It is easy to get carried away with the imminent release of your favorite console be it the Playstation 3 or its cousin, the Nintendo Wii. Yes, motion sensing Twilight Princess sword thrusts and Resistance: Fall of Man screen shots have left us all in a tizzy of anticipation, but freezing on the sidewalk is no way to spend an evening.

For those of you who have pre-ordered your Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii, feel lucky that you’ll get to survive the rush at your Toys R’ Us or GameStop, leaving you able to stroll into your favorite retailer and waltz out. For those with the desperation and spare cash to plunk down an absurd premium to secure a Playstation 3 over at eBay, this article is certainly not for you (though I do envy you).

For those in the middle, neglecting to pre-order but hearty enough to camp out now that the time is near, there are a few essentials that you need to remember before you head on down with your pup tent and thermos to the Best Buy sidewalk.

Layers, Folks, Layers

As you’ll find more and more as you travel through life, your mother was right. For most of the country, mid-November can pack quite a chill. Sure, the lucky folks in Miami or San Jose get a break, but the rest of us, especially at night, have the prospect of getting a nice chill. The lines, especially for the Playstation 3 with its predicted short supply at launch, will likely form early, so arrive early and bundle up well. Dress for what you think it’s going to be like at night, not what it’s like when you get there.

Social Gaming At Its Finest

Pick your poison, be it a Nintendo DS, a Playstation Portable, a Gameboy Advance or even some classic Game Gear goodness. Standing in line for a Wii? You better believe that there will be some Nintendo DS gaming in line. Single cart download games like Mario Kart, Clubhouse Games or Metroid: Prime Hunters will undoubtedly provide some distraction as the hours tick by, and possibly make you the most popular person literally on the block.

Dig A Little Deeper

Yes, your local Best Buy or Walmart will have shipments of Nintendo Wiis or Playstation 3s to cart out, but so will lesser-scavenged retailers like Sears, FYE, Costco, Sam’s Club, CompUSA and other similar outlets. While those stores will have smaller initial shipments of each console (especially the sure-to-be-scarce Playstation 3), the crowds will undoubtedly be smaller in kind.

Nintendo has given its Wii a production head start and shortages for it may be less pronounced than the Playstation 3, but how can you leave being the first amongst your friends to land a next generation console to chance?

Bundle up, bring entertainment, bribe your kid brother or sister to man another station if you must, don’t forget to bring the plastic and you’ll have a better, more successful trip to the glamorous retail outlet sidewalk camp-out.

Oh, and bring a pillow.

Nick Crane is a successful Webmaster and publisher of CoolGamesZone.com Visit his site at http://www.coolgameszone.com to find out more on the upcoming release of the latest Nintendo Wii.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Crane

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console, Wii

As a result of problems related to the mass production of a key component of its Blu-ray DVD player, Sony (SNE) will delay the European launch of its next generation video game console, the PlayStation 3 (PS3). Sony will also reduce the number of PS3 units immediately available in both the U.S. and Japan.

In the U.S., the PS3 will launch on November 17th, with approximately 400,000 consoles available for sale. The U.S. launch will come almost a week after the Japanese launch which will consist of merely 100,000 units.

Sony's PlayStation 3 is the successor to the PlayStation 2, the world's most popular (and as recently as July, the world's best selling) video game console.

The Number That Really Matters

The fact that there will only be 400,000 PS3 units available for sale in the United States on November 17th is totally unimportant. The launch date itself is unimportant. What matters is how many units will be available for sale in mid to late December.

Sony claims it will have 1 million to 1.2 million consoles available for sale by December 31st. So, let's assume there will be at least a million PS3 consoles available for sale in the U.S. by Christmas.

Will that be enough to put a PlayStation in the living room of every household that wants one?

No. There will almost certainly be many people who have to go without a PS3 for Christmas, despite being willing to pay the very high price Sony is asking. But, that's nothing new. Other consoles (including the Xbox 360) have been launched without an adequate number of units immediately available for sale.

A delay is much worse than a mere shortage. There's a promise (and a tangible product) behind a console that has already launched. So, very few people in the U.S. or Japan who planned to buy a PS3 are likely to change their minds because of a Christmas shortage – no matter how severe.

The Things That Really Matter

The success of any gaming platform is largely based on five factors:

Available Titles

Relative Launch Date

Price

Predecessor's Installed Base

Technology

Of these five, technology is by far the least important factor. The four most important factors (available titles, relative launch date, price, and predecessor's installed base) are difficult to separate. Clearly, having a predecessor with a large installed base (such as the PS2) can be tremendously beneficial, if you get satisfactory marks in the other three areas (titles, launch date, and price).

Predecessor's Installed Base

The PlayStation 3 dominates when it comes to having a predecessor with a large installed base. So, how does it score in the other three areas?

In terms of available titles, the PS3 scores as well as any of its competitors, if not better. However, none of the three consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii) does very well in this regard. Unfortunately, the titles are likely to be somewhat segregated by console. There will be quality games on each system; but, almost no one will buy all three. Simply put, there will be some games exclusive to each console that a lot of people would really love to play – but can't.

Relative Launch Date

Returning to the list of factors that determine a console's success, let's consider the launch date issue. Sony clearly has a bit of a problem in Europe, because it will have one less Christmas season than both the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Some analysts think Sony will lose no more than a few hundred thousand console sales to substitutions. If that's true, lost revenue might be in the hundreds of millions rather than the billions.

Three Separate Markets

The U.S., Japan, and Europe are really three very different markets. It's quite possible you could have a console that is very successful in one market and yet unable to get any real momentum in another.

