Kutaragi: PS3 online will be free, digital distribution is the future [update 1]

I really HONESTLY and TRULY love how BIASED Joystiq is. For one Kutaragi was referring to BASIC service and what does that mean? Joystiq makes it seem like all SONY's online service will be free. You guys are getting worse than Kutaragi, with telling the truth. Mighty funny Joystiq failed to meantion the news of the PS3's cell processor being scaled down to 2.8 Ghz.

PS2 is a failure. Yes, it is to some degree for Ken. PS2 is just a game machine, it's not what Ken evisioned it to be.I think PS3 can really achieve a part of Ken's goals. It is one day everything will be streamed realtime, there would be no need for optical discs or HDD. All they need is to have a way to identify you, and you can have access to everything you want anytime.
PS3 is not a game machine, it's platform, software and service all in one. I'm sorry but Xbox360 is just a platform, so they don't really compete with PS3. I think this sums it up: Ken is more worried about windows XP media center than Xbox360.

I've decided that a PS3 actually costs $850 without games. You have to get a PSP with it, too, right? They said the two were inseprable. But you'll definitely want the PS3 with the wireless so it'll be easy to connect your PSP. Screwed.

I'm glad something has to be free.

Soon after adding my last comment to this article, I realized that everyone else wrote the same thing. So here is another look at why this upsets us as gamers.

This statement by Kutaragi is fundamentally what is wrong with current thinking by gaming companies. If Kutaragi truly believes that digital distribution is the wave of the future, then he should have taken a chance on it with the PS3. Instead he's using the PS3 to spearhead a new type of media (too soon after the last upgrade to dvd if you ask me) that is going to die out soon after it takes off anyhow. Why, Why, WHY? We continue to ask why. Here is why. Sony wants you to buy the media you already own again. If you have VHS, they want you to buy DVD. If you have DVD, they want you to buy BLu-ray. If you own BLu-ray, they want you to pay to download it everytime you use from their service.

This is why I personally am upset with Sony. I realize it's a corporation and that the corporation's only task is to make money for it's shareholders. Still, there comes a point when the general public (Sony fanboys not included) will just say enough is enough and move on to the next thing. And while some people just won't learn and they'll continue to purchase the lame crap it puts out it won't be enough to satisfy your shareholders needs for profit in the long run. I think Sony has way over estimated the value of their name. They may even have started to realize it. I used to think Sony meant something. Now, to me Sony means something else, and it's not a good thing. I haven't given up on Sony and they aren't completely in the tube yet. But if the games for the PS3 and the blu-ray movies end up being as tepid as the ones for the PSP, then there's a chance the PS3 might be missing from my entertainment center.

So much for used games. Now every game that is sold is new, and if you think the price is coming down just because of a more efficient distribution system you should be hit in the head with a hammer. Those extra dollars go right to the bottom line of their income statement.

At what point would sony or whoever decide that it is no longer profitable to maintain the servers. Then instead of an retro NES system you have an outdated paper weight. Man that future sure is bright.

If you guys could get me a job at microsoft so I can be part of the evil empire and hang with the Dath Vader to be, I'd gladly accept the position, but until that I'll be just another code-pusher at some, well, not no-name company, but one that isn't affiliated with any of the players here. In fact, at work, we use nothing but Microsoft products.

I just get sick and tired of the same old disinformation that the fanboys of all camps are spreading.

[RANT ON]
Sony fanboys:
1) No, the PS3 won't be running MACOSX, nor windows. Just because the CELL could run them if apple/microsoft ported them, does not mean they will.
2) If Sony doesn't cut out the Linux-features of the PS3, then even still, it won't run windows games just because of Wine. Try to learn a bit about processor and hardware architectures before dreaming that crap up.
3) The cell isn't a magical thing that will make every game amazing. That is all up to the developers. They have to learn to use it.

