The PAL date of birth of the PlayStation 3 has finally been announced and confirmed, along with the list of release titles, not only those on the circular plastic discs that us gamers crave so dearly, but also those available for download. The final asking price for the blue laser-toting machines has also been settled upon, leaving many to survive on two-minute noodles and eggs for a couple of months in order to scrape together the cash needed to get one of these bad boys. As gaming is all we here at PALGN think about, we've been ruminating on what the black, grill shaped console has in store for us come March 23, not only in terms of games but the whole kit and kaboodle.
Here's some of our initial thoughts.
Chris Leigh - PALGN Executive Editor
For several months now, Sony has been everybody's punchbag of choice. To a handful of onlookers, Sony's future in this business is shaky at best. This is a plainly ludicrous viewpoint. There's little doubt that a portion of the negative press has been warranted - many of Sony's recent decisions (delaying the PS3 here, the hefty price tag compared to NTSC regions, the apparently greed-driven choice to withhold the "budget" PS3 from PAL gamers for the time being, the di-sas-trous ad campaigns) deserve criticism.
Conversely, much of what Sony has done well has gone largely ignored. For a start, there'll be a potentially cracking launch line-up waiting for us on March 23. Resistance, MotorStorm, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Tennis 3, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Tekken Dark Resurrection, flOw, Oblivion, Fight Night Round 3, F.E.A.R - regardless of the fact that many of these absolute gems have appeared on other platforms, there'll be plenty of day-one PS3 owners who don't own an Xbox 360 or a gaming PC. Unlike launch-day owners of the Wii and Xbox 360, a feast of quality gaming awaits them.
There's some eye-catching entrants in that list also - in particular, flOw looks like an elegant reminder that many of the best left-field, "arty" games will once again be exclusive to Sony's machine. I for one can't wait to see what Fumito Ueda and the team behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus come up with. Then there's the bleeding-edge technology you'll be getting for your cash. While there's still something slightly rotten about how Sony is Trojan-horsing this new technology into living rooms, the cheapest Blu-ray players in the land remain considerably more expensive than the PS3, making Sony's machine a snip.
Finally, there's the fact that Sony has been enormously successful in this industry for well over a decade now, and with good reason. Their machines have consistently sported software of the very highest quality - certainly, the PlayStation 2 remains a favourite of mine - and it's highly unlikely the PS3 will suddenly halt that trend.
So I guess the moral is: it's perhaps time for the gaming press and gamers alike to sit back and see what Sony delivers over the next twelve months. Consoles, it's fair to say, never live or die by their first six months at market. At times, it's hard not to feel that a shift in the balance of power is occuring at times, with a resurgent Nintendo and a determined Microsoft both still realistic contenders for top spot. But only a fool would rule out Sony at this stage - a year from now, I've a hunch that much of the current animosity towards all things PlayStation will have evaporated. For what Sony has given this industry, I certainly hope that is the case.
Phil - PALGN Writer
If the PS3 launched on the original proposed date, I would have had a completely different outlook than today. Buying a PS3 on November 17 seemed ridiculous – terrible lineup of titles, miniscule Blu-ray selection, bank-breaking price. It’s still on the expensive side, but at least come March there’ll be a far greater use for all that technology. The shift to a March launch means two things - Sony have built up an impressive launch list of games (albeit many having been out on the 360 for months now), and also allowed Microsoft and Nintendo to steam miles ahead in sales and consumer base.
Given the hefty price tag (which is VERY important), Sony had better start advertising to the masses about what makes the machine so great to be marked at twice the price of its competitors. And I'm not talking about worth, that’s an analysis in objective monetary terms. What’s important is the level of value the console has to your own personal tastes. Don’t go out there thinking it’s a cheap Blu-ray player – the PS2 had lousy DVD functionality, and if the Blu-ray technology takes off, you’ll sit back, relax and watch the prices of standalone units plummet. For now, if spending a hefty chunk of change to play some cool games and experiment with a fledgling online service is your idea of value, go right ahead. In short, the PS3 launch isn’t really all that different from any other. Spend premium price, receive passable content. Prices will eventually drop, and the library of games will grow very quickly. The only problem is Sony may have joined the race a little too late this time.
Like the monolith from 2001 A Space Odyssey the PS3 stands powerful, dark and full of enough mystery to make apes and humans go mad for it.
Jeremy - PALGN Writer
Frankly, I believe the Australian launch line-up for the Xbox 360 was superior to this one. There are simply too many titles that were released last year and none of them have been substantially improved over cheaper and more realidy available versions. Still, it is better than what was received in the US last year and unlikely to have the same issues as the Wii launch line-up.
