Wizard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 The Official Playstation Magazine reported that Sony has elected not to use a central online gaming service for its upcoming PS3 console. Instead of using a unified system like Microsoft's Xbox Live or Nintendo's soon-to-be-launched Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Sony is taking the same path as it did with the PS2. This means that it will be up to publishers themselves to provide players with online features and, likewise, for the players to have a separate account for each publisher in order to play online. While this means that Sony's publishers will have more freedom to do what they want in terms of their online content, it also means Sony will have a more difficult time controlling the quality of the online experience. Many members of the gaming community consider Microsoft's development of the Xbox Live network one of the most significant aspects of the Xbox system. Because of the prevalence of Xbox Live, online support has become increasingly common on games released for the Xbox. Microsoft hopes to make their online service an even more integral part of console gaming with the release of the Xbox 360, which includes support for a free version of the online service. Nintendo is also moving forward with plans to create a unified online service with the launch of their Wi-Fi Connection come Christmas. Previously considered the lagging competitor in terms of online support (the GameCube has virtually no online games available for the system), Nintendo has been aggressively promoting their service, recently striking a deal with McDonald's to offer free Wi-Fi access to Nintendo DS units. Sony's decision to remain with a non-unified online network seems to be going against the grain of the next-generation consoles. Whether this will turn out to be a mistake for Sony remains to be seen. Poor promotion was one of the key factors to the lackluster online support for the PS2. Sure, it worked well for a couple games, but overall it was a dud. If Sony puts a decent amount of effort into showing that it wants to be in the online arena, the PS3 could very well be right in the middle of the online mix this next generation. However, seeing that Nintendo has recently opened its eyes to online gaming and is preparing to go head to head with Microsoft's already strong online support, one would have to wonder why Sony is relatively uninterested in trying to get its own piece of the pie.GameFirst No Xbox Live-like service for PS3 = Bad decision, espeically after playing on it, a very good service. Crazy kids aside that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gryph Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Hmm...this isn't good at all. XBOX Live! is the most appealing thing about the 360. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agozer Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I don't care one way or the other since I don't play online games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weirdy Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 (edited) so nintendo and McDonald's are working to make the restauarants "hot spots"? Edited November 3, 2005 by Weirdy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobdrakke Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 MMMM I'm not loving it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackKnight Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 (edited) I thought Sony dropped the ball in not having a similar service for PS2, although considering the lack of penetration of broadband services outside the US back in the day may have been a ddetractor. Xbox Live seems to be a brilliant service, and honestly, internet play is a logical extension of any game that has 2 players to begin with. Since consoles are the plug and play type game outlets where PCs are complicated buggers to set up, consoles SHOULD have an equally simple multiplayer service, not the complicated rubbish that was PS2 broadband. Live allowed patches, updates, as well as online play, and it had a HDD standard. That was really a good move. This time Sony is not having a HDD standard for PS3 (am I right?) AND they are not having a unified online service. The thing I just liked about Live was that it oozed organisation and quality... and I expected something similar to be almost a prerequisite for all platforms in the next round. Does this sound to anyone like Sony is just digging its Playstation hole in the same direction, only deeper? Whereas the Revolution is going for something completely off the wall, and the 360 is aiming at a much broader platform with all that Live and Media Centre stuff going on? I think this is a bad move- I think my focus is shifting from the PS3 to the 360... something I never thought would happen... Edited November 4, 2005 by DragonKeeper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prican25 Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Live allowed patches, updates, as well as online play, and it had a HDD standard. That was really a good move. This time Sony is not having a HDD standard for PS3 (am I right?)<{POST_SNAPBACK}> ps3 like 360 will have a removable hdd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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