PS3's Online: What are they thinking??

[Blaze Lord]

Okay, so, yesterday there was some news that Sony would be signing a deal with the PC matchmaking network, Xfire.

This made a lot of sense for them. Sony sucks at online stuff: The NY Times once referred to Sony Connect (their online music service) as Sony Disconnect. They're alright at hardware (used to be great) but pretty bad at software stuff. Getting someone else to do the work for them, or, in this case, someone else that has already done the work for them seemed like a great move, even if it was chickening out on the prospect, and giving away autonomy. A transcript from Viacom, who rocks Xfire, says:

"Xfire just signed a deal with Sony to create a version of their platform for the new PS3, which will now enable Xfire to extend its reach further into the huge console gaming market."

And, in fact, a recent Xfire patch shows an entry for Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3148773) in the .ini file. UL: DK is a PS3 exclusive. According to everyone, it ain't coming to the PC. Now, why it would need to be in a PC's .ini file is anyone's guess. After all, it's not even an MMO. But at least it showed that Sony was doing something with Xfire.

But today, Sony Online Entertainment is saying that their deal is for using Xfire with only Dark Kingdom. "This proposed deal is completely separate and independent from the PlayStation Network Platform, and is something that SOE was examining specifically for Dark Kingdom."

How is this possible? If the PSNP is gonna be completely functional and on the levels of Xbox Live, why do they need a third party network service for one, non-MMO title? And how could this one title be independent from the PSNP?


http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153547

[linkofhyrule]

I honestly don't know, but from this I'm guessing that the friends list and everything will be centrally created, but the third-party developers will create a seperate online interface as this shows.

I think they are stepping in the wrong direction, further away from XBOX Live. Good.

[Tobes]

Doesn't make much sence but it could work like Final Fantasy does for the 360. It uses PLay Online software and not XBox Live.

[Fleeboi]

I think it will be a case of independent online systems, which will suck. If you remember Sony said "their online will be free", if they don't have a PSNP for all games, then the individual developers can charge a subscription fee for using their online service, which will be a huge let down for every PS fan boy.

[linkofhyrule]

which will be a huge let down for every PS fan boy.
Don't you think they're used to it by now? I know I am

I think it will be like the PS2 just with a service like a stripped down XBL that sort of kind of connects them, at least for things like friends. I don't really know how well it'll work though, I'd think stuff like joining games would be harder for them to set up, and it would be confusing with no "Player matches" and "Ranked Matches" like the XBOX Live games have.

[Blaze Lord]

Doesn't make much sence but it could work like Final Fantasy does for the 360. It uses PLay Online software and not XBox Live.

But as I said, this game isn't an MMO, and it's a PS3 exclusive, so there's no need to worry about cross-platform stuff.

I think link is likely right, that it'll be more like PS2's online service than Xbox's.

[damien©]

I thought that the PS3 Online System was going to be centralised like Xbox Live is, I thought it was going to be upto the developers/Publishers to provide the Servers and Online Capabilities but have a standard structure so as it appeared to be a Central System... If you get what I mean.

[MisterMalaka]

Sorry to say your long post is probably useless if it has to do with Sony and Xfire, because that was debunked. The XFire is ONLY for Untold Legends, don't ask why. PNP is still in effect.

[Tobes]

Sorry to say your long post is probably useless if it has to do with Sony and Xfire, because that was debunked. The XFire is ONLY for Untold Legends, don't ask why. PNP is still in effect.

Next time read it. Blaze always has his facts straight.

[mjmaskrey]

Lol you should maybe read it....the post is referring to Xfire only being used for UL.

They'd have been on to a good thing if they integrated Xfire as standard....used to use a fair bit on the PC..it's pretty good.

:)

[phatmuther]

Next time read it. Blaze always has his facts straight.

haha true, blaze never seems to be wrong......
but manny a time in my opinion he is, but thats just personal views.

[Tobes]

yeh there might be a difference of opinion but if there are facts on the table he will pick them up and rub them in your face.

[mjmaskrey]

Well he's one of the very few people whose posts don't need to be immediately searched across the net for validity.

:)