As we reported yesterday, SCEA held a high-level open meeting to outline it plans for putting the PlayStation 2 online in the US. Hoping to steal Microsoft’s online thunder, Sony has to try to convince consumers to spend additional cash on storage and connectivity hardware, rather than purchase a hard drive-equipped, broadband-ready Xbox.
The first announcement was that Sony will go to retail with a network adapter for PlayStation 2 in August of this year. The device will be able to cope with both broadband connections such as cable-modems and DSL, as well as analogue narrowband modems.
It was confirmed that online testing for the planned network commences this month, with a group of 1,000 bug-catchers spread across America. SCEA also said that the device will cost $39.99, around £28 sterling.
Some were openly sceptical about Sony’s move. "Peripherals and add-ons do not do well in this industry," said Mike Wallace, an analyst at UBS Warburg.
"No one's going to spend a lot of money on this; first of all, because it's not apparent how any of the third parties are going to make any money on this, and second of all, there's no installed base," he said.
Though a full range of software was not announced, all Japanese online titles will almost certainly be included. One new game, SCE’s own SOCOM will be an online launch title for the region. Others confirmed were Frequency and Twisted Metal Online.
As well as being a pure gaming portal, SCE was keen to mention the fact that the device would bring the Internet into the living room of the valuable games consumer. It was also keen to reiterate its ‘PlayStation 2 hub’ concept. “Use of the adapter allows consumers simultaneous access and connection to multiple devices in the home through the PlayStation 2.” This concept, formulated prior to the launch of the PlayStation 2, sees consumers able to control their home’s electronics through the PlayStation 2 from a remote point.
Sony spokeswoman Molly Smith then went on to hint at what has been dubbed as ‘PlayStation 2 Online Phase 2’ by the company. She said, "Phase Two is kind of going to be a realisation of what our overall vision is. It's more of an e-distribution kind of system."
Whether this means digital distribution of games, pay-to-play or the beginning of full-scale SCE online shopping facilities was not made clear.
The first announcement was that Sony will go to retail with a network adapter for PlayStation 2 in August of this year. The device will be able to cope with both broadband connections such as cable-modems and DSL, as well as analogue narrowband modems.
It was confirmed that online testing for the planned network commences this month, with a group of 1,000 bug-catchers spread across America. SCEA also said that the device will cost $39.99, around £28 sterling.
Some were openly sceptical about Sony’s move. "Peripherals and add-ons do not do well in this industry," said Mike Wallace, an analyst at UBS Warburg.
"No one's going to spend a lot of money on this; first of all, because it's not apparent how any of the third parties are going to make any money on this, and second of all, there's no installed base," he said.
Though a full range of software was not announced, all Japanese online titles will almost certainly be included. One new game, SCE’s own SOCOM will be an online launch title for the region. Others confirmed were Frequency and Twisted Metal Online.
As well as being a pure gaming portal, SCE was keen to mention the fact that the device would bring the Internet into the living room of the valuable games consumer. It was also keen to reiterate its ‘PlayStation 2 hub’ concept. “Use of the adapter allows consumers simultaneous access and connection to multiple devices in the home through the PlayStation 2.” This concept, formulated prior to the launch of the PlayStation 2, sees consumers able to control their home’s electronics through the PlayStation 2 from a remote point.
Sony spokeswoman Molly Smith then went on to hint at what has been dubbed as ‘PlayStation 2 Online Phase 2’ by the company. She said, "Phase Two is kind of going to be a realisation of what our overall vision is. It's more of an e-distribution kind of system."
Whether this means digital distribution of games, pay-to-play or the beginning of full-scale SCE online shopping facilities was not made clear.
Companies:
SCEA
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