PS3 Live-killer titled PlayStation HUB, PS3 in September
by Christopher Grant 
{ Feb 15th 2006 at 12:15PM }
Next Generation has the scoop on
Sony's upcoming Xbox Live-killer. What you need to know: - The service will be called
"PlayStation HUB" and it will support "chat, downloadable demos, independent games and online
play."
- It will also serve the PSP. Will the seldom utilized infrastructure mode now be called PlayStation HUB mode?
- Good things don't come cheap. The service will be a "subscriber service," similar to Live now. No more free Socom guys. No word on what the details of the subscription will be, but expect equal to or less than Live.
- Sir Howard Stringer, Sony's big boss man, wants the service to dish out media content, like movies and music, positioning the service as an alternative to Apple's wildly popular iTunes store.
The early word is that the system will see a near-simultaneous launch in both Japan and North America; September 16th in Japan and September 21st in North America. This date is, of course, subject to change, but an earlier fall launch may help them work out any manufacturing kinks several months before the vital holiday buying season.
It is not clear if the HUB service will be Live (pun alert!) when the system launches in September. Here's hoping!
See also:
Sony declares "full-on assault" on Xbox Live
Sony's "full-on assault" on Xbox Live continued
[Thanks, m3mnoch]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
saboola @ Feb 15th 2006 12:24PM
Sounds kinda cool actually. I am excited. Line this up next to my revolution, and if the x360 ever gets a game I want, that too. My entertainment center is not biased, its loves all :)
Jake @ Feb 15th 2006 12:27PM
I was apprehensive when the PSM article surfaced, but this has convinced me. While I would rather not pay for the service, I won't mind if it's good enough - just like I wouldn't mind paying for Live if I had a 360.
kevin @ Feb 15th 2006 12:28PM
...anyone else got the feeling that sony as a corporation is "jumping the shark"?
...i mean... they can't beat the ipod/itunes combo... there's the whole rootkit fiasco... the psp is a flawed (but still very cool) device that's getting trounced by an ugly, underpowered kid's toy... (love the ds, really, play mine all the time. but it does look like something you'd give to a six year old.)
...i mean... i've just got this feeling that, for sony, everything really does ride on the ps3... they've gotta knock it out of the park as far as games are concerned or MS and ninty will eat their lunch... and they've gotta make a good showing in the media hub department or apple will continue to eat their lunch...
...dunno... i guess once you're at the top, the only way you can go is down, eh?
GunForHire @ Feb 15th 2006 12:28PM
My ass Sony can build and equivalent to Xbox Live (on the 360) within that short a space of time that will be anywhere near as good. It's taken Microsoft years and over a billion dollars to do it, and they're the best guys out there when it comes to online infrastructure.
Also, I call BS on the launch dates as well. Sony must've learnt something from the 360 launch - similtaneous launches are nice for us Europeans because it means we don't have to wait 6 months or more to get the goods, but they're also sucky because there's nowhere near enough stuff to go round.
Oh and they still need to finalise the controller design, fit all the hardware components into that box, make enough consoles to supply a decent launch and get some games ready, and test it all so it all works nicely together. By September. Yeah....
Jay @ Feb 15th 2006 12:30PM
... They actually think they can build a service to rival iTunes?
I'm laughing so hard inside that I'm not making any noise. Is this the same from the company who are rivalling the iPod?
Sony hype. they could make this gold but its going to be rotten wood. or plastic.
sorry, not rival but 'alternative'. I suppose is the "well we weren't planning on beating them" if this service is popular than iTunes, but if it is popular its a "hahahaha @ Apple lolzers!".
I suppose this is what Sony meant when they said that the free online PSP thing was just a test, that its going to be a subscription service. I'm already paying for broadband why on earth would I want to pay any more? balls in your court Nintendo. bring us a killer online service you profit making melons.
Regula Oblique @ Feb 15th 2006 12:30PM
Great news, yea sign me up too, if its as good as it sounds i'll subscribe and just let my gold member slide into silver for xbox live and take it out for a month every so often when a good game is released for xbox 360. Im definitely grabbing this up though hopefully sept. is the real date.
portorikan @ Feb 15th 2006 12:32PM
This is really interesting. I think Sony has caught everyone off guard with this, but of course, it could all be speculation/rumours, like the last line of the article suggests.
