E3 2010: Sony Press Conference -The opening Gambit

  It's been an explosive year so far at E3, with the big companies in gaming seeking to outdo each other it's getting hard to keep up! however, fearless as ever, we send Drew into the mix to take a gander at what Sony have to offer this year with orders to separate the triumphs from the dead geese. What follows is a quick introduction to the action with links to further updates focusing on what you need to know about Sony's 2010 E3 Press Conference.   


  Honestly guys, I'm not sure that the bird analogy works, but what is most definitely true is that when these companies get together to do an expo they sure make a lot of work for the likes of me! Sony are no exception to this rule, this years E3 see's Sony covering all sorts of ground with their press conference and while some have argued on forums across the web that Sony's contribution was underwhelming, I'd say there is plenty to talk about.

  For a start there are the customary theatrics that come with these kinda of affairs. With stiff competition from rival companies there is always an element of "smoke and mirrors" while the big-wigs on stage peddle their wares. Sony achieved this by reputedly handing out 3D glasses and starting the conference early and thus generating a feeling of urgency around their conference. A clever device that set the ball rolling for Sony to announce a host of expected titles and a few surprises too.

  Nobody was going to be surprised at the announcement of games likes Killzone 3, Little Big Planet 2 and Grand Turismo 5 but the revealing of a new a Mortal Kombat game along with a Twisted Metal game in the final stages of the conference proved to be an exciting surprise. That said, when a battered ice-cream truck arrives on stage containing David Jaffe you have to admit it's usually a little unexpected. For the full story on the games of Sony's conference, look no further then here. 

 Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Sony's planned releases is the extent to which they will support 3D. During the course of the conference SCEA president Jack Tretton announced that by March 2011 Sony will deliver 20 titles for the PS3 in native 3D, including games like Killzone 3 and Mortal Kombat. This is a fairly impressive claim that shows Sony's commitment to innovating in the field of 3D gaming and goes along way in supporting the force behind Sony's planned releases. Get the scoop on Sony's 3D commitment here.


 Hardware and infrastructure are also receiving a push from Sony this year with the PSP set to see a whole host of new games, PSN getting a new service in PSN Plus and the final unavailing of that little device you may have heard of, Playstation Move. Sony appear to have decided to make a move on the portable market by pushing the PSP as the only portable solution for "serious" gamers. This has been a long time coming and will hopefully finally see the PSP getting into the stride it deserves. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is touted by Tretton as an example of a leading core PSP title before he goes on to unveil new titles for the machine including a new God Of War game. The portable parable can be found here.

  Infrastructure wise we see the way games are delivered to us getting a slight revamp with the unveiling of PSN Plus, an additional paid tier for PSN which has been received with decidedly mixed reactions. The basic idea behind 'Plus is that for either a years subscription costing $50, or a 3-month subscription costing $18, subscribers can expect access to free games, mini's, themes and discounts. As well this, PSN Plus implements a "full demo" service which allows players to download and play a full game for around an hour to trial it before purchase. This has proven to be a hot topic as Sony have revealed that while content like themes and content paid for with discounts will remain available at a subscriptions end, free games will not until the subscription is renewed leading to some to refer to the service as an expensive way of renting games. The biggest upset is that cross party chat has yet to be confirmed on PSN while a paid tier has.Whatever side you take in the PSN Plus debate, pay a visit to the discussion here.

  Now I can't help but feel that I'm missing something. Something big. Something that my editor-in-chief will flay me for should I miss it. Something, movement based perhaps? Oh come on, did you really think I'd forgotten? I talk of course of Sony's answer to the motion race - Playstation Move. Call it a gimmick, call it a revolution, either way it's big news. The build up to the unleashing of both Sony's and Microsoft's flight into the world of motion controls has been truly epic and now finally we get a look and Sony's contribution. What really sets Playstation Move apart is that in accordance with Sony's big games push, is that 'Move is already being announced as compatible with upcoming core PS3 titles with Killzone 3 and SOCOM 4 both reputedly being made ready for Move capability at launch. Move over to the full motion article here. 

