PlayStation Network could compare to Xbox 360's in the future and why it's not up to par

Post reads: "Let's face it, when we think about the PlayStation Network's online play, the first things that come to mind are...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity. There are great online games to play on the PSN that we only hope for improvement."

[goldensfree]

n crystal clear voice chat says hello

lol psn is better for gaming than live anyday now for having a nag session with your mom n 6 of her friends live is the way 2 go.

[zootang]

What do you pay for with live that you don't get for free with PSN?

[coolstuff]

As a person who owns both consoles I can honestly say Live is much better. Personally features like Party Chat, Cross Game Chat as well as the Xbox Live interface itself completely transform the experience for me. You might be able to use PSN free but it completely misses the whole social aspect of what online gaming is all about. On Xbox Live I'm constantly in Party Chat talking with all my friends no matter what game they are playing, for me this makes my gaming experience much more fun. On PSN no one really has a mic, and the ones that do don't speak that much. Basically PSN doesn't have the social aspect which makes online gaming so much fun.

I know I will get disagrees for this but I'm just giving my own unbiased opinion

[gamingdroid]

Until the day we start comparing Xbox Live to PSN, then we might see a shift. The other interesting thing in the article is this:

'Epke elaborated that they have been trying to bring their work to the US and Europe, but they have been unsuccessful in the past due to Japan being stubborn, as he says. He continues, "They don’t care much about social media and online gaming. Not many people play online games in Japan, apart from the ones that are into MMO’s. but, as I said, we’re still working on it and we’ll get there eventually. I mean, we know it’s a big deal here in Europe and in the US. And we’re frustrated by the fact that Sony Japan really slows things down.”'

[ChineseDemocracy]

Having used both services, Live definitely has the upper hand---I'm guessing the billions of dollars that consumers dish out might have something to do with that. Microsoft should spend more time focusing on their games, and less time securing "timed-exclusives" and implementing social networks. Games should be the focus, not the other way around. Voice chat? Not a big deal for me.

[Mustang300C2012]

Maybe it has to do with the fact that LIVE was on the scene first? That is usually how it works when a product has brought so much features that the other product is playing catchup on. Achievements>Trophies, Broadband only vs PSN on PS2 having 56k and broadband, crossgame chat vs no crossgame chat, standard features vs optional.

Just saying.

[J-Killer15]

CoolStuff is 100% correct. It baffles me how Sony fans want PSN to have some of the features Xbox Live has yet believe PSN is better strictly off the fact it's free. PS3 is the only console I own this generation, but even I can't deny the flaws PSN has. I honestly can careless if you delusional fanboys give me 200 disagrees. Do whatever makes you happy.

[gamingdroid]

That is my point!

When we talk about let say Xbox 360 and PS3, the PS3 keep it's own when compared.

You talk about Xbox Live and PSN, and the discussion degenerates to how PSN is catching up with Xbox Lives features!

[ABizzel1]

I agree with coolstuff, but I wouldn't say it's much better.

Live simplifies everything, cross game chat is fine (PS3 doesn't really need this), but the party chat is what I like about live.

PSN isn't far behind Live, but Live is the better experience.

[pippoppow]

They do not even have 64 player games. They also do not have mod and share support for any games. Also they will not be getting Steamworks in the future. Another other thing even though it is out side the scope of PSN many of those 360 apps, features and more can be accessed directly from the web browser. All for free. For free!

What's funny is many 360 supporters will keep supporting MS even though they hardly have any dedicated servers (any?), low player counts yet they would like a game like that live action Halo commercial and charge even more to play a portion of a game other gamers on all other platforms get to play without an added fee.

[Playerz8]

I don't get why everyone, including this joke of writer, has a problem playing games on PSN online. I played Modnation and Uncharted 2 both online last night, and didn't have any lag, and never had any connection errors or drop-outs. Maybe all you haters should check your internet connections instead of blaming something that you get for FREE.

[Biggunz]

Everybody needs to click the examiner.com link under "Read Full Story>>" and tell them what you think. IMO examiner has the worst, trash stories on N4G just trying to GET DEM HITZ! Does examiner every break actual news?...not that I've seen...I have seen them steal articles from others and write them as their own though...

[SilentNegotiator]

"Let's face it, when we think about the PlayStation Network's online play, the first things that come to mind are...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity"

Not for me. When I think of PSN, the first things I think of is little lag and Uncharted 2.

[gamerzBEreal17]

is online gaming about screaming? is it about in game invites? is it about netflix? is it about interface? xmb? music? are is it about playing the game online with a good connection some friends and fun psn has that its all i need and its free and please dont bring up PSplus u get GAMES for money! ur not paying $60 a year for 2 features you use and at that $120 for 2 years and so on

[Homicide]

" psn is better imo, can 360 play 256 players NO. "

Number of players =/= quality of the service. Mag isn't that good, and only about 2 people in the squad have a mic.

[AndrewRyan]

When I log into XBL, I see my real life friends online, I join or invite them to my party and talk about current events while I am playing any game I want to be playing, if it's single player or multiplayer don't matter. Many will disagree because either
A) They are PS3 Fanboys.
B) They just hate microsoft.
C) They have no friends on their friends list.

