Sony Talks About PS3 E-Distribution
We know Sony’s developing some sort of counter to Microsoft’s successful Xbox Live Arcade program, we’ve known for a while now, unfortunately we still don’t know what it’s called, what sorts of pricing plans will be included and what kind of content to expect. Thankfully, Gamasutra sat down with SCEA Santa Monica’s John Hight, Director of External Production for a quick interview, and helped shed some light on the subject.
Speaking on the possibility that E-distribution would increase coverage and might help reduce piracy, Hight said the following:
“Certainly being able to sell globally on-line makes it easier to reach international and remote markets. On the business side, it also lowers our cost of sales and eliminates inventory risk. It should help curtail used game sales and piracy.”
His statements that “This new form of distribution will lower the barriers of entry for new developers. We can try out new ideas in a low risk, quick feedback environment” are encouraging to indie devs who’ve been confined to PC releases for a while now, and heartening to smaller developers who might find it difficult to source funding for their projects. When pursued on the topic of whether Sony provides funding for third party developers, Hight responded that “We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games.”
Height goes on to speak about the kinds of games we’ll see on the platform, and speaking as to whether we’ll be seeing ports of Xbox Live Arcade games, he remarks, “We’re looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn’t work on Xbox 360.”
So how would an indie developer with a bright idea or proof of concept contact Sony about getting their title included in the PlayStation library? According to Hight, “Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of their game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond.“
If you’re a gamer, this is exciting news because it gives us an idea of the kinds of games we can expect on Sony’s version of Xbox Live Arcade, and if you’re a potential game designer, the thought of actually getting your ideas manifested probably has you even more excited, so what are you waiting for? Register now!
Via Gamasutra
We know Sony’s developing some sort of counter to Microsoft’s successful Xbox Live Arcade program, we’ve known for a while now, unfortunately we still don’t know what it’s called, what sorts of pricing plans will be included and what kind of content to expect. Thankfully, Gamasutra sat down with SCEA Santa Monica’s John Hight, Director of External Production for a quick interview, and helped shed some light on the subject.
Speaking on the possibility that E-distribution would increase coverage and might help reduce piracy, Hight said the following:
“Certainly being able to sell globally on-line makes it easier to reach international and remote markets. On the business side, it also lowers our cost of sales and eliminates inventory risk. It should help curtail used game sales and piracy.”
His statements that “This new form of distribution will lower the barriers of entry for new developers. We can try out new ideas in a low risk, quick feedback environment” are encouraging to indie devs who’ve been confined to PC releases for a while now, and heartening to smaller developers who might find it difficult to source funding for their projects. When pursued on the topic of whether Sony provides funding for third party developers, Hight responded that “We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games.”
Height goes on to speak about the kinds of games we’ll see on the platform, and speaking as to whether we’ll be seeing ports of Xbox Live Arcade games, he remarks, “We’re looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn’t work on Xbox 360.”
So how would an indie developer with a bright idea or proof of concept contact Sony about getting their title included in the PlayStation library? According to Hight, “Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of their game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond.“
If you’re a gamer, this is exciting news because it gives us an idea of the kinds of games we can expect on Sony’s version of Xbox Live Arcade, and if you’re a potential game designer, the thought of actually getting your ideas manifested probably has you even more excited, so what are you waiting for? Register now!
Via Gamasutra
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