Posts filed under 'Console Gaming'
Pre-Christmas figures suggest that Wii has trumped the PS3 in the holiday shopping stakes, outselling its rival at the rate of 2 to 1.
However, both consoles sold less units that the Xbox 360, meaning that Microsoft must be starting to feel just a little bit confident that it might be the ultimate winner.
The reasons behind Wii’s outselling of the Nintendo console are clear. Despite being lower spec, having a daft name and not even playing DVDs, it is more fun. The buzz around Wii easily eclipses that of the PS3 and a straw poll of TechSmec Towers confirms that the latest iteration of the PlayStation is perceived as just that - a small step forward, whereas the Nintendo console is a paradigm shift in gaming with its revolutionary control method and a games line up that is created with gaming in mind rather than the latest visuals.
December 28th, 2006
If you needed a sign that the Nintendo Wii is going to belie its ridiculed name and challenge both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, then take a look at the news from the States where games retailer Gamestop has already sold out its preallocated supply. It did so on the very first day that preordering opened.
Preorders for the PS3 are still open, several days after they commenced.
So, at a glance the news looks extremely good for Wii. Anecdotal reports from across the pond suggest queues for Wii were longer than for the PS3 and more diverse as well. However, the headline stat does not provide the complete picture. Because of production delays with the PS3, Sony has reduced the number of PS3s available for preorder by a fourth. Each Gamestop store may only be getting a number of units in the low teens. At least Sony is being open about the figures.
Wii is suffering no reported production problems, but even so, Nintendo has not yet confirmed store by store availability. So each Gamestop manager has to guess, and with the prospect of sobbing children and angry parents on their threshold if they get it wrong, most will be guessing on the conservative side.
So Wii’s selling out its preorder allocation is not too surprising, as no one is entirely sure what that allocation is.
Most analysts expect Wii to be a plucky loser to the PS3 and today’s news only goes a little way to challenging that expectation.
October 17th, 2006
Logitech today unveiled the Logitech ChillStream controller for PlayStation3, the company’s first product designed specifically for Sony’s next-generation gaming platform. Logitech’s patented ChillStream technology includes a built-in 40 mm fan that circulates up to 3.41 cubic feet of air every minute, while generating very little noise. Three narrow vents on each side of the controller push air directly onto the four fingers, the base of the thumb and the palm of the hand. The air stream can be used in one of three settings – high, low, or off. The Logitech ChillStream controller for PlayStation 3 has a suggested retail price of $39.99 in the U.S. The controller will be available in the U.S. when the PlayStation 3 launches in November.
In addition to the ChillStream controller, Logitech has announced that several of Logitech current game controllers are also compatible with the new PlayStation 3 console: the award-winning Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel Logitech Driving Force EX wheel and the Logitech USB headset for PlayStation will also work with PlayStation 3 games in addition to legacy PlayStation 2 titles.
October 5th, 2006
The number of Playstation3 units expected to be available by the end of the year is 2 million. However, according to Sony Computer Entertainment American president Kaz Hirai, not a single console has yet rolled off production lines, meaning that Sony is going to have to knock out one new unit every minute from now until Christmas to meet its target.
“We haven’t started manufacturing yet. Some of our ops guys were actually just in China, and also in Japan just reviewing the [production] lines and everything else,” said Hirai in an interview with Gamespot. “But they are, again, preparing as we speak to get the manufacturing going.
He then went on to admit that a date had not yet been set for production to start.
Sony appears to harbour no aspirations of actually meeting demand. “I think it’s going to be very much of a challenge to be able to meet every single unit demand that’s out there in the market,” said Hirai. “That’s just a logistical impossibility.”
August 21st, 2006
EA is milking its Lord of the Rings license as much as it can (and why shouldn’t it?). The latest announcement is an RPG based on the film trology, or at least, inspired by the world of the film trilogy.
The Lord of the Rings, The White Council is scheduled to ship in late 2007 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
“Our extremely talented and dedicated team is committed to creating an incredible new experience for fans of The Lord of the Rings and role playing gamers,” said Steve Gray, executive producer, The Lord of the Rings, The White Council. “With its next generation gameplay and epic new storyline, we think The Lord of the Rings, The White Council will be a huge success.”
Players have the freedom to explore the open world of Tolkien’s Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, The White Council. Players can choose their role as a man, an elf, a dwarf, or a hobbit. Each role’s destiny is to become a hero allied with the White Council, whose members include the famed characters Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, and Elrond.
A combination of stunning graphics and expansive environments, along with the freedom of movement demonstrates the innovation and quality of the next-generation RPG, where players can create their own adventures.
July 15th, 2006
Envizions has announced that the Evo: Phase One media entertainment console will go on sale via the internet October 20, 2006 priced at $679.95The system will ship with the Akimbo video on demand application pre-installed, plus, customers can apply an additional discount on over 1,600 games from the Evo: Direct store upon purchase of their EVO unit.
