E3 - Sony Drops PS2 To $149, Shows PSP, Hints At PS3

JSDopefish writes "Not much of a surprise, but Sony announced today at their E3 press conference that they're lowering the price of the PlayStation 2 console to $149, including the network adapter. That matches the already in-place $149 price of the Xbox system. The GameCube remains at $99." Elsewhere, jasoncart writes "Sony has just unveiled their Playstation Portable specs to the enthralled masses at their pre-E3 conference in LA. The result is the first photographs of the new device (alt. link), confirmation of the impressive specifications (Wi-Fi ahoy!) and hints on the games we'll be playing on the PSP, including 'clips of Gran Turismo... Wipeout [and] Metal Gear Solid'." 1UP also discusses mentions of the PlayStation 3 in the press conference, including "some rather grand predictions for the future of Sony's game console efforts."

Re:Yea, but does the PS2 run Linux?

[Globe199]

Yes, the PS2 runs linux:

http://playstation2-linux.com/

Quite well-established, actually.

Globe199

More info on the PSP

[ProudClod]

For more info on the PSP, including a look at the specs in depth, we've done an article over at GE.

Sony PSP Specs Information [gamerseurope.com]

Close examination of the specs seems to suggest some odd things - most importantly, it looks like Sony will be implementing region codes after all.

(I had submitted this article, but it looks like with this one FPed, my one will get lost)

Nintendo DS

[Microlith]

And Nintendo finished their thing where they introduced the DS.

It's got both bluetooth local play for up to 16 players but also supports WiFi for internet play. Two slots for DS carts and GB/GBA carts, touch screen, 3D support (with Super Mario 64 and a 3D Metroid game on the way for it.)

To be honest, watching the demonstrations of it give me high hopes for the DS.

Re:Yea, but does the PS2 run Linux?

[incubusnb]

it does, and you don't even have to Hack the PS2 to get it to run Linux, you just have to Buy the Linux Kit from Sony

Slashdotted...

[Anonymous Coward]

So here's the article:

With Sony's pre-show conference now in full swing the Playstation Portable has been fully unveiled to the awed masses. As well as the first images of the wee beast in action, we've news herein on the specifications and other such details, including clues to the titles that we'll be playing on this device Sony claim can produce full-motion "3D-CG" visuals similar to the PS2.
The PSP will initially be available in black, and will include a 16:9 ratio TFT LCD wide screen, centred on a sleek, ergonomically designed controller that Sony hope will fit snugly in the hand. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm and it will reportedly weigh 260g. The screen will support the full sixteen-million or so colours of the spectrum, in a resolution of 480 x 272. The positioning of the PSP's D-Pad and buttons are apparently based on the Playstation's - for convenience - and the device will incorporate stereo speakers, a headphone jack and volume/brightness controls.

Connectors offered include a full 802.11b wireless LAN option (for connection in the home and to the wider network), as well as USB 2.0. The wireless functionality will allow several PSPs to connect and enjoy multiplayer gaming or take the player online. Data will be downloadable wirelessly, via USB, or using the Sony Memory Stick compatibility offered.

PSP software will come in Universal Media Disc format, which supports 1.8gb of data, despite being only 60mm in diameter. This format will offer support for movie and music files as well as games and other software, and a robust anti-piracy encryption system is touted.

Here's the cold hard technical truths of this prodigious new handheld:

Product Name: PlayStationPortable (PSP)
Color: Black
Dimensions: Approx. 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
Weight: Approx. 260 g (including battery)
CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
Main Memory: 32MB
Embedded DRAM: 4MB
Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)
Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
Main Input/Output: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
USB 2.0 (Target)
Memory StickTM PRO Duo
IrDA
IR Remote (SIRCS)
Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)
Profile: PSP Game
UMD Audio
UMD Video
Main Connectors: DC IN 5V
Terminals for charging built-in battery
Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
Keys/Switches: Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
Analog pad
Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
Left, Right keys
START, SELECT, HOME
POWER On/Hold/Off switch
Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
Wireless LAN On/Off switch
UMD Eject
Power: Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control

