Xbox Live for Microsoft, Xfire for Sony
The Xbox 360 began online service for gamers through Xbox Live back in 2002. Admittedly, Microsoft has enjoyed a comfortable and an unprecedented advantage since then. But things might not stay the same for long as Sony just made a new friend. And its name is Xfire.
The freeware instant messaging service targeted toward gamers is currently being planned to be incorporated to the PlayStation Network Platform (PNP). It can be recalled that Ken Kutaragi, Sony’s Computer Entertainment Chief, expressed that the PlayStation 3’s online service would likely be free. The company recognizes that such basic function and service is normally free to a PC.
If you dig a bit deeper, the idea could very well be set already in motion as Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom appears in the supported software list on the PC Xfire client’s .ini file. The said title is a PS3 exclusive launch. Although the two companies didn’t give any more information about the partnership, both didn’t deny it as well.
Further details as to how Xfire will work on PS3 are still bleak as of the moment. However, it is rather logical to believe that the basic PC functions, some of which Xbox Live also offers, will be put to use:
Friend Tracker: allows users to manage their Friend’s lists and track friends
One-Click Join: allows users to click on their name and join the game if it’s available
Server Browser: see the variety of servers available for different games
Xfire In-Game: instant messaging while you play with voice chat
File & Patch Downloads: automatically detects updates when the game is booted up or provide a gateway for some sort of Marketplace
Profiles with Automatic Stats: exports an .xml feed of your stats
Lastly and more excitingly, Microsoft’s idea of Live Anywhere (combining PC and X360 players) can easily be replicated with Xfire. With all these in mind, one can’t help but wonder in the end: If PS3 and X360 players can both play with PC gamers, why can’t they with each other?
Via 1UP.com
The Xbox 360 began online service for gamers through Xbox Live back in 2002. Admittedly, Microsoft has enjoyed a comfortable and an unprecedented advantage since then. But things might not stay the same for long as Sony just made a new friend. And its name is Xfire.
The freeware instant messaging service targeted toward gamers is currently being planned to be incorporated to the PlayStation Network Platform (PNP). It can be recalled that Ken Kutaragi, Sony’s Computer Entertainment Chief, expressed that the PlayStation 3’s online service would likely be free. The company recognizes that such basic function and service is normally free to a PC.
If you dig a bit deeper, the idea could very well be set already in motion as Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom appears in the supported software list on the PC Xfire client’s .ini file. The said title is a PS3 exclusive launch. Although the two companies didn’t give any more information about the partnership, both didn’t deny it as well.
Further details as to how Xfire will work on PS3 are still bleak as of the moment. However, it is rather logical to believe that the basic PC functions, some of which Xbox Live also offers, will be put to use:
Friend Tracker: allows users to manage their Friend’s lists and track friends
One-Click Join: allows users to click on their name and join the game if it’s available
Server Browser: see the variety of servers available for different games
Xfire In-Game: instant messaging while you play with voice chat
File & Patch Downloads: automatically detects updates when the game is booted up or provide a gateway for some sort of Marketplace
Profiles with Automatic Stats: exports an .xml feed of your stats
Lastly and more excitingly, Microsoft’s idea of Live Anywhere (combining PC and X360 players) can easily be replicated with Xfire. With all these in mind, one can’t help but wonder in the end: If PS3 and X360 players can both play with PC gamers, why can’t they with each other?
Via 1UP.com