Microsoft fanboys:
1) You will be needing storage media greater than DVD in a few (2-3) years, without a doubt (unless oyu like games on multiple discs, i just bought Dreamfall for PC on 8 CD's and I only had to install it, and that made me retch)
2) You may be happy with just 720p and 1080i, I'm not. I want at LEAST 1080p, if not more. I've been looking at the 30" apple and dell monitors and I hope that PS3 might support them. To me, that resolution makes a real difference.
3) The processors in the xbox360 arent't some magical thing that will make every game amazing. That is all up to the developers. They have to learn to use it. (Sidenote: my bet is on the Cell in the long run, I like the stricter structure of it more, and yes, i've actually developed some simple software for the Cell processor (not ps3 though))

Nintendo fanboys:
1) Sony didn't steal the dualshake from nintendo. If anything, Nintendo "stole" it from microsoft. Who undoubtedly "stole" it from some other unknown company.
2) Just like with the DS, the Wii won't have amazing games over night, it will have a lot of nice games though, and in a years time, it will have some really amazing games making full use of the Wiimote.

General fanboys:
1) Just because the Wii hardware was housed in gamecube boxes, it does not mean that it was gamecube hardware in them. (I still see that crap often)
2) The Wii will be at least my second console of choice. It will be great together with my DS Lite that i hope to get in the mail any day now.
[RANT OFF]

To end this post:
My dream is that the PS3 will be the new Amiga 500, amazing for everything including games. Frigging loved that machine. I still have it in a box with all my games for it. And even better, if Sony does not screw up on the linux-side on PS3, then it will be quite amazing for homebrewers. But again, that is just my dream as a happy "hacker" from ye´olden days.

You guys ever think outside of your OWN situation...

This article is for Japanese Gamers on a Japanese site.

Japan and Asia is Miles ahead when it comes to Internet Connection Speeds and there Infrastructure is very capable of such services.

They have 1gbit, 100mb, 60mb, 30mb as the Norm. So what you expect when European and US consumers think how… where Connection speeds are considerably weaker.

And btw this has always been a plan of Kutaragi and Sony with the PS brand.

Read the Original Interview and you’ll refresh up on the situation on understanding why the PS2 did not have such features for USA, UK and Europe as they did have them for Japan.

PS3 will now take advantage of this. Great Move by Sony was to have HDD has standard, this is the Next step for Sony Online platform, Consumer demand, Xbox Live as an example of catching consumers early on the Curve of connection speeds rises. US, UK and Europe have had the Broadband revolution. So lines are now capable of some sort of distribution.

Western Countries have been slow in the Take up of Faster Lines. Where Japan and Asia capable for such Distribution methods. So please understand this,

So think outside of you own situation to understand what is being said...The PS console is anticipated all over the World so to some people this is great. But for others it iss an Image of the formidable future.

I'll rue the day that my gaming platform is only as reliable as my internet connection.. "cannot find address or server, please check connection and try again." well, looks like no playing games today! oh well, i'll go play my ps2, which only needs a power plug to play. On second thought, it sounds as reliable as my ps2's optical drive.

Start rue-ing.

Doesnt xbox live silver (the free one) allow you to download and play everything except for games? So isnt this just the same thing as xbox live, free online content, but you have to subscribe for games? Im not saying that sony doing that is a bad thing...

48. PS2 is a failure. Yes, it is to some degree for Ken. PS2 is just a game machine, it's not what Ken evisioned it to be.I think PS3 can really achieve a part of Ken's goals. It is one day everything will be streamed realtime, there would be no need for optical discs or HDD. All they need is to have a way to identify you, and you can have access to everything you want anytime.
PS3 is not a game machine, it's platform, software and service all in one. I'm sorry but Xbox360 is just a platform, so they don't really compete with PS3. I think this sums it up: Ken is more worried about windows XP media center than Xbox360.

Posted at 4:12PM on Jun 12th 2006 by Sino 0 stars

First off Sino, you're a fool. Ken's goal is to make as much money as he can for himself and Sony. So he will lie through his teeth to get you to buy his line(s) of BS. PS3 is not even a "platform" as you call it at this point...the PS3 is a damn joke and so are the corporate pricks in charge of trying to get it to market. Oh and just as a reminder Bill Gates is one of the world's largest philanthropists. When was the last time you heard Sony or Ken (jackass) Kutaragi do anything to help his fellow man...yeah I didn't think so...fanboi...

People will always want and enjoy the tactile sense of owning something, touching it, looking through the manual on the can. This whole digital distribution thing is a pipe-dream. Sure some things may ship via digital distribution but it will never fully replace brick-and-mortar...and that you can take to the bank...because they'll still be around too...;)

For a second there, Sony might have been getting good press for once. but Kutaragi can't keep his mouth shut.

