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September PS3 Launch, Online Service
Posted by
Zonk
on Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:08 AM
from the that's-not-the-spring dept.
from the that's-not-the-spring dept.
Next Generation (which has generally been fairly reliable regarding information of this nature) has a report indicating that the PlayStation 3 may be launching in September of this year. They also have information about the Sony online console service that has been rumoured for the last few weeks. Apparently called HUB, they theorize details about that aspect of the console will be made available in the next few weeks. From the article: "PlayStation HUB is being described to developers as a 'subscriber service' suggesting a monthly charge. We understand the service is being created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, although this is unconfirmed. Sony boss Howard Stringer is pushing for all media content to be available for distribution over PlayStation HUB, such as music and movies, thus opening up a powerful iTunes-like distribution network for Sony."
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September PS3 Launch, Online Service
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What? (Score:3, Funny)
Except it's not portable. Insert "wah-wah-wah-waaaaah" sound.
Come on, an internet-required playstation is about as portable as a grammaphone.
Expect (Score:4, Informative)
(http://www.keirstead.org/)
Also expect the ability to transfer music and small videos directly to your Walkman phone.
A proprietary HUB (Score:1, Troll)
(http://www.eggytoast.com/)
So you can potentially buy movies and music, and apparently the thing also plays video games (which we haven't heard much about). The Xbox360 lets you plug your iPod in at least (and apparently does a pretty good job of handling it). Yet Sony wants people to not only pay a monthly fee, but also use their service to buy movies and music electronically, encumbered and weighed down with DRM, and which will almost assuredly work only with Sony devices.
"But it'll have Blu-Ray!" Yeah, big deal.
Sony who? (Score:2, Insightful)
(http://valdot.org/)
Sony is building its own infraestructure? (Score:2, Insightful)
(http://www.aullox.com/)
And, if it is an internet based service, then ISP will ask for their cut as the "Free ride" thing with Google?
Or this will be another reason to push the tiered internet?
Speculation of Info (Score:2, Interesting)
(http://www.wildnobility.com/)
It seems wierd that they mention none of the details are specific, nor confirmed by Sony, but they can say that Japan and US might get it around the same time? Somehow, I think Sony would honor their Japanese market before it every makes it over the Pacific.
As for the subscription service, I would like to see it in action, and how well it can hold up to Xbox Live. "an iTunes like distrubtion"? Sounds like like you still pay seperately for each Online game you purchase. You might see a list of games on the server, and pick two, for like $9.99 each per month. Might be more convient to acquiring the game, but it would suck if they charge for each game's monthly subscription seperately. I know they hinted at it just beinga flat monthly fee, but still...
But remember, this is speculation.
So Much for Online Games... (Score:3, Interesting)
(http://www.fontosaurus.com/ | Last Journal: Tuesday February 17 2004, @09:37AM)
OTOH, I don't think there's a single PS2 game that has me inspired to play online -- of the four years I've owned my PS2, I've had it plugged into a network for maybe 10 days.
Re:So Much for Online Games... (Score:4, Insightful)
Why not, 5.5 million WoW users do it every month?
Subscription service may even let us see free games in the coming years as developers realize that the majority of their income is from the subscriptions and not the sold box; especially once they stop selling boxes and start providing downloadable content. Of course, faster network connections and a very large audience is need to support that; but that's what this all about right? M$ vs $ony for the title of network/distribution owner?
You think M$ is willing to lose millions on the XBox and 360 because they hope to make it up in game sales? No way, they want the network and control. Same as $ony.
UMD? (Score:2)
Will HUB bring anything new? (Score:5, Interesting)
(Last Journal: Friday August 24, @03:21AM)
As much as people like to whine about the 360's subscription model (which only applies to the "Gold" membership) and the lack of users so far, I do enjoy some of the new features introduced in the latest incarnation of Live. For example, the gamerscore and the achievement system have turned into "mini-games" in themselves (if you enjoy that kind of thing). However, there are definately improvements that can be made. I wonder if Sony's going to go the extra mile, or if they're just going to be content (for now) with playing catch up?
