The Nintendo Wii is doing amazingly well all around the globe, although the PS3 has some overlapping features with the Wii such as motion sensing abilities and an integrated webbrowser, there seems to be much more overlap between the XBox 360 and PS3, mostly with regard to gameplay, some services and high definition graphics.

For North America the PS3 is expected to slightly outperform the XBox 360, at least when comparing Nov 2005-Jan 2006 vs Nov 2006-Jan 2007 install base. For Japan it's apparently a no-contest as the PS3 has already easily overtaken the XBox 360 ‘s total sales and continues to outsell, this even before the release of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy for the PS3 and Microsoft having already fired its most powerful bullet the RPG 'Blue Dragon' for this market (As of 21st of January 601,500 PS3s vs 327,000 Xbox 360s sold) . The XBox 360 isn't really doing so well in Europe and Australia neither, except for the UK, so will the PS3 perform any better? What do you think?

Firmware update 1.5 released for the PS3: This release fixes earlier pixel flipping issues with some 480i PS2 games when played over HDMI. So the jaggies are now gone and HDMI is now recommendable for those who have a suitable TV set. HDMI offers far better picture quality, now also for PS2/PS1 software. The Japanese are now able to use credit card readers and as pointed out by Jorge:

“What's also new in the (US) 1,5 update (since yesterday), is mouse support thru out the whole X Bar menu, incl. the web browser. The middle button opens the xbar (on top of the browser), you can go e.g. to music and play songs in the background. Right mousebutton brings up the e.g. browser menu. Its now possible to navigate without controller. Scrollwheel is fully supported (incl. xbar).

And its obviously possible to write messages as you can see here. ”

Some details with regard to the European launch, the launch date is now officially the 23rd of March and includes 36 launch games, initially only the 60 GB/Wi-Fi version available.
http://news.portalit.net/fullnews_PlayStation-3-Arrives-On-March-23_2342.html

So what can we expect?

A Sony senior exec revealed plans for a major firmware upgrade in time for the European launch. Rumours are that next to improvements, new features will include:

- Multi-tasking (included will be audio/video conferencing while browsing the XMB and its features/ gameplay).
- New XMB display options
- New animations for audio playback.
- New photo album options.
- PlayStation Store auto resume
- PSP remote play advanced access option (so that you can have access to your PlayStation 3's content anywhere that has a internet connection)



Some European launch window games:

My personal top 3 for the European launch:

1) Motorstorm
- Will include online multiplayer support of at least a dozen players.
Latest WIP screenshots:
http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=40069&mode=thread&order=0
2) Resistance
Tense game with good story line, how tense look at the video below:
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6161870&pid=
3) Formula One Championship Edition:
Japanese version, user screenshots:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/335038607_c6e4ed70e7_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/335037296_57d95eff03_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/335033966_4fcf537f8c_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/335113730_4c56129d05_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/335154553_f9acfc6ad3_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/335155496_fe75483a1d_b.jpg

Car Refelction:
http://www.playscope.com/medias/Jeux-Video/PS3/8/9/8990/Screens/0231.jpg
Lighting:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/acason/IMG_0428.jpg
Damage:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/acason/IMG_0406.jpg

Other interesting launch window games:
Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Tennis 3
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent
Def Jam: Icon
Fight Night Round 3

Last edited by MikeB on 25-Jan-2007 at 05:06 PM.
Last edited by MikeB on 25-Jan-2007 at 04:57 PM.
Last edited by MikeB on 25-Jan-2007 at 04:49 PM.

@MikeB

I'm going to make a prediction that only 350k units sell in the first week followed by a slow trickle of ~25k a week after that.

Just my prediction. No flames. You'll see them on the shelves like the rest of the world (NTSC) is seeing them.

Moderation note:

I removed your entire post here, breaking the TOS on at least on item. As we always say in these cases, you don't have to read this thread if you're not interested, I don't.

