Sony'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.
Out of all those GT5 coming out in 09 is what I want the most. Since I already own a 60GB PS3 a price cut and backward compatibility doesn't concern me personally. I can't wait to see what's announced tomorrow.
I agree 100%.
What if it YLODs?!!!…………….
Then pay 150$ and send it in to sony to get a refurb of the same model you had, which is what i'm doing with my 80gb model that ylod'd the other night
"What if it YLODs?!!!……………."
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.
Correct me if I'm wrong here. But I think the best option is to check ebay. There's a guy doing YLOD fixes for $25, with shipping that'd total out to be about $55-60, I assume. They send it back for free as well.
hope you're right about GT5, would make a nice christmas present
I think these will all come true. Let us pray.
Amen.
For an event that I had not heard about until this year, I'm as psyched if not more than I was for E3.
Hopefully the unannounced game gives us a good surprise like FFXIV (less online constraint)
It didn't exist (under that name, at least) until this year, so you're not alone. It's basically a redux/replacement of the German Games Convention, a.k.a. Leipzig.
The slim could be missing a feature compared to the current system? Hmmmm……
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 TheHighlander on 8/17/2009 3:47:37 PM
I agree, there's really nothing that sony can take out. All they can do is a few modifications like the disk tray and touch sensitive buttons. Its just going to be a ps3 with the newest/smallest chipsets.
I saw someone say that the touch-sensitive buttons were actually cheaper. I would have sworn it was The Highlander (I guess it wasn't), so it must have been someone with "smart cred".
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
Yeah, I fail to see anything they could take out that they haven't already thrown away! I'm just glad I've got a 60Gig model with everything inside it!
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)?
I hope for all this plus Video store on PSN for Europe. This have been rumored as well, that SCEE will unveil Video Store for us in European territories.
And Canada!
Yo…I just want Home to allow streaming of videos and music to your spaces' guests. Thats the main reason I was happy about home. I have about 100 music videos and music I created I wanted to share with friends…
I dont know if they're going to let that happen given that people can download music and videos anywhere on the internet. Next thing you know someone downloads a copy of a movie and just share it on ps home. I dont really think thats legal. hahaha
Probably just has to do with the material used. I'm figuring the PS3 slim will use the same plastic the PS2 used. This in addition to physical size being reduced is probably saving more money and with a cooler running system, less fans and smaller heat sinks are always cheaper. Maybe it's true about the power switch on the back of the unit being removed.
I've never really cared for the redesigns consoles Sony pushes out (with exception to the PSP Go).
gt5 wld be a great present for myself
Hope there is some news about Twisted Metal, because no Playstation line up should be without it.
please, when is the sony part?
circa 9:30 a.m. PDT, I believe
What puzzles me about BC is the fact that Sony has released bundled PS3 models and for the price of a PS3 game they could have retained PS2 components for BC at roughly the same or perhaps less than the cost of a pack-in game but they chose to remove it and add a pack-in game !
They wanted to push the sales of ps3 games. Big blunder if you ask me. The current ps3 library of games is inferior to the ps2's. By the third anniversary of the ps2 there was a great selection of games to choose from. An now the market is saturated with first person shooters that do not appeal to me.
@b3mike
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
The slim/price cut will be great for the PS3. For me own selfish reasons, I really hope I'll be playing GT 5 this December.
Here it how sony can get sales hopping;
PS3 Slim with BC, and in the box…..
GOW trilogy!!
That is a sick idea!
My guess is the memory card slots will go I have them on my 80G.
Already gone on the 40gb
I think you are going to be right about everything but I pray you're wrong about GT5,The perfect scenario for me would be that GT5 comes out on January or early February.I will be picking up the Slim and Go for sure.
Recently a gamestop employee told me that GT5 was suppost to come out some time in January.
Yesterday, a gamestop employee tried to get me to pay $55 for a used game…I responded with the appropriate f*ck you…
Agree except for the taking something out part, besides wireless what else is there?
New RPG? I welcome that surprise
But yes, GT5 is all I rearlly care for 🙂
let's not kid ourselves. it'll be another fps
how about they fix the software emulation that exists within older models while simultaneously giving it to the newer ones? about three quarters my favorite games lock up or wont play at all, so b/c will mean nothing to me unless it comes with %100 compatibility with ps2 titles.
The PS2 compatibility depends on hardware in both models of PS3 that have it. The original 20/60GB systems use a compelte hardware solution, and the Euro 60GB and the first 80GB model has a half software, half hardware solution where the Emotion Engine is emulated, and the Graphics synthesizer is replaced by some custom hardware. So it's impossible for either existing BC solution to be implemented purely in software, as they both depend on hardware.
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!
BC in a later firmware update would be a welcome addition, having GT5 in early December would help move systems. All in all it seems like things are looking up for Sony.
Well despite what is true and what is not… There is definately a lot more potential to the PS3. That, in itself, is something to be excited about 😉
Last edited by Fatcat3788 on 8/17/2009 7:52:52 PM
Nice Predictions Ben! If you're right spot on all 3, then I shall bow down to you.
I tried to preorder GT5 no go still not listed in the data base at ebgames neither is WKC.
Can't wait for tomorrow agree with u ben.
Does anyone know where i can see a video of both Sony's and Microsoft's show. And ben are you going?
so ben how do we know about the major titles for the ps3 emulation, will sony make a list
So they're having a three hour news conference? Wow. Sounds like a LOT of information is going to be shelled out. Can't wait. Any chance of a broadcast via internet stream somewhere?
actually its like an hour of conference, IDK wtf is going on is it 1 or 3 hour
Gran Turismo 5!
Me and Mornelithe, forever x0x
Aww, you tricked me with that headline, but I think you could be right about your predictions.
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.
I hope what is said up top is all true.