Slashdot Mirror
Sony Talks PS3 E-Distribution Initiative
simoniker writes "Talking about its PlayStation 3 E-Distribution Initiative, the company's intended Xbox Live Arcade 'killer', SCEA's John Hight has laid down a challenge to Microsoft, commenting that: 'Some of our [digitally distributed first-party] games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360.'" More from the article: "The PlayStation Beyond submission site has been online since GDC 2006, when Sony's Phil Harrison announced its presence, and explains further of the concept: 'The E-Distribution Initiative (EDI) will provide an alternative publishing opportunity for the direct download of games and other content to the user. The EDI will be managed by Sony Computer Entertainment's development and studio organizations in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia (collectively known as SCE Worldwide Studios).'"
"Some of our [digitally distributed first-party] games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360" So he means they're developed without cross platform distribution in mind. Let's not be so harsh about it Phil, just be honest about it.
Now from what I understand Sony will use basically the PC structure of on-line play via a ad-hoc type of network. This absolves Sony of significant infrastructure management but invites all kinds of problems in terms of quality control. Game developers are always touting about the fixed hardware set for consoles and how that helps them on maximizing performance and hitting deadlines because they can avoid the moving goal posts of PC gaming. I'm not sure how Sony will structure this network (no one does apparently) but you would think developers will be less than thrilled with implementing their own on-line connectivity solutions, ala Gamespy interfaces and the like.
As to your side note, yes there are decent games on the 360. Oblivion is quite good. You have a very narrow definition of what you care for apparently. You don't like sports games, racing games nor "console speed FPSes"[sic]. I'm not quite sure what you mean by FPS in that statement but then again, I'm not sure what genre you do like. It would be easier if you stated what games you do like instead of those you don't and I'm sure you could receive some more meaningful feedback (if that's what you're interested in).
I'm not sure what this fear is you describe with Microsoft killing innovation. Are you suggesting that Microsoft suppresses quality games by developers out of some desire to only release popular titles? If anything I think Microsoft has taken very large steps towards helping Indy developers and smaller publishers with their digital distribution over Xbox Live and their willingness to deliver bandwidth for free trial downloads of this content. Try a friend's 360 and test drive "Wik" from the Arcade. This is no main stream blockbuster title but it's innovative and fun. Big brother really isn't out to get you. Microsoft wants to make money and they do that by delivering products that the public wants to purchase. You want to blame them for delivering popular content, I applaud them. I also give them credit for establishing a medium and pricing venue that allows the smaller segment of the market to get a shot.