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PlayStation 3

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Sony PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3 logo
PlayStation 3 logo
ManufacturerSony Computer Entertainment
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSeventh generation era
Release dateSee table
LifespanJapan November 11 2006
United States November 17 2006
Canada November 17 2006
Europe March 2007
Australia March 2007
MediaBD-ROM
DVD-ROM
CD-ROM
SACD
CPU3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE and 7 SPEs
Online servicesPlayStation Network Platform
Backward
compatibility		PlayStation, PlayStation 2[1]
PredecessorPlayStation 2
"PS3" redirects here. For other uses, see PS3 (disambiguation).

The PlayStation 3 (Japanese: プレイステーション 3,, Pureisutēshon Surī, trademarked PLAYSTATION 3,[2] abbreviated PS3) is Sony's seventh generation era video game console, third in the PlayStation series. It is the successor to the PlayStation 2 and will compete against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii. The PS3 is scheduled for release on November 11, 2006 in Japan, November 17, 2006 in North America, and March, 2007 in Europe and will ship in two initial configurations, the main difference being a 20 GB or a 60 GB hard disk being fitted. Sony officially unveiled the PS3 to the public on May 16, 2005 during an E3 conference. A functional version of the console was not at E3 2005 or the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005, although at both events, demonstrations were held on devkits (e.g. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots) and comparable PC hardware, and video footage based on the predicted PS3 specifications was produced (e.g. Mobile Suit Gundam).[3] It wasn't until E3 2006 that games were shown on actual PlayStation 3 systems. In preparation for launch, Sony has announced that there will be 27 playable PS3 titles on show at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2006 on final hardware.[4]

Overview

System Features
Feature Basic Premium
Upgradable hard drive Yes, 20 GB Yes, 60 GB
Blu-ray drive Yes Yes
Bluetooth controllers[5] Yes Yes
Built-in flash card reader No Yes
Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity No Yes
HDMI port No Yes
Silver-colored logo and trim [1] No Yes

System configuration

Sony's initial retail strategy for the PlayStation 3 will involve two different configurations that are detailed in a Sony press release.[5] The "premium" version of the PlayStation 3 will come with an internal 60 GB Serial ATA 2.5" hard drive, Wi-Fi connectivity, and multiple flash memory card readers, and features a brighter cosmetic silver-colored logo and trim.[2] The second, alternate configuration of the console will have a 20 GB internal hard drive, but will not feature Wi-Fi, HDMI, or a memory card reader. The hard drive is upgradeable, and memory card and Wi-Fi support can be added through adaptors, but the HDMI support is not upgradeable.[6]

The lack of HDMI output in the 20 GB model (as with any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player lacking HDCP) could potentially cause problems with restricted output resolution on Blu-ray video. An ICT flag can be set by content producers, which forces non-HDCP video down to a pixel resolution of 960×540 (50% greater than DVD-Video at NTSC resolution, and 25% greater than PAL resolution). SCEA president Kaz Hirai stated that it is "too early to speculate at this point" whether movie producers will activate the ICT feature.[7] According to German publisher Spiegel, a behind-the-scenes agreement was made not to enforce the ICT flag on next-generation optical formats until at least 2010, or possibly even 2012.[8]

Release data and pricing

Release date and suggested retail price by region*
Region Expected pricing at release Release
date
Basic Premium
Japan Japan[5] JP¥59,800($512) Open price November 11 2006
United States United States[9] $499 US$599 November 17 2006
Canada Canada[9] C$549($485) C$659($587)
Mexico Mexico
-
-
 Q1 2007[10]
Europe Eurozone[11] €499($639) €599($768) March 2007[12]
United Kingdom United Kingdom[13]
-
 GB£425†($806)
Switzerland Switzerland[14]
 CHF 749($608)
 CHF 899($729)
Norway Norway[15]
-
 5000 NOK†($875)
Denmark Denmark[16] 4495 DKK†($770) 5495 DKK†($943)
Sweden Sweden[17]
-
 5999 SEK†($837)
Finland Finland[18] €550($704) €650($832)
Australia Australia[19] A$829($630) A$999($761)
New Zealand New Zealand NZ$999†($640)
[citation needed] 		NZ$1199.95[20]†($768)
* Prices and release dates subject to change.
Currency conversions are to US$, accurate as of 31 August 2006.
† Price not confirmed as official suggested retail price

David Wilson, Head of Public Relations at Sony Computer Entertainment UK, stated that both models will likely be sold in the UK market, but both may not be available at launch.[13] Previously, Sony Computer Entertainment UK Marketing Director Ray Maguire had stated that only the 60 GB version would be available at launch.[21] Sony announced on September 6th, 2006 that the European and Australasian launch has been delayed until March, 2007 due to Blu-ray manufacturing problems.[12]

