On July 16, 1945, with numerous other Manhattan Project personnel, von Neumann was an eyewitness to the first atomic bomb blast, code named Trinity, conducted as a test of the implosion method device, at the bombing range near Alamogordo Army Airfield, 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Socorro, New Mexico. Based on his observation alone, von Neumann estimated the test had resulted in a blast equivalent to 5 kilotons of TNT (21 TJ) but Enrico Fermi produced a more accurate estimate of 10 kilotons by dropping scraps of torn-up paper as the shock wave passed his location and watching how far they scattered. The actual power of the explosion had been between 20 and 22 kilotons. It was in von Neumann's 1944 papers that the expression "kilotons" appeared for the first time. After the war, Robert Oppenheimer remarked that the physicists involved in the Manhattan project had "known sin". Von Neumann's response was that "sometimes someone confesses a sin in order to take credit for it."

On what day was the first atomic blast?

July 16, 1945

Where did the first atomic blast test take place?

Alamogordo Army Airfield,

What was the power of the first atomic blast?

between 20 and 22 kilotons


Von Neumann continued unperturbed in his work and became, along with Edward Teller, one of those who sustained the hydrogen bomb project. He then collaborated with Klaus Fuchs on further development of the bomb, and in 1946 the two filed a secret patent on "Improvement in Methods and Means for Utilizing Nuclear Energy", which outlined a scheme for using a fission bomb to compress fusion fuel to initiate nuclear fusion. The Fuchs–von Neumann patent used radiation implosion, but not in the same way as is used in what became the final hydrogen bomb design, the Teller–Ulam design. Their work was, however, incorporated into the "George" shot of Operation Greenhouse, which was instructive in testing out concepts that went into the final design. The Fuchs–von Neumann work was passed on, by Fuchs, to the Soviet Union as part of his nuclear espionage, but it was not used in the Soviets' own, independent development of the Teller–Ulam design. The historian Jeremy Bernstein has pointed out that ironically, "John von Neumann and Klaus Fuchs, produced a brilliant invention in 1946 that could have changed the whole course of the development of the hydrogen bomb, but was not fully understood until after the bomb had been successfully made."

With whom did von Neumann collaborate for further development of the hydrogen bomb?

Klaus Fuchs

What improvement did von Neumann see in the nuclear weaponry?

using a fission bomb to compress fusion fuel to initiate nuclear fusion

What country was afforded access to design of improved nuclear weapon through espionage?

Soviet Union


In 1950, von Neumann became a consultant to the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG), whose function was to advise the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United States Secretary of Defense on the development and use of new technologies. He also became an adviser to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP), which was responsible for the military aspects on nuclear weapons.Over the following two years, he also became a consultant to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a member of the influential General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission, a consultant to the newly established Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group of the United States Air Force.

In 1950 von Neumann became a consultant for what organization?

Weapons Systems Evaluation Group

What military organization did von NEumann also consult with for military aspect of nuclear weapons?

Armed Forces Special Weapons Project

What committee did von Neumann serve on within the Atomic Energy Commission?

General Advisory Committee


In 1955, von Neumann became a commissioner of the AEC. He accepted this position and used it to further the production of compact hydrogen bombs suitable for Intercontinental ballistic missile delivery. He involved himself in correcting the severe shortage of tritium and lithium 6 needed for these compact weapons, and he argued against settling for the intermediate range missiles that the Army wanted. He was adamant that H-bombs delivered into the heart of enemy territory by an ICBM would be the most effective weapon possible, and that the relative inaccuracy of the missile wouldn't be a problem with an H-bomb. He said the Russians would probably be building a similar weapon system, which turned out to be the case. Despite his disagreement with Oppenheimer over the need for a crash program to develop the hydrogen bomb, he testified on the latter's behalf at the 1954 Oppenheimer security hearing, at which he asserted that Oppenheimer was loyal, and praised him for his helpfulness once the program went ahead.

In what year did von Neumann become commissioner of the AEC?

What were compact hydrogen bombs useful for?

Intercontinental ballistic missile delivery

What was the concern with longer range ICBM with Hbomb?

relative inaccuracy of the missile

Von Neumann testified at whose hearing about loyalty and help?

Oppenheimer


Shortly before his death, when he was already quite ill, von Neumann headed the United States government's top secret ICBM committee, and it would sometimes meet in his home. Its purpose was to decide on the feasibility of building an ICBM large enough to carry a thermonuclear weapon. Von Neumann had long argued that while the technical obstacles were sizable, they could be overcome in time. The SM-65 Atlas passed its first fully functional test in 1959, two years after his death. The feasibility of an ICBM owed as much to improved, smaller warheads as it did to developments in rocketry, and his understanding of the former made his advice invaluable.

What was the purpose of top secret ICBM committee?

decide on the feasibility of building an ICBM large enough to carry a thermonuclear weapon

What argument did von Neumann make about ICBMs?

while the technical obstacles were sizable, they could be overcome in time

In what year did SM-65 Atlas pass its first fully functional test?


Von Neumann is credited with the equilibrium strategy of mutual assured destruction, providing the deliberately humorous acronym, MAD. (Other humorous acronyms coined by von Neumann include his computer, the Mathematical Analyzer, Numerical Integrator, and Computer—or MANIAC). He also "moved heaven and earth" to bring MAD about. His goal was to quickly develop ICBMs and the compact hydrogen bombs that they could deliver to the USSR, and he knew the Soviets were doing similar work because the CIA interviewed German rocket scientists who were allowed to return to Germany, and von Neumann had planted a dozen technical people in the CIA. The Russians believed that bombers would soon be vulnerable, and they shared von Neumann's view that an H-bomb in an ICBM was the ne plus ultra of weapons, and they believed that whoever had superiority in these weapons would take over the world, without necessarily using them. He was afraid of a "missile gap" and took several more steps to achieve his goal of keeping up with the Soviets:

What was MAD?

mutual assured destruction

What was the goal of MAD?

quickly develop ICBMs and the compact hydrogen bombs that they could deliver to the USSR

What were Russians opinions of future weaponry?

Russians believed that bombers would soon be vulnerable, and they shared von Neumann's view that an H-bomb in an ICBM was the ne plus ultra of weapons

What was the concern of a missile gap?

keeping up with the Soviets


Von Neumann entered government service (Manhattan Project) primarily because he felt that, if freedom and civilization were to survive, it would have to be because the US would triumph over totalitarianism from Nazism, Fascism and Soviet Communism. During a Senate committee hearing he described his political ideology as "violently anti-communist, and much more militaristic than the norm". He was quoted in 1950 remarking, "If you say why not bomb [the Soviets] tomorrow, I say, why not today? If you say today at five o'clock, I say why not one o'clock?"

Why did von Neumann join government work?

felt that, if freedom and civilization were to survive, it would have to be because the US would triumph over totalitarianism

How did von Neumaan describe his political ideology?

violently anti-communist, and much more militaristic than the norm

What was the project that von Neumann first participated in government?

Manhattan Project


Von Neumann was a founding figure in computing. Donald Knuth cites von Neumann as the inventor, in 1945, of the merge sort algorithm, in which the first and second halves of an array are each sorted recursively and then merged. Von Neumann wrote the sorting program for the EDVAC in ink, being 23 pages long; traces can still be seen on the first page of the phrase "TOP SECRET", which was written in pencil and later erased. He also worked on the philosophy of artificial intelligence with Alan Turing when the latter visited Princeton in the 1930s.

Who was the inventor of the merge-sort algorithm?

Von Neumann

With whom did von Neumann work on the philosophy of artificial intelligence?

Alan Turing

What does a merge sort algorithm do?

the first and second halves of an array are each sorted recursively and then merged


Von Neumann's hydrogen bomb work was played out in the realm of computing, where he and Stanislaw Ulam developed simulations on von Neumann's digital computers for the hydrodynamic computations. During this time he contributed to the development of the Monte Carlo method, which allowed solutions to complicated problems to be approximated using random numbers. His algorithm for simulating a fair coin with a biased coin is used in the "software whitening" stage of some hardware random number generators. Because using lists of "truly" random numbers was extremely slow, von Neumann developed a form of making pseudorandom numbers, using the middle-square method. Though this method has been criticized as crude, von Neumann was aware of this: he justified it as being faster than any other method at his disposal, and also noted that when it went awry it did so obviously, unlike methods which could be subtly incorrect. "Anyone who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin."

Where were the computations for hydrogen bomb worked out?

von Neumann's digital computers

What was the Monte Carlo method?

allowed solutions to complicated problems to be approximated using random numbers

Due to slow use of random numbers what was developed?

pseudorandom numbers


While consulting for the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania on the EDVAC project, von Neumann wrote an incomplete First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC. The paper, whose premature distribution nullified the patent claims of EDVAC designers J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, described a computer architecture in which the data and the program are both stored in the computer's memory in the same address space. This architecture is to this day the basis of modern computer design, unlike the earliest computers that were "programmed" using a separate memory device such as a paper tape or plugboard. Although the single-memory, stored program architecture is commonly called von Neumann architecture as a result of von Neumann's paper, the architecture's description was based on the work of J. Presper Eckert and John William Mauchly, inventors of the ENIAC computer at the University of Pennsylvania.

What nullified patent claims of EDVAC designers?

von Neumann wrote an incomplete First Draft of a Report

What was the significance of EDVAC?

architecture is to this day the basis of modern computer design,

Where was ENIAC located?

University of Pennsylvania


John von Neumann also consulted for the ENIAC project. The electronics of the new ENIAC ran at one-sixth the speed, but this in no way degraded the ENIAC's performance, since it was still entirely I/O bound. Complicated programs could be developed and debugged in days rather than the weeks required for plugboarding the old ENIAC. Some of von Neumann's early computer programs have been preserved. The next computer that von Neumann designed was the IAS machine at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He arranged its financing, and the components were designed and built at the RCA Research Laboratory nearby. John von Neumann recommended that the IBM 701, nicknamed the defense computer include a magnetic drum. It was a faster version of the IAS machine and formed the basis for the commercially successful IBM 704.

What was the speed difference with new ENIAC?

new ENIAC ran at one-sixth the speed

What were advantages for programming new ENIAC?

programs could be developed and debugged in days rather than the weeks

After the design of IAS, who built the computer?

