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PlayStation 3 Games Are Coming To PC (cnet.com)

PlayStation 3 games are coming to Windows. Sony said Tuesday that it is bringing its PlayStation Now game-streaming program to Windows PCs. The service broadcasts PlayStation 3 games over the internet similar to the way Netflix beams movies to devices like Roku. CNET reports: This fall, you'll be able to play previously exclusive games like Uncharted 3 and Shadow of the Colossus on a Windows laptop. The catch: you'll be playing those games over the internet with Sony's streaming game service, PlayStation Now. Think Netflix. PlayStation Now has already been around for a couple of years on the PS4, PS3, PS Vita handheld, plus a handful of Blu-ray players and smart TVs. For $20 a month or $45 for three, the service gives players unlimited access to a long list of over 400 PlayStation 3 games. Like Netflix or any other streaming service, the quality can vary wildly depending on your internet connection -- Sony requires a solid 5Mbps connection at all times, and that doesn't change today. What changes is the size of Sony's audience. With a Windows laptop or tablet, you aren't tethered to a big-screen TV. You could theoretically take these PlayStation games anywhere -- and wherever you go, your save games stream with you.

125 comments

  1. Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Why would you say "Windows **LAPTOP**"??

    Is my desktop not allowed?

    1. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Millennials are afraid of being tethered to a screen. Says in the summary.

    2. Re:Laptop? by Megol · · Score: 5, Funny

      Didn't you read the memo? Desktop computers are dead, please recycle yours as soon as possible. Then buy the future: Tablet computers! Think of all the excitement of Windows computing only just without mouse or keyboard and other legacy devices - the finger is the new stylus! Just think of the possibilities for developers where squiggling ones finger in a random pattern just may create the perfect code! And it doesn't end there - why use cumbersome legacy programs for creating art when the finger touching cool new apps can do it! And wouldn't it be really nice if one could do some work while calming a screaming baby? With a tablet computer you can - just don't hit the baby too hard, the tablet may break.

      Ehum...

    3. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To be clear that you don't need a powerful PC to stream the games, when most people do not have powerful PCs. Calm down. It wasn't an attack on your precious PC.

      Why does Slashdot have to be so clueless and easily triggered? This used to be a place for smart people.

    4. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have to wonder which dumb nut modded you down. It was on topic, not demeaning and sincere as far as I know.

      I'm still on desktop, but this uses up significant real estate - several square meters that are in short supply. The desk-table would otherwise be a table you can sit at from all sides, not just one, and would be usable for taking four-course meals (at least five people), playing cards and reading newspapers among things.

      I only wished laptop vendors realized more than most laptops are stationary, so I want a no-compromise one with a big ass full keyboard and I MEAN it, and several hard drives (two real hard drives plus one SSD, preferably more), and the biggest cooling. At the same time I don't really need a big ass CPU and GPU (integrated GPU with dual channel DDR4 is decent)

      MSI GT80 Titan is sort of what I want. Look it up!, in reviews. But it's severely overpowered and overpriced (indeed, much more powerful than a PS4). It's like $3000 but a $1000 version would be better. Amstrad PPC 640 is a lame 1980s version of the concept.

    5. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For that matter, why would they say PlayStation 3 games are coming to PC instead of PlayStation 3 game videos are coming to PC.

      Streaming videos of games are not games.

    6. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When was that? There were a few smart people, but the majority have always been misogynistic mouth breathers.

    7. Re:Laptop? by freeze128 · · Score: 2

      But it's a *BIG* screen. And I can view it while sitting on a nice comfy couch. It's also connected to a fantastic audio system with really good speakers. Why in the world would I *PAY MONEY* to:

      - play games on a smaller screen
      - connected to tinny little speakers
      - while sitting on an uncomfortable seat while riding the bus?

    8. Re:Laptop? by dreamchaser · · Score: 1

      For that matter, why would they say PlayStation 3 games are coming to PC instead of PlayStation 3 game videos are coming to PC.

      Streaming videos of games are not games.

      Are you trolling, or just mentally challenged? It's streaming the game, not just a video of the game. It's no different than playing said game any other way other than the processing is all being done 'in the cloud' with only input and display being handled at the endpoint.

    9. Re:Laptop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You forgot the input delays, lags, probable monthly fee and alway online requirement. This will be really different from the PS3 experience.

    10. Re: Laptop? by joerdie · · Score: 1

      Jesus. I know it's tough to actually read the article, but you didn't even read the summary. The headline alone does not give you enough I formation to make a considerate comment. Go away.

    11. Re:Laptop? by cwsumner · · Score: 1

      Didn't you read the memo? Desktop computers are dead, please recycle yours as soon as possible. ...

      No, I won't. 8-{
      "F=IW"

      |
      v

  2. thats cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Thats cool.... until they turn the service off eventually.

