Sony declares "full-on assault" on Xbox Live

by Christopher Grant { Jan 31st 2006 at 2:45PM }

According to a scan posted on the PlayStation forums, the March issue of PlayStation Magazine (PSM) reveals Sony's plans to deliver an online gaming experience that not only targets Microsoft's much lauded Live service, but surpasses it. The article reads:

"Cast aside any doubts and start gazing skyward, because that's where Sony is aiming with plans that go far beyond simple leader boards and matchmaking -- or even the PS3, for that matter."

"'It's very real,' one source tells us. 'They (Sony) are dead serious about it. They've declared, and I quote, a 'full-on assault' on the latest version of Xbox Live.'"

"They are committed to matching Xbox Live [on the 360] feature for feature and then some."

This story, together with the recent survey Sony conducted, should remove any doubts about Sony's online ambitions. Is it possible that Sony could create a network the size and scale of Xbox Live in such a short time? It has cost Microsoft, the world's largest software company, billions and taken years just to lay the framework for the current Live service.

Sony is known for their hyperbolic marketing: the PS2's Emotion Engine, the PSP as iPod-killer; it seems unlikely they could take the crown from Microsoft on their first try, but any attempt is a huge relief. It was beginning to look like Sony didn't think the Live service was a valuable addition to console gaming, or a serious competitor to their hegemony.

Read on for some (barely) readable closeups from the image on the right.

[Thanks, apoc06 & Draco]

[Update: corrected some grammatical errors.]

Tags: Xbox Live, XboxLive

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Cyberclaws @ Jan 31st 2006 2:56PM

More Sony Lip Service.

Dom @ Jan 31st 2006 2:57PM

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Scott @ Jan 31st 2006 3:00PM

Oh goody. More Sony hype-fodder.

Mike Street @ Jan 31st 2006 3:01PM

ummm how about they let someone play with the system first before they start rolling out online features.

Massive Shock @ Jan 31st 2006 3:02PM

I know Sony fanboys out there are rejoicing on this. Holding on for years on live service that Xbox has been doing excellent. To me, it all boils down to the games. Online feature is a must in next gen consoles, so Sony has a lot of things to catch up to get to the level of Xbox live service.

Derbeste @ Jan 31st 2006 3:03PM

This statement by Sony pegged my "Whatever Meter" so far that it broke my "Give a damn".

Conn @ Jan 31st 2006 3:03PM

Bah, Sony was never good at keeping promises. I'll bet their online service will suck.

Brian @ Jan 31st 2006 3:04PM

And it can be yours, all only for the low, low price of $9.95 a month!

*whips out Mario Kart DS*
*Connects to Nintendo WI-FI...free*

2kings @ Jan 31st 2006 3:04PM

c'mon sony make it free!!!

pennywise969 @ Jan 31st 2006 3:04PM

Good. I hope they make an awesome online service. I have to be sceptical due to Sony's history with exaggerating its products, but Sony having a good online service inspires competition, which is good for all of us.

David @ Jan 31st 2006 3:06PM

At the very least we know Sony plans to make online gaming easier for their fans now. Personally I think they'll do a fine damn job on it. It seems they're putting so many eggs in one basket this generation with PS3 that they have to do everything right if they plan to come out in the top in 5 years.

Thomas Crymes @ Jan 31st 2006 3:06PM

Does anyone find it odd that Sony is playing catch up to Microsoft? Statements like that seem to indicate that Sony is on the defensive, behind the 8-ball, instead of Microsoft being there.

Capital @ Jan 31st 2006 3:09PM

I have Mario KArt DS Brian and it doesn't come close to Xbox Live. It's an amazing service that I feel does my dollar right. You know how Mario Kart is, you have to wait in that lobby for a good 10-15 minutes and even then people tend to just drop out. Theres no friends list (only numbers that can be exhanged in person) and a laughable match maker. I'm happy Sony is making an effort, but I can't help but be pesimistic as to Sony's actual stragedy.

Peace

portorikan @ Jan 31st 2006 3:09PM

Interesting. I'm looking forward to reading that article when it comes in the mail.

Now, If they've been working on this for a while, there's a possibility that it could be done really well, but my experience with Sony software hasn't been all that great.

Microsoft being the software giants that they are obviously have a leg up here not only in technology and time, at least that's my opinion.

