PlayStation 3 review - We get our hands on the new PS3

2007-03-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Seven days.

That’s how long I had to wait.

One whole week of waiting before I’d get my hands on Sony’s PS3.

Well, I’d been waiting for months already, and the knowledge that I would be one of the first in the country to get a taste gave me some comfort.

Getting a taste

Finally, the wait was over - for me, and for the millions of PlayStation fans in the UK, South Africa and Australia. The PlayStation 3 has arrived. (Actually, buyers have to wait until next week – see how it feels?)

So, has it been worth the wait?

Just little taste that is

Now bear in mind, that my only interaction with the PS3 involved a 45-minute demo of its bells and whistles, and around the same amount of time taking two of its launch titles for a spin.

I had just about enough time to sample, not nearly enough time to formulate an objective opinion.

Regardless, this is what to expect from the much-awaited and soon-to-be-launched (maybe change this to “just-about-launched”) Sony PlayStation 3.

The Package

Sony’s standard package on offer in South Africa will be the 60Gb version, which will sell for around R6300 (That’s around $850 at the current exchange rate. The US version of the same product sells for about $600).

Your money buys you;

Ø The PlayStation 3 console with pre-installed 60Gb HDD

Ø One SIXAXIS PS3 wireless controller

Ø A USB cable

Ø An Ethernet cable

Ø An AC power cord

Ø A composite AV cable

So that means, if you’re planning to share you gaming experience with anyone, budget for an additional controller straight off the bat, and if you’re hoping to tap into the PS3’s high-definition potential, you’ll need to buy an HDMI cable as a separate accessory.

The Console

The 60Gb PS3 console looks good. Really good.

It’s the kind of appliance that looks like it deserves pride of place in your home entertainment set up.

Sleek lines, stylish finish – it looks impressive and imposing. It’s weight’s pretty imposing too; the PS3 weighs around 5kg so it’s certainly a hefty hunk of hardware.

The console houses the power supply as well, so it understandable that it pumps out a bit of heat, but it’s also surprisingly quiet, with minimal fan noise. This is an often-overlooked characteristic for any serious piece of home entertainment equipment – not that anyone will notice when you’ve got your volume cranked up though.

Features

Ø Cell Broadband Engine advanced microprocessor

Ø Blu-Ray Disc drive

Ø Bluetooth technology

Ø Four USB ports

Ø High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI 1.3)

Ø SIXAXIS wireless controller and support for six additional controllers

Ø CompactFlash, SD Memory card and Memeory Stick Duo slots

Ø Pre-installed removable 60Gb HDD

The cheaper 20Gb version may make its appearance at a later date if consumer demand warrants its introduction.

This version misses out on the pretty silver cosmetic trim and one can’t help but feel it’s been purposefully uglified, though some may like its more understated looks.

It also to make do without WiFi or the card-reader.

Of course, on both versions the installed HDD is easily upgradeable – the PS3 uses an industry standard 2.5 inch Serial ATA hard-drive.

The User Interface

The PS3’s UI will look rather familiar to owners of the PSP. In the little time I spent with it, the interface seemed to work well enough though owners abroad have complained that it’s not as user-friendly as it could be.

In addition to all the in-built applications that allow multimedia playback, the system allows users to install an operating system of their choice, making the PC3 a fully-functional PC replacement as well - a definite drawcard card for gamers looking for an all-in-one solution.

The Controller

So, the SIXAXIS; Besides being a palindrome, what does it do?

No more tangled wires

For a start, it’s wireless, bringing a new level of freedom to the gaming experience. The controller charges via USB, with 2.5 hours of charge time giving up to 30 hours of gameplay time.

Strangely though, it seems the controller will only charge when the console is switched on – surely the system could trickle charge while in standby mode?

Not feeling the vibes

The new controller also no longer has DualShock functionality, which is pretty major in my book.

According to Sony, this is because it’d conflict with the new SIXAXIS motion-sensing system. Personally, I’m not convinced its completely unrelated to their court battle with Immersion a few years back.

In my limited experience with the tilt-sensing system, I must say I was left unimpressed.