    1. Re:thats cool by Osgeld · · Score: 1

      well when that happens you wont pay anymore will you

      20 bucks a month for unlimited access doesnt sound bad, as long as you understand you are not buying these games

    2. Re:thats cool by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      Oh it's an unlimited service?!
      I thought it was a service to let you play games you owned on a crappy computer that isn't powerful enough to run the games.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
    3. Re:thats cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your crappy computer is powerful enough to run the games. It's just not powerful enough to run an emulator.

      Remember. "Exclusive" is a companies way to say that they can't compete in a free market. When a console is marketed with exclusive games it should tell you something about the console.

    4. Re:thats cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All console games used to be exclusive. the whole cross platform thing is relatively new.

    5. Re:thats cool by Lordpidey · · Score: 1

      Tetris would like a word with you.

      --
      Some people encrypt by using rot-13 twice. I prefer the more secure method of using rot-1 a total of twenty six times.
  3. PS3 Remote Play to PC by sanosuke001 · · Score: 1

    I would rather see them add RemotePlay support to PC; it works great on the PS4 the PS3 already supports it to the PS Vita; let me do the same to the PC.

    --
    -SaNo
    1. Re:PS3 Remote Play to PC by aurasdoom · · Score: 2

      Never gonna happen with the old hardware. There's no processing power

    2. Re:PS3 Remote Play to PC by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      I could remote play on my Sony phone. I think a five year old PC will do the job. The five year old PC will likely have more power than an PS4.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    3. Re:PS3 Remote Play to PC by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      i wouldn't call a max resolution of 720p as 'it works great'. Its ok, but a vastly inferior experience to running it natively.

      --
      Good-bye
    4. Re:PS3 Remote Play to PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Never gonna happen with the old hardware. There's no processing power

      You can already play PS4 games through a Mac or PC, he's talking about the other way. The system absolutely COULD do it, and streaming a game doesn't require much processing power either way.

    5. Re:PS3 Remote Play to PC by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      I would rather see them produce a high performance 3D playstation video card (et al), that you could load up on Linux PC. High performance elements only available for licensed games and regular performance for everything else ie FOSS software like Libre Office etc. Windows done and finished at consumer level. So what if is hacked and produces high performance for everything, they'll still sell more games (OS issues after all).

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  4. LITERALLY ANY BAIT POSSIBLE TO GET YOU WINDOZED by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Playstation anniversary 3 even.

    GET THE FUCK OUT.

  5. It's coming! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Blocky compressed video streams!
    Input delay!
    The next generation of always online!

  6. First post! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Streaming slashdot makes it almost instant!

  7. Disgaea? by Tyrannicsupremacy · · Score: 0

    I just want the Disgaea and Yakuza games to start getting PC ports, then i can ditch sony products entirely. As it is, those are the only reasons i bought a PS3, and will probably be the only reason i ever have to buy a PS4.

    --
    http://i.cubeupload.com/T6cyLu.png
    1. Re:Disgaea? by ausekilis · · Score: 1

      You mean like Disgaea PC and it's sequel?

    2. Re:Disgaea? by Tyrannicsupremacy · · Score: 0

      Yes, that just leaves Disgaea 3, 4 and 5, Yakuza 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 0.

      It'd be great if they could accelerate the trend.

      --
      http://i.cubeupload.com/T6cyLu.png
    3. Re:Disgaea? by RogueyWon · · Score: 2

      The general trend is accelerating. Small and medium sized Japanese developers are increasingly seeing Steam as a core part of their strategy (and the bigger ones that have held out are starting to crumble on the issue). Nippon Ichi and Compile Heart increasingly release PC ports of their games a month or two after the console version (and the gap is shrinking). Sega are busily porting their back-catalogue to PC.

      I think the driver is that these companies are increasingly struggling to sell to a global audience via traditional physical disk channels. They tend to work on the basis of a relatively small but highly loyal customer base, which is fine so far as it goes, but doesn't help in a world of escalating development and distribution costs. For a while, they went for an increasingly Japan-only strategy (and fewer of their games came out in the West), but that's not going to be viable in the long term, with Japan's stagnant economy and birth-rates.

      Steam is a relatively cheap and easy way for them to get access to a global market. The cynic in me also suspects that Valve's (much) lower certification requirements compared to MS/Sony/Nintendo and the PC community's general willingness to fix shoddy ports might help, as it cuts down on QA costs.

  8. Related - new PS consoles coming this Fall by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    At Gamescon Sony announced they have two successors to the PS4 coming this fall.

    So licensing Windows versions of their older PS3 games right before they make the PS4 the "old" version of the console makes a lot of sense.

