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Since none of you Sony cretins seem to read Digitiser, I'll have to rave about Sony's new console for you!
Anyway, if you read Digitiser today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday) on page 484 then you'll find a 6 page article on the PS3 processor called the Cell.
Now a few months back, the New Scientist had a little article about new processors by IBM. It turns out that manufacturers had been experimenting by mixing silicon with other materials to make it better (I can't remember which way) and IBM had finally made something of it.
As a result, they'd managed to make a prototype that ran at 110 Ghz.
It was obvious that this prototype was could and would be improved on.
Now IBM (working with Toshiba) have announced the "Cell", a new processor that's meant to reach the 250 Ghz range (roughly a thousand times more powerful than the current PS2 processor, the Emotion Engine).
This is a major breakthrough in technology and could lead to Nintendo eating their words about new hardware being uneccessary.
I know it takes more than just a processor to make a good console, but seeing as graphics and sound chips are merely processors dedicated to one task, I expect the same technology will be used to improve them by similar amounts.
I'm sure that other parts like RAM and Cache will also get their fair share of improvements.
With this power, games will be able to have full scale wars, with thousands of graphically detailed characters, each with their own advanced AI to give some really exciting possibilities.
I think after this, hardware will no longer be a limit - the imagination of the develloper will.
It's not just the standard hardware that should excite, though.
In many ways, the PS2 was just a prototype.
The DVD player and possibility of a Broadband adaptor made it seem like a true multi media system.
The PS3 is supposed to take this to the full level.
Yes, it'll have a DVD player and the broadband adaptor will likely be packaged as standard (broadband will most likely be widespread in the UK by the time this new console is released) and I expect Sony will take a leaf from Microsoft's book and include a hardrive too.
But it's supposed to take online activity to a new level with various features from games playing and browsing the web to shopping and ordering films - sky box-office style - and broadcasting digital television.
Now I know that's no big deal as most of these can already be done, but Sony intends to put it all into one neat little box, and make it more user friendly and efficient for "casual" gamers.
Online gaming will obviously get a big boost (the PS2 is just an experimental prototype in this area!) and, with the power of these new chips and speed of broadband communications, could support huge war scale online battles.
It would be interesting to see what devellopers can make out of this opportunity.
The other thing is that they'll most likely learn from many of the PS2's mistakes. And there were many.
The machine was a pig to devellop for, the launch was lacklusture, gamers had to wait 6 months for a title which really used the power (and although GT3's graphics were tremendous, little else of the game was anything innoative or revolutionary).
It was only after a whole year had gone that the killer likes of Grand Theft Auto 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 came out, making the PS2 the good purchase it is today.
The only reason that the machine didn't fail was because Sony had built such a deservedly strong reputation on it's original Playstation which had garaunteed them a huge success before the console had even launched.
And because this reputation drove Sega, along with it's Dreamcast, out of the console business, this left no competition again the PS2 for well over a year.
Shortly after the Xbox and Gamecube were released, Sony acknowledged how much they admired how nice these machines were to devellop for and stated that this would be a main focus point on the Playstation 3.
Another thing (that I found especially disappointing) was that the PS2 only had 2 controller ports. Naturally, Sony will have the sense to put four in this time round and encourage devellopers to stretch the machines capabilities for frantic four player action.
And with the PS3's power, making co-operative missions with numerous AI opponents, detailed environments and advanced AI should come naturally without any slowdown whatsoever.
Sony would also have to touch up the pad. The PS2 pad has the right buttons, mainly in the right places but could do with a few "updates".
The PSOne pad was designed for games with the D-Pad.
It put in a couple of analogue sticks to keep up, but the pad was still designed around the D-pad.
The L and R shoulder buttons are also a bit dated (the same ones that were designed for the Snes over 10 years ago!).
The D-pad and analogue stick would have to change places (after all, more games use the analogue stick now so it should get the priority spot).
I think that the front should buttons (L1 and R1) should be GC style analogue shoulder buttons or Xbox/DC style triggers.
The back buttons (L2 and R2) would be good as N64 style "Z" triggers, best used for FPS games.
Finally the name would need to be changed.
Playstation was fantastic, catchy and well thought out.
The Playstation 2 was meant to show that it was the next step forward.
It's wearing a bit thin now though.
