PS3 fans in the UK rejoice! Chances are that both the 20GB and 60GB versions of the Playstation 3 will be released in the UK. We hear, though, that they might not necessarily go on sale on the same day.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Sony Computer Entertainment UK's David Wilson said that Sony is currently in "a period of open consultation with retail and consumers to decide on the best way to approach the impending launches of both SKUs." (An SKU, or Stock Keeping Unit, is an identifier used by merchants to permit the systematic tracking of products and services offered to customers.)

When asked about earlier reports that only the 60GB model would be available in the UK, Wilson replied: "The likelihood is that both will be made available."

Wilson, however, pointed out that release of both models at launch is still unsure. He explained that Sony must face the challenge of offering choice without confusing consumers as well as meeting the needs of retailers.

In the interview, Wilson also confirmed that Sony has been discussing a scheme which would require consumers to pay a £150 deposit to pre-order a PS3. This is ostensibly to take place in the UK and is in addition apparently a "suggestion from the retail side". However, he went on, any suggestions that Sony has committed to implementing the scheme are "idle speculation."

Wilson ended the interview by saying that Sony intends to reveal more of its launch plan within the next two to three weeks.

Since Sony execs seem bizarrely incapable of doing so themselves, Midway President and CEO, David Zucker has stepped up to the plate in defense of Sony's PS3. When asked how he felt about the high price of the PS3, he responded by pointing out that when you consider what you're getting, a next generation Blu-Ray player in addition to a 20 or 60 gigabyte hard drive, it seems like a reasonable price (I tend to agree). He does however point out that he expects price cuts over the systems lifespan to make it that much more appealing. His exact words were:

"There's a lot in the PlayStation 3; think about the fact that you get Blu-ray, the next-generational leap in DVD - you get a Blu-ray player in the machine. When you think about that and some of the feature sets that come with it, including the hard drive, it seems like a reasonable price for the early launch. Presumably that price will come down over time as they move through the console cycle."

While many have their reservations about whether or not Blu-Ray technology is needed in the next generation, and whether it has a place, Zucker seems to have made up his mind on the format.

"I think it's an important part of the puzzle. The other side is, if PlayStation 3 is huge, the gamers are helping to drive that, that's going to have a big impact in helping Blu-ray DVD technology. It's going to work both ways."

Zucker also promises fewer, bigger, better titles, in line with Midways recent effort to rethink and retool the way it makes games, aiming for higher quality titles as opposed to quantity. It can't be argued they've got the right idea. Midway is currently prepping John Woo's Stranglehold for the PS3 launch.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog's next outing on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 has finally received a release date according to IGN. The game will be available the same day as the PS3 launch, November 17, 2006. This is good news if you're one of the Blue Blur's fans that have been waiting for the next real Sonic game.

"The hurried hedgehog celebrates his 15th birthday this year and the game's title, Sonic the Hedgehog, is an homage to his origins on the late, great SEGA Genesis. There has been no announcement as to whether or not the PS3 version will take advantage of the motion sensitive controller; thus far, both versions are identical." So go ahead and mark your calenders, if you haven't already because of the PS3, for the next Sonic the Hedgehog game to hit consoles.

UPDATE 1: We warned you to treat this as rumor till we got official clarification and we just got the next best thing... second hand official clarification... sort of, coming via a rather smug news post by Computer And Videogames. They claim to have contacted the guys at the Official PlayStation Magazine (from whence this rumor  apparently sprung) who denied ever throwing out the 150,000 figure.

So there you have it, we still don't know how many PS3's will be available at the European launch, but as soon as we have word, you'll be the first to know.

If you've got any connections on the inside, now might be a good time to start tapping them. German videogame site Gamefront is reporting that there are to be 150,000 PS3's available for Great Britain at launch. A rough extrapolation would probably put the total number of European PS3's available at launch somewhere in the vicinity of 500,000 units (note this is pure speculation on my part). Either way it's likely going to be a little difficult to pick one up. Got your pre-orders in yet? Still, until we get solid word from Sony, it's best to treat this little tidbit as a rumor.

Any day we get to see new PS3 screens is a good day, especially if it's likely some of us will be picking the title up with the system at launch. One has to wonder though, where are all the other tracks? If you'd like to read our hands on report of Motorstorm at E3, look no further.