RCA Research Laboratory


Stochastic computing was first introduced in a pioneering paper by von Neumann in 1953. However, the theory could not be implemented until advances in computing of the 1960s. He also created the field of cellular automata without the aid of computers, constructing the first self-replicating automata with pencil and graph paper. The concept of a universal constructor was fleshed out in his posthumous work Theory of Self Reproducing Automata. Von Neumann proved that the most effective way of performing large-scale mining operations such as mining an entire moon or asteroid belt would be by using self-replicating spacecraft, taking advantage of their exponential growth. His rigorous mathematical analysis of the structure of self-replication (of the semiotic relationship between constructor, description and that which is constructed), preceded the discovery of the structure of DNA. Beginning in 1949, von Neumann's design for a self-reproducing computer program is considered the world's first computer virus, and he is considered to be the theoretical father of computer virology.

When was stochastic computing introduced?

How long before stochastic computing could be implemented?

advances in computing of the 1960s.

When did von NEumann develop first self reproducing computer program?

What is another name for the first self reproducing computer program?

computer virus


Von Neumann's team performed the world's first numerical weather forecasts on the ENIAC computer; von Neumann published the paper Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation in 1950. Von Neumann's interest in weather systems and meteorological prediction led him to propose manipulating the environment by spreading colorants on the polar ice caps to enhance absorption of solar radiation (by reducing the albedo). thereby inducing global warming. Noting that the Earth was only 6 °F (3.3 °C) colder during the last glacial period, he noted that the burning of coal and oil "a general warming of the Earth by about one degree Fahrenheit."

On what computer was the first numerical weather forecast produced?

ENIAC

In what year did von Neumann publish the paper Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation

How much colder was world in last glacial age?

6 °F (3.3 °C) colder


Von Neumann's ability to instantaneously perform complex operations in his head stunned other mathematicians. Eugene Wigner wrote that, seeing von Neumann's mind at work, "one had the impression of a perfect instrument whose gears were machined to mesh accurately to a thousandth of an inch." Paul Halmos states that "von Neumann's speed was awe-inspiring." Israel Halperin said: "Keeping up with him was ... impossible. The feeling was you were on a tricycle chasing a racing car." Edward Teller wrote that von Neumann effortlessly outdid anybody he ever met, and said "I never could keep up with him". Teller also said "von Neumann would carry on a conversation with my 3-year-old son, and the two of them would talk as equals, and I sometimes wondered if he used the same principle when he talked to the rest of us. Most people avoid thinking if they can, some of us are addicted to thinking, but von Neumann actually enjoyed thinking, maybe even to the exclusion of everything else."

How quickly was von Neumann able to complete math in his head?

stunned other mathematicians

Were other mathematicians amazed by von Neumann?

Paul Halmos states that "von Neumann's speed was awe-inspiring."

Did von Neumann enjoy thinking?

Neumann actually enjoyed thinking, maybe even to the exclusion of everything else.


Lothar Wolfgang Nordheim described von Neumann as the "fastest mind I ever met", and Jacob Bronowski wrote "He was the cleverest man I ever knew, without exception. He was a genius." George Pólya, whose lectures at ETH Zürich von Neumann attended as a student, said "Johnny was the only student I was ever afraid of. If in the course of a lecture I stated an unsolved problem, the chances were he'd come to me at the end of the lecture with the complete solution scribbled on a slip of paper." Halmos recounts a story told by Nicholas Metropolis, concerning the speed of von Neumann's calculations, when somebody asked von Neumann to solve the famous fly puzzle:

How did Lothar Wolfgang Nordheim describe von Neumann?

"fastest mind I ever met",

What did Jacob Bronowski think of von Neumann?

He was the cleverest man I ever knew, without exception. He was a genius.

What did Lecturer Polya think about von Nuemann?

Johnny was the only student I was ever afraid of.


Herman Goldstine wrote: "One of his remarkable abilities was his power of absolute recall. As far as I could tell, von Neumann was able on once reading a book or article to quote it back verbatim; moreover, he could do it years later without hesitation. He could also translate it at no diminution in speed from its original language into English. On one occasion I tested his ability by asking him to tell me how A Tale of Two Cities started. Whereupon, without any pause, he immediately began to recite the first chapter and continued until asked to stop after about ten or fifteen minutes." Ulam noted that von Neumann's way of thinking might not be visual, but more of an aural one.

What did Herman Goldstone write about von NEumann?

One of his remarkable abilities was his power of absolute recall.

Could von Neumann recall written text much later?

he immediately began to recite the first chapter and continued until asked to stop after about ten or fifteen minutes.

What did Ulam think of von Nuemann's cognitive ability?

von Neumann's way of thinking might not be visual, but more of an aural one.


"I have sometimes wondered whether a brain like von Neumann's does not indicate a species superior to that of man", said Nobel Laureate Hans Bethe of Cornell University. "It seems fair to say that if the influence of a scientist is interpreted broadly enough to include impact on fields beyond science proper, then John von Neumann was probably the most influential mathematician who ever lived," wrote Miklós Rédei in "Selected Letters." James Glimm wrote: "he is regarded as one of the giants of modern mathematics". The mathematician Jean Dieudonné called von Neumann "the last of the great mathematicians", while Peter Lax described him as possessing the "most scintillating intellect of this century".

What did Nobel Laureate Hans Bethe think of von NEumann's ability?

I have sometimes wondered whether a brain like von Neumann's does not indicate a species superior to that of man

What did James Glimm have to say about von Nuemann?

he is regarded as one of the giants of modern mathematics

What description did Peter Lax use for von Neumann?

most scintillating intellect of this century


In 1955, von Neumann was diagnosed with what was either bone or pancreatic cancer. His mother, Margaret von Neumann, was diagnosed with cancer in 1956 and died within two weeks. John had eighteen months from diagnosis till death. In this period von Neumann returned to the Roman Catholic faith that had also been significant to his mother after the family's conversion in 1929–1930. John had earlier said to his mother, "There is probably a God. Many things are easier to explain if there is than if there isn't." Von Neumann held on to his exemplary knowledge of Latin and quoted to a deathbed visitor the declamation "Judex ergo cum sedebit," and ends "Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, Cum vix iustus sit securus?" (When the judge His seat hath taken ... What shall wretched I then plead? Who for me shall intercede when the righteous scarce is freed?)

In what year was von Neumann diagnosed with cancer?

From when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, how long did she live?

died within two weeks

How long did von Neumann survive with cancer?

eighteen months


He invited a Roman Catholic priest, Father Anselm Strittmatter, O.S.B., to visit him for consultation. Von Neumann reportedly said in explanation that Pascal had a point, referring to Pascal's Wager. Father Strittmatter administered the last sacraments to him. Some of von Neumann's friends (such as Abraham Pais and Oskar Morgenstern) said they had always believed him to be "completely agnostic." "Of this deathbed conversion, Morgenstern told Heims, "He was of course completely agnostic all his life, and then he suddenly turned Catholic—it doesn't agree with anything whatsoever in his attitude, outlook and thinking when he was healthy." Father Strittmatter recalled that von Neumann did not receive much peace or comfort from it, as he still remained terrified of death.

Who administered the last sacrament to von Neumann?

Father Strittmatter

Did the last sacrament ease von Neumann?

did not receive much peace or comfort from it, as he still remained terrified of death

Was there conflict of faith and beliefs at the end of von NEumann's life?

he suddenly turned Catholic—it doesn't agree with anything whatsoever in his attitude, outlook and thinking when he was healthy

What did Oskar Morgenstern feel about von Neumann's beliefs?

always believed him to be "completely agnostic."


The console was first officially announced at E3 2005, and was released at the end of 2006. It was the first console to use Blu-ray Disc as its primary storage medium. The console was the first PlayStation to integrate social gaming services, included it being the first to introduce Sony's social gaming service, PlayStation Network, and its remote connectivity with PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita, being able to remote control the console from the devices. In September 2009, the Slim model of the PlayStation 3 was released, being lighter and thinner than the original version, which notably featured a redesigned logo and marketing design, as well as a minor start-up change in software. A Super Slim variation was then released in late 2012, further refining and redesigning the console. As of March 2016, PlayStation 3 has sold 85 million units worldwide. Its successor, the PlayStation 4, was released later in November 2013.

What year was the PlayStation 3 released?

What social gaming service was integrated into the PlayStation 3?

PlayStation Network

What was the thinner version of the PS3 called?

Slim

What year did the Super Slim model hit stores?

How many PlayStation 3 units had been purchased as of early 2016?

85 million

What version of the PlayStation was released at the end of 2007?

I'm not sure.

What was officially announced at E4 2005?

I'm not sure.

The Hefty model of the PlayStation 3 was released when?

I'm not sure.

As of March 2017, PlayStation 3 has sold how many units?

I'm not sure.

What was the thinnest version of the PS4 called?

I'm not sure.

What year was the PlayStation 4 released?

I'm not sure.

What social gaming service was integrated into the PlayStation 4?

I'm not sure.

What was the thicker version of the PS3 called?

I'm not sure.

What year did the Super Slim model get cancelled?

I'm not sure.

How many PlayStation 3 units had been purchased as of early 2015?

I'm not sure.


Sony officially unveiled PlayStation 3 (then marketed as PLAYSTATION 3) to the public on May 16, 2005, at E3 2005, along with a 'boomerang' shaped prototype design of the Sixaxis controller. A functional version of the system was not present there, nor at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005, although demonstrations (such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots) were held at both events on software development kits and comparable personal computer hardware. Video footage based on the predicted PlayStation 3 specifications was also shown (notably a Final Fantasy VII tech demo).

What shape was the Sixaxis prototype in?

boomerang

What event did Sony choose for the PS3 unveiling?

E3 2005

What popular game was demoed in a video at the game shows?

Final Fantasy VII

What event did Sony take the PlayStation 3 to four months after E3?

Tokyo Game Show

What was one game Sony debuted on a modified PC so gamers could get a look?

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Dell unveiled the PS3 to the public on what date?

I'm not sure.

At what event did Sony unveil the PS4?

I'm not sure.

Fantasy of the Patriots was demoed at which May 2005 event?

I'm not sure.

Metal Gear Solid 3 was demoed at which May 2005 event?

I'm not sure.

What shape was the Sixaxis final model in?

I'm not sure.

What event did Microsoft choose for the PS3 unveiling?