   So there's a very brief overview of some of the main points from Sony's press conference. At a glance it is obvious that Sony are really pushing the gaming part of consoles. It's interesting that despite the importance of Move, it hasn't dominated Sony's press conference. Instead we see a vast array of games appearing in various formats across the Sony range. It surprises me that people have described Sony's conference as underwhelming when you consider the sheer volume of games that were mentioned during the presentation. While Microsoft can boast partnerships with ESNP and Activision, sony can counter with strong ties to EA, DICE and even Gabe Newell. You know? That formally rather vocal critic of the PS3?

   I would have to say that Sony could be close to leading the way in gaming over the next few years, with so many games apparently on the cards to support the moves into 3D and motion controls Sony seem to be building a solid and daunting presence in the gaming world. If the reports free all three of the console producers are to be believed then the current generation of consoles is evolving and if Sony deliver what they say they will they could come out on top. Whatever your gaming alliance, check out the following links to read the full news for Sony's 2010 E3 Press Conference and whatever you do, keep gaming!

Check out the rest of our Sony E3 2010 updates here:

SonyE32010 – Games http://tiny.cc/2gtsz


SonyE32010 – 3D http://tiny.cc/cgn17

SonyE32010 – Portable http://tiny.cc/8kwwh

SonyE32010 – PSN Plus http://tiny.cc/w8jqm


SonyE32010– Move http://tiny.cc/n20ri

E3 2010: Sony - Game On

 Be you a reporter, fanboy or developer we all know that E3 is all about the games. Sony it seems also understand this, with their E3 press conference revealing a whole host of games across their range of services. So dive in and join us as we explore what Sony has to offer and uncover a few hidden surprises along the way!


 Just in case any of you were in any doubt, Sony are focusing on games at this years E3. Say what you will about Playstation move and the motion control "battle", games are in charge right now. Sony's big press converence was kicked off with a montage highlighting various Sony products and games, amongst them were Killzone 3, Little Big Planet 2, Metal Gear solid: Peace Walker and Grand Turismo 5. So all the usual suspects where there in force, but Sony goes much further then that as we're about to explore, it really feels that Sony have opened the flood gates.

 Going back to the "usual suspects" I should probably point out that usual doesn't mean bad. Not by a long shot. Titles like Killzone, Grand Turismo and MGS have become gaming icons over the years because of the quality the represent and the newest editions to the franchises are no exceptions. In many cases these games continue to push not only quality but also innovation as Sony begins to incorporate 3D technology and motion controls into games. Killzone 3 for example, is going to be released 3D and motion ready as soon as February 2011. Killzone game play was shown during the conference and features a blend to typical 'zone action and some new tweaks. Anyone who didn't notice that Killzone now features jet-packs should be sent straight out to the front line to see for themselves how cool they look. As a fan of this epic war story I can tell you I am looking forward to this one, the game-play videos that exist on-line demonstrate that the solid combat system we're used to is retained while Sony continue to strive for even more dynamic game-play.

  It's not all war though, as Sony have announced a deluge of titles including The Sly Collection, Grand Turismo 5, Shaun White Skateboaring, Tron Evolution, Crysis 2, SOCOM 4 and NBA 2K11. And all of these titles are allegedly going to be in 3D too, meaning that Sony have potentially a bumper crop of impressive material to take us into 2011. But this is just the opening salvo, during the course of Sony's press conference SCEA president Jack Tretton, reveals that a new Mortal Kombat game is headed to PS3 in glorious 3D and partnerships with EA, DICE and a young man by the name of Gabe Newell.

