Sony's GamesCom Announcements: One Day Early
See Full ImageSony's GamesCom press conference is only hours away, but before the fireworks fly, we wanted to give you our predictions. What are we basing these on? The information and evidence that's currently floating around the Internet and perhaps a dash of something extra... Anyway, here are the announcements we think will happen; announcements that will get you excited in less than 24 hours.
The PS3 Slim becomes the default machine for Sony
We believe the PS3 Slim is real, and it will replace the 80GB PS3 as the standard console on store shelves. For specs, we think it will have a bigger hard drive (120GB) although it may be missing a feature or two from the current model; this will allow it to be $100 cheaper. If we're lucky, it'll be exactly like the 80GB PS3 that merely costs $299 instead of $399 but we get the feeling that Sony is gonna take out something... Anyway, this means the 80GB model will soon disappear - when the current retail stock is exhausted, it's gone forever - and they will keep the 160GB model, which will also get a price drop down to $399.
Backwards compatibility comes with a later firmware update
This is something people have been talking about a lot lately, and while it won't come with the new PS3, we will say a future firmware update (possibly in mid-September) will mark the return of backwards compatibility for PS2 software. It'll be back to software emulation so it may only pertain to about 75-80% of the PS2's library, but it'll certainly emulate the major titles we'd all want to play again. Some believe we're far enough along in this generation where this is unnecessary, but with the insane longevity of the PS2 and the fact that so many people have one (and comparatively, so few people have the PS3), Sony decided to bring it back.
Gran Turismo 5 will launch in early December
The hints keep coming and we're now convinced that GT5 will see the light of day in 2009. We think it'll be the most anticipated release in December, and Sony will give consumers at least three weeks to nab it as the highly sought-after holiday present it will be. Series creator Kazunori Yamauchi has said Polyphony could release the game "whenever they wanted," and it was just a matter of timing...well, the timing can't get much better than a release date of December 1 (or something like that). Besides, several big titles have already been pushed out of this year and we don't really see much in the way of heavy competition in December, so that month would be all about GT5 and give the freshly discounted PS3 the final push towards a definite sales victory.
So there you have it. We'll see if any of these predictions come true. Also, Sony will definitely turn some heads with the games they have on tap for the show, so expect to see a ton of headlines pertaining to the PlayStation brand tomorrow.
8/17/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (57 posts)
LegendaryWolfeh
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:45:27 PM
2 up, 0 down
b3mike
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 8:14:10 PM
Exactly. Either pay Sony 150+ tax for a refurbished model even more likely to fail or buy a new ps3, which is what I'm doing if they drop the price or if they announce the slim.
1 up, 2 down
Byakko2009
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 10:01:21 PM
3 up, 1 down
ed_winchester
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:42:57 PM
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5 up, 0 down
Danny007
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:42:57 PM
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3 up, 0 down
mexgeo86
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:45:53 PM
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Hopefully the unannounced game gives us a good surprise like FFXIV (less online constraint)
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 5:01:51 AM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:46:30 PM
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There's nothing much to remove except the wireless networking, and that's a minor element in a chipset along with an antenna, it's also darned near mandatory in this day and age.
BlueTooth is mandatory for controller compatibility. USB is mandatory for compatibility with PS Eye and other USB based add-ons. The HDD is a user replaceable part and is 2.5-inch SATA, again an industry standard that's unlikely to change. HDMI is mandatory as is the standard multi-AV output. An ethernet port is pretty much mandatory as well. BluRay is mandatory and automatically infers DV and CD playback. SACD playback is already gone.
The BluRay drive could possibly switch to a tray instead of a slot loading drive. That's something that would save a few pennies, as would the dropping of the more premium touch sensitive buttons, but how many dollars do they save per unit doing this?
The promise of PS2 BC to come in a firmware update should certainly outweigh any impact of this though.
Well, it shouldn't be a long wait now, but I certainly await the announcements and news with eager anticipation...
Last edited by Highlander on 8/17/2009 3:47:37 PM
6 up, 0 down
johnld
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 4:04:04 PM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 5:07:45 AM
I hope they don't cut anything (including the disk loader and buttons). It's all so slick and functional.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/18/2009 5:10:45 AM
0 up, 0 down
mastiffchild
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 7:55:59 AM
And I'd also reccommend Continuous play for anyone with the same model living in the UK. At £5 a month it's not too steep and if you have a couple like me(and a PSP etc) you can get a deal and I fear it'll soon be the only way to ensure keeping the same launch capabilties on your PS3. Sony tried to offer me a new 80gig when mine broke down but as I'd signed up to CP I called them and had a refurb(which is even quiter than my first and, touch wood, as been great for the past 7 months!
