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[KAGE360]

QUOTE

WatchJP conducted an interview with Ken Kutaragi regarding the Playstation 3. The basic gist of the interview is that the Playstation 3 will be what Kutaragi calls a "configuration," not a model. He says Sony will want to upgrade all aspects of the console as time goes on, such as the HDD size and even CPU specs. He also said that Sony may release an upgraded version of the console every year. Wow that could get expensive, Sony is really not thinking about us consumers in terms of cost with this console.

HG: Is it planned that it extends its spec every year like PC?

KK: I think it's okay to release a (extended) configuration every year (laugh). Though I say it like a joke, Dell will do it and Apple will do it too. In PC, if you fix (the spec) for 2 years you'll be catched up. Computers should be changing, right? It's inevitable that 60GB (HDD) will become short, memory may become short too. There are many possibilities.

http://www.gamersrep....com/news/2837/

now if he is talking about upgrading beyond bigger hard drives and bringing the CPU to 65nm then this could be very laughable.  not only would sony be calling it's fanbase stupid enough to buy a system at launch with no games but also scew them by releasing a faster, more updated version a year later.  even IF they are just talking about bigger HDs and such, how would this help them drive down the cost of their already expensive system?

of course i take everything this man says with a grain of salt but maybe this is how he meant games would be 120fps, in 4 years when they are running on double the specs    

[STICKY_BUD]

QUOTE(KAGE360 @ Jun 7 2006, 11:09 AM)

http://www.gamersrep....com/news/2837/

now if he is talking about upgrading beyond bigger hard drives and bringing the CPU to 65nm then this could be very laughable.  not only would sony be calling it's fanbase stupid enough to buy a system at launch with no games but also scew them by releasing a faster, more updated version a year later.  even IF they are just talking about bigger HDs and such, how would this help them drive down the cost of their already expensive system?

of course i take everything this man says with a grain of salt but maybe this is how he meant games would be 120fps, in 4 years when they are running on double the specs    

agreed - all the more reason to not buy a ps3 until the second or third must have game experience is released(or until bluray wins out; if it wins out)

[incognegro]

But I already have a PC?

[yourM0M]

im getting so dizzzzyyy.....i can feel the rush of wind off $ony's spin tactics!!  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)  this is getting ridiculous with all the interviews from $ony chaning their minds or throwing something else in the wind about the ps3.....get over it you lost e3 and now were waiting for the real thing!!

[Kamasutra318]

QUOTE(KAGE360 @ Jun 7 2006, 02:09 PM)

now if he is talking about upgrading beyond bigger hard drives and bringing the CPU to 65nm then this could be very laughable.  not only would sony be calling it's fanbase stupid enough to buy a system at launch with no games but also scew them by releasing a faster, more updated version a year later.  even IF they are just talking about bigger HDs and such, how would this help them drive down the cost of their already expensive system?

Increasing hard drive capacity and changing processor fabrication technology does not necessarily make a system "faster". The PS2 went through several hardware revisions over its life cycle, although most were relatively minor. Furthermore, if faster components were actually implemented, I doubt game developers would make games that didn't run smoothly on older hardware. On the other hand, more general purpose applications such as ones running from Linux would have a noticeable speed increase from those faster components, but this is analogous to Macs where a newer, better version comes out every so often that you wish you'd waited for (ad infinitum) since you cannot easily upgrade the hardware yourself. If you chose to buy the system and the next revision comes out later, then I don't see how you could consider yourself "screwed"; that's life. There will always be better things on the horizon.

Personally, I don't see too much coming from his statements. It seems like wishful thinking on his part. Changing the fabrication process to 65nm or 45nm would reduce price and heat dissipation, but I don't see the advantage in increasing capacity for a base system -- if people want to upgrade let them choose to by buying another hard drive.

[KAGE360]

QUOTE(Kamasutra318 @ Jun 7 2006, 09:56 PM)

Increasing hard drive capacity and changing processor fabrication technology does not necessarily make a system "faster". The PS2 went through several hardware revisions over its life cycle, although most were relatively minor. Furthermore, if faster components were actually implemented, I doubt game developers would make games that didn't run smoothly on older hardware. On the other hand, more general purpose applications such as ones running from Linux would have a noticeable speed increase from those faster components, but this is analogous to Macs where a newer, better version comes out every so often that you wish you'd waited for (ad infinitum) since you cannot easily upgrade the hardware yourself. If you chose to buy the system and the next revision comes out later, then I don't see how you could consider yourself "screwed"; that's life. There will always be better things on the horizon.

Personally, I don't see too much coming from his statements. It seems like wishful thinking on his part. Changing the fabrication process to 65nm or 45nm would reduce price and heat dissipation, but I don't see the advantage in increasing capacity for a base system -- if people want to upgrade let them choose to by buying another hard drive.

i agree and that is wnat i meant.  if they choose to do anything more then bigger hard drive or change the fabrication of the CPUs it would be such a bad move its laughable.  however my other point/question still remains, if they change the Cell to 65nm and up the HD to 100gigs, even with the cheaper CPUs the more expensive HD would make it hard for them to lower the high price on their expensive console.

