Three weeks ahead of the first public unveiling of its PlayStation 3 console, Sony Computer Entertainment has launched an official Web site for the new console. The Web site, which is available in Japanese only at http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/, is the first of an expected series of marketing efforts aimed at building hype between now and the November 11 launch of the console in Japan. The spartan site includes a few images of the console and the basic specifications - all details which Sony has already made public - but little else at present.

It is accompanied by a companion "concept site" that includes a video interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the hit GranTurismo racing game series, talking about the PlayStation 3. More videos are promised.

Another key moment for Sony in the launch build-up will be next month's Tokyo Game Show, where visitors are being promised the chance to play 27 PlayStation 3 games. Sony hasn't confirmed if they'll be running on development hardware or the real consoles but both should give visitors the chance to experience the real look and feel of the games.