I don't think they'll be able to match Live though quite honestly. Maybe post PS3, but by then, Microsoft will have just kept improving on their service as well. Sony has a lot of catching up to do, but seeing as Microsoft is already out with their system, it shouldn't be too hard for them to copy the 360 and use it as a selling point somehow.

dvddesign @ Jan 31st 2006 3:10PM

I don't care.

I tried XLive, even paid for a full year of it.
I got sick of it after 4 weeks.

If I wanted to suffer through kids swearing obsceneties at me in a robot voice, disconnected games against players who don't like "not" winning, and getting trapped in online games with exploitable flaws that affect player score; I'd sign up again in a second.

But I don't. Xbox Live was a waste of my money. I don't have the time to commit to a MMORPG or patience to endure the above issues with an online gaming service.

I like the demo downloads, trailers, and arcade aspects of live, but it's not enough to get me paying $60 a year for Gauntlet.

Jago @ Jan 31st 2006 3:15PM

Having only one company with an console online service isn't good for the industry btw. It's good that Sony has been developing an online system for the PS3 b/c for all we know there is something that Xbox Live hasn't done that no one has thought of yet.

Notice to all you stupid BIASED Xbox fanboys...Sony didn't just start developing this when they released their poll either. You'd have to be s certifiable moron to really believe that.

Michael @ Jan 31st 2006 3:19PM

Hmmm?

What does that comment at the bottom mean? It says:
"PSP will continue to get plen
of games, but as evidenced by S
demonstrations ..."

Reading between the lines: It almost appears that Sony doesn't recognize the fan concern about lack of PSP games.

Zsavior @ Jan 31st 2006 3:19PM

Man I see right through this, sony really is arrogant. You don't show up to any shows with actual game play or games, so you just keep releasing hype, after hype on what you INTEND on doing to the 360; and it is a flawless technique. If people say "WAIT you Haven't shown us shit!" sony will just say "WE don't respond to leaks or rumors that wasn't us and we are being quite to protect or secrets." If people says "DAMN THIS IS THE GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!" SOny flashes the Victory sign and Laughs while bragging how great they are.

FOr these reasons alone I can't see MS taking down sony. THeir launch wasn't very successfull in being an all out jumpstart, and sony doesn't have to do a damn thing to keep all eyes on them. THis generation System war is dismal and sad, when the top game console company in the world decideds it doesn't need to say or show anything to win we are in a sad state of affairs. I mean this leak doesn't even say what sony's supposed "SUPER TERRIFFIC!" online service does or how much it will cost? Yet here it is pasted all over joystiq, and people will flock to support sony's hype machine. While the 360 is out right now, trying it's damnedest to produce and win.

Lite @ Jan 31st 2006 3:21PM

hahah, total hype.

Current PS2 online SUCKS!

not holding breath for any future iteration, either.

You can clearly see MSFT has this area won.

Sony will counter will better developers....gotta love!

Debikul @ Jan 31st 2006 3:24PM

Wow...and to think that the ONLY reason they are even trying to have an online service is because Microsoft is basicly pushing them to with Live!. You think if Live! wasn't around Sony would give online a second look? Nope. Just Sony trying to keep their heads above water. Yeah, Sony is great at innovation when it's FORCED innovation. Same thing goes for features of their consoles/products. WTF?

SurfMurph @ Jan 31st 2006 3:24PM

I don't doubt that Sony will have a really good vision of where they would like to get to, but it won't be all there in version 1. Look for some Xbox Live version 1 parity when Sony launches, but not the functionality that the 360 Live offers.
I think we'll eventually see media downloads from Sony(music, videos, game demos), as well as connectivity with other household devices.
Just not right away.
If they just add global gamertags and friends lists, I'll be pleased.

Tommy @ Jan 31st 2006 3:25PM

Seems very doubtful to me that they will pull it off. Microsoft has had live developed since probably before the Xbox was launched, hence the reason for the ethernet port and the first update to the dashboard that brought the Xbox Live option. Sony have never developed a nice piece of PC-end software (anyone ever try that god damn connect software?), this is probably also the reason that the PSP never shipped with any iTunes-like software. It's been said before, Sony are hardware people and MS are software people. They will try, but trying won't be enough.

Jeremy Wright @ Jan 31st 2006 3:29PM

I'll believe it when I see it. Of course, this probably means even further delays, as getting a service like this up and running takes a long, long time (just from the hardware standpoint).

Buhdist Amry @ Jan 31st 2006 3:30PM

Sony Needs a Working System First!

Jo @ Jan 31st 2006 3:33PM

XBoxLive is pretty much the only thing the 360 has going for it now.

