The SIXAXIS 05.22.07
Posted by Andrew Mellick on 05.22.2007
Is there a PSP2 in the works? Could we see a PSP store? Will there be more gigs coming to the PS3? Just how big is the Playstation network? All this and more will be answered in another jaw dropping issue of The SIXAXIS.
We can live beside the ocean, leave the fire behind, read a new SIXAXIS, and watch the world die!
Well another week gone and another week closer to summer. For those of you unfamiliar, Minnesota weather in the spring is the meteorological equivalent of a boy going through puberty. The temperature drastically jumps up and down. I wear a parka out to my car and scrap the windows, only to drive home from work 8 hours later in shorts and a smile. It really is a crazy time.
But enough of all you ladies envisioning me shirtless…on to the show!
Sony News
Giggity giggity!
The good folks at Sony announced Monday that they plan to release an 80 gig version of their already uber powerful machine, the PS3. The plan right now is to release the new system June 16th when they launch the PS3 in South Korea. The cost for the high end console will run at 518,000 won (US$581).
However it could stop there, "At this time there are no concrete plans [to sell the model in other markets] however it could be an option to introduce it in other regions but it needs to be decided by each region," said Satoshi Fukuoka, a spokesman for SCEI in Tokyo.
So what's the reason for this? "The company decided to put a higher capacity hard-disk drive in the model sold in South Korea because of the nation's "pervasive broadband Internet network", said Fukuoka. Sony wants to see the PlayStation 3 used for entertainment beyond games and South Koreans are already used to a wide variety of online multimedia.
Oh of course, how silly of me. Because when I think of technological advancements I think South Korea! In all honesty I think this is just a marketing tactic, "Oh we are only releasing our most powerful system in SK because you people are the only ones smart enough to utilize it. Mark my words; we'll be seeing 80 gigs here in the states by the holiday season. Maybe then we can sate Quagmire's insatiable lust for gigs.
Can you frag me now?
Playstation's free online network is an unstoppable force destroying everything in its way, on its course of destruction which leads straight to the home of Mr. Gates…or something like that. In what can only be described as a big victory, Sony's new numbers for internet use have increased, proving that the previously reported numbers back in April were no fluke.
Currently the network is up to a robust 1.5 million users! 775,000 of said users coming from the states. That's a hell of a lot of growth in six months. Especially when you consider that Microsoft's network was only at 500,000 after six months. That number includes the free silver service too.
This is big news and a major reason for Sony to celebrate. The Sony store is sitting on 6 million user downloads already. Considering the launch of Playstation home and the added PSone content expected to hit the store in the near future and things are looking up for what was once a floundering feature.
Wifi Kwik-e-mart!
In what is very exciting news for all handheld aficionados out there, Sony is working on releasing a PSP store! Thats right, now you'll be able do browse, buy, and download usable content, specifically designed for your PSP.
"I think the advent of a long awaited and quite frankly long overdue ability to deliver a downloadable service for the PSP will help us out a great deal", said SCEA president Jack Tretton. "Hopefully we'll have it out there by the fall."
This is awesome news for all the PSP faithful out there. A well stocked store of goodies for the little handheld that could, might be just the thing to bolster sales and stir interest in what was a much ballyhooed system. Now, if we can just figure out how to make some of those puzzle games disappear…
Wow she really likes videogames.
Ok this is still in the most rumorest of rumors stage; a few fleeting words have caught the ears of industry reporters that hint at the possibility of some type of PSP2. Again, this is only a RUMOR but a few places have reported on it.
A source at kotaku.com is reporting that a "PSP hardware 'refresh' is en route in 2007 because Sony definitely has 'something in the works' that 'may or may not mean a change in form factor'".
Wow this is like James Bond stuff! What could a ‘refresh' mean? Perhaps a new add on, some type of peripheral, or perhaps it could mean a sequel to the PSP! I guess we'll have to what and see. However, rumors suggest we won't have to wait long as an official announcement about this is expected as early as E3 '07 coming up in July.
New Releases
PS3
Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end: I'm sure the game sucks but the commercials look cool and I'm a sucker for good advertising as my closet full of koosh balls, pogs, hackey sacks, and Batman and Robin DVDs proves.
PSP
Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end: Multiplatformaphobia
Brookstown high: Senior year : It's a dating sim, need I say more!
Legend of the Dragon: Now you can have all the fun of the renaissance festival with you year round!
Diner Dash: Because we all want to play a game based on a job we would hate.
PS2
Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end: Multiplatformification
Oden Sphere: It's his sphere baby, we just live in it.
Well apparently you all remember the eighties a lot differently than I do.
The water cooler
The state of the PSP
Some have called it a triumph of technology others have called it a colossal failure. Whether you're a card carrying member of the PSP fan club, a vengeful hateful Nintendophile, or an elitist snobby Microsoft nerd, you are aware of Sony's first attempt to hit Mario and company on their own turf.
The original thought was that the PSP would take over the handheld world, while Nintendo's gimmicky DS would fall by the wayside. Fast forward to today and people hale the DS as innovative and the throw the PSP under the bus. Why is this, what happened? Well, it's a simple matter of content, what helped Sony take over the gaming world; games. Sony has always boasted a massive library of titles spanning all genres and age groups. It has been their bread and butter.
However, as it stands today the PSP sits with a relatively small library containing mostly puzzle games. Let's face it, hard core gamers don't want a library full of puzzle games, and casual gamers aren't going to dish the kind of money it takes to get a PSP just for a passing hobby.
I still stand by the PSP as sound technology that could be utilized. But as time has passed I have wondered how much longer Sony had before time would run out. Enter the PSP store.
Color me optimistic but I think there is some real potential in this idea. Sony has a humongous library of games for the PSone and while these games may not stand the test of time when downloaded to a machine as powerful as the PS3, they could fit right in on the handheld. Think of how much fun a Jet Moto could be, brought back to life with some online wifi play. Not to mention all the classic titles such as Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7. The potential for this is huge. It's a great way to bolster your PSP library with very little cost.
The other issue here is original content. Nintendo has a commanding lead here because they can make exclusives for their handheld, namely with the selling power of Mario. If Sony wants to catch up here they are going to have to sink some money into in house development and pump out their own must have title that you can't find anywhere else. You can't count on third party companies to do this for you anymore. There is too much money in mass releases to make it worth their wild. Here is what you need to do; make a marketable face, a name, a mascot that becomes associated with the PSP. Then the world will clamor for the system. Hey it worked for Microsoft and Halo.
Bottom line; the system still has life and Sony is starting to finally take some steps in the right direction. Let's hope they run with this and make the PSP the system it was meant to be.
Youtube Theatre
Since Disney is whoring this franchise out to everything from the PS3 to the Commodore 64 why fight it? Here is a look at Pirates of the Caribbean: At worlds end!
Pictures for Ashish
Well originally I was going to use that picture of the girl licking the PSP. Come on who doesn't like that? It's a hot girl licking an electronic object! It's sexy and dangerous.
But I have decided to use an even better idea. This week's picture is all about deception. Nothing wrong with misleading readers into clicking my column based on assumed information that isn't true…wait; actually there is several things wrong with that. Anyway here it is.
Haha, now all the world is clicking into my column expecting to find news about some MGS movie where the games protagonist is played by none other than Harvey Keitel! Hits galore!
Seriously though, these guys are like twins.
Disclaimer: While rumors persist about an MGS movie no official info has been released.
I don't want to cram pimpage
So this week I wont! Haha, seriously though, no time. I've got a slue of Batman and Robin dvds to unload on EBay.
