PS3 | Procrastinating in the Heat

Posts Tagged ‘ PS3 ’

Is there more life to the PS3?

Undeniably, the PS3 is gaining momentum despite it’s slow start to the next gen console wars. Sony has suffered a humiliating defeat against Nintendo and Microsoft after entering the next gen market as the number one console only to end up last.

But there is hope and the color is blu.

Unlike the Xbox who packaged their HD player separately, Sony’s delays in releasing the once sought out console was blamed on it’s famed blu-ray capabilities. All games to be released on the PS3 has to be on blu-ray. The next generation of DVDs had to be in blu-ray. It was all part of Sony’s grand plan in taking control.

Fast forward to today, where Blu-Ray finally sent HD-DVD to the grave and games are finally coming out. But is it enough?

The longevity of the PS3 is entirely based on the it’s blu-ray player capability. But most owners don’t even know that you can play blu-ray discs on it let alone know what blu-ray is.

The hardware seems robust enough compared to the other two. But just in case I went for the extended warranty that Best Buy has so I’m good. In any case, the plastic on the PS3 doesn’t feel like the cheap stuff that was on the PS1 let alone the PS2. It’s the largest and heaviest of all 3 consoles and is the only one with the DIY hard drive replacement instructions (you could technically swap out the hard drive from the current 40GB for a much larger 500GB if you wanted to that is).

AAA games are only starting to trickle out for the PS3 and some exclusives are already out such as Heavenly Sword and Uncharted. The most awaited ones such as Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo and Little Big Planet are just about to come out but it’s still a long wait for many. Most of what were exclusive to the Playstation went over to the Xbox such Bandai Konami’s Ace Combat and Katamari, Capcom’s Devil May Cry and Resident Evil (which also went to Nintendo). Most if not all EA games are available on both consoles and Guitar Hero and Rock Band went for all platforms.

The connectivity of the PSP to the PS3 is unique to Sony. Nintendo has announced plans in bringing the DS closer to the Wii but no real date yet on when this would be possible. Now that the PSP is coming on strong, it is only now that Sony’s gaming plan is coming to focus.

I think the PS3 has legs to stand on for a while and to stretch. I do believe this would be the console to last for the next seven years than the Xbox. This generation of the console war will drag itself out. I bet that Sony engineers today figuring out how to bring the PS2 to the handheld (after all they took out the hardware for backward compatibility out of the PS3) and making the PS3 as the center of your home entertainment system.

The PS3 may have had a slow start but things seem to be looking up for Sony.

2008: 05/17
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: PS3
Leave a comment

Is there more life to the PS3?

But there is hope and the color is blu.

Fast forward to today, where Blu-Ray finally sent HD-DVD to the grave and games are finally coming out. But is it enough?

The longevity of the PS3 is entirely based on the it’s blu-ray player capability. But most owners don’t even know that you can play blu-ray discs on it let alone know what blu-ray is.

The PS3 may have had a slow start but things seem to be looking up for Sony.

2008: 05/17
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: PS3
Leave a comment

How long can the Wii last?

Back in 2003, Nintendo dropped the prices of the Gamecube to the magical price point $99 I quickly went to Amazon.com and ordered one for Christmas. Early that year my cousin had showed me Animal Crossing, Metroid Prime and Pikmin. Two games that I had to have after seeing it. So I ordered it early. Unfortunately UPS lost the box but knowing how nice Amazon customer service is, they quickly sent in a replacement. It didn’t make Christmas, but it did make me happy once it got to my hands.

The main reason I got the Gamecube was the games. I already had a console. The PS2 which had been in my hands since 2001. The minute I saw Animal Crossing, I knew I’d like that game. And like it I did. So much that my sister took over my Gamecube.

Fast forward to this generation, the Wii is at the top of the sales chart with the PS3 at the back of the pack. But are there any games worth my time?

Don’t get me wrong. I have a Wii and I like it. I have a few games for it such as Trauma Center, Super Mario Galaxy and Zelda. I liked the novelty of the controller and the fun in Wii Sports and Wii Play. I would like to get my feet onto that Wii Fit if only just to be able to ski on it. But how long can it really last?

No HD, no 5.1 surround (I’m sorry like really good surround sound), no excitement on the “games”. I didn’t pick up Metroid when it came out on the Wii, Mario Party 8 wasn’t something that I would sit down and play (but it’s in my library), Wario Ware had a very short attention span and Mario Kart is apparently a dud (that is if you played the Gamecube version which many didn’t and the wheel is practically useless).

Let’s face it Nintendo fans, there are very few quality games on the Wii. It’s has creatively created it’s own audience and that are the casual gamers. These are people who will probably buy the Wii for Wii Sports and buy two more games in the next 12 months. And the game that is coming up for them to buy is Wii Fit. The move is good for Nintendo but not for it’s developers.

As a serious gamer myself, I am still waiting for that game changing game to change my view on the whole Wii thing. I’m still waiting for Animal Crossing, Nintendogs and Brain Age for the Wii. When these 3 games come out. I must say, the console is dead and they need to release a newer version.

2008: 05/12
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: animal crossing
gamecube
metroid
Pikmin
PS3
Wii
wii fit
Leave a comment

Should Tuesday be a holiday?

Grand Theft Auto IV – Mahalo

Unless you’re living under a rock, Tuesday marks the day when Grand Theft Auto 4 is released for the PS3 and the Xbox 360. It’s a game of anarchy and scandal. It’s been blamed for numerous violent actions and lawsuits. (Hot coffee anyone?)

