PS3 online solution: Xfire?

[CptStern]

By incorporating an existing service into their own PlayStation Network Platform (PNP), Sony hopes to circumvent existing problems in the console space that Microsoft has had to sort out and in using Xfire -- a company with an established messaging, matchmaking and gaming client -- Sony hopes to narrow the four-year gap in online gaming services that Microsoft currently enjoys

In a transcript of Viacom's Q2 earning's report conference call a deal between Sony and Xfire was revealed:

Importantly, Xfire just signed a deal with Sony to create a version of their platform for the new PS3, which will now enable Xfire to extend its reach further into the huge console gaming market.

Although Sony and Xfire offered no further comments or details about the PS3 and Xfire connection, neither company denied the connection.

Testing of the Xfire client for PS3 appears to already be underway, with PS3-exclusive launch title Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom appearing in the supported software list on the PC Xfire client's .ini file.

dont want to be cynical but is that all? compared to xboxlive it seems like a tacked on solution ..I'll reserve judgement till the internet has weighed in

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153547

 

[smwScott]

You're forgetting one thing: it's free. This is standard matchmaking, just like we have on PC ... which means it's free. I'm sure Sony will have other online features similar to Live Arcade or Achievements, but this is all you need for matchmaking and simple communication.

Paying a monthly fee just to be allowed to join other peoples servers is ****ing ridiculous, even if it is a cool system.

 

[giant384]

omg xfire on a console.....would you have to buy an optional keyboard or something. other then that the only way you would be able to type is an onscreen keyboard blehhhh that will take a long time. or there could be some mic feature.

 

[hungryduck]

it'd better be free after the price of the console....

 

[Slacker]

omg xfire on a console.....would you have to buy an optional keyboard or something. other then that the only way you would be able to type is an onscreen keyboard blehhhh that will take a long time. or there could be some mic feature.

Considering xfire for the PC has a mic feature, yeahhhh....

 

[Icarusintel]

Since I love Xfire's ease of use, I say this is a great idea, I'm all for it.

 

[BabyHeadCrab]

I am confused completely as to what exactly Sony wants to market PS3 as in the United States, nobody wants to pay 500 dollars for anything less than a computer. Console gamers are not used to paying this kind of money.. so maybe this is a step towards marketing the ps3 to the pc gamer?.. hell if I know *shrug*

 

[destrukt]

.. that's it ? lol, their online service is going to suck compared to live.

Edit: Xfire will NOT be Sony's unified online gaming service Only specific games.

 

[Bad^Hat]

You're forgetting one thing: it's free. This is standard matchmaking, just like we have on PC ... which means it's free. I'm sure Sony will have other online features similar to Live Arcade or Achievements, but this is all you need for matchmaking and simple communication.

Paying a monthly fee just to be allowed to join other peoples servers is ****ing ridiculous, even if it is a cool system.

Xbox Live is free to use for downloading from the marketplace and contacting friends etc, pretty much everything except playing games online. PS3 will likely do the same thing with their service, just using Xfire as an in-built chat program. Sony love money too much to make their online service completely free

 

[destrukt]

Sony love money too much to make their online service completely free

.. and don't forget how pathetic their online services are when you actually pay for them, imagine how miserable they will be when you don't !

 

[smwScott]

^^^

Well they said they wouldn't, and they probably won't. If they do I will be supremely pissed off, because paying for matchmaking is retarded.

 

[weskerQ8]

1up said that the xfire will be only usen in Untold legend <--- really stupid

 

[Cormeh]

If it was to be a permanent arrangement, Sony have been a little late bringing this in.

Let's be honest, if Sony are to seriously compete with Microsoft in this respect, they'll have to be on the ball and punctually deliver a working, cost-effective and reliable online service - not poach an already solid system.

 

[giant384]

Considering xfire for the PC has a mic feature, yeahhhh....

yea and that feature is just terrible when playing games.

 

[Korgoth]

If it was to be a permanent arrangement, Sony have been a little late bringing this in.

Let's be honest, if Sony are to seriously compete with Microsoft in this respect, they'll have to be on the ball and punctually deliver a working, cost-effective and reliable online service - not poach an already solid system.

If it aint broke, why fix it? Especially when its free lol

 

[Dalamari]

Sounds like it would be cool, but first they should make some games that are worth buying the console for

 

[Kyorisu]

Damn skeptics. Many make the assumption that nobody would pay that much for a console compared to say a PC. Fools! the average PS fan and normal people tend to not like computers.

 

[AiM]

Sounds like it would be cool, but first they should make some games that are worth buying the console for

If anything, that'd be one of the few areas I'd be least worried about. They're guaranteed to have a part of multi-console releases and their first party exclusives have terrific track records.

I agree with smwScott, why the hell would you pay for a matchmaking service? To me that's like if Steam started charging you a monthly fee to use their Browse Servers option.