Cinema PS3s to enable gaming on the big screen?
Sony plugs high-end digital projectors
A Sony executive’s recent comments about an upcoming installation of PlayStation 3s in cinemas across North America have fuelled speculation that the firm’s considering a wider rollout of PS3-equpped cinemas.
From next week, four US cinemas – including one in San Francisco and another in Washington – will allow, albeit for just two days, punters to play upcoming videogame Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on movie screens.
This will be made possible by connecting a PS3 into a Sony 4K digital projector, the Japanese electronics giant said.
Mike Fidler, Senior VP of Sony Electronics’ digital cinema group, told Reuters that although the installation is “the first time we’re doing it in a theatre”, the company believes PS3-fitted cinemas will become “a standard element in the movie-going experience”.
The North American installation will obviously help draw attention to Sony’s 4K digital projector range – high-end kit designed for use in cinemas.
But Fidler added that a PS3-4K projector combo will also help exhibitors find new ways of filling seats. “Gaming is an important part of that equation,” he said.
So could Blighty-based cinemas soon start offering you the chance to play Grand Theft Auto before and after films? Possibly.
A spokeswoman for Sony’s UK projector arm told Register Hardware that cinema chain Apollo will install 4K projectors in an unspecified number of venues. She also indicated that a similar deal has been struck with another UK cinema chain.
And with several high-profile games, including Fallout 3: Game of the Year edition, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 and Tekken 6, set to launch on the PS3 in the coming months, it’s feasible that Sony may have some equally high-profile promotional launches lined-up for Blighty. ®
COMMENTS
Cinematic Gaming
Looks like Wii might have beaten them to it - Game Cinema has already launched a pilot across the UK and Ireland with interest across Europe.
I have been to one of the launches at my local Cinema and it was great. The Wii ensured an interactive session for those people not playing as just as much fun watching at times and the time allowed for game play made sure we all received value for money - a real winner!!!
Upscale?
By 4k I take it thats the resoloution of the projectors?, and there hooking up a console that internaly renders most of its games at 720p? thats a hell of a upscale.
err
I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
I mean yeah, sure- it's a fantastic facility to have, and if I could afford to rent out the games-equipped projector at my local cinema for, say, my birthday then I'd definately use it. Half Life on a regular projector and bigass speakers (to "configure" a conference room's hardware. For 3 hours.) is fantastic- on a full 4k res, cinema-sound system (with 3D as well perhaps, sony?) it'd be absolutely orgasmic.
Split-screen multiplayer might almost be a viable option as well.
Also, could I suggest a VR style interface for the user + a picture-in-picture view of them flailing around like a tazered octopus? It'd be high-tech and hilarious.
Old Tricks?
Better are the pics of the two men using a cinema screen to play on the Wii.
Seeing them trying to negotiate the seats while playing tennis shows another skill level is required.
ffs... it's like they want to die out!!
Sort out the projectors and digital distribution for the actual films first - then worry about fringe services... seriously, my local 3 year old cinema by a well known brand has about 2 digital projectors and 3d screens, the rest have scratched crappy quality film projectors.
Eventually people will just stop going to the cinema if the film quality is poorer than at home, and adding 10 minutes of play on a ps3 before/after isn't going to help, people who like that will already have one at home.