I myself own a PS3 and a gaming PC, my 360 broke and I fixed it and sold it for my PS3, and that is the only thing I miss, my friends and talking to them no matter what I was doing.

[MartinGlow]

...
Did you even read the comment?

lol fail

[ingiomar]

Wait... you don't get a free mic with a PS3?

At least we get a free HDMI cable and a Free mic
and then they say Microsoft is greedy but the truth is every company is just as greedy

If sony ''listens more to its fans'' then why don't you PS3 Fanboys go try convince them to get you free DLC and games monthly and ditch PSN+

Then we'll talk

@Nitrowolf2

Well xbox live has better technology.. nobody can ever say that live crashes or lags unless its their own connection fault

@Seraphemz
Can you send me a link? where did you get that price? as far as i know the official price is $50.. $40 on Amazon $28 for wired and Everybody knows the 360 controller is allot more comfortable then the ps3 controllers only fanboys think the other way around

[Seraphemz]

yeah !! and at least you have to pay another 10 bucks above whay you already pay to play online AND 64 bucks for a controller that doesnt suck !!! YEAH you showed them !!! suckers...

[Nitrowolf2]

i believe they started packing HDMI with PS3, Mic is what they need to start packing, even if they are those cheap PS2 ones. They do pack Mics with some of their games, but they need to do this for the console package.

What does Live offer that PSN doesn't offer?
crossgame chat
and then some social apps like facebook, and radio
is there really anything else? ( i honestly don't know)
i mean cause the cost of a plan to me just doesn't seem like it should be at all that high.

@ingiomar

"Well xbox live has better technology.. nobody can ever say that live crashes or lags unless its their own connection fault"
STFU
Live has been down multiple times, christmas it has crashed for a week or 2 of 2006 or 07
http://forum.teamxbox.com/s... of 08
http://arstechnica.com/gami... this was fixed quickly but it has been down

I really don't know a time when PSN has crashed
Sony usually says when they will have maintence
and that apopcal whatever day wasn't due to PSN

I believe Cliff has stated also that Gears of War 2 did have Lag and that they hope to fix that in Gears 3, idk not sure on that one just going off memory

[DasBunker]

PS official bluetooth isn't like the cheap piece of plastic that comes with the 360... yeah the company with the free online is the greedy one for sure.. dedicated servers on most popular games>XGC anyday

[Persistantthug]

PS3 has had those things and much more for years.

You can access those things on your PS3 away from PSN. Many of PS3's online features are accessed and used away from PSN such as FOLDING@HOME.

So when comparing, you have to include ALL of PS3's online services, because many of them aren't run through PSN. XBOX's online is run through XBOX LIVE, but PS3 is different.

[Schobeleth]

If there is DLC that adds content to the game, it absolutely can NOT be free on XBL, while developers have the option of doing so on the PSN. Microsoft has complete control over XBL and that's why many developers and publishers have started to shift focus away or go exclusive, because Microsoft is stubborn in their ways now that they think they are kings of the online community.

Many people forget that XBL started years before the PSN, in the previous console generation nonetheless. In my opinion the PSN has grown and changed for the better by vast amounts to be good competition for XBL. The only thing the PSN is missing is a cross game chat/party system and then it will be over.

Also, the fact that PS3s don't come with mics makes me HAPPY because it makes players who actually are good or team players want to take the extra step and get one as opposed to EVERYONE getting a mic and being completely and utterly annoying online, ruining my play session. I've always had horrible experiences on XBL and I've met some morons on the PSN (spawn campers, grievers, poor sports, etc) but for the most part I've met a lot of cool people on the PSN, lots of team players.

This article is seriously biased and has no sourcing. I'd like to know what interview they're citing because that sounds like a BS statement. Sure, the HQ is in Japan but they don't make all the decisions, if they knew anything they'd know that each PSN region has different content and features coming out. Examiner is a joke news site, the only thing they can get right is stuff they copy+paste from press events.

[4me2]

I have both PSN and LIVE (used to- expired in March) and I miss cross-chat on PSN.

But The Only Reason I paid for LIVE was to play Online and NOT the other features ...... Again .... to play online games.. everything else is a bonus for which I would not not pay.

From my experience I say that actual quality of online connection is better on PSN (which is the most important feature) . Basically PSN is less lagy, can handle many more players which is important. You can always go from from 256 to 64 to 32 to 16 to 8 but you can't go the other way. I admit that 16 players is kind of sweet spot but very often I find playing 32 and it damn FUN. If I feel like 16 players I can do it, I I want 32 I can do it. Dedicated servers a huge PLUS, seldom lag and no host advantage or host quitting.

On Live you actually have to have fee based GOLD to have any kind of meaningful interaction
-to play online,
-to access free services like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm
-to access service that you already paid for ie Netflix and soon Hulu Plus
-Video chat is NOT free (does required GOLD LIVE to do video ... socializing). PSN video chat is free.

"At least we get a free HDMI cable and a Free mic" I did not get HDMI with my XBOX. Regarding Mic and PSN. I can connect to PS3 almost any Bluetooth headset and basically any USB PC headset. So even though mic is not included with PS3 there should be no problem connecting one ... so for people not talking on PS3 that is most likely personal choice. Maybe some , like I am, are tired of that annoying, trash talking people that think winning game is the highlight of their life .... well it is not. I actually choose to whom I talk for both PSN and LIVE (will buy LIVE again when Gear 3 comes out, never cared for Halo).

