Sony undecided of PS3 having hard disk

**lilkoy123** · 06-01-2005, 08:34 PM

Sony Undecided on Hard Disk
Head of technology unsure if hard disk will be included as standard.
by IGN Staff

June 1, 2005 - Sony has been somewhat vague on the inclusion of a hard disk with the PlayStation 3. The system's specifications reveal a slot for a detachable hard disk unit, but there's still not been any talk of a hard disk being included with the system from the start.

It seems that we're going to have to wait for confirmation. In an interview featured in the latest issue of Famitsu, Sony Computer Entertainment chief technical officer Masayuki Chatani, when asked if a hard disk will be included with the system from the start, replies "It has yet to be decided."

Chatani also reveals Sony's reasoning for going with a removable hard disk setup. The company believes that people will want to both upgrade to higher capacity drives in the future and carry their hard disks with them to attach to other PS3 units.

Moving away from the hard disk, Chatani is asked to comment a little on the system's controversial controller. "I don't think there will be any fundamental changes," he answers in response to a question on the possibility of changes to the controller's design, "but it's a prototype, so there could be some small adjustments."

Chatani also gives some hints into PS3 network gaming. Internet-based communication functionality will be a big part of the PS3, Chatani reveals. He belives it important to come up with communication tools for all ages.

Finally, those looking forward to more news on the PS3 should turn to the PSP for an estimated schedule. Sony debuted the portable system at E3, shared first fully playable games at the Tokyo Game Show, then launched in Japan on 12/12. Chatani reveals that the PS3 is set for Japanese release in Spring, so we can expect, to a certain level, a similar flow. This seems to suggest playable PS3 units at the September Tokyo Game Show.

And we can, hopefully, expect confirmation on the inclusion of a hard drive by around the same time.

Source
Bad thing or good thing?

**Domination** · 06-01-2005, 08:43 PM

Let's just say the news get more exciting everyday.

I really need a dancing icon. Wait....

Much better.

**Coded-Dude** · 06-01-2005, 08:44 PM

I will get one regardless..... :|

I will need/want to stream stuff to my PSP, while I'm out and about! :wink:

**FerrianX** · 06-01-2005, 08:49 PM

IGN has a talent for stating the obvious... a key example being what was written above.

I'd personally prefer to have an HDD within the system, but if it doesn't then no big loss for me.

Also Sony just might release the system in Japan with no HDD included, but come Amercian / European release time, one could very well be included. There are so many ways to play with the HDD feature that we won't be able to tell until Sony either states it officially or the system is actually launched.

With respect to the controller comment... until I hold one in my own hands... I'm opposed to what they showed us at E3.

**Reality Bandit** · 06-01-2005, 10:23 PM

Actually... his comment on the controller is what got me excited. I personally really like the new design...

And backlights on the buttons (though extremely unnecessary) would be cool :P . Course that is neither here nor there.

Anyways, I really hope the include the hard drive..

**Grandia** · 06-01-2005, 10:31 PM

The controller...What is Sony thinking? I mean, who could actually think this controller:

will be anywhere as good as the Dual Shock 2? Apart from looking horrific, and looking incredibly uncomfortable, why would Sony change a good thing? I mean, lots of people like the DS2. If you want to change the DS2 for the better, making it into this ugly thing isn't they way to do that. (Triggers + Swapping the DPad and Left Analog Stick)

If Sony releases the PS3 with this controller, I swear, I will not get the PS3. No matter if it has every game I want, I would rather get the Xbox360. (Even though nothing really interests me) I mean, if anything, they made a good looking, and extremely comfortable controller. I'll boycott ya' Sony! (I did it with Microsoft, and then they released the great Controller S.)

And how does Sony expect to rival Xbox Live without a HDD?

I'm still pissed off about the controller...

**Fats** · 06-01-2005, 10:35 PM

You're only looking at a picture. I mean, I don't really like the look of it either, but if it feels good in my hands then I'm sold.

**TidusX** · 06-01-2005, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by specialpro

You're only looking at a picture. I mean, I don't really like the look of it either, but if it feels good in my hands then I'm sold.

