john-smedley posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Smedley calls The Agency cancellation rumors 'ridiculous'
by JC Fletcher 
{ Sep 16th 2009 at 1:15PM }
"Next year" was as closely as Smedley could approximate the release date. "Can't get -- because I've been wrong like three times with that game. And we're not going to release it until it's right. But there's this rumor going around that we're going to cancel it -- that's ridiculous."
It's worth noting that a cancellation rumor was debunked by SOE in November, but it's been ten months since then! Seems like a good time to assert once again that the game is still in development.
"No," Smedley continued, "we're going full-bore towards it. We're simply keeping it under wraps more because we want to make it the best possible game we can. I'm an FPS player first and foremost, so we're going to get that game right, period." Smedley firmly denied that the departure of staff would affect the game's development.
Gallery: The Agency
Free Realms coming to PS3 mid-2010, may support PlayStation Eye
by Griffin McElroy { Sep 16th 2009 at 12:15PM }
During his speech, Smedley also addressed the functions which would be specifically tailored for the MMO's console outing, saying, "For the PlayStation 3 version, it's very likely that the Eye is going to be something we support." We hope the Eye's implementation isn't of a voyeuristic nature -- if there's anything our late-night Uno sessions taught us, it's Camera + Internet Strangers = Terror.
SOE prez delivering GDC Austin keynote
by Griffin McElroy { Aug 6th 2009 at 8:30PM }
Considering Free Realms was initially announced at the Lone Star State's annual gaming convention in 2007, we can expect a majority of Smedley's speech to focus on the free-to-play online title -- particularly on how it hastily acquired five million players. Actually, by the time said event opens its doors, we wouldn't be surprised if that number was in the low-to-mid billions.
SOE expects half its business to come from PS3
by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 9th 2009 at 7:27PM }
Smedley believes that those playing PS3 games aren't the same ones playing MMOs. So he thinks putting MMOs on the PS3 is going to bring in new players. With diverse titles like Free Realms, DC Universe Online and The Agency in the works, maybe SOE can get something to click with the console crowd.
SOE expects PS3 to represent half of business
by Andrew Yoon { Jan 8th 2009 at 10:51PM }
"I think PS3 will be close to half our business. There's an audience now waiting for online games on the PS3. I believe PSN has over 15 million users today. It's growing so quickly, we see a great user base potential there," SOE president John Smedley told GameDaily BIZ.
We're excited for all three of SOE's MMO projects for the PS3. However, we're most excited by Free Realms, a completely free MMO that charges for in-game items. The variety of gameplay options make us believe it will become a great alternative to PlayStation Home. The beta is starting soon on the PC -- we can't wait to see what the PS3 version will look like.
SOE: All of our future MMOs will appear on consoles
by Alan Tsang { Oct 6th 2008 at 12:45PM }
Smedley has stated beforehand that MMOs will become a selling point on the PS3, so this doesn't come as a surprise. However, it looks like SOE is leaning against having PS3-PC cross-platform play for upcoming titles The Agency and DCUO due to their potential inability to provide simultaneous content updates. Will this lack of cross-platform play spell the end of MMOs on the PS3 or can console owners sustain their own community?
SOE 'looking at' possible PSP MMO
by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 29th 2008 at 2:55PM }
Smedley doesn't announce any games, but he says that kid-focused PS3 MMO Free Realms "could have a pet-training system" for the PSP. An MMO is clearly a good idea with 34 million PSPs currently out there, but from Smedley's comments it sounds like any realization of that seems years away.
Sony Online Entertainment thinks about MMO integration on PSP
by Andrew Yoon { Sep 29th 2008 at 1:30PM }
Sony Online Entertainment has a lot of development planned for PS3. But what about its little sibling, the PSP? SOE president John Smedley told MTV Multiplayer that "PSP is something that we're definitely looking at." With so many online-ready systems in the hands of gamers worldwide, it's an opportunity they don't want to miss on. "We're really starting to see a big push for PSP. We think it's a world-class device ... In the future, we see full MMOs that are designed for the PSP."But before diving straight into full online games on the PSP, Smedley believes online integration into existing games will come first. Imagine, a mini-game that can be played on PSP that will add to an existing game, like Free Realms. "You're sitting there leveling up your character, you log in at home when you're on wi-fi, and all of sudden your character has leveled up. We think those kinds of experiences are very possible."