Before this delay, I felt strongly that Europe was the market where the PS3 could come closest to duplicating the performance of the PS2 in terms of market share. There's a long-term danger that Microsoft will gain market share in the U.S. and Nintendo will gain market share in both the U.S. and Japan.

Obviously, Europe isn't as well defined a market as either the U.S. or Japan. So, it's much harder to predict how a certain type of console or a certain type of game will go over there. The U.S. and Japan are very clearly defined game markets, largely because they have very clearly defined consumer cultures in general and entertainment cultures in particular.

So, what does the PS3 delay mean for Sony's future in Europe? It's hard to say. I'm more interested in seeing what the installed base of each next generation console will look like in the American and Japanese markets after Christmas 2007, when we'll have the first real chance to predict how this round of the console wars will play out.

Although I do think Sony is doing serious harm to its PlayStation line by insisting upon including Blu-ray and charging a ridiculous price, I don't think any amount of managerial ineptitude is likely to cause the catastrophic failure of a successor to such a dominant console as the PS2.

Price

If price isn't the elephant in the room, it should be. Most of the articles I read about the recently announced PS3 delay / production scale-down didn't say much about the pricing of the PS3. That's a mistake – especially, because several articles mentioned the laptop battery recall, which has nothing to do with the PS3 and very little to do with Sony (it has everything to do with lithium-ion batteries irrespective of their manufacturer).

The PS3's price is a big problem. One that might have manifested itself in poor Christmas sales, if the number of units available for sale had approached the expected demand. For now, Sony is planning on having so few units available in the U.S. by Christmas that the launch will go well even if the PS3 is ultimately a failure. Sony claims it will have 6 million units by the end of its fiscal year. A few analysts are skeptical, but Sony is sticking to that line.

In the weeks ahead, expect Sony to make a big deal about the fact that it will actually make more PS3 units available by the end of December than the number of Xbox 360s Microsoft had made available by the same time the year before. It's a valid point. But, it omits two key facts. The PS3 is launching after the Xbox 360 and there are more PS2 owners out there who will want to trade up for the new system.

Since the PS3 is launching after the Xbox 360, no one is waiting around to see what the alternative will look like. They already know what the Xbox 360 is, what it can do, and what (some of) the games available for it are. As soon as the PS3 launches, the comparisons can begin. That wasn't possible when the Xbox 360 launched and everybody knew the PS3 was on its way.

The second reason why no parallel exists between the demand for Xbox 360s at launch and the demand for PS3s at launch is simply that there are more PS2s out there. As a result, Sony having as many units available by Christmas as Microsoft had the year before would be a lot like Gillette having as many new razors available as Schick had produced the year before. The difference in market share obliterates any possible comparison.

So, even though I think the PS3 is far too expensive going into the Christmas season, I'm quite sure that fact won't be evident in the sales numbers, because there will be a severe PS3 shortage throughout 2006. Even if the PlayStation 3 is too expensive, it will look like it's selling well, because there simply won't be enough of them produced in 2006.

Why am I so convinced the PS3 is priced too high?

The PS3 is too expensive to be a Christmas gift. Around Christmas, a lot of these consoles are bought by parents as gifts for their kids. Parents are willing to pay a lot for them, because they're a huge one-time item for the kid (and the parents have been hearing about it since well before the launch). But, the prices likely to be charged in 2006 for the PS3 are simply beyond what parents are willing to spend.

It's not an issue of how much consumers have to spend versus the value they're getting. It's an issue of being psychologically unprepared for paying this kind of price for any gift.

It may be a price older gamers are willing to pay to get a PS3 for themselves. But, it's not a price parents will be willing to spend on their kids.

Copyright 2006 Geoff Gannon

Geoff Gannon writes a daily value investing blog and produces a twice weekly (half hour) value investing podcast at: http://www.gannononinvesting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Gannon

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

All around, the Sony Playstation 3 is a complete home entertainment system for your entire household. With the system, you will be able to play Playstation, Playstation 2, and of course Playstation 3 games. Besides being able to play games that date back generations, to games that are the most technologically advance with 1080p high-definition, the Playstation 3 serves another function and another purpose. A purpose that's worth its weight in gold. The Sony Playstation 3 is a Blu-ray Player!

But how does the Playstation 3 compare to a standard Blu-ray Player?

The Playstation 3, compared to a stand alone Blu-ray player, has one massive advantage. Price! A standard Blu-ray player can cost anywhere around $850 dollars to a whopping $1,300 dollars. It is obvious that the average person won't be able to afford such a steep price. Here is one reason why the Playstation 3 comes into its own. Priced at $499 dollars to $599 dollars, the Playstation 3 is by far the cheapest and most affordable Blu-ray player to date. Allowing a boarder audience to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray movies from the comfort of their homes.

What about quality, functionality and is the Playstation 3 easy to use as a Blu-ray Player?

With some of the more state of the art technologies, the Playstation 3 could be considered better than all the Blu-ray players on the market today. From the moment you turn it on and insert a Blu-ray movie via the front loading disc drive, you will be blown away and surprised at the picture quality this little box provides. On average the Playstation 3 turns on and loads up a Blu-ray movie in about 22 seconds, which is highly impressive. Using the wireless gaming control or the soon to be released Playstation 3 remote controller, navigating throughout the Blu-ray movies enjoyable and easy to learn.

