I was incredibly excited for the PlayStation E3 presentation. I felt that PlayStation could prove to everyone that they are definitely a leader in the videogame industry. From the start of the presentation you could tell that there was a different attitude in the air.  Gone was the arrogance from past conferences, and in its place seemed a more relaxed, jovial attitude.  Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc (“SCEA”), made jokes about being nervous talking in front of everyone. The focus shifted from “of course everyone will want this,” to an attitude of “this is what we’re offering, don’t you want to be a part of this?”  Here are my highlights of what I loved at the conference.

Today is the first time I believed in PlayStation® Home™ and the interactivity of the PLAYSTATION®Network. Up until today, I really doubted whether the community could truly offer a place that people would want to design, hang out, and meet up for games. Today PlayStation proved that they are listening to their beta testers and creating an amazing interactive 3-D place that is simple to use and fun. I was impressed by how easy it was to launch games from within PlayStation Home. Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, went from his avatar in Home straight into a multiplayer match in MotorStorm™. It was quite seamless and easy. Four new apartment types were introduced today and being the So Cal girl that I  am, I’ll be building a beach house, but there is also a new Manhattan Penthouse for those city types, a Norwegian Cabin, and for the Otaku, a traditional Japanese house. PlayStation also displayed a commitment to bringing fun downloadable games only to the PLAYSTATION Network. I’m really looking forward to the new Resistance: Fall of Man™ map packs and Echochrome is one of the more innovative puzzler games I have ever seen. Echochrome is a simple graphic puzzler where you change the viewing angle to help your stick figure through the maze.

Some of the hottest news involved the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. As a proud owner of a PSP system since launch, I bring my PSP system everywhere I go. When I heard that PlayStation was going to be releasing a slimmer PSP system, I was on board. Today I learned of the other features that sealed the deal. There is a new video-out port that enables HD content to be played from your PSP system onto your HD-TV at home.  The new PSP system is going to be available in three different packages. The typical “piano black,” which is a term they used that I never really considered. I always felt that the black was a great color for the PSP. It looked high-tech and sophisticated. But if black is not your thing, you can get it in “ice silver” in the Daxter™ PSP Entertainment pack. But the one I’m probably getting is the “ceramic white” Star Wars® Battlefront™ PSP Entertainment pack.  Which has an awesome Darth Vader silk screen on it. Although I’m not really one for the dark side, but it’s awesome, and every Star Wars fan should have one. (Or try to get one since it is a limited release.)

PlayStation was not done there. They announced a partnership with NCsoft for development of exclusive content for PlayStation. I’ve wanted to try out Guild Wars®, so this could be the push I need. PlayStation will also team up with Midway and Epic Games to have a timed exclusive to Unreal Tournament 3. While I don’t play first-person shooters, I have seen Unreal Tournament 3 three times now and it’s amazing gameplay paired with equally amazing graphics. Having the timed exclusive is definitely an advantage for PlayStation.  The biggest news came from the announcement that Metal Gear Solid® 4 will be exclusive to the PLAYSTATION®3. Based on the in-game trailer shown, MGS4 should prove to be a strong ending to an amazing series.

Today PlayStation showed a new personality along with a renewed spirit. The focus was on the “gamers experience.” Replacing egotism with fun. And it works. The PlayStation press conference was easily the best press conference at E3 this year.  As a PlayStation fan and gamer, I have a lot to look forward to, as well as a lot to buy. I only hope I have enough money saved to buy it all. This holiday season will definitely be interesting, but as I always say, it’s the gamers that always win.