It would make sense that they would try to get people on the fence about getting a new system on that fence until their system is out by putting out these rumours and speculations, otherwise, they lose buyers to 360's. Everyone knows that word of mouth is a powerful tool so they're using it to their advantage. Sony knows if people who aren't familiar with a 360 get one, and they love it, and spread the word, they could stand to potentially lose thousands or millions of a user base that purchases items based on name recognition alone. Right now, that's all Sony has.
Jay @ Feb 15th 2006 12:35PM
Very good point Kevin. Sony were at top of their game but its been a slipping fall downhill. I loved my PS1. if it wasn't for loading it'd put that higher up the 'console shelf' than my N64 *loading is a big thing to me".
If it all rides on the PS3, and on BluRay, then by god the it better be a cheap machine. Not many people will fork out for an overpriced, over powered machine (original Xbox's early years anyone?). If this costs too much then I can imagine Sony cutting their losses with the PSP etc. This is a massive gamble for Sony. One I wish they win (so long as Sony keep in the market then scallies and alcoholics will all have a system to flock too). Or thats the way I see it at least.
portorikan @ Feb 15th 2006 12:37PM
Sony does stand to lose a whole lot in this round actually. The DS is kicking the PSP's butt and the Revolution make it's way into everyone's home (from what people seem to be saying).
If Sony loses customers to the Revolution, and the 360, and their suffering elsewhere, it just seems like they're spreading themselves thin trying to get/keep control of areas they used to dominate.
They could really shoot themselves in the foot if they don't design this correctly.
Jago @ Feb 15th 2006 12:41PM
"My ass Sony can build and equivalent to Xbox Live (on the 360) within that short a space of time that will be anywhere near as good. It's taken Microsoft years and over a billion dollars to do it, and they're the best guys out there when it comes to online infrastructure."
You obviousy have NO idea what you are talking about...Sony has been working on an online service for quite sometime now. Just b/c they made it public a few months ago doesn't mean that is when they started it.
That has got to be one of the dumbest statements on this story...
Nossy @ Feb 15th 2006 12:50PM
Looking forward to it. Hopefully it forces MS to finally release those XLA games they've been holding back and give us the full features of the 360 media functionality!!!!
saboola @ Feb 15th 2006 12:50PM
As an afterthought, sony did run a little game called everquest, which was obviously online. Sure it's not the hot item like WoW is right now, but still it was quite an infrastructure (I assume) and quite an experience I am sure in designing online infrastructure in general. Before I get pinned as a sony fanboy, I love xbox live, cept for the 13 year olds that seem overly eager to use the newest word they learned that day, and that fact that I am so bad at Halo 2.
Phillip @ Feb 15th 2006 12:51PM
Should the article title be "Xbox Live killer titled..." instead of "PS3 Live killer titled..."?
ME @ Feb 15th 2006 12:57PM
"My ass Sony can build and equivalent to Xbox Live (on the 360) within that short a space of time that will be anywhere near as good. It's taken Microsoft years and over a billion dollars to do it, and they're the best guys out there when it comes to online infrastructure."
Is not a dumb statement he is right sony is years behind plus they are not a software company like ms so in reality they are decades behind. Basically unless they mimick an exact replica of what live is now it will not be nearly anywhere in the likes of what live is for the duration of the next gen years. You have to consider the billions of dollars MS put into this the kind of money Sony doesn't not carry around this days. Maybe next time sony when the PS4 but by than ms would still be ahead.
And for that launch date if it is true I expect to see PS3s going for millions of dollars on ebay because of the shortage we will see.
CapAmerica @ Feb 15th 2006 1:06PM
LOL
I'm beleave it when I see it.
Sony likes to call things their "Killer"
Thier iPod "Killer"
Their iTunes "Killer"
Their GameBoy "Killer"
Thier VHS "Killer"
Jim @ Feb 15th 2006 1:06PM
GunForHire - I agree that Microsoft has better tallent in designing online apps such as Live, but that doesn't mean Sony isn't able to hire anyone worth a damn. It's entirely possible Sony has been working on an online system for years but decided not to launch it until the PS3. I don't see how anyone can say which one will be better until we can compare them side-by-side.