    It's a new console setup, so most of the PS3 games would take massive reworking to function on the successor consoles.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  9. Input on a Windows tablet? by tepples · · Score: 4, Informative

    "With a Windows laptop or tablet, you aren't tethered to a big-screen TV. You could theoretically take these PlayStation games anywhere"

    The article says it requires a DualShock 4 controller. I don't see how that will work with all Windows tablets, especially seeing as ARM-based Windows tablets (like the Surface 1 and 2 non-Pro) allow only XInput controllers (that is, Xbox 360 controllers and one Logitech model).

    1. Re:Input on a Windows tablet? by Yaztromo · · Score: 1

      "With a Windows laptop or tablet, you aren't tethered to a big-screen TV. You could theoretically take these PlayStation games anywhere"

      The article says it requires a DualShock 4 controller. I don't see how that will work with all Windows tablets, especially seeing as ARM-based Windows tablets (like the Surface 1 and 2 non-Pro) allow only XInput controllers (that is, Xbox 360 controllers and one Logitech model).

      Sony also announced today a USB dongle for Mac and Windows that permits wireless DS4 connections. Assuming the tablet has a USB port you could presumably use that (although as of yet there is no word if it requires any special drivers or not).

      Yaz

    2. Re:Input on a Windows tablet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The ARM-based Windows tablets are running Windows RT, not proper Windows as most people would think of it.

    3. Re:Input on a Windows tablet? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Sony also announced today a USB dongle for Mac and Windows that permits wireless DS4 connections. Assuming the tablet has a USB port you could presumably use that (although as of yet there is no word if it requires any special drivers or not).

      This is actually the most interesting thing they've had to say, then. Sony has always made excellent controllers.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:Input on a Windows tablet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bluetooth, the controllers use Bluetooth. Or USB OTG. They are HID devices.

    5. Re:Input on a Windows tablet? by tepples · · Score: 1

      I don't think Windows RT can see generic HID devices. Only desktop apps for Windows on x86 or x86-64 can.

  10. "Windows exclusive" by LichtSpektren · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as though this streaming service doesn't use the GPU or any of its corresponding APIs; it mentions the only requirements being a fast CPU and fast enough Internet connection.

    That being the case, why the hell is this Windows exclusive? Why not open it to Macs and desktop Linux?

    1. Re:"Windows exclusive" by MitchDev · · Score: 1

      Because everyone hates Macs and Linux even though Windows sucks too, it's just the default gaming OS.... ;)

    2. Re:"Windows exclusive" by arth1 · · Score: 2

      That being the case, why the hell is this Windows exclusive? Why not open it to Macs and desktop Linux?

      Do you really have to ask? DRM.

    3. Re:"Windows exclusive" by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 1

      Three words:
      Digital
      Rights
      Massacre

    4. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      That being the case, why the hell is this Windows exclusive? Why not open it to Macs and desktop Linux?

      Do you really have to ask? DRM.

      What could they possibly be DRM-ing? It streams the games from Sony's servers, so basically you send button presses to their servers and they send a video stream back. They're not actually streaming the software to your computer.

      Okay, so they're locking the video stream with DRM, to what end? I seriously can't think of any use case where that would matter in the slightest if someone cracked it.

    5. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I seriously can't think of any use case where that would matter in the slightest if someone cracked it.

      Twitch plays PS3.

    6. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Yaztromo · · Score: 1

      That being the case, why the hell is this Windows exclusive? Why not open it to Macs and desktop Linux?

      A Sony rep mentioned on the PlayStation Blog today that they were evaluating Mac support. Obviously they can do it, because they are already doing it withPS4 Remote Play for Mac (interesting side note: the PS4 Remote Play for Mac app is significantly smaller than the Windows version. One of these days I'm meaning to look into why this is).

      Yaz

    7. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Steam can do DRM on linux. So what?

    8. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's the point of DRM in this case? This will be a paid service that streams directly from sony's servers. All the checks allowing you to access the service or not will be done server side.

      Even if you got the source code of the client application, that wouldn't help you to get free service.

      And since the application will simply be a video player accessing an online stream while also sending controller inputs to a distant server, it would be a piece of cake to create a cross platform windows/mac/linux/bsd/systemd version.

    9. Re:"Windows exclusive" by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 1

      It's not about denying the players access to the source code or pirating the game through that channel. It's DRM designed to control where/when/if the users can post their game play videos.

    10. Re:"Windows exclusive" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, you may be right, imagine what would happen if people posted let's play videos of ps3 games on youtube or elsewhere!!!111eleven!

      That would be horrible!

      That's terrorism against th eindustry!

      Won't somebody think of the artists?

  11. So close... by MitchDev · · Score: 1

    Rather just use the PS3 disks I already have and not need the internet connection at all except for updates....

    No sale

    1. Re:So close... by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      Rather just use the PS3 disks I already have and not need the internet connection at all except for updates....

      Oh so you don't want to pay $20 for something you already own? Maybe, just maybe this is targeted at consumers that do not already own a PS3 and a game library for it?