I'm not sure.

What popular game was demoed in just audio at the game shows?

I'm not sure.

What event did Sony take the PlayStation 3 to five months after E3?

I'm not sure.

What was one game Sony debuted on a modified PS so gamers could get a look?

I'm not sure.


The initial prototype shown in May 2005 featured two HDMI ports, three Ethernet ports and six USB ports; however, when the system was shown again a year later at E3 2006, these were reduced to one HDMI port, one Ethernet port and four USB ports, presumably to cut costs. Two hardware configurations were also announced for the console: a 20 GB model and a 60 GB model, priced at US$499 (€499) and US$599 (€599), respectively. The 60 GB model was to be the only configuration to feature an HDMI port, Wi-Fi internet, flash card readers and a chrome trim with the logo in silver. Both models were announced for a simultaneous worldwide release: November 11, 2006, for Japan and November 17, 2006, for North America and Europe.

How many USB ports did the original PS3 prototype have?

six

By the time the system appeared at E3 2006, how many Ethernet ports was it down to?

one

Why might Sony have reduced the number of ports on the PlayStation 3 before production?

to cut costs

In addition to the 20 GB model, what larger model did Sony offer?

60 GB

What color is the logo on the 60 GB PS3?

silver

The initial prototype shown in March 2005 had how many HDMI ports?

I'm not sure.

Sony increased the number of HDMI ports to presumably cut what?

I'm not sure.

The initial prototype shown in March 2005 had how many Ethernet ports?

I'm not sure.

The initial prototype shown in March 2005 had how many USB ports?

I'm not sure.

How many USB ports did the original PS2 prototype have?

I'm not sure.

By the time the system appeared at E3 2005, how many Ethernet ports was it down to?

I'm not sure.

Why might Sony have reduced the number of ports on the PlayStation 3 after production?

I'm not sure.

In addition to the 2 GB model, what larger model did Sony offer?

I'm not sure.

What color is the logo on the 6 GB PS3?

I'm not sure.


On September 6, 2006, Sony announced that PAL region PlayStation 3 launch would be delayed until March 2007, because of a shortage of materials used in the Blu-ray drive. At the Tokyo Game Show on September 22, 2006, Sony announced that it would include an HDMI port on the 20 GB system, but a chrome trim, flash card readers, silver logo and Wi-Fi would not be included. Also, the launch price of the Japanese 20 GB model was reduced by over 20%, and the 60 GB model was announced for an open pricing scheme in Japan. During the event, Sony showed 27 playable PS3 games running on final hardware.

Which region experience a setback that pushed back the release of the PlayStation 3?

PAL

What part of the system was Sony having trouble getting supplies for?

Blu-ray drive

Which Japanese PS3 model got a 20%-plus price cut before hitting the market?

20 GB model

Where did Sony offer the 60 GB model with an open pricing scheme?

Japan

How many playable games did the PlayStation 3 by the time it arrived at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show?

A shortage of what delayed the PS4 launch in what region?

I'm not sure.

The PS4 launch in the PAL region was delayed until what date?

I'm not sure.

At the Tokyo Game Show Sony showed how many playable PS4 games?

I'm not sure.

The launch price of the Japanese 60 GB model was reduced by how much?

I'm not sure.

What game show took place on September 12, 2006?

I'm not sure.

Which region experience a setback that moved up the release of the PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

What part of the system was Sony having an easy time getting supplies for?

I'm not sure.

Which Japanese PS3 model got a 10%-plus price cut before hitting the market?

I'm not sure.

Where did Sony offer the 60 GB model with a closed pricing scheme?

I'm not sure.

How many playable games did the PlayStation 3 by the time it arrived at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show?

I'm not sure.


The console was originally planned for a global release through November, but at the start of September the release in Europe and the rest of the world was delayed until March. With it being a somewhat last-minute delay, some companies had taken deposits for pre-orders, at which Sony informed customers that they were eligible for full refunds or could continue the pre-order. On January 24, 2007, Sony announced that PlayStation 3 would go on sale on March 23, 2007, in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand. The system sold about 600,000 units in its first two days. On March 7, 2007, the 60 GB PlayStation 3 launched in Singapore with a price of S$799. The console was launched in South Korea on June 16, 2007, as a single version equipped with an 80 GB hard drive and IPTV.

Instead of November, for what month of the following year was the release rescheduled?

March

What country had to wait until June of 2007 for their PS3?

South Korea

How big was the hard drive in the single South Korean version?

80 GB

What did customers in Singapore pay for the 60 GB PS3?

On what date did the PlayStation 3 go on sale in Africa?

March 23, 2007

What system sold about 6,000,000 units in its first two days?

I'm not sure.

The 80 GB PS3 launched in Singapore when?

I'm not sure.

What was the price of the 80 GB PS3 launched in Singapore?

I'm not sure.

When was the 60 GB PS3 launched in South Korea?

I'm not sure.

Instead of October, for what month of the following year was the release rescheduled?

I'm not sure.

What country had to wait until June of 2008 for their PS3?

I'm not sure.

How big was the hard drive in the single North Korean version?

I'm not sure.

What did customers in Singapore pay for the 60 GB PS2?

I'm not sure.

On what date did the PlayStation 2 go on sale in Africa?

I'm not sure.


Following speculation that Sony was working on a 'slim' model, Sony officially announced the PS3 CECH-2000 model on August 18, 2009, at the Sony Gamescom press conference. New features included a slimmer form factor, decreased power consumption, and a quieter cooling system. It was released in major territories by September 2009. As part of the release for the slim model, the console logo ceased using the "Spider-Man font" (the same font used for the title of Sony's Spider-Man 3) and the capitalized PLAYSTATION 3. It instead reverted to a more traditional PlayStation- and PlayStation 2-like 'PlayStation 3' logo with "PS3" imprinted on the console. Along with the redesigning of the console and logo, the boot screen of all consoles changed from "Sony Computer Entertainment" to "PS3 PlayStation 3", with a new chime and the game start splash screen being dropped. The cover art and packaging of games was also changed.

What was the model number of the slim version of the PlayStation 3?

What font was discontinued with the release of the slim model?

Spider-Man font

What would customers notice about the sound of the new, improved cooling system?

quieter

What did the boot screen on the game consoles read before Sony changed it to "PS3 PlayStation 3"?

"Sony Computer Entertainment"

What did Sony change about the PS3 games along with the packaging in 2009?

cover art

Sony announce what model on April 18, 2009?

I'm not sure.

Where did Sony announce the PS4 CECH-2000?

I'm not sure.

What model included increased power consumption?

I'm not sure.

What model stopped using the "Batman font"?

I'm not sure.

What model included a louder cooling system?

I'm not sure.

What was the model number of the thick version of the PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

What font was continued with the release of the slim model?

I'm not sure.

What would customers notice about the sound of the new, improved heating system?

I'm not sure.

What did the boot screen on the game consoles read after Sony changed it to "PS3 PlayStation 3"?

I'm not sure.

What did Sony change about the PS3 games along with the packaging in 2008?

I'm not sure.


In September 2012 at the Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced that a new, slimmer PS3 redesign (CECH-4000) was due for release in late 2012 and that it would be available with either a 250 GB or 500 GB hard drive. Three versions Super Slim model were revealed: one with a 500 GB hard drive, a second with a 250 GB hard drive which is not available in PAL regions, and a third with a 12 GB flash storage that was only available in PAL regions. The storage of 12 GB model is upgradable with an official standalone 250 GB hard drive. A vertical stand was also released for the model. In the United Kingdom, the 500 GB model was released on September 28, 2012; and the 12 GB model was released on October 12, 2012. In the United States, the PS3 Super Slim was first released as a bundled console. The 250 GB was model was bundled with Game of the Year edition of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and released on September 25, 2012; and the 500 GB model was bundled with Assassin's Creed III and released on October 30, 2012. In Japan, the black colored Super Slim model was released on October 4, 2012; and the white colored Super Slim model was released on November 22, 2012. The Super Slim model is 20 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the Slim model and features a manual sliding disc cover instead of a motorized slot-loading disc cover of the Slim model. The white colored Super Slim model was released in the United States on January 27, 2013 as part of the Instant Game Collection Bundle. The Garnet Red and Azurite Blue colored models were launched in Japan on February 28, 2013. The Garnet Red version was released in North America on March 12, 2013 as part of the God of War: Ascension bundle with 500 GB storage and contained God of War: Ascension as well as the God of War Saga. The Azurite Blue model was released as a GameStop exclusive with 250GB storage.

At what event did Sony tell everyone about the CECH-4000?

Tokyo Game Show

What size was the largest hard drive available on the Super Slim PS3?

500 GB

How many versions of the CECH-4000 were made?

Three

On what date was the 12 GB version of the Super Slim released in the UK?

October 12, 2012

What color was the PlayStation 3 that was included in the God of War: Ascension bundle in the States?

Garnet Red

At what game show was the new, slimmer PS4 redesign announced?

I'm not sure.

The 5000 GB model was released in the UK when?

I'm not sure.

The PS4 Super Slim was released in the what country with Uncharted 3?

I'm not sure.

In Japan, the black Super Slim was released on November 22 of what year?

I'm not sure.

At what event did Sony tell everyone about the CECH-3000?

I'm not sure.

What size was the largest hard drive available on the Super Slim PS2?

I'm not sure.

How many versions of the CECH-4000 weren't made?

I'm not sure.

On what date was the 12 GB version of the Super Slim released in the US?

I'm not sure.

What color was the PlayStation 3 that was included in the God of War: Ascension bundle in the UK?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation 3 launched in North America with 14 titles, with another three being released before the end of 2006. After the first week of sales it was confirmed that Resistance: Fall of Man from Insomniac Games was the top-selling launch game in North America. The game was heavily praised by numerous video game websites, including GameSpot and IGN, both of whom awarded it their PlayStation 3 Game of the Year award for 2006. Some titles missed the launch window and were delayed until early 2007, such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, F.E.A.R. and Sonic the Hedgehog. During the Japanese launch, Ridge Racer 7 was the top-selling game, while Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire also fared well in sales, both of which were offerings from Namco Bandai Games. PlayStation 3 launched in Europe with 24 titles, including ones that were not offered in North American and Japanese launches, such as Formula One Championship Edition, MotorStorm and Virtua Fighter 5. Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm were the most successful titles of 2007, and both games subsequently received sequels in the form of Resistance 2 and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift.