It felt gimmicky and added little value to gameplay. We can only hope that future titles will make better use of a feature that could bring another dimension to the gaming experience.

Blu-Ray Disc Playback

Blu-ray discs store up to 50Gb of data and offer transfer rates of up to 72Mbps.

It is Sony’s key technology for the next generation of video playback. It’s hugely important for their future.

The PlayStation 3 represents an opportunity to secure the future of Blu-Ray as the standard for next-gen video and it enters the market as the best-value Blu-Ray player around.

PS3 Online

The online element is a major factor for the new generation of consoles.

A choice of WiFi or Ethernet connectivity makes going online a snap.

Surf the web

The PlayStation 3 features an inbuilt browser so you’re free to surf your favourite websites – like this one for example.

Connect with PS3 owners around the globe

The PlayStation Network is intended to be the global home for all PS3 owners. Here you can download new content, hook up to play online games against competitors or communicate with other users around the world.

System updates

In addition, Sony will use the PS3’s online capabilities to regularly update the system’s firmware, allowing for continuous improvements to operating system.

PS3 Virtual World

Another big factor will well be Sony’s PS3 virtual world plans. It suggests that Sony have taken heed of Internet-driven social media revolution and it will be very interesting to see where this goes.

Key to its success of course, as with all social media initiatives, is to allow the community as much freedom as possible to define the platform.

Compatibility with the PSP

It’s very clear that Sony want the PSP and PS3 to be very good friends.

Integrated into gameplay

In addition to being able to share files between the two devices, many PS3 titles will have special features geared towards integrating the PSP into gameplay.

For example, play F1 on your PS3 and use the PSP as your rear-view mirror or have it display the map in your favourite FPS.

As game developers get more comfortable with the PS3 platform I’m sure we’ll see lots of novel ways to incorporate the PSP.

Use it as an additional controller

The PSP can also act as an additional controller connecting via WiFi, though obviously without the motion-sensing technology.

Backward compatibility

The PS3 will play around 90% of PSone and most PS2 discs. At least that’s the case in the parts of the where the PS3 has already been launched.

According to a recent news report, the version coming to South Africa may be somewhat hampered in terms of backward compatibility.

It is not yet clear whether this will be an issue only for the initial batch of consoles but it may very well be an issue that turns many buyers away and will definitely not please gamers who’ve invested heavily in their sizeable game collections.

The Gaming Experience

This of course, is what its all about. It a gaming console. How well does it game?

The answer I’m afraid, is less than awesome – at least for now.

First-generation of the next-generation

Ok, so these are first generation PS3 titles and developers haven’t quite made the most of it yet. I’m actually reluctant to call them “PS3 titles” – they’re more like PS2.4.

Graphics looked fantastic on the Sony Bravia, HD-ready TV used during the demo but gameplay was average rather than excellent.

I’ve only sampled two of the five expected launch titles but neither of them are good enough to make me rush out and buy the console.

The hardware potential is clearly there. What remains to be seen though, is how well developers turn that potential into reality.

Is this the future of next-generation gaming?

This is not Sony’s first gaming rodeo. With the PSone, they faced stiff competition from Sega’s Dreamcast. Internationally, Sony won hands-down. Locally, Sega never even had a sniff.

Then Sony’s PS2 had the Xbox to contend with – again, the PS2 absolutely killed, despite the Xbox being a more powerful machine.

While the first Xbox did OK internationally, it never really made any inroads in the local market and worldwide sales figures prove the PS2’s success. It’s also worth noting that the PS2 cost around 5k at launch.

This time the PS3 is has the highest spec level of all the new generation consoles, but sells for around 70% more than the premium Xbox 360 package.

The Sony product is fully HD-compatible but local sale of HD technology has not yet taken off.

The fact is, the PS3 may just be ahead of its time is South Africa.

Should you buy it?

If you’re in the market for a Blu-Ray player, buy the PS3.

If you’re planning to buy a new PC, the PS3 might be a worthwhile option.

If you’re looking for the best console gaming experience around, then you’ll just have to wait and see what the game developers dish up over the next 18 months or so.

