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PSM2 discusses PS2's online future...
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OFF THE RECORD
PS2 becomes a video recorder as Sony's UK online plans threaten to revolutionise home entertainment...
Sony are taking steps to transform PS2 into a fully-functioning multimedia 'hub' - offering online games, downloadable music, movies and recordable TV. SCEI (Sony Japan) are preparing to release a tuning device which, used in tandem with the existing Broadband/hard disk drive (HDD), will let you watch and record regular TV - just like a VHS video. With SCEE (Sony Europe) poised to confirm their online plans this autumn - possibly as you read - UK gamers might be recording the Premiership on their PS2s as soon as March 2003.
Though Sony remain characteristically tight-lipped, a spokesman has hinted that their online plans are "staggering". Insider speculation suggests Sony will offer a Broadband-only model, available via subscription to a major cable/satellite operator - either with existing partner Telewest, or possibly even British Telecom. Potentially, gamers will be able to get their hands on a Broadband/40Gb hard drive combo for as little as £50 - with monthly subscription fees of £30 or less. You pay for installation, and the company does the rest - no messing about with wires and cables.
US technology firm Broadq are already offering a broadcast tuner for PS2, the Qcast, available for just $49.99 (about £30). The software links PS2 to your PC via a two-disk installation process, letting you watch, record and manipulate digital music/movie files. Once installed, you'd be able, for example, to play the latest Eminem album, before recording The Office and settling down to watch The Royal Tenenbaums - all via your DualShock 2.
With the UK telecoms industry offering access for as little as £20 per month (from Tivoli and Freecost, excluding installation), the gloom surrounding UK PS2 online gaming may be about to lift.
PSM2 reckons: Sony Japan have just released version 0.2 of their broadband browser software, placing the emphasis firmly on entertainment - surely a portent for the UK? We think Sony's plans will be Broadband-only, aggressively priced (about £200, including installation) and be heavily cross-promoted via a major telecoms firm.
-----
OFF THE RECORD
PS2 becomes a video recorder as Sony's UK online plans threaten to revolutionise home entertainment...
Sony are taking steps to transform PS2 into a fully-functioning multimedia 'hub' - offering online games, downloadable music, movies and recordable TV. SCEI (Sony Japan) are preparing to release a tuning device which, used in tandem with the existing Broadband/hard disk drive (HDD), will let you watch and record regular TV - just like a VHS video. With SCEE (Sony Europe) poised to confirm their online plans this autumn - possibly as you read - UK gamers might be recording the Premiership on their PS2s as soon as March 2003.
Though Sony remain characteristically tight-lipped, a spokesman has hinted that their online plans are "staggering". Insider speculation suggests Sony will offer a Broadband-only model, available via subscription to a major cable/satellite operator - either with existing partner Telewest, or possibly even British Telecom. Potentially, gamers will be able to get their hands on a Broadband/40Gb hard drive combo for as little as £50 - with monthly subscription fees of £30 or less. You pay for installation, and the company does the rest - no messing about with wires and cables.
US technology firm Broadq are already offering a broadcast tuner for PS2, the Qcast, available for just $49.99 (about £30). The software links PS2 to your PC via a two-disk installation process, letting you watch, record and manipulate digital music/movie files. Once installed, you'd be able, for example, to play the latest Eminem album, before recording The Office and settling down to watch The Royal Tenenbaums - all via your DualShock 2.
With the UK telecoms industry offering access for as little as £20 per month (from Tivoli and Freecost, excluding installation), the gloom surrounding UK PS2 online gaming may be about to lift.
PSM2 reckons: Sony Japan have just released version 0.2 of their broadband browser software, placing the emphasis firmly on entertainment - surely a portent for the UK? We think Sony's plans will be Broadband-only, aggressively priced (about £200, including installation) and be heavily cross-promoted via a major telecoms firm.
