AfterDawn: News

Sony still on track for Spring PS3 launch

Sony Corp. said on Thursday that despite rumors and speculation, it remained on track to release the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Spring 2006. The launch of the PS3 is being eagerly awaited by many, as Microsoft has already started to eat more into the $25 billion market with the release of the Xbox 360. Also, Hollywood studios backing Blu-ray await the launch of the console to boost the Blu-Ray format.

Larry Probst, chief executive of the No. 1 video game publisher Electronic Arts, said last week that he believed Sony's console would not be available until fall 2006. However a Sony spokesman said it was still targeting a Spring 2006 launch. The PS3 will provide a huge push for the Blu-ray Disc format also, which is battling with Toshiba's HD-DVD format to become the next generation DVD standard.



Hollywood is hoping that releasing movies on BD discs in high definition will send consumers back out to buy new players and their favorite movies on the new format. The PS3's launch will effectively put a Blu-ray player in many homes very fast. Blu-ray is still also set for a Spring 2006 launch (along with HD-DVD).

Of course a delay in the PS3 launch would be a fantastic thing for the HD-DVD group, which actually continues to believe that the Blu-ray technology won't be available on time. "It's not going to be much of a battle until both sides are actually on the field and we have a sneaking suspicion that that won't be for quite a while." said Mark Knox, a spokesman for the HD-DVD camp.

Source:
News.com

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 Dec 2005 7:53

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• 57 comments

• Endrit

  im itching to get this

  9.12.2005 07:56 #1

• weazel200

  I hope it gets released by the spring as I can't wait to play it. No way am I settling for an x-box.

  9.12.2005 08:16 #2

• mystic

  yeah if they start loseing some of the lawsuits they'll have to release it earlier to pay for the rootkit.... this isnt going away....and the product might be nice but the company is making up its own rules witch puts countless comsumers at risk for idenity theift along with invassion of privisy and misuse of my equipment ... so be carefull how far up the flag pole your willing to climb because this company like to grease to pole on ya....

  9.12.2005 08:30 #3

• tmfloria

  Blu-Ray won't last long.. Not everyone is going to want to have to buy a new DVD Player or a PS3 in order to play Blu-Ray Movies.. as for the game end of it I wonder how many game manufactures will actually produce full blu-ray discs and how many will just use DVD-9 as the standard
  
  

  9.12.2005 08:32 #4

• Endrit

  I reckon blu-ray will be better than dvd 9, sounds more high tech tmfloria does have a piont though

  9.12.2005 08:35 #5

• eureka21

  Blu- ray disks are going to be so expensive, PS3 games are rumored to be around $90 buks...i think i'd settle for the 360 when it has the SAME graphics

  9.12.2005 08:53 #6

• wheatking

  I'm very curious to see what the pricing will be for the PS3. Ken Kutaragi was quoted as saying that it's going to be "expensive". Whatever that means.....
  
  Keep in mind that Spring '06 may be just for the Japanese launch, with the US launch a few months behind. (Just like the PS2)

  9.12.2005 09:15 #7

• K4kashi

  I dont think its fair to say it has the same graphics because we dont know if it does or not yet.For all we know it could blow the 360 out of the water.
  
  

  9.12.2005 09:19 #8

• tmfloria

  That's why I don't think Blu-Ray will be all that "STANDARD" when it comes to the PS3.. The Discs will cost to much to produce and games aren't going to want to pay the high price for Blu-Ray games... Granted some games may come out that need the large capacity format discs but I think you'll see alot more DVD-9 filled to the brim then you will see Blu-Ray
  

  9.12.2005 09:23 #9

• Endrit

  K4kashi (Member) 9 December 2005 14:19
  I dont think its fair to say it has the same graphics because we dont know if it does or not yet.For all we know it could blow the 360 out of the water.
  
  If you want to see ps3 games in action:
  Killzone 2 on ps3:
  
  http://tinyurl.com/a3zxe
  
  Motorstorm on ps3:
  
  http://tinyurl.com/a3zxe
  
  
  WHAT YOU RECKON? STILL THE SAME AS 360?
  
