Sony’s NGP is touting its 3G mobile connectivity features, but Sony has unsurprisingly confirmed this will not be free, and consumers and even Nintendo’s CEO all appear extremely hostile to the idea.
SCE’s European boss has confirmed that the NGP’s 3G connectivity will not be a free service, meaning contracts with mobile phone providers will almost certainly be involved.
If the market for smartphones is anything to go by, this will likely mean $20-$100 monthly data plans, minimum contract periods and a variety of other inconveniences, all without the benefit of actually being able to make phone calls or do much beyond play games (which of course also have to be bought).
Nintendo’s CEO actually rubbished the NGP for just this reason, saying he thought it would be extremely difficult to persuade consumers to stomach the costs of a mobile data plan:
“I won’t deny we’ve been looking into [3G support for the 3DS]. However, with the separate subscription fee required it is a very difficult option to consider.”
Of course, this was the man who said a console with a battery life under 10 hours would be “no good” only to release one with a 3 hour battery life.
That the NGP’s 3G will be a hard sell, if not an impossible one, is already in evidence from the 2ch reaction to the news that a fee will be involved:
“It’s finished.”
“If this is true, then it’s already done for in the Japanese market.
Consumers will never accept the notion of paying ¥3000-¥4000 monthly for a game console which they can’t use as a phone or for anything else.
And the parents will never let their kids have these. Without schoolchildren it won’t take root.”
Providing a non-3G model (which is confirmed) and carefully marketing the subscription plan to both buyers and those who want no part in it may prove marketing hassle Sony could do without.
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Just don't use the 3G. Problem solved.
This. Theres different skus for a reason. People will find anything to complain about.
So playing online using 3G huh .... That's gonna suck Coz I know it's gonna be slow...
I can game online using my HTC EVo (no 4G just 3G) as a hotspot and play games on my laptop with little to no lag. Call of Duty Black Ops for one runs with almost no lag online unless I am in a very weak signal area. 3G is perfectly fine in most cases for Computer gaming, if It can handle that, I'm sure it can handle a Much easier and weaker Portable game.
I already have a 3G sim card for the sole purpose of mobile surfing.
Oh yes.
From what I understood, it's more like signing contract with AT&T or Verizon to use the iPhone, not only getting access to mobile Internet.
That is just their theory. Devices like the iPad require a subscription, but no contract. You can activate and disable the account monthly, and there is no long term contract. It doesn't HAVE to be like a phone.
did you miss that you need to get it?
Where does it say you need to get it? I doubt you need 3G. Sony has to be retarded to do that. 3G is really just for the hardcore CoD players.
Yea I missed it too care to point that out?
Especially if people read the whole article and see that there are two versions of the NGP: One with 3G and one without.
So you don't even have to HAVE a system with 3G, let alone pay for it.
Damn telco, always up to no good
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/9084/1296016726425.jpg
Its already confirmed there will be Wi-fi ONLY models.
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/29/hirai_ngp_details/
Now this is a smart move on their part as the wifi only ipad is a about $130 cheaper then the 3G ipad.
Plus many users may own a mobile wifi hotspot which would make a 3g modem in their individual devices pointless.
and the Ipad can't make any calls either.. yet still offers 3G.. If the NGP was just a game platform.. no.. not worth it.. but as basically and Ipod touch killer ( don't know, hoping) then its a nice option for those on the go..
and like said.. you don't have to buy it , or use it if you have it! its a convinent option for those looking for it.. so in turn sales will increase! To me this is a great marketing idea!
I'm still baffled by the negative reactions in the article. You'd think you had to buy a 3G plan just to use the system.
It's 2ch. They enjoy crying out for the apocalypse on the littlest of details.
"I won’t deny we’ve been looking into [3G support for the 3DS]. However, with the separate subscription fee required it is a very difficult option to consider.”
Why can't Sony think like this more often...
“It’s finished.”
Sums up 2ch's reactions to the fucked up news in a single couple of words, classic hilarity...
I don't understand the big problem here. Everyones acting as though Sony will require anyone who buys an NGP to purchase a 3G plan. It's just another feature that's offered on the device. If you don't want to use it then, well... don't. Dumb fucks...
Really isn't a big deal and has already been rebutted quite a bit..
Once again, the nintendo fanboyism is showing artefact..
From some reports, it seems sony is planning on releasing two versions of the NGP - one with wi-fi and the other with 3G enabled - like apples iPad.
So, simple - just get the (cheaper) wi-fi version.
Thank you for putting some reality back in here.
XBOX 360
wtf?
Same level of fail?
Wow, Sony makes some of the dumbest decisions sometimes. Do they honestly think people are going to pay a monthly fee for NGP 3G that you can't even use as a phone? They might as well go back to the old model of hitting online wirelessly because this will surely go the way of PSP Go if they don't remedy this.
Hello sheep, unable to read specifications and think for yourself.
You can still go online with WiFi, 3G is just an option.
I know this might sounds weird but buying 3G device without a plan is no problem in any normal country.
3G is just an option for better online on the go for people that are willing to get contract or pre paid plan.
Huh?
"Providing a non-3G model and carefully marketing the subscription plan to both buyers and those who want no part in it may prove marketing hassle Sony could do without."
It's a hassle, so they're not going to make a non 3g model?
