The PlayStation Network is free. Xbox Live demands money in order to do the same things that PSN does. For at least one up-and-coming developer, the difference is crucial. ModNation Racers is generating a lot of excitement lately, and it's PS3-exclusive because United Front Games wants it on a system where everybody is allowed to play it.
"As we were coming up with what we were doing and what we wanted to create, we spoke to some different publishers and immediately there was this sort of synergy between us and Sony," says producer Dan Sochan. "And in terms of the hardware, the power of the PS3 and the PSN network being free -- that we could make sure that everyone who buys a copy of the game is able to get online for free and then share all this content -- were really important for us.
"For us it's really a lot about the community feel and we feel that the PSN has a very strong community at present."
So, there's at least one developer out there that believes the PlayStation Network is superior to Xbox Live. In many ways, it actually is. If only Sony itself would wake up, realize the same thing, and give PSN the functionality it needs to compete, then Xbox Live would look like a total scam in comparison.
I mean, more so than it does already.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 PM on 09.07.2009
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1) PSN getting the functionality to compete with Xbox live.
2) Jim coming to my house and molesting me.
3) ...twice.
If anyone could explain to me why I won't be able to play South Park's tower Defense Game since the 360 I relied on red ringed, I would be mostly thankful. Mostly.
Of course on a side note, the morons who pay for Xscamlive are the same morons who bought a...well you get the point.
Also, rock on, Springsteen (see what I did there?)
When you have a medium that is free, you're able to have everyone accessing it.
If you think Sony has your 'interests in heart', you're a fucking retard.
it's free because it's a leg-up on XBOX, and that's the only reason why..
lol @ a company holding your 'interests in heart'. LOL.
LOL.
I'm PEEING over here.
but it's not a medium that's free and available to anyone,as the PS3 is costly in the first place...
still, I'm happily looking forward to seeing how it is, and how Joy Ride is on the 360, and how they compare.
Which service favors the gamer? A free (rightfully) online service with dedicated servers or a pay to play, Peer-to-peer service that makes you use their cureency instead of normal dollars and one that is populated by the most obnoxious meat-heads playing the most overhyped mediocre games?
You're talking crap. Not that I have anything against it.
Anyway, the system with the most 'freedom' is.. PC.
And as for Sony having the "Gamer's interest at heart", you are in the same comment ripping on people just for buying a console, that's mean. Have the gamer's interests at heart dude.
Well Casey, when you already paid a premium for the PS3, its right that the services and features that come with it is free. Unlike paying a premium for a system that will break on you and expect you to pay more for its features and services
Thank you very much for seeing my point. I swear, i get jumped on for no reason sometimes. :)
We're not talking PC here, and I don't consider a PC to be a console system.
360 has a hard time with user generated content. That's why UT3 took forever to come out and it had extra maps but still not user generated because of how Xbox live works. Same with LBP and same with this game. Though I think 360 has a kart game as well.
A PC is a console system when you stick a controller in it. Maybe.
Sony doesn't want to be your friend. Sony isn't making you chicken noodle soup when you're sick. Sony wants your money. Just like Microsoft. Sony making their online service free is a way to ensure that they will get your money. They are a company. They have brains, not hearts.
Note: this is not a condemnation of Sony. This is a recognition of how things are. Sony and MS both want our money, so they're going to try to make their products as attractive as possible. Everyone wins when they want our money.
What is this alleged "PSN card" and where can I buy one?
Not anymore, Stud! The PS3 now $299! So cost is NO LONGER AN ISSUE! YEAH! FACE!
Sike. I'm totally razzin' you. But, you do have to admit, the idea behind United Front's motivations seems pretty well meaning. A little band of developer's trying to do right by the people. *sigh* Till they make their first mint and say to hell with the people and their feelings, money is better.
Well i agree, but Sony's efforts to attract our money isn't as despicable and underhanded as M$. e.g the buying of exclusives.
maybe its ok to get jumped on when i shoot from the hip, you know? Speak with my heart, as a gamer?
