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Live Blog: Sony's Gamescom Press Conference
Sony is getting ready to present its titles at its Gamescom 2011 press conference in Germany, and we're live blogging the event.
The press conference starts at noon central time here in the States (assuming Sony's got the trains running on time), so stay tuned for all the news from Sony's bash.
Press Conference should be starting in 15 minutes or so.... (Note: Updates will appear at the bottom of this story.)
Bad electronica playing as a prelude. At least it's not "Euro Techno." Instead it's just anonymous "Press Conference Techno."
Sony announces that it's going to begin in 10 minutes.
"Starting shortly."
Starting. Usual video montage of games. Uncharted 3, Resistance 3, etc.
Andrew House on the Stage, President and CEO. Talking about the Euro market. Talking about stuff coming to Europe in the coming months, as well as what's "next."
Talking about some of the Euro-exclusive video services. Lucky people.
Says he's going to be leaving for Tokyo.
Jim Ryan taking over as the new president and CEO.
He's talking about Vita, giving an overview.
Talking about the Near feature where you can hook up with friends and strangers. Party, chat with people. Live Area: Connect with contacts, get updates, make comments, etc. All stuff we've known.
Social essentials: Facebook, Skype, twitter, foursquare etc.
Trophy application: Store and track from both Vita and PS3.
All Vita games will be available on the PSN Store.
Internet Browser.
Montage video of Vita features. Young people having fun. Those kooky kids.
Now talking about Vita games. Introduces Michael Denny, the senior VP of studios for Europe.
Says he's going to talk about four games. First one from Nihilistic. Resistance: Burning Skies. Features new levels, environments, story timeline.
Team at Nihilistic takes stage. Game is before Resistance 2 featuring a new character named Tom Riley. He's a NYC fireman. Appropriately, he's grabbing an axe (using R button). You can also set up a virtual button on the screen if you want to hit it to access the axe at any time as well. Chimeran hybrid shown. New cluster fire gun now in Tom's hands. Firing using ironsights with L button. Alt fire too, via front touch screen of Vita.
New cover system that's automated. Can peek and fire using Sixaxis controls or by using ironsights.
New weapon: Chimeran chain gun. Demo using it to take down chimera on watertower.
LittleBigPlanet for Vita. Already introduced at E3, but now showing a teaser video.
Reality Fighters uses the front and back cameras to put you in the game as well as use real objects around you in the game.
It's the "Battle of the Boardroom" in the game using photos taken via the Vita: Andy "The Hammer" House vs. Jim "Breakdancing" Ryan. The two are squaring off in a typical arena fighter. Andrew House wins.
New Title: Escape Plan. Uses motion controls, front and rear touchscreens. Characters waddling around screen called Large and Lil. Art style is dark and in black and white. Two must navigate deadly traps. Gothy. Sidescrolling.
Third-party publishers for Vita: Ubisoft say they are coming out with six games for Vita, including an new Assassin's Creed in 2012 with a new story.
And, of course, a FIFA in early 2012.
Ryan now talking about PSP, including a budget collection for under 10 pounds. Ryan announces that this fall there will be a new PSP without Wi-Fi for 99 Euros. "New look and feel."
Ryan switches to PS3, and in particular PS Move. More than 200 games available using the peripheral. Ryan says that there will be full Move functionality for FIFA 13. Not 12, but 13.
Denny introduces Move Fitness for later this year. Did I just groan out loud? Sorry. Games like basketball. Hitting objects in air (also known as boxing). Jumping jacks, etc.
New Move pack for Resistance 3 and LittleBigPlanet.
Finally, DanceStar Party for Move. Has original artist videos as well as live video feed of players dancing. Dance choreography mode. Comes packed with 40 songs/videos.
On-stage dancer troupe using Move controllers. Only at Gamescom.
Okay. Back to PS3, then. 22 million units sold in Europe. Resistance 3 trailer up. Trailer is pretty cool. Based on the art style of the cover.
Trailer for Sucker Punch's Infamous 2: Festival of Blood. Coming in October.
Available for download. Vampires have attacked New Marais. Cole has been bitten and has one night to track down and kill the vampire leader to be saved.
Jim Ryan back on stage to talk about Uncharted 3. Rolling demo from behind-closed-doors from E3.
Ryan announces a Euro 3D TV display with SimulView. Like what they announced at...E3. In the fall for 499 Euros with two pairs of glasses.
PS3 Slim price cut. $249 effectively immediately. Assuming it's the 160GB version(?).
And that's it! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to take a look at our continuing Gamescom coverage.
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