Sony talks PS3 E-Distribution, lays down (minor) smack

[Pumpkin Head]

'Most interestingly, when asked whether there is any concept of exclusivity, or can Xbox Live Arcade titles be ported to PS3 E-Distribution and vice versa, Hight comments pointedly: "We're looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360." http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9931

[cliffbo]

As part of Sony's plans for the launch of its next-gen PlayStation 3 console later this year, the company has started planning the PS3 E-Distribution Initiative, to help both first and third-party developers digitally distribute its games via download, directly to the PS3.

The service, which will clearly compete with Microsoft's successfully launched Xbox Live Arcade service for the Xbox 360, is currently in the pre-production stages, and Gamasutra got a chance to talk to the project's John Hight, Director of External Production at SCEA Santa Monica, about his role heading up the project.

Firstly, Hight discussed some of the advantages of PlayStation 3 E-Distribution from Sony's point of view, noting: "Certainly being able to sell globally on-line makes it easier to reach international and remote markets. On the business side, it also lowers our cost of sales and eliminates inventory risk. It should help curtail used
game sales and piracy."

He continued, echoing many of the thoughts about the advantages of digital distribution: "This new form of distribution will lower the barriers of entry for new developers. We can try out new ideas in a low risk, quick feedback environment."

When asked whether Sony is helping with development costs for PS3 E-Distributed titles, Hight explains: "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games." This answer makes it clear that, unlike Xbox Live Arcade, where the titles have been exclusively sourced from third-party sources, Sony is currently developing multiple E-Distribution games in its internal studios.

Most interestingly, when asked whether there is any concept of exclusivity, or can Xbox Live Arcade titles be ported to PS3 E-Distribution and vice versa, Hight comments pointedly: "We're looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360."

Finally, when asked what developers who would like to get their games E-Distributed do to come to the attention of Sony, Hight explained: "Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of
their game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond"

The PlayStation Beyond submission site has been online since GDC 2006, when Sony's Phil Harrison announced its presence, and explains further of the concept: "The E-Distribution Initiative (EDI) will provide an alternative publishing opportunity for the direct download of games and other content to the user. The EDI will be managed by Sony Computer Entertainment's development and studio organizations in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia (collectively known as SCE Worldwide Studios)."

Sony's submission website also notes: "Partnerships resulting from EDI will allow the developers' downloadable games to be published for individual purchase or subscription over SCE's direct distribution methods", indicating that the company may be considering subscription-based method of consuming content, as well as individual downloads. Gamasutra will continue to cover Sony's foray into digital distribution as more information comes to light.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...php?story=9931

can`t be done on the 360 eh!. :)

[makeitlookreal]

[B]Dear Sony, instead of only talking about your E-Distribution plans would you please consider discussing the RSX!? I hope everything goes wonderfully with your online plans, but many of us would love to know the full specifications and as much information as possible about the Reality Synthesizer. [B]

The.....

RSX

[Infernal]

We should make a game for it. I can draw stick figures in paint to help out. :clapping:

[RavenFox]

Milr I dont think its that serious man. RSX is in there and its getting the job done.

[makeitlookreal]

My brain is becoming more fried by the day. I am now at the point where my cognitive functions resemble of a large order of hash browns scattered all the way. Only the cheese is holding it all together.

[Goki]

hmm ,ud think by heighT mentioning titles that make use of th PS3 some sorta
game which utilizes several cells connected thru the internet which would make a humionges beyond comprehension MMORPG or gta like game.

[Goki]

Dammit MILR, just do what I do, remember the RSX will not be any more or less than what its going to be, HAVE FAITH.

[RavenFox]

My brain is becoming more fried by the day. I am now at the point where my cognitive functions resemble of a large order of hash browns scattered all the way. Only the cheese is holding it all together.

LOL:cheers:

[Gaul]

You've just describe my ideal breakfast

[Danji]

We should make a game for it. I can draw stick figures in paint to help out. :clapping:
We should make a game where somebody doesn't stop b****ing about spec's he doesn't fully understand...oh. Look, this forum is a game.

[edoshin]

What does it matter what the full spec of RSX is .. it doesn't change the fact that there will be awesome games coming from PS3 regardless of what kind of limitations RSX will have, or whether its quad-core magical gpu. Some devs will look at the final specs, and find all kinds of reason why they cannot do this or that better because of RSX limitations, and others will find ways to amaze us.

[Red_Eyes]

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...php?story=9931

can`t be done on the 360 eh!. :)


Well, that's true. I mean, if a game uses the tilt controller, then of course it couldn't be done on the 360. Or a game using the EyeToy. And that's what he meant when he said it couldn't be done the the 360.

[Beenie Man]

I think they should also us to be able to download PS1 games through this E-Distribution. Imagine playing Final Fantasy VII on your 60'' HDTV.:hugegrin:

[Fillibuster]

Road Rash...my god how many hours I spent as an impressionable young boy whipping racers off their bikes with my chain. i want the beautifully upscaled pictures to burn my eyes out..

[Mitri]

Well, that's true. I mean, if a game uses the tilt controller, then of course it couldn't be done on the 360. Or a game using the EyeToy. And that's what he meant when he said it couldn't be done the the 360.

360 has a camera very similar to the eye toy. and it might jus be possible to use something like the tilt feature. with the camera it could do somethin like that.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Damnit MILR stop derailing threads. This thread is about ps3 online, which is a very relevant matter in and of itself.

[Viper]

Mitri, that's stretching the possibilites too much. The tilt, Eyetoy and even any standardized HDD functions in a PS3 game would render them not possible 'in that incarnation' on the X360. Most games could still be altered to work on X360 though by removing that function.

[venomv]

I could see MS being able to recreate an Eye-Toy game with minor alterations (they are basically the same in function, correct?) but tilt sensing would be hard without them making another control(think Dual-Shock 1, after the first PS1 control).

