At it's annual Gamer's Day in California today Sony Computer Entertainment revealed its strategy for the launch of the next-generation PlayStation 3 console include what titles will be available at launch, it's online strategy and many other aspects of the system that is slated for a mid-November launch here in North America.

SCEA announced that more than 20 first- and third-party PS3 titles will be available through the holidays. The launch catalog encompasses the most popular game genres, featuring industry leading franchises as well as new intellectual properties to be released exclusively on PS3, with most titles expected to retail under $60. Titles available at launch include Resistance: Fall of Man, NBA 07, Genji: Days of the Blade, Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII, Call of Duty 3, EA Sports Fight Night Round 3, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, F.E.A.R., Full Auto 2: Battlelines, Madden NFL 07, MARVEL:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE, Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE, NBA 2K7, Need For Speed Carbon, NHL 2K7, RIDGE RACER 7, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 and Untold Legends Dark Kingdom.

SCEA also revealed its plans on the PS3's online capabilities. Dubbed the PLAYSTATION Network, the online initiative will offer a variety community related functions, along with downloadable content and online play. Consumers will be able to enjoy a wide array of PS3 network capabilities, with basic features offered absolutely free from day one. Developers will benefit from the open platform policy of SCEA, which will allow them more freedom and creativity in the development of their games and online/network services. The end result will be more than just a place to play games, but a rich online environment with strong community aspects as distinctive as the titles themselves.

The company also offered details on PLAYSTATION Network's gateway, called XMB (Xross Media Bar). XMB is the navigation system that enables a suite of entertainment experiences in three key areas: gaming; network and web connectivity; and other entertainment content such as movies and music. The XMB interface, which is already featured on more than 20 million PSP shipped worldwide, allows PS3 users to experience multiplayer games across the network; communicate with other players via chat, voice or video; browse the web; download gaming content; store/view pictures and video; download and listen to music; and shop online.

Through the online PLAYSTATION Store, consumers can find such items as game demos, game-related content and downloadable casual games, including titles developed by Sony Computer Entertainment World Wide Studios exclusively for download and play only on PS3, such as Blast Factor. Once users create a unique, secure PlayStation profile, they cannot only communicate with other PS3 users, they can also utilize an electronic wallet to purchase content in the PLAYSTATION Store. Downloadable first party games will cost less than $15 at launch. More content will be added on a regular basis.

You can learn more about the system by checking out playstation.com . Be sure to check out our media section for new pictures of the PS3 and its many accessories, as well as new screenshots from many of the first and third-party games in the works for the system.