A September launch makes a lot of sense and I guarantee Sony has all the motivation they need to make it happen. If they can do it, it will give the hardcore early adopters 3 months to get their fix, wait in line, etc. before the more mainstream holiday season buying rush starts. Combining early adopters with a holiday season as Microsoft did will always get you into supply trouble - no matter who you are. Plus, Sony would (assumingly) benefit from positive reviews and word of mouth between September and the holiday season. Even if you launch with a huge supply of units in November or December, the mainstream buyers will be wary because it's an unproven product. Those of us that read Joystiq and know enough (or are passionate enough) to buy into a product at launch are the vast minority.
Also, didn't the PSM article recently say that the Sony hardware has been finalized? If that is truly the case, what's to keep them from going into all-out production in March to amass enough units to support a strong launch in Japan and America? Just as Microsoft's competative advantage is knowledge of software, Sony's advantage is manufacturing. The Xbox and 360 are cases of a software company making a piece of hardware. The PS3 is a hardware company making hardware and designing software to support it.
tree fiddy @ Feb 15th 2006 1:11PM
I think it could work for only one reason. The Playstation is nearly all Sony has left; they have to do it right.
Plus, if they simply copy Live they will have a decent application, and incorporating Sony media would help. I just wonder how much all this stuff is going to cost.
I love Live, but wouldn't it be cool to have two options?
DOCC OCC @ Feb 15th 2006 1:12PM
I need to hear about PC integration. Doesn't Sony have to pay Microsfot for the ability to sync with Windows. I hope Vista does a better job than XP though I haven't had many problems. Without a HD will this all be a promise for the future & not available at launch? This one will be interesting.
David @ Feb 15th 2006 1:13PM
I think you guys are missing the most important part of this if its true ... RELEASE DATE?!
A simultaneous launch in Japan and North America!
Hmm I'm worried about shortages now, since demand in both areas will undoubtably be very high, TT
Jo @ Feb 15th 2006 1:13PM
Here's an interesting editorial from TeamXBox on Sony's likely online package:
http://editorials.teamxbox.com/xbox/1481/PlayStation-Network-An-Xbox-Live-Killer/p1/
Sean D @ Feb 15th 2006 1:17PM
I don't understand how this can be an "xbox Live killer"... if you have an xbox, you'll still be using Live. I don't see how this will kill anything, but I do see how it will bring a better online experience for those who wish online play with their Playstation 3 console. For those of us who buy every console as they come out, it'll be seen as another annoying expense. Great that it'll work with the PSP too tho.
Martez @ Feb 15th 2006 1:30PM
#14- Yeah, MS is a software company- they have been for a long time. And fact is, they aren't very good at it, and pretty much every piece of software they come out with has a equal-or-higher-quality free alternative. The only 'advantage' MS has is that they poured 4 billion dollars into figuring out how to do online gaming right. Sony and Nintendo sat by and watched intently, and now it's their turn. They've learned from Live without having to put the money into it that MS has. People say MS is so smart for doing an online service first, and I'm glad SOMEONE did, but I honestly think Sony and Nintendo were smarter by standing on the sidelines and seeing how it went first. Yes, they have to play catchup now, but I can't imagine either company being too concerned about it. Nintendo's WiFi service is continuing to get more users, building a number of online gamers faster than Live did, and that's just on their handheld, before the actual console with serious online gaming comes out. Sony....well, basically I'm on the same page as most of the people here. Sony's betting everything on the PS3- if they do it right, it'll be awesome- if they screw it up, an assload of people will use it anyway.
So yeah, you're right- MS totally has an advantage...
Timdog @ Feb 15th 2006 1:33PM
hahaha xbox live killer my behind. Keep on dreaming Sony and keep on with those promises that never come true IE KILLZONE being realtime. Think its safe to say Xbox360 is the better buy the way things are starting to shape up.
ck @ Feb 15th 2006 1:35PM
This is quite interesting. IF all of this is true, Sony will have a media center capable of games, both on-line and off, blu-ray tech, downloadable content (demos, games) and purchasable content (movies, music, tv shows). My only worry is what other people have stated above: Sony is spreading their selves too thin!
