New Sony console announced!

Go on, guess what it's called!

Posted by Staff
E3 has hardly even begun, and it's already a juicy show for hardware enthusiasts. We’ve already seen a full spec sheet for the Xbox 360, and it’s not often that you get two console announcements in as many days. That said, it’s not exactly been a secret that Sony would be announcing their new console early on this E3 – it’s for exactly that reason, in fact, that Microsoft unveiled their new machine the day before the official start of the event. Nor is the new Sony platform’s name a surprise – after PlayStation and PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 is something of a logical progression. Though Xbox 361 might have infuriated Microsoft more.

PlayStation 3 is what it’s to be called. Visually, its appearance is not a great deal different from the PS2, perhaps inflated a little. But it has got a whole lot more slots and whatnot. For starters, there are six USB ports in total, four at the front and two at the back. These will be used for peripherals. There are no slots for the controllers, because the new controllers will be wireless, using Bluetooth technology, and the system will support up to seven of these at a time. So PS2 fans who plan to get one will be relieved that there’ll be no multitap adding another dollop of money to the initial outlay – with the change left from that they can replace their now obsolete Dual Shock 2 controllers. The controller itself is a rather frightening affair, with long, tapering ‘handlebars’ that look a little rude to say the least.

Backwards compatibility is there when it counts though, and the new machine will be able to play all games from the last two PlayStations, leaving Microsoft as the only player in the Big Three not to have confirmed some degree of retro friendliness for their baby. The disc reader will support CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD+R formats, though the games themselves will be using Blu-Ray discs, the new format that can hold around 6 times as much information as a standard DVD.

In terms of saving information, we’ve moved on a fair way from the pricey, proprietary 16Mb Memory Cards. Not only does the PS3 have slots for Memory Stick Duo, SD and Compact Flash, it also has a large hole that will accept a 2.5 inch detachable hard drive, just as the Xbox 360 will.

Moving onto the more techy side of things, the unit’s main processor will be the hefty Cell, which runs at an eye-watering 3.2 Ghz. This can deliver 218 gigaflops of overall performance. Running at 3.2 gig it’ll support 256Mb of XDR RAM, and at 700Mhz it will have 256Mb of GDDR VRAM.

As for the graphics card, Sony haven’t been able to resist inventing a nonsensical term to make it sound cooler, calling the graphics chip ‘The Reality Synthesizer’, or RSX. While ATI are the gfx ppl of choice for Nintendo and Xbox, Sony’s GPU is built using nVidia architecture, and contains 300 million transistors. If you’re reading that twice, it’s because there’s no chip yet available commercially that boasts as many. On screen, that translates to 128bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution. There are 512Mb of graphics render memory which will enable 100 billion shader operations and 51 billion dot products per second. We’re talking serious power here people, equivalent to double the power offered by nVidia’s own top spec cards on the market today.

So there you go; a pretty impressive spec that, dare we say it, out-Microsofts Microsoft. It does more than just play games too. With products from digital cameras to iPods now offering all manner of media storage and playback, Sony are increasing the range of jobs your PlayStation can do. As mentioned above, it will support DVD playback, you can also view digital images, play video and audio, use the internet and even have video chats with your mates – the future is here!

SCE head Ken Kutaragi described it as a super computer dedicated to entertainment, which when you look at those numbers is not really exaggerating. Developer Tim Sweeney of Epic Games provided a testimonial, describing the device as easy to develop for. The layout is far more similar to a PC, which is good news when you consider how much the PS2 was held back by its convoluted inner workings, both at launch and now, in the latter days of its lifespan.

So there you have it - another day, another console. What delights will tomorrow bring? Check back here at SPOnG for all the info that matters, as it breaks.

Until then, check out the machine's full technical spec here, and details of the first batch of confirmed titles.
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Comments

kid_77 17 May 2005 08:16
1/20
How are you supposed to reach those shoulder buttons? My hands have only just adjusted to the PSPs... ... Arthritis here we come!
DoctorDee 17 May 2005 09:30
2/20
Well, to be honest, I'm somewhat underwhelmed. I was just expecting something much much more gorgeouser.

