Following Sony's much-discussed PlayStation Home announcement earlier this week, Microsoft's Chris Satchell has talked down the service saying that it's "not a very game-centric approach".
The general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group told CVG this afternoon: "I think they've definitely taken some concepts that we originated like achievements, but I think they're pushing in a different direction and we've sort of fundamentally got two different approaches going on here."
"I think theres is very much a vision that people see it and it looks cool but it's fundamentally separate from the games - or at least what they've shown so far."
he continues: "It's a cool world but it's like a little game by itself. Our approach is the other way around; it's that games are the center and that's the star of the show, that's what people buy the console for."
As for how Microsoft is going to answer Sony's user-generated content drive, Satchell says that Forza Motorsport 2 is already prepped to get 360 gamers creating: "You're able to take a car out, completely paint it, completely mod it, tune it and you're able to auction it online, take the funds from that and reimburse them in the game to do whatever you want," he says. "That's great user-generated content. It's not building a world but if you're into racing games it's just as meaningful."
But even Microsoft can't resist Little Big Planet's wool-coated charm: "I think Little Big Planet is very cool," he says. " but I can't see a big portfolio of games at the moment that do this. I don't think there's a whole load to catch up."
Sounds like it's shaken Microsoft a little. I must admit, I saw Home and thought it was a nice idea. Don't get me wrong, until I see a cross-platform game, just one game which scores higher on the PS3 than the 360 (check out gamerankings.com and check for yourself) then I might consider buying one...but Home does look good. I guess the charm of walking about would wear off eventually. I mean, who honestly walks round their PGR3 garage these days? Eventually, as Microsoft says, you want to play some games, and no amount of walking around, decorating rooms and talking to people (or is it typing, there's a lot of speech bubbles) is going to take the place of a Gears of War fragfest!
He raised some interesting points. How dose Home work when it comes to games? From what I understand Microsoft’s Live will try and pit you against some one who is on the same sort of level as you so you get a good, challenging face off. Home looks like it will be hit and miss, yeah sure, you might bump into someone and get chatting and find them to be really nice/cool/interesting person but then you go back to their place and check out their trophy room to find it stuffed to the rafters with gold and platinum! “This guy’s gonna beat me senseless!” you think. And that’s no fun for you or him! How will you find good competition? This may be good for meeting friends in a virtual setting but I hope it has some good match making capabilities.
I wonder if CVG will set up it’s own space for us forum members to meet in…
but the whole point is that sony have come good. you might not walk around home after a while you might not use it or get bored but sony have for once shown something genuinely new and interesting. i think it will be a hotbed of interaction and spawn plenty of spin offs that build on the interactivity. and microsoft didnt originate the idea of achievments they utillised it. i saw achievments in at least half a dozen games in the same vein as the microsft xbl ones before. 3 genuinely different online components for 3 consoles, competition is good.
I think the best thing to come out of this announcement will definetly be the competition. Microsoft can't afford to rest on its lorals now because they have real competition in the online console gaming space, specially as PS3 online will be free.
Still not much competition though. You still can't invite between games and suchlike. Yes, it's free, but because of that it's not a unified offering. The beauty of XBL is how it's integrated, and since Sony are leaving all that to the developers, PS3 users are not assured of an even online offering. Like VF5 for example...the fanboys are saying it's great that online play isn't available because it wouldn't be quick enough...but DOA and Fight Night did it superbly, so what's the bother? I think most 360 owners have just come to expect a hefty online component, but PS3 owners can expect nothing of the sort. That's free.
but the whole point is that sony have come good. you might not walk around home after a while you might not use it or get bored but sony have for once shown something genuinely new and interesting. i think it will be a hotbed of interaction and spawn plenty of spin offs that build on the interactivity. and microsoft didnt originate the idea of achievments they utillised it. i saw achievments in at least half a dozen games in the same vein as the microsft xbl ones before. 3 genuinely different online components for 3 consoles, competition is good.
They were the first ones to utilize them in your gamertag and give you gamerpoints to add to your gamerscore thats linked to your online gamertag for everyone to see. Theres been achievements of one sort or another for years on games but only stayed in the game, MS's gamerpoints stay on your gamercard no matter what game your in. PS3 home does look interesting and kinda cool but so did Nintendo's Miis!
I think it's unnerved everyone. Sony have done something they never seem to do: created something that makes perfect sense and seems like a no brainer once you see it in action.
It would appear that it totally overshadows MS & Nintendo's community interaction systems.
Playstation Home, the place to go for the socially unacceptable and those lacking in self asteem.
Am I the only games player that actually goes out any more? I don't really see the fuss about it.
I give it 3 months before it turns into nothing more than a room packed full of teenagers lacking in the good looks department attempting to pull some bloke/bird from the far reaches of the planet.
I must be getting old, I thought the point in socialising was to actually meet people, not virtual representations of what/whom they appear to be.
Be damned if I am going to spend Ł400 so I can nonce about in some room and chat to someone I don't know from Adam just because its apparantly cool.
Humour me for a moment, but surely its going to be.....
18NLUCKIN4LUV:- ANY FIT TIT IN ERE? FOXYLADY:- HI IM HORNY! RING ME 0895 555 555 FOR 60SECONDS OF FUN. CAPTAINGIMP:- FAG FAG FAG FAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA YOUR ALL NOOOOOOBS! DARKRIDER:- IM FROM CALI PS3 FOOKIN ROCKS! ANY1 WANNA PLAY RESISTANCE???? THIS IS LEE7 MAN.
Playstation Home, the place to go for the socially unacceptable and those lacking in self asteem.
Am I the only games player that actually goes out any more? I don't really see the fuss about it.
I give it 3 months before it turns into nothing more than a room packed full of teenagers lacking in the good looks department attempting to pull some bloke/bird from the far reaches of the planet.
I must be getting old, I thought the point in socialising was to actually meet people, not virtual representations of what/whom they appear to be.
Be damned if I am going to spend Ł400 so I can nonce about in some room and chat to someone I don't know from Adam just because its apparantly cool.
Humour me for a moment, but surely its going to be.....
18NLUCKIN4LUV:- ANY FIT TIT IN ERE? FOXYLADY:- HI IM HORNY! RING ME 0895 555 555 FOR 60SECONDS OF FUN. CAPTAINGIMP:- FAG FAG FAG FAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA YOUR ALL NOOOOOOBS! DARKRIDER:- IM FROM CALI PS3 FOOKIN ROCKS! ANY1 WANNA PLAY RESISTANCE???? THIS IS LEE7 MAN.
No I think I will I stick to pubs thankyou.
Hahahahaha, so true. It's a pretty sad state of play, all kind of contact is mediated by an electronic medium these days. Welcome to fantasy and escape from reality.
but the whole point is that sony have come good. you might not walk around home after a while you might not use it or get bored but sony have for once shown something genuinely new and interesting. i think it will be a hotbed of interaction and spawn plenty of spin offs that build on the interactivity. and microsoft didnt originate the idea of achievments they utillised it. i saw achievments in at least half a dozen games in the same vein as the microsft xbl ones before. 3 genuinely different online components for 3 consoles, competition is good.
They were the first ones to utilize them in your gamertag and give you gamerpoints to add to your gamerscore thats linked to your online gamertag for everyone to see. Theres been achievements of one sort or another for years on games but only stayed in the game, MS's gamerpoints stay on your gamercard no matter what game your in. PS3 home does look interesting and kinda cool but so did Nintendo's Miis!
my point was that microsoft didn't originate the idea as the microsoft guy implied. you admitted this yourself so stop bitching about nothing and shut the f**k up.
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