PS3 Rumor/News for you

[Guyver03]

Exclusive: PS3 HUB; September Launch

Next Generation can reveal that Sony is planning to launch an online games service, largely modelled on Xbox Live, currently called PlayStation HUB. We also understand Sony is aiming for a September launch for PlayStation 3 in Japan and North America.

According to well-placed industry sources, PlayStation HUB will offer PlayStation 3 owners much the same services as Xbox Live, including chat, downloadable demos, independent games and online play. The service is also designed to support PSP online play as well as PS3. It's a departure from PlayStation 2's online strategy, widely regarded as vastly inferior to Microsoft's.

PlayStation HUB is being described to developers as a 'subscriber service' suggesting a monthly charge. We understand the service is being created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, although this is unconfirmed.

Sony boss Howard Stringer is pushing for all media content to be available for distribution over PlayStation HUB, such as music and movies, thus opening up a powerful iTunes-like distribution network for Sony.

September launch

Developer sources are also suggesting that PlayStation 3 is currently scheduled to launch in September. A launch games release schedule seen by our sources states a September launch. Although the schedule does not explicitly state a hardware launch date, nor a launch territory, we understand Japan and U.S will both see the machine in September.

Some in the industry have taken this as a lead to speculate that September 16 would be a launch date in Japan (a Saturday before a national holiday) followed by September 21 in the U.S. These dates are not confirmed and, as always, launch dates are subject to constant revision.

A spokesperson for SCEA said the company does not comment on rumors. However, we understand Sony is preparing to announce HUB some time in the next few weeks.

Original Link: http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2270&Itemid=2


Anyways...News/Rumor? As always..only time will tell. I think we all knew that Sony was pretty much going to copy MicroSoft's online strategy, but we'll just have to see how well they pull it off.

[njiska]

This is just more of a confirmation of some of the claims Sony has already made. Which we have been discussing here (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=79629&highlight=playstation+live) btw. :)

[Guyver03]

This is just more of a confirmation of some of the claims Sony has already made. Which we have been discussing here (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=79629&highlight=playstation+live) btw. :)

I know...I read the thread, but since this gave a name to the service and a launch date for the system, I decided to give it it's own home. A Mod could merge if they felt the need.

[pacmanhat]

I'll believe it when Sony announces it. I still fully expect to be underwhelmed by the 'hub', and probably the system itself is well.

[Lothars]

Well I am honestly looking forward to the ps3

I am not sure what to expect from the the 'hub'

o well it's all good. should be interesting.

[PDorr3]

Great this is all I need is a monthly fee for TWO systems (well I pay yearly for 360)

[kainemaxwell]

Means nothing unless we see actual shot sof the PS3 in action and get a definite price and release date.

[Flack]

I ran across this yesterday and almost posted it in the front page news section, but it's still too rumory for me. I'm going to have to wait until retailers start getting confirmations before I run with this one.

[heybtbm]

Gamespot had a funny line about this "news" story. It likened Sony's awkwardness with getting into the online gaming business to a grandmother getting her first AOL account. Perfect analogy.

[Zing]

Maybe this was secretly planned the whole time!!

Sony is planning to launch PlayStation HUB. Sony has always been planning to launch PlayStation HUB.

2 + 2 = 5

[njiska]

Well let not forget about how Sony's past "Me Too" products have done. *Cough* HDD *Cough* Network adapter.

[unwinddesign]

The HUB? Christ, let's try to make the name sound like it "integrates" everything, unlike our prior disaster. Also, let's throw some bullshit out there about how we'll trounce the pants off of Microsoft's Xbox Live. Oh, and let's pretend that we have "new" features, when really they've already been hinted or released by Microsoft for Live.

/still bitter about PS2 launch

I mean shit, I'll buy one, even if the games are cack, but Sony's hype machine is just a joke. You can smell the bullshit from here. I'll be surprised if it releases with something half as good as the XBL Marketplace; hell, I'll be surprised if it does even half the things its aiming to do.

Side note: didn't Sony say that the PS2 would feature all the stuff in this new "hub"?

[Dobie]

Just for kicks, lets speculate on the monthly fee Sony would charge. I can't see them charging a monthly fee of less than $10.00--otherwise, paying yearly would be more convenient--as it is with Live. Who charges "monthly" fees less than that? Even if it was $5 a month, its still more expensive than a yearly Live subscription. I don't even understand the $7.99 one-month card Xbox sells--save up and pay the $50 once.

But since Sony's service is hyped as "more features and better than Live," I'm figuring that also means "substantially more expensive than Live." What would people be willing to pay for such a service? $9.99? $19.99? More?

I always felt like the Live service was a real bargain. $50 once a year, and I get all the online console goodness I want. I'd be willing to pay more, but I'm not sure how much more. Definitely not if it approached the $20 a month mark.

[njiska]

Just for kicks, lets speculate on the monthly fee Sony would charge. I can't see them charging a monthly fee of less than $10.00--otherwise, paying yearly would be more convenient--as it is with Live. Who charges "monthly" fees less than that? Even if it was $5 a month, its still more expensive than a yearly Live subscription. I don't even understand the $7.99 one-month card Xbox sells--save up and pay the $50 once.

But since Sony's service is hyped as "more features and better than Live," I'm figuring that also means "substantially more expensive than Live." What would people be willing to pay for such a service? $9.99? $19.99? More?

I always felt like the Live service was a real bargain. $50 once a year, and I get all the online console goodness I want. I'd be willing to pay more, but I'm not sure how much more. Definitely not if it approached the $20 a month mark.

Hey people use to think pating more then$9.99 a month for an MMO was outrageous, yet here we are paying $15 for WOW.

You just don't know what people will pay until you try.