Amen, I am not saying anything until I have held it in my hands. And about the HDD it would be smart for Sony to include at least a 10 gig HDD so that developers will at least have some usage for it thus making more games using the HDD. Dont do the same mistake from the PS2, Sony.

**rpgamer_2k5** · 06-01-2005, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Grandia

If you want to change the DS2 for the better, making it into this ugly thing isn't they way to do that. (Triggers + Swapping the DPad and Left Analog Stick)

No No No. :twisted:

DPad must NOT be swapped with the Left Analog stick. It is a very stupid idea from Microsoft and yes, I do have the Xbox so I'm aware of it. DS3 needs to maintain its symmetrical design.

**Kala** · 06-01-2005, 11:56 PM

A few things to clear up first:

1) That is STILL a conceptual design and has not yet been completed

2) There is still unconfirmed information that you can use your DS2 controllers on the PS3

3) You can always use the DS3 controllers...If sony doesn't make a DS3 on launch...they will soon after, if not. Then another company can cash in by making a "DS3" like controller

**xbdestroya** · 06-01-2005, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by TidusX

Amen, I am not saying anything until I have held it in my hands. And about the HDD it would be smart for Sony to include at least a 10 gig HDD so that developers will at least have some usage for it thus making more games using the HDD. Dont do the same mistake from the PS2, Sony.

Well if you're going to incude a 10 Gig hard drive you might as well include a 40 Gig hard drive... the costs to maufacture aren't far apart. You have to remember that it's the actual physical, mechanical components that make hard drives an expensive component to include in a console.

**makeitlookreal** · 06-02-2005, 12:04 AM

One thing I really, really want on the PS3 is a Tivo like function. I really want to be able to record TV on my PS3!

I think that at least a minimal HD Drive should be included with the PS3 (for game saves, music, pictures, etc), but that you should also be allowed to upgrade for TIVO like functions.

***Viper*** · 06-02-2005, 12:08 AM

I wouldn't doubt a form of hard drive is included. Even Nintendo tossed the idea around for quite some time.

As for the PS3 controller, one of our guys, SHOCK, sat in at a THQ roundtable with a few members of the WWE, Stacy Kiebler, Edge and John Cena at E3. He asked them all if they gamed and John Cena said he played PS2 because he like the controller the best. SHOCK said, "Have you seen the new PS3 controller yet?" John Cena shook his head in disgust, put his hand on his forehead and said, "Yeah, they fucked it all up".

**LiquidEagle** · 06-02-2005, 12:10 AM

Well in regards to the hard-drive, it is important for Sony to include it when they ship the system. That means it's standard, and every developer can support it without worring about who they'll be excluding or a loss of audience/patrons. Just look at the Hard Drive for PS2. It never got off its feet because it was a completely optional thing that came in too late. For the Hard-Drive size, I don't see why Sony would go down from 40 in the PS2's HDD unit to 10 in the PS3, so I'd expect a 40 GB hard-drive...

In regards to the controller, quit whining. Sony invented what is pretty universally the best controller in the world, but you're telling them where they went wrong? Obviously, if they ditched the DS2 design, they found something better. You can check out my locked topic about its similarity to the ultra-comfy Alps Interactive controller that was for PSOne. It might be at the bottom of the first page or the top of the second page. The look of a controller may not indicate a thing about the feel of it too. So, saying the controller looks like a boomerang doesn't say anything about its ability as a controller to be comfortable and convenient. If you're that self-conscious that you wouldn't want somebody to look in your room and see a boomerang-shaped controller lying around, then you probably don't deserve to play the PS3

***Viper*** · 06-02-2005, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by LiquidEagle

It might be at the bottom of the first page or the top of the second page. The look of a controller may not indicate a thing about the feel of it too. So, saying the controller looks like a boomerang doesn't say anything about its ability as a controller to be comfortable and convenient. If you're that self-conscious that you wouldn't want somebody to look in your room and see a boomerang-shaped controller lying around, then you probably don't deserve to play the PS3

If only the press and many casual gamers could see the same regarding the GC controller.

**Grandia** · 06-02-2005, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by rpgamer_2k5

Originally Posted by Grandia

If you want to change the DS2 for the better, making it into this ugly thing isn't they way to do that. (Triggers + Swapping the DPad and Left Analog Stick)

No No No. :twisted:

DPad must NOT be swapped with the Left Analog stick. It is a very stupid idea from Microsoft and yes, I do have the Xbox so I'm aware of it. DS3 needs to maintain its symmetrical design.

