OK... The Gaming Report I have done from all I have read on E3 news - is at hand.
( Drum Roll Please )
XBOX 360
The new Xbox is notably smaller and more curvaceous
than its brutish predecessor. The front panel is dominated by an oversize power button, but the look and feel can be customized with a variety of interchangeable faceplates. Furthermore, the Xbox 360 can be mounted vertically or horizontally, la the PlayStation 2.
The Xbox 360 features an interchangeable faceplate that will make it easy to match the look of your console to your mood. Of course, to take advantage of the feature, you'll actually have to purchase additional faceplates or "Faces" as Microsoft calls them. Microsoft has yet to show off any final faceplate designs, but we've heard the words "carbon-fiber" and "silver" bandied about. There will also be limited-edition Xbox 360 Faces to add some urgency to impulse purchase decisions.
Under the hood, the Xbox 360 is a formidable piece of
hardware. In addition to an IBM PowerPC-based CPU
running at 3.2GHz and half a gigabyte of RAM, the 360
sports a customized ATI graphics processor capable of
advanced antialiasing and shader effects. What that
technical jargon means, in practice, is that new Xbox
will have the processing power to deliver true 720p and
1080i wide-screen HDTV images for all of its games (by
contrast, most games for the original Xbox maxed out at
a DVD-level 480p). Multichannel surround sound is also
standard, and the 360 natively supports up to four
wireless controllers to cut down on cable clutter.
Perhaps most interesting is the litany of Xbox 360's
nongaming capabilities. Its built-in ability to serve as
a Media Center Extender will let users stream digital
video, audio, and photos from networked PCs running
Windows XP Media Center Edition. Microsoft is also
promising the "ability to stream media from portable
music devices, digital cameras, and Windows XP-based
PCs." Furthermore, the company is touting a video camera attachment, which presumably connects to one of the Xbox 360's three USB 2.0 ports, but it's unclear whether it is intended as a videoconferencing-style Webcam or an EyeToy-like gaming accessory--or both.
Microsoft corporate vice president and chief XNA
architect J Allard was asked if the Xbox 360 would
launch with the same $299 price tag as the original.
"It's going to be in the neighborhood [of $300]," he
said, apparently dispelling fears of a $399 or even $499
machine, although $350--or even $360--could still be
possible. However, Allard also stressed that any final
decision on the 360's price was "about two months away." Whatever its exact price or lauch date may be, the Xbox 360 will definitely arrive before the end of 2005 worldwide.
PlayStation 3
At its pre-E3 press conference, Sony Computer Entertainment gave the world its first look at the PlayStation 3, as it is now officially called. While the device's price has not yet been set, its release window--spring 2006. Flanked by Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO Kaz Hirai, introduced it as a "supercomputer for computer entertainment."
Although the look has changed... ( the look of the controller is NOT to my liking ) The monster inside and the features to bring with time have broadened my view on it.
Sony also confirmed the PlayStation 3 will use Blu-ray discs as its media format. The discs can hold up to six times as much data as current-generation DVDs. It will also support CR-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. Sony also confirmed that the machine will be backward compatible all the way to the original PlayStation. It will also have slots for Memory Stick Duo, an SD slot, and a compact flash memory slot. It will also sport a slot for a detachable 2.5-inch HDD, somewhat similar to the Xbox 360's. Sony did not mention if the drive would be standard.
Sony also laid out the technical specs of the device. The PlayStation 3 will feature the much-vaunted Cell processor, which will run at 3.2GHz, giving the whole system 2 teraflops of overall performance. It will sport 256MB XDR main RAM at 3.2GHz, and it will have 256MB of GDDR VRAM at 700MHz.
Sony also unveiled the PS3's graphics chip, the RSX "Reality Synthesizer," which is based on Nvidia technology. The GPU will be capable of 128bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution--some of the highest HD resolution around. The RSX also has 512MB of graphics render memory and is capable of 100 billion shader operations and 51 billion dot products per second. It also has more than 300 million transistors, larger than any processor commercially available today. It will be manufactured using the 90nm process, with eight layers of metal. The RSX is more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultra video cards, which would cost roughly $1,000 total if purchased today.
The PlayStation 3 will also sport some hefty multimedia features, such as video chat, Internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video. Speaking of video, Sony Computer Entertainment's chief technical officer Masa Chatani was on hand to show off the PS3's panoramic video functions. Since the console has two HD outputs, it is can be hooked up to two side-by-side HDTVs to projecting video in a 32:9 extra-widescreen format (think Cinemascope in your living room). Like a gigantic version of the Nintendo DS, the dual digital outputs also allow for an extended game display, with the action on one screen and either game information or video chat on the second.
Sony also emphasized that the PlayStation 3 would have similar online connectivity and services as the next generation of Xbox Live. Calling it "an always on, always connected device," Chatani said the PS3 would be constantly in touch with a "PlayStation World" network "fundamentally based on a on community, communication commerce, and content." He said that subscribers could "exchange unique characters and items through the network," much like Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace.
