Início
Security was tight before the Sony E3 Press Conference at L.A. Center Studios. I saw several journalists get denied because they weren't on "the list."
A nice catering spread awaited hungry media outside the auditorium. Bagels, coffee, fresh fruit, muffins... and plenty of Red Bull!
Inside, the scene looked like "Club PS2."
The conference started with SCEA President and COO Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai trumpeting the PS2's status as market leader.
Sony compares videogame history with that of other forums of media. Wait, weren't there videogames before Sony was involved with them?
Just like last year, Sony reiterates that the console war is "over."
The first big announcement... The new redesigned PS2 Online Pack.
The Playstation camera peripheral "EyeToy" is announced.
EyeToy inventor Dr. Marx and Kaz Hirai demonstrate the device with a game ("Wishy-Washy") about wiping soap suds off a window.
Polyphony Digital's lead developer Kazunori Yamauchi gives a brief presentation and video on Gran Turismo 4.
Don't be expecting to play any EA games on Xbox Live.
EA's John Riccitiello introduces a live demonstration of EA Sports' many online PS2 games.
The grand finale of the EA Sports demo featured Tiger Woods, live via satellite from Florida...
...playing Cedrick the Entertainer onstage in an online Tiger Woods Golf 2004 game! --Dig Cedrick's snazzy golf threads.
After a thrilling and highly amusing match, Cedrick wins! It really seemed as if they played for real.
Now it was time for the big guns. Enter "The Father of the Playstation" himself!
Kutaragi-san sure looks happy about something. What could it be?
[img]http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/tedrancho/sony_handheld.jpg
Whoa! You could literally hear a pin drop as the auditorium was shocked into silence.
Kutaragi unveiled the new "baby" in the Sony family: The Playstation Portable (PSP).
Impressive stats for a portable.
"The baby's brain" according to Kutaragi.
Wait, I thought connectivity was Nintendo's buzzword for the GameBoy Advance & GameCube this year?
Looks like the size of a Sony Mini-disk or a... GameCube disc?
PSP will also sport a built-in rechargeable battery like GBA SP. No word on battery life yet...
"The baby's voice."
Did you know "GameBoy" was originally a play-on-words of "Walkman"? Seriously.
And that's the end... Time to hit the catering table one more time on the way out.
Dazed by all the incredible announcements, the media streams out to catch the Nintendo conference that starts in 30 minutes across town. Why do they schedule them so close together again?
Ali pauses for a quick photo-op with Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi.
Damn editing system won't let me correct this mistake above... "Signature is too long" my ass! Here's the photo:
Whoa! You could literally hear a pin drop as the auditorium was shocked into silence.
[/img]