    2. Re:So close... by MitchDev · · Score: 1

      Your mind and view are way too narrow....

    3. Re:So close... by farble1670 · · Score: 0

      Your mind and view are way too narrow....

      Lol? You are the guy that can't seem to wrap his head around this new fangled "cloud computing" thing that the kids are all talking about these days.

    4. Re:So close... by MitchDev · · Score: 0

      Good little consumer sheep. Pay your corporate masters again for something you already have...

    5. Re:So close... by farble1670 · · Score: 0

      Good little consumer sheep. Pay your corporate masters again for something you already have...

      OMFG were you dropped as a child? That's the whole point of my first post.

      Maybe, just maybe this is targeted at consumers that do not already own a PS3 and a game library for it.

      I mean really this thing is called a THREAD there are other posts you might have to read if you want to intelligently respond to others.

    6. Re:So close... by MitchDev · · Score: 0

      Go back to school little friend

    7. Re:So close... by farble1670 · · Score: 0

      Learn to follow a simple, basic conversation thread. You aren't even reading the posts to which you are replying. Maybe you are some sort of troll bot. Only reasonable explanation for this level of intelligence.

    8. Re:So close... by MitchDev · · Score: 0

      You mean your lack of intelligence?

  12. Type 50 wpm or 200 scenarios mashed per minute by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    Screw this shit. 99% of PC games are already console games, ported. Stupid button-mashing idiocy.

    Who the hell is sitting in design rooms slamming their fists on the table demanding people switch buttons to mash every second, half-second, quarter second? Faster faster faster! Mash, switch, mash!

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  13. Just what I wanted.. by epyT-R · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Heavily compressed mpeg streams of last gen ps3 graphics and 100ms+ lag on controls.. I'll pass.

    1. Re:Just what I wanted.. by Solandri · · Score: 2

      5 Mbps is what Netflix uses for its highest-quality 1080p streams. For a movie file analogy, 5 Mbps is equivalent to 2.25 GB for a 1 hour movie. The compression is there if you really look for it, but most people won't notice it. (Current video compression algorithms have a hard time with sharp high-contrast changes since those are relatively rare in natural video images, but are common in computer-generated images. So that's an area of video compression which could be improved in future algorithms.)

      The input lag is there, but its detrimental impact is mostly the result of how the joysticks on the PS4 (and Xbox) controller works. The sticks only have a position resolution of -127 to +127. This isn't precise enough to aim on a 1920x1080 screen. So the kludge is to have the sticks control velocity instead of position (aim point). You tilt the joystick, and it changes the speed at which the aim point moves. This hack for controlling aim position is devastated by input lag. You let go of the stick when the aim point is just right, and the aim point keeps moving for 100ms.

      The Steam controller fixes this. It uses a trackpad for the right (aiming) joystick. It has much higher resolution and works analogously to a trackball. You're no longer controlling the velocity at which the aim point moves, you're controlling its position directly like with a mouse. After enough practice, you learn how much to flick it to move the aim point exactly where you want. Just like you learn exactly how much you need to move the mouse to move the aim point to a certain location. Input lag becomes irrelevant except during the learning process.

    2. Re:Just what I wanted.. by RoloDMonkey · · Score: 1

      I knew there would be a comment about this, and you are right. For very quick games, especially multi-player, this would be detrimental.

      However, I like to play turn-based strategy games. So, the minimal latency isn't really a problem. And, this opens up a big library of games that I didn't have access to before.

      In addition, rhythm games like Rock Band already allow you to adjust for latency. So, theoretically they would work fine too.

      --
      Long live the Speaker Bracelet
      Rolo D. Monkey
    3. Re:Just what I wanted.. by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 1

      5 Mbps is what Netflix uses for its highest-quality 1080p streams. For a movie file analogy, 5 Mbps is equivalent to 2.25 GB for a 1 hour movie. The compression is there if you really look for it, but most people won't notice it.

      Movies have a natural advantage of either having very little motion or having a lot of motion blur. There are exceptions (Children of Men) but for most of them this is the case, so a low bitrate can work if you have a lot of time to encode it.

      Games tend to have a lot more motion and a lot less motion blur. And this service won't be able to use good encoder settings -- it'll need to use a real-time hardware codec, which significantly limits is quality. You might say I'm skeptical.

    4. Re:Just what I wanted.. by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      Have you actually looked at so-called HD 1080p mpeg streams? Unless a very high bitrate is used, it looks terrible compared to locally rendered graphics. Also console games are 60p (well they strive for it). TV is half of that at best. Most people do notice. They just don't care if the latest cat meme. They will care when their games show up as a mess of macroblocked garbage every time they pan, scroll, or do anything that requires an instantaneous full screen update.