How many games could you buy to go with your PS3 when it launched in North America?

What game won GameSpot's Game of the Year title for 2006?

Resistance: Fall of Man

What company developed the game Ridge Racer 7?

Namco Bandai Games

What's the name of the sequel game to MotorStorm?

MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

How many titles did the PS3 launch with in Europe?

PS3 launched in South America with how many titles?

I'm not sure.

What was the worst-selling game launch in the US?

I'm not sure.

What game was heavily criticized by many video game websites?

I'm not sure.

The PS3 Game of the Year award 2006 was given to what game?

I'm not sure.

During the Japanese launch, Crossfire was the top-selling what?

I'm not sure.

How many games could you buy to go with your PS3 when it launched in South America?

I'm not sure.

What game won GameSpot's Game of the Year title for 2016?

I'm not sure.

What company developed the game Ridge Racer 6?

I'm not sure.

What's the name of the prequel game to MotorStorm?

I'm not sure.

How many titles did the PS2 launch with in Europe?

I'm not sure.


At E3 2007, Sony was able to show a number of their upcoming video games for PlayStation 3, including Heavenly Sword, Lair, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Warhawk and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune; all of which were released in the third and fourth quarters of 2007. They also showed off a number of titles that were set for release in 2008 and 2009; most notably Killzone 2, Infamous, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, LittleBigPlanet and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. A number of third-party exclusives were also shown, including the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, alongside other high-profile third-party titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed, Devil May Cry 4 and Resident Evil 5. Two other important titles for PlayStation 3, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, were shown at TGS 2007 in order to appease the Japanese market.

Which Ratchet & Clank title debuted at E3 2007?

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

What year was Warhawk released for the PlayStation 3?

At what event were two new Final Fantasy games for PS3 first shown to the Japanese market?

TGS 2007

What Gran Turismo game was shown in 2007 but not released until after 2007?

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Which much anticipated third-party game with the name of a month of the year in it did Sony show at E3 2007?

Devil May Cry 4

Which Uncharted title debuted at E3 2008?

I'm not sure.

What year was Uncharted:Tools of Destruction released for PS3?

I'm not sure.

What titles were shown at the TAS 2007?

I'm not sure.

What was shown at TGS 2007 to appease the French market?

I'm not sure.

Which Ratchet & Clank title debuted at E2 2007?

I'm not sure.

What year was Jayhawk released for the PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

At what event were two new Final Fantasy games for PS3 last shown to the Japanese market?

I'm not sure.

What Gran Turismo game was shown in 2007 but not released until after 2008?

I'm not sure.

Which much anticipated third-party game with the name of a month of the year in it did Sony show at E4 2007?

I'm not sure.


Sony have since launched their budget range of PlayStation 3 titles, known as the Greatest Hits range in North America, the Platinum range in Europe and Australia and The Best range in Japan. Among the titles available in the budget range include Resistance: Fall of Man, MotorStorm, Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, Rainbow Six: Vegas, Call Of Duty 3, Assassin's Creed and Ninja Gaiden Sigma. As of October 2009 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Devil May Cry 4, Army of Two, Battlefield: Bad Company and Midnight Club: Los Angeles have also joined the list.

What's Sony's budget line of PS3 games called in Japan?

The Best

If you live in Australia and want affordable PlayStation 3 games, what range would you shop for?

Platinum

Which Call of Duty title does Sony include in their low-end price range?

Call Of Duty 3

In what year was Devil May Cry 4 added to the budget game offerings for PS3?

What words would you see in the United States or Canada on a PS3 game that would signify its lower price?

Greatest Hits

Who launched luxury PS3 titles?

I'm not sure.

What is known as the Platinum Hits range in the US?

I'm not sure.

What Resistance title is in the PS4 budget range?

I'm not sure.

What Uncharted title is in the PS4 budget range?

I'm not sure.

What's Sony's budget line of PS2 games called in Japan?

I'm not sure.

If you live in Australia and want affordable PlayStation 4 games, what range would you shop for?

I'm not sure.

Which Call of Duty title does Sony include in their high-end price range?

I'm not sure.

In what year was Devil May Cry 3 added to the budget game offerings for PS3?

I'm not sure.

What words would you see in the United States or Canada on a PS3 game that would signify its higher price?

I'm not sure.


In December 2008, the CTO of Blitz Games announced that it would bring stereoscopic 3D gaming and movie viewing to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with its own technology. This was first demonstrated publicly on PS3 using Sony's own technology in January 2009 at the Consumer Electronics Show. Journalists were shown Wipeout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in 3D as a demonstration of how the technology might work if it is implemented in the future. Firmware update 3.30 officially allowed PS3 titles to be played in 3D, requiring a compatible display for use. System software update 3.50 prepared it for 3D films. While the game itself must be programmed to take advantage of the 3D technology, titles may be patched to add in the functionality retroactively. Titles with such patches include Wipeout HD, Pain, and Super Stardust HD.

What company said it would bring 3D technology to the PS3?

Blitz Games

Along with Wipeout HD, what game did the press view in 3D in early 2009?

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

What version of firmware update gave the PlayStation 3 its 3D capability?

What word describes what happens to a game when is edited to add functions not originally programmed?

patched

What was the PS3 console able to play after the system software was updated to 3.50?

3D films

The CEO of Blitz Games announced in December 2008 it would bring what to PS4?

I'm not sure.

Firmware update 3.33 allowed PS3 titles to be played in what?

I'm not sure.

Software update 3.55 allowed the PS3 to play what?

I'm not sure.

A title with a 3D patch is Super what?

I'm not sure.

What company said it would bring 4D technology to the PS3?

I'm not sure.

Along with Wipeout HD, what game did the press view in 3D in late 2009?

I'm not sure.

What version of firmware update gave the PlayStation 3 its 4D capability?

I'm not sure.

What word describes what happens to a game when is edited to remove functions not originally programmed?

I'm not sure.

What was the PS3 console able to play after the system software was updated to 3.05?

I'm not sure.


PS3's hardware has also been used to build supercomputers for high-performance computing. Fixstars Solutions sells a version of Yellow Dog Linux for PlayStation 3 (originally sold by Terra Soft Solutions). RapidMind produced a stream programming package for PS3, but were acquired by Intel in 2009. Also, on January 3, 2007, Dr. Frank Mueller, Associate Professor of Computer science at NCSU, clustered 8 PS3s. Mueller commented that the 256 MB of system RAM is a limitation for this particular application and is considering attempting to retrofit more RAM. Software includes: Fedora Core 5 Linux ppc64, MPICH2, OpenMP v 2.5, GNU Compiler Collection and CellSDK 1.1. As a more cost-effective alternative to conventional supercomputers, the U.S. military has purchased clusters of PS3 units for research purposes. Retail PS3 Slim units cannot be used for supercomputing, because PS3 Slim lacks the ability to boot into a third-party OS.

What operating system does Fixstars Solutions offer for the PlayStation 3?

Yellow Dog Linux

What company sold Yellow Dog Linux before Fixstars Solutions?

Terra Soft Solutions

What company bought RapidMind in 2009?

Intel

How many PlayStation 3 consoles was Dr. Frank Mueller able to cluster together?

Who is buying PS3 clusters instead of supercomputers in order to save some money?

the U.S. military

Whose hardware was used to build superconductors?

I'm not sure.

Who produced a stream programming package for PS4?

I'm not sure.

Who did RapidMind acquire in 2009?

I'm not sure.

Who clustered 18 PS3s?

I'm not sure.

What operating system does Fixstars Solutions offer for the PlayStation 2?

I'm not sure.

What company sold Yellow Dog Linux after Fixstars Solutions?

I'm not sure.

What company bought RapidMind in 2008?

I'm not sure.

How many PlayStation 2 consoles was Dr. Frank Mueller able to cluster together?

I'm not sure.

Who is buying PS3 clusters instead of supercomputers in order to lose some money?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation 3 uses the Cell microprocessor, designed by Sony, Toshiba and IBM, as its CPU, which is made up of one 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based "Power Processing Element" (PPE) and eight Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). The eighth SPE is disabled to improve chip yields. Only six of the seven SPEs are accessible to developers as the seventh SPE is reserved by the console's operating system. Graphics processing is handled by the NVIDIA RSX 'Reality Synthesizer', which can produce resolutions from 480i/576i SD up to 1080p HD. PlayStation 3 has 256 MB of XDR DRAM main memory and 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory for the RSX.

What type of microprocessor is in a PS3?

Cell

What does PPE stand for?

Power Processing Element

How many Synergistic Processing Elements are in a PS3's CPU?

eight

How much XDR DRAM is on board a PS3?

256 MB

What function is the NVIDIA RSX responsible for in a PlayStation 3?

Graphics processing

Which PlayStaytion uses a Cell processor?

I'm not sure.

The ninth SPE is disabled to improve what?

I'm not sure.

Only seven on the eight SPEs are accessible to whom?

I'm not sure.

PS4 has 526 MB of what kind of main memory?

I'm not sure.

What type of macroprocessor is in a PS3?

I'm not sure.

What doesn't PPE stand for?

I'm not sure.

How many Synergistic Processing Elements are in a PS3's CUP?

I'm not sure.

How much XDR BRAM is on board a PS3?

I'm not sure.

What function is the NVIDIA RXS responsible for in a PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.


At its press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced DualShock 3 (trademarked DUALSHOCK 3), a PlayStation 3 controller with the same function and design as Sixaxis, but with vibration capability included. Hands-on accounts describe the controller as being noticeably heavier than the standard Sixaxis controller and capable of vibration forces comparable to DualShock 2. It was released in Japan on November 11, 2007; in North America on April 5, 2008; in Australia on April 24, 2008; in New Zealand on May 9, 2008; in mainland Europe on July 2, 2008, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on July 4, 2008.

What did Sony name their vibrating PS3 controller?

DualShock 3

At what event at the Tokyo Game Show was the DualShock 3 first announced?

press conference

What did many people who handled the DualShock 3 say it was compared to the Sixaxis?

heavier

What was the first country to be able to buy the new DualShock 3 in stores?

Japan

On what date was the DualShock three released in Australia?

April 24, 2008

Sony announced DualShock 4 at what game show?

I'm not sure.

