Sony TGS press conference report
- — 17 September, 2010 00:54
Sony's Tokyo Game Show Press Conference on Thursday spent a great deal of time on Move and 3D, but it also showed off Japanese release dates for key titles like Gran Turismo 5, new games from several developers, a new Monster Hunter-themed PSP, and a firmware update that brings 3D Blu-ray capability to the PlayStation 3.
Gran Turismo 5 hits retail November 5 in Japan according to the Japanese live stream and 1UP.com's liveblog. [Editor's note: Sony did not invite foreign media to the event.] Developer Polyphony also shared details of GT5's community integration, including giving players the capability to send short messages via Home (and the My Home web service) and friends lists.
The Last Guardian, which you can read about more here, also received a release window: Holiday 2011 in Japan.
3D enjoyed a featured role in the presentation. Sony says that it's putting out a firmware update (v3.50) September 21 that includes 3D Blu-ray support for the PlayStation 3. Sony had already released support for stereoscopic 3D games in April. The press conference also showed Hot Shots Golf 5 and Final Fantasy XIV in 3D (this has to be the first time a MMORPG's been in 3D).
Sony also talked sales numbers during the press conference. According to Sony Computer Entertainment Japan President Hiroshi Kawano, Sony has sold 38 million PlayStation 3s, with Japanese gamers buying 5 million. The PSP counts 62 million in sales globally, with sales of 15 million PSPs in Japan.
For the release of Monster Hunter Portable 3 on December 1, Sony is offering a special Monster Hunter PSP bundle. The PSP for this package sports an improved analog nub controller and Monster Hunter-themed art.
Game announcements were sparse, especially for the PlayStation 3:
* Square Enix showed off Parasite Eve: 3rd Birthday (read GamePro's) Tokyo Game Show preview here), Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep -- Final Mix for January, and Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy for Spring 2011 (which includes Final Fantasy XIII's Lightning and Final Fantasy XIV's Kain). Final Fantasy XIII Versus was not a part of the presentation.
* Level 5 showed off more of its collaboration with Studio Ghibi, Ni no Kuni, which is coming out in Japan in 2011.
* Sega debuted a trailer for the next Yakuza.
* According to the PlayStation Blog, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is coming in Spring 2011 and is in 3D as well as HD. It also has Trophies.
* Demon's Soul developer From Software showed Project Dark, a dark fantasy game coming in 2011.
* Namco Bandai had two games: The cell-shaded Gundam Musou 3 (we know this series as Dynasty Warriors: Gundam) goes on sale in Japan in December; Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is also coming for the PS3.
* Koei-Tecmo showed Dynasty Warriors 6.