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I've always considered the possibility of sony settling it's shit with immersion and releasing a dual shock controller for ps3 sometime down the road. it worked for psone after n64 came out, it could work again.

[satriales]

Road Rash...my god how many hours I spent as an impressionable young boy whipping racers off their bikes with my chain. i want the beautifully upscaled pictures to burn my eyes out..
You do know that EA are making a new Road Rash game for the PS3 and Xbox360 :)

[cliffbo]

oh my f**king god... a JVD free thread. fingers crossed.

[Viper]

Cliff, stop instigating.

[venomv]

That was uncalled for Cliff, if you don't want him posting here, mentioning his name isn't gonna help things.

You do know that EA are making a new Road Rash game for the PS3 and Xbox360

Seriously? That's awesome!

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Man I had road rash 3d. that game was so cool. sigh...
good ol days.

[venomv]

That one was decent, but I loved the original, and they can do tons with it, unfortunatly it is EA.

[cliffbo]

Cliff, stop instigating.

i know what your saying viper but if something isn't done or brought to the attention of the mods then this forum is going to degenerate further. if you look through my past history of posts there is very little of this. one sentence is all JVD deserves. long winded disections of his posts are tearing this forum appart. please do something. i gave him some leeway but he's back doing the same again. this is a PS3 forum not a 360 forum. of course everyone has the right to support MS... but in every thread, no matter what the subject... come on man...

[LaLiLuLeLo]

They do make some good games, and some bad, like any other company, the problem is they're the corporate Satan of games.
of course everyone has the right to support MS... but in every thread, no matter what the subject... come on man...
I agree with cliff on this one.

[cliffbo]

That was uncalled for Cliff, if you don't want him posting here, mentioning his name isn't gonna help things.


Seriously? That's awesome!

yeh your right. it was stupid and i'm sorry. i just went to three threads to see what was posted and JVD was all over them with negativity and i got mad. seriously bad behaviour from me. i'm beating myself with the mouse at this very moment

[Viper]

Cliff, what makes you think the mods aren't aware of him? You even noted his lack of posting recently....coincidence or possible mod action?

[satriales]

Seriously? That's awesome!Yep, It's True!
The UK Studio are making it, but I don't know any other details.

[yoshaw]

Cliff, what makes you think the mods aren't aware of him? You even noted his lack of posting recently....coincidence or possible mod action?

My migraine just went on vacation. THANK YOU PSINEXT STAFF!

[/Offtopic]

[Applefiend]

Yup, EA stand for something people really hate, which is incremental updates to games.

[Danji]

i know what your saying viper but if something isn't done or brought to the attention of the mods then this forum is going to degenerate further. if you look through my past history of posts there is very little of this. one sentence is all JVD deserves. long winded disections of his posts are tearing this forum appart. please do something. i gave him some leeway but he's back doing the same again. this is a PS3 forum not a 360 forum. of course everyone has the right to support MS... but in every thread, no matter what the subject... come on man...
he makes rebuttals and you complain Cliffbo. It sounds like you just hate opposition. There is no conflict debate aside. He may be demeaning in his discussions but so am I and nobody has ever called for me to be banned from a forum (that one guy aside...lunatic.) I really like JVD and Wounding around..to keep everyone settled or at very least opposed.

In fact, wounding's absence and everyone's Sony clamoring has made me almost lose all feelings I once had for this forum.






To be on topic, though, I do believe that there will be games like Mercury made for the PS3 via e-distribution. Maybe some new version of marble madness. :D

[LaLiLuLeLo]

JVD does raise some sound arguements sometimes.
In cliff's defense, a lot of his arguements are heavily skewed, and pessimist for pessismist sake.

[yoshaw]

It would take 10's of JVD's to replace 1 wounding. The way wounding keeps his words in check and presents his argument is a million times more respectable than the menace that was JVD. Sorry Danji, I haven't had the chance to see more of your posts but I can see with the way you present an argument that you too are in Wounding's league. JVD doesn't even begin to compare.

'nuff said I suppose.[/Offtopic]

[Beenie Man]

Cliff, what makes you think the mods aren't aware of him? You even noted his lack of posting recently....coincidence or possible mod action?

Banned I predict.:banned2:

[Domination]

360 has a camera very similar to the eye toy. and it might jus be possible to use something like the tilt feature. with the camera it could do somethin like that.
I totally agree with Viper. You, Mitri, are wishing a bit too hard if you believe this. Only to a very, very small extent can this be expected - esspecially from a first party, since the many of things in or done with the PS3 console are standard and very different from most others. I would expect this with any console holding a particular advantage of its own.

[Danji]

Banned I predict.:banned2:
I was pm'ing with him a minute ago..why, exactly, would he be banned?

[frosty]

Back on track guys. This is a Ps3 thread. Lets not derail.

[woundingchaney]

LOL yeah guys it sure is good to be LOVED.:hitit:

But anyways I would assume they are intending to use the "tilt" feature or possibly have downloadable PS2 and PSX games available, as I cant see just what "arcade" type game would be beyond any of the next gen systems. But who knows???

If anything the article implys/assures that there will be downloadable games available on Sony's internet structure and that is always a plus.

[woundingchaney]

I totally agree with Viper. You, Mitri, are wishing a bit too hard if you believe this. Only to a very, very small extent can this be expected - esspecially from a first party, since the many of things in or done with the PS3 console are standard and very different from most others. I would expect this with any console holding a particular advantage of its own.
Agreed

[ddaryl]

I've always considered the possibility of sony settling it's shit with immersion and releasing a dual shock controller for ps3 sometime down the road. it worked for psone after n64 came out, it could work again.


but then its an add-on and many developers wil not support it. Add-ons fail