+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 4, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) First up, thanks to everyone for the terrific response to the Microsoft resolutions. It seems to naturally follow that today moves on to Sony's Playstation and who am I to argue with the order of things? One quick distinction I want to make before getting into them. These resolutions do not represent predictions. If anything, they probably stand outside the realm of what's going to happen. But, from my perspective, they're the bold sort of moves that would help them take a step forward from the pack. I fully admit that these come from a gamer's point of view, but I submit to you that the business side of things would also dramatically benefit from them because, after all, this is the gaming business. And now, Playstation.1. Perfect PSN Before Spending Another Minute on Home GDC arrives in a month and a half, and that marks the one year anniversary of the big press unveiling of Home. Baring a miracle, it will come and go without Home being available yet, and most likely without even a real release date. I'm not going to argue the creative element of Home here (those of you who listen to Yours already know I hold serious doubts about the whole Second Life on a console angle). The bottom line right now is that its development occupies resources that could be getting the basic online gaming community functionality for PS3 done. Making matters worse, knowing these sorts of projects, even when Home is "ready" what we'll get is the beginning of a protracted beta period during which they'll figure out what works, what doesn't, and how to make it into something relevant. Meanwhile, Xbox Live cruises along as a definitively better gaming experience, but with this enormous vulnerability that you squander. Deliver on the promise of a free-to-play online game community, with a single name (see, I almost called it a gamertag, that's how ubiquitous Live has become), and an easy to use organization of your friends and communication and then you suddenly take the forefront of online console gaming. Microsoft has already done all the groundwork. Take advantage of that. There's a good bit of truth to sayings like "don't try to reinvent the wheel." A strong PSN system tightly integrated into the Cross Media Bar is what we most want. Once you have that, fool around with Home all you want. 2. Embrace the Playstation Legacy Across All Platforms I know I wasn't the only one astounded that the newest member of the PS3 hardware family went back on what you told us was a fundamental principle. Whatever financial benefit you realized from giving up backward compatibility with the PS2 library, it pales in comparison to the negative gaming impact from severing the tie to the very heart of Playstation. Beyond the inconvenience of needing to drag out or keep connected a PS2 to play our old libraries consider the impact on the new gamers coming into the Playstation fold. For instance, Killzone 2 still sits a fair ways off in terms of release, but around the Net we see several stories of people who skipped the first game going back now to check it out. Without backward compatibility you can't do that--no going back to check out the Devil May Crys, or the Metal Gears, or anything else for that matter. But no big deal, right, because the PS3 with its uber-powerful cell processors and graphics chip surely must be able to run PS2 software in software. I mean come on. The 360 doesn't seem to have too much trouble with handling Xbox games that way. Sure, it probably means game-specific patches to get them to run. No big deal, you have a hard drive in every PS3, unlike the 360. Don't make excuses. Get the engineers in the lab and get this taken care of, stat. And while they're at it, I'd like to add a PSP request. I tip my hat at the continual improvements made to its functionality. Notably, the recent addition of the ability to remotely play PSOne games running in a PS3 makes a fantastic proof of concept. Just take the last step will you? Let me put a PSOne game I own in my PS3 and have some sort of automatic ripping that then transfers it to my PSP's memory card so I can play it wherever I am, with or without WiFi. Make it as easy ripping a CD in iTunes. And before you start with the piracy line, let me just say that punishing the majority of us who would use it as only hurts your loyal gamers. Put some basic protections in that prevent the ordinary person from using it illegally and get on with it. 3. It's All About the Games And so far for the PS3 it's been more all about the promise of games, or is that game? Metal Gear Solid 4 faces an unbelievable amount of pressure to be the savior of the PS3 and much as it pains me to say this, it isn't. Don't let your partner Konami take that blow. It's going to a fantastic game, one that rewards the very vocal core market that hotly anticipates it. Whether that can be translated into broader success this time, though, remains to be seen. It would be a cop-out to just say "bring out more games," but the strength of Playstation has always come from its ability to offer an unbeatable combination of variety and quality. So I'll look at both fronts. You have a wealth of potential AAA games in Sony studios on the way. Get them out there, front and center, to help carry the load. Define the signature games in your coming lineup early and build them the structure to achieve the success they merit. Now is not the time to get cute with marketing plans or hold back on