You both need an Xbox then, as Xbox Live is an annual fee, rather than monthly. :-)
Thing is, this monthly charge is due to the nature of Sony's system. As mentioned in the article, this leaves people to fund their own servers, so charges will be necessary. Sony get you online, but the rest is up to you. This potentially allows greater freedom and flexibility than Microsoft's system - which really would seem to make sense, since they are offering much more in the future.
The only online titles interesting me at the moment - on any format - are Resident Evil Online, Gran Turismo 4 Online and SOCOM, which are all on PS2. Other than that, I'm not really interested, despite having a broadband connection.
Incidentally, if anyone is interested - the latest PSM2 DVD has video footage of exactly what it takes to get PS2 online using the Broadband Pack - and it really is simplicity itself. It looks quite impressive, SOCOM especially.
Thing is, this monthly charge is due to the nature of Sony's system. As mentioned in the article, this leaves people to fund their own servers, so charges will be necessary. Sony get you online, but the rest is up to you. This potentially allows greater freedom and flexibility than Microsoft's system - which really would seem to make sense, since they are offering much more in the future.
The only online titles interesting me at the moment - on any format - are Resident Evil Online, Gran Turismo 4 Online and SOCOM, which are all on PS2. Other than that, I'm not really interested, despite having a broadband connection.
Incidentally, if anyone is interested - the latest PSM2 DVD has video footage of exactly what it takes to get PS2 online using the Broadband Pack - and it really is simplicity itself. It looks quite impressive, SOCOM especially.
Im too put off with the monthly fees and all that, i cant really afford to be paying out for that, especially when next year will be a year when i need all the money i can get for University and all the payouts needed within that.
Plus, so far not many of the online games that have been mentioned have particually cought my eye, other than the news that Pro Evo will be onlin eventually, but thats way off.
Plus, so far not many of the online games that have been mentioned have particually cought my eye, other than the news that Pro Evo will be onlin eventually, but thats way off.
I have to admit that all this monthly charge stuff puts me off. If I was told that I could pay £50 a year, plus £50 installment and then just buy games, I might consider it, but with monthly subscription to both the ISP and the games network, on top of buying the kit and the installation, it just seems like something I won`t be able to afford, and also something that I might not even want to afford looking at the review scores, and considering what the Haven guy said, which was absolutely right. [Sorry that was a rather long sentence, thought I`d better add a full stop] Is it going to be as fun to play online as it is to play with friends, I doubt it, particularly if you`re sat there thinking "I used this for one hour today, and I do that everyday, making this cost nearly £2 a minute", or whatever it works out to be. I`d find it hard to enjoy.
Well, as this died a death, I assume that only myself and Jive have even the slightest interest in PS2 going online.
Anyway, for Jive's benefit, there's more in this month's PSM2... I've not typed it all in, just the meat of it.
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PS2 Online: Revealed
You could be playing WRC online by Spring 2003...
After 24 months of speculation, bold assurances and technical uncertainty, Sony Europe have - partially - unveiled their online plans, spurring both excitement and uncertainty. From Spring 2003, you'll be able to buy a £45 Broadband Gaming Pack, containing an Ethernet Network Adapter, an unnamed online game and a start-up disc with demos of forthcoming titles. While Sony are providing the necessary hardware to get online, the connection process is being left entirely up to you, begging the question - what's the cost of online gaming?
Basically, if you haven't got an internet connection, your £45 Broadband Pack is completely useless. To play PS2 games online, you need to sign up to an Internet Service Provider, such as TeleWest, NTL or BT. Effectively, Sony's plans are like buying an IKEA wardrobe - they provide the raw materials and instructions, but it's your responsibility to put it together.
Currently, the cheapest Broadband package (Telewest, region allowing) involves a one-off installation fee of £50, with monthly charges of £29.99. Thanks to SOny's 'hands off' approach, third party publishers will have to fund their own online servers, creating another hidden cost for gamers. For example, a month's subscription to Everquest Adventures might cost £10, on top of your standard ISP fees. Mercifully, Sony are rumoured to be subsidising key publishers - and indrectly, consumers - to get their AAA titles online. It's a classic chicken and egg situation, Sony *need* big guns like GT4, Pro Evo 2 or, potentially, GTA 3 online to encourage growth.