In Japan, Sony has opted to go with an open pricing scheme for the 60 GB model, allowing retailers to set a price point themselves. Rakuten, one of the biggest Japanese online retailers, has set their price point at ¥71,800, or ¥75,390 with taxes added (about 675 USD).[22]

The PS3 has received mixed reviews for its price. It is significantly higher than its same-generation competition in all world markets.[23] Sony has publicly defended its pricing model, citing the PS3's higher performance and inclusion of a Blu-ray drive, of which stand-alone players cost an average of US$1,000.[7]

Game pricing

There have also been statements by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) President and CEO Kaz Hirai suggesting games may cost somewhere between $60 and $100 USD[24], more than the US$60 standard for higher-priced games.[25] Future Shop, a Canadian subsidiary of Best Buy, has priced each game at C$69.99 (~US$62[3]).[26]. Gamestop and EB Games have listed the games as $60.00 (USD) each.

Software

Current event marker This section contains information about video games under development.
It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change as more information becomes available. Information relating these titles to the PlayStation 3 may be found on the individual game pages. 		Game controller

Games

Main article: List of PlayStation 3 games
Launch titles Other major titles

Backward compatibility

Sony has stated that the PlayStation 3 will have backward compatibility with the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, and that every PS1 and PS2 game that observes its respective system's TRC (Technical Requirements Checklist) will be playable on PS3 at launch.[1]SCE president Ken Kutaragi asked developers to adhere to the TRC to facilitate compatibility with future PlayStations, stating that the company was having some difficulty getting backward compatibility with games that had not followed the TRCs. "Either it's accidental or on purpose; there's actually a lot of games that don't follow the TRC."[27]. It has been reported that initial PS3 units will include the CPU/rasterizer combination chip used in slim PS2 (EE+GS) to achieve backward compatibility.[28]

The PlayStation 3 does not include interfaces for legacy PlayStation devices, but there will be an adapter for the memory cards[4] so users can save their PS1/PS2 data on to a virtual memory card in the hard drive. USB devices for PlayStation 2 may be compatible with PlayStation 3. PlayStation 3 can use Memory Sticks to store save data for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software.[29]

Software development

The PlayStation 3, unlike the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 systems[citation needed], is based on open and publicly available application programming interfaces. The PlayStation 3 development kit was recently praised by IGN as having "distinct lack of noise and heat coming from the system". Despite earlier rumours of programming being difficult,[30] IGN reports that they were told that the dev kit "seemed extremely adaptive and easy to program for".[31]

Open standards

Sublicensed

Considered standards

The list of standards they are reported to be considering includes:

Sony has selected several technologies and arranged several sublicensing agreements to create an advanced software development kit for developers. In addition, in 2005 Sony purchased SN Systems, a former provider of Microsoft Windows-based development tools for a variety of console platforms; including PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP and Nintendo DS to create additional GNU development tools. Sony is providing all developers with GNU toolchains[citation needed] where SN Systems will provide customer-oriented wrappers for GNU tools at an additional cost.

Interface and operating system

File:PS3 XMB2.jpg
PS3's XMB Cross Bar Interface
Main article: Cross Media Bar

The PlayStation 3 version of the Cross Media Bar demonstrated at E3 2006 (video) included options for different user profiles, the ability to explore photos, play music and movies from the hard drive, compatibility for a USB Keyboard and Mouse, a full Internet browser and a Friends menu. In a separate demo Sony presented the "Marketplace" where users can buy and download music. Linux will be pre-installed on the PS3 hard drive. Currently it is unknown if Linux will be the operating system used to run everything, including the Cross Media Bar, or if the system will operate as a dual boot environment, where Linux would be loaded from the Cross Media Bar menu.

Because we have plans for having Linux on board [the PS3], we also recognize Linux programming activities… Other than game studios tied to official developer licenses, we'd like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3.
—Izumi Kawanishi on the presence of the Linux in the PS3.[37]

PlayStation Network Platform

Main article: PlayStation Network Platform

In response to Microsoft's successful Xbox Live network, Sony announced a unified online service for the Playstation 3's console at the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing meeting in Tokyo; tentatively titled "PlayStation Network Platform". Sony has confirmed that the service will be always connected[38], free and include multiplayer support. However developers are permitted to charge a subscription fee, as is common with MMO games.

Hardware Summary

File:PS3s.jpg
(left) 20 GB version (right) 60 GB version

Unless otherwise noted, the following specifications are based on a press release by Sony at the 2005 E3 Conference,[39] and slides from a Sony presentation at the 2006 Game Developer's Conference.[40]

The PS3's 3.2 GHz Cell processor is based on a novel microprocessor architecture developed jointly by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. It has a PowerPC-based "Power Processing Element" (PPE) and seven active 3.2 GHz Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). The PPE has a large level 2 cache and one VMX vector unit. Each of the SPEs is a RISC processor with 128 128-bit SIMD GPRs and superscalar functions. Each SPE has its own L1 cache. The floating point performance of the whole system (CPU + GPU) is reported to be 2.18 TFLOPS[39]. PlayStation 3's Cell CPU achieves 218 GFLOPS single precision float and is reported at around 26 GFLOPS double precision. The PS3 will ship with 256 MB of Rambus XDR DRAM, clocked at CPU die speed.

