PS3 Online Service -- the details we've wanted for a year
by Nick Doerr 
{ Oct 14th 2006 at 3:30PM }
We just know that everyone's been asking "PS3's online service... how's it work?" among other, less kind statements (but still thinking about the same thing). Well, quite a few people have sent in this tidbit of filet-mignon-quality information. Let's start with more general statements, then we'll attack the actual online service and how it works. Let it be known: "the PS3 is designed from the ground up as an online device - unlike the PS2, which suffered from a number of major problems on that front" (but the PS2 service had more active members than XBox Live! Of course, that was from the sheer number of PS2's out there...). Read on, noble warriors, and see the magic that awaits you in November...- PS3 has a fully upgradeable OS -- like the PSP, which we'll compare the PS3 to a few more times...
- In comparison to the PS2's service, now there's a big hard drive, even on the lower end model. That's good.
- "The PS3 will support multiple user profiles on the console - so when you turn it on, you select your own profile, and you're instantly logged into your own PlayStation Network account as well as activating all your own settings for the system. If you share a console with multiple different people, or if friends come around to play often, this is an incredibly useful feature."
- Complete web browser! You can even use bookmarks and such. That's handy if you want to, well, browse the web.
- There is a Master Account and an Associated Account -- Masters can limit the other accounts to the amount of time in the Playstation Store, among other things, probably.
- It's easy to sign up for an account! Easy is good.
- Many argued over the "free online" announcement. Let's just quote the article. "Oh - and it's all free, too. The only place you'll be asked to fork over a penny is when you purchase something in the PlayStation Store - all of the online services, from sign-up right through to voice and video chat, are free, as is normal multiplayer gaming." Awesome.
- In the same vein, "the only things you'll pay money for are paid-for downloadable content, or subscriptions to premium services like massively multiplayer games."
- Texting is easy and more intuitive than the on-screen keyboard other services may use (like the original Phantasy Star Online for DC). Also, voice and video chat! Hooray! Now when you get fragged by an 8-year old calling you a n00b, you can see the little snot's face and commit it to memory. If you know what we mean.
- "It's worth noting that the system does show you friend sign-ins and new messages received in overlays on top of the game you're currently playing - just little notification windows which pop up to tell you about something happening with your friends list." Hopefully it can be turned off, too... unless you like random pop-ups while in some sort of intense match. Also, Phil Harrison says an OS update may make it possible to pause a game to check messages and such without signing off of the game... if users desire such an option.
- The PlayStation Store is your central hub for managing downloads, premium services, shopping... everything. Heck, if you wanted, you could probably put in an internet order for pizza and never, ever leave that seat.
- The store doesn't use an arbitrary, sneaky "points" system. All is in your local currency.
- There will also be homebrew titles to check out and download, such as fl0w. You'll also be able to download any "classic" PSX and PS2 titles you may have missed out on... as well as some PSP games.
- Rumors are that soon enough, you will also be able to download music and movies from the store, what with Sony being a giant in both of those fields.
[thanks to everyone who sent this in! Also check out Joystiq's take on this info!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hot zizzy @ Oct 14th 2006 3:56PM
One major thing this is missing that Xbox Live has: In-game messaging. Say you want to send a message that says "come join" or whatever you like to say to your friends, you have to quit your game forget what you were doing just so you can talk, and then boot up the game again. And if they reply, you've just got to quit again...and so on. Unless you decide you'd rather spend your time in the main menus waiting for a reply instead of playing games. And if it doesn't have that, it won't have chat across all games - another awesome feature of Xbox Live. And the list goes on of what it is missing. So Xbox Live will be better - but we already knew that. And if you say it will get better with updates, so will Xbox Live - another update is coming in November, so by the time the PS3 is out Xbox Live will be even FURTHER ahead. And yes, I am a Xbox 360 fanboy. No need to point out the obvious.
dudeugotnochanceinhell @ Oct 14th 2006 4:03PM
ill believe all this when i see it but whatever i am not one of those people that lives for online so i could care less, im still buying the ps3 with or without a good online strategy/service.
dragonjoe @ Oct 14th 2006 4:15PM
Like the first poster pointed out, XBL on the 360 has a HUGE advantage in that it can multitask a lot better. the PS service does not have that ability, because Sony doesn't want to allow for it. While the cell might be able to do it (I think that the cell can multi-process in a similar way to how the triple threaded core of the 360 does), Sony has not implemented it yet, and that is a major downfall.
