NEWS: PlayStation 3 Launches On November 17, 2006

The Sony PlayStation 3 "Clear Black" design


Another official photo of the PS3 "Clear Black" design standing upright

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) recently announced that it would launch PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) in “Clear Black” throughout mainland Europe and Australasia on November 17, 2006, as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.

PS3 is the most advanced computer system that serves as a platform to enjoy next generation computer entertainment contents in the home, realized through the combination of Cell and RSX processors, in addition to the playability of a vast catalogue of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software titles.

Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD) as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of contents as well as access on-line games and services over the network.

Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment contents to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.

With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.

The new controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller which has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide. The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.

While further enhancing the joy of entertainment on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable (PSP), SCEE will vigorously promote PS3 as the next generation computer entertainment platform.

PLAYSTATION 3 Specifications
Product name:
PLAYSTATION 3

CPU:
Cell Processor

GPU:
RSX

Sound:
Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc (Cell-based processing)

Memory:
256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM

HDD:
2.5” Serial ATA -- 20GB / 60GB variety

I/O:
4x USB 2.0

Removable storage:
MemoryStick (MS) / SecureDigital (SD) /CompactFlash (CF)

Communication:
1x Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)

Wireless connectivity:
-- IEEE 802.11 b/g
-- Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)

Joypad:
Wireless Bluetooth controller

AV Output:
-- Screen size = 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p

-- 1x HDMI OUT (HDMI NextGen)

-- 1x AV MULTI OUT

-- 1x DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)

Optical drive (read only):
-- BD/DVD/CD Drive

-- Maximum Read Speed: BD 2x (BD-ROM); DVD 8x (DVD-ROM); CD 24x (CD-ROM); SACD 2x

Dimensions:
Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm (D)

Weight:
Approximately 5kg

NEWS: SCE Announces New Controller For PlayStation 3

The official and finalised Sony PlayStation 3 gamepad


A close-up on the PS3 gamepad's mini-USB port

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc (SCEI) recently announced the new controller for PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3), which will become available as standard with the system. The new controller can be experienced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) held from May 10 through 12, 2006, in Los Angeles, California.

The controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller that has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide, while inheriting its basic concept and design. The controller for PS3 employs breakthrough technology of high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that does not require any devices other than the controller itself for seamless interactive operation, thus eliminating additional settings to TVs. With this technology, ways to enjoy PS3 will be further enhanced by accessing PS3 through the network, while retaining the six-axis sensing capability.

In addition to the “3-posture-axis” of roll, pitch and yaw, “3-dimension acceleration information (X, Y, and Z)” can be detected in high-precision and in real-time. In addition to standard key input available in existing controllers, more natural and more intuitive play will become possible as if the controller has become part of your body.

Pursuant to the introduction of this new six-axis sensing system, the vibration feature that is currently available on DUALSHOCK and DUALSHOCK 2 controllers for PlayStation and PlayStation 2, will be removed from the new PS3 controller as vibration itself interferes with information detected by the sensor.

The shape of L2/R2 buttons located on the top of the controller has also been enlarged with increased depth in stroke for more subtle control in games. At the same time, the tilting angle of the analog joy sticks has been slightly broadened to enable more delicate and more dynamic manipulation. Along with these improvements, precision of above information detection (L2/R2, analog joy stick) has been increased from 8 bit to 10 bit.

All input information will be immediately transferred to the PS3 system through the Bluetooth wireless technology. By using a USB cable, the PS3 controller can be swapped seamlessly from wireless to wired, and can be charged automatically. The cable can be attached and detached at anytime.

By integrating all these features into one standard PlayStation controller, SCEI, together with content creators, expects to further expand and accelerate the world of next generation computer entertainment.