Something along the lines of Powerstation would be familiar yet fresh and new.
Don't get me wrong, I've not become a Sony convert.
I still think Nintendo are the world's best games company and plan to keep my Gamecube.
But, while the Gamecube is getting some of the best games around, as a stand alone games machine, there's also some things it can't do.
Nintendo's lack of online plans is one thing, a DVD player is another.
That doesn't mean that I'd choose this new PS3 over a Nintendo machine, but like any true gamer, I want to have the best of both worlds (and by the time Sony's new machine arrives on these shores, I'll probably be earning a good enough wage to buy ALL the consoles).
Don't get TOO excited yet. It's not set to arrive here for atleast 3-4 years, but as future's go, it's not a bad one to be heading our way. :-)
Anyway, if you read Digitiser today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday) on page 484 then you'll find a 6 page article on the PS3 processor called the Cell.
Now a few months back, the New Scientist had a little article about new processors by IBM. It turns out that manufacturers had been experimenting by mixing silicon with other materials to make it better (I can't remember which way) and IBM had finally made something of it.
As a result, they'd managed to make a prototype that ran at 110 Ghz.
It was obvious that this prototype was could and would be improved on.
Now IBM (working with Toshiba) have announced the "Cell", a new processor that's meant to reach the 250 Ghz range (roughly a thousand times more powerful than the current PS2 processor, the Emotion Engine).
This is a major breakthrough in technology and could lead to Nintendo eating their words about new hardware being uneccessary.
I know it takes more than just a processor to make a good console, but seeing as graphics and sound chips are merely processors dedicated to one task, I expect the same technology will be used to improve them by similar amounts.
I'm sure that other parts like RAM and Cache will also get their fair share of improvements.
With this power, games will be able to have full scale wars, with thousands of graphically detailed characters, each with their own advanced AI to give some really exciting possibilities.
I think after this, hardware will no longer be a limit - the imagination of the develloper will.
It's not just the standard hardware that should excite, though.
In many ways, the PS2 was just a prototype.
The DVD player and possibility of a Broadband adaptor made it seem like a true multi media system.
The PS3 is supposed to take this to the full level.
Yes, it'll have a DVD player and the broadband adaptor will likely be packaged as standard (broadband will most likely be widespread in the UK by the time this new console is released) and I expect Sony will take a leaf from Microsoft's book and include a hardrive too.
But it's supposed to take online activity to a new level with various features from games playing and browsing the web to shopping and ordering films - sky box-office style - and broadcasting digital television.
Now I know that's no big deal as most of these can already be done, but Sony intends to put it all into one neat little box, and make it more user friendly and efficient for "casual" gamers.
Online gaming will obviously get a big boost (the PS2 is just an experimental prototype in this area!) and, with the power of these new chips and speed of broadband communications, could support huge war scale online battles.
It would be interesting to see what devellopers can make out of this opportunity.
The other thing is that they'll most likely learn from many of the PS2's mistakes. And there were many.
The machine was a pig to devellop for, the launch was lacklusture, gamers had to wait 6 months for a title which really used the power (and although GT3's graphics were tremendous, little else of the game was anything innoative or revolutionary).
It was only after a whole year had gone that the killer likes of Grand Theft Auto 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 came out, making the PS2 the good purchase it is today.
The only reason that the machine didn't fail was because Sony had built such a deservedly strong reputation on it's original Playstation which had garaunteed them a huge success before the console had even launched.
And because this reputation drove Sega, along with it's Dreamcast, out of the console business, this left no competition again the PS2 for well over a year.
Shortly after the Xbox and Gamecube were released, Sony acknowledged how much they admired how nice these machines were to devellop for and stated that this would be a main focus point on the Playstation 3.
Another thing (that I found especially disappointing) was that the PS2 only had 2 controller ports. Naturally, Sony will have the sense to put four in this time round and encourage devellopers to stretch the machines capabilities for frantic four player action.
And with the PS3's power, making co-operative missions with numerous AI opponents, detailed environments and advanced AI should come naturally without any slowdown whatsoever.
Sony would also have to touch up the pad. The PS2 pad has the right buttons, mainly in the right places but could do with a few "updates".
The PSOne pad was designed for games with the D-Pad.
It put in a couple of analogue sticks to keep up, but the pad was still designed around the D-pad.