[Playerz8]

I'd rather buy PS3 Bluetooth Wireless headset, than get a crappy wired packaged-in mic with my 360. Sorry, but the PS3 Bluetooth Headset is 10x better than the Xbox's mics.

[xAlmostPro]

lol, no we dont get a headset free.. but what we pay for is wireless bluetooth and much better quality than the buzzy thing you get with the 360..

and i do own both consoles before you deny the truth by calling me a ps3 fanboy..

the fact is, your not paying for those features on Live your actually using them to justify having to pay to play online, the system as far as i know.. and its not less laggy than ps3.. infact ive played gears 2 online live, and halo, and mw2.. and they all lag..

where as this free service thats so crap because it doesnt have cross game chat and avatars on the dash board(although there is home for 3d avatars which take it to a new level).. handles games upto 256 players a match and lag once in a blue moon..

and online play is the main reason live is bought.. nobody picks it up thinking "hmm i want to play online.. but i need to pay..but oh whats that it has superb features i dont know exist yet..OK" lol..

and yes i sound biased, but to be honest i dont care because its facts. Yes Live has features PSN doesnt but psn is highly under rated..

[Whatever123456]

oops

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

Yes they give you a free headset... But you'll have to pay them 50... Oops, I mean, 60bucks a year for a service that's free everywhere else just put it in use.

Don't get me wrong, I also find Live have better features, specially those that derived from party system being built in to it's software from the ground, so every game supports it, as some other standard features that are optional and not that easy to use on PS3.

But people saying stupid things, making mountains out of anthills about lag (oh like if P2P was that much better, try playing with anyone else than your neighbour), headset (oh great, every annoying kid with a 360 can talk... PS3 work with those cheap USB Headsets too, ever occured to you guys some people simple prefer not using it?), controller preferences (oh, my fingers are symetrical), HDMI cables (I would still prefer playing online for free and only buy a cable once than pay 50 a year), cross game chat (which PS3 HAS, just don't have cross game VOICE chat), custom soundtrack (oh great, why hear the original music or actually listen to the narrative when I can listen crap over it) and anyother DIFFERENCE that don't make up for any VICTORY... It's the exactly same thing from fanboys in the other side of the fence... It's da bluetooth... BIG DAMN DEAL! IR works just as well, as does USB for headsets.

It's all down to preference people, some of you guys need treatment if you can't see this, there is really few things that make difference and point to real better points in any of the consoles. Personally, despite better software integration on 360, I think PS3 is the better console for BD capabilities, free online (even if not the best implemented), more games and more diversified ones... But even thinking that I know I'm not owner of the truth and other people can prefer 360 with very logical reasons. It's like in those stupid comparisons, people nitpick all they can just trying to turn an stupid point into a valid one.

[skrug]

the PS3 has cross game/party chat, it just doesn't have cross game/party VOICE chat.

[Homicide]

" yeah !! and at least you have to pay another 10 bucks above whay you already pay to play online AND 64 bucks for a controller that doesnt suck !!! YEAH you showed them !!! suckers... "

The controller doesn't suck per se; it's one of the best for FPS, better than PS3's, mainly due to the triggers and size.

Also, all you PS3 guys had to upgrade your HDDs due to mandatory installs. Everytime an install story pops up, all you guys say, "well, it's no problem for my 500GB..lol" 360 owners don't since installs aren't required.

[skrug]

@Homicide

even if you wanted to install games onto 360, you would have to buy a bigger (overpriced) HDD

[Eiffel]

Crystal clear? My arse. I've got a few friends on PSN whose mic sounds like they're playing in a tunnel. Not everyone purchases most general bluetooth headsets that have quality assurance with the PS3, they just either use those cheap shooty cell phone bluetooth headsets or use those awful plug in PC headsets.

I'm just glad I bought the official headset, but dread for others as their's sounds like shit from my end.

*Disgruntle buzz*
"HEY GUYS*STATIC* READY TO *STATIC* PLAY SOME *STATIC* B*STATIC*AD COM*STATIC*PANY*STATIC*2?" ;

"Oh god my ear! Son of a bitch."

[Motorola]

Thats what you get for buying cheap bluetooths. Sony shud make the Official PS3 bluetooth the only one that works on PS3.... then the quality wud be better

[Playerz8]

Sony does have an Official PS3 Bluetooth Wireless Mic. You should look stuff up before talking.

[Eiffel]

Damn eight disagrees? Talk about massive butthurt.

[Motorola]

@Playerz8 I know they have one. I have it, Im just saying its the only one that shud work with the PS3. Youd think Id have a Motorola 1? NAH

[Eric Cartman]

There's a chance you have a problem with your connection. Even the cheapest headsets sound better than what you describe.

[xAlmostPro]

the cheap ass ps3 mics that sound like that have the same quality sound as the free 360 mics tbh, so sony dont produce them.. they let logitech etc make them lol.. but the sonys own mic is great at what it does

[Persistantthug]

If you are getting lots of disconnects, its your router.

