Sony and Xfire confirm online PS3 partnership

Xfire is developing a middleware solution that will allow developers to incorporate cross-platform communications between users playing on PC and the PlayStation 3 console.

Sony's PS3 launch title Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom will be the first title to incorporate online functionality via the Xfire gaming service, allowing users to communicate whether using console or home computer.

The announcement confirms rumours that surfaced last month, and highlights Sony's willingness to incorporate third-party solutions in its answer to Microsoft's Xbox Live.

[Captain Tuttle]

Is this going to be permanent or is this just a stopgap measure until Sony gets its' own network up? If this is the final then it seems kind of half-a$$ed IMO.

[zerofunction]

Maybe im missing somthing, but what exactly is Xfire going to do?

[Deceased]

Only certain publisher or developers will use x-fire. It is like a second choice beside Sony's non-existant network. And if the PS3's netwrok is anything like the PSP then i feel sorry for the people who like online play. BTW X-Fire blows hard, it is nothing special and is by no means anywhere near the quality of xbox live. BTW did you know that on xbox live we are going to be able to download tv series and music. I am 100% sure that they will offer Urge on XBox Live to purchase music and put it on a 360, or tranfer it from Zune to the 360.

[RuffRyder]

Lol achira is such a retard, he is obviously mad at sony for this and is taking his anger out on everyone else.

[Smellslikepie]

Most people who own a 360 do use online play, I can't remember the announcement but it's over 50%.

[USMChardcharger]

achira, you can be a punk.

you always come at people so hard. ease up and just debate smartly. you show no smarts when you attack like that.

this is not a battle field. i know what a battle field looks like and this is not one.

i know others can be just as harsh...but you don't have to do it too.

if you can come back @ someone cool and calm, it shows more strength.

[Mikey_Gee]

I hate to pop your bubble man, but I have been a console guy from the start ... like the atari 2600 start .... and I love my PS2 and XBOX and I love my 360 as I am sure I will love my PS3 .... BUT .... to deny or downplay the online stuff is just stupid.

Have you ever tried XBOX LIVE ??? From your comment I would say "NO"

This day and age a good online experience is HUGE in games .... if anyone out there has not tried online ......... WHY NOT ?? For real, it takes game fun to ANOTHER LEVEL.

And that is not even considering the demo downloads, content download, add-on downloads, friends list, live video chat, live VOIP.

So, since I am not a HARDCORE fanboy to either camp but rather a gamer who wants ALL THE CONSOLES, I can say with no doubt in my mind ...

A GOOD ONLINE SERVICE "IS" A BIG DEAL"

[USMChardcharger]

Smellslikepie, it is something like 65% to 70% are connected to LIVE now. it is going up fast.

i remember when LIVE came out. articles from news sites (like Cnn/Fox...that type) stated that LIVE out of the gates grew faster than AOL and other adventures as such. may not have peeked as fast...but out of the gate it was faster.

[TheMART]

Achira, you only have 3 bubbles, use them wise man. Don't end up with one bubble, that's no good for discussion

[TheMART]

Hahahaaa Enjoy the 'free' network guys!

For real. I just knew Sony couldn't deliver themselves again, over and over again. This stinks like rotten fish guys. X-fire is nowhere the maturity of XBL. It's just another open network concept like they had with the PS2 but just a bit updated.

And now they try to say: "See us, we do a sort of Life Anywhere connecting to PC users, using this x-fire concept!"

But actually it's a weak proposal guys. You can still cancel your pre-orders on PS3 by the way...

[andy capps]

This is in addition to the PS3 network that will be up and running for this game, the producer has said. You can use this or the PS3 network. Let's wait and see how this works first and then pass judgment. So far the multiplayer verdict on Resistance has been that it's awesome and no lag, but it is not using Xfire (that we know of).

[TheMART]

Stupid double postings...

Anyhow, it's just like the specs of the RSX. Where we are not certain about, keep quiet and when people are into the concept and pre-ordered let's get the truth out. That's it's not gaming first, but Sony pushing boxes first. Lying again, not delivering. Man I hate Sony for doing it with the PS2 to me and I'm glad I didn't walk into their false promisses again!

