PS3: Sony sticks with non-unified online service

"140. Posted Nov 4, 2005, 7:18 AM ET by BlackYoshi
Uh bd, the Playstation 2 was the most expensive and hardest to develop for. Xbox was the easiest because of the similarities to a PC."


Uh, Black yoshi, hmm, eh, ah

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No.

Read:

http://www.joystiq.com/entry/123400044
7054637/

"With this in mind, the demand for 1080p graphics in video games would only exist exclusively for the extremely rich or those who plan on connecting their PS3 video game system to their computer monitor."

False. A 1080p TV could cost you 2000 dollars (Taxes included), and you can get credits for payment on 12 months no interest on several retailing stores. It's not even 6 dollars a day. So middle-class America will be able to get it, and when prices drop, everyone will be able to.

Sony is missing the boat if they don't offer online gaming through a centralized interface. Nobody wants to pay individual fees to each company.

Dont "B" a punk!!!

@terremar

you misunderstand me. i am AGREEING that if they do NOT present something BETTER than PS2 ONLINE, then they will LOSE market share. do the caps make that clearer? ;) i don't, however, think that online strategy will determine the winner of the console wars,

so:

*sony fanboys are wrong that it doesn't matter, or won't negatively affect the consoles that lag in this regard.
*microsoft fanboys overstate how much it matters, and erroneously think it will win the console wars for them.

at the same time, a link to site that reports what OPM has reported (i imagine if anyone here had seen the OPM report they would have linked to that one directly) does not a truth make, nor does it in any amount of detail, tell us what sony is, has, or will release as their online strategy. non-unified can, the last time i checked, mean quite a few things, even if we assume this report is correct.

a lot of the fanboys going to town on this one are, IMO, silly and premature. just wait for sony's announcement.

my nostradamus-like prediction:

sony's online will be MUCH more robust than for ps2 (with a strong compliment of MMOs), but will disappoint in comparison to new xbl.

I have absolutely no problem if this turns out to be true. I dislike Xbox Live even though I have used it extensively. It seems to be a dumbed down version so that every game can conform to xbox live.

There are a lot of bad online systems for the ps2, but there are also a lot of good ones. After playing SOCOM 1/2/3 (not the only ps2 game I've played online) I am always disappointed with Xbox Live whenever my Xbox is getting a turn. Also, if I could chose either free and segregated over $50-70/year and unified, I chose free.

Oh, and I do not like the fact that people can see what I'm playing just because I have Xbox Live, and if you're playing Playboy: The Mansion, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT

You can always choose to appear offline when you're at the bunny ranch :)

LOL - the xbox live was something I never understood why it was so "Great".. Who likes to pay $90(cdn with taxes) a year so you can listen to 13 year olds scream and swear?

Personally I like consoles for the single player experience and for that reason alone, I'm going to go with a PS3 and stay way from the Xbox 1.5 (which is what is should have been called as it's the xbox with better graphics). No HD-DVD limits it's capabiliites in my opinion to push it to new heights.. I don't mind paying good money for quality so I'll pay the $700 (cdn) for a PS3 because I've always enjoyed my experience on the PS2. I do have an xbox and I have enjoyed it but with all the crap I save seen with this launch, well I'm not that impressed really.

I'll wait for the beta testers to buy it first and then when the price drops in 6 months (which coincides with when the REAL games will be released), I will probably pick one up.

hyperhyper....being ignorent is Never an excuse. $90 a year? Do you really need to buy a new headset every year? Ive been on XBL since 11-02 and I pay $50 a year. And right now if you buy the starter package its only $60 with the headset two free games and a year scrip. So no need to lie right? Umm...if you hear ANYone who screams you just block them and you never will see them again. Problem solved, but I know we will hear people saying the same shit over and over. And XBL is going to start matching you up with people who dont cuss at all if you wish. And you always enjoyed your experience with ps2? Yeah me too, I enjoyed super long load times. Ive enjoyed disk read errors. Ive enjoyed garbage graffix (most ports, not all). Ive enjoyed only a handful of games that are worth getting. But it can guide rockets and render toy story graffix. Yum yum Sony, give me some more!!!

Venomous,

I would have replied to you last night but I wasn't online. Some of us have a real life and we can't sit online 24/7 waiting for someone to post a reply at Joystiq.

But anyway, I don't care how much you like online gaming. I really don't care at all. You are simply part of that small minority of online gamers who just happen to be extremely vocal regarding your own personal opinion.

Personally, I don't give a shit about online gaming and I am in the MAJORITY!! Deal with it and get over it. The majority of gamers are not posting messages at Joystiq, they are actually OFFLINE, playing real games and living a real life!!

Sony will remain #1 whether they have a great online service or not.