Playstation 3: The Blu-ray Player

Sony has made a wise decision to integrate Blu-ray into their system. The Playstation 3 is hundreds of dollars cheaper even if you decide to purchase Sony Playstation 3 remote also, which is estimated to cost around $30 dollars. Even before the release of the Playstation 3, Blu-ray movie sales continued to increase as time goes on. Playstation 3 is the total package, so go out and get one.

Blu-ray and Blu-ray Movies are the future in high-definition entertainment. Purchase your Blu-ray movies here at MyBlu-RayMovies.com Get great prices and have your favorite movies delivered right to your door. Enjoy the full power of Blu-ray

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephan_Smith

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

Do you own a Playstation 3? I Do. And I absolutely love this game machine. In fact, I love it so much that I put my good old trusty Playstation 2 system up for sale and sold it. Mind you, I'm keeping all of my favorite games, because they can be played on the PS3 as well. Especially the two player games that I play often with friends. Thankfully I had several PS2 controllers (4 to be exact) and decided to only sell two of them with my Playstation 2 console. I figured I could use my PS2 controllers on my Playstation 3, and not have to spend another $50.00 on an extra controller.

Now, I did of course know that the Playstation 3 controllers were not the same as the Playstation 2. While they do have their SIXAXIS wireless controllers, they also have SIXAXIS wired Playstation 3 controllers as well. However, these use a USB port in order to be able to plug into the controller ports on the Playstation 3. This did present a problem, because the Playstation 2 controllers do not have a USB plug, but a unique plug that's specific to the PS2 Console.

However, having reviewed and written about video games and video game accessories for many years now, and watched as innovative companies designed and developed what are called controller adapters for essentially every single video game console on the market, I was certain that it was only a matter of time before a Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter would be released. And boy was I right. Not even 3 months after the release of the Playstation 3, the PS2 to PS3 Controller adapter started showing up on video game web sites.

The Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter is an adapter for Playstation 2 controllers. About 3 to 6 feet long, depending on which model you buy. The adapter allows you to plug in a Playstation 2 controller to one and, and then plug the other end, which is a USB plug, into the Playstation 3. Your Playstation 2 controller will work just like any wired Playstation 3 controller, minus the SIXAXIS Support of course, and the HOME button that's on all of the PS3 controllers.

All of the buttons are of course there, so you'll be able to play every single Playstation 3 game just as you would when using a Playstation 3 controller. Unfortunately, though the PS2 controllers have the rumble function / dual shock built in, Sony decided to remove this from the Playstation 3 controllers (and I suspect it had a lot to do with the lawsuit brought against them by the developers of this technology). What this means is that regardless of the DUAL SHOCK functions built into your Playstation 2 controller, unless you're playing Playstation 2 games.

Not only does the PS2 to PS3 controller adapter save you money, and make use of your now unused Playstation 2 controllers, you'll also be able to play your PS2 games just the same as you would on your Playstation 2 console, with all of the rumble and force feedback that would be lacking if you were playing your Playstation 2 games with a Playstation 3 controller.

The controller adapter is a quick and easy way to use your Playstation 2 controllers on your Playstation 3. And above all, it's extremely cheap. priced at under $10.00, it's certainly much cheaper than going out and buying another Playstation 3 controller. In fact, you could buy up to 4 adapters, and make use of all of the Playstation 3 controller ports, and use PS2 controllers in all of them. An excellend, and low cost way to enjoy those multi player games, without having to let your Playstation 2 controllers collect dust.

Steven Fields is an avid gamer, and a freelance video game and video game accessory reviewer. Many of his must read reviews on new and cutting edge accessories can be found at http://www.videogamebin.com Take a look at the Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter by visiting http://www.modchipnow.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Fields

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

The PlayStation 3 is one of the most eagerly awaited gaming consoles this year. Besides, with the best graphics and sound technology integrated in this console, who wouldn’t want to know more about this gaming console or better yet, purchase one at the soonest possible time?

Gaming consoles are extremely very popular and are one of the best forms of entertainment today. With a gaming console, you will be able to entertain yourself when you're bored or spend some quality time with your family and friends. Just imagine, you can play your children's favorite games after a long day at work. Because of gaming consoles, you will be able to relax and play with your children at the same time.

So, if you are interested in the upcoming PlayStation 3, you should know about the latest news about it. PlayStation 3 news is complete with information that you can use in order to improve your gaming experience. The latest news about PlayStation 3 will enable you to know about the different new accessories available and also about the different latest games being offered.

The latest news in PlayStation 3 today is about the format it supports. The Blu-ray drive is an advanced disc drive that is integrated in the new PlayStation 3. This Blu-ray disc drive is one of the latest technologies in the disc media and is able to store data 5 times higher than that of your regular DVD. This means game developers will be able to develop far more realistic games with greater details.

The Blu-ray drive is one of the latest additions to gaming consoles and no other gaming console is using the Blu-ray drive except for PlayStation 3. Another benefit of Blu-ray drive is that it can read almost any disc media. This means that your investment in your old PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games can still be played through the PlayStation 3. What's more is that the Blu-ray drive will be able to play your DVD movies and even audio CDs. This makes that PlayStation 3 an all-in-one hub for home entertainment.

Another latest in the PlayStation 3 news is that Sony will reassert PlayStation 3 shipments. By the end of the fiscal year on March 21, 2007, Sony expects to ship a total of six million systems worldwide. Sony believes that the six million units to be sold worldwide is not a difficult target. This is because of the growing anticipation and growing popularity of the PlayStation 3 worldwide even before the hardware is actually released.

News of the expected retail price is also out. There are two configurations for PlayStation 3 that Sony will be releasing in the market. One is the basic configuration that will cost US$499 and the other is the premium configuration that will cost US$599 in the United States. The main difference between these two configurations is that obviously, the premium configuration will contain more integrated features, such as a 60GB upgradeable hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi capability, and flash card readers.