Nintendo Revolution
This simple rectangular design could easily be mistaken for a modem at first glance. However, like its competitors, the unit can stand vertically or lie supine. The black console (other optional colors are in the works) can fit snugly in a gray stand, where it is pitched upward at a slight angle for vertical positioning, or it can be removed and laid flat (looking eerily similar to Apple's Powerbook batteries).
Possible console colors to be released...
He or she says the Revolution will have wireless pressure-sensitive controllers that will add a new level of force feedback. "It will be sort of like controlling a game with one of those stress balls," said the source. "You squeeze it, and you go faster." The source also said the Revolution "will also include voice control more advanced than anything seen so far," and it will come with wireless headsets. He also said the Revolution will come with an online service superior to Xbox Live...but totally free. "The only way I can describe it is as an Internet service," said the poster. "Imagine turning it on and checking your mail on the system. You see previews and demos of DS and Revolution games that you can download. A magazine similar to Nintendo Power will be exclusive to the system, and you will be able to access it on the Revolution's home page."
Furthermore, the release stressed the inportance of Internet connectivity in the next console generation and proclaimed that the "Revolution will be wireless Internet ready out of the box." Nintendo also revealed that the new system will have a DVD media drive that can play "standard, double-layered DVD disks." The Revolution is also backward compatible with the GameCube and will be able to play the 3-inch GameCube media without a problem.
For those who would rather just pop in their hard copy of Mario Sunshine, Nintendo offers a simple solution: backward compatibility. As indicated before, the Revolution, like the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, will be able to play all the games from the current-generation GameCube, as well as DVDs through its blue-LED-illuminated front-loading media drive, though the unit will require "an internal attachment" to play movies.
Nintendo announced that it has "big plans" for the Metroid franchise on the Revolution--showing a brief cinematic teaser--and that Mario and Zelda games are already in the works. A brief Metroid Prime 3 trailer was shown at E3.
GameBoy Micro
Nintendo also revealed a new edition of its Game Boy Advance handheld. The Game Boy Micro shrinks the already diminutive GBA down further and still retains the functions of the GBA SP. The unit is slightly larger than an iPod mini at 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and .7 inches deep, and it can fit easily into a gamer's back pocket--"even tight jeans," as Fils-Aime put it. "It's a hip new way to show off your portable passion."
The unit, which weighs a mere 2.8 ounces, will play all Game Boy Advance games and will have customizable faceplates. However, there are no new multimedia functions to speak of--yet.
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If you even got down this far to comment on how sweet I am for taking time out to inform you... I thank you, in a very nerdy, nerdy way.
( Drum Roll Please )
XBOX 360
The new Xbox is notably smaller and more curvaceous
than its brutish predecessor. The front panel is dominated by an oversize power button, but the look and feel can be customized with a variety of interchangeable faceplates. Furthermore, the Xbox 360 can be mounted vertically or horizontally, la the PlayStation 2.
The Xbox 360 features an interchangeable faceplate that will make it easy to match the look of your console to your mood. Of course, to take advantage of the feature, you'll actually have to purchase additional faceplates or "Faces" as Microsoft calls them. Microsoft has yet to show off any final faceplate designs, but we've heard the words "carbon-fiber" and "silver" bandied about. There will also be limited-edition Xbox 360 Faces to add some urgency to impulse purchase decisions.
Under the hood, the Xbox 360 is a formidable piece of
hardware. In addition to an IBM PowerPC-based CPU
running at 3.2GHz and half a gigabyte of RAM, the 360
sports a customized ATI graphics processor capable of
advanced antialiasing and shader effects. What that
technical jargon means, in practice, is that new Xbox
will have the processing power to deliver true 720p and
1080i wide-screen HDTV images for all of its games (by
contrast, most games for the original Xbox maxed out at
a DVD-level 480p). Multichannel surround sound is also
standard, and the 360 natively supports up to four
wireless controllers to cut down on cable clutter.
Perhaps most interesting is the litany of Xbox 360's
nongaming capabilities. Its built-in ability to serve as
a Media Center Extender will let users stream digital
video, audio, and photos from networked PCs running
Windows XP Media Center Edition. Microsoft is also
promising the "ability to stream media from portable
music devices, digital cameras, and Windows XP-based
PCs." Furthermore, the company is touting a video camera attachment, which presumably connects to one of the Xbox 360's three USB 2.0 ports, but it's unclear whether it is intended as a videoconferencing-style Webcam or an EyeToy-like gaming accessory--or both.
Microsoft corporate vice president and chief XNA
architect J Allard was asked if the Xbox 360 would
launch with the same $299 price tag as the original.
"It's going to be in the neighborhood [of $300]," he
said, apparently dispelling fears of a $399 or even $499
machine, although $350--or even $360--could still be
possible. However, Allard also stressed that any final
decision on the 360's price was "about two months away." Whatever its exact price or lauch date may be, the Xbox 360 will definitely arrive before the end of 2005 worldwide.