  Newell's appearance and support for Sony are perhaps the most surprising thing thus far as previously Newell had been an outspoken critic of the PS3 but now it appears he not only embraces the machine but has also promised the "best version" of Portal 2 for the PS3. EA also show their support for the PS3 by revealing   that the next instalment of Medal Of Honer will offer exclusive content for PS3 players, as will Dead Space 2. Watch out for limited editions of these games, with MOH offering an unscaled version of MOH Front-line while Dead Space offers an optimized Move version of the game included with it's limited edition version. 2K are also in on the action with PS3 exclusive content for Assassins Creed and Mafia in the pipework. There will also be a Final Fantasy MMORPG which will give anyone with exceptional amounts of time to burn the tool to do it!

  After going through Sony's commitment to 3D, Playstation Move and the push of the PSP (links to all of these topics follow below) Tretton ended by saying that there was one more surprise in store for the assembled press at the conference. This was the return of the Twisted Metal series, appearing on the PS3 for the first time. Admittedly I was always more of a Carmageddon fan but this is still exciting news for anyone interested in motor based carnage! This new games will reportedly feature two player split-screen action and new game modes, including "Nuke" mode involving strategic team play...and nukes.


  All in all it seems that there is a lot to be excited about regarding Sony's upcoming releases. They are plentiful and innovative, with Sony pushing 3D and motion controls with most of their games. And the above titles are simply the tip of the iceberg, check out our other posts to see what we can expect from Move and a host of upcoming PSP releases. Long may the king of games reign!

Check out further Sony E3 coverage here:
           
        
SonyE32010 – 3D http://tiny.cc/cgn17

SonyE32010 – Portable http://tiny.cc/8kwwh

SonyE32010 – PSN Plus http://tiny.cc/w8jqm


SonyE32010– Move http://tiny.cc/n20ri


SonyE32010 – Intro http://tiny.cc/gr0dx

E3 2010: Sony - Now In Amazing 3D-o-Vision!

  It's an exciting time to be a gamer at the moment, not only are there more and more quality games being released but we are currently living through a break-through moment in the way we play games. 3D is set to change the way we experience games like nothing before it and Sony seem to be leading the charge!


 While Sony seem to be investing a lot in new games and content for the PS3 and PSP at the moment they also seem to be investing in the way we play our games. During this years E3 Sony press conference, SCEA group president Kaz Hirai made a bold statement about how he sees Sony's position in the future of 3D gaming. He says he wants to do for 3D what the PS3 did for Blu-ray and goes on to claim that there will be 20 native 3D titles on available for the PS3 by March 2011.

  These are indeed fight'en words, especially when you consider that the games in question aren't gimmicky parlour tricks but fully fledged core titles like Killzone 3 and Grand Turismo 5.

  It's hard to be sceptical about Sony's commitment to this endeavour because they are already well under way in their mission. It has already been reported that the PS3 will be a fully functioning 3D console by 2010 and with Sony's 3D ready Bravia range of TV's, a firmware update supporting 3D and 3D versions of games like Wipeout HD and Pain already available on PSN this is a reality.

  The only question is cost. For anyone who has already bought a HDTV the cost has been considerable so the cost of a further upgrade to 3D and the corresponding glasses could be prohibitive. However, all new tech costs a lot at first and you consider the Sony's strategy in integrating the cross-bar into the Bravia range you can see how Sony are enticing customers with a fully integrated entertainment hub.

  But perhaps I digress here, the point is that 3D games are coming to Playstation and I for one want in!

Check out the rest of our Sony E3 coverage here:


SonyE32010 – Portable http://tiny.cc/8kwwh

SonyE32010 – PSN Plus http://tiny.cc/w8jqm


SonyE32010– Move http://tiny.cc/n20ri

SonyE32010 – Intro http://tiny.cc/gr0dx

SonyE32010 – Games http://tiny.cc/2gtsz

E3 2010: Sony - PSN And Then Some

 There was a collective sigh of relief as Sony announced that PSN as we know it would remain free. But only PSN as we know it. It appears that we now have the option to pay for PSN - what is going on here? We send Drew to find out!