The L and R shoulder buttons are also a bit dated (the same ones that were designed for the Snes over 10 years ago!).
The D-pad and analogue stick would have to change places (after all, more games use the analogue stick now so it should get the priority spot).
I think that the front should buttons (L1 and R1) should be GC style analogue shoulder buttons or Xbox/DC style triggers.
The back buttons (L2 and R2) would be good as N64 style "Z" triggers, best used for FPS games.
Finally the name would need to be changed.
Playstation was fantastic, catchy and well thought out.
The Playstation 2 was meant to show that it was the next step forward.
It's wearing a bit thin now though.
Something along the lines of Powerstation would be familiar yet fresh and new.
Don't get me wrong, I've not become a Sony convert.
I still think Nintendo are the world's best games company and plan to keep my Gamecube.
But, while the Gamecube is getting some of the best games around, as a stand alone games machine, there's also some things it can't do.
Nintendo's lack of online plans is one thing, a DVD player is another.
That doesn't mean that I'd choose this new PS3 over a Nintendo machine, but like any true gamer, I want to have the best of both worlds (and by the time Sony's new machine arrives on these shores, I'll probably be earning a good enough wage to buy ALL the consoles).
Don't get TOO excited yet. It's not set to arrive here for atleast 3-4 years, but as future's go, it's not a bad one to be heading our way. :-)
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Strafex wrote:
> By the way Wookiee, what do you think Sony should do to the pad this
> time round. I'm sure you don't think that they should use the same one
> again!
I don't really think there's much room for improvement. Adding any more buttons would be ridiculous. With the two analogue sticks now firmly established, I think they can do away with the D-pad and replace it with four individual buttons, as it's usually only used as extra selection buttons anyway (as in Dropship on PS2 and Rogue Leader on Gamecube).
The position of the analogue sticks doesn't bother me, as long as they are symmetrical and not offset like on the GC and Xbox pads - that just feels wrong.
Keep the dual vibration function - it provides far better feedback than the GC's single motor.
Maybe provide an option of two types of controller - one with pressure-sensitive buttons like the current DS2, and another with trigger-style buttons such as those on the GC - then you've catered for everyone.
Put rubberised 'dimples' in the tops of the sticks, rather than dome-shapes, to improve grip when the hands are sweaty - like the original, larger Dual Analogue pad had (before the vibration function was introduced).
As for the over-all design, I don't think much need changing, to be honest. Maybe the rounded hand grips could be modified and given a hard rubber moulded grip, a bit like a pistol? That's about it. But then I do like the DS2 pad a lot as it is.
> By the way Wookiee, what do you think Sony should do to the pad this
> time round. I'm sure you don't think that they should use the same one
> again!
I don't really think there's much room for improvement. Adding any more buttons would be ridiculous. With the two analogue sticks now firmly established, I think they can do away with the D-pad and replace it with four individual buttons, as it's usually only used as extra selection buttons anyway (as in Dropship on PS2 and Rogue Leader on Gamecube).
The position of the analogue sticks doesn't bother me, as long as they are symmetrical and not offset like on the GC and Xbox pads - that just feels wrong.
Keep the dual vibration function - it provides far better feedback than the GC's single motor.
Maybe provide an option of two types of controller - one with pressure-sensitive buttons like the current DS2, and another with trigger-style buttons such as those on the GC - then you've catered for everyone.
Put rubberised 'dimples' in the tops of the sticks, rather than dome-shapes, to improve grip when the hands are sweaty - like the original, larger Dual Analogue pad had (before the vibration function was introduced).
As for the over-all design, I don't think much need changing, to be honest. Maybe the rounded hand grips could be modified and given a hard rubber moulded grip, a bit like a pistol? That's about it. But then I do like the DS2 pad a lot as it is.
WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> I think they could possibly do without simply tagging "3"
> onto the end of it, though. They should maybe come up with a funky
> new 'subtitle' for it, a bit like Intel do for their prototype Pentium
> chips, before simply reverting to "Pentium 3" or
> "Pentium 4".
>
> PlayStation® BlackHawk™ or something suitably powerful. You get
> the idea.
That was sort of what I meant.
I didn't mean completely change the name (after all, Playstation is VERY well recognised), just twist it a bit to make it look newer, rather than a rehash.