Caramella Bongo ... how are you today? @ Oct 14th 2006 4:23PM
Keep your panties on guys; PS3 aint even out yet, and, the firmware is upgradeable..so, im not worried if a few xbl-like functions are missing at the outset.
A huge plus for me is the built in browser..which MS cant seem to do on 360 after a year on the market.
ps3fan @ Oct 14th 2006 4:59PM
fl0w isn't homebrew. PS3 will support Flash homebrew just like PSP. I also expect some kind of C++ homebrew support just like PS1 and PS2.
dudeugotnochanceinhell @ Oct 14th 2006 5:03PM
im not buying the ps3 for homebrew, and i know i am not alone on that because $600 plus so i can boast about flow is just embarrasing
Richard @ Oct 14th 2006 6:10PM
Free, FREE You xboys can keep paying your monthly fees
Suckers.
pkilla @ Oct 15th 2006 12:07AM
#4 got it right, Im tired of people bashing sony, you cant bash something that you havent seen. The online service will be fine and if not then its upgradeable. PS. (The point system IS a sneaky tactic)
portorikan @ Oct 14th 2006 6:28PM
In response to Richard:
Like they say, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
I'm thinking though Sony is probably hoping people jump on downloading content they have to pay for online to help subsidize their online gaming expenses. Also, maybe some of the features that are missing now in comparision to Live are missing because of the cost incurred that isn't being funded by any other way.
Carnie @ Oct 14th 2006 6:38PM
FREE.......eat that xbox fanboys......
cheese @ Oct 14th 2006 7:10PM
I'd like to know when the article was written, because I imagine that many features not even discussed in the article will be implemented.
ndoerr @ Oct 14th 2006 7:29PM
@ cheese -- the original article was posted Oct. 13th and I wrote this up earlier today... as for other implementations, we can only hope. If not out of the box, I'd expect an OS update by the end of the year.
cheese @ Oct 14th 2006 8:13PM
ndoerr, yeah. Updates for PSP have been pretty good, and I expect they'll be better with PS3. Initially the online component will be nice to have but I'm sure it will evolve very quickly in the first couple quarters. I've had the 360 for almost a year now and not really any vast improvements, frankly. Only now is there a cam for the 360 and there are barely any games that support it, but I hardly consider a cam a must own peripheral.
kman79 @ Oct 16th 2006 5:53PM
If all is says is true, then while it's lagging behind XBOX Live at this point, it has signs of being just as good or better than Xbox Live. I do own a 360 also, and I really don't think Micosoft has done much with it's online scheme in the last year its been out. It is nice that most of the online multiplayer games are free of charge. If my #6 spot in line at Gamespot is good and their online is adequate, I might not renew my live account, which ironicaly, expires in November.
murc @ Oct 15th 2006 1:27AM
X-360......6+ million sold
PS3........0 million sold
muhuwahahahahahaha
JonSt.Fu @ Oct 15th 2006 2:01AM
yea everything will b in the updates, so its ok if a few things are missing at first.
get over it @ Oct 15th 2006 3:02AM
i was one of the many who sent this in to ps3fanboy and joystiq, and it's funny to see the different takes on reporting it.
joystiq pretty much dismisses everything as old news that everyone already knew and decrees it as an unviable online solution that sony will fail to actually implement and blame on the game developers. (big surprise!)
in fact, it sounds like sony will actually have a pretty decent online service this time around but until we get a chance to use it there's no point in trying to compare it to xbox live. i could be totally off on this, but i think the reason we haven't been hearing much about it could be because sony doesn't want to tip their hand to microsoft just yet. live is getting an update this tuesday and i 'd put mony on the fact that if microsoft had all the specs on sonys online strategy they'd do their best to implement anything sony had going for them into a live update on or around the ps3 launch in order to detract from their service. as it stands now, sony knows all about what live has to offer and can do their best to match or try to exceed that service.
cheese @ Oct 15th 2006 11:04AM
I think alot of what Joystiq and xbots in general are not thinking about is that the online web browser could probably be used to access game websites and there would be game-specific features that could be accessed or checked out. Bungie runs stats for Halo games on their site, but you have to go to a computer to check it out. Not so with PS3. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the web component translate into web-page based server browsers or for access to other game-specific functions while in game. These of course are just ideas, but nevertheless...
