Let’s face it: Sony’s online service for the PlayStation 2 hardly stood up to the ease of use and capability of Xbox Live. Currently all online console tournaments are comprised solely of Xbox games. Well in this generation, Sony promises an online system that will rival Xbox Live.

John Smedley, the president of Sony Online Entertainment, recently shared some information on the PlayStation 3’s online system. According to Smedley the PS3 online system will be free like the Nintendo Wii’s, and PS3 online will involve middleware.

However, there are more questions than answers concerning the PS3 use of intermediary companies like Xfire, Quazal, GameSpy, Demonware or even those produced by game developers (Resistance: Fall of Man will have its own middleware software developed by Insomniac).

What this means is that the Playstation 3 Online network may not allow gamers to communicate as fluidly as initially expected. For instance, if a gamer connects to one title through Quazal, they will not be able to interact with friends connected through Xfire or GameSpy to play a different game. This is creating a lot of tension within middleware companies as Xfire is currently in a lawsuit with GameSpy concerning the harvesting of users from public posting. As these companies continue to struggle for position, it may reveal that Sony does not have the strong infrastructure Microsoft enjoys with its XBL service.

That said, Sony has found its own way to differentiate itself from Microsoft and Nintendo, an online marketplace.

The online store will allow gamers to purchase downloadable games and demos, the first of which will be a demo of Motor Storm which will cost $14.99. The online store will have a digital wallet which allows microtransactions; the digital wallet will be loaded by a credit card and will allow parents to monitor what their children buy and how much they spend. This online store will be a distinction between PS3 Online and Xbox Live.

In fact there seem to be big plans for the store, as John Smedley stated, "It’s the single thing I think that’s going to drive the PlayStation’s online play." There is a lot of uncertainly surrounding the online system around a marketplace, but it definitely gives a new direction to the online console world.

There are no specifics on how online games which include, Resistance: Fall of Man, Madden NFL 07, Fight Night Round 3, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6: Las Vegas, Need for Speed Carbon, Tony Hawks Project 8, and Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, will use the online store. It can only be speculated that the online store will allow the purchasing of guns, ammo and possibly body armor in Resistance, and Rainbow 6.  Perhaps Need for Speed will allow car customizations to be purchased, and new boards will be available in Tony Hawk.

One interesting thing Mr. Smedley mentioned in the interview was that the online store could allow a person to, "make a living off games." He also added, "I want us to add the ability to have users generate content and sell it." This is an interesting idea; it could possibly work like eBay, allowing a person to sell anything they may create, maybe a car design in Need for Speed, for money. Also it seems that digital rights management will not be a problem like it is for other Sony products thanks to the online store.

Using middleware and third party support for the PS3 online system will increase its capability allowing connectivity to personal computers and cell phones. Smedley believes that the third party

capability will perform better than Microsoft’s Live anywhere. He also believes that being able to play games on any device will be the way of the future. Only time will tell which system will emerge on top in this department.

PlayStation 3’s online system will have to stand up to Xbox 360’s one-year lead and to Xbox Live’s success. I wonder if this online store will be enough to get PS3 online to stand up to Xbox live. However let’s not forget the game quality that Playstation is bringing to the table. Personally I would love to see more PlayStation games at game competitions, hopefully Sony can pull it off.

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Sources

RedHerring
Ozymandias