Last edited by zerohero on 25-Jan-2007 at 04:46 PM.

@Lou

Quote:

ou'll see them on the shelves like the rest of the world

I hope so...

Turok PS3 screenshots
http://www.jeux-france.com/Webmasters/Images/51311420070122_183721_0_big.jpg
http://www.jeux-france.com/Webmasters/Images/51311420070122_183733_9_big.jpg
http://www.jeux-france.com/Webmasters/Images/51311420070122_183732_8_big.jpg
http://www.jeux-france.com/Webmasters/Images/51311420070122_183729_4_big.jpg

Looking very good!

@MikeB

I can´t speak for others but I appreciate news about the PS3.

@vision

Nexgenwars is run by a 18 year old who guesses actual sales based on PR statements and public data. VGcharts have access to more reliable non-public data, they don't follow the NextGen wars exclusively.

[edit, parts removed]

Last edited by MikeB on 25-Jan-2007 at 04:47 PM.

Quote:

Some details with regard to the European launch, the launch date is now officially the 23rd of March and includes 36 launch games, initially only the 60 GB/Wi-Fi version available.

More details:

"The high-end machine is already outselling the 20 GB console, whose storage capacity can be used up quickly with games featuring high-definition graphics, so Sony’s decision to concentrate on the 60 GB model is a natural move, analysts said.

It will sell for ¤599 ($776) and will also become available in Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand on March 23.

About 1 million PS3 units will be available during the initial launch period in those regions, Sony said."

i dont think the ps3 will do any good with its high price and its terrible selection of games. the xbox360 have taken the europe with storm, and you can bett your a** on that microsoft will go down in price when sony hit the marked in europe... and not forget all the good titles that have come and will come, and remember sony have nearly lost all its exclusives by now... and there is wii from nintendo that already is also doing good. its to late for sony........

@Lou

Quote:

I'm going to make a prediction that only 350k units sell in the first week followed by a slow trickle of ~25k a week after that.

I expect the 1 million to sell out very rapidly, the launch this time is rather more convincing with more games and more units available. There's also seemingly more announcements due and a major firmware upgrade due also.

I'm hope to get one in April - to install Linux.


...But I must admit Motorstorm looks tempting.

_________________
Whyzzat?

@MikeB

Wii rocks!!

Nintendo is more like the Amiga, takes the best with less powerful hardware, it focuses in fun and innovate instead of being the top of the range powerful tech at the cost of the fun like $ony and Micro$oft

_________________
No PowerPC, No Fun
Make Amiga Great Again

@Mr.Spackles

Quote:

and remember sony have nearly lost all its exclusives by now

What makes you say that? Heavenly Sword, Motorstorm, WipEout, Ape Escape, Resistance, Devil May Cry 4, Metal Gear Solid 4, Tekken 6, Killzone, Lair, Ratchet & Clank: Next, Warhawk, White Knight Story, Final Fantasy XIII, WarDevil: Enigma, etc, etc. To name just a selection of dozens...

BTW, UK developers speak out with regard to the PS3:

Quote:

"I'm excited by the amount of quality in the launch titles for Europe, and the five month delay has certainly helped from that perspective," offered the Football Manager boss. With European consumers able to get their hands on big name titles such as MotorStorm and Virtua Fighter 5 during the console's launch window, the games will help sell the machine to early adopters undeterred by the GBP 425 asking price. "Cost could become an issue later on in the cycle, and a good online system will be important, but for early adopters, it'll be all about the games," said Jacobson. Performance and price may have been under the microscope since Sony first announced the PlayStation 3, but once developers have gotten hands-on with the machine, they're more than happy with the results. "It's not been the smoothest of run-ups to launch so far but the technology, once you get to grips with it, is fantastic," revealed Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion. "Most first generation games will have developers just getting things running well enough to satisfy Sony. In my opinion its the second wave of PS3 games that will begin to tap into its power," he added. Kingsley isn't the only development veteran confident his studio can do justice to the Cell architecture. "Largely speaking, we've had little problem adopting to the PlayStation 3," commented Martyn Brown, studio director at Team 17. "Then again, it would be foolhardy to assume we are 'bashing the metal' on the hardware with Lemmings as much as something like Heavenly Sword or MotorStorm." Brown revealed that rumours that the Cell architecture would lead to programming difficulties were unfounded. "There was a lot of rumour-mongering prior to the PS3 development hardware arriving that it would require huge teams and untold complexities," he said. "There's certain elements of that which ring true, but only for titles that are wildly ambitious in terms of range and content detail, but as for day-to-day development, we've more or less taken it in our stride," he said.