Accessories:
Stand
Headphone with remote commander
Headphone with remote commander and microphone
External battery pack
Case
Strap
E3 Prototype Exhibition: USB Camera for PSP
USB GPS for PSP
USB Keyboard for PSP

UMD Specifications
Dimensions: Approx. 65 mm (W) x 64 mm (D) x 4.2 mm (H)
Weight: Approx. 10g
Disc Diameter: 60 mm
Maximum Capacity: 1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer)
Laser wavelength: 660nm (Red laser)
Encryption: AES 128bit
Profile: PSP Game (full function)
UMD Audio (codec ATRAC3plus, PCM, (MPEG4 AVC))
UMD Video (codec MPEG4 AVC, ATRAC3plus, Caption PNG)
The lucky blighters in Japan will be getting their paws on the PSP at the end of 2004, whilst North American and European gamers will have to wait until the Spring of 2005 for local launches. The following 99 firms have also pledged their support of the new device:

Re:where?

[ProudClod]

Sorry to pimp ourselves out yet again, but over at Gamers Europe News [gamerseurope.com], we're working flat out to bring you the digest of all the latest news coming out of LA. Seriously, my keyboard is taking a major beating at the moment :)

Such is the life of a games journalist. It's harder than you think.

Re:poor microsoft

[buffer-overflowed]

Wrong. All consoles(except the Dreamcast and XBox) have sold at at worst a break even point upon launch.

If you count R&D sunk costs, they yea, they all sell at a loss, but that's not how you calculate such things.

Re:where?

[kevinvee]

Blue's News [bluesnews.com] always has more gaming news than you can read in a day (but you should still try!), including slashdot-friendly summarizations of the proceedings. E3 Insider [e3insider.com] is the "official virtual gateway" to E3 that started I believe last year. I don't know to what extent the coverage will be, but its got more of a marketing feel to it so take that for what its worth.

WiFi? hrm..

[d4rkmoon]

Battery life must drain pretty quickly out of that. WiFi is a power hog. Or else they're sporting some new fangled battery pack. That, or you're getting some major suckage on range.

Addtional links

[doctor_no]

Here are some additional links with pictures in case of /. effect:

Gamespot [gamespot.com]
GameAsylum [gamesasylum.com]
IGN PSP [gamesasylum.com]
Reuters [reuters.com]

and info about Movies and Music on the PSP [reuters.com]

Mirror of Images here

[aardwolf204]

Mirror of Images [csm.com]

Just incase you get that nasty "Server Error in '/' Application."

SCE == Vaporware

[CMiYC]

I'd like to point out that SCE is really good at promoting vaporware. They *always* announce incredible specs and features with their products, but then change over time.

These are just fresh on my mind... I'm sure there are older examples:

Remember how the PS2 was going to ship with a hard drive?

How about the LCD panel or AOL?

All the cool features that were going to be included in America's version of the HDD... web browser, music jukebox, etc... nope.

The PSX with all its great features... scaled back at the last minute.

I'd love to believe that the PS3 and PSP will come out with the features and specs promised, but I just don't think it'll happen.

I guess we'll see what happens. Of course, despite my negativity, I'm sure I'll end up buying a PSP to go with my PS2... ;)

Check out the controls

[b00y4]

I'm a little worried about the placement of the d-pad and the buttons. In the pictures they appear to be located right at the edge of the unit. It appears as though you'll have to hold it in your fingers rather than letting it rest in your palms to be able to operate the buttons.

Sony/PSP Owned

[lotsofno]

DS [etoychest.org] (2 high res shots):

WarioWare Inc. DS, & Super Mario 64x4 screens [etoychest.org]

WarioWare, Inc. DS: One screen isn't big enough to contain Wario's greed and ego. He appears on the top screen and drops boxes to the bottom one, where they open an assortment of wild mini-games. Use the stylus and touch screen to drag a net and catch some fish, or to cut a rope to drop a cage around a duck. Players might have to erase or draw pictures, or slice at food that gets thrown at them. Finish as many mini-games in 35 seconds as possible. The game features the same good humor and fast pace that are hallmarks of the WarioWare franchise.