I've had my BATTLEFIELD BAD COMPANY 2 on for 2 straight days....it's still on.

No lag...the only lag I've had was due to EA's servers when the game first launched.....they fixed it btw.

Tanya Valdez should invest in a new router.

[Schobeleth]

That she mentions NOTHING regarding her internet set up, or ISP. She only mentions some issues people were having with Modnation Racers when it launched, and Uncharted 2 having lag so bad she kept getting kicked out of the game. I've never experienced this in Uncharted 2 and I've been playing since launch on both wifi and a direct land line. Maybe she's running off 56k? Oh, wait I mean DSL wifi.

She's been writing video game news articles for two years and still gives no proper citations or reasoning behind her claims, funny.

[Redempteur]

lol jerry .. the "superior" LIVE doesn't have a fps with 256 players ... nor 128 ..

maybe with all that extra chas M$ is making .. they'll be able to have matches with 64 people like resistance 2

[Christopher]

PSN lacks in generating a feel of an online community. Communication is limited, not even taking into consideration who's playing what game. Sony needs to work a ton more on the social aspects of the gaming community with improved friend-based features and some sort of group chat that can be handled no matter what group you're in.

IMHO, I'm absolutely surprised they haven't partnered with a third-party company that already does VoIP to integrate PSN and their own system into one. Similar to the way Microsoft will soon be integrating both MSM and XBL.

[xAlmostPro]

i have to disagree actually, everything on live seems forced upon people.. you must pay, you must make a gamertag, you must create an avatar..

if you want this whole social network thing theres Home for that, for the people who WANT it..

otherwise messages and talking via the ingame part system does the job..

its not often i want to talk to someone in another game for longer than it takes to write a sentence in a message

[Redempteur]

online community ?
Home is strong and growing like crazy for 18 months !!

lol @the group chat ..sure it's usefull but iwhen i'm playing i play with the people in my game ..when i'm taking an are in killzone 2 i communicate with my teammates not with a friend playing street fighter .. ( for example )

X game chat is cool but useless when i'm playing ... i have a texte chat that works .. and when i'm not playing i can chat on every other app , or use my phone

[Christopher]

You guys may be the exception, then.

The concept of openly being able to communicate with someone via voice is a huge desire by many. Sure, there's home for those who specifically want a virtual world within which to be sociable, but what is there besides slow to type text messages and can't do anything but video chatting (both of which I do a lot of)?

People with friends online tend to want to be able to connect with them immediately and without hassle. I send messages to my friends and they take days to respond because it's so easy to miss that someone sent you a message. And even worse is having to pause a game just to read a message if you're in an ongoing conversation with someone. It works, but it certainly is a hassle compared to the proven alternative of just being able to connect via voice.

I video chat with my brother-in-law and even I catch myself sometimes going "gee, this would be great if we could talk and both game at the same time." But we can't. We're both sitting there, staring at each others respective living rooms and that's it. It's great when I can interact with my nephews or my mother-in-law is around to talk as well, it's then kind of a glorified PC chat room. But those moments are very rare.

What Sony has is okay, it allows connections to others and communication. But it's far from what it could be. And it's far from an overall community. You don't force people who want to be a part of the community to just go to the social online area when they want to talk to people and play a game at the same time. Or perhaps they want to watch a movie and talk to their friends.

IMHO, Sony's weakest element is their inability to pull everything together under one umbrella. A concept that Microsoft has done, even if you have to pay for it. But, if Sony did that while keeping online free... it would be solving their one biggest issue with online capabilities and would be one massive step closer to really proving that they can do everything the 360 can and more.

[talltony]

If you do not care about cross game chat then yes psn is better. Really their is not much else that live has on psn. Sure the ingame invites are more incorporated in the os while the party features on psn pretty much have to be built inside in every game from the developers which is not a big deal on the players part but might be from a development standpoint.

[HDgamer]

So upping the price 10 dollars more is now superior? Now still having dedicated servers and ads all over the place is superior? Give me a break, having played on live a lot of times especially over a friends house. Multiplatform games are pretty much the same online, now exclusives different story. Some games lag and some don't. Cross game chat isn't that big of a deal anyway, mostly 360 fans complain about it's not on the ps3 so much for no reason.

[bjornbear]

or experienced any lag in ANY game!!! AND I USE WIRELESS INTERNET!

so...article = bull

still funny about SCEJ =O DAMN YOU JAPANESE INTERNET DESTROYERS

[pain777pas]

First difference I notice between PSN and Live is its free. Please enough with the rationalisations. Its not worth it anymore. Get over it. I can go online like actually online with the PS3 and go to an music, video, any site I want. Please stop with this argument. Most are paying for Halo, Gears and COD games.

