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PS3 to launch with free online gaming and 21 games

by Stan Beer

Friday, 20 October 2006

Those who were concerned that they might be forced to play mainly PS2 games on their new premium price PS3 console can stop worrying. Sony has revealed that there will be at least 21 games available in the US on launch day November 17. In addition the provision of free online gaming may be Sony's ace card.

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PS3 owners will be able to play games online for free and the GUI for accessing data stored on the hard drive will be similar to that used on the PSP.

Aside from superior graphics from its Cell processor, the free online gaming component may be a valuable ace card that Sony has up its sleeve to counter criticism from gamers about the significant price differential between PS3 and Xbox 360.

Gamers have indicated that they could care less about the PS3's integrated Blu-ray player. The jury is also out on whether the superior graphics capabilities will be a sufficient lure for gamers to hand over their extra cash.

However, free online gaming for PS3 compared for the user pays Xbox Live online gaming system provides Sony with some ammunition in a total cost of ownership argument.

At US$50 a year for Xbox Live and out of the box games costing the same US$60 for both platforms, the cost of ownership for PS3 for the 20GB US$499 model is equivalent to the 20GB US$399 Xbox 360 Pro with an Xbox Live subscription after two years.

All of this assumes of course that the online PS3 service at least matches the experience provided by Xbox Live.{moscomment}

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