  (long urls changed by admin)

  9.12.2005 11:37 #10

• Endrit

  Holy crap, i still cant belive it!
  
  look at it! just look at it!! is it a film or game??
  cant make my mind up lol

  9.12.2005 11:39 #11

• Endrit

  oops the motorstorm 1 is wrong
  
  http://tinyurl.com/cfvor
  
  thats the correct 1!
  
  (long urls changed by admin)

  9.12.2005 11:40 #12

• Endrit

  looks even better on fullscreen
  

  9.12.2005 11:42 #13

• Endrit

  it probably is a blur - ray disc, id pay about $150 for that motorstorm game, i dont care, its too cool not to buy

  9.12.2005 11:43 #14

• Lethal_B

  Quote:Sony still on track for Spring PS3 launchI'm looking forward to it, but it's just a console remember! Lol some see them as a way of life! (0_o)
  
  ~Lethal

  9.12.2005 13:46 #15

• Endrit

  When PlayStation 3 was unveiled six months ago, the display of raw power was little short of astonishing. Here, finally, was a games machine capable of pumping out the kind of eye-watering visuals you would normally associate with high-end special effects used in movies.
  
  But to get a real idea of just how powerful the PlayStation 3 is you need to speak to a developer working on the system.
  
  Chris Keegan is technical director at Climax. He says that if the PS3 existed in 1998, it would have been the most powerful super-computer in the world. He reckons PS3 is roughly 250 times more powerful in raw processing terms than PS2.
  
  But computing power counts for nothing without the support of software publishers. Today, every major third-party publisher is onboard and there are more than 150 titles in development. Highlights include Resident Evil 5, the next Grand Theft Auto and Vision Gran Turismo.
  
  But pick of the bunch so far has to be Metal Gear Solid 4. The latest instalment in the series, which has long been synonymous with Sony hardware, looks incredible.
  
  To really get the most out of the PS3, you are going to need to get involved with high definition TV. The console is equipped with two HDMI outputs which, when hooked up to a compatible plasma or LCD display, will result in images of unparalleled clarity and detail.
  
  Further future-proofing comes from the Blu-Ray disc format which the PS3 uses. Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 25GB of data, as opposed to the 4.7GB on the standard DVDs which are used by Xbox 360. Layered disc versions with even more capacity are possible.
  
  Sony's trump card is its recently released handheld, the PSP. Further down the line, the suggestion is that you will be able to use the PSP's network browsing functionality to log onto your PS3 remotely, managing content such as music and movies, while on the move.
  
  During the current generation, Microsoft dominated online console gaming with Xbox Live. I would expect to see Sony offering a fully integrated network service to support PS3 this time around.
  
  Now the waiting game starts. There is no word on price, and the current estimate is that PS3 will launch in Japan next spring, with the US and Europe due to follow before the end of the year.
  
  If the PS3 rollout is structured along similar lines to the PS2 one, it could be next October before UK gamers get their hands on it, giving the Xbox 360 almost a year's head start.
  
  But Sony is used to managing consumer expectations and playing the wait and see card. After all, going first brings its own set of problems. Just ask Sega.
  
  

  Sex is like mcdonalds........im loving it!

  9.12.2005 13:47 #16

• Ludikhris

  Those saying that blue ray discs will be expensive are just trying to fan down the flames of a new technology burrowing through. I heard they were going to consist of a lot of paper as opposed to plastic, and when you come right down to it, the cost of manufacturing each disc will cost LESS money than a CD or DVD. The rest of disc creation is dyes and royalties, as long as Sony doesnt charge an arm and a leg to make them, the cost of a blue ray for game and movie makers will be relatively cheap, they wont spare the cost. You have to remember they are competing with both XBOX360 and HD-DVD so that will drive the price down. You have to hand it to them though, if everyone goes blue ray rather than HDDVD Sony is going to be a VERY happy company when it comes to royalties.
  
  Ludikhris

  9.12.2005 14:08 #17

• Lennme

  Blu ray is likely to be a non-issue for some time to come; it will remain a niche market for years. I just don't see hundreds of millions of dvd player owners ditching their gear just to go to a new HD format. Until HD displays become mainstream (again for hundreds of millions of owners) this new format will remain a cutting edge niche.