@Fransexy

Quote:

Fransexy wrote: @MikeB Wii rocks!! Nintendo is more like the Amiga, takes the best with less powerful hardware, it focuses in fun and innovate instead of being the top of the range powerful tech at the cost of the fun like $ony and Micro$oft

Oh, it seems you have changed your opinion about the merits and the "Amiga-ness" of the PS3 then.

@MikeB

Metal Gear Solid 4 is quasi-exclusive. Even Konami has not denied the rumors of 360 co-development. They said "We've only announced it for the PS3 so far." I bet a 360 version will launch 3 months after the PS3 version.

Also, from what I've gathered, programming for Cell is not difficult. Optimizing use of the SPE's is probably the trick. I imagine Lemmings will not even use the SPE's, afterall the PPE in the Cell is still about as powerful as a 1.6GHz G5 which can surely handle Lemmings.

@hatschi

The PS3 may be out of some people's price range, like the AmigaOne was to a mcuh greater extend. Also the A1000 wasn't affordable for everyone at the time of the Amiga's launch. But I think the PS3 will have a very long lifespan and like the Amiga will eventually become affordable to most and especially considering future games and functionalities well wortht the price.

@Lou

Quote:

Metal Gear Solid 4 is quasi-exclusive.

Maybe or maybe not, but for now it's an exclusive for as far as we know. A growing list of XBox 360 games have found their way or are finding their way to the PS3 as well.

I will for sure buy the ps3. I believe there will be only machines for people that preordered first but i can be wrong. Its not cheap. I will first check the machine for some months and see what comes, what not and then buy it. I hate that it doesnt have the vibrator for the joypads.

I wonder if it can play all video's like avi/mpg4/wmv etc and all possible audio format like/mp3/ogg/wma/flac etc. If not maybe with linux ? If so would be nice if there is similar program like xbmc on xbox1 (needs modchip). Only then i will buy the ps3. I want something to have under my tv without needing more devices like dvd's etc. Just one machine to rule them all ;)

EDIT: MikeyB's post.
Here is direkt link that is playable with mplayer

EDIT: Reduced long URL.

Last edited by Moxee on 26-Jan-2007 at 01:56 AM.
Last edited by Kicko on 25-Jan-2007 at 07:53 PM.
Last edited by Kicko on 25-Jan-2007 at 07:52 PM.

Blu-Ray scratch test:
Here

Survives the Pizza cutter, but not the Butcher knife? Don't try this at home...

EDIT: Reduced long URL

Last edited by Moxee on 26-Jan-2007 at 01:59 AM.

@Lou

Quote:

I'm going to make a prediction that only 350k units sell in the first week followed by a slow trickle of ~25k a week after that. Just my prediction. No flames. You'll see them on the shelves like the rest of the world (NTSC) is seeing them.

Well, how about PS3 sold out at Best Buy?

And according to one survey (of about 150 shops) 58% of US retailers has PS3 in stock.

Who needs to face the truth here?

I predict PS3 flops in Europe. Seems sales are already going down in Japan and if PS3 does not start getting momentum there will be no interest on it.

_________________
Amiga Developer
Amiga 500, Efika, Mac Mini and PowerBook

@Mr.Spackles

Why would the 360 go down in price in Europe?
They didn't do it in the US either?