While we've known for a while that the price was going be a killer, the worst part is that it will open a black hole in anyone's pocket who decides to buy it. Only composite cables packed in? That's about as useful as tits on a bull.
While doom and gloom is being repeatedly spelled for the PS3, there is one big hope that the PS3 has for it's future. That is, the massive fanbase that consists of people who DON'T read the websites and DON'T look at anything other than brand name. The amount of these people is nothing to be sneezed at, but neither is the possible backlash that will come when they realise the PS3 is useless on a non-HDTV...
Luke - PALGN PR director
I'm disappointed that Sony didn't release more information when they announced the release date. We still don't know whether the console will come with a bundled in Blu-Ray movie or how much the peripherals will cost. I will be getting the console, but I don't feel compelled to pre-order, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get a console at launch if only because of the price. One thing I'm very impressed with is the launch lineup, you'll be able to download Gran Turismo, Tekken: Dark Resurrection and Gripshift on day one, then there will be retail titles like Motorstorm and Ridge Racer 7, I believe it's definitely one of the best launch lineups in a long time, though we did have to wait long enough. There are a few titles missing from the launch lineup such as Singstar and Lair which appear to have slipped a little which is a little bit disappointing.
Joseph - PALGN Writer
Having been unimpressed by the PlayStation 3’s delay in PAL regions, it is reassuring that Sony have taken the time and effort to ensure their date of March 2007 has been met but I’m still not completely convinced by Sony’s tactics. Firstly, there’s been a huge emphasis on Blu-Ray technology, so much so that I’m growing tired of hearing the word “blue.” The thing is, I am yet to see any evidence that Blu-ray (or HD for that matter) is the way of the future. I feel as if both Sony and Microsoft are pushing us to upgrade our DVD technology when we don’t really need too. Secondly, there’s the matter of the price tag. $1000 is a lot for a gaming console, despite all the “in-built” features the PlayStation 3 has. Like with the Wii and Xbox 360, I have little intention of using the features to their fullest. Everything these consoles are offering is offered in another so called “media centre” that you’re using right now... A PC. Debate as you will, a PC runs software, goes online, plays DVDs and acts as one of our main uses of communication. Now I’m not just pointing fingers at Sony; Nintendo and Microsoft are just as guilty implementing these revelations that the console is a “must have” as it is “unique.” When it comes down to it, a gaming console is called a gaming console for one reason: the software titles available on it. From this factor alone there is one reason why I won’t be buying a PlayStation 3 on launch day: There isn’t a single exclusive title I am interested in.
Some people are excited about the exclusives, some are feeling a little more lukewarm.
Tristan - PALGN Writer
My initial reaction to the delay of the PAL PlayStation 3 launch was one of utter disgust. "Why hath thou forsaken us!" I cried out - well not really, but you get my drift. However haven gotten passed my initial feelings of betrayal and after some thought, I feel now that March 23 is a good time for the launch. We will hopefully not have to put up with the many technical issues that dog a system's release as they will have mostly been ironed out in the lands of both the rising sun and of the free.
I'm pretty disappointed by the launch line up overall (although that's to be expected). It seems to me that there are far too many titles with a number on the end. I was hoping that some more of the original IP's would have been ready by our launch time but, I'm still holding out hope that we will see a quick influx of games not long after the system hit's store shelves. That said I don't think a lack of original IP's is going to affect the system too greatly as many people are more than happy to receive new iterations of game's they've known and loved.
I won't discuss the price at length but all I'll say is Sony better continue to fully support the PS2, and in a more complete way than they did the PS1, if they want to continue to appeal to the masses.
Although visually impressive it's my opinion that Blu-Ray is a non issue for many, particularly those who've never used the term futureproofing, especially considering that HD TV saturation is still extremely low.
It seems to happen every time a system launches I slowly move from meh, to being pretty interested in it as the final date slowly approaches. Have I moved far enough to preorder or look to buy at launch? In short, no. But as new games slowly come trickle onto store shelves after the first few months, I'll definitely be tempted as I'm sure many other will too.
Mark - PALGN Writer
When you talk about there not being shortages Luke, I'm certain that was exactly how you felt about the Wii, although there were shortages for several weeks. It's doubtful there will be a huge shipment for the launch period and I'd imagine consumers would be drawn to the console purely because it's the next product from Sony, regardless of its price. If you remember the PSP, it sold extremely well during its launch period and it was considered to be a tad pricey considering that it was a handheld device.
And the complaint about its price point is wearing a little thin now guys. We've known about its hefty price point for almost a year now, and surely that's enough time to weigh up the decision and prepare for the fee. The package is clearly justifiable, since you're getting several items included that are sold separately for the Xbox 360 and are essential purchases.
