Sony's cooking something for GDC?

[Titanio]

So there seems to be a lot of recent, active hinting going on out there about 'something' Sony is planning to show off soon, at GDC. And not just from anonymous tipsters, but unusually, even Sony itself.

There was talk from the head of GDC about Harrison's keynote, but to look at Sony's own words, from 1up:

Dave Karraker, Senior Director for Corporate Communications at SCEA believes Moledina's enthusiasm is warranted: "It's good to hear GDC is excited about what we plan to present during Phil's keynote next week. We think it is pretty ground breaking and we hope the audience does as well."

Then in this Eurogamer report:

"All I can say is we've said there's going to be a big announcement at GDC, and Phil's Keynote speech will form the basis of that," a spokesperson for Sony told Eurogamer this afternoon.

And then in this interview with a Dutch site:

Are there any fun plans for the future?
We have something big coming up for the PlayStation Network, but I can't say anything about that yet.

Not even a little hint?
*laughs*
It has something to do with the Home Button on the SIXAXIS controller, and with the community.

Something like Hyves or MySpace?
*looks away typically and laughs*
We will announce it soon. Just wait.

It's possible this guy is talking about in-game friends list access or whatnot, but his comments seem to be focussing most people's speculation on a new community feature. It's also being driven by comments like this from Phil Harrison in a NewsWeek blog interview, talking about Miis:

Going back to the lo-fi aspect of the Miis, as you put it, what would you be more interested in seeing? What would be more attractive to you in terms of that avatar idea?

If you are going to have an avatar which is your representative in a virtual world, it has to stand for more of your personality than some 2-D cartoons. So while I think that millions of people would be happy with cartoony looks, the planet at large probably isn't. And it's an experiment that will be played out very soon, actually.

So most seem to be reminding themselves of rumours about myspace/second life-style services and 'lifestyle blogs' etc. as potentially being this 'big' announcement. Some are roping in previous hints about folding in user-created-content etc. into some application to be shown soon.

Well, there ya go, speculate away..

 

[NERO]

Ooh ooh ooh. Something unexpected and innovative?

Sony is going to buy NINTENDO!!!

 

[INKster]

Ooh ooh ooh. Something unexpected and innovative?

Sony is going to buy NINTENDO!!!

If anything, that event would be an *enemy* of innovation, not the other way around.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

So it's ground-breaking and innovative...and yet something to do with Avatars?! A friends list? If so, colour me unimpressed. OPlus for avatars, I like cartoons. I don't want my real ugly mug being transmitted over the internet, even in HD!

 

[NERO]

I thought the Afrika thingy was supposed to act as the network avatar system.

--------
Yes INKster I am aware of that. But admit to the hilarity of Phil Harrison showing us a wii at the podium with a PS logo on it.

 

[hey69]

so you will be the hippo and I will be the cow ?

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Great idea! I guess the first 10 people to sign up get to be lions, the next 100 get to be zebras, and everyone else gets to be a wilderbeast. Then to match up for messaging or gaming, you only have to find the wilderbeast that represents your chums

 

[Crossbar]

I thought the Afrika thingy was supposed to act as the network avatar system.

I think you are on to something, it all goes back to Kens 4D speech, when he was looking at the pictures in GoogleEarth and missed that the cars didn´t move, I believe they will take gif-avatars one or several steps further. :smile:

 

[infinity4]

another conference where 1080p hdmi will be main theme of SCEI

 

[Titanio]

Kotaku - big grain of salt - reports that they are hearing Sony will unveil "Playstation Home". Basically a 3D virtual room/space that holds trophies gathered from games and other tasks (think achievements), which all games henceforth will be required to support, and with your own avatar. You'll be able to visit other people's 'homes' online.

So basically it sounds like a cross between achievements, animal crossing, and miis..

Sounds plausible and in-line with the speculation that's out there, but of course it could be completely made up. But I kind of hope it's not since it sounds cool..but again, big grain of salt.

 

[Qroach]

This wouldn't surprise me. i've been thinking MS was going to do something similar this year by adding character avatars.

