Free online with PSN means better reach and returns for smaller budget games

Looking to strike a chord with the pool of budding talent at GDC08, Sony Computer Entertainment America's VP of product marketing Scott Steinberg believes the PlayStation 3 will be the platform which best suits the needs of smaller, independant developers looking to make a name for themselves in the console gaming biz. Steinberg's comments come as a response to Microsoft's recent buzz over catering to the needs of startup developers with the XNA development platform for PC, Xbox 360, and now Zune.

Part of SCEA's confidence stems from the free access nature for the PlayStation Network, compared to the Gold level membership required to appreciate Xbox Live's full online functionality. While it's natural SCEA would deem free access as an advantage the PSN has over Xbox Live in general, the company also believes it's a trump card that will give smaller developers a better chance to become more visible through their games:

"So, the accessibility of somebody's content who decides to make a game that is maybe smaller, more affordable for consumers to buy – I think we're a better choice because the PS3 owner has the ability to go online day one without having to cut a check... I think if a small, start-up company wanted to have global access to their content, and have global commercial potential for their content, Sony is by far the best platform."

Queried over the lack of movie and television programming rentals on the PSN compared to Xbox Live, Steinberg promises the remainder of 2008 will see Sony better leveraging its weight as an entertainment media brand in order to deliver such services to the PSN.