How PSN Stacks Up To Live

PS3Center: "So as always I was browsing around the internet looking at the hottest topics out there, and found something common is yet again getting hot. The whole PlayStation Network vs Xbox Live is back at it once again. I read an article over at another site that tries to justify the price tag slapped on Xbox Live. So I thought, why not look at it in a different light and see just how PlayStation Network stacks up? Afterall we are not trying to promote a Xbox Live subscription give away here."

[PS3ROCKS]

We go again .

[ryuzu]

<sigh> Look I'll sum it up real easy.

PSN gives you 90% of the equivalent functions of Live, at 0% of the cost.

Next!

r.

[MinskyM]

LOL, no. It is cute though that you are tying to suggest PSN is somehow this subset of Microsoft's pay for P2P gaming service.

PSN:

* Free online play for every single console owner

* Standard dedicated servers for all competitive online games

* Massive online games sizes thanks to the standard dedicated servers

* Developer friendly to mods

* Developer friendly to free content

* The massive 20 million user Home online service

* The Platinum,Gold,Silver,Bronze Trophy system

The true test of an online service is asking the simple question:

Would you swap your service for the other?

Would any PS3 or PC gamer give up PSN or PC online gaming for 60 dollar a year laggy P2P online gaming?

[HeavenlySnipes]

really, REALLY have to have X- Game Chat then enjoy paying 59.99. Just be happy knowing it all goes towards promoting Kinect and getting timed exclusives. Whatever though, i'm not paying.

[GamingGamer]

the main draw for the XBL is the multiplayer...

but thing is PSN has same servers as XBL because it is the publishers who decide dedicated server or not.

so basically, you pay to get same servers that PSN has.

also, you cant deny that if Mutiplayer was free, most people would drop XBL gold sub.

and this article is prob response to Cody's article. and he lied that XBL has better gaming server.

[HeavenlySnipes]

I honestly think that all platforms (haven't played on PC online before) are equally laggy. When used to play online on the 360 when I had the free 3 montrhs of Gold, I found that the games lagged just as much as they did on my ps3. People try to act as if MW2 on the ps3 laggs and times out but on the 360 its the smoothest game ever. The games are just as fucked up on both platforms.

[Godmars290]

I'll make it easier for you: one's only accessible through the PS3, the other the 360.

If you only own one system, you can only access one service. If you own both, you have the option of toying around with PSN without paying anything.

[kaveti6616]

"* Standard dedicated servers for all competitive online games

* Massive online games sizes thanks to the standard dedicated servers

* Developer friendly to mods

* Developer friendly to free content "

Bullshit filler?

Oh, disagrees.

Does every online competitive game on PSN have dedicated servers?

Uncharted 2 runs on p2p servers, and pretty much every online multiplat game runs on p2p servers.

Are massive online games exclusive to PSN? Hasn't it been proven already that XBL also supports dedicated servers if the developer wishes, and doesn't this mean that it is under the developer's discretion to create large multiplayer match games, like Frontlines?

And 'developer friendly to mods?' How many games have mod support on PSN?

UT3 and...?

'Developer friendly to free content'? That's cool. I don't recall any free map packs for Uncharted 2. I paid for them all. And for Killzone 2.

That's all bullshit. And the guy who wrote it joined less than a day ago. He's just another multi-account fanboy.

[MeatPopsicle]

Resistance 1 - dedicated servers 20vs20 online
Resistance 2 - dedicated servers 30vs30 online
Warhawk - dedicated servers 20vs20 online
Killzone 2 - dedicated servers 16vs16 online
KIllzone 3 - dedicated servers 16vs16 online

Every single major PS3 online game has standard dedicated servers. Just like on the PC.

Halo 3 - P2P 8vs8 online
Gears of War - P2P 4vs4 online
Gears of War 2 - P2P 5vs5 online

With Microsoft's billions and hundreds of millions in online fees they force people to play games online you would think they could at least provide an online service that is up to Sony's standards.

[corneliuscrust]

NO>

WTF is wrong with you?

