Sony's Answer to XBox-Live Revealed!

Microsoft's Xbox Live has existed since 2002. How will Sony, who has never had a dedicated and successful online program in the console space -- the PS2's online was a total free for all -- compete with Microsoft's nearly four-year lead in the online console gaming service sphere?

They'll use Xfire, that's how (the image to the right is a mock-up).

By incorporating an existing service into their own PlayStation Network Platform (PNP), Sony hopes to circumvent existing problems in the console space that Microsoft has had to sort out and in using Xfire -- a company with an established messaging, matchmaking and gaming client -- Sony hopes to narrow the four-year gap in online gaming services that Microsoft currently enjoys (Xfire has been around since 2002). Read the full article at 1up...

[clayton]

Big deal, XBox Live wil reign champ of course. Best online service ever! You get what you pay for!!! Remember THAT!!!

[ghostface]

Is the pressure getting to you. You have to understand that sony wasn't going to let xbox live to continue to dominate. So to think sony wasn't going to have an answer is just plain foolish.

[BIadestarX]

Too bad it was a stupid answer. They couldn't build it themselves so they will start using someone else service. I don't find strange they are not a software/network company while Microsoft have all the resources to build it and support it. It will be interesting to see how much of a XBox live killer this can be, and what’s in it for Xfire to built and support this very complex framework all for free.

[TOM]

those of you who us it will KNOW that xfre itsnt a shadow of live. This is sonys ansewer? sic

[bernie]

Microsoft know the software inside & out and are able to upgrade and constantly monitor at will.
Sony, going for the fast and easy route are going to be relying on a lot more people and are not going to be able to control the system.
Mark my words, it's going to hit both sony and PS3 owners and everyone knows that. :)

[ghostface]

We already know sony being testing the online service. An by joing with Xfire who's also have just as much expreince as xboxlive service i'm betting that sony online service will be just as good or better, but will have to wait an see.

[BIadestarX]

You may be right considering the fact that xfire may have decades of experience in networks, game development (Direct X), create their on OS and have more intelectual and finatial resources than Microsoft.

[TheMART]

First deliver Sony. I have heard too many great stories over the years that didn't work.

At this moment only one thing is sure. Live has been here for 4 to 5 years. Systems are up and running. Live anywhere is in the heart of Vista/OS and gaming is a real experience. Now Sony deliver something equal, I would be really surprised and giving props if it's all that good as they want to

[Marriot VP]

Well that makes sense, but what's the problem with using a PC program for online.

Does anybody else see how incredibly moddable the PS3 has become.
-First and most devasting is including a browser that can download any and everything.
-Second is using linux which is very easy to mod.
-Next is having a hard drive directly connected to the browser where you can download any mod from the internet just like the PC. A good example is the insane amounts of hacks on counterstrike.
-Than having a farmiliar server like xfire

But anyways that's the problem, we barely know any information on their mystery online. I really think their rushing their online way too soon. And if the PS3's as moddable or even close to what I've said their in a huge perdicament.

Remember how many people modded the xbox1. But with the PS3 you wouldn't have to tear anything apart, just visit a website and download the latest mod on your HDD.

[silent ninja]

interesting

[SpankUveryMuch]

We now know that the ps3 online gaming won't be very good either. Sony just keeps making bad choices don't they. Xfire don't even compare with xbox live in any way.

[Cyclonus]

that Sony couldn't come up with anything themselves, so they...outsourced.

On the plus side, it gives them a nice scapegoat for when it fails.

[Shadow Flare]

At least sony aren't trying to show they can do this themselves. I mean, just look at the ps2 online. So its good that sony is humble enough to realize they are crap at making an online system, and to leave it to a company who has been doing it since 2002. And let's not forget that Microsoft make xbox live. Microsoft are a little more accustomed to the online world then sony is. So stop giving sony stick

So it looks like xbox 360's key feature isn't so unique anymore. And what's more, we don't have to pay for our online gaming. Ken Kuturagi may have said some crap in the past but at least he got some things right:

"We don't charge for the basic functions of the network like matching services. Things like that are taken for granted on a PC, aren't they? There's the feeling of why a game console gets to charge for a service that's normal on a PC."

This is great news. I dunno why people have voted lame

[xrobbanx]

You are not the smartest kid on the block?
Read my lips they will charge you one way or another nothing is free. Do you think the Xfire guys will develop this and support it for free think again. And Ken doll have lied again im sure maybe they will fill youre PS3 with comercial and whats does
- "We don't charge for the basic functions of the network "
What will they charge you for then ? lets see before you open youre mouth

[ElementX]

I'd rather pay $50/yr for Xbox Live and have a reliable network which has been working every time I log on. You get what you pay (or don't pay) for.