We expose the games, hidden costs and stumbling blocks over the page, but don't miss the definitive Broadband guide in next month's PSM2.
INDUSTRY REACTION
PSM2 spoke to leading figures in the UK games industry for their reaction to Sony's recent online announcement...
"Imagine the scenario... you're playing Pro Evolution Soccer online and you hit a wonder goal after some touches of genius. Exactly who can you scream and shout at? No-one, because you're on your own, playing online!"
- Arthur Parsons, Traveller's Tales, Lead Producer on Haven.
"There are still questions left unanswered. We are still no closer to understanding what the pricing will be, nor network availability and performance - all of which will prove critical determinants of service uptake. It is also unclear as to what type of service will be offered by Games Service Providers. However, Spring 2003 will represent a pivotal moment in European games industry history and the start of a very exciting new gaming era."
- Nick Gibson, Games Analyst at Durlacher.
"Anything that widens the experience - and network gaming certainly does that - has got to be welcomed with open arms. Just don't expect miracles right away. This is a small pigeon step towards the future."
- Stuart Dinsey, Editor of Trade Magazine MCV.
THE GAMES
Sony have revealed a total of nine online titles, which are chiefly exceptional for the lack of "must play" games, save perhaps SOCOM, WRC and TIF2004. Off the record, Sony are working closely with several third-party developers - including Capcom, EA, Eidos and Take Two, creating the tantalising prospect of of Resident Evil Network, FIFA 2003, TimeSplitters 2 and - yes - GTA3 online.
As previously rumoured, Rockstar are already looking into Celebrity Deathmatch and, possibly, Midnight Club 2 online. Don't forget, EA's Madden 2003 was the game used to showcase PS2's online capability to the largely American audience at E3. Most of the UK launch titles are already up and running in the US.
1. SOCOM: US Navy Seal - Anticipation Rating: 8/10
2. Twisted Metal Online - A.R.: 7/10
3. Destruction Derby online - A.R.: 6/10
4. Hardware: Online Arena - a.r.: 7/10
5. ATV Offroad - A.R.: 5/10
6. My Street - A.R. 6/10
7. Frequency 2 - A.R.: 7/10
8. World Rally Championship Online - A.R.: 8/10
9. TIF2004 - A.R.: 8/10
Anyway, for Jive's benefit, there's more in this month's PSM2... I've not typed it all in, just the meat of it.
-----
PS2 Online: Revealed
You could be playing WRC online by Spring 2003...
After 24 months of speculation, bold assurances and technical uncertainty, Sony Europe have - partially - unveiled their online plans, spurring both excitement and uncertainty. From Spring 2003, you'll be able to buy a £45 Broadband Gaming Pack, containing an Ethernet Network Adapter, an unnamed online game and a start-up disc with demos of forthcoming titles. While Sony are providing the necessary hardware to get online, the connection process is being left entirely up to you, begging the question - what's the cost of online gaming?
Basically, if you haven't got an internet connection, your £45 Broadband Pack is completely useless. To play PS2 games online, you need to sign up to an Internet Service Provider, such as TeleWest, NTL or BT. Effectively, Sony's plans are like buying an IKEA wardrobe - they provide the raw materials and instructions, but it's your responsibility to put it together.
Currently, the cheapest Broadband package (Telewest, region allowing) involves a one-off installation fee of £50, with monthly charges of £29.99. Thanks to SOny's 'hands off' approach, third party publishers will have to fund their own online servers, creating another hidden cost for gamers. For example, a month's subscription to Everquest Adventures might cost £10, on top of your standard ISP fees. Mercifully, Sony are rumoured to be subsidising key publishers - and indrectly, consumers - to get their AAA titles online. It's a classic chicken and egg situation, Sony *need* big guns like GT4, Pro Evo 2 or, potentially, GTA 3 online to encourage growth.
We expose the games, hidden costs and stumbling blocks over the page, but don't miss the definitive Broadband guide in next month's PSM2.