Yet another monthly fee. (Score:2, Interesting)
Too eager to take sides... (Score:1)
(Last Journal: Thursday January 12 2006, @03:19PM)
1. Pick an evil corporation that is making billions of dollars.
2. Hate evil corporation! Say bad things about it and refuse to acknowledge any good aspects it may have!
3. ?
4. Profit!
Guess what? It's possible to like all the consoles for different reasons! *Gasp!* You don't have to take sides at all! Sony isn't better than Microsoft, and vice versa. They're both companies, and it is their job to make their stockholders happy by increasing profits. Of course, the Xbox is seeming to make Microsoft LOSE money, but that's another story.
Anyway, Microsoft's Xbox Live service has many good aspects, and Sony recognizes this. They decided NOT to include an online service with the PS2 because back then they saw no need for it, but the fact is they thought about it. Now that they've seen that a centralized online service is not only feasible but also desirable, they are creating one as well. So, enough of this talk about "OMG they copied xbox! Xbox rules $ony sucks! [insert comment about rootkit or DRM]! LOLz"
They contemplated a centralized online service long before Xbox live existed.
At any rate, I am interested in how Sony's online service will debut (provided it even exists). While I personally favor the PS3 to win the next-gen console war, I recognize that the 360 will have had a year-long headstart, along with a well-established online service, and that will be very dangerous footing for Sony. If they can't convince people that the PS3 will surpass the 360, then they will probably even lose to the Revolution (which, seeing the way things are going now, might win the console conflict yet). It won't be a dull war this time around, that's for certain.
Concurrent launches, do they really work? (Score:2)
SONY clearly realizes that Spring is not the best time to release a new platform. But the question remains, will they rush the console out the door before Christmas even if the selection of US launch titles is as abysmal as the PSP's. You could argue that it can play the existing library of PS1 and PS2 titles, but I do not see many parents justifying the $500 pricetag because it can play their kids' old games and eventually desirable PS3 games. The Revolution on the other hand, if priced reasonably, may be able to fallback on NES/SNES/N64 download service and GameCube backward compatibility at launch.
The only saving grace I see for the PS3 in such a scenario is the BluRay player. I own two HD sets and would gladly fork over $500 for a BluRay player that can also play PS1/PS2/PS3 games
Re:GNAA (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:2, Interesting)
(Last Journal: Thursday February 24 2005, @11:27AM)
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:2)
you have to really do some networking and try to stick to playing against people you know arent assholes.
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:2)
(http://www.fourhman.com/ | Last Journal: Monday September 27 2004, @03:44PM)
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:2, Informative)
The online console era is the new thing for consoles and is now definitely here to stay as it looks like both XBOX 360 and PS3 both are going to be media centers in one form or another. I think HUB is going to have some catching up to do to match the growing success of XBOX Live.
The growing success, put into perspective.
10% of Xbox owners ever got on Live. Microsoft's Xbox sales were 20% of Sony's PS2 sales. Nintendo's sales were also around 20% of Sony's. Doing the math, we can see that Live stormed onto the scene and sucked in a whopping 1.6% of the console gaming market.
Holy cow! How will Sony ever catch up to that???
Re:Money (Score:3, Interesting)
(http://www.randominnovation.com/)
Re:Launches (Score:2, Informative)
So long to wait until the Xbox 360 drops in price
Re:Launches (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Launches (Score:2)
please reference your
also, keep in mind that this is a rumor article still. not OFFICIAL word. september 16/21 or whatever could be crap. september is a long way away from "spring" in terms of when they stated they would launch.
personally, id rather have the ps3 in september if that means i get more launch titles and a larger [and more stable] supply of the actual consoles.
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:3, Informative)
Now if I can just defeat Malak..
Re:It will be Interesting (Score:1)