  9.12.2005 16:12 #18

• sisph

  I really don't think any company would price their game at 90 smackers. I think, if anything, you're looking at 60, 70 tops for games on BR. Why would anyone pay 399 or more for a console only to find out that a single game costs 1/4 of the console?
  
  Sony is just gonna have to suck up the losses until they figure out a cheaper way to produce BR discs. Not to mention that both Microsoft and Sony are losing heaps of money over just the production of their own consoles. God only knows about Revolution.
  

  9.12.2005 18:58 #19

• freshguy

  Quote:Hollywood is hoping that releasing movies on BD discs in high definition will send consumers back out to buy new players and their favorite movies on the new format.That is if anyone still has a home to put them in after Hollywood sends them to court for a highly definitive lawsuit.
  

  http://profiles.excite.com/profiles/user_profile.jsp?unme=notsost...

  9.12.2005 20:10 #20

• mudearies

  cant wait for ps3 should be hot as hell.

  9.12.2005 23:32 #21

• arcanix

  Quote:it remained on track to release the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Spring 2006 In Japan though. We europeans have to wait 6 months longer, and even more if it isn't released in spring like they say.

  9.12.2005 23:35 #22

• Endrit

  av ne of u checked out the sites i posted?

  10.12.2005 01:00 #23

• Ghostdog

  Quote:That's why I don't think Blu-Ray will be all that "STANDARD" when it comes to the PS3.. The Discs will cost to much to produce and games aren't going to want to pay the high price for Blu-Ray games... Granted some games may come out that need the large capacity format discs but I think you'll see alot more DVD-9 filled to the brim then you will see Blu-Ray Well games are going to require more storage space than a current-gen. DVD-disc can offer eventually. And I think that time will come in just a few years - some games for the 360 are already rumoured to require more than one DVD. With the kind of hardware-power the new consoles are capable of games are going to grow in size and investing in a system being able to handle future games might not be a bad idea. Even though the initial cost might be high.

  10.12.2005 01:11 #24

• My350z

  Anyone hav an idea how much it will cost?
  

  10.12.2005 04:20 #25

• arcanix

  That killzone video is pre-rendered, not actual game ffs. Nobody cares about game trailers, everybody want's to soo gameplay videos, but sony isn't giving any. I think that mgs4 trailer is only not pre-rendered video of ps3 games (at least they say so in the trailer, still might be pre-rendered though). And I doubt that motorstorm video was also pre-rendered. If not then it will probably cost 100$ in retail, crazy details...

  10.12.2005 05:06 #26

• solargame

  @ eureka21, the blu-ray disc actually cost the same to produce as regular dvd. but the reason games will cost more is because its not easy to produce 25+gigs of data. so more data in games= more cost for the programmers and publishers. more bad news. sony had a rumor where it said ps3 games cant be bought used cause they wont play. hope thats not true. but still, ps3 all the way.

  10.12.2005 06:53 #27

• arcanix

  Quote: @ eureka21, the blu-ray disc actually cost the same to produce as regular dvdActually they cost even more than hd-dvd (which costs more than dvd). Dvd production lines can easily be transformed into hd-dvd lines. So it will cost to make the production lines (bluray), and the discs are more expensive.
  Quote:but the reason games will cost more is because its not easy to produce 25+gigs of data Game developers are not aiming to fill those discs, they just do the game ready. if it fits on a dvd, then they're going to release it on dvd, because it's much cheaper than bluray.

  10.12.2005 12:52 #28

• Reasons?

  Don't have facts? Dont post...
  
  Every website backed by blu-ray says that Blu-ray media is cheaper to man. than DVD discs.
  
  http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/
  
  And many other sites are like http://www.supermediastore.com/blue-ray-blu-ray-dvd-media-recorder.html and other third party sites, are saying around 10% more.
  
  From where I'm standing, Blu-ray media is more liely cheaper to produce due to the lack of glass layer that DVD must have. This will drive the cost down regardless of it being a new and more sensitive media.