All these and more can be read when you log in to the PlayStation 3 website. More upcoming news about the release will be posted soon. If there are any changes with the release date, you will be the first to know by logging on to the PlayStation website.

So, if you want to know more about the latest news on PlayStation 3, all you have to do is visit the PlayStation website at playstation.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Taylor

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

The playstation 3 is going to be a machine of machines. One that no other video game console can possibly match. It will have the Blue-ray drive, and have the ability to watch and burn DVD movies.

Even more, the Playstation 3 will be a mini computer, and have the ability to process information much much faster then the playstation 2 does, or even the XBox 360. All of this is great for Sony in theory, but when one sits back and analyzes the situation, it can become a bit more confusing.

When the Playstation 2 was released 7 years ago, the average number of games sold per unit sold was 5. Fastforward to the PSP; it released and has only sold about 2 games per PSP sold. This is mainly because of the multimedia aspect of the game. People are buying it to watch movies just as much as they are to play the games.

This doesn't sound so bad, but it can cause problems for Sony. A lot of Sony's income from video game consoles are the licensing fees they charge video game companies to create games on any of Sony's console platforms. Thus, when less games are being sold, less money is being paid for the rights to make games since not as many games are being bought compared to the past.

Another possible problem with the Playstation 3 is the complexity of the interface. Since the Playstation 3 is so powerful, crtics are speculating that the console may confuse consumers and give the PS3 the reputation of being complicated.

Whatever the case may be, the Playstation 3 will prove to be the biggest release in video game history.

This article is by Matthew Evers, the owner of Playstation 3 People.

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Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

The PlayStation 3 (often referred to as the PS3) was meant to be the console of the future, but its release in November 2006 was overshadowed by lateness and rumors on cutbacks made by Sony. It can read the new Blue-ray Disc format, features a special Nvidia RSX video card and includes features such as Wi-Fi internet. Despite these many innovations, sales of the PS3 have been sluggish, as the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360 continue to enjoy a larger market share.

Upon its launch, the PlayStation did not come with many of the features that were expected, disappointing many customers. Another disappointing aspect of the PS3 is the removal of the Emotion Engine, which means that games which were released for the PlayStation 2 have to be run using software emulation, causing the loss of several functions for the older games.

Both the Wii and the Xbox 360 have enjoyed immensely popular games released for consoles. Halo 3, a first-person shooter game is often credited to having a large part in the success of the sales of the 360. Yet no game for the PlayStation 3 has been released which could provide potential customers initiative to purchase Sony's console.

One of the major obstacles that Sony faces trying to sell its product is the hefty price-tag that comes with the PS3: Sony has charged as much as 600$ for its product. With the Wii costing just 250$, and the Xbox 360 only 350$, the PS3 is a very large investment and not many people are willing to spend that much for a video game console.

Despite the many problems that the PS3 has faced, it still remains a very high quality console. Sony should now spend their efforts on pricing the PlayStation more competitively and launch a large marketing campaign to improve their public image. As more and more games are released for the PS3, it still might be able to make a comeback.

Clrly Technology Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Perrin

Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

Insomniac struck gold selling over 2 million copies of the PlayStation 3 exclusive Resistance: Fall of Man. Now, the video game company known for selling the most number of critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 exclusives continues their next endeavor in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a PlayStation 3 exclusive video game that is set in the action adventure genre. This marks Ratchet and Clank's first time on the PlayStation 3.

The storyline in the game revolves around Ratchet and his partner Clank. It begins when Captain Qwark tells Ratchet and Clank about the dangers of the armada. As a result, Ratchet and Clank are under attack by the nefarious Emperor Percival Tachyon. The game is not as facetious as the PlayStation 2 adaptations, but it is still has the best plot in the series. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is not just any ordinary platform video game. I felt like the game was a combination of both platform jumping and third person shooting. The gameplay is without a doubt in my mind the most engrossing Ratchet & Clank game anyone has played so far. Gamers will feel like the game is at a brisk pace, and there is never an insipid moment. Avid Ratchet & Clank aficionados will pick up the controls fairly easily. Even if you are a novice to the Ratchet & Clank games, the controls should not deter you from playing it.

The game does an amazing job with the camera. I never found any point in the game where I said to myself "Where the hell is Ratchet?" Furthermore, a free camera mode allows players to adjust the camera to line up those tricky jumps. Ratchet is a versatile character, and the things he can do is a true testament to his dexterity. For instance, Ratchet can glide on a railing, double jump, and lock onto his targets with brilliant accuracy. He also has the ability to execute evasive maneuvers such as flips in various directions.

The gameplay provides you with the chance to play mini games (which provides an excellent change of pace from the usual gameplay). Some of these mini games entail firing gun turrets while in outer space (ala Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic). Moreover, there are some sections where you can play as Ratchet's teammate Clank. Bolstering weapons is done in exactly the same manner as the PlayStation 2 editions. Utilizing a particular weapon repeatedly will automatically give that weapon a statistical boost. Giving the weapon a boost is eerily similar to a role playing game, and it works well. In order to purchase new weapons, you have to collect bolts from defeated adversaries. Everyone was flabbergasted by the numerous weapons in previous Ratchet & Clank games and Resistance: Fall of Man. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is no exception to that rule. Insomniac really sparred no expense in attempting to design weapons that are both comical and entertaining. Weapons seem to be the name of the game in all of Insomniac's video games. Some of the plethora of weapons Ratchet has in his arsenal are a whip, tornado launcher, plasma guns, homing missiles, rocket propelled grenades, disco launcher, and so much more. There are the self explanatory weapons, (ala homing missiles) but there are also the eccentric weapons (ala disco launcher). When the disco launcher is used near an enemy, it will coerce the foe into dancing to disco music. Another unique weapon is a weapon that turns opponents into penguins. When this is used in conjunction with the disco launcher, there will be dancing penguins on screen.