[xAlmostPro]

actually it IS on par already, yes Live has a few features PSN doesnt but that goes vice versa too..

and not only that what is the MAIN reason live is purchased and psn accounts are made?.. lets not lie here, its to PLAY ONLINE. you can say lives better but you actually buy it to play online.. psn is free and does the same job(not any more laggy, i mean it even has games running 256 players a match)..

so it IS on par if you compare by the main reason live is bought and why psn accounts are made..

i dont know anyone who buys live soley for the features.. only "i want to play my 360 online..and i gotta pay for that"

[mopground]

and if u look at my comment history its all ps3pro cause i do think its a better system and i do think sony is a better company than ms but, live is better than psn. 60$ better? arguably. if psn had cross game/party chat theres no question that it would be better

[josh14399]

i own an xbox 360 and ps3 both online ids are josh14399 and i know for a fact ps3 plays games much better online. resistance1&2, mag, uncharted 2, and warhawk have very little to no lag online. lag is very common when playing halo, gears of war online. the 360s advantage is the friend invite system which is awesome and custom music in all games.

to be honest in the uk psn has the advantage due to it being free and we get services like bbc iplayer and music video program for free. 360 has twitter and facebook but id rather use them on my pc or iphone. last.fm is cool on the 360 but video on the ps3 has the advantage. also with if i pay a sub for for psn i get lots of game content every month and i have to pay for live anyway. i also heard itv player and 4OD will be coming to ps3 which is a big bonus. xbox live has sky player which i subscribed to for a couple of months but there was only a few movies on it wasnted to watch and it was costing me over £20 a month when i could just subscribe to love films and get unlimited game and film rentals for less.

[Beatboxtaun]

Uncharted 2 is just amazing and the multiplayer is so much fun, one of my favorites. But, I have been getting some massive lag lately, it's insane. I love my PS3, I just want the connectivity to the servers to run a bit better.

[SuperTiger]

Interesting stuff about how SCEJ seem to be holding back SCEA and SCEE.

[Beatboxtaun]

More interesting about how SCEE freely admitted SCEJ to be the main problem with the online enhancements.

[Dark_Energy]

Here we go...I'm about to say this guys!

Both networks have their positives and negatives, it's the cusomers choice whether they prefer Xbox Live or Playstation Network.

*Waits for disagrees because its the truth*

[Beatboxtaun]

Nah, I agree with that. They both need improvements...XBL, $10 price decrease, please. Hah, wishful thinking doesn't hurt, right?

[Dark_Energy]

The thing is these huge companies can only improve their services if they know exacly what their customers want. In this case we've discovered that Sony Japan aren't allowing certain soical features that's why the PlayStation Network is behind.

Where as Microsoft have a solid social package on the Xbox Live, it's just the fact you have to pay for these privaleges.

I've no idea on the pricing in America but so far Microsoft have said nothing, time will tell.

[Optical_Matrix]

I can actually see SCEJ being the problem. Sounds about right. PSN firmware etc is all done at its core, at SCEJ and since home console gaming/online multiplayer aren't huge in Japan, it would make sense that they neglect it. Notice how some of PSN's best app's and features are being dealt with be SCEE and SCEA

[RayRay36]

Quiet frankly the only online problems I have is Call of Duty. Literally. But thats even just because IW. Theres this mis-conception that PSN servers are slow and backed up. If the game messes up, its the devs fault, not Sony's. People just think because it's free its bad... lol. Unreal.

[FIZZYVIMTO]

Well i honestly think PSN is a brillant service and it's free. I can honestly say i have never once had a problem with lag or in game voice chat.

as i said in the last article about SCEJ i think they should really think about listening to SCEE and SCEA about more online features even if bought in for PS Plus.

[Godmars290]

Its still the same old argument of a paid, required online multiplayer service versus one that's either free or not required.

And still, I've yet to hear anyone buying a PSW3 or 360 based solely on either. The most I have heard were people with both dropping XBL Gold after Netflix became available on the PS3. In that regard I have to wonder what MS intends to do to make Hulu actually appealing XBL when it finally comes to the 360.

[kasasensei]

"when we think about the PlayStation Network's online play, the first things that come to mind are...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity"

wait, what???

Is it an article from 2008?

[walker01]

That wasnt even a problem in 2008 either...i dont think thats ever been a problem for PSN
Most first party games have dedicated servers on PSN anyway so there isnt any lag there...
Its just bs

[fafoon]

Not just because it's Free
It has a more sophisticated gaming audience as everyone knows
Its not that Xbox live sucks
It just blows

[mrcash]

The only things i can see that people from live may consider negative on the ps3 are..

1.No party chat or any kind of chat outside of games
2.invite system is not as user friendly as live
3.Having to install demos after downloading them ( I still don't know why that is)
4.recent players list or just met list, isn't accurate making it more difficult to add someone that you may have just played with.
5. custom music while playing any game although thats a console feature not a service offering.

but honestly if psn just offered #1 people wouldn't complain and it would make for a better experience with friends.

[Seraphemz]

I agree with the installing AFTER downloading. I like that about the 360..
Cross game chat I dont care about. I dont really want to talk to people that arent playing the same game.. i might as well call them...

[mrcash]

Its a good feature to have though, i used it constantly when i used to get on live but then again i had many friends on there. The only thing I don't understand is how sony can invest on home which from a gamer stand point, is useless but can't implement a voichat system which is something I would have more use for.

[ThanatosDMC]

cross game chat was patented by MS.