Super Mario 64x4: The landscape and the characters all look familiar. This is the opening castle area of Super Mario 64, only with a few DS twists thrown in. Up to four players can link up using the wireless capabilities. Players move familiar characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Wario around the 3-D landscape, exploring and looking for stars. While one screen shows the player's character position, the other provides an overall map of the area. Touch a spot on the screen to pop the camera over to another player's position, or to take a close-up look at the castle.

Metroid Prime: Hunters, & Pictochat screens [etoychest.org]

Metroid Prime: Hunters: This amazing first-person battle game uses wireless technology to connect up to four players simultaneously (in the E3 demo version). Each player gets a Metroid suit of a different color, and then tries to destroy the three opponents. Touch the stylus to the bottom screen to rotate the camera, aim and fire, or to transform into a Morph Ball. The game features the same artwork, sound, graphics, architecture and ambience found in the huge hit Metroid Prime.

PictoChat: Up to 16 players (two in the E3 demo version) can use the wireless functions to link together and exchange instant messages or drawings. The bottom screen shows a standard keyboard, while instant messages from other users appear in the top screen. Players can type text messages using the keyboard, use the stylus to send messages in their own handwriting or simply draw and transmit a picture. If another user sends a picture, the recipient can modify it and send it back. Play a game of wireless virtual hangman or send covert messages to other users.

Other 1st party demos they will be showing includes Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS, NEW Super Mario Bros., Nintendogs

GCN:

Advance Wars: Under Fire screens [etoychest.org]

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes quicktime movie [nintendo.com]

MATURE ZELDA screens [etoychest.org]

Re:ps3 workstation

[MJOverkill]

No, for several reasons.

1. When buying from Apple (or from any middleware company, for that matter), you will end up paying extra because of the markup so that Apple can make money. IBM and Sony both have the capabilities to produce their own hardware systems, which is ultimately cheaper in the long run.

2. The G5 processor is IBM's chip, not Apples. IBM already has the hardware to make their own systems using the PPC 970 (G5) processor. Again, they do not need to go through the middleman and pay the mark up if they want to use a PPC 970 based system.

3. The cell processor will be used in many more systems than just the PS3. An operating system and development platform will be needed to develop for the new platform. It's in IBM's interest to develop these tools quickly, and preferably long before it launches its own cell processor based produces.

And finally...
4. Developers need a test system to run and debug their programs on. It is much easier to use a native system than to use emulation on a completely different platform.

Re:SCE == Vaporware

[doctor_no]

Sony NEVER said they were going to ship the PS2 with a Hard drive.

You must be thinking of that rumor that Sony was going to add the HDD for the US PS2 in response to the Xbox (when that rumor began the PS2 was already launced in Japan).

Later it was proven to be just a another stupid rumor. You have learn to tell the difference between rumors and actual news.

Re:PS3...P.S. Three

[dancingmad]

Who modded this interesting? Unlss this guy is completely talking out of his ass, he means the PSX, not the PS3. The PSX is a home entertainment version of the PS2 with a lot of additional bells and whistles (TV recording onto a hard disk, etc). At its gameplaying core, the PSX is nothing but a PS2.

The PS3 hasn't even been fully spec'd yet, let alone in production. Although it will likely be similar in architecture to the PS2, it is NOT the PS2 nor is it the PSX.

Also, if this guy is actually in Japan, how on earth does he believe Sony is the end all, be all of entertainment? They're still selling (and buying!) Dreamcast games over there, let alone the Gamecube, which is doing well in its homeland. My experience has been there has always been plenty of room for the dominant company and other secondary companies (PS2/Gamecube, Gameboy/Wonderswan.

All and all, I call shennigans. As for the mods, don't mod stuff up unless you know what's being discussed.