SOE President expresses his enthusiasm about the future of MMOs on PS3
by Alan Tsang { Jun 24th 2008 at 6:00PM }
John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, is confident that by moving SOE closer to the Playstation division, it will help the PS3 and PSN succeed in the face of Xbox Live and PC's MMOs. In an interview with MCV, Smedley lists SOE's "eight years of experience running an online service" as a major asset they will be able to provide. He believes "retail is exactly the kind of driver" needed for PS3 MMOs and SOE will provide an additional boost in the form of a promise: "The next round of MMOs are made to run on both the PC and PlayStation 3."
However, Smedley smartly avoids questions about the length of time it will take for PS3 MMOs to compete with likes of PC MMOs such as World of Warcraft. He claims the PS3 already has an "online playerbase", while the PSN is "a significant and robust network " and there is "a real hunger" for MMOs, but concedes it will "take some time to build that base even larger."
Smedley claims he is confident about the future of MMOs on PS3, but are you?
MMO titles to become 'selling points' for PS3
by Nick Doerr { May 12th 2008 at 11:00PM }
Sony Online Entertainment honcho John Smedley said this in an interview with the Seattle Times: "MMOs are going to be a real strong selling point for the PS3 long term - there's going to be some great ones on the PS3." He goes on to blab a little bit about The Agency, which we know only bare bones about, but is supposedly going to be a real shining star and pave the way for other MMO's to get onto the PS3. We'll find out soon enough, right?
[Via CVG]
SOE President talks console MMOs, rivaling WoW
by Majed Athab { Mar 17th 2008 at 2:00PM }
He backed up his opportunity claim by stating that console MMOs have a huge potential for growth as consoles are stable online-capable platforms, and already have a large user-base. He even says that console-based MMOs could possibly rival the success of World of Warcraft.
"Console online gaming in general I think is going to be one of the next huge phases of growth in the online gaming space," said Smeldey. With SOE currently working on PS3 versions of The Agency, a DC universe MMO, and Free Realms, there's no doubt the company is putting action to words. However, could any of you see any one of these titles possibly going toe-to-toe with the king of MMOs? Console MMOs as World of Warcraft beaters, perhaps not yet. Better console MMOs soon? Most likely.
Structural changes mean Kaz Hirai will head both SCEI and SOE
by Jem Alexander { Mar 13th 2008 at 2:30PM }
Both SOE and SCEI seem excited by the opportunities this brings, with Hirai stating that he is "excited to be able to work with SOE even more closely, as online games and services become a more integral part of the PS3 entertainment experience. This new structure will allow us to take full advantage of the extensive breadth of expertise of the two companies and increase our range of exciting entertainment offerings to our consumers." Smedley shares these sentiments, adding that he is "thrilled to become a part of the incredible team that has made PlayStation 3 the premier platform for next generation online gaming."
This all seems to make sense, considering how much energy SOE is putting into PS3 projects over the next frew years. We can't wait to finally starting seeing the fruits of their labor later this year.
[Via press release]
CES 2008: SOE wants to pay you for 'Sharing the Wealth'
by Michael Zenke { Jan 14th 2008 at 2:30PM }
"Let's say you have your own website. You come out our site, fill out a form pretty much the same as the one for our Station Exchange service with a Social Security number, and give us your PayPal account information. You cut and paste some JavaScript to your site, and now you have a banner ad for FreeRealms on your site. We are tracking every customer you give us, and once a month we'll give you somewhere between 5-10% of all the revenue from every customer you send us. That's as long as they are playing the game."
The full interview gets into specifics behind the program, while the follow-up touches on big plans for the future of the company's Station Access pass.
