NCSoft on the PS3

[schild]

Just wanted to say a couple things about the announcement from SCEA today about NCSoft making games for the PS3, PSP and PSN.

1. Perfect venue for that tennis game and soccer fury game.
2. Tabula Rasa might make it's money back.
3. They're like sleeping heel/toe heel/toe with the DC Comics folks at SOE. Which is crazy because NCSoft is making Marvel comics online.
4. Sony, with UT, has already gone on the record saying games that need full KB/M support get full KB/M support.
5. NCSoft is probably making games with UE3.
6. This could - theoretically and abstractly - hurt Sony's relationship with Squeenix. Mostly because Square was rumored to be working on a new MMOG. And if there's one thing they can't really compete with, it's Lineage.
7. ^^^segue^^^ The Gooch (Hironobu Sakaguchi) just announced he's making an MMOG for the 360. So Square can't really go there.
8. Expect to see Square work with Nintendo on an MMOG for the Wii. How will it work? I have no clue.

Somehow, in my incredibly tired state, I just went from NCSoft to Square making a Pokemon MMOG in like 11 sentences.

I'm going to bed. I wonder if it's safe to sleep in a tin foil hat.

[Trippy]

3. They're like sleeping heel/toe heel/toe with the DC Comics folks at SOE. Which is crazy because NCSoft is making Marvel comics online.

No, they aren't.

[UnSub]

For the record, Microsoft (not NCsoft) is funding and publishing the Marvel Universe Online (MUO).

As another one from the tinfoil hat brigade - Cryptic has an unannounced PS3 game that is currently being developed. Could they really be doing CoH/V, MUO and DC Online all at the same time?

(Nah, probably not.)

EDIT: Oh, and the other thing noticed that nowhere in that press release is Sony Online Entertainment reputedly mentioned. Did Sony step over SOE to get to NCsoft?

[Sairon]

I don't know for sure but I'm under the impression that the FF brand is a whole lot larger than the Warcraft brand prior to WoW. Sure enough FFXI while surely generating a decent amount of cash didn't really control the market, however a large part of that I believe was because it needed addons for the PS2 as well as being a bit to early to really push MMO on a console. The whole online deal wasn't really something which was explored by the consumer on the PS2. A well made FF MMO could probably get WoW like subscriptions on this generation of consoles if it's timed well.

[Trippy]

SOE is developing DC Online not Cryptic.

[Mrbloodworth]

I know this was Sony, but SOE has stated for a while now they are going more of the publisher/distro route than the development route, this may have something to do with Sony picking up NCsoft, or why Sony "skipped" SOE..

[Trippy]

I think you guys are reading too much into the non-mention of SOE. This is a major exclusive international development deal for Sony so of course it's under the auspices of SCEI and not the US SOE. That doesn't mean SOE is not going to be involved at all.

[Nonentity]

"...and if you shake the PS3 controller, your hero does the boombox dance emote. Tilt it forward to read the newspaper!"

[Venkman]

SOE is already involved in the PS3.

TR on the PS3 would work ok, but the videos don't show the same sort of action someone expects when looking at what casually appears to be a FPS game.

CoX on PS3 would be awesome though, and I think very possible. That is a different game, a few UI tweaks away from a console port. Yea, I'm expecting major disagreement :)

[Yoru]

I have to say this is great - Auto Assault on the PS3! A game nobody plays on the system nobody has! 

[Mrbloodworth]

I have to say this is great - Auto Assault on the PS3! A game nobody plays on the system nobody has! 

Lots of people have it.

[d4rkj3di]

I have to say this is great - Auto Assault on the PS3! A game nobody plays on the system nobody has! 

Lots of people have it.

Then it must be like herpes, because no one I know has any intention of getting it. Cryptic is mum on CoH/CoV going PS3, but I was directed to look at who owns the IP. Look for it on a console near you soon. NCsoft big in Asia, Sony big in Asia? Bigger in Asia together?

And still no mention of Exteel. Bastards.

Edit - schild has herpes?

[schild]

I have to say this is great - Auto Assault on the PS3! A game nobody plays on the system nobody has! 

Lots of people have it.

Then it must be like herpes, because no one I know has any intention of getting it.

It's hard to get herpes when you already have it.

OH BURN

[Yoru]

Someone want to throw those guys a rope? I got a threefer.

[Lantyssa]

They have medicines to help with the burn.

[UnSub]

SOE is developing DC Online not Cryptic.

Vivendi was going to be looking after the Marvel Online license.

Then Sigil was going to be doing a Marvel Online MMO.

So things change.

Cryptic has been coy regarding MUO, but at least has a puff piece trailer and lots of vague hints about what is going on behind the scenes.

Apart from the announcement last year that Jim Lee, well-known comic book artist, is going to be some sort of artistic director (looked it up: Executive Creative Director), I've heard squat about anything regarding DC Online. Unless Lee has a magic pen that can be used to draw a MMO fully formed, someone needs to be in charge of getting it done, and I'm sure that SOE would be wanting to hype this game up like they are doing for The Agency if it had any substance at all.

If I've missed some announcement about DC Online and how feature complete it is (or hell, that they actually have a development team) feel free to point me in the right direction. Until that time, I won't be surprised if DC / Warner Brothers takes its ball from SOE and gives it to another studio.

Honestly, I don't think Cryptic would get it. Too much conflict of interest. But if they did, I wouldn't necessarily be surprised either.

[cmlancas]

Haha. Sigil. McQuaid says every time your hero dies it is permadeath. Sorry.

[Ragnoros]

I fully expect the Marvel MMO to be anywhere from 2-5x better then whatever shows up for the DC one. Marvel seems to have much more skill/luck at picking developers for their games then DC. (movies too, superman returns was so crap) And we already know that Cryptic can/has made the most fun, action packed MMO on the market. SOE, eh, not so much.
Look at at Justice League Heroes, what should have been Snowblind's crown jewel was largely generic and uninspired. 
This makes me sad as I like the DC universe more then the Marvels.
Yes I'm bitter.

[Margalis]

Jim Lee is an excellent choice if you are looking for someone very lazy and unable to accomplish the most basic tasks without years of time wasted.

[Azazel]

So... Jim Lee will be working for Sigil on the Marvel game then!   

[cmlancas]

He's a creative consultant.   

[Wolf]

(movies too, superman returns was so crap)

So was Batman Begins. No, wait. It wasn't. It was the best superhero comic ever ;)

[Velorath]

(movies too, superman returns was so crap)

So was Batman Begins. No, wait. It wasn't. It was the best superhero comic ever ;)

The exception that proves the rule.

[Wolf]

heh I meant to say the best superhero movie ever :(