Oh and lots of launch details including the actual launch titles.
Just like psp first 500k get a bluray movie with it too.
Controllers are $49us too, which will translate to a nice $100AU, no removable battery means you'll need to replace these expensive suckers over time. No component or hdmi cables, and the remote is $25US/$50AU.
Breaking: SCEA Details Launch Window Titles, Online & Peripherals
Sony today has unveiled an official "launch window" line-up for the PS3, pricing for some of the peripherals and some details about the PlayStation network and store. In addition, the first batch of PS3s will come bundled with "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" on Blu-ray. [Updated!]
As part of its Gamer's Day event today Sony Computer Entertainment America has outlined its initial line-up of PlayStation 3 titles, as well as revealed some more details on its PlayStation Network and PS3 peripherals.
Sony currently expects to have over 20 titles available for the next-gen system through the holidays, although only three of those will be first-party games. Most titles are expected to retail for "under $60," which we assume means the standard $59.99 next-gen price point. Although it's not clear how many of these will be available immediately on November 17 when the console launches, here's a rundown of the official "launch window" list:
First-party games
Resistance: Fall of Man
NBA 07
Genji: Days of the Blade
Third-party games
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (Ubisoft)
Call of Duty 3 (Activision)
EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 (Electronic Arts)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks)
F.E.A.R. (Vivendi Games)
Full Auto 2: Battlelines (Sega)
Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts)
MARVEL:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE (Activision)
Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
NBA 2K7 (2K Sports)
Need For Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts)
NHL 2K7 (2K Sports)
RIDGE RACER 7 (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft)
Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Activision)
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom (Sony Online Entertainment)
"Our line-up of PS3 games that will be available through the holidays is unprecedented in terms of volume, variety and innovation, surpassing any previous competitive launch catalog and even our own original offerings for other PlayStation platforms," commented Kaz Hirai, SCEA President and CEO. "We are pioneering a new era of true next-generation gaming through such titles as Resistance: Fall of Man, a visually arresting game that takes advantage of the large storage capacity and exceptional visual clarity offered by Blu-ray Disc (BD); and NBA 07, running at full 1080p for the highest resolution image possible, creating hyper-realistic characters and gameplay never seen before."
In addition to revealing its games line-up, Sony also discussed its online plans. The PlayStation Network will offer "basic features" for free from the get go. The online network will also continue Sony's policy of an open platform (as opposed to Microsoft's tightly controlled Xbox Live network), which Sony believes gives developers "more freedom and creativity in the development of their games and online/network services."
Similar to Xbox Live Marketplace, part of Sony's online strategy also includes a PlayStation Store, where users will have access to demos, downloadable content, and casual games. Like Xbox Live Arcade, PS3 owners will be able to purchase simpler, arcade-like titles, including those developed by Sony Computer Entertainment World Wide Studios exclusively for PS3; the first such title has been revealed to be Blast Factor. After setting up a unique PlayStation profile (sort of the equivalent of a gamertag), PS3 users can communicate with other gamers and use an electronic wallet to purchase content. Sony said that downloadable first party games will cost less than $15 at launch and that "more content will be added on a regular basis."
SCEA also confirmed that its XMB (Xross Media Bar), similar to what you see on the PSP, will be used to navigate through the PS3's options. PS3 owners will use this XMB to go online with the PlayStation Network, to select a game or movie to play, to playback music, view photos, download content, browse the web, chat with other players and more.
Finally, Sony detailed some of its peripheral pricing and announced that the first 500,000 PS3 units shipped will be bundled with Sony Pictures Entertainment's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on Blu-ray Disc to highlight the PS3's hi-def movie playing capability. This is similar to the company's initial PSP promotion. If you recall, the first batch of PSPs came packed with a UMD copy of Spider-Man 2.
Gamers will undoubtedly want to purchase a second controller for the PS3 when they get the system. SCEA is making the Wireless Controller (SIXAXIS) available for $49.99. Additionally, those interested in the next-gen console's backward compatibility feature will likely want a Memory Card Adaptor for transferring game save information from both their PS1 and PS2 memory cards onto the PS3 HDD; the adaptor will cost $14.99. A BD Remote Control is also "coming soon" for $24.99.
Sony noted that "video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately," so it appears that neither component cables nor an HDMI cable will be included.
GameDaily BIZ will be speaking with Sony live from the event today. We'll be updating with more detail/comments, so stay tuned.
[UPDATE] Sony has confirmed that the PS3 in North America will come with a multi-AV cable with composite just as it does in Japan. Unlike the Xbox 360 (which was ridiculed by some for its insanely large power brick), Sony mentioned that the PS3 will come with a simple AC cord, meaning that the console's power supply is internal. The system will also come with a USB mini cable and an Ethernet cable.
In addition, unlike much of Microsoft's first-party software on the Xbox 360 (which typically retail for $49.99), Sony's first-party titles have been confirmed to have a $59.99 price point.
[UPDATE 2] Sony has confirmed that the PS3 (like the 360) can be turned on with the controller. In demonstrating the network functionality, Sony showed off the friends list feature which can be used free of charge, and the web browser will be free out of the box as well. Microsoft, to date, has not announced plans for a web browser on the 360. Nintendo, however, is offering an Opera web browser for free download on the Wii initially.
Sony also demonstrated some connectivity between the PS3 and PSP. The PS3's XMB can apparently be run on the PSP and media on the PS3 can be streamed to the PSP.