INDUSTRY REACTION
PSM2 spoke to leading figures in the UK games industry for their reaction to Sony's recent online announcement...
"Imagine the scenario... you're playing Pro Evolution Soccer online and you hit a wonder goal after some touches of genius. Exactly who can you scream and shout at? No-one, because you're on your own, playing online!"
- Arthur Parsons, Traveller's Tales, Lead Producer on Haven.
"There are still questions left unanswered. We are still no closer to understanding what the pricing will be, nor network availability and performance - all of which will prove critical determinants of service uptake. It is also unclear as to what type of service will be offered by Games Service Providers. However, Spring 2003 will represent a pivotal moment in European games industry history and the start of a very exciting new gaming era."
- Nick Gibson, Games Analyst at Durlacher.
"Anything that widens the experience - and network gaming certainly does that - has got to be welcomed with open arms. Just don't expect miracles right away. This is a small pigeon step towards the future."
- Stuart Dinsey, Editor of Trade Magazine MCV.
THE GAMES
Sony have revealed a total of nine online titles, which are chiefly exceptional for the lack of "must play" games, save perhaps SOCOM, WRC and TIF2004. Off the record, Sony are working closely with several third-party developers - including Capcom, EA, Eidos and Take Two, creating the tantalising prospect of of Resident Evil Network, FIFA 2003, TimeSplitters 2 and - yes - GTA3 online.
As previously rumoured, Rockstar are already looking into Celebrity Deathmatch and, possibly, Midnight Club 2 online. Don't forget, EA's Madden 2003 was the game used to showcase PS2's online capability to the largely American audience at E3. Most of the UK launch titles are already up and running in the US.
1. SOCOM: US Navy Seal - Anticipation Rating: 8/10
2. Twisted Metal Online - A.R.: 7/10
3. Destruction Derby online - A.R.: 6/10
4. Hardware: Online Arena - a.r.: 7/10
5. ATV Offroad - A.R.: 5/10
6. My Street - A.R. 6/10
7. Frequency 2 - A.R.: 7/10
8. World Rally Championship Online - A.R.: 8/10
9. TIF2004 - A.R.: 8/10
Well I for one will not be forking out £30 a month for a BB subscription as I've already got BB installed at home from Pipex, this costs about £23 per month and is paid for by my company, why I would need another line in, actually, thinking about that....yes I would need another BT telephone line installed (£100 install, plus monthly line rent) just so I could pay BT or Sony £30 for an ADSL connection......err....forget it!
If Sony are going down this route then this will affect a huge number of people who've already got ADSL installed and I very much doubt they'll want to cancel their existing ISP contract just to take this out.
Sony have to allow people who have already have an existing ADSL connection the ability to connect into their network, otherwise this will be falling flat on it's face even before this scheme takes off.
As for the ability to tape programs on your hard drive while playing a game....err....I've got a video which can do that, plus if I suddenly remember I want to tape a programme on TV and have my game loaded up I can just switch to my Video input, setup the timer, switch back to my games port signal and carry on.....will you be able to do this while driving down Ocean View in Vice City pulling a wheelie?
Nope, didn't think so or very much doubt it!
If Sony are going down this route then this will affect a huge number of people who've already got ADSL installed and I very much doubt they'll want to cancel their existing ISP contract just to take this out.
Sony have to allow people who have already have an existing ADSL connection the ability to connect into their network, otherwise this will be falling flat on it's face even before this scheme takes off.
As for the ability to tape programs on your hard drive while playing a game....err....I've got a video which can do that, plus if I suddenly remember I want to tape a programme on TV and have my game loaded up I can just switch to my Video input, setup the timer, switch back to my games port signal and carry on.....will you be able to do this while driving down Ocean View in Vice City pulling a wheelie?
Nope, didn't think so or very much doubt it!
And now for my take on this...
Well, the plans sound good enough - if a little excessive. But then we always knew that Sony had plans that went way beyond simple online gaming.
One thing I'm not sure about is the cost. PSM2 give a figure of £30 a month for subscription fees, but it's not clear exactly what you're subscribing to.