All Sony has to do is offer a barebones package, ie gamertags, friendslist and do it for free.

For 90% of the gamers this is all they need. And from playing MarioKart DS I can tell you that free online gaming is the way to go, especially to get casual gamers on board...

Xbox Fanboy @ Jan 31st 2006 3:33PM

Yeah Sony shows station.com and connect.com power on Gates And headshot dumb Microsoft!

worai @ Jan 31st 2006 3:35PM

"...Holding on for years on live service that Xbox has been doing excellent. To me, it all boils down to the games. Online feature is a must in next gen consoles, so Sony has a lot of things to catch up to get to the level of Xbox live service."

I'm calling Xbox live a poor paided service, Steel Battalion online anyone? It saids it can connect up to 10 players... its even hard to just connect with 4 players... you are calling a service like this excellent?
冗談じゃねよ～

NICK @ Jan 31st 2006 3:40PM

does anyone notice that the article doesn't actually say anything that wasn't already known or is more Sony hype?

lunatech @ Jan 31st 2006 3:40PM

Imitation is the best form of flattery.

SickNic @ Jan 31st 2006 3:42PM

YES! They are finally coming out with AOL for PS3!!!!!

William @ Jan 31st 2006 3:42PM

The thing is that Sony can deliver it incrementally, as they do with the PSP firmware updates -- more features every time.

Jake @ Jan 31st 2006 3:45PM

I love it how now there is genuine proof that Sony will have a unified online service, and there are still Xbox and Nintendo fanboys out there who refuse to believe it. It's ok guys, it's not the end of you're gaming world. It won't matter if Live is overtaken in features. You'll still have it, and you'll still enjoy it. This will only bring good things for both Sony and Microsoft gamers.

bd @ Jan 31st 2006 3:45PM

"hahah, total hype.

Current PS2 online SUCKS!"

I love how people base off their forecasts on the future based solely on the past... worthless.

Kamalot @ Jan 31st 2006 3:46PM

Am I the only person that remembers the promises before the PS2 launched?

I remember Sony telling us that the PS2 would be the center of our entertainment system, downloading music, movies and games onto the hard drive.

What happened?

The PS2 launched. It didn't have a hard drive. When the hard drive finally came out, none of the promises came true and it was promptly killed with a redesign.

This is Sony lip-service so their fans don't buy an Xbox 360.

I'm no Microsoft fan, but I know a good thing when I see it, and Live is it!

One also has to ask, have you used any Sony online services before? Used their online store? Used their MP3 player music software? If so, you know how downright terrible Sony's software development is.

Sorry Sony. The PS3 is only good for one thing, a Bluray trojan horse.

Robert @ Jan 31st 2006 3:46PM

They've done so well with EQ, PlanetSide and Star Wars Galaxies. I'm sure this will work out just as good. *rolls eyes*

In all seriousness, if it isn't free, it won't be any better than Xbox Live. And I'd be willing to be that if it is free, Sony will include a lot of buyable things. For example, where Xbox provides free demos, Sony will make you pay for demos. Things like that.

Debikul @ Jan 31st 2006 3:48PM

"I'm calling Xbox live a poor paided service, Steel Battalion online anyone? It saids it can connect up to 10 players... its even hard to just connect with 4 players... you are calling a service like this excellent?
冗談じゃねよ～"

Hmm...maybe it would be easier to connect 10 people if 10 people actually played the damn game. And Live! service is rather excellent. Fin.

jason @ Jan 31st 2006 3:50PM

blah blah blah, that's all I'm hearing from sony. Why not focus on getting the ps3 WORKING, than worry about their "live-killer"

Kamalot @ Jan 31st 2006 3:51PM

It also says in the article, "They [Sony] are dead".

That's the funniest part!

Kamalot @ Jan 31st 2006 3:53PM

"I love how people base off their forecasts on the future based solely on the past... worthless."

Actually, basing the future off of the past is a much better indicator than basing it on corporate hype, spin and lies.

Jake @ Jan 31st 2006 3:54PM

When was the PS2 network adapter released? From the article, that's when Sony started working on this online service. So no, they're not having to throw a service together all of a sudden to compete. They've been doing it for at least a couple years now. I'd say that's plenty of time to come up with something fairly decent.

Alex K. @ Jan 31st 2006 3:55PM

and the playstation 3 will have toy story 2 quality graphics!!!!

Dnice @ Jan 31st 2006 3:56PM

Real funny.... It does seem that they are on the defensive when it (as for now) comes to the online service.