anything. Show everything you have working and then some. Along with the early adopters you've got a whole new holiday crop of PS3 owners who are going to pretty quickly get hungry for new games to feed their machines. Keeping the online store flush with new content like demos, videos, and whatever else makes a good start. And then follow through on their development to make sure they are what you promise them to be. Let's not have another Lair, thank you very much. Externally, seize every opportunity out there to corner other signature Playstation third party games the same way you made MGS4 a PS3 game, whether it ever comes out on another platform or not. Lara recently enjoyed a renaissance, but she's still probably vulnerable enough to be willing to commit to a single dance partner--at least to take her to the dance. What's to keep her next adventure from being a PS3 showcase? With Uncharted already out there you could definitively stake claim to that market. Let's not forget you also sold a few million more PS2s this fall. There's plenty of potential to encourage otherwise risky projects there. More than any other generation, your own prior platform offers an amazing combination of a broad marketplace and less expensive development costs. Take advantage of that to turn a team or two, or maybe some up and coming young talents, loose on their dream projects. You've got nothing to lose and who knows what could come out of it. And lest anyone think I forgot PSP, that one's easy. Until you add a second thumbstick stop trying to put first person shooters on it! Source: http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=855701...cUserId=5324853 First of all like in real life "new year resolutions" are different for everyone. If you attack me for posting this topic/article you're getting reported - I'm not taking anymore crap from anyone/or getting involved in it on Neowin... I've had enough of the downright childish attitude ruining topics, so if you can't discuss this one in a respectable manner, there's the door! If you do enter and cause a ruckus you'll be getting your posts removed/yourself in trouble! This topic does not represent bashing/flaming till members turn it into that. Thanks! I agree with some things Garnet says. PSN does need to be improved on, but I have the feeling it's improvements will somewhat be tied to the release of Home (in-game xmb, chat, messaging ect). I agree BC is a loss for those with a 40GB, and I do like the idea of fully software BC one day... you CAN'T rule it out anyway. The 360 works on full software as far as im aware, so could the PS3. As for the games, I agree as well. 2008 will be a good year for games, so im happy to let this one roll out itself :happy: But I sure as hell hope there is no more lengthly delays - Take note developers/Sony! The other thing I'd like to add is to get the damn EU store releasing stuff at the same time, or at a minimal delay after the US store. WHERES MY EVERYDAY SHOOTER? :/ What do you guys want to add for a successful year for Sony? ps. I can't wait till tomorrows 1UP podcast, I love the arguments/discussions Garnet and Shane have about the 360 and PS3 :laugh: Edited January 4, 2008 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sn00pie Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Backwards compatibility is unnecessary, I don't plan on playing any of my old PS2 games at all. Heck, I might even trade them in for $5-10 each and pick up a new PS3 title. Thus why my switch from 60gb to 40gb did not effect me in any way other than HDD space, and well USB ports. :D I think the only "resolution to success" for the PS3 is still going to be the price point. I think Sony should bring back the 20gb model and put it at $249, thats pretty much the key selling price point in consoles IMO. XMB needs work, throw in a clock in the corner, a weather "widget", and in-game XMB or atleast in-game messaging will do. Sony has the potential to do great things, but there just not doing them. Sequential updates with all the same new items for all the PSN stores would be a well received change for PS3 owners around the globe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowRanger13 Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 PSN upgrades, Firmware upgrades, and keep the good games coming! Checking friends list and messaging in game is a must, along with playing your own music in game. More media formats support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoJD Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I want a perfect PSN! Make it much easier to connect with friends. Make the dashboard integrated even in-game. Also, I want achievements, they add a lot of replay value to games, which hopefully Home will take care of. 2008 is the PS3's year to shine, let's hope we get some good games out there that use the console to its full potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Caro Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Is the gamer tag really THAT good/useful? I could say that the playstation store sucks big time, but what's wrong about the online playing? The only thing I wish is to be able to send messages to my friends regardless of the game we're playing, and that's not even that big a deal considering how crappy it is to type messages in. Now, the playstation store, is a whole different issue. It sucks. It isn't useful, new releases sucks, it's slow and it's ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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