[Shadow Flare]

xrobbanx, listen to what kuturagi said and you'll find the answer. "We don't charge for the basic functions of the network like matching services.....So, we just made the basic services available, and based our business on the contents.".

Meaning yes, it IS free to play games online. The way Sony will make their money is from extra downloads and extra content you pay for.

Frankly, Microsoft is one of the richest companies in the world. They don't need your money but they make you pay for xbox live. Sony needs the ps3 to be a success because sony isn't as rich as microsoft is, yet they are making the basics of ps3 online free. What gives microsoft?

[Schmitty07]

Just because they are one of the richest companies, doesn't mean they can give stuff out for free. They need to pay the people that maintain the servers and keep xbox live running. Not everyone that works for Microsoft is rich like gates

[m23]

no company no matter what industry can give out free stuff, maybe small samples but no company can just give services out for free just because they are successful. You may get free multiplayer online, but after watching minutes of ads each time you try to start a game

[heihoosilver]

Ps3 will gona be the hakers and pirate games heaven...
Way to go Sony against piracy.Way to go when hakers enter Ps3 and kill the system, Sony is gonna have the hands full of Ps3 returned to instal the system. Way cool. But why i´m so surprised? Isn´t Ps3 a computer? Virus anyone?

[sman780]

guys sony wont throw away billions of dollars and there company on hackers, you think it will be a free play ground for them? i garuntee they are hard at work on piracy and we heard some stupid rumors already about game discs etc. and Xfire is just as good as live, if not better, plus millions of people already use it, i hate seeing everything thats new about sony, u guys will always always always be negative on it, yah we will have to wait and see, but microsoft pays employee's to keep live running, and sony, will pay Xfire to keep it running on the ps3. thats awsome it will have xfire, and if people do hack, im sure there account online will be perment ban or something, they will figure something out guys lol there not dumb. and ps3 will be sweet! add so much more competition with the tilt axis, think bout it =)

[xrobbanx]

Im sure you are right about the hacking thing but you have to realize that nothing done outside sony will beat live and they way its integrated everywhere on the xbox. I mean its not possible to take a produkt and smack it into a highly costomized machine and think it will work for millions of users i under 2 months time.

[shotty]

So Xfire, is that what the final product is also called.

[ElementX]

Both have an X, coincidence? I think not :P Free advertising for Xbox 360! :)

[WOW]

xfire is a horrible service. it sucks for the pc and the ps3 now has this sucky service. i feel bad for anyone who plays games online via xfire. people trying to compare it to xbox live are wacky. first you would have to have used both which i have. and xfire is lame. xbox live is award winning.

[richie007bond]

So how much is this going to cost sony to licence xfire and make it free to all ps3 owners,somethings not right here,with the cost of the ps3 and the hit sony takes on every sold console, sonys going to lose millions,it stinks if u ask me

[jiggajayp]

That looks like crap! And I bet that it will play like crap too! This crossfire thing won`t stand a chance against XBOX LIVE! You can bet your @$$ on that!

[FlamingTide]

In other sites I've heard complains that the PS3 is better for Online gaming because the Xbox Live has an annual fee.

Nobody on these forums seem to realise that the reason for Microsoft charging an annual fee is because they buy the servers- thus, if you can be bothered to look into the economics of it, the games cost less which is fairer to the offline gamers out there

SO Basically PS3 Online games will cost more and posssble fees to pay for servers and upkeep

[The Real Deal]

Consoles won't be made till the end of the month...they throw in xfire at the last minute, by the way is a sub standard online network for PC's, and there is only a month and a half until launch. Interesting Indeed. Do sony fans still think it was smart to use blu ray and the cell processor? And to make things worse when the games come out and get average to low reviews and don't compare head to head vs 360 games, you would have waited a year and a half for an inferior product. But at least its a cheap blu ray player right? What sony has done is become the joke of the gaming industry. WOW. At least we got Microsoft's Xbox 360. Superior games/affordable pricing/and Award Winning ONLINE play. Thanks Microsoft.

[Shadow Flare]

that was so not interesting

that comment was just your xboyish rants and opinion, opinion, opinion forced as if it were fact

"Do sony fans still think it was smart to use blu ray and the cell processor?"