If this is simply for the service (i.e. in addition to your broadband subscription), then I think their plans will be dead in the water. With Microsoft offering Xbox Live at around £40 for an entire year's subscription, Sony will be pricing themselves out of the market. I know they're offering far more, but this is still way too high a price.
However, reading further on in the article, the £30/month charge would be most likely be for the Broadband connection *and* the service, which would be far more realistic. Sony should also, in my view, consider offering an annual subscription, rather than a monthly one, at a price comparable to Microsoft's.
It is also my hope that Sony don't tie you to one service provider (e.g. Telewest or BT), as this would be suicide, and is surely unworkable, as certain companies only cover certain areas of the country. It has been mentioned in one of the magazines before (along with screenshots illustrating the software) that the connection disc would be open-ended, allowing you to connect over an existing broadband connection. I hope that this is still the case at UK launch.
The best piece of news in this article, though, is surely that of the Broadband/HD module being priced at around £50. Though this isn't an official price, it's certainly a realistic one. Priced at little more than a new game, it is certainly within the reach of most PS2 owners, and would certainly aid in the take-up of the service among those who are interested in it. It would also be competitively priced in relation to the Xbox Live pack, but offer five times the storage space, and many more services as well.
We should remember, though, that whatever Sony offer, this is just the first step. Essentially, this online network will be around for a long time, and if successful, will play a major part in the future as well. With PS3 destined to be an even more 'connected' machine, this could also be seen as a testing ground for services of the future.
I don't see PS3 as being an entirely online machine - no way. But an ability to download demos of console games you're interested in, rather than receiving several that you're not interested in on the official mag's coverdisc, certainly holds some appeal.
Online gaming itself, though, still doesn't hold much interest for me. I'd rather have friends round where I can see them and mock them face to face. Which is why I'm currently more interested in Sony's online plans than Microsoft's - Sony are offering more than simple gaming. Whether that will be enough to tempt me personally... remains to be seen.
Well, the plans sound good enough - if a little excessive. But then we always knew that Sony had plans that went way beyond simple online gaming.
One thing I'm not sure about is the cost. PSM2 give a figure of £30 a month for subscription fees, but it's not clear exactly what you're subscribing to.
If this is simply for the service (i.e. in addition to your broadband subscription), then I think their plans will be dead in the water. With Microsoft offering Xbox Live at around £40 for an entire year's subscription, Sony will be pricing themselves out of the market. I know they're offering far more, but this is still way too high a price.
However, reading further on in the article, the £30/month charge would be most likely be for the Broadband connection *and* the service, which would be far more realistic. Sony should also, in my view, consider offering an annual subscription, rather than a monthly one, at a price comparable to Microsoft's.
It is also my hope that Sony don't tie you to one service provider (e.g. Telewest or BT), as this would be suicide, and is surely unworkable, as certain companies only cover certain areas of the country. It has been mentioned in one of the magazines before (along with screenshots illustrating the software) that the connection disc would be open-ended, allowing you to connect over an existing broadband connection. I hope that this is still the case at UK launch.
The best piece of news in this article, though, is surely that of the Broadband/HD module being priced at around £50. Though this isn't an official price, it's certainly a realistic one. Priced at little more than a new game, it is certainly within the reach of most PS2 owners, and would certainly aid in the take-up of the service among those who are interested in it. It would also be competitively priced in relation to the Xbox Live pack, but offer five times the storage space, and many more services as well.
We should remember, though, that whatever Sony offer, this is just the first step. Essentially, this online network will be around for a long time, and if successful, will play a major part in the future as well. With PS3 destined to be an even more 'connected' machine, this could also be seen as a testing ground for services of the future.
I don't see PS3 as being an entirely online machine - no way. But an ability to download demos of console games you're interested in, rather than receiving several that you're not interested in on the official mag's coverdisc, certainly holds some appeal.