"Every single major PS3 online game has standard dedicated servers. Just like on the PC."

Does Uncharted2? NO. Then you are INCORRECT. STOP SPREADING FUD. WTF man.

[creatchee]

Totally agree, because you're speaking the truth. People who say that PSN is dedicated servers-only have not done their homework. True - a lot of first-party games do utilize them, but multiplats (and some exclusives) run P2P just like LIVE. I like dedicated servers in general (although SOCOM: Confrontation's were bullshit for the first 6+ months), but that doesn't mean that P2P is bad - especially nowadays where most games find the best host before the game even starts.

[MeatPopsicle]

Uncharted 2 is single player game with a nice little bonus multiplayer element.

But hey, it's understandable that people who are being forced to pay 60 dollars a year for laggy P2P online gaming feel the need to lash out and direct their anger somewhere.

[kaveti6616]

Does Black Ops on PS3 have dedicated servers?

Does Modern Warfare on PS3 have dedicated servers?

How many times must it be said, Microsoft has stated that XBL supports dedicated servers but it's up to the developer or publisher.

Sony doesn't provide free dedicated servers to any third party publishers.

And you're downplaying Uncharted 2's MP mode as being a nice little bonus? Fuck off, man. UC2's MP mode is great and is supported by map packs. you're just trying to say that it's not important for Sony to give UC2 dedicated servers because it's not a core MP game, right? Is that your mentality?

[hiredhelp]

very true. only thing needed to pay mainly is rentals on movies and psn +

[MeatPopsicle]

Call of Duty?

LOL! Kiddie arcade shooters with massive amounts of auto-aim so the little lamers can hit stuff.

Dedicated, P2P. Don't give a F.

[wsoutlaw87]

now all the xbox guys are trying to argue live is just as good for multiplat games, not that its better. The point in the article had nothing to do with multiplat because they are equal p2p. The only thing is that sony offers dedicated servers on a lot of their exclusives and Microsoft doesn't even do it for halo, which most people buy for mp. So why should live be 60$, the price of a full game.

[ShinMaster]

Which console has the most lag???
Which exclusive game has the most lag???

[Vicodin]

"Which console has the most lag???
Which exclusive game has the most lag???"

If your online game is P2P based then you are at the mercy of whatever random user is hosting the game. If they are running torrents or someone else at their house starts using their connection the game suffers and lag and other problems happen.

Games like Gears of War were plagued with lag and other problems due to its use of outdated P2P type technology.

Playing the major online games on PSN like Resistance and Killzone feels very much like playing on a lan thanks to the dedicated servers.

[Pyscho_Mantis]

wow this is the same articale from that 360 fanboy on this website forgot his name. something didyo..?

[moparful99]

warhawk supports up to 32 players... I buried over 700 hours into that game and the servers, while inconsistent in the begining, are near bulletproof as of 2008.... But the whole dedicated servers debate is rather silly, the publishers decided what kind of server set up to use because they are the ones paying for it.. MOst companies utilize client servers.. They pay a company to run and maintain servers off site since it's cheaper but is less efficient... But yes there are a few big name titles for the ps3 that use dedicated servers...

[BubloZX]

I mean come on I shouldn't have to pay to play COD online!!!!

[vhero]

LOL @ PS3ROCKS I was thinking exactly the same thing when I read the title I ain't even gonna bother as everybody has there own slant when comparing. At the end of the day who would seriously pay for Live if online gaming didn't come as part of the package? I tell you NONE! The fanboys will say different but they wouldn't. So as great as each service is people only pay for live because they want to play online not because its a superior service or whatever END OF.

[reckoner]

the only people worried about paying for Xbox Live are PS3 fanboys. Do I wish it was free like PSN? Yes. But it's a great service, and most of my friends have it, so I'll continue paying for it.

[SoSLy]

this is the 100293902831928th article about PSN vs Live.

[AKissFromDaddy]

Rocks!

[SpinalRemains138]

Excellent article, man. I really enjoyed an honest perspective. I haven't logged onto Live for over 2 years, but all of what you wrote rang true with my experience.