And the thing I hate most about Microsoft is the way they want to BLEED YOU DRY!! Charging you for every single little thing. Micro-payments, downloadable content and a bunch of other bullshit. You should be able to just buy a game and not have to deal with any additional fees in the future.

You better hope and pray that Microsoft never becomes #1. They will bleed your wallet dry, especially with their Xbox Live service.

No one ever remains #1 forever. Atari was once #1. So was Nintendo. Now Sony. Game fans notoriously having changing tastes.

Online play is going to be a component of a succesful strategy. And I'm not talking about to "chat" with other players. You don't have to chat or listen to the chat at all. Simply playing against another human opponent is extremely cool.

@ Mark B

You do NOT have to pay for the downloadable content if you dont want too. With halo2 the content (MP Maps) became free withen two months of it being releast. Updates to fix glitches are free for both the Xbox180 and Xbox360. Demos are free to download for the 360. i don't mind paying a few quid for a spectacular online service. If microsoft are trying to bleed everyone dry why are they recieving awards for Xbox live. Opps, i forgot Sony won awards for their "free" online service-- no wait... People who are saying "it doesn't really matter" must have been owned badly online or something. There's only so many times you can play an offline game with the same characters and the same AI and the same scripted deaths. I had a PS2 and was uterly dissapointed. It gathered Dust next to my dying plant waiting for the next GTA12, GT8, MGS19, DMC9 and least we forget FFXXXI. Sony are doing the right thing, forget about your online service, concentrate on getting original games and stop making sequals.

What is this talk about Nintendo is going to do better than the PS3 online. The gamecube was even more of a joke online than Sony. At least sony tried to make a decent effort. Most people dont even know that the GC could be played online. That's just poor. The next generation online gaming will play a big part.

No, the Xbox360 will not be the leader in console sales that's just foolish. Sony has one of the biggest fanbases ever known. Fanboys make up most of that ratio and it's unlikly they will fork out £279 (GBP) for a company/system they have been hating for 3/4 years.

Online customers:
Xbox360 5.5 million in 4 years
PS3 5.8 millinong in 4 years (not really that great considering the fanbase)
Rev 3.7 Million in 4 years

Sony need to stop being arrogent twats and start getting their acts together.

Haha! Check out this comic!

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/?t=archives&date=2005-11-04

"Also, the culture is changing. Every year we get a larger number of older gamers. Many people in their late 20's and early 30's have been playing video games their entire lives. But now have jobs, families, etc, and don't have time to drive over to a friend’s house to play video games, but want some competition. So, the only option is to go online. This group of busy gamers will continue increasing for some time."


You hit the nail on the head C in post #92. I've never posted on one of these forums before but I felt compelled to reply to that quote.

Not only do I not have time to go to friends homes to play, but after awhile what’s the point. Lets take Madden for instance I love playing against my buddies, we have a blast but lets face it. I know which of my boys I can beat and the ones that can beat me know the same. Truthfully playing my boys gets a little stale.

That’s where XBL comes in, I can log on anytime day or night and find some fresh new competition, new guys that run different plays with different game plans as my boys. That in itself makes for allot better experience.

Don’t get me wrong, I've put my ps2 online and with the exception of Socom the ps2 online experience is just disgraceful

Mark, if you like you can contact me in "real" life. Videogames is a hobbie for me. I know your not even a real gamer anyways, what ever you say is garbage. Not garbage because you should be heard but, online is the future if you know it or not. I like sigle player games just as much as multiplayer. Name your favorite game. Now what ever that is, just imagine a real person your trying to beat instead of A.I. Too far out for you mark? And you are not the majority of anything.Alot more people wil be playing online this time around.

Venomous,

How old are you? I'm just curious. Are you an adult or just some kid with a big mouth?

So you don't think I'm a real gamer huh? You are quite the idiot to have such a false and incorrect assumption.

I've been playing video games for about 25 years now, you moron!!

I currently own both a PS2 and Xbox, with the PS2 being my personal favorite. Also, I have over 200 games.

One last thing buddy, you really ARE in the minority when it comes to the whole online gaming thing and it's not going to get much better with the 360.

Have a nice weekend.

:-D

Venomous,

I don't care what all you claim you have. Don't care in the least. And I'm mature enough that I don't have to lower myself to cursing in order to make a valid point.

The PS2 has sold 90 million units worldwide compared to the Xbox and Gamecube with around 20 million each. The PS2 is widely expected to outsell the 360 this holiday season. Whatcha think about that?

90 million units sold can't be all bad. But what do I personally like about the PS2? Games my friend, it's all about the games. Thousands of them and MANY awesome games that are EXCLUSIVE to the PS2.

