Topic: Sony to lack centralized online service

[Avinash_Tyagi]

PS3: Sony sticks with non-unified online service

According to OPM (via GamesFirst), online gaming on the PlayStation 3 will be left to the discretion of individual publishers—just like on the PS2.

Wow this is unexpected.

[Famicom]

I'll wait for some further confirmation around the web, but that certainly is a strange move if true.

[Ian Sane]

Isn't this pretty much Nintendo's Rev strategy?  The only real difference between the Cube and Rev strategies is that on the Rev Nintendo is actually making online games.  I think's Nintendo plan is okay so this isn't bad either.  It gives third parties a lot of flexibility and I assume this time the adapter will be included from the start so they don't have to worry about large portions of the userbase not being able to go online.  Plus it's better for the consumer because it creates the possibility of free online games.  Some third parties may charge but the possibility of free play is there.  With Xbox Live you're stuck.  Pay and subscribe or get lost.

[Artimus]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Isn't this pretty much Nintendo's Rev strategy?  The only real difference between the Cube and Rev strategies is that on the Rev Nintendo is actually making online games.  I think's Nintendo plan is okay so this isn't bad either.  It gives third parties a lot of flexibility and I assume this time the adapter will be included from the start so they don't have to worry about large portions of the userbase not being able to go online.  Plus it's better for the consumer because it creates the possibility of free online games.  Some third parties may charge but the possibility of free play is there.  With Xbox Live you're stuck.  Pay and subscribe or get lost.

You totally misunderstand the whole concept, don't you?

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is a centralized Nintendo plan. Third parties can use NWC for their games, ala Tony Hawk. According to the Sony plan there would be no such thing.

[Ian Sane]

"You totally misunderstand the whole concept, don't you?"

I guess so.  I thought it was just open like the Cube but with an actual push from Nintendo this time around.

[wandering]

Well, there's no possible way that Sony could ever lose their leadership position in the market, so Sony can do whatever it wants! /crazy Sony logic

[Mario]

Gah, there's never going to be a proper online GTA game in forever.

[Toruresu]

Well, atleast not on PS3...

[KDR_11k]

foo

[Bill Aurion]

Ahaha, that comic has "Kutaragi photoshop" written all over it...  

[couchmonkey]

Strange move, but will it hurt Sony that badly?  How popular is PS2 online?  Popular enough for companies to keep including the features...so it might follow that PS3 online will do fine too.  Nintendo on the other hand, had to put some effort in to make sure everyone knows...well, besides which, I think Nintendo sincerely wanted to create a great online service and was waiting for the day to come that it could put something like that together for free.