[DA_SHREDDER]

"Let's face it, when we think about the PlayStation Network's online play, the first things that come to mind are...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity"

WTF?! What games does he even play? If anything I've experienced more lag on xbox live than anything. Thats what he gets for only playing multiplats anyways.

[ian72]

When I go on PSN, LAG and being kicked due to connection is the last things I worry about.
WTF, I haven't read the article but I have no problem with lag and connectivity. Those first few sentences after the title are just wrong.
Just read the article. Haven't got MNR or played U2 online so don't know about those games, but all the games I play online, I have no trouble at all.

[News4Noobs-]

"They're making it a little harder for me to convince people that the fee is reasonable."

You just contradicted yourself there FANBOY.
As far as i know, i played Uncharted 2 for like 5 months and never noticed any lag, and there is a "lag" like you say, stop exaggerating that you can't even play games on the PS3, I have both, PS3 and Xbox 360, i play mw2 and i see more lag on xbox, i dont if it is "Lagswitch" that people use more often on xbox 360 but yeah, however Xbox Live is better than PSN in the fact that you get SOME things early (not all) and that it has Cross game chat, but thats all, servers and other things are equal (spcially when when we are talking about PS3 exclusives games, where in 1000 games maybe 1 will lag).

Now my question, if you care too much about "online" do you care about all the kids that are on xbox live screaming 24/7? because that might be worst than just a simple lag

[jdigitalseven]

There will ALWAYS be lag playing online, its just the way it is. Hearing other people talk through other games is only overrated because its something fangirls try to brag about. Its coming to PSN, but why do people fantasize about hearing their "friends" through a mic?

[Seraphemz]

How many times are they going to do comparison articles... i mean isnt there anything better to write about?

This is the same thing everyday.. SONY vs 360.. And why? Cause fanboys eat this sh!t up...

[mrcash]

Uncharted 2 did lag Idk what you're talking about all games have lag but thats the only ps exclusive where lag is noticeable.

[Biggunz]

"...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity."

hmmmm does this moron even play on PSN? I don't have lag and I have been kicked from a game a few times in 3 years of owning my ps3. I guess examiner NEEDS SOME OF DA HITZ!

[washingmachine]

sony will charge next console

[TardcoreGamer]

I've owned a 360 since year one and can say its given me boat loads more lag than PSN.

[All_4_One]

Agreed. There is much more lag on Live, at least in my experience. I mean, I bought Uncharted 2 on day one, and I have not had even a single lag hiccup going on a year now, I`m not even joking. On the other hand, I couldn`t play Gears 2 for weeks when it first came out, it was completely broken. When it comes to in-game online play, PSN is smoother for me, hands down.

[All_4_One]

As someone who had had plenty of time on both services, and probably 2x more time on LIVE, I can say without a doubt that PSN is every bit as good as LIVE. The only advantage I give to LIVE is that it is more streamlined, and communication options are slightly better. Still, you have to pay a fee, and that makes it plummet in value. I`m not sure why people continuously say PSN "is not up to par." It`s an incredible value for a free service.

[big_silky]

I have no problem with psn itself but the store could stand to be 100 times better. Wheres the demos?

[MurerDk]

Moron!!

[razgriz94]

What is this guy even talking about?
Having used both services, I can say without a doubt that PSN is certainly not plagued with "lag and being kicked". I find that Xbox LIVE lags way more. PSN runs on dedicated servers. And those = no lag. LIVE is Peer to Peer, which is completely dependent on everyone's connection quality, and thus means more lag, because, let's face it, most people don't have awesome internet connections. Why do you think there aren't any "huge" online games on LIVE, such as Warhawk (32 players), Resistance 1 & 2 (40 & 60), and most recently MAG (256 players). Simply put LIVE's P2P network can't handle those player counts, as PSN's dedicated network can. (Note, I'm not arguing the quality of these listed games, just their scale, and ability to play lag free).

Now, before I get all kinds of fanboy rage, let me say I'm not calling PSN better than LIVE, or even LIVE better than PSN. They both have their pros and cons.

PlayStation Network
Is free
(IMO) Has less lag
Offers services like Netflix & Hulu
Has a more mature audience
but...
Has no cross game chat
and the social aspect is lacking

Xbox LIVE
Has cross game chat
Is much easier to connect with friends
but...
Costs (now) $60 a year
Less mature audience
(IMO) More lag

They both have the same relative amount of users, so saying PSN is empty is not valid. Also, In-game custom soundtracks is NOT part of LIVE. Everyone uses that in the LIVE vs PSN debates. Custom soundtracks is a SYSTEM feature built into the 360. It is not tied to LIVE. Oh, and I don't think it's that no one has mics on PSN (everyone I know with a PS3 has one), it's that less people use them. I do the same thing. I really only use my mic when playing with friends. I'm not interested in talking to a lot of the ***holes.

Wow, I guess I kinda ranted there... sorry.

[absolutecarnage]

Dude sorry but i really have to disagree there about the more mature audience on the Psn, That's so bullsh1t i go over to my friends house from time to time and I'm telling you i have seen my fair share of retarded people on his psn to know enough that your statment is false, Reality is There are idiots on both systems Deal with it, and by the way the 360 also offers Netflix and Hulu is coming they just said later.

