Yeah then its simply the developers being lazy and not executing the pause game button when the ring of light is pressed, just in the way the pause game button pauses the game lol. I can't recall one of my games which does not.

The Xbox 360 Blade UI is actually pretty good, but it isn't nowhere as easy and intuitive to handle as PSP's XMB. It takes a while to really get used to it and not be confused by the seemingly redundant blade menu eye candy. The 360's UI also takes up the whole screen whereas the XMB is much less intrusive and offers its entire functionality with the game/video/photos/browser/whatever still visible/running in the background.

I just like simplicity and minimalism, so I personally prefer the XMB. Though I'm not interested in getting a PS3 at launch, I can't wait to see its full implementation on the console.

Looks like Sony is giving Resistence: Fall of Man the most attention of the launch games.

-QJ.Net

Interesting. While Resistence was one of the launch games I was interested in, I'm still reserved on making it the priority game considering it's an FPS. For a look at what next-gen can do, I was leaning toward games like Lair, Heavenly Sword, or Assasin's Creed. FPS games can always cut corners.

Sony's gotta choose something to make a killer app out of. As long as they make people believe Resistance is greater than Christ, people will see it as validating a PS3 purchase.

So then, PS3 is only months away from purchase. Yet, where are all of the pre-orders? I've been waiting for EBgames/GameStop to come out with one, but I'm left hanging in the dust. What is the deal?

I'm friends with the people at my mall's Babbages, and they informed me that they will not be taking pre-orders on the PS3, but will be implimenting a first come/first serve deal. I also heard they're only getting like, 4 PS3s in on launch. But knowing how fanatic people can get over these things it doesn't sound like such a good idea to me.

I don't know if the other Gamestops/EBs are doing that as well, or just ones in the area, or everywhere. But the manager there even told me months ago that they'd be very unlikely to take pre-orders. I'd have to imagine it'd be due to the precedent set by the 360 launch.

Last I checked, my Gamestop was taking pre-orders, but I'm still deciding which store is the best place to reserve it. There are some factors to consider, like which store will offer the best bonus (if any), which ones offer the best warranty (for $600, you'd better be able to replace it if it breaks without any hassle), and so on.

Nobody's taking reservations at EB Games or Gamestop. If they are, I'd advise not doing it.

The official word we've received from the upper management is that EB/Gamestop will not be taking pre-orders on the PS3 (and most likely the Wii) until after the Manager's Conference, which won't end until late October. The reason for this lies in part with what happened during the 360 launch.

Microsoft told us we would be getting so many units, and to allocate those to individual regions, then districts, and lastly the stores themselves. But, just a week before launch, we were informed that the majority of stores were getting less than half of what they were promised.

This year, EB/Gamestop will not be taking any crap from customers. I was more than pissed off at the number of people who blamed me for Microsoft's failure to launch the number of consoles they promised us. So now the company's retaliation is to not take any reservations (and that includes making a call list) for the system until we have it triple-confirmed by Sony that this company is getting X number of units, period.

Now, for those of you who believe the stores are taking pre-orders -- it's impossible. At the most, they're making a call list (which the company already frowns on) for when the pre-orders become available. Why is this impossible? Because we don't even have the damn SKU number for the pre-order yet. Thus, it's impossible.

We're taking reservations on PS3 and Wii games, but not their systems. Questions?

Nope.

Thanks a lot for completely clarifying though. I was wondering what the hell was going on.

SouthJag pretty much covered it. But I also heard a rumor of *if* EBGames is going to be stocking the PS3. I doubt it is true in anyway, but still, is is out there.

As for me and the PS3, if I get it, it will probably be for Assasin's Creed. I read about it and it looks interesting. Finally something that has not been done before. Or if it has, I do not know about it. But after seeing how well Oblivion came out(which I have yet to play T_T) I have a little more faith in the Next-Gen game creation peeps out there.

Well, it is appearant in my signature, but I'm getting it launch day for two reasons; to have a PS3, and make all my friends think I'm insane, and then if there is a shortage, to sell it on eBay for a million dollars.

That and oh, I don't know Metal Gear Solid 4....

Screw Metal Gear Solid. I want my Armored Core 4! Fear the armored core fanboy!

I could go for another Armoured Core game myself, as long as it's better then Nine Breaker and Last Raven... Silent Line was ok.

The reason why I'm getting a PS3 though is for MGS4, Tekken 6, Devil May Cry 4, Final Fantasy XIII, God of War 3 (much later though), and about ten-thousand other games I can't remember at this moment.

MGS4 and Ace Combat 6, damn nuggets. You know it's coming.

Isn't Assassins Creed also being released on the 360? Correct me if I'm wrong...

Honestly, I'll be picking up a PS3 because I have yet to be let down by Sony. I know - I'm a mindless Sony fanboy. I admit it.

Oh. And for MGS4/FFXIII/DMC4/RE5.

Actually, it's been developped for the 360 and ported to the PS3. The playable versions that was shown behind closed doors at E3 was the 360 version as was the screens released. Sony used it's wallet to 'buy' the announcement exclusivity.

Some new info on the latest PS3 devkits and controllers, from IGN.

And here we have some shots of the PS3's XMB, from IGN's Weekly video feature.


Link to the video page: http://media.games.ign.com/articles/...80/vids_1.html

Was last Raven really that bad? I have Silent Line, although I skipped it and went straight to Nine Breaker. Was really dissapointed by the lack of story. I was hoping Last Raven would turn it all around...

But Armored Core 4...the trailer is enough to make me drool >.>

Note that this is the SDK version of the XMB. More than likely the final version in the consumer model will be similar to what was shown in the video posted in the previous page.

I'm well aware of this, since the E3 demonstration of the XMB has a far larger number of items to choose from. Who knows, maybe they'll setup the XMB to where it'll create a Videos/Music/Images icon when there's the appropriate media on the HDD (example: no pictures present, no need to show the pictures icon).

Either way, the article is actually pretty good news of the PS3. Looks like Transmeta's help has really paid off and the controllers got nothing but praise even though it's only undergone minor changes since E3.

It's a slick menu, but I hope you'll be able to customize it with buttons, wallpapers, and even sounds of your choice.

Today may be the day for some big PS3 announcements.

The only question I have is what time of the day will we be receiving the announcements. It figures that I also start my next class today (but I'll have a PC in the classroom, so it'll be all good).

I hope among those announcements is a price drop, even if its not likely, one does hope. And I wonder what surprises they will throw at us...

Maybe they've taken up Immersion on their offer to put their new vibration tech into their controllers, though that seems unlikely as well. It's probably some minor things, as always.

Well, as far the annoucement, they just announced a pink PS2. If that's what is...

I laughed until I found out it was true. Then I just sighed.

So how long does this show last anyway? I just read that the MGS4 trailer should/will be available this Wednesday.

Of other interest, Resistence is reportedly improving in the graphics department. They say there will be a world of difference from E3 until launch day.

http://playstation3.gaming-universe....lerie/1246.jpg

http://playstation3.gaming-universe....lerie/1249.jpg

http://playstation3.gaming-universe....lerie/1248.jpg

http://playstation3.gaming-universe....lerie/1247.jpg

Looks nice (especially the alien, which is a far cry from the jaggy screenshots in the recent EGM), but I'll still wait for more news before I decide which launch game will be worth getting.