Unrivaled Performance With the Introduction of Cell Processor and Many
Advanced Technologies, and Backwards Compatible With PlayStation(R) and
PlayStation(R)2
LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference held in Los
Angeles, California, today, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) revealed
the outline of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3) computer entertainment system,
incorporating the world's most advanced Cell processor with super computer
like power. Prototypes of PS3 will also be showcased at the Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's largest interactive entertainment
exhibition held in Los Angeles, from May 18th to 20th.
PS3 combines state-of-the-art technologies featuring Cell, a processor
jointly developed by IBM, Sony Group and Toshiba Corporation, graphics
processor (RSX) co-developed by NVIDIA Corporation and SCEI, and XDR memory
developed by Rambus Inc. It also adopts BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc ROM) with
maximum storage capacity of 54 GB (dual layer), enabling delivery of
entertainment content in full high-definition (HD) quality, under a secure
environment made possible through the most advanced copyright protection
technology. To match the accelerating convergence of digital consumer
electronics and computer technology, PS3 supports high quality display in
resolution of 1080p(*) as standard, which is far superior to 720p/1080i.
With an overwhelming computing power of 2 teraflops, entirely new
graphical expressions that have never been seen before will become possible.
In games, not only will movement of characters and objects be far more refined
and realistic, but landscapes and virtual worlds can also be rendered in real-
time, thereby elevating the freedom of graphics expression to levels not
experienced in the past. Gamers will literally be able to dive into the
realistic world seen in large screen movies and experience the excitement in
real-time.
In 1994, SCEI launched the original PlayStation(R) (PS), followed by
PlayStation(R)2 (PS2) in 2000 and PlayStation(R)Portable (PSP(R)) in 2004,
every time introducing the latest advancement in technology and bringing
innovation to interactive entertainment software creation. Over 13,000 titles
have been developed by now, creating a software market that sells more than
250 million copies annually. PS3 offers backward compatibility enabling
gamers to enjoy these enormous assets from PS and PS2 platforms.
PlayStation family of products are sold in more than 120 countries and
regions around the world. With cumulative shipments reaching more than 102
million for PS and approximately 89 million for PS2, they are the undisputed
leaders and have become the standard platform for home entertainment. After
12 years from the introduction of the original PS and 6 years from the launch
of PS2, SCEI brings PS3, the newest platform with the most advanced next
generation computer entertainment technology.
With the delivery of Cell based development tools that has already begun,
development of game titles as well as tools and middleware are in progress.
Through collaboration with world's leading tools and middleware companies,
SCEI will offer full support to new content creation by providing developers
with extensive tools and libraries that will bring out the power of the Cell
processor and enable efficient software development.
Preparations are under way for launch of PS3 and new generation software
in the spring of 2006.
(*) 1080p/720p/1080i: "p" stands for progressive scan method, "i" stands
for interlace method. 1080p is the highest resolution within the HD
standard.
"SCEI has continuously brought innovation to the world of computer
entertainment, such as real-time 3D computer graphics on PlayStation and the
world's first 128 bit processor Emotion Engine (EE) for PlayStation 2.
Empowered by the Cell processor with super computer like performance, a new
age of PLAYSTATION 3 is about to begin. Together with content creators from
all over the world, SCEI will accelerate the arrival of a new era in computer
entertainment."
Ken Kutaragi, President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc..
Supporting comments from third party developers and publishers
(In alphabetical order of company name)
"With the new generation PlayStation platform, we can create "GUNDAM
WORLD" with the quality no one has ever imagined. The philosophy, connecting
millions of Cell together, makes reality get closer to the world of SF films.
We are delighted to share the vision of Ken, ARCHITECT, Kutaragi."
Shin Unozawa, Managing Director, Leader, Game Software Group, President,
Video Game Company, BANDAI CO., LTD.
"The PLAYSTATION 3 has us really excited! So much so in fact that we are
already working our hardest to get Devil May Cry 4 out for this new platform.
New hardware always yields more options for developers to create exciting and
fresh gameplay experiences. I believe that the PS3 is one piece of hardware
that will test the mettle of our development team and help us to create some
of the most amazing games, limited only by our imagination."
Keiji Inafune, Managing Executive Officer, Research & Development
Division,Capcom Co., Ltd.
"Each generation of PlayStation has made a dramatic improvement in how we
create and play videogames. PLAYSTATION 3 will be a breakthrough in how the
world experiences entertainment. EA is fully aligned with Sony Computer
Entertainment -- we share their vision and applaud their success."
Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO, Electronic Arts
"President Kutaragi has thrown down a gauntlet. That gauntlet is called
the PLAYSTATION 3. We here at Koei have gladly taken up the challenge, and
are striving day and night to take full advantage of all the PS3's new
possibilities. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge technology with a full
range of artistic expression to deliver the ultimate form of entertainment,
and please people everywhere."
Keiko Erikawa, Chairman & C.E.O., KOEI Co., Ltd.
