Sony Talks PS3 E-Distribution Initiative

[Angelcurio]

Sony Talks PS3 E-Distribution Initiative

As part of Sony's plans for the launch of its next-gen PlayStation 3 console later this year, the company has started planning the PS3 E-Distribution Initiative, to help both first and third-party developers digitally distribute its games via download, directly to the PS3.

The service, which will clearly compete with Microsoft's successfully launched Xbox Live Arcade service for the Xbox 360, is currently in the pre-production stages, and Gamasutra got a chance to talk to the project's John Hight, Director of External Production at SCEA Santa Monica, about his role heading up the project.

Firstly, Hight discussed some of the advantages of PlayStation 3 E-Distribution from Sony's point of view, noting: "Certainly being able to sell globally on-line makes it easier to reach international and remote markets. On the business side, it also lowers our cost of sales and eliminates inventory risk. It should help curtail used
game sales and piracy."

He continued, echoing many of the thoughts about the advantages of digital distribution: "This new form of distribution will lower the barriers of entry for new developers. We can try out new ideas in a low risk, quick feedback environment."

When asked whether Sony is helping with development costs for PS3 E-Distributed titles, Hight explains: "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games." This answer makes it clear that, unlike Xbox Live Arcade, where the titles have been exclusively sourced from third-party sources, Sony is currently developing multiple E-Distribution games in its internal studios.

Most interestingly, when asked whether there is any concept of exclusivity, or can Xbox Live Arcade titles be ported to PS3 E-Distribution and vice versa, Hight comments pointedly: "We're looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360."

Finally, when asked what developers who would like to get their games E-Distributed do to come to the attention of Sony, Hight explained: "Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of
their game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond."

The PlayStation Beyond submission site has been online since GDC 2006, when Sony's Phil Harrison announced its presence, and explains further of the concept: "The E-Distribution Initiative (EDI) will provide an alternative publishing opportunity for the direct download of games and other content to the user. The EDI will be managed by Sony Computer Entertainment's development and studio organizations in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia (collectively known as SCE Worldwide Studios)."

Sony's submission website also notes: "Partnerships resulting from EDI will allow the developers' downloadable games to be published for individual purchase or subscription over SCE's direct distribution methods", indicating that the company may be considering subscription-based method of consuming content, as well as individual downloads. Gamasutra will continue to cover Sony's foray into digital distribution as more information comes to light.

Link: http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9931

Sounds really interesting for indie developers. The difficult part for them would be getting a cheap dev kit.

 

[Rolf N]

Sounds really interesting for indie developers. The difficult part for them would be getting a cheap dev kit.

Quite possibly the Linux environment on the retail PS3 could be used as a "dev kit". That should suffice at least for prototyping.

 

[Gradthrawn]

Sounds really interesting for indie developers. The difficult part for them would be getting a cheap dev kit.

Why use a dev kit at all?

Finally, when asked what developers who would like to get their games E-Distributed do to come to the attention of Sony, Hight explained: "Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of their game.

I assume, a working prototype need not be on actual PS3 hardware. I suspect building a prototype on the PC would suffice. Especially if the prototype is built around "target" specifications. I bet their (SCE’s) focus would be on the conceptual and creative side of things, far more than the technical.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360."

That's quite a claim. I guess they've got FFT-Blaster in prototype form already Downloaded games aren't normally associated with being extra demanding, unless maybe they're say very physics based. I've seen some physics puzzlers cripple a machine. Perhaps there's some fluid-dynamics based puzzzler? Otherwise I find it hard a downloaded game would be able to supercede what XB360 or a good PC is capable of.

 

[Jawed]

What about being able to download games for your PSP

Why restrict it to just downloadable games/content for PS3?

Jawed

 

[patsu]

You should be able to use Flash too.

 

[Bad_Boy]

That's quite a claim. I guess they've got FFT-Blaster in prototype form already Downloaded games aren't normally associated with being extra demanding, unless maybe they're say very physics based. I've seen some physics puzzlers cripple a machine. Perhaps there's some fluid-dynamics based puzzzler? Otherwise I find it hard a downloaded game would be able to supercede what XB360 or a good PC is capable of.

