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PS3 PLAYABLE AT E3

Sony slap May date on PS3 playable debut setting up apocalyptic next-gen showdown at E3, with more info expected at the end of March...

11:12 Looks like we might get a glimpse of Sony's PS3 earlier than we expected - in a financial conference call last week Sony execs suggested that the next-gen PlayStation will be playable at E3 in May .
The announcement could mean that all three next-gen consoles - Xbox 2, Nintendo Revolution and PS3 - go head-to-head in an epic clash of the console titans at the world's biggest videogames showcase.

Sony confirmed that the PS3 will appear in playable form rather than just showing video footage of the console's capabilities, although the scope of this playability was not confirmed. We could be looking at actual games, or Sony may choose to show off interactive tech demos that demonstrate the PS3's power.

Sony also stated that it would be making a more conclusive PS3 announcement at the end of March. Again, no info was offered as to what this potential bombshell would contain, but perhaps we can expect official technical specifications and a ballpark release date. When we pressed Sony for more information we were met with a good old "we do not comment on rumours and speculation."

Microsoft's Xbox 2 is also now expected to make its debut at E3 rather than March's Games Developer's Conference (GDC). In yet another financial conference call (who'd have though they could be so interesting?) John Connors, Microsoft's Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, said "In terms on the next Xbox, we haven't announced a release. I think the next period when Robbie and the team will talk about that is at E3 in Los Angeles in May."

This comment comes hot on the heels of confirmation that J Allard, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President, energetic Xbox fan and XNA (Microsoft's next-gen development toolset) guru, will deliver the keynote speech at the GDC on March 9 is San Francisco. His lecture is entitled 'The Future of Games: Unlocking the Opportunity', but it now looks unlikely that he'll be smuggling an Xbox 2 into the auditorium.

Nintendo's Revolution is also expected to make its first public appearance at E3, setting the scene for a truly stunning three-way face off on the showfloor. We'll be there bringing you all the details.

Stay tuned for more hot info on all the next-gen consoles.
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