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Sony On “Always-Connected” PS4: “We Didn’t Consider It”

Always-online is a sticky subject for many gamers, but at least Sony followers don't have to worry about such a feature in the new PlayStation 4.

According to a recent Game Informer interview with Sony President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida (as cited by GameSpot ), Sony has dismissed the possibility of an "always-on" console.

Yoshida said the company didn't even consider it, primarily due to the wide differences in Internet services available around the world. Not everyone has what we have, ya know.

"Did we consider it? No, we didn’t consider it. The main reason being that many countries don’t have robust Internet connections. It makes sense for people to have Internet connections to play online games, but for offline games there are many countries that we saw [that] do not really have robust Internet."

Yeah, realistically, the world isn't in a place yet where an always-connected console would make sense from a business standpoint. There had been rumors that Microsoft's new Xbox would be an always-on system, but those rumors have recently started to fade. Still, there is some talk that the Xbox 720 will require that users be online to watch live TV and movies. If it actually requires you to be online to play single-player games, I'm drawing the line, damnit. That's just stupid beyond stupid.

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WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

If MS does do that they are in trouble, the US is their big market and the internet here sucks chocolate donkey balls.

firesoul453
firesoul453
10 years ago

There is no way Microsoft will do it now. Thought they were originally going to.

Now the plan is to eventually release always online games that are multiplayer only and slowly but surely move in that direction.

But alteast for a while we'll be good.

ProfPlayStation
ProfPlayStation
10 years ago

From a "leaked" MS internal email:
"There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single player game."

Just making sure all their employees are still on board with what their policy was the whole time…right?

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

The whole time indeed.

Akuma_
Akuma_
10 years ago

You think the internet in the US sucks?

Ahaha…..

My friend, you know nothing of crappy internet!

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
10 years ago

Net in the US? Wow… 🙂

MartyRules
MartyRules
10 years ago

I love Sony so much, I can't wait to preorder this badboy

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
10 years ago

I have the feeling that Sony has learned a lesson or two from the PS3.

In home design/building we follow the 90/10 rule, meaning that whatever you design and build, you do it for 90% of the people out there and don't worry to much about the remaining 10%.

Sony seems as if they are doing this very concept as 90% of fans and developers seemed pleased over the PS4.

Douchebaguette
Douchebaguette
10 years ago

Like I mentioned before, the reason why Sony can't afford to pull off a stunt like this is due to their global market.

Microsoft never did well in places outside of Europe and North America, and unfortunately due to their more business orientated scheme, they have abandoned and dismissed said areas. They'd rather seep the most of what they see, and of course that means they're only willing to solve temporary solutions towards their gains. Sony are different, they really do invest for the future, and as a result they pay attention to a broader scale.

And this is why in the long run, Microsoft will die in the succession of console wars.

DaGuyFromStuff
DaGuyFromStuff
10 years ago

Oh look – someone who sees a world OUTSIDE the U.S.

Underdog15
Underdog15
10 years ago

We're all prone to be too inward looking, but for this site and for the purposes of being a gaming website, Ben does pretty well. I can't say I've ever felt excluded for not being American. That's a testament to the community first mentality you get here.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

I'd like to see Sony take a page out of Microsoft's book next gen and limit the size of updates that developers can attach to a game. I've seen as high as 3 gigs for DLC I had no intention of downloading. It's annoying as hell to wait a half of an hourfor that, just so I can play single player campaign and be logged into PSN.Though with recent interviews with developers lauding Sony's 'do anything you want' policy, I don't see it happening.

Banky A
Banky A
10 years ago

my exact thoughts when this topic was brought up. horray

___________
___________
10 years ago

now only if every company thought like that!
from a manufactures standpoint it would solve so many problems, especially piracy and non licensed software.
but internet is a long, long way off being reliable enough before we get to that stage.
hell i cant get 1 freaking drop of rain without the internet dropping out for the whole day!

Akuma_
Akuma_
10 years ago

Microsoft has always been about 'the cloud'.

I am surprised Sony is the one going for the game streaming thing, totally expected it from MS. Maybe they still will?

MS have been, for years now, trying to move the entire Windows OS over to a cloud streaming platform. Just look at Office 365.

Ather
Ather
10 years ago

Considering the freak out over XBOX's always on, and one defender getting fired for being such a jerk about it, Microfot would be stupid beyond stupid to require it. I'm sure one day it will be the norm, but it'll require a major change world wide to have stable always on connections everyplace.

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