The Graphic processing unit is based on NVIDIA G70 (previously known as NV47) architecture, which focuses on maximizing per-pixel computation in favor of raw pixel output. The GPU will make use of 256 MB GDDR3 VRAM clocked at 700 MHz.

It also supports a wide array of standard and HDTV resolutions and connectivity options (such as HDMI and Component video). In terms of audio, the PS3 will support a number of advanced audio formats, including 7.1 digital audio, Dolby TrueHD, and others. For the optical drive, a wide variety of DVD and CD formats are supported, as well as Blu-ray Disc. A 20 GB / 60 GB 2.5" SATA150 Hard Disk Drive is pre-installed and coupled with Linux. In the 60GB configuration, Flash Memory can also be used — either Memory Stick, CompactFlash, or SD/MMC. For communication, the PS3 will have one Gigabit ethernet port, four USB 2.0 ports, and will support Bluetooth 2.0 EDR.

The console uses heat pipes and Sony claims the system will be as quiet as a slim PS2. Physically, the PlayStation 3 is approximately 5 kg (11 lb), 9.8 cm × 32.5 cm × 27.4 cm (3.9 in. × 12.8 in. × 10.8 in.). The power supply will be built into the console. A standard 3-pin IEC connector is present at the base of the console.

Controller

Main article: PS3 Controller
The final PlayStation 3 controller.

The PS3 uses a controller that is nearly identical to that of the predecessor's DualShock. The new controller features finer analogue sensitivity[41], more trigger-like R2 and L2 buttons, a Home button, and a USB mini-B port for charging the internal battery and use for wired play. There are four numbered LED indicators as well, to identify and distinguish multiple wireless controllers.

The new controller also features limited motion sensing, with the ability to, for example, control a spacefigher by tilting the pad, as demonstrated at the last E3. It should be noted that this new controller has no vibration feature, with Sony saying it interferes with the motion sensor.

Criticism

The high launch price of the PS3 — the PS3 is the 3rd most expensive console ever in nominal terms[5] — has been subjected to much criticism, from analysts[6] and developers[7] alike. However, with inflation taken into account[8], the $600 PS3 is only the 7th most expensive console and the $500 PS3 is the 10th most expensive console. Sony executive, Phil Harrison, has defended the price by citing its Blu-ray support and overall value.[42]

Thus far, public reception of the console has been mixed with Sony's stock price declining partially due to worries about the future of the PlayStation brand and its profitability.[43]

At E3 in 2006, Sony announced that the console would launch worldwide on November 17, 2006. However, on September 6, 2006 Sony announced that the console would only be launching in Japan and the US by that date, with the European and Australian launches pushed back to March 2007. This was claimed to be due to a shortage of diodes for use in the Blu-Ray drives. In addition to this, it has been predicted that just 500,000 (400,000 for USA and 100,000 for Japan) PS3 consoles will be availible at launch.[9] In a poll run on the BBC's website on September 6, from 8494 votes cast, 66.38% said that the delay had discouraged them from buying a PlayStation 3. [10]

Several features of the PS3 have been excluded from the final launch console. Controller vibration[11] and dual HDMI Display output are some examples.[12]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to PlayStation 3.
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  2. ^ Ansatsu (2005-12-06). "The Reason Why PLAYSTATION Is In Capitals". Techzone. Retrieved 2006-08-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |accessyear=, |month=, |accessmonthday=, and |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Shilov, Anton (2006-06-06). "Developers Use Personal Computers to Show PS3 Advantages". xbitlabs. Retrieved 2006-07-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  13. ^ a b Gibson, Ellie (2006-07-21). "UK likely to get both versions of PlayStation 3 - Sony". GamesIndustry.biz. Eurogamer Network Ltd. Retrieved 2006-07-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  24. ^ White, Charlie (2006-06-28). "PS3 Games to Cost A Lot? Or Not?". Retrieved 2006-08-30.
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  30. ^ Programming for PlayStation 3 potential disaster
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  36. ^ "Juniper Networks on IPv6 and MPLS networking in Asia – Part I". DigiTimes Publication. Retrieved 2005-06-10.
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  38. ^ "Posted May 16, 2005 3:43 pm PT". GameSpot.com.
  39. ^ a b "SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC. TO LAUNCH ITS NEXT GENERATION COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, PLAYSTATION®3 IN SPRING 2006" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2005-05-16. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ "Slides from Sony's 2006 GDC Presentation". Game Watch. Retrieved 2006-05-25.
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Official sites

Unofficial

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