Sony announced a vibrating PS4 controller  at what game show?

I'm not sure.

The PS4 controller was lighter than what?

I'm not sure.

DualShock 4 was released in Japan on what date?

I'm not sure.

What did Sony name their vibrating PS2 controller?

I'm not sure.

At what event at the Tokyo Game Show was the DualShock 2 first announced?

I'm not sure.

What did many people who handled the DualShock 2 say it was compared to the Sixaxis?

I'm not sure.

What was the last country to be able to buy the new DualShock 3 in stores?

I'm not sure.

On what date was the DualShock three unreleased in Australia?

I'm not sure.


The standard PlayStation 3 version of the XrossMediaBar (pronounced Cross Media Bar, or abbreviated XMB) includes nine categories of options. These are: Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, TV/Video Services, Game, Network, PlayStation Network and Friends (similar to the PlayStation Portable media bar). TheTV/Video Services category is for services like Netflix and/or if PlayTV or torne is installed; the first category in this section is "My Channels", which lets users download various streaming services, including Sony's own streaming services Crackle and PlayStation Vue. By default, the What's New section of PlayStation Network is displayed when the system starts up. PS3 includes the ability to store various master and secondary user profiles, manage and explore photos with or without a musical slide show, play music and copy audio CD tracks to an attached data storage device, play movies and video files from the hard disk drive, an optical disc (Blu-ray Disc or DVD-Video) or an optional USB mass storage or Flash card, compatibility for a USB keyboard and mouse and a web browser supporting compatible-file download function. Additionally, UPnP media will appear in the respective audio/video/photo categories if a compatible media server or DLNA server is detected on the local network. The Friends menu allows mail with emoticon and attached picture features and video chat which requires an optional PlayStation Eye or EyeToy webcam. The Network menu allows online shopping through the PlayStation Store and connectivity to PlayStation Portable via Remote Play.

How is "XrossMediaBar" abbreviated?

XMB

How many options categories display in the standard PS3 XrossMediaBar?

nine

One of Sony's streaming services is the PlayStation Vue; what's the other one called?

Crackle

When you start up your PS3, what's the first section of the PS Network you see?

What's New

What menu would you use to set up a video chat?

Friends

What is displayed when the system shuts down?

I'm not sure.

PS4 is able to store what kind of profiles?

I'm not sure.

PS4 has what kind of optional storage?

I'm not sure.

PS4 is compatible with what kind of keyboard?

I'm not sure.

How is "XrossMediaBar" unabbreviated?

I'm not sure.

How many options categories display in the standard PS4 XrossMediaBar?

I'm not sure.

One of Sony's streaming services is the PlayStation Rue; what's the other one called?

I'm not sure.

When you start up your PS3, what's the last section of the PS Network you see?

I'm not sure.

What menu would you use to set up an audio chat?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation 3 console protects certain types of data and uses digital rights management to limit the data's use. Purchased games and content from the PlayStation Network store are governed by PlayStation's Network Digital Rights Management (NDRM). The NDRM allows users to access the data from up to 2 different PlayStation 3's that have been activated using a user's PlayStation Network ID. PlayStation 3 also limits the transfer of copy protected videos downloaded from its store to other machines and states that copy protected video "may not restore correctly" following certain actions after making a backup such as downloading a new copy protected movie.

What does the abbreviation "NDRM" represent?

Network Digital Rights Management

How many different PS3s can one user access?

What identifier allows a player to activate a PlayStation 3?

PlayStation Network ID

PlayStation has safeguards in place to prevent illegal use of what type of movies or video?

copy protected

How does PS4 limit data use?

I'm not sure.

PlayStation's Network store governs purchased what?

I'm not sure.

PS4 limits the transfer of what?

I'm not sure.

What will restore correctly?

I'm not sure.

What doesn't the abbreviation "NDRM" represent?

I'm not sure.

What does the abbreviation "NERD" represent?

I'm not sure.

How many same PS3s can one user access?

I'm not sure.

What identifier allows a player to deactivate a PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

PlayStation has safeguards in place to prevent legal use of what type of movies or video?

I'm not sure.


Photo Gallery is an optional application to view, create and group photos from PS3, which is installed separately from the system software at 105 MB. It was introduced in system software version 2.60 and provides a range of tools for sorting through and displaying the system's pictures. The key feature of this application is that it can organize photos into groups according to various criteria. Notable categorizations are colors, ages, or facial expressions of the people in the photos. Slideshows can be viewed with the application, along with music and playlists. The software was updated with the release of system software version 3.40 allowing users to upload and browse photos on Facebook and Picasa.

What application lets PS3 users view and organize photographs?

Photo Gallery

What version of PS3 contained Photo Gallery?

After version 3.4, Picasa was integrated into Photo Gallery along with what social networking site?

Facebook

Is Photo Gallery automatically or separately installed?

separately

Photo Gallery includes the ability to sort by age, color, or what other unusual criteria for photo software?

facial expressions

What allows you to view photos on PS4?

I'm not sure.

Photo Gallery takes up 150 what?

I'm not sure.

What application was introduced in software version 1.60?

I'm not sure.

What version allows users to upload photos on Snapchat?

I'm not sure.

What application lets PS3 users view and disorganize photographs?

I'm not sure.

What version of PS2 contained Photo Gallery?

I'm not sure.

After version 4.30, Picasa was integrated into Photo Gallery along with what social networking site?

I'm not sure.

Is Video Gallery automatically or separately installed?

I'm not sure.

Photo Gallery excludes the ability to sort by age, color, or what other unusual criteria for photo software?

I'm not sure.


Since June 2009 VidZone has offered a free music video streaming service in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In October 2009, Sony Computer Entertainment and Netflix announced that the Netflix streaming service would also be available on PlayStation 3 in the United States. A paid Netflix subscription was required for the service. The service became available in November 2009. Initially users had to use a free Blu-ray disc to access the service; however, in October 2010 the requirement to use a disc to gain access was removed.

In what month of 2009 did VidZone start free service to some countries?

June

What year did the announcement come about Netflix becoming available on PS3 in the U.S.?

What do you have to agree to with Netflix before you can use their service on PlayStation 3?

paid Netflix subscription

What type of disc was initially used to connect access to Netflix for PS3?

Blu-ray

When were users able to discard the disc and access Netflix directly through their PS3s?

October 2010

VidZone has offered paid music video streaming service since when?

I'm not sure.

Netflix has been available on PS2 since when?

I'm not sure.

Which users paid for a Blu-Ray disc to access services?

I'm not sure.

In October 2010, the requirement to use what was installed?

I'm not sure.

In what month of 2009 did VidZone start paid service to some countries?

I'm not sure.

What year did the announcement come about Netflix becoming available on PS3 in the U.N.?

I'm not sure.

What do you have to disagree to with Netflix before you can use their service on PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

What type of disc was never used to connect access to Netflix for PS3?

I'm not sure.

When were users able to discard the disc and access Netflix directly through their PS4s?

I'm not sure.


The 'OtherOS' functionality was not present in the updated PS Slim models, and the feature was subsequently removed from previous versions of the PS3 as part of the machine's firmware update version 3.21 which was released on April 1, 2010; Sony cited security concerns as the rationale. The firmware update 3.21 was mandatory for access to the PlayStation Network. The removal caused some controversy; as the update removed officially advertised features from already sold products, and gave rise to several class action lawsuits aimed at making Sony return the feature or provide compensation.

What functionality did the PlayStation 3 lose in version 3.21 of its firmware update?

'OtherOS'

What reason did Sony give for taking out OtherOS?

security concerns

Was firmware update 3.21 optional or mandatory if users wanted to continue accessing the PS Network?

mandatory

Which PS3 model never included OtherOS?

PS Slim

What legal action did some disgruntled OtherOS users take against Sony?

class action lawsuits

What functionality did the PlayStation 3 lose in version 3.12 of its firmware update?

I'm not sure.

What reason did Sony give for taking out OtterOS?

I'm not sure.

Was firmware update 3.12 optional or mandatory if users wanted to continue accessing the PS Network?

I'm not sure.

Which PS3 model always included OtherOS?

I'm not sure.

What legal action did some happy OtherOS users take against Sony?

I'm not sure.


On March 1, 2010 (UTC), many of the original "fat" PlayStation 3 models worldwide were experiencing errors related to their internal system clock. The error had many symptoms. Initially, the main problem seemed to be the inability to connect to the PlayStation Network. However, the root cause of the problem was unrelated to the PlayStation Network, since even users who had never been online also had problems playing installed offline games (which queried the system timer as part of startup) and using system themes. At the same time many users noted that the console's clock had gone back to December 31, 1999. The event was nicknamed the ApocalyPS3, a play on the word apocalypse and PS3, the abbreviation for the PlayStation 3 console.

What part of the original model PS3s starting causing problems in March of 2010?

internal system clock

What essential network were some users unable to connect to because of the error?

PlayStation Network

What erroneous date did some users start seeing on their consoles?

December 31, 1999

What humorous nickname was given to the situation with the console system clock errors?

The name "ApocalyPS3" combines "PS3" with what other word?

apocalypse

What part of the original model PS3s starting causing problems in March of 2011?

I'm not sure.

What essential network were some users able to connect to because of the error?

I'm not sure.

What erroneous date did some users stop seeing on their consoles?

I'm not sure.

What humorous nickname was given to the situation with the console system disk errors?

I'm not sure.

The name "ApocalyPS3" combines "PS2" with what other word?

I'm not sure.


Sony confirmed that there was an error and stated that they were narrowing down the issue and were continuing to work to restore service. By March 2 (UTC), 2010, owners of original PS3 models could connect to PSN successfully and the clock no longer showed December 31, 1999. Sony stated that the affected models incorrectly identified 2010 as a leap year, because of a bug in the BCD method of storing the date. However, for some users, the hardware's operating system clock (mainly updated from the internet and not associated with the internal clock) needed to be updated manually or by re-syncing it via the internet.

By what date did Sony correct the issue with the system clock?

March 2 (UTC), 2010

What were the broken models mistakenly classifying 2010 as?

a leap year

What storage system for dates led to the system clock error?

BCD

What clock unrelated to the error in the PS3 had to be updated in some cases in order to fix the bug?

operating system clock

By what date did Sony correct the issue with the system disk?

I'm not sure.

What were the broken models mistakenly classifying 2011 as?

