PlayStation Network to use Xfire

[VG Aficionado]

Sony's Answer to Xbox Live Revealed (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153547)
How does Sony intend to compete with Xbox Live? Here's how.
by Luke Smith, 09/12/2006

Microsoft's Xbox Live has existed since 2002. How will Sony, who has never had a dedicated and successful online program in the console space -- the PS2's online was a total free for all -- compete with Microsoft's nearly four-year lead in the online console gaming service sphere?

They'll use Xfire (http://www.xfire.com/), that's how.

By incorporating an existing service into their own PlayStation Network Platform (PNP), Sony hopes to circumvent existing problems in the console space that Microsoft has had to sort out and in using Xfire -- a company with an established messaging, matchmaking and gaming client -- Sony hopes to narrow the four-year gap in online gaming services that Microsoft currently enjoys (Xfire has been around since 2002).

In a transcript of Viacom's Q2 earning's report conference call a deal between Sony and Xfire was revealed:

"Importantly, 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."

Although Sony and Xfire offered no further comments or details about the PS3 and Xfire connection, neither company would deny it. Testing of the Xfire client for PS3 appears to already be underway, with PS3-exclusive launch title Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom appearing in the supported software list on the PC Xfire client's .ini file.

Months ago, Sony's Computer Entertainment chief Ken Kutaragi indicated that PS3's online service would likely be free:

"We don't charge for the basic functions of the network like matching services. Things like that are taken for granted on a PC, aren't they? There's the feeling of why a game console gets to charge for a service that's normal on a PC. So, we just made the basic services available, and based our business on the contents."

How will Xfire function on PS3? Details are sparse, but it's a safe bet that the features offered on Xfire's PC implementation will carry over to the PS3 version of the software.

Friend Tracker
Like Xbox Live allows users to manage their Friend's lists, Xfire also allows users to track friends, seeing what they are playing and what they have been playing (and for how long).

One-Click Join
Similar to how Xbox Live allows users to click on their name and 'Join' the game if it's available, Xfire lets users do the same thing. If a friend is playing a game you want to, there's no need to input your IP address or server information, Xfire takes care of it for you. Safe to assume that the PS3 implementation of Xfire will only be the touch of a button (an 'X' perhaps) away from joining users from your Friend Tracker.

Server Browser
This feature allows users to see the variety of servers available for different games. The most useful part here, is the ability to sort between favorite maps, or your friend's favorite maps and gametypes. Will we be able to sort out Resistance: Fall of Man gametypes based on which servers are hosting our favorite map?

Xfire In-Game (IM While You Play) with Voice Chat
Obviously, in-game IM would be a bit more utilitarian on a PC, where all users have a keyboard, but Xfire's PS3 implementation may see use of a keyboard (the open-ended online platform is ripe for MMO development). Without a keyboard, Xfire and PS3 will provide a way of their own to communicate with users (perhaps entering letters via the controller like on Xbox Live). In addition to text communication, Xfire supports voice chat -- expect a version of voice chat to be included in whatever PS3 plans for online.

File & Patch Downloads
When there's an update for a game on Xbox Live, Microsoft automatically detects it when the game is booted up and prompts users to snag the download. Optional downloads (like marketplace transactions) are shown on the marketplace, will Xfire's file/patch download systems be a gateway to whatever form of marketplace Sony conjures up?

Profiles with Automatic Stats
Xfire exports an .xml feed of your stats (what games you play, how long you play them for) -- just like Xbox Live. Via the official site: "They're (the stats) on your profile and Miniprofile, which can be embedded anywhere on the web."

In addition to partnering with a software client that could potentially offer much of the functionality of Xbox Live, Sony's Xfire-powered PNP also serves as a second coup -- it strikes at the unified front Microsoft hopes to create with its Live Anywhere initiative. That program, the synergizing of Xbox Live and PC gamers, is something Sony could replicate if the PS3's version of Xfire interacts with the PC version of the program. But, will the games play together? And if PS3 and PC gamers can play together and Xbox 360 and PC gamers can play together, does cross platform gaming become even more of a reality?

