Archive for March, 2006

GDC Screenshots

Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3, PS3 software on March 27th, 2006

I have two sources of GDC pictures of the PS3 in action at GDC. They are rather small, low-res shots, most are blurry, but at least they give you a general idea of what the PS3 games and interface will look like. It’s still more than half a year away, though, so things may change.

CLUB SKILL – GDC 2006 – Sony Keynote
Joystiq – MotorStorm, Resistance and more: pictures from Sony’s GDC keynote

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StarCraft Ghost coming to PS3?

Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 software on March 27th, 2006

StarCraft Ghost has had a bunch of ups and downs, and for us PS3 fans, there might just be an up in the coming future if this rumour is to be believed.

The good news is that Blizzard hasn’t yet given up the Ghost — the company explains in its announcement that it is evaluating the potential of StarCraft: Ghost as a next-gen title, and indicates that if the game goes that route, it will utilize the additional console power for a more impressive game than was originally conceived.

Despite the cursed development history, StarCraft: Ghost has plenty of promise. Its concept is a cross between classic StarCraft RTS play and single-player stealth action (ala Metal Gear.) The game focuses on a female hero from the intriguing Ghost character set out of the StarCraft series, who have special powers and incredible Terran technology in their arsenal. Late in development, StarCraft: Ghost also added online multiplayer features, which promised to please fans of the RTS franchise who have been dying for the series to get anywhere near the number “2″ after being left behind for other Blizzard franchises after the original release, a few expansion packs, and a billion hours of logged-on and LAN multiplay.

So the rumour is rather vague, I know. Blizzard is “considering” a next-gen platform for the game, and even then, we don’t know if it would end up on the PS3 or not. But here’s hoping…

IGN – StarCraft: Ghost Ascending to Next-Gen?

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HDD Questions

Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 on March 24th, 2006

Michael sent me some more questions that I thought I’d tackle. Please add your opinions.

What are the advantages to having a hard drive in a videogame system, proformance wise? I’m ultimately asking this question to find out how a HDD would benefit the ps3, but I doubt you know the answer directly.

Actually, I do know.

A HDD can be used to cache data while playing the game. So when the game loads up (or anytime during the game, actually), the game can load information from the BD (Blu-ray Disc) onto the HDD. The HDD is much much faster than an optical drive, so the game has much quicker access to the information it needs as you play the game. For example, this will allow more seamless transitions between levels, or even levels that have no obvious transitions at all. But in general, any data that the game needs can be cached on the HDD, which will increase performance. It would be even better if the HDD cache were not removed between one playing of the game and the next, because then the game doesn’t need to load the data every time you play the game.

Does the xbox 360 allow players to save a game whenever they want like pc games do, or does it still only allow you to save at check points? If no, do you think that ps3 games might allow the player to save whenever?

I really have no idea. But you’re better comparing the PS3′s HDD to the original Xbox. Because in both those cases, the HDD is always there (not optional). I know of at least one Xbox game that let you save the game whenever you wanted. But this is not really a function of the HDD’s inclusion or not, except that the saves are slower without an HDD.

Does you have any idea how advanced the linux os will be on the ps3? Could it possibly be a full up version of linux like pcs use, which could let the user download pc software, such as, photo and video editing, text program, etc, etc?

Sony hasn’t released any details about this.

Will the ps3 have full internet access like pcs do? If so, couldn’t an internet virus corrupt the whole system and ruin it?

Yeah, maybe – better be careful! Seriously, though, the PS3 is connected to the internet, yes. But it is connected is severely restricted ways. You won’t be able to do just anything with the internet. You’ll have to go through predifined access points like a chat program, browser, or game. That helps restrict the openness of the system to outside influences. But I guess anything is possible. It hasn’t been a problem for the Xbox 360.

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GDC MotorStorm Update

Posted by Blackstaffer in PS3 software on March 23rd, 2006

More on MotorStorm, it just looks so cool.

Remember how at E3 they showed that MotorStorm video and everyone went nuts and then everyone said there’s no way that PS3 games will look like that? Well, here’s a quote for you from IGN about yesterday’s realtime demo:

Compared to the E3 presentation, the game is close in presentation and functionality and look to its promise, with detail not reaching the level of the astounding E3 demo but still running with some very cool technology to provide a new way of playing in the mud. Developed by Evolution Studios, the game’s presentation featured buggies and motorcycles running through a rugged desert. The game’s advanced new mud physics were incredible, leaving ruts behind in the mud using real physics. For example, a motorcycle was seen cutting a deep groove in the mud while kicking up muck at a white truck following it, the trailing vehicle buckily wildly as it battled off the streaming mud while also trying to find a line to drive in the groove-etched bog. The particle effects, however, were not nearly at that level of quality, looking a little temporary at this stage of early development.

So everyone was right. BUT! The fact is, this game is still going to be killer. It looks “close” to the E3 demo, which is good enough for me.