NEWS: Metal Gear Solid - Portable Ops infiltrates PSP

Metal Gear Solid evolves as Konami Digital Entertainment announces an all-new action-packed single player campaign and innovative online play

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has used the E3 gaming event in Los Angeles to unveil Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – an all-new action title in Hideo Kojima's legendary Metal Gear Solid series for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops redefines the stealth action genre for handheld gaming systems with an original storyline that follows from the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and boasts ground-breaking online play that lets gamers recruit comrades to form a unique fighting force.

The single-player campaign of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops follows the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, as Naked Snake establishes FOXHOUND in an attempt to hunt down the treacherous FOX unit, which has started a bloody revolt in South America. Set in 1970, the game will be the missing link in the ongoing Metal Gear saga, as players will learn more about returning characters such as Para-Medic, Major Zero and Sigint and also witness Naked Snake's greatest tragedy – a loss that sets into motion the events of later games in the Metal Gear Solid timeline.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops delivers the series' trademark stealth-based action to PSP while introducing several new elements that add even more depth and variety to Naked Snake's new adventure. Using an intuitive new third-person camera that is optimised for handheld play, gamers will be able to see more of Snake's surroundings, identifying threats while also targeting the best areas for sneaking and hiding. The story of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops will be told through fully voiced cinematics featuring 3D models and original artwork by acclaimed illustrator Ashley Wood.

As players progress through the single player campaign of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, they can recruit comrades to create their own fighting unit. In addition to regular enemies and soldiers, players can also recruit unique NPCs depending on their actions in key situations, building an armed force to fit their style of play. Through the wireless capabilities of the PSP system, players can also search for volunteer soldiers via wireless access points.

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Refining the gameplay of the online multiplayer mode from Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops lets players engage in online skirmishes through the PSP system's wireless infrastructure functionality. Players will be able to use their squadron from the single-player portion of the game as well as recruiting new members and trading with other players, unleashing their distinctive abilities and wreaking havoc across the game's numerous multiplayer levels.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops also introduces a new "White Flag" system to the game's multiplayer modes, letting players choose to surrender and live to fight again in each round or fight to the death until the next game begins. Placing emphasis on stealth gameplay, the White Flag System further evolves online play for the Metal Gear series and creates a bond between the player and their team as they work together to achieve their objectives.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops screenshots (thanks to Voltage PR):

NEWS: PSP Firmware v2.7 Available Now

Click on this image to go directly to Sony's official Japanese PSP firmware update site

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that the latest firmware upgrade for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) is available now. The new firmware would dramatically enhance the capabilities of the PSP with the ability to playback more popular music file formats, stream podcasts to the PSP and save them to Memory Stick, and display Flash content in the Internet browser. The latest upgrade also prepares PSP to act as a receiver for Location-free TV, the exciting innovation in remote TV viewing to be launched by Sony in Europe this coming May.

As part of the continual upgrade and enhancement programme that ensures PSP owners are able to exploit the cutting edge of entertainment technology and functionality, the latest firmware upgrade (Version 2.70) allows users to enable Flash within the PSP browser and enjoy web content created with Adobe Macromedia software. Mainly used for website content featuring multimedia and interactive applications, the Flash capability of the browser will significantly enhance users’ multimedia internet experience.

With the RSS feature enabled, the PSP system can link to audio content on Web pages that provide RSS-distributed audio content. When connected to the Internet via the PSP’s WLAN, the system will automatically update the list of audio content items that have been added to these pages, and you can then either stream and play the new content or, with the new firmware enhancement, save it to a Memory Stick Duo Pro for playback later.

The latest upgrade also provides PSP music file compatibility with the most popular music file formats, which now includes AAC playback to the existing list of MP3, ATRAC and WMA tracks, providing the PSP entertainment system with one of the most versatile music players available.

With the Version 2.7 upgrade the PSP will also act as a receiver for the revolutionary Sony innovation, LocationFree TV. LocationFree is a completely new way of seeing TV. Instead of going to the television set, the TV comes to you (via your home TV tuner) wherever you are. You can watch live TV, playback recorded programmes and even set up future recordings, all from your PSP. LocationFree will be available in UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands from May 2006 onwards.

