PS3 Hub, poss Sept JPN/US Launch

Duradrum

Duradrum

Duradrum

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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.

Image 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.
 
They should have called it 'The suck' as in, 'Welcome to the suck' </Jarhead>

I'm only kidding btw. The question is, if you have a PS3, Xbox 360 and Revolution, will you really want to pay a subscription for them all online?
 
Find it hard to beleive that it's even coming out remotely this year. Content platforms like Live take years of R&D and they're suddenly bringing one out already? What happened to the console? Imo once again Sony are just grabbing some more limelight sprouting this and that when they should be really getting their act together on their console first, let alone a live service.
 
be reaaaally interesting to see how this goes :) That name is awful tho lol and why would u want the net linked to ure PSP. U can already browse the net on it and u aint gonna want to sit in front of ya PS3 playing a game on ya PSP :s
 
IceBus said:
They should have called it 'The suck' as in, 'Welcome to the suck' </Jarhead>

I'm only kidding btw. The question is, if you have a PS3, Xbox 360 and Revolution, will you really want to pay a subscription for them all online?
Click to expand...

That's one problem really, if they turn it into a pay-monthly system, then they'll not get as many people on, as one good thing with Live is you can find Live cards cheap (well, you will do), and use them when you want, so have the choice if you want to pay.

We'll have to wait and see how Sonys 'Playstation HUB' strategies work out, as it's going to be very interesting.
 
It may not be called HUB, I think they should stick with the Playstation Network name they used in the E3 presentation.
 
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