I read they said they're making one on a different article.
Learn to comprehend. And learn to read what's written in the parentheses. It's Sankaku's personal opinion.
Oh sony....
That will limit the NGP's reach worldwide because some countries just wont be taken in account to offer 3g plans, well they lose. Just leaving the 3g unlocked would prove better, oh well, just wait the hackers.
There are countries without 3G service which are considered an important gaming market to even publish the NGP?
YES! EGYPT! Since President Hosni Mubarak press the RED BUTTON end shut down the internet end the cell phone lines!
It's like no one comprehends that the 3G portion is optional...and they could still just use WiFi...
They spent the time and money to implement a system that has no use then. G3 internet is certainly liberating for the game player, but with a greedy cell phone company attached this becomes a non starter.
People who are willing to go to all that trouble would be better off just getting an iPhone. Those who don't could be just as happy with the 3ds.
What is the PSP doing that hasn't already been done better for less?
I hate shit like this. When did console companies forget that the primary function of system is to play games and be fun? What's all this shit with extra monthly plans and phone garbage? Why can't a game system just be simple and fun? Have they've forgotten that?
"When did CONSOLE COMPANIES forget that the primary function of system is to play games and be fun?"
CONSOLE COMPANIES...
COMPANIES...
think about it from a business perspective...
As much as i wish that everyone in the world did things only to enrich the lives of others, unfortunately it's all for the money -_-
It all started when people had bad reading comprehension.
Jesus Christ I really can't understand if people are just trolling and pretending to not know how to read. Or does this site just overflow with mindless sheeps?
Either way both are sad.
Can somebody explain the problem here for me?
It's common sense that a wireless 3G connection needs a provider right? So you need a data plan.
I have a smartphone with a data plan and i can simply request a second sim-card FOR FREE, which is running on the same contract.
It does not lead to ANY additional costs for me...but 2ch + Ninetndo are claiming it's doomed because you need to (obviously) pay for the data plan to begin with?
Is the mobile market different in Japan (paying for each device or whatever)?
The problem is it's an actual smartphone. So a data contract with a phone provider makes sense. this one however has all the contracts of a smartphone without the phone part. So in essence your getting a platform that charges for phone use but the manufacturer botched the shipment so the phone is disabled. I'm not getting one that's for sure.
Also why on earth do we have to have a 2ch response for every news piece? Did I miss the memo where a news article is only validated if 2ch put their 2 cents in? Usually a downright ignorant 2 cents at that.
Thanks for your reply. For me it's still no problem because i only pay the data part of my plan every month. Everything else doesn't cost me anything if i don't use it (postpaid) so this NGP 3G absolutely corresponds with my plan :D
So you won't buy this because Sony gave you the option to go online anywhere. Would you have bought it if they hadn't gave you the option of going online anywhere? If you would then it wouldn't make any difference since the entire 3G option is optional.
You can buy data only plans even here in Japan. You don't have to buy a phone plan along with it.
And in Europe (Germany for example) you can get a second sim card for your existing deal that you can put into 3G capable devices which can only do data connections.
At least they are not asking you to connect to 3G and require u to pay for it just to play single-player
All they have to do is make a deal with a cell provider for an inexpensive data only plan like the iPad has. This would simply be a feature that would not be used much until it catches on.
Or kids would rather spray this new piece of junk with sticky white semen and just go play other owner friendly handhelds such as DS or the old PSP.
really now, I wouldn't spend that much on a monthly subscription that doesn't come with a blowjob from a beautiful secretary
Shhhhh don't give them ideas!
still has (Wi-Fi)!? if so i see no problem.
it does have Wifi still, so the option to purchase games and whatnot is still possible. 3G is part of the ipad but the ipad doesn't force you to make use of it since it also has wifi. I can see the NGP having it for individuals who DO want to pay the monthly fee, and wifi use for people who don't want to pay the fee. I think metropolitan japan is covered with wifi hotspots so that shouldn't be what kills it.
it does, they have two SKUs for the NGP, one WITH the 3G and one without, but both with Wi-Fi
It depends on the teritory though.
Europe is getting wifi and 3G SKUs, where as Japan is only getting 3G SKUs (wifi included with it of cause).
There's been no announcement for the NA SKUs last I looked but I'd say it would be the same as the European.
I don't think the US will get the 3g one as that could mean it would be legal to jailbreak it as it would be legally close to a phone.
So, this shit can't make phone calls? what's the point of the 3g?
I think it's for the one of the features.. I think it was "Near." Basically uses the GPS to see what other users around your area are playing, or something like that.
most likely online gaming while you can't access Wi-Fi
If someone ports skype or similar to it you could use it as a phone.
No the 3G connection is so that you can play online multiplayer and access the devices store and such when you are unable to access wifi.
It's not to do with 'near', 'near' works the same as the DSs proximity gaming.
I honestly don't see the problem.There are models that do not have 3G.
Who the fuck needs 3g anyway?
More sensationalist journalism by the triangle-man.
Says who? I wouldnt be surprised if they added such feature when they find out their battery anti piracy protection is no good...
LOL NO thanks, go to hell! -.-. I'm pissed of them that they don't try to find a better solution than this. FU .. NO sorry, I mean I really like the PS games because much of them were exclusive, but no thanks, I don't need a PAY TV for games