The most important factor is the price. At LEAST $400 plus games plus accessories (controller, remote, etc.) for someone to really enjoy the gaming system. But on top of that, paying a subscription fee. That's a lot of money that only sony fans are going to dish out. Most families won't be able to afford all of that, let alone the core system!
And how is the downloading movies/music supposed to work? I'm sure you're going to have to pay for that stuff, too. And it's going to be hard to get the studios to jump on this bandwagon when there already is a tried and true system by Apple. Especially when they're already wasting a lot of money on publishing UMDs for a niche market.
This system is going to be for the elite gamers and familys who can afford this. Sony is taking a big gamble by integrating all of these options. I just hope they come out with a PS3 slim in a couple of years for a reduced price (That George Foreman's Grillmaster they call the PS3 now is so ugly). That's when I'll buy one, and they'll have at least twenty or thirty great games to keep me busy then.
JusJusJus @ Feb 15th 2006 1:35PM
Sony may very well have been working for years to develop their own online service.
However, no matter how much R&D they put into it, there is no way they can predict how it will perform until it is actually launched and USED by actual gamers. It will take years of refinements and tweaking, something MS has had years to do with Live.
Bloo @ Feb 15th 2006 1:37PM
Hilarious Underwhelming Bullshit
Embassy @ Feb 15th 2006 1:40PM
lol@ sony developing this for years...WHO CARES....none of that matters until u put it throguh REAL WORLD TESTING and have the shit in PEOPLES HANDS...until then...its still a virgin in my book..they could've been developing this since PS1...but if it has even taken a test drive yet then tis all pointless....its a fact that there will be bugs early on..thats a given for ANY new software and especially of something at this magnitude...hopefully in the long run...it will be good competition for live..
Andrew @ Feb 15th 2006 1:41PM
Doubt it can beat iTunes, but if they can sign on other movie studios, being able to download films and TV shows would be awesome. As much as I love watching Lost on a tiny iPod screen, watching it on a 40-inch screen would be awesome.
DOCC OCC @ Feb 15th 2006 1:42PM
They need a UMD burner on the system to make it a killer app. So you can burn the downloaded music & movies to UMD's.
robert semp @ Feb 15th 2006 1:43PM
I think you are all missing a huge point here they are now offering a rival to every xbox 360 feature im finding it hard to find one thing thats on the xbox (hardware wise ) that isnt on the ps3
Brian @ Feb 15th 2006 1:43PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't declaring war on Xbox Live! and iTunes pretty much suicide?
SuicideNinja @ Feb 15th 2006 1:47PM
What is really important is yes, they could pull it off. But that doesn't mean they will have the servers, bandwidth, and overall quality of Xbox Live. Even if they started working on this project since the Network Adapter came out, that doesn't mean they have all of the resources to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile experience overall. If they don't provide this, the cost better be substantially cheaper than Xbox Live, which in my opinion is already low.
I have some hope, and maybe Sony could make me a supporter again. They haven't won any "cool points" with me yet with an ugly design, extra unnecessary features, and the same annoying Dual-shock controller design. An online service is a start however, and has me raising an eyebrow.
Don't you just wish we could cut through all of Sony's bull, and get straight to the point? The PS2 is nothing that they said it would be techwise, and barring several great exclusive titles, the console as a whole was a disappointment. Although sales numbers may not dictate that they need "quality over quantity," this time around, they really need to look into the idea. I used to associate Sony-branding with quality, but that has really just gone downhill in the new millenium. Between failing DVD drives, horrible stereo equipment, and slow over-proprietary computers, it isn't surprising that the Playstation brand is driving the company.
If the PS3 is going to continue to keep Sony alive, they better make it right this time. Sony, put your own money where your mouth is this time instead of our hopeful dollars.
PaleGringo @ Feb 15th 2006 1:59PM
I always find it amazing to see a balance of so many well thought out comments intermingled with fanboy remarks (either for or against Sony). Still, there's some really good points in the first 20 or so comments.
