The SIXAXIS 02.27.07
Posted by Andrew Mellick on 02.27.2007
How much will games cost in Europe? Can I play Grand Tourismo now? No more backward compatibility? Are there PS3 exclusives for Spiderman? Are there ANY good games for Nintendo? All will be revealed within!
It's where John Wayne would have gotten his Sony news.
Well it's finally warmed up to a whopping 30 degrees. In case you are unaware, when it warms up in Minnesota it usually snows, and snow it did. So I sit under a foot of fresh powder hacking out the Playstation news from my bunker in this winter wonderland. But I take heart in the fact that summer can't be much more than 3 months away!
Sony News
I can't play on the PS3 anymore? That's what the PS2 is for
In what can only be described as a dumb move, Sony plans to remove some of the essential hardware required for backward compatibility, when releasing the PS3 in the PAL regions. "The Emotion Engine [and Graphics Synthesizer chip] has been removed and that function has been replaced with software" said Nick Sharples. He went onto say that this will have a "Slightly detrimental" affect on the backward compatibility of games. The question is how slight?
Currently Sony boasts that the PS3 is compatible with 98% of its titles. The company didn't give any specifics, only to explain that the high percentage will go down "significantly".
So what does Sony plan to do with these new found cost reductions? Keep them. That's right, the price of the PS3 is not going to drop one cent. According to company execs this cost saving effort is being activated solely to make the Sony board members happy and help recoup some production costs.
Sony seems to almost be trying to anger the gaming community. This is one of the stupidest moves yet. I mean, the PS3 doesn't exactly have a ton of "must-have" titles yet. Now they are going to essential quarantine their vast library of hits. I wonder if they want to see just how much people will pay for a black shiny box that does nothing. I'm not much on conspiracy theories but I think this story does lend some credibility to the notion that Sony is trying to fail.
It's cheaper than dental work
Sony has confirmed that it's five launch titles, including Motorstorm and Resistance: Fall of Man will be priced at the low, low price of ˆ59.99! Using my handy dandy currency converter, I see that this amount converts to about 79 bucks.
Why charge the Brits more? I think the real question is "why not?" I'm sure it has something to do with the high cost of living and some residual hostilities from WWII. But whatever the reason, that's the price and so Europe, have fun paying 20 bucks more for games everyone else has been playing for 4 months. But don't forget, you get that free copy of Casino Royale so I guess it evens out.
I'm gettin' to drive a racecar, I can't believe it!
For all you Grand turismo freaks out there, Sony has something that should sate your lust for speed. In conjunction with the European launch of the PS3 on March 23rd, Sony will make available a free download of Grand Turismo HD Concept!
The demo will include one track and start with one car. If you can complete the track under the target time, you get another car. There are up to ten unlockable cars for this demo, including a Ferrari 599, a first for the series.
I've never been a huge fan of racing games, but as the graphics have improved these games have elicited my interest more and more. I will definitely be checking this demo out. Be sure to look for a run down of the demo in the SIXAXIS when it is released!
With great power, comes great exclusives
In a world of high powered consoles and high production costs, a developer really only has one option, to release their title across multiple platforms, and let the consumer decide who to buy from. Well, Sony is looking to sweeten the deal at least for one title.
Sony has scored some pretty killer content for you fans of the wall crawling whiny adolescent, Spiderman. For those unaware Spiderman 3 Collector's edition is set to release in may and will most likely cost a few bucks more than the regular version.
Along with the, game which will most likely play out the major events of the movie, here is what gamers can expect in exclusives: Webisodes from the Spidey 3 movie, an exclusive interview with producer Avi Arad, and behind the scenes talks with Tobey Maguire, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco, JK Simmons, and Bruce Campbell are also included. Players will even be able to access special Spider-Man 3 trailers and a couple of other undisclosed goodies.
I'm sure some of you out there are saying "So what?" Well, yes while these exclusives are cool, they will most likely be released on a DVD somewhere down the road. Well, there is one more exclusive that you won't find anywhere else but on the PS3. The inclusion of a new character! That's right; the collector's edition will include the "ability to play as a completely different character, the "New Goblin." Using a unique locomotion system that's entirely controllable with the Sixaxis gamepad, the New Goblin will be able to zip through the city streets and between skyscrapers and other buildings at super-high speeds."
This week with Phil
I should make this its own section seeing as Mr. VP is in the news virtually every week. This time around here is being interviewed by Gamedaily Biz
Here are some of the highlights: He says all the negative press around the PS3 is really a "narrow margin."; all the PS3's on the shelves are only there because Sony has such a sophisticated supply chain. Basically saying that all the piles of PS3's you see are actually gone shortly after you see them, and when you see them again it is a new pile.; there is no pressure to drop the price of the PS3 this year; the Blu-Ray will be looked back on as the smartest decision SCE has ever made.
So there you have it, Mr. Harrison was feeling quite talkative it appears. He really thinks Sony is headed in the right direction. Is this just spin for the public or does Sony actually feel that they are on the fast track to winning the console war? I guess only time will tell.
New Releases
PS3
Major League Baseball 2k7: Its baseball what more can I say? New gameplay features, shiny new graphics, and roster updates. Batter up! As they say.
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection: The major download this week comes with new updates and improved graphics, an added bonus to an already impressive title.
Battlefield: Bad Company: Bad Company puts in you in the shoes of a leader of renegade soldiers as you loot and pillage enemy camps. It's a unique twist on the war genre.
Formula One Championship Edition: Want to know more about this title? Head over to the review section for a 411 exclusive!
PSP
Chili Con Carnage: A third person action shooter that includes exploding chickens. Play at your own risk.
300: March to glory: Call me crazy, but I have a feeling the movie may outshine the game.
MLB: The Show: More baseball fun for all.
Major League Baseball 2k7: 2K7 comes big and small.
Marvel Trading Card Game: Hey superheroes and trading cards combine! It doesn't get anymore hip than that.
Gish: A wacky action strategy side scroller about a 12 pound blob of tar. Looks like fun.
Survey of the week
So we've got a price point for the system, the games, and some of the freebies involved with the European launch. So what do you think?
What do you think of old school games available for download on next gen systems?
Its a great way to connect old gamers to new technology. 67%
Its a nice little feature but not that important. 31%
Its a waste of time and a lazy way for companies to make money. 2%
I have to admit I am quite surprised that the vast majority of you are really into the old school gaming. I guess I'm in the minority.
Bargain Bin
What a Nintendo game in the bargain bin? Did it get misplaced? No, I have included this title because it is one of my all time favorite games and I am a huge Indiana Jones fanatic.
Indiana Jones' greatest adventures is a classic action title that takes you through all three movies. It includes side scrolling action as you battle your way through various baddies to score various archeological treasure.
The majority of the game you battle with your whip, however there are a few occasions when you can get your hands on a pistol or a few grenades. The game also breaks away from the action genre, letting you take control of an airplane, ride a mine cart, or navigate a raft down a mountain.
The game has awesome music, tight controls, and addictive gameplay. Three criteria that will always land you a place in the bargain bin.
Ebay: $10.99
Youtube Theatre
Here is one of the weirdest previews I have ever seen. It's for Indiana Jones 2007. Enjoy!
