PS3 Games Online

John Hight, external production director for SCEA,only looking for new and fresh ideas to benefit
is the overseer of PS3 games' digital distributionfrom the influence of the PS3.Sony Computer
program, E-Distribution Initiative. He claims thatEntertainment's Ken Kutaragi, amplifies the
this new distribution project will benefit Sony andcost-efficiency of their online platform. He states
open opportunities for game developers. Hightthat they expect high returns from the sales of
explains that online distribution erases inventorydownloadable PS3 games. He also denies reports
risks while being cost-effective. He asserts thatabout added fees and charges for playing and
this is Sony's contribution in the anti-piracy drivenetworking through the E-Distribution Initiative. He
because online distribution will curtail the sales ofexplains that all basic services from Sony's online
used games and software transfer.As addedplatform will be free except for the
benefit for the developers and aspiring developersdownloads.SCEA also confirms reports that some
of PS3 games, the difficulties of breaking in theof their PS3 games, downloaded or not, are not
game publishing industry is minimized by the onlinecompatible with Xbox 360. The company gives
platform. Through the online platform new gameshardware demands and game designs as reasons
by big and new developers can be tested withbehind the incompatibility. This confirmation
low risks in a medium that encourages quickcoincided with the announcement of new game
feedback. There is no need to publish the gametitles developed exclusively for Sony.From these,
and get reviewers to test it. The prototype ofSony makes it clear that it is taking steps to
the game is uploaded in the online platform wherecompete with Microsoft even in the online arena.
actual PS3 gamers can play it and post their ownThough the initial information released by SCEA is
reviews. Hight asserts, in another dig at Microsoft,vague, the online platform clearly has two primary
that their company is committed to gamefunctions: PS3 games download and player
development in the circle of its own studios. Heinteraction. Its basic functions are much like that
reminds that Microsoft relies on third party gameof Microsoft's online platform. The PS3 games
developers to supply their Live Arcade withconsole is facing a tough challenge from Xbox 360
games. He even added that Sony opens platformbecause of its delayed launch. Whether the
doors for independent publishers who funded theirE-Distribution Initiative will face the same challenge
own games. But not just any game can make itremains to be seen when it collides with the more
to Sony's online platform. Hight stresses thatestablished Xbox Live Arcade.
despite the openness of their platform, Sony is