-Gene Eric, September 2009.
I'm going to call BIAS on you.
What i've said is true :)
If it were really as despicable and underhanded enough to affect the popular image of Microsoft - as it has clearly affected you - people wouldn't pay for their services. Logic says: people's desire for 360 games and services > people's suggested contempt for Microsoft's business practices.
Let them do what they want. If Microsoft is really as evil as you say, the consumer - that thing MS (and any company) is dependent upon - will turn its back. I don't see that happening.
That's what is baffling me and other sensible gamers. Everyone knows you shouldn't pay on top of what you already paid for. Everyone complains about it yet they still go back to it, when there is a better and superior alternative.
They are making money off every Blu-Ray disc sold and that is their ultimate way of making profit. The PS3 was a trojan horse to get Blu-Ray players into homes, and they knew they could not compete with the XBL as an already established online model. They threw something together with something like Home that was never going to be that great and just sorta left it to linger there. Again, they don't give two flying fucking shits about your best interests and if you really think they do then you are a moron. They are trying to make money like everyone else. They give you a freebie half-assed online platform because that isn't their business model.
I suspect you haven't got a PS3 to warrant calling PSN half-assed. Enjoy getting raped for $50 a year.
That study is actually quite accurate.Too many retarded 'bros' and kids on xscamlive
I don't prejudge PS3 owners.
Oh but of course, MS has to charge for premium features.
STFUAJPG
Your problem lies in the childish assumption that the idea that "there is a better and superior [nice redundancy] alternative" is a fact. I own a 360 and pay for LIVE for a reason. It's not because I'm smitten with Microsoft and want to own all their products because I LURRRRV Bill Gates. I own a 360 because - IN MY OPINION - the game catalogue is superior. Also - though I cannot back this up with personal experience - I have heard that the PSN community is less populated and more problematic than the LIVE community.
You're telling me - and 360 owners in general - not to support Microsoft because their products are faulty, or their online support is inferior, or because they're evil, or something like that. But clearly, those reasons are not enough to stop people. And instead of assuming they're idiots, maybe consider the fact that they buy a 360 for reasons that you haven't considered or for reasons that aren't important enough to you. Your argument sounds a lot like the arguments I hear people pose for the abolishment of Guitar Hero / Rock Band. They say you should put down instrument video games and pick up instruments, but if people wanted to do that they would. If people wanted to put down LIVE and jump to PSN they would. But they don't (though some do). Let them be. They're not idiots, they're just different than you.
tl;dr - grow up and be a little more open-minded.
That's what i'm saying. Not just me anyway.
And what you heard about PSN is more or less wrong ^___^
Kid, your rage comments aren't going to make millions upon millions of people stop paying a cheap amount/year for Xbox Live; many people like paying for quality. To generalize such a vast and mixed majority as meatheads/"retarded kids" is pretty damn desperate. Stop whining on an internet forum.
If you say so, mah man. I did a short stint of online gaming with both networks because I felt I was missing something and found both to be pretty "meh". So now I just go solo. I don"t have NEARLY enough time under my belt to call either side out.
I'll just yall slug it out over which is 'better' for gamers.
If speaking about something i feel is right is being a fanboy, then so be it ^__^
@ndschroede23
Microsoft's consoles are faulty, not products in general. They think that spamming us with the shitting NXE and crappy 'free' things that nobody asked for is providing a superior service.
I don't care for either network. Each has it's ups and downs. Each has games and that is all that matters.
Who's whining? ^___^
Do I sound bitter? Maybe I am.
I thought Little Big Planet was a lame game by itself though, one that was only praised for creating a movement that was actually created 15 years ago, and the gaming media lapped it up like crack-laced milk, so... whatever.
Seriously some people need to remember why they have games consoles and why they should be on this website. Go play a video game. All of you. Now.
I'm serious. GTFOAJPG.