The wait, I’m afraid, continues.

We Like:

Ø It’s really good to look at. And I mean beautiful.

Ø BluRay DVD playback provides stunning picture quality

Ø Bluetooth controllers mean no more tangled wires

Ø SIXAXIS motion-sensing could potentially open up a new avenue for the gaming experience.

Ø It’s got WiFi

Ø Backward compatibility and interconnectivity with the PSP

Ø The fact that you can install whatever OS you fancy and have a fully functional PC. (if you’re proudly South African, it’d better be Ubuntu)

Ø Wide variety of multimedia playback options

We Don’t Like:

Ø Price – Yes, I know it’s the cheapest Blu-Ray player around and all and that it’s supposed to be the most advanced console on the market. But 6 grand is a lot of money for most gamers.

Ø No DualShock *sob* I’m really gonna miss this one

Ø Launch titles don’t *really* impress

Ø SIXAXIS is currently no more than a gimmick with lots of potential. But will it ever be realised?

Ø UI could be better.

Ø Load times are longer than I’d expected. Hopefully developers will allow the installation to the hard drive and speed things up.

Ø If the PS3 is supposed to be geared at the HD market, why do I have to buy the HDMI cable as an accessory?

Ø It’d make a great replacement for your PC – *if* you could hook it up to your VGA monitor, but you can’t.

Ø Price – I’ve mentioned this before haven’t I? Let’s hope the 20Gb version comes to SA at a more reasonable price.

This article was originally created for iafrica.com

Phantom HP gaming console

2007-03-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

What is the truth behind Phantom and what lies ahead, exactly?

The phantom game console is said to have been under development since 2002 by Infinium Labs who promised to release a “revolutionary new gaming platform”. This was to be a gaming console that would give gamers the joys of just about any game via an online subscription. This was to be a gaming console that would revolutionize the gaming world… but that’s pretty much all they said, they never provided more specific information other than release a prototype design.

Then in May 2004 they released a working prototype with claims that it would be available in stores as soon as November 2004 but they still hadn’t developed the online delivery software, licensed games or found any retailers, all pretty vital components for the success of the concept. Then, having missed the November 2004 deadline, Infinium Labs promised to be ready for launch in January 2005. They missed that deadline as well and shifted it to March 2005 and yes, you guessed it, Infinium Labs missed that deadline as well. Finally, on 21 February 2006 it was reported that the Phantom gaming console would be delayed indefinitely “pending further funding”.

In late 2006 the Phantom website indicated that a software component of the Phantom, the Phantom Game Service, is now under development for the Windows XP system… but the Windows XP OS has now been replaced by Windows Vista. So what happened to phantom?

Well, there is a company, ReInventech, that’s claiming to have a gaming console with “state of the art technology”. This “new gaming console is going to take the world by storm”; it will do “everything that three of the world’s most popular gaming consoles i.e. Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo can do”… only better.

This “revolutionary” gaming console is capable of reading and playing Playstation, Xbox or Nintendo games. Again, not much information is being revealed prior to the “big” launch, except that it can do all these fantastic things and will cost as much as the Xbox 360. One of the console developers said, “It’s taken us years of re-engineering the consoles to accommodate all three formats, but we have finally done it!”… I wonder how many years it’s taken because the Xbox 360 was only released in November/December 2006… certainly not years ago. Also, they claiming that the console can do more that the three big players in the industry and that it’s more powerful than any of the three yet the website say “The specifications for the Phantom HP are pending on final supplier chain agreements.” So does that mean they not even sure of the specification themselves?

So, what is this super gaming console called? Well, it’s called the Phantom HP of course. OH? That sounds familiar and how does it look? Well… like this of course

Hmmm, funny… that looks just like the Phantom prototype that was released in May 2004. It seems to me that the promise of a “gaming console that plays them all” may well be a Phantom after all.

For those who think this is a pre-April fools joke, here’s the website link to the Phantom HP gaming console: www.reinventech.co.za

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Playstation3

PlayStation 3 review - We get our hands on the new PS3

Phantom HP gaming console