Rant: SOE needs to offer more compelling PlayStation Store content
Sony Online Entertainment had a fairly sizable role in the PlayStation Store development thus far. They offered the original IP Cash Guns Chaos and helped fund Sidhe's Gripshift on its graphical upgrade for the PS3 reissue. Gripshift was enjoyable for the first 30 minutes we played it, but the tracks were so easy and uninspired, we soon lost interest. It was hardly compelling. Did we miss something here? Also, SOE helped secure the deal to port those Midway classics we've come to both tolerate and despise. Although not one Midway classic burned our eyes with anticipation, we've been so hungry for content, we downloaded nearly all those titles anyway. Perhaps we're not being true to the spirit of classics, but we envision something a little more meaty than an unabridged arcade port with online multiplayer. Mortal Kombat II fared okay in our book but Championship Sprint and Rampage definitely lost something in their translation, and it was mostly fun.
Recently, Todd Carson of SOE spoke with Gamasutra about their announced poker game for the PlayStation Store, High Stakes on the Vegas Strip. The game will apparently include "highly customizable characters" and support for the "EyeToy and a USB headset" so you can watch (in real-time) your friends collapse into bouts of rage as you lay down your royal flush to their two-of-a-kind. Sounds handy and while there's a worthwhile need for such content, we're truthfully more excited at the idea of what multiplayer in general can bring to the table here than actually playing poker on our PS3. For example, how long will it take before we get to hear (and see) kids yelling at their moms for bringing them the wrong beverage and screwing up their run for a two pair?
Considering the recently-announced MMO plans for the PS3, there's no reason as to why SOE hasn't already positioned their hugely successful Everquest franchise for a run. How about polishing it up for a spin on the PlayStation Network? While recent rumors were already squashed, we're still left wondering why SOE hasn't yet thought of episodic content for their beloved franchise. Just like their expansions for EQ and EQII, it would provide snippets of tasty content in a package small enough to be tolerated as downloadable content. At any rate, we've alluded to the fact SOE may just be sending us these gaming distractions as means to bide our time before the good stuff starts coming. We just wish it were sooner rather than later.