One thing that I noticed nobody has touched on yet: At E3 2005, Sony said the P$3 was launching in "Spring 2006." Am I the only one that remembers this? September is not Spring. So one of two things happened here. First, and most likely, Sony is taking a bit longer on their design and implementation schedule than they thought they'd need back then. Making the parts fit, getting out better SDKs to developers and writing in all the new software features and services has got to take some time. Second, Sony could have been attempting to deflate Microsoft's "Hype Machine" as so many call it by saying that the P$3 will be out before the second quarter of 06.
If September is true, for both Japan and US, then there will be many people that rejoice, but this will all likely be forgotten in the fluster of "OMGTGIF!!!11 teh P$3 is teh September launch!!!!11"
Still, I applaud Sony for also reconsidering their "we will have no consolidated online service" policy. I think that would have been close to console suicide and having two heavy hitters in the realm of online console gaming (since I trithfully don't see much coming from Nintendo... yet) will increase competition, and hopefully, quality of service and features for us, the gamers.
What still gets me and again, has not been mentioned yet, is that we don't even have a ballpark price. When the 360 was announced in early May of 05, I reserved one for $50. I paid it off the day they announced the price and the difference in the systems. How can I do that with a system that has no final price tag?
So until Sony starts being HONEST about price, I will continue to designate it the P$3.
Jeremy Wright @ Feb 15th 2006 2:01PM
So, they're declaring war on iTunes (best media distribution platform, with 3 years behind them) AND Live (ditto, but for online gaming)?
About the only good news to me in this article is that they're pushing back the launch date. That means they've realized they couldnt' do "spring". "Spring" would have meant too much of a rush to produce, an awful launch lineup, etc.
Fall is reasonable. Who knows if they'll hit it, who knows if "HUB" will succeed, but I'm very, very glad they're pushing it back as that makes everything "possible".
Spartacus @ Feb 15th 2006 2:02PM
Well, I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but here's the slant I see:
1. HDD not included.
2. LIVE-esque subscription based online service.
= The whole 360 Core fiasco. But hey Sony isn't MS, so they can get away with it without anyone complaining.
3. Um, did I mention SUBSCRIPTION based? All those Sony adherants who criticized the Xbox for LIVE will now have to do the same for the PS3. That's ok, it's Sony, so once again, no complaints.
4. No details on how the service is being constructed. By Sony? By a third party? Sony is notorious for horrible interfaces and crappy software design, so if they're taking this project up in house, I can guarantee LIVE will function better. MS had years of Messenger and hotmail experience (and infrastructure) to work with before they even started LIVE version 1. Sony has to play catch up and eat an enormous start up cost.
I'm sorry, but Sony is simply taking on EVERYONE in the electronics industry (Apple, MS, Nintendo, TiVO and Blu-Ray and HD DVD stand alone players just to name a few) and packing its answer into what was once a game console hoping to beat the best at their own game. The PSP tried this too and the result was a jack of all trades, master of none (including games) and costs nearly twice as much as its competitor. Sony is promising the world with the PS3 and I'm afraid are going to be able to deliver much less. It's simply too ambitious, especially for a company in the red in almost every division.
As I've stated before, I'm not hoping Sony goes bankrupt, but the more information that comes our way, the more it seems Sony is putting on the line. If the history of convergeance devices says anything, PS3 isn't looking at too bright of a furure. Here's hoping I'm wrong... Cheers.
ME @ Feb 15th 2006 2:02PM
Yeah going against two super powers at once, remember Germany in WWII and what was the outcome of that! Sony forgot to take Political Science 101
LaughingTarget @ Feb 15th 2006 2:08PM
I'm not exactly seeing how this will "kill" the Live service. I can pretty much do all that already on Live (including hooking the PSP up to the 360). So...what is so killer about it?
Sony, come on now, if you want to kill something, you need to come out with a product that is superior, not equivelant.
You're not going to beat Live by copying it. Face it, why go with the knock-off when you already have the original?