Together with a wide range of free content to enhance the entertainment value of your PSP, the latest firmware upgrade can be downloaded directly to the PSP browser via WiFi or from www.yourpsp.com from Tuesday 25th May 2006.

Be sure to download the latest firmware according to your PSP's region (e.g. PSP-1000k belongs to the Japan region group, whereas PSP-1006k is categorised in the Hong Kong/Singapore region). If you know your PSP's region code but not sure which country it belongs to, see here

SNK-Playmore returns to KOF/Orochi roots

If you've followed my rantings about SNK-Playmore's horrendous continuations of the Fatal Fury and King Of Fighters series (see here and here), you would know by now that I'm very much let down by the Playmore people who've taken over the old SNK company. The subsequent translations of gameplay, graphics, voice-acting and storyline of said games series aren't likeable anymore.

With that said, I was skeptical at first when I saw another SNK-Playmore game released just recently - The King Of Fighters: Orochi Version for the PlayStation 2. Basically, this is a compilation of King Of Fighters '95, '96 and '97 which deals with with Orochi storyline. In my humble opinion, these three episodes were the most thrilling games as the story itself was very engaging. Mystical and mysterious, even.

I couldn't resist the urge to get this compilation, no matter how bad the previous games released by SNK-Playmore were. And hence the greatest journey begun...

I got home, loaded the game and kept my fingers crossed. For what felt like an eternity, I finally got to the menu screen. From the looks of it, The King Of Fighters: Orochi Version lets you choose one of the three games to play. Other than that, you can also tweak some settings such as Sound, Control and do a bit of Character Editing. There's even an Online Battle network available for those with a network card on their PS2. Despite of the previous experience I had with SNK-Playmore's games, the menu system looks clean, properly arranged and easy to navigate.

As for the games themselves, each one seems to be a direct port of the Neo-Geo 64-bit home console. The character sprites are sharp, the character animation and frame-rate fluidity is just as I remembered, and the sound effects rock. The punches, kicks and super attacks sound satisfyingly crunchy when you land blow after blow on your opponent (or otherwise). The King Of Fighters: Orochi Version is definitely unlike the other previous home console ports (Sega Saturn and PSOne), and this was how I came to the conclusion SNK-Playmore did a direct Neo-Geo home machine port to the PS2. To say I'm elated is an understatement.

You can also choose to have the original game background music for each game from the main menu (under Sound setup) or opt for the arranged version - the latter gives more 'oomph!' and enjoyment during character selection, intros and battles.

Having said that, my all-time favourite was King Of Fighters '97 which I would play endlessly on my Sega Saturn. However, this new version seems to boast tweaked AI -- I had trouble beating even Terry on Normal difficulty settings! Of course, this is a good thing, and I'm very satisfied with this compilation. Period. With this compilation, secret characters are now selectable on-the-fly as well.

The controls can be customised too, though you can't set the shoulder buttons (L1, L2, R1, R2) to activate super attacks or special moves. Not a problem for me, but my close buddies tend to use the Special setting on the Saturn machine so that they could put up a fight against me. Without a network card, I guess I'll be playing this game alone for the moment. Meh.

The formula to creating a great game doesn't just lie in the hands of professionals; it also depends on the passion in creating gems such as the classic King Of Fighters, namely '96 and '97, which makes people want to go back for more button mashing sessions. The storyline also plays an important role too, which got yours truly really hooked - line, sinker and all.

The King Of Fighters: Orochi Version is currently out in Japanese, but you can change the language option to English with KOF'96 and KOF'97. The English version has not been dated, but I'll keep you posted on it. This a gem of a compilation of SNK's best fighting games ever, and I would never thought SNK-Playmore would leave all three KOFs intact. But here they are, in their intended form with arranged and original music tracks to choose from.

My recommendation? This is an excellent compilation of three KOF games not to be missed!