[Smokey]

is it good, bad or ugly VG i dont know much about online except for PS2

[BlueTsunami]

is it good, bad or ugly VG i dont know much about online except for PS2

Its GOOOOOOD! XFire for the PC is used for many Online games.

YES!

[VG Aficionado]

As far as I can see, this is good news :)

[woundingchaney]

I have only used Xfire a few times as it is supported in many pc games but most pc gamers dont typically use voice in games. From my experience it seems to be reasonably good software and Sony should benefit from using their tech.

[Smokey]

cool thanks fellas :)
but most pc gamers dont typically use voice in games
i dont want to use nothing but voice....no no keyboard

[Goki]

This is very good i belive, particurarly the free part.

[Siraris]

Very exciting news. I've heard great things about XFire, and I'm hoping that Sony is able to easily and robustly integrate it into their online service.

[Gegenki]

This is very good info. If Xfire use the same servers, and/or make it cross compatible with the PC version, That means that if you already have an account, your name on the PNP is secure. If thats true it would be great. You'll be seeing Gegenki gaming alot next year

[RavenFox]

Holy Smoly this is AWESOME! rep to VG if it allows me lol

[Carlos]

Now, I wonder if the PS3 version of Xfire is going to be QUITE different in appearance to PC's banner-like sigs? I hope they're not using the SAME thing, go ahead, use the same technology, but it should be different, as it allows you to see gamerscores, rep, and gamerpics.....a unified username.

Might as well sign up if we're going to do this.

[Smokey]

i just sighned up to it i hope i can use this username by the time it comes around :):)

[liver_kick]

Uh, this is actually pretty old news isn't it? Like TGS '05 old? Im almost positive SCE had a press release awhile back comfirming Xfire, SOE, along with a couple other middleware groups as all collaborating on their network services.

[xbdestroya]

It could be old - I know news gets recycled pretty frequently, and it's only the times that change... and thus the reaction/perception.

But for me today, it seems new enough to be new. :smoke:

Anyway I'm honestly a little surprised that the entire backend will be handled by XFire - I would have thought that Kutaragi and gang would have liked to form their own solution. But I guess MS just really put the pressure on with the early 360 launch. Whatever the case, this is a good solution all the same.

Now that I think more about it though, I wonder just exactly how the backend will be handled... Afterall we've heard talk of possibly some Cell servers constituting part of the network; has that been dropped then or is XFire going to be successfully ported and integrated into a heterogenous processor (x86 vs Cell) network?

[VG Aficionado]

Uh, this is actually pretty old news isn't it? Like TGS '05 old? Im almost positive SCE had a press release awhile back comfirming Xfire, SOE, along with a couple other middleware groups as all collaborating on their network services.I think Gamespy's service was confirmed long ago, but I'm not sure about Xfire.

[VG Aficionado]

After all we've heard talk of possibly some Cell servers constituting part of the network; has that been dropped then or is XFire going to be successfully ported and integrated into a heterogenous processor (x86 vs Cell) network?What about Xfire being a provisional system until Sony's own system is up and working?

[BlueTsunami]

February 17, 2006

The company's aims to expand onto other platforms, including console games -- it is working on something for the PlayStation 3 -- and cellphones. With an estimated 110 million gamers worldwide, growth may not slow anytime soon. Meanwhile, for all his user-centered philosophy, Cassidy is thinking more these days about ads. You can detect a bit of that business school education: "If you believe in efficient markets there will be a shift in ad dollars away from TV toward gamers."

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/17/technology/fastforward_fortune/index.htm

And apparently Untold Legends is in the PC Xfire Client INI file (this was reported by 1UP and the image itself is of a users INI file, TTP from GAF)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/8779/xfireys0.jpg

[xbdestroya]

What about Xfire being a provisional system until Sony's own system is up and working?

I think they're just providing framework and client software development now that I investiage the company a little more; they don't actually host games on their own hardware, so likewise would not be doing so in this situation either.

The feasibility of Cell-based servers then just depends on the strength of the combined sofware-development efforts of Sony and XFire. Though I think if we don't hear about Cell servers on the netowrk by TGS (or at latest that conference in October), it's probably safer to assume that the servers will be x86-based.