I've been having a blast lately with Shadow Of The Colossus, Soul Calibur 3 and God Of War. Soon I will be getting (among others) Ratchet Deadlocked, Guitar Hero and We Love Katamari. All the games I mentioned are PS2 exclusives. There are many, many more but I'm not gonna stay up all night listing all of them for you. LOL

What's my favorite game? That's a tough question. I have many favorites, it depends on the genre.

Chill out and relax. It's obvious that you like the online gaming thing and I don't. I don't see the 360 doing much better than the Xbox did but I could be wrong. It doesn't really matter. Time will tell.

Good point mark, Iwas just trying to show that I do have a life, but prefer videogame over all of my other hobbies. And I was trying to show that my choice in gaming had nothing to do with money. You might make more then me, or I might make more. I shouldnt of called you a lame, Im sorry....I just dont see how online gaming doesnt intrest you at all. My imagination even on Shadow Of The Colossus or Soul Calibur 3, run wild with how on-line would be fun. hey how old are you? Im old enough to have an odessey2 and I played pacman back in 82 (I was a kid)So we might be the same age. Any how no hard feelings.

Venomous,

Agreed, no hard feelings. Anyway, I'm old enough to have had a Commodore 64 computer and my first console was the Intellivision. Never had a Atari 2600 because I prefered the Intellivision graphics.

I used to love Nintendo back in the days of the NES and SNES. Those old Mario games were really fun. I remember getting together (in person) with my brother, cousin and best friend to play Mario Kart and Bomberman on the SNES. Many good times.

Overall, I prefer single-player games but when I do play multi-player I would rather it be in person. Guess I'm just old-school like that.

So you really don't like the PS2? Seems like there would have to be at least a few games exclusive to the PS2 that you would like.

I enjoy my Xbox but I wish Microsoft would not have killed it off so soon. Overall though I like the PS2 better and I really liked the first Playstation also. Been enjoying Sony products for over 10 years now so naturally I have a soft spot for them.

That’s great guys… Why don’t you kiss and hug now? I think I liked it better when you were fighting. FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! LOL. I’m just kidding… Video Games Rock!

Have to agree with gamer. That was a good read ;P

No unified online service? No sale!

The best online services in the next gen will not come from the manufacturer of the console. Same as that the best online services does not come from the manufacturer of the operating system. And the best online services that will emerge will serve all the consoles - including the PS2 and XBox as well as the next gen machines and portables.

And the cross platform titles will be playable regardless if you are on a PS2 or 360. Expect FPS or racing titles that will be cross platform that will run on all platforms, current, next gen and portables - that can all participate in an online game.

The manufacturers have vested interests in supporting *only* their platforms - so expect the content creators to cater for cross platform and eventually emerge dominant. It is inevitable that this will happen. And if the console manufacturer tries to limit titles online to its own service - expect them to be the big losers.

It's about ease of use, and the fact is that Xbox Live is extremely user friendly. It's easy for both users and developers, and this means more games and more users.

There's no smart reason for Sony to skip this feature, and I'm rather surprised as I was looking forward to the PS3 having something to compete with Live. However, those thinking that developer-based efforts are going to compete with Live are simply not in touch with reality. The most likely outcome is that PS3 online offerings will be about the same as those seen on the PS2, and while MS is actually improving their service, this just sucks.

It's about as smart as Nintendo not supporting HDTV. Sure, not everyone will use it, but those that do sure appreciate it.

What an incredibly stupid mistake on Sony's part. Without a unified online gaming service, the PS3 exposes an achilles heel. Hopefully there'll won't be more.

#170, you're a total idiot!
"The best online services in the next gen will not come from the manufacturer of the console. Same as that the best online services does not come from the manufacturer of the operating system!"
Do you seriously think that??? The operating system on a computer has nothing to do with the online service providers because they are not in that business!!! NEITHER ARE XBOX, NINTENDO, OR SONY!!!!! They all use other isp's to connect to the internet! The fact is that a company that manufactures the hardware and uses a unified infrasture for not only its first party games to play on, but third party games to use as well, I.E.---EA SPORTS on XBOX LIVE! EA no longer has to worry about paying for the server costs or any other costs besides maintaining a good gameplay experience. The games are getting more and more expensive, and ps3 by far is having the highest development costs, because of 8 cores to maintain, (7, and 1 that is half operable) companies like nintendo also see online as a means to distribute more content, but if you don't have a decent mainframe to do so, such as a "site" or hub to visit, then you're stuck, and 3rd parties won't use it as much. 3rd parties such as Sega, Capcom, and others have already volunarily asked to distribute old 8 bit 16 bit and other games through nintendo's online FREE service. Don't call me biased either, i personally own a PSP, and bought it on launch day, i am dissatisfied with it because i see nintendo's wifi service launching full-steam the 14th and what has sony got??? for them to be the most technologically advanced with PS3 and all the gadgets, multimedia with PSP, why haven't they offered a download service with PSP like i-tunes??? they never like to create decent software to back up their hardware and make it easy for consumers. Everyone is visiting sites like pspupdates and others to download programs to convert video files, or music, or other forms of content. They are being lazy, this is NEXT-GEN, broadband is growing at a rapid pace in America, and Sony is acting like online play is still something that isn't viable. Yes 3rd parties have made games for ps2, but the service for those, yes i've played online with a good broadband connection online with an easports game and others, and lag is unacceptable. Having a uniform service, with a friends list, and other nice features makes it convenient for consumers in every aspect. You no longer have to surf through random servers like on pc games hoping that your lag is small enough to have decent gameplay with some random server. That's all i'm saying. i'm all for their technology, but their integration with that technology is lacluster

