become valuable "long-tail" businesses, referring to their extreme longevity in the market.

10:50: Current networking technology--even gigabit ethernet--hasn't yet reached the internal bus speed of the original PlayStation, says Kutaragi, so it naturally will take time for Sony to fully realize its online plans in their entirety. Consequently, he says the PS3's internal hardware may be thought of as "overkill," since online content and packaged media must coexist "for the time being" to deliver the optimal entertainment experience

[SLAYER]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

IGN's impressions of the PS3 trailers:

6:15: Kutaragi shows a set of trailers

1. Ridge Racer 7: Looks fast and fun, with clear graphics. At a glance, it looks more impressive than the Ridge Racer 6, but I'll have to see both to compare.

2. Virtua Fighter 5: I'm not sure if the trailer is from the PS3 version or not, as I think I 've seen it before. Whatever the case, the PS3 version is said to look identical to the arcade version, so there probably wouldn't be a difference.

6:19: More trailers:

3. Gundam: Target in Sight: The environments are much improved. There's a beach-level with gorgeous water and forestry. The mechs look exactly like they did in the early footage.

4. Final Fantasy XIII: Appears to be the same trailer as was shown at E3

6:20: The trailers have finished. The reason these clips were chosen was because Kutaragi wanted to show how far the game industry has advanced since the original PlayStation was released.

6:24: Kutaragi is going on and on about computers and changes in technology and networking and servers the likes. He hasn't used the term "4D" yet.

6:27: Kutaragi is sharing his vision on networking. We'll be uploading the keynote speech later on today so you can see for yourself what he says (and if you understand it, please send us an e-mail with an explanation).

6:49: The keyword for Sony is innovation. Without innovation, the industry won't move forward. Kutaragi believes creativity should be the basis of the computer industry.

Kutaragi feels that networking is not at the point where it needs to be. Servers haven't reached the internal bus speed of the first generation PlayStation. They don't have sufficient power to carry out the computations at the level of the PlayStation 2.

In ten years, it's possible that something like the PlayStation 3 will be overkill because servers will be so powerful.

6 He makes a mention of emulated games on the PlayStation 3. Users will be able to play emulated games, which is something he talked about back at the time of the time of the PlayStation 2's announcement. He specifically makes mention today of Mega Drive and PC Engine title, but this isn't confirmation that games from these systems will be available on the PS3.

Kutaragi also mentions YouTube style downloads -- people uploading their own videos. Again, he's not talking about specific network features for the system, just sharing something Sony is interested in doing.

Sony will have 15,000 PS3 units installed in shop fronts throughout the world. Sony wants to have these connected via network and then used as promotional tools -- it's currently speaking with retailers about this.

Sony is considering having the retail kiosks used as arcade-style units, so people can pay 100 yen or so to play a game.

7:04: He says Sony will take the initiative to lead the next 10 years of gaming. He expects the PS3 to play an important part in the movement. "I feel very pleased to be involed with the PlayStation 3."

7 Another trailer sequence is starting! Woo-Hoo!

7:07: The trailer sequence was just one trailer -- for Afrika.

The trailer starts off with a bunch of clips of animals. A group of elephants -- young and old. The camera pans out to reveal hundrdes of wild animals. Then, a scene of giraffes against the setting sun. We then see predators eating their prey, then hippos, rhinos -- all sorts of wild life. Finally, a cheeta chasing down its prey.

We're still not sure what the game is about. However, at the very end of the clip, we see a person in a car looking out on the landscape. This seems to be a hint as to the nature of the game.

The footage is all real time and has overwhelming detail, from the animal models to the environments, with individual blades of grass. You'll definitely want to check out the trailer when it goes online.

7:11 They're preparing for a Q&A session now.

[SLAYER]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

10:55: Downloadable 16-bit games? MegaDrive (Genesis) and PC Engine (TurboGrafx)? Where have we heard that before? Kutaragi also talks about the possibility of paying 100 yen (about $1) for a small or time-limited game demo.

11:00: Sony is collaborating on an experiment with the Los Alamos laboratory in the US involving the Folding@Home project, which uses spare processing power for medical research. How long before we see water-cooled, overclocked PS3s showing up in forum sigs everywhere?

11:04: So far this may be the least eventful keynote in TGS history. Last year we got our first look at the Wii-mote. Granted, most of the cats are out of the PS3 bag, but this is Sony's last big chance to give the entire world the final relevant info about the launch and subsequent plans for the system. There's one more video coming up, and the keynote is over.

11:06: It's Afrika! Maybe now we can figure out what the hell it is!

11:07: Scenes of elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, hippos--you know, the resident fauna of Africa--all going about their business. A rhino charges the camera, a cheetah speeds with strikingly realistic animation toward its prey--and the demo is over. Oh wait, there's a pretty extreme-looking dude in a cap sitting in a jeep. Guess they still aren't going to tell us what the game is about.