[DaKid]

How can such a idiot like you have 3 bubbles?

[TheMART]

Because what I question here are normal things. Things that are actually something you should ask yourself also.

But since you're fanboys and you Achira own 3 bubbels it's clear. Listen. Try to post articles also overhere. Contribute to the site, which you now actually don't.

Name calling also won't give you bubbles. It can take some from you actually

[USMChardcharger]

Achira, because he dosen't use cuse words every other word like you.

he debates and does not attack.
every one may not agree with him, but he does it in a correct way.

i own a 360 and do not agree w/ everything he says...but at least i can read his arguments.

i am about real close to skipping over anything you have to say from now on.

your post, a few above, is a perfect example of why you have very few bubbles left.

[THAMMER1]

http://ebaumsworld.com/2006...

[Smellslikepie]

Haha! It was so funny when he put his arms around his head and did that little dance thing, it looked well odd!

Nice find! lol

[Ravenator529]

If this is Sony's answer to XBL, its a pitiful one!

Flame me all you want, but the proof is right in front of your faces!

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

...exactly what I predicted when this was only a rumour and the Xfire CEO was denying their service is a part of PNP.
Xfire is the best and leading online PC game platform and I have no doubt now that PS3 online will rock. If it offers the same like on PC a Friend Tracker, One-Click Join, Server Browser, Xfire In-Game (IM While You Play) with Voice Chat, video chat, File & Patch Downloads, Profiles with Automatic Stats, then I'm completely sold. These all of course for free. Xfire is freeware and PS3 online will be also free. I play online FPS/racers etc. on PC since years and I never payed a dime for it and this is how it should be. As on the PC you will be probably only forced to pay for some RPGS, but guess what? Xlive users will also have to pay an additional fee for such games. With such a great and free service, who needs Xlive?

[TheMART]

Do you use x-fire? I guess not. Who needs XBL? Anyone who takes gaming seriously.

The ones wanting a nonstandard videoplayer which can do some games on top and have a semi-try for online gaming should choose a x-fire based console.

This sounds like the free XBConnect option or XLink Kai on my modded old XBOX. Which runs, but not as smooth as XBL. Connection errors, lag, less people online. External networks suck period.

[Smellslikepie]

Actually, I guess the one advantage that this has over Xbox Live Anywhere is that you don't NEED Windows Vista to use it. I've never used Xfire so I can't comment on it's reliabilty etc but it does seem to have a wider audience than Live Anywhere (Until Vista starts getting shipped with new PCs.

-- I have a 360, my gamertag is smellslikepie1 -- Add me if you like--

[USMChardcharger]

So Sony lied.

when rumors started that xfire would be part of Sony's online service they said it would not.

it was only for Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom.

why would they say that? why didn't they just say we can't comment on that topic yet?

o well, maybe because it will be a modified version. only thing i can think of. it is still xfire making it though.

[andy capps]

I think you're misinterpreting this. This isn't part of Playstation's online service, at least that I know of. It seems that you'll still login through Playstion's online service, but whether the devs choose to use the Playstation servers or some other setup like Xfire is up to them. So I think Sony was just saying they're not including this with their online toolkit that they're sending to devs (doesn't seem like they're sending it to all of them, at least not all of the 3rd party ones at this point), they're leaving this sort of thing up to them on how they want it to run behind the scenes. The general indication though is that you'll still be logged in automatically when you turn on your PS3 to the Playstation network, and be able to change your user, browse friends, chat, download content, etc. This is just another layer on top of that, from what I'm gathering.

[USMChardcharger]

good points. thanks for replying to my questions instead of just hitting disagree.

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

...Xfire Anywhere. That would be great.

[bizzy12]

where is voice chat at.so you cant talk while gaming like on live i can talk to my friend while i am playing cod3 and they are playing gow.so with sony its just like ps2 the only time you talk to other people is while you gaming together after that the talking stops.where is the lobbies voice chat at.

[andy capps]

That would be through here:
http://media.ps3.gamespy.co...

Resistance: Fall of Man has confirmed voice chat, multiplayer, matchmaking, etc.