Is PlayStation Going to Compete with Steam?

[Sledgstone 8,672]

In an interesting interview with a Sony executive, it appears that Sony's long term goal is to have "PlayStation" be a service as well as a hardware platform. Using their Gaikai tech, they envision streaming games to PCs, tablets, PlayStation hardware, etc. With this news, everyone's PlayStation account could be the equivalent of a Steam account.. and instead of downloading a game from your steam library and then playing it, the PlayStation service would allow you to chose a game from your PS library and instantly start playing it / streaming it from the PS Gaikai servers.

The head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) has said that he’s keen to utilize Gaikai to stream PlayStation content to numerous devices including PC, tablets, mobiles and more.

Speaking with Dengeki Online, Shuhei Yoshida made it clear he has multiplatform aspirations for the service, which launches in North America in 2014; a European release remains up in the air however, due to broadband issues.

“Speaking of the ultimate goal, we would like to deliver PlayStation games to all devices,” said Yoshida-san. “So we’re considering various things like PC, TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets. We hope to continue to expand not only to Sony devices, but even to devices other than Sony’s. This is still being studied.”

The executive went on to say how Sony discussed making PlayStation a service spanning multiple devices, rather than being limited to hardware.

“We previously spoke about PlayStation going from hardware to something closer to a service, regardless of the device - Of course PlayStation will be the center, but I think we would like to expand to different things.”

Sources: PSU.com & Dengeki Online

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[DeathscytheX 9,732]

Being able to play your PS4 from your Vita certainly indicates they are testing the waters. This would be pretty big. EA's Origin can't really cut it since its ran by a big time publisher. Like Steam, Sony can play bipartisan with all developers. If true this is a smart move, especially if they can promo deals like Steam does. A Steam Console would definitely be a real threat to both companies, and if Sony head them off at the pass they could close the gap. The only advantage Steam would have over Sony would be that Steam is free. However, Sony's paid service offers a Playstation library steam will never have access to, and Valve doesn't exactly churn out 1st party exclusives like Sony can.

 

Having PS+ Sales, and an exclusive library of games, Sony can justify their annual fee, and their outreach to indie devs could set up the Humble Bundles through the Playstation Network... and most importantly of all, Sony puts a dent into the potential profits lost to gamestop. Now all we need is PS5 with a build in 3D Printer... buy an extra controller via PSN store and it prints you one upon payment.

[Myk JL 1,731]

Between the two I would have to see Sony allow modding onto their games even if they didn't have control over said mods. In which case I would imagine controversy over Hot Coffee that doesn't come from developers in Sony's future.

 

Although that's probably not the case at all & I'm still leaning toward a Steam Box if it even actually exist.

 

Damn.... The more I talk about Steam Box the more I realize I don't want the PS4 I preordered.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

With free mods slipping away with less dev tools being released with games. I dont think modding has a future on consoles. DLC have successfully replaced the need to out and buy booster pack discs and its really had companies hold back on the allowance of modding. MS has already moved in the direction of allowing people to charge for their published content. If they think they can release it for free, they're sadly mistaken, as big time devs found out. Microsoft will get money off of it whether you do or not.

 

I could see games coming out with dev tools built in on consoles as the main gimmick of the game. I could see Epic re-releasing Unreal Tournament 2 now with console mod functionality.

[Sledgstone 8,672]

I don't think the PlayStation service would allow modding. Depending on the license of the software, everyone might be buying access license to a game as opposed to the complete software license. Access would mean that PS could have entire servers of the games setup with a certain amount of users all being able to login at once, individually to access and play that one installation of the game.. which means that any modifications or updates to that server would affect all users playing it.. so no personal customizations would be possible.. but if everyone owns a full license to all of their games, then they would have to have numerous installations of all of those games on their servers and every user would be able to access and stream their own individual installation... but I doubt that will be how it works, and even then I doubt Sony would allow mods on their servers..

 

What they would have to do is allow modifications to run on the console end. There would have to be some kind of mod that doesn't install on the game, but instead runs as an application that modifies the game as it's being streamed.. I don't think that will happen.. Without access to the core game files, the most modifications I could see happening for streaming games would be visual only.. like changing the outfits of the characters or enemies and environment.. but that wouldn't allow any new game features or new modified actions or abilities.

 

It'll be a very different system from Steam. With Steam, you have the full game, all mods, etc.. but your games will only play as good as the computer you have them installed on.. but with a Playstation streaming service, you could basically have a small hdmi dongle plugged into your tv, use a PS4 controller and play the games in their full quality, max settings and never have to worry about buying a new video card ever again.. Of course you'll also need a fast internet connection.. probably 2-5 Mbps up and at least 30Mbps down from what I was reading.

 

 

Being able to play your PS4 from your Vita certainly indicates they are testing the waters. This would be pretty big. EA's Origin can't really cut it since its ran by a big time publisher. Like Steam, Sony can play bipartisan with all developers. If true this is a smart move, especially if they can promo deals like Steam does. A Steam Console would definitely be a real threat to both companies, and if Sony head them off at the pass they could close the gap. The only advantage Steam would have over Sony would be that Steam is free. However, Sony's paid service offers a Playstation library steam will never have access to, and Valve doesn't exactly churn out 1st party exclusives like Sony can.

 

Having PS+ Sales, and an exclusive library of games, Sony can justify their annual fee, and their outreach to indie devs could set up the Humble Bundles through the Playstation Network... and most importantly of all, Sony puts a dent into the potential profits lost to gamestop. Now all we need is PS5 with a build in 3D Printer... buy an extra controller via PSN store and it prints you one upon payment.

 

My laptop is a Sony Vaio and it has the remote play option for PS3. I was all excited at first to try it out.. I thought I'd be able to play PS3 games on the PS3 and stream the game to my laptop over the internet or over wifi.. I was wrong. remote play on laptops only supports playing downloaded video and audio content.. and the quality of the visuals was crap.. I used it maybe twice and never bothered trying it again. But I will give Sony some props for it.. Considering the PS3 is running 7 year old tech and it can stream laggy / pixeled movies to my computer over the internet while playing the movie from the console at home.. its very interesting... I can only assume that after 7 years they now know what they're doing. Streaming PS4 games to Vita sounds like it will work fine, same with their gaikai game streaming.

 

PS5 with 3D printer would be great.. They'd put gamestop out of business.. All the collector's edition games that come with a limited edition figurine if you pre-order wouldn't be limited to just physical game purchases.. Pre-order God of War 8 and the PS5 will print your Kratos figure right there! No waiting for delivery!

[Trigger 250]

My Sony phone is a "playstation certified" device which means I can play games from their market, but it's their mobile market which must be new-ish cause there wasn't much on the last time I checked it.

 

http://us.playstation.com/playstationmobile/

[Sledgstone 8,672]

My Sony phone is a "playstation certified" device which means I can play games from their market, but it's their mobile market which must be new-ish cause there wasn't much on the last time I checked it.

 

http://us.playstation.com/playstationmobile/

 

I almost forgot about playstation mobile. I remember seeing some game for it before but I've never looked into it. Thanks for the link.