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