[calderra]

QUOTE(KAGE360 @ Jun 8 2006, 01:11 PM)

i agree and that is wnat i meant.  if they choose to do anything more then bigger hard drive or change the fabrication of the CPUs it would be such a bad move its laughable.  however my other point/question still remains, if they change the Cell to 65nm and up the HD to 100gigs, even with the cheaper CPUs the more expensive HD would make it hard for them to lower the high price on their expensive console.

As Merril Lynch already indicated, these new technologies (BluRay, etc) aren't going to go down in price nearly as fast as MS's (basic DVD, etc). The Xbox 360's manufacturing costs are probably already growing cheaper with minor hardware revisions while BluRay, if anything, will only grow more expensive for a short while as the few manufacturers are pushed with demand (assuming BluRay takes off).

Now Sony's talking about keeping their console expensive INTENTIONALLY? Do they just not really intend to participate in this generation at all? Everything they're doing goes agaisnt every smart piece of console business out there....

-It's way more expensive than competitors at launch.
-It's one of the biggest home consoles ever released (beating out original Xbox by a good margin at this point, assuming it has stopped growing).
-Now it's no longer going to get price cuts over time, because upgrades might basically level it off.

*insert shrug*
Hency why Xbox 360 is software upgradable, and parts like the hard drive are easily removable. System needs updated? It took me less than 30 seconds to connect and download my last update. Hard drive not big enough? Changing it takes one single button press.

At this point, go ahead and copy the competition Sony! They're basically doing EVERYTHING better than you are!

See also: 360's external power minimized the size of the actual console, meaning it's easier to place in an entertainment center since you can hide part of its mass. Doesn't that just reek of intelligence? Nah, just keep it internal and scare off your style-conscious Japanese core audience. Much better.
 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/uhh.gif)

[KAGE360]

QUOTE

Likening the PS3 to a computer more than a video game system, Katarugi discusses how future versions of the PlayStation 3 might include more RAM or even a different Cell chip configuration. "PS3 is a computer, so there are no 'models,' only 'configurations,' Katarugi explains. "We're trying to make that clear ...we think it would be okay to [expand] the configuration once a year. Dell would do that, as well as even Apple."

Responding to the question of whether a PS3 with stronger computing power would ever come out, Kutaragi says "it's possible. If the stuff we want to do increases, it will come to that." Katarugi then again compares the PS3 to a computer. "With PCs, if they hold the [same specs] for 2 years," Katarugi continues, "they get obsolete. Don't computers change? A 60 GB hard drive will become inadequate, and memory could become inadequate. There are a lot of possibilities."

Katarugi also dropped a potential bombshell -- the possibility of Blu-ray disc burning in a future PS3 version! "In the future, if there are new advancements in PCs, we may want to write to BD drives." It's far from a certainty, though, and Katarugi admitted that Sony may not take that path.

http://www.gametrailers.com/viewnews.php?id=3317

same interview but from different site, it definatly sounds like he is talking about more then just changing fabrication and hard drives.

This post has been edited by KAGE360: Jun 8 2006, 05:06 PM

[bucko]

Ok I'm going to try and not be to biased here but upgrading the CPU and upgrading the HDD doesn't not mean it's a PC (going from the latest news article) and yes fine it may run Linux (which is cool) but people have already invested £100's in operating systems, office all kinds of expensive applications and I don't see them going to be running on the Cell CPU architecture any time soon.

And for the PS3 to be upgraded every year is a joke, thanks for alienating the launch people, obviously I can't even afford a X360 let alone a PS3. If Sony keeps making stupid mistakes like this (if it's all hype marketing then that’s fine if it aint going to happen) but if it does happen I can really see Sony going bankrupt, not now but in a few years if they try this. Seriously no one is going to buy it for a PC. ITS A GAMING CONSOLE, Always has been, Always will be. I doubt in years to come we will be typing on this forum on a PS3 console with 90% market share like m$ has.

Soz if I'm talking rubbish but honestly, it gets funnier every time Sony keeps saying it's a PC (which it's not, it's a console cause it's primary use is to only play games) and upgrading the hard drive, oh wow like I will do that with a £425 only console if they are not releasing the cut down one in the UK.

This post has been edited by bucko: Jun 8 2006, 06:11 PM

[Xeriak]

QUOTE

Likening the PS3 to a computer more than a video game system, Katarugi discusses how future versions of the PlayStation 3 might include more RAM or even a different Cell chip configuration. "PS3 is a computer, so there are no 'models,' only 'configurations,' Katarugi explains. "We're trying to make that clear ...we think it would be okay to [expand] the configuration once a year. Dell would do that, as well as even Apple."

Man, is Sony does indeed decide to take this route, then early adopters of the PS3 on launch day will indeed get shafted and left in the dark, while people who buy a PS3 like 2 years later will have more RAM, better CPU and increased graphics output. And early adopters may just be limited to upgrading HDD's..

