E3: Sony reveals new games, exclusives and partnerships

Sony has used its E3 conference to reveal an arsenal of new software titles for the PlayStation 3, both first-party and from third-party partners.

Quashing doubts about exclusivity, Kojima Productions' Hideo Kojima was brought on stage to show a trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Kojima-san apologised for not showing more of the game but promised a hands-on demonstration at a premier in Tokyo next week, July 17 - with the game "exclusively on PS3", according to SCEA boss Jack Tretton.

Other important third-party partnerships include MMO specialist NCsoft finally stepping into the console market by developing online games accessible through the PlayStation Network, based on both original IP and existing properties. And Midway and Epic's Unreal Tournament 3 will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3 for this year, with a November release date promised.

Sly Cooper developer Sucker Punch is contributing Infamous, an action adventure game where players can either choose to be a villain or superhero, due for release in 2008.

Two new downloadable games for the PlayStation Network were unveiled by Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison. Echochrome is a puzzle game developed by Sony's Japan studio, while the WipEout franchise will continue with WipEout HD.

Other titles on show and previously announced by Sony included Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Killzone 2, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, more footage of the well-received LittleBigPlanet from Media Molecule, Ninja Theory's Heavenly Sword, Game Republic's Folklore and WarHawk.

Third-party multiplatform titles shown at the event included Resident Evil 5, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Burnout Paradise and Assassin's Creed.