At the Tokyo game show press conference on Wednesday, Gran Turismo producer Kaz Yamauchi jumped on stage to give out new details on the anticipated PlayStation 3 (PS3) title. The biggest detail by far of course was the announcement of a March 2010 launch of the title in Japan. Unfortunately, it was not clear whether other regions would have to wait until later, or if it would be a worldwide release.
Gran Turismo 5 was originally speculated to ship in 2009. Kaz revealed that the game will include an impressive 950 cars to choose from (including all the newest hybrid and electric cars), along with 20 courses with 70 variations. A new physics system is included with car damage features and movable objects on the track.
Game modes include single player, split screen, two player arcade and GT Mode. In GT Mode there is a world map, My Garage, Car Dealer, Tuning Ship, Championship Race and License Test. An online replay album is also features, with the ability to export replays to YouTube. Text and voice chat is also included in online features, along with a photo album.
Result for: voice chat
After it announced in mid-January that Skype would be heading to European PSPs, Sony has confirmed that the wireless communication package Go!Messenger will also hit European PSPs by the end of the week.
The package, jointly developed by Sony and BT lets users “send voice, video and instant messages to other Go!Messenger users from any wireless Internet connection, and will work over wireless Internet - including that provided by the 2,500-plus BT Openzone hotspots around UK city centers.”
The service is free in theory but you will need to purchase the PSP Go!Cam, which is a mic and video camera, if you want to use the package.
“Enabling more than 8.5 Million PSP users across the SCEE region to communicate with each other, through Video or Voice chat, truly confirms the always evolving nature and potential of PSP,” said PSP European marketing manager Stephane Hareau.
Result for: voice chat
Retailers in the United States have begun stocking up on the new PSP Headset Kit for Skype which should be available from retail outlets within the next month. The set is currently available in the US from a few e-tailers and in Japan.
The set includes “street-style earphones, an adjustable boom mic, and a remote control for managing volume without reaching for the PSP itself.”
The only requirements for the headset is that you have at least version 3.9 PSP firmware. The set “doubles as a communicator for games that support voice chat as well as a command system for games with voice recognition.”
The MSRP is $30 USD but price is mixed depending on the e-tailer.
