So, we were chatting, out of hours, as you do, and two of our writers, Steve Boxer and Chris Burke, had quite opposing views on which was the best football franchise. Chris was totally into Pro Evo Soccer and Steve was pinning his colours to the FIFA side of things. Here we let them explain why they think their favourite respective title is the best. First with the ball is Chris Burke on Pro Evolution Soccer. Hereeeeee’s Chris.
Pro Evolution Soccer is the best footie game series ever. Fact. And the PS3’s power means that Konami’s latest game, PES 2008, is an absolute belter. Its beautiful, super-sharp graphics, detailed likenesses, smooth movement and realistic animations and lighting effects make this as close to watching the real thing as you can get – and of course you’re controlling the action. The ball physics are just one of the many, many things Konami have improved (none of that cannoning-off your shins that went on in previous versions), and ball control now is pin-point accurate.
It’s not the easiest game to master, but it is very easy to get started – and the tricks and techniques you’ll master are intuitive and will become second instinct. There’s nothing prescribed about the way Pro Evo plays either - it’s one hundred per cent down to you. Mad skills are there to be shown off of course, but as in reality Sunderland players can’t convincingly pull off the Cruyff turn, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo can do his step-overs and shimmys and Ronaldinho can still curl in a pin-point free-kick over a flapping keeper.
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We’ve had various comments about the moderating policy here on Three Speech (for instance, by mrsatansdojo in the Ray Maguire interview thread). We currently delete comments which consist mainly of expletives but leave the rest live, including comments by those who are somewhat one track-minded!
Let us know your thoughts. Some seem to favour a relative free-for-all; others feel we need to cultivate more considered debate!
Get in touch at [email protected].
Three Speech’s Steve Boxer interviews Ray Maguire, Sony Computer Entertainment’s UK managing director, about the PS3 price cuts. Over to Steve (and Ray).
So, as of next Wednesday, the PlayStation 3’s life will begin in earnest, at least in the UK, as it will finally be possible to buy one for less than £425 - £299, in fact, if you buy a 40Gb one with the card slots, two of the USB ports and, controversially, PS2 backwards-compatibility removed; or £349 if you fancy the bells-and-whistles 60Gb version with two games. We sought out Sony Computer Entertainment’s UK managing director Ray Maguire to talk us through this move and describe the thinking behind.
Before the outcries begin, let us say a few things. Of course, it’s painful if you bought a PS3 for £425 and can walk into a shop and see the same machine on sale for £349 – but all early adopters, of every single console ever released, had to pay a premium. And Maguire’s explanation that Sony now feels there are enough PS3 titles on sale – and enough seductive blockbusters in the pipeline for next year – to justify a version which won’t play PS2 games (oddly, PlayStation One compatibility still holds) is fair enough. And the move is about generating a bigger installed base for the PS3, which has a knock-on effect for all of us, as Maguire points out – the more PS3s there are out there, the more juicy PS3 exclusives we’ll get. Anyway, here’s the full transcript of our interview with Maguire.
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Here’s some new screenshots of the mysterious and ground-breaking Playstation Eye title Eye of Judgment. Joystiq have an interesting hands-on experience with the game and the Eye, including lots of pictures which can be found here. Hopefully, we’ll have our own hands-on coming soon…
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You’ve heard the rumours - here’s the confirmation. Sony are releasing two new PlayStation 3 packs. As the press release states, “the existing PS3 Starter Pack will be replaced by a 60GB value pack at a price of £349. Additionally, a new 40GB entry level PS3 model will be introduced at £299.”
David Reeves, President of SCEE, says: “The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners. It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet highly affordable High Definition entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.”
Official Press Release follows.
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You may have read the latest post on the official Playstation blog – Naughty Dog Co-President Evan Wells detailed the progress on Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. The main thing - it’s nearly finished. What you might not have noticed is the string of comments following the post from Evan Wells replying to readers questions. Hit the jump for the low down on the new information we think will be of interest to you guys.
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We have five copies of the recently released Colin McRae: DiRT available thanks to our friends at Codemasters. First five people to answer the following question will win the game and a limited edition keyring (for your car keys). Bear in mind there is a postal strike, so the games won’t arrive on your doorstep until the end of next week if you win. Sorry, competition is only open to UK residents.
Right, the question is - how many styles of off-road competition are in DiRT?
Here’s what will be touring the country - well obviously in its real form. Nice visuals though. Apparently there are one, five and 15 minute workshops happening at each location.
Here’s the dates and locations for the PS3 tour as mentioned previously.
Shopping Centres
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Trafford Centre, Manchester
1-14 October
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Bluewater, Kent
8-21 October
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Metro Centre, Gateshead
16-28 October
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MK Centre, Milton Keynes
31 October – 13 November
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Meadowhall, Sheffield
15 – 28 November
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Bullring, Birmingham
30 November – 14 December
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Train Stations
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Paddington
20-22 November
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Victoria
6-8 November
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Newcastle
12-13 November
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Glasgow Central
15–16 November
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The 02 Arena
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10 November – 9 December
On the official Unreal Tournament 3 website Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, was quoted saying the following regarding the PS3 release.
“As a public company, Midway felt an obligation to its shareholders to let them know about the possibility of a delay. Our goal is still to get the PS3 version of UT3 in stores before the end of 2007. However, we will only ship it once it’s ready and is the best game we can deliver.”
“In addition, there is some good news, as a little extra time in development means that now the PS3 version will have all of the same maps as the PC version whereas we previously expected to ship a fewer maps on console.”
So, good and bad news I guess. Official statement to follow.
