Howard Stringer. PSN to become "open", PS3 base is "too limiting"

[gameman]

Phrancheyez said:

gameman said:
If PSN becomes "open" to the web, Is Sony giving up on the PS3? Slightly?

 

Uhh...no?  What makes you say that?  The reason he said, and I quote, "the number of PS3 units sold puts a limit on the scale of the network" means exactly what it says.  If they're going to expand the service into what they want it to be, they need more than 20 million users able to access it.  And of the 20 million that have PS3's, maybe half have access to/use PSN regularly.  So you're building a platform for 10 million people.  That's not enough, especially for a company like Sony to develop a service for.  The same would be the issue for the 360 - there isn't enough of an install base to justify it.  If they open it up to PC, that adds an almost infinite number of possible users.  Not to mention using other mediums like their Bravia TV's, Blu-Ray players, etc. 

I think it's a smart move, but it worries me at the same time.  I'm hoping it doesn't create lag issues for people playing on PSN, or kill PS3/PSP users' download rates (which can sometimes already be low enough).  I'm all for opening up and allowing more people in, I think it's only going to increase the amount of content available which is always a good thing - I just hope they do it right.

When you open up a platform like PSN to everyone, it kills the need for a PS3.  Its the combination of Software + hardware that locks users into a closed system. Similar to I tunes + I pod, OSX + Macs, etc. PSN losing PS3 exclusivity is slightly giving up on the PS3.