Zac LaCombe @ Oct 15th 2006 11:38AM
While I respect both systems, I admit I lean towards Microsoft. They tend to be more straight forward and honest about what the user is getting in a console. This sounds like the Guild Wars/WoW debate of the past. Guild Wars boasted a WoW-like experience for free. This was not the case. As fun as Guild Wars was, it couldn't compare to the streamlined play of WoW. Blizzard had cash flow to pay developers to make updates out the wazzoo. I am not a WoW fanboy, believe me. I own both games, and play both games just as frequently, which is...never.
My point is: Boasting that it'll have the same experience for free may be just Sony playing their chips before they get their hand. It could be fun, but the support won't be the same.
Zac LaCombe @ Oct 15th 2006 12:40PM
PS. the point system is only sneaky is you have the inability to READ.
cheese @ Oct 15th 2006 12:47PM
Predicting the support for free online play on PS3 will be crap compared to XB live is like saying the original Xbox gameplay will suck compared to the PS2's (prior to the xbox being released). Online play for Xbox 360 is not all wine and roses. Saints Row is virtually unplayable online, compared to other games that play excellent. I thought Xbox Live was supposed to alleviate such problems? Sadly it is not the case.
Scott Krueger. @ Oct 15th 2006 3:32PM
Hey Zizzy.
Just because you think the Popup messages are "Better"
Does not mean the rest of us do.
I think not having to pay $50 a year is "Better"
Murc, in one year see how hard you are laughing about Microsofts one year jumpstart.
ozymandias @ Oct 15th 2006 4:38PM
cheese
your talking out your ass now. Saint Row has an awesome online component. In fact, if you read any review of the game, its touted as being the best part of the game(its not imo)
I have to agree with most of the sony fanboys. If the playstation hub has low lag multiplayer and an easy interface, it doesnt have to be as good as live because its free. However, I would like to know how sony plans on paying for the huge amount of bandwidth that a Live like service requires. It could easily be a blessing and a curse if you have free multiplayer but you only get one map and one weapon set with additional weapons and maps having to be purchased seperately GTHD style.
Jess @ Oct 15th 2006 5:25PM
first things first. im a 360 fanboy. lets get that out the way ok... to all u ps3 fanboys....
u guys keep on usin the free thing as ur only argument. well, xbox live is better at multi-tasking and communicating (hence post # 1)
also, ur guys' service is not completely free. u have to pay for content, which the 360 does too.
however, if u get a xbox live silver account, you can still play maassively multiplayer online games for free, which, on the ps3, you can't. so the cost pretty much evens out. many people think that the ps3's online is free, but they just don't know about the massively multiplayer online games costing money online.
o, and lastly, there is a reason its going to b free. no company is gonna give online for free, unless it...SUCKS. their just rippin you off, makin you fell all happy that it's going to be free, and when u use it, it actually sux.
o ya, and ps3 is making the game companies start their own servers for online games, unlike xbox live, which has one main server that is used by all game companies.
Glenn @ Oct 15th 2006 6:29PM
Wow, this really Does look exactly like XBL only less functions...
looks like they can't think of anything themselfs...
Well, I do certeinly hope for the PS3 fanboys that it will be nice :) though I will definatly NOT be buying an PS3...
gordynyc @ Oct 15th 2006 7:27PM
This system sounds like it will work essentially like your pc with the added benefit of being able to go online on your 52+" HD television.
Don't underestimate the impact of that!
1. Think being able to stream video/audio(YOUTUBE/Quicktime.com/Vongo...ok Vongo is still kind of lame) instead of download for minutes/hrs(depending on bandwith)the "LIVE" way.
I imagine a day where we can watch HD cable without having to pay $130.00/month(NYC Time Warner monopoly):
PlayStationTV! See point No. 4
...add that municipal WIFI. FREE TV AGAIN!!!
2. The PS-Store will be far more functional than the XBOX marketplace(crappy, text-based interface). Most people online are familiar with the Sony interface since it's basically Sony Itunes. Being HTML based is really awesome.
...also PS-Store is easier to say than "Xbox Live marketplace" ;^)
3. PSP will likely get all these features as well! Think being bored at work or waiting for a friend anywhere on the road and streaming a tune or movie thru your PSP from PS3/PS-Store.
4. Anyone who's watched HD content on their cable service/computer screen already knows how awesome HD movies/TV shows are compared to standard definition. To the point that going back to standard def is physically painful.