Evan Goers @ Feb 15th 2006 2:12PM
What better way to kill Live than to make the exact same thing!
jc @ Feb 15th 2006 2:13PM
The way I see it, regardless of weither Sony wants to take on iTunes and XBL, the fact is they are in competition. Sony would be smart to put all of their offerings under one roof, centralization of resources.
I really don't like the fact that they are going to be charging for their online 'hub'... but if they end up charging too much for everything, the simple fact is that they are not going to get the number or customers required to keep their lead.
Personally I am undecided on what system I am going to get... but I am leaning towards the X360.
ripCord @ Feb 15th 2006 2:19PM
DIE SONY, YOU CRAZY BUNCH OF LIARS!
YOU PROMISE THE WORLD, BUT YOU GIVE US A TURD!
NINTENDO+MICROSOFT= Teh ROXORXXZZZ
spiker @ Feb 15th 2006 2:23PM
i think everyone's missing the point. here. Sony would be smart(very very smart) if they'd partner with Apple and itunes, have itunes run on the ps3 for all video/audio sync'n with the psp and such, which would simply crush MS in my opinion, but I'm not certain sony would do this. They did state an "itunes like interface" I just find it interesting they'd used the term itunes.
Sony would be foolish to take on itunes in my opinion. People want things to be easy and they want things to talk to other appliances easily. Sony could be very smart and get help and partner up with peps or they can go solo, which would be stupid.. who knows what will happen
Timdog @ Feb 15th 2006 2:27PM
at this point how could you trust Sony? They lied about Killzone, they lied about PS2, and all they do is make threats????? Go XBOX360 and Nintendo.
bearattack79 @ Feb 15th 2006 2:37PM
SONY HAS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!
Stephen @ Feb 15th 2006 2:39PM
Yeah..it certainly is cool to bash Sony no matter what they do these days...kind of getting annoying in my opinion.
Sony may do well with this Playstation HUB thing..who knows. I think it's the smart if they integrate this HUB with the PSP. That's what it exactly lack at the moment.
It's hard to say if it will be as good as Live. I don't think it will since it's Sony's first try. But that doesn't matter to do me, it's the games that counts. Sony or Nintendo still have a stronger library than 360 in my opinion.
By the way, some of Sony's people that's working on this HUB are probably previous MS employee. Check out this site:
http://www.devstation.scee.com/speakers
Check Mike Kavallierou, he is the director and actually work on XBOX Live for 2.5 years before he jumped to SCEE.
CuddleFish @ Feb 15th 2006 2:42PM
Oh WOW! I can't wait to pay to download the latest Spiderman movie to my PS3.
>_> @ Feb 15th 2006 2:47PM
Wow. I wonder what all the people who said that Sony wouldn't charge for their online gaming have to say now. What HUBris.
Snake2k9 @ Feb 15th 2006 3:03PM
I'm not paying to play online on the PS3 it's too late now, I have Xbox LIVE.
Mariofan14 @ Feb 15th 2006 3:11PM
I'm sorry, but this sounds like an exact copy of XBL. Microsoft is also looking into selling music and movies though XBL, so how can you call it a killer? I would say more of a knock off.
Side Note: I got to say that the 360 is looking good. I mean everything looks to be equal between 360 and PS3 (yes even graphics and the games). But the has PS3 BluRay and Wi-fi over the 360 while the 360 has a great online (so good the competitors want to copy it). The thing for me now will be pricing; I still think the PS3 will be more expensive and the much hyped BluRay disks will be quite a bit more than DVDs so I wil most likely be getting a 360. This will be an interesting console war indeed.
Jo @ Feb 15th 2006 3:14PM
We don't know anything yet... let's just wait and see...
The ZeroCorpse @ Feb 15th 2006 3:16PM
I'll believe the September date when I see it. I doubt they can have a launch lineup by then.
And no hard drive? Already the 360 has an advantage. By the time the PS3 is out, the XBox 360 developers will be cranking out games that use the hard drive for various functions to speed up gameplay, add special features, and stream our own music. Developers for the PS3 will have to design games that load everything off the BD-ROM and cache it in their tiny RAM. Bad choice.
Looks like Nintendo and MS are going to be the major players this round.