Could be talking about the 6-axis controller applied to small games. I think a game like Cloud could take use of it for example. Who knows what else. Or like you said, could be very physics based. Or could just be PR talk, we shall find out in a few months.

 

[pc999]

I guess this is the place here we will see real use of the controler (at least in the begining), and later we will see that kind of use in big games too.

Vey interesting IMO.

BTW processural works would also be beter in the PS3 and IIRC they presented some interesting things and visualy apealing at E305.

 

[Bad_Boy]

The Eyetoy2 could be part of it also. Theres multiple things he could be referring to. Key thing is, seems like there will be no ports of downloadable content, all new ideas, all orginal stuff. And that smaller devs even mod teams could submit there ideas/work to Sony and have the chance to offer it to millions. I think there are many game concepts that almost never end up being created due to whatever reason, and this could give a chance to them due to the low risk factor. IIRC the maker of loco roco was worried sony wouldnt accept his concept due to how 'out there' it was, but look at it now.

 

[Titanio]

Key thing is, seems like there will be no ports of downloadable content, all new ideas, all orginal stuff.

I don't think he's quite saying that. Maybe for their own first party effort they'll look for original ideas - but even then, the first known game is a version of a game already on the net (fl0w). I think third parties will be able to bring ports of games if they wish.

 

[Bad_Boy]

I don't think he's quite saying that. Maybe for their own first party effort they'll look for original ideas - but even then, the first known game is a version of a game already on the net (fl0w). I think third parties will be able to bring ports of games if they wish.

Well to put more specifically, I mean like well known console ports, snes/genesis games, psp games and the like. Sounds like they are aiming for orginal content not many people have heard of or even never heard of.

 

[cthellis42]

What about being able to download games for your PSP

Why restrict it to just downloadable games/content for PS3?

Jawed

Will probably happen, but I think they want to concentrate on getting things done right before they spread themselves too thin.

Certainly as far as electronic services go, Sony has much ground to make up.

 

[Platon]

So they are talking about small games only, not big DVD sized games? I wonder if anyone will try that this generation...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

So they are talking about small games only, not big DVD sized games? I wonder if anyone will try that this generation...

I think it's open ended. There's talk of d'loading PS1 games to PS3 and PSP, and even PS2 games to PS3. One official was saying there's still barriers to that, but I expect it to be trialed somewhere like Korea with the infrastructure to handle this.

 

[Arwin]

Will probably happen

In fact, interested PSP developers have been able to sign up for this using an online form for a few months now, so the PSP stuff is an integral part of this process.

 

[Johnny Awesome]

X360 already has this feature. What's the big deal? It's not like Sony will be delivering 30GB games onto 20GB hard drives.

 

[NavNucST3]

When asked whether Sony is helping with development costs for PS3 E-Distributed titles, Hight explains: "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games." This answer makes it clear that, unlike Xbox Live Arcade, where the titles have been exclusively sourced from third-party sources, Sony is currently developing multiple E-Distribution games in its internal studios.

I had always thought that Carbonated Games was in fact part of Microsoft Games Studios.

 

[_phil_]

X360 already has this feature. What's the big deal? It's not like Sony will be delivering 30GB games onto 20GB hard drives.

There is room between 55 Mo and 30 Go.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

X360 already has this feature. What's the big deal?

If you don't have an XB360 but a PS3 instead, you too will benefit from a download service?

 

[standing ovation]

[size=-2]When asked whether Sony is helping with development costs for PS3 E-Distributed titles, Hight explains: "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games." This answer makes it clear that, unlike Xbox Live Arcade, where the titles have been exclusively sourced from third-party sources, Sony is currently developing multiple E-Distribution games in its internal studios.​

[/size]

Nothing bursts the creativity bubble like the sharp needlepoint of finances. :neutral:

It sounds like Sony is trying to remove all but in-house publishing from its mini-game equation. Under the guise of making things accessible for nickel-and-dime operations, what they're really after is absolute control over the revenue stream.

Truth is, without a publisher to co-sign on financial burdens, indie developers will have to shoulder it all. This maximizes financial fears and minimizes their willingness to take risks.

Back to square one.