The argument of PS3 being down all the time is simply insane. In the 4 years I've owned and gamed on it, I have encountered 1 time (about 1 year ago) where I could not log on. It was maybe noon and I couldn't get on for about an hour. That was the only time. A lot of what I read around here is not even in the realm of exaggeration. They're flat out lies.

[vhero]

I don't know where that comes from to be fair I never have problems either. Only time I had it down is for scheduled maintenance which to be fair is about as much as it is on live and when there was the clock problem earlier this year in which i didn't bother switching my ps3 on all day for anyways lol.

[thrust]

for online gaming with friends = xbox live

for online gaming solo = psn

@minskym , psn= online PC gaming hahahaha thats the best i have heard all year. ohhhhhh a little bit of wee came out then.

[MinskyM]

for online gaming with 20 year olds screaming racial and homophobic slurs with laggy P2P networking = xbox live

for serious online players who won't settle for anything but online PC style gaming with lagfree dedicated servers = psn

It really is ironic that Sony is the console company that provides the same type of high level of online gaming quality Windows gamers expect and demand.

PC
Free online gaming
Dedicated servers
Mod friendly
Free content friendly

PSN
Free online gaming
Dedicated servers
Mod friendly
Free content friendly

XBL
60 dollar a year online fees
Laggy P2P networking
Mod hostile
Free content hostile

Yep, PSN is nothing like PC gaming...

[kaveti6616]

Haha, you joined less than a day ago?

What was your previous account, if you don't mind me asking?

[reckoner]

taken to a whole other level.

I've found many immature kids on PSN as well.

[Kanadajin]

for online gaming with friends = xbox live

For those who have no friends;
online gaming = xbox live

[dtrain21]

PSn needs a lot of stacking...PSN can't compete wit LIVE

[BubloZX]

STFU!!!!!

all PSN needs is party chat, and ESPN which I have a tv for sooooo not worth @60.

[Senpai]

I've never had an Xbox, so I really don't know. But PSN works just fine for me.

[SpinalRemains138]

Am I the only one that mutes everyone else when playing online? No one ever addresses this. When I am not gaming with my friends, and I am online I have to mute everyone. I cannot stand listening to everyones music or teens screaming bullshit. Who wants that? Why is including a mic a good thing? In reality, you're giving a mic to annoying kids. Do any of you see the problem here?

The argument that mature individuals will go out and buy a mic is actually a dam good one. At 34 years of age I am well past the needing to hear a 10 year old scream into my ear. I would like to think that most everyone is. The idea of including the mic was intended to hook up the customer, but in reality it's doing harm to the experience. Leave the mics to those who won't abuse it. In my experience, there was always much less screaming and bullcrap being spoken thru mics on PSN vs Live.

[Dnied]

This is why I like the party chat on xbox.. on xbox I just talk to the people I want to talk to

But there are ways to do this on PSN like you said, I mute everyone and also have my game settings to "friends only" for voice communication which also works.

Some developers these days dont consider this though, and make it very complicated just to mute 1 person =(

[gigaware]

:/

[BabyTownFrolics]

how many times can we go through this?

i am so tired of people arguing about this. Use what you use and leave everyone else alone. Dont try to justify anything and dont ask people to justify anything. Just leave people to their decisions, and stop with the bullshit already.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[AwakenTheTaco]

thank you for saying that sir. use what you want. competition is good. no need to argue and fight. just like mac vs. pc its a useless argument. use what YOU like and leave it at that.

[Dnied]

I thought this was an great read and I agree 100% with every point made. nice work..

[Fishy Fingers]

How opinion pieces stack up to actual gaming news.

Poorly.

[cliffbo]

PS3 owners have been looking at 360 owners through their rear view mirror for nearly a year now, while 360 owners have been fooled into believing they still have the edge. see the truth and relax

[Megaton]

Which one has stable online multiplayer? Both.
Which one has free access? PSN.
Which one has Netflix support? Both.
Which one has free access? PSN.

Nothing else matters to me.

