Sony to kick off more news late July

[Domination]

Final details have at last surfaced on this year's edition of Sony's big Japanese PlayStation strategy briefing, the PlayStation Meeting. Sony has decided to hold the event on 7/21, four days before Microsoft's Xbox (http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=359434#) Summit and nine days before the start of the Square Enix party. Whew... it's going to be a busy July if you're in Japan!


The PlayStation Meeting is an annual tradition for Sony. Every year, the company presents awards for top selling games from the previous year and makes a few big announcements. Previous PlayStation Meetings have served as the debut point for games such as Katamari Damacy and Sengoku Musou. Last year's conference saw Ken Kutaragi unveil his now famous chart depicting the unveiling schedule for the PlayStation 3 (still referred to as "Next System" at the time). The company also unveiled Talkman for the PSP and let the Japanese press get a look at the system for the first time.
Sony has yet to announce what it will show at this year's conference, but the PlayStation 3 will likely make an appearance in some form. The question is, will we get our hands on it? Last year, Sony left the big playable PSP titles like Ridge Racers, Hot Shots Golf and Metal Gear Acid for an early September press conference.

As with the Xbox Summit, the PlayStation Meeting is open to professionals journalists and industry types only. So how are we going to get in? If we can figure out a way to sneak in, we'll be sure and give you a full report.

Source (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/633/633089p1.html)

I'm not sure how big the event will be, but I'm hoping for some great things to come out of it. Hopefully, neither side will disappoint. And while we're on that subject, I wonder where Nintendo is or will be in all of this.

[Loc]

I remember Talkman.. Man I want that Talkman Man for my PSP Man....Man

All im predicting for this meeting is some more videos, some charts and graphs of how well PSP and PS2 are doing. And possibly release dates for PS3. No pricing though as expected of Sony.

[xbdestroya]

If they pull it off right it could turn into another Sony coup over a similarly timed Microsoft conference. The analogue being Sony vs Microsoft at E3, and the present example being Sony 21st Playstation Meeting vs Microsoft July 25th XBox Summit.

[Hardcore Gamer]

I don't expect to hear anything major with the TGS two months away. They'll probably show the stuff they unveiled at E3 in enhanced form. Personally, I'd love to hear more about the controller. Someone posted a scan of the DS3 (or whatever it's called) and it stated that the controller has a built-in battery. I hope that's true.

[Metal Sphere]

Even if it is just PS2 titles, playables some PS3 videos and a ton of PS3 announcements, it'll be enough to get the engines of speculation going full blast until TGS. So, they won't show much...although they might if they have enough smashes to keep it fresh.

[xbdestroya]

Personally, I'd love to hear more about the controller. Someone posted a scan of the DS3 (or whatever it's called) and it stated that the controller has a built-in battery. I hope that's true.

Well that doesn't surprise me at all - it's a very Sony-like thing to do. I just hope the means of charging is easy enough and I don't have to set up multiple docking chargers around my apartment in order to ensure multi-player madness. ;)

[xbdestroya]

Even if it is just PS2 titles, playables some PS3 videos and a ton of PS3 announcements, it'll be enough to get the engines of speculation going full blast until TGS. So, they won't show much...although they might if they have enough smashes to keep it fresh.

Agreed. Factor in the recent '2% for 360' poll numbers and the fact that Microsoft probably won't be able to change their plans in time for the 25th should Sony pull something unexpected, and XBox Japan is probably feelign a little nervous right now.

Of course that being said, it would be impossible for interest in the XBox to go lower, so I'll give Microsoft that much.

[Metal Sphere]

Agreed. Factor in the recent '2% for 360' poll numbers and the fact that Microsoft probably won't be able to change their plans in time for the 25th should Sony pull something unexpected, and XBox Japan is probably feelign a little nervous right now.

Of course that being said, it would be impossible for interest in the XBox to go lower, so I'll give Microsoft that much.

Yup. It's not like Microsoft wasn't expecting this if they've been looking at Sony's dances every year since they entered the gaming industry. They just picked a bad date, and Sony saw the effectiveness of their conference previously and decided to do that again.

Couple this with the "point of no return" that Microsoft is reaching and one of Sony's staunchest supporters having a show of their own the 30th and we'll have ourselves a Japanese public wholly anticipating the PS3 and in the meantime absorbed in the latest offerings from Square and other developers on the PS2. Of course, interest in the 360 can only rise, but Microsoft upped the ante and so far, Sony's stepped up and hit it out of the park.

[The_One]

I don't expect to hear anything major with the TGS two months away. They'll probably show the stuff they unveiled at E3 in enhanced form. Personally, I'd love to hear more about the controller. Someone posted a scan of the DS3 (or whatever it's called) and it stated that the controller has a built-in battery. I hope that's true. Ken Kutaragi said that each charge lasts for at least 24 hours, so it has to have some sort of "rechargable" battery, be it built-in or "sold seperately".

