Taken from Gamemaster Magazine, Issue GM175. (Hand-typed)
From: Sony
Out: November 17th
Price: 340 pounds (Core)
425 pounds (Premium)
The Lowdown
Thanks to the staggering popularity of PS2, PS3 is odds-on favourite to clean up this time round - or so you'd think. In fact, problems regarding Blu-ray spec finilisation, launch dates, and price points have given pause for thought. Still, given their top reputation with the average game, only a fool would bet against Sony.
Future Prospects
* Playstation guru Ken Kutaragi's latest comments mention that PS3 is an "entertainment computer" that will eventually render hard drives obsolete - instead 'cyberworlds' powered by Cell processors will reign supreme.
* PS3 will be upgradeable . "I think it's okay to release (PS3) configuration every year", say Kutaragi. Could we see a wealth of PS3 upgrades - like larger hard drives or re-writeable Blu-ray functions - in the years to come?
* PS3's basic online service will be free. Kutagari said: "On the PS3, basic services will be taken for granted while content will be the bread and butter of our business."
* Phil Harrison delcared PS3 will kill off the PC: "We believe that the PS3 will be the place where our users play games, watch films, browse the web, and use other computer functions. The PlayStation 3 is a computer, we do not need the PC."
* Core and Premium PS3s won't just differ in terms of innards, you'll also get more bling - a sleeker black finish, silver trim and chrome logo - if you opt for the pricier model.
E3 Performance
Disappointing. The reality of Sony's machine seemed to rely on the odd pinched idea (the tilt-sensitive contoller), a hefty price tag (400 pounds +) and some variable-looking games. Cue a miserable 6/10 in our E3 ratings. Still, that MGS4 trailer was the star of the show, and it's massively powerful.
GM Says
The PlayStation brand enjoys a cult level of fanboydom that it'd take a seismic slip-up by Sony to ruin PS3's chances. Will that really happen? Not a chance... expect PS3 to be massive