It looks freaky bad when it's laid down. It looks bloaty fat. And the DVD Slot looks like a Texas TRS-80. Stood up it looks much better - but the controller looks hideous.

I'm disappointed!!!
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Pilot13 17 May 2005 09:40
3/20
I can see they're going for more traditionaly consumer electronics aethsetic with the silver and 'sleek' lines. The controller looks the a dildo bent over through heavy use.
king skins 17 May 2005 09:45
4/20
But it will sit nicely ontop or under your Xbox 360... almost as if they where both designed to fit together...

That controller is mingtastic, how are you supposed to reach the analogue controls with your thumbs? The current PS2 ones I never use as I get bad cramp in my thumb and wrist after 15mins. This one looks worse and like some cheap PC controler.

Am very disapointed in the design... looks very 80's and fat. doesn't shout hi-tech super computer games machine to me.
kid_77 17 May 2005 10:17
5/20
king skins wrote:
But it will sit nicely ontop or under your Xbox 360... almost as if they where both designed to fit together...

Excellent observation! The other-half has no reason to deny balance and harmony to my AV setup now.
SPInGSPOnG 17 May 2005 12:35
6/20
Pilot13 wrote:
The controller looks the a dildo bent over through heavy use.


Or one of those double ended 'things' that I often imagine Mädchen Amick and Keira Knightly using one one another while I slap my simian.
Coxy 17 May 2005 13:00
7/20
I don't really get why sony changed the dual shock design it seemed to work ok - why change a winning fourmula? the new controller just looks wierd.
Coxy 17 May 2005 13:01
8/20
I don't really get why sony changed the dual shock design it seemed to work ok - why change a winning fourmula? the new controller just looks wierd.
pacowc3 17 May 2005 13:51
9/20
using the psp as a wi-fi controller is gonna rock!

yes, its in the spec sheet as compatible.


ps3 is gonna own xbox 360

i have an xbox now, but no more, im going playstation from now on.

Im im glad it has 7 ports since the 2 port factor on ps2 pissed me off.
vault 13 17 May 2005 16:12
10/20
alex webb wrote:
ps3 is gonna own xbox 360

i have an xbox now, but no more, im going playstation from now on.


Can't you just buy them all? Are you not excited for the new next generation games like ummm, that one where..., uh and that aweomse sequel of..., and uhhh ummm, okay well no games to see yet. HOW can you make a decision on system specs alone?! Poor graphics whore, for all he knows is more polygons on screen = teh best system EVR.

Halo 2, Ninja Gaiden, Fable 2

vs.

Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo, Twisted Metal

I'll take 'em both.
TwoADay 17 May 2005 17:19
11/20
"owning." please. There are few words people use that irritate me more than that.

I was mildly interested in the PS3 before, and now I'm not at all. The dualshocks aren't THAT great of controllers, the dual analogue aren't placed well, in my opinion. and with the "new, sleak design" it looks as though a kid will end up poking out his/her eye with it, and result in some silly lawsuit.

I was planning on eventually buying two of the next-gen consoles, as I did for the current generation. One would definately be the Bungie Software adapter, and now it looks like nintendo will get my business (again)
rm19 17 May 2005 18:49
12/20
alex webb wrote:
Im im glad it has 7 ports since the 2 port factor on ps2 pissed me off.


I've been a huge Xbox fan but they pissed me off with having only 4 ports again, even with wireless. At least with the 2 Sony ports I could look forward to the release of a multi-tap. As with the current generation, it looks like I'll be getting my multiplayer football, basketball and hockey fix from Sony, now with...7(?) ports and no taps needed!

Regarding the console wars, with the cost savings from using standard DVDs, Microsoft may need to bump up system memory to 1GB, the ATI embedded memory to 16MB, maybe and ramp up the CPU/GPU clocks a bit higher, though it probably still won't be enough to match the PS3 in the spec (marketing) war.

