Sony Opens PS2 Platform 77
Ars Technica reports that Sony will be removing their content approval process for the Playstation 2 so that developers require less funding to make games.
"Since there are no licensing fees, the only cost to the developer would be the PS2 dev kit. In order to help alleviate some of that financial burden, Bain said that in some cases Sony will lend out dev kits. Another option for developers making small, casual titles is to purchase PS2 debug dev kits, which cost about 1/10 of a full version. Bain went on to explain another possible option for smaller local developers: the PlayStation Network. 'One thing that a lot of developers seem to forget is that PlayStation Network is free,' he explained. 'Consumers do not have to pay a monthly fee ... game developers should create games for local markets.'"
Dev kits should be free (Score:4, Insightful)
If the dev kits are free, more games will be made for the platform, and that leads to more money to Sony because of more console sales.
This is an older platform, true, but that would definitely be true for newer stuff like the PS3.
So... porn games, here we go! (Score:3, Insightful)
Since the content approval process is being removed, I'm sure their will be games rated for adults only coming out. These will include stories with violence and what not, but also porn.
I guess more people will want to buy a ps2, or remove the dust from their old ps2 and buy new games.
Good job Sony!
Re:Dev kits should be free (Score:2, Insightful)
Like in 1983?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console#Video_game_crash_of_1983 [wikipedia.org]
Or like for PC? There's an open platform. Not a lot of evidence of a idie game bonaza there to refute Sony's very successful and closed PS2 business model. Things aren't as simple as you think.
Hardly arbitrary (Score:3, Insightful)
industry dominated by arbitrary 1st party rules.
They were put in place to ensure we don't have another Atari failure that brings down the entire game market.