There are many key items that still have big question marks. Right now all we have is speculation, but we can piece together the answers from what we know.
What will the PS3’s launch price be?
Industry analysts predict a $400 to $500 price point, more than even the Xbox 360’s enhanced system. These analysts also predict the Playstation 3 will cost $900 to make. The silver lining to this delay is that it will give Sony time to bring production costs down, but also increases the time before the PS3 becomes profitable.
Will there be an online community?
There better be, if Sony intends to actually stay on top. Microsoft knew what it was doing with the original Xbox and Xbox Live; they were cornering the marketplace, strategically setting the stage for the real battle which has already started to unfold. Sony actually compared the Playstation 2 to “the Matrix” when hyping its online depth, but online play hasn’t even been a footnote in the entire Playstation 2 lineup. Sony had better have a solid multiplayer framework ready in November, or the PS3 will likely go the way of the Sega Dreamcast.
What home entertainment features will the PS3 have?
Sony is reportedly aiming to digitally distribute movies, games and other content to the console via its online community. Sony has control of many aspects of the recording and movie industries, and can probably strong-arm entertainment distributors the same way Microsoft has a grapple on the technology industry.
Microsoft has already started to distribute movie trailers on Xbox Live, and has been in bed with DirecTV and Comcast. It is speculated that additional Xbox 360 “living room” features will be unveiled (like PVR functionality), but Microsoft is probably waiting to reveal these so Sony cannot counter with its own implementation.