PlayStation 3
At its pre-E3 press conference, Sony Computer Entertainment gave the world its first look at the PlayStation 3, as it is now officially called. While the device's price has not yet been set, its release window--spring 2006. Flanked by Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO Kaz Hirai, introduced it as a "supercomputer for computer entertainment."
Although the look has changed... ( the look of the controller is NOT to my liking ) The monster inside and the features to bring with time have broadened my view on it.
Sony also confirmed the PlayStation 3 will use Blu-ray discs as its media format. The discs can hold up to six times as much data as current-generation DVDs. It will also support CR-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. Sony also confirmed that the machine will be backward compatible all the way to the original PlayStation. It will also have slots for Memory Stick Duo, an SD slot, and a compact flash memory slot. It will also sport a slot for a detachable 2.5-inch HDD, somewhat similar to the Xbox 360's. Sony did not mention if the drive would be standard.
Sony also laid out the technical specs of the device. The PlayStation 3 will feature the much-vaunted Cell processor, which will run at 3.2GHz, giving the whole system 2 teraflops of overall performance. It will sport 256MB XDR main RAM at 3.2GHz, and it will have 256MB of GDDR VRAM at 700MHz.
Sony also unveiled the PS3's graphics chip, the RSX "Reality Synthesizer," which is based on Nvidia technology. The GPU will be capable of 128bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution--some of the highest HD resolution around. The RSX also has 512MB of graphics render memory and is capable of 100 billion shader operations and 51 billion dot products per second. It also has more than 300 million transistors, larger than any processor commercially available today. It will be manufactured using the 90nm process, with eight layers of metal. The RSX is more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultra video cards, which would cost roughly $1,000 total if purchased today.
The PlayStation 3 will also sport some hefty multimedia features, such as video chat, Internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video. Speaking of video, Sony Computer Entertainment's chief technical officer Masa Chatani was on hand to show off the PS3's panoramic video functions. Since the console has two HD outputs, it is can be hooked up to two side-by-side HDTVs to projecting video in a 32:9 extra-widescreen format (think Cinemascope in your living room). Like a gigantic version of the Nintendo DS, the dual digital outputs also allow for an extended game display, with the action on one screen and either game information or video chat on the second.
Sony also emphasized that the PlayStation 3 would have similar online connectivity and services as the next generation of Xbox Live. Calling it "an always on, always connected device," Chatani said the PS3 would be constantly in touch with a "PlayStation World" network "fundamentally based on a on community, communication commerce, and content." He said that subscribers could "exchange unique characters and items through the network," much like Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace.
Nintendo Revolution
This simple rectangular design could easily be mistaken for a modem at first glance. However, like its competitors, the unit can stand vertically or lie supine. The black console (other optional colors are in the works) can fit snugly in a gray stand, where it is pitched upward at a slight angle for vertical positioning, or it can be removed and laid flat (looking eerily similar to Apple's Powerbook batteries).
Possible console colors to be released...
He or she says the Revolution will have wireless pressure-sensitive controllers that will add a new level of force feedback. "It will be sort of like controlling a game with one of those stress balls," said the source. "You squeeze it, and you go faster." The source also said the Revolution "will also include voice control more advanced than anything seen so far," and it will come with wireless headsets. He also said the Revolution will come with an online service superior to Xbox Live...but totally free. "The only way I can describe it is as an Internet service," said the poster. "Imagine turning it on and checking your mail on the system. You see previews and demos of DS and Revolution games that you can download. A magazine similar to Nintendo Power will be exclusive to the system, and you will be able to access it on the Revolution's home page."
Furthermore, the release stressed the inportance of Internet connectivity in the next console generation and proclaimed that the "Revolution will be wireless Internet ready out of the box." Nintendo also revealed that the new system will have a DVD media drive that can play "standard, double-layered DVD disks." The Revolution is also backward compatible with the GameCube and will be able to play the 3-inch GameCube media without a problem.
For those who would rather just pop in their hard copy of Mario Sunshine, Nintendo offers a simple solution: backward compatibility. As indicated before, the Revolution, like the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, will be able to play all the games from the current-generation GameCube, as well as DVDs through its blue-LED-illuminated front-loading media drive, though the unit will require "an internal attachment" to play movies.
Nintendo announced that it has "big plans" for the Metroid franchise on the Revolution--showing a brief cinematic teaser--and that Mario and Zelda games are already in the works. A brief Metroid Prime 3 trailer was shown at E3.
GameBoy Micro
Nintendo also revealed a new edition of its Game Boy Advance handheld. The Game Boy Micro shrinks the already diminutive GBA down further and still retains the functions of the GBA SP. The unit is slightly larger than an iPod mini at 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and .7 inches deep, and it can fit easily into a gamer's back pocket--"even tight jeans," as Fils-Aime put it. "It's a hip new way to show off your portable passion."
The unit, which weighs a mere 2.8 ounces, will play all Game Boy Advance games and will have customizable faceplates. However, there are no new multimedia functions to speak of--yet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you even got down this far to comment on how sweet I am for taking time out to inform you... I thank you, in a very nerdy, nerdy way.
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btw, I like you lot times 23.1
xoxoxo