Hands-on with the PlayStation Network

It's not really fair to judge the PS3's online component before, like, the console is actually released and gamers start putting it through its paces, but it's still interesting hear Eurogamer's take on a pre-launch version of the PlayStation Network, courtesy of some exclusive face time with Sony exec Phil Harrison. From the site's extensive coverage of many aspects of the service, the most noticeable theme is that Sony seems to have been closely watching the successes and failures of Xbox Live, and is serious about its promise to meet or exceed all of Live's capabilities. Therefore, many of features that 360 fans have become accustomed to -- consistent UI, multiple methods of communicating with friends, and downloadable content -- are prominently featured in the Network experience, with other aspects -- namely a full web browser, multitude of game-specific mini-stores, and pricing in real currency as opposed to "points" -- clearly designed to one-up Microsoft's offering. Other nice touches here include the ability to create a master account and regulated "associated" accounts (helpful for parents looking to police their kids' usage), a global "Wallet" with which you make all micro-payments (including those required by third-party publishers), and of course, an upgradable OS that leverages the hard drive on both versions of the PS3. Downsides? Unlike Xbox Live, the first iteration of PlayStation Network doesn't let friends communicate while playing a game; even though you'll get a notification of new messages during gameplay, you have to exit the game in order to read them and respond. Also, it's still not clear if / how Sony will implement player rankings a la Live's leaderboards, which is a feature that naturally-competitive gamers have come to expect. All-in-all, though, it sounds like Sony has put a lot of thought into the usability of this increasingly important aspect of the console experience, and assuming that the company is able to overcome potential shortages, lack of rumble, and other well-known nitpicks, the PlayStation Network looks poised to attract the same fervent following as XBL.

[Via PS3 Fanboy and Joystiq]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 17th 2006 8:36PM]

To all you who say that sony is overpriced do a little math the PS3 is way underpriced. The Blu-ray player it self is worth more than the whole console. 360's hd dvd is 200 dollars more so it comes out the same in the end... well no it doesn't 360 plays will only play movies no games and it will always be that way PS3 will work both ways. What's gonna happen when these game don't fit on dvd disc anymore? Well PS3 wont have to worry 360 will just have to use multiple disc or lose out on alot of content i guess. As for the online crap sure the 360's might be better in some ways but sony will change. Those of you that say otherwise are ignorant. It's compition, and the online aspects is one of the biggest parts of it. Sony may have seem like they botched it up but they went more to the media side of it first for marketing reasons I believe. There is alot more differences to the systems that I didn't get into that show favor to PS3. Don't get me wrong im not bashing on the 360, I think it's a great system and I plan on having both a 360(when Halo 3 comes out) and PS3. People need to get over their die hard "I'm an xbox fan and ps3 sucks because its it's compition" attitude. Just look at what the 2 systems bring to the table using a little common sense.