      No, the lag is caused by the network and any buffering done to the video. It is in addition to whatever the controllers and display (most TV panels are terrible with this) have already added. Because the output is not known, the video can't be multipass encoded. This forces the provider to use an ABR method (at best) which will add additional latency due to the buffering required, else CBR is used, which again requires higher bitrate for a given output. Sure, it won't matter much to slow moving turn-based games, but that certainly isn't the dominant market for consoles. Simply changing the input mode on the controller (from velocity to position) isn't going to make this go away.

    5. Re:Just what I wanted.. by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      Well, great, but the majority of console titles are not turn based strategy.. They're FPS and action titles. You can only compensate for latency just so much.. You can 'hide' it with client side prediction (which can introduce other playability problems), but at best you'll only approach the minimum pkt latency of the network, plus any additional buffering done to the audio/video itself. Something like rockband is a simplistic model where the input needs syncing with an existing, known timebase (recorded music), however, the above latencies still apply. Simple offsets like this don't apply to other games.

    6. Re:Just what I wanted.. by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      5 Mbps is what Netflix uses for its highest-quality 1080p streams.

      I've used NVidia's Geoforce Now streaming service, and it pulls over 50Mbps for a 1080p game (but I guess PS3 games aren't 1080p).

  14. Re:we dont care by DahGhostfacedFiddlah · · Score: 1

    Maybe this is for the other type of PC gamer. The kind that does touch a console, even by mistake.

    You know - just about all of them?

    I have no idea why you consider your gaming platform to be worthy of such bigotry.

  15. Where have I seen something like this before? by DexPleiadian · · Score: 1

    oh, right! SEGA CHANNEL!

  16. Yeah, but not in the USA, where speeds vary wildly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wouldn't try it with camel humps' internet streaming provided by the finest i-net providers, like Comcast, Frontier, Verizon, Cox, and plenty of others.

  17. Is convenience really worth that much for last gen by barc0001 · · Score: 1

    I presume that's in USD as well, so paying $180 US ($240CDN) per year to *not* own any games vs me picking up a used PS3 on Craigslist for $100CDN and then buying used games at $5-$15 per game, I just don't see the value proposition here.

  18. what happened to OnLive? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So this is what happened to gaikai. OnLive is a superior system. I know this because I worked there and used it. Good luck song!

    1. Re: what happened to OnLive? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      PS Now exists on TVs (Samsung and Sony), Sony BR players, Sony Android phone and tablets. There's so RemotePlay for PC and Mac.

      Did you block that out?

    2. Re:what happened to OnLive? by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Did you forget that Sony also bought OnLive's technology?

  19. Re:we dont care by RavenLrD20k · · Score: 0

    Cool story bro. U mad? Just because you're PC nobility and have to miss out on all the content your Multi-Platform Kings and Queens gets to enjoy at their beck and call, you think you have to shit on the Console Knights and Mobile peasants? Know your role and shut your mouth.

  20. Coming? They're already here. by Khyber · · Score: 2, Interesting

    http://rpcs3.net/

    https://esxemulator.com/

    ESX really works. You need a BEEFY system, though.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
    1. Re:Coming? They're already here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      RPCS3 is in development and ESX is just bullshit.

    2. Re:Coming? They're already here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "ESX"? really? It's an obvious scam/virus. There's no source code. The page asks you to download a random-ass binary and run it with administrator privileges. Yeah, that always turns out well.

    3. Re:Coming? They're already here. by shione · · Score: 1

      Errrr.... ESX is FAKE.

      http://www.overclock.net/t/157...

      Check this video out by the 'developer' of the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?... . 2:03 gives it away that it is fake.

    4. Re:Coming? They're already here. by dyslexicbunny · · Score: 1

      But this is an opportunity to shovel my money into Sony's pockets!!!

  21. What does this run on? by Game+Genie · · Score: 1

    I can't imagine they have hundreds of PS3s sitting in a datacenter to run this service. If this is running on an emulator on Xeons on in a datacenter, why don't they just sell emulated PS3 games to run directly on Windows and/or the PS4? I suppose they could have a datacenter full of rackmount Cell boxes which would be a little more interesting.

    1. Re:What does this run on? by cstdenis · · Score: 1

      DRM

      --
      1984 was not supposed to be an instruction manual.
    2. Re:What does this run on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why don't they just sell emulated PS3 games to run directly on Windows and/or the PS4?

      Subscription revenue. It's the wave of the future. Why sell someone software once when you can sell them ephemeral access to a game over and over again forever?

    3. Re:What does this run on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because then they wouldn't get a subscription fee...