Also, I agree with Wookiee. Sony aren't really rushing into anything.
The hardware should be finished within a year, and that'll leave a year for devellopers to make games for it and for Sony to manufacture enough machines and set up it's network.
Sony have learnt from the PS2's shortcomings and are making especially "develloper friendly" this time round.
I've no doubt that VERY few companys will use this power to it's full potential. I'd personally use it to have a lot happening in a game (like the multi-character war scenario).
But I suppose others will apply it entirely to graphics and "realistic physics".
Still, it'll be atleast a year before we even see a tech demo, let alone a proper game. This machine is so powerful, Sony won't have to pass FMV footage as a tech demo this time round...
By the way Wookiee, what do you think Sony should do to the pad this time round. I'm sure you don't think that they should use the same one again!
> I think they could possibly do without simply tagging "3"
> onto the end of it, though. They should maybe come up with a funky
> new 'subtitle' for it, a bit like Intel do for their prototype Pentium
> chips, before simply reverting to "Pentium 3" or
> "Pentium 4".
>
> PlayStation® BlackHawk™ or something suitably powerful. You get
> the idea.
That was sort of what I meant.
I didn't mean completely change the name (after all, Playstation is VERY well recognised), just twist it a bit to make it look newer, rather than a rehash.
Also, I agree with Wookiee. Sony aren't really rushing into anything.
The hardware should be finished within a year, and that'll leave a year for devellopers to make games for it and for Sony to manufacture enough machines and set up it's network.
Sony have learnt from the PS2's shortcomings and are making especially "develloper friendly" this time round.
I've no doubt that VERY few companys will use this power to it's full potential. I'd personally use it to have a lot happening in a game (like the multi-character war scenario).
But I suppose others will apply it entirely to graphics and "realistic physics".
Still, it'll be atleast a year before we even see a tech demo, let alone a proper game. This machine is so powerful, Sony won't have to pass FMV footage as a tech demo this time round...
By the way Wookiee, what do you think Sony should do to the pad this time round. I'm sure you don't think that they should use the same one again!
Gridloch wrote:
> i think in a few years Microsoft and Nintendo might release a chip
> that may equal or even better the CELL. Having thousands of highly
> detailed characters in one battle without any slowdown would b cool.
Well seeing as it's being develloped by IBM, there's no reason why MS or Nintendo won't get IBM to devellop an even more advanced chip for a new console, but I think that the Cell has more than enough power for any game.
Nintendo are even happy with what the Gamecube can do, let alone a console with 500 times the power!
> i think in a few years Microsoft and Nintendo might release a chip
> that may equal or even better the CELL. Having thousands of highly
> detailed characters in one battle without any slowdown would b cool.
Well seeing as it's being develloped by IBM, there's no reason why MS or Nintendo won't get IBM to devellop an even more advanced chip for a new console, but I think that the Cell has more than enough power for any game.
Nintendo are even happy with what the Gamecube can do, let alone a console with 500 times the power!
da_1_n_only wrote:
> Just read Digitizer in the morning, one thing though Sony are rushing
> into things, like they did with the PS2. I love playing the PS2.
How are Sony rushing into things? The machine is in development, and won't be out for another 3 years at least.
Microsoft are already working on their next machine, and Nintendo are probably looking at a follow-up to Gamecube too. Just as Intel are already working on the next Pentium.
No-one's rushing into anything - development never stops, and any company worth anything gets right on with developing newer hardware. If you sit back and admire your work, you pay a heavy price. Hence the phrase "you snooze, you lose".
> Just read Digitizer in the morning, one thing though Sony are rushing
> into things, like they did with the PS2. I love playing the PS2.
How are Sony rushing into things? The machine is in development, and won't be out for another 3 years at least.
Microsoft are already working on their next machine, and Nintendo are probably looking at a follow-up to Gamecube too. Just as Intel are already working on the next Pentium.
No-one's rushing into anything - development never stops, and any company worth anything gets right on with developing newer hardware. If you sit back and admire your work, you pay a heavy price. Hence the phrase "you snooze, you lose".
Just read Digitizer in the morning, one thing though Sony are rushing into things, like they did with the PS2. I love playing the PS2.
Just think this new machine will be released in 2005 somewhere at that time, a year later will come out the likes of Xbox 2 etc, which will be ven powerful than the PS3. Sony are rushing into things, if they wait a year or so ,any new companies will be produced delivering faster better processors.
