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and it will be able to run sound in Dolby 5.1, DTS, and
PCM. It will also have a 2.5-inch detachable, upgradable
60GB hard drive with Linux installed.
Blu-ray
Sony is using the PS3 to push the new Blu-ray disc format;
it believes the unit will entice consumers to adopt
in the same way that the PS2 encouraged adoption of
DVDs. Ironically, copy-protection issues
related to Blu-ray are also why Sony
has moved the PS3’s shipping date
to November. The company believes
Blu-ray will replace DVDs, which were
also dogged by content-protection
problems.
Though the Blu-ray drive is believed
to contribute significantly to the
PS3’s cost, Sony sees the fast transfer
rate and larger capacity (initially 50GB
on dual-layer discs) as essential to the
upcoming generation of games. The
drive will also cater to older formats,
playing PlayStation and PS2 games,
DVD movies, and audio CDs.
Connectivity and Control
The PS3 will include gigabit Ethernet
and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi (the same
wireless technology the PSP uses), as
well as Bluetooth 2.0. It will also have six USB 2.0
ports (four in front and two in back) and ports for Sony
Memory Stick, SD, and CF cards. But it won’t have
ports for the old PlayStation 2 controllers and memory
cards, so new PS3 accessories will be required. (It’s
only fair to say that older Microsoft Xbox controllers
GAMES ON DECK Alan
Wake, a psychological thriller
from Remedy, is one of
many PS3 titles in the works.
and accessories don’t work with the Xbox 360 either).
The PS3 controller—mockingly referred to as the
“batarang” or “banana” by critics—will be a great departure
from the DualShock-style controllers that have
previously been Sony’s standard, with a look that’s like
. . . well, like a “batarang”— a cross between a baseball
bat and a boomerang—or a banana. The console will
support up to seven of these standard controllers using
its wireless Bluetooth connectivity. The
other connection methods will also be
used to interface with the PS3 in various
ways, including the ability to interact
with the PSP via Wi-Fi. Sony has also
noted that the popular EyeToy device
will work with the PS3, and it’s actually
used for a few announced titles.
Third-Party Support
Much like the original PlayStation and
PlayStation 2, the PlayStation 3 will
have strong third-party support, with
most major publishers and developers
already working on titles for the
machine, including Activision, Atari,
Capcom, EA, Konami, Midway, Namco,
Rockstar, Sega, Square Enix, and
Ubisoft. Almost a hundred Japanese
publishers are producing titles. Suffice
it to say that game companies seem
confident the PS3 will be just as successful as the PS2,
if not more so. The system will be backward-compatible
with the entire PS1 and PS2 libraries, and will play
their titles in high definition.
Stay tuned for more news. The PS3 promises to be
one of the biggest gaming attractions of the year.
TOP10
MOST POPULAR
XBOX 360 GAMES
Tomb Raider:
1Legend Due April
28, it’s far beyond “buzz”
among gamers.
Viva Piñata What
2 happens when you
mix Pokémon with The
Sims? Weirdness.
FFXI: Treasures
3 of Aht Urhgan
The next step for Final
Fantasy. Due April 18.
Ghost Recon Advanced
Warfighter 4
The third game in this
war shooter franchise.
Rumble Roses XX
5 The vixens of wrestling
are back.
The Elder Scrolls
6 IV The fourth title in
this best-selling fantasy
series.
Dead Rising
7 Third-person
zombie-killing fest.
Far Cry Instincts
8 Predator An enhanced
version of the
first-person shooter
game.
Superman Returns
9 Electronic Arts
revives the Superman
franchise.
10 Burnout
Revenge The
next generation of driving
and racing games.
Source: 1Up.com. Ranked by
online buzz
AUCTION BLOCK
Jango Fett Water Maze
A rare Star Wars
gaming relic.
eBay price: $52.70
Xbox Air Moderator
Xbox to ice box with
this plug-in cooler.
eBay price: $4
Mortal Kombat Goro
statue Perfect for any
mantle or bathroom.
eBay price: $26
MOD WORLD
Believe it or not, excluding
the cost of the
PC parts inside, the
total price tag for this
slick see-through case
mod was $22. Reader
Frank Clark got a hold
of a free promotional
plastic case from E&J
Brandy, then used
drills, rivets, and a saw
to mount everything
from the drives to the
Intel-based motherboard
to blue LED
lights. (The E&J logo
is faintly visible on the
side of the case.) “My
mother-in-law has
decided that it would
be a great eBay item,”
quips Clark.
YYePG Proudly Presents, Thx for Support
MAY 9, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 141