11:09: Kutaragi retakes the stage for a photo op as the underwhelmed attendees begin to filter out of the conference room. Predictably, the hottest news from this TGS will come from our editors already on the floor, getting their hands on games like Devil May Cry 4, Ridge Racer 7, and more. Watch our 2006 Tokyo Game Show page like a hawk for all the updates of the next 72 hours.

*KEYNOTE OVER*

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

10:55: Downloadable 16-bit games? MegaDrive (Genesis) and PC Engine (TurboGrafx)? Where have we heard that before? Kutaragi also talks about the possibility of paying 100 yen (about $1) for a small or time-limited game demo.

11:00: Sony is collaborating on an experiment with the Los Alamos laboratory in the US involving the Folding@Home project, which uses spare processing power for medical research. How long before we see water-cooled, overclocked PS3s showing up in forum sigs everywhere?

11:04: So far this may be the least eventful keynote in TGS history. Last year we got our first look at the Wii-mote. Granted, most of the cats are out of the PS3 bag, but this is Sony's last big chance to give the entire world the final relevant info about the launch and subsequent plans for the system. There's one more video coming up, and the keynote is over.

11:06: It's Afrika! Maybe now we can figure out what the hell it is!

11:07: Scenes of elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, hippos--you know, the resident fauna of Africa--all going about their business. A rhino charges the camera, a cheetah speeds with strikingly realistic animation toward its prey--and the demo is over. Oh wait, there's a pretty extreme-looking dude in a cap sitting in a jeep. Guess they still aren't going to tell us what the game is about.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

11:09: Kutaragi retakes the stage for a photo op as the underwhelmed attendees begin to filter out of the conference room. Predictably, the hottest news from this TGS will come from our editors already on the floor, getting their hands on games like Devil May Cry 4, Ridge Racer 7, and more. Watch our 2006 Tokyo Game Show page like a hawk for all the updates of the next 72 hours.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

that's it i guess...

umm...

[SLAYER]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Taken from the official TGS booklet, PS3 game progress:

Virtua Fighter 5: 70%
Sega Golf Club: 70%
Sonic the Hedgehog 3: 75%
Armored Core 4: 80%
Coded Arms Assault: 50%
Ridge Racer 7: 100%
Gundam Target in Sight: 80%
Gran Turismo HD: 50%
Warhawk: 50%
Unknown Realm: 30%
LAIR: 35%
Motorstorm: 60%
The Eye of Judgment: 70%
Genji: 70%
Resistance: 85%
Minna no Golf 5: 30%
Heavenly Sword: 65%

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/734/734145p1.html

I wonder how far along NBA 2K7, Madden, and other U.S. games are..

[Flawless]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

TGS 2006: Interview with the Dragon
Factor 5 finally lifts the veil on its anticipated PS3 exclusive, Lair.

Interview

Screens

Trailer

...

Resistance Trailer

Formula One Trailer

MotorStorm Trailer

...

[Flawless]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Impressions

I've just walked around the booths for about 40 minutes, looking for most of the big PS3 games. I've still have to see a few, and of course these are just impressions of what I saw other people playing and it will have to be confirmed while playing with a pad. The first videos should be online in about one hour or a bit more.

Devil May Cry 4: No surprise here, this is some typical Capcom goodness. Fans of the series won't be disappointed as the gameplay and the camera system looks a lot like what we had in DMC3, but of course the graphics took a severe upgrade. Very smooth moving too.
MGS4: The trailer is running on a loop at Konami's booth. It looks as hot as ever, obviously, but I was a tad badly surprised by the framerate from time to time.
Lair: The gameplay sequences in flight in the mountains look really good, but once you get close to the castles and the humans on the ground it looks a bit weird. I you do not like HDR effects you will hate that game with a passion as they are almost overdone. The framerate is also very jerky.
Motorstorm: I had never seen this game running in real life before, and what I saw was quite disappointing. The physics are excellent, but the framerate is all over the place, and worst of all the speed sensation was totally lacking. This is one game I really want to go back and check out again as I simply couldn't believe my eyes. I hope it was only that the 4 people playing at that time didn't know what they were doing...
Gran Turismo HD: Now this is something I never think I'd saw, ever. Imagine a Gran Turismo games being shown with slowdowns? Well, this is happening right now onthe moutain track at least. Something must be wrong with the demo units.
Virtua Fighter 5: A perfect arcade port, already running at a perfect 60 fps on a lot of demo stations. Very good looking.
Virtua Tennis 3: Another perfect port, running on 1080p screens and looking very very sharp. Replays and closeups are running at 30 fps though.
Ridge Racer 7: Honestly if I had been told it was a "track pack" for Ridge Racer 6 I'd have believed it. It still looks good, it's very smooth, but there is now "wow awesome" moment either. The boost effect looked a bit weird.

That's it for now. I'm very surprised by the number of games really lacking in the framerate department. The devs still have a few weeks to optimize their games for launch though, so hopefully everything will be fine in the end.

http://www.playsyde.com/news_3489_en.html

...