[gigaware]

Because you are defensive when PSN is matched up that is why those are the things only mattering to you. Also it could be because you only have the PS3 and simply don't know any better using the standard SDF lines of defense.

[EskiJoe]

Why does anybody have to justify that PSN is free... I rather hear why XBL is not free.

[Megaton]

You know me so well. I clearly only own a PS3, and I've never used XBL.

http://gamercards.exophase.... Derp.

I haven't owned a PS3 in over a year, and don't have any immediate plans to buy a new one after having 2 break via YLOD. This whole year was spent playing 360 and PC games, at about an 80/20 split. I've paid for gold like the other suckers, I've spent countless time online chatting with friends over XBL, and I've used Netflix on both. I say what I say based on experience, not some juvenile defense of a piece of metal and plastic. Save that SDF foolishness for someone else, cause you're barking up the wrong tree here.

[gigaware]

So that's you? I don't get it.
http://gamercards.exophase....

LOL you claim one of the only things that matters to you is multi player and you think PSN being free puts it on top? Really do you have a 360?

DERP?

[Megaton]

Really? You don't get it? Allow me to explain the complexities of that image: that's my ID and tag.

#1 in order of importance is a stable network. After that is the matter of which one costs less to use. If the PSN wasn't stable, it wouldn't matter if it was free. I could tell you the fact that I've experienced more lag in 6 months of XBL gold usage than 2 years of PSN usage, but I'm sure your head would explode.

[Hades1337]

I feel that Xbox Live is a more complete package, but for a free online service PSN certainly does the job.

[TheColbertinator]

I enjoy the two services.

I like Xbox Live Gold,Live Silver and PSN.

I hate PSN Plus and the Wiiware network

Seems to me Sony and MS have decent services established.Nintendo is too stubborn and is too attached to the 20th century

[All_4_One]

Oh boy, another one of these -__-

Aside from a few social features, such as cross game voice chat, they are basically identical.

Also, if you`re not interested in chatting with people across different games, then XBL is a waste of money, because that`s the really the only feature exclusive to Live.

[wicked]

I use the in game music and MSN while playing a lot. That's why I use live the most.

[hiredhelp]

everybody forgets the one major thing that sony offers that microsft cannot. HOME' eaither love it or hate it. you cant denie its very well done. and if you look theres always somewere to go something to do.

[Paradise Lost]

True, Social Network built in every ps3 for Free.

[Sparticus_1]

I will say this much. To me, as I started out with a Sony, and stuck with a Sony. Now mind ya, I had the originator....Atari 2600...but when gaming became gaming, I satisfied my urge with an original playstation. Now if I would have bought an XBox, Im sure my views would have changed. I've tried an xbox, I do not like the controller. I dont see how paying 60 dollars for what it gives you justifiable. It's not the money, I have plenty of it, I'd rather spend it on ME and not MicroSoft. I play online 98% of the time. It's free, I see no problem with it, the end.

[Mkai28]

It was smart for sony to copy microsoft with the network thing. Because that is what they wanted to do. And it does seem more of a purchase because sony say's look we have most of the features our competitor has and it's freeeee! However, ppl that complain about xbl being run by children is absured. I for one never hear them because I am always in party chat with ppl my age. If they are on then you are playing a childs game or they are playing a mature game and parent would be to blame.

[Vicodin]

Sarcasm?

[Sez]

Yet psn don't hold my interest and feels very empty. The last time I played any game over psn was warhark and that was over a year and s half ago and I've never went back. Where as I prefer live better. The money isn't a problem if I enjoy the service itself

[Neko_Mega]

Fanboys like to make up poor reasons why they think its better then PSN.

They are both good in my book and both have their ups and downs. Try dealing with having poor internet and want to play online.

[kagon01]

Now, this is a very well elaborated neutral article, unlike the "unbiased one" made by a 360 closet fanboy...

[IHateYouFanboys]

oh wow, an article from ps3center.net praising something PS3 related? who wouldve guessed.....

excuse me while i post an article from xbox.com saying that the xbox is the best....