Sony is armed and ready to make key announcements for its Playstation 3 and PSP consoles on the eve of the Leipzig games conference. The conference is set to run from 23rd - 26th August in Germany.

The giants of the gaming world are expected to announce a tuner for the Playstation 3 that will allow the recording and playback of digital TV. This new multimedia function is hoped to sway more gamers and non-gamers into Sony's path rather than its rivals; Nintendo and Mircosoft.

A video download service for the PSP is also set to be announced that will be developed with Sky in the UK. But it doesn't stop there, a video chat and instant messaging system is also on the cards for the PSP handheld. This system is currently being developed in conjunction with BT also in the UK.

Sony also foresees an increase in shipments of the PS3 to 11 million units by 2008.

The news is in light of the machines blatant lagging behind sales of the rivals; Nintendo's Wii and DS, along with Mircosoft's Xbox360.

Ninendo and Mircosoft are likely to push titles like Mario Galaxy and Halo 3 during the Leipzig games conference. Other games on display for the show will include Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, Crysis, Warhammer Online and the new expansion pack for World of Warcraft, The Lich King.

Unlike other major games conferences, Leipzig is open to the public and 200,000 gamers are expected to attend the four-day event to get their hands on the latest titles.

"This year we are expecting over 9,000 trade visitors and some 2,800 journalists from over 35 countries," said Josef Rahmen, managing director of the Leipziger Messe, in a statement.

The industry has gone on a charm offensive in recent years to improve the profile of games in Germany, which has a rigorous ratings and regulatory system. The country is the third-biggest market for video games in Europe, behind the UK and France, with PC titles dominating the market.

The biggest event in this year's gaming calender is just one day away!

And we've got all the latest news from the Leipzig Games Convention. So be sure to keep Video Game Chat as your #1 resource.

Tags : Germany : Leipzig Games Convention 2007 : PlayStation 3 : playstation portable : Sony

Comments

By: Dragonfly

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On: 07:21 Aug 22nd, 2007
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You know, this might just be me, but I think Sony might be starting to miss the whole point of video games... GAMES!

Dear lord. This is going to be embarassing for Sony.

By: deanogee

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On: 07:30 Aug 22nd, 2007
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Words of Ivory;28387

You know, this might just be me, but I think Sony might be starting to miss the whole point of video games... GAMES!

Dear lord. This is going to be embarassing for Sony.

haha yeah, but tbh sony always have done something to their consoles un-related to games:

PS1 - CD player
PS2 - DVD player
PS3 - BlueRay/TV tuner

maybe this is their last dip to save the console....
A TV tuner?!! come on they could of picked something a bit better... they need to bring something else into it thats not related to a TV....

By: Matt

On: 06:03 Aug 23rd, 2007
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deanogee;28388

haha yeah, but tbh sony always have done something to their consoles un-related to games:

PS1 - CD player
PS2 - DVD player
PS3 - BlueRay/TV tuner

maybe this is their last dip to save the console....
A TV tuner?!! come on they could of picked something a bit better... they need to bring something else into it thats not related to a TV....

I actually will probably use it when I get my PS3. Sony had pretty much taken "Gaming" out of the phrase "Gaming Console". If your talking to someone you dont go "Yeah, PS3 games are good" like you use to, its like "PS3 is cool, you got cd player, dvd plaer, wireless, online play, Internet browser etc."

You guys should know what im talking about <3