[Smokey]

so me sighning up a waste of time lol

[yoshaw]

Sounds like a good thing if it matches upto Xbox Live and for FREE!

[xbdestroya]

so me sighning up a waste of time lol

Well, it might not be a waste of time actually... what I was saying doesn't preclude a unified PC/PS3 account system. Though it'll be interesting to see what actually does happen.

[venomv]

Well, if they are using XFire accounts on it...I just got venomv, so I'm good.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Well, if they do this right, Live Anywhere won't even get a foot to the ground.

[woundingchaney]

Well, if they do this right, Live Anywhere won't even get a foot to the ground.
Dont kid yourself.

Live anywhere is going to happen regardless of what Sony does with or without Xfire.;)

[Sephiroth_VII]

Whoa, that's not what I meant. I was just thinking that if Sony and Xfire unifies their user bases, Microsoft will have a though job ahead of them, trying to outrun a program already integrated into many games.

I wouldn't even dream of thinking that Live Anywhere would be dropped. This is the company who lost 4 billion USD on Xbox, after all.

[woundingchaney]

Whoa, that's not what I meant. I was just thinking that if Sony and Xfire joins their userbase, Microsoft will have a though job ahead of them, trying to outrun a program already integrated into many games.

I wouldn't even dream of thinking that Live Anywhere would be dropped. This is the company who lost 4 billion USD on Xbox, after all.
LOL

I see what your saying

[yoshaw]

I was wondering whether this would force Microsoft to go the free route, now that with Xfire PS3 would have almost*(if not all) the same features as XboxLive. I don't know about you guys but I think signing up with Xfire was probably the smartest move Sony has done since the lacluster E3 this year.

*Lemme know if Xfire is missing key Live features.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Glad that you agree with me on this one.;)

Anyway, from my experiences with Xfire, I see it as a very broad, and stable system. It didn't crash on me once, even when voice-chatting while playing FEAR at max settings. Not with my own comp, though. If I tried that, it'd die. The thermometers wouldn't even have the high temperatures to the auto shutdown, before the circuit board would start to burn.

EDIT: Yoshaw, I doubt it.

[woundingchaney]

I was wondering whether this would force Microsoft to go the free route, now that with Xfire PS3 would have almost*(if not all) the same features as XboxLive. I don't know about you guys but I think signing up with Xfire was probably the smartest move Sony has done since the lacluster E3 this year.

*Lemme know if Xfire is missing key Live features.
Well Xfire is but surely the PS3 online infrastructure isnt going to be simply Xfire within itself.

Im not sure how MS is going to respond to the "free" notion Sony is giving here. It really depends just how the infrastructure turns out and how accepted it is, although if anything I think MS might allow for free online multiplayer but still charge for any advantages outside of multiplayer.

I want to know just what is included with PS3's free package (they are still talking about a Pro membership as well correct).

[Sephiroth_VII]

No, only one membership, and it's for free. Everything will be enabled, even online gaming. The only things you'll pay for are the downloads.

Unless something changed while I wasn't here, that is.

[yoshaw]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice :)

Mockup ofcourse
http://xs106.xs.to/xs106/06372/xfirePS3.gif.xs.jpg (http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs106&d=06372&f=xfirePS3.gif)

[VG Aficionado]

LOL :) Everyone, beat the crap out of Kaz!

[yoshaw]

I just fragged Kutaragi in Resistance! ;)

lol; imagine the chances of that ever happening. nil

[Sephiroth_VII]

Wouldn't that be just the thing for launch, though. Everyone would get online immediately, just for the chance of playing with those guys!!!

[LiquidEagle]

Very good news. Xfire is also in good with Blizzard for WoW, as they run a lot of promotions together.... *crosses fingers not for his own sake but for the fact that WoW would put PS3 online on a whole new level*

[Pumpkin Head]

holy shit. that is big news. a very well thought out strategic partnership for Sony. God knows nobody expected them to do a good job of it themselves after the ps2 online debacle. It remains to be seen how the interface will work, whether the experience will be seamless, how the marketplace will integrate, and how much x-fire will be integrated. Sony should probably have central servers themselves for downloading content and managing your profile, while X-Fire manages the online multiplayer. It would be a very big coup if this allows PS3/PC cross platform gaming. That would be a big slap in the ole' face for MS.....