 

[me2]

Kotaku - big grain of salt - reports that they are hearing Sony will unveil "Playstation Home". Basically a 3D virtual room/space that holds trophies gathered from games and other tasks (think achievements), which all games henceforth will be required to support, and with your own avatar. You'll be able to visit other people's 'homes' online.

So basically it sounds like a cross between achievements, animal crossing, and miis..

Sounds plausible and in-line with the speculation that's out there, but of course it could be completely made up. But I kind of hope it's not since it sounds cool..but again, big grain of salt.

There are a few apps in the consumer PS3's right now that are locked, if you do a little digging you will see them. I am suprised that no one has seen them. I cant tell you exactly what they are but they are found in your network profile. Happy searching

 

[Titanio]

To add a crapload more credibility to that rumour, look what Sony trademarked in the last week or so:

Computer game software; electronic devices for the wireless receipt, storage and/or transmission of data and messages; computer software for conducting and coordinating real-time and asynchronous communications among computer users sharing information and audio/video data via electronic communications networks; downloadable electronic publications; sound and/or video recordings featuring music and entertainment, television programs, motion pictures, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs of all kinds; downloadable digital sound and/or video recordings featuring music and entertainment, television programs, motion pictures, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs of all kinds; computer software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via the Internet

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Electronic games services provided by means of the Internet; Internet games (non-downloadable); organizing of games; entertainment services provided online and/or via a computer database for matching users for the transfer or sharing of music, video and audio recordings via communications networks; providing on-line chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards for transmission of messages among users in the field of general interest; providing of an on-line service enabling physically remote players of an electronic game to search on-line for other players and to communicate with selected players during the game; organizing, staging and the provision of on-line tournaments; entertainment by means of wireless television broadcasts

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Hosting on-line web facilities for others for organizing and conducting meetings, gatherings, interactive discussions and interactive game play; computer services in the nature of customised web pages for featuring game player information, including information regarding a player's identity and the player's preferences; hosting the computer sites of others on a computer service for a global network; creating and maintaining computer sites for others; website design services; creation and development of virtual and interactive images and environments; providing on-line access to computer networks, computer databases, the Internet, on-line bulletin boards, virtual worlds and libraries of text, graphics and audio-visual and multimedia information and entertainment

(Of course, a trademark is very broad, so don't expect an implementation will cover everything mentioned above..but it jives completely with the Kotaku rumour in terms of community spaces and interaction..though not necessarily Animal-Crossing-style 3D spaces etc.)

 

[rounin]

Can somebody check on what me2 is talking about?

On the other hand, I wonder exactly how much Sony can offer in terms of online when it is supposed to be free.

 

[ROG27]

To add a crapload more credibility to that rumour, look what Sony trademarked in the last week or so:

(Of course, a trademark is very broad, so don't expect an implementation will cover everything mentioned above..but it jives completely with the Kotaku rumour in terms of community spaces and interaction)

You just had to ruin Sony's surprise at GDC, didn't you Titanio?

Edit: and EA man me2 basically puts the icing on the otherwise already iced-cake.

 

[patsu]

Can somebody check on what me2 is talking about?

On the other hand, I wonder exactly how much Sony can offer in terms of online when it is supposed to be free.

I did. Went to my own profile under Friends. Nothing there except for 5 lines of user attributes. I also tried to jam some buttons nothing turns up. Might as well wait for the official release. It's not far now...

 

[Titanio]

Heh, here's an interesting thread from IGN some time ago. Of course, no one believed the thread starter at the time. Amazing how much it aligns with this new speculation (or maybe more than that now). And it sounds completely awesome.

http://boards.ign.com/ps3_general_board/b8267/136291891/p1/?79

Has anyone else heard the rumors of a major Sony Online upgrade? Apparently the update will make the Xbox LIVE interface look antiquated in comparison. Apparently the interface is set up like a Virtual Town where each user has their own virtual apartment. Within your apartment you store your collection of acheivements and virtual trophies to show off to any "visitors" (i.e. people on your Friends list). Your friends could visit you if you are "home" (i.e. online)and once inside they could "walk around" your apartment and view how you've decorated your place. But more importantly, they could listen to any music or watch videos that you've got in your place (i.e. content you've stored on your PS3). Furthermore, your friends could join you for a game of cards or other simple games while listening to your music or even running a movie on your virtual TV (again using data on your PS3 HD). Once outside of your apartment you could visit the virtual Movie Theater to download--what else?--video content, visit the virtual Arcade, and other more exciting areas that I'm not at liberty to discuss yet...

