European gamers who signed up with Sony to receive PS3 news were sent an email on Friday morning informing them that they can now set-up their own Online IDs - these are the names PS3 owners use when chatting and playing on the PlayStation Network. It may seem a strange tactic - to make an Online ID available three months before the console launches - but European gamers have complained that, by Spring, all the decent tags will be taken by PS3 owners in other territories. This should allow us Brits to get in there and secure desirable handles that don't require reams of numbers after them.
The mail may also dispel some nagging doubts about the launch date - it begins with the unmistakable message, "In March 2007 PlayStation3 hits the streets in Europe". That's March, not September as some wags have been suggesting... You can access the application pages via this post on the semi-offical blog, ThreeSpeech.
ThreeSpeech has also posted an interesting selection of PS3 facts and rumours based on conversations with Sony personnel at a publicity event in London, organised for the blogging community. Among the titbits: an assurance that PS3 will arrive in early March (i.e. wihin the first two weeks) and that the 60GB version may be cheaper than the previously suggested GBP425 price point. Finally, March should see the debut of the new HD EyeToy and Sing Store, a downloadable karaoke music service for SingStar users.
