Heres the moment alot of people have been waiting for! As some of you gamers will know, E3 is up and running from today. Basically its a feck off big conference for video games! Heres the press release from Sony.



PlayStation^®3 Launches On November 17, 2006 Across Mainland Europe

Equipped with Blu-ray and Pre-Installed HDD

Available at €499 (20GB HDD) and €599 (60GB HDD)

Los Angeles, May 8, 2006 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today that it would launch PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3) in “Clear Black” throughout mainland Europe and Australasia on November 17, 2006, as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.
PS3 is the most advanced computer system that serves as a platform to enjoy next generation computer entertainment contents in the home, realized through the combination of Cell and RSX™ processors, in addition to the playability of a vast catalog of PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 software titles.
Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD) as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of contents as well as access on-line games and services over the network.
Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment contents to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.
With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.
The new controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller which has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide. The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.
While further enhancing the joy of entertainment on PlayStation 2 and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), SCEE will vigorously promote PS3 as the next generation computer entertainment platform.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In My opinion, I really think Sony have missed the boat on this round! The price of it for a start! I know the Xbox 360 was dear, but the Ps3 is nearly double it! It wasnt so long ago that Sony were harping on about having one product and MS were full of shit (Ok they didnt say they were full of shit, but you get the drift...dont you?) with their optional HD package! From what I can gather the games arent much better than the Ps2 and are on par with the Xbox 360. Alot of the Sony fanboys are losing their minds on various forums over this, and who can blame them! HDMi connection only on the dearer console, cmon!!! If its gonna do Hi-Def it needs this, otherwise there gonna have to use component out on the "cheaper" version. The controller is ripping off Nintendo, and it looks the same as the Ps2 controller! Dont get me wrong, Im a huge Sony fan, most of the stuff in the house is made by Sony but the Ps3 is starting to look like a disappointment. Anyways, heres a few screenshots of the games, grabbed from Euro Gamer.



The Nintendo conference starts in under 4 hours from now, and I think the MS one kicks off at 7pm our time! Either way this is E3 has been Microsofts, and I would think Nintendo will not be far behind! For anyone thats on Xbox Live, dont bother downloading the Test Drive Unlimited Demo its absolute pants. The Lost Planet demo which is online later, is well worth a download!!!!

Good show last night, first real night for Dave Mac and all is well! I came up with an interesting idea last night and maybe if someone from Sony Pictures is reading get in touch and I can discuss this further (Sarcasim). Anyway, with all the religious tones throughout the Davinci Code, the church has decided to shut up about the whole thing as opposed to lash into it! Well heres what Im proposing. When the Davinci code opens, a van load of priests should be sent to each cinema its in around the country. They accompany you and sit with you during the flick, and if you have a question about whats going on or did it really happen, just hit the priest with it. It might not be feasible to have a priest for every cinema goer, so if that doesnt work have a priest seated every 6-7 people! Sorted.

Speaking of the flicks, The Prime screening is on this evening and 7pm with your truly announcing it! See you there!

PS Just noticed Im at #10 in the Irish Blogs. Those of you who voted, thanks a mill. You can vote here

Laters