Evo: Phase One combines computer, media center, and PC gaming into one unit. The system will also boast amazing graphics supported by the Sapphire RADEON HDMI X1600 Pro graphic card. The Sapphire RADEON X1600 Pro has 12 pixel pipelines that provides the highest graphics performance in its class even for shader intensive gaming; equipped with 128MB of DDR3 memory and this model features clock speeds of 500MHz (core) and 800MHz (memory). Other key features include customized liquid cooling system, built-in biometric fingerprint reader and digital video recording features. EVO is designed much like a PC, customers can purchase extended warranties and get next day onsite assistance or 24/7 IT phone service and remote access service packages. The system’s online and networkability will be more apparent in phase two and customized games will be available as the systems continue to expand. EVO will give customers the option to upgrade certain aspects of the system. The EVO: Phase One will offer one package option, with the suggested retail price of $679.99. The package will carry one wireless PC game controller and an EVO: Direct discount card. Other accessories will sell separately. In addition, customers can order customize EVO paint applications upon request.
Derrick Samuels CEO and Founder reported today. “Evo will be one of the first true gaming hybrid consoles that will be built -to-order with few restrictions, but at the same time offer a platform that will constantly evolve to suit the customer’s need. Evo is a computer but it will also provide the entire family the opportunity to access the different applications throughout the home via wireless network.” Samuels added, “The final hardware units should be done in late August and is greatly improved from the unit displayed at E3 this year in Los Angeles. Upon request units will be available for review. Envizions’ goal is to build on quality, service and reliability. To reward our customers we plan to ship all pre-orders first since the unit will have limited release qualities available at launch.
July 12th, 2006
Sony has learnt from its mistakes and will try for a worldwide simoultaneous launch of the PS3 on November 17.
Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of content as well as access on-line games and services over the network.
Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment content to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.
With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.
The new controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller which has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide. The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.
May 9th, 2006
Following on from the success of gangster titles such as the GTA series and the Godfather, THQ has announced that they’ve won the prestigious license to develop a game based on HBO’s Sopranos series.
Xbox 360 and PS2 gamers will be able to take on the role on an illegitimate son of ‘Big Pussy’ and prove your worth to ‘da family’ by carrying out a variety of missions including collections and intimidation.
“We’re excited to work with HBO on creating a game that captures the spirit of the groundbreaking series — a modern classic that redefines the life of crime genre,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president, Worldwide Publishing, THQ. “The Sopranos has become television legacy for this generation and now fans and gamers can become part of the story and see if they have the muscle and wit to become ‘made.’”
“It’s clear that fans want more of The Sopranos, and creating a game that puts the player in their world is a great way to satisfy them,” said Carmi Zlotnik, executive vice president, New Media Programming, HBO.
The storyline has been created in collaboration with David Chase, the show’s creator, to ensure it will live up to the high quality fans are used to.
May 5th, 2006
Sony has cut $20 from the price of the Playstation2 in the USA in an effort to boost sales, flagging as consumers wait for the arrival of the Playstation3.
The price has been dropped to $129 from $149.
“While we continue to innovate and design groundbreaking new products, we remain dedicated to our long-term vision for the PlayStation 2 platform,” said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive, Sony Computer Entertainment America, suggesting that Sony is to continue to develop titles for the PS2 long after the PS3 is launched.
Although the retail price of the PS3 has not yet been announced, market analysts are suggesting that it will be significantly more expensive than other condoles on the market, including the Xbox360. This high price is likely to keep the PS2 in circulation much longer than Sony would previously have anticipated.
The price was also cut by a similar amount in Canada, but UK consumers are still paying full whack for their PS2s as we go to virtual press.
April 21st, 2006
Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the development of Red Steel, an exclusive first-person action title for the Nintendo Revolution (working name of the new Nintendo platform). Red Steel is set in modern-day Japan. Players will master both the ancient art of the katana and the sophisticated technology of modern firearms taking advantage of the emotion and immersive gameplay possible only with the Revolution’s remarkable controller.
“We’re honored to announce this exciting new franchise and we’re confident that Red Steel will be the must-have title for the Revolution when it launches,” said Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer at Ubisoft. “We have been working closely with Nintendo to take full advantage of the innovative controller to create a thrilling experience that can only exist on the Revolution.”
Red Steel will make its worldwide debut in May 2006 at E3 in Los Angeles. With the style and flair of a contemporary action movie, Red Steel will appeal to gamers who thirst for a new video game experience, as well as those who may have not previously considered picking up a controller.
“Nintendo is excited to have Ubisoft bring Red Steel to the Revolution launch lineup,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America. “Ubisoft makes some of the most innovative and critically acclaimed games in the industry and from what we have seen from Red Steel it is going to be a standout exclusive title on the Revolution.”
Ubisoft has a strong history of creating some of the industry’s top-selling video game franchises. To date, the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Rayman franchises have each sold more than 15 million units worldwide and the Prince of Persia franchise alone has sold more than eight million units worldwide. The Red Steel brand will reflect this expertise and build upon Ubisoft’s past to invigorate the future experience allowed within the Revolution platform.
Ubisoft will disclose more specific information on Red Steel in the coming months and Nintendo will reveal more information about the Revolution and its unique controller at E3.
April 13th, 2006
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