I'm not sure.

What storage system for dates led to the system disk error?

I'm not sure.

What clock unrelated to the error in the PS2 had to be updated in some cases in order to fix the bug?

I'm not sure.

What clock unrelated to the error in the PS3 had to be updated in some cases in order to continue the bug?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation Portable can connect with PlayStation 3 in many ways, including in-game connectivity. For example, Formula One Championship Edition, a racing game, was shown at E3 2006 using a PSP as a real-time rear-view mirror. In addition, users are able to download original PlayStation format games from the PlayStation Store, transfer and play them on PSP as well as PS3 itself. It is also possible to use the Remote Play feature to play these and some PlayStation Network games, remotely on PSP over a network or internet connection.

What PS3 game can integrate a PlayStation Portable to use as a rear-view mirror?

Formula One Championship Edition

What kind of game is Formula One Championship Edition?

racing

If users want to download original PlayStation games, where do they go online?

PlayStation Store

Games in plain PlayStation format can be played both on the PS3 console and what other device?

PSP

What's the name of the feature that would let you play a game on your PSP without having it with you?

Remote Play

What PS2 game can integrate a PlayStation Portable to use as a rear-view mirror?

I'm not sure.

What kind of game is Formula Two Championship Edition?

I'm not sure.

If users want to download original PlayStation games, where do they go offline?

I'm not sure.

Games in plain PlayStation format can be played both on the PS4 console and what other device?

I'm not sure.

What's the name of the feature that would let you play a game on your PSP while having it with you?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation Network is the unified online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service provided by Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, announced during the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing meeting in Tokyo. The service is always connected, free, and includes multiplayer support. The network enables online gaming, the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home and other services. PlayStation Network uses real currency and PlayStation Network Cards as seen with the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home.

In what city did Sony hold their 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing?

Tokyo

Does PlayStation Network use artificial or real currency for purchases?

real

Along with being free and providing constant connectivity, what other feature does PS Network offer users?

multiplayer support

PlayStation Network is only available for PS3 and what other device?

PlayStation Portable

In what city did Sony hold their 2005 PlayStation Business Briefing?

I'm not sure.

Does PlayStation Network use artificial or real currency for picture viewing?

I'm not sure.

Along with being free and providing constant connectivity, what other feature does PS Network not offer users?

I'm not sure.

PlayStation Network is only available for PS2 and what other device?

I'm not sure.

PlayStation Netbook is only available for PS3 and what other device?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation Plus (commonly abbreviated PS+ and occasionally referred to as PSN Plus) is a premium PlayStation Network subscription service that was officially unveiled at E3 2010 by Jack Tretton, President and CEO of SCEA. Rumors of such service had been in speculation since Kaz Hirai's announcement at TGS 2009 of a possible paid service for PSN but with the current PSN service still available. Launched alongside PS3 firmware 3.40 and PSP firmware 6.30 on June 29, 2010, the paid-for subscription service provides users with enhanced services on the PlayStation Network, on top of the current PSN service which is still available with all of its features. These enhancements include the ability to have demos, game and system software updates download automatically to PlayStation 3. Subscribers also get early or exclusive access to some betas, game demos, premium downloadable content and other PlayStation Store items. North American users also get a free subscription to Qore. Users may choose to purchase either a one-year or a three-month subscription to PlayStation Plus.

What's the name of Sony's exclusive PlayStation Network subscription service?

PlayStation Plus

How is PlayStation Plus often abbreviated?

PS+

Who was the President and CEO of SCEA in the year 2010?

Jack Tretton

On what date did the PlayStation Plus service officially launch?

June 29, 2010

Duration options for subscription to PS+ are either three months or what period of time?

one-year

What's the name of Microsoft's exclusive PlayStation Network subscription service?

I'm not sure.

How is PlayStation Plus never abbreviated?

I'm not sure.

Who was the President and CEO of SCEA in the year 2009?

I'm not sure.

On what date did the PlayStation Plus service officially get cancelled?

I'm not sure.

Duration options for subscription to PS+ are either four months or what period of time?

I'm not sure.


The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games, add-on content, playable demos, themes and game and movie trailers. The service is accessible through an icon on the XMB on PS3 and PSP. The PS3 store can also be accessed on PSP via a Remote Play connection to PS3. The PSP store is also available via the PC application, Media Go. As of September 24, 2009, there have been over 600 million downloads from the PlayStation Store worldwide.

Where can you buy downloadable content for the PSP and PS3?

The PlayStation Store

What do you click on in the PS3 interface to get to the PlayStation Store?

an icon

What connection would you go through to go to the PS3 store from a PSP?

Remote Play

How many unique downloads had there been from the PlayStation Store by late 2009?

over 600 million

From a PC, what application can you use to visit the PlayStation Store?

Media Go

Where can you buy uploadable content for the PSP and PS3?

I'm not sure.

What do you click on in the PS2 interface to get to the PlayStation Store?

I'm not sure.

What connection would you go through to go to the PS3 store from a PS2?

I'm not sure.

How many unique downloads had there been from the PlayStation Store by late 2008?

I'm not sure.

From a PC, what application can't you use to visit the PlayStation Store?

I'm not sure.


What's New was announced at Gamescom 2009 and was released on September 1, 2009, with PlayStation 3 system software 3.0. The feature was to replace the existing [Information Board], which displayed news from the PlayStation website associated with the user's region. The concept was developed further into a major PlayStation Network feature, which interacts with the [Status Indicator] to display a ticker of all content, excluding recently played content (currently in North America and Japan only).

What new feature for PS3 was released in September of 2009?

What's New

At what event did Sony announce What's New?

Gamescom

What did What's New replace?

Information Board

What type of information is disseminated through What's New?

news

What's geographical area does What's New tailor information to for each user?

region

What new feature for PS3 was released in September of 2008?

I'm not sure.

At what event did Sony cancel What's New?

I'm not sure.

What did What's New get replaced by?

I'm not sure.

What type of information is disseminated outside of What's New?

I'm not sure.

What's biographical area does What's New tailor information to for each user?

I'm not sure.


The system displays the What's New screen by default instead of the [Games] menu (or [Video] menu, if a movie was inserted) when starting up. What's New has four sections: "Our Pick", "Recently Played", latest information and new content available in PlayStation Store. There are four kinds of content the What's New screen displays and links to, on the sections. "Recently Played" displays the user's recently played games and online services only, whereas, the other sections can contain website links, links to play videos and access to selected sections of the PlayStation Store.

How many  different sections does What's New have?

four

What section of What's New would a user visit to find the games they've played lately?

"Recently Played"

Before What's New existed, what default screen would show when a user put a movie in their PS3?

Video

What section of What's New can't show links to websites?

"Recently Played"

Other than the Video default screen for movies, what menu would the PS3 default to before What's New?

Games

How many different sections doesn't What's New have?

I'm not sure.

What section of What's New would a user visit to find the games they've never played?

I'm not sure.

Before What's New existed, what default screen would show when a user put a movie in their PS2?

I'm not sure.

What section of What's New can show links to websites?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation Home is a virtual 3D social networking service for the PlayStation Network. Home allows users to create a custom avatar, which can be groomed realistically. Users can edit and decorate their personal apartments, avatars or club houses with free, premium or won content. Users can shop for new items or win prizes from PS3 games, or Home activities. Users interact and connect with friends and customise content in a virtual world. Home also acts as a meeting place for users that want to play multiplayer games with others.

What does Sony call their social network?

PlayStation Home

What is the customizable representation of a user in PS Home called?

avatar

Home has free, won, and what third type of content?

premium

Users employ the content to decorate club houses, their avatars, or what virtual dwelling space?

apartments

What type of games can users find participants for in Home?

multiplayer

What doesn't Sony call their social network?

I'm not sure.

What is the uncustomizable representation of a user in PS Home called?

I'm not sure.

Home has pay, won, and what third type of content?

I'm not sure.

Users don't employ the content to decorate club houses, their avatars, or what virtual dwelling space?

I'm not sure.

What type of games can't users find participants for in Home?

I'm not sure.


Life with PlayStation, released on September 18, 2008 to succeed Folding@home, was retired November 6, 2012. Life with PlayStation used virtual globe data to display news and information by city. Along with Folding@home functionality, the application provided access to three other information "channels", the first being the Live Channel offering news headlines and weather which were provided by Google News, The Weather Channel, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Space Science and Engineering Center, among other sources. The second channel was the World Heritage channel which offered historical information about historical sites. The third channel was the United Village channel. United Village was designed to share information about communities and cultures worldwide. An update allowed video and photo viewing in the application. The fourth channel was the USA exclusive PlayStation Network Game Trailers Channel for direct streaming of game trailers.

Life was able to personalize information for users by what location division?

city

On what date was Life with PlayStation shut down?

November 6, 2012

For weather updates from The Weather Channel, which of Life's channels would you have visited?

Live Channel

What's was Life's channel that delivered information about history topics?

World Heritage

What didn't Life with PlayStation take the place of?

I'm not sure.

Life wasn't able to personalize information for users by what location division?

I'm not sure.

On what date was Life with PlayStation continued?

I'm not sure.

For weather updates from The Weather Channel, which of Life's channels wouldn't you have visited?

I'm not sure.

What's was Life's channel that delivered information about current topics?

I'm not sure.


On April 20, 2011, Sony shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity for a prolonged interval, revealing on April 23 that this was due to "an external intrusion on our system". Sony later revealed that the personal information of 77 million users might have been taken, including: names; addresses; countries; email addresses; birthdates; PSN/Qriocity logins, passwords and handles/PSN online IDs. They also stated that it was possible that users' profile data, including purchase history and billing address, and PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. There was no evidence that any credit card data had been taken, but the possibility could not be ruled out, and Sony advised customers that their credit card data may have been obtained. Additionally, the credit card numbers were encrypted and Sony never collected the three digit CVC or CSC number from the back of the credit cards which is required for authenticating some transactions. In response to the incident, Sony announced a "Welcome Back" program, 30 days free membership of PlayStation Plus for all PSN members, two free downloadable PS3 games, and a free one-year enrollment in an identity theft protection program.

What was the date Sony shut down the PS Network because of a security breach?

April 20, 2011

How many users did Sony say might have been affected by the intrusion?

77 million

What did Sony call the special offer they handed out to respond to the breach?