1/ Online gaming will be free. (Now you're talking!)

2/ E-distribution will be a great revenue (Not a big problem, although there may be some overpricing)

3/ Optical drives soon to be obsolete (there are reason for and against that one, its a good prediction)

4/ In two to three years, nobody will ever need a hard drive (there it is, the typical Sony crap. And i thought i was dreaming...)

its funny to me how all these M$ fanboi's keep attacking Sony when they JUST got outsold by the PS2!! I for one am getting both a Wii and PS3. Remember M$ folks, Sony and Nintendo DONT HAVE to make an online service thats BETTER than M$, they just to make it DECENT enough to play on, because if i want GREAT games i will go to Nintendo(Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Smash Bros etc..) and if i want VARIETY AND GREAT games i go to Sony, BOTH of which will offer a SIMILIAR online system(which really most people dont care for after the fact that GAMES come first) what can M$ offer that BOTH Sony and Nintendo can and will?? LIVE??? is that all? Halo 3??

@ kawf....blasphemy!!! Mentioning the beloved Amiga among these infidels!!!!!

Seriously though. I doubt the PS3 will reach that status simply because the PS3 isn't affordable enough for mass market. It's anyone's guess how easy it will be for homebrewers. You could get an Amiga 500 back in the day for $300. the Amiga was ahead of its time and suffered from bad marketing and a very stupid front office. But yeah, it was a great machine. Deluxe Paint, Brilliance and True Brillance, Scala, Imagine....and then there were the games....Gods, Turrican, Agony, Lamatron (great homebrew version of Robotron) FlashBack...It would be great if Sony could make that era happen again but I don't see it with the PS3.

Vader582, let me be honest with you, Ken is more worried about ipod than Xbox360. Actually he is more worried about the Apple computers. Is Xbox360 a good gaming machine? ya, but the way I see it Xbox is not a concern for the PlayStation brand. How will the PlayStation platform turn out to be, nobody knows yet, but if it all works out it should be twice as sucessful as the PS2.

Oh this really just gets better and better.

So in conclusion then if you want a 'video-game console' your only choice is Nintendo. How ironic.

Attacks weak point for maximum damage. Ken we salute you.

I think what he really means is that Sony's vision of the future is to rape you every chance they get!! HOW ABOUT WE START ATTACHING OUR DRM TO DOWNLOADED GAMES! That would be GREAT!

Oh and online service will suck if it is free... online on the PC sucks if you dont have good servers to back it up... those servers cost MONEY hence the fee for LIVE... I can live with the 50 bucks a year...

Personally I would rather have 6 years of live services instead of that stupid Blu-Ray drive!

@ Sino, If Ken isn't worried about Microsoft and the 360, then he's dillusional. Microsoft just took a $4 billion beating in the current gen and got up and said "okay Sony, what else you got?". Then Bill Gates went on record and said that even if the 360 isn't a success, he'd be willing to go one more round with Sony. Sony may have the 10 year dominance and fanbase but Microsoft is a monster of a company. Also, the 360 is a very attractive alternative to the PS3.

I could almost agree with you if the PSP was doing better in Japan. I mentioned this before on another topic... Microsoft isn't Sega and Nintendo is not out of the race yet. Nintendo was the great empire the last time out and what happened to them?
Sony is hurting because

a) the DS is killing them in Japan and is strongly competing against them everywhere else in the world

b) The quality of the xbox 360 has turned the heads of more than a few developers. Games that were exclusive to sony are coming to the 360 too.

c) Wii's great reception at e3

d) Xbox live and XBLA constant evolution and improvement.

e) backlash from the price of the PS3

The Ipod comes into play but only after these factors. Sony should be worried and rightfully so. There is a lot to lose in the next gen and Microsoft is fighting them head to head, Nintendo is using stealth ninja tactics. "We're not competing with MS or Sony." Riiiiiiiiight.

@64, Its not like Live actually hosts game servers you play on like a MMORPG. That would be your fellow Live users hosting. PC is actually very good, BF2 even ran their own ranked servers and all you had to do was buy the game...no extra fee's.

#54, I loved my Amiga 500!!!!

Krazy Kenny K gets more entertaining by the moment.

