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    September 26

    Can Sony Convince Developers and Consumers of the PS3's Dominance?

    Regarding the Question of the Week posed at Gamasutra, Can Sony Convince Developers and Consumers of the PS3's Dominance?, here are my thoughts:

    Nintendo and Sony have taken opposite approaches.  Nintendo has set out to build, as always, a fun, inexpensive gaming appliance. 
    Sony has set out to build a general-purpose computer, which puts them on a collision course with Windows platform itself.  This lies at the heart of the matter and deserves attention.
     
    Consider the strengths of the Windows platform.  It is backed by the largest software developer in the world.  It has extensive experience in
    networking and is a primary contributor to Web Service standards.  It has a razor-like focus on "platform-building", that is, extending Windows to every computing device on earth.  It has had not inconsiderable success in doing so: from desktop, to mobile, to server, to media devices and the home theatre, and crucially to gaming devices.  Virtually every product that has attempted to compete with Windows has failed (with the possible exception of Apple and Linux in specific categories).
     
    Developer tools are a major part of the Windows platform.  The all-encompassing Visual Studio is the platform for development on all devices, and it benefits from integration with hundreds of major third-party software products, and is multi-language to boot.  A gaming company can hire developers from a broad range of disciplines yet they are all familiar with the same tool.
     
    DirectX, XNA, and the .NET Framework are key advantages as well.  Developers can target Windows and Xbox simultaneously using the highly-productive and mainstream .NET Framework.  It is perhaps worth noting that the XNA platform can be used to assist the development of "other platform" games as well.
     
    Let's not forget the Windows Media juggernaut, providing the DRM backbone for virtually all non-Apple media hardware today.  The synergy is undeniable in subscribing to music with a third-party such as Napster, streaming the content to 360 or a media device, then sharing the music with friends, legally using DRM technology.  I, for one, anticipate that the Nintendo Wii will function as a Windows Media Center Extender.
     

    Xbox Live requires no explanation as it is a huge success.  No wonder – Microsoft has extensive experience in networking and is a primary contributor to Web standards.   With respect to the fact that usage is not free, it should be considered that maintaining servers for online play is difficult and expensive, and many games in the PC space have suffered for it.  This is why top-tier PC games use a for-pay model.  I am thrilled that for as little as $5/month I ensure that any game I buy or rent (an important and overlooked matter in my opinion) will have a good online experience.  Note that free Gold subscriptions often come bundled with games as well.

     
    Finally, Microsoft recently announced that XNA and Xbox Live will support user-created content.  Just as Microsoft has always done with the Windows platform, hobbyists and companies can create games for Xbox without needing expensive licenses and tooling.
     
    This is the framework for understanding the Sony/Microsoft conflict.  Can Sony create a compelling alternative universe to Windows?  To what extent will Sony integrate with the Windows platform? 
     
    10:52 AM | Blog it | Xbox

    Comments (2)

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    leowrote:
    It is really difficult to program on cell.
    Mar. 7
    Picture of Anonymous
    Dan Wright wrote:
    Not to interject in anyway to what you said bro, but I have the same feelings on it as well. I also hope you don't mind me bringing up some of the other Sony PS3 specifics as arguements.
     
    First I do agree that windows and the 360 intergration will not be able to be matched by Sony. And I feel the chance of Sony actually adopting a Windows type intergration is not likely going to happen, as we talked about before Sony seems to be to proud to do that.
     
    The other thing that I would like to note on about the PS3 is its Blue ray. I read a few articles disscusing the choice and risk of the Blue ray drive (www.tomshardware.com) and would like to express my own opinion about it. My question would be what if Blue Ray takes the Way Of Betamax and crahes and burns? What happens if Sony is forced to sell a Product with a useless inclusion of the Blue ray? Perhaps a complete reconfiguration of the system would be about the only option. It would also force them to cut profits and have an entire set of PS3's with a worthless inclusion. Although all this will take time to develop and Sony's Risk will have to be a test of time.
     
    As well as Sony, Microsoft has also chosen to release an HD DVD player has been labeled at 149$ USD I believe and will be available in the near future.
     
    Dan
    Sept. 26

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