But unlike the rest of the gaming world which has held it’s breath in anticipation of this game, I however am not. While my brother and my friends have pre-ordered the game months in advance. I couldn’t see the point. Yes it had a pretty interesting storyline voiced by Hollywood actors which put many games to shame. But it just doesn’t talk to me. I do enjoy blowing the brains out of fellow digital players online but taking the life of crime is not me.

Nevertheless I am a minority in the grand scheme of gaming who love this sort of thing. Why else would they make a fourth version if not to make lots of $$$$?

Anyway let’s see how the game progresses. But in anycase, it will beat any other media released this week. Not even Iron Man and Madonna can stop Niko.

2008: 04/29
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: gta4
PS3
xbox360
Leave a comment

Best PS3 commercial I’ve seen so far

The nice thing about this PS3 ad is that it’s not all about explosions and graphics. But instead it focuses on the personal experience and at times the shared experience of owning the console. Much like the HP ads a few years back. At least it’s not as campy as “Wii would like to play.”

2008: 03/19
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: commercials
HP
PS3
Leave a comment

Leave reality behind

The Formula 1 season just started last weekend and what better way to celebrate than to oogle at these pictures from Kotaku. Yes, I did say Kotaku. Now why would a gaming site host pictures like this one above.

Because that image above is the in-game engine of GRAN TURISMO!!

Yes race fans! What you’ve always dreamed about is in the ultimate driving simulator. In the past we’ve complained about the physics and the handling of the Formula 1 cars in games published by then 989 Sports and even EA Sports. I’ve wished that it would have the handling of Gran Turismo.

Well wait no more. For a mere 2 Million in game credits, you can drive Kimi Raikonnen’s championship car in the game.

Now that is something to wait and play for.

2008: 03/19
POSTED BY

Leave reality behind

Because that image above is the in-game engine of GRAN TURISMO!!

Well wait no more. For a mere 2 Million in game credits, you can drive Kimi Raikonnen’s championship car in the game.

Now that is something to wait and play for.

2008: 03/19
POSTED BY

Will you buy a PS3 this year?

Sony cuts PlayStation 3 production cost in half – Engadget

Now I almost feel bad that I bought one last year for $499. Hmmm. Not! I will not predict a price drop anytime soon. It just puts the PS3 within finally making money. Boosted by it’s major coup against HD-DVD last week this could spur more blu-ray sales this year. With the release of AAA games (finally) such as MGS4 and Little Big Planet, things look a lot better for the gaming giant after trailing both the Wii and Xbox in the past year. Add the fact that the 20 and 60 GB versions in Japan will be discontinued as well.

2008: 01/15
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: Blu-ray
PS3
Sony
Leave a comment

What would make me get a PS3?

Almost six months have passed since the PS3 was launched and currently struggles against the Wii and the Xbox 360. There have been a lot of reasons from gamers why they haven’t made the jump. Too expensive. No games. And let me think..no games. Yes, that’s it. There wasn’t one launch title I wanted in my room or I was even remotely interested in playing.

It was only good as a Blu-ray disc player. And not that many living rooms in the world have Hi-Def TV sets in their homes. Where was the Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy 13 (yes they just released 12 last year, I can wish can’t I?), Gran Turismo HD? The only reason why I got the PS2 way back when was the fact that GT3 came out. At the time, that was the most I had spent on a gaming console ever. You got to admit, it’s pretty hard to let go of your $600 cold hard earned cash on something you’re not going to be happy with.

But after GDC 2007 I’ll say only three words. Little Big Planet.

At first it looks like a Nintendo game but it turns out that it’s on the PS3. The music is catchy, I can make my own design levels. Think Pikmin in the real world but with four players and the ability to design levels. Plus the levels that you make can be shared with other PS3 users and you can rate them and download them for FREE without having to PAY for it (can you hear me Micro$oft?).

The same goes for Sony Home, that place (and I do mean a real 3D environment where you can interact with your friends in virtual space and see everything that is available to see and bring back to your home.

Yes Ace Combat 6 will be coming out on the 360. Another big hop from a Playstation exclusive into Xbox territory, and Blue Dragon coming out soon it seems that the Xbox is a better choice at this time. But all the innovative games are with the Wii and now PS3.

It seems that the console wars are just about to begin.

2007: 04/08
POSTED BY: mdelamerced
CATEGORY: videogames
TAGS: PS3
xbox360
Leave a comment

The true cost of next gen gaming

People keep looking at the cost of the consoles. $499 for the XBOX 360, $599 for the PS3 and it’s currently unknown for the Wii (although rumors put it at $200-250). No one looks at the cost of the games.

Currently, games for all three consoles cost $50. For someone’s allowance, it’s a considerable price if you want kids to play the game and parents to buy it. But when it reaches a certain point where it’s too expensive, that’s where things get to be a bit iffy.

The most expensive 360 game is currently priced at $60. As a games used to the $50 mark I was shocked. I settled then for the used game so the priuce point would still be at the $50 range.

But as reports come out that games for the PS3 may reach as high as $99 I think Sony is crazy for placing prices that high. As it stands, console makers already lose money per console and the only way they can hope to earn it all back is to sell many games. But putting it at $99 will put the games beyond the reach of the mass market, the very market that they want to reach. If they want these consoles not just in hands of fans and gamers but in the living room, they have to lower the prices.

At this rate the Wii seems to have won the battle without a single console out in the streets. But who knows? Amazon Japan pre-sales are higher for the PS3 than the Wii. Will it be the same for the rest of the world? I guess we have to wait until November to find out. Unless Nintendo releases their console earlier than expected.