The bottomline is that the interface is going to get a major overhaul and it's supposed to be very slick and user friendly. It will make apparent the advantages of the PS3 hardware and--dare I say--the new Sony Online Network.

If this has already been posted I apologise in advance! Otherwise, you heard it here....FIRST!

He goes on to say the beta is up and running and looking great, and that it's due in the Fall. He says this is the reason Sony has reserved so much for the OS.

I guess we'll see, but I can't help but wish this is true.

 

[Bad_Boy]

Update: There's good news and some bad news.

Good news: Beta is up and running...looking fantastic!
Bad news: Release has been pushed back to the Fall.

Feel free to chalk this up as another unsubstantiated rumour...

"Rumour has it" that part of the delay has to do with the extent of the overhaul required to support such a vibrant online experience.

There is one additional benefit to the delay; Sony is aware of this space and you should feel free to post creative ideas in this space with the knowledge that there is still time to implement them into the final version.

One last thing. If you doubt that the industry is watching this space, I offer the following private message I received....

From: bencousins
Date Sent: 2:14pm
Date Read: 6:40pm
Subject: Hi
Body: Who are you?

Yes, this could all be unsubstatiated fantasy, but it may help to know who bencousins is...

Boards Name: bencousins (VIP)
Title: VIP - SCEE
UID: 25544
Profile Added: 08/20/2000 6:44:33 AM
Profile Last Updated: 02/05/2007 6:13:39 AM
Total Number of Posts: 2,514 View Latest Posts
Last Board Login Date: 02/05/2007 6:13:39 AM
Last Board Post Date: 09/04/2005 6:21:00 PM
Watched by Count: 118

It should be noted that Ben is no longer with SCEE after realizing the that the profits from Sony and Lionhead were insufficient. http://www.bencousins.com

Here's to reading some creative ideas of how YOU think these virtual towns and apartments could be improved!

Cheers!

I don't intend to get too technical but here's a hint...the PS3 reserves 96MB for its OS (operating system). The XB360? A mere 32MB. Why does Sony need THREE TIMES the resources?!? Most programmers were perplexed at this decision, but it will all become clear this Fall. One look at the Virtual Town, complete with your Virtual Apartments, with streaming video and music in your apartment for all friends to share and you too will be a believer.

All in the fullness of time!

Cheers!

The Beta version of the new online interface will be shown behind closed doors at GDC. Sony is very interested in getting 3rd parties on board to one-up the acheivement system of LIVE.

Some other quotes that are also interesting.

 

[NERO]

Great idea! I guess the first 10 people to sign up get to be lions, the next 100 get to be zebras, and everyone else gets to be a wilderbeast. Then to match up for messaging or gaming, you only have to find the wilderbeast that represents your chums

I'd like to be a Sloth and my friends would be dodos.

Nice reporting Titanio.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

SoI don't intend to get too technical but here's a hint...the PS3 reserves 96MB for its OS (operating system). The XB360? A mere 32MB. Why does Sony need THREE TIMES the resources?!? Most programmers were perplexed at this decision, but it will all become clear this Fall. One look at the Virtual Town, complete with your Virtual Apartments, with streaming video and music in your apartment for all friends to share and you too will be a believer.

Sorry, but that just smells. Reserving 96 MB of RAM for a rarely used background function? That probably some half of PS3's are never going to use? And that's even if an online communicaty would need that, which it won't. 96 MB is great if your store graphics data and rendering it, but it's no use in a server that gets update with a trophy every once in a while. Or will every Apartment be hosted on your PS3? Will you need ziggerbytes of upload for people visiting your place?

The online service I can wel believe, not least because it's tooted as something big and innovative, but it's basically nothing more than Live! with a fancy frontend - which is what i've come to expect of 'big' announcements But attributing the OS footprint to this is nuts. In the bizarre case this service is the reason for the OS RAM requirements, this is a stupid blunder by Sony. Bloatware, basically. I don't want to spend 64 MB on a glorified text messenger, thank you very much!