GDC: GameSpy Adds PlayStation 3 Online Support

IGN Entertainment's GameSpy Division has announced that it has ported its technology to the PlayStation 3 and has received approval to join Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s (SCEI) Tools & Middleware License Program. GameSpy technology lets game developers add sophisticated online game features to their game titles for PlayStation 3, just as they have with the PC, PlayStation 2, and PSP platforms and with the same confidence. The company is now able to bring customized server processing to PlayStation 3 game titles, a feature game developers call "persistence." An example of this can be seen in the Majesco Entertainment Company's Infected title, launched for PSP in November 2005, where the game continues to move forward even when a player is offline. "We are proud to continue to be a valued SCEI's tools and middleware licensee and look forward to accelerating the PlayStation 3 market success by speeding creation of terrific online titles," said Jamie Berger, Vice President and General Manager of IGN Publisher Services. "Since developers are already familiar with our technology and interfaces, including it in their titles should be quick, giving them more time to refine gameplay and take the best possible advantage of the PlayStation 3 platform."