Gamasutra recently interviewed John Hight, who is heading up the PS3's E-distribution project, getting a few interesting tidbits about Sony's online service along the way. Advantages of E-distribution? Selling online makes it simpler to go international, to niche and remote markets. Also, inventory no longer comes as a risk since there are no physical units being carted around (this also lowers the stacks of used games sitting at our favorite stores -- everyone knows how many copies of Madden 20xx there are when the new Madden 20xx +1 rendition appears). Another advantage that always gets mentioned -- "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." Hooray, mom and pop joints! Now if only they were getting the dev-kits on time like the bigger companies...What kind of titles can we expect to be distributed via this E-contraption? "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games." So many of Sony's internal studio games will come to the new console this way, if the E-distribution system works properly. If they don't sell well, hopefully they'll take a note from XBox Live and let any third-party into the ... party.
Want to design a game and have it distributed via Sony's new system? Hight demands that we: "Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of [your] game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond." While the submission site isn't exactly brand spankin' new, it does imply that some games (possibly our submissions) may be set up to download as a subscription or a one-time purchase. Should Sony really go the subscription route? How about for small developers using their E-distribution? Hopefully it will be a "subscribe" or "purchase" option for each ... kind of like a rental, then a purchase, for the cautious among us.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-06-2006 @ 5:00AM
visionrider said...
Ok if internet providers increase speeds and remove caps
if a game on blueray disc is 25-50gig it will take ages to download most isp speeds are between 8 to 10 meg lots are 2 meg with cap of 2gig month ie BT how are they going to run this system ok in japan and usa with fiber optic connection speeds are lot faster in UK we are a long way from that I downloaded prey demo for 360 other day it took over hour and half to download approx 1.5gig which was good some people took 4 to 5 hours.what magic system is to distributed Sony's new system may be blue ray wireless network which sony will install in all regions in which it sells PS3
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7-06-2006 @ 9:39AM
sputnik said...
Only about 4 1/2 months away from launch and Sony still hasn't shown us what their online network will look or feel like. No games shown working online either.
Asside from retarted self defacing comments...we haven't heard much from Sony on all the unanswered questions in the wake of E3.
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7-06-2006 @ 12:36PM
Paul said...
but did MS really show that much of the revamped live before 360 launched? i dont really know?? anyone?
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7-06-2006 @ 3:29PM
LongshotX said...
Here's an idea. PS3 will be delayed! There will be no November launch.
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7-08-2006 @ 10:27AM
omg said...
Yeah sputnik! Sony is proboley lieing about tehir ripp off onoine service. Its probobley so FUBAR its not working and they are jest not saying enything. TYPICAL STUPID JAPANESE SONY LIARS!
There is moest likeley isnt any online service at all it it will most probobley cost moeny so evel Sony can trick Sony buying n00bs into paying up. Then Sony will prob maek a run for it! RUN FOER THE HILLS SONEY, RUN!!!
Alsoe I think LonshotX haes cracked teh caes here! This sielence about the Onlien thingy is probobly because there will be a delay(FIGUERS STUPID SONY ROLFWAFFLE). But I know many guys working at developers companies and they said there is a roumour that, get this sony stupid fanboys!, the PS3 is actually VAPORWARE!!!!1 Thats riet!! There is no PS3! On launch they will sell empty cardboard boxes with rocks in them! And befoer any stupid Ps purchasing POS n00b is any teh wiser Kutaragay will be heading for teh hills again! RUN LITTLE JAPANESE MAN, RUN!!!1
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