The only two lingering flaws with the game was the lack of a multiplayer and difficulty. It is somewhat simple when the game lets you use all those fully upgraded weapons. However, the lack of challenge is something that did not decrease the amount of enjoyment I had with this game. The graphics in the game are gorgeous. Everything from the environments to Ratchet him is nicely rendered. The visuals manages to retain the same cartoon-like presentation that made the PlayStation 2 versions appear futuristic. No, the character models are not as realistic as other next generation games. Nevertheless, the graphics in the game will successfully appease enthusiasts of Ratchet &Clank. Explosions are as gratifying as gliding though the air. The animations are on par with any PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 game. I was more than impressed with the fantastic frame rate in the game. The audio in the game is what I expected it to be. Captain Qwark is his usual whimsical self, Ratchet is his like his PlayStation 2 counterpart, and Clank is Clank. The audio was solid, and the music fit the style of the game. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction has a cliffhanger ending, but it is a long fifteen hour gameplay experience. Overall, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a must play and is the best PlayStation 3 exclusive that is currently available.

http://wwwfunnyman.blogspot.com/

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Labels: Video Game Console

The game company known for the Madden video games and Lord of The Rings video games (Electronic Arts) has decided to purchase BioWare/Pandemic. Electronic Arts wants to open their checkbook and plans on spending an estimated $ 860 Million to buy BioWare/Pandemic. This is a brilliant marketing strategy by Electronic Arts. They have been making fantastic decisions since 2005.

When Electronic Arts bought the exclusive rights to the NFL, it prevented 2K Sports from using actual NFL players in their game. Consequently, Madden 2006 obliterated the sales of any 2K Sports game that year. Then, Electronic Arts did the remarkable Lord of The Rings games. After that, they delayed the release of the Crysis demo to prevent low sales due to Halo 3. Electronic Arts keeps making unbelievable decision after unbelievable decision. No one can deny the success that Electronic Arts has had with games like Madden, Quake Wars, and the newly released The Orange Box.

The future looks bright for Electronic Arts. They are going to be earning so much money from games such as Army of Two, Hellgate: London, Spore, Crysis, Mercenaries 2, Rock Band, The Simpsons Game, and Need for Speed ProStreet. More importantly, Electronic Arts will own the rights to MASS EFFECT!!! What does all this mean for Electronic Arts? It is too early to infer the intentions of Electronic Arts, but there is intense speculation that the highly anticipated game Mass Effect will no longer be an Xbox 360 exclusive. Mass Effect could be a multi console game and be ported over to the PlayStation 3. The game is still slated for a November 2007 release date on the Xbox 360, but Electronic Arts has not ruled out a PlayStation 3 iteration of Mass Effect.

For right now, BioWare/Pandemic and Electronic Arts are separate video game companies. January 2008 is when Electronic Arts will overtake BioWare/Pandemic. PlayStation 3 owners have to doff their caps to Electronic Arts if they can pull something like this off. If Mass Effect comes to the PlayStation 3, then owners of the PlayStation 3 will give Electronic Arts a standing ovation.

http://wwwfunnyman.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sayed_Islam

Labels: Video Games

This is a question that many people have been asking. Does the ps3 have a future? There are many people that say that the Playstation 3 has no future whatsoever for many reasons like ‘Gamers can’t afford such a steap pricetag’ to ‘Xbox 360 is 1/3 the price yet just as good’. These reasons are from tightasses that can’t afford the console. Thats all this is. The only people that complain about the Playstation 3 are the people that can not afford it. These people are mostly Xbox gamers that are jealous that Sony came up with a console that twenty times better than their console.

A couple days ago Sony announced that they are reducing the Playstation 3’s cost by $100US. This move by Sony has baffled a few fanatics. They wan’t to know the justifications of price change, whether lowering the price was to increase sales and increase the PS3’s market share or to increase the amount of investors. Sony is giving their reasons but they won’t say exactly why.

Sony has stated that they would like the Playstation 3 to hold up for the next 10 years.

“What we felt that we had the luxury to do was to really build a machine that we firmly believe is future proof and is going to carry us for the next 10 years,” ==> Jack Tretton - SCE America president and CEO.

Sony must believe in the console enough to say something like this which shows that they do believe this console can last the long run.

Some rumours have been popping up stating that some leaked information showed that a PS4 was planned for 2010. No one can confirm this and no one should be able to because technology will change so much by then no one can really judge where the gaming world will be at then.

If you know anything about gaming then you know about E3. E3, also known as E3 Expo, is basically a giant gathering of nerds. It is the convention to rule all conventions. It is the thing that nerds dream about. It is where the latest in the world of gaming is shown off. E3 is mainly showing off games but does show off any new consoles, or accessories. This expo can truly show the future of a gaming console as it shows what the console has coming, rather what is coming to the console. If the Playstation 3 has a future, it can be judged by what is shown off here.