  11.12.2005 12:36 #29

• Reasons?

  For the lack of the "Edit" button appearing-
  
  I forgot, a game for 360 currently in developement is occupying 4 9GB DVD-9s. That is a first year game, that will end up at least 36GB in size. Hmmmmm, those blu-ray discs look pretty good to me.

  11.12.2005 12:38 #30

• arcanix

  Quote:1.12 What will Blu-ray Disc products cost?
  
  As with any new technology the first generation of products will likely be quite expensive due to low production volumes. Just like I said, first they will be expensive, then the price is going down. Eventually they just might cost almost the same as dvd.
  Quote:1.7 How fast can you read/write data on a Blu-ray disc?
  
  According to the Blu-ray Disc specification, 1x speed is defined as 36Mbps. However, as BD-ROM movies will require a 54Mbps data transfer rate the minimum speed we're expecting to see is 2x (72Mbps). That's megaBITs per second (8 bits equals to one byte). So 1x drive will read 4,5 megaBYTEs. That's going to be a serious bottleneck. And look at that sentence: "According to the Blu-ray Disc specification". They're not even sure about it.

  11.12.2005 19:29 #31

• lxhotboy

  A 36 gig game for the 360 already????? Maybe they made a mistake by not making the 360 hd dvd ready right out of the box. That could come back to bite them in the butt. Anyone know exactly what game that is suppose to use up all that memory? I wonder if they will make the games with the option to let the people with hd put the game on the hd to keep from having to swap the disc. Probably not.

  12.12.2005 00:03 #32

• Lethal_B

  -Why do you always turn discussion into battle??
  Quote:I wonder if they will make the games with the option to let the people with hd put the game on the hd to keep from having to swap the disc. Probably notHow the heck do you know? that is a very biased assumption.
  
  We have established you hate the Xbox and love the playstation - good for you
  
  But can you now just get over it. This doesnt need to be an Xbox bashing thread
  
  ~you are officially boring~

  12.12.2005 00:19 #33

• arcanix

  Quote:A 36 gig game for the 360 already????? Still rumors, we'll se when it comes out. Oblivion takes probably two discs.
  Quote:I wonder if they will make the games with the option to let the people with hd put the game on the hd to keep from having to swap the disc. No, they won't. All games must work on all xbox 360 platforms, even the core system without hdd.
  Quote:Why do you always turn discussion into battle?? Human nature. Everybody has their own opinions, and they will defend their point of view, and nothing will change their mind. I try to keep things so that I won't start a flaming war (except sometimes I have to throw gasoline in the fire :p). If someone makes irrational comments like "ps3 has better gamezor than xbox" or pastes a link to that pre-rendered killzone video and says "look at this, ps3 beats xbox all the way!!1+", then I will respond. I hate people saying something that they can't know (although they think they know everything). It's hard to make sense to a fanboy, you shouldn't try it.

  12.12.2005 00:33 #34

• lxhotboy

  Lethal B you seem to have a temper problem. Try something more mature instead of going from topic to topic trying to flame people. Are you good for anything else??? Flameboy!!!

  12.12.2005 04:26 #35

• Reasons?

  The 36GB game deal was mentioned in the lastest and greatest gameinformer if you want to check it out. It is not a rumor, mostly because of how much sense it makes to someone who understands what kind of space is required for next gen environments, ones like GTA but actually look good.
  
  The Quake 4 team had to trim to fit Quake 4 for 360 onto one 9GB DVD, and that game was damn short (I rented it). I remeber paying 50 bucks for FFX and that game took some time to play, huge maps in a huge universe of places to go, and then you take the narrow halls of Quake 4 and fill 9GB on a couple hours of gameplay???? Damn, by year three Microsoft will have a new 360 or at least add on dirves or something, becuase games only get bigger, and this 36GB one is a year one game.
  
  Summation- It's too obvious to be a rumor, but no one gives a damn unless you (Ok, I mean, I.) can show them some at least semi-prof article.

