Speculation: Sony’s Answer to Xbox Live? Xfire. [UPDATE]
Xbox Live has a four year start on Sony. Sony's earlier efforts at online were a joke at best, a free-for-all at worse. So how the heck does Sony intend on catching up with Microsoft's 4 year head start in online console gaming?
According to 1UP: they're going to use Xfire, the PC messaging, matchmaking and gaming client.
1UP reports a transcript of Viacom's Q2 earnings report as proof, and collaborates it with some previous comments by Ken Kutaragi:
Importantly, Xfire just signed a deal with Sony to create a version of their platform for the new PS3, which will now enable Xfire to extend its reach further into the huge console gaming market.
In addition, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom — a PS3 launch exclusive — is in Xfire's PC .ini file.
Luke Smith at 1UP puts together a compelling case that Xfire will, indeed, be an integral part of Sony's online strategy, and runs down exactly what features Xfire has that can compete with Live. It all looks extremely convincing. We're not sure how big Xfire will play into PS3's online strategy, but it looks to definitely play.
Eds Note: Sony Online Entertainment's Chris Kramer contacted Kotaku, saying, "SOE has been in talks with Xfire about potentially including some of their technology in Untold Legends Dark Kingdom, our PlayStation 3 launch title. This proposed deal is completely separate and independent from the PlayStation Network Platform, and is something that SOE was examining specifically for Dark Kingdom. More information on Xfire and Dark Kingdom will be coming soon." Likewise, Sony Computer Entertainment responded to 1Up with this statement: "We can confirm that Sonly Online Entertainment is in talks with Viacom and Xfire for a single, specific PS3 game. However, there are no announcements at this time regarding any discussions between SCEA, Viacom and Xfire." Expect further details as they surface.
Sony's Answer to Xbox Live Revealed [1UP]
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