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Predicted months ago, after and interview with Epic's Mark Rein, plans are shaping up for Sony to go with an open architecture for its online model. What does that mean to the consumers and the rest of the world? In simplest terms, Sony's already successful online gaming plan impleted currently on the Playstation 2 will be carried over to the upcoming Playstation 3 gaming console, set to release November 17, of this year. Harrison has admitted that the Xbox Live online gaming service is one of Microsoft's better achievements. Sony manifesto for success in online gaming entails letting the publishers setup and regulate their own means for getting consumers online and gaming. This will also allow publishers to interact with consumers directly instead of using Sony as an intermediary in the online gaming experience.
 


Following this model, could still cause problems for Sony down the road, such as only a few games have had much online success in the online area on the Playstation 2. Games such as SOCOM, and Final Fantasy XI, are the only few games to see any high amount of online action during the Playstation 2 lifespan. Perhaps if Sony can manage to do a far better job of promoting the online experience of gaming like the Xbox has, and attempts to have some kind of unifying structure, Sony could see far better success this time around.

The Multiple-Sku Scenario

Microsoft as planned released two different version of their popular Xbox 360 console in November of 2005. One version was give the name Xbox 360 core system, package only included that basic such as the console, a standard controller and a faceplate, Standard Tv hookups, and a sliver membership to Xbox live, which does not actually allow you any online game play, but does give you access to most game updates and add-ons. The other system, the more complete package in addition adds a wireless controller, a headset, a media remote, these extras will only run the gamer and extra 100 dollars to truly enjoy there gaming.

Many loyal Gamers to the Xbox, are worried that this strategy would cause a division in the Xbox market much similar to the situation Sega faced almost a decade earlier when they introduced upgrades to their console, but were also selling a new console. "While we designed a no-compromises game system, a huge percentage of our customers are not like [hardcore users]," says J Allard, a corporate vice president at Microsoft. "Recognize that more than 75 percent of the folks on Xbox have not played Halo. By introducing the core system, we are sending a signal to the market that we are committed to this part of the market, just as we are committed to [the hardcore market] with the Xbox 360 premium bundle."

In comparison, Harrison stated at the Gamer Developers Conference Europe that the current plans is to only have one version of the Playstation 3 a launch, but the company still plans to start selling different versions of it down the line as new peripherals such as the EyeToy become available, but not before then. Due to Sony's massively overpriced, price tag for the system, SCE's own president, Ken Kutaragi, it might not be such a bad idea for Sony to offer different version, similar of that to Xbox. One problem that Xbox will face that Sony wont, is the fact that one version of the Xbox 360 will include a hard drive but the other will not, this will make it harder for developers to games, they will have to choose to use the hard drive advantage or leave a sector of the gamers out, who don't already own the hard drive, this most likely cause consumers to buy the hard drive anyways, Sony will not have this problem, with there one version marketing strategy. Again at the Game Developers Conference Europe proved to be a focal point of PlayStation 3 discussions thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment Vice President Phil Harrison, who revealed a broad range of information, ranging from online play to the multiple-SKU strategy that Microsoft has chosen to use with the Xbox 360. Also discussed is how the Playstation 3 will compete with the popular Xbox 360. To the Rescue The original Killzone featured some pretty decent online multiplayer game play, but the average gamer really wouldn't know it since Sony has not done a particularly good job of pushing online play for its games or for the PlayStation 2 in general. Online game play has been a struggle for the Sony Playstation 2 since it release in 2000, the consoles was quickly put in its place when it was found out that it would not include a internet adapter of the shelf, however the extremely popular Sega Dreamcast did include online game play and was free for the initial run of the console. With any luck Sony has learned its lesson and will kick off the PS3's online features the way it was meant to be done-with potentially great games like the next Killzone and Unreal Tournament 2007. But only time will tell if the open-structure model will be enough to give online PS3 games their due and take on Microsoft's excellent Xbox Live service, this generation of gaming console will for sure hold the most surprise for everyone.
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Playstation 3 with 40Gb Hard Drive

Playstation 3 with 40Gb Hard Drive

Intuitive new controller uses break through motion sensing technology.Play Blu ray discs for high definition content.Play games, movies and music.Comes with 40Gb hard disc drive.Supports most data storage formats including USB 2.0.Not compatible with

Playstation 3 with 60 Gb Hard Drive

Playstation 3 with 60 Gb Hard Drive

Intuitive new controller uses break through motion sensing technology.Play Blu ray discs for high definition content.Plays games, movies and music.Comes with 60GB hard disc drive.Supports most data storage formats including USB 2.0, memory stick, SD

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Playstation 3 20gb News

Read all '"XBOX 360"' posts in Crave - CNET News


CNET News

Read all '"XBOX 360"' posts in Crave
CNET News, CA - Aug 26, 2008
Read more Originally available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the game, which had sold more than 8.5 million copies through early June, will be available ...

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Playstation 3 Consoles: For and against - 3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine


Playstation 3 Consoles: For and against
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 25, 2008
Storage The PlayStation 3 has different options when it comes to storage. Basic versions consoles that have a 20GB hard drive, or you can choose the premium ...

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No PS3 Price Cuts in 2008, says David Reeves of Sony - Game Guru


Game Guru

No PS3 Price Cuts in 2008, says David Reeves of Sony
Game Guru, India - Aug 23, 2008
... weeks ago they had announced a price cut for the 20GB Xbox 360. Posted on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 4:37 am and is filed under Sony PlayStation 3.

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Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 lines upgraded - NEWS.com.au


E Canada Now

Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 lines upgraded
NEWS.com.au, Australia - Aug 17, 2008
... the current 20GB version but will sell for the same price of $499. Meanwhile, Sony plans to introduce a new Playstation 3 to Australia on August 28th. ...
No PS3 price cut for Leipzig Play.tm
Sony and Microsoft go head-to-head with two new consoles PC World Magazine
Update 2: In July Nintendo On Top, Gamers Play NCAA 09 For Xbox 360 eFluxMedia
Wired Blogs - Neoseeker
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GameStop expects $50 PS3, 360 price cuts - GameSpot


GameStop expects $50 PS3, 360 price cuts
GameSpot - Aug 22, 2008
Interestingly, those estimates take into consideration a $50 price cut for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Speaking to analysts in a postearnings ...

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