Online gaming itself, though, still doesn't hold much interest for me. I'd rather have friends round where I can see them and mock them face to face. Which is why I'm currently more interested in Sony's online plans than Microsoft's - Sony are offering more than simple gaming. Whether that will be enough to tempt me personally... remains to be seen.
PSM2 discusses PS2's online future...
-----
OFF THE RECORD
PS2 becomes a video recorder as Sony's UK online plans threaten to revolutionise home entertainment...
Sony are taking steps to transform PS2 into a fully-functioning multimedia 'hub' - offering online games, downloadable music, movies and recordable TV. SCEI (Sony Japan) are preparing to release a tuning device which, used in tandem with the existing Broadband/hard disk drive (HDD), will let you watch and record regular TV - just like a VHS video. With SCEE (Sony Europe) poised to confirm their online plans this autumn - possibly as you read - UK gamers might be recording the Premiership on their PS2s as soon as March 2003.
Though Sony remain characteristically tight-lipped, a spokesman has hinted that their online plans are "staggering". Insider speculation suggests Sony will offer a Broadband-only model, available via subscription to a major cable/satellite operator - either with existing partner Telewest, or possibly even British Telecom. Potentially, gamers will be able to get their hands on a Broadband/40Gb hard drive combo for as little as £50 - with monthly subscription fees of £30 or less. You pay for installation, and the company does the rest - no messing about with wires and cables.
US technology firm Broadq are already offering a broadcast tuner for PS2, the Qcast, available for just $49.99 (about £30). The software links PS2 to your PC via a two-disk installation process, letting you watch, record and manipulate digital music/movie files. Once installed, you'd be able, for example, to play the latest Eminem album, before recording The Office and settling down to watch The Royal Tenenbaums - all via your DualShock 2.
With the UK telecoms industry offering access for as little as £20 per month (from Tivoli and Freecost, excluding installation), the gloom surrounding UK PS2 online gaming may be about to lift.
PSM2 reckons: Sony Japan have just released version 0.2 of their broadband browser software, placing the emphasis firmly on entertainment - surely a portent for the UK? We think Sony's plans will be Broadband-only, aggressively priced (about £200, including installation) and be heavily cross-promoted via a major telecoms firm.
-----
OFF THE RECORD
PS2 becomes a video recorder as Sony's UK online plans threaten to revolutionise home entertainment...
Sony are taking steps to transform PS2 into a fully-functioning multimedia 'hub' - offering online games, downloadable music, movies and recordable TV. SCEI (Sony Japan) are preparing to release a tuning device which, used in tandem with the existing Broadband/hard disk drive (HDD), will let you watch and record regular TV - just like a VHS video. With SCEE (Sony Europe) poised to confirm their online plans this autumn - possibly as you read - UK gamers might be recording the Premiership on their PS2s as soon as March 2003.
Though Sony remain characteristically tight-lipped, a spokesman has hinted that their online plans are "staggering". Insider speculation suggests Sony will offer a Broadband-only model, available via subscription to a major cable/satellite operator - either with existing partner Telewest, or possibly even British Telecom. Potentially, gamers will be able to get their hands on a Broadband/40Gb hard drive combo for as little as £50 - with monthly subscription fees of £30 or less. You pay for installation, and the company does the rest - no messing about with wires and cables.
US technology firm Broadq are already offering a broadcast tuner for PS2, the Qcast, available for just $49.99 (about £30). The software links PS2 to your PC via a two-disk installation process, letting you watch, record and manipulate digital music/movie files. Once installed, you'd be able, for example, to play the latest Eminem album, before recording The Office and settling down to watch The Royal Tenenbaums - all via your DualShock 2.
With the UK telecoms industry offering access for as little as £20 per month (from Tivoli and Freecost, excluding installation), the gloom surrounding UK PS2 online gaming may be about to lift.
PSM2 reckons: Sony Japan have just released version 0.2 of their broadband browser software, placing the emphasis firmly on entertainment - surely a portent for the UK? We think Sony's plans will be Broadband-only, aggressively priced (about £200, including installation) and be heavily cross-promoted via a major telecoms firm.