Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 17 July 2008 17:34
Opinion and Analysis
Page 3 of 4
The big news from Sony was the re-introduction of an 80GB model, and the phase out of the 40GB model. It will cost US $399.99, but will likely still cost AUD $699.99, which is a shame – it deserves a price cut in Australia, especially if US consumers can buy the same equipment for $300 less.
In conjunction with this announcement was the launch, in the US at least, of an online TV and movie download store.
US consumers can buy TV shows and movies, while movies can also be rented. TV shows will sell for US $1.99 each, movies can be rented from between US $2.99 and $5.99, or they can be purchased from US $9.99 to $14.99.
Studios on board to start with for both TV shows and movies include Sony Pictures, Paramount, Disney, Fox, Lions Gate, MGM and others, with the shows and movies set to be transferable to a PSP for mobile viewing.
In addition to a movie and TV show download service is something called “Life with Playstation”, an online news and weather service which sounds similar to the news and weather service already offered on the Nintendo WIi.
Several new downloadable games will be offered, new network playable games are coming, including one title called Massive Action Game or MAG that can support 256 players at the same time.
A number of previous hits like Motorstorm, Resistance, Need for Speed and others will be sold at US $29.99 each, dramatically lowering their cost for new PS3 buyers, much like the “Platinum” series of the past. These games will become part of the PS3 Greatest Hits collection.
Sony’s “Home” online answer to “Second Life” is still delayed, but Sony are promising that it’s taking its time to produce something special, populated will all kinds of interesting destinations and activities, so we’ll just have to wait on that one. Little Big Planet, also a "co-operative" gameplay title, is also still "on the way".
There was also a lot of PS2 news – Lego Batman, the option of further cutting PS2 prices, and other games. New games for the PSP were also announced.
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