Online Key to PlayStation 3's Future

Sony will try to completely transform its online approach for the PlayStation 3, pushing past Microsoft's Xbox Live service in the process.

The PlayStation 2 may not be seeing much action online but Sony is eyeing a future where online is essential for the PlayStation 3. Sony's Phil Harrison took to the stage this week at the Game Developers Conference in San Jose to talk up its new network service.

The PlayStation Network Platform, as its known inside Sony, will start by aping Microsoft's Xbox Live service, offering text, voice and video chat and allowing you to assemble friends lists. Online play is, naturally, included, but unlike Xbox Live online play will be free to all - at least in the beginning.

Downloads will be a core part of the PlayStation Network Platform and will include micropayments for in-game items such as new cars in driving games or new levels in shooters. But Sony is planning bigger still, with digital distribution of full games being considered. Harrison conceded that all Blu-ray discs would still be the main way of getting top-name games for the foreseeable future.

While the PlayStation Network Platform will initially be concentrated on the PlayStation 3, the PSP will be folded into the service too. Sony has already revealed that it will be offering PSone games for download, which will be playable on PSP through an emulator.

The fanciful rumours that Sony would offer much more than just gaming content on the PlayStation Network Platform would appear to be true too. Harrison said that Sony would like to offer episodic content for games, music and movies - or even a combination of the three.

Sony's plans for the PlayStation Network Platform are clearly long-range and Harrison admitted that they are dependent on the rollout of high-speed broadband Internet access around the world.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games