       

       

           

Most people who own a PS2 remember the shortages that surrounded the PS2 launch. In fact, anybody who watches the news will probably remember seeing people barging and standing on others in order to get their hands on the much-awaited PS2. According to information leaked from the large games store Gamestop, things could be much much worse for the PS3.

An internal email sent throughout the Gamestop chain expressed major concerns that they wouldn't be getting enough PS3s on its launch in November. The email stated that they could be receiving as little as 20 PS3s per store on launch day. Although the report didn't go into detail on why this was expected to be the case or if they'd be receiving more at a later date, it did paint a rather gloomy picture for the PS3 launch.

This is very worrying if you take into consideration the size of Gamestop. Surely a large video game chain like Gamestop should be receiving much more than 20 PS3s per store. Just like millions of other PlayStation fans, I'm looking forward to the PS3 launch and will probably be pre-ordering one soon; but with shortages such as this - will I actually get one on the release date?

N.B. Although this appears to be true in the surface, I would advise QJ.net readers to take this 'news' with a pinch of salt. I'm not convinced about the reliability of the source, or whether this email actually exists.

In the midst of a share price plunge, Sony keeps its fighting stance and remains to have a positive outlook for the PS3. The company expects to sell 100 million units of the next-gen console, despite the steep price point. Sony also predicts that heavy start-up costs related to the PS3 launch will impact operating margins by 1.2%.

Both the Playstation and Playstation 2 consoles have reached the 100 million mark and it wouldn't be a surprise if the PS3 follows suit. Of course, it's no easy feat, but over time, when the price drops a little bit, then Sony can probably pull it off.

The cool thing about Heavenly Sword, apart from the fact that it obviously looks so very, very pretty, and plays so very well, is that I've a good feeling we're still not seeing the best it has to offer. This new batch of screens and concept art inches a little closer to showing us what kinds of interesting environments Heavenly Sword has to offer apart from that circular gladiatorial arena we've been seeing for more than a year now. Curiously, Jeux France also states that Heavenly Sword launches on the 17th of November... an honest mistake? Perhaps.

       

        

       

        

       

       

        



 

The feisty folks at Gamers Reports snagged a neato interview with Sony Online Entertainment, the fellows behind PS3 launch title Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, we bring you the juiciest bits and pieces.

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GR: First of all, for our readers who are unfamiliar with the lore behind the Untold Legends series, please give us a brief rundown of the story behind the Dark Kingdom game.

SOE: In Dark Kingdom, you play as a member of the Dragon’s Shade, an elite squad of mystical warriors that fights for the Kingdom of Dureth. While away on a campaign to quell an uprising, your king has been corrupted by dark forces. The soldiers have transformed into hideous monsters and the people are enslaved. In order to save your kingdom, you must betray your king.

GR: What is the most challenging aspect of making this game on the PS3? What is the biggest benefit to programming on the PS3?

SOE: The PlayStation 3's cell processor has one PowerPC core and 7 SPE cores. To take full advantage of the machine, you must move most of your processing work onto the SPE cores. This is the most challenging aspect of programming the PS3. On the other hand, the SPEs are blisteringly fast. The processing power they provide allow you to put more amazing graphical effects, advanced physics, immersive sound, cloth simulation, particles, etc. Entirely new types of games are going to be possible just because of wealth of processing power. And each game is free to use the SPEs how they like, to achieve their own goals.

GR: Do you plan to use the tilt function of the Playstation 3 Dual Shock 3 pad?

SOE: We may use it as an optional control for an existing system, such as dodge, but there would be another method for doing the same thing.

GR: Was it a disappointment that you will not be able to utilize the rumble feature for Dark Kingdom?

SOE: The rumble feature is great for giving more impact to devastating attacks, explosions, and the like. We just have to convey that as well as possible with the visuals and sound.

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And there you have it folks, Untold Legends has certainly come a long way since it's PSP debut, and the PS3 iteration looks like it's starting to take shape. Be sure to keep checking QJ as we'll be following this game pretty closely all the way up till launch. If you'd like to read the rest of the interview you can by clicking the read link below.

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom was first revealed to the world back in March, to a collective, "meh." The game is an evolution of the hack n' slash franchise originally born on the PSP when that launched, with Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, and is set to be a launch title this November for Sony's new piece of kit.

       

        

See more screens and get the lowdown on the story and multiplayer modes after the jump!