HD is like good crack! ;^)
5. User-Driven content!(this one should be No. 1) There's a reason why Google just paid 1.65 Billion dollars for YouTube. Think selling your PS3 online podcast thru PS3. Connecting your content thru a TV instead of a PC is far more watchable to the masses. Not just for the networks anymore. Of course, this means that your show has to not suck. Think hot, teen babes sending you their weekly diaries automatically while wearing nothing but their Victoria Secret undies. Make sure you control the MASTER account. ;^)
These are just some of the benefits that have popped into my head based on the PS3 Network article.
Hired.Geek @ Oct 15th 2006 7:36PM
Well there are definitely a wide range of opinuions here. I myself am a little hesitant to jump right in and believe everything that Sony says at face value about their online service. But I also am not going to bad mouth it either. I figure wait a few months and see what the masses say. I really would like to wait until Sony has a large install base up and running on the service. Because lets face it, with only somewhere between 500,000 and 2,000,000 machinces their service could seem really fast and really great but when you start getting 10,000,000 plus on their it could bog down real quick.
I honestly hope that Sony service does a few things really REALLY good. First you can play games online and voice chat in game and have a very enjoyable experince, free of lag. Two, Sony just simply provides this feature at a free cost that is good enough for me. Then if Sony can provide DEMOs of games to try before you buy, and extra content to download. Honestly I have had Xbox live since it first came out and I think it is a great service. But I do not use the extra content feautres very often other then downloading a new video game trailer every once and a while.
I am very worried that this free service may either not be well maintained since it is not making any money, or two it is going to be riddled with banners and Sony plugging their movies and music business. This to me would then make the service an unenjoyable experince if my game is lagging out because in the background it is trying to load some huge fash ad of Spider Man 6 to be displayed in the game lobby.
Really I think myself and allot of Xbox Live users are hoping that Sony’s online service does come out strong and present a real challenge to Xbox live. I think it will force Microsoft and Nintendo to keep adding features and making their services better and faster. I am kind of hoping that Microsoft will feel the pressure and reduce the price of Live if not make it free all together.
And to the guy that says that Saints Row is unplayable online, he needs to get his Xbox checked out, or his internet service checked out. Because I play Saints Row at least three times a week online and have a great time.
cheese @ Oct 15th 2006 10:16PM
eh, well the few times I did play Saint's Row online it was pretty choppy, but it was probably the other players. In either case, on those few occasions it was not working well and it was not working well for my friends either. I'm not saying it's a bad game or anything, but you'd think that paying for XBL, on top of premium broadband, that there would be no such issues. The point I was trying to make was that in many cases it does not matter who makes the system--the experience in online gaming is dictated by the game developers.
David @ Oct 16th 2006 4:31AM
"13. If all is says is true, then while it's lagging behind XBOX Live at this point, it has signs of being just as good or better than Xbox Live. I do own a 360 also, and I really don't think Micosoft has done much with it's online scheme in the last year its been out. It is nice that most of the online multiplayer games are free of charge. If my #6 spot in line at Gamespot is good and their online is adequate, I might not renew my live account, which ironicaly, expires in November.
Posted at 9:08PM on Oct 14th 2006 by kman79 0 stars"
Kman79, it's obvious that you do NOT own a xbox 360. If you really did own one and followed xbox live updates, you will know that microsoft made a lot of improvements and little changes that real xbox live users appreciate. 1080p support is probably the most important update yet because Sony can't use "we are the only true next gen console" argument anymore.
Concerned Gamer @ Oct 16th 2006 12:50PM
Free? As bad as it looks it should be free. Free except for downloading content and multiplayer games? woo hoo get to pay to play each game. Microsoft charges because they have a great online service. Say what you want they do it right. Hopefully Sony will copy everything, but it doenst maximize the bottom line so I doubt it. Will be a game company by game company thing like it was last generation agian, how sad. Agian Sony, not thank you.
ndoerr @ Oct 16th 2006 1:49PM
@ Concerned Gamer -- it IS free to play normal multiplayer games. The fee is for MMO's. Say that World of Warcraft was moved onto a console, you'd have to pay the subscription fee still, but there's no added cost by Sony. But Counterstrike matches, etc, are free. Hope that clears that up.
xTmDarren @ Oct 16th 2006 2:06PM
cheese- The Xbox Live problems with saints row isnt Xbox Lives fault.. its a packet problem that was written in the game.. The developers messed up some coding. From what Ive read there is suppose to be a patch coming out sometime soon ( but who knows ) thats why sometimes youll play a game and everything is 100 percent perfect.. while youll play another game and its completely @ss..
blah and also why would I care to browse the internet on my TV? im usually on both at the same time.. Also I wouldnt want my PS3 to have Cookie problems or Trogans/ Virus getting on my system just because I wanted to browse the web.
