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We are just about ready to present the Sony E3 press event where we hope to learn more about PSP upgrades, PlayStation spot, and of course lots of PS3 details (including games, a new controller, pricing, release date, etc..)

Read on to check out the live blog of the press event.

4:32PM PST: We have gone live and expect to begin any moment (yeah we too were hoping the Sony folks know it was supposed to begin 4:00pm PST not 4:00pm in Japan)

4:52PM PST: Kaz Hirai the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment has just taken the stage. He is talking about the power of PS3 and that even though it is powerful the importance lies in the hands of the gaming programmers. PS3 must be connected, seamless with PSP, upgradeable, etc.

4:55PM PST: Just reinforced the November launch for PS3 as well as try to cool the fire about the extreme costs and risks of PS3…but PS2 led the way. Sony has shipped over 1 million units thus far and over 3 million online users. PS2 will continue to be supported for more than 10 years. New titles include God of War sequel, Madden ‘07, and others.

4:59PM PST: PSP is the fastest selling Sony gaming platform, 17 million units thus far. 545 games on the market thus far and another 155 more titles/applications on their way including: Planet PSP, Kill Zone,  LocoRoco, Dark Mirror, World Soccer 2, TalkMan, Gangs of London…

5:02PM PST: PSP “Greatest Hits” programs will be released for the top 5 games. UMD is a format with lots of specs (no indication of it being continued, only that it exists and their are some titles). Plan to add RRS Video, VoIP, a camera, “Memory Stick Boot” and video peripherals later this year.

5:05PM PST: PlayStation 3 promo video of people around the world (New York City, London, Sidney, Cape Town, Tokyo, Mexico City, etc) being extremely excited for PS3 and what the love about prior systems.

5:10PM PST: Specs will be powered by Cell, CD, DVD, Blu-ray support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Removable Hard Drive, support 1080p, SD card support, up to 7 wireless controllers, back catalog compatibility of all older formats. PSP can interact wirelessly.

5:12PM PST: Every system will ship with a hard drive to improve performance, store downloads, and manage content. Clear black system will ship worldwide at once. Many many games are being developed. Playable game titles are here and can be played at the Sony booth.

5:17PM PST: Phil Harrison, President Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios is going to present games. Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital Inc., will present Gran Turismo HD. It is GT4 boosted up to HD for use on the PS3, allowing endless development possibilities. The video will be 1920X1080p at 60 fps, the first time that a household TV will present a true HD 1080p resolution. The menus have been optimized for HD as well.

5:22PM PST: These menus looked great but there seems to be a consensus that it does not look so amazing, just slightly better than SD. They have dropped the loading times from 15 seconds to about 3 seconds (with help from the internal hard disc drive). They are showing the older games and the improvement from GT1 to GT4 to the PS3 version. It is definitely more realistic but it is also much larger. The sound from the game certainly utilizes the Dolby Digital HD format, it sounds like we are right there next to the cars.

They are now stressing that this is just a test or proof of concept. In the near future we cna expect a network enabled GT. GT3 came 1.5 years after the release of PS2, the plan is to release the next GT “not-to-far” after the release of PS3.

5:33PM PST: EyeToy creator, is demoing “The Eye of Judgement” a game that allows you to interact with the characters, much like a holographic board game. Playable at the Sony booth for PS3.

5:36PM PST: Kaz is back talking about the online offering. PS3 online network is, “as essential as the air we breathe.“  Account management, player profile, ranking, friends list, video chat, voice messaging, text messaging…a virtual society and community will be created. The services will be offered FREE of charge for users. Users can also access games, music, movies, and more. E-distribution of content will be available via the PSP, downloaded onto the Memory Stick Duo. The fist game is Ridge Racer from the original PlayStation (with the Space Invaders opening) using a PlayStation emulator.

PlayStation card will be used for online payments. Phil is back to discuss shopping on the PS3. First glance of the PS3 interface. It shows what you can buy, community features, and more. SingStar has been huge in Europe thus far. You can brows an online catalogue of songs on SingStore videos (in HD too), purchase songs (no pricing yet). It can be downloaded to the hard drive of the PS3 or you can contribute via My SingStar and upload your content. We’re being shown Genji. This game looks impressive. It’s got a lot of nice graphical touches.

5:48PM PST: Now we are being shown how the PSP can seamlessly interact with the PS3. This looks really cool. We see the side-view mirror of a race car on our PSP while the main screen shows us the car driving forward.

5:57PM PST: These are the most realistic images I have ever seen from a games. Graphics of people walking the street of London, animals in Africa, animated people on a golf course (the trees and houses are unreal), Harry Potter (greet fire from the dragons mouth), Eight Days (showing fire, bullet holes, speed), Naughty Dog (a Tombraider like game with a guy), Resistance, and more.

6:09PM PST: Kaz is back once again presenting 3rd party games: Coded Arms Assult, Ridge Racer 7, Tekken 3, Sonic the Hedgehog (which we posted a trailer for early today), Virtual Tennis 3, Virtual Fighter, StrangleHold…

6:21PM PST: Footplanting in the PS2 is shown compared to the PS3.  Instead of only having 45 degree range of motion, figures now have full 360 degrees of motion.

NBA Live 07 is shown and IT LOOKS AMAZING!  Now we’re watching a graphics artist recreate Tiger Woods on the PS3.  It looks like Tiger is on video… rinkles in his shirt and all.  An EA Sports representative came out on stage to announce their full support for the PS3 (as if we thought they weren’t going to).

6:29PM PST: Kaz is back and introduces Final Fantasy.  And oooo Meta Gear Solid 4.  Here comes the father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi.

6:36PM PST: Here comes the long-awaited PS3 controller.  I can just feel it coming.  Phil is now going to unveil a “secret” about the new, familiar controller.  The controller has 6 degrees of freedom built into it.  Similar to the revolution controller, the new PS3 controller now moves as you move it.  I’m glad to see that the new controller isn’t a boomerang anymore.  It’s just like the original dual-shock PS2 controller.

6:40PM PST: Now they’re demoing a flying game with the new controller.  The capabilities are amazing.  Dylan Jobs, a game designer is very excited about the controller.  “It allows us to change from static control mechanics to kinetic controll mechanics.“  Back to Kaz…

6:43PM PST: Today we’re pleased to announce the Global launch details.  1 with a 60 GB hard drive disk and the other with a 20 GB hard drive.  Here are the launch dates and prices…

Nov 11 - Japan
59,800 yen - 20 GB
60 GB - retailer decides the price

Nov 17 - US
$499 - 20 GB
$599 - 60 GB

Nov 17 - Europe
499 euros - 20 GB
599 euros - 60 GB

Shipping 2 million units during launch, 2 million more by end of year, 6 million by March 31, 2007.  That’s all we’ve got for today.  Hope you enjoyed our live coverage of the Sony Pre-E3 Press Event.  Have a good night.

Some images via Engadget

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