Over the next few days many videos and screenshots are going to be poking up around the place from the convention showing the games that will be coming over the next couple years. There is one video that will top them all. One video that will let you judge for yourself what kind of future the Ps3 has. I have come across this video and it is time for you to judge. Time for you to voice your opinion. It’s time to sit back for the next six and a half minutes and really judge what is going to happen…

See The Video At http://www.allthingsps3.info/does-the-playstation-3-have-a-future/

At http://www.allthingsps3.info we keep you updated on the latest information on one of the most popular consoles, the PS3. All the latest news, reviews, previews, etc.

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Labels: Sony PlayStation 3 Console

Sony has continually provided an assortment of magnetic games, add-ons, and bundles for its PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles. On the launching of the PlayStation 3 early in November 2006, thousands of buffs were excited to discover the large and exciting compendium of PlayStation 3 games too. The finest PS3 games may be found online, in video game and electronic shops, and likewise at big box retailers around the land. Internet resources of the best PlayStation 3 games include Amazon.com, EBay, the Sony internet site, and even fan websites that are functioning as independent sellers.

The top PlayStation 3 games range from racing games, arcade-style puzzles, challenging warfare and battlefront scenarios, and space exploration games. From Resistance: Fall of Man, to Final Fantasy XIII, role-playing games are the most popular PlayStation 3 games although animation and cartoon-based games come a close 2nd.

One of the better PlayStation 3 games is Final Fantasy XIII. It's the first set of a fresh series of role-playing games from the Final Fantasy collection, that will be brought out early in 2007. The game boasts exciting sceneries set in medieval and historical roots, along with several role-playing opportunities from its character lineup. The games are produced by Square-Enix.

Tekken 6 is a popular three-D combat series that will be brought out in 2007. Its heavy martial arts focus and magnetic graphics come together for the tournament matches and brisk game play choices set in Japan. The series has had a lot of success in its former versions and formats, and a full-length preview about the key plot line may be discovered on the site’s homepage.

Sonic the Hedgehog will be published in Jan 2007, a 3D animation game that continues to uncover and explore the world of the Sonic and Tails. The journey goes on for the quest to discover rings, gems, and beat out the prof. Sega’s popular Sonic the Hedgehog games will continue to offer up attractive graphics and speeds on the variant for PlayStation 3.

For racing enthusiasts, Grand Theft Auto IV is a crime series challenge that offers up a hatful of plot lines and escapades to keep players occupied and motivated. The series has been popular on desktop computers too, but the PlayStation 3 adaptation extends enhancements that include special effects, interaction with additional players through the PlayStation Network account, and being able to explore new cities.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 offers up a unique create-a-character choice where players may select the attributes and style of their characters as they compete on the PGA Tour. EA Sports offers some promising animation snippets, along with golf hints and skills, easy manipulations from the wireless controller, and being able to network with additional golf enthusiasts registered on the primary site.

Sony has partnered with some really attractive software companies in 2007 to offer some of the best PlayStation 3 choices on the market. From golf to cartoon-based arcades, there is a great deal of choice for all gamers.

James Hunaban is the owner of http://playstation-3.jims-info.com a site full of playstation 3 information.

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Labels: Sony PlayStation 3 Console

The PlayStation 3 is definitely high demand merchandise, a really popular item that was put out to the United States market in November 2006. In the nick of time for the vacation rush, the console was especially magnetic to EBay resellers and additional independent retailers as the consoles vanished off the shelves in electronics shops and computer outlets across the nation. The PlayStation 3 went through a big marketing effort from Sony, along with local and national promotions both online and offline. As a consequence, a lot of people pre-ordered the console and waited with great anticipation as the launching date got nearer.

During the launch stages, several companies were able to secure a set of PlayStation 3s for themselves. Although there were a lot of boundaries on how many could be bought by one party, some people were however able to get a varied choice of consoles ready for resale or giveaways. Some companies got them in order to create competitions and promotions for their loyal clients.

Local radio and TV stations have produced lotteries, raffles, and prize drawings to win a free PlayStation 3. Particularly during the initial launch stages, several local stations had competitions where the PlayStation 3 was a top prize. Local charity auctions, or silent auctions, have likewise had the PlayStation 3 as part of their giveaway and promotions strategy. It’s a good idea to ask local stations and charities when they have events, and watch out for the PlayStation 3 as a top prize.

Some sites promote a free PlayStation 3 as part of a promotional and marketing campaign where you sign up for additional offers. Some of these offers are gratis, while others involve initial charges that can be cancelled at a future time. Once a series of offers is completed and submitted, the company promises to hand over a gratis PlayStation 3 for the efforts. A few of them also add a competition or contest to qualify you in a drawing or raffle along the way. In either case, it’s important to follow up and sign up for the offers you have interest in. It’s also important to read all the guidelines carefully so that you do qualify for the free PlayStation 3 when it’s concluded.

Some companies such as automobile dealerships, luxury holiday packages, and other big-ticket item vendors may package a free PlayStation 3 console along with the sale. It’s a good idea to check all the particulars of the promotion, but there's a chance that you can get a free PlayStation 3 once you sign the lease for your new automobile or luxury dwelling!

James Hunaban is the owner of http://playstation-3.jims-info.com a site full of playstation 3 information.

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Labels: PlayStation 3 Console

Will the Juggernaut continue despite a bad console choice?

We've all been playing games since we could grab the controller and as such we've all played (to varying extents of course!) games from the Final Fantasy series. While the numbering of the series--not counting the sequels and spinoffs, the main series is hitting THIRTEEN installments with this release--might be daunting for newcomers, there's nothing to worry about. Each game is its own story and universe, and besides cameo appearances from a variety of creatures common to many of the games, nothing in the plot or story of any of them requires having played any of the others at all, and can be fully enjoyed even by newcomers.