I think sony should calm down a bit and not rush into many things, if the XBOX and GAMECUBE sell real good than there may be problems for the SONY team when this console comes out.
Just think this new machine will be released in 2005 somewhere at that time, a year later will come out the likes of Xbox 2 etc, which will be ven powerful than the PS3. Sony are rushing into things, if they wait a year or so ,any new companies will be produced delivering faster better processors.
I think sony should calm down a bit and not rush into many things, if the XBOX and GAMECUBE sell real good than there may be problems for the SONY team when this console comes out.
Incidentally... more info...
http://www.psreporter.com/playstation_3_news.html
http://www.psreporter.com/playstation_3_news.html
Changing the playstation name could ruin Sony's chances. Whenever anyone thinks of a console, they associate the name Playstation with it instantly. So calling the playstation something else would mean Sony would have to work hard to market the name, and make that replace the Playstation name.
It'd be too much effort. No one would recognise it. Sony would instantly lose it's repuatation amongst most parents and children. This would be an ideal chance for someone else to move in, and make the new "playstation", which could leave Sony far behind. Keeping the Playstation name will mean Sony has a headstart.
I think what Wookiee said would be the best option. Keeping the main name as Playstation, but adding another subtitle. Playstation cell, maybe?
It'd be too much effort. No one would recognise it. Sony would instantly lose it's repuatation amongst most parents and children. This would be an ideal chance for someone else to move in, and make the new "playstation", which could leave Sony far behind. Keeping the Playstation name will mean Sony has a headstart.
I think what Wookiee said would be the best option. Keeping the main name as Playstation, but adding another subtitle. Playstation cell, maybe?
Dringo wrote:
> And change the Playstation name because it will soon be destroyed by
> Microsoft and it may be good for a fresh start.
It will take a power far greater than Microsoft to destroy the PlayStation name!
I see no reason Sony should need to look at changing it, to be honest. It's the gaming world's equivalent of "Windows". Known by everyone, used by most. Only better quality and far more stable! :-)
I think they could possibly do without simply tagging "3" onto the end of it, though. They should maybe come up with a funky new 'subtitle' for it, a bit like Intel do for their prototype Pentium chips, before simply reverting to "Pentium 3" or "Pentium 4".
PlayStation® BlackHawk™ or something suitably powerful. You get the idea.
> And change the Playstation name because it will soon be destroyed by
> Microsoft and it may be good for a fresh start.
It will take a power far greater than Microsoft to destroy the PlayStation name!
I see no reason Sony should need to look at changing it, to be honest. It's the gaming world's equivalent of "Windows". Known by everyone, used by most. Only better quality and far more stable! :-)
I think they could possibly do without simply tagging "3" onto the end of it, though. They should maybe come up with a funky new 'subtitle' for it, a bit like Intel do for their prototype Pentium chips, before simply reverting to "Pentium 3" or "Pentium 4".
PlayStation® BlackHawk™ or something suitably powerful. You get the idea.
i think in a few years Microsoft and Nintendo might release a chip that may equal or even better the CELL. Having thousands of highly detailed characters in one battle without any slowdown would b cool.
Ok one thing im not against or for any console in anyway, i think they all have there pros and cons.
But a lot of people moan that the PS2 is out of date and that it isnt as good as it sounds.
all i can say this gives them more ammo because they can say they have had to start the next one cause they are so far behind or that it isnt that good that PS2 owners are having to say how good the next one will be.
although XBOX owners are doing the same i see PS2 to always be in convo against GC or XBOX which you cn look at as though its really good cause people see it as "the" console. Or you can look at it as thoght a lot more people will be against the PS2 instead of the GC for XBOX owners and vise versa for GC owners.
But a lot of people moan that the PS2 is out of date and that it isnt as good as it sounds.
all i can say this gives them more ammo because they can say they have had to start the next one cause they are so far behind or that it isnt that good that PS2 owners are having to say how good the next one will be.
although XBOX owners are doing the same i see PS2 to always be in convo against GC or XBOX which you cn look at as though its really good cause people see it as "the" console. Or you can look at it as thoght a lot more people will be against the PS2 instead of the GC for XBOX owners and vise versa for GC owners.
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