  Traditionally, PSN is a bit like yin and yang, it has two very distinct parts that contrast each other. One the one hand it is generally regarded that support is lacking for PSN compared to XBL while on the other hand it is a free service that allows on-line gaming, shopping and Playstation Home - which was suspiciously only briefly mentioned at this year's E3. This is how we know and love the PS3 with it's highs and lows, but now something is stirring which could change all that - or leave it just the same as it is.

  Let me explain. This year at E3 Sony announced a new paid tier for PSN called PSN Plus, don't worry the Drew Award for Innovative Service Names (DAISN) is remaining firmly in my sock drawer. But un-inventive names aside, what is PSN Plus? Put simply it's a subscription service that gives gamers access to free games, PS1 classics, minis, and themes along with the new "full-game demo" concept. The service also features an automatic update service which means updates are installed without you having to tell them to be, but this is such a pitiful thing to expect people to pay for that's the last you'll hear me say on it.

  The full-game demo feature however has some merit. The idea is that you download a demo that works in the same way as owning the full game for an pre established amount of time, allegedly around an hour. I guess the idea is that you get a more complete example of what owning the game would be
like. While it's an interesting attempt to drive interest in games I fail to see how it differs from a regular demo, especially as timed demos already exist. The only real advantage is that given that you have the time, it would be possible to compare single player and multi player elements of the game before you run out and buy it.

  Of course the real interest in Plus comes form all those free games. The deal is that for around $5o and year or $19 for three months (about 40 and 20 pound respectively in the UK) you get access to new games each month to download for free, along with themes and discounts. This might sound a little expensive but provided you download enough of the games you could save some money, the problem is that you never really "own" the games.

 According to Sony, once a subscription runs out you lose access to the games. Although, themes and game paid for using discount offered by the Plus service remain. This makes PSN Plus a bit of an elaborate rental service. The only way to make it really for you is to play and complete every game the service offers to get the full moneys worth out of it, but this assumes that you want to play every title. I for one will not play every Disney ps1 classic just because I paid 40 quid to do it! If your subscription runs out and you reactivate it you regain all of the previous content but I would still opt to simply pay for what I want and keep it.

 I'm not sure on this yet, even the European incentive of a free downloadable version of Little Big Planet if you buy close to launch has not sold me. It's an amazing game but I already own it! Of all of Sony's E3 announcements this is by far the most dubious, but like a good reporter I will pay for and use the service and let you know how it goes. Check back soon!        
Get the rest of your Sony E3 coverage here:


SonyE32010– Move http://tiny.cc/n20ri


SonyE32010 – Intro http://tiny.cc/gr0dx

SonyE32010 – Games http://tiny.cc/2gtsz

SonyE32010 – 3D http://tiny.cc/cgn17


SonyE32010 – Portable http://tiny.cc/8kwwh

E3 2010: Sony - I Like To Move It, Move It!

  Playstation Move represents Sony's answer to the motion war brewing between the big powers in gaming. Say what you will about looking like a neon maraca there's a lot of fuss being made about these motion controls. Let's see what all the fuss is about...

  Playstation Move has an important job to do. For Sony it seems to represent one of major in-roads it is making at this years E3. Games are being push in terms of both quality and quantity, PSN Plus seems poised to make Sony's on-line service more profitable and the push of the PSP shows Sony aggressively attempting to expand and finally grab it niche of the portable console market. However, it is probably Sony's move into the world of 3D that is most compatible and interglacial to the success of Move...and Sony.

  With the move into 3D and the supporting Bravia branch of Sony's product range, Sony are developing a rather sweet little entertainment centre. Take that out of the grotty one-room flat and place it in the family home and you can see Playstation Move fitting in snugly with this set-up and flying, or at least moving, out of stores the world over. However, the beauty of move is that it would appear to cater to everyone and already have an impressive line-up of games on the way.

  Sure, there will be the family friendly sports and pet games but along side these we see titles like Killzone and SOCOM on the way so Move sits well as a dirty student's pastime or an retro slice of 1950's family Americana. It's an impressive and ambitious move by Sony to get so much lined up close to Move's launch, EU Sept 15, NA Sept. 19, Japan Oct. 21.