  12.12.2005 09:24 #36

• Lethal_B

  Quote:I hate people saying something that they can't know (although they think they know everything). It's hard to make sense to a fanboy, you shouldn't try it.Cheers arcanix, I won't. Enjoy flaming yourslef lxfanboy ;)
  

  ~ Lethal B ~ http://my.afterdawn.com/lethal_b/
  
  "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort".
  Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
  
  
  Forum Rules ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  AD Buddies ~ http://adbuddies.ccsau.com/chat/index.html
  Lethal's `new` "Copying songs from iPod to iTunes" Guide ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/250743
  Lethal's "Converting video to iPod" Guide ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/244629
  Lethal's "Creating Torrent's" Guide ~ http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/251607
  To get your nokia unlocked ~ http://www.unlocknokia.us/ (worked 4 me :)

  12.12.2005 09:51 #37

• arcanix

  Quote:The Quake 4 team had to trim to fit Quake 4 for 360 onto one 9GB DVD Well it fit on one normal dvd on pc (~4gb)...

  12.12.2005 10:45 #38

• reader34

  when is the relese date for the ps3 in the UK

  12.12.2005 10:49 #39

• Morph416

  Don't have an XBox 360, don't plan on buying one...PS 3 is gonna smoke it no doubts about it. I've played on the 360, and am not impressed...just a supped up version of the older one.

  12.12.2005 11:20 #40

• Reasons?

  Quake 4 for PC does take up just one DVD, but it's pretty possible a DL.
  
  And that is besides the game having to be re-coded and re-compiled for three core PPE hardware, and if the team was required to, it was also probably done up for the Xenos specifically.
  
  Xbox 360 games are also required to support widescreen and 720p and 1080i outputs natively.
  
  Besides the extras and the hardware switch, that DVD is probably a loaded DL, no?

  12.12.2005 13:21 #41

• lxhotboy

  Quote:How the heck do you know? that is a very biased assumption. Oh i think it is too late you have already been flaming B. Get some help flameboy.

  12.12.2005 13:55 #42

• arcanix

  Quote:
  Quake 4 for PC does take up just one DVD, but it's pretty possible a DL. Resons, you really should read before you post. I said it fit on a normal (=not dual layer) dvd. And if that "normal" prefix mislead you, I also stated (~4gb). So it wasn't a dual layer.
  Quote:And that is besides the game having to be re-coded and re-compiled for three core PPE hardware, and if the team was required to, it was also probably done up for the Xenos specifically. First xbox 360 games use only one core (or if it uses more than one, then the other cores are used for sound processing or something like that, which doesn't use practically any cpu power).
  Quote:Xbox 360 games are also required to support widescreen and 720p and 1080i outputs natively. Actually minimum of 720p is required, 1080i is optinal. Pc version supports far higher resolutions, so why would this take any more space?
  
  Conclusion:
  
  So it might be on a DL, but chances are that it could also fit on a single layer like the pc version.

  13.12.2005 00:24 #43

• Reasons?

  The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.
  
  Whereas I cannot show you it's a DL, you can think what you want, and as long as you can't show me it's a SL disc, I will think what I want.
  
  Visist www.xbox.com and somewhere in there horrible navigation panes of their Xbox 360 hardware section you should find they say somewhere tht 1080i and 720p are required. It's interactive so I don't think a direct link will take you there, and the sections are diviided up so stupidly it's hard to find some info over advertising features that are obvious. Take a look, please.
  
  http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000903070963/
  
  "According to Game Informer, nearly every developer they talked to at X05 expressed difficulties fitting their launch titles onto a single disc."
  
  I already stated this in one forum, but GI doesn't let you view or link to their mag artcles online. But I guess somebody at GI read the same mag as me...
  
  Hmmmmmm, intresting isn't? Especially since Quake 4 had to include a second disc for a couple short interviews and Quake 2.

  13.12.2005 06:19 #44

• Reasons?

  nm, i found it, http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/highdefdetails.htm
  
  And i also forgot to mention that the hardware change probably extended the storage req. mostly because i have a feeling that they emulated it off of x86 to the PPC hardware. Which would explain it running on a single core, with muddier textures and crap ass framerate.
  
  - I did love the game on 360 overall though, fantastic game in the end. I'm glad I rented though.