"Welcome Back"

How many free days of PlayStation Plus were included in the offer?

How many free game downloads were included in the "Welcome Back" program?

two

What was the date Sony shut down the Microsoft Network because of a security breach?

I'm not sure.

How many users did Sony say might have been unaffected by the intrusion?

I'm not sure.

What didn't Sony call the special offer they handed out to respond to the breach?

I'm not sure.

How many paid days of PlayStation Plus were included in the offer?

I'm not sure.

How many free game downloads were excluded in the "Welcome Back" program?

I'm not sure.


Although its PlayStation predecessors had been very dominant against the competition and were hugely profitable for Sony, PlayStation 3 had an inauspicious start, and Sony chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer initially could not convince investors of a turnaround in its fortunes. The PS3 lacked the unique gameplay of the more affordable Wii which became that generation's most successful console in terms of units sold. Furthermore, PS3 had to compete directly with Xbox 360 which had a market head start, and as a result the platform no longer had exclusive titles that the PS2 enjoyed such as the Grand Theft Auto and Final Fantasy series (regarding cross-platform games, Xbox 360 versions were generally considered superior in 2006, although by 2008 the PS3 versions had reached parity or surpassed), and it took longer than expected for PS3 to enjoy strong sales and close the gap with Xbox 360. Sony also continued to lose money on each PS3 sold through 2010, although the redesigned "slim" PS3 has cut these losses since then.

What was PlayStation 3's toughest competitor in the video game market?

Wii

What did Wii offer that PS3 couldn't compete with?

unique gameplay

In 2006, did most people prefer the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions of cross-platform games?

Xbox 360 versions

Until what year was Sony seeing a loss on each PlayStation 3 console it sold?

Which cost less in stores: PS3 or Wii?

Wii

What was PlayStation 4's toughest competitor in the video game market?

I'm not sure.

What did Wii offer that PS3 could compete with?

I'm not sure.

In 2006, did most people prefer the Xbox or PS2 versions of cross-platform games?

I'm not sure.

Until what year was Sony seeing a profit on each PlayStation 3 console it sold?

I'm not sure.

Which cost less in stores: PS2 or Wii?

I'm not sure.


PlayStation 3's initial production cost is estimated by iSuppli to have been US$805.85 for the 20 GB model and US$840.35 for the 60 GB model. However, they were priced at US$499 and US$599 respectively, meaning that units may have been sold at an estimated loss of $306 or $241 depending on model, if the cost estimates were correct, and thus may have contributed to Sony's games division posting an operating loss of ¥232.3 billion (US$1.97 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 2007. In April 2007, soon after these results were published, Ken Kutaragi, President of Sony Computer Entertainment, announced plans to retire. Various news agencies, including The Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that this was due to poor sales, while SCEI maintains that Kutaragi had been planning his retirement for six months prior to the announcement.

How much did it cost to make one 20 GB PS3?

In contrast to the production cost, what was the retail price for a 20 GB PlayStation 3?

Assuming iSuppli got the numbers right, how much of a loss did Sony take for every 20 GB PS3 sold in the U.S.?

What was the name of Sony's President who announced his retirement amid rumors in April 2007?

Ken Kutaragi

In U.S. dollars, how much was the enormous loss Sony reported the month before Kutaragi's retirement announcement?

US$1.97 billion

How much did it cost to make one 40 GB PS3?

I'm not sure.

In contrast to the production cost, what was the retail price for a 20 GB PlayStation 2?

I'm not sure.

Assuming iSuppli got the numbers right, how much of a loss did Sony take for every 20 GB PS3 sold in the U.K.?

I'm not sure.

What was the name of Sony's President who announced his retirement amid rumors in April 2017?

I'm not sure.

In U.S. dollars, how much was the enormous profit Sony reported the month before Kutaragi's retirement announcement?

I'm not sure.


In January 2008, Kaz Hirai, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, suggested that the console may start making a profit by early 2009, stating that, "the next fiscal year starts in April and if we can try to achieve that in the next fiscal year that would be a great thing" and that "[profitability] is not a definite commitment, but that is what I would like to try to shoot for". However, market analysts Nikko Citigroup have predicted that PlayStation 3 could be profitable by August 2008. In a July 2008 interview, Hirai stated that his objective is for PlayStation 3 to sell 150 million units by its ninth year, surpassing PlayStation 2's sales of 140 million in its nine years on the market. In January 2009 Sony announced that their gaming division was profitable in Q3 2008.

Who was Sony's CEO at the start of 2008?

Kaz Hirai

When did Hirai think the PS3 might start making the company some money?

early 2009

What market analyst firm said Sony could make the PlayStation 3 profitable by August 2008?

Nikko Citigroup

How many PS3 did Hirai set a public goal to sell by the time the product was nine?

150 million

What other Sony gaming console was Hirai setting his sales goal to beat?

PlayStation 2

Who was Sony's CEO at the start of 2018?

I'm not sure.

When did Hirai think the PS2 might start making the company some money?

I'm not sure.

What market analyst firm said Sony could make the PlayStation 3 profitable by August 2018?

I'm not sure.

How many PS3 did Hirai set a private goal to sell by the time the product was nine?

I'm not sure.

What other Microsoft gaming console was Hirai setting his sales goal to beat?

I'm not sure.


Since the system's launch, production costs have been reduced significantly as a result of phasing out the Emotion Engine chip and falling hardware costs. The cost of manufacturing Cell microprocessors has fallen dramatically as a result of moving to the 65 nm production process, and Blu-ray Disc diodes have become cheaper to manufacture. As of January 2008, each unit cost around $400 to manufacture; by August 2009, Sony had reduced costs by a total of 70%, meaning it only costs Sony around $240 per unit.

Along with a drop in the cost of hardware, PS3 has gotten cheaper to make because what chip was phased out?

Emotion Engine chip

What's the name of the microprocessor produced by the 65 nm process?

Cell

What specific component of Blu-Ray disc have also gotten less expensive to make?

diodes

As of Summer 2009, what was the cost to Sony to make a PS3?

The August 2009 cost is a result of what percentage decrease in production cost?

Along with a drop in the cost of hardware, PS2 has gotten cheaper to make because what chip was phased out?

I'm not sure.

What's the name of the microprocessor produced by the 56 nm process?

I'm not sure.

What specific component of dvd have also gotten less expensive to make?

I'm not sure.

As of Summer 2008, what was the cost to Sony to make a PS3?

I'm not sure.

The August 2009 cost is a result of what percentage increase in production cost?

I'm not sure.


Critical and commercial reception to PS3 improved over time, after a series of price revisions, Blu-ray's victory over HD DVD, and the release of several well received titles. Ars Technica's original launch review gave PS3 only a 6/10, but second review of the console in June 2008 rated it a 9/10. In September 2009, IGN named PlayStation 3 the 15th best gaming console of all time, behind both of its competitors: Wii (10th) and Xbox 360 (6th). However, PS3 has won IGN's "Console Showdown"—based on which console offers the best selection of games released during each year—in three of the four years since it began (2008, 2009 and 2011, with Xbox winning in 2010). IGN judged PlayStation 3 to have the best game line-up of 2008, based on their review scores in comparison to those of Wii and Xbox 360. In a comparison piece by PC mag's Will Greenwald in June 2012, PS3 was selected as an overall better console compared to Xbox 360. Pocket-lint said of the console "The PS3 has always been a brilliant games console," and that "For now, this is just about the best media device for the money."

What rating did Ars Technica initially give PlayStation 3?

What PS3 competitor won IGN's "Console Showdown" in 2010?

Xbox

What PC Mag. staffer picked PS3 over Xbox in June, 2012?

Will Greenwald

Which publication called the PlayStation 3 "a brilliant games console"?

Pocket-lint

Where did IGN place the PS3 on their 2009 list of the best video game consoles ever?

What rating did Ars Technica initially give PlayStation 4?

I'm not sure.

What PS3 competitor won IGN's "Console Showdown" in 2011?

I'm not sure.

What PC Mag. staffer picked PS3 over Xbox in June, 2010?

I'm not sure.

Which publication called the PlayStation 2 "a brilliant games console"?

I'm not sure.

Where did IGN place the PS3 on their 2011 list of the best video game consoles ever?

I'm not sure.


PS3 was given the number-eight spot on PC World magazine's list of "The Top 21 Tech Screwups of 2006", where it was criticized for being "Late, Expensive and Incompatible". GamesRadar ranked PS3 as the top item in a feature on game-related PR disasters, asking how Sony managed to "take one of the most anticipated game systems of all time and — within the space of a year — turn it into a hate object reviled by the entire internet", but added that despite its problems the system has "untapped potential". Business Week summed up the general opinion by stating that it was "more impressed with what [the PlayStation 3] could do than with what it currently does".

What list by PC World ranked PlayStation eighth, in a bad way?

"The Top 21 Tech Screwups of 2006"

What gaming website called PS3 "a hate object reviled by the entire internet"?

GamesRadar

What quote sums up PC World's 2006 assessment of PS3?

"Late, Expensive and Incompatible"

How long did GamesRadar say it took Sony to turn the Internet against the PlayStation 3?

a year

What list by PC World ranked PlayStation ninth, in a bad way?

I'm not sure.

What gaming website called PS2 "a hate object reviled by the entire internet"?

I'm not sure.

What quote sums up PC World's 2005 assessment of PS3?

I'm not sure.

How long did GamesRadar say it took Sony to turn the Internet in favor of the PlayStation 3?

I'm not sure.

How long did GamesRadar say it took Sony to turn the Internet against the PlayStation 4?

I'm not sure.


Developers also found the machine difficult to program for. In 2007, Gabe Newell of Valve said "The PS3 is a total disaster on so many levels, I think it's really clear that Sony lost track of what customers and what developers wanted". He continued "I'd say, even at this late date, they should just cancel it and do a do over. Just say, 'This was a horrible disaster and we're sorry and we're going to stop selling this and stop trying to convince people to develop for it'". Doug Lombardi VP of Marketing for Valve has since stated that they are interested in developing for the console and are looking to hire talented PS3 programmers for future projects. He later restated Valve's position, "Until we have the ability to get a PS3 team together, until we find the people who want to come to Valve or who are at Valve who want to work on that, I don't really see us moving to that platform". At Sony's E3 2010 press conference, Newell made a live appearance to recant his previous statements, citing Sony's move to make the system more developer friendly, and to announce that Valve would be developing Portal 2 for the system. He also claimed that the inclusion of Steamworks (Valve's system to automatically update their software independently) would help to make the PS3 version of Portal 2 the best console version on the market.

