Korean developers give lukewarm reception to online games for PS3
Korean game development companies have raised concerns over Sony’s proposal to create online games for the Playstation 3.
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios Japan (SCE WSJ) and Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency (KIPA) have partnered up to establish “WA! Online Game for Playstation 3″, a project which enlists the help of small-to-medium sized Korean games development companies to make online games for the PS3.
Initial interest in the project (aka WA! PS3 Online”) was shown by developers after it was announced on February 8, however, after a in depth meeting between the two parties on February 15 in Seoul, a number of issues became apparent.
According to Japanese site Gpara, the development companies did not appear satisfied with what was presented to them.
As part of the agreement, Sony and KIPA would offer Korean developers free technical support and fund their projects. In return, Sony and KIPA would be given control over the copyright to the games, one of the key points that the companies did not agree with.
Another major concern was the fact that the Sony did not fully reveal all details of the Playstation 3 online gaming network technology and the fact that the network’s structure was not made clear enough.
A number of Korean developers commented that joining the “WA! Online Game” project was too risky.
“The conditions and answers that KIPA and SCE presented sounds like a ‘a risky path’ for Korean game companies,” one developer explained.
His thoughts were echoed by another developer who has previously worked on the PSP, PS2 and Xbox.
“The structure of this project is too risky for a company that just started, or for medium-sized and small game companies without the resources.”
When it came time to ask questions after the meeting, the entire session was taken up fielding questions about the developer’s concerns with the proposed “WA! Online Game for Playstation 3″ project.
A spokesperson with KIPA said that while conditions for joining the project were harsh, they were actually aimed at helping developers.
“We understand the conditions are a little severe. But please understand that this policy has been established after many careful adjustments under the sheer desire to help medium and small sized game development companies with ideas.”
In recent years, Korea has become a leading force in Asian online game development. With WA! Online Game for Playstation 3, Sony aims to get a foothold in a region that may be vital for the implemention of the Playstation 3’s online gaming system, codenamed “HUB”.
Sony appears to face similar struggles as Microsoft when they introduced the XNA system to Japanese game developers.
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February 23, 2006 @ 8:38 am
altodarknight Said,
But XNA is useful, having used it myself. Any sony software I have used is shocking. Sony forgets and software, including games, is about developers.