That said, there's no need to hate one or the other, just get both systems.
rm19 17 May 2005 18:50
13/20
damned double post
fluffstardx 17 May 2005 22:58
14/20
That is the foulest thing since the wood panel 2600. The pad is a horrific beast, and cannot fail to sell third party peripherals. It's horrible, and Sony have just blown their foot off.

Even more so seeing as Square are rumoured to have said they will do games for 360...
ohms 18 May 2005 02:10
15/20
wow, and e3 hasnt even started yet.

not as bold or cool as the 360 design, but ok in a minimalist sort of way.
as for the features, well, it sounds like it leaves the 360 in the dust, plus multiple storage formats, dual screens (where'd they get that idea?), and 7 wireless controllers.... sold. (7 player bomberman please :D)
the new controller design is a worry, but I'm glad they finally tried something new, we'll have to see how it feels.

I hope nin tendo have something seriously cool they havent annouced yet, cos Im pretty underwhelmed by the little box thing they've shown. :(

warbaby 18 May 2005 02:15
16/20
7 controllers? i dont really understand that. i mean, its not very often yu see the screen divided into an odd number, or a sports game where a team has a player advantage...

ben 18 May 2005 11:19
17/20
vault 13 wrote:

Halo 2, Ninja Gaiden, Fable 2

vs.

Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo, Twisted Metal


There are some really killer apps on xbox 360 and now MS as got inbed with square its got the final fantasy games. :D
PS3 is gonna get owned by MS. Microsoft have more money, better overall experience, better developing environment and a Processor which doesn't take years to learn how to use. >.<

Sorry Sony fanboiz - MS and Nintendo will come out ontop. Nintendo still offering 'happy' and niche games and MS offering a better range of games and a whole experience.

MCV have the perfect summary this week:
Sony is a Home electronics manufacturer,
Nintendo makes toys,
And Microsoft makes software.

Software is why people buy machines. And is why PS2 is in lead this generation. Next-gen... I don't think things are going be to rosy for Sony.
ben 18 May 2005 11:19
18/20
vault 13 wrote:

Halo 2, Ninja Gaiden, Fable 2

vs.

Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo, Twisted Metal


There are some really killer apps on xbox 360 and now MS as got inbed with square its got the final fantasy games. :D
PS3 is gonna get owned by MS. Microsoft have more money, better overall experience, better developing environment and a Processor which doesn't take years to learn how to use. >.<

Sorry Sony fanboiz - MS and Nintendo will come out ontop. Nintendo still offering 'happy' and niche games and MS offering a better range of games and a whole experience.

MCV have the perfect summary this week:
Sony is a Home electronics manufacturer,
Nintendo makes toys,
And Microsoft makes software.

Software is why people buy machines. And is why PS2 is in lead this generation. Next-gen... I don't think things are going be to rosy for Sony.
ben 18 May 2005 11:19
19/20
vault 13 wrote:

Halo 2, Ninja Gaiden, Fable 2

vs.

Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo, Twisted Metal


There are some really killer apps on xbox 360 and now MS as got inbed with square its got the final fantasy games. :D
PS3 is gonna get owned by MS. Microsoft have more money, better overall experience, better developing environment and a Processor which doesn't take years to learn how to use. >.<

Sorry Sony fanboiz - MS and Nintendo will come out ontop. Nintendo still offering 'happy' and niche games and MS offering a better range of games and a whole experience.

MCV have the perfect summary this week:
Sony is a Home electronics manufacturer,
Nintendo makes toys,
And Microsoft makes software.

Software is why people buy machines. And is why PS2 is in lead this generation. Next-gen... I don't think things are going be to rosy for Sony.
ben 18 May 2005 11:22
20/20
sorry i posted all this 3 times. >.< My finger had a spaz attack and clicked 3 times. But know this....Im no crazy dancing monkey!

And why cant spong allow you to delete posts u make in error within the first 15mins as well. :P
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