"With the arrival of the next generation computer entertainment system
PLAYSTATION 3, I believe it will be possible for graphic expressions, more
beautiful than before, to coexist with more deep and evolved game play which
utilize the Cell architecture. I also have high expectations for the
evolution by the online features that will be enhanced. We will utilize the
features of the new platform and will strive to create contents that will
bring new excitement for our users world wide, so please have high hopes for
Konami."
Kazumi Kitaue, CEO, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc
"Each time SCEI launches a console, the video games business moves to the
next level. With PLAYSTATION 3 it looks as if it might be time for
interactive entertainment to become, finally, the world's dominant artistic
medium."
Sam Houser, President, Rockstar Games (Take-Two Interactive Software,
Inc.)
"We at Namco have used and will continue to use the advancements in audio-
visual technology to deliver games that are not only appealing to the eyes and
ears, but that stir emotions, speak to the heart, and remain in players' minds
for years to come. We are confident that the PLAYSTATION 3 is an entertainment
system that will enable us to do just that."
Shigeru Yokoyama, CT Company President, Namco Ltd.
"Next-generation hardware platforms will enable SEGA to create new game
concepts that offer more immersive interactive experiences. SEGA continues to
pursue the fusion of creativity and technology by publishing only the best,
more innovative content to gamers around the world."
Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation
"Square Enix is extremely honored to have had the chance to provide you
with this technical demonstration of what the Cell processor can bring to the
PLAYSTATION 3 and the world of gaming. We are committed to fully backing
SCEI's new computer entertainment system and plans to bring the FINAL FANTASY
series to the PS3 are just beyond the horizon."
Yoichi Wada, President, SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
"Ubisoft was one of the first major international developers to have its
teams start focusing on next generation consoles. We are looking forward to
developing outstanding games on Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s new system.
Its powerful features will help take the industry to an even higher level in
the very near future."
Yves Guillemot, President and CEO, Ubisoft
PLAYSTATION(R)3 Specifications
Product name PLAYSTATION(R)3
Logo PLAYSTATION(R)3
CPU Cell Processor
PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
1 VMX vector unit per core
512KB L2 cache
7 x SPE @3.2GHz
7 x 128b 128 SIMD GPRs
7 x 256KB SRAM for SPE
* 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for
redundancy
total floating point
performance: 218 GFLOPS
GPU RSX @550MHz
1.8 TFLOPS floating point
performance
Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2
channels
Multi-way programmable parallel
floating point shader
pipelines
Sound Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-
base processing)
Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz
256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz
System Bandwidth Main RAM 25.6GB/s
VRAM 22.4GB/s
RSX 20GB/s (write) + 15GB/s
(read)
SB 2.5GB/s (write) +
2.5GB/s (read)
System Floating Point Performance 2 TFLOPS
Storage HDD Detachable 2.5" HDD slot x 1
I/O USB Front x 4, Rear x 2 (USB2.0)
Memory Stick standard/Duo, PRO x 1
SD standard/mini x 1
CompactFlash (Type I, II) x 1
Communication Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
x 3 (input x 1 + output x 2)
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
Controller Bluetooth (up to 7)
USB2.0 (wired)
Wi-Fi (PSP(R))
Network (over IP)
AV Output Screen size 480i, 480p, 720p,
1080i, 1080p
HDMI HDMI out x 2
Analog AV MULTI OUT x 1
Digital audio DIGITAL OUT
(OPTICAL) x 1
Disc media CD PlayStation(R) CD-ROM
* read only PlayStation(R)2 CD-ROM
CD-DA CD-DA (ROM), CD-R,
CD-RW
SACD SACD Hybrid (CD
layer), SACD HD
DualDisc DualDisc (audio
side), DualDisc
(DVD side)
DVD PlayStation(R)2 DVD-ROM
PLAYSTATION(R)3 DVD-ROM
DVD-Video DVD-ROM, DVD-R,
DVD-RW, DVD+R,
DVD+RW
Blu-ray Disc PLAYSTATION(R)3 BD-ROM
BD-Video BD-ROM, BD-R,
BD-RE
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the
progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the
PlayStation(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system
and the PlayStation(R)Portable (PSP(R)) handheld entertainment system.
PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D
graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy
as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a new portable
entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality
full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. SCEI, along with its
subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer
Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc.
develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third
party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets
worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is
an independent business unit of the Sony Group.
* Storage media (HDD, "Memory Stick", SD memory card, and CompactFlash)
are sold separately.
* "Dolby" is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
* "DTS" is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
* "CompactFlash" is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
* "HDMI" is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
* "Blu-ray Disc" is a trademark.
* "Bluetooth" is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
* All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
* "Memory Stick" and "Memory Stick PRO" are trademarks of Sony
Corporation.
* "PlayStation", the PlayStation logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks
of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
CONTACT:
Sony Computer Entertainment, Corporate
Communications, 03-6438-8686
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