  The most impressive display of Moves capabilities comes from the E3 demonstrations of Tiger Woods and Sorcery - which was designed specifically and exclusively for Move. What was interesting about this is that it took two fairly different games and showed how they would work on Move. Move's multiple sensors did a great job of capturing the movements of a golf player and wizard but I will reserve judgement until I have a go for myself. Which I really want to do!

  I've never been much of a fan of motion controls, they always seemed to go against the grain of what video games where, however, with Move's line up of games it seems that the gimmick element is contrasted with impressive core games. The list of games said to be compatible with Move includes Sorcery, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, Killzone 3, RUSE, Singstar Dance, echochrome II, EyePet TV superstars, SOCOM 4 and a Time Crisis game.

  The cost is to to be $50 for the controller and $30 for the navigation controller. There will also be bundle deals with a PS3, Move and PS Eye costing $400 and $100 bundle including Move, PS Eye and Sports Champions. Only time will tell if this will seriously threaten Microsoft of Nintendo, it's not the cheapest of toys, but given the range of games on the way it seems to be far from a gimmick.

 Get the rest of our Sony E3 coverage here:


SonyE32010 – Intro http://tiny.cc/gr0dx

SonyE32010 – Games http://tiny.cc/2gtsz


SonyE32010 – 3D http://tiny.cc/cgn17

SonyE32010 – Portable http://tiny.cc/8kwwh


SonyE32010 – PSN Plus http://tiny.cc/w8jqm

Dreamcast Titles Headed For PSN And XBLA

Great news for Dreamcast fans everywhere as SEGA announces that classic Dreamcast games are to return to our consoles in a glorious DLC revolution! Join Drew, as our resident retro gaming enthusiast, as he explores what we can expect in the coming months and what he would like to see!

 Ever since first hearing the opening bars of "Welcome To Station Square" and entering the 3D world of Sonic Adventure it has remained my all time favourite Sonic game. Sure, many will argue convincingly that previous 2D incarnations of the series like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog CD remain the finest and truest examples the Sonic's outings, but for me Sonic Adventure had it all. For a start it totally changed my mind on SEGA's ill-fated Dreamcast by showing without any doubt that it was an extraordinary machine capable of jaw-dropping graphics for it's time. However, not being the type of gamer who is swayed by graphics alone, it was Sonic Adventure's impressive and varied game-play that really sealed the deal for me. Admittedly, the level design didn't always cater well for Sonic's constant need to break land speed records, resulting in occasional moments of infuriating despair, but on the whole the game was a joy to play. That Sonic Team where able to convert Sonic's bullet like pace from a 2D into a 3D environment should be considered a crowning achievement, even if this success has never really been repeated again for SEGA or Sonic.

 With this in mind it will not surprise for anyone to learn that when I learned that SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America had announced their planned release of Dreamcast titles on PSN and XBLA, my first question was "When do we get Sonic Adventure?" Fortunately, the answer would appear to be soon as according to SEGA Europe Blog we can expect Sonic Adventure to rush our consoles Autumn 2010. But it gets better, as SEGA have also confirmed that Crazy Taxi is also up for release, although no confirmation for a Crazy Taxi release date as yet.

 What makes this news all the more welcome is the notorious shelf life of the Dreamcast console itself, with working machines becoming harder and harder to find and maintain there are many titles simply begging to be preserved in a digital environment. Games like Shenmue 1 and 2 and Daytona USA are classics that will bring back fond memories for many  gamers, while the charm of Chu Chu Rocket never really went away. Personally, I would love to see Fighting Vipers 2 available for download as it was curiously only ported to consoles in Japan and Europe and released later as part of the SEGA Ages collection for the Playstation 2, which never saw a PAL issue.  


 Whatever the future holds for PSN and XBLA, this is great news for fans of SEGA's gaming past and something to watch out for over the coming months. Rest assured that the staff here at JustSandN will be watching this like hawks watching a small, blue hedgehog.