No Xbox Live Equivalent for PS3
If you were hoping against hope that Sony would announce that the PlayStation3 would release a feature akin to Xbox Live, I’m afraid your prayers were in vain. Alas, it looks like Sony has zero plans for an online gaming service in the near future. They seem more keen on letting the publishers deal with it.
The Official Playstation Magazine reported that Sony has elected not to use a central online gaming service for its upcoming PS3 console. Instead of using a unified system like Microsoft’s Xbox Live or Nintendo’s soon-to-be-launched Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Sony is taking the same path as it did with the PS2. This means that it will be up to publishers themselves to provide players with online features and, likewise, for the players to have a separate account for each publisher in order to play online.
While this means that Sony’s publishers will have more freedom to do what they want in terms of their online content, it also means Sony will have a more difficult time controlling the quality of the online experience.
I keep doing the hokey pokey with these consoles lately. One second I’m all, “PS3!” then I go to, “No Xbox 360, definitely!”. Then I think, “I’ll just get the Revolution!” I guess you can’t have everything, unless you buy them all, and I’m not that rich. So I’ll probably end up flipping a quarter when the time comes and hoping I made the right decision.
Is Sony doing a wise thing by keeping an online service out of the PS3? Probably not. For me, it pushes me further from putting the PS3 on my wishlist, and closer to giving Bill Gates some more of my money.
Damn him.
[via GamesFirst]
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POSTED IN: News, Things That Suck
7 opinions for No Xbox Live Equivalent for PS3
Rhys
Nov 3, 2005 at 3:06 pm
I think it’s ONLY FAIR that b5 purchases every single console for you, so that you can research completely, in the name of thorough blogging. :)
Ingrid
Nov 4, 2005 at 2:03 am
Hahaha, I agree Rhys! ;)
Karine
Nov 4, 2005 at 3:52 am
Pffff… then Ingrid and Erin are just going to fight and bicker about who gets which. :)
Matt
Nov 4, 2005 at 5:25 am
OH we get them to wear some tank tops, get a pool full of Jello and let them have at it! G4 does that sort of thing all the time. And they’re what gaming is all about right?!?! We’d need some pics…obviously some live footage…and some guy to yell “this is off the hook!” or something. ;)
Seriously guys, I kid. Don’t hurt me!
Ingrid
Nov 4, 2005 at 5:30 am
Hahahahaha @ all of you. :D
the play girlz gaming blog » Weekly Poll Time
Dec 13, 2005 at 4:22 am
[…] As for me, my vote is on the PS3. I think Sony has established a pretty good rep with PS, and I don’t think the PS3 will prove too disappointing. Although, its lack of Xbox Live equivalent might end up shifting the balance in a lot of people’s minds. […]
the play girlz gaming blog: because guys aren’t the only players » PlayStation HUB to Compete with Xbox Live
Feb 16, 2006 at 9:04 pm
[…] The thought that Sony’s PS3 might come out with an Xbox Live equivalent was once a distant hope. But now the clouds are parting: Sony is officially announcing the launch of the “PlayStation HUB” online service, which plans to rival Xbox Live. The new PlayStation HUB will feature an online marketplace where people will frequent as well as Xbox Live style online game play and chat options. The new service will also act as an iTunes portal for offering music and movies. […]
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