Digital distribution seems like a nice idea but when I think about second hand games or the DRM controversy I'll gladly stay with physical media. Microsoft thinks that everybody wants to play online - I'm still not convinced... so many game formats don't work well as multiplayer/online experiences and if I want multiplayer I invite some friends over at my place and we rock Guitar Hero together (or play Dead Or Alive 4).

I for one would be furious is my GAMES, my physical property, was taken away from me, streamed from some server sitting in Sony's basement. I like OWNING the games, I dont like (and I'm sure millions of consumers wont like) having to ask Sony if I could "borrow" the game when I feel like playing it. This concept is completely and totally warped. You know how people on forums get pissed off whenever their World of Warcraft
server is down? What happens when Sony experiences "network issues"? I don't like the idea of my games sitting on a hard drive, unable to be backed up in the first place. This "next step" is even more ludicrous. Sony wants to control every aspect of your entertainment experience. and in a few years, that may even include when you're allowed to play the games you paid for.

I don't know whats so great with 1080p. I played Burnout on my 360 on a 51" HDTV (at 720p) and it looked great. I really don't see 1080p helping anyone except for the person who has far too much money to spend on a display. Considering that most 360s, and presumably PS3s, aren't going to be running on high-end displays I really don't see the benefit.

I hope Ken is right with the online distribution, but I don't see how they'll eliminate both hard drive and optical media. Once someone figures that out. . . I'll probably be in my grave. Waiting 20 minutes for a 700mb demo isn't that bad. . . would waiting a day or two be all that bad for a 10gb game? Or, as ISPs upgrade, would that same day of downloading be all that bad for a 25 or 50gb game? I just don't see online distribution ending normal distribution as we know it. Not everyone has access to high speed lines. Not everyone wants a digital item--they want something tangible.

Sony's PS3 strategy seems more and more confused. Is this a gaming console, a media PC or a PC. Every time Ken opens his mouth we get even more confusion.

As much as I dislike Nintendo at least they have a clear strategy and generates hype and buzz. For Sony confusion reigns.

I will admit that Ken is right about one thing. PS3 is cheap! For all the stuff it has it's a deal. Never mind others can do the same cheaper (XBox360) or no one asked for such an over complicated game console.

It will be interesting to see if Sony will even manage to launch PS3 this year. Rumours about problems with Cell are floating around. We have already seen Sony's Blu-Ray players being pushed back to at least August.

So in 2 years, Blu-Ray will be obsolete? Nice, Ken. I bet the retailers love hearing this sort of talk too.

Hmmm...

I remember someone saying the PS2 would be future proof.

Last time I listen to Sony.

I kinda like Kutaragi. He's a funny guy.

Sounds to me they're copying Microsoft and Nintendo's online model.

But the more important nugget is the digital downloads comment. It's somewhat curious, in that it would seem to invalidate the existance of having Blu-Ray. Why on Earth would you make such a comment before the system is available?!

It's amazing that throves of doubters said "Sony won't give us online for free like on PS2. That's impossible! Microsoft charges money, but they're not ripping us off. Psh!" before anything was announced, and now that Phil Harrison AND Ken Kutaragi have explicitly said that online multiplayer for PS3 will be free, you guys still have to nerve/stupidity to say "Oh, that's not what they really meant! Microsoft charges for a reason." Yeah, the real reason they charge is, you guessed it, for the money. I bet once the PS3 is launched you same people are going to be telling every stranger you can that the PS3 isn't capable of playing games. Buyer's remorse is pitiful.

Okay, now I've read everyone else's comments, and the article itself, so I'll throw in MY take on it.

-->"You can't charge money for network matching and other basic services. These things are just taken for granted on the PC."

Translation: We're going to have a system like Xbox Live Silver or many of the online games, where you can meet and chat for free.

--> "On the PS3, basic services will be taken for granted while content will be the bread and butter of our business."

Translation: If you want to download any extras or any single player games, or actually play AGAINST anyone else, then you're going to pay - just like Xbox Live Gold.

--> "We really wanted to do this with the PS2. But now Apple has realised a successful e-distribution program, it's about time we made our move, too."

Translation: We didn't know what we were doing with PS2, and didn't want to look like we were playing catch-up with Microsoft alone. Now Apple has iTunes, which shows that people WILL pay money to download content, so we better jump on that bandwagon, too.