Yeah actually. I'd rather have a technologically pushed console than a mediocre headstart attempt of a console where add-on's are needed to make it the console it was first of all meant to be.

And in my opinion, when i get my hands on the ps3, i know it will be worth it, and i know i'll have the superior console, all encased in a $600 technological masterpiece.

Oh yeah, did you know that IBM were designing a supercomputer that uses the cell chip. So don't bad mouth the cell.

[Shadow Flare]

Online services:

"You get what you pay for"

so by that logic.....

the xbox 360 costs $400
the playstation 3 costs $600

yeah. I guess you get what you pay for

[TheMART]

Not actually the way you bring it.

Stated is:

Premium services can't be free.

But it's not: the more expensive, the better.

It should be optimal price/quality. And that's 400 dollar/euro for a 360 Premium. Some stuff is overexpensive and gives less then the best alternative.

Like paying only for a brand and to fill Sony's pockets because of a non standard videplayer. That's not getting more for more money. That's getting less for too much money, which dissapears in Sony's pockets which are already too deep it's dissapearing in their pockets and writing red marks with massive losses since first quarter 2005 on.

[OutpostCommand]

TheMart, I have come to accept a long time ago that you are a total 100% unchangeable 360 fanboy, but I will tell you one thing-
You contradict yourself quite a few times in that statement

[TheMART]

Read again hmm actually no contradiction anywhere.

[OutpostCommand]

Hmm

My bad-
I very rarely agree with you.
This is one of those very rare times:
I was wrong.

[Runnin n Gunnin]

Yeah Shadow Flare you do get what you pay for. For that extra 200/100 bucks your paying for a blu ray player and thats it man. Thats totally fine...if you want a blu ray player that bad.

[ghostface]

How is this a rush job when Ken announce it would be free at e3. An also dark kingdom was seen on xfire a couple of months ago.

[jiggajayp]

He`s talking about the whole launch being that it`s only a month and a half and Sony is just getting started making ps3`s!

[zypher]

no different than Microsoft a year ago. are you happy with their rush job?

[Boink]

does it not worry anyone else that they just started this a few months ago?

If that's it, then it looks alright, probably will function alright for games, but Live anywhere has nothing to fear, as this looks nowhere close to the same level of functionality.

[jiggajayp]

To Mr. Shadow Flare, You`re too quick in your statement about IBM buliding a supercomputer using the cell! First off, that would be the best thing to happen to the cell since it`s been out! That`s what it`s anygood for anyways! The cell isn`t good at being coded for gaming! AND the reason that I said that you`re too fast to your statement is because if the cell is soooooo good then why did Apple CEO Steve Jobs drop IBM after alllll of these years and move onto Intel? Because he didn`t like the cell and stated that he liked the Power PC chip design better! So Now There! Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

[jiggajayp]

He didn`t like the direction that IBM was going with the cell and not making double/triple core cpu`s using the PowerPC cores! We`re just starting to use double and triple core technology, so inturn that`s why Steve Jobs dropped IBM in favor for Intel Which was a very smart move by Mr. Jobs!

[drewdrakes]

Your Right. Im sorry for this not being relevant to this article, but IBM does not build hardware anymore! Want to know how i know that? Oh, my business teacher is an exec at IBM, and told us first hand that they no longer build hardware. So they may have helped design and build the cell, but the people actually building all of the hardware is some foreign company who puts their name on it. And without enough people to maintain current IBM mainframes, you really think theyre going to make a new one that they need even more people to learn and maintain? They will not be doing that, because thats a stupid decision. IBM is paying my school to teach us to use their mainframes, because theyre so desperate. The cell will be great at what it does, but the cell being powerful doesnt help much for online now does it. Its all up to transfer rates and bandwidth. FYI, everyone get high-speed internet, help the online gaming cause :).

[drewdrakes]

You know what, im sure that xFire has a lot of experience in developing these types of things, but guess what, its most likely that Microsoft developed the tools theyre using to make it! Microsoft is a software company, this is what they do, its going to be very difficult to take them down. Not impossible, but difficult.

[heihoosilver]

Soy is trying to do everything MS have done with Xbox360 at any cost.But one thing is cool, Ps3 online free means Xbox live sooner be free also, or at least much more cheaper.

[heihoosilver]

Sony is trying to do everything MS have done with Xbox360 at any cost.But one thing is cool, Ps3 online free means Xbox live sooner be free also, or at least much more cheaper.