I'm happy with the launch date choice, since it has given PAL gamers a chance to sus out verdicts on games and (hopefully) the shortages won't be as bad as America and Japan when the console first launched. Also, with the delay, we've managed to receive the best launch lineup.
I think Sony has done a better job of adapting to all customer needs with its launch lineup, which is better than previous endeavours from Microsoft and Nintendo. There are a bunch of casual games (Tony Hawk, Tiger Woods etc.) and plenty of hardcore games (Resistance: Fall of Man, Virtua Fighter 5 etc.). The only issue that I'm finding is that Sony's upcoming software is a tad bleak, which makes purchasing the console a much harder decision.
Overseas men, women and even children lined up for days to grab a PS3. It will be interesting to see if we see the same scenes in PAL land.
Chris - PALGN Writer
I could talk about the expensive price, the inclusion of Blu-ray or even complain about the lack of any form of HD cable out of the box but the PS3 is first and foremost a games console, so let’s not forget that. The one big positive about launching later than the rest of the world is the quantity and quality of the launch lineup that PAL regions will have. Having already took the plunge and picked up a US PS3 there’s only really Resistance: Fall of Man that screams ‘must buy’ and most of my time not playing that has been taken up with the downloadable GT, MotorStorm and Formula 1 demos. Those latter two games will be launch titles along with Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Tennis 3 and, for those who missed it on PC and Xbox360, Oblivion. Ridge Racer 7 is going to be there, as are Call of Duty 3 F.E.A.R for FPS fans. EA are releasing their entire Xbox 360 catalog for the past 12 months too so, along with Take 2’s 2K7 games, sport lovers won’t be short of options either.
All in all, the launch lineup has a plentiful variety of good quality games with almost every genre represented in one way or another, especially when you consider the downloadable PS Network titles too. The only real big disappointment is the amount of sequels there are compared to original games. Only Resistance and MotorStorm stand out as new exclusive IP’s, the rest is made up of yearly updates and ports. It’s a double edged sword really - If you own an Xbox 360 then there’s a good chance you’ve already sneaked your way through Splinter Cell: Double Agent and skated around Tony Hawk's Project 8, but if the PS3 will be your first next-gen console then I really can’t think of a stronger launch lineup, and at the end of the day, that it what really matters.
David - PALGN Writer
Given the initial shortages in Japan and the USA many of us were quick to believe the rumours that the PS3 would be pushed back even as far as September for PAL territories. And while it's good that they've managed to make their March promise, they can't be happy about the reason they are able to - the PS3 simply isn't selling very well.
Make no mistake about it, the PS3 is in trouble overseas, especially in Japan. Sony announced almost three weeks ago in a press release that the PS3 had already shipped one million in Japan, and two million worldwide. Yet according to Japanese sales data from tracking company Media Create, only 594,134 PS3s had been sold in Japan as of five days ago. Sure, some would still be on the boats, but no where near half a million. A lot of anecdotal evidence from people in Japan suggest there is no stock issue, and stores have even been dropping the price of the console to move them, despite the already much lower local entry price (the 20Gb model's Japanese RRP is ¥49,980, or about AU$520), and yet the PS3 still only sold 19,996 consoles last week. To put this in perspective, the PS2 sold out of every unit for a year, and unless the PS3 sells 60,000 a week for the next three weeks, it will fall behind the Gamecube's life to date performance in Japan for the same point of it's life. In contrast, the Wii is selling as well as the PS2 did life to date, is still in short supply, and and has cleared about 1.4 million consoles already. It seems hurricane DS has permanently changed the Japanese market, and at the moment the PS3 seems to have only a niche position. Sony must act now if they want to do better then that.
And the story apparently isn't much better in the US, with the 360 and the Wii both doing better then the PS3, although it's not as clear cut at this point. The line-ups and crazy ebay prices were only for November, because there were only 200,000 consoles to go around for the US launch. Since then, it's cooled significantly, and major news sources have reported that PS3's are readily available and simply not selling very well, primarily because of the price. How will it do in PAL with even more handicaps (even higher price and missing Christmas)? We'll find out soon enough.
You only buy a console that expensive if you're sure of its future. And as far as I can tell, the PS3's future is far from clear. Not to say it won't win eventually (Sony are still the one to beat), but it's certainly not a sure thing like it was last gen - remember, 80% of PS2s were sold at under US$200. Personally, I think you'd have to be insane to spend a grand on a PS3 at launch if you already own an Xbox 360, from a games perspective. And when it comes to Sony hardware, well, my near launch PS2 started acting up within six months of purchase. If you must take the plunge, at least wait until we know for sure they've got their hardware QA sorted!
So that's it, come March 23, when the next generation has truly started globally, we'll see if any of us has changed our minds. But until then keep on checking back at PALGN for any new PS3 info that may cross our desks.
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