Ever since the release of the system, the PlayStation Network has been touted as the premier locale to download both movies and games, seamlessly allowing for fluid acquisition of various digital medias and for the most part, it has accomplished this objective. However, as I quickly learned while attempting to download a digital copy of Record of Agarest War from the PSN, I had it stall out multiple times. Additionally, the online site for the PSN is incapable of standing up to the Xbox website in sheer amount of capability. It would be exceptionally welcome to be able to download content to a PS3 from the convenience of a computer so that it would be waiting for me to play or watch upon my arrival home. If the 360 is capable of it, why can’t the PlayStation 3 do the same? It isn’t so much a question of quality at that point as expectation. By utilizing a console, the gaming community expects something to work seamlessly – if this wasn’t the case, we’d all be PC gamers. Succinctly said, the PlayStation Network does have many great features, but still feels clunky as though an afterthought, leaving a lot to be desired and improved upon. Hopefully, this will occur when PSN allows for premium service, which is expected to be announced at E3. Then perhaps I can finally use the PlayStation 3, PSP and PSN all in perfect concert as one can only imagine.
Speaking of imaging things, does anyone remember how the PlayStation 2 was capable of Backwards Compatibility? Moreover, does anyone remember an age when a system wasn’t able to be modified on a high-level unless end-users cracked it open after purchasing? Sony has demonstrated that not only do they don’t take issue with issuing a slew of updates, but removing honestly advertised features from a system following release. This occurred with the remove OS functionality following the latest system update and has not only caused a inundation of issues from the general gaming community, but the United States government. I suppose many wouldn’t have had a problem with it, however, this was a feature that was advertised and subsequently removed without so much as calling home to the PSN. Sure, you could’ve not downloaded it and been barred from access to the PlayStation Network, but instead Sony opted to bone a small, yet vocal group of users and it has since caused them problems, all in the name of the blanketing term of security. Nevertheless, Sony demonstrated that they have no compunction whatsoever about taking away something that was initially touted as one of the systems most prevalent abilities. It would be like buying a car from a dealer and having them remove all of the seats a year down the line when taking it in for routine service. While the fallout has surely been bad enough, the mere action on the part of Sony is enough to justify many fears about the company and it’s general disconnection from a majority of the console owners – the elimination of Backward Compatibility with the discontinuation of the 60GB PS3 proves that as it forces users to purchase content they may already own all over again.
So ultimately, that the PlayStation 3 is not a terrible machine. On the contrary, it’s an exceptionally great system. In the sense of modern demonstrated capabilities, the console has the ability to overtake its competitors given enough time and provided the content remains exceptional throughout the remained of its lifespan. However, as the fall draws ever closer, Natal and Move are preparing for release in attempt to garner a market share of the motion-controlled community and that will set a major tone for how Sony or Microsoft proceed into 2011. The gaming library of the console is expanding to compete with Microsoft and Nintendo along with new titles for download via the PSN. The PlayStation 3 has more than a good chance of surviving and surpassing its projected ten-year lifespan – provided that Sony doesn’t system update it in obsolescence. Thus, with the proper care, the PlayStation 3 could remain future proof for many impeding years to come.
Whether you agree or disagree with our opinion on the Playstation 3 make sure to head to this (click here) forum thread and discuss it with your fellow gamers.
