80GB PLAYSTATION 3 WILL NOT INCLUDE PS2 EMOTION ENGINE CHIP
GamesIndustry.Biz is reporting that Sony Computer Entertainment America has confirmed that the newly announced 80GB model of the PlayStation 3 will not include the PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine chip, instead depending on software based emulation for backwards compatibility.
“The current 60 GB model utilizes a hardware and solution for backwards compatibility, namely the Emotion Engine chip. The new 80 GB PS3 will use a software solution for backwards compatibility, similar to that currently found in the PAL model.” – Kimberly Otzman, SCEA – as reported by GamesIndustry.Biz
So let me see if I understand this right… Not only is Sony asking gamers to shell out $599.99 for a bundle that doesn’t seem to be worth the sum of it’s parts, but now they’re actual taking away one of the selling points of the console? I don’t know what they’re smoking over at SCEA, but it must be some really freaky stuff.
Because it seems a given that once existing stocks of the PlayStation 3 are sold out, future shipments of the 60GB model will follow suit, those of you planning on buying a PS3 soon may want to accelerate those plans to ensure you get an Emotion Engine equipped model.
- New 80GB PS3 eliminates “emotion engine” chip – GamesIndustry.Biz
FINAL FANTASY XII TO HIT STORES ON HALLOWEEN
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XII will go on sale in the Unites States on October 31st 2006 with a regular edition priced at $49.99 and an Gamestop/EB Games exclusive collector’s edition for $59.99.
” a limited run of the FINAL FANTASY XII Collector’s Edition will be available exclusively at GameStop and EB Games stores, as well as through the e-commerce sites GameStop.com and EBgames.com. Housed within special packaging, the bonus DVD offers Japanese and American promotional trailers, in-depth developer interviews, an art gallery and featurettes focusing on highlights of the FINAL FANTASY franchise.” -Square Enix press release
Check out the full press release here and ask yourself which you want more, bags of free candy or Final Fantasy XII.
TOMB RAIDER 10TH ANNIVERSARY GAME CONFIRMED
Awhile back we reported that there was rumor floating around for some time now that Eidos has been working on a 10th anniversary version of Tomb Raider that would basically be a re-make of both the original Tomb Raider as well as Tomb Raider II.
Eidos confirmed the existence of the game last friday, but added a slight twist to the story. It seems the game was being designed for the PSP by Core Design, the original developers of the series, but following an internal review, their version of the game was cancelled and the reigns were handed over to current Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics. While no release date was provided by Eidos, they did confirm that the game will be appearing on the PSP, PS2 and PC.
PLAYSTATION UNDERGROUND G.A.P. MEMBERS – CHECK YOUR E-MAIL
Sony has sent out invites for the public beta test of Gran Turismo Online. If you’re a Playstation Underground Gamer’s Advisory Panel (G.A.P.) member, you may have received the invite via e-mail, and if so you need to hurry up and grab your spot as it’s limited to the first 3,000 people to sign up. The invite I got seemed to be directed only to G.A.P. members, so I’d love to hear if regular Playstation Underground members are being offered the chance to join in as well. The usual Non-Disclosure Agreements apply.
PS3 BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY VIA PS2 HARDWARE?
IGN is reporting that Japan’s Ultra One magazine states that despite initial reports, Sony will be achieving backwards compatibility on the Playstation 3 via hardware rather than emulation. According to IGN, the magazine’s article states that each of the initial PS3 units will include the same combo CPU/Graphic chip that is currently found in the slimline PS2. Once Sony perfects the systems previously announced software based PS2 emulator, they would cut production costs by removing the chipset and simply adding the emulator to newer models of the PS3.
While this would certainly add to the cost to manufacture the system, it would also virtually guarantee complete backwards compatibility from the word go. By the same token however, it would also ensure that there would be little to no visual upgrade when playing PS2 games on the PS3. If you ask me, that’s a small price to pay.
The article also details a few other features of the Playstation 3, namely that there may be other, higher priced versions of the console in the works (ed- Sheesh!) and that based on IGN’s interpretation of the article, users will be able to swap out the PS3 hard drive using standard PC hard drives you can pick up in most stores.
“The PS3 comes equipped with, in addition to a default hard disk, a “large amount of flash memory,” the magazine reveals. This is used to house the operating system and all future system updates. Based on the wording in the magazine, it seems that the hard disk is to be used exclusively for multimedia content and will not contain any system features; users will, after all, be able to swap the built in hard drive out with any standard drive they pick up at a computer hardware store.” -IGN
While I’m left to wonder how much the price of the PS3 would drop without the inclusion of the PS2 combo chip, I can’t say that I’m against it. With a user-base and library as strong as the Playstation 2 has, it would be foolish to scrimp on backwards compatibility early on. (are you listening, Microsoft? hint, hint)
Check out the full IGN article here for all the juicy details I may have missed at 4:30 in the morning. *yawn*
GOD OF WAR 2 OFFICIAL SITE LIVE
The official site for the highly anticipated sequel to God of War is now live. The Playstation 2 exclusive title is currently scheduled to hit shelves early next year, and looks to pick up right where God of War left off.
"God of War saw Kratos, A mortal warrior, set upon an epic quest to dethrone a god. but his journey did not end there. In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his Olympus throne as the new god of war – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the Earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed, his fate. God of War II sets an epic stage for a devastating mythological war to end all wars." – Official God of War II website
SONY ANNOUNCES PLAYSTATION 2 PRICE CUT EFFECTIVE APRIL 27TH
Well, the long mentioned Playstation 2 price drop has finally been announced – the console will officially drop from $149.99 to $129.99 on 4/27.
There are still unconfirmed rumors about a second price drop going around – this one to $99 when the Revolution and PS3 hit the shelves
ROCKSTAR OFFICIALLY DATES GTA: LIBERTY CITY STORIES FOR PS2
Rockstar Games has announced the official release date for the PS2 port of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. While many sites were listing the game as releasing towards the end of April, Rockstar has officially scheduled the game for a June 6th, 2006 U.S. Release at a price of $19.99. Click here for the press release.
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