[DJ]

because IBM wasn't delivering on the PowerPC front; chips weren't running fast enough and compatibility issues with x86-based software was hell. IBM was dropped before Cell was fully revealed; too bad for Apple. I doubt Cell will make its way into Personal Computers, but its successor probably will. They plan to sell over a hundred million PS3s, so that's an incredible amount of market penetration, even without assistance from the PC market.

Instead of screwing around trying to start up from scratch like MS, Sony is relying on proven technology to get a leg up. Some of the features included by the XFire service are:

Friends Tracker
One-click Join
Server Browser
Text and Voice chat during gameplay (as shown at GDC)
File and Patch Downloads
Profiles with Automatic Stats

"In addition to partnering with a software client that could potentially offer much of the functionality of Xbox Live, Sony's Xfire-powered PNP also serves as a second coup -- it strikes at the unified front Microsoft hopes to create with its Live Anywhere initiative. That program, the synergizing of Xbox Live and PC gamers, is something Sony could replicate if the PS3's version of Xfire interacts with the PC version of the program."

Great stuff. It's good to see that Sony was humble and wise enough to gain assistance from companies who are more experienced in these matters. They've obviously learned from the PS2 days and want to give us an even more comprehensive service than Xbox Live, and at no cost to the user. -thumbs up-

360 users should be happy for us because if Sony's service does prove to be superior to Microsoft's, MS may be forced to either lower the annual fee of Xbox Live or even make it free in order to compete (just as Heihoosilver said).

[TheMART]

Things with premium quality need premium stuff and work.

If they lower the XBL fee, they'll have to earn it elsewhere.

So it's going from one pocket to the other. I'd rather keep it centralized, and I know how much I spend on it, then to have it totally vague like Sony wants it to be. In the end, you'll be paying for every minute you play to different gamedeveloppers if you'd ask me. But the basic connection with the main server is free!

Yeah right. I'll first have to see it working, then I judge.

Untill then XBL is the onlineservice to have

[Sphinx]

However, this kind of a rush job, like everything else Sony seems to have done, won't compare to what the 360 has done... especially with the online service.

[SpankUveryMuch]

xbox live has been doing the stuff that xfire does for many years but much better. have u tried xfire? its horrible if i can be frank about it. and now sony has adopted this horrible service that pc gamers rarely use to compete with the award winning xbox live? hahahaha you really have no clue wut u r talking about. once again for those who haven't tried both. xfire in no way what so ever compares to xbox live. x box live is way more accessable and has way more features. its not even close people. xfire is like 4th or 5th in the pc market and live anywhere will be the PC standard when vista ships. xbox live is a living breathing community of gamers. xfire is dead upon arrival. DJ, do us a favor and try xfire on the pc then come talk to us about its features. i have and it clearly sucks.

[nirwanda]

Sony is going to face more court procedings ms must have loads of patents tide up in the live service and sony must have copied nearly everyone of them.

[Barabas]

Does anyone know the comparable features of "Sony's live killer"? How does it fare against Xbox live.

[CAPS LOCK]

erm its not that bad actually, but x-box live is better than it. xfire on the pc is ok, but i think live is 2 times better, but i doubt it would be as bad on the ps3, they would probably fix it up and if they dont i dont mind its okay.

[Silent]

This is just to show that SONY online has gottent the Xbox Live commmunity shook up.

PS3 Onlin3 S3rvic3 is coming be prepare to do BATTLE!!!!

[HyperBear]

The only reason why i voted cool, was because Xfire has been my online gaming community for PC games ever since it came out and is the best for PC, and because its some good news for PS3. Obv. not as good as Xbox Live, but still, it will give Xbox Live a run for its money, that is if it successfully works on PS3, cause sometimes ill play like COD on PC, and itll cut me out of chats and stuff, and thats even online and on PC. So for it to go into the PS3 as the online system is a little nerve racking for me, cause i like the PS3 and want to get it, but its just i hope they have worked on the problems it currently has on PC and make it better for PS3. CANADA RULES!!!!.

[Gamelove]

games in 1080p on my hd television. but i have used xfire and its not very good. i was hoping sony would create their own online network. i'm extremely dissappointed in their choice to use xfire. but regardless the ps3 is bettr than the 360 simply for the fact that it has duel 1080p ports out the box. i can have one on my tv and one hooked to my computer monitor. can the 360 do that? so what xbox live is bettr. who cares abut online play anyay.

[TOM]

are you ever misinformed.

btw,everyone but you cares about online play .

[ElementX]

Do you believe all that 1080p hype? Designers first create the game to run at 720p and then cross their fingers and hope it gets a decent frame rate at 1080p. There are no games currently in development that run in 1080p with a decent framerate.

