PlayStation Network to add video, advertising, and more

***wraggster*** · May 15th, 2007, 01:25

via joystiq

Gamasutra was at the Online Game Developer's Conference in Seattle last week, writing up SCEA's Michael Shorrock's session on the components of the slightly amorphous PlayStation Network. Don't think it's just the PlayStation Store and online gaming functionality -- it will also include services like video-on-demand "delivering full-length movies, music, and TV programs direct to users via PS3 and PSP." And that's not all! There will also be wireless functionality for "gaming via PSP and mobile devices," in-game / network advertising to deliver ads straight into your eyeballs and, of course, the Home service.

Shorrock discussed Home's "pavilions" -- think islands in Second Life -- citing possibilities for third-party developed pavilions which could be distributed for free or as paid content. He used an example of casinos with mini-games, although he was unsure how developers would choose to monetize the service.

We'd be remiss if we didn't point out that the scale of this new and improved PlayStation Network sounds increasingly like Microsoft's multi-pronged Xbox Live service, which not only enjoys a burgeoning video marketplace, but has potential for in-game advertsing (Microsoft purchased Massive, an in-game advertising company), while Live Anywhere promises wireless cellphone gaming. But it's not a race, right? Let's just be happy that good ideas are getting the attention they deserve.

**Buddy4point0** · May 15th, 2007, 01:27

interesting, very interesting

**mavsman4457** · May 15th, 2007, 02:00

This article talks about in-game advertising as though it's something the gamer has been waiting for since the release of the original Playstation. I hate to break it to you Sony but in-game and online advertisements aren't a feature that will sway the sales from Wii to PS3. Anyways, the movies thing sounds good so hopefully we will see something great come of that.

**Skateblind** · May 15th, 2007, 02:21

Well,the adverts, are obviously(in my view) not for the gamer. They will bring in a lot of money though. Video on demand would be great, I think they are making a YouTube clone, which is typical of Sony, but a great idea. Ive been waiting for a site I can access on my PSP that will let me stream videos and what not. The future is very bright for Sony and Microsoft, not the Wii since it will only be here for another 2 or 3 years before a new Nintendo console comes out and 4+ years before Microsoft bring anything out.

**Skateblind** · May 15th, 2007, 02:22

Well,the adverts, are obviously(in my view) not for the gamer. They will bring in a lot of money though. Video on demand would be great, I think they are making a YouTube clone, which is typical of Sony, but a great idea. Ive been waiting for a site I can access on my PSP that will let me stream videos and what not. The future is very bright for Sony and Microsoft, not the Wii since it will only be here for another 2 or 3 years before a new Nintendo console comes out and 4+ years before Microsoft bring anything out.