Sony: NBN will boost gaming, but it's not a game changer
- 31 July, 2009 16:30
- Comments 10
The Federal Government's National Broadband Network (NBN) will enhance online gaming and provide users with an alternative way to access content, but it won’t render traditional formats obsolete, according to Sony.
The vendor recently announced a number of plans involving online-heavy applications, including improvements to Playstation 3 online functionality and the PSP Go, which has removed the disc slot in lieu of download-only games access.
Sony Computer Entertainment Australia managing director, Michael Ephraim, said the PS3 had recently seen a spike in online access due to a successful launch of music video service, VidZone, and now had 55 per cent of owners connected.
“The NBN won’t necessarily improve the experience of the console as such, but we definitely expect the NBN to increase uptake of online connection and use of services as it becomes easier, faster and improved broadband plans are provided to Australians,” Ephraim said.
“Of course, it’s not just about the provision of a network, it is also about delivering a compelling content offer. For Playstation 3, we have plans for a video download service to launch in Australia next year.”
Despite the increased broadband speeds, Ephraim claimed for higher definition, complex games, the Blu-ray format would continue to be the preferable option.
“We see the offer as providing the best of both worlds – packaged and digital content to extend the entertainment experience for the consumer,” he said.
Sony remained committed to support retail partners, Ephraim said, and was planning to launch initiatives such as network cards to ensure retailers had a piece of the digital revenue pie.
The NBN and more accessible Wi-Fi would improve traction for the PSP as well, he said.
“With more accessible Wi-Fi, we are almost certain that use of the PSP will increase as people enjoy the increased benefits of entertainment connectivity on-the-go. We expect greater use of the non-game content and services such as Web browser, Skype and also remote play functionality that provides inter-connectivity with the PS3,” he said.
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Comments
Tony
Of course sony needs to say this, they put their entire company on the line to launch Bluray
graham.lv
Cool is still cool
I think Blu-ray is Betamix and High Definition (or HD) is VHS.
It's not a matter of what's best, but what's cool to the user...
VHS
HD
Peter H.
VHS v Beta
Actually I think its the other way around. HDDVD is Betamax and BluRay is VHS.
In both cases, the "better" format lost the war.
HDDVD was seen by many industry analysts and commentators as a superior format as they were cheaper to make and also the players were easier to upgrade/update. You didn't have features (and some movies!) released on newer discs that weren't available to the user who had an older player.
And remember Betamax was certainly the better format of video tape which is why it was used in television worldwide until it was replaced only recently by Hi-Def and Digital (no not HDDVD).
Peter H
www.SeeknBuy.com.au
Anonymous
no my friend
HD-DVD is
no my friend
HD-DVD is betamax and blue ray is VHS
just as with betamax HD-DVD is dead and just like VHS blue ray is the dominant format
only thing is beta was way more popular than HD-DVD ever was
Anonymous
Games on NBN? Yeah right.
The government has recently threatened the 'banstick' on any gaming - online or otherwise using the upcoming 'filter' that does not meet classification guidelines. The regulation of the Internet is being put in place, by the time the NBN is built we'll have a nice sanitized 'safe' Net supplied by the government owned infrastructure.
If we as gamers think we'll be playing games on this thing, think again...they'll be regulated away as 'unwanted content' as Sen Conroy puts it.
Anyone up for a game of Pac-man? Hopefully that one will be friendly enough to make it through.
Anonymous
Blu Ray, HD DVD., Betamax and VHS are all dead.
"HD-DVD is betamax and blue ray is VHS"
Yup your right both betamax and VHS are DEAD. HD-DVD is already DEAD and soon Blu Ray will be DEAD.
Anonymous
Blue ray is more like
I feel Blue ray is more like Sony's Mini-Disk, it was an ok idea at the time but better options became available.
Also this will be the start or the send for DVD's and Blue ray as everyone will download games. MS xbox has this already for Classic games and is about to bring 1080P movies and TV over the net to our Xbox's at the end of THIS YEAR!! With the NBN from then on if you have a phone you have access to the 100mb internet.
Anonymous
Blue ray is more like
I feel Blue ray is more like Sony's Mini-Disk, it was an ok idea at the time but better options became available.
Also this will be the start of the end for DVD's and Blue ray as everyone will download games. MS xbox has this already for Classic games and is about to bring 1080P movies and TV over the net to our Xbox's at the end of THIS YEAR!! With the NBN from then on if you have a phone you have access to the 100mb internet.
sue443
Well you all may be please with the so called new release, but i think we in Australia have been ripped off with ps3. Sony has falsely advertised and miss represented the ps3 buy advertising it had all the functions such as full movie downloads or rentals. Companies like these make me sick!!!!
PS: what happened to the free games???? that version of sims on it is crap and the demo's only go for a very short time.... a waste of money.
Mat
"Anyone up for a game of Pac-man? Hopefully that one will be friendly enough to make it through."
Im afraid Pac-Man would be banned as he is obviously consuming a great number of pills that make him trip out believing he can eat ghosts. This is instruction in crime.
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