My opinion is this: People who feel unaffected by the lack of online gameplay for the PS3 are most likely part of the older crowd who have been scared of modern technology for the longest. Internet was introduced to the public when I was about 10 years old. Those of us who are part of the new generation, know that PS3 developers killed the sale of their product by not adding online service. Its the new generation of gamers that the gaming industry needs to impress. And online gaming is an extremely important attribute for the newer playing systems of today.

I love how people loosely throw the word "fanboy" around. Oddly enough, I see more XBox users doing this than PS2 users. Back the point, I highly doubt any of you know the true meaning of "fanboy" unless you have gone to an anime convention and sampled the crowd there. If you only knew the horrors.


However, I digress, whether Sony creates a unified online service or not, I will be there for launch. I will also be there for the launch of Ninetendo's Revolution. Before anybody calls me a "fanboy," let me say that I was there this morning for the XBox 360 launch as well. Granted, I was working but at least I showed up. This constant war between XBox and Playstation must end. The look I see on gamers when they buy their system is the same, pure joy.

Buy whatever system you want and stop flaming others for their choices. As far as online gaming is concerned, it is quite nice but it isn't necessary. Just think, there actually used to be a time in which people had to travel to their friend's house to play games with them. Oh wait, I'm sure most of you "hardcore gamers" who understand the "true meaning of gaming" wouldn't remember that. =P

Lets take a flashback to the good old days.

Ahhh the good old days. Whenever I wanted to, I could call on some friends to come over and play video games. To share in the glory of completing a level. Or to share in the shame of getting are buts kicked. But either way we all had a great time. Except for those times when we had some mean fights over who got the first controller...lol........

O.K. lets flash-forward to the present day.

Hmm...when were those good old days?....well for me they were when I was in middle school and some of high school. Im 27 years old now (I fear im probably the oldest to post here). Most of my friends from the "good old days" have either moved away or don't play video games anymore or Im just not friends with them anymore.

I have new friends now, and of the 25 to 30 people i can say are my friends (not just people I know a little and get along with) only 4 have consoles and those friends live 15 to 30 minuets away from me. Now if I were to go to one of those friends house every time I waned to play video games with a friend Id be spending way more money in gas a month then I would on XBL for the year.

Online gaming lets you Play video games with your friends no matter where they are. And it lets you make new friends that share the same interests as you (at least XBL does).

Now I know how rewarding playing against the computer can be, but if you seriously have more fun playing video games all alone then with your friends I think you need to get out more. Or find a hobby with some social interaction.

I think this news is a real blow to the gut for sony fans. I sincerely hope that this news is not true or that sony will at least do something after the launch. I will probably end up with both consoles. But if sony doesn't do anything to compete with XBL I can say for sure that my 360 will be getting more game play and Ill be spending more money on 360 products.

How many more fake PS3 hating rumors can joystiq come up with? All you xbox fanboys should find something better to do with your time than making up bullshit about the PS3. Even if the PS3 doesn't have centralized online service it will still dominate. And look at Socom this generation. Socom 3 is the best online game available right now on any console.

"How many more fake PS3 hating rumors can joystiq come up with? All you xbox fanboys should find something better to do with your time than making up bullshit about the PS3. Even if the PS3 doesn't have centralized online service it will still dominate. And look at Socom this generation. Socom 3 is the best online game available right now on any console."#

HA HA HA HA HA!!!

...oh you're serious?

There are a lot better online games on other consoles than SOCOM.

Well for me this might be a godsend. I just found out I'm not able to use Xbox Live in Poland. I'm american and just moved here in May. Was thinking about getting the 360, but now I can't use Live, I don't really find the 360 very suitable for my needs. I have broadband just like any normal american, but since Live isn't supported in Poland I can't use it. So in my eyes Sony is looking at a truly Global Base, as in Microsoft's world they find only 24 countries worthy of using their product fully. So now I have even more reason to wait for PS3. The irony is I own stock in Microsoft.