By swapping the DPad with the Left Analog stick, it allows the controller to be able to play a wide variety of games more efficiently. Playing FPS' with the DS2 is nowhere as good/comfortable/easy as with the Controller S. Why? Because, (This is ignoring the fact that the DS2's Analog Sticks are not as good as the Controller S' or Gamecube's, or the fact that it doesn't have triggers.) of the placement of the sticks and DPad.

A few things to clear up first:

1) That is STILL a conceptual design and has not yet been completed

2) There is still unconfirmed information that you can use your DS2 controllers on the PS3

3) You can always use the DS3 controllers...If sony doesn't make a DS3 on launch...they will soon after, if not. Then another company can cash in by making a "DS3" like controller

I know that this is is a conceptual design, but Chatani just stated that he doesn't see any major changes in the near future.

The thing htat annoys me is, Sony has yet to get any positive feedback from the press/people in general about the controller, yet they don't think they're going to be changing it?

**JetBlackRX89** · 06-02-2005, 12:21 AM

Enough about the controller. It's fugly. We all know. That's why we have about 10 topics on this already. Here's an idea: don't look at the controller and watch your game instead!

I am a little happy to hear they are still considering a HDD to be packaged along with the console. I'd be happier if it was 100% confirmed though. Still, it's a relief to hear they didn't throw the idea out already.
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=298017
That's a 160GB harddrive for less than $30. I don't know if it's a really cruddy one or what, but I wouldn't mind paying an extra $30 to get all the HDD space I could ever need with my PS3.

BTW, if you click the link I posted, the HDD might show up as $120. When I posted this, there were three $30 rebates. I don't know how they managed to do this, but hopefully Sony can dish out some harddrives that cheap too.

**xbdestroya** · 06-02-2005, 12:24 AM

The only thing that CompUSA drive proves is that whoever needs a new drive needs to upgrade right now. :wink:

You can't take prices after rebate though to be indicative of the actual cost of manufacture. This looks to me to be a move to get rid of inventory.

**rpgamer_2k5** · 06-02-2005, 01:44 AM

[quote="Grandia"]

Originally Posted by rpgamer_2k5

Originally Posted by Grandia

...

By swapping the DPad with the Left Analog stick, it allows the controller to be able to play a wide variety of games more efficiently. Playing FPS' with the DS2 is nowhere as good/comfortable/easy as with the Controller S. Why? Because, (This is ignoring the fact that the DS2's Analog Sticks are not as good as the Controller S' or Gamecube's, or the fact that it doesn't have triggers.) of the placement of the sticks and DPad.

That is really an opinion. The reason why the DS doesn't seem adaptable to FPS is because there are hardly any FPS on PS2. The Xbox had Halo and many got adjusted to it. A Keyboard and mouse is FAR better than any controller. Right now I'm holding the DS and I feel that triggers and better analog sticks. There is no need to switch the directional pad with the left analog stick, symmetry should be maintained.

**Grandia** · 06-02-2005, 02:02 AM

[quote="rpgamer_2k5"]

Originally Posted by Grandia

Originally Posted by rpgamer_2k5

Originally Posted by Grandia

...

By swapping the DPad with the Left Analog stick, it allows the controller to be able to play a wide variety of games more efficiently. Playing FPS' with the DS2 is nowhere as good/comfortable/easy as with the Controller S. Why? Because, (This is ignoring the fact that the DS2's Analog Sticks are not as good as the Controller S' or Gamecube's, or the fact that it doesn't have triggers.) of the placement of the sticks and DPad.

That is really an opinion. The reason why the DS doesn't seem adaptable to FPS is because there are hardly any FPS on PS2. The Xbox had Halo and many got adjusted to it. A Keyboard and mouse is FAR better than any controller. Right now I'm holding the DS and I feel that triggers and better analog sticks. There is no need to switch the directional pad with the left analog stick, symmetry should be maintained.

I'm just speaking of what I think could make it better.
I'd take the DS2 over the Banana...