[The Real Deal]

Man, I'm so tempted to put "lots of laughs". WOW. You sony fans never cease to amaze me. First of all. You have been tricked buddy. There are no duel HDMI ports on the ps3. Secondly you have to buy the cord seperate to use on your HD TV if HDMI is what you use. 3rdly, there are no games coming out anytime soon that will use the 1080p resolution. But you did make one good point. The Xfire service is not very good at all. That is a fact. And Xbox live is "Award Winning" and for Sony will never be able to match xbox live. So Sony fans will have to get over it. They can make an online service that is passable, but never to the level of Xbox live. Lastly, Sony fans might not care about online play. Who knows. But Xbox 360 owners are signing up for xbox live at a 60 rate. So over 3 million and 5 to 6 million by the end of the year....Connected to xbox live via the 360. Then when LIVE Anywhere comes out with Vista there will be over 100 million computer gamers, cell phones, and 360's connected online. Thats something only Microsoft can pull off. And the service is Spectacular. Thanks Microsoft.

[Boink]

if the is sony's answer to xbox live, then the question must be:

"How can we not beat microsoft?"

D'oh!

[ghostface]

so you mean to tell me ypu have never have being cut out of a game on xboxlive. saintrow lag like crazy.I don't want to talk about test drive.

[HyperBear]

And for ur info. the only game ive ever been cut out of is COD2 until that update came, and bravo. WOW, sony ppl who havent tried it, i issue u to try Xbox Live, its good.

[Islandkiwi]

This is not a difficult topic to understand. MS makes you pay a fee, and as a result they maintain the servers and quality control.

Sony will offer online play for free, but leave it to the developers to supply the infrastructure. So the cost is being passed on to the developer. And the developer can choose to pass it on to you.

Even with X-Fire, it sounds like the same scenario they had with the ps2, and I don't see that as a good thing.

[Solid Snake]

You sussed it out, Sony is offering it free, but the developers can make you pay, still it's good news non the less!

[UNREAL-T]

I love sony but i have to say something and that is the truth. XBOX live is better than everything. Sony online will not be better than xbox live, BUT i think ps3 will be better than 360 and that's for sure, i'm not saying 360 is not good, but ps3 will be better. I love xbox live man i love it so much even i'm a sonyfan, and i think ps3 will be better than evrything but not better than xbox live and that's the truth. ps3 will be the best console and xbox live is the best online and will be the best. we'll see though.

[Solid Snake]

I just completed the Warriers in no time, man that game was too easy, but good! On the Hardest difficulty as well!

[UNREAL-T]

you get what u pay for, so if you pay like $50 for xboxlive and sony online will be free
so, i think xboxlive will be better because you gatta pay for it but ps3 will be better than 360 because ps3 will cost like $600 and 360 cost $400 dollers so you get what you pay for. That's right man! ps3 will be better.

[TheMART]

Sony found out the Cell isn't all that and couldn't do the GPU tasks, so they had to rush out and buy a standard PC GPU.

Sony found out they couldn't setup an own online network, so they have to rush out and buy a network. And actually a sad network.

Now that is great. Again very close to the sad PS2 online service, just a bit smugged up

[Unkoman]

Yep. I said it. You guys wanna know how PS3 is best and the SONY online service will mop the floor with LIVE? I used my imagination! Since I,nor anyone else has played the PS3 or its online service I decided to use my imagination. Sorry guys I had to put this in for laughs. I seriously doubt that xfire is just going to run the gammet with the 360. Its not just so simple as buying a company and just sticking the companys technology into a product. Its way more involved, just ask MS or look at corporate mergers for proof. If SONY is having trouble producing hardware, something they are supposedly superior at, how in heck are they going to out do MS with an agreement between xfire? Oh and please don't take this as me being a 360 fanboy cause I don't even own one. I just call the facts how I see them.

[Boink]

sony is trying to take on the worlds largest software manufacturer, who's OS is run on 95% of the computers on the internet. MS is gearing xbox live, with live messenger, which now works with yahoo messenger, and is going to be integrating games/chatting/messenging between console, PC, cell phones. As well they are integrating media bewteen all the various media devices.

you can't just partner up with someone and hope to try and take them out. Sony has one hell of an uphill battle in front of them if they want to even touch what live is now, nevermind what live will be 1 yr from now, you know, when people are actually able to get a ps3.