-->"Users will be able to connect to Polyphony Digital's server. So I want it to be a Cell server, with the number of Cells at a thousand to several thousand. This would allow us to maintain an entire cyberworld, as long as our power supply holds up."

Translation: We want you to connect to our (PD) server, since they're part of our keiritsu. We as the parent company say that they will use Cell processors in their servers. As long as we can pay our electric bill, you're fine. When we can't, you're screwed.

--> Eventually optical drives will be obsolete, he believes - as indeed might hard drives. "I expect even the hard disk to disappear eventually," Kutaragi said.
"If you have all the data on servers, you probably no longer need disk drives... But to do this, the server is crucial. It's a difficult problem."

Translation: I'm following part of a trend that Bill Gates said earlier - damn, I hate following that gaijin! We want to turn your next game computer into dumb consoles, with no local capacity, so that everything comes from us, and you can't store anything locally.

Personal note: Saw a 200GB HDD on sale at Staples today for $69 - HDD's will NOT become obsolete. I'm in IT a bit myself, and terminal users want functionality that's not dependant on a server.

-->KK: After all, we don't say it's a game console (laugh) PS3 is clearly a computer unlike PSs of so far.
Obviously we have to make it a mature hardware to a certain degree to reduce the cost when we look at it as a game console. As the methodology, we have been doing cost reduction such as chip integration and power-supply reduction. Naturally we'll do the same thing for PS3. However, as PS3 is a computer, (not only reducing the cost) but also wants to evolve. We'll want to upgrade the HDD size very soon, if new standards appear in PC we will want to support them. We may want the BD drive to write. Well, BD may not become like that though.

-->KK: If Mr. Jobs (Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Computer) adds an Apple logo (onto PS3) I think (users) will say it can be sold at $2,000. However it's not possible for the PLAYSTATION brand. That is the difference in the computer world between the PLAYSTATION brand and the Apple brand. Nevertheless I think PS3 can be sold as a PLAYSTATION because PS3 belongs to the PLAYSTATION brand.

Tranlsation: These last two comments aren't from this specific article, it's from an interview that Ken did with a Japanese PC magazine. I think that they speak for themselves - PS3 isn't a game console, it's a PC and you should pay $2,000 for it.

hey people you are not people company. b/c you have a problem money that's why you were can't afford buy ps3 cost $599. I love support xbox live not xbox360. And I support sony for free (i can pay sale downloads) cause sony is allow support in XBL is cost $50 year have better high speed but sony cannot charge you in XBL. If you don't have job...that's what bother me you make me sick again. go to get job get a life!... respect to sony, MS, wii company. however i tell you that you don't want xbl cost $50 year. is you have dail-up without high speed? sony, ms, wii won't support dial-up anymore. it's new future high speed. ok?

How is Blu-ray for the PS3 relevant when the read speeds are 36 Mbps?

awe man. I want a PS3 soo bad. its gonna be awesome. free online, blu-ray, dvr, internet, homebrew with linux, psp connectivity, location free tv, and some of the best games (downloadable or not) ever made. cant wait for launch.

Lets all wait for these systems (PS3 and Wii) to come out before we bash or praise them. Both systems other than games still in development, don't even exist in their final form yet, and as history has proven, games can improve dramatically from when they are first seen, to when they are released (just look at the first Halo, its first showing at e3, was bland, buggy, and slow, but when it was released it was an awesome game).

We as gamers love to show our allegiances, who we are, and what we arent. But If the past is any indicator, I think alot of people will be eating their words come november. The truth is, Sony has been in this for over a decade. They have gathered too much knowledge about the industry to just all out fail. They may not succeed by the landslide of the last two generations, but they will probably succeed once again. Even if only 1 out of every 10 ps2 owners bought a ps3, that is easily over 10 million units.

And we forget that we arent the only market they are concerned about. Markets like japan and korea, have dramatically higher bandwidth than we do here in the US. Our idea of highspeed is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the speeds offered elswhere in the world.