    4. Re:What does this run on? by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

      They might want to run PS4 games eventually, but it's too early for several reasons including competition with themselves or overall crappiness compared to local hardware, for reasons.
      I'm sure they use straight PS3 hardware?, with the shrink to 45nm CPU + 40nm GPU. Fairly wasteful in performance per watt but emulation could be worse. You don't even need the case and optical drive, and the hardware is available in extremely high numbers for basically free. 4TB 2.5" HDD are a thing (or 2TB if addressing limitation applies) with a rather nice disk bandwith. PS3 hype talked of cloud computing back in 2005 : it was silly hype but Sony is a huge corp that had experience with the GScube (a rendering cluster of PS2-like hardware) and then had IBM that attempted some datacenter Cell crap.

    5. Re:What does this run on? by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      Actually, they *DO* have a datacenter full of PS3s to run this on.... And, they're all release-date PS3s running OtherOS!

    6. Re:What does this run on? by Lordpidey · · Score: 1

      I'd guess that the PS3 emulator they use only works with very specific hardware, designed to emulate a PS3, maybe even using the same cell architecture.

      --
      Some people encrypt by using rot-13 twice. I prefer the more secure method of using rot-1 a total of twenty six times.
    7. Re:What does this run on? by shione · · Score: 1

      The arcades are coming back but instead of paying per game you pay per month and instead of them supplying the machines, electricity etc, you do.

  22. Console and console gaming are DEAD! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Consoles SUCK even compared to a 2010 era laptop with an Intel graphics chip. Console games are just regurgitated crap. Console controllers are crap. A desktop PC or a laptop are far superior gaming platforms. Oh, and just because desktop PC sales have flattened, doesn't mean that they are dead. It just means that buying a new desktop PC gets you very little gain over your 5-7 years old desktop PC, so very few buy a new desktop pc before their current one dies.

    1. Re:Console and console gaming are DEAD! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I ran my old dying graphics card through an electric oven several times so that my "dead" 7-year-old PC could become a 9-year-old PC, then replaced it with a an outdated but still sold as new graphics card from ebay, for the price of a 2-person MacDonalds dinner. So yes the desktop PC sales have flattened, but a console murders mine. Consoles easily are an order of magnitude better/faster at games.
      That you bought a highest end laptop in 2010 and still game with it, still under Windows means you were wealthy in 2010, and/or you're a high functioning autistic person and should know better.

    2. Re:Console and console gaming are DEAD! by EndlessNameless · · Score: 1

      I think you're underestimating how weak Intel's integrated graphics were.

      I'll give them credit for doing so much with limited die space and power... but your claims are utter crap.

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      According to the latest ruleset, this post should be modded as Vorpal Flamebait +5.
    3. Re:Console and console gaming are DEAD! by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      Consoles SUCK even compared to a 2010 era laptop with an Intel graphics chip.

      No 2010 laptop w/ integrated graphics can run current AAA titles 1080p60. Exaggerating to such an extent doesn't help to get your point across.

      I don't think anyone is arguing that a console is the absolute most powerful gaming machine. Consoles are cheap (2-3x less expensive that a comparable gaming PC).

      This will spawn the fury of desktop gamers of course, claiming that consoles are overpriced. Just make sure you include a link to a $300 off-the-shelf PC that can pull 1080p60 on modern AAA titles.

  23. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 1

    I presume that's in USD as well, so paying $180 US ($240CDN) per year to *not* own any games vs me picking up a used PS3 on Craigslist for $100CDN and then buying used games at $5-$15 per game, I just don't see the value proposition here.

    Can't disagree with you there, but I do think you're underestimating the target audience's laziness.

    --
    Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
  24. Broadcast by enriquevagu · · Score: 1

    Broadcast used to mean Broadcast in te olde Slashdot!

  25. Gamers still have interest in desktops by perpenso · · Score: 1

    They may not be dead, but for the home user, they are on life support. I know few people with a desktop anymore, and no one shops for them.

    You know what the exception is? Gamers. Guess who might be interested in PS3 games on a PC?

    I kept my monitor set up in case I ever wanted to hook it my laptop, but never have.

    For a "gamer" who only has CPU and video designed for power consumption rather than performance that would seem necessary. You probably can't drive all those pixels on the external at a reasonable frame rate. Unlike a desktop.

    For non gamers who go beyond basic email and web browsing and video streaming, external monitors are somewhat popular. For more "serious" work the larger screen is a great benefit.

    1. Re:Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My "serious" work is coding and I no use for a external monitor. I never game, though. Not interested.

    2. Re:Gamers still have interest in desktops by perpenso · · Score: 1

      My "serious" work is coding and I no use for a external monitor. I never game, though. Not interested.

      A software developer without an external monitor, that is unique. I've known few developers that didn't want a larger screen. Using the laptop display a compromise for mobility, but when at home or office an external monitor is quite common.

      Are you still in school or something? That would make going completely mobile a little more understandable.

    3. Re:Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In many countries a developer is a middle of the pack employee and it won't get you a 200 square meter house. Or it could be a 17" 1080p laptop or higher res that is a good replacement for dual 1024x768 or dual 1280x1024 monitors. Might be a matter of preference between the cognitive load of dual monitors and the cognitive load of window management.