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

Xfire is the best and leading online PC game platform and I have no doubt now that PS3 online will rock. All I want is an easy accessible prog for all my games, a buddy list, see what they are playing, chat while playing and video chat. This of course for free. Xfire is freeware and PS3 online will be also for free. I play online FPS/racers etc. on PC since years and I never payed a dime for it and this is how it should be. As on the PC you will be probably only forced to pay for some RPGS, but guess what? Xlive users will also have to pay an additional fee for such games. Hasta la vista Xlive ;-)

[beans]

I always come here and read these posts and for what ever reason you seem to be the only person here with a good sense of humor regardless of the news!

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

...that's just the XbugTerminator. I'll be back ;-)

[Optimus Prime]

wont touch xbox live. wont even come close to xbox live.

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

...but when it offers me a Friend Tracker, One-Click Join, Server Browser, Xfire In-Game (IM While You Play) with Voice Chat, video chat, File & Patch Downloads, Profiles with Automatic Stats and most importantly playing for free I take it over Xlive at any day. As I said I don't know everything about Xlive, but tell me please, if we get all these things for free so what else do we need? What else do we need that justifies a fee? As for me - nothing and if Sony will really deliver these things for free, then well, hasta la vista Xlive ;-)

[360lagman]

I agree saint row , test drive is disappointing its a 2nd GEN game . playing this 2 games is like playing in xbox you know what im talking about . i want next gen game PS3 will be the king agen mark my words.

[LiquifiedArt]

Anything for Online WIll be SWeeeeet!@
I'd never pay for it, so this makes it extra good.

Sony i will OWN U!@# on LAUNCH!#@ mark my WORDS!

[360lagman]

ppl keep comparing Resistance vs GoW .
i mean cmon GoW have more time develop than resistance resistance is really shaping really well those new pic are awsome man i can't wait. Ps1 Ps2 Ps3 stil the KING

[zypher]

well, it seems that everyone's jumped the gun a bit.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles...

so again, i guess we won't know nothing concrete until next Friday.

[MoonDust]

That's got to hurt. Nice article, too many PS fanboys jump the gun on every article. No wonder they were fooled so easily by the KZ trailer. Nice find.

[zypher]

actually i myself am a Playstation fan (as well as XBox 360), so i guess its kinda hard for me to share in your sentiment. whats funny: if you review all the 54+ comments so far, you'll notice that most are from 360 fanboys slamming the idea of Sony partnering with XFire

[LiquifiedArt]

So i guess it'll just be supported in Dark Kingdom. :P

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

..."For now I can only tell you Xfire is not part of PS3's PNP." This means that it can very well change in the future or that they just don't want now to say more.
Also if Sony doesn't use Xfire for PNP, they are probably capable to deliever such service on their own.

[Marriot VP]

ELEMENTS OF ONLINE GAMING, PC and PS3

Does anybody else see how incredibly moddable the PS3 has become.
-First and most devasting is including a browser that can download any and everything.
-Second is using linux which is very easy to mod.
-Next is having a hard drive directly connected to the browser where you can download any mod from the internet just like the PC. A good example is the insane amounts of hacks on counterstrike.
-Than having a farmiliar server like xfire

But anyways that's the problem, we barely know any information on their mystery online. I really think their rushing their online way too soon. And if the PS3's as moddable or even close to what I've said their in a huge perdicament.

Remember how many people modded the xbox1. But with the PS3 you wouldn't have to tear anything apart, just visit a website and download the latest mod on your HDD.

Believe me I'm NOT saying it'll suck or be bad, it'll probably be decent to good quality. It's just these hacking abilities are a big big question.

Support your local P.C. and vote to let me speak. Let's see if we can get somebody to get 6 bubbles

[beans]

This is getting old already all of the back and forth constant fighting over which console is better! Why is it every time theres any news on PS3 everybody has to put in there opinion as to why it's going to suck? Im with Xbox live all the way and think it's only fair to give Sony a chance! I mean finally they are taking online serious which to me is good even if some of you don't agree! I know Sony talked alot of crap but it's time to get over it and people start acting more mature towards one another! Not everyone at Sony or MS is an evil person! Let's just be a little more curtious towards one another and really who cares who wins the next console war as long as we are all having fun online and playing games! My 360 gamertag will be the same on my PS3 and I urge everyone to stop being this way towards one another! We are all gamers and there are people that don't like us for that so I think we should all start acting more like family and friends!

[kewlkat007]

I've never used this "XFIRE" online thingy. Can we have more people that have used it comment on the service...