[mikeeazy]

Hopefully it is rechargable, because I for one dont wanna buy batteries all the time when I dont have to.

[Voidler]

Okay, I want PS3, but I won't be too dissapointed or surprised if it doesn't have that much to show there. Maybe the revised/finished design, maybe - hopefully some updates to the controller, please give us some triggers. But I want a more PSP-centric focus. I want this system to do well and it's about time they showed us a good reason to keep it, or better yet buy it in the future. Show us you haven't forgotten :(

[shadowofomioc]

Considering what all the developers did with their demos after only 1 1/2 - 3 months of work I'd expect more to be shown at this show of Sony's, as always. It would really be funny if they showed the Killzone trailor again, and then froze it, had someone walk on stage, grab a controller and start playing lol. That would put all the naysayers and Microsoft straight in their early graves.

Will be exciting to see what unfolds.

[Z]

just to note, this is how I talk to myself. I dare you post what I thinkg- the conclusion ;) - also, excuse any spelling as I am fast-typing my thought:

unlike MS where they only have one console to focus on (they are dropping Box), Sony has PSP and PS2 to support. keep in mind that PS2 doesn't end just because PS3 is out. it will last longer than PSOne, which I think is still being made and sold.
to everyone's surprise, both current systems didn't have place in Sony's pre-E3 event. but PS3 didn't have place during E3 as well.
it seems that this meeting will focus on PSP an dPS3 with maybe little comments on PS3 due to reporters' pressure. but then again, MS is holding a conference only 6 days earlier solely focusing on X2- and maybe a little Box as well.
but why would Sony pressure themselves into furthure, still worked on- features of PS3 when it is still a year away at the earliest? and to tell you the truth, PS2 doesn't need much advertising. all the blockbuster games coming out these few months speak volumes. even a price drop isn't needed. but what if MS drops the price of thier Box? is PS2 successful enough to keep on going with a higher price point? yet again, Sony and MS were always neck and nexk in the price drop department. I expect the announcement of a standard PSP pack and maybe- if we are lucky- being offered in mutliple colors. but Japans has always had the first color varioation options. sure erupeans got the satan silver slim line PS2, but do you really think the Japs will be left behid? they still have many options (colors and others) available only to them and their models.
TGS is also only two months away, what will Sony have to show if they showed anything new for PS3? maybe they will go a little deeper in specs. they don't have to keep on showing video demos you know. but two months to TGS combined with the time the PS3 DevKits were distrubuted leaves enough time to make new, or indeed tamper with the current demos and trailers like showing new moves, levels, weather effects, etc. MS will be going heavy in TGS with X2 for two reasons; they want to attract attention from the very important Jap market, and X2 is only 8 weeks from launch after TGS. I fully expect it will be going into full production sometime before TGS. TGS should have all the X2 specs and final details. also, it would be extremely worring if the game demos didn't look good. launch games should very well be in the final, twaking, stages just before launch.
but we aren't talking about TGS. we are talking about the even prior to that one. Sony isn't pressed for conventions. they have many of their own and they can always come up with one at their own convenience. but the thing hear is MS is going public again with X2, followed with a second, more important, showing at TGS. is Sony's TGS show enought o counter both? does Sony need to counter an MS conference at all- especially after the humiliating MTV charade? Sony can do with one thing to counter anything MS shows; clips, or even stills, of huge, fan favorite titles like Silent Hill, DMC, and the others. of course MGS4 will be talked about in extremely short details, but it won't be ready. this specific titles has much to live up to. it also has been a benchmark in graphics, details, gameplay elemts, etc. nothing short of unbelievealbe is accepted by the new high profile Kojima Productions. they also said next years E3 will have an MGS4 trailer. but what if they meant for N America? they could still show something at TGS. but that would be too early. they need to be sure MGS$ looks at least as the best looking game, if not bettert.
will you please stop talking about TGS! focus on the pre-TGS show for God sake!
ok, just keep stearing me back if I lose track. now MS is pressured to show content and not only focus on online and street-talk. they are in a position to not defend their online plan. but what about the games and other functions? the very short in-game clips and few pics of Lost Oddysse look exactly like FFx. not very reassuring. Blue Dragon looks like a disapointment. kiddy RPG don't really look that good against FF12 and other more 'mature' looking games. Wind Waker and DQ8 are getting enough mixed feeling as they are. look at how gamers are excited about the new Zelda compared to the cartoony WW.
I expect the last detailes to be shown by both Sony and Ninty is the online layout. again, sony is focusing on PSP and PS2 in the online plan of PS3. remeber that PS2 won't die out any time soon. they also have unique advantages like PSP and PS2 online support, Cells connectivity feature, BD interactivity, 3x 1G ethernet connections, crazy installer base, crazy dev support, Hihg-Def EyeToy, etc. I am not worried one bit on online.
here is a thought; they may very well show a listing of the number of game projects in the works for PS3. and then show a slightly higher number during TGS. but I don't thing that would be a good idea. leaving it to TGS or even E3 to show a huge list of dev support and title number is more likely.
Sony's timing of this meeting is what is most confusing for me. it may be an annual meeting yet still. also keep in mind that it is called a 'meeting' thus it could focus on numbers and many financial, market and analysis talk rather than main stream hype. the meeting is 6 days after X2 and about two weeks before TGS. but even MS needs something to show, or are they going to repeat the show for TGS? it maybe since it would be on a different contenent (Europe). or are they going to show another one in Japan? wait they announced two shows, one for each. don't know the time difference, but the Tokyo one is said to be 'in the scale of E3'. I hope for MS's sake it isn't...

