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