  13.12.2005 06:24 #45

• arcanix

  Yeah, but where does it read that 1080i is in all games? Microsoft has stated that gamestudios must include 720p minimum. On the site you pasted it only says that 360 can support up to 1080i.

  13.12.2005 08:43 #46

• Reasons?

  "...will support high-definition resolutions up to 720 Progressive scan and 1080 interlace."
  
  I assumed when the said that, they meant it. "Support" means wihtout scaling. Besides, every game I own or have looked at says 720p and 1080i on the back. That means that those are two resolutions the game will output without scaling, unless it's marketing and they're technically lying.

  13.12.2005 09:26 #47

• arcanix

  Right, right. But what I'm trying to say is that microsoft has said that 720p is required, if they do 1080i too, then fine.

  13.12.2005 09:33 #48

• Reasons?

  The 360 is going out of date way faster than 5 years, but that's what Microsoft probably wants. They announced in the Jan issue of GI that HD-DVD will not be used for games, but will be made an add-in for a new version and/or part of an already new Xbox 360. They won't make games on HD-DVD, because they would have a million very pissed people, som eof which technically inclined to hurt microsoft. Lol, I would dedicate my life to hacking IE7 and Vista or any other new Windows OS if they pulled that BS on me.
  
  I'm still pretty pissed they will make a new 360 with HD-DVD or make us buy an external HD-DVD drive, kinda gay.
  
  And wihtout 1080p, MS will release a new Xbox console a year or two before the planned 5 years, because people are goign to move toward PS3 and 1080p by then. Remember the people that buy th emost games an accessories are the people that have the most money and a 1080p tv right now or withnin the next few years.
  
  Have you ever seen a kid with a couple hundred video games for PS2 and Xbox and a few dozen more for GC? I have, doctors son, and those are the customers that MS and Sony want, but will abandone them for the next big thing, like scrapping the 720p Xbox 360.
  
  I really see a new Xbox coming in three years, and them putting the screws to us all along the way with this 360.

  13.12.2005 15:02 #49

• bee2005

  This is a bad news for your pocket when job still be hard to find these days and later time.

  16.12.2005 15:46 #50

• Logansneo

  I just read on another site that Microsoft has officially denied that HD-DVD will ever be included in any way, shape, or form in the Xbox 360. Here's the link:
  
  http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/15/ms_denies_xbox_360_hd_dvd/
  
  and here:
  
  http://toonup.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3146426
  
  -Jeremy

  17.12.2005 13:57 #51

• Reasons?

  Doesn't matter, lots of people say lots of things, and most people lie every time they speak.
  
  The Register? lol, have you ever heard of an internet tabloid?

  17.12.2005 14:05 #52

• arcanix

  Quote:Microsoft has officially denied that HD-DVD will ever be included in any way, shape, or form in the Xbox 360 Actually they just said that "currently there are no plans for hd-dvd". Yeah, that's right, the word is "currently" instead of "HD-DVD will ever be included in any way, shape, or form in the Xbox 360
  "

  18.12.2005 07:31 #53

• Reasons?

  Has Microsoft ever lied? Hey rocket scientist, come on, Japanese head of MS spilled the beans on HD-DVD being incorporated eventually for movies, and now American MS is all pissed and doign a quicky cover lie, until the initial Xbox 360 buyers can cool off.
  
  Xbox 360 has a five year lifespan (supposedly, I bet it's going to end short), with DVD only, no HD-DVD, no HD disc player?

  18.12.2005 08:55 #54

• solargame

  the ps3 will live longer than 5 years IMO

  18.12.2005 11:30 #55

• Reasons?

  Evry maufacturer always says five years is the new console, and whether or not SOny put out a PS4 in five years, teh PS3 wil lstill be up to date. Running BD-R in 1080p with the cell CPU and linux OS on HDD, the thing wil stick around, unlike 360, it just feels too locked up, it's boring.

  18.12.2005 17:22 #56

• Ghostdog

  I´m still waiting to see the final product PS3 will be before I decide on what to buy. I´m a PC gamer so I can live without a new console just fine for know.

  19.12.2005 03:58 #57