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| Hands Up, North America: PlayStation 3 Has Come! by Barney Powerhead  Sony finally ships its PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the company's next generation computer entertainment system, in North America. In addition to the PlayStation 3 hardware, a software line up of more than 20 first- and third-party titles will be available at retailers nationwide. PlayStation 3 is available at the moment at retailers nationwide in two configurations for consumers. One features a 20-GB hard disk drive and carries a suggested retail price of $499, while the second features a 60-GB HDD and built in Wi-Fi adapter and multiple memory card slots for $599.At the heart of PlayStation 3 is the Cell Broadband Engine, that enables massive floating point calculation, and Blu-ray Disc drive, providing a true High Definition (1080p) next-generation gaming and movie experience in the home, as well as up to 50 GB of data capacity for video game developers to store content - five times the capacity of DVD. But the technological advances don't just stop in the system itself, they are also found in the controller. The PlayStation 3 system's new SIXAXIS wireless controller allows gamers to physically turn, twist, and bank their controllers to command the on-screen action. Every PlayStation 3 also comes equipped with an HDMI output for the best connection possible to high- definition displays, supporting Full-HD resolution up to 1080p for both games and movies. Built-in network capability means that all PlayStation 3 owners can enjoy online game play and services, such as Web browsing through the PlayStation Network and downloadable content through the PlayStation Store, immediately. Additionally, the first half million PlayStation 3 systems shipped in North America will include one of this summer's biggest blockbuster hits from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby", starring Will Ferrell, on high-definition BD format. Sales of PlayStation 3 began early this morning across the country, with consumers waiting in line to be the first to purchase the system. At the Sony Style retail outlet in New York City and the PlayStation store in San Francisco, Calif., thousands of fans lined the streets on November 16 waiting to be among the first owners of PlayStation 3 as it went on sale at midnight. Celebrity appearances by Grammy Award-winner Ludacris and Chapelle Show's Charlie Murphy entertained the New York crowds, while musical act Angels and Airwaves rocked throughout the night in San Francisco. At launch and throughout the holidays more than 20 first- and third-party PlayStation 3 software titles across today's most popular genres will also be released alongside the hardware. This is one of the most robust libraries of launch titles yet seen for a computer entertainment system, with titles including Resistance: Fall of Man, Genji: Days of the Blade and NBA '07, published by Sony, available immediately. Developed by Insomniac Games, creators of the critically acclaimed Ratchet & Clank franchise, Resistance: Fall of Man is a gripping first-person action game developed exclusively for the PlayStation 3 system. Set in a frightening, alternate 20th-century reality, Resistance: Fall of Man capitalizes on PlayStation 3's processing power to deliver a graphically-arresting, unique blend of harrowing military action and unnerving horror. Another exclusive title for PlayStation 3, Genji: Days of the Blade unveils beautiful next-generation visuals and sword-wielding game play to expand on the historical accounts of feudal Japan. Players unfold an epic tale of a warrior's honor that promises to deliver a breath-taking experience on the PlayStation 3 system. Also found only on PlayStation 3 is NBA '07, developed by Sony's San Diego Studio, which showcases detailed and lifelike graphics supported in Full-HD at 1080p resolution at a blazing fast 60 frames per second. NBA '07 delivers a life-like hard court experience with advanced artificial intelligence, realistic character movements, online functionality, and interaction with the new motion-sensitive SIXAXIS wireless controller. Other titles that will be available by the end of the year for purchase and download through Sony's online PlayStation Store include Blast Factor, Lemmings, Go! Sudoku, and Go! Swizzleblock. Other downloadable content available on November 17th include free movie trailers and game demos. The List of Launch-Window Titles Includes: - Sony Launch Titles: Resistance: Fall of Man; NBA '07; Genji: Days of the Blade - Third Party Publisher Titles: Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (Ubisoft); Call of Duty 3 (Activision); EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 (Electronic Arts); Full Auto 2: Battlelines (Sega); Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts); Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision); Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire (Namco Bandai); NBA 2K7 (2K Sports); Need For Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts); NHL 2K7 (2K Sports); Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai); Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts); Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Activision); Untold Legends Dark Kingdom (Sony Online Entertainment). Beyond the standard PlayStation 3 system package, PlayStation 3 peripherals in North America will include additional SIXAXIS wireless controllers, a Memory Card Adaptor for transferring game save information from PlayStation and PlayStation 2 Memory Cards onto the HDD of PlayStation 3. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Computing News :: home page |