Any news on the two games from yesterdays round of rumours? The announced Suda game and the one called Dead Nations(IIRC)?
0 up, 0 down
BlinkBoy
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:50:15 PM
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PS3_Wizard
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:50:45 PM
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3 up, 0 down
johnld
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 4:06:56 PM
1 up, 0 down
Nynja
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 4:00:08 PM
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I've never really cared for the redesigns consoles Sony pushes out (with exception to the PSP Go).
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Xra897
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 4:25:42 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Gone
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 4:37:48 PM
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7 up, 0 down
phade2blaq
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:13:10 PM
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1 up, 0 down
b3mike
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 8:20:41 PM
1 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 5:19:00 AM
I agree with everything you said, but the PS3's line-up is still quite good and not really dominated by FPSs (more than are necessary, though).
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/18/2009 5:20:18 AM
0 up, 0 down
Mr Bitey
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:16:13 PM
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2 up, 0 down
PS3addict
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:22:44 PM
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PS3 Slim with BC, and in the box.....
GOW trilogy!!
That is a sick idea!
1 up, 0 down
THEVERDIN
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:38:51 PM
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0 up, 0 down
HeXeN
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 5:41:38 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Dingodial
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 9:33:15 PM
0 up, 0 down
ThePearlJamer
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 10:13:24 PM
3 up, 0 down
End of line
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 6:14:50 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 7:11:08 PM
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But yes, GT5 is all I rearlly care for :)
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b3mike
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 8:22:08 PM
0 up, 0 down
LightShow
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 7:33:55 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 9:30:10 PM
With regard to compatibility, if an emulator manages to successfully play 85% of all PS2 games ever made, it will mean that the vast majority of titles (most likely including the ones you want) will be compatible. A completely software solution gives Sony the flexibility to target specific games for emulation, so high profile titles are more likely to work. I think you need to be more flexible in your approach. Good grief, even the PS2 slim has trouble playing some early PS2 games!
2 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 7:36:14 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Fatcat3788
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 7:52:39 PM
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Last edited by Fatcat3788 on 8/17/2009 7:52:52 PM
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Victor321
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 8:05:58 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Robochic
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 9:03:33 PM
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Can't wait for tomorrow agree with u ben.
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kevinater321
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 9:19:49 PM
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0 up, 0 down
DaNgerSteVe
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 11:18:00 PM
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0 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 12:01:13 AM
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0 up, 0 down
DaNgerSteVe
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 12:13:51 AM
0 up, 0 down
Banky A
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 12:40:07 AM
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Me and Mornelithe, forever x0x
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Imagi
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 1:15:14 AM
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I think they may add another form of entertainment to the XMB such as a video/movie version of vidzone, and hopefully *fingers crossed* announce that the clock and battery will no longer overlap.
2 up, 0 down
Titch1794
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 2:40:24 AM
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0 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 7:38:49 AM
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I hope they don't have a bunch of special GamesCom content that you can barely read details about like the first few days of E3 (shadowed bright white on bright white was NOT a good color combo...even the bright blue Home background is a little too much)!
Last edited by xnonsuchx on 8/18/2009 7:39:27 AM
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VersusAlby
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 7:49:25 AM
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hope the BC becomes reality
it is still important
http://www.justin.tv/chillaxtv
(it is said that it works also with the PS3)
the live stream of the Gamescom SONY Press
it will begin it at 18.30 European Time
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm American Time not quite sure
Last edited by VersusAlby on 8/18/2009 7:58:13 AM
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kokoro
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 8:08:20 AM
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With regards to PS2 BC. Is there a chance it could be region free?
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Orvisman
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 9:12:25 AM
I'm hoping it gets released as a part of the slim package so I can import a Japanese slim and retire my import PS2. Then it will come to the rest of the PS3s w/o BC in a later update.
Maybe Sony will put it up as a download from PSN instead of as an update so people can download it at will like it did with the PS2 HD patch.
Last edited by Orvisman on 8/18/2009 9:14:47 AM
1 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 9:14:20 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 2:06:26 PM
0 up, 0 down
jdt1981
Reply
Monday, August 17, 2009 @ 3:42:29 PM