I Currently have a xbox360 and will be getting a ps3 on launch. But the one thing that scares me is while the Xbox360 has Xbox Live which is for the most part Hack Proof with no Virus' which you would expect for a paid service.. But will sony be able to have a Safe internet service with no problems or bugs when they for the most part are getting paid by just advertisments...
Hasan @ Oct 16th 2006 4:30PM
The only thing I'm hopful about PNP is it's multimedia content. Sure MS isn't in music and movie business.
Scott Krueger. @ Oct 16th 2006 8:19PM
Talkin out Yo rear Jess.
Xbox Live does not Multitask.
The XBox & the PS3 can Multitask.
Live & PS3 Online cannot "MultiTask".
Quit Talkin out Your Pie Hole.
XBox has 3 Processors that can perform Multiple Tasks (MultiTasking)
PS3 has 7 Processors that can perform Multiple Tasks (MulitTasking)
Xbox Live is not that Great. I have it, I Use it. There is nothing that innovative or supreme in XBox Live. The Menus are convoluted and unorganized. Where is this "Greatness" You 360 Fanboys keep talking about. Picking out my OnLine Matches for me is not My Idea of Great. I wish I could wade through endless Matches in a list like I did on My PC. Throwing me into the Match that Bill wants me to play is not my Idea of Great. You only think it is Great, because it helps support your argument.
Go back to your desk at Microsoft and Tell Bill(Gates) ,Yo Boss, that you got Poned at PS3Fanboy. If you or anybody at Microsoft knew anything about gaming you would know what "Poned" means. Since you don't you'll have to google it... Oops I'm sorry you'll get fired for using google there at Microsoft... My Correction... MSN Search for "Poned".
SuicideNinja @ Oct 17th 2006 1:35AM
Apologies beforehand, but I have a problem with the "PS2 Online has more members than Xbox Live".
That is a mere technicality (as was semi-suggested by the "number of PS2's out there" comment). I'm sure plenty of people signed up for online PS2 gaming, but very few of those people actually use it. I've been on there twice; and it was a waste of time in both instances.
More people play Halo 2 online in a day than play ANYTHING on Sony's pathetic online attempt with the PS2. So pointing out PS2 Online has "more members" is just grasping straws when comparing it to Xbox Live.
Obviously, the PS3 will be a lot different. I think using "real money" instead of points is the biggest praise. It will be nice to actually have a friends list. Those who give a damn about non-game video/movie and music, will be very happy because Sony has their dirty mitts all up ons leaving for a plethora of content.
The browser will be worthless, just like the PSP's and DS's browser. It won't take long to realize that if you want to browse the web, you need to use a PC. No if ands or buts. And those with SDTV's definitely won't be surfing the internet because the resolution will be awful for it. You can actually go to web sites on the PS2 (use the online disc), but it's another waste of time.
The "no cost" solution may not be as great as one would think:
http://suicideninja.blogspot.com/2006/07/free-online-multiplayer-too-much_03.html
I'll definitely take advantage of it while the times are good though.
alienclay @ Oct 16th 2006 10:16PM
i am a sony fan and i dont care.
i don't care about how PS HUB compares to the XBL service because i don't own an xb360 nor am i interested in doing so.
online is important, but a better online experence did not help xbox beat ps2.
for 500,000 consumers on 11.17 i doubt it will be a deal breaker as well.
i think that the most important thing is that it exists, that it covers the basics, and that it works.
both can be upgraded, and both can play the "anything you can do ican do better" game via downloaded updates.
that's why i'm excited about this news. it restores my faith that it does exist period. all the rest,... i simply don't care.
yet.
Cam @ Dec 19th 2006 6:02PM
Too bad the PS3 pales in comparison to XBL. I would rather pay for a quality experience, than get garbage for free. So now that the 360 has 1080p, sony has to ask themselves, What other specs can they soft overclock and get better preformance from?