    4. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by corychristison · · Score: 0

      I use a desktop with a 24 inch LCD (1920x1200).

      I've mentioned many times here on Slashdot that I don't understand dual monitor setups... but I certainly can not do it on a tiny laptop monitor for any extended period of time.

    5. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by perpenso · · Score: 1

      I rarely do dual monitor with my laptop at home or work.I typically plug in a keyboard, mouse and monitor and the closed laptop is pretty much a "desktop". My normal desktop just appears on my external.

    6. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by perpenso · · Score: 1

      I rarely do dual monitor with my laptop at home or work.I typically plug in a keyboard, mouse and monitor and the closed laptop is pretty much a "desktop". My normal desktop just appears on my external.

      Pardon the overloading of "desktop". My laptop is pretty much a "desktop PC" when I'm at my desk and my normal "UI graphical desktop" just appears on my external monitor.

    7. Re:Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and no one shops for them

      Let's fix this now, PC Master Race.

    8. Re:Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I never game, though. Not interested.

      Then why are you discussing gaming on desktops?

    9. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by vux984 · · Score: 1

      I use a desktop with a 24 inch LCD (1920x1200)

      I currently use a pair of 27" LCD 2560x1440. And I'm itching for a 3rd screen.

      As a developer, at this point, I consider a pair of matched 24" screens to be the minimum for any serious work. And I fully expect that after getting a 3rd screen I won't be able to go back to 2.

      I don't see how anyone is satisified with one after having two. Visual Studio in full screen with multiple code panes, watch windows, etc etc on one... the application, along with my email, word/excel/pdf documents (specifications/documentation/references, etc etc), browser, slack/skype/etc in the other.

      A 3rd screen would let me have more information immediately accessible.

      As a gamer, I opted not to get a 4k screen last cycle because i didn't have a card that could push the pixels. Now, I'm thinking I'd rather add a 3rd 27" and try some triple screen gaming rather than a 4k screen. OR maybe I'll do a 4k in the middle and use the pair of 27s on the flanks. But I like having matched screens enough I'll probably skip 4k for another few years.

      As an aside, I have a 2015 13" macbook pro as my laptop for email, browsing, programming cisco routers, etc. And its fine for that. I like it because its light and portable, but i don't even try to do any real dev work on it beyond answering email.

      I also hate trying to game on it -- it rapidly runs too hot for my lap and fingers and the fan noise is distracting. (even for stuff like ToME or DoomRL or SoTS the Pit or Darkest Dungeon which really shouldn't be that demanding)

    10. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think triple a screen is necessary to work.

      I use two 1080p monitors at work, one is 23" one is 22" (at first I had only the 23", and outputs and input restriction prevented me from using two, then we got the 22" that had the good inputs, but are lower quality).

      I use them probably like you do: the 23" is my principal monitor and is right in front, the 22" is secondary, on my right and I use it for other stuff.
      I also have virtual desktops, so I throw my email clients on another desktop.

      But for a while, I managed to get a third screen. I didn't use it much at first, so I then set it up vertically. It was a bit useful to display code but that's it. I removed it and don't miss it.

      I'd advise you to first try before investing in a third screen, especially since you have bigger screens with a higher resolution than I had.

    11. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by vux984 · · Score: 1

      You might well be right. There are times when I know I'd like to have a 3rd -- but I tend to agree it's probably not THAT necessary.

      And like I said, I'd also like to try it for some triple screen gaming; so there is some value there just for that.

    12. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed, if you have the graphic power, the money to spare, and like to play games that take advantage of a triple screen setup, go for it.

      While double screen seems to be a bad idea for games, with bezel in the middle unless you use a main screen for the game and a second screen for other information, a triple screen seems great.

    13. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by corychristison · · Score: 1

      I am a developer also... except I use Linux and multiple workspaces. It's like having as many monitors as I like, but without the neck pain.

      I typically have it configured for 8 Workspaces organized in a grid of 2 rows of 4.

      XFCE allows for seamless switching by simply dragging my cursor into the next screen, or I can click on which screen I want to jump to by clicking on it in the pager.

      I don't need more than one physical screen.

    14. Re: Gamers still have interest in desktops by vux984 · · Score: 1

      I am a developer also... except I use Linux and multiple workspaces.

      Yeah, Windows 10 has them too. Its a pretty good implementation, and I use it.

      (I've also used them in Linux and OSX too but obviously not with Visual Studio dev work.)

      It's like having as many monitors as I like, but without the neck pain.

      No its really not. It's a really nice feature, but its a poor substitute for having actual monitors side by side.