The truth of the matter is, all three will succeed in their own way. Microsoft will succeed in getting larger marketshare (how much remains to be seen), but most of the world will still prove to be a major hurdle for them. Their biggest issue will be to make a very American console strategy more appealing to a global market. Nintendo will succeed in making gaming more accessible, although it remains to be seen if that access will be taken up but average folks that DONT live in japan. Their biggest hurdle will be to make everyday people buy Wii's just like nongaming japanese people buy DS's. Sony will succeed in keeping the lead for the next generation, by sheer numbers. We have to face the fact that despite the vocal minority of gamers that frequent sites like this, a large number of average PS2 gamers have never had a problem with their system, and are quite pleased with it. So to say that this sentiment is going to reverse entirely is a bit nearsighted. Sony has been more expensive than the established competition every time (more than N64, more than Dreamcast), and it has yet to hurt them. Sony's biggest hurdle will be to provide compelling reasons that consumers should pay for their system and not their cheaper competitors.

I've been playing online on my Nintendo DS via wifi since last year. It's free.

@Ken Kutaragi

I am not a stupid tool. This is not a computer and no matter how many times you Sony exec’s say it, it doesn't make it true. You HAVE a computer line, the Vaio. Are you competing with your own product or are you hoping that PC consumers and console consumers aren't going to intermingle?

The FIRST time we heard this "PC" crap was AFTER the price point backlash.

The PS3 is a video game console that has online capabilities for downloading content, possibly browsing the internet, and playing against friends. Will I have a word processor? Will I hook it up to a printer? Can I load Adobe software on it? Hell, will we even be able to hook up a keyboard and mouse?

@Everyone Else

Don't be fooled. This is NOT a computer. It will replace NOTHING in the technology world. It is a SUPER POWERFUL video game console. You would think that would be good enough for Sony, but they are in a marketing mess right now. They are trying to justify the price by referring to it as a computer. "Gee, a $600 computer with BluRay and a Cell processor is pretty cheap, daaarrrr." Don't believe everything they tell you. They will say whatever they have to in order to make you forget how expensive it is.

At least we all know how much Fun we get from consoles.

Anyone knows how fun is a platform-software-service-whatever ?

"Don't be fooled. This is NOT a computer."

Actually this article says its calling itself as a computer and console as a form of tax dodging.

http://www.playfuls.com/news_5961_Sonys_PlayStation_3_A_Tax_Dodging_Computer.html

@cringer8: Aren't you tired of posting rants about the PS3 yet? I think every post you've made complains about the price of the PS3. If anything, I'd think your mad that you can't afford it. I've never seen someone so energetic about a system that they "hate".

@ someone who said BluRay wants you all to replace your entire move collection:
You realize that you don't have to re-buy your DVDs? BluRay drives have the capability to play DVDs so there is no need to go out and replace it unless you want. Get informed before spouting out again.

I can't wait until both Wii and PS3 are out so everyone can stop with all the speculation.

@cringer8 (im guessing the 8 is your age in years)
Ken is comparing it to PCs because everything that Pcs have in gaming PS3 can top. It is confirmed to have internet browsing and Linux, so all someone has to do is get Word processor and it will have it. It will also have printer and mouse hookups via bluetooth wireless, or possibly a USB.

86. @cringer8 (im guessing the 8 is your age in years)
Ken is comparing it to PCs because everything that Pcs have in gaming PS3 can top. It is confirmed to have internet browsing and Linux, so all someone has to do is get Word processor and it will have it. It will also have printer and mouse hookups via bluetooth wireless, or possibly a USB.


Posted at 12:02PM on Jun 13th 2006 by Ethan 0 stars

Ethan I'm guessing you're an idiot if you think the PS3 WILL EVER top a PC, in ANYTHING...hell it won't even top a Mac...but that's a different thread ;)

Here is more infor of PS3 and all the contents:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6145972.html

Here is all the PS3 and contents of the system and look them up.

@Andir

I haven't EVER bashed the PS3 itself. I have bashed Sony for their decisions. Read my posts again (if you read them at all). The PS3 is going to be amazing, there's no doubting that. A $600 price point is nothing to me, personally, but it DOES alienate customers, which is a bad decision. And BluRay is accounting for approximately 200 of those dollars. BluRay is Sony's focus this fall...that's a mistake. This is all BAD BUSINESS and shows no loyalty to the fans that have taken Sony to where they are now.

@Ethan

What can I say...you've got your hopes set too high, almost ridiculously so. I guess Sony’s tactics do work on some brains (the small ones). PC's will always outperform consoles in gaming. Always.