It isn't even like the Harry Potter books that give you backstory as you go along if you hadn't read the others. Each game is a self-contained world with a huge story that often involves saving the entire world. Classic elements such as the magic system and Active Time Battle have kept the series bound together but with a huge variety in the system used to make each game a unique experience.

So far, Final Fantasy has appeared on the most popular systems of the era, from the Nintendo to the Super Nintendo to the Playstation and its sequel, and when development on installment thirteen started a few years ago, Square Enix assumed that continuing work on the Playstation 3 would be the natural choice. However, the PS3 has not been selling well at all and it's difficult to say what the future holds. Thirteen, however, is part of a larger project of games set in the same world, and there are installments being developed for every platform imaginable almost, from the PS3 itself to the Wii to cell phones. However the flagship title will be on the PS3, still, and so far no ports have been announced.

Given the project's scope, however, Square Enix won't be out of business anytime soon. The compelling stories and beautiful graphics might draw a few people to purchase the expensive behemoth that is the Playstation 3, and perhaps they will step up the quality on the other platforms' games to make them worthy Final Fantasy titles despite not being the flagship game. As we're all fans of this legendary series, we're waiting with baited breath to see what the future of Final Fantasy holds.

For more on video gaming, visit http://gamer-revolution.net to read everything from how to (legally!) back up your Playstation 2 games or read about the latest developments in free mass multiplayer online games and more!

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Labels: Sony PlayStation Games

The Nintendo Wii's high popularity cannot be argued. In a little over a year Nintendo has managed to re-capture the industry it ruled only a decade ago even though the industry has changed to now include two entertainment giants in Sony and Microsoft. Naturally there was always going to be download services pop up that allow you to download any entertainment you wish to your Wii.

The Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 have both been praised as the two machines that can best hold things like movies and TV shows and with good reason. The huge hard drives these two consoles have and the power they wield allow you to not only watch movies and play games, but to do it right from the machines hard drive resulting in a clutter free living room. But with all that said, the Wii is more than capable too. While it doesn't have the hard drive that it's competition does, the huge SD Cards that can now be bought mega cheap ($5 for a 1gb on ebay) more than makes up for that.

The games you can download not only include the current generation games, but also older games from any console including the PSX, PS2, N64, Gamecube, Xbox, Super Nintendo, Dreamcast you name it. This means Wii Media Downloads can turn your Wii into the ultimate retro gaming machine especially if you've already been taking advantage of the Wii Virtual Console.

With this new technology, if course there has been criticisms. Many believe that owning a digital version of a game simply isn't the same as holding the case and instruction manual in your hand. This is true to a point, but Wii Media Downloads has taken care of an element of that by allowing instruction manuals to be downloaded as well.

Used correctly, Wii Media Downloads can definitely be used to expand your game collection.

Check out my blog for more information on the service.

Brett Ranton is creator and owner of the blog "Wii Want to Blog." This blog aims to supply consumers with reviews, news and opinion pieces on the Wii or software/hardware available for it.

Wii Want to Blog

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Labels: Wii

The first generation of exciting gaming consoles hit the market in the early 1970s. Since then, children have been clamouring for the latest gaming devices. These game consoles have come a long way since the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. Two most popular consoles on the market today are Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 that deliver not only top-notch gaming experiences that support HD but also impressive multimedia features.

Sony made its introduction in the console game world in the mid-'90s with the PlayStation and again in 2000 with Play Station 2. As expected, the Play Station 3 leaves its predecessors far behind, with gorgeous, HD graphics and a super-fast processor. It carries a higher price tag than the Xbox 360, but at the same time you might find the features it brings to you well worth the extra cost.

The PS3 is available in two configurations: 40GB and 80GB. In addition to the extra storage space, the 80GB game console comes with Motor Storm, a popular off-road racing game exclusive to this console. A very striking feature of this version of PlayStation is its integrated Blu-ray Disc player (BD). If you're a movie lover and want movies in HD, you might not need another reason to buy this game console. To enjoy excellent video quality of the BD player, pick up an HDMI cable to connect the PlayStation to your HDTV. It also includes an Ethernet cable for a wired Internet connection. With its SIXAXIS wireless controller and in-built web browser, you can surf the Internet and check out the online PlayStation Network. You can also use this to play DVDs and audio CDs, together with copying audio files to the Play Station 3 games hard drive. It sports four USB 2.0 slots, which let you connect your digital camera, download photos, and print them out on a USB printer.

If you would like more information on Gaming Consoles visit Buy Online Games

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Labels: Sony PlayStation 3 Console

The release of the original Gran Turismo game for the first Playstation made great waves all over the gaming community. For so long, the PC has been the domain for most of these racing simulations with console gamers having little or no option for their racing needs. Some games like Motor Toon Grand Prix were exciting but just wasn't promising enough for fans of racing games.

After Gran Turismo was launched in 1997 in Japan, and in 1998 in both US and Europe, the game was a seller. It has certainly went beyond anything racing games had been before and because it has been made available for console gaming, it is something new altogether. And not forgetting to mention that you can tune your car to your own specifications, but there's always something for ordinary racing fans as there is also an arcade mode for this game. Get suited for the coming of Gran Turismo 5, with GT5 Prologue giving you a taste of what to expect from the full title.

Since GT5 won't be out until sometime next year, you are sure to find that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is worth all your gaming time. For this game, you also have options to tune your car in exact specifications, depending on your preference. This drove fans to purchase the game, totalling to a 50 million copies sold worldwide for Gran Turismo and its sequels. But don't take the GT5 Prologue lightly, it has got more to offer than most full racing games.