I for one didn't give them enough credit if this works out....

[Nameless]

Nice strategic move to implement a proven infrastructure, but I'm still curious to see if developers decide to charge for accessing their servers for multiplayer gaming... Typically things were free on the PS2 for Socom & EA sports titles, but this strategy could easily change, IMO. Peace

[Garfunkel]

three cheers for sony! i think i saw this before but i thought it was a "maybe"...

I would give anything to have a game of Killzone with Kutaragi or Kaz, or a game of gt5 with kazonori or whatever his name is.

time to get an account...

[KnightRiderX]

First update

UPDATE: Sony Online Entertainment's Chris Kramer spoke with 1UP regarding the incorporation of Xfire into Sony's online plans for the PS3 and the integration with Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom. Kramer is responding to the Viacom Q2 earnings report transcript which read, "Importantly, 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."

On behalf of Sony Online Entertainment, Kramer attempts to clarify the earnings report's statement: "SOE has been in talks with Xfire about potentially including some of their technology in Untold Legends Dark Kingdom, our PlayStation 3 launch title. This proposed deal is completely separate and independent from the PlayStation Network Platform, and is something that SOE was examining specifically for Dark Kingdom. More information on Xfire and Dark Kingdom will be coming soon."

"We're in talks with those guys [Xfire] about implementing the technology, but cannot discuss how we'd be implementing the technology."

Mike Cassidy, CEO of Xfire spoke with 1UP to clarify the company's position on our report and the Viacom Q2 statements: "Xfire is not part of the PlayStation Network Platform. We are in discussions with Sony Online Entertainment, but I cannot comment any further."

Second update

UPDATE II: Sony Computer Entertainment America responded to the below report with the following statement: "We can confirm that Sonly Online Entertainment is in talks with Viacom and Xfire for a single, specific PS3 game. However, there are no announcements at this time regarding any discussions between SCEA, Viacom and Xfire."

It is odd that there are no announcements regarding discussions between the three companies, especially since Viacom essentially announced that Xfire was creating a version of its software for use in the PS3 in its Q2 financial report.

It seems that it is not part of the PlayStation Network Platform after all. It is just a technology to be used in Untold Legends. It hasn't even been confirmed that they will use it for Untold Legends. They are just in early stages of implementing it.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Damn. I was so happy. I thought that Sony had finally regained their senses!

[Siraris]

I think that Live Anywhere is pretty silly, does anyone agree? Do you really need to have access to the game you're playing at all times like that? Do I really need to check the status of my character or be on "call" for a game? It just seems to perpetuate the addictiveness of MMO's, and I just don't see the benefit.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what it's relevance is, but to me, it just seems like a gimick.

[PUNK em 733]

SO it's not gonna be implemented for the PS3?

[xbdestroya]

What we *know* is that XFire is working with Sony Online Entertainment right now on a PS3 title. And that's really all we know for certain right now...

What XFire does, I'm sure Sony's Network will achieve; whether through XFire licensed technology or what, who knows. I could speculate on it further - I mean I know I've got theories and I'm probably not the only one - but I think really it's just best to wait until TGS.

I have good expectations for the network though.

[casualkiss]

If PS3 does not have a single unified log-in for all its online games and services, they should just wave the white flag of defeat right now.

[xbdestroya]

They've already confirmed that they will though, so I wouldn't let that be a major concern, XFire or no.

[Garfunkel]

damn but i'll wait till TGS

[VG Aficionado]

Sony shoots down Xfire for PS3 rumours (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19664)

Only single launch game to utilise Viacom-owned IM solution

Sony has been quick to quash rumours that the PlayStation 3 will incorporate a version of PC messaging and matchmaking solution Xfire for online gameplay.

While the company has admitted that one launch title - SOE's Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - will utilise Xfire, there are no current plans to use the Viacom-owned technology.

