| |
|
PS3 Watch
Predicted months ago, after and interview with Epic's Mark Rein, plans are shaping up for Sony to go with an open architecture for its online model. What does that mean to the consumers and the rest of the world? In simplest terms, Sony's already successful online gaming plan impleted currently on the Playstation 2 will be carried over to the upcoming Playstation 3 gaming console, set to release November 17, of this year. Harrison has admitted that the Xbox Live online gaming service is one of Microsoft's better achievements. Sony manifesto for success in online gaming entails letting the publishers setup and regulate their own means for getting consumers online and gaming. This will also allow publishers to interact with consumers directly instead of using Sony as an intermediary in the online gaming experience.
Following this model, could still cause problems for Sony down the road, such as only a few games have had much online success in the online area on the Playstation 2. Games such as SOCOM, and Final Fantasy XI, are the only few games to see any high amount of online action during the Playstation 2 lifespan. Perhaps if Sony can manage to do a far better job of promoting the online experience of gaming like the Xbox has, and attempts to have some kind of unifying structure, Sony could see far better success this time around.
The Multiple-Sku Scenario
Microsoft as planned released two different version of their popular Xbox 360 console in November of 2005. One version was give the name Xbox 360 core system, package only included that basic such as the console, a standard controller and a faceplate, Standard Tv hookups, and a sliver membership to Xbox live, which does not actually allow you any online game play, but does give you access to most game updates and add-ons. The other system, the more complete package in addition adds a wireless controller, a headset, a media remote, these extras will only run the gamer and extra 100 dollars to truly enjoy there gaming.
Many loyal Gamers to the Xbox, are worried that this strategy would cause a division in the Xbox market much similar to the situation Sega faced almost a decade earlier when they introduced upgrades to their console, but were also selling a new console. "While we designed a no-compromises game system, a huge percentage of our customers are not like [hardcore users]," says J Allard, a corporate vice president at Microsoft. "Recognize that more than 75 percent of the folks on Xbox have not played Halo. By introducing the core system, we are sending a signal to the market that we are committed to this part of the market, just as we are committed to [the hardcore market] with the Xbox 360 premium bundle."
In comparison, Harrison stated at the Gamer Developers Conference Europe that the current plans is to only have one version of the Playstation 3 a launch, but the company still plans to start selling different versions of it down the line as new peripherals such as the EyeToy become available, but not before then. Due to Sony's massively overpriced, price tag for the system, SCE's own president, Ken Kutaragi, it might not be such a bad idea for Sony to offer different version, similar of that to Xbox. One problem that Xbox will face that Sony wont, is the fact that one version of the Xbox 360 will include a hard drive but the other will not, this will make it harder for developers to games, they will have to choose to use the hard drive advantage or leave a sector of the gamers out, who don't already own the hard drive, this most likely cause consumers to buy the hard drive anyways, Sony will not have this problem, with there one version marketing strategy.
Again at the Game Developers Conference Europe proved to be a focal point of PlayStation 3 discussions thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment Vice President Phil Harrison, who revealed a broad range of information, ranging from online play to the multiple-SKU strategy that Microsoft has chosen to use with the Xbox 360. Also discussed is how the Playstation 3 will compete with the popular Xbox 360.
To the Rescue
The original Killzone featured some pretty decent online multiplayer game play, but the average gamer really wouldn't know it since Sony has not done a particularly good job of pushing online play for its games or for the PlayStation 2 in general. Online game play has been a struggle for the Sony Playstation 2 since it release in 2000, the consoles was quickly put in its place when it was found out that it would not include a internet adapter of the shelf, however the extremely popular Sega Dreamcast did include online game play and was free for the initial run of the console. With any luck Sony has learned its lesson and will kick off the PS3's online features the way it was meant to be done-with potentially great games like the next Killzone and Unreal Tournament 2007. But only time will tell if the open-structure model will be enough to give online PS3 games their due and take on Microsoft's excellent Xbox Live service, this generation of gaming console will for sure hold the most surprise for everyone.
|
| PRODUCTS |
SONY FIFA STRE ET2PSP
Passion and flair of real street footbal, New trick stick beat system, Over the top juggling moves, All new gamebreakers, Humiliate your opponents
£28.98
More Information
SONY LEMMINGS PSP
Control an army of lemmings, The aim is to get as many lemmings from, the entrance to the exit of each level, It39s a test of strategy amp fast thinking
from £14.99
Compare Prices
SONY LIBCITYST ORY PSP
An all new adventure, Amazing visuals, An all new soundtrack, Exclusive to PSP
£20.99
More Information
SONY POP REVLA PSP
The Prince returns with deadlier skills, Age rated 16 PEGI, Acrobatic fighting system, 50 weapons to find and master, Hours of action await you
£10.97
More Information
SONY PSPSLIM GOOD
PSP PSPSLIM SNY PSPSLIM BLKPSP, 33% lighter amp 19% slimmer than original, Temporarily store game data from UMD, Ideal for gamers on the move!, Sony PSP Everybody39s Golf 2, 12 exotic courses inc tropical islands, New quirky characters, Swordfish PSP
from £139.00
Compare Prices
SONY SPLINCELL ESSNPSP
PSP system debut, Exclusive content, A game of gadgets for your gadget, Accessible Wi Fi multiplayer
£19.97
More Information
|
| SPONSORED LINKS |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Click a thumbnail to watch a video
Loading...
|
Settle in with season's best gadgets and game accessories - USA Today
Read more...
Four Best Ways to Invest in Video Games - Seeking Alpha
Read more...
Magic Formula Stock Review: GameStop (GME) - Motley Fool
Magic Formula Stock Review: GameStop (GME)Motley Fool - 7 hours agoThat is the period we are entering now, as Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's Playstation 3, and Nintendo's Wii all were launched in the 2006-2007 time period. ... |
Read more...
Review: 80GB PlayStation 3 a superb gaming console - CNN International
Read more...
New PS3 Accessories Priced, Dated - PSX Extreme
PSX Extreme |
New PS3 Accessories Priced, DatedPSX Extreme - Nov 26, 2008Some of you are already aware of the new PlayStation 3 peripherals headed your way this holiday season, but if not, here's all the information you'll need. ... |
Read more...
|
| |
|
|
