LAS VEGAS -- Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) once again set up shop in a penthouse suite inside the MGM Grand Casino during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). In addition to having new playable versions of PlayStation 3 and PC massively multiplayer (MMO) games Free Realms and DC Universe Online, the company held its annual poker tournament. John Smedley, president of SOE, took some time to discuss the importance of CES in the ever-changing landscape of video game trade shows and how the business of MMO games is evolving through free-to-play and the migration to next generation consoles like PlayStation 3.
GameDaily BIZ: Having been at CES now for several years running, what does SOE get out of showcasing games at this trade show?
John Smedley: I've seen more and more gaming press attending CES and I think that's starting to be a good thing for us. It's a time of the year that traditionally the industry doesn't have a lot of news. And I think as you're starting to see major hardware like Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour, I think CES is a natural extension of gaming. I remember when CES was the gaming show and that was a good time.
BIZ: What's the focus of this year's show for SOE?
JS: We're just about to launch the open beta of Free Realms and we have that game running. Free Realms is a free online MMO game set in a whimsical fantasy world where kids can choose to be whatever they want to be. You can be a wizard one day or a pirate the next. It's a game designed around letting you do all kinds of activities like racing cars or commanding a pirate ship.
BIZ: Like the title implies, Free Realms will be free to play. What's the business model for this game?
JS: If you choose to be a member you get access to more things and there are items to buy, but you don't have to if you don't want to. There's plenty to do for free. You might see a guy sitting at a table and you can play chess and there might be a racetrack in the middle of a forest and you jump into a car and race Mario Kart style. There might be a soccer ball in the middle of a field and you can play a game with your friends.
BIZ: How do you see Free Realms broadening the demographics of MMO games, which have revolved mostly around "men in tights" games aimed at older audiences?
JS: Free Realms is the type of game an MMO player can play because they'll have a lot of fun, but they can also play with their kids. You'd be surprised at how many families show up at Fan Faire every year. And a lot of players play with their families. One of the advantages our company has over our competition is that we do have a lot of families that play together.
BIZ: How will PS3 gamers be able to play Free Realms for free?
JS: We expect you to be able to download Free Realms on the PlayStation Network and the business model will be the same. You'll be able to play for free or subscribe for further exploration and buy in-game items.
BIZ: Since MMOs have primarily been the domain of PC gamers, what impact do you see games like Free Realms and DC Universe Online coming out on PS3 having on your company?
JS: I think PS3 will be close to half our business. There's an audience now waiting for online games on the PS3. I believe PSN has over 15 million users today. It's growing so quickly, we see a great user base potential there.
BIZ: How do you see the PS3 changing the current demographics of the PC MMO gamers?
JS: I think a lot of the people who play PS3 games right now aren't the same people playing MMOs right now. I think it's going to bring in a lot of new players. There are certainly people who have consoles and PCs in their house. The difference is what they actively play. PS3 gamers are used to playing Resistance 2 instead of a shooter on the PC. I think we can bring this kind of gaming to this audience and I think it's going to be huge.
Reader Comments (1)
I hate MMOs, take the restrictions and poor gameplay elements of single players games and blend them into a online subscription. Screw the social aspect of it tis not worth the cost of crappy redundant game play, I'd rather buy weapons,skills,levels and such ontop of a subscription and play it for a couple months before I am totally burn out on it than mindlessly grind wasting time and money. MMOs need to be more customizable to the individual user and offer a more unique experience to the individual player.