      (And there's no reason you can't use both; you can have multiple workspaces with multiple monitors -- I have yet to see a perfect implementation that does exactly what I want; although most are quite usable)

  26. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by keith_nt4 · · Score: 1
    Couldn't you same the same thing about a cheap DVD player and used DVDs? I think they're $1 a piece now. Yet people still get netflix.

    I mean I'm just assuming that's Sony's thought process. I don't actually know. If the my LAN streaming of Steam games is any indicator it won't be quite the Netflix-for-games experience the summary implies. I do have a jumbo wrap-around bluetooth gamepad and a couple different Windows tablets (HP Stream 7, for instance) but I'm just assuming the 802.11g and/or my router wouldn't be able deliver a satisfying experience to it. Again based on LAN Steam streaming experience and nothing else which is presumably completely different technology.

    --
    "UNIX is very simple, it just needs a genius to understand its simplicity." -Dennis Ritchie
  27. ESX is malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    You're knowingly promoting malware.

    1. Re:ESX is malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And? When you buy a Sony product, you're buying malware, and have been since the Sony Rootkit. What's the difference between one asshole getting your money and another asshole getting your money?

    2. Re:ESX is malware by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

      You're promoting one-liner incomplete answers. Would have it been too hard to write two sentences to know what you're talking about?

    3. Re:ESX is malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can you please elaborate on that? What sort of malware are you referring to?

    4. Re:ESX is malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are a fucking moron. Geez. Go and smell the flowers at the bottom of a pool.

  28. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by Kyogreex · · Score: 1

    The only way I could see this making sense is if you wanted to be able to play those games on the go on a Vita, but then a) you would have to have good WiFi, which you aren't likely to have on the go (while there is a 3G model, the speed is almost surely inadequate and the cost would be high); b) the price is too high to justify it; and c) reports are it doesn't work well enough anyways.

    Plus the library of available games is pretty poor (IMO). It's a wonder anyone is using the service such that it's still operating.

  29. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

    Impressive, if not very pretty gamepad. But it may be adding a small amount of latency?
    You're not using a high latency TV, at least.
    But what if you were using a high latency TV. What if you were using DSL (personal rule of thumb, at least twice the latency of cable)
    Using Wifi? You're doing that (you should be using wired ethernet, at worst it's possible on USB-to-go Android stuff)
    What if you were using Wifi, then streaming through Wifi again to a wireless TV or TV stick? It's dumb but people will do that if given the chance.

  30. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by barc0001 · · Score: 2

    > Couldn't you same the same thing about a cheap DVD player and used DVDs

    Not really no. When you play a game you're going to spend dozens of hours playing it (if it's a good game you like), whereas once you watch a movie in a couple of hours you're done with it. Netflix's strength is that you're going to blast through a few movies a week and then go on to other things, whereas with a game system you'll play a game or two that month and then will play them again some other time. So there's more value with a game system to having permanent copies of the game.

  31. Re:we dont care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    explain to me why pc players dont give a fuck if a game is also developed on consoles as long as is not consolized, but console players get really mad when a game they already played (and no one cares about) gets released on pc or god forgive, the other console

    its lame, and again, pc players dont care about your games, so theres no reason to get mad, it doesnt make sense bruh, it doesnt make sense AT ALL

    to the poster above you: i dont consider my platform better, i just literally do not care at all about all that crap sony and micosoft partners publish on consoles, even the games that could be decent are not my kind of games, 99 percent of them are third person shooters with really weak gameplay to accomodate your inferior gamepad, the key are the games not the platform, your weak games are a consequence of your weak gamepad, ive got no problems with the console itself

  32. Looks like Sony is using their OnLive acquisition by oldcarsmell · · Score: 1

    And we all remember ho well OnLive worked

  33. Re:we dont care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh look, another frothing retard on Slashdot.

  34. Re:Is convenience really worth that much for last by EndlessNameless · · Score: 1

    I just don't see the value proposition here.

    They're selling the illusion of choice.

    Most people will spend hours playing their favorite handful of games every month, and they would be better off buying the system and those games outright.

    But with the subscription, they have the appearance of choice with those 400+ titles. If they never exercise that choice, well, Sony won't complain.

    I can see a good point in subscribing for a month or two each year to try things out and decide what to buy. It's notoriously difficult to return unwanted games/software at most retailers, so I would use this if I wanted to try a bunch of games I couldn't borrow from friends.

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  35. Re:we dont care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't touch a console, even by mistake.

    Though I do know of what is being released there and there are some games I'd really want to play. But I think exclusivity is among the stupidest thing in gaming, and I have principles, so I vote with my wallet.

    Similarily I don't touch windows by mistake either, and there are many windows games I'd like to play. I vote with my wallet.

    At the end of the day, if games makers want my money, they have to support my platform, in the meantine, I have plenty of games I like running on linux. By the time I'm finished with them, those exclusives I can't play will work through emulators or wine.
    Your choice, game devs/publishers.