Holy shit, Gameinformer hinting at a 399$ 40 GB PS3! And other details

[Mondain]

http://gamers-creed.com/Consoles/42.html

The latest edition of Game Informer magazine finally hit the stands. It contains quiet a lot of juicy new information. They have an exclusive first look at an upcoming game called "Prototype" which is due out on the PS3/360 next year. Details will be published soon.

According Game Informer magazine, a $399 40gig PS3 system is on the way, but it will have no backwards compatibility. They actually expected to hear the announcement at E3 on it. So they may have just heard different rumblings altogether.

FF XIII: Word is the game is a mess right now and the localization process is expected to take a year. The game will not come out in Japan until the end of 08. And finally PS3 Achievements will be available in games coming out this Holiday season will have them. Similar to the 360 where an achievement notice pops up. Not sure if 3rd parties will be required to do the same.

Reviews:

Multi
All Pro Football 2k8 PS3/360 8
Fantastic Four PS3/360 5
Harry Potter OOTP PS3/360/Wii 6.5
NCAA Football PS3/360 8
Surf’s Up PS3/360/Wii/PC 6.5
Shrek the Third 360/Wii/PS2 5.25

PS3
Rainbow Six Vegas 9

PS2
GrimGrimoeire 7.75
Persona 3 8.5
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s 8.25

Wii
Big Brain Academy 7.5

360
Dirt 8
Tenchu Z 6.5
Overlord 7.5
Shadowrun 6.5

PC
Halo 2 8

Nintendo DS
SimCity DS 8.25
Cookie & Cream 7
Planet Puzzle League 8.25
The New York Times Crossword 8.25

PSP
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground 6
Dungeon and Dragons: Tactics 6
FF II AE: 6
Tales of the World 7

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Mmmm, BC-less PS3, or PS3 with software BC comprised? It's true that the graphics synthesizer is still included in every PS3, but this new system will probably have software BC nonetheless.

Also, FFXIII at the end of 2008, but it's nice when developers take their time to do games the right way. Achievements coming by the end of 2007 is nice for those who like them, but I friggin' HATE achievements.

Sorta disappointing reviews for All-Pro Football 2K8 too...

[Human Snorenado]

Yeah, don't know if I buy that, especially since they're apparently not gonna keep making the 60gb version of the PS3.

Still... damnit, I was all set to buy a PS3 this week.

[Himu]

persona 3

[y2kev]

The 399 PS3 won't happen. Though if you find a 20 gb lurking somewhere you can get it for 399, and Eb is selling them used for 379.

[Mondain]

Costs for Blu-Ray drive production dropped dramatically and more than pretty much anyone expected. This was an all new tech from a to z after all. Sony knows that price drops are crucial. Maybe they're just letting a bit more time to CE manufacturers of Blu-Ray standalones to reduce the cost of their yields too so that a PS3 at 399$ doesn't undercut their sales too much.

[muckson]

$399 but not backwards compatible....

hmm....

[Ichirou]

I call bullshit.  They're doing backwards compatibility through emulation now, so there's no need to get rid of it (no extra physical costs).  Also, they already have 20 gig, 60 gig, and 80 gig PS3s.  I doubt they want to ADD to consumer confusion at this point about all the different SKUs.

[muckson]

that seems logical but when you are talking about the gaming industry, it's not run by logic nor people that have a clue what they are doing.

i think the average gaming messageboard picked at random has a better idea what the people want and would buy than the people running the companies. 

point being: you never know.

[Mondain]

once again, BC DOES brings some small extra cost as only the Emotion Engine is software-emulated; a Graphics Synthesizer chip is included with every PS3