In what year did Gabe Newell call the PS3 "a total disaster"?

Who is Valve's VP of Marketing who says they want to hire programmers for a PS3 team?

Doug Lombardi

What year did Newell show up at Sony's EC3 press conference to take back what he said about PS3?

What game did Valve develop for the PlayStation 3 console?

Portal 2

What's the name of Valve's software update system?

Steamworks

In what year did Gabe Newell call the PS2 "a total disaster"?

I'm not sure.

Who is Valve's VP of Marketing who says they want to hire programmers for a PS4 team?

I'm not sure.

What year did Newell show up at Sony's EC4 press conference to take back what he said about PS3?

I'm not sure.

What game did Valve develop for the PlayStation 2 console?

I'm not sure.

What's the name of Valve's hardware update system?

I'm not sure.


Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has criticized PS3's high development costs and inferior attach rate and return to that of Xbox 360 and Wii. He believes these factors are pushing developers away from working on the console. In an interview with The Times Kotick stated "I'm getting concerned about Sony; the PlayStation 3 is losing a bit of momentum and they don't make it easy for me to support the platform." He continued, "It's expensive to develop for the console, and the Wii and the Xbox are just selling better. Games generate a better return on invested capital (ROIC) on the Xbox than on the PlayStation." Kotick also claimed that Activision Blizzard may stop supporting the system if the situation is not addressed. "[Sony has] to cut the [PS3's retail] price, because if they don't, the attach rates are likely to slow. If we are being realistic, we might have to stop supporting Sony." Kotick received heavy criticism for the statement, notably from developer Bioware who questioned the wisdom of the threatened move, and referred to the statement as "silly."

What group does Bobby Kotick think is being discouraged from working on the PS3?

developers

What does "ROIC" stand for?

return on invested capital

What company is Kotick the CEO of?

Activision Blizzard

What newspaper reported Kotick's concerns and his threat to stop supporting the PlayStation platform?

The Times

What game development company completely disagreed with Kotick's statements in The Times interview?

Bioware

What group does Bobby Kotick think is being encouraged from working on the PS3?

I'm not sure.

What does "RIOC" stand for?

I'm not sure.

What company is Kotick the CFO of?

I'm not sure.

What newspaper reported Kotick's concerns and his threat to keep supporting the PlayStation platform?

I'm not sure.

What game development company completely agreed with Kotick's statements in The Times interview?

I'm not sure.


Despite the initial negative press, several websites have given the system very good reviews mostly regarding its hardware. CNET United Kingdom praised the system saying, "the PS3 is a versatile and impressive piece of home-entertainment equipment that lives up to the hype [...] the PS3 is well worth its hefty price tag." CNET awarded it a score of 8.8 out of 10 and voted it as its number one "must-have" gadget, praising its robust graphical capabilities and stylish exterior design while criticizing its limited selection of available games. In addition, both Home Theater Magazine and Ultimate AV have given the system's Blu-ray playback very favorable reviews, stating that the quality of playback exceeds that of many current standalone Blu-ray Disc players.

What score did CNET give the PS3 out of ten?

What PlayStation 3 feature did Home Theater Magazine most like about PS3?

Blu-ray playback

Have reviews praised the PS3's hardware of software more frequently?

hardware

What other reviewer agreed with Home Theater Magazine's assessment of the PS3's Blu-ray player?

Ultimate AV

What website said the PlayStation 3 "lives up to the hype"?

CNET United Kingdom

What score did CNET give the PS2 out of ten?

I'm not sure.

What PlayStation 3 feature did Home Theater Magazine most like about PS4?

I'm not sure.

Have reviews praised the PS2's hardware of software more frequently?

I'm not sure.

What other reviewer disagreed with Home Theater Magazine's assessment of the PS3's Blu-ray player?

I'm not sure.

What website said the PlayStation 4 "lives up to the hype"?

I'm not sure.


The PlayStation 3 Slim received extremely positive reviews as well as a boost in sales; less than 24 hours after its announcement, PS3 Slim took the number-one bestseller spot on Amazon.com in the video games section for fifteen consecutive days. It regained the number-one position again one day later. PS3 Slim also received praise from PC World giving it a 90 out of 100 praising its new repackaging and the new value it brings at a lower price as well as praising its quietness and the reduction in its power consumption. This is in stark contrast to the original PS3's launch in which it was given position number-eight on their "The Top 21 Tech Screwups of 2006" list.

With a day of its release, on what website did the PS3 Slim become the number-one bestseller?

Amazon.com

For how many consecutive days did the PS3 Slim hold the number-one spot on Amazon.com?

fifteen

What score did the PS3 Slim earn from PC World?

90 out of 100

PC World's rave review of the PS3 Slim was a complete turnaround from their thoughts on what older model console?

Along with the PS Slim's value, quietness, and lower power usage, what superficial quality did PC World praise?

repackaging

With a week of its release, on what website did the PS3 Slim become the number-one bestseller?

I'm not sure.

For how many consecutive days did the PS4 Slim hold the number-one spot on Amazon.com?

I'm not sure.

What score did the PS4 Slim earn from PC World?

I'm not sure.

PC World's rave review of the PS3 Slim was a complete turnaround from their thoughts on what newer model console?

I'm not sure.

Along with the PS Slim's value, quietness, and high power usage, what superficial quality did PC World praise?

I'm not sure.


CNET awarded PS3 Slim four out of five stars praising its Blu-ray capabilities, 120 GB hard drive, free online gaming service and more affordable pricing point, but complained about the lack of backward compatibility for PlayStation 2 games. TechRadar gave PS3 Slim four and a half stars out of five praising its new smaller size and summed up its review stating "Over all, the PS3 Slim is a phenomenal piece of kit. It's amazing that something so small can do so much". However, they criticized the exterior design and the build quality in relation to the original model.

What aspect of the PS3 Slim was CNET unhappy was missing for PS2 games?

backward compatibility

How many of five possible stars did CNET give the PS3 Slim?

four

How many of its own five stars did TechRadar award the PS3 Slim?

four and a half

What area of the console did TechRadar feel was designed poorly compared to the original PS3?

exterior

What aspect of the PS4 Slim was CNET unhappy was missing for PS2 games?

I'm not sure.

How many of six possible stars did CNET give the PS3 Slim?

I'm not sure.

How many of its own four stars did TechRadar award the PS3 Slim?

I'm not sure.

How many of its own five stars did TechRadar award the PS2 Slim?

I'm not sure.

What area of the console did TechRadar feel was designed well compared to the original PS3?

I'm not sure.


The Super Slim model of PS3 has received positive reviews. Gaming website Spong praised the new Super Slim's quietness, stating "The most noticeable noise comes when the drive seeks a new area of the disc, such as when starting to load a game, and this occurs infrequently." They added that the fans are quieter than that of Slim, and went on to praise the new smaller, lighter size. Criticism was placed on the new disc loader, stating: "The cover can be moved by hand if you wish, there's also an eject button to do the work for you, but there is no software eject from the triangle button menus in the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. In addition, you have to close the cover by hand, which can be a bit fiddly if it's upright, and the PS3 won't start reading a disc unless you do [close the cover]." They also said there is no real drop in retail price.

What quality of the PS3 Super Slim was the website Spong excited about?

quietness

In addition to quieter fans and drive, what change from the other models did Spong praise?

smaller, lighter size

What piece of the PS3 Super Slim's hardware did Spong say was too "fiddly"?

disc loader

What did Spong said you have to do to the disc loader before the console will start reading the disc?

close the cover

What quality of the PS2 Super Slim was the website Spong excited about?

I'm not sure.

In addition to louder fans and drive, what change from the other models did Spong praise?

I'm not sure.

What piece of the PS2 Super Slim's hardware did Spong say was too "fiddly"?

I'm not sure.

What did Spong said you have to not do to the disc loader before the console will start reading the disc?

I'm not sure.

What did Spong said you have to do to the disc loader before the console will stop reading the disc?

I'm not sure.


Tech media website CNET gave new Super Slim 4 out of 5 stars ("Excellent"), saying "The Super Slim PlayStation 3 shrinks a powerful gaming machine into an even tinier package while maintaining the same features as its predecessors: a great gaming library and a strong array of streaming services [...]", whilst also criticising the "cheap" design and disc-loader, stating: "Sometimes [the cover] doesn't catch and you feel like you're using one of those old credit card imprinter machines. In short, it feels cheap. You don't realize how convenient autoloading disc trays are until they're gone. Whether it was to cut costs or save space, this move is ultimately a step back." The criticism also was due to price, stating the cheapest Super Slim model was still more expensive than the cheapest Slim model, and that the smaller size and bigger hard drive shouldn't be considered an upgrade when the hard drive on a Slim model is easily removed and replaced. They did praise that the hard drive of the Super Slim model is "the easiest yet. Simply sliding off the side panel reveals the drive bay, which can quickly be unscrewed." They also stated that whilst the Super Slim model is not in any way an upgrade, it could be an indicator as to what's to come. "It may not be revolutionary, but the Super Slim PS3 is the same impressive machine in a much smaller package. There doesn't seem to be any reason for existing PS3 owners to upgrade, but for the prospective PS3 buyer, the Super Slim is probably the way to go if you can deal with not having a slot-loading disc drive."

What website rated the Super Slim four out of five stars?

CNET

What adjective did CNET use to describe the PS3 Super Slim's design?

"cheap"

What component of the Super Slim did CNET call "the easiest yet"?

hard drive

What hardware component did CNET have the biggest problem with, even comparing it to an old credit card reader?

disc-loader

Was the lowest-priced Super Slim more or less expensive than any of the PS3 Slim models?

more expensive

What website rated the Super Slim three out of five stars?

I'm not sure.

What adjective did CNET use to describe the PS2 Super Slim's design?

I'm not sure.

What component of the Super Slim did CNET call "the hardest yet"?

I'm not sure.

What hardware component did NCET have the biggest problem with, even comparing it to an old credit card reader?

I'm not sure.

Was the highest-priced Super Slim more or less expensive than any of the PS3 Slim models?

I'm not sure.