SOE President: MMOs to be a selling point for PS3

Tyranitar24 | May 12, 2008 | Industry News | Playstation 3

According to John Smedley, who is the president of Sony Online Entertainment, MMOs are going to be a real strong selling point of the PS3 in the long term. He also said that the video game industry now has become more mainstream and that MMO games are also benefiting from that as well. He also spoke about the different variety of people who enjoy playing MMOs. He states that the MMO market is mostly male, but he expects that to change soon.

Q: Does the realignment of your group, from Sony Pictures to Sony Computer Entertainment, mean that you're going to try boosting PlayStation 3's online network with your MMO [massively multiplayer online] games.

A: I think MMOs are going to be a real strong selling point for the PS3 long term — there's going to be some great ones on the PS3. You're not going to find "The Agency" on the [Xbox] 360.

Q: Have MMOs reached the mainstream yet?

A: I would say they're getting more mainstream. If I were characterizing it, I would say think of the video-gaming industry five years ago. That's kind of where I think we're at. ... Five years ago, do you think "Grand Theft Auto IV" would have done $500 million [in opening-week sales]? To me, video games are just reaching the real mass-market now. That is going to translate to the MMO side of the business.

Q: Where will MMOs be in 15 years?

A: Right now it's about 85 percent male. I think it's going to be 50-50. You're going to see a lot more big name brands in it, including ones we're building. These games are as big as hit movies are right now.

News Story attached to:

The Agency [PS3, PC]

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Comments

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1 thumbs!
Final Blade | May 13, 2008

_{Thats pretty cool. I wonder what type of MMO's they'll bring in. The Agency looks like one.}
-1 thumbs!
Existenz | May 13, 2008

I'll believe this when i see it, i mean yes it is cool but MMO's come with a monthly fee and i don't like paying that, what is cool about PC MMO's is you can go on google and find thousands of private servers for any MMO out, and what is great they are free to use, no monthly fee... On a console you will be paying $14 a month for the next 3 years or however long you play, or forget you are paying it, i would think the selling point should be on getting good games out not getting games out that will make Sony more money.
- -1 thumbs!
  CRUNK JUICE | May 13, 2008
  
  Agreed. Sony are in the wrong frame of mind. They should be focusing on normal non monthly free games. Im sure alot more peope would rather have a bigger library with exclusives that should be showing what the PS3 can do instead of these monthly MMO's. Stop shitting on us Sony, and just give us some *bleep*ing games.
  - 1 thumbs!
    Seeker X | May 13, 2008
    
    Let's shut up and think about this for a second. This is SOE, Sony's division that develops MMO games, why the hell do you think the SOE President is saying this? I mean...just take a wild guess...
    
    (Btw, there is a difference between SOE and SCE)
0 thumbs!
Aussie Legend | May 13, 2008

Agreed.

Free MMO's FTW.

I don't have enough time playing to warrant paying extras (apart from the one of price of buying it).
0 thumbs!
X_MANBEARPIG_X | May 13, 2008

I know they're making The Agency and that developer (can't remember name) who made Guild Wars is working with Sony to create an MMO for PS3. Along with Home, should create a much needed community..hopefully :/
0 thumbs!
kik36 | May 13, 2008

I would like to see a few MMO's on the PS3.
-2 thumbs!
Red 9 | May 13, 2008

Kinda ironic when there aren't ANY PS3 MMO's yet. Sony still has yet to make its games a selling point.