If thats the case, I don't think I'll buy a PS3 at all cause this is pure bullshit!

This whole "PS3 is a computer" idea is ludicrous and not neccessary.. If it would just stick to Console gaming, then they'd be ok.. But clearly, Sony is over-stepping their boundaries with the PS3 and may only dig its early grave with a sign that reads "R.I.P. PS3"

[KAGE360]

I think its funny that they ridiculed the xbox for being like a PC and a console should be a console.  Now after many flaky responses (it’s not a game console, it is a game console, it’s a computer now) they are pushing the idea that they once looked down on.  Same could be said about the double SKU idea, they specifically said they would not go that route and look at it now.  Right before the xbox1 launched someone from sony stated that the xbox will just be another 3DO, now we see some comparisons with sony’s next system and the 3DO.  

I’m also confused to why they call it a PC when they are losing money on each console unlike PCs which are sold to make a profit.  And again, IF they choose to upgrade the system over time, this would just keep costs high and it would then negatively effect the consumer.  

lol i just remembered a comment made last year that they expect the ps3 to last 10 years (much like the ps1 did), i wonder where that idea went.  

[ATrillionaire]

I think this is one of the first compelling things he has said about the PS3.  I'm still not sold on the system, but it sounds almost as if he is promoting system modification by the user.  The system might be able to do some wonderful things with the right exploits.  Who knows?  the POS3 maybe be garbage out of the box and a diamond when modded.

[KAGE360]

QUOTE(ATrillionaire @ Jun 9 2006, 12:51 PM)

I think this is one of the first compelling things he has said about the PS3.  I'm still not sold on the system, but it sounds almost as if he is promoting system modification by the user.  The system might be able to do some wonderful things with the right exploits.  Who knows?  the POS3 maybe be garbage out of the box and a diamond when modded.

I dont think that is what he is talking about.  Im sure closer to launch we'll find out if they actually allow you to open the console and tinker around with it, but that would be a horrible mistake.  it has been stated that once the security to the ps3 is hacked, there is no way to fix it.  By encouraging people to open their console and alter components, this would speed up hacking as well.  Not only would this move damage sony, but also the publishers/developers.  IF they are talking about opening up the console and adding more memory or a Cell CPU swap then why not just raise the price to make profit and call the damn thing a PC or gaming PC?  However i do believe that he is just talking about releasing different "configurations" of the console and as gaming needs rise then they will add to the specs to address any issues.  

however that kills one of my favorite aspects of consoles, when developers make a statement like "we are doing things on this console no one thought possible" or "we have grown to know the hardware and are still learning, 3 years later, new ways to get more power out of it".   I love how developers exceed expectations and achieve wonderful things with these consoles, and i think its exciting for both the developer and console owner to learn that their system is more capable then originally thought.  A closed architecture is one of the main reason that consoles can keep up with PCs for the most part in gaming.  This is why i wasnt happy to see the DC die so early, i would have loved to see what that system to do when the developers made it REALLY sing

[orangpelupa]

QUOTE(KAGE360 @ Jun 10 2006, 12:52 AM)

 "we are doing things on this console no one thought possible" or "we have grown to know the hardware and are still learning, 3 years later, new ways to get more power out of it".   I love how developers exceed expectations and achieve wonderful things with these consoles, and i think its exciting for both the developer and console owner to learn that their system is more capable then originally thought.  A closed architecture is one of the main reason that consoles can keep up with PCs for the most part in gaming.  This is why i wasnt happy to see the DC die so early, i would have loved to see what that system to do when the developers made it REALLY sing

yeah! like PS2, the game graphic and audio quality get better every year. and its still in the same system configuration.
PS3 that will be upgraded every year, really bad idea. SONY think PS3 as a PC, its OK, but, PS3 is a game console, not a REAL PC.
SONY may use Linux and add office apps, video editing app, photo editing etc on PS3. add software updates etc. but, UPGRADE every year? OMG, this UPGRADE thing, is the reason i hate PC!!  my PC had not been upgraded for 5 years. and still can play newest game..
hmm.. maybe SONY PS3 game will have "settings" like PC game , Please select visual quality : LOW MED HIGH. or just select "recommended".
enable/disable v sync? enable/disable anisotrophic filter? enable/disable FSAA ? and so on.................

[KAGE360]

QUOTE(orangpelupa @ Jun 16 2006, 07:28 AM)

hmm.. maybe SONY PS3 game will have "settings" like PC game , Please select visual quality : LOW MED HIGH. or just select "recommended".  enable/disable v sync? enable/disable anisotrophic filter? enable/disable FSAA ?  and so on.................

they did mention last year that there would be video options to let the user select his/her prefered performance level, almost forgot about that.  still very sad, with sony trying to converge PCs and consoles i dont see any good coming out of it.  for years the debate has went on to which is better and both have their benefits.  however, to me, this shows a lack of confidence in the architecture and components of the system on sony's part.