Written by Adam 
Sony announces that it will be introducing a game/movie blue ray combo later this year. They wish to emphasize the $399 console’s ability to play games as well as movies.
The details of the hybrid PS3 game/movie product are still being finalized, but the idea is that a PS3 videogame disc would also provide access to an entire feature film. Plus, consumers would be able to transfer the film for view on the PlayStation Portable, similar to the way Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s digital copies can be transferred to the PSP.
“We are actively pushing, and the way that we see the future is that the movie and the game are placed on the same disc,” said John Koller, director of hardware marketing for the PS3. “There are a lot of developers who say, we have this game based on a movie, wouldn’t it be great to marry these concepts? We will definitely see this stuff this year.”
Koller did not specify which studios are in talks, but he predicts that as many as two to three such hybrids could launch in 2009. PS3 management believes creating this heftier bridge between its gaming and movie features will win over consumers.
There has been more of a emphases as of late when executives noticed a console sales jump coinciding with Warner Home Video’s release of The Dark Knight on Blu-ray.
“We saw a hardware blip during the week of Dec. 9th, and numbers were above our forecasting,” said Koller. “We directly attribute that to the [title’s] release. We see that movies can help sell hardware.”
“This is a value message with the PS3,” said Koller. “Consumers can capitalize on the larger amount of space with Blu-ray. There are grander experiences for movies or games.”
Sony also hope to promote more game console exclusives like developer strategy videos, exclusive maps, and behind the seen movies. First in there sites is the March 23 release Command and Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition for PS3 which will come packed with a developer strategy video, exclusive maps, bloopers and outtakes—material not available with other game console versions.
PS3 marketing also will stress additional assets over straight Blu-ray set-tops. Currently, the PS3 features one of the few Blu-ray players that can connect to the Web wirelessly. Plus, the PS3 is synced up to download and/or stream movie and game content from its PlayStation Store.
[ Source ]