Before the Gran Turismo 5 will be released next year, GT5 Prologue will enable fans to have a little taste of what the full game will look and feel like. And these cars are not a bunch of trash either, with such racing giants as Ferrari and Lotus sports cars, what better choice can you have? For this one, you do not have the full roster of all the cars and tracks available in the full title but this game has got enough fun features to keep you occupied.

Son'y partnership with Polyphony Digital, which is known as the premier videogame designer, ensures that fans will have utmost fun racing in these tracks. If you think that offline gaming is too restricting and if you wish to expand your competition a bit further, you can take advantage of the GT5 Prologue Online Mode. So long as you have a broadband connection, you can join in on the online racing fun which is able to support up to 16 players. This may be a good time to test you and your friends' racing skills. Having earned a reputation for becoming one of the world's premier game designers in the gaming community, you expect Polyphony Digital to do the same for GT5 Prologue.

Just like in an offline version of the game, you can also use the Garage mode through the Playstation Network. While in this mode, you'd be able to customize your car's hydraulics, engine settings, brake and suspension, tires, and many more. Now, you can change your car settings so long as you think it will help your car run its best during the race. It can be quite a difficult task to reach the top of the rankings, but working your way their can be a great way to spend your gaming time.

So, as you gear up for the race make sure you use the Garage mode to help you get started. By doing this, you can customize your car's hydraulics, engine settings, brake and suspension, and tires. It has also got a Calendar that enables you to check racing schedules, as well as predicted weather for those upcoming races.

Beyond all this astounding racing features, you also have some other stuffs just to keep things more interesting. This will enable you to view the action clearly via the point of view of a real racer, and see other cars disappear behind you as you run past them.

With the features of GT5 Prologue, fans are surely raring to get their hands on the game and have a sneak preview into the full Gran Turismo 5 game.

With the features of GT5 Prologue, fans are surely raring to get their hands on the game and have a sneak preview into the full Gran Turismo 5 game. So, until the Gran Turismo 5 is officially released in 2008, enjoy yourself with GT5 Prologue!

Samual writes about Gran Turismo 5 on the Sony PS3 for the website APi. Gran Turismo 5 Playstation 3 Cheats are available as well.

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Labels: Sony PlayStation 3 Games

So, you've made the decision to buy a PlayStation 3? You're not the only one - to date over 5.75 million units have sold worldwide. You can't go wrong with a PS3 as it offers the best graphics and value for gamers out there. The trouble is, should you go for a 40GB, 60GB, or 80GB hard drive?

The choice really depends on what you will be using the PS3 for and how much money you are willing to spend. There are some differences between the hard drive models that you will want to pay close attention to.

The new 40GB model has just recently debuted. Many people will be excited that this has a low price tag compared to the higher models. Before you decide to purchase the 40GB model though, make sure it has everything you will need in your PS3 gaming system.

The 40GB version is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles. For those of you who have built up quite a large library of PS2 games, you will want to steer clear of this model when you order PlayStation 3. If you are new to PlayStation, or have sold off all of your old games, this won't matter so much to you.

Another consideration is that it will only have two USB slots instead of four. There will also be no multi-memory port. If you are going to need to connect many peripherals to your PS3, then this 40GB model is not for you.

However, if you simply want to take advantage of the best gaming system out there at the best price possible, you will definitely want the 40GB model. It still offers out of this world graphics, online game play, and great functionality.

There has also been a recent price drop for the 60GB model if you are interested in having more storage space and backwards compatibility. This is great news for those who have been holding off on buying a PS3 for price reasons. The Xbox 360 is comparable to this 60GB model, but you will be getting a much better deal with you buy a PlayStation 3.

The 60GB PS3 will have four USB ports vs. the two ports the 40GB model contains. If you have a lot of things you will need to connect to your PS3, then the 60GB model may be the way to go.

If you like to play PlayStation 2 games, and have sold off your old system, you will want to get the 60GB version. In fact, the 60GB version is the most full featured of all three of your choices. If you want to have the most features and get the most out of your money, the 60GB version is a perfect fit for you. Hurry though, as Sony are phasing out this version. No more 60GB units are being manufactured - once they sell out that's it!

The 80GB hard drive may be good for people who want to turn their PlayStation 3 console into a full-fledged computer system. You have the option to install Linux on the system and use it as you would any PC.

However, many will find that the 80GB is simply too much and they could never hope to fill up that hard drive. The 80GB version also has limited backward compatibility. It contains the same number of USB ports and functions as the 60GB version otherwise. The 80GB version is currently only available in the US.

In order to make the best decision for you, you will want to take a hard look at your needs. If you want a bare bones system that will introduce you to the wonderful world of PS3, then look no further than the 40 GB model. If you want to save a lot of things on your PlayStation 3 or turn it into a computer, you should go ahead and get the 80 GB model. However, the majority of people will do well to purchase the 60GB model as it has all the storage, USB ports, and backwards functionality you could ever need.

Have fun PlayStation 3 hunting!

Christopher Edwards is a self-confessed console fanatic. His current babe is the PlayStation 3. If he's not playing on it, he's writing about it. He is the webmaster of http://www.PS3-Preorder-Fever.co.uk - the best UK online resource for all of your PS3 buying needs.

Head on over to make sure you're not throwing away money by purchasing at the wrong places. Here you will find a complete list of all PlayStation 3 stockists online and the PS3 deals they are offering, plus links to online retailers with the lowest priced PS3 merchandise.

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Labels: Sony PlayStation 3 Console