*goes on and on talking to himself*

[Jasonps3]

Isn't the Sony Meeting Four days before the Microsoft meeting? You said it was 6 days after the Microsoft Meeting.

[Domination]

Considering what all the developers did with their demos after only 1 1/2 - 3 months of work I'd expect more to be shown at this show of Sony's, as always. It would really be funny if they showed the Killzone trailor again, and then froze it, had someone walk on stage, grab a controller and start playing lol. That would put all the naysayers and Microsoft straight in their early graves.

Will be exciting to see what unfolds.

The difference between a hardcore fanboy and just a usual gamer is their seperate beliefs. To clarify myself, even if Sony does prove that Killzone or everything else was actually running on the PS3's early specs, a hardcore fanboy will look for something else to complain about to where he or she doesn't become entirely overwhelmed by their own disappointment for down-playing the console or company before hand. Until they swallow their pride, buckle down and purchase the console, you will continue to witness this type of attitude in those naysayers.

[Junox50]

The difference between a hardcore fanboy and just a usual gamer is their seperate beliefs. To clarify myself, even if Sony does prove that Killzone or everything else was actually running on the PS3's early specs, a hardcore fanboy will look for something else to complain about to where he or she doesn't become entirely overwhelmed by their own disappointment for down-playing the console or company before hand. Until they swallow their pride, buckle down and purchase the console, you will continue to witness this type of attitude in those naysayers.

That's the same kind of ignorent attitude those people at Gametalk.com show.

I can't stand those kinds of people. Whenever something is proved in Sony's favor they continue to find something else to bash about.

[renrut_91]

Considering what all the developers did with their demos after only 1 1/2 - 3 months of work I'd expect more to be shown at this show of Sony's, as always. It would really be funny if they showed the Killzone trailor again, and then froze it, had someone walk on stage, grab a controller and start playing lol. That would put all the naysayers and Microsoft straight in their early graves.

Will be exciting to see what unfolds.

THAT WOULD BE PRICELESS!!!

[Z]

a hardcore fanboy will look for something else to complain about to where he or she doesn't become entirely overwhelmed by their own disappointment for down-playing the console or company before hand. Until they swallow their pride, buckle down and purchase the console, you will continue to witness this type of attitude in those naysayers.

very true. you see, the point of a pathetic fanboy critisizem is to belittle his 'enemy' no matter what. so there is no point in arguing with a fanboy of any kind on any point. heck, you won't believe this but you can check for yourself; a moderator in a tech site said that Tekken 3 (to note; it is on PSOne) looks better than Tekken Tag Tornament. the site is Beyond3D and the mod is called jvd. it was so riddiculous that someone used his quote as a sig. I tell you, now THAT is priceless. thanks to his obvious blind, low, fanboysm I never looked at the site again. I even removed it from my bookmark. it is very disapointing to se a mod of a tech site being so fanboyish about anything MS that you start to think he is Billy Boy himself. that goes for Siren on PS3Forums. very low standards indeed.

[Garfunkel]

yeah and than they show an add-on drive that can play all xbox 360 games
and then they say they will put in a 20 gig hardrive in for standard

that will be SO kool

[Gounmckuber]

Sony better focus on the psp at this event and forget about the ps3 and 2! The drought of the psp is getting a bit too dry in my ho

[Hardcore Gamer]

Sony better focus on the psp at this event and forget about the ps3 and 2! The drought of the psp is getting a bit too dry in my ho
That's a silly thing to say, don't you think? It's normal for a console/handheld to go through a drought after they launch. The NDS went through it and now more games are beginning to come out.

The PSP will get a host of new games in Q3 and throughout the year.

[Gounmckuber]

I know but has anything really great been anounced? Im an rpg fan and i need some rpgs. Come on sony give me R P Gsssss! :)