Lol and then you say quote " I really only use my mic when playing with friends. I'm not interested in talking to a lot of the ***holes". Then you say then xbox has a less mature audience

Just saying

[Sizzon]

you have to look at it in the first way, cuz XBL has been out longer than PSN, it started when the PS3 came out, XBL was there with all the features back on the original xbox. The PS2 had online for some games but wasn't that wow online service that the original xbox had (but socom online was decent) but that aside, I as a PS3 and a Xbox 360 owner, think that the PS3 is an amazing free service and has nice features such as VidZone here in Europe and soon getting MUBI like America, they have Netflix and other things.

[NoPoint]

Just because PSN is free doesn't make it better.

[wedgie]

and just because you pay for live does not make it better

[ChronoJoe]

I prefer the PSNs service in-game, as in the matchmaking quality, dedicated servers. But XBL has cross game chat, then again XBLA is also a cluttered mess, with tonnes of adverts, and an overall lesser intuitive interface, but still touches like the boxart on your games, and even the keytones are in my opinion nicer on XBL...

I think aside cross game chat, it's all a matter of preference.

[Whatever123456]

Lol, did u know that themes can change your keytones as well? If u like them so much u should try getting the sound files and building a theme off of it, I have plenty of awesome keytones varied across my themes ^-^

[ChronoJoe]

Yeah I know...

I should look into it. I would like the 360 sound when you get an achievement, replacing the PS3s trophy sound.

I notice most of the themes have annoying keytones though, some are very loud or some have a keytone every time you move across an icon e_e

[tiamat5]

I never understand these comparisons. I am sure Xbox Live has disadvantages as well as advantages. It always annoys me when they make 360/PS3 comparisons everyone acts as if their system of choice has no flaws what so ever but the other persons system has a over a dozen flaws. It's the same thing when comparing games, especially PS3 games. Everything is wrong with KZ3 but Halo Reach, Crysis and Rage are perfect. You can only find flaws as long as it's not the system you own you are talking about.

[Octo1]

I am sick of these "lag on the PS3 is prety bad" comments. I think intelligent sensible gamers would have dropped the PS3 if the lag is so bad like this article states. To my knowledge, lag factors more to your Internet connection and set up(router).I've had the PS3 since launch and I've played Mod Nation Racers. All I can say bad about Mod Nation is the terribly long load times. Lag was never an issue. I owened Uncarted 2 and like Mod, I've never had any lag issues with it's online. I'm playing MW2 and again I have no lag issues. If I did have issues it was not due to PSN but rather my Internet service or router. I'm not saying the PSN is a perfect service but it's so called constant lag issues that this article points out are greatly exagerated. If you don't mind Shelling out $50 a year to play a more "superior" service then hey that's your choice.I on the other hand think that the service Sony offers, a free one at that does the job for me and it still does the job for my friends on PSN.

[gtafan]

Why do we these articles come out every single day. I don't pay to play online and lately I haven't had time to game much less get online. WTF are you serious. I already pay for my right to be connected to the internet and Microsoft wants me to play online. HMMM not fair at all.

[SpitFireAce85]

Considering that XB live has been around since the first
Xbox 2001 that's a 5 year head start.Id say the PSN is
doing a great job as the new kid on the block.Its there
and it does what its suppose to which is provide free
online gaming + it has dedicated online servers for its
exclusive which you don't have to pay for.

PS.I wrote this on the PS3 browser with a keyboard can you
do that on live.

[joypads]

they say Live has party chat i say screw that i'm all for playing AAA games on FREE quality online service.

CHATTING like a PARROT is a Women,Hardcore gamer is too busy to do that. ;)

oh kids do chat like parrots too so its not just a women thing,this explains things better now. lol

[devilhunterx]

With XBL, I can haz cross game chat!

[midgard229]

all for 60 bucks

[punisher99]

"Let's face it, when we think about the PlayStation Network's online play, the first things that come to mind are...lag and being kicked out of the game due to connectivity."

Seriously?? Did this person write this in 2006?? This is 2010 and my psn experience is always rock solid.

[midgard229]

tell me about it. people are morons

from my experience on Live, Halo cant handle 8 players without lagging yet my 256 player Mag barley lags.

honestly people make stuff up cuz they dont wanna feel like they have been wasting money

[Stationfan]

PSN does not have the integrated online as LIVE, BUT this could be a big plus. If Valve and future developers take advantage of infastructure.

For example Valve already stated that because of the open infastrucure ps3 versions of portal 2 will be the better version on consoles because they can implement steamworks without all going thru loopholes and LIVE restrictions.

Playstation 3 is also going to be home of MMO's for the same reason. No restrictions and beauriocracity bullcrap that many LIVE developers.

LIVE might be good for the type of games that you want to play on 360. But would not cut it for the games ps3 palyers want to play. New genres like Play, Create, Share made possible by the lenient open infastructure.

Mod Nation Racers, and future titles made possible because they dont have to jump thru loopholes too provide their audience with user made interface.

[midgard229]

easy psn is better because 60$ is not worth it for party and cross game chat.

seriously, it isnt, i can do that for free on Vent when i game on my pc

and oh please tell me why its 60 now and still hass no internet browser? i mean ya still cant do more than 16 players online at once.

and its not even dedicated servers!!!

