PS3 Online Service -- the details we've wanted for a year
We just know that everyone's been asking "PS3's online service... how's it work?" among other, less kind statements (but still thinking about the same thing). Well, quite a few people have sent in this tidbit of filet-mignon-quality information. Let's start with more general statements, then we'll attack the actual online service and how it works. Let it be known: "the PS3 is designed from the ground up as an online device - unlike the PS2, which suffered from a number of major problems on that front" (but the PS2 service had more active members than XBox Live! Of course, that was from the sheer number of PS2's out there...). Read on, noble warriors, and see the magic that awaits you in November...
PS3 has a fully upgradeable OS -- like the PSP, which we'll compare the PS3 to a few more times...
In comparison to the PS2's service, now there's a big hard drive, even on the lower end model. That's good.
"The PS3 will support multiple user profiles on the console - so when you turn it on, you select your own profile, and you're instantly logged into your own PlayStation Network account as well as activating all your own settings for the system. If you share a console with multiple different people, or if friends come around to play often, this is an incredibly useful feature."
Complete web browser! You can even use bookmarks and such. That's handy if you want to, well, browse the web.
There is a Master Account and an Associated Account -- Masters can limit the other accounts to the amount of time in the Playstation Store, among other things, probably.
It's easy to sign up for an account! Easy is good.
Many argued over the "free online" announcement. Let's just quote the article. "Oh - and it's all free, too. The only place you'll be asked to fork over a penny is when you purchase something in the PlayStation Store - all of the online services, from sign-up right through to voice and video chat, are free, as is normal multiplayer gaming." Awesome.
Texting is easy and more intuitive than the on-screen keyboard other services may use (like the original Phantasy Star Online for DC). Also, voice and video chat! Hooray! Now when you get fragged by an 8-year old calling you a n00b, you can see the little snot's face and commit it to memory. If you know what we mean.
"It's worth noting that the system does show you friend sign-ins and new messages received in overlays on top of the game you're currently playing - just little notification windows which pop up to tell you about something happening with your friends list." Hopefully it can be turned off, too... unless you like random pop-ups while in some sort of intense match. Also, Phil Harrison says an OS update may make it possible to pause a game to check messages and such without signing off of the game... if users desire such an option.
The PlayStation Store is your central hub for managing downloads, premium services, shopping... everything. Heck, if you wanted, you could probably put in an internet order for pizza and never, ever leave that seat.
Goodness gracious... this was just the information we thought was important! Read the article! It's quite refreshing to know that they haven't just tossed something together. This sounds pretty solid and if it's any indicator, the OS updates will just make it better. What do you guys think? This is a viable competitor for the XBox Live, is it not?
[thanks to everyone who sent this in! Also check out Joystiq's take on this info!]