"We can confirm that Sony Online Entertainment is in talks with Viacom and Xfire for a single, specific PS3 game," said a spokesperson for Sony in a statement to 1Up.

"However, there are no announcements at this time regarding any discussions between SCEA, Viacom and Xfire," continued the statement."

The rumours stemmed from a transcript of an earnings report issued by Viacom which revealed, "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."

Xfire is a PC application that allows players to send and receive instant messages, manage friends lists, voice chat and other social functions - features already available for Sony's rival Xbox 360, via Microsoft's Xbox Live service.

However, SOE's Chris Kramer also poured cold water on the idea that Sony would incorporate Xfire into the PS3 by clarifying: "SOE has been in talks with Xfire about potentially including some of their technology in Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, our PlayStation 3 launch title."

"This proposed deal is completely separate and independent from the PlayStation Network Platform, and is something that SOE was examining specifically for Dark Kingdom."

Viacom recently acquired Xfire in a deal worth US$ 102 million.

[xbdestroya]

I actually like the straight updates in Post #39 more though, because in fact in that article GamesIndustry is going to far in the other direction, making it seem like XFire is completely marginalized when truthfully we just don't know yet what role it may or may not be playing.

Not that I'm sweating it either way of course. :smoke:

[VG Aficionado]

Ooops, I hadn't read the updates in the previous page.

[masteratt]

Even Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com) is amazed at this news! =-o

Positive Sony news here, at Penny Arcade? I know, right? We shall redouble our efforts. The story all this was based on has been changed to say that none of it is true, or that very little of it is true (depending on who you ask), but if you're asking me I think the original story hit pretty close to the mark. The alternative - which is to say, that xFire technology would be used for a single game and no others - suggests that their service will be another briar patch of vendor "interpretations" of an online community, which can't possibly be true. I refuse to believe that, in this generation, they would leave something like this to chance.

I don't have an active policy that transmutes all Sony news into dire prophecies, bleak portents just circle that company the way carrion birds might whirl around a stumbling gazelle. I don't own any stock, I don't care who "wins," and I vastly prefer the PC in any event. I follow console news because it's fun, like tracking the rivalries in what was once called the World Wrestling Federation. There are larger than life characters. There are signature techniques.

This overarching policy firmly established, the idea that Sony would turn to xFire is probably the best news I've heard out of the company in more than a year, and it's not even from the company. They can't even be bothered to place the wafer in the waiting fanmouth. This little treat had to be shelled out of an earnings report from Viacom, xFire's parent company. It doesn't matter - Sony still gets the points.

xFire was purchased back in April for 102 million Goddamn dollars, and it is now starting to become apparent why that might have been. The technology might be adapted to "broader network services," you say? You mean like Single Sign-In, "Rich Presence," Friends List, Instant Join, Profiles, and Integration With The User's PC? It's a robust, turnkey suite of network functionality that is free to users - one that emulates, virtually point for point, what Gamers At Large consider Microsoft's unassailable stronghold. If I'm wrong and they aren't actually leveraging xFire, they should really be asking themselves why.

In today's heated argument, Gabriel suggested that xFire alone wasn't capable of countering Xbox Live - but it hits the high notes, as I suggested above, and I think that most people could be very satisfied with that suite. He considers things like Live Marketplace and Achievements to be compelling, unique offerings bound to the 360 itself. I'd love to respond to that in a sensible way, but Sony isn't even arming the faithful with such useful information, let alone apostate Internet steel cowboy motor rebels like myself.

(CW)TB out.

I personally think this is a very safe and clever move by Sony both on their and our (customers) part as everyone already trusts Xfire to be a wonderful service and it is free.

[kaphwan]

It would be nice, but I think that like always Sony are keeping their cards close.

All they really tend to show us are the shitty ones anyway.

[gnznroses]

they've been saying since ps2 online came out that they decided to not make it a big Live-like service cause they're concentrating on ps3 and have been working on it since the ps2 network thing was released. so if they just use xfire for all of it then they're huge liars. if they use xfire for just one game then that's retarded. so either way...