GC 2008:PS3 get keypad and Singstar while Xbox 360 gets nothing new
The Game Convention in Leipzig is now in full swing and a bunch of interesting news tidbits are coming out of the convention. Check out our coverage of the Sony press conference here. Sony has announced a new nifty wireless keypad for the PS3 controller as well as a new Singstar Vol. 3 with a slew of new songs to boot. All after the jump.
It’s no surprise the amount of news that’s coming out of GC is Sony related because Sony is the only manufacturer out of the three that is there in full force. Nintendo didn’t even show up and Microsoft’s presence is minimal with only a few booths. The impression I received from Microsoft before was the desire to dominate Europe in Xbox 360 sales, but I don’t quite understand why such a lackluster showing for what is the biggest media and news gaming event for Europe.
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with Microsoft’s lack or initiative at the GC this year. Last year they made an effort but this year they seemed to just coast along. Even with no press conference I was hoping for at least a confirmation of the rumored price drop for all Xbox 360 models. I suppose we have to wait till September to break open the champagne bottle on this one.
During the Sony press conference one of the points that was hit upon was Singstar. Singstar is a massive force especially in Europe with 2.2 million songs downloaded from the Singstar Store. That is an incredible number of tracks downloaded, indicating there is a definite market for something like this. I suppose that’s why Microsoft is getting in on the action with Lips.
Another announcement Singstar related was, Sony is planning on releasing a patch that will allow you to swap in your old Singstar discs from PS2 onto the PS3 for use as well. I’m sure this will excite those hardcore Singstar fans who want to expand their current library.
A new peripheral has also been announced for the PS3, a wireless keypad. This device will plug right into your PS3 controller. We noticed some extra buttons on the device which looks like possible shortcuts for mail/messaging/quick chat, interesting. Apparently you can also plug a mouse into the keypad as well, sweet.
What do you think?
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22 Responses to “GC 2008:PS3 get keypad and Singstar while Xbox 360 gets nothing new”
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August 21st, 2008
doesnt the 360 already have a mini keyboard thingy??
ohh no.. here comes the fanboy flames…
anyone?? anyone??
August 22nd, 2008
Above the controller? That’s different…..
August 22nd, 2008
Nice keyboard i will definitely be buying one when it launches. Also i can’t wait to get the new PS3 model 160GB sweet i upgraded my original; PS3 60GB with 500GB but this new model has less power consumption that’s why i needed i hardly shut off my PS3. Nintendo and Microsoft only care about money not consumers what a shame lucky we got Sony. (Live In Your Your World, Play In Ours) the best SCEA slogan from the PlayStation 2 which has sold 140 million console.
August 22nd, 2008
Definatly getting the keyboard, so many times i’ve wanted to hurl abuse at someone on MGS4 but not had the time or effort to scroll through the individual letters.
The lack of Microsoft showing in Europe either suggests they’re not bothered about sales and possibly concentrating on something larger (Xbox 720) or that … they simply don’t care anyways…. it would’ve been a fantastic event to splash the cash to demonstrate the future of 360.
August 22nd, 2008
Yeah but the keypad ABOVE the controller?!? Would have made more sense to put it below, like the 360 one.
August 22nd, 2008
It’s just a blatant rip off of the 360 version.
And I agree with winner, whoever thoight that putting the keypad above the controller needs to be fired. Pure assinine.
August 22nd, 2008
imagine using the sixaxis with that beast on it.
August 22nd, 2008
I could use it either way (above or below) but that thing is never entering my living room (unless i get one for free
)
Just give me a bluetooth headset and we’ll be done with this ancient typing thingy *looks down at keyboard*.
I do have to say I think MS got it right when they bundled a basic (and kinda cheap feeling/looking) headset with thier machine. Love how you can send voice messages. Altho, my buddy was actually sending me text messages over the life the other nite… O_o
Heh.
August 22nd, 2008
Heh, meant live not life
August 22nd, 2008
Its on top because it makes more sense to have the mouse USB cable coming out from the top then the bottom.
Think about how your mouse is on your computer and if you used a mouse on a laptop where the USB is near the bottom right side the cable swings downwards and upwards and gets in the way of the mouse.
August 22nd, 2008
Dumb Idea to put it on top.
August 22nd, 2008
harry, I think your reading a bit too much into the title, I think he meant no new news came out of GC Leipzig for Microsoft.
And read my explanation above your comment why it makes sense to have it at the top.
The keypad has a usb plug at the top for a mouse.
If the mouse connection is at the bottom the wire would be tangled downwards and upwards and back down to the mouse.
August 22nd, 2008
If Sony copy Microsoft in the keypad than Microsoft copy Sony in the camera idea and the backwards compatibility idea also. And Microsoft copy everything new in the new upcoming dashboard from Nintendo’s crappy Mii service. Microsoft is the biggest COPYCAT. Microsoft even copy the gaming console idea by making Xbox. without Nintendo betraying Sony they will be no PlayStation 2 which also means no Xbox. The reason Microsoft enter the gaming business was because they felt threatened by Sony. The new PS3 KeyPad looks great way better than that useless KeyPad Xbox 360 has.
August 22nd, 2008
If Sony copy Microsoft in the keypad than Microsoft copy Sony in the camera idea and the backwards compatibility idea also. And Microsoft copy everything new in the new upcoming dashboard from Nintendo’s crappy Mii service. Microsoft is the biggest COPYCAT. Microsoft even copy the gaming console idea by making Xbox. without Nintendo betraying Sony they will be no PlayStation 2 which also means no Xbox. The reason Microsoft enter the gaming business was because they felt threatened by Sony. The new PS3 KeyPad looks great way better than that useless KeyPad Xbox 360 has. Lips is a %100 a SingStar wannabe copy from Sony wow even the microphone they copy ripoff. Microsoft needs they’re own ideas if they plan to survive in the gaming business which i highly doubt they will.
August 22nd, 2008
The new PLAYSTATION 3 KeyPad looks and will be great.
Microsoft stole all this from Sony and Nintendo COPYCAT.
EyeToy from Sony with Xbox Live Vision
SingStar from Sony with Lips
Microphone from Sony with Lips Microphone
PlayStation 2 from Sony with Xbox
Mii from Nintendo with the new dashboard update coming soon.
Ratchet & Clank Jak & Daxter Sly Cooper from Sony with Viva Piñata
Backwards Compatibility from Sony with Xbox 360
Microsoft has failed in every single attempt they had taken stealing ideas from Sony and Nintendo.
August 22nd, 2008
Ivan
Talking more shit over here too I see. How much bullshit can spew out of one persons mouth?
August 22nd, 2008
So I have noticed that all the people who work for Blorge highlight in Blue. So why is Ivan PSP always highlighted blue. Which one of you ass holes is posing as Ivan. Is it Dave or Mike or the Bitch?
August 22nd, 2008
Everything someone makes always gets used as inspiration or the concept taken and someone will try to advance it further. i truth sony and Microsoft coped the people before and so on till the original.
August 22nd, 2008
The keypad should be on top otherwise you wouldn’t be able to grip the controller if it were on the bottem. Besides, you have headsets to communicate while playing.
August 22nd, 2008
who has a genuine grievance for it being on the top?
August 22nd, 2008
You can grip the controller with no issues with the 360 version.
August 23rd, 2008
CAD:
Give it up with me you will always lose since you always wrong. Face the facts you just a bitter fanboy with no gaming knowledge. I love being an moderator to this idiots. The KeyPad feels really lite we gotta already SCEA SCEE SCEJ.