Is it a sure thing the PS3 has blu ray?

I don't think it's set in stone yet, as Sony and the other company are in talks to combine HD-DVD and blu-ray to one format.

If that doesn't pan out, then I'm sure Sony will stick with their blu ray format.

Yeah, that's been the plan. Blu-ray on the PS3 was probably 99% about getting the format into homes via their popular game machine and 1% (or less) for the actual games themselves. I'd bet the PS3 would use standard DVD media before being pushed back a year to accommodate the combined HD format. Personally though, I'd fully support a 2007 PS3 release; Nintendo would likely follow and we'd get another year out of these great systems with developer's using the hardware to bring the best games possible as opposed to the likely "showing off" of new hardware many of the first year or two of next-gen games will do.

Microsoft would NEVER allow a consumer to modify their console themselves. No gaming company would. The threat of piracy would be huge.

Think about it. It would require a user to open up their console (voiding their warrantee in the process - mind you) and be simple enough for the average computer builder to do. This would also give an open invitation to hackers to attach a 300G hard drive to that same port and run games off that.

Sony's plan all along was to include Blu-Ray in the PS3. That might mean a delay in production, but Sony won't launch without it. They made a killing launching a $300 game machine that played DVDs, when all other DVD players were $500+ (in Japan). They will do the exact same thing, and people will buy it for the same reason.

They wouldn't have to open up the console if they just made the DVD drive pop out like a laptop drive.

I think that was the idea people had.

But I agree it's highly unlikely to happen.

I think this would provide the same problem. All one would need to do is create connector between the part the CD plugs into and a hard drive. Basically, its not going to happen.

Microsoft announced they will be revealing the next generation system Xbox 360 in Japan on May 13, at Virgin Cinemas, which located in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills. The event actually takes place simultaneously with the MTV Xbox 360 show in North America on May 12, due to timezone differences. In addition, Myst Walkers will be present at the event to reveal its first Xbox 360 titles. Myst Walkers is created by the Final Fantasy father Sakaguchi.

I highly doubt that we'll see any kind of upgrade in the optical drive. There wouldn't be much advantage to it other than keeping feature parity with the PS3 and these types of upgrades tend to confuse and piss off customers (see Sega).

uh, did you even read my post? I never said anything about the system's target audience. I was pointing out that you are wrong in saying the system is "weak in power" and pointing out that it has one of the most graphically intensive games this gen, if the the most. There are plenty of other examples.

Interesting, now they've got my attention.

Yeah, the Cube was a pretty powerful piece of hardware. Not up to snuff with the Xbox but better than the PS2 easily.

That said I can't wait to see the screenshots of the Xbox360. I'm just curious to see how much better a game like Halo could look.

It'd be pretty brilliant of them to launch with one of those games the Japanese line up for miles and take off work/school to get.

*cough*

If Sakaguchi is involved it will definitely be one of those kind of games.

that's pretty much the reason why i don't own an x-box, the lack of japanese games on it.

But Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy aren't going to be appearing on Xbox 360 for launch, but from what i've heard they are trying for more support from japanese developers, only time will tell though. this'll be the first glimpse of mist walker studios since the announcement way back when so it'll be interesting to see how he does on his own, so far square seems to be steamrolling just fine without him. I think MW is also doing a DS game if I recall.

They gonna launch it on Friday the 13th?I hope I can finish work early and go there to get a sneak peak!

Regarding the pics: Is it not possible that those pictures are not the official console and rather a prototype / possible version. Perhaps they leaked it to gauge response and actually have other prototypes ready to roll...?

I suppose it's possible.

If I remember correctly, when the prototype XBOX was revealed, it was shaped like a metallic X that stood upright. Cool looking, but not very practical. Definitely would have problems fitting in entertainment units

That's the main reason my x-box gathers dust.

These annoucenments of increased Japanese supported definitely have my interest piqued though. Can't wait to see some screenshots and some more details on Japanese X-box 360 games!

That was never a prototype of anything that would ever actually ship. I think it was just a fancy housing for the PC that ran the demos; but mainly it was so the press would have something to take a picture of.

It's really not likely at all that MS would be floating trial design balloons this close to the actual introduction. The final shipping product might look slightly different, but my bet is that these pictures are pretty much what we'll be getting.

Also in terms of being successful in Japan, remember the original size was a huge deal in Japan. With the new slim and sleek style, it has a much better chance of winning of their hearts.

You got that right buddy

I agree. They're might be slight tweaks, but nothing major. An example is the DS, Nintendo got some negative comments on the design at E3 last year, and tweaked it some to address them before launching in the fall.

The 360 is pretty sleak, so I doubt they'll change anything. I'd prefer it be flat rather than concave, but that's a very minor nitpick.

To be fair to him, I think he was meaning all non-gaming electronic devices, and complaining that consoles should move to looking more like everything else in a hometheater (DVD players, Tivos, etc.) with sharp edges.

If that's what he meant, I agree. All three consoles this gen look like shit when stuck in an HT set up.

Here's the orginal quote:

I really don't think he's saying all 3 consoles this gen look like shit, as I'm pretty sure he thinks the PS2 looks awesome. The PSOne definitely looks like a toy though, so does the N64:


It's his opinion and he's entitled to it, but it just doesn't hold any water though.