[p_bateman]

The 360 doesn't even have a internet browser u have to pay for themes while on ps3 u get them for free plus u can download mp3's and films threw ps3 browser 4 free.

[midgard229]

and watch porn!!!!

Ps3, "it only does everything........even doggy style"

[never_waste_a_bullet]

gotta love that porn!

[divideby0]

article is utter BS.. and I like the site.
I have been a day one member of Live, have played Madden back in the 56K days and a PSN member.
Online gameplay on Live is the same as PSN.. the author has issues with their connection, I never experience the stuff which is mentioned.
go play BC2 on Live (I am). VOIP in game SUCKS... Party chat is as clear as BC2 PSN in game.

[kagon01]

I prefer free online services over paid online services any day...

[FinalomegaS]

if you had free analogue cable tv with 30 channels vs digital satellite 300 channels 50$ a month.

would you still prefer your free vs the paid?

unless you're an underage user that lives at home with your parents then any free service would be for you but once you start paying for services then you get a say to what type of service you want, not being given but telling the service provider what you want.

When it comes to XBL, I really think we as end users gave MS the "carte blanche" on this as they just went with it. Really should of been free but putting a cost on it and calling it premium "gold" user vs silver was more of a advertising pitch" Clearly the service can be free. Even charging an additional 5$ to online heavy games can do the same without the user complaining.

[Biggunz]

so easy a brain dead moron can do it. Do you ever write actual news articles? Everybody needs to click the examiner.com link under "Read Full Story>>" and tell them what you think.

[never_waste_a_bullet]

psn you definitely get more out of what you put in, and with better users its more fun... less immature racist children, screaming kids, and annoying "pwners"

[Hades1337]

Pointless trying to argue this issue on N4G, you just have to look at the agree/disagree proportion of people that prefer XBL compared to those that prefer PSN. No point in even trying to voice my opinion for that matter.

[PoorMansGT]

I tried both,PSN is better because it has more dedicated server games and the mic is high quality sound,you an actually hear a person well. Also minimal crap talking from people.

[Rauland]

i pay a lot more then i would do for xbox live and my internet is x100 unreliable then anything.

[mp1289]

.

[RH06]

They are both different, why do they not get that. Atleast online gaming wise on the 360 and PS3 is lightyears ahead of the Wii! As for them both being compared to each other, almost like some people like PC's, and some like Macs...

[FinalomegaS]

some people will defend which ever console to the grave, so why even bother to take the bait of these type of topics.

[NotSoSilentBob]

When LIVE is free then it will be better then PSN. I pay for games and I want to access the FULL GAME when I get a chance to play it. With LIVE I have to make sure I spend the extra cash to play a game I already paid for.(multiplayer)

[FinalomegaS]

seriously?

I don't like the fact it cost a yearly fee either but that shouldn't be the factor making one better than the other.

wii has free online multiplayer, avatars, online micro transactions, has netflix, web surfing too, and an system email that both HD system lack ( you can email the wii from external source),and you get to have direct channels like you have on your smart phone. get to play games in 480P !!!! =)

Does the wii stand a chance for better also?

[NotSoSilentBob]

The Problem with the Wii is that none of it's games appeal to me but a few. I don't like the fact 99% of the games are motion control. Yea for awhile the games are fun but when I play I want to kick back and relax not have to be standing or sitting up all the time. The PS3 has full email too with it's built in Web browser. Yes it isn't the best but I have no troubles getting to my Gmail email accounts.

[niceguyWii3]

The fact that you are compairing something that is free to something that you have to pay 60(soon) dollars for, to pretty much do the samething makes the whole argument pointless.
And be4 you guys say it....anyone with half a brain will know that yes the "apps" are nice but if you have a browser you already have access to any app you will ever need.

[theroadtoruin]

anyone who says live is better don't mean anything, its all opinion.. its all all about if the services suits you and fits your needs period not about meaningless extra features that have no impact on the games or gameplay.

[SexyPrawns]

LAG on the PS3?

What did he play? The Darkness online?

(The Darkness rocks, btw. The multi-player is a joke though.)

[Tres21]

id hav 2 say i hav problems with both if there was a way 2 pull features from both & put em all into 1 i would,
PSN goes slow 4 me & i hate when i hav 2 install or unload sumthin when i wanna play & cant put it in the background & it just takes longer 4 me on all my pages 2 load when lookin thru PSN but its free & they dont make u pay 4 features u might not want & its free so ill take it

Live, i dont want twitter & they can keep Facebook the best part of that is i found friends on there that also play live, last.fm i'd keep, netflix if i dont wanna pay 4 that why even be on my dashboard? & my downloads go alot faster(for me), but why advertise on gold at all maybe silver, & no more primetime but a price increase ive never payed full price ever but still instead of $35 at the most its $45 & thats what i didnt wanna pay & they def need 2 do lik plus does & giv me sum free games or announce sumthin i cant live without

but its all personal preference thats why its not all the same but we should get 2 pick what were payin 4 & if MS is gonna increase the price the difference should go 2 devs so they can stop tryin 2 get in on us payin more 4 online, its really all about seein what u get 4 ur money & if its worth it.