PS3 Fanboy

Sony Online Entertainment is betting it big on PS3. The company is currently working on three MMO titles for the system: Free Realms, DC Universe Online and The Agency. While consoles haven't traditionally been home to MMOs, SOE is hoping that free access to the PlayStation Network will give them the opportunity to succeed in a brand new market.

"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.

Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley spoke to MTV Multiplayer in a post-New York Games conference interview to talk about their plans for future MMOs under their wing. Smedley clarifies a few things; the PlayStation 3 versions of The Agency and DC Universe Online will arrive the same day as the PC version, there's "a chance, maybe" Sony will use a non-subscription-based model for their upcoming MMOs, and finally, the Smedley confirms that "all of SOE's MMOs will appear on consoles from now on."

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?

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?

We feel like we've heard this spiel before -- MMO's were promised to come onto the PS3 because, let's face it, the thing is practically a computer. What's different this time around is that Sony no longer is saying that MMO's will be something to look forward to, but their forward strategy is to focus on them as key selling points.

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]

GameDaily had a chat with Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley about the recent Sony corporate shuffle and what's going to happen to SOE as a result of this. According to Smedley, the change is "an opportunity and not a restriction" as SOE will have better proximity to SCE and will possibly develop more intimately for the PS3.

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.

Sony is announcing today that structural changes will be occurring within the company, effectively merging the Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Online Entertainment departments. (Sony Online Entertainment has been run by Sony Pictures.) While the two will remain largely separate Kaz Hirai, President of SCEI, will now be the head of both companies, with SOE President John Smedley reporting to him from April 1st onwards.

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]