Newsletter Signup
Where current and emerging technology trends meet.
TecTrendsInformation Sources, Inc.
  | About TecTrends | Email Signup | Contact Us
 Live Search:
Live Search | Articles | Companies | TecTerms | Products
  Loading TecTrends Live Search - please wait... 
View Noteworthy Articles      PRNewswire
 
Article

Title: Gaming in transition

Author: Kim, Ryan Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, pC1(2) Publication Date: Mar 23, 2006
  Illustrations: Photographs, Screen Layouts
URL of Publication: http://www.sfgate.com

Sony Computer Entertainment will enter the online gaming market and allow users to download complete games over the Internet. Sony's initiative comes after Microsoft's Xbox Live program, which has created groups of players who can compete with each other online in real time. The Xbox represents strong competition for Sony because of its online capabilities. Sony had planned to leave this area to the big game developers, but research indicated that game players want to go to a single portal, and Sony responded. It plans to release games online and will offer a free service for the owners of PLAYSTATION 3. A paid service will also be offered and will include additional features. Sony plans to keep ahead of Microsoft by creating content sole for its online service. Sony believes its online service will create more possibilities for more episodic games that will have the same reach and impact of television programs. In several ways, Sony's new initiative copies Xbox Live, and industry analysts believe the move is more about generating revenue via online updates and having users pay a small amount for each use. Online gaming also offers lucrative revenue opportunities through the placing of advertisements targeted to players inside the games. Retailers could be unhappy about the online gaming initiative, since players can bypass them and purchase games online. Users and developers are likely to welcome the move, however, particularly creators of smaller games that have not yet been able to enter the retail market.

Special Features: Photographs, Screen Layouts

Companies:
Microsoft Corp Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)

Products:
Game Stations Online Games
PlayStation 3 Xbox Live

TecTerms:


[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2004-2008 Information Sources Inc.
 


Home About TecTrends About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions

TecTrends | P.O. Box 8120 | Berkeley CA 94707 | (510) 525-6220 | Email: tectrends@tectrends.com
© 2006 INFORMATION SOURCES INC | All rights reserved.