Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) had plenty to announce today for European Playstation gamers at the Leipzig Games Convention. Hang on while we break down their PS3/PSP media assault.

First on the Playstation 3 front: As mentioned previously by Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand marketing manager, Warwick Light, the PS3 will be getting TV recording capabilities with a TV Tuner and PVR software. Dubbed "PlayTV," the high definition tuner and PVR software turns the PS3 into a TVR. A PSP can connect into the service to set recordings, watch live TV and recorded TV programs. The PSP can connect via WiFi or using a USB cable to download content.

PS3 games such as Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Warhawk, WipEout HD and Grand Turismo 5 Prologue were all announced for release prior to holiday '07.

On the PSP side, the new PSP-2000 (slim/lite) was announced for release on September 5th in Europe (that's 5 days before the US gets it). Just as the US is getting their own unique PSP-2000 bundles, gamers in Europe will have a choice of their own uniquely branded PSPs: Simpsons Yellow and Spiderman Red.

The PSP's Go! Entertainment brand was announced, which packs plenty of media capabilities to make an iPhone jealous. Video download, instant messaging, voice/video chat and GPS functionality is coming to the PSP with the help of British Sky Broadcasting (Sky). The three primary services include:

- Go! Video Download Service: Launches early 2008. PSP owners can subscribe to sports, entertainment, animation and premiere content. Videos will be from a library of a "vast selection of high quality entertainment."

- Go!Messenger: Voice chat, video chat, or IM comes to the PSP in 2008. Via the PSP's XMB (XrossMediaBar), the application allows VOIP through a WiFi connection.

- Go!Explore: Satellite navigation will be possible on the PSP with a GPS accessory. Use it for travels on foot or car.

With all this media intergration announced for the european region, let's hope SCEA has something planned for us on this side of the world! The PSP camera (Go!Cam) has not been announced for the US yet.

Full press release:

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Takes Games Convention By Storm

- Major European Announcements for PS3 and PSP - TV Tuner and PVR Peripheral for PS3 - Video Download Service, Voice/Video Chat and Satellite Navigation for PSP - Buzz: Quiz TV Unveiled for PS3 and New MGS4 Video

Leipzig, 22 August 2007. At its Press Conference at Games Convention today, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) made a series of announcements that demonstrated the strength and innovation of the PlayStation® family of products in the SCEE territory.

The announcements of gaming and broader entertainment services for all the PlayStation entertainment platforms included the launch of a TV Tuner and PVR software for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™), the introduction of a Video Download Service for PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) in conjunction with British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), a voice chat, video chat and instant messaging service for PSP developed with BT, and the launch of a state of the art satellite navigation accessory for PSP. Amongst a host of software announcements was the launch of Buzz™: Quiz TV, the PS3 version of the popular quiz game, which offers a variety of quiz channels on every subject, plus online challenges, downloadable question packs and opportunities to share and play bespoke user generated quizzes. Launch dates for the eagerly awaited Gran Turismo™5 Prologue were announced and a new video and playable demo of the PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was shown by Konami.

For the German market, Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland announced the sale of the 5 millionth PlayStation®2 in the German market and demonstrated the latest in the highly successful SingStar range of social gaming products, with a rousing demonstration on stage of SingStar Totenhosen, featuring members of the famous German rock band.

PS3 - TRULY THE HUB OF FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Proving PS3’s credentials as the centre of the family’s home entertainment needs, SCEE unveiled ‘PlayTV’’, a TV Tuner and PVR accessory for PS3 that is set to revolutionise the home entertainment market in Europe. The twin channel, High Definition TV tuner and PVR software turns the PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. With seamless connectivity to PSP, ‘PlayTV’’ allows you to set recordings, watch live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on the PSP via a WiFi connection, or quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to the PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.

GO! ENTERTAINMENT BRAND FOR PSP

In addition to confirming the 5th of September as the launch date for the new slim and light PSP in Europe, and introducing two new colours to the new PSP lineup – Simpsons Yellow and Spiderman Red, SCEE today introduced a host of new services for their Go! Entertainment brand for PSP.

Designed to represent the best in non gaming services and features for PSP, the Go! Brand was launched with a fanfare of three new services that will make PSP the most desirable handheld entertainment device, bar none.

A Go! branded Video Download Service will launch in early 2008, and will be the first official PSP video download service anywhere in Europe. Developed in conjunction with Sky, it will allow several million PSP owners in UK and Ireland to turn their PSP into a personalised library of programmes to enjoy whenever and wherever they choose. Unlike lesser services, the Video Download Service will feature a vast selection of high quality entertainment. With content from Sky’s existing multi channel offering and support from a whole range of third party content owners, PSP owners will be able to subscribe to dedicated Sports, Entertainment and Animation packages as well as watch premier content on a pay per view basis.

Go!Messenger is a new voice chat, video chat and instant messaging service, scheduled for rollout throughout the SCEE territories in the New Year. Developed in conjunction with BT, Go! Messenger places a small application on PSP’s XMB™ (XrossMediaBar), which when downloaded separately from the web and installed to the Memory Stick™ *, allows users to voice chat, video chat and instant message each other using VOIP from any WiFi hot spot.

Go!Explore is a satellite navigation product for the PSP that uses the GPS receiver accessory. Go!Explore is a fully functional, state of the art satellite navigation tool for PSP, incorporating both vehicle and pedestrian functionality, the very latest in three dimensional mapping technology and over 100 different categories of overlays for such things as speed cameras, petrol stations and restaurants. Launching in the new year, Go!Explore will make the perfect accessory for the PSP owner with wanderlust.

GAMES, GAMES AND MORE GAMES

At the Press Conference, David Reeves, President of SCEE announced that, together with its third party publishing partners, SCEE planned to release more than 275 new titles across the PlayStation platforms in the run up to Christmas.

A total of 62 software titles were planned for PS3 before the end of the year, including such eagerly awaited titles as Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction™ and Uncharted™: Drake’s Fortune. For PSP, 74 titles were scheduled for release by year end, including the latest titles from established IPs such as WipEout™, Pursuit Force™ and Syphon Filter™. PlayStation 2, which was still showing incredible growth given its seventh year on sale, would enjoy over 139 titles. For the PLAYSTATION®Network more than 22 titles were on track for a pre-Christmas release, including Warhawk™, WipEout HD and Grand Turismo 5 Prologue, the latest iteration of the best-selling racing game of all time.

To enjoy Go! Messenger, Memory Stick with the application needs to be inserted into the PSP hardware.

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