The next generation.
E3, the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, proved a particularly significant event this year, with the emphasis squarely on the next generation of console hardware. As soon as Microsoft had revealed the Xbox 360, Sony stepped up to introduce PlayStation 3 – a machine that spec-wise seemed to trump their competitor's machine. Sony are claiming that the PS3 is 35 times more powerful than the PS2. Crucially, it seems to be twice as powerful as the 360. It also has superior graphics capabilities, seemingly twice those of current high-end PCs. But will people have the high-definition tellies to take advantage of this, even in a few years?
Some commentators have suggested the PS3 and the 360 can't even be considered to be the same generation. But then the strict notion of console hardware coming in clearcut generations is misleading these days. What gen was the Dreamcast? Were PS2 and Xbox literally in the game gen? While Sony's market leader has been looking tired for a couple of years now, Microsoft's continues to prove its superiority. Just compare recent first-person shooters like Cold Winter, and Pariah on Xbox. All are fairly average games, but the Xbox title has a whole different graphic quality and feel.
Anyway, so much of the information we're getting at this point about the PS3 and the 360 is bluff and bluster. But, to continue using FPS examples, there's no denying how impressive the Killzone 2 trailer looks. It reportedly brought about a wowed reaction at E3 – something not achieved by any of the 360 footage (much of which looks cool – Need For Speed Most Wanted, yet another Final Fantasy XI – but didn't feel truly next gen. Plus, is the footage even from a 360, or actually from an Apple G5 at this point?).
Microsoft intends to relieve Sony of some of the spotlight on the launch of PS3 (mooted for next spring) by releasing Halo 3 at the same time. In a Time magazine story, Bill Gates says, “It's perfect. The day Sony launches [the PS3] they walk right into Halo 3.” Halo 3's important, even if the dates don't literally coincide, as Halo 2 alone sold more than 6.5 million copies and is central to the expansion of Xbox Live, the game being credited with increasing the number of subscribers from around 750,000 to more than 1.5 million. Even though Sony finally look like they're coming up with an online strategy for PS3, Microsoft have already proven themselves in this area. It's a factor that might just give them some favour in the upcoming console wars.
Credit : bbc.co.uk
E3, the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, proved a particularly significant event this year, with the emphasis squarely on the next generation of console hardware. As soon as Microsoft had revealed the Xbox 360, Sony stepped up to introduce PlayStation 3 – a machine that spec-wise seemed to trump their competitor's machine. Sony are claiming that the PS3 is 35 times more powerful than the PS2. Crucially, it seems to be twice as powerful as the 360. It also has superior graphics capabilities, seemingly twice those of current high-end PCs. But will people have the high-definition tellies to take advantage of this, even in a few years?
Some commentators have suggested the PS3 and the 360 can't even be considered to be the same generation. But then the strict notion of console hardware coming in clearcut generations is misleading these days. What gen was the Dreamcast? Were PS2 and Xbox literally in the game gen? While Sony's market leader has been looking tired for a couple of years now, Microsoft's continues to prove its superiority. Just compare recent first-person shooters like Cold Winter, and Pariah on Xbox. All are fairly average games, but the Xbox title has a whole different graphic quality and feel.
Anyway, so much of the information we're getting at this point about the PS3 and the 360 is bluff and bluster. But, to continue using FPS examples, there's no denying how impressive the Killzone 2 trailer looks. It reportedly brought about a wowed reaction at E3 – something not achieved by any of the 360 footage (much of which looks cool – Need For Speed Most Wanted, yet another Final Fantasy XI – but didn't feel truly next gen. Plus, is the footage even from a 360, or actually from an Apple G5 at this point?).
Microsoft intends to relieve Sony of some of the spotlight on the launch of PS3 (mooted for next spring) by releasing Halo 3 at the same time. In a Time magazine story, Bill Gates says, “It's perfect. The day Sony launches [the PS3] they walk right into Halo 3.” Halo 3's important, even if the dates don't literally coincide, as Halo 2 alone sold more than 6.5 million copies and is central to the expansion of Xbox Live, the game being credited with increasing the number of subscribers from around 750,000 to more than 1.5 million. Even though Sony finally look like they're coming up with an online strategy for PS3, Microsoft have already proven themselves in this area. It's a factor that might just give them some favour in the upcoming console wars.
Credit : bbc.co.uk
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