Lets face it guys Microsoft is the king (for now) with their online service. Sony should be more concern with not being the last of the three when it comes to intuitive online gaming. Hello... Nintendo is hard at work with their free service. If anything Sony needs to focus on Revo at being their direct competition for the next Gen in gaming.

Scythe @ Jan 31st 2006 3:58PM

Gandolf Voice: They are Coming.....

The PS3 is coming and it will be here faster then you think. It says sony has been working on this since they released the PS2 Network adapter. So this means for the last few years they have been working on this service, they knew the PS2 wasn't ready for it and they we're already designing the PS3.

Microsoft hasn't been dealing with live that much more to sony working on their service if it's been in development since the PS2 Adapter was released. So MS may have a two year lead on it that doesn't make much difference with technology today compared to 6 years ago or 8 depending on things.

MS had their fun and now sony is coming to put them in their place. The PS3 will do better then the 360 no matter what even if this isn't true or something it's still going to beat the 360 and that's the funny thing.

bd @ Jan 31st 2006 4:01PM

Why the hell do Xbox fanboys have to squeal like bitches in denial? Honestly, go play your 360 if it is so good, Xbugs.

"I'm not a Microsoft fanboy, but have you ever seen how Sony SUX? LIVE rules! I love to pay." --Typical.

The funniest thing is, everyone that complains and spreads FUD about Sony has an Xbox 1.0 and just upgraded to 1.5 (and plans to download the patch to turn it next-gen), never had a PS2, thinks the Dreamcast was "underrated", complains that they had about five broken PS2s (despite having played nothing on it, or wanting to play on it anyway), and they've missed the majority of great games that came out this generation, which were out on PS2.

I don't like Microsoft, but I'm still getting a 360; that doesn't mean I think Sony can't deliver (And better) than Microsoft.

Moogle @ Jan 31st 2006 4:06PM

I don't think Nintendo or Sony will catch up to Live for at least a year into this generation. Probably 2.

This is definitly the generation where online matters. Last gen, Xbox's online component was ok, but mostly irrelevant. Sony left it up to the game companies and saved themselves some cash. Nin sat it out entirely, which makes a lot of sense, because, like Sony, they need to make money. Hell, the PS* is the only thing keeping half Sony's departments afloat from the way I heard things.

MS was able to develop Live last gen, not as a way to sell more Xbox games, but in preparation for when it's going to matter.

Yes, Sony and Nintendo are going to be playing catchup for a while. There's no way Sony's online offering will beat Live off the starting line.

Now if the US could get some decent broadband penetration...

Connor @ Jan 31st 2006 4:09PM

Only time will tell.

Honestly guys, it's pretty silly to be judging the PS3 when it's still what, 9-10 months? away from a North American launch. When it's on the shelves, and the first games are out, then we'll know enough to make an intelligent comment.

These comments remind me of a friend of mine who bought his Dreamcast in late 1999 (not knocking the DC, I loved mine..) He was so sure that PS2 would suck, bla bla, and the thing wasn't even coming out for another year. It's the same thing here!!

Just relax!

Bruce Wayne III @ Jan 31st 2006 4:09PM

Calm down

1. Have we heard anything specific and official from a named executive about their online function? NO

2. Sony has had plenty of years to build an online strategy. So this is probably NOT last minute efforts.

3. Anyone saying that they should get their PlayStation 3 to work first: what do you really know about that? Only Sony knows. Just because you haven't heard anything, doesn't exclude it from existence.

Wait for a press release.

Stuka @ Jan 31st 2006 4:16PM

I really hope this turns out to be true. I'm not loyal to any one conglomerate, so I don't really care if the service is from Microsoft, Sony, or Taco Bell as long as it's good. And if MGS4 is going to be PS3-only (who's to say, but it looks that way for now), I'd rather PS3 have a solid Live-esque service so I can son Raiden and Ocelot online whenever I feel like it. That said, the sheer magnitude of setting up a network like XBL makes me skeptical that Sony can role this out in time for launch unless the PS3 won't be launching in NA until early 2007 like some people theorize.

If it turns out to be true (and actually compares to or is better than Live), this is nothing but good news for gamers. The only problem I forsee is if Sony's service also goes pay. That may be a problem for people like me that already have an XBL account because that would make it more like $10 a month for both consoles which might be a little pricey for some people. Then again, if it is free, Sony would lose huge money on it unless it significantly increased the amount of software sold or they upped the prices of games.