14 DAY TRIAL // In the next-gen console wars, Sony has just won a battle thanks to the latest statement of Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. He claims that Unreal Tournament 3 can only show its full potential on a Blu-ray disk, instead of the DVD used on the Xbox 360.
Rein brought this up while attending the Edinburgh Interactive Festival and he mentioned that Epic Games had to cut some content from the Xbox 360 version of UT 3. So, we'll have fewer maps to play on if we own one of Microsoft's consoles, but if we're the lucky owners of a PS3, we'll take full advantage of the Blu-ray freedom.
So, even if the Wii is the big winner in the end when it comes to sales figures, the PS3 is quickly catching up, as its Blu-ray playing capabilities make it an unique console. Who's willing to take a bet with me that the next console designed by Microsoft will support the new format, leaving behind the DVD standard? The same assumption applies to Nintendo, but I don't quite see anyone playing a new Unreal Tournament title with the aid of a Wiimote.
When the next gen wars take place in the "FPS arena", there are only two major contenders: the PS3 and the Xbox 360, with the Wii handling the fun titles that don't feature top notch graphics. However, as long as we see blockbuster titles surfacing on the PSP or DS, there will always be a pesky little Wii port, featuring clunky controls and PS2 style graphics.
Just the thought of seeing a Blu-ray Nintendo console some day makes me tremble... By the time that happens, a new format will be available and the PS3 will be as cheap as a sixpack of beers.