XBlive has been around for4-5 years and it keeps getting better cause they have been working all the little bugs and other Sh!t, I can't expect this Xfire to be just as good.

As we all know you don't even get anything at a junkyard for free. There will be another "I told you so" moment when you have to PAY TO PLAY or pay all the developers for every game to play online while still buiying little content like sony wants you to believe.

What service is offered for free and is used by millions that is not flawed or limited?

As far as sony getting negative comments it probally has something to do with alot of disgruntle gamers thats all. I have all the consoles and I'm still dissappointed with the PS3. Yes not with the games and such, just the weak Strategy of sony. Also the arrogance.

This sony online play thing is starting to look like another "Shareware" software with 30day unlimited trial.

There will be annother "I told you so" moment soon.

[WOW]

I agree

[BIadestarX]

ohh crap DJ... Is that a PC with windows XP you are using? strange for and anti-microsoft? I though you would be using Linux or Unix. Shame on you! You are NO true anti-M$. You must keep it real and not use any of their products! Shame on you!

[DJ]

it came with the computer. what, you think i had a choice? Besides, it's better than Windows 2000.

[BIadestarX]

This will be interesting... I remember using this for the PC and it was nothing but simple to use. You have to deal with firewall port configurations, NAT, etc. http://protocolinfo.org/wik...
While in the 360 all you do is plug it and it works. Also, some of the fetures make perfect sence on the PC like "See what server they're on" this is transparent in Xbox live, who cares what server they are on. Then again, it is possible that Sony will ask game developers to use their own servers instead of a centralized network maintained and managed by Sony hence why they are using XFire (to bring all this individual servers together). I think this is good for the PS3 since I trust them more than I trust Sony. PS fans will welcome this since it is better than nothing. And having a service similar to the PS2 it's completely unacceptable. Don't expect a xbox live killers since XFire does not have the capabilities to work like xbox live (specially live anywhere) instead it works like proxy to allow the interaction/communication between 3rd party servers. XFire is not responsible for the availability, the quality or security of any of these servers. But look at it from the bright side; at least you will be able to play online. Also, don't expect most of the games to have multi-player capabilities hence you don't hear much about multiplayer capabilities for PS3 games. Maybe companies will rent PS3 game servers (similar to PC games) where regular people will be able to rent servers so people can play there, or it will go down to whether individual game publishers can afford to have their own servers.
This move from Sony indicates they have no intention on managing each server.

[kewlkat007]

Why be anti-MS and be ona an XP machine. Its like being a Vegetarian and eating beef for dinner every night. There are plenty alternatives..is what I'm trying to say.

Hating on MS as we all know MS is not the cleanest company but has nothing to do with the Xbox 360.

I don't think sony has plans to manage each server. That probally be too much work for them. Xboxlive is a unified network and I'm sure it has its cons but trying to manage or keep an eye out for individual game servers requires alot of work depending on amount of users using x amount of resources all at once.

[The Real Deal]

But you take it just a little too far. I have said before. We know you and others have more than one screen name. I have proven it with you but let it go. Who cares. Are you on a witch hunt? Lots of Laughs.....Get over it.

[Islandkiwi]

Why would people want to pretend to be other people anyway? Do they honestly think it provides support to their arguments?

I know it worked with an episode of The Simpsons when Barney wanted someone to get more beer...but that was for beer.

Heh...I almost want to create a not_islandkiwi account and then reply "I agree!" after everything I write.

[The Real Deal]

Aren't we all gamers? Lots of Laughs.....

[LiquifiedArt]

Thanx in advance.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

PS3 online will crash and burn. Even microsoft had a had a hard time starting it`s online network I know I was a beta tester.

[360lagman]

disagree your not a gamer your a hater.
from the past you been bashing ps3 you post this you post that to state a fact that ps3 sux
keep posting pic of ps3 game saying ugly details not so next gen you called. man s^ if your a gamer you accept what ps3 has to offer not bashing it. you call yourself a gamer? lol we all know you realdeal stop lying

[bambam1901]

For the longest time, I came to this site for all of my next gen news, but refrained from posting. i have been gaming for over 25 years, dating back to the Odyssey 2 (now that's hardcore). I feel I need to add some maturity to this site and clear up a lot of the FUD and misinformation that some people love to spread around here. Although the recent update has improved matters greatly, I still see the same fanboys (on both sides) spewing the same trash in every article for no other reason than to start another useless flame war. I have owned the O2, Atari 5200, Sega Master System, NES, Super NES, Genesis, N64, Ps1, Ps2 & now the 360. I will try real hard to get a premium PS3 at launch. I have no interest in who "wins" the console war. I just like great games. The 360 has a few of those. The PS3 will as well. I'm sure the Wii will, too, but that does not appear to be my cup of tea. I know a lot about HDTV, BD, HD DVD, etc. I feel I can offer a great deal to this forum and contribute to meaningful gaming discussions, rather than a lot of the fanboy pi$$ing contests that go on here. It's past my bedtime, so I'll be back tomorrow night to post a few comments when needed. Just remember that anything I post is my OPINION and mine alone, so YMMV.

[FreeMonk]

Sony are hoping to get a jump on Microsoft with there online service!! But how exactly?

Microsoft has millions of online players. Sony will only have 500,000 units ready for launch, with another 500,000 at the beginning of 2007. That's 1 million consoles. Now even if 50% of those customers play online, that's on 500,000 players against the millions of Microsoft.

I'll stick to Live! Live! is built for the X360 console. This Xfire stuff sounds like Sony tried and failed to create an online service that worked, so basicly bought someone else's.

MS has passion about there Live! service, and supports it 100%. Sony has shown no love at all, and this just proves it.

Sounds like another rusty nail in the coffin.

[THELANDSOFSAND]

apparently they are only using this for one game. which makes me wonder how they will be offering a full free fully featured online service, and yet one game with a seperate service...?

this sounds like the PS2 online service- for every game support is different... thats not what PS3 was supposed to offer..?

[xrobbanx]

FiringSquad: The Xbox Live interface and connectivity have really impressed a lot of people with their elegance and functionality. Do you think PC Gaming can compete with its myriad apps like Xfire, Ventrilo and All Seeing Eye, or is the Xbox's unified system the better way?

Dennis Fong: In a sense, Xfire is a lot like Xbox Live - we have a lot of similar features, only for the PC. Xbox Live makes it easier to play with your friends, and that is our goal as well.

FiringSquad: What features do you hope to implement in Xfire by the time the end of the beta?

Dennis Fong: One of our top priorities is to build in voice communication support. We will also be spiffing up the Xfire UI at some point, though right now we're focused on adding features that gamers really care about rather than worrying about aesthetics. Other than that, we pretty much upgrade Xfire every week with new features and support for new games.

-They are trying to do what live does so much for same functionality. In November Live will have a new update.

[The Real Deal]

Xfire's goal is to be more like xbox live. They aren't there yet obviously. Xbox live keeps evolving and improving. And xfire runs on PC's that use MS's operating system. Its interesting. All I know is xfire from what I have used is no where near xbox lives ease and functionality. But it will be passable for the sony ps3. But it won't be able to deliver no where near what xbox live delivers as it continues to evolve.

[DJ]

Apparently it's being used in Untold Legends...and that's about it so far. http://ps3.ign.com/articles...

As stated at IGN.com. "According to Xfire CEO Mike Cassidy, however, the 1UP article contained some inaccuracies. "We do have future announcements," Cassidy told IGN. "For now I can only tell you Xfire is not part of PS3's PNP(playstation network platform).""

Guess we jumped to conclusions then.

[PS3 Ultimate]

Just because its Xfire thats gonna do it for the PS3 does'nt mean is going to be exactly the same as Xfire. I guarentee you it will have alot more features. It will be optimized for 1 system only, The PLAYSTATION 3!

[GRUNT]

The pending stories

[ChickeyCantor]

the ones MS is using is going to be used by PC's users to ( and allot other platforms)
so im nost sure if this thing from sony is gonna dominate.

[Gamer13]

Sony online play might be good but Xbox Live is alot better.

[Solid Snake]

That is it, you xbox pieces of crap are spamming me for no reason, i wrote a post earlier being non biased and as a result it get's spammed, well if you like spamming prepare to get spammed yourself's!

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

xfire works incredibly for all of my friends that have it. It may not reach live at the beginnning, but over time the two services will probably equal eachother with a few benefits on both sides.

By the way...whoever is saying that MS has more money than Sony...what's wrong with you?

Microsoft is substantially less rich than Sony. Don't think MS has the most money because Bill Gates is the richest man. Check out the stocks for this week if you don't believe me!

^just clarifying.

and also...themart...i believe you actually said something intelligent on this post.

Props to ya...

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

Actually, you might be right.

We're probably just jumping to conclusions here. Thanx DJ.